GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 9th January 2011
The news headlines:
RSGB Questionnaires being analysed
New look for UK repeater website
Has your local radio club entered the Club of the Year competition?
The news team and all the staff at RSGB HQ would like to wish our
newsreaders, listeners and online readers a very happy New Year.
The RSGB Questionnaire on the status of amateur radio within the UK
closed on 31 December 2010. Over 3,000 responses were completed, well in
excess of expectations, so the Society is very grateful for those who
gave their time to have a go at the Questionnaire. It was particularly
good to get feedback from several hundred lapsed members as well as a
sizeable number of people who had never joined the Society. The analysis
task has now started. Whilst there are some statistics that can be
established quickly and easily some of the data, particularly the
textual comments will take many hours to gather, categorise and collate.
The timetable for the analysis is to complete the analysis by the summer
so that the key findings can influence our longer-term planning for the
Society.
The UK repeater website been given a fresh look for the New Year, making
it easier to find information. There are improved search facilities with
separate database and document searching. The document search gives a
more effective search of previous committee minutes and other reference
material, while the database search allows for searching various
repeater data fields for example keeper callsign, frequency, channel and
mode. The site lists all UK FM, D-Star and ATV repeaters. A new RSS news
feed and Twitter are now available. See
www.ukrepeater.net.
The search for the 2010 RSGB Club of the Year, sponsored by Waters and
Stanton, is well underway. Entries for the Regional heats have to be
submitted to your Regional Manager by midnight on 25 January. All the
Regional winners then go forward to the National final, the winner of
which receives a cash prize of ?1,000 and a trophy. Entry forms can be
found at
www.rsgb.org/cluboftheyear.
GB3JB, the 2m repeater located on the borders of Wiltshire, Somerset and
Dorset, was powered by wind and solar power. The solar panel has been
stolen from the site and so GB3JB was switched off on 3 January. The
repeater keeper will be checking the site for damage to the batteries or
the wind turbine.
Advance notice now. The usual date for International Marconi Day in 2011
would have fallen on the Easter Weekend, so the organisers have changed
the date to Saturday 30 April. Details of events will appear on the
website
www.gb4imd.org.uk in due course.
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
Midland Amateur Radio Society is celebrating the club's 80th
anniversary. The special event station GB8OTH will be active each
Wednesday between 7 and 9pm throughout January.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Cezar, VE3LYC and Johan, PA3EXX will attempt a very challenging
expedition to the Wollaston Islands and Diego Ramirez Islands between 7
and 22 January. The plan is to operate for four days from each group.
However, weather and sea conditions can significantly influence this
schedule.
Francis, F6BLP will be on holiday in Senegal from 8 to 21 January and
will take the opportunity to get on the air as 6W7SK. QSLs go via the
home call and also via Logbook of the World.
Eddy ON4AFU will be in Thailand for the next three months and will
activate HS0ZJF. While there he hopes to do some island trips and
operate as HS0ZJF/8 from IOTA AS-101 and as HS0ZJF/9 from IOTA AS-126.
Now the contest news
Today, 9 January, the CW AFS contest takes place from 1400 to 1800UTC on
the 3.5MHz band. This event counts towards the new AFS Super league.
Expect the competition to be tough in this one, but expect the
competition to be even tougher in SSB AFS on Saturday 15th. The exchange
on the 9th is signal report and serial number.
The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 11 January from 2000 to
2230UTC. Using all modes on the band the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
One of the 80m Club Championships SSB events takes place on 12 January
between 2000 and 2130UTC. Remember the maximum power allowed in Club
Champs is 100 watts, but for Foundation licensees and those who enjoy
low power operation there's also a 10 watt category. The exchange is
signal report and serial number.
Saturday 15 January sees the SSB AFS contest taking place between 1400
and 1800UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.
And now the solar forecast. This week we mainly take a look at the
coming year, but first a very brief look at conditions over the
Christmas and New Year period, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 4th
of January.
Solar activity was very low and the geomagnetic field was mostly quiet
over the Christmas and New Year period. The solar disc was spotless on
some days and on others several sunspot groups were visible. This will
be typical for the coming year. At times the solar disc will be
spotless. However, these days will be few and far between, but when they
do occur several spotless days could take place consecutively. Solar
activity will be predominately very low but on occasions will increase
to moderate levels. No X class solar flares have taken place so far
during this sunspot cycle but there is a good chance that this will be
rectified later in the year as the larger sunspot groups become more
complex and active. Solar flux levels should vary between the 80's and,
at times, up to the 120's. The 90 day solar flux average should continue
to rise steadily and by the end of the year to around the one hundred
mark. Geomagnetic activity will be at quiet levels on most days. Coronal
hole disturbances will diminish as the year goes on. Therefore, most of
any magnetic storms will result from coronal mass ejections. These type
of storms tend to be larger than coronal hole type disturbances, but do
not repeat month after month every 27 or 28 days.
So how will all this effect propagation? In general, HF conditions will
gradually improve but will have to wait until after the summer months
and into next autumn to witness a real improvement. By then 28MHz should
be open to most continents on a regular basis. Remember that the F2
maximum usable frequencies are not as high in the summer as they are
during the winter months. Also, during the summer months, the daily
highs take place during the evening unlike the winter months that occur
around local noon. The summer Sporadic-E season normally take place from
the end of April to the middle to late August. Even though it takes
place at any time during the day and occasionally at night, the most
favoured times are mid-morning and again in the early evening. Higher up
in frequency, at the VHF part of the spectrum, the usual well forecasted
meteor showers will take place. Any prolonged weather patterns with a
high pressure over the UK then tropospheric propagation can be expected
to take place and including the UHF bands. Obviously, these can not be
predicted weeks or months in advance but some of the largest and intense
openings have occurred during the autumn.
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
RAF Waddington ARC is starting an Intermediate Course on Wednesday 19
January. For more information, or to book a place, please contact Bob
Pickles, G3VCA, on 01522 528708 or email
.
On Monday 10 January Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an illustrated talk by Ian Hollingsbee, G3TDT, on his exploits as
VK3BIH. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.
On Monday 10 January South Birmingham Radio Society is discussing
aerials for field day contests. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.
On Monday 10 January Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having a guide to contesting by G3MXH. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488.
On Monday 10 January Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society has its
first meeting of the New Year. More information from Robert Bird, by
email to .
On Tuesday 11 January Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a computer night. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.
On Tuesday 11 January Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having an
operating night and junk sale. For more information contact Peter D
Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.
On Wednesday 12 January Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the 80m Club Calls SSB contest. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836
731544.
On Wednesday 12 January Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding its AGM. For
more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.
On Wednesday 12 January Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting and training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787.
On Wednesday 12 January Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
looking at the progress and updates of Society projects. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.
On Thursday 13 January South Birmingham Radio Society has training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.
On Friday 14 January Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club commences
its New Year construction project. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776
869.
On Friday 14 January Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding its
annual dinner at the Beechwood Hotel. Booking is essential. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.
On Friday 14 January Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
talk on the path plotting and prediction program Radio Mobile by Ian
Brown, G3TVU. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.
On Friday 14 January South Birmingham Radio Society Friday is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.
On Saturday 15 January Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the AFS Contest. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.
On Saturday 15 January 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
A note to all the clubs in the North West Region that entries for the
RSGB Club of the Year regional heats have to be submitted by midnight on
25 January. The winner will receive the Region 3 plaque, generously
donated by LAM Communications. All Regional winners then go forward to
the National final, the winner of which receives a cash prize of ?1,000
and a fabulous trophy. The National event is sponsored by Waters and
Stanton. None of last year's national winners were from Region 3 so
let's see if we can change that this year.
Bury Radio Society will be starting an Advanced Course on 25 January,
with the exam on 16 June. If you are an Intermediate licensee and are
interested please contact Norman Ball, G1HHU on 07525 932729 or via
e-mail to . A Foundation course will commence in
August.
On Monday 10 January Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on operating procedure and best practice by Nancy Bone. Contact
Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.
On Monday 10 January Bolton Wireless Club is holding its AGM. For
details, send an email to .
On Monday 10 January Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
light waves by Barry, G8AGN. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by
email to .
On Monday 10 January Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is on the
air and having a natter night. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY, by email to
.
On Tuesday 11 January Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society
re-commences its Foundation and Intermediate licence training courses at
the Church of the Good Shepherd, Mytholmroyd. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on
01422 341317.
On Wednesday 12 January Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a shack
activity night. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.
On Wednesday 12 January Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07701 156 678.
On Thursday 13 January Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.
On Thursday 13 January South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on the fundamentals of radio by Ron, G3SVW. Details from
Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.
On Friday 14 January East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
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 11 January Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.
On Wednesday 12 January Glenrothes and District Radio Club is having
part two of the talk on PCB layout by John, MM0MBC. Details from Dave
Francis, on 01383 823878.
On Wednesday 12 January Lothians Radio Society is having a video evening
with Peter Dick, GM4DTH. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to
.
On Wednesday 12 January West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
working on construction projects & licence training. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.
On Friday 14 January Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811
723.
On Friday 14 January West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle and quiz. More information from
Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA
On Monday 10 January Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society has its New
Year Dinner. Contact Steve Beal, G3WZK, by email to
.
On Monday 10 January Felixstowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
closed. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to
.
On Monday 10 January Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk by Chris
Whitmarsh, G0FDZ on the GB3VHF story. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688
3322.
On Monday 10 January West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Malcolm, G8MCA, on his experiences in the Royal Signals TA. More
information from Les, G6UBM, by email to .
On Tuesday 11 January Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.
On Tuesday 11 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Tuesday 11 January Harwell Amateur Radio Society is preparing for the
rally and having a quiz night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.
On Tuesday 11 January Leiston Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz night.
Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 0777 764 8448.
On Wednesday 12 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting at Danbury Village Hall. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.
On Wednesday 12 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a
club net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Wednesday 12 January Farnborough & District Radio Society is having a
surprise from G3KND. Details from Derek, G3OFA, by email to
.
On Wednesday 12 January Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a
members' show and tell night. Details from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766
543784.
On Wednesday 12 January Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on Summits on the Air by Dave, M0TAZ and John, M0UKD. Contact
John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354.
On Wednesday 12 January South Essex Amateur Radio Society is making
preparations for the rally, led by Dave, G4UVJ. Contact Norman, M0FZW,
on 01268 692776.
On Wednesday 12 January Southgate Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Morse code by Nigel, G0RPM. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to
.
On Wednesday 12 January Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a discussion evening. Details from Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.
On Thursday 13 January Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting at
Pinewood Park Leisure Club. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.
On Thursday 13 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society commences its
Foundation course in Danbury Village Hall. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.
On Thursday 13 January Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night, bring & buy sale and CW practice. Contact John, G4GSC, on
01784 451898.
On Thursday 13 January Edgware & District Radio Society is holding its
AGM. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 0208 950 0658.
On Thursday 13 January Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having its annual dinner. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502 564242.
On Thursday 13 January Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Tony Crake, G0OVA, on powerful transmitters in the BBC. Details
from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.
On Thursday 13 January Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a welcome back meeting. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742
757.
On Friday 14 January Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact Ron Huntsman, on 012233 501712.
On Friday 14 January Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a video night. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.
On Friday 14 January Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is discussing the
forthcoming year. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.
On Friday 14 January Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk on PSK31.
More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.
On Friday 14 January Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air and running Morse and Foundation training. Contact Andrew Maish,
G4ADM, on 020 8335 3434.
On Saturday 15 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is running the
CARS 80 Metre Contest. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Saturday 15 January Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
commences its weekend Foundation Licence course and exam. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST
On Monday 10 January Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night. Contact Nick, on 01363 775756.
On Tuesday 11 January Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on receiver measurements by Jim, G3RTD. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on
01258 860741.
On Tuesday 11 January Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club is having part one
of a talk on digital modes by Dave, M0SXZ. More information from Nick,
M6NJB, on 01749 346320.
On Wednesday 12 January Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is holding
a committee meeting. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.
On Wednesday 12 January Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.
On Thursday 13 January South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
technical topics forum. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Thursday 13 January Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the Channel Tunnel by Deryck, G3YKC. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317750.
On Thursday 13 January Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
radio astronomy by G0VFK. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.
On Friday 14 January Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.
NEWS FOR WALES
Mold and District Amateur Radio Club in Flintshire North Wales will be
starting an Advanced course on 19 January, leading to the exam on 6
April. If you are an Intermediate licensee and can get to Mold Rugby
Club on Wednesday nights please contact Steve Studdart, GW7AAV or Keith
Williams, GW4OKT via the email addresses on QRZ.com. Further Foundation
and Intermediate exam courses will be run during the year. Candidates
will be asked to join the radio club and pay a small contribution
towards course costs, which excludes project costs and RSGB exam fees.
On Sunday 9 January Aberystwyth & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a junk sale. Details and space bookings from Ray, GW7AGG, on
01970 611853.
On Tuesday 11 January Marches Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas event. For more information contact Dave, MW0AYM, on 01691
777242.
On Thursday 13 January Aberystwyth & District Amateur Radio Society is
closed. Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611853.
February 1st 11, 01:28 PM
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