Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 29th March 2009


IRTS AGM

The IRTS AGM weekend, which is hosted by the Shannon Basin Radio Club, takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2009. The venue is the Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone, which boasts ample car parking space and the best facilities around.

Tickets for the annual dinner are now available from Brian Canning EI8IU, Brian can be contacted on 086 2514822 of via email from brianei8iu /at/ eircom.net

There will also be a Rally and Annual Gereral Meeting, for further details in relation to the dinner or rally please contact Brian EI8IU, Tony EI6DL, or Pat EI9HX There is also lots more information available on the AGM weekend from the IRTS website.


NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS IRTS AGM 2009

The IRTS Awards Manager Peter EI4HX is seeking Nominations for IRTS awards. The awards available are for SWL, Construction, and Service.

There are no nominations as yet for Service or Merit. Please send your nominations to Peter EI4HX at the following email address. <ei4hxperimental /at/ eircom.net>


HF Band Plan

Band Plans are modified from time to time to reflect changes in international regulations and in operating requirements. A new HF band plan comes into effect in IARU Region 1 - which includes Ireland - on Sunday 29th March. The new band plan takes account of the fact that, under international regulations, the segment 7100 to 7200 kHz will be upgraded to 'amateur primary' from that date.

The principal changes incorporated in the new band plan are in the 40 metre band, with exclusive CW now extended to 7040 kHz, and two SSB contest preferred segments - from 7060 to 7100 kHz and from 7130 to 7200 kHz.

Priority for intercontinental operation will now be in the segment 7175 to 7200 kHz. Revised centres of activity for SSB QRP and emergency traffic are also included in the new band plan.

SSB operators should note in particular that the new band plan indicates lowest dial settings for LSB Voice mode of 1843, 3603 and 7053 kHz

A copy of the new band plan may be downloaded from the downloads page of the IRTS web site www.irts.ie/downloads


'500 kHz Permissions

Arising from our meeting on 12 February, ComReg has agreed to allow IRTS to seek expressions of interest for a limited number of permissions to operate in the region of 500 kHz under a licence to be issued to IRTS.

Expressions of interest are being sought equally from both non IRTS and IRTS members. Stations to which permissions are issued will have to send regular reports to IRTS consisting of their experience of propagation, type of propagation used, noise experienced and methodology used on this band so that these can be coordinated and periodic reports submitted to ComReg.

Participants will be expected to keep a separate full detailed log of all experiments conducted.

It should be noted that only a relatively small number of permissions will be granted and expressions of interest should only be made by those in a position to carry out realistic propagation experiments in this part of the spectrum.

An form on which to submit to IRTS an expression of interest is available on the IRTS website at www.irts.ie The final decision on the issue of permits will of course rest with ComReg as the statutory licensing authority. '


Look for better 5MHz propagation

As the end of March approaches, Experimenters holders a 5MHz Permit may like to note that after-dark propagation on the East-West path to the USA peaks when America also falls into darkness.

To check the condition of the path, listen out for AM broadcasting stations WWCR in Nashville on 5070kHz and WWRB on 5050kHz, which is also in Tennessee. Both employ 100kW.

Operators should find US amateurs congregating on 5403.5kHz around 0100 to 0200 hours UTC.


European PSK Club Stations

The following European PSK Club stations have agreed to make an effort to be active solely on 10.140 on the 29th as a fáilte for EI stations

CS2EPC, DK0EPC, K1EPC, M0EPC, MI0EPC, N4EPC, PA30EPC

The above is the list so far although more stations may come available on the day.


Call for donation to keep beacons active

The midcornwall beacon and repeater group operate and maintain two voice repeaters, one ATV repeater and more importantly 5 VHF/UHF beacons. The beacons will go QRT on the 2nd of April due to the rising cost of electricity and the groups lack of funds to pay same.

The UKSMG (uk Six meter group) has stepped in to pay to keep the 6m beacon on the air. Donations are required to keep the others on the air. As beacons are a great aid to VHF/UHF operators if anyone feels the can donate to the club it can be done online using PayPal from there website other options are available. The recommended amount is 10 pounds and with STG being weak that is under 11 euro, but any amount will help.

more details can be found on the MCB website which is www.mcbarg.co.uk or email to John G0VDU at g0vdu /at/ yahoo.co.uk if you do donate send John a mail and state which beacon you want the payment to go towards the ones most important to EI would be 2m and 4m


South Dublin Radio Club

The South Dublin Radio Club will have its AGM on Tuesday 31st March 2009 at 2030, In the Scouts den in Tempelogue.

For more information on SDR please visit www.southdublinradioclub.ie


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The next monthly meeting of the Tipperary Amatuer Radio Group will take place on Thursday next the 2nd of April at Raheen House Hotel, Raheen road Clonmel at 8.00pm All are welcome.


Shannon Basin Radio Club

The Shannon Basin Radio Club are having their next meeting in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone on Sunday 5th April at 16:00. All members are asked to attend.


Rallies

Today the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Rally in Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh, Sunday 29th March. More details are available on the IRTS website.

Date for Mayo Rally Announced.

The 2009 Mayo Rally will be held on Sunday November 22 in Castlebar. The venue is The Welcome Inn Hotel, where the 2008 rally was held at short notice, and doors open at 11.00am. Rally Director, Padraic Baynes, EI9JA, is now taking bookings for stands at the rally. He can be contacted on 087 6957154. The hotel will be offering a rally special deal for accommodation. Full details will be available soon.


Stolen Radio

On the 18th march between 7pm and 9.30 pm an Icom207h was removed from a vehicle at Tullamore outside Atlantic Homecare anyone with any info please contact ei5glb 0877757574


History this week

1885 Edison patents wireless induction telegraphy between moving trains and railway stations.

1899 First wireless telegraph message sent across the English Channel.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, via e-mail to “charlie dot Carolan at gmail dot com” Or by phone to 087-6265418 News can also be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam 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 Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

[N]