1

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 28 September 2008 The news headlines

* Election papers due for RSGB Board and Regional Council Election

* Private citizen to go on air from the Space Station

* YL DXpedition to the Falklands

Anyone intending to stand in the RSGB Board or Regional elections is
reminded that election papers must be received at RSGB HQ no later than
noon on Wednesday 1 October.

Through multiple agreements with NASA, the Russian Space Agency, RSC
Energia, Space Adventures Ltd and Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station, Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, is to communicate with students
and amateur radio operators world-wide through the amateur radio
station on board the International Space Station. He is the sixth
private citizen to be flown by the Russian space agency to the ISS. His
on-orbit stay on Soyuz and ISS is planned for 12 to 22 October. The
primary purpose of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or
ARISS, is to allow students engaged in a science and technology
curriculum to speak with an astronaut orbiting the Earth on the
International Space Station. Using amateur radio, students ask
questions about life in space or other space-related topics. Check out
the website at www.ariss.org.

A YL-only DXpedition will take place from the Falkland Islands between
17 and 31 January 2009. They will be using 80m through to 10m and the
ladies will have individual callsigns in the range VP8YLA, VP8YLB and
so on. Originally 14 operators were signed up but a few have pulled out
for various reasons, so there are a couple of spaces if any other YLs
would like to take part. Check out www.radioclubs.net/aa_vp8yl_/

The RSGB and the Network are pleased to announce that, with immediate
effect, Ofcom has agreed that RAYNET Talk Through units, for which
permits have been issued, no longer need to be manned provided that the
unit can be closed down within a maximum of 15 minutes. Permit holders
will be responsible for ensuring that the unit operates within the
terms of the amateur licence at all times. Shutdown arrangements must
ensure that the unit can be closed down within the required time in
case of malfunction whether by attending the site or by remote switch
off.

This item is intended for the delegates, or more correctly their
partners, attending the HFC at Wyboston over the weekend 10 to 12
October. For those that aren't interested in the presentations taking
place, the organisers have arranged a coach trip to take you to the
historic city of Cambridge. There's enough time for a 2 hour guided
tour, chance for a spot of lunch and enough time for a spot of shopping
or perhaps some further exploring of the history of Cambridge. Please
contact Dave, M0OBW on 01270 761 608 or via e-mail
dwilsonatbtinternet.com to book your place.

MaxPak in association with FourPak and Ray, G3LQC are hosting the 2008
Packet Conference on Saturday 8 November at The Plough, Alvescot,
Oxfordshire.

2

An RSGB Train the Trainers session, hosted by the Verulam Amateur Radio
Club, will take place on Saturday 4 October in St Albans. For more
information and to register, contact Ralph Nash, G1BSZ, via e- mail to
G1BSZataol.com or on 01923 265572.

Following on from the news item last week, the two young amateurs for
the Willis Island DXpedition have been chosen from 22 applicants, all
of them avid contesters and DXers. The two are 21 year old William
Fischer, W4WJF and 25 year old Rhy Louw, ZS6DXB.

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

The Kempton Radio and Electronics Show is being held today at Kempton
Park Racecourse, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5QA. The show will open at
10am. Most major amateur radio distributors will be represented and
there will be trade stands selling antennas, components, batteries,
computers, disks, software and so on. As usual, the Coulsdon Amateur
Transmitting Society will be running a Bring and Buy stand. The RSGB
will be launching the new Year Book and sponsoring three Bytesize
lectures. The three talks are The SBS-1, Your Eye in the Sky by Chris
Taylor, G0WTZ, from Martin Lynch and Sons; The Goubau Line, a new
controversy by Mike Underhill, G3LHZ and Software Defined Radio,
developing the popular Softrock kits by Jan Verduyn, G0BBL. For more
information see www.radiofairs.co.uk.

The Telford Hamfest also takes place today, 28 September, with the
doors opening at 10:30am, at the Enginuity Technology Centre in
Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire. As well as a wide range of
exhibitors and a Bring & Buy stand, a special visit by Adrian Bennett
with one of his incredible jet powered vehicles has been planned. The
RSGB stand will also be present with the newly published 2009 Yearbook
available. The local area is extremely attractive and, to date, the
event has always been blessed with good weather! Further details from
Martyn, G3UKV on 01952 255416, or via the website on
www.telfordhamfest.co.uk.

On 5 October the Autumn Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar
Sale takes place at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich,
Cheshire, CW58AP. Contact Rod Siebert, 01270 623353.

Also on 5 October it's the British Amateur Television Club Biannual
General Meeting at Stow-Cum-Quy village hall, Cambridge, CB25 9AW.
Details www.batc.org.uk.

Now for the news of special events

GB2STI for Steam Trains Ireland is operating for Railways On The Air
weekend that ends later today, 28 September, from the excursion
platform of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland in Whitehead,
Co Antrim. The station is operating 80/40/20m and also 2m multimode. A
special QSL card is available for all contacts made during the event
via GI0KPF, details on QRZ.COM.

Brickfields Amateur Radio Society is also participating in the Railways
On The Air weekend today, 28 September. They will be operating from the
Island Steam Railway at Havenstreet Railway Station on the Isle of
Wight and will be active mainly on the 80 and 40 metre HF bands under
the callsign GB4HSR. QSL cards will be sent via the bureau or direct on
request via the club callsign GX0BAR.

3

On 28 September, GB2AF is on the air from London. The event celebrates
100 years of radio from 23 Rosendale Road, Dulwich, South London. See
http://bvwm.org.uk.

On 3 and 4 October, Dutch radio operators will be transmitting in Morse
on 20 and 40 metres from the original radio station of the seagoing
museum tug boat Elbe using the callsign PA08DWN. There will be a
special QSL card for this event.

GB2WCM is being put on air in aid of the Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St.
Austell, Cornwall. The station will be on air from 1 October 2008 for
28 days. QSL via the bureau or direct, see qrz.com. SWL reports are
most welcome and all QSLs will be answered.

On Saturday 4 October at approximately 11.30 am, on 3.650MHz LSB,
+/-QRM, the North Norfolk Amateur Radio Group will be using the
re-issued G6HL call. For the first time, they will be using the Wing
Commander Hill's magnificent 1950s station located at the Muckleburgh
Collection military museum, Weybourne, Norfolk. Mrs Rosemary Cox will
be present when her father's call is used for the first time and all
call-ins will be much appreciated. Details at www.radioclubs.net/nnarg.

Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is operating from Sandford Mill as a
apart of the Science and Discovery Day on Sunday 28 September. The
Museum will be open from 10am to 5pm and is located at Sandford Mill
Road, Chelmer Village, Chelmsford CM26NY.

The Grimsby District battalion of the Boys' Brigade are putting on
GB125BB over the weekend of 4 and 5 October to celebrate 125 years of
the Boys' Brigade. Also look out for GB125BB from Cleethropes and
GB125L from Quorn in Leicestershire.

The newly formed Middlesex DX Group will be active between 4 and 10
October on Arran Island. They will use MS0MDG/P for SOTA activations
and HF portable operation, while GB0MFG will be used for base
operation. Activity is planned for 160m down to 23cm. QSL via 2E0VAG,
direct or by the bureau.

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

Members of the NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club, NA8SA, in Cleveland,
Ohio, will be active daily between 2200 and 0500z from 1 to 6 October
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of NASA operations.
Suggested frequencies a 14.280, 7.280, 3.880 and 1.880MHz. QSL
details on qrz.com.

JT1CA will be active from Mongolia from 26 September to 2 October. QSL
via UA3ABR.

E51NOU will be on the air from Rarotonga, which is IOTA reference
OC-013, until 11 October. He will be active on 40 to 10 meters using
only CW. QSL to N7OU.

PJ2/PA0VDV will be on from Curacao between 2 and 29 October, CW only.

6V7SPACE will be on the air in Senegal to celebrate Space Week 4 to 10
October.

MM/DK1ROB will be active from the Isle of Barra, IOTA reference EU-010,
between 28 September and 3 October. QSL via DK1ROB, direct or by the
bureau.

4

A team will operate A25/DL7DF from Botswana until 6 October. QSL via
DL7DF, direct or bureau. On-line logs, updates and further information
can be found at www.dl7df.com/a25.

Now the contest news

The RSGB 70MHz Activity Contest takes place on 30 September from 1900
to 2030 using all modes on that band. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

The RSGB's 21/28MHz contest is on 5 October. Propagation is likely to
be a challenge at this stage in the sunspot cycle, but that can make
the event more interesting. UK activity has been comparatively low in
some years, so do make the effort and come on * particularly if you are
in a 'rare' postcode area. The overseas entrants will appreciate your
multiplier. Exchange is RST, serial number and postcode, for example
MK.

The 72nd Oceania DX Contest is happening on the first two full weekends
of October. The phone section is from 0800UTC 4 October to 0800UTC 5
October. The main aim of the contest is to promote HF contacts with
stations in the Oceania region. More information about the contest,
including the detailed rules, is available from the Oceania DX Contest
website.

The excellent EU Sprints take place in October. SSB on the 4th and CW
on the 11th. These are always well supported, but with more UK
contesters having familiarity with the sprint formats now, we hope for
an even better showing. Exchange is both callsigns, serial number and
name or nickname.

At VHF/UHF, the RSGB 1.3/2.3GHz trophy takes place on 4 October,
co-ordinated with the IARU Region 1 432MHz to light contest on the 4/5
October. If you're on the higher bands, then you'll know that there are
always some interesting stations to work * and there's quite often some
reasonable tropo at this time of year. The exchange is the same for
both events, signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 15th to the 21st of
September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was once again spotless every day. Solar activity was
very low with no solar flares at all taking place. Solar flux levels
varied between 67 and 69 units with an average of 68 units. That's the
highest weekly average since the end of May. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 21st was the same level as last week at 66 units. X-ray
flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level for another
week. Geomagnetic activity started at unsettled levels due to a small
recurring coronal hole. The Ap index on the

th 15 was 15 units. The geomagnetic field then declined to quiet levels
for the remainder of the period and the average was Ap 7 units. Solar
wind speeds at the ACE spacecraft declined from 620 kilometres per
second on the 15th to 290 by the 20th. Particle densities declined from
17 particles per cubic centimetre early on the 15th to 3 particles per
cubic centimetre for the remainder of the week. Bz varied between minus
10 and plus 11 nanoTeslas during the disturbance on the 15th and
between minus 5 and plus 3 nanoTeslas when the magnetic field was
quiet.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the solar disc could be
spotless on most days with solar activity expected to continue at very
low levels. Solar flux levels should remain around the upper 60's.
Today and

5

tomorrow the geomagnetic field should be quiet, but on Tuesday or
Wednesday a coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive. This
disturbance should last no longer than 36 hours. Activity is then
expected to return to quiet levels before next weekend. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 18MHz for the
southern England and 15MHz for Scotland. The darkness hour lows should
be about 8MHz. Paths this week to the East Coast of North America
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
1300 and 2000 hours UTC.

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 28 September Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
is visiting Sandford Mill, operating as part of Science and Discovery
Day. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Monday 29 September
Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the
great Russian Eclipse of 2008 by Paul, G4YQC. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by
email to paul.whitingatbt.com. On Tuesday 30 September Wednesday 1
and Friday 3 October Edgware and District Radio Society is operating
GX3ASR for the Edgeware Activity Period. Contact John G3SJE, on 0208
204 1034. On Tuesday 30 September Stevenage and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk. Contact John McCutcheon on 01462 459254. On
Wednesday 1 October Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general meeting. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491. On
Wednesday 1 October Dover Radio Club is having an operating and natter
night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On
Wednesday 1 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a fun evening
with Peter, G3ASQ and friends. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099. On Wednesday 1 October Southdown Amateur Radio Society is
operating at Hailsham. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On
Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 October Verulam Radio Club is taking part in
the Edgware Activity Period. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923 265572. On
Wednesday 1 October Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on Micro DXpeditioning by G3SXW. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903
753 893. On Thursday 2 October Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a
used equipment sale. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday
2 October King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a committee meeting
and club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.
On Thursday 2 October Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for CQWW. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 3
October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a talk on
beekeeping by Peter Springall. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170. On
Friday 3 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
working aurora with a shoestring budget by Jon Ruff. Contact Sue,
G6YPY, on 01273 845 103. On Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October Reading and
District Amateur Radio Club is running its Foundation course. Contact
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

7

On Friday 3 October Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on
the 3X5A Experience by Roger Western, G3SXW. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 4 October Brede Steam Amateur
Radio Society is operating from the bunker. Contact Steve, 0142 720815,
m0nucataol.com. On Saturday 4 October Cambridge and District Amateur
Radio Club is visiting HMS Belfast. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223
355254. On Saturday 4 October Verulam Radio Club is hosting the RSGB
Train the Trainers at Aboyne Lodge School. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on
01923 265572. On Sunday 5 October British Amateur Television Club is
holding its Biannual General Meeting at Stow-Cum- Quy village hall,
Cambridgeshire, CB25 9AW. Details on the web at www.batc.org.uk. On
Sunday 5 October Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society is running
a Foundation course at Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens. Details on
the web at www.bdars.org.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 30 September Chippenham District
Amateur Radio Club is holding a Foundation Examination. Contact Ian,
G0GRI, on 01225 846 698 evenings and weekends.

On Wednesday 1 October Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk by
Graham, G3LAI on end-fed antennas. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058.

On Wednesday 1 October Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
PIC and AVR processors by Dean, G0UIL. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395
274172.

On Wednesday 1 October Holsworthy Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
by Colin, G4XLP, on direction finding. Contact Ken, by email to
g7vjaatyahoo.com.

On Wednesday 1 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
technical matters forum. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 1 October Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its annual general meeting. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666
234.

On Wednesday 1 October Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is visiting the Woodhouse Campsite shack. Contact Tony,
G0WMB, by email to tonytsgarcatbeeb.net.

On Wednesday 1 October Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Hans Summers, G0UPL. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864
698, E/W.

On Thursday 2 October Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 3 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society Operating Night.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk. On Friday 3
October Reading and District Amateur Radio Club are running their
Foundation course. Contact Harry Hogg, by email to g3ngxatradarc.org.
On Sunday 5 October British Amateur Television Club is holding its
Biannual General Meeting at Stow-Cum- Quy village hall, Cambridgeshire,
CB25 9AW. Details on the web at www.batc.org.uk.

8

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Sunday 28 September Telford and District
Amateur Radio Society is running the Telford Hamfest at the Enginuity
Museum. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Monday 29 September
Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is having an HF
operating and workshop evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime. On Monday 29 September Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is watching
some rare 8mm films. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820. On Monday
29 September South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio Club
begins its winter construction project with Mike Jeffs, M0RMJ. Contact
A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658. On Monday 29 September Stourbridge
and District Amateur Radio Society is having an open shack night.
Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513. On Tuesday 30 September Derby
and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Martin,
G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875. On Tuesday 30 September Loughborough and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a practical evening. Contact
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday 30 September and Friday 3
October Wythall Radio Club continues its Intermediate course. Contact
Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819. On Wednesday 1 October Telford and
District Amateur Radio Society is having a committee meeting and open
house on the air evening. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On
Thursday 2 October Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893. On Friday 3
October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the
Leicester repeater system by G4AFJ. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273
190. On Sunday 5 October British Amateur Television Club is holding its
Biannual General Meeting at Stow-Cum- Quy village hall, Cambridgeshire,
CB25 9AW. Details on the web at www.batc.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 29 September Sheffield Amateur
Radio Club is having a foxhunt. Details on the web at
www.sheffieldarc.org.uk. On Monday 29 September South Manchester Radio
And Computer Club has its monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999. On Monday 29 September Thornton Cleveleys Amateur
Radio Society is having a show and tell night. Contact John Webb,
G8RDP, on 01253 876313. On Tuesday 30 September Chester and District
Radio Society is having a talk on 5MHz by John Langan and Alan
Hopkinson. Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk. On Tuesday 30
September Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is playing Chinese
Whispers. For more information contact 07594 596 040. On Wednesday 1
October Denby Dale Radio Club is having a mini rally and surplus sale.
Contact Gerald, G3SDY, on 01484 602905. On Thursday 2 October North
Wakefield Radio Club is having an introduction to CW for beginners,
followed by pie and pea supper. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220
126.

9

On Friday 3 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
magazines evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday
3 October Mexborough and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on building antennas by Jimmy, M1DAH. Contact Sharon, M0BOH, by
email to M0BOHataol.com. On Friday 3 October Thornton Cleveleys
Amateur Radio Society is having its construction competition with Mick,
G4EZM. Contact John Webb, G8RDP on 01253 876313. On Friday 3 October
Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on QSLing. Contact Tony, G8YFA,
by email to mailatg0nwm.com. On Saturday 4 October Pontefract
District Amateur Radio Society continues its Intermediate course. For
more information contact 07594 596 040.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Wednesday 1 October Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio
Club is having a visit by H. Purdie of CITRAC NADICS Traffic Scotland
HQ. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

On Thursday 2 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 2 October Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134.

On Friday 3 October Wigtownshire Astronomical Society will be having a
talk on sunspots by Dr Lyndsay Fletcher. Contact Robin Bellerby,
GM3ZYE, on 01671 404 387.

On Sunday 5 October Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
taking part in the RSGB 21 and 28MHz contest. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Wednesday 1 October Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club
is having a talk on being an RN radio operator during the 60s and 70s
by Paul Kennedy, GW4DVQ. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068.

On Friday 3 October Newport Amateur Radio Society is having a
demonstration of Logger 32 by Steve Williams, GW4OGO. Contact Paul,
GW7RIB, on 01633 665 289.

Highfields ARC will be moving venue and changing the meeting day later
this month. From Tuesday 23rd September 2008 they will be meeting at
the Rhiwbina Recreation Club, Lon-Y-Dail, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. CF14 6EA.
Details at http://highfields-arc.co.uk.

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.