GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 24th October 2010

The news headlines

Ofcom updates Spectrum Plan for the London Olympics

Impending changes to the 5MHz beacon chain

RSGB Museum surplus sale starts on Monday

Ofcom published an update to the Spectrum Plan for the 2012 Olympics on
18 October. They intend to issue a more detailed plan in early 2012.
From the plan, 6 and 2m are unlikely to be used and efforts are being
made by Ofcom not to use 70cm, as it is accepted that this could be
heavily used by amateurs. Likewise, Ofcom is trying to avoid use of the
amateur satellite bands. There is also extensive use planned for the
lower microwave bands in the greater London area for wireless cameras.
The Society meets regularly with Ofcom and was able to discuss this
update when they met earlier this week.

During the summer, the 5MHz Working Group reviewed certain aspects of
the 5MHz Experiment and agreed a number of changes and improvements.
These will be implemented over the next few months. The largest change
is that it has been decided to remove the 0.5ms pulse sequence at the
end of each beacon transmission. It has also been decided to build a new
beacon for GB3RAL. The new design will incorporate a PSK31 transmission
in the place of the pulse sequence. The design of the other two 5MHz
beacons does not allow this addition. A date for these changes has not
been set, but it is hoped to complete the changes before the end of the
year.

The RSGB Museum surplus sale is scheduled to start on Monday 25 October.
The first items include a vintage Hallicrafters Skyrider 23 receiver, a
Tektronix 454A 150MHz oscilloscope and several other items. More
information can be found at www.rsgb.org/auction. The actual sales will
be conducted via eBay.

With several groups operating from the new DX entities created by the
breakup of the Netherlands Antilles, questions have arisen regarding
their status for CQ DX awards. Each of the five islands involved in the
change of status retains its previous PJ callsign prefix. According to
CQ DX Awards Manager the previous entities of the Leeward Islands, PJ2 &
4 and Windward Islands, PJ5, 6 & 7, were deleted as of 9 October. Four
new entities of Curacao PJ2, St. Maarten PJ7, Bonaire PJ4 and Saba/St.
Eustatius PJ5/6 became active on 10 October 10. This is a net gain of
two DX entities. Confirmations for contacts made with the new entities
will be accepted for CQ award credit with immediate effect.

Earlier this year Ofcom announced an exemption for Railway Level
Crossings systems to use a part of the 24GHz band where we have
secondary status. More recently, on 6 October, the European Union's
Radio Spectrum Committee published a review of automotive ultra-wideband
short-range radars that currently operate across the entire 24GHz band
and which have caused considerable concern. The Society actively
participates in consultations on these matters and, along with IARU
Region 1, is working to protect and enhance our 24-24.05GHz Primary
allocation where innovative DX and Beacon activity is concentrated.

The Six and Ten Reporting Club is an informal group of radio amateurs,
mostly from the UK, interested in propagation studies at frequencies
around the HF to VHF boundary, mainly the 6 and 10m amateur bands. The
club produces a monthly newsletter called the Six and Ten Report that
includes analysis of 28MHz propagation based on beacon monitoring,
analysis of 50MHz activity reports broken down by propagation mode as
well as reports and discussions on unusual propagation events. The
Report is usually published online at http://g7kse.co.uk/6and10, about
5-6 weeks after the end of the month. The Six and Ten Report is edited
and produced by Steve Reed, G0AEV and Martin Harrison, G3USF and is an
activity of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee.

In last week's GB2RS News we announced that GB3CM Keeper Andy, GW6JSO
was standing down and a new Keeper was needed. Mark, GW8KCY has kindly
stepped forward to take over as Keeper and all paperwork has now been
submitted to Ofcom.

On 2 November the Institute of Physics is holding an Open Lecture
between 7 and 9pm at the Rutherford Lecture Theatre, University of Kent,
Canterbury CT2 7NZ. The lecture will be given by Dr Ken Smith and is
entitled Dafty and Electromagnetism: What a Revolution. James Clark
Maxwell was nicknamed Dafty by his school and college contemporaries yet
he not only established the electromagnetic theory of light but
triggered off Einstein to establish Special Relativity.

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

Over the weekend 30 and 31 October the North Wales Rally will take place
at John Bright School, Llandudno. There will be trade stands as well as
an RSGB Bookstall. Details from Liz Cabban, GW0ETU on 01690 710 257.

The following weekend, 7 November, the Kempton Rally will take place at
Kempton Park racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex
TW16 5AQ. Doors open at 10am and there will be trade stands, lectures
and an RSGB bookstand. Details from Paul, M0CJX, on 0845 165 0351.

Also on 7 November, the Foyle & District ARC Annual Rally will be held
at the Best Western White Horse Hotel, 68 Clooney Road, Derry BT47 3PA.
Doors open at 12 noon and there will be trade stands, special interest
groups and an RSGB bookstand.

Now for the news of special events

Radio amateurs, mainly from the Cray Valley, Darenth Valley and Clifton
amateur radio clubs in South East London, will be operating a special
event station located at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich during the
school half term holidays. Dates are from Saturday 23 October through to
Sunday 31st. The callsign will be GB2RA. Operation will be mainly on the
40m and 2m bands during Museum opening hours of 10am to 5pm. The venue
has a cafe and free car parking is available in Carriage Street adjacent
to the Museum. More info can be obtained from Lawrie, G4FAA on 0789 98
55 166.

Llanelli Amateur Radio Society will be running a 24 hour Special Event
Station with the callsign GB1HTW from midday on Saturday 23 October
until midday on Sunday 24 October. GB1HTW will be active on most of the
bands from 80 to 2m, either on SSB; BPSK31 or CW. The event is being run
to support the Golden Grove Mansion Appeal. Full details of this special
event can be found on www.QRZ.com.

The Canadian Coast Guard Radio Station, Thunder Bay MCTS Centre, is
celebrating 100 years of radio service. Built by the Canadian Marconi
Company in 1910, the new wireless station, MUG Port Arthur, was the
first and only Canadian Great Lakes Marconi station ever built. During
the November 2010, the Centre's amateurs will be operating special event
station CG3MUG, to celebrate the 100th birthday.

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

VK4AN will be active as 3D2A from Viti Levu Island between 27 October
and 14 November. Operation will be on 160 through to 10m including 30,
17 and 12m using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via VK4AN.

5R8X will be active from Madagascar, which is IOTA reference AF-013,
from 26 October to 10 November, including the CQWW DX SSB Contest. The
operation is primarily targeted to satisfy global demand on the low
bands. Two team members will dedicate their efforts to 160 and 80m.
Activity on 30, 17 and 12 metres will also be provided.

Now the contest news

On 26 October, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest will take place from 1900
to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.

After that it's the third month of 80m Club Sprints. The SSB leg takes
place on the 27th. Don't forget, the sprint events do not require
exchanging signal reports, just serial numbers and your name. Activity
will be between 1900 and 2030UTC.

The second of this year's CQWW DX Contests, the SSB leg, takes place
over the entire 48 hours of 30 and 31 October. The exchange is signal
report and your CQ Zone. Britain is Zone 14. Expect the SSB sections of
the contesting bands from 3.5 to 28MHz to be packed and for some rare
countries to be activated. With several groups operating from the new DX
entities created by the breakup of the Netherlands Antilles, questions
have arisen regarding their status for CQ DX contests. The country
multiplier list for the CQ World Wide DX Contest is based on a
combination of the ARRL's DXCC list and the DARC's Worked All Europe
list. Since the ARRL has also made the same changes, deleting the old
Windward and Leeward Islands entities and adding Curacao, Bonaire, St.
Eustatius & Saba and St. Maarten as four new entities, these new ones
will each count as separate country multipliers in the CQWW. There is no
need to worry if your own contest logging software is not updated,
according to CQWW Contest Director the log checking software calculates
final tallies anyway.

The International Police Association Radio Club invites all
radio-amateurs of the world to take part in the IPARC-Contest which
takes place every year on the first weekend in November. For full
details, check out www.mydarc.de/dk3eu.

Friskney & East Lincolnshire Communications Club is running the British
Islands Competition starting on 30 October. The rules of the competition
are at www.felcc.com.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 11th to the 17th
of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 18th of October.

The solar disc had spots visible every day and by the 15th four groups
was present. One of the groups remained quiet until the evening of the
16th when without warning produced an M2 impulsive solar flare. Until
then solar activity had been very low but increased to moderate with
this flare. The 17th was low when two C class solar flares took place.
Solar flux levels increased from 75 units on the 11th and the 12th to 87
by the 16th. The average was 80 units. The 90 day solar flux average
remained unchanged at 81 units. X-ray flux levels increased from A6.4
units to B1 by the 17th. The average was A8 units. Geomagnetic activity
started at unsettled levels with an Ap index of 20 units on the 11th.
This was in response to a glancing blow from a coronal mass ejection
that left the Sun on the 6th. The remainder of the period was quiet to
just unsettled. The average was Ap 8 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase gradually from 280 kilometres
per second to 440 by the 17th. Particle densities increased to 48
particles per cubic centimetre on the 11th but then remained below 10
particles per cubic centimetre for the remainder of the period. Bz
varied between minus and plus 13 nanoTeslas on the 11th. With a quieter
geomagnetic field for the rest of the period the Bz varied no more than
minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
at very low to low levels. A lot will depend on the emergence of new
sunspot groups. Within the next few weeks there is the possibility for a
surge in solar activity. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the
90 mark for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
quiet every day. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 25MHz for the south and 22MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows
are expected to be about 9MHz. During the next weekend, that's the 30th
and the 31st the CQ SSB worldwide contest takes place. With solar flux
levels around the 90's and a quiet geomagnetic field, things are looking
good for the contest weekend. Propagation on 28MHz is expected to take
place on both days. From shortly after sunrise expect openings to Asia
and possibly the Pacific area. The African continent for most of the
daylight hours and South and North America appearing from midday. Have
fun and good luck to the UK stations.

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 25 October Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is making
plans for the shack. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Monday 25 October Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society has
an informal evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 25 October Leicester Radio Society is having a talk by Ned
Newitt on Slum of Leicester. Details from Alex, G8FCQ, on 0753 120 1640.

On Monday 25 October South Birmingham Radio Society has an aerial
working party. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 25 October Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having a talk on computer control of receivers by G8UKT. Contact G0CHO,
on 01608 664488.

On Monday 25 October Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is having a
visit and talk by Snowdonia Radio Company. More information from Robert
Bird, by email to .

On Monday 25 October Wythall Radio Club continues its Advanced course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Tuesday 26 October Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Tuesday 26 October Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is planning
its programme for 2011. Details from Don, G4CYG, on 019 2642 4465.

On Tuesday 26 October Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
examining the TDARS website. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Tuesday 26 October Wythall Radio Club is having a homebrew evening.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Wednesday 27 October Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society
is having a skittles match against GARES. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452
548478, daytime.

On Wednesday 27 October Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 27 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding
Foundation and Morse classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229
787.

On Thursday 28 October Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on sun spots andšsolar activity by amateur astronomer Geoff Tew.
Details from John, 2E0III, on 01652 632938.

On Thursday 28 October Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night and begins revision for the Intermediate exam. Details on the club
website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Friday 29 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
workshop evening. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 29 October Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
talk on early radar by George, G4EUF. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA,
on 01332 720976.

On Saturday 30 October 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 Sunday 31 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
Llandudno Rally. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Sunday 31 October South Birmingham Radio Society is visiting the
Llandudno Rally. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 25 October 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 25 October Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk by G4MVU on
the radio tracking of bees plus honey tasting. For details, send an
email to .

On Monday 25 October Macclesfield & District Radio Society is having a
talk on homebrew aerials. Details from Roger Bell, M0GMG, on 0771 258
9163.

On Monday 25 October Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on quad and low band antennas by G0UVR. Details from Jerry Scarr G6LBL,
on 01751 476601.

On Monday 25 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
software defined radio by Josh, M0JMO. Contact Peter Day, G3PHO, by
e-mail to .

On Monday 25 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is holding
its monthly technical forum. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Tuesday 26 October Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting radio operations at Waverton Institute. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 26 October Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society continues
its Foundation and Intermediate training, and is also looking at
developing PSK31 interfaces. Details from Martin, M0GQB, on 01422
341317.

On Tuesday 26 October Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
50MHz UKAC. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 27 October Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m Club Sprint, CW. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 27 October Otley Amateur Radio Society continues its
Foundation licence course. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Thursday 28 October Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 28 October Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on off centre fed antenna designs. Contact Rob Hall, M0RBY, on
0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 28 October South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Chris Wiseman, G0RDK, on 01782 773185.

On Thursday 28 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on CNC machines by Ged, G8RSI. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on
0161 969 3999.

On Friday 29 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 30 October Wakefield & District Radio Society commences its
Foundation licence course. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news has been received for Northern Ireland this week. Please send
any news to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

We start with some sad news. Duncan Archibald, GM0LEW, passed away on
Sunday 17 October 2010. Duncan had served as the chairman of the
Livingston and District Amateur Radio club for several years and was key
to the success of the club and building up the membership.

Due to a fault with the public address system at the Galashiels rally
held on 17 October, the organisers were unable to announce the draw
results. The winners were, first, Peter, GM4DTH, second, Raymond, G0VLF
and third, Michael. G7TWX. The organisers will be contacting the prize
winners directly.

On Tuesday 26 October Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is having
a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to .

On Tuesday 26 October Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having Morse code practice. Contact Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 27 October Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on antennas for small gardens by RSGB Region 1 Manager Len Paget,
GM0ONX. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

On Wednesday 27 October West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
construction projects & licence training by The Solder Group. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 28 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk.
More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 29 October West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle & quiz. More information from
Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Saturday 30 October Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
taking part in the CQWW SSB Contest. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ,
on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

On Sunday 24 October Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a fish & chips night. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502
1645.

On Tuesday 26 October Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 26 October Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 26 October Dorking & District Radio Society is having a talk
by Brian Oakley about behind the scenes at Bletchley Park in WW2.
Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 26 October Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
activity night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Tuesday 26 October Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 27 October Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 27 October Darenth Valley Radio Society is having a talk on
printed circuit board construction by Ray, G0FDU. For more information
send an email to .

On Wednesday 27 October Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Steve, G6ALU, on 80m kit. Details from Rob, G3LMW, on
01635 862737.

On Wednesday 27 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction, workshop and Bright Sparks evening. Details from
Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 27 October Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the 80m SSB Sprint contest. For more information contact Roy,
G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 28 October Bittern DX Group is planning development and
training events. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 28 October Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a bring
& buy plus CW practice and natter night. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784
451898.

On Thursday 28 October Edgware & District Radio Society is having a talk
on visiting the Galapagos Islands by Mike, G4RNW. More information from
Mike, G4RNW, on 0208 950 0658.

On Thursday 28 October Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its autumn junk sale. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 28 October Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for CQWW. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 29 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 29 October Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on the RAF. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.

On Friday 29 October Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 30 October Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in CQWW. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 25 October Bristol RSGB Group is having a talk on the
VK9X/G6AY Christmas Island Dxpedition by Phil Whitchurch, G3SWH. Details
from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Wednesday 27 October Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for
more information.

On Wednesday 27 October Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 28 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 28 October Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 29 October North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an
electronics evening, looking at the process of populating a board.
Details from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 29 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a local
newspaper audio visual presentation. For more information contact Dave,
G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES

On Tuesday 26 October Marches ARS will be holding its AGM at the new
club venue. All members are urged to attend. For more information
contact Dave, MW0AYM, on 01691 777242.

On Thursday 28 October Aberystwyth & District Amateur Radio Society is
on the air with David, 2W0EDW, initially on 145.500 and then 145.550.
Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611853.

On Friday 29 October Newport Amateur Radio Society is closed for half
term. Details from Ross Clare, GW3NWS, on 01633 880146.