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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 13th September 2009

The news headlines

* RSGB represented at WRC Project Meeting

* Opportunity for a young amateur to join DXpedition

* GB4FUN visit Digicon 09 in Northern Ireland

As part of the CEPT preparation programme for WRC-12, a meeting of
Project Team C will take place in Geneva from 16 to18 September. This
team deals with, amongst other agenda items, AI 1.23, which is the
amateur service proposal for a frequency segment around 500kHz. RSGB HF
Manager and Region 1 LF Coordinator John Gould, G3WKL will attend as
part of the UK delegation and Region 1 HF Chairman Ulrich Mueller,
DK4VW will be in the German delegation. The CEPT coordinator for this
agenda item is EC member Colin Thomas, G3PSM. During this meeting it is
hoped to identify a specific frequency segment that can be presented to
the WRC.

The operators of the 6Y1V contest station in Hopewell, Jamaica, are
offering a young radio amateur the chance to join their team for the
2009 CQWW SSB or CW contest. Applicants must be age 21 or younger and
the operator selected will receive an all expenses paid trip to join
the team's operations in one of the two contest operations. To qualify,
you must send an email to contestat6y1v.com containing an essay of
500 words or more, in English, describing how you got started in
amateur radio, who guided you through the process and why you should be
selected for this DX and contest opportunity at 6Y1V. Please include
your full name, callsign and home address. The 6Y1V group calls this
project a gift to a young amateur whom has a passion for ham radio,
DXing and contesting. More information is on line at
www.6y1v.com/youth.htm.

DiGIcon 09 will take place on Saturday 19 September at the Technology
Education Centre, Spillers Place, Omagh, Tyrone BT78 1FA. Registration
is from 11am and the registration fee is £2. The registration fee gets
you an entry to the door raffle and raffle tickets for the main prizes
are £1 each. The main prizes are an IC- E92D donated by Icom UK and a
weather station from Waters & Stanton. Sponsors of the event include
JBT Trading, TA Electronics, Icom UK, Waters & Stanton and Stephen Boyd
2nd hand radios. There will be lectures on D-Star, Satellite
Communication, Digital ATV, Echolink and more. Other attractions are
IC-E92D and IC-E2820 programming and GB4FUN. Further details from
www.wtarc.co.uk.

An RSGB Train the Trainers session will take place at The Post Mill
Community Centre, Market Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire DE55 2EJ,
on 19 September. Note that this session is in addition to the Telford
session on the same date. The Train the Trainers scheme helps tutors
enhance the standard of their Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced
licence courses. Alan Betts, G0HIQ and Brian Reay, G8OSN, will be
presenting the all day course. For more information and to register,
contact Jim, G0EJQ on 01522 532604 or by e-mail to
g0ejqatrsgb.org.uk. For details of further Train the Trainers
sessions, see the calendar at www.g8osn.org.uk.

Colchester Radio Amateurs are holding a Foundation licence course; two
evening tutorial sessions take place on Wednesday 11 and 18 November.
The practical activities and examination take place during the

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day on Saturday 21 November. For further details contact Kevan, 2E0WMG,
on 0776 6543 784 or by e-mail to .

The RSGB Convention takes place at Wyboston in Bedfordshire from 9 to
11 October. Both day tickets and overnight packages are still
available. The programme is on the RSGB website and will also appear in
the October RadCom.

Due to a change in their training programme Steve Hartley, G0FUW, and
his team are to start their next Intermediate course in Bath sooner
than expected. The classes will run from Thursday 17 September to
Thursday 10 December between 7 and 9pm each week. The earlier start of
the Intermediate classes also means that the next Bath Buildathon is
likely to take place in late November or early December. The Buildathon
may take place at the same time as the City's Christmas Market to
provide a diversion for family members who are not so keen on learning
about radio construction. Anyone interested in joining either the
Intermediate classes, or registering an interest in the next Bath
Buildathon should contact Steve on 01225 464394 between 7 and 9pm
weekdays or via e-mail to g0fuwattiscali.co.uk

21 September is the last date for advance ticket sales for the National
Hamfest on 2 and 3 October. Organised by the RSGB in conjunction with
the Lincoln Short Wave Club, the rally will take place at the Newark
and Notts Showground. Advance tickets save £1 on the gate price of
£4.50. See www.nationalhamfest.co.uk for full information.

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

The Leicester Amateur Radio Show has its second day today, 13
September, at Loughborough University. For further information phone
01455 823344.

The Torbay Annual Communications Fair will take place today, 13
September, at Newton Abbot racecourse, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF.
Doors open at 10.30am with disabled visitors able to gain access half
and hour earlier. Entry will cost £2 and there will be the usual trade
stands, a Bring & Buy as well as catering facilities.

On 20 September the Hornsea Amateur Radio Club rally will take place at
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Yorks HU18 1NQ. Doors open
at 10.30am and admission is £2. Details from Rick, M0CZR by e-mail to
R106221ataol.com or Duncan, G3TLI at g3tliathotmail.co.uk.

20 September sees an Old Fashioned Rally take place at Detling, near
Kent County Showground on the A249. There is a free car park, free
admission, free tables and lots of giveaways from the estate of SK Ted,
G3YCN. Talk-In via GB3KN. Details by e-mail to
terryatchipperfield.name.

Now for the news of special events

The Science Museum base in Wroughton, Swindon will be running a
Festival of Innovation on 12 and 13 September, opening 10am to 5pm each
day. The Swindon & District ARC will be demonstrating amateur radio
during the weekend and will be using the callsign GB2SM on 40 and 80m
according to conditions. Further details about the event can be found
from the club website and links to the Museum information site
www.SDARC.net.

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To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of physician and
Nobel Prize laureate Pierre Curie, look for TM150RPC to be active until
20 September on all bands and modes. QSL via F5KAZ.

On 13 September, listen out for GB2STI for Steam Trains Ireland from
Whitehead and GB4WWM from the Wellesbourne Wartime Museum. Then on the
14th GB0SIS will be on the air from St Sampson Infant School in
Cricklande. 15 September sees GB1NCC celebrating the Northallerton
College Centenary.

There will be three stations on the air on 18 September. GG100GGR for
Girl Guiding Renfrewshire, GB4BVF for the West Wight Carnival and
GB0BSR from the Bedfordshire Steam Rally.

Finally for this week, 20 September sees GB4WLR on the air from the
West Lancs Railway.

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

DL2JRM will be active on 14 and 15 September as TK/DL2JRM/P from San
Cipriano, which is IOTA reference EU-164. He will be using the 40 to10m
bands with QRP CW, using solar power. QSL direct or via bureau to
DL2JRM.

Jon, M0OVL will be on the air /P from Inner Farne, IOTA reference
EU-109, on 25 and 26 September. He is restricted to just 4 hours of
operations each day between 1000 and 1400UTC. Activation is also
dependent on the weather. More information at www.m0ovl.co.uk.

A group of operators from the Radio Club of Granville will be active
from Saint-Nicolas Island, which is IOTA reference EU-094, between 11
and 18 September. They will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF
bands, with activity also on 6 and 2 metres. Expect them to be signing
F5KAQ/P and homecall/P. QSL via F5RJM, either direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The 51st Scandinavian Activity Contest CW leg takes place on between
1200UTC on 19 September and 1200UTC on 20 September. Using the 3.5, 7,
14, 21 and 28MHz bands, the contest exchange is signal report and
serial number. Details can be found at www.qrq.se/sac.

The European PSK Club invites amateurs all over the world to
participate in the CIS DX QPSK63 Contest 2009 on 19 and 20 September.
All the information can be found at www.cisdx.srars.org. This is
strictly a QPSK63 contest now, no other modes are allowed. The maximum
output power is 100 watts.

The IARU International Amateur Television Contest takes place from
1800UTC on Saturday 12 September until 1200UTC on Sunday 13 September
on all bands from 70cm upwards. Stations are encouraged to participate,
or just look for increased amateur TV activity on these bands. Talkback
is most likely to be found on 144.750 FM. Details of how to enter the
contest can be found on the BATC website, www.batc.org.uk; entrants do
not need to be BATC members.

15 September sees the UHF UK Activity Contest takes place between 1900
and 2130UTC on the 1.3 and 2.3GHz bands. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

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Now the solar factual data for the period from the 31st of August to
the 6th of September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 7th of
September.

In its very basic form a sunspot or a sunspot group is the result of a
magnetic disturbance on the Sun's surface known as the photosphere. As
the magnetic disturbance intensifies it blocks the up flow of heat from
the sun's interior. Therefore, sunspot groups are regions on the solar
disc where the temperature is cooler than the surrounding surface. The
Sun's normal surface temperature is around 5800 Kelvin's and the
temperature at the centre of a sunspot could be down to around 4200
Kelvin's. According to measurements, sunspots seem to form only if the
local magnetic field is stronger than about 1500 gauss. Recently it as
been discovered that sunspot magnetic fields are dropping by about 50
gauss per year. If the current trend continues, we'll hit that
threshold in the near future where solar magnetic fields would become
too weak to form sunspots by the year 2015. The technique is relatively
new and the data stretches back for only 17 years. In fact, space
weather scientists are evenly divided on whether this will even take
place. We could only be observing a temporary downturn that will
reverse itself in the near future allowing the new cycle to start in
earnest. The drop in magnetic fields could be a normal aspect of the
solar cycle and not a sign that sunspots are permanently vanishing. If
sunspots do disappear, it wouldn't be the first time. In the 17th
century, the Sun plunged into a 70-year period when the Sun almost
became void of sunspots, which became know as the Maunder Minimum. The
sunspot drought began in 1645 and lasted until 1715. Whether the
current downturn is an omen for a long-term sunspot decline remains to
be seen.

On the 31st, after 51 continuous days the smallest of sunspots groups
appeared, however, that only lasted that day and the next. That was the
fourth longest spotless period on record dating back to 1849. The Sun
was then spotless again for the remainder of the period. Solar flux
levels averaged 69 units and varied little day to day. The 90 day solar
flux average on the 6th was 67 units. That's one unit down on last
week. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting threshold.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday. The average was Ap 4 units.
Solar wind speeds varied between 360 and 500 kilometres per second.
Particle densities were low everyday. Bz varied no more than minus and
plus 6 nanoTeslas for the period.

And finally the solar forecast. As this is compiled on the 7th there is
no sign of an immediate up turn in sunspots and solar activity. The
coming week is expected to see solar activity at very low levels. The
solar disc could be spotless on most days. Solar flux levels should be
in the high 60's. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet today
and maybe tomorrow, however, on Tuesday a coronal hole disturbance is
expected to arrive. The disturbance should only be minor and last no
more than 2 to 3 days. Quiet conditions should return before next
weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about
19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should
be around 9MHz. Paths this week to Australia 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
15MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0800 and 1200
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 Sunday 13 September Crawley Amateur Radio Club hosts
the Microwave Roundtable. There will be presentations, demonstrations,
component and equipment bargains. Visitors are welcome and light
refreshments will be available. Contact John, G3VLH, on 01342 714 402.
On Monday 14 September Coulsdon ATS is having a classic radios show and
tell evening. Contact Andy, G8JAC, by email to g8jacatbtinternet.com.
On Monday 14 September Reading and District Amateur Radio Club
commences its Advanced licence course. Contact g3ngxatradarc.org. On
Tuesday 15 September Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating
from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Tuesday 15 September
Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society is having a new members
evening. Contact Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 15 September Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a visit by
Chris Taylor of Martin Lynch and Sons. Chris will be handing over
training equipment purchased with a Grass Roots Training grant. Contact
Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 16 September Bracknell Amateur Radio Club is having its 2
metre local net on 145.375 FM. Contact Paul, M3XPR, by email to
pryanatmax.co.uk. On Wednesday 16 September Chesham and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a DVD evening on modern aircraft
avionics and the Garmin G1000. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.
On Wednesday 16 September Crawley Amateur Radio Club is having a
presentation on D-Star by David, G4ULF. Contact John, G3VLH, on 01342
714 402.

On Wednesday 16 September Dover Radio Club is having a natter and
operating evening. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 16 September Edgware and District
Radio Society is visiting Bletchley Park. Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 020
8950 0658. On Wednesday 16 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on Raynet and You by Steve, G7VAH. Contact Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 16 September Worthing and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its construction contest. Contact Roy,
G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 17 September Cray Valley Radio
Society is having a surplus sale. Contact Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735
after 8pm.

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On Thursday 17 September Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Fountain, Ashurst. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 17 September 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 17 September Shefford
and District Amateur Radio Society is visiting Astrium. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Thursday 17 September Sutton and Cheam
Radio Society is having a talk on military man-machine interfaces by
Peter Skinner, G7MLJ. Contact John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945. On Friday
18 September Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on antenna polar plot measurements by Mike, M0BLP. Contact David Leary,
G8JKV on 01223 355254. On Friday 18 September Wey Valley Amateur Radio
Group is having a visit by Rob Mannion, G3XFD, Editor of Practical
Wireless. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 19
September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating in the British
Wireless for the Blind event. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 14 September Cornish Radio Amateur
Club is having a talk on digital cameras by Ian and Steve, G7VOH.
Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Tuesday 15 September West Devon Radio Club is having a Bring a
Non-Radio Friend night. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588.

On Wednesday 16 September Southampton Amateur Radio Club is holding a
reunion of past and present members. The club dates back before the
World War II and over the years has gone through some changes. If you
are or have been a member or would like to join the club please go
along to the reunion night from 7pm onwards at the Lordshill Community
Centre, Andromeda Road, Lordshill SO16 8BB. For more information
contact Malcolm, G0WFQ on 023 8042 8113.

On Wednesday 16 September Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an
operating and mystery night. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.

On Wednesday 16 September Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
watching a video by Bill, G0PNF. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666
234.

On Wednesday 16 September Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454
417048.

On Wednesday 16 September Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, E/W.

On Thursday 17 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is viewing
photographs from members' archives. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282.

On Thursday 17 September Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Richard Powell, M1CFW on the move to electronic
ciphers after Enigma. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 17 September Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is taking a
practical look at how SSB works with G4GVM. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP,
by email to steveatg7ahp.co.uk.

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On Friday 18 September Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 14 September Gloucester Amateur Radio
And Electronics Society is having a talk by Cliff, G8CQZ on PIC Basics.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 14 September Leicester Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact the duty committee member on 07804 595749.

On Monday 14 September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a natter night
and is on the air. Contact Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.

On Monday 14 September South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 14 September Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society
begins its new session. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488,.

On Tuesday 15 September Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a video show. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 15 September Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a skittle evening with food at the Griffin Inn, Swithland.
Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 16 September Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting and training classes. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214
229 787.

On Wednesday 16 September South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on oscilloscopes by G4EDX. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 16 September Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk and demo of building and tuning antennas by G0UFE.
Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 17 September Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club
is having a club night. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on 01502585448.

On Thursday 17 September Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Thursday 17 September Tamworth Amateur Radio Society will be having
a historic 16mm show presented by Ron, M0WSN. Details on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/tamworthars.

On Friday 18 September Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a committee meeting. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 18 September Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 18 September Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
talk on the history and development of Heage Windmill. Contact Ken
Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 18 September South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 19 September Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
hosting a Train the Trainers course from 10 till 4. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Thursday 17 September North Wakefield
Amateur Radio Club invites non members and members alike to a
presentation on the Icarus high altitude balloon project by Robert
Harrison, 2E0RJH. Details from Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email to
.

On Monday 14 September Bolton Wireless Club is having an introduction
to the microwave bands by Ross, G6GVI and David, G4MVU. Contact
boltonwirelessatgmail.com.

On Monday 14 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is watching a
YouTube video on connectors. Contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, on
trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk.

On Monday 14 September Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on computers by John, M0JFE. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ,
on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 15 September Chester and District Radio Society is having a
talk by Les green on working for Cable and Wireless in the Falklands in
mid 1980's. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 15 September Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Anthony Vinters, on 01422 822636.

On Tuesday 15 September Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Tuesday 15 September Otley Amateur Radio Society Club is having a
shack night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Tuesday 15 September Warrington Amateur Radio Club is trying ARDF
kits. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705.

On Wednesday 16 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is preparing for
the Hornsea Rally. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 16 September Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a short talk by M0TLR on recording contacts into a database. Contact
Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401.

On Wednesday 16 September Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the 2nd 70MHz Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Thursday 17 September South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is
having a talk on Norway and Spitzberg by Chris, G3UAU. Contact Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 18 September East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
technical forum. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 18 September Tynemouth Radio Club is having a quiz night plus
pie and peas. Contact Graham Errington, 07812 172136.

On Saturday 19 September Angel Of The North Amateur Radio Club
commences its Advanced licence course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on
0191 4770036.

On Sunday 20 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club holds its rally at
Floral Hall. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 15 September Ayr Amateur Radio Group
starts its new session with a group discussion. Contact Charlie,
MM0GNS, on 01563 551704.

On Tuesday 15 September Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society
is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 16 September Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having a
presentation night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Thursday 17 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air
and having a construction evening. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 14 September Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
having a club raffle and social night. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269
840292.

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.