1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 2 September

The news headlines

* 3B7C preparations nearly complete

* Global emergency conference successful

* Radio amateurs raising money for hospice The 3B7C St Brandon Island
DXpedition is getting closer. Following the advance party of Neville,
G3NUG, Don, G3BJ and Don, G3XTT, the remainder of the team expect to
arrive on Isle du Sud on 4 September. Due to the complexity of the
stations being set up, operations are expected to commence at midnight
UTC on 7 September. However, the 6m beacon on 50.090MHz will be
activated at the earliest opportunity so that 6m DXers can start to
monitor for possible openings.

Other than their radio gear, contact with the outside world is limited
to an Iridium satphone which will be used primarily for uploading logs.
For more information log onto www.3b7c.com/. The QSL Manager is
Neville, G3NUG, and bureau cards can be requested via the webpage.

The Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference, GAREC-07,
took place on 16 and 17 August in Huntsville, Alabama. It is the third
event of its kind, and the first ever held in the United States, just
prior to the 2007 ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest.

Almost 100 people from all over the world attended the global event.
The prevailing theme, how to apply advanced technologies to emergency
communications, was echoed throughout the two days. The conference also
included presentations, discussion groups and emergency vehicle
displays informing attendees about the latest in hardware.

Richard Ross, MI1RDR and Paul, MI3CXM, are coming to England from
Northern Ireland on 10 September. The pair will be holding kite
displays and talks on kite flying. They will also be using kites to
raise HF aerials. They aim to raise money for the Children's Hospice in
Northern Ireland. Richard will have HF, VHF and UHF to his Motability
car. They are hoping fellow radio amateurs will contact them while
driving on 10 September from Troon to Boston, Licolnshire.

The events are open to everyone and for more details on where they will
be taking place log onto www.niChildrensHospice.piczo.com/. To make a
donation log onto www.justgiven.com/mirdr.

Radio amateurs in Malaysia celebrated 50 years of independence with a
nationwide field day on 30 August to 1 September. Known as the Merdeka
Field Day, the celebration saw 16 stations operating in cities and
jungle. All participating stations were issued with special 9M50Mx
callsigns. More information is on the web at www.marts.org.my.

On Friday 24 August the public Ramblage restriction imposed on the Isle
of Man as a result of the UK outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease was
lifted. Therefore SOTA activity can once again commence on the Island.
Thank you to all amateurs who observed the temporary restriction.

Manchester 24GHz beacon GB3MAN became operational on Sunday 26 August
at 0900 GMT. For more information log onto www.microwavers.org.uk/.

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

[Note to newsreaders: Please use your judgement on which of the
September 2nd items to read out, based on your time slot and distance
from the event.] On Sunday 2 September the Andover Radio Amateur Club
Autumn Boot Sale takes place at Wildhern village hall, SP11 0JE.
Details from Terry, G8ALR, on 01980 629346. On Sunday 2 September the
Newhaven Fort Amateur Radio Group Rally takes place from 10.30 at
Newhaven Fort, Newhaven. Details from Eddie, G0ECW, on 01273 300772, or
by email to . On Friday 7 and Saturday 8
September the Leicester Amateur Radio Show takes place from 9.30am at
Donington Park, Leicester, close to M1 junction 23A. Details from
Geoff, G4AFJ, on 01455 823 344 or on the web at www.lars.org.uk. More
details of these and future events can be found on pages 88 and 89 of
the September edition of RadCom. Now for the news of special events

The Radio club de Binche will activate the special call sign ON4WAR to
pay tribute to the Belgian Resistance during WW II. It will take place
on 2 September. Old rigs such as Paraset and TR6 will transmit in CW on
the 7MHz band from the dropping area of the Refuge B40 in Waudrez,
Binche, Belgium. Some transmissions in SSB are also scheduled on the 7
MHz band. A special QSL card will be issued for this event. More info
on www.on7ry.be. The Orkney Wireless Museum will be active as GB2OWM
until 5 September. Celebrating the 17th Orkney International Science
Festival, the station will be at the Museum's premises at Kiln Corner,
Kirkwall. Probable operating periods will be weekdays and Sunday
afternoons between 1430 and 1630, and Saturday morning between 1000 and
1230. Activity will be primarily on HF SSB. For more information
contact Bill, GM3IBU, QTHR or e-mail . And now
the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin and
other sources.

Tomas, LY1F/VK2CCC, will be active as 3D2MT from the Fiji Islands until
4 September. He plans to operate mostly CW 80 to 17 metres, and to
participate in the All Asian DX SSB Contest. QSL via VK2CCC direct or
LY1F bureau. Dick, G3URA, will operate mostly CW as SV9/G3URA from
Crete (EU-015) until 4 September. He will participate in the Russian
RTTY Contest as J49X. QSL via G3URA, direct or bureau. Piero, IZ1CRA,
reports he will be active mainly on 20 metres from Palau, Sardinia
(EU-024) until 6 September. QSL via home call, bureau preferred. DL5ME
and DG3HWO will be active ss SD7ME from Oland Island (EU-037) on 6 to
11 September. They will operate CW and SSB on 40, 30, 20 and 17 metres.
QSL route at qrz.com under SD7ME.

3 Geza, HA4XG, will be active on the HF bands plus 6 and 2 metres from
Greece until 14 September. First he will operate as either J48XG or
SV8/HA4XG from Corfu/Kerkyra Island (EU-052) until 6 September. QSL via
home call, direct or bureau. Niko, DD1MAT, will operate holiday style
as 9A/DD1MAT from Dugi Otok (EU-170, CI-018) until 15 September. QSL
via home call. Ron, ZL1AMO, plans to operate holiday style from Lifuka
(OC-169), Tonga until 16 September. He hopes to have his old call sign
A35EA renewed. Five special call signs - namely AN0EB, AN4EB, AN5EB,
AN6EB and AN7EB will be aired until 16 September for EuroBasket 2007,
the Basketball European Championship that will be held in Granada,
Sevilla, Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands), Alicante and Madrid. QSL
for all call signs via EA4RCH, direct or bureau. Information on the
relevant award can be found at www.radioclubhenares.org. Now the
contest news The Irish Radio Transmitters Society's 75th Anniversary
Contest CQIR will take place from 1200 UTC on 29 September. It is a 24
hour single operator contest with the emphasis on participation rather
than winning. Every participant gains one entry ticket for a
spectacular draw for every 75 QSO's made during the Contest. Full rules
are on the IRTS website. The Worked All Europe Contest takes place on 8
September at 0000 to 2350 on 9 September on 3.5 to 28MHz SSB. The
exchange takes the form of RS and serial number. The RSGB 144MHz
Backpackers Contest takes place on 2 September between 1100 and 1500 on
all modes. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial number and
locator. The RSGB 144MHz Activity and Club Championship takes place on
4 September between 2000 and 2230 local on all modes. The exchange
takes the form of RST, serial number and locator. Now the solar factual
data for the period from 20 August to 26 August, compiled by Neil
Clarke, G0CAS Solar activity was very low except for the 24th when a
small C class solar flare took place and lifted activity to low. No
effects on propagation were observed from this flare. Solar flux levels
increased from 69 units on the 20th to 72 by the 24th and the 25th. The
average was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 26th was 72,
that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum A1 level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was quiet until around
midday on the 26th, when a coronal hole disturbance commenced. Three
days saw the Ap index at only 2 units. The most disturbed day was the
26th with an Ap of 10 units. The average was Ap 5 units. The ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 440 kilometres per second
on the 20th to 290 by the 25th. Speeds increased to 520 kilometres per
second the next day. Particle densities were low except for the 25th
and the 26th, which increased to 37 and 71 particles per cubic
centimetre respectively. Bz varied between minus and plus 3 nanoTeslas
on the quiet days and between minus 12 and plus 16 nanoTeslas during
the disturbance of the 26th. The higher HF bands have continued to
provide few F-layer openings, though sporadic-E gave daily openings to
Europe and North Africa on 28MHz. There were also strong openings to
the Continent on 50MHz, while 70MHz was open on several days. 14MHz
remains the most consistent HF band for long-haul

4 propagation, being open from breakfast until late evening. And
top-band, not usually a great performer at this time of year, has been
open to South America during the dark hours. A sprinkling of auroral
contacts took place late on the 26th from the more northerly stations.
And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. Solar flux levels should be around the 70
mark for most of the week. Due to 2 coronal holes geomagnetic activity
should be unsettled to active levels for most of the week. This first
disturbance should be in progress today. However, activity should
decline tomorrow but only temporarily as the second disturbance is
expected to start on Thursday or Friday. The first disturbance should
be the stronger of the two. As with most coronal hole disturbances the
strongest activity will take place right at the start of the
disturbance. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 17MHz for the south and 14MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows are expected to be about 8MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate
of around 20MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 16MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 1000 and 1500 hours UTC. And that's all for this week from
the propagation team.

5 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 2 September Loughton and Epping Forest
Amateur Radio Society is operating GB2EFF at Epping Forest Festival.
Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645, or by email to
.

On Monday 3 September Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having members talks on their hobbies. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.

On Monday 3 September Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a 2m
foxhunt. Contact G4XDU, on 01628625720.

On Monday 3 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a brief
history of the spark gap and a talk on the Antique Wireless Association
Museum. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424,424,319, or by email to
.

On Tuesday 4 September Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the history of radar by Andrew Tyler, G1GKN. Contact Martyn,
G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 4 September Cray Valley Radio Society is taking part in the
2m Club Championship. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Tuesday 4 September Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846, or on
the web at www.hdarc.co.uk.

On Wednesday 5 September Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general meeting. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by
email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night and operating the club station with G3VEF and
G8KGI. Contact Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 5 September Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 5 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
DX by Roger, G3LDI. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by
email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating
SSTV form the Halisham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424,424,319, or
by email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an inquest following SSB field day and making plans for a
special event station on Worthing Pier. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903
753 893.

6 On Thursday 6 September Cray Valley Radio Society is having a talk on
mobile radio installation by G8ITB. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265
7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 6 September Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a bring,
show and tell evening. Contact or on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 6 September Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a welcome back evening. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 7 September Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is
having part 2 of its evening on home construction techniques. Contact
Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 7 September Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by email to
.

On Friday 7 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is going by coach to
the Leicester Radio Rally. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099,
or by email to .

On Friday 7 September Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night focussing on CW contest logging and sending using SD with Andrew
Vine, M0GJH. Contact or on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 8 September Radio Society of Harrow is operating G3EFX/P at
Pinner village show. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the
web at www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris 01895 621 310.

On Sunday 9 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a bright
sparks informal evening. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099,
or by email to .

On Sunday 9 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating
G1KAR at Beachy Head. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424,424,319, or by
email to .

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 4 September Flight Refuelling
Amateur Radio Society begins its Advanced licence training course.
Contact Tony, G3PFM, on 01202 622 262.

On Wednesday 5 September Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a Main
meeting. Contact Ian, 01872 561 058.

On Wednesday 5 September Exmouth Amateur Radio Club invites members to
bring their SWR meters for test. Contact .

On Wednesday 5 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on emergency service communications. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.

On Wednesday 5 September Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on emergency planning in our everyday life.
Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a presentation entitled "First response: An emergency FM
broadcast system" by Mike Adams, M0ALW. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225
864 698, E/W.

On Thursday 6 September Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a construction evening. Contact Brian, M0BHG, on 01752 844 321.

7 On Thursday 6 September Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on setting up an internet gateway by Tony, G4LDL. Contact
Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.

On Thursday 6 September Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a Building
Blocks talk by G6LLP. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ ).

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 3 September Gloucester Amateur Radio
and Electronics Society is having its AGM. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Tuesday 4 September Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its junk sale. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.

On Tuesday 4 September Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Keith Dury on the Tornado 4-6-2 steam loco. Contact
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 4 September Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the 2m Club
Championship from shack. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819, or by
email to , or on the web at
www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

On Wednesday 5 September Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
on the air on HF and having an open house meeting. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677, or by email to .

On Thursday 6 September Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz.
Contact Glenda, G1YJB, on 01939 235 412.

On Friday 7 September Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by G4GEE on Sun, Aurora and Radio. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273
190, or by email to .

On Friday 7 September Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is on the
air on VHF and UHF. Details on the web at www.hrrarc.com.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 3 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having an open
table meeting and HF operating night. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

On Tuesday 4 September Chester and District Radio Society is having a
talk on women in amateur radio by Lisa Mossop, M0LSA. Details on the
web at www.chesterdars.org.uk, .

On Tuesday 4 September Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on the practical use of an antenna analyser. Contact
Colin, G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, .

On Tuesday 4 September Stockport Radio Society is having a talk by Jim
Barlow, G3VOU, on operating /MM on the QE2. Contact David, M1ANT, on
0161 456 7832.

On Wednesday 5 September Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society is on the air. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or
by email to .

On Wednesday 5 September Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is
preparing for its AGM at Rishworth. Contact Brenda, 2E0YKS, by email to
.

8 On Wednesday 5 September Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having
an open discussion on small projects. Contact Richard, G0JIT, by email
to .

On Friday 7 September South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on making PCBs by Dave, G4UGM. Contact Ron, on 0161 969
3999.

On Friday 7 September Tynemouth Radio Club is working on its QRP
Homebrew Project. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

On Saturday 8 September Tynemouth Radio Club is having a heritage open
day at St Hilda's Church. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Sunday 2 September Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part in SSB
Field Day. Contact Martin, MM0DUN, on
, or on the web at
www.dundee-amateur-radio.co.uk.

On Wednesday 5 September Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club is planning
the year to come. Contact Jim, GM3UWX.

On Thursday 6 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having its
junk sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

On Thursday 6 September Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction evening on multiband wire antennas with GM3NCS. Contact
Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134.

On Friday 7 September Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 7 September West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
a club night. Details on the web at www.wosars.org.

On Saturday 8 September Banff and Buchan Amateur Radio Club is having a
junk sale. Contact .

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 4 September Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society
is having a club meeting. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on 01239 811 922.

On Wednesday 5 September Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Regional Manager Liz Cabban, GW0ETU. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on
01745 855 068.

On Saturday 8 September Swansea Amateur Radio Society is taking a coach
trip to the Leicester Amateur Radio Show. Contact Roger, GW4HSH, on
01792 404422.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Thursday 6 September Bangor and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its AGM at the Boathouse, Groomsport. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, on
028 4277 2 383.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.