eQSL.cc Forum

The "Irish Alcatraz" on the Air

On Wednesday 8-August from 10AM till 4PM (UTC) the North Cork Radio Group (www.ei1nc.com) will activate Spike Island, a Unique First Time Activation!

Spike Island was significant in the French intervention following the Glorious Revolution, and was later purchased by the British government in 1779 – becoming the site of Fort Westmoreland. (Named for John Fane, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.)

Later a prison and convict depot, it was used to house "convicts" prior to penal transportation. It gained a reputation as "Ireland's Alcatraz". It remained in use as a garrison and prison through the Irish War of Independence, when IRA prisoners were held there. Richard Barrett was among those detained there, but escaped during the truce of 1921.

Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the island remained as one of the Treaty Ports, and was only handed back to the Free State in 1938. Upon its handover to the Irish state, the island's installations were renamed Fort Mitchel (after John Mitchel, nationalist activist and political journalist).

More info on Spike Island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_Island,_County_Cork

The NCRG will have 3 SSB stations:
40m - 7.170 +/- QRM
20m - 14.270 +/- QRM
15m - 21.270 +/- QRM

Follow the NCRG on Twitter and Facebook:

Updates on actual frequencies and operators can be followed on the day itself: http://twitter.com/ei1nc
The Twitter page will automatically post to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ei1nc
If you like to join the discussion, request join our FB-page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ei1nc/

QSL cards:

A special QSL card will be used, design will be from pictures taken on the day of activation
If you like to see sample QSL cards of past activations, and for more information on the North Cork Radio Group, please visit http://www.ei1nc.com/Events.htm
QSL cards will be 100% returned, please see the EI1NC QRZ page for QSL details.

Spike Island activation references:

CASHOTA : EI019/C (www.cashota.co.uk / www.cashota-ireland.org)
IOTA : EU-115 (Mainland Ireland)
Locator : IO51uu
WAI : W86 (Worked All Ireland; http://www.irts.ie/cgi/wai.cgi)
Call Sign : EI1NC/P

Spike Island Geographical references:

normal Grid Ref = W 803 646
10 digit Grid Ref = W 80394 64650
Latitude = 51.83388 (north)
Longitude = -8.28446 (west)
Latitude = 51°50'2" (north)
Longitude = 8°17'4" (west)
Tetrad = W86C
Altidude = 26 metres

We really hope to hear and work you on Wednesday 8-August!
Happy DX
73 DE EI1NC

EI2HEB Edwin van Mierlo