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IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN Sunday February 1st 1998


South Dublin Radio Club Spring Challenge

Today is the first day of the SDR Spring Challenge. This challenge is open to all EI and GI amateurs, the challenge being to work as many DXCC countries as possible on the HF bands during the month of February.

There are two sections - an "Open" section, for all modes on all the HF bands, and a "Restricted" section, confined to CW on any one HF band. Full details are on page 24 of the 1996 Members Handbook. Trophies for the winners will be presented at the IRTS annual general meeting in Cork.

This is a perfect opportunity for experimenters to test their skills in a non-contest environment, and a good reason to keep the HF rig active during the next month.


Coolmine Rally

Phoenix Radio Club will be holding their annual rally on Sunday next, February the 8th, at the Coolmine Community School in Blanchardstown in Dublin. The doors will open at 12 noon and talk-in will be on 145.550MHz, that is S22. Morse testing will be held on a drop-in basis from 1300 until 1500. There is no need to book in advance, just bring identification. There is ample free car parking and light refreshments will be available. Traders will have access to the building from 0930.

Further information from Tony EI2GI on 01-8252074, Martin EI4DE on 01-8214544 or Rory on 8382234.


Worked All Ireland

On 18 January, Brendan de hOra EI3GV and Joe Ryan EI7GY (both from South Dublin Radio Club) braved the elements to activate two very rare squares on 80 metres. The first was Oscar 33 Dublin, which is on the Nose of Howth, and the second was Oscar 12 Wicklow, a small piece of Wicklow bog in this predominantly Dublin square. They used a 40 metre long Windom antenna, supported at the centre by a bamboo, and an IC-706 run from a gel-cell battery. The day's operations produced 40 contacts in all, with good signal reports from most parts of Ireland and Britain.


Sale of the late EI7CL shack contents.

Mike North's family have asked City of Dublin A. R. C. to sell the entire contents of the shack with all proceeds being donated to charity.

On Wednesday 11th of February at 8 p.m., the entire contents will be sold at the club premises which is located at St Ann's Parish Center, Molesworth Lane Dublin 2.

The contents, too numerous to list, include ham radio equipment, ATV gear, video gear, computers and test equipment etc.


IRTS Annual General Meeting

Final arrangements are now being put in place by members of Cork Radio Club for the IRTS Annual General Meeting which is being held in Jury's Hotel in Cork City over the weekend of April the 18th and 19th. The Dinner Dance will be held on the Saturday night and tickets will be available in the next few weeks. Anyone wishing to stay at Jury's overnight can avail of a special rate by mentioning the IRTS function. Tables for the rally on the Sunday are rapidly being taken up and if you wish to set up a stand, you should contact Con EI7DJB as soon as possible. Con's phone number is 021-270136

Members are reminded that nominations are being sought for the various trophies awarded at the AGM. If you think that either an individual or a group should be honoured, drop a line to the Secretary Jim Ryan EI3DP at QTHR.

Current trophy holders are reminded that they should arrange the return of the trophies to any committee member, preferably before the next IRTS Committee meeting, which will be held on Saturday March the 14th at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Athlone. That meeting will be preceded by a national packet meeting.


Enniskillen Rally

This years Enniskillen Rally, hosted by the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club, will take place on Sunday April the 19th at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen at 12 noon.

This is the 17th Enniskillen rally and all the usual traders will be in attendance. Details from Kieran GI7NET on 01365-348063 during the day and 01365-327133 in the evenings.


Searching for Intelligent Signals from Space

The search for intelligent signals from space is now starting in earnest around the world. Several large radio telescopes have been assigned to the task and in addition, amateurs are being encouraged to get involved in the search. Project Argus, organised by the S.E.T.I. League, entails getting amateurs to build small stations using 3 to 5 metre dishes and appropriate radio equipment and using it to search a small designated fraction of the sky. Anyone interested should contact the SETI League Inc., Liberty Street, PO Box 655, Little Ferry NJ 07643, U.S.A. Full details will appear in the next edition of the IRTS Newsletter.


Items for inclusion in both the Radio News and Newsletter can be faxed to 021-63230 or passed on the telephone to Dave EI4BZ at 021-632444 during the day and at 021-883555 in the evening.

Mail can also be sent on packet to EI4BZ on cluster or at the EI7DKB BBS or by E-mail to dave_moore@telecom.ie. The Radio News Editor John EI7DNB can be contacted at 021-353277 after 1800 or on cluster or on Internet at jbarry@imbolc.ucc.ie.

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