GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 20th February 2011

The news headlines:

* Data across the Atlantic on 502kHz

* Voice of Russia moves from 7200 to 7265kHz

* National Science & Engineering Week 2011

At 2134GMT on 13 February, Joe, VO1NA managed a full beacon decode from
Graham, G0NBD on 502kHz using the ROS mode. It is believed this was the
first live data mode decoded over the Atlantic on this band. The signal
to noise ranged from -23 to -27dB, giving a 100% decode of the test
message. The transmission was sent using MF-7 with an estimated ERP of
1 watt from a 35ft top loaded vertical. ROS mode did a good job of
resolving the signals despite deep and rapid QSB over the 3500km path.
At just over a year old the ROS data mode is relatively new and uses an
adaptation of multiple frequency shift keying and forward error
correction to help make successful contacts under very difficult band
conditions. The software for the mode is completely free and more
information can be found via the ROS website,
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com.

Voice of Russia was first heard on 7200kHz on 1 February 2011 and
reported to the IARU Monitoring System by Dick, PA0GRU. Ulrich, DJ9KR
from the IARU Monitoring System in Region 1 reported the station on 2
February to the German Telecoms authorities. Following correspondence
with the Russian General Radiofrequency Centre he was able to
demonstrate the interference. Subsequently, Voice of Russia moved to
7265kHz.

National Science & Engineering Week will take place between 11 and 20
March. As part of this event, Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is providing
hands-on experience of amateur radio at a local school as well as to
the community at large. On Saturday 12 March between 10am and 4pm the
Club will be at Tapton School. They plan to install two temporary radio
stations and aerials and put the school on the air for the day using
the club callsign GX3RCM/P. They will be working alongside the
Sheffield Astronomical Society who have held an annual exhibition and
demonstration at the school for the past few years. The event is open
to all members of the public.

According to the AMSAT News Service, the deployment of the ARISSat-1
satellite from the International Space Station, previously scheduled
for Wednesday 16 February, has been postponed. The delay was necessary
because of changes in the work schedule for the February 16 space walk.
Instead, ARISSat-1 deployment will be added to a space walk scheduled
for July 2011.

The United Kingdom Six Metre Group (UKSMG) has launched an initiative
initially to UK radio clubs and societies, to keep them informed
regarding operating on 50MHz. A bi-monthly newsletter will be e-mailed
to club secretaries who have registered to receive it. The newsletter
will contain a wide variety of information including practical
operating tips. Much will be specifically targeted at the large number
of operators who have not previously experienced the enhanced F2
propagation expected during the sun spot cycle peak in 2012. Any club
secretaries who have not already registered to receive the newsletter
can do so at www.uksmg.org/phplist. The first Douglas Byrne Marconi
Lecture, to be delivered by Professor Peter Scott from the University
of Reading, will be held at the Museum of the History of Science, Broad
Street, Oxford, on Tuesday 1 March at 5.30 to 6.30pm. The subject of
the lecture will be, `The sources of competitive advantage and
innovation in the interwar British radio industry'. Entrance is free to
the lecture and the reception following in the Bodleian Library. For
further information, e-mail . The
Fellowship was established to recognise the contribution made by
Douglas Byrne, G3KPO to radio history as the Founder of the Wireless
Museum on the Isle of Wight.

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

There are no rallies this weekend.

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 am. 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

North Cork Radio Group will be activating the call EI1NC/P on 20
February from the Blackrock Castle Observatory from 1000 to 1700UTC.
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.

Members of the Coventry Amateur Radio Society will be activating the
Birth of Radar Memorial site at Litchborourgh on 26 February. They will
sign GB4WWR, standing for Watson Wilkins Radar. They chose the callsign
because Wilkins and Watson-Watt worked on the project. The station will
be using SSB on the bands 80m through to 20m. Further information can
be obtained from Brian, G8GMU on 07801 862 686 or by e-mail to
.

EG8ISS will be on the air until 11 March from Las Palmas in Gran
Canaria, which is IOTA reference AF-004. Activity is to celebrate the
first ARISS contact with one of the Institute for Technological
Development and Innovation in Communications facilities on campus. The
special event station will be on the HF bands, from 10 to 40m using CW,
SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV. Activities are also planned for VHF and the
satellites AO-27, SO-50, AO-51 and VO-52. There is a special QSL card
for this event that will be automatically mailed to your QRZ.com
address. More info is available on QRZ.com under EG8ISS.

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

Phil, G3SWH and Jim, G3RTE plan to operate from the West Island in the
Cocos Islands group from 22 February to 5 March. They will be active as
VK9C/G6AY on 10 through to 80m using CW only. The Cocos (Keeling)
Islands, IOTA reference OC-003, is ranked number 75 worldwide. You can
QSL VK9C/G6AY via G3SWH either direct with an SAE and adequate return
postage, via Phil's website for a bureau reply or via the bureau. Stan,
VP5/AC8W, Jim, VP5/KB8TXZ and Lee, VP5/N8LJ are working from
Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands until 23
February. QSL via their home callsigns, either via the bureau or
direct.

Ted, FO/K8AQM, will activate Moorea Island, which is IOTA reference
OC-046, until 25 February. He will be operating holiday style with 100
watts on 20 and 30m. QSL via homecall either via the bureau, direct or
using LogBook of the World.

Buenos Aires Province Group LU1EEZ/D and LU7CAW/D will be operating
from Martin Garcia Island, which is IOTA reference SA-055 from 23 to 28
February. QSL LU1EEZ direct, see QRZ.com for details and for LU7CAW you
can QSL via the bureau.

G3TBK will be re-activating J88DR on St Vincent until 14 March.
Operation will be on all HF Bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. Entries are
planned in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest and the ARRL International DX
Contests, both CW and SSB legs. QSLs as usual to G3TBK either direct or
through the RSGB Bureau. Logs will be uploaded daily to Clublog.

Dennis, WA2USA plans to be active as WA2USA/4 from St George Island,
which is IOTA reference NA-085, until 3 March. He will be operating on
10 to 160m using RTTY, CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign either
direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

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.

The 80m Club Championships CW leg takes place on 24 February from 2000
to 2130UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

On 25 to 27 February the CQ WW 160m SSB Contest takes place between
2200 and 2200. The exchange is signal report and CQ Zone.

The SSB leg of the REF Contest is on 26 to 27 February from 0600 to
1800UTC. Work French stations only, send a report and serial number,
and expect to receive a report and a Department code (or prefix from
French overseas territories). There are no separate categories for
different power levels and only a few entry categories. Single-op
stations can enter single- or multi-band, while multi-op stations can
make a single- transmitter all-band entry only.

On 27 February the 70MHz Cumulative Contest takes place from 1000 to
1200UTC. Using all modes the exchange is Signal report, serial number
and locator. And now the solar factual data for the period from the 7th
to the 13th of February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 14th of
February.

On the 25th of October 2006 NASA launched two identical spacecraft to
observe the Sun. This became known as the STEREO mission. Since then
they have travelled to each side of the Sun. On the 6th of February
they were separated by 180 degrees. That allowed us for the very first
time to view the entire Sun. STEREO is a key addition to the fleet of
space weather detection satellites and is a major breakthrough in space
weather forecasting, one that as been used in compiling this report and
will continue to do so.

Solar activity increased twice to moderate levels when a M1 solar flare
occurred on the 9th and a M6 on the 13th. Interestingly, both these M
class flares took place from different sunspot groups. The first, from
region 1153 as it was rotating out of view over the west limb. The
second, from a region that emerged on the solar disc on the 11th and
grew rapidly in size and magnetic complexity and by the 13th had
produced the M6 flare. In total 12 C class solar flares took place.
Only two days saw solar activity at very low levels which were the 8th
and the 11th, the remaining days activity was low. Solar flux levels
increased from 82 units on the 7th to 107 by the 13th. That's the
highest daily figure since the 9th of July 2005. The average was 92
units, the highest weekly average going back to December 2006. The 90
day solar flux average on the 13th was 84. That's one unit up on last
week. X-ray flux levels increased from A5.6 units on the 7th to B4.4 by
the 13th and the average was B1.1 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet
every day. The highest daily Ap index was only 4 units that occurred on
three days. The average was Ap 3 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 550 kilometres per second
on the 7th to 320 by the 13th. Particle densities were low throughout
the period. Bz never varied more than minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas, that
is what we would expect with quiet geomagnetic activity.

And now the solar forecast. Around midweek an active region is expected
to rotate back into view. As this group rotated out of sight around the
10th of February it produced several C class and a M class solar flare.
Therefore, solar activity could increase later in the week. Solar flux
levels could be around the high 80s later in the week. Geomagnetic
activity is expected to be quiet every day. MUFs during daylight hours
at equal latitudes should be around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for
the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week to
South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 28MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate will be about 23MHz. The best time to try the
path will be between a couple of hours either side of midday.

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 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.

On Monday 21 February Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a construction and workshop evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 21 February South Birmingham Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 21 February South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a junk sale. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email
to .

On Monday 21 February Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is
constructing a 70cm HB9CV antenna. For more information contact Peter D
Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

On Tuesday 22 February Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 22 February Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 23 February Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on getting started with satellites by Brian Leathley-Andrew,
G8GMU. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 23 February Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a talk on
RAYNET by Alan Clarke, M0LNR. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 23 February Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air,
running training classes and having a laptop computer evening. Details
from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 23 February Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having an illustrated talk on Pacific Ocean DXpeditions by Derek Cox,
G3KHZ. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 24 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603.

On Friday 25 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a radio
workshop on HF, VHF and UHF. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On
Friday 25 February Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is discussing
the RSGB Project. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 25 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 26 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 21 February Sheffield Amateur
Radio Club is having a quiz night and mini flea market. More
information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 21 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having a Brains Trust evening. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 22 February Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting radio operations at Waverton Institute. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 22 February Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society
continues its Foundation and Intermediate training, starts developing
the new UHF project and will be investigating the viability of using
crystal sets to encourage youngsters to join the hobby. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Tuesday 22 February Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night and taking part in the 50MHz UKAC. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768
996370.

On Tuesday 22 February Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate and Advanced courses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

On Thursday 24 February Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the UKFMGW Repeater Network by Dave and Kath Wilson. Contact
Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 24 February East Yorkshire Repeater Group is holding its
AGM at the Hull & District ARS. Details from Mario Brashill, G2DPA, on
07831 145244.

On Thursday 24 February Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is
looking at junk box amateur radio, sometimes described as an altogether
different kind of skip. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 24 February South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on the Atmospheric Engine by Dave, G4UGM. Details from
Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 24 February Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
talk and demo on the new IRLP and Echolink node MB7IWR by Dave, G4CLI.
Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Saturday 26 February Wakefield & District Radio Society continues
its Intermediate and Advanced courses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 22 February Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society has Morse Code practice. Details from Norman on 07740
946192.

On Wednesday 23 February Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a
presentation on WSPR. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532
088.

On Wednesday 23 February West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
having Solder Group homebrew projects & licence training. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 24 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
video night. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 25 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 Monday 21 February Braintree
& District Amateur Radio Society is having a construction evening. For
more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 21 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on
the BBC by Tony, G0OVA. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 21 February Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a junk sale. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to
.

On Monday 21 February Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk on
Croydon Airport Model Flying Club by Darren Parvin, M0PRV. Contact
John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 22 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 22 February Dorking & District Radio Society is having a
talk on The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network by Alan Stuart, G3ZHB.
Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 22 February Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
activity night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Tuesday 22 February Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance. Contact Stuart, G0FYX,
on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 23 February Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Details from Gordon, on 01424 431 909. On Wednesday 23
February Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
getting to know RadCom by its editor, Elaine Richards, G4LFM. Contact
John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 23 February Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on QRM by Tim, G3PJD. For more information contact Rob,
G3LMW, on 01635 862737.

On Wednesday 23 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
ionosondes by Steve Nichols, G0KYA. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on
01603 898678.

On Wednesday 23 February Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 24 February Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting
to plan the coming year. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 24 February Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a
quiz night with Neil Hilbery, G8LPA. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784
451898.

On Thursday 24 February Edgware & District Radio Society has a round
table discussion on the ideal shack, led by Steve, G0PQB. More
information from Mike, G4RNW, on 0208 950 0658.

On Thursday 24 February Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 24 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in
the RSGB CC CW contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603
898678.

On Thursday 24 February Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on aerial tuning units by Peter Chadwick, G3RZP. Details from
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Friday 25 February Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
looking at how to operate the club rig. Details from Ron Huntsman, on
012233 501712.

On Friday 25 February Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
on the air. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 25 February Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a
radio night and table top sale. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 25 February Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club is running CW
training. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.

On Friday 25 February Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on military radio for the amateur by Denis, MONDJ.
Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 020 8335 3434.

On Sunday 27 February Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a morning
fox hunt. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 21 February Appledore & District
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on modulation by Terry, G4CHD.
Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more information.

On Wednesday 23 February Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 24 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 24 February Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the Mozambique DXpedition by Tony, G4LDL. Contact Den, M0ACM,
on 07810 317750.

On Friday 25 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 21 February Dragon Amateur Radio Club Software Defined Radio
by John MW0XHO. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833
620733.