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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 22nd February 2009 The news headlines

* World Amateur Radio Day

* RSGB Public Service Director steps down due to ill health

* New Zealand to get a primary 7MHz allocation

Each year, on 18 April, radio amateurs celebrate World Amateur Radio
Day. On that day, in 1925, the International Amateur Radio Union was
founded. In 2009, the theme of the event is Amateur Radio: Your
Resource in Disaster and Emergency Communication. It is not by
coincidence that last year's meeting of the IARU Administrative Council
chose this subject at this time. While the Amateur Radio Service has
traditionally made its contributions to emergency and disaster response
ever since its very beginnings almost 100 years ago, this role has
gained a lot of importance in the recent past. It has done so mainly
for two reasons. These are the number and dimension of natural as well
as man-made disasters is, unfortunately, on the increase and that
modern communication technologies are increasingly complex,
infrastructure-dependent and, therefore, also increasingly vulnerable.
With a large number of skilled operators, who know how to communicate
often with very limited means and even under difficult circumstances
amateur radio can be a valuable asset. Activities on the occasion of
World Amateur Radio Day 2009 can be a great opportunity to spread the
word about what amateurs are doing.

The RSGB Public Service Director, Robin, GM3ZYE, has resigned his post
due to ill-health. Robin was injured whilst assisting on a Network
RAYNET /Red Cross event last August and a worsening situation has led
to doctors recommending that he does not travel for some considerable
time. He wishes to thank all Affiliated Societies and both RSGB and
Network RAYNET groups for their cooperation and the assistance they
have afforded him.

The New Zealand telecommunications regulatory authority has announced
that nation's amateur radio service will be given Primary access to 7.1
to 7.2MHz after 29 March in accordance with the International
Telecommunications Union's latest Radio Regulations.

The International Amateur Radio Union has voted to admit the Emirates
Amateur Radio Society and the Kazakhstan Federation of Radiosports and
Radioamateur to the organisation.

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 across the country and especially in Region 12
(Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Kent). For further details
about the scheme generally and becoming an Assessor particularly,
Members should look at the Operating section of the RSGB website. If
you are based in Region 12 and are interested in becoming a Morse
Assessor, please contact the Regional Manager, G4NZQ, by e-mail to
.

The first meeting of the Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club since the club
folded some 12 years ago will be on Tuesday 10 March at the Peter
Street Rooms, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The location is just behind the
shops at Town Street

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where there is free parking very close by. Refreshments will be
provided and everyone is very welcome to come along and meet up with
other radio operators whether you are licensed, a short wave listener
or just curious about amateur radio and would like to find out more.
For further information please contact Shaun, M0RTS on 01749 347446
after 6.30pm.

On Friday 6 March, Silcoates School Amateur Radio Club will host a talk
by Roger Western, G3SXW. Entitled "An evening with Roger", he will talk
about his many years of DXpeditioning and contesting. The event starts
at 7.30pm. Tickets are free but in limited supply and so they are
available on a first come first served basis by sending an envelope and
stamp to The Radio Club, Silcoates School, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield WF2
0PD.

For their Science and Engineering Week activities, Flight Refuelling
Amateur Radio Society will be holding an Open Day at the club HQ on
Saturday 7 March from 10am to 4pm. The club is located in Merley, near
Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AA. There will be a wide variety of activities
including reception of signals from spacecraft and probes in the Deep
Space Network, measurement of Sun noise and Moon noise and contacts via
Amateur satellites. They will also be running HF and VHF
demonstrations.

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

Today, 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.

Also today, 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 for details.

The Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club Rally will take place on
1 March at The Britten Arena, Wood Green Animal Shelter, King's Bush
Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire PE29 2NH. This venue
is on the A1198, 4 miles from Huntingdon via the A14. Contact David,
G8JKV on 01223 355254.

Also on 1 March, the Exeter Radio & Electronics Rally will take place
in America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Doors open at
10.30 with disabled visitors having access from 10.15am, entry is £2
and there will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy and refreshments
available. Contact Pete, G3ZVI on 07714 198374.

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.

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Girl Guides from all over the UK have been taking part in Thinking Day
on the Air over this weekend. GB4GIN for Guiding in Northampton will be
operating again today, Sunday 22nd, on HF and Echo Link, from their
local Camp Site.

No.49F Greenock Squadron of the Air Training Corps was one of the first
squadrons to be formed in Scotland when the ATC was originated. Today,
it has a thriving amateur radio programme supervised by their resident
squadron radio instructor, RAFARS Member Brian Burt, MM0GLX. During the
weekend of 6 to 8 March, the Squadron plans to activate the amateur
bands from Garelochead Training Camp in Dumbartonshire using the
callsign GB0ATC. The cadets would like as many contacts as possible, so
please, if you hear them, call them through the `pile up'.

The special event station of the Eddystone User Group will air the
calls GX3EUG and GX7EUG on 80m/40m on Sunday 1 March from the site of
the former WW2 RAF base at Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire.

Members of a Hungarian radio club are on the air from Bucharest using
special event callsign HA130HALLO until March 31 to commemorate the
first telephone usage in Hungary 130 years ago. Activity is on all
bands using mostly CW but also SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via HA5KHC.

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

The Desecheo Island operation, K5D, is expected to run until 26
February, with 15 operators allowed on the island at any given time.
There will be a changeover 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. Operators should note the DXpedition
are operating split frequency. Check their website for the latest
details.

K3TEJ will active from Dominica until 27 February. He is operating CW
and RTTY with a focus on 160, 30, 17 and 12 metres. QSL to K3TEJ,
direct or via the bureau.

Z30MCWG is the special callsign of the Macedonian Telegraphic Group.
They planed to be active throughout the whole year. The activity will
be mostly on CW on all HF bands. QSL via Z35M, his address can be found
on qrz.com.

G3SWH and G3RWL will be active from Mayotte between 26 February and 5
March. Both will sign FH/G3SWH. Activity will be mainly on CW on all
bands 80 to 10m. Subject to QRN and site conditions, there may be some
160m activity. Richard may also operate some RTTY and/or PSK31.
Propagation permitting, they plan to have two stations on the air for
as many hours every day as is possible. QSL via G3SWH either direct
with SAE and adequate return postage, via Phil's website for a bureau
reply or via the bureau. There is more information on Phil's website,
just search on G3SWH using your favourite search engine.

V31RW, V31UH, V31TB and V31WO will be on the air until February 24 from
Belize. This includes being an entry in the CQ WW WPX RTTY contest as
V31TB. QSL via operators' instructions.

V5/DJ4SO will be on the air from the Matunda Guest Farm in Namibia
until 12 March. Activity will be on 160 to 10m using CW, RTTY and PSK.
QSL via bureau.

Now the contest news

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Today, 22 February, has two main contests on HF still operating. The
ever-popular ARRL DX CW all weekend, which may give you a chance to
work those hard to find States on all bands runs until 2359 today 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 until 1800 on Sunday and the exchange is signal report
and serial number for non-French stations.

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
2200GMT on 27 February until 2200GMT 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.

On 24 February, the RSGB 50MHz Activity Contest takes place from 2000
to 2230 using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

On 2 March, from 2000 to 2130, it is the RSGB 80m Club Championship
data modes leg. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

Then, on 3 March, it is the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest and Club
Championship from 2000 to 2230 using all modes. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar report for the period from the 9th to the 15th of
February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

The solar disc was spotless but, on the 11th, a single spot appeared
and lasted till the 13th. Prior to this, the solar disc had been
spotless for 22 days. This new sunspot belonged to the old cycle. Solar
activity was very low. However, three B class solar flares took place;
the largest was a B4 on the 12th. Normally, we would not mention these
solar flares as they will have no effect on propagation. Solar flux
levels hovered around the 70 mark all week, in fact the average was 70
units. The 90 day solar flux average remained unchanged at 69 units.
X-ray flux levels remained, yet again, below the minimum reporting
level. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels. However, very late
on the 13th, the arrival of a coronal hole disturbance took place. By
the end of the period, the disturbance had subsided. The 14th was the
most disturbed day with an Ap of 14 units. Solar wind data measured at
the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 290 kilometres
per second on the 11th to 610 by the 14th. Particle densities were low
except for the 14th, which increased to 22 particles per cubic
centimetre. Bz varied between minus and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet
days and between minus 15 and plus 13 nanoTeslas during the peak of the
disturbance on the 14th.

And finally the solar forecast. This week, solar activity is expected
to continue at very low levels. The solar disc could be spotless on
most days. However, a sunspot group could appear with very little
warning at any time. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark all
week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at unsettled levels today
due to a small recurring coronal hole. This should not last long and
the remainder of the week should be at quiet levels. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 18MHz for the south
and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz.
Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency
with a 50 per cent success rate of around 20MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 15MHz. The best
time to try this path will be between 0800 and 1100 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 Tuesday 24 February Brede Steam Amateur Radio
Society is operating from the shack. Contact Steve, 0142 720815.

On Tuesday 24 February Dorking & District Radio Society are visiting
the watchmakers, partners would be most welcome on this trip. Contact
Garth, G3NPC on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 24 February Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on Tangmere and SOE2 by Bill Toozs-Hobson of the Military
Aviation Museum at Tangmere. Contact Stuart, G0FYX on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 25 February Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having Practical Construction Project Discussion. Contact Terry, G0VFW,
on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 25February Crawley Amateur Radio Club is holding a Surplus
Equipment Sale. Doors open 7.15 pm, auction starts 8.00 pm. All
welcome. Refreshments available. Contact John, G3VLH, on 01342 714 402.

On Wednesday 25 February Dover Radio Club is having a meet the members
evening. Contact Brian, G4SAU, on g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 25 February Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk about the Hadron Collider by Graham G0UUS. Contact Ken,
M0KLS, on 02392 797 240.

On Wednesday 25 February Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having
its AGM. Contact Gordon, on 01424 431 909.

On Wednesday 25 February Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on First Aid for Radio Amateurs by Stuart M0RXX. Contact
Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241.

On Wednesday 25 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a
Informal, Construction, Workshop and Bright Sparks evening. Contact
Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 25 February Peterborough and District Amateur Radio Club
is having a talk on Antenna Analysis Part 1 by G3RED. Contact David
Howlett, M0VTG by e-mail at padarcattesco.net.

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On Wednesday 25 February Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a GX3WOR on the air evening and discussions. Contact Roy, G4GPX,
on 01903 753 893

On Thursday 26 February Bittern DX Group is having a Group Event and
Contest planning evening. Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506.

On Thursday 26 February Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
at the Red Lion in Slinfold. Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 February Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on RAYNET, Local, National & International by David G8IDL.
Contact Gerald, G8AKL on 01487 740794.

On Thursday 26 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.

On Thursday 26 February Reading Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the History of Harwell Labs to 1954 by Nick Hance, MBE. Contact Pete,
G8FRC on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 26 February Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a Club project evening. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 27 January Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 27 February Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a
Members' Evening on Portable operation with Vic, G3NVB, Bert, G4XBZ,
Martin, M0NXP and John, G8IOK. Contact Quintin, M1ENU on 023 8078799.

On Friday 27 February Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a Construction Evening. Contact Jim, M0CON on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 28 February Cray Valley Radio Society continues its
Intermediate course. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 23 February Bristol RSGB Group have a
talk called Putting us in the Picture by John Penny MA of the Bristol
Record Office. Contact Robin, G3TKF on 01225 420442

On Wednesday 25 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an
on the air evening. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

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On Wednesday 25 February Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station & Morse Class. Contact William, G3WNI, on
01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 25 February Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having an on the air night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454
417048.

On Thursday 26 February Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club Is
having a talk. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 26 February Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a night on
the air. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swainattesco.net.

On Friday 27 February Jersey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Photography with an equipment demo and some results. Contact Phil,
MJ0JER by e-mail at gj3dvcatgj3dvc.org.je

On Friday 27 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having its AGM.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 23 February Gloucester Amateur Radio
And Electronics Society is having a workshop and informal evening.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 23 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
Aerials and feeders evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 23 February South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a Winter Project Review evening. Contact A J
Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Tuesday 24 February Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a Night on the Air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 24 February Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club 'is
having a practical evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 24 February Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a home-brew & amateur construction projects evening. Contact Bernard,
M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Wednesday 25 February Midland Amateur Radio Society is having a film
evening with Ron Swinburne, M0WSN. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229
787.

On Wednesday 25 February Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a Society project evening . Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.

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On Thursday 26 February Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a Radio
Calibration Check Evening with Ken, G8DIR. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 February Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society
is holding a talk on Electrical measurement using a PC by Clive, G0CHO.
Contact Jack, G3VYE on 01926 641 988.

On Friday 27 February Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on Building a K2. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 27 February Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a Radio
Workshop on HF/VHF and UHF operating 6m, 4m and satellites. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 27 February South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 23 February Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is having an On the Air Night plus a 7pm Foundation
course exam. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 23 February Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on HF
contesting including the 80m Club Contests by Mike G4VSS. Contact
boltonwirelessatgmail.com.

On Monday 23 February Sheffield Amateur Radio is holding an EGM for the
new constitution. Contact Mike Gordon, G0TKO, on 01709 382479.

On Tuesday 24 February Chester and District Radio Society is having a
talk on the Radio Communications Foundation by Mark Harper RSGB North
Wales Regional Manager. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 24 February Pontefract & District Amateur Radio Society is
having Construction Project evening on a 13.8V SMPS for the car or
caravan. Ring 07594 596 040 for details.

On Tuesday 24 February Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on QRN by Bill G0PZP. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705.

On Wednesday 25 February Goole Radio and Electronics Society is having
a committee meeting. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 25 February Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a
presentation on D-Star, 2nd DVD with Richard, G4YTV. Contact Gordon
MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 25 February Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
Small Talk on Why I have a HAMBLE by G4CAX. Contact Peter Paul Fox,
G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

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On Wednesday 25 February South Notts Amateur Radio Club continues its
Advanced course. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Thursday 26 February Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having an
evening with G4YHP with a video or DVD. Contact Brian Chester, G4DXB,
on g4dxbatgars.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 February South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is
holding a talk on Derek's Visit to China by G1AFI. Contact Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 26 February York Radio Club is having a night on the air.
Contact Tony Skaife G4XIV, on 01904 330502.

On Friday 27 February East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
night on the air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 27 February Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night
with Morse. Contact Tony, G8YFA, on mailatg0nwm.com.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 24 February Livingston and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a Morse Code Practice evening. Contact
Norman, on 0131 449 7641.

On Wednesday 25 February Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on
Power Meter Design by Dave Stockton GM4ZNX. Contact Colin, GM4HWO by
e-mail at enquiriesatlothiansradiosociety.com

On Thursday 26 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having an On
the Air Night. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 26 February Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is having a
night on the air using PSK31. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on 01776
820413.

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.