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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 25th October 2009

The news headlines

* Ofcom apprehends individual and seizes equipment

* Contest team perishes in air disaster

* Ofcom publishes its plans for the London 2012 Olympic Games

Late in the evening on 15 October, a team of enforcement officers from
Ofcom, assisted by Humberside Police, apprehended an individual in the
Hull region on suspicion of illegally transmitting on the region's
amateur radio bands. Equipment was seized during the operation and
Ofcom is continuing its investigations.

With great sadness we report the deaths of the C6APR team consisting of
Pete, W2GJ, Ed, K3IXD, Randy, K4QO and Dallas, W3PP. The team were on
their way to Crooked Island in the Bahamas to take part in the CQWW
contest this weekend. They were killed when their light aircraft
crashed on takeoff on the morning of 21 October. Our deepest sympathies
go out to their families and friends.

On Monday 19 October, the UK regulator Ofcom published its Spectrum
Plan for the London 2012 Olympic Games, outlining how the airwaves will
be managed during the seven week event. The Plan contained input from
both the RSGB and RAYNET. You can read the full transcript at
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/cond...2012/statement.

On Friday 16 October, the WSPR beacon V53ARC went online. The beacon is
working well and transmitting on the 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15 and 10m
bands with 5W and on 6m with 2W. It has been spotted already around the
globe including VK, KH8, J, S and many other countries. It can be heard
on each band every 16 minutes on the WSPR frequencies. More information
can be found at www.oe1ifm.at.

Icom UK is on the move to new premises. After 24 happy years at their
current location in Sea Street in Herne Bay, they are due to be fully
in place at the new home by 9 November. The new address will be
Blacksole House, The Boulevard, Altira Park, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6GZ.
All phone numbers and e-mail addresses remain the same. The move will
be in two phases. The sales, marketing, IT and accounts team along with
the warehouse will move between 30 October and 1 November, opening on 2
November for business as usual. The workshop will move the following
weekend, 5 to 7 November.

After an off-air period of almost two years, the Black Isle VHF
Repeater, GB3BI, was returned to service on Sunday 18 October. The
repeater is now located on a private site at 417m asl, approximately
ten miles South of Nairn on the Moray Coast. The Chairman and Committee
of the Black Isle Repeater Group wish to convey their sincere thanks to
Cawdor Estate and, in particular, to both Lord Cawdor and Angus
McNicol, the Estate Factor, for all their help and accommodation
towards the relocation of this repeater. All enquiries and or signal
reports should be directed to Steve Scanlain, GM1VAD via email to
raynet.controlatbtinternet.com or by phone or text message to 07900
960478.

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The Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be running a Foundation course
in November. Registration will take place on 2 November at 7pm in the
Place Initiative, Portadown. For more information e-mail
cqmuarcatgooglemail.com, or ring 0283 834 8451. All abilities and
ages are welcome.

The GB7HMI Bulletin Board System is up and running in Northern Ireland.
The new sysop is MI0RSN. GB7HMI now has telenet connection and an RF
connection on 144.9375MHz. For the telenet connection you need to
e-mail the sysops at mi0rsnathotmail.com with your password. For any
more information please contact the same e-mail address.

The FT5GA Glorioso Island operation is now over and the operators are
happy that the goal of 50,000 QSOs was reached. The operation was
forced to end operations on 7 October. This was a day earlier than
expected due to the military flight schedule. The QSL Manager for this
operation is Didier Senmartin, F5OGL.

The theme of the 2010 Dayton Hamvention on 14 to 16 May will be Amateur
Radio Clubs Worldwide: The Lifeline. In order to help celebrate the
world of radio clubs, Hamvention planners are asking for pictures from
radio clubs around the world that it can use on the front and back
cover of the Hamvention 2010 program magazine. It is also looking for
stories of interest from interesting radio clubs as well. More
information at www.hamvention.org.

The Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is moving to the
Finchale Training College at Durham on 31 October. It is near to the
Arnison Shopping Centre, Pity Me, and the postcode is DH1 5RX. More
details can be obtained from David, M0BPM, on 0191 3888113, or by
e-mail to m0bpmatbtinternet.com.

The date of the 3rd Bath Buildathon has been confirmed as Saturday 5
December. Following the success of the first two events the cost will
remain at £60 to include a Brendon DSB transceiver kit, room hire, tea
and coffee etc. The Bath Buildathon Crew will be providing all tools
and test equipment required and no previous experience is required,
just a bucket load of enthusiasm! The famous Christmas Market will be
happening in the City centre at the same time and the prestigious new
Southgate shopping centre will also be open, just in case non-radio
members of the family would like to make a weekend of it. Booking forms
for the Buildathon are available on request by e-mail from
g0fuwattiscali.co.uk or by post. Steve is QTHR in the Yearbook and on
QRZ.com.

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

Sadly, the organisers of the Northern Radio Rally, due to be held in
Richmond School on 25 October, have been obliged to cancel the rally.
Despite their efforts to promote the rally, bookings haven't been high
enough to make the rally viable. Please pass this message onto anyone
you know who was thinking about travelling to this rally.

On Sunday 1 November, the Great Northern Hamfest will take place at the
Metrodome Leisure Centre, Queens Road, Barnsley S71 1AN. Opening time
is 11am. There will be trade stands an RSGB bookstall, Foundation,
Intermediate and Advanced licence information, Special interest groups
and Local radio clubs. There are a limited number of tables available
at a reduced price for amateurs, but not trade, wishing to sell their
surplus equipment. To book a table and for any other enquiries, contact
the Hamfest Manager, Ernie, G4LUE on 01226 716339 or 07984 191873.

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The North Wales Radio Rally is to be held on Saturday 31 October and
Sunday 1 November in Llandudno at John Bright School, which is postcode
LL30 1LF. Doors are open from 10am to 5pm both days. Talk in will be on
S22. The rally is all on one level and there is disabled access. Entry
is £3 and you'll find many large traders attending and there will be an
RSGB bookstall as well as a Bring and Buy. For more information please
contact Liz Cabban, GW0ETU on 01690 710257 or by e-mail to
lizcabbanatvodafoneemail.co.uk

The Holsworthy ARC Rally will take place on 1 November at the
Holsworthy Community College, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JD. Doors open at
10am and the entry fee is £2. There will be trade stands and a Bring &
Buy. More details from Don, G0RQL on 01409 261223.

Also on 1 November the Foyle & District ARC Rally will be held in the
Best Western White Horse Hotel, Derry BT47 3PA. Doors open at 12 noon
and there will be trade stands, special interest groups and Bring &
Buy.

Now for the news of special events

Listen for W1ACB/US on 14.045MHz and 7.045MHz operating CW. It is a
permanent station for the US Army Signal Corps and the British Royal
Naval Signals of WWII. Go to QRZ.com to view their WWII tower. They
also operate on other bands from Top Band to 10m and can usually be
heard on frequencies ending in 45.

On 31 October, GB0BME will be on the air for Bancroft Mill Engine from
Barnoldswick.

1 November sees two stations going on the air. GB4RN is the Royal Naval
Amateur Radio Society station in Waterlooville and GB0AD is for
Armistice Day and is stationed in Aberdare.

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

A team headed by G3KHZ will be in Papua New Guinea until 9 November.
Activity will be on 160 to 15 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Full
details and QSL routing is on the web at www.425dxn.org.

JE2EHP, will be active as 4X/K1HP from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem between
29 October and 5 November. His operation will be on all the HF bands
plus 6m, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL is via the bureau to JE2EHP.

Until 11 November, FK/F5NHJ will be on the air from Grande Terre, which
is IOTA reference OC 0032, and also from Lifou or Maré, which is IOTA
reference OC 033.

ZZ0Z will be active from Archipelago Abrolhos, which is IOTA reference
SA-109 from 29 October to 2 November.

DL4IAS will be active from Bantayan Island, which is IOTA reference
OC-129, until 5 November as DV7/DL4IAS.

The XR0YA DXpedition to Easter Island will take a place between 31
October and 15 November. It will be a lightweight, small expedition led
by 6 operators. Thanks to the support of the Radio Club of Chile they
will have the opportunity to activate Rapa Nui on 30 meters. Since the
island is still most wanted on this band in Europe, 30m will be their
priority. Details at .http://rapanui2009.org/

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EI6DX, will be active as portable 6W between 7 and 16 November from
Somone in Senegal, which is located about 70km southeast of the city of
Dakar. He will concentrate on the lower bands and CW. QSL to RX3RC,
direct or via the bureau.

8R1PY will be active from Lethem, Guyana from 31 October to 4 November.
They plan to operate SSB, CW, RTTY and BPSK on 160 to 6 metres. QSL via
PY2WAS either direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The annual contest of the International Police Association Radio Club
is taking place over the weekend of 7 and 8 November. CW is on 7
November from 0600 to 1000UTC and 1400 to 1800UTC. SSB is on 8 November
also from 0600 to 1000 and 1400 to 1800UTC. More details from
www.iparc.de.

The 48-hour CQ Worldwide DX SSB contest on 24*25 October is probably
the biggest event of the month. Expect the phone portions of the HF
bands, except the WARC bands, to be busy all weekend. The contest takes
place between 0000 and 2350 on 24 and 25 October and the exchange is
signal report and CQ Zone, which is 14 for the UK.

On 27 October the 50MHz UK Activity Contest takes place between 1900
and 2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 12th to the 18th of
October, compiled on 19th of October by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

Information that I have just received from the `Solar Terrestrial
Dispatch' goes on to say. "There is sufficient data to be virtually
certain that December 2008 was the month of the solar minimum.
Officially, there is still insufficient post-minimum data to be
completely confident. However, confidence is now quite high that
December 2008 was the month of the solar minimum." The `Solar
Terrestrial Dispatch' can be found at www.spacew.com

The solar disc was spotless everyday and with it solar activity was
very low. However, on the 17th, around 1900 hours a very small `two
ribbon' solar flare took place from a spotless region on the Sun, which
is known as a `plage' region. What is more unusual from a flare this
small is that it produced a slow, faint, Earth- directed coronal mass
ejection. The CME had not arrived by the end of the reporting period,
maybe, more on this next week. Solar flux levels remained at 70
everyday except for the 17th which increased to 71 units. The average
was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 18th was 69 units,
that's the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels remained below
the minimum reporting level throughout. Geomagnetic activity was very
quiet everyday. The most disturbed days were the 15th and the 16th with
an Ap index of only four units. The average was Ap 2 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between 300 and
440 kilometres per second. Particle densities were low except for a
brief increase to 16 particles per cubic centimetre during the morning
of the 15th. Bz varied between minus and plus 4 nanoTeslas for the
period.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be at very low levels. However, the solar disc could exhibit some sun
spots. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark with a spotless
Sun and slightly higher if any spots do appear. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be mostly quiet, saying that, today, could be slightly
unsettled. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 21MHz for

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the south and 18MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be
around 9MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 21MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about
17MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1500
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 On Monday 26 October Felixstowe and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a talk on D-Star. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email
to pjwatbtinternet.com. On Tuesday 27 October Brede Steam Amateur
Radio Society is operating from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424
720815. On Tuesday 27 October Dorking and District Radio Society is
having a talk on assessing receiving system performance by Ranulph
Poole and John Salter of BBC Research. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737
359472. On Tuesday 27 October Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club
is holding its AGM. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846. On
Wednesday 28 October Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction evening. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.
On Wednesday 28 October Dover Radio Club is having a school holiday net
on GB3KS from 7.30pm. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
g4sauatDARC.org.uk. On Wednesday 28 October Fareham and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Richard, M1CFW on the move to
electronic ciphers. Contact Derek Clarkson, G4JLP, on 01329 823405. On
Wednesday 28 October Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening. Contact John, M0UKD, 07817365354. On Wednesday 28
October Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
contests by Don Field, G3XTT. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635 46241.
On Wednesday 28 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction, workshop and Bright Sparks evening. Contact
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 28 October Verulam
Amateur Radio Club starts its Foundation course. Contact Ralph, on
01923 265572. On Wednesday 28 October Worthing and District Amateur
Radio Club is on the air and having a discussion evening. Contact Roy,
G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 29 October Bittern DX Group is
having a debrief on October events and planning future endeavours.
Contact Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154. On Thursday 29 October 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 29
October Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a mystery
talk by Paul, G1GSN. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

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On Friday 30 October Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456. On Friday 30
October Mid-Sussex ARS is having a radio night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on
01273 845 103. On Saturday 31 October Gorleston Amateur Radio Society
is having its regular lunch time meeting at the Short Blue Hotel in
Gorleston. Contact David, G3OEP, on 01493 662 323.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 26 October Bristol RSGB Group is
having a talk by Phil Whitchurch, G3SWH and Mayotte, FH/G3SWH. Contact
Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442. On Tuesday 27 October West Devon Radio
Club is having an HF operating night for first timers. Contact Jules
Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588. On Wednesday 28 October Taunton and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz. Contact William, G3WNI,
on 01823 666 234. On Wednesday 28 October Thornbury and South
Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB,
on 01454 417048. On Thursday 29 October Newquay and District Amateur
Radio Society is having a general chat and operating night. Contact Joe
Bell, M6JOE, on 01726 891557. On Thursday 29 October South Bristol
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Thursday 29 October Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the 3DA0 DXpedition by Tony, G4LDL. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 29 October Yeovil Amateur Radio
Club is on air. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
steveatg7ahp.co.uk. On Friday 30 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society
is having a talk on police communications by Andrew Oliver. Contact
Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fspattars.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 26 October Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having an informal evening. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 26 October South Birmingham
Radio Society is having a pre-AGM meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603. On Monday 26 October Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society
is having a talk on the miniVNA antenna analyser by G8UKT. Contact
G0CHO, on 01608 664488. On Tuesday 27 October Derby and District
Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email
to radioatdadars.org.uk. On Tuesday 27 October Loughborough and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a practical evening. Contact
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 28 October Midland Amateur
Radio Society is having a laptop computer evening. Contact Norman,
G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

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On Wednesday 28 October Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
working on its data modes interface winter project. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 29 October Lowestoft and District
Pye Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on
01502585448. On Thursday 29 October Salop Amateur Radio Society is
having a natter night. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk. On
Friday 30 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is operating on 6m, 4m
and on satellites. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 30
October Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a surplus sale.
Contact Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976. On Friday 30 October
South Birmingham Radio Society is having a construction evening.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Friday 30 October Worcester Radio
Amateurs Association is celebrating its 3rd birthday. Contact Leslie
Coyne, M3WRZ, on 01905 764320. On Saturday 31 October & Sunday 01
November the North Wales Radio Rally takes place at John Bright School
in Llandudno LL30 1LF. Talk-in is on S22, there is extensive parking
and doors open at 10am. Entry is £3 and the rally is all on one level
with good disabled access. There will be many big traders plus an RSGB
bookstall, a variety of amateur radio & computer equipment, a bring &
buy and refreshments are available. Contact Liz Cabban, GW0ATU, on
01690 710257 or email lizcabbanatvodafoneemail.co.uk.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 26 October Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club takes to the air and continues its Advanced licence
course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday 26
October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social night. Contact
Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk. On Monday
26 October South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is holding its
monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On
Monday 26 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on digital photos by Peter Hornblower. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ,
on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 27 October Chester and District Radio
Society is having a talk on the Radio Amateur and Invalid Blind Club by
Chris Pearson, M0JRQ. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183. On
Tuesday 27 October Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society has its Aldis
Challenge. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232. On Tuesday 27
October Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a 50MHz activity night.
Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370. On Wednesday 28 October Hornsea
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Duncan, G3TLI. Contact Gordon
MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573. On Wednesday 28 October Mid-Cheshire
Amateur Radio Society is working on the club project. Contact Peter
Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401. On Thursday 29 October South Cheshire
Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK,
on 01782 773185.

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On Thursday 29 October South Manchester Radio And Computer Club is
having a PC Clinic with Dave, G4UGM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999. On Thursday 29 October Preston ARS is having a talk on simple
wire antennas for HF by Bill, G3NQX. Details by email from
secretaryatprestonars.co.uk. On Friday 30 October East Cleveland
Amateur Radio Club is having a radio components catalogues evening.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 30 October
Tynemouth Radio Club is looking at antenna evolution. Contact Graham
Errington on 07812 172136. On Saturday 31 October & Sunday 01 November
the North Wales Radio Rally takes place at John Bright School in
Llandudno LL30 1LF. Talk-in is on S22, there is extensive parking and
doors open at 10am. Entry is £3 and the rally is all on one level with
good disabled access. There will be many big traders plus an RSGB
bookstall, a variety of amateur radio & computer equipment, a bring &
buy and refreshments are available. Contact Liz Cabban, GW0ATU, on
01690 710257 or email lizcabbanatvodafoneemail.co.uk.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 27 October Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having Morse code practice. Contact Norman, on 07740
946192. On Wednesday 28 October Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having
a shack night. Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905. On Thursday 29
October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk. Contact Lewis,
GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 26 October Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
closed. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292. On Tuesday 27 October
Marches ARS will be having a talk on a potpourri of things you were not
taught on your RCE course by Dave, MW0AYM. The clubroom is located at
the Black Park Miners Institute, Chirk, close to McDonalds and meetings
start at 8pm. All are welcome and refreshments are available. Contact
Dave, MW0AYM on 01691 777242. On Friday 30 October Newport Amateur
Radio Society is closed. Contact Gareth Price on 01633 880081. On
Saturday 31 October & Sunday 01 November the North Wales Radio Rally
takes place at John Bright School in Llandudno LL30 1LF. Talk-in is on
S22, there is extensive parking and doors open at 10am. Entry is £3 and
the rally is all on one level with good disabled access. There will be
many big traders plus an RSGB bookstall, a variety of amateur radio &
computer equipment, a bring & buy and refreshments are available.
Contact Liz Cabban, GW0ATU, on 01690 710257 or email
lizcabbanatvodafoneemail.co.uk.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Sunday 1 November Foyle and District Rally
takes place at the White Horse Hotel, Campsie, Co. Londonderry. Doors
open at noon.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.