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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 18th January 2009 The news headlines

* Earthquake strikes Costa Rica

* New GB Call QSL Manager

* AMSAT and the ESEO Project

On Thursday, 8 January an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale
struck Costa Rica. The earthquake came after a series of almost 60
seismic events. The Radio Club de Costa Rica has been monitoring local
repeaters and 7090kHz. IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications
Coordinator Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P, requests that 7090kHz be kept clear
of non-essential traffic due to possible emergency communications
dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake. The RSGB encourages all
amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on this frequency.
Please try and avoid interfering with Spanish language SSB while using
digital modes.

Mike Evans, MW0CNA, sub manager for both G0B & GB Special Event QSL
cards is stepping down at the end of January. Mike has provided an
excellent service to the amateur community and the RSGB QSL Bureau
wishes to express its grateful thanks for his efforts, over a long
period. Davina Williams, M0LXT, is taking on both sub groups from the
beginning of February 2009 and all Stamped Addressed Envelopes should
now be sent to the new manager. Full contact details can be found on
the RSGB Members Only website.

The latest issue of the free publication SatMagazine mentions the
involvement of AMSAT in the European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO)
satellite project. SatMagazine is available as a free PDF download. The
January issue features small satellites and the European Student Earth
Orbiter (ESEO) is covered on page 9. AMSAT-UK members are involved in
both ESEO and GENSO. For more information, visit the website at
www.satmagazine.com.

CQ magazine will now accept contact confirmations made on the eQSL.cc
electronic confirmation system for its operating awards, effective
immediately. There will be certain limitations and procedural
differences for different awards, at least to start. For more
information on eQSL, visit www.eQSL.cc and for more information on CQ
awards, visit the awards page on the CQ website at
www.cq-amateur-radio.com.

A group of Chilean amateurs is offering to try to help to obtain
missing card or cards by carrying out searches and making enquiries in
Chile. This service is offered as a goodwill gesture and is completely
free. To use the service you need to contact José Luis Jiménez. His
e-mail address is . You can write to him in
Spanish or English. Full details are available on the website at
http://hunting-qsl.blogspot.com.

An RSGB Train the Trainers session will take place on Sunday 8 February
in Banstead, Surrey. The Train the Trainers scheme helps tutors enhance
the standard of their Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced

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licence courses. For more information and to register contact Stuart
Barber, G6CJR via email to gb4bdsatbtinternet.com, or telephone 07946
688106.

Members of the Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society will be
running training courses for the Foundation and Intermediate licences.
The Foundation course will take place on the single weekend of 28
February and 1 March. The Intermediate course will take place over two
weekends, 21/22 March and 25/26 April. The courses will both take place
at the Newtown Village Hall. To apply, please contact Steve Elliott at
s_elliott293 at btinternet.com or 07799 897 839.

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

Today, 18 January, the Red Rose Winter Rally takes place at the Lowton
Civic Centre, just off the A580 East Lancs Road, postcode WA3 2AH.
There will be a talk-in station on S22 and the doors open at 10am.
There will be a free car park, trade stands, a Bring & Buy as well as
an RSGB Bookstall. Details from Steve on 01945 888900.

On 25 January, the Horncastle Winter Rally will take place at the
Horncastle Youth Centre, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Entry is £1 and car
parking is free. Contact Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507 527835 or email
.

Now for the news of special events

On 20 January. GB4WLB will be on the air for Whitby Lifeboat as part of
the RNLI's SOS Week.

There will be a series of lighthouse activations around Istanbul by TC
Special Wireless Activity Team (TCSWAT) in the next few months. The
next date, location and callsign is: 24 and 25 January at the Anadolu
Lighthouse, callsign TC2ALH.

2009 is the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda by Sir
George Somers. The Radio Society of Bermuda has been issued with a
special callsign that can be used by all VP9s, it is VP9400/xx and is
valid for the whole year. The xx suffix is the operator's call letters,
for example VP9400/LP. There are a few novice licence holders who will
have a 3 digit suffix, ieVP9400/NMT.

At varying times until 24 January, the Lizard Marconi Station has the
callsign GB100MSC and will represent the Massachusetts coast station.
From Jack Binns home town of S****horpe the call GB5CQD will be used.
Chelmsford will use GB0MWT and represent the Marconi Company. Also look
out for the callsign GB0JRB from Peterborough.

Members of the Galway VHF Group will be activating Oranmore Castle from
noon on 24 January to 4pm on 25 January using the callsign EI4ALE/P.
Designated EI/001/C for the purposes of Castles and Stately Homes On
The Air, it is located in WAB Square M32. Operation will be on all
bands depending on conditions.

The Marconi Radio Club W1AA of Massachusetts USA will take part in the
Jack Binns special event with two stations by representing SS Republic
as W1AA/MKC and SS Baltic as W1AA/BC. The two stations plan to be on
the amateur bands on 23 January from 0001Z to 0400Z and on 24 January
24th from 1200Z to 2000Z.

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Both SSB and CW modes will be used. QSL card information for stateside
is via W1AA in QRZ.COM with an SASE. Regular sized envelope is OK for
QSL cards. DX QSLs are via the W1 bureau.

The Kilmarnock & Loudoun ARC will be using the special event call
GB250RB starting on 25 January. It's year long event for the club. The
main event will be from the club house at Kilmarnock but it can
activated all over Scotland as part of the Burns celebrations.

GB4RB will be active on 24 and 25 January to commemorate the life and
works of Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet. The team will be
active on 20, 40, 80 and 2m as well as 70cm, conditions allowing. The
QSL manager is M3INO, QTHR or see qrz.com.

The Scarborough Special Events group will be on the air as GB4RNLI
during the RNLI SOS week commencing Saturday 24 January. Activity will
be on HF SSB and CW. QSL via the Bureau or direct via club call G0OOO.

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

P40PZ will be on the air from Aruba until 28 January. He will operate
80 through to 6m using SSB and the digital modes only. QSL via EA5GVH.

AA8LL/4 plans to become active as from the Cedar Keys until 20 January,
that's IOTA reference NA 076. QSL via AA8LL.

CU8W will be active from Farol do Albarnaz, which is IOTA reference
EU089 using CW and RTTY mostly on the lowbands from 19 to 23 January.

Roland, F8EN, will be back in Gabon until 26 January. He is due to use
the callsign TR8CR. QSL via F6AJA.

Now the contest news

Since the January RadCom went to press, the RSGB has been advised that
details of the CQ World Wide 160 metre CW contest have changed. The new
details are that the times are 2200GMT on 23 January to 2200GMT on 27
January. The exchange has also been altered to RST and CQ Zone instead
of country. There are also significant changes affecting the February
SSB contest. Further details of these and other rule changes are on the
official web site at www.CQ160.com/rules.htm.

On 20 January from 2000 to 2230, the RSGB 1.3GHz/2.3GHz Activity
Contest takes place using all modes on these two bands. The exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

22 January sees the RSGB 80m Club Championship from 2000 to 2130. The
exchange is RST and serial number.

The BARTG RTTY Sprint takes place on 24 and 25 January, this is usually
a popular and busy event. The bands are from 3.5 to 28MHz and the
report is just the serial number.

On VHF, the 70MHz Cumulatives take place on 25 January. The exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

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Now the solar report for the period from the 4th to the 11th of
January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless until the 9th when without warning a small
sunspot group appeared. This sunspot group belongs to the new sunspot
cycle. This ended a 27 day period when the solar disc was spotless.
Solar activity was very low; however, a number of small sub-flares took
place on the 9th and the 10th. Solar flux levels increased slightly
from 69 units to 71 by the 10th. The average was 70 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 11th was 69, that's the same level as last
week. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday; the average was Ap 3 units.
Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds gradually
decline from 450 to 320 kilometres per second. Particle densities were
low but increased to 14 particles per cubic centimetre on the 9th and
the 10th. Bz never varied more than minus 6 and plus 7 nanoTeslas for
the period.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be very low. Like previous weeks, solar flux levels should be in the
high 60's for a spotless Sun or into the 70's if any sunspots appear.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet everyday, however, during the
second half of the week activity could decline to very quiet. 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
7MHz. Paths this week to India should have a maximum usable frequency
with a 50 per cent success rate of around 21MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 17MHz. The best
time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1400 hours UTC.

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 Monday 19 January Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on bench top test jigs and test probes
by Howard G6LXK. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947. On Monday 19
January Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on test equipment
and testing by Dave, G4XOW. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On
Monday 19 January Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a committee meeting. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Tuesday
20 January Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a talk on simple
propagation hints for the newly licensed. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on
07776181646. On Tuesday 20 January Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is
operating from the shack. Contact Steve on 0142 720815. On Wednesday 21
January Dover Radio Club is having a natter night. Contact Brian,
G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 21 January
Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is planning for its Foundation
course. Contact Ken, M0KLS, on 02392 797 240. On Wednesday 21 January
Norfolk Amateur Radio Club have a visit from Paul Bigwood of Yaesu UK.
Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Wednesday 21 January
Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on working
aurora on a shoestring by Jonathan Ruff, G4RGV. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893. On Thursday 22 January Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on data modes by David, G8LRS. Contact Gerald,
G8AKL, on 01487 740794. On Thursday 22 January King's Lynn Amateur
Radio Club is having a club night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV,
by email to ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com. On Thursday 22 January Reading
and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the Racal RA17 and
a demo by John Ellerton, G3NCN using M0PMZ's RA17. Contact Pete, G8FRC,
on 01189 695 697. On Thursday 22 January Shefford and District Amateur
Radio Society is having its club construction contest. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 23 January the Radio Society of
Harrow is having a presentation by Matt Dibbs on the theory, usage and
current application of meteor burst communications. The talk takes
place at The Elsie Fischer Room, St Lawrence Centre, St. Lawrence
Church, 2 Bridle Road, Eastcote, Pinner HA5 2SJ. Please check details
on the club web site www.g3efx.org.uk before traveling. For more
information contact Linda, G7RJL on 0208 3868586. On Friday 23,
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is
operating Morse using GB0MWT from Sandford Mill to commemorate Jack
Binns, Radio Officer on the RMS Republic . Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

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On Friday 23 January Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having an
evening on computers with John Noden, G8IOK. Contact Quintin, M1ENU, on
023 8078799. On Saturday 24 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
are commemorating the use of SOS. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008. On Sunday 25 January Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having
its annual club lunch. Contact Gordon, on 01424 431 909.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 20 January West Devon Radio Club is
having an antenna basics night. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on
01752291588. On Wednesday 21 January Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is
having a junk sale. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172. On Wednesday
21 January South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a presentation on
PSK and digital voice by Mark, 2W0RMR. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282. On Wednesday 21 January Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a quiz. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On Wednesday
21 January Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is
having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048. On
Wednesday 21 January Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings. On
Thursday 22 January Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 22
January Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on transistor basics
by G6LLP. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swainattesco.net. On
Friday 23 January Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 19 January Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a talk on RAYNET. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 19 January South Birmingham Radio
Society is having a ragchew and contest review. Contact Don, on 0121
458 1603. On Monday 19 January South Normanton Alfreton and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its junk sale. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO,
on 01773 783658. On Monday 19 January Welland Valley Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk by Max Corney. Contact Simon, G8PAN, on 07977
266643. On Tuesday 20 January Loughborough and District Amateur Radio
Club is considering a question posed by Ian, G8SNF: are you a hoarder?
Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 21 January Midland
Amateur Radio Society is having a visit by RSGB representative Chris
Rolinson, G0MLY. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On Wednesday
21 January Telford and District Amateur Radio Society launches the
society project. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

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On Thursday 22 January Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk. On Thursday 22
January Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a construction night.
Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893. On Friday 23 January
Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is having a committee
meeting. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869. On Friday 23 January
Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having its annual dinner. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 23 January South Birmingham
Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121
458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 18 January Tynemouth Radio Club
is having a talk on magnetic baluns by Glen, G0SBN. Contact Tony,
G8YFA, by email to tony.regnartatgmail.com. On Sunday 18 January West
Manchester Radio Club Red Rose is running the Winter Rally at Lowton
Civic Centre. Contact Steve, 01942 888 900. On Monday 19 January
Macclesfield and District Radio Society Social is on the air. Contact
Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612 916. On Monday 19 January Thornton Cleveleys
Amateur Radio Society is having an auction with Mike, G4EZM. Contact
John Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313. On Tuesday 20 January Chester and
District Radio Society is announcing its Construction Challenge winner.
Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183. On Tuesday 20 January Stockport
Radio Society is having an explanation of Logger32 by Bernard Naylor,
G3SHF. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832. On Tuesday 20 January
Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on power by Steve,
2E0BUI. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705. On Wednesday 21 January
Maltby and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Keith,
G1PQW, on 07701 156 678. On Wednesday 21 January Mid-Cheshire Amateur
Radio Society is putting its G3ZTT HF and G8ZTT VHF stations on the
air. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401. On Wednesday 21
January South Notts Amateur Radio Club continues its Advanced course.
Contact Terry, M0RIA, or see the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On
Thursday 22 January Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night with John, M3WJA. Contact Brian Chester, G4DXB, by email to
g4dxbatgars.org.uk. On Thursday 22 January North Wakefield Radio Club
is having an introduction to SD computer logging to get ready for the
Club Calls Contest 2009. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email to
eventsatg4nok.org. On Thursday 22 January York Radio Club s having
radio exam instruction. Contact Tony Skaife G4XIV, on 01904 330502. On
Friday 23 January East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
components catalogues evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475
671. On Friday 23 January South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
holding the club's annual dinner. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.
On Friday 23 January Tynemouth Radio Club is discussing the club QSL
card photos and design. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
tony.regnartatgmail.com.

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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Since the New Year the Dundee Amateur Radio Club,
GM4AAF, has had a change of venue. Remaining with Dundee College, they
have moved the short distance from the Graham Street Campus to the
Kingsway Campus in Old Glamis Road, room E 007 of the Engineering
block. This is a bit of a homecoming for the club as the club was
formed there many years ago. it was in the Kingsway "Tech" as it was
then known, that the club was formed many years ago. For further
information contact Jim Wilson, MM0DXD, by email to
. On Sunday 18 January West Of
Scotland Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the AFS Contest from
the club station. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415715512. On
Tuesday 20 January Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131 449 7641. On Wednesday
21 January Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on the national
digital TV switchover by John MacNeil of Digital UK. Contact Charles
Stewart, MM0GNS, on 01563 551704. On Wednesday 21 January Paisley YMCA
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on communications in the SCC with
GM0KDF. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633. On Thursday 22
January Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a rig check evening.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Thursday 22 January
Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on ATUs by Ian White,
GM3SEK. Non members are very welcome. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on
01776 820413. On Friday 23 January West Of Scotland Amateur Radio
Society is having a club night. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on
01415715512. On Saturday 24 January Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is
operating special event station GB2AMM at Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 20 January Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
on the air. Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars.

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.