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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 31st 2008


European Common Allocations Table

In February last as a result of an initiative by IRTS, ComReg raised at the CEPT Working Group on Frequency Management WGFM, the question of the inclusion of a mention of allocations to the amateur service in the region of 70 MHz in the European Common Allocations table ECA. There had been no mention of these despite the fact that an increasing number of countries were giving operating facilities to the amateur service in that part of the spectrum.

This initiative yielded results as the revised ECA published by the European Radiocommunications Office ERO which was open for consultation until the 16th of August includes a new footnote EU9 which reads as follows "In a growing number of CEPT countries, parts of the band 70.0 to 70.5 MHz is also allocated to the Amateur service on a secondary basis". The IRTS sent a detailed submission to the ERO urging that this footnote be retained and requested other IARU societies to do likewise. The result of the public consultation is now available and the Finnish, British, Czech Republic, Dutch and Norwegian Societies also responded to the ERO consultation and the proposed new footnote is in the draft ECA table to be considered by the next meeting of the CEPT Frequency Management Working Group in Baku in Azerbaijan on the 22nd to the 26th of September.

It seems that there have been no difficulties raised about the inclusion of the new footnote so hopefully it will be in the final frequency table. Such a footnote will assist Societies in CEPT countries, which are reluctant to grant allocations at 70 MHz because there is no mention of it either in the ITU Radio Regulations or the European Common Allocations Table.

The IRTS, RSGB, SRAL and DARC in their observations on the draft table also raised points about the inclusion of footnotes in the table mentioning that CEPT National Administrations may make allocations at 500 kHz and 5 Mhz. The IRTS response in addition proposed that the 2009 revision of the frequency table include secondary allocations at these frequencies and a possible CEPT proposal in this regard to a World Radio Conference in the longer term.


IRTS Web Site Links

A number of new links have been added to the IRTS web site www.irts.ie in recent weeks and are worth browsing.

Firstly, following a number of requests, we have added a Photo Galleries section to the site. This section has links to a number of galleries, showing Irish radio experimenters in action in a number of areas including contests, a DXpedition and a Club Field Day. The Webmaster welcomes suggestions for additions to the Photo Galleries section.

The Webmaster's Choice page - mentioned in this bulletin a few weeks ago - has a number of new links. One link of particular interest is to an article on Good Operating Practice. This wide-randing article covers topics such as "what to talk about in a QSO", "how to call CQ" and "dealing with conflict situations". The article, written by Belgian radio amateur ON4WW, is perhaps over-prescriptive in some areas, but is nevertheless full of useful tips and is well worth reading.

Another new Webmaster's Choice link is to a page listing "Invalid Operations" from a DXCC point of view, which would be of interest to anyone chasing DXCC awards.


IRTS Radio News

Mark EI7IS is finishing in the post of radio news editor and as such we immediately require a replacement. If anyone is interested please contact Finbarr Buckley EI1CS by e-mail at “buckleyf1 at eircom dot net” or via 021-4346622 as soon as possible. The position does not require a lot of work, just an hour or more weekly. Full assistance will be provided to the person that takes over this post and Mark will assist them with the news for the first few weeks.


MRG VHF/UHF SSB Challenge 2008

The annual MRG VHF/UHF SSB Challenge takes place on September the 7th 2008 between 1500 hrs and 1800 hrs local time. Any EI/GI operator holding an amateur/experimenters licence can participate. Clubs can also participate.

The sections are as follows; Fixed section – 144 MHz / 70 cm SSB only and the Portable section – 144 MHz / 70 cm SSB only.

All completed QSO's count for 1 point per kilometer. A bonus of 1000 points to be added for completing 10 QSO's on 70 cm.

144 MHz / 70 cm scores to be combined (+70 cm bonus of 1000 points if 10 contacts are worked) to give the final score.

Exchange is RS followed by a sequential serial number starting with 001 followed by Maidenhead locator. For example 59001 IO53ab.

Logs to be forwarded to “ei2mrg at yahoo dot com”, arriving no later than the 7th of October 2008. Logs received after this date will not count towards any award. A trophy will be awarded to the winners of each section (Fixed & Portable). The complete Contest rules can be found on www.geocities.com/ei2mrg/page1.html or email “ei2mrg at yahoo dot com”.

Good luck in the contest!


Limerick Radio Club

Members of Limerick Radio Club took part in the recent International Lighthouse Weekend from Tarbert Island Lighthouse No.IRE 073. Two stations were in operation over the weekend and more than 300 contacts were made.

Those taking part included Dermot EI2GT, Tony EI2AW, Mike EI2IX, John EI6IW, Ger EI4GXB, Alan EI8EM and Tom EI3AL.Those requiring a QSL card should contact the QSL Manager, Alan EI8EM.

The next meeting of the Club will be on the Thursday the 9th of October at the usual venue, the Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish at 19:30 local time. All those interested are welcome to attend.


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The next monthly meeting of the Tipperary Amatuer Radio Group will take place on Thursday next the 4th of September in Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel at 8.00 p.m. All are welcome.


Crossakiel Amatuer Radio Association

CARA are pleased to say that the two members who took the Exam, Dave and Brian have passed. The Club was founded on the Ethos of passing the Test by a small group of lads wanting to get their ticket and the classes are continous on Wednesday nights from 20:30 to 22:30 hours. CARA are doing the Morse also. Call Mikle (ei2gkb) contact number 087 2481970 for details. Also Classes are continous in SDR on Tuesday Nights from 20:00 to 22:00 hours, again contact Mikle on 087 2481970 for more information on the SDR classes.


South Dublin Radio Club

South Dublin Radio Club are having a meeting of all members to discuss the finances and how the club is to go forward. This will take place on Tuesday the 2nd of September at 8 p.m. All members are welcome to attend.

SDR Plan on taking part in the SSB field day from Ballinasloe this year on the 6th and 7th of September. The SDR Barbeque will take place on Saturday the 27th of September from the QTH of EI3IO in Shankhill but is weather dependant.


Cork Radio Club

Cork Radio Club are very much looking forward to hosting the rally this year at Montenotte Hotel, Cork on Sunday the 14th of September and hope you will share the same commitment as before in the last 16 years.

Further details will be posted with regards to the location “how to get there” etc. A short video of the venue can be viewed on “you tube” URL www.youtube.com/ei5crc

The Cork Radio Club meets every Monday night at 8.30 pm at 1a Assumption Road Cork. Further details from the club Secretary, Frank Mason EI6EVB at QTHR.


EI Counties Contest

The Autumn leg of the EI counties contest takes place today between 14:00 and 16:00 hours local time. Rules are available at www.irts.ie


SSB Field Day

The SSB Field Day will take place on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of September 2008. More information is available on the IRTS web site at www.irts.ie


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall, EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 087-6302026 or 051-340850. 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 Friday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

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