Archived News Script
IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN Sunday September 6th 1998
Silent Key
It is with deep regret that we report the sudden death of Mike Hurley EI5FZ in Tralee on August the 16th. Mike was active in most aspects of Amateur Radio and will be especially missed by his fellow amateurs who were involved in the special event and Jamboree On The Air stations in the Kerry area.
Mike was in his early forties and was due to be married on September the 19th. We extend our deepest sympathy to his fiancee Marian, his mother Mary, sister Marie and brothers Sean and PJ. May he rest in peace.
Worked All Ireland
Inishturk Island 9 miles off the Mayo coast was activated for the first time by Paddy EJ7GK. The island was much in demand by island chasers, WAI hunters and those seeking the Mayo award. Paddy reports that the Islanders showed a great interest in his activities and gave him every assistance putting up the aerials and drove him and all his gear to the western end of the island to activate the second WAI square, L57. Paddy and his XYL Irene were very well received by the locals and were even invited to a 21st birthday while on the island. When leaving, the skipper of the ferry invited Paddy back and promised to take him in a curragh to activate nearby Cahir Island.
Fixed Wireless Point to Multi-point access services
The Director of Telecommunications Regulation has published a consultation paper on fixed wireless point to multi-point access services. The paper indicates that wireless local loop services avoid much of the disruption caused by cable laying and could play a key role in the development of competition in the telecommunications industry.
It is proposed that the new service will occupy a number of Gigahertz bands including two bands which currently have secondary allocations for radio amateurs, 2.3GHz and 10GHz.
Three questions about amateur radio activity on these two bands are asked, as follows; a) To what extent is the 10 to 10.5GHz band used by the amateur service? b) What amateur services in the 10GHz band would be the most important to protect? c) How intensive is the secondary use of the 2.3 GHz band by the amateur service.
The consultation period paper runs to September the 25th and the IRTS plans to respond before then. If any members have views on the Director's proposals and in particular, if any members can answer some of the three questions, they should contact Paul O'Kane EI5DI or Joe Ryan EI7GY as soon as possible. Email addresses for Paul and Joe were published in the June Newsletter and in the 1998 callbook.
A copy of the paper can be obtained from Joe EI7GY or it may be downloaded from the web site of the Directors office. The address is: www.odtr.ie/docs/odtr9832.doc
2 Metres Counties Contest
The 2 metre Counties Contest held on Easter Monday last attracted quite a few entries despite the terrible weather conditions on the day. In the high power portable section, South Dublin Radio got their reward for the trip to Slieve Blooms in County Laois when they finished first with 4563 points.
Denis EI6HB travelled to County Tipperary and with 2556 points took first place in the low power portable section. Paddy EI7GK operated from his usual high site on Mt. Leinster and won the FM only section with 5439 points. This was in fact the highest score achieved in all sections. The High Power fixed section was won by Tommy EI9EZB (now EI2IT) in County Tipperary with 1469 points while the low power fixed was won by Paul EI3ENB from County Kilkenny with a score of 1024 points. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who took part, especially those who submitted logs. The Autumn counties contest will be held on Sunday September the 20th. Please note the new times from 1400 to 1600 local.
Silent Key
We have been asked by the family of the late Mike Mulhall EI3ES to remind operators that it is pointless sending direct QSL cards to the family address. Quite a few cards have been received, several from EI operators and these are only causing distress to the family. Your co-operation will be appreciated.
IRTS Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the IRTS Committee will be held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone on Saturday next September the 12th at 2pm. As usual clubs are invited to send a representative to this meeting.
Cork Repeater AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Cork Repeater Group will be held on Tuesday week September the 15th at 8 pm. at the premises of Cork Radio Club in Wilton Park House, Bishopstown, Cork City.
Cork Rally
Cork Radio Club will host their annual rally on Sunday September the 20th in the Blarney Park Hotel in Blarney. Further information can be had from Con EI7DJB on 021-270136.
Limerick AREN Exercise
Members of Limerick Radio Club took part in an A.R.E.N. exercise last weekend when they provided emergency communications for the annual Burren Walk organised by the Thomond Orienteering Club. The club members involved under the direction of co-ordinator Dave EI2AMB were Brian EI9AL, Tony EI2AW and John EI5FOB.
Items for inclusion in the Radio News can be faxed to 021-632730 or passed on the telephone to Dave EI4BZ at 021- 632444 during the day and at 021-883555 in the evening. Input for the Newsletter should be sent to Kevin EI7IM at QTHR or on 01-4509514 or on E-mail to EI7IM@tinet.ie All input to either the Radio News or the Newsletter can also be sent by e-mail to news@irts.ie
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