Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday June 26th 2005
EI9EY Silent Key
It is with deep regret that we announce the recent death of Ken Foley, EI9EY. Ken was active on the radio until recently and was actively involved in the antenna maintenance of the Waterford repeater up to a number of years ago. Kens' wife Theresa and his son Ken are licensed experimenters. The funeral took place last Friday the 24th.
To his wife Theresa, his daughter Katrina and sons Jim and Ken we offer our condolences. May he rest in peace.
Theory Examinations
On Thursday the 16th of June marked the first Experimenter Licence Theory Examination run under the new system. Under this system, negotiated recently by the IRTS with ComReg, the Society is responsible for the setting, organisation and correcting of the Theory Examination. This was also the last examination using the traditional essay type exam paper. All future exams will be in the multiple-choice paper of 60 questions covering the various aspects of the HAREC syllabus. A question bank has already been prepared by the Society. Fourteen candidates sat the examination in the ComReg Offices. ComReg has undertaken to provide facilities in January and June of each year, free of charge, to facilitate the holding of examinations. Examinations can be held at centres elsewhere in the country if numbers warrant it.
The agreement negotiated by the Society with ComReg is a historic one and puts the running of the Theory Examination on a proper footing. It also vests the trust and confidence of ComReg in the Society, which adds further to its status as the representative Society for Radio Experimenters in this country.
Howth Peninsular Festival
The Howth Peninsular Festival takes place over the weekend of 1-3 July, next weekend. Among the many events taking place is the operation of an amateur station from the Martello Tower, which houses "Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum". The call sign has not been finalised but EI2HPF has been applied for. It is hoped to be active on HF (CW and SSB) and probably vhf and uhf as well.
The station will be active from approx 11am until evening on both Saturday and Sunday. Why not drop by and enjoy the many indoor and outdoor events taking place in Howth over that weekend, and top it off with a visit to the station. Tony, EI5EM and Joe, EI4FV look forward to seeing many visitors and indeed would welcome willing operators to the shack. For further details contact Tony by email on ei5em at eircom dot net or by telephone at 087-2147531.
The webpage for the museum is www.qsl.net/ei5em/museum.html
Squares Table 2005
Could anyone working DX on any of the VHF/UHF bands please forward their totals for inclusion on the squares table. The table will be published in Echo Ireland, scores will be updated on EI7GL's web page www.qsl.net/ei7gl as they come to hand. Thanks to John for including the table on his homepage over the years.
GAREC 2005
The first Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications conference GAREC 2005, was held in Tampere (Tam-per-e), Finland, on Monday and Tuesday the 13th and 14th of June, organised under the auspices of the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union). This was hosted by the Finland IARU member group SRAL with Seppo Sisättö OH1VR as organising chairman. The Chairman for the Programme was Hans Zimmermann F/HB9AQS, IARU EC Coordinator. There were 45 delegates from the three IARU regions and 17 countries including the USA, UK through Europe, Africa, and Asia to Japan.
National Delegates presented information on the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of their own countries, and described some of the major emergencies and other events in which they have been involved.
The IRTS was represented by John Ketch, EI2GN, Voluntary Emergency Communications Coordinator, who described the organisational structure of the AREN Group. Activities such as the lights out exercise were described and it was found that similar techniques have been used by other groups, particularly in the United States.
Delegates from India, Sri Lanka and other areas effected by last years Tsunami gave accounts of their involvement in handling emergency traffic during the event. This brought it home to members attending that this was an all-too-real experience, and that amateur radio operators have a clear and valuable role in responding to disaster situations.
Arising from the conference is a document that will go forward to the World Summit of the Information Society and one that will be presented for decision to IARU Regions 1, 2 and 3 that deals with HF Centre of Activity Frequencies for emergency communications. It is proposed that these frequencies are known as the Tampere frequencies.
The conference proceeding will be posted on the IARU website. All feedback for ongoing discussion and contribution to the decision making process, in particular to the Tempere frequencies, should be transmitted to John Ketch EI2GN by e-mail to ei2gn at aren dot ie.
Field Day
The CW Field Day, which was held over the June bank holiday weekend, attracted five portable entries this year. The next field day is the VHF/UHF one to be held next week. Please advise the Contest Manager if you intend to participate.
SSB Field Day will be held on the weekend of September the 3rd and 4th. Now is the time for clubs and groups to be putting the plans in place. A central venue will be used if there is sufficient interest but stations will still be welcome to set up independently if they wish. It only takes two or three people to get up and running in the restricted section, so get that tent or caravan and generator organised now.
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network has announced the date for the 2005 rally. Rally director Padraic Baynes EI9JA told the June meeting of the group that the rally would be held on Sunday November 20 at the usual venue, the Belmont Hotel, Knock. Bookings for accommodation should be made directly with the hotel. The rate is 50 Euro per person with a special all-in rate of 70 Euro for B&B and evening meal.
The rally will follow the highly successful format of previous years, and will commence at 11.00 a.m. Right of admission is reserved. Traders should contact Padraic Baynes EI9JA for exhibition space. More details will be announced later.
Cork Repeater Group
The Cork Repeater Group is at present in the process of upgrading both the 2 metre and 70 centimetre repeaters, and wishes to apologise for the interruption of service, it is hoped to have both back in full service soon.
Packet News
TIPBBS is still quite active and links with EI3RCW in Waterford have been improved of late as has the CAHIR Node. Since the crash early in the year the BBS has had a complete Re-Vamp, although much of the available files have been lost, there are still quite a few handy tips and other bits of data if you simply send the W command followed by W (Directory) this will give the contents of the requested directory. So why not give the packet a try? It's free and contents and connections are all Virus free as well.
If anyone is interested in participating in ongoing APRS experiments in the South East please set your UI PATH to WIDE2-2, this would include anyone in the coverage area of the Mt. Leinster Voice Repeater and the Repeater in Waterford City. All experiments are conducted on 144.800 MHz. Contact John Ronan, EI7IS for more information.
Nets
A monthly six metre FM net meets on the first Monday of each month on 51.525 MHz FM using vertical polarisation at 9.00 p.m. local time. The purpose of this net is to increase activity on the 6 metre band. The next meeting of the net will take place on Monday the 4th of July. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.
The monthly 4 metre activity night will take place on Tuesday the 5th of July between 8.00 and 9.00 p.m. local time. Operators who are equipped for 70 MHz are invited to listen out for and join in any activity on 70.2626 MHz FM. The 4 metre activity night takes place on the first Tuesday of each month.
A weekly QRS CW net is held on Monday evenings on 3.567 MHz at 1900 hours. Net controller is Ron EI2JP. The purpose of this net is to promote a minimum CW proficiency by conducting an informal net combining code practice and on-air participation. The format of the QRS net is a short paragraph or two followed by check-ins and is wrapped up with another paragraph or two for additional practice. The practice sessions are sent at 6 words per minute. Regardless of ability, you are encouraged to join in. Further information can be obtained from EI2JP or from the Kerry Amateur Radio Groups web site at www.kerry.com
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
A general meeting of the group will take place this coming Wednesday the 29th and will be an informal get-together. This is an ideal opportunity to renew or apply for membership. Remember, all membership subs for 2005 must be paid on or before the 30th of June.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 051-853806 (evenings or weekends) or 087-6302026 (daytime). Items for the radio news can also be faxed to 087-5-6302026. 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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