Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday May 29th 2005
Theory Examination
On Thursday last IRTS signed a formal Agreement with ComReg to take over the running and administration of the Radio Theory Test for an initial period of three years. This Agreement has been in negotiation for many months and indeed it is some five years since ComReg first suggested that they were interested in outsourcing the theory examination.
IRTS have agreed to run a minimum of one examination per year, which will be based on the international HAREC standard. If sufficient candidates are forthcoming in any year, ComReg will sanction further exams in that year. As a goodwill gesture ComReg will make a Conference Room in their offices available on two days per year to accommodate exams. The exam tentatively arranged for the 16th of June will now take place on that date in the ComReg offices. Letters have already been sent to those whose names are on the ComReg list advising them of the exam details. Anybody interested in sitting this exam but not on the ComReg list should make immediate application to Sean Nolan EI7CD at QTHR by phone (01 2851599) or email ei7cd@gofree.indigo.ie.
As already announced the 16th of June exam will be in the traditional essay type format. All future exams will be based on the multiple-choice format and a bank of questions for use in future exams has already been agreed with ComReg. A sample exam paper will be available shortly.
IRTS is extremely pleased at the successful outcome of the intense negotiations that took place over the past few months. The Theory examination is now in the hands of the Society. Sittings will be held on a regular and consistent basis and students and teachers will know what they need to do and for when.
The Agreement was signed by Ms Isolde Goggin, Chairperson on behalf of ComReg and by Sean Donelan EI4GK and Joe Ryan EI7GY on behalf of the Society. Also in attendance were Finbarr Buckley EI1CS, Paul O'Kane EI5DI, and Dan Lloyd EI3AE together with a number of ComReg executives. The Society takes this opportunity to thank Ms Goggin and the other members of the ComReg negotiating team for their dedication and courtesy in the course of this negotiation.
6 Metre Opening
Between about noon and 5.00 p.m. on Sunday last, 6 metres was open to Italy, Slovenia, France, Spain and Portugal. John, EI6BHB worked 15 squares with mostly 59 reports using an FT847 and 2 element HB9VC beam about 30 feet high from his QTH in Co. Galway.
On the Saturday of the same weekend, a number of stations in the South East reported working into Scandanavia on 6 metres during a briefer opening.
4 Metre Activity Evening
Calling all 4-metre operators. The 4-metre band activity night is held on the first Tuesday of every month. June the 7th will be the next activity night, it will be held between 8.00pm - 10.00pm. Call in frequency is 70.2625 MHz. So if you have any AM/FM/SSB gear, vertically or horizontally polarised, give a call in! Even if you do not have access to 4 metre gear SWL reports would be most welcome, e-mail EI3IX at the following address; joe_fadden at yahoo dot com.
Squares Table 2005
Inputs for the 2005 Squares Table is slow so far this year as 6 meter DX conditions are very poor compared to previous years. Anyone working DX on any of the VHF/UHF bands please forward their totals for inclusion on this table. The table will be published in Echo Ireland, scores will be updated on EI7GL's webpage www.qsl.net/ei7gl as they come to hand. Thanks to John for including the table on his homepage over the years.
Worked All Ireland
Given the currently poor conditions on 40 metres. The WAI net is moving from its usual frequency of 7.068 to 3.680 MHz in the 80-metre band.
Cork Repeater Group
The Cork Repeater Group is at present in the process of upgrading both the 2 metre and 70 centimetre repeaters, and wishes to apologise for the interruption of service, it is hoped to have both back in full service in the next few weeks.
70cm Repeater in Limerick
The 70-centimetre repeater is back on air from the Patrickswell, Co.Limerick test QTH. Receive frequency is RB5, 433.125 MHz and transmit is +1.6 MHz offset. CTCSS / PL tone is 103.5 Hz.
Signal reports and queries to EI9FEB at Eircom dot net.
Tipperary Amateur Radio Group
The next meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will be held in Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel on Thursday Next, the 2nd of June.
South Dublin Radio Club
There will be a sale of used radio equipment and accessories in the QTH of South Dublin Radio Club at 8.00 pm on Tuesday next, 31st May. All are welcome. The South Dublin Radio Club QTH is in the Ballyroan Community Centre, Marian Road, Rathfarnham.
South Dublin Radio Club are providing theory revision classes from 8.00 p.m. every Tuesday night in the Ballyroan Community Centre, Marian Road, Rathfarnham.
APRS Experiments
If anyone is interested in participating in ongoing APRS experiments in the South East, please set your UI PATH to WIDE2-2, this would include anyone in the coverage area of the Mt. Leinster Voice repeater and the repeater in Waterford City. All experiments are conducted on 144.800 MHz. Contact John EI7IG for more information.
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group
At the May general meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group members enjoyed a talk and presentation regarding AREN. The talk was given by John Ketch, EI2GN.
John Costello, EI9ESB also gave a demonstration on the Anderson Power Pole system! The group would like to extend thanks to EI2GN and EI9ESB for the excellent presentation!
The Waterford Rally will take place on the 16th of October 2005 in the McEniff, Ard Ri Hotel, Waterford.
Special room rates are available for those attending the rally. Bed and Breakfast for 2 nights plus one dinner is 89 Euro per person sharing. Bed and Breakfast for one night plus 1 dinner is 55 Euro per person sharing. 19 Euro for single supplement.
The next committee meeting of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will take place this coming Wednesday June the 1st.
CW Field Day
The CW Field Day will be held on Saturday and Sunday June 4th and 5th. To date, the following have confirmed their participation: The Shannon Basin Group, The East Cork Group and Joe Ryan EI7GY.
The Shannon Basin Group will operate from their usual location in Ballinasloe and Joe EI7GY plans to operate from County Wicklow. EI7M/P will be located at Pluxtown near the town of Athboy in County Meath with Steve EI9HC and Dave EI4BZ operating.
An invitation is extended to anyone interested in joining the lads for all or part of the weekend. If you do not want to operate, please call in anyway to say hello. Contact Steve EI9HC on 087-6960154 or Dave EI4BZ on 087-6290574 for exact directions to the site, which is located near the karting track. They will be on site from 10.00 a.m. on the Saturday morning.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Mark EI7IS at QTHR or by phone to 087-6302026. News should be submitted via e-mail to news@irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no later than midday on Fridays.
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