Friday, November 14th, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Tog Hackerspace, Dublin 8 No experience needed — Ages 18+
Air pollution affects many people’s daily lives, not just those living near industrial centres. In Ireland, most official air quality monitoring is carried out using a limited number of government sensors spread across the country. As a result, we often rely on modelling to estimate current pollution levels. This can miss out on local or seasonal sources such as coal fires during winter or short-term event-based pollution.
In this hands-on Science Week workshop, we’ll explore how to measure local air pollution and take part in a global citizen science movement. You’ll build your own particulate matter (PM2.5) sensor system using a simple kit of off-the-shelf components. The device uses consumer-grade hardware to give a reasonable indication of local air quality — not as precise as professional lab equipment, but accurate enough to spot trends and patterns in your community.
The workshop introduces participants to IoT (Internet of Things) devices, data collection, and environmental monitoring. You’ll learn how to assemble the hardware, connect it to the network, and share your data online through the Sensor.Community platform — an open global network of more than 13,000 citizen-built sensors contributing over 10 million data entries worldwide.
By the end of the evening, you’ll have built your own working air quality sensor and joined a growing international community helping to better understand our environment through open data.
Come along, learn something new, and make a real contribution to citizen science this Science Week!
🎟 Tickets available via Eventbrite – €70 per person This covers the cost of materials and includes a donation to Tog Hackerspace.
This special Repair Café is only possible thanks to the support of The Climate Action Team, The Community and Culture Department and the Just Transition Team of Offaly County Council.
What can you bring?
We’ll be ready to tackle repairs on a wide range of household items, including:
Clothes and accessories
Toys
Small electrical appliances and electronics
Small furniture
…and more!
Each repair is limited to half an hour. Bring up to a maximum of three items. We will see what we can repair in your time slot. Ticket holders will be given priority.
We’ll even have PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) available to ensure repaired electrical devices are safe to use.
Whether it’s a toaster that won’t pop, a lamp that’s gone dark, or a favourite toy in need of TLC—don’t bin it! Our volunteers will work with you to diagnose and repair your items, all while sharing tips and advice to help you learn new skills.
While you’re waiting, soak in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Tullamore Library.
Event Details
🛠️ When: Saturday, 11th October 2025⏰ Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
This special Repair Café is only possible thanks to the support of The Climate Action Team, The Community and Culture Department and the Just Transition Team of Offaly County Council.
Together, let’s keep things out of the landfill and build a culture of repair in Tullamore!
This year’s IRTS Hamfest, our member Jeffrey cycled down to Mullingar and wrote this post.
Instead of taking the train or car, I decided to cycle the 95 km from Dublin, following the Grand Canal out to Adamstown, cutting across, and then joining the Royal Canal all the way west.
The journey had its challenges, with closed sections, impassable barriers, and detours that stretched a 10 km road section into 17 km. But there were plenty of highlights too. I love a good bundle, so along the way, I decided to take photos for the Wiki Loves Monuments project, trying to make sure everything on the national monument registry has a photo. That had me stopping at landmarks such as Ballyfermot Bridge and the 12th Lock Bridge, and enjoying a lunch break at the Boyne Viaduct, complete with a battery swap on my e-bike. I was even joined from Leixlip by a fellow club member for the journey.
By late afternoon, I arrived in Mullingar and settled into Hamfest.
Activity at Hamfest
Hamfest this year was buzzing with activity, with a wide range of groups and demonstrations:
Collective Communication Radio Club had their trailer-based mobile station on show. It’s a fantastic setup designed to bring amateur radio right into the heart of communities, complete with HF and VHF/UHF capability, antennas, and a neat operating position. I had a great chat with their members about how they deploy it for outreach events.
The Galway Radio Experimenters Club showcased Morse code trainer kits based on ESP32 boards. These little devices allow budding operators to learn and practise CW with built-in keyers, displays, and sounders with modern microcontrollers helping keep the oldest digital mode alive.
The RAYNET Emergency Communications Group gave a live demonstration of AREDN mesh networking (https://www.arednmesh.org), linking radios into a network carrying VoIP, messaging, and data services. Seeing voice calls and file transfers moving seamlessly over amateur microwave links was a great reminder of the role radio can play in resilience.
The EIDX Group had a stand full of stories and photos from their DXpeditions. They’ve activated rare locations around the world, giving thousands of operators new countries in the log. Their passion for bringing remote places onto the bands was inspiring.
My own club, Tog Hackerspace (https://www.tog.ie), had a stand showing packet radio from Ben (EI9IUB). We had good discussions about how the hackerspace community overlaps with amateur radio with experimentation, DIY builds, and curiosity.
For me, a real highlight was sitting down to do some hands-on soldering. I had people drop in to chat while learning how to solder for the first time, and with others who were more experienced, sharing advanced techniques and discussing why we should all be switching to lead-free solder.
Social Side
Hamfest is not only about radios and equipment, but also about community. On Saturday evening, I joined the YOTA Ireland team and their invited guests. We played games late into the night, before moving on to share stories well past midnight. While there was no campfire this year, we improvised with hot water bottles (thanks to Ana!) to keep warm.
On Sunday morning, the car boot sale was a highlight. After rummaging through the tables, I found an adjustable bench power supply for just €15, a proper bargain, and a reminder that Hamfest always has surprises in store.
The Return Journey
After two full days of activity, it was time to cycle home. I had company on the way down for the chats, and an audiobook kept me going on the solo cycle back. The return trip began under grey skies, with a 45-minute rain shower outside Kilcock. After a battery swap at 54 km, the sun reappeared, and I made good progress along the Royal Canal. I arrived back in Dublin about an hour quicker than on the outbound trip, helped by fewer photo stops and no sit-down lunch.
Thanks also to Ben (EI9IUB) & Conor(EI3020) for bringing down the soldering gear and my tent, which allowed me to cycle bag-free. It made the whole adventure a lot more manageable.
This being the first-ever IRTS Hamfest, it was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, a variety of engaging stands, and plenty of opportunities for learning and socialising. It was a fitting start to what I hope will become a regular highlight of the Irish amateur radio calendar. You can see even more photos of the event in our gallery.
We’re packing up our tools (and a few stories) for the EPA Circular Economy Conference 2025 on Wednesday, 24 September, in the Aviva Stadium.
You’ll find us in the exhibition area, flying the flag for Repair Cafés and the workshops we run at Tog. We’ll be chatting about how fixing the things you already own is good for your pocket, good for the planet, and good craic altogether.
And since we’re on the topic, we’ve got not one but two Repair Cafés coming up this October. Keep an eye on the details here: tog.ie/repair
So if you’re at the Aviva, swing by our stand for a natter. We’d love to see you there.
We’re excited to announce that Tog Hackerspace will be taking part in IRTS Hamfest 2025! The Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) is hosting this year’s Hamfest on Saturday & Sunday, September 6th–7th, 2025, at The Showgrounds, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (Eircode: N91 HXH0).
Hamfest will be one of the highlights of the amateur radio calendar with a weekend full of hands-on activities, workshops, demonstrations, and plenty of radio fun. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, a newly licensed ham, or just radio-curious, this is the perfect event to get involved.
What Tog Will Be Doing
Our members, Jeffrey (EI7IRB) and Ben (EI9IUB), will be running a range of activities throughout the weekend, including:
🔧 Soldering Workshop – learn the basics or sharpen your skills.
📏 Multimeter Skills Workshop – get hands-on with practical measurement techniques.
📡 Packet Radio Workshop – try out a live portable packet station in action.
🎙 Light SSB Operating – have a go at making QSOs from the field.
🛰 Exotic Digital Modes – explore some of the more unusual ways hams are getting signals across the globe.
💻 Software Hacking – discover how code and radio come together.
🌐 Meshtastic Meetup – connect with the growing Irish Meshtastic community.
We’ll be set up alongside other clubs and operators, making the most of the 30-acre site at Mullingar Showgrounds. Expect lots of radios, antennas, and opportunities to get on the air.
About Hamfest 2025
Beyond TOG’s own activities, Hamfest will feature:
Live QO-100 satellite station demos.
Portable operating setups (SOTA/POTA).
A DXpedition gear showcase.
A vintage radio display for a trip down memory lane.
Learning zones covering antenna sharing, emergency comms, and more.
A chance to meet IRTS experts and get hands-on at “try-it-out” stations.
It also coincides with SSB Field Day, so you’ll see plenty of contest activity happening live from the site.
Stay & Socialise
Camping is free on-site (tents, camper vans, and caravans welcome), or you can grab a bed in Mullingar town, just 5 minutes away. There’ll be food, chats, and the usual Hamfest social vibe all weekend long.
Join Us
📅 Dates:
Saturday, September 6th (12 pm – 6 pm)
Sunday, September 7th (10 am – 4 pm)
📍 Location: The Showgrounds, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath [Eircode: N91 HXH0] Event Details on IRTS.ie
🎫 Admission:
Free for IRTS members
Small fee for the general public
We’re really looking forward to meeting fellow hams, makers, and curious minds at Mullingar. Come find us at Hamfest 2025 and get hands-on with radio, soldering, hacking, and more!
We’re excited to launch a new hands-on workshop at Tog Hackerspace where you’ll learn a practical and empowering skill—how to wire a plug and build your own extension lead. The session takes place on Thursday, September 25th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at our space in Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V.
🛠️ What’s It All About?
Ever wanted to fix a broken plug, wire up your own extension lead, or just feel more confident around household electrics? This workshop is for you. We’ll guide you through the entire process of safely wiring a 13A plug and connecting it to a 4-gang extension lead. No prior experience needed.
Each participant will:
Wire up their own 3-core cable into a standard plug
Connect that cable to a 4-way socket block
Learn about fuses, cable strain relief, and wiring safety
Get their work PAT tested so it’s ready and safe to use at home
Take home a functional, tested extension lead they built themselves!
All tools and materials will be provided.
🧷 Note: This workshop involves the wiring of a portable extension lead by individuals for personal use. It does not fall under Restricted Electrical Works as defined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Safe Electric. You can read more about Controlled and Restricted Works here: Safe Electric Guidance
Places are limited to keep things hands-on and safe, so grab your spot early!
🌍 Why This Matters
This workshop is part of European Sustainable Development Week 2025, an initiative that highlights practical actions contributing to a more sustainable world. We’re proud to align our event with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging repair and reuse over landfill.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Building community resilience through practical skills.
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Raising awareness of safe and responsible energy use at home.
Learning how to wire a plug might seem small, but it’s part of a bigger movement toward repair culture and sustainable living. Plus, it’s surprisingly satisfying!
This workshop is led by our own Jeffrey Roe, a long-time Tog member, maker, and electronics educator. Jeffrey has been teaching hands-on skills for over a decade through hackathons, Repair Cafés, and community events. You can follow his making adventures over on Mastodon
📍 Workshop Details Recap
🗓️ Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025 🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 📍 Location: Tog Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V 💶 Cost: €25 (includes all materials + donation to Tog) 🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite link(insert your link) 👥 *No experience necessary – beginners welcome!
We’re looking forward to seeing you there and sharing this very useful, very fix-it-yourself skill. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message.
