Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday November 10th 2002
Leonids Meteor Shower
The Leonids meteor shower will peak on the morning of the 19th of November. Once again the experts are predicting a "meteor storm". VHF operators will be taking advantage of what should be excellent conditions to work long distances using the reflections off the meteor trails. Activity should be high between about 0300 UTC and 1200 UTC. The casual listener can tune around 144.200 which is the SSB meteor calling frequency, but if you intend to get involved be sure to read up on the agreed IARU meteor scatter procedures so as not to cause problems for other stations.
EI Counties Contest (Autumn Leg)
In the Low Power portable section. Operating from Co. Carlow, John Kelly EI4HS took first place with 62 QSO's in 16 counties giving him a total of 4912 points. In second place, operating from Co. Mayo was Joe Fadden EI3IX with 52 QSO's in 18 counties giving a total score of 4912 points. In third place was South Eastern Amateur Radio Group (EI2WRC) operating from Co. Kilkenny and working 53 QSO's in 15 counties with 3525 points.
Also taking part were Dave Moore, EI4BZ operating from Co. Offaly and scoring 2610 points and Peter Grant EI4HX, operating from Co. Meath and scoring 2496 points.
The winner of the FM only section was Kyle O'Connell EI9FGB who operating from Co. Wicklow worked 39 QSO's in 16 counties scoring a total of 3072 points. In second place was John Edgeworth EI6IW, operating from North Co. Tipperary who worked 31 QSO's in 15 counties giving a score of 1850 points. In third place was Padraig O'Meachair EI7GK who operated from Co. Carlow and worked 22 QSO's in 13 counties with a score of 1235 points.
Also taking part were Eamonn Kavanage EI3FFB in South Tipperary with a score of 1176 and John Barry EI8IR in Co. Cork with a score of 1056 points.
Slievenamon Shield
Congratulations to Hugh O'Donnell EI2HI for his success in the Slievenamon Shield with achieved 114 points. Runners up were, Gerry Molloy EI5HJ, Eamonn Kavanagh EI3FFB and Joe Fadden EI3IX.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
The provisional date for the start of the night classes is this Monday the 11th of November in Dungarvan Co. Waterford. Check the clubs website at www.angelfire.com/tx3/searg for information on the venue or phone Mark on 087-6302026.
VHF News
A group of radio amateurs from Germany are going to be QRV during the Leonid meteor shower in November from both sides of the Atlantic ocean. Harry, DL2DAO, will join a group of Canadian radio amateurs at Cabot Tower, Newfoundland and Volker, DL5DAW, and Nico, DK5DQ, will travel to southwest Ireland to set up their equipment in IO41 or IO42. The aim of the test is to cross the North Atlantic on 144 MHz on meteorscatter using the FSK441 mode during the expected peaks with meteor-storm conditions on the 19th of November. Before and after this event both stations will be available for "local" meteorscatter.
Paul EI2CA will be qrv from IO43 for the peak of the Leonids, from 03utc to 13utc on the 19th. Nov. Operation will be SSB only on 144.232 mHz. Callsign will be EI2CA/P who will transmit even minutes with 15 sec breaks. Also qrv from this location on tropo from 16th to 21st Nov. Tx Power = 400w, Antenna = 2 x 10 element Yagi.
Contest news
The 50 MHz UK Activity Contest will take place between 2000 and 2230 hrs UTC on Tuesday the 26th of November.
Jamboree On The Air
The 45th JOTA was held over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of October 2002. The opening of JOTA in Ireland took place on the Saturday with a short address by the Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland, Peter Dixon on the 40 metre WAI frequency and the Dublin 2 Metre Repeater, operating as EI2DSJ from the Dundalk Radio Club. This was followed by a call and Scouts availed of the opportunity to talk with the Chief.
Other stations heard on air for JOTA that weekend were EI2SDR/P/J operated by South Dublin Radio Club from the Scout Den in Wicklow, EI4BST/J operated by the 132nd Dublin Radio Scout Group from the Community Centre in Bayside, EI5MRC/J operated by the Mellary Radio Club from the Scout Campsite at Mount Mellary and EI2SAI operated by the Tralee Sea Scouts from the sailing club in Fenit.
Scouting Ireland wishes to thank all those Amateurs and Radio Clubs who assisted in this year's JOTA and with other Radio Scouting activities held during the year.
Items for inclusion in Echo Ireland should be forwarded to Dave Moore EI4BZ at 021-4883555. Items can also be submitted to Dave by e-mail at ei4bz@eircom.net.
Items for inclusion in the Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall EI7IS at QTHR or via e-mail to ei7is@qsl.net or cyberis@vodafone.ie. Items can also be sent to Mark over the phone at 087-6302026 or by fax at 087-56302026.
News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both news services.
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