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This Week's News

IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday August 16th, 2026
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IRTS Hamfest 2026

IRTS Hamfest 2026 took place over the weekend of 8th and 9th of August,
bringing operators, clubs, presenters, vendors, and enthusiasts
together for an action-packed weekend in Mullingar. On Saturday, we
were blessed with excellent weather despite a previously less promising
forecast. Setup went smoothly, and before long, clubs from all across
the nation were ready for their exhibition, showcasing everything from
SOTA, POTA, and emergency communications to equipment collections and
club activity highlights. Many operators arrived with more than just
their radios. Camper vans and tents quickly filled the site, giving
operators the unique opportunity to test their field-portable setups
from the Hamfest itself.

The Saturday afternoon featured three presentations. We were grateful
to ComReg for explaining how they support the hobby and serve the
operator community, followed by Enda EI2II, who gave a retrospective of
the Antigua DX expedition team, and Vic EI5IYB, who gave an
introduction to the latest advancements in packet radio. The Sunday
brought a radio rally to the site. A range of vendors attended,
offering everything from brand-new transceivers and accessories to
vintage computing gear.

We would like to thank all clubs, presenters, vendors, and participants
who helped make this year's Hamfest a success. It was great to see many
people come together, putting a face behind the callsign heard on the
air. Please channel any feedback to hamfest /at/ irts.ie, and keep an
eye on IRTS social media channels for event pictures. We look forward
to seeing everyone at the next in-person event.
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Shannon Basin Radio Club Invitation for SSB Field Day

Shannon Basin Radio Club is extending a warm invitation to radio clubs
to join them for the upcoming IRTS SSB Field Day, which takes place
over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th, 2026.
The club will be operating from the spacious and secure grounds of
Garbally College in Ballinasloe. Clubs or individual operators
interested in setting up alongside them or joining in the field day
activities are invited to get in touch. For further information and
logistics, please contact Anthony, EI6GGB, by emailing admin /at/
sbrc.ie
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Silent Key - Michael White EI5EAB

This week, we regret to report the passing of Mick White EI5EAB. Mick
was a founder member and honorary member of Shannon Basin Radio Club.
Residing in Athlone, Mick was a retired member of the Irish Defence
Forces. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and wide circle
of friends. Ar dheis D? go raibh a anam. May he rest in peace.
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Galway Radio Experimenters Club s Trip to Inishbofin

Galway Radio Experimenters Club will host their annual trip to
Inishbofin this week, from the 15th to the 21st of August. They will be
operating across the bands using the club call sign EJ4GRC and welcome
calls from all. If by any chance anyone happens to be visiting
Inishbofin during this time be sure to call in to them. You are asked
to please keep an eye on their Facebook for updates throughout the week
- search Galway Radio Club on Facebook.
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DX F?ile 2026 Update

The date and venue for the eagerly awaited DX F?ile 2026 organised by
the EIDX group have been announced. It is scheduled to take place on
Saturday October 3rd in the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Further information will be announced in due course. Enquiries should
be sent to David at ei9fbb /at/ gmail.com
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VHF/Microwave News

Amateur radio operators are reminded that the International Space
Station (ISS) VHF/UHF crossband FM repeater is active and available for
making contacts during scheduled passes over Ireland and Europe.
Operating under the callsign NA1SS, the crossband repeater features an
uplink on 145.990 MHz using a 67.0 Hz CTCSS tone, and a downlink on
437.800 MHz plus or minus Doppler. Occasionally, a crewmember can pick
up the microphone and talk on the repeater so you could be fortunate
enough to speak directly to an astronaut on board. Back on Earth, SSB
and FM nets on the VHF and UHF bands are run at various times during
the week. Information about these can be found on the IRTS website. If
any help or pointers are needed, you are very welcome to contact the
VHF/microwave co-managers via email to vhf_manager /at/ irts.ie
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IARU Intruder Watch Service Newsletter

The July edition of the IARU Intruder Watch Service has been published.
Operated by dedicated volunteers, the service searches for and
identifies unlawful signals from the bands, including broad-spectrum
over-the-horizon radars (OTHR), illegal maritime or commercial chatter,
and military transmissions. In this latest edition, you can learn more
about what the national coordinators observed on the bands. These
signals included over-the-horizon radars, broadcasting and non-amateur
voice, and military and embassy digital modes. The newsletter can be
downloaded from the Intruder Watch Service page on iaru-r1.org
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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, news, meetings, or other items of interest,
you are very welcome to email the radio news editor Keith EI5IN via
email to newsteam /at/ irts.ie with the details. The deadline is
midnight on Thursdays. Items intended for inclusion in Echo Ireland
should be sent to echoireland /at/ irts.ie.

[C]
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