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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 30 November 2008 The news headlines

* New 7MHz Band Plan starts 29 March

* Amateur Radio promoted in European Parliament

* Stolen Amateur Rig

At the recent IARU Region 1 Conference in Cavtat, Croatia, a new
advisory band plan was adopted for the 7MHz band to be effective from
29 March 2009. This is the date by which broadcast stations should have
vacated the 7.1 to 7.2MHz segment. It then becomes an amateur primary
allocation in accordance with the decision of WRC 03. On the final day
of the Conference, elections were held for the Executive Committee. The
new President of Region 1 is Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T and the new
Secretary is Dennis Green ZS4BS The outgoing Secretary, Don Beattie,
G3BJ, was awarded the Roy Stevens trophy for distinguished service to
the Region over the years. The station 9A0IARU was active over the
period of the conference. The next Region 1 conference will be held in
Sun City, South Africa in September 2011.

An Amateur Radio 2009 Year Planner has been sent to all 785 Members of
the European Parliament along with an introductory letter, co-signed by
MEP Fernando Fernandez-Martin, EA8AK and IARU Region 1 EUROCOM Working
Group chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF. The Year Planner was created by
RSGB staff and highlights the use of amateur radio in Space and
Emergency Communications, amongst other aspects of the hobby.

VU3HPF is currently staying in Feltham, Middlesex. The house was broken
into and a few items were stolen including a Kenwood TH F7A radio, the
3-band American version. They left the rubber ducky and the charger
behind. If anyone comes across a similar radio up for sale, it will be
greatly appreciated if they could e-mail .

The US Fish and Wildlife Service have given permission for a DXpedition
to Desecheo Island, which is IOTA reference NA-095, between 12 and 26
February 2009. Desecheo currently sits at number 7 on DX Magazine's
Most Wanted list. It is a small uninhabited island in the Mona Passage,
14 miles off the western coast of Puerto Rico. It is part of a national
wildlife refuge system administered by the Caribbean National Wildlife
Refuge Complex.

The M6 DX Group has a new website address, www.m6dx group.co.uk. They
have added more information and the diary for 2009. Any M6 operators
who are interested in joining the activities of the group should get in
touch via the website.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution SOS Radio Week starts at 0000
on 24 January 2009 and ends at 2359 on 30 January. It is 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

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contacts made in to money. Registrations from groups, or individuals
can be made at www.sosradioweek.org.uk.

GB3LC is back on the air in memory of Nigel Goddard, G7UWU, who became
silent key in August of this year. Those concerned with getting the
repeater back on air would like to thank Brian, G7AJP for providing the
new site and Roger VK4IPE for the original repeater. GB3LC is on RB09,
433.225MHz output, 434.825MHz input and CTCSS 71.9Hz.

Ed Muns, W0YK, has been named Director of CQ magazine's RTTY contests.
CQ sponsors two of the most popular annual RTTY competitions, the CQ
World Wide RTTY WPX Contest each February and the CQ World Wide RTTY DX
Contest every September.

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

The Bishop Auckland Radio Amateurs Club Rally takes place today, 30
November, at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, Co Durham DL16 6DB. Doors open
at 10.30am and admission is £1.50 with accompanied under 14s free.
There will be various trade stands, a Bring and Buy and refreshments
available. Details from Mark, G0GFG on 01388 745 353.

Now for the news of special events

We have received no details from UK special event stations this week.

E760DPR will be on the air until 31 December to celebrate the 60th
anniversary of the Radio Club Trebinje in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Activity
will be on 80, 40 and 20m using CW and PSK31. QSL via E73DPR.

Special event station R70B will be active from 1 to 15 December to
celebrate the 70th anniversary of the city of Belovo. QSL via RA9UT,
bureau preferred. A special 'Belovo-70' award will be available.
Further information can be found on qrz.com in the awards section

ZY7EAM will be active from 4 to 7 December to celebrate Sailor Day held
to commemorate the Foundation of The Navy Sailor's Apprentice School in
Brazil. Plans are to operate CW and SSB on 160 to10m. QSL via PY7GK,
bureau preferred.

Japanese special event station 8J1UEC90 is on the air until 12 January
in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the University of
Electro-Communications. QSL via the bureau.

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

9J3A will be on the air until 2 December from Zambia. Activity will be
on all HF bands. QSL to S53A.

E51QQQ will be on the air from Manihiki Atoll in the North Cook Islands
until 9 December. Activity will be on 80 to 10m using CW, SSB and
possibly digital modes. QSL to JA1KAJ.

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TO3R will be active until 6 December from Reunion Island. Activity will
be mainly on the low bands. QSL via RW3RN.

AT2RS will be the callsign used to activate Nachugunta Island, which is
a new IOTA in India. Activity will be on 80 to 10m but not 30m. DL4KQ
has been named as QSL manager for everywhere except North and South
America,

A team of six operators from PY will show up as ZV5Z and/or ZV5V from
Paz Island from 6 to 13 December. QSLs direct via PP5CIT.

Now the contest news

On 2 December, the RSGB 144MHz Activity Contest takes place from 2000
to 2230. All modes are allowed and the exchange is RST, serial number
and locator.

The ARRL 160m Contest takes place from 2200 on 5 December to 1600 on 7
December, CW only. The exchange is RST.

On 7 December between 0900 and 1700 it's the RSGB 144MHz Activity
Contest. All modes are allowed and the exchange is RST, serial number
and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 17th to the 23rd of
November, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

It was very quiet week all round. One small single spot rotated out of
sight on the 17th leaving the solar disc spotless for the rest of the
period. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels only varied by
one unit throughout and averaged 69 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 23rd was 68 units, that's the same level as last week.
X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level.
Geomagnetic activity was also very quiet, in fact, the most disturbed
day was the 23rd with an Ap index of only 3 units. Four days saw the Ap
at one unit. The average was only Ap 2 units. Solar wind data at the
ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 450 kilometres per
second on the 17th to 260 by the 21st. Particle densities never
increased to more than 3 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz only varied
between minus and plus 4 nanoTeslas throughout. Like I said, a very
quiet week.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. There is a small chance that activity
could increase to low. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark,
slightly lower than 70 if the solar disc remains spotless or slightly
above if any small groups appear. Geomagnetic activity is expected to
be at quiet levels till Thursday or Friday when a small coronal hole
disturbance is expected to arrive. The disturbance should last no
longer than a couple of days. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes are expected to be around 20MHz for the south and 17MHz for
the north. The darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week
to the Middle East should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of around 21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be about 18MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 1000 and 1500 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 Monday 1 December Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is planning its construction project for 2009. Contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 1 December Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having its Christmas
dinner. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 1 December Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social at Chaseley. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 1 December Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk on
servicing a watch by Maurice, G4DDY. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644
7589.

On Tuesday 2 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Amateur is
having a talk on satellites on a shoestring by Andy Tyler, G1GKN.
Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 2 December Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club Is
having a natter night. There will be no meeting on 2On Wednesday 3
December. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Tuesday 2 December Verulam Radio Club is having its annual dinner.
Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 3 December Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for the AFS contest. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 3 December Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
radio and space by Stuart, G7KBF. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099.

On Wednesday 3 December Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Thursday 4 December Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having its AGM.
Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 4 December King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.

On Thursday 4 December Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal meeting. Contact John, G8RYW, on 01628 628 463.

On Friday 5 December Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 5 December Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is
having its Christmas social. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

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On Friday 5 December Dover Radio Club is discussing special events for
2009. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Friday 5 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.

On Friday 5 December Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having its
Christmas jolly. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 6 December Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating
from the bunker. Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.

On Saturday 6 December Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas lunch. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Saturday 6 December Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas dinner. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Saturday 6 December Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas social. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241.

On Sunday 7 December Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in the AFS 144MHz SSB contest. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on
01442 831 491.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST Poole Radio Society will be running an
Intermediate Course starting in December. Sessions will take place on
Friday evenings. Contact Alan Walker G4UWS on 01202 732912 for more
details.

On Wednesday 3 December Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having its
combined Christmas party. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058.

On Wednesday 3 December Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Dean, G0UIL on DRM: what is it? Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.

On Wednesday 3 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
workshop on amateur radio software. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282.

On Wednesday 3 December Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a quiz. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 3 December Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk and slideshow entitled "Along the Silk
Road" by Stan, G0RYM. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarcatsky.com.

On Wednesday 3 December Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its 25th birthday party, Christmas Social, buffet and
presentation. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.

On Thursday 4 December Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a fun quiz. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 4 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on My
First 50 years by G3ICO. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to
g.swainattesco.net.

On Friday 5 December Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

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NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 1 December Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society having an illustrated talk about operating in
difficult conditions on Lundy. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 1 December Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
how to work DX stations by Dave, G4JSR. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121
552 1820.

On Tuesday 2 December Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a show something unusual and tell evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 3 December Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 3 December Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open house evening. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 4 December Salop Amateur Radio Society is assessing the RF
oscillator mini project with 2E0TDF. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Thursday 4 December Tamworth Amateur Radio Society Club is having
its Christmas event. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

On Friday 5 December Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is holding
its AGM. Contact Pat, G3IKR, on 01386 792 542.

On Friday 5 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a visit
by RSGB president G3PSM. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Sunday 7 December South Birmingham Radio Society is having its
Christmas party. Contact Don, on 0121 4581603.

On Sunday 7 December Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is taking
part in the RSGB AFS 2m contest. Contact Leslie Newth, on 01905 726320.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 30 November Bishop Auckland
Radio Amateurs Club is holding its rally at Spennymoor. Contact Mark,
G0GFG, on 01388 745353.

On Monday 1 December Macclesfield and District Radio Society is having
a talk on 60 years of airborne radar. Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612
916.

On Monday 1 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a guest
speaker. Details on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk.

On Tuesday 2 December Chester and District Radio Society is having a
talk on SOE experiments and inventions by Lisa Mossop. Contact Barbara
Green on 0151 339 9183, or on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 2 December Stockport Radio Society is having its AGM.
Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

On Tuesday 2 December Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
building an Elecraft K3 by Keith, G8MKO. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on 01925
813 558.

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On Wednesday 3 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having an open
Committee meeting. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041.

On Wednesday 3 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401.

On Thursday 4 December North Wakefield Radio Club is having a visit by
RSGB Regional Manager Harold Scrivens. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by
email to eventsatg4nok.org.

On Friday 5 December North Wakefield Radio Club is having its Christmas
dinner. Contact Jim Thornton G3YDL, on eventsatg4nok.org.

On Friday 5 December South Manchester Radio And Computer Club DX is
having a wine tasting. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 2 December Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact Norman, on 0131 449 7641.

On Wednesday 3 December Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on
dealing with corrosion in the amateur station by Dennis Cram, GM3NIG.
Contact John, GM3CSO, on 01292 443 580, gm3csoatgm0ayr.org.

On Thursday 4 December Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 4 December Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a
show and tell evening. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134.

On Thursday 4 December Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter and PSK31 on the air night. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on
01776 820413.

On Friday 5 December Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 5 December West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having a
quiz. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415715512.

On Saturday 6 December Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a Christmas night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 2 December Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas dinner at "The Moors", Bwlchgwyn. Details on the
web at www.qsl.net/wars.

On Wednesday 3 December Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on model aircraft construction and controls by John Charles from
Bethesda. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068.

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NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Sunday 30 November Glengormley Electronics
Amateur Radio Society taking part in the CQWW CW contest. Contact Peter
Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to mi5jykatrsgb.org.uk.

On Monday 1 December Glengormley Electronics Amateur Radio Society
David, MI5KAW will be talking about Motorcycling in the Sahara desert.
Contact Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to mi5jykatrsgb.org.uk.

On Thursday 4 December Bangor and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on television by Gordon, GI8SKR. 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.