GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 12th September 2010

The news headlines

RSGB EMC Pages Revamped

G5RP Trophy nominations sought

Radio clubs take part in Transmission 2010

The RSGB EMC Committee has totally refreshed the RSGB website pages
covering EMC matters. The new information contained in the pages should
be of practical help to anyone experiencing interference on the amateur
bands, or causing interference to nearby electronic equipment. Just as
importantly, the site now contains a survey questionnaire to capture
information about the extent of interference to amateur band reception.
Please, if you are experiencing regular local interference to your
reception, report it on the short questionnaire available under the ``I
am experiencing interference'' pages. This will enable the RSGB to build
a creditable database of interference cases, which will help in its
discussions with Ofcom

The G5RP Trophy is an annual award to encourage newcomers to HF DXing.
However, the award is not limited to youngsters or the newly-licensed:
the HF DX bug can bite at any age or after many years of experience on
other bands. If you are an established HF DXer and want to recommend
someone to be awarded the G5RP Trophy for 2010, now is the time to send
in your nomination. Your nominee should be an up-and-coming HF DXer who
has made rapid progress in the last year and has some real achievements
to show, for example, a good total of new countries worked or some
serious HF DXpedition activity.

This prestigious award will be presented this year at the RSGB HF
Convention on 8 - 10 October. Please send your nominations to John
Gould, G3WKL, QTHR, or by e-mail to to arrive no
later than Friday 17 September.

British Wireless for the Blind Fund invites your club to take part in
Transmission 2010, their annual competition to make as many contacts
across the world as possible and raise money for a very worthwhile cause
at the same time. The Fund is a registered charity providing specially
adapted radios and audio equipment on free permanent loan to registered
blind and partially-sighted people in need in the UK. This year's
competition will be taking place over the weekend of the 18 and 19
September and many amateur radio clubs will be taking part. But it's not
too late to plan to take part. To enter the competition, please go to
www.blind.org.uk and fill in the on-line form. Sponsorship forms and a
poster can also be downloaded.

A new Network Affiliated RAYNET Group is being formed in the Mid-Pennine
region of Lancashire. The envisaged operating area is the boroughs of
Rossendale, Hyndburn and Burnley. Members of the amateur radio community
who are interested in joining are invited to e-mail
for further information.

Advance notice now that the frequency for the Morse Enthusiasts Group
(Scotland) will be changing from 3530kHz +/- QRM to 3555kHz +/- QRM. The
day and time will be every Monday at 1800UTC. The changes will take
place on Monday 6 December, although up to that date Doug, GM0AIR will
call on 3530 and QSY to 3555kHz.

š

The Edgware Activity Periods run from 21 September to 1 October in short
periods of operation. These can be found on their website,
www.g4gys.btinternet.co.uk. You can use SSB or CW on any or all of the
bands. The format and rules of the event are best checked out on the
website. In addition to individual club members, participation by club
stations is encouraged to spread some bonus points as shown in the
rules. The Edgware Club station, GX3ASR, will be operated once more by
G3SJE and other club stations should identify themselves by use of the
GX prefix. The call to use to show that you are participating in the
event is, on CW, CQ EAP or, on SSB, CQ Edgware Activity Period.

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

A boot sale and open day organised by North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group
will be held at the Muckleburgh Collection military museum, Weybourne,
Norfolk today, Sunday 12 September. For one day only, admission to the
museum will be free, it is normally ?6. The Radio Hut, restaurant and
shop will be open to visitors. There will also be a sale of surplus
equipment from the museum's stores and from the Group's radio
collection. Army surplus CLANSMAN equipment will also be on sale. Boot
sale pitches cost ?5. Set-up will be from 8am. Free public admission
from 10am. The Radio Hut, containing the Group's unique collection of
all-service communications equipment will be open all day and members of
the Group will be pleased to welcome visiting amateurs to the hut. All
enquiries to Bob Finch, G0HYZ, on 01263 838198. More details are
available on www.gb2mc.co.uk.

The Gatwick Family Radio Weekend will be held on 11 and 12 September at
Hunters Moon, close to Gatwick on the A217, RH6 0HU, TQ262438. Bring
some vintage-ish radio with you if you can and military vehicles of all
radio types are welcome. There will be special interest groups and
plenty to interest the family. More details from Mike, M1CCF, on 0208
654 2582.

Torbay Annual Communications Fair will take place today, 12 September,
at Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF. There will be
trade stands, a Bring and Buy as well as an RSGB Bookstall.

The Fog on the Tyne Rally will take place on 18 September in the
Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall, Bensham, Gateshead NE8 4LH. Doors
open at 10.30am and the entry fee is ?1.50. There will be plenty of
traders, both national and local names, as well as special interest
groups and an RSGB Bookstall. Details from Nancy Bone on 0191 477 0036.

On Sunday 19 September, the Great Northern Hamfest will take place at
the Metrodome Leisure Centre, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN. Opening
time is 11am. There will be trade stands, an RSGB bookstall and special
interest groups but please note there is no Bring and Buy. There are a
limited number of tables available at a reduced price for individual
amateurs wishing to sell their surplus equipment. Details from Ernie,
G4LUE on 01226 716339.

Now for the news of special events

To celebrate the 497th Anniversary of the Battle of Flodden, GB2BCL will
be active on most HF bands today, 12 September, from Barmoor Castle,
Lowick, Northumberland. Event manger Roy, G0AXJ says visitors are
welcome to the station, which will be active from 10am to 7pm. The
station is situated at the Barmoor Castle West entrance gate. Talk-in
will be available on 2m through GB3BT on 145.700MHz. For more
information please contact Roy on 0788 426 2029.

Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind will be hosting a special event
station, GB5RSB, to commemorate its 150th Anniversary. The station has
been organised in co-operation with Sheffield Amateur Radio Club and
Radio Amateur Invalid and Blind Club and will operate from Monday 13
September to Friday 17 September from 10am to 4pm each day. Operation is
from the Society's headquarters at 5 Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 4DT.
Primary activity will be telephony on the HF bands and possibly VHF via
GB3US. QSL cards will be issued. David Blunkett MP is expected to attend
on the afternoon of Friday 17th September and the event will be
publicised via local press and media. Further information available from
Steve Hambleton, G0EAK, on 0114 272 2757.

Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET group will be operational over the weekend of
18 and 19 September under the group callsign GM0RAY to raise funds for
the British Wireless for the Blind during the Transmission weekend. The
group will be transmitting from Carman Hill, which is located south of
Loch Lomond above the town of Alexandria. Operation will be on 80, 40,
20 and 17m as well as the 2m band. For further information contact Paul
Lucas on 0776 827 1736.

Over the weekend including 12 September, Bawdsey Research Station will
be activated for the final time, as GB70BRS, to commemorate the
contribution of radar to success in the Battle of Britain. In the
previous operations they have contacted around 700 stations each time
across HF and 6m and hope to make many more contacts in this final
session. The Bawdsey Certificate is available to stations that worked
the Bawdsey site as GB75BRS in February and as GB70BRS in either June or
September. Proceeds from the Bawdsey Certificate are going to the RAF
Benevolent Fund. More detail about the awards, including examples of the
certificates and how to apply can be found on the BRS website at
http://bawdseyreserachstation.org.uk.

Cray Valley Radio Society operating as GB2BF will be taking part in
British Wireless for the Blind Fund's Transmission 2010 event over the
weekend of the 18 and 19 September. The club will be operating from the
Margaret McMillan House field study centre near the summit of Wrotham
Hill in Kent, which is locator JO01DH, and will be active on the HF
bands as well as 2 and 4m. Further details may be found at www.cvrs.org.

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

For the week starting 18th September, members of Sands Contest Group and
Workington Radio Club along with Brendon Minish, EI6IZ will be visiting
the Isle of Arran off the coast of south western Scotland. They plan to
operate on VHF, HF, SSB, CW and data modes under the callsign MS0SCG.
The location is IOTA island number EU123 and SCOTIA island number CS14.
For more information and an up to date blog on the event, check out the
group's website at www.m0scg.org.uk.

The Middlesex DX Group will be active on the Isle of Mull, which is IOTA
reference EU-008, from 18 to 24 September using the callsign GB2MUL.
They plan to be active on HF as well as 2, 4 and 6m. For further details
check out the website at www.dxcc.co.uk.

Guenter, IA5/DL3NBI, will be active from 12 to 20 September from Giglio
Island, which is IOTA reference EU-028. QSL via his home callsign.

Marcel, PD5MVH/P, will spend his holidays on the island Schiermonnikoog
from 13 to 25 September. The island is IOTA reference EU-028. QSLs
should be sent via his home callsign.

Now the contest news

The 2nd 70MHz Contest takes place today, Sunday 12th, from 0900 to
1200UTC. For many years this contest typically attracted between 16 and
21 entries, but last year it shot up to 28. A sign of the times perhaps,
with more and more people in more and more countries coming onto the
band. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The European Chapter of the North American QRP CW Club will be holding
its first sprint from 1800 to 2000UTC on Monday 13 September. The
frequencies in use will be 3555 to 3560kHz, 7030 to 7,035kHz and 14060
to 14,065kHz. A maximum of 5W may be used and the only mode must be CW.

Any licensed amateur is invited to take part and submit a log, but only
members of the NAQCC are eligible for awards. Membership is free and
there are already over 100 members in the UK.

The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 14 September from 1900 to
2130UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Following the success of the first 75 Baud Sprint, BARTG is running a
second Sprint 75 on 18 September between 1700 and 2100UTC. It will take
place on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10m bands using RTTY 75 Baud only, the
rules and scoring can be found on the BARTG website http://bartg.co.uk/.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 30th of August to
the 5th of September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 6th of
September.

On the 2nd of September, NASA's investigations of the Sun took a giant
leap forward with the announcement of the Solar Probe Plus, a NASA
mission to touch the Sun. Slated for a launch in July 2018, it is
expected to make its first close approach during December 2024 when the
spacecraft will plunge directly into the atmosphere of the Sun. The
sensors selected to ride aboard spacecraft are designed to solve some of
the biggest mysteries of solar physics, including why the Sun's
atmosphere so much hotter than its surface and what propels the solar
wind? We've been struggling with these questions for decades and
hopefully the mission will answer these and many more. At closest
approach, Solar Probe Plus will be 7 million kilometres from the Sun,
compared with over 149 million kilometres from Earth. From these near
distances, inside the Sun's atmosphere, the solar disk will loom 23
times wider than it does in the skies above Earth.

Now back to the present. For most of the period the solar disc had up to
4 sunspot groups visible but most was small and inactive. Solar activity
was very low with no solar flares taking place. Solar flux levels
increased from 75 units on the 30th to 82 by the 4th and the 5th. The
average was 78 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 5th was 78
units, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels increased
slight during the period and averaged A7.9 units. Geomagnetic activity
was quiet every day and averaged Ap 4 units. During the evening of the
5th a small coronal hole disturbance arrived but the effects were very
limited. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
vary between 300 and 460 kilometres per second. Particle densities were
low throughout, in fact on some days levels were well below 1 particle
per cubic centimetre. Bz varied no more than minus 8 and plus 9
nanoTeslas during the week.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
at very low levels. There is the chance though, that activity could
increase with the occasional C class solar flare. Solar flux levels
should be around the 80 mark for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity
is expected to be quiet everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 21MHz for the south and 18MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week to the Middle
East should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success
rate of around 21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 17MHz. The best time to try the path will be
between 1000 and 1600 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 12 September South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a
heritage building weekend. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Monday 13 September Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
holding a DF hunt. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 13 September South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
having a contest meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 13 September Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society has
its opening meeting and a silent key sale. Contact G0CHO, on 01608
664488.

On Monday 13 September Wythall Radio Club continues its Advanced course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Tuesday 14 September Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 14 September Eagle Radio Group has a talk on tracking down
interference in our receivers by Charles, G0CBM. Details from Terry,
G0SWS, on 01507 478590.

On Tuesday 14 September Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a practical computer night. More information from Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 14 September Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is
looking at homebrew and amateur construction. Details from Don, G4CYG,
on 019 2642 4465.

On Tuesday 14 September Wythall Radio Club has a Committee Meeting.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Wednesday 15 September Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by David, M0VKS, on the engineering aspects of broadcast radio. For
details, send an email to .

On Wednesday 15 September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 15 September Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a
laptop computer evening plus Foundation and Morse classes. Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 15 September South Notts Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 15 September Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
watching Nick Miers' Enigma Video. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.

On Thursday 16 September Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having
three short talks by members. More information from Derek Thom, G3NKS,
on 01242 241099.

On Friday 17 September Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 17 September Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. For more information contact Geoff, G3STG, on 01664 480 733.

On Friday 17 September South Birmingham Radio Society has a construction
evening and ragchew. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 17 September Stenigot Chain Home Amateur Radio Club is having
a CW fun night, sending and receiving Morse using various methods.
Details from Steve Burke, M5ZZZ, on 01673 857703.

On Saturday 18 September 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 Saturday 18 September Wythall Radio Club commences its weekend event
at Hanbury Steam Rally. Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by
email to .

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

A new 2m news reading for south west Cheshire and North Wales is
commencing today, Sunday 12 September. Tony, 2E0LAE will be reading the
news at 9.30 local time on 145.525MHz FM from Helsby, near Chester.
However, a reserve reader, who must be a member of the RSGB, is still
required. Anyone interested should contact the GB2RS news manager,
Gordon Adams, G3LEQ on 01565 652652 for further information.

On Sunday 12 September Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
2nd 70MHz Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Monday 13 September Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is
preparing for its first joint rally with the STARS club. Contact Nancy
Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 13 September Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on HF
DXpeditions by Gerry, G1SWH and Mark, M0LTT. For details, send an email
to .

On Monday 13 September Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on amateur radio's newest frontiers. Details from Jerry Scarr,
G6LBL, on 01751 476601.

On Monday 13 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
early pioneers in amateur radio by G3PHO and continuing its Foundation
licence taster course. For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS,
by email to .

On Monday 13 September Workington and District Radio and IT Group is
having a talk on Yagi antennas and their construction by Norman, G7MRL.
For more information get in touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on 01946
812092.

On Tuesday 14 September Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the 432MHz UK Activity Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 15 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a fox
hunt. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 16 September South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on Canadian Adventures by Chris, G3UAU. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 16 September Wakefield & District Radio Society is on the
air and having a committee meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

On Friday 17 September East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 18 September Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is
running the Fog on the Tyne Rally. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
477 0036.

On Saturday 18 September Wakefield & District Radio Society continues
its Foundation licence course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

The Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be holding a registration night
for a Foundation course on Tuesday 14 September from 7 till 9pm. The
registration meeting is at Place Initiative, 1b Ardress Park, Portadown,
BT62 3TP. The course will be held on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd October
2010. Attendance at the Registration Is required to book a place. More
information can be found at www.muarc.com or by emailing
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 14 September Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 14 September Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having an operating evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 15 September Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on essential tools for the radio amateur by GM3UWX. Contact Bill
Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

On Wednesday 15 September West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
working on construction projects and licence training. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 16 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
discussion night. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 17 September 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.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 12 September Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
visiting the British Vintage Radio Museum. More details from Terry,
G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Sunday 12 September Darenth Valley Radio Society is visiting
Bletchley Park. For more information send an email to Ray,
.

On Monday 13 September West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a
presentation on the GB3VHF beacon by the beacon keeper Chris Whitmarsh,
G0FDZ. Contact Les, G6UBM, by email to .

On Tuesday 14 September Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 14 September Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Wednesday 15 September Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a technical talk on the DK7ZB aerial design by Simon, M0SKC. More
details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 15 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
aspects of HF air traffic control by John Lockwood, G3XLL. Details from
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 15 September Radio Society of Harrow is proposing a
Foundation course. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

On Wednesday 15 September Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club will be
holding a DVD Evening. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903
753 893.

On Thursday 16 September Colchester Radio Amateurs is having a talk on
island activations by Kevan, 2E0WMG. More information from Kevan,
2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 16 September Cray Valley Radio Society is having a reprise
of WRTC 2010, presented by Dave, G4BUO. Details form Bob, M0MCV, on 020
8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 16 September Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
at The Greets Inn, Warnham. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 16 September Lowestoft & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502
585448.

On Thursday 16 September Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on continuous inkjet printing by Ian, G3ORG. Details from
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 16 September Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk
on radio fox hunts by Terry Giles, G4CDY. More information from John,
G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 17 September Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a talk on
the Land Army by Iris Hobby. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 17 September Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 18 September Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
commences its weekend Foundation Licence course & exam. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Sunday 12 September Torbay Amateur Radio Society is running the TARS
Communications Fair. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email
to .

On Wednesday 15 September Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for
more information.

On Wednesday 15 September Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454
417048.

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

On Thursday 16 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is looking at
photographs from Members' archives with Len, G4RZY. Contact Len, G4RZY,
on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 16 September Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
power supplies by G7LNJ. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 17 September North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an HF
operating evening. Details from Dick on 01454 218362.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 13 September Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is holding a
raffle. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Friday 17 September Newport Amateur Radio Society will be using the
club radio station with Logger 32. Contact Ross Clare, GW3NWS on 01633
880146