GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 13th March 2011

The news headlines:

* Air Cadets on the Air

* Science week open day in Dorset

* Yahoo 6m repeater constructors group

The Air Cadets of Chester 610 squadron are holding a radio weekend with
the help of the Chester and District Amateur Radio Society over the
weekend of 19 and 20 March. They plan to put HF, VHF and UHF stations
on the air. Cadets will be able to get hands on experience of operating
radio transmitting and receiving equipment in speech, Morse code and
digital modes on both amateur and air cadet frequencies. The organisers
are encouraging other amateurs who hear the cadets on the air to call
in and speak to them. This event will see the launch of the Squadron's
own permanent radio station under the supervision of Corporal Neil
Hosker of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

As part of National Science and Engineering week, Flight Refuelling
Amateur Radio Society will hold an Open Day on Saturday 19 March at
their HQ in Merley Park Road, Wimborne, Dorset. Exhibits and
demonstrations based on this year's communication theme will be on
display to visitors as well as a Tesla coil demonstration. Local BATC
members will stream the event live on the internet via their website
www.batc.tv. Enquiries about the event can be obtained, via e-mail, to
.

A Yahoo 6m repeater constructors group has been set up at
. The idea behind the group is to
pool resources together to aid the construction of 6m repeaters, which
pose a unique set of challenges. The group is by no means restricted in
frequency, in fact it is open for debate for all repeaters using
duplexers. It is hoped that this group can have a UK bias and be used
in conjunction with the already established yahoo repeater-builders
group.

The Amateur Radio Section of ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting
Corporation, in conjunction with the Documentary Archives Radio
Communications QSL Collection will operate OE11M from 0000UTC on 29
April to 2359UTC on 1 May. OE11M is an official International Marconi
Day station and contacts made on 30 April are valid for the IMD Award.
QSL via OE-Bureau or direct to OE1WHC. Cards without SAE & new IRC or
dollars to cover postage will be processed via Bureau.

The 2011 International Museums Weekend special event will once again be
a double-weekend and will take place on 18 and 19 June as well as 25
and 26 June. Radio amateurs are encouraged to participate in this event
by setting up stations in their local museums. Harry, M1BYT, who is
organising the event, asks that all those intending to take part should
register their museum via e-mail to . Full
details of the event can be found on the International Museums Weekend
website at www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw. And now for the details of
rallies and events for the coming week

Today, 13 March, Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club Rally will be
held at Wood Green Animal Shelter, King's Bush Farm, A1198 London Road,
Godmanchester, Cambs PE29 2NH. Doors open at 10am and admission is £3.
There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Contact John, G0GKP, on
01954 200072.

Also today, 13 March, the 26th Wythall RC Radio and Computer Rally will
be held at Woodrush Sports Centre, Shawhurst Lane, Hollywood, nr
Birmingham B47 5JW on the A435, 2 miles from J3 of the M42. Entry is £2
and there will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Contact Chris, G0EYO,
on 07710 412 819.

The Lagan Valley ARS Rally will take place on 19 March in the Village
Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough. Doors open at 11.30am and
there will be plenty of trade stands as well as on-site catering.
Contact Jim, GI0DVU, on 02892 662 270.

27th Yeovil QRP Convention will take place on 20 March in Digby Hall,
Hound Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. The venue adjoins the central
shopping car park. Doors open at 9.30am and talk-in is provided on S22.
There will be trade stands, lectures and a Bring & Buy. DIS. Contact
Derek, M0WOB, 01935 414 452.

Now for the news of special events

As part of Omagh District Council's annual St Patrick's Day
celebrations, West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club will be on air from Omagh
Arts Centre from 12 noon until 5pm on Thursday 17 March with the
callsign GB1SPD. They will be active on all bands as the club
demonstrates amateur to the general public.

Special event station GB2SPD will be operating from the QTH of Martin,
2I0WAI from 17 March to celebrate St Patrick's Day. The station will
operate all bands and hope to have a PSK31 station on air too. QSL
information and other details are as listed on qrz.com.

The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club will be putting GB0BB on the
air on the weekend of 18 to 20 March from Fort Paull in East Yorkshire.
The station will celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Blackburn
Beverley XB259 aircraft. Operators and guests are welcome. See qrz.com
for details of the weekend's events.

GB1IMW will be operational from Mepal & Witcham Primary School, Mepal
near Ely in Cambridgeshire. The operation is part of the children's
study and participation in National Science Week for Communications
from 14 to 18 March, which includes Red Nose Day. They will be
operating nationally on 80m and 40m and locally on 2m, 6m and 70cm. The
organisers ask that amateurs please do answer the children's CQs.

Between 13 March and 3 April GB8HBW and GB0CMR will be on the air
celebrating 85 years of Hospital Radio in the UK. GB8HBW will be
operating in the Newbury area and GB0CMR is in Hinckley for Castle Mead
Radio. And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other
sources

EI7CC will be active as 7P8PB from Maseru in Lesotho until 23 March.
His operating time will be limited because he will be on a family
holiday. QSL EI7CC via the bureau or direct. Logs will be uploaded to
Logbook if the World immediately upon his return to Ireland.

MJ0ASP is returning to Marrakech, Morocco, between 14 and 21 March and
will be active as CN2MR. Operation will be on 40 through 10 meters
using CW. He says that he will focus on the 30, 17 and 12 metre bands.
QSL via MJ0ASP.

Roger CT8/G3SXW and Lionel CT8/G5LP will operate from San Miguel
Island, Azores, IOTA reference EU- 003, on 16 and 17 March. The Azores
used to have the prefix CU but this is now changed to CT8. They hope to
be active for several hours each day with the Elecraft K2, CW only. QSL
via their home callsigns and Logbook of The World.

Allan, W6HGF plans to stage a one-man expedition to Miquelon from 14 to
22 March. Activity is planned on all bands, with focus on RTTY and
other digital modes.

Radio amateurs from the Amateur Radio Society of India plan to be
active as VU4PB from the Andaman capital Port Blair from 15 to 31
March. Operation will take place using CW, SSB and RTTY on all bands
with up to four stations on the air. The group also want to work via
moonbounce on 6m. Their QSL manager will be W3HNK.

Now the contest news

The CW leg of the 80m Club Championships will take place on 16 March
between 2000 and 2130UTC. The exchange will be signal report and serial
number.

The 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest will also take place on 16 March from
2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

The BARTG HF RTTY Contest runs for 48 hours starting 0200UTC on the
19th. Single operator stations can make a 6-hour all-band or 30-hour
single-band or all-band entry, while multi-op stations can be single
transmitter or multi transmitter, but only enter the full 48 hours.
There are no differing categories for different power levels. The 3.5
to 28MHz bands are used and the exchange is signal report, serial
number and time.

The Russian DX Contest takes place for 24 hours over the same weekend
from 1200 to 1200UTC. This is a CW/SSB event that includes the
interesting possibility of submitting two single-band entries, for
example 10m and 80m. Work everyone and send a signal report and serial
number, but expect Russian stations to send you a signal report and a
2-letter Oblast code. And now the solar factual data for the period
from the 28th of February to the 6th of March, compiled by Neil Clarke,
G0CAS on the 7th of March.

The latest smoothed sunspot numbers are now available and are for June,
July and August 2010 and are 16.4, 16.8 and 17.4 respectively.

First one, then two and, by the end of the period, three large sunspot
groups dominated the solar disc. One of these groups was the largest so
far for this sunspot cycle. Despite their size and magnetic complexity,
all three groups failed to produce a major flare in the M or X class
level. Numerous C class solar flares took place most days, the largest
was a C8 that occurred on the 6th. Solar flux levels increased steadily
day after day increasing from 96 units on the 28th to 143 by the 6th.
This is the highest level since the 1st of December 2003. In fact there
was only one other day in 2003 that saw flux levels at the same level
and that was in January. The average was 121 units. The 90 day solar
flux average on the 6th was 90 units. That's four units up on last
week. X-ray flux levels did not fare as well, only showing a slight
rise from B2.2 units to B6.6 by the 5th. The 6th saw a sizable increase
to B9.6 units. The average was B5.1 units. This could be one reason,
along with others, why solar flare activity was limited in size.
Exactly as forecast, a coronal hole disturbance arrived on the 1st and
rumbled on until well into the 4th. The most disturbed day was the 1st
with an Ap index of 31 units. The average was Ap 12 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 290
kilometres per second to 700 by the next day. Speeds then gradually
declined and by the end of the period were down to 450 kilometres per
second. Particle densities were low except for a brief rise to 18
particles per cubic centimetre on the 1st. Bz showed little variations
except for the 1st which fluctuated between minus and plus 15
nanoTeslas.

And now the solar forecast. Over recent weeks the Sun has shown an
increase in activity. Will this continue for another week? The answer
is maybe. Remember, activity can die away as quickly as it starts. With
large sunspot groups on each side of the Sun and always having one in
view from Earth, solar activity is expected to be low to moderate.
Solar flux levels could well be above the 100 mark on some days, if not
all. Geomagnetic activity should be predominantly quiet, no coronal
holes are expected, however, if a large solar flare takes place and a
coronal mass ejection heads are way then activity could increase
substantially. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 24MHz for the south and 21MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows
are expected to be about 9MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate
of around 25MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 20MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 100 and 1500 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 email 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 We welcome Eddie, M0WDE as a new primary
newsreader for the Lincoln area on 2m FM. He joins Jim, G0EJQ who now
becomes reserve newsreader at 10.30am on Sundays. The opportunity has
also been taken to change the existing reading from 145.525MHz to the
Lincoln repeater, GB3LM. From now on, listen on its output frequency,
145.725MHz for this news bulletin. However 145.525MHz simplex will be
used on any occasion when the repeater is out of service. Eddie and Jim
will appreciate reception reports and comments on this new arrangement
during their after-news net.

On Sunday 13 March Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is holding a
fox hunt in Bestwood Country Park. More information from Dave Wilde,
G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Sunday 13 March Midland Amateur Radio Society Club is visiting the
Wythall Radio Rally. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Sunday 13 March South Birmingham Radio Society is running the
Wythall Radio Rally at Windrush Sports Centre. Contact Don, on 0121 458
1603.

On Monday 14 March Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
operating on VHF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 14 March Leicester Radio Society is having a presentation on
PCB CAD by Duncan. Contact Alex, G8FCQ, on 0753 120 1640.

On Monday 14 March South Birmingham Radio Society is unloading the
trailer and having a rally debrief. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 14 March South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having a natter night. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by
email to .

On Monday 14 March Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having
a test equipment evening with John, G0JUQ. Contact G0CHO, on 01608
664488.

On Tuesday 15 March Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is watching
a video. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 15 March Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a vintage equipment evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 16 March Hinckley Amateur Radio Society
is having Health & Safety risk assessments by Keith Tonks. Details from
John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 16 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a natter night
and putting G5FZ on the air. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 16 March Midland Amateur Radio Society is planning for
rallies and contests and running training classes. Details from Norman,
G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 16 March Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on kites as antenna supports by Roger, G4ROJ. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 17 March Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is holding a
constructors' exhibition. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099.

On Thursday 17 March Solihull Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
crystal radio receivers by Geoff Roberts, G8DHI. Contact P T Gaskin,
G8AYY, on 0121 628 7383.

On Thursday 17 March South Birmingham Radio Society is holding training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 18 March Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction night for Project 2011. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958
777363.

On Friday 18 March Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting. More information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844
4355593.

On Friday 18 March Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is working on
its RSGB project. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 18 March South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 19 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club invites M3s, M6s and 2E0s
to use 400W on HF. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on
01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 14 March Bolton Wireless Club
is having a talk by RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW. For details,
send an email to .

On Monday 14 March Macclesfield & District Radio Society is having a
talk on fox hunting by Simon Faulkner, M0TGT. More information from
Roger Bell, M0GMG, on 0771 258 9163.

On Monday 14 March Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on the history of Ever Ready by Bob Alders, M0GAP. Details from Jerry
Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751 476601.

On Monday 14 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding an open
evening for National Science Week. The evening will include
demonstrations of short wave and VHF/UHF amateur radio including HF,
VHF satellite communications, data modes and the state of the art
D-Star repeater system. In addition there will be a display of
equipment, amateur radio videos and printed information. Visitors will
be able to meet the club members and, in particular, obtain information
on how to obtain an amateur radio licence through the club's highly
successful courses. Children under 18 MUST be accompanied by a parent
or other responsible adult family member. More information from Peter
Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 14 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the treasure of the Humboldt Glacier by Mick, G4EZM. Details on
the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Monday 14 March Workington and District Radio and IT Group is having
a talk on phased verticals by Steve, G0MTD. For more information get in
touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on 01946 812092.

On Tuesday 15 March Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk at Burley Hall on RAYNET by Jon Mossman. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 15 March Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on choosing the equipment and antenna for a /P station by
Richard M0RBG, including a demonstration of his portable mast and
multiband antenna. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Tuesday 15 March Otley Amateur Radio Society is having an open shack
night with technical chat. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Tuesday 15 March Stockport Radio Society is having an audio
extravaganza with Roland Myers, G8LOL. More information from Nigel
Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 16 March Denby Dale Radio Club is planning for the
Huddersfield Narrow Canal bicentenary celebrations. Details from
Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220126.

On Wednesday 16 March Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Wednesday 16 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding a CW
competition. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 16 March Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is on the air
and assessing a dish for high frequency use. Contact Peter Paul Fox,
G8HAV, on 01606 553401.

On Wednesday 16 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is visiting local
schools for National Science Week. More information from Peter Day,
G3PHO, by email to .

On Thursday 17 March Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the relay-switched dipole. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on
0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 17 March South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a visit by RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW. Details from Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 18 March East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club invites members to
bring in something interesting. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Monday 14 March Greenisland Electronics
Amateur Radio Society is on the air on 2m. Details from Peter Lowrie,
MI5JYK, by email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 15 March Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740
946192.

On Wednesday 16 March West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
Solder Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 17 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is testing the
antenna analyser. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

On Friday 18 March Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on RAYNET by Malcolm Gibson, MM0YMG. More information from Bob,
GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 18 March West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having
presentations, guest speakers, a quiz and a raffle. More information
from Fred Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 13 March Cambridge &
District Amateur Radio Club is holding its rally. Details from Ron,
G3KBR, on 01223 501712.

On Monday 14 March Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a
talk on building and using the Ten- Tec 1330 by Martin, M1MRB. Details
from Steve Beal, G3WZK, by email to .

On Monday 14 March West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a club
evening. More information from Les, G6UBM, by email to
.

On Tuesday 15 March Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a club night
and committee meeting. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 15 March Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on low earth orbit satellites. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on
01689 878089.

On Tuesday 15 March Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 16 March Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
discussing a technical topic. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442
831 491. On Wednesday 16 March Havering & District Amateur Radio Club
is having an in formal evening. Details from John, M0UKD, on 07890
222111.

On Wednesday 16 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB CW Club Contest and having an informal evening with construction,
shack and Bright Sparks participation. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV,
on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 16 March Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the the history of light bulbs by John Narborough. Contact
Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 17 March Colchester Radio Amateurs has a talk by RSGB Essex
DRM Mark, M0IEO. More information from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 17 March Cray Valley Radio Society has a reprise of special
events with videos presented by Bob, M0MCV and Paul, G3SXE. Details
from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 17 March Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social at
The Plough, Rusper. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 17 March King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 17 March Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on films of yesteryear by Frank Banfield. Details from
David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 17 March Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
behind the scenes at Bletchley Park in WWII by Brian Oakley.. More
information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 18 March Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
rally report. Details from Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501712.

On Friday 18 March Harlow & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
general chat night. Contact RC WHITE, G0AGO, by email to .

On Friday 18 March Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and table top sale. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 18 March Reading & District Amateur Radio Club commences its
Foundation Licence course. Contact Eric by email to
for more information.

On Friday 18 March Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 14 March Exeter Amateur Radio Society
is having a general meeting. More information from Nick, on 01363
775756.

On Tuesday 15 March West Devon Radio Club is having a valve and vintage
demo night. Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752
291588.

On Wednesday 16 March Cornish Radio Amateur Club is running its
Foundation course. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Wednesday 16 March Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a committee meeting. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Wednesday 16 March Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 17 March South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz
night with Muriel, G4YZR. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838
695471.

On Thursday 17 March Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 17 March Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a briefing for
the QRP Convention. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 18 March North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an
operating evening. Contact Dick, on 01454 218362.

On Friday 18 March Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Sunday 20 March Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is running the Yeovil QRP
Convention. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 14 March Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on
the air and holding a raffle. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 15 March Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the early history of radio with some Welsh connections by GW8NZN. More
information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.