Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday October 24th 2004
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)
The 47th Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) took place last weekend.
Headquarters station for Ireland, EI-1-NCSJ was at the Helix in the campus of Dublin City University, as it was also the venue for the inaugural National Council of Scouting Ireland. Operation of this station was assisted by North Dublin Radio Club, EI-0-NDR and Charlie EI-2-EM who demonstrated ATV. Also in Dublin the 132nd Dublin Scout Group was on air under its own callsign EI-4-BST and EI-2-SDR/J operated from the National Scout Campsite in Larch Hill.
In County Waterford, Mount Melleray Scout Campsite was operational under its own callsign EI-5-MRC and in Tramore the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group operated from the Den of the 8th Waterford Scout Group under the callsign EI-2-SJW.
In County Kerry the 2nd Kerry Sea Scouts, EI-2-KSS operated from Tralee under the supervision of their Skipper, Brian EI-4-GL.
According to initial reports Scouts were in contact with JOTA Stations throughout Europe and as far as the USA and Australia.
Scouts at the various stations got to use a wide range of modes including ATV, PSK and APRS. However the biggest hit with the Scouts was the IRLP network, which enabled clear communications to the far side of the earth.
Stations that participated in this years JOTA are requested to submit reports including photographs and press cuttings by 30th November to jota@scouts.ie or by snail mail to the National JOTA Organiser, Scouting Ireland, Larch Hill, Dublin 16. All reports received will be used in compiling the National Report that will be submitted to the World Scout Headquarters in Geneva. Report forms can be downloaded from the Scouting Ireland Radio Scouting Webpage at www.scouts.ie/jota or obtained on request from jota@scouts.ie.
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.
Tipperary Amateur Radio Group
The Tipperary Amateur Radio Group web site has moved to a more reliable server in EI. To visit the site, go to; www.ei7trg.org/
A reminder that the first Tuesday of every month on 70.2652 MHz is 4 metre activity night. Several members of Tipperary Amateur Radio Group are active on the band and would be delighted to work anyone who would like to call in.
CQWW Contest Station
Hal W8HC (previously KC8FS) was on holidays recently in Ireland and checked cards for the DXCC awards. He made quite a few EI friends as a result of this and previous visits. He is participating in the CQWW contest from Israel with the special call sign 4X0WV on all bands. He will have Dave WA8WV with him. They would appreciate a call from any EI station who hears them during the contest.
Fingal Radio Club
Fingal Radio Club held it's Annual General Meeting at it's meeting rooms in Erins Isle GAA Centre on Monday the 18th of October last.
Club Chairman Chris Yeates EI7AAB gave his chairman's address and in doing so thanked both the committee and fellow members for their help and support in assisting him. He thanked Sean Linehan EI7CV for his role as club treasurer throughout the year and also for his culinary skills with the Christmas Party feast the club enjoyed. He also thanked Aidan Murphy EI5HW for his work as club secretary including his contributions to the IRTS news and for his "practical" Hot Air Ballooning Lecture that he brought to the club during the summer months. Aidan was also congratulated on his Echolink project and for providing and making available his licensed Internet linking gateway to the general amateur radio community.
The George Stritch Memorial Award is awarded each year to a club member who in the eyes of the majority of club members, has shown or given exemplary and or exceptional service to the club over the previous 12 months. It also may be awarded to a person who in the eyes of the current members has served the club over many years in an unselfish and caring manner. This year the award went to Joe Driscoll EI7CRB.
In a unanimous vote the existing committee were re elected for a further 12 month term.
Limerick Radio Club
The next meeting of Limerick Radio Club will take place on the 11th of November at 7.30 p.m. in Limerick Institute of Technology. This meeting will feature a demonstration of packet radio by Mike EI9FEB and Pat EI7FHB.
The 70cm repeater which operates on 433.125 MHz is now on test in preparation for deployment at a high site. The current location of the repeater is Patrickswell, Limerick. Any reports would be appreciated to ei4lrc@qsl.net.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
The next general meeting of the group will take place on Wednesday the 27th of October at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. Guest speaker at the meeting will be IRTS President, Sean Donelan - EI4GK. All are welcome.
The Rally took place on Sunday the 17th of October in the Ard Rí Hotel in Waterford. This was by all means a great success and the rally was well supported by traders and experimenters alike. The club would like to thank all who went along on the day and supported the rally. Special thanks to rally organiser Mick, EI5DCB on a job well done. The club are looking forward to putting on a similar event next year.
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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