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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 13 July

The news headlines

* New versions of Foundation and Intermediate Syllabus

* Contest University to be held at the HF Convention

* New D-Star repeater for Dorset

A new version of both the Foundation and Intermediate syllabus have
been released, which will take effect from 1st June 2009. Addition
material will be added to both the Foundation and Intermediate course.
From that date, the Foundation will additionally cover conductors and
insulators but the major change is to the Intermediate exam. It will
now cover some material previously in Advanced, such as alternating
currents and voltages. This will significantly increase the technical
level of the Intermediate exam. The new syllabus will not apply until
1st June 2009 so any exams held before then will still use the current
syllabus.

If you want to learn about the world of HF contesting or pick up some
new ideas to help make your contest operations more successful then
Contest University, at this year's HF Conference, could prove
interesting. There will be seven presentations with question and answer
sessions afterwards. Each will take over a whole stream of the Saturday
HFC 2008 programme on 11 October. To book your place at this year's HFC
go online to www.rsgbevents.org.

A new D-Star digital repeater and gateway, GB7MM, has gone on the air
in Dorset. Located 2km south of Wimborne, the repeater will operate on
145.700 and 145.100MHz. It uses hardware generously loaned by Icom UK
of Herne Bay in Kent.

Members of the RSGB will activate GB7HQ in the IARU HF Championship
that is still on until 1200 today, 13 July. Look for GB7HQ to be active
on 160-10 meters CW and SSB (contest bands). There is also a special
awards program is available.

To mark the final closure of the London Air Traffic Control Centre at
its site at the former RAF West Drayton in West London, the Air Traffic
Control Engineers are holding a Closing Down Sale - All Engineers must
go! event at the Park on 18 July. An amateur radio station will be
operating for the day with special event callsign GB40BYE, reflecting
goodBYE after 40 years. The intention is to operate all bands from top
band to 70cm including 6 metres.

Plans are well under way to hold examinations for all three classes of
licence at this year's HF Convention that will be held 10 to 12 October
at Wyboston lakes in Bedfordshire. If you are interested in taking any
of these examinations, they must be pre-booked in advance with the RSGB
examinations department on 01234 832700.

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The 33rd Ham Radio Show in Friedrichshafen had 17,100 visitors through
the door from over 30 countries. The dates for next year are 26 to 28
June 2009.

John Linford, G3WGV has been named the new President of the Summits on
the Air programme. John is the inventor and founder of the SOTA
programme. He and Richard, G3CWI developed the original set of rules,
largely unchanged to the present day. They launched SOTA on 2 March
2002.

The Leicester Amateur Radio Show that will be held on 24 and 25 October
has a new contact for trade and club stands. Geoff Dover, G4AFJ is now
handling matters and can be contacted by e-mail to .

Part of a new project at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in
Portola, California will include amateur radio operation from the
museum. They hope to create the feel of an old-time telegraph office
that will include the transmission of public service messages through
the National Traffic System. For more information, look at
www.wplives.org.

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

Today, 13 July, is the final day of the Sheffield Microwave Round
Table.

On Sunday 13 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. This is also the location for
martin Lynch & Sons Summer Party. Gates open at 9.30am. Details from
G0JMS on 01189 723504.

On 19 July, Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding a Ham Fun Day at
the Sheffield Transport Club, Greenhill Main Road, Sheffield, S8 7RH.
This is the first time they've held this event. There will be trade
stands, a Bring and Buy as well as catering on site. Doors open at
11am. Details from Colin, G3VCQ, on 0114 2745376.

Now for the news of special events

On 13 July, Icom UK will be operating 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.

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

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

The Hong Kong Amateur Radio DX Association will use VR2008O until 31
August. This is to celebrate the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Operations will
be primarily on 40 through 10 meters and VHF on 6 meters. 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.

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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.

Walt, G3NYY will be active as GB50OT on 13 July to celebrate the
fiftieth anniversary of RAOTA, the Radio Amateur Old Timers'
Association. Activity will be on 80 to 6 metres CW, SSB and digital
modes. QSL via bureau, or direct to G3VBE.

The Wakefield & District Radio Society will be on the air as GB1HI and
GB5HI from Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, on 18 to 20 July. It
is their intention to operate SSB, CW and PSK31 on most of the HF
bands, and CW, SSB, PSK31 and FM on VHF/UHF on 2m and possibly 6m and
70cm. QSL via M3ZYZ.

16 July sees GB4WP for War and Peace on the air from Beltring, in Kent.

On 18 July, listen out for GB8TR for Triumph Roadster from Malvern,
Worcestershire. Also GB8TS for the Tall Ships festival from New
Brighton, Merseyside.

19 July is a busy day for special event stations with GB0TOL from the
Tower of London and GB0VWW for Vinatge Wheels and Wings near Grimsby.
Also GB2RFS for the Ruthin Flower Show and GB2SSF for the Scarborough
Sea Festival,

GB5OLA will be on the air on 20 July for Oscar Loughborough Amateurs
from Coalville, Leicestershire.

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

The first Indian lighthouse has registered for International Lighthouse
and Lightship Weekend. Bangalore Amateur Radio Club Secretary, Lion
Ajoy, VU2JHM, says permission has been received to activate a
lighthouse in southern India. A callsign is pending but it will be
activated from the Indian Independence Day, 15 August through to 18
August that includes the International Lighthouse Weekend.

Andrea, IZ2LSC will be active as CU2/IZ2LSC from Sao Miguel (EU-003),
Azores until 19 July. He will operate holiday style on 20 metres. QSL
via home call, bureau only.

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.

Now the contest news

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

The Worked All Britain 50MHz Phone contest takes place today, Sunday 13
July, from 0900 to 1500UTC. The exchange is report serial number and
WAB area. Rules and log sheets are available from the Contest Manager
G0BFJ QTHR or from the WAB website www.worked-all-britain.co.uk.

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The RSGB 1.3/2.3GHz Activity Contest in on 15 July from 2000 to
2230UTC. The exchange is RST, serial number and power.

The RSGB 3.5MHz SSB Club Championships will be held on 16 July from
1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

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.

Now the solar report for the period from the 30th June to the 6th of
July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The visible solar disc was spotless everyday. Solar activity was very
low with no solar flares taking place. Solar flux levels averaged 66
units with very little daily variation. X-Ray flux levels remained
below the minimum reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was
quiet everyday and the average was Ap 5 units. The ACE spacecraft saw
solar wind speeds decline from 520 kilometres per second to 300 by the
4th. Particle densities were low except for a brief increase to 17
particles per cubic centimetre during the 5th. Bz varied between minus
and plus 2 nanoTeslas on the very quiet days. During the first 6 months
of 2008 there was 119 days when the solar disc was spotless. Only 17
days saw the daily X-ray flux levels above the minimum recording level.
In total only 6 C class solar flares have taken place in the same
period, incidentally, 4 of those were in the first week of January. One
M class flare occurred on the 25th of March. With the solar disc
spotless for the last 14 days, solar minimum continues. Will the last 6
months of this year be any better? Place your bets.

Aided by low geomagnetic activity, HF propagation was well up to
predicted levels, with some strong east- west openings on 14MHz.
Sporadic-E was again strong on 28, 50 and 70MHz, with many operators
again making 6-metre contacts with North America and the Caribbean. Ten
metres was at times open until well after 2200UTC.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels with the Sun expected to be spotless on
some days. Solar flux levels are expected to be in the high 60's for
most of the week. Geomagnetic activity could be slightly unsettled
until around midweek then quiet conditions should prevail till the end
of the week. 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 India 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
will be about 18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
0800 and 1400 hours UTC. Sporadic-E is expected to take place on some
days, however, openings on 144MHz are more unlikely now but are not to
be ruled out altogether.

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 On Sunday 13 to Tuesday 15 July Radio Society Of Harrow
welcomes members from French twin club F6KRK to the UK. Contact Linda,
G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586. On Monday 14 July Coulsdon Amateur
Transmitting Society is having a talk on repairing amateur radio by
Tony Fell, G7DGW. Contact Andy, G8JAC, by email to
. On Tuesday 15 July Andover Radio Amateurs Club is
having a presentation on amateur television. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on
07776181646. On Tuesday 15 July North Kent Radio Society is having a
video and exhibition of a 5" gauge electric locomotive. Contact Dave,
G4YIB, by email to . On Tuesday 15 July Stevenage
and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk and demo of the
SBS1 Virtual Radar. Contact John McCutcheon, 01462 459254. On Tuesday
15 July Verulam Radio Club is having a post mortem of NFD plus a slide
show and BBQ at Aboyne Lodge School. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923
265572. On Wednesday 16 July Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society
is planning for the McMichael Boot Sale. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442
831 491. On Wednesday 16 July Havering and District Amateur Radio Club
is on the air. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514. On Wednesday 16
July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal night. Contact
Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Thursday 17 July Dover Radio
Club is having an operating and natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by
email to . On Thursday 17 July Sutton and Cheam Radio
Society is having a talk on the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society 80
metre Transceiver Project by Steve Drury, G6ALU. Contact John, G0BWV,
on 020 8644 9945. On Friday 18 July Cambridge and District Amateur
Radio Club is having an informal evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on
01223 355254. On Friday 18 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is
having a radio night and table top sale. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273
845 103. On Saturday 19 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a field activity day at Hallowtree Scout Camp,
Nacton. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to . On
Saturday 19 July Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having its
summer auction of used and surplus equipment. Contact William, G8CMK.
On Saturday 19 July Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its club BBQ. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241. On Sunday
20 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a low power field day at
the seaside. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Sunday 20
July Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
RSGB HF CW low power contest. Contact John McCutcheon, 01462 459254.

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NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Sunday 13 July Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its summer field day at the QTH of G4XHK.
Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251. On Monday 14 July Cornish
Radio Amateur Club is having a computer section meeting. Contact Ian,
on 01872 561 058. On Wednesday 16 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club
is having a digital camera evening. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282. On Wednesday 16 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
watching a DXpedition video. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.
On Wednesday 16 July Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698. On
Thursday 17 July Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
members equipment sale. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465. On
Thursday 17 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
restoring 1920s radios by M0WOB. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to
. On Friday 18 July North Bristol Amateur Radio Club
is having an outdoor meeting at the sea walls, Durdan Downs. 1830. Ring
01454 218362 if weather poor. Contact Dick Elford, G0XAY, by email to
. On Friday 18 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having
an operating night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 14 July Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is making a visit to a radio cornucopia. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478. On Monday 14 July Sandwell Amateur Radio
Club is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.
On Monday 14 July South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is on the air at Crich Stand. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773
783658. On Monday 14 July Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having a surplus equipment sale. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.
On Tuesday 15 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
preparing for its 50th year portable event. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319. On Wednesday 16 July Telford and District Amateur Radio
Society is inviting members on a trip down memory lane to talk about
their old gear. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 17
July Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. Details on
the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk. On Thursday 17 July Tamworth Amateur
Radio Society is putting G8TRS on the air. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ,
on 01827 700 893. On Friday 18 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is
having the 3rd round of the G2FDC 2m DF trophy. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
079 5877 363. On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club
is operating GB2CWP at Rover Rally, East Kirkby. Contact John, G1TSL,
on 01526 323 153. On Sunday 20 July Loughborough and District Amateur
Radio Club is having its 50th year celebration portable event at
Greenhill Lodge Farm. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 14 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 14 July Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on serving
the community with RAYNET by Jon, G7JKK. Contact
. On Monday 14 July Sheffield Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on SOTA plus a SSB contest planning meeting.
Contact Trevor, M0TWS. On Monday 14 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur
Radio Society is having a barbeque at the QTH of John, G4FRK. Contact
Jack, G4BFH, by email to . On Tuesday 15
July Chester and District Radio Society is having an outside event at
Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham. Details on the web at
www.chesterdars.org.uk. On Tuesday 15 July Wakefield and District
Amateur Radio Society is having its monthly committee meeting and
preparing for the Holy Island DXpedition. Contact Dave, G4CLI, on 07748
221 855. On Wednesday 16 July Hornsea Amateur Radio is taking part in
the Club 80m SSB Contest at Bewholme. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668
041. On Wednesday 16 July Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a drink and waffle at The Railway, Meols. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on
07050 291 850. On Thursday 17 July North Wakefield Radio Club is having
a club night. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126. On Friday 18
July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio components
catalogues evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On
Friday 18 July South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
Dave's PC Clinic with G4UGM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On
Friday 18 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk by Ian, G0EDK, on
electronic building blocks. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
. On Friday 18 July Wakefield and District Amateur Radio
Society commences its four day DXpedition to Lindisfarne. Contact Dave,
G4CLI, on 07748 221 855. On Saturday 19 July Sheffield Amateur Radio
Club is hosting Sheffield's first Ham Fun Day. This event will be held
at the club QTH, Sheffield Transport Club, Greenhill Main Road,
Sheffield S8 7RH. Some major traders such as L.A.M. will be in
attendance. There will also be a bring and buy stand and a flea market.
There will be fun for all the family with a bouncy castle, dancing,
jazz and brass bands, children's entertainment and a local retro band.
Food and beverage facilities are available including a bar. Doors open
at 11am and the entrance fee £1 per person plus £2 car parking.
Disabled parking and access are available. Talk in on 145.550 or
434.550MHz Contract Colin, G3VCQ, on 0114 2745376.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 15 July Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on transmitters and receivers. Contact
Norman, on 0131 449 7641. On Wednesday 16 July Paisley YMCA Amateur
Radio Club Teaching, Practical work and general discussion. Contact
Jim, GM3UWX. On Thursday 17 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on
holiday. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 15 July Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on oscilloscope use by GW0AJU. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on
01239 811 922.

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On Tuesday 15 July Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a barbecue
at the club. Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars.

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.