GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 4th September 2011

The news headlines:

* Slovakia expands 60m band privileges

* PIC-a-STAR get-together at Milton Keynes

* RSGB Convention getting closer

Slovak radio amateurs are now allowed to use the entire 60m band,
that's 5.2585 to 5.410MHz, instead of the previous allocation of a
single channel on 5.260MHz. There are some caveats. Operations are
allowed for experimental purposes with a maximum of 100 watts effective
radiated power. Licenses for this are valid for only 1 year.

The RSGB Convention is just five weeks away and bookings are up on last
year. There is a full programme of lectures for both day visitors and
those spending the weekend at Horwood House near Milton Keynes. A
programme of activities has also been arranged for partners not
involved in the radio lecture. This year there are three top prizes in
the DXpedition Fund raffle, an Icom IC-7410 HF/6m transceiver, a
Kenwood TS-590S HF/6m transceivers and a Yaesu FT-450D transceiver. UK
and US amateur radio exams will also be available at the RSGB
Convention. The Foundation and Intermediate exams will be held on
Saturday 8 October. The UK Advanced exam and US exams will be held on
Sunday 9th. Those wishing to take the UK exams must book via the Exams
Department at RSGB HQ on 01234 832700. Foundation or Intermediate
examination candidates must contact Brian Reay, G8OSN via
or 01634 376516 so that their progress on
practical assessments can be verified. US exams are held as walk-in
sessions. The ARRL website gives you access to the question pool and
Part 97 to download or read online at www.arrl.org. For details on the
RSGB Convention and to book the remaining rooms go to
www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention.

The 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, in conjunction with the
Milton Keynes Museum, invite all constructors of PIC-a-STARs to a
one-day get-together. It takes place on Sunday 11 September from 11am
to 4pm at the Milton Keynes Museum. Constructors of the PIC-a-STAR
project are encouraged to bring their radios to the gathering and
exchange ideas. 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 on
www.radio-kits.co.uk/pic_a_star/event.htm.

The RSGB has learned with sadness of the death of Tony Sale, the man
behind the Bletchley Park Colossus computer rebuild project. A
remarkable and skilled man, he had a long history in engineering that
encompassed robotics, radar and computing. He was MI5's principal
scientific officer and later worked at the Science Museum. He helped
create the Computer Conservation Society and, more recently, the
National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park, where his Colossus
remains today. In January 2008 Tony Sale and Colossus were featured on
the cover of RadCom. Castles And Stately Homes On The Air will be
holding a UK & IRE Heritage event during the month of September to
coincide with the European Heritage Month. This is an opportunity to
access locations that may previously have been inaccessible or closed
to the public. Details on activations appear on the CASHOTA website,
www.cashota.co.uk. The group has also set the dates for CASHOTA's
annual Castles weekend in 2012. The event will be held over two
weekends on 18 and 19 May and 25 and 26 May. New and previous
participants are encouraged to take part. More details can be found at
www.cashota.co.uk.

The G5RP Trophy is an annual award to encourage newcomers to HF DXing.
However, the award is not limited to youngsters or the newly-licensed:
the HF DX bug can bite at any age, or after many years of experience on
other bands. If you are an established HF DXer and want to recommend
someone to be awarded the G5RP Trophy for 2011, now is the time to send
in your nomination. Your nominee should be an up-and-coming HF DXer who
has made rapid progress in the last year and has some real achievements
to show, for example, a good total of new countries worked or some
serious HF DXpedition activity. This prestigious award will be
presented this year at the RSGB Convention on 7th - 9th October. Please
send your nominations to Ian Greenshields, G4FSU, QTHR, or by e-mail to
, to arrive no later than Friday 23
September.

GB2RS recently learned that RSGB Life Vice President Pat Hawker MBE,
G3VA, has been taken ill and is in hospital. He is expected to make a
good recovery but may have to move to a nursing home. He says he is
thinking of us all, but may not be able to return to the radio.
Messages of support can be sent to him QTHR, from where they will be
relayed.

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

Today, 4 September, the Telford Hamfest is taking place at the
Enginuity Museum, Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7DU. Doors open at
10.30am and the usual traders will be present, This year there are a
large number of radio valves for sale. The Bring & Buy will be
operating as usual. The lecturer will be Roger, G4ROJ, with his
fascinating talk and demonstration of kites and balloons used as
antenna supports. There are two sessions, 11am & 1pm. There is limited
seating so be early. The organisers recommend that if you come to the
Hamfest from the North, East or West, you should use the M54 and leave
it at Junction 6. Enginuity is just 5 minutes from there. From the
South, via Much Wenlock, take the Telford road. Turn off right for
Ironbridge and then left up the hill to Coalbrookdale.

Next weekend, on Saturday 10 September, the Warrington Communications
Market will be held in Warrington Indoor Market, Bank Street, Academy
Way, WA1 2EN. Doors open at 10am and there is a multi- storey car park
nearby. There is free entry to the event and there are cafes in market
for refreshments. Trade stands are available from £10 per table with
free parking below the venue for traders. Details from Patrick on 07581
545 671.

On Sunday 11 September, Torbay Annual Communications Fair takes place
at Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF. There will be
trade stands, a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstall. Doors open at 10am
and admission is £2. Details by e-mail to . Now for
the news of special events

Several special event stations are being run to commemorate the 10th
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the USA. ARRL reports that these
include the Pentagon Amateur Radio Club, K4AF, from 1100UTC on Saturday
10 September until 0100UTC on Sunday 11 September.

Churches & Chapels On the Air takes place next weekend, 10 and 11
September, from 10am to 4pm. There will be several stations on the air,
mainly 40 and 80m SSB with special event callsigns. The organisers
particularly ask all amateurs to give the stations a call.

GB4CFV will be put on the air by members of the Friskney & East
Linconshire Communications Club. Visitors are welcome to come and join
them or call them on the air on 10 and 11 September at Church Farm
Museum in Skegness. They plan be active on 2m FM and will be using PSK,
SSB and CW on the HF bands.

Preston ARS will put GB1AVR on the air for Ackworth Vintage Rally on 10
and 11 September from Lanes Farm, Ackworth.

Throughout September, special event station 3Z176DORR will be on the
air to commemorate German scientist Robert Dorr. The station will be
QRV from Polish Flora & Fauna parks SPFF-025, 151, 200, 222, 261, 335,
336 and 337. Information can be found on qrz.com.

The Lithuanian amateur radio society, LRMD, is organising a number of
special event stations to mark the 37th European Men's Basketball
Championships. There are around 23 special calls, all LY37 plus one
letter, active until 18 September. Full details, including Awards that
can be achieved for working the stations, are in English at
www.LRMD.LT/basketball-2011-en.htm.

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

ZS6AYU will be active as ZS6AYU/A25 from Botswana between 9 and 11
September. Operations will probably be on 10 through to 40m including
17 and 12m using CW only. QSL via ZS6AYU.

Members of the Wessex Contest Group will be active from the island of
St Martin's, Isles of Scilly, using the club callsign MX0WCB, between
11 and 17 September. Activity will be mainly QRP on the 40, 20, 17, 15
and 10m bands. The team will use three FT-817 transceivers, a Clansman
PR320 and an FT-897 as the main shack radio. QSL direct, by the Bureau,
eQSL or via M0WAY.

K3GV/VY2 will be active mostly on 15m and 20m from Prince Edward
Island, which is IOTA reference NA- 029, for one month starting on 1
September. QSL via K3GV either via the bureau or direct.

OZ/DF6FL, OZ/DL9ZE and OZ/DL5FF are working from Bornholm in SSB, CW
and RTTY on 40-10m until 10 September. QSLs via their home calls either
via the bureau or direct. Now the contest news

There are several contests active today, 4 September. The RSGB SSB
Field Day finishes at 1300UTC on all bands from 3.5 to 28MHz; the
exchange is signal report and serial number. The 144MHz trophy also
runs until 1400UTC. The fifth and final 144MHz Backpackers' Contest
takes place between 1100 and 1500UTC. For those unfamiliar with
backpacker contesting, there are antenna and height restrictions in
both sections.

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Amateur Television
International Contest takes place from 1800UTC on Saturday 10 September
until 1200UTC on Sunday 11 September. Stations are encouraged to
participate, or just look for increased amateur TV activity on the 70,
23, 13 and 3cm bands. Talkback is most likely to be found around
144.750MHz FM or 144.525MHz SSB. More information can be found on the
British Amateur Television Club website www.batc.org.uk.

On 6 September from 1900 to 2130UTC the 144MHz UK Activity Contest
takes place. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

The 2nd 70MHz contest takes place on 11 September from 0900 to 1200UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 22nd to the 28th
of August, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 29th of August.

This week saw the return of the active regions from almost a month ago.
The groups have decayed during their transit of the far side of the
sun. Since their return, solar activity increased to low levels on the
22nd, 24th and the 26th, when only small strength C class solar flares
took place. Solar flux levels varied little day to day and averaged 104
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 28th was 97 units, that's
one up on the previous week. X-ray flux units also varied little day to
day and averaged B2.5 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day;
saying that, a weak coronal hole disturbance arrived on the 23rd but
the Ap index only increased to an Ap index of 9 units. The average was
Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds increase to 470 kilometres per second on the 23rd and then
gradually decline to 370 kilometres per second by the 28th. Particle
densities remained low every day. Bz varied between minus 7 and plus 8
nanoTeslas on the 23rd, which was the most disturbed day, and
significantly less on the quieter days.

And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. Therefore, solar activity is expected
to be very low most days but the occasional C class solar flare could
take place and lift solar activity to low levels. Solar flux levels
should be around the mid 80's for most of the week. Today could be
slightly unsettled but otherwise geomagnetic activity is expected to be
at quiet levels for the rest of the week. MUFs during daylight hours at
equal latitudes are expected to be around 23MHz for the south and the
20MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be 10MHz. Paths this
week to South Africa 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. The best time to
try this path will be between 1200 and 1600 hours UTC.

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 RAYNET Amateur Radio Group announces it has
no social meetings this month as they are on RAYNET duties. Contact
Martin, G7MKS, via email to .

On Sunday 4 September Midland Amateur Radio Society is visiting Telford
Hamfest. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Sunday 4 September South Birmingham Radio Society is running a club
stand at Telford Hamfest. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Sunday 4 September Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
running Telford Hamfest at the Enginuity Centre, Coalbrookdale TF8 7DG.
Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Sunday 4 September Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is visiting
the Telford rally. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to
.

On Monday 5 September Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
holding its AGM presentation of the G4MA Trophy in Pat Perkins' name by
his sons. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Monday 5 September South Birmingham Radio Society is unpacking the
trailer and putting the shack on the air. Contact Don, on 01214 581
603.

On Tuesday 6 September Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 6 September Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications
Club is having a construction night and holding its AGM. Contact Chris,
M0MFP, on 01507 442 240.

On Tuesday 6 September Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a video evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509
504 319.

On Wednesday 7 September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is putting G5FZ on the
air and preparing for National Hamfest. For more information contact
Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

On Wednesday 7 September Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding an
open night with training classes and putting the shack on the air.
Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 7 September South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
lecture in the main hall. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603. On Wednesday 7
September South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having an informal
evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday 7 September Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a committee meeting and is on the air. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 8 September Salop Amateur Radio Society is holding a fox
hunt. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 8 September South Birmingham Radio Society is having
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 01214 581
603.

On Friday 9 September Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding the 4th
round of the G2FDC Trophy. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 9 September South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Saturday 10 September Hinckley Amateur Radio Society is taking part
in Churches on the Air with Mark, 2E0SBM. Details from John, M0JAV, on
07836 731 544.

On Saturday 10 September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is in the shack and
holding Saturday Surgery. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO,
on 01427 788 356.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 5 September Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air and preparing for Churches and Chapels
on the Air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 5 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening and Foundation course taster session. More information from
Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 5 September Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
having a natter night. Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 6 September Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
looking at the L/C meter project and having a presentation on the club
website. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870 770.

On Tuesday 6 September Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
discussing a new semi-permanent aerial to get the club on the air at
Mytholmroyd. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Wednesday 7 September Denby Dale Radio Club is having an operating
evening at Cartworth Moor using the new 60ft tower and antennas.
Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Wednesday 7 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding a fox
hunt. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Thursday 8 September 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 8 September South Manchester Radio and Computer
Club is having an antenna and propagation clinic with Ron, G3SVW.
Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Thursday 8 September Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a
pie & peas evening at HQ, for which there is a £2 per portion charge.
Contact Ken, 2E0SSQ, on 07900 563 117.

On Friday 9 September Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club commences
its weekend event for Heritage Open Days at Whitehall Road Methodist
Church. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Friday 9 September East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 9 September Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is having an
overview of the IARU HF Contest 2011. Contact Bob, M6KLO, by email to
.

On Saturday 10 September Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is
participating in Churches and Chapels on the Air from 10am to 5pm.
Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Saturday 10 September Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is taking part in
Churches and Chapels on the Air from 10am to 5pm. Contact Bob, M6KLO,
by email to .

On Saturday 10 September Wakefield & District Radio Society is running
a Foundation exam and continuing its Advanced course. Details from
David, G4CLI, on 07748 221 855.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Friday 9 September Mid Ulster Amateur
Radio Club commences its weekend Foundation course and exam. For more
information send an email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 6 September Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740
946 192.

On Thursday 8 September Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Graham, GM8FFX. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575
663.

On Friday 9 September Borders Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
horizontal antenna VRPs by Ian, GM8IIO. More information from Danny,
2M0CDO, on 01890 882 850.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 4 September Worthing
& District Amateur Radio Club is having a breakfast meeting at the SSB
Field Day site at Adversane. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Monday 5 September Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a sale of unwanted items for BWFTB. For more information contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 5 September Burnham Beeches Radio Club is holding a fox hunt.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 5 September Felixstowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a net on 145.400MHz from 8pm. More information from Paul,
G4YQC, by email to .

On Monday 5 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is at Chaseley,
making arrangements for the RCN SARS visit. Details from John, G3DQY,
on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 5 September Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a talk on fox
hunting by Terry Giles, G4CDY. Contact John, G3MCX, on 02086 883 322.

On Tuesday 6 September Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday 6 September Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on programming modern VHF/UHF rigs. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 7 September Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a general meeting and a CW training session. More details from
Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 7 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Rob Mannion on Practical Wireless * striding into the future. Details
from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday 7 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating
at the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 7 September Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on workshop electrical safety by Kelvan, M0KEL. Contact
Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Thursday 8 September Bittern DX Group is having an informal meeting
at Pinewood Park Leisure Club. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404
154.

On Thursday 8 September Edgware & District Radio Society is having a
maps and atlases evening. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 02089
500 658.

On Thursday 8 September Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502 564
242.

On Friday 9 September Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
debugging the Soft Rock II Lite SDR wit Mike, M0BLP. Contact Ron,
G3KBR, on 01223 501 712. On Friday 9 September Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio
Society is having a radio night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239
371.

On Friday 9 September Radio Society of Harrow is holding a mini field
day satellite operation from 2pm at the Old Redding View Point Car
park, Harrow Weald HA3 6SE. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on
02083 868 586.

On Friday 9 September Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a SARS
and RCN twinning weekend. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Friday 9 September Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a retrospective on the summer camp. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM,
on 02083 353 434.

On Saturday 10 September Radio Society of Harrow is working amateur
satellites at Old Redding from 2pm. More information from Linda, G7RJL,
on 02083 868 586.

On Sunday 11 September Bittern DX Group is at the Ingworth Trosh.
Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404 154.

On Sunday 11 September Crawley Amateur Radio Club is hosting the annual
Microwave Round Table. This is a day of demonstrations, presentations,
equipment and component sales, all microwave related. Refreshments are
available and visitors are welcome.. More information from John, G3VLH,
on 01342 714 402.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Tuesday 6 September West Devon Radio Club is
having a natter night and club visits. Refreshments are available.
Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291 588.

On Wednesday 7 September Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding a
committee meeting. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844 939.

On Wednesday 7 September Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is
installing the SteppIR Antenna with Rob Connett, G0WSC and Kelvin
Marsh, M0AID. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more
information.

On Wednesday 7 September Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on Linux by Tony, G0WMB. Contact Tony,
G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Wednesday 7 September Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having an evening on VNA analysis by G0BBL. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on
01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 8 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is attempting
to contact GB2BLE on Lundy Island. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA,
on 07838 695 471.

On Thursday 8 September Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk, 20 Days to Christmas Island T32C by Tony, G4LDL. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317 750. On Thursday 8 September Yeovil Amateur Radio
Club is building a project with G3PCJ. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by
email to .

On Friday 9 September North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on repeaters by Dr Tony Hawker, G4CJZ. More information from Dick on
01454 218 362.

On Friday 9 September Torbay Amateur Radio Society is holding a
pre-rally meeting. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email
to .

On Saturday 10 September Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is
running a special event station at Arlington Court. Contact Brian
Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473 251 for more information.

On Saturday 10 September South Bristol Amateur Radio Club's GB2BLE crew
returns. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471.

NEWS FOR WALES We start with advance notice of a D-Star digital
workshop that will take place on 13 November in Cardiff. The one-day
event is at County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, from 10am until 5pm.
It will cover such things as basic D-Star, radio programming, repeaters
and reflectors. Volunteers will even program your radio for you. For
more information email .

On Monday 5 September Dragon Amateur Radio Club is holding a junk sale.
More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620 733.

On Tuesday 6 September Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz.
More information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.