GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 3 April 2011

The news headlines:

* Peter Kirby leaves RSGB

* Bell Labs journal released

* GB2RAF back on the air

Peter Kirby, RSGB General Manager, has left the Society's employment
after the discovery of financial irregularities on his part. For the
time being, RSGB Director Don Beattie, G3BJ, will act as General
Manager. The announcement was made by RSGB President Dave Wilson on 28
March 2011.

Bell Labs in the USA was responsible for a huge number of technical
innovations, including the transistor. Most were documented in the Bell
System Technical Journal, published from 1922 until 1983. The entire
archive, now owned by Alcatel-Lucent, has now been put online and can
be viewed at http://bstj.bell- labs.com.

It has now been confirmed that permanent special event station GB2RAF
will be back on the air again from Saturday 9 April. Operations will be
from the Air Defence Radar Museum, RAF Neatishead, Norfolk. Due to a
Health and Safety fire issue, the Museum had to close down in September
2010 and consequently the permanent special event station GB2RAF has
been unable to go on the air since then. GB2RAF will be back on the air
every second Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm, primarily on 80m
SSB around 3.710MHz. For further information contact Terry, G4PSH QTHR
or via GB2RAF. Details of both are correct on qrz.com.

Colchester Radio Amateurs has announced the cancellation of their
rally. Originally planned for 31 July, the decision was prompted by
falling attendance and ongoing difficulties in organising the event.
The club regrets its passing after 42 years.

Over the weekend of 16 and 17 April, Jim, M0JHW will be holding another
of his field days at the Sports & Social Club, Harlaxton, Grantham NG32
1HX. There will be plenty of tea and coffee and a BBQ in the afternoon.
All are invited to come and meet old friends and make new ones. There
will also be ample opportunity to play radio. Details from Jim by email
to .

On Monday 4 April two UK Coastguard MF stations are changing frequency.
The Falmouth transmitter will move to 1880kHz and the Humber
transmitter to 1925kHz. These frequencies are in the shared part of Top
Band, where the Amateur Service is the secondary user.

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

Today, Sunday 3 April, is the South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Rally
at Avon Scouts Activity Centre, Fernhill, Almondsbury BS32 4LX. The
site is easily accessed from the junction of the M4 & M5. Talk-in is on
S22 and there is good car parking. Entry is £2. The rally opens at 10am
and there are trade stands, a car boot sale and catering. For more
information contact Stan Goodwin, G0RYM, on 07833 517370. On Sunday 10
April it's the Cambridgeshire Repeater Group Annual Rally at Foxton
Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6RN. There is
talk-in on S22 in advance of the 10am start, trade stands, a Bring &
Buy and catering. Entry is £2. Contact Lawrence, M0LCM, on 01223
654880for more information.

Also on Sunday 10 April is the Northern Amateur Radio Societies
Association Exhibition, also known as the Blackpool rally. Held at
Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool FY2 9AA, it opens at 10.45
for disabled visitors and 11am for everyone else. Car parking is
available, there are trade stands, an RSGB book stall, Bring & Buy,
club and special interest stands. For more information contact Dave,
M0OBW, on 01270 761 608.

Now for the news of special events

GB2LGR is operating this weekend from the former RAF airfield at
Langar, Nottinghamshire, celebrating the Battle of Britain. Operation
is on HF and 2m, and details are on QRZ.com.

GB2SOE is celebrating the role of the Special Operations Executive from
Tempsford Airfield, Bedfordshire, as part of the RAFARS Airfields on
the Air weekend. Operation will be on or close to RAFARS net
frequencies on Top Band, 80m, 40m, plus 2m. QSL direct or via bureau.

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

The 9N7AN DXpedition to Nepal continues until 8 April. Operation is on
all bands from 180m to 10m, CW SSB and RTTY. The team also plans to
operate 2m EME using JT65B as 9N7WL, the first time that Nepal has been
activated via this mode. More information is at www.160m.de/9N7AN.

Ray, M1REK and Andy, M1LOL are operating from the Isle of Barra, EU-010
from 2 to 9 April. They are using SSB, PSK and RTTY on 80m-10m. Ask for
QSL instructions.

Francoise, JW/F8DVD is operating from Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen,
EU-026 from 1 to 8 April 1-8. Main activity is on 40 and 20 metres, SSB
and CW. QSL via homecall, bureau or direct.

Now the contest news

The RSGB Contest Committee is introducing an SSB version of the popular
RoPoCo contest today, Sunday 3 April. In these short 80m contests,
entrants send their own postcode for the first contact and receive one
back. In subsequent contacts they send the postcode just received. This
form of Chinese Whispers is great fun, but requires care in receiving
and logging accurately. Amateurs with 80m capability are invited to
give it a try. The rules are available online at www.rsgbcc.org.

From 0900 to 1200 UTC today is the RSGB First 70MHz contest. Operating
on all modes on 4m, the exchange is RST, serial number and locator.

The SP DX contest starts at 1500 UTC today and finishes the same time
tomorrow, 4 April. CW or SSB can be used on all bands from 1.8 to
28MHz, and the exchange is RST plus serial number. SP stations also
send their Province code. Also starting today, at 1600 UTC, is the EA
RTTY contest, ends the same time tomorrow, 4 April. Contacts are in
RTTY only from 3.5 to 28MHz. The exchange is RST plus serial number. EA
stations also send their Province code.

On 4 April it's the RSGB 80m Club Championships, CW. Activity is 1900
to 2030 UTC; RST & serial number form the exchange.

The RSGB 144MHz UKAC is on Tuesday 5 April from 1900 to 2130 UTC.
Operation is on 2m, all mode, with an exchange of RST, serial number
and locator.

The EU Spring Sprint is on Saturday 9 April from 1600 to 2000 UTC.
Operation is CW only from 3.5 to 14MHz. The exchange is both callsigns
plus serial number plus name; RST is not required.

The weekend of 9 and 10 April sees the Japan International DX contest,
from 0700-1300 UTC. CW only operation is from 1.8 to 28MHz. The
exchange is RST plus CQ zone. JAs also send their Prefecture code.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 21st to the 27th
of March, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 28th of March.

Solar activity started and ended the period at low levels, but the days
in between activity increased to moderate levels. Three M class solar
flares took place, one each on the 23rd, 24th and the 25th. They were
small and only just made it above the M class threshold. However, they
produced sudden ionospheric disturbances and small coronal mass
ejections. Solar flux levels increased from 100 units on the 22nd to
117 by the 27th. The average was 108 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 27th was 97 units. That's three units up on last week.
X-ray flux levels varied little day to day and averaged B3.9 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day except for the 23rd when a
recurring coronal hole disturbance arrived. The effects from this were
very limited and the Ap index on the 23rd was only 10 units. The
average was Ap 4 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw
solar wind speeds increase from 300 kilometres per second on the 21st
to 550 by the 23rd. Particle densities were low every day. Bz varied
between minus 6 and plus 7 nanoTeslas on the 23rd and between minus 3
and plus 4 nanoTeslas on the quiet days.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quieter side of the Sun is
expected to be rotating out of view. Solar activity should be most low
but could increase to moderate especially during the first half of the
week. Solar flux levels should decline and be around the 100 mark or
slightly lower by next weekend. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
quiet till midweek but then increase as a coronal hole disturbance
arrives. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around
24MHz for the south and 21MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should
be about 9MHz. Paths this week to India should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 26MHz. 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 1000 and 1400 hours UTC.

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 On Monday 4 April Gloucester Amateur Radio &
Electronics Society is running its construction competition. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 4 April South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
planning for field day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Tuesday 5 April Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 5 April Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is having a talk by Billy on ATC from Thorpe Camp Museum. Contact
Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442240.

On Tuesday 5 April Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
operating club equipment and working IRLP. More information from Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 6 April Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a social
evening. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 6 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the Shack. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 6 April Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 6 April South Birmingham Radio Society has a lecture in
the main hall. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Wednesday 6 April Telford & District Amateur Radio Society having a
committee meeting. HQ is closed, so there is a net on 3.675 and
144.6MHz. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 7 April Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club has a 5
mile fox hunt. More information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844
4355593.

On Thursday 7 April Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a calibration
night with Ken, G8DIR. Details on the club website at
www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 7 April South Birmingham Radio Society is holding training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 8 April Coventry Amateur Radio Society has the 2nd round of
the 2m DF Trophy. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 8
April Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a general club
meeting. More information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Friday 8 April Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
libraries forum with Rosina. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332
720976.

On Friday 8 April South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening.. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 9 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air
and having a natter night. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND 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 4 April Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is entering the RSGB
80m Club Contest. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Monday 4 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is participating in the
80m CW Club Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Monday 4 April Macclesfield & District Radio Society has a sked with
the club DXpedition station. More information from Roger Bell, M0GMG,
on 0771 258 9163.

On Monday 4 April Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening and taking part in the RSGB 80m Club Contest. More information
from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 4 April Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is preparing
for the NARSA rally and having a natter night. Details on the web at
www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 5 April Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM at Burley Hall. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 5 April Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society continues
with Foundation and Intermediate training. Members are also developing
a give-away kit to make a crystal set with which to encourage
youngsters to take up electronics and amateur radio. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Tuesday 5 April Stockport Radio Society is preparing for the NARSA
rally. More information from Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 6 April Denby Dale Radio Club is holding its annual
surplus sale. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220126.

On Wednesday 6 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee
meeting. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 6 April Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is looking at
the frequency counter club project with G7DZX. Contact Peter Paul Fox,
G8HAV, on 01606 553401. On Wednesday 6 April South Lancashire Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on life as a blind person by Ms Annick
Morris. Details from Rina Horner, M3YRH, by email to
.

On Thursday 7 April Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Thursday 7 April Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on operating /MM. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 7 April South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on the IBM System 360 by Dave, G4UGM. Details from Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 7 April Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a talk
and demo on slow scan television by Andy, 2E0MBQ. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ,
on 07900 563117.

On Friday 8 April East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 9 April Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced courses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on
07900 563117.

On Sunday 10 April Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club running a
coach to the NARSA rally. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

NEWS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND On Monday 4 April Greenisland Electronics
Amateur Radio Society Presentation on 10m FM working by Peter, MI5JYK.
Details from Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to .

On Thursday 7 April Bangor & District Amateur Radio Club annual
constructors contest.. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2383.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Wednesday 6 April Ayr Amateur Radio Group is
having a presentation on amateur radio apps for your mobile phone.
Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 6 April Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 6 April West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has Solder
Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information from Fred
Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 7 April Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 8 April Borders Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Sporadic-E by Jim ,GM4FVM. More information from Danny, 2M0CDO, on
01890 882850.

On Friday 8 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.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 3 April Worthing &
District Amateur Radio Club is having a breakfast meeting in Goring.
Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Monday 4 April Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society has a
visit from RSGB representative Neil Whiteside, G4HUN. For more
information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 4 April Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a test equipment
evening. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 4 April East Kent Radio Society is having a cheese and wine
evening at the Mill. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710120.

On Monday 4 April Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on the FUNcube by Jason, G7OCD. More information from Paul,
G4YQC, by email to .

On Monday 4 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the RSGB
CC CW contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Monday 4 April Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the International Short Wave League by Arthur Kinson, G0KOC . Details
from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 4 April Surrey Radio Contact Club is holding its AGM. Contact
John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 5 April Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a video night.
Details from Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 5 April Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Wednesday 6 April Banbury Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Simon, GW0NVN on the shack in a suitcase. The meeting is at the QTH of
Frank, M0BJN. Details are online at www.banburyarc.org.

On Tuesday 5 April Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society Radio is having a
talk on the transmitter for Radio Caroline by Oliver Swain. Contact
Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 6 April 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 6 April Chippenham & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM. Details on the web at www.g3vre.org.uk.

On Wednesday 6 April Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
its second quarter business meeting. More information from John, M0UKD,
on 07890 222111.

On Wednesday 6 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM and
construction competition. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603
898678. On Wednesday 6 April Southdown Amateur Radio Society is
operating at the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424
319.

On Wednesday 6 April Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
quiz night with Steve, M0SFG. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 7 April Cray Valley Radio Society Amateur is having a talk
on radio operating in France by Malcolm, G8MCA. Details from Bob,
M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 7 April Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Thursday 7 April Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
minimum antenna height by Mike Underhill, G3LHZ. Details are on the web
at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 7 April King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 7 April Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564242.

On Thursday 7 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is visiting Orwell
Observatory. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Thursday 7 April Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
workshop on RF earths, counterpoises and artificial earths. Details
from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 7 April Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society a talk by
Don, G4LOO on AIS. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Friday 8 April Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is watching
the Basic Radio Measurements film. Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501712.

On Friday 8 April Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 8 April Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a surplus equipment sale. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 020 8335
3434.

On Saturday 9 April Radio Society of Harrow commences its weekend
event, operating GX3EFX/A at the 1940's House, Bushey Hall. More
information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208 386 8586.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST 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
is at Woodhouse Campsite with Avon Scouts Amateur Radio Club. Contact
Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048. On Sunday 3 April Trowbridge & District
Amateur Radio Club is having a table at the South Gloucestershire
rally. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

On Tuesday 5 April Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society has its first
meeting at the new club venue, Charlton Village Hall. Contact Tony,
G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Wednesday 6 April Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding a Foundation
Exam. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Wednesday 6 April Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on UK callsigns by Peter Robinson, G0EYR. Contact William, G3WNI,
on 01823 666 234 for more information.

On Wednesday 6 April Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is holding its AGM. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 6 April Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on millimetre waves by Ian Greenshields, G4FSU. Details from
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 7 April Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding its AGM at
Gweal an Top School. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Thursday 7 April South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a wine &
cheese evening. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 7 April Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 7 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club Radio is having a talk on
software by G6LLP. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 8 April North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
field days & taking part by Ken Rook, G4XCB. More information from Dick
on 01454 218362.

On Friday 8 April Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 4 April Dragon Amateur Radio Club is holding a
surplus sale. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833
620733.

On Monday 4 April Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 5 April Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a charity
auction in aid of Nightingale House. More information from Patrick,
2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.