GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 1st November 2009

The news headlines

* Sweden bans polluting PLT equipment

* New solar message board service

* 500th Schools contact from the International Space Station

A CEPT Electronic Communications Committee report notes that Sweden has
removed from the market some of the Powerline Networking equipment that
pollutes the radio spectrum. The 54th meeting of the CEPT Working Group
Spectrum Engineering in Bordeaux covered recent developments of the
harmonised emission standard for IT equipment EN55022. Mention of the
Swedish action in withdrawing polluting PLT equipment appears under `13
EMC' in the Working Group report. If you wish to read this in full,
just type `Working Group Spectrum Engineering Bordeaux' into your
favourite search engine and go to the www.ero.dk reference you will see
listed.

Neil, G0CAS, our solar and propagation news reporter for GB2RS, has
started a new messaging board service on solar activity and
propagation. People are encouraged to take a look and ask any questions
relating to the terms used in his weekly report, or find the latest
news on solar, geomagnetic activity and propagation. The site is at
http://spotsandflares.lefora.com.

On 27 October International Space Station Commander Frank De Winne,
ON1DWN, answered questions from students participating at the brand new
Copernic Science Centre in Warsaw, Poland. This was the 500th School
Contact since ARISS began operations in the year 2000.

The forthcoming Winter Olympic Games in Canada will be celebrated on
the amateur bands. The Vancouver Olympics Amateur Radio Group will be
activating three special event stations until March 2010. VG7V is on
the air until 30 November, then VG7W will be on the air from 1 December
until 31 January. VG7G will be on air from 1 February until 31 March
2010. Commemorative QSL cards will be available.

The Swedish Amateur Radio Society has recently announced the Marconi
Nobel 100 Award. European stations outside Sweden must work, or Short
Wave Listeners must hear, ten different SI stations between 9 November
2009 and 10 December 2009. SM stations may use the prefix SI and there
will be several anniversary calls on the air, SI0GM to SI7GM. Each
station counts once per band. The fee for the award is 5 euro or 5 US
dollars. Full details can be found on the internet at
www.awardmanager.se, where you should click on the Union Jack flag.

A new technical website has been launched in Ireland, www.techtir.ie.
It contains discussions, tutorials and articles on a wide range of
technology subjects. There is an anti-spammer signup filter as well as
Catchpa and strict Moderation, so the site should be suitable for
youngsters too. Mayo Radio Experimenters are holding their annual Radio
Rally on Sunday 22 November, in The Welcome Inn, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
They also have an interesting evening planned for 21 November. Declan
Craig EI6FR to give a talk the evening on DXpeditions and IOTA.

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

Today, Sunday 1 November, the Great Northern Hamfest will take place at
the Metrodome Leisure Centre, Queens Road, Barnsley S71 1AN. Opening
time is 11am. There will be trade stands an RSGB bookstall, Foundation,
Intermediate and Advanced licence information, special interest groups
and local radio clubs. There are a limited number of tables available
at a reduced price for amateurs, but not trade, wishing to sell their
surplus equipment. To book a table and for any other enquiries, contact
the Hamfest Manager, Ernie, G4LUE on 01226 716339 or 07984 191873.

The North Wales Radio Rally is on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1
November in Llandudno at John Bright School, which is postcode LL30
1LF. Doors are open from 10am to 5pm both days. Talk in will be on S22.
The rally is all on one level and there is disabled access. Entry is £3
and you'll find many large traders attending and there will be an RSGB
bookstall as well as a Bring and Buy. For more information please
contact Liz Cabban, GW0ETU on 01690 710257 or by e-mail at


The Holsworthy ARC Rally will take place today, 1 November, at the
Holsworthy Community College, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JD. Doors open at
10am and the entry fee is £2. There will be trade stands and a Bring &
Buy. More details from Don, G0RQL on 01409 261223.

Also today, 1 November, the Foyle & District ARC Rally will be held in
the Best Western White Horse Hotel, Derry BT47 3PA. Doors open at 12
noon and there will be trade stands, special interest groups and Bring
& Buy.

Now for the news of special events

Reading and District Amateur Radio Club will be running GB2RD on 31
October at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation in Woodley. The event is
celebrating 75 years of RADARC and its links with Woodley. The club
venue is just a few miles from the Museum and many radio amateurs have
interests in aviation too. They will be operational on 80, 40, 20, 4
and 2m from 10am till 5pm. Visitors are most welcome.

Over three weekends of November, members of the Galway VHF Group will
be operating an HF station for a 24 hour period from lifeboat stations
in County Galway. The purpose of this operation is to promote the 185th
anniversary of the lifeboat service in Ireland. The first operation
will take place from the Galway Lifeboat Station over the weekend of 7
and 8 November. The following weekend, 14th and 15th, will see an
operation from the Aran Island Lifeboat station at Kilronan, Inishmore.
The final operation will take place from Clifden Lifeboat Station,
Ballyconneely, over the weekend of 28 and 29 November. All operation
will take place on the HF bands with two stations in operation at all
times. There will be operation on phone and digital modes with some
operation on SSTV also possible. There will be a special QSL card for
all contacts made and SWL reports will also be welcomed.

Celebrating the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group's Golden Jubilee,
Andrew, M5AEX was in control of GB50ATG last month and worked some nice
DX. His activity was mainly in the CQWW and JARTS contests and all
contacts were on RTTY. Andrew managed 372 QSOs in 61 countries and 5
continents. November sees G3LDI operating GB50ATG once again.

Special event station K0V will be on the air on Saturday 7 November and
on Veterans Day, Wednesday 11 November. The Emporia Amateur Radio
Society will be operating the K0V station from a site adjacent to the
Emporia All Veterans Memorial in Kansas. The operating times will be
1900 to 2300UTC on 7 November and 1400 to 2400UTC on 11 November using
frequencies of 14.268, 7.262 and 3.920MHz, ±20kHz. A special QSL card
will be available.

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

Rick, AI5P will be signing ZL/AI5P from North Island, New Zealand
between 1 and 6 November. QSL via AI5P either direct or through the
bureau.

FT5WO will be active from Crozet Islands in the southern Indian Ocean
until 15 November. He is usually on 17 and 20m between 0600 and 1300UTC
on Saturdays and Sundays. QSL via F4DYW.

Between 7 and 16 November, EI6DX will sign /6W from Senegal using
mainly the low bands and CQ. QSL via RX3RC.

In Argentina, PY2TJ will be /LU from 1 to 7 November from the Island
Tierra Del Fuego. QSL via PT2OP.

VP2MUM will be on the air from Montserrat from 3 to 15 November. QSL
either direct or via the bureau to his home callsign of DL2RUM.

Now the contest news

The annual contest of the International Police Association Radio Club
is taking place over the weekend of 7 and 8 November. CW is on 7
November from 0600 to 1000UTC and 1400 to 1800UTC. SSB is on 8 November
also from 0600 to 1000 and 1400 to 1800UTC. More details from
www.iparc.de.

The 144MHz UK Activity contest and club championship takes place
between 1900 and 2130UTC on 3 November. All modes can be used and the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Marconi CW Contest is on 7 and 8 November between 1400 and 1400UTC.
There are four categories to enter, depending on the amount of time you
can devote and whether you are a single operator fixed station or not.
The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Internationally, the IARU 144MHz CW Contest coincides with the Marconi
CW Contest and the exchange is the same. Now the solar factual data for
the period from the 19th to the 25th of October, compiled on 26th of
October by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

A small single sunspot appeared on the 20th and disappeared again on
the same day. However, on the 23rd, a larger spot group emerged and on
the 24th had 13 spots within the group. Both groups belonged to the new
cycle. Solar activity was very low but during the early morning of the
24th a C1.5 solar flare took place, lifting activity to low. Solar flux
levels increased from 71 units on the 19th to 76 by the 24th. That's
the highest daily figure so far this year. The average was 73 units.
The 90 day solar flux average on the 24th was 69 units, that's the same
level as last week. X-ray flux levels still remained below the minimum
reporting level until the 25th and then increased to A1.2 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday except for the 22nd. This was
due to a coronal mass ejection that occurred on the 17th and was
mentioned in last weeks report. The CME travelled at 320 kilometres per
second and took 5 days to travel between the Sun and Earth. This is
relatively a slow speed for a CME. The Ap index on the 22nd was 14
units. This is the most disturbed day since the 30th of August. The
average for the week is 8 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 270 kilometres per
second on the 19th to 490 by the 25th. Particle densities were low
except for a brief increase to 19 particles per cubic centimetre during
the evening of the 24th. Bz varied between minus 2 and plus 3
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 9 and plus 10 nanoTeslas
during the storm of the 22nd. People interested in the latest solar
activity can visit http://spotsandflares.lefora.com/ which gets updated
most days and is run by Neil, G0CAS.

And finally the solar forecast.

This week solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. Sunspots
could be visible on some days. Solar flux levels should be around the
70 mark when no spots are visible and slightly higher if any spots do
appear. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet throughout the
coming week. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
about 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows should be around 9MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a
maximum usable frequency of about 22MHz. The optimum working frequency
with a 50 per cent success rate will be about 18MHz. The best time to
try this path will be between 0900 and 1400 hours UTC.

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 Monday 2 November Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a junk sale. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460
947. On Monday 2 November Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having its
annual dinner at the Eastbourne Toby Carvery. Contact John, G3DQY, on
01424 424 319. On Monday 2 November Surrey Radio Contact Club is having
a talk. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589. On Tuesday 3 November
Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having an introduction to satellite
working. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618 1646. On Tuesday 3 November
Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from the shack. Contact
Steve, on 01424 720815. On Tuesday 3 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on the FlexRadio FLEX-5000A software defined
radio by Gwyn Williams, G4FKH. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Tuesday 3 November Dover Radio Club is having a natter and operating
evening. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On
Tuesday 3 November Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846. On Tuesday 3 November Leiston Amateur Radio Club is holding its
AGM in Room 63 of Leiston High School. Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 01473
737 717. On Wednesday 4 November Chesham and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a general meeting. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831
491. On Wednesday 4 November Havering and District Amateur Radio Club
is having a talk on eBay for dummies by Rob, M0MCP. Contact John,
M0UKD, on 07817 365354. On Wednesday 4 November Norfolk Amateur Radio
Club is having a visit from RSGB President Colin Thomas, G3PSM. Contact
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 4 November Southdown
Amateur Radio Society is operating G3WQK at Hailsham shack. Contact
John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Wednesday 4 November Worthing and
District Amateur Radio is having a discussion evening on wires, poles
and aerials. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 5
November Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having tales of the
unexpected by Tim Doncaster, G3PJD. Contact Clive, G4ODM, on 01256
326050. On Thursday 5 November Cray Valley Radio Society is having a
natter night. Contact Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm. On
Thursday 5 November Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
electrical oddities by John Narborough. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 5 November 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 5 November Lowestoft and District
Pye Amateur Radio Club is having a shack night. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on
01502585448. On Thursday 5 November Shefford and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk by Paul, M0PSW on power projects with a
difference. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 6
November Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a shack
evening. Contact Lawrence Micallef, M0LCM, on 07941 972724. On Friday 6
November Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a talk by
RSGB Regional Manager Alison Johnston, G8ROG followed by a short
history of power supplies by Victor, G1PKS and Bob, G3OOU. Contact Bob,
G3OOU, on 01737 552 170. On Friday 6 November Loughton and Epping
Forest Amateur Radio Society is having a LF night on the air. Contact
Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645. On Friday 6 November Wey Valley
Amateur Radio Group is having a visit by Rob Mannion, G3XFD. Details on
the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 7 November Brede Steam
Amateur Radio Society is at the bunker. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815.
On Saturday 7 November Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is providing
radio assistance at St. Wilfrids Fireworks. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on
01273 845 103.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club are
running a Foundation Licence course November 7, 16 and 21. Further
information from Tony, G4LDL on 01793 525523 or by email to
tony.ldlatntlworld.com. On Monday 2 November Cornish Radio Amateur
Club is having a committee meeting. Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209
844939. On Wednesday 4 November Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a
surplus sale. Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939. On Wednesday 4
November Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having a barbecue and fireworks.
Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172. On Wednesday 4 November Thornbury
and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is having a garage sale at
Stan's QTH. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048. On Wednesday 4
November Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is judging entries
for the G2BQY and G4UNU Constructor's Cup. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225
864 698, evenings and weekends. On Thursday 5 November South Bristol
Amateur Radio Club is having a DX challenge evening led by Len, G4RZY.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On Thursday 5 November Swindon
and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Den, M0ACM entitles
"We CQ here, we CQ there". Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On
Thursday 5 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on short
vertical antennas by Rob, G3MYM. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email
to steveatg7ahp.co.uk. On Friday 6 November Lymington Community
Association Radio Club is having a talk on the DMV Pro and Comet 250
antennas by G3ZPR. The club meets at Lymington Community Centre, Cannon
Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9BQ. All radio amateurs and
shortwave listeners are very welcome, and there is talk-in on S22.
Details of this, and forthcoming Foundation licence courses, from Keith
Cromar, G8MZF, on 02380 849395. On Friday 6 November Saltash & District
ARC is holding its AGM at the Burraton Community Centre. Members and
visitors are welcome. Details from Brian on 01752 844321.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 2 November Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a talk on aerials by Tom, G3XMM. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 2 November Leicester
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on Worked All Britain by G4IAR.
Contact the duty committee member on 07804 595749. On Tuesday 3
November Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radioatdadars.org.uk. On
Tuesday 3 November Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a computer problem night. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319. On Tuesday 3 November South Notts Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the 2m contest. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 4 November Lincoln Short-Wave
Club is having a talk on EME by Howard Ling, G4CCH. Contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356. On Wednesday 4 November South Birmingham Radio
Society is holding its AGM. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Wednesday
4 November South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having an Intermediate
Practical Assessment by RSGB Regional Manager M0BWY. Contact Terry,
M0RIA, on the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 4 November
Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is having an open house and
on the air night. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Friday 6
November Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is operating
special event station GB75XX. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.
On Friday 6 November Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having a
talk on repeaters by Steve, G4FPV. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242
241099. On Friday 6 November Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a
bangers and mash night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday
6 November Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on the
NHARG packet cluster by Pete Walker and Andy Barker. Contact Ken
Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976. On Friday 6 November South Birmingham
Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121
458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 2 November Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is taking to the air and continuing its Advanced
Licence course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday 2
November Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on RAYNET by
G0JJR. Contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to
trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk. On Monday 2 November Thornton Cleveleys
Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. Contact John Foster,
M3WAZ, on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 3 November Chester and District
Radio Society Club is holding a review of club equipment. Contact
Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183. On Tuesday 3 November Morecambe Bay
Amateur Radio Society is having a social evening. Contact Martin Hazel,
M0ZIF, on 07852 200232. On Tuesday 3 November Otley Amateur Radio
Society is taking part in the 144MHz UKAC from the shack and having
technical chatter in the Village Hall. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768
996370. On Wednesday 4 November Denby Dale Radio Club is having an
introduction to amateur microwaves by Peter Day, G3PHO. Contact Gerald,
G3SDY, on 01484 602905. On Wednesday 4 November Hornsea Amateur Radio
Club is having an activity night. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240573. On Wednesday 4 November Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio
Society is on the air and working on the club project. Contact Peter
Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401. On Thursday 5 November South
Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having a talk and demonstration
of chilli con carne for contests by Ron, G3SVW. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on
0161 969 3999. On Thursday 5 November Wakefield and District Radio
Society is having a pie and peas supper at HQ. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on
07900 563117. On Friday 6 November East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is
on the air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 6
November Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night with
technical topics and a Morse class. Contact Graham Errington, on 07812
172136. On Saturday 7 November Wakefield and District Radio Society is
holding its Foundation Licence exam. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 3 November Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 07740
946192. On Wednesday 4 November Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a
group discussion. Contact Charlie, MM0GNS, on 01563 551704. On
Wednesday 4 November Kingdom Amateur Radio Society Club is having a
shack night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905. On Wednesday 4
November Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a training evening.
Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633. On Thursday 5 November
Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. Contact Lewis,
GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Friday 6 November Cockenzie and Port Seton
Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES The North Wales Radio Rally takes place on Saturday 31
October and Sunday 1 November in Llandudno at John Bright School, LL30
1LF. Doors are open from 10am to 5pm both days. Talk in is on S22. The
rally is all on one level and there is disabled access. Entry is £3 and
you'll find many large traders attending including an RSGB bookstall.
There is also a Bring and Buy. For more information please contact Liz
Cabban, GW0ETU on 01690 710257. On Monday 2 November Dragon Amateur
Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 01248
362229. On Monday 2 November Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is having a
members-only pool tournament. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.
On Tuesday 3 November Carmarthan Amateur Radio Society is having
Intermediate exam tuition. Contact Alastair Underwood, GW0AJU, on 01267
290822. On Tuesday 3 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a
Morse exercise night. Contact Glyn, MW0BNB, via the web at
www.qsl.net/wars. On Wednesday 4 November Conwy Valley Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk by Safer Roads Officer Martyn Schlangen on
equipment used by the police for speed enforcement and the achievements
of speed cameras. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068. On Thursday
5 November Meirion Amateur Radio Society Club is having a is having a
quiz night. Contact John, MW0VTK, on 07868 738016. On Friday 6 November
Newport Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the TR4 by Ross,
GW3NWS. Contact Gareth Price on 01633 880081.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Thursday 5 November Bangor and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its annual surplus sale. Contact Mike,
GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2383. Mayo Radio Experimenters in Ireland are
holding their annual Radio Rally on Sunday 22 November at The Welcome
Inn Castlebar, Co Mayo. They also have an interesting evening planned
for 21 November, when Declan Craig, EI6FR, will give a talk on
DXpeditions and IOTA.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.