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 News
Update
Reminder: Club Subscription
Club Subs fell due on 1st January 2011. The following rates apply:
Full (Transmitting licence holders)
Eur 30
Family Membership
Eur 35
Short Wave Listeners
Eur 15
Unwaged
Eur 10
Payment can be made to Hon Treasurer Tony EI2AW at QTHR.
Please note that only fully paid up club members will
continue to receive text alerts and emails re club
activities.
Club Lectures/Activities in 2011
Next Club Meeting
The
club has suspended monthly meetings during the summer
period. Reminders will be sent to all members regarding the
recommencement of meetings in the autumn.
May 2011
The usual monthly meeting took place on the 12th May -
there was a good turnout for this, the final meeting before
the summer break. The Chairman outlined the the programme of
events being considered for the summer months. It is hoped
that club members will participate in some or all of the
following events:
CASHOTA; Sunday May 29th Bunratty Castle
09:00 UTC to 11:59 UTC Sunday.
IRTS CW Field Day; June 5/6 and runs from 15:00
UTC on Saturday to 15:00 UTC on Sunday.
Tountinna Repeater Site Maintenance; dependent on
weather, scheduled dates are either 18th June or 9th July.
The maintenance visit is essential in order to keep the
repeater in good condition and to complete the refurbishment
of the antenna, mast and feeder cables, therefore a good
turnout of club members is required.
Lighthouse Weekend; Tarbert Lighthouse, Co Kerry
August 20/21.
IRTS HF SSB Field Day; September more
details to follow closer to the date.
April2011
The usual monthly meeting took place on
the 14th April. The main item for discussion was a review of
the IRTS AGM/ Electronics Fair Weekend in March. There was
general agreement by the members present that it was a very
successful weekend. The Radisson Blu Hotel was
complimented for a very enjoyable dinner on Saturday evening
and for all the facilities provided for the main events on
Sunday
There was agreement that the 65th Anniversary Booklet was a
suitable method of remembering the occasion of the founding
of the club. This was echoed by all those who attended the
AGM/Fair - both members and visitors alike. The
Chairman expressed his thanks to all who contributed
articles to the booklet and also to those who arranged the
editing and printing.
The Hon Treasurer gave a brief financial report on the
activities of the AGM/Fair week-end.
Given the suitability of the Radisson Blu Hotel, it was
suggested that the club should offer to host the IRTS AGM in
2012. The Hon Secretary was requested to make this
offer for consideration by the IRTS Committee at the next
meeting.
Congrats to Ger
EI4GXB on being the first to receive the EI3AV Perpetual Cup
for Leading IRTS Regional Representative
March 2011
Radio Hobbies and Electronics Fair/IRTS Transmitters Society
AGM
The club was delighted to host the IRTS AGM in
conjunction with the club's annual Radio and Electronics
Fair. Both events took place on Sunday 27th March
2011 at the Limerick Radisson SAS Hotel, Ennis Road,
Limerick. This is a significant year for both the club and
the IRTS as the club celebrates the 65th anniversary of its
founding and the IRTS is holding its 79th AGM. There was a
large attendance of amateurs/visitors from all over the
country. On the Sunday morning the IRTS news bulletin was
read by Ger McNamara EI4GXB from the the hotel while Terry
Genes G4POP delivered his seminar on Ham Radio Deluxe
A special dinner was held on the previous evening, attended
by the President and Vice Presidents of the IRTS. Cllr
Kathleen Leddin (representing the Mayor of Limerick), Colin
& Gwen Thomas G3PSM representing IARU Region 1, Conor Conran
representing ComReg and a large number of amateurs and their
partners. Colin Thomas G3PSM in his speech conveyed the best
wishes of Dave Wilson M0OBW, President of RSGB and Kay
Craigie N3KN of ARRL for the event.
The usual March Club meeting
was almost entirely taken up with preparation for the
imminent LRC Rally and the hosting of the IRTS AGM. The Chairman was pleased to announce that the club was
sponsoring two new perpetual trophies, which would be
awarded at the IRTS AGM, to honour two very
active and committed club members of LRC;
EI3AV (Paddy Maher) Perpetual Cup for Leading IRTS Regional
Representative
EI5AJ (Eamonn Cassidy) Perpetual Cup for SSB/CW Fixed
Station Summer 80m Counties Contest
February 2011
Annual General Meeting
The Club AGM took place on the 10 February in LIT. The
following were elected to the various club Committee
positions:
Chairman
Dermot Gleeson EI2GT
Honorary Secretary Ger McNamara EI4GXB
Treasurer
Tony Condon EI2AW
Committee
Brendan McNamara EI9GHB
Michael Griffin EI4FMB
John Edgeworth EI6IW
Simon Kenny
EI7ALB
There was a very good turnout for the LRC AGM with 29
members attending. Mike Kingston EI2IX has decided to take a
break from the committee and he is replaced by Brendan
McNamara EI9GHB. The committee wishes to thank Mike for his
enormous contribution to the club over the years and no
doubt he will continue to make many more valuable inputs. We
welcome Brendan who is already very active in the club,
having received his licence in July 2010. We also extend a
very warm welcome to new members Barry Merrill W5GN, Judy
Merrill KA5PQD and Philip Hogan SWL.
Chairman, Dermot EI2GT outlined the work undertaken by the
club in what was a very busy year. Treasurer, Tony EI2AW
presented the financial report and while the club is in a
good financial position, he cautioned that as the club had a
number of exceptional expenses in 2010, especially due to
the 2M and 70cms repeater works, ComReg licensing
requirements, Web Hosting and equipment purchases, care has
to be exercised. Hon Secretary, Ger EI4GXB requested members
assistance in supporting the Engineers Ireland Decoding the
Code to be held in the Limerick Teachers Centre on 18th
February. He also reminded all members of the effort
required on the 26th and 27th March when LRC plays host to
the IRTS AGM along with LRC's Rally on the Sunday - 27th
March. Jerry EI3JU updated the members on the web site
hosting, email addressing and bulletin board. Thanks to
Jerry, all of which are now operational.
January 2011
The year got off
to a good start with 21 members attending. Club Sec. Ger
EI4GXB outlined the upcoming activities which include
preparing for the IRTS AGM and LRC Rally in March, club
caravan works, Tountinna 2M Repeater maintenance, club web
site enhancement including club members personal e mail and
forum. Some good suggestions were put forward for activities
to be held during the AGM and Rally. The amount of effort
required over the next two months cannot be underestimated
so it's all hands on deck for club members.
Club members are requested to participate in this years
Engineers Ireland -STEPS- Decoding the Code at the
Limerick Education Centre on the 18th February.
A annual
Club Membership Certificate will issue to all paid
up members. A decision on a new club logo was taken.
Club Lectures/Activities in 2010
December 2010
Christmas quiz
Despite the adverse weather conditions on the night,
there was a good attendance at the club meeting in December
when the annual Christmas Quiz was held. Liam EI4GB was, as
usual, master of ceremonies. He prepared many difficult and
clever questions to task the brains of those present. The
members present were divided into 4 groups of 3 and the
winning group consisted of Gerry EI3JU, Mike EI4FMB and
Krzysztof EI9GAB.
Ken Newman KB4BJM from Florida, a friend of Alan EI8EM, participated
in one of the groups - he won a box of chocolates. A sincere
thanks to Liam for all the hard work in organising a very
enjoyable evening's entertainment.
70 cms
The club is delighted to announce the re-commissioning
of the 70cms repeated at its new location on Woodcock Hill
|
Location |
Call |
Channel |
Output |
Input |
Access |
|
Limerick |
EI7WHR |
RB5 |
433.125 |
434.725 |
103.5 |
The committee would like to thank Liam 4GB, Alan 8EM, John
6IW and Simon 7ALB for all the work which they undertook in
bringing this project to such a successful conclusion.
Thanks also to those members who provided ancillary
equipment and other 'bits and pieces' for the project.
The repeater is working extremely well and very good signal
reports have been received.
The committee would like to take this opportunity to
thank all those members who gave time and expertise to the
club during the year and helped to make 2010 a very
successful one for the the club.
A Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to
all the club members and their families.
November2010
EI0A & 15M CQWW Contest
The club was recently issued with EI0A
as a club contest & special events call. EI0A was
originally issued to the club in the early sixties. The call
had its first contest outing on Sunday 31 October 2010 when
it was activated, as the club call, by Ger EI4GXB when he
amassed the grand total of 1088 Qs, 107 Countries, 6
Continents, 23 Zones, 42 States, 568 Prefixes equalling 3.5
Million points.
Well done to Ger
October 2010
Following the successful operation of the WAI event from
the Loop Head cottage in Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, the
club was invited to participate in the Halloween
celebrations. Again a very pleasant day was had while
operating a special events station offering WAI and CASHOTA
credits. The total tally worked was 119 QSOs. Participants
included Dermot EI2GT, Tony EI2AW, Brendan EI0CZ, Paddy
EI8GY, EI9IL, Gerry EI3JU, Simon EI7ALB and a special thanks to
recent licencee, Dave EI9GBB, who clocked most of the QSOs.
September 2010
Atlantic Airventure
The Club participated in the Atlantic
Airventure at Shannon Airport. This event was
celebrating 100 Years of Irish Flight.
The Club used it's recent purchase of a
Cushcraft A4S HF Yagi, which was set-up on the Friday
evening and the Club call-sign, EI4LRC was aired over the
weekend. There was a large attendance at the event and the
station was visited by numerous people. Those taking part
were EI4GXB, EI2GT,
EI0CZ, EI2AW, EI3JF, EI3JU, EI6IW,
EI8EM, EI7ALB, EI8GY, EI9GHB & his YL Nessa.
Worked All Ireland (WAI)
To celebrate the re-launch of the
Worked All Ireland (WAI) award, Limerick Radio Club
operated from Bunratty Folk Park (WAI Square R46) on Sunday
26th September from 0900 to 1600 using the Club call-sign
EI4LRC/P. This station was also valid for the Castles &
Stately Homes On The Air (CASHOTA) award (EI008/C). An
enormous number of visitors were in the park on the Sunday
to attend the National Harvest Day. The Club station was
located in a prime position in the Loop Head Cottage. It was
a great opportunity for the Club to display amateur radio as
many of the visitors called into the station and saw the
station in operation. Taking Part were EI4GXB, EI0CZ, EI2AW,
EI7ALB, EI8GY, EI9GBB, EI9GA, EI2GT.
August 2010
Lighthouse Activation
The club activated Tarbert Lighthouse over the weekend
of August 20/21. Thanks to Alan EI8EM who loaned his
Cushcraft A4S and to John EI6IW for his antenna. Over 900
QSOs were recorded which reflects the effort by all
concerned, particularly Ger EI4GXB, Gerry EI9JU and Dave
EI2GBB, who worked the night shift Saturday night/Sunday
morning. A photo showing some of the participants made the
cover page of the August edition of Echo Ireland. Taking
part were Ger EI4GXB, Dermot EI2GT, Tony EI2AW, Mike EI2IX,
John EI6IW, Alan EI8EM, Gerry, EI3JU, Dave EI9GBB, Dave
EI2GBB, and Simon EI7ALB.
70cms Repeater
Work on
on new antenna brackets has now been
completed and these along with the antenna pole were
installed on the side of the building. Also the spur box for
the power connection was installed in the building. Work on
the repeater unit has been completed by Simon 7ALB. A new
antenna has been ordered from the UK. So it will not be too
long before the new repeater will be heard on air once
again.
Theory Examination Results
The results
of the Theory Examination for the Amateur Station Licence
examination held in Limerick and Dublin on 7th July were
issued very quickly. Of the 21 candidates who sat the
examination 12 qualified for the HAREC qualification, a pass
rate of 57%. The Club would like to thank Ger 4GXB, Simon
7ALB and Gerry 5JU for their trojan work in running the
course since January. Congratulations to those candidates
who were successful in the examination. The Club is looking
forward to welcoming the new licensees to the airways.
July 2010
The Theory Examination for the Amateur Station Licence
was held in Limerick and Dublin on the 7th July. A total of
21 candidates sat the examination between the two centres
Club Equipment
The club purchased some equipment from the estate of the
late James Devereux EI6JP.This included the following:
ACOM 1010 Linear Amplifier
Heil Foot switchDL6000
Watson W-30 PSU
70 cms Repeater
The 70cms Repeater was removed from the Knockfierna site
for maintenance and upgrade. Thanks to Ger EI4GXB, John
EI6IW and Gerry EI3JU who trekked up to Knockfierna and
removed the equipment from the site. Having examined the
equipment, the club has reviewed it's 70cms service in
totality and has decided to relocate the repeater to a new
site on Woodcock Hill. Alan EI8EM, Liam EI4GB Simon EI7ALB
and Pat visited the site to finalise the location of the
antenna pole and equipment. Work on the refurbishment and
re-housing of the repeater continues with Simon EI7ALB
Caravan
The club was delighted to receive an offer of a caravan
from Gerry EI3JU which had become surplus to his needs. The
caravan is now stored at the QTH of Maurice EI3JF. Work
under the stewardship of Ger EI4GXB, has commenced on the
reconfiguration of the caravan for for use by the club on
Field days etc. The committee would like to thank Gerry for
his generous donation to the club and also our thanks to
Maurice for his offer of accommodation for the caravan at
his QTH. Various members have been working on the caravan
reconfiguration and all are looking forward to it's official
outing in the near future.
IRTS News Service
Following the resignation of the stand-by news reader
Tony EI2AW the committee decided it was now time for the
reading of the news on Monday nights to be shared on a rota
basis between a number of members. In this way the work-load
can be shared more fairly. Our thanks to Tony for his many
years of loyal service and reliability.
The following schedule of news readers has now been
agreed.
1st Monday of the month Gerry Byrnes EI3JU
2nd Monday of the month Simon Kenny EI7ALB
3rd Monday of the month Brian Toner EI9AL
4th Monday of the month Ger McNamara EI4GXB
June 2010
Limerick Radio Club was successful in the Spring 2m
counties contest high power portable section.
Dermot EI2GT gave a very interesting talk and working
demonstration of IRLP at the club monthly meeting.
Site works continue, weather permitting, on the
Tountinna 2m repeater site.
The Region 4 Radio Theory instructors E4GXB, EI3JU and
EI7ALB were pleasantly surprised when the Region 4 Class of
2010 presented them with plaques to mark the conclusion of
the course. Best wishes to the students in the upcoming
exam.
Alan EI8EM and his XYL Breda E1896 visited
Friedrichshafen 25 to 27 June. Both helped man the IRTS
stand for a period.
Repeater News
Tountinna: the 2 Metre Repeater underwent maintenance and was out of
commission sporadically in September to facilitate the work
being undertaken at the site. As part of this work, the
call-sign was changed to EI2TAG-R as required by ComReg.
The existing 2m antenna pole was replaced with a tilt over
mast in March 2010. Additional site works are required to
complete the project.
Broadband Internet Connection at Tountinna:
The committee was very active during the year in sourcing
internet access at the 2 metre repeater site but without
success to date.
D Star Repeater:
The committee decided to proceed with the D Star Repeater
project, subject to internet access becoming available on
the repeater site.
Knockfierna: The 70 cms repeater has been
relocated to Woodcock Hill and went operational on 16
December 2010
IRLP System
Procedure for Calling IRLP Nodes
Listen on the 2m repeater, EI2TAG for 15 - 30 seconds
before transmitting and then ask if the
repeater is currently in use.
Assuming all is clear,
identify yourself and
give the node name or number you
wish to call.
Example: "EI7XYZ for the Sydney node" - then enter the ON
code (4 digits) for the node and release your PTT.
The LRC repeater will probably drop out while it awaits the
distant node to respond. Do not do anything - just wait.
When the connection is confirmed, the voice ID of the
destination node will be transmitted back to you as well as
your nodes voice ID (EI2TAG) to the other repeater.
Once connected and after hearing the confirming voice ID,
wait at least 15 seconds before transmitting as.
The distant repeater may be in use, and your entry may
have occurred between transmissions.
The voice ID of your node is longer than the voice ID of
their node, and the connection is not made until the ID is
fully played.
Their computer may be slower, and hence take longer to
process the connection than yours.
Press and hold the microphone PTT for about 2 seconds and
then announce your presence and your intention
- such as you are calling someone specifically or just
looking for a QSO with another ham in that city.
If no response is heard, announce your call and your
intention to drop the link and then touch-tone in the OFF
code 73.
(Note the LRC repeater EI2TAG node number is 5159)
Repeater Funding:
Once again we would like to remind all those who use the
club repeaters that they consider making a contribution to
the running costs of these. It is not fair that the burden
of costs should fall only on the members of the club. So
those local users, who are not members of the club, might
reflect on the great facilities that are being made
available to them by the club and consider donating to the
repeaters fund. Donations can be sent to the Hon Treasurer
EI2AW QTHR.
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