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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 6 July The news headlines

* GB7HQ in the IARU World HF Championship

* New Norfolk voice repeater

* US coast station commemorates Morse

A UK-wide national team will operate the RSGB headquarters station
GB7HQ in the IARU World HF Championship next weekend on 12 and 13 July.
The event starts at 1200GMT on Saturday and ends 1200GMT on Sunday. The
object of the contest is to contact as many amateurs as possible,
especially other IARU HQ teams, on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m. SSB and
CW will be used. The GB7HQ team are looking for as much support as
possible from UK amateurs, so are encouraging calls on as many band and
mode combinations as possible. Up to twelve such combinations are
possible. An award is available for multiple band and mode contacts
with GB7HQ. Details of this, the station locations and operators, can
be found at the website www.gb7hq.com.

A new voice repeater, GB3NU, is on the air, operating from Sheringham,
North Norfolk. The receive frequency is 430.8875MHz and transmit
frequency is 438.4875MHz. It is 94.8Hz CTCSS tone access only. Details
are available on www.gb3nu.co.uk.

Each year on 12 July, the Marine Radio Historical Society commemorates
the closing of commercial Morse operations in the USA by returning the
coast station KPH to the air. KPH will transmit on 426, 500, 4247.0,
6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8 and 22477.5kHz. KPH operators will
listen for calls from ships on ITU Channel 3 in all bands. The Channel
3 frequencies are 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and
22280.5kHz on HF and 500kHz on MF. Reception reports may be sent to Ms.
DA Stoops, PO Box 381, Bolinas CA 94924-0381, USA. You can find out
more at www.radiomarine.org.

The website for the WXtrack satellite tracking software has changed.
The software is designed to predict the tracks of satellites both as
paths above the earth and as images produced by these satellites when
scanning the ground. It is now available at www.satsignal.eu.

The UHF repeater near Kilmarnock in Scotland, GB3KA, is back on the air
after a mast failure due to high winds in February. The EchoLink node
number is 349393.

At an Icom Europe D-Star dinner held at HamRadio Friedrichshafen last
week, the Cambridgeshire Repeater Group presented a framed QSL card to
John Turner of Icom UK as thanks for the help that Icom gave during
their recent DXpedition to the Isle of Mull. You can find out more at
www.cambridgerepeaters.net.

Martin Lynch & Sons will be holding their Summer Party at the McMichael
rally on Sunday 13th July. The rally starts at 9.30am at Holme Park
Farm Lane, Sonning Lane, Sonning on Thames, Reading.

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The BATC Television streamer located at www.batc.tv is now live with a
limited ATV archive and more programmes will be available soon. The
site will also be going live with a stream from the Sheffield Microwave
Round Table on the 12th and 13th July.

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

Sunday 6th July sees three rallies taking place up and down the
country. The 45th Cornish Mobile rally is at Penair School, Truro,
Cornwall. Doors open at 10.15am for disabled visitors and 10.30am for
others. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy was well as
refreshments Details from Ken, G0FIC, on 01209 821073.

The Barford Radio Rally will take place at Barford Village hall,
Barford in Norfolk. The doors open at 9am and there will be trade
stands and a Bring & Buy. There will also be an RSGB bookstall. Details
from David, G7URP, on 01953 458844.

The York Radio Rally will take place at York Racecourse Doors open at
10.15am for disabled visitors and 10.30am for everyone else. Details
from Arthur, G8IMZ, on 07841 120 738.

Over the weekend of 12th and 13th July, the Sheffield Microwave Round
Table will take place. Pre-booking is essential by e-mailing
.

On Sunday 13th July, the McMichael Rally and Boot sale will be held at
Reading Rugby Club, which is just off the A4, east of Reading. There is
plenty of car parking and the entry fee is £2. You'll find trade stands
and special interest groups attending. Gates open at 9.30am. Details
from G0JMS on 01189 723504.

Now for the news of special events

On 11th to 13th July, Icom UK is sponsoring GB2RSR, Red Sands Radio.
This special station will be 7 nautical miles offshore from Whitstable
on the North Kent coast in a set of former WWII Army Sea Forts on the
Red Sands.

On 11th July, GB0BWS, for the 1st Bishop's Waltham Scouts from
Shedfield in Hampshire.

12th July sees several special event stations on the air. GB0ACD is on
the air from the Amersham Carnival Day in Buckinghamshire and GB2MKM is
on the air from the Milton Keynes Museum in Wolverton.

Also on Saturday 12th July, you could hear GB2RVS from the Rettendon
Village Show in Chelmsford and GB4QES from the Queen Elizabeth Show in
Horndean, Hampshire.

Finally for 12th July, GB2SMW is on the air for St Mary's in Willingdon
near Eastbourne.

GB4TMS is on air from Ty Mawr School in Anglesey during a weekend of
fun for children, parents and friends of the school, 12th and 13th
July. Interest in amateur radio comes from the visit of GB4FUN last
year.

Sunday 13th July sees two stations on the air. GB0CR for Castle Riding
in King's Lynn and GB6MMR from the McMichael Rally.

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VE2008VQ is active until 27th July in celebration of the 400th
anniversary of the foundation of Quebec City. Activity is on 80 to 6
meters. QSL via VE2AWR.

Special event callsign TS1ASC is active until 22nd July during the 28th
Arab Scout Jamboree and the Cub Scouts Mediterranean Camp. QSL via
operators' instructions.

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

Rob, PE9PE, is operating as SI9AM until 11th July. Operation is SSB and
the frequencies are 1.840, 3.760, 7.060, 14.210, 18.160, 21.310, 24.960
and 28.510MHz plus or minus QRM.

Nick, G3RWF, is on the air as 5X1NH from Fort Portal in Western Uganda
until 15th August. QSL via G3RWF.

7Y46ND will be on the air during July in commemoration of 46 years of
independence in Algeria. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters. QSL via
7X2DD.

Special event station ZW50I is on the air until 21st July for the 50th
anniversary of the city of Imbituba, Brazil. Activity is on all HF
bands, including 2 meters, using CW, SSB and FM. QSL via PP5BZ.

IV3YNB, will be active as IV3YNB/QRP from Grado Island until July 12th.
His activity will be on CW during the evening and nighttime hours. QSL
via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

The Japan Amateur Radio League will establish 10 headquarters stations
in various regions of Japan during the 2008 IARU HF Championship, 12th
and 13th July. The station may be heard on other bands outside of the
contest during the week before. All QSOs will be QSLed automatically
via the bureau.

Several Greek radio amateurs will activate the Trikeri Lighthouse on
6th July using the callsign SY4LH. It is the first time that lighthouse
will have been activated. The QSL manager is SV4FFK.

Operators SM5EFX, SM5XZB and SM5XZC will be active as SM5EFX/2 from
Ledskar Island for the entire month of July. Look for sporadic
activations during July and participation in the RSGB IOTA Contest on
26th and 27th July. QSL via SM5EFX. Now the contest news

This weekend see the final hours of the DL-DX RTTY Contest, which ends
at 1059 today, Sunday 6th July. The bands used are 3.5 * 28MHz and the
exchange is RST plus serial number.

Also today, 6th July, the RSGB 144MHz backpackers Contest finishes at
1500 on the 144MHz band. The exchange is RST, serial number and
locator.

The RSGB Club CW Championship takes place on 7th July from 1900 to
2030UTC. It's on the 3.5MHz band and the exchange is RST plus serial
number.

The RSGB 432MHz Activity Contest takes place on 8th July from 2000 to
2230UTC. It's all modes and the exchange is RST, serial number and
locator.

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On 11th July, the FISTS Summer Sprint will be held. The aim is to
contact as many FISTS members as possible using Morse Code only, and
within the time frame stipulated. Any licensed amateur radio operator,
FISTS member or non-member is invited to take part in the contest. At
least one of the two stations in each QSO must be a FISTS member.
Operation is limited to the following amateur bands: 3.5, 7, 14, 21,
and 28MHz amateur bands. Details at www.fists.org/sprints.html.

The weekend of 12th/13th July sees the IARU HQ Championships on CW and
SSB across the bands 1.8 to 28MHz starting at 1200 on Saturday. The
exchange is RST and ITU zone. Check out last month's RadCom for
location of GB7HQ as they will be activating 12 bands or modes and
there are awards available for working a number of these stations.

Now the solar report for the period from the 23rd to the 29th of June,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless everyday. Solar activity was very low with
no solar flares taking place. Solar flux averaged 66 units with very
little day to day variations. The 90 day solar flux average on the 29th
was 68 units, that's two units down on last week. X-ray flux levels
remained below the minimum reporting level. Geomagnetic activity
started at quiet levels with an Ap index of only 3 units. However, late
on the 24th the arrival of a coronal hole disturbance took place. The
26th was the most disturbed day with an Ap on 16 units. The average was
Ap 8 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 310
kilometres per second on the 24th to 680 by the 26th and the 27th.
Particle densities were low except for an increase to 20 particles per
cubic centimetre late on the 24th. Bz varied between minus and plus 3
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 15 and plus 14
nanoTeslas during the disturbance.

HF propagation for the most part followed the pattern of recent weeks.
However, the peak period for summer sporadic-E brought some fine
openings at 28 and 50MHz. In particular, Ten metres opened to the Far
East on several mornings and to North America on the evening of the
28th. On Six, there were openings to North

th th th America on the 26 and 27 . The event on the evening of the 27
lasted several hours and extended at least as far as the mid-West. And
there was a rare early opening to Canada and the United States around
0900 also on the 27th.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels with no sign of an end to the present solar
minimum conditions. As we already know, activity could increase
suddenly with very little warning. Solar flux levels are expected to be
in the high 60's for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity should be
quiet till at least midweek then the arrival of a coronal hole
disturbance should take place on Thursday or Friday. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes are expected to be about 18MHz for
the south and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be
around 9MHz. Paths this week to South America should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 23MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate of around
18MHz. Even though the band will be open from around midday the best
time to try this path will between 1800 and 2200 hours UTC for the
highest MUFs.

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

Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society will be holding an
Advanced Amateur Radio exam on Friday 25 July. It will be held at All
Saints House, Romford Road, Chigwell Row, Essex, IG7 4QD. Anyone
wishing to sit the exam, should contact Marc, G0TOC, ASAP, on 0208 502
1645 or 07743 456 058. On Sunday 6 July, Chelmsford Amateur Radio
Society is operating from 10am to 5pm at the Museum of Power, Langford,
near Maldon. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Sunday 6 July,
Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is operating GB2FX at
Landguard Museum, Felixstowe. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
. On Sunday 6 July, Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is
running the Barford Radio Rally. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099. On Monday 7 July, Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society
is having a DF Evening. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947. On
Monday 7 July, East Kent Radio Society is having a natter night.
Contact Paul, G3VJF, on 01227 365 384. On Monday 7 July, Southdown
Amateur Radio Society is having a BBQ at G6GVM's in Eastbourne. Contact
John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Monday 7 July, Surrey Radio Contact
Club is having its summer BBQ at G4CCYs. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020
8644 7589. On Tuesday 8 July, Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having
its summer DF hunt. Contact Ray, by email to . On
Tuesday 8 July, Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on mixers by G8KDF. Contact John McCutcheon, on 01462 459254. On
Wednesday 9 July, Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is having a BBQ hosted
by Gerry and Mandy. Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651. On
Wednesday 9 July, Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On
Wednesday 9 July, Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a pedestrian treasure hunt. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491. On
Wednesday 9 July, Colchester Radio Amateurs have an Intermediate
License exam at St Helena School. Contact David Chambers, M1AMI, on
01206 870989.

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On Wednesday 9 July, Dover Radio Club is having a talk on electrics in
the home by Gareth, M0GJJ. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
. On Wednesday 9 July, Havering and District Amateur
Radio Club is having an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on
07956 594 514. On Wednesday 9 July, Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is
having a Morse talk and demo by G3LDI and G3PDH. Contact Mark Taylor,
G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Wednesday 9 July, South Essex Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on photographing the night sky by Bruce,
G1JJS. Contact by email to . On Wednesday
9 July, Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
radio astronomy and the discovery of C60 and the Fullerenes by G1EXG.
Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 10 July, Colchester
Radio Amateurs Club is having a social and BBQ at St Helena School.
Contact David Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989. On Thursday 10 July,
Oxford and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and
demonstration of vintage equipment by Lorne Clark, 2E0BPT. Contact
Janet Proudman, 2E0LLM, on 01865 723764. On Thursday 10 July, Reading
and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and will be planning
for the McMichael Rally. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697. On
Thursday 10 July,, Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a VHF NFD feedback evening. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742
757. On Friday 11 July, Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a meeting entitled "In Your Shack". Contact David Leary, G8JKV
on 01223 355254. On Friday 11 July, Harrow Radio Club is having a
French-themed evening. Contact Linda, on 020 836 8586. On Friday 11
July, Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a hands-free
construction project evening. Contact Mike, G4MIX, by email to
. On Friday 11 July, Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club
is having a members' evening, lead by Vic, G3NVB. Contact Quintin,
M1ENU 023 8078799. On Friday 11 July, Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk on wire antennas by Chris Cook. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on
01273 845 103. On Friday 11 July, Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio
Society is having talks on metal bashing, painting and finishing by
Bob, G3OOU. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456. On Saturday 12 July,
Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is visiting the Royal Air
Force Air Defence Radar Museum. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223
355254. On Saturday 12 July, Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club
will be operating a special event radio station from the Queen
Elizabeth Country Park Show. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.
On Saturday 12 July, Radio Society Of Harrow is having a French themed
evening with on the air activity. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386
8586. On Saturday 12 July, Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society
is taking part in the IARU HF World Championship Contest Weekend.
Contact John McCutcheon on 01462 459254. On Sunday 13 to Tuesday 15
July, Radio Society Of Harrow welcomes members from their French twin
club F6KRK. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586.

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NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Sunday 6 July, Cornish Radio Amateur Club is
running the Cornish Rally at Penair School, Truro. Contact Ian, on
01872 561 058. On Monday 7 July, Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a
committee meeting. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058. On Tuesday 8 July,
Plymouth Radio Club is having a talk and demonstration of IRLP at the
GB3CH repeater. Contact Frank, by email to
. On Tuesday 8 July, Weston-Super-Mare club
begins its Foundation class. Anyone interested please contact Dave,
G4OKO, on 01934 823628 as soon as possible. On Wednesday 9 July, South
Bristol Amateur Radio Club is debriefing the VHF NFD Team. Contact Len,
G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On Wednesday 9 July, Taunton and District
Amateur Radio Club is having an operating night and Morse Class.
Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On Thursday 10 July, Swindon
and District Amateur Radio Club is having a DF contest and social
evening. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465. On Thursday 10 July,
Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on HF radio noise by G3MYM.
Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to . On Friday 11 July,
Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a Natter Night. Contact Dave,
G6FSP at On Sunday 13 July, Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a summer field day at the QTH of G4XHK.
Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251. .

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Sunday 6 July, Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is
fundraising for the County Air Ambulance by operating GB0FFL, Flight
for Life. There will be a round-up of the weekend on Monday 7 July,.
Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820. On Monday 7 July, Gloucester
Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is having an informal meeting.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 7 July, South
Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio is having a club shack
clearout and tidy. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658. On
Tuesday 8 July, Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having
its fourth DF of 2008, on 160m. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 8 July, Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on internet and web design topics by Vernon, G3VGK. Contact
Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913. On Tuesday 8 July, Telford and
District Amateur Radio Society is having a hamfest committee meeting.
Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Wednesday 9 July, Telford and
District Amateur Radio Society is going out portable at HQ. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 10 July, Salop Amateur Radio
Society is having its third fox hunt. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

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On Thursday 10 July, Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction and fault finding night. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on
01827 700 893. On Friday 11 July, Coventry Amateur Radio Society is
operating in Bunkers On The Air. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 079 5877 363.
On Saturday 12 July, Lincoln Short-Wave Club is attending Boultham Park
Gala. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 6 July, York Radio Club is
running York Radio Rally at York Racecourse, Knavesmire. Contact
Arthur, G8IMZ, on 07841 120 738. On Monday 7 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 7 July, Sheffield
Amateur Radio Club is playing radio family fortunes. Contact Trevor,
M0TWS. On Monday 7 July, Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having a show and tell evening. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
. On Wednesday 9 July, Hornsea Amateur
Radio Club with Richard, G4YTV. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041.
On Wednesday 9 July, Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is running
its G8PMF 2m revenge DF hunt. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291 850. On
Thursday 10 July, North Wakefield Radio Club is having an antenna
workshop. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126. On Friday 11 July,
East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a night on the air. Contact
Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 11 July, South Manchester
Radio and Computer Club is having a talk by G8TXW on his trip to
Canada. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On Friday 11 July,
Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating and Morse night. Contact
Tony, G8YFA, by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 8 July, Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a technical basics evening. Contact Norman on
0131 449 7641. On Wednesday 9 July, Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is
having an evening of teaching, practical work and general discussion.
Contact Jim, GM3UWX. On Thursday 10 July, Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on kite aerials by Roger, G4ROJ. Contact
Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Friday 11 July, Border Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on high voltage railway systems by Dave.
Contact Ray, GM0CDV, on 01573 228730.

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NEWS FOR WALES All the news this week comes from Dragon Amateur Radio
Club. It is with the sincerest regret that the Dragon Amateur Radio
Club notes the passing of Dan Lockyer, GW3HCL, of Caernarfon. Dan
passed away on Friday 20th June. Service to be held at Bangor
Crematorium, 1:30pm Monday 30th June. On Sunday 6 July, Dragon Amateur
Radio Club is travelling to the York Radio Rally by minibus. On Monday
7 July, the club is having a talk on computers by John Parry, GW3VVC.
On Friday 11 July, Dragon Amateur Radio Club is operating special event
station GB4MUU. Contact Martin, GW3PRL, on 01248 430 848. On Saturday
12 July, Dragon Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the IARU HF
Championship Contest Weekend from the QTH of GW0GEI. For information on
any of these activities please contact Martin, GW3PRL, on 01248 430
848.

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.