1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 27 May

The news headlines

* British amateurs inducted to Hall of Fame

* Exceptional woman passes Foundation exam

* New workshop for Amateur Satellite Service

Two British amateurs were inducted to the prestigious CQ Magazine DX
Hall Of Fame at the Dayton Hamvention last weekend. Roger Western,
G3SXW, and Nigel Cawthorne, G3TXF, were jointly honoured for their many
years of activating rare RX locations. To date, Nigel has operated from
44 DX locations, and Roger has activated 37. Nigel has what may be the
world's largest collection of QSL cards. In fact, he recently completed
a house extension solely to house his QSL collection!

In addition to his trips with Nigel, Roger is a founding member of the
"Voodoo" contest DXpedition group, a member of the CQ Contest Hall of
Fame, and an international adviser to the CQ World Wide DX Contest
Committee. He has also written two books, on DXpeditioning and
Contesting.

Finningley Amateur Radio Society is delighted to announce the success
of a very exceptional lady. Vera Tomlinson, an octogenarian, passed her
M3 Foundation examination at the second attempt. What makes this an
outstanding achievement is that Vera is registered blind.

Vera was subjected to the same stringent rules as any other candidate
with the exception that Club President, John Swift M0UTX, was allowed
to act as a reader for her. Lead instructor, Peter Myers G3UWT, was
full of praise for Vera and stated she was a delight to teach and is
now looking forward to a QSO on air.

AMSAT UK appreciate that space communications may seem daunting to many
new amateurs so they have organised a special beginners workshop which
will show how to get started in this exciting aspect of amateur radio.

The beginners workshop will be held as part of the AMSAT UK 22nd
International Space Colloquium to be held at the University of Surrey,
Guildford, from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July.

From 2002 until 2006 AMSAT UK campaigned to get Foundation licence
holders access to the Amateur Satellite Service. At the end of last
year the UK regulator Ofcom agreed to allow Foundation holders full
access to the Amateur Satellite Service following detailed negotiations
with the RSGB.

This new privilege enables Foundation holders to speak directly to
Astronauts on the International Space Station and communicate around
the world on VHF and UHF via the rapidly growing number of Amateur
Radio Satellites.

The event is open to all radio amateurs and SWL's. You do not need to
be an AMSAT-UK member. Either day passes or full packages comprising
overnight accommodation and meals at the University are available.
There is an online booking service and PayPal, Visa and Master Card
payments are accepted. For more details contact Jim Heck on G3WGM on
01258 453959.

Ireland's Limerick Radio Club has been invited by the Foynes Flying
Boat Museum to operate a special amateur radio station. At the same
time there will also be a commemorative Transatlantic ReEnactment
Flight.

2 The special event call sign has been issued to the club to operate as
EI70FOY. The station will be on the air from July 7 to 8 on the high
frequency bands 80 through 10 metres. EI70FOY will also operate on
VHF/UHF.

On July 5 1937 the first transatlantic passenger test flight took place
from Botwood, Newfoundland and flew to Foynes, Ireland. To commemorate
the 70th anniversary of this event a special re-enactment flight is
planned by Captain Patrick White and his son Ian. They will be flying
their vintage PBY Cattlaina Flying Boat from Botwood Newfoundland on 5
July, landing at Foynes on 6 July.

A special QSL card commemorating the flight re-enactment will be sent
to all stations worked over the three day event. All inbound QSL cards
should be sent to the Club's QSL Manager, Alan Cronin.

An operation over the American Memorial Day weekend, May 26 to 28, by
special event station K0S will highlight the 2007 Strange Antenna
Challenge.

Sponsors say K0S will employ out of the ordinary antennas to promote
amateur radio and making do with what might be available during an
emergency.

Individuals and clubs may participate as satellite stations by using
anything but wire or pipe for a radiating element and adding K0S to
their call signs. Strange antennas used in past events, dating back to
2002, have included folding chairs, paint easels, ladders, tape
measures, dog kennels, fences, cots and chicken wire with a trampoline
as an apparent ground plane.

Scarborough has been chosen to host the 2007 World Thundercat Racing
Championships. Normally held in South Africa or Australia, this will be
the first time that the final has been held in the northern hemisphere.
Thundercats are small speedboats with a crew of two. Regional heats to
qualify for the final have been held worldwide. The 400 metre course
will be marked out in the South Bay Scarborough. Racing will commence
on Tuesday 2 June with the final on Saturday 9th June. The special
event station GB2CAT will be on the air June 9 to 10. HF activity will
be around 7055 or 3725 KHz SSB, and 7025 or 3525 KHz CW. QSL via the
RSGB bureau.

The RSGB are happy to announce that they will be providing an
examination session at RSGB HQ on Friday 20th July 2007 to coincide
with the July Advanced Examination. We are also able to run Foundation
and Intermediate examinations on this day but practical assessments
must be completed beforehand. If you are interested in attending then
please contact no later than 22 June.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week On
Sunday 3 June the SPALDING & DARS ANNUAL RALLY takes place from 10am at
the Sir John Gleed Technical School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding. Details
from Ambrose, M0DJA, on 07989 636 520, or on the web at
www.sdars.org.uk. 3 JUNE 2007 On Sunday 3 June the Red Rose QRP
Festival takes place from 11am at Formby Hall, Alder Street, Atherton,
Manchester M46 9EY. Details from Les, G4HZJ, on 01942 870634, or by
email to . More details of these and future events
can be found on pages 88 and 89 of the June edition of RadCom.

Now for the news of the special events The Bolsover Amateur Radio
Society will be operating as GB2PF on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August
to commemorate the birthday of local man Peter Fidler, who was a famous
surveyor in Canada in the 1790s.

3 The club intends to operate as many bands as possible, HF, VHF and
UHF, from the new club shack located at the Coalite Sports and Social
Club, Moor Lane, Bolsover. The Norman Lockyer Observatory Amateur Radio
Group will be participating at the 2nd South West Astronomy Fair. It is
due to be held in the grounds of the Norman Lockyer Observatory,
Salcombe Hill, Sdimouth, Devon. It will be operating on 1 August using
call sign GB2NLO from 0900 to 1800 BST, 0800 TO1700 UTC. They will be
working SSB, CW, SSTV and PSK31 as appropriate on the 80, 40, 20, 6, 4
and 2 metre bands. QSL via the RSGB bureau with a special event QSL
card. They would welcome any licensed amateurs or those interested in
taking up the hobby to visit the exhibition tent. Burton upon Tent
Amateur Radio Club will be at the Doveridge Steam and Vintage Charity
Rally on the weekend of the 21 and 22 July. Licensed operators are
welcome to come along and operate the equipment. They may ask to see
your licence so please bring it along. HF, VHF and UHF bands will be in
operation over the weekend. For more information
www.doveridgesteam.co.uk. The Maidstone Amateur Radio Society G3WM will
be operating a special event station GB2BVC celebrating 30 years of
sailing at Bewl Sailing Club, Lamberhurst, Kent on Saturday, 26 May.
The station will be on HF GB2BVC and VHF as GB2BSC from 0830 until 1600
UTC. HF bands will be 80, 40 and 20 metres.

Roger Greengrass, G4NRG, plans to operate as GM4NRG/P from the Isle of
Lismore Scotland, from approximately 3 to 15 June. As the QTH is in a
semi-residential location on an island with a population of only 176,
actual operation will be dependant upon the ability to erect and use
the antennas. He will try and put a spot on the DX cluster when
operational. The Isle of Lismore is in the Inner Hebrides, IOTA Island
Reference EU-008, Maidenhead locator IO76GN Operation is hoped to be on
6m, hopefully taking advantage of sporadic E propagation, voice and
JT6M. Activity is also planned on HF, using SSB and digital modes
PSK31. Operation will be holiday style. QSL via home call. And now the
HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin and
other sources.

Richard, M0EAZ, is currently sailing across the Atlantic and regularly
checks in to the Maritime Mobile net on 14.300MHz at 2100z each
evening. His signals are reported as good, despite using just 100W to a
back-stay antenna, and would welcome calls. Special callsign PA25UKSMG
will be aired from The Netherlands between 19 May and 3 June to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UK Six Metre Group. Expect
activity on 160-2 metres, including an entry in the CQ WW WPX CW
Contest from 26 to 27 May. QSL via PA7FM. Several other special call
signs are expected to be used from other countries, especially during
the UKSMG 6 Metre Contest during the first weekend of June. Celebrating
the 750th anniversary of Krakow's city rights is HF750C, which will be
active from 14 May to 30 June. QSL via SP9BRP. Expect also a large
number of local operators to use special prefix SN0 during the year.
Chris, M0DOL, and other members of the Northampton Radio Club will be
active as either GP8LED/P and GP3GWB from castles and fortifications on
the island of Guernsey, EU-114, from 26 May to 1 June. Look for
HB0/DL1GDS, HB0/DO1ARS and HB0/DK4SFW to be active on 10 to 160 metres
from Liechtenstein on 26 to 30 May. QSL via home calls, direct or
bureau.

4 Six operators from the Flying Dutch DX Group will be active as
HB0/PA0ABM from Triesenberg, Liechtenstein on 15 to 22 June. They will
operate on 160 to 10 metres CW, SSB and some digital modes with two
stations. Logs will be available at www.logsearch.de and will be
uploaded to Log of the World. QSL via PA0ABM, direct or via bureau.
Look for JA1UNS/1, JI1PLF/1, 7N1GMK/1, 7L4PVR/1 and 7N4VPS/1 to be
active from Hachijo Island, AS043, JIIA AS-043-004, on 25 to 28 May.
They plan to operate SSB and CW on the HF bands and 6 metres. QSL via
home calls, direct or via bureau. JA1KJW/JR6, JJ1JGI/JR6, JK1EBA/JR6
and 7N4AGB/JR6 will operate Okinawa Island, AS-017, JIIA AS017-033, on
28 May and again on 15 to 18 June. From 29 May to 14 June they will be
active from Ishigaki Island, AS-024, AS-024-004. Expect activity on the
HF bands and 6 metres SSB and CW. QSL via home calls, direct or via
bureau. DL1DWR, DG4VX and DG0CH will be active as LA/DL1DWR from Tromoy
Island, EU-061, on 25 to 29 May. Activity will be on 160-2 metres
mostly digital modes with some CW, SSB and FM. QSL via DL1DWR. Special
Ukrainian callsign EO20R will be aired from 28 May to 3 June for the
20th anniversary of Slavutych, for the city built after the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster. They will host the survivors who had relocated from
the evacuation zone around the reactor. QSL via UY2RO. Maciek, WQ7X
will be active as VP5/WQ7X from 24 May to 5 June. He plans to operate
CW and SSB on 10 to 80 metres. QSL via home call. Jim, VQ9JC, ND9M, has
received written permission to use the special callsign VQ97JC from 23
May through 5 June. The 7 added to the prefix reflects the year, and
apparently this is the first time special prefix has been authorized
for use from Diego Garcia. Jim can only operate during his spare time,
which normally means 1200 to 1730 UTC. However, he hopes to make the
VQ97 prefix available at least ten evenings during that period, and to
stay overnight at the shack both nights during the CQ WW WPX CW Contest
from 26 to 27 May. QSL via ND9M, direct or bureau, but cards will not
be printed at least until after he returns home in August. Now the
contest news The RSGB 70MHz activity takes place between 2000 to 2230
local on 29 May on the 70MHz band, all modes. The exchange takes the
form of RST, serial number and locator. The RSGB National Field Day
takes place between 1500 to 1500 on 2 to 3 June on the 1.8 to 28 MHz
bands using CW. The exchange takes the form of RST and serial number.
Now the solar factual data for the period from 14 May to 20 May
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS. A sunspot group emerged on the 14th and
increased rapidly in area, number of spots and magnetic complexity. By
the 17th the growth had slowed. However, only two small C class solar
flares took place and had very little effect on propagation. On the
remaining days solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels increased
from 73 units on the 14th to peak at 77 units. Levels then declined and
by the 20th were down to 74. The average was 76 units. The 90 day solar
flux average on the 20th was 74 units, that's the same level as last
week. X-ray flux levels increased from below the minimum level to A3
units by the 16th. The average was A1.6 units. Geomagnetic activity was
quiet until the expected coronal hole disturbance arrived. The Ap

5 index was only 3 units on the 14th, which was the quietest day and in
contrast the Ap was 18 units during the disturbance. The average was Ap
8 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 280
kilometres per second to 680 by the 18th. Particle densities were low
except for the 18th, which increased briefly to 60 particles per cubic
centimetre. Bz varied between minus 2 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the
quiet days and between minus 15 and plus 14 nanoTeslas during the
disturbance. Low geomagnetic activity meant HF propagation reached
forecast levels up the 17th. Some paths were degraded on the 18th but
recovered by the 19th. Sporadic-E was occurred every day on both 28 and
50MHz, with at least one opening to West Africa on Six. Few contacts
were reported on 70MHz, though crossband QSOs to 50MHz were made with
several countries that do not currently allow 4-metre operation. And
finally the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar flux levels could be
just in the 80's for the next few days but then levels are expected to
decline. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet until next
weekend when activity should increase due to a recurring 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 10MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 23MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about
18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0700 and 1800
hours UTC. Sporadic-E should take place on some days this week.
Historically, the favoured times are mid morning and late afternoons.
However, opening can take place at any time. 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 27 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is
going to the Waters and Stanton open day. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 29 May Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating HF. Contact Neil, M0ARH, on 01438 217 077.

On Wednesday 30 May Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by email to
.

On Wednesday 30 May Dover Radio Club is having its half term net on
GB3KS . Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

On Wednesday 30 May Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
junk sale. Contact Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 30 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a Bright
Sparks meeting to complete the DF 100 kit and design a QSL card.
Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by email to
.

On Wednesday 30 May Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a report on Dayton 2007 by G4UDU. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.


On Thursday 31 May Bittern DX Group is having a debrief on GB4NSR.
Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506, , or on the web
at www.bittern-dxers.org.uk.

On Thursday 31 May Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
watching a DVD on the Wurlitzer storycourtesy of Brian, G8GHR. Contact
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 1 June Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a
talk on Susy Radio by John Stockley, G8NMY. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on
01737 552 170.

On Friday 1 June Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a boule
evening. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by email to
.

On Friday 1 June Torbay Amateur Radio Society is operating GB60TR.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

On Friday 1 June Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club night.
Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 2 June Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating HF
from the bunker. Contact Steve, M0SSR, on 01424 720 815.

7 On Saturday 2 June Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
National Field Day from Sandford Mill car park. Contact Martyn, G1EFL,
on 01245 469 008.

On Saturday 2 June Cray Valley Radio Society is taking part in the HF
CW Field Day. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Saturday 2 June Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is taking part
in the restricted section of National Field Day. Contact James, M0ZZO,
on 01255 242 746.

On Saturday 2 June UK Six Metre Group is running its annual Summer
Sporadic E Contest. It's the Group's Silver Jubilee and to commemorate
25 years of promoting 50MHz activity there will be UKSMG stations
operating with special callsigns during the contest and at various
times during May and June. Details on the web at www.uksmg.org.

On Sunday 3 June Radio Society Of Harrow is operating GB2DHH at the
DeHavilland Heritage Museum, London Colney, from 10am. Contact Linda,
G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris
01895 621 310.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST

On Sunday 27 May Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on microwave EME by John, G0API. Contact Tony, G3PFM, on 01202 622
262.

On Tuesday 29 May Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is running
Intermediate training 1900 - 2130 . Contact Tony, G3PFM, on 01202 622
262.

On Wednesday 30 May South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 30 May Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
.

On Thursday 31 May Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having
its AGM. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.

On Saturday 2 June Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the CW National Field Day. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666
234, or by email to .

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS

On Monday 28 May Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
operating from the Escarpment from 3pm to 6.30pm, weather permitting.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 28 May Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Monday 28 May Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having a
round table chat. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.

On Tuesday 29 May Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
visit to Milford hydro-electric station. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on
01332 556 875.

8 On Tuesday 29 May Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its 2nd DF of 2007, on 160m. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Wednesday 30 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having its Scout camp
debrief. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Wednesday 30 May Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating portable in the park - come and see how to do it! Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
.

On Friday 1 June Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is on the air
on HF from 8pm. Contact Carl, M0XBE, on 07979 092 447, or on the web at
www.hrrarc.com.

On Friday 1 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club taking part in the HF National
Field Day. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Sunday 3 June Wythall Radio Club is having its summer fox hunt.
Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819, or by email to
, or on the web at www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 28 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a DF night, fox
hunting on 2m. Contact Steve, G4GPY, on 01482 860 440, or by email to
.

On Monday 28 May Macclesfield and District Radio Society is on the air
and having a club evening from 8.00pm. Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612
916, , or on the web at www.gx4mws.com.

On Monday 28 May Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having an HF, BBQ and
sports evening. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

On Tuesday 29 May Chester and District Radio Society is having a talk
on the history of Liverpool airport by Robin Tudor. Details on the web
at www.chesterdars.org.uk, .

On Tuesday 29 May Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air with G2UG at Rishworth. Contact Brenda, 2E0YKS, by email to
.

On Tuesday 29 May Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the RSGB by Dave Wilson. Contact Chris, M5XYZ.

On Tuesday 29 May Northwest Amateur Radio Club is having its second
Open Evening. Contact Ian Cooper.

On Tuesday 29 May Wakefield and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a digimodes evening with the new shack computer. Contact Dave,
G4CLI, on 07748 221 855, or by email to .

On Wednesday 30 May Great Lumley Amateur Radio And Electronics Society
is on the air. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by email
to .

On Wednesday 30 May Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is meeting
at The Dee View, Heswall. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291 850.

On Thursday 31 May Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a DF hunt.
Contact Brian, G4DXB, on 01472 231 383.

9 On Friday 1 June Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on A Slinky
Antenna by Ken, M3ILL. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

On Saturday 2 June Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
CW Field Day contest at Cibas. Contact Brian, G4DXB, on 01472 231 383.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Sunday 27 May Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the Scout
Centenary Celebrations. Contact Martin, MM0DUN, by email to
, or on the web at
www.dundeeamateur-radio.co.uk.

On Monday 28 May Lothians Radio Society is having a DF hunt with Peter
Dick, GM4DTH. Contact Toby, MM0TSS, on 07739 742 367, or by email to
, or on the web at
www.lothiansradiosociety.com.

On Wednesday 30 May Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club is having its
AGM. Contact Jim, GM3UWX. On Thursday 31 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is on the air. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on
the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

On Friday 1 June Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Saturday 2 June Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
RSGB National Field Day, operating GM3BSQ/P and GM4RGC/P at
Counteswells. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

On Saturday 2 June Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the CW
National Field Day. Contact Martin, MM0DUN, on
, or on the web at
www.dundee-amateurradio.co.uk.

On Saturday 2 June Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the HF Field Day. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134.

On Sunday 3 June Dundee Amateur Radio Club is taking part in CW
National Field Day. Contact Martin, MM0DUN, by email to
, or on the web at
www.dundee-amateurradio.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.