GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 29th May 2011

The news headlines:

* Foundation Syllabus changes on 1 July
* Train the trainers session to be held in Derby
* Japan drops Morse requirement

The syllabus of the Foundation examination changes on 1 July this year.
A new question on etiquette and dealing with abuse will be added,
making 26 questions in total on each paper. The pass mark is 19 correct
answers. Details are on the RCF examinations website at
www.commsfoundation.org/rce, where you will need to click on Foundation
Syllabus - current.

A Train the Trainers course will take place on 18 June at the Old Mill
Community Centre, West Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. The event
will start at 10am and includes a free lunch as well as a raffle. If
any tutors would like to attend, please contact Jim Stevenson, G0EJQ,
by email to .

The Japanese radio regulatory council recently announced that the Morse
requirement for amateur radio licenses will shortly be dropped. The
move comes after a public consultation following the decisions taken at
WRC-2003. The RSGB understands that the change will be effective from 1
October 2011.

Would all those still intending to take part in the International
Museums Weekend in June please register via the IMW website. This
includes those who are registering for the first time as well as those
who have taken part in the past and need to update their registration.
The URL is www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw.

The BBC Community Bus paid a visit to West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club.
Some of its members attended a 2 day radio production workshop on board
the Bus. They learned how a magazine style radio programme is produced
and gained new skills in interviewing, collecting vox pops, scripting
and presenting. If you would like to listen to the result, go to
http://wtarc.co.uk/news.aspx.

At the recent Dayton Hamvention, Sylvia Margolis was posthumously
inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame
honours those individuals, whether licensed amateurs or not, who have
made significant contributions to amateur radio. Sylvia was a prolific
author for CQ magazine in the 1960s and early 70s and was well known
for her humorous look at the hobby. She was also the first Public
Relations Officer for the Radio Society of Great Britain. Her son,
well-known DXer Laurie Margolis, G3UML, said he was "Somewhat stunned
and rather chuffed" when he heard the news.

There are three UK Buildathon events taking place this year. On 5 June
the Buildathon team will be at Torbay ARC building a Manhattan-style
Sudden receiver. Booking details are on the Torbay club's website at
www.tars.org.uk. Then in July, at the QRP in the Country event on the
17th, a Cary regenerative receiver is the project. Finally, the G-QRP
Club is planning to have a Friday night Buildathon and social supper on
21 October, the eve of the Rishworth Convention. Details from
www.gqrp.com/rishworth.htm. All these will be ideal for Intermediate
students to build their projects and get some of the test meter
assessments signed off.

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

The 21st annual Waters and Stanton Open Day will take place today, 29
May. Essex CW Club, who won the Region 12 Club of the Year award will
collect their trophy from Waters & Stanton, who sponsor both the Region
12 Trophy and the National Trophy scheme too.

D-Star Northants and UKIT are organising a D-Star Meet and Greet Day
today, 29 May. This will be held in Northampton at Tetra
Communications, Bunting Road, Northampton NN2 6EE. The event will
include help and advice from D-Star Northants and UK IT.

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum has an open day today, 29 May. Doors open
from 10am to 5pm to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of
the wartime tunnels at Porthcurno. This event is open to all, but the
museum would particularly like to hear from anyone who was involved at
Porthcurno during WW2 or who had an involvement in any other way. Entry
to the museum, including the tunnels, will be free to all on this day.

Next weekend, 5 June is a busy day for rallies up and down the country.
The Newhaven Fort Amateur Radio Group Rally and Fort Open Day takes
place at Newhaven Fort, East Sussex, near the southern end of the A26.
Entry is £2 and the doors open at 10.30am. Details from Eddie, G0ECW on
01273 300772.

The Spalding & DARS annual rally will be held at The Sir John Gleed
Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 2EF. There is
free car parking and the doors open at 10am. Details from John, G4NBR,
on 0794 630 2815.

The 15th Red Rose QRP Festival will take place at Formby Hall, Alder
Street, Atherton, Manchester M46 9EY. There is free car parking and
entry is £2. There will be a Bring & Buy. Details from Les Jackson,
G4HZJ on 01942 870634.

Finally for 5 June, the Hull & District Amateur Radio Society Grand
Auction and Mini Rally will be held at the HADARS Club House, Goathland
Close, Hull. Doors open at 12 noon and the sale starts at 1.30pm. There
will be a Bring & Buy with 10% of proceeds to the club funds. To book
any items in before the sale call Keith on 01482 217776.

Now for the news of special events

The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run GB6COD at the open day
in HMS Collingwood on 4 June. 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. Advanced
tickets will be available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information
Offices and Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.

GB0VUL will be on the air promoting and celebrating the continued
flying of XH558, the world's only flying Vulcan bomber. The station
will be on the air today, 29 May, from the Air Training Corps Hall in
Newbury. This is the 3rd consecutive year this call has been run by
members of Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society. More information
can be found at www.vulcantothesky.org.

The Geoparks Communication Weekend will take place this weekend, 28 and
29 May. GB6GEO will be on again this year from Occombe Farm in Torbay.
There will be several other Geopark stations operating around the
world. There is an award available for contacting Geopark stations.
More information on qrz.com.

As part of the Imagineering stand at the Bath and West Show, Weymouth
College are putting on a special event station to demonstrate amateur
radio to visitors. The idea is to particularly allow young people to
send greetings via the HF special event station GB0BAW. If there are
any local amateurs who are planning on visiting the show and would like
to help operate the station that will be on the air for the duration of
the agricultural show between 1 and 4 June, please contact Rob, G0ECX
whose details are on QRZ.com, or telephone 01305 787120.

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, until 2 June. The group is providing
emergency safety communications for the annual Fell Race on the 28th.
They will also be activating the island on all HF bands using group
callsign GS0RAY/P throughout the week. Reports are most welcome. For
further details please contact group controller Paul Lucas on 07768
271736 or by e-mail to .

VE7/DK6AO will stay on Quadra island in British Columbia between May 30
and June 7. QSL via his home callsign either via the bureau or direct.

Jan, PA4JJ will be active holiday style as 9A/PA4JJ from Porec on the
Croatian mainland between 6 and 24 June. He will operate RTTY and PSK31
most of the time. QSL via his home callsign.

I2VGW, IZ2LSC and IZ3EZV will be active as HB0/homecall from
Liechtenstein between 2 and 5 June. They plan to operate holiday style
CW, SSB and RTTY, with main focus to be given to 12, 17 and 30 metres
and the upper HF bands. They will also give 6 metres a try. QSL via
their home callsigns.

Now the contest news

On 31 May, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

CW NFD is the first HF event of the month on 4 and 5 June. With HF
propagation much improved this year, smart competing stations will be
keeping a very careful listen on 10m. When it opens there will be a
real feeding frenzy because, like 160m, QSOs on 10m are worth double
points. Running from 1500 to 1500UTC and using all bands from 1.8 to
28MHz, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The UK 6m Group's Summer Es Contest also takes place for 24 hours over
the weekend of 4 and 5 June. You can participate and give points away
even if you're not a member. Send a report, serial number and your
locator, and expect to receive the same plus a membership number.
Remember that many members of UKSMG are experts on 6m, so they're
likely to hear you even if your station is far from ideal for the band.
The contest runs from 1200 to 1200UTC.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 16th to the 22nd
of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 23rd of May.

Solar activity was very low every day except for a C2 class solar flare
that took place on the 18th from a sunspot group that was in the
process of rotating out of view around the west limb. The solar disc
had a number of sunspot groups visible every day with 5 on the 18th.
All of the groups were small and magnetically simple. Solar flux levels
reflected this and declined from 92 units on the 16th and the 17th to
84 by the 19th. The average was 87 units. The 90 day solar flux average
on the 22nd was 108. That's two units down on last week. X-ray flux
levels also declined as expected from B1.4 units on the 17th to A6.8 on
the 21st. The average was A9.4 units. Geomagnetic activity started at
just unsettled levels with the Ap index of 12 and 10 units on the 16th
and the 17th respectively. Quiet conditions then prevailed to the end
of the period as the effects of the coronal hole declined. The average
was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds decline from 600 kilometres per second on the 17th to 310 by the
21st. Particle densities remained low throughout. Bz varied between
minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas on the 16th, which was the most disturbed
day, and between minus 4 and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet days.

Sporadic-E was reported daily on 28 and 50MHz, with double-hop
propagation on 50MHz on several days. 70MHz was also open across much
of Europe on several days. During the 21st an opening took place on
144MHz but it would appear only affected the Mediterranean area.

And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be
very low to low. However, the latest STEREO spacecraft images show a
large active region that will be rotating into view today or tomorrow.
How active this region will be only time will tell. Solar flux levels
should be around the 100 mark but could be much higher if this region
is still active. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be unsettled today
and tomorrow due to the effects of a coronal hole but then activity is
expected to be quiet for the rest of the week. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz
for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 12MHz. Paths this
week to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50
per cent success rate of about 29MHz. The optimum working frequency
with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 22MHz. The best time to
try this path will be between 1100 and 1500 hours. Sporadic-E is
expected to take place most days. During the more intense openings
double hop events could take place along with openings on 144MHz.

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 30 May Gloucester Amateur Radio &
Electronics Society is having a bank holiday get-together and operating
session at Crickley Hill. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime.

On Monday 30 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is operating GB2CWF for Mills
On The Air at Ellis Mill. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO,
on 01427 788356.

On Monday 30 May South Birmingham Radio Society is closed. Contact Don,
on 0121 458 1603.

On Tuesday 31 May Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 31 May Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a practical evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Wednesday 1 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the air.
For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Wednesday 1 June Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 1 June South Birmingham Radio Society is having a lecture
in the main hall. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Wednesday 1 June South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having an
informal evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402550.

On Wednesday 1 June Telford & District Amateur Radio Society HQ is
closed, there will be a net on 3.675 and 144.6 MHz plus a committee
meeting /A. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 2 June Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is holding a
10km fox hunt at 19.15 GMT from the club car park at Hucknall. More
information from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Thursday 2 June Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Ken,
G8DIR on building a simple VHF and UHF antenna. Details on the club
website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 2 June South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On
Friday 3 June Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is preparing for
NFD and operating on VHF. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 3 June Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
M0URX on the Ramsay Island DXpedition, MC0SHL. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
07958 777363.

On Friday 3 June Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group is having a shack
night. Details from Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976.

On Friday 3 June South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 4 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the Shack. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Sunday 5 June Lincoln Short-Wave Club is attending the Spalding
rally. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 30 May Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is closed. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477
0036.

On Monday 30 May Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is holding part 2 of its
Foundation pre-course taster, having an informal social night and
preparing for VHF NFD. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email
to .

On Monday 30 May Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is closed.
Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 31 May Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
finalising the display stand for Halifax Charity Gala. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 1 June Chorley and District Amateur Radio Society
commences its Foundation and Intermediate courses. Places are still
available if you act quickly. Contact Denise, M0NES, by email to
.

On Wednesday 1 June Denby Dale Radio Club is planning for GB2HS at
Honley Show. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220126.

On Wednesday 1 June Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt and
preparing for NFD. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 2 June South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
talk on a regenerative transceiver by Ged, G8RSI and Bill, G4NOL.
Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 3 June East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 4 June Hornsea Amateur Radio Club commences its weekend
National Field Day event at Bewholme. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV,
on 01377 240573.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Thursday 2 June Bangor & District Amateur
Radio Club is holding its annual BBQ at the Scout campsite,
Crawfordsburn Country park. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2383.

On Monday 30 May GEARS is closed. For more information contact Peter,
MI5JYK.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND We start with advance notice from Borders Amateur
Radio Society. The local organisers of the Birgham Fete have changed
the date. It is now to be on Saturday 26 June, not 16 July as
originally planned. Borders Amateur Radio Society will be operating
special event station GB4BBR on HF and 2m from the village play park
during the Fete. More information from Glenys, MM0YLG on 0794 491 2751.

On Monday 30 May Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

On Wednesday 1 June Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a chinwag night
at the new venue, Coylton School. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on
01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 1 June West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has Solder
Group homebrew projects & licence training. More information from Fred
Coombes, 2M0BIN, on 01415 715512.

On Thursday 2 June Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 3 June Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having a
normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Friday 3 June 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 Saturday 4 June Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
National Field Day. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA We start with advance notice
from Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society that they will be celebrating the
centenary of the birth of Louis Varney. Although best known as G5RV, he
held 55 callsigns, operated from 75 countries and gave his callsign to
the famous aerial he designed. On 7 June there will be a grand meeting
to celebrate his life. On 9 June, the centenary of his birth, CARS will
operate GB5RVA * that's A for Anniversary * from the Marconi Hut,
Sandford Mill, Chelmsford. Operations will be CW on 20m an SSB on 80m,
9am to 5pm. More information from Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Sunday 29 May Coalhouse Fort Amateur Radio Society is having an open
day. Contact John Parker, M1DUC, by email to .

On Monday 30 May Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is closed.
More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Tuesday 31 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Tuesday 31 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club net
night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 1 June Bury St Edmonds Amateur Radio Society is operating
GB3EA for the club net at 8pm. Details from. Details from George Woods,
G3LPT on 01359 259518.

On Wednesday 1 June 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 1 June Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by John, M0UKD on the workings of the club website. More
information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222111.

On Wednesday 1 June Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is preparing for its fox
hunt. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Wednesday 1 June Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the
Hailsham Shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 1 June Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on noise reduction by Graham Somerville of bhi. Contact Phil,
G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

Lowestoft District & Pye Amateur Radio Club would like to remind
listeners that it meets every Thursday evening at its shack, also
fortnightly on a Monday for a purely operating evening. Contact Lee,
2E1LJL on 01502 564242 for more information.

On Thursday 2 June Cray Valley Radio Society is having a club
presentation. Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

On Thursday 2 June Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846. On Thursday 2 June Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
repairing vintage radios by David Smith, M0SXD. Details are on the web
at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 2 June Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening from 7.30pm at the Queens Head Pub, Sandridge. Details from
Tony, 2EOWAP, on 01727 853087.

On Friday 3 June Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a
talk on domestic hot water using three forms of energy by Jim Lugsden.
Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.,

On Friday 3 June Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 3 June Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is holding its AGM.
Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 4 June Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815.

On Saturday 4 June Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2AVF from the Abridge Village Fete. Contact Marc Litchman,
G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Saturday 4 June Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is taking
part in National Field Day. For more information contact Rob, G3LMW, on
01635 862737.

On Saturday 4 June Norfolk Amateur Radio Club commences its weekend
event, taking part in the National Field Day CW contest. The club also
commences its Radio Active practical radio weekend at DCP near Great
Ellingham. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Saturday 4 June Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is putting
Worthing Museum on the air as GB2WM. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903
816684.

On Sunday 5 June Echelford Amateur Radio Society is attending the
Vandals Rugby Club open day. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784 451898.

On Sunday 5 June Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
breakfast meeting in Goring cafe. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 30 May Bristol RSGB Group is having a
talk on the GB3WX crossband repeater by Dave Boniface G3ZXX. Details
from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.

On Tuesday 31 May Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860741.

On Wednesday 1 June Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
visit by PW editor Rob Mannion, G3XFD. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823
666 234 for more information.

On Wednesday 1 June Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
short talks by club members. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698,
evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 2 June Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk on
crystals by Mr L Harding. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Thursday 2 June South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is watching films
of Bristol. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 2 June Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 2 June Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
direction finding by G0GFL. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 3 June Torbay Amateur Radio Society is making final
preparations for the Buildathon. For more information contact Dave,
G6FSP, by email to .

On Saturday 4 June Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club commences its
weekend event, participating in the RSGB National Field Day. Contact
William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more information.

On Sunday 5 June Torbay Amateur Radio Society is hosting the Torbay
Buildathon, which is open to non- members. For more information contact
Dave, G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 30 May Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is
closed. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 840292.

On Tuesday 1 June Meirion ARS is holding a cheese, wine and direction
finding night, followed by the Meirion Raynet group AGM. The evening
starts around 7.30pm at The Café at Dyffryn Ardudwy Village Hall, Main
Road, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd LL44 2BE. For more information contact
John, MW0VTK, on 07772 720099.