GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 15th August 2010

The news headlines

New national amateur radio society for Egypt

RSGB Convention bookings up

BATC special television activity day

The Egyptian Radio Amateurs Society for Development, ERASD, has been set
up as the new national official representative body for radio amateurs
in Egypt. According to the IARU Region 1 website, even though amateur
radio has been present in Egypt since the early 1920s, there was no
officially recognised society to represent radio amateurs in that
nation. More information about it is online at www.qsl.net/eara.

The early bird savings available for the RSGB Convention bookings have
been extended until 1 September. Bookings are up on last year but this
is no problem as the new venue, Horwood House near Milton Keynes, is a
larger venue. Check out the RSGB Convention website for details of
tickets, overnight stays and lecture stream details at
www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention.

The BATC is sponsoring a special television activity day on 22 August.
Called Network Day, high power ATV stations will be located on high
sites at Winter Hill, North Yorkshire Moors, Merryton Low, Brown Clee
and Cambridge. A number of other stations will be active from North
London and the Lincolnshire Wolds. These stations will all be equipped
with analogue FM equipment and some will also have digital ATV
transmitters. This is a great opportunity to contact many high power
stations with equipment for 23cm, 13cm and 3cm. Several stations will
have high power 70cm digital transmitters using 2 megasamples per second
QPSK on 436 or 437MHz. Digital free to air DVB-S satellite receivers are
very low cost and simple to install on your existing 23cm system and
Network Day is a good opportunity to set up a digital receiver. The
intention is to link some of the stations and create a network to relay
signals over long distances. So dust off your ATV receivers and
transmitters and try a contact with one of the stations. Call in for
talkback will be 144.750MHz with working channels close by. This event
coincides with the 5.7GHz cumulative contest and several of the stations
will be working on the same high sites. Information and list of stations
can be found at www.batc.org.uk/forum/

Gerald Wells, known as Gerry, is the curator of the British Vintage
Wireless and Television Museum in Dulwich, London, which was featured in
the December 2008 RadCom. His museum is not open to the general public,
but guided tours are available by appointment. Dan Shepherd has recently
finished making a radio documentary about Gerry for the BBC World
Service. The programme will be broadcast at 9am BST on 20 August,
although it is worth checking the BBC World Service website nearer the
date as the schedule can change.

Following success in the June Advanced exam, a number of local amateurs
have asked if a Morse class can be run in Bath. Steve Hartley, G0FUW,
has agreed to arrange a course if there is sufficient interest. It is
proposed to run the classes one evening each week 7 to 9pm from early
September. Costs will be limited to classroom hire so the more that take
part, the less it will cost. If there are any would-be key bashers in
the Bath area they should contact Steve on 01225 464394 between 7 and
9pm or via email to .

Videos of the presentations given at the 25th AMSAT-UK International
Space Colloquium are now available on the web. They can be viewed and
downloaded at www.batc.tv. Click on the Film Archive icon and then
select a 2010 AMSAT video. The presentation given by RSGB Microwave
Manager Murray Niman, G6JYB, called 2010 AMSAT What's New provides a
good overview of the process involved in getting new amateur and amateur
satellite service allocations. Currently there are no global primary
amateur bands between 146MHz and 24GHz.

The summer Harlaxton amateur radio get-together and field day will take
place on 28 and 29 August at the Sports and Social club, Harlaxton, near
Grantham, which is postcode NG32 1HX. There will be amateur radio
operations that visitors can join as well as plenty of tea and coffee. A
barbecue is planned for the Saturday afternoon.š

Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society, based in Market Harborough, is
having an open evening. The club would like to invite anyone who has an
interest in radio or electronics of any kind to visit them between 7 and
9pm on Monday 16 August in the Village Hall at Great Bowden. They plan
to have a range of amateur radio equipment on display for the evening
from VHF and UHF to short wave receivers and scanners. The operation
will demonstrate voice, data, television and Morse communications.

John, G3XYF is coordinating information for the annual Churches and
Chapels on the Air event that takes place this year on Saturday 11
September. If you are planning to put your local church or chapel on the
air, please email John with the information to . For
more information on Churches and Chapels on the Air, go to
www.wacral.org.

The Plymouth Training Team is planning to run an Intermediate level
amateur radio course in the near future. Potential candidates should
contact Bob, G7NHB on 01752 343177 or by email to .

Tamworth Amateur Radio Society will be starting a Foundation course on
11 September for three Saturdays. Enrolment is on Thursday 2 September
between 8 and 9pm at St. Francis Church, Masefield Drive, Tamworth.
Further details can be obtained from Bob, G1BCZ, via email to
.

Leicester DX Amateur Radio Group is holding a field weekend from 20 to
22 August at Tilton on the Hill. Visitors will be very welcome. Contact
Ellen, M6LDX by email to or phone on 0788 524
5391 for details.

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

The Friskney & East Lincolnshire Communications Club Rally takes place
today, 15 August, at the Friskney Village Hall, Church Road, Friskney,
Lincs. This is about 6.5 miles south of Skegness. Doors open from 10am
to 2.30pm and entry is ?1.50. Details from Bren, 2E0BDS, on 01754 820
204.

Next weekend, on 22 August, the Wildern Boot Sale Andover, takes place
at Wildern Village Hall. The nearest postcode for the event is SP11 0JE
for satnav users. Doors open at 10am and the entry fee is ?1.50. Pitches
are ?6 and tables in the hall ?8. Details from Martin Smith on 01980 612
070.

Also on 22 August, the Rugby Annual Radio Rally takes place at
Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby CV23 9PX. Doors open from 10am
to 4pm and the entry is ?2. Contact Tony on 07759 684 411.

Now for the news of special events

Swansea ARS will be operating on the Helwick lightship at Swansea Marina
on Saturday and Sunday, 21 and 22 August, for International Lighthouse
and Lightship Weekend. Final planning for the event will take place at
the preceding club meeting on the 19th. For details, please contact
Roger, GW4HSH on 01792 404422.

Preston ARS is also taking part in the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend on 21 and 22 August from Ploverscar lighthouse in the
Morecambe Bay area using the call GB2PSL. The plan to use the 80, 40 and
20m bands as well as 2m. More details can be found on qrz.com.

South Tyneside Amateur Radio Society will be working from Souter
lighthouse with the callsign GB2SJ over the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend on 21 and 22 August. South Tyneside ARS will be
working all modes and bands including data modes. Visitors are always
welcome. Details can be found on the club website at
www.starsradio.co.uk.

There are hundreds more stations going on the air from lighthouses and
lightships all around the world for the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend on 21 and 22 August. For a full list of those stations
taking part and other information on awards, visit http://illw.net.

PA10WSF will be on the air until 30 August to mark the World Statues
Festival in Arnhem taking place on 28 and 29 August. It will be
operating mainly CW and several digital modes. A special QSL is
available via bureau, direct or by eQSL.

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

There will be an IOTA expedition to Bothnian Sea Island, IOTA reference
EU-126, between 19 and 22 August. Using the callsign OH9AA/P, they plan
to use a Spiderbeam and ground plane. Then the team plan to put SI0TA on
the air from Seskarà in northern Sweden from 23 to 25 August. Check out
the website www.iota.eu.tt.

Steve McAdams, GJ7DNI will be driving across France in a 1959 Commer
camper van and will be working holiday style on the 40 and 80m bands
between 16 and 30 August. He will be using 100 watts.

IK2NCJ will be active as D4C from Sao Vicente Island, which is IOTA
reference AF-086, Cape Verde until 26 August. QSL via CT1ESV via the
bureau, IZ4DPV direct or via LoTW.

Now the contest news

This coming week is a relatively quiet time for contesting. The final 4m
Cumulative of the year takes place today, Sunday 15 August, between 1400
and 1600UTC. There's only a slim chance of Sporadic-E propagation in
this one, because it's very late in the season. Using all modes, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

In the WAE DX CW Contest, European stations work non-Europeans only.
This takes place this weekend from 0000 on the 14th to 2350UTC on the
15th using all bands from 3.5 to 28MHz. The exchange is signal report
and serial number.

On 17 August, the UHF UK Activity Contest takes place between 1900 and
2130UTC. Activity is on the 1.3 and 2.3GHz bands using all modes. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On the 22nd the 4th 2m Backpacker Contest is one in which you also have
to exchange the first two letters of your postcode. Activity is between
1100 and 1500UTC and the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 2nd to the 8th of
August, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 9th of August.

Solar activity varied between very low and moderate. A C class solar
flare occurred on the 5th taking activity to low and then on the 7th to
moderate when a M1 solar flare took place. A coronal mass ejection was
associated with this flare. Solar flux levels were in the low 80's most
days and averaged 83 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 8th was
76 units. That's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels averaged B1
units and varied little day to day. Geomagnetic activity started at
quiet levels, then at around 1700 hours on the 3rd a geomagnetic storm
commenced, this last thorough till the 5th. This was in response to a
solar flare and an erupting filament that took place around the same
time on the 1st. Both produced a coronal mass ejection. The 4th saw an
Ap index of 42 units; this was the most disturbed day since the
beginning of April. By the 6th activity had returned to quiet levels for
the remainder of the period. The average was Ap 13 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 400
kilometres per second to 610 by the evening of the 3rd. Speeds then
gradually declined to 320 kilometres per second by the end of the
period. Particle densities were low except for the 4th which increased
to 20 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus and plus 4
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 12 and plus 15 nanoTeslas
during the mag storm.

Bz remained negative for long periods which helped produce a VHF radio
aurora between the evening of the 3rd and early on the 5th. Many
contacts were reported, mostly on 50MHz, reaching all parts of Britain
at times. Unfortunately, these mag storms are good news for the VHF
operators but bad news for the HF men, when on the 5th MUFs dropped by
several megahertz.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
mostly very low. However, activity could increase on occasions to low,
like it as done in recent weeks. Solar flux levels should be in the 80's
for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet every
day. A coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive late in the day
next Sunday, the 22nd. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes
should be about 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. Darkness
hour lows should be around 11MHz. Paths this week to India should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 20MHz.
The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be
around 15MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and
1700 hours.

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 Sunday 15 August Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
has its rally. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442240.

On Sunday 15 August Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a social meeting. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Monday 16 August Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a picnic and is operating at Saul Junction Canal. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 16 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 16 August Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society has an open
evening with displays, demonstrations and refreshments. For more
information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

On Monday 16 August Wythall Radio Club continues its Foundation course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Tuesday 17 August Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
quiz night. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 17 August Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society has an
operating night. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Tuesday 17 August Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club has an
HF operating night.. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Tuesday 17 August Wythall Radio Club Homebrew. Details from
Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to .

On Wednesday 18 August Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a gentleman's group afternoon. Details on the web at
http://kdars.co.uk.

On Wednesday 18 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a natter night
and is putting G5FZ on the air. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 18 August Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 18 August Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
preparing for HamFest. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 19 August Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having its
Mobileers meet. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099.

On Thursday 19 August Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a training night. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Friday 20 August Coventry Amateur Radio Society has the 3rd round of
the G4ZMC Trophy at Hartshill Hayes. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958
777363.

On Friday 20 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 20 August Spalding & District Amateur Radio Society is having
an antenna natter night. For more information contact Graham Boor,
G8NWC, on 07947 76448.

On Friday 20 August Stenigot Chain Home Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on planning permission for the radio amateur by Steve, M5ZZZ.
Details from Steve Burke, M5ZZZ, on 01673 857703.

On Saturday 21 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air
and doing jobs around the shack. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Sunday 22 August Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a social meeting. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Sunday 22 August Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is attending
the Rugby Radio Rally. For more information contact Peter D Rivers,
G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 16 August 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 16 August Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having its
final SSB NFD and digital evening. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on
01751 476601.

On Monday 16 August Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding its grand
summer junk sale. For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by
email to .

On Monday 16 August Workington and District Radio and IT Group is having
a demo of meters and test equipment and how to use them by Glyn, M0XUH.
For more information get in touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on 01946
812092.

On Tuesday 17 August Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a radio picnic with portable operations at Burleydam Brewers Fayre,
Little Sutton. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 17 August Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is working
/P at Blackstone Edge. Contact Anthony Vinters, on 01422 822636.

On Tuesday 17 August Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. For more information contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on
01524 581381.

On Tuesday 17 August Otley Amateur Radio Society is holding an open
shack night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 18 August Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 19 August South Manchester Radio and Computer Club has a
talk on road transport by Peter, G0BHP. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161
969 3999.

On Thursday 19 August Wakefield & District Radio Society is on the air
and holding a committee meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 20 August East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 21 August Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Thursday 19 August Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on operating from the Caribbeanšby Graham, M0AEP. Details from
John, 2E0III, on 01652 632938.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news has been received for Northern Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 17 August Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.,
uk.groups.yahoo/group/ms0liv

On Wednesday 18 August West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is working
on construction projects and conducting licence training. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 19 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is visiting
Blaikies Quay coastguard station. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR,
on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 20 August West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle and a quiz. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Saturday 21 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society taking part in
International Lighthouse Weekend as GB2GNL from Walker Park. Contact
Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Saturday 21 August Ayr Amateur Radio Group commences its weekend
event, taking part in International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend at
Turnberry, Ayrshire. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532
088.

On Saturday 21 August Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
operating GB2LBN from Barns Ness for Lighthouse Weekend. More
information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Monday 16 August Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a natter night.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 16 August Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Shack open
night. For more information go to www.mkars.org.uk.

On Monday 16 August Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it and
natter night. More information from Ray, G4FFY, on 01732 357474.

On Tuesday 17 August Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a club night.
Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 17 August Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society has a
bring something interesting evening. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689
878089.

On Tuesday 17 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 18 August Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is closed.
For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 19 August Colchester Radio Amateurs has a barbecue and is
operating portable on School Field. More information from Kevan, 2E0WMG,
on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 19 August Cray Valley Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details from Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 19 August Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The King's Head, Rudgewick. Details are on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 19 August King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 19 August Lowestoft & District Amateur Radio Club has a club
night at the shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Thursday 19 August Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
amateur television by John Stockley, G8MNY. More information from John,
G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 20 August Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 20 August Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 21 August Bittern DX Group commences its weekend event
operating GB2BML for Blakeney Mariners' Light as part of ILLW. Details
from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Saturday 21 August King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club starts its weekend
event at Hunstanton Lighthouse for Lighthouses on the Air. Contact Ray,
G3RSV, by email to .

On Saturday 21 August Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club begins its
weekend event, operating GB8SL at Shoreham lighthouse station. For more
information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Sunday 22 August Andover Radio Amateurs Club has its autumn boot
sale. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Sunday 22 August Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society is operating
from Beachy Head lighthouse for Lighthouse weekend. For more information
go to www.mkars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Sunday 15 August Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club celebrates
its 25th anniversary. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for
more information.

On Sunday 15 August Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

On Monday 16 August Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is operating
GB2ARC and having a natter night. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237
473251 for more information.

On Wednesday 18 August Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 19 August South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has its summer
darts match, organised by Fred, G7LPP. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282.

On Thursday 19 August Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 19 August Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the
Tone Rx by G3PCJ. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 20 August North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a data
modes operating evening led by Mathew, G0ECM. Details from Dick on 01454
218362.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Sunday 15 August Porthmadog and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating from Criccieth lifeboat station as part of their RNLI open
day. Details from Glyn, MW5CAD, on 01286 830078.

On Monday 16 August Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on a
panadapter for the Elecraft K3 by GW0ETF. More information from Stewart
Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Monday 16 August Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is having a DVD
Night. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Thursday 19 August Porthmadog and District Amateur Radio Society has
its annual quiz and fun night. Details from Glyn, MW5CAD, on 01286
830078.