GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 26th June 2011

The news headlines:

* Foundation Syllabus changes on 1 July

* AMSAT-UK at the UK Space Conference

* Distance learning advanced exam

The syllabus of the Foundation examination changes on 1 July. A new
question on etiquette and dealing with abuse will be added, making 26
questions in total, with a pass mark of 19. Details were posted last
year on the RCF examinations website, www.commsfoundation.org/rce.

AMSAT-UK will have a presence at the first-ever UK Space Conference
being organised by the UK Space Agency. It takes place at the
University of Warwick on 4 and 5 July. AMSAT-UK has been sponsored to
have a small stand in the exhibition area and will be among some very
illustrious company. The stand will be displaying FUNcube models and
demonstrating the educational outreach possibilities. AMSAT-UK will be
presenting short papers in the educational and CubeSat streams during
the event. Further details of the event are at tinyurl.com/UKSpace2011.

Following the successful conclusion of their distance learning course
with the Advanced exam, the Bath Radio Classes are planning to do it
all over again. There have been a number of enquiries already, so the
next virtual course will start in the week beginning 18 July. The aim
is that students will sit the exam on Monday 5 December, either in Bath
or at their local exam centre. There are no fees for the classes but
students will need a copy of the RSGB Advance! textbook and will, of
course, need to pay the exam fee of £37.50. Each week, students will
receive guided reading instructions and revision questions to test
recollection and/or understanding. Tutors will mark e-mailed answers
and will provide worked answers in return. Tutors will also provide
points of clarification on request. The material is supplemented by
additional exercises and video demonstrations on YouTube. Further
details can be had from Steve Hartley, G0FUW, who is QTHR, listed on
QRZ.com and can be emailed via . Steve would also
like to hear from anyone that would be interested in becoming a remote
tutor as he is trying to build up a network of mentors that can help
share the workload, which is moderate. However, more hands will make
light work and add some resilience into the system.

Edward Rippon, M0EPR is interested in starting up the Nottingham RAYNET
group again. The group will be primarily for emergency communications.
There will be training events taking place around Nottingham, providing
communications for local authorities and for local events, horse
trails, fun runs and the Santa train. The group will also promote
amateur radio within the community. If you are interested, please
contact Edward Rippon on 0797 449 1299 or email .
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, 26 June, the West of England Radio Rally will be held in the
Cheese & Grain, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. There will
trade stands and an RSGB bookstall. Contact Shaun, G8VPG, on 01225 873
098.

The Bangor and District ARS rally is to be held on Saturday 2 July in
Donaghadee Community Centre. Starting at 12 noon, admission is £2 and
there are plenty of attractions including special interest groups,
Bring and Buy and a good selection of radio and computer traders. Ian
White, GM3SEK, of RadCom fame, is giving a presentation on Ferrite
Cores and Baluns. More information, and a map, is available at
www.bdars.com.

The 2nd Stockport Rally will take place on Saturday 2 July at Walthew
House, Shaw Heath, Stockport SK2 6QS. Doors open at 10am, admission
will be £1 and there will be trade stands as well as catering
available. Details from Bernard, G3SHF, on 01625 850088, daytime &
weekends.

The Barford Norfolk Radio Rally will be held on Sunday 3 July at
Barford Village Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich NR9 4AB. It's 9 miles
south west of Norwich, close to the A11 and A47. Doors open at 9am and
admission is £1.50, with children admitted free. There will be trade
stands and a Bring & Buy.

Now for the news of special events

Central Lancs ARC will be activating Hoghton Tower today, 26 June. This
stately home, located in Preston, Lancashire, has been the ancestral
home of the De Hoghton family since William the Conqueror. For more
details go to www.cashota.co.uk.

Eden Valley Radio Society will be operating as GB2SAS from the Solway
Aviation Society museum open day at Carlisle airport on Saturday 2
July. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Solway Aviation
Society and the 50th birthday of the museums' Vulcan bomber.

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

Preston ARS is planning to run an IOTA station from St Kilda island on
28 to 30 June. This all depends on sea conditions as they will be
travelling by their own boats. The callsign they plan to use is GS4SK.
Further information will be available on QRZ.com.

A large team of operators will be active as BY1RX/4 from Furong Island,
which is IOTA reference AS-160, from 2 to 9 July. They will operate CW,
SSB and RTTY from four stations on 160 to 6m. QSL via BA4TB. More
information at www.qrz.cn/as160.

PY2FN will be operational as PY0FO from Fernando de Noronha between 2
and 9 July. Activity will be on 160 to 6m, CW only. Logs will be
uploaded to Logbook of the World. QSL via his home callsign, direct or
via the bureau.

Paul, 2E1EUB will be active as 2M1EUB/P from the Isle of Harris and
Lewis, Western Scotland on the AMSAT Oscar 7 satellite and others that
may be in view from 2 July for 14 days. Check out qrz.com for more
details. Now the contest news

The fourth 70MHz Cumulative contest takes place today, 26 June from
1400 to 1600UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

On 28 June there is the 50MHz UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC,
on all modes. Signal report, serial number and locator form the
exchange.

Also on 28 June is the SHF UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

The real action on VHF begins with VHF NFD on 2nd and 3rd July. Apart
from the various sections for portable stations of differing powers and
complexities, as of 2009 there is also the Sweepers section. This was
introduced to encourage fixed stations to work the portables and
expanded in 2010. As a non- participating fixed station there's no
reason why you shouldn't call CQ while the contest is in progress,
because there will be a whole band of people looking for QSOs,
especially during the quieter hours. The third 2m Backpackers runs for
the last three hours of VHF NFD and continues for an hour after it
ends.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 13th to the 19th
of June, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 20th of June.

First this week in the solar news are the latest smoothed monthly
sunspot numbers, which for September, October and November are 19.6,
23.2 and 26.5 respectively. Recent media reports of studies released in
the United States have suggested that the solar cycle may have gone
into hibernation and that cycle 24, currently under way, may prove to
be the last normal one for some time. These projections should not be
taken as conclusive, but if they prove correct they point to dismal
prospects for HF operators later this decade. Perhaps the best
conclusion for the time being is that we would be wise to make the most
of cycle 24 as it moves towards maximum in a couple of years time.

The solar disc had several sunspot groups visible every day. Solar
activity was very low on the 18th and increased to moderate on the 14th
when a M1 class solar flare took place. On the remaining days activity
was low when C class occurred. Solar flux levels initially increased
from 87 units on the 13th to 104 by the 17th, but as the two largest
sunspot groups decayed flux levels declined back to 99 units by the
19th and the 20th. The average was 99 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 19th was 104, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray
flux levels varied little day to day and averaged B2.5 units.
Geomagnetic activity was mostly quiet but on the 17th increased to
unsettled levels with an Ap index of 11 units. The cause of this was a
glancing blow from a coronal mass ejection from the M1 flare on the
14th. The average was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 580 kilometres per second
on the 14th to 380 by the 19th. Particle densities were low throughout.
Bz varied no more than minus 8 and plus 7 nanoTeslas for the period.
Sporadic-E occurred on most days, notably the 17th when there was a
strong 50MHz opening to the south-east United States and the Caribbean.
There was a smaller opening to the north-east US and Newfoundland on
the 18th. Two metres opened to Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands
on the evening of the 17th.

And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to be rotating out of sight. Solar activity at best
is expected to be at low levels but on some days may decline to very
low levels. Solar flux levels should decline and be around the 90 mark
by next weekend. However as previously stated, it would only take one
large active sunspot group to change all that. Geomagnetic activity
could be slightly unsettled today due to the effects of a coronal hole.
If not, then activity should be quiet every day unless an Earth
directed coronal mass ejection takes place. MUFs during daylight hours
at equal latitudes should be 21MHz for the south and 18MHz for the
north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be around 13MHz. Paths this
week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of around 20MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate should be about 15MHz. The best time to try
this path will be between 0700 and 1000 hours. Also, during the late
evening the long path good be open with slightly higher MUFs.

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 26 June Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur
Radio Club is hosting a classic car show. More information from Dave
Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Monday 27 June Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
holding an informal meeting. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 27 June South Birmingham Radio Society is checking rigs and
aerials for field day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 27 June South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a mobile fox hunt. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by
email to .

On Monday 27 June Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is holding
a 2m fox hunt, starting at the Home Guard Club. Contact G0CHO, on 01608
664488.

On Tuesday 28 June Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 28 June Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club has an
open forum on the use of aerial analysers. More information from Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 28 June Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
picnic from 11am at Bidford-on- Avon. Details from Don, G4CYG, on 019
2642 4465.

On Tuesday 28 June Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is performing
maintenance on the shack antennas. For more information email Rich
Moles, 2E0MOL, via .

On Wednesday 29 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a talk on the
work of the RAIBC. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on
01427 788356.

On Wednesday 29 June Midland Amateur Radio Society is planning for
field day, holding training classes and a debrief of the weekend's 80th
birthday celebrations. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 29 June South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having an
informal evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402550.

On Wednesday 29 June Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a 2m DF and BBQ at the LWVH field. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677. On Thursday 30 June Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a fox
hunt. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 30 June South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 1 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the
Projected Picture Trust. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 1 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club commences its weekend event
for VHF National Field Day. More information from Pam Rose, G4STO, on
01427 788356.

On Friday 1 July South Birmingham Radio Society is loading its trailer
for VHF NFD. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 2 July Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club commences
its weekend VHF NFD operation at Crich in Derbyshire. More information
from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Saturday 2 July South Birmingham Radio Society begins its weekend
event for VHF NFD on site at Waysley Hills. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603.

On Saturday 2 July Telford & District Amateur Radio Society starts its
weekend event for VHF NFD at Long Mynd. All are welcome. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Sunday 3 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is running GB4BLC at
the 30th Signal Regiment open day at Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote,
Warwickshire. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 27 June Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on operating procedure and best
practice by Nancy Bone. All are welcome. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on
0191 477 0036.

On Monday 27 June Bolton Wireless Club is holding a 2m direction
finding field event, starting from the Britannia Hotel. For details,
send an email to .

On Monday 27 June Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is making final
preparations for VHF NFD. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by
email to .

On Monday 27 June South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
technical forum. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Monday 27 June Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
discussing VHF Field Day. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 28 June Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is meeting
at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Mytholmroyd. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 29 June Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding its 3rd fox
hunt. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 30 June Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air and having a club night. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608
5631. On Thursday 30 June South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having talks on the PICaxe PIC & PIC Basic. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on
0161 969 3999.

On Friday 1 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 2 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club commences its weekend
event for the VHF NFD Contest as G2AS/P at Wharncliffe. More
information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Saturday 2 July Bangor & District Amateur
Radio Club is holding a review of its 2010 rally. Contact Mike, GI4XSF,
on 028 4277 2383.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 28 June Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio
Club is having a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 28 June Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society has
Morse code practice. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 29 June Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a presentation
about Bletchley Park, then starts its summer recess. Details from Tom
Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 29 June West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has Solder
Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information from Fred
Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Friday 1 July Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Practical Wireless editor Rob Mannion. There is an admission charge of
£5 which will include refreshments. Talk-in will be provided through
GB3SS. More information from Barry, GM4TOE, by email to
.

On Saturday 2 July Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club commences
its weekend event for VHF Field Day. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ,
on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 26 June Coalhouse
Fort Amateur Radio Society is holding an open day. Contact John Parker,
M1DUC, by email to .

On Sunday 26 June East Kent Radio Society is having a meeting and
picnic at Stelling Minnis. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227
710120.

On Monday 27 June Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its rally. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to
.

On Monday 27 June Radio Society of Harrow is working amateur satellites
at Old Reading. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.
On Tuesday 28 June Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 28 June Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 28 June Dorking & District Radio Society is having a talk on
electrical safety by Robin Page- Jones, G3JWI. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on
01737 359472.

On Tuesday 28 June Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
activity night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Wednesday 29 June Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a pedestrian DF hunt. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442
831 491.

On Wednesday 29 June Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a junk sale. More information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222111.

On Wednesday 29 June Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has an informal,
construction, shack and Bright Sparks evening. Details from Chris
Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 29 June Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is putting
GX3WOR on the air. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 30 June Bittern DX Group is holding its AGM at Pinewood
Park. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 30 June Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for VHF NFD with Andy, G8ATD. Details from David, G8UOD, on
01234 742 757.

On Friday 1 July Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a
construction evening. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 1 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a windmills
evening, the hall is closed. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 1 July Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is holding its summer
barbecue. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 2 July Bittern DX Group commences its weekend event for the
RSGB VHF Field Day Contest.. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692
404154.

On Saturday 2 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Saturday 2 July East Kent Radio Society is having a BBQ at Paul
Nicholson's house. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Saturday 2 July Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2NWA for the Air- Britain Fly-In at North Weald Airfield.
Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Saturday 2 July Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club
commences its weekend event for VHF Field Day as G8PIR/P. Details from
Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502 564242. On Saturday 2 July Shefford & District
Amateur Radio Society starts its weekend event for VHF National Field
Day. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Sunday 3 July Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2FX at Landguard Museum, Felixstowe with Darrell Day. More
information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Sunday 3 July Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
club coach trip to Bath. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Sunday 3 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is at the Barford Rally.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Sunday 3 July Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is holding its
breakfast meeting in Goring. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 27 June Bristol RSGB Group is having
its Christmas social at the new venue, The Compass, Tormarton. Details
from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Monday 27 June Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a club night
at the Moose Centre. More information from Nick, on 01363 775756.

On Tuesday 28 June Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
hilltop radio evening at Win Green Hill. The club house is closed.
Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Thursday 30 June South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a briefing for
VHF National Field Day. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838
695471.

On Thursday 30 June Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night and preparing for the IOTA Contest. Contact Den, M0ACM,
on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 30 June Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee
meeting. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 1 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Saturday 2 July Plymouth Radio Club commences its weekend event for
RSGB VHF National Field Day at Tor Royal Lane Field, Princetown.
Details from Chris, M0ZCP, on 07834 767 161.

On Saturday 2 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its
weekend event for VHF National Field Day. Details from Andrew Jenner,
G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.