
IRTS News for 24th April 1994

SATELLITES BOOST REGIONAL NEWS
------------------------------
   The concept of a 24 hour news service in Britain was little
more than a dream five months ago. With the help of 235,000
pounds worth of new technology it has become reality.

   A network of satellite telephones, radio cars and receiver
sites had been installed throughout the UK in the time since
Radio 5 was taken off the air last autumn, and have now become
operational since the end of March with the replacement station
Radio 5 Live, the 24 hour news and sports station. It is now
possible to steer away from the London oriented news and place
more emphasis on the regions. The co-ordination  and installation
of 4 Immarsat satellite phones has improved the quality and
efficiency of broadcasts from around the UK.

   The Immarsat system has been frequently used abroad, especially
in Bosnia, but seldom used by journalists in Britain before.
Interviews and reports have hitherto been restricted to the
South of England because the technology was concentrated around
the London area. With satellite phones, BBC journalists are
now able to go anywhere they want.

   The satellite dishes are transported in Peugeot 405 estate
cars, and journalists are able to unpack them and link up
with one of the satellites within a matter of minutes. Using
digital technology, the Immarsat system will ensure reports
are broadcast with the same quality as a studio broadcast,
enabling a better sound quality than the old telephone report.
Inmarsat cars have been spread around the UK, enabling journalists
to get into the action quickly, thus improving their national
news coverage.

   This has been the largest satellite deployment for radio
and the first tried on this scale in the UK.

CARLOW AND DISTRICT ARC
-----------------------
   The weekly theory and morse classes continue in the RTC,
Carlow, every Wednesday at 7.30 pm. They are well attended,
and 10 candidates hope to sit the exam early in May.

   During the Easter period the college was closed, but alter-
native accommodation was made available,on 30 March and 6
April, at the local Eire Og G.F.C., Tullow Road, Carlow, free
of charge. Members of Carlow and District ARC sincerely thank
the Eire Og committee for their very kind gesture, and wish
their club every success in their quest for the all-Ireland
championships in 1995.

   The ARC will resume its meetings at the RTC on 13 April,
at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.

   The club Treasurer wishes to remind all members that unpaid
1994 subscriptions are now overdue, and can be posted to Sean
Corry, 56 Beechwood Drive, Rathnapish, Carlow, or handed in
at a club meeting.

DUBLIN 2M VOICE REPEATER
------------------------
   The Dublin 2m voice repeater will shortly be taken off
the air for routine maintenance, long overdue because of the
inclement weather, which hampered work at the elevated site.
It is hoped to resume service quickly.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
------------------
   Fingal ARC will hold their Radio and Electronics Exhibition
at Jury's Hotel, Ballsbridge, on 8 May. There will be many
stands selling used equipment, surplus equipment, radio,
electronics and computer equipment, along with the IRTS bookstand
and membership services available. Talk-in on S22. Admission
is one pound.

   The Parkanaur Rally, promoted by Mid-Ulster ARC, will take
place at Silverwood Hotel, Lurgan, Co. Armagh on 15 May. The
proceeds of this rally go to the Stanley Eakins Memorial Fund,
providing additional funds for the pupils at Parkanaur School
near Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. The usual traders will be present,
a bring and buy stall will be available, and talk-in on S22.

ARSI RALLY
----------
   The ARSI Rally will be held in Terenure College School
Hall on 22 May from 12.00 noon. Table space reservation and
information may be had from Dave O'Rourke at 01 8405746.

   That concludes the bulletin for this week. Items for inclusion
in the radio news should be sent to Steve Wright EI5DD, c/o
Dept. of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. Fax messages
may be sent to EI5DD at 091 24216. All such items will be
forwarded to Dave Moore for inclusion in the printed news.

   Items for the printed news only should be sent to Dave
Moore EI4BZ, QTHr, or phoned to 021 632444 (daytime), or
021 883555 (evenings). Items may be sent by packet radio to
EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to 021 632730.

BRAYIP:EI9FK Area: irtsnews >

73's,
Colm.
                  ͻ
                    BBSNET : EI2EDB @ EI7GM.#81.IRL.EU 
                   AMPRNET : COLM@EI2EDB.ampr.org      
                     Rathmichael, Co.Dublin. IO63wf.   
                  ͼ

