GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 29th July 2012

The news headlines:

Special Olympic Prefix update

Olympic Flagship 2 Oscar stations on the air

Voting taking place for new IARU members

A number of UK amateurs have asked for clarification on the
applicability of the special letter O prefix. Despite being very busy
with the Olympics, Ofcom has responded to the Society's request on this
matter. It has been explained that the special prefix is a temporary
one that is only available to individuals and clubs where the
licensee's callsign has not been changed by a Notice of Variation, NoV.
Thus, it is not applicable to Short Contest Calls or Special Event
Station callsigns, as these require the use of a callsign different
from that of the NoV holder. For licence variations such as the 5MHz
and 500kHz NoVs it would be allowable to use the special O prefix, as
the licensee's callsign has not been varied by the NoV. Amateurs should
be aware that this clarification does not affect the other terms and
conditions within the licence, or a related NoV. Note too that the use
of the special prefix started at 00.00BST on 21 July and finishes at
23.59BST on 9 September. Radio amateurs in the UK may still apply for
an NoV to use the letter O in place of their regional identifier.
Details are on the RSGB website, www.RSGB.org. Anyone logging stations
using this special prefix can apply for the Olympic QSO Party Award.
Again, full details are on the RSGB website.

Both of the Two Oscar Olympic Flagship Special Event Stations are now
up and running. You can follow the progress of Two Oscar Twelve L in
London on Twitter, with tweets showing new countries worked and the
number of stations in the log. Two Oscar Twelve W in Wales also has a
Twitter feed. Details can be found on their websites, just search for
the callsigns 2 Oscar 12L and 2 Oscar 12W. A number of other special
event stations are celebrating the Olympics, some of which are
described later in this news report.

The Federation of Radio Sport of Azerbaijan and the St Vincent &
Grenadine Amateur Radio Club are being proposed for membership in the
International Amateur Radio Union. The International Amateur Radio
Union Calendar notes that the groups have declared that they can
satisfy the requirements of the IARU Constitution and Bylaws. As such,
their proposed membership has been put up to the vote by all
International Amateur Radio Union member societies, who have until 1
November to cast a ballot.

The 15th international EME conference is being held at Churchill
College Cambridge between the 15th and 19th August. It is hosted by the
UK Microwave Group. This is the first time that this conference has
been held in the UK, and it provides an opportunity to learn about this
most technically challenging aspect of our great science based hobby.
Earth Moon Earth communications has much in common with radio astronomy
and deep space communications and, in addition to EME specific
lectures, there will be presentations on both these subjects. Two Nobel
Physics Laureates from the world of Radio Astronomy will be present at
the conference. Joe Taylor, K1JT is a keen EME enthusiast and will be
presenting a paper on MAP65, while Professor Antony Hewish, FRS, is the
speaker at the conference gala dinner on Saturday 18th. Day passes and
a range of accommodation packages from one to four nights are
available. With over 150 delegates and 60 partners from 5 continents
already registered, this promises to be a great event. All those
wishing to attend must pre register for this conference before 1st
August. See www.eme2012.com for full details.

Michael, M1CCF had his Kenwood TS-50S and AT-50 tuner stolen last
weekend at the W&P Show, at Beltring, in Kent, while operating the
special event station GB4WP. The mounting bracket, power and connecting
leads were not with the set when stolen. If you get an inquiry for
these items, please contact Michael via .

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. And now for the details of rallies
and events for the coming week

Today, 29 July, the Horncastle Summer Rally takes place at the
Horncastle Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ.
Doors open at 10.30am and admission is £1.50. Tables are £5 and anyone
interested should contact Tony, G3ZPU on 01507 527 835.

Also today, 29 July, the Blind Veterans UK Radio & Computer Rally will
take place at St Dunstan's, Ovingdean, Brighton, East Sussex BN27BS.
Doors open at 10.30am and admission is £2. Tables are £10 and anyone
interested should contact Eddie on 01273 300 772.

On 5 August the Chippenham & DARC Radio Boot Sale takes place at the
Chippenham Sea Cadet HQ, off Long Close, Chippenham, approximate post
code SN15 3JZ. Doors open at 9am for booters, £5 per boot, foot entry
on gate is £1, with under 16s free. There is an on site car park and
visitors are asked not to park in Long Close.

King's Lynn ARC Rally & Car Boot will be held on 5 August at Gaywood
Community Centre, PE30 4DZ. Doors open at 10am and admission is 2.
There will be trade stands and a car boot area. More details from Ray,
G3RSV on 01553 849 700.

On 5 August the Lorn Radio Amateur Rally will be held in Crianlarich
Village Hall, Crianlarich, near Oban FK20 8QN. Admission is £1 and
there will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and a car boot area.

Now for the news of special events

Today, South Tyneside Amateur radio club is operating from 11am to 4pm
at Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland for RNLI Harbour Day. Using GB1SLB,
operation will be on 10 to 40 metres. Details from Gerard, M3XYP, whose
details are on QRZ.COM.

Pontefract and District Amateur Radio Society will put GB0YD on the air
for the eighth year running to celebrate Yorkshire Day on 1 August.
They will be operating from Blakey Ridge, near the North Yorkshire town
of Kirbymoorside. This is WAB Square SE69 and Locator IO94MJ. The
all-weather station will be ready to greet walkers and other visitors,
including patrons of the nearby Lion Inn public house. They will be on
the air from dawn till dusk, operating on 80 to 10m plus 4m and 2m. All
contacts will be confirmed by QSL via the bureau.

GB2VET will be on the air today for Veteran's Weekend, held at the East
Park, Holderness Road, Hull. The event is run by the East Yorkshire
branch of the Royal Air Force ARS. The station will be mainly active on
20, 40 and 80 meters as well as VHF, UHF and D-Star. At 3pm today,
weather permitting, there will Parachute Regiment Freefall Team
display. Other attractions include WW2 battle re-enactments and a 1940s
show band.

In addition to the Flagship stations mentioned earlier, several other
Olympic special event stations are one the air as a celebration of the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In Manchester and Warrington
there are three. GB2012MS is at the Metro-Vicks Rugby & Cricket Club
house, off Glebelands Road, Manchester M33 6LR. GB2012MW is at West
Manchester Radio Club, Meanley Road, Astley, M29 7DW. GB2012MV, based
at Grappenhall Community Centre, Warrington WA4 2SG has a Twitter feed
with details of the stations worked and their visitors, such as the
RSGB President. GB2012OSP is on the air from Fancys Family Farm,
Portland, DT5 1FR, and South Essex Amateur Radio Society is operating
GB1HF close to the 5km Olympic mountain biking course at Hadleigh Farm
in South Essex.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. And now the DX news compiled from 425
DX News and other sources

This weekend, TC0KLH will be active from Kefken Island lighthouse
during the IOTA contest.

HB9EOU and HB9CVC will be on the island of St Barthelemy until 4
August. They will use the callsign TO2D. The IOTA reference is NA-146.

A multi-national team will be on the air from St Paul Island off the
coast of Canada until 1 August. St Paul Island is a separate entity for
the DXCC Award and the callsign to be used is CY9M. They will be active
on all bands from 6m to 160m and the QSL Manager is M0URX.

Two Croatian amateurs are with the NATO-led troops in Afghanistan. They
are Maj, 9A7TJ and Vlado, 9A3QM and they can be heard as T6TJ and T6VT
respectively until the end of September. QSLs for both operators go via
9A6AA.

Zik, DK8ZZ will be active again as 9A/VE3ZIK from Croatia until 18
August. QSL via DK8ZZ, bureau and Logbook of The World.

John, 9M6XRO and Steve, 9M6DXX will be operating as 9M4SLL from Pulau
Layang Layang, Spratly Islands, which is IOTA reference AS-051, from 7
to 13 August. Activity will be on 10 to 80m using CW, SSB and RTTY.
There will be two stations with linear amplifiers to vertical antennas
on the edge of the ocean. QSL via M0URX, please use his online QSL
request service for both direct and bureau cards, located at
http://m0urx.com/oqrs.

The final list of operators for the 8-20 August D64K expedition to the
Comoro Islands, AF-007, has been announced. Operator details, QSLing
policy and other information can be found at www.d64k.net.

Steven, DO6UL will be active as DO6UL/P from Usedom Island, EU-129
until 10 August. QSL via his home callsign, direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The 24 hour IOTA Contest finishes as 1200UTC today, 29 July. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and IOTA reference, which is
EU-005 for mainland Great Britain and EU-115 for mainland Northern
Ireland.

The times given for the 80m Sprint contests in the August RadCom were
incorrect. They have all been shortened to 1900-2000UTC. The 2m
Backpackers on 4 August should have read 1300-1700UTC. The exchange for
this 4th contest in the series is signal report, serial number, locator
and postcode.

Also on the 4th, the 144MHz low power contest takes place from 1400 to
2000UTC. Using all modes the exchange is also signal report, serial
number, locator and postcode.

The following day, on the 5th, the 432MHz low power contest takes place
from 0800 to 1200UTC, Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number, locator and postcode.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. RoPoCo 2 is the first of this month's
HF contests. It takes place for 90 minutes, 0700 to 0830UTC on Sunday
5th, using CW only on the 80m band. In your first QSO you send a signal
report and your own full postcode. For subsequent QSOs you send the
postcode of the station you worked in your previous QSO. This contest
relies on accuracy of the exchange, so if you receive a postcode that
you know is wrong, eg impossible, or a corrupted version of your own,
you should pass it on as you receive it, not corrected or amended.

The UK Microwave Group's Microwave Field Day also takes place on 5
August from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using the 1.3 and 10GHz bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 20th to
Thursday the 26th of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the
27th of July.

With no large complex sunspot regions visible, solar activity was very
low to low. Several small groups produced the occasional C class solar
flares which took place on the 21st, 23rd, 24th and 26th. The largest
solar flare was a C4, which took place on the 24th. Solar flux levels
increased from 90 units on the 21st to 115 by the 26th. The average was
99 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 26th was 125 units,
that's two units down on last week. X-ray flux levels increased from
B1.7 units on the 21st to B3.5 units by the 26th. The average was B2.8
units. Geomagnetic activity was at quiet to unsettled levels throughout
the period. A weak coronal hole disturbance and maybe a slight glancing
blow from a coronal mass ejection contributed towards the sight
increase in activity. The only quiet day was the 26th, with an Ap index
of 3 units. The average was Ap 9 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between 330 and 600 kilometres
per second during the period. Particle densities increased briefly to
14 particles per cubic centimetre during the 14th, otherwise, densities
were low. Bz varied between minus 7 and plus 8 nanoTeslas every day,
except for the quietest day, the 26th, which varied between minus 3 and
plus 4 nanoTeslas.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the slightly more activity
side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity and
solar flux levels will not reach as high as they did on the last
rotation. Solar activity is expected to be low, with only a small
chance of increasing to moderate levels. Solar flux levels should be in
the 130's for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
at `active' levels for the next few days due to a recurring coronal
hole. However, the coronal hole on this rotation is smaller than on the
last rotation. Quiet conditions should return by midweek but although
an Earth directed coronal mass ejection is unlikely, it cannot be
totally ruled out. Paths this week to South Africa should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around
30MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be about 24MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1200 and 1600 hours. Sporadic-E is expected to take place most days
between 28 and 70MHz. Occasional openings on 144MHz are still possible
but, in general, will be less intense and not as widespread as at the
peak of the season.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

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 We start with clubs that have several events this
week. Wythall Radio Club is holding club net on 145.225MHz today and
next Sunday. On Tuesday there's a free 'n' easy evening at the club.
Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications is holding a club net on
Monday from 7pm, on 144.165 USB, vertical polarisation. On Wednesday
there is a M3+M6 club net on GB3FR from 7.30pm. Friday sees the regular
club net on GB3FR from 8pm, plus the fourth leg of the 2E0ITV
Commemorative Multi-Mode Competition, running between 1900 and 2230.
For more information contact the FELCC Information Line on 07554 362
020.

South Birmingham Radio Society has an outdoor social event and possible
barbecue on Monday. On Wednesday there's a talk in the main hall, plus
a Morse class. Friday sees shack and aerial work. Contact Don, on 01214
581 603.

Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by M0URX on Friday on
the Timor-Leste DXpedition. On Saturday they are operating GB4BLC at
Weston Lawns, Bedworth Road, Bulkington. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958
777 363.

On Friday 3 August Wythall Radio Club is having a social evening in the
shack on Friday. On Saturday they start their weekend Foundation course
& exam. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Sunday 29
July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in the IOTA contest from
the shack. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788
356.

On Monday 30 July Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
closed. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Tuesday 31 July Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 31 July Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Wednesday 1 August Kidderminster & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding an open evening and recruitment drive. All local radio
enthusiasts are invited to attend. Meetings are held at the Gilt Edge
Club, Zortech Avenue, on the 1st Wednesday of every month. Contact
G4CTU, on 01562 823 966.

On Wednesday 1 August Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding a
general meeting and putting the shack on the air. Details from Norman,
G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

On Wednesday 1 August Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
putting GX3ZME on the air and holding a committee meeting. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 2 August Central Radio Amateur Circle is having a night on
the air on 145.300MHz from 20:00. Details from Martin Hallard, G1TYV,
by email to .

On Thursday 2 August Salop Amateur Radio Society is holding a table top
sale. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND We start with clubs that have several
events this week. South Manchester Radio and Computer Club holds its
monthly technical forum on Monday. Thursday sees a night on the air.
Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Wednesday Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on EZNEC
antenna modelling software by G3RMX. On Sunday 5 August they are taking
part in the RoPoCo CW contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240 573.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 30
July Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on a
homebrew automatic ATU by Zoltan Derzsi. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on
01914 770 036.

On Tuesday 31 July Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is holding a
barbecue and fun night. Contact Sheila, on 07867 516 836.

On Tuesday 31 July Otley Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding a Morse class. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996 370.

On Wednesday 1 August Denby Dale Radio Club is running special event
station GB6YD for Yorkshire Day from Cartworth Moor, plus a club night.
Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Wednesday 1 August Goole Radio and Electronics Society is on the air
on QRP. Contact Ken, G6YYN, on 01757 638 539.

On Saturday 4 August Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club commences its Olympic
Field Day weekend event using its Olympic special callsign. Contact
Bob, M6KLO, by email to .

On Friday 3 August South Lancashire Amateur Radio Club commences its
3-day on the air event at the club field. For more information contact
Allan, 2E0RAG, on 07533 970 841.

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 31 July Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, GM1CNH, on
07740 946 192.

On Thursday 2 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. Contact Fred Gordon, MM0ODL, on 01975 651 365.

On Friday 3 August Ayr Amateur Radio Group commences its weekend event,
transmitting at Ayr Flower Show. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on
01292 532 088.

On Friday 3 August Borders Amateur Radio Society Club is meeting in a
change from its normal date. Details from Ian, GM8IIO, on 07510 242
615.

On Friday 3 August Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811
723.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA We start with clubs that have
several events this week. Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a general meeting on Wednesday, then on Saturday they commence
their weekend of activity for the RSGB VHF/UHF Low Power Contest. More
details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is at the Blind Veterans UK
Radio Rally at St Dunstans today. On Wednesday there's a talk by John,
G3WZT, on vector network analysers and their uses. Sunday 5 August sees
the monthly breakfast meeting at The Goring Café from 9am, followed by
special event station GB4SLB at Selsey Lifeboat Station. Contact John,
G8FMJ, on 01273 593 232.

Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack on Tuesday and next
Saturday. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is holding its summer social
on Friday. The Foundation course continues on Saturday. Contact Bob,
G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

Farnborough & District Radio Society is running an 80 metre CW net on
3.570MHz from 1 to 2pm on Friday, followed by a Top Band net on
1.995MHz from 8 to 9pm. Next Sunday sees a slow CW net on 3.570MHz from
1 to 2pm. Contact Neville, G3SPD, on 01252 404 816.

Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a barbecue at the
Annual Camp on Friday, which is being dismantled on Sunday 5 August.
Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 02083 353 434.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Sunday 29
July Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on World War 2
radar systems. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 0772 225 002.

On Tuesday 31 July Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is running a club
net from 8.30pm. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 31 July Stevenage & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk by G4BYE. Details from Martin Juhe, M0XJP, on 07973 793 770.

On Wednesday 1 August Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Rev George Dobbs, G3RJV, on the why and how of QRP. Details from Chris
Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday 1 August Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Thursday 2 August Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society is
holding a club night, with CW practice from 8.30 to 9pm. Contact
Charles, G4VSZ, on 0798 224 4788.

On Thursday 2 August Burnham Beeches Radio Club is holding its 75th
Anniversary barbecue. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Thursday 2 August Cray Valley Radio Society is visiting 2012L, the
station and exhibition of amateur radio to mark the London Olympics.
Details from Malcolm Bryan, G8MCA, on 07906 433 965.

On Thursday 2 August Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472
846.

On Thursday 2 August Vange Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. Contact Steve, G0KVZ, on 01268 552 606.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Friday 3 August Mid-Sussex Amateur
Radio Society is having a radio night and table top sale. Details from
Rob, 2E0RJA, on 01444 232 129.

On Friday 3 August Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having an
introduction to data modes by Andrew Vine, M0GJH. Details are on the
web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 4 August Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
commences its second field weekend of 2012 at the Rainbow & Dove, where
it is holding its 50th Anniversary barbecue. Contact Marc Litchman,
G0TOC, on 02085 021 645.

On Saturday 4 August Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is running
an all day WOK event at Westgate Community Hall. Contact Chrissie
Turner, by email to .

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 30 July Bristol RSGB Group is having
a Bring and Buy and natter night. Details from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225
420 442.

On Monday 30 July Riviera Amateur Radio Club is holding a portable RV
with MX0RIV on the air. Contact Alan Wyatt, G2DXU, by email to
.

On Wednesday 1 August Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a social evening. More information, including venue details, from Peter
Robinson, G0EYR, on 07811 635 819.

On Wednesday 1 August Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is holding a fox hunt with Colin, G7GVP. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on
01454 417 048.

On Wednesday 1 August Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is permanently changing
its venue. Future meetings will take place at Abbey Community Centre,
The Forum, Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil BA21 3TL. For more information
contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Thursday 2 August Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a main club
evening. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844 939.

On Thursday 2 August Exeter Amateur Radio Society is holding its 4m net
on 70.425MHz at 19:00. Contact Nick, 2E0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

On Thursday 2 August Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is closed.
Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

On Friday 3 August Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night with the TARS 80m Net. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP,
by email to .

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

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 30 July
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.