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M1CUK > NEWS 15.02.08 23:01l 533 Lines 22213 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 17 February
The news headlines
• Amateurs help in tornado-struck states
• No reciprocal licences for some Americans
• Change of A R O S contact details
Once again, American amateurs have provided vital communications during
a natural disaster. Dozens of tornadoes ploughed across five Southern
states in early February. This was the worst event of its kind in
almost 23 years. At least 54 people were killed and hundreds injured.
State and local emergency management officials called on amateur radio
operators to get communications running after the infrastructure failed.
In Alabama, as the storms damaged homes, caused flooding and downed
trees and power lines. scores of amateur radio operators were up all
night long, providing vital communications to the National Weather
Service and Emergency Management Agencies all across the region.
In Madison County, Tennessee, 25 amateurs assisted with radio
communication at command centres and accompanying damage assessment
teams. The 2m and 70cm repeater networks were used in support of various
professional emergency organisations.
Kentucky hams activated weather nets, while others were out and about
spotting for severe weather.
Some repeaters lost power and amateurs quickly adapted by going to
emergency 2m simplex frequencies.
Teams worked throughout the night to help provide communications,
especially to those areas without power.
Meanwhile in Australia, amateurs provided assistance when floods hit the
town of Emerald, central Queensland. At the height of the flood, the
worst since 1950, more than a thousand homes were evacuated.
The amateurs, who were part of the Red Cross Emergency Communications
team were active for six days.
From 4 February the US Technician and General class amateur licences are
no longer valid for CEPT reciprocal licensing. At its January meeting,
the CEPT's Radio Regulatory Working Group re-evaluated current United
States licence standards against those of the other CEPT signatories.
They found that the recently revised standards for Technician and
General no longer have any equivalent in the European community of
nations.
Affected licensees will now have to apply for a formal reciprocal
licence if they wish to operate in a CEPT country.
Contact details for the Amateur Radio Observation Service have changed.
Until further notice please address all enquires to the Amateur Radio
Department at RSGB HQ.
The European laboratory module Columbus has been successfully attached
to the International Space Station. The 13-ton vessel was coupled to the
space station by astronauts using the Space Shuttle's robotic arm.
Columbus carries 23cm and 13cm antennas which will soon be used to
enhance the onboard amateur radio station. For more information on the
antennas and how they will be used, go to www.ariss-eu.org.
Monday 11 February marked the end of an era as the GB3RS antennas were
taken down from RSGB HQ.They were carefully dismantled by Carlos Eavis,
G0AKI, assisted by Mark, G8AWO. The aerials, which covered 80m through
70cm, are now in storage in advance of the GB3RS radio shack's move to
Bletchley Park.
This weekend, 16 and 17 February, sees the annual Guiding radio event
Thinking Day on the Air. Many special event and club callsigns are being
aired. These include GB4FGN at Green's Windmill in Nottingham;
GB0CDG in Congresbury, Somerset; GB0EYG, East Yorkshire Guides; GB0SWG,
South Woodham Ferrers, GB1GG in Scarborough; GB4ALV at HMS Collingwood
and GB8BG at Beaconsfield. Further details of Thinking Day on the Air
can be found on the web at www.guides-on-the-air.co.uk.
-------------------------
And now for the details of rallies for the coming week
On Sunday 24 February, the Breadhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society
hold their Radio Rally at Rainham Girl’s School, Derwent Way, Rainham,
Kent. Details can be obtained by emailing o.wheeler@btopenworld.com.
Also on Sunday 24 February there is the Swansea Amateur Radio Society
Amateur Radio Show. The venue is the Aquadrome, Afan Lido, Aberavon
Seafront, Port Talbot. For more information, contact Roger Williams,
GW4HSH on 01792 404422.
More details of these and future events can be found in the February
edition of RadCom.
------------------------
Now for the news of special events
As part of Antarctic Week 2008, GB0ANT will be on the air to raise
awareness of Global Warming and Climate Change issues. The station will
run until 29 February and has a Worldwide Antarctica Programme reference
number of WAP-072. Further information can be found at
www.charlesm0oxo.piczo.com.
GB0WW will be active during February from near Weedon in
Northamptonshire. The site is the location of the memorial to the birth
of radar. This was invented on 26 February 1935 by Robert Watson Watt
and
Arnold Wilkins. GB0RDF will also operate from Borough Hill in Daventry
where radar experiments were carried out.
---------------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News, the Ohio-Penn DX
Bulletin and other sources.
VP6DX is now active from Ducie Island, part of the Pacific islands of
Pitcairn. Good signals have been received in Europe on 80m and 40m.
Depending on weather conditions, the team expect to operate for
about another week. All bands are being used from 160 to 6 metres, on
SSB and CW, with RTTY on 30 and 20 metres. Much more information can be
found on the web at ducie2008.dl1mgb.com.
Amateur radio operators in Oman have been granted permission to operate
on 30 metres. Chris, A45XR has been very active on that band since 3
February.
Ralph, K0HML, will be active as CE0Y/K0HML from Easter Island until 20
February. Easter Island has the IOTA reference SA-001. His operating
time will be limited but he plans to be active around 14.183 and
3.790MHz, between 0000 and 0100UTC.
KP2/K3CT and KP2/K3TEJ will operate from the US Virgin Islands, IOTA
reference NA-106, until 20 February. They will concentrate on 160, 30,
12 and 17 metres.
N7OU and W7YAQ will be active as T32OU and T32YA from Christmas Island,
IOTA OC-024, Eastern Kiribati until 26 February. They plan to operate
mainly CW, with some SSB and RTTY, on 160 to 10 metres, using 100 watts
and vertical antennas.
-------------------------------
Now the contest news
The ARRL DX CW Contest takes place this weekend, ending at 2359 on
Sunday the 17th. All bands are used between topband and 10 metres, and
the exchange is RST and your power in watts.
On Tuesday, 19 February, there is the RSGB 1.3GHz and 2.3GHz Activity
event. All modes are permitted and the exchange is RST, serial number
and locator.
Thursday 21 February sees the RSGB 80 metre club championship. This is a
CW only event that takes place between 2000 and 2130UTC. The exchange is
RST and serial number.
Over the weekend of 23 and 24 February, there is that CQ Worldwide 160m
SSB Contest. It runs for 48 hours between 0000 on the Saturday to 2359
on the Sunday. Exchange RS and country.
Also on 23 and 24 February the REF Contest is held. This is organised by
the French national society and is on 3.5 to 28MHz SSB. The exchange is
RS and serial number.
On Sunday 24 February, a session of the RSGB 70MHz Cumulatives takes
place. All modes are permitted and the exchange is RST, serial number
and locator.
-------------------------------------
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 4th to the 10th
February, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS.
A small sunspot group decayed and disappeared on the 4th which left the
solar disc spotless for the rest of the period. Solar activity was very
low with no solar flares taking place. Solar flux levels increased
slightly from 71 units on the 4th to 73 by the 10th. The average was 72
units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 10th was 75 units, that’s
the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels remained below the
minimum level everyday. Geomagnetic activity was at quiet levels until
the 10th, when a high speed wind stream originating from a recurring
coronal hole increased activity to minor storm. The Ap on the 10th was
18 units. The
average was Ap 6 units. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from 350 kilometres per second to 740 by late on the 10th.
Particle densities were low but on the 9th and the 10th increased to 27
particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus and plus 3
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus and plus 15 nanoTeslas on
the 10th which was the most disturbed day.
Conditions on the HF bands were similar to recent weeks. High-latitude
aurora occurred on the evening of the 5th and again on the 10th. Strong
sporadic-E was reported on 28MHz early on the evening of the 8th,
briefly extending up to 50MHz. As the weekend approached many areas
enjoyed spells of extended tropospheric propagation at VHF, UHF and the
microwave bands.
And finally the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. In fact, the solar disc could be
spotless on some days. Solar flux levels should be around the 70 mark
all week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet for most of the week. However,
there could be a small, short lived disturbance around midweek. 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
7MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable
frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 21MHz. The optimum
working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 17MHz.
The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1300 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
On Monday 18 February Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
having part 3 of its project construction. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787
460 947.
On Monday 18 February Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on
behind the scenes at the RSGB by past-president Angus Annan, MM1CCR.
Contact G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.
On Monday 18 February Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Peter, G8BLS, "So you have some test equipment - what
can it tell you?". Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email to
paul.whiting@bt.com.
On Monday 18 February Surrey Radio Contact Club is having a fix-It,
advice, chin wag, move-it-on evening. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644
7589.
On Tuesday 19 February Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by PC Llewellyn, Thames Valley Police Dog Handler. Contact
John, G8RYW, on 01628 628 463, or by email to g8ryw@tesco.net.
On Tuesday 19 February North Kent Radio Society is having a talk on the
17th Edition electrical regulations, BS7671, 2009 edition. Contact Dave,
G4YIB, on nkrs@crystaldave.com.
On Tuesday 19 February Verulam Radio Club is having its AGM. Contact
Ralph, G1BSZ, on 01727 869 858, g1bsz@aol.com.
On Wednesday 20 February Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Jeremy, G3XZG, on amateur radio planning and land law.
Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by email to
terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Wednesday 20 February Dover Radio Club is having an operating and
natter night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sau@DARC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 20 February Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.
On Wednesday 20 February Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a bright
sparks informal evening. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or
by email to narc@g0lgj.co.uk.
On Wednesday 20 February Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at
the Hailsham shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424,424,319, or by email
to vaughdqy@aol.com.
On Wednesday 20 February Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on the Elecraft K3 by G4UDU and G3VXJ. Contact Roy, G4GPX,
on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 21 February Colchester Radio Amateurs is having a
presentation on starting in Packet by Frank Howe, G3FIJ and Martin
Clarke, 2E0NOW. Contact Kevan, 2E0WMG, on 07766543784 or by email to
colchesterradioamateurs@hotmail.co.uk.
On Thursday 21 February Cray Valley Radio Society is having a
presentation on 3B7C by Justin Snow (G4TSH) and Chris Duckling (G3SVL).
All local radio amateurs and members of neighbouring clubs are
invited to attend. Contact Bob, BRS32525, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm, or
on the web at www.cvrs.org.
On Thursday 21 February King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal evening and 2m club net. Contact Andy, G1KLP, on or on the web
at www.klarc.org.uk.
On Thursday 21 February Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is
kicking off the club SDR construction project. Contact David, G8UOD, on
01234 742 757.
On Thursday 21 February Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is having a talk
on fun with ARPS and GPS by Olof Lundberg, G0CKV. Contact John, G0BWV,
on 020 8644 9945, or by email to info@scrs.org.uk.
On Friday 22 February Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is looking at
esoteric uses for computers with Brian, G0UKB. Contact Liz, M0ACL, on
02380 254599.
On Friday 22 February Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a
debrief on the emergency planning exercise. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273
845 103, or by email to sue@figgerit.co.uk.
On Friday 22 February Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a technical
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp@tars.org.uk.
On Sunday 24 February Gorleston Amateur Radio Society is having a
luncheon meeting at the Short Blue Public House. Contact David, G3OEP,
on QTHR, 01493 662 323.
------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Monday 18 February Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an update on the 11 year cycle by Colin, G0XCF. Contact Beryl,
G1SVP.
On Tuesday 19 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a quiz
night with Muriel, G4YZR. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Wednesday 20 February South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having its
midwinter table top sale with Len, G4RZY. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275
834 282.
On Wednesday 20 February Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk by Tom, G0PSE, on HMS Belfast. Contact William, G3WNI, on
01823 666 234, or by email to g3wni@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 20 February Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a video night. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarc@beeb.net.
On Wednesday 20 February Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, E/W.
On Thursday 21 February Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on GWR railway preservation by Dennis Goacher, G3LLZ.
Contact Mike, M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.
On Thursday 21 February Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
the MRC1 receiver by G3ICO. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, on g.swain@tesco.net.
On Friday 22 February Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the packet cluster and how to use it by Keith, GU6EFB. Contact Phil,
GU0SUP.
------------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
On Sunday 17 February Spalding District Amateur Radio Society is having
a junk sale. Details by email to secretary@sdars.org.uk or on the web at
www.sdars.org.uk.
On Monday 18 February Aldridge And Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club is
meeting on the air. Contact Roy Horton, G4GRM, on 01922 691646,
leslie137@btinternet.com.
On Monday 18 February East Kent Radio Society is having part 2 of the
talk on "how I got started in amateur radio". Contact Paul, G3VJF, on
01227 365 384, by email to ekrsoc@gmail.com, or on the web at
www.paulnic.com/ekrs.
On Monday 18 February Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society
is having a talk on test equipment by Steve, G4HFT. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.
On Tuesday 19 February Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an illustrated talk by Pete Watts, G0FQB, on the pros and cons of
internet auctioning. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.
On Tuesday 19 February Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on PCB etching by Andrew, G7SEG. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 19 February National Space Centre Amateur Radio Society is
having a demo of data modes by Kevin, G1GEV. Contact Geoff, G4AFJ, on
01455 823 344, or by email to geoffg4afj@aol.com.
On Tuesday 19 February Wythall Radio Club is starting its Advanced
license course, which runs for the next 14 weeks. Contact Chris, G0EYO,
on 07710 412 819, or by email to g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk, or on the
web at www.wythallradioclub.co.uk.
On Wednesday 20 February Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a 'less than a fiver' construction competition. Contact Mike,
G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to mjstreetg3jkx@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Thursday 21 February Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
planning for the Committee Summer Event. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905
776 869, m0bqe@hotmail.com.
On Thursday 21 February RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having a
general discussion on data modes in the shack. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on
01522 752 785, martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 21 February Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
calibration night with G8DIR and G8DIQ. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.
On Thursday 21 February Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is putting club
station G8TRS on the air. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893,
colin.marks2@ntlworld.com.
On Friday 22 February Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a club discussion. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869,
m0bqe@hotmail.com.
---------------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
Wirral Schools Radio Club, GX8WSR, has been awarded a Community
Initiatives Grant from the New Brighton and Wallasey Area Forum. This
will enable radio amateurs to work one to one with children aged 10
to 13 to construct Knapp receivers. 20 children will be selected to take
part in this project. If there are any radio amateurs, ideally in the
New Brighton or Wallasey area, retired or otherwise, who would be
interested
in taking part in this project, please contact Neil Jones, M0NBJ, at
Greenleas Primary School. Details of the school can be found on qrz.com
under the call sign M0NBJ. CRB checks will be made but this will be at
no
cost to the volunteers.
On Monday 18 February Macclesfield and District Radio Society is having
a talk on amateur radio direction finding by Bob Titterington, G3ORY.
Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612 916, by email to tommyread@hotmail.com,
or on the web at www.gx4mws.com.
On Monday 18 February Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a VHF
operating night. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.
On Monday 18 February Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having
an auction. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by email to jack.duddington@btinternet.c
om.
On Tuesday 19 February Chester and District Radio Society is having a
sale of Silent Key effects. Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk,
or by email to info@chesterdars.org.uk.
On Tuesday 19 February Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction evening, building a CW decoder. Contact Colin,
G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, or by email to info@pontefractradioclub.org.
On Tuesday 19 February Stockport Radio Society is having a talk on
amateur radio direction finding by Bob Titterington, G3ORY. Contact
David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.
On Tuesday 19 February Wakefield and District Amateur Radio Society is
on the air. Contact Dave, G4CLI, on 07748 221 855, or by email to
g4cli@hotmail.co.uk.
On Wednesday 20 February Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a natter night at The Black Horse, Lower Heswall. Contact Tom,
G4BKF, on 07050 291 850.
On Friday 22 February East Cleveland Amateur Radio is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671, alistair.mackay@talk21.com.
On Friday 22 February South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having
a talk on using oscilloscopes by Alan, G1GOP. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on
0161 969 3999.
On Friday 22 February Tynemouth Radio Club is having a Morse and
operating night. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to tony.regnart@gmail.com.
----------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Wednesday 20 February Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club is having an
evening of electronic fault finding and repairs. Contact Jim, GM3UWX.
On Thursday 21 February Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a
Winkey extravaganza. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the
web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
On Friday 22 February West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having a
club night. Details on the web at www.wosars.org.
On Saturday 23 February Lothians Radio Society is running its spring
Foundation License course - if you are interested please e-mail
enquiries@lothiansradiosociety.com. Details on the web at
www.lothiansradiosociety.com.
---------------------
NEWS FOR WALES
On Monday 18 February Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Brian Clark, GW3HGL, on remote ATU with servo control and loop antennas
for RX. Contact Martin, GW3PRL.
On Tuesday 19 February Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is having a
short talk on AMUs by GW8PSJ. 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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: 19:25 on 15 Feb 08
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