Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday February 20th 2005


Recent Kerry Amateur Radio Group Field Day

Declan, EI9FVB, Conor, EI4JN, and Ron, EI2JP braved the elements on Saturday, the 12th last to activate grid square W09 in Kilcummin, Co. Kerry. In spite of wintry showers and very cold 20-30 Km/h gale force winds the group managed to get two HF stations and two VHF stations operational on the day.

The group managed the usual range of contacts on 40 metres and a good bit of DX was worked on 17 and 15 metres, including Belarus, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Sweden, Finland, the US and Canada. Several more local contacts were also made on 2 metres FM.

The group agreed to put more focus on the higher HF bands for the next field day, which occurs on March the 5th from grid square Q80 in the mountains near Tralee.

Up to date information on the clubs activities can be found on the club's news page at www.kerry.com This page is updated on a frequent basis and includes other non-club activities as well.


South Dublin Radio Club

A new date has been set for the Annual General Meeting of South Dublin Radio Club. The AGM will now take place on Tuesday the 8th of March at the club QTH, at 8.00 pm. Please note the change from the previously announced date.

The SDR Spring Challenge is underway this month, and finishes on 28th of February. To enable the winners to be announced and the prizes presented at the IRTS AGM on 13th March, logs should be submitted to the club to arrive no later than Tuesday the 8th of March. Paper logs may be sent to or given to Jim Holohan EI4HH, the club chairman, or sent by email to Jim at his email address holohaj2 at hotmail dot com.


Slow CW Net

Ron, EI2JP, is seeking participants for an informal slow speed (less than 10 wpm) CW net that would meet one or two evenings during the week with a view towards: A) improving the basic Morse skills of those who wish to participate, by on-the-air practice, and B) helping new and existing radio experimenters to maintain a minimum proficiency in CW.

It is emphasized that this is an informal slow-speed net; The aim is to provide a medium for those whose Morse proficiency has lapsed or who would like an opportunity to maintain a modest proficiency. Interested parties should contact Ron either by email at ei2jp at kerry dot com or by phone at 086-600-5499.

Satellite News For the last several orbits, PCsat has lost her settings on every orbit. So at 1855 Zulu on the 16th of February the digipeater was shut down and MYCALL was changed to NODIGI. Eclipses are now up to max at 35 per cent. Please do not use the satellite even if it resets to DIGI ON and callsign W3ADO-1. Efforts are now underway to recover the satellites settings. Please do NOT use Pcsat until further notice.


IRTS Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the IRTS committee will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday February the 26th at the Montague Hotel in Portlaoise.


GEARS quiz

This years GEARS annual quiz night will be held on Friday next, the 25th of February, at the Knockagh Lodge in Greenisland, Belfast, at 20:00 hours. Further details regarding the clubs location are available at the club website at www.gn0xyz.com

As usual, the group are looking forward to as many teams/entrants as possible, and of course, all are welcome to come along for what has always been a good night's craic.


IRTS AGM and Limerick Rally

The Limerick Radio Club are proud to be hosting the IRTS AGM and Dinner this year in association with their annual rally. The events are to be held in the newly refurbished Greenhills Hotel Limerick over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of March. This year is shaping up to be the best yet with even more new traders attending.

Bring and Buy will also strongly feature at this year's event, so if you have any equipment that you want to dispose of, this is the time to do it.

As per usual, a very strong contingent of local suppliers will be there namely, Back from the Future (Dublin), Cellcom (Galway), Long Communications (Donegal), Sean Martin (Elphin) and not forgetting Southeast Communications from Waterford. From the UK this year, for the first time is BHI Ltd (who specialise in DSP noise reduction products). Icom UK, Linear Amplifier UK and Yaesu UK will also be attending.

There maybe facilities for the professional wiring and fitting of mobile radios and aerials to vehicles on the day, this is looking very promising but has yet to be confirmed.

The club are hoping to have a Packet and ATV demo running on the day as well as a fully operational VHF/HF station for visitors use. Anybody looking for tables on the day please contact Paul EI6FE on 061 360122 or pkei6fe at eircom dot net. Due to the increase in costs the club has had to increase the cover charge to 6 euro. They very much regret this increase.

The IRTS Pre-AGM dinner will be held on Saturday night the 12th at 2000 hrs sharp. Tickets cost 30.00 euro and please let Paul know of your intention to attend. The club need an indication of numbers for the hotel. The menu will be available on our web site soon and the club had to battle hard with the hotel to keep the cost of the meal down to an acceptable level. There are a number of rooms booked in the hotel under the name of LRC, please book early as the hotel is full and rooms are limited. Costs are 100 euro per couple and 70 euro single both B&B basis.

There are a number of confirmed raffle prizes and these are as follows.

From BHI Ltd. an NES10-2 plus 1042 Switch Box, Icom UK are donating an ICR5 Receiver and Yaesu have given an FT 817. There may well be other items on offer during the Pre-AGM dinner. You will have to come and see. For any enquiries or questions please do not hesitate and contact Paul EI6FE. The Limerick Radio Club is looking forward to meeting with all their friends old and new from around the country.


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

The Annual General Meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place this coming Wednesday, February the 23rd in the Roanmore Social and Sports Club, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. The meeting will commence at 8.00 p.m. but those attending are asked to be seated by 7.45 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to attend.


Trophies

Winners of Trophies at the 2004 AGM in Limerick are reminded that trophies are now overdue for return to the awards committee. Also, Societies Clubs and individual members are reminded that Nominations are required for the non-contest trophys.

Award Nominations The IRTS is seeking nominations for the following awards to be presented at the forthcoming AGM in Limerick. The Arup Cup, Collins Cup and Conway Cup for services to the hobby or to the society.

Nominations to Peter Grant, EI4HX, chairman of the awards sub-committee.

Entrants for the Folan Shield and Freeny Trophy for home construction should present their entries by 1300 on the day.

Applicants for the SWL Trophy should submit their claim to the contest Manager by March 1st.

Autumn EI Counties Contest Results In the High Power fixed category of the Autumn EI Counties Contest, first place went to Niall Foley EI4CF who operated from Galway and scored 1794 points. Second place went to Thos Caffrey EI2JD operating from Co. Louth and scored 1620 points. Third place went to Hugh O'Donnell EI2HH with 1344 points operated from Co. Cork.

In the Low Power Fixed section first place went to Tom McGrath EI7HT with 476 points and Paul Norris EI3ENB took second place with 374 points.

In the High Power Portable Section first place went to EI2WRC operating from Co. Wexford with a score of 4845 points and second place in the category went to EI7T with a score of 2190 points operating from Co. Tipperary.

In the Low Power Portable Section. First place went to John Kelly EI4HS with a score of 3540 points operating from Co. Carlow and Joe Ryan EI7GY took second place in the category with 2310 points.

Mick Gorman EI4JL won the FM only section with 2258 points.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS. News should be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no later than midday on Fridays.

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