IRTS News for 6th March 1994 OUTGOING QSL BUREAU ------------------- Once again, another year of QSLing has come to a close with the bureau cleared. Everything was ready for dispatch before Christmas but was delayed until afterwards to avoid the possibility of cards going astray with the Christmas rush. The trend and condition of the present cycle has been well illustrated by the complement of cards sent to the bureau. In 1992 154 kilos of cards were dispatched in comparison with 82 kilos in 1993. The following list gives an indication of the present trend: 19921993 DK 16 kilos 51 grammes 9 kilos 250 grammes UK 21 " 450 " 8 " 256 " JH 4 " 49 " 2 " USA 28 " 40 " 16 " VE 3 " 45 " 3 " 50 " Mathematics may not be the strongest, but we estimate that cards are down by approximately 50 per cent. There are very few gripes from the Outgoing QSL Bureau, but a couple of recurring problems come to mind: 1. When a special event station is worked, please write the country's prefix on the reverse side of the card. 2. With many new countries coming on air and producing confusing prefixes, it would be helpful if the name of the country were to be written on the reverse side of the card to speed up the sorting process. 3. Oversize cards are no longer a problem as they are used on the outside of the packs of correct sized cards for protection! This situation will only continue until April 1994, when all cards will have to conform to the correct size of 3.5" x 5.5". More and more people are sending cards to Sheena EI9GP and Bill EI5GO at QTHr. This greatly facilitates the sorting and dispatching of cards that can often be posted within a few days of arrival. Special thanks to Bill EI9FK, who keeps Sheena and Bill regularly supplied with cards from Box 462. DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) ARS ------------------------- The IRTS AGM and annual dinner will be held in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey, on 23/24 April. Th dinner will be on Saturday at 8.30 pm. Tickets are now available from Ken McDermott EI4DW at only thirteen pounds each. The charge for B and B in the hotel will be 22 pounds per person sharing, which includes a full breakfast and access to the leisure centre facilities. The new 1m pound leisure centre includes such facilities as a 22 metre pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and gymnasium. Places of interest around the Ballybofey area include Glenveigh National Park and Castle, the Lakeside Centre, Dunlewey, with boat trips on the lake. The latest attraction to Donegal is Daniel O'Donnell's Viking House in Kincasslagh for those interested in country music. Further enquiries may be addressed to Ken EI4DW at Curraghmore, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, or phoned to 074 31109. ARSI RADIO THEORY EXAMINATION ----------------------------- The ARSI are organising a sitting of the Department's exam in Terenure College on 6 April at 1.30 pm. Anyone who feels ready enough to sit then should contact Dave O'Rourke on 01 8405746. SLIGO ARC --------- Sligo club meets on 8 March in the Southern Hotel, Sligo at 8.00 pm. A packet demonstration will be the main item on the agenda, and a good attendance is anticipated. THIS WEEKEND'S FUNCTIONS ------------------------ S.E.A.R.G. hold their Radio and Electronics Exhibition and Sale today at the RTC, Cork Road, Waterford, at 12.00 noon. The AGM of Limerick ARC takes place at 2.00 pm in the Limerick Inn, Ennis Road. The Region 4 AGM follows at 4.00 pm in the same venu. (END)