Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday October 19th 2003
Jamboree on the Air
The 46th Jamboree on the Air is taking place this weekend. Each year over 500,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world participate in this event where Scouting experiences are shared and ideas exchanged thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting. While the event lasts from midnight local time Friday night to midnight Sunday night, Stations participating can choose their own operating hours.
The JOTA on in the island of Ireland was formally opened on Saturday the 18th by the Chief Scouts of Scouting Ireland - CSI, and Scouting Ireland SAI, Mr. Peter Dixon and Mr. Donald Harvey and the Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association in Northern Ireland, Mr. Philip Scott. All made short addresses on the 40 meter WAI frequency. This was followed by a call in giving Scouts the opportunity to talk with the three Chiefs. This is the last year that both CSI and SAI will participate in JOTA as on 1st of January 2004, both will join in forming a new association to be called Scouting Ireland.
Stations on air for JOTA were EI0NDR operating from Chanel College, Coolock, EI2DSJ operating from Dundalk, EI2SAI operating from the sailing club in Fenit, EI2SDR operating from the Scout Den in Wicklow, EI2WRC operating from the Scout Den, John's Hill, Waterford, EI4BST operating from the Community Centre in Bayside, Dublin, EI5MRC operating from the Scout Campsite in Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford, GB0FAS operating from the Scout Den, Ballymoney and GN4SIW operating from the Scout Den, Randelstown.
Units and Groups participating in JOTA are asked to submit reports to their respective National JOTA Organiser at Scouting Ireland - CSI, Larch Hill, Dublin 16 or by Email to njo@scoutingirelandcsi.com, whose report form is downloadable from the CSI Radio Scouting Webpage www.qsl.net/ei3ip/jota.htm
Scouting Ireland - SAI, Tennants Hall, Christ Church, Rathgar, Dublin 6, before 30th November, and The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW, whose report form is downloadable from the Scout Association Radio Scouting Webpage www.radio-scouting.org.uk/ before the 23rd of November.
These will be used in the National Reports to the WOSM in Geneva. Reports should if possible include photographs and press cuttings.
Tipperary Amateur Radio Group
The Annual General Meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will take place for members only on Monday the 10th of November 2003 in Raheen House Hotel, Raheen Road, Clonmel.
A number of Group members are QRV on 4 metres and those heard operating on 70.260 MHz on Tuesday the 7th of October were Tommy EI2IT, Hugh EI2HI, John EI3DIB and Paul EI3ENB, other stations heard were John EI7GL, John EI3BF and Jeremy EI5GM all from Cork. It is hoped to continue to have a sked on 4 metres on the first Tuesday of each month from 8 to 10 p.m., so if you have 4 Metre gear you should listen on 70.260 MHz and see who you can work or hear. Further information on the Group and its activities are available on the groups website at www.ei7trg.org
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The 2003 Mayo Rally will be held on Sunday November the 16th in The Belmont Hotel, Knock, with doors opening at 11.00 a.m. Listeners will remember the success of the first Mayo rally last year, and the club are already hard at work to ensure a repeat success.
Fingal Radio Club
Fingal Radio Club will run their very popular trip to Llandudno again this year. The date is Saturday the 8th of November leaving Dublin Port at 06.50 and arriving in Holyhead at 08.30. The return journey leaves Holyhead at 20.15 getting into Dublin at 22.00. This gets to the show at approximately 9.30 however the doors don't open until 10.00 leaving time for breakfast in one of the many Cafe's in Llandudno. The group will need to leave Llandudno at about 16.30 to allow enough time for a meal in the Old Station House in Llandudno Junction.
The cost for the day including all transfers but not entry to the show or a meal will be 60 euro. Please book early as it is anticipated that a large number are wishing to travel. Only 12 seats will be available on the bus to allow for enough room for goodies to be carried home comfortably.
Should the trip have to be cancelled or if people wish to withdraw from the trip due to bad weather only a portion of the fee can be refunded as the bus driver will have to be paid regardless. All enquires to Liam EI3HK at 01-8316266 or mobile 087 2521542.
South Dublin Radio Club
South Dublin Radio Club has launched a members' discussion group on the Internet. Although primarily for members, others interested in amateur radio may join the group and participate in the discussions. The easiest way to join is to click on the link on the EI2SDR home page which can be found at www.qsl.net/ei2sdr/
Phoenix Amateur Radio Club Phoenix Amateur Radio Club are planning a theory course leading to the Radio Experimenter Examination. Classes will be held in Coolmine on Thursday evenings between 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. For further information contact Dan Lloyd at 01-8382774 or at daniellloyd@eircom.net.
Logbook of the World
The ARRL "Logbook Of The World" has now gone live. Using this system you can now get awards like DXCC and other ARRL awards via computer, (No more waiting years for paper QSL cards). In order for it to work well, as many people as possible need to register, there is no charge unless you want to apply for an award at a later stage. Check out their FAQ on www.arrl.org
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 licenced 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 and the Lough Derg Shield will be awarded to the highest score for SWL. The above winners will also receive a personal trophy.
It is very important that persons intending to compete must send notification 10-days prior to the contest date.
Local and National Nets
Membership of AREN, the Voluntary Radio Communications Service, is continuing to grow and membership is becoming distributed over the country. The 2 metre local Nets and the national net on 80 meters 3.650 MHz plus or minus QRM, takes place on the first Tuesday of each month and the winter time for the HF net changes in October to 19:30 hrs local as opposed to 21:30 local during the summer months.
No special equipment or skills are needed to in order to become involved in the voluntary communications service.
Activation - The local VHF/UHF net was placed on standby by net control in the Cork area during September as a result of the activation of the local councils major emergency plan to deal with the circumstances surrounding a fire on the north side of the city. Six members stood by for twenty hours from 1600 on September 25th until 1200 on the 26th.
Training - Training manuals dealing with such areas as message handling, map reading and health and safety on major emergency sites are currently being prepared and group and individuals are to attend one-day training sessions. Anybody wishing to join these training events should make contact with the Public Service Organisers.
A 48-hour standby and call-in exercise using power provided by sources other than the national grid is planned for the near future. This is designed to prepare operators for a failure of the national grid, such as that experienced recently in the UK and in the US.
Contact can be made with the group through EI2GN at ketch@indigo.ie or on 021-4323283 during office hours or otherwise on 086-2593-005.
Raynet 50th Anniversary Convention
On Saturday the 25th of October, the RSGB is hosting the Raynet 50th Anniversary Emergency Communications Convention at the West Midlands Police Conference and Sports Centre, Tally Ho!, Pershore Road, Birmingham. The Convention, which is open to all with an interest in amateur radio emergency and public service communications, commemorates 50 years since the original formation of Raynet in the autumn of 1953 by the RSGB Council of the day. It will celebrate the volunteer response and dedication given over the last half century and will feature speakers from Raynet, the Radiocommunications Agency, and User Services. The Raynet Cup will also be presented at the Convention. Admission includes a lucky programme raffle with major prizes donated by equipment manufacturers and dealers. Free tea and coffee is available for all as well.
In recognition of the original name of Raynet - the Radio Amateur Emergency Network - special event station GB50RAEN will be on the air from the 20th to the 31st of October, including on the day from the Convention itself. The station will be operated by members of the Sandwell Raynet Group. It is an opportunity to renew acquaintances and join in the celebrations. See the RSGB Emercomms webpages www.rsgb.org/emergency, which are linked from the main RSGB website at www.rsgb.org, for more details.
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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