Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday October 17th 2004
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)
The 47th Jamboree on the Air or JOTA 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 as thousands of scouts world-wide speak with each other across the airwaves. The event lasts from midnight local time Friday night (15th October) to midnight Sunday night (17th October). Stations participating can choose their own operating hours within this time frame.
Headquarters station for Ireland, EI-1-NCSJ is at the Helix in the campus of Dublin City University, as it also the venue for the inaugural National Council of Scouting Ireland, which was formed at the beginning of the year following the coming together of the Catholic Scouts of Ireland and the Scout Association of Ireland, and at which over 700 members of the new association are in attendance. Operation of this station is being assisted by North Dublin Radio Club, EI-0-NDR and the 132nd Dublin Scout Group, EI-4-BST. EI-5-MRC is operational from its QRA in Mount Melleray Scout Campsite.
Other JOTA stations operating are, EI-2-SDR/J from the National Scout Campsite in Larch Hill where the 7th Wicklow Scout Group are being assisted by South Dublin Radio Club. EI-2-SJW from the Scout Den in Tramore where the 8th Waterford Scout Group is being assisted by the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group, EI-2-WRC and EI-2-KSS from Tralee where the 2nd Kerry Sea Scouts are being supervised by their Skipper, Brian EI-4-GL.
Further information regarding JOTA is available from Sean O?Suilleabhain, EI3IP, National JOTA Organiser (NJO) of Scouting Ireland at jota@scouts.ie or at 087 232 6994 or at QTHR or from the Radio Scouting web page of Scouting Ireland at www.scouts.ie/jota Downloads of Radio Scouting handbooks for Scouts as well as Leaders and Station managers for both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland are available on the web page or by email on request.
Cork Annual Dinner
The Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire, Co. Cork will be the venue for a dinner and social evening on Friday November the 5th next. All experimenters and their friends are invited to take the opportunity to get together and enjoy a good meal in pleasant surroundings.
Tickets cost 25 Euro each and can be booked by contacting Jeremy Sheehan EI5GM on 021-4774955 after 1900 or Dave Moore EI4BZ on 021-4883555.
Contests and DX
The Lord Howe Island DXpedition is active until the 23rd of October. Two callsigns in use are VK9LA by the male operators and VK9LW by the YLs.
The CQWW SSB contest will take place over the weekend of October the 30th and 31st next.
Mayo Radio Experimenter Network
The new committee elected at the AGM of the Mayo Radio Experimenters Network is:
Chairperson is Jimmy Kelly EI2GCB, Secretary is John Corless, EI7IQ and Treasurer is John McAndrew, EI3JM. The PRO & Club Newsletter Editor is Brendan Minish, EI6IZ. Rally Director is Padraic Baynes, EI9JA. Michael Clarke, EI3IG is the QSL Manager and the Contest Manager is Terry Ebdon, EI9IW. Don Gibbons, EI5IA is the IRTS Representative.
The Connor Shield for outstanding service to amateur radio was won by Brendan Minish, EI6IZ and The Wishing Well Shield, for outstanding service to the club was won by Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB.
First place in the club competition for September was shared by John Browne, EI7FAB and John Corless, EI7IQ with Mike Hayes, EI2EO taking third place. Fourth went to John McAndrew, EI3JM, fifth going to Brendan Minish EI6IZ, with Jimmy Kelly, EI2GCB sixth. Terry Ebdon, EI9IW took seventh place.
The MREN Rally will be held in the Belmont Hotel Knock on Sunday November the 21st - doors open at 11.30 a.m. A large number of traders form Ireland and overseas have confirmed attendance, and the Rally will feature a number of practical demonstrations and talks, as well as the now famous Bring & Buy - almost a rally in itself! Special offers on accommodation at the Hotel are available and the MREN has arranged a special pre-rally dinner on the Saturday night with a prominent guest speaker and tickets are now available for the dinner, priced at 25 euro, from Padraic Baynes, EI9JA The Rally Director. Enquiries for stands at the rally should also be sent to Padraic who can be contacted on 087 6957154.
Shannon Basin Radio Club Challenge The Shannon Basin Radio club is again running its annual one day Open, Fixed, Challenge for EI residents. This challenge is open to all licensed operators and short wave listeners, and will be held on the 7th of November 2004 from 0800 to 2000 hrs. 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 mode). 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.
Please Note that persons intending to compete must send notification prior to the contest date.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS. News should be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no later than midday on Fridays.
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