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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 22nd November 2009

The news headlines

* Ofcom's World Radiocommunication Conference consultation

* Rowley Shears, G8KW, SK

* Presidential Installation Dinner to take place in Warrington

Ofcom has published a consultation on the issues to be covered during
the World Radiocommunication Conference 2012. The purpose of the
consultation is to seek views from those with an interest in the issues
on the WRC-12 agenda. Among the questions in the consultation is
Question 23: Should amateur radio be given an allocation in part of the
band 415 to 526.5kHz and if so where? The consultation can be found at
ww.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wrc_12.

The Society has learned with great sadness that Rowley Shears BEM,
G8KW, passed away on Tuesday 17 November 2009. Responsible for
re-introducing amateur radio into Germany after the second world war,
he was perhaps best known for his KW range of amateur equipment from
the 1950s to the 1970s. Through KW Electronics and the KW2000
transceiver, he was largely responsible for popularising SSB in the
British amateur community. Rowley passed away peacefully at the ripe
old age of 90.

The Presidential Installation Dinner will take place at the Daresbury
Hotel in Warrington on 16 January 2010. Details are in the December
RadCom. The Daresbury Hotel, Warrington is offering RSGB members the
negotiated bedroom rate of £50 B & B for those wishing to stay on the
night of the 16th. Members wishing to take up this offer will need to
telephone 0844 980 2360, press Option 2 and quote Reference DE00762609.
Details are also on the RSGB website.

The team of five GB2RS newsreaders in NW England have been given
transceivers for 2m, 4m and 6m for use in transmitting the news. The
radios have come from Graham, G1PYA, a regular listener to GB2RS. The
five newsreaders, G4GSY, G0MRL, G0NAJ, M1NTO and M0HDE would like to
record their very great thanks to Graham for this valuable gift, which
is so clearly in the traditional spirit of amateur radio.

There are a few places left for any would-be radio constructors who
would like to take part in the 3rd Bath Buildathon. The event is
happening on Saturday 5 December and the project is the popular Walford
Electronics Brendon 80m double sideband transceiver. The Buildathon
coincides with the Bath Christmas Market, should you wish to make a
family weekend of it. Further details can be had from Steve Hartley,
G0FUW, who is QTHR and can be e-mailed using his
callsignattiscali.co.uk.

Voting in the RSGB 2009 elections is still open and both electronic and
postal methods are available. It is being run by the Electoral Reform
Society. There are four Board places to be filled and Region 8 also has
an election for the Regional Representative position. Full details of
all the candidates and how to vote are in the December RadCom and on
the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org. RSGB Members have until noon on 10
December to register their vote and you must only use one method of
voting.

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Martin Lynch & Sons will be holding their annual Open Day on 5 December
from 8am to 4pm. Sponsored by Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood, there will be a
free hog roast and representatives from the main manufacturers on hand
to chat about their products. This event leads up to the company's 20th
year of trading.

The Next Foundation Course at the North Derbyshire Training and Exam
Centre is due to start in mid January or early February. The Centre is
at Clay Cross near Chesterfield. The course is held over eight evenings
from 6.30 to 8.30pm, with refreshments included. Full details are on
www.m0oct.com under the heading RAE Courses. Places are limited so call
01246 275 889 or e-mail exams@m0oct to book your place.

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

Mayo Radio Experimenters in Ireland are holding their annual Radio
Rally today, Sunday 22 November, in The Welcome Inn, Castlebar, Co
Mayo. More information can be found on their website
http://ei7mre.org/rally.htm.

Also today, 22 November, the Plymouth Radio Club Rally will take place
at the Elm Community Centre, Leypark Walk, Estover, Plymouth PL6 8UE.
There is plenty of car parking and the doors open at 10.15am for
disabled visitors and 10.30am for other visitors. There will be trade
stands and a Bring & Buy as well as suitable catering facilities.

On 29 November, the Bishop Auckland Radio Amateurs Club Rally will take
place at the Spennymoor Leisure Centre, Co Durham DL16 6DB. There will
be talk-in and plenty of car parking with the doors opening at 10.15
for disabled visitors and 10.30 for other visitors. Admission is £1.50
and under 14s may visit free of charge. Details from Mark, G0GFG, 01388
745 353.

These are the last rallies that we have details for in 2009. If you
would like your 2010 rally mentioned in RadCom and on GB2RS, please
send details to radcomatrsgb.org.uk.

Now for the news of special events

Members of Chorley & District Amateur Radio Society will be operating
GB0LD celebrating Lancashire Day from the village of Hoghton in central
Lancashire from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 29 November inclusive.
The station will be operating on the HF bands dependent on propagation,
with activity also planned on 2m and possibly 70cm. QSL will be via the
bureau. More information can be found on QRZ.com.

Preston Amateur Radio Society is running special event station GB1LD on
Friday 27 November from their HQ for Lancashire Day. For further
details e-mail secretaryatprestonars.co.uk.

Southport & District Amateur Radio Club will operate a special event
station from the market town of Ormskirk, in the south of the county,
between 8pm and 10pm on November 27 under the club's callsign GX2OA to
celebrate Lancashire Day. They would like to encourage as many
Lancastrian operators as possible to sign in during the event and make
contact with the station. All stations making contact will receive a
special QSL card in return. At 9pm, at the same times as many other
events around the country, the Lancashire Day proclamation will be read
out followed by the Toast to the Duke of Lancaster, HM The Queen.

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

3V3S will be on the air from Tunisia from 23 November to 2 December,
including an entry in the CQWW Contest. QSL via DL9USA. More details at
www.3V3S.tk.

Antarctica will see some amateur activity in the next few months. From
the US base, KC4USV will be active, mainly on Sundays on 14.232MHz SSB,
14.070MHz PSK and 14.043MHZ CW. QSL via K1IED. He will be there until
20 February. From the Indian base listen out for AT10BP until March
2011. QSL via VU3MKE. On Adelaide Island, VP8DMH will on the air. The
IOTA reference for this is AN-001. QSL via Mike's UK call of M0PRL.

The CQWW CW Contest on 28 and 29 November has many DX entries. Here are
details of the ones we've heard about. 9J3A will be on the air from
Zambia, QSL direct to S57S. KH6ZN will be active from Big Island in
Hawaii. QSL as per details on qrz.com for N6TJ. HC8N will operate from
Galapagos. QSL via W5UE. VK9XW will be on the air from Christmas
Island. From Bermuda, KE0UI will be on as VP9I. QSL via N1HRA. Whilst
on Koror Island until 10 December, T88CI will also take part in the
contest. QSL via HA5AO.

Now the contest news

In the previous couple of GB2RS News broadcasts there has been an error
in the timings of the UK Activity Contests. The remaining dates for
November and December are 50MHz on 24 November and 22 December between
2000 and 2230UTC. Then it's 144MHz on 1 December between 2000 and
2230UTC and 432MHz on 8 December from 2000 to 2230UTC. Later in
December there is the 1.2 and 2.3GHz Activity Contest on 15 December
between 2000 and 2230UTC and 70MHz on 29 December between 2000 and
2230UTC.

On 25 November, the 80 Club Sprint CW leg takes place between 2000 and
2130UTC. The exchange is serial number and name and there are two power
levels allowed, 10 watts or 100 watts.

Without doubt November's biggest event of is the CQWW DX CW Contest,
which takes place for the entire 48 hours of the weekend of 28*29
November. Rather like the CQWW SSB Contest that took place at the end
of October, there will be a lot of DXpeditions, some by well-known
operators from Britain. It starts at 0000 on 28th and finished as 2359
on 29th. The exchange is signal report and CQ Zone, which for the UK is
14.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 9th to the 15th of
November, compiled on 16th of November by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

Only the 13th and the 14th saw the solar disc spotless. The remaining
days only had single spots visible. The return of the active region
from several weeks ago took place during the 14th. When it had rotated
fully into view it became apparent that no sunspots were visible and
only a plage region remained. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux
levels increased slightly from 72 units on the 9th to 75 by the 14th.
The average was 73. The 90 day solar flux average on the 15th was 72,
that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum reporting level. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday. On
the 10th, 11th and the 12th the Ap index was only one unit. The average
was only Ap 3 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar
wind speeds decline from 440 to a slow 270 kilometres per second by the
12th and the 13th. Particle densities were low throughout. Bz varied no
more than minus 6 and plus 7 nanoTeslas for the period.

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And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be very low. However, there is a slight chance that activity could
increase to low with the possibility of a small C class solar flare
taking place. Solar flux levels should be around the mid 70s. Other
than the chance of a slight disturbance around midweek geomagnetic
activity is expected to be at quiet levels. MUFs during daylight hours
at equal latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz for
the north. The darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week
to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of around 28MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be about 23MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 0900 and 1400 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 Tuesday 24 November Brede Steam Amateur Radio
Society is operating from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On
Tuesday 24 November Dorking and District Radio Society is having a talk
on millimetre wave radio propagation by Dr David Browning, M6DJB.
Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472. On Tuesday 24 November Harwell
Amateur Radio Society is having a shack activity night. Contact
Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844, infoatg3pia.org.uk. On Tuesday 24
November Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the history of Whale Island by Lt Cdr Witt. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on
023 9247 2846. On Wednesday 25 November Chesham and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Terry, G0VFW,
on 01442 831 491. On Wednesday 25 November Dover Radio Club is having a
practical demonstration of PSK 31 and a discussion. Contact Brian,
G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 25 November
Farnborough and District Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact
Derek, G3OFA, by email to mailatfarnboroughradio.org.uk. On Wednesday
25 November Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal evening. Contact John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354. On Wednesday 25
November Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Claverton Pumping Station. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241. On
Wednesday 25 November Peterborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a DVD night on basic radio measurements. Contact David Howlett,
M0VTG, by email to padarcattesco.net. On Wednesday 25 November
Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is attending the Nevada
Communications open evening. The club room will still be open as usual.
Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 26 November Bittern
DX Group is meeting at Pinewood Park IBC. Contact Linda, G0AJJ, on
01692 404154. On Thursday 26 November Edgware and District Radio
Society is having a talk by Malcolm Wood MBE. Contact Mike, G4RNW, on
020 8950 0658. On Thursday 26 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 26 November Lowestoft and
District Pye Amateur Radio Club is having a night at the shack. Contact
Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

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On Thursday 26 November Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on the BBC Boys. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.
On Thursday 26 November Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club is having a CW
night. Contact Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852. On Friday 27 November
Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a fish and chip surprise
night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103. On Friday 27 November
Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is having a surplus sale.
Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456. On Saturday 28 November Gorleston
Amateur Radio Society Lunch time meeting at the Short Blue Hotel,
Gorleston. Contact David, G3OEP, on 01493 662 323.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 24 November Blackmore Vale Amateur
Radio Society Is having a natter night. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258
860741. On Tuesday 24 November West Devon Radio Club is preparing for
its Christmas party. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588. On
Wednesday 25 November Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048. On Thursday
26 November Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night and Foundation training if required. Contact Joe Bell, M6JOE, on
01726 891557. On Thursday 26 November South Bristol Amateur Radio Club
is on the air. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On Thursday 26
November Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a natter
night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 26 November
Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a committee meeting and putting the
club station on the air. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
steveatg7ahp.co.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 23 November Gloucester Amateur Radio
And Electronics Society is having an informal evening. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 23 November Lincoln
Short-Wave Club is having a construction contest. Contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356. On Monday 23 November South Birmingham Radio
Society Club is on the air. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Monday 23
November Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having a talk on
Apollo 11 communications by G0CHO. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488. On
Tuesday 24 November Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radioatdadars.org.uk. On
Tuesday 24 November Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Ian, G8SNF. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

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On Tuesday 24 November Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is
meeting on the air on 145.225MHz. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420
913. On Wednesday 25 November Midland Amateur Radio Society is having
an open meeting, is on the air and holding training classes. Contact
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On Wednesday 25 November South Notts
Amateur Radio Club is holding a members only forum. Contact Terry,
M0RIA, on the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 25 November
Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a junk sale with
G8UGL in the chair. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Friday 27
November Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is looking at QSL
cards. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869. On Friday 27 November
Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a committee forum. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 27 November Nunsfield House
Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on nostalgic TV by Martin
Winfield. Contact Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976. On Friday 27
November South Birmingham Radio Society is having a construction
evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 23 November Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air and continues its Advanced Licence
course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday 23
November Bolton Wireless Club is having a question and answer forum and
activity night. Contact boltonwirelessatgmail.com. On Monday 23
November Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz night. Contact
Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk. On Monday
23 November South Tyneside Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM at
St. Peters Church, York Avenue, Jarrow. All are welcome and a buffet
will follow. Contact George, M1FNE, QTHR. On Monday 23 November
Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having an auction led by
Mick, G4EZM. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 24
November Chester and District Radio Society is having a talk on the
wind up mast by Derrick Sumner, M1SUM. Contact Barbara Green on 0151
339 9183. On Tuesday 24 November Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is
having a social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 01524 848193.
On Tuesday 24 November Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a 50MHz
activity night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370. On Tuesday 24
November Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on wartime
radio by Ged, G8RSI. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705. On
Wednesday 25 November Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m Sprint CW contest and having a committee meeting. Contact Gordon
MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573. On Wednesday 25 November
Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is holding its annual junk sale.
Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401. On Thursday 26 November
Preston Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM at 8pm. Contact
secretaryatprestonars.co.uk.

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On Thursday 26 November South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on oscilloscopes by Dave, G8DHQ. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK,
on 01782 773185. On Thursday 26 November South Manchester Radio and
Computer Club is having a surplus equipment sale. Contact Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999. On Thursday 26 November Wakefield and District Radio
Society is having a visit by the RSGB Regional Management Team. Contact
Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117. On Friday 27 November East Cleveland
Amateur Radio Club is preparing for the stall at the Spennymoor Rally.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 27 November Hull
and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on D-Star by Andy
Russell, G0VRM. All amateurs and family are welcome. Contact Keith,
2E0BRQ on 01482 217776. On Friday 27 November Tynemouth Radio Club is
holding an great egg race radio challenge. Contact Graham Errington, on
07812 172136.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 24 November Livingston and District
Amateur Radio Society is having Morse code practice. Contact Norman, on
07740 946192. On Wednesday 25 November Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is
having a shack night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905. On
Wednesday 25 November Lothians Radio Society is having a talk by Dr
Roger Hill MBE. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to
lrs_secretaryatmoosedata.com. On Thursday 26 November Aberdeen
Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on
01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 23 November Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
on the air. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292. On Tuesday 24
November Marches Amateur Radio Society is having a radio and general
knowledge quiz. Guests are very welcome and refreshments are available.
Contact Dave, MW0AYM, on 01691 777242. On Tuesday 24 November Meirion
Amateur Radio Society is having its family Christmas meal. Contact
John, MW0VTK, on 07868 738016. On Friday 27 November Newport Amateur
Radio Society is building the Two Valver. Contact Gareth Price on 01633
880081.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND GB2RS welcomes program information from all
RSGB affiliated clubs. We invite club secretaries to email details of
forthcoming meetings to GB2RSatrsgb.org.uk. Any information for
January meetings that arrives before 29 November will also appear in
the Club Calendar section of the January RadCom.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.