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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 27th March 2011

The news headlines:

* RSGB AGM date change

* New 60m beacon in Luxembourg

* Russia to join CEPT licence scheme

Due to unforeseen circumstances outside the Society's control it has
proved necessary to defer the Society's AGM that had been planned for
Saturday 16 April. The AGM will now take place on Saturday 14 May at
the Menzies Mickleover Court, Etwall Road, Mickleover, Derby DE3 0XX.
The calling notice for the AGM is in the April edition of RadCom and
the financial and committee reports will appear in the May RadCom.

A new 60m beacon is on the air in Luxembourg. Operating with the
callsign LX0HF it has been reported to be putting a good signal into
the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. LX0HF operates on
5205.25kHz.

At a recent meeting, the Russian State Commission for Radio Frequencies
decided that the Russian Federation will join CEPT Recommendation TR
61-01, which is the CEPT Radio Amateur Licence. IARU Region 1 considers
this a major step forward to achieve worldwide radio amateur roaming.

Anyone planning to take part in this year's Mills on the Air over the
weekend May 14th and 15th is asked to please register their details on
the Denby Dale ARS website www.g4cdd.net or get in touch with Gerald,
G3SDY via as soon as possible.

The BBC is ceasing its 648kHz transmissions of World Service English
language radio today, 27 March. Closure of the 648kHz service and
medium wave frequencies to Russia continues the process of withdrawing
from direct broadcasts to Europe in response to a declining number of
direct listeners. However, the BBC World Service continues to be
available in Europe by satellite, cable and online.

To commemorate the passing of one of its founding members, Hank Kohl
K8DD, the Second Class Operators Club will be holding its first SOC CW
Bash on Saturday 2 April between 0000 and 2359UTC. Any operator can
take part in the Bash and, although not a contest, the SOC will be
issuing its very own special certificates for top scorers in both a QRO
and QRP section. Full details at www.qsl.net/soc/k8dd_bash.htm.

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

The Spring Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale will
take place today, 27 March, at the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker,
Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AP. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2.50.
Visitors will find civil, military and vintage radio equipment plus
vehicle spares and more. Contact Rod Siebert on 01270 623353.

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The South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Rally will take place on 3
April at Avon Scouts Activity Centre, Fernhill, Almondsbury BS32 4LX,
which is at the junction of the M4 & M5. Doors open at 10am. Details
from Stan Goodwin, G0RYM on 07833 517370.

Now for the news of special events

Until 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.

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society will be operating GB200HNC from Tunnel
End, Marsden, near Huddersfield over the weekend of 2 and 3 April. The
club will be operating on all HF bands over the whole weekend from the
first floor of the Visitor Centre. The event, organised by British
Waterways, is a real family weekend featuring tunnel legging, craft
fare, canal craft demonstrations and much, much more and will be open
from 10am to 4pm each day. Full details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976
220126 or by e-mail to .

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

From 2 to 7 April, the Macclesfield & District Amateur Radio Society
will be operational from the Isle of Arran off the coast of Scotland.
The IOTA reference is EU-123. Four club members will be transmitting on
the HF bands and making as many contacts across the UK, Europe and
around the world as possible. A special QSL card has been produced.

Andy, M1LOL and Ray, M1REK, both members of Stockport Radio Society,
will be operating from the Isles of Barra and Vatersay EU-010 from 2 to
9 April 2011. Operating on the 80 to 10m bands, modes in use will be
SSB and data, mainly PSK and RTTY.

Cal, WF5W, 8P9CW, Bill, K5WAF, 8P9WF, Bob, WB5IUU, 8P9UU and Paul,
W5PF, 8P9PF will be active from Barbados (NA-021) from 24 March to 3
April. They will operate CW, SSB and RTTY, including activity during
the CQ WW WPX SSB contest. QSL for all callsigns via W5PF.

Members of the Caribbean Contesting Consortium (CCC) will activate
Signal Point Station on Curaçao between 22 March and 6 April. Operators
mentioned are W0CG (PJ2DX), N4RV, K2PLF and possibly others. They will
participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (26-27 March) as PJ2T (QSL via
N9AG and LoTW), while outside the contest they will use PJ2/homecall or
their personal PJ2 calls (QSL via home calls).

Now the contest news

This weekend, 26 and 27 March, the CQWW WPX SSB contest takes place
between 0000 and 2359UTC. On the 1.8 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.

On 29 March the 70MHz UK Activity Contest will take place between 1900
and 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

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The 1st RoPoCo of the year takes place on 3 April from 1900 to 2030UTC.
It is an SSB event and the exchange is signal report and full postcode
received.

On 3 April, the first 70MHz contest takes place between 0900 and
1200UTC. Although it doesn't attract a huge number of entries, this
3-hour contest traditionally enjoys strong support from portable
stations, indeed 40% of last year's entrants signed /P. There are no
multipliers in this event; it's purely a matter a trying to amass the
biggest number of total kilometres worked. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

In the 24-hour EA RTTY Contest on 3 and 4 April, single-ops can make a
single band or all-band entry, but multi-op stations can only make an
all-band entry. The timings are 1600 to 1600UTC on the 3.5 to 28MHz
bands and the exchange is signal report and serial number. Although EA
stations send their Province code.

If RTTY isn't your thing, the SP DX Contest also runs for 24 hours but
from 1500 to 1500UTC. In it there are numerous entry categories, mainly
for single ops. Multipliers in this one are the 16 Polish provinces.
Using CW and SSB on the 1.8 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal
report and serial number with SP stations sending their Province code.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 14th to the 20th
of March, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 21st March.

Solar activity started at moderate levels with M class solar flares
taking place on the 14th and the 15th. As the large sunspot groups
rotated out of view solar activity declined to very low levels by the
18th. Solar flux levels declined from 107 units on the 14th to 88 by
the 18th. The average was 95 units. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 20th was 94 units, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux
levels also declined as expected from B3.8 units on the 14th to B1.2 by
the 19th. Geomagnetic activity was very quiet every day, in fact on the
15th and the 16th the Ap index was zero on both days. The highest daily
Ap figure was only 4. The average was Ap 2 units. Solar wind data from
the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 650 kilometres
per second on the 14th to 320 by the 18th. Particle densities were low
every day. Bz varied no more than minus 6 and plus 8 nanoTeslas for the
period and significantly less on the days that the Ap was zero.

And now the solar forecast. Yet again this week we are waiting for
several old sunspot regions to return into view and see how active they
are. We can now keep an eye on these regions with the STEREO
spacecraft, which lets us view the Sun from all angles. Also, there are
the coronagraph images from the SOHO spacecraft showing any coronal
mass ejections taking place from the far side of the Sun, which could
suggest solar flare activity. Solar activity could increase to moderate
levels on some days. Solar flux levels should be in the 110's or even
higher. Geomagnetic activity should be quiet today but could increase
during the next few days due to a recurring coronal hole disturbance.
Activity is expected to return to quiet levels for next weekend. MUFs
during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 25MHz for the
south and 22MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz.
Paths this week to South America should have a maximum usable frequency
with a 50 per cent success rate of around 30MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 24MHz. The best
time to try this path will be between 1200 and 1800 hours. Seeing that
we have just altered our clocks earlier this morning these times are in
GMT, as always.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

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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 First, some advance information. M0OCT ARS is
holding a weekend Foundation course and exam near Chesterfield on 11
and 12 June. There will be plenty of places but early booking is
essential. For more information contact Steve, G6IBQ on 01248 275 889
or email .

On Friday 1 April Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
planning expeditions by Chris Colclough, G1VDP. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
07958 777363.

On Friday 1 April Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
general club meeting. More information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844
4355593.

On Friday 1 April Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group has a forum on
global warming. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

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

On Monday 28 March Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an informal evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 28 March Leicester Radio Society is having a talk on house
security and household property alarms by Kelvin, G4ZTD. More info from
Alex, G8FCQ, on 0753 120 1640.

On Monday 28 March South Birmingham Radio Society is planning for VHF
Field Day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 28 March South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is having an informal night. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by
email to .

On Tuesday 29 March Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 29 March Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 30 March Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a junk
sale with Mark, 2E0SBM. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

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On Wednesday 30 March Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a surplus
equipment sale at the village hall. For more information contact Pam
Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 30 March Midland Amateur Radio Society is having laptop
computer training and Foundation classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE,
on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 30 March Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 31 March South Birmingham Radio Society has training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND We start with some advance information.
Bolton Wireless Club will be running a foundation course beginning on
28 April. For more details and registration information, send an email
to .

On Friday 1 April East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
components catalogues evening.. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 1 April Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
practical session looking at RF burns. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on
0787 608 5631.

On Saturday 2 April Denby Dale Radio Club starts its weekend event
special event station for Huddersfield Narrow Canal's bicentenary
celebrations at Tunnel End, Marsden. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on
07976 220126.

On Saturday 2 April Macclesfield & District Radio Society commences its
week long Isle of Arran DXpedition, operating as GS4MWS/P. More
information from Roger Bell, M0GMG, on 0771 258 9163.

On Sunday 3 April Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
SSB RoPoCo contest. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Sunday 3 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the SSB
RoPoCo contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Monday 28 March Bolton Wireless Club is having a discussion evening
on starting out in amateur television chaired by Derek, G1AEQ. For
details, send an email to .

On Monday 28 March Macclesfield & District Radio Society is having a
talk on radio valves by Dave Lucas, G0BIE. More information from Roger
Bell, M0GMG, on 0771 258 9163.

On Monday 28 March Scarborough Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by VMARS member Stewart Gebbie, G8YQN, on the use of Clansman military
radios in amateur radio. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751
476601.

On Monday 28 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

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On Monday 28 March South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is holding
its monthly technical forum. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Monday 28 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the Humbolt Glacier by Mick Green, G4EZM. Details on the web at
www.tcars.org.uk.

On Monday 28 March Workington and District Radio and IT Group Club is
on the air. For more information get in touch with Barry Easdon, G0RZI,
on 01946 812092.

On Tuesday 29 March Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting radio operations at Waverton Institute. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 29 March Otley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
70MHz UKAC as G3XNO. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 30 March Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Wednesday 30 March Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society continue
with Foundation and Intermediate Licence training. The club is also
developing a give-away crystal set kit with which to encourage
youngsters to take up electronics and amateur radio. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 30 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is looking at static
comms. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 30 March Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on mapping software by G0LBO. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on
01606 553401.

On Thursday 31 March Preston Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
SOTA. Contact Richard, M0RDZ, on 0785 587 3566.

On Thursday 31 March South Manchester Radio and Computer is having a
talk on Club Rene Descartes by Dave, G4UGM. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on
0161 969 3999.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND First, some advance information. Livingston and
District Amateur Radio Society will be holding a Foundation exam at the
Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre, Livingston at 7:30 pm on
Tuesday 12 April. Candidates must register by 29 March at the latest.
Contact Norman Stewart, GM1CNH on 07740 946192 for further details.

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

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On Friday 1 April 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.

On Tuesday 29 March Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 30 March West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has Solder
Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information from Fred
Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 31 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is discussing the
programme of events. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

On Sunday 3 April Central Scotland FM Group is holding its AGM at
Bathgate Guide Hall, Mid Street, Bathgate. Details from Crawford Ross,
GM8HBY.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA First, some advance
information. From April, Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club will be
changing their meeting venue and days to the 1st and 3rd Thursday each
month. The club will meet at Anders Hall, off Milton Road,
Waterlooville PO7 6AW. The first Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club
meeting at the new venue will be on Thursday 7 April for a natter night
and social evening. For more information contact Stuart Swain, G0FYX,
on 02392 472846.

On Friday 1 April Harlow & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
general chat night. More information from R C White, G0AGO, by e-mail
to .

On Friday 1 April Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and table top sale. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 1 April Radio Society of Harrow is holding a surplus
equipment sale. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

On Friday 1 April Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by
Roger Western, G3SXW on his Sierra Leone adventure. Details on the web
at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 2 April Bittern DX Group has its annual dinner and
prizegiving. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404154.

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

On Saturday 2 April Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
commences its weekend Foundation Licence Course & Exam. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Saturday 2 April Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is putting
Worthing Museum on the air as GB2WM. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903
816684.

On Sunday 3 April Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
breakfast meeting in Goring. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

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On Tuesday 29 March Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 30 March Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
looking at getting started on the air with VHF and UHF handhelds. More
details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 30 March Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
an is having an informal evening. More information from John, M0UKD, on
07890 222111.

On Wednesday 30 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a table top
sale. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 30 March Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is putting
GX3WOR on the air. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 31 March Bittern DX Group has an update on social and
competitive events for the year. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692
404154.

On Thursday 31 March King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 31 March Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 31 March Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society has a
talk on cinematic equipment by Paul Schimmel. Details from David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Sunday 21 August Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Friday 1 April North Bristol Amateur Radio
Club is holding a committee meeting and preparing for the South
Gloucester Rally sales. More information from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 1 April Saltash & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by the keeper of GB3WD. Contact Brian, M0BHG, on 01752 844321.

On Friday 1 April Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Sunday 3 April Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having an
ARDF event. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Sunday 3 April Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club
South is running the Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Rally at Woodhouse
Campsite. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Monday 28 March Bristol RSGB Group is having a talk by Roger
Western, G3SXW, on WRTC 2010 in Russia. Details from Robin, G3TKF, on
01225 420442.

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On Monday 28 March Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a club night
and CW practice. More information from Nick, on 01363 775756.

On Tuesday 29 March West Devon Radio Club is having a general chat
night that is open to all. Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY,
on 01752 291588.

On Wednesday 30 March Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 31 March South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 31 March Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 31 March Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee
meeting & putting the club station on the air. Contact Steve Crask,
G7AHP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 28 March Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
holding a junk sale & club raffle. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269
840292.