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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 10th May 2009

The news headlines

* CEPT Appointment for RSGB President
* IARU thanks broadcasters who moved from 7MHz
* Dayton Hamvention to be streamed live

The RSGB President, Colin Thomas, G3PSM is to lead key discussions at
the 2011 World Radio Conference. He has been appointed CEPT Lead
Coordinator for the 500kHz proposal, which is Agenda Item 1.23, at the
WRC-11 conference. This appointment is unusual in that agenda item
coordinators are normally selected from administrations, ie Ofcom. This
is a great honour for Colin and the role that the RSGB and the IARU
play within the international telecommunications community.

The International Amateur Radio Union has thanked short wave
broadcasters for achieving a high degree of migration away from the
now-worldwide amateur-exclusive band of 7100 to 7200kHz by the mandated
date of 29 March. IARU Secretary Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, has been quick to
acknowledge the compliance by most broadcasters to QSY out of that
band, as required by a decision of the World Radio Conference in 2003.
He also noted that he is certain that the few remaining broadcast
transmitters operating on 7200kHz and below will be addressed in the
coming weeks. The departure of broadcasting from this spectrum has
resulted in an enormous improvement in the usefulness of 40 metres for
amateur radio communication.

Anyone who cannot attend the Dayton Hamvention next weekend can still
see what's there thanks to Tom Medlin, W5KUB. For the 7th year running,
Tom will be streaming live video and audio of this show to radio
amateurs worldwide. Tom's transmissions will go live on 13 May at
1300GMT for his 500 mile drive from Memphis, Tennessee to the Hara
Arena in Dayton. He will then be streaming on Thursday as he sets up in
the flea market and then for the entire Hamvention. The broadcast will
end as he gets back home on Sunday night. In addition to the video, the
site has a chat room where you can talk with other hams around the
world. You will find it online at www.w5kub.com. The RSGB will be
represented in Dayton on stand 437 in the ballroom of the HARA arena.

An RSGB Train the Trainers session will take place on Sunday 5 July,
hosted at the Britannia Bolton Hotel, Beaumont Road, Bolton BL3 4TA,
home of the Bolton Wireless Club. The Train the Trainers scheme offers
guidance on running courses and teaching techniques and helps tutors
enhance the standard of their Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced
license courses. Dave Wilson, M0OBW and Dave Bibby, G1PIX, will be
presenting the all-day course, which is free of charge to attendees.
For more information and to register, contact Kath Wilson, M1CNY by
e-mail to or call 01270 761608. Demand is
expected to be high, so it is important to register as soon as possible

The current design of International Reply Coupons, also known as IRCs,
will expire at the end of year. Unlike the old style coupons, the
current types all have an expiry date, giving them a maximum life of 3
years. If you purchased a current IRC today, they will still expire on
31 December 2009. The current issue is known as the

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Beijing 2 IRC and may be exchanged up to 31 December 2009, which is the
date printed on coupon. In principle, Beijing 2 coupons will no longer
be sold from 31 August 2009. The new international reply coupon will be
known as the Nairobi Model and is due to go on sale from 1 July 2009.
It will be valid for exchange until 31 December 2013. Some 2.2 million
International Reply Coupons are sold each year by 121 postal
administrations. While not all countries sell IRCs, all the postal
operators of the Universal Postal Union's 191 member countries, and
their territories, are required to exchange them.

With an Advanced exam scheduled for early June this year, Steve
Hartley, G0FUW and his team are able to squeeze in an extra Foundation
course before the schools close for the summer. The Bath course will
run from Thursday 11 June to Thursday 23 July between 7 and 9pm each
week. Anyone interested in joining in should contact Steve on 01225
464394 between 7 and 9pm weekdays or via e-mail .

The M1PAC Echolink node in Keighley West Yorkshire (IO93AU) has been
approved by Ofcom. The link will be on 144.825MHz with a CTCSS tone of
77Hz. The station is 700 feet ASL, the antenna is 10m above ground and
is omnidirectional so it should be available to a wide range of users
in the area.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week.

The Dayton Hamvention is taking place between 15 and 17 May in Dayton,
Ohio. The RSGB will have a book stall at the event.

On 17 May, the Dunstable Downs Radio Club National Amateur Radio Car
Boot Sale will take place at Stockwood Park, Luton. Gates open at 9am
and car parking is £2. More details at www.ddrcbootsale.org.

Now for the news of special events

Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society will be holding a special event
station GB4HM at Howsham Mill, North Yorkshire on Sunday 10 May 2009.
The mill is run by the Renewable Heritage Trust who have installed an
Archimedean Screw that provides 25kW of power, so the special event
station will be running on sustainable water power. It is hoped to be
QRV on 80m, 20m, 6m, 4m and 2m.

On 10 May, GB2 WBM will be on the air from West Blatchington Mill.

Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club will be running a special
event station from the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh to
celebrate 10 years of the Scottish Parliament. They will be using the
callsign GB10SP and will be active on 16 and 17 May from 9am to 5pm
each day. The club was invited to run the Special Event Station by Jim
Hume MSP, MM0DXH, who is also a member of the Radio Club. They will be
active on 40 metres and possibly the 80 and 20 metre bands using Yaesu
1000MPs and amplifiers giving 400 watts on both bands. Special QSL
cards will be sent to acknowledge every contact.

Newbury & District ARS club will be activating the call GB0VUL for
Vulcan to the Sky on 16 and 17 May from New Greenham Arts, 113
Lindenmuth Way, New Greenham Park, Newbury RG19 6HN. This promises to
be a very large event with the club trying to get on as many bands as
possible. All members of local clubs are welcome to attend.

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The Barry Amateur Radio Society will be active as GB100BP from Sully,
Wales on until 31 May. The special callsign celebrates 100 years of
British Petroleum. QSL via GW0ANA.

And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.

Chris, ZL1CT will be operating as ZK2V from Niue, which is IOTA
reference OC-040 from 16 May to 20 June. He'll be there during the
island's cyclone season so there may be a few electrical storm
interruptions. Activity will be mainly on the 80, 40, 20 and 15m bands
using CW and SSB, with some WARC band and RTTY activity. QSL via N3SL.

A team of seven amateurs will be QRV as 9A0CI from Palagruza Island
until 16 May. They also plan to activate other islands in the group
during the trip. QSL via DE0MST direct or via the bureau.

5H1HP and 5H1MS will be active from Zanzibar Island, which is IOTA
reference AF-032 from 16 May to 2 June. They will operate on 2m EME and
MS, with activity also on the HF bands and 6 metres. QSL via DL2NUD and
DL9MS respectively.

Bill, WD2E and Sofia, AI4KQ will be active as WD2E/4 will be active
from the Dry Tortugas Islands, which is IOTA reference NA-079, until 14
May. QSL via WD2E, direct or via the bureau.

YS1G will be on the air from El Salvador between 16 and 23 May. Most
activity will be on CW, although when a fourth member of the team
arrives there will be some SSB activity. QSL via G3TXF. The log will be
uploaded to LoTW.

Now the contest news

On 12 May, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place between 1900
and 2130. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

On 13 May, the RSGB 80m Club Championship takes place from 1900 to
2030. Using data modes, the exchange is signal report and serial
number.

Over the weekend of 16 and 17 May, the RSGB 144MHz Contest takes place
from 1400 to 1400. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number, locator and postcode, for example MK.

On 17 May, the RSGB 144MHz Backpackers contest takes place between 1100
and 1500. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number, locator and postcode, for example MK.

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And now the solar factual data for the period from the 27th of April to
the 3rd of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on 4th of May.

The solar disc was spotless except on the 29th and the 30th when a
small sunspot group appeared. The group belonged to the old cycle.
Solar activity was very low. However, a number of small sub-flares
originated from the sunspot group. The solar flux averaged 69 units but
on the days the small sunspot group was visible it increased to 70
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 3rd was 70, that's the same
level as last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum
reporting level. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday and the
average was Ap 4 units. Solar wind data provided by the ACE spacecraft
saw solar wind speeds vary between 280 and 390 kilometres per second.
Particle densities were low throughout. Bz varied no more than minus 4
and plus 6 nanoTeslas for the period.

And finally the solar forecast. Solar activity is expected to continue
at very lows. With no long term increase in activity expected the solar
disc could be spotless on most days. Solar flux levels should be around
the 70 mark all week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly
quiet everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows should be about 9MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have
a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about
24MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be around 18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
0700 and 1600 hours UTC. Sporadic-E could take place occasionally
during the coming week. In general terms there is a suggestion that the
summer sporadic-E seasons are somewhat better during the sunspot
minimum years. Will this summer hold to that?

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

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Next, the Local News:

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies

can be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail addresses

and website links where known.

[Note to newsreaders: Please read the local news items appropriate to
the service area of your

transmission.]

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 10 May Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio
Society is operating GB2WTM from Woodbridge Tide Mill for National
Mills Day. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to . On
Monday 11 May Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is planning a DF
hunt. Contact Andy, G8JAC, by email to . On Monday
11 May Surrey Radio Contact Club is having an SMD master class and
project construction evening. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589. On
Tuesday 12 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from the
shack. Contact Steve on 0142 720815. On Tuesday 12 May Harwell Amateur
Radio Society has its inaugural meeting in its new clubroom. Contact
Malcolm, G8NRP on 01235 524844. On Wednesday 13 May Aylesbury Vale
Radio Society is having a presentation on IT networking by M0PSH.
Contact Roger, G3MEH on 01442 826 651. On Wednesday 13 May Farnborough
and District Radio Society is having an evening with Kevin, G7BCS.
Contact Derek G3OFA, by email to . On Wednesday 13 May
Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a talk on the streets of
Harwich by David Whittle. Contact James, M0ZZO on 01255 242 748. On
Wednesday 13 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal,
construction and workshop evening. Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV on 01603
419204. On Wednesday 13 May South Essex Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact . On Wednesday 13 May
Southgate Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact David Sharp M0XDS.
by email to . On Wednesday 13 May Worthing and
District Amateur Radio Club is planning for Windmills on the air.
Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 14 May Bittern DX
Group is having an informal evening. Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263
588506. On Thursday 14 May Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on one-man DXpeditioning by John Warburton, G4IRN. Contact John,
G4GSC on 01784 451898. On Thursday 14 May Edgware and District Radio
Society is having a talk on setting up a station. Contact Mike Stewart,
G4RNW on 020 8950 0658.

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On Thursday 14 May Horsham Amateur Radio Club has its Thursday evening
fox hunt. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 14 May
Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having an informal evening.
Contact Gerald, G8AKL on 01487 740794. On Thursday 14 May King's Lynn
Amateur Radio Club is having a club night and 2m club net. Contact Ray,
G3RSV by email to . On Thursday 14 May Reading and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Jim Carter, G0LHZ.
Contact Pete, G8FRC on 01189 695 697. On Thursday 14 May Shefford and
District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk about contesting.
Contact David, G8UOD on 01234 742 757. On Friday 15 May Wey Valley
Amateur Radio Group Club has its construction contest. Details on the
web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 16 May Verulam Amateur
Radio Club is participating in the 144MHz contest. Contact Ralph on
01923 265572.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 11 May Cornish Radio Amateur Club is
having a talk on sound recording and editing by Peter, G3WKP. Contact
Steve, G7VOH on 01209 844939. On Tuesday 12 May West Devon Radio Club
is having a natter night. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY on 01752291588. On
Wednesday 13 May Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on radar development by Chuck, G0MDK. Contact Nick Perrin, G3NRH by
email to . On Wednesday 13 May South Bristol Amateur
Radio Club is having a survey of shack equipment to ascertain repair
and replacement requirements. Contact Len, G4RZY on 01275 834 282. On
Wednesday 13 May Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is operating
the club station and holding Morse classes. Contact William, G3WNI on
01823 666 234. On Thursday 14 May Swindon and District Amateur Radio
Club is preparing for the 144MHz contest. Contact Den, M0ACM on 07810
317750. On Thursday 14 May Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on amateur radio and broadcasting by G3MYM. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ by
email to . On Friday 15 May Torbay Amateur Radio
Society is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G6FSP by email to
. On Friday 15 May Bournemouth Radio Society is having
a talk by Peter Jensen, VK2AQJ on his replica Paraset and other
projects. Visitors are welcome. Contact John, G0HAT on 07719 700771.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 11 May Gloucester Amateur Radio and
Electronics Society is having a general natter night and workshop
evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 11
May Leicester Amateur Radio Society is looking at digimodes and putting
the club project to work with Mike, G4SJX. Contact Linda, G8VQM on
07804 595749.

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On Monday 11 May South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a fox hunt. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO on 01773 783658.
On Monday 11 May Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is holding
an EGM, AGM and surplus sale. Contact Jack, G3VYE on 01926 641 988. On
Tuesday 12 May Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Committee
Meeting. Contact Richard Buckby by email at . On
Tuesday 12 May Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having
its first 2009 2m DF. Contact Chris, G1ETZ on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday
12 May Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
communications research laboratories at Warwick University. Contact
Bernard, M1AUK on 01926 420 913. On Tuesday 12 May Worcester Radio
Amateurs Association is on the air and having a talk. Contact Leslie
Coyne M3WRZ on 01905 764320. On Wednesday 13 May Lincoln Short-Wave
Club is having a talk on contest software by Jeremie Simon, F4ARU.
Contact Pam Rose, 01427 788356. On Wednesday 13 May South Notts Amateur
Radio Club is having a coffee and QSL cards evening. Contact Terry,
M0RIA, on the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 13 May
Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a surplus sale
with G8UGL in the chair. Contact Mike, G3JKX on 01952 299 677. On
Friday 15 May Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is looking at
different rigs. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869. On Friday 15 May
Coventry Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the first round of the
G4ZMC Trophy at Cathiron Lane. Contact John, G8SEQ on 07958 777363. On
Friday 15 May Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI by email to
. On Friday 15 May Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio
Society has its annual construction contest. Contact Geoff, G3STG on
01664 480 733. On Friday 15 May Worcester Radio Amateurs Association
commences its annual vintage military vehicle camp and family weekend
in association with VMARS. Contact Leslie Coyne, M3WRZ on 01905 764320.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 10 May Sheffield Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on fault finding by Peter, G3PHO. Contact Mike
Gordon, G0TKO on 01709 382479. On Monday 11 May Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036. On Monday 11 May Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on
D-Star by Darren, G7LWT. Contact . On Monday 11
May Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
aerials by John, M3WAZ. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ on 01253 399377. On
Tuesday 12 May Finningley Amateur Radio Society is having an
introduction to antenna modelling with MMANA by Dave G3VZE. Contact
Colin, 2E0UBT on 0172 471 1686. On Tuesday 12 May Morecambe Bay Amateur
Radio Society is having a junk sale and auction. Contact Martin Hazel,
M0ZIF on 07852 200232.

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On Tuesday 12 May Warrington Amateur Radio Club has part two of the
talk by Paul, M0XPD, on beginners luck with SDR. Contact Roger, M0DWQ
on 07868 000 705. On Wednesday 13 May Goole Radio and Electronics
Society is having an ARDF competition. Contact Ken, G6YYN on 01757
638539. On Wednesday 13 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part
in the 80m CC data activity night. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV on
01377 240573. On Thursday 14 May South Manchester Radio And Computer
Club is having a talk on X25 and use of DX clusters by Keith, G3RTU.
Contact Ron, G3SVW on 0161 969 3999. On Friday 15 May East Cleveland
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475
671. On Friday 15 May Wakefield and District Radio Society is having a
mini DXpedition to Britain's highest pub, The Tam Hill Inn. Contact
Ken, 2E0SSQ on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 12 May Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on the SoftRock approach to software
defined radio by GM3YEH. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
. On Wednesday 13 May Kingdom Amateur Radio
Society is having a shack night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD on 01383 738905.
On Wednesday 13 May Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on the
design, history, operation and care of Racal receivers by Colin,
GM4WHO, Dave, GM4ZNX and Ian, GM0UHC. Contact Colin, GM4HWO by email to
. On Wednesday 13 May Paisley YMCA
Amateur Radio Club is looking at interrogative QTU. Contact Bill
Anderson, 2M0BZZ on 01505 613633. On Thursday 14 May Aberdeen Amateur
Radio Society is having a construction and on the air evening. Contact
Lewis, GM4AJR on 01224 575 663. On Saturday 16 May Cockenzie and Port
Seton Amateur Radio Club is having a Scottish Parliament special event
weekend. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ on 01875 811 723. Advanced notice now that
on Tuesday 19 May Grampian Repeater Group is having its AGM. Contact
George Anderson, GM0VGI, on 01224 702804.

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast,

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.