Archived News Script
IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 11th, 2024
News from the IRTS
Exciting News! The Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) is thrilled to announce its participation in the vibrant Dublin Maker 2024 festival. This year’s event will take place at the historic Richmond Barracks, Saint Michael’s Estate, Dublin 8 (Eircode D08 YY05) on Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Thanks to a record-breaking turnout in 2023, Dublin Maker has expanded to a two-day celebration, promising even more fun and innovation. This dynamic ‘show and tell’ festival showcases a diverse range of creators, including tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors, and commercial exhibitors. These talented makers, from all ages and backgrounds, come from all over Ireland and beyond to share their passion and creativity.
Dublin Maker aims to entertain, inform, and connect the makers of Ireland, inspiring the next generation of inventors and creators. The IRTS is excited to be part of this mission, showcasing the fascinating world of amateur radio and the society’s efforts to promote this engaging hobby in Ireland and beyond. Don’t miss out on this fantastic event! Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Come and meet the IRTS team, explore the wonders of amateur radio, and discover how you can get involved. A big thank you to Jeffrey Roe EI7IRB for his invaluable assistance in making our participation possible. Mark your calendars and join us for a weekend full of creativity, innovation, and community spirit at Dublin Maker 2024!
HF Newsreaders Required
HF newsreaders are required to join our current panel of newsreaders for the weekly Sunday morning 40m and 80m IRTS news bulletins. There is very little involved in reading a bulletin and no experience is necessary. If any licensed IRTS member living in EI feels like that they would be interested in becoming part of the IRTS newsreaders panel or if you require more information, please get in touch with the IRTS News Coordinator Seany EI2HZB by phone on 083 4713001 or via email to irts_pro /at/ irts.ie.
Amateur Station Licence Study Guides
The 4th edition of the IRTS HAREC Amateur Radio Station Licence Study Guide is now back in stock and available to be purchased. An errata page has also been included in this edition. This textbook will assist anyone studying for the Irish Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate, which is required to obtain an amateur radio licence in Ireland. For more information about the guide or to order a copy, please see the study guide section on www.irts.ie
South Eastern Amateur Radio Group EI2WRC
EI2WRC will once again activate Hook Lighthouse ILLW Ref: IE0003 on Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th of August as part of the 27th International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. For more info on the International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend please see www.illw.net Hook Lighthouse is located on the southeast coast of Ireland in Co. Wexford. The present structure is about 800 years old and is the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world making it the most sought-after lighthouse for this great event, not alone nationally within Ireland but also internationally. Activity will be on HF and on the Southern Ireland Repeater Network. For more information about Hook Lighthouse, please see www.hookheritage.ie The South Eastern Amateur Radio Group would like to thank Larry Colgan and all the event staff at the Hook Lighthouse visitors centre in addition to Phil Lawlor from Irish Lights for all their help in planning this event.
For more information about EI2WRC, their activities, and for contact details please see www.searg.ie
Shannon Basin Radio Club on Inishbofin
Shannon Basin Radio Club activated Inishbofin (EU121) again using their club callsign EJ3Z for the recent IOTA contest 2024. Six club members headed out on Friday 26th July and set up base in the local national school. They used two antennas: a 40-metre quarter-wave vertical with radials and a SGC auto tuner in addition to the club’s new multi-band Spiderbeam antenna. The Spiderbeam took a lot of work and time to assemble which meant they had to rely on the vertical for part of the contest. Conditions were generally good with some QSB at times. Ten meters was quiet, but strong signals were reported on the 40 and 80 metre bands. The weather was good with sunscreen needed urgently at times. A great weekend was had by all, and the club is looking forward to the next opportunity.
Collective Communication at Balinacourty LightHouse
Lighthouses on the Air weekend takes place over the 17th and 18th of August. EI3CC will be at Balinacourty LightHouse near Dungarvan Co Waterford. They will be using the same HF gear and set up this year that enabled them to work three VK stations during the same event last year. Their hopes are high that they will make just as many contacts around the world as they did then, or even more. You are invited to come and join them, see for yourselves, and have a go at making radio contact with DX stations if you feel so inclined. They state that you can also try your hand at operating through the only amateur radio geostationary satellite, QO-100 with their proven set up. If you are interested in amateur radio, they can almost guarantee enjoyment. Refreshments will be available as well so if you're at a loose end next weekend, please drop by and say hello to the Collective Communication crew. Have a chat, and if you want to, work some HF or satellite stations!
Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club
Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club will activate Loop Head Lighthouse ILLW Ref: IE0009 on Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th of August as part of the 27th International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. Loop Head Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, is steeped in history and rich in maritime heritage with its origins dating back to the 1670s. The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854. It is also a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way. For more information, please see www.loopheadlighthouse.ie The Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club would like to thank Simon Day, the event staff at the Loop Head Lighthouse visitors centre, and Rory Mc Gee from Irish Lights for all their help in planning this event.
As part of its ongoing positive engagement with the Shannon Aviation Museum, the Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club has installed a full-feature Flightradar24 receiver at the club station for the benefit of members and the museum.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the First Trans-Global Two-Way Radio Communication
In October 2024, radio amateurs in New Zealand and the UK will be celebrating and re-enacting the very first trans-global two-way radio communication that took place one hundred years ago. Special callsigns will be active. Awards and QSL cards will be available for those who make contact with these special stations. Two amateur radio stations will operate from the original locations in New Zealand and the UK, contacting other stations around the world and re-enacting that historic first radio communication. The callsign G2SZ will be aired from the 14th to the 20th of October and the callsign ZL4AA will be used from the 12th to the 20th of October. In addition, two other amateur radio stations with callsigns reflecting the centenary will be active. GB2NZ will be operated from the 29th of September 2024 to the 26th of October 2024 from several UK locations. The callsign ZM100DX will be operated from early September 2024 to the 26th of December 2024 from multiple locations in New Zealand on CW, SSB, and other modes. For further details, visit www.gb2nz.com or www.zl4aa.org.nz
The Cable that Changed the World
RTÉ will premiere a documentary of particular interest to communications enthusiasts called “The Cable that Changed the World”. This explores the story of the first transatlantic communications cable to traverse the ocean floor, from Valentia Island, County Kerry, to Newfoundland, Canada, 165 years ago. It will air tomorrow night, Monday the 12th of August at 9.35 p.m. on RTÉ One and RTE Player.
Items for Inclusion in Next Week’s Radio News
That is the news for this week. Items for inclusion in next week’s radio news can be submitted by email to newsteam /at/ irts.ie for automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. The deadline is midnight on Thursday.
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