Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 23rd January 2011


Counties Contest

A final reminder that your log for the EI/GI Counties Contest needs to be sent to the contestmanager / at/ irts/ dot/ ie. All logs to be received by deadline February 2nd 2011. Your co-operation is much appreciated.


Request for Return of IRTS Trophies and Cups

It is time once again to recall all trophies presented at the 2010 IRTS, AGM held in Dundalk.

Trophies and Cups can be returned to the IRTS Stand at the Phoenix Radio Club Rally in Coolmine on Sunday February 20th 2011 or to any IRTS Committee Member before end of February 2011.

This will allow for any engraving to be done, or to allow any repairs as needed.

Early return will be appreciated. Peter EI4HX can be contacted on ei4hxperimental / at/eircom / dot/ net.


IRTS Awards Nominations.

The time is here again for nominations for the several awards for IRTS Trophies and cups that are required from within the membership, this includes the awards for,

1. Service to the Society or to Amateur Radio. Awards in this category can be to members or non-members.

2. Awards for other achievements.

Awards in this category [2] include the 4 and 6 Meter Shields, the SWL Award, and the awards for Quality Construction Projects. These are confined to members only.

When considering your nominations, please refer to previous successful winners as included in www.irts.ie/cgi/awards.cgi

Nominations may be from Clubs or Individuals, must be by post or e-mail, and can be forwarded to the Awards Committee Members, Pat EI2HX and Pat EI9HX, or to Peter Grant EI4HX, Chair of Awards Committee, QTHR, or by e-mail to ei4hxperimental/ at/ eircom/ dot/ net.

Closing date for nominations is February 30th 2011.


IRTS AGM Annual Dinner and Rally 2011

You are reminded of the importance of attending the IRTS AGM weekend, including Annual Dinner and Rally will be held this year on Saturday March 26th and Sunday March 27th. The event will be hosted by the Limerick Radio Club. The venue is the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick. For more information contact, Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or ei4gxb/ at /gmail/ dot/ com.


IRTS Committee Meeting

The next IRTS committee meeting will be held on February 5th in Portlaoise. All affiliated clubs representatives are encouraged to attend.


ECHO IRELAND

The deadline for submitting articles, advertising, etc, to Echo Ireland is February 5th 2011. Everyone is encouraged to submit articles to this journal for consideration for publication.


Engineers Week

This year Engineers Week, organised by Engineers Ireland, runs from 14 – 20 February. Once again the Society plans to participate in centres through the country. Currently under consideration are Athlone, Cork, Cavan, Dundalk., Mayo and Limerick. If you would like to participate please contact Séamus ei8bp / at / eircom /dot/net.


Your Club Listing on IRTS Website

Club Secretaries Séamus EI8BP as Web Editor is preparing to update the Clubs page on the Website. Some of this information is somewhat outdated. Please have a look at your club’s entry on the IRTS Website and contact Séamus by Email at ei8bp / at / eircom / dot / net with any changes. The Website information is an important point of contact for prospective club members and an opportunity to promote your club.


Region 4 Theory Classes

Following on from the successful classes last year, plans are being put in place for Radio Theory classes in Limerick.

Classes will also include lots of practical sessions and will be based on the revised syllabus as detailed on the IRTS website.

Classes will commence in February depending on numbers and those interested in attending should contact Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or ei4gxb / at /gmail / dot /com.


Cork City Radio Museum

North Cork Radio Group would like to ask the amateur Radio community for donations on behalf of the Cork City Radio Museum. The Museum for those not aware is situated in the old Governors House at Cork City Gaol and houses a wonderful collection of artefacts, including the RTE restored 6CK Radio Broadcasting studio.

Some years ago the museum was in the early phases of modernisation by the late Larry O'Sullivan EI8FJB, and a lot of Larry's work is still in place although sadly unfinished. As a result the museum is in need of restoration and TLC, the centre at present is only open to requested visits.

It is our intention with the help of the community to help the declining facility reach Larry's goals in bringing such a wonderful place back into the public access zone.

If anyone can help in donating any form of equipment from the nostalgic golden era right up in to present it would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone who can help with surplus items can contact either Anthony EI3GAB or Pat EI2GHB via info /at/ ei1nc/ dot/ com or at any NCRG meeting on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Information on the group is available at www.ei1nc.com


Blackrock Castle Observatory Cork

North Cork Radio Group will be active EI1NC/P on February 19 and 20 from 10am until 5pm at Blackrock Castle Observatory a 16th century Castle located 4km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee.

The Castle has seen many uses in its vast history and now houses the cutting edge of space and observation technology, more info on the Castle is available at www.bco.ie information on NCRG is available at www.ei1nc.com


Theory Classes at DAR

Dundalk Amateur Radio Society, EI7DAR, will commence amateur radio theory classes Thursday February 3rd 2011. Classes will be held at the club premises 'Larkin House', 113, Castletown Road, Dundalk.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in obtaining their amateur radio Licence in an adult learning relaxed environment.

For further information and details please contact ei4dib / at /ei7dar/ dot/ com or by text only to 086 4066660. Everyone welcome.


Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society

Michael Stevenson GI4XSF, writes and tells us that Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society meet on the 1st Thursday of every month in "The Boathouse", Groomsport at 8pm.

At 8pm on Thursday 3rd March 2011 we are hosting a talk from Brian Clarke “Mr Marconi’s magic box”, which is a history of Marconi’s involvement with the merchant navy.

As always, visitors are most welcome.

More information from Mike GI4XSF on 048 4277 2383, or club website:

www.bdars.com


West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club GN4OMA

WTARC are running an amateur radio foundation course.

Registration Date, Tuesday February 1st 2011. at 8pm.

Course instruction will start Saturday February 19th, 2011 and Saturday February 26th 2011. That is two Saturday afternoons.

Examination Date is March 1st 2011.

The Venue is Technology Education Centre, 2 Spillers Place, Omagh, BT78 1FA.

Everyone welcome and more information can be obtained from club website www.wtarc.co.uk


Shannon Basin Amateur Radio Club

The Shannon Basin Radio Club will be holding its AGM on Friday the 28th Jan in Hannons Hotel, Roscommon at 20:00. All Members are requested to attend. Everyone is welcome and is encouraged to attend. Anyone who wishes to find out more can contact Brian EI8IU at 0862514822.


DX News

Mats SM6LRR is at present QRV from Sri Lanka as 4S7LRG mainly on 160, 80 and 40m. He is there till 4th February. He hopes to take part in the CQ WW 160m CW Contest at the end of the month so anyone needing 4S7 on Top Band should keep a look out for him. QSLs go via his home call.

Three Swedish amateurs are active from Madagascar until early February. They are signing 5R8HL and are located on the mainland IOTA AF-013 and on Nosy Be Island IOTA AF-057 at various times.

For the Island chasers quite a rare one is due next month with CN2LWL being operated by a group of Italian amateurs from Herne Island IOTA AF-068. Dates are 1 – 5 February and QSL info is via I8LWL.

Gerd DJ4KW and Gisela DK9GG will operate from V31YN and V31GW respectively in Belize until the end of next month. During the period 2 – 8 February they hope to go to Southwater Caye (IOTA NA-180) using the call V31YN/P.

The Microlight Penguins Group are off on another trip down south where they will activate VP8ORK from the South Orkney Islands. This is a rare one for DXCC purposes and should be on the air from 27th January till 8th February.


Radio Rallies

PHOENIX A.R.C.

Phoenix Amateur Radio Club annual rally will be held on Sunday 20th February 2011 in the usual venue, Coolmine Community School, Blanchardstown.

Doors open for Traders at 9.00 am Doors open to public 3.00am Admission 5 Euros. To book tables contact Tony at 0872439997 or Tom at 01-8211043.

Plenty of Parking, Refreshments and Bring and Buy Sale. All usual traders will attend.

This is the First Rally of 2011.

For further details on Rallies please see www.irts.ie/rallies


Amateur Radio helps rescue co-ordination

Radio Amateurs in the Brazilian town of Nova Friburgo, have received high praise from the Brazilian civil defence authorities during the recent flooding there.

Lt Col Roberto Robadey, said, “without their help, we couldn't have done anything in those first two days," Radio amateurs took their radio equipment to key points across the town to provide a communication link between rescue groups.


Radio History

On this day in 1909, the first Radio rescue at sea took place. The distress signal was CQD later to be replaced by SOS.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be

forwarded to Aidan EI7JC, preferably via e-mail to “news / dot /ei7jc / at / gmail / dot / com”. Or by phone to 085 7100511 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 not later than midday on Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

[N]