GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 23rd January 2011

The news headlines:

Datamode groups join forces for contesting

Celebrating 85 Years of Hospital Broadcasting in the UK

GM0M-Z QSL manager change

The RSGB Contest Committee and the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group
have joined forces to promote data modes in contesting. For the first
time, the RSGB HF Championship this year will include non-RSGB contests,
beginning with the BARTG Sprint this weekend. This means that data
enthusiasts will now be able to participate in the RSGB HF Championship.
For more details see the RSGB Contest Committee website, www.rsgbcc.org.

Hospital Broadcasting, also known as Hospital Radio, will be celebrating
85 years in 2011. The first station started in 1926 in York, and
Hospital Radio has been entertaining patients in hospitals up and down
the UK ever since. Hospital Radio stations are run by volunteers who
give up a few hours of their time each week and also they get involved
in their local communities to help promote that station and raise funds
to keep their station on the air. To support Hospital Broadcasting Week
it is planned to run a small number of Special Event stations from near
the end of March to the beginning of April. These will be run on behalf
of some of the Hospital Radio Stations. If you know of a local Hospital
Radio Station and would like to help them to put on such a station, or
would just like more information about this planned event, please e-mail
.

Michael Whitehead, GM0PHW is no longer the QSL submanager for the GM0M-Z
series of callsign. The RSGB would like to thank him for his voluntary
efforts. The QSL sub manager post has now been passed to Fred Roe,
GM0ALS. All the cards in hand were sorted and bundled up prior to the
changeover, so the transition should be seamless.

Amateur radio enthusiasts in Brazil established essential communication
links in the aftermath of the recent mudslide and floods. Working
closely with local civil defence forces, amateur services carried
much-needed messages between rescue groups. According to some sources,
amateur radio was the only way of getting messages across town.
Emergency communications infrastructure has since been put into place by
the military and is now providing some telephone and other services.

A minor error crept in to the RSGB AGM announcement in the February
RadCom. The nearest motorway junctions to the venue are M1 junction 24
and 25, not 24 and 28 as printed. We apologise for any inconvenience
this may cause.

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

The Horncastle Winter Rally will take place on 30 January in the
Horncastle Youth Centre, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Doors open at 10.30am and
admission will be ?1.50. Details from Tony, G3ZPU on 01507 527835,
e-mail .

Now for the news of special events

Southport & District Amateur Radio Club will be running GB5LLB from
Lytham Lifeboat Station on 29 January. The station is being run as part
of SOS Radio Week and is being sponsored, with all monies received going
to the RNLI. Contact can be made on 2m and whichever HF bands are open
on the day. The club would like to express their thanks to Snowdonia
Radio Company for supporting the station by supplying the vertical HF
antennas that will be used. Further details can be found on the club's
website at www.sadarc.org.uk.

Porthmadog and District Amateur Radio Society is supporting SOS Radio
week again this year. The club will be operating today, 23 January, from
10am to 6pm from Criccieth life boat station and on 29 and 30 January
from 10am to 6pm the club will be operating from the Porthmadog Yacht
club. The society will be using the callsign GB0PLB. All visitors will
be welcome to come along and join in or support.

Crewe Heritage Centre Amateur Radio Club will be taking part in the SOS
Radio week using GB4CHC today, 23 January, as well as on Saturday 29 and
Sunday 30 January. The Club will have two stations on HF, one running
SSB and the other on digimodes. They are being sponsored at 10p per
country contacted and money raised will go to the RNLI.

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

DL9HCU is once again in the Pacific and will be active as 3D2HC from
Fiji. He likes 20m CW so listen out for him on 14.002 or 14.025MHz
between 0500 to 0800UTC. Also, watch out for him on 14.183MHz after
0500UTC as he will sometimes check into the ANZA Net. QSL via DL9HCU,
either direct or via the bureau.

SM6LRR will be active from Sri Lanka until 5 February as 4S7LRG. His
operation will be holiday style with a focus on 160, 80 and 40m. QSL via
his home callsign, SM6LRR.

N3ME and W3UR will be active from Barbados as 8P9ME and 8P9UR,
respectively, between 26 January and 14 February. Their operation will
be on all HF bands using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY. QSL via their home
callsigns, direct, via the bureau or electronically using Logbook of the
World.š

Eddy, ON4AFU will be active as HS0ZJF/8 from Koh Samui, which is IOTA
reference AS-101, until 10 February. QSL via his home callsign either
direct or via the bureau.

Look for Jeff, K8ND and Jim, W8WTS operating as PJ2/homecall until 3
February from Signal Point Contest Station on Curacao, SA-099. QSL via
their home callsigns either direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The data leg of the 80m club championship takes place on 20 January from
2000 to 2130UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 50MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 25 January from 2000 to
2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator. Please note that there are rule changes to the UKACs this
year, including new entry categories for 10 watt stations and active
users of the DX cluster and chat channels such as ON4KST. There is also
a change to the locator squares multiplier rule. To ensure you enter the
right category and avoid claiming the wrong score, please check the full
rules on the Contest Committee web site at www.rsgbcc.org/vhf before the
start.

The CQ WW 160m DX Contest takes place for the whole 48 hours of 29-30
January. Work the contiguous 48 States plus Canada only, giving a signal
report and CQ Zone, for which the UK is 14. USA stations will send a
signal report and their 2-letter State code, while Canadian stations
will send a signal report and their 3-letter Province code. The final
event of the month is the WAB 1.8MHz Phone Contest that takes place on
the evening of the 29th. It's the usual WAB contest exchange of signal
report, serial number and WAB area.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 10th to the 16th
of January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 17th of January.

The solar disc had spots visible every day, but on the 15th a medium
sized sunspot group rotated into view. This group was responsible for
three small C class solar flares that occurred on the 14th and 15th.
These had very little effect, if any, on propagation. The remaining
days' activity was very low. Solar flux levels declined slightly from 83
units on the 10th and the 11th to 79 by the 14th. The average was 81
units. The 90 day solar flux average was 84 units. That's the same level
as last week. X-ray flux levels increased slightly from A6.5 units on
the 11th to B1 by the 15th. The average was A7.9 units. Geomagnetic
activity was quiet every day. The average daily Ap index was 5 units.
Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary
between 450 and 580 kilometres per second. Particle densities were low
every day except for a brief increase to 18 particles per cubic
centimetre during the afternoon of the 16th. Bz never varied more than
minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas for the period.

And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity will be at
very low levels on some days but could increase to low levels on other
days. Solar flux levels are expected to increase and, later in the week,
could be around the 90s. Geomagnetic activity should be quiet every day.
MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 23MHz for
the south and 20MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows are expected to be
around 7MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 22MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 18MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1300 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 24 January Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a workshop and construction evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 24 January South Birmingham Radio Society is planning for the
Wythall radio rally in March. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 24 January Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society has a
soldering school by G1EIX, G8HJS andG0CHO on soldering RF connectors and
surface mount components. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488.

On Tuesday 25 January Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 25 January Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Wednesday 26 January Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by John Rogers, M0JAV, on using the MiniVNA Pro analyser. Details from
John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 26 January Lincoln Short-Wave Club is watching a DVD on
antennas for new amateurs with Jim, G0EJQ . For more information contact
Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 26 January Midland Amateur Radio Society has Foundation and
Intermediate classes and laptop computer training, . Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 26 January Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on eQSLs by G0CER. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 27 January South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 28 January Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is having
an HF night. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 28 January Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 28 January South Birmingham Radio Society Friday is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 29 January Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and working around the shack. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 24 January Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club Come is
having a natter night and is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on
0191 477 0036.

On Monday 24 January Bolton Wireless Club is having an activity night on
tests and measurements, including RF power, feeder losses and spectrum
analysis, run by Bob, G8DTF et al. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 24 January Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Graham Walker. Note that the meetings until March are temporarily in
the building next to the entrance. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on
01751 476601.

On Monday 24 January Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a taster
evening for new Foundation Licence candidates plus a social evening.
More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 24 January Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk by Ian, G3ZRZ on the Top Band whip. Contact Colin Hirst, G0EPY,
by e-mail to .

On Tuesday 25 January Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting radio operations at Waverton Institute. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 25 January Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society continues
its Foundation and Intermediate training and will be discussing a new
club project for UHF. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 26 January Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a computer
maintenance evening with, Conor, 2E0CPT. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 26 January Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on radio astronomy by Bob Cochrane, G8DRQ. Contact Keith,
G1PQW, on 07701 156 678.

On Thursday 27 January Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society is having
its annual dinner. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07701 156 678.

On Thursday 27 January Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
HF contesting. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 27 January Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a night on the air. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 27 January South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk by the local RAYNET representative. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 27 January Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
rally planning meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 28 January East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 29 January Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate and Advanced Ccurses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Monday 24 January Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
showing the 3B9C Rodreguez Island DVD at Knockagh Lodge, 236 Upper Road,
Greenisland, County Antrim. For more information contact Peter, Mi5JYK,
by e-mail to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 25 January Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to .

On Tuesday 25 January Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 26 January Glenrothes and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on PCB manufacture by John, MM0MBC. Please note that until
further notice the club will be meeting at the ATC, Brewery Wynd, North
Street,šLevenšKY8 4LX. This is due to the uncertainty regarding repairs
to the Thornton clubhouse. Contact Dave Francis, MM0DYX on 01383 823878
for more information.

On Wednesday 26 January Lothians Radio Society is having a talk and
demonstration on R1155 and T1154 restoration by Ian Ropper, GM0UHC.
Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to .

On Wednesday 26 January West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is
working on construction projects and Licence training. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 27 January Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction and on the air evening. More information from Lewis,
GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 28 January West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a raffle & quiz. More information from
Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

Horndean & District ARCwill be running Foundation and Intermediate
classes and exams very soon, and invites applications from candidates.
Please contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846 for more information.

On Sunday 23 January Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is holding its
annual luncheon at the Kings Arms, Ninfield, from noon. Details from
Ron, G4VBK, on 01424 428428.

On Sunday 23 January Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having its New Years' Lunch at the Metropolitan Police Sports Club,
Chigwell. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Monday 24 January Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 25 January Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 25 January Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 25 January Dorking & District Radio Society is holding its
AGM. Contact Garth, G3NPC, on 01737 359472.

On Tuesday 25 January Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a shack
activity night. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524844.

On Tuesday 25 January Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
quiz evening. Other clubs are invited to attend in teams of four.
Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Wednesday 26 January Farnborough & District Radio Society is having a
talk on the BBC's first outside broadcast satellite link by Tony Crake,
G0OVA. Details from Derek, G3OFA, by email to
.

On Wednesday 26 January Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is having a
talk at the Taplin Centre on the International Short Wave League by ISWL
Council member Arthur Kinson, G0KOC. Details from Gordon, on 01424 431
909.

On Wednesday 26 January Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on 3D photography by Steve, M6AEI. Contact John, M0UKD, on 07817
365354.

On Wednesday 26 January Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a surplus equipment sale. For more information contact Rob,
G3LMW, on 01635 862737.

On Wednesday 26 January Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 27 January Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting at
Pinewood Park Leisure Club. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

On Thursday 27 January Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Roger Western, G3SXW on3 the ham radio Olympics. Contact John, G4GSC,
on 01784 451898.,

On Thursday 27 January Edgware & District Radio Society is meeting to
collect subs. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 0208 950 0658.

On Thursday 27 January Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the world of broadcast DXing by Robert Hanstock, G0LZB. Details
from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 27 January Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society Club is
running its construction contest. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234
742 757.

On Friday 28 January Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Ron Huntsman, on 012233 501712.

On Friday 28 January Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
on the air on HF. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 28 January Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on 50 years of the Bluebell Railway by Chris, G4ZCS. Contact Peter,
G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 28 January Waterlooville Amateur Radio Club is having a natter
night. Details from Rich, G4IBW, on 02392 680852.

On Friday 28 January Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on microwave beacons by Denis, G0OLX. Contact Andrew
Maish, G4ADM, on 020 8335 3434.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

On Monday 24 January Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night. Details from Nick, on 01363 775756.

On Tuesday 25 January Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on transmitter measurements by Jim, G3RTD. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on
01258 860741.

On Wednesday 26 January Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 27 January South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471

On Thursday 27 January Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on Summits on the Air by Richard, G4ERP. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317750.

On Thursday 27 January Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee
meeting. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 28 January Torbay Amateur Radio Society is running its
construction competition. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by
email to .

NEWS FOR WALES

On Tuesday 25 January Marches Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz
with Malcolm, GW0WZZ. For more information contact Dave, MW0AYM, on
01691 777242.