Results of the IRTS CW Field Day, held earlier this month, have now been published. See www.irts.ie/results for details.
The first weekend of next month - Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th July - sees the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day contest taking place, coinciding with similar contests elsewhere in Europe.
Expect to hear plenty of activity on all 5 amateur bands from 6 metres to 23 centimetres, mostly SSB but with some CW and perhaps FM also. In a change to the rules from previous years, the same station may now enter logs for up to 3 bands. See www.irts.ie/contests for more information on these contests.
Reminder that the next meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will take place in The Park Hotel, Clonmel on Tuesday 25th June at 8.30pm. Preparations will be finalized for participation in the VHF/UHF field day. New members or anyone interested in amateur radio are very welcome.
For anyone who wishes to find out more about the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group and its activities you can attend any of their meetings. You can also check out their website www.ei7trg.ie or contact club PRO Ronan EI4KN at QTHR for further information.
In recognition of the contribution to Amateur Radio by individuals based in Co. Clare, a decision has been taken by Limerick Radio Club members to change the name to Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club. Clare Co Co and Clare Tourism have been very accommodating in their support for club activities over the years, so it is felt that the name change will also help in continuing that support.
Club members resident in Limerick have enthusiastically embraced the name change and the history of LRC, since it’s foundation, will be preserved. In the meantime, a lot of background changes need to be done such as on updating the web site etc.
Approval for the name change has been granted by ComReg and IRTS. ComReg have also granted a new call sign EI4LCR (Limerick Clare Radio). There is no change to the officers or membership of the Club. In addition, the previous call sign EI4LRC will be maintained.
Are you living in the midlands? Are you interested in studying to become ham licensed? Every few months the IECRO Ireland radio club in Mullingar has run an amateur radio license examination preparation course.
High pass rates have been achieved in each previous sitting by candidates who undertook training through this course. All training is provided by experienced tutors in a friendly welcoming environment. The club is now accepting applications for individuals who are planning to sit the winter 2019 exam. Anyone who wishes to enroll for this course can book a place by emailing “ireland /at/ iecro /dot/ com”
The next meeting of the club will be taking place on Saturday 29th June in Mullingar. All current members are very welcome to attend.
On Sunday the 16th of June 2019, a remarkable contact took place when the Atlantic was crossed on two metres. D41CV on the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa successfully completed a contact on 144 MHz with FG8OJ in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean using the FT8 digital mode.
It is believed that the propagation mode was marine-based ducting and the distance was an incredible 3867 kms. To put into context, it is the equivalent of the distance from the west coast of Ireland to Nova Scotia in Canada.
Plans are in place to run training, for amateur radio licensing, in Clonmellon and surrounding area. For more information or to book a place, please email Alan EI5GFB “info /at/ crossakiel /dot/ com”
Kan JJ2RCJ will be active as ZF2CJ in the Cayman Islands on 23rd – 25th June. This will be followed by a move to Jamaica from 26th – 28th June when he will sign 6Y3Y. He will operate mainly FT8 on 80 – 10m. QSL via Club Log OQRS.
Bruce 3W3B will be in Laos from 26th June – 7th July where he will activate his XW4XR callsign. Look for him on 40 – 6m on CW, FT8 and RTTY. QSL manager is E21EIC.
Janusz SP9FIH returns to Bethlehem in Palestine from 6th July – 3rd August and will be QRV on 80 – 6m as E44WE. QSLs go via his home call.
Several Belgian members of the International Police Association will operate from the French island of Noirmoutier until 28th June using the callsign TM4IPA. This island counts as EU-064 for the IOTA Award. QSL manager is ON6ZV.
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.
[N]