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Amateur Radio at the European Parliament
Following the IRTS AGM the Society was represented by Séamus EI8BP and Seán EI7CD at an exhibition in the European Parliament organised by the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM working group on 26/27 April.With the title European Amateur Radio Benefits Society the exhibition focused on Emergency Communications and Education & Space, with the aim to raise awareness amongst European politicians. The exhibition was sponsored by German MEP Mrs Birgit Sippel and was opened by IARU Region 1 President Hans PB2T.
The opening was attended by the Euro Commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Dr Kristalina Georgieva together with many MEPs and their assistants.
Students from the European School in Brussels were given a talk on satellites by Gaston Bertels ON4WF, Chairman of the IARU Amateur Radio Space Exploration Working Group and were able to have a live QSO with the International Space Station and meet with astronauts and cosmonauts who had been aboard the ISS.
Also in attendance was Czech Republic MEP Vladimir Remek who flew in a Soviet spacecraft in 1978.
(l to r) Thilo Kootz DL9KCE, Chairman IARU EUROCOM Working Group. Hans Blondeel Timmerman PB2T, President IARU Region 1. Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN, Member of the Executive Board DARC. MEP Birgit Sippel, Germany .
Seán Nolan EI7CD, Hon. Vice-President & IARU Liaison IRTS Dave Wilson M0OBW, President RSGB.