Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday May 25th, 2025
Silent Key – Phil Cantwell EI9P
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Phil Cantwell, EI9P, late of Trim County Meath on May 22nd, 2025. Phil was from Castlecomer in Co. Kilkenny and was a very well-known and liked mentor and amateur radio enthusiast. He was also the founder of the Royal Meath Radio Club. Phil was featured in an RTÉ television report regarding the Lough Erne Radio Rally in 1990 which can still be viewed on the RTÉ Archives website. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Bríd, his children Vincent, Olivia, Carol, Marina, and Philippa, his extended family, and wide circle of friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. May he rest in peace.
News from the IRTS
HF newsreaders are required to join our current panel of newsreaders for the weekly Sunday morning 40m and 80m IRTS news bulletins. There is very little involved in reading a bulletin and no experience is necessary. If any licensed IRTS member living in EI feels like that they would be interested in becoming part of the IRTS newsreaders panel or if you require more information, please get in touch with the IRTS News Coordinator Seany EI2HZB by phone on 083 4713001 or via email to irts_pro /at/ irts.ie.
The next IRTS committee meeting will take place on Thursday, June 5th at 8:00 p.m. on the Zoom platform. All IRTS affiliated clubs are reminded that under Rule 16.1, the members in each affiliated club, society, or other body may elect a representative and an alternate annually to attend IRTS committee meetings. Clubs wishing to send a representative should notify the IRTS Secretary, Andy EI7IOB at irts_secretary /at/ irts.ie in advance to ensure notification and links are provided.
Well done to all applicants that completed the recent HAREC exams and congratulations to those who passed and have now, or soon will, receive their shiny new licences. For IRTS members, please make sure to email memrecords /at/ irts.ie providing details of your new callsigns so we can update the records. Well done also and many thanks to the IRTS exam board and ComReg who did a great job at getting the results out so quickly.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group EI2WRC
The May meeting of the EI2WRC group will take place tomorrow, Monday, May 26th at 8 p.m. sharp at the South East Technological University Netlabs Research and Innovation Building, SETU West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford. The Eircode is X91 WR86. New members or anyone that has an interest in amateur radio or communications in general are very welcome to come along. SWLs are in particular very welcome to attend also.
The South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will be QRV as EI2WRC/P from the Old Copper Mine, Tankardstown, Bunmahon, Co. Waterford on Sunday, June 8th, 2025. Although there has been no official European Geopark Activations in recent years, the club is pleased to announce that the location can be activated in the following categories: Echo India Flora and Fauna as EIFF-0263 Mid Waterford Coast SPA.
It also it has a 2 for 1 on Parks on the Air which are EI-0162 Mid Waterford Coast SPA and EI-0163 Tankardstown Copper Mine. The old copper mine building comes in as part of the COTA-EI and has been assigned the COTA-EI designator EI-01566. EI2WRC look forward to hearing you all on HF and the SIRN on the day or you are passing by drop in and say hello!
For more information about EI2WRC, their activities, and for contact details please see www.searg.ie
North Dublin Radio Club AGM
The 2025 AGM of North Dublin Radio Club took place on the 10th of May at Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre. The following committee members were elected: Chairman Brian EI8LC, Treasurer Anthony EI6K, station manager Chris EI5HHB, project manager and PRO Tony EI5EM, IRTS club representative Garret EI7KX, Auditor Clive EI2LG, and Secretary Houzuo (Howard) EI9LC. In addition, Dermot EI4ESB and Liam EI8HY will continue serving as trustees.
You can find out more about North Dublin Radio Club at www.ei0ndr.com The club meets weekly at 8 p.m. on Saturdays at the Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre.
Marconi Talk on May 26th in Dublin
There will be a talk on the topic of Marconi’s achievements by Joe Farley tomorrow, Monday May 26th. Joe is a distinguished naval historian and former radio officer. He will share fascinating insights into the powerful role played by radio from 1900 to the 1950s, with an emphasis on Marconi's achievements and his close ties to the Kingstown/Dún Laoghaire area.
Joe's talk commences at 11.30 a.m. in the Studio Theatre, dlr Lexicon - that's Dun Laoghaire's public library. Everyone is welcome and no booking is required.
South Dublin Radio Club Hosting an Amateur Radio Open Night
South Dublin Radio Club will host an exciting amateur radio open night this Tuesday May 27th as part of Dublin Tech Week. This is a week-long celebration of innovation and technology, uniting tech lovers, professionals, and communities across the city.
Participants will be able to experience live radio demos, the latest digital radio modes, hands-on experiments, and learn how radio waves connect the world. You are invited to come and see software defined radio and listen to shortwave radio and more. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, tinkerer, or curious beginner, you will be able to discover the magic of amateur radio and how you can get involved.
The venue is the Ballyroan Community Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin D14 F1W1. All are welcome. More information may be found at dublintechweek.com.
Summits on the Air Information Session by Mid-Ulster Amateur Radio Club
The Mid-Ulster Amateur Radio Club is hosting a Summits on the Air or SOTA information session on June 7th. They invite all club members and visiting ham radio enthusiasts to join the fun and bring your handheld radio gear. The venue is Carricktuke GI-CA/003 and this activation coincides with the GI/EI SOTA weekend. For further information, email muarc.secretary /at/ yahoo.co.uk.
International Space Station Schools Contact in June
During the first week of June, twelve pupils from nine Dublin-based DEIS primary schools participating in TU Dublin’s STEAM: Try Five+ Program will speak in real time with an astronaut from Crew 10 via amateur radio to learn about life in space. The pupils will have approximately 10 minutes to make direct contact with an astronaut on board the ISS as it orbits Earth at 27,600km/hr and an altitude of 400km.
TU Dublin Access and Outreach together with the Irish Radio Transmitters Society’s youth coordinator Ana Cañizares and TU Dublin staff were given a chance to participate in this competitive programme for a second time. This follows a very successful first contact that took place during Space Week in October 2023. The amateur radio contact will take place on during the first week of June and will be internationally live streamed via the ARISS Live YouTube channel. The exact date and time for the contact will be announced in due course.
Items for Inclusion in Next Week’s Radio News
That is the news for this week. Thanks to everyone for sending items into the weekly IRTS radio news. They are very much appreciated and are a great way to update the rest of the community about activities. If you have any club events, activities, meetings, or other items of interest, you are very welcome to email newsteam /at/ irts.ie with the details. These will be automatically forwarded to the IRTS radio and printed news services. The deadline each week is midnight on Thursdays.
[A]
