Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday July 9th 2000
Death of Louis Varney G5RV
We are saddened to report the death on June 28th of Louis Varney G5RV. Louis, the inventor of the world famous multiband antenna called after him was aged 89.
The G5RV is amongst the most popular of all antenna designs and needless to say is in use by many Irish amateurs. It was first described by Louis in the November 1966 issue of the RSGB Bulletin. The G5RV combines the ability to tune up on four or five bands with an efficiency and compactness not found too often in competing designs. Above all, it is cheap and has allowed countless thousands of amateurs get on the air without spending a fortune.
Louis Varney remained an active radio amateur until very recently. His station employed both a full-size and a double-size G5RV and he was particularly well known as a CW operator. He had been a member of RSGB for 74 years and served as Life President of the Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society.
Louis Varney visited Ireland a number of times and at one time was the holder of the callsign EI5RV. We extend our sympathy to his wife Nelida and all his family.
Suaimhneas De da anam.
VHF Field Day
The VHF Field Day was held last week-end. Four EI stations were heard on the air - EI7M (the East Cork Group), EI7KRC (Kells Radio Group), EI0NDR (North Dublin Radio Club) and EI7TRG (Tipperary Amateur Radio Group). Unfortunately, band conditions were far from good and scores are likely to we ell down from last year. Rumour has it that the scoring is very tight and, in the open section at least, it is still anybody's Contest.
Worked All Irish Counties Award This Award has been somewhat overshadowed by the WAI Awards in recent years. No new WEIC Award has been issued since September 1999. Indications are that this situation is likely to change in the near future. Two new WEIC Awards were issued this week and at least two more are in the pipeline. It is clear from the claims submitted that the mobile operations of the WAI Square Bashers have been instrumental in re-activating interest in WEIC and, more importantly, in generating the QSL cards for some of the rarer counties. The certificates issued this week were: Award No. 66 to Don Sharples G4ZMB and Award No. 67 to Brian Russell G0NSL, both of whom were able to demonstrate contacts in all 26 Counties. Congratulations to both Don and Brian and it is to be hoped that their achievements will encourage others to chase up those last few outstanding cards.
Outgoing QSL Bureau
For many years, the outgoing QSL Bureau has been in the efficient hands of Bill Mitchell EI5GQ and his late wife Sheena EI9GP. Bill has now decided that he will spend a significant amount of his time abroad and he has reluctantly submitted his resignation as Outgoing QSL Manager. The Society is deeply grateful to Bill for the great work he has done on its behalf and wishes him bon voyage on his travels. He promises to be on the air within a few months with a ZS callsign so we hope to retain contact with him.
All cards in Bill's hands have been, or are about to be, despatched. Any cards en route to Bill's QTH will be redirected to the new QSL manager so the QSL bureau should suffer little or no disruption. A new QSL Manager will shortly be appointed. Details of how to submit cards to him will be given on the Radio News and in the Newsletter. In the meantime, cards for the outgoing bureau should be addressed to P.O.Box 462, Dublin 9 and not to Bill Mitchell's QTH.
Slide Rule and Abacus Exhibition
A Slide Rule and Abacus Exhibition featuring items from the private collection of Liam Brady EI9DVB is under way in the Dublin Central Library, Ilac Centre, Henry St., Dublin 2. The Exhibition continues until 29th July and may be viewed during the Library opening hours. These are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is Free. For those who remember the Slide Rule, this is an opportunity to indulge in some nostalgia, while for those who do not remember, why not come along to see some pre-calculator technology?
CW Radio News
Tom EI3HH who was the person largely responsible for the introduction of the CW Radio News Bulletin on 80 meters 6years ago has been forced through ill-health to retire from his position as 'newsreader'. He was recently admitted to Hospital and passed the Sunday morning bulletin to Pat EI9EZ. His many friends and regular callers to the CW news wish him a speedy recovery and hope to hear him back on the 'key' in the not too distant future. The Society is grateful to Tom for his dedication and commitment over so many years and is pleased to see that despite Tom's retirement the CW Radio News will continue.
Fingal Radio Club's Trip to Telford Rally
Places are still available on the Bus to the Telford Rally on September 10th. The total cost including transport, evening meal on the outward journey, one night's bed and breakfast and entry to the Rally is £150. Those interested in travelling to this event should contact Liam Murphy at 01 8316266 , 087 2521542 or eMail lmurphy@eircom.ie Dates for your Diary The IOTA Contest takes place this year over the weekend of 29th/30th July. This is one of the most popular annual contests with EI operators. The Radio Newseditor would be interested in hearing from groups or individuals planning to participate.
Dates for Your Diary
The International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend will be held on 19th and 20th August. Information on this event is available from Mike GM4SUC at gm4suc@compuserve.com. Internationally, it is expected that over 300 Lighthouses and lightships will be activated. The Marino Institute of Education in Dublin will host Celticon 2000 - a QRP Radio Convention in September 1st to 3rd next.
The annual Cork Rally will be held in the Blarney Park Hotel on Sunday, 17th September.
The Shannon River Run is scheduled for the week-end of 24th to 26th September. Information is available at the Shannon River Run website at homepage.eircom.net/~Shannonriverrun or from Paul EI2CA or Keith EI4FBB, or by eMailing shannonriverrun@eircom.net.
Items for inclusion: For the next two weeks
items for inclusion in the Radio News should be forwarded to Sean Donelan EI4GK at QTHR. Sean may be contacted by phone at 01 2821420 or by eMailing seandonelan@indigo.ie.
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