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Old March 19th 12, 01:00 PM posted to uk.radio.amateur,rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.info
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Default GB2RS NEWS Sunday 18th March 2012

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 18th March 2012

The news headlines:

* RSGB AGM next month in Bedford

* Birthplace of radio becomes a city

* Optical marking soon for amateur exams

The RSGB AGM will take place on 21 April at the Swan Hotel, Bedford.
Full details are in the April RadCom. The hotel would like some
indication of the numbers who will be having lunch on the day of the
AGM. Lunch will be soup and a sandwich and will cost £8. To register
your intent, please visit www.rsgb.org/agmlunch and submit your name
and callsign.

Chelmsford, acknowledged as the birthplace of radio and home to the
Marconi Company for many years, is one of three new cities created to
mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This year also marks the 100th
anniversary of the establishment by Marconi of the first purpose built
radio factory in New Street, Chelmsford in 1912. New Street is marked
with blue plaque noting the historic significance.

New software will shortly be introduced to handle the administration of
amateur radio exams. The design of the software that was commissioned
includes optical marking technology. This will greatly improve the
speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the overall administration of
the examination process. Optical marking will cover all three levels of
examination. It will be used for marking the Advanced exam and for
validating local marking at Foundation and Intermediate levels. For
candidates, optical marking will mean recording their answers on a
separate answer sheet. The timescale for introduction of optical
marking will be announced once the software has been proven and tested.
The RCF will give one months notice of its introduction so that
candidates can be advised of the new answer process. Further details
will be in the March tutors' newsletter.

The RSGB is aware that repeater and beacon keepers are frustrated by
the lack of progress on the issuing of a number of NoVs. Applications
for NoVs going back several years remain outstanding. It appears that
some delays have been due to changes in staff in the Licensing Centre;
the RSGB has worked with Ofcom to help overcome these problems and
offer advice as necessary. As a result, NoVs for repeaters in Primary
amateur bands such as 2 metres are now being issued with little delay.
This is also the situation with internet gateways and datacomms where,
following considerable efforts by the ETCC, delays have now been
resolved. Frequency clearances in those bands where the amateur service
is secondary have been subject to considerable delay and these delays
are likely to continue. To read all the details and learn how the RSGB
is working with Ofcom to solve these delays, go to www.rsgb.org.

The AMSAT/TAPR Banquet on Friday night, 18 May, is one of the main
AMSAT activities during the 2012 Hamvention at Dayton. Howard Long,
G6LVB will be the featured speaker for the evening event. Howard will
be talking about his FUNcube Dongle, the 64*1700 MHz software defined
receiver. For anyone going to the Dayton Hamvention this year, Banquet
tickets are $30 each and available from www.amsat-na.com.

The source of some mysterious weak signals on 29.684MHz with an 81.9
Baud and 130Hz shift has been located. The signals came from the
Spanish coastal area and were audible across all of Europe * but only
during band openings and then only by directional antennas. It turns
out the source of transmissions is Datawell buoys. These buoys,
produced in the Netherlands, are used for measuring water temperatures
and wave heights. They are designed to transmit with 75 milliwatts on
frequencies between 27 and 40MHz. Datawell has been informed them that
the transmissions on the amateur service 10 metre band are illegal.

And now for the details of forthcoming rallies

The Spring Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale will he
held on 25 March at the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich,
Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Doors open at 10am and there will be, civil,
military & vintage radio equipment, vehicle spares & more. Contact Rod
Siebert, 01270 623 353.

The Devon & Cornwall HAMFEST takes place the same date, 25 March, at
The Engine House, Compton Park, Callington PL17 8EA. There will be
trade stands and special interest groups. Compton Park is a peaceful,
simple unspoilt site formerly the site of an old Cornish tin mine, with
the old Cornish steam engine house and the Engine House Tea Rooms. More
information from Dereck, M0YDW, via e-mail to
.

Now for the news of special events

The Medway Amateur Receiving & Transmitting Society will be on air from
Tuesday 27 March to Saturday 31 March, activating Fort Amherst in
Chatham Kent. This is part of their 90th birthday celebrations and they
will be using special callsign GB5MW. More details can be found at
www.cashota.co.uk or www.g5mw.org.uk.

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

A large group from Germany and Poland plan to be active from the
Pacific island of Tonga until 24 March. They are using the callsign is
A35YZ. QSL via DL7DF.

David, GI4FUM will be carrying a Blackberry and a 3G iPad2 on the
DXpedition to Namibia. They should be on the air on 19 March. The group
will be happy to arrange skeds, just e-mail . The
DXpedition will be operating from the station of Andre, V51B in
Oranjemund, locator JK81FK. V5/GI4FUM and V5/GI8MIV should operate SSB,
PSK31 and RTTY. V5/GI4DOH will operate CW and V5/DM3BJ will operate
PSK31 and RTTY.

Retu, OH4MDY will be active as XV2RZ from Vietnam until 16 April. He
says that this time he will pay special attention to digital modes. QSL
via his home callsign, direct only. He will upload his log to Club Log.

Esteban, XQ7UP will be on the air from Patagonia until 25 March. He
will operate mainly SSB, RTTY and PSK31 and will participate in the CQ
WW WPX SSB Contest. QSL via his home callsign.

Now the contest news

The Russian DX Contest runs until 1200UTC today, 18 March. There are
lots of entry categories, mostly for single ops. An interesting twist
is that it is permitted for a single op station to make two single-band
entries. Usually this would be to take advantage of bands that aren't
open at the same time, for example 10m and 80m. Using CW and SSB on the
1.8 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
Russians send their oblast code. The 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest takes
lace from 2000 to 2230UTC on 20 March. Using all modes on the band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On 22 March it's the SSB leg of the 80m Club Championships from 2000 to
2130UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

Next weekend is the SSB leg of CQWW WPX. Taking place from 0000UTC on
24 March until 2359UTC on 25 March. Everybody works everybody,
exchanging a report and serial number. Expect the contesting bands to
be congested and some pretty large serial numbers to be exchanged
across the 1.8 to 28MHz bands.

And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 9th to
the 15th of March, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the 16th of
March.

Solar activity varied between low and high. The large sunspot group
mentioned in last weeks report only rotated off the solar disc on the
15th. Before then, 5 M class solar flares took place, all producing
coronal mass ejections and sudden ionospheric disturbances. The largest
flare was a M8, which took place on the 10th. Numerous C class solar
flares occurred every day, and there were some from other groups as
well. Solar flux levels declined from 149 units on the 10th to 111 by
the 15th. The average was 130 units. The increase in solar flux levels
did nothing to the 90 day solar flux average, which remained unchanged
at 125 units on the 15th. X-ray flux levels declined from B8.8 units on
the 9th to B4.7 by the 15th and the average was B6.1 units. Geomagnetic
activity was up to major storm levels at times, when one coronal mass
ejection after another arrived. The most disturbed day was the 9th,
with an Ap index of 94 units. Other disturbed days were the 12th with
an Ap of 37 and the 15th with an Ap index of 38 units. The quietest day
was the 14th, with an Ap of 8 units. The average was Ap 31 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase to
650, 770 and 800 kilometres per second on the 9th, 12th and the 15th
respectively. Particle densities increased to 52 particles per cubic
centimetre during the 12th. Bz on the disturbed days varied between
minus and plus 20 nanoTeslas. For much of the period a stable high
pressure system led to some excellent tropo openings, right through the
VHF and UHF bands into the microwave range. For UK operators the
opening favoured mainly the Low Countries, Germany and Switzerland but
on 2 metres contacts were reported as far as Hungary. Auroral
propagation also took place most days. Unfortunately, at HF, MUFs were
at times substantially depressed due to the stormy periods.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be at low
levels most days. Solar flux levels should be around the 100 mark or
slightly higher. Geomagnetic activity could be slightly unsettled today
but then decline to quiet levels for the remainder of the period. MUFs
during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 27MHz for the
south and 24MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz.
Paths this week to the east coast of North America should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around
25MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be about 20MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1500 and 1900 hours.

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 Monday 19 March Friskney and East Lincolnshire
Communications Club is running a club net on 144.165MHz USB from 1900.
Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442 240.

On Monday 19 March Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a newcomers night and informal evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548 478, daytime.

On Monday 19 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a committee
meeting. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788
356.

On Monday 19 March South Birmingham Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Monday 19 March Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a
radio test night plus building a Slim Jim antenna. For more information
contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432 105.

On Tuesday 20 March Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 20 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in the
1.3GHz UK AC. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788 356.

On Tuesday 20 March Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on using a handheld GPS by Brian, G8BUB. More information
from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 20 March Wythall Radio Club is having a free 'n' easy
evening. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

On Wednesday 21 March Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications
Club is running a M3+M6 club net on GB3FR at 1930. Contact Chris,
M0MFP, on 01507 442 240.

On Wednesday 21 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a formal
meeting. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788
356.

On Wednesday 21 March Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding training
classes and checking field day equipment. Details from Norman, G8BHE,
on 07808 078 003.

On Wednesday 21 March South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by the local RAYNET chief on emergency amateur radio. Contact
Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday 21 March Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on AMSAT by Paul Robinson, 2E1EUB. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 22 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is
running a simplex club net on 145.375MHz from 2000 and taking part in
the 3.5MHz CC SSB. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on
01427 788 356.

On Thursday 22 March Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
PCB schematic, simulation and design software by Richard, G3VZG.
Details on the club website at
www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 22 March South Birmingham Radio Society is holding training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Friday 23 March Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having its
President's Night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 23 March Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is running a HF club net on 3.748MHz from 2000. Contact Chris, M0MFP,
on 01507 442 240.

On Friday 23 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is preparing for the CQ
World Wide WPX Contest. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO,
on 01427 788 356.

On Friday 23 March South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the
shack and taking part in CQ World Wide WPX all weekend. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

On Sunday 25 March Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is taking part
in the CQWPX contest. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to
.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 19 March Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914
770 036.

On Monday 19 March Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on how to cut
your losses on VHF and UHF by Richard, G4HGI. For details, send an
email to
.

On Monday 19 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
home construction by Colin, M5FRA. More information from Peter Day,
G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 19 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on pirate radio by G3EZM. More information from J Duddington,
G4BFH, on 01253 853 554.

On Tuesday 20 March Chester & District Radio Society is watching a
DXpedition Video. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Tuesday 20 March Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its Foundation training class and is on the air. Martin, M0GQB, 01422
341 317

On Tuesday 20 March Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having an
internet news night. Contact Sheila, on 07867 516 836.

On Tuesday 20 March Stockport Radio Society is holding a newcomer's
evening with an introduction by Tony, M0SAV. More information from
Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699. On Wednesday 21 March Denby Dale Radio
Club has its annual surplus auction, at which there are refreshments
and a licensed bar. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Wednesday 21 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Wednesday 21 March Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553 401.

On Wednesday 21 March Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club is at The
Fox & Hounds, Barnston. Contact Simon, G6XHF, on 0151 601 3269,


On Thursday 22 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m CC SSB. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Thursday 22 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m CC SSB from club station, G3RCM. More information from Peter Day,
G3PHO, by email to
.

On Thursday 22 March Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
social evening and is on the air. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563
117.

On Friday 23 March East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 23 March Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is operating portable.
Contact Bob, M6KLO, by email to
.

On Saturday 24 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
CQ WW WPX SSB Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240
573.

On Saturday 24 March Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation course from 13:30. Contact Dr David Lockwood, G4CLI, on
07748 221 855.

On Sunday 25 March Hambleton Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
valves by Tony, G8FLV. More information from Tony Wilson, G3MAE, on
01609 881 530.,


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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 20 March Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having Morse code practice. Details from Norman,
GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

On Wednesday 21 March Glenrothes & DRC is holding a discussion meeting.
Details from Laurie, MM0LJA, via email to
.

On Thursday 22 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is training for
field events & contest logging with Allan Duncan, GM4ZUK. Contact Fred
Gordon, MM0ODL, on 01975 651 365.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Monday 19 March Bedford and
District Amateur Radio Club is holding a club net on GB3BF from 20:30.
Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG, by email to
.

On Monday 19 March Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on opamps by Ian, G8MKN. For more information contact John,
M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 19 March Burnham Beeches Radio Club is taking a second look
at D-Star with G6TSF. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 19 March East Kent Radio Society is holding a used equipment
sale. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710 120.

On Monday 19 March Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society is having a
coffee and natter night. More information from Howard Vicary, G0RJN, by
email to
.

On Monday 19 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is running a club net
from 19.30 on GB3NB. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Monday 19 March Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it,
move-it-on, advice clinic and informal chat. Contact John, G3MCX, on
02086 883 322.

On Tuesday 20 March Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club is planning
to contact their twin town's radio club, Ortsverband Bamberg on 7.127
±QRM. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG, by email to
.

On Tuesday 20 March Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday 20 March Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a surplus equipment sale with Andy, G4WGZ. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on
01689 878 089.

On Tuesday 20 March Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is running a club
net from 8.30. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 20 March Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a
demonstration of transceiver testing by David, G4HHJ. Contact Ralph,
G1BSZ, on 01923 265 572.

On Wednesday 21 March Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
looking at HF radio, setting up and demonstrating the IC-746. More
details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 21 March Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the ham radio Olympics by Roger Western, G3SXW. More
information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222 111.

On Wednesday 21 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the ins and outs of a repeater by Mark, G0LGJ. Details from Chris
Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday 21 March Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a discussion evening and is on the air. Contact John, G8FMJ, on 01273
593 232.

On Thursday 22 March Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club is running
a club net on GB3BF from 20:30. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG, by email
to
. On Thursday 22 March Bredhurst Receiving and
Transmitting Society is having a club meeting Details from Andrew,
M6AAE, on 07403 325 075.

On Thursday 22 March Echelford Amateur Radio Society is running its
construction contest. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784 451 898.

On Thursday 22 March Edgware & District Radio Society is having a
natter night. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 02089 500 658.

On Thursday 22 March Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a
construction evening. Details from Chrissie Turner, by email to
.

On Thursday 22 March Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564 242.

On Thursday 22 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB 80m Club Championship SSB contest. Details from Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Thursday 22 March Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
alignment evening with Andrew Barrett, G8DOR, with test equipment
available. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 22 March Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk and display on 1950s radio by Brian, G8GHR. Details from
John Burnett, M6JBU, on 07860 804 793.

On Friday 23 March Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on a super bright LED VSWR bridge by Mike, M0BLP. Contact Ron,
G3KBR, on 01223 501 712.

On Friday 23 March Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Details from Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254 599.

On Friday 23 March Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk on the
emergence of modern humans by G6DOD. More information from Linda,
G7RJL, on 02083 868 586.

On Sunday 25 March Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society continues
its Foundation course. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 19 March Appledore & District Amateur
Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237
473 251 for more information.

On Monday 19 March Weston Super Mare Radio Society is having a Bring &
Buy evening. Details from Paul, G3SDH, on 01761 221 206.

On Wednesday 21 March Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Wednesday 21 March Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698,
evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 22 March South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
by Geoff Plucknett, G4FKA, of the Bristol Contest Group. Details from
Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471. On Thursday 22 March Swindon &
District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317 750.

On Friday 23 March Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 19 March Dragon Amateur Radio Club is using
the club antenna analyser. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF,
on 07833 620 733.

On Monday 19 March Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Pat, 2W0HUU on the First Responder. Details from Carl Morris, MW0TBB,
by email to
.

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