1

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 22nd March 2009 The news headlines

* Licence changes in Portugal

* RSGB RAYNET Affiliated groups Identity cards available

* Looking at the Earth from the ISS

There will be some changes to amateur radio in Portugal in the near
future. They will be introducing a new three class licensing system
that will parallel the existing classes, which will no longer be
issued. The new 3rd class licence gives the holder between two and five
years in which to upgrade to a 2nd class licence. It seems that if you
fail to upgrade, you revert to SWL status and can only transmit at
another licensee's station under their supervision. As part of the
changes, the minimum age for obtaining a Portuguese amateur licence
will be lowered to 12. Portugal's new regulations become effective on 1
June.

RSGB RAYNET identity cards are now available free to all members of
RSGB Affiliated RAYNET groups. This service will only be available
on-line. To apply go to www.rsgb.org/raynetid. Please note this service
is only available to members of RSGB Affiliated RAYNET groups.

You can view live Space Station video that includes Earth views from
external cameras on the International Space Station during crew
off-duty periods. Also available form the NASA website are selected
in-cabin views of crew activities during the crew on-duty periods and a
graphical world map that depicts the station's location in orbit above
the Earth using real-time telemetry sent to Mission Control from the
station. The video stream is accompanied by audio of communications
between Mission Control and the astronauts when available. During times
when the shuttle is docked to the station, the stream will include
video and audio of those activities.

Since the station orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes, it sees a
sunrise or a sunset every 45 minutes. When the station is in darkness,
the external camera video may appear black, but also may provide
spectacular views of city lights below. In addition, satellite coverage
may be intermittent and result in a display of colour bars. Colour bars
or a black screen do not necessarily indicate a problem with the video
stream. The streaming video is being webcast as part of NASA's
celebration of the 10th anniversary of the space station in orbit. See
www.nasa.gov/station.

The Bromley and District ARS will be holding a Foundation Course on
Sunday 17 May and Sunday 31 May, with the exam also on 31st. The venue
is the Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens, Hayes BR2 7NH.Details on
www.bdars.org or coursesatbdars.co.uk.

In France, the 7100-7200kHz section of 40m was discussed recently at
the Commission of Planning of Frequencies (CPF). The modification of
the National Table of Distribution of the Frequency bands was approved,
allotting this segment to the amateur service on an exclusive basis.
This modification must now be the ratified then the decision will have
to be approved by ministerial decree. This procedure usually takes a
few weeks and one can look forward to the publication of this decree
before the summer. The allotting of this

2

segment to the amateur service is as a result of a resolution at the
World Conference of the Radio Communications of the UIT in 2003

Jim, M0JHW is holding one of his twice yearly get-togethers for radio
amateurs. This event takes place on Easter Weekend, 11 and 12 April at
The Sports and Social club, Harlaxton, Grantham. It is very well
signposted from all directions. This is not a club event, just an
occasion for people to get together, enjoy themselves and encourage one
another in the hobby. There is usually a good gathering of people with
their friends and families making it n enjoyable event. The usual VHF
and HF stations will be running and there is always plenty of tea and
coffee available. Later on the Saturday there will be a barbecue.

Some news now about the forthcoming RSGB Convention. Formerly known as
HFC, or the HF Convention, this year's RSGB Convention will take place
over the weekend 9 to 11 October. It will, for the first time, see the
inclusion of a full stream of VHF lectures and presentations. This new
stream will run alongside the usual streams of HF, DX, Technical and
Beginners lectures. Here's a great opportunity to meet the people
involved at the leading edge of the use of the spectrum, in the usual
lecture environment but more importantly in a social environment. As in
previous years, the Convention will be hosting the full range of UK
licence exams. A detailed programme will be available in due course. So
remember: RSGB Convention, 9 to 11 October * see you there.

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

There are no rallies and events this weekend. The next amateur events
are all on 29 March.

The Caradon Hill Repeater Group & Callington ARS Rally will take place
at the Callington Community College, Callington, Cornwall PL17 7DR.
Traders have access from 7.30am and the doors open at 10am and 10.30am,
entry is £2. Contact Jamie, 2E0JLH, on 0779 554 60374.

The Spring Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale will
take place at Hack Green secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5
8AP. Doors open at 10am and entry is £2.50. Contact Rod Siebert on
01270 623353.

A new event will be taking place on 29 March, the South Gloucestershire
Rally will be held at the Avon Scouts Activity Centre, Woodhouse Park,
Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire BS32 4LX. Doors open at 10am,
although traders have access from 7.30am. Entry is £2 and tables and
boot spaces cost £5, although booking is essential for these. Contact
Peter Cabban, G4OST, on 01454 612689.

Finally, a new date of 29 March for the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club
Annual Rally at the Share Centre, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, Ulster.
Doors open at 12 noon. Details from Ian on 0286 632 6693.

Now for the news of special events

There's only news of one special event station this week, GB4SCL for
the Settle Carlisle Line in North Yorkshire. The station will be on the
air on Saturday 28 March.

3

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

W5JON will be active as W5JON/J6 from Marigot Bay from 24 March to 2
April with activity on 160 down to 6. He will also be on for the CQ WPX
SSB Contest on 28 and 29 March. QSL via W5JON

IK4ALM, will be operating portable 6W from Senegal between 29 March and
9 April. Activity will be on 40 to 10m using CW and SSB with 100 watts
into a ground plane. QSL via IK4ALM.

The special event station 9A09P will be active from throughout the
year. Activity is to celebrate the city in Croatia, whose English
translation is .Georgetown. Operations will be on all bands and modes.
A special QSL card will be issued with a story on it. All QSOs will be
confirmed automatically via the bureau.

W7GJ and ZL1RS will meet in Rarotonga in late March to operate on 6 and
2m from BG08dr. Activity should commence on 26 March and run until 4
April on both bands, with an additional 1 or 2 days of activity on 2m
possible until 6 April. The 6m callsign will be E51SIX and QSLs for 6m
only should go to W7GJ. The 2m callsign will be E51EME and QSLs for 2m
should only go to ZL1RS. Details of their operations are available on
the internet, just type the callsigns E51SIX and E51EME into your
search engine.

Donations and sponsors are being sought for the next DXpedition to
Mogador island, which is IOTA reference AF-065. This was last activated
in 2002 and another DXpedition is planned for late April 2009. Check
out their website at www.mogador2009.altervista.org.

CT3/DF7ZS, will be active from Madeira Island between 24 and 31 March.
QSL via his homecall either direct or via the bureau.

Members of the Strumblehead DX and Contest Group will be on the air
from their headquarters at the farm in Wales for a period before,
during and after the CQ WPX SSB Contest (28 and 29 March). They will be
using the club callsigns MC0SHL before the contest with some activity
on 30m RTTY around 10148kHz. During the contest they will be using both
MW9W and MC0SHL. Please QSL via the club's manager M0URX.

Now the contest news

RTTY fans have the BARTG HF RTTY event between 21 and 23 March. The
contest runs from 0200 to 0200 using all bands from 3.5 to 28MHz. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and time in GMT.

On 24 March, the RSGB 50MHz Activity Contest runs from 20000 to 2230.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

The CQ WW WPX SSB contest takes place on 28 and 29 March. This is
another good contest for beginners to try as prefixes only need be
worked once on any band Also, here in Europe, we have ready access to a
huge number of multipliers, with stations that may be worked with very
simple equipment. It runs from 0000 to 2359 on all bands from 3.5 to
28MHz. the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On 29 March there is an ARDF event in Pamber Forest, Reading. Starting
at 10am there will be a 3.5MHz event and a short 144MHz event.

4

Now the solar report for the period from the 9th to the 15th of March,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

The solar disc was spotless everyday. Solar activity was at very low
levels as expected. Solar flux levels varied little day to day and
averaged 69 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 15th was 70
units, that's the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels remained
below the minimum reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity
started at quiet levels with an Ap index of 3 units on the 10th and the
11th. However, on the 13th a coronal hole disturbance arrived and
activity increased to unsettled conditions. The Ap was 16 units that
day. Activity then gradually declined. The average was Ap 7 units.
Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase
from 300 kilometres per second to 580 on the 13th. Particle densities
were low but increased to 17 particles per cubic centimetre on the 12th
and the 13th. Bz varied little on the quiet days and between minus 11
and plus 15 nanoTeslas on the 13th. Also on the13th HF propagation
deteriorated over high latitude paths. A handful of VHF auroral
contacts were reported, though these were also confined to high
latitudes.

And finally the solar forecast. All the signs are that it will be
another week where solar activity will be at very low levels. The new
sunspot cycle seems very reluctant to show any signs of life. Solar
flux levels should be around the 70 mark for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should also be quiet all week. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 19MHz for the south
and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be
about 9MHz. Paths this week to Japan should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 23MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 18MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1400 hours UTC.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

5

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 Listeners in the South East of England who tune in to
the 11am GB2RS news reading by Julian M0GFD in Bow, East London on
145.525MHz FM should note that he has asked the RSGB to change his
schedule. As from, and including next Sunday, he will read the news in
the evening at 7pm local time on 145.525MHz instead. He very much
appreciates reception reports after his readings, and hopes that his
new schedule will suit his listeners If any member of the RSGB in his
service area would like to become an assistant newsreader on this news
schedule, they should contact the GB2RS News Manager Gordon G3LEQ on 01
565 652 652 or email him on gb2rsatntlworld.com

On Tuesday 24 March Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, 0142 720815.

On Tuesday 24 March Dorking and District Radio Society is having a talk
on the work of the RSGB's EMC Committee by Colin Richards, G3YCR.
Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 24 March Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the last voyage of the RMS Queen Mary by David Clark,
ex-radio officer of the ship. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 25 March Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on CAD antenna design by Roger, G3MEH. Contact Terry,
G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 25 March Crawley Amateur Radio Club is having its annual
inter-club quiz versus Horsham Challenge. Contact John, G3VLH, on 01342
714 402.

On Wednesday 25 March Dover Radio Club is having a talk on how to set
up, calibrate and use the club oscilloscope by Tony, G4IMP. Contact
Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 25 March Farnborough and District Radio Society is having
a visit to Martin Lynch and Sons. Contact Derek, G3OFA, by email to
mailatfdrs.org.uk.

On Wednesday 25 March Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on antennas and antenna measurement Roy Powers, G8CKN.
Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241.

On Wednesday 25 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal,
construction, workshop and bright sparks evening. Contact Mark Taylor,
G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Wednesday 25 March Peterborough and District Amateur Radio Club has
part two of G3RED's talk on antenna analysis. Contact David Howlett,
M0VTG, by email to padarcattesco.net.

On Wednesday 25 March Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

6

On Thursday 26 March Bittern DX Group is having an informal evening.
Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506.

On Thursday 26 March Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at the White Horse, Maplehurst. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 March Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by Ron G8GRT on the early days in amateur television. Contact
Gerald, G8AKL, on 01487 740794.

On Thursday 26 March 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 March Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on high power linears by Paul Cullen, G4KTZ, of Linear AMP UK.
Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 26 March Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Brian, G8GHR, on the transistor portable. Contact
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 27 March Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 27 March Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having an
Introduction to Astronomy by Bert Roberts, G4XBZ. Contact Quintin,
M1ENU, on 023 8078799.

On Friday 27 March Radio Society Harrow is holding its AGM. Contact
Linda, 020 8368586.

On Friday 27 March Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a surplus equipment sale. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 28 March Gorleston Amateur Radio Society holds its lunch
time meeting at the Short Blue Public House. Contact David, G3OEP, on
01493 662 323.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST First, news of RSGB volunteer appointments.
Region 13 Manager Pam Helliwell announces that she has appointed a
deputy regional manager for emergency communications, Tony Woollard,
G6TWA. You can contact Tony by email to . At
the same time, four Morse Code Assessors have been appointed. They are
Peter Lewis, G4VFG, Ken Selleck, G3SNU and Alan Hoopell, G4TKV who
cover South Devon, plus David Barlow in Cornwall who is willing to
cover Penzance, Gevor, Falmouth and Truro. Their contact details can be
found on the Region 11 web site.

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

On Wednesday 25 March Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station and holding a Morse class. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

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

On Thursday 26 March Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the MKARS80 80 metre QRP transceiver by Steve Drury, G6ALU.
Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

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

7

On Friday 27 March Jersey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
getting started in Morse code. Contact Phil, MJ0JER, by email to
gj3dvcatgj3dvc.org.je.

On Friday 27 March Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a
presentation evening. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
g6fspattars.org.uk.

On Sunday 29 March Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society is holding an
80m fox hunt at Bryanston School, Dorset. The event is open to all to
attend but it will be first come first served for using the club's DF
receivers. Contact Nick Perrin, G3NRH, by email to
bnperrinattheiet.org.

On Sunday 29 March Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is holding the South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Rally. Contact
Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 23 March Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is operating HF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452
548478, daytime.

On Monday 23 March Leicester Amateur Radio Society is having its
quarterly open meeting. Contact Linda, G8VQM, on 07804 595749.

On Monday 23 March South Birmingham Radio Society is having a ragchew
and contest meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 23 March South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a rally planning night. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on
01773 783658.

On Monday 23 March Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having
a talk on D-Star and Echolink by Dan, 2E0SOA. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on
01926 641 988.

On Tuesday 24 March Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 24 March Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a kite flying night, weather permitting. Contact Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 24 March Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
talks by members on new and interesting subjects. Contact Bernard,
M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Wednesday 25 March Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is
running its Advanced licence training night, so the club room will be
unavailable from 7pm. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
webmasterathrrarc.com.

On Wednesday 25 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is on the air. Contact
Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 25 March Midland Amateur Radio Society Club is having a
film evening. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 25 March South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having an open
forum for members. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 25 March Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 26 March Salop Amateur Radio Society is having an
introduction to the Arduino project by G7NBP. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

8

On Friday 27 March Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a digital camera update. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 27 March Coventry Amateur Radio Society has its President's
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 27 March Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
quiz night. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
webmasterathrrarc.com.

On Friday 27 March Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having its AGM and presenting members' awards. Contact Marc Litchman,
G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

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

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 23 March Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on constructing and operating
aerials in restricted spaces by Daniel Harrop. Contact Nancy Bone,
G7UUR, on 0191 4770036.

On Monday 23 March Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on
non-black-box radios, including transverters, PMR conversions and
homebrew radios, by Ross G6GVI. Contact boltonwirelessatgmail.com.

On Monday 23 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
night and VHF NFD planning meeting. Contact Mike Gordon G0TKO, on 01709
382479.

On Monday 23 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on computer fault finding by John, G8RDP. Contact John Webb,
G8RDP, on 01253 876313.

On Tuesday 24 March Chester and District Radio Society has its final
call for receiver construction with Alan Hopkinson. Contact Barbara
Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 24 March Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Tuesday 24 March Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
planning activities for Carleton's Fun Day. Details on 07594 596 040.

On Tuesday 24 March Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt
with Paul, G1DVA. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on 07868 000 705.

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

On Wednesday 25 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a D-Star
familiarisation and activity evening. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV,
on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 25 March Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society continues its
Foundation training and is having a talk by Julian, G0LBO on the
midcars.org web site. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 26 March Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a look at
G4DXB pictures and the web. Contact Brian Chester, G4DXB, on
g4dxbatgars.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 March South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
a PIC project update. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

9

On Thursday 26 March Wakefield and District Radio Society is meeting at
the new venue, at Wakefield 23rd Methodist Scout HQ, having a talk on
DXpeditions by Geoff Spurr, G0PFH from Halifax ARS. Contact Ken,
2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Thursday 26 March York Radio Club is on the air. Contact Tony Skaife
G4XIV, on 01904 330502.

On Friday 27 March East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
magazines evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

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

On Saturday 28 March Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having its
shack open day from 3pm. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 24 March Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having Morse code practice. Contact Norman, on 0131
449 7641.

On Wednesday 25 March Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on
routers in a network by Bob Glasgow, GM4UYZ. Contact Colin, GM4HWO, on
enquiriesatlothiansradiosociety.com.

On Thursday 26 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air..
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 26 March Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is operating
PSK31. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on 01776 820413.

On Friday 27 March West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having an
ARFD presentation by Dave Cossar, GM0WIL. Contact Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN,
on 01415715512.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 24 March Meirion Amateur Radio Society is
having a demonstration at Dyffryn Ardudwy Village Hall as part of
National Science and Engineering Week. Contact John, MW0VTK, on 07868
738016.

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.