IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN - Sunday, 9th of October 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. The Irish Amateur Radio Association for Blind and Disabled was set up to cater for the needs of blind and disabled persons who may need assistance with theory instruction, morse code tuition, or with the general running of an amateur radio station. The Association is affiliated to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society. Theory classes will commence once again on Wednesday the 12th of October at the National Council for the Blind premises at Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, at 7:30 pm. It would be appreciated if listeners would be kind enough to bring this information to the attention of anyone who may wish to avail of these classes. Donations of money, tapes, or radio equipment are always welcomed and will be put to very good use. Contact Joe, EI4FV, at 01-8390812 or John, EI6HL, at 01-8326643 for further information. NORTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. The North Dublin Radio Club travelled to the hills around Ballyboughal to activate EI0NDR during the 2 metres Counties Contest. The station was operated by Dermot Madsen EI4ESB, who was recently elected Club Station Manager, David Grant EI8EVB, Joe Dillonn EI4FV, and loyal SWL Fabio. The EI0NDR station consisted of a Yaesu FT221R, a 50 Watt linear, and a 13 element Tonna XY beam. It was raining hard for most of the day but this did not dampen the spirits of a very enthusiastic NDR crew. Thirty three stations were worked from a total of ten different counties on FM. SSB was monitored but little to no activity was reported. A very enjoyable day was had by all. WEIC AWARD NEWS. It has been some time since a report was given on the issue of the Worked All EI Counties Awards. A variety of circumstances are responsible with the major problem being the notable fall-off of applications for the award. It is possible that there is an apparent lack of rare county activity, a lack of the 20 QSL cards, possible waiting for the full 26 counties, or that newcomers are not aware of this award and a combination of these factors have resulted in the lull. Propagation conditions in the last two years and the apparent reduction of QSL card traffic may have had an adverse effect. An overall total of 44 awards have been issued since 1987 with a peak of eleven issued in 1992 and seven in 1993. The number of awards issued in 1994 currently stands at a grand total of three! By all accounts the award manager, Mike McNamara EI2CL, will not be a busy man this year. The 1994 recipient of the WEIC award were Joe Dillon, EI4FV, Bruce Marshall, WA1G, from Massachusetts, and Bob Barry, EI8HL, from Waterford. Congratulations to all of them. Perhaps a little more enthusiasm may prevail in 1995. SOUTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB. Theory classes commence on Tuesday the 11th of October, next Tuesday at 8 pm, in the Club's QTH at Marian Road, Rathfarnham. New members are very welcome to join this class. Morse classes continue on tuesday nights and there are a few complete beginners attending and a few more would be welcome. DONEGAL TIR CONNAILL AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY. The AGM of the Donegal Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society was held in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey, on the 22nd of September. The election of the new committee took place and the following were elected to serve for 1994/1995. President Danny EI9AC, Chairman Jim Gi8TST, Vice Chairman, Paul EI6FP, Treasurer Chris EI7HI, Assistant Treasurer Martin EI8GP, Secretary Gerry EI8HO, PRO Gerry EI8HO. There is a meeting called on the 12th of October, in Jacksons, for the final preparations for the forthcoming Radio Rally. It would be appreciated if as many members as possible could attend this meeting as it is hoped to organise the smooth running of the event. The next scheduled meeting is due on the 25th of October and when a trivia quiz will be held with a good night assured. It is planned to hold Theory Classes in Derry and Enniskillen shortly - anyone interested may contact Cliff, GI4CZW or Pascal GI0SFT. n.b. the latter class in Derry is for the U.K. novice exam. Another new callsign was recently heard on R4 - Jossie EI9EOB is the operator from Dungloe in Co. Donegal. The Donegal Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society welcomes Jossie to the Hobby. A STORY OF A RARE OCCURENCE ON 2 METRES will feature in next weeks Radio News - Don't miss this one - perhaps someone else may have had a similar experience. 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.