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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 18th September 2016
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Silent Key - John A.C. Breen EI7BV

The funeral of John Breen EI7BV took place at Terenure College Chapel
on Thursday last 15th September. A large number of radio amateurs were
present including IRTS President Gerry Gervin EI8CC and Vice-President
Jim Holohan EI4HH.

John was a very active member of South Dublin Radio Club and at last
Tuesday's meeting the news of his passing was met with shock and
sadness. Spontaneous tributes to John were paid by many of the over 20
present in the club.

May he rest in peace
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Contest Results

Results of the August 2 Metres Counties Contest have been published.

The Contest Results page at www.irts.ie/results has links to these
results.

Activity levels were low, 13 station logs were submitted, showing just
23 EI/GI counties active on the day, with the best representation from
counties in the northern part of the country.

A diary date for contesters: our first ever Autumn 40 metres counties
contest takes place on Sunday 9th October; more details in later news
bulletins.
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Echo Ireland

Quite a few outdoor activities are covered in the September issue of
Echo Ireland. Norby LX1NO/EI8KD describes a hectic visit to EI during
which he activated all five EI/EJ IOTA groups as well as undertaking
several SOTA activations. And speaking of SOTA, an article by John
EI3KA the Association Manager for Ireland of the Summits On The Air
programme, suggests how best to plan a successful SOTA activation.
Staying with the "outdoor" theme, the latest Echo Ireland includes some
interesting photos of the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group's
activation of the Copper Coast Geopark, as well as Avondhu Radio Club
members operating in VHF/UHF Field Day and Cork Radio Club's CW Field
Day operation.

Anyone studying for the amateur station licence examination, or
providing a course or other assistance to a candidate for this exam
will find lots of useful information in the latest report from the IRTS
Examination Board, which highlights some of the areas that have caused
problems for candidates in recent exams, and suggests possible ways of
addressing such difficulties.

HF operating is well covered in this issue, with the regular HF
Happenings column by Anthony EI2KC and a report on the new EI DX
group's participation - as the society's HQ Station - in the IARU HF
World Championship. The Contest News column covers recent IRTS contests
and some suggestions for possible changes to the contest calendar and
rules for 2017; the contest manager, Joe EI7GY is looking for feedback
on these suggestions.

The September Echo Ireland includes many other articles and updates,
and was mailed to members during the week.
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South Dublin Radio Club

As a mark of respect to the late John Breen EI7BV R.I.P, there is no
club meeting this week Tuesday 20th September.

Morse classes will resume the following week (27th September).
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JOTA

The Scout Jamboree on the Air, JOTA, takes place next month on the
weekend of 15th and 16th October. Scouting Ireland and IRTS are making
a special effort to increase activity and a number of radio clubs and
individual operators have already indicated their intention to take
part.

Activity can be for the whole weekend, just one day or even a few
hours. This is a really worthwhile activity for both Scouting and
Amateur Radio and will help promote the hobby particularly amongst
teenagers and young adults.

If you can help out either by hosting some scouts at your station or
giving a hand at the local club station please contact Paul EI2CA QTHR
or mobile 087 2523908. There is a particularly active and enthusiastic
scout group in Ashbourne County Meath who want to team up with a club
or individual operators. They are well resourced and have a premises in
the town complete with a mobile antenna tower. Let us know if you can
help.
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Kerry Amateur Radio Group

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Transatlantic Cable
from Valentia Island, County Kerry to Hearts Content, Newfoundland, the
Kerry Amateur Radio Group will be undertaking a HF linkup with the
Radio Amateurs of Canada, operating as VO1TAC, as part of their AGM on
Saturday 10th Sept.

The Radio Amateurs of Canada AGM is being held in conjunction with the
Hearts Content cable station 150th anniversary Hamfest. The Hearts
Content cable station is the site of the first permanent transatlantic
cable coming ashore from Europe in 1866.

It is planned that Cyrus Field IV will make the first QSO from the AGM
with EI1K at the Valentia Cable Station, to mark this historic event.

The Expeditionary Radio Team will rig the antenna system for two
stations operated by Kerry Amateur Radio Group members from 40m to 10m
on SSB and CW from 1100UTC until 1900UTC in WAI square V47 on Saturday
10th September.

I addition to Saturday's operation, the Kerry Amateur Radio Group will
be putting on a public display at South Kerry Ploughing Championship at
Flemings Farm in Fossa, Killarney, County Kerry. The show opens to
public 11am to 6pm Sunday 11th September. There will be one station set
up with the focus on demonstrating to the public on what amateur radio
is about.
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DX News

Andy DL3YM will be active again from Uganda using the callsign 5X8B
from 21st September to 1st October. He will operate mainly CW during
his spare time and his station will be located on the campus of Nkumba
University in Entebbe. QSL to his home call and logs will also be
uploaded to Logbook of The World.

A group of 6 operators from the Czech Republic will operate as D66D
from the Comoros Islands from 18th to 30th September. QSLs can be
requested through ClubLog's OQRS .

Bruce 3W3B will reactivate his XW4XR callsign in Laos from 19th to 30th
September. QSL Manager is E21EIC.

Les NI1L will be QRV as VK9LN from Lord Howe Island from 20th to 27th
September. He will operate holiday style and mainly use CW on 40m to
10m. QSL to his home call.
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Digicon 2016

24 September 10.30am to 5pm Admittance - £3

Venue: Portadown Golf Club, 192 Gilford Road, Portadown BT63 5LF

The days agenda will consist of talks on digital voice and other
digital modes.

Attractions: Catering, Lectures/Seminars, RSGB Book Stall Contact:
Philip Hosey, MI0MSO, 07849025760. Email rm8 /at/ rsgb.org.uk.
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Items for inclusion in next week's Radio News can be submitted via
e-mail to "newsteam /at/ irts / dot / ie" for automatic forwarding to
both the radio and printed news services. Urgent news items for the
radio news may be telephoned to the radio news editor, Aidan, EI7JC on
085 7100511.

Please note that items for the radio news should reach the editor no
later than midday on Thursday in order to be guaranteed inclusion in
the following Sunday's bulletin.

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