GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 16th May 2010

The news headlines

New 4m propagation beacon in USA

RSGB Convention bookings now online

Cray Valley Award returns

A new high power 4m beacon has gone on the air in the USA, thanks to
Brian Justin, WA1ZMS. It operates at 70.005MHz with experimental
callsign WE9XFT. As there is no US 4m amateur allocation, it is
officially for propagation tests for US domestic and transatlantic
commercial use. The WE9XFT beacon transmits 3kW ERP towards Europe from
Bedford, Virginia. It is operational 24 hours a day and is licensed
until 1 September. The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee is
co-ordinating reception reports from the UK. Actual beacon reception
reports are requested, along with reports where 50MHz was open to the
USA but no signal was received on 70MHz. Reports should be emailed to
. Please see the online GB2RS for detailed information of
the requested format of reports.

You can now book your place at the RSGB Convention, which takes place
from 8 to 10 October near Milton Keynes. Full details of the convention,
booking information and prices, are on the www.rsgbevents.org website.
Formerly known as the HFC, the RSGB Convention has broadened its remit
to include the whole amateur spectrum. As usual there will be lectures
by the very best amateur radio speakers on a wide range of topics.

Cray Valley Radio Society has re-launched its Cray Valley Award. It is
available to any licensed radio amateur or short wave listener who works
or hears Cray Valley members, their club call G3RCV, or one of the many
special event stations the club have organised in the last 10 years.
Full details of activity periods and Award rules are available at
www.cvrs.org. Any profits from award applications received from
non-members will be donated to radio related charities.

The Easter Harlaxton amateur radio get-together and field day had to be
postponed due to bad weather. Organiser Jim, M0JHW has now re-arranged
the event for 22 and 23 May. It's at the same venue, the Sports and
social club, Harlaxton, near Grantham, which is postcode NG32 1HX. There
will be amateur radio operations that visitors can join as well as
plenty of tea and coffee. A barbecue is planned for the Saturday
afternoon.š

On Saturday 22 May Wakefield & District Radio Society is starting a
Foundation Licence Course. The cost will be ?60 which includes all fees,
refreshments and temporary membership of the Society. Further details
from the Chairman, Ken Quinn, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117 or by e-mail to
.

Installation work is under way for the new repeater on the channel
island of Jersey. It is hoped to start on-air testing early next month.
Status updates are on the GB3GJ website at www.radioclubs.net/gb3gj.

And now for the details of rallies for the coming week

Next weekend, on Sunday 23 May, the Dunstable Downs Radio Club is
holding the National Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale at Stockwood Park,
Luton. The postcode for your satnav is LU1 5NR. Doors open at 9am and
entry is ?2. Details on the web at www.ddrcbootsale.org.

Now for the news of special events

To mark the 10th anniversary of the closure of the world's largest
maritime radio station, Portishead Radio, GB10GKA is being activated
until 27 May. Hours of operation will be dependent on individual
operator's free time and operation will be primarily on CW. Mike, GW3UOF
will operate until 20 May from Treorchy in Mid Glamorgan. The final leg
will be taken by Pete G3TJE and Larry G4HLN from 21 to 27 May from
Burnham on Sea. Special Anniversary QSL cards will be produced to mark
this historic event, eQSL will also be used. Certificates for contacting
GB10GKA on more than four HF bands will be available. Contact Tony
Roskilly, G3ZRJ by e-mail at .

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club again this year will take part in the
weekend international Geoparks Communication event on 22 & 23 May, with
callsign GB2MAC at the Marble Arch Caves International Global Geopark.
GB2MAC will seek contacts with similar Geopark stations, including the
only other one in Ireland, EI2GEO at the Copper Coast Geopark in County
Waterford. Other Geopark stations include GB5GEO in Merthyr Tydfil and
GB6GEO from Kent's Cavern in Torquay.

The Radio Society of Harrow will be operating GB1RBP from Bentley Priory
on 22 May. Operations are at the invitation of St Luke Hospice in
association with the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust. The Society
will demonstrate amateur radio, Morse code and display some WWII
communications equipment at the former RAF Bentley Priory in Stanmore,
NW London. GB1RBP will be operational on HF, 2m and 70cm. The event is
open to the public from 11 until 4. There is an entrance fee. Apart from
the radio equipment there will be various displays, exhibitions, music,
re-enactors in period uniform, refreshments and, weather permitting, a
Spitfire flypast. Further details can be found at
www.bentleypriory.org/pdf/1940s_Day_Booking.pdf.

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

Andrew, G7COD, has been issued with the callsign D2AK and will be
operational nearly every day from Luanda, the capital of the Republic of
Angola for the next 12 months while on a work assignment there. Expect
transmissions to take place throughout both day and night with no fixed
times on 80 to 10m including WARC frequencies using SSB and CW. For
comprehensive details, please check D2AK on QRZ.COM where you will find
more information concerning suggested frequencies, QSL procedure etc.

Larry, W6NWS will be in Vietnam until 9 June. He expects to be active as
XV2W when time permits, mainly around the CQ WPX CW and SEANET contests.
QSL via home call, direct or via the bureau and Logbook of The World.

Jan-Willem, PA7JWC will be active on the HF bands and 6 metres as
3B8/PA7JWC from Mauritius Island, which is IOTA reference AF-049, until
22 May. QSL via his home call, direct or via the bureau and Logbook of
The World. He has a website at www.pa7jwc.nl.

Alex, M0SFR will be QRV as ZL/M0SFR/QRP on the Great Barrier Island,
IOTA OC-201, from 21 to 23 May and will operate in weak signal modes
including JT65A and Olivia 16/250, primarily on 20 and 30m bands. CW
and SSB may be attempted if the conditions permit. Further information
is on QRZ.com.

Now the contest news

Today, 16 May, sees the final hours of the 144MHz May contest. It
finishes at 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and postcode.

Also today is the 1st 144MHz Backpackers contest from 1100 to
1500UTC.The exchange for this event is signal report, serial number and
locator.

On 18 May the UHF UK Activity Contest takes place between 1900 and
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 1.3 and 2.3GHz bands the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.

The CW leg of the 80m Club Championships takes place at 1900 to 2030UTC
on 20 May. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

On 23 May the 70MHz Cumulative takes place between 1000 and 1200UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

The EU PSK DX Contest on 22-23rd is unusual in that it is for BPSK63
only. It takes place between 1200 and 1200UTC on all bands between 3.5
and 28MHz. There are no fewer than 22 categories to enter, with the
maximum permitted power in any of them being 100 watts. The exchange is
also unusual in that it requires entrants to send their European Area
Code. Click on the link at http://eu.srars.org/index.php for a full
list.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 3rd to the 9th of
May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 10th of May.

The solar disc had sunspot groups visible everyday. In fact on the 5th
six groups were present. One of those groups grew rapidly in size and
magnetic complexity. However by 9th it had decayed just before it
rotated out of view. Before that the group had produced 7 C class and 1
M class solar flares. Solar activity increased to moderate levels on the
5th. Solar flux levels increased from 80 units on the 3rd to peak at 83
units by the 5th but then declined to 75 by the 9th. The average was 80
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 9th was 81, that's the same
level as last week. X-ray flux levels increased from A6.8 units on the
3rd to B1 by the 5th. The average was A7.2. The geomagnetic field
started at `active' levels with the Ap index at 27 units, this was due
to a recurring coronal hole. Activity then declined but only to
unsettled levels. This is reflected in the weekly average which was Ap
11 units. The only quiet day was the 9th when the Ap was 4 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase to 750
kilometres per second on the 5th and then gradually declined to 360 by
the 9th. Particle densities were low throughout and varied between 1 and
3 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied no more than between minus 6
and plus 5 nanoTeslas for the period.

VHF aurora was reported for many hours on the 3rd on both 50 and 144MHz,
extending to southern England when the disturbance was at its peak. Just
before the onset of the storm there was a marked enhancement of HF
propagation over southerly paths, but MUFs were subsequently depressed
by several MHz.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way and with it solar activity should be at
very low levels. As previously warned, it would only take one active
sunspot group to change that. Solar flux levels with a quiet Sun should
be in the high 70's for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be mostly quiet until the end of the week when a recurring
coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be about 20MHz for the south and 17MHz
for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week
to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of about 27MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be around 21MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 110 and 1600 hours. Sporadic-E is expected to take
place some days during the coming week with opening up to 70MHz expected
during any larger openings.

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

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 MIDLANDS

On Monday 17 May Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a workshop and construction evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 17 May South Birmingham Radio Society has a committee meeting.
Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 17 May Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
quiz and curry night with G3JKX and M0TAW. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Monday 17 May Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on DF and fox hunting by Bob, G3ORY. For more information contact Peter
D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432105.

On Tuesday 18 May Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is watching a
video. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 18 May Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
demonstration of 160m aerials by Brian, G4JCHšand Art, G3KWY. More
information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 19 May Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a DF
practice night. For details, send an email to .

On Wednesday 19 May Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 19 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a quiz night. For
more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 19 May Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training and Morse classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214
229 787.

On Wednesday 19 May South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the component theory of inductors. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the
web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Thursday 20 May RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having a shack
and chat night with radio and antenna play. Details from Judy Rowlands,
on 07544 456422.

On Thursday 20 May Salop Amateur Radio Society has a natter night and is
running a Foundation Course practical evening. Details on the club
website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Friday 21 May Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a wine &
cheese evening. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 21 May Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society Annual
construction Competition. For more information contact Geoff, G3STG, on
01664 480 733.

On Friday 21 May Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is working out its
future club programme, so please bring ideas with you. Details from Ken
Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 21 May South Birmingham Radio Society has a construction
evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 21 May Spalding & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
presentation on community projects and the railway station by Alan North
of South Holland Radio For more information contact Graham Boor, G8NWC,
on 07947 76448.

On Saturday 22 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on air. For
more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 17 May Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
by Mike Taylor on the basics of electrical safety and EMC testing.
Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 17 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the SARS
and HARC G3GBH Cup, at Scarborough. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240573.

On Monday 17 May Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on hip
replacement & vacuum plasma spraying by G0OUG. For more information
contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to .

On Monday 17 May Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk entitled ATC on the air byšRoy Walker. Details from John Foster,
2E0EZY, on 01253 399377.

On Tuesday 18 May Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is building
kits and operating radios. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 18 May Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is operating
/P, followed by a pie feast at the Hobbit. Contact Anthony Vinters, on
01422 822636.

On Tuesday 18 May Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a social
evening. For more information contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 01524
848193.

On Wednesday 19 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has its third fox hunt
with G4YTV and G3RMX. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 19 May Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
committee meeting coupled with the club project. Contact Peter Paul Fox,
G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Thursday 20 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the RSGB
80m CW Club Contest, home stations. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240573.

On Thursday 20 May Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Morse keys by John, G3OWO. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 20 May South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is holding a
club net on 2m. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782 773185.

On Thursday 20 May South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is holding
its AGM. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 20 May Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
committee meeting and is on the air. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

On Friday 21 May East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news items have been received for Northern Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 18 May Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a club evening. For more information contact Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Thursday 20 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a VHF fox
hunt. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA

On Monday 17 May Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is comparing the
performance of a magnetic loop versus a long wire with Garry, M0TIG.
Details from Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 17 May Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 17 May Burnham Beeches Radio Club Propagation 2 - G4XDU.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 17 May Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is planning
for ESWR. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to
.

On Monday 17 May Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
open night. For more information go to www.mkars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 18 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack. For
more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 18 May Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on EMC by Colin Wooff, G3SPJ. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689
878089.

On Tuesday 18 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club net
night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 18 May Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
contesting by G3YYD. Details from Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Wednesday 19 May Bury St Edmonds Amateur Radio Society is having an
RSGB evening with Deputy Regional Manger Steve, M1ACB. Details from.
Details from George Woods, G3LPT on 01359 259518.

On Wednesday 19 May Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is planning
for the boot sale. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 19 May Dover Radio Club is having a natter and operating
evening. For more information contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
.

On Wednesday 19 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204.

On Wednesday 19 May Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
discussion evening. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903
753 893.

On Thursday 20 May Colchester Radio Amateurs are discussing ideas for
the newly licensed and setting up a shack. Contact Kevan, 2E0WMG, on
07766 543784.

On Thursday 20 May Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is having
a shack night. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Thursday 20 May Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
2m mobile DF hunt with Steve, M0DYR and Brian, M0HAS. Details from
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 20 May Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is holding its AGM. More
information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 21 May Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
bats. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 21 May Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is holding the Hernia
Cup inter-club competition. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 22 May Radio Society of Harrow is operating GB1RBP at
Bentley Priory. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

On Sunday 23 May Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is attending
the Luton Boot sale at Stockwood Park. More details from Terry, G0VFW,
on 01442 831 491.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 17 May Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club goes back to
basics, looking at the role of the ATU and modulation with G4HXK and
G4CHD.. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more
information.

On Tuesday 18 May Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having an HF
evening in the shack. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Tuesday 18 May West Devon Radio Club is having a VHF antenna
construction night with construction tips and guides for beginners.
Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 19 May Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club
is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 19 May Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

On Thursday 20 May South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a DX
challenge. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 20 May Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
quiz. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 20 May Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by G3MYM.
Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 21 May North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Echolink by Paul, G8YMM. Details from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 21 May Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 17 May Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a junk sale.
Contact Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Monday 17 May Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 18 May Carmarthan Amateur Radio Society is having an exams
tuition night. Contact Alastair Underwood, GW0AJU, on 01267 290822.

On Tuesday 18 May Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is on the air. For more
information contact Glyn, MW0BNB, via the web at www.qsl.net/wars.