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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 26 July 2009

The news headlines

* It's IOTA weekend

* It's IOTA weekend
* Satellite operations celebrate moon landings

* It's IOTA weekend
* Satellite operations celebrate moon landings
* GB7MBC DXCluster now on Twitter

This weekend sees the annual RSGB IOTA Contest, sponsored by ICOM. It
is the big event of the year for island chasers, for whom it's a great
chance to increase scores. There is likely to be some great DX about,
with lots of unusual places and calls on the air. The contest takes
place from 1200UTC on Saturday 25 July to 1200UTC on Sunday 26th. Full
details of the contest are on the RSGB HFCC web site at
www.rsgbcc.org/hf/iota.shtml.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the moon landings on 20 July,
AMSAT-NA arranged for a number of moon related transmissions to be made
via amateur satellite AO-51. The UK and Europe were particularly well
sited for the first of these, uplinked by Dave, G1OCN. Signals included
sound bites and an SSTV image, which were received strongly by numerous
UK and European stations.

GB7MBC, one of Europe's busiest DX Clusters, is now on Twitter. It
provides such things as DX news, IOTA, Contests and Solar information.
If you wish to follow it on Twitter just go to twitter.com/GB7MBC and
add it to the list of tweets you follow.

Repeater users in the London area will be aware that abuse continues to
mar the network with a minority making it unpleasant for those who
simply wish to enjoy the hobby. The East London 2m repeater, GB3EL, has
been suffering from abuse recently and the Keeper has instigated a
curfew between the 6pm and 6am to reduce the instances of abuse. This
action has proven effective in the past and the RSGB Emerging
Technologies Committee and Ofcom support the Keeper's actions. The ETCC
encourages proactive measures by all Keepers to manage their repeaters
in accordance with the terms of their NoVs. Users are especially asked
to consider their own actions and not to react when abuse is heard, as
this is just what abusers are hoping will happen.

Norwich Amateur Radio Club is organising a coach trip to the National
Hamfest on the 2nd October. They are taking advantage of the very
special offers on group tickets for the event. For every ten tickets
purchased, you received three more tickets free. This is in addition to
the savings made if the booking is made online. The Hamfest also offer
a deal for the car full of friends planning a trip, where you buy four
tickets and receive a fifth ticket free. All tickets bought in advance
enjoy a saving of £1 over the `on the day' price and children under the
age of 16 are admitted free. For the latest information on the National
Hamfest, check out www.nationalhamfest.co.uk.

RAIBC, Britain's charity for disabled amateurs and SWLs, is currently
looking for two candidates to stand for election to its committee.
Applicants for these voluntary roles should have a desire to take an
active role. In the first instance please contact the Secretary by
email to secretary at raibc.org.uk or call the RAIBC Helpline on
08000 141 743.

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Bletchley Park will be celebrating the essential contribution of radio
to the war effort with the family event Wireless Waves over the weekend
of 1 and 2 August. Various radio societies and other groups will
demonstrate a range of equipment from World War Two onwards, including
the Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society, Milton Keynes Amateur
Radio Society, Bletchley Park Radio Society and a World War Two replica
German field radio station. Full details are at
www.bletchleypark.org.uk.

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

This weekend sees the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium at the
Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford. Details are at
www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium.

Today, Sunday 26 July, it's the Horncastle Summer Rally at Horncastle
Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Details
from Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507 527835.

Sunday 2 August brings the West Somerset ARC Rally & Boot Sale which
takes pace at Allerford Community Hall and Recreation Ground,
Allerford, Minehead TA24 8HL, from 10am.Details from Bob, G1ONV, on
01643 820265.

King's Lynn Arc Rally & Car Boot Sale takes place on 2 August at King's
Gaywood Community Centre, PE30 4DZ. Opening time is 10am and entry is
£1.50. Details from Ray, G3RSV, on 01553 671307.

Also on Sunday 2 August is the Lorn Radio Amateur Rally at Crianlarich
Village Hall, near the junction of the A2 with the A85. Opening time is
10.30, and details are on the web at www.gm0lra.freeuk.com

Now for the news of special events

Medway Raynet Group, which includes the Isle of Sheppey on its patch,
will be operating GB100SS on the 25th and 26th July for Sky Sheppey
2009, from the disused airfield at Eastchurch in Kent. This was the
founding airfield of the Royal Naval Air Service and many famous
people, including Winston Churchill, learned to fly there. GB100SS will
be on HF and VHF. All logged contacts will receive a special QSL card.
Incoming cards will be welcomed via the RSGB Bureau. For more
information contact Dennis, G1JQH, on 07989 647 865.

Strumblehead DX and Contest Group have obtained permission from the
RSPB to activate Ramsey Island, IOTA EU-124, off the West Wales coast.
They will be active from 6pm on 24 July until 2pm on 27 July, also
taking part in the IOTA contest. They will sign MW9W in the contest and
use club call MC0SHL at other times. Activity will be on all bands from
80m to 10m SSB, with some activity on 30m RTTY. Most of the activation
is for the WAB award scheme as the square is semi rare and has not been
activated for some time. Using generators for power, they will have two
K3's and a Yaesu FT1000MP Mk V, plus amplifiers. Antennas will consist
of a Hexbeam, a Windom and dipoles. The team will be on from the farm
for a few days before and after, signing GB0WFF for the World Flora and
Fauna award. A special QSL card printed for both club calls. Please QSL
via M0URX.

GB2VET will be celebrating Veteran's Day over the weekend of 1 and 2
August. The station will be at East Park, Hull, HU8 8JU. Operations
will be from 9 till 6 on 80, 40 and 20m CW and SSB, plus 2m and 70cm,
including an IRLP station on 430.0125 FM.

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

A multi-national DXpedition will operate from Swaziland between 31 July
and 11 August. They will sign 3DA0SS from the Hawane Resort and a
campsite near Manzini. Team members include GI4FUM/EI4DJ/3DA0DJ, G4LDL,
M0VAA, GM3TAL, NC4MM, ZS6GDM and UT5EL. Plans are to cover as many
bands and modes as possible, including PSK31, RTTY and CW. Operations
will be on or near to scout frequencies. Requests for skeds should be
sent to and QSLs should be sent via GI4FUM.

The first-ever activation of Lajes Lighthouse on the Azores will occur
on 1 August from 0800UTC to 1900UTC. Signing CR2NRA, activity will be
on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m on SSB and CW. QSL details are on QRZ.com.

Mike, K9AJ, and Bruce, KD6WW will be active as K9AJ/VY0 and KD6WW/VY0
from Thomson Island, NA- 185, from local evening on 31 July through
local morning of 3 August. They will have two stations and will operate
CW and SSB around the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via their home calls.

Alex, PY2WAS, will be activating Amapa, the rarest of the 27 states in
Brazil. It is 12 years since the state last saw any DX amateur
activity. The callsign will be PX8W and activity will be on 1 and 2
August on 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40 and 80m, CW and SSB. QSL via
PY2WAS, direct or via the bureau.

Many other exotic locations are being activated this weekend as part of
the IOTA contest. Details of most can be found on the IOTA web site at
www.rsgbiota.org by clicking on the Activations tab.

Now the contest news

The big news this weekend is the RSGB IOTA contest, from 1200 UTC on
Saturday until the same time on Sunday. Activity is on all HF contest
bands, SSB and CW, and the exchange is RST, serial number and IOTA
reference.

On Tuesday 28 July it's the RSGB 50MHz Activity contest from 1900 until
2030. All modes are allowed, and the exchange is RS, serial number and
locator.

On Saturday 1 August the 144MHz Low Power contest takes to the air on
all modes between 1400 and 2000. RST, serial number, locator and
postcode should be exchanged.

Also on the 1st is the European HF Championship from 1200 until 2359,
SSB and CW on all HF contest bands from 80 to 10m. The exchange is RST
and the last two digits of the year you were licensed.

2 August sees RoPoCo 2, from 0700 until 0900, CW only, on the 80m band.
RST plus full postcode forms the exchange.

And finally on the 2nd August it's the 432MHz Low Power contest, from
0800 until 1200. All modes are valid, and the exchange is RST, serial
number, locator and postcode.

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Now the solar factual data for the period from the 13th to the 19th of
July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 20th of July.

We start this section of the news with what could be good news. The
latest monthly smoothed sunspot numbers available for October, November
and December 2008 are 1.8, 1.7 and 1.7 respectively. Could these
figures indicate that we are now at sunspot minimum? Several more
monthly figures are required before we can say with any certainty that
minimum as taken place. However, the signs are there and they are
looking good.

After the comments above the Sun then goes back to sleep. The solar
disc was spotless everyday; in fact, it's been nine weeks since the
last spotless week. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels
averaged 67 units and varied little day to day. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 19th was 69 units, that's one unit down on last week.
X-ray flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level all week.
Geomagnetic activity started at slightly unsettled levels on the 13th
and the 14th due to the effects of a small coronal hole. The Ap index
was 10 units on both days. The remainder of the period was quiet and
the average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw
solar wind speeds decline from 570 kilometres per second on the 14th to
280 by the 18th. Particle densities were low except for an increase to
14 particles per cubic centimetre early on the 13th. Bz varied between
minus 9 and plus 11 nanoTeslas during the minor disturbance and between
minus and plus 1 nanoTeslas on the quietest days.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be at very low levels. There is a small chance that on some days
sunspots could be visible. Saying that, solar flux levels should stay
around the 70 mark. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at quiet
levels everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should
be about 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour
lows should be around 10MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about
19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be around 15MHz. The best time to try the path will be between
0600 and 100 hours UTC. Sporadic-E is expected to take place on some
days. Openings on 144MHz will now be less likely but can not be totally
ruled out.

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

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Next, the Local News:

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies

can be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail addresses

and website links where known.

[Note to newsreaders: Please read the local news items appropriate to
the service area of your

transmission.]

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 26 July Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio
Society is operating 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 at Waterside Farm Railway. Contact Dave
Speechley, G4UVJ, on 01268 697978.

On Tuesday 28 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating from
the shack. Contact Steve, on 01 424 720815.

On Tuesday 28 July Dorking and District Radio Society is having a South
Downs evening. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 28 July Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on digital television by Noel Matthews, G8GTZ. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 29 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal,
construction, workshop and Bright Sparks evening. Contact Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 29 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a 2m DF hunt. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 30 July Bittern DX Group is having summertime CQs as GB2CLB
and GB2BML. Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506.

On Thursday 30 July Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt.
Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 30 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 31 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
shack evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 31 July Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
setting up its summer camp. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 1 August Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
bunker. Contact Steve, on 01 424 720815.

On Saturday 1 August Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society
continues setting up its camp. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Sunday 2 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is operating HF
from Sandford Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

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NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 27 July Bristol RSGB Group is having
a project discussion night. Contact Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

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

On Thursday 30 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 30 July Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club Is having a
natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 30 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to steveatg7ahp.co.uk.

On Friday 31 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a presentation
by Hannah Simmons on the work of Rowcroft Hospice. Contact Dave, G6FSP,
by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

On Sunday 2 August Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a field day. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251.

On Sunday 2 August Bristol RSGB Group is taking a coach trip to
Bletchley Park. Contact Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Chesterfield Rally Group is starting a Foundation
Course on 2 September at their training room at Clay Cross,
Chesterfield. The course will run over 8 weeks, with the Foundation
Exam on 21 October. Some places are still available; please call 07919
173 516 for details.

On Sunday 26 July Chesterfield Rally Team & M0OCT group have the second
day of their HF Weekend event. More details on 01246 250680.

On Monday 27 July Leicester DX Group is having an antenna test night.
Contact Clive M3CGH via the web at www.leicesterdx.co.uk.

On Monday 27 July South Birmingham Radio Society is planning rally
visits and making social plans. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 27 July South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur Radio
Club is having an on the air night and family picnic at Crich Stand.
Contact A J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Monday 27 July Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society has its
construction competition. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.

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

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

On Wednesday 29 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is on the air. Contact Pam
Rose, on 01427 788356.

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On Wednesday 29 July Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding training
classes and having a ragchew. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 29 July South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Morse by G4NSP. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 29 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on VHF data modes on VHF by G3YFK. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677.

On Friday 31 July Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an arts night. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 31 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 31 July Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting at 8pm. Contact Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to
webmasterathrrarc.com.

On Friday 31 July Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on the B2 Spy Set by John Crabbe, G3WFM. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 31 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 1 August South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur
Radio Club commences its Foundation Course Weekend. Contact A J Higton,
2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.

On Saturday 1 August Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is erecting a
mast and installing radios at Rhydd Scout Camp, Kinver Scout Camp and
Blackwell Scout Camp. Contact Leslie Coyne M3WRZ, on 01905 764320.

On Sunday 2 August Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a committee meeting /A. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

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

On Monday 27 July Angel Of The North Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036.

On Monday 27 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a video night
and social evening. Contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to
trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk.

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

On Monday 27 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
technical night. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 28 July Chester and District Radio Society is having a pie
and pint evening at The Chimneys, Hooton. Contact Barbara Green on 0151
339 9183.

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

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

On Wednesday 29 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having an IOTA wash
up. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 29 July Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is doing
antenna maintenance. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 30 July South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is having
a PC clinic with Dave, G4UGM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 30 July Wakefield and District Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 31 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 31 July Tynemouth Radio Club is on the air. Contact Graham
Errington, on 07812 172136.

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

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

On Thursday 30 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having a construction evening. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Saturday 1 August Glenrothes and District Radio Club is attending
Thornton Gala. Contact Dave Francis, on 01383 823878.

NEWS FOR WALES Newport Amateur Radio Society will be running an
Intermediate Licence course from Friday 2 October in Newport. For
further details contact Gareth Price on 01633 880081 or email
.

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.