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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday November 12th 2000


Obituary – Tom Donnellan EI9BG

It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of Tom Donnellan EI9BG. Tom obtained his amateur licence in the 1960’s and had been very active on the VHF bands over the years. Tom’s first love was CW and he spent most of his time on the CW end of the bands. An excellent CW operator, he was always willing to assist new members in learning the code. Tom was a very active member of Limerick Radio Club. He was a major influence in setting up the VHF repeater in the Limerick region, one of the first repeater sites in EI. He arranged the construction of the special building which houses the repeater. The building stands as a testament of his commitment to amateur radio.

Tom was a true radio experimenter and was a trustee of Limerick Radio Club for a long number of years. He was also made an Honorary Life member of the Club which was an indication of the esteem in which he was held by all its members.

Tom was first and foremost one of life’s great gentlemen. He was a true amateur in the best sense of the word and displayed all those noble qualities in his dealings with his fellow man. He will be sadly missed by all his amateur friends both in Limerick Radio Club and throughout EI.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Mary and his family on their sad loss. May he rest in peace.

Ar dheis De go raibh ahAnnam dhilis.


South Dublin Radio Club

There will be a talk and a slide show on the popular digital mode PSK31 at 8.30pm on the 21st of November at the South Dublin Radio QTH in Marian Road, Rathfarnham. This talk will be given by Mike Staunton EI3DY. Visitors are very welcome to attend.


Cork Repeater Group AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Cork Repeater Group was held on Saturday November the 4th at Wilton Park House. The meeting reviewed another successful year with both the 2 metre and 70cms repeaters working very well. The following were elected to the committee for the coming year: Chairman Mike EI2IB; Secretary Jim EI8GS; Treasurer EI6AK; Technical Manager Tony EI2CV; Committee members are Anthony EI2HY, Vince EI5IO and John EI2FG. Subscriptions remain at fifteen pounds and the Treasurer, John EI6AK would appreciate hearing from you.


Space News

The official, scheduled time for the launch of Ariane V135, carrying the AMSAT Phase 3D satellite, is 0107 UTC on Wednesday, November 15th. CQ-France Editor Mark Kentell, F6JSZ announces that the Radio-Club of Kourou, French Guyana, FY5KE, will broadcast Phase 3D’s Launch on 14.315 MHz, in French language and possibly in English.


Islands on the Air Claimed Scores

The claimed scores have been listed for the Islands on the Air Contest held last July and the leading EI station in the Multi-single section is the Dalkey Island Group EI1DD who are in 11th position. EJ7M are in 13th with other EI listings being EJ4GK and EJ5J. In the Single Operator 24 hour section John EI7GL is the leading EI in 8th position overall. In the 12 hour mixed section, Ken EI4DW is in 7th place while Martin EI8G is in 15th place in the 12 Hour CW section. In the 12 hour SSB section, Niall EI4CF is in 20th position. Congratulations to all operators listed on some fine performances.


Upcoming Contests

Next weekend, November 18th and 19th, caters for top band operators with three contests on that band. The Austrian Top Band contest runs from 1800 to 0700, the IARU Region 1 event also starts at 1800 but finishes at 0800 while the RSGB run a short one from 2100 to 0100. The LZ DX Contest runs on all bands from noon Saturday to noon Sunday.


Practical Wireless QRP Contest Results

The results of the annual Practical Wireless Magazine 2 Metres QRP contest held last June appear in the November issue of the magazine. The EI/GI Trophy clock is presented annually to the leading station in EI or GI. Once again the trophy has gone north with victory going to Ballymena Amateur Radio Club GI3FFF/P. The leading EI station was John O’Sullivan EI6ARB/P. This contest will be held next year on Saturday June the 17th, from 0900 to 1600utc.


Contest News

The biggest amateur radio event of the year, the CQ Worldwide SSB Contest was held over 48 hours last weekend and while conditions were not outstanding, lots of DX was worked. All the usual EI DXers were heard with several serious contest efforts being mounted, mostly single operator. The only multi-single station that we know of was run from Wexford where EI9E was heard doing well on all bands.

November and December are two of the busiest months of the year for contesters and looking down the list it is surprising to see that most of the contests are CW only or mixed mode. Next weekend’s main event is the Japan International DX Contest on SSB while the Worked All Europe contest caters for RTTY enthusiasts. Also on is the OK/OM CW DX Contest.

The following weekend is mainly for top band operators with three contests on that band. The Austrian Top Band contest runs from 1800 to 0700, the IARU Region 1 event also starts at 1800 but finishes at 0800 while the RSGB run a short one from 2100 to 0100.


Items for inclusion in Echo Ireland should be forwarded to Dave Moore EI4BZ at 021-883555 in the evenings or by e-mail to ei4bz@eircom.net or during office hours at 021-823172 and you can fax Dave at 021-823316.


Items for inclusion in the Radio News should be forwarded to Mark Wall EI7IS at QTHR or via e-mail to ei7is@qsl.net Items can also be sent to Mark over the phone at 087-6302026. News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both news services. Please note that the deadline for submission of radio news items is Tuesday of each week.

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