GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 18th November 2012

The news headlines:

* Longest-serving GB2RS Newsreader becomes silent key

* Latest news on PLT

* New frequency for 5MHz Sunset Net

The Radio Society of Great Britain is saddened to report that its
longest serving GB2RS Newsreader, Jimmy Porter, GI3GGY, died on
Wednesday 7 November. He was 92 years of age and had spent the two
previous weeks in hospital. Jimmy was an active member of the RSGB's
news broadcasting team until 2009/2010. He thus served in this capacity
for some 55 years. In March 1954 he was asked by the RSGB Secretary,
John Clarricoats, G6CL, to make a test AM voice transmission on 40
metres in order to assess the hoped-for UK coverage during daylight
hours. Subsequently, the RSGB obtained permission from the GPO to
broadcast GB2RS news on the 80m band. The first GB2RS news broadcast
was actually made by Frank Hicks Arnold, G6MB, of Walton-on-Thames, on
25 September 1955. H owever, shortly afterwards the GPO gave permission
for 40 metres to be used as well, and Jimmy commenced news reading each
Sunday morning on 7047.5kHz. He employed an RCA ET4336 broadcast
transmitter and a massive HF log periodic antenna for the purpose. Our
thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

For over 15 years the RSGB has been active in standards work for
powerline communications devices. The Society's position opposing the
latest proposals was presented to the UK BSI committee, supported by
other members, but the UK voted in favour which, along with other EU
national committees, caused the standard to be approved. What does this
mean for UK radio amateurs? New devices must be certified to meet
EN50561-2012, which gives significant protection to the amateur HF
bands through fixed notching to the levels of the previous standard. It
also requires a test to confirm dynamic power control, which reduces
levels dependant on the insertion loss between the PLTs. Broadcast DX
frequencies are outside the notch-protected bands and could suffer
interference 10,000 times higher than previously. Intermodulation
effects could also give rise to interference in the protected bands. We
are starting a campaign to investigate and report all problems thought
to be caused by these devices. We need your help, as only by proving
that these devices cause real problems can we successfully lobby for
modification to standard to reduce the permitted emissions. The small
number of problems reported from the large population of these devices
already installed in Europe swayed the vote on the standard. You can
read more abut this in the January 2013 RadCom and on the RSGB website.

The popular Sunday evening 5MHz Sunset Net is changing frequency. The
net, as its name implies, meets around UK sunset time on Sunday
evenings to compare propagation with that during the 5MHz GB2RS News
earlier the same day. It has for some time met on the UK's 5371.5kHz
channel. Following a number of reception reports from amateurs in the
Republic of Ireland, the net participants have decided to move the
Sunset Net's frequency to 5398.5kHz, with a backup of 5278.5kHz,
beginning today, 18 November, as both these latter two channels are
available to EI amateurs. It is hoped that more EI amateurs with 5MHz
experimental licensees will join the net in the future. They welcome
all who wish to participate.

A Russian taxi business from the Moscow area is using FM on 21.4042MHz
daily. You can often hear a female voice organising the business. IARU
Region 1 continues to monitor the situation and encourages all amateurs
to continue to use the frequency as normal.

Since October, mysterious Chinese signals on 7, 14, 21 and 21.010MHz
have been heard. At first the A3E signals were sounding like a grunt or
moo. These very strong multitone signals with a carrier and both
sidebands have been heard

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. every morning. The purpose is
unknown, but IARU Region 1 encourages anyone who hears these signals to
report them to the Intruder Watch service.

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

The Mayo Radio Experimenters Network Radio Rally will take place today,
18 November, at the Welcome Inn, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Doors open at 11am
and admission is 5 per adult. Children are free. The usual traders will
be in attendance. More information about the rally can be found on the
club website, www.ei7mre.org.

The North Wakefield Radio Club Rally will take place on Saturday 24
November at Drighlington [pronounced Drig-ling-tan] Community Hall,
Moorland Road, Drighlington BD11 1JZ. Talk in is on S22, doors open at
10.30am and admission is £2, with accompanied under 14s free. More
details from Tony, G0JVI on 0774 000 3159.

On 25 November it's the 34th CATS Radio & Electronics Bazaar, held at
1st Coulsdon Scout HQ, at the rear of the Council Car Park, Lion Green
Road, Coulsdon, Surrey. Doors open from 10am to 1pm and admission is
£1. There will be a Bring & Buy. Details from Glenn, G4FVL, at
.

Also on 25 November, the Plymouth Radio Club Rally will be held at
Harewood House, The Ridgeway, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 2AS. This is a new
venue for this event. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2. There
will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy as well as a talk-in station.

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

HB9OAU will be on the air as 8Q7AU from the Maldives, IOTA reference
AS-013, between 26 November and 11 December. Activity will be holiday
style on 10 through to 80 metres, SSB only. QSL via his home callsign,
direct or by the bureau.

Dave, WJ2O will be active as 8P9DF from Barbados, which is IOTA
reference NA-021, from 20 to 28 November, including an entry in the CQ
WW DX CW Contest. He will operate almost entirely CW, with a focus on
30, 17 and 12 metres outside the contest. QSl via his home callsign.

UU5WW, UU0JR and UT5JCW will be active as 3W2J from Vietnam on 22 to 28
November. The main activity will be during the CQ WW DX CW Contest;
outside the contest they will operate CW, SSB and RTTY on 10, 15, 20,
40 and 80m. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the
bureau and LoTW. Direct cards via K2PF; an OQRS will be provided by
Club Log. Further information can be found at www.3w2j.com.

Look for 9H3OG and 9H3TX to be active from Gozo, Malta, which is IOTA
reference EU-023, on 21 to 26 November. Their activity will include a
Multi-Two entry in the CQ WW DX CW Contest as 9H3TX. QSL via DL4HG and
DL5XAT respectively.

Prefix hunters should look out for the special Mongolian prefix of
JU850 until 21 November. The regular JT prefixes can be replaced to
celebrate the 850th birthday of Genghis Khan.

Now the contest news

The 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest takes place on 20 November from 2000 to
2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.

The big event of the month will be the busiest, the CQWW DX CW. It
takes place for the full 48 hours of the weekend of the 24th and 25th
and invariably keeps the CW portions of the HF bands really busy,
especially any frequency where a DXpedition to a rarely activated
country operates. Notwithstanding solar outbursts, conditions on the
upper HF bands

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. could be very good this year, so QSO
totals for the leading stations should be high. The exchange is signal
report, and CQ Zone, which for the UK is 14.

The final event is the UK Microwave Group's Low Band Contest, which
takes place on Sunday 25th. Because of the limited hours of daylight at
the end of November, please note that this session is two hours shorter
than the other three in the series. Running from 1000 to 1400UTC and
using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.

And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 9th to
the 15th of November compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the 16th
of November.

Several large and complex sunspot groups were visible during the period
but only one produced any sizable solar flares. Solar activity was low
on the 9th and the 10th and again on the 15th. On the remaining days
activity increased to moderate levels and high on the 13th. The largest
solar flare was a M6 that took place early on the 13th. Several coronal
mass ejections took place but none were directed towards Earth. Solar
flux levels increased from 115 units on the 9th to 146 by the 13th,
levels then declined slightly to 141 by the 15th. The average was 135
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 15th was 119 units, that's
two units up on last week. X-ray flux levels increased from B3.1 units
on the 9th to B5.9 on the 12th. The average was B4.6 units. Geomagnetic
activity was very quiet until the 13th when an anticipated coronal hole
disturbance arrived. The most disturbed day was the 14th, with an Ap
index of 31 units. The average was Ap 9 units. Solar wind data from the
ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from a slow 270
kilometres per second to 470 by the 14th. Particle densities were low
but increased to 77 particles per cubic centimetre during the 12th. Bz
varied between minus 1 and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quietest day and
between minus 19 and plus 20 nanoTeslas during the disturbance. Auroral
contacts were made on 50MHz but were confined to high latitudes late on
the 13th and again during the 14th. Daytime highs decreased by several
MHz during the disturbance.

And finally the solar forecast for the coming week. At first the active
side of the Sun will be looking our way but as the week progresses it
will rotate out of view. Solar activity is expected to be low but there
is a chance that activity could increase to moderate levels, especially
during the first half of the week. Solar flux levels are expected to
decline and be around the 120 mark by next weekend. Geomagnetic
activity is expected to be quiet every day, however, there is a slight
chance that a solar flare related coronal mass ejection could head our
way; if one does than activity would increase. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be around or slightly exceed 30MHz
during most days. Darkness hour lows should be around 9MHz. 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 29MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate should be about
24MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1400 and 1700
hours UTC.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

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.

Wythall Radio Club is holding club net on 145.225MHz today and next
Sunday. On Monday the Advanced course continues, and on Tuesday there's
a talk by James, M0YOM, on filtering in the shack. Friday sees the
shack social, and the CQ Worldwide CW Contest takes up all of next
weekend. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club is running a club
net on Monday from 7pm on 144.165MHz USB, vertical polarisation. On
Wednesday there is a M3+M6 club net on GB3FR and Friday sees an HF club
net on 3.748MHz. Contact the FELCC Information Line on 07554 362 020
for more information.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding a committee meeting on Monday. On
Tuesday it's the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest from the shack. Friday sees
a formal meeting followed by the construction contest. For more
information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club is running a club net on 145.375MHz from 8pm on
Thursday. The Saturday surgery in the shack starts at 9am, followed by
the 50kHz UK Activity Contest at 8pm. Next Sunday sees a talk by Nick
Miers about wartime Bletchley Park, and he will be bringing an original
Enigma machine. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788 356.

South Birmingham Radio Society has a committee meeting on Monday. On
Thursday there are training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL, and Friday
sees shack and aerial work. Contact Don, on 01214 581 603.

Central Radio Amateur Circle is running its Intermediate course via
Skype on Tuesday, which also continues on Saturday. On Thursday there's
a night on the air on 145.375MHz from 8pm. Details from Martin Hallard,
G1TYV, by email to .

South Notts Amateur Radio Club is on the air and having a natter night
on Wednesday. Saturday sees the Advanced weekend continue. Contact
Robin, G4NDM, on 01159 372 942.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday
Aldridge & Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club is planning for 2013. Contact
Albert, G0KFS, on 01922 614 169.

On Monday Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is having a
construction evening and operating on HF. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on
01452 548 478, daytime.

On Tuesday Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is discussing
technical topics. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to
.

On Tuesday Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is watching the
Gerry Wells video. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Wednesday Midland Amateur Radio
Society has training classes, an open meeting and the shack on the air.
Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

On Wednesday South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is running its club
net on 145.525MHz from 8pm. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on ARDF by G4KWQ. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Friday Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a radio workshop
evening. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the Raspberry Pi computer by David Littlewood, G6DCT.
More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to .

On Monday Workington and District Radio and IT Group is having a talk
on power supplies by Glyn M0XUH. For more information get in touch with
Barry Easdon, G0RZI, on 01946 812 092.

On Tuesday Chester & District Radio Society is holding a surplus sale.
Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Tuesday Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Raymond, G1MSD on his life with radio. Details from Martin, M0GQB, on
01422 341 317.

On Tuesday Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is having a HF and 70cm
night. Contact Sheila, on 07867 516 836.

On Wednesday Denby Dale Radio Club is having a demonstration of SDR
receivers by Cross Country Wireless. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on
07976 220 126.

On Wednesday Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact
Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Wednesday Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is having a committee
meeting. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553 401.

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

On Thursday Wakefield & District Radio Society is having a natter night
and is on the air from the club shack. Details from Ken, G8FSO on 07900
563 117.

On Saturday Wakefield & District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate course from 13:30 with Chris, M0KJP. Details from Bill,
2E0IPC on 07905 178 845.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Tonight and next Sunday West of Scotland Amateur
Radio Society is having a club night with talks, quiz & a raffle. On
Friday there's project work & learning. Details from Sam, GM4BGS, on
07771 554 035.

On Tuesday 20 November Livingston & District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club evening. Details from Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

On Friday 23 November Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on SOTA Activation by Dr Colwyn Jones. More information
from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA We start with clubs that have
several events this week. Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society
continues its Intermediate course today. On Tuesday there's a
construction contest with Richard, G8ITB. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on
01689 878 089.

Farnborough & District Radio Society has a CW net on Monday at 1pm on
3.570MHz, then a Top Band net on 1.995MHz at 8pm. On Wednesday the club
is holding its AGM, and Friday sees the 2m net on 144.675MHz from 8pm.
Details from Neville, G3SPD, on 01252 404 816.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order.

On Monday Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on metal detecting by Howard, G6LXK. For more information contact John,
M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on a practical
approach to fractal antennas by Charles, G0SKA. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on
01628 625 720.

On Monday East Kent Radio Society is having a visit by Chris Ridley and
John Turner of Icom. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710 120.

On Monday Surrey Radio Contact Club is holding a natter and fix-it
night. Contact John, G3MCX, on 02086 883 322.

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

On Tuesday Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding a 70cm net on
GB3ER from 8.30pm. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Tuesday Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a club meeting followed
by talk. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923 265 572.

On Wednesday Banbury Amateur Radio Society is having a demonstration of
slow scan television. Contact John, G8OZH, on 07774 525 818.

On Wednesday Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is having a
technical talk on safe and effective vehicle installations by John,
G8SYD. More details from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Steve
Appleyard, G3PND, on the Reverse Beacon Network and how to use it.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having a photo
quiz with G4LRP. Contact John, G8FMJ, on 01273 593 232.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Thursday Bredhurst Receiving and
Transmitting Society is having a homebrew demonstration. Details from
Charles, G4VSZ, on 07982 244 788.

On Thursday Edgware & District Radio Society is looking at amateur
radio to suit your environment. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on
02089 500 658.

On Thursday Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club is having lunch at Lloyds
Bar, Port Solent, at 1.15pm. Contact Neil Hoare, M0NEH, on 02392 378
559.

On Thursday Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
baluns by Steve, G1KWF. Details from David Leech, G7DIU, on 01480 431
333.

On Thursday Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is having a
club night at the shack. Contact Tim Ward, 2E0TJW, on 07810 481182.

On Thursday Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
amateur radio at the North Pole by Michael Meerman, M0MPM. Details from
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz,
organised by David, G8UOD. Details from John Burnett, M6JBU, on 07860
804 793.

On Thursday Vange Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
Contact Steve, G0KVZ, on 01268 552 606.

On Friday Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the history of broadcasting by Ron, G3KBR. Contact Ron, G3KBR, on 01223
501 712.

On Friday Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding a members' forum.
Details from Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254 599.

On Friday Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society Radio is having an operating
evening in the shack. Contact Rob, 2E0RJA, on 01444 232 129.

On Friday Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk on the vector
network analyser by Brian, G3YKB. More information from Linda, G7RJL,
on 02083 868 586.

On Saturday Kent Weald Radio Club is holding its regular monthly
meeting. Details from Patrick, G0UXG, via email to
.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Exeter Amateur Radio Society has its HF net on
3.675MHz on Monday from 19:45. The Tuesday 2m net is on 145.575MHz at
19:45 and on Thursday it's the 4m net on 70.425MHz from 19:00. Contact
Nick, 2E0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

On Monday Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is holding a Bring
and Buy sale. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473 251 for more
information.

On Monday Weston Super Mare Radio Society is discussing wireless
restoration topics. Details from Paul, G3SDH, on 01761 221 206.

On Wednesday Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club is
having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417 048.

On Wednesday Trowbridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and
weekends.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Thursday Cornish Radio Amateur
Club November is having a construction night. Note that this is a
change of date due to local elections. Details from Steve, G7VOH, on
01209 844 939.

On Thursday South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838 695 471.

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

On Friday Poole Radio Society is having an activity night &
Intermediate course session. Details from Bill Coombes, G4ERV, by email
to

On Friday Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night with
the TARS 80m net. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Sunday Plymouth Radio Club is running the Plymouth Radio Rally.
Details from Rob James, 2E0ONO, via email to
.

NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 19 November Dragon Amateur Radio Club is
holding its AGM. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833
620 733.

On Tuesday 20 November Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is having an
open night. Details from Lloyd, 2W0LLT, on 01239 711 297.

On Tuesday 20 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is having a CW
night with Pat. Contact Frank Bailey, M1EYH, via email to
.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 19 November
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.