Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 14th September 2014
Silent Key - Dan EI3AE
We have learned of the death Dan Lloyd EI3AE, September 12th 2014, an honorary member of IRTS. Dan was for many years attached to the Licencing section of the Dept. of Post and Telegraphs and later the Department of Communications. He was very closely associated with the Radio Amateur Licencing Examinations - both written and CW. Although retired for quite a few years, Dan, up to the date of his death continued to act as Chief Morse Tester on behalf of the IRTS.
Removal from Jennings Funeral Home, Blanchardstown, to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Navan Road for Funeral Mass on Monday, September 15 at 10 o'clock, followed thereafter by cremation in Glasnevin. Family flowers only, donations if desired to St Francis Hospice.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his family on their sad loss.
Ar deis De go raibh a hanam dilis.
An Apology
We would like to apologise that unfortunately due to a typographical error in the September edition of Echo Ireland, a mistaken call sign of the late Kevin Dillon EI2HM was typed as EI2AH. Again, we apologise for any offence this may cause.
The 5MHz Newsletter
The latest edition of The 5 MHz Newsletter, is now available for free download from
The Summer 2014 edition (No.11) features the latest 5 MHz News, plus a Midsummer's Day on 5 MHz and BeaconSpot looks at the new Swiss 5 MHz Beacon.
In addition, there's now an archive of Editions 1-10 at
plus the Worldwide Amateur 5 MHz Allocations Chart in new format (MS Excel) at
Transmitter Noise
Many of us are familiar with the work done by Rob Sherwood NC0B over the years to identify rigs with poor strong-signal performance on receive - of particular relevance to contesters and DXers www.sherweng.com/table.html
Jim Brown K9YC has now done a similar exercise, except he has measured the trash (key clicks, intermodulation distortion, and phase noise) generated by some popular rigs on transmit. If you're thinking of buying a new rig, it's worth reading this first - k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf
Mayo Radio Experimenters Network
The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network have set the date for the Radio Rally in the usual venue the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar for Sunday 12th October 2014. For further details please contact the rally director, Padraic EI9JA on 0876957154.
KARG participate in IRTS HF Field Day
The Kerry Amateur Radio Group took part in the IRTS HF SSB Field Day on 6th & 7th September from a coastal site in mid-Kerry. Three operators were present during the contest, Declan EI9FVB, Billy EI7CQB and John EI9ESB. KARG used the EI1K callsign during the contest.
Southern Ireland Repeater Network
SEARG and East Cork Radio Group (EI7M) operate a number of voice repeaters in the South East that constitute part of the 'Southern Ireland Repeater Network'. The EI7MLR repeater was the first repeater in Ireland to have IRLP capability.
Repeater Keepers are; John McCarthy (EI8JA) - South Eastern Amateur Radio Group Neil Powell (EI3JE) - East Cork Radio Group
For information relating to repeaters, drop a line to; sirnrepeaters /at/ gmail /dot/ com
IRTS Member Websites
Many members of IRTS have websites and very interesting blogs which demonstrate amateur radio in action through using youtube video and other means. Anthony EI2KC runs a very interesting site and it can be found on hamradioireland.blogspot.ie. Go check it out.
UK Ofcom Consultation - licence changes from April 2015
UK regulator Ofcom has published a 32 page proposal covering possible changes to the UK amateur radio licence. If approved these could come into effect from April 2015. Details published on stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk.
DX News
Antoine 3D2AG will operate from Rotuma Island as 3D2AG/P from 12 -26 September. Rotuma is a separate DXCC entity. Operation will be on all bands 40 – 6m SSB and CW.
Pasi OH3WS will be QRV again from Market Reef as OJ0W from 13 – 20 September. This is a spare time operation and dates may be affected by weather conditions.
Rob N7QT and Melanie AB1UH will be active as VK9AN from Christmas Island from 18 September – 2 October. They will be on all bands 80 – 10m. QSLs go via N7QT.
The Italian DX Team will be operating the callsign TY1AA from the West African country of Benin from 11 – 26 September. Further details can be found on www.i2ysb.com/idt
Jim N6TQ will operate as A25TQ in Botswana from 11 – 18 September. He asks for QSLs directly to his home call.
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 may be 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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