Club Lectures and Activities in 2016
December
Albert EI5HXB treated club members to a very interesting talk on his design for a pump up vertical antenna. Albert has plans to enhance his current design.
Members were updated on developments regarding access to Tountinna. Alan EI8EM and Simon EI7ALB attended the December meeting of the IRTS Committee where they briefed the Committee on the current status of the WAW project. All is ready to go on 1st January.
November
The November meeting was very well attended. John EI6IW was presented as the LRC Club Secretary until the next AGM. Albert EI5HXB will take over as LRC QSL Manager and Harry EI2KL will join the team of IRTS news readers on Monday nights. There were no objections to to the interm appointments.
Club members were updated on recent events on Tountinna, which was followed by a lively discussion. Substantial progress was reported on the LRC Wild Atlantic Way initiative. All QSL cards are ready for the printer.
Tom EI3AL presented his very interesting latest project - The Nanokeyer based on the Arduino.
October
Club meetings resumed in October. Regretably Ger EI4GXB announced his retirement from LRC Club Secretary due to many commitments.
August
Loop Head Lighthouse was activated by Limerick Radio Club for the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend. Despite the appalling weather and poor propagation conditions, 525 contacts were made across 57 entities on 5 bands using CW and SSB modes. Two stations were operated using the club ICOM 756 PRO and Kenwood TS-940.
On Friday afternoon, before the storm broke, the Cushcraft A4S and G5RV antenna were mounted on the pump up mast (SCAM) at the rear of the former Light Keepers accommodation. It was not possible to erect a second G5RV and OCFD antenna, on the actual Lighthouse, until the Saturday morning.
Twelve members of the club attended at various times over the weekend. Harry EI2KL demonstrated and went on air with his newly acquired ICOM-7300. Dan EI8KK brought along his Buxcomm OCFD, which was mounted on the lighthouse under very severe weather conditions. The OCFD worked very well with a large number of contacts made on 17m.
Great credit is due to all members who attend with thanks to Liam EI4GB and Albert EI5HXB who transported the heavy items to/from Loop Head.
April
The IRTS AGM & LRC Rally was reviewed. Both events proved to be very successful. Thanks to all club members who ensured that everything went well.
Tom EI3AL will give avery interesting talk talk on WSPR.
LRC hosted the IRTS AGM 2016 in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Ennis Road, Limerick on the 9th & 10th April 2016. The LRC Rally followed on Sunday 10th April at the same venue.
February
The LRC AGM took place on February 11th in LIT. It was very well attended with a turnout of 18 members. Apologies were received from several members who, through work and/or other commitments, could not attend.
Chairman, Simon EI7ALB, opened the meeting and called for a 1 minute silence in honour of deceased members of the club.
He outlined the activities undertaken by the club in what was a busy year. The main field event centered on the IL&LW at Loop Head where 14 members of the club participated in the event. Three of the new club licencees participated, contributing significantly to the number of QSOs. The provision of a focal point for the club where licensed members and SWLs could operate from, should be a key objective for 2016.
The Chairman drew attention to the decline of attendances at Rallies and reminded the members present that a lot of the projects, undertaken by the club, would not be possible were it not for the income generated from the annual rally. It is essential therefore that the incoming committee maximise the attendance at the 2016 club rally on Sunday 10th April.
A number of club members activated SOTA in the Tipperary and Limerick areas.
The provision of a focal point for the club where licensed members and SWLs could operate from and operating skills honed, should be a key objective for 2015.
The Chairman drew attention to the decline of attendances at Rallies and reminded the members present that a lot of the projects, undertaken by the club, would not be possible were it not for the income generated from the annual rally.
Treasurer, Tony EI2AW presented the financial report. There was a significant loss of income due to the cancellation of the 2015 Rally. Membership fees and fee structure remain unchanged.
The following were elected to the various club Committee positions:
- Chairman: Simon Kenny EI7ALB
- Hon. Secretary: Ger McNamara EI4GXB
- Hon. Treasurer: Tony Condon E12AW
- Committee Members:
- Michael Kingston EI2IX
- Alan Cronin EI8EM
- John Edgeworth EI6IW
- Liam Rainford EI7DSB
- Trustees:
- Tom O'Sullivan EI3AL
- Dermot Gleeson EI2GT
- John O'Brien EI5HDB
January
Chairman Simon EI7ALB updated the meeting on the failure and repair of the mast on Tountinna. The 2M repeater was restored to service on the 31st December 2015. C W Transmissions during Easter Week 1916 were highlighted along with the confusion and lack of radio communications during that period.
Harry EI2KL explained some of the features of Log40M, while the Chairman updated members of the preparations for hosting the 2016 IRTS AGM on the 9th/10th April and the LRC Rally on the 10th April.
