1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 8 July

The news headlines

* New Islands on the Air website

* Dick Biddulph, M0CGN / G8DPS becomes Silent Key

* Sheffield and Rotherham RAYNET Group to the rescue

* Hungarian amateurs get experimental licence for 70 MHz

The RSGB Islands on the Air scheme, sponsored by ICOM, launched its new
website on 21 June. The new site includes many innovative improvements,
and contains also many new features including the ability to view one's
own record of confirmed island groups. Soon it will be possible for
participants to claim additional credits on line and even to claim
credit for IOTA Contest QSOs without the need for QSL card
verification.

The site at www.rsgbiota.org has already proved to be a great success.
Within the first week, 34,308 pages had been viewed an average of about
4,900 per day by users in 64 different countries. The homepage, search
page and island group information pages being the most popular. About
383 users have registered to use the QSO credits part of the site, of
which 163 are new to the IOTA programme, proving the value of moving to
an on line management system.

The site was developed primarily by Dominic Smith, M0BLF, with Martin
Atherton, G3ZAY, acting as the liaison between the project team and the
IOTA Committee. Enquires about the website can be emailed to
.

The RSGB is saddened to announce the death of Dick Biddulp,
M0CGN/G8DPS. Dick served two terms on the RSGB Council in the mid
1990's, was the long standing chairman of the former RSGB Publications
committee and editor of the RSGB Handbook. Dick passed away on Monday
25 June and his funeral took place on Friday 6 July.

Sheffield and Rotherham RAYNET Group were activated during the week in
response to the flooding in South Yorkshire. The main concern was the
Ulley dam, amid fears it could collapse and swamp nearby villages. The
group were stood down at 9pm on Tuesday evening, but contingency plans
were put in place to reactivate the group should the need arise.

An experimental radio licence has been issued to Haros Radioklub in
Hungary that permits its 30 members to use the 70MHz band. This is the
first time that the band has been made available to amateurs in that
country.

The licence started on 1 July and is valid for 30 days. The aim of the
experiment is to study propagation of radio waves in the 70 MHz band.
Until February this year the band was used for FM broadcasting. The
frequency range permitted for the experiment is 70.000 - 70.500 MHz and
the licence is valid for all operating modes including CW, SSB, narrow
band FM and digital modes like JT6M. Maximum effective radiated power
(ERP) is limited to 1kW.

The original request was submitted in April and the National
Communications Authority responded quickly and cooperatively. In the
experiment the amateurs have to identify themselves by a "call name" as


2 well as their normal callsign. The call name is composed by a prefix
"70m" and a suffix of the amateur radio callsign, for example 70M1BVC
HG1BVC 70012.5kHz JN87FI beacon.

The long term goal for the club is to contribute towards the joint
efforts of gaining a 70MHz allocation for amateur radio service in
Hungary and worldwide.

AMSAT-UK will be holding their 22nd International Space Colloquium at
the University of Surrey, Guildford, from 20 to 22 July.

The Colloquium keynote lecture will be given by Pat Norris, Chairman of
the Royal Aeronautical Society Space Group, entitled "Spies in the Sky:
Surveillance Satellites in War and Peace". Starting with Sputnik 1 and
the impact of its launch 50 years ago both on the Soviets and on the
West, Pat will also discuss the social, economic and scientific
benefits of satellites today in our daily lives. His presentation will
take place on 20 July and will be followed by the SSC Research Poster
Exhibition and tours of the satellite ground station.

The event is open to all. The RSGB GB4FUN van will be present
throughout the event to allow visitors to work the satellites. A
Beginners Workshop will be held on 20 July and an RSGB bookstall will
be available on 21 July. For further details see
www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/.

Participation in the IARU HF World Championship due to take place on 14
to 15 July has grown steadily for the past four years, despite solar
activity trending in the wrong direction. The creation of Low Power and
QRP categories has contributed to increasing both the popularity and
the competitiveness of the event.

The ARRL administers the HF World Championship on behalf of the IARU.
At its May meeting this year the IARU Administrative Council discussed
various issues related to the event and asked that the ARRL devote the
resources necessary to maintain a high standard of adjudication.

A condition of entry in the IARU HF World Championship is that each
entrant agrees to be bound by the provisions of the announced rules, by
the regulations of his or her licensing authority. Also by the
decisions of the ARRL Awards Committee acting for the IARU
International Secretariat. Leading competitors should expect their
entries to be carefully scrutinised. If exceptional results are
claimed, entrants must be prepared to explain how they were achieved.

The RSGB will be fielding a new call sign this year for the IARU HF
Championship: GB7HQ. The contest takes place from 1200Z on 14 July to
1200Z on 15 July, GB7HQ intends to be active on all the HF contest
bands on both CW and SSB. A list of the operators and host stations can
be found at the station website, www.gb7hq.com.

The team are particularly keen to contact as many RSGB members on as
many bands as possible and on both CW and SSB. They are also aiming to
recognise contacts with GB7HQ. G3LZQ has agreed again to manage an
awards program, with a series of attractive certificates on offer.
These are

* Bronze award - for contacting GB7HQ on three band or modes

* Silver award - for contacting GB7HQ on six band or modes

* Gold award - for contacting GB7HQ on nine band or modes

* Platinum award - for contacting GB7HQ on twelve band or modes

Any operator on any station will be able to tell you the run frequency
of all the other stations, irrespective of band or mode. The QSL
manager for GB7HQ will be Nigel, G3TXF, either direct, via the bureau
or Log of the World.

The EU Commission has adopted a Communication establishing the EU's
positions on what needs to be achieved at this year's International
Telecommunication Union, World Radiocommunication Conference, WRC-07.

3 At the conference, 191 countries will decide how they will share the
radio spectrum, particularly for important application sectors
including mobile communications, broadcasting and air transport.

The Commission highlighted a number of EU objectives that Member States
negotiating at WRC-07 should achieve, including:

* Accommodating the spectrum demands of future terrestrial mobile
systems

* Ensuring the effective protection of Earth Exploration and other
scientific services from harmful

interference

* Satisfying the necessary spectrum requirements for digital radio
broadcasting and for maritime

services in the 4 to 10 MHz bands

* Providing enough spectrum for aviation applications

* Preparing actions to support Community policies for the next WRC
Conference due in 2011,

concerning spectrum flexibility, climate change and the Single European
Sky.

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

[Note to newsreaders: please exercise your judgement on whether to read
the 8 July event, based on your service area and time of transmission].
On Sunday 8 July the York Radio Rally takes place from 10.30 at York
racecourse. Details from Arthur, G8IMZ, on 07841 120 738. On Sunday 15
July the McMichael Rally and Boot Sale takes place from 9.30 at Reading
Rugby club, just off the A4, east of Reading. Details from G0JMS, on
01189 723504 or on the web at www.McMichaelRally.org.uk. More details
of these and future events can be found on pages 88 and 89 of the July
edition of RadCom. Now for the news of special events

On 8 July, the Sudbury and District Radio Amateurs will be putting on
special event station GB4LMR. It will take place at the Long Melford
Rally, at the Farm Machinery Preservation Society's steam rally at
Melford Hall, Long Melford in Suffolk. Operation will be from 80m to
10m and possibly 160m on SSB and digimodes. QSL via M0MJH direct or via
the bureau. The Yeovil Amateur Radio Club will be operating GB2MBS
Marconi Beam Station on HF throughout the day at New Barn Centre,
Bradford Peverell, near Dorchester, on 15 July. It will be commencing
at 1000 BST to mark the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the passing
away of Guglielmo Marconi. On the day contact Derek, M0WOB, on
07974759669. Finchampstead Scout Group will be putting on a special
event station GB1FSG on 22 to 30 July on SSB on the scouting HF bands
on either 3.690, 3.940, 7.090, 7.190 or 14.290MHz + or - QRN. The
station will be operated from the Lake District. Special event station
9A07P will be active on all bands and modes until 31 December to
celebrate the city of Djurdjevac. All QSOs will be confirmed
automatically via the bureau. And now the HF DX news compiled from 425
DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin and other sources.

David, OK1FJD, will operate on the HF bands and 6 metres as 4O6DJ from
Montenegro until 14 July. QSL via OK6DJ.

4 UA9, Asiatic Russia, DL6XK, Gerhard, will operate the special station
UE9CXK from Sverdlovsk, until 15 July. QSL via DL6XK via bureau. A
Swedish expedition to Market Reef, is taking place until 9 July. Three
or four operators will be active as OJ0/homecall on 160 to 2 metres CW,
SSB and digital modes. More information will follow. Claude, F5OGE,
will be active as CN2GE and CN2GE/m from Morocco between 13 and 29
July. He will be travelling from Tangiers to Rabat, Marrakech, Benni
Mellal, Fes, and Tetouane and again Tangiers. Claude will operate CW
and SSB, mainly on 40 and 20 metres, early in the morning and late in
the evening (local time). QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Art,
KG6ZWD, will be active as SV1/KG6ZWD/p from mainland Greece on 11 to 15
and 24 to 25 July. He will also operate as SV8/KG6ZWD/p from Andros
Island, EU-067, on 17 to 23 July. Expect holiday style activity on 10
to 40 meters SSB and PSK31. QSL via home call, director bureau.
Announced SSB frequencies where the 5 to 20 July operation from
Botswana might be on a 1840, 3790, 7075, 14220, 14265, 18145, 21270,
24935, 28450 and 50110. The team will be signing A25HQ during the IARU
HF World Championship. Hank, W0CZE, will be active as YJ0CZE from
Vanuatu on 14 to 21 July. He will operate on 10 to 80 meters SSB,
28495, 24950, 21295, 18150, 14190 & 14250, 7082 and 3795 kHz and CW
28020, 24895, 21025, 18075, 14020, 10105, 7010 and 3505 kHz. Rod,
YJ8RN, of the Vanuatu Amateur Radio Society, is helping with
preparations on site. QSL via W0FF. Marq, CT1BWW, Juan Carlos, EA3GHZ
and Tomas, EA5YH, will operate as FS/home call and PJ7/home call from
Saint Martin and Sint Maarten on 15 to 25 July. They plan to be active
on 80 to 6 meters CW, SSB and digital modes with two stations. Further
information can be found on their web site www.dxciting.com. Jose,
CT1EHX, Toze, CT1GFK, Goncalo, CT1GPQ, Miguel, CT1IUA, Rui, CT2IHP,
Jose, CT1DVG, Jose, CT1EPS, Arnaldo, CT2IOV and Antonio, CT2IOU, will
operate SSB, CW and RTTY on 160 to 6 meters as CS26X until 22 July for
the 26th International Motorcycle Rally in Faro. QSL via CT1EHX, direct
or bureau. Look for RV3ATS, RV3ATT and RU3AVF to operate on 10, 15, 20,
40, 80 and 2 metres as RV3ATS/p from 16 mountains located in various
different Russian Districts until 21 July. They also plan to
participate in a number of contests on the VHF and HF bands. QSL via
RV3ATS, direct or bureau. Pete, W2GJ, C6APR, Ed, K3IXD, C6AXD and
Randy, K4QO, C6AQO, will be active from Crooked Island, NA-113, ARLHS
BAH-005 on 26 to 30 July. They will operate CW, SSB, and RTTY on 80 to
6 meters and will participate in the IOTA Contest as C6APR. All QSLs
via K3IXD. Now the contest news

The RSGB 80m Club Championship takes place between 1900 and 2030 on 11
July on the 3.5 MHz band, SSB mode. The exchange takes the form of RST
and serial number. The IARU HF Championship takes place between 1200 on
14 to 1200 on 15 July on 1.8MHz to 28MHz bands, CW and SSB modes. The
exchange takes the form of RST, ITU Zone.

5 The RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest takes place between 1100 to 1500
on 8 July on the 144MHz band, all modes. The exchange takes the form of
RST, serial number and locator. The RSGB 432MHz activity Contest takes
place between 2000 to 2230 local on 432MHz band on all modes. The
exchange takes the form of RST, serial number and locator. The RSGB
50MHz Backpackers takes place between 1100 to 1500 on the 50MHz band,
all modes. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial number, locator
and postcode. Now the solar factual data for the period from 25 June to
1 July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

During the second half of the period the solar disc had two sunspot
groups visible. However, solar activity was very low except for the
29th when a single low strength C class solar flare took place. Solar
flux levels increased from 68 units on the 25th to 75 by the 28th and
the 29th. The average was 73 units. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 1st was the same level as last week at 74 units. X-ray flux levels
remained below the A1 for the majority of the time. Geomagnetic
activity was quiet except for the 29th when activity increased due to a
small recurring coronal hole. The Ap was 13 units. The average was Ap 6
units. Solar wind speeds increased from 330 kilometres per second on
the 26th to 570 by the 30th. Particle densities started around 3
particles per cubic centimetre but on the 28th densities increased to
32 particles per cubic centimetre. A further increase to 57 particles
per cubic centimetre took place the next day. Bz varied between minus
and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 12 and plus 9
nanoTeslas during the coronal hole disturbance. The past week saw the
best VHF sporadic-E of the current season. There was a morning opening
to Japan at 50MHz, which favoured stations in the north of England and
Scotland. This was probably attributable to Short-path Summer Solstice
Propagation, featured in G3FPK's VHF column in the current issue of
Radcom. There were also good 50MHz openings to North America on several
days, at times reaching the mid-west and the southern states. Multi-hop
sporadic-E from North America was also reported on Ten metres. And
G7CNF reported an interesting contact with VE9AA, cross-band between
four and six metres on the 25th. And finally the solar forecast. This
week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar
activity should be very low. The solar disc could be spotless on some
days. Solar flux levels are expected to decline and be in the 60's for
most of the week. Geomagnetic activity should be quiet except for
around midweek when a small recurring coronal hole disturbance could
take place. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows should be around 10MHz. Paths this week to the East Coast of North
America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of about 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate will be around 15MHz. The best time to try this
path will between 1300 and 2200 hours UTC. Sporadic-E should take place
most days this week. Also during any good openings on 50MHz, look for
multi-hop openings to North America, several have took place over
recent weeks. Also openings to southern Europe on 144MHz are still a
possibility.

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

6 Next, the Local News:

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies can
be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail 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 SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 8 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio
Society is running special event station GB2FX for Felixstowe Museum at
Landguard Fort. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Sunday 8 July Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the
Beachy Head Site. Contact John, G3DQY, on 0124424319, or by email to
.

On Monday 9 July Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a club
meeting. Contact Frank, M0AEU, by email to .

On Monday 9 July Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a DF
hunt discussion and contest planning, plus Concorde video. Contact
Andy, G8JAC, on .

On Monday 9 July Surbiton Heritage Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society will be welcoming new members and having an on the air evening.
Contact Tony, G7DGW, on , or on the web at
www.shares.uk.net.

On Wednesday 11 July Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is having a BBQ
hosted by Gerry and Mandy. Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651, or
by email to .

On Wednesday 11 July Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for the McMichael Rally. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506
344, or by email to .

On Wednesday 11 July Dover Radio Club is having a talk on fox hunting
by Brian, G4SAU. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

On Wednesday 11 July Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a debate: "this house believes that the internet will kill off amateur
radio". Contact Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 11 July Farnborough and District Radio Society is having a
talk on PSK31 by Derek, G3OFA. Contact Colin, M3IHS.

On Wednesday 11 July Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a
BBQ and magnetic loop on-air night. Contact James, M0ZZO, on 01255 242
746.

On Wednesday 11 July Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 11 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a briefing
for members on the DF Trophy. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099, or by email to .

On Wednesday 11 July South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the history of codes by Ken, G0BBN. Contact Dave, G4UVJ, on 01268
697 978, or by email to .

7 On Wednesday 11 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a video evening. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 12 July Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt.
Contact or on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 12 July Radio Society of Harrow is putting G3EFX on the
air. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at
www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris 01895 621 310.

On Thursday 12 July Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk previewing the St Brandon DXpedition by Don Field, G3XTT. Contact
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.

On Thursday 12 July Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having the club BBQ at Summerfields. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742
757.

On Friday 13 July Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a
talk by Don, G4TKR, on D-Star and PCB design with Eagle software.
Contact Mike, G4MIX, on 01304 813 175, .

On Friday 13 July Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
ships communications by Vic, G3NVB. Contact Liz, M0ACL.

On Friday 13 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by email to
.

On Friday 13 July Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk and demonstration of the magnetic dip circle. Contact
Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 14 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a field activity day at Hallowtree Scout Camp, Nacton. Contact
Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Sunday 15 July Radio Society of Harrow is operating GB2DHH. Contact
Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk or
Chris 01895 621 310.

On Sunday 15 July Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is running
the McMichael Radio Rally at Reading Rugby Football Club. Contact Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST

On Sunday 8 July the Cornish Radio Amateur Club is running its rally at
Penair School, Truro. Contact Ian, 01872 561 058.

On Monday 9 July Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a computer
section meeting. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058.

On Tuesday 10 July Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is running
Intermediate training. Contact Tony, G3PFM, on 01202 622 262.

On Wednesday 11 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club Debriefing of the
CHF NFD Team. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 11 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234,
or by email to .

On Wednesday 11 July Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
.

8 On Thursday 12 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having an
introduction to Morse by G3MYM. Contact Derek, 01935 414 452, or by
email to .

On Sunday 15 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club Sunday afternoon is having
a club BBQ at Ham Hill. Contact Derek, 01935 414 452, or by email to
.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS

On Sunday 8 July Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is taking part
in the RSGB VHF National Field Day at Crich, Derbyshire. Contact Carl,
M0XBE, on 07979 092 447, or on the web at www.hrrarc.com.

On Monday 9 July Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Monday 9 July Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having a
surplus sale. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.

On Tuesday 10 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
sorting out the club equipment ready for the move. Contact Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 11 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having its summer quiz
and BBQ. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Wednesday 11 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a purchases night to decide what the society needs. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
.

On Thursday 12 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is working on the SARS
Power Meter. Contact Glenda, G1YJB, on 01939 235 412.

On Thursday 12 July Stafford and District Amateur Radio Society is
working on the "El Beano project" at Cannock Chase. Contact Graeme,
G4NVH, on 01785 604 534, or by email to .

On Friday 13 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having a BBQ. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by email to
.

On Friday 13 July Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
members forum evening. Contact Carl, M0XBE, on 07979 092 447, or on the
web at www.hrrarc.com.

On Saturday 14 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is visiting Boultham Park
Gala. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Sunday 15 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a visit to
Bletchley Park. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by email to
.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 9 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having an
inquest on VHF Field Day. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
.

On Tuesday 10 July Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a members technical evening at Rishworth School. Contact Brenda,
2E0YKS, by email to .

9 On Wednesday 11 July Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society is having a talk and video by Gary Wilkinson on Atlantic 252.
Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by email to
.

On Thursday 12 July Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
film night. Contact Chris, M5XYZ. On Friday 13 July South Manchester
Radio and Computer Club is on the air. Contact Ron, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 13 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having a crystal set
competition. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Sunday 8 July Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part in VHF
National Field Day. Contact Martin, MM0DUN, on
, or on the web at
www.dundee-amateur-radio.co.uk.

NEWS FOR WALES

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

No news items have been received for Northern Ireland this week.

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain.