GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 6th February 2011

The news headlines:

Kuwaiti amateurs to use special prefix

Medium wave tests from the US

Canada Games special prefix

Look for amateur radio operators in Kuwait using the special prefix 9K50
until 28 February. Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
Kuwait's independence. Also, 9K50NLD will be on the air between 24 and
28 February. Activity will be from the members of the Kuwait Amateur
Radio Society.

If you are an SWL or an amateur with a good medium wave receiver, on
Saturday 12 February at 0700 and 0800UTC, radio station KHMO on 1070kHz
in Missouri will conduct a DX test for SWLs worldwide. The test will be
with Morse code, sweep tones and voice announcements. Transmissions will
be made for five minutes at 0700 at 5kW into the station's three-tower,
day antenna pattern. At 0800 they will transit the same material at 1kW
using the six-tower, night time pattern. Then from 0900 to 1000UTC, WLIQ
on 1530kHz in Illinois will conduct a DX test of its own. WLIQ will test
for twenty minutes using Morse code, sweep tones, voice announcement,
special music, sound bites and the like at its 1.4kW, non-directional,
day power. Then WLIQ will test for twenty minutes at 290W
non-directional, critical hours power. Finally, for the last twenty
minutes of the hour, they will test at 3W, non-directional, night power.
If you would like to receive a QSL you can send a written report, or a
cassette or CD to the Chief Engineer of these stations by following the
rules and sending reports to Gary Glaenzer, c/o the name of the station
whose DX test your are reporting, 325 East Douglas Avenue, Jacksonville,
Illinois 62650. For more information, type KHMO February DX tests into
your favourite search engine.

Amateur radio operators in the Province of Nova Scotia will be permitted
to use special prefixes CJ1 and CK1 throughout the month of February to
celebrate the 2011 Canada Games to be held in Halifax. VA1 stations will
be allowed to use the special prefix CJ1, while VE1 stations will use
the special prefix CK1.

The BBC has confirmed plans to close five of its 32 World Service
language services. The Macedonian, Albanian and Serbian services will be
axed, as will English for the Caribbean and Portuguese for Africa. The
World Service will also cease short wave transmission of six more
services in March 2011, these will be Hindi, Indonesian, Kyrgyz, Nepali,
Swahili and the Great Lakes service for Rwanda and Burundi.

The T32C Five Star DXers Association DXpedition to Kiritimati in the
Northern Line Islands between 28 September and 26 October has announced
the winner of the sponsored young operator position with the team.
Michael Zurch, DG1CMZ is an experienced contest and DXpedition operator
and is currently working towards a PhD at the University of Jena.

Amateur radio repeaters GB3NL and GB3LV, both located in north London,
have been returned to service after a brief outage. The two repeaters,
which are co-sited at Enfield Civic Centre, had been off air following a
power outage in Enfield. IRLP node 5600 and Echolink node 155403, which
both operate via GB3LV on 70cm, are also working again.

Following a successful launch on 28 January, the ARISSat-1 satellite has
arrived at the International Space Station. Due to the newly announced
launch date of shuttle flight STS-133, the space walk to deploy
ARISSat-1 has been moved up to 16 February. The satellite contains a
software defined transponder that will provide a 70cm up, 2m down
service plus a range of telemetry, FM, CW and BPSK transmissions.
Details of the mission are at www.arissat1.org.

As part of the Midland Amateur Radio Society's 80th anniversary
celebration, an award is being issued to amateurs who work/hear a
certain number of MARS members during 2011. Full details on QRZ.COM
under GX3MAR.

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

The 26th Canvey Radio & Electronics Rally will take place today, 6
February, at The Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0JA. This
is at the southern end of the A130. There is free car parking and the
doors open at 10.30. Admission to the rally is ?2 and refreshments will
be available. More details from Dave, G4UVJ, on 01268 697 978 in the
evenings.

Also today, 6 February, the Radio-Active Rally will be held in the Civic
Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10.30am and there will
be a Bring & Buy. More details from Simon Chettle G8ATB, on 01270
841506.

or for any other information contact Hugh Kernohan, GI0JEV, on 0282 587
1481.

The Harwell Radio and Electronics Rally will take place on 13 February
at Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot OX11 8AY. Talk in will
be on S22 and car parking is free. Entrance is ?2.50 and accompanied
under 12s are free. Doors open at 10.30am and there will be trade
stands, special interest groups and refreshments available. Details from
Ann, G8NVI on 01235 816379.

The Northern Cross Rally returns to its former home at Thornes Park
Sports Centre, Horbury Road, Wakefield, WF2 8TY on Sunday 13 February.
There is plenty of parking, an RSGB Bookstall and all the usual traders.
There will also be several club and group stands. Refreshments are
available on site at reasonable prices and admission is ?3. Doors open
at 10.30am with disabled access from 10.15. Bring & Buy Booking In is
also from 1015. More information from www.northerncrossrally.org or
contact Ken Quinn, 2E0SSQ on 07 900 563 117.

Now for the news of special events

GB1OOD, Golf Bravo 1 Oscar Oscar Delta, has been issued as a special
event callsign by Ofcom for all of 2011. It will be used throughout the
year to celebrate the 100 years of the Derby Wireless Club, the oldest
continually active local wireless club, now incorporated within Derby
and District Amateur Radio Society. Until 25 March the station will be
operating from the Silk Mill Museum located in the City Centre of Derby
alongside the River Derwent. The station will have restricted operation
due to the museums opening hours and so will be on the air mostly at
weekends. QSL information as on QRZ.Com.

North Cork Radio Group will be active using the call EI1NC/P on 19 and
20 February from the Blackrock Castle Observatory. Operations will be
from 1000 to 1700UTC both days. The venue is a 16th century castle,
located 4km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee.
The Castle has seen many uses in its long history and now houses an
observatory.

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

IK1PMR and PA3LEO are now operational portable EA8 from the Canary
Islands. They will be there until 8 March but their activity on the air
will be holiday style on 160 through 6 meters. QSL via PA3LEO or Logbook
of the World.

Andrew, G7COD, a member of the Yorkshire Dales Contest Group will be
operational every day from Embudu Island in Kaafu Atoll the Maldives,
which is IOTA AS-013, using the call 8Q7AK until 18 February. He will be
using SSB and CW on the 80 to 10 metre bands including WARC frequencies.
For comprehensive details of operating times, suggested frequencies and
QSL information etc, please check 8Q7AK on QRZ.COM and
www.8q7ak.freewebspace.com.

Look for 3B8/SP2JMB and 3B8/SP2FUD from the Island of Mauritius until 24
February. They will be operational using CW, SSB and RTTY. From 18 to 22
February they plan to do a side trip to Rodrigues Island, which is IOTA
AF-017, where the prefix in their calls will change to 3B9.

During a holiday in the Dominican Republic, Claudio, HB9OAU plans to
operate as HI7/ HB9OAU until 18 February. If he can manage one-day trips
to some of the offshore islands he will put on HI2/HB9OAU from IOTA
NA-122.

Now the contest news

The 70cm AFS contest takes place today, Sunday 6 February, between 0900
and 1300UTC. During the first decade of the 2000s this contest generally
attracted about 30 entries per year, but in 2010 participation surged to
63. Now that it is the final match in the new Super League series, it
will be interesting to discover what effect that has on participation.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

February is the second month of the 2011 80m Club Championship series.
As is traditional, the mode sequence is rotated each month, so this
month we have SSB on the 7th between 2000 and 2130UTC. The exchange is
signal report and serial number.

The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 8 February from 2000 to
2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

The First 1.8MHz Contest takes place for four hours on the evening of
the 12th between 2100 and 0100UTC on the 13th. This used to be a CW-only
event, but it now contains CW, SSB and mixed mode sections. Exchange a
signal report, serial number and District code, which are the first two
letters of your postcode. Postcodes that begin with a single letter, for
example S for Sheffield are padded out to two letters. A full list of
District codes can be found in the RSGB Yearbook or on the Contest
Committee website.

Over the full 48 hours of the weekend of 12-13th the CQWW WPX RTTY
contest will keep the data portions of the bands busy. Exchange a signal
report and serial number. Multi-two and multi-multi entrants use
separate serial number sequences per band, while all others use just the
one. In parallel with it the CW and SSB portions of the bands will also
be busy, because the PACC (VERON) contest takes place for 24 hours. Send
a signal report and serial number, but expect to receive a report and a
2-letter Province code from Dutch stations.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 24th to the 30th
of January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 31st of January.

The latest smoothed monthly sunspot numbers are available and for April,
May and June 2010 are 14, 15.5 and 16.4 respectively.

This week, solar activity increased to moderate levels when a rather
unexpected M1 solar flare took place on the 28th. A sunspot group that
produced a C1 solar flare on the 24th rotated out of view on the 28th,
in the process it produced the first M class solar flare since the 6th
of November last year. In total, five C class solar flares took place
during the period. Solar flux levels remained almost stationary at 81
units every day except for the 26th, which only declined one unit, and
the 30th when it increased to 83. The 90 day solar flux average on the
30th was yet again at 84 units. X-ray flux levels showed little
variation day to day and averaged A6.6 units. Geomagnetic activity was
very quiet every day, the highest daily figure was only Ap 4 units. The
average was Ap 3 units. So far in January, up to the 30th, there was
only one day when the Ap index was in double figures, that was the 7th
with an Ap index of 11 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft
saw solar wind speeds decline from 410 kilometres per second on the 24th
to a very slow 270 kilometres per second by the 30th. Particle densities
were low except for a brief increase to 17 particles per cubic
centimetre on the 25th and another brief increase to 15 particles per
cubic centimetre on the 28th. As a result of a quiet magnetic field Bz
showed only modest variations of no more than minus and plus 6
nanoTeslas throughout the period.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
at very low levels. There is a chance however that activity could
increase to low on the odd day. Solar flux levels should be around the
80 mark or slightly above for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be quiet every day. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week to the west
coast of North America and California should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 17MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 13MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 1600 and 1800 hours. This
is a difficult path to work with the path getting close to the polar
region and subject to attenuation. You may find that the path does not
open at all on some days.

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 7 February Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having more thoughts about aerials by Tom, G3XMM. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 7 February South Birmingham Radio Society is reviewing
equipment for field days. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 7 February South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk by Mike Jeffs on surface mount components and
soldering. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email to
.

On Tuesday 8 February Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 8 February Eagle Radio Group is having a talk on Coas****ch
by Pauline, G7UXI. Details from Terry, G0SWS, on 01507 478590.

On Tuesday 8 February Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club invites
members to bring in unfinished projects. More information from Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 9 February Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having part
two of the magloop workshop with John Rogers, M0JAV. Details from John,
M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 9 February Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a talk on the
future of amateur radio by RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 9 February Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding
training classes and a committee meeting. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 9 February Telford & District Amateur Radio Society has its
under ?5 construction competition. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.

On Thursday 10 February Lincoln Short-Wave Club celebrates its 90th
birthday. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Thursday 10 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 11 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society is closed. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 11 February Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is erecting
its wire antenna. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 11 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 12 February 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 7 February Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening and club contest night. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO,
by email to .

On Monday 7 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a natter night and is on the air. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY, by email
to .

On Tuesday 8 February Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
starting the development of the new UHF project and continuing with
Foundation and Intermediate training. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422
341317.

On Tuesday 8 February Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a DXpedition
presentation. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Thursday 10 February Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on the Wensleydale Railway. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787
608 5631.

On Thursday 10 February South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having an update on TV technology including HD, 3D, and internet TV by
Chris, G3ZDM. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 10 February Wakefield & District Radio Society has its
pre-rally meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Saturday 12 February Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate and Advanced courses and is setting up for the Northern
Cross Rally. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Sunday 13 February Wakefield & District Radio Society is running the
Northern Cross Rally at Thornes' Park Sports Centre, Wakefield, WF2 8TY.
Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Monday 7 February Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on data modes by Gi4FUE. Details from Mi5JYK, by e-mail to
.

On Friday 11 February Ballymena Amateur Radio Group is having a bring
and buy sale at Ahoghill Community Centre. Contact Hugh Kernohan,
GI0JEV, on 028 2587 1481.

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club will run an Intermediate course and
examination in SHARE over the three weekends of 12 and 13, 19 and 20,
and 26 and 27 February. This resumes the course begun in November but
abandoned in December's sever weather. For more information please
contact Michael Clarke by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

Glenrothes and District Amateur Radio Club has changed its venue for the
time being. Starting from Wednesday 2 February the club is now meeting
at the 1370 Sqd ATC, Brewery Wynd, North Street, Leven KY8 4LX. The move
is due to the previous venue being damaged by the recent cold weather.

On Tuesday 8 February Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by GM0ONX, considering whether PLT is it as bad as they say.
Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to .

On Tuesday 8 February Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having an operating evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 9 February Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a presentation
on the history of Scottish railways. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST,
on 01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 9 February Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on the
RSGB National Radio Centre, Bletchley Park by Angus Annan, MM1CCR.
Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to .

On Wednesday 9 February West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
licence training and homebrew projects by the Solder Group. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 10 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having Morse practice. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

On Friday 11 February Borders Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
HF antennas for DX by Cliff, G3YOG. Details from Danny, 2M0CDO, on 01890
882850.

On Friday 11 February 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 6 February Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is attending the
Canvey Island Rally. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Sunday 6 February South Essex Amateur Radio Society is holding the
Canvey Rally, Paddocks, Canvey Island. Contact Norman, M0FZW, on 01268
692776.

On Sunday 6 February Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club has its
breakfast meeting in Goring. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Monday 7 February Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on HF data on the air by Richard, 2E0XRS. For more
information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 7 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on the
IC-7800 by Andy, M0YGB. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 7 February Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on homebrew digital TV by Jason, G7OCD. More information
from Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Monday 7 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB SSB Club Contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Monday 7 February Southdown Amateur Radio Society is hearing a
history of crystals in radio. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424
319.

On Monday 7 February Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
John Flude entitled clouds to rain. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424
424 319.

On Monday 7 February Surrey Radio Contact Club has the Sid Morley
Memorial. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 8 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 8 February Harwell Amateur Radio Society is holding its
construction contest. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Wednesday 9 February Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a
practical evening on operating modes. Details from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on
07766 543784.

On Wednesday 9 February Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on receiver building blocks by Ollie, G3TPJ. Contact John, M0UKD,
on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 9 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
G3LDI on operating procedures and ethics on HF, VHF, DX and contests.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 9 February South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a
humorous look at the internet with Vic, G6BHE. Contact Norman, M0FZW, on
01268 692776.

On Wednesday 9 February Southgate Amateur Radio Club is looking at the
RadCom archive CDs of Graeme, G8DVJ. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by
email to .

On Wednesday 9 February Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk about film making on the South Coast by Trevor Povey. More
information from Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 10 February Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting.
Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 10 February Echelford Amateur Radio Society has a bring &
buy, CW practice and a natter night. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784
451898.

On Thursday 10 February Edgware & District Radio Society is watching
part 1 of The Secret Wireless War. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on
0208 950 0658.

On Thursday 10 February Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on data modes. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502 564242.

On Thursday 10 February Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having
World War II military radios on show and demo.. Details from Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 10 February Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society's
construction competition winner will be giving a talk. Details from
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 11 February Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is looking
at Morse for all abilities. Details from Ron Huntsman, on 012233 501712.

On Friday 11 February Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on Worked All Britain by Marc Litchman, G0TOC. Contact
Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 11 February Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Graham Somerville of bhi. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 11 February Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
running its Foundation course and is on the air. Contact Andrew Maish,
G4ADM, on 020 8335 3434.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

There is a vacancy for an RSGB DRM in Region 11. Volunteers must live in
Devon, have a phone and a computer with internet access. Could anyone
interested please contact Pam Helliwell, G7SME, by email to
. Please send your phone number so Pam can ring you to
discuss the role.

On Tuesday 8 February Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club is having part two
of the talk on digital modes by Jeff, M6GLH. Contact Nick, M6NJB, on
01749 346320.

On Wednesday 9 February Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 10 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its
mid-winter table top sale with Len, G4RZY. Details from Andrew Jenner,
G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 10 February Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a members' equipment sale. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 11 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 7 February Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Clive
Collins GW3WEQ, entitled The War after Tomorrow. More information from
Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.