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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 13th August 2017


Theory classes in Athlone

The Shannon Basin Radio Club will be holding theory classes starting 5th September at 20:00 in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone. For further info please see www.shannonbasinradioclub.com or contact any member of the club.


International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend

Plans are in full swing for next weekend Saturday 19th August and Sunday 20th August. Make sure you mark next weekend on your calender for the following event. We have a good number of clubs in Ireland planning to take part in the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend this year.

With over 378 stations being set up in 41 countries around the world, this event coincides with International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend and is intended to raise the profile of lighthouses, lightvessels and other navigational aids, promoting maritime heritage. Details of which can be found at illw.net and at www.alk.org.uk/events/ilhw.html


Kerry Amateur Radio Group

The Kerry Amateur Radio Group will participate as a registered station with lighthouse number IRE0001 from the Cromwell Point Lighthouse on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry using the callsign EI1K. The Kerry Amateur Radio Group have been participating in this annual event for over 13 years and look forward to welcoming the many tourists, locals and Amateur Radio operators who visit their station at the lighthouse.

Two HF radio stations, as well as VHF and DATA stations, will be set up this year on the site. Visitors are encouraged to operate these station if they wish.

Cromwell Point Lighthouse is open to the public and details can be found of opening times and admission charges at www.greatlighthouses.com/lighthouses/valentia/ Please note that there is no charge to view or operate the radio communications station set up by the Kerry Amateur Radio Group, although a charge is levied on general visitors to access the lighthouse facility where their stations will be located and this is beyond the control of the Kerry Amateur Radio Group.

The Kerry Amateur Radio Group are looking forward to working as many stations as possible as well as having an enjoyable weekend on the air.

More information regarding the Kerry Amateur Radio Group can be found on the club webpage at kerryamateurradiogroup.com and the groups QRZ.com page using their callsign EI1K.


Limerick Radio Club

The Limerick Radio Club will, for the 6th year in succession, operate from Loop Head Lighthouse. With an anticipated 14 of their members participating at various times over the 2 days, it is planned to operate two stations at Loop Head and also to air some of the Wild Atlantic Way call signs over that weekend.

The majority of help required will be for the setup of these stations which will begin on Friday 18th from about 14:00, with take down from about 14:00 on Sunday the 20th. The HF rigs will include ICOM and Kenwood with a Cushcraft A4S Antenna including a telescopic mast, a G5RV, off-center fed dipole and anyone wishing to try out an antenna is free to do so.

Check out the club website www.limerickradioclub.ie/ or contact Simon EI7ALB 087 2858884


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

Plans have also been finalized for the visit of Tipperary Amateur Radio Group to Ballinacourty Point Lighthouse. Anybody interested in attending is most welcome and can contact club PRO Ronan EI4KN at QTHR or any other club member for further information.


Eastern Amateur Radio Group

South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will activate Hook Lighthouse ILLW Ref: IE0003. Hook Lighthouse which is located on the South-East coast in Co. Wexford is steeped in history. The present structure is about 800 years old and is the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. Hook Lighthouse offers guided tours of the tower all year around and is one of the top things to do in the Wexford and Waterford areas. For more info on the Hook Head Lighthouse please see www.hookheritage.ie

For information about the activites of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group this can be found on their website www.searg.ie and you can also join the group on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

This is the 20th year of the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend and promises to be a fun event for all. It is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Amateur Radio, including short wave listeners, to get familiar with Amateur Radio, from set up of stations to operating and take down. Attendance at any time over the weekend at any of the club stations taking part during the event is encouraged and very much appreciated.


DX News

Two South African operators will be in the Sani Pass area of Lesotho from 18th – 21st August. They will use the callsigns 7P8VRR and 7P8QM. Look for them on 40, 20 and 15m.

Bert CX3AN will visit Samoa from 19th – 26th August. His callsign will be 5W0HA and he plans to be on 40 and 30m CW and 20 and 17m SSB. QSLs go via his home call.

Masato JA0RQV is returning to Tonga and will be QRV as A35JP/P from Niuatoputapu Island from 17th - 22nd August. He plans to be on all bands 80 - 6m CW and SSB. The IOTA reference for this island is OC-191. QSL to the home call.


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 may be telephoned to the radio news editor, Mark EI6HPB on 086 355 2370.

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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