Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 17th March 2013


IRTS AGM, Dinner and Radio Rally

This year the 81st IRTS AGM is hosted by Shannon Basin Radio Club. The event takes place in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone, Saturday April 27th and Sunday April 28th 2013. Tickets for the Dinner on Saturday night (8.00 for 8.30pm) will be available at 30 Euro each from Brian EI8IU QTHR and through IRTS Committee Members. Dress code, as usual, is smart/casual. Menu details is available from the IRTS website. Please visit www.irts.ie for more details.


Return of IRTS Awards & Trophies

If you have not returned your trophy which were presented at last years IRTS, AGM, time is running out. All trophies and cups must be returned to any IRTS committee member and or contact Peter EI4HX, email ei4hxperimental/at eircom/dot/net.


Renewal of Amateur Station Licences

In June 2009 the Wireless Telegraphy (Amateur Station Licence) Regulations 2009 came into force which changed individual Amateur Station Licences from annual licences to lifetime licences.

Whilst the licences are lifetime licences, under the regulations licensees are required to confirm the details of their licence to ComReg every five years. ComReg will begin advising licensees how to comply with this requirement in 2014. We have been told by ComReg that they have yet to determine how this process will take place but will endeavour to make it as smooth as possible.


Youngsters On The Air

During the summer of 2013, a youth radio camp "Youngsters On The Air" will be held near Tartu, Estonia from 5-12 August. There will be 10 teams participating from different European member associations of IARU R1. The camp is organised by the Estonian Radio Amateurs Union. During this week teams of young radio amateurs from 10 different European countries will be participating in different activities: presentations, Contests, visiting radio stations, observatory, etc. Young operators or SWL's aged between 14-25, are being sought to represent Ireland, and should contact Ger McNamara, IRTS Youth Co-ordinator on 087 2532512 or by email to ei4gxb /at/ gmail.com

As two previous events in Romania and Belgium/Netherlands have shown, it will be a great experience for the young hams which they will never forget.


Dundalk Amateur Radio Society EI7DAR

Dundalk amateur radio society members will be joining with Mid Ulster amateur radio club in a SOTA activation of Slieve Gullion 573m asl GI/CA-001 on Sunday 17th March, Activity will be around 145.375 fm, 144.305 and 7.130 ssb + or - qrm from 10am onwards.


North Cork Radio Group

North Cork Radio Group are operational from Ballynamona Beach, near Ballycotton, on bank holiday Monday, 18th March from 11.30am - 4pm approx. This is a fun day out where we make contacts and test different antennas for use at upcoming events. If you wish to take part, or indeed try the bands for the first time, feel free to come and visit us, we look forward to seeing, and working, you all.

We also confirm that we will be active at Mizen Head Visitors Centre for Marconi weekend from 12am on Saturday, 20th April using the callsign EI0IMD. We wish to thank the Centre for their continued support and look forward to the variety of contacts to be made at the site.

We also have the pleasure in announcing our annual Radio & Electronics Fair which is to take place at the Commons Inn, Blackpool, Cork on Sunday, 15th Sept 2013. Doors open at 11am and entry fee is €5 per adult (children free). More details to follow but if anyone wishes to make enquiries, please feel free to contact Edwin EI2HEB at 086 3885741 or via email ei2heb /at/ ei1nc.com


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

The next monthly meeting of the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford on Monday the 25th March at 8.30 p.m. The meeting will be preceded by a committee meeting at 8.00 pm sharp. New members are very welcome. For up-to-date news about the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group and it’s actives you can check our website www.searg.com and you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


DX News

The International Museums Weekend special event will take place on the double weekends of 15th & 16th June and 22nd & 23rd June. More details available from www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw

Pete EI7CC is now QRV from Lesotho as 7P8PB, and Aidan EI8CE will be QRV from Lesotho next week and will be signing 7P8AM. Both operators look forward to working stations from EI & GI.


Items for inclusion in next week’s Radio News can be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam /at/ irts / dot / ie” for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Urgent news items for the radio news maybe telephoned to the radio news editor, Aidan, EI7JC on 085 7100511.

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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