Archived News Script

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday March 21st 1999


Ballybunion Marconi Station 1999

Ballybunion's association with Marconi is well known, as the first East to West telephonic communication was made in March 1919, between Ballybunion and Louisbourg, Cape Britton in Nova Scotia. Again, this year, on International Marconi Day, April 24th, members of the Kerry Wireless Group will operate a Special Event Station, using the original callsign, EI6YXQ from the original Marconi site in Ballybunion. The operators will be assisted in running the station by the Kerry Sea Scouts, under their leader Brian O'Daly, EI4GL. If anyone requires further information phone or fax John EI6AH at QTHR, Phone: 068-27175.


IRTS Mailshot

In recent weeks, the Society wrote to every EI amateur who is not a Society member inviting them to join. Included with the letter was a copy of the recent Newsletter. The response was very positive and we look forward to welcoming many more new members over the coming weeks. The committee recently approved a new three year subscription rate for full licensees of £50.00. The annual rate remains at £18.00. The three year rate for over 65's with 15 years membership is £25.00. Membership of the Society is high when compared to our sister societies around the world but there is still room for improvement. We still have non-members who are very active on the bands, generating thousands of QSL cards which have to be sorted and distributed at great inconvenience to the voluntary workers involved. We ask that if you do not use the bureau facilities, please indicate that fact in your QSO's. It will save a lot of work and avoid the disappointment for all those you have a QSO with.


East Cork AGM

Members of the East Cork Group held their AGM recently and reviewed what for them was a quiet year. The big event of the year was the IOTA contest which they operated from Bere Island, finishing in tenth place worldwide. All the IRTS field days were entered, with a clean sweep being achieved when they won the open and restricted sections of both the CW and SSB field days and the open section of the VHF/UHF Field Day. The officers elected for the coming year are as follows: Chairman - Dave EI4BZ; Vice-Chairman - Steve EI9HC; Secretary - Jim EI3DP; Treasurer - Denis EI6HB; HF Manager - Jerry EI6BT; VHF Manager - John EI8IR; Class Co-ordinator - Eddie EI6GJ; Station Manager - Jim EI8GS; Quartermaster - Mannix EI5HB; QSL Manager - Denis EI6HB. Enquiries about the group to Jim Ryan EI3DP at 01-632365.


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

Tipperary Amateur Radio Group members are active on VHF and UHF. Several members participate in backpacking in the Galtee, Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains, most recently over Sunday and Monday the 7th and 8th of March. S18, that's 145.450 MHz. was adopted as the Group VHF net frequency almost five years ago when the Club was formed and is virtually always monitored or in use for such activity, including AREN exercises, Group discussions, simplex contacts of all kinds and the weekly IRTS Radio News. Th Group members find that this encourages participation in Club activities, and both maintains and increases membership by consolidating the Group identity. Operators passing through the area have come to know that 145.450 MHz. is usually monitored or active and a call is very likely to bring a response. We would encourage other Clubs to set up a simplex net frequency and utilise our VHF and UHF bands more extensively for simplex contacts and also to use Repeaters as they were intended, mainly for mobile working or where simplex is not possible. It is envisaged that a list of the various frequencies used by each Club would, in due course, be printed in the IRTS Newsletter in association with the other Club details already published and also posted on the IRTS Internet site for the benefit mainly of overseas visitors. Any Clubs or operators interested in becoming involved or with any contribution or comment to make can contact Liam EI7FE by email to liamail@indigo.ie or by telephone at 052 22493.


Looking ahead

The Cork Radio Club's AGM will be held at Wilton Park House on Monday March 29th at 8.15pm. All members are requested d to attend. The IRTS 2 metre Counties Contest takes place on Easter Monday April the 5th from 1400 to 1600 UTC. The IRTS AGM and Dinner dance will be held in Dundalk over the weekend of April 24/25th. Enquiries to Aidan Noone EI7ENB at 042-9371980. International Marconi Day will take place on Saturday April the 24th and the Region One CW Field Day will take place over the weekend of June the 5th and 6th. The date for the Fingal Radio Club's Radio & Electronics Exhibition is Sunday 9th May and the venue this time is Erins Isle GAA Club, Farnham Drive, Finglas. The Donegal Rally will be held this year on Sunday June 27th in Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey. Enquiries to Gerry EI8HO on 072-52598.


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

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

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