Archived News Script

printer friendly version

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday May 25th 2008


Theory Examination

The next Theory Examination for the Experimenters licence will be held on Wednesday the 9th of July at 2 p.m. in the ComReg Offices in Dublin. Places for the examination are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Places at the examination will only be reserved on receipt of the examination fee. Intending candidates should forward the appropriate fee to Sean Nolan EI7CD, 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road, Dunlaighaire, Co. Dublin in order to reserve a place for the exam.

The fee is 50 Euro or 25 Euro for full-time registered students, those who are retired, unemployed or have a disability. Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to the IRTS and not to Sean EI7CD. When forwarding the exam fee intending candidates should enclose their postal address as well as phone and e-mail contact details. The closing date for applications to sit the examination is the 25th of June. This date will be strictly enforced, as some of the people involved in the exam process will be attending the Friedrichshafen Rally at the end of June. Sean EI7CDs address again is 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin and it can be found in the IRTS call book or in the call book section of the IRTS website at www.irts.ie

Sean's e-mail address for any further enquiries is “ei7cd at gofree dot indigo dot ie” Also available on the 'Where Do I Start' section of the IRTS website are Examination Notes with a sample examination paper as well as links to the ComReg experimenter pages which contain some very useful data under Licensing Information. Also in the Radio Theory Links section on the website is some very useful information for those studying for the examination. The examination consists of a question paper of 60 multiple-choice questions divided into three main sections A, B and C and the time allowed is two hours. The pass mark is 60% and a pass is required in each of the three main sections of the paper. We wish all intending candidates the best of luck in the examination.


AREN News

Initial reports from GlobalSET held on May the 3rd seem good. A high percentage of stations who pre-registered were actually heard on the air and made some contacts though there were difficulties in Regions 1 & 3 with getting messages back to the HQ stations.

Band conditions weren't as favourable as for the previous SET. Four AREN stations were in the air operating from such diverse locations as Donegal, Kerry, Waterford and the UK Midlands.

Greg G0DUB is collecting logs from all participants and will compile the official report in due course. Thanks to Paul EI5GTB, Conor EI4JN, John EI2GN and Tim EI5GPB for setting up and operating the AREN stations. The next Globalset takes place at the end of the year.


Tri-Bander Beam Available

A Mosley Classic 33 Tri-Band Yagi Beam, along with a T2X Rotator is available to anyone who can arrange to remove it from its current location in south County Dublin. It is being offered for free, although a donation to Trocaire is suggested in return. For more details, please contact Fr. Mike Reaume EI6EC at 01-275 1032. Mike also has some radio equipment available on a similar basis.


DX Cluster

DX Summit, which is one of the most popular tools for DX spotting on the Web, has moved to a new address. It is now available at www.dxsummit.fi although the previous address will continue to operate for the time being.

The move is part of a major hardware and software upgrade for the site, and the operators have indicated that new features will be added shortly. DX Summit, which has been in operation for 10 years, is supported by the Yasme Foundation, a non-profit organisation undertaking scientific and educational projects related to amateur radio, including DXing and the introduction and promotion of amateur radio in developing countries.


Womens Mini Marathon

You can take part in the EI2BY/AREN emergency radio cover for this yearly event. If you want to take part all you require is a 2-metre rig and a mobile phone. It is not a long day, cover is needed from 2 to 6 p.m. It is for a very good cause and over 3 million each year is generated for various charities throughout Ireland. A small price to pay to help so many people. If you would like to take part please contact George EI2CPB on 086 2586103 or E-mail “adjayeg at dcu dot ie”.


New Repeaters in Donegal

The Carndonagh Amateur Radio Club has set up 2 New Repeaters in Donegal close to Malin Head. ComReg has now licensed the 2 new Repeaters in Carndonagh Inishowen IO65JG. The 2 meter repeater EI2IPG is working on 145.7125 / 145.1125 MHz input with 67 Hz CTCSS or 1750 Hz tone burst for access. Sysop is Peter EI4JR.

The 10 meter repeater EI0IPG is on 29.680 / 29.580 MHz input with 67 Hz CTCSS for access. Sysop Steve EI2GYB. The 10 meter repeater is the only one in Ireland at this time. Both repeaters are connected via the EchoLink system you will normally find them both logged into the *IRELAND* Conference Server node number 2606. For more information on the repeaters check out the web site www.echoireland.com


GB3WW Repeater

Please be advised a relocated 2 metre repeater GB3WW was commissioned on Saturday the 17th of May. Frequency is RV62 (R7) or 144.775 MHz with input on 144.175 MHz using 1750 Hz tone. CTCSS - 'F'. The Antenna height is 200 feet above ground level.

The location of the repeater Port Talbot, South Wales. This location has a substantial take off over the Bristol Channel.


Friedrichshafen Rally

The Society again plans to host a stand at this year's Rally scheduled from June 27th to 29th.

In order to draw up a roster of Irish hams visiting the Rally who might be willing to help in manning the Stand, those planning to travel are invited to send their names and contact details to Sean Donelan EI4GK. Sean's email address is “donelansean at gmail dot com”. The commitment required from any individual is unlikely to be great but any assistance offered will be much appreciated.


Cork Radio Club, Rally Venue Change

Due to the closure of the Blarney Park Hotel the club has had to move the Rally to a new location. The Hotel that CRC has selected offers the same facilities as Blarney giving even more space to accommodate more traders and amateurs.

Cork Radio Club are very much looking forward to hosting the rally this year at Montenotte Hotel, Cork on Sunday the 14th of September and hope you will share the same commitment as before in the last 16 years.

Further details will be posted with regards to the location “how to get there” etc. A short video of the venue can be viewed on “you tube” URL www.youtube.com/ei5crc

The Cork Radio Club meets every Monday night at 8.30 pm at 1a Assumption Road Cork. Further details from the club Secretary, Frank Mason EI6EVB at QTHR.


Upcoming Rallies

The Bangor and district Amateur Radio Society will hold their Summer Radio and Computer Rally at the Crawfordsburn Country Club, Bangor, Co. Down on Sunday the 15th of June. Doors open at noon and admission is free. A good selection of traders will be attending and the bring and buy will be in operation. For more information contact Bill Langtry, GI4AAM or visit www.bdars.com


CW Field Day

The IRTS CW field day will take place over the weekend of the 7th and 8th of June from 15:00 UTC on the Saturday running for 24 hours. Groups intending to compete should send details to “contestmanager at irts dot ie”. Site details should be communicated at least 10 days before the event but late entries may be accepted by phone or e-mail at the discretion of the contest manager.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall, EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 087-6302026 or 051-340850. 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 Sunday’s bulletin.

[A]

contact IRTS
irts groups.io