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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 6th 2006


IOTA

The Islands On The Air contest took place last weekend, with significant participation from Irish Stations. Five Irish offshore islands were heard: EJ2MT (with operators from Cork and Bristol) operated from Bere Island, no doubt hoping to repeat their success in the 2005 contest. On the West coast, EJ0GI, with operators from South Dublin Radio Club as well as Northern Ireland and Britain, were on Inis Oirr, while nearby on Inis Mór, John G3LZQ operated using the call sign EJ/G3LZQ. Up North, Sean Donelan and friends were on Tory Island, using the call sign EJ4F, while the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club were once again on Rathlin Island, using the call sign GN0ADX.

Irish mainland stations were also active in the contest: stations heard by the news team included EI2II, EI4CF, EI5DI, EI7M, EI8FH, EI8GS and EI9ES.

Band conditions were disappointing on Saturday, but picked up considerably on Sunday, with an opening on 10 metres for the final few hours of the contest.


AREN / Funding Success

John Ronan (EI7IG) and Dr. Sven van der Meer of the Irish National IPv6 Centre, Waterford Institute of Technology, have successfully applied for funding to investigate if Position Reporting Systems, Map Display/Overlay systems coupled with mathematical methods can be used to reduce the workload and/or help in the decision making process of a Search and Rescue Scene Commander. The project will run for a duration of 12 months, and is due to start later this year.

The proposal is based on the work and experience gained by Tipperary Amateur Radio Group and AREN with positioning technology (APRS) over the last few years and the relationships built up with the Glen of Aherlow Failte Society and the South East Mountain Rescue Association.


Limerick Radio Group

The International Lighthouse Weekend takes place on the 19th and 20th of August 2006. Members of Limerick Radio Club will be participating from Tarbert Island Lighthouse No. IRE073, using the call-sign EI4TLH.

Club members, who intend taking part in the event, should contact John EI6IW QTHR or by e-mail to “johne at gofree dot indigo dot ie”.


HF Newcomers Net

A HF Newcomer's Net will take place each Friday Evening at 2030 Local time on 3.775 MHz plus or minus depending on QRM, this commenced on Friday the 4th of August 2006. Stations are invited to call or listen in and take part.

Those who are not a member of the amateur4amateur group are welcome to call in as well. They are free to join the group at any time, if they so wish. The URL again is uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/amateur4amateur Information about the net, or general enquiries can be sent to Jonathan MI3JVI by email to “mi3jvi at yahoo dot co dot uk”.


MRG VHF/UHF SSB Challenge 2006

The MRG VHF/UHF challenge will take place from 1500 hours to 1800 hours local time on Sunday the 10th of September 2006. Any EI/GI operator holding an amateur/experimenters licence can enter the contest. Clubs can also participate. There are two sections. A fixed and portable section in each of which operation can take place on 2 metres and 70 cm SSB only.

Scoring works as follows; All completed QSOs give 1 point per Km. A bonus of 1000 points to be added for completing 30 QSOs on 70 cm. 2 metre and 70 cm scores are to be combined (plus the 70 cm bonus of 1000 points if 30 contacts are worked in this band) to give the final score.

No claims can be made for QSOs within ones own group if it’s a participating club.

The exchange is radio and signal followed by a sequential serial number starting with 001 followed by Maidenhead locator. For example 59001 IO53ab. Logs are to be forwarded to “ei2mrg at yahoo dot com”, arriving no later than the 10th of October 2006. Logs received after this date will not count towards any award.

A trophy will be awarded to the winners of each section (Fixed & Portable). More information will be available in Echo Ireland. All enquiries to Joe (EI3IX) at “joe_fadden at yahoo dot com”.


Contest Rule Changes

The following rule change is effective for the 2 metre Counties Contest. In the FM only section no Club Calls are to be used from now on. In the CW Field day the use of multipliers will be included in the scoring system from now on.

Both the full contest results and contest rules and rule changes are on the IRTS web site at www.irts.ie

As the Autumn 2 metres Counties Contest as well as the SSB field day are both around the corner, the IRTS would encourage the participation of as many stations as possible to take part in these contests as it is a great opportunity for both clubs and single ops to get on the air. Anyone wishing to take part or needing any info can contact the contest manager EI8IU on 086-2514822.


Mayo Rally

The Mayo Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of November 11:00 a.m. in the Belmont Hotel, Knock. Special rates are available for those wishing to stay overnight. Bed and Breakfast is 50 Euro per person sharing or 70 Euro with evening meal.

For bookings, contact the Belmont Hotel directly on 094-9388122. For enquiries about the Mayo rally, contact the rally organiser Padraig Baynes EI9JA on 087-6957154 or email ‘pbaynes1 at eircom dot net’.


XE1/EI7GK QRT

Paddy EI7GK has taken down his antenna in Mexico and is flying back home to EI early Monday morning.


Limerick Radio Club

Limerick Radio Club is QRV as EI60LRC until the end of the year to mark 60 years since the clubs foundation.

Club members wishing to use the special call-sign should contact the club secretary Michael EI2IX at ‘ei4lrc at eircom dot net’. Please indicate the dates, times, bands and modes on which you would like to operate.

Station log books, duly signed by the operator of the call-sign, should be sent to Alan EI8EM within seven days of the completion of each operating period. This ensures that QSL cards can be issued promptly to the stations worked.


DX and Special Events

The Antwerp Amateur Radio Enthusiasts of the UBA department OSA-Antwerp will operate the special event station ON9BD from the museum lightship Westhinder 3. The station will be QRV from the 19th to the 22nd of August on all HF bands and 2 metres using CW and SSB.

GB1CPB, representing GB One Century Portland Bill, will be QRV until the end of 2006, from Portland Bill Lighthouse in Dorset to commerate 100 years operation of the lighthouse.

5W0DW, 5W0TR, 5W0JB and 5W0KI are QRV from Samoa until the 10th of August. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.

Radio Amateurs in Mongolia have been authorised to replace their prefix with JV800 for the rest of 2006 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Mongolian statehood.


Dates for Your Diary

The International Lighthouse Weekend takes place on the 19th and 20th of August.

The Autumn Leg of the 2-metre counties contest will take place on the 27th of August.

The SSB Field Day will take place on September the 2nd and 3rd at Garbally College in Ballinasloe.

The Blarney Rally will take place on September the 24th.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall, EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 051-853806 or 087-6302026. Items for the radio news can also be faxed to 087 5 6302026. News should be submitted via e-mail to “news at irts dot ie” for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no later than midday on Friday.

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