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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday October 24th 1999


Bayside Scouts in JOTA

Bayside Scouts Radio Group, EI4BST participated in the 42nd Jamboree on the Air last weekend with contacts made to 30 DXCC Countries including 7X, 5A, TA, WP, SV, and ZS which included several firsts for the Station Conditions were found to be poor on both 40 and 80 metres but the band conditions were very good on 20 and 10 where most of the contacts were made. The station had only one contact on HF with Echo India, a local station, and it was disappointing not to have contact with other EI JOTA Stations. The station attracted many scouts and members of the public over the two days including a visit from a press photographer for a photo for the feature on Amateur Radio that was published in last Monday's evening paper.


Phase 3-D to be launched aboard an Arianne 5

AMSAT's most ambitious project to date, the International Phase 3-D communications satellite has now been accepted for launch aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Dr. Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, AMSAT-Germany's President and Phase 3-D Project Leader recently announced that AMSAT-Germany and Arianespace have come to an agreement for the launch of Phase 3-D as a secondary payload aboard the "first suitable" Ariane 5 flight. He went on to say that "once it is in orbit, the Phase 3-D satellite will not only help us usher in the new Millennium, it will also signal the dawn of a brand new era for Amateur Radio".

The wait for the "first suitable" flight could still turn out to be a long one. While the launch of Phase 3-D could come as early as the first half of the year 2000, we must remember that Ariane's launch manifests are continually being updated to accommodate market changes as well as the availability of other payloads. Phase 3-D is to be delivered to the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana later this month to be ready for quick integration once Arianespace identifies a specific Ariane 5 launch vehicle for P3-D's ride to orbit.

AMSAT is very proud of its long tradition of excellence and the contributions it has made to the advancement of space communications, space education and the space sciences. Phase 3-D will be Amateur Radio's premier vehicle to continue the quest for new communications technologies for generations yet unborn. The project is not yet finished. Launch campaigns cost money, as does the commissioning of the spacecraft after launch and getting it into its final orbit, Amsat is still soliciting contributions towards these costs.


North Dublin Radio Club

Theory classes have commenced at Chanel College on Thursday's nights and it is not too late to register by attending at the classes. A member of NDR will be present to give details. The North Dublin Radio Club's Exhibition on Amateur Radio in the Raheny Library is in its final week and will finish next weekend. The objective of the Exhibition is to promote Amateur Radio in general and the Club's Theory classes in particular. There has been a good response to the promotion so far.


IARUMS Web Site

Ron Roden G4GKO the IARU Region 1 monitoring Service co-ordinator announced recently that the monitoring service web site is now up and running. The address is www.iarumsr1.cwc.net Ron would appreciate feedback on the site. The IARU monitoring service is an important part of the union's activity and plays a valuable role in protecting our bands from unauthorised users. Danny EI6GS is the IRTS monitoring service representative and any information on the subject should be directed to him. We really should play a more active part in the Region 1 monitoring activities. Danny can be contacted on e-mail at domhnall98@yahoo.com.


Worked All Ireland Activity

The Worked All Ireland net on 40 metres continues to be very active with lots of mobile activity. There has been little enough mobile operations in the south of the country of late but this will be put right over the coming week when Roger G4WBV will be activating squares in County Kerry until November the 2nd.


Contests

The biggest contest of the year, the CQ Worldwide SSB event takes place next weekend. It runs from 0001 utc on Saturday to midnight utc on Sunday. In two weeks time we have the Ukrainian DX Contest and on the following weekend, November the 12th to the 14th SSB operators can enjoy the Japan international DX event.


Dates for your Diary

The Wicklow Wireless Society meets at the home of Tony EI3GU on Tuesday night next at 8 p.m. Information from Sean EI4GK on 01-2821420.

The North Wales Radio and Electronics Exhibition will take place in Llandudno on 6th and 7th November.


Items for inclusion in the Radio News should be phoned to Dave Moore at 021-883555 in the evenings or to 021 823150 during office hours. You may also e-mail to ei4bz@tinet.ie or to ei8ir@tinet.ie.

Input for the Newsletter should be sent to Kevin EI7IM at QTHR, on the phone at 01-4509514 or by e-mail to ei7im@qsl.net. Input to either the Radio News or Newsletter can be sent by e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both news services.

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