GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 29th August 2010

The news headlines

Final preparations underway for SSB Field Day

Amateurs assisting in Pakistan floods

Deep space lecture for the RSGB Convention

The ever-popular RSGB SSB Field Day taking place on 4 and 5 September
starts the month's HF contesting. There are Open and Restricted
sections, the Restricted having become slightly more popular than the
Open over the past decade. In recent times the winning team in the Open
section have generally logged well over 1000 QSOs, while the winning
Restricted team have generally logged about 1000 QSOs. A spot of advice
to participants, have a suitable number ready to give participants in
the All Asia DX Contest that runs concurrently. The Asians will be
looking for your age, rather than a serial number. Unfortunately, the
long range forecast looks like unsettled weather for the whole country,
so it could be a rather damp, but enjoyable, event.

The IARU reports that the medical and food support being provided to
those affected by the flood disaster in Pakistan is being assisted by
the combined efforts of radio amateurs, a group of four wheel drive
enthusiasts and the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians. More than 20
amateurs are keeping lines of communications open and the plan is to
increase this number. With both landlines and mobile phone services
failed in the flood affected areas, most of the radio traffic is through
a 2m repeater that is now linked to two homebrewed 2m/70cm cross-band
repeaters extending coverage to a radius of almost 300 miles. A few
stations are monitoring 7.040MHz but due to poor propagation it is
currently of little use, but should be kept clear for disaster use.
Pakistan's national radio society is seeking to finalise arrangements
including those from neighbouring countries to contribute to and help
sustain the emergency communications that will be required for a
considerable time to come

There will be a lecture on deep space reception techniques covering the
2.2, 8.4 and 32GHz bands by Paul Marsh, M0EYT at the RSGB Convention. He
plans to give an overview as to what can be received with a modest
ground station using a small dish. There is also the matter of locating
the deep space object and dish pointing. Paul will show how to
accurately point your antenna. The lecture should be of interest to weak
signal microwavers, frequency and time fans and software defined radio
users. The RSGB Convention takes place on 8th to 10th October at Horwood
House near Milton Keynes and Paul's lecture will take place on Sunday
10th at 2pm. More details can be found at
www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention.

At the end of last week, the Montenegrin Amateur Radio Pool was accepted
as an IARU Member Society.

India's amateur radio operators now have access to the 6m band. The new
allocation says 50 to 54MHz on F1B, F2B, F3E, F3C modes using 25 watts.
Indian amateurs are hoping there is a mistake and are seeking
clarification as previous allocations allowed CW and SSB among other
modes on VHF/UHF. The other interesting development is that 400 watts DC
input power has been allowed on all HF bands for the General class
licence. Earlier the limit was 150 watts input with 400 watts being
allowed in very small sub-bands for the old Advanced class licence
holders.

The 22nd Foundation course run by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society
starts on 2nd September at the Danbury Village Hall near Chelmsford and
will run for 6 Thursday evenings. A 5 week Advanced revision course
starts on Thursday 28th October, with the exam taking place on Monday
22nd November. To book a place on a course contact Clive, G1EUC on 01245
224577 or by e-mail to .

Following success in the June Advanced exam, a number of local amateurs
have asked if a Morse class can be run in Bath. Steve Hartley, G0FUW,
has agreed to arrange a course if there is sufficient interest. It is
proposed to run the classes one evening each week 7 to 9pm from early
September. Costs will be limited to classroom hire so the more that take
part, the less it will cost. If there are any would-be key bashers in
the Bath area they should contact Steve on 01225 464394 between 7 and
9pm or via e-mail to

For the week starting 18th September, members of Sands Contest Group and
Workington Radio Club along with Brendon Minish, EI6IZ will be visiting
the Isle of Arran off the coast of south western Scotland, operating
under the callsign MS0SCG. They plan to operate on VHF, HF, SSB, CW and
data modes. The location is IOTA island number EU123 and SCOTIA island
number CS14.š

It is hoped that the Orkney Wireless Museum amateur radio station will
be in operation from its premises at Kiln Corner, Kirkwall between
Thursday 2 September and Wednesday 8 September during the 20th Orkney
International Science Festival. Using the callsign GB2OWM, probable
operating periods will be weekdays and Sunday afternoons between 2.30
and 4.30pm and Saturday morning between 10am and 12.30pm. Operation
will be primarily on HF SSB. More information can be obtained from Bill,
GM3IBU by e-mail to .

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

Today, 29 August, the Milton Keynes ARS Rally takes place at Bletchley
Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB. There will be
trade stands, special interest groups and entry is ?2 for adults and 50p
for youngsters under 14 years of age. Doors open at 9.30am. Why not make
this a family day and visit the Bletchley Park museum too? Details from
Steve Goodall, G6KJU, on 07866 673 192.

Tomorrow, Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August, the Huntingdonshire ARS Rally
is being held at the St Neots Community College, Barford Rd, St Neots,
PE19 2SH. Doors open at 10am and you will find trade stands, an RSGB
bookstall and a Bring and Buy amongst the attractions.

The annual Telford HamFest takes place on Sunday 5 September at Telford
Enginuity, Coalbrookdale, Telford, with the sat nav location TF8 7DU. As
well as the varied traders and specialist groups that will be present, a
guest speaker, Nick Miers, from Bletchley Park Code Breakers Centre will
be giving a presentation covering the World War 2 activities at that
famous Centre, and bringing an original German Enigma machine for a
hands-on demonstration. The rally opens at 10:30am, with a talk-in
facility on 2 metres and via the local repeater GB3TF, using the
callsign GB4THF. Further information from Martyn, G3UKV on 01952 255416,
or via the group's website www.telfordhamfest.co.uk

Now for the news of special events

1st September sees the start of several special event licences. GB2BCL
will be on the air from Barmoor Castle in Northumberland, GB0PC is part
of the Peterlee Carnival and GB0SMA will be active from Stowe Maries
Aerodrome in Maldon.

GB4BLR will be on the air from 3 September at the Battlefield Line
Railway in Leicestershire and GB2LGR will be active from Langar Airfield
in Nottinghamshire.

Then from 5 September, GB2EFF will be on the air for the Epping Forest
Festival.

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

VK6LC will be operational as XV2LC from 10 September from Ho Chi Minh
City and as XV4LC from the Mekong Delta. Listen out for him primarily on
CW with some SSB. QSL via VK6LC.

IZ4AKS/3B9 will be active stroke from Rodriguez Island until 4
September. His operation will be holiday style on 40 through to 10
meters SSB with the possibly of some RTTY and CW as well. QSL direct
only to IZ4AKS at his Callbook address.

Niels, OZ7FOC, is going to hit the airwaves from Samos between 29 August
and 3 September. QSL via homecall.

Four Australian amateurs will be on Vanuatu, YJ, until 2 September. This
will be a fairly low-key operation, running just 100 watts to verticals
and dipoles, but is one of the few expeditions slated for September.

Laci, HA0HW, will sign J48HW from Thassos Island until 7 September. QSL
via HA0HW.

Moving on to another non-RSGB events, the All Asian DX SSB contest kicks
off on 4th and 5th. Exchange a signal report plus your age. If shy about
their age, YL ops can send `00'.

Now the contest news

The IRTS 2m Counties Autumn Contest takes place today, Sunday 29 August.
If you're outside EI/GI, work EIs and GIs only, giving them a signal
report and serial number. Expect to receive a signal report, serial
number and their county. In the 2008 and 2009 running of this contest no
entries at all were received from outside of EI, so if a UK station had
made just one QSO it would have put him in top spot. That said, if any
GIs are active, their proximity to EI means you'll have to do well to
beat them. It's only 2 hours long between 1300 and 1500UTC but you can
use all modes on the 2m band.

Tuesday, 31 August, sees the 70MHz UK Activity Contest take place
between 1900 and 2130. You can use any mode on the band and your
exchange should be signal report, serial number and locator.

The ever-popular SSB Field Day on 4th and 5th starts September's HF
contesting. There are Open and Restricted sections, the Restricted
having become slightly more popular than the Open over the past decade,
From 1300 to 1300UTC, the event covers the 3.5 to 28MHz bands and the
exhcnage is signal report and serial number.

On VHF, the first weekend of the month is a busy one, with the 144MHz
Trophy on 4th and 5th and the final 144MHz Backpacker of 2010 on the
5th. To ensure there is a period during which weak-signal QSOs can take
place between Backpacker entrants, there's a period of peace and calm in
the final hour after the 144MHz Trophy ends. The 144MHz Trophy takes
place between 1400 and 1400UTC using all modes. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator. For the backpacker Contest, the times
are 1100 to 1500 UTC, again all modes with an exchange of signal report,
serial number and locator.

Overlapping the two RSGB 2m events taking place on Sunday 5th is the WAB
144MHz QRP, meaning 10 watts, Phone Contest. Multipliers are WAB squares
and DXCC countries. The event take place between 1000 and 1400UTC and
the exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square.

Moving on to another non-RSGB events, the All Asian DX SSB contest kicks
us off on 4th and 5th. Exchange a signal report plus your age. If shy
about their age, YL ops can send `00'.

And now the solar factual data for the period from the 6th to the 22nd
of August, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 23rd of August.

Solar activity for the first three days started at low levels with C
class solar flares taking place on those days. The largest flare was a
C4 which occurred on the 18th, when the spot group had rotated out of
sight a day earlier. The remaining days activity declined to very low
levels. The solar disc became spotless on the 21st and the 22nd. Solar
flux levels declined from 85 units on the 16th to 75 by the 22nd. The
average was 79 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 22nd was the
same level as last week at 77 units. X-ray flux levels declined from
B1.4 units on the 16th and the 17th to A4.9 by the 22nd. The average was
A8.2 units. Despite several coronal mass ejections caught on camera by
the SOHO spacecraft none headed our way and geomagnetic activity
remained at quiet levels everyday with the average was Ap 5 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds declined
gradually from 410 kilometres per second on the 16th to a slow 260 by
the 22nd. Particle densities were low throughout. Bz with a quiet
magnetic showed variations no more than minus 6 and plus 5 nanoTeslas
for the period.

And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity on occasions
could increase to low, but most days should remain at very low levels.
Solar flux levels are expected to be into the 80's for most of the week
or the 90's if any substantial groups unexpectedly appear. Geomagnetic
activity is expected to be at quiet levels everyday. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 21MHz for the south
and 18MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 10MHz. Paths
this week to Japan should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per
cent success rate of around 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a
90 per cent success rate will be about 15MHz. The best time to try this
path will be between 1000 and 1300 hours. Just a remainder that the
summer sporadic-E season is just about over but for the coming few
weeks, short localised openings can still take place on some days. Also,
the winter season will take place from the middle of December to the
middle of January. GB2RS will remind you nearer the time.

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 MIDLANDS

On Sunday 29 August, Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society has a
Social Meeting. Details on the web at http://kdars.co.uk.

On Monday 30 August, Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society plan
to enjoy Bank Holiday operating at Crickley Hill. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime.

On Monday 30 August, South Birmingham Radio Society has no meeting due
to the Bank Holiday. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Tuesday 31 August, Derby & District Amateur Radio Society has a Night
on the Air. Contact Richard Buckby, by e-mail to .

On Tuesday 31 August, Wythall Radio Club has a Natter and On Air night
arranged. Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by e-mail to
.

On Wednesday 1 September, Bolsover Amateur Radio Society has a natter
night planned. For details, send an e-mail to .

On Wednesday 1, September Lincoln Short-Wave Club will have an SSB Field
Day briefing. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427
788356.

On Wednesday 1 September, Midland Amateur Radio Society will be on the
air and enjoying a ragchew. Training classes will also take place.
Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Wednesday 1 September, South Birmingham Radio Society has a lecture
in the main hall. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Wednesday 1 September, South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a talk on
inductors by G4EDX. Details from Terry, M0RIA, via the web at
www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 1 September, Telford & District Amateur Radio Society
HamFest - final prep. Night. + Committee (if time). Contact Mike, G3JKX,
on 01952 299 677.

On Friday 3 September, Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a talk on
military radios by Ivan Thomas, M0IRT. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958
777363.

On Friday 3 September, Lincoln Short-Wave Club will be preparing the SSB
Field Day site from 3pm. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO,
on 01427 788356.

On Friday 3 September, South Birmingham Radio Society has planned a
construction evening and ragchew. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September, Lincoln Short-Wave Club will be
taking part in SSB Field Day. For more information contact Pam Rose,
G4STO, on 01427 788356.

On Saturday 4 September Telford & District Amateur Radio Society will be
setting up for the Telford Hamfest. Setup starts at 5pm. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Saturday 4 September, Wythall Radio Club has Session 1 of the
Advanced Course. Details from Christopher Pettitt, G0EYO, by e-mail to
.

On Sunday 5 September, Midland Amateur Radio Society will be visiting
the Telford Hamfest. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787.

On Sunday 5 September, South Birmingham Radio Society has a club stand
at the Telford Hamfest. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603.

On Sunday 5 September, Spalding & District Amateur Radio Society has a
barbecue and Fun Day organised at the Portakabin. For more information
contact Graham Boor, G8NWC, on 07947 76448.

On Sunday 5 September, Telford & District Amateur Radio Society will be
involved in the Telford Hamfest. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

GB2RS welcomes information from all RSGB affiliated clubs. We invite
club secretaries to e-mail details of forthcoming meetings to
.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

On Monday 30 August, Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club has no
meeting due to the Bank Holdiay. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 477
0036.

On Monday 30 August, Scarborough Amateur Radio Society has no meeting
due to the Bank Holiday. Details from Jerry Scarr, G6LBL, on 01751
476601.

On Monday 30 August, Sheffield Amateur Radio Club are putting the final
preparations together for SSB Field Day. There is also a social evening.
For more information contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by e-mail to
.

On Tuesday 31 August, Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society will enjoy a
film night. For more information contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 01524
581381.

On Tuesday 31 August, Otley Amateur Radio Society will be taking part in
the 70MHz UK Activity Contest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370.

On Wednesday 1 September, Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Anthony Vinters, on 01422 822636.

On Wednesday 1 September, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a talk on the
Audio Signal Generator Project by Bob, M0GAP. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Thursday 2 September, Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club will be
enjoying the Moonbounce experience with Howard Ling, G4CCH. Details from
John, 2E0III, on 01652 632938.

On Thursday 2 September, South Manchester Radio and Computer Club has a
talk on WSPR by Ron, G3SVW. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.

On Friday 3 September, East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has a night on
the air. For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday 3 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is setting up and
getting ready to take part in the SSB Field Day. Contact Gordon
MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573.

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club will be
taking part in SSB Field Day. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377
240573.

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September Ripon & District Amateur Radio
Society will be taking part in SSB Field day using the callsign G4SJM.
They have designed a special QSL card for the event. More information
from Rob Hall, M0RBY, on 0787 608 5631.