The EI Counties Contest will take place this Monday (the 1st of April) between the hours of 1400 and 1600 local. This contest was severely restricted last year as a result of the foot and mouth crisis and a good turnout is expected this year. Rules are available in the IRTS year book.
Immediately after the 2 metre counties contest there will be a 4 metre activity call in. This is a good opportunity for 4 metre activity as many experimenters operate portable from high ground for the 2 meters contest, if it does not present too much of a problem bring along some 4 meter gear and give a call out. FM/SSB will possibly be the two most common modes of operation. Polarization will be FM/vertical and SSB/Horizontal. Call out will be on 70.2625 MHz. Those with 4 meter RX only can crossband on 2 meters using 145.225 MHz. SWL reports for the 4 meter activity will also be most welcome. For SWL reports please give SWL name & location, station heard etc. Forward reports to EI3IX at QTHR or e-mail joe_fadden@yahoo.com.
The Limerick Rally this year will take place on the 7th of April at the new venue of Jury's Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick. The rally has relocated as the previous venue is now closed down. The following traders have been confirmed to date, Compustore, Yaesu UK as well as all the other EI traders. There will also be a raffle on the day for a handheld radio. For information contact Paul EI6FE at QTHR or on 061-360122. You can also e-mail ei6fe@eircom.net.
The following WEIC awards were issued recently. Don Redhead G4KXW worked 26 counties and was issued award number 74. Award number 75 was issued to Vincent Valley RS88763/1132 who worked 20 counties.
The next committee meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. All committee members are asked to attend.
Congratulations to Robert Swinburn EI2IQ who has added Bronze and Silver Worked All Mayo Awards for 25 and 50 Mayo squares, to the Basic Award he won last year.
The cost of the awards has dropped with the advent of the Euro, with each Cert now costing €5 (euro). Platinum awards remain free to those who have previously claimed Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Activity continues apace on forty metres on the WAI net, and on 2 metres on 145.375 FM. Plans are underway to increase activity on six, four metre and 70 cm bands.
Claims should be forwarded to EI7IQ at QTHR.
Tipperary Amateur Radio Group is to provide an emergency communication service for the Aherlow Failte Group in their annual hill walking festival on April 13th & 14th. This local event in Tipperary has been increasing in popularity over the last number of years with in excess of 200 people participating over a 2 day walking festival on the Galtee Mountains. TARG has supported this event for the last 3 years and the event has proved to be both enjoyable and rewarding for the Group. This year Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will have approx. 10 members operating portable on the Galtee Mountains over the 2 days and EI7TRG/P will be operated from the base of the Galtees providing direct link to the emergency services.
The Radiocommunications Agency has informed the RSGB that a UK amateur from St. Anne's on Sea has been convicted of the illegal installation and use of radio equipment. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay a costly fine and was ordered to forfeit all equipment seized from his home in November last year. Officers with a search warrant found transmitting equipment set up to operate on the 6.6 MHz band, which is reserved for aeronautical services, at his home.
Items for inclusion in Echo Ireland should be forwarded to Dave Moore EI4BZ at 021-4883555. Items can also be submitted to Dave by e-mail at ei4bz@eircom.net.
Items for inclusion in the Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall EI7IS at QTHR or via e-mail to ei7is@qsl.net or cyberis@e-merge.ie. Items can also be sent to Mark over the phone at 087-6302026.
News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both news services.
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