Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday February 27th 2005


IRTS AGM and Limerick Rally

Next weekend, March 12th and 13th will see the biggest gathering of the year for Irish radio experimenters when the Irish Radio Transmitters Society will hold their 73rd annual general meeting at the Greenhill's Hotel in Limerick. The weekend is being hosted by Limerick Radio Club.

The AGM will be held on the Sunday afternoon at 2.30 and will give members an opportunity to get up to date with some of the current issues, the main one being the non-holding of the theory examinations. ComReg have advertised for expressions of interest in holding the examinations and the Society has prepared its submission. Full details will be available at the AGM.

The weekend kicks off with the Annual Dinner on Saturday night, also at the Greenhills and tickets costing €30.00 may still be available from Paul Kirkby EI6FE. Please contact him immediately if you want to attend. The dinner starts at 8.00 p.m. sharp and a free raffle will be held on the door tickets.

The Limerick Radio Club rally will be held on Sunday and promises to be even better and bigger than last year's event. The main hall has been fully refurbished and its size has been much increased and more stands can be accommodated.

As usual a very strong contingent of local suppliers attend. Amongst these will be Back from the Future from Dublin, Cellcom from Galway, Long Communications from Donegal, Sean Martin from Elphin and Southeast Communications from Waterford. Icom UK, Linear Amplifier UK and Yaesu UK. will attend again this year and will be joined by newcomers to EI, BHI Ltd, who specialize in DSP noise reduction products.

The usual big raffle will be held and confirmed prizes to date include a NES10-2 plus 1042 Switch Box from BHI ltd., an ICR5 Receiver from Icom UK and an FT817 from Yaesu UK.

There will be facilities for the professional wiring and fitting of mobile radios and aerials to vehicles on the day. The company providing this is "Carphone Installations" and feel free to discuss your needs now or for the future with Christy.

The club is hoping to have a Packet and ATV demonstration running as well as a fully operational VHF/HF station for visitors use. The rally will start at 11.00 a.m. People requiring tables for the rally should contact Paul EI6FE on 061 360122 or pkei6fe at eircom dot net.

Due the ever increase in costs the club have had to increase the cover charge by 1 euro to 6 euro. They very much regret this increase.

All traders will be required to register with the club on the morning and are requested to sign in at the rear entrance of the function room.


Cork ATV Group

There will be a meeting of all those interested in ATV at Wilton Park House on Monday the 7th of March at 9.00 p.m.


Marconi Experimenter Group

The Marconi Experimenter Group has been formed in Galway by a group of experienced experimenters and communications professionals. More details and web site to follow soon. The groups' callsign is EI0MRG.


Cork 70 cms repeater at Farmers cross

The cork 70 cms repeater on Channel RU72, 430.900 MHz now requires a 103.5 Hz CTCSS tone to access it. This has become a necessary change because of persistent intermittent interference being received at the site.


Madeira Island

Tom, EI2AJ will be in Madeira Island (CT3) for the next few weeks. Tom hopes to be QRV on 20 metres CW from the Island. He is unsure of exact operating times but keep a listen for his callsign CT3/EI2AJ.


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.

To enable the winners of the Spring Challenge to be announced and the prizes presented at the IRTS AGM on 13th of 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.


Cork Radio Club

Look out for the special call sign EI05CCC which is now on the air to celebrate Cork City being European Capital of Culture for 2005. To commemorate the event Cork Radio Club and the East Cork Group have come together with a special award for working this call and either EI5CRC, EI1C or EI7M. Further details are available on QRZ.com.


Slow CW Net

EI2JP has received several indications of interest in the QRS CW Net, which will be starting in the next 2-3 weeks. This informal net will meet one or two nights a week with a view towards maintaining a modest CW proficiency.

All respondents have been sent an email questionnaire, which should be returned as soon as possible, so that a schedule can be formed.

Experimenters wishing to participate are asked to contact Ron, EI2JP, by email at ei2jp at kerry dot com or by phone at 086-600-5499.

Further information on the net will be posted shortly on the web at www.kerry.com


Mills Weekend

The National Mills Weekend in the UK takes place over the weekend of the 7th and 8th of May 2005. More information can be had from www.g4cdd.net/mills.html

Dxpedition to St. Paul Island

CY9SS are planning for a DXpedition to St. Paul Island from the 7th of June to the 7th of July. Operation is planned on SSB, CW, WSJT and EME on 6 metres and 2 metres. There will be a separate 6 metre station dedicated to Trans-Atlantic communications, 2-3 stations on MF/HF bands including WARC. The HF stations will operate SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31 on appropriate sub bands. The groups aim is to provide a new country or band/mode country to as many radio amateurs around the world as possible.

The scope of the proposed expedition in 2005 will require assistance from DX organisations, radio clubs and vendors as well as individuals who are interested in supporting an expedition of this size. For more information, visit www.cy9ss.com


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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