Attention GB2RS Newsreaders - not for reading out on the air.

You will see from the following script that there will be no GB2RS news
on Sundays 23rd and 30th December.

Some news readers may, of course, wish to operate a news net on these
days. If so, please ad-lib an

announcement at the end of the first news story.

We thank all news readers for their dedication to the GB2RS News
Service and wish you

a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Gordon L Adams, G3LEQ, GB2RS Manager

Elaine Richards, G4LFM, RadCom Editor

Giles Read, G1MFG, RadCom Technical Editor.

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 9th December 2012 The news headlines:

* GB2RS News during the holiday season

* Distance learning for the Advanced exam

* Successful contact from Cuba to Spain on FO-29

There will be no GB2RS news readings on 23 or 30 December this year.
Normal service will be resumed on Sunday 6 January 2013.

The Bath Based Advanced Distance Learning team are busy enrolling for
the next course, which starts in January. The course will run for
twenty weeks, aiming for the July exam. The course works by the team
e-mailing weekly work packages. Students submit answers to practice
questions and other assignments to an e-tutor. Worked answers are
provided to those who submit work. There is no charge for the training
or the tutor support, but all students pay a deposit which is refunded
to those who actively take part in the learning. Those that do not
regularly submit work agree to donate their deposit to a radio charity.
The pass rate for those completing the course has been over 90% at
every sitting so far, so it seems to work. Past students have studied
in France, Kenya, Croatia and all over the UK. For more details, please
contact Steve Hartley, G0FUW, who is in the RSGB Yearbook, on QRZ.com
and can be contacted via email to .

Radio amateurs in Cuba face a number of challenges but recently Hector,
CO6CBF, successfully completed a transatlantic contact between Cuba and
Spain using the FO-29 amateur radio satellite. You can read more at
www.uk.amsat.org/?p=11766.

The MSF 60kHz time and frequency signal broadcast from Anthorn Radio
Station will be shut down on Thursday 13 December from 1000 to 1400UTC.
The interruption to the transmission is required to allow maintenance
work to be carried out in safety. The time signal is used by radio
controlled clocks to set the time, so during this maintenance period
such clocks may not function correctly.

The address for the Canadian QSL bureau has changed. All QSL cards for
Canada should be sent to RAC National Incoming QSL Bureau, Box 51,
Saint John, NB E2L 3X1, Canada.

The RSGB will close for the Christmas and New Year holiday at close of
business on 21 December. It will re-open at 08.30am on 2 January. Last
orders from the RSGB Shop for Christmas delivery will be 11am on 20
December.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. And now for the details of rallies
and events for the coming week

The final rally of the year takes place today, 8 December. The South
Lancs Winter Rally will be held in the Bickershaw Labour Club,
Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Wigan. Doors open at 10am for the public
and entry is £1.50. There will be a talk-in station and a Bring & Buy
as well as special interest groups. More details from Allan, 2E0RAG on
07533 970 841.

The first rally of the 2013 will be the Red Rose Winter Rally on 13
January in the George H Carnell Leisure Centre.

Now for the news of special events

5G12ITD is on the air until 16 December in Morocco to commemorate UN
Day for Tolerance. They will be active all bands and all modes. QSL via
RW6HS.

Ian, M0IAA will be operating GB1WH from 11 to 18 December. The station
is on the air to raise awareness and funds for Wakefield hospital. Ian
is hoping to work as many stations as possible. More details are on
QRZ.com.

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

H44RK will be active as 5W0RK from Samoa between 8 December and 3
March. Operations will be on 10 to 20 metres using SSB and the digital
modes. The IOTA reference is OC-097. QSL via NR6M.

W8YCM will be on the air as W8YCM/6Y5 from Jamaica, IOTA NA-097, until
the New Year. He's been heard on the 10 to 17m bands using SSB. QSL via
his home callsign.

Zorro, JH1AJT will be in Cambodia until 17 December. He will use the
callsign XU1A and be on the air on all bands from 10 to 160m using CW
and SSB. QSLs go via the JA bureau.

Haru, JA1XGI will be active from the island of Yap in Micronesia, IOTA
OC-012, until 12 December. His call is V63XG and he will be on the 6 to
40m bands using CW, SSB and digital. QSL to his home callsign.

Norman, 5B4AIF will be active as E51E from Aitutaki in the South Cook
Islands from 10 December to 5 January. The IOTA reference for the
island is OC-083. He will operate SSB and RTTY and possibly some QRS
CW, on the 6 to 160m bands. QSL via EB7DX and Logbook of the World.

Now the contest news

The 48 hour ARRL 10m Contest finishes at 2359UTC today, 9 December.
Everyone works everyone in this CW and Phone event. The ARRL event has
numerous entry categories, so please check the rules online to find an
appropriate one for you. The exchange is signal report and serial
number, although W, VE and XE stations will send their State or
Province code too.

Tuesday 11 December sees the 432MHz UK Activity Contest taking place
between 2000 and 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. And now the solar factual data for
the period from Friday the 30th of November to the 6th of December
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the 7th of December.

Three small new sunspot groups appeared during the period. Solar
activity was low and only small occasional C class solar flares took
place. These had very little effect on propagation. In total only 9 C
class solar flares took place during the period. Solar flux levels
declined from 111 units on the 30th to 96 by the 4th and the 5th. The
average was 100 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 6th was 120
units, that's three units down on last week. X-ray flux levels also
declined, from B3.4 units on the 30th to B1.2 by the 6th. The average
was B1.8 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day, the Ap index
on the 5th and the 6th was only one unit. The most disturbed day was
the 2nd with an Ap index of 7 units. The average was Ap 3 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds vary between
290 and 460 kilometres per second. Particle densities were at elevated
levels during most days with 23 particles per cubic centimetre on the
30th, 40 on the 2nd and 22 on the 4th. Only the 5th and the 6th were
levels below 10 particles per cubic centimetre. As expected with a
quiet geomagnetic field, Bz showed only modest fluctuations throughout
the period.

And finally the solar forecast for the coming week. This week the
active side of the Sun is expected to be rotating into view. Solar
activity is expected to be low, with only C class solar flares taking
place. There are no indications that activity would increase any higher
than moderate levels on the occasional day. Solar flux levels should
increase and be in the 120's for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity
should be quiet today but then a small recurring coronal hole is
expected for the next couple of days. However, the disturbance is
expected to be very weak. Activity should then decline to quiet levels
for the remainder of the week. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 25MHz for the south and 22MHz for the north.
Darkness hour lows should be around 8MHz. Paths this week to South
America should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of around 30MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90
per cent success rate will be about 24MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 1100 and 1600 hours.

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

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
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 a club net on 145.225MHz today and
next Sunday. On Tuesday there's a Morse class at 1945 and a committee
meeting. Friday sees the shack social from 1930. 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 the Christmas dinner and monthly meeting from 1900,
plus the M3+M6 club net on GB3FR. Friday sees a club net on GB3FR.
Contact the FELCC Information Line on 07554 362 020 for more
information.

South Birmingham Radio Society is making Christmas party arrangements
on Monday and Friday. Tuesday sees a coffee morning in the shack from
11am. Details from Mick Cleary, G7RRP, on 07595 696 359.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in the 432MHz UK Activity
Contest on Tuesday. On Wednesday G6COL is on the air from the shack and
there's a brainstorming session at the BSA Club on the subject of
digimodes. The simplex club net is on Thursday from 8pm on 145.375MHz
and Saturday sees the Surgery in the shack at 9am. For more information
contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

On Tuesday 11 December Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is having a
talk on datamodes on Tuesday and a Christmas beer & skittles evening on
Friday. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to
.

South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society has its last meeting of year on
Wednesday, then the Christmas buffet and raffle next Saturday. Contact
Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday
Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having a test equipment
evening with John, G0JUQ. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664 488.

On Monday Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas party. More information from Robert Bird, by email to
.

On Monday Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society is having its Christmas
dinner. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858
432 105.

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

On Tuesday Eagle Radio Group is having a review of the year by Gordon,
G4WEC. Contact John, M6JMS, on 01754 873 926.

On Tuesday Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on computer disasters by Andrew, G7SEG. More information from Chris,
G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Wednesday Midland Amateur Radio
Society is holding its Christmas party. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on
07808 078 003.

On Wednesday South Notts Amateur Radio Club is having its Christmas
dinner. Contact Robin, G4NDM, on 01159 372 942.

On Wednesday Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas dinner at Alscott. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is holding its AGM.
Details from Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241 099.

On Friday Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is holding its
Christmas dinner. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Friday Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having an introduction to
its 2013 project. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND We start with advance notice that Stars
Radio Club is running new Foundation and Intermediate courses in
January. For further information, or to join one of the courses,
contact Darren, 2E0MTY, on 07511 968 073.

On Monday Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club s holding its Christmas
bazaar and junk sale. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday Bolton Wireless Club is having an open evening including a
bring & buy sale. For details, send an email to
.

On Monday Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Dave Shaw,
M5DWI, on his visit to China. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO,
by email to .

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

On Tuesday Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is holding a discussion
on how members became interested in amateur radio. Contact Sheila, on
07867 516 836.

On Wednesday Denby Dale Radio Club is having a night on the air on
145.575MHz from 1930. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

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

On Wednesday Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society invites members to
bring equipment in for repair. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606
553 401.

On Thursday South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is sharing
members' QRP experiences, led by Bill, G4NOL. Details from Ron, G3SVW,
on 01619 693 999.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club is having a
tinker and radio night at the shack on Tuesday. On Friday they start
the weekend Foundation course. Details from Brian Burns, MI0TGO, by
email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Tuesday 11 December Livingston & District Amateur
Radio Society is having an operating evening. Details from Norman,
GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

On Wednesday 12 December Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having presentation
on how our hobby must change. Details from Tom Ferguson, GM1OST, on
01292 532 088.

On Wednesday 12 December Lothians Radio Society is holding its
Christmas curry night. Contact Alan J. Masson, GM3PSP, on 0131 623
4580.

On Friday West of Scotland Glasgow ARS are holding their winter social
event from 8pm in the upstairs hall at Garnethill Multicultural Centre,
Rose Street. Any former members and friends of the club are warmly
invited to attend this free event. More information is available by
email from .

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA We start with advance notice
that Dover Amateur Radio Club will be running a PIC training course in
January. The course is aimed at beginners. It is free to members, with
a small charge for guests. Places are limited so act fast. For more
information contact Pete Halloway, M0PKH, via email to
.

Now for clubs that have several events this week. Chelmsford Amateur
Radio Society has its 2m net on GB3DA on Tuesday from 8:30pm. On
Wednesday there's a committee meeting at Danbury Village Hall. Contact
Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

Horsham Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee meeting on Thursday.
Next Saturday there's the last chance to work GB80PW, with an activity
day on 7MHz from 10am. Details are on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Monday Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a
social evening. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460
947.

On Monday Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is holding its AGM.
Details from Steve Beal, G3WZK, by email to .

On Monday West Kent Amateur Radio Society is holding its Christmas
social, with a buffet and soft drinks to mark the season. Details from
Keith, G4JED, via email to .

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

On Tuesday Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on amateur
radio astronomy by Brian Coleman, G4NNS. Details from Malcolm, G8NRP,
on 01235 524 844.

On Tuesday South Essex Amateur Radio Society is holding its Christmas
social evening. Contact Dave, G4UVJ, on 01268 697 978.

On Wednesday Chesham & District Amateur Radio Society is holding its
Christmas party at the QTH of Roger, G3MEH. More details from Terry,
G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast. On Wednesday Darenth Valley Radio
Society is holding its last meeting of the year, with a quiz evening
following by a fish and chip supper. Contact Bob, M0RAW, on 01322 663
804.

On Wednesday East Kent Radio Society is holding its Christmas dinner.
Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710 120.

On Wednesday Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is holding its AGM &
Christmas party. Details from Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766 543 784.

On Wednesday Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having its Christmas party.
Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday Southgate Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact
Mr K Mendum, G8RPA, by email to

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

On Wednesday Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club is having its
Christmas party. Contact John, G8FMJ, on 01273 593 232.

On Thursday Edgware & District Radio Society is holding its Christmas
social. Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 02089 500 658.

On Thursday Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is having a mince pie
evening. Details from David Leech G7DIU, on 01480 431 333.

On Thursday Lowestoft & District PYE Amateur Radio Club is holding a
cheese and wine evening at the shack. Contact Tim Ward, 2E0TJW, on
07810 481 182.

On Thursday Reading & District Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM
followed by cheese and wine or beer for members. Details from Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is holding its Christmas junk
sale. Note that this is on the 2nd Thursday of the month, for this
month only. Details from Darren, M0PRV, on 07525 753 702.

On Thursday Vange Amateur Radio Society is watching a DVD. Contact
Steve, G0KVZ, on 01268 552 606.

On Friday Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Colossus and code breaking at Bletchley by Martin, G3ZAY. Contact Ron,
G3KBR, on 01223 501 712.

On Friday Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night at
the Fort from 7pm. Contact Neil Hoare, M0NEH, on 02392 378 559.

On Friday Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding its Christmas
social. Details from Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254 599.

On Friday Loughton & Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas buffet and bring & buy. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on
02085 021 645.

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

On Friday Radio Society of Harrow is holding its Christmas social. More
information from Linda, G7RJL, on 02083 868 586.

On Friday Wimbledon & District Amateur Radio Society is having its
Christmas social. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 02083 353 434.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST We start with clubs that have several events
this week. Exeter Amateur Radio Society is holding its Monday HF net
plus a bring in something interesting evening from 7pm at the Moose
Centre. The Tuesday 2m net is on 145.575MHz at 7.45pm and on Thursday
it's the 4m net on 70.425MHz from 7pm. Contact Nick, 2E0NRJ, on 01363
775 756.

Riviera Amateur Radio Club is holding its Christmas party at club HQ on
Monday from 7.30pm. On Wednesday there's the 2m club net from 8pm on
145.425MHz. Contact Alan Wyatt, G2DXU, by email to
.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday
Appledore & District Amateur Radio Club is holding its Christmas party.
Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473 251 for more information.

On Tuesday Plymouth RC Plymouth Radio Club is holding its Christmas
party. Details from Rob James, 2E0ONO, via email to
.

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

On Thursday South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is holding its Christmas
social with Muriel, G4YZR. Details from Andrew Jenner, G7KNA, on 07838
695 471.

On Thursday Swindon & District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Mike Parkin, G0JMI, from Alton Antenna Arrays. Contact Den, M0ACM, on
07810 317 750.

On Friday Poole Radio Society is holding its Christmas quiz and photo
competition. Details from Bill Coombes, G4ERV, by email to


On Friday Saltash & District Amateur Radio Club is having a mince pies
and sherry evening. Contact Brian, M0BHG, on 01752 844 321.

On Friday Torbay Amateur Radio Society is holding its Christmas party
and quiz with invited local clubs. For more information contact Dave,
G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR WALES No news items have been received for Wales this week.

Copyright © RSGB 2012. Not for public release before Monday 10 December
2012 except as a GB2RS broadcast.