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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 31st January 2010


IRTS Contribution to RCD

The Committee at its recent meeting agreed to support Radio Club Dominicano, RCD, the IARU national society who have been co-ordination amateur emergency communications in Haiti. RCD have personnel on site and have set up a number of emergency portable repeaters on the border with Haiti. They are not a wealthy society and expect that their operations will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.

IRTS have sent RCD a contribution of $500 US dollars to cover some of their expenses. Any individual operators who would also like to help can forward contributions to Paul EI2CA or Sean EI4GK who will ensure that they are passed on to RCD.


One Ham and His Dog

Brendan Nutley EI1429, had the privilege to have an interview with HH2JR Jean-Robert Gaillard. Jean-Robert was the first Amateur in Haiti who made contact with the Outside world after the horrific Earthquake ripped his region apart.

During Brendan’s limited time speaking to Jean (HH2JR), he explained in graphic and bone chilling detail Jean’s accounts with the Haiti Quake which shook his home town to shreds. He later went on to explain about his, what was called by some people “Low-Tech-Radio” which was an Icom 706, and how he got connected to power and to the emergency net frequency.

Brendan is pleased to let everyone know that Jean is in good health and Jean said his pet German Sheppard Blackie was amazing. He was the one helping everyone and he did so much for Jean and the people around him. What started out as an interview for a radio club and Brendan’s daughter’s school who were also following the Haiti Quake turned into a casual conversation between two friends.

Videos of the Interview are expected to be posted on the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society website at www.ei7dar.com

There are also recordings of HH2JR’s Phone patch comms on www.youtube.com and can be found with a callsign search.


Amateur Radio Licence Examination

The society's notes for the amateur radio licence examination have been revised, and a new document "Studying for the Amateur Radio Licence Examination" is now available for download on the downloads page www.irts.ie/downloads of the IRTS web site.

While the Syllabus in Appendix A and the Sample Paper in Appendix B of this document are unchanged, the covering note has been revised and extended. A new section in the covering note outlines why an examination is needed for an amateur radio licence. In this latest note we have also emphasised the benefit of obtaining practical experience at setting up and operating radio equipment alongside existing licensed radio amateurs either in a club or home environment.

Anyone interested in becoming a radio amateur, and in particular those studying for the radio amateur examination are advised to have a look at this new document.


Nomination of Awards for IRTS Trophies.

The time is here again for nominations for the several awards for IRTS trophies that are required from within the membership, this includes the awards for

1) Service to the Society, or to amateur radio.

Awards in this section may be to members or non-members.

2) Awards for other achievements, awards in this section include, the 70 cms trophy, the 4 and 6 Metre shields, the SWL award, and the awards for quality construction projects. These are confined to members only.

When considering your nominations please refer to previous successful nominees as included in

www.irts.ie/cgi/awards.cgi

Nominations may be from Clubs or individuals, must be in writing, and can be forwarded to the awards committee by regular post addressed to Peter Grant EI4HX, QTHR or by email to ei4hxperimental /at/ eircom.net Chair of awards committee or any other member of the awards committee. Pat EI2HX or Pat EI9HX.

Closing date for nominations is April 2nd 2010


Request for Return of Trophies presented in 2009

It is time once again to recall all trophies presented at the 2009 AGM in Athlone.

Trophies and cups can be returned to the IRTS stand at the Phoenix Radio Rally, or to any IRTS Committee Member to arrive to me on or before the IRTS committee meeting in early March 2010.

This will allow time for engraving to be done, and also any small repairs.


AREN AGM.

On Saturday February 6th all AREN members are requested to attend a meeting being held in the Park Hotel, Clonmel County Tipperary, commencing at 10am. Anyone with an interest in emergency communications should feel free to come along as well. Please contact John Ronan, EI7IG, beforehand, and let him know at 086 8167310


REPEATER MEETING 10 FEBRUARY

The Keepers of Sligo, West Tyrone and Fermanagh Repeaters are among an expected strong attendance for talks and an equipment demonstration led off by John McCullough GI4BWM, Chairman of the RSGB Emerging Technology Coordinating Committee.

The meeting is hosted by Lough Erne ARC at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 10 February in SHARE, also venue for the Club’s traditional April Rally – this year on Sunday 11 April.

There are two positive agenda. First to give those who use Repeaters an opportunity to thank those who do all the hard work of providing Repeaters.Second is to encourage more use and variety of enjoyment of Repeaters, and to explore ways and means of doing this.

It starts sharp at 7.00 sharp to finish in time to let away those with a distance to drive home. All radio amateurs and experimenters are welcome, as are the 18 students on the Club’s Foundation course.

Likewise are questions and suggestions before, at and after the event can be brought to the attention of Michael Clarke Mi5mtc, Chairman Lough Erne ARC email mi5mtc at learc.eu website www.learc.eu Tel 028/048- 6862-1436


GB10GKA Special Event Station

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the closure of the World's largest Maritime Radio Station Portishead Radio / GKA, a special callsign GB10GKA has been granted. GB10GKA is being activated for a period of one month 30th April 2010 through 27 May 2010.

Hours of operation will be dependent on individual operator's free time however, it is intended that the callsign will be active extensively throughout the licenced period. Operation will be primarily on CW.

More detail of this Special Event will be available in the next Bulletin.


Rallies

The Mid Ulster Amatuer Radio Club’s January Radio Sale will be held on Saturday the 30th January 2010 from 11am at Brownlow Resource Centre, Brownlow Road, Craigavon. Entrance fee is a £1 with a free tea/coffee to warm up with. This is a Radio Sale the actual Club Rally is being Held in May.

Phoenix A.R.C Rally 14th February

The Rally will be held as usual at Coolmine Community School near Blanchardstown on Sunday 14th February 2010.Doors open from 9am to 2.30pm. Usual traders will be present and to encourage a real Amateur Radio orientated Rally bring and buy tables will be free of charge.

For tables contact Tony at 087-2349997 or Tom at 01-8211043 this is the first rally of the New Year and usually a very enjoyable occasion. Refreshments and plenty of car parking are available

Limerick Radio Club

Radio, Electronics & Hobbies Fair

The Radio, Electronics & Hobbies Fair takes place on Sunday 7th March 2010 at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Doors Open at 11:00 AM. Admission is 5 Euro. No charge for children when accompanied by an adult. There will be the usual traders attending the Fair. A Bring & Buy Sale will also take place.

Lough Erne Rally 11th April

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Annual Rally - The Share Holiday Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh BT92 0EQ N. Ireland. Access from Erne/Shannon Waterway. 11.30 am Details Iain 028 66326693, Email gibbjgbb /at/ aol.com (www.learc.eu)

Dundalk Rally 25th April The Rally will commence at 11.00am, followed by the IRTS AGM at 2.00pm.

Further details for booking, traders tables or any other info please e-mail the following, Thos EI2JD chairman /at/ ei7dar.com or Peter EI4HX secretary /at/ ei7dar.com

Lagan Valley ARS Rally 20th March

The Lagan Valley ARS Rally will be held at 11.30am in The Village Centre, Hillsborough

Contact: Jim Henry, GI0DVU on 048 9266 2270

Mid Ulster Radio Club Rally 29th May

This year the Rally will be held at Drumgor Youth Centre, Drumgor heights, Craigavon. More details will be available closer to the time. If interested in booking a table for the event or for more information, please go to www.muarc.com or contact 0044(0)2838348451.

For more information on Rallies please check the IRTS Website.


This week in History

1907 29/1 Lee De Forest patents the triode valve.

1910 27/1 First radio message is sent from an aircraft in flight, NY.

1915 25/1 Bell opens the first US transcontinental telephone service.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Charlie EI8JB, preferably 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 Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

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