GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 17th July 2011

The news headlines:

* Results of RSGB Survey released

* Error found in Ofcom licensing system

* Dutch to get 500kHz and 70MHz bands

From October to December last year the RSGB ran a major online survey
of amateur radio enthusiasts. The intention was to capture the current
state of the hobby and how it might develop over the next decade or so.
The analysis of the survey has been completed and has turned up some
interesting results. The detailed findings have now been published and
can be downloaded from the RSGB website at
www.rsgb.org/survey/analysis. A short article will appear in the August
RadCom that puts the results in context.

An error has been discovered in the Ofcom licensing system that
appeared to allow the reissue of callsigns. This is being investigated
by Ofcom and will be corrected as soon as possible. Any incorrect
callsigns issued will be revoked and replaced with a callsign of the
correct series.

A recent change of the National Allocation Table in the Netherlands
shows that Dutch amateurs will get a secondary allocation from
501-505kHz until 1 January 2014 and a secondary allocation from
70.0-70.5MHz. The allocations will not start until an update is made of
certain frequency control legislation.

As preparations for the Olympics gather pace, Airwave has announced
that its specialist TETRA Network, Apollo, is ready to provide voice
communications in the London area. This uses UHF spectrum that is
separate from the amateur 70cm allocation, however the scale of the
games is such that additional spectrum may still be needed from the
70cm band on a temporary basis. Further to previous announcements,
testing will occur in the Weymouth and Portland area between Wednesday
20 July and Saturday 13 August. These are expected to take the form of
spot frequency transmissions in the range 431 to 432MHz and one near
436MHz, plus telemetry channels at 432.65, 432.85, 433.65 and
433.85MHz. All amateurs are requested to respect these tests and not
interfere with them. Further information can be found on the RSGB
website at www.rsgb.org/olympics.

The lecture programme for the RSGB Convention in October is nearly
full. 60 of the 65 lecture slots have been filled and a new provisional
lecture timetable has been uploaded to the Convention website,
www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention.

A new free sample edition of RadCom is now available to read online or
download from the RSGB website. The sample RadCom is available in
digital magazine format for reading online, which requires a Flash
plug- in to your browser. For those who would like to save the magazine
to their computer, or do not have Flash installed, a 24 megabyte PDF
version is available. The sample is the March 2011 edition. Crystal
Palace Radio & Electronics Club is starting a new Foundation course. It
will take place on four Saturday mornings, commencing on 24 September
and ending with the exam on 22 October. Contact Bob on 01737 552170 or
email for more information or to join the course.

Production company The Garden is inviting people to get involved in a
new TV programme for Channel 4. They are looking for people with a wide
variety of skills and voices to form a group to help someone at a
crossroads in their life. They said that a radio amateur might be an
interesting person to add to the mix. To find out more please call Tom
Wilde on 0203 465 9079 or email .
Filming will take place for a week in August.

The French radio club Provin, F6KOP is known for activations like
TJ9PF, J5C, XT2C and many others. Its premises were recently burgled
and all of its equipment was stolen. Unfortunately, the club's
insurance did not cover the theft. A list of stolen equipment,
including serial numbers, is on the club website at www.f6kop.com.
Click on the flashing word HOT! to see the list.

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

The McMichael Rally and Boot Sale takes place today, 17 July, at
Reading Rugby Club, just off the A4 east of Reading. There is free car
parking and admission is £2. Traders and special interest groups will
be in attendance and a car boot sale area is available. The gates open
at 9.30am. Details from Pete, G8FRC on 01189 695697.

Also today is QRP in Country at Upton Bridge Farm, Long Sutton,
Langport TA10 9NJ. The Bath Buildathon team, led by Steve Hartley,
G0FUW, will be supervising construction and George Dobbs, G3RJV will be
attending and commenting on a Show & Tell display, so please bring
along lots of homebrew things for all to see. Rob Mannion, G3XFD,
Editor of PW, the RSGB and other QRP personalities will be there. Entry
is free and details can be found at www.walfordelectronics.co.uk.

Bletchley Park is today celebrating the important contribution made by
three Polish mathematicians for their work on breaking the Enigma
codes. As part of the annual Polish Day celebrations, Bletchley Park
will also be remembering other Polish contributions and involvement in
World War II. The day will include Polish dancing, food and displays,
themed talks and a Spitfire fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight.

Northumbria Amateur Radio Club is holding a Bring and Buy sale on
Saturday 23 July, starting at 10am. Everyone is very welcome to come
along. To sell items, please forward details to the club secretary Roy,
G0AXJ, by email to , or telephone 0741 2659
150, as soon as possible. For full details please visit the NARC
website, www.g4aax.org.uk, where you will find appropriate links
associated with this event.

Now for the news of special events

Today, 17 July, Pontefract & District Amateur Radio Society is on its
second and final day operating GB1AVR for Ackworth Vintage Rally. The
site is at Watertower Field, Ackworth.

GB6MMR will be on the air today from the McMichael Mobile Rally near
Reading. Operation is on 2m and 70cm. From 20 until 24 July GB4WP will
be operating from the War and Peace Show at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood,
Kent. Activity will be from Top Band to 2m.

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

From 24 July to 2 August an international team of operators will be QRV
from Lord Howe Island, IOTA OC- 004, on all bands from 6 to 160m. This
includes the RSGB IOTA contest on 30 and 31 July. The callsign to
listen for is VK9HR. All details can be found at www.vk9hr.com and you
can see equipment preparations in progress by searching for VK9HR on
youtube.com. All team members are linked to the Hellenic Amateur Radio
Association of Australia.

Dave, ZR6DG will be active as C92DG from Tofo in Mozambique until 28
July. His plans are to do two DX sessions a day along with Helge,
ZS6HB. QSL via ZR6DG.

Look for Stefan, DF8HS/P to be active from Fehmarn Island, which is
IOTA reference EU-128, until 29 July. QSL via home call, bureau
preferred.

Eric, SM1TDE will be active holiday style as OH0/SM1TDE from Eckero,
Aland Islands, which is IOTA reference EU-002, from 21 to 24 July. QSL
via the bureau and Logbook of The World.

Now the contest news

Today, Sunday 17 July sees the Low Power Contest taking place from 0900
to 1600UTC. Using the 3.7 and 7MHz bands, CW only, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and power. Also today, from 1000 to
1600UTC is the 70MHz trophy. Using all modes the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

The UHF UK Activity Contest takes place on Tuesday 19 July from 1900 to
2130UTC. Operating on the 23cm band using all modes, signal report,
serial number and locator form the exchange.

On Thursday 21 July from 1900 to 2030UTC it's the RSGB 80m Club
Championships. Using data modes only on the 80m band, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.

Next Sunday, 24 July, is the WAB QRO 2m phone contest, which runs from
1000 until 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and WAB square.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 4th to the 10th
of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 11th of July.

The solar disc had sunspot groups visible every day with up to five
groups on the 8th. Solar activity was very low except for the 7th when
a single C class solar flare took place. Then during a six hour period
on the 8th, as a group emerged, four C class solar flares took place.
Solar flux levels varied little and averaged 86 units, but on the 10th
increased to 91. The 90 day solar flux average on the 10th was 99
units. That's one unit down on last week. X-ray flux levels averaged
B1.2 units and showed little variation day to day. Geomagnetic activity
was just unsettled on most days for one reason or another, first a
glancing blow from a coronal mass ejection on the 4th and the 5th and
then a coronal hole disturbance on the 9th and the 10th. The 7th was
the quietest day with an Ap index of 6 units. The average was Ap 10
units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
vary between 330 and 540 kilometres per second. Particle densities
increased to 22 particles per cubic centimetre on the 8th and the 9th.
The remaining days were low. Bz varied between minus 4 and plus 3
nanoTeslas on the quietest day and between minus 9 and plus 10
nanoTeslas during the disturbances.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
at very low levels but could increase on some days. Solar activity
should be around the 90 mark for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity
should be quiet for at least the next couple of days before a recurring
coronal hole disturbance arrives and when it does it will last till the
weekend. The disturbance should not be too strong; the Ap index should
be in the teens during the second half of the week. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 20MHz for the south
and 17MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be about
13MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 26MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 21MHz.
Paths going directly over the equator will not be effected by the
coronal hole disturbance and the best time to try this path will be
between 1100 and 1600 hours. Sporadic-E is expected to take place most
days on the lower VHF bands but the chance of an opening up to 144MHz
is now becoming less likely as the peak of the season as now passed. A
new solar activity near real time service has been launched on Twitter
by G0CAS. It can be found by searching on Twitter for spots and flares,
that's without the spaces.

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 17 July Hinckley Amateur Radio Society
is taking part in the low power field day. Details from John, M0JAV, on
07836 731544.

On Monday 18 July Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an informal meeting. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 18 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a committee
meeting. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Monday 18 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having an open
meeting with the shack on the air. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 18 July South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is holding a junk sale. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email
to .

On Monday 18 July Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a DF
Hunt and barbecue at Rupert's Viewpoint. For more information contact
Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

On Tuesday 19 July Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk and demo on the High Performance Software Defined Radio by Steve
Haseldine, G8EBM. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 19 July Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a 2m DF hunt. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Wednesday 20 July Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Alvey Street, G4KSY, on 01246 827135.

On Wednesday 20 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a formal
meeting. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 20 July Midland Amateur Radio Society is looking at laptop
computers and holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 20 July Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
learning to build and fly kites at the LWVH field, or will be holding a
quiz if the weather is inclement. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677. On Thursday 21 July Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having
a talk on the PIC-a-STAR project by G3LVP. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS,
on 01242 241099.

On Thursday 21 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 21 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 22 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 22 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 23 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the shack and putting
GB2CWP East Kirkby on the air. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 17 July Hornsea Amateur Radio
Club is participating in the Low Power Contest. Contact Gordon
MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Monday 18 July Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on RAYNET by Geoff Darby. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477
0036.

On Monday 18 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a portable
evening at Whitely Woods and the club fields plus a barbecue at club
HQ. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 18 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding a
barbecue at John, G4FRK's. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 19 July Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a surplus sale. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 19 July Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
operating /P from Lower Wyke starting about 6.45 BST. Participants are
invited to bring their own transmitters and aerials although there will
be some club equipment available. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422
341317.

On Wednesday 20 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is running a fox hunt
with Richard, G4YTV. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 20 July Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation and Advanced licence courses from 13:30. Details from David,
G4CLI, on 07748 221855.

On Thursday 21 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m Data Club Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573. On Thursday 21 July 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 21 July South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on simple electronic test equipment Ged G8RSI. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 21 July Wakefield & District Radio Society having a debrief
on the Holy Island DXpedition. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 22 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
components catalogues evening. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 23 July Denby Dale Radio Club commences its weekend special
event station GB200HNC for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal bicentenary
celebrations at Tunnel End, Marsden. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on
07976 220126.

On Saturday 23 July Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation and Advanced licence courses from 13:30. Details from David,
G4CLI, on 07748 221855.

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 19 July Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740
946192.

On Thursday 21 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is closed. More
information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 17 July Chesham &
District Amateur Radio Society is at the McMichael Car Boot Sale. More
details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Sunday 17 July Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the RSGB Low Power Field Day. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on
01502 564242.

On Sunday 17 July Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is
participating in the Low Power Contest. For more information contact
Rob, G3LMW, on 01635 862737. On Sunday 17 July Norfolk Amateur Radio
Club Radio is by the seaside at West Runton for Low Power Field Day and
an informal family day out in a beautiful part of Norfolk. Details from
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Sunday 17 July Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is running the
McMichael Radio Rally at Reading Rugby Club, Sonning. Details are on
the web at www.radarc.org.

On Sunday 17 July South Essex Amateur Radio Society is operating field
station G4RXE at Canvey Railway and Model Engineering Club. Contact
Norman, M0FZW, on 01268 692776.

On Monday 18 July Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
operating on 6 or 10m. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on
01787 460 947.

On Monday 18 July Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on the
RSGB by Regional Manager Alison, G8ROG. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628
625 720.

On Monday 18 July Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it, advice,
chin wag and move-it-on evening. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 19 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 19 July Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
practical operating evening. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 19 July Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 19 July Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a club night
and looking at data modes, radio to PC connection and CAT with Peter,
G4HSO. Details from Tony, 2EOWAP, on 01727 853087.

On Wednesday 20 July Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a presentation on operating procedures by Jeremy, G3XZG. More details
from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 20 July Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening and Morse Class with Peter, G3JSR. More information
from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222111.

On Wednesday 20 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the
DX Cluster GB7RDX and bulletin board service GB7LDI by Roger Cooke,
G3LDI. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 20 July Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
vintage equipment bring, show and tell evening. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on
01903 816684.

On Thursday 21 July Colchester Radio Amateurs Club is having an
equipment night. More information from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 21 July Cray Valley Radio Society is holding its summer
social from 8pm at The Bull, Shooters Hill. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on
020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 21 July Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on St Helena by Mrs Matthews. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846. On Thursday 21 July Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club
is having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 21 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB Club Data Contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603
898678.

On Friday 22 July Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is watching
"PYE, how we began" and "The wonder Jet". Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223
501712.

On Friday 22 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having the
Chairman's barbecue at G6YPYs QTH. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444
239371.

On Friday 22 July Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk. More
information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

On Saturday 23 July Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is at the
Pevensey boot sale with SARS. Details from Gordon, on 01424 431 909.

On Saturday 23 July Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a club barbecue. For more information contact Rob, G3LMW, on 01635
862737.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Sunday 17 July Bristol RSGB Group is
attending QRP in the Country at G3PCJ's, Long Sutton, Langport. Details
from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Sunday 17 July Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is attending
QRP in the Country. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Monday 18 July Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Beryl, G1SVP on her trip to Patagonia and Easter Island.
Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more information.

On Tuesday 19 July West Devon Radio Club is having a digital modes
night with practical demos. Further information from Jules Cuddy,
M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 20 July Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a 144MHz DF, meeting at the club at 7.15. Details from Ian,
G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 21 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its
second planning session for ROTA. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on
07838 695471.

On Thursday 21 July Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the building of aerial tuning units by Peter, G3RZP. Contact
Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 21 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is looking at VHF and UHF
portable solutions. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 22 July North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an outdoor
meeting. More information from Dick on 01454 218362. On Friday 22 July
Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. For more
information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

On Sunday 24 July Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
aerial & kite day at Keevil, near Trowbridge. Details from Ian, G0GRI,
on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 18 July Dragon Amateur Radio Club is planning
for the IOTA contest. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on
07833 620733.

On Tuesday 19 July Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is holding a quiz.
More information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.