GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 6th May 2012

The news headlines:

Still time to apply for a Jubilee NoV

More paperwork for Belgian amateurs

Club, repeater and beacon insurance news

It's not too late to apply for a Notice of Variation for the Queen's
Diamond Jubilee. Amateurs in the UK were able to start using the special
callsigns with the letter Q added from 4 May. This will continue until
10 June. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee QSO Party has also started, where
participants are attempting to work a minimum of 100 special Jubilee
callsigns. If you haven't already applied for your NoV, you can do so at
www.rsgb.org/operating/novapp/jubilee. Details of the QSO Party were in
the May RadCom or can be found at
http://www.rsgb.org/consultations/do...ty-final-versi
on.pdf. You may also hear some stations in Gibraltar using the prefix ZQ
instead of the normal ZB.

The Belgian national amateur radio society's website has posted an
update on the restrictive antenna requirements recently imposed by the
Flemish Government. The latest registration seems to apply to antennas
that operate between 10MHz and 10GHz. It would appear that Flemish
amateurs who transmit less than 175 hours a year at 20 watts ERP or less
are now required to submit forms to the government for each antenna they
have. Multi-band antennas require multiple submissions of forms. And if
any change is made to an antenna, all of the paperwork must be
resubmitted. You can find out more at tinyurl.com/NoticeForTxAntennas.

As a result of the recent insurance review the Society has placed the
insurance cover for Clubs, Repeaters, Beacons & Packet Nodes with NIG.
This took effect from 30 April and will run until 29 April 2013. A new
certificate and 'To whom it concerns' letter for Clubs can be obtained
from www.rsgb.org/membersonly/clubinsurance. Repeater, Beacon & Packet
Node operators who require Public Liability Insurance should contact
Carlos Eavis, by e-mail to carlos.eavisrsgb.org.uk or call him on 01234
832 715 to obtain a price and insurance documentation.

The UK RAYNET group and British Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It
recognises the common objectives of both organisations in the promotion
and influencing of public safety, civil contingency, information
management and communications. In the Memorandum of Understanding,
RAYNET and APCO set out a Schedule of Agreements that sets out some of
the ways in which both organisations will work together. This includes
networking opportunities and invitations to attend management meetings;
website content sharing; joint working and sharing of publications; and
engaging RAYNET in regional and national events.

Now that terrestrial TV has been switched off in Portugal, the National
Communications Authority of Portugal has agreed to extend the 6m band
for radio amateurs. Category 1, A and B amateurs can now use 50 to 52MHz
on a secondary basis with a maximum power of 25 watts.

The AMSAT/TAPR Banquet on Friday night, 18 May, is one of the main AMSAT
activities during the 2012 Hamvention at Dayton. Howard Long, G6LVB will
be the featured speaker for the evening event. Howard will be talking
about his FUNcube Dongle, his 64-1700MHz Software Defined Receiver.

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

The Dambusters Hamfest will take place today, 6 May, at Thorpe Camp
Visitor Centre, Coningsby, Lincs LN4 4PE. Admission is ?3 and there is
free parking. Pitches are free but size is limited if not pre-booked.
There is a RAF heritage centre on site. Gates open at 10am.

The Dartmoor Radio Club Rally takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 7 May,
at Tavistock College, Crowndale Rd, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8DD. Doors
open at 10.30am and admission is ?2. There will be trade stands, a Bring
& Buy and special interest groups. Details from Viv on 01752 823 427.

The Rochdale & District ARS Flea Market and Junk Sale takes place on 12
May at St Vincent's Church Hall, Caldershaw Rd, Rochdale OL12 7QL. The
doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, car boot sale area and a
Bring & Buy. Pitches cost ?7.50. Unfortunately, the contact details that
appeared in RadCom were incorrect, so to book your place, contact G0PUD
on 01706 346 517 or e-mail .

Now for the news of special events

A school in the village of Gresham will be holding an amateur radio
special event station using the D-Star digital network for children age
6 to 11 on May 23rd. The callsign will be GB2GVS which stands for
Gresham Village School. Andy Johnston, 2E0AIV is the event coordinator.
He says that they have already arranged link-ups with schools in
Northern Ireland, the USA and England, but are looking for more
countries and schools to participate. If anyone is interested, they can
contact Andy via e-mail to .

There will be a Vulcan Special Event radio station at Finningley Robin
Hood International Airport, with the callsign GB60VUL, from 5 to 12 May.
This will be in conjunction with Newbury Amateur Radio Society. The
Finningley Amateur Radio Society will be there with their communications
van and the radio station will be open from 8am to 9pm. Special QSL
cards will be available for all contacts.

Botley Flour Mills near Southampton is one of the UK's oldest known
milling sites. It is listed in the Doomsday book and is believed to have
been a mill site in pre Roman times. The Mill will be activated with the
callsign GB0BFM for Mills on the Air weekend on 12 and 13 May from 10am
to 4pm. Using 80m, 40m, 2m & 70cm, the station will be run by M0IED and
G6FRT and other members of Itchen Valley Radio Club, with added
assistance from Southampton University Wireless Society.

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

The Russian Robinsons are planning the activation of IOTA new one, the
Bethel County Group, NA-240 between 10 and 14 May. See www.na-234.com
for the latest information.

An international team of operators will be active as 7O6T, that's 7 Oh 6
tee, from Socotra Island until 17 May. They plan to have six stations on
the air at any given time. Activity will be on 10 to 160m using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via UA3DX.

A group of operators from Japan will be operational from the Maldives
between 11 and 16 May. Activity will be on 6 to 160m using CW, SSB, RTTY
and PSK. QSL via their home callsigns, either direct or via the bureau.

Between 19 and 19 May, the Wessex Contest Group will be operating from
the Isle of Skye, which is EU-008. This year they will be operating a
variety of equipment including some homebrew radio, a selection of QRP
set ups and, for the quiet times, they also have a high power HF
station. Their antennas include a W3DZZ, a 3 element HF Yagi, and a
variety of wire dipoles. Listen out for MS0WCB or MQ0WCB.

Members of the A DX Group are planning a ten man DXperience to Macau,
which is XX9. Plans are to be active with at least three complete
stations on all bands CW, SSB and digital from 17 to 23 May. They will
be operating from Coloane Island, AS-075. QSL via EB7DX either direct,
via the EA bureau or via Logbook of The World.

Now the contest news

The 432MHz to 248GHz trophy finishes its 24 hour session at 1400UTC
today, 6 May. Using all modes on the bands between 432MHz and 248GHz,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The 80m Club Championships SSB leg takes place on 7 May from 1900 to
2030UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 8 May from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

The 70MHz CW Contest takes place from 0900 to 1200UTC on 13 May. The
exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and postcode.

The Worked All Britain LF phone contest takes place on Sunday 13 May
from 1000 to 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and
WAB square. Full details of the rules and logsheets may be obtained from
the WAB website www.worked-all-britain.co.uk or from the Contest
Manager, G3XKT via e-mail .

And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 27th to
Thursday the 3rd of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the
4th of May.

Several sunspot groups were visible every day. Six new groups appeared
during the period. Solar activity on the 27th was moderate when an
impulsive M1 solar flare took place. On the remaining days activity was
low when several C class solar flares took place. Solar flux levels
declined from 121 units on the 28th to 110 by the 1st. The average was
116 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 3rd was 112, that's the
same level as last week. X-ray flux levels declined slightly from B5.8
units on the 27th to B2.8 by the 2nd. The average was B4.1 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day. The most disturbed day was the
27th with an Ap index of 8 units. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind
data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 520
kilometres per second on the 27th to a slow 260 by the 2nd. Particle
densities were very low every day, on some days not even one particle
per cubic centimetre was recorded. Bz never varied more than minus 5 and
plus 4 nanoTeslas until the 3rd and then between minus 8 and plus 7
nanoTeslas. Sporadic-E took place some days on 28MHz with smaller
openings on 50MHz.

And finally the solar forecast. This week the active side of the Sun is
expected to rotate into view. Solar activity is expected to be low but
could increase to moderate levels on the occasional days. Solar flux
levels should increase and by next weekend be in the 130's. Geomagnetic
activity is expected to be quiet till around midweek when a disturbance
from a recurring coronal hole is expected to arrive. This should last
till the start of the weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 25MHz for the south and 22MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows should be about 11MHz. Paths this week to the east
coast of North America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50
per cent success rate of around 21 MHz. The optimum working frequency
with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 15MHz. Levels could
decline slightly during the anticipated coronal hole disturbance. The
best time to try this path will be between 1600 and 2100 hours.
Sporadic-E is expected to take place some days on 28MHz and to a lesser
extent on 50MHz.

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

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Derby & District
Amateur Radio Society is operating GB2TBC from West Yorkshire Scouts Big
Camp at Great Yorkshire Showground on Monday 7 May, and on Tuesday 8 May
they are holding a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email
to .

Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club has a club net on
144.165 USB, vertical polarization, from 7pm on Monday 7 May. On
Wednesday there is a M3+M6 club net on GB3FR from 7.30pm. On Friday 11
May the club HF net is on 3.748MHz from 8pm. For more information
contact the FELCC Information Line on 07554 362 020.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in the 80m CC SSB on Monday 7
May, and the 432MHz UK AC on Tuesday. On Wednesday they are on the air
and having a natter night. On Thursday 10 May there's a club net on
GB3LM from 2000 and 9am on Saturday 12 May sees Surgery in the shack.
Finally, on Sunday 13 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in
Mills on the Air, operating GB5EM at Ellis Mill. For more information
contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting and
training classes on Wednesday 9 May, and on Saturday 12 May the Club
station is at Cottage Farm, Over Whittaker, Shustoke. Details from
Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

South Birmingham Radio Society has training classes with Dave Murphy,
G8OWL on Thursday 10 May, and conducting shack and aerial work on
Friday. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the 80m CC SSB
contest on Monday 7 May, and running 2m club net on 145.275MHz FM from
2030UTC on Friday 11 May. For more information contact Peter D Rivers,
G4XEX, on 01858 432 105.

Wythall Radio Club continues its Intermediate course on Monday 7 May and
is holding a committee meeting on Tuesday. Saturday 12 May sees them
participating in Mills on the Air from Danzey Green Windmill,
Bromsgrove. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 7 May
Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is operating at Crickley
Hill. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548 478, daytime.

On Tuesday 8 May Eagle Radio Group is having a neighbourhood management
update by Debbie Prince. Contact John, M6JMS, on 01754 873 926.

On Tuesday 8 May Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is looking
at a160m `tranny' radio for DFing. More information from Chris, G1ETZ,
on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 8 May Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is having a
presentation on the K12 visit by Pete Badham. Details from Rich Moles,
M0UVA, via email to .

On Wednesday 9 May Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
military vehicles demonstration by 2E0TRO et al. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on
01952 299 677.

On Thursday 10 May Salop Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee
meeting and having a natter night. Details on the club website at
www.salop-ars.org.uk.

On Friday 11 May Coventry Amateur Radio Society has the 1st round of the
G4ZMC Trophy at Sowe Common. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

We start with clubs that have several events this week. On Wednesday 9
May Denby Dale Radio Club is on the air from 1930 on 145.575MHz. On
Saturday 12 May the club is operating GX6LD at Golcar Lilly Day and
running GB2TML for Mills on the Air weekend. Details from Richard,
M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is running a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Club
Field Day with a Jubilee callsign on Sunday 6 May, and on Friday 11 May
is having a talk on setting up an E-QSO node by G0EDK. Contact Bob,
M6KLO, by email to .

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 7 May
Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the RSGB 80m Contest SSB
from the club station, G3RCM, and having social evening. More
information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Tuesday 8 May Chester & District Radio Society is holding a committee
meeting. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Tuesday 8 May Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is discussing
possible summer activities. Contact Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Tuesday 8 May Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is holding an
informal direction finding competition. Contact Sheila, on 07867 516
836.

On Wednesday 9 May Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
and demo of solar and wind powered radio by Steve, G7BBF & David,
G3UFO. Details from Simon, G6XHF, on 0151 601 3269.

On Thursday 10 May Ripon & District Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 07876 085 631.

On Thursday 10 May South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is on the
air and having a barbecue. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Friday 11 May East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For
more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Saturday 12 May Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club commences its
weekend event for Mills on the Air at Windmill Hill Community Centre.
Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news items have been received for Northern Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Tuesday 8 May Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
club evening. Details from Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

On Wednesday 9 May Glenrothes & DRC is checking and installing equipment
in the club caravan. Details from Laurie, MM0LJA, via email to
.

On Wednesday 9 May Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on the ZK2V
Niue DXpedition by Chris Tran, ZL1CT / GM3WOJ. Contact Andy Sinclair, by
email to .

On Thursday 10 May Paisley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by GM3UWX
called Whisper? by Amateurs? Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613
633.

On Friday 11 May Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is holding
its first 144MDz DF Hunt, starting in the Old Ship Inn car park. More
information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

On Saturday 12 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society commences its weekend
event for National Mill on the Air. Contact Fred Gordon, MM0ODL, on
01975 651 365.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Bedford and
District Amateur Radio Club is running a club net on GB3BF on Monday 7
May from 20:30, and another net on GB3BF from 20.30 on Thursday 10 May.
On Saturday 12 May the club is participating in Mills on the Air
weekend. Details from Bob Leask, G3XNG, by email to .

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the RSGB 80m Club
Championship SSB on Monday 7 May, and on Wednesday 9 May is having a
visit from Mark Francis of Waters and Stanton. Details from Chris Danby,
G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Monday 7 May Radio Society of Harrow is running its demonstration
station GX3EFX at the Harrow Museum Mayday celebrations at Headstone
Manor in Harrow. On Friday 11 May the club is having an operating
evening. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 02083 868 586.

Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is running a club net from 8.30 on
Tuesday 8 May, then having a committee meeting on Wednesday 9 May. On
Saturday 12 May they commence their weekend event operating GB5SM from
Stock Windmill for Mills On The Air. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469
008.

South Essex Amateur Radio Society Radio is having a practical operating
evening and rally report on Tuesday 8 May. Sunday 13 May sees them
operating GB2RWM at Rayleigh Windmill for Mills on the Air. Dave, G4UVJ.
01268697978,

Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a members forum on
Wednesday 9 May, and on Sunday 13 May is running a special event station
for Windmills on the Air. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831
491.

On Thursday 10 May Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is having
a club night at the shack, then on Saturday 12 May they commence their
weekend event at Holton Mill Near Halesworth for Mills on the Air.
Details from Lee, 2E1LJL, on 01502 564 242.

Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is sorting its equipment for its Mills
on the Air weekend event on Friday 11 May, which commences on Saturday
12th. Details from Rob, 2E0RJA, on 01444 232 129.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Sunday 6 May
Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society commences its Intermediate
course. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

On Monday 7 May Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is having
part 2 of its equipment testing evening. For more information contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 7 May Burnham Beeches Radio Club is holding a fox hunt.
Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Tuesday 8 May Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack.
Contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday 8 May Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Dr
Edmond Turcu on X-rays from laser-plasmas, its generation and
applications. Details from Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524 844.

On Wednesday 9 May Darenth Valley Radio Society is having a talk on
oscilloscopes by Keith, G8VJG. Contact Bob, M0RAW, on 01322 663 804.

On Wednesday 9 May Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having a talk
by Norman Crampton, M0FZW, RSGBšDRM for Essex. Details from Kevan,
2E0WMG, on 07766 543 784.

On Wednesday 9 May Havering & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal evening. More information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222 111.

On Wednesday 9 May Ridgeway Repeater Group is holding its AGM. Details
online at www.rrg.org.uk.

On Wednesday 9 May Southgate Amateur Radio Club is having a computer
clinic with Keith, G8RPA. Contact David Sharp, M0XDS, by email to
.

On Thursday 10 May Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society is
holding its AGM at 20:45 in the Parkwood club room. Details from Andrew,
M6AAE, on 07403 325 075.

On Thursday 10 May Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
limited space dipoles by Dave Jefferies, G6GPR.. Contact John, G4GSC, on
01784 451 898.

On Thursday 10 May Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening, please note the change of date. Contact
Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472 846.

On Thursday 10 May King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to .

On Thursday 10 May Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is looking at
vintage amateur radio & PMR sets. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695
697.

On Thursday 10 May Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
video evening featuring BVWS & East Anglia. Details from John Burnett,
M6JBU, on 07860 804 793.

On Thursday 10 May Vange Amateur Radio Society is watching a DVD with
Steve, G0KVZ. Details from Steve, G0KVZ, on 01268 552 606.

On Friday 11 May Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is assembling
and testing fox hunt equipment. Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223 501 712.

On Friday 11 May Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a surplus
equipment sale. Details from Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254 599.

On Friday 11 May Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a
discussion on propagation, led by George, G3DWW. Contact Andrew Maish,
G4ADM, on 02083 353 434.

On Saturday 12 May Bittern DX Group is taking part in Mills on the air
weekend from Weybourne Mill. Details from Linda, G0AJJ, on 01692 404
154.

On Saturday 12 May Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society
commences its National Mills Weekend event as GB2RGM at Royal Gunpowder
Mills, Waltham Abbey. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 02085 021 645.

On Sunday 13 May Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating GB2PW at
Polegate Windmill for National Mills Weekend. Details from John, G3DQY,
on 01424 424 319.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

We start with clubs that have several events this week.

On Monday 7 May Exeter Amateur Radio Society is holding an HF net on
3.675MHz at 19:45. On Tuesday 8 May there's a 2m net on 145.575MHz at
19.45 and on Thursday 10 May there's a 4m net on 70.425MHz at 19.00.
Contact Nick, 2E0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee meeting on
Thursday 10 May and on Saturday 12 May they commence their Mills on the
Air weekend event. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order.

On Monday 7 May Weston Super Mare Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Paul, G3SDH, on 01761 221 206.

On Tuesday 8 May Blackmoor Vale Amateur Radio Society is having part 2
of the talk on Japan by Chas, G7ESE. Details from Keith on 01747 851
260.

On Tuesday 8 May Mid Somerset Amateur Radio Club is holding a natter and
on the air night. Contact Nick, M6NJB, on 01749 346 320.

On Tuesday 8 May Plymouth Radio Club is having a talk by Kurt Langfeld,
M0KPL on the Hentenna, a theoretical investigation of a miracle. Details
from Rob James, 2E0ONO, via email to .

On Wednesday 9 May Poldhu Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Roger,
G4ROJ, on using kites as aerials. Details are online at www.gb2gm.org.

On Wednesday 9 May Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club
is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Thursday 10 May Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk on
aerials and kite flying. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844 939.

On Thursday 10 May Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having an
activity night. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317 750.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday 7 May Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a portable operating
night. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620 733.

On Thursday 10 May Aberystwyth & District Amateur Radio Society is
visiting the Internal Fire Museum and amateur radio station at Sarnau,
near Cardigan. Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611 853.

On Thursday 10 May Marches Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
guest speaker Martyn Vincent, G3UKV, entitled "Solar cycle 24: it's
arrived!" Contact the club secretary by email to
.