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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday June 1st 2008


Sean Hurley EI4DA Silent Key

We are sorry to report the death of Sean Hurley EI4DA. Late of Ballydehob Co. Cork and Newport, Co. Tipperary.

Sean died after a short illness in San Antonio, Texas. To his wife Nitza, son Marco and daughters Maria & Julia, we extend our deepest sympathy.

Fao bhrat Mhuire go raibh sé.


IRTS Committee

The first meeting of the newly-elected committee took place on Saturday the 24th of May. One of the early agenda items at this meeting was the appointment of officers for the coming year. These officers, all of whom act on a voluntary basis, look after the running of the society and the provision of services to members. The full list of officers for 2008/2009, including their contact details, is now available on the Society’s web site at www.irts ie.

Other items considered at the meeting included the status of issues under discussion with ComReg, the need to guard against unlicensed intrusions into the amateur bands, and the timing of future radio theory examinations.


CW Field Day

Operators in the Cork area are invited to participate in next weekends CW field day. A station will be set up in the Kinsale area and anyone interested in attending should ring Jeremy EI5GM on 083-3317710 or Dave EI4BZ on 087-6290574.

This will be a low-key operation and casual operators and beginners are more than welcome. A barbeque will be held at around 2100 on the Saturday evening and you are welcome to attend. Please ring for directions to the station.


DXCC Card Checker

Dave, EI9FBB, informs us that he has successfully been appointed a DXCC card checker for EI. This is a prestigious achievement and a benchmark for all fellow DXers in EI. Effective immediately, he is able to check and submit applications for ALL ‘ARRL’ awards except 160 metre and deleted countries. Also, any ‘ GI ’ stations that wish to forward cards onto him are also welcome to do so. He asks that any perspective candidates adhere to the proper application format, which is clearly listed on the ARRL Web site.

Watch the forth-coming edition of ‘Echo Ireland’ for a full report. By having a representative on our doorstep should greatly generate participation and activity in the DXCC program. This will certainly take the cost, delay and risk out of mailing your cards overseas for checking. We would like to ask you all for your support on this and wish him every success for the future. Any enquiries can be forwarded to: “ei9fbb at oceanfree dot net”.


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. Intending candidates should forward the appropriate fee to Sean Nolan EI7CD, 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co. Dublin in order to reserve a place for the exam as places will only be reserved on receipt of the examination fee.

The fee is 50 Euro or 25 Euro for full-time registered students, repeat candidates, 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 25 June. This date will be strictly enforced. Sean EI7CDs address 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.


Kerry Amateur Radio Group

The monthly meeting of the Kerry Amateur Radio Group will take place on Saturday the 7th of June 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Muckross House Coffee Shop, Muckross, Killarney, Co. Kerry. All are welcome to participate.


6 Metre Net

The monthly Kerry Amateur Radio Group six metre net will take place on Monday the 2nd of June 2008 at 8 p.m. local time on 50.135 MHz. Now that the Sporadic-E season is upon us this is a good opportunity to increase your squares count as well as promote activity on the band. This net has also stimulated DX CW activity on and around 50.090 MHz, which is also encouraged. All are welcome to participate.


Tri-Bander Beam

Victor Loughlin EI5GLB would like just to thank Fr. Mick EI6EC for all his help and hospitality on arrival to remove the Classic 33 tri band Yagi. It was well worth the effort spent most of the time chatting away listening to the stories of yesterday when he was very active on HF and 2 metres. He would like to thank Gordon, an up and coming radio amateur and wishes him good luck on the theory exam. Gordon and Victor would like to wish Fr. Mick every success in Mexico and hope he will return to the airwaves very soon.


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.


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-metre repeater EI0IPG is on 29.680 / 29.580 MHz input with 67 Hz CTCSS for access. Sysop Steve EI2GYB. The 10-metre 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


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.

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