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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 12 October 2008
The news headlines
• GB2RS 40m news broadcasts to resume
• GB2FUN move on apace
• Warwick school will contact the International Space Station
Last week we reported some important changes to the GB2RS news reading
arrangements on 7.150MHz in the 40m band. We have now appointed two main
readers who are some 1300kms apart and whose skywave signals will
jointly cover the UK. The reading at 10am UK local time is now
re-instated and will serve listeners to the North of Birmingham, whilst
the new 1030 hours reading will generally cover those to the South of
Birmingham. Listeners as far away as Iceland and Poland should be able
to receive one of these readings under the present propagation
conditions.
As the new Sunspot cycle climbs back to its hoped-for peak around the
time of the London Olympic Games in 2012 and beyond, one news reader
only may then be able to cover the whole of the UK. At present Near
Vertical Incidence Skywave Propagation (NVIS) is not possible on 7MHz at
0900 hours UTC, because the Critical Frequency is no higher than 5MHz.
Listeners who would like 24-hour real-time ionospheric data can download
this from a sounder at Fairford, Gloucestershire, by clicking on a link
which appears in this news story on the RSGB website. Furthermore, if
you have PowerPoint on your computer, a link is also provided to a site
where you can download an illustrated lecture on NVIS HF propagation.
-----------------------------
The fitting-out of the GB4FUN Mk 2 trailer is moving on apace. Carlos
Eavis, G0AKI, has been working flat out with assistance from a number of
other amateurs to ready the trailer for its debut at the HF Convention
this weekend. When it is finished, there will be capability to operate
from HF up to 13cm. Generous sponsorship from Icom, the Radio
Communications Foundation and other sources has helped to make the new
mobile classroom a reality. The programme of educational visits will
recommence shortly.
-----------------------------
Space-based amateur radio educational events with Richard Garriott,
W5KWQ, on board the International Space Station are currently scheduled
for 16, 17 and 19 October. Contacts will be set up with educational
establishments in Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky,
Missouri and Texas. On Friday, October 17 at 1105UTC, Budbrooke Primary
School in Warwick has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Students have been learning
about space exploration and how it has changed in the last 40 years.
Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, intends to take part in this contact.
-----------------------------
The 51st Jamboree On The Air and 12th Jamboree On The Internet takes
place next weekend, 19 and 20 October. It is an annual event in which
around 500,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world make contact
with each other by means of amateur radio and Internet techniques. It is
the largest Scout event in the world. Plans are being finalise in many
countries around the world to get even more Scout groups on the air.
Please listen for these groups and exchange greetings messages with the
young people involved.
-----------------------------
The wait for better DX conditions continues and it could be a longer
wait than originally projected. Astronomers who count sunspots have
announced that 2008 is now the ‘blankest year’ of the Space Age. NASA
Science News says that, as of September 27, the sun had no visible
sunspots on 200 days of this year. To find a year with more blank suns,
you have to go back to 1954. That's three years before the launch of
Sputnik. It's also the year that the sun's disk was devoid of sunspots
241 days. But there is better news.
For the first time in months, a significant sunspot is emerging on the
sun. It is a fast-growing active region with two dark cores, each larger
than Earth. The magnetic polarity of the sunspot identifies it as a
member of new Sunspot Cycle 24. This new sunspot is an encouraging sign
that the 11-year solar cycle is indeed progressing, albeit slowly.
----------------------------
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The RSGB HF Convention finishes today, 12 October, at Wyboston Lakes
Conference Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire MK44 3AL.
Today, 12 October, is the Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics
Society annual rally. It starts at 10.30am in the Great Lumley Community
Centre, Front Street, Great Lumley, Chester le Street, Co. Durham
DH3 4DJ.
The G-QRP Club Mini-Convention, in conjunction with the Halifax Radio
Society, takes place on 18 October at The Rishworth School, Ripponden,
HX6 4QA. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2. There will be
lectures on QRP subjects as well as a Bring & Buy, surplus sales,
component and kits.
Galashiels and District ARS will be holding their Annual Radio and
Computer Rally on 19 October in the Volunteer Hall, St John's Street,
Galashiels. Doors open 11am and admission is £2. There will be traders,
Bring and Buy and refreshments. Details from Jim, GM7LUN, on
01896-850245.
The Blackwood & District ARS Rally will be held on 19 October at Coleg
Gwent, Risca Road, Cross Keys, NP11 7ZA. Doors open at 10.30am and
admission is £2. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and
special interest groups in attendance. Details from Dave on 01495
228516.
-------------------------
Now for the news of special events
Over the weekend 18 and 19 October, a team from Wakefield and District
Radio Society will be operating from Britain's highest pub, the Tan Hill
Inn, using the callsign GB1TAN.
GB2WCM is being put on air in aid of the Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St.
Austell, Cornwall. The station will be on air from 1 October 2008 for 28
days. QSL via the bureau or direct, see qrz.com. SWL reports are most
welcome and all QSLs will be answered.
The Caterham Radio Group are running their JOTA Station, GX0SCR, for the
23rd time from Caterham, Surrey, on behalf of the Caterham Guide Groups.
It is expected licensed Guides with M3 calls will assisting and
operating on 2 metres and the HF bands. The Caterham team would very
much appreciate your calls to assist in passing of greeting messages to
and from their young people and making it another successful event.
GB4YOU will take part in JOTA from Youlbury Scout Activity Centre near
Oxford. This station is active throughout the year and not just for
JOTA, so please listen out for them and exchange greetings.
The Ethiopian Club Station in Addis Ababa will be operating ET3AA with
the Scout Association of Ethiopia for JOTA on 18 and 19 October. Please
look for them on JOTA frequencies. QSL to PO Box 60258, Addis Ababa,
Ethopia.
Members of the West Manchester Radio Club will be operating GB1ASG for
Astley Scout Group from the Scout headquarters on Ellesmere Street,
Astley, Manchester on 18 and 19 October for Jamboree on the Air.
3DA0SS will be active for Jamboree on the Air on 18 and 19 October from
Swaziland. They will have a group of 20 Swazi scouts camping with them
that weekend. It will be their first experience of JOTA.
The first heavier than air powered flight in the UK was made by S F Cody
on 16 October in Farnborough, Hampshire. To commemorate the 100th
anniversary of this historic event, Farnborough & District Radio
Society will be operating GB1CODY at the Aldershot Military Museum from
13 to 19 October. Because of the museum opening times it is likely that
they will be operating during daytime only. The planned skeds are
0900 to 1200 on 7.050MHz LSB and 1200 to 1600 on 14.250MHz USB. On 18
and 19 October the group may run the station on 3.7MHz in the morning.
All QSOs will be acknowledged through the QSL Bureau and the group are
very grateful to Ofcom for granting this unusual four letter suffix
callsign.
------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Until 31 October, T6EE will be operating from the capital city of Kabul
on 14.200MHz plus/minus QRM as other frequencies are not permitted with
his licence. He does plan to take part in the upcoming CQ WWDX
Contest in SSB on 25 and 26 October. QSLs via KE6GFI.
EA7ATX and EA7AY are currently in Colombia for the next few weeks. Their
plans include the activation San Bernardo Islands as HK1AT from 14 to 19
October. QSL via EA7ATX, direct only.
C56EA will be active as from The Gambia between 15 and 23 October. They
will operate SSB, CW and RTTY on 160 to 10 metres. QSL via EA4BT, direct
or bureau.
Andrew, a member of the RSGB affiliated Craven Radio Amateur Group, will
be operational every day from Embudu Island in Kaafu Atoll in the
Maldives, using the call 8Q7AK from 12 to 25 October. He plans to use
SSB and CW on the 40, 30, 20, 17, 15 and 12 metre bands. For
comprehensive details of operating times, QSL information etc, please
check 8Q7AK on QRZ.COM
C56YK will be active from Gambia as between 13 October and 9 November.
Operation will be on 80 through 10 meters and perhaps 160 meters as
well. Modes announced are CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. This will be a
holiday style operation. For more details and updates visit the
www.on7yk.net.
Jose, ON4LAC, will be active from Mauritius (3B8, AF-049), 18 October
through 6 November, and then from Rodrigues (3B9, AF-017) from 7
November to 12 December. Jose is waiting to receive his callsigns. QSL
via
his home call.
Several islands in Papua New Guinea will be activated by a team that
includes G3KHZ during the period 17 October to 5 November. The itinerary
is Garove Island, P29VLR, QSL via SM6CVX; then Hermit Island, P29NI, QSL
via G3KHZ; finally, Manus Island, callsign yet to be determined, QSL via
K6HFA. There is a web page with further information.
----------------------
Now the contest news
The 2nd RSGB 50MHz contest takes place today, 12 October, from 0900 to
1200 using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and postcode.
On 14 October from 1900 to 2130 is the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest
using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
The second leg of the ARRL International EME Competition takes place
over the 18 – 19 October weekend and is for the 50MHz through 1296MHz
bands, both analogue (CW and phone) and digital modes. The rules can be
found on the ARRL website.
London latitude stations will have about 33 hours of Moon time as the
declination varies from +26.27° to peak at +27.27°. The 144/432MHz sky
temperature ranges from 437/31K to 575/44K and the signal degradation at
this perigee period varies from -0.03dB to zero. The Sun offset at
Saturday midnight is -122°.
The Worked All Germany contest takes place on 18 and 19 October from
1500 to 1500. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz band, the exchange is RST and
serial number. Check out the DARC website for more details.
--------------------
Now the solar report for the period from the 29th September to the 5th
of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
Last week we mentioned the decline in the solar wind speeds, temperature
and density. This week more grim news: this time sunspot numbers. As of
the 27th of September the sun had been spotless for 200 days of the
year. To find a year with more spotless days, you have to go back to
1954, three years before the launch of Sputnik, when the sun was
spotless for 241 days. "Sunspot counts are at a 50-year low," says solar
physicist David Hathaway of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Centre.
"We're experiencing a deep minimum of the solar cycle. While the solar
minimum of 2008 is shaping up to be the deepest of the Space Age, it is
still unremarkable compared to the long and deep solar minima of the
late 19th and early 20th centuries." Those earlier minima routinely had
up 200 to 300 spotless days per year. Interestingly, the sunspot maximum
following the 1954 minimum was the biggest on record and peaked in March
1958.
Fingers crossed, hopefully, it will be worth the wait.
Solar activity was very low. The solar disc was spotless everyday except
for the 4th when a very small spot appeared. This had disappeared the
following day. Solar flux levels averaged 67 units and only varied by
one unit. The 90 day solar flux average on the 5th remained at the same
level as last week at 66 units. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum reporting level. Geomagnetic activity was quiet until the 2nd
when a coronal hole disturbance arrived. This lasted into the 3rd. The
Ap index was 12 and 13 units respectively. The average was Ap 7 units.
The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 350 kilometres
per
second to 710 by the 3rd. Particle densities were low everyday. Bz
varied between minus and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between
minus 6 and plus 8 nanoTeslas during the disturbance. Visual aurora was
reported on the 1st and VHF radio aurora occurred for several hours on
the 2nd, in both cases only at high latitudes.
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 around the mid to high 60’s.
Geomagnetic activity could be at ‘unsettled to active’ levels today due
to a recurring coronal hole. However, once this disturbance declines
later today or tomorrow quiet conditions should last for the rest of the
week.
MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 19MHz for
the south and 16MHz for the north. The darkness hour should be about
8MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 22MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate should be around
18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1400
hours UTC.
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.
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST and EAST ANGLIA
A reserve GB2RS news reader is still required to assist Julian M0GFD
with his 2-metres FM reading at 11.00 hours on a few Sundays to cover
the East and South sides of London. Volunteers should be members of the
RSGB, and are asked to contact the GB2RS News Manager Gordon Adams G3LEQ
on 01 565 652 652 or by E-mail via gb2rs<at>ntlworld.com.
On Monday 13 October Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a
talk on sub-sea cables by Steve, G3WZK. Contact Andy, G8JAC, by email to
g8jac<at>btinternet.com.
On Monday 13 October Farnborough & district radio society is operating
GB1CODY at the Aldershot Military Museum to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the UK's first powered flight. Contact John, G3KND, by
email to g3knd.radio<at>talktalk.net.
On Monday 13 October Felixstowe & District Radio Society is having a
fish and chip supper. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
paul.whiting<at>bt.com.
On Tuesday 14 October Stevenage & District Radio Society is having an
operating night. Contact John McCutcheon, on 01462 459254.
On Wednesday 15 October Chesham & District Radio Society is having a
talk on a 70 MHz transverter by Terry, G0VFW. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on
01442 831 491.
On Wednesday 15 October Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sau<at>DRC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 15 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a table top
sale. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.
On Wednesday 15 October Worthing & District Radio Club is having a hints
and tips evening. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 16 October Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Queens Head, Barns Green. Details at www.harc.org.uk.
On Thursday 16 October King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2 metre club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsv<at>supanet.com.
On Thursday 16 October Shefford & District Radio Society is having its
autumn junk sale. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.
On Thursday 16 October Sutton & Cheam Radio Society is having a talk on
'The quest for a quiet radio environment' by John Cleeve, G3JVC. Contact
John, G0BWV, on 020 8644 9945.
On Friday 17 October Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is holding its
AGM. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.
On Friday 17 October Wey Walley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk on
working vintage wireless sets by Stan Casperd, G3XON. Details at
www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.
On Saturday 18 October Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is taking part
in JOTA Weekend. Contact Steve, on 0142 720815.
On Saturday 18 October Hastings Electronics & Radio Club is having an
auction. Contact Gordon, on 01424 431 909.
On Saturday 18 October King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is taking part in
JOTA Weekend. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to ral-g3rsv<at>supanet.com.
On Saturday 18 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is taking part in JOTA
Weekend. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099.
On Saturday 18 October Verulam Radio Club is taking part in JOTA
Weekend. Contact Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01923 265572.
On Sunday 19 October Colchester Radio Amateurs is taking part in JOTA.
Contact David Chambers, M1AMI, on 01206 870989.
On Sunday 19 October Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating and
grass cutting at their Beachy Head site. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424
424 319.
--------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Monday 13 October Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a computer
section meeting with a talk by Peter, G3WKP on using the internet for
family history. Contact Ian, on 01872 561 058.
On Monday 13 October Exeter Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
propagation by G7NBU. Contact Paul, 2EOEXR, by email to
pchesh-29<at>hotmail.co.uk.
On Tuesday 14 October Chippenham District Radio Club is having an
Eddystone night with Ian Nutt, M0ECQ. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 846
698.
On Wednesday 15 October Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an
operating and natter night. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172.
On Wednesday 15 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having an
events and contest planning evening. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834
282.
On Wednesday 15 October Taunton & District Radio Club is preparing for
JOTA. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.
On Wednesday 15 October Thornbury & South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarc<at>sky.com.
On Wednesday 15 October Trowbridge & District Radio Club is having a
natter night. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.
On Thursday 16 October Swindon & District Radio Club is having a talk on
SDR developments by Jan, G0BBL. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.
On Thursday 16 October Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
restoring WW2 radios by G7LNJ. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to
g.swain<at>tesco.net.
On Friday 17 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having an operating
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp<at>tars.org.uk.
On Saturday 18 October Taunton & District Radio Club is taking part in
the JOTA Weekend. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.
----------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
On Sunday 12 October Wythall Radio Club is attending Lord Pettitt's
Shooting Party. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.
On Monday 13 October Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is
having an informal evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478.
On Monday 13 October Sandwell Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Dave, G4JSR, on 0121 552 1820.
On Monday 13 October South Normanton Alfreton & District Radio Club
starts its winter construction project with Mike Jeffs, M0RMJ. Contact A
J Higton, 2E1GWO, on 01773 783658.
On Monday 13 October Stourbridge & District Radio Society is having an
open shack night. Contact John, M1EJG, on 01562 700 513.
On Tuesday 14 October Derby & District Radio Society is having a
committee meeting. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.
On Tuesday 14 October Loughborough & District Radio Club is holding its
AGM. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 14 October Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is having a
technical topics evening with tips, hints and wrinkles for the brow.
Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.
On Tuesday 14 October Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is having a
talk on the 80m SSB transceiver club project. Contact Leslie Newth, on
01905 726320.
On Tuesday 14 October Wythall Radio Club is having a committee meeting.
Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.
On Wednesday 15 October Telford & District Radio Society is having a
talk on D-Star by Mike Hines, G1ZRN. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299
677.
On Thursday 16 October Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893.
On Friday 17 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is visiting a local
radio station. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363.
On Friday 17 October Wythall Radio Club continues its Intermediate
course. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.
-------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
The first meeting of the North West Microwavers group will be held in a
pub near Macclesfield, Cheshire on Tuesday 21 October. It is planned
that the meeting will include a short demonstration of microwave SDR
using Doppler-shifted aircraft scatter as well as a practical
implementation of a portable solution for accessing the ON4KST microwave
chat system. After that, the group will have a meal. Anyone is welcome
but they must pre-register by contacting Richard Newstead, G3CWI, QTHR
or by email to g3cwi<at>tesco.net. If the meeting is a success, it is
hoped to have similar meetings every few months in different locations
in the North West.
On Monday 13 October Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
VHF and UHF by M0GAV. Details at www.sheffieldarc.org.uk.
On Monday 13 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact John Webb, G8RDP, on 01253 876313.
On Tuesday 14 October Pontefract District Radio Society is having a talk
on standing waves. Contact Chris, M0JRQ, on 07594 596 040.
On Thursday 16 October North Wakefield Radio Club is having a talk on
life on the inland waterway by Geoff Spurr, G0PFH. Contact Richard,
M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.
On Friday 17 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
components catalogues evening. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475
671.
On Friday 17 October Mexborough & District Radio Society is having a
quiz night with Ron, G0TLA. Contact Sharon, M0BOH, by email to
M0boh<at>aol.com.
On Friday 17 October South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on the 3X5A VooDoo Contest Group operation by John, G4IRN.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.
On Friday 17 October Tynemouth Radio Club is taking part in CQWW as
G0NWM/P. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to mail<at>g0nwm.com.
On Saturday 18 October Bishop Auckland Radio Amateurs Club is taking
part in JOTA Weekend. Contact Mark, G0GFG, on 01388 745353.
On Saturday 18 October Pontefract District Radio Society continues its
Intermediate course. Contact 07594 596 040 for more information.
------------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Wednesday 15 October Paisley YMCA Amateur Radio Club is having a talk
by GM4FLX. Contact Bill Anderson, 2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633.
On Thursday 16 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a quiz.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.
On Friday 17 October Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a video night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.
On Sunday 19 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a bus trip
to Galashiels Rally. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.
--------------------
NEWS FOR WALES
No news items have been received for Wales this week.
-------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------
73
Trev,
SysOp gb7fcr.#16.gbr.eu
E-Mail trev@gb7fcr.co.uk
Packet Radio <-> InterNet Gateway
RF & Telnet access
BBS Web Site http://www.gb7fcr.co.uk
WinPack Web Site http://www.winpack.org.uk
Message timed: 16:12 on 10 Oct 08
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