1

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 10th January 2010

The news headlines

Chinese amateur radio satellite in space and working well

New CW amateur radio club

Final call for Presidential Dinner tickets

The news team and all the staff at RSGB HQ would like to wish our
newsreaders, listeners and online readers a very happy New Year.

On 15 December at 0230UTC China launched its first amateur radio
satellite, Hope 1. It received an official Orbital Satellite Carrying
Amateur Radio designation, HO-68, six days later. The communication
payload includes a CW beacon and three cross-band 145 to 435 MHz
transponders for SSB, CW, FM and digital AX.25 packet operation. The
linear transponder, used for SSB and CW working, has proved very
popular. It has a bandwidth of 50kHz, which allows about 10 to 15
simultaneous contacts to take place.

Essex CW Amateur Radio Club is a new group that is passionate about CW.
It aims to maintain and promote the use of Morse Code. CW is extremely
effective under poor signal-to-noise conditions and opens up many new
contacts and activities within the amateur radio hobby. Although formed
in Essex, it welcomes members from anywhere in the UK or abroad who
share the passion for CW. The club will use the callsign G1FCW on air.
It welcomes proficient CW users as full members and those aspiring to
become proficient as associate members. The group plans to undertake a
range of activities that involve CW, including but not limited to
contesting, practice sessions and encouragement for those learning the
code. Further information may be obtained from visiting the club's
website, www.essexcw.org.uk.

There is still time to order your ticket for the RSGB Presidential
Installation Dinner on 16 January. It will be held at the Daresbury
Park, Chester Road, Warrington. The keynote speaker will be Tim Ellam,
VE6SH, President of the International Amateur Radio Union. Tickets cost
just £25 and are available from the RSGB Shop at
www.rsgb.org/dinnerticket, or by telephone from HQ on 01234 832 700,
selecting option 1 for sales.

John Ellerton, G3NCN will be ceasing his GB2CW broadcasts until May as
he has to have a major operation and will not be well enough until then
to resume. We wish him well with the procedure.

The RSGB Spectrum Defence Fund is continuing to make progress with the
aim of challenging Ofcom as regards its interpretation of the various
Acts and Directives that cover PLA/PLT and the threat they pose. The
RSGB is appreciative of the efforts and support from Society members,
the UKQRM group and its membership who were amongst the very first to
donate, among many others. If you would like to donate you can do so
online via the RSGB website or by cheque to Spectrum Defence, RSGB, 3
Abbey Court, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3WH.

2

Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club have a MI6 Course beginning on Wednesday
13 January. Anyone interested please contact Martin, MI0YMF on 02838
348 451 or go to www.muarc.com for details.

SOS Radio Week is a fund raising event for the Royal National Lifeboat
institution and is supported by many radio clubs in the UK. The event
starts at 0000 on 23 January and finishes at 2359 on 31 January. This
includes the RNLI's own SOS fund raising day on 29 January. Club will
be participating at different times throughout the week. The latest
information is on the website www.sosradioweek.org.uk.

Matt Cox, M3COX is seeking information about the life and radio
activities of Norman Clark, G2BUC for Norman's family. Anyone who knew
him please e-mail matt at .

Bolsover Amateur Radio Society has re-launched its monthly shack night.
The club will be active around the bands on the first Wednesday of
every month. Details of which bands will be posted on www.g4rsb.org.uk
news page a few days before the event. The club will also be running a
Sunday night net on 2m, around 145.450MHz at 8pm. All amateurs are
welcome to call in.

G0JLX is running another series of courses, initially for Foundation
and Intermediate licences, starting on Saturday 9 January. Advanced
courses and exams are available on request. The courses and exams will
be held at Bishop's Waltham Scout HQ. For information on any course,
please contact Andy, G0JLX on 07768 282880 or by e-mail to
.

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

On 17 January the Red Rose Winter Rally will take place in the Lowton
Civic Centre, postcode WA3 2AH, just off the A580 East Lancs Road.
Doors open at 10am and there is free car parking. Visitors will find
trade stands and a bring and buy as well as special interest groups and
an RSGB bookstall at the rally. Further details from Steve on 01942
888900.

Also on 17 January, the Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally will be held at
Whitfield Village Hall, Dover CT16 3LY. Talk in will be via GB3KS.

Following a fire at the Afan Lido in Port Talbot, the rally organisers
of the Swansea Radio Rally, due to be held on 21 February, are now
discussing an alternative venue for the event. When a new booking has
been made, details will appear on the Swansea ARS website
www.radioclubs.net/swanseaars and the RSGB website.

Now for the news of special events

We have not received details of any special event stations operating
this week.

3

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

Cezar, YO8TLC will be active as 8Q7CE from the Maldives, which is IOTA
reference AS-013, until 25 January. He plans to operate holiday style
on 40, 30 and 20 metres, mainly CW and some SSB. QSL via his home call,
direct or bureau.

Gerry, VE6LB will be active as A6/VE6LB from Dubai, United Arab
Emirates until 8 February. He plans to operate holiday style on 40 to
12 metres mainly CW with 100 watts and a wire antenna. QSL via his home
call and LoTW.

Tom, C6ANM will be active from January through to April on 160 to 6
metres CW and SSB, including participation in the CQ WW 160m DX
Contests, both CW and SSB, and in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. He will
primarily operate from Nassau. QSL preferably via LoTW or alternatively
direct to WA2IYO.

Now the contest news

There'll be a great deal of activity on 80m on Sunday 10th, when CW AFS
takes place. For newcomers and the less proficient, frequencies around
3580kHz are reserved for slower speed contacts. As a general rule, the
lower you go in the allocated band of 3510 to 3590kHz, the faster the
Morse gets. Times are 1400 to 1800UTC and the exchange is signal report
and serial number.

Participation in the UK Activity Contests has rocketed since they were
introduced. 12 January sees the 432MHz Activity Contest taking place
between 2000 and 2230UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

January is an 80m spectacular and the SSB leg of the 80m Club
Championship is on 13 January. With 10W and 100W categories and
socially acceptable 90-minute operating sessions, it is quite
straightforward for many to partake. People operate as individuals, but
all the scores made by members of a club are added together to build
the overall results table * and there's no limit to the number of
members who can join in. Times are 2000 to 2130UTC and the exchange is
signal report and serial number.

The SSB AFS takes place on Saturday 16 January. The allocated band of
3600 to 3750kHz will be absolutely packed. Times are 1400 to 1800UTC
and the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 14th December to the
3rd of January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 4th of January.

First a brief look at the present solar minimum. This sunspot minimum
as lasted a lot longer than most predicted. In fact cycle 23 lasted 12
years 10 months, although this is still due to be confirmed. If it is
confirmed, this would make it the second longest cycle on record. The
longest was cycle 4 and lasted 13 years 7 months and started in October
1784. What followed was that the next sunspot maximum was the lowest on
record. Strangely, both 2008 and 2009 had the same number of sunspot
groups but the important factor is that while the majority of spots in
2008 belonged to the old cycle, in 2009 the majority belonged to the
new cycle. One observation that as happened without too much attention
is how quiet the geomagnetic field as been. Last minimum saw no days at
all with the Ap index at zero, whereas this in minimum there

4

have so far been 25, eight of which occurred during December 2009. The
number of days with the Ap index at one unit was 11 last minimum and so
far this minimum there have been 90. The last four months of 2009 saw
only 2 days when the Ap index was in double figures, the 22nd and the
30th of October, with an Ap of 14 and 11 units respectively.

During the period sunspots were visible every day except for the 25th.
Solar activity was very low to low. C class solar flares took place on
7 days. The largest was a C7 on the 18th. Solar flux levels declined
from 87 units on the 17th to 75 by the 1st. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 3rd was 75 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every
day. The most disturbed day was the 14th with an Ap index of only 4
units. In fact that was the most disturbed day for the whole of
December. The average for the month was an incredible Ap one point
three units. Solar wind speeds were slow for the majority of the
period. Particle densities were low except for a couple of days around
the 19th. Bz showed only minor variations most days.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be at very low to low levels with a slight chance that a C class solar
flare could take place. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the
80 mark. Geomagnetic activity should be mostly quiet everyday. MUFs
during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 20MHz for the
south and 17MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be
around 7MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 21MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 18MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1300UTC.

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

5

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 Oxford and District Amateur Radio Society has moved its
meeting days and venue. From the start of 2010 its meetings are at
7.30pm on the first and third Tuesday of every month, at the Gladiator
Club, 263 Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1SJ. Contact the ODARS club
secretary, Janet Proudman, 2E0LLM on 01865 723764 or by email to
. On Monday 11 January Coulsdon Amateur
Transmitting Society is having its annual dinner at the Rubbing House,
Epsom Racecourse. Contact Andy, G8JAC, by email to
. On Monday 11 January Felixstowe and District
Amateur Radio Society is closed. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
. On Monday 11 January Milton Keynes Amateur Radio
Society is having a New Year quiz night. Details on the web at
www.mkars.org.uk. On Tuesday 12 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio
Society is having a club net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008. On Tuesday 12 January Harwell Amateur Radio Society is preparing
for the rally and having a quiz night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235
524844. On Wednesday 13 January Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is holding
its annual dinner. Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651. On Wednesday
13 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a committee
meeting at Danbury. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On
Wednesday 13 January Dover Radio Club is having a Christmas gadgets
show-and-tell. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to . On
Wednesday 13 January Farnborough and District Radio Society is having a
talk on EMC by G3KND. Contact Derek, G3OFA, by email to
. On Wednesday 13 January Norfolk Amateur
Radio Club is having an informal, construction and workshop evening.
Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 13 January South Essex Amateur Radio Society is making
final preparations and plans for the Canvey Rally. Contact Norman,
M0FZW, on 01268 692776. On Wednesday 13 January Worthing and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on fixing things with adhesives,
solders and brazing by Norman Billingham, M0EBI. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893. On Thursday 14 January Bittern Dx Group is having an
informal evening and invites anyone with an interest in amateur radio
to attend. Contact Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

6

On Thursday 14 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society commences its
Foundation Course. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Thursday
14 January Edgware and District Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 020 8950 0658. On Thursday 14 January King's
Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club night and 2m club net. Contact
Ray, G3RSV, by email to . On Thursday 14 January
Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club is having its annual
dinner at the Trowel and Hammer. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.
On Thursday 14 January Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on HV power distribution to railways by Richard O'Keeffe,
G0FFL. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697. On Thursday 14 January
Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is working on the club
project. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 15 January
Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a Radio Night. Contact
Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371. On Friday 15 January Wey Valley Amateur
Radio Group is having a club night. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Sunday 17 January Dover Radio Club Dover is holding its rally.
Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to , or see
www.darc.org.uk for details.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Monday 11 January Cornish Radio Amateur Club
Computer Section is having a talk on Photoshop Layers by Alex, G4DEO.
Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939. On Tuesday 12 January Blackmore
Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on the magnetron by Chuck,
G0MDK. Contact Tony G0GFL, on 01258 860741. On Wednesday 13 January
Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is operating the club station
and holding a Morse class. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On
Wednesday 13 January Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048. On Thursday
14 January South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a display of club
archives by Muriel, G4YZR. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On
Thursday 14 January Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the development of the Morse key by Dennis, G3LLZ. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317750. On Thursday 14 January Yeovil Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on test equipment by Bob, G7LNJ. Contact Steve
Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

7

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 11 January Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is operating club equipment. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 11 January South Birmingham Radio
Society is having a contest planning meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603. On Monday 11 January Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society has
its first meeting of the new year. Contact Robert Bird by email to
.

On Tuesday 12 January Eagle Radio Group is looking at the best
small-garden HF aerial for new licensees. Contact Terry, G0SWS, on
01507 478590. On Tuesday 12 January Loughborough and District Amateur
Radio Club is having a Bakelite bits show and tell evening. Contact
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 13 January Hinkley Amateur
Radio Society is having an antenna workshop by John Rogers, M0JAV,
covering antenna concepts and the vector network analyser. Contact
John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 13 January Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding its AGM at
the Village Hall. Contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356. On
Wednesday 13 January Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On
Wednesday 13 January South Notts Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM,
which is open to members only. Contact Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 13 January Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an evening explaining transceiver functions. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Friday 15 January Bromsgrove and District
Amateur Radio Club is having a committee meeting. Contact Chris, M0BQE,
on 01905 776 869. On Friday 15 January Coventry Amateur Radio Society
is holding its annual dinner. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 15 January South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 11 January Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is holding a clinic on all your problems with Dr
Steve Townsley. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday
11 January Bolton Wireless Club is holding its AGM, electing the new
Committee and making plans for the coming year. Contact
.

On Monday 11 January Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and
demo of using computers in the radio shack by Peter, G3PHO. Contact
Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to . On Monday 11
January Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society Is having a natter
night. Contact John Foster, 2E0EZY, on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 12
January Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a members' presentation.
Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

8

On Wednesday 13 January Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a
bring-a-magazine night. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573. On Thursday 14 January South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is
having a grand shack tidy up. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782
773185. On Thursday 14 January South Manchester Radio And Computer Club
is having a general knowledge quiz run by John, G6ISA. Contact Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Sunday 10 January Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society
is taking part in the RSGB Affiliated Societies Team CW Contest.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663. On Tuesday 12 January
Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is having an operating
evening. Contact Norman, on 07740 946192. On Wednesday 13 January
Glenrothes and District Radio Club is having a talk by Lillian on glass
jewellery followed by a bread tasting. Contact Dave Francis, 01383
823878.

On Wednesday 13 January Lothians Radio Society is having a video
evening with Peter Dick, GM4DTH. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to
. On Wednesday 13 January Paisley YMCA
Amateur Radio Club is having a training evening. Contact Bill Anderson,
2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633. On Thursday 14 January Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is on the air and having a talk on using SD logging for
contesting. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Saturday 16 January Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the RSGB Affiliated Societies Team SSB Contest. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR,
on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 11 January Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
closed due to refurbishment of the property. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on
01269 840292. On Tuesday 12 January Marches Amateur Radio Society is
discussing the plan of events for the forthcoming year. Contact Dave
MW0AYM, on 01691 777242.

On Thursday 14 January Meirion Amateur Radio Society is holding its
AGM. 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.