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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 6th December 2009

The news headlines

* RSGB election voting closes 10 December

* Date set for start of National Amateur Radio Centre construction

* Commemorating a century since Braun and Marconi won Nobel Prize

Members of the RSGB are reminded that voting for the 2009 elections
closes at 12 noon on 10 December. An electronic voting system run by
the Electoral Reform Society is available as well as the traditional
postal method. There are four Board places to be filled and Region 8
also has an election for the Regional Representative position. Full
details of all the candidates and how to vote are in the December
RadCom and on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org.

RSGB General Manager Peter Kirby, G0TWW has announced the start date
for building work at the new National Amateur Radio Centre. The work
will commence at Bletchley Park on 11 January 2010. Subject to
favourable progress, the work is expected to finish in June of the same
year. Further details of progress will be announced on GB2RS and in
RadCom in due course.

On 10 December 1909 both Braun and Marconi were given the Nobel Prize
for physics for their efforts in wireless communication. Long wave
transmitter DDH47 of National Weather Service at Pinneberg in Germany
will conduct a special broadcast from 9 December, 2300UTC until 10
December 0100UTC on 147.3kHz using 20kW. Special slow Morse code
transmissions will take place at the former silence periods of the
maritime radio service, 15 to 18 past each hour and 45 to 48 minutes
past each hour. Using QRS3, which is one dot in 3 seconds, the names of
famous wireless pioneers will be transmitted. Reception reports from
distant places are welcome. Amateurs may contact DL0PFB on the HF
amateur bands. For further information, check out their website at
www.mmqtc-award.org.

The Interim Meeting of the IARU Region 1 HF Committee and the VHF, UHF
and Microwave Committee will take place over the period 19 to 21
February 2010 in Vienna, Austria. The IARU Region 1 website now has the
full set of both HF and VHF stroke microwave papers for the meeting
from the various National Societies including the RSGB. Check out
www.iaru-r1.org for details.

Belgian full licence amateurs are now allowed to operate on 69.950MHz
on a secondary basis with 10 watts EIRP and a maximum bandwidth of
10kHz.

Once again Santa's own amateur radio station OH9SCL will be active from
Santa Claus Land in the Arctic Circle, during the month of December.
Activity will be on 160 through to 10m using CW, SSB and the digital
modes. Among Santa's helpers will be operators Raimo, OH3BHL, Erkki,
OH9KL, Kimmo, OH9MDV, Juha, OH9MM and Aaro, OH9RJ. The QSL address is
on qrz.com under OH9SCL. A special Santa Claus Land award is available.

The Widnes and Runcorn ARC are running an Advanced examination course
at Kingsley Parish Church Hall in Pike Lane, Kingsley, Frodsham. The
course has been running for one week and is expected to run until March
2010. Any prospective candidates will be more than welcome to attend.
The classes are from 7.30 to

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9.30pm each Friday evening. Further details are available from course
tutor Dave Bibby, G1PIX by e-mail to or telephone
07957 907930.

On Saturday, 19 December Waters & Stanton will hold an open day at
their showroom in Hockley and in Glenrothes. The event will be
sponsored by Yaesu UK with Yaesu staff on hand to discuss their radios.

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

We have received no details of any rallies taking place in December
2009. The next rallies we have details for in 2010 are the Red Rose
Winter Rally and the Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally both taking place
on 17 January 2010. If you would like your 2010 rally mentioned in
RadCom and on GB2RS, please send details to radcomatrsgb.org..uk.

Now for the news of special events

Look for special event station 5P15COP from Sjaelland Island, which is
IOTA reference EU-029, to be active between 7 and 18 December. Activity
is taking place during the United Nations Copenhagen Climate Change
Conference. QSL via OZ5BAL, direct or by the bureau.

On 14 December the special event callsign GB1HF will be on the air in
Northern Ireland to commemorate Harry Ferguson, the engineer and
inventor who made the first powered flight in Ireland and invented the
modern tractor.

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

EA1BT will be active from Martinique Island between 8 and 15 December
as TO1BT. He will be active on HF bands. QSL via home call.

Lee, DS4NMJ will be active from the Korean Antarctic base King Se-Jong
on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, which is IOTA reference
AN-010, until 31 January 2011 as DT8A. He will be active on all bands
mainly CW but also some SSB and RTTY.

Mark, AA1AC, will sign VP9/HC from Bermuda until 12 December. He will
be active on the HF bands. QSL via HC direct or bureau.

XE3RR, XE3PP, XE2WK and XE3N will be active from Isla El Cerrito, which
is IOTA reference NA-153, between 10 and 14 December as XF3RR

Now the contest news

Today, 6 December, the RSGB 144MHz AFS Contest takes place. If you
operate as a member of a club there's no need to be a member of RSGB,
but the club must be affiliated. However, if you operate as an
individual, you do need to be a member, although check logs from
non-members are always welcome. Teams can have a maximum of five
members, but there is nothing to prevent a really active and ambitious
club from fielding more than one team. The contest takes place between
0900 and 1700UTC and the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

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The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 8 December from 2000 to
2230UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 23rd to the 29th of
November, compiled on 30th of November by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.

The solar disc was spotless every day. That's the first spotless week
since the middle of October. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux
levels declined from 76 units on the 23rd to 72 by the 29th. The
average was 74. The 90 day solar flux average on the 29th was 73.
That's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum reporting level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every
day. The most disturbed days were the 24th and the 26th with an Ap
index of 6 units. The average was 3 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between 320 and 470 kilometres
per second. Particle densities were low except for a brief increase to
18 particles per cubic centimetre on the 24th. Bz varied between minus
7 and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the 24th with variations somewhat less on
the quieter days.

And finally the solar forecast. Solar activity is expected to be at
very low levels. The solar disc could be spotless on most days. Solar
flux levels should be around the 70 mark, but could show a slight
increase towards next weekend. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
quiet everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
round 23MHzs for the south and 20MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows
are expected to be around 7MHz. Paths this week to the east coast of
North America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 22MHz. 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 1200 and 1700 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 Sunday 6 December Chesham and District Amateur Radio
Society is taking part in the 144MHz Affiliated Societies contest.
Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Sunday 6 December Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
Sunday breakfast at Goring Cafe-Restaurant. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

On Monday 7 December Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a
families evening. Contact Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 7 December Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club social. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 7 December Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social at Chaseley. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 7 December Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk.
Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 8 December Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having its
Christmas dinner. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618 1646.

On Tuesday 8 December Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating
from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 8 December Harwell Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Tuesday 8 December Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having its annual
Christmas bun fight. Contact Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 9 December Aylesbury Vale Radio Society and Chesham and
District Amateur Radio Society are having a joint Christmas party.
Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651 or Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831
491.

On Wednesday 9 December Dover Radio Club starts its winter project, a
portable HF vertical, with Ian, G3ROO. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email
to g4sauatDARC.org.uk.

On Wednesday 9 December Farnborough and District Radio Society is
having its annual dinner. Contact Derek, G3OFA, by email to
mailatfarnboroughradio.org.uk.

On Wednesday 9 December Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction and workshop evening. Contact Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

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On Wednesday 9 December South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having an
open evening and Christmas social. Contact Norman, M0FZW, on 01268
692776.

On Wednesday 9 December Southgate Amateur Radio Club is holding its
AGM. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to david.sharp1attesco.net.

On Wednesday 9 December Verulam Amateur Radio Club is holding a
Foundation Licence exam. Contact Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 9 December Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a review of the 2009 RSGB Convention by Graham, G4FNL. Contact
Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 10 December Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting
at Pinewood Park Leisure Club. All are welcome. Contact Linda, G0AJJ,
on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 10 December Edgware and District Radio Society is having a
junk sale. Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 020 8950 0658.

On Thursday 10 December Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club
is having a homebrew competition and quiz night at Lowestoft Railway,
Bowls and Social Club. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Thursday 10 December Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM, which will be followed by a wine and cheese party.
Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 10 December Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a mince pie evening. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 10 December Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having its
Christmas junk sale. Members should note that the meeting is on the
second Thursday of the month for this month only). Contact John, G0BWV,
on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 11 December Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a
radio night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.

On Friday 11 December Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its Christmas social. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 8 December Blackmore Vale Amateur
Radio Society is having a Christmas photo quiz and JW1SYL talk. Contact
Tony G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Tuesday 8 December West Devon Radio Club is having its Christmas
party. Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 9 December Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 9 December Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a computer workshop with Garry, G7NVZ. Contact
Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 10 December Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a mince pie and sausage rolls evening. Contact Joe Bell, M6JOE,
on 01726 891557.

On Thursday 10 December South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is sending
Christmas greetings from the radio shack. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.

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On Thursday 10 December Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas dinner. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 10 December Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
entitled Georges Memories by G3ICO. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by
email to steveatg7ahp.co.uk.

On Friday 11 December Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a sherry and mince pie evening. Contact Brian on 01752 844321.

On Sunday 13 December Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas dinner. Contact Tony G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 7 December Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having talks by members on how they became
interested in radio. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 7 December South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
having an aerial inspection. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Tuesday 8 December Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
radioatdadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 8 December Eagle Radio Group is having a look back over
events in 2009. Contact Terry, G0SWS, on 01507 478590.

On Tuesday 8 December Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club
Photograph Competition is being judged by Val Williams. Contact Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 8 December Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas festivities meeting where members bring and share food
and drink. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.

On Tuesday 8 December Worcester Radio Amateurs Association Club is on
the air. Contact Leslie Coyne, M3WRZ, on 01905 764320.

On Wednesday 9 December Lincoln Short-Wave Club is on the air. Contact
Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 9 December Midland Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas party. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 9 December South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas dinner. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 9 December Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a competition with G3UKV. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Friday 11 December Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas dinner. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 11 December Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a cub
games night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 11 December Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having its
Christmas party. Contact Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 11 December South Birmingham Radio Society is having its
Christmas party in the main hall. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 7 December Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air and continues its Advanced Licence
course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036.

On Monday 7 December Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and
demo by M1ERS and M0TWS on setting up for data modes. Contact Trevor
Wood, M0TWS, by email to trevorwood6atyahoo.co.uk.

On Monday 7 December Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a natter night. Contact John Foster, 2E0EZY, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 8 December Chester and District Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Tuesday 8 December Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas dinner. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 01524 848193.

On Tuesday 8 December Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 9 December Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Richard, G7MFO. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 9 December Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is on the
air, working on the club project and practicing contest logging.
Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 10 December South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having
its Christmas meal. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782 773185.

On Thursday 10 December South Manchester Radio And Computer Club a is
having a talk on common weaknesses of the human skeleton. Contact Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 10 December Wakefield and District Radio Society is having
its Christmas party. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Thursday 10 December Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night and has spaces available on its forthcoming Foundation and
Intermediate courses. Contact Eric, G1WCW, on 01772 686708.

On Friday 11 December East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
radio magazines evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 8 December Livingston and District Amateur
Radio Society is having an operating evening. Contact Norman, on 07740
946192.

On Wednesday 9 December Lothians Radio Society is having a Christmas
curry. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to
lrs_secretaryatmoosedata.com.

On Thursday 10 December Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz
night. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

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On Friday 11 December Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has its
Bright Sparks amateur radio quiz. The quiz is open to teams from all
amateur radio clubs and groups of individuals. This year, as it is the
250th anniversary of the birth of Rabbie Burns, there will be a one-off
Trophy for your knowledge of Rabbie Burns as well as the Bright Sparks
Trophy. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to mm3gdcatbtinternet.com.

On Saturday 12 December Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having its Christmas night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 7 December Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having
part 2 of the transceiver home brew talk by Geoff Spencer, GW4DRR.
Contact Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 01248 362229.

On Monday 7 December Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having a social evening. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 8 December Marches Amateur Radio Society is having a social
evening at the Moreton Pub in Johnstown, near Wrexham. Contact Dave
MW0AYM, on 01691 777242.

[Note to all Newsreaders in Wales: please read this out. We are

actively trying to increase the profile of amateur radio in the area.]
GB2RS welcomes information from all RSGB affiliated clubs. We invite
club secretaries to email details of forthcoming meetings to
.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Sunday 6 December Orchard County DX Club
will be holding its first Christmas dinner from 1pm at the Lough Neagh
Discovery Centre, Lurgan. Mambers and their families are welcome. Menus
and information are on the club web site at www.MN0OCG.co.uk.

On Saturday 12 December Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be holding
its Christmas dinner from 1pm at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre. This
replaces the normal monthly meeting. The next formal meeting will take
place on Sunday 10 January at 3pm. More information on the club web
site at www.muarc.com.

[Note to all Newsreaders in NI: please read this out. We are actively

trying to increase the profile of amateur radio in the area.] GB2RS
welcomes information from all RSGB affiliated clubs. We invite club
secretaries to email details of forthcoming meetings to
.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.