GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 26th September 2010

The news headlines

1 October deadline for election nomination paperwork

Join in the Edgware Activity Periods

National Hamfest and the start of Ham Week UK

The deadline for returning election papers for the RSGB Board vacancy
and the Regional Council vacancies in Regions 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 is 1
October. Paperwork, including the supporting signatures from nominees,
should be sent to Michelina Gramson, PA to the General Manager,
telephone 01234 832 700 or e-mail . Full details of
candidates will appear in the November RadCom.

Edgware & District Radio Society has organised the 2010 Edgware Activity
Period that continues until 1 October. Held during the evening with both
CW and SSB activity, the club invites all amateurs to join in. A
certificate will be awarded to the station with the highest score in
each of the three sections. You can find full rules and activity times
at www.g4gys.btinternet.co.uk.

It's not too late to get your National Hamfest tickets and save on the
`at the gate' prices. Tickets can be ordered online and collected at the
gate. The national Hamfest takes place from 10am to 4pm at the Newark &
Notts Showground, Newark NG24 2NY on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd
October.

There are several events taking place during Ham Week UK, starting with
the National Hamfest and concluding with the RSGB Convention on 8 to 10
October. Furness ARS will be putting GB2GW on the air at Gleaston Water
Mill, Ulverston from 1 to 10 October. A separate station under the club
call G4ARF will be operational 4 to 10 October from land nearby using
field day aerials. On Monday 4 October the club will have a barbecue,
when visitors are welcome to join them. South Lancashire Amateur Radio
Club is planning to hold an open night on Wednesday 6 October in the
shack at Bickershaw Labour Club, Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw,
Lancashire. There will be a potato hash & peas supper on a first come,
first served basis. The club will also be on the air from 8 until 10pm.
All past, present and future members are welcome, along with any SWL who
would like to drop in on the night.

The 15th ARDF World Championships have taken place in Opatija, Croatia.
Almost 500 participants from 35 countries competed in two runs. The GB
team did well, with some notable individual results. In the M40 class on
day 1, Steve, RS20310 and Andrew, G4KWQ, came joint 23rd. In the M60
class John, RS20583 came 6th. In the team event in the M40 class Steve
and Andrew were joined by M3WDD and they were placed 9th. In the M60
class John, RS20583, Robert, G3ORI and Bob, G3ORY were 7th. All achieved
similar results on the second day of the competition. Congratulations to
the whole GB team. For full results, check out the website
www.ardf2010.com.

The Worked All Ireland Award has an Activity Day today, Sunday 26
September. The WAI awards are open to all amateurs and short wave
listeners throughout the world who wish to participate. Membership of
any specific organisation is not a prerequisite. More details on the
Worked All Ireland program is available at www.irts.ie/cgi/wai.cgi.

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

Today, Sunday 26 September, the Holsworthy Amateur Radio Rally takes
place in the Holsworthy Community Centre, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy EX22
6JD. Details from Roger Williams on 07773 983 691.

Also today, 26 September, 50 years of amateur radio history is being
offered at a garage sale. This is the sale of the estate of G3IOZ and
the venue is close to junction 4 of the M40 in High Wycombe. Details
from Larry, G4GZG by e-mail to .

The National Hamfest, organised by the RSGB in association with the
Lincoln Short Wave Club, takes place on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October.
It's at the George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark and Nottinghamshire
Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY, which is close to
the junction of the A1, A46 and A17. There will be a large number of
trade stands, including the three main manufacturers, Icom, Kenwood and
Yaesu. See the October issue of RadCom for full details of the show's
highlights.

The Autumn Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale will take
place at Hack Green secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL
on Sunday 3 October. Doors open at 10am and admission is ?2.50. Contact
Rod Siebert, 01270 623 353 for further details.

Now for the news of special events

There are many special event stations on the air this weekend for the
Railways on the Air event. Galashiels and District ARS will be operating
GB0WRH from Whitrope Siding, south of Hawick in the Scottish Borders on
the old Waverley, Monkwearmouth Train Museum in Sunderland will be
activated by the North East Special Event Group using the callsign
GB4MSM. The Museum is located in North Bridge Street, Sunderland SR5 1AP
and will be open 2 to 5pm today. GB2STI will once again be operating
from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland's base at Whitehead, Co
Antrim. Visitors are very welcome. Hinckley Amateur Radio and
Electronics Society will be operating GB4BLR from Shackerstone Station
on the Battlefield Line Railway. Bring your licence along and visitors
are welcome to operate the Special Event Station.

Members of the Ripon and District Amateur Radio Society will be
operating GB6VMR from the North Yorkshire Vintage Machinery Rally.

GB4GD will be on the air 2 to 9 October commemorating 79 years since the
first four Guide Dogs were trained in Wallasey, Cheshire.

š

The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society is celebrating its 50th
anniversary this year. A special event callsign GB50RN will be on the
air from 2 to 9 October. The station will operate on CW and SSB on the
HF and WARC bands from 80m to 10m, and on FM on the 2m and 70cm bands. A
special Anniversary Award is available to listeners and licensed
amateurs who hear or contact RNARS members and the special event
stations during 2010. Full details can be found on the society website
at www.rnars.org.uk.

A special event station to celebrate the history of electronics in
Wells, Somerset will be on the air on 2 and 3 October. Using the
callsigns GB4EMI, GB8EMI and GB2SB, operation will be from the EMI
Sports and Social Club in Wells. Visitors aree welcome. All contacts
will be confirmed via the bureau or direct by a special multi-colour QSL
card produced by Thales.

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

David, K3LP will be active until 4 October as HI7/K3LP from Punta Cana
in the Dominican Republic, which is IOTA reference NA-096. It will be a
family holiday with activity on the radio limited to the local late
evening and early morning hours. QSL via his home call.

Look for OZ/DJ5NN, OZ/DL2LTM and OZ/DL2TG to be active from Aro Island
until 4 October. They will operate CW, SSB, FM and PSK on 80 through to
10m as well as 6 and 2 metres. QSL via home calls either direct or via
the bureau.

Now the contest news

The RTTY leg of the 48 hours CQWW DX Contests finishes today, 26
September. Exchange a signal report and CQ Zone. Britain is Zone 14.
Expect to work some rare countries. There are numerous entry categories.

On 28 September it's the 50MHz Activity Contest from 1900 and 2130.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

October RSGB HF events begin with the 21/28MHz contest on Sunday 3rd.
Despite being popular with its loyal band of followers, this event has
not attracted a great deal of participation for some considerable time.
In an attempt to boost the number of entries the Contest Committee tried
changing the format, but it was to no avail so the event is being
discontinued from 2011, so make the most of the final one. Times are
from 0700 to 1900UTC using both CW and SSB with the exchange being
signal report, serial number and District.

Next weekend, 2 and 3 October are busy with contests. The SSB leg of the
Oceania DX Contest runs for 24 hours from Saturday morning, 2 October.
There are low- and high-power categories for single-op and multi-one
stations, and multi-two and multi-multi categories for multi-op
stations. QSOs with Oceania stations are the only ones that score points
in this event. Next comes the IARU 432MHz-248GHz Contest. It runs for a
full 24 hours from Saturday afternoon, the first six hours coinciding
with the RSGB 1.2GHz/2.3GHz Trophy Contest. Finally the EU SSB Sprint,
which runs for four hours on Saturday evening. Being a sprint contest,
naturally there's a QSY rule. If you initiate a QSO, by calling CQ, QRZ
etc, you are permitted to work only one station on the frequency. You
must then QSY at least 2kHz before you may call another station or
before you solicit another QSO.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 13th the 19th of
September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 20th of September.

The solar disc had spots visible every day. On the 16th a large sunspot
group rotated into view, but despite its size solar activity remained at
very low levels except for the 16th and the 17th which increased to low
when a small C class solar flare took place on both days. These flares
had no effect on propagation. Solar flux levels increased slightly to 83
units on the 16th and the average was 81 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 19th was 79 units, that's one unit up on the previous
week. X-ray flux levels averaged B1.5 units and showed little variation
day to day. Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday, however, on the
14th the Ap reached 9 units, which is just below the threshold before
activity increases to unsettled. The average was Ap 6 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from a very
slow 280 kilometres per second on the 13th to 490 by the 16th. Speeds
then gradually declined to 320 kilometres per second by the end of day
on the 19th. Particle densities were low throughout. Bz varied between
minus 11 and plus 8 nanoTeslas on the 14th and no more than minus 5 and
plus 6 nanoTeslas on the remaining days.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
at very low levels, however, there is a chance that activity could
increase to low with the occasional C class solar flare taking place.
Solar flux levels should be around the 80 mark for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet everyday. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz
for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week
to South America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of about 29MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be around 22MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 1200 and 1800 hours.

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 27 September Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an informal meeting. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 27 September South Birmingham Radio Society has an aerial
working party and ragchew. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 27 September Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
watching the HF Propagation and Contest DXpeditioning sections of the
Contest University DVD. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488.

On Monday 27 September Wythall Radio Club continues its Advanced course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Tuesday 28 September Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Tuesday 28 September Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on APRS by Dave, G8UIO. Details from Don, G4CYG, on 019 2642
4465.

On Tuesday 28 September Wythall Radio Club has a natter night. Details
from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to .

On Wednesday 29 September Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting. For details, send an email to
.

On Wednesday 29 September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is meeting at Newark
showground to prepare for Hamfest. For more information contact Pam
Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 29 September Midland Amateur Radio Society has a table top
sale, Foundation and Morse classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214
229 787.

On Wednesday 29 September South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a
members-only forum. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 29 September Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a demo of the Picoscope by M1RKH. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Friday 1 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a visit by
Warwickshire & Northamptonshire air ambulance. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
07958 777363.

On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October Lincoln Short-Wave Club is running
the National Hamfest at Newark Showground. For more information contact
Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356, or see www.nationalhamfest.co.uk.

On Friday 1 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 2 October Midlands Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
National Hamfest in Newark. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229
787.

On Sunday 3 October Lincoln Short-Wave Club commences 7 days of
operating special event station GB10NH from the club shack for Ham Week
UK. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 27 September Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is on the
air and having a natter night. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477
0036.

On Monday 27 September Bolton Wireless Club is having a members' show
and tell evening. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 27 September Scarborough Amateur Radio Society has a talk on
amateur television. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751 476601.

On Monday 27 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a video
evening on wartime amateur radio. Contact Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 27 September South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
holding its monthly technical forum. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161
969 3999.

On Monday 27 September Workington and District Radio and IT Group is on
the air. For more information get in touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on
01946 812092.

On Tuesday 28 September Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting radio operations at Waverton Institute. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 28 September Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society has a film
night. For more information contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 01524
581381.

On Tuesday 28 September Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the 50MHz UKAC. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 29 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the Club of the Year Award by Baz, G2PDA. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 29 September Chorley & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Mick, M0ICK, on low cost antennas. Contact Alan, G4PF,
on 07740 582316.

On Thursday 30 September South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on railways. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 30 September Wakefield & District Radio Society starts its
Advanced licence course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 1 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 1 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is visiting the
National Hamfest at Newark Showground. Contact Peter Day, G3PHO, by
email to .

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be running a Foundation radio course
and exam on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October.šA registration night will
be held from 7- 9pm on Tuesday 28 September at the Place Initative,
Portadown. Places are limited so please attend to book place. More
information can be found at www.muarc.com or by contacting Davy on 07900
245021.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 28 September Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 28 September Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having Morse code practice. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 29 September West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
looking at construction projects and holding licence training. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 30 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having an
introduction to the club antenna analyser project. More information from
Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 1 October Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811
723.

On Friday 1 October West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle and a quiz. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 26 September Bittern DX Group is planning for its October
meetings. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Sunday 26 September Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is attending
Science and Discovery Day at Sandford Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Sunday 26 September East Kent Radio Society is visiting the sound
mirror at Denge. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Tuesday 28 September Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 28 September Dorking & District Radio Society is having a
talk on using antenna analysers by Peter Dodd, G3LDO. Contact Garth,
G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 28 September Edgware & District Radio Society is operating
15m for the Edgware Activity Period. More information from Mike, G4RNW,
on 0208 950 0658.

On Tuesday 28 September Harwell Amateur Radio Society has a shack
activity night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Tuesday 28 September Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on RAYNET by Steve, G4SAC and Mark, 2E0EFA. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 29 September Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
rebuilding the shack. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 29 September Edgware & District Radio Society is operating
160m for the Edgware Activity Period. More information from Mike, G4RNW,
on 0208 950 0658.

On Wednesday 29 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has its members'
forum. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 29 September Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. For more information contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

On Thursday 30 September Lowestoft & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Thursday 30 September Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Stan, G4OAV, on World War 2 wireless intelligence and
secret stations in Hertfordshire. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234
742 757.

On Friday 1 October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having
a talk on repairing vintage radios by David, M0SXD. Contact Bob, G3OOU,
on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 1 October Edgware & District Radio Society is operating 20m
for the Edgware Activity Period. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on
0208 950 0658.

On Friday 1 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
spectrum management strategies by John, G0JBJ. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on
01444 239371.

On Friday 1 October Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by
Roger Western, G3SXW, entitled have radio, will travel. Details on the
web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 2 October Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Sunday 3 October East Kent Radio Society is having a talk on Stelling
Minnis. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 27 September Bristol RSGB Group is having a talk by Ian
Greenshields, G4FSU, on millimeter waves and how they are not only for
communications. Details from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Wednesday 29 September Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for
more information.

On Wednesday 29 September Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 30 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 30 September Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is on the air and
having a committee meeting. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 1 October North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a table
sale and junk exchange. Details from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Fridayš1 October Saltash & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
grand junk salešat Burraton Community Centre. All are welcome. For
further details contact Brian on 01752 844321.

On Saturday 2 October Saltash & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
grand junk sale, to which visitors are welcome. For more information
speak to John, on 01752 707508.

NEWS FOR WALES

There are a few places left on the Swansea ARS coach trip to the
National Hamfest on Saturday 2 October. If you can get to the South
Wales M4 corridor then you can get on board. Details of price and
availability from Roger Williams, GW4HSH, on 01792 404422. Book early to
avoid disappointment.

On Monday 27 September Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale and raffle. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October Meirion Amateur Radio Society is
running a club stand at the National Hamfest. Contact John, MW0VTK, on
07772 720099 for more information.

On Friday 1 October Newport Amateur Radio Society is assisting with the
Ryder Cup operation. Details from Ross Clare, GW3NWS, on 01633 880146.