The IRTS AGM and Dinner dance will be held in the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk over next weekend April 24 and 25th. Enquiries for either dinner dance tickets or tables at the rally should go to Aidan Noone EI7ENB at 042-9371980. Tickets for the Dinner Dance on Saturday the 24th cost 20 pounds and the club would appreciate any bookings as early as possible in the week. Rooms are still available at the Fairways Hotel and can be booked directly with the hotel on 042-9321500. For those not wishing to stay in the hotel, there are plenty Bed & Breakfast establishments nearby. The rally on Sunday the 25th starts at 11.00 am and some of the attractions for visitors will be the now well known EI radio dealers, everything for the astronomer - telescopes, binoculars etc., a large display of radio controlled models from helicopters to cars, specialist computers for the radio amateur, a display of both old and new military communications equipment by the Irish Army, home and business security systems, satellite dishes and much much more. It promises to be a great day. The IRTS Awards Committee invite nominations from members for the various awards presented at the AGM. Trophy holders are asked to return them to any committee member as soon as possible. Entries for the home construction trophies will be taken on the day.
The next general meeting of the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place on Wednesday 28th of April at 9.00 pm at the new venue of the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford (opposite Hillview). The Internet will be the topical subject of a talk by Mark EI7IS at this meeting. EI2WRC/P was heard on the air after a long absence on Monday 5th April for the 2 metres counties contest. At the station were Richie EI9HR, Mick EI3IQ, Frankie EI4HW and John EI9DBB. There was a total of 40 stations in 10 different counties worked on the day which included Galway, Cork and Limerick. The station was positioned at an altitude of 970 feet on Tory Hill in square S52. The equipment used on the day was a 6 element Yagi antenna and the rig was supplied by Mick EI3IQ. Earlier in the day the HF station was set up with many contacts from stations wishing to work WAI Square S52 in Co. Kilkenny on 40 metres in the WAI net.
Last weekend's Coast Station Special event was a great success for the three Echo India stations involved. Up in Donegal, Ken EI4DW and Martin EI8GP represented Malin Head Radio using the callsign EI4EJM. In Cork harbour, Haulbowline Naval Radio was represented by Jim EI3DP, Mannix EI5HB and Jerry EI6BT using the callsign EI4EIL. Valentia Radio in Kerry was represented by Brian EI4GL and Dave EI4BZ using the callsign EI4EJK. Operation at all stations was mainly CW with some SSB and the weekend was a very nostalgic one for the many ex Radio Officers who called the stations. All QSOs will be QSL'ed via the bureau.
Limerick Radio Club held their Annual General Meeting recently and the following officers were elected for the coming year:- Chairman - Paul Kirkby EI6FE; Secretary - Brian Toner EI9AL; Treasurer - Tony Condon EI2AW; Committee members- Joe EI5HG, Tony EI9IL, Mike EI6AXB and John EI5FAB AREN Co-ordinator- Dave EI2AMB; QSL Manager - Alan EI8EM.
The Limerick Club meets at 7.30pm on the second Thursday each month at the Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish. Visitors and new members are always very welcome.
The Brendan Trophies, presented to the IRTS by Waterford Glass, are available to the first station on either side of the Atlantic to make a QSO on 2 Metres. Full rules are available from Paul Martin EI2CA, QTHR. A Belgian group led by Pedro ON7WP is trying to organise an attempt at winning these trophies and are looking for other interested groups, particularly in EI. Their plan is to get several stations on either side of the Atlantic trying simultaneously on an organised basis. They seem to have plenty interest in the U.S. but urgently need other stations on this side of the ocean. The planned time scale is from July the 5th until July 13th operating 24 hours a day. A 20 metre round table discussion between interested parties is scheduled for Saturday next, April the 24th at 1800 UTC on 14.180MHz. Further information from ON7WP at his E-mail address as follows:- Pedro.wyns@emmaus.be
International Marconi Day will take place on Saturday next April the 24th and on the same day the Irish Vintage Radio and Sound Society will hold a collectors and craft fair in the Boylan Community Centre in Dun Laoghaire from 12 noon until 5 pm. Wicklow Wireless Society will operate a Marconi Day Station from Moran House in Dun Laoghaire and stations will also be on the air from Ballybunion, Crookhaven and Clifden on the day. The Kerry Radio group will hold a bring and buy and a vintage display in conjunction with the Marconi station at Ballybunion. All welcome. Fingal Radio Club will hold it's Radio & Electronics Exhibition on Sunday 9th May at the new venue in Erin's Isle GAA Club, Farnham Drive, Finglas. The Region One CW Field Day will take place over the weekend of June the 5th and 6th. There are two sections in this one, am open and restricted. We look forward to a better entry than last years. 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. The International Lighthouse/Lightship weekend will be held over the weekend of August 21st and 22nd. In excess of forty countries should be involved. If you want to get involved, contact Mike GM4SUC.
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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