GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 17th April 2011

The news headlines:

* Special Temporary Callsigns for Royal wedding

* Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day

* Latest report from the 6 and 10 reporting club published

RSGB has agreed with Ofcom arrangements for all UK radio amateurs to be
able to use special callsigns for a period of eleven days beginning on
the date of the marriage of HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine
Middleton, 29 April 2011. Use of the special prefix, MR, 2R or GR,
according to your licence type, is conditional on allocation of a
Notice of Variation that can be quickly obtained via a simple process
on the Society's website, where full details of the arrangements can
also be found. UK amateurs wishing to use the special prefix should
visit www.rsgb.org.uk/weddingcall and follow the guidance there. The
last date and time for application is 6pm on 26 April 2011. All NoVs
will be provided by close of business on 28 April. Please note that no
postal applications can be accepted and all NoVs will be sent by
e-mail.

The International Amateur Radio Union and its more than 160 Member
Societies representing countries around the world, will celebrate World
Amateur Radio Day on 18 April. The theme for this year's celebration is
Amateur Radio: The First Technology-Based Social Network. Amateur Radio
operators have been the leaders in developing many of today's modern
electronic and communications marvels.

The Six and Ten Reporting Club is an informal group of radio amateurs,
mostly from the UK, who are interested in propagation studies at
frequencies around the HF-VHF boundary, mainly the 6 and 10 metre
amateur bands. The club produces a monthly newsletter, the Six and Ten
Report, that includes analysis of 28MHz propagation based on beacon
monitoring, analysis of 50MHz activity reports broken down by
propagation mode, reports and discussions on unusual propagation
events, compilations of solar and geomagnetic data, lists of activity
world-wide, beacon news and results of on-going experiments. The Report
is usually published on this site about 5-6 weeks after the end of the
month by g7kse at http://g7kse.co.uk/6and10.

The BBC has issued a report investigating the potential interference to
broadcast reception from Power Line Telecommunication (PLT) equipment
used in the home. Read the BBC Research White Paper by typing `BBC
publications WHP195' into your favourite search engine.

Veralum Amateur Radio Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary on
Saturday 11 June with a special events day. This will be held on the
premises of a school in St Albans in Hertfordshire. All past and
present members are to be invited. The Club is anxious to contact all
ex members who have lost contact, so they can be invited to join in the
celebrations. On the day there will be displays of equipment as well as
operating stations including an attempt at an Earth-Moon-Earth bounce.
There will be several talks and displays of memorabilia. Celebrations
will end with a hog roast. If you are a one time member of the Club and
would like to attend this reunion or would like further details,
contact the Club Secretary, Ralph G1BSZ, preferably by e- mail to
or by telephone on 01923 265572.

Could any amateurs or clubs planning to take part in this year's Mills
on the Air over the weekend 14 and 15 May 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 East Yorkshire Repeater Group is pleased to announce that a new
70cm D-Star repeater, GB7HU, has been commissioned in East Yorkshire.
The new service is the culmination of several years of planning by
their committee, along with a successful grant of £9,466 received from
the National Lottery Big Lottery fund. The group has also purchased
several D-Star transceivers and a high quality generator for use with
emergency communications in East Yorkshire. GB7HU was switched on by
the RSGB DRM for East Yorkshire, Mario Brashill, G2DPA.

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

Over the weekend of 16 and 17 April, Jim, M0JHW is 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
e-mail to .

Today, Sunday 17 April, the Kempton Rally is taking place from 10am at
Kempton Park Race Course, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames TW16
5AQ. There are trade stands, an RSGB bookstall, special interest
sections and many other attractions. Details are available on the
internet at www.radiofairs.co.uk.

Past RSGB President, Angus Annan, MM1CCR, is a speaker and guest of
honour at the Pearl Anniversary Lough Erne Rally today, Sunday 17
April. His busy programme includes a talk about the National Radio
Centre at Bletchley Park, the presentation of the Regional Club of the
Year Award to Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club and certificates of
congratulation to the Club's nine new Intermediate licensees. Further
details at www.lougherneradioclub.co.uk.

Also on Sunday 17 April the Andover Radio Amateur Club Boot Sale is
taking place at Wildhern Village Hall and Playing Field, north of
Andover just off the A343 at SP11 0JE. Entry is £1.50, with vendors £6
per boot/table or £8 inside the hall. Details from Martin, M0MWS on
01980 612070.

We are not aware of any rallies taking place over the Easter weekend,
22 and 23 April.

Now for the news of special events

GB2SWF will be celebrating the Speyside Whiskey Festival from 23 and 24
April from Craigellachie distillery. Operation will be on HF and 2m,
more details are at QRZ.com.

Rockbeare Quarry in Devon hosts GB5RST for Rockbeare Shutter Telegraph
from Monday 25th April until Saturday 30th April. Activity will be on
all bands from Top Band to 70cm. Full details, including QSL
information, on QRZ.com. And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX
News and other sources

9A11P special event station will be active through the end of the year
to celebrate the city of Djurdjevac. A special QSL will be issued and
all of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau and
LoTW. SWL's reports are welcomed, too.

To celebrate the 86th Anniversary of IARU and the Amateur Radio Day a
special event station will be active from Mexico with the call 4A0IARU
from April 18 to 24. It will be on all bands, all mode, multi operator,
multi location. QSL via N7RO and LoTW upload.

TC57A will be operating from the battlefields of Gallipoli and Gelibolu
between 21 and 25 April. QSL via the bureau or direct to TCSWAT at PO
Box 73 Karakoy, 34421 Istanbul, Turkey.

N2WB is planning to be active stroke HR5 from Honduras between 20 April
and 4 May. QSL via N2OO.

A group of German operators will be active from Togo during the period
15 to 28 April. They will be QRV on all bands 10 to 160m using the
callsign 5V7CC. QSLs go via DL9MBI.

Anne, OH2YL will be on the Island of St Barthelemy in the Caribbean
from 15 * 27 April signing FJ/OH2YL. Operation will be on CW only. QSL
via the home callsign or via Logbook of the World.

Now the contest news

On Tuesday 19 April the 1.3GHz UK activity contest takes place on the
23cm band from 1900UTC to 2130UTC. Operation is all mode and the
exchange is RST, serial number and locator.

The 80m Club Championships Data leg takes place on Thursday 21 April
from 1900 to 2033UTC. All data modes can be used on the 80m band only.
RST and serial number forms the exchange.

Over the weekend of 23 to 24 April it's the SP DX RTTY contest from
1200UTC Saturday until the same time Sunday. Operation is RTTY only,
all bands from 80m to 10m. The exchange is RST and serial number; SP
stations also send their Province code. And now the solar factual data
for the period from the 4th to the 10th April, compiled by Neil Clarke,
G0CAS on the 11th of April.

Solar activity varied between very low to low. Small strength C class
solar flares took place on the 6th, 7th and the 9th. These had little
effect on propagation but on occasions faint coronal mass ejections
were observed. Solar flux levels declined from 117 units on the 6th to
105 by the 9th and the 10th. The average was 110 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 10th was 101 units, that's two units up on
last week. The last time the 90 day solar flux average stood at 100
units was in February 2005 during the declining phase of the last
sunspot cycle. X-ray flux levels varied little day to day and averaged
B2.9 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet till mid morning of the 6th
when a coronal mass ejection arrived. The following disturbance was
strong but short lived and at its peak caused a widespread radio aurora
that extended down to southern England. The Ap index on the 6th was 26
units and the average was Ap 10 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 600 kilometres per second
on the 4th to 420 by the next day. Speeds increased on the 6th
associated with the disturbance. Particle densities were low every day.
Densities on some days were below one particle per cubic centimetre. Bz
on the quiet days varied between minus 3 and plus 4 nanoTeslas and
between minus 10 and plus 7 nanoTeslas during the 6th.

And now the solar forecast. This week the active side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be low
bout could increase higher than that on some days. Solar flux levels
should increase and later in the week could be approaching the 120's.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet every day, however, a small
disturbance could take place around midweek. 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 10MHz. Paths this week to
Japan should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success
rate of around 21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 15MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 0900 and 1200 hours. The second half of April normally sees
the start of the summer sporadic-E season for the northern hemisphere.
In fact during the 10th a good opening took place on 50MHz to Iberia.

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 Sunday 17 April Midland Amateur Radio Society
Club is visiting Kempton Park Rally. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787.

On Monday 18 April Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
operating on VHF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 18 April Leicester Radio Society is holding a committee
meeting and general meeting. Contact Alex, G8FCQ, on 0753 120 1640.

On Monday 18 April South Birmingham Radio Society is planning the
equipment and site for VHF field day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 18 April South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio
Club is holding a junk sale. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email
to .

On Monday 18 April Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is holding its
AGM. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858
432105.

On Tuesday 19 April Derby & District Amateur Radio Society has a
technical topics evening. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 19 April Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
visiting Hermitage FM in Coalville. More information from Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 20 April Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on RAYNET by Kevin Finn, M0KVN. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836
731544.

On Wednesday 20 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a natter night
and putting G6COL on the air. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 20 April Midland Amateur Radio Society is planning for its
80th year in June and holding training classes. Details from Norman,
G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 20 April South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is
discussing a visit to the Dambusters Rally and having an informal
evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402550. On Wednesday 20 April
Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is holding its first 2m DF
hunt. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 21 April Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having
three short talks. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099.

On Thursday 21 April Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a demo on
wiring RF connectors the right way by Ken, G8DIR. Details on the club
website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 21 April Solihull Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the development of the superhet receiver by Bill Williams, G8AVX.
Details from P T Gaskin, G8AYY, on 0121 628 7383.

On Thursday 21 April South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 22 April Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding a quiz
night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 22 April Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is holding a
quiz. More information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Friday 22 April Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a
shack night. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 22 April South Birmingham Radio Society is holding a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 23 April Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the shack. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 18 April 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 18 April Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz or
video evening. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 18 April Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
an auction with Mick, G4EZM. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 19 April Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on Summits On The Air by Tom Read, M1EYP. Details from Barbara
Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 19 April Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society continues
its Foundation and Intermediate training plus further investigations
into a simple give-away crystal set kit. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on
01422 341317. On Tuesday 19 April Stockport Radio Society is having a
talk on wireless propagation in WWII. More information from Nigel
Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 20 April Denby Dale Radio Club is having part 2 of the
talk on power supplies by Ian, G4LUG. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on
07976 220126.

On Wednesday 20 April Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Wednesday 20 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding a fox hunt.
Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Wednesday 20 April Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on first contact by G8NKX. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606
553401.

On Thursday 21 April Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
the RSGB 80m CC. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Thursday 21 April Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
80m CC Data. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 21 April Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on stealth antennas for the basement and flat dweller. Details
from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 21 April South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is closed
For Easter. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 21 April Wakefield & District Radio Society is on the air
and holding a committee meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Saturday 23 April Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced courses. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on
07900 563117.

On Saturday 23 April Wakefield & District Radio Society Club is having
its annual dinner at the Cock & Crown in Crofton. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ,
on 07900 563117.

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 19 April Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740
946192.

On Wednesday 20 April Ayr Amateur Radio Group is holding its AGM.
Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 20 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 21 April Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air ad
having a construction evening. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on
01224 575 663.

On Friday 22 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 17 April Andover
Radio Amateurs Club Spring Boot Sale. Details from Martin, M0MWS, on
07776 181646.

On Monday 18 April Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a construction contest. For more information contact John,
M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 18 April Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on the
K3 by John, G3PQA. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 18 April Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society has a
talk by a Microwave Round Table speaker. More information from Paul,
G4YQC, by email to .

On Monday 18 April Surrey Radio Contact Club has a fix it, advice, chin
wag and move it on evening. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 19 April Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a club night
and satellites for all workshop with Martin, M0MWS. Details from
Martin, M0MWS, on 07776 181646.

On Tuesday 19 April Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 19 April Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is looking
at practical contesting. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 19 April Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has a club net
night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 20 April Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on practical aerials and how to get the best out of your
rig by Roger, G3MEH. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.
On Wednesday 20 April Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on WSPR by Dave, M0TAZ. More information from John, M0UKD, on
07890 222111.

On Wednesday 20 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the exciting story of long distance communications by Don Field, G3XTT.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 20 April Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on smart CCTV cameras by Dr Phil Birch. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on
01903 816684.

On Thursday 21 April Colchester Radio Amateurs is hosting a Three Clubs
Quiz Night with Clacton and Harwich. More information from Kevan,
2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 21 April Cray Valley Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 21 April Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on how aerials really, really work by Graham King, G3XSD. Contact
Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Thursday 21 April King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

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

On Thursday 21 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB CC Data contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Thursday 21 April Shefford & District Amateur is taking part in the
80 metre Club Contest. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 21 April Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
simple junk box antennas by Martin Butler, M1MRB and Denis Noe, M0NDJ.
More information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 22 April Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is closed.
Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501712.

On Friday 22 April Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is closed. Contact
Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Saturday 23 April Radio Society of Harrow is operating GX3EFX/P for
St George's Day in Pinner. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208
386 8586.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 18 April Appledore & District Amateur
Radio Club is having a practical demo of SSTV by Mike, G3PGA. Contact
Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more information.

On Tuesday 19 April Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is evaluating
HF on the air. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Wednesday 20 April Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a junk sale. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Wednesday 20 April Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 20 April Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night and committee meeting. Details from Ian, G0GRI,
on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 21 April South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is viewing films
of Bristol with Adrian, 2E0JUW. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on
07838 695471.

On Thursday 21 April Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is closed.
Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 21 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 22 April North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is closed but
holding a club net on 144.450MHz at 8pm instead. More information from
Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 22 April Torbay Amateur Radio Society is closed. For more
information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 18 April Dragon Amateur Radio Club is planning
for International Marconi Day. More information from Stewart Rolfe,
GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Monday 18 April Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 19 April Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
antenna by Carl & John. More information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947
701 927.

On Thursday 21 April Porthmadog and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a surplus equipment sale 8pm start. Details from Glyn, MW5CAD,
on 01286 830078.

On Thursday 21 April Swansea Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Swansea. Details from Nick Lewis,
MW0JGE, on 01792 402035.