Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 30th January 2011
IRTS Web Site Changes
The layout of the IRTS web site www.irts.ie was updated during the week. While the structure of the site remains broadly the same as before, following feedback from users we have revised the menus as well as some of the content.
A new page on "Getting an Amateur Station Licence" outlines the skills requirements for a licence, while the "Amateur Station Licence Examination" page explains the examination process.
There is no shortage of data and information about Amateur Radio on the 'Net. With this in mind, the IRTS site focuses on material of particular interest to its members, potential members and other local radio amateurs. Other key sections of the site cater for those studying for a licence and for visitors to Ireland.
Amateur Station Licence Examination
Those studying for the licence examination and their tutors will be interested in the document "Studying for the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate" which includes the revised examination syllabus, along with a sample paper based on the new syllabus. This document can be obtained at www.irts.ie/downloads or from the "Amateur Station Licence Examination" page of the IRTS web site.
Your Club Listing on IRTS Website
Club Secretaries, Séamus EI8BP as Web Editor is preparing to update the Clubs page on the Website. Some of this information is somewhat outdated. Please have a look at your club’s entry on the IRTS Website and contact Séamus by Email at ei8bp / at / eircom / dot / net with any changes. The Website information is an important point of contact for prospective club members and an opportunity to promote your club.
IRTS NEWS on Community Radio
The IRTS weekly news will now be read on ‘Dundalkfm’ local community radio station on Tuesdays. This provides open access to amateur radio news for the general public, locally and interested people alike. Dundalkfm broadcast on 100 mhz and stream live on the internet on www.dundalkfm.com
IRTS Weekly News Podcast
Advanced plans are now in place to provide a podcast version of the IRTS weekly news. The MP3 podcast will be available for download from the IRTS website. This development will benefit all service users of the IRTS website. More news on this item to follow next week.
Springtime Amateur Radio Courses
Enrolment for amateur radio theory classes will take place in Dundalk Amateur Radio Society on Thursday February 3rd at 8.30pm sharp. Further information can be obtained from Tony EI4DIB / at / ei7dar/ dot /com or text only to 086 4066660. Everyone welcome. www.ei7dar.com
For radio theory classes in Limerick, information can be obtained from Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or ei4gxb / at /gmail / dot /com.
For radio theory classes in South Dublin, Classes are starting again at 8:00 pm in Terenure College on Tuesday evenings. Telephone Michael EI2GKB on 087 248 1970 or Email him at miklef / at / oceanfree / dot / net for further information.
The West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club GN4OMA, will take registrations for the radio foundation course taking place on Tuesday February 1st at 8pm sharp. The Venue is Technology Education Centre, 2 Spillers Place, Omagh, County Tyrone. www.wtarc.co.uk
The Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club will run an Intermediate course and examination in SHARE over three weekends, 12th and 13th, 19th and 20th, and 26th and 27th February. This resumes the course begun in November but abandoned in December’s severe weather.
The Club usually meets on Tuesday evenings in SHARE. The thirtieth Lough Erne Rally will be in SHARE’s big Arena on Sunday 17th April.
For more information please email Michael Clarke, Chairman, mi5mtc / at/ learc / dot/ eu.
International Marconi Day
International Marconi Day takes place this year on Saturday 30th April. The Howth Martello Radio Group will be participating once again as an award station using the call-sign EI0MAR.
This is not a contest but there are several nice awards available for working the officially listed stations, each of which has an historic connection with Marconi. The event is organised by the Cornish Amateur Radio Club. For more information please visit the club's website crac.g4usb.net/cracblog/
EI0MAR operates from the Martello Tower overlooking the East Pier in Howth. The tower now houses a vintage radio museum. In 1905 the British Post Office carried out wireless telegraphy experiments at the tower in Howth using Marconi equipment.
Visitors are always welcome at the museum and the group hopes to see many visitors during the IMG event in April. The HMRG's website is www.ei0mar.org where a free information booklet in PDF format can be downloaded.
The North Cork Radio Group are pleased to announce that they will be active from the Marconi Signal Station at Mizen head where Marconi sent many of his first test transmissions to America. Further details will be posted nearer the event, however, please pencil the day free if you'd like to attend or work the station.
Cork Social Evening
Listeners are reminded that Tuesday February 1st is the closing date for tickets for the social evening at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Cork taking place next Saturday February 5th 2011. The event is open to all and newer licensees are particularly encouraged to attend and get to know their fellow amateurs.
Tickets are available from Dave Moore EI4BZ priced at €30.00 and you can contact him on 087-6290574 or by email on ei4bz / at / eircom / dot/ net.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
The Annual General Meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place on Monday 28th February in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. All are welcome.
For up to date information about the club, visit www.searg.com
DX News
Look for 3B8/SP2JMB and 3B8/SP2FUD from the Island of Mauritius from 4 -24 February. They will be operational using CW, SSB and RTTY. From 18 – 22 February they plan to do a side trip to Rodrigues Island (IOTA AF-017) where the prefix in their calls will change to 3B9.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence, stations in Kuwait will be using the 9K50 prefix from now until the end of February.
During a holiday in the Dominican Republic Claudio HB9OAU plans to operate as HI7/ HB9OAU from 6 – 18 February. If he can manage one day trips to some of the off-shore islands he will put on HI2/HB9OAU from IOTA NA-122.
A group of three Spanish amateurs EA1PP, EB1HF and EC1DPM are spending some time in the Caribbean area next month. They will operate from two of the ‘new’ DXCC entities Bonaire PJ4 and Curacao PJ2. Modes in use will be SSB and RTTY.
For those of you who enjoy collecting new prefixes look for TC2011EWU from now until 6 February. This station is active during the World University Games in Erzurum in Turkey.
PHOENIX A.R.C. Annual Rally
Phoenix Amateur Radio Club annual rally will be held on Sunday 20th February 2011 in the usual venue, Coolmine Community School, Blanchardstown.
Doors open for Traders at 9.00 am Doors open to public 11.00am Admission 5 Euros. To book tables contact Tony at 0872439997 or Tom at 01-8211043.
Plenty of Parking, Refreshments and Bring and Buy Sale. All usual traders will attend.
This is the First Rally of 2011.
For further details on Rallies please see www.irts.ie/rallies
Lagan Valley ARS Annual Rally
The Lagan Valley rally will be held on Saturday March 19th 2011. The venue is the village centre 7 Ballynahinch Road Hillsborough, Co. Down. Doors open at 11.30am.
For further information please contact Jim Henry, GI0DVU Telephone 048 9266 2270, you can also visit gi0dvu.co.uk/lisburnrally.aspx
A Bring and Buy, Car Parking and Refreshments will also be available.
Did you know?
In February 2004, a unique Morse code for '@' (at) symbol as used in an email, was introduced: •--•-• (Dit-Dah-Dah-Dit-Dah-Dit).
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Aidan EI7JC, preferably via e-mail to “news / dot /ei7jc / at / gmail / dot / com”. Or by phone to 085 7100511 News can also be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam /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 not later than midday on Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.
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