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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 5th April 2009 The news headlines

* Free parking at the RSGB AGM * Amateur Earth-Venus-Earth echoes *
RSGB Amateur Radio Direction Finding Seminar

The RSGB AGM will be taking place on 18 April at the Newcastle Airport
Novotel Hotel. Any member planning to travel to the AGM by car will be
exempt from the hotel parking charges. If car drivers inform reception
on their arrival, they will receive an exemption ticket.

On 25 March, a team from the German space organisation AMSAT-DL reached
another milestone on its way to an interplanetary probe towards planet
Mars. The ground station at the Bochum observatory transmitted radio
signals to Venus. After travelling almost 100 million kilometres and a
round trip delay of about five minutes, they were clearly received as
echoes from the surface of Venus. This is the farthest distance crossed
by radio amateurs * over 100 times further than echoes from the moon.
Despite bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected from 1038UTC
until the planet reached the local horizon. By receiving generated
echoes from Venus, the ground and command station for the Mars probe
has been cleared for operational use and the AMSAT-Team is now gearing
up for building the P5-A space probe. The EVE experiment was repeated
on Thursday, 26 March for several hours with good echoes from Venus.
Morse code was used to transmit the well known `HI' signature known
from the AMSAT OSCAR satellites.

It is not too late to register for the Scottish Amateur Radio Direction
Finding Seminar organised by the RSGB. This is taking place at Mugdock
Country Park, north of Glasgow, on Saturday 18 April but numbers need
to be given to the caterers this coming Tuesday. The day commences at
10am in the conference centre and this form of direction finding, which
is controlled by the IARU rules, will be explained. There will be two
'hands on' practical sessions in the grounds of the Country Park and
there will also be a small shop selling kits and equipment plus the
RSGB book on the subject. The cost of the hot and cold buffet lunch,
tea, coffee and biscuits all day and a map of the area is £11. The RSGB
is paying for the hire of the venue. Contact Tom Mitchell, GM0JHF, QTHR
at .

While changes to the 40 metre band have been coming into effect on a
world-wide basis from 29 March, the actual implementation is dependant
on each country's regulatory authority. The South African Radio League
has been working with their regulatory body to implement expansion of
the 40 metre band and several other corrections to the frequency table.
Unfortunately, the process is slow. The current status is that the
changes have been drafted and are with the legal department. The SARL
is working at the highest level to expedite the legal scrutiny and have
the changes gazetted. Please note that the additional 40 metre spectrum
may not be used in South Africa until it is published in the Government
Gazette. Keep an eye on www.sarl.org.za, the information will be
released as soon as it becomes available.

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Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, is one of three amateurs being honoured at the
forthcoming Dayton Hamvention. He will receive a Special Achievement
Award at the Dayton Hamvention for introducing amateur radio to
thousands of students from the International Space Station. The other
two award winners are K4ITL and VY2CM. The Dayton Hamvention opens on
May 15 in the United States.

The next edition of RAY-Link, the newsletter of the Radio Amateurs'
Emergency Network, is due for publication at the end of April. Members
are invited to submit articles, snippets that are informative, useful
or funny, and pictures as soon as possible. The closing date for
inclusion in this edition is 22 April.

After providing recorded audio magazines for the visually impaired for
over thirty years, the Reading Rattle continues to grow. April sees the
welcome return of BB. Originally known as Brian's Broadcasting Bits,
the new BB is now read by Ron Price, GW4EVX and his wife, Sue. It's a
digest of items that are of sure-fire interest to radio amateurs, SWLs
and the general population, too. The first edition of the new show
includes items on radio in the international news, a fascinating piece
on jamming, a track entitled "A Hobby for the Blind" and coverage of
captioned radio and its benefits for deaf listeners. It's a half-hour
recording filled with interesting and important pieces. As well as
recordings of periodicals, RR also includes audio copies of essential
radio books like Foundation Licence Now! plus intermediate and advanced
course manuals. You can find out more about RAIBC, the charity working
for blind and disabled amateurs and SWLs, at www.raibc.org.uk or you
can call the RAIBC Helpline free on 08000 141 743.

In an effort to increase AMTOR activity on the amateur bands, a Tuesday
activity evening has been set up on the 80m band by Dave, G4AON and
Till, DK7TOR. Further details can be obtained from www.amtor.de.

The aim of the Carabinieri Award is for amateurs and SWL around the
world to contact as many Carabinieri On The Air members between 20 May
at 0700 and 5 June at 1900. Using the 80, 40 and 20m bands with SSB,
CW, PSK31 or RTTY contacts, you are allowed one contact a day for the
same band/mode or member. For the official list of COTA amateurs as
well as details of the points system and award that are available, see
www.cota.cc.

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

Today, 5 April, The Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association
Exhibition will take place at Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre,
Blackpool.

Also today, 5 April, the Cambridgeshire Repeater Group Annual Rally
will be held at Bottisham Village College, 6 miles east of Cambridge.
Doors open at 10am and entry is £2. There will be car boot pitches
available, a Bring and Buy as well as on-site catering.

On 11 April, the Moray Firth ARS will be holding their bi-annual junk
sale at the Scout Hall, Christie Place, Fochabers. Doors open at 12pm
and traders tables are free. Contact Jim, MM0SMD for details on 01340
820 134.

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Now for the news of special events

10 April sees GB0HTH on the air from Holy Trinity in Hoghton in
Lancashire and GB2MOP from the Museum of Power in Ceredigion.

The following day, 11 April, Grantham Radio Amateurs take to the air
with GB0GRA. On the same day, GB0HDX for Harlaxton Delta X-Ray will
also be on the air from Grantham. GB4SCL will be on the air from the
Settle Carlisle Line in Ingleton, North Yorkshire on 11 April.

On 12 April GB2WLR will be on the air from the West Lancs Railway in
Preston.

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

An international team of operators known as the Tifariti Gang will be
on the air from Western Sahara from 12 to 17 April using the callsign
S04R. Activity will be on all bands from 160 to 10m using CW, SSB and
digital modes. QSL via EA5RM.

ON4AEO, will lead a team of operators on a DXpedition to Mozambique
from 9 to 13 April. The callsign will be C91FC and they hope to
activate 80 to 10m using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. The QSL Manager is
ON4CJK.

5Z4EME will be active from Kenya until 12 April, operating on 2m and
70cm EME. Details can be found at www.emelogger.com/kenya. They will
also operate on the HF bands as 5Z4/PA3EWP, using verticals for 10 to
40m. QSL 5Z4EME via PA3CEE, QSL 5Z4/PA3EWP via PA7FM.

Richard, G3RWL will be active as 8P6DR from Barbados until 24 April. He
will operate holiday style on 160 through to 10m CW and digital modes.
QSL via G3RWL, direct or bureau.

Anne, OH2YL will be active as OH0/OH2YL from the Aland Islands, which
is IOTA reference EU-002 between 9 and 14 April. She will operate CW
and SSB on the HF bands. QSL OH2YL.

Now the contest news

The International Vintage Contest will take place on Sunday 12 April
from 0800 to 1200UTC and from 1500 to 1900UTC on the 7 and 14MHz bands.
Competitors must use only radio vintage equipment. All participants are
invited to send your log even if a small number of QSOs. The contest
call is `CQ Vintage'. For full details on the contest, check out the
website at www.contestvintage.beepworld.it.

On 6 April the RSGB 80m Club Championship takes place between 1900 and
2030 using CW on the 3.5MHz band. The exchange is signal report and
serial number.

7 April sees the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest and Club Championship
between 1900 and 2130 using all modes. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

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The Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest takes place from 2100 on 11
April to 2100 on 12 April. It's CW only on the 1.8 to 28MHz with a
contest call CQ Gagarin. The rules can be found on the internet if you
do a search on the contest name. Details can be found at
http://gc.qst.ru/en/section/32

On 11 April, between 1600 and 1859 it is the EU Sprint CW contest on
3.5, 7 and 14MHz. The contest exchange is callsigns, serial number and
name or nickname.

The RSGB 1st 50MHz contest takes place on 12 April from 0900 to 1200.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator
and the first two letters of your postcode.

The RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 14 April from 1900
to 2130. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

15 April sees the RSGB 80m Club Championship taking place between 1900
and 2030. Using SSB, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Now the solar report for the period from the 23rd to the 29th of March,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

The solar disc was spotless everyday and with it came very low levels
of solar activity. Solar flux levels increased slightly from 68 to 72
units by the 27th. The average was 70, while the 90 day solar flux
average on the 29th remained unchanged from the previous week at 70
units. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level
everyday. Geomagnetic activity was mostly quiet, however, on the 25th
activity increased slightly with an Ap index of 10 units. The average
was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds increase from 350 kilometres per second on the 23rd to 510 by
the 25th. Particle densities were low throughout the period. Bz varied
between minus 3 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the quieter days.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. Solar flux levels should be around the 70
mark everyday. Geomagnetic activity should start at quiet levels but
around midweek a small coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive.
However, by the weekend activity should have declined. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 18MHz for the south
and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should about 9MHz.
Paths this week to the east coast of North America should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about
20MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate of
around 16MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1400 and
1800 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 We open the local news with advance notice of two
forthcoming courses. First, the 8th Intermediate course run by
volunteers from the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) will start
at the end of April. The course will be held at the Danbury Village
Hall near Chelmsford on Thursday evenings between 7 and 9pm from 30
April until 9 July. The exam will be held on Thursday 16 July. Te
course costs £65 which covers the room hire, project materials, a copy
of the Intermediate Licence Manual and the exam fee. Those interested
in attending should contact the CARS Training Organiser Clive, G1EUC on
01245 224577 or by email to ARtrainingatg0mwt.org.uk.

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

On Monday 6 April Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its third construction evening. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.

On Monday 6 April Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a surplus
equipment sale. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 6 April Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a
talk on modern developments in broadcasting, including DVB-T2 and DRM,
by the BBC Development Laboratory, Kingswood Warren. Contact Andy,
G8JAC, by email to g8jacatbtinternet.com.

On Monday 6 April Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Richard Draycott on the Sussex Air Ambulance. Contact John, G3DQY, on
01424 424 319.

On Monday 6 April Surrey Radio Contact Club is holding its AGM. Contact
Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 7 April Andover Radio Amateurs Club is operating old
equipment. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618 1646.

On Tuesday 7 April Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.

On Tuesday 7 April Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having an
introduction to Military Communications by Michael O'Beirne G8MOB.
Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 7 April Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Tuesday 7 April Leiston Amateur Radio Club is having a CW evening at
Sizewell Sports and Social Centre. Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 01473 737
717.

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On Wednesday 8 April Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is having a
presentation on computer aided design of Yagi aerials by G3MEH. Contact
Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651.

On Wednesday 8 April Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction evening. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 8 April Dover Radio Club is having a net on GB3KS from
7.30. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 8 April Farnborough and District Radio Society is having a
talk on model radio controlled aeroplanes by Colin, G8BCO. Contact
Derek G3OFA, by email to mailatfdrs.org.uk.

On Wednesday 8 April Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a
talk on home automation by Jonathan Shaw. Contact James, M0ZZO, on
01255 242 748.

On Wednesday 8 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the
joy of Six by Robin, M1DUD. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362
691099.

On Wednesday 8 April South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on sunspot activity by Ken, G0BBN. Contact
southessex.ARSatbtinternet.com.

On Wednesday 8 April Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
Hailsham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 8 April Southgate Amateur Radio Club has its spring junk
sale. Contact David Sharp M0XDS, by email to david.sharp1attesco.net.

On Wednesday 8 April Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on experimenting with software defined radio by Norman
Billingham, M0EBI. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 9 April Edgware and District Amateur Radio Society Is
having a natter night. Contact Mike Stewart, G4RNW, on 020 8950 0658.

On Thursday 9 April Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Gerald, G8AKL, on 01487 740794.

On Thursday 9 April 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 9 April Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on aerials - from the ground up - by Stewart, G3RXQ.
Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 6 April Cornish Radio Amateur Club is
holding its AGM and having a talk on using coax feeder as an antenna by
David, G3NPB. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058.

On Wednesday 8 April South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its
spring table top sale. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 8 April Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating club station and having a Morse Class. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 8 April Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

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On Thursday 9 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by M1FFP
on his trip to Australia. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to
g.swainattesco.net.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS First, advance notice that over the Easter
weekend Jim, M0JHW is holding one of his twice-yearly get- togethers
for radio amateurs. This event takes place on 11 and 12 April at The
Sports and Social club, Harlaxton, Grantham. It is very well sign
posted 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 an 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.

The North Cheshire Radio Club holds its Annual General Meeting today,
Sunday 5 April, at 8.30 for 9.00pm at its headquarters in Wilmslow,
Cheshire. All current and past members are urged to attend and visitors
will also be very welcome. The club also maintains a website for those
who cannot visit regularly.

On Friday 10 April Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
planning for hills on the air. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 10 April Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a Committee
Forum. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 10 April Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting starting at 8pm. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by
email to webmasterathrrarc.com.

On Friday 10 April South Birmingham Radio Society Construction Evening.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 11 April Worcester Radio Amateurs Association Club is
renovating its mobile mast. Contact Leslie Coyne M3WRZ, on 01905
764320.

On Monday 6 April Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
having a talk by Malcolm G6UGW entitled Warships to Waterbuses. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 6 April Leicester Amateur Radio Society is having a social
evening and raffle. Contact Linda, G8VQM, on 07804 595749.

On Monday 6 April South Birmingham Radio Society is having a ragchew
and contest meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 6 April South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is holding its AGM. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Monday 6 April Worcester Radio Amateurs Association Club mobile mast
renovation. Contact Leslie Coyne M3WRZ, on 01905 764320.

On Tuesday 7 April Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 7 April Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a video evening on the subject of espionage. Contact Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 8 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a junk sale.
Contact Pam Rose, 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 8 April South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having its
construction project with G4EDX. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

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On Wednesday 8 April Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on The Journey by Ted Cowling. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 9 April Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the
spirit of amateur radio by Richard, G3VZG. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Friday 10 April East Cleveland Amateur
Radio Club is having a radio components catalogues evening. Contact
Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 10 April Mexborough and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on repeaters by Michael, G7IDJ. Contact Sharon, M0BOH, on
M0bohataol.com.

On Friday 10 April Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night
and Morse classes. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to mailatg0nwm.com.

On Sunday 12 April Finningley Amateur Radio Society is running a
special event station at Sandtoft trolleybus museum. Contact Colin,
2E0UBT, on 0172 471 1686.

On Sunday 5 April Angel Of The North Amateur Radio Club is running a
coach to the NARAS Norbreck Castle Rally. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on
0191 4770036.

On Sunday 5 April Finningley Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
health check evening. Contact Colin, 2E0UBT, on 0172 471 1686.

On Sunday 5 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RoPoCo Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Sunday 5 April Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is attending the
NARSA Rally. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Monday 6 April Bolton Wireless Club is visiting the Bolton Mountain
Rescue HQ. Contact boltonwirelessatgmail.com.

On Monday 6 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the 80m
Club Championship. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Monday 6 April Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a visit by a
local amateur radio dealer. Contact Mike Gordon G0TKO, on 01709 382479.

On Monday 6 April Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. Contact John Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313.

On Tuesday 7 April Chester and District Radio Society is having a bring
and tell evening. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 7 April Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Tuesday 7 April Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is having
its construction project mystery kit wrap-up. Details on 07594 596 040.

On Tuesday 7 April Stockport Radio Society is having Ham Radio Deluxe
explained by Steve Jones, G4TQF. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456
7832.

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On Wednesday 8 April Goole Radio and Electronics Society is having a
DVD evening. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 8 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
loop antennae by G0UVR. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Wednesday 8 April Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
film evening with Steve, M0STR, and continuing its Foundation and
Intermediate course training. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606
553401.

On Thursday 9 April South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
a talk on surface mount techniques by Dave, G4UGM. Contact Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Wednesday 8 April Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is
having a shack night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Saturday 11 April Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale from noon. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134.

On Sunday 12 April Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is on the air..
Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on 01776 820413.

On Tuesday 7 April Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131 449 7641.

On Wednesday 8 April Lothians Radio Society is having a surplus
equipment sale. Contact Colin, GM4HWO.

On Thursday 9 April Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 7 April Chepstow and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on mobile communication systems. Contact Mike,
GW3YKZ, on 07825 987115.

On Tuesday 7 April Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a planning
meeting. 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.