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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 1st February 2009 The news headlines

* IARU represented at ITU Meeting on PLT

* Morse Assessors sought in Northern Ireland

* EC seeks views on 24GHz

Working Party 1A of the ITU-R is preparing a report on Power Line
Telecommunications, examining the protection levels required by various
radio services. The US and Japan, in particular, seem to want very
little protection to radio services, although Japanese radio
astronomers and US broadcasters have opposing views. The section of the
report dealing with the Amateur Service has been updated by the
International Amateur Radio Union, and the next meeting is in Seoul in
South Korea between 24 February and 4 March. The IARU will be
represented in Seoul by one of their Technical Consultants, RSGB Past
President Peter Chadwick, G3RZP.

The intention of the RSGB Morse Certificate of Competency is to provide
a form of recognition for those who wish to have something to record
their achievement in learning Morse code. Morse Assessors are wanted
for this Scheme in Northern Ireland. For further details, Members
should look at the RSGB website. If you are based in Northern Ireland
and are interested in becoming a Morse Assessor, please contact the
Regional Manager, Mi5JYK, by email to .

The European Commission is asking for information and views from users
of the 24GHz part of the radio spectrum and other interested parties
regarding the use by automotive short-range radar equipment in the
Community. Interested parties include representatives from the
automotive sector and related industries, from sectors potentially
affected by short range radar such as radio astronomy, earth
observation, satellite operators, telecom companies and the defence
sector, as well as from organisations involved in road safety and
academic/research entities. The closing date for comments is 2 February
2008. Comments are to be sent to the Radio Spectrum Committee
Secretariat by email to . Responses will be
published on the European Commission's website on radio spectrum
policy.

Just over 12 months ago GB3VT was switched off and Ofcom dealt with the
incident as they thought appropriate. Two months later, the repeater
was switched back on with a curfew, allowing operation between the
hours of 0400 to 2100 local time. Now, GB3VT with the absence of SRD /
LPD interference, will again be fully available and operational on a 24
hour basis. GB3ST, operating on its new frequency of 433.225MHz
Transmit and 434.825MHz Receive, channel RB09, will also be available.
The repeater keeper hopes the current high standard of operating
continues now the curfew has been lifted. Should it prove necessary,
the curfew can be, albeit reluctantly, reinstated.

The Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is running a Foundation course
between 28 February and 1 March. Forms can be downloaded from
www.wraa.co.uk. These should be returned by 14 February complete with
fees.

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Starting on Thursday 26 February, the training team of the Chelmsford
Amateur Radio Society is running a Foundation course at Danbury Village
Hall. This covers six Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Please contact
Clive Ward 01245 224577 or email .

The Bolton Wireless Club is holding a week-long members' VHF Activity
Contest, running from Monday 2 February to Sunday 8 February inclusive.
Members will be seeking to make as many contacts as possible using all
modes on the 6m, 4m, 2m and 70cm bands, with a maximum power of 10W
PEP. Club stations G0BWC and G1ONE will be operational during this week
too. The club members ask that other radio amateurs listen out for them
and give them some points. If you would like a few more details on this
activity, check out the club's web site.

The 47th Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association Exhibition
otherwise known as the NARSA rally is, as reported in RadCom, being
held at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, on Sunday 5 April. The
exhibition opens to the public at 11am with disabled access from
10.45am. The organising committee very much look to welcoming you all
in Blackpool, albeit two weeks later than originally planned. For
further information contact Dave, M0OBW, on 01270 761608 or via e-mail
to .

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

Today, Sunday 1 February, is the South Essex Amateur Radio Society
Mobile Radio Rally at 'The Paddocks', Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex,
at the southern end of the A130. There is free car parking and doors
open at 10.30am. Contact Ken, G0BBN, on 01842 861089, for further
details.

On 8 February the Harwell Radio and Computing Rally will take place in
the Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot. There will be free
car parking and the doors open at 10.30am. Entry fee is £2 and you'll
find trade stands and special interest groups as well as an RSGB
bookstall manned by the Regional Team. More details from Ann on 01235
816379.

Ballymena Amateur Radio Club will be holding its annual Winter Bring
and Buy sale on Friday 13 February from 6.30pm onwards at the new
Ahoghill Community Centre. For directions and map go to
http://GI3FFF.synthasite.com or for any other information contact Hugh,
GI0JEV on 028 2587 1481.

Now for the news of special events

On 1 February, Ted Moore, G7AIR will be operating a special event
station on behalf of The Eddystone User Group at the site of the Point
of Ayre Lighthouse on the Isle of Man. The callsigns used will GT3EUG
on 80m, GT7EUG on 40m and GD7AIR on 160m. Special QSLs will be issued
for each band and call. For further info check out Eddystone User Group
website.www.eddystoneusergroup.org.uk.

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

H44MS will be active from Honiara in the Solomon Islands. He will be
there until 28 April. His primary focus will be on 80 and 40 meters.
QSL as directed on the air.

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John, 9M6XRO, and Steve, 9M6DXX, will operate using vertical antennas
at an ocean-front location in Sabah, which is IOTA Reference OC-088,
between 7 and 10 February, as follows: 9M6XRO will operate on 10 - 160m
mainly CW from 7 to 10 February, concentrating on 80m and 160m CW;
9M6DXX will operate 10 - 80m SSB only on 7 and 8 February,
concentrating on 40 and 80m SSB. They will use one station with full
legal power (400W) to a Butternut HF6V vertical very close to the ocean
on 10 - 80m, and a 17m-high inverted-L on 160m, again within a few
metres of the ocean. Sunset in 9M6 is at 1027UTC; sunrise at 2233UTC.
QSL both via QSL Manager Tim, M0URX.

P29ZAD, will be active from Buka Island between 7 and 27 February. QSL
via NI5DX, direct or by the Bureau.

HA9RE, and friends are expected to show up as FW5RE from Wallis Island
from until 17 February. QSL via HA9RE.

VP8/ON5NT, will be QRV from the Falklands until 7 February. QSL via
homecall, direct or via bureau.

Now the contest news

On 2 February, the RSGB 80 Club Championship, SSB leg, takes place from
2000 to 2130. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

3 February sees the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest and Club
Championship taking place between 2000 and 2230. All modes are allowed
and the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The 2009 Black Sea Cup International will be held over the weekend of 7
February beginning 1200UTC on Saturday and ending 0000UTC on Sunday.
The object is to contact as many Black Sea Contest Club members,
amateurs of Black Sea countries and especially IARU member society
headquarters stations around the world as possible. Bands used are 160
through 10 meters but not including the WARC bands. Only contacts made
using CW and SSB are counted. For complete details visit
www.bscc.ucoz.ru.

The World Wide Peace Messenger City Contest takes place on 7 and 8
February from 1200 to 1200 using CW and SSB. The exchange is signal
report and serial number. Do not use separate numbering systems for CW
and SSB. Stations may be contacted on both CW and SSB on each band.
www.s59dcd.si/english.

8 February sees the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest take place
from 0900 to 1300. All modes are allowed and the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 19th to the 25th of
January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

We start this weeks report with the latest smoothed monthly sunspot
numbers which are for May, June and July 2008, which are 3.5, 3.3 and
3.2 respectively. The trend is still downward, albeit, only marginally.

The only small sunspot group visible at the start of the period
disappeared on the 19th leaving the Sun spotless for the remaining
days. Solar activity was very low with no solar flares taking place.
Solar flux levels

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hovered around the 70 mark; in fact the average was 70 units. The 90
day solar flux average on the 25th was 68 units, that's one unit down
on recent weeks. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting
level throughout. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday. However, on
the 19th the Ap index was 9 units, that was in response to a small
coronal hole. The average was Ap 3 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 500 kilometres per second
on the 19th to 270 by the 24th. Particle densities were low except for
the 19th which increased to 16 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz
varied between plus minus 10 and plus 8 nanoTeslas on the 19th and
between minus 4 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the remaining days.

And finally the solar forecast. The solar disc should be spotless on
some days; however, there is a small chance that sunspots may be seen.
Even if any spots do appear solar activity is expected to continue at
very low levels. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark for
most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet
everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about
18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows
should be around 7MHz. Paths this week to Japan should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 15MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about
12MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0800 and 1000
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 2 February Braintree and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact John, M5AJB, on
01787 460 947. On Monday 2 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is
having a talk on Visual Basic programming by Ian, M1FHU. Contact Dave,
G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Monday 2 February Surrey Radio Contact Club
is having an SMD master class with Gareth, G4XAT. Contact Ray, G4FFY,
on 020 8644 7589. On Tuesday 3 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio
Society is operating from the shack. Contact Steve, 0142 720815. On
Tuesday 3 February Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Amateur is having a
talk on radio aerials by Tony Gilbey, G4TYG. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008. On Tuesday 3 February Horndean and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846. On Tuesday 3 February Leiston Amateur Radio
Club is having a test equipment evening. Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 01473
737 717. On Wednesday 4 February Dover Radio Club Operating and Is
having a natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 4 February Norfolk Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk by Steve, G6ALU, on an 80m SSB transceiver kit
for £45. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099. On Wednesday 4
February Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is viewing a
collection of vintage radio films from the BVWS. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893. On Thursday 5 February Cray Valley Radio Society is
having a talk on engineering on the radio ships by G0UKN. Contact Bob,
BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm. On Thursday 5 February Horsham
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on nuclear power generation by John
Narborough. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 5
February King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club Club is holding its AGM.
Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com. On Thursday 5
February Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by David G8UOD. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 6
February Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having its
constructors contest. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254. On
Friday 6 February Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a
talk on the history of sound recording by Jon Weller, G0GNA. Contact
Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

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On Friday 6 February Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group Guildford is having
a quiz night with Terry Kearns, G4GIX. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk. On Saturday 7 February Brede Steam Amateur
Radio Society is at the bunker. Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 3 February West Devon Radio Club is
having a used equipment tabletop sale. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on
01752291588. On Wednesday 4 February Cornish Radio Amateur Club is
having a talk on digimodes by John, M0PCM. Contact Ian, on 01872 561
058. On Wednesday 4 February Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is holding its
AGM. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172. On Wednesday 4 February
South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its shack manager's night
with David, G7PKJ. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On Wednesday 4
February Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
building and testing the Butternut HV9 vertical by Jeremy Adams.
Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On Wednesday 4 February
Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is having talks
on how we got into amateur radio. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.
On Wednesday 4 February Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the history of the Eddystone RX with Ian Nutt, M0ECQ.
Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698. On Thursday 5 February Swindon
and District Amateur Radio Club Is having a natter night. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 5 February Yeovil Amateur Radio
Club is having its surplus equipment sale. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by
email to g.swainattesco.net. On Friday 6 February Torbay Amateur
Radio Society is having an operating night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by
email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 2 February Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a talk on PIC Basics by Cliff, G8CQZ.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 2 February
South Birmingham Radio Society is having a ragchew and contest meeting.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Monday 2 February South Normanton
Alfreton and District Amateur Radio Club is having a winter fox hunt,
on foot or skis depending on the weather. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO,
on 01773 783658. On Tuesday 3 February Derby and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk. On Tuesday 3 February Kidderminster and
District Amateur Radio Society is watching films from the RSGB library.
Contact Barry, G4CTU, on 01562 823966. On Tuesday 3 February
Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having a test equipment
evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 4
February Midland Amateur Radio Society is discussing contests. Contact
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

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On Wednesday 4 February South Birmingham Radio Society is making rally
arrangements and having a contests review. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603. On Wednesday 4 February Telford and District Amateur Radio
Society is having an on the air and open house evening. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 5 February Salop Amateur Radio
Society is having a natter night. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk. On Friday 6 February Bromsgrove and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a club discussion. Contact Chris, M0BQE,
on 01905 776 869. On Friday 6 February Cheltenham Amateur Radio
Association is having a surplus equipment sale. Contact Derek Thom,
G3NKS, on 01242 241099. On Friday 6 February South Birmingham Radio
Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603. On Saturday 7 February Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is in
the club shack. Contact Leslie Coyne M3WRZ, on 01905 764320.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 2 February Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036. On Monday 2 February Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on DXing by Andrew, G0HSA. Contact Mike Gordon G0TKO, on 01709
382479. On Monday 2 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk on the RSGB, past, present and future by Dave Wilson,
M0OBW. Contact John Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313. On Tuesday 3 February
Chester and District Radio Society is having a talk on RAF airborne
communications in WW2 by D Ollerhead. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339
9183. On Tuesday 3 February Stockport Radio Society is having a mentor
evening and practical session on antennas. Contact David, M1ANT, on
0161 456 7832. On Tuesday 3 February Warrington Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the way forward with WARC by Paul, G1DVA. Contact
Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705. On Wednesday 4 February Goole Radio and
Electronics Society is on the air. Contact Ken, G6YYN, on 01757 638539.
On Wednesday 4 February Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482 668 041. On Wednesday 4
February Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a look at the
Elecraft 70cm transverter with G8HAV. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on
01606 553401. On Wednesday 4 February South Notts Amateur Radio Club
continues its Advanced course. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc. On Thursday 5 February North Wakefield Radio
Club Introduction to CW for beginners. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by
email to eventsatg4nok.org. South Manchester Radio And Computer Club
has changed its meeting nights to Thursday with immediate effect. On
Thursday 5 February the club is having a talk on baluns by Ron, G3SVW.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

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On Thursday 5 February York Radio Club is on The Air. Contact Tony
Skaife, G4XIV, on 01904 330502. On Friday 6 February East Cleveland
Amateur Radio Club is having a technical forum. Contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 6 February Tynemouth Radio Club is
having a talk on software defined radio by G0SBN and G0EDK. Contact
Tony, G8YFA, by email to mailatg0nwm.com.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 3 February Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on a compact Mode-S avionics transponder
by David Stockton, GM4ZNX. Contact Norman, on 0131 449 7641. On
Wednesday 4 February Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on a
beginners' experience with digimodes by Alan Winton, GM3MWX. Contact
the new secretary Charlie, MM0GNS, on 01563 551704. On Wednesday 4
February Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on practical
mobile HF and VHF installations by GM0FFB. Contact Bill Anderson,
2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633. On Thursday 5 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is having a junk sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.
On Friday 6 February Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 3 February Carmarthan Amateur Radio Society
is looking at a Morse tone oscillator. Contact Alastair Underwood,
GW0AJU, on 01267 290822. On Tuesday 3 February Chepstow and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on HF and VHF Propagation.
Contact Mike, GW3YKZ, on 07825 987115. On Tuesday 3 February Wrexham
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on Berlin, radio and all that.
Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars. On Wednesday 4 February Conwy
Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the past, present and the
future of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station by Nigel Ackroyd and Kay
Wilkinson. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068. On Thursday 5
February Meirion Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on digital
television by Max, MW1KDP. Contact John, MW0VTK.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Monday 2 February Glengormley Electronics
Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the workings of the RSGB ETCC
Committee by John, GI4BWM. Contact Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to
mi5jykatrsgb.org.uk. On Thursday 5 February Bangor and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the history of Gilnahirk by
George Busby. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2383.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.