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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday December 17th 2006


Silent Key: Brendan Kavanagh EI8IB

We are sorry to have to inform you of the death on Monday last of Brendan Kavanagh EI8IB. For the past ten years or so, Brendan assisted Sean EI5GH with the reading of the VHF radio news in the Dublin area. Brendan had been ill for some time and died in Tallaght Hospital in Dublin. To his partner Eithne, his father Danny his mother Tina and to his sisters and brothers we extend our deepest sympathy. May he rest in peace.


Theory Examination

As was already announced, the next Theory Examination for the Experimenter's Licence will be held on Thursday the 18th of January next at 2 p.m. in the ComReg Offices, Abbey Court, Irish Life Centre, Lower abbey street, Dublin.

Most of the places for this examination have already been allocated. As places for the exam are limited, any other people wishing to sit this examination should contact Sean EI7CD immediately either at QTHR or by e-mail to “ei7cd at gofree dot indigo dot ie”. Those who have applied so far have been sent by post all the necessary written details about the examination. Those who have received this information and have not already done so should, as requested, forward the necessary examination fee immediately to Sean EI7CD in order to reserve a place at the examination.

Those at present studying for an Experimenter's Licence may wish to obtain a copy of the CD course Guide produced by the Society. These are available from Sean EI7CD at a cost of 5 Euro to cover registration, postage and packaging.


Theory Classes

Tuesday the 19th will be the last theory class for 2006 in the Roanmore Centre, Waterford. Classes will resume early in January and the date will be announced soon.

Theory classes are planned to commence in the Cork area in early January. Anyone interested should contact Dave Moore EI4BZ on 087-6290574 or any member of Cork Radio Club or the East Cork Radio Group.


80 metre Counties Contest

The Society will launch its 75th Anniversary celebrations on New Year's Day with the 80 metre Counties Contest. This was a very popular event last year with almost 100 EI and GI stations active. Given that it’s the Jubilee Year, we are asking everybody to make a special effort to be QRV, for at least part of the Contest, which runs from 1200 to 1500 hours local time. Full rules are available on the Society website www.irts.ie

As a special incentive, all stations who submit a log to the contest manager will be awarded a special Participation Certificate to hang on the shack wall. In addition, there will be a special Jubilee Year edition of the Worked All EI Counties Award available for award chasers. QSOs for this award must be made during 2007. Given last years 80 metre Counties Contest activity, is it possible that a '26 Counties endorsed' Award number One will be achieved on the first day of the new year.


Rallies

A number of radio rallies will take place in the early part of 2007; these will be in Dublin, Limerick, Fermanagh and Cork. Announcements about these rallies are included in the November-December issue of Echo Ireland, and details are also shown on the "Rallies and Events" page of the IRTS web site.


Limerick Radio Club

Limerick Radio Club would like to thank all those members who attended the club meeting on Thursday the 7th of December, despite the very bad weather conditions. The Christmas Quiz was the order of the evening. This was run as usual by Liam EI4GB, assisted by his XYL Pat EI9GY. Needless to say there were many interesting questions in the quiz, some which were very challenging, even to the more knowledgeable members taking part. However everyone entered into the spirit of the evening and a good time was had by all.

The committee would like to thank Liam and Pat for their hard work in organizing the quiz, which proved once again to be a very popular and entertaining event.

The Chairman and committee would like to take the opportunity to wish all members of Limerick Radio Club a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

The SEARG weather station, which is operated by John EI8JA in Waterford City, is now available via the searg.com web site. The station transmits APRS weather data from Waterford around the clock and has been running on test for some time beaconing temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind-speed and wind-direction information.

The station is connected to the APRS network and historical and live data is available at www.searg.com under the repeaters menu tab.

Users of the Southern Ireland Repeater Network may donate to the network on-line if they wish. Simply click the PayPal logo on the right hand side of the searg.com site and follow the instructions. Payments can be made for any amount using PayPal or any major credit card. Donations made using this facility will be used in the maintenance and upkeep of the Repeaters in the network which is run by East Cork Radio and South Eastern Amateur Radio Group.


DRM Transmissions in Ireland

It has been reported that the RTÉ 252 kHz site is to have a new transmitter installed to allow the transmission of DRM on this frequency on 252 kHz. At present, a date has not been set, but initial tests will take place in DRM mode between 0200-0500 UTC, simulcasting RTÉ Radio 1.


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 in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sundays bulletin.

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