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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 15th February 2009 The news headlines

* Jim Smith, VK9NS, Silent Key

* Amateur Emergency Comms provide valuable help in Australian bush
fires

* DRM Vacancy in Wiltshire

It is with deep sadness that we have learned that Jim Smith, VK9NS
passed away peacefully on Norfolk Island after a short illness. Jim's
contribution to amateur radio, DXing and IOTA was immense and he will
be sadly missed. Jim received a Certificate of Merit from the RSGB at
HFC2008, which coincided with his 80th birthday celebrations.

The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network in Victoria, Australia,
has been providing communications links in a number of areas affected
by bushfire. Operators have been escorted by police and the Country
Fire Authority through still hazardous areas to their postings. Roads
continue to remain closed and fires are still burning. On occasions,
the Fire Authority has had to pull out those engaged in vital work
because an area has simply become too dangerous. At least two amateur
voice repeaters have been under threat by fires, but replacement
equipment and installers are on standby if needed. An Emergency Network
portable repeater is also in the field and operating.

Following on from the retirement of the previous Deputy Regional
Manager, a vacancy has occurred for a DRM to serve in Wiltshire,
District 102. The post requires the DRM to liaise with and assist the
clubs within the County and to act as the first point of contact
between the local clubs and the National Society. If your interest is
firmly rooted in amateur radio and you feel that you would enjoy the
challenge, please apply, in the first instance, to the Regional Manager
for Region 10, Gavin Keegan, G6DGK. He can be contacted either by
e-mail to g6dgkatrsgb.org.uk or by phone on 07801 692667.

Following months of review, the ARRL has decided to allow the use of
the controversial CW Skimmer program, but only for multi-ops and single
operators using assistance in ARRL contests. This decision mirrors a
similar one made last year by the CQ WW DX Contest. The ARRL decision
means that all major contests have now dealt with the CW Skimmer issue.

Girl Guides from all over the UK will be taking part in Thinking Day on
the Air over the weekend 21 and 22 February. On Saturday 21 February
the Caterham Radio Group are running a Thinking Day On The Air Station
using the callsign GX0SCR on behalf of the Caterham Guide Groups. This
is the 24th time the Caterham Radio Group has taken part and the 12th
year they have worked with the 9th Caterham Guide Leader. It is
expected that licensed Guides with M3 calls will be assisting with the
operating on 2m and the HF bands. The team would very much appreciate
your calls to assist in the passing of Greeting messages to and from
their young ladies and making it another successful event.

The Orpington Guides Thinking Day station will be using the callsign
GB0GTD on the 21st from 10am to 3pm from St Nicholas Church in
Orpington. They will be operating on VHF, UHF, HF, D-Star and Echolink
via GB3OK. On HF, please listen out around the following frequencies
3.740, 7.190, 14.290, 21.360 and

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28.990MHz. GB4GIN, for Guiding in Northampton, will be operating both
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd, on HF and Echo Link, from their local
Camp Site.

The Norwegian Radio Relay League has been successful in persuading the
nation's licensing authority to add new bands to the amateur radio band
plan. Included in the new offerings is a CW-only allocation of 490 to
510kHz on a secondary basis with a maximum power of 100 watts PEP.
There are also frequency or power changes to the 1.8, 5, 24 and 70MHz
bands. The League says that they expect these changes to take effect
sometime this spring.

GB7DB went live on 4 February. It is located in the village of
Millbrook, Bedfordshire, adjacent to the famous Millbrook Test Track.
The output is on 439.6625MHz with a 9MHz split. It uses a single
aerial, a 3dB gain collinear at 352ft ASL. It is expected that it will
be connected to the Gateway within about two weeks. GB3BD was
decommissioned on the same day and no longer exists. It had been
operational for about 30 years.

Nominations for the 2009 Horkheimer Prize are being sought by the
German Amateur Radio Society, DARC. The prize is awarded for merit in
amateur radio and its further development. It can be awarded to one or
more persons or institutions and is not restricted to members of DARC.
Any member of an amateur radio society in the IARU is entitled for
proposal. Self proposals are allowed. The prize is awarded during the
opening of HAM RADIO fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The proposals
must be submitted by 31 March to DARC via e-mail to darcatdarc.de or
by post to the address on their website. Nominations should list the
name and address of the proposer, a short description of the nominee
and any other information you feel would be useful. The decision of the
jury is final and cannot be voided.

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

Wakefield and District Radio Society, will be hosting the Northern
Cross Radio Rally today, Sunday 15 February, at the new venue of Ossett
School, Storrs Hill Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire WF5 0DG. Doors open at
10.15am for disabled visitors and then open to the general public at
10.30am. Admission is £3 per person. Talk-in will be via the GB3YW
repeater, which can be found on 145.7875 with CTCSS of 82.5Hz. Further
details can be found on the rally website, www.northerncrossrally.org.

Also today, 15 February, the Swansea Amateur Radio Rally will be taking
place at the Afan Lido on the Aberavon seafront, Port Talbot SA12 6QW.
This is 1 mile from the M4 junction 41. Doors open at 10.30am and entry
is £1.50. There is free car parking and a Bring and Buy as well as
traders and special interest groups. Details from Roger, GW4HSH on
01792 404422.

The Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be holding a Bring and Buy sale
on Saturday 21 February from 11am to 3pm in the Banbridge Library,
Banbridge, Co Down. The Club will be hosting a stall for individuals
wishing to sell items and for anyone wishing to book a table should
please contact Bobby, MI3RWG at cqmuarcatgooglemail.com or ring 0283
8348451. Full details are available on www.muarc.com.

On Sunday 22 February the Bredhusrt Receiving and Transmitting Society
Radio Rally will take place at Rainham Girls School, Derwent Way,
Rainham, Kent, just of the A2 & M2 Junction 4. They will have a talk-in
station on 2m, car parking and the doors open at 9.30am for disabled
visitor and 10am for others. There will be lectures as well as trade
stands and special interest groups. Contact
O.wheeleratbtopenworld.com.

Also on Sunday 22 February there is the Radio Active Rally in the Civic
Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10.30am and entry is £3
with under 16s free. There will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy and
refreshments available. Contact Simon Chettle, G8ATB on 01270 841506 or
by e-mail infoatradioactiveshow.co.uk for details.

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Now for the news of special events

Norfolk County RAYNET will be operational on Saturday 28 February and
Sunday 1 March from the Norfolk County RAYNET caravan at the Beach Car
Park, Sea Palling, Norfolk using the callsign GB3NCR. The event is to
publicise and demonstrate RAYNET capabilities to the local community
and flood wardens on the North Norfolk Coast. It will also involve a
RAYNET Training Exercise for Norfolk County RAYNET Members. The station
will be operational from 10am to 4pm on both days on 2m and 70cm FM and
80m SSB. A Special Event QSL Card will be available and QSL Cards
should be sent via the RSGB Bureau or Direct with and SAE to G4PSH,
QTHR.

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

The KP5 Desecheo Island operation is expected to run until 26 February,
with 15 operators allowed on the island at any given time. There will
be a change-over of some personnel at the halfway point. A total of 6
to 8 stations will be operational on all bands. This should be
relatively easy from the UK on 15m to 160m, at least once the initial
pile-ups have died down. Check their website for the latest details.

N5IVZ plans to activate South Padre Island in Texas on 28 February from
1400 to 2300UTC. This is a special IOTA operation to celebrate 90 years
of the US Coast Guard in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and to
honour the US Coast Guard Auxiliary service. QSL via his home callsign,
direct only.

Operators PT2OP and PY6KW will activate Tinhare Island, Brazil, between
20 and 24 February. Look for the special callsign PX6T. This operation
will also count for the Lighthouse of Morro de Sao Paulo. They will
also activate Boipeba Island in the same island group between 25
February and 1 March. Listen for PT2OP. Activity on both islands will
be mainly 40 and 20m SSB. QSL PX6T and PX6B via PT2OP. QSL PY6KW/p via
his home callsign.

FW5RE is now active from Wallis Island in the Pacific Ocean until the
end of February. They plan to use CW, SSB and RTTY on 160 to 10m
including 12, 17 and 30m. FW is not the easiest path from the UK, but
it is expected that they will be quite workable on 40, 30 and 20m, and
perhaps on 80 and 17 for those who are better-equipped. Much depends on
propagation over the period. Their QSL manager is HA8IB.

Sam, G4OHX will be in Brunei until 23 February and plans to be active
as V8FHX.

Starting on 22 February, look for Jan, DL7JAN from Praslin Island in
the Seychelles as S79JF until 6 March. He expects to be on 40m to 10m,
CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. QSL via DL7JAN either direct or via
the bureau.

Now the contest news

Since the February RadCom went to press the RSGB has been advised that
details of the CQ World Wide 160 metre SSB contest have changed. First,
the date and time has been altered and the contest now runs from 2200
GMT on 27 February until 2200 GMT on 1 March. The exchange has also
been altered to RST and CQ Zone instead of country. Further details of
these and other rule changes are on the official website at
www.CQ160.com/rules.htm.

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Tuesday, 17 February is the RSGB 1.3 and 2.3GHz Activity Contest from
2000 to 2230. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Thursday, 19 February sees the RSGB 80m Club Championship CW event take
place from 2000 to 2130. The exchange is signal report and serial
number.

The weekend of 21/22 February has two main contests on HF. There's the
ever-popular ARRL DX CW all weekend, which may give you a chance to
work those hard to find States on all bands. It runs from 0000 to 2359
on all bands from 1.8 to 28MHz and the exchange is signal report and
transmitter power.

There's also the French REF SSB contest on the 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80m
bands. This runs from 0600 on Saturday until 1800 on Sunday and the
exchange is signal report and serial number for non-French stations.

On Sunday 22 February, the RSGB 70MHz Cumulatives take place between
1000 and 1200. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 2nd to the 8th of
February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless everyday, that's 20 consecutive days since
the last spot was seen. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels
increased slightly from 69 units on the 2nd and the 3rd to 71 by the
7th. The average was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 8th
was 69 units. That's the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels
remained below the minimum reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic
activity was quiet except for the 4th, which increased to unsettled
levels with an Ap index of 16 units. It's uncertain what caused this
disturbance but a very faint coronal mass ejection was observed a
couple of days earlier. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data
from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between 300 and 400
kilometres per second throughout the period. Particle densities
increased to 35 particles per cubic centimetre on the 3rd and the 4th.
Bz varied between minus and plus 10 nanoTeslas on the 4th, otherwise
the Bz only varied between minus 3 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the quiet
days.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. The odd small sunspot group may appear but
is not by any means certain. Solar flux levels should be around the 70
mark for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
mostly quiet. However, next weekend should see the arrival of a small
coronal hole disturbance. The effects from the disturbance should be
minimal. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about
18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are
expected to be around 8MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should
have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of
about 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success
rate will be around 15MHz. The best time to try this path will be
between 0800 and 1400 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 South Essex Amateur Radio Society have moved their
monthly meetings to South Benfleet Primary School, High Road, South
Benfleet, Essex. SS7 5HA. For more information contact Dave Speechley,
G4UVJ, on 01268 697978.

On Monday 16 February Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on how to sit in the pub and still work the DX by Frank, M0AEU. Contact
G4ODM.

On Monday 16 February Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on DF hunting by Richard, G4ICP. Contact John, M5AJB, on
01787 460 947.

On Monday 16 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on
antenna design by Jeremy. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 16 February Surrey Radio Contact Club is having an
extraordinary general meeting. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 17 February Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a talk in
VHF and UHF beam design by G3ZXX. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618
1646.

On Tuesday 17 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating
from the shack. Contact Steve, 0142 720815.

On Wednesday 18 February Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a night on the Air and CW training session. Contact Terry,
G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 18 February Dover Radio Club is having a net on GB3KS.
Contact Brian, G4SAU, on g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 18 February Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is
visiting HMS Collingwood. Contact Ken, M0KLS, on 02392 797 240.

On Wednesday 18 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is addressing the
question Why Contest? with Roger, G3LDI. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on
01362 691099.

On Wednesday 18 February Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the history of nuclear power by John Narborough.
Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 19 February Cray Valley Radio Society is having a talk on
undersea cables by G3WZK. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Thursday 19 February King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsvatsupanet.com.

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On Thursday 19 February Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on VoIP remote control by Bryan, M0BIK. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 19 February Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having a talk
on the first 2 years of Ham Test by Paul Gibson, M0TZO. Contact John,
G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 20 February Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk
on photonic band structures and the construction of wideband antennas
by David Jefferies, G6GPR. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 21 February Cray Valley Radio Society continues its
Intermediate course. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

Newbury and District Amateur Radio Club are holding a Foundation
Licence course and exam on 28 February and 1 March. They are also
holding an Intermediate training weekend on 32-22 March, with the
practical and exam on 25 April. For more information or to register
your interest please contact the course organiser, Steve Elliott,
M0SEL, on 07799 897 839.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 16 February Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on
01237 473251.

On Tuesday 17 February West Devon Radio Club is having a natter night.
Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 18 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its
mid winter table top sale. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 18 February Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
watching a video. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 18 February Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454
417048.

On Wednesday 18 February Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night and contest logging software evening. Contact
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.

On Thursday 19 February Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club Is
having a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 19 February Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is looking at another
one of Bob's radio projects with G7LNJ. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email
to g.swainattesco.net.

On Friday 20 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 16 February South Birmingham Radio
Society is having a committee meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 16 February South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a junk sale. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773
783658.

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On Monday 16 February Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having an
operating, test and measurement evening. Contact Simon, G8PAN, on 07977
266643.

On Tuesday 17 February Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a quiz night. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 17 February Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club 'is
having a talk on midget valve radios by Ian, G8SNF. Contact Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 18 February Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a
training evening and ragchew. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 18 February Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its under £5 construction competition. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 19 February Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Friday 20 February Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a committee meeting. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 20 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a
project night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 20 February Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society is having an
introduction to SMD techniques by Roy, G7ARB. Contact Geoff, G3STG, on
01664 480 733.

On Friday 20 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 20 February Stenigot Chainhome Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on amateur television basics by John G0ATW and Lee G4TNX. Contact
Steve Burke, M5ZZZ, on 01507 600202.

On Saturday 21 February Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is taking
part in Thinking day on the air at Hallow Scout Hut. Separately, the
club will be running a Foundation course commencing on 28 February.
Would anyone interested please download an application form from their
web site, www.wraa.co.uk. Contact Leslie Coyne M3WRZ, on 01905 764320.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 16 February Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
477 0036.

On Monday 16 February Sheffield Amateur Radio is watching the club
DXpedition video by G0HSA. Contact Mike Gordon, G0TKO, on 01709 382479.

On Monday 16 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on unmanned air vehicles by Mr D. Morley. Contact John
Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313.

On Tuesday 17 February Chester and District Radio Society is having a
surplus sale. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 17 February Stockport Radio Society is having a talk on how
to become a successful contester by Dave Sharred, G3NKC and Martin
Platt, G4XUM. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

On Tuesday 17 February Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on ancient modulation by George, G3OGQ. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868
000 705.

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On Wednesday 18 February Goole Radio and Electronics Society is having
a social evening. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 18 February Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
EMC and mains interference by Bob, M0GAP. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 18 February Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is sorting
out the final details for setting up Radioactive. Contact Peter Paul
Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Wednesday 18 February South Notts Amateur Radio Club continues its
Advanced course. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Thursday 19 February North Wakefield Radio Club NWRC is holding its
AGM. Contact Jim Thornton, G3YDL, by email to eventsatg4nok.org.

On Thursday 19 February Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
having a project briefing on its switch mode power supply. Details on
07594 596 040.

On Thursday 19 February South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is
holding Dave's PC clinic with G4UGM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.

On Thursday 19 February York Radio Club is having Morse lessons and
radio exam instruction. Contact Tony Skaife G4XIV, on 01904 330502.

On Friday 20 February East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
radio magazines evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 20 February Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a meal at
Littlefields. Contact Brian Chester, G4DXB, on g4dxbatgars.org.uk.

On Friday 20 February Tynemouth Radio Club is working on its ARDF fox
hunt project with G0EDK. Contact Tony, G8YFA, on mailatg0nwm.com.

On Saturday 21 February Angel Of The North Amateur Radio Club is
throwing a party for all members and their partners. Contact Nancy
Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 23 February South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is
having its monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 17 February Livingston and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131
449 7641.

On Wednesday 18 February Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a light
hearted evening with club photo archives. Contact Charlie, MM0GNS, on
01563 551704.

On Wednesday 18 February Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a
practical Morse evening with GM0PYM. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on
01505 613633.

On Thursday 19 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the Elecraft E3 by Stewart, GM4AFF. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224
575 663.

On Thursday 19 February Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk entitled Adventures with Aeroplanes by Helen Macdonald. Contact
Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on 01776 820413.

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On Friday 20 February Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a radio check night with John, MM0JXI. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

On Friday 20 February the Border Amateur Radio Society meets in its
temporary location, Horncliffe Memorial Hall, to discuss the use of
club equipment by members. Contact Derrick Dance, GM4CXP, on 01573
229043.

On Saturday 21 February Ayr Amateur Radio Group is running GB5AG from
Ayr for Guide Thinking Day. Contact Charlie, MM0GNS, on 01563 551704.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 17 February Carmarthan Amateur Radio Society
is having a visit from the RSGB Regional representative. Contact
Alastair Underwood, GW0AJU, on 01267 290822.

On Tuesday 17 February Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz
night. Details on the web at www.qsl.net/wars.

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.