GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 7 August 2011

The news headlines:

* ARISSAT-1 deployed from ISS

* Portugal gets amended 6m band

* Dutch amateurs get new frequencies

After a long history of delays, AMSAT-built amateur satellite ARISSAT-1
was successfully deployed from the International Space Station on
Wednesday 3 August. Cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev
hand-released the satellite, also known as Radioskaf-V, around 0243UTC.
Initial reports say that the 2m downlink is working well, but full
operational capability is not yet active. More information on the
satellite can be found at www.arissat1.org.

The National Communications Authority of Portugal has accepted a
proposal to amend the upper frequency limit on the 6m band, effective
from 4 April 2012. That coincides with the date of the complete
switch-off of the analogue TV broadcasting transmissions and the
changeover to digital terrestrial television. The new limits of the
band allocation for Portugal will be from 50 to 52MHz once analogue
television disappears from that spectrum.

Amateurs in the Netherlands now have access to bands at 500kHz and
70MHz. This after the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture &
Innovation issued a Decree on 6 July changing the National Frequency
Plan. The revised band plan shows an amateur service bands at 501 to
505kHz that will remain available until 1 January 2014. It also shows a
new allocation from 70.0 to 70.5MHz that has no time limit.

Pic-A-Star is an SDR radio designed by Peter Rhodes, G3XJP, which was
serialised in RadCom. It also appears in the RSGB Radio Communication
Handbook. Milton Keynes ARS and Milton Keynes Museum are inviting all
constructors of Pic-A-Stars to a one-day get together. This will be on
Sunday 11 September from 11am to 4pm at the Milton Keynes Museum.
Constructors of the Pic-A-star project are invited to bring their
radios for a gathering and exchange of ideas. Star add-on circuits are
also welcome. Entry will be free, but it would be nice to leave a small
donation to the Museum. Constructors of other equipment designed by
Peter are also welcome but the emphasis will be on the Pic-A-Star
project. There will be test equipment and an antenna available on the
day. Further details and directions are available online at
www.radio-kits.co.uk/pic_a_star/event.htm.

The Limerick 2m repeater on 145.725MHz is now on the air again after
being shut down due to vandalism at the repeater site. Limerick Radio
Club is grateful for the many generous donations received, which have
gone towards installation of a new security door. A new run of hardline
coax has also been installed from the hut to the mast.

On Friday 12 August, Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club will be holding a
fun ARDF event and barbecue at the IBM Sports Clubhouse, Hursley. The
ARDF event will take place from 6.30pm onwards with the barbecue
starting at 7.30pm. All equipment will be supplied and, as this is a
fun and social event, spouses and children will be welcome to
participate. There is no requirement to hold an amateur radio licence.
Full details are available on the club website, www.ivarc.org.uk.
Itchen Valley club members should note that this is a change of venue
and there will be no meeting at the club house in Brickfield Lane.

Advance notice now. To celebrate their 80th anniversary, Midland
Amateur Radio Society will be holding an open day at the club from 10am
to 4pm on 24 September. There are plans are for displays of
photographs, QSL cards, the original 1931 minute books and the cups and
awards. There will also be refreshments and the opportunity to meet the
training staff, plus the chance to operate GB8OTH. More information on
the society, which is based in Stirchley, Birmingham, can be found on
the club web site at www.radioclubs.net/mars.

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

King's Lynn ARC Rally & Car Boot will take place today, 7 August, at
Gaywood Community Centre, PE30 4DZ. Doors open at 10am and admission is
£1.50. There will be trade stands and a car boot area. Details from
Ray, G3RSV, on 01553 671 307.

The Lorn Radio Amateur Rally also takes place today, 7 August, at
Crianlarich Village Hall, Crianlarich, near Oban, FK20 8QN. Doors open
at 10am and there will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Details from
GM0ERV by email to .

Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC is holding its 18th Annual Mini-Rally Night
on Friday 12 August in the Community Centre, Main Hall, Port Seton.
Bring along your own junk and sell it yourself. Tables are on a first
come first served basis, £2 for everyone. Doors are open from 8.30 to
9.30pm.

Flight Refuelling ARS will be holding its annual Hamfest rally next
Sunday, 14 August at the Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground at
Merley, near Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3DA. Gates open to the public at
10am. Talk-in will be on S22.

The Friskney & East Lincolnshire Communications Club Rally and General
Car Boot Sale will be held on Sunday 14 August in the Friskney Village
Hall, Church Road, Friskney, Lincs. This is approximately 6.5 miles
south of Skegness. Doors open from 10am to 4pm and admission is £1.50.
Details from Bren, 2E0BDS, on 01754 820 060.

Now for the news of special events

Today, 7 August, a few amateurs in the Morecambe Bay area are putting a
special event station on for the Heysham Classic Car Rally. They are
trying to show the fun of amateur radio to a new audience. So if you're
in the Morecambe area, please feel free to drop in or contact them on
air. They will be operating 2m and HF between 10am and 4pm.

Today, Sunday 7 August, Chorley and District Amateur Radio Society is
running a special event station from Fleetwood Model Yacht Club, who is
celebrating its centenary. The callsign to listen out for is GB2MYA.
Further information is on QRZ.com. And now the HF DX news compiled from
425 DX News and other sources

VA3ITA will be on the air from 8 to 11 August, signing as /portable ZB2
in a VHF-only operation from Gibraltar. Operations will be on 6 and 2
metres using a mix of digital, SSB and CW from the east side of the
Rock, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Please check his QRZ.com page for
the latest news and e-mail him directly to schedule a contact. QSL
direct via home callsign either direct or via the bureau.

KF8UN will be in Peru until 16 August. He will be active stroke OA4 and
says that he plans to work 20 metres with particular emphasis all day
on 8 August. At other times he will be operating holiday style. QSL via
his home callsign.

Daniel, DK3CH will be active as 9A/DK3CH from Dugi Otok, which is IOTA
reference EU-170, until 10 August. QSL via his home callsign.

TM5SM will be on the air from the Saint Marcouf Islands, which is IOTA
reference EU-081, on 11 to 15 August. They will operate CW, SSB and
RTTY on all bands except 160 metres. QSL via F5RJM either direct or via
the bureau.

Ron, WA8LOW and four other operators will be active as WA8LOW/KH8 from
Tutuila in American Samoa, IOTA reference OC-045, until 17 August. They
will run four high power stations on 160 to 6 metres using all modes.
QSL via WA8LOW.

Now the contest news

The 432MHz Low Power Contest takes place today, 7 August, from 0800 to
1200UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and the first two letters of the postcode.

Also today, 7 August, is the 2nd RoPoCo event. It's a 90-minute Sunday
morning event from 0700 to 0830UTC in which you really need to be on
your toes to do well, because the rolling exchange of postcodes is a
real challenge. This is the CW leg, the SSB leg having taken place in
April.

Tuesday 9 August sees the 432MHZ UK Activity Contest taking place
between 1900 and 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The new series of 80m Club Sprints starts in August and lasts four
months. It begins with CW on the 10th from 1900 to 2030UTC. The Sprint
contest exchange is both callsigns, a serial number and your name (or
nickname in the case of some people). After soliciting a QSO you must
QSY a minimum of 2kHz before you can call another station or solicit
another QSO. Most of the time this will result in you having two QSOs
on a frequency before you have to QSY, the first when you call someone
and the second when you have taken over the frequency and called QRZ or
CQ.

On 14 August the 70MHz Cumulative takes place between 1400 and 1600UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

For the entire 48 hours of 14-15 August, European stations work
non-Europeans only in the Worked All Europe DX CW Contest. Using CW on
the 3.5 to 28MHz bands the exchange is signal report and serial number.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 25th to the 31st
of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 1st of August.

Right at the start of the period on the 25th a large sunspot group
rotated into view. This was followed by another on the 26th and yet
another on the 28th. All these three groups were complex enough to
produce large solar flares, and this is just what they did. Solar
activity increased to high on the 30th when a M9 class solar flare
occurred, and moderate on the 27th when a M1 flare took place. The
remaining days' activity was low with numerous C class solar flares of
varying strength taking place. Several sudden ionospheric disturbances
accompanied some of the larger flares. Solar flux levels increased
steadily from 87 units on the 25th to 119 by the 31st. The average was
104 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 31st was 95 units,
that's the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels increased from
B1.7 units on the 25th to B5 units by the 29th and the average was
B3.7. Geomagnetic activity was slightly unsettled on the 25th due to a
small coronal hole when the Ap index was 12 units. The following few
days saw quiet conditions till the next coronal hole disturbance
arrived around midday on the 30th. The most disturbed day was the 30th
with an Ap index of 16 units. The average was Ap 8 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds at 650 kilometres
per second on the 25th but then to 280 by the 29th. Speeds then
increased to end the period at 700 kilometres per second. Particle
densities were low every day. Bz varied between minus 12 and plus 10
nanoTeslas on the most disturbed day and between minus 3 and plus 2
nanoTeslas when activity was quiet.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be rotating into view. Solar activity is expected to be
very low to low. Solar flux levels should be around the 90 mark most
days. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at quiet levels for the
next few days but on Thursday a recurring coronal hole is expected. On
its last rotation the hole was small and on the most disturbed day the
Ap index only reached 13 units. 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 Middle
East 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 16MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 1100 and 1700 hours. Sporadic-E should take place on most
days; there is a chance that the Middle East could be worked via
multi-hop Es.

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 Derby Wireless Club is celebrating its 100 years
of continuous service to the amateur radio community. As part of this
celebration, it will be operating GB100D constantly from Monday 8
August to Saturday 13 August and from Monday 15 August to Saturday the
20th. Operation will be from 80m to 70cm. The station will be at the
club HQ, the United Reform Church Carlton Road, Derby. It will be open
to the public, and there will be a display of historic radio equipment.
More information is on the club website, www.derbywirelessclub.org.uk.

On Monday 8 August South Birmingham Radio Society is painting and
renovating the shack. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Monday 8 August Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is having a
general meeting with discussions and is on the air. More information
from Robert Bird, by email to .

On Tuesday 9 August Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 9 August Eagle Radio Group is having a talk on the early
history of telegraphy by Peter Day, G3PHO. Details from Terry, G0SWS,
on 01507 478 590.

On Tuesday 9 August Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a 160m DF event. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Tuesday 9 August Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a Hamfest committee meeting at Stafford Park. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Wednesday 10 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G6COL on the
air. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

On Wednesday 10 August Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding
training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 10 August South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having
an informal evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday 10 August Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a competition with G3UKV. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677. On Thursday 11 August Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics
Society is holding its club picnic and draw at Beechenhurst in the
Forest of Dean. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Thursday 11 August Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its summer
social BBQ. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Friday 12 August Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a portable
night and BBQ at Newbold Comyn. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 12 August South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Saturday 13 August Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the shack. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

On Sunday 14 August Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is holding its radio rally. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442 240.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 7 August Hornsea Amateur Radio
Club is taking part in the RoPoCo CW contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Monday 8 August Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club starts its
Advanced course, continues the Intermediate course, is on the air and
having a natter night. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 8 August Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on homebrew
G0KSC VHF/UHF Yagis by Mick, M0ICK. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 8 August Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
David Littlewood, G6DCT, on his OCFD antenna. More information from
Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 8 August Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding
an auction. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 9 August Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is at the
Old Post Office, Winding Road, Halifax, from 7pm. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Wednesday 10 August Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is participating in
the 80m CC CW plus watching a DVD. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on
01377 240 573.

On Wednesday 10 August Chorley and District Amateur Radio Society
commences its Foundation and Intermediate courses. Details from Nessie,
M0NES by email to .

On Thursday 11 August Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is on the
air and having a club night. Details from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 07876 085
631. On Thursday 11 August South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
watching the Japanese Morse DVD. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693
999.

On Thursday 11 August Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
talk on feedline by Dave Evans, G0EVA. Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900
563 117.

On Friday 12 August East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 12 August Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is operating, holding
discussions and offering Morse training. Contact Bob, M6KLO, by email
to .

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be holding
a Foundation course and exam over the weekend of Friday 9 to Saturday
10 September. Any interested persons can complete an application form
at www.muarc.com/courseapplicationform.htm or contact the exam
secretary Martin, MI0YMF on 02838852712. Please note all forms must be
completed and returned to the exam secretary before Tuesday 9 August
2011.

On Monday 8 August Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society is on
the air on 2m. Details from Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 9 August Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur
Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 9 August Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding an operating evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946 192.

On Thursday 11 August Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on antenna tuners by Tony, GM4HTU. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR,
on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 12 August Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club has its
18th annual mini-rally night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 7 August Chelmsford
Amateur Radio Society is spending the afternoon operating SSB as
GB100MWT from the Marconi Hut, Sandford Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Sunday 7 August Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its breakfast meeting in Goring. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.
On Monday 8 August Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club is visiting
the Museum of Military Intelligence. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG, by
email to g4ceotalk21.com.

On Monday 8 August Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is holding a
BBQ at the QTH of G4RWW. Details from Steve Beal, G3WZK, by email to
.

On Monday 8 August Felixtowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a field activity evening at Felixstowe Beach. More information
from Paul, G4YQC, by email to .

On Monday 8 August West Kent Amateur Radio Society is holding a club
meeting. Details from Keith, G4JED, via email to
.

On Tuesday 9 August Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday 9 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club
net night. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 9 August Harwell ARS is closed. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on
01235 524 844.

On Wednesday 10 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting at Danbury Village Hall. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 10 August Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society invites
members to bring their equipment for a members' forum. More details
from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 10 August Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal, construction and shack evening, plus taking part in the RSGB
80m Club Sprint CW contest. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603
898 678.

On Wednesday 10 August South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by Brian, G7IIO on his marine exploits while working on the
Tankers. Details from Dave, G4UVJ, on 01268 697 978.

On Wednesday 10 August Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its 2m fox hunt. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Thursday 11 August Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting at
Pinewood Park Leisure Club. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404
154.

On Thursday 11 August Edgware & District Radio Society is closed. More
information from Mike, G4RNW, on 02089 500 658.

On Thursday 11 August Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is on the
air at Woodley with Tom, G0VQR and David, M0DHO. Details from Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Friday 12 August Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
Morse classes. Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501 712.

On Friday 12 August Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is holding a fox
hunt. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239 371. On Friday 12 August
Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is closed. Contact Andrew
Maish, G4ADM, on 02083 353 434.

On Saturday 13 August Harwell Amateur Radio Society is holding its
annual summer BBQ. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524 844.

On Sunday 14 August Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is spending the
afternoon operating SSB as GB100MWT from the Marconi Hut, Sandford
Mill. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 8 August Exeter Amateur Radio Society
is having a club night at the Moose Centre. More information from Nick,
M6NRJ, on 01363 775756.

On Tuesday 9 August Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having
preparing for the FRARS rally and having a talk on kite antennas by
Derek, M0WOB. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860 741.

On Tuesday 9 August Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club is having a natter
and operating night. Contact Nick, M6NJB, on 01749 346 320.

On Tuesday 9 August Plymouth Radio Club is having a club meeting and
putting the club station on the air. Details from Chris, M0ZCP, on
07834 767 161.

On Wednesday 10 August Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Thursday 11 August South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471.

On Thursday 11 August Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
DF hunt and social evening. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

On Thursday 11 August Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
M0WOB on the Mizuho MX transceivers. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by
email to .

On Friday 12 August North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. More information from Dick on 01454 218 362.

On Friday 12 August Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Sunday 14 August Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is attending
the FRARS rally. Contact Tony, G0GFL, on 01258 860 741.

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.