GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 5th December 2010

The news headlines:

RSGB extends its Amateur Radio Survey to National Clubs

Final RSGB Museum Sale

GB2RS broadcasts for the end of the year

The RSGB has launched a short set of questions for national clubs to
address. The questions are available on www.rsgb.org/survey and
responses are requested by 31 January 2011. Members will be interested
to know that steady progress has been made with the numbers completing
the online questionnaire. It is likely by this weekend we will have
broken through the 2,500 responses. Unexpected maintenance work on the
questionnaire's internet server these past two weekends, which made the
questionnaire unavailable for a short while, will hopefully not need to
be repeated. One aspect of the maintenance is that the server has a much
greater capacity than before. The individual survey closes on 31
December, so if you haven't completed it yet there is still time.

The high level of interest in the RSGB Museum Surplus Sale caused the
RSGB eBay account to reach an activity ceiling of which we were not
aware. Regrettably, the RSGB eBay account has been shut down and the
final auction could not go ahead as planned. The Society is making
alternative arrangements to continue the eBay sale and hopes to offer
the final set of items starting today, Sunday 5 December. Links to the
listings will appear on the auction section of the RSGB website,
www.rsgb.org.uk/auction. As usual, all monies from the auction will go
to the National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park.

Please note that there will be a GB2RS bulletin as usual on Sunday 19
December, but not on the two following Sundays, 26 December and 2
January. The first GB2RS of the New Year will be on Sunday 9 January.
Anyone with news of events taking place between now and 9 January should
send it to the RSGB by e-mail to as soon as possible.
We would like to thank all those who regularly send in items for GB2RS
and look forward to hearing from you in 2011. We would also particularly
like to thank the network of Main and Reserve Newsreaders, without whom
the News would not be heard.

Professor Sir Maurice Wilkes, G5VF, died on Monday aged 97. He led the
Cambridge University team that built the world's first operational
stored-program computer. After obtaining an amateur radio licence he
constructed radio equipment in his holidays. He stayed on at Cambridge
to do a PhD on the propagation of radio waves in the ionosphere. When
war broke out, Wilkes left Cambridge to work with R Watson-Watt and JD
Cockroft on the development of radar. Later he became involved in
designing aircraft, missile and U-boat radio tracking systems. He was a
member of the Cambridge University Wireless Society from its very early
days and, we understand, was the first holder of the club's callsign,
G6UW.

Pai, VU2PAI has uploaded about 100,000 QSOs to the Logbook of the World,
dating back from 1995. It is not complete as he still has a lot of paper
logs, especially from his IOTA activations to AS-096 and AS-161. Please
do not send cash or IRCs while sending QSL cards; he would prefer it if
you can put two or three beautiful stamps on your envelope when you send
your card. He's been a keen collector of postage stamps from round the
world since he was a schoolboy. Please include a self addressed envelope
or an address sticker along with your QSL card. Pai can be reached by
e-mail to .

Eddie Murphy, G0VVT is a GB2RS news reader for the North and last
Sunday, 28 November, the news was read on 433.525MHz and GB3SX, the
Stoke-on-Trent 6m repeater. Eddie was using solar power charge batteries
and would like to know if that's a first for GB2RS and would welcome any
news of other news readers using solar power. You can contact Eddie by
e-mail to .

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

The first two rallies of 2011 will both be on Sunday 16 January.

Dover Radio Rally will be held at Whitfield Village Hall, Dover CT16 3LY
which is on the A2 just outside of Dover. The event was revived last
year and was such as success that they have hired extra space for the
rally this year. The focus will be on radio related items not other
electronic bits and bobs. The website www.doverradiorally.com has all
the usual information required.

The Red Rose Winter Rally will be held at the George H Carnall Leisure
Centre, Kingsway Park,

M41 7FJ. There is free car parking available and doors open at 11am.
There will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy as well as an RSGB
bookstall. Details from Steve on 07502 295 141.

Now for the news of special events

Ripon and District Amateur Radio Society will be on the air today,
Sunday 5 December, celebrating their 30th Anniversary using the callsign
GB2RIP. All QSOs will be acknowledged with a commemorative QSL card.
Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY on 0787 608 5631.

Saturday 11 December marks International Mountain Day. For the second
year a group of amateurs will climb their local mountain, MontgÕ in the
Alicante province in Spain. They are encouraging other amateurs to climb
to the top of their nearby mountain. Weather permitting, they will be
active from the summit at noon with EH5MM on 145,475MHz +- QRM as well
as the HF bands. MontgÕ is reference EA5/AT-029 for the Summits On The
Air programme.

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

The Buddies in the Caribbean DXpedition group, which specialises in 100
watt or less radios and the Buddipole portable antenna systems, will be
back on the island of St Lucia from 8 to 13 December. QSL via Logbook of
the World, eQSL, or post to the individual operator's home callsign with
a self addressed stamped envelope.

Members of the Russian Robinson Club plan to operate from the Ujelang
Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the period 7 to 12 December. The
callsign will be V73RRC. QSL Manager one is N7RO.

The 37 operators from 15 countries who make up the DX0DX DXpedition Team
that will go to the Spratly Islands are finalising preparations for the
almost month-long DXpedition that begins 6 January 2011. The Spratlys
are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in
the South China Sea between Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Malaysia
and Brunei. They comprise less than 4 square kilometres of land area,
spread out over more than 425,000 square kilometres of sea. The DX0DX
Team is keen to give out contacts on 160 meters and will have two 65
foot phased verticals and a back-up antenna for this.

The DXpedition to Sable Island, which is IOTA reference NA-063, that has
been well planned and postponed for several times, will take place from
6 to 13 December. They plan to work with three stations simultaneously
on 160m through to 6m in CW, SSB and RTTY. All direct QSLs should be
sent to N0TG, and bureau QSLs via the home callsigns.

Now the contest news

The ARRL 160m contest is the first event of the December and finishes
tonight, Sunday 5 December. It is a slightly unusual event in that the
duration is 42 hours. The good thing is that those 42 hours include two
full nights, which is when there is likely to be propagation between
Britain and North America.

The 144MHz Affiliated Societies Contest takes place today, Sunday 5
December. It's the first of the new Super League series. If you operate
as a member of a club in an AFS event there's no need to be a member of
RSGB, just the club. However, if you partake as an individual, you do
need to be a member, although check logs from non members are always
welcome. There's a limit of five members per team, but active and
ambitious clubs are welcome to field multiple teams. The contest takes
place between 0900 and 1700UTC and the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

7 December sees the 144MHz Activity Contest take place between 2000 and
2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 22nd to the 28th
of November, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 29th of November

Solar activity was very low with no solar flares taking place. However,
on the far side of the Sun several coronal mass ejections occurred from
active regions that were caught by the STEREO spacecraft and the images
were spectacular. Solar flux levels were 75 units on the 22nd and the
23rd, but gradually increased to 80 by the 28th when a new sunspot
region emerged on the visible disc during the 27th. The average was 77
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 28th was 81 units. That's
the same level as last week, although earlier in the week it was 82
units. X-ray flux levels increased from A4.3 units on the 22nd to A6.5
by the 28th. The average was A4.9 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet,
the Ap was down to only 2 units on the 26th. Then, during the evening of
the 27th, a coronal hole disturbance arrived. The Ap index on the 27th
was 12 units, this would have been much higher if the disturbance had
arrived earlier in the day. The next day the Ap was 6 units. The average
was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds decline from 520 kilometres per second on the 23rd to 310 during
the morning of the 27th. During the afternoon speeds increased to peak
at 500 kilometres per second later in the evening. Particle densities
were low until the 26th and the 27th when densities increased to 20
particles per cubic centimetre. Bz on the quiet days varied between
minus 2 and plus 3 nanoTeslas and between minus 13 and plus 14
nanoTeslas at the height of the disturbance during the evening of the
27th.

And now the solar forecast. This week, solar activity could increase to
low levels with the chance of C class solar flares taking place. Solar
flux levels should be in the 80s for most of the week and with a chance
of going even higher into the 90s at some stage. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be quiet every day. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be about 25MHz for the south and 22MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows are expected to be around 8MHz. Paths this week South
Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success
rate of around 29MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 23MHz. The best time to try this path will be
between 1100 and 1500 hours. The 28MHz band could well be worth a check
around midday for any Sporadic-E taking place. A good number of days
have witnessed openings recently. Take a look for any openings at
www.vhfdx.info, click on real time QSO and propagation maps at the
bottom of the page, then click on Europe and 28MHz.

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

M0OCT Amateur Radio Society is holding an Advanced exam next year close
to Chesterfield and places are still available for external candidates.
Applications will be accepted up to 10 January 2011. A limited number of
places are also available on the club Foundation and Intermediate
courses that will run in the New Year. Contact Steve, G6IBQ on 01246
205072 for more information.

On Monday 6 December Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
operating on VHF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 6 December South Birmingham Radio Society is reviewing the
aerials for field day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Tuesday 7 December Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is having its Christmas meal and a talk by Tony, G3ZPU on commercial
radio. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442240.

On Tuesday 7 December Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a paper plane contest. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 8 December Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is holding its
AGM and Christmas party. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 8 December Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and having a natter night. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 8 December Midland Amateur Radio Society Short is holding a
committee meeting followed by its Christmas social at 8 pm. Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 8 December Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on Echolink & repeaters by M0VRR. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 9 December Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on making radio-related YouTube videos by Dave, M0OGY. Details from
John, 2E0III, on 01652 632938.

On Thursday 9 December Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas meal at The New Inn, Hook A Gate. Details on the club website
at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 9 December South Birmingham Radio Society continues its
Foundation training classes with Dave, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603.

On Friday 10 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a pub
games night. contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 10 December Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having its
Christmas party. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 10 December South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 11 December Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and working around the shack. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 6 December 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 6 December Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a
surplus equipment sale and surprise subject talk by G4DAX. Details from
Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751 476601.

On Monday 6 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and
demo on light waves by G3PHO. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by
email to .

On Monday 6 December Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is on the
air and having a natter night. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY, by e-mail to
.

On Tuesday 7 December Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its construction contest at Burley Hall. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 7 December Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning the club's on-air and /P activities during 2011. Contact
Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Tuesday 7 December Preston Amateur Radio Society taking part in the
144MHz SSB Club Contest using the new mobile shack. Contact Richard,
M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Wednesday 8 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 8 December Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society is
closed due to the QTH not being available.. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on
07701 156 678.

On Wednesday 8 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
surplus equipment sale. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 9 December Preston Amateur Radio Society is having an
antenna surgery with Bill, G3NQX. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587
3566.

On Thursday 9 December Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its Christmas quiz. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 9 December South Manchester Radio and Computer Club has a PC
clinic with Dave, G4UGM. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news items have been received for Northern Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 7 December Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 8 December Lothians Radio Society has its Christmas curry
night. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to .

On Wednesday 8 December Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on home brew linear amplifiers for HF and VHF by GM3UCI. Contact Bill
Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

On Wednesday 8 December West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
working on construction projects & Licence training. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Friday 10 December Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is having
a quiz at the Barr Castle Social Club, Henrietta Street, Galston.
Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to .

On Friday 10 December West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a quiz and a raffle. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 5 December Bittern DX Group commences its Foundation course.
Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Monday 6 December Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a family
evening. Details from Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 6 December Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club social. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.

On Monday 6 December Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having its Christmas
dinner. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 6 December East Kent Radio Society is having an illustrated
talk on Bletchley Park by Eileen and Karl. Details from Karl Davies,
M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Monday 6 December Southdown Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas social at Chaseley. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424
319.

On Monday 6 December Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a presentation
by Darren Parvin, M0PRV, of the Croydon Airport Model Flying Club.
Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Monday 6 December Verulam Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee
meeting. Details from Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Tuesday 7 December Andover Radio Amateurs Club is invites members to
bring in their military equipment for a discussion and workshop evening.
Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 7 December Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 7 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the joy of contesting by Mark Haynes, M0DXR. Contact Martyn, G1EFL,
on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 7 December Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Wednesday 8 December Aylesbury Vale Radio Society and Chesham &
District Amateur Radio Society are having a joint Christmas party,
hosted by Roger, G3MEH.. Details from Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651.

On Wednesday 8 December Darenth Valley Radio Society Quiz Night plus
Fish & Chips. For more information send an email to Ray,
.

On Wednesday 8 December Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is holding
its AGM & Christmas social. Details from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Wednesday 8 December Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening. Contact John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 8 December Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction and workshop evening. Details from Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 8 December South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social and DVD show. Contact Norman, M0FZW, on 01268 692776.

On Wednesday 8 December Southgate Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to .

On Wednesday 8 December Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a discussion evening. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903
753 893.

On Thursday 9 December Bittern DX Group is having an informal club
meeting at Pinewood Park Leisure Club. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on
01692 404154.

On Thursday 9 December Echelford Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas party. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784 451898.

On Thursday 9 December Edgware & District Radio Society is holding its
grand junk sale. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 0208 950 0658.

On Thursday 9 December Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club has
the Jack Walker Construction Trophy and quiz night. Details from Lee,
2E1LJL, on 01502 564242.

On Thursday 9 December Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM followed by a cheese & wine or beer soiree. Details from Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 9 December Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a mince pie evening. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 10 December Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
watching Mirror in the Sky, a film on shortwave propagation. Contact Ron
Huntsman, on 012233 501712.

On Friday 10 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 10 December Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas Social. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 020 8335
3434.

On Saturday 11 December Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas Dinner. For more information contact Rob, G3LMW, on
01635 862737.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Tuesday 7 December Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
VHF evening in the club shack. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Wednesday 8 December Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for
more information.

On Wednesday 8 December Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 9 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is preparing for
its Christmas social. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 9 December Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its Christmas dinner. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 9 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a Yeo Project
evening. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 10 December Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Sunday 12 December Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is holding
its Christmas dinner. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 6 December Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
government secret bunkers by Les Hayward, MW0SEC. More information from
Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Tuesday 7 December Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having its club
dinner. More information is on the web at www.wrexham-ars.co.uk.

On Thursday 9 December Aberystwyth & District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas dinner at Aberystwyth Cliff Railway. Details from
Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611853.