Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday March 8th, 2026
IRTS Updates
We welcome Pádraig Ó Lúnaigh EI8JAB who will take on the role as IRTS QSL Outwards Manager. We wish to thank Andreas Kull EI9IOB for his dedicated volunteer service running the outgoing QSL office for almost four years who now passes the baton to Pádraig.
Our IRTS ComReg Liaison Officer is Jeffrey Roe EI7IRB. Jeffrey is the primary point of contact between IRTS and ComReg. He regularly engages with them to raise members' concerns and to help clarify any regulatory or licensing queries. If any member would like him to raise a matter with ComReg on their behalf, you are asked to please contact Jeffrey via email to comreg_liaison /at/ irts.ie
Historic Callsign Activation by Kildare Amateur Radio Club
Kildare Amateur Radio Club, EI0K, will activate the historic callsign EI9DD over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, with activity planned for Saturday March 14th and Tuesday March 17th. EI9DD was originally the callsign of the amateur radio club at the Irish Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks, Naas, Co. Kildare. The school opened in 1956 and trained apprentices for the Irish Army and Naval Service, including in radio/radar technician work, where the club was formed. A full operating rota has been arranged across both days, with additional activity also planned on 2 metres and 70 centimetres in the Dublin/Kildare region. Visit the club’s website at kildarearc.com for further details.
DMR Demonstration Evening with South Dublin Radio Club and TOG Hackerspace
South Dublin Radio Club and TOG Hackerspace are hosting a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Demonstration on Tuesday, March 24th from 7:30 p.m. at the Ballyroan Community Centre, Dublin 14. Led by Jeffrey, EI7IRB, the session offers a practical guide to hotspot setup, codeplug programming along with tips and lessons. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your existing digital setup, all are welcome. Members interested in giving a short presentation on other DMR aspects are also encouraged to participate.
Bouvet Island DXpedition Finally Goes Live
After facing significant delays, the 3Y0K DXpedition is officially on the air from one of the most remote places on Earth. Aerial footage from the team’s support helicopter reveals the "alien" landscape of Bouvet Island characterised by a fortress of steep cliffs and ice with virtually no safe natural landing sites. At the time of writing, the team is currently active on most HF bands, primarily using CW and limited FT8. They are sending logs to the QSL manager daily, as time and satellite service allows. Visit 3y0k.com for live updates and operating frequencies.
International YL-Activity Day
Listen out for YLs on the HF bands on Sunday afternoon and evening, March 8th celebrating International Women's Day. Several national radio societies are organizing activities ranging from HF call-ins to special SOTA activations.
Towers on the Air
BOTA, POTA, and SOTA are now joined by another way to activate public spaces and amenities: TOTA, short for Towers on the Air, aims to make good use of publicly accessible viewing platforms, towers and tall structures. Originating from the Czech and Slovak amateur radio communities, the program has quickly expanded, now receiving official support from major European organizations including the DARC in Germany, PZK in Poland, and SPR in Slovakia. Find out more by visiting wwtota.com and potentially become the first operator in EI to activate Towers on the Air!
Silent Keys - Tom Lande EI7EL and Pierce O’Brien EI4CI
We regret to report that Tom Lande EI7EL passed away peacefully on February 18th. While inactive in recent years, Tom was a prominent member of Cork Radio Club. He will be sadly missed. We extend our sympathy to his wife Ann, his children Brian, Mark, Orla, Yvonne, and Derek, his extended family, and friends.
It is with deep sadness that the amateur radio community also marks the passing of Pierce O’Brien, EI4CI, from Co. Meath. Pierce leaves behind a legacy of technical expertise and a lifelong passion for the airwaves. As the community bids farewell to another dedicated operator and friend, we offer our deepest condolences to his children Dermot, Mary, Darragh, and Eoin, and the extended O’Brien family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha. May they both rest in peace.
VHF/Microwave News
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s new transfer vehicle, HTV-X1, successfully departed the International Space Station and is manoeuvring to an altitude of 500 km to deploy the amateur radio satellite Ten-Koh 2. In approximately one week, a new linear transponder with a downlink on the 70cm band and uplink on the 2m band is expected to become operational.
Recent updates to the IRTS VHF/Microwave webpage include a link to the latest IARU VHF+ handbook and worked squares information for 2025. Information from other stations is most welcome. You can reach the VHF/Microwave management team by email to vhf_manager /at/ irts.ie.
Contest Updates
The annual Commonwealth Contest takes place next weekend from 10:00 UTC on Saturday, to 09:59 UTC on Sunday. This 24-hour CW-only contest takes place on the five HF contest segments from 80 to 10m. This allows for an exclusive shot at some very interesting DX. Visit berucontest.wordpress.com for an overview of next weekend's activities.
The results of the 2025 CQ World-Wide RTTY Contest held over September 27th and the 28th have been released, showcasing a strong performance from Ireland. Congratulations to the East Cork Group EI7M on achieving another world first place in the multi-operator single transmitter high power section and setting a new EI record. The operators were EI3DP, EI3JE, EI3KD, EI3JZ, EI5LA, EI7IG, EI8FDB, and EI8IR. Three other new EI records were also set as follows: Oleg EI7KD in the single assisted low power section on 20 metres, Mick EI6IKB in the single assisted lower all band section, and Justin EI3CTB in the 10 metres single operator high power section. Congratulations to all.
The March UKEICC 80 metre contest was held last Wednesday. Thirteen EI stations are listed in the results. Mark EI6JK finished in second place overall. Mick EI6IKB operated the bonus station EI5G. The next UKEICC contest will be the 80 metres CW on Wednesday March 25th. Visit ukeicc.com for details.
The IRTS 80m Counties Contest will be held on Wednesday March 18th on SSB and CW starting at 20:00 UTC and running for one hour. Rules may be found at irts.ie/contests and logs should be submitted to the IRTS contest manager, Mark EI6JK via email to contestmanager /at/ irts.ie
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 the radio news editor Keith EI5IN via email to 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.
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