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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 26th April 2009

The news headlines

* RSGB AGM successfully streamed over the Internet
* Australia says no to Broadband over Powerline
* SOTA Weekend planned will boost activity

In case you missed it last Saturday, the video of the RSGB AGM held on
18 April can be viewed in the Film Archive section of the BATC streamer
website, www.batc.org.uk. The AGM was streamed live on the day and it
is believed that the RSGB are the first national radio society in the
world to do this.

The Wireless Institute of Australia reports that amateurs down-under
appear to be safe from the rollout of a nationwide Broadband over
Powerline or BPL system. Australia's government announced that it will
be building a system based on fibre optic technology. This decision
would appear to remove the possibility of widespread interference to
radio communications from any network-wide adoption of BPL technology,
but still leaves as a concern the possibility of interference from
in-home use of BPL as an internal distribution technology. The decision
by Australia to opt away from BPL could be a major blow to the
world-wide implementation of this technology. Hopefully, other nations
will look at Australia's decision to go fibre and reconsider any
commitment to BPL.

An International Summits On The Air Weekend is to be held on 2 and 3
May. Although every weekend sees increased levels of SOTA activity
throughout Europe, it is hoped that this event will see many summit-to-
summit contacts between different SOTA associations and give chasers
the chance to work activators from several different DXCC entities. The
SOTA alerts page on the SOTA website will be used, as normal, for
activators to advise which hills they propose to operate from. Summits
On The Air, or SOTA, is an awards programme for radio amateurs who
operate portable from mountain summits and hilltops. For more details,
lists of qualifying summits, rules and guidance, please visit
www.sota.org.uk.

For the first time, more than 10,000 logs have been submitted for the
CQ World Wide DX Contest. The number of CW logs exceeded the number of
phone logs for the first time in more than 20 years. There were a total
of 5013 SSB logs and 5272 CW logs submitted for the 2008 event. Nearly
98% of logs were submitted electronically. SSB results of the 2008 CQWW
Contest will be published in the August 2009 issue of CQ magazine; CW
results will appear in the September issue.

Jim, GM3HGA and Findlay, GM3VEY have been reading the GB2RS news at
11.30 each Sunday on 3640kHz for the Aberdeen area for some 40 years
and 36 years respectively. This is an amazing achievement, but they
have both decided that the time has now come to retire from the duty.
The RSGB would like to thank them for their time and dedication over
the years.

The lunchtime lecture at the Institution of Engineering & Technology
may be of interest to those members who can attend at 12.30pm, 29 May
at the IET, Savoy House, Savoy Place, London. The subject is British
Military Radio Communications and the lecture will be given by
Professor Anthony Davies. Any RSGB

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members who can attend would be most welcome. Thanks to the Archives
Department of the IET for letting us know of this event.

In Sri Lanka, Morse code testing has been removed in the Novice Class
and the General Class of amateur radio exam. It has also been reduced
from 22 words per minute to 5 words per minute in the Advanced
category. Thanks to 4S5DD for this information.

Verulam Amateur Radio Club in St Albans has just been awarded a Grass
Roots Grant to help the funding of amateur radio training. So, at short
notice, they are running an Intermediate Course that started on
Thursday 23 April that will run for 6 weeks. There is some spare
capacity for additional students and, although this is short notice,
they can probably accommodate catch-up sessions. For further details
please contact Chris, G6CMD, on 01727 811303.

In China, the Jiangsu Radio Sports Association is organising an
emergency service drill in Jiangsu on 2 May between 0000 and 0700. The
operation will apparently be in the style of a Field Day. Besides
conventional voice and CW modes, VoIP, satellites and digital modes are
also encouraged by the organisers. 200+ local amateur radio operators
are expected to participate in this exercise. Listeners are welcome to
log into the Echolink *JSDXC* conference server to monitor this event.
Most of the contacts will be conducted in Chinese, however! This is an
attempt to promote better co-ordination of emergency services in China.

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

The Yeovil QRP Convention will take place today, 26 April, at Digby
Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, Dorset. Digby Hall adjoins the central
shopping car park. Doors open at 10am and there will be trade stands
and a Bring and Buy as well as the usual lectures. More details from
Derek on 01935 414452 or the Yeovil ARC website.

The Dambusters Radio Rally will take place on 3 May at the Thorpe Camp
Visitor Centre, on the B1192 Thorpe Road, Tattershal Thorpe near
Coningsby, Lincolnshire LN4 4PE. As usual, there is no charge for
selling pitches and entry is £2 per person including traders and their
companions. Children under 16 have free entry. The entrance fee
includes admission to the Visitor Centre. Bring your own tables and
covers and the electricity supply is only limited by the length of your
extension cable. You can come and set up the day before if you give the
organisers notice. There is free camping space available on site.
Contact 01507 527835.

The Dartmoor Radio Rally will be held on 4 May at the Tavistock
College, Crowndale Rd, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8DD. Doors open at 10.15
for disabled visitors and 10.30 for others. There will be trade stands,
a Bring and Buy as well as catering and some family entertainments.
Contact Peter, M1AYI, 01822 860277.

The Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be hosting a rally on 9 May at
Brownlow Resource Centre, Craigavon, Co Armagh. More details are
available at www.muarc.com.

Now for the news of special events

Aberdare and District Amateur Radio Society will be active for
International Marconi Day on 26 April with the callsign GB0GMD. They
will be active from 8am to 6pm and various bands will be used depending
on

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propagation, SSB and possibly Digital Modes. QSL via MW6VHF and more
information is available on www.qrz.com.

GB0FDX are holding an HF and 2m field day over the weekend 2 and 3 May
at Manor Farm, Tilton on the Hill. Everyone is welcome and details are
on the website www.leicesterdx.co.uk.

For the second year running, Cray Valley Radio Society will be
activating GB6MW from Meopham Windmill, Meopham, Kent DA13 0QA, as part
of National Mills weekend on 9 and 10 May. The mill is set in an
idyllic location next to the village green with its cricket, pubs and
restaurants making it a prime location to showcase amateur radio to the
visiting public. GB6MW will be active on HF and VHF and is hoping to
better the 404 QSOs made in 2008 while still ensuring plenty of members
are on hand to explain amateur radio to visitors as they pass by the
station to view the spectacular interior of the mill and its exhibits."

ON769MS will be on the air on 2 and 3 May as part of the European
Leader Project. More information can be found on QRZ.com and there is a
special QSL card available .

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

8Q7SV will be active from the Maldives between 29 April and 5 May. His
operation will be mostly CW and digital modes on all bands. QSL via
SV1JG, direct or by the bureau.

8R1AD will be active from Guyana as until 3 May. Operation will be on
20m using CW, SSB and PSK31. The operators say that they plan to look
for stations who are young operators and running low power. QSL via
N7EAA.

Jim, MM0BQI, will be on as MM0BQI/P from Lunga, Treshnish Isles, which
is IOTA reference EU-108, for four days between 24 and 27 April.
Activity will be on 20, 40 and 80 CW, SSB and possibly the digital
modes. He'll be running 100 watts to verticals by the seashore. QSL via
the bureau, direct or Logbook of The World.

Three operators, each with his own callsign, will be on from Ogasawara
from 29 April to 12 May. JD1BLK, JD1BMH and JD1BLY plan to operate CW,
SSB and digital, all bands. QSL via JM1LJS, JG7PSJ and JI5RPT
respectively. Each has his own website.

Now the contest news

The RSGB 50MHz Activity Contest will be held on 28 April between 1900
and 2130 using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

2 and 3 May is a busy weekend for contests. The ARI International
Contest takes place between 2000 and 1959 on all bands between 1.8 and
28MHz using CW, SSB and data. The exchange is signal report and serial
number.

Also on May 2 between 1400 and 2200 is the RSGB 432MHz Trophy using all
modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

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At the same time, the RSGB 10GHz Trophy is taking place using all
modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Over the whole weekend from 1400 to 1400, the RSGB 432MHz to 248GHz
Contest is taking place using all modes. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May, sees the RSGB SSB 80m Club Championship
from 1900 to 2030. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

Now the solar report for the period from the 13th to the 19th of April,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS

We start this week with the news that the sunspot cycle is still in
decline. The latest sunspot numbers confirm this, they are for July,
August and September 2008 and are 2.7, 2.6 and 2.2 respectively.

The solar disc was spotless everyday. In fact, it's been 43 days since
the last sunspot was seen. Solar activity was very low with no solar
flares reported. Solar flux levels increased from 68 units on the 13th
to 70 by the end of the period. The average was 69 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 19th was 70 units. No change from the last 8
weeks. X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day despite the arrival of a
coronal hole disturbance on the 16th. First, the hole was small and
secondly the Bz was predominately northwards during the initial phase
of the disturbance. The most disturbed day was the 18th with an Ap
index on 8 units. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data from the
ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 290 kilometres per
second on the 15th and the 16th to 540 by the 18th. Particle densities
were low everyday. Bz varied no more than minus 8 and plus 10
nanoTeslas.

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. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark all week.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet throughout. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 18MHz for the south
and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be around 9MHz.
Paths this week to South America 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 19MHz. The
best time to try this path will be between 1200 and 1900 hours UTC. May
normally sees the start of the summer Sporadic-E. Even though it is
still a bit early, the alert operator could catch a small opening
during the coming week.

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 The Bromley and District ARS will be holding a
Foundation Course starting on Sunday 17 May with the exam on the 31st.
Venue Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens Hayes BR2 7NH. Details on
www.bdars.org or by email to .

On Tuesday 28 April Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.

On Tuesday 28 April Dorking and District Radio Society is having a talk
on photonic band structures and broad band antennas by Dr David
Jefferies, G6GPR. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 28 April Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having an
auction. Contact Gordon, on 01424 431 909.

On Tuesday 28 April Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on kite aerials by Roger, G4ROJ. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023
9247 2846.

On Wednesday 29 April Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a technical talk on the Linux operating system by Simon, M0SKC.
Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 29 April Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

On Wednesday 29 April Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a grand inter-club junk sale. All visitors are very welcome. Contact
Ken, M0KLS, on 02392 797 240.

On Wednesday 29 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a table top
sale, construction and workshop night and Bright Sparks meeting.
Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 29 April Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 30 April Bittern DX Group is starting its advanced planning
for GB2OH at Oxburgh Hall. Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506.

On Thursday 30 April King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 30 April Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society
commences its club project. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 1 May Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a
talk on the MKARS80 transceiver by Brian, G8DIU. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on
01737 552 170.

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On Friday 1 May Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having its AGM.
Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 2 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the bunker.
Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.

On Saturday 2 May Harwell Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
Open Day at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on
01235 524844.

On Saturday 2 May Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is operating
special event station GB2WM at Worthing Museum. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Sunday 26 April Cornish Radio Amateur Club
is dismantling the station after IMD. Contact Steve, G7VOH on 01209
844939.

On Sunday 26 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is running the QRP
Convention. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to .

On Monday 27 April Bristol RSGB Group is having a talk on the RSGB
Yearbook by Steve White, G3ZVW. Contact Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Tuesday 28 April West Devon Radio Club is having a bring and buy
table top sale night. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588.

On Wednesday 29 April South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 29 April Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night and Morse class. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666
234.

On Wednesday 29 April Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 30 April Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general ragchew plus Foundation Course training. Contact Joe
Bell, M6JOE, on 01726 891557.

On Thursday 30 April Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 30 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a committee
meeting and putting the club station on the air. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ,
by email to .

On Friday 1 May Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

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NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 27 April Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a natter night. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 27 April Leicester Amateur Radio Society is having its junk
sale. Contact Linda, G8VQM, on 07804 595749.

On Monday 27 April South Birmingham Radio Society is having a Contest
and Rally Meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 27 April South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
is having the season's first night on the air at Crich. Contact A J
Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Monday 27 April Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having
a talk on broadcast aerials by Chris Pettitt, G0EYO. Contact Jack,
G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.

On Tuesday 28 April Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 28 April Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 28 April Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
used equipment and book sale. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Wednesday 29 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is going coast to coast
with Clive, G1BSN. Contact Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 29 April South Notts Amateur Radio Club is working on its
construction project with G4EDX. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 29 April Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has
its walking 2m DF foxhunt. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Friday 1 May Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on RTTY and data modes. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 1 May Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on bee
keeping by Simon King. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 1 May Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
.

On Saturday 2 May South Notts Amateur Radio Club starts its foundation
theory weekend and exam. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 27 April Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036.

On Monday 27 April Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on APRS
techniques by Ross, G6GVI. Contact .

On Monday 27 April Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a practical
night and operating tuition for new amateurs. Contact Mike Gordon,
G0TKO, on 01709 382479.

On Monday 27 April South Manchester Radio And Computer Club has its
monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Monday 27 April Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
an auction under the hammer of Mick, G4EZM. Contact John Webb, G8RDP,
on 01253 876313.

On Tuesday 28 April Chester and District Radio Society is having a
general discussion regarding the RSGB. Contact Barbara Green on 0151
339 9183.

On Tuesday 28 April Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Wednesday 29 April Goole Radio and Electronics Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 29 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a music quiz
with Dave, G0DMP. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 29 April Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is on the air
on VHF and HF and continues its Foundation and Intermediate course
training. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 30 April Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society has its
spring sale of surplus equipment and junk, plus new equipment offered
by LAM Communications. Details on 07594 596 040.

On Thursday 30 April South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
an aerial clinic with Ron, G3SVW. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 30 April Wakefield and District Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 1 May East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 2 May Finningley Amateur Radio Society is operating a
special event station at Santoft trolleybus museum. Contact Colin,
2E0UBT, on 0172 471 1686.

On Saturday 2 May Wakefield and District Radio Society commences its
Intermediate License course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Jim, GM3HGA and Findlay, GM3VEY have been reading the
GB2RS news at 11.30 each Sunday on 3640kHz for the Aberdeen area for
some 40 and 36 years respectively. This is an amazing achievement, but
they have both decided that the time has now come to retire from the
duty. They would like to give up within the next two months, and the
RSGB is accordingly seeking two or three volunteer readers to take over
this news reading schedule for the Scottish East coast. Volunteers, who
must be members of the RSGB, should contact the GB2RS News Manager
Gordon Adams G3LEQ on 01565 652652, or via email to .

On Tuesday 28 April Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is
having Morse code practice. Contact Norman, on 0131 449 7641.

On Wednesday 29 April Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Wednesday 29 April Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by Tam
Stewart, the South of Scotland Raynet Coordinator. Contact Charlie,
MM0GNS, on 01563 551704.

On Thursday 30 April Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
about operating on 6 meters by GM4OBD. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224
575 663.

On Thursday 30 April Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a
meeting for VHF field day contesters. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820
134.

On Thursday 30 April Wigtownshire Amateur Radio Club is on the air with
PSK31. Contact Ellis Gaston, GM0HPK, on 01776 820413.

On Friday 1 May Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having a
normal club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Saturday 2 May Meirion Amateur Radio Society is
running a special event for the Welsh Highland Railway Gala at
Porthmadog. 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.