Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday January 4th 2004


Theory Exam

A theory examination will be held on February the 4th at the ComReg offices, Irish Life Centre, Dublin with a start time of 1300 hrs.

Numbers are limited to twenty but it is hoped that everyone wishing to take the exam will get a chance as there is a possibility of some candidates dropping out. An information pack will be sent on to the selected candidates in early January.


Shannon Basin Radio Club Challenge

The Shannon Basin Radio Club would like to thank all that took part in the open Radio challenge, which was held on Sunday the 2nd of November 2003. The closing date for entry returns has now passed, and the group is very pleased with the numbers received from all categories of the challenge. Over the next number of weeks all the entries will be analysed and the results will be published in Echo Ireland. Should any of the entrants or members have any suggestions they would like to have considered for the 2004 challenge, will you please forward them to the contest manager. The Shannon Basin Radio Club would like to wish all a very happy New Year and good DX in 2004, and are looking forward to the next challenge.


Mayo Radio Experimenters Network

MREN will activate a special event station from Mayo to commemorate Irelands upcoming Presidency of the European Union. The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network will operate the special event station EI0EU for six months starting in January and running up to the end of June. The station will be active on all bands and a full program of events will be announced after the clubs January meeting.

At the AGM of the Mayo Radio Experimenters Network the new committee for 2003/04 was elected and is as follows: Chairperson is Jimmy Kelly EI2GCB, Secretary is Brendan Minish EI6IZ, the treasurer is John McDonnell EI6IR and the P.R.O is Frances Taheny EI5J. Mike Clarke EI3IG continues as QSL Manager, and Padraic Baynes, EI9JA was returned as Rally Director.

The club will be meeting again on Wednesday January the 7th at 9 p.m. in Stensons Lounge, Ballyvary.


Awards

To allow the required time for engraving and repairs etc. Trophies awarded at the IRTS AGM in Dublin 2003 must be returned to the awards committee on or before Monday the 24th of January IRTS committee meeting or to any member of the IRTS committee. Returns by post should be marked 'Fragile, Glass With Care' and reach Peter Grant EI4HX at QTHR by the 24th of January.


North Dublin Radio Club AGM 2004

The Club's AGM will be held on Saturday January the 31st at Chanel College, Coolock commencing at 8 p.m. All members are requested to attend.

On Saturday January the 24th a Slideshow and talk will be presented by Peadar Slattery EI2JA entitled "From the Irish Sea - To The Yellow Sea". The background historic story of the events leading to "Americas Father of Radio" Lee de Forest coming to Dublin in 1903 and demonstrating his Wireless Telegraphy system, operating from The Martello Tower at Howth as reported in the last issue of Echo Ireland.

Peadar, in researching this event uncovered a remarkable connection between the transmitters used at Howth and the first war news reporting by wireless by Times correspondents to London from the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905. Archive material and photographs have been collected from many countries for this presentation, including England, the United States, Japan and Australia, the National Library and National Archives in Dublin. Please note that the Slide Show and Talk will commence sharply at 8.30 p.m. and all are welcome.


Worked All Ireland

Thanks to all callers during the past year and it is hoped that next year conditions will be better and many areas got by all with a lot of new islands in view with Dan EI9FHB doing the rounds of the lighthouses.


South Dublin Radio Club

The committee of South Dublin Radio club has organised a visit for SDR members to Dublin port radio. On Tuesday January 13th SDR members will get to visit Dublin Port Radio where they will get to see how the operation works. They will also get to 'see the face' behind the regular weather and safety broadcasts given on marine VHF frequencies. Membership of SDR is of course open to all and new members are welcome.

The next meeting of the club is on Tuesday 6th of January 2004.


Cork Radio Club

Cork Radio Club will commence their club project this month. This Year it was decided to construct an 80 metre 500mW CW transmitter. The transmitter consists of just 15 components. The club plan to use the transmitter later in the Year in a local DF hunt. Anyone interested in electronic construction is welcome to attend the club meetings on Monday evenings about 8.30 p.m.

The postponed talk on GMDSS (Global Marine and Distress System) will take place later this month.


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The next meeting of the Group will be on Wednesday the 7th of January 2004 in Raheen House Hotel Raheen Road Clonmel. For 2004 all monthly meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month.


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

The Waterford repeater EI2WRC on channel R2 (145.650 MHz) has been temporarily located to and is active from Templetown Hill on the Hook Peninsula in south County Wexford. The IRTS radio news from Waterford each Tuesday night will now resume on this frequency. Please send reports to John EI8JA at QTHR or by e-mail to info@searg.com. Please note that frequent news updates regarding the clubs repeaters are available at www.searg.com

The next committee meeting of the group will take place this coming Wednesday the 7th of January at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. All committee members are asked to attend.


IRTS

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society would like to wish all its members and listeners a happy and prosperous new year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the newsreaders around the country and those who contribute items to the news. The news service depends on contributions of news items from listeners, so please keep the items coming in for 2004.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded Mark Wall EI7IS. He can be contacted on 087-6302026 or e-mail cyberis@vodafone.ie. 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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