
IRTS RADIO NEWS BULLETIN 

Sunday June 2nd 1996


The Cork Repeaters

Following the decision taken at the Cork Repeater Group meeting on 
March 22nd last, a new 70 centimetre repeater has been purchased 
and installed on a site near Cork Airport overlooking the City.

The repeater, on RB10, that is an output frequency of 433.250MHz, 
is providing much improved coverage in the Greater Cork area.

Congratulations to all involved in a very efficient job.

At the time of writing, problems have again arisen with the Cork 2 
metre repeater. Following a very long spell of trouble free 
operation, the repeater was down with a problem mains transformer 
for about a week recently. This was rectified and unfortunately 
another problem developed almost immediately. Hopefully all will 
be well by the time you hear this bulletin.

_______________________________

2 Metre Transatlantic Attempt

The plans  by some US amateurs operating from North Carolina to 
participate in an attempt to have the first 2 metre transatlantic 
QSO were reported in a recent IRTS Newsletter. The attempt will 
take place on the weekend of June 22/23rd. The operation at the US 
side will take place at the monument in Kitty Hawk, North 
Carolina, which commemorates the first ever flight in a heavier 
than air machine.

On the European side, it is expected that a large number of 
stations will be listening and hoping to make contact.
We understand that at least two Irish stations will be involved, 
including a station with the special call sign EI5TAC, for Trans 
Atlantic Challenge. The callsign to be used at the US end has not 
been finalised.
_______________________________

Munro Day

A few weeks ago, we reported that members of the South Dublin 
Radio Club will be climbing Brandon Mountain on Sunday August 4th. 
We now understand that members of the Tipperary group will be 
climbing Galtymore on the same day.
Joe Ryan, EI7GY would like to hear from others who may be heading 
to the hills on August the 4th, even if the mountain in question 
is below the three thousand foot limit to qualify as a Munro.

_______________________________


Sunspots

May the 10th, was determined to be the first of the new cycle 
polarity sunspots. The new sunspot region grouped briefly during 
the day and then declined.

Please note that the appearance of the first new cycle polarity 
sunspots does not mark the beginning of the next cycle, which is 
cycle 23.

The next Newsletter will carry a fuller account as issued by SESC 
in Boulder.
_______________________________

Islands

Members of the Donegal (Tir Conaill) Amateur Radio Club have been 
on Aran island off west Donegal since Friday afternoon last. If 
you have not already worked them, they should be available after 
this bulletin either here or on the Worked All Ireland net 
frequency of 3.670 MHz. 


The Blasket Islands will be activated from Thursday next by 
members of the WestNet Group together with some their fellow IOTA 
enthusiasts from HB9-land. They should be on all bands on both CW 
and SSB. The operation will continue until Monday 10th June.

QSLs should be directed to Declan EI6FR.

Members of the East Cork Group plan to activate Capel Island off 
Youghal on Sunday June 23rd, weather permitting. Activity will 
only be for one day with priority being given to 80 metres to 
allow as many EIs, GIs and G stations work the Island for their 
WAI awards.

Further information will be available on the DX Cluster and on the 
Worked All Ireland net.

Other groups are asked to consider putting an Island on the air 
during the summer months.

_______________________________

Field Days

CW Field Day is being held over this weekend so please have a 
listen for the EI stations who are out under canvas. The event 
will finish at 1600 local time this afternoon. We hope all 
participants enjoyed themselves regardless of scores achieved, 
particularly those who have taken part in their first field day 
event.

The next Field Day will be the VHF/UHF one on July 4th and 5th. 
There will be as usual two sections in this contest, the 
restricted one involving two metres only and the open section 
where the four metres, two metres, 70 centimetres and 1296 MHz 
bands are allowed. There are no restrictions on antennas in either 
section. 

Last years open section was won by South Dublin Radio Club 
operating from Kippure and the restricted section was won by Cork 
Radio Club operating from Bweeing Mountain, north of Cork City.
We hope that some more groups are planning competition for them in  
this years contest.

The SSB HF Field Day will be held on September 7th and 8th. This 
was the best supported ever field day last year and we look 
forward to an even bigger participation this year.

Full details on all Field Days are available from the Contest 
Manager Paul OKane EI5DI.
_______________________________


Items for inclusion in both the Radio News and Newsletter can be 
faxed to 021-632730.


The Radio News Editor, John EI7DNB, can be contacted at 021-353988 
in the evening and the Newsletter Editor, Dave EI4BZ is at 021- 
632444 during the day and 021-883555 in the evening. 


Mail can be sent on packet to either EI7DNB or EI4BZ on cluster or 
at the EI7DKB BBS or on Internet to jbarry@curia.ucc.ie 
