Archived News Script

printer friendly version

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 9th January 2011


Counties Contest

The 80 metres EI/GI counties contest on Monday last was well supported, with almost all counties on the air at some stage during the 3 hour event. Our correspondents report that some counties - in particular Wexford and Tyrone - represented "rare DX" on the day, so stations from these and other rare counties would have been in great demand.

Although the majority of stations heard were from EI and GI, there was also a good level of support from mainland Britain. As daylight receded, some continental European stations began to take an interest in the contest.

As can be expected, operators had to contend with high noise levels most of the time. This encouraged some of the participants to switch to CW for extended periods: there seemed to be more CW activity this year than in previous years, especially during the final hour. In particular quite a few mainland British stations were heard looking for CW contacts.

The deadline for logs is 2nd February, logs should be sent to contestmanager /at/ irts.ie as soon as possible.


IRTS Radio News

Due to personal time constraints this will be the final bulletin produced by Charlie EI8JB who had to step down as news editor, this position has been filled by Aidan Noone EI7JC.


News from LEARC

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club is delighted that that its county Fermanagh was well represented in the IRTS 80 metre counties contest.

Eight members set up the Club station on a hill-top in Cavanacaw. Sharing round the microphone, they logged 73 contacts and 28 counties.

Adding other stations in Irvinestown, Ballinamallard, Lisbellaw and Rosslea made about 120 Fermanagh contacts across Ireland.

Now the Club hopes that all 120 and more will come to Fermanagh in April for the thirtieth Lough Erne Rally.

Last year the Club’s courses recruited a record 26 new members with Foundation licences. It is important that they progress in amateur radio. So it was good that half the Fermanagh operators were Foundation licensees.

What really counts now is to get all logs submitted by the deadline, to Thos at the above email address.


Cork Social Evening

Radio enthusiasts and their partners will meet at the Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire, Cork for dinner and a social evening on Saturday February 5th. A comprehensive menu is available to suit all tastes. Everybody is invited and it would be nice to meet some of the newer amateurs on the night.

Tickets are available from Dave Moore EI4BZ priced at €30.00 and you can contact him on 087-6290574 or by email at ei4bz at eircom.net. Previous events have been very successful and have been enjoyed by large attendances.


Theory Classes at DAR

Dundalk Amateur Radio Society will commence amateur radio theory classes Thursday February 3rd 2011. Classes will be held at the club premises 'Larkin House' EI7DAR, 113, Castletown Road, Dundalk.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in obtaining their amateur radio Licence in an adult learning relaxed environment.

For further information and details please contact ei4dib /at/ ei7dar.com or by text only to 086 4066660. Everyone welcome.


Region 4 Theory Classes

Following on from the successful classes last year, plans are being put in place for Radio Theory classes in Limerick.

Classes will also include lots of practical sessions and will be based on the revised syllabus as detailed on the IRTS website.

Classes will commence in February depending on numbers and those interested in attending should contact Ger McNamara EI4GXB on 087 2532512 or ei4gxb /at/ gmail.com


DX News

The first major expedition of 2011 was due to start on 5th January. This was the multinational team signing DX0DX from the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Due to various problems the start date has had to be moved several days but hopefully the expedition is now on the air. A total of over 30 amateurs will take part in the operation which is scheduled to last until early next month.

As well as being a rare one for your DXCC this expedition also counts as AS-051 for your IOTA Award. QSL manager will be N2OO

Andrew G7COD is back in the Maldive Islands and QRV as 8Q7AK. He will be there till 16th January and QSLs go via his home call.

Seth SM0XBI will be in Dominica in the Caribbean until mid-March. Look for him operating his J79XBI callsign.

VE6LB will be in the United Arab Emirates until 8th February and will be QRV as A6/VE6LB from Dubai. He will be running 100 watts to a G5RV.

The ‘DX Magazine’ carried out a survey of the ‘most wanted’ DXCC entities last autumn and the results have just been published. The top 10 most wanted DXCC are as follows:-

1. North Korea 2. Navassa 3. Bouvet 4. Yemen 5. Heard Island 6. Amsterdam Island 7. Marion Island 8. South Sandwich Islands 9. Crozet 10. Scarborough Reef


LY13 special event stations

Between 12-27 of January Lithuanian amateurs will be operating with a prefix of LY13 more details are available on the website www.lrmd.lt/index_en.htm


Radio Rallies

PHOENIX A.R.C.

Phoenix Amateur Radio Club annual rally will be held on Sunday 20th February 2011 in the usual venue, Coolmine Community School, Blanchardstown.

Doors open for Traders at 9.00 am Doors open to public 11.00am Admission 5 Euros. To book tables contact Tony at 0872439997 or Tom at 01-8211043.

Plenty of Parking, Refreshments and Bring and Buy Sale. All usual traders will attend.

This is the First Rally of 2011.

For further details on Rallies please see www.irts.ie/rallies


This week in History

1838 The first telegraph message was sent using Morse code.

1838 Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated his telegraph for the first time in Morristown, New Jersey.

1904 Marconi Co's CQD - Distress signal introduced. Replaced by SOS in 1906.


Items for inclusion in next weeks Radio News should be forwarded to Aidan EI7JC, preferably via e-mail to “news dot ei7jc at gmail dot com” Or by phone to 085 7100511 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.

[A]

contact IRTS
irts groups.io