Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 2nd May 2010


IRTS 78th AGM

Last weekend the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society hosted the 78th IRTS AGM in the Fairways Hotel Dundalk. The Anniversary Dinner had close to 100 guests, included reps for the Minister for Communications, ComReg & Dundalk Chamber of Commerce. Also in attendance were RSGB President Mr Dave Wilson M0OBW and his XYL.

The Rally and Annual General Meeting ware also well attended & the draw for free membership for a year among those who use direct debit to pay their membership subscriptions was held at the end of the meeting, and the winners were announced at the meeting. The five members whose names were drawn have been informed in writing of their lucky win.

The AGM was preceded by a Special General Meeting at which an amended Constitution and Rules for the society was approved by members. The new constitution and rules can be downloaded at www.irts.ie/rules

Congratulations to the Dundalk Committee, Members and Volunteers who worked tirelessly to Organise and make the IRTS 78th AGM weekend such a success.


AREN

Last Sunday at the IRTS AGM in Dundalk, AREN were presented with the ARUP Cup. The certificate that was also presented reads " This Award is presented to AREN Communications Volunteers in recognition of their continuous training, operations and achievements for the good of the community."

Accepting the cup on behalf of AREN volunteers John Ronan EI7IG says "To be honest, I was caught completely by surprise on the day. That said, I think the award is due recognition for the work being done continuously by various groups country wide, who operate under the AREN banner. This work includes, not only the operating on the day, but also the public relations aspect, which, although secondary, is of no less importance to the hobby as a whole. I'm delighted on behalf of everyone involved in Emergency Communications throughout the country."

AREN will be assisting with communications next Saturday the 8th of May when the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland will be bringing their fleet of boats into Dublin along the Grand Canal. They are looking to recruit some additional operators for the exercise which will give you a flavour of life along the inland waterways as well as an interesting introduction to AREN.

The operation will be from dawn to dusk but even if you can assist for a few hours during the day you will be most welcome. Contact Liam EI3HK 086 2521542 or Paul EI2CA 087 2523908.


Amateur Radio in the European Parliament

IRTS were represented by Séamus EI8BP and Seán EI7CD at an exhibition in the European Parliament organised by the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM working group on 26/27 April.. With the title European Amateur Radio Benefits Society the exhibition focused on Emergency Communications and Education & Space, with the aim to raise awareness amongst European politicians.

The exhibition was sponsored by German MEP Mrs Birgit Sippel and was opened by IARU Region 1 President Hans PB2T. The opening was attended by the Euro Commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Dr Kristalina Georgieva together with many MEPs and their assistants.

Students from the European School in Brussels were given a talk on satellites by Gaston Bertels ON4WF, Chairman of the IARU Amateur Radio Space Exploration Working Group and were able to have a live QSO with the International Space Station and meet with astronauts and cosmonauts who had been aboard the ISS. Also in attendance was Czech Republic MEP Vladimir Remek who flew in a Soviet spacecraft in 1978.


Lough Erne Radio Club

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club members were delighted by news from the IRTS AGM that Herbie Graham Gi6JPO had been presented with the Pat Conway Cup for services to amateur radio. For almost 30 years past.

Herbie has been of great service to his Club and the wider amateur radio community. Examples include his work on the Lough Erne Rally, the Fermanagh Repeater and the Club’s relationship with the SHARE centre in the provision of amateur radio courses and activities.


Cashoita NI

The Ballymena Radio Club and Antrim and District Amatuer Radio Society will be jointly activating Shanes Castle, Antrim, as part of the Steam Traction Engine Show.

The clubs will be using the Cashota-NI callsign GN4KPT/P on Sunday 2 May 14:00 - 17:00 2010 and Monday 3 May 10:00 - 16:00 2010

Talk-in and information on 145.550


Howth Martello Radio Group

The Howth Martello Radio Group participated as an award station, with the call-sign EI0MAR, for the International Marconi Day event on Saturday 24 April.

Most contacts were on CW and several other IMD stations were worked including the one at Cape Cod. The operators were Tony (EI5EM), John (EI7JG) and Nick (EI7GOB).

The North Dublin Radio Club also held its weekly meeting in the tower that same evening where the archive documentary film "Once upon a Tram" was showing. The film, narrated by the late Cyril Cusack, was made shortly before the demise of the tram in 1959 and follows it on its leisurely journey from what is now the Howth DART station up to the Summit and back again.

The radio museum is now open every day from 11 to 4 until the end of October. EI0MAR operates from the museum on most weekends. Pat Herbert, the curator, is always happy to welcome visitors from groups or clubs, radio-related or otherwise.

Email pat /at/ ei0mar.org or visit the website www.ei0mar.org for further information.


Special Event Station

Their will be a special event station operational to celebrate this years Le Mans Race (France). The call sign will be TM24H.

The station will be QRV from the 30th of May to the 13th of June & QSL manager will still be F6KFI.


Geopark Weekend

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club again this year will take part in the weekend international Geoparks Communication event on 22 & 23 May, with call sign GB2MAC at the Marble Arch Caves International Global Geopark in Fermanagh and across into the Republic’s County Cavan. GB2MAC will seek hoping contacts with similar Geopark stations, including the only other one in Ireland, EI2GEO at the Copper Coast Geopark in County Waterford.

In May 2009, GB2MAC’s most distant contacts were both with Melbourne, Australia.. Six were with USA Hams. Others across Europe made 40 in all. Propagation seems a lot better this year. The Club’s GB2MAC team, led by Alan Gault Gi6JPO, will include experienced amateurs and some recently licensed from the Club’s course and examination in SHARE back in February. Moreover the Club has recently purchased a mobile radio mast and other equipment for setting up this kind of special field station.

In all, this year’s third Geopark Communication event promises to be an enjoyable and interesting weekend.


QRP Talk Now Online

Amid much interest in Ireland and world-wide, the QRP talk by George Dobbs, G3RJV, recently at the Lough Erne Rally is now available on-line

Go to www.batc.tv Click on the 'Film Archive' icon, and then select G3RJV QRP Lecture from the drop-down list there is a link just under the player to save the video to your computer. Alongside the audio, this excellent BATC video directly uses the G3RJV slides.

The details of circuits, for example, are sharp, clear and shown long enough to study in full. This video is just one of the many useful services offered by BATC to amateur radio.

Lough Erne ARC is most grateful to George G3RJV, SHARE and the British Amateur Television Club.


South Dublin Radio Club

On Tuesday next the 4th of May John Breen EI7BV will be giving a talk titled "How did Amateurs get their Bands, Part two, VHF, UHF and SHF bands"

It will describe a Historic overview of ITU world conferences and their impact on the radio amateur service and is open to all including visitors.

It will start at 8pm at Terenure College. Directions are on the website:

www.southdublinradioclub.ie


Dundalk Amateur Radio Society

The next meeting of the Society will be next Wednesday 5th of May at the Clubhouse all are welcome to attend, more info at ei7dar.com


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The next monthly meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will take place on Thursday next the 6th of May at Raheen House Hotel, Raheen Road, Clonmel. at 8.00pm all are welcome.


Rallies

Saturday 29th May 2010 Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club Rally, Drumgor Youth Centre, Drumgor Heights, Craigavon Information:www.muarc.com

For further Rally info and contact details please check out the IRTS Website.

www.irts.ie/cgi/rallies.cgi


IRTS Radio News Editor Charlie Carolan EI8JB, would

like to express a sincere thank you for the nominations submitted to the awards Committee. Charlie was awarded ‘The Sheila Piper International Trophy’ at the AGM, in recognition of his endeavour and dedication to the News Service of IRTS.

Charlie would also like to express a thank you to the Newsreaders, SWL’s & Stations who call into the service with Signal reports and of course to the Individuals and Clubs that provide material for the Bulletins. Everyone involved makes the IRTS Radio News Service the Success it is.

Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be

forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, preferably 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.

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