GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 18th July 2010

The news headlines

Team UK 9th in World Radiosport Team Championship

GB4FUN at Bedford River Festival

Get set for IOTA contest

The World Radiosport Team Championship was held near Moscow last
weekend. The winners were the Russian team, operated by RW1AC and
RA1AIP. Team UK achieved 9th place. This is an excellent result for the
UK team, the best position ever. Team members Dave, G4BUO and Andy,
G4PIQ used the specially allocated callsign R37M. The championship takes
place every few years in a different country and 48 pairs of
participants from many countries take part. Teams use the same power and
identical antennas. The stations are also geographically close to each
other in an attempt to level the playing field as much as possible, so
that the winners can truly be said to be the best contesters in the
world. Congratulations to Dave and Andy on their achievement.

Bedford & District Amateur Radio Club will be operating the GB4FUN
demonstration vehicle at the Bedford River Festival on 17 and 18 July.
All of the vehicle's demonstration equipment will be on display and
members of the Bedford club will be enthusiastically explaining amateur
radio to visitors. Bedford River Festival is a major event and attracts
many thousands of visitors. Full details of the Festival are online at
www.bedfordevents.co.uk/river_festival.asp.

The RSGB's flagship event, the Islands on the Air Contest, takes place
over the weekend of 24 and 25 July. This is a major international
contest, but its friendly atmosphere is also appreciated by
less-experienced entrants. To encourage UK participation, particularly
from newcomers, the RSGB Contest Committee is offering a Participation
Certificate. The requirements are not stringent and details can be found
on www.rsgbcc.org/hf. There you will also find tips on equipment,
aerials and operating technique.

New digital mode ROS has been making waves around the world but it seems
that development may have been stopped. The software's author, JosÊ
Alberto Nieto Ros, announced recently via his website that he was upset
by derogatory comments posted on various news groups. He said he felt it
was not worth evolving the software further and that version 1.0 would
be the last.

Indian student satellite Studsat was successfully launched on Monday 12
July aboard an Indian polar satellite launch vehicle, PSLV C-15. Four
larger commercial satellites were on the same flight. The cubesat
carries low power beacons on 437.861 and 437.305MHz.

The Spanish radio regulator has announced an extension to 4m privileges
for EA amateurs. The segment 70.150 to 70.200 MHz can now be used by all
Spanish amateurs until July 1st, 2011.

The 25th AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held on the
weekend of 31 July to 1 August at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford,
close to the University of Surrey. The event is open to all radio
amateurs and SWL's. GB4FUN will be on site for the duration of the
colloquium and there will be satellite operation demonstrations as time
and satellite passes allow. AMSAT-UK and individual members contributed
the amateur satellite equipment in GB4FUN. Details of the Colloquium are
at www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium. If you can't attend in person, you may
like to know that proceedings will be streamed on the internet by the
British Amateur Television Club. To view the stream visit www.batc.tv
and click on the live events button.

A European Emergency Radio Conference is being organised in the German
town of Gross-Gerau for the weekend of 24 to 26 September. Known as
EuREC-DL, the conference aims to bring together radio amateurs and
emergency services to show how the two groups can work together to
increase the resilience of their communications. The conference is
supported by the German Red Cross and more information can be found at
www.eurec-dl.de.

Ireland's national society IRTS is negotiating with the country's
regulator ComReg to secure special high power licences for use during
specified contests. ComReg has asked IRTS to compile a list of amateurs
who would be interested in obtaining such a licence.

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

The 2010 McMichael Amateur Radio Rally and Car Boot Sale takes place
today, Sunday 18 July, at Reading Rugby Club, Sonning Lane. The B4446 is
just off the A4 at Sonning; for satnav users the postcode is RG4 6ST.
Admission is ?2 and gates open at 9.30am. There is a large car boot area
and plenty of free parking for buyers, as well as a snack bar and
licensed bar. Traders have an indoor area and there will be
demonstrations and displays by special interest groups. Martin Lynch &
Sons will be holding their annual Summer Party at the event. Details
from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695697.

QRP in the Country is a new event that is being held on Sunday18 July at
the farm of Tim Walford, G3PCJ, at Long Sutton, Langport, Somerset TA10
9NJ. Entry is free and homebrew radio is the theme. The gates opens at
10am. In the event of poor weather, all will be under cover in the
cattle sheds. More information from Tim Walford on 01458 241224.

Also on Sunday18 July, the Macmillan Northampton Hamfest takes place at
Roade Village, Northamptonshire. There is no entry fee, no traders fee,
only a request for donations to Macmillan. All refreshment monies will
go to Macmillan too. Contact G6NYH on 01604 234333.

On Sunday 25 July the Horncastle summer rally takes place at Horncastle
Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Details
from Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507 527835.

Also on Sunday 25th is the Colchester Radio Amateurs annual rally at St
Helena School, Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3LE. Opening at 10am, there
will be traers, a car boot sale, bring and buy and special interest
groups. For more information contact Brian on 01206 822547.

Now for the news of special events

Special event station LY2010LRMD will be operating continuously on 23 to
25 July from the Lithuanian National Camping Hamfest. Details at
www.lrmd.lt/saskrydziai_en.htm.

GB2CPS will be operating on 80 metres to 70cm from Castle Point Show
today, Sunday 18 July.

The War and Peace Show in Kent from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 July sees
GB4WP operating on 80, 40, 20, 2 metres and 70cm.

Other special event calls authorised this week include GB2QV, Queen
Victoria, GB5HHD for Huey Helicopter Day, GB0YD for Yorkshire Day and
GB4SBS for Second Bracknell Scouts. Details of many of these stations
are in the current issue of RadCom.

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

9A10P (Nine Alpha ONE ZERO Papa) - special event station will be active
through the end of the year to celebrate the city of Djurdjevac. A
special QSL will be issued and all of the QSOs will be confirmed
automatically via the bureau.

Members of the Dalkey Island Contest Group will be on Clare for the IOTA
Contest over the weekend of 24 to 25 July. The callsign will be EJ1DD
and the operators are Paul, EI2CA, Peter, EI7CC, Sean, EI7CD, Seamus,
EI8BP, Ger, EI8CC and Aiden, EI8CE. QSL Manager is EI7CC. The IOTA
reference is EU-121 and for the lighthouse enthusiasts the WLOTA
reference is 1935.

Strumble Head DX and Contest Group are activating Ramsey Island, IOTA
reference EU-124, using the club call MC0SHL. They will be on the air
from 22 July through to 26 or 27 July, depending on the tides. During
the IOTA contest they will sign MW9W. Three stations will be on the air,
mostly SSB but with some RTTY and CW too. All QSL requests should go via
the team manager M0URX, see www.m0urx.com.

Now the contest news

Low Power Field Day takes place on Sunday 18 July. Using appropriate and
efficient antennas is key to success, because with low power you need to
direct as much as possible of your RF at the right angle for the kind of
distances that you can expect to work. Most QSOs take place around
Britain, but on 40m in particular the Continent will be worked. Of
course you'll need a good pair of ears for this event, because the
signals from some competing stations will be extremely weak. There are
four sections to enter, two for portables and two for fixed stations,
with a total of three trophies to be won. Starting at 0900 and ending at
1600UTC, it's CW only and the exchange is signal report, serial number
and power.

The 70MHz Trophy on also the 18th. Traditionally this event was held in
August, but it has now been brought forward by a month to bring it into
the Sporadic-E season. With the band available to an ever-increasing
number of countries, last year just under 200 stations from twelve
countries appeared in the logs. Compare this to ten years earlier, when
nobody's Best DX was outside of the UK. The number of entries received
has remained remarkably steady though, with 31 in 1999 and 36 in 2009.
Running between 1000 and 1600UTC, all modes may be used and the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Worked All Britain QRO 2m Phone contest takes place on Sunday 18
July between 1000 and 1400UTC. Multipliers are WAB squares and DXCC
countries. You don't have to be a member of the award scheme to partake
or give points away. Using all modes in the 2m band the exchange is
signal report, serial number and WAB square.

Tuesday 20 July sees the UHF UKAC from 1900 to 2130 UTC. Operation is
all mode on 23cm and 13cm; RST, serial number and locator form the
exchange.

The RSGB's flagship event, the Islands on the Air Contest, takes place
from 1200 to 1200 on 24 to 25 July. Operating modes are CW and SSB and
all contest bands from 80 to 10m can be used. The exchange is RST,
serial number and IOTA reference.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 5th to the 11th
of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 12th of July.

The large single spot mentioned in last weeks continued to rotate across
the solar disc until the 8th when it rotated out of view. Interestingly,
this is the first sunspot group to transverse from one limb to the
opposite limb of the solar disc this year. On the 9th a medium sized
sunspot group rotated into view, this was more magnetically complex and
on the 8th and the 9th produced C class solar flares which increased
solar activity to low levels. Also this group was responsible for the
increase in solar flux levels, increasing from 73 units on the 5th to 83
units by the 10th. The average was 77 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 11th was the same level as last week at 75 units. X-ray
flux levels increased from A4.5 units on the 5th to B1.8 units by the
10th and the average was A9.2. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day
and the average was Ap 4 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft
saw solar wind speeds decline from 520 kilometres per second on the 5th
to 250 by the 10th. Particle densities were low throughout. Bz varied no
more than minus 6 and plus 5 nanoTeslas, all the solar wind parameters
are what we would except with a quiet geomagnetic field.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun will be
rotating into view later in the week. Solar activity could be at low
levels at first but later in the week decline to very low levels. Solar
flux levels are expected to be in the 80's at first but by next weekend
have declined back into the 70's. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
at quiet levels until later in the week when a recurring coronal hole is
expected to arrive and last for most of the weekend. The disturbance is
not expected to be too strong. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes are expected to be 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the
north. Darkness hour lows should be about 11MHz. 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 18MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 14MHz. The best
time to try this path will be between 1600 and 2200 hours. Sporadic-E is
expected to take place most days and during any large intense openings
then openings could still take place on 144MHz.

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 Sunday 18 July Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
social meet from 10am. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Monday 19 July Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
closed. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 19 July South Birmingham Radio Society is holding a committee
meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 19 July Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having a DF
hunt. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858
432105.

On Tuesday 20 July Derby & District Amateur Radio Society has a video
show. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 20 July Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air from 7 to 9pm. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Tuesday 20 July Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a 2m DF hunt, using the new rules. More information from Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 20 July Wythall Radio Club is having a homebrew night.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Wednesday 21 July Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a general
CW talk and practice night for anyone interested in Morse. For details,
send an email to .

On Wednesday 21 July Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a gentleman's group afternoon. Details on the web at
http://kdars.co.uk.

On Wednesday 21 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air.
For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 21 July Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 21 July Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a walking fox hunt on 2m with G3JKX as fox. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 22 July Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a training night. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Thursday 22 July 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 Friday 23 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 23 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 24 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air
and doing jobs around the shack. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Saturday 24 July Wythall Radio Club commences its Foundation Course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Sunday 25 July Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
social meet from 10am. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Sunday 18 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in low power
field day from 9am until 4pm. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Monday 19 July Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on software defined radios by Bill Gleave, G8YWK. Contact Nancy Bone,
G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 19 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club starts setting up for IOTA.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Monday 19 July Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the semi auto ATU by Ger Akse, G0UVR. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL,
on 01751 476601.

On Monday 19 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having its summer fox
hunt. For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to
.

On Monday 19 July Workington and District Radio and IT Group is having a
talk on vertical antennas by Steve, G0MTD. For more information get in
touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on 01946 812092.

On Tuesday 20 July Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
radio operating evening. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 20 July Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society invites
members to talk about their favourite pieces of equipment. Contact
Anthony Vinters, on 01422 822636.

On Tuesday 20 July Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society holds its
construction competition. For more information contact Martin Hazel,
M0ZIF, on 01524 848193.

On Tuesday 20 July Otley Amateur Radio Society is having a general shack
night. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 21 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 22 July Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
radio and general knowledge quiz with Fred, G0AOJ. Details from John,
2E0III, on 01652 632938.

On Thursday 22 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the 80m
Club Data Contest, home stations. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240573.

On Thursday 22 July Preston Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 22 July South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
talk on the theory of wireless by Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 22 July Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a radio
quiz with Dave, G4CLI. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 23 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 24 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club commences its weekend
event for the IOTA contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Saturday 24 July Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
IOTA Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 20 July Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 21 July West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is working
on construction projects and license training. More information from
Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 22 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society Club is closed. More
information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 23 July West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle and quiz. More information from
Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Saturday 24 July Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club RSGB IOTA
Contest from the Island of Tiree. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

On Saturday 24 July West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society weekend event
IOTA Contest from Rhum. More information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on
01415 715512.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 18 July Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is at the
McMichael Radio Rally. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Sunday 18 July South Essex Amateur Radio Society is running a field
event from Castle Point Show, Waterside, Canvey Island. Contact Norman,
M0FZW, on 01268 692776.

On Monday 19 July Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on RAYNET
by 2E0PTM. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 19 July Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
visiting the Royal Navy's Museum of Radar and Communications at HMS
Collingwood, Fareham. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Monday 19 July Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it and
natter night. More information from Ray, G4FFY, on 01732 357474.

On Tuesday 20 July Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a discussion on
the half wave end fed and workshop practice led by G4MOE. Details from
Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 20 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 20 July Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having an
activity evening. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 20 July Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club net
night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 21 July Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal club evening. Contact John, M0UKD, on 07817 365354.

On Wednesday 21 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has its trophy fox hunt.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 21 July Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Phil, G4UDU on his Friedrichshafen experiences and radio trip in
Europe. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 22 July Edgware & District Radio Society is having a talk on
sundials by Julian, G4ZOD. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 0208
950 0658.

On Thursday 22 July Lowestoft & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
night at the shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Friday 23 July Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. Contact Charlie, M0WYM, on 02380 439560.

On Friday 23 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Saturday 24 July Bittern DX Group is taking part in the RSGB IOTA
Contest. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Saturday 24 July Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has its summer
auction of used & surplus equipment. Details from Gordon, on 01424 431
909.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 19 July Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on antenna capacitor loading by Terry, G4CHD. Contact Brian Jewell,
M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more information.

On Wednesday 21 July Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club has CW
practice. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more information.

On Wednesday 21 July Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 21 July Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club has a
natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

On Thursday 22 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a digital
camera evening with Muriel, G4ZYR. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 22 July Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is preparing
for the IOTA contest and having a natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317750.

On Thursday 22 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by G3MYM
on how to make a crystal set. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 19 July Dragon Amateur Radio Club is preparing for IOTA. More
information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Monday 19 July Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is having a DVD night.
Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.