EI2GYB > NEWS 18.01.26 13:00l 56 Lines 7886 Bytes #200 (0) @ WW
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Subj: IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday January 18th, 2026
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IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday January 18th, 2026
Update from the IRTS
We wish to inform members that our president, John Kelly EI4L, has made the difficult decision to step down from his role due to personal reasons. This was not a decision taken lightly, and the timing is regrettable. We would like to sincerely thank John for the time, dedication, and commitment he has given to the society during his tenure. On behalf of the committee and all members, we extend our full support and warmest good wishes to John and his family at this time.
Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club Update Regarding the IRTS AGM Weekend on April 18th and 19th
Limerick Clare Amateur Radio Club write in to confirm that arrangements for this year's IRTS AGM weekend are advancing well. However, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, earlier material provided by the club specified incorrect dates for the AGM weekend. Any confusion that this may have caused is regretted. The correct dates are the 18th and 19th of April 2026. A full programme of events, as announced previously, is planned for both days. Various accommodation packages will be available for the weekend at a special rate in Tracey's Oakwood Hotel and full details will be published on the club website, www.limerickclareamateurradioclub.ie and the IRTS website in the coming week. Arrangements for booking tables at the rally and the relevant deadline will also be announced at the same time. The club also wishes to remind members to mark their diaries for February 12th when the club's own AGM will be held.
Donegal Amateur Radio Club AGM
Donegal Amateur Radio Club will hold its AGM on Wednesday the 21st of January at 7.30 p.m. The venue is the Central Hotel in Donegal Town. New members and shortwave listeners are always encouraged to attend and anyone interested in becoming involved in the hobby will be made very welcome. All club information is available on the club's website at www.ei1drc.com
Shannon Basin Radio Club Nets
Shannon Basin Radio Club send in a report regarding their recent 80m SSB DX net on Thursday night last. Skip conditions were experienced making it difficult for local EI/GI stations to be heard. Conditions were especially challenging for operators running low power, QRP, or for anyone with compromised antenna setups. On the flip side, conditions were great for European stations, with very little QSB, QRM, or QRN experienced throughout the one-hour net. Some of the regular callers, like ON8EI John in Belgium and George SA7IRE in Sweden were booming in. They made some great exchanges with EI/GI stations and as always, they were a huge addition to the net. Stations operating just 10W from Denmark, along with others from Belgium, Norway, Austria, and Shetland Islands were also very welcome additions to the net. The next Shannon Basin Radio Club SSB DX net takes place on Thursday night next from 9 p.m. Band and frequency details will be announced via the club's social media channels closer to that time.
Update from TOG Hackerspace Radio Club
TOG Hackerspace Radio Club is still a relatively new radio club, but the TOG community has been going for 17 years. They are hosting a birthday open social on Saturday the 24th of January, from 7 p.m. until late, at TOG Hackerspace, D12 CF6V. There'll be homemade pizza, birthday cake, and the usual mix of chat, projects, and a look around the space for anyone who hasn't visited before. Whether you drop in for ten minutes or stay for the night, you're very welcome. For full details, visit tog.ie, and if you're online, feel free to send them a birthday message on one of their social media accounts. Please listen out for EI0TOG on the bands as well. if you catch them, give them a shout and wish them a happy birthday.
UKEICC 80m Contests to Trial Self-Spotting from February 2026
As a trial for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, self-spotting will be allowed in UKEICC 80m contests beginning with the SSB contest on February 4th and ending with the CW contest on April 29th. Entrants who self-spot or ask to be spotted must enter in the category Single Operator Connected, which is sometimes called assisted. The aim of the trial is to increase participation in SSB contests and, at the same time, bring SSB contesters more closely in line with CW contesters who benefit from spots via the Reverse Beacon Network. CW and SSB entrants who do not self-spot or ask to be spotted and are otherwise unconnected and unassisted will continue to enter the category Single Operator Unconnected. Rules for the 80m contests will be updated to reflect this temporary change and should be consulted for full details. These can be found at ukeicc.com
Candelera Fair Special Event Station
On January 30th, 31st, and February 1st, the 175th edition of the Catalan festival of Fira de La Candelera which translates to Candlemas Fair, takes place. Organised by the ACRAM Amateur Radio Association, a group of amateur radio operators will operate the EH175FCM activation from a radio station located in the fairgrounds. The station will remain permanently operational during the entire fair, making the activity known to amateur radio operators around the world. All contacts will be confirmed via eQSL. Further information can be found at eh175fcm.blogspot.com
Rally Updates
The 2026 "Coolmine Rally" run by Phoenix Amateur Radio Club is on Sunday, the 15th of February 2026. Doors open at 10 a.m. at Coolmine Community School, Dublin, D15 FW97. Contact Tony EI7GI at 087 2439997 for table bookings and further information. You then have three weeks to save up again for another one. On the 7th of March 2026, Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society will hold their annual rally at the Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough, BT26 6AR. Doors open at 10.30 a.m., and the rally ends at 1 p.m. Further details can be found at www.lvars.uk
Items for Inclusion in Next Week's Radio News
That is the news for this week. Thanks to everyone for sending items into the weekly IRTS radio news. They are very much appreciated and are a great way to update the rest of the community about activities. If you have any club events, activities, meetings, or other items of interest, you are very welcome to email newsteam /at/ irts.ie with the details. These will be automatically forwarded to the IRTS radio and printed news services. The deadline each week is midnight on Thursdays.
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