1

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 2 November 2008 The news headlines

* RAYNET assist in Lake District Marathon emergency

* RSGB AV Library re-opens

* Operators needed for the Galloway Hills Rally

The media was full of reports of the near disaster in the Lake District
last weekend, when competitors in the Original Mountain Marathon
encountered extreme weather conditions. It was not widely reported that
RAYNET were providing communications and that, without their efforts,
things could have been much worse. The Central Lancashire RAYNET group
coordinated the radio safety cover, assisted by others including
Manchester Scouts RAYNET. Fred Charnley, G4RPW, reports: "On pre-visits
to the area, it was clear that mobile phone coverage was very poor to
nonexistent; in particular between the Event Centre and the Overnight
Camp. Several radio points identified on the map were set up to assist
competitors in case of urgent medical attention and or evacuation by
Mountain Rescue being required. A Control Centre was set up adjacent to
the Event Centre, which was equipped with a landline phone. Personnel
manning this were authorised to contact Mountain Rescue via the Police
if assistance was required.

"The Police declared a Major Incident and, with the organisers, decided
to abandon the race. The Police requested that we contact each
radio-equipped checkpoint and request the officials to tell competitors
that the race was abandoned and to make their way down to low level,
find a sheltered area and camp for the night. If they met any other
teams on their way down they were to advise them to do the same. At
this point we switched into RAYNET mode.

"This ability was very much appreciated by the organisers who were
fulsome in their praise for our efforts under the most trying of
weather conditions."

As of Monday 3 November, the RSGB AV Library will be available again.
After a time-consuming process of re-recording, all the titles are now
available on DVD for loan to clubs and societies. Details of the titles
available for loan, and the terms and conditions, are on the RSGB web
site at www.RSGB.org.uk. The details in the RSGB Yearbook are no longer
correct. The Society would like to thank G3LQP for his work re-
recording and cleaning up the library material.

Dumfries and Galloway RAYNET require operators for this year's Galloway
Hills Rally. The event will be held on Sunday 7 December and covers 5
special stages in the forestry around Dalbeattie, Gatehouse of Fleet
and Newton Stewart. If you can attend or would like more information
please contact Richard, MM1BHO via e-mail secretaryatdgraynet.co.uk
or via the website www.dgraynet.co.uk.

The IRTS have recently concluded a new examination agreement with
ComReg, the Irish Regulator. This means that the arrangement under
which the IRTS is responsible for setting, organising and correcting
the examination for an Experimenter's Licence will continue over the
next three years. The new agreement also formalises the long standing
arrangement under which the IRTS is responsible for Morse testing.

2

Since the IRTS took over responsibility for the licensing examination
three years ago 146 candidates have sat the examination and 90 of these
obtained the HAREC qualification, which is a pass rate of 62 percent.

An announcement on the website of the Spanish national society, URE,
says Spanish radio amateurs are getting access to new 70MHz and 1.8MHz
allocations. The new 4 metre allocation is 70.150 - 70.200MHz with a 10
watts ERP restriction. Also Spanish amateurs will be permitted to
operate on 1810 - 1830 and 1850 - 2000kHz during specified
international contests.

MaxPak in association with FourPak and Ray, G3LQC are hosting the 2008
AX25 Packet Radio Conference on Saturday 8 November. The location of
this year's conference will be at The Plough, Alvescot, Oxfordshire. If
you would you like to attend this year's conference contact Miles,
G4GSB via Packet at g4gsb@gb7max or e-mail at g4gsbatbtinternet.com.

It is with great sadness that the Society notes the passing of John
Jackson, G3TZZ. Sadly, John died on Friday, 24 October, following a
heart attack. Known as Tiz, John was a major force in amateur radio. He
was heavily involved in the development of GB3NL and GB3LV, and was a
member of the RSGB Planning Committee for a number of years.

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 which are now incorporated in bandplans
around the world. The rules for the event are available at www.iaru-
r1.org.

The Wimborne D-Star repeater group tell us that GB7MM the 2m DV
reflector is now connected to the world- wide D-Star network.

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

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

Today, 2 November, the Great Northern Hamfest takes 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.

Also today, 2 November, 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 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.

3

Now for the news of special events

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 Sunday 2 November from about 0900 onwards,
visitors welcome. Further details from Ted on 01945 870941.

On 9 November GB4LWF, commemorating Remembrance Sunday with Lest we
Forget, will be on the air from Mexborough, Swinton.

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 be active from Gambia until 9 November. He will be on 80 to
10 metres using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31.

AH0BT will be active between 8 and 9 November. They plan to be active
in Japan's International DX Phone Contest as a multi-single entry. QSL
via 7L1FPU.

Nag, JA7GAX, is activating several Japanese IOTA groups. Between 1 and
8 November he will be on Tokara Islands, which is IOTA reference
AS-049.

Ulli, DL2AH, plans to become active from Tonga using an A3 callsign
until 9 November. QSLs via homecall.

3B8/F1BCS will be active as from Mauritius Island until 9 November. He
plans to operate SSB, RTTY and PSK31 on 40 to 15 metres. QSL via
operator's instructions.

A group of operators from the Lufthansa ARC and the Norden District of
the DARC will be guests of the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society from
until 11 November. They will operate as A43DLH from the ROARS
headquarters and as A43DLH/p from an Omani Scout camp. Expect activity
on 160 metres and up on CW, SSB, digital modes and SSTV. QSL via DK7PE.

A group of operators from the Radio Club Vendeen ) will be active on
all bands and modes as TM6VG on 1 to 15 November for the Vendee Globe.
The yacht race will start on 9 November. QSL via F6KUF, direct or
bureau.

P40ZB will be active from Aruba Island between until 6 November. QSL
via K9WZB direct only.

GU3ZAY and GU7VJR will be active from Guernsey today, 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.

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.

4

Now the contest news

The 144MHz CW contest finishes at 1400 today. The report is signal
report, serial number and locator.

On 4 November, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest and Club
Championship takes place between 1900 and 2130. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club invites radio amateurs world wide to
participate in the annual Worked All Europe DX Contest from Saturday, 8
November at 0000UTC until Sunday, 9 November at 2359UTC. The mode is
RTTY only and the bands used are 3.5, 7. 14. 21 and 28MHz. SWL entries
are welcome as a single operator all bands.

The Japan International DX Contest is held from 0700 on 8 November to
1300 on 9 November. For the full rules, check out the website
http://jidx.org.

The OK-OM DX Contest also takes place the same weekend starting at 1200
on 8 November and finishing at 1200 on 9 November. It is CW only on 1.8
to 28MHz not using the WARC bands. Again SWl entries are welcome.
Please check the website for the rules. http://okomdx.crk.cz

The RSGB's Club Calls Contest is on 8 November. This is a great event
for your club to try and get as many members on as possible for. You
can run a club station and introduce some newcomers to contesting under
the guidance of more experienced operators. It runs from 2000 to 2300,
SSB on Top Band. The exchange is signal repot, serial number and club
information.

Now the solar report for the period from the 20th to the 26th of
October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless everyday and as a result solar activity was
very low with no solar flares taking place at all. Solar flux levels
declined slightly from 69 units to 67. The average was 68 units. The 90
day solar flux average on the 26th remained at the same level as last
week at 67 units. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum
reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday, on
the 25th the Ap index was only one unit. The average was Ap 3 units.
The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline

nd th from 450 kilometres per second on the 22 to 290 by the 26 .
Particle densities were low everyday. Bz varied between no more than
minus 7 and plus 9 nanoTeslas during the period.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. The solar disc may have some small sunspot
groups visible on some days. If that is the case then solar flux levels
just might increase into the low 70s. Geomagnetic activity should be
quiet until Thursday when a coronal hole disturbance is expected to
arrive and last into the weekend. MUFs during day light hours at equal
latitudes are expected to be about 20MHz for the south and 17MHz for
the north. Darkness hour lows should be around 8MHz. Paths this week to
India should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success
rate of around 24MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate should be about 19MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 0900 and 1400 hours UTC.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

5

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 Monday 3 November Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a junk sale. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460
947. On Monday 3 November Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Monday 3 November
Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on The Conspiracy
Theory by Steve, M3EVM. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On
Monday 3 November Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk on remote
rig control by Martin, G4FKK. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589. On
Tuesday 4 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the Titanic by Terry White. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On
Tuesday 4 November Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club Is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846. On Tuesday 4 November Stevenage and District Amateur Radio
Society is taking part in the 144MHz UK Activity Contest. Contact John
McCutcheon on 01462 459254. On Wednesday 5 November Chesham and
District Amateur Radio Society is having a general meeting. Contact
Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491. On Wednesday 5 November Norfolk Amateur
Radio Club is having talks about members other hobbies. Contact Mark
Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Wednesday 5 November Southdown
Amateur Radio Society is operating at Hailsham. Contact John, G3DQY, on
01424 424 319.

On Thursday 6 November Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
software defined radio by Olof Lundberg, G0CKV. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 6 November Maidenhead and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on lifts and elevators by Peter, G8DLZ.
Contact John, G8RYW, on 01628 628 463. On Thursday 6 November Shefford
and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by David, G8UOD, on
fibre optics. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 7
November Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254. On Friday
7 November Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having talks on
the origins of the UK pension system by Victor, G1PKS and on tuned
circuits and Q by Bob, G3OOU. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

6

On Friday 7 November Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a radio
photo quiz by Adrian Boyd, G4LRP. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 8 November Verulam Radio Club is
taking part in the Club Calls Contest on 160m. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on
01923 265572.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST The Plymouth Training Team are planning a
Foundation course in the New Year 2009. Starting date will depend on
demand. The course will be run for six or seven weeks on Monday
evenings. Full details can be obtained from
www.radioclubs.net/plymradiotraining where e-mail and phone contacts
can also be found. The normal meeting room of Thornbury and South
Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is currently unavailable, so please
contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048, before traveling. On Tuesday 4
November Exeter Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Paul,
2EOEXR, by email to pchesh-29athotmail.co.uk. On Wednesday 5 November
Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a surplus sale. Contact Ian, on
01872 561 058. On Wednesday 5 November Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is
having a barbecue and fireworks. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.
On Wednesday 5 November South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
club evening DX Challenge. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On
Wednesday 5 November Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a review of the RSGB HF convention by Peter Robinson, G0EYR. Contact
William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On Wednesday 5 November Trowbridge
and District Amateur Radio Club is having its 25th Anniversary Dinner.
Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, E/W. On Thursday 6 November
Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. All members
are requested to attend. Contact Brian, M0BHG, on 01752 844 321. On
Thursday 6 November Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on ZL bits by Tony, G4LDL. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On
Thursday 6 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
preparing for the VP8 DXpedition by M5YLO. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by
email to g.swainattesco.net. On Friday 7 November Guernsey Amateur
Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact Phil, GU0SUP. On Friday 7
November Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating night.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 3 November Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a talk on trams by Malcolm, G6UGW.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 3 November
Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is having a demonstration of amateur TV by
Dave, G4JSR. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820. On Monday 3
November South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on the IOTA DXpedition to
Labrador. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

7

On Tuesday 4 November Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its junk sale. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875. On
Tuesday 4 November Kidderminster and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its annual surplus sale at the Chainwire Club. Contact Barry
G4CTU, on 01562 823966. On Tuesday 4 November Loughborough and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a demonstration of analogue versus digital
SSTV. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday 4 November
Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the Club 2m Contest. Contact
Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819. On Wednesday 5 November South
Birmingham Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact Don, 0121 458
1603. On Wednesday 5 November Telford and District Amateur Radio
Society is having an open house and on the air evening. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 6 November Tamworth Amateur Radio
Society is looking at fault finding. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on
01827 700 893. On Friday 7 November Coventry Amateur Radio Society is
having a bangers and mash night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.
On Friday 7 November Wythall Radio Club continues its Intermediate
Course. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819. On Saturday 8 November
Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is taking part in the RSGB club
calls contest. Contact Leslie Newth on 01905 726320.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 3 November Angel Of The North
Radio Amateur Radio Club is on the air and continues its Intermediate
course. Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 07990 760 920 (day). On Monday 3
November Bolton Wireless Club commences its Intermediate course.
Contact infoatboltonwireless.org.uk. On Monday 3 November
Macclesfield and District Radio Society is having a social evening.
Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612 916. On Monday 3 November Sheffield
Amateur Radio Club is having a fireworks and barbecue evening. Details
on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk. On Monday 3 November Thornton
Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. Contact John
Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313. On Tuesday 4 November Bishop Auckland
Radio Amateurs Club is attending Bishop Auckland Bonfire. Contact Mark,
G0GFG, on 01388 745353. On Tuesday 4 November Chester and District
Radio Society Club is having an operating evening. Details on the web
at www.chesterdars.org.uk. On Tuesday 4 November Pontefract District
Amateur Radio Society is having its penultimate Chinese whispers. For
more information contact 07594 596 040. On Tuesday 4 November Stockport
Radio Society is having mini lectures and a practical evening. Contact
David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

8

On Tuesday 4 November Warrington Amateur Radio Club is testing an Icom
7700 rig with George, G3OGQ. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558,
m0dwqatwarc.org.uk. On Wednesday 5 November South Notts Amateur Radio
Club is having a video evening with David, M0BWY. Details on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Thursday 6 November North Wakefield Radio
Club is watching the story of GB2FL by Richard, M0RBG. Contact Jim
Thornton, G3YDL, by email to g3ydlatntlworld.com. On Friday 7
November East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 7 November South
Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having a talk on middle east
travels by Peter, G0BHP. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 4 November Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131 449
7641. On Thursday 6 November Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
junk sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Thursday 6
November Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a construction
evening. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134. On Thursday 6 November
Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Ellis
Gaston GM0HPK 01776 820413.

On Friday 7 November Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723. On Friday 7
November West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society Equipment/Operation
Tech. discussions. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415715512.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 4 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
having a junk sale. Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars. On
Wednesday 5 November Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on the manufacture of explosive propellant by Les Hayward, MW0SEC.
Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Thursday 6 November Bangor and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its annual surplus sale. Contact Mike,
GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2 383.

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast,

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.