GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 28th February 2010

The news headlines

* RSGB secures the use of short form contest calls

* Iceland gains access to 500kHz and 70MHz amateur bands

* Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society e-library documents available

Following long and detailed discussions with the Radio Society of Great
Britain, Ofcom have announced the availability of special short form
contest callsigns for certain amateur full and reciprocal licensees.
Ofcom has considered the request from the RSGB for the use of special
contests callsigns for amateurs who can demonstrate previous regular
participation and achievement in special contests. As a result, subject
to availability, Ofcom has decided to make available 520 callsigns from
the limited number available, to such successful applicants. The
callsign will consist of G or M, a regional locator if applicable, a
chosen digit and a chosen suffix letter. For example G8Z or GW8Z. Ofcom
has amended the application form to enable applications from such
licensees. Special contests callsigns for Amateur Full Club licensees
will continue to be issued for Clubs under existing arrangements, but
from 1 January 2011 the criteria for licences currently applying to
individuals will also apply to clubs. Further detail is available in
the amended application form, which is available at on the Ofcom
website, just type ofw286.pdf into your favourite search engine.

On 19 February, The Post and Telecom Administration in Iceland granted
a temporary experimental access to the 4m meter band between 70 and
70.2MHz. The permit is valid until 31 December. Access is granted on
secondary basis with a maximum bandwidth of 16kHz and a power limit is
100 watts. Icelandic N and G licensees will need to apply for a special
licence. At the same time, they were also granted temporary
experimental access to the 600m band between 493 and 510kHz CW only.
Again access is on a secondary basis and the power limit is 100 watts.

The Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society has made a number of its
technical documents available for download. Included in the collection
are a number of very interesting HF antenna designs and related
projects. The files, which are in PDF format, are available for all to
download. You'll find the collection at
www.rsars.org.uk/ELIBRARY/docsants.htm.

The Bury Radio Society is running a Foundation course starting on 16
March. Anyone interested please contact: Norman, G1HHU on 0752 593 2729
or by e-mail to for further details.

On 17 and 24 April, Bracknell Amateur Radio Club is running a
Foundation licence course. To book or for more information please
contact David, M0XDF by e-mail at . And now for
the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, 28 February, the Rainham Radio Rally will take place at Rainham
School for Girls, Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0BX. Full
details from Trevor, G6YLW, on 0771 7678 795.

Bournemouth Radio Society will be holding its 22nd annual sale on
Sunday 7 March at the Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams
Road, Bournemouth BH10 7LH. Doors open at 9.30am and admission is £1.50
per visitor. All are welcome. Further details from John, G0HAT on 07719
700 771.

Also on 7 March, the Exeter Radio & Electronics Rally takes places in
America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW, Doors open at
10.30am and admission is £2. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy
and catering on site. Details from Pete, G3ZVI on 0771 419 8374.

Sunday, 7 March, sees the Cambridge & District ARC Rally opening at
10am from the Wood Green Animal Shelter, King's Bush Farm, A1198 London
Road, Godmanchester PE29 2NH. Entry is £3 and there will be trade
stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and activities for the
whole family. Contact David, M0GUM, on 01954 203080.

Now for the news of special events

The Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society will be activating GB0VUL
next month to promote awareness and publicity on the plight of the
Vulcan Bomber. The Trust has until the end of the month to raise
£300,000. If they fail to reach this target, the Vulcan will never fly
again. Another £350,000 has to be raised in March for the aircraft to
appear at air-shows this year. More details can be found at
www.vulcantothesky.org.

The landmark 365ft mast at Great Baddow, Chelmsford Essex is the last
wholly intact example from the original HF Chain Home radar system that
was developed by Sir Robert Watson-Watt and his team at Bawdsey Manor
following the Daventry Experiment 75 years ago. GB75CH will be on the
air from Great Baddow to mark the birth of British Radar from 11am
Friday 26 through to Sunday 28 February in conjunction with GB75RDF at
Daventry and GB75BRS at Bawdsey Manor. Details are on
www.chainhome.org.uk

GB50ATG has been on the air to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
British Amateur Radio Teledata Group. Graeme, G6CSY, will take over the
operator's chair for March. He will be using BPSK 31, BPSK 63 and
BPSK125 as well as QPSK31 QPSK63 and QPSK125. Olivia and Feld-Hell will
also be available on request. Needless to say RTTY is also on the list.
Further information can be found on www.G6CSY.Net/ham. The BARTG Golden
Jubilee year runs until the end of July and full details of the award
scheme can be found on the BARTG website www.bartg.org.uk.

The planned maritime mobile station G2YC/MM from cruise ferry MV Julia
on the Irish Sea between 1 and 4 March has been cancelled.
Unfortunately the passenger licence was withheld by the authorities due
to the proposed amateur station despite permission from the master and
the ship's owners. The ongoing special event with GB2EI and EI2GBW
celebrating the return of the ferry link between Ireland and Wales are
still going ahead. On 7 March, listen out for GB4BAR for Brickfields
Amateur Radio. It will be on the air from Binstead.

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

VP2MCC will be on the air during March, including the British
Commonwealth Contest, from Montserrat. During the contest, contacts
will only be with other British Commonwealth Call areas but outside the
contest he will try to work other countries as a priority. All VP2MCC
contacts will be uploaded to Logbook of the world so do not send a
paper QSL if you only want a card for DXCC. QSL to the home call of
G4FAL.

DJ2VO, and three friends plan to activate Burundi, 9U, as 9U1VO, 9UXEV,
9U1RSI and 9U1KI until 6 March. They will be using CW, SSB and RTTY
with four 100 watt stations to vertical and wire antennas. QSL to the
operator's home call, bureau or direct. They will be at the Safari Gate
Hotel in Bujumbura.

Tim, NL8F (ex VK4COF) will be on Cocos Keeling Islands, which is IOTA
reference OC-003 from 2 to 10 March. He hopes to get the callsign
VK9COF. After operating from Cocos, his plans are to go to the South
Cook Islands where he will be active as E51COF from 20 to 30 March.
Activity is expected on 80 though 10 but mostly on his favourite band,
40m.

Now the contest news

On HF, the data session of the 80m Club Championships is what starts
the month on 1 March from 2000 to 2130UTC. The exchange is signal
report and serial number.

2 March sees the 144MHz UK Activity Contest and Club Championship
between 2000 and 2230UTC. All modes can be used and the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

The 144/432MHz Contest takes place on 6 and 7 March from 1400 to
1400UTC. The weather often makes portable activity a real challenge for
this event, but the hardiest of souls will always find a way of getting
on the air from a hilltop, in spite of snow or gales. The exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

The SSB leg of the ARRL International Contest is also on 6 and 7 March
from 0000 to 2350UTC. On the 1.8 to 28MHz the exchange is signal report
and transmitter power. W stations send their State and VE stations send
their Province.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 15th to the 21st of
February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 22nd of February.

The latest spacecraft to study the Sun had a trouble free lift-off on
the 11th of February. The latest news from the `Solar Dynamics
Observatory' team is that "it is in good shape" as the post-launch
checkout of spacecraft systems continues. The first images are expected
sometime in April. Meanwhile, together with SOHO and the STEREO
spacecraft we can now see 88 per cent of the solar surface
continuously.

The solar disc had sunspots visible everyday, on the 17th three groups
were visible. However, solar activity was at very low levels except for
the 15th which was low. The largest solar flare of the week was a C1 on
the 15th. Solar flux levels declined slightly from 88 units on the 15th
to 84 by the 19th. The average was 86. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 21st was 80 units, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux
levels declined from A9.6 units on the 15th to A4.4 by the 21st. The
average was A6.2. Geomagnetic activity started at unsettled levels due
to a coronal mass ejection which was associated with the M8 solar flare
which occurred on the 12th. The Ap index was 14 units, the remaining
days activity was quiet and the average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data
from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 280
kilometres per second on the 15th to 550 by the 19th. Particle
densities were low everyday. Bz remained mostly negative on the 15th
with variations up to minus 13 and only plus 2 nanoTeslas. The
remaining days saw fluctuations of up to minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas.

On the 15th a pre-auroral enhancement of HF conditions took place,
something we had not seen for quite a while. Later on the 15th auroral
propagation was reported from mid afternoon until after midnight. Most
occurred at high latitudes but the event extended to parts of Scotland.
HF propagation remained relatively good for the rest of the week, with
trans-Atlantic contacts on 24MHz and openings to the eastern
Mediterranean, West and southern Africa and even, occasionally, with
North America, on 28MHz.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side
of the Sun is expected to be rotating into view. The sunspot region the
produced the 8 M class solar flares on its last rotation could return
today or tomorrow if it as survived its passage on the far side of the
Sun. However, the group was in decay as it rotated out of view. Solar
flux levels should be around the 80 mark or even higher if any sizable
spots do appear. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet everyday.
MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 24MHz
for the south and 21MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be
about 8MHz. Paths this week to Western Australia should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per success rate of around 23MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be
around 18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and
1300UTC.

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 MIDLANDS

On Monday 1 March, Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society will
have a talk by Les, G0ULH on the new Tornado engine. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 1 March, South Birmingham
Radio Society put the shack on the air and enjoy a natter night.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Tuesday 2 March, Friskney and East
Lincolnshire Communications Club data modes by 2E0BDS. Details from
Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442240. On Tuesday 2 March, Kidderminster &
District Amateur Radio Society will have a talk on VHF on the Severn
Estuary by G0TUW. Contact G4CTU, on 01562 823966 for more details. On
Tuesday 2 March, Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club will be
enjoying the Annual Dinner at The Griffin Inn, Swithland. More
information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday 2 March,
South Notts Amateur Radio Club will be taking part in the 144 UK
Activity Contest. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Tuesday 2 March, Spalding & District
Amateur Radio Society will be taking part in the 144 UK Activity
Contest. Details from Graham Boor G8NWC, 07947 764481. On Wednesday 3
March, Bolsover Amateur Radio Society members are invited to operate
the club station using VHF * weather permitting. For details, send an
e-mail to . On Wednesday 3 March, Hinkley
Amateur Radio Society will be enjoying a social evening. Details from
John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544. On Wednesday 3 March, Lincoln Short-Wave
Club will be taking part in a shack activity and natter night. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356. On Wednesday 3
March, Midland Amateur Radio Society is having general meeting with the
shack on the air and training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787. On Wednesday 3 March, South Birmingham Radio Society is
having a lecture in the main hall. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On
Wednesday 3 March, South Notts Amateur Radio Club is holding a talk on
component theory with resistors with G4EDX. Details from Terry, M0RIA,
via the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Wednesday 3 March, Telford
& District Amateur Radio Society is holding an open house with the HF
station on the air whilst the committee meeting takes place. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 4 March, Brigg & District
Amateur Radio Club will have a talk by Dave, M0OGY on 10 metre radios.
Details from John, M6BBB, on 01652 632038. On Thursday 4 March, RAF
Waddington Amateur Radio Club will have a shack and chat night with
radio and antenna play. They always welcome new faces. More information
from Bob G3VCA, by e-mail to . On Thursday 4 March,
Salop Amateur Radio Society will be holding a natter night. Their
website is www.salop-ars.org.uk. On Friday 5 March, Cheltenham Amateur
Radio Association will be taking part in the Constructional Exhibition
at Prestbury Library. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099. On
Friday 5 March, Coventry Amateur Radio Society will be having a talk by
Mark Rider, G6TIY on his recollections of the RA. Contact John, G8SEQ,
on 07958 777363. On Friday 5 March, South Birmingham Radio Society will
be holding a construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 1 March, Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club takes to the
air and has a natter night. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477
0036. On Monday 1 March, Sheffield Amateur Radio Club will be holding a
social night. For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by
e-mail to . On Monday 1 March, Thornton
Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night and book sale.
Details from John Foster, 2E0EZY, on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 2 March,
Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on 45 years
of ham radio by Brian Levett, G3TXH. Details from Barbara Green on
07957 870770. On Tuesday 2 March, Otley Amateur Radio Society will be
taking part in the 144MHz UK Activity Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on
07768 996370. On Wednesday 3 March, Blyth Radio Club has a talk on the
intermediate licence. Details from K Stewart, G0TWV, on 01670 545261.
On Wednesday 3 March, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on DF
foxhunting theory by G4YTV and G3RMX. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV,
on 01377 240573. On Thursday 4 March, South Cheshire Amateur Radio Club
don't have a meeting and so are holding a on air club net, on S14
(145.350MHz). Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782 773185. On
Thursday 4 March, South Manchester Radio and Computer Club has an
antenna clinic with Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999. On Thursday 4 March, York Radio Club has Foundation lessons.
Details from Tony Skaife, G4XIV, on 01904 330502. On Thursday 4 March,
the East Yorkshire Repeater Group will hold the AGM in the club room of
the Hull & District Amateur Radio Society, Goathland Close, Walton
Street, Hull. The AGM starts at 7.30pm and all interested amateurs are
welcome. On Friday 5 March, East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having
a radio magazines evening. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Thursday 4 March, Bangor & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on NVIS by Bill GI4AAM. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, 0284 277 2383.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 2 March, Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. For more information contact Norman, on 0774 094
6192. On Wednesday 3 March, Ayr Amateur Radio Group is holding a
project construction evening. Contact Charlie, MM0GNS, on 01563 551704.
On Wednesday 3 March, Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club have a club
night. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633 for more details.
On Thursday 4 March, Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Friday
5 March, Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 28 February, Horsham Amateur Radio Club is enjoying a Sunday
morning fox hunt. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Monday
1 March, Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on various
aspects of ARDF and the way forward. Details from Clive, G4ODM, on
01256 326050. On Monday 1 March, Braintree & District Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk by Richard, 2E0XRS on portable operating. For
more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947. On Monday 1
March, Burnham Beeches Radio Club is holding the AGM. Contact Dave,
G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Monday 1 March, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio
Society is holding a shack open night. For more information go to
www.mkars.org.uk. On Monday 1 March, Southdown Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by John Flude on the history and renovation at Polegate
Windmill. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Monday 1
March, Surrey Radio Contact Club is holding a surplus sale. For more
information contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589. On Tuesday 2 March,
Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society will be at the shack. For more
information contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Tuesday 2 March,
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on London Underground
modernisation by Mark Sanderson, M0IEO. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245
469 008. On Tuesday 2 March, Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023
9247 2846. On Wednesday 3 March, Dover RC is holding a brainstorm
evening entitled your club and it's future. For more information
contact Brian, G4SAU, by e-mail to . On Wednesday 3
March, Norfolk Amateur Radio Club will be enjoying a visit Wing
Commander Ken Wallis talking on Little Nellie and 007. Details from
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 3 March, Southdown
Amateur Radio Society will be operating at the Hailsham shack. Details
from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Wednesday 3 March, Worthing &
District Amateur Radio Club will be having a talk on the rise and fall
of Don Miller by Bob, G3VXJ. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX,
on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 4 March, Cray Valley Radio Society will
be holding the annual construction contest, conducted by Chris, G0FDZ.
Details from Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm. On Thursday 4
March, Horsham Amateur Radio Club will be holding a used equipment
sale. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 4 March,
King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club night and 2m club net.
Contact Ray, G3RSV, by e-mail to . On Thursday 4
March, Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night at the shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448. On
Thursday 4 March, Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on machine control by Ian, G3ORG. Details from David, G8UOD, on
01234 742 757. On Friday 5 March, Cambridge & District Amateur Radio is
having a club rally planning and social evening. Details from Lawrence,
M0LCM, on 07941 972724. On Friday 5 March, Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio
Society will be enjoying a quiz night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444
239371. On Friday 5 March, Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a
talk from Walter Blanchard, G3JKV on the question, are big antennas and
linears obsolete? Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On
Saturday 6 March, Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society will be at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Saturday
6 March, Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a talk on
the history of power supplies Pt 2. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552
170. On Sunday 7 March, Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club will be
running the Cambridge and District Rally. Details from Lawrence, M0LCM,
on 07941 972724. On Sunday 7 March, Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club
will be having a CW night. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.
On Monday 1 March Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club club chat. Details
from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 1 March, Cornish Amateur Radio Club has a committee meeting.
Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939. On Tuesday 2 March,
Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a VHF evening in the
club shack. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741. On Tuesday 2 March,
West Devon Radio Club has an open visit with an invite to other local
clubs to attend. Free tea, coffee and biscuits. Further information
from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588. On Wednesday 3 March, Cornish
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by David, G3NPB. Details from
Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939. On Wednesday 3 March, Taunton & District
Amateur Radio Club is having a discussion on WSPR. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more information. On Wednesday 3 March,
Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is holding a rally
planning evening with Peter, G4OST and Rex, G4RAE. Contact Tony, G0WMB,
on 01454 417048. On Wednesday 3 March, Trowbridge & District Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on how good is your take off? with Alan
Hydes, G3XSV. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends. On Thursday 4 March, South Bristol Amateur Radio Club Shack
is having a talk on earthing. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On
Thursday 4 March, Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is holding the
construction contest. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday
4 March, Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk from G3MYM on HF
propagation. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by e-mail to
. On Friday 5 March, North Bristol Amateur Radio Club
is holding an archery evening with Richard, M6RES. More details from
Dick on 01454 218362. On Friday 5 March, Saltash & District Amateur
Radio Club is having a club talk. Contact Brian, M0BHG, on 01752
844321. On Friday 5 March, Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 1 March, Dragon Amateur Radio Club is holding the St David's
Day Lecture on The North Wales Fire Service and it's approach to the
Welsh language by Alun Rowlands, 2W0CYM. More information from Stewart
Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 01248 362229. On Tuesday 2 March, Chepstow & District
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on linear amplifiers by Ross
Clare, GW3NWS. Details from Wil Oliver, MW6KGB, on 01291 621342. On
Tuesday 2 March, Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is holding the AGM. For
more information contact Glyn, MW0BNB, via the web at www.qsl.net/wars.
On Wednesday 3 March, Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
by Captain George Alker, MW3MEY. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855
068. On Thursday 4 March, Meirion Amateur Radio Society is having the
annual Bob Smith lecture. Details from John, MW0VTK, on 07868 738016.
On Friday 5 March, Newport Amateur Radio Society is getting to know the
club rig. Details from Ross Clare, GW3NWS. 01633 880146