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This Week's News

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday April 21st, 2024
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Silent Key James Cullinan EI4DT

We were saddened to learn of the death of James Cullinan EI4DT who
passed away on Friday April 12th, 2024. James was a former principal of
a national school in Kilkenny and also a former member of South Eastern
Amateur Radio Group. He was laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery,
Ballykeeffe, Co. Kilkenny. We extend our deepest condolences to his
wife Teresa, three daughters, and five sons. May James rest in peace.
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IRTS Examination Board Update

The IRTS Examination Board would like to advise that the closing date
for the upcoming HAREC exam is April 27th, 2024. Currently there are
five places available for the Dublin sitting and two places available
for the Kerry sitting. The exam takes place on May 11th, 2024.
Registration for both exams begins at 10.30am and the exam commences at
11am with a duration of 2 hours. The location for the Dublin exam
centre is the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and the Kerry exam
centre is The Rose Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Applicants who wish to sit the next exam but have not yet applied,
should download, and complete the exam application form from the
downloads section of the IRTS website. Applicants are also advised to
consult the "Applying for an Exam" section on the IRTS website for
instructions on how to proceed with the application or contact Mick
EI6IKB via email at irts_exams /at/ irts.ie
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Update from the IRTS Contest Manager

IRTS Contest Manager, Mark EI6JK reports that the recent 80 metre IRTS
counties contest and Easter Monday 70 cm and two-meter IRTS counties
contest results are now published on the IRTS website under contest
results. The 80m contest had 32 entries altogether and just under half
from outside EI/GI. Mark notes that it was great to see entries from
continental Europe and conditions were quite good for this contest. On
the other hand, the VHF/UHF contest numbers were down, mainly due to
poor propagation particularly on the two-meter band. Mark EI6JK thanks
everyone for the participation and if anyone would like any information
on contests or logging programs, do not hesitate to contact him. To
view the results and for contact details, visit www.irts.ie/contests
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South Eastern Amateur Radio Group EI2WRC

EI2WRC had a very successful day at the Shannon Basin Radio Club Radio
Rally on Sunday April 14th. Many people called by the stand to say
hello and it was great to see you all. Many new members also joined so
the club thanks everyone for your great support. Thanks also to the
SBRC for having South Eastern Amateur Radio Group there.

EI2WRC will be active with the special event call EI150IMD from
Rosslare, Co. Wexford, Ireland on International Marconi Day, next
Saturday, April 27th. The EI150IMD special event call is to celebrate
the 150th anniversary of the birth of Marconi. The April meeting of
EI2WRC will take place at the usual location and time on Monday, April
29th.

Finally, EI2WRC is delighted to announce that they will be hosting the
92nd IRTS AGM Weekend in The Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Rd, Carlow
over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of April 2025. For more
information, please see www.irtsagm25.blogspot.com For more information
about EI2WRC, their activities, and for contact details please see
www.searg.ie
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South Dublin Radio Club AGM

South Dublin Radio Club's AGM will take place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday 21st
of May 2024 at Ballyroan community centre on the Marian Road in
Rathfarnham. All members are asked to attend.
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Thanks from Shannon Basin Radio Club

Shannon Basin Radio wish a hearty thanks to everyone that travelled to
Ballinasloe last week for the IRTS AGM Weekend that they hosted. In
particular, the club thanks the presenters for the talks on the
Saturday afternoon and everyone who took part in the club's rally and
monster raffle on Sunday to help make it such a great success and a
very enjoyable social event also. SBRC was delighted to see the very
high turnout from right across the amateur radio, CB, and general
electronics and radio interest areas which surpassed last years'
attendance.

Shannon Basin Radio Club thank the almost twenty-five traders and clubs
that participated and the many SBRC volunteers involved in all the
organisation and ensuring plenty of hands were available to help with
loading in and out on the day. In addition, the Shearwater Hotel made
every effort to help ensure the event went smoothly which was greatly
appreciated.

Over the weekend, SBRC handed out 34 prizes over two raffles totalling
approximately EUR3500 and are deeply appreciative of their many
generous sponsors. Finally, Shannon Basin Radio Club wish South Eastern
Amateur Radio Group the very best as host club for next year's AGM
Weekend.
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UKIECC Contests Update

The UKEICC has two CW contests next week. The final 80m contest of the
year takes place on April 24th from 20:00 UTC. The UK/EI DX Contest on
the 27th and 28th of April between 12:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on the 80m
to 10m bands. Megan EI5LA will be operating the EI5G bonus station for
the 80m contest, and Tim G4FJK will be operating G5GEI. Further
information may be found at www.ukeicc.com
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Rally Reminders

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club's 40th rally takes place in two weeks'
time on Sunday 5th May 2024. The venue is the Share Discovery Village
located at 221 Lisnaskea Rd, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ. Doors
will open at 11 a.m. and admission is five euro or five pound which
includes a ticket for the draw on the day.
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Propagation Update

For the first half of this week, VHF and UHF enthusiasts can expect
some marginal to fair tropospheric ducting opportunities. On the HF
bands, the sunspot number has reached its highest value in thirteen
years. Operators can therefore continue to enjoy some good propagation
conditions but interspersed with relatively frequent radio blackouts
due to geomagnetic storms caused by our active sun.
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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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