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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 26 October 2008 The news headlines

* Foundation Courses announced

* Enigma lecture at Bletchley

* ARISS Update

Tamworth Amateur Radio Society are holding a Foundation Course.
Enrolment is on 30 October and the course will be held on 8, 15 and 22
November from 9am to 4pm with the exam on the 22nd. Further details
from Colin, G4ZPJ on 01827 700893 or E-mail
colin.marks2atntlworld.com.

The Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club will be running a
Foundation Course on Saturday 17 January from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 21
January 6pm to 7.30pm with the exam on Wednesday 28 January 2009 at
6pm. The course and examination will be held at Lancing Parish Hall,
South Street, Lancing BN15 8AJ. The total cost of the course including
course book, examination and refreshments is £45. For further
information please contact the Training Manager, Steve Glew, M0SFG on
01903 856147 or e-mail trainingatwadarc.org.uk.

Historian Sir Martin Gilbert will be giving a special lecture in the
Ballroom of the Bletchley Park Mansion in Milton Keynes on Sunday 30
November at 2.30pm entitled `Churchill and Enigma'. Winston Churchill's
biographer will examine Churchill's wartime policies in the light of
Enigma and will show the place of Signals Intelligence in the evolution
of British strategy and its role in all the main developments of the
Second World War on land, at sea and in the air. Cost of tickets is £10
with limited places available. To pre-book, please contact Victoria
Pether on 01908 640404 or e-mail infoatbletchleypark.org.uk.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution provides a 24-hour life saving
service in the seas and waters around the coast of the UK and Ireland.
To go on saving lives at sea means training and equipping their
volunteer crews and SOS Radio Week is the perfect opportunity for radio
amateurs to lend their support to this charities. SOS Radio Week starts
at 0000 on 24 January 2009 and ends at 2359 on 30 January, the RNLI's
own SOS Fund Raising Day. To take part all you need to do is decide
whether you want to operate as a team or on your own, get as many
sponsors as you can in the lead up to the event, during the event make
as many contacts as you can and after the event, convert the sponsors
and contacts made in to money. Registrations from groups, or
individuals can be made at www.sosradioweek.org.uk.

Richard Garriott, W5KWQ has been extremely prolific on the ARISS
amateur radio system, making hundreds of voice contacts, operating the
packet system during the crew sleep times and transmitting hundreds of
SSTV images throughout the day. He put the newest ARISS hardware, the
Kenwood VC-H1 to good use, performing the vast majority of contacts
with this hardware system coupled with the Kenwood D700 Transciever.
The remaining SSTV downlinks were performed with the software-based
SSTV system - using either the SpaceCam software or MMSSTV software
that are on-board the ISS. Given the limited availability of ISS
computer systems, the ARISS team will continue to utilize the VC-H1
well after Richard's flight. So

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don't be surprised if you see some VC-H1 SSTV operations from Mike
Fincke, KE5AIT, during his stay as the commander of Expedition 18. The
ARISS team apologised for the temporary shut-down of the ARISS SSTV
server. They have been a victim of their own success in that the site
has been overwhelmed by the popularity of Richard's SSTV images. They
hope to get the system operational very soon. This may take a URL
change, so please check the listservs and the ARISS SSTV blog for
updated information. www.ariss.org will also carry updates.

With software and hardware tests now complete, Manchester's GB7MI is
available using Echolink. Non digital users connecting to GB7MI via
Echolink, using non digital sources, will be able to QSO with digital
users using GB7MI, without any changes to their non-digital equipment.
The Digital/Analogue audio difference is resolved at GB7MI. There are
two repeaters at the same location, GB3MI and GB7MI, both on the same
frequency using only separate TX and RX, all other equipment being
shared. Local RF users are now able to select which of the repeaters
they wish to use by a DTMF command control.

The next IARU Global Simulated Emergency Test or GlobalSET is scheduled
for 8 November between 0400 and 0800 hours UTC. The time of each
exercise changes to allow more stations to participate from around the
world as well as recognising that emergencies can happen at any
time.This is an exercise between stations interested in emergency
communications and is not a contest. Activity will be concentrated
around the IARU Emergency Centre of Activity frequencies on the 80, 40,
20, 17 and 15 metre bands that are now incorporated in bandplans around
the world. The rules for the event are available at www.iaru-r1.org.

The Gloucestershire 10GHz Beacon GB3CCX has undergone extensive
refurbishment, which should give improved signal stability and
frequency accuracy. Reports should be sent via the group's web site or
at www.beaconspot.eu.

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

The fourth annual gathering of military and vintage radio gear is at
Doncaster Aero Museum today, 26 October, until 1pm. Entry is Adults £2,
concessions £1 with free car parking. For more details contact Dr Mike
Diprose on 0143 363 1296 or Phil Jarvis on 0130 276 1616.

Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Society Rally this year will be at
the usual venue, St Vincent's Church Hall, Caldershaw, Rochdale on
Saturday 1 November starting at 10.30am. Entrance will be £2 with
concessions for under 12s and seniors. Entry includes a donation to
charity. There will be trade stands and flea market together with a
large Bring and Buy stall. Refreshments will be available including the
famous bacon butties.

On November 1, the National RAYNET Convention & AGM will be held at the
Aintree Racecourse Conference Centre, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool
L9 5AS. All RAYNET members and those interested in RAYNET are welcome.
Details at www.merseyside-raynet.org.uk.

The North Wales Rally will take place on 1 and 2 November at John
Bright School, Llandudno. There will be trade stands and an RSGB
Bookstall. Details from Liz Cabban, GW0ETU on 01690 710257.

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On 2 November the Great Northern Hamfest will take place at the
Metrodome Leisure Complex, Barnsley S71 1AN. Doors open at 11am and
there will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Details from Ernie,
G4LUE, on 01226 716339.

The Foyle & District ARC Annual Rally will be held in The White Horse
Hotel, Campsie, Londonderry BT47 3PA. Doors open at 11.30 for disabled
visitors and 12 noon for other visitors. Details at www.mn0aku.org.

On 2 November, the Holsworthy Rally will be held in the Holsworthy
Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy, Devon. Doors open 10am
and entry is £2. Details from Don, G7FPU on 01409254941.

Now for the news of special events

On the occasion of the North Wales Rally on 1 and 2 November, the
Eddystone User Group will be on the air from the Great Orme at
Llandudno. Callsigns used will be GC3EUG on 80m and GC7EUG on 40m.
Operation will be on Friday 31 October and Sunday 2 November from about
0900 onwards, visitors welcome. Further details from Ted on 01945
870941.

On 28 October, GB4THF will be on the air from the Telford Hamfest in
Shropshire.

31 October sees GB617SQN on the air for the 617 Squadron in
Lincolnshire.

TC85TC will be on the air between 23 October and 2 December to
celebrate the 85th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Activity will
be mainly on 17, 20 and 40m bands. QSL manager is TA1HZ.

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

C56YK will once again be active from Gambia until 9 November. His
activity will be on 80 through 10 metres using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.

IK7JWX, I0SNY, I8YGZ, I8LWL and IK2AQZ will be active from Sazan
Island, which is IOTA reference EU- 169, as ZA0/homecall until 29
October. The group plans on being in the CQWW DX CW Contest. QSL via
their home callsigns.

TC4X will be on the air for the CQ WW SSB Contest on today, 26 October.
QSL via OH2BH.

F6BUL will be on the air portable form JN36CD during the contest on 1
and 2 November.

GU3ZAY and GU7VJR will be active from Guernsey until 2 November. They
will use verticals and a small linear amplifier, with activity on SSB
and CW. They hope to be QRV on LF bands if space permits. QSL via
G7VJR.

IH9N will be active as from the African Italy Island of Pantelleria
during the CQWW DX SSB Contest on today, 26 October, as a Single-Op,
Single-Band 40m, Low-Power entry. QSL via OK1MG.

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IF9A will be active as from Favignana Island, which is IOTA Reference
EU 054 today, 26 October, for the CQWW DX SSB Contest. Activity will be
on all bands and modes. QSL via IT9ATF, direct or by the Bureau.

WB5ZAM will operate as J68WI from St. Lucia until 30 October. He plans
to be active on 30 to 10 metres and 6m if open. No low bands and no
contesting. QSL via home call. JD1BMM will be active from
Minami-Torishima until 6 November. He will operate in his spare time on
160 to10 metres with 500 watts and on 6 metres with 100 watts. All QSOs
will be confirmed via the bureau.

Now the contest news

As ever, one of the highlights of October is the CQWW Phone contest,
which is still on today, 26 October. Whether you are a contester or
not, the contest attracts lots of expeditions to interesting places,
many of these being active both before and after the event on all bands
and modes.

28 October from 2000 to 2230 is the RSGB 50MHz Activity Contest using
all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Over the weekend 1 and 2 November from 1400 to 1400 is the RSGB 144MHz
CW contest. The report is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 13th to the 19th of
October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc had a sunspots visible everyday up to the 18th when it
became spotless. In fact, on the 16th, 2

th small groups were visible, that's the first time 2 groups have been
visible since the 20 of May. Solar activity was very low with no solar
flares taking place. Solar flux levels increased to 72 units by the
16th before declining to 69 by the 18th. The average was 70 units. The
90 day solar flux average on the 19th remained at the same level as
last week at 67 units. X-ray flux levels never reached the minimum
reporting level. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday. On the 18th
the Ap was only one unit. The average was Ap 5 units. The ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 560 kilometres per second
on the 13th to 260 by the 19th. Particle densities were low throughout.
Bz varied between a maximum of minus 7 and plus 5 nanoTeslas for the
period.

And finally the solar forecast. Once again this week solar activity is
expected to continue at very low levels. Solar flux levels should be in
the high 60's for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to
start at quiet levels but late on Tuesday or Wednesday a coronal hole
disturbance is expected to arrive. This disturbance should last till
around Thursday or Friday with quiet conditions returning for the
weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around
21MHz for the south and 18MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are
expected to be about 9MHz.

The CQ worldwide SSB contest takes place this weekend. Trans-equatorial
paths should be open for most of the daylight hours. Expect openings to
South Africa and South America even up to 28MHz. High latitude and
trans-polar paths will be lower. Openings to the Pacific in the morning
and North America in the afternoon could take place on 21MHz. Normally
around sunspot minimum should see the LF bands at their best. It will
be interesting to see what the bands are capable of at solar minimum
during the contest weekend.

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 Saturday 1 November Brede Steam Amateur Radio
Society is operating from the bunker. Contact Steve, 0142 720815,
m0nucataol.com.

On Saturday 1 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having its
club net. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Monday 27 October Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society runs
its Worked all FDARS on-air competition. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email
to paul.whitingatbt.com.

On Tuesday 28 October Home Counties ATV Club is having a talk on the
basics on authoring DVDs. Contact Dave, M0SAT, on m0satatgb3hv.com,
or on the web at www.gb3hv.com.

On Tuesday 28 October Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Tuesday 28 October Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in the 50MHz UK Activity Contest. Contact John McCutcheon
on 01462 459254.

On Wednesday 29 October Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
on the Air. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 29 October Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 29 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a bright
sparks informal evening. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 29 October Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 30 October King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.

On Thursday 30 October Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having feedback on CQWW. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 31 October Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
looking at radio websites. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 31 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on oscilloscope basics by Chris Saunders. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273
845 103.

On Friday 31 October Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its AGM. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

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NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 27 October Exeter Amateur Radio
Society is having a natter night. Contact Paul, 2EOEXR,
pchesh-29athotmail.co.uk.

On Wednesday 29 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 29 October Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station and running a Morse class. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 29 October Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on emergency communications by Mike, G0JMD.
Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to tonytsgarcatsky.com.

On Thursday 30 October Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 31 October Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having an update
on RAYNET by Mike, GU3WHN. Contact Phil, GU0SUP.

On Friday 31 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society presents the TARS
Awards. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 27 October Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having an informal evening. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 27 October Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.

On Monday 27 October South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur
Radio Club reveals the results of its photography competition. Contact
A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Monday 27 October Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Tuesday 28 October Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.

On Tuesday 28 October Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 28 October Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is
planning its 2009 programme. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Tuesday 28 October Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is running
its Intermediate course and having a general meeting. Contact Leslie
Newth on 01905 726320.

On Tuesday 28 October Wythall Radio Club continues its Intermediate
course. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

On Wednesday 29 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on astronomy by Derek Buckley, G7ORT. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214
229 787.

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On Wednesday 29 October Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a video with food. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 30 October Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is enrolling
candidates for its Foundation course. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on
01827 700 893.

On Friday 31 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Saturday 1 November Pontefract
District Amateur Radio Society completes its Intermediate course. For
more information contact 07594 596 040.

On Monday 27 October Angel Of The North Radio Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter and on the air night. Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 07990
760 920 (day).

On Monday 27 October Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on portable
aerials for the MF bands. Contact infoatboltonwireless.org.uk.

On Monday 27 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Details on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk.

On Monday 27 October South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
its monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Monday 27 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on the Coast Guard by Derek Broadbent. Contact John Webb, G8RDP,
on 01253 876313.

On Tuesday 28 October Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
building its switch mode supply constructional project. For more
information contact 07594 596 040.

On Thursday 30 October North Wakefield Radio Club is having a surplus
equipment sale. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email to
g3ydlatntlworld.com.

On Friday 31 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
technical forum. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 31 October South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
talks by various members on their introduction to amateur radio.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 31 October Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on designing
coils. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to mailatg0nwm.com.

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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Wednesday 29 October Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk by GM4GZQ. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on
01505 613633.

On Thursday 30 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.

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.