GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 3rd July 2011

The news headlines:

* Spectrum Management responses to DCMS

* South of England news reading

* Malta gets 500kHz

In the past ten days, the Society has responded to the Department of
Culture, Media and Sport on a consultation seeking opinion on the
release of 500MHz of spectrum by 2020 and an open letter that seeks to
review communications for the digital age. Both responses from the
Society can be seen at
http://www.rsgb.org/spectrumforum/co...ions/index.php.

It was announced recently on GB2RS that the South of England news
reading on 3640kHz would have to terminate due to a lack of
newsreaders. However, some members have now come forward offering to
read for the 0900 LSB schedule. One of the volunteers is Alison, G8ROG,
who is the RSGB Regional Manager for London and the Thames Valley.
Accordingly, Alison will set up a net on 3640kHz, plus or minus QRM,
this Sunday, 3 July, at 0900 local time and invite volunteers to call
in. She will hold a second net at 0900 on the following Sunday, 10
July. Volunteers are asked to join one of the nets, when propagation
can be checked out and a news reading rota drawn up. Full details of
the GB2RS News Service can be found in the Members' Only section of the
RSGB website. RSGB members who wish to offer their services are asked
to complete the form at the Volunteers tab and send it to the GB2RS
News Manager, Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, whose details appear on the
document. Hopefully, we may soon be able to announce a re-instatement
of this service for 80 metres listeners in the South.

We have heard that Maltese radio amateurs may apply for a temporary
permit for 500kHz operation. The permit is operational until the end of
2011 but could be extended if approved by WRC next year. Application
forms and the National Frequency Plan many be viewed at www.mca.org.mt.

Advance notice now. West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club is organising a new
event this year. The GI HF Conference will take place on Saturday 20
August in the Technology Education Centre, Omagh, BT78 1FA.
Registration will be from 11am. Speakers will include Carlos Eavis,
G0AKI, from the RSGB, speaking on IOTA and Paul O'Kane, EI5DI, speaking
on DXpeditions and SD Logging. Check out
http://wtarc.co.uk/GIHFConference.aspx for more details.

Students at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey are working on a
CubeSat amateur radio satellite that will host a linear transponder for
SSB and CW amateur radio communications. Dubbed TURKSAT-3USAT, the bird
will carry a 50kHz bandwidth 2m to 70cm linear transponder, a beacon
and telemetry downlink. Planners hope to launch this new bird into a
Sun synchronous orbit of around 680km sometime in early 2012.

The ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Independence Day
on Monday 4 July. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice
transmissions that day. League Headquarters will reopen Tuesday 5 July
at 8am Eastern Daylight Time. And now for the details of rallies and
events for the coming week

The Barford Norfolk Radio Rally will be held on 3 July at Barford
Village Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich NR9 4AB, 9 miles south west of
Norwich, close to A11 and A47. Doors open at 9am and admission is
£1.50, with children admitted free. There will be trade stands and a
Bring & Buy.

AMSAT-UK will have a presence at the first ever UK Space Conference
being organised by the UK Space Agency. It takes place at the
University of Warwick on 4 and 5 July. Further details of the event are
at http://tinyurl.com/UKSpace2011.

Next Sunday, 10 July the Cornish RAC 48th Mobile Rally will take place
at Penair School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TN. Doors open at 10.30am and
admission is £2. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Details
from Steve on 01209 844939.

Now for the news of special events

Worcester Radio Amateurs Association will be operating from the
Stourport-on-Severn Steam Rally over the weekend of 8 to 10 July. The
steam rally itself is an established and popular attraction and always
attracts a good crowd. A warm welcome will be extended to all visitors.
The website address for the rally is
www.stourportvintagesteamrally.co.uk.

Pontefract & District Amateur Radio Society is operating a number of
special event stations. Until 8 July, GB0PLF will be on the air for the
Pontefract Liquorice Festival. The station is located at Carleton
Community Centre, leading up to the festival. On 9 July, GB0PH will be
on the air for Pontefract Heritage. The station will be located at
Pontefract Castle for a fun day at the Castle, organised by Pontefract
Heritage Group. Then on 10 July, GB0PLF will be on the air again, with
a new NOV to operate in Pontefract town centre on the actual day of the
Liquorice Festival.

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

Marcelo, PY2FN will be active as PY0FO from Fernando de Noronha, which
is IOTA reference SA-003, until 9 July. He will operate CW only on 6 to
160m. Please QSL via his home callsign, either direct, via the bureau
or Logbook of the World.

ZR6DG and ZS6HB will be active as C92DG from the Timbavati Game Reserve
in Tofo between 14 and 28 July. Their operation will be on the HF bands
only. QSL via ZR6DG.

Eric, K9GY will be active from Afghanistan for the next year using the
callsign T6MO. His most likely times of operation are given as
0130-0430, 0630-0830 and 1130-1730UTC. QSLs go via his home callsign.

John, F4FUC will operate as J28UC from Djibouti starting in July. He
hopes to be there till 2013 and will be using vertical and dipole
antennas on 40-10m.

Howard, WB4WXE will be on the Caribbean island of St Lucia until 15
July. He will operate using the call J68HS and asks for QSLs to be sent
via his home callsign. Now the contest news

This weekend will be busy on the VHF bands because VHF NFD takes place
until 1400UTC today, 3 July. Apart from the various sections for
portable stations of differing powers and complexities, as of 2009
there is also the Sweepers section. This was introduced to encourage
fixed stations to work the portables and expanded in 2010. As a
non-participating fixed station there's no reason why you shouldn't
call CQ while the contest is in progress, because there will be a whole
band of people looking for QSOs, especially during the quieter hours.
The third 2m Backpackers runs for the last three hours of VHF NFD and
continues for an hour after it ends.

The 5th Polish Straight Key Contest also takes place today, 3 July from
1800 to 2000UTC. It is straight key only contest and open to all
amateurs. The rules, in English, can be found at www.sp5ppa.org.

Monday, 4 July, sees the CW leg of the 80m Club Championships take
place from 1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial
number.

The following day, 5 July, it's the 144MHz UK Activity Contest from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.

Next weekend, it's the IARU HF World Championship from 1200UTC on the
9th to 1200UTC on the 10th. The UK HQ station GR2HQ will be active and
looking for as many QSOs as possible on as many bands and modes as
possible with as many people as possible. You don't have to be taking
part in the contest to call GR2HQ; the operators will be delighted to
work you and also pass you around the bands and modes, to help you work
towards one of the free certificates that are available. The exchange
is signal report and ITU zone, which for the UK is 27.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 20th to the 26th
of June, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 27th of June.

The solar disc had sunspot groups visible every day. Most groups were
small and quiet, however, one group produced the only C class solar
flare of the period on the 21st. This was a long duration flare and
associated with the flare was a coronal mass ejection. Solar flux
levels remained around the mid 90s all week and the average was 94
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 26th was 102, that's two
units down on last week. X-ray flux levels averaged B1.8 units and
varied little day to day. Geomagnetic activity was just at unsettled
levels most days. The Ap index on the 23rd was 18 units which was the
most disturbed day. This was the result of a coronal hole and the
effects from the coronal mass ejection from the 21st. The average was
Ap 10 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds increase from 370 to 700 kilometres per second by the 23rd.
Speeds then declined to 490 kilometres per second by late on the 26th.
Particle densities were low throughout but did increase to 10 particles
per cubic centimetre on the 21st and the 22nd. Bz varied between minus
9 and plus 8 nanoTeslas on the most disturbed day and between minus and
plus 4 nanoTeslas on the quieter days. Probably HF propagation was
slightly below predicted levels due to the continued unsettled
geomagnetic conditions. Radio aurora was reported on the 22nd and 23rd,
but was confined to high latitudes and it was not the best week that we
have had for Sporadic-E.

And now the solar forecast. First, for the benefit of those you read
this on the internet at the RSGB website from a Friday onwards, the
forecast covers the period from the Sunday the date of broadcast on
GB2RS to the following Saturday. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. Solar activity should be at very low
levels on most days. Solar activity and sunspot numbers over recent
weeks have been in decline. How long will this quiet phase last before
the next upsurge in activity takes place, who knows, but when it does
end the chances are there will be very little warning. Solar flux
levels are expected to decline and be in the 80s for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet for the next couple of days before
a weak coronal hole disturbance arrives around midweek and lasts till
the weekend. On its last rotation the most disturbed day saw an Ap
index of 14 units. This coronal hole developed back in March and this
is its fifth rotation. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes
should be around 20MHz for the south and 17MHz for the north. Darkness
hour lows should be about 13MHz. Paths this week to South America
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate
will be around 27MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be 21MHz. Even though the path will be open earlier
the best time for the highest MUFs will be between 1700 and 2100 hours.
Sporadic-E is expected to take place on most days with opening up to
and including 144MHz are still possible.

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 3 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society
commences its weekend event operating GB4BLC at the 30th Signal
Regiment open day, Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote, Warwickshire. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

On Monday 4 July Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an operating evening on VHF or digimodes. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 4 July South Birmingham Radio Society is on the air and
having a debrief on Field Day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Monday 4 July South Normanton Alfreton & District Amateur Radio Club
is having a fish and chip night at the shack. Details from A Lawrence,
2E0BQS, by email to .

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

On Tuesday 5 July Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club is
having a talk on repeaters by Brian, G7AJP. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on
01507 442240.

On Wednesday 6 July Bolsover Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details from G4KSY on 01246 827135.

On Wednesday 6 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is clearing up after Field
Day and putting G5FZ on the air. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

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

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

On Wednesday 6 July Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air and holding a committee meeting. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.

On Thursday 7 July Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having a
10km fox hunt from the club car park at Hucknall. More information from
Dave Wilde, G1YAI, on 0844 4355593.

On Thursday 7 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk. On Thursday
7 July South Birmingham Radio Society is having training classes with
Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Friday 8 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is participating in
Bunkers on the Air at Meriden, Haseley Knob & Wolston. Contact John,
G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.

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

On Saturday 9 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the s and also
operating GB2CWP for East Kirkby on the Air. For more information
contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 4 July 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 4 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is participating in the 80m
CC CW. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

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

On Monday 4 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
natter night. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 5 July Chester & District Amateur Radio Society launches its
L-C meter project. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870770.

On Tuesday 5 July Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is meeting
at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Mytholmroyd. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341317.

On Wednesday 6 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Andy, G0VRM, on his USA trip. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Thursday 7 July Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
its summer Pound Shop antenna challenge. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY,
on 0787 608 5631.

On Thursday 7 July South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
an antenna clinic with Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.

On Thursday 7 July Wakefield & District Radio Society is preparing for
the Holy Island DXpedition. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563117.

On Friday 8 July East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a bring in
something interesting evening. For more information contact Alistair,
G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 9 July Wakefield & District Radio Society starts its new
Advanced course and continues its Foundation course from 13:30. Contact
David, G4CLI, on 07748 221855

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

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 5 July Livingston & District Amateur Radio
Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946192.

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

On Friday 8 July Borders Amateur Radio Society is having a visit by
RSGB President Dave Wilson, M0OBW. More information from Danny, 2M0CDO,
on 01890 882850.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA Chesham & District Amateur
Radio Society proposes to run a Foundation course starting on Sunday 24
July. An exam is provisionally planned for 14 August. The cost will be
£49.50 including the exam fee, materials and room hire etc. The venue
is White Hill Community Centre, HP5 1AG. If you are interested, please
contact Terry, G0VFW, by email to as soon as
possible.

On Sunday 3 July Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2FX at Landguard Museum, Felixstowe. More information from
Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Sunday 3 July Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is taking a
coach trip to Bath. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Sunday 3 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is running the Barford
Rally. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898678.

On Sunday 3 July Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club has its
breakfast meeting in Goring. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Monday 4 July Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a DF hunt. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 4 July Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a meeting about
the McMicheal Rally. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

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

On Monday 4 July Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having its annual
barbecue at Hilary's, M1HLG. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424
319.

On Monday 4 July Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a club barbecue.
Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

On Tuesday 5 July Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Tuesday 5 July
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a quality table top sale
with Colin, G0TRM. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 6 July Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a general meeting & CW practice. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on
01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 6 July Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its quarterly business meeting. More information from John, M0UKD, on
07890 222111.

On Wednesday 6 July Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the
Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 6 July Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club has its
annual 2m fox hunt. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816684.

On Thursday 7 July Cray Valley Radio Society is having a presentation
by Roger Western, G3SXW, on his whirlwind tour of Central America,
including operating two big stations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Details from Bob, M0MCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm.

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

On Thursday 7 July Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on radio
researches by David Sumner, G3PVH. Details are on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.

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

On Thursday 7 July Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
wireless workshop evening, looking at what to do if your antenna won't
load up. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 7 July Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a pedestrian 2m DF hunt. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 7 July Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a social with
GB3VH from 7.30pm at the White Horse, Sandridge. Details from Tony,
2EOWAP, on 01727 853087.

On Friday 8 July Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
construction evening with Mike, M0BLP, making an active probe. Contact
Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501712.

On Friday 8 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and preparing for NFD. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239371.

On Friday 8 July Radio Society of Harrow having a presentation on cave
radio and electronics by Rob, G8DSU, editor of the Cave Radio and
Electronics Group Journal. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 0208
386 8586.

On Friday 8 July Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
preparing for its summer camp. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 020 8335
3434.

On Sunday 10 July Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
attending the Scout's Donkey Derby. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on
020 8502 1645.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Callington Amateur Radio Society will be
holding another Foundation Course and exam starting on Thursday 15th
September 2011. The course will run from 7 until 9pm each Thursday for
5 weeks, with the exam during the final session. For further details
please contact Chris Harris on 07973 418371 or email .

On Tuesday 5 July West Devon Radio Club is having a general natter
night and Bring & Buy. Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on
01752 291588.

On Wednesday 6 July Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding a committee
meeting. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Wednesday 6 July Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on amateur and professional deep space communications networks by
Michael Johnson. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Wednesday 6 July Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on antenna tuning units by Peter Chadwick, G3RZP. Details from
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 7 July Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk on
Photoshop by Ian. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Thursday 7 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a debrief
on VHF NFD. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695471.

On Thursday 7 July Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is holding a
DF contest. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Thursday 7 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is looking at a 4m antenna
with G0VFK. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to .

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

On Saturday 9 July Cornish Radio Amateur Club is setting up for the
Cornish Rally from 2 till 4. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209
844939.

On Sunday 10 July Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding the Cornish
Rally at Penair School. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 4 July Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having an
open meeting. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833
620733.

On Tuesday 5 July Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a fox hunt.
More information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.

On Thursday 7 July Meirion Amateur Radio Society is having a show and
tell night at the Ship Hotel, Dolgellau. Details on the web at
www.meirion-ars.co.uk.