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M1CUK > NEWS 07.03.08 23:00l 539 Lines 23227 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 9 March
The news headlines
• VP6DX breaks expedition records
• D-Star expands on two metres
• Ultra-stable microwave beacon
Last month’s VP6DX Ducie Island DXpedition logged nearly 183,700
contacts. This included nearly 7,000 on top band and more than 10,000
using digital modes. They made an almost equal number of CW and SSB
contacts at around 87,000 each. By the time the south Pacific operation
finished on 27 February, the group had broken several records. One was
for the largest number of contacts made by any radio expedition.
Further detailed information is on the web at www.vp6dx.com.
---------------------------------
The D-Star system has become accessible to many more UK stations thanks
to several newly operational two meter repeaters. These include GB7DG in
Glasgow, GB7YD in Yorkshire, GB7MI in Manchester and GB7DE in Fife.
D-Star repeaters have already become well established on the 70cm band
but these VHF units will considerably broaden access to the network. An
overview of D-Star was published in the March edition of RadCom, and
coverage information can be found at www.ukrepeater.net.
---------------------------------
Barnsley's new 70cm D-Star repeater has been forced off the air because
interference on its input from unlicensed devices. GB7YD dash C on
433.9125MHz has been removed from service until an alternative frequency
can be found. This part of the band is used by a large number of
licence-exempt micro power consumer electronic devices. These include
vehicle keyless entry systems, wireless door bells and data links for
home weather stations.
---------------------------------
Improvements have been made to the 5.76GHz beacon on Bell Hill, near
Blandford in Dorset. GB3SCC has been given a high stability GPS locked
frequency standard and DFCWi keying. The beacon now maintains its
nominal frequency of 5760.905007MHz to an accuracy of a few Hertz.
Reception reports will be gratefully received by G0API, whose address is
correct in the RSGB Yearbook. Alternatively, visit the web site of the
South Coast Repeater and Beacon Group at www.scrbg.org, where full
details of all their beacons can be found.
----------------------------------
An RSGB Train the Trainers session takes place on Saturday 5 April at
the Worksop Amateur Radio Society.
This scheme helps tutors enhance the standard of their Foundation,
Intermediate and Advanced licence courses. Alan Betts, G0HIQ, and Brian
Reay, G8OSN, will be presenting the all day course, which is free of
charge to instructors. For more information, and to register, contact
Jim Stevenson, G0EJQ, telephone 01522 806935 or email g0ejq@rsgb.org.uk.
Demand is expected to be high, so it is important to register as
soon as possible. Further Train the Trainer sessions are scheduled for
Crawley in April, and Birmingham and Kent in May. A session is also
being planned for Wiltshire.
---------------------------------
This year’s National Science and Engineering Week runs from Friday 7 to
Sunday 16 March. Organised by the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, the programme has around 2,000 events throughout
the UK. Its aim is to celebrate science, engineering and technology,
including of course amateur radio.
---------------------------------
Former Sheffield Amateur Radio Club member Howard Booth, VK2AMD reached
the age of 100 on 6 March. He is one of the oldest active radio amateur
in the world. Although he emigrated many years ago, Howard still holds
his UK callsign, G2AS. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club recently sent him a
specially framed group photograph of club members, along with a birthday
card signed by those members.
---------------------------------
Insurance brokers Orion Direct Ltd are believed to have gone into
liquidation. These insurance brokers are known to us as the providers of
the "The RSGB Plan", a specialist insurance for radio amateurs. At
present their website is down and the phone goes unanswered. The same is
true of the other Orion businesses in the group. Although the company is
FSA registered, number 306962, as yet the FSA have has not been
informed of the status of the company. The RSGB has tried unsuccessfully
to contact the Orion and will continue to try to establish the status of
the company. It must be remembered that Orion Direct Ltd are only the
brokers they are not the insurers. The scheme itself is underwritten by
Lloyds of London. There is no reason to doubt at this time whether
claims on policies taken out through Orion under the banner of “The RSGB
Planö will be honoured. When more is known the Society will make a
further announcement.
--------------------------------
The American radio regulator, the FCC, has denied two requests from
individuals to reinstate the Morse code requirement for US amateur
licensing. Morse testing was dropped in December 2006. One petitioner
made a case for the use of Morse during an emergency but the FCC felt
that national security or emergency communications would not be
affected.
--------------------------------
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Sunday 9 March sees the Bournemouth Radio Society’s 20th Annual Sale. It
is at the Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Kinson,
Bournemouth. Doors are open from 9.30. Further details are available
from John, G0HAT on 07719 700771.
The Wythall Radio Club Radio and Computer Rally takes place from 10am on
Sunday 9 March. The venue is the Woodrush Sports Centre. Shawhurst Lane,
Hollywood, near Birmingham. Details can be found on the web at
www.wrcrally.co.uk, or from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412819, email
g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Saturday, 15 March, Lagan Amateur Radio Society holds its rally at
the Conference Centre, Lagan valley Hospital. Doors open at 11.30. For
more information contact Jim, GI0DVU on 02892 662270, or email
jim.henry@ntlworld.com.
Sunday 16 March sees the Norbreck Amateur Radio, Electronics and
Computing exhibition. The venue is the Norbreck Castle Exhibition
Centre, Balckpool. Details are available from Peter, G6CGF, telephone
0151 630
5790.
More details of these and future events can be found in the March
edition of RadCom.
------------------------------
Now for the news of special events
Until 16 March, GB4IPY will be operational as part of International
Polar Year. The reference number is WAP-098 which is valid for WAP
Awards. Further information can be found at www.charlesm0oxo.piczo.com.
------------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.
The major DXpedition to Clipperton Island should be well under way now.
TX5C was expected to run six stations simultaneously on CW, SSB and
digital modes using all bands between 160 and 10 metres. The operation
should last until 17 March. Their aim is to make more than 100,000
contacts, worldwide. More information is on the web at
www.clipperton2008.org.
From Sunday 9 March, a week-long expedition will operate from various
castles and forts on the Isle of Man. Club calls GT4KPT, GT8LED and
GT3GWB will used. They expect to activate several WAB areas during the
week.
DL2GAC is active once again as H44MS from Guadalcanal Island in the
Solomon Islands, IOTA OC-047. Operation will continue until the end of
April. He and DL2NUD, who arrives on 7 April, plan to operate 2
metre EME WSJT from grid locator QI90XN.
Chris, M0AJT will be signing V26CC from Antigua, which is IOTA reference
NA-100, from 1 to 14 March. He plans to operate mainly CW with some SSB,
using 100 watts to a multiband vertical.
9X0R will operate from Rwanda from 16 to 27 March. Three stations will
be active from 10 to 160 meters on SSB, CW and digital modes. Rwanda is
number 45 in the DX Magazine’s most needed list. The group will donate a
new HF radio and power supply to the Kigali Radio Club and will helping
to set up the Rwanda Amateur Radio Union. Further details are available
from www.9x0r.com.
-------------------------------
Now the contest news
On Sunday 9 March, a session in the RSGB 70MHz Cumulative contest runs
between 1000 and 1200UTC. All modes are permitted and the exchange is
RST, serial number and locator.
Tuesday 11 March sees the RSGB 432MHz Activity Contest. All modes are
permitted and the exchange is RST, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday, 12 March, the RSGB 80 metre Club Championship takes place
from 2000 to 2130UTC. This is a CW-only event and the exchange is RST
plus serial number.
The weekend of 15 and 16 March sees the Russian DX Contest. This starts
at 1200 on the Saturday and ends at 1200 Sunday. All HF bands are
included on CW and SSB. The exchange is RST and serial number.
--------------------------------
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 25th of February
to the 2nd of March, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS and Martin Harrison,
G3USF.
Only one small sunspot group was visible, and this group belonged to the
old cycle. Solar activity was very low with no solar flares taking
place. The only event of interest was a coronal mass ejection that
occurred on
the back of the Sun on the 27th. Solar flux levels fell slightly from 71
units to 69 by the 1st. The average was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux
average on the 2nd was the same level as last week at 75 units. X-ray
flux levels remained below the minimum reporting level. Geomagnetic
activity started at quiet levels with an Ap index of only 3 units on the
25th and the 26th. However, due to a large coronal hole, activity
increased for the rest of the period. The most disturbed day was the
29th with an Ap of 27 units. The average was 13 units. The ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 340 kilometres per second
to a very fast
840 kilometres per second by the 1st. Particle densities were low except
for the 27th and the 28th when they increased to 28 particles per cubic
centimetre. Bz varied between minus and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet
days and between minus 11 and plus 9 nanoTeslas during the height of the
disturbance.
HF propagation was fairly buoyant at first, but as the geomagnetic field
reached minor storm level at times from the 27th onwards, HF propagation
deteriorated. This was particularly noticeable on the higher bands
and over east-west and high latitude paths. VHF auroral propagation was
reported on the afternoon and evening of the 28th and 29th. However,
although it is known to have provided some excellent visual displays,
and to have reached Scotland at times, few contacts were reported.
And finally the solar forecast. With no sign of an end to the present
lack of solar activity, the coming week’s activity will continue at very
low levels. As reported before, when activity does increase it will be
sudden and very difficult to predict. Solar flux levels should be around
the 70 mark for most of the week. Due to a recurring coronal hole,
geomagnetic activity should be at active levels until around midweek
after which activity should decline to quiet levels. MUFs during
daylight hours at equal latitudes should be about 18MHz for the south
and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be
around 8MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have a maximum
usable frequency, with a 50 per cent success rate, of about 24MHz. The
optimum working frequency, with a 90 per cent success rate, will be
around 19MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and
1600 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 10 March Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its club net. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.
On Monday 10 March Coulsdon Amateur Transmitting Society is having a
talk by Steve, G3WZK, on "My 40 years in Amateur Radio". Contact Andy,
G8JAC, by email to g8jac@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact Roger, G3MEH, on 01442 826 651, or by email to roger@g3meh.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by email to
terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Dover Radio Club is having an operating and natter
night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sau@DARC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 12 March Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is having
part 2 of the lecture on NVIS by Arthur, M1FFU. Contact James, M0ZZO, on
01255 242 746.
On Wednesday 12 March Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a beginners guide to contesting. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.
On Wednesday 12 March Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal
evening. Contact Mark Taylor, G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by email to
narc@g0lgj.co.uk.
On Wednesday 12 March South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a talk
on climate changes by Brian, G7IIO. Details on the web at
www.southessex.ARS.btinternet.co.uk, or by email to
southessex.ARS@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a surplus equipment sale. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 13 March King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2 metre club net on 145.350. Contact Andy, G1KLP, on or on the
web at www.klarc.org.uk.
On Thursday 13 March Radio Society Of Harrow is having an operating
experiences and open evening. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or
on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris 01895 621 310.
On Thursday 13 March Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having
its spring junk sale and component source night. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on
01189 695 697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.
On Friday 14 March Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM.
Contact Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254599.
On Friday 14 March Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
having an HF night on the air. Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645, or
by email to info@lefars.org.uk.
On Friday 14 March Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio
night. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by email to
sue@figgerit.co.uk.
On Friday 14 March Radio Society Of Harrow is having talks on members'
operating experiences, at St Lawrence Centre, St Lawrence Church, Bridle
Road, Eastcote, HA5 2SJ. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on
the web at www.g3efx.org.uk or Chris 01895 621 310.
On Friday 14 March Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter
night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp@tars.org.uk.
On Friday 14 March Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on VHF DFing antennas by Jim, G4WYJ. Contact Jim, M0CON,
on 020 8874 7456.
On Saturday 15 March Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its Foundation course at Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens.
Details on the web at www.bdars.org, or by email to bdars@g0tlk.me.uk.
------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Sunday 9 March Bournemouth Radio Society is having its 20th annual
sale at the Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park. Contact John, G0HAT,
on 07719 700 771.
On Monday 10 March Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a computer
section meeting with a talk by Peter, G3WKP on finding family history
using the internet. Contact Ian, 01872 561 058.
On Tuesday 11 March Poldhu Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Bob
McCready, G0FGX, of Pirate FM. Contact Keith, G0WYS, on 01326 574 441.
On Wednesday 12 March South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a club
open night with Fred, G7LPP. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Wednesday 12 March Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is
operating the club station. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234, or
by email to g3wni@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarc@beeb.net.
On Thursday 13 March Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on how
ATUs work by G3MYM. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swain@tesco.net.
On Saturday 15 March Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is having
an open day for the public to view the HQ shack and workshop facilities,
and to see demonstrations of amateur radio in action.. Contact G0API,
on 01202 691 649, or by email to jfell@tesco.net.
--------------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
On Sunday 9 March Wythall Radio Club is running the Wythall Radio Rally.
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 Monday 10 March Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
having a VHF Operating and Morse practice evening. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY,
on 01452 548478, daytime, or on the web at www.g4aym.org.uk.
On Monday 10 March Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having
a test equipment evening. Bring along your rig and have it checked out
with professional test equipment, courtesy of John G0JUQ. Contact Jack,
G3VYE, on 01926 641 988, g3vye@onetel.com.
On Tuesday 11 March Eagle Radio Group is having an auction. Contact
Terry, G0SWS, on 07979 733 640.
On Tuesday 11 March Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on hidden aerials by Art, G3KWY. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on
01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 11 March Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society is holding
its AGM. Contact Bernard, M1AUK, on 01926 420 913.
On Wednesday 12 March Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having its main construction competition. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952
299 677, or by email to mjstreetg3jkx@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Thursday 13 March RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having a
demonstration of Judo by Andrew, M0OOO. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on 01522
752 785, or by email to martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 13 March Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Ron
Stone, GW3YDX. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk&.
On Thursday 13 March Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction night. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893, or by
email to colin.marks2@ntlworld.com.
On Friday 14 March Coventry Amateur Radio Society is working on its
Project 2008 with a construction night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476
273 190, or by email to johng8seq@ntlworld.com.
On Saturday 15 March Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is running its
Foundation Course. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893, or by
email to colin.marks2@ntlworld.com.
-----------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
On Monday 10 March Bolton Wireless Club is meeting at the Britannia
Hotel for an activity night. Contact g1oneclub@hotmail.co.uk.
On Monday 10 March Macclesfield and District Radio Society is having a
talk on the Pennine Way - with a radio - by Tom Read, M1EYP and Jimmy
Read, M3EYP. Contact Tom, M1EYP, on 01625 612 916, or by
email to tommyread@hotmail.com, or on the web at www.gx4mws.com.
On Monday 10 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a National
Science Week open evening and will be running other events throughout
the week. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.
On Monday 10 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk, "Am I hearing things?" by John, G8RDP. Contact Jack, G4BFH, by
email to jack.duddington@btinternet.com.
On Tuesday 11 March Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Ernie M0GEM – "Another 15 minutes and I would have been dead". Contact
Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558, or by email to m0dwq@hotmail.com.
On Wednesday 12 March Maltby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a practical workshop on soldering. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07801
156 678, or on the web at www.maltbyradio.org.uk.
On Wednesday 12 March Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk on wind farms by Steve, G7BBF. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291
850.
On Friday 14 March East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club Night is on the
air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671, or by email to
alistair.mackay@talk21.com.
On Friday 14 March Mexborough and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Sheffield Raynet. Contact Sharon, M0BOH.
On Friday 14 March South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is holding a
review of the club's SDR project. The club is closed on Good Friday.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999.
On Friday 14 March Tynemouth Radio Club is having a silent key sale.
Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to tony.regnart@gmail.com.
On Sunday 16 March Angel Of The North Radio Amateur Radio Club is
attending the NARSA Rally at Blackpool. Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 07990
760 920 (day), 0191 477 0036 (night), or by email to
nancybone2001@yahoo.co.uk, or on the web at www.anarc.net.
On Sunday 16 March Great Lumley Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
organising a bus to the Blackpool Rally. It leaves Great Lumley
Community Centre at 8am and returns from Blackpool at 4pm. For further
details contact David M0BPM on 0191 3888113 or e-mail
m0bpm@btinternet.com.
----------------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Wednesday 12 March Lothians Radio Society is having a talk on
software defined radio by Peter Waters. Contact Toby, MM0TSS, on 07739
742 367, enquiries@lothiansradiosociety.com, or on the web at
www.lothiansradiosociety.com.
On Thursday 13 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is watching a video.
Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 13 March Renfrew Amateur Radio Society is having a
demonstration and talk on D-star by John, GM0OPS and Robert, 2M0IZC.
Contact Robert, 2M0IZC, on 01418 480 876.
On Friday 14 March Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Tom, GM4FDM entitled "DXpedition to Brunei V8". Contact Bob,
GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.
On Friday 14 March West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk by David, MM0EAI on his sailing excursions round Scandinavia.
Details on the web at www.wosars.org.
-------------------------------
NEWS FOR WALES
No news items have been received for Wales this week.
-------------------------------
NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
On Saturday 15 March Foyle and District Amateur Radio Club is running
its annual special event for St Patrick's Day, operating GB5SPD. Details
on the web at www.mn0aku.org.
On Saturday 15 March Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society is running the
Lagan Valley ARS Rally. Contact Jim, GI0DVU, on 02892 662 270,
jim.henry@ntlworld.com.
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
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