1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 15 July

The news headlines

* RSGB Microwave Manager to speak at International Space Colloquium

* New beacons on 40 and 60MHz

* CQIR contest should prove to be popular

A reminder that AMSAT-UK will be holding its 22nd International Space
Colloquium at the University of Surrey, Guildford, from Friday 20 to
Sunday 22 July.

Frequency allocations are a matter of great concern to the amateur
satellite community and so the presentation by the RSGB Microwave
Manager Murray Niman, G6JYB, on The Future of Amateur Satellite
Spectrum will be received with great interest. The presentation will
summarise both the challenges and opportunities for amateur satellite
spectrum and future satellite designers from 50MHz to beyond 50GHz.

GB4FUN will be present throughout the event to allow visitors to work
the satellites. On Friday there will be a special Beginners Workshop to
show newcomers how to use the many amateur satellites that are
available. The event is open to all amateurs and SWL's. For further
details log onto www.uk.amsat.org.uk.

Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, located near Oxford, has just
received licences for some very special beacons. The National Frequency
Assignment Panel has allocated 40.050MHz and 60.050MHz for use by
GB3RAL. Ofcom has issued NoVs for these frequencies, which will be used
alongside other beacons on the site. GB3RAL will operate on 5, 28, 40,
50, 60 and 70MHz. This will provide a valuable propagation resource for
amateurs worldwide. Please remember though that 40MHz and 60MHz are not
amateur bands and these spot frequencies are for GB3RAL only.

Great interest is being expressed worldwide in the Irish Radio
Transmitters Society's 75th Anniversary Contest, CQIR. This one-off, 24
hour, single-op contest takes place on the last weekend in September.
It is intended to be a celebration of Ireland and the Irish worldwide.

The emphasis is on participation rather than winning, but every
participant will gain a free raffle ticket for every 75 QSO's made
during the contest. The first EI/GI ticket drawn will win an all
expenses paid long weekend in New York. This will also include a visit
to ARRL HQ.

Entrants from the rest of the world will enter a draw for a week in
Kinnitty Castle, Offaly. The prize includes flights from anywhere in
the world. This contest is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the
IRTS and its 75 years of service to Irish radio experimenters. The
society would like to encourage all Irish operators to be active during
the Contest. Full rules are on the IRTS website.

The new UK transport minister Rosie Winterton says that the commercial
sector should still have a role in developing the troubled Galileo
satnav system. The plans have been plagued by delays and increased
costs, and in May the European Commission abandoned negotiations with a
private consortium to help it build the system. The 2.7 billion pound
system is supposed to be functional by the end of 2012. Many amateurs
remain concerned about possible mutual interference between Galileo and
microwave operations, particularly on 23cm.

Dorset RAYNET is seeking volunteers for the IRONMAN Triathlon at
Sherborne, Dorset on Sunday 19 August. They are offering a free
campsite for any operator who wishes to make a weekend of the event.

2 XYLs are welcome too. Anyone who would like to help should contact
John Goodall, G0SKR, by email to . And now for the
details of rallies and events for the coming week [Note to newsreaders:
please exercise your judgement on whether to read the 15 July event,
based on your service area and time of transmission. We have not been
notified of any events on 22 July.] On Sunday 15 July the McMichael
Rally and Boot Sale takes place from 09.30 at Reading Rugby club, just
off the A4, east of Reading. Details from G0JMS, on 01189 723504 or on
the web at www.McMichaelRally.org.uk. More details of these and future
events can be found on pages 88 and 89 of the July edition of RadCom.
Now for the news of special events

On 15 July the Yeovil Amateur Radio Club will be operating GB2MBS,
Marconi Beam Station, on HF throughout the day. Operations will be from
10am at New Barn Centre, Bradford Peverell, near Dorchester. The
special event station is to mark the occasion of the 70th anniversary
of the death of Guglielmo Marconi. For queries on the day contact
Derek, M0WOB, on 07974759669. Finchampstead Scout Group will be putting
on a special event station GB1FSG on 22 to 30 July. They will operate
SSB on the scouting HF bands, either 3.690, 7.090, 7.190 or 14.290MHz,
+ or - QRN. The station will be operated from the Lake District.

On 28 to 29 July a group of radio amateurs will be active from Isle of
Islay. Apart from the IOTA Contest with participation under two contest
call signs GM2Z and GM4A, there will be a separate PSK station MS0EPC
(EPC#1700). The radio amateurs will try to be active on all HF bands,
including 160m. More than one radio may be in use. Special event
station 9A07P will be active on all bands and modes until 31 December
to celebrate the city of

Djurdjevac. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin and other sources.

Paolo, IK2MLS, reports he will be active holiday style as SV9/IK2MLS
from Crete (EU-015) on 15 to 27 July. He plans to operate SSB on the HF
bands, 6 and 2 metres. QSL via home call. Marq, CT1BWW, Juan Carlos,
EA3GHZ and Tomas, EA5YH, will operate as FS/home call and PJ7/home call
from Saint Martin and Sint Maarten on 15 to 25 July. They plan to be
active on 80 to 6 meters CW, SSB and digital modes with two stations.
Further information can be found on their web site www.dxciting.com.
Hide, JM1LJS, Motoaki, JE1EK and Koya, JI5RPT, will be active from
Koror (OC-009), Palau until 18 July. They plan to operate on 40 to 6
metres SSB and CW, plus satellite. QSL via home calls. Jack, HB9TL,
reports he will be active as TK/HB9TL from Corsica on 18 to 30 July. He
plans to operate SSB on 10 to 80 metres. QSL direct to HB9QR. Eddie,
N2EK, will be operating holiday style as ZF2EK from Grand Cayman
(NA-016) until 20 July. QSL via homecall.

3 Hank, W0CZE, will be active as YJ0CZE from Vanuatu until 21 July. He
will operate on 10 to 80 meters SSB and CW. QSL is via W0FF. Frank,
DL1FT, will be active as ES0FTZ from Saaremaa Island (EU-034) until 21
July. He plans to operate on 15, 17, 20, 30, 40 and 80m. A group of
nine Portuguese amateurs will be operating as CS26X until 22 July for
the 26th International Motorcycle Rally in Faro. They will be active on
160 to 6 meters, SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL via CT1EHX, direct or bureau.
Look for RV3ATS, RV3ATT and RU3AVF to operate on 10, 15, 20, 40, 80 and
2 metres as RV3ATS/p. They will be operating until 21 July from 16
mountains located in various different Russian Districts. They also
plan to participate in a number of contests on the VHF and HF bands.
QSL via RV3ATS, direct or bureau. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta
will be active as 1A0KM, with a large team of operators led by IK0FVC.
Plans are to operate from 160 metres to 23cm on all modes, until 22
July. QSL via IK0FTA. Claude, F5OGE, will be active as CN2GE and
CN2GE/m from Morocco until 29 July. He will be travelling from Tangiers
to Rabat, Marrakech, Benni Mellal, Fes, and Tetouane and back to
Tangiers. Claude will operate CW and SSB, mainly on 40 and 20 metres,
early in the morning and late in the evening (local time). QSL via home
call, direct or bureau. Art, KG6ZWD, will be active as SV1/KG6ZWD/p
from mainland Greece on 24 to 25 July. He will also operate as
SV8/KG6ZWD/p from Andros Island, EU-067, on 17 to 23 July. Expect
holiday style activity on 10 to 40 meters SSB and PSK31. QSL via home
call, director bureau. Pete, W2GJ, C6APR, Ed, K3IXD, C6AXD and Randy,
K4QO, C6AQO, will be active from Crooked Island, NA-113, ARLHS BAH-005
on 26 to 30 July. They will operate CW, SSB, and RTTY on 80 to 6 meters
and will participate in the IOTA Contest as C6APR. All QSLs via K3IXD.
Now the contest news

The RSGB 1.3GHz to 2.3GHz activity takes place on 17 July between 2000
to 2230 local on all modes. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial
number and locator. The RSGB 80m Club Championship takes place between
1900 and 2030 on 19 July on the 3.5MHz band, data modes. The exchange
takes the form of RST and serial number. The RSGB Low Power Field Day,
session 1, takes place between 0900 and 1200 on 22 July on the 3.5MHz
and 7MHz bands, CW. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial number
and power. The CQ WW VHF Contest takes place between 1800 on 21 July to
2100 on 22 July. Activity is the on 50MHz to 144MHz bands, all modes.
The exchange takes the form of call sign and grid. The RSGB 144MHz
Backpackers Contest takes place on 22 July between 1100 to 1500 on all
modes. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial number, locator and
postcode. Now the solar factual data for the period from 2 July to 8
July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS

4 Solar activity was very low until the 7th when a small sunspot group
rotated into view and produced several C class solar flares, which
increased activity to low. Solar flux levels initially declined from 73
to 71 units. Levels then increased to 75 by the 8th. The average was 73
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 8th was 74 units, that's
the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum level but on the arrival of the new sunspot group increased to
A6.9 units by the 8th. The average was A1.2 units. Geomagnetic activity
started at quiet levels with an Ap index of 3 units on the 2nd. The 4th
was the most disturbed day, this was due to a recurring coronal hole.
The Ap index was 16 units. The remainder of the period was quiet and
the average was Ap 7 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from 320 kilometres per second on the 3rd to 650 by the 4th.
Particle densities were low except for the 3rd, which increased to 12
particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus 3 and plus 2
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 7 and plus 8 during the
disturbance. HF propagation was disappointing for a couple of days
midweek, when MUFs were below predicted levels. Otherwise, it followed
the pattern of the last few weeks. Sporadic-E was reported up to 50MHz
every day and there were several strong openings at 70MHz, including
Hungarian stations mentioned earlier in this bulletin. There was more
50MHz propagation into North America and the Caribbean, including a
good opening for many Field Day stations yesterday. And finally the
solar forecast This week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be
looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be very low. Solar flux
levels should decline and maybe in the 60's for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet today and tomorrow, but, due to a
recurring coronal hole, activity is expected to increase from Tuesday
and last till the weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north.
The darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths this week to the
Middle East should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent
success rate of 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be around 15MHz. The best time to try this path will
be between 0800 and 1600 hours UTC. Double hop sporadic E openings to
the same destination could also take place on 50MHz. Meanwhile, single
hop openings around Europe should take place almost daily on 28 and
50MHz. Openings on 144MHz could still be a slight possibility. And
that's all for this week from the propagation team.

5 Next, the Local News:

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies can
be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail 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 SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA On Sunday 15 July Radio Society of Harrow is operating
GB2DHH De Havilland Heritage at the De Haviland museum, London Colney.
Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at
www.g3efx.org.uk.

On Sunday 15 July Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is running
the McMichael Radio Rally at Reading Rugby Football Club. Contact Pete,
G8FRC, on 01189 695 697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.

On Monday 16 July Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on WSJT
low signal working. Contact G4XDU, on 01628625720.

On Monday 16 July Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having talks on X-Rays by G0BYH and on transformers by G3PEN. Contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 16 July Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-it, advice,
chin wag and move-it-on evening at their trial venue, Trinity Hall.
Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644 7589.

On Tuesday 17 July Gorleston Amateur Radio Society is having a
discussion about Field Day Activities. Contact David, G3OEP, on QTHR,
01493 662 323.

On Wednesday 18 July Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a pedestrian treasure hunt on 2m. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442
506 344, or by email to .

On Wednesday 18 July Dover Radio Club is having a planning evening for
GB2SFL. Contact Brian, G4SAU, on g4sau@District Amateur Radio
Club.org.uk.

On Wednesday 18 July Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on submarine communication by Paul Hawkins. Contact Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 18 July Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a contest DVD evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514 .

On Wednesday 18 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is running the Members
Trophy DF contest. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by
email to .

On Wednesday 18 July Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on slow scan TV and operating from the Halisham shack. Contact John,
G3DQY, on 0124424319, or by email to .

On Wednesday 18 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a President's special evening. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 19 July Cray Valley Radio Society is looking at the Isles
of Scilly 2007, having a Wintest demo and taking part in the 80m Data
Club Championship Data. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Thursday 19 July Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
antenna modelling by Andrew Vine, M0GJH. Contact John, G0BWV, on 020
8644 9945, or by email to .

6 On Friday 20 July Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on SMT soldering techniques. Contact David, G8JKV.

On Friday 20 July Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having an HF night on the air. Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645,
or by email to .

On Friday 20 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night and table top sale. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by
email to .

On Friday 20 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an illustrated
talk by a club member. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

On Friday 20 July Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a club night
BBQ. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

On Saturday 21 July Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a BBQ at the QTH of G3LLK. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635
46241, or by email to .

On Sunday 22 July Radio Society of Harrow is operating GB2DHH De
Havilland Heritage at the De Haviland museum, London Colney. Contact
Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk.

On Sunday 22 July Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the
Beachy Head Site. Contact John, G3DQY, on 0124424319, or by email to
.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST

On Sunday 15 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a Sunday
afternoon club BBQ at Ham Hill. Contact Derek, 01935 414 452, or by
email to .

On Monday 16 July Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on VHF Propagation by Terry, G4CHD.Contact Beryl, G1SVP.

On Tuesday 17 July Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is running
the Intermediate licence written exam. Contact Tony, G3PFM, on 01202
622 262.

On Wednesday 18 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a
digital camera evening. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 18 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Peter Robinson, G0EYR on his trip to the Friedrichshafen
radio rally. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234, or by email to
.

On Wednesday 18 July Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
.

On Thursday 19 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by M0WOB
on "what goes on in my workshop". Contact Derek, 01935 414 452, or by
email to .

On Friday 20 July Bournemouth Radio Society is having a Powerpoint
presentation and demo by guest speaker Peter Smith, G4JNU. Contact
John, G0HAT, on 07719 700 771.

7 NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Sunday 15 July Coventry Amateur Radio
Society is visiting Blechley Park. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273
190, or by email to .

On Monday 16 July Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an 80m and 2m DF talk and demonstration. Contact John, M1EJG, on
01562 700 513.

On Tuesday 17 July Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by Ian Brothwell, G4EAN and 9H3YI, entitled "Tales from running
National Amateur Radio Organisations" about his experiences with BARTG
and RAOTA . Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.

On Tuesday 17 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having its 4th DF of 2007 on 2m. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504
319.

On Tuesday 17 July Wythall Radio Club is having an equipment
familiarisation and on the air evening. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710
412 819, or by email to , or on the web at
www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

On Wednesday 18 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is progressing the shack.
Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Wednesday 18 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
visiting the Spaceguard Centre. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677,
or by email to .

On Thursday 19 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is giving members the
opportunity to test their valves with an AVO CT160, plus having a
natter night. Contact Glenda, G1YJB, on 01939 235 412.

On Thursday 19 July Stafford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a chat and shack night. Contact Graeme, G4NVH, on 01785 604 534,
or by email to .

On Friday 20 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a portable
night at Newbold Comyn. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by
email to .

On Friday 20 July Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is having an
internal quiz night. Contact Carl, M0XBE, on 07979 092 447, or on the
web at www.hrrarc.com.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 16 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is visiting Dronfield
Scouts to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

On Monday 16 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by G4EZM. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
.

On Tuesday 17 July Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating VHF portable at Blackstone Edge. Contact Brenda, 2E0YKS, by
email to .

On Tuesday 17 July Stockport Radio Society is having a presentation on
the final preparations for Low Power Field Day 2007. Contact David,
M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.

On Wednesday 18 July Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
is on the air. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by email
to .

8 On Wednesday 18 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is attending
Driffield Show and having an activity night. Contact Steve, G4GPY, on
01482 860 440, or by email to .

On Friday 20 July South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is
discussing members' favourite websites. Contact Ron, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 20 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating and Morse
night. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to .

On Saturday 21 July Wakefield and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its DXpedition to Lindisfarne (Holy Island), IOTA EU-120.
Contact Dave, G4CLI, on 07748 221 855, or by email to
.

On Sunday 22 July Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is
having a foxhunt. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by
email to .

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

On Sunday 22 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the
RSGB Low Power CW Contest as GM3BSQ/P at Walker Park. Contact Lewis,
GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Tuesday 17 July Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is having its club
BBQ, weather permitting. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on 01239 811 922.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

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

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain.