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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday February 18th, 2024
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IRTS Updates

The IRTS committee is obliged by rule to ensure that sufficient
candidates are nominated to fill the roles of President, Vice-President
and eleven committee positions. If you are interested in joining the
committee or know someone who is, please contact the IRTS Secretary,
Owen EI4GGB ahead of the next committee meeting, preferably by
tomorrow, Monday February 19th at irts_secretary /at/ irts.ie. This
procedure does not preclude anyone from seeking election to these
positions and if more than the required number of candidates are put
forward, then a ballot will be held.

The IRTS Awards Committee is seeking Nominations for "Awards for
Services to the Society or to Amateur Radio" and "Awards to IRTS
members for Other Achievements". Details of these Awards are available
at www.irts.ie under the Awards section. Nominations should reach the
Awards Manager, Jim Holohan EI4HH by tomorrow, Monday, February 19th.

IRTS Awards Curator Mark EI4FNB asks anyone in possession of IRTS
trophies to arrange their return in preparation for engraving. Mark
will be attending the Limerick Clare Radio Club Rally next Sunday the
25th to facilitate you. His email address is available on the IRTS
website under awards curator for anyone that wants to get in touch with
him directly in relation to 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 in advance to
ensure notification and links are provided.

The IRTS HAREC Examination Board would like to welcome Mick EI6IKB to
the team. Mick has been volunteering as invigilator for recent HAREC
exams and will now be supporting Dave EI6AL for the next HAREC
examinations as part of the Examination Board. The IRTS would like to
thank Mick for stepping up and volunteering his time to support this
vital role for the society. The IRTS Examination Board is preparing to
host the next HAREC exams in May 2024. Exact dates, times and venues
will be confirmed in due course over the coming weeks subject to ComReg
approval. The Examination Board would also like to congratulate the
National Shortwave Listener Club for the work that they do in hosting
training of candidates and in publishing the HAREC study guide. The
positive impact has been very evident in the improved pass rate seen in
recent exams.
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EI0MAR is QRV Again

EI0MAR is the call-sign for the amateur radio station located in the Ye
Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio in Howth near Dublin. It is
QRV again following recent antenna storm damage. The X80 HF vertical
was a write-off. However, thanks to Tom May, EI9LA, the station at the
radio museum in Howth is now back on air after he kindly donated an X80
vertical antenna, which he had not been using. On Saturday 10th of
February, Tony, EI5EM and Joe, EI2JZ installed the new antenna, taking
the opportunity to replace the coaxial cable at the same time. The
museum is currently open at weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further
information, email Tony EI5EM /at/ gmail.com or just drop by any
Saturday or Sunday.
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Update from Collective Communication

Collective Communication provide an update that they are in the process
of planning their activities for 2024. They report that it is going to
be a very active year for EI3CC. They were at the Coolmine Rally last
weekend and will be at the Limerick Rally on February 25th as well as
the Shannon Basin Radio Club rally in April of course. Marconi Day,
Windmills on The Air, and R.N.L.I. "SOS" week will all see EI3CC
present and active along with some new venues where they can
demonstrate and promote amateur radio to the public. Apart from the
above-mentioned rallies, their first public activity will be
participation in the St Patrick's Day parade in Tramore, Co. Waterford.

The club asks that if you would like to be part of their truly dynamic
amateur radio club, contact their club secretary, John EI3HQB, and find
out more on 086 870 9265. Their membership fee is just EUR10 per year.
Club subscriptions are used to cover the running and maintenance costs
of their club. They state that it takes a lot of fuel to tow their
Radio Communications Unit around the country.
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Rally Updates

The Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place next Sunday
February 25th in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis. Doors will open at 11.00
a.m. All the main traders will be present and there will be an
extensive bring and buy section. For further information, contact
Dermot Gleeson at dermotgleeson1 /at/ gmail.com.

Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society is holding their annual rally on
Saturday, 2nd March 2024 at Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch
Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6AR. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and entry
costs EUR5 or �5. Further information may be found at www.lvars.uk

The Shannon Basin Radio Club rally and monster raffle takes place on
Sunday April 14th. It will be held in the Shearwater Hotel in
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway as part of the 2024 IRTS AGM weekend. Doors
will open at 10.00 a.m. and admission will be EUR5. The club reports
that prize sponsors so far include Icom, Yaesu, Long Communications, DX
Engineering, MFJ Enterprises, Messi & Paoloni, Martin Lynch & Sons,
WiMo, Radionics, Satworld, Airmast, Wescom Ireland, South Eastern
Amateur Radio Group, the Shearwater Hotel, in addition to Shannon Basin
Radio Club itself. Tickets for the IRTS Gala Dinner have been selling
fast so you are strongly advised to secure them as soon as possible to
avoid disappointment. All hotel rooms at the specially negotiated rates
have been sold out. Further information may be found at
www.sbrc.ie/agmweekend

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club's 40th rally will take place on Sunday
5th May 2024. The venue will be the Share Discovery Village located at
221 Lisnaskea Rd, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ. The usual traders
will be in attendance including the IRTS, RSGB bookstall, QSL Bureau,
IRTS, and a bring and buy. Food and drink are available at the rally,
with lunch also being served. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Admission will
be five euro or five pound which includes a ticket for the draw on the
day.
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RSGB 3.5MHz CW Club Championship Contest

The RSGB 80m CW Club Championship contest takes place on Thursday
February 22nd. It runs from 20:00 to 21:30 UTC. You can find the rules
and further information about this at www.rsgbcc.org
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IARU Monitoring System Region 1 January Newsletter

The January edition of the IARU Region 1 Monitoring System newsletter
reports intervention by the German Federal Network Agency regarding
intruder broadcasts on the 30m band. They also highlight how the 10-
and 15-meter bands are most affected by over the horizon radar.
Continuing with their new newsletter approach, you can see recorded
examples of interference and intruder signals for yourself via their
newsletter. It is available for download via the Monitoring System
webpage found at www.iaru-r1.org
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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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