GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 13th February 2011

The news headlines:

RSGB AGM to be held in Derby

RSGB looking for EMC volunteer

Northern Train the Trainers session

Join us in Derby for the RSGB 2011 AGM. It will take place on Saturday
16 April at the Menzies Mickleover Court, Etwall Road, Mickleover Derby
DE3 0XX. The whole day is geared to bringing the RSGB to you and is an
ideal opportunity for local clubs to socialise and meet with each other
and meet with senior RSGB officers. Winners of the 2011 National Club of
the Year, sponsored by Waters & Stanton, will be announced.

Do you have legal skills? The Society is in need of some help in the
area of legislation concerning EMC and related matters in the UK and
European context. This person would be invited to join the EMC
Committee, either as a full member, a corresponding member or a
consultant. We need to further build our `in-house' strength on European
and UK legislation particularly as it applies to the technologies
involved in radio communication and EMC matters. If you are a qualified
lawyer, current or retired, and feel you can help the team looking at
this, or if you know of someone who might be willing to offer some help,
please contact the RSGB Director responsible, Don Beattie, G3BJ, by
email to or phone 01694 781 666.

or telephone 01563 534383 for further details.

or call him on 01225 464394

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the 9X0SP 2010
DXpedition to Rwanda has been approved for DXCC credit. If you have
cards that were recently rejected for this operation, please send an
e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk. Once your record is updated, results will
appear in Logbook of The World accounts or in the live, daily DXCC
Standings.

ARISSat-1 should be deployed from the International Space Station on
Wednesday 16 February. Amateurs are being encouraged to listen out for
the signals, which should reasonably strong. AMSAT-UK has issued a
reception challenge to everyone to receive ARISSat -1 signals, and is
promising a "FUN" reward to a number of listeners in various categories.
The downlink signals on 2m are expected to be reasonably strong. More
details are at tinyurl.com/gb2rs551 and arissat-1.org.

Advance news now of a DXpedition. VK8NSB, VK8FNCY, 9M6DXX, 9M6XRO and
MW0JRX will be operating from Timor-Leste in East Timor between 16 and
26 September. The location will be Atauro Island, OC-232, 30km north of
the capital, Dili. The group is working closely with the Timor-Leste
licensing authority and the DXpedition callsign will be announced soon.
There will be three stations, two using full licensed power linear
amplifiers and a third running 100W. Antennas will mainly be
quarter-wave verticals and vertical dipoles, all located within a few
metres of the ocean. For 160m an inverted-L will be used. Activity will
be on all bands 10 - 160m using CW, SSB and RTTY. Atauro Island was
chosen in order to provide a quiet location, well away from the
electrical noise of down-town Dili. The beach-front site will also allow
the group to put up vertical antennas right by the ocean, providing
additional low-angle gain. In addition, the island counts as OC-232 and
is part of a very rare IOTA group, having being confirmed by only 18% of
active IOTA participants.

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

The Harwell Radio and Electronics Rally will take place today, 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 today, 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 10.15. More information from
www.northerncrossrally.org or contact Ken Quinn, 2E0SSQ on 07 900 563
117.

There are no rallies next weekend, the next events are on 27 February.
Rainham Radio Rally will take place at Rainham School for Girls, Derwent
Way, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0BX. Doors open at 10.00am. More
details from Trevor, G6YLW, 0771 7678 795.

Also on 27 February, Swansea ARS Rally will be held at Court Herbert
Sports Centre, Neath Abbey, Neath SA10 7BE. Doors open at 10.30am and
entry is ?2 with free car parking. There will be trade stands and a
Bring & Buy along with special interest groups. Details from Roger,
GW4HSH, on 01792 404422.

Now for the news of special events

The Cornish Club will be running Thinking Day on the Air at Gweal-an-Top
school, Redruth, Cornwall on 19 February using the special event
callsign GB1RGG.

North Cork Radio Group will be active the call EI1NC/P on 19 and 20
February from the Blackrock Castle Observatory 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 a cutting edge space observation
post.

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

KA1YMX/8P will be active from Barbados while on holiday between 26
February and 5 March. His operation will be on CW and SSB using an
Elecraft K2. No other details are available. QSL via his home callsign.

G3RWF will be active as 5X1NH from Fort Portal in western Uganda between
20 February and 14 April. He prefers to operate CW but plans to also be
on the digital modes with some SSB on all bands except 160m. QSL via his
home callsign or electronically using Logbook of the World.

Two American operators plan to operate on the amateur bands from Haiti
between 18 February and 5 March. They will be working at a local
Christian Mission and during their spare time will be on the air as
HH4/K4QD and HH4/AF4Z.

J88DR will be active again from 16 February to 14 March. This is the
call used by Dave, G3TBK while on the Caribbean island of St Vincent.
Dave is interested in contesting and will be QRV in the ARRL DX CW
Contest as well as the ARRL DX SSB Contest and the Commonwealth Contest
during that period.

An international team will operate from Cameroon using the call TJ9PF
until 20February. QSL manager is F5OGL and full details of the
DXpedition can be found on www.tj9pf.fr.

Now the contest news

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.

The 80m Club Championships data leg takes place on 16 February from 2000
to 2130UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 15 February from 2000 to
2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

On 22 February the 50MHz UK Activity Contest takes place between 2000
and 2230UTC. Using all modes on the band the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

Also on 22 February, the SHF UK Activity Contest takes place at the same
time, 2000 to 2230UTC. Using bands between 2.3 and 10GHz and all modes,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 31st of January
to the 6th of February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 7th of
February.

Solar activity was at very low levels, only just though, because on the
4th just after midday a B9.5 solar flare occurred just falling short of
the C class, which would have increased activity to low. Solar flux
levels varied little day to day and averaged 80 units. The 90 day solar
flux average on the 6th was 99, that's one unit down on last week. X-ray
flux levels averaged A4.6 units and remained steady all week.
Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels but during the second half
of the 4th levels increased to storm levels. Studying the solar wind
data it would appear that a coronal hole disturbance and a coronal mass
ejection that departed the Sun on the 30th of January arrived here at
Earth at the same time. This resulted in a short but intense storm with
stations in the Midlands capable of auroral contacts on 50 and 144MHz.
Stations north of the border had this privilege for much longer. The Ap
index on the 4th was 21 units. The average was Ap 9 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 300
kilometres per second to 670 early on the 5th. Particle densities
started the period with up to 30 particles per cubic centimetre on the
31st and the 1st but then declined to more normal levels. Bz showed
little variation at first but fluctuated to minus 20 and plus 16
nanoTeslas at the height of the storm during the evening of the 4th.

And now the solar forecast. Old region 1149 that produced eight C class
solar flares on its last rotation should have rotated back into view.
Depending on how active this region is will decide on the level of solar
flare activity for the coming week. Solar activity could increase to low
levels on some days. Solar flux levels should be around the 90 mark for
most of the week. A quiet geomagnetic week is expected with the Ap index
in single figures throughout. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be about 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows should be around 8MHz. Paths this week to India
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate
of about 23MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success
rate will be around 18MHz. The best time to try this path will be
between 10:00 and 13:00 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 email 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 14 February Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
operating on HF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 14 February South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
having a ragchew. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 14 February South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a natter night. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email
to .

On Monday 14 February Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having an informal evening. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488.

On Tuesday 15 February Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a visit by RSGB Region 13 Manager Jim, G0EJQ. Contact Richard Buckby, by
email to .

On Tuesday 15 February Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a review of amateur radio computer programs with Art, G3KWY. More
information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 16 February Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is taking part
in the 80m Club Calls Data contest. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836
731544.

On Wednesday 16 February Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G6COL on the
air, having a natter night and invites members to learn to play poker
with G0PIO. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788356.

On Wednesday 16 February Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding
training classes and having a rally visit planning meeting. Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 16 February Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on astronomy by G0CZD. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.

On Thursday 17 February Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association has a sale
of surplus equipment. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099.

On Thursday 17 February South Birmingham Radio Society is holding
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 18 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society is working on
Project 2011. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 18 February Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is discussing
the Northern Lights. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 18 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 19 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.

On Sunday 20 February Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is taking
part in Thinking Day On The Air as GB0MHG. For more information contact
Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

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.

On Monday 14 February Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on amateur
satellite operating by John, G1YYH. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 14 February Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
electrical safety by David, G6DCT. More information from Peter Day,
G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 14 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
watching a video with Ted, G4WBB. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY, by email
to .

On Tuesday 15 February Chester & District Amateur Radio Society has a
surplus sale at Burley Hall. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 15 February Halifax and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a demonstration of Slow Scan Television by John, M0JPA. Contact Martin,
M0GQB on 01422 341317.

On Tuesday 15 February Otley Amateur Radio Society is having an open
shack night and tech chat. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Tuesday 15 February Stockport Radio Society has an Introduction to
operating the HF digital modes by Evan Duffield, M0TJU. More information
from Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 16 February Denby Dale Radio Club is having a club night.
Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220126.

On Thursday 17 February Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on the myth or reality of QRP DXing. Details from Rob Hall,
M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 17 February South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on an HF upconverter by Bill, G4EDM. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 17 February Wakefield & District Radio Society is on the
air, having a rally debrief and committee meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ,
on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Monday 14 February Glengormley Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
having a 2m operational night. . Details from Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by
email to .

On Monday 14 February Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
having its club VHF activity night as MN0PQR. Details from Mi5JYK, by
email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 15 February Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 16 February West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
having a Solder Group homebrew projects and licence training evening.
More information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 17 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
working on construction. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224
575 663.

On Friday 18 February Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a radio check night with John, MM0JXI. More information from Bob,
GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 18 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

Whitton Amateur Radio Group in West Londonšis planning to start a new
Foundation course. Commencing on Wednesday 2 March at 7.30pm, it will
lead to the exam on 25 April. The course tutor will be Colin, M0DMJ. Any
one wishing to learn more about the course please contact Ian, G0OFN by
email to .šFull details can be found at www.warg.info.

On Monday 14 February Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a
talk on a motorcycle trip to the Himalayas by M0NAT. Details from Steve
Beal, G3WZK, by email to .

On Monday 14 February West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Richard, G8CDD, on keeping the big trucks moving. More information
from Les, G6UBM, by email to .

On Tuesday 15 February Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a club
night and holding a committee meeting. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on
07776 181646.

On Tuesday 15 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 15 February Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning its programme. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Wednesday 16 February Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 16 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction, shack, Bright Sparks evening and taking part in
the RSGB CC Data contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603
898678.

On Wednesday 16 February Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a discussion evening. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 17 February Colchester Radio Amateurs has a show and tell
night. More information from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 17 February Cray Valley Radio Society is having a talk on
RAYNET by Phil, G6AQP. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Thursday 17 February Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social at
The Selsey Arms, Coolham. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 17 February Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 17 February Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society has a
talk on long Yagis by Paul, G1GSN. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234
742 757.

On Thursday 17 February Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
air traffic control by Ross MacDonald from Gatwick Airport NATS
Services. More information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 18 February Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club invites
members to bring and talk about their communication receivers. Details
from Ron Huntsman, on 012233 501712.

On Friday 18 February Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 18 February Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by
Don Field, G3XTT. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 14 February Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk on
computer and music by Peter, G3WKP. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209
844939.

On Monday 14 February Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night. More information from Nick, on 01363 775756.

On Tuesday 15 February West Devon Radio Club is having a QRP evening
with M1AGY. Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752
291588.

On Wednesday 16 February Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
participating in the RSGB CC Contest, data. Contact William, G3WNI, on
01823 666 234 for more information.

On Wednesday 16 February Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club has a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 16 February Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night.. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698,
evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 17 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club watching the
South Atlantic DXpedition video with Adrian, 2E0JUW. Details from Andrew
Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 17 February Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 18 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Tuesday 15 February Marches Amateur Radio Society visiting the BT
Network Centre at Whittington House for a members-only conducted tour of
the facility. For more information contact Dave, MW0AYM, on 01691
777242.

On Tuesday 15 February Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having an HF
operating night. More information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701
927.