Scouting Ireland (CSI) will participate for the last time in the 46th Scout JOTA (Jamboree on the air) which will takes on Saturday and Sunday, 18th and 19th October next.
Scouting Ireland (CSI) was founded in 1927 and today has in excess of 26,000 members on the island of Ireland. Boys and girls aged from six to nineteen are supported by over four thousand volunteer adult leaders who deliver a varied programme of activities in the out of doors and in the community. On the 1st of January 2004, Scouting Ireland (CSI) will join with Scouting Ireland SAI in forming a new association to be called Scouting Ireland.
Each year over 500,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world participate in this event where Scouting experiences are shared as thousands of scouts world-wide speak with each other across the airwaves. The event lasts from midnight local time Friday night (17th October) to midnight Sunday night (19th October). Stations participating can choose their own operating hours within this time frame. The formal opening of JOTA in Ireland will take place on Saturday the 18th of October at 15:00 local time with a short address by the Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland (CSI), Mr Peter Dixon.
The transmission will be made on the 40m WAI frequency and on the Dublin 2m repeater, operating from EI2DSJ in Dundalk. This will be followed by a call in giving Scouts the opportunity to talk with the Chief.
Besides EI2DSJ operating from Dundalk, other stations that will be on air for JOTA will be EI2SDR/J operating from the Scout Den in Wicklow, EI4BST/J operating from the Community Centre in Bayside, Dublin. EI5MRC/J operating from the Scout Campsite in Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford, EI2WRC/J operating from the Sacred Heart Scout Den, The Folly, John's Hill, Waterford City, and GB0FAS operating from the Scout Den in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.
Further information regarding JOTA is available from Sean O'Suilleabhain, EI3IP, National JOTA Organiser (NJO) of Scouting Ireland (CSI) at njo@scoutingirelandcsi.com or at 087 232 6994 or at QTHR or from the Radio Scouting web page of Scouting Ireland (CSI) at www.qsl.net/ei3ip/jota.htm Downloads of Radio Scouting handbooks and templates for applications for special event callsigns for both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland are available on the web page.
Fingal Radio Club will run their very popular trip to Llandudno again this year. The date is Saturday the 8th of November leaving Dublin Port at 06.50 and arriving in Holyhead at 08.30. The return journey leaves Holyhead at 20.15 getting into Dublin at 22.00. This gets to the show at approximately 9.30 however the doors don't open until 10.00 leaving time for breakfast in one of the many Cafe's in Llandudno. The group will need to leave Llandudno at about 16.30 to allow enough time for a meal in the Old Station House in Llandudno Junction.
The cost for the day including all transfers but not entry to the show or a meal will be 60 euro. Please book early as it is anticipated that a large number are wishing to travel. Only 12 seats will be available on the bus to allow for enough room for goodies to be carried home comfortably.
Should the trip have to be cancelled or if people wish to withdraw from the trip due to bad weather only a portion of the fee can be refunded as the bus driver will have to be paid regardless. All enquires to Liam EI3HK at 01-8316266 or mobile 087 2521542.
EI5HAM have resumed meetings at St. Joseph's School for the Visually Impaired, Drumcondra, Dublin on Monday evenings and have also resumed the Radio Net on 145.575 from 7.45 to 8.45 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to call in to this Net and give useful operating practice to the young members. The Group propose setting up a HF station over the coming weeks.
On behalf of the IRTS, the Group distributes Echo Ireland in special format to white stick IRTS members and a new list of those interested in receiving the newsletter by E-mail or by post on floppy disk is now being compiled.
Please note that post recipients should return pouches and disks as soon as possible to be included in the list for the next issue. If any IRTS white stick members has not got computer facilities, it can be arranged to have cassette tapes organised.
For inclusion in the new list, please contact Joe EI4FV at 01 8390812 or at QTHR or by E-mail at ei4fv@eircom.net. Those who have received the last Newsletter on disk, need not re-apply.
Tipperary Amateur Radio Group has launched its' website. The site contains information about the clubs membership, history and services. Visit TARG on the web at www.ei7trg.org
The 2003 Mayo Rally will be held on Sunday November the 16th in The Belmont Hotel, Knock, with doors opening at 11.00 a.m. Listeners will remember the success of the first Mayo rally last year, and the club are already hard at work to ensure a repeat success.
Phoenix Amateur Radio Club Phoenix Amateur Radio Club are planning a theory course leading to the Radio Experimenter Examination. Classes will be held in Coolmine on Thursday evenings between 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. For further information contact Dan Lloyd at 01-8382774 or at daniellloyd@eircom.net.
The club has now got a new website which can be seen at the new URL www.searg.com New features will be added to the site in the coming weeks. The club has also changed its e-mail to address to info@searg.com, the old e-mail address will continue to be checked for the next few weeks.
The next general meeting of the club will take place on Wednesday the 29th of October at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Sports and Social Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford.
The October Net, & the Nets for subsequent months will take place at 1930 local on 3.650 MHz until further notice. Those calling the Cork Net on VHF should do so at 1915 & should keep traffic to a minimum to allow the HF net to start on time.
Limerick Radio Club would like to remind members that they are hosting the AGM of the IRTS on the 7th of March 2004. The location will be the Greenhills Hotel, Limerick. There will be a dinner held on the previous evening, which will give all attending a chance to meet up. There has been a good response from the UK in relation to attending. The rally on the Sunday will be as good as last year if not better. More news will follow soon.
On Saturday the 25th of October, the RSGB is hosting the Raynet 50th Anniversary Emergency Communications Convention at the West Midlands Police Conference and Sports Centre, Tally Ho!, Pershore Road, Birmingham. The Convention, which is open to all with an interest in amateur radio emergency and public service communications, commemorates 50 years since the original formation of Raynet in the autumn of 1953 by the RSGB Council of the day. It will celebrate the volunteer response and dedication given over the last half century and will feature speakers from Raynet, the Radiocommunications Agency, and User Services. The Raynet Cup will also be presented at the Convention. Admission includes a lucky programme raffle with major prizes donated by equipment manufacturers and dealers. Free tea and coffee is available for all as well.
In recognition of the original name of Raynet - the Radio Amateur Emergency Network - special event station GB50RAEN will be on the air from the 20th to the 31st of October, including on the day from the Convention itself. The station will be operated by members of the Sandwell Raynet Group. It is an opportunity to renew acquaintances and join in the celebrations. See the RSGB Emercomms webpages www.rsgb.org/emergency, which are linked from the main RSGB website at www.rsgb.org, for more details.
Shannon Basin Radio Club Challenge.
The Shannon Basin Radio club is running a one day Open, Fixed, Challenge for EI residence. This challenge is open to all licenced operators and short wave listeners, and will be held annually on the First Sunday of November. The purpose of the challenge is to encourage radio operators and short wave listeners to be active on the H.F bands.
The challenge will have three modes of operation, and the winner in each mode will be awarded with the following; The Lough Allen Shield will be awarded to the highest score in SSB. The Lough Ree Shield will be awarded to the highest score in CW (A1A). The Lough Derg Shield will be awarded to the highest score for SWL. The above winners will also receive a personal trophy.
To receive a copy of the rules for the above challenge, please send a stamped address envelope to the contest manager EI6HW, Noel Mulvihill, Hillquarter, Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath or e-mail nfmulvihill@eircom.net. It is very important that persons intending to compete must send notification 10-days prior to the contest date, so get a copy of the rules early.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded Mark Wall EI7IS. He can be contacted on 087-6302026. News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services.
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