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 News
Update
Internet Radio Linking Project - IRLP
IRLP went fully operational on the 2m repeater (EI2TAG)
on the 9 November 2009
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 node’s 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)
Theory Classes Region 4
Plans are being put in place to run radio theory classes
in the Limerick area by IRTS Region 4 representative Ger
McNamara EI4GXB, with the hope that the theory examination
can be held in Limerick which will be dependent on numbers.
Those interested in attending the theory classes can contact
Ger via email at ei4gxb/at/gmail.com or 0872532512 or QTHR
IRTS Field Day
Members of Limerick Radio Club, using callsign EI4LRC, took part in the IRTS SSB HF Field Day.
LRC came second in the restricted section with 85,550
points. Well done to all who participated.
Club
Meeting
Members are reminded that the next meeting of the Club takes place on Thursday
10th
December at the Limerick Institute of Technology at 19:30.
Club Lectures/Activities 2009
November
•Theory Classes, DVD & IRLP/Echolink
Usual monthly meeting took place with a good turn-out, which
included a number of prospective students for the Theory
Classes Region 4. Ger EI4GXB outlined the plans/arrangements
for the classes to the meeting. He stated that the course
would run over a six month period starting in January 2010.
If sufficient numbers attend the course (min12) he hoped
that it would be possible for the test to be held in
Limerick.
Anyone interested in attending the theory classes can
contact Ger via email at ei4gxb/at/gmail.com or 0872532512
or QTHR
A very interesting DVD of the 2009 DX-pedition K5D to
Desecheo Island was shown.
Simon EI7ALB, Ger EI4GXB and Dermot EI2GT gave a short
presentation on the progress in commissioning the IRLP/Echolink
system to the 2 Metre Repeater. Dermot was pleased to state
that the system is now functioning very well, with a number
of contacts having already being made worldwide.
October
•New Tower & IRLP Project
Dermot EI2GT gave a progress report on the installation of
the base section of the new tower on the 2 metre repeater
sites, showing some very interesting slides taken during the
construction operation. Work on the remaining sections is
still on-going . It is hoped that the work on the tower will
be completed before the end of the year.
A progress report on the IRLP Project was given by Simon
EI7ALB and Ger EI4GXB.They outlined some problems they
encountered during the preliminary set-up and testing of the
equipment. They expected these to be resolved quickly and
were hopeful that the system would be operational within a
short period.
Tom, EI5CA provided a progress report on his tilt over mast
and HF log periodic antenna project
September
•IRTS Field Day
Members of Limerick Radio Club, using the call-sign EI4LRC,
took part in the IRTS SSB HF Field Day. LRC came second in
the restricted section with 85,550 points. Well done to all
who participated.
August
• International Lighthouse weekend,
Due to unforeseen circumstances the planned visit to Tarbert
Lighthouse for the International Weekend on 15/16 August was
been cancelled.
The Chairman and Committee would like to apologise to those
members who had indicated their intention to participate in
this event.
• Hamtronic Show – Friedrihshafen
The annual Hamtronic Show was held in Friedrihshafen on
26-28 June. This year a large number of EI amateurs visited
the show including a number of local call-signs. No doubt
details of the goodies purchased there will emerge in time.
From all accounts a good time was had by all.
•80
Metres
The 80 Metres Counties Contest took place on 21 June. The
club call-sign was aired by John Edgeworth EI6IW, Gerry
Byrnes EI3JU and Albert Lahoud EI9IY. Our thanks to them for
their efforts to fly the flag for Limerick County.
Around 80 stations participated in the contest from
twenty-eight counties. Conditions were good with strong
signals from many stations.
•AREN
The AREN demonstration station at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Roscrea was very successful and a DVD video of the exercise is being put together for interested parties by the IRTS.
May
•Amateur Satellite Operation
Tom O’Sullivan EI3AL gave a very interesting lecture and
practical demonstration of Amateur Satellite Operating.
•Dayton Hamvention
Alan Cronin EI8EM and his XYL Breda EI896 visited the
Hamvention in Dayton USA in May. Alan had the opportunity to
make a special presentation on behalf of the club to Greg
Nitkowski N2BSA in acknowledgement of his kind donation of a
Kenwood TS 940S Transceiver to the club.
During their visit Alan and his XYL travelled through quite
a number of states meeting many of their amateur friends.
April
• IRTS President’s Cup
The Chairman and Committee of the Club were delighted to
learn that Ger McNamara EI4GXB was presented with the IRTS
President’s Cup at the 2009 AGM in Athlone. This award is
made for exceptional service to amateur radio and to the
IRTS. Ger is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious
Cup and the Club members would like to take this opportunity
to congratulate him on his award.
• APRS
Presentation 2009
APRS presentation to Limerick Radio Club April 23rd, 2009.
Automated Packet Reporting System by Ger McNamara, EI4GXB.
Download the PDF document
here (11.5 megabytes).
•International Marconi Day
The Club call-sign EI4LRC was activated for the
International Marconi Day on 25th April by Ger McNamara
EI4GXB and Alan Cronin EI8EM. A total of 250 contacts were
made during the day. Many thanks to Ger and Alan for
operating the station on behalf of the Club.
March
• RADIO , ELECTRONICS & HOBBIES EXHIBITION
The annual Radio, Electronics & Hobbies Exhibition took
place on 8th March at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Limerick. UK
traders, Icom, Yaesu and BHI and the usual local Irish
traders were in attendance. The Bring & Buy Sale generated
the usual keen interest from those attending. There was a
large attendance at the event, despite the adverse weather
conditions on the day.
The committee would like to place on record its appreciation
to the UK traders, Icom, Yaesu and BHI for their donations
of very attractive prizes for the annual raffle.
The winners of the raffle were:
1st Prize Revere Richardson EI9EYB
2nd Prize John Edgeworth EI6IW
3rd Prize John Edgeworth EI6IW
February
•Club AGM
2009
At the Club AGM held on 26 February 2009 the following were
elected to the incoming committee:
Officers:
Chairman Dermot Gleeson EI2GT
Hon Secretary Michael Kingston EI2IX
Hon Treasurer Tony Condon EI2AW
Committee members:
John Edgeworth EI6IW
Simon Kenny EI7ALB
Ger McNamara EI4GXB
Tom O'Brien EI5CA
• Engineers Ireland - Week Of Wonder:
The Club's participation in Engineers Ireland's in the
recent Week of Wonder was a great success. Students from the
local school attended at the Limerick Institute of
Technology and took part in the IRTS workshop. The Students
were introduced to the science of radio and communications
by means of a multi media presentation. They went on to
construct an audio oscillator which was used by the students
to send Morse.
Lets hope that this exposure to radio technology will
stimulate the interest of some of them to consider becoming
professional engineers in the future. The workshop was
organized locally by Ger McNamara EI4GXB, in conjunction
with the Radio Engineering Department of the Institute. Club
members who participated in the workshop were Tony Condon
EI2AW, Michael Kingston EI2IX, Dermot Gleeson EI2GT and
Simon Kenny EI7ALB.
Repeater News
• Maintenance
The Limerick Radio Club wishes to
announce that the 2 Metre Repeater will be undergoing
maintenance in the next few weeks and may be out of
commission sporadically to facilitate the work being
undertaken. It is planned that outages will be kept to a
minimum while these improvements are being implemented.
As part of this work, the call-sign is
changed as required under the revision of repeater
call-signs by ComReg. The new ID for the repeater - EI2TAG
is in operation since 11:30 on the 09 September 2009.
• Broadband Internet Connection at Tountinna:
The committee has been very active to date in sourcing
internet access at the 2 metre repeater site.
- Various site meetings took place to explore possible solutions
- Contact with ESB personnel through Alan EI8EM
- Contact with Eircom staff in Limerick Data Control Centre
and locally in Killaloe through Simon EI7ALB
- E-mail queries to the various broadband providers including
wireless providers.
However further discussions are planned before any further decisions
can be made. It should be noted that the wireless broadband
available to date probably does not meet the requirement for
D-STAR, particularly in relation to contention ratios.
• D Star Repeater:
The committee has decided to proceed with the D Star
Repeater project, subject to internet access becoming
available on the repeater site. The required licence fee has
been forwarded to Com Reg. Pending the confirmation of
internet access the committee has delayed discussions with
ICOM UK on the purchase of a suitable repeater system. It is
hoped that progress can be made on broadband access and that
the D Star Repeater Project can be brought to completion
during 2009.
• IRLP
It was agreed in 2007 that the committee should proceed with
the linkage of the 2 meter Repeater to the IRLP network. Special
hardware/software was purchased in Canada for the interface.
Simon EI7ALB and Alan EI8EM tested the system and we are pleased
to say that it is now ready to go pending availability of
broadband access on site.
Please
note that the Limerick Radio Club has a number of projects
running at present including D-STAR. These projects are at
an advanced stage and their current status is updated
regularly on the LRC Web page.
• 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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