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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday December 28th 2003


Theory Exam

A theory examination will be held on February the 4th at the ComReg offices, Irish Life Centre, Dublin with a start time of 1300 hrs.

Numbers are limited to twenty but it is hoped that everyone wishing to take the exam will get a chance as there is a possibility of some candidates dropping out. An information pack will be sent on to the selected candidates in early January.


Mayo Radio Experimenters Network

MREN will activate a special event station from Mayo to commemorate Irelands upcoming Presidency of the European Union. The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network will operate the special event station EI0EU for six months starting in January and running up to the end of June. The station will be active on all bands and a full program of events will be announced after the clubs January meeting.

At the AGM of the Mayo Radio Experimenters Network the new committee for 2003/04 was elected and is as follows: Chairperson is Jimmy Kelly EI2GCB, Secretary is Brendan Minish EI6IZ, the treasurer is John McDonnell EI6IR and the P.R.O is Frances Taheny EI5J. Mike Clarke EI3IG continues as QSL Manager, and Padraic Baynes, EI9JA was returned as Rally Director.

The club extends Holiday wishes to amateurs and swl everywhere, and of course will be meeting again on Wed January 7th at 9 p.m. in Stenson's Lounge, Balyvary.


Worked All Ireland

Thanks to all callers during the past year and it is hoped that next year conditions will be better and many areas got by all with a lot of new islands in view with Dan EI9FHB doing the rounds of the lighthouses.


Awards

To allow the required time for engraving and repairs etc. Trophies awarded at the IRTS AGM in Dublin 2003 must be returned to the awards committee on or before Monday the 24th of January IRTS committee meeting or to any member of the IRTS committee. Returns by post should be marked 'Fragile, Glass With Care' and reach Peter Grant EI4HX at QTHR by the 24th of January.


South Dublin Radio Club

The committee of South Dublin Radio club has organised a visit for SDR members to Dublin port radio. On Tuesday January 13th SDR members will get to visit Dublin Port Radio where they will get to see how the operation works. They will also get to 'see the face' behind the regular weather and safety broadcasts given on marine VHF frequencies. Membership of SDR is of course open to all and new members are welcome.

The next meeting of the club is on Tuesday 6th of January 2004.


Cork Radio Club

In January, Cork Radio Club will commence their club project. This Year it was decided to construct an 80 metre 500mW CW transmitter. The transmitter consists of just 15 components. The club plan to use the transmitter later in the Year in a local DF hunt. Anyone interested in electronic construction is welcome to attend the club meetings on Monday evenings about 8.30 p.m.

The postponed talk on GMDSS (Global Marine and Distress System) will take place in January.


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The Tipperary Amateur Radio Group would like to wish all their Members and fellow Experimenters a peaceful New Year.

The Group held their 10th Annual Dinner in the Galtee Inn in Cahir on Saturday night last and an excellent meal was enjoyed by the good attendance who wined and dined until the small hours. The next meeting of the Group will be on Wednesday the 7th of January 2004 in Raheen House Hotel Raheen Road Clonmel.

From the New Year all monthly meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month.


Morse Code

KPH and K6KPH will be on the air once again for Straight Key Night this New Year's Eve. KPH will be active on MF on 500 and 426 kHz using about 5 kW. The transmitting antenna will be a Marconi T. Announcements will be made on 500 kHz with most traffic - including weather and ARA Press being sent at 426 kHz. A watch will be maintained on 500 kHz for calls from ships. K6KPH will be active on 3545 kHz, 7050 kHz and 14050 kHz Power output will be 1.5 kW on all frequencies. Transmitting antennas will be double extended Zepps on 3.5 and 7 MHz and a H over 2 on 14 MHz. 1950s vintage RCA transmitters will be used for the operation.

The operators will be at the receiving site in Pt. Reyes, CA (RS) where it is hoped to have several operating positions active. A two-man transmitter crew will be on duty at the transmitting site in Bolinas, CA (BL). The transmitters will be remotely controlled from RS. The exact hours of operation for K6KPH will be announced soon. KPH is usually on the air past midnight Pacific Time to give MF listeners the best chance to log the station. QSL's and reception reports may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops, P.O. Box 381, Bolinas CA, 94924-0381, USA No amateur equipment is employed at K6KPH. Only the original KPH transmitters, receivers and antennas (and some of the operators!) are used.


Lighthouse Maps

A map of Irish Lighthouses and Lightships is now available on EI8ICs website at www.qsl.net/ei8ic/maps/lighthouse.html When viewed with Internet Explorer, additional features are available, including identifier-boxes for each point on the map, and a sortable database that can be used off-line, with information on ARLHS number, county, position, light and tower details.


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

Members of the group recently enjoyed a Christmas get-together on Friday the 19th of December last. A good night was enjoyed by all.

Please note that the wide-split UHF repeater that was on trial recently on Mt. Leinster will be off-air for next few days.

The next committee meeting of the group will take place on Wednesday the 7th of January at 8.00 p.m. in the Roanmore Social and Sports Centre, Cleaboy Road, Waterford. All committee members are asked to attend.


IRTS

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society would like to wish all its members and listeners a happy and prosperous new year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the newsreaders around the country and those who contribute items to the news. Please keep the news items coming in.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded Mark Wall EI7IS. He can be contacted on 087-6302026 or e-mail cyberis@vodafone.ie. News can also be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services.

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