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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 19th July 2009

The news headlines

* IOTA Contest preparations well under way
* RSGB Convention hosts all three licence exams
* Government recognises work of Bletchley Park veterans

There are just a few days before the 2009 IOTA Contest on 25 and 26
July. This is the big event of the year for island chasers and, for
most, it is a great chance to improve scores. Already a number of
DXpeditions have announced they will be active for the contest. Here a
just a few of the stations to look out for. MM0NDX will be active as
GM5A from the main island of Hirta in the St. Kilda group, which is
IOTA reference EU-059. QSL via GM4FDM. A nine-strong team of VK
operators will be active from Norfolk Island as VK9NI. They will have a
2-element 40m beam and Spiderbeams for HF as well as a range of
verticals for all bands including 160. HS0AC/P will be on the air from
Si Chang Island, which is reference S-107. The QSL Manager is HS0ZFZ.
The Strumblehead DX and Contest group will operate from Ramsey Island
off the West Wales using the call MW9W for the contest and MC0SHL at
other times. The island will not only count for the IOTA contest but
also WAB awards and the WFF award. QSL via M0URX. IC8/IW8EHK will be
active from Capri, reference EU-031 with some activity outside the
contest period. The QSL manager is IK7JWX, CO8ZZ will be active during
the contest from Cuba, taking part in the CW only category. QSL via
DK1WI. Cuba's reference is NA-015. YC9MDX will be on the air from Timor
Island, reference OC-148. Don't forget that if the stations you work
send in their logs you can claim the contest QSOs for your IOTA Awards
without needing to get their QSL cards. See the `Activations' tab on
the home page at www.rsgbiota.org for more information on these and
other upcoming activities.

The RSGB Convention is, for the moment, the only place where candidates
are able to take the full suite of UK licence exams. Over the years,
there have been quite a few candidates who've taken on the challenge.
This year is no exception. Foundation and Intermediate exams will run
Saturday 10 October and the Advanced exam takes place on Sunday the
11th. If you want to take any of these exams you must book your place
before the event. If you wish to take the Foundation and/or the
Intermediate level exam, you'll need to book 10 working days in advance
of the RSGB Convention to guarantee a place, and for the Advanced level
allow 15 working days. All exams must be booked through the
Examinations Department of the RSGB. This can be done by email to
rce.deptatrsgb.org.uk or by calling the RSGB on 01234 832700, then
selecting Exams, option 4, on the automated switchboard. Candidates for
the Foundation & Intermediate exam must also contact Brian Reay, G8OSN
by email to ardc.chairmanatrsgb.org.uk so you can inform him of your
progress on practical assessment. If required, Brian can advise on
finding a local tutor to complete practical assessments in advance of
the examinations. As in previous years an Advanced revision Q&A session
is planned just before the Advanced exam on Sunday morning. Good luck
to all the candidates.

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The UK Government has decided to recognise the vital contribution made
by members of the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park
during the Second World War. Surviving military and civilian veterans
who served at Bletchley Park and its outstations during the Second
World War are eligible for a commemorative badge. The award of the
commemorative badge is a fitting recognition of the vital role played
by the Government Code and Cypher School during the war.

The RSGB and Lincoln Short Wave Club are pleased to announce details of
the free prize draw that will be held at the National Hamfest on 2 and
3 October. Visitors to the show will have the chance to win an IC-7200
rig donated by Icom UK, a Beam in a Bag antenna from Martin Lynch &
Sons and the Heil Quiet Pro headset. This prize draw is in addition to
the daily Yaesu draw for a VX-8, again available to National Hamfest
visitors. For more information on tickets, please check out
www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.

Microwave and ATV stations are taking part in a combined activity day
on Sunday 26 July, along the West Coast and in North Wales. The purpose
is to encourage fixed and portable operation in the microwave bands,
particularly with EI, GI, GD, GM, G and GW. Operation will be from 10am
to 4pm. 23cm ATV signals passing through the ATV repeater at Amlwch
will be streamed on to the internet and may be viewed live on the BATC
streamer, www.batc.tv.

Roger, G3LDI, situated near Norwich, has been using GB50ATG, the Golden
Jubilee call of the British Amateur Teledata Group. Starting on 20m, a
stack of European and Russian stations have been worked, with the
occasional USA station. Propagation has been poor, but hopefully more
stations will be worked as we progress into autumn. 80m has also been
used, providing a few G stations and again some Europeans, but most of
the time calling CQ to no avail. The call will be passed on at the end
of the month to Arthur Bard, G1XKZ, so it will continue to be active.
Check the BARTG website for more information at www.bartg.org.uk.

Hornsea ARC in East Yorkshire is putting on a 10-day Antenna Workshop,
which finishes on 24 July. Based in Bewholme, near Hornsea, YO25 8DX,
an array of HF antennas is available for any licensed amateur to
experiment with. For more details please telephone the organiser,
G4YTV, on 01964 562 498.

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

The Macmillan (Northampton) Hamfest will take place today, 19 July, at
Roade Village, Northamptonshire. There's no entry fee and no traders
fee, however donations are invited to Macmillan. All refreshment monies
go to Macmillan too. Contact G6NYH on 01604 234333.

The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will take place at the
Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford on 25 and 26 July. It's a weekend full of
lectures and demonstrations with the RSGB's mobile demonstration
module, GB4FUN, in attendance. Details at www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium.

The Horncastle Summer Rally takes place on 26 July at the Horncastle
Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Entry is
£1. Details from Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507 527835.

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Now the news of special events

Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club will put GB0MAR on the air on 25 July
from the village of Dervock in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The
event is the village Fun Day, the highlight of which is a half marathon
run around the surrounding country roads of the village. A special QSL
card will be issued via the bureau.

On 25 July 1909, Louis Bleriot became the first person to fly a powered
craft across the English Channel from Calais to Dover. To mark this
historic event, the Dover ARC will be operating on all bands with the
special event call GB100LB on 25 and 26 July. There will be lots of
other activities off the White Cliffs of Dover for this event.

Sky Sheppey 2009 celebrates 100 years of British Aviation and the part
played by the pioneers of early flying and the armed services over
those years on the Isle of Sheppey. During the event, which takes place
on 25 and 26 July, Medway RAYNET Group will be operating GB100SS. The
team plan to have three stations in operation, working 80 and 40m, with
activity also planned for 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2m. Special QSL cards,
specially designed for the event, have been donated by Chris, M0DOL.

On Sunday 26 July the Isle of Man ARS will be running GB5LB the last in
its series of Life Boat station activations. Working from Port St Mary
lifeboat station, operations will be centred around 3.7MHz. A special
QSL card is available Please QSL direct to The Boat House, Lime Street,
Port St Mary, Isle of Man IM9 5EF. Include a self-addressed envelope
and an IRC because British stamps are not valid on the Isle of Man. A
special Award is available if you contact GB5LB at three of its venues.

Verulam ARC will be operating GB4HPT in support of the High Field Park
Trust St Albans on 25 July. The Trust is holding their annual fund
raising fete and Verulam ARC will be there with a portable HF station.
They hope to operate on the 3.5, 7.0, 14, and 21MHz bands on both CW
and SSB. The station will be on the air from 11am until about 1800 UTC.

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

Look out for IOTA Contest stations on the air over the weekend 25 and
26 July. Many island DXpeditions will be on the air using non-contest
callsigns outside of the contest.

Toni, EA5RM, is in the Bolivian Amazon during August. If time permits
he plans to use the callsign CP1XRM.

For the 1250th anniversary of the San Miguel de Pedroso monastery,
EG1SMP will be on the air between 24 July and 7 August. Main activity
will be on 25 and 26 July. QSL via EA2BT via the bureau.

Contest News next.

The RSGB 1.3GHz and 2.3GHz Activity Contest takes place on 21 July
between 1900 and 2130. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

23 July sees the RSGB 80m Data Club Championship take place between
1900 and 2030. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

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Icom is to hold the very first worldwide D-Star contest between 25 and
31 July. The results will be announced at the Tokyo Ham Fair. There are
prizes available for winners. For the full details, check out
www.icom.co.jp/world/d-contest.

The RSGB 50MHz Activity Contests takes place on 28 July from 1900 to
2130. Using all modes on the 50MHz band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 6th to the 12th
of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 13th of July.

Solar activity was low on the 6th when the only C class solar flare of
the period took place. The sunspot group responsible belonged to the
new sunspot cycle and was the largest thus far. As it rotated out of
sight it was in its decaying phase, however, it could last the two week
period it takes before it rotates back into view again around the 23rd
of July. Solar flux levels declined from 71 units on the 7th and the
8th to 68 by the 10th. The average was 69 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 12th remained unchanged at 70 units. Geomagnetic
activity was quiet everyday. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between 350 and
460 kilometres per second. Particle densities were low but increased to
22 particles per cubic centimetre late on the 9th. A further increase
to 39 particles per cubic centimetre occurred briefly early the next
morning. Bz varied between minus and plus 5 nanoTeslas everyday except
for the 9th which varied between minus 8 and plus 10 nanoTeslas.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the solar disc could be
spotless most days so expect solar activity should to be at very low
levels. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the 70 mark all
week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet today but by
tomorrow a small coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive. This
will be the first of two disturbances to take place, with the second
arriving for next weekend. The effects from these two disturbances
should only be minor. 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 10MHz. Paths this week to the
Middle East should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate will be around 23MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be about 19MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 0800 and 1700 hours UTC. Also possible will be to
work the same area via double hop Sporadic-E on 50MHz during any large
openings that are expected to take place over the coming next 7 days.

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 Today, Sunday 19 July, a new GB2RS reading commences at
10am local time on 145.525MHz FM in the Bedfordshire area. Larry, G4OXY
in Biggleswade is the main newsreader, with Mike, G3EWE of Shefford as
his reserve. This plugs a gap in the GB2RS coverage, and they would
appreciate reception reports from listeners calling in after the news
reading.

If any RSGB members in the South East and East Anglia thinks that they
might be able to provide coverage on 2 meters FM each Sunday, in areas
where GB2RS cannot be heard at present, please contact the GB2RS News
Manager Gordon G3LEQ on 01 565 652 652 for an exchange of information.

On Monday 20 July Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk about the
OSCAR Satellites. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 20 July Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it, advice,
chin-wag and move-it-on evening. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 21 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 21 July Dorking and District Radio Society is having a talk
on high altitude balloon launches. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737
359472.

On Wednesday 22 July Farnborough and District Radio Society is having a
construction contest and junk sale. Contact Derek, G3OFA, by email to
mailatfdrs.org.uk.

On Wednesday 22 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having its trophy
fox hunt. Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 22 July Peterborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on kitchen table minimalist radio by Roger, G3XBM.
Contact David Howlett, M0VTG, by email to padarcattesco.net.

On Wednesday 22 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Andre, M0RAV, on amateur radio for the troops from arctic to
desert. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 23 July Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Ham Radio Deluxe by Frank Heritage, M0AEU. Contact John G4GSC 01784
451898.

On Thursday 23 July Edgware and District Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 020 8950 0658.

On Thursday 23 July Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having an
informal evening. Contact Gerald, G8AKL, on 01487 740794.

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On Thursday 23 July 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 Friday 24 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
shack evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV, on 01223 355254.

On Friday 24 July Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
feeders, couplers and lines by Duncan Keith, G3RGF. Contact Charlie,
M0WYM, on 02380 439560.

On Saturday 25 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club commences
its operations for the IOTA Contest weekend. Contact David Leary, G8JKV
on 01223 355254.

On Saturday 25 July Gorleston Amateur Radio Society is having its lunch
time meeting at the Short Blue Public House in Gorleston. Contact
David, G3OEP, on 01493 662 323.

On Saturday 25 July Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having an
auction. Contact Gordon, on 01424 431 909.

On Sunday 26 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating special event station GB2FX from Landguard Museum,
Felixstowe. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to pjwatbtinternet.com.

On Sunday 26 July South Essex Amateur Radio Society is operating a
special event station from Waterside Farm Railway. Contact Dave
Speechley, G4UVJ, on 01268 697978.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 20 July Appledore and District
Amateur Radio Club Radio is having a talk on procedures and the history
of Q-codes by Mike, G4NCU. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237
473251.

On Tuesday 21 July West Devon Radio Club is having a bring and buy
night. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588.

On Wednesday 22 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station and running a Morse class. Contact William,
G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 22 July Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 23 July Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Joe Bell, M6JOE, on 01726 891557.

On Thursday 23 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
digital camera evening with Muriel, G4YZR. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.

On Thursday 23 July Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
preparing for the IOTA contest. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 23 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the
half wave dipole by G3MYM. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
steveatg7ahp.co.uk.

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NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Advance notice first that the Chesterfield Rally
Team is holding an Advanced exam on 7 August. The exam will be held at
Clay Cross, near Chesterfield. For more information, and to register an
interest, please contact Martin, M1ANW, immediately, on 01246 275 889.
During office hours the number is 01246 250 680. Note that the closing
date for applications is Monday, 21 July at 5pm so you must act very
quickly.

On Monday 20 July Leicester DX Group is having an antenna construction
evening. Details are on the web at www.leicesterdx.co.uk.

On Monday 20 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having a rig check
and equipment review. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 20 July South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is holding a junk sale. Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773
783658.

On Monday 20 July Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a DF
hunt. Contact Simon, G8PAN, on 07977 266643.

On Tuesday 21 July Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
technical topics evening. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 21 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio has a club
open forum on radio software. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 22 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club Shack is having an
activity and natter night. Contact Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 22 July Midland Amateur Radio Society is reviewing
equipment, checking aerials and holding training classes. Contact
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 22 July South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Morse by G4NSP. Details on the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 22 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a fox hunt at Telford Town Park. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Friday 24 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 24 July Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
webmasterathrrarc.com.

On Friday 24 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 20 July Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191
4770036.

On Monday 20 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a portable
evening in Whitely Woods and the club field. Contact Trevor Wood,
M0TWS, by email to trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk.

On Monday 20 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
barbecue. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 21 July Chester and District Radio Society is having talks
on contesting on VHF and HF and how I got into amateur radio by Dave
Hewitt. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 21 July Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.

On Tuesday 21 July Stockport Radio Society is having a demonstration on
connecting to the DX Cluster. Contact Nigel Roscoe, on 0161 428 8413.

On Wednesday 22 July Goole Radio and Electronics Society is holding a
barbecue. Contact Ken G6YYN, on 01757 638539.

On Wednesday 22 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a club night
at Bewholme. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 22 July Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on storage media by G0LBO. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606
553401.

On Thursday 23 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m Club Data Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Thursday 23 July South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
a discussion on earthing principles. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.

On Thursday 23 July Wakefield and District Radio Society is having a
barbecue at the QTH of John, G7JTH. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

On Friday 24 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on making dummy
loads by Bob, G0EDK. Contact Graham Errington, on 07812 172136.

On Saturday 25 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
components catalogues evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475
671.

On Saturday 25 July Finningley Amateur Radio Society commences its
weekend event at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum, running a special event
station. Contact Colin, 2E0UBT, on 0172 471 1686.

On Saturday 25 July Wakefield and District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Sunday 26 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the IOTA
contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

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NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 21 July Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Contact Norman, on 0131 449
7641.

On Wednesday 22 July Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905.

On Thursday 23 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having mini
talks. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Saturday 25 July Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club starts
its weekend of participation in the RSGB IOTA Contest from the Island
of Tiree. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 21 July Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk, asking "Is your linear linear?" Details are on the web
at www.qsl.net/wars.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.