IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN - Sunday 6th of November 1994 This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright, EI5DD, in conjunction with the members of the Galway VHF Group. IT ONLY TAKES ONE !!! A sad tale was reported by Tony, EI5EM, which would leave a sour taste to any avid award hunter and serious DX operator. Tony recently had a CW QSO with a European Station on 80 metres and shortly afterwards received a package direct to his address. A correct QSL card was enclosed for the 80 metre contact plus a card for a CW QSO on 160 metres which never took place. A blank third party QSL card was enclosed for a special event Marconi Station QSO. A note was enclosed particularly requesting a QSL card for the fictitious QSO on 160 metres for 8 Band DXCC - this card was necessary as 160 metre QSO's with EI are particularly difficult. The operator also supplied a list of blank QSL's in addition to the special event one enclosed. It was obvious that these would become available if the 160 metre QSL was sent. Tony filled out the legitimate QSL card with suitable comments and returned the other two cards with appropriate comments. Amongst the rare cards available from the operator in question were HB0, IS0, 4U1ITU, UA0I, 4K1A, 7X2, SV, 3V8, V63, and UA9. Printed in bold type on the rogue operators QSL card were the words "DXCC Honor Roll". =20 EAST CORK GROUP. The results of the 1994 ARRL contests show EI7M achieving 2nd place in the European table in the CW section and 3rd place in the SSB contest. With results such as these it will not be too long before the East Cork Group achieve a first place. Congratulations to all participants of this progressive group.=20 The East Cork Group took part in the biggest contest of the year over the holiday weekend. True to form, the beautiful weather of the previous weeks turned nasty on the Friday as the antenna systems were being erected and the high winds persisted for the duration of the contest. In addition to the usual antennas, which include monobanders for 10, 15, and 20 metres, a full wave loop an 40 metres and dipoles for 80 and 160 metres, two new antennas were built in recent weeks. A five eighth wave vertical was erected for 40 metres, which also performs well on 80 metres, and a two element quad was made for 40 metres. Regrettably, the quad did not survive the high winds and it will be a case of "back to the drawing board" for the CW leg of the Worldwide contest at the end of the month. Band conditions were strange with exceptional conditions on 10 metres over the two days with 100 countries worked. Unfortunately propagation to the States was very poor on the high bands resulting in a lower QSO total than previously experienced. DUNGARVAN RADIO CLUB. The newly formed Dungarvan Radio Club set up a station for the local Scout Troop for the recent Jamboree on the air. The HF station was operated by Pat, EI9EX, while VHF operations were in the capable hands of Jim, EI7EFB, and SWL John Joe, EI1211. RTTY, WEFAX, and Packet Radio were demonstrated to a very interested audience over the two days of operation. Much interest was generated in club membership and the holding of classes is being investigated. The group have been fortunate in obtaining the use of the top floor of the scout hall in Mary Street, Dungarvan, as a club premises. We look forward to further reports from the Dungarvan Club in the future. =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. Enquiries about the Athlone Radio Group should be directed to EI6HW at QTHR. =20 DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY. At a well attended meeting of the Donegal Tir Conaill Amateur Radio Society, held in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey, on the 25th of September, a short business meeting was held to discuss the forthcoming Mobile Rally and Junk Sale to be held on the 13th of November. A quiz was organised and run by Eric, GI4SXV. The winning team, following a tie-break, consisted of Eunan, EI3AX and Des, GI0DES. A very enjoyable night was had by all and it is hoped that more will be planned in the future.=20 CW classes are planned for one night per week for approximately 20 weeks. The fee for the class will be in the region of =9C40.00 with no less than 15 students taking part. 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. A dinner will be held on the Saturday night at 8 pm and all are welcome to attend especially those who may be travelling =66rom distant parts and staying overnight prior to the Rally. A presentation of the City and Guilds certificates will take place at the dinner for those who successfully completed the radio theory course and passed the exam. =20 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.