1 GB2RS NEWS Sunday 22 July

The news headlines

* RSGB IOTA contest approaches

* RAYNET helps Tour de France

* Religious broadcasts reported on 10m

The weekend of 28 and 29 July sees the RSGB IOTA contest, sponsored by
Icom. Many islands will be activated specially for the event by teams
of enthusiasts. Many more amateurs around the world will of course be
taking part from home. More details of the IOTA programme can be found
on the RSGB IOTA web site, www.rsgbiota.org.

RAYNET members provided valuable assistance during the recent Tour de
France stages in southern England. RAYNET members provided
communications, safety and marshalling services to supplement the
professional emergency services. Kent RAYNET coordinated the effort and
were also assisted by volunteers from outside the county. Although it
was reported to have been a long day for all concerned, it was a great
success.

Reports have been received from Germany of religious broadcasts in the
10m band. The transmissions are thought to emanate from Ireland, which
recently started licensing wireless PA services on the 11m band.
However, German amateurs have received signals at 28.105MHz. The Irish
Radio Transmitters Society is asking for any reception reports, with
beam headings and recordings if possible, to try and help locate the
transmitter or transmitters. Reports should be sent to Thos Caffrey,
EI2JD, either QTHR or by email to . The Irish
regulator, ComReg, is prepared to act on the matter if given sufficient
information.

AMSAT members Allen Katz, K2UYH and Marc Franco, N2UO, have designed a
high-efficiency VHF class-E RF power amplifier, with a DC to RF
efficiency of 86.8%. Their work is based on silicon carbide
metal-semiconductor field effect transistors, or MESFETs. This type of
amplifier is under consideration for use on the AMSAT Eagle satellite.

According to its annual report, Ofcom seized 661 illegal radio
transmitters in the year 2006-2007. It undertook 707 separate
enforcement actions, including 48 raids on studios used by illegal
broadcasters. As a result of its actions, Ofcom secured 61 successful
convictions. The full annual report can be downloaded form the Ofcom
web site at www.ofcom.org.uk.

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

[Note to newsreaders: we have not been notified of any events on 22
July.] On Friday 27 to Sunday 29 July the Party In The Park takes place
at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. For more details contact Ron Roberts on
01492592884.

2 On Sunday 29 July the Horncastle Summer Rally takes place from
10.30am at Horncastle Youth Centre, Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Details
from Tony, G3ZPU, on 01507 527835, or by email to . On
Sunday 29 July the Colchester Radio and Computer Rally takes place from
10am at St Helena School, Sheepen Road, Colchester. Details from James,
M0ZZO, 01255 242 748, or by email to . More details of
these and future events can be found on pages 88 and 89 of the August
edition of RadCom. Now for the news of special events Finchampstead
Scout Group will be putting on a special event station GB1FSG on 22 to
30 July. They will operate SSB on the HF bands. The station will be
operated from the Lake District.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Scouting, special event station GB100J
will be active from 27 July until 7 August. Operating from Hylands
Park, Chelmsford, the station is expected to be on air 24 hours per day
on 80m through to 6m. Depending on the availability of an Internet
connection, the station also hopes to be active on Echolink. More
details at www.radioscouting.org.uk.

On 28 and 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 at any one time.
GB200A will be operational from Saturday 28 July to celebrate the
bicentenary of Aberaeron in Wales. Two stations will be operated as
time permits, one QRP and one 100W. Operation is planned mainly on 40,
20 and 15m. And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the
Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin and other sources. Terry, W6WTG will be active as
W6I from Anacapa Island (NA-144) on 27 to 29 July. He will take part in
the IOTA contest and plans to operate on 20 metres SSB running battery
power. QSL via N2OWL. Sam, UT9FJ, Alex, UR5FEL and Petro, UR5FCZ will
be active as homecall/p from Berezan Island (EU-179) on 25 to 30 July
for the IOTA contest. 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 10-80 metres. QSL direct to HB9QR. Paolo, IK2MLS reports
he will be active holiday style as SV9/IK2MLS from Crete (EU-015) on
15-27 July. He plans to operate SSB on the HF bands, 6 and 2 metres.
QSL via home call. Mike, W7ASF and Richard, N7TCO will be active as
W7ASF/KL7 from Prince of Wales Island (NA-041), Alaska on 22-30 July
for the IOTA contest. QSL direct or via bureau. 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.

3 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 and
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 CQ WW VHF Contest takes place from 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 CW Low Power Field Day
takes place on Sunday 22 July from 0900-1200 and 1300-1600 on the 80m
and 40m bands. The exchange is RST, serial number and power. The RSGB
144MHz Backpackers Contest takes place on 22 July between 1100 and 1500
on all modes. The exchange takes the form of RST, serial number,
locator and postcode. On Tuesday 24 July the RSGB 50MHz Activity Night
takes place from 2000-2230 local. RST, serial number and locator form
the exchange. The RSGB IOTA contest takes place from 1200 UTC on
Saturday 28 July until 1200 UTC on Sunday 29 July. Activity is on 80,
40, 20, 15 and 10m, CW and SSB. The exchange is RST, serial number and
IOTA reference. Now the solar factual data for the period from 9 July
to 15 July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS

On 9 July a small but magnetically complex sunspot group rotated into
view. On the 9th and the 10th the group produced over twenty C class
solar flares, the largest was a C8 on the 10th. However, they had
little effect on propagation. From the 11th the group simplified and
solar activity declined to very low with no further C class solar
flares taking place. Solar flux levels varied little day to day and
averaged 77 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 15th was 74
units. This has remained at the same level for the last six weeks.
X-ray flux levels started at a respectable level of B1 units on the 9th
but then declined to below the minimum A1 level by the 14th. The
average was A3.3 units. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels
with an Ap index of only 3 units on the 9th but due to a recurring
coronal hole, activity increased on the 11th and the 14th to 23 units.
The average was Ap 11 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increased from 290 kilometres per second to 600 by the 11th and the
12th. Particle densities increased to 72 particles per cubic centimetre
by the 10th, but then declined to low levels for the remainder of the
period. The interplanetary magnetic field, the Bz varied between minus
and plus 2 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 14 and plus
18 nanoTeslas during the disturbance.

The HF bands were in relatively good shape until midweek, with good
20-metre propagation to northern Canada, the West Coast and Hawaii
around 0630 to 0730UTC and late openings to Asia in the

4 evening. However, increased geomagnetic activity depressed MUFs by 2
to 3MHz for the second half of the week. A handful of VHF auroral
contacts were reported at high latitudes on the 11th and again on the
14th. Sporadic-E occurred on 28 and 50MHz on all days. Also a
transatlantic opening occurred during the afternoon of the 14th on
50MHz.

And finally the solar forecast

This week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be rotating out of
view. Solar activity should be very low, at least at first. There is a
small chance that activity could increase after midweek. Solar flux
levels could increase and by next weekend be in the mid 70's.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly quiet. However, due to a
small recurring coronal hole activity could increase around Thursday.
MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 19MHz for
the south and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be
around 10MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate will be about 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
1100 hours UTC. Expect sporadic E to take place most days, particularly
on 28 and 50MHz.

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 22 July Radio Society of Harrow is operating
GB2DHH De Havilland Heritage. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586,
or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris 01895 621 310.

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

On Monday 23 July Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night. Contact Frank, M0AEU, by email to .

On Tuesday 24 July Cray Valley Radio Society is mounting a DXpedition
to the Isles of Scilly. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after
8pm.

On Tuesday 24 July Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk and demo of amateur television by members of the SCART group.
Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846, or on the web at
www.hdarc.co.uk.

On Wednesday 25 July Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by email to
.

On Wednesday 25 July Dover Radio Club is having a school holiday 2m fox
hunt with Brian, G4SAU as the fox. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to
.

On Wednesday 25 July Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Jim, M1JJN, entitled 'DTMF - the next generation'. Contact
Jim, M1JJN.

On Wednesday 25 July Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.

On Wednesday 25 July Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a bright
sparks SSTV and hat cam demonstration plus informal evening. Contact
Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by email to .

On Wednesday 25 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is making
plans for its special event station at the forthcoming fire brigade
open day. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Thursday 26 July Bittern DX Group is running the group's "Summertime
CQ's". Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506, , or on
the web at www.bittern-dxers.org.uk.

On Thursday 26 July Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social at
The Fountain Inn, Ashust. Contact or on the web at www.harc.org.uk.

On Friday 27 July Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a
natter night. Contact Mike, G4MIX, on 01304 813 175,
.

On Friday 27 July Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a field
exercise to test reception within Sussex. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273
845 103, or by email to .

6 On Friday 27 July Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is meeting at a
temporary venue: the Guide Hall, Ramally Lane, Chandlers Ford, where
they will be trying out portable antennas. Contact Liz, M0ACL, on 02380
254599.

On Friday 27 July Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an education
and training night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to .


On Friday 27 July Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
setting up its summer camp. Contact Jim, M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

On Saturday 28 July Gorleston Amateur Radio Society is having a
meeting. Contact David, G3OEP, on QTHR, 01493 662 323.

On Saturday 28 July Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is taking part
in the IOTA contest from the site of the Colchester Radio Rally.
Contact James, M0ZZO, on 01255 242 746.

On Saturday 28 July Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
attending the Fire Brigade open day at Worthing Fire Station. Contact
Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.

On Sunday 29 July Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club is having a fox hunt.
Contact Frank, M0AEU, by email to .

On Sunday 29 July Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having its
WOK event field day. Contact Mike, G4MIX, on 01304 813 175,
.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST

On Wednesday 25 July South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having session
5 of its Project OSS. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 25 July Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234,
or by email to .

On Wednesday 25 July Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
.

On Thursday 26 July Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Derek, 01935 414 452, or by email to .

On Friday 27 July Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
GU4WTN on how to use the MFJ antenna analyser. Contact Phil, GU0SUP.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS

On Sunday 22 July Wythall Radio Club is running a special event station
for the Land Rover Show at Billing Aquadrome. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on
07710 412 819, by email to , or on the web at
www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

On Monday 23 July Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Monday 23 July Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having
a construction competition. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988.

7 On Tuesday 24 July Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a quiz night. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.

On Tuesday 24 July Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a radio ramble. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Tuesday 24 July Wythall Radio Club is having a talk by Tim, M3SDE on
the 3YOX DXpedition to Peter 1 Island. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710
412 819, by email to , or on the web at
www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.

On Wednesday 25 July Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a video night.
Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

On Wednesday 25 July Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on direction finding, fox hunting - and how to do it, by
G4EIX. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
.

On Thursday 26 July Salop Amateur Radio Society is having its 4th fox
hunt. Contact Glenda, G1YJB, on 01939 235 412.

On Thursday 26 July Stafford and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating portable from Cannock Chase. Contact Graeme, G4NVH, on 01785
604 534, or by email to .

On Friday 27 July Coventry Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact
John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by email to .

On Friday 27 July Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club is
celebrating 20 years of HRRARC with a social evening and buffet.
Contact Carl, M0XBE, on 07979 092 447, or on the web at www.hrrarc.com.


NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

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

On Monday 23 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having its second fox
hunt and BBQ. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

On Monday 23 July Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by G3ZRZ on simple antennas. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to
.

On Tuesday 24 July Chester and District Radio Society is having a talk
on Stroboscopes by Bill Silversides, M3SCK. Details on the web at
www.chesterdars.org.uk, or by email to .

On Tuesday 24 July Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a members technical evening at Rishworth School. Contact Brenda,
2E0YKS, by email to .

On Wednesday 25 July Chester and District Radio Society is having a
presentation on the International short wave league by Geoff Hoyle.
Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk, .

On Wednesday 25 July Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
is on the air. Contact Nancy, 0191 477 0036, 07990 760 920, or by email
to .

On Wednesday 25 July Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is preparing its
antenna farm and having an activity night. Contact Steve, G4GPY, on
01482 860 440, or by email to .

8 On Friday 27 July South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on marine radio by G3UAU. Contact Ron, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 27 July Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk by Ken, M3ILL,
entitled A Slinky Antenna. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to
.

On Saturday 28 July Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the
IOTA contest as MM3M from the Island of Arran. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

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

On Thursday 26 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

On Friday 27 July Banff and Buchan Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
on PC to radio interfacing. Contact .

On Saturday 28 July Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.

On Saturday 28 July Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
taking part in the RSGB IOTA contest from the Island of Tiree. Contact
Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Friday 27 to Sunday 29 July the North Wales Radio Society is running
the Party In The Park at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. The event, which is
open to all, has ample space for camping. There will be a car boot sale
and flea market, although the organizers with to limit the sale of
transmitting equipment to licensed amateurs. For more details contact
Ron Roberts on 01492592884.

A meeting has been arranged for club secretaries or other
representatives of North Wales amateur radio clubs. This will take
place on Saturday 28 July at 11am in the organisers tent at the Party
In The Park, Colwyn Bay. The subject of the meeting is to get something
going to provide a meeting point for radio amateurs in North Wales.
This has come about because there is a feeling that the former
Llandudno Rally provided more than just a place to meet the traders. It
is not essential that the club secretary per se be there, but it would
be preferable if each club or organisation in North Wales (Region 6) is
represented by one of their officers or members.

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.