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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 29 June

The news headlines

* New 70MHz beacon in Portugal

* HMS Belfast 70th anniversary

* New RSGB RAYNET and Public Service Group reflector

A new 4 metre beacon in Portugal will operate on 70.166MHz with the
callsign CS5BFM. Sited at locator IM59rd, the antenna, which is a
horizontal doublet dipole, is at 12m above sea level. The power level
is at 10W using A1A mode. Reports can be e-mailed to
or the DX Summit Spot Database.

To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of HMS Belfast on 5th July, members
of the RNARS will be establishing a special CW contact using the HMS
Belfast callsign, GB2RN. It will be between Ian Hopkins, G4WUH, who
will be on board HMS Chatham in the Arabian Golf and RNARS members in
the Bridge Wireless Office of HMS Belfast moored on the River Thames.

An e-mail reflector service is to be established, whereby RSGB Groups
can communicate with each other, ask for assistance, share expertise
and so on. It will also be used where groups wish to update details. It
is not meant to replace the RAYNET weekly news service operated by the
Network on behalf of all UK groups. RSGB Groups are invited to send the
names and contact e-mail addresses of three of their committee to
GM3ZYE at and these persons will then receive
notification of when the service is activated.

Martin Lynch & Sons will be holding their Summer Party at the McMichael
rally on Sunday 13th July. The rally starts at 9.30am at Holme Park
Farm Lane, Sonning Lane, Sonning on Thames, Reading.

Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club is coordinating the National
Railways on the Air Weekend that will take place on Saturday 27th and
Sunday 28th September. This date celebrates the anniversary of the
first steam powered passenger railway. If you would like to take part
by running a station, approach your nearest preserved railway, ask if
they are celebrating the birth of passenger railways in this country
and would they like to have an amateur radio station as part of their
event to promote awareness of their railway. Once you have their
agreement, apply for a special event licence in the usual way with
Ofcom. When you have the details of the station, please register at
www.barac.m0php.net/. Please click on the `Register for the Railways on
the Air Weekend' link and enter details of your special event station
in the contact box.

The Danish 4m band allocation has been extended. You will now be able
to find Danish station on* 69.9875 to 70MHz; 70.2375 to 70.2875MHz and
70.4875 to 70.5125MHz.

Bletchley Park is holding the annual Turing Lecture 2008 on Thursday,
10th July. Dr Andrew Hodges, tutor in Mathematics and Fellow of Wadham
College, University of Oxford, will discuss some of the unresolved

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issues that have come to the forefront, as historians of science strive
to understand the development of Turing's thought.

The LZCWC Award is available to any licenced amateur for two-way
contacts with different members of the LZ CW Club on CW on any HF
bands. The First Class Award is for contact with 30 members, Second
Class is 20 members and Third Class is 10 members. An updated LZ CW
CLUB membership list can be obtained by e-mail from , or
by ordinary mail to: LZ1AF, PO Box 412, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.

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

The West of England Radio Rally will take place today, 29th June, at
the Cheese & Grain, Frome, Somerset. Doors open at 10am and car parking
is free. Look out for the RSGB bookstall. Contact Shaun, G8VPG, on
01225 873 098.

Saturday 5th July sees the Reddish Rally at St Mary's Parish Church
hall, St Mary's Drive, Stockport SK5 7AX. There is car parking for
visitors and the doors open at 10.30am with the admission being £1.
Details from Bernard, G3SHF, on 01625 850088 during the day please.

Sunday 6th July sees three rallies taking place up and down the
country. The 45th Cornish Mobile rally will be held at Penair School,
Truro, Cornwall. Doors open at 10.15am for disabled visitors and
10.30am for others. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy was
well as refreshments Details from Ken, G0FIC, on 01209 821073.

The Barford Radio Rally will take place at Barford Village hall,
Barford in Norfolk. The doors open at 9am and there will be trade
stands and a Bring & Buy. There will also be an RSGB bookstall. Details
from David, G7URP, on 01953 458844

The York Radio Rally will take place at York Racecourse Doors open at
10.15am for disabled visitors and 10.30am for everyone else. Details
from Arthur, G8IMZ, on 07841 120 738.

Now for the news of special events

Until 13th July, members of Stockport Radio Society will be activating
the special event station GB100STH in celebration of the 100th
anniversary of the opening of Stockport Town Hall. The station, which
is open to visitors, will be based in a room of Stockport College
overlooking the Town Hall. It will be operational on all HF bands plus
2 metres VHF and there will be a special QSL card. For further
information visit the station's page at QRZ.com.

On Sunday 6th July between 10am and 5pm a Military Show takes place at
the Museum of Power, Langford near Maldon in Essex. It will feature
Military re-enactments, Classic military vehicles and tanks. The
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society will be operating an Amateur Radio
demonstration station, GX0MWT, on the HF bands during the event.

Ray Oliver, G3NDS, is sailing around the UK in a bid to raise money for
charity operating /MM from his yacht Christine-Marie. He has now
crossed the Thames to Shotley Marina, Harwich. During the next week Ray
plans to cruise some of the East Coast rivers to his next major port of
call at Lowestoft. He's mainly been

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operating on 80m SSB with some activity on top band, but will also
operate on other bands and on CW from time to time. Details of his
progress can be found at www.roundukcruise.org.uk

On 1st July, GB4LRG for the Long Range Group will be on the air from
Dinas Powis in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Wednesday 2nd July, has two special event stations on the air, GB0RAF
and also GB0SHS from Shipston High School in Warwickshire.

On 4th July, Icom UK is sponsoring GB2RSR, Red Sands Radio. This
special station will be 7 nautical miles offshore from Whitstable on
the North Kent coast in a set of former WWII Army Sea Forts on the Red
Sands.

Also on 4th July, GB8RC for Return of the Clippers is on the air from
New Brighton in Merseyside.

On 5th July, there are several stations on the air. GB0FFL for Fight
For Life in Oldbury, West Midlands and GB0NHS for the National Health
Service from Hull. In Northants, GB1HWC will be on the air for the
100th Wellingboro Carnival. On the island of Guernsey, GB2FG is on the
air at the start of the Summer Floral Festival Week. Special event
station GB2VET is on the air for the veterans. Finally, GB5BDS for
Bishop David Sheppard School, is on the air from Southport in
Lancashire.

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

8P9KA will be operational from the West Indies Island of Barbados until
4th July, using SSB and CW on the 40, 30, 20, 17, and 15 metre bands.
For full details, please check 8P9KA on QRZ.COM

Colin, G3VCQ from Sheffield will be operational as 5B/G3VCQ from Paphos
in Cyprus until 5th July. Operation will be SSB and CW holiday style
running 100W with a Buddipole antenna. QSL via the RSGB bureau to G3VCQ
please, or via QRZ.com for those wishing to QSL direct.

LA9VDA will be active from various lighthouses in Norway until 4th
July. QSL via the address on QRZ.com.

Operators SM5EFX, SM5XZB and SM5XZC will be active as SM5EFX/2 from
Ledskar Island for the entire month of July. Look for sporadic
activations during July and participation in the RSGB IOTA Contest on
26th and 27th July. QSL via SM5EFX.

The 6 metre DXpedition to Sable Island is scheduled to take place until
7th July. CY0X will be active on CW and SSB on 50.117MHz. The team
requests, "Please do NOT send your grid square as it consumes valuable
time during an opening." They will also try to activate rare grid GN03
using a portable station with a 5 element Yagi with the callsign CY0RA.
For updates, visit www.cy0x.com

Peter, DH3NB will be on the air as S79GB until 4th July. Activity will
be on 40 to 6m. QSL to his home call.

Several Greek radio amateurs will activate the Trikeri Lighthouse on
5th and 6th July using the callsign SY4LH. It is the first time that
lighthouse will have been activated. The QSL manager is SV4FFK.

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Now the contest news

Today is the last day of the Marconi Memorial Contest, still on until
1400UTC. It's CW on 1.8 to 28MHz with the exchange being RST and serial
number.

On 29th June, until 1200, His Majesty King of Spain Contest will still
be taking place using SSB on the 1.8 to 28MHz bands. The exchange is
RST and serial number.

From 0000 to 2359 on 1st July it is the RAC Canada Day Contest. Using
CW and SSB on 1.8 to 144MHz, the exchange is RST and serial number.

Also on 1st July but from 2000 to 2230 local it is the RSGB 144MHz
Activity Contest on all modes. The exchange is RST, serial number and
locator.

The weekend of 5th and 6th July is a busy one for contests. From 1100
to 1059 is the DL-DX RTTY Contest using RTTY, PSK31 and PSK 63 on 3.5
to 28MHz. the exchange is RST and serial number.

The RSGB VHF National Field Day is also taking place over 5th and 6th
July, for 24 hours from 1400UTC on Saturday. Activity is on 2m, 70 cm
and 23cm as well as on 6 and 4m. The exchange is RST, serial number and
locator.

Over the same weekend of 5th and 6th July, the 24th Original QRP
Contest will take place from 1500 to 1500UTC. This year there is a new
rule. The Handmade Bonus rule means additional points for those who use
homemade equipment. Senders of e-logs are asked for STF or Cabrillo
format, if possible. The other rules remain unchanged. See www.qrpcc.de
for details.

Now the solar report for the period from the 16th to the 22nd of June,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.

In one of our reports recently there were signs that we could have
reached sunspot minimum, that now looks unlikely. The smoothed monthly
sunspot number as declined further and the latest available monthly
numbers are for September, October and November 2007 are 5.9, 6.1 and
5.7 respectively. One small sunspot as been visible all the period but
was dormant. Solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels were as

th low as they get at 65 units except for the 17 which increased one
point to 66 units. The average was 65. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 22nd remained unchanged at 70 units. X-ray flux levels remained
below the minimum reporting level. Geomagnetic activity started at
unsettled levels with an Ap index of 13 units on the 16th. Activity
declined to just quiet levels for the remainder of the period. The
average was Ap 8 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
decline from 780 kilometres per second on the 17th to 400 by the

nd end of the 22 . Particle densities were low throughout. Bz varied
between minus 8 and plus 6 nanoTeslas or less.

And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
continue at very low levels. The solar disc could be spotless on some
days. Solar flux levels are expected to be in the high 60's for most of
the week. Geomagnetic activity should be mostly quiet, however a brief
unsettled period could take place later in the week. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 18MHz for the south
and 15MHz for

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the north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be around 9MHz. Paths
this week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50
per cent success rate of about 20MHz. The optimum working frequency
with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 17MHz. The best time to
try this path will be between 0700 and 1000 hours UTC. Sporadic-E
should take place most days with openings up to 70MHz. There is a small
chance that openings could take place on 144MHz.

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 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 29th June, Horndean and District Amateur
Radio Club is organising a coach trip to Greenwich. Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846.

On Tuesday 1st July, Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on Solar Observing by Peter Meadows 2E0ZBU, Solar Editor for The
Astronomer magazine. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469008.

On Tuesday 1st July, Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846.

On Tuesday 1st July, Leiston Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Pete Best, G8BLS. Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 01473 737 717.

On Tuesday 1st July, North Kent Radio Society is having a natter night.
Details from .

On Wednesday 2nd July, Chesham and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a general meeting. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831491.

On Wednesday 2nd July, Colchester Radio Amateurs is conducting
Intermediate Licence Training at St Helena School. Contact David
Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989.

On Wednesday 2nd July, Dover Radio Club is having an Operating and
Natter Night. E-mail .

On Wednesday 2nd July, Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

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On Wednesday 2nd July, Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a Q&A Ask
the Panel evening. Contact, Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

On Thursday 3rd July, Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on Antennas from the ground up Part 1 by Stewart, G3RXQ.
Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Thursday 3rd July, King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and committee meeting with a 2m club net hosted by the Huntingdon
Club on 145.350MHz. Details at www.klarc.org.uk.

On Friday 4th July, Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having
an Informal Evening. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 4th July, Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society is preparing for
Field Day. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.

On Saturday 5th July, East Kent Radio Society is holding a summer BBQ
at Paul's QTH. Contact Paul, G3VJF, on 01227 365 384.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Colchester Radio Amateurs is
conducting Public Demonstration Day, Cudmore Grove, Mersea. Contact
David Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Shefford and District Amateur
Radio Society is taking part in VHF National Field Day. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.

On Sunday 6th July, Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Club is
putting the special event station GB2FX on the air from Landguard
Museum, Felixstowe.

On Sunday 6th July, Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is attending the Barford
Radio Rally in Norfolk. Contact, Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Wednesday 2nd July, Bath Amateur Radio Club
is having an informal evening. Contact Rob, M0TFO, on 01225 351016.

On Wednesday 2nd July, the Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a talk
on a short history of Radio Control for Models by Geoff, M0GRC. Contact
Ian, 01872 561 058.

On Wednesday 2nd July, South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is preparing
for VHF NFD. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Wednesday 2nd July, Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a quiz night. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.

On Wednesday 2nd July, Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
holding the annual 2m DF hunt at 7.30pm starting from the club. Contact
Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.

On Thursday 3rd July, Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
Brian's amateur radio with G4PDG and M1FFP. Details from
.

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On Thursday 3rd July, Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
preparing for VHF NFD. Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.

On Friday 4th July, North Bristol Amateur Radio Club is preparing for
VHF Field Day. Details from .

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Plymouth Radio Club is taking
part in VHF NFD from Okement Hill on Dartmoor. Details from
.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 30th June, Gloucester Amateur Radio and
Electronics Society is having QRP transmitter trials with Steve, G4HFT.
Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478.

On Monday 30th June, South Normanton Alfreton and District Amateur
Radio Club is holding an on foot Fox Hunt around South Normanton from
8pm until 9pm on 145.225MHz FM. Contact A J Higton, 2E1 GWO, on 01773
783658.

On Monday 30th June, Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding an open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.

On Tuesday 1st July, Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having Kite flying and aerial experiments at the Glenmore Community
Centre. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 2nd July, Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding an open house. Contact Mike, G3JKX, 01952 299 677.

On Thursday 3rd July, Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is holding a
natter night. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.

On Thursday 3rd July, Salop Amateur Radio Society is holding a natter
night. Details at www.salop- ars.org.uk.

On Friday 4th July, Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the history of Caludon Castle by John Clarke OBE. Contact John, G8SEQ,
on 079 5877 363.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Lincoln Short Wave Club is taking
part in VHF NFD. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Salop Amateur Radio Society is
taking part in VHF NFD. Details at www.salop-ars.org.uk.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is
raising awareness and generating funds for the County Air Ambulance
using the callsign GB0 FFL (Flight for Life) from 8am to 3pm each day.
Contact Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Telford and District Amateur
Radio Society is taking part in VHF NFD from the Long Mynd site. Set up
is at 1000 on Saturday. Contact Mike, G3JKX, 01952 299 677.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Sunday 29th June, Mexborough and
District Radio Society have a Beginners guide to RTTY, PSK and SSTV by
Ron, G0TLA.

On Monday 30th June, Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is having a
come and talk and take to the air evening. Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on
07990 760 920 (day).

On Monday 30th June, Sheffield Amateur Radio Club have a foxhunt and
IOTA planning meeting.

On Monday 30th June, South Manchester Radio and Computer Club have the
monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Monday 30th June, Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on meteors by Mick, G4EZM. Details from
.

On Tuesday 1st July, Chester and District Radio Society has a talk on
Aerial Support, by Dave Hicks. Details at www.chesterdars.org.uk.

On Thursday 3rd July, North Wakefield Radio Club has a club night.
Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Friday 4th July, South Manchester Radio and Computer Club have a
talk on Operating in Nigeria by G3SVW. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.

On Friday 4th July, East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is holding a
technical forum. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 4th July, Tynemouth Radio Club has a Bring and Buy Sale at St
Hilda's church from 7 to 9pm. Details at www.g0nwm.com.

On Sunday 6th July, York Radio Club is attending the York Radio Rally
at York racecourse. Contact Arthur, G8IMZ, on 07841 120 738.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Thursday 3rd July, Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society
is holding a Junk Sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.

Over the weekend of 5th and 6th July, Cockenzie and port Seton Amateur
Radio Club will be taking part in VHF NFD. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on
01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Tuesday 1st July, Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society
have an on the air club night. Contact Les, GW8PSJ, on 01239 811 922.

On Tuesday 1st July, Wrexham Amateur Radio Society have an on the air
night at the club, bands to be decided. Details at www.qsl.net/wars

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news items were 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. 9