Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 22nd March 2009
Licence Renewals
Arising from our meeting with ComReg on 12 February and in the context of the commencement in the near future of the issue of Lifetime Licences, ComReg has agreed to accept applications for renewal of currently lapsed licences under the existing arrangements up to Friday 17th April 2009.
All applications for renewal of lapsed licences should be made on the ComReg Application Form 02/04R3 (available on the ComReg website at www.comreg.ie), quoting the relevant licence reference number (LER) or Call-Sign and be accompanied by payment of all outstanding fees. In this instance ComReg, in a departure from standard procedure, is prepared to reinstate the old Callsign on renewal of the licences.
Applicants should however include a letter giving a brief explanation as to why the usual reminders which may have been received from ComReg were not responded to. If you are aware of anyone to whom this item is relevant please bring it to their attention.
It should be noted that following the introduction of Lifetime Licences all applications for new licences, whether previously licensed or not, will be required to pay the lifetime licence fee for new applicants of €100.
IRTS AGM
The IRTS AGM weekend, which is hosted by the Shannon Basin Radio Club, takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2009. The venue is the Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone, which boasts ample car parking space and the best facilities around.
Tickets for the annual dinner are now available from Brian Canning EI8IU, Brian can be contacted on 086 2514822 of via email from brianei8iu /at/ eircom.net
There will also be a Rally and Annual Gereral Meeting, for further details in relation to the dinner or rally please contact Brian EI8IU, Tony EI6DL, or Pat EI9HX There is also lots more information available on the AGM weekend from the IRTS website.
IRTS 40 Metre News Frequency
Arising from WRC-03 the 7100 to 7200 kHz segment of the 40 metre band will become amateur exclusive with effect from the 29th March. In anticipation of this the IARU Region 1 at its Conference in Cavtat in November last adopted a revised 40 metre bandplan.
This bandplan would put the existing 40 metre radio news frequency of 7043 kHz in a section of the band which is for narrowband modes only. Accordingly, from Sunday next, 29 March, the 40 metre radio news will move 12 kHz higher in frequency to 7055 kHz which is in an all mode segment of the band.
The radio news may ultimately move to a frequency above 7100 kHz depending on the capability of stations to transmit above 7100 kHz.
HF Band Plan
Band Plans are modified from time to time to reflect changes in international regulations and in operating requirements. A new HF band plan comes into effect in IARU Region 1 - which includes Ireland - on Sunday 29th March. The new band plan takes account of the fact that, under international regulations, the segment 7100 to 7200 kHz will be upgraded to 'amateur primary' from that date.
The principal changes incorporated in the new band plan are in the 40 metre band, with exclusive CW now extended to 7040 kHz, and two SSB contest preferred segments - from 7060 to 7100 kHz and from 7130 to 7200 kHz.
Priority for intercontinental operation will now be in the segment 7175 to 7200 kHz. Revised centres of activity for SSB QRP and emergency traffic are also included in the new band plan.
SSB operators should note in particular that the new band plan indicates lowest dial settings for LSB Voice mode of 1843, 3603 and 7053 kHz
A copy of the new band plan may be downloaded from the downloads page of the IRTS web site www.irts.ie/downloads
IRTS News on Mayo Repeater
The IRTS news is now broadcast on the Mayo Repeater on Sunday evenings at 8pm local time. The news readers are John, EI7IQ, Padraic, EI9JA and Jimmy, EI2GCB. The Mayo REN plans to extend the service soon. The Mayo club will have a stand at the Enniskillen Rally this year.
Dundalk Amateur Radio Society.
Members of the Dundalk ARS were active on St. Patrick’s Day from the QTH of Thos EI2JD in Clogherhead. Having 2 HF and 1 VHF stations set up they were able to give out the club call EI7DAR to over 600 hams world wide.
The countries ranged from Europe to Russia to Cocos Keeling Island off Australia, Nigeria and South Africa, the Falkland Islands and included Islands in the Caribbean and of course a lot of Irish in North America and Canada.
There is a small 4-minute video available to view on You Tube, just search for Dundalk Amateur Radio. This was just one of the many activities Dundalk ARS have planned for the coming year to celebrate it's 40th Anniversary.
Next meeting is Wednesday 1st April and all are welcome.
More info can be found on the club website, including a live link to the Dundalk repeater. www.ei7dar.com
South Dublin Radio Club
The South Dublin Radio Club will have its AGM on Tuesday 31st March 2009 at 2030, In the Scouts den in Tempelogue.
For more information on SDR please visit www.southdublinradioclub.ie
New Canadian Island and Lighthouse activation
A Group of Canadian Amateurs will be activating Bluffers Park Island (new CISA island) and new lighthouse in Ontario.
The Group will be using a special call sign VC3Y on March 21st-22nd, 2009, celebrating 50 Years of the York Region Amateur Radio Club.
Rallies
Rallies during March include the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Rally in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh on Sunday 29th March. More details are available on the IRTS website.
History this week
1909 Einar Dessau of Denmark makes one of the first Amateur broadcasts via Shortwave Radio.
Reminder
IRTS 40 Metre News Frequency
From Sunday next the 40 metre radio news will be transmitted on 7055 kHz that is 12 kHz HF of the existing frequency.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, via e-mail to “charlie dot Carolan at gmail dot com” Or by phone to 087-6265418 News can also be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam 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 Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.
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