

IRTS News Sunday 2nd October 1994.

This news bulletin was compiled and edited by Steve Wright, EI5DD, in
conjunction with members of the Galway VHF Group.

SAFETY ASPECTS OF USING MOBILE TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT.
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In a paper produced by Lena Nilsson a comprehensive study of reaction
times of drivers using mobile telephones was undertaken using VTI
simulator which is the closest thing to driving live on the road.
Conclusions drawn from the study showed that drivers ability to react
quickly in a car following situation was impaired when they were talking
on a mobile phone. The prolongations of reaction time,  0.6 seconds for
young drivers and 1.5 seconds for elderly drivers, imply stopping
distances which are increased by, respectively, 8 and 21 meters when
driving at 50 km/h.

Neither young nor elderly drivers compensated for the delayed reaction
time by increasing the headway. The distance to the car ahead was even
shorter than for drivers who drove without using the mobile phone.
Drivers estimated their workload to be higher when driving and
conversing on the phone. Thus, they tended not to place the task to keep
the workload level constant. It was found that the risk for an accident
may increase when using a mobile telephone during a car-following
situation. It is obvious that the bottom line of this study tends to
highlight more the distraction aspect of using mobile phone equipment
than promoting the use of hands-free mobile phone equipment to increase
the safety factor.

SOUTH EASTERN AMATEUR RADIO GROUP.
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The Committee of the South Eastern Amateur Radio Group met on the 7th of
September, following the Summer break. One of the items on the agenda
for discussion was the Waterford Rally which will be held in the
Regional College on the Cork Road; the same venue as last year. More
details of the Rally will follow as the date draws closer. For the time
being the date of the Rally is the 30th of November.

September also saw the return of the general meetings which take place
on the last Wednesday of the month in Egans Lounge Bar, Barrowstrand
Street. Members were treated to a video of the special event station for
the QE2 which arrived in Dunmore East on the 2nd of September. A second
video, covering Antenna Construction, was also shown.

A special event station for Waterford Opera Festival has been active
although the band conditions have not been the best. Contacts have been
made on 40 and 80 Meters.

SEARG took part in the 2 Meters Counties Contest despite the poor
weather conditions and special thanks are given to those who braved the
elements for the duration of the Contest.

DONEGAL (TIR CONNAIL) AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY.
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The Donegal (Tir Connail) Amateur Radio Society will be holding their
annual Mobile Rally and Junk Sale in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey on
Sunday the 13th of November with doors opening at 11am. Admission is 9C1
and there are ample parking facilities and refreshments available at the
hotel. This is always a very popular event with a wide variety of
equipment available. Definitely a sale not to be missed.

FINGAL RADIO CLUB RALLY IN JURY'S HOTEL.
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The Fingal Radio Club Radio and Electronics exhibition takes place this
Sunday in Jury's Hotel, Ballsbridge with doors opening at 11.30am. A
wide variety of equipment will be on sale with all the major traders
present. There are ample car parking facilities and refreshments
available for weary travellers.

IRISH LANGUAGE ON AMATEUR RADIO.
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A regular Irish Language net will be held on 80 Meters following the
IRTS news and call-ins on 3.650. The net will commence on Sunday the 2nd
of October and all are welcome to join the net.

NEWS ITEMS REQUIRED URGENTLY.
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Following the absolutely superb flow of items from around the country it
would appear that things are easing off rapidly. Scouts Jamboree on the
air is coming up shortly and there are many Scouts Groups who have never
experienced the fun of this event. If your Club is running a station for
this event, give it some publicity and encourage others to come on the
air. As always, Club reports are more than welcome and much sought after
at this time of the year. Special thanks to all Club Secretaries and
PROs who have been supplying information to date.

ITEMS FOR INCLUSION.
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Items for inclusion in the Radio News Bulletins should be addressed to
Steve Wright, EI5DD, C/O Department of Pathology, Regional Hospital,
Galway. FAX messages may be sent to EI5DD at 091-24216. All items
included in the Radio News Bulletins will be passed on to Dave Moore,
EI4BZ, for inclusion in the monthly Newsletter. Items for inclusion in
the Printed News should be sent to Dave Moore, EI4BZ at QTHR, phoned to
021-632444 during the day or to 021-883555 in the evenings. Items may be
sent by packet radio to EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to
021-632730.
