GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 15th May 2011

The news headlines:

* New Amateur Radio Observation Service appointment

* SDR club launched

* New US 4m band beacon

At the last Board meeting, Brian Reay, G8OSN was appointed to lead the
Amateur Radio Observation Service. The Board would like to thank his
predecessor Tony Selmes, G4KLF, who has retired from the post after
many years managing the service. AROS is an advisory and reporting
service of the RSGB that is intended to assist radio amateurs and
others who may be affected by problems that occur within the amateur
bands or that develop on other frequencies as a result of amateur
transmissions. The service investigates reports of licence
infringements, or instances of poor operating practice that might bring
the amateur service into disrepute. Reports, complaints and associated
supplementary information are accepted from any source and the content
of each communication is regarded as confidential material. Brian has
e-mailed all Observers for whom he has a current e-mail address. If you
are an Observer and have not received an e- mail from Brian regarding
his appointment, please e-mail him on . Those
interested in becoming an Observer should contact Brian on using this
e-mail address.

A new online Software Defined Radio Club has been launched by Adrian,
2E0SDR and can be found at www.softwaredefinedradio.co.uk. The idea is
to create a global community dedicated to the technology of software
defined radio and membership is free. The site is being run as a
dedicated portal with all members being able to add content to the
site.

70MHz is not an amateur band in the USA, but European stations may try
to listen for a new 4 metre band Radio Science E-skip Trans-Atlantic
propagation beacon from the East Coast of the US. Its operating
frequency is 70.005MHz. WE9XUP is located at FM07fm and transmits CW.
Any amateur or SWL reports are welcome via e-mail to .
The beacon is scheduled to run 24 hours a day until 1 September.

Bletchley Park Trust has opened a new exhibition commemorating the 70th
anniversary of the capture of an Enigma machine and codebooks from
German U-boat 110 that took place 70 years ago. The exhibition contains
photographs of the capture and it is the first time all known photos
have been exhibited together at the same time. The exhibition tells the
full story including many of the details that appeared in the best
selling book on the capture of the Enigma code. For visitor
information, contact 01908 640404, or go to www.bletchleypark.org.uk.

Illegal church broadcasts have been heard on 28.265MHz in Germany and
amateurs are requested to listen on this frequency in order to identify
the location. Please send any reports to Ger McNamara, EI4GXB, IARU
Monitoring System Co-ordinator by e-mail to . AMSAT-UK
is now active on Twitter. AMSAT-UK is a voluntary organisation that
supports the design and building of equipment for amateur radio
satellites. You can find AMSAT-UK on Twitter as @AMSAT_UK.

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

Today, Sunday 15 May, sees the National Vintage Communications Fair
taking place at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, The Fosse, Fosse
Way, Leamington Spa CV31 1XN. Doors open at 10am and there is free car
parking on site. Entry is £6 and there will be plenty of trade stands
and special interest groups as well as catering services. Details by
e-mail from .

The 1st Leicester RS Grand Clearance and Bring & Buy will be held on 22
May at the Leicester Radio Society HQ, Groby Road, Leicester. There is
approximately £2000 of donated radio equipment for disposal as well as
a Bring & Buy. Doors open 10am to 4pm. Details of equipment available
and further details from Alex on 0753 120 1640.

Also on 22 May, the Dunstable Downs Radio Club National Amateur Radio
Car Boot Sale will be held at Stockwood Park, Luton LU1 5NR. Talk in
will be on S22 and there is plenty of car parking. Doors open at 9am
and entry is £2.

Sunday 22 May sees the Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club Rally and Boot
Sale take place at Drumgor Youth Centre, Drumgor Heights, Craigavon,
BT65 4AP. Doors open at 11am and there is plenty of car prking on site.
There will be a Bring & Buy.

John, 2E0XER and Jem, 2E0JEM are holding a Vintage Military Amateur
Radio Society event on Saturday 21 May in a field at the village of
Libbery, about eight miles East of Worcester on the A422 Stratford
Road. Visitors are welcome to join them. Any experimental equipment is
welcomed and all those old antennas that have been in the loft or shed
for the last 30 years will have an opportunity of getting the dust
blown off them! Visitors should make their own food provision, although
there is expected to be a military field kitchen on site for the
weekend. The event coincides with the Saturday morning VMARS AM net
with the opportunity to operate and make contacts. For further
information please contact Jem on 07711 162322 or e-mail
.

Now for the news of special events

In commemoration of the 617 Squadron Dambusters raid, on Monday 16 May,
the Lincoln Short Wave Club will be operating on the 80m band as near
to 3.617MHz as conditions allow. The transmissions will commence at
precisely 2139; this is the time the first wave of nine Lancaster
bombers took off. Transmissions will cease at 0139, the time the Mohne
Dam was breached. There will be a limited edition QSL card sent to all
contacts.

May 2011 will be the month for chasing castles and stately homes on
air. The weekend of the 21st and 22nd will be the international castles
weekend from 1am on the 21st to 11pm on the 22nd. For UK stations,
information can be found at www.cashota.co.uk as well as links to
regional activity. The website now allows interested amateurs to
complete activation forms online. The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society
will run a special event station at the open day of HMS Collingwood on
Saturday 4 June. The callsign to be used is GB6COD, Collingwood Open
Day. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz
to 440MHz. The Society headquarters station will be open for viewing
from 9.30am to 6pm on the day. A number of demonstrations will be
taking place using amateur radio and amateur television. The open day
will feature the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition. Additional
attractions will include a display from the Royal Marines Band,
Collingwood, a free fun fair and much more. Advanced tickets will be
available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information Offices and
Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.

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

Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET Group will be active on the Island of Jura,
which is IOTA reference EU008, from 26 May to 2 June. The group is
providing Emergency Safety comms for the Annual Fell Race on Saturday
28 May but will also be activating the island on all HF bands using
GS0RAY/P throughout the week. Reports are most welcome. For further
details please contact Paul Lucas on 07768 271736 or e-mail
.

Over the weekend 20 to 22 May, Kev, M0TNX will activate Hilbre Island,
IOTA reference EU120. Wirral Council has given Kev the opportunity to
stay overnight on this uninhabited Island. The callsign for this event
will be GB2HI and operation will be on SSB but CW is available on
request. The bands in use will be 40, 20 and 17m only and a
commemorative QSL card will be available. Charles, M0OXO, has kindly
offered to be QSL manager and the QSL cards are being undertaken by
Gennady at UX5UO print.

Macquarie Island is one of the rarer DXCC entities and in recent times
there has been some activity from Kevin, VK0KEV. The good news now is
that Kevin will be joined by Denis, ZL4DB who will be active from there
as VK0/ ZL4DB until late July. Denis is new to DXing and will only be
able to operate during his spare time.

Phil, F4EGS will be active as TT8PK from Chad until 15 June. He will be
on the air in his spare time. QSL via F4EGS either direct or via the
bureau.

Joe, W5FJG is now on Midway Island, which is IOTA reference OC-030. He
is working on the island as the Chief Communications Officer for at
least a year. He plans to be active as KH4/W5FJG, starting the last
week in May. Activity will be on 10 to 40m bands using CW, SSB and
digital modes.

A few Italian amateurs will be operating from Lampedusa in the Pelagie
Islands using the callsign IG9E from 18 to 23 May. QSL via IZ2GMT
either direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The Worked All Britain LF Phone contest takes place today, Sunday 15
May, from 1000 to 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number
and WAB square. Full details of the rules and logsheets may be obtained
from the WAB website at www.worked-all-britain.co.uk or from the
Contest Manager, G3XKT by e- mail to . On 17 May
the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest will take place from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

The CW leg of the 80m Club Championships will take place from 1900 to
2030UTC on 19 may. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The May 144MHz Activity Contest takes place on 21 and 22 May from 1400
to 1400UTC. The timing coincides with first three hours of the
four-hour First 144MHz Backpackers Contest, which is the contest where
the low power enthusiasts head for the hills. The exchange for both
events is signal report, serial number and locator, with the UK
Activity Contest also exchanging postcode information.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 2nd to the 8th
of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 9th of May

Several sunspot groups were visible every day. In fact, there as only
been one spotless day so far this year and that was on the 27th of
January. Solar activity started at low levels when a C1 class solar
flare took place on the 2nd and the 3rd. Activity declined to very low
levels for the remained of the period. Solar flux levels declined from
110 units on the 2nd to 102 by the 6th. The average was 105 units. The
90 day solar flux average on the 8th was 110, that's two units up on
last week. X-ray flux levels showed little variation and averaged B2
units. Geomagnetic activity started at active levels due to a recurring
coronal hole that lasted longer than forecast. The most disturbed day
was the 2nd with an Ap index of 20 units. The average was Ap 8 units.
Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline
from 730 kilometres per second to 280 by the 8th. Particle densities
were very low throughout. Densities were no more than 3 particles per
cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus 6 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on
some days but with smaller variations on the quieter days.

And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity is expected
to be low for most of the week but there is a slight chance that
activity could increase to moderate levels if any M class solar flares
take place. Solar flux levels should be between 110 and 120 units.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet everyday but could be unsettled
today and tomorrow due to a coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at
equal latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz for the
north. Darkness hour lows should be about 12MHz. Paths this week to
South America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 28MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate will be about 22MHz. Even though the band will be
open earlier and later than the times quoted these though are the best
time to try this path and will be between 1400 and 2000 hours.
Sporadic-E should take place on some days with openings including 50MHz
also.

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 15 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is
operating GB2CWF at Ellis Mill for Mills on the Air. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Sunday 15 May Midland Amateur Radio Society is attending the
National Vintage Communications Fair. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
01214 229 787.

On Monday 16 May Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
holding a mini DF hunt with a difference. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 16 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air to
commemorate Guy Gibson and 617 Squadron RAF taking off from RAF
Scampton. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788356.

On Monday 16 May South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
planning for Field Day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 16 May South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio Club
is holding a junk sale. Details from A Lawrence, 2E0BQS, by email to
.

On Monday 16 May Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is visiting the
Kettering club. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on
01858 432105.

On Tuesday 17 May Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
video show. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 17 May Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a 2m DF hunt. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 18 May Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is having mini talks
by member. Details from John, M0JAV, on 07836 731544.

On Wednesday 18 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a formal meeting
and barbecue. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788356.

On Wednesday 18 May Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding training
classes and having a planning meeting for its 80th year celebrations in
June. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On Wednesday 18 May
South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on back garden
aerials. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402550.

On Wednesday 18 May Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a surplus equipment sale, with G8UGL officiating. Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 19 May Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having a
talk on outside broadcasting. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242
241099.

On Thursday 19 May Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 19 May South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 20 May Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 20 May Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding a wine &
cheese evening. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Friday 20 May Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on satellite working and moonbounce by Roger Sale. More
information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Friday 20 May Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group invites members to
bring their cameras. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 20 May South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 21 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is commences its weekend
event taking part in the 144MHz Post Codes Contest at the portable
site. On Saturday only they will also be trying WAB in the shack. For
more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 15 May Sheffield Amateur Radio
Club is taking part in Castles on the Air day. More information from
Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 16 May Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club Come is having a
wireless version of Gardeners Question Time, inviting members and
non-members to ask knotty questions of their gnarled experts. All are
welcome. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477 0036.

On Monday 16 May Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is running its annual
Home Construction Competition. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO,
by email to .

On Monday 16 May Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on test meters by Phil Rigby, G8LMF. Details on the web at
www.tcars.org.uk. On Tuesday 17 May Chester & District Amateur Radio
Society is holding its annual dinner. Details from Barbara Green on
07957 870770.

On Tuesday 17 May Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
conducting a Foundation exam plus erecting an HF aerial and getting on
the air. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 18 May Denby Dale Radio Club is having a visit by RSGB
Region 4 Manager Harold Scrivens, G0UGE. Details from Richard, M0RBG,
on 07976 220126.

On Wednesday 18 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz night
against Scarborough Amateur Radio Society. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 19 May Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Thursday 19 May Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
RSGB 80m Club Contest, CW. Contact Cliff, G4YHP, on 01472 328 830.

On Thursday 19 May Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB 80m Club Contest, CW. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Thursday 19 May Keighley Amateur Radio Society is having a club
night. Details from Shirley, M6SAK, on 01535 652781.

On Thursday 19 May South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
2m DF report by Peter, G0BHP and Bill, G4SVR. Details from Ron, G3SVW,
on 0161 969 3999.

On Thursday 19 May Wakefield & District Radio Society is on the air and
holding a committee meeting. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 20 May East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 21 May Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced courses. 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 17 May Livingston & District Amateur Radio
Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 18 May Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a video night.
Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on 01292 532 088. On Wednesday 18
May Glenrothes & District Radio Club is having familiarisation with SD,
a general hands- on using three laptops. Details from Dave Francis, on
01383 823878.

On Wednesday 18 May West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has Solder
Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information from Fred
Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 19 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
working on construction. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224
575 663.

On Friday 20 May 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 15 May Bedford and
District Amateur Radio Club participating in the Mills on the air as
GX3WTP/p from Bromham Mill, map reference TL010508, from 1pm until
4.30. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG.

On Sunday 15 May Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is operating
a special event station at Lacey Green Windmill Open Day. More details
from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Monday 16 May Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 16 May Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on colour
by G1LIG. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 16 May Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is planning
for East Sussex Wireless Revival, the Ipswich Rally. More information
from Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Tuesday 17 May Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club is preparing
for going portable at Dunstable Downs. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG.

On Tuesday 17 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 17 May Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the work of the Examination Committee. Details from Andy,
G4WGZ, on 01689 878089.

On Tuesday 17 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club net
night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 17 May Verulam Amateur Radio Club is planning its
celebrations for its 50th year, inviting members to bring & show home
brew plus having a surplus kit swap. Details from Tony, 2EOWAP, on
01727 853087.

On Wednesday 18 May Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk by Roger, G3ME on practical aerials, or how to get the best out
of your rig. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491. On
Wednesday 18 May Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having part
2 of the talk on Rx building blocks by Ollie Tillett, G3TPJ. More
information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222111.

On Wednesday 18 May Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a guided tour of the Secret Nuclear Bunker. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Wednesday 18 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Ken
Cheetham, G4RWD on the Baldock Operations Room * find out what they do
there! Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 18 May Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on 50 years of the Bluebell Railway by Chris, G4ZCS. Contact Phil,
G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 19 May Colchester Radio Amateurs has a practical
introduction to the 80m Club Championship. More information from Kevan,
2E0WMG, on 07766 543784.

On Thursday 19 May Cray Valley Radio Society is having a normal
meeting. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 19 May Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on the Meon Valley Railway by Dennis Tilman. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Thursday 19 May King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 19 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
RSGB CC CW contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Thursday 19 May Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a 2m mobile DF hunt. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 19 May Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is holding its AGM.
More information from John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.

On Friday 20 May Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and table top sale. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 20 May Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is holding the Hernia
Cup inter-club quiz. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Sunday 22 May Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club is putting on
its mobile operation at the Dunstable Downs Radio Club boot sale.
Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG.

On Sunday 22 May Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
attending the Dunstable Downs boot sale. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC,
on 020 8502 1645.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST First, advance notice that from Thursday 2 June
the Cornish Amateur Radio Club will be meeting at their new venue,
Gweal-An-Top School, School Lane, Redruth, TR15 2ER. Further
information from Steven, G7VOH, on. 01209 844939.

On Monday 16 May Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
demo and simulation of a wideband Rx loop by Terry, G4CHD. Contact
Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473251 for more information.

On Tuesday 17 May Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having an HF
evening. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Wednesday 18 May Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Wednesday 18 May Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Wednesday 18 May Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

On Thursday 19 May South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is training for VHF
NFD. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 19 May Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night and preparing for the 144MHz contest. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 19 May Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on SSTV
and RTTY by 2E0ZFF. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 20 May North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. More information from Dick on 01454 218362.

On Friday 20 May Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 16 May Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on humour in communications by Clive Collins, GW3WEQ. More
information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620733.

On Monday 16 May Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 17 May Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on a
homebrew exciter, driver and amplifier by Clive Collins, GW3WEQ. More
information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.