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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 17 August 2008 The news headlines

* Contest University at HF Convention

* Boys Brigade celebrate 125 years

* Free SSB Field Day propagation predictions available

This year's RSGB HF Convention will host the exciting Contest
University Programme. Launched at the 2006 Dayton Hamvention, which saw
a total of 200 students attend the programme, Contest University aims
to provide advice and knowledge to newcomers to the hobby and those who
are interested in discovering the fascinating world of contesting.
Those who have been contesting for years may also pick up on useful
tactics or secrets to go towards achieving higher scores and getting
more out of your contest operations. The programme consists of 7
presentations including The Joy of Contesting, Contest Operating
Procedures, Antennas for Contesting, Contest Categories, Propagation,
Contest Strategy and Station Equipment & Layout. Stationery will be
provided in the rooms, including pads, pens and leaflet handouts. The
classes, presented by some of the UK's most experienced contesters,
will each be around one hour in duration. There is no fee to attend the
programme, and those attending four or more of the sessions will
qualify to receive a certificate. You can attend one or all of the
sessions, take your pick! For more information, please contact Mark
Haynes, M0DXR, by e-mail to mark.haynesatyahoo.co.uk.

The Boys' Brigade are looking for Clubs and ex Boys' Brigade members
who hold an advanced licence to help them link up over the weekend of 3
to 5 October. This is to celebrate the organisation's 125 years of
existence. Any station being organised will be able to apply for a
GB125 callsign so long as the application is accompanied by a signed
letter headed letter of support from the Battalion or company for which
the station is being put on. Time is of the essence as there are only
two weeks left to apply for this callsign. The event is been run on the
lines of the Scouts' JOTA weekend. So far GB125BB Grimsby & District
Battalion and GB125LB Leicester Battalion are just two confirmed
stations but there are more to follow. If any club wishes to help,
please can they contact their local Boys' Brigade. Details can be found
at http://hosting.boys- brigade.org.uk/links.php.

Steve, G0KYA has produced a set of hour-by-hour propagation predictions
for the RSGB's HF SSB Field Day on 6 and 7 September. The predictions,
in the form of a 22 megabyte PDF, show propagation maps for each of the
best three bands for each hour and also have a short commentary on what
to look out for. It also includes a Great Circle map for those with
beams. Steve, who is secretary of the Propagation Studies Committee,
says that the PDF was produced for the Norfolk Amateur Radio Club to
encourage newcomers to HF contesting, giving them a feel for how the
bands change through the contest. The predictions can be downloaded
from www.qsl.net/g0kya.

The 50th Anniversary Lioness of Italy Award has been launched to
celebrate of the anniversary of the Brescia section of the Italian
Amateur Radio association. The award will be issued to all amateurs and
SWLs that achieve the required number of QSOs. This award will run from
24 August until 14 September on all bands.

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The number QSO or heard stations required are 10 Brescia stations for
European stations and 5 for DX stations. The award will be issued, free
of charge, to all stations that send their request by 31 October 2008.
The request must include a log summary, preferably in electronic
format, by mail to the award manager IZ2FOS to iz2fosatrblob.com.

A DVD of the 2006 USA ARDF Championships from Amateur Radio Video News
is now available. Check out www.arvidnews.com for details.

The newly formed M6DX group will be out on Monday 1 August on
Saddleworth Moor, which is located between Yorkshire and Lancashire.
The group was formed to spread the new M6 callsign throughout the
world. More information and calendar of events can be found at their
website www.rockford.demon.co.uk. QSL details via the M6 callsigns are
available on qrz.com.

`From Bletchley, With Love' is a family event planned for Bank Holiday
Monday, 25 August. It will be a celebration of the Ian Fleming
centenary and his wartime work with Bletchley Park. Highlights of the
day include a display of Aston Martins; the Vanquish from Die Another
Day; the RAF Falling Rocks parachute display team who will be making a
breath-taking descent Bond-style; Little Nellie 2, the gyrocopter from
the films; Spy Workshops and a flypast by a wartime Dakota. Bletchley
Park is located near to Milton Keynes in Bedfordshire.

QRZ dot com has announced that it is about to launch a new service
designed especially for web-enabled PDAs and smartphones. This will
give users fast and convenient access to QSL information wherever
mobile phone coverage is available, 24 hours a day.

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

Today, 17 August, see the final day of the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend. Over 400 stations world wide were expected to take
part. Information at www.illw.net.

The Torbay Annual Communications Fair takes place on 24 August at
Newton Abbot racecourse, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF. Doors open 10am
for disabled visitors and 10.30 for other visitors. Entry is £2. There
will be an RSGB bookstall. Details on 01803 864528.

Also on 24 August, the Milton Keynes ARS are holding their 50th
Anniversary Rally at Holne Chase School, Buckingham Road, Bletchley,
MK3 5HP. Doors open at 9am, entry is £2 and there will be an RSGB
Bookstall. Details from Mike, G3LFR on 07973 264473.

The Huntingdonshire ARS Bank Holiday Monday Rally takes place on 25
August in St Neots Community College, Barford Rd, St Neots, PE19 2SH.
Doors open at 10am and there will be an RSGB Bookstall. Entry is £1.50.
Contact Julie, M1JUL, on 07905 052127.

Now for the news of special events

Stafford and District Amateur Radio Society is putting GB5OCC on the
air to mark the 50th anniversary of Cannock Chase's designation as an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty until 17 August. Visitors will be

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most welcome at the event which takes place at the Tackeroo Camp Site,
Penkridge Bank Road, Cannock Chase.

Melton Mowbray are celebrating their 50th Anniversary at the South
Melton Community Centre, LE13 0BQ on 17 August. As part of the
weekend's activity, GB5FOX will be on the air and there will be an RSGB
Bookstall.

GB2PF will be on the air on 16 and 17 August to commemorate the
birthday of cartographer Peter Fidler. He was born in Bolsover and
mapped large areas of Canada in the 18th Century. The station will be
active from the newly refurbished radio shack in the grounds of the
Bolsover Coalite Sports and Social Club, off Moor Lane, Bolsover, S44
6EB. Activity will take place on HF, VHF and UHF and possibly using
amateur television on 23cm.

The Swansea ARS will be activating GB0HEL at the Helwick Lightship
LV-91 from the Swansea Marina during the International Lighthouse &
Lightship weekend on 16 and 17 August. For further details contact
Roger, GW4HSH on 01792 404422.

Dragon Amateur Radio Club will operate GB2TD from Anglesey for the
International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend on 16 and 17 August.

Other stations to look out for during the weekend of 16 and 17 August
for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend are, from
Scotland, GB0NHL from Noss Head Lighthouse, Caithness, GB2ELH from
Eshaness LightHouse, Shetland, GB2LBN from Barns Ness in East Lothian,
GB2GNL from Girdleness Lighthouse in Aberdeen and GB2NL from Newhaven
Lighthouse in Edinburgh.

Activations expected in Wales are GB2LSA from Saint Anne Lighthouse in
Pembrokeshire and GB4BPL from Burry Port lighthouse in South Wales.

From Northern Ireland, GB0REL will be on air from the Rathlin East
Lighthouse at Ballycastle.

Finally, from England, the following stations will be taking part in
the weekend's activity. GB0PL from Paull Lighthouse, GB1DLH from
Dungeness Lighthouse in Kent, GB2BTL from Belle Tout Lighthouse in
Eastbourne, GB2HLH from Hunstanton Lighthouse in Norfolk and GB4SML
from St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay.

GB2GSS will be on the air Wednesday 20th August from the Gillingham and
Shaftesbury Agricultural showground. The station will be manned by
members of the Blackmore Vale Amateur Society .Operation will be on HF
and VHF and if you are visiting the show do please drop by for a chat.

On the weekends of 22 and 24 August and 29 to 31 August, the Orkney
Amateur Radio Club will be operating GS8R from Scapa Bay as part of a
programme of activities to commemorate the 850th anniversary of the
death of St Rognvald [pronounced 'Ronald'].

In Norway, their sister special event station will operate from within
a few hundred metres of where Rognvald was born.

On 23 August, GB0IDC will be on the air for the Inspire Discovery
Centre in Norwich. GB0MRC will also be on the air from the Midland
Railway Centre.

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

6L0NJ/4 will be active from the Huksan Islands until 18 August.
Activity will be on all HF bands using SSB, CW and various digital
modes. QSL via HL4XM.

F5NHJ will be operating as FK/F5NHJ from Grande Terre, New Caledonia
until 29 August. Activity will be mostly on CW and the digital modes on
30m.

T88TX will be active from Palau until 20. Activity will be on 40, 20,
15, 12, 10 and 6 metres SSB. QSL via JI2TXU.

Members of the Hong Kong Amateur Radio DX Association (HARDXA) continue
to be active as VR2008O until August 31, to celebrate the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. Operations are from 40 to 10 meters and 6 metres, using
primarily SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL direct only to VR2XMT: Charlie Ho,
PO Box 900, Fanling Post Office, Hong Kong. There will be no e-QSL or
LoTW.

5Z4/IK8VRH will be active from Kenya during the month of August.
Operations will be from the Coast Province North Group from 15 to 17
August and the Coast Province South Group from 20 to 22 August 20 to
22. Activity will be on 40, 20 and 17 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.

CU6AY/P will be active from Pico Island between 12 August and 4
September. QSL direct to his home callsign, see QRZ.com.

Now the contest news

There should be plenty of data stations on the air for the SARTG WW
RTTY Contest finishing today, 17 August. All bands from 3.5 to 28MHz
can be used and the exchange is RST and serial number.

The RSGB 70MHz trophy also takes place today, 17 August, from 0900 to
1500UTC. If you can be on the band just once a year, this is the
contest that brings out most stations from around the UK. The exchange
is RS plus serial number, locator and postal code.

On 19 August it is the RSGB 1.3/2.3GHz activity Contest from 1900 to
2130UTC. The exchange is RS plus Serial Number and Locator.

The Hawaii QSO Party contest will take place from 0700UTC on 23 August
to 2200UTC on 24 August. Operation on all bands and modes is permitted,
except on 30 meters, 17 meters, and 12 meters. Stations may be worked
once per band per mode. Non-Hawaiian stations exchange is RS/T, State,
Country, Canadian Province, or maritime region.

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Now the solar report for the period from the 4th to the 10th of August,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

For another week the solar disc was spotless. Solar activity was very
low. Solar flux levels only varied between 66 and 67 units. The average
was 66 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 10th was the same
level as last week at 67 units. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was quiet until
the arrival of a coronal hole disturbance during the evening of the
8th. The most disturbed day was the 9th with an Ap of 18 units. The
average was Ap 7 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from 300 kilometres per second on the 5th and the 6th to 690
by the 9th. Particle densities were low except for the 9th which
increased briefly to 46 particles per cubic centimetre during the
morning. Bz varied between minus 3 and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quiet
days and between minus 12 and plus 19 nanoTeslas during the
disturbance.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. The solar disc could well be spotless on
some days. Initially, geomagnetic conditions will be quiet, but this
will not last, by midweek a recurring coronal hole disturbance will
arrive and last till just before the weekend. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around 18MHz for the south and 15MHz
for the north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be about 9MHz.
Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency
with a 50 per cent success rate of about 19MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 15MHz. The
best time to try this path will be between 0800 and 1100 hours UTC.

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 17 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is
attending the Sandford Mill Radio Museum open afternoon. Contact
Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Sunday 17 August Southdown Amateur Radio Society is cutting the
grass at Beachy Head. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 18 August Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
planning events and having an operating evening. Contact John, M5AJB,
on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 18 August Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its club net. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
paul.whitingatbt.com.

On Monday 18 August Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix it,
advice, club station and move it on evening. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020
8644 7589.

On Tuesday 19 August Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a
demonstration of APRS. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 07776181646.

On Tuesday 19 August Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a practical night on transistors with Martin, G8KDF, Tom, G4BYE
and Nicolas, M1HOG. Contact John McCutcheon, on 01462 459254.

On Tuesday 19 August Verulam Radio Club is on the air. Contact Ralph,
G1BSZ, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 20 August Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 20 August Dover Radio Club is having a portable evening at
Farthing Common, Nr M20 junction 11. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 20 August Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 20 August Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having talks on
"how I got started in amateur radio". Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on
01362 691099.

On Wednesday 20 August Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on PAT testing by M0KEL. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753
893.

On Thursday 21 August Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Victory, Stapleford. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 21 August King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.

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On Thursday 21 August Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having a visit
by Mark Francis of Waters and Stanton. Contact John, G0BWV, on 020 8644
9945.

On Friday 22 August Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the life of Marconi by Peter, M0DCV. Contact David Leary,
G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 22 August Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a family
day field evening and picnic with Brian, G0UKB. Contact Quintin, M1ENU
on 023 8078799.

On Friday 22 August Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by G3SXW on Seven Kilowatts in the Dark Continent. Contact Sue, G6YPY,
on 01273 845 103.

On Sunday 24 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is attending
Sandford Mill Radio Museum open afternoon. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST Steve Hartley, G0FUW, and Mike Coombs, G3VTO,
will be starting another Foundation course in Bath from 4 September.
This will lead to the Foundation exam in October. Classes will be held
at Oldfield School on Thursday evenings from 7pm. Intermediate level
classes will commence immediately after the Foundation course and an
Advanced course will follow in the New Year. The classes are kindly
sponsored by the RSGB Bristol Group and costs are kept to a minimum.
Full details can be had from Steve on 01225 464394 (evenings before
21:00 and weekends only please) or via e-mail to
G0FUWattiscali.co.uk.

On Monday 18 August Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on EMC by Chris Peacock, G8LNT. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on
01237 473251.

On Monday 18 August Weston-Super-Mare Radio Society is having a talk by
Practical Wireless editor Rob Manion, G3XFD. Contact Kirstie, M3UWI, on
01934 613 094.

On Wednesday 20 August South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is playing
phonetic games. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 20 August Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarcatbeeb.net.

On Wednesday 20 August Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.

On Thursday 21 August Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
G3MYM on understanding aerial radiation patterns. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ,
by email to g.swainattesco.net.

On Friday 22 August Cornish Radio Amateur Club is operating the
Volkswagen Jamboree Station. Contact Ian, 01872 561 058.

On Friday 22 August Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

On Sunday 24 August Torbay Amateur Radio Society is attending the
Torbay Annual Communications Fair. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
g6fspattars.org.uk.

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NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 18 August Sandwell Amateur Radio Club
is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.

On Monday 18 August South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on digital photography by Bryan Downes, M0OIC.
Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Monday 18 August Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Monday 18 August Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a
barbecue at Rupert's Viewpoint, East Farndon. Contact Simon, G8PAN, on
07977 266643.

On Tuesday 19 August Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a video show. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.

On Tuesday 19 August Eagle Radio Group is having a talk by Chris, G4TTS
on sky diving. Contact Terry, G0SWS, on 01507 478590.

On Tuesday 19 August Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on 6m, the magic band, by Art, G3KWY. Contact Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 19 August Wythall Radio Club is having a natter night.
Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

On Wednesday 20 August Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on Jodrell Bank by Prof. Ian Morrison. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 21 August Tamworth Amateur Radio Society Club is on the
air. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

On Friday 22 August Coventry Amateur Radio Society is watching the
Rodrigues Island 3B9C video. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190.

On Saturday 23 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is operating GB2CWP at
East Kirkby. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 18 August Sheffield Amateur
Radio Club is having an evening devoted to getting your wiring up to
speed. Details on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk.

On Monday 18 August Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
an auction. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
jack.duddingtonatbtinternet.com.

On Wednesday 20 August Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
amateurs' use of the PIC microprocessor. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482
668 041.

On Wednesday 20 August Maltby and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air using data modes. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07801 156 678.

On Thursday 21 August North Wakefield Radio Club is planning for the
steam rally. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Friday 22 August East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
magazines evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

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On Friday 22 August South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
members' talks on "my introduction to amateur radio". Contact Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 22 August Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night
and Morse classes. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to mailatg0nwm.com.

On Saturday 23 August Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
running part one of its Foundation course from noon. Phone 07594 596
040 for information.

On Sunday 24 August North Wakefield Radio Club is attending Leeds Steam
Rally at Temple Newsam Park. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 19 August Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on safety. Contact Norman on 0131 449
7641.

On Wednesday 20 August Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is planning the
year ahead with GM0PYM. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on
015050-613633.

On Thursday 21 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
Tivoli Theatre Restoration Project. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Sunday 17 August Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
having a quiz night with John, GW3RBM. Contact Glyn, MW0BNB.

On Monday 18 August Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Dinorwig Power Station. Contact Martin, GW3PRL, on 01248 430 848.

On Tuesday 19 August Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is having its
summer break. 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.