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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 21st August 2011


Two Metres Counties Contest

This contest, which takes place on Sunday next, 28th August, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm local time, provides a great opportunity to liven up the two metre band. The 32 counties in EI and GI are multipliers, so the rarer counties will be in great demand.

Both SSB and FM can be used and a station may be worked on both modes. The contest rules specify that after any QSO in which you are called by another station, you must QSY to another channel (FM), or by at least 3 kHz (SSB), before soliciting another QSO; when you respond to a CQ or QRZ from another station, you then have the right to that frequency for a single additional QSO before QSYing. See www.irts.ie/contests for more details about this and other IRTS contests.


Increased Power for Contests

Following representations from IRTS, ComReg has agreed to allow increased power to all licensed amateurs for a specific list of the major HF and VHF/UHF contests. On HF, 1500 watts can be used and on VHF 1000 watts for the duration of the contests concerned. Through an error the 28 MHz band was omitted from the multiband contests. This will be taken up with ComReg The list of contests and other details can be found on the ComReg website under Radio Spectrum Licensing Licence Types Radio Amateurs. The society is grateful to ComReg for granting this additional facility to radio amateurs generally.


IARU 2011 Regional Conference

Seamus EI8BP IRTS Vice-President/PRO and Ger McNamara EI4GXB IRTS Hon. Secretary represented the society at the 22nd IARU Region 1 General Conference at Sun City, South Africa 12-19 August. Over 100 papers were discussed over the period of the Conference by three main Committees. The recommendations of these committees goes to Plenary sessions for ratification.

IRTS had submitted a paper on the regulation of transnational remote controlled operation which also raised the question of its use in contests as well as the use of appropriate call signs that would clearly show the location of the station and the operator if different. The paper was adopted and the HF Committee was mandated to look into the matter. Revised band plans for 50 and 70 MHz were also agreed.

The work of the committees is scheduled in such a way that two delegates can cover the work of the conference.

Many years ago the Society established a fund into which part of the subscription income is lodged each year so as to allow the Society to actively participate in the work of these three yearly conferences.

Bulgaria was voted as the next venue for the 23rd IARU Region 1 conference in 2014 sponsored by the BULGARIAN FEDERATION OF RADIO AMATEURS (BFRA)


ARISSat-1 Presentation

South Dublin Radio Club has now resumed its Tuesday meetings. At the first meeting after the holidays, John EI7BV made a presentation on amateur radio satellites, in particular ARISSat-1, the satellite which was launched earlier this month from the International Space Station.

John's talk focussed on sources of information for the frequencies and pass times of amateur radio satellites in addition to the software available to assist in satellite tracking. He also covered the antenna requirements for satellite operation.

ARISSat-1 was within sight of the club QTH during this talk and an effort was made to monitor some of the downlinks. In the event, nothing was heard; we later learned that the satellite's batteries are failing faster than expected, so its power management system is cutting transmit power from time to time - which is possibly why no signals were detected during John's presentation.


Cork Radio Club

Subject to demand, Cork Radio Club plan to hold theory classes again over the coming months. Interested parties should contact club secretary Dave EI4BZ on 087-6290574 or email to ei4bz at eircom dot net.

The club will be represented at the SSB Field Day at Garbally College in Ballinasloe in two weeks time and would welcome new members who would like to travel and experience field day operating.


North Cork Radio Group

The North Cork Radio Group is pleased to announce their second annual rally and electronics fair at the Blarney Golf Resort, Tower, Co Cork. on Sunday September the 11th 2011.

The doors open to the public at 11.30 and the rally will run throughout the afternoon. The usual traders will be on hand with some very tasty bargains, South East Communications, Long Communications and JBT Trading.

The Hotel are also offering room deals for the rally a Room Only from €59 and Double Room inc B&B: €79 Please Contact the hotel directly for room bookings on Tel:+353 21 4384477.www.blarneygolfresort.com

Small traders are very welcome but it essential that they contact the events organiser Liam EI7GTB, Tel: 086-3357100 Email:ei7gtb/ at /gmail/ dot/com as soon as possible.

Further details can be found via the group’s website, www.ei1nc.com.com


Shannon Basin Radio Club

Once again the Shannon Basin Radio Club will be hosting the SSB field day on the weekend of 3rd and 4th September 2011. The grounds of Garbally College in Ballinasloe in Co. Galway have again been made available to any clubs or individual operators who wish to take part in the event. The club will also be hosting its very popular barbeque which is one of the highlights of the weekend. Anybody wishing to receive more information may contact Brian ei8iu by email “brianei8iu/ at / eircom dot /net or any club member.


Items for inclusion in next week’s Radio News can be

submitted via e-mail to “newsteam /at/ irts / dot / ie” for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Urgent news items for the radio news maybe telephoned to the radio news editor, Aidan, EI7JC on 085 7100511.

Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no later than midday on Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

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