Dundalk IRTS weekend was a wonderful success

The 78th Annual General Meeting of the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) was held in Dundalk last weekend in conjunction with a radio rally. What a fantastic weekend it was for the amateur radio hobby and the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society, which hosted the event.

The IRTS dinner on Saturday night at the Fairways Hotel, which I attended with the XYL, was a great evening with plenty of nice food (and drink for those who were having it) and good company. Sunday's rally was packed from the off with lots of radio amateurs, shortwave listeners, CB enthusiasts, general gadget freaks and lots of other nerds (myself included) hovering around a multitude of stalls. It was a nice big room but it was still full at times with bargain-hunting radio hams swarming like busy bees around tables full of everything from expensive HF rigs to second-hand single morse keys to mobile antennas, plugs, co-ax, tape and assorted bric-a-brac.

The IRTS AGM was held immediately after the rally at 2pm on Sunday.

Great credit for a fantastic weekend is due to the Dundalk Amateur Radio Society (EI7DAR). The event was even blessed with the presence of some De Lorean cars, and also the Amateur Radio Emergency Network (AREN) vehicle. Also in attendance were CTI computers and Astronomy Ireland. There was a stand highlighting the activities of EI7DAR, including live air traffic displays, an IRTS stand and a section devoted to microwave and ATV.

Dave Deane EI9FBB was present at the rally for card checking, and a number of hams seeking awards were availing of his services. Congratulations to Gerry EI6GWB who passed the morse test - well done Gerry, and no doubt you will find CW a fantastic mode as I have done.

Congrats to the committee and well done to all the club volunteers who were of such enormous help on the day.