Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 13th May 2012
Licence Examination
The next Amateur Station Licence Examination will be held on Thursday 28th June at 2 p.m. in the ComReg Offices in Dublin. The examination may be held on that day at other centres where warranted by the number of candidates. Full details, including entry procedure, examination fee and how to pay the fee online are available by clicking on the Licence Exam button on the IRTS homepage at www.irts.ie Places for the examination are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that it is necessary to download the application form from the web page and forward the completed form and the appropriate fee in order to secure a place for the examination. If you pay the fee on line you must still complete and forward the application form. Please note over half the available places have already been allocated.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
SEARG kicked-off it's theory classes at the last meeting on Monday 30 April last. The meeting was well attended by those wishing to sit the theory exam. If anyone else would like to participate, please get in touch with Mark Wall on 087 630 2026 or by e-mail to markwall /at/ vodafone /dot/ ie.
The Geoparks communications weekend this year takes place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May. South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will again operate from Tankardstown on the Copper Coast Geopark in Co. Waterford. The callsign is EI2GEO (pending approval). Activity will mainly be on HF. Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the club on info/ at/searg.com or phone Mark Wall on 087 630 2026 . For more information about the Geopark, visit www.coppercoastgeopark.com
European Football Championship 2012 on the AIR
EFC 2012 is an on-the-air activity which promises to be a great deal of fun, organized by Polish and Ukrainian amateurs affiliated with PZK and UARL.
From June 1st to July 5th 2012, there will be numerous special event stations active on the air. They will be operating concurrently with the 2012 European Football Championship, which this year is organized jointly by Poland and Ukraine.
More detailed information about our activity can be found on website efc2012.pzk.org.pl There are two awards which can be earned during this period, as well as many interesting QSL cards and prizes.
North Cork Radio Group
North Cork Radio Group are pleased to announce another 1st time CASHOTA activity. This time we will be activating Barryscourt Castle, East Cork. Barryscourt Castle is the 16th century seat of the Barry family. The present castle, with its largely intact bawn wall and corner towers, is a fine example of an Irish tower house.
We are looking forward to operating from this site on Sunday, 20th May 2012 from 11am to 5pm approximately. As the castle is closed to the public until 24th May, this is a closed event but we look forward to working you on the day.
Logbook of the World
Logbook of the World (LoTW for short) is an online QSL system - an alternative to paper QSLs for award credits. ARRL, which runs the LoTW system, have announced that LoTW now has 50,000 users. These users include more than 100 EI radio amateurs. QSLs from LoTW can be used towards DXCC and other ARRL-sponsored awards. Recently it was announced that LoTW QSLs will shortly be valid for operating awards issued by CQ Communications.
A review of LoTW users shows that call signs from all but one of the 340 current DXCC entities have, at some stage or other, uploaded logs to LoTW - the one entity that has no participation in LoTW is Mount Athos. Most major DXpeditions upload their logs to LoTW, some immediately the DXpedition finishes and others after a delay of a few months. Experience has shown that contest stations have a particularly high participation in LoTW.
While paper QSL cards are still popular, anyone interested in maximising DXCC credits should consider using the Logbook of the World system.
Cork Radio Club
The Cork Radio Club will meet at the Community Centre in Carrigtwohill on Monday next May 14th at 8.00pm. A few more shack logging programmes will be looked at courtesy of Claus EI7JZ and the raffle will be held for the 2012 ARRL Handbook and Antenna Book.
Following on last years wins in the CW and SSB field days, participation in this years events will be discussed. Anyone interested in attending classes in the Autumn should contact any club member.
CASHOTA Activity Weekend
19th & 20th also 26th & 27th May 2012
This annual event is held over 2 weekends to allow individuals to activate or chase castles and stately homes, as well as other historical locations. It is open to any individual, group or club who wish to participate, with both activators and chasers being able to claim their award certificate. Irish castles will count towards the main UK CASHOTA award. The CASHOTA IRELAND AWARD is for working Irish castles in both EI and GI. Anyone intending to work a castle in EI should contact Steve EI5DD to obtain a designated number for the Castle. See requirements an details listed on other pages of this site.
Barryscourt Castle Activation 20th May 2012
Barryscourt castle, Co. Cork, will be activated by the North Cork Radio Group on Sunday the 20th of May by the North Cork Radio Group using the Callsign EI1NC/P from 11 am to 5 pm the Designator for this castle is EI017/C which is located in WAI Square W87. Full details about the CASHOTA-Ireland activities and awards may be found at cashota-ireland.org further enquiries may be directed to Steve EI5DD whose details may be found by clicking on the EI Co-ordinator button on the CASHOT-Ireland Website.
Limerick Radio Club
At last Wednesday's meeting of Limerick Radio Club, a presentation was made to Kris, EI9GAB. Kris attended the Region 4 theory classes and has been a very active club member. He will be moving to the USA shortly with his wife and children and we wish him the best of luck in the future.
Skerries Radio Club
Skerries radio Club EI2NCR will be using the call EI80IRTS for the Mills on the Air weekend on the 12th and 13th of May.
DX News
Vlad RK4FF will be active from Senegal in west Africa from 16 – 26 May. He will use the callsign 6V7S from the Le Calao rental shack which has become very popular with amateurs visiting Senegal. Look for Vlad on all bands 80 -10m on CW, SSB and RTTY.
A ten man group from Spain will be in Macao from 17 – 23 May. They will be QRV as XX9E and will be located on the island of Coloane which will count as AS-075 for the Islands on the Air Award. QSL manager is EB7DX.
DJ9RR will be on holiday in the Seychelles from 15 – 23 May. Look for the call S79RR on 40 – 10m on CW and RTTY.
VC2CBS30 is the unusual callsign is being used by the Sorel-Tracy Amateur Radio Club in Quebec, Canada until 30 May. This is in connection with their 30th anniversary celebrations. A special QSL card is available from the club.
Declan EI6FR will be part of a team activating St. Kilda EU-059 from May 16th to May 21st, callsign GM7WCO/P
Items for inclusion in next week’s Radio News can be
submitted via e-mail to “newsteam /at/ irts / dot / ie” for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Urgent news items for the radio news maybe telephoned to the radio news editor, Aidan, EI7JC on 085 7100511.
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.
[A]
