Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 6th 2000
Islands On The Air
Last weekends Islands On The Air Contest attracted quite a lot of activity from Echo India stations. Three groups travelled to activate islands and to do battle for the new IRTS IOTA Trophy kindly sponsored by Paul O’Kane EI5DI.
The Mayo Group used the callsign EJ5J from Clare Island and reports suggest that they had a very enjoyable outing. Those involved included Padraic EI5FWB, Gerry EI4GD, Padraic EI5IX, Dermot EI7IX and John EI7IQ, John EI7FAB, Joe EI3IX and Frances EI5J.
Sean EI4GK, Joe EI7GY, Declan EI9HQ and Mick EI6GF operated EJ4GK/P from the Aran Islands. They operated under canvas in a field day type set-up and report an improved score over previous years.
EJ7M was active from Bere Island, also with a field day set-up but had the advantage of a fine car ferry to get vehicles on to the site.
The crew there was Dave EI4BZ, Jerry EI6BT, Mannix EI5HB, Jim EI8GS, John EI8IR and Steve EI9HC.
The Dalkey Island Group decided to stay on the mainland this year and operated EI1DD from an elevated site near Enniskerry in County Wicklow. Operators here included Paul EI2CA, Paul EI5DI, Keith EI4FBB, Tony EI6EW, Danny EI8HD, Sean EI7CD, Aidan EI8CE and Peter EI7CC.
Amongst the single operators heard with good scores were Ken EI4DW, Martin EI8GP and John EI7GL.
The annual IOTA Honour Roll listings were published in the latest issue of Radcom, the journal of the Radio Society of Great Britain and two EI stations are listed. Peter Ball EI7CC is at number 99 with 768 conformed and Anthony O’Rourke EI2HY is at number 360 with 487.
Irish Amateur Radio Association for the Blind and Disabled.
Following the winding up of the City of Dublin Radio Club earlier this year, the surplus funds were passed to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society with a request that a donation be made to the Irish Amateur Radio Association for the Blind and Disabled.
Recently, a substantial cheque was presented to the IARABD by IRTS Treasurer Sean Donelan EI4GK.
On behalf of IARABD, Joe Dillon EI4FV wishes to thank members of the City of Dublin Radio Club for their generosity.
It is now ten years since IARU requested IRTS to participate in the Information Programme for Handicapped Amateurs. At that time, no group existed in Echo India and IRTS appointed Joe EI4FV as co-ordinator to get something organised.
Initially, theory classes were conducted at the Cheshire Home in Phoenix Park and after two years four members obtained licences. Next, classes were established at the Council for the Blind in Drumcondra and now classes are run at St. Joseph’s School for visually impaired Boys at Gracepark Road in Drumcondra. A permanent station is now established at the school with the callsign EI5HAM and the group meets every Monday night.
The Group would like to hear from any amateur who could attend each Monday night from 2000 to 2130 to assist in the running of the club.
Since commencing theory classes, John EI6HL has assisted ten members obtain their licences and after the next session, it is hoped that a further six will be ready to sit the examination.
A more detailed report will appear in the next issue of Echo Ireland.
Committee Meeting
The next IRTS committee meeting will be held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone on Saturday August the 19th at 11.00a.m.
Cork Radio Club
Final preparations are now taking place for the annual Cork Rally being held in the Blarney Park Hotel in six weeks time on Sunday September the 17th. All the usual traders will be in attendance and as the club is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, they are planning a club stand to mark the occasion.
Enquiries about the rally, booking tables etc. to Con EI7DJB on 021-270136 or e-mail to conmac@eircom.net.
The weekly IRTS radio news is now broadcast in Cork on ATV simultaneously with the usual 2 metre bulletin at 2000 local on Monday nights. The frequency is 1295 MHz.
Any logos, pictures etc. should be sent to Con EI7DJB at QTHR.
South Eastern Group
Rob Mannion G3XFD, editor of Practical Wireless Magazine, will be the guest of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group at their next general meeting on Wednesday next August the 9th.
The venue for the meeting is the function hall in Roanmore Social & Sports Club, Cleaboy Road Waterford and the meeting starts at 8.00pm.
All are welcome to attend.
South Dublin Radio Club
South Dublin Radio Club is delighted to announce that two more of its members have obtained their experimenters licences. They are Andrew McGrath, who was issued the call sign EI7FPB and Liam McMahon, who now has the call sign EI7FQB.
Congratulations to Andrew and Liam.
Dates for your diary
The International Lighthouse/Lightship weekend will be held on August the 19th and 20th. And the IRTS 2 Metres Counties Contest will be held on Sunday August the 27th.
The HF SSB Field Day will take place over the weekend of September the 2nd and 3rd and on that weekend also, Celticon 2000, a QRP Convention will be held at the Marino Institute in Dublin.
The Cork Rally will be held on September 17th and the Shannon River Run will take place on the following weekend September the 22nd and 23rd.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News and the next issue of Echo Ireland should be forwarded to Dave EI4BZ at 021-883555 in the evenings or by e-mail at
[A]
