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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 14th February 2010

The news headlines

RSGB Convention moves to a new venue

Antarctic Activity Week

George Dobbs to appear at Lough Erne Rally

The RSGB Convention is moving to a bigger venue for 2010. Taking place
between 8 and 10 October, the Convention will be at Horwood House, near
Milton Keynes. This new venue provides the RSGB Convention with new
purpose-built meeting rooms, comfortable lounges and bars, delightful
country surroundings and 182 en-suite bedrooms. All bedrooms are within
the complex and have easy access to the lecture rooms that we will be
using. It is just a short distance from Bletchley and Milton Keynes
stations and easily accessible from the M1 motorway. The Convention
programme will be announced soon and it planned to further expand the
popular lectures and increase the activities for the visitors. Details
will appear on the RSGB website and in RadCom in due course.

The 7th annual Antarctic Activity Week to celebrate Antarctica takes
place from 22 and 28 February. The organisers say that this year's
event could be better than previous years with many more stations
participating. More information on this event is online at
www.waponline.it.

QRP author George Dobbs, G3RJV will be attending a QRP display at the
Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club Rally on Sunday 11 April. Graham Firth,
G3MFJ, who is another listed in the International QRP Hall of Fame, is
bringing the entire G-QRP Club stall, with lots of interest for
low-power radio amateurs, and those intrigued by building their own
rigs. On a second QRP table, Dom Baines, M1KTA will display home-built
kits, receivers, transmitters and accessories, similar to his very
popular exhibition at the recent GQRP Convention. A third display will
be set up by Brendan Minish, EI6IZ, from the Mayo Radio Experimenters
Network. His will feature top quality Elecraft QRP kits from the USA.
Further details may be obtained from Michael Clarke, MI5MTC, on 028
6862 1436 or by e-mail to .

MM0DFV has a photo and video report on his trip to Loch Lomond National
Nature Reserve at www.srars.org/wff-reports/gmff-046.htm. The QSL-card
for this activity has been already designed and printed. All who made a
QSO will receive this card via the QSL bureau. Jurij would like to
thank everyone who supported him during this World Flora and Fauna
activation.

On 4 February the Arfon Repeater Group's amateur TV repeater GB3TM,
located on the north coast of Anglesey in North Wales, had
modifications made to its transmission mode. A digital transmitter was
installed and is now operational on 1316MHz. It is planed that GB3TM
will transmit on both analogue and digital modes, but not both at the
same time. The analogue mode will be the normal mode, with the digital
system being called up by DTMF tones by the user. Further information
can be seen on the Arfon Repeater Group's website at www.arfon.info.
Reports would be welcomed on the new mode by the repeater keeper, David
GW8PBX. A link is available on the website

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Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be running an Intermediate course
with the registration night held on Friday 19 February at Place
Initiative, 1b Ardress Park, Portadown BT62 3TP, from 7pm till 9pm. The
course has limited places so attendance at the registration is
essential for interested persons. Any more information can be found at
www.muarc.com, or by contacting the exam secretary on 02838 348 451.

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

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Northern Cross Rally due to be
held today, Sunday 14 February, at Ossett School hosted by Wakefield
and District Radio Society, has had to be postponed. It is hoped that a
new date can be agreed with the venue for later on this year.

Today, 14 February, the Harwell Radio and Computing Rally will take
place in the Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot OX11 8AY.
There will be free car parking and admission is £2 with accompanied
under 12 visitors admitted free. Doors open at 10.30am with disabled
visitors gaining access at 10.15am. More details are available on 01235
816379.

The Radio Active Rally will take place on 21 February at Civic Hall,
Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10.30am and there will be
trade stands, a Bring & Buy and catering on site. Details from Simon
Chettle, G8ATB, on 01270 841506.

Also on 21 February, the Swansea ARS Rally will be at a new venue.
Following the major fire at the Afan Lido the show has now re-located
to the Court Herbert Sports Centre, Neath Abbey SA10 7BE, 2 miles from
M4 J43 via A465. Doors open at 10.30am and admission is £2.50. There is
a free car park and plenty of tradestands, a Bring & Buy as well as
special interest groups. Details from Roger, GW4HSH, on 01792 404422.

Now for the news of special events

There will be a special event station GG100WD for Wilton Division
Guides operating in Batley on the weekend of 20 and 21 February. The
station will be operational on HF, 2m and 70cm from 11am on Saturday to
2pm on Sunday. The organisers would appreciate any offers of help to
operate the station. Please contact Tony, G4LMS on 01924 467612 for
details.

GG100RE will operate from Eltham in south-east London on Saturday 20
February for Thinking Day on the Air, celebrating the 100th anniversary
of the Girl Guide movement. Two stations will be active throughout the
day, with Guides of all ages passing greetings messages on 80, 40 and
20m. The station will be operated by Cray Valley Radio Society. Full
details are on qrz.com.

On Saturday 20 February the Caterham Radio Group are again running a
Thinking Day On The Air Station using the callsign GX0SCR for the 25th
time from Caterham Surrey on behalf of the Caterham Guide Groups. This
is the 14th year the Caterham Radio Group has worked with the 9th
Caterham Guide Leader running their Radio Communication Day Event. It
is expected licensed Guides with M3 call will be assisting with the
operating on 2 metres and LF/HF bands. The Caterham Radio Group team
would very much appreciate your calls on 2 metres and the LF and HF
bands to assist in the passing of greeting messages to and from the
young ladies and making it another successful event.

Coulsdon ATS will have a Thinking Day on the Air station on the air on
21 February. Starting at 8.30am, GB4SUN will be on the air with the
South and Upper Norwood Guides.

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

Phil, G3SWH and Jim, G3RTE will be active from Christmas Island, IOTA
reference OC-002, between 20 and 27 February. Both Phil & Jim will use
the callsign VK9X/G6AY with activity on CW only using all bands between
80 and 10 meters. No 160m activity is planned. Propagation permitting,
they plan to have two stations on air for as many hours every day as
possible. QSL via G3SWH.

N7MSU will be on the air as V31SU from Belize between 4 and 23 February
in his spare time on 40 and 20m using CW and SSB. QSL vía N7MSU. See
QRZ.com for more details.

G3TBK will be reactivating J88DR in St. Vincent from 18 February to 15
March. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. This
will include an entry in the Commonwealth Contest. QSL via G3TBK,
either via the RSGB Bureau or direct.

Now the contest news

16 February sees the UHF UK Activity Contest between 2000 and 2230UTC
using all modes on the 1.3 and 2.3GHz bands. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

The 80m Club Championships CW leg take place on 18 February between
2000 and 2130UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The CW leg of the ARRL International Contest takes place over the
entire 48-hours of the weekend 20 and 21 February. There are sections
for various power levels from QRP to QRO, single- and multi-op stations
and single- and multi-band entries. Those outside of North America
should work American and Canadian stations only. Send a signal report
and your transmitter output power, but expect to receive a 2-letter
State or 3-letter Province code.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 1st to the 7th of
February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 8th of February.

The solar disc had spots visible every day, however, from the 2nd to
the 4th it was only a single spot. On the 6th a sunspot group emerged
and grew rapidly and within a day had produced 3 M class solar flares.
The largest was a M6/1N during the early morning of the 7th which
increased solar activity to high. Solar flux levels increased from 74
units to 90 by the 7th. The average was 79 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 7th was 78, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux
levels increased from A2.8 units to B2.2. The average was A5.4 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday, though only just, the 2nd and
the 3rd saw the Ap index at 9 units. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw wind speeds increased to 590
kilometres per second on the 3rd but then decline to 330 by the 6th.
Particle densities were low except for a brief increase to 14 particles
per cubic centimetre on the 6th. Bz varied no more than minus 8 and
plus 7 nanoTeslas during the period.

And finally the solar forecast. As happened in recent weeks, active
sunspot regions can appear with no notice at all, if this happens then
solar activity could increase to moderate levels. However, more likely
is that activity will be very low to low. Solar flux levels with a
spotless Sun should be in the high 70's, but if spots do

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appear then could be into the 80's. Geomagnetic activity is expected
start at quiet levels but by Tuesday activity could increase due to a
recurring coronal hole. Activity should then decline to quiet levels
again before next weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows are expected to be about 8MHz. Paths this week to
the east coast of North America 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 1400 and 1800 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 14 February Reading & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on HV power distribution to railways by Richard
O'Keeffe, G0FFL. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697. On Monday
15 February Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is seeing how to make your
own Morse code key. Details from Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 15 February Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on portable mini DXpeditions and back packing operating
by Mark, M0MJH. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460
947. On Monday 15 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk
on RAYNET by 2E0PTM. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Monday
15 February Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society is having a shack open
night. For more information go to www.mkars.org.uk.

On Monday 15 February Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it and
natter night. For more information contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644
7589. On Tuesday 16 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at
the shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On
Tuesday 16 February Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning its programme. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 16 February Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by the winner of its Constructor's Contest. Details from
Lawrence Micallef, M0LCM, on 07941 972724. On Tuesday 16 February
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a net night. Contact Martyn,
G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Tuesday 16 February Verulam Amateur Radio
Club is holding the AGM. Details from Ralph, on 01923 265572. On
Wednesday 17 February Dover Radio Club is closed for the school holiday
so will be having a net on GB3KS instead. For more information contact
Brian, G4SAU, by email to . On Wednesday 17 February
Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a presentation on D-Star by Gavin,
M1BXF. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday
17 February Whitton Amateur Radio Group starts its Foundation Course.
Details at www.warg.info. On Wednesday 17 February Worthing & District
Amateur Radio Club is meeting at Lancing Parish Hall. For more
information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

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On Thursday 18 February Cray Valley Radio Society is having a natter
night with a focus on CW, including operation in the RSGB 80m club
championship contest. Details from Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm. On Thursday 18 February King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a
club night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 18 February Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society Club
is having a project testing evening. Details from David, G8UOD, on
01234 742 757. On Thursday 18 February Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is
having an introduction to military communications by Mike O'Bierne,
G8MOB. More information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945. On Friday
19 February Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Eddie
Wilson on Newhaven Fort Museum. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.
On Friday 19 February Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk
on the history of sound recording by John Weller, G0GNA. Details on the
web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 20 February Burnham Beeches
Radio Club commences its weekend operating GG100PGG for Thinking Day on
the Air. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Sunday 21 February
Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club has its G2XV annual dinner.
Details from Lawrence Micallef, M0LCM, on 07941 972724. On Sunday 21
February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club commences its Thinking day on the
Air weekend. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 15 February Appledore & District
Amateur Radio Club is having part 3 of the talk by Laurence, G4XHK, on
life under the waves. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for
more information. On Tuesday 16 February Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio
Society is having an HF evening in the club shack. Contact Tony, G0GFL,
on 01258 860741. On Tuesday 16 February West Devon Radio Club is having
an antenna construction night, looking at wire antennas for beginners.
There will also be natter, tea and coffee as usual. Further information
from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588. On Wednesday 17 February
Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk about YouTube
video by Peter, G0EYR. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for
more information.

On Wednesday 17 February Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454
417048. On Wednesday 17 February Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio
Club is testing the contest equipment. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on
01225 864 698, evenings and weekends. On Thursday 18 February South
Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its midwinter table top sale,
organised by Len, G4RZY. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On
Thursday 18 February Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 18 February
Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on radar by G4DCH. Contact
Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

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On Friday 19 February North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding an
operating evening & chat. Details from Dick on 01454 218362. On Friday
19 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating night.
For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 15 February Gloucester Amateur Radio &
Electronics Society is having a talk by a club member. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 15 February South
Birmingham Radio Society is having a committee meeting. Contact Don, on
0121 458 1603. On Monday 15 February Welland Valley Amateur Radio
Society is having an operating evening and constructing a balun for the
2010 club project. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX,
on 01858 432105. On Tuesday 16 February Loughborough & District Amateur
Radio Club is having an open forum on wire aerials. More information
from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 17 February Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on Power Supplies by Colin, G0RXT. For details, send an email to
. On Wednesday 17 February Hinkley Amateur Radio
Society is having a radar re-enactment by Brian, G8GMU. Details from
John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544. On Wednesday 17 February Lincoln
Short-Wave Club is having a shack activity and natter night. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356. On Wednesday 17
February Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and holding
training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On
Wednesday 17 February South Notts Amateur Radio Club is sorting out the
Blue Box. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 17 February Telford & District
Amateur Radio Society is making a DF antenna offset oscillator with
attenuator. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 18
February Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club is having a program
planning evening and natter night. Contact Fred, G0AOJ on 01652 618213.
On Friday 19 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society introduces its
2010 project. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 19
February Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
experiences with the Islander multi-band antenna. For more information
contact Geoff, G3STG, on 01664 480 733. On Friday 19 February South
Birmingham Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don,
on 0121 458 1603. On Saturday 20 February Welland Valley Amateur Radio
Society commences its Thinking Day On The Air weekend station at Market
Harborough Guide HQ. For more information contact Peter D Rivers,
G4XEX, on 01858 432105. On Sunday 21 February Spalding & District
Amateur Radio Society is having a junk sale at Bromley Hall. For more
information get in touch with Graham Boor, G8NWC, on 07947 76448.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 15 February Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air and having a natter night. Contact
Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036. On Monday 15 February Sheffield
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Trevor, M0TWS, on limited space
antennas. For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to
. On Monday 15 February Thornton Cleveleys
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on SBS radar reception by Rod,
G1NGR. Details from John Foster, 2E0EZY, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 16 February Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a bring and tell evening. Details from Barbara Green on 07957
870770. On Tuesday 16 February Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk on the workings of the QSL Bureau by Richard, G3UGF.
Contact Anthony Vinters, on 01422 822636. On Tuesday 16 February Otley
Amateur Radio Society is having a shack night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on
07768 996370.

On Tuesday 16 February Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on the huff & puff stabiliser by Jim, G3NFB. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on
07868 000 705. On Wednesday 17 February Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on military radio wireless sets 19 and 62 by G3WOV.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573. On Wednesday 17
February Otley Amateur Radio Society continues its Foundation course.
Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370. On Thursday 18 February South
Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has no meeting but will operate a club
net on 145.350MHz. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782 773185. On
Thursday 18 February South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on Volta's piles by Ged, G8RSI. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161
969 3999. On Friday 19 February East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is
holding a technical forum. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 16 February Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. For more information contact
Norman, on 07740 946192. On Wednesday 17 February Ayr Amateur Radio
Group is having a talk by a guest speaker. Contact Charlie, MM0GNS, on
01563 551704. On Wednesday 17 February Kingdom Amateur Radio Society
GM4WZG will demonstrate remote operation across the internet of an
HF/VHF radio. Details from Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Thursday 18 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Graham, GM8FFX. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663. On Friday 19 February Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a radio check night with John, MM0JXI. More information from
Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723. On Sunday 21 February Aberdeen Amateur
Radio Society is helping the Aboyne Guides with their Communication
Badges. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

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NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 15 February Dragon Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on PSK31 by Stan Hulme, GW3SRM. More information from
Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 01248 362229. On Tuesday 16 February Wrexham
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on contesting. For more
information contact Glyn, MW0BNB, via the web at www.qsl.net/wars. On
Thursday 18 February Porthmadog and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk. Details from Glyn, MW5CAD, on 01286 830078.

On Friday 19 February Newport Amateur Radio Society is having a
progress report on GB4RC and continuing its training. Details from
Gareth Price, on 01633 880081.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Monday 15 February Greenisland Electronics
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Richard Gi4DOH on Morse
Runner, and why you need it. Details from MI5JYK, by e-mail to
.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.