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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 9 November 2008 The news headlines

* Train the Trainers coming to Wigan

* RSGB Planning Advisors sought

* Listen out for Radio St Helena

An RSGB Train the Trainers session will take place on Saturday 13
December at the Standish Community Centre, Moody Street (off Church
Street), Standish, near Wigan, WN6 0JY. It will be hosted by the North
West Amateur Radio Club. The Train the Trainers scheme offers guidance
on running courses and teaching techniques and helps tutors enhance the
standard of their Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced license
courses. Dave Wilson, M0OBW and Dave Bibby, G1PIX, will be presenting
the all-day course, which is free of charge to attendees. For more
information and to register, contact Kath Wilson, M1CNY by e-mail to
dwilsonatbtinternet.com or call on 01270 761 608. Demand is expected
to be high, so it is important to register as soon as possible.

The RSGB's Planning Advisory Committee and panel exists to assist
members with planning related matters associated with amateur radio
antennas and masts. The Planning Panel currently has vacancies for
Panel Members in the London and South East England areas, North East
England and North East Scotland. Planning Panel members are not
expected to prepare planning applications on behalf of members but are
expected to provide members with advice on Planning Applications,
Appeals and Enforcement Notices related to amateur radio masts and
antennas by phone e-mail and/or in writing. Panel members need not be
planning professionals but must have a good working knowledge of the
planning system as it applies to amateur radio antennas and masts. If
you can assist with this valuable service to members or know someone
who can, please contact Len Paget, GM0ONX on 01563 534383 or by e-mail
at .

Radio St Helena Day is set for Saturday 15 November and will be
broadcast on 11092.5kHz USB on Saturday, 15 November 2008.
Transmissions to Europe will be between 2100 and 2230UTC. The QSL
address is: Radio St Helena, PO Box 93, Jamestown, St. Helena, STHL
1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean.

The RSGB QSL bureau is seeing an increase in the number cards for
individual UK callsign holders mistakenly using the prefixes reserved
for club stations, as shown on page 14 of the licence schedule. What
initially was just an isolated incident now appears to involve hundreds
of stations, from time to time, mistakenly using the wrong prefix list,
some from a fixed location but particularly when operating on holiday,
in contests or at club events. Presumably hearing such use on the air
is serving only to encourage others to do the same. The correct
identifiers for personal licence holders are shown on Page 4 of the
licence schedule, section 2(2) and should always be used by
individuals, whatever their circumstances.

North East Lancashire has for many years been rather a blackspot for
GB2RS coverage. Mark, G0VOF in Blackburn has kindly agreed to become a
GB2RS newsreader, operating through the GB3RF repeater and the repeater
group committee has given this their blessing Mark needs a partner to
help him, either on an

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equal footing, or to deputise for him when necessary. Anyone wishing to
do this should, of course, be within easy range of GB3RF and must be a
member of the RSGB.If you are interested, please get in touch with
Laurie Beadshaw on 01204 697023 or via

Congratulations to Tetra Communications Ltd for raising £515 for
Macmillan Nurses at the recent Leicester Amateur Radio Show with their
tea and coffee refreshment stand.

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

The CATS Radio & Electronics Bazaar takes place on 16 November at the
1st Coulsdon Scout HQ, at the rear of the Council Car Park, Lion Green
Road, Coulsdon, Surrey. Doors open from 10am to 2pm. You'll find a
Bring & Buy amongst the usual attractions. Details from Andy, G8JAC,
e-mail g8jacatbtinternet.com.

Now for the news of special events

On 9 November, GB4LWF, Lest We Forget, will be commemorating
Remembrance Sunday from Mexborough, Swinton.

14 November sees GB70RAF on the air for the Royal Air Force from
Shaftesbury in Dorset.

It's the Royal Navy's turn on 15 November when GB4RN goes on the air
from Waterlooville.

Terry, GM3WUX will be operating GB2HLB, from 26 December 2008 to 22
January 2009, to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Louis
Braille. Each QSO will receive a special QSL card depicting Braille and
raising awareness of the Royal National Institute of Blind People
(RNIB). A fund raising page for RNIB can be found at
www.justgiving.com/louisbraille.

Special event station ON55INR is QRV until December 31 to mark the
start of TV broadcasting from Brussels. QSL via bureau.

Latvian amateur radio operators will use the special prefix YL90 during
the month of November in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the
proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

TC85TC will be on the air until 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.

TC70ATA will be on the air for the 70th Anniversary of Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk's death. The activity will be until 12 November. Detailed
information about activity is on www.qrz.com. QSL via TA1HZ.

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

Merv,CE0Y/N6NO, will be active in CW and SSB on 12 to 40m from Isla da
Pascua in the Easter Island group, which is IOTA SA-001, until 16
November. QSL via N6NO.

CX1F will be active from San Gabriel Islan, off Uruguay, which is IOTA
reference SA 057, between 15 and 16 November. QSL via CX2FAA: Fernando
Carballo S/N, C.A. El General, CP 70.000, CC 39073 Colonia del
Sacramento, Colonia City, Uruguay.

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Nag, JA7GAX will be visiting and operating from several Japanese IOTA
groups in the JA6 call area. 11 to 13 November sees him in the Okinawa
Islands and 15 to 20 November is the Daito Islands. QSL via JA7GAX,
direct or bureau.

S79UH and JA0UMV will be operating from Praslin Island, Seychelles,
until 14 November on all HF bands, on CW and SSB (no RTTY). QSL via
JA0UH and JA0UMV.

V5/DJ4SO will be on the air in Namibia until 4 December. Activity will
be mostly on CW and RTTY/PSK31 on 160 through 10m.

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 VIA
bureau.

XU7AVO, XU7PBL, XU7ARJ and XU7UJR are due in Cambodia until 10
November. Activity will be on all bands and modes.

J3/DM2AYO and J3/DL7CM will be on from Grenada until 25 November, all
bands and modes. They have a webpage. QSL to their home calls.

Now the contest news

Today, 9 November, sees the ARDF competition at Bagworth Woodlands in
Leicestershire starting at 10am.

You could still catch some of the OK/OM CW Contest that finishes at
1200UTC today, 9 November. The exchange is signal report and serial
number.

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club annual Worked All Europe DX Contest is
still on today, 9 November, until 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 also still on today, 9 November,
until 1300. For the full rules, check out the website http://jidx.org.

The RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 11 November from
1900 to 2130 using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

The RSGB 80m Sprint takes places on 13 November from 2000 to 2130.
Using SSB on the 3.5MHz band the exchange is your callsign, the other
station's callsign, the serial number and your first name or nickname.

The final leg of the ARRL International EME Competition takes place on
the 15 to 16 November weekend when London latitude stations will again
enjoy about 33 hours of Moon time as the declination varies from a
maximum of +27.09° to +24.52°. The 144/432MHz sky temperature ranges
from 575/44K to 406/30K while the signal degradation is a maximum of
-0.05dB at another perigee weekend and the Sun offset at Saturday
midnight is -174°.

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The 21st Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party takes place on 16
November between 1300 and 1500UTC on 7010 to 7040kHz and 1500 to
1700UTC on 3510 to 3560kHz. They are hoping that as many operators of
homebrew or equipment more than 30 years old will join in. The exchange
is signal report, serial number starting from 001 on both bands and
your licence class.

Don't forget, either, the RSGB's 2nd 1.8MHz Contest on 15 and 16
November. This usually sees plenty of activity from around the UK and
Europe, with a variety of other 1.8MHz contests taking place the same
weekend, so there's no shortage of contacts. Towards the end of the
event, some North American DX should be available. The exchange is
signal report, serial number and district.

18 November sees the RSGB 1.3GHz/2.3GHz Activity Contest using all
modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 27th of October to the 2nd
of November, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison,
G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless until the 30th when a small sunspot group
emerged. This group belongs to the new cycle, in fact, since the middle
of September, 5 out of the last 6 sunspot groups have belonged to the
new cycle. This grew in size and magnetic complexity and by the 2nd had
produced several sub-flares. Solar activity though remained at very low
levels. Solar flux levels increased slightly from 67 units to 69 by the
end of the period. The average was 67 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 2nd remained at 67 units, where it as been for the last
4 weeks. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level
everyday. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels, but as forecast
a coronal hole disturbance arrived on the 29th, however, activity was
minimal, the Ap index on the 29th and the 30th was only 11 units.
Activity quickly declined and on the 1st the Ap index was only 1 unit.
The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data measured at the ACE
spacecraft saw speeds increase from 290 kilometres per second on the
28th to 740 by the 29th. Particle densities were low except for a brief
increase to 23 particles per cubic centimetre during the 29th. Bz
varied little on the quiet days and between minus 10 and plus 11
nanoTeslas during the disturbance.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. Solar flux levels should be in the high
60's, however if any spots appear that could increase to the low 70's.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet all week. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 21MHz for the south
and 18MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be
around 8MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 26MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be
around 21MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and
1600 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 First, advanced warning of a lecture at the Verulam
ARC. On 18 November at 8pm Matt Gibbs of Meteor Communications (Europe)
Ltd will be speaking on the professional usages of meteor burst
communications. The venue is Aboyne Lodge School, Etna Road, St.
Albans, AL3 5NL. There is no charge, and for more information please
contact Ralph on 01923 265572. On Monday 10 November Coulsdon Amateur
Transmitting Society is having a quiz hosted by Frank, G3ZMF. Contact
Andy, G8JAC, on g8jacatbtinternet.com. On Monday 10 November
Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by a
Microwave Round Table speaker. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
paul.whitingatbt.com. On Tuesday 11 November Stevenage and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk. Contact John McCutcheon on
01462 459254. On Wednesday 12 November Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is
having a quiz against the Chesham club. Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442
826 651. On Wednesday 12 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is
having a committee meeting. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On
Wednesday 12 November Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a quiz night with members of Aylesbury Radio Club. Contact
Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491. On Wednesday 12 November Dover Radio
Club is having an operating and natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by
email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 12 November Norfolk Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on micro-DXpeditioning by Roger, G3SXW.
Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 12 November South Essex Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Details on the web at www.southessex.ARS.btinternet.co.uk. On
Wednesday 12 November Southgate Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Gavin Nesbitt on D-Star. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to
david.sharp1attesco.net. On Wednesday 12 November Worthing and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Jon Weller on a brief
history of recorded sound. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On
Thursday 13 November Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its autumn junk sale. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697. On
Thursday 13 November Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a quiz night. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday
14 November Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having the
Cambridge Repeater Group AGM. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223
355254.

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On Friday 14 November Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on wireless multimedia communications by Professor Lajos Hanzo from the
University of Southampton. Contact Quintin, M1ENU, on 023 807 8799. On
Friday 14 November Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.

On Friday 14 November Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction and on the air evening. Contact Jim, M0CON, on
020 8874 7456. On Sunday 16 November Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting
Society holds its annual Radio and Electronics Bazaar at 1st Coulsdon
Scout HQ, r/o council car park, Lion Green Road, Coulsdon, Surrey.
Contact Andy, G8JAC, on g8jacatbtinternet.com. On Sunday 16 November
Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a 2m fox hunt. Details on the web
at www.harc.org.uk. On Sunday 16 November Southdown Amateur Radio
Society is performing maintenance at Beachy Head. Contact John, G3DQY,
on 01424 424 319.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 10 November Cornish Radio Amateur
Club Computer section is having a talk on making greetings cards using
Photoshop by Alex, G4DEO. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058. On Monday 10
November Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on linear
amplifiers by Alan, G4TKV. Contact Paul, 2EOEXR, by email to
pchesh-29athotmail.co.uk. On Wednesday 12 November South Bristol
Amateur Radio Club starts its Christmas raffle. Contact Len, G4RZY, on
01275 834 282. On Wednesday 12 November Taunton and District Amateur
Radio Club is operating the club station and holding a Morse class.
Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On Wednesday 12 November
Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is having a
computer workshop with Garry, G7NVZ. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarcatsky.com. On Thursday 13 November Swindon and District
Amateur Radio Club Is having a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317750. On Thursday 13 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on software defined radio by G0BBL. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ,
by email to g.swainattesco.net. On Friday 14 November Torbay Amateur
Radio Society is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email
to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 10 November Gloucester Amateur Radio
And Electronics Society is having an informal evening. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 10 November Sandwell
Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on
0121 552 1820. On Monday 10 November South Normanton Alfreton and
District Amateur Radio Club commences its winter construction project
with Mike Jeffs, M0RMJ. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

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On Tuesday 11 November Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a committee meeting. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875. On
Tuesday 11 November Eagle Radio Group is having a quiz session with
Nevil, G3VDV. Contact Terry, G0SWS, on 01507 478590. On Tuesday 11
November Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is visiting
Carillon Hospital Radio at Loughborough Hospital. Contact Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319. On Tuesday 11 November Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio
Society is having a video evening. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420
913. On Tuesday 11 November Worcester Radio Amateurs Association Club
is having a talk and continues its Intermediate course. Contact Leslie
Newth on 01905 726320. On Tuesday 11 November Wythall Radio Club is
having a committee meeting. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819. On
Wednesday 12 November Telford and District Amateur Radio Society
launches its new project. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On
Thursday 13 November Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club is
beginning preparations for the year with a meeting for all member past
and present. Contact Charlotte, 2E0BSS, on 01603 626710. On Thursday 13
November Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a shack night.
Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893. On Friday 14 November
Coventry Amateur Radio Society is running its great egg race. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 14 November Wythall Radio Club
continues its Intermediate Course. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412
819. On Saturday 15 November Tamworth Amateur Radio Society commences
its Foundation Course. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 10 November Angel Of The North
Radio Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM followed by a talk on
Afghanistan activities by Nick Peckett, G4KUX/YA4F. Contact Nancy,
G7UUR, on 07990 760 920. On Monday 10 November Bolton Wireless Club is
having a discussion evening. Contact infoatboltonwireless.org.uk. On
Monday 10 November Macclesfield and District Radio Society is having a
4m on-air experimentation evening. Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612
916.

On Monday 10 November Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a video
evening. Details on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk. On Monday 10
November Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Ted, G3WBB, on "my time on computers". Contact John Webb, G8RDP, on
01253 876313. On Tuesday 11 November Pontefract District Amateur Radio
Society is having Chinese Whispers. For more information contact 07594
596 040. On Tuesday 11 November Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having
a demonstration and talk on a homebrew Paraset by Paul, 2E0DRD. Contact
Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558.

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On Wednesday 12 November South Notts Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Terry, M0RIA, via the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On
Thursday 13 November North Wakefield Radio Club is having an
introduction to CW for beginners. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email
to g3ydlatntlworld.com. On Friday 14 November East Cleveland Amateur
Radio Club is having a radio magazines evening. Contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 14 November South Manchester Radio
And Computer Club is having a talk on transistor testing by Ged, G8RSI.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On Friday 14 November Tynemouth
Radio Club is having a pie and peas night with M0GAE. Contact Tony,
G8YFA, by email to mailatg0nwm.com.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 11 November Livingston and District
Amateur Radio Society is having an operating evening. Contact Norman on
0131 449 7641. On Wednesday 12 November Lothians Radio Society is
having a talk on DX and DXpeditions by Tom Wylie, GM4FDM. Contact
Colin, GM4HWO, by email to enquiriesatlothiansradiosociety.com. On
Wednesday 12 November Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on practical Morse by GM0PYM. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505
613633. On Thursday 13 November Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction night. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 14 November Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Bob, GM4UYZ, on routers in a network. Contact Bob,
GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723. On Friday 14 November West Of Scotland
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the digital TV switchover.
Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415715512.

NEWS FOR WALES On Thursday 13 November Cwmbran and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk by the local Raynet representative.
Details on the web at www.mc0yad.co.uk.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Monday 10 November Glengormley Electronics
Amateur Radio Society continues its Intermediate training. Contact
Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to mi5jykatrsgb.org.uk.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.