GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 31st October 2010

The news headlines

RSGB President to address RAYNET Convention

RSGB Museum Surplus Equipment Sale

Voting started in RSGB Elections

RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW and Charlie Morrison, GI4FUE, the
Public Service portfolio holder, will be attending the RAYNET Convention
and AGM. They will be giving a presentation on RAYNET and the RSGB. The
RAYNET Convention and AGM takes place next Saturday, 6 November, in the
Council Chamber, County Hall, Durham. RAYNET members of all affiliations
are welcome to attend.

The first sale of RSGB Museum surplus equipment ends today, Sunday 31
October. There has been lots of interest in the sale and all items have
received bids, particularly the Icom IC-720 and the Hallicrafters
Skyrider SX-23. If you are interested in any of the equipment, check out
www.rsgb.org/auction. Please note this auction finishes today just after
7pm. Next week's sale of RSGB Museum surplus equipment will include an
Eddystone model 960 solid state HF receiver and a Microwave Modules
MML432/100 100 watt 70cm linear amongst the twenty or so items.
Information on these items can also be found at www.rsgb.org/auction.

Voting is under way in the RSGB Board and Region 4 elections. All RSGB
members are entitled to vote in the Board election and members in Region
4 for the regional election. RSGB members can vote online at
www.votebyinternet.com/rsgb10, that's rsgb one zero. You will need your
callsign and membership number to vote, as shown in November's RadCom.
Members may also vote by post using the envelope that came with that
magazine. Voting closes at noon on 2nd December. The election results
will appear online and in the January RadCom.

Along with a wide variety of books, the RSGB will be taking some of the
equipment from the RSGB Museum surplus sale to the Kempton Rally on
Sunday 7 November. This will give visitors to the rally chance to buy
some of the items without the postage fees. Items will include some
unique and rare homebrew items, commercial kit and some items that have
not been listed on the RSGB website or elsewhere. This is your chance to
see and examine these items in person and buy on the day, without
entering into competitive bidding on eBay.

Would you be interested in restarting the RAYNET group in Doncaster? The
local council is anxious to further contact with local amateurs to add
to the help it already receives from the Sheffield and Rotherham group.
Particularly welcome would be those with previous RAYNET experience, but
anyone willing to take part would be welcome to discuss this further. If
you're interested in finding out more, please email your details to
.

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.

Northumbria Amateur Radio Club will be commencing an Advanced course on
Monday 8 November in Ellington near Ashington. More students would be
welcome. The course is ?15 plus the cost of the exam. Contact David on
01670 513026 or by email to .

The next Sheffield Amateur Radio Club Foundation course starts on Monday
24 January 2011. It begins with a two week general taster sessions to
introduce students to amateur radio and Sheffield Amateur Radio Club.
For further details and tutor contacts please email the club chairman,
Peter G3PHO, by email to .

Places are still available on the Wakefield & District Radio Society's
latest Foundation and Advanced Licence Courses that start on Saturday,
30 October, although students can join the following week and catch up.
For further details, visit the Society's website at www.wdrs.org.uk.
Alternatively, contact the chairman, Ken 2E0SSQ by email to
, or phone 07 900 563 117.

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

Next weekend, 7 November, the Kempton Rally will take place at Kempton
Park racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16
5AQ. There will be a talk-in station on 145.550MHz using the callsign
GB2KRT. Doors open at 10am and there will be trade stands, lectures and
an RSGB bookstand that will include select items from the RSGB Museum
Surplus Sale. Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society will be running a
Bring and Buy stand. 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

Coventry Amateur Radio Society will be operating GB70CBC for the
Coventry Blitz Commemoration from Coventry Cathedral during November.
Operation will be on an 'as available basis' on 2m and the HF bands
between 80 and 10m. Further information from G8GMU on 0247636 4235 or by
email to .

Other special event station around at the beginning of November are
GB2EWW for Easthams' World War and GB0AD for Armistice Day.

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

Rich, 9M2MRS is back on Penang Island, which is IOTA reference AS-015.
He will be there until April 2011. He usually operates CW. QSL to
PA0RRS, the new address can be found at qrz.com.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, PA30RCK will be active on all bands
and modes until 5 November including activity during the CQ WW DX SSB
Contest. QSL via PI4RCK or Logbook of the World.

Ulli, DL2AH will be active as ZD9AH from Tristan da Cunha, which is IOTA
reference AF-029, until 6 December. This is not a DXpedition and he
plans to operate mainly SSB on 40, 20, 17, 12 and 10 metres with some
RTTY activity during the last two weeks of November. QSL via DL2AH,
direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

Today, 31 October, sees the final hours of the CQWW DX Contest SSB leg.
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.

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.

On 2 November the 144MHz UK Activity Contest takes place between 2000
and 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

The RSGB Marconi CW Contest takes place on 6 and 7 November. Depending
on the amount of time you can devote and whether you are a single
operator fixed station or not, there are four categories to enter.
Between 1400 and 1400, the contest take place on the 144MHz band, CW
only, and the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 18th to the 25th
of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 25th of October

The latest smoother sunspot numbers are now available and are for
January, February and March and are 9.3, 10.6 and 12.3 respectively.

The solar disc had several sunspot groups visible every day. Solar
activity was low on the 18th, 19th and the 20th when small C class solar
flares took place. These had very little effect on propagation. Activity
was at very low levels on the remaining days. Solar flux levels declined
from 91 units on the 18th to 82 by the 22nd. The average was 85 units.
The 90 day solar flux average on the 24th remained at 81 units for
another week. X-ray flux levels declined from B1.3 units on the 19th to
A5.9 by the 21st. By the 24th levels had increased to A8.5. The average
was A8.6 units. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels, for
example on the 21st the Ap index was only 3 units. By the evening of the
22nd a coronal hole disturbance had arrived and the Ap for the 23rd was
23 units. The disturbance continued into the 24th when the Ap was 14
units. The average was Ap 9 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds 340 kilometres per second on the 18th
to 720 by the 23rd. Particle densities remained low except for a brief
rise to 13 particles per cubic centimetre around midday on the 22nd. Bz
varied between minus 4 and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quietest day and
between minus 9 and plus 8 nanoTeslas on the 23rd which was the most
disturbed day.

And now the solar forecast. This week the more quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be rotating into view. With that comes the possibility that
solar activity will remain at very low levels. Even though, no solar
flares are expected, this can change rather rapidly without any warning.
Solar flux levels, given a quiet Sun should be around the 80 mark.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet right up to next weekend when there
is a chance that activity could increase slightly. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around 26MHz for the south and 23MHz
for the north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be about 9MHz. 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 23MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about
18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1300 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 1 November Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a lantern show by David Bailey. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452
548478, daytime.

On Monday 1 November South Birmingham Radio Society is having a contest
planning meeting. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 1 November Wythall Radio Club continues its Advanced course.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Tuesday 2 November Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is having a shack night. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442240.

On Tuesday 2 November Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a mini talk by Art, G3KWY. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 2 November Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the 2m UKAC.
Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by email to
.

On Wednesday 3 November Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. For details, send an email to .

On Wednesday 3 November Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 3 November Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 3 November South Birmingham Radio Society is holding its
AGM. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Wednesday 3 November Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air and holding a committee meeting. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Thursday 4 November Salop Amateur Radio Society has its Chairperson's
Forum. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 4 November South Birmingham Radio Society has Foundation
training classes with G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 5 November Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is looking
at the design and construction of filters. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905
776 869.

On Friday 5 November Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a bangers
& mash evening. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 5 November Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
shack night. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 5 November South Birmingham Radio Society has a construction
evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 6 November Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and doing work around the shack. For more information contact Pam
Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Saturday 6 November Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on RV Jones by George, G4EUF and Ian, G8SNF. More
information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Sunday 7 November South Birmingham Radio Society is visiting the
Martlesham microwave round table. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

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

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

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Fort Perch Rock Marine Radio Museum has announced its new website
covering its wireless museum and other activities at New Brighton,
Wirral. The site is at www.fortperchrockmarineradiomuseum.co.uk and
includes details of its wireless room and special event station GB4FPR.

On Monday 1 November 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 1 November Macclesfield & District Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Roger Bell, M0GMG, on 0771 258 9163.

On Monday 1 November Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on amateur radio in the new millennium. Contact Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on
01751 476601.

On Monday 1 November Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
linear amplifier design and misuse by Peter Day, G3PHO. Contact the club
by email to .

On Tuesday 2 November Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a discussion on the questionnaire sent to members. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 2 November Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
meeting to plan the club's on-air activities during 2011. Details from
Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 3 November Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a selection
of radio hints and kinks by G3XYF. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240573.

On Thursday 4 November Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society Club is on
the air. Contact Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 4 November Wakefield & District Radio Society is attending
the Scouts' bonfire, fireworks and barbecue at HQ, for which there is a
charge of ?4. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 5 November East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 6 November Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation and Advanced licence courses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Building on a 350% membership increase that includes 26 new Foundation
members, Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club's recent AGM elected three of
them, including the Secretary, Ciaran, MI6OFN to its seven strong
Committee. The club has an Intermediate course running in November with
a dozen already enrolled. This course and most other Club activities
take place each Tuesday evening in the Share Centre, near Lisnaskea in
County Fermanagh.

On Monday 1 November GEARS is having a vintage HF/VHF radio night at
Knockagh Lodge, 236 Upper Road Greenisland, Co. Antrim. All are welcome.
Details from Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 2 November Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a Club Evening. More information from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 3 November Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on
computerised rotator control. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on
01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 3 November Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a
training evening. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.

On Wednesday 3 November West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has
construction projects & licence training by the Solder Group. More
information from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 4 November Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 5 November Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club has a
normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 5 November West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
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 Monday 1 November Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal meeting. Details from Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 1 November Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a junk sale. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.

On Monday 1 November Burnham Beeches Radio Club has project testing.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 1 November East Kent Radio Society is having a holiday photos
evening and invites all members to bring along their photos. Brian,
M0DCO will be speaking on how to take photos when sight impaired).
Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Monday 1 November Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a committee
meeting. Details from Ralph, on 01923 265572.

On Monday 1 November West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a
presentation on Kent Repeater Group by Martin Stoneham, G4RVV. More
information from Les, G6UBM, by email to .

On Tuesday 2 November Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a club
night. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 2 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on SPR Mode and 500kHz, 136kHz and 8.97kHz VLF operating by Roger
Lapthorn, G3XBM. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 2 November Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Wednesday 3 November Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general meeting and CW training session. More details from
Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 3 November Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a visit
from RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV,
on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 3 November Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 3 November Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its annual construction contest. For more information contact
Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 4 November Cray Valley Radio Society is having a surplus
equipment sale. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 4 November Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
light bulbs by John Narborough. Details are on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 4 November Lowestoft & District Amateur Radio Club is at the
shack. Details from Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448.

On Thursday 4 November Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Don, G4LOO, on voltage control on the National Grid .
Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 4 November Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having an informal
social at the Queens Head, Sandridge. Details from Ralph, on 01923
265572.

On Friday 5 November Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the life and adventures of Marconi by Peter, M0DCV. Details from
Lawrence Micallef, M0LCM, on 07941 972724.

In order to avoid Bonfire Night, the Friday 5 November meeting of
Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is postponed until next
Friday, 12 November. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 5 November Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a night on the air using data modes. Contact Marc Litchman,
G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 5 November Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on
Morse frivolity by Andrew Vine, M0GJH. Details on the web at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 6 November Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Tuesday 2 November West Devon Radio Club is having a bring and buy
night, to which all are welcome. Refreshments are available. Further
information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 3 November Callington Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the Four Square antenna by Steve Pridham, G4BVB. More
information from Chris Harris, G7UDX, on 07973 418 371.

On Wednesday 3 November Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is re-visiting narrowband TV. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 3 November Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
judging entries for the G2BQY and G4UNU Constructor's Cup. Details from
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 4 November South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 4 November Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by James, M1DST entitled You Are Being Tracked. Contact Den, M0ACM,
on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 4 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the
RSGB by G0XAY. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 5 November North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is watching Mars,
a new DVD from Paul, G8YMM. Details from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 5 November Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 1 November Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on APRS
by Wynne Griffiths, MW0AQZ. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF,
on 07833 620733.

On Monday 1 November Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 2 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a demo of
PSK31 by Bob, G6CVX and John, 2W0OSG. More information is on the web at
www.wrexham-ars.co.uk.