Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 23rd November 2008
New Issue of Echo Ireland
The October / November issue of Echo Ireland has been posted to members. This issue covers a wide range of topics, including HF Happenings, a look at Amateur Television, a review of EI activity in the 5MHz band, a report on VHF Field Day and an analysis of the IOTA Contest results. There are also updates on the activities of radio clubs, including news of a new club in Donegal and the story of lighthouse activation by the Galway VHF Group.
Webmaster Wanted
The role of the IRTS web site includes keeping members informed about local and international amateur radio activities, encouraging members to continue their membership and motivating potential members to join, promoting the activities of radio experimenters and the hobby of amateur radio.
Being a single source of information on matters of interest to Irish radio experimenters which would include, for example, club activities, contest results, repeater frequencies, band plans and forthcoming rallies.
The job of the Webmaster is to maintain and develop the web site so that it fulfils this role in an interesting and accessible way. IRTS is looking for applications for the position of Webmaster. Like all of the society’s officer positions, this is a voluntary position.
Members interested in being appointed Webmaster should indicate their interest to the society’s president Finbarr Buckley EI1CS (buckleyf1(-AT-)eircom.net) and demonstrate their web skills by supplying links to web sites or web pages which they have developed.
IARU Region 1 Conference
The IARU Region1 tri yearly conference opened in Cavtat Croatia on Sunday last. Among the guests present at the opening ceremony were the Mayor of Dubrovnik County, the Director of Electronic Communications and Postal Directorate and the Deputy President Croatian Agency for Telecommunications and Post. Over 130 delegates representing 52 member societies as well as IARU Headquarters and the other IARU Regions were in attendance. The Society was represented by the President, Fr.Finbarr Buckley EI1CS and Sean Nolan EI7CD.
The Conference in its three main Committees had to deal with over 120 papers on a wide range of issues that had been submitted to it for consideration. The days were long with meetings commencing at 8.30am and running on until 1800, with an hour for lunch and two short tea breaks. On two evenings there were workshops on operating standards and on the future direction of amateur radio which went on to 22.30. On Wednesday evening Alexander Gulyaer of the European Radio communications Office gave an interesting Short presentation on CEPT Activities related to Amateur Radio.
A new band plan was adopted for the 7Mhz band to be effective from 29th March 2009. This is the date by which broadcast stations should have vacated the 7.1 to 7.2Mhz segment and it becomes and amateur primary allocation in accordance with the decision of WRC'03
On the final day of the Conference Elections were held for the Executive Committee. The new President of the Region is Hans Blondeel Timmerman PB2T who defeated Colin Thomas G3PSM in the election. The new Secretary is Dennis Green ZS4BS who defeated Angel Padin de Pazos EA1QF in the election.
The outgoing Secretary Don Beattie G3BJ was awarded the Roy Stevens trophy for distinguished service to the Region over the years. The station 9A0IARU was active over the period of the conference. We hope that some of you managed to work it.
The next Region1 conference will be held in Sun City, South Africa in Sep. 2011
The conference ended with a gala dinner on last Thursday evening.
IRTS 2009 Contests
The 2009 IRTS contest calendar is now on the web site, the first IRTS contest of 2009 is on 1 Jan 2009.
AREN nets
Winter training Nets will commence on the 7th of December. The date and time of the nets being the 7th and 21st of the month at 19:30. It is envisaged that the net on the 21st of the month will be a digital mode training net. Members without email access should contact John, EI7IG at 0868167310 for more details.
ENGINEERED...A Week of Wonder!
Engineers Ireland will host a "week of wonder" for Primary and Post Primary students in February 2009. IRTS in collaboration with Engineers Ireland will run a number of workshops at Engineers Ireland's Dublin headquarters. These will consist of a two-hour, hands on, programme which will act as in introduction to communications and radio technology.
The Society also intends to package the programme so that clubs around the country will be able to run similar workshops. We have already approached a number of clubs and they have indicated their willingness to participate by running one or more workshops in their area. Engineers Ireland will provide clubs with local partners such as technical schools or libraries who are anxious to participate.
The Society would urge clubs to commit to becoming involved as soon as possible. There are obvious benefits for all involved. With the programme packs provided by the Society, clubs would need three or four personnel to run the workshop. If your club or group are interested in helping out, contact Paul EI2CA on 087 2523908 or by email to paul(-AT-)comma.ie
Astronomy Presentation
Although not directly related to radio experimentation, some amateur astronomers are also involved in amateur radio, perhaps because astronomers and radio operators both have a keen interest in the effect of the Sun on our own planet. Tony Ryan EI6JT, who is a leading member of Astronomy Ireland, made a presentation recently to members of South Dublin Radio Club entitled "Death from Space".
Tony's presentation covered the different space objects that could hit Earth, ranging from comets to asteroids to space debris. He also mentioned other possibilities, such as galaxy collisions and planetary impact. Closer to our own hobby of amateur radio he dealt with the effects of X-rays, solar radiation, gamma rays and the variability of the Sun. All in all, a very interesting night, although he did not tell us whether 10 metres will be open for the upcoming contests at the end of this month and in early December!
Shannon Basin Radio Club
The Shannon Basin Radio Club Sprint Challenge will be held on Sunday 30th November between 14:00 and 18:00. Please see www.shannonbasinradioclub.com for contest rules. Logs to be forwarded to Brian EI8IU at qthr or to brianei8iu(-AT-)eircom.net
Mayo Rally Change of Venue
The venue for the Mayo Radio Rally has been changed from the usual venue, The Belmont Hotel Knock to the Welcome Inn Hotel Castlebar, due to unforeseen circumstances.
The doors open at 11.30am. Welcome Inn Hotel - Phone No: 0949022288. Contact Hotel for Accommodation details.
The Mayo Radio Club, would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Talk-in on 145.600 (Mayo 2m repeater) Padraic Baynes EI9JA, Rally Organiser.
Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, via e-mail to “charlie dot Carolan at gmail dot com. Or by phone to 087-6265418
News can also be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam at irts dot 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 Friday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.
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