Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday December 30th 2007


Happy New Year

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society would like to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous 2008. Many thanks for your support over the past year and we look forward to your continued support in the New Year.

It has been a year to remember, with our very successful and high profile 75th anniversary. However we do encourage radio experimenters to continue to fly the flag for the hobby and continue to be involved in the many activities organised throughout the year by clubs and individuals around the country.


80 Metres Counties Contest

The IRTS 80 Metres Counties Contest takes place on New Year's Day, Tuesday the 1st of January 2008, from 14:00 to 17:00 UTC. Note the later start and finish times this year - the change has been made to facilitate more participation from overseas stations.

This is an SSB and CW contest, with sections for SSB only as well as SSB/CW mixed. There are also separate sections for portable stations, and an SWL section. The total score is calculated by multiplying the total number of points achieved by the number of EI or GI counties worked, so stations in the rarer counties should be in great demand. The full rules are on the IRTS web site.

This is a great opportunity to work those rare counties, and anyone who is working towards the special Jubilee Year WEIC Award should note that the 1st of January 2008 is the last day on which contacts can be made for this award.

Note again that the contest runs from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, later start and finish times than in previous years. Also note that the phone contest preferred segments of the 80 metres band are 3.600 MHz to 3.650 MHz and 3.700 MHz to 3.800 MHz, so contest QSOs should not take place in the segment 3.650 MHz to 3.700 MHz.

Given that this is mainly a local contest, it is suggested that the segment from 3.775 MHz upwards be avoided, as there is priority for intercontinental operation in this segment. For CW QSOs, the contest preferred segment is 3.510 MHz to 3.560 MHz.


Contests Email address

The email address for IRTS contests is now "contests2008 at irts dot ie". Note that the previous email address is no longer in use.


Theory Examination

The next theory examination for the experimenter licence will be held on Wednesday the 6th of February 2008 at 2 p.m. at the ComReg Offices in Dublin. A second centre outside Dublin could be utilised if warranted by the numbers wishing to sit the examination. The fee for the exam is 50 Euro or 25 Euro for repeat candidates, full time registered students, those who are retired, unemployed or have a disability. Anyone wishing to sit the examination should send the appropriate fee to Sean Nolan EI7CD, 12 Little Meadow, Pottery Road, Dunlaoghaire, Co Dublin. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society.

A contact phone number and an e-mail address if available should be included. Sean's address is available in the Call Book section of the IRTS website at www.irts.ie and his e-mail address is “ei7cd at gofree dot indigo dot ie”. Also available in the Where do I Start? section of the IRTS website are Examination Notes with a sample examination paper as well as a link to the ComReg Experimenter Pages which contain some very useful information. The examination consists of a multiple choice question paper of 60 questions divided into three main sections A, B and C and the time allowed is two hours. The pass mark is 60% and a pass is required in each of the three main sections of the paper.


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The Tipperary Amateur Radio Group would like to wish all experimenters a happy and peaceful new year,there will be no monthly meeting of the club in January, the next Meeting will be held on February the 7th 2008.


Cork Radio Club

The last meeting of this year for the Cork Radio Club took place at the club premises on the 17th of December. Again Vincent provided the tea and biscuits and Frank the mince pies.

A very good night was had by all, and plenty of discussion on club activity for the new year was soon under way. To brighten spirits a old Tony Hancock video "The Radio Ham" was shown and was enjoyed by all.


Codes and Ciphers Exhibition

A Codes and Ciphers Exhibition will take place from Monday the 11th of February until Friday the 15th of February 2008 at the Somme Heritage Centre located just off the Bangor Road, a few miles outside Newtownards, Co. Down. Equipment on display will include a German Enigma machine along with other cipher equipment. For more information visit, www.irishsoldier.org


Coolmine Rally

The Phoenix Amateur Radio Club will run the Coolmine Radio Rally on Sunday the 10th of February 2008 at the Coolmine Community School, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. Doors open for traders at 9:00 a.m. and for the general public at 11:00 a.m. To book tables contact Tony on 087-2439997 or Tom on 086-3417017. The rally will feature a bring and buy sale and admission is 4 Euro.


Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club

The Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Annual Rally will take place in The Share Centre, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh on Sunday the 13th of April 2008. The rally will feature a Bring & Buy, Caravan Park and access from Lough Erne/Shannon Waterway. There will be food and parking is on site. Other facilities may be available by prior arrangement with The Share Centre.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall, EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 087-6302026. Items for the radio news can also be faxed to 087 5 6302026. News should be submitted via e-mail to “news at irts dot 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 Friday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

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