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This Week's News

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday February 4th, 2024
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Silent Keys Rudi Dorrepaal EI4HJB and John Lynch EI4KV

We regretfully learned of two silent keys this week. We were all
saddened to hear of the passing of Rudi Dorrepal EI4HJB after a brave
fight with Cancer at Our Lady's Hospice Harolds Cross on the 19th of
January 2024. He was originally from Eindhoven in Holland, and was a
man of many interests, especially in the line of radio. He was a
long-time member of the Irish Vintage Radio and Sound Society. His
dream of setting up a club which covered old and new technologies has
now been realised and the Vintage Technology Group is now up and
running thanks to his participation.

We extend our sympathies to his beloved wife Ann and his son Ronan and
daughter Ilona and their spouses. The funeral took place at Saint
Patrick and Saint Killian's church in Clara Vale County Wicklow on
Tuesday 23rd of January 2024, the same church where Rudi and Ann were
married. It represented an Alpha and Omega of their wonderful life
together. He will be sadly missed by all. May he rest in peace.

We also were saddened to hear of the passing of John Lynch EI4KV. Late
of Ennis, Co. Clare, John died peacefully at home following a short
illness. He was laid to rest in Clarehill Cemetery, Co. Clare on Friday
January 26th. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and wide
circle of friends. May he also rest in peace.
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News from the IRTS

The first IRTS Committee meeting of 2024 took place on Saturday,
January 27th at 11 a.m. at the Cregan Court Hotel in Athlone. A large
crowd of IRTS committee members, officers of the society, and club
representatives were in attendance. A very constructive and lively
meeting took place with the following items being of major importance.

The IRTS constitution which was hoped to be ratified at this year's AGM
in Ballinasloe has been temporally put on hold. After many suggestions
and views have been expressed, and in order to take all suggestions and
views on board, it was decided to review the document again and take on
board what other ideas and options have been expressed. The IRTS would
welcome any individual who has any input to join the constitution
review team to help them in completing the new constitution.

The IRTS is delighted to announce that a new insurance officer has been
appointed to the society. Pat O'Connor EI9HX has taken up the role with
immediate effect. Pat brings vast knowledge and experience to the role
and the IRTS are very grateful to Pat for taking up this important
role. A revised insurance policy has been in place since the start of
the year which meets the needs and requirements of the society and its
members. Pat will be reaching out to all the IRTS affiliated clubs in
the coming weeks to bring them all up to speed on the insurance
situation and the requirements of the clubs to fill the criteria needed
to be included on the policy.

IRTS Awards Curator Mark EI4FNB asks anyone in possession of any IRTS
trophies to begin the process of returning them. Mark will attend both
the Phoenix and Limerick Clare rallies so they would be good
opportunities to arrange the return of the trophies. His email address
is available on the IRTS website under awards curator for anyone that
wants to get in touch with him directly about this.

The next IRTS Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, February
22nd at 8:00 p.m. on the Zoom platform. All IRTS affiliated clubs are
reminded that under Rule 16.1, the members in each affiliated club,
society or other body may elect a representative and an alternate
annually to attend IRTS Committee meetings. Clubs wishing to send a
representative should notify the IRTS Secretary, Owen EI4GGB at
irts_secretary /at/ irts.ie
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The 4th Edition of the IRTS HAREC Amateur Radio Station Licence Study Guide
Is Ready

The National Short Wave Listeners Club would like to announce that they
have just completed work on the 4th edition of the IRTS HAREC Study
Guide. The free PDF is already available at irts.ie/guide. The physical
book is still being printed and should be soon available for purchase
from the IRTS. This textbook will assist anyone studying for the Irish
exam.

It focuses on the fundamentals of classic analogue and modern Software
Defined Radio (SDR) transmitters and receivers, transmission lines,
antennas, analogue and digital modulation schemes, radio wave formation
and propagation, electromagnetic compatibility and interference,
safety, and non-ionising radiation protection. It also teaches band
plans, proper way to make radio contacts, Q-Codes, structure of call
signs, emergency communication, radio amateur code of conduct, and
national and international legislation.

The 4th edition contains 430 pages, 40 tables, and over 230 colour
illustrations. It is fully indexed and hyperlinked. The NSWLC would
like to thank the IRTS for entrusting them with this 2-year project,
and to express their gratitude to all their students, attending HAREC
classes, for their support and feedback. Find out more about their
courses at www.swl.ie
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South Eastern Amateur Radio Group EI2WRC

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the South Eastern Amateur Radio
Group EI2WRC will take place at 8.00 p.m. sharp on Monday the 26th of
February 2024 via the Zoom platform. Due to the ever-threating Covid
infection and to allow members that live long distances away to attend,
the 2024 AGM will take place via the Zoom platform. A limited number of
places for non-members to attend are available, and anyone who's
interested in attending please express your interest by email to
southeasternarg /at/ gmail.com by Friday, February 16th. For more
information about EI2WRC, their activities, and for contact details
please see www.searg.ie
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Phoenix Amateur Radio Club Rally Next Week

The Phoenix Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place next Sunday February
11th, 2024. The venue is Coolmine Community School, Clonsilla, Dublin
15, Eircode D15 FW97. Admission is five euro and doors will open at 11
a.m.
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Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society Rally

The Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society Rally takes place on Saturday
March 2nd, 2024. It will be held in the Hillsborough Village Centre, 7
Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6AR. Doors will open at
10:30 a.m. and the rally will finish at 1 p.m. If you would like to
book a table at the rally, please email rally /at/ lvars.uk. Further
information may be found via their website located at www.lvars.uk
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Items for Inclusion in Next Week's Radio News

That is the news for this week. Items for inclusion in next week's
radio news can be submitted by email to newsteam /at/ irts.ie for
automatic forwarding to both the radio and printed news services. The
deadline is midnight on Thursday.

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