Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 8th October 2017


IRTS Contest today

For those listening to this bulletin on Sunday morning, remember that the IRTS 40 metres Counties Contest takes place this afternoon, from 1pm to 3pm local time. There are SSB only and SSB/CW mixed mode sections for both fixed and portable stations. See www.irts.ie/contests for more information on this event.


Notice from ComReg

ComReg is in the process of finalising its new online paperless application facility for all Amateur Station licence applications. It expects to make this new facility available before the end of October. From now until the new application facility goes live ComReg will continue to accept paper applications. However, as part of the transition to the new online facility, payment for all applications or amendments must now be made by debit or credit card. Cheques and postal orders can no longer be accepted. ComReg will issue a further communication when the new application facility is ready for use and will provide detailed information on how to use it.

With regard to the above notice from ComReg, IRTS would like to clarify that payment of fees for the Amateur Station Licence examination, which are paid directly to IRTS, may continue to be paid as usual either on line by credit card or PayPal or by post using a cheque or money order.


Amateur Station Licence Examination

The next Amateur Station Licence Examination will be held on Thursday 7th December in the ComReg Offices in Dublin. Some applications have already been received. As places are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis, those intending to sit the examination should apply soon. Full details, including entry procedure, examination fee and how to pay the fee online are available at www.irts.ie/exam . Please note that it is necessary to download the application form from the web page and forward the completed form and the appropriate fee so as to secure a place for the examination.

It is important to note that even if you pay the fee online you must still complete and forward the application form.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thursday 16th November. Four Exam Reports which were previously published in Echo Ireland are available on the Downloads section of the website at www.irts.ie/downloads under "Studying for the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate". These reports contain very useful information for anyone studying for the Licence Examination. Intending candidates are advised to pay particular attention to the syllabus for the examination especially Annexes 1 and 2.


Cork Radio Club

At the end of July, the Southern Ireland Repeater Group installed their new digital/analogue repeater, EI7CDD, on a high site in West Waterford. The repeater is capable of DMR, DStar, Fusion (C4FM) and Analog operation. The operating frequency is 439.650 MHz with a shift of -9 MHz (DVU52). The coverage area stretches into Waterford and all over East Cork and it should prove very popular as an introduction to digital radio for all in the area.

Cork Radio Club will hold their October meeting in Carrigtwohill Community Centre on Wednesday next the 11th starting at 20:00 and Don EI8DJ will give a talk and demonstration of digital radio with a particular emphasis on using the EI7CDD repeater.

Cork Radio Club will again be setting up radio stations at the Scout Hall in Little Island for Jamboree on the Air on the 20th - 22nd of October.

The club invites anybody interested in studying for the Amateur Radio examination over the winter months to send an expression of interest by email to “info /at/ corkradioclub /dot/ ie” or by telephone/text to 087-6290574.

Visitors and new members are always very welcome at club meetings and further information is available by emailing “info /at/ corkradioclub /dot/ ie”


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The October meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group is to take place in The Park Hotel, Clonmel on Thursday 12th October at 8.30pm. New members or anyone interested in amateur radio are very welcome to attend.

For anyone that wishes to find out more about the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group and its activities you can come along to any of their meetings. You can also check their website www.ei7trg.ie or contact club PRO Ronan EI4KN at QTHR for further information.


Limerick Radio Club

The next meeting of LRC will be held in the Limerick Institute of Technology on Thursday 12th October starting at 19:30. All are welcome. Steve Wright EI5DD will give a lecture on 'Getting Started in Digital Radio'

LRC plans to offer CW instruction both on air and in a class room setting. Listen in on the LRC 2M Tountinna repeater (EI2TAG) 145.725MHz /at/ 20:00 Local Time after the IRTS News on this Monday evening 9th October when there will be a beginners class.

This will be followed on Tuesday by an "improver's" class intended for those who know the code but need practice. The classes will continue each week for a number of weeks depending on interest.

If there is sufficient interest, a class, or classes can be organised to be held at Atlantic Air Adventures facility in Shannon. The classes are open to members and non-members alike. Please contact Harry EI2KL, Hon. Sec. LRC via e mail contact /at/ limerickradioclub.ie and let him know if you would like to try it.

Three of the club's best CW operators are willing to give time and effort - so dust off that expensive Begali that you bought and never used, or the old rusty key you got in the Boy Scouts!


Scout Jamboree on the Air

Another popular event of the year is coming up this month. The 60th Scout Jamboree on the Air will be held over the weekend 20 to 22nd October next. Paul EI2CA lets us know that, as in recent years, he is organising a station for the 1st Meath Navan Scouts for the event. The callsign will be EI1DD and Paul needs a couple of additional operators to give a hand. All equipment will be supplied, so it is just a case of coming along on the day. If you can help out, you can give Paul EI2CA a call on 087 2523908.


DX News

The VK DX Group expedition to Christmas Island will continue until 10th October using the callsign VK9XI. They are active on all bands 160 – 10m. On 10th October they move to Cocos Keeling Island and will sign VK9CI until 17th October. QSL to M0OXO via OQRS.

John MM0VEG will be operating holiday style from the Maldive Islands from 7th – 16th October. His callsign will be 8Q7BI. Activity will be on 20m SSB and possibly some digital modes. QSL to the home call.

Steve KL7SB will be active as E51RAT from the South Cook Islands from 8th – 15th October. He will be on 80 – 10m CW, SSB and Digital. QSLs go directly to NI5DX.

Peter HB9DVG will be working in Rwanda for the next two years. He has been issued with the callsign 9X9PJ and plans to operate on 20 – 10m SSB. QSLs go to his Swiss address.


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 may be telephoned to the radio news editor, Mark EI6HPB on 086 355 2370.

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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