Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 7th March 2010
Free IRTS Membership for a Year!
A reminder to members that they have until the end of March to ensure they are included in the draw for five free memberships for a year, which will take place at the AGM in Dundalk on 25th April.
All members who pay their annual subscriptions by direct debit will be included in the draw, full details of which were on page 15 of the February members' newsletter.
IRTS 78th AGM
Dundalk Amateur Radio Society shall be hosting the 78th Irish Radio Transmitters Society A.G.M over the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April 2010.
Further details for booking trader’s tables or any other info please e-mail the following Thos EI2JD at email address chairman /at/ ei7dar.com or Peter EI4HX at email address secretary /at/ ei7dar.com
Iceland's radio hams get access to 70 MHz and 500 KHz
On February 19, Radio Amateurs in Iceland were granted temporary experimental access to the 70 MHz and 500 kHz bands.
Licensees holding "N" and "G" class licences can apply to the Icelandic Post and Telecom Administration for a special permit for 70 MHz which is valid until December 31, 2010 and gives access to 70.000-70.200 MHz. Access is secondary with a 100 watt power limit and a maximum bandwidth of 16 kHz.
Permits are also available for the 493-510 kHz band, only A1A is allowed with up to 100 watts.
NZ Amateurs Granted Access to 600 metre Band
Following submissions from NZ Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), the group that represents NZ amateur radio operators, the NZ Government has agreed to grant NZ Amateurs temporary access to a slice of the 600 metre spectrum.
From 1 March, NZ Amateurs will have access to a new band, 505 to 515 kHz on a temporary basis pending an international allocation to radio amateurs and includes some restrictions:
These frequencies are, or may be, allocated for use by other services. Amateur operators must accept interference from, and must not cause interference to, such other services. Radiated power must not exceed 25 watts e.i.r.p. The bandwidth of emissions must not exceed 200 Hz.
On the international scene, work continues to gain a world-wide allocation in this area through the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), the group that represents Radio Amateurs internationally. Once this is approved, it is likely that the New Zealand Amateurs will be granted a permanent allocation in the 600 metre area.
St. Patrick's Day Special Event Station.
The Foyle and District ARC, situated 5 miles south of Derry, has been allocated the callsign GB5SPD to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The callsign will be used over several days, from March 15th until March 17th.
While most of the contacts will be ssb, it is hoped to use digimode this year for the first time. A special QSL card has been printed for the occasion and reports from SWL’s will also be most welcome. More details may be found on the qrz.com page, GB5SPD.
Dromineer Castle Activation
Members of the Galway VHF Group will be heading to Dromineer to activate Dromineer Castle on Wednesday the 17th of March. The designated number for this Castle will be EI-04-C. These numbers are obtained from Steve, EI5DD, and are essential for claiming the CASHOTA-Ireland and UK awards. Operation will be on 80, 40 and 20 metres from 10 AM until around 3 - 4 pm.
Dromineer Castle is situated next to the Harbour on the banks of the Shannon, a popular mooring spot for the boating fraternity and an excellent spot for a picnic. Galway VHF Group member, Declan EI2GE, ownes the Hostel next to the Castle and will be preparing a fine feast at the end of the day before the group heads back to Galway.
This is the first in a series of activations planned for this year.
Bere Isl EU-121 Activation
Olivier ON4EI will be activating BERE ISLAND EU-121 as EJ8GQB, his new Irish callsign (EI8GQB). This solo expedition is planned from 21st-29th March 2010.
Activity will be 160-10m SSB/RTTY. HB: Spiderbeam beam LB: 18m vertical mast top loaded + 30*radials Rig: K3 100W
He will also make part to the CQ WPX SSB CONTEST March 27th-28th 2010.
For more details about the trip, see www.qrz.com/db/ej8gqb
Rallies
Lagan Valley ARS Rally 20th March
The Lagan Valley ARS Rally will be held at 11.30am in The Village Centre, Hillsborough, Co Down.
Contact: Jim Henry, GI0DVU on 048 9266 2270
For further Rally info and contact details please check out the IRTS Website at
History this week
1876 Bell - Granted US Patent for his telephone.
1893 Edison opens first motion picture studio, West Orange, New Jersey.
1897 Marconi demos to UK Army etc achieving about 5 kms.
1894 First steel sailing ship Dirigo, launched in Maine, USA. 1899 SS "R F Matthews" collided with the lightship, which alarmed the lighthouse ashore to get assistance. This was the first time ever a distress call was transmitted by radio from a ship at sea! Sent 'HELP' etc...
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, preferably 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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