GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 2nd August 2009

The news headlines

* Avoid 7.1 to 7.2MHz if holidaying in France

* International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend activity looking good

* National Hamfest promotes local amateur radio

Amateurs visiting France should note that the frequencies 7.1 to 7.2MHz
have not yet been authorised in that country. Although the Department
that controls frequency allocation in France, the AFN, has approved the
use of that portion, it has yet to be signed off by a Ministerial
Decree and published in the official Journal.

Entries in the 2009 International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend have
reached 310. Organisers say that this is well on schedule to equal or
better last year's total of 406. Australia currently leads the list
with 45 entries, followed by Germany with 41. Some of the more exotic
places taking part include light houses or light ships in Egypt,
Panama, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Sardinia, Iceland and Namibia. The
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend, which this year begins on
15 August, is fast becoming one of the most popular international
events in the amateur radio calendar. More information is online at
illw.net.

The National Hamfest, organised by the RSGB and Lincoln Short Wave
Club, is welcoming radio clubs that would like to take a table and
promote themselves. It will give the clubs the opportunity to recruit
members and promoting the club to the amateur radio public. A special
booking form is available on the National Hamfest website,
www.rsgb.org/events/hamfest09/booking.

Today, Sunday 2 August, Bletchley Park is celebrating the contribution
made by radio communications to the war effort. This is a family event
called Wireless Waves, and Bletchley Park is open to the public today
from 10am. In addition to the activities reported in our news item last
Sunday, it has also been agreed that GB2RS news readings will take
place at 1pm on 3650kHz LSB and 145.525MHz FM. A further reading will
be put out at 2.30pm on 7150kHz LSB. The news readers will take calls
after the bulletins using the RSGB HQ callsign GB3RS. In charge of the
operation will be Alison, G8ROG and Andrew, M0GJH, representing the
RSGB's London and Thames Valley Region 9. Anyone interested in radio is
urged to pay a visit. The event is open until about 5pm and further
details can be found at www.bletchleypark.org.uk.

AMSAT-UK has announced a new amateur satellite project called the
FUNcube. The project has received major initial funding from the Radio
Communications Foundation. It is an educational, single cubesat project
with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio,
space, physics and electronics. The target audience consists of primary
and secondary school pupils and FUNcube will feature a 145MHz telemetry
beacon that will provide a strong signal for the pupils to receive. It
is planned to develop a simple receiver board that can be connected to
the USB port of a laptop to display telemetry in an interesting way.
The satellite will contain a materials science experiment, from which
the school students can receive telemetry data which they can compare
to the results they obtained from similar reference experiments in the
classroom.

Contest University is taking place on 10 October at the RSGB Convention
in Wyboston near Bedford. The day-long programme gives amateurs the
chance to learn all the skills and secrets to get under way with
contesting activities and offers experienced contesters the opportunity
to learn from others and possibly pick up on some new tips to gain that
winning edge. Sponsored by Icom UK, the event is based on the highly
successful Dayton event. For more details on the RSGB Convention, which
take place from 9 to 11 October, check out the latest edition of RadCom
or see www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention.

The Imperial War Museum North, in Manchester, is running an exhibition
focussed on PoWs during the last war. Amongst the exhibits is a radio
made using cocoa tins, toothbrushes and an ashtray. It was built by
Ernest Shackleton, G6SN, whilst a prisoner. His radio meant prisoners
were better informed about the war than their captors. The exhibition
is open until the end of the year. You can find out more at
http://north.iwm.org.uk.

Thanks to donations from several interested parties, a new D-Star
repeater, GB7SN, has been installed at Norton in the South of
Sheffield. It has a receive frequency of 439.7375MHz and a transmit
frequency of 430.7375MHz. The UHF frequency of GB7SF-B was transferred
to GB7SN-B and GB7SF-B was taken off the air on 23 July. GB7SN port B
was switched on test at 1511 BST on 23 July and now offers extended
coverage to the South of Sheffield, Chesterfield and Worksop Areas. It
is hoped to connect this to the worldwide D-Star network in the near
future. GB7SF remains operational on VHF giving good coverage over
Sheffield.

The Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society will be running a
Foundation Course on 3 and 17 October. Anyone interested should check
out their website for full details. www.bdars.co.uk.

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

Today, 2 August, brings the West Somerset ARC Rally & Boot Sale which
takes pace at Allerford Community Hall and Recreation Ground,
Allerford, Minehead TA24 8HL, from 10am.Details from Bob, G1ONV, on
01643 820265.

King's Lynn Arc Rally & Car Boot Sale takes place today, 2 August, at
King's Gaywood Community Centre, PE30 4DZ. Opening time is 10am and
entry is £1.50. Details from Ray, G3RSV, on 01553 671307. Also today,
Sunday 2 August, is the Lorn Radio Amateur Rally at Crianlarich Village
Hall, near the junction of the A2 with the A85. Opening time is 10.30,
and details are on the web at www.gm0lra.freeuk.com.

In response to many requests there will be an hour-long talk and
demonstration of amateur microwave moon bounce and the Deep Space
Network during the afternoon of the Flight Refuelling Hamfest on 9
August at 1300. FRARS EME Group members will be in attendance and able
to answer questions on equipment requirements and the techniques needed
to operate on the bands 1.3-24GHz. In addition, Paul, M0EYT will
demonstrate his 8.4GHz Deep Space Network reception using a homebuilt
receiver and tracking 3.4m parabolic dish. FRARS Hamfest is held at the
Cobham Sports and Social Club, Merley, Wimborne Minster in Dorset.
Details at www.frars.org.uk.

Now for the news of special events

GB2VET will be celebrating Veteran's Day over the weekend of 1 and 2
August. The station will be at East Park, Hull, HU8 8JU. Operations
will be from 9 till 6 on 80, 40 and 20m CW and SSB, plus 2m and 70cm,
including an IRLP station on 430.0125 FM.

Norfolk County RAYNET will be operational on Sunday 9 August with a
Special Event Station, GB4NCR, from Walcott in Norfolk. Operations will
be on 2m and 80m SSB with a primary frequency of 3.663MHz. Note that 40
will be used if 80m isn't open. QSL cards are available and can be send
either via the Bureau or direct to G4PSH with a stamped self-addressed
envelope. During this event, Exercise Sea Spray will take place in
cooperation with the local community and Flood Wardens for this area.

The Norman Lockyer Observatory Amateur Radio Group will be on the air
Saturday 8 August 2009 in support of the South West Astrofair, which is
being run by the Norman Lockyer Observatory in Sidmouth, Devon. The
demonstration station will use the permanent NoV callsign of GB2NLO and
will be operational on 160m, 80m, 40m and 20m using SSB, CW, PSK31 and
SSTV as appropriate between 0900 and 1800UTC. There will also be
demonstrations of satellite communications on 2m and 70cm. The aim is
to demonstrate amateur radio to all visitors, encourage new entrants to
the hobby and to make as many local and DX contacts as possible.
Passing of greetings messages will, hopefully, be a feature. See
www.gb2nlo.org for details.

On the weekends of 8 and 9, the 22 and 23 August, Marches Amateur Radio
Society will be operating GB1SSB from the Old Racecourse, Oswestry to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first British amateur station to
use SSB. The station belonged to H Woodhead, G2NX, who resided in the
Oswestry area. The adoption of SSB was one of the greatest technical
advances in amateur radio since the arrival of the superheterodyne
receiver. GB1SSB will be operational on HF, VHF and UHF on phone and,
hopefully, PSK31. And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and
other sources.

JM1LJS and JA3RAF will be active from Wallis Island between 9 and 15
August using the callsign FW1W. They plan to operate SSB, CW and
possibly some digital mode (by JA3RAF) on 40 to 6 metres. QSLs via home
calls, direct only.

A multi-national group is in Swaziland until 11 August. They will sign
3DA0SS from both the Hawane Resort and a campsite near Manzini. Plans
are to cover as many bands and modes as possible, including PSK31, RTTY
and CW.

OH1TX and OH0RJ will be leading a three man Japanese team on a two day
trip to Market Reef in mid-August. They expect to arrive on the `Rock'
by noon on 10 August and to depart early on the 12th. They will use the
call OJ0Japan.

3B8FQ has received approval and will be active as 3B7FQ from St.
Brandon Island, which is IOTA reference AF-015, in August. This may be
his last visit to 3B7 for the next five years. It will be a working
trip, with time shared for maintenance on the island's meteorological
equipment. He will depart Mauritius on 10 August and returns from St.
Brandon on the 30th. Operation will be SSB and CW on 40 to 10 metres.
QSL via K5XK.

CT1GPQ will be active from Timor Lorosae between 3 August and 3
October. Activity will be on 40, 30, 20 and 17 meters using SSB, RTTY
and preferably CW. The pilot station and QSL manager is Toze, CT1GFK.

Now the contest news

On 4 August, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest & Club Championship takes
place between 1900 and 2130. Using all modes, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator. The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes
place on 11 August also between 1900 and 2130. Again the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

The DARC-organised WAE DX CW contest has categories for single- and
multi-op stations and low or high power and is well supported. Remember
that European stations should work only non-Europeans. The contest is
held on 8 and 9 August between 0000 and 2359 using CW only on the 3.5
to 28MHz bands. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 20th to the 26th of
July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 27th of July.

The solar disc was spotless everyday. The sunspot group from a couple
of weeks ago failed to reappear around the 25th. It had decayed away
during its transition on the far side of the Sun. solar activity was
very low with no solar flares taking place at all. The solar flux
averaged 68 units, only on the 29th did it increase to 69 units. The 90
day solar flux average on the 26th was the same as last week at 69
units. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level
everyday. The only activity this week came in the form of a coronal
hole disturbance. This arrived early on the 22nd and for a short time
activity increased to major storm levels with the 3 hourly Kp index
reaching 6 on a scale from zero which is very quiet to 9 which is
severe storm. The Ap index for the 22nd was 24 units. The remaining
days were at quiet with the Ap in single figures. The average was Ap 8
units. Solar wind data at the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from a slow 280 kilometres per second to a fast 600 kilometres
per second by the 24th. Particle densities started at low levels but
increased to 40 particles per cubic centimetre by the 22nd. Bz varied
between minus and plus 1 nanoTeslas on the quiet days to minus 17 and
plus 14 nanoTeslas during the disturbance.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be at very low levels. The solar disc could be spotless on some days.
Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark for most of the week. At
the moment it would take a rather large sunspot group to increase the
solar flux towards the 80s, or even higher. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be quiet, however, a slight increase could take place next
weekend due to a small coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at
equal latitudes should be around 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the
north. The darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week to
South America 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 well be around 19MHz. The best time to try the
path will be between 1200 and 2000 hours UTC. August normally signals
the end of the summer sporadic-E season. Seeing that we are just at the
beginning of the month openings should still take place but over the
next few weeks they will become less frequent and also less intense.

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

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 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is
operating HF from Sandford Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008.

On Monday 3 August Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an operating evening. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 3 August Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a pub meeting.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 3 August Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the
Hailsham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 3 August Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a Meccano
evening with Alan Burman. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 4 August Andover Radio Amateurs Club is working on the club
SDR construction project. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618 1646.

On Tuesday 4 August Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 4 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the work of the IARU by Peter Chadwick, G3RZP. Contact Martyn,
G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 4 August Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Wednesday 5 August Dover Radio Club is having a portable evening at
Dover Patrol Memorial. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
.

On Wednesday 5 August Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth by David, G7URP and Mark, G0LGJ. Contact Chris
Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 5 August Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a
barbecue at the QTH of Peter, G6GVM. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424
319.

On Thursday 6 August Cray Valley Radio Society is having a barbecue at
the Bull, Shooters Hill. Contact Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Thursday 6 August Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Len
Culhane on the origins of solar activity and its effects on the near
earth environment. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Friday 7
August Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club continues its series
of talks on C programming. Contact David Leary, G8JKV, on 01223 355254.

On Friday 7 August Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having
a hamburgers and ham bands evening. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552
170.

On Friday 7 August Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Friday 7 August Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a summer camp barbecue. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Sunday 9 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Operating is
operating VHF from Sandford Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008.

On Sunday 9 August Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
dismantling the summer camp. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST Advance notice first that Rob Mannion's planned
visit to Plymouth Radio Club on Tuesday 11 August has unfortunately had
to be cancelled due to Rob having a medical condition needing hospital
treatment.

On Sunday 2 August Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a field day. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251.

On Sunday 2 August Bristol RSGB Group is having a coach trip to
Bletchley Park. Contact Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Tuesday 4 August Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society is planning
for the Gillingham and Shaftesbury show. Contact Tony G0GFL, on 01258
860741.

On Tuesday 4 August West Devon Radio Club is having a natter night.
Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588.

On Wednesday 5 August Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a Main
meeting. Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Wednesday 5 August Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having a QRP field
evening on Woodbury Common. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.

On Wednesday 5 August Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station and having a Morse class. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 5 August Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a fox hunt with Stan, G0RYM. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on
01454 417048.

On Thursday 6 August Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by M0PCM on digital modes and their uses. Contact Joe
Bell, M6JOE, on 01726 891557.

On Thursday 6 August South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on the history of callsigns by Len, G4RZY. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.

On Thursday 6 August Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club Is having
a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 6
August Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having members mini talks. Contact
Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 7 August Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
supper and skittles evening. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Friday 7 August Torbay Amateur Radio Society Is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

On Sunday 9 August Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
pitch at the Flight Refuelling Rally. Contact Tony G0GFL, on 01258
860741.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Sunday 2 August Telford And District Amateur
Radio Society is having a committee meeting /A because HQ is closed.
Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Monday 3 August Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
not meeting because the school is closed. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 3 August Leicester DX Group is having a barbecue. Contact
Clive M3CGH via the web at www.leicesterdx.co.uk.

On Monday 3 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a rig check
and equipment review. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 3 August South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a scrap heap challenge. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on
01773 783658.

On Tuesday 4 August Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 4 August Eagle Radio Group is having a talk on life rafts
and life rescue by Mr Colin Higgins jr. Contact Terry, G0SWS, on 01507
478590.

On Tuesday 4 August Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a demo and talk on kites and balloons by Roger, G4ROJ. Contact
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

The Forest of dean Amateur Radio Group meeting for this month has been
changed to 7.30pm on Tuesday 4 August at Ruardean Sports & Social Club,
Ruardean Hill, Drybrook, GL17 9AS. Contact Adrian, M3TVF, on 07902
989344.

On Wednesday 5 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and having a natter night. Contact Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 5 August Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a general
meeting and training classes. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 5 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
lecture in the main hall and making arrangements for Telford Rally
stands. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Wednesday 5 August South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on Morse by G4NSP. Contact Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Friday 7 August Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869. On Friday 7 August
Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having a natter night. Contact
Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099.

On Friday 7 August Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having the 4th
round of the G2FDC Trophy. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 7 August Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting at 8pm. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
.

On Friday 7 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 3 August Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036.

On Monday 3 August Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
getting started on 144 to 1296MHz by M0GAV and G0EWN. Contact Trevor
Wood, M0TWS, by email to .

On Monday 3 August Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 4 August Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
treasure hunt. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Tuesday 4 August Otley Amateur Radio Society Club is having a shack
night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Tuesday 4 August Stockport Radio Society is having a talk on simple
antennas for new sun spots by Bernard Naylor, G3SHF. Contact Nigel
Roscoe, 0161 428 8413.

On Tuesday 4 August Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Looe Island by Mike, M0ACK. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705.

On Wednesday 5 August Goole Radio and Electronics Society is on the
air. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 5 August Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401.

On Thursday 6 August South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
a talk by John, G6ISA o his trip to Sweden. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161
969 3999.

On Friday 7 August East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is holding a
technical forum. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 7 August Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night,
discussing technical topics and holding a Morse class. Contact Graham
Errington, on 07812 172136.

On Saturday 8 August Angel Of The North Amateur Radio Club is hosting a
Train the Trainers day at Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall in
Gateshead. Pre-booking is essential. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 4 August Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131 449
7641.

On Wednesday 5 August Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Thursday 6 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a Junk
Sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 7 August Ayr Amateur Radio Group is operating a special event
station for the weekend at the Ayr Flower Show. Contact Charlie,
MM0GNS, on 01563 551704.

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

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 3 August Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Thursday 6 August Meirion Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact John, MW0VTK, on 07868 738016.

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.