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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 14th December 2008 The news headlines

* RSGB News Service Schedule

* Mod Spectrum Consultation

* Next Train the Trainers session

Please note that there will be a GB2RS bulletin as usual on Sunday 21
December, but not on the two following Sundays, 28 December and 4
January. The first GB2RS of the new year will be on Sunday 11 January.
Anyone with news of events taking place between now and 11 January
should send it to the RSGB by e-mail to as soon as
possible.

Following last week's news item on ARISS awards and certificates we
have received more information on the subject. To qualify for the 25th
Anniversary of Ham in Space Special Event Certificate you should have
had two way communications with the ISS on Voice, Packet, APRS, or
through the voice repeater. Those that have heard the ISS from space in
any of the ARISS operations modes (voice, SSTV, school contact, voice
repeater, digital) also qualify. Valid dates to qualify for certificate
are between 30 November and 15 January. To receive the Certificate,
please note on your QSL the ARISS mode of operation and whether the
contact with you was receive only or 2 way. Send your SASE to the
normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area, whose details can
be found at www.ariss.org. On the outside of the QSL envelope, please
include the words "25th Anniversary Certificate" and make sure your
envelope is big enough to accept an 8.5 by 11 inch certificate and
includes the proper postage. The certificates will be sent to the
volunteer distributors in bulk after the event is over.

Richard Garriott made over 500 voice QSOs during his flight, more than
any single amateur has made on orbit during a short duration mission.
He also sent down about 1000 SSTV images during his flight. Those that
had a QSO with Richard can receive an ARISS QSL card using the normal
ARISS process. He is also planning a personal card, which is in
development. Once it is developed, they will be shipped to the ARISS
international QSL distribution volunteers for distribution. The current
plan is that those that have already sent in for an ARISS QSL card will
also get a Richard Garriott personal card once it is available. If you
made a contact with Richard, have not sent in your QSL, and would like
Richard's personal QSL card, please stand by for QSL distribution
instructions until the QSL card is ready.

The next RSGB Train the Trainers session will be on 8 February, which
is a Sunday, at the 7th Banstead Scout HQ, at the rear of Banstead
Methodist Church, The Drive, Banstead SM7 1DA. More details to follow
in the New Year.

The Ministry of Defence has recently published a statement on "An
implementation Plan for Reform" as part of the ongoing defence spectrum
consultation process. The statement covers the period 2008 to 2012 and
sets out how MoD intends to manage the spectrum they presently hold.
Picking the bones out of the 43 page document reveals that in line with
the RSGB's discussions with MoD there will little or no change in the
arrangements currently enjoyed until 2012 at the earliest. Discussions
will continue with MoD on the future

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use of parts of the 9cm band beyond November 2010 and the 70cm band
beyond November 2012. The MoD statement can be found on the web at
http://tinyurl.com/5z8sos.

Steve, G4OWT, is now the QSL Sub-Manager for the G4A, G4H and G4O range
of callsigns. If you would like to check on the state of your cards,
you can do so via his website at www.g4owt.btinternet.co.uk.

South Africa's second satellite carrying an amateur radio element is
now scheduled to be launched on 25 March. SumbandilaSat will carry an
FM voice repeater with an uplink in the 2 metre band and a downlink in
the 440MHz amateur allocation. Also on board will be a store and
forward voice digipeater. This unit acts as a parrot, immediately
repeating back transmissions beamed to it in the same way a packet
digipeater repeats back data. Finally, there will also be a beacon
system. It will be voice rather than the more common Morse. More
details can be found at www.amsatsa.org.za.

The International Space Station 70cm to 2 metre FM repeater is now
operational. The Space Station repeater has its input on 437.800MHz and
its output on 145.800MHz. Unlike terrestrial repeaters there is no need
to use CTCSS or any toneburst to activate it.

There is a new website dedicated to amateur and hobby radio related
films now online. Called www.hamradiotube.com, the site contains many
amateur radio video clips and shows covering the past 70 years. Also
there are a large number of videos showing to other aspects of hobby
radio including some about 1960s offshore radio broadcasting.

Now for the news of special events

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

Here's advance notice for some special event stations that will be
active before the end of the year.

GB5ONG will be active between 22 December and 4 January. It is being
run to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Nos Galan Races held on
New Year's Eve each year at Mountain Ash near Aberdare. They will be
active on 160, 80, 40 and 20m SSB and possibly PSK31, RTTY and CW.
There will also be a talk in frequency of 145.400MHz available for any
visitors. Operating times/schedules will be available nearer the date
on www.qrz.com. Further details available at www.nosgalan.co.uk/.

Listen out for GB2HLB from 26 December to 22 January. This, to
celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of inventor Louis Braille whose
tactile language for the sightless has been adapted world-wide. In
dedication to the Braille bicentenary each QSO made by GB2HLB will
receive a special QSL card depicting Braille and raising awareness of
the Royal National Institute of Blind People. A fund raising web page
can be found at www.justgiving.com/louisbraille.

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

Helmuth, W6KDX is staying on Amundsen-Scott South Pole station until 5
January and, if time permits, may be active as KC4AAA. Activity will
mainly be on 20 metres SSB. QSL via K1IED.

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John, 9M6XRO will be operating as XU7XRO from Kompong Som in Cambodia
until 18 December. Activity will be on 160 to 10 metres using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via M0URX.

OH4JT/1 will be active from Kustavi Island between 26 to 30 December.
Activity will include a Multi-Op entry in the Stew-Perry Topband
Challenge. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, mainly CW. QSL via
OH4MFA, direct or by the bureau.

KT3Q/4 will be active as from Key Biscayne Island in Dade County,
Florida until 26 December. He also plans to activate other IOTAs during
his stay. IOTAs mentioned a NA-052, NA-062, NA-069 or NA-138.
Activity will be on 40 to 15 metres CW. QSL via DL3OCH, direct or by
the bureau.

Now the contest news

The ARRL 10m CW and SSB contest on the 28MHz band finishes at 2359
today, 14 December. The exchange is RST and serial number.

On 16 December it is the RSGB 1.3 and 2.3GHz Activity Contest from 2000
to 2230. All modes are allowed and the exchange is RST, serial number
and locator.

The Croatian CW Contest takes place on 20 and 21 December from 1400 to
1400. All bands from 1.8 to 20m are allowed for the CW contacts. The
exchange is RST and serial number.

The 25th Original QRP Contest takes place on 27 and 28 December from
1500UTC on Saturday 27 until 1500 on the Sunday. Entrants must take 9
hours minimum rest period in one or two parts. The contest will be held
in the CW segments of the 80, 40 and 20m bands with the initial call
being CQ OQRP. The exchange is RST, serial number and category. An
exchange of RST is sufficient with stations not in contest. The contest
idea is to promote creative or unconventional QRP-amateur radio like
homebrewing or just doing it without QRO equipment. Full details can be
found at www.qrpcc.de.

Now the solar report for the period from the 1st to the 7th of
December, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was devoid of any sunspots all week and solar activity
was very low with no solar flares taking place. The only sign of
activity was a coronal mass ejection that took place during the morning
of the 7th. This was not Earth directed and had no effect on
propagation. Solar flux levels averaged 69 units and only varied by one
point on a daily basis. The 90 day solar flux average on the 7th
remained at 68 units. X-ray flux levels remained below the minim
reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels,
in fact, the Ap index was zero on the 1st and the 2nd. As forecast, a
small coronal hole disturbance arrived early on the 5th. The effects
from the disturbance were minimal and the Ap only reached 10 units on
the 5th. By the next day quiet conditions returned. The average was Ap
5 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar winds speeds increase from 270
kilometres per second on the 2nd to 590 by the 7th. Particle densities
were low except for a brief increase to 20 particles per cubic
centimetre around midday on the 3rd. Bz varied between minus 3 and plus
2 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 8 and plus 9
nanoTeslas on the 5th.

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And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be at very low levels. Solar flux levels should be in the high 60s for
most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet,
however, next Sunday could see the arrival of a small coronal hole
disturbance. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 20MHz for the south and 17MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week to South America should have
a maximum usable frequency of around 24MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 19MHz. The best
time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1700 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 From Wednesday 14 January South Essex Amateur Radio
Society will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm.
Meetings will be at South Benfleet Primary School, High Rd, South
Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5HA. All are welcome. There is plenty of parking,
refreshment facilities and the venue is wheelchair- friendly.

On Monday 15 December Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its club social. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 15 December Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a video
evening and review of the club year. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625
720.

On Tuesday 16 December Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a quiz night and construction contest. Contact John, G8RYW, on
01628 628 463.

On Tuesday 16 December Verulam Radio Club is having its annual bun
fight. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 17 December Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having Christmas drinks in the WHC bar. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442
831 491.

On Wednesday 17 December Dover Radio Club is having a Christmas Social.
Contact Brian, G4SAU, on g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 17 December Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 17 December Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas party and annual awards. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

On Thursday 18 December Horsham Amateur Radio is having a club social.
Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 18 December King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas club night. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.

On Friday 19 December Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
closed. Contact David Leary, G8JKV, on 01223 355254.

On Friday 19 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas quiz and mince pie evening. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845
103.

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On Friday 19 December Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 15 December Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is having its Christmas party. Contact Brian Jewell,
M0BRB, on 01237 473251.

On Monday 15 December Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas get-together. Contact Paul, 2EOEXR, by email to
pchesh-29athotmail.co.uk.

On Wednesday 17 December Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.

On Wednesday 17 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas social. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 17 December Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a club evening with mince pies. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823
666 234.

On Wednesday 17 December Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having its Chairman's quiz and social. Contact Tony,
G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 17 December Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its final meeting of 2008. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.

On Thursday 18 December Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 18 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a mince
pies evening. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swainattesco.net.

On Friday 19 December Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an
operating night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 15 December Gloucester Amateur Radio
And Electronics Society is having its annual buffet. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 15 December Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is having a working
party and clean up. Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.

On Monday 15 December Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas dinner at the Union Inn Hotel. Contact Simon, G8PAN, on
07977 266643.

On Tuesday 16 December Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a paper airplane competition. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Wednesday 17 December Midland Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas gathering for Coffee and mince pies. Contact Norman, G8BHE,
on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 17 December Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas dinner at the Allscot venue. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677.

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On Thursday 18 December Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club
is having a cheese and wine evening. Contact Charlotte, 2E0BSS, on
01603 626710.

On Thursday 18 December Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas meeting. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Thursday 18 December Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

On Friday 19 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a curry
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 19 December Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas meeting and buffet supper. Contact Geoff, G3STG, on 01664
480 733.

On Friday 19 December Stenigot Chain Home Amateur Radio Club is having
its Christmas social. Contact Steve Burke, M5ZZZ, by email to
m5zzzatbtinternet.com.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 15 December Macclesfield and
District Radio Society is having a talk on wireless telegraphy in light
aviation. Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612 916.

On Monday 15 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas meal. Details on the web at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk.

On Tuesday 16 December Chester and District Radio Society is having its
construction contest. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 16 December Stockport Radio Society is having its Christmas
social. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

On Tuesday 16 December Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on testing an Elecraft K3 by George, G3OGQ. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on
01925 813 558.

On Wednesday 17 December Goole Radio and Electronics Society is having
its Christmas meeting at the Black Swan Inn, Asselby. Contact Ken,
G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 17 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041.

On Wednesday 17 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
planning meeting for Radio Active. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on
01606 553401.

On Thursday 18 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is closed and
re-opens on 9 January. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041.

On Thursday 18 December North Wakefield Radio Club is having its family
Christmas party. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email to
eventsatg4nok.org.

On Thursday 18 December Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas Fuddle. Details on 07594 596 040.

On Thursday 18 December Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on noise, decibels, figures and factors by Dave, G8KBB. Contact Roger,
M0DWQ on 01925 813 558.

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On Friday 19 December South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having its Christmas party. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 16 December Livingston and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131
449 7641.

On Wednesday 17 December Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a festive
quiz and fun night. Contact John, GM3CSO, on 01292 443 580.

On Thursday 18 December Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas party. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 18 December West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas party. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on
01415715512.

On Thursday 18 December Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas dinner at the Bruce Hotel. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on
01776 820413.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 16 December Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
closed. Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars.

On Thursday 18 December Swansea Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas dinner at Clyne Golf Club. Contact Roger, GW4HSH, on 01792
404422.

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.