GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 9th October 2011

The news headlines:

* RSGB announces Extraordinary General Meeting

* 5MHz station in Greece

* ISS astronaut to join in Jamboree on the Air

The Society has announced that it will be convening an Extraordinary
General Meeting on 19 November 2011. The meeting will allow members the
opportunity to comment on proposals to address issues surrounding the
governance of the Society. Full details will be in the November issue
of RadCom, but the editorial from that issue has been pre-released and
can be read on the RSGB website, www.rsgb.org.

After three years of negotiation the Radio Amateur Association of
Greece has been given permission for its headquarters club station,
SZ1SV, to use the channel centred on 5400kHz. SZ1SV is permitted to use
5398.5 to 5401.5kHz for SSB, CW and digital modes, with a maximum power
of 100W. Since the permission is based upon propagation studies, the
Greek association is planning to operate a beacon, somewhat similar to
our own 5MHz chain, when the station is not being used for contacts.
The RSGB has been working closely with Manos, SV1IW, President of the
Radio Amateur Association of Greece, on their planned usage of this
channel for beaconing, so that this can exist alongside our and others
usage of the channel for QSOs. Plans for the beacon have yet to be
finalised, but it will likely operate every 15 minutes, with an
alternating CW and PSK31/PSK63 identifier. The beacon may be capable of
being remotely switched as a further measure to minimise interference
to other users of the channel.

This year's Jamboree On The Air takes place on 15 and 16 October.
NA1SS, which is the International Space Station, is going to be on the
air throughout the JOTA weekend. Astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG, who is
also a Scoutmaster, is going to be on the air during breaks from his
work schedule. He should be available on most of the passes around the
world. The uplink is 145.200MHz and the downlink is 145.800MHz, both
plus and minus Doppler shift as the ISS passes overhead. Within this
year's JOTA, an emergency communications exercise will take place on
Saturday, 15 October in the afternoon, European time zone. This
simulated emergency test will include the Headquarters station, HB9S,
of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, which will be operated
by amateurs from five different countries.

The MM0RAI/P Rockall DXpedition was a success. The amateurs managed to
land on the rock, IOTA reference EU-189, and set up the station.
Operation started on 1 October at 1545UTC and they stopped transmitting
on 2 October at 0652UTC. Online logs will be available soon. For more
information, including photographs, check out the website at
www.rockall.be.

India's latest amateur radio satellites, SRMSAT and JUGNU, are now at
the Indian Space Research Organisation spaceport at Sriharikota, ready
to launch on 12 October. VU2WMY says he used an AMSAT- UK FUNcube
Dongle SDR to receive telemetry from SRMSAT and JUGNU during
environmental tests. Bletchley Park Trust has been granted 4.6 million
pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the regeneration of
Bletchley Park. The investment will enable the restoration of iconic
Codebreaking Huts 1, 3 and 6, and create a world-class visitor centre
and exhibition in the currently derelict Block C as soon as £1.7
million in match funding has been raised. Not only will this
development allow the conservation of buildings of highly significant
heritage value, it will considerably improve the educational offering
and visitor experience at Bletchley Park.

The next Advanced revision course run by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio
Society starts on Thursday 27 October. This short revision course is
aimed at those who have already studied at home or elsewhere. It will
be held on Thursday evenings between 7 and 9pm at Danbury Village Hall
from 27 October to 1 December. The exam will be held on Monday, 5
December. For more details on this or the other CARS training courses
speak to Clive, G1EUC, on 01245 224 577.

Entries for the Lifeboat Amateur Radio Society's annual SOS Radio Week
are now being accepted. SOS Radio Week 2012 is nine days of sponsored
operating from 21 to 29 January. It is open to individuals, groups and
clubs. Participants can operate from home, their club HQ, the local
shopping centre, a Lifeboat Station, in fact anywhere they like.
There's no minimum time you need to dedicate, just as much time as you
can spare. All money raised goes to the RNLI. In the past two years,
amateur radio operators taking part in SOS Radio Week have raised over
£7,200. If you'd like to take part, please register on the website,
www.sosradioweek.org.uk.

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

Today, 9 October, the Autumn Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur
Hangar Sale takes place at 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 on 01270 623 353.

On Sunday 16 October the Blackwood and District ARS Rally takes place
at Coleg Gwent, Risca Road, Cross Keys, NP11 7ZA. Doors open at 10.40
and admission is £2. There will be trade stands, special interest
groups and a Bring & Buy. More details from Dave, GW4HBK on 01495 228
516.

The Hornsea Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on 16 October at the
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Yorkshire, HU18 1NQ. Doors
open at 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy as well as
special interest groups. Details from Rick, M0CZR by e-mail to
.

Now for the news of special events

Bedford and District Amateur Radio Club will be operating GB4BMA from
Broham Mill on National Apple Day, 16 October.

There will be many special event stations on the air for JOTA on 15 and
16 October. The October RadCom contains a list of over 20 special event
stations that have issued for the event. And now the HF DX news
compiled from 425 DX News and other sources

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

IZ4AMS/P will be active from Tinetto Island, IOTA reference EU-083,
from 9 to 10 October. He will be using the 80, 40 and 20 metre bands.
QSL via his home callsign.

After just four days, the T32C DXpedition has passed the 50,000 QSO
milestone. It has turned out to be something of an unplanned Field Day
style operation and they now have no expectations of the container of
equipment arriving while they are on Christmas Island. Instead, the
team hand-carried just over one metric tonne of equipment to the
island. They are extremely grateful to all those who loaned equipment
at short notice to help enable the DXpedition to take place and be
successful. They will continue to make regular updates on the website
and Michael, G7VJR will no doubt update Twitter while he is there. The
online log on ClubLog is getting a very high hit rate and they are
uploading logs twice a day, at 7am and 7pm local time. More information
at www.t32c.com.

Now the contest news

Tuesday 11 October sees the 432MHz UK Activity Contest take place from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.

The 80m Club Sprint takes place on 12 October from 1900 to 2030UTC.
Using CW, the exchange is serial number and name.

The second 50MHz contest takes place on 16 October 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 26th of
September to the 2nd of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the
3rd of October.

First, before a busy period to report, the latest smoothed monthly
sunspot numbers. For December 2010, January and February 2011 they are
28.8, 31.0 and 33.4 respectively.

A couple of large groups dominated the solar disc during the period and
were responsible for the eight M class solar flares that took place.
Other groups were visible but were small and quiet. Numerous C class
solar flares took place every day. Sudden ionospheric disturbances and
coronal mass ejections accompanied some of the larger solar flares.
Solar flux levels declined slightly from 148 units on the 26th to 131
units by the 2nd. The average was 138 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 2nd was 112 units, that's four units up on last week.
X-ray flux levels declined from C1.4 units on the 26th to B3.8 units by
the 28th, though a small increase was made by the end of the period.
The average was B5.6 units. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet
levels on the 26th, but around midday a coronal mass ejection arrived
and shortly after a major storm was in progress. Two of the 3 hourly Kp
indices reached 8 later that day. The storm continued until the
afternoon of the 29th. The only quiet days were the 30th and the 1st
when the Ap index of 8 and 9 units were recorded respectively. The
average was Ap 23 units. That's the highest weekly average since
December 2006. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds increase rapidly from 320 kilometres per second to 700 as the
disturbance arrived on the 26th. Speeds then erratically declined to
420 kilometres per second by the 2nd. Particle densities reached 38
particles per cubic centimetre on the 26th, otherwise densities were
low. Bz fluctuated between minus 30 and plus 28 nanoTeslas on the 26th
and between minus and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quietest day. MUFs
dropped sharply * though, as suggested in last week's report, there
were also periods when HF propagation was enhanced. Many auroral
contacts were made on 6, 4 and 2 metres, at least as far south as the
south coast.

And now the solar forecast. The present level of solar activity looks
set to continue. Solar activity should be at least moderate on some
days with a slight chance that activity could increase to high on the
occasional day. Solar flux levels should be around the 120's. That
figure is a guide and could be lower with a quiet Sun or higher with an
active Sun. Geomagnetic activity should be at active levels today due
to the effects of a coronal hole, but as in recent weeks a coronal mass
ejection could arrive on any day this week. If, however, none arrive,
then activity should be quiet for the rest of the week. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 30MHz for the south
and 27MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be around 10MHz. As
always these figures are based on quiet geomagnetic levels and will be
somewhat lower if activity increases. Now a look at the predications
for the low frequency bands to the T32C DXpedition to Christmas Island
in the Pacific Ocean. Top Band will be very difficult to work but the
best time will be around 0400 and 0630. The best time on 80 metres will
between 0530 and 0630 but may be open an hour before and after that on
the better days. Unlike Top Band and 80 metres, which will need the
path in total darkness, 40 metres could be worked with a longer window
for at least up to an hour after sunrise. The best times will be
between 0400 and 0830 with a peak around 0530. All times are 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 On Sunday 9 October Midland Amateur Radio Society
is at the RSGB Convention. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078
003.

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

On Monday 10 October Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
holding a DF hunt. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Monday 10 October South Birmingham Radio Society is painting the
shack and doing other renovation work. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Monday 10 October Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is
having a talk on transceiver remote control by Jon, G4URH. Contact
G0CHO, on 01608 664 488.

On Monday 10 October Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is holding
a general meeting with discussions and is on the air. More information
from Robert Bird, by email to .

On Tuesday 11 October Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday 11 October Forest of Dean Amateur Radio Group is having a
talk on mobile phone forensics by Nick Gleed. Details on 01594 549110.

On Tuesday 11 October Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM, starting at 8pm prompt. More information from Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 11 October Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having
a homebrew and construction evening. Details from Don, G4CYG, on 01926
424 465.

On Tuesday 11 October Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is holding
an equipment and rig tune up night. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via
email to .

On Wednesday 12 October Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting and training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
07808 078 003. On Wednesday 12 October Telford & District Amateur Radio
Society is looking at DIY measurements. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Thursday 13 October Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Details on the club website at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Thursday 13 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 01214 581
603.

On Friday 14 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 14 October South Birmingham Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Friday 14 October Worcester Radio Amateurs Association commences its
weekend event for JOTA at Kinver Scout and Guide camp ground. Details
from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to .

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 9 October Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is holding an Advanced examination. Contact Nancy
Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 10 October Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 10 October Bolton Wireless Club is having an activity night
plus members' show and tell evening. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday 10 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
making your own equipment by Peter Day, G3PHO. More information from
Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday 10 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM, starting at 8pm prompt. Details on the web at
www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 11 October Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a committee meeting. Details from Barbara Green on 07957 870
770.

On Tuesday 11 October Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club meeting. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Wednesday 12 October Hambleton Amateur Radio Society (Northallerton)
is having an operating night. More information from Tony Wilson, G3MAE,
on 01609 881 530.

On Wednesday 12 October Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is taking part in
the CW Sprint and preparing for the rally. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240 573. On Thursday 13 October Ripon & District
Amateur Radio Society is looking at VHF contesting. Details from Rob
Hall, M0RBY, on 07876 085 631.

On Thursday 13 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
having a talk on contesting by Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on
01619 693 999.

On Friday 14 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a
radio magazines evening. For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK,
on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 15 October Denby Dale Radio Club commences its weekend
event operating GB2WYS for Jamboree on the Air. Details from Richard,
M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Sunday 16 October Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is running the Hornsea
Rally at Floral Hall. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240
573.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Sunday 9 October Mid Ulster Amateur Radio
Club is having its monthly meeting at 3pm. For more information send an
email to .

On Monday 10 October Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society is
on the air on 2m. Details from Peter Lowrie, MI5JYK, by email to
.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 11 October Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur
Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to
.

On Tuesday 11 October Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having an operating evening. Details from Norman, on 07740 946 192.

On Wednesday 12 October Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on oil
exploration in the Mediterranean Sea. Details from Tom Ferguson,
GM1OST, on 01292 532 088.

On Thursday 13 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on lighthouses by Geoff, MM5AHO. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR,
on 01224 575 663.

On Friday 14 October Borders Amateur Radio Society is holding an EGM
and AGM commencing at 8pm. More information from Danny, 2M0CDO, on
01890 882 850.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA On Monday 10 October Coulsdon
Amateur Transmitting Society is having a talk on radio in the Scouting
movement by G6CJR and M0NDJ. Details from Steve Beal, G3WZK, by email
to .

On Monday 10 October West Kent Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
by Dave Green, G4OTV on the club's radio DXpedition to Ireland. Details
from Keith, G4JED, via email to . On Tuesday
11 October Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a club net night.
Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday 11 October Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Tim, G4VXE, on his world of VHF. Contact Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524
844.

On Wednesday 12 October Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding a
committee meeting at Danbury Village Hall. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on
01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 12 October Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding a members' forum and invites members to bring along their radio
equipment. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 12 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in
the RSGB 80m Club Sprint CW contest and having an informal,
construction and shack evening. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on
01603 898 678.

On Wednesday 12 October South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on power supplies by Philip, G8LHW. Details from Dave, G4UVJ, on
01268 697 978.

On Wednesday 12 October Southgate Amateur Radio Club is planning for
2012. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to .

On Wednesday 12 October Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Thursday 13 October Bittern DX Group is having an informal club
meeting at Pinewood Park Leisure Club, NR26 8TU. Details from Linda,
G0AJJ, on 01692 404 154.

On Thursday 13 October Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on Bletchley Park by Brian Oakley. Contact John, G4GSC, on 01784 451
898.

On Thursday 13 October Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM at the Railway and Bowls Club. Details from Lee,
2E1LJL, on 01502 564 242.

On Thursday 13 October Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Prof Colin Bayliss, G3WKZ on smart grids. Details from Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday 13 October Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its autumn junk sale. Details from David, G8UOD, on 01234 742
757.

On Friday 14 October Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a discussion evening on test equipment, and invites members to bring
theirs along. Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501 712.

On Friday 14 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239 371.

On Friday 14 October Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk on the
RSGB by Dr Alison Johnson, G8ROG. More information from Linda, G7RJL,
on 02083 868 586.

On Friday 14 October Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 02083 353 434. On Saturday 15
October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club continues its
Foundation training course. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Saturday 15 October Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
is running Jamboree on the Air station GB1HS for 1st Hainault Scout.
Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 02085 021 645.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 10 October Exeter Amateur Radio
Society is having a club night at the Moose Centre. Contact Nick,
2E0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

On Tuesday 11 October Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club is holding its
AGM. Contact Nick, M6NJB, on 01749 346 320.

On Tuesday 11 October Plymouth Radio Club is holding a Bring & Buy
sale. Details from Chris, M0ZCP, on 07834 767 161.

On Wednesday 12 October Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Thursday 13 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its
autumn table top sale. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695
471.

On Thursday 13 October Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
an activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

On Thursday 13 October Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is looking at
practical projects & soldering techniques. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP,
by email to .

On Friday 14 October North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on antennas for small spaces by Dick, G0XAY & Tony, G8CKK. More
information from Dick on 01454 218 362.

On Friday 14 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Saturday 15 October Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club
commences its weekend JOTA event at the QTH of G4SOF. Contact Brian
Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473 251 for more information.

NEWS FOR WALES On Thursday 13 October Aberystwyth & District Amateur
Radio Society is holding its AGM. Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970
611 853.