UPDATE

80 metres Counties Contest

The IRTS 80 metres Counties Contest, held on New Year'sDay, was well supported this year. Based on theexchanges heard on air, the scores this year areexpected to be higher than in previous years. Itremains to be seen whether all 32 EI and GI countieswere represented, but initial reports suggest thatstations from every county were indeed active.
Band conditions were as good as could be expected on 80metres - with noise levels rising from time to time,but reasonably good propagation nevertheless.
Contest participants should submit their logs as soonas possible to the Contest Manager at QTHR, or betterstill by email to contestmanager /at/ irts.ie


ENGINEERED...A WEEK OF WONDER!

Engineers Ireland will host a ''week of wonder'' forPrimary and Post Primary students in February 2009.IRTS in collaboration with Engineers Ireland will run anumber of workshops at Engineers Ireland's Dublinheadquarters. These will consist of a two-hour, handson, programme which will act as in introduction tocommunications and radio technology.
The Society also intends to package the programme sothat clubs around the country will be able to runsimilar workshops. We have already approached a numberof clubs and they have indicated their willingness toparticipate by running one or more workshops in theirarea. Engineers Ireland will provide clubs with localpartners such as technical schools or libraries who areanxious to participate.
The Society would urge clubs to commit to becominginvolved as soon as possible. There are obviousbenefits for all involved. With the programme packsprovided by the Society, clubs would need three or fourpersonnel to run the workshop. If your club or groupare interested in helping out, contact Paul EI2CA on087 2523908 or by email to paul /at/ comma.ie


New VHF Packet and Winlink Node

There is a new VHF Packet and Winlink Node currentlyunder test in Waterford, more details can be had bycontacting either EI7IG or EI8JA


Special Event Station

Terry, GM3WUX, will be QRV as GB2HLB from Dec 26until Jan 22.
This is to remember Louis Braille who was born 200years ago on Jan 4, 1809. Braille invented the embossedprinting used by the blind.
Each QSO will be remembered with a special QSL card.
Check-out the following weblink:
http://www.justgiving.com/louisbraille


New Canadian Prefix’s

From January 1st until February 28th 2009 you may behearing new Callsigns from Canadian Amateur Radiooperators.
The prefix Commemorates Galileo's first use of anoptical telescope and the subsequent discoveries hemade in his lifetime. It also is the inaugural,International Year of Astronomy a global effortinitiated by the International Astronomical Union andUNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscovertheir place in the Universe through the day - andnight-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense ofwonder and discovery..
The Prefix you may hear are:
CG for VE's CF for VA's CH for VO's CI for VY's
For more information on this project you might like tovisit http://www.hamiya2009.info/


Escape2Adventure 9-14 January 2009

The 14th Australian Venture, 'Escape', will take placein January and Amateur Radio will be a part of it.
It is a major National youth event of the Venturersection (14-18 years old) of Scouts Australia.Venturers and Guides from all over Australia and aroundthe world will be taking part.
The Amateur Radio Shack will be on-air from Friday 9thJanuary until Wednesday 14th January 2009 using thecallsign VK6SAA
Operation will be on HF will be on or near the ScoutCalling Frequencies: Sked can be arranged via email:vk6scouts@westnet.com.au


Orlando HamCation 2009

Orlando Amateur Radio Club organizes the 63rd HamCationsm Amateur Radio and Computer Show in Orlando, FloridaThe theme for the 2009 Orlando HamCationsm: ‘Amateur Radio – Always a challenge’The Central Florida Fairgrounds is the center of activities February 13, 14 and 15 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) 2009, for people interested in Amateur Radio and electronics. Admission is $10.00. Organized by theOrlando Amateur Radio Club. Site: Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive (SR-50), Orlando, Florida 32808. Driving directions: I-4 Westbound Exit 83C, I-4 Eastbound Exit 83B. Go to SR 50 (West Colonial Drive). RV $22 per night, no reserved spots. General parking free. FCC license Exams administered Saturday, pre-registered only.Talk-In amateur radio frequencies: Repeaters 146.760 (-600) no tone, back-up 147.015 (+600) 103.5 tone.

Information: www.hamcation.com, email: hamcation@oarc.orgMort & Roberta Cohen, hamcation@aol.com, (407) 814-0434Orlando HamCation(sm) P.O. Box 547811, Orlando FL 32485-7811.


Sable Island DXpedition postponed

Sable Island DXpedition postponed reluctantly, due to the current US economic situation, the DXpedition team has decided to postpone the CY0 DXpedition planned for 2009.
The team are hopeful to reorganize the DXpedition (possibly for 2010), The sabledx.com website will remain functional for the time being.


WebSDR on six bands

WebSDR on six bandsFor a limited period the popular web-based HF radio receiver WebSDR has been replaced by a more advanced one that covers 6 bands totaling 1.2 MHz of bandwidth.Run by the University of Twente's amateur radio club in the Netherlands, the system allows users to tune across several Amateur bands.What makes this system different from other web-based receivers is, that thanks to the use of Software-Defined Radio technology, this receiver can be tuned by multiple users simultaneously.
To use the HF radio receiver go tohttp://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/


Rallies
15th February 2009 Coolmine Radio Rally,
The Coolmine Radio Rally, run by the Phoenix Radio Clubwill be held in the Coolmine Community School,Clonsilla Dublin 15 on Sunday 15th February 2009. Doorsopen 9.30 am for table bookings and information pleasecontact Tony 087-2439997 or Tom 01-8211043 See map onwww.coolminecs.ie/locationmap.php


Happy New Year From EI5IX
I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful 2009.