Archived News Script

printer friendly version

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 15th March 2020


Licence Exam

There are just a few weeks to go before the closing date for applications to sit the Amateur Station Licence Exam on 7th May. See www.irts.ie/exam for information about applying for the exam, while www.irts.ie/study has tips and links for candidates and tutors.


Evening Counties Contest

The IRTS 80 metres Evening Counties Contest takes place on Tuesday 24th March at 20:00 UTC. This is a one hour contest with separate SSB only and SSB/CW sections. Multipliers are the EI and GI counties; for EI and GI stations, overseas DXCC entities also count as multipliers. See www.irts.ie/contests for links to the rules, which include permitted frequency ranges. Note that there is a upper limit of 100 watts PEP for this contest.


IRTS AGM 2020

To the members of the IRTS, Delegates, Guests and all Irish amateur radio operators.

On behalf of the IRTS, S.E.A.R.G. and myself I wish to announce the postponment of the 2020 IRTS AGM and Radio Rally. This is in accordance with the Covid-19 directives. We regret that this action has to be taken but in the interest of health and wellbeing we feel that this is the only course of action open to us at this time. The Committee will endeavour to keep you informed of any further developments. Thanks for your cooperation and stay healthy.

Regards, Jim Holohan EI4HH, President, IRTS


South Eastern Amateur Radio Group

We regret to inform all our delegates and guests that due to the Covid-19 situation and in consultation with all of our partners the joint decision has been taken to cancel all the events of the 88th Annual IRTS AGM Weekend due to be held over the weekend of the 18th/19th April 2020 in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow in the interest of public safety. We would like to thank everyone for their help, cooperation and understanding in this regard. We hope you and your families stay safe in these challenging times.

Considering the implications of the Covid-19 virus and the general age group of the club all meetings of the club will cease until further notice. John EI3HQB will be active from Tramore using the club callsign EI2WRC/P on St. Patricks Day as an official St. Patricks Day Award station. Please keep a listen out for him around the bands.

For anyone that wishes to find out more about the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group and their activities you can drop them an email to “southeasternarg /at/ gmail /dot/ com” or please feel free to go along to any their meetings. You can check out their website www.searg.ie and you can also join them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.


Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club

The LCARC Rally which was to be held on Sunday the 15th March 2020 is cancelled due to the Corono virus. Sincere apologies to all for any inconvenience caused.


EI2PAR club meetings

Due to concern for the health of elderly members, Phoenix Amateur Radio Club meetings on Thursday in Coolmine are suspended until further notice.


South Dublin Radio Club

As a precaution for club members due to Covid-19 South Dublin Radio Club has decided to temporarily close down club nights for three weeks. So the next meeting should be 7th April.

It was also decided to have a SDR radio net instead on 7.123 MHz +|- QRM every Tuesday night from 8pm-10pm. The clubs usual VHF net 144.330 usb will continue every night except on Tuesdays. All club members & friends should keep in touch on their Ham Radio, not everyone has this facilities. So make use of your radio.


Turn the Bands Green

Reminder: As part of the St Patricks weekend contest this year, members of the IECRO Ireland Radio Club will be taking part in the event. They will be operating on HF, VHF and UHF. Modes will include SSB, FM and even SSTV. For more information about how to QSO with these stations and the St Patricks event generally please visit www.myham.net/green


Tipperary Amateur Radio Group

The next meeting of the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will take place in The Park Hotel, Clonmel on Tuesday 31st March at 8.30pm. New members or anyone interested in amateur radio are very welcome.

For anyone who wishes to find out more about the Tipperary Amateur Radio Group and its activities you can attend any of their meetings. You can also check out their website www.ei7trg.ie or contact club PRO Ronan EI4KN at QTHR for further information.


DX News

Mike VE7ACN will be active from Easter Island from 19th – 30th March. He will use mainly CW on 80 – 10m and the callsign will be CE0Y/VE7ACN. QSL via Club Log OQRS.

A group of Indian operators will be QRV as VU4R on Neil Island in the Andaman Islands from 20th – 31st March. They plan to be active on all bands 160 – 10m using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. QSL manager is M0OXO.

Janusz AK4JK has been reported as active from Somalia using the callsign 6O0/AK4JK. Look for him on 40 and 20m CW around 1700z. QSL to the home call.

Giorgio IU5HWS will operate as YI/IU5HWS in Iraq from 20th March for about four months. He is with the Italian army and will QSL when he gets home.


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, Mark EI6HPB on 086 355 2370.

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. If you currently receive a copy of the IRTS Radio News Bulletin by email as a news reader and wish to modify your address, please inform the editor in order to have it changed on the news readers mailing list.

[A]

contact IRTS
irts groups.io