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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 13th September 2015


Echo Ireland

The September Echo Ireland will be posted to members during the week. Team Ireland's participation in the recent Youngsters On The Air event in Italy is covered, as are some very interesting reports on club activities - including lighthouse activations by the Kerry Amateur Radio Group, Limerick Radio Club and Mayo Radio Experimenter's Network, along with satellite hunting by members of South Dublin Radio Club.

An article by Steve EI5DD on Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) Operation covers the theory of NVIS propagation and also includes some practical examples of successful antennas. Also on the subject of propagation, this issue includes a report on an experiment carried out during the solar eclipse earlier this year to plot the signal strength of medium wave signals from a distant transmitter over the period of the solar eclipse, thus helping to demonstrate the effect of the Sun on the ionosphere and how ionisation affects radio propagation.

A very interesting article by newly-licensed Niall EI6HIB deals with his approach to preparing for the Licence Exam - food for thought for anyone planning to sit the exam in the near future and, indeed, for those running classes or otherwise helping exam candidates. This latest Echo Ireland also has the usual regular columns, with updates on recent and upcoming DX, ATV experiments and contesting.


Amateur Station Licence Examination

The next Amateur Station Licence Examination will be held on Thursday, 5th November in the ComReg Offices in Dublin. Full details, including entry procedure, examination fee and how to pay the fee on line are available at www.irts.ie/exam . Please note that it is necessary to download the application form from the web page and forward the completed form and the appropriate fee so as to secure a place for the examination. If you pay the fee on line you must still complete and forward the application form. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday, 16th October. Three Exam Reports which were previously published in Echo Ireland are available on the Downloads section of the website at www.irts.ie/downloads under Studying for the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate. These reports contain very useful information for anyone studying for the Licence Examination. Intending candidates are advised to pay particular attention to the syllabus for the examination especially Annexes 1 and 2.


North Cork Radio Group

The North Cork Radio Group hold their annual Radio, Electronics & Hobby Rally today Sunday 13th September 2015 at The Commons Inn, Blackpool, Cork.

Doors open at 11am and entry is €5 per person. Children under 16 are free. Raffle tickets are available at the door.

Dave EI4BZ is available to conduct Morse tests.


South Dublin Radio Club

South Dublin radio club have recommenced radio theory classes for the Amateur Radio licence examination. The classes are run at no cost. However, there is a €5 weekly tea coffee and biscuit charge. No prior experience is necessary and beginners are welcome. Please note the new start time for SDR meetings at 8.30pm

If at all possible please pre-register for the classes through the website. However, beginners and visitors are free to drop by any week. www.southdublinradioclub.ie


Hungarian CW Beacon

The Hungarian CW Beacon on 5357kHz has now changed its callsign to HG7BHB from the temporary one of HA7SO and the power has been reduced from 100 to 50W. The antenna is a Diamond BB6W wideband HF antenna at a height of 4m.

Thanks to Paul G4MWO, Editor of the 5 MHz Newsletter for this news.


South Eastern Amateur Group

The South Eastern Amateur Radio Group is pleased to announce they are looking at the possibility of running a radio theory course for the Harec exam. Depending on numbers interested we would hope to start the course in September/October. Individuals interested in attending the course are asked to get in touch with Mark EI7IS or Seany EI2HZB

For up-to-date news about the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group and our actives you can check our website www.searg.com and you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


DX News

Two stations will be active from the Cape Verde Islands until 25 September. Look for D44TUK and D44TUQ operated by DL2MDU and DL3HD respectively. QSLs go via the home call.

Maurizio IK2GZU is back in Tanzania until 18th October. He is reactivating his 5H3MB callsign. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of The World.

Nick VE3EY will be signing C6ANT from the Bahamas with verticals on the beach until 20th September. QSL to the home call.

A seven member UK team will be QRV as E6GG from the island of Niue in the Pacific from 15th to 29th September. They hope to have 3 stations on the air 24/7. They will be located on the north coast of the island with a clear sea take-off to Europe. QSLs are requested by Clublog OQRS.

Jacek SQ5BPF will be active from the Polish Polar Station on Svalbard from 19th to 27th September. His callsign will be JW/SQ5BPF and he will be on the air as time permits.


Chess Player Using Morse Code

A chess player was caught using morse code to give himself an unfair advantage over his competitors.

At the prestigious Italian Chess Tournament a Mr Ricciardi was found to be making unusual eye blinking movements that was later discovered to be morse code. As expected Mr Ricciardi was expelled from the tournament.


Don NK6A Visiting Ireland

Don NK6A, writes to let us know he is visiting Ireland and will arrive here Wednesday 16th September and will stay for 17 days.

He is planning to take his KX3 and portable antenna with him to operate a few SOTAs. He will operate on 20M, 40M and 17M both CW and SSB.

Keep an eye on SOTA Watch reflector for his SOTA activities

He plans to activate the following; Great Sugar Loaf, IE-022, Mizen Peak IS-119, Mt. Gabriel IS-072 amongst others. His last SOTA activity will be on Croghan Hill IE-072 on Tuesday September 30th.


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 may be 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.

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