GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 12th December 2010

The news headlines:

Eight African operations approved for DXCC

Advanced Classes and Distance Learning

Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2011

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that eight operations in
Africa, 9Q/DK3MO, 3C0C, 3C9B, 3V9A, 3V0A, TS7TI, TS8P and TS9A, have
been approved for DXCC credit. All operations, with the exception for
the 9Q/DK3MO, are 2010 operations. The 9Q/DK3MO operation is good for
operations commencing in 2007 through to the present. If you had cards
for any of these operations rejected in recent applications, please send
an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk. Results will appear in Logbook of The
World accounts, as well as online on the daily listings.

An Advanced Radio Communications Exam course is planned to commence in
Bath on Thursday

13 January. This is aiming for the June 2011 exam. A number of
Intermediate licence holders have already signed up but there is room
for more. Following the success of a number of home study students last
year, Steve Hartley, G0FUW, who leads the Bath courses, is also willing
to offer distance learning support to those who cannot get to classes.
These classes are kindly sponsored by the City of Bristol RSGB to keep
costs as low as possible. Full details from Steve, G0FUW, who is QTHR.
Details on QRZ.com are correct, or you can e-mail .

You are invited to participate in Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2011,
conducted by AMSAT. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of Dick
Peacock, W2GFF, who died in 2010 aged 91. Dick was an active satellite
operator in the 1970s and 80s, mostly on CW and usually with a straight
key. There are no rules, no scoring and no logs required. Just operate
CW on any OSCAR satellite, using a straight hand key, from 0000UTC to
2400UTC on 1 January 2011, working as many Straight Key Night stations
as you can. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, each
participant is asked to nominate one of the operators worked for `Best
Fist'. It is not necessary that your nominee has the best fist of anyone
you heard, just of those you worked. Please email your nomination to
W2RS, .

Have you registered to take part in SOS Radio Week yet? It's only five
weeks until the start of SOS Radio Week. Icom have agreed to sponsor the
event and have donated prizes for the individual and club or team that
raises the most money for the RNLI during the event. To register, visit
the website at www.sosradioweek.org.uk and click over the Register
option on the menu. Once registered you'll be able to download the
official sponsorship forms and lots of other useful documentation.

On 17 December, a new trio of flight engineers are expected to arrive at
the International Space Station following a 15 December launch. They are
US astronaut Catherine Coleman, KC5ZTH, the European Space Agency's
Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA and Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev.

Peter Chadwick, G3RZP has been re-appointed as Chairman of European
Telecommunications Standards Institute Committee ERM_TG30, Wireless
Medical Applications. Nigel Wilson, G4VVZ, has been appointed Chairman
of ETSI ERM_TGDMR, Digital Mobile Radio.

Please note that there will be a GB2RS bulletin as usual next week 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. The deadline is, as always, 10am on Tuesday morning,
so that copies can be posted to those few remaining newsreaders that do
not download the script from the internet. 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 and Jeremy Boot, G4NJH for his weekly GB2RS podcast.

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

The first rallies of 2011 will be on 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 a 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

We have no details of special event stations operating this week.

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

Siegfried, DK9FN and Hans Peter, DG1FK are heading back to Nendo Island,
which is IOTA reference OC-100. Listen for H40FN and H40FK from 21
December to 3 January on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL H40FN via HA8FW and H40FK
via DG1FK.

Karel, ON5TN will be staying at the Belgian Antarctic base Princess
Elisabeth, Antarctica until 24 February 2011. He plans to operate again
as OR4TN in his spare time, starting in December. Updates will be posted
on qrz.com under OR4TN. QSL via ON5TN.

Look for Hennie, PJ4/PE1MAE, active from Bonaire, IOTA SA-006. QSL via
bureau or direct to PA2NJC.

Now the contest news

14 December sees the 432MHz UK Activity Contest taking place between
2000 and 2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

For a very different challenge, how about trying the Russian 160m
Contest? It takes place on Friday 17 December and is in fact two
contests, each of which lasts just one hour, the second following on
immediately from the first. There are single- and multi-op sections for
young ops, those born 1990 and after, and seniors. The web page at
www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule/map-2.gif shows how to calculate your grid
square which not the same as a Locator square, with most of the British
Isles being in X4. The website also shows how the multipliers work for
making QSOs into adjacent and further squares.

The RAC Canadian Winter Contest takes place on the following day, 18
December, between 0000 and 2359UTC. In this one there are nine entry
categories and a certificate is offered to the top scoring station in
each DXCC entity, so several could be awarded to UK stations. Only four
UK stations appear in the 2008 results, all from England, and six in the
2009 results, all from England again, so clearly this contest presents a
great opportunity for those who live in other parts of the UK to get
themselves some `wallpaper'.

21 December is the UHF UK Activity Contest that takes place between 2000
and 2230. Using all modes on the 1.3 and 2.3GHz bands, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 29th of November
to the 5th of December, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 6th of
December

The solar disc had several sunspot groups visible on most days. However,
most groups were small and quiet. Only one C class solar flare took
place and this occurred on the 1st. Solar flux levels increased slightly
from 83 units on the 29th to 88 by the 5th. The average was 86 units.
The 90 day solar flux average on the 5th was 82 units, that's the same
levels as last week. X-ray flux levels remained steady most days and
averaged B1 units. Geomagnetic activity was very quiet every day; the
most disturbed days only had an Ap index of 3 units. The average was Ap
2 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
decline from 480 kilometres per second on the 29th to 270 by the 3rd.
Particle densities were low throughout. With a quiet geomagnetic field
Bz, as expected, showed little variation with fluctuations of no more
than minus 5 and plus 4 nanoTeslas for the period.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to rotate into view. Without the appearance of a large sunspot
group, solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. Solar flux
levels should be in decline this week and be around the 80 mark by next
weekend. Presently, there are no reasonably sized coronal holes on the
Sun. They tend to be a more common feature during the decaying stage of
the sunspot cycle. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet every
day. 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 7MHz. Paths this week to Japan should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 19MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 14MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 0700 and 1000 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 Monday 13 December Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a Christmas buffet. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 13 December South Birmingham Radio Society is decorating the
main hall for its Christmas party. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 13 December Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having a test equipment evening with G0JUQ. Contact G0CHO, on 01608
664488.

On Monday 13 December Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM & Christmas party. More information from Robert Bird, by email
to .

On Monday 13 December Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas dinner. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on
01858 432105.

On Tuesday 14 December Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club has a
photograph competition. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Tuesday 14 December Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is holding
its Christmas gathering. Details from Don, G4CYG, on 019 2642 4465.

On Wednesday 15 December Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on SDR by John Naylor, G4KLX. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 15 December Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a quiz with a
raffle and nibbles. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on
01427 788356.

On Wednesday 15 December Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding
training classes and having a laptop evening. Details from Norman,
G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 15 December Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its Christmas dinner at The Duck, Allscott. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 16 December Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a mince
pies evening with raffle. Details on the club website at
www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 16 December South Birmingham Radio Society continues its
Foundation training classes with Dave, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603.

On Friday 17 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a curry
night at The Mint, CV1 3GJ. Booking essential. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
07958 777363.

On Friday 17 December Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas meeting at SMMC. For more information contact Geoff, G3STG, on
01664 480 733.

On Friday 17 December Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
shack night. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 17 December South Birmingham Radio Society is holding its
Christmas party and grand raffle. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 18 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 13 December Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Zoltan Derzsi on digital modes including PSK31, RTTY and MT63.
Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 13 December Bolton Wireless Club is holding its Christmas
party. For details, send an email to. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 13 December Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751 476601.

On Monday 13 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding its
Christmas dinner. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 13 December Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
an auction, run by Mick, G4EZM. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY, by e-mail to
.

On Tuesday 14 December Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas social at Cheshire View, Christleton, Chester.
Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 14 December Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society has its
Christmas dinner get-together with friends and associates. Contact
Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 15 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 15 December Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society has its
previously postponed talk by Keith, G1PQW, entitled Morse's code, or was
it? Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07701 156 678.

On Wednesday 15 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is planning
for February's Radioactive rally. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on
01606 553401.

On Thursday 16 December Preston Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas party and charity raffle. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587
3566.

On Thursday 16 December Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a mince pies and RF social evening. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on
0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 16 December South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on Parties in Antarctica by Ron, VP8LK. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 17 December East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has a radio
magazines evening. For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on
01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

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

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

On Wednesday 15 December Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club has its
Christmas social. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

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

On Friday 17 December West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has
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 Monday 13 December Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is holding
its AGM. More information from Andy, G8JAC, by email to
.

On Monday 13 December West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social. More information from Les, G6UBM, by email to
.

On Tuesday 14 December Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having its
Christmas dinner. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

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

On Tuesday 14 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 14 December Harwell Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Wednesday 15 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting at Danbury Village Hall. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 15 December Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a social evening with drinks in WHC Bar. More details from Terry,
G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 15 December East Kent Radio Society is having its Christmas
dinner. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Wednesday 15 December Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on stamps of the world by John Dale, 2E0WJI. Contact John,
M0UKD, on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 15 December Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 15 December Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas party. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

On Thursday 16 December Colchester Radio Amateurs has its Christmas
social. More information from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 16 December Cray Valley Radio Society is having its
Christmas drinks and social. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735
after 8pm.

On Thursday 16 December Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Red Lyon, Slinfold. Details are on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 16 December Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 16 December Sutton & Cheam Radio Society has its Christmas
junk sale. Note that this meeting is on the second Thursday of the month
for this month only. More information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644
9945.

On Friday 17 December Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a mince pie evening. Contact Ron Huntsman, on 012233 501712.

On Friday 17 December Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
presenting members' awards. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502
1645.

On Friday 17 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas quiz. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 17 December Radio Society of Harrow is having its Christmas
social. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

On Friday 17 December Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club holds its
Christmas dinner. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.

On Friday 17 December Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group has its Christmas
jolly. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 18 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is joining ERG
at Waters & Stanton for a pre-Christmas sale. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Sunday 19 December Bittern DX Group has its Foundation course.
Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

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

On Monday 13 December Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a Christmas Party. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more
information.

On Monday 13 December Exeter Amateur Radio Society Club is having a
Christmas skittles night at the Moose Centre. Details from Nick, on
01363 775756.

On Tuesday 14 December Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society has its
annual quiz and fun night. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Tuesday 14 December West Devon Radio Club is holding its Christmas
party and quiz night with prizes. Further information from Jules Cuddy,
M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

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

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

On Wednesday 15 December Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having its final natter night of the year. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on
01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 16 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has its
Christmas social. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 16 December Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 16 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a mince pie
evening. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 17 December Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas party and quiz. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by
email to .

NEWS FOR WALES

On Tuesday 14 December Marches Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having a natter night. For more information contact Dave, MW0AYM, on
01691 777242.

On Thursday 16 December Swansea Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas dinner at Clyne Golf Club. Contact Roger Williams, GW4HSH on
01792 404422 for details.