1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 16 September

The news headlines

* Worked All Britain group donates to GB4FUN

* 3B7C DXpedition now on the air

* Transmission 2007 draws closer

The 36th Leicester Amateur Radio Show took place on 7 and 8 September.
At the show the Worked All Britain Group donated #1000 to the Radio
Communications Foundation. The Foundation will be using the money to
help fund the mobile classroom, GB4FUN, which was at the show. The
cheque was presented to RSGB President Angus Annan, MM1CCR, by WAB
President Brian Stocks, G0BFJ. More information on the WAB group is
available online at www.worked-all-britain.co.uk.

Large numbers of enthusiasts braved severe traffic disruption and noise
to attend the Leicester rally. The rally organisers have promised to
ensure that next year's show does not again clash with a major motor
racing event.

The Five Star DXers 3B7C St Brandon DXpedition started operating
precisely on time at 8pm on 7 September. As of 4am on 14 September the
team had completed over 55,000 QSOs. Despite some early teething
problems, operations are continuing as planned. Early propagation
favoured Europe over Japan. However, amateurs all over the world have
been making successful contacts. Details of the DXpedition, including
latest news, are on the web at www.3B7C.com.

The weekend of 22 and 23 September brings Transmission 2007, the fund
raising event for the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. Many clubs
and individuals are taking part, and trophies are on offer for both
clubs and individuals for the most funds raised and the most contacts
achieved. Details of how to take part, including sponsorship forms, can
be found at www.blind.org.uk.

Recently Ofcom published an update on the proposed introduction of the
licence exempt use of Digital PMR446 compliant private mobile radio
(PMR) equipment in the 446.1 to 446.2MHz band. The document clarifies
that this band will not become licence exempt, rather a band in which
equipment that meets certain technical requirements may be operated on
a licence exempt basis. The update can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk.

Tony, EI5EM, has updated and expanded the information booklet about the
Vintage Radio Museum in Howth. As well as being a guide to the museum,
the booklet is a potted history of the development of wireless
technology. It details the 1903 and 1905 experiments carried out in
Howth by Lee de Forest and the Marconi Company, and quotes from
documents published at the time. A full page reproduction of the Dublin
Penny Journal's report on de Forest's 1903 experiments is reproduced in
the booklet. The RSGB web site contains a link where you can find more
information.

Ofcom recently announced that over 200 new Foundation, Intermediate and
Advanced licences were issued during August. New licensees are the
lifeblood of our hobby and the RSGB congratulates all the new licensees
on their exam successes.

2 A new publication has been announced to celebrate 50 years of
Jamboree On The Air. The book is co-authored by Les Mitchell, G3BHK,
Len Jarrett, VE3MYF and Richard Middelkoop, PA3BAR. A limited edition
of The JOTA Story will be available shortly after the 50th JOTA on 20
and 21 October. The RSGB web site gives details of how to pre-order a
copy from the authors.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week On
Sunday 23 September the Hornsea Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place at
Floral Hall, Hornsea, East Yorkshire. More details of this and future
events can be found on pages 88 and 89 of the September edition of
RadCom. Now for the news of special events The Scarborough Special
Events Group will be on the air as GB2QE on 16 September to mark the
40th anniversary of the liner Queen Elizabeth 2. Activity will be on 80
and 40m SSB and CW, plus 2m and 70cm. Further details from Roy Clayton,
e-mail . Celebrating the 4th International Polar
Year 2007/2008, Portugal has been represented by the official special
event amateur radio station CQ4IPY. The celebration gave all
participants the chance to get a special certificate. The CQ4IPY
certificate was for all amateur radio operators and SWL who worked
CQ4IPY on three different bands or two different modes. For more
information visit www.cq4ipy.bravehost.com/.

And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin and other sources.

Scott, AC3A, will be in Tanzania until 17 September. He plans to be
active as 5H3EYE during his local evening hours. QSL via AC3A. Andre',
GM3VLB, will be signing as VY2/GM3VLB until 17 September and as
VE1/GM3VLB from 17 to 22 September. Operation will be holiday style,
probably early morning or late afternoon local time, primarily 20m for
DX and 40m for local contacts. John, W9ILY and Bob, K9MDO, will be
active as FP/W9ILY and FP/K9MDO from Miquelon Island (NA-032) until 18
September. They plan to operate on 80 to 10 metres and to concentrate
on SSB primarily FP/K9MDO and RTTY/PSK primarily FP/W9ILY. QSL FP/W9ILY
via home call, direct or bureau logs will be uploaded to Log of The
World. QSL FP/K9MDO via W9NJB, direct or bureau.

Special event call TM8CDX will be aired until 22 September for the 29th
Convention of the Clipperton DX Club, which will be held at Puyloubier
on 21 to 22 September. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically
via the bureau; direct requests should be sent to F5CQ.

Bernardo, HB9ASZ, will be active holiday style as F/HB9ASZ/P from
Brehat Island (EU-074) until 22 September. He will operate CW only with
100 watts into a multiband dipole. His favourite band is 30m. The
Bittern DX Group will be active on 22 to 23 September as GB2TX as part
of Transmission 2007.

Dani, EB1BOA and Javier, EC1KV, plan to be active as F/EB1BOA/P from
several French lighthouses until 24 September. Further information at
www.ea1cs.blogspot.com/. QSL via home call, direct or bureau.

3 Chris, DL2MDU, will be active as 5Z4/DL2MDU from Kenya until 24
September. He plans to operate holiday style mainly CW. QSL via bureau
to home call. Now the contest news The Scandinavian Activity Contest
takes place on 22 September at 1200 to 1200 on 23 September on the 3.5
to 28MHz bands, SSB. The exchange takes the form of RS and serial
number. The RSGB 1.3GHz/2.3GHz Activity Evening takes place on 18
September at 2000 to 2230 on all modes. The exchange takes the form of
RST, serial number and locator. The Irish Radio Transmitters Society's
75th Anniversary Contest CQIR will take place from 1200 UTC on 29
September. Now the solar factual data for the period from 3 September
to 9 September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS

As a small sunspot group rotated out of view the sun became spotless on
the 7th. Solar activity was very low with no solar flares taking place.
Solar flux levels declined from 68 units to 67. The average was 67
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 9th was 70 units, that's
one unit down on last week and the lowest level so far for this
minimum. X-ray flux levels remained well below the minimum A1 level
throughout the period. For the first half of the period geomagnetic
activity was unsettled due to a recurring coronal hole. The most
disturbed day was the 6th with an Ap of 13 units. Activity then
declined and by the 9th the Ap index was only 2 units. The average was
9 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 680
kilometres per second on the 4th to 310 by the 9th. Particle densities
were mostly low, however, an increase to 12 particles per cubic
centimetre took place on the 6th and the 9th. Bz varied between minus 9
and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the most disturbed day and between minus 2 and
plus 3 on the 9th. The more unsettled ionosphere meant that HF
propagation was slightly below expected levels for much of the week,
with the higher bands particularly quiet. However, 14MHz produced some
good openings to Asia and Australia and, on the 8th, the attraction of
a major contest and the 3B7C expedition brought activity even up to
28MHz. There was occasional sporadic-E on 28 and 50MHz and even one or
two reports on 70MHz. VHF aurora was reported on the afternoon of the
2nd, but the disturbance was not substantial enough for it to reach
mid-latitudes. And finally the solar forecast. This week the slightly
more active side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar
activity should continue at very low levels, however, the occasional
small C class solar flare cannot be ruled out. Solar flux levels are
expected to increase to the low 70's for most of the week. Geomagnetic
activity should be mostly quiet, at least till next Friday, when an
arrival of a coronal hole disturbance is expected to commence and last
over the weekend. 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 about 8MHz. Paths this week to South America should
have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of
about 24MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success
arte of around 17MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1100 to 2000 hours UTC. And that's all for this week from the
propagation team.

4 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 Monday 17 September Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is organising their entry for Transmission 2007. Contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 17 September Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk
entitled Digit on a PDA. Contact G4XDU, on 01628625720.

On Monday 17 September Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk by
Andy, G8JAC, on the evolution of British Army Radio from WW11 to
Clansman. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Monday 17 September Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night and talk by Walter Blanchard, G3JKV, entitled transponders, here,
there and everywhere. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Tuesday 18 September Bromley Adult Education College starts its
Advanced Licence Course. Contact 020 460 0020, or on the web at
www.bromleyadulteducation.ac.uk.

On Wednesday 19 September Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an antenna testing evening. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506
344, or by email to .

On Wednesday 19 September Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

On Wednesday 19 September Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Chris, G8JFJ, on receiver noise, how to measure it,
and does it really matter? Contact Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 19 September Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 19 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is running Team
Radio Active with Peter, G3ASQ. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099, or by email to .

On Wednesday 19 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating
SSTV and other modes from the Halisham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on
01424,424,319, or by email to .

On Wednesday 19 September Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a construction contest. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 20 September Cray Valley Radio Society is having a
construction and small project evening - G0FDZ. Contact Bob, BRS32525,
on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 20 September Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

5 On Thursday 20 September Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk on Enigma by John Alexander, G7GCK. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 20 September Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having a
talk on software defined radio by Stan Rudcenko, G0KBL. Contact John,
G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945, or by email to .

On Friday 21 September Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a junk sale. Contact David, G8JKV.

On Friday 21 September Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a
radio night and table top sale. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103,
or by email to .

On Sunday 23 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating
G1KAR at Beachy Head. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424,424,319, or by
email to .

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST Weston Super Mare Radio Society is organising
an Intermediate licence course to commence on 16 October. If you are
interested in joining the course please contact Dave, G4OKO, on 01934
823 628 by 1 October to book a place.

On Monday 17 September Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on life under the Waves by Laurence, G4XHK. Contact
Beryl, G1SVP.

On Wednesday 19 September Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an
operating night. Contact .

On Wednesday 19 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
display of working old domestic radios. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.

On Wednesday 19 September Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
discussing arrangements for GB0THW on Saturday. Contact William, G3WNI,
on 01823 666 234, or by email to .

On Wednesday 19 September Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
.

On Thursday 20 September Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the Mode S ADS-B air traffic control system by Colin
Irvin. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.

On Thursday 20 September Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is watching the
FT5XO Kerguelen DXpedition DVD. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ
).

On Saturday 22 September Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
running special event station GB0THW to celebrate 100 Years of Scouting
at The Huish Wood camp site. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234,
or by email to .

6 NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS A vacancy has arisen for a Deputy Regional
Manager covering South Derbyshire & South Nottinghamshire. If you live
in the area and would like to help the RSGB's Regional Team to
strengthen relationships between the Society and its membership, please
contact Regional Manager Jim Stevenson, G0EJQ, on 0789 172 1081 or by
email to .

On Monday 17 September Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
will be operating with contacts to Lundy Island. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Tuesday 18 September Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club
will be having a vintage amateur radio night. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 18 September Wythall Radio Club is having a talk by Callum,
M0MCX, on Antenna Modelling. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819, or
by email to , or on the web at
www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

On Wednesday 19 September Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is
having its AGM. Contact Phil, G4LWB, on .

On Wednesday 19 September Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
preparing for Hamfest. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by
email to .

On Thursday 20 September Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a slide
show about Friedrichshafen by G8VZT. Contact Glenda, G1YJB, on 01939
235 412.

On Thursday 20 September Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is putting the
club station on the air. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893,
.

On Friday 21 September Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having its
75th Anniversary Dinner. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by
email to .

On Friday 21 September Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is
having a members forum. Details on the web at www.hrrarc.com.

On Saturday 22 September Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is
running a Foundation Licence training course at the new HQ in Dalby
Road. Contact Geoff, G3STG, on 01664 480 733, .

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 17 September Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having part one of a talk on radar by Dr A G Llewellyn. Contact Jack,
G4BFH, by email to .

On Tuesday 18 September Chester and District Radio Society is having a
project night to build a crystal set, hosted by Alan Hopkinson. Details
on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk, .

On Tuesday 18 September Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society will
be constructing an ATU for the HF doublet antenna. Contact Colin,
G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, .

On Tuesday 18 September Stockport Radio Society is having an evening
devoted to data modes. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

On Wednesday 19 September Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society is having a talk by Nick Packett on the work he does in
Afghanistan. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by email
to .

7 On Wednesday 19 September Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society
is having its AGM at Royal Oak, Halifax. Contact Brenda, 2E0YKS, by
email to .

On Friday 21 September South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a surplus equipment sale. Contact Ron on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 21 September Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on making
printed circuit boards by Bob, G0EDQ. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Wednesday 19 September Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club is having a
bring and buy sale. Contact Jim, GM3UWX.

On Thursday 20 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having an
inventory and equipment check. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663,
or on the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 18 September Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk and demo of radio operation. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on
01239 811 922.

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.