IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN - Sunday 30th of October 1994

This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright,
EI5DD, in conjunction with the members of the Galway VHF Group.

SATELLITE PROMPTS RETHINK ON SUN.

A European space agency satellite currently flying over the
sun's south pole has already gathered enough information to
warrant a rethink of our understanding of the sun's magnetic
fields and other solar phenomena. The Ulysses probe, which is
providing the first measurements taken directly above the solar
poles, has been described as "a total success so far" by the
European Space Agency. Ulysses began passing over the south
polar region in June, reaching a point almost directly above the
pole in mid September. It completes its southern pass in
November and flies on to the sun's north pole in June 1995.

The most surprising result of the mission has been the apparent
absence of a south magnetic pole, contrary to the models
predicted by scientists. The low cosmic radiation there compared
with the rest of the solar surface is also of much interest to
researchers. They had expected the sun to have a relatively
simple magnetic field, such as that of the earth or that of a
magnetised iron bar. All evidence so far has suggested that the
sun has no south magnetic pole. Scientists hope that the passage
over the sun's "Antarctic" will reveal important information
about solar wind, the continuous flow of magnetic gas from the
sun's surface.=20

The effects of solar wind on the earth include interference with
radio communications and sometimes the disruption of power
supplies (surges on the national grids). In space it can cause
the loss of satellites and is a major source of worry to
astronauts.

It is still too early to establish what impact the findings will
have on our understanding of the sun and the interplanetary wind
that it generates. It will take many months to analyse the
billions of bits of information which have already been
gathered. The information gleaned by the satellite will help
fill in the gaps of the understanding of how the sun works.
Recently the Anik satellite had its navigation knocked out by a
solar event. These satellites cost over one hundred million
dollars each.    =20

ATHLONE RADIO CLUB.

Athlone Radio Club will be holding a meeting in the Shamrock
Lodge Hotel on Tuesday the 8th of November at 8 pm in an attempt
to revive the Club and stimulate interest in the hobby of Radio
and electronics in the area. Anyone interested in any form of
Radio or electronics hobbies are most welcome to attend. At
present there are fifteen enthusiasts taking part in the theory
classes that are organised by the Athlone Radio Club. Enquiries
about the Athlone Radio Group should be directed to EI6HW at
QTHR.   =20

DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY.

The Donegal Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society will be holding
their Annual Mobile Rally and Junk Sale in Jackson's Hotel,
Ballybofey on Sunday the 13th of November with doors opening at
11 am. Jackson's Hotel offer B&B for =9C20.00 per person sharing
and those wishing to avail of same should contact the hotel
direct. There are ample parking facilities and the usual
excellent refreshments available

SOUTH EASTERN AMATEUR RADIO GROUP.

The South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will be holding their
Annual Radio Rally on Sunday the 20th of November news on this
rally is scanty at present and we await further details
regarding the venue. Perhaps the S.E.A.R.G. would be good enough
to forward details of this event.=20

We are desperately in need of items from Radio Clubs around the
country to maintain the contents of the weekly news script and
urgently request club PRO's to send us something as soon as
possible.

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.