Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 21st 2005
ComReg Consultation Paper
ComReg has recently produced a Consultation Paper entitled "Review of Fees/Rights of use for Radio Frequencies". One section of this paper deals with Experimenters' Radio Licences and associated fees. Submissions on the paper are sought from interested parties and the closing date for these submissions is the 9th of September 2005. It is strongly recommended that all IRTS members take the time to study this paper, as the proposals contained therein will, if implemented, have a significant impact on the Experimenter community in EI.
IRTS will of course be submitting a considered response to the ComReg proposals and this is currently in course of preparation. However, individual members with views on the Paper are urged to put forward their own submissions.
The Consultation Paper is available on the ComReg website (www.comreg.ie) under Publications, reference 05/58.
Nuacht as Gaeilge
The IRTS news in Irish has changed frequency due to poor bad conditions on 40 metres. From now on the news in Irish will be read on 3.680 MHz in the 80 metre band. Paddy EI7GK, who reads the news as Gaeilge hopes that all the regulars will be able to call in on 80 metres. New callers are always welcome, regardless of your level of Irish, beiodh fáilte rómhat.
Howth Martello Tower
As announced in last week's news, The Howth Martello Radio Group has recently been allocated the callsign EI0MAR. The group's station is located within the Martello tower, which also houses the vintage radio museum. It is hoped to air the new callsign for the first time (Sunday 21st) on VHF and HF. EI0MAR hopes to call in after the IRTS VHF morning news bulletin as well as to Colm and Sean on HF where QRV frequency information will be given for those wishing to have a QSO. A special QSL card will be sent for all direct QSOs completed during this first day of operation.
The MAR suffix, signifying the Martello, was also applied for in recognition of Marconi's wireless telegraphy experiments carried out from the tower in 1905. Two years previously, Lee DeForest, the American radio pioneer used the Martello tower as the location for a demonstration of his wireless telegraphy system to engineers of the British Post Office.
This tower is steeped in the history of early radio. It is so fitting that a museum of radio is now located there. The Howth Martello Radio Group is honoured and privileged to operate an experimental station, EI0MAR from such an historic location.
For further information about the museum take a look at a look at www.qsl.net/ei5em/museum.html
New Callsigns in South Dublin Radio Club
Following success in the recent theory examination, Jim Armstrong, who had passed the Morse test some months ago, has been issued with the call sign EI8JR. Meanwhile Shay Ryan EI6FMB has now completed the Morse test and as a result has been issued with the new call, EI7JR. Congratulations to both.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
The next committee meeting of the group has been brought forward to this coming Wednesday (the 24th) at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Centre, Waterford. Please note that this meeting is outside the normal meeting schedule but is necessary due to upcoming plans and events. All committee members are asked to attend.
SSB Field Day
The Annual SSB Field Day will take place on the first full weekend in September which this year falls on the 3rd and 4th, only two weeks away.
Following last year's very successful central event hosted by the Shannon Basin Radio Club on the wonderful grounds of Garbally College in Ballinasloe, the same venue will be used again this year. A feature of the event is the Saturday night barbecue when all participants and visitors are treated to the very best of midland steaks.
The local Shannon Basin club will be defending their title in the restricted section and will be challenged by two teams from the Dalkey Island Contest Group, a team from the Galway Radio Experimenters Club, a team from East Cork and Joe EI7GY from SDR.
Other stations intending to travel should notify the contest manager as soon as possible. Stations who wish to set up in the open section will also be very welcome at Ballinasloe and will be accommodated at locations a few miles away from the college.
The Dalkey Island Group are sponsoring three Dublin Crystal Trophies for stations in the restricted section at Garbally College. These will be awarded for best LF DX, best HF DX and best hourly rate. Teams will nominate their best DX and the final decision will be made on site by a committee of three top EI DXers.
Of course stations do not need to travel to Ballinasloe to partake in Field Day and entries in either the open or restricted section will be very welcome from any part of the country. You must notify your site location to the Contest Manager in advance.
Island Activation
Last Wednesday, the 10th of August, Paddy - EI7GK was QRV on Motton Island, Co. Clare using the callsign EJ7GK. This Island, 2 kilometres off Quilty, was never activated before and is uninhabited and without electricity.
Paddy operated first on 80 metres for the WAI hunters who got a new island and the rare Q97 square. Then on 40 metres where there was a pile up of British and continental stations. He then QSYed to 20 metres and remained there until the car battery ran out.
The WX was ideal with brilliant sunshine and a view from Connemara to Kerry.
Space News
The International Space Station cross-band FM voice repeater is active. The downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz FM plus or minus 3 kHz doppler shift. The uplink frequency is 437.800 MHz FM plus or minus 10 kHz doppler shift.
EI Counties Contest
The Spring 2 Metres Counties Contest saw a welcome improvement on the number of entries, which had been falling over the last number of contests. In all, many excellent scores were recorded and the overall level of participation was very encouraging.
The Autumn leg of the contest will take place next Sunday, the 28th of August between 1400 and 1600 hours local time. Clubs and individuals are encouraged to take part. Even if you are not participating in the contest, check logs are welcome. Lets hope that the WX is on our side and we continue to see the improvement in participation.
Rally News
The Cork Radio Rally will be held in the Blarney Park Hotel on the 25th of September. Doors open at 11 a.m. Free parking and plenty of things to do in Blarney this year as this year celebrates the Cork Capital of Culture. All enquiries about tables, trading etc. should be made to Con on 086 1071312 or 021 4270136 or email "conmac at engineer dot com".
The Waterford Rally will take place on Sunday the 16th of October 2005 in the McEniff, Ard Ri Hotel, Waterford. Traders confirmed to date are; Long Communications, South East Communications and Tetra Communications. The IRTS bookstand will be present and a strong feature will be the Bring and Buy aspect of the rally. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. and admission is 5 Euro. There is no admission charge for children (accompanied by an adult). Special room rates are available for those attending the rally. For information or to reserve exhibition space contact the rally organizer, Michael Hoban, EI5DCB on 051-873310. Information regarding room rates is available on www.searg.com
The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network Rally will be held on Sunday November the 20th at the usual venue, the Belmont Hotel, Knock. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. 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 Bed & Breakfast and evening meal. Traders should contact Padraic Baynes EI9JA for exhibition space.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 051 853806 or 087 6302026. Items for the radio news can also be faxed to 087 5 6302026. News should be submitted via e-mail to "news at irts dot 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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