R:940908/1106Z @:EI3FI.GRANGE.IRL.EU IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN - Sunday 11th of September 1994 This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright, EI5DD, in conjunction with the members of the Galway VHF Group. DUNDALK AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY. Sunday the 4th of September saw Dundalk Amateur Radio Society operating the Emergency Communications Net for the first ever North East Woman's Mini Marathon at Dundalk. The entry consisted of over 700 ladies of various ages and potential. DARS were invited to have a seat on the committee of the Dundalk Joggers and Walkers who organised the event. All sponsorship raised went to the Irish Heart Foundation this year. Peter, EI4HX, was delegated to the committee in August and attended all the meetings organising the route, sign posting, stewards, entertainment, and of course emergency communications. Ten Dundalk members were required for the day and all were on site at 11 am helping to set up tents, PA, refreshments, entertainment stand and the Radio Control Base. Pat, EI2HX, was volunteered as the leader and had twin beacons, a PA system, a five foot long digital marathon clock on his roof as well as his radio gear in the car. Charlie, GI7FFL, and Bill had their PA system playing "athletic music" at the halfway refreshment/radio post and probably had the best view of the whole event. Pat, EI5EUB, Peter, EI4HX, and Paddy EI6ID, were on mobile patrol, each with a first aider from the Ambulance Corps on board. Gareth, Liam, Richard and Jim, co-ordinated between Ambulance, Civil Defence, Garda, and the event controller. As this was the first ever mini-marathon held in Dundalk, some useful were learned and will be implemented at next years event. Members of the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society are reminded that the AGM is coming up on the first Tuesday in October and membership renewals and repeater subs fall due at this time. A reminder that the All Ireland International Radio and Hobbies Exhibition is being held in Armagh City over the Weekend of the 8th and 9th of October. SOUTH EASTERN AMATEUR RADIO GROUP. On Thursday the 2nd of September, the fishing village of Dunmore East, Co. Waterford, welcomed the arrival of the Steam Liner, QE2. Shortly after her arrival at 8 am, the liner was completely enveloped in fog which descended on the village. It was almost 12:30 pm before the massive crowds got their first good glimpse at the vessel. The crew for the special event station arrived at 7 am and everything was ready for the airwaves at 10 am. The station was operational on HF and also 2 metres. During the course of the day, G3UXO came ashore and visited the station. Andrew, G3UXO, is the principal medical officer onboard the liner, and he also runs an amateur radio station onboard the QE2 in his spare time with his fellow amateur Jim Barlow. As Andrew went back to the ship a list was drawn up of operators wanting to work him on 2 metres and he worked them when he arrived onboard. Jim Barlow worked Sheena, EI9GP, and Bob, EI8HL, on CW. One of the highlights of the event was the visit by Jimmy Saville, who was a passenger on the Liner. Jimmy spent some time with the SEARG operators asking questions about amateur radio and also said a few words to some of the operators via 2 metres. The station for the QE2 event proved to be one of the most successful stations put on the air from the Southeast and members of the group would like to thank everyone who helped out on the day. CORK RADIO CLUB RALLY. Cork Radio Club will be holding their 3rd Annual Radio and Electronics Rally TODAY (Sunday the 11th of September) in the Blarney Park Hotel, Cork. All aspects of Amateur Radio and computers will be featured. Admission to the Rally will be œ2.00 at the door and there will be no raffles. Food and refreshments will be available and there is ample car parking space. ATHLONE RADIO THEORY CLASSES. Radio Theory Classes will commence on Monday the 12th of September at 7:30 PM in the Clonmacnoise Room, St Mary's Presbytery, Athlone. Further Information may be obtained from Noel at 0902-4726 between 6 and 8 PM. SOUTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. On Tuesday the 13th of September South Dublin Radio Club will be showing the video entitled "Close to the Edge" which documents the DXpedition to Peter Island last February. The video will be shown at 9 pm and all visitors are welcome. **< THIS BIT IS AN APPEAL FROM A REALLY DESPERATE RADIO NEWS TEAM >** ONCE AGAIN, the Radio News team would like to appeal to all of the regular contributors and also to some of the groups who seldom offer items to the service - PLEASE keep the items rolling in to EI5DD. JOTA and the counties contest will be upon us shortly. It would be interesting to hear from those who are planning to operate during these events. IF your club is just starting to become active following the Summer Holidays the Radio news Service is there to pass out this information. In our effort to keep the script interesting we do require full co-operation from all of the radio clubs and groups around Ireland. IF your club meets on a regular basis or participates in things such as:- 1) County Activation for the WEIC Award. 2) Activation of Offshore Islands - advanced notice is required as there are many amateurs seeking these for IOTA. 3) Jamboree on the Air.. 4) Participates in Contests 5) Plans a Radio Rally. 6) Plans a Foxhunt. 7) Is going out for a weekend of operating under canvass. 8) Placing a digipeater, Repeater, on Air. 9) Maintaining or improving one of the above. 10) Participating in AREN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. 11) Holding Classes. 12) Having lectures. 13) Showing Videos 14) Holding Technical demonstrations. 15) Testing out antenna systems and requiring assistance from others. 16) Holding the Club christmas dinner or party. All of this is newsworthy and is a good indicator that clubs are active in EI. Submission of short articles from Radio magazines is also of help. EI5DD does not purchase every magazine that exists (only occasionally gets HRT and PW) and your item may be of major interest. Some are members of worldwide DX clubs which give regular updates on activities Such items are of great interest to everyone! EI5DD is >>NOT<< on Packet Radio and it will be necessary to Fax items of interest to the number shown at the end of this bulletin or maybe use a 32 pence stamp. In the distant future EI5DD will be subscribing to INTERNET which will make life easier for everbody to pass information!!!!! In the mean time special thanks to the regular subscribers to the IRTS Radio News as it is them that make it interesting. Without them the service would fold up. The editor is only the one that puts the script together and sends it out in the post. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION. Items for inclusion in the Radio News Bulletins should be addressed to Steve Wright, EI5DD, C/o Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. FAX messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091-24216. All items included in the Radio News Bulletins will be passed on to Dave, EI4BZ, for inclusion in the monthly newsletter. Items for inclusion in the Printed News should be sent to Dave Moore, EI4BZ, at QTHR, phoned to 021-632444 during the day, or to 021-883555 in the evenings. Items may be sent by Packet Radio to EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to 021-632730. IRTS Radio News Sunday 4th September 1994. This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright, EI5DD, in conjunction with the members of the Galway VHF Group. IRISH AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND AND DISABLED. ------------------------------------------------------ John, EI6EH, has completed the Theory Classes at Cara Cheshire Home and was pleased to report that Derry Lawlor has taken the white stick oral examination and passed resulting in the recent acquisition of the callsign EI9EDB. Congratulations Derry. The group are particularly grateful to Derry for compiling a Braille portfolio covering the Theory lectures and this is now available to assist other white stick applications for the licence. The regular taping and distibutation of the IRTS Newsletter continues and Michael EI6CN has offered to produce other material covering amateur radio for this service using professional recording equipment. Readers are also available. Wear and tear of tapes for this service is high so if anyone has a surplus of good quality C 60 tapes please send them to Pat EI3HU at QTHr, POSTFREE, if the package is marked "Articles for the Blind". Members of the group are looking forward to taking part in the SSB Field Day using the callsign EI2HAM. The location of the Field Day Station is Ballincarrig , Donabate , Co. Dublin. Finally Derry Lawlor, EI9EDB, wishes to thank John Walsh, Joe Dillon and Paddy Rohan for their assistance over the last year. Derry says that the oral Theory Examination took one hour and forty minutes to complete and at the end he was was told that he had passed. Derry will be operating on two meters using an FT-480R Transceiver. FINGAL RADIO CLUB. ------------------ Following the succesful event last May Fingal Radio Club will be holding another Foxhunt on Sunday 25th September. The Foxhunt will be open to all Amateurs and SWLs and will start at 1.30 P.M. on September 25th with check-in times between 12.45 - 1.30 P.M. There will be numerous prizes as a funpacked day is guaranteed. Interested participants are to meet at the last roundabout on the Swords bypass heading out of Dublin on the Belfast Road. The Foxhunt will finish at 4 P.M. and Prizes will be presented at 4.30 P.M. at the Bellewstown Racecourse.The Entrance Fee is œ3.00 per person or œ6.00 per Team with a maximum of two per team. Maps will be supplied on the day. Further information may be acquired from Chris, EI7AAB, at 01-8215145. Congratulations to Charlie Lyons, EI2EM, on being the first EI station to make a full two-way ATV contact through the Welsh 23 cms Repeater GB3TM located on the Isle of Anglesea. Charlie, who is located in Swords, Co. Dublin, received the first signals from GB3TM on the 26th July at 20:45 GMT. On Thursday the 28th July at 19:05 GMT Charlie made a one-way contact through the same Repeater with a station in Stockport which replied on the talk-back frequency 144.750 reporting that he was receiving the pictures from Swords at a good quality. On the 4th of August at 21:00 GMT, Charlie made his first two-way contact via GB3TM with a station in North Wales. Both stations exchanged good P5 signal reports. The initial pictures sent from Swords were of a computer- generated Test Card and followed by live colour transmissions.Charlie is also the distance holder in EI for 70 cms ATV with a two-way contact into Holland with P4 quality pictures transmitted over 824 kilometers. CORK RADIO CLUB RALLY. ---------------------- Cork Radio Club will be holding their 3rd Annual Radio and Electronics Rally on Sunday 11th of September in the Blarney Park Hotel Hotel, Cork. All aspects of Amateur Radio and computers will be featured. Admission to the Rally will be œ2.00 at the door and there will be no raffles. Food and refreshments will be available and there is ample car parking space. Further information may be acquired from Dick, EI6HH, 021-545154. CITY OF DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. -------------------------- The City of Dublin Radio Club will re-open on Friday 9th of September at the new premises in the Community Centre (behind the Church), Upper Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. There is ample car parking available and the nearest bus route is the Number 13. Please note the change of meeting to Friday and the start time is 8 PM. ATHLONE RADIO THEORY CLASSES. ----------------------------- Radio Theory Classes will commence on Monday 12th September at 7:30 P.M. in The Clonmacnoise Room, St. Mary's Presbytry, Athlone. Further information may be obtained from Noel, at 0902-4726 between 6 and 8 P.M. SOUTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. ----------------------- South Dublin Radio Club will resume its weekly meetings next Tuesday, the 6th September, in the Ballyroan Community Centre, Marian Road, Rathfarnham. Visitors and new members are very welcome. Thery and Morse Classes will be commencing very shortly. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION. -------------------- Items for inclusion in the Radio News Bulletins should be addressed to Steve Wright, EI5DD, c/o Dept. of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. Fax messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091-24216. All items included in the Radio news Bulletins will be forwarded to Dave, EI4BZ, for inclusion in the Monthly Printed News. Items for inclusion in the IRTS Newsletter should be forwarded to Dave Moore, EI4BZ at QTHR, phoned to 021-632444 during the day or to 021- 883555 in the evenings. Items may be sent on Packet Radio to EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to Dave at 021-632730. R:940820/2029Z @:EI7GM.#81.IRL.EU IRTS News for 21st August 1994 SOUTHEAST AREN --------------- Southeast AREN are running an exercise in Clonmel in co-oper- ation with the Fleadh Cheoil no h-Eireann committee. The Fleadh, which takes place on 26, 27 and 28 August, is Europe's greatest music and cultural festival, which attracts thousands of visitor to Clonmel from Ireland and abroad. The committee are appreciative of the SE AREN Group's offer to pass information on the results of competitions out of Clonmel to various parts of the country, and to make the results more available to local and national broadcasting stations. In addition to this service, the group will augment the committee's local communications. Apart from the Fleadh office there are 18 venues to be covered where competitions take place on 27 and 28 August. There will be plenty of scope for AREN involvement not even taking account of other needs. The SE AREN Group propose to use packet radio as part of the exercise, to pass information on the results out of town to other parts of the country, and would appreciate hearing from AREN packet operators who would agree to have the information addressed to them, and make it available to their local broad- casting stations and RTE, along with a short pre-printed press release crediting AREN. In addition Southeast AREN would welcome assistance in Clonmel from members of other groups. Why not visit the Fleach, lend a hand for a period, and later enjoy some of the many impromptu sessions and other atractions taking place throughout the weekend? Anyone inter- ested is invited to contact Liam EI7FE, as soon as possible, at QTHr, or phone 052 22493. Those communicating by packet radio should address their reply to EI3DIB at EI2HH. SOUTH EASTERN AR GROUP ---------------------- On 31 July, EI3DEL took to the airwaves in conjunction with the RNLI from 11.00 am to 3.30 pm. Contacts included Orkney Islands, the Shetlands, a lighthouse off the Dorset Coast and a /MM station off the French Coast, along with many stations from UK and Ireland. Activities included the blessing of boats and a ceremony for those who lost their lives at sea. Just as the blessing of the boats was about to begin, a distress call was received from the skipper of a motor launch experiencing problems with one of the main engines. Fortunately the vessel made it to Dunmore under its own power, while the lifeboat monitored the situation. Another trip will be organised on 2 September for the arrival of the QE2. The QE2 is estimated to arrive around 6.00 am, and will remain docked at Dunmore until 6.00 pm. A special callsign has been requested, and will be heard on 40m around 10.00 am. The QE2 has an amateur station on board, owned by the ship's doctor. More information will follow nearer the time. Due to the strict security on board it may not be possible for anyone to visit the station, but negotiations are under way to address the problem. DROGHEDA AND DISTRICT ARC ------------------------- The Drogheda and District Club will be up and running shortly, and they have moved to a new premises at the O'Raghallaigh's GFC Centre, North Road, Drogheda. The club will be in upstairs room at the QTH. Permission has been given for as many antennas as are required, and this will be attended to soon. Theory classes will begin in September for which enrolment will take place on Tuesdays 23 and 30 August. Information from Pat EI2HX on 041 41817 after 7.00 pm. The club callsign EI8VHF is operational on 2m, and the callsign EI8OO may be heard on HF. WICKLOW WIRELESS SOCIETY ------------------------ WWS wishes to remind all its members that the club re-opens on 31 August. All members are requested to attend as the topic for discussion will be the finalisation of plans for FH Field Day on 3 and 4 September. SOUTH DUBLIN ARC ---------------- Members of SDR are reminded that the club intends to enter the HF FD on 3 and 4 September, which is before the club resumes its regular meetings. Those willing to participate should contact Tom EI7HT or Joe EI7GY as soon as possible. The club's latest exam success, Michael EI2IE, has been heard recently on 10m. With just 3w and an indoor antenna Michael has already notched up a number of contacts in the Dublin area. Joe EI7GY has recently returned from Yorkshire where he operated /P from his car. He made many contacts into Ireland, using the callsign G0MPG. He also operated in the IOTA contest, but reports that he fell asleep during the night because the bands were so quiet. DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) ARS ------------------------- The society's AGM will be held in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey, on 28 September. A large attendance is requested. Final preparations for a Donegal digipeater are under way. Almost all the equipment is there, and tests are expected this weekend. It is hoped more stations will be able to connect to the cluster when the repeater is operational. This week saw 3 new operators on the local repeaters, EI7CS on R4 and GB3WT on R7. They are: EI9EEB (Martin, from Fanad, Co. Donegal), EI9EGB (John in Letterkenny) and EI9EHB (Kevin, Donegal Town). Congratulations to Larry EI8DWB who passed his CW and has now a HF c/s. 14 other students are anxiously awaiting results of their theory exams. IRTS COMMITTEE -------------- The next meeting will be in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone, on 27 August at 4.00 p.m. J.O.T.A. -------- Jamboree on the Air will take place on 15/16 October, and information from participating clubs would be appreciated, as also from stations entering the 2m Counties Contest, which will take place on 18 September. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ------------------- That concludes the bulletin for this week. Items for inclusion in the radio news should be sent to Steve Wright EI5DD, c/o Dept. of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. Fax messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091 24216. All such items will be forwarded to Dave Moore for inclusion in the printed news. Items for the printed news only should be sent to Dave Moore EI4BZ, QTHr, or phoned to 021 632444 (daytime), or 021 883555 (evenings). Items may be sent by packet radio to EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to 021 632730. IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN - Sunday 18th of September 1994 This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright, EI5DD, in conjunction with the members of the Galway VHF Group. CORK AREA NEWS. A huge crowd attended the Cork Radio Club Rally, held in the Blarney Park Hotel, last Sunday. With over 24 traders, Radio enthusiasts were treated to what was definitely the largest display of radio related equipment at any venue in Ireland. It was regrettable that last minute traders, who had not booked space, had to be turned away. Well over 600 passed through the door with the venue becoming packed at one point of the day. Next year an even bigger event is planned with two trading areas being employed for the increase in traders and those attending. Congratulations to the organisers of this event and particularly the traders who put on an excellent show of equipment. The East Cork Group almost completed their station renovations and visitors are very welcome to the Wednesday night meetings at Poer Head. Contact Denis, EI6HB, for further information. The East Cork Group are hosting the IRTS Annual Dinner, Rally and AGM, which will take place in the Rinn Ronain Hotel, Cobh, over the weekend of the 9th and 9th of April. Shuttle fever hit the amateur population in the Cork area and on the night of the launch over 30 amateurs checked into a net on the Cork Repeater chaired by Dave, EI2EMB. Unfortunately the launch was delayed and no sightings were reported on the night. Alan, EI3EBB, worked the shuttle, KB5SIW, last Monday on 2 metres FM on an uplink frequency of 144.700 MHz and downlink of 145.550 MHz. Accurate pass times were provided by Ken, EI7DKB, who managed to keep the Keplerian Elements up to date by dialling into the NASA BBS in the States. TWO METRES COUNTIES CONTEST. The IRTS 2 Metres Counties Contest will be held Today (Sunday the 18th) between 14:00 and 16:00 UTC. This contest has been the subject of many discussions over the past number of years and its viability is dependant on the number of participants and also the number of stations calling in to give points. This is one of the few contests organised by the IRTS and there are a number of trophies and sections in which operators may participate. This is a great opportunity to try out portable activity on a small scale without having to set up camp overnight and even the humblest equipment can produce startling results from a high location. As the trend on 2 metres is centred around local and repeater working with the majority of VHF operators, this is a great opportunity to hear portable stations from at least 75 per cent of the counties of Ireland, many of which will be on high sites. SOUTH EASTERN AMATEUR RADIO GROUP. Once again September hails the launch of EI2WOF for the Waterford Opera Festival with the station on air on the 17th, 18th, 25th, and 25th of September. This is the thirty sixth year that Waterford has played host to the festival and every year it gets bigger and better with opera companies from Wales, Scotland, England and America taking part. Special QSL cards have been printed for the occasion and the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group look forward to working as many stations as possible for the duration of their operation. The Fleadh Cheoil, held in Clonmel, saw an estimated crowd of over 130 thousand coming to the city for the very special weekend. Amateurs from the southeast assisted with the supervision of the massive movement of people for the duration of the event. A packet link was established between Waterford and Clonmel for the purpose of passing information to Waterford in relation to the various contests. In turn this information was then passed to the local Waterford Radio Station, WLR, for broadcast. The festival was a huge success and a great weekend was had by all of the participants of the AREN net. Many thanks to Liam, EI7FE, for his time and effort with the organisation of the AREN net. NORTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. North Dublin Radio Club are holding their open day on Saturday the 1st of October at 8 pm. All those interested in the hobby are most welcome to come along where they can have a chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit and enrol for the forthcoming theory classes, which start on Saturday the 15th of October at 8 pm.North Dublin Radio Club meet in the Chanel College Complex, who is unable to attend the open day but wishes to join the theory classes may contact Aidan Murphy, EI5HW, on 01-88250414 between 1-6 pm daily or on 088-527182 anytime. AN INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS FOR RADIO AMATEURS. The Marino Institute of Education are holding an evening course entitled "An Introduction to Electronics for Radio Amateurs". This course is spread over ten Monday nights, between 7:30 and 10 pm, and costs œ125. This fee includes materials and tuition. The number of places on offer is limited to 12 because the course is a hands on situation in an electronics lab. The course takes place in the Marino Institute of Education, a third level teacher development centre on Griffith Avenue, Dublin. Non teachers are welcome to participate in the course. The course commences on Monday the 19th of September at 7:30 pm. To register for this course, call the institute on Dublin 833-5111. MORE INPUT. The radio news editor would appreciate up to date information from all clubs and groups around EI and GI. Those participating in the Counties contest might consider submitting a report to EI5DD via the fax number. Is anyone organising a JOTA station next month - if so send me the details and it will find its way into the news. JOTA activity seems to have declined in the past couple of years so perhaps this year may see an uptrend. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION. Items for inclusion in the Radio News Bulletins should be addressed to Steve Wright, EI5DD, C/o Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. FAX messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091-24216. All items included in the Radio News Bulletins will be passed on to Dave, EI4BZ, for inclusion in the monthly newsletter. Items for inclusion in the Printed News should be sent to Dave Moore, EI4BZ, at QTHR, phoned to 021-632444 during the day, or to 021-883555 in the evenings. Items may be sent by Packet Radio to EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to 021-632730.