Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 4th September 2011
2 Metres Counties Contest
The IRTS Autumn 2 metres counties contest was held on Sunday last, 28th August. The contest was reasonably well supported, although once again there were relatively few Dublin stations on the air - perhaps they were all in Croke Park?
Given that a good QTH can make a big difference on two metres, there are real advantages in heading for the hills for this contest. We heard Seamus GI4SZW on Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh, David EI7GEB was on Mohercrom in Cavan, Joe EI7GY returned to his favourite spot on the Slieve Blooms in Laois, Jamie 2I0MFB operated from the Carnmore Viewpoint in Co. Fermanagh, the Shannon Basin Club were on Leitrim's Slieve Anierin, while Anthony EI2KC operated portable from Bellewstown Hill in Meath.
Band conditions were quite variable, which was most noticeable on FM. This encouraged some of the contestants to focus on SSB, especially in the later part of the contest.
As usual, the contest manager looks forward to receiving the logs from all the participants as soon as possible. The deadline for submission of logs is 27th September.
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The Mayo Radio Experimenters, using the call sign EI7MRE/P, activated the Blacksod lighthouse, IE0008, which is sited on the north west coast of Mayo, on Sunday August 21st for the International Lighthouse/Lightships On The Air event. This was the first time that this lighthouse was activated for the occasion and the first lighthouse the club has activated. Approximately 250 contacts were made into 22 countries and 6 UK and Dutch lighthouses were worked. Best DX was Japan, Indonesia and Phillipeens. North America was prominent too with limited openings to South America. The bulk of the contacts were with stations in Germany and Italy.
Plans are well underway for the 2011 Mayo Rally will be held on Sunday Nov 20th in The Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar. The Rally Director is Padraic Baynes, EI9JA. More details about the club and its events can be found on the web at ei7mre.org
Licence Examination
The next theory examination for the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate (HAREC) will be held on Friday, 14th October next at 2.00 p.m. in the ComReg offices in Dublin. Full details, including entry procedure and examination fee, are available at www.irts.ie/exam
Cashota
As part of the European Heritage Open days that are held throughout September, Cashota - Castles and Stately Homes On The Air will be holding a month long award event - UK & Ireland Heritage Month. Any individuals, clubs or groups can activate locations, throughout September, by registering at www.cashota.co.uk for the UK and www.cashota-ireland.org for Ireland, with all details of the event to be found there as well. Participants may register up until the end of September to participate.
AREN Activities
Last Sunday, August 28th, saw approximately 4300 cyclists take to the roadways around Waterford County covering three different routes. This year AREN was asked to assist in tracking the “Tail” of the 90k and 160k routes for the purposes of assisting with the logistics of deploying ambulances. There was approximately 4300 cyclists on Sunday and 1000 on Saturday. On the Sunday there were 4 Casualties transported by Irish Red Cross ambulances to hospital, 4 dealt with in the Dungarvan First Aid post, and 28 medical assistances performed. Once our primary task was complete, as a secondary task we were asked to 'fill-in' any communications black-spots that arose. AREN was also able to provide a radio communications link to SEMRA was a bonus as far as the served agency was concerned. VHF communications were operational at 09:05 and HF (80m) operational at 10:25. Many thanks to Francis, EI5GOB and John, EI7IG for their assistance on the day.
North Cork Radio Group
The North Cork Radio Group is pleased to announce their second annual rally and electronics fair at the Blarney Golf Resort, Tower, Co Cork. on Sunday September the 11th 2011.
The doors open to the public at 11.30 and the rally will run throughout the afternoon. The usual traders will be on hand with some very tasty bargains, South East Communications, Long Communications and JBT Trading.
The Hotel are also offering room deals for the rally a Room Only from €59 and Double Room inc B&B: €79 Please Contact the hotel directly for room bookings on Tel: +353 21 4384477.www.blarneygolfresort.com
Small traders are very welcome but it essential that they contact the events organiser Liam EI7GTB, Tel: 086-3357100 Email:ei7gtb/ at /gmail/ dot/com as soon as possible.
Further details can be found via the group’s website, www.ei1nc.com.com
DX News
Marko S55EI will be in Morocco until 20 September and will be active as CN2EI. He will be on 40, 6 and 2m. QSL to his home call.
Gab HA3JB has renewed his Egyptian licence and plans to be active as SU/HA3JB from now until the end of November. He will be active all bands 160-10m using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK and possibly some SSTV.
Ron WB2GAI is returning to the island of Crete for the fourth time and will be QRV as SV9/WB2GAI/P until the end of September. He will operate CW only on 80-10m. QSL info is via the home call.
Harry 7Q7HB is on the air again from Malawi until 23 November. He will be as active as possible but is subject to power cuts. QSLs are available via G0IAS (only direct).
Jan OK1XD will be in Liechtenstein on holidays until 10 September. Look for him operating as HB0/OK1XD mainly RTTY and PSK31. There will also be some SSB and CW activity. QSL via the bureau to his home call.
Vanuatu DXpedition
A team of 8 amateur radio operators from Australia and the USA will be activating YJ0VK from Port Vila on Efate Island between September 30th and October 12th. Earlier updates indicate that the team will operate with 3 stations on bands from 160-10m, using CW, SSB and RTTY / PSK31. They do not have plans to activate 6m. The YJ0VK team has obtained authorization to operate on 60m.
Special Event Stations mark tenth anniversary of 9/11
The ARRL reports that in remembrance of those who died in the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, several Amateur Radio Special Event Stations are being planned. The Pentagon Amateur Radio Club, K4AF, will be on the air 7 AM-9 PM Saturday, September 10 (1100-0100 UTC, Saturday, September 10 through Sunday, September 11).
Items for inclusion in next week’s Radio News can be submitted via e-mail to “newsteam /at/ irts / dot / ie” for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. Urgent news items for the radio news maybe telephoned to the radio news editor, Aidan, EI7JC on 085 7100511.
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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