IRTS News for 5th February 1995

DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) ARS
-------------------------
   Permission has been granted to broadcast the IRTS News
in Irish from Donegal. It will be read by Danny EI6GS, with
back-up from Mickey EI6HY, at 2.00 pm on 3,650 kHz on Sundays,
beginning today, 5th February. It is hoped to have it read
from Aranmore island on 4th June at 2.00 pm, during the annual
dxpedition.

   The annual dxpedition to Aranmore island will take place
from 2nd to 5th June. Anyone interested in taking part should
contact Danny EI6GS or Ken EI4DW, both at QTHr, as soon as
possible. A deposit of 10 pounds is required not later than
22nd February to ensure a place.

   The Donegal digipeater EI5TCR, which has been off the air
for some time, has undergone maintenance and has been fully
checked out. The team are now waiting for more favourable
weather and site access to install the digipeater and bring
it back into operation, it is hoped in the not too far distant
future.

   The next meeting of the Donegal society will take place
in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey on 22nd February. A radio related
video will be shown, and all are welcome.

SOUTH DUBLIN ARC
----------------
   SDR recently hosted a lecture by Aidan EI5HW on Satellite
Communications. The lecture dealt with the 35 commercial
satellites in geo-synchronous orbit which are visible from
Ireland. Using slides, Aidan showed a wide variety of signals
which emanate from these satellites. The lecture included
details of the Arianne rocket which is used as a launch vehicle
for many of the satellites. Information about the ground uplink
stations was also discussed.

SPRING CHALLENGE
----------------
   SDR reminds HF operators that the SDR Spring Challenge
began on 1st February and runs for the whole month. Full details
are to be found in the IRTS yearbook. It is still not too
late to make a start.

LIMERICK AGMS
-------------
   The AGM of LRC will be held on Saturday 12th February at
2.00 pm at the Limerick Inn on the Ennis Road. Preceding it
there will be a trade show starting at 12.00 noon, and a bring
and buy sale.

   The AGM of IRTS Region 4 will be held at the same venue
on the same day at 4.00 pm. It will be chaired by IRTS President,
Jin Ryan EI3DP. This is always an excellent opportunity for
West of Ireland amateurs to get together, to chat and exchange
ideas to shape the future of amateur radio. Jim will be able
to answer queries about IRTS, and current negotiations with
the Dept. of Communications.

MEMBERS' DRAW
-------------
   The January winners of the IRTS draw were: 1st, Derek Peyton
EI7FM, who wins twenty pounds, and 2nd, Felix Desmond Gaffney
GI0FDG, who wins ten pounds.

IRTS NEWS SERVICE
-----------------
   The broadcasting of IRTS news through the medium of Irish
begins this (Sunday) afternoon at 2.00 pm on 80m at 3,650 NHz.
There will be a call-in after the news has been read, and
the reader, Danny EI6GS, invites everyone to take part in
the call-in even if he or she has only a few words of Irish.

ITEMS FOR INCLUSION
-------------------
   That concludes the bulletin for this week. Items for inclusion
in the radio news bulletins should be addressed to Steve
Wright, c/o Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway.
Fax messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091 24216. All such items
will be forwarded to Dave Moore EI4BZ for inclusion in the
printed news.

   Items for the printed newsletter only should be sent direct
to Dave at QTHr, or phoned to 021 632444 (daytime) or 021
883555 (evenings). Items may be sent by packet to EI4BZ at
EI7DKB-5, or by fax to 021 632730.