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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 20 July The news headlines

* Two Leicestershire Repeaters back to full service

* Volunteer Top Band news reader wanted

* Full programme at the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium

Two Leicestershire Repeater Group units have returned to full service.
After a period at a lower power level, GB3UM has returned to full
power. TV repeater GB3GV has returned to full service after repair of
both the receiver and transmitter aerials. There is a problem with
radar interference that has only partially been solved by moving the
receive aerial around the mast to provide some shielding. Reports on
both GV and UM will be welcomed via the LRG website,
www.leicestershirerepeatergroup.com.

GB2RS still needs a volunteer reserve reader for the last transmission
of the day on Sundays at 2130 hours using LSB on top band, 1990kHz. If
you would consider joining the team, you are a member of the RSGB and
you have a reasonable antenna for 160 metres, then please telephone the
GB2RS News Manager Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, on 01565 652 652 for further
information.

AMSAT-UK will be holding their 23rd International Space Colloquium at
the University of Surrey, Guildford, from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th
July. On Friday, in addition to the main lecture programme there will
be a special Beginners Workshop to show newcomers how to use the many
amateur satellites that are available. RSGB Amateur Radio Manager
Carlos Eavis G0AKI will be giving a presentation about the plans for a
brand new GB4FUN Radio Communications demonstration vehicle on Saturday
26th July. On Sunday morning, the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans, ZS6AKV,
will chair the IARU Satellite Forum, which will be attended by the RSGB
Microwave Manager Murray Niman, G6JYB. He will be available for
questions on the papers relating to amateur satellite operation being
presented by the RSGB to the IARU Region 1 conference at Cavtat in
November. The event is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. It is
planned to broadcast some of the proceedings live via the internet at
www.batc.tv.

Images of amateur radio being used in public service are urgently
required for RSGB publications. These could be, for example, clubs at
charity events, demonstration stations at schools or libraries, RAYNET
events, etc. Full acknowledgment will be given when any image is
published. Please send to RSGB Board member Robin Bellerby, GM3ZYE, via
e-mail to , or by post to GM3ZYE, Glenamour, Newton
Stewart, DG8 7AE.

Flag signalling and deck caulking are part of this year's `All Feet on
Deck' activities on board HMS Gannet at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham,
until 7 September. Activities are included in the normal admission
price. With full price tickets now being valid for 12 months from the
date of first visit, if families can't fit all their chosen activities
in during one visit they can come back as a many times as they like to
do the ones they missed or repeat those most enjoyed. For full
information on all attractions of The Historic Dockyard visit the
website at www.thedockyard.co.uk.

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If you are heading off on holiday to Brazil, you may be interested to
know that the 3rd Brazilian Amateur Radio Fair will be held in São
Paulo from 25 to 27 July. They expect more than 2,000 amateurs from
Brazil and around the world. ZW2FEN is the special station (sponsored
by Icom) active during the Fair. All contacted stations will receive a
special QSL. More information in several languages can be found at
www.fenarcom.com.br.

The Amateur Radio satellite Delphi-C3 built at the Delft University of
Technology in the Netherlands was launched in April. Since then it has
been collecting educational research data for use by the university
students, with the assistance of radio amateurs around the world. The
amateur radio 435 to 145MHz linear transponder onboard the satellite
will be activated during the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium.
The transponder mode beacon is on 145.870MHz CW. The linear transponder
downlink is 145.880 - 145.920MHz and the linear transponder uplink is
435.570 - 435.530MHz. All frequencies are plus or minus Doppler shift
that can be up to 2kHz at 145MHz.

Darek, SP6NV has told us about a new service he has started that
integrates information about all DXCC Entities with Google Earth. Look
at www.hamatlas.eu and click HAM in Google.

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

Over the weekend of 25 to 27 July, the AMSAT-UK International Space
Colloquium will take place at the University of Surrey, Guildford.
Details from Jim, G3WGM, 01258 453959.

Over the same period, the Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society Hamfest is
taking place. Look out for a report in a future edition of RadCom.

Sunday 27 July sees the Horncastle Summer Rally taking place at the
Horncastle Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ.
Doors open at 10.30am and the entry fee is £1. Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507
52783.

On Sunday 27 July, the Hamtune Hamfest takes place in the village of
Roade in Northants, just 1 miles west of junction 15 of the M1,
postcode NN7 2NL. There is free entry and parking with donations going
to Macmillan's charity.

Also on Sunday 27 July, the Colchester Radio Amateurs Rally and
Computer Fair will be held at St Helena School, Sheepen Road,
Colchester, Essex CO3 3LE. There is plenty of car parking on site and
the doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands and bring & buy as
well as an RSGB bookstall.

Now for the news of special events

To commemorate the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stations will be on the air
with operations primarily on 40 through 10 metres and VHF on 6 metres.
The modes used will mainly be SSB, RTTY and PSK 31. QSL direct only to
VR2XMT, Charlie Ho, PO Box 900, Fanling Post Office, Hong Kong.

Special event callsign TM5BS will be on air until 29 July for the FIFA
Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Marseille. QSL via F6KRD.

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GB5OLA will be on the air on 20 July as part of the 50th anniversary
celebrations of the Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club. Their
HF activity day will be transmitting from Green Hills Farm, Abbotts
Oak, Coalville.

To commemorate their 6th anniversary, the Portuguese Navy Radio Amateur
Club will be operating the special event station CS8DFG on 26 and 27
July from a frigate from 0800 to 1900UTC.

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

Charles, M0OXO and Nigel, M0NJW will be active from Maitrese Island,
between Thursday 24th July to 1400UTC Tuesday 29th July using the
callsigns GB8LMI and MJ0X during the IOTA Contest. The QSL route is via
M3ZYZ either direct or via bureau. E-mail requests to the Manager are
encouraged to speed the process up a little. Further information at
QRZ.com.

CQ9U will operate from the Selvagens Islands between 24 and 27 July,
including during the IOTA Contest. Two stations will be active on the
HF bands and they will also operate on 2 metres. QSL via CT1BOL, direct
or via the bureau.

OZ1BLO and LA8DW will be active from Bornholm Island on 21 to 26 July.
Plans are to operate SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK31 on 80 to10 metres. QSL via
bureau.

Chris, F8DZY will be active as TK/F8DZY from Furiani, Corsica until 3
August. He will operate CW and SSB on 40 to 10 metres in his spare
time. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [

DA0T/P will be active from Neuwerk Island on 25 to 27 July. They will
operate on 10 to 80 metres CW and SSB. QSL via bureau.

Today, Sunday 20 July is the final day that GB1HI and GB5HI will be
active from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, off the North East coast of
Northumbria. Specially designed QSL cards will be made available for
confirmed QSOs and all valid claims should be sent to Charles M3ZYZ,
details as on QRZ.com.

W1AW portable KL7 takes to the air from 26 July to 10 August from the
rare grid square BP56 as part of the 2008 Alaska State Hamfest being
held in Anchorage. The station will operate on the Alaskan Arctic
Circle from the intersection of the Dalton Highway some 200 miles North
of Fairbanks. The enhanced Grey Line effect starts at about 0600UTC and
lasts for 6 to 8 hours.

TM0BRZ will be on the air until 21 July for the tall-ship Maritime
Festivals at Brest and Douarnenez. All of the QSOs will be confirmed
automatically via the bureau.

John, 9M6XRO, will be active as 3DA0OK from 19 to 25 July from
Swaziland. He will be QRV on 160 through 10 metres using CW, RTTY and
SSB. QSL via M3SDE, either direct or via the bureau. See QRZ.com.

V63WWA will be active from Kosrae Island until 24 July. Activity will
be mostly CW with some SSB, PSK31, and RTTY on 80 through 10 metres.
QSL via AD7AF.

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Now the contest news

On 20 July, there are two contests. From 0900 to 1600 is the RSGB Low
Power Field Day for CW on 3.5 and 7MHz. The exchange is RST, serial
number and power. From 1100 to 1500UTC it is the RSGB 144MHz
backpackers Contest with the exchange being RST, serial number, locator
and postal district.

Between 2000 and 2230 local time on 22 July, the RSGB 50MHz Activity
Contest takes place. The exchange is RST, serial number and locator.

24 July sees the RSGB Data Club Championships from 1900 to 2030. The
exchange is RST and serial number.

Over the weekend of 26 and 27 July, the RSGB IOTA Contest takes place.
The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in
qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to
encourage expeditions to IOTA islands. Operating on the 3.5, 7, 14, 21
and 28MHz bands using CW and SSB, the IARU band plans should be
observed, with CW contacts being made only in the recognised CW ends of
the bands. Contest preferred segments must be observed. The exchange is
RST, serial number and IOTA reference.

Also over the weekend of 26 and 27 July from 1200 to 1200 is the IOTA
SWL Contest. The aim of the IOTA SWL Contest, held in parallel with the
IOTA Contest, is to promote the interest of the SWL stations for the
Contests and to encourage the SWL applications to the awards of the
IOTA Programme. The IOTA Programme was established back in 1964 by the
late Geoff Watts, BRS3129, the only SWL ever inducted in the CQ DX Hall
of Fame.

Now the solar report for the period from the 7th to the 13th of July,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless again every day. Solar activity was very
low. Solar flux levels varied between 65 and 66 units, the average was
66 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 13th was 67 units,
that's one unit down on last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum reporting level for yet another week. Geomagnetic activity was
quiet at first but during the evening of the 11th a coronal hole
disturbance arrived.

th The 12 was the most disturbed day with an Ap index of 21 units. The
average was Ap 8 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from 290 kilometres per second on the 8th to 740 by the 13th.
Particle densities were low except for a brief increase to 15 particles
per cubic centimetre during the 11th. Bz varied between minus and plus
2 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 12 and plus 13
nanoTeslas on the 12th. As expected at solar minimum the main cause of
magnetic disturbances are coronal holes and this as been the case for
the last 6 months. The larger disturbances normally related to solar
flare and the subsequent coronal mass ejections have not yet took place
so far this year. As the Sun rotates in approximately 27 to 28 days,
these coronal holes which can last for many months can be forecast with
a certain amount of accuracy. Earlier in the year there were 3 coronal
holes this as now reduced to only two. The most disturbed days for the
last six months have been the 29th of March and 27 days later on the
23rd of April, illustrating well the solar rotation. The Ap was 31 and
32 units respectively.

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While HF conditions had been relatively good up to yesterday,
Saturday's increased geomagnetic levels depressed MUFs by 2 or 3 MHz.
VHF aurora occurred early on the 12th, but only a handful of contacts
were reported, all from fairly high latitudes. Sporadic-E was reported
daily, though less frequently at 70MHz than in recent weeks.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity looks set to
continue at very low levels with no end in sight to the present lack of
activity. If no sudden increase in activity takes place then solar flux
levels should be in the mid to high 60's for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly quiet, however, a
slightly more active period could take place around Tuesday and
Wednesday from a small coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at
equal latitudes should be around 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the
north. The darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz. Paths this week to
South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 22MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate should be around 16MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 0800 and 1700 hours UTC. Sporadic-E should take
place on some days with openings up to 70MHz taking place.

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

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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 A new GB2RS newsreading commences this Sunday 20 July
for London on 145.525MHz FM at 1100 hours. This is being transmitted by
Julian, M0GFD, in East London. His standby newsreader is Don, G3WDY,
who is located in South East London. However, Don also has a long-term
commitment as a reserve reader for our 9am 80 metre bulletin.
Therefore, two volunteers are required to assist with this new 2 metre
reading, which would involve reading at 11am only about once every four
or five weeks. Also under consideration is a new Sunday morning
transmission on 145.525MHz FM for the Milton Keynes and Bletchley area.
If you are interested in volunteering, and you are a member of the
RSGB, then please contact the GB2RS News Manager Gordon Adams G3LEQ on
01 565 652 652 for more details.

The next Amateur Radio Advanced course, run by volunteers from the
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS), starts at the end of August.
The course will be held every Thursday evening between 7 and 9 pm at
the Danbury Village Hall from 28th August until 4th December (except
16th October). The exam will be held on Monday 8th December. The total
cost is £70 which covers room hire, Advance Exam manual and the RSGB
Exam Fee. You need to have passed the Intermediate exam before doing
the Advanced. To book a place or find out more contact Clive, G1EUC, on
01245-224577

After more than 20 years at Hilderstone Adult Education Centre,
Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is moving to Chatham House
Grammar School, Ramsgate. This offers more facilities including a
science laboratory and workshop, enabling the club to pursue the
construction projects that are becoming popular with members. There is
also a computer terminal with projector for illustrated talks. The move
takes place on 26 July with an Inaugural Field Day and Barbecue in the
school grounds. The first full meeting will take place on 12 September.

On Sunday 20 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2FX at Landguard Museum, Felixstowe. Contact Paul, G4YQC,
by email to .

On Sunday 20 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the RSGB
low power field day. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Sunday 20 July Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in the RSGB low power field day. Contact John McCutcheon on
01462 459254.

On Monday 21 July Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club history project evening. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.

On Tuesday 22 July Home Counties ATV Club is having a 3cm portable
operation evening. Contact Dave, M0SAT, by email to .

On Tuesday 22 July Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
visit by Rob Mannion, Editor of Practical Wireless. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

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On Tuesday 22 July Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in the UK 50MHz activity contest. Contact John McCutcheon,
on 01462 459254.

On Wednesday 23 July Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on computer logging by G0VFW. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on
01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 23 July Dover Radio Club is having a talk by RSGB General
Manager Peter Kirby, G0TWW. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
.

On Wednesday 23 July Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 23 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Bluetooth and WiFi by David, G7URP and Mark, G0LGJ. Contact Mark
Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 23 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is making
plans for the Fire Brigade open day. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753
893.

On Thursday 24 July Oxford and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the Hamtest web site by its author, Peter Goodhall, M3PHP.
Contact Janet Proudman, 2E0LLM, on 01865 723764.

On Friday 25 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on 24 and 10GHz Beacons by Bernie, G4HJW and John, G4BAO. Contact
David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 25 July Harrow Radio Club is having a talk on the development
of the Harrow 70cm repeater, GB3HR, by Peter, G3YXZ. Contact Linda on
020 836 8586.

On Friday 25 July Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a
natter night and will be removing equipment from Hilderstone Coll.
Contact Mike, G4MIX, by email to .

On Friday 25 July Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a treasure
hunt with Peter, G4EOW. Contact Quintin, M1ENU on 023 8078799.

On Friday 25 July Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society Commence
Summer Camp. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456, or on the web at
www.gx3wim.org.uk.

On Saturday 26 July Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is moving
equipment to Chatham House School, followed by an inaugural field day
with barbecue in the school grounds. Contact Mike, G4MIX, by email to
.

On Saturday 26 July Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in the IOTA HF Contest from the club station and having a
barbecue in the evening. Contact John McCutcheon on 01462 459254.

On Saturday 26 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating GB2WFB for the Fire brigade open day. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

On Sunday 27 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the IOTA contest. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Sunday 27 July Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is attending the
Colchester rally. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Sunday 27 July Colchester Radio Amateurs holds its 40th annual rally
at St Helena School. Contact David Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989.

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NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 21 July Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night. Contact Brian Jewell,
M0BRB, on 01237 473251.

On Wednesday 23 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is watching an
RSGB film. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 23 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club Natter
Night and Morse Class. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Thursday 24 July Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
preparing for the IOTA contest. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.

On Thursday 24 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a VHF field day
with 2E0BFJ. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to .

On Friday 25 July Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
WSJT by Richard, GU8FBO. Contact Phil, GU0SUP.

On Friday 25 July North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is operating HF.
Contact Dick Elford, G0XAY, by email to .

On Friday 25 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Tony
Sale about Bletchley Park and the code breakers. Contact Dave, G6FSP,
by email to .

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Sunday 20 July Loughborough and District
Amateur Radio Club is celebrating its 50th year with a portable event
at Greenhill Lodge Farm. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Monday 21 July Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is
having a DF hunt for members only at Crickley Hill. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime

On Monday 21 July Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is having an on the air
night. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.

On Monday 21 July South Normanton, Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a junk sale at the village hall. Contact A J Higton,
2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Tuesday 22 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a radio ramble with Mick, M0GDW. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Tuesday 22 July Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
short technical topics presentations by members. Contact Bernard,
M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Wednesday 23 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a barbecue near the club HQ. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677, or by email to .

On Thursday 24 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its summer
social. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Thursday 24 July Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a talk.
Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

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On Friday 25 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a barbecue
and radio workshop on VHF and UHF. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273
190.

On Sunday 27 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is attending the Horncastle
Summer Rally. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 21 July Angel Of The North
Radio Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and take to the air evening.
Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 07990 760 920.

On Monday 21 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a video
evening and making final plans for the IOTA team who depart on the
24th. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

On Monday 21 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on broadband routers by John, G8RDP. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email
to .

On Tuesday 22 July Chester and District Radio Society is having its
second construction challenge with Alan Hopkinson. Details on the web
at www.chesterdars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 22 July Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk by Ian, G4LUG on typical digital device applications. Contact
07594 596 040.

On Tuesday 22 July Wakefield and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a DXpedition debrief. Contact Dave, G4CLI, on 07748 221 855.

On Tuesday 22 July Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a barbecue
night. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558.

On Wednesday 23 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a barbecue at
Bewholme. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041.

On Wednesday 23 July Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
family barbecue at ICC HQ. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291 850.

On Thursday 24 July North Wakefield Radio Club is having a video night,
watching the Rodriguez Islands DXpedition video. Contact Richard,
M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Friday 25 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 25 July South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
talks by members on their introduction to amateur radio. Contact Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 25 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night and
running Morse classes. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 22 July Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on feeders and antennas. Contact Norman
on 0131 449 7641.

On Wednesday 23 July Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having an
evening of teaching, practical work and general discussion. Contact
Jim, GM3UWX.

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On Thursday 24 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on holiday.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Saturday 26 July Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
taking part in the RSGB IOTA contest from the Island of Tiree. Contact
Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

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.