This Week’s News
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday April 21st, 2024
Silent Key James Cullinan EI4DT
We were saddened to learn of the death of James Cullinan EI4DT who passed away on Friday April 12th, 2024. James was a former principal of a national school in Kilkenny and also a former member of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group. He was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ballykeeffe, Co. Kilkenny. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Teresa, three daughters, and five sons. May James rest in peace.
IRTS Examination Board Update
The IRTS Examination Board would like to advise that the closing date for the upcoming HAREC exam is April 27th, 2024. Currently there are five places available for the Dublin sitting and two places available for the Kerry sitting. The exam takes place on May 11th, 2024. Registration for both exams begins at 10.30am and the exam commences at 11am with a duration of 2 hours. The location for the Dublin exam centre is the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and the Kerry exam centre is The Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry.
Applicants who wish to sit the next exam but have not yet applied, should download, and complete the exam application form from the downloads section of the IRTS website. Applicants are also advised to consult the “Applying for an Exam” section on the IRTS website for instructions on how to proceed with the application or contact Mick EI6IKB via email at irts_exams /at/ irts.ie
Update from the IRTS Contest Manager
IRTS Contest Manager, Mark EI6JK reports that the recent 80 metre IRTS counties contest and Easter Monday 70 cm and two-meter IRTS counties contest results are now published on the IRTS website under contest results. The 80m contest had 32 entries altogether and just under half from outside EI/GI. Mark notes that it was great to see entries from continental Europe and conditions were quite good for this contest. On the other hand, the VHF/UHF contest numbers were down, mainly due to poor propagation particularly on the two-meter band. Mark EI6JK thanks everyone for the participation and if anyone would like any information on contests or logging programs, do not hesitate to contact him. To view the results and for contact details, visit www.irts.ie/contests
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group EI2WRC
EI2WRC had a very successful day at the Shannon Basin Radio Club Radio Rally on Sunday April 14th. Many people called by the stand to say hello and it was great to see you all. Many new members also joined so the club thanks everyone for your great support. Thanks also to the SBRC for having South Eastern Amateur Radio Group there.
EI2WRC will be active with the special event call EI150IMD from Rosslare, Co. Wexford, Ireland on International Marconi Day, next Saturday, April 27th. The EI150IMD special event call is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Marconi. The April meeting of EI2WRC will take place at the usual location and time on Monday, April 29th.
Finally, EI2WRC is delighted to announce that they will be hosting the 92nd IRTS AGM Weekend in The Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Rd, Carlow over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of April 2025. For more information, please see www.irtsagm25.blogspot.com For more information about EI2WRC, their activities, and for contact details please see www.searg.ie
South Dublin Radio Club AGM
South Dublin Radio Club’s AGM will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday 21st of May 2024 at Ballyroan community centre on the Marian Road in Rathfarnham. All members are asked to attend.
Thanks from Shannon Basin Radio Club
Shannon Basin Radio wish a hearty thanks to everyone that travelled to Ballinasloe last week for the IRTS AGM Weekend that they hosted. In particular, the club thanks the presenters for the talks on the Saturday afternoon and everyone who took part in the club’s rally and monster raffle on Sunday to help make it such a great success and a very enjoyable social event also. SBRC was delighted to see the very high turnout from right across the amateur radio, CB, and general electronics and radio interest areas which surpassed last years’ attendance.
Shannon Basin Radio Club thank the almost twenty-five traders and clubs that participated and the many SBRC volunteers involved in all the organisation and ensuring plenty of hands were available to help with loading in and out on the day. In addition, the Shearwater Hotel made every effort to help ensure the event went smoothly which was greatly appreciated.
Over the weekend, SBRC handed out 34 prizes over two raffles totalling approximately €3500 and are deeply appreciative of their many generous sponsors. Finally, Shannon Basin Radio Club wish South Eastern Amateur Radio Group the very best as host club for next year’s AGM Weekend.
UKIECC Contests Update
The UKEICC has two CW contests next week. The final 80m contest of the year takes place on April 24th from 20:00 UTC. The UK/EI DX Contest on the 27th and 28th of April between 12:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on the 80m to 10m bands. Megan EI5LA will be operating the EI5G bonus station for the 80m contest, and Tim G4FJK will be operating G5GEI. Further information may be found at www.ukeicc.com
Rally Reminders
Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club’s 40th rally takes place in two weeks’ time on Sunday 5th May 2024. The venue is the Share Discovery Village located at 221 Lisnaskea Rd, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and admission is five euro or five pound which includes a ticket for the draw on the day.
Propagation Update
For the first half of this week, VHF and UHF enthusiasts can expect some marginal to fair tropospheric ducting opportunities. On the HF bands, the sunspot number has reached its highest value in thirteen years. Operators can therefore continue to enjoy some good propagation conditions but interspersed with relatively frequent radio blackouts due to geomagnetic storms caused by our active sun.
Items for Inclusion in Next Week’s Radio News
That is the news for this week. Items for inclusion in next week’s radio news can be submitted by email to newsteam /at/ irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. The deadline is midnight on Thursday.
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