GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 30 October 2011

The news headlines:

* Amateurs help Turkish earthquake relief

* T32C sets new QSO record

* K4LCD gets special LF permit

On 23 October an earthquake struck the Van region of Eastern Turkey.
Radio Amateurs from the Turkish national society, TRAC, are responding
to assist with communications in the area. Please avoid causing QRM to
emergency traffic on 7.092MHz USB. USB is being used to allow
communications with a government station.

The Five Star DXers Association T32C DXpedition to Christmas Island has
now finished. Despite initial difficulties with their container of
equipment not reaching the island, the team finished with over 213,000
contacts and this is the first time an expedition has exceeded 200,000
QSOs, congratulations to all involved. Of that total, it looks like
there were 48,914 individual callsigns worked. The total number of QSOs
into Europe was 59,692. As the team start making their way back home
more details will become available.

The FCC has issued an Experimental License grant to K4LCD to operate on
130kHz and 500kHz with the callsign WF2XXQ. The permit is valid until 1
October 2016 and is tied to the ongoing Very Low Frequency Amateur
Radio Experiment. More information is available online at
tinyurl.com/4235u7s.

A well known low cost airline has added Manchester to their routes
flying to Memmingen in Germany. This may be of interest to those
thinking of travelling to the HamTronic amateur radio exhibition,
because Friedrichshafen is about an hour's drive from Memmingen. It is
also possible to make the journey by train. The show will take place in
Friedrichshafen from 22 to 24 June 2012.

Due to an administrative mistake, last week's GB2RS Rallies and Events
and Local News contained incorrect information. The editorial team
apologise unreservedly for the inconvenience this caused. The procedure
for preparing Local News has now been revised and the chance of a
re-occurrence has been significantly reduced.

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

Today, 30 October, is the second day of the North Wales Rally is at
John Bright School, Llandudno LL30 1LF. Opening at 10am, there will be
trade stands, a Bring and Buy, catering and disabled facilities.
Details from Liz Cabban, GW0ETU on 07760 190 355 or
.

Today, 30 October, sees the Holsworthy Amateur Rally at Holsworthy
Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy EX22 6JD. Details from
Roger Williams, on 07773 983 691.

The Foyle & District ARC Rally will take place on 6 November at the
Best Western White Horse Hotel, 68 Clooney Road, Derry BT47 3PA. Doors
open at 12 noon and there will be trade stands, the RSGB QSL bureau and
IRTS in attendance. The West London Radio & Electronics Show, otherwise
known at the Kempton Rally, will take place on 6 November at Kempton
Park racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16
5AQ. Doors open at 10am and there will be trade stands, RSGB bookstall
and lectures. More information from Paul, M0CJX, on 08451 650 351.

Now for the news of special events

Caddington Scout and Cub group is holding a communication week starting
on 14 November to be held at Scout HQ, Dunstable Road, Caddington,
Bedfordshire. They will be using the callsign GB1CSC. The station will
be run by Mark, G1AYH and he asks that if you hear the Scouts and Cubs,
please give them a call.

MM0DHQ will be transmitting from Kilwinning Abbey, in Scotland as part
of Castles and Stately Homes on the Air on 1 November. All details can
be found at www.cashota.co.uk.

Almonte Amateur Radio Club in Canada will be running a 24 hour special
event station, VA3AAR, on 6 November to celebrate the 150th anniversary
of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. A commemorative QSL card
will be available.

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

3XY1D will be on the air from Guinea until 1 November. Operation will
be on 6 through to 160 metres using CW, SSB and digital modes. One
station will be exclusively dedicated to RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV. QSL via
DL7DF, direct or via the bureau.

LA5UF will be on the air from Easter Island as CE0Y/LA5UF between 3 and
11 November. Activity will be on CW and PSK31. QSL only via his home
callsign.

A number of WD2XSH 500kHz experimental stations will be on the air on 3
November to mark the 105th anniversary of the Berlin International
Radiotelegraphic Convention. According to the ARRL, stations on the
495-510kHz band will call CQ on 500kHz and then QSY to complete the
QSO. Stations operating from 461- 478kHz will call CQ on 474.5kHz and
then QSY. Special beacons may also be operating from 476-478kHz and
508-510kHz. For a complete list of stations participating in the WD2XSH
experiment, as well as information on how to send your reports, please
see the WD2XSH website at www.500kc.com.

Bill, N7OU is operating from the South Cook Islands until 7 November
using the callsign E51NOU. He will then travels to the North Cook
Islands where he will stay until 22 November. He will be using the same
callsign from both DXCC entities so recommends that operators are
careful with logbook entries.

TU2T will be on the air from the Ivory Coast until 11 November. Direct
QSLs go via I2YSB and bureau cards go via IK2CIO.

VK7ZX will be on the air from King Island off the Tasmania coast from 3
to 7 November, mainly on 20m and 40m. You can find out more at
www.kingislandlight150.com. QSL via VK7ZE, either direct or via the
bureau.

Now the contest news

Today, 30 October, is the second day of the CQWW DX SSB contest,
finishing at 2359UTC. Use SSB on all contest bands from 3.5-28MHz and
exchange RST plus Zone, which is 14 for the UK. 1 November sees the
144MHz UK Activity Contest taking place from 2000 to 2230UTC using all
modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Next weekend, the Marconi CW Contest runs for 24 hours from 1400UTC on
the 5th on the 144MHz band. There are 6- and 24-hour sections for
single operator fixed stations and all others, so it need not
constitute a huge commitment. Incidentally, this contest runs
concurrently with an IARU co-ordinated contest. You can submit a single
set of logs for entry to both events, because entries will be submitted
to the IARU event unless you specifically request otherwise. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 17th to the 23rd
of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 24th of October

Numerous sunspot groups were visible every day with up to 11 groups on
the 17th and the 21st. Most were small and quiet but a couple of groups
were large enough and magnetically complex to produce M class solar
flares. Solar activity increased to moderate when M class flares took
place on the 20th, 21st and the 22nd. On the 22nd a filament erupted
producing a coronal mass ejection and hours later another spectacular
coronal mass ejection took place with the M class solar flare. Both the
STEREO and SOHO spacecraft took some amazing images of both events.
Solar flux levels increased from 153 units on the 17th to a new high
for this cycle at 168 units by the 21st. The average was 156. The 90
day solar flux average on the 23rd was 122 units, that's four units up
on last week. X-ray flux units varied little day to day and the average
was B8.8 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day and the
average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw
solar wind speeds decline from 450 kilometres per second on the 17th to
a slow 270 kilometres per second by the 23rd. Particle densities were
low with levels no higher than 5 particles per cubic centimetre during
the period. As one would expect, Bz showed little variation every day
and only fluctuated between minus and plus 6 nanoTeslas. With the main
factors influencing HF propagation even more favourable than in earlier
weeks, MUFs at times verged on 40MHz and all continents were again
workable up to 28MHz.

Over recent days some strange propagation as taken place on 28MHz with
stations heard and worked at good signal strengths with distances
between 60 and 200 miles apart within the UK. Also, stations with a
distance of between 250 and 300 miles away are much stronger than
normal. It would appear not to be Sporadic-E, tropo or backscatter
propagation. Many experienced operators have commented that they have
never heard anything like this before over many decades.

And now the solar forecast. Looking at the last few solar rotations,
this would suggest that the quiet side of the Sun will be looking our
way. Solar activity should be mostly low, with only C class solar
flares taking place, but an M class flare cannot be totally ruled out.
Solar flux levels should be around the 120s for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet at first but during the second
half of the week activity could increase due to a small coronal hole. A
warning, though unlikely, that if solar activity increased to high then
a coronal mass ejection could increase activity for several days. MUFs
during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 30MHz.
Darkness hour lows should be around 10MHz. Paths this week to South
America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 36MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate will be about 30MHz. With the path going over the
equator into the southern hemisphere it should not be affected by any
weak to moderate levels of geomagnetic activity.

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 30 October Midland Amateur Radio
Society is visiting the North Wales Rally at Llandudno. Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

On Sunday 30 October South Birmingham Radio Society is visiting the
North Wales Rally at Llandudno. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Monday 31 October Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is
having an informal evening and is on the air on HF. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Monday 31 October South Birmingham Radio Society is holding its AGM
preview and planning for field days and events. Contact Don, on 01214
581 603.

On Tuesday 1 November Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding
a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .

On Tuesday 1 November Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications
Club is having a talk on the weak signal propagation reporter network
by Charles. Contact Chris, M0MFP, on 01507 442 240.

On Tuesday 1 November Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is
visiting Ulverscroft model railway from 7.30pm. More information from
Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 1 November Wythall Radio Club starts its beginners Morse
class and is having a demo of club merchandise. Details from Colin,
M0GJM, on 07598 540 507.

On Wednesday 2 November Midland Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
holding training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

On Wednesday 2 November South Birmingham Radio Society is holding its
AGM. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

On Wednesday 2 November South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on baluns by Nigel Booth, M0CVO. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476
402 550.

On Wednesday 2 November Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air and holding a committee meeting. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677.

On Thursday 3 November South Birmingham Radio Society is having
training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Don, on 01214 581
603. On Friday 4 November Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a
bangers & mash night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

On Friday 4 November South Birmingham Radio Society is holding a
construction evening. Contact Don on 01214 581 603.

On Sunday 6 November South Birmingham Radio Society is visiting the
West London Radio and Electronics show at Kempton Park. Contact Don, on
01214 581 603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 31 October Angel of the North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914
770 036.

On Monday 31 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz or
video evening. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to
.

On Monday 31 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
holding a technical forum. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Monday 31 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
visiting the communications museum at RAF Henlow with Ted, G3WBB.
Details on the web at www.tcars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 1 November Chester & District Amateur Radio Society is
checking progress on the L/C meter project. Details from Barbara Green
on 07957 870 770.

On Tuesday 1 November Stockport Radio Society is having a presentation
on contest DXpeditions by Carsten Steinhöfel, G0SYP/DL1EFD. More
information from Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 2 November Denby Dale Radio Club is having a visit by RSGB
Regional Manager Harold Scrivens, G0UGE, plus a talk by Andy, M0GGR on
his visit to Asiatic Russia. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220
126.

On Wednesday 2 November Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Thursday 3 November 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 3 November South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
celebrating the 50 years of membership of Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron,
G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND We start with advance notice that Mid Ulster
Amateur Radio Club will be holding a Foundation course and exam over
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November 2011. Anyone wishing get on the
first step of amateur radio should register for the course by Monday 7
November 2011. To register, complete the form at to
www.muarc.com/courseapplicationform.htm. More information can be gained
by contacting the exam secretary Martin, MI0YMF, on 02838 852 712.

On Thursday 3 November Bangor & District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its annual surplus sale. Contact Mike, GI4XSF, on 02842 772 383.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 1 November Borders Amateur Radio Society
is having a club contest. Contact MM0YLG on 07944 912 751.

On Tuesday 1 November Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Details from Norman, on 07740 946 192.

On Thursday 3 November Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk
sale. More information from Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

On Thursday 3 November Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having its
President's Address by Bill Cecil, GM3KHH. Contact Barry, GM4TOE, by
email to .

On Friday 4 November 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 Colchester Radio Amateurs will
be holding an Advanced Licence Exam on Monday 5 December 2011. The exam
will take place at 7pm in Room 1 at St Helena School, Sheepen Road,
Colchester CO3 3LE. Please be aware this is an exam only and not a
course, there are no tutorial sessions. The exam fee is £37.50 plus a
contribution of £10 per candidate for the room hire. The closing date
for applications is Monday 7 November. For more information please
contact Ed, M0HDK, on 01473 682 280 or email .

On Tuesday 1 November Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday 1 November Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on IOTA by Martin Atherton, G3ZAY. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008.

On Wednesday 2 November Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is holding a table
top sale. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678. On
Wednesday 2 November Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Wednesday 2 November Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the Shoreham Fort Project by Gary Baines. Contact
Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816 684.

On Thursday 3 November Cray Valley Radio Society is holding its annual
surplus sale. Details from Malcolm Bryan, G8MCA, on 07906 433 965.

On Thursday 3 November Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472
846.

On Thursday 3 November Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
John Narborough. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Thursday 3 November Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night at the shack. Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502
564 242.

On Thursday 3 November Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening with the GB3VH repeater group at the Queens Head, Sandridge.
Details from Tony, 2EOWAP, on 01727 853 087.

On Friday 4 November Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is
having an evening of short talks featuring wood, knots and the history
of electricity. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 4 November Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on Logbook of the World, eQSL and the QSL Bureau by Dave
Cutts, M0TAZ & Marc Litchman, G0TOC. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on
02085 021 645.

On Friday 4 November Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239 371.

On Friday 4 November Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club
night. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 5 November Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Sunday 6 November Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
breakfast meeting at the Goring Cafe. Contact Phil, G4UDU, on 01903 816
684.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST On Monday 31 October Bristol RSGB Group is
having a talk on forensic science and the mobile phone by Nick, G8YJM .
Details from Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420 442.

On Tuesday 1 November West Devon Radio Club is holding a general
meeting and natter night. Further information from Jules Cuddy, M1AGY,
on 01752 291 588.

On Wednesday 2 November Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having part 2 of the talk on juke box restoration by Mike,
M1DPB. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Wednesday 2 November Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is
judging entries for the G2BQY & G4UNU Constructor's Cup. Details from
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 3 November South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471.

On Thursday 3 November Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on electrical thermography by Stuart, 2E0SUL. Contact Den,
M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

On Thursday 3 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
eQSL by M6AIG. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email to
.

On Friday 4 November North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a
committee meeting. More information from Dick on 01454 218 362.

On Friday 4 November Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 1 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by a guest speaker. More information from Patrick,
2W0HUU, on 07947 701 927.

On Friday 4 November Chepstow & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on early radar development. More information from Paul,
on 01594 842 580.