GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 2nd October 2011

The news headlines:

* RSGB Convention next weekend

* GPS disruption tests due in East Anglia

* International support for RSGB-proposed 472 to 480kHz amateur band

The RSGB Convention takes place next weekend, 7 to 9 October at Horwood
House, near Milton Keynes. Booking for room packages closes today, 2
October, but day tickets, priced £6.50, are available for either
Saturday or Sunday. Lectures run from 9.30am to 5.45pm on Saturday and
9am to 3.30pm on Sunday. See www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention for
details.

Ofcom has announced that multiple jammers will be disrupting the SatNav
GPS system around Stanford, East Anglia, between 0900 and 1730BST from
3 to 7 October. There will be multiple jammers, land based, within 5km
of N52° 31.0' E000° 45.0' using 24MHz band signals centred around
1575.42MHz. It is stressed that Safety of Life operations will at all
times take precedence over exercise activities. For further in
formation contact .

For several years the RSGB has been very actively involved in
preparations for the 2012 World Radio Congress, or WRC-12. The work
centres on creating a European Common Proposal, or ECP, for a secondary
amateur allocation in the band 415 to 526.5kHz. Society representatives
have been working with one of CEPT's project teams to secure a positive
outcome on this, the only amateur radio-related agenda item. At its
meeting between 26 and 29 September the CEPT project team approved a
draft ECP for an 8kHz-wide band between 472 and 480kHz. This draft ECP
now goes to CEPT's Conference Preparatory Group for formal ratification
in November. This breakthrough, at the 11th and final meeting of the
project team, occurred with the submission by Ofcom of an RSGB-drafted
compromise ECP proposal. Whilst the 8kHz band differs from that agreed
by CITEL, a similar regional grouping of countries to CEPT but in the
Americas, there is a 6kHz overlap. Of course there is still some way to
go, but the prospect of an agreed CEPT position is good progress,
representing a 48 country block vote going into next year's WRC-12. It
needs to be noted that the draft ECP comes with significant caveats to
avoid interference to the primary user, as well as the existing
secondary user services. These are the maritime and aeronautical
radionavigation services respectively. As secondary users we would also
not be afforded any protection. It should be acknowledged that we have
had support from a number of Region 1 national societies as well as
Ofcom in getting to this position

The British Astronomical Association is organising a meteor watch
exercise for the coming Draconids shower, between 7 and 9 October. It
would be interesting to compare meteor scatter counts against activity
reported by visual observers up and down the country. The Draconids are
not normally a large event but are subject to occasional outbursts and
there has been speculation that this year could produce one of these.
Observations are requested across the three days of 7, 8 and 9 October.
Preferably these would be around- the clock, but if this is not
possible, between 1500 and 2300UTC on the three days. Counts in
15-minute bins will be appropriate for most of the time but on the
evening of 8 October, most likely between 1800 and 2100UTC, the rates
may be changing very quickly and so it would be advantageous to have
the counts in 5- minute bins. It is very important that receiver
settings and antenna alignment are kept constant throughout the period
of observation. If possible, the beam of the antenna should be directed
towards the mid-point of the great circle path joining the transmitter
and receiver locations. Paul Hyde, G4CSD the BAA Coordinator for the
Radio Astronomy Group, will be consolidating the observations into a
single report which will be sent to all participants. Please contact
him by e-mail to for further information on
how to submit reports.

The T32C DXpedition to Kirimitati now has 10 Yaesu FT-450 transceivers
and eight linear amplifiers on the island, along with the hardware to
put up gain antennas for 10 through 80 metres, and a big vertical for
160m. They also plan to install Beverages for receiving. Operation
should be in full swing by this weekend and they aim to post any
breaking news on the DXpedition website, www.t32c.com.

The Central Scotland Mini Convention is a new event planned for June
2012. It will be held at the Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre,
Livingston. Planned attractions include traders' tables, a bring and
buy stall and a programme of talks. Further details will be posted at
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/cshrc when they become available.

In under a year the AMSAT-UK FUNcube Yahoo Group has achieved over 2000
members. The group was created by Rob Styles, M0TFO at the end of
October 2010. Its purpose is to provide support for the AMSAT- UK
FUNcube satellite and the FUNcube Dongle software defined radio
package. There are two talks at this year's RSGB Convention on the
Funcube satellite and the FUNcube dongle by Graham Shirville, G3VZV and
Howard Long, G6LVB respectively.

The 54th Jamboree On The Air will take place on 15 and 16 October. This
year's theme is Peace, Environment and Natural Disasters. Within this
year's JOTA, an emergency communications exercise will take place on
Saturday, 15 October, 2011 in the afternoon, European time zone. This
simulated emergency test will include the Headquarters station, HB9S,
of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, which will be operated
by amateurs from 5 different countries.

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

The RSGB Convention takes place at Horwood House near Milton Keynes on
7 to 9 October. Five lecture streams are available on both Saturday and
Sunday, totalling 65 lectures to choose from. There is also a Partners
Programme for those not interested in the radio events of the weekend,
with a trip to Stowe Landscape Gardens and Milton Keynes. Both UK and
US exams are available over the weekend. See
www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention for full details.

The Autumn Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale takes
place on 9 October at the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich,
Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2.50. There
will be civil, military and vintage radio equipment plus vehicle spares
and more. Contact Rod Siebert, 01270 623 353. Now for the news of
special events

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of HMS Belfast's arrival in the Pool
of London, in October 1971, the London Group of the RNARS will be
active as GB40HMSB between 1 October and 31 December. A commemorative
QSL card will be available in the New Year.

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

DL8KX and DD8ZJ will be active as 9H3KX from Gozo Island between 8 and
14 October. Their operation will be on the HF bands using CW and SSB.
QSL via DL8KX either direct or via by the bureau.

There is a joint US/Australian trip to Vanuatu until 12 October. The
callsign will be YJ0VK. They will be on all bands from 10 to 160m using
CW, SSB and RTTY/PSK31. QSLs go via VK2CA.

DK0RZ will be on the air from Hallig Hooge, which is IOTA reference
EU-042, on 5 to 8 October. They plan to operate CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL
via the bureau.

DJ7RJ will be operating as FR/DJ7RJ from Reunion Island, which is IOTA
reference AF-016, between 4 and 26 October. He will operate CW and SSB
on 10 to 160m, with a focus on the low bands using a 500 watt amplifier
into an inverted L antenna. QSL via home call, direct or bureau.

A group of operators from the Workington Radio Club and the Sands
Contest Group will be active as MS0WRC from the Isle of Tiree until 8
October. QSL via G0MTD, direct or bureau.

Now the contest news

The IARU 432MHz-248GHz Contest runs until 1400UTC on 2 October. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The 21/28MHz Contest takes place today, Sunday 2 October. The planned
deletion of this event from the contest calendar may have contributed
to the substantial increase in entries in all sections last year. They
are hoping for similar results this year. Taking place from 0700 to
1900UTC and using CW and SSB on the two bands, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and district.

Tuesday 4 October sees the 144MHZ UK Activity Contest taking place from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

On the 8th and 9th, the CW legs of the Oceania DX and the EU Sprint
take place. The Oceania DX is from 0800 to 0800UTC and the EU Sprint
from 1600 to 2000UTC. Being a sprint, of course there's a QSY rule. It
says that if you make a QSO as a result of calling CQ or QRZ, you then
have to QSY a minimum of 2kHz before you can make another QSO. And
please don't forget that the exchange includes both callsigns. And now
the solar factual data for the period from the 19th to the 25th of
September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 26th of September.

After several warnings about a sudden increase in solar activity, this
week it happened with a bang. Solar activity started the period at low
levels with large C class solar flares on the 19th and the 20th. On the
21st, a large new sunspot group was rotating into view, and it produced
an X1 solar flare on the 22nd. Activity continued to increase and on
the 24th a further X1 class solar flare took place, along with a number
of large M class flares, and not all from the same group because two
small groups produced weaker M class flares. Strong sudden ionospheric
disturbances and large coronal mass ejections accompanied many of the
large solar flares. Solar flux levels increased steadily during the
period from 141 units on the 19th to 158 by the 23rd. The figure for
the 24th was 190, however, this was measured at the usual delay that
coincided with a large solar flare taking place at the same time, so
the figure is what we call `flare enhanced', a more realistic figure
would have been around the mid 160's, but the figure of 190 will be
recorded which makes that the highest daily figure for this cycle. The
next day the figure was 169. The average was 157 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 25th was 108, that's five units up on the
previous week. X-ray flux levels increased from B7.1 units to C2.7 by
the 25th. The average was C1. Geomagnetic activity was quiet all week
with the Ap index into the low single figures every day. The average
was Ap 4 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds vary between 300 and 450 kilometres per second. Densities were
low throughout and the Bz varied no more that minus 5 and plus 6
nanoTeslas during the period.

And now the solar forecast. This week still should see the active side
of the Sun looking our way, at first anyway, but by next weekend solar
activity should decline as the large sunspot group rotates out of view.
Solar flux levels should decline to around the 120's later in the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet at first but, due to a coronal
hole, activity should increase by next weekend. A warning though, at
any time this week a coronal mass ejection could arrive and with it
geomagnetic activity will increase significantly. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around 30MHz for the south and 27MHz
for the north, though these levels should decline as the week
progresses and will be much lower if any large scale magnetic storms
take place. Darkness hour lows should about 12MHz. This week the Five
Star DXers Association DXpedition to Christmas Island in the Pacific
with the callsign T32C will be under way. Hopefully by now the pile ups
will be somewhat smaller. If the solar flux levels remain high then
best time to try to work them on 28MHz will be between 0930 and 1130
short path and around 0900 on the long path. Failing that, 14MHz will
be open from around 0730 through till around midday on the short path
and from 0600 on the long path. With it being a polar path, quiet
magnetic conditions are almost essential and any medium sized
disturbances will make it all the more difficult to work them. Next
week we will have the LF bands forecast.

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 2 October Cheltenham Amateur Radio
Association is starting a new meeting for those just discovering the
hobby. The initial meeting will be at 4pm on Sunday at the Brizen Youth
Centre, Up Hatherley Way, Cheltenham. More information, including a
location map and Facebook contact, is at www.caranet.co.uk.

On Sunday 2 October Lincoln Short-Wave Club is clearing up after the
National Hamfest For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788 356.

On Monday 3 October Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having a talk by Cliff Powlesland, G8CQZ on a DDS based signal
generator. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Monday 3 October South Birmingham Radio Society is putting the shack
on the air and having an open meeting and ragchew. Contact Don, on
01214 581 603.

On Tuesday 4 October Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 4 October Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club
is having a talk on RAYNET by A Clark, G8EVI. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on
01507 442 240.

On Tuesday 4 October Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding an open forum for ideas about the forthcoming open day. More
information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 5 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is having an open
meeting, putting the shack on the air and holding training classes.
Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 5 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
lecture in the main hall at 8pm. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Wednesday 5 October South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is looking
back at the National Hamfest. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday 5 October Telford & District Amateur Radio Society HQ is
closed and there is a committee meeting at Stafford Park. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 6 October Derby RAYNET Amateur
Radio Group is having a demonstration of software defined radio by
Steve, G8EBM. Contact Martin, G7MKS, via email to
.

On Thursday 6 October Salop Amateur Radio Society is holding its
construction competition. Details on the club website at
www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 6 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having training
classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Friday 7 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
G4GEE on radio and cruising the Scottish islands & Norwegian fjords.
Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 7 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Sunday 9 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is at the RSGB
Convention at Horwood House, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes. Details
from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Sunday 9 October South Birmingham Radio Society is at the RSGB
Convention at Horwood House, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes. Contact
Don, on 01214 581 603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 2 October Hornsea Amateur Radio
Club is taking part in the 21/28MHz Contest. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Monday 3 October Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 3 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 3 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a natter night and construction competition. Details on the web at
www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 4 October Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is having
a quiz versus Wirral and District. Details from Barbara Green on 07957
870 770.

On Tuesday 4 October Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
continuing its Intermediate and Foundation training courses and
constructing a new aerial to be erected at the Church. Contact Martin,
M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Tuesday 4 October Stockport Radio Society is preparing the G5O QSL
cards for distribution to the QSL Bureau. More information from Nigel
Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 5 October Denby Dale Radio Club is holding its mini rally
at the Pie Hall, Denby Dale. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220
126. On Wednesday 5 October Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a tale
of two workshops. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Thursday 6 October 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 6 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having an antenna & propagation clinic with Ron, G3SVW. Details from
Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Friday 7 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Sunday 9 October Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is holding
its Advanced exam. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club will be holding
a foundation course and exam over the weekend of Friday 28 and Saturday
29 October. Anyone wishing get on the first step of amateur radio
should register for the course by Monday 10 October. To register, go to
www.muarc.com/courseapplicationform.htm and complete the form. More
information on the course from the exam secretary, Martin, MI0YMF, on
02838 852 712.

On Sunday 9 October Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club is holding its
monthly meeting from 3pm at Brownlow Resource Centre, Brownlow Road,
Craigavon, BT65 5DL. Details are online at www.muarc.com.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 4 October Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, on 07740
946 192.

On Wednesday 5 October Lothians Radio Society is having a talk about
DXpeditioning to Senegal & Jersey by Tom Wylie, GM4FDM. Contact Andy
Sinclair, by email to .

On Thursday 6 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 7 October Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811
723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA The GB2RS news readings in the
Bromley, Kent area, terminated recently when the main news reader had
to stand down for personal reasons. The readings took place at 7pm on
145.525MHz and at 8pm via 70cm repeater GB3OK. Unfortunately the
reserve news reader is also no longer available. Consequently, two or
three new volunteer readers are required urgently. Volunteers must be
members of the RSGB and need to be within the service area of the
Bromley repeater, GB3OK. The retiring readers were in Chislehurst and
Crayford. The reading via GB3OK had extensive coverage with a large
following. If you are interested, please contact the GB2RS News
Manager, Gordon, G3LEQ, on 01565 652 652 for further information.

On Sunday 2 October Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having
its breakfast meeting at the Goring Cafe. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903
816 684.

On Monday 3 October Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for JOTA and having a talk on RAYNET by G0DEC. For more
information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 3 October Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a surplus
equipment sale. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 3 October Edgware & District Radio Society is having a short
talk by Steve, G0PQB on the Royal Airship Works. More information from
Mike, G4RNW, on 02089 500 658.

On Monday 3 October Felixstowe & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a fish & chip supper. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by
email to .

On Monday 3 October Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk at
Chaseley. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Monday 3 October Surrey Radio Contact Club Autumn is having a
surplus equipment sale. Contact John, G3MCX, on 02086 883 322.

On Tuesday 4 October Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding its
AGM. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 4 October Verulam Amateur Radio Club is holding its 50th
Birthday Dinner at 8pm at the Quality Hotel, St Albans. Details from
Tony, 2EOWAP, on 01727 853 087.

On Wednesday 5 October 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 5 October Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 5 October Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding a discussion evening. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Thursday 6 October Cray Valley Radio Society is having a
presentation on high performance antennas by Justin Johnson, G0KSC.
Contact Malcolm Bryan, G8MCA, on 07906 433 965 On Thursday 6 October
Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night and
social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472 846.

On Thursday 6 October Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a used
equipment sale. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 6 October Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564 242.

On Thursday 6 October Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
a wireless workshop. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 6 October Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening with repeater group GB3VH from 7.30pm at the Queens Head Pub,
Sandridge. Details from Tony, 2EOWAP, on 01727 853 087.

On Friday 7 October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having
a talk on military radio equipment for the amateur by Dennis Noe,
M0NDJ. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 7 October Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on HRD and Datamodes by Dave Cutts, M0TAZ. Contact Marc
Litchman, G0TOC, on 02085 021 645.

On Friday 7 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239 371.

On Friday 7 October Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 8 October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club
continues its Foundation training course. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737
552 170.

On Saturday 8 October Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society is at
Thatcham Arts & Leisure. Details from Rob, G4LMW, on 01635 862 737.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Tuesday 4 October West Devon Radio Club is
having a natter night and open evening. Further information from Jules
Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752 291 588.

On Wednesday 5 October Banbury Amateur Radio Society will be meeting at
the QTH of Frank, M0BJN, where Simon, GW0NVN will be giving a
presentation on a simple 80m PSK31 transceiver. Further details and
directions are online at www.banburyarc.org.

On Wednesday 5 October Cornish Radio Amateur Club is holding a
committee meeting at Perranarworthal Church Hall. Details from Steve,
G7VOH, on 01209 844 939.

On Wednesday 5 October Taunton & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234 for more information.
On Wednesday 5 October Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a talk on radio restoration by Doug, G7FCO. Contact
Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Wednesday 5 October Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical demo of ATV by G8BYI & G8DRK. Details from Ian,
G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 6 October Cornish Radio Amateur Club is meeting at Gweal an
Top School. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844 939.

On Thursday 6 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
workshop on Morse code. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695
471.

On Thursday 6 October Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on Cooke and Wheatstone and the introduction of the electric
telegraph on Britain's railways by Mr John Biffen of the Science
Museum. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

On Thursday 6 October Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
amateur and weather satellites by Steve, G7AHP. Contact Steve Crask,
G7AHP, by email to .

On Friday 7 October North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a Bring
and Buy. More information from Dick on 01454 218 362.

On Friday 7 October Saltash & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its annual junk sale. Visitor are most welcome. Contact Brian, M0BHG,
on 01752 844 321.

On Friday 7 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 3 October Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on the early history of radio by GW8NZN. More information from
Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620 733.

On Tuesday 4 October Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Mike on domestic radio restoration, from acquisition to enjoyment. More
information from Patrick, 2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.