Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday July 20th 2003
Shannon Basin Radio Club Challenge
The Shannon Basin Radio club is running a one day Open, Fixed, Challenge for EI residence. This challenge is open to all licensed operators and short wave listeners, and will be held annually on the first Sunday of November. The purpose of the challenge is to encourage radio operators and short wave listeners to be active on the H.F bands.
The challenge will have three modes of operation, and the winner in each mode will be awarded with the following; The Lough Allen Shield will be awarded to the highest score in SSB. The Lough Ree Shield will be awarded to the highest score in CW (A1A). The Lough Derg Shield will be awarded to the highest score for SWL. The above winners will also receive a personal trophy.
To receive a copy of the rules for the above challenge, please send a stamped address envelope to the contest manager EI6HW, Noel Mulvihill, Hillquarter, Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath or e-mail nfmulvihill@eircom.net. It is important that persons intending to compete must send notification 10 days prior to the contest date, so get a copy of the rules early.
DX News
EI5FK, Charles worked Portugal on 432 MHz CW and SSB on the 11th of July last using 50 watts and a 21 element Tonna via tropo propagation, as far as he knows this is the first time Portugal has been worked on this band from EI. The contact was made with Pedro CT1DYX after making an initial contact on 144 MHz.
SSB Field Day
Following the recent successful running of the CW Field Day in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary, it has been decided by the IRTS committee to look into the possibility of holding the HF SSB Field day at a central location on the 6th and 7th of September. In order to proceed with plans for the Field Day it is necessary to gauge interest from Clubs.
Clubs interested in taking part in the Field Day at a central location should contact the Contest Manager Noel Walsh EI2JC at QTHR or by email to contests@irts.ie by Friday the 1st of August. The event will only proceed if sufficient numbers express interest. Details of the event will be discussed with the Clubs involved.
Dalkey Island Contest Group
The Dalkey Island Contest Group, EI1DD will be QRV for the IOTA contest on the 26th and 27th of July next. They had originally intended to travel to one of the Aran Islands, but due to some logistical problems there has been a change of plan and the team will now return to one of their old haunts on Bere Island in west Cork.
EI9HQ
Congratulations to Declan EI9HQ who recently received his Worked All US Counties initial certificate number 3233 as well as his certificate for first place EI on 10 metres in last years WPX SSB contest.
Contest Rule Changes
At a recent meeting of the IRTS committee, some important rule changes were approved. These changes will allow for non-members of the Society to participate in multi-operator stations in IRTS contests. Any such station must be representing an affiliated club or society. The amended rules are in the May/June issue of Echo Ireland.
Outgoing QSL Bureau
The Society would like to pay tribute to Hugh O'Donnell EI2HI who has run the outgoing QSL Bureau for the past few years. Hugh is not in a position to continue with the job and members are asked not to send outgoing cards to the bureau for the time being. Any member or members interested in taking over the running of the outgoing bureau are invited to contact Society President, Sean Donelan EI4GK on 01-2821420 or e-mail seandonelan@indigo.ie. Interim arrangements are being put in place to deal with outgoing cards and members will be advised shortly. Outgoing cards are despatched to foreign bureau in one kilogram packages and all cards, regardless of numbers are cleared every three months. It is not expected that there will be any delays incurred with outgoing cards.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
The next general meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place at 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday the 30th of July 2003 in the usual venue of Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford.
The meeting will feature a talk on Amateur Television and a demonstration by Jim EI8IG and John EI8JA. A working station will be in operation at the meeting venue. All are welcome to attend.
The theory classes in Dungarvan have now come to an end. However, a number of 'refresher' classes will take place prior to the exam. More information will be made available when an exam date has been announced.
South Dublin Radio Club
South Dublin Radio Club is delighted to note that two of its members have received "A" call signs within the past few weeks. They are Tony Byrne formerly EI9FLB, who now has the call EI7JN, and Kyle O'Connell who has upgraded from EI9FGB to EI2JO. Congratulations to both, and we look forward to working them on the HF bands.
AREN Net
The Amateur Radio Emergency Network operates nationally on the first Tuesday of each month. Local groups will be called on 145.525 at 2130 local and the national group will be called on 7.043 plus or minus at 2145 local, when local nets will cease to operate. Traffic for individual members of local groups who cannot call the national net will be passed by local net controllers. Operators who are interested in becoming members of AREN should contact John, EI2GN at the IRTS or QTHR.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded Mark Wall EI7IS. He can be contacted on 087-6302026. News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services.
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