Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 24th 2008
Death of Pat McNamara
The many friends of Pat McNamara better known as EI9 Charlie Brown will be saddened to hear of his death. Pat had been ill for some time and died on Tuesday last. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Pat embodied the true ham spirit. He was courteous, encouraging and always ready to help with solving a problem. He was a keen DXer and contester and got first place in EI in all of the major contests and several times in some of them Pat was a man of many parts in addition to his ham radio activities he was a well respected military historian. He wrote ‘The Widow’s Penny’ about those from Limerick who gave their lives in the First World War and a companion volume ‘Their Name Liveth For Evermore’ which deals with Limerick’s dead in the Second World War. These books were authoritative pieces of research and were widely acclaimed. Pat was a member of the Military History Society of Ireland, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association and the Connaught Rangers Association.
Pat’s funeral took place on Thursday last after 11 a.m. Mass in St Mary’s Church Athlunkard Street, Limerick.
To his son Ger EI4GXB and to all Pat’s family we extend our sincerest sympathy. May he rest in peace.
IRTS Web Site Links
A number of new links have been added to the IRTS web site www.irts.ie in recent weeks and are worth browsing.
Firstly, following a number of requests, we have added a Photo Galleries section to the site. This section has links to a number of galleries, showing Irish radio experimenters in action in a number of areas including contests, a DXpedition and a Club Field Day. The Webmaster welcomes suggestions for additions to the Photo Galleries section.
The Webmaster's Choice page - mentioned in this bulletin a few weeks ago - has a number of new links. One link of particular interest is to an article on Good Operating Practice. This wide-ranging article covers topics such as "what to talk about in a QSO", "how to call CQ" and "dealing with conflict situations". The article, written by Belgian radio amateur ON4WW, is perhaps over-prescriptive in some areas, but is nevertheless full of useful tips and is well worth reading.
Another new Webmaster's Choice link is to a page listing "Invalid Operations" from a DXCC point of view, which would be of interest to anyone chasing DXCC awards.
IRTS Radio News
Mark, EI7IS will finish in the post of radio news editor in the coming weeks and we are currently seeking a replacement. If anyone is interested please contact Finbarr Buckley EI1CS by e-mail at “buckleyf1 at eircom dot net” or via 021-4346622 as soon as possible. The position does not require a lot of work, just an hour or more weekly. Full assistance will be provided to the person that takes over this post and Mark will assist them with the news for the first few weeks.
MRG VHF/UHF SSB Challenge 2008
The annual MRG VHF/UHF SSB Challenge takes place on September the 7th 2008 between 1500 hrs and 1800 hrs local time. Any EI/GI operator holding an amateur/experimenters licence can participate. Clubs can also participate.
The sections are as follows; Fixed section – 144 MHz / 70 cm SSB only and the Portable section – 144 MHz / 70 cm SSB only.
All completed QSO's count for 1 point per kilometer. A bonus of 1000 points to be added for completing 10 QSO's on 70 cm.
144 MHz / 70 cm scores to be combined (+70 cm bonus of 1000 points if 10 contacts are worked) to give the final score.
Exchange is RS followed by a sequential serial number starting with 001 followed by Maidenhead locator. For example 59001 IO53ab.
Logs to be forwarded to “ei2mrg at yahoo dot com”, arriving no later than the 7th of October 2008. Logs received after this date will not count towards any award. A trophy will be awarded to the winners of each section (Fixed & Portable). The complete Contest rules can be found on www.geocities.com/ei2mrg/page1.html or email “ei2mrg at yahoo dot com”.
Good luck in the contest!
Crossakiel Amatuer Radio Association
CARA are pleased to say that the two members who took the Exam, Dave and Brian have passed. The Club was founded on the Ethos of passing the Test by a small group of lads wanting to get their ticket and the classes are continous on Wednesday nights from 20:30 to 22:30 hours. CARA are doing the Morse also. Call Mikle (ei2gkb) contact number 087 2481970 for details. Also Classes are continous in SDR on Tuesday Nights from 20:00 to 22:00 hours, again contact Mikle on 087 2481970 for more information on the SDR classes.
South Dublin Radio Club
The clubs finances are in better shape than expected and as a result the club are having a meeting of all members to discuss the finances and how the club is to go forward. This will take place on Tuesday the 2nd of September at 8 p.m.. All members are welcome to attend.
SDR Plan on taking part in the SSB field day from Ballinasloe this year on the 6th and 7th of September. The SDR Barbeque will take place on Saturday the 27th of September from the QTH of EI3IO in Shankhill but is weather dependant.
Cork Radio Club
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.
SSB Field Day
The SSB Field Day will take place on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of September 2008. More information is available on the IRTS web site at www.irts.ie
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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