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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 15 June The news headlines

* SOS Centenary celebrated on TV

* Interference by plasma TV research

* 100 DXCC countries on 70cm

To mark the centenary of SOS coming into existence, the BBC1 programme,
The One Show, will feature The Lizard Wireless Station in Cornwall with
a spark transmitter and coherer receiver. The programme is scheduled
for Wednesday 18 June at 7pm.

The RSGB EMC Committee is researching interference caused by plasma TV
and would like to hear from those suffering interference from a plasma
TV in the HF bands.

Jan, DL9KR has managed to work 100 DXCCs on 70cm. He has been active on
70cm for many years and is the first to get to the magic 100 DXCC on
the band, a fantastic achievement.

Portugal has granted its amateurs limited access to the European 70MHz
band. The two sub bands from 70.167 to 70.2125MHz and 70.237.5 to
70.287.5MHz are available for a limited time at 100 watts effective
radiated power. It is on a secondary, non-interference basis with other
services and they are not guaranteed protection against interference
from other licensed stations operating on the band.

Registrations for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
are now being made at http://illw.net. The event is being held on 16
and 17 August starting at 00:01UTC on Saturday and running through
23:59UTC on Sunday. There are some interesting video clips on YouTube
that give an idea of the history of the event and what it's like to
operate from a lighthouse. Use the YouTube on-site search engine to
find them.

On 12 June, the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society will be starting a
Foundation training course for those wishing to get their amateur radio
licence. The course will be held over six Thursday evenings between 7
and 9pm at the Danbury Village Hall near Chelmsford in Essex. Anyone
wishing to join the course should contact Clive between 9 am and 10pm
on 01245 224577.

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

There are three rallies taking place today, Sunday 15 June. The Newbury
Radio Rally and Car Boot Sale will be held at the Newbury Showground,
next to M4 J13. There is free car parking and gates open at 9am with
admission £2.

Bangor and District ARS are holding their Summer Radio and Computer
Rally at the Crawfordsburn Country Club. A good selection of traders
will be attending and the Bring & Buy will in operation. Doors open at
12noon, admission is £2, which includes 2 raffles tickets.

The East Suffolk Wireless Revival will be held at the Suffolk
Showground, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich. Doors open at 9.30am and there
will be good car parking, a Bring & Buy as well as special interest
groups and a bookstall.

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Now for the news of special events

Foyle & District Amateur Radio Club will be operating as GB1AFP for
International Museums Weekend from the Ulster American Folk Park, an
open-air museum in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on 15 June. The museum
tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and
19th centuries and provides visitors with a living history experience
on its outdoor site.

Today, 15 June, sees several special event stations on the air. You
could hear GB2TC from Tamworth Castle for Museums on the Air using the
HF and VHF bands and GB0HMS from the Helston Motor Show. There is also
GB0SLB from Selby, Yorkshire and GB4WWM for Wellesbourne Wartime Museum
in Warwick.

GB4TBR will be on the air for Tee Border Radio on June 16. On June 20,
GB2HC from Harrogate College and GB6SCS with Surrey County Scouts will
be active.

Both GB1SP from Sharpes pottery in Derbyshire and GB2SMF for the
Shorwell Midsummer Fair could be heard on 21 June.

On 22 June, GB1THR from the Tanfield Heritage Railway in Gateshead will
be on the air.

Special event station 4U1WED will be QRV from the Vienna International
ARC until 30 June in celebration of World Environment Day. QSL via
4U1VIC.

Special event station LZ17EXPO will be operating until 30 June to
commemorate the 17th anniversary of the Hobby Radio Expo. QSL via
LZ1YE.

Between 16 June and 13 July, members of Stockport Radio Society will be
activating the special event station GB100STH in celebration of the
100th anniversary of the opening of Stockport Town Hall. The station,
which is open to visitors, will be based in a room of Stockport College
overlooking the Town Hall. It will be operational on all HF bands plus
2 metres VHF and there will be a special QSL card. For further
information visit the station's page at QRZ.com.

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

Graham, M0AEP will be active on 80 to 6 metres as VP2MDD from
Montserrat on 7 to 19 June. QSL via M0AEP, either via the bureau or
direct.

JF1IZM, JO1IRO and JR1WEB will be active as homecall/1 from Mikura
Island in the JA1 North Izu Group between 15 and 17 June. Their
activity will be on the HF bands and they will look for E-skip openings
on VHF. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau.

Heinz, DL4AO, will be active as OZ/DL4AO from Bornholm Island until 26
June. He will operate in his early morning and late afternoon hours,
mostly on 20 metres, he will also operate on 6 meters using CW and SSB.
All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau.

A group of operators will be operating as 4W6R until 24 June. Activity
will be on 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via EA4URE.

Georg, DK7LX will be operating as FH/DK7LX until 23 June. Activity will
be holiday style on the HF bands using mainly CW. QSL to home callsign.

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Now the contest news

The ANARTS WW RTTY Contest is still on today, 15 June, on 3.5 to 28MHz.
Exchange is RST, Serial Number, UTC and CQ Zone.

On 17 June from 2000 to 2230 it is the RSGB 1.3 & 2.3GHz Activity
Contest. The exchange is RST, serial number and locator.

The RSGB Club Championship SSB Contest on 3.5MHz will be on 19 June
from 1900 to 2030UTC. Exchange is RS plus serial number.

Over the weekend 21 and 22 June, the All Asia CW Contest will be on the
1.8 to 28MHz bands. The exchange is RST plus the operator's age. Also
over that weekend is the RSGB 50MHz trophy from 1400 to 1400. The
exchange is RST plus serial number and locator.

The Worked All Britain 144MHz QRO Phone Contest takes place next
Sunday, 22 June, from 1000 to 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and WAB area. Full details of the rules and logsheets may
be obtained from the WAB website or from the Contest Manager G0BFJ,
QTHR.

Sunday 22 June see the RSGB 50MHz backpackers Contest from 1000 to
1400UTC. The exchange is RST, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 2nd to the 8th
of June, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

Solar activity continued to be very low, with no solar flares. The
solar flux was down to a shade below 65 on the 4th * about as low as it
ever gets. The average for the week was 66, with very little daily
variation. However, the 90-day average dropped one point to 70. The
X-ray flux was again below the minimum threshold level. The geomagnetic
field was never more than slightly unsettled, averaging a mere 6 Ap
units. Solar wind speeds ranged between 582km/secand 344km/sec.
Particle densities were low or very low, apart from a brief blip to 12
per cubic centimetre on the 7th. And Bz varied no more than between
plus 5 and minus 4 nanoTeslas.

Typical mid-summer propagation prevailed at HF, with F2 critical
frequencies reaching about 18MHz in southern Britain and peaking around
2000 UTC. During the main part of the day the HF bands have been rather
flat until absorption declined during the evening. Darkness lows, now
taking place around about 0300 and 0400, averaged about 10MHz.
Sporadic-E has been present daily at 28 and 50MHz, with at least one
50MHz opening to the eastern United States and French Guyana. There was
also strong sporadic-E propagation to continental Europe on 70MHz.

Finally, the forecast. Solar activity is expected to remain very low.
The solar flux is unlikely to vary much from its current level. The
geomagnetic field will be mainly quiet all week, though there may well
be occasional unsettled periods. MUFs at equal latitudes, again
occurring during the evening, should reach around 19MHz in southern
Britain and 16MHz in the north. Darkness hour lows will be about 10MHz.
Paths to South America should have a maximum usable frequency of around
24MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a 90 per
cent chance of success, will be about 19MHz. Paths in that direction
should be best between 2000 and 2200UTC, continuing until around
midnight at 14MHz on the better days, and considerably later on 7 and
10MHz. Sporadic-E should continue on a daily basis and, as we move
towards the seasonal peak there must be a reasonable chance of openings
at 144MHz. A useful early warning of such openings can be when foreign
broadcasts override local broadcasters on Band 2 FM.

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 15 June Adrian Johnson, M0NOD will be
attempting to cycle 54 miles from Clapham Common to Brighton in aid of
the British Heart Foundation. He will be taking along his Kenwood HT
and accessing VHF and UHF repeaters along the route. He looks forward
to making as many QSOs as possible. On Sunday 15 June Cambridge and
District Amateur Radio Club is attending Wimpole Fete. Contact David
Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254. On Sunday 15 June Chelmsford Amateur
Radio Society is attending East Suffolk Wireless Revival at Suffolk
show ground. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Sunday 15 June
East Kent Radio Society is having a trip to Bletchley Park. Contact
Paul, G3VJF, on 01227 365 384, or by email to , or on
the web at www.paulnic.com/ekrs. On Sunday 15 June Felixstowe and
District Amateur Radio Society is attending East Suffolk Wireless
Revival at Suffolk show ground. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
. On Sunday 15 June Newbury and District Amateur
Radio Society is running the Newbury Radio Rally and Boot Sale. Contact
Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241, . On
Monday 16 June Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
BBQ. Contact Wayland, . On Monday 16 June Sutton
and Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on aircraft radio systems and
the SBS1 by Evan Duffield, M3TJU. Contact John, G0BWV, on 020 8644
9945, or by email to . On Tuesday 17 June North Kent
Radio Society is planning for VHF field day. Contact Dave, G4YIB, by
email to . On Tuesday 17 June Stevenage and
District Amateur Radio Society Introduction to HF Linear Amplifiers
G2BKZ. Contact John McCutcheon, on 01462 459254. On Wednesday 18 June
Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is planning for Little
Chalfont. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491, or by email to
. On Wednesday 18 June Colchester Radio
Amateurs is running its Intermediate License training at St Helena
School. Contact David Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989, or on the web
at www.g3co.ccom.co.uk. On Wednesday 18 June Dover Radio Club is having
an operating and natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
. On Wednesday 18 June Hastings Electronics and Radio
Club is having an outdoor BBQ. Contact William, G8CMK, on or on the web
at www.hastings-electronics-radio-club.net. On Wednesday 18 June
Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having an informal evening.
Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514. On Wednesday 18 June Norfolk
Amateur Radio Club is preparing for Barford Radio Rally. Contact Mark
Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by email to .

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On Wednesday 18 June Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on keeping it dry by M0EBI. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753
893. On Thursday 19 June King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a
club night and 2 metre club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, on
, or on the web at www.klarc.org.uk. On Thursday
19 June Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a club
BBQ. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 20 June
Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having an informal
evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254. On Friday 20 June
Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social evening at The Dragon,
Dragon's Green. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Friday 20
June Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645, or by email to
. On Friday 20 June Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society
is having a windmill evening at Jill Mill car park. Contact Sue, G6YPY,
on 01273 845 103, or by email to . On Friday 20 June
Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating night. Contact
Dave, G6FSP, by email to . On Friday 20 June Wey
Valley Amateur Radio Group is having its summer BBQ. Details on the web
at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 21 June Loughton and Epping
Forest Amateur Radio Society is operating GB2NWA at North Weald
Airfield as part of International Museums Weekend. Contact Marc, G0TOC,
on 020 8502 1645, or by email to .

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Sunday 15 June Poldhu Amateur Radio Club is
running a special event station at Helston Motor Show. Contact Keith,
G0WYS, on 01326 574 441. On Monday 16 June Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on Worked All Britain by Don
Roomes, G0RQL. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251,
. On Wednesday 18 June South Bristol Amateur Radio
Club is having its club BBQ. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On
Wednesday 18 June Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is operating
the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234, or by email
to . On Wednesday 18 June Trowbridge and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a planning session for VHF field day and
an introduction to contest logging software. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on
01225 864 698, E/W. On Thursday 19 June Swindon and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk by Tony, G4LDL on his VK- ZL trip. Contact
Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465. On Thursday 19 June Yeovil Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on BYLARA by 2E1RBH. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by
email to . On Friday 20 June Guernsey Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on the Buddipole antenna by Koos, GU0GUX.
Contact Phil, GU0SUP. On Friday 20 June North Bristol Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on the world above 70cm by Roy Emery, G3FYX.
Contact Dick Elford, G0XAY, on .

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NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 16 June Aldridge And Barr Beacon
Amateur Radio Club is having a contest wash-up meeting. Contact Roy
Horton, G4GRM, on 01922 691646, or by email to
. On Monday 16 June Gloucester Amateur Radio
and Electronics Society Club is having a project test evening. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime, or on the web at
www.g4aym.org.uk. On Monday 16 June Stourbridge and District Amateur
Radio Society is having an open general meeting. Contact John, M1EJG,
on 01562 700 513, or on the web at www.g6oi.org.uk. On Tuesday 17 June
Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having its 3rd DF.
Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday 17 June National
Space Centre Amateur Radio Society is having a talk and exhibition on
code and cipher machines by John Alexander, G7GCK. Contact Geoff,
G4AFJ, on 01455 823 344, or by email to . On
Wednesday 18 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having its summer BBQ and
quiz. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153. On Wednesday 18 June
Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a local 2m
foxhunt. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
. On Thursday 19 June Salop Amateur Radio
Society is having a natter night. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk. On Thursday 19 June Tamworth Amateur Radio
Society is putting G8TRS on the air. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on
01827 700 893, or by email to . On Friday 20
June Coventry Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the second round
of the G4ZMC trophy, operating from Hatton Locks, SP 252664. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 079 5877 363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 16 June Angel Of The North
Radio Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and take to the air night.
Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 07990 760 920 (day), 0191 477 0036 (night), or
by email to , or on the web at www.anarc.net.
On Monday 16 June Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
M1ERS and a VHF/UHF planning meeting. Contact Trevor, M0TWS. On Monday
16 June Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
propagation by Peter Chapman. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
. On Tuesday 17 June Chester and District
Radio Society is having a talk on analogue meters by Bill Silversides.
Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk, or by email to
. On Tuesday 17 June Pontefract District Amateur
Radio Society is having part two of the talk on logic devices. Contact
Colin, G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, . On
Tuesday 17 June Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on club
representation by Mike, G4VSS. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558,
. On Wednesday 18 June Wirral and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a natter night at The Railway, Meols. Contact Tom,
G4BKF, on 07050 291 850. On Thursday 19 June North Wakefield Radio Club
is taking part in the Club Calls contest from the shack. Contact
Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126, or by email to .

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On Friday 20 June East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671, or by email to
. On Friday 20 June South Manchester Radio
And Computer Club is having its summer solstice barbecue and night on
the ale. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On Friday 20 June
Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on resistors by Ian, 2E0IGB and
Bob, G0EDK. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Wednesday 18 June Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur
Radio is having a 20m activity night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811
723. On Thursday 19 June Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk. On Saturday 21 June Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is taking part in International Museums Weekend 2008 from
Alford Transport Museum. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on
the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 17 June Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is
having a quiz night. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on 01239 811 922. On Tuesday
17 June Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a Morse practice night.
Contact Glyn MW0BNB or on the web at www.qsl.net/wars/.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Sunday 15 June Bangor And District Amateur
Radio Club is running its Radio and Computer Rally. Contact Mike,
GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2 383. On Sunday 15 June Bangor and District ARS
are holding their summer radio and computer rally from noon at the
Crawfordsburn Country Club. A good selection of traders will be
attending and there will be a bring and buy. Further details from club
website www.bdars.com or Bill, GI4AAM, on 028 9181 6707, email
.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.