Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday June 13th 2004
EURADIO
Stations that have not yet submitted their logs for the recent Euradio event should do so as soon as possible.
They may be sent electronically to pokane@ei5di.com or in the case of paper logs to Paul O'Kane EI5DI at QTHR. Please note the new email address for EI5DI.
CW Field Day
For the first time in quite a few years, the weather was kind to participants in last weekends CW Field Day. It was intended to run the event again this year on the lands of Paddy EI3AV but as only two stations committed to travel, it was decided to cancel those plans. Thanks to Paddy EI3AV who was standing by to provide the facilities. Three stations participated, one in Galway and two in Cork, both at the same location.
The Shannon Basin Radio Club members participated in their first ever CW field day from the grounds of St Josephs College, Garbally Park, Ballinasloe in County Galway. Their weekend started on Friday evening when some team members arrived on site and camped out overnight to facilitate an early start on Saturday. They used a Carolina Windom feeding an Icom 756PRO with both an Icom Auto Tuner and an MFJ manual one. SuperDuper was used for computer logging. Members involved with Field Day were Fr Niall EI4CF, Noel EI6HW, Micky EI5EAB, Fergus EI6IB, Brian EI8IU, Tony EI3HA, John EI8DL, Fr Allan EI3CG and Pat EI9HX.
The East Cork Radio Group operated from a site near Glounthaune, a few miles east of Cork City and the station was operated by Steve EI9HC and Dave EI4BZ. Steve made the long trip from Athboy in County Meath to take part. Jim EI8GS and Neil EI3JE provided invaluable support.
Joe Ryan EI7GY travelled from Dublin and set up in the field next door to the East Cork team. Joe's one-man station is something that all clubs should have a look at before opting out due to the logistics involved.
All stations reported reasonable band conditions with some nice DX being worked as well as the usual large number of European portable stations.
IOTA Contest
The Islands On The Air Contest, organised by the Radio Society of Great Britain and held on the last weekend of July each year is probably the best supported international contest by EI operators. There are three IRTS trophies to be competed for in this event. The IRTS IOTA Trophy is awarded to the leading island DX-pedition station, the IRTS DX Cup is for the leading EI operator and the Hal Hodgens Key is won by the highest scoring EI entrant in the 12 Hour CW section. The announced DX-peditions at this stage are the trip to Bere Island in West Cork which will be a joint venture between the East Cork Group and the Bristol Contest Group. They will operate from the recently renovated Martello Tower on the island and will use the callsign EJ2MT. Another international group will operate from the Saltee Islands. This will be a Belgian-Irish team and the Irish contingent will include Sean EI4GK, Ian EI7CX, Joe EI7GY and Declan EI9HQ. There are suggestions that there might be activity from the Aran Islands, the Blaskets and from Inishboffin Island off County Donegal.
EI0HQ, IRTS Headquarters Station.
The annual IARU HF Championships will take place over 24 hours on July 10th and 11th. EI0HQ will be operated as the IRTS Headquarters station and plans are to have a station on every band on both CW and SSB. Any one interested in getting involved either by providing a station or as a travelling operator should contact EI4BZ as soon as possible. Anyone willing to operate CW will be especially welcome.
Dublin Ladies Mini-Marathon
Terenure College Radio Club together with South Dublin Radio Club members provided emergency communications for the Dublin Ladies mini-marathon held on the June bank holiday Monday. While there were no major emergencies to be dealt with, the communications system worked flawlessly. Thanks to all the operators who participated and to the experimenter community who kept the frequencies clear Island Activity by the WestNet DX Group.
The WestNet DX Group will be active from Inis Mor in the Aran Islands, from Friday next, June 18th, to Tuesday, June 22nd. The callsign used will be EJ7NET and activity will be on HF and 6m. QSL via Declan Craig EI6FR.
Packet Revival in Limerick
Limerick Radio Club has replaced their old Packet BBS, which has been off the air for many years, with a totally new system.. EI4LRC-2 at Patrickswell, running at 1200baud on 144.600MHz, using MixW and soundcard without a TNC, can Digipeat to the main packet network for Shannon etc. This is a dedicated Web, News and Mail server, ONLY accessible on Packet rather than traditional BBS. Instead of Terminal or DOS commands, ordinary Internet Programs on Windows, Mac or Linux can be used with IP over AX.25 to access the system. Email ei9feb@eircom.net for details of how to connect and link to Internet Web Site for more detailed information. There will be a homepage and mailbox for every EI callsign. All users will be able to create their own web pages, accessible only on packet radio. Mike EI9FEB, who has set up the system would like to thank EI3JA, EI8IR, EI7FHB, EI0CZ, EI2AW and EI6FE for encouragement and help in getting it going.
VHF/UHF Field Day
The first weekend in July is again the time for the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day. Please look at page 22 of the March/April issue of Echo Ireland for the new point scoring system for this competition. The new scoring should encourage more activity in the Open section and provide for more competition on individual bands. Listeners are reminded that the leading station on each band is awarded 1000 points with other entrants getting pro-rata points for their score. This means that entrants in the open section should make every effort to have as good a station as possible on every band. To date, the only entry we know of is the Wexford/East Cork combination and preparations are well advanced to have a competitive station on all bands.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will hold a Bring and Buy in the Roanmore Social and Sports centre at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday next the 17th of June. It is also planned to hold an ATV demonstration as well as a Wireless WAN demonstration. The club is also hoping to attract local traders. All are welcome and admission is free. There will be no general meeting for the month of June and the next general meeting will take place on July the 28th.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News for next week should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS. News should be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services.
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