Archived News Script

IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN Sunday September 20th 1998


Marquesas Islands & Austral Islands Added to DXCC List

The ARRL Awards Committee has accepted a recommendation of the ARRL DX Advisory Committee to add the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands to the DXCC List. The additions will be effective with contacts made beginning 23:59 UTC on 31 March, 1998 and after. The DXCC Desk will accept QSL cards for both the Marquesas and the Austral Islands beginning October 1, 1998. QSL cards received before that time will be returned without action.


Limerick Repeater

Limerick Radio Club have recently changed the aerial on their 2 metre repeater. The original aerials system was a pair of 2 element Sigma Yagis vertically stacked both pointed West. A new aerial, a folded dipole, manufactured by Sigma, has been erected just under the yagis, 60 feet up the tower and fed by half inch heliax. This omni-directional aerial is now being used on a test basis and the club would appreciate reports on performance. Early reports suggest major improvements in some directions while others report a slight drop in signal level. The repeater output power is only 4 watts and plans are in hand to increase this in the near future.


Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society

The Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society annual general meeting will be held in Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey on Wednesday September the 30th at 8.30pm. All members are asked to attend and of course intending members will also be made very welcome. The annual rally will also be held in Jackson's Hotel on Sunday November the 1st and the annual dinner dance will as usual be held the previous night at the same venue. All information about the rally or the dinner dance can be had from the secretary, Gerry Dykes EI8HO, on packet at GB7TED or EI5TCR or on the telephone at 072-52598.


Jamboree On The Air

Every year on the third weekend in October scouts all over the world get together with amateur radio operators for two days of fun with amateur radio.

This year's Jamboree On The Air will be held over the weekend of October the 18th and 19th and amateurs are asked to get involved with their local scout group.

Applications for special event callsigns should be made well in advance and notified to the news services of the Society.


2 Metre Counties Contest

The Autumn 2 Metres Counties Contest has for some years been moved from date to date and there have been some unfortunate clashes like this weekend when it clashes with the Cork Radio Club Rally. The Committee having looked at the situation have decided that the Autumn leg will, with effect from next year, in future be held on the last Sunday in August. Sundays in September are a problem with the SSB Field Day, the Hurling and Football All Ireland Finals and the Cork Rally providing counter attractions.

This year's 2 Metres Counties Contest is being held today. Sunday and participants are reminded that logs must be submitted within 30 days to the Contest Manager at P.O. Box 462 Dublin 9 and should include a summary sheet showing station location, section entered, final claimed score, the equipment used and the names and callsigns of the operators.


Cork Repeater AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Cork Repeater Group was held on Tuesday September the 15th. The meeting was held at the premises of Cork Radio Club in Wilton Park House, Bishopstown and a fine attendance reviewed the activities of the past year. The main activity was the purchase and installation of a new aerial on the 2 metre repeater. A new tilt-over mast was also installed. Plans are well advanced for the changing of the aerial on the 70 centimetres repeater at Hollyhill and this should improve coverage all over the city. The outgoing committee were returned unopposed and are as follows:-

Chairman Aedan O'Meara EI3EG, Secretary Fr. Finbarr Buckley EI1CS, Treasurer John Mooney EI6AK, Technical Manager Tony Bourke EI2CV and committee members Jim Barry EI8GS, Anthony O'Rourke EI2HY and Mike Kiely EI2IB.

Subscriptions remain unchanged at £15.00 and should be paid to the Treasure as soon as possible.


Rallies

Fingal Radio Club will hold their Autumn Radio & Electronics Show in Jury's Hotel in Ballsbridge on Sunday October the 4th. The North Monaghan Rally will be held on October the 18th The Carrigfergus Amateur Radio Group Rally will be held at the Downshire School in Carrigfergus on Sunday October the 24th. Information from GI8WBZ QTHR.


Items for inclusion in the Radio News can be faxed to 021-632730 or passed on the telephone to Dave EI4BZ at 021- 632444 during the day and at 021-883555 in the evening.

Input for the Newsletter should be sent to Kevin EI7IM at QTHR or on 01-4509514 or on E-mail to EI7IM@tinet.ie All input to either the Radio News or the Newsletter can also be sent by e-mail to news@irts.ie

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