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M1CUK > NEWS 21.03.08 19:30l 503 Lines 21080 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 23 March
The news headlines
• RSGB QSL Bureau moves
• Become Top Ham
• Longest serving GB2RS newsreader forced off air
As part of the RSGBs relocation programme the Society has appointed
Norcomm Services to run the RSGB QSL Bureau. Norcomm Services is based
in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and is run by Richard Constantine, G3UGF.
The Bureau's move from Potters Bar commenced on 19 March and is expected
to be operational by the end of April. Further details on the move will
be published on the RSGB web site shortly and will also appear in the
May edition of RadCom.
--------------------------
The RSGB Top Ham competition will again be a feature of the Kempton
Rally on 6 April. The format of the competition remains the same.
Everyone at the event will get a chance to enter and the initial round
features
fairly simple multiple choice questions on amateur radio and
electronics. The six people with the highest score will be entered into
a TV-style quiz on stage in the exhibition hall. The final winner will
receive a trophy.
In addition valuable prizes will be presented to the winner and runner
up. Details of the Kempton rally, and of the Top Ham competition, can be
found at www.radiofairs.co.uk.
---------------------------
The 10am 40m GB2RS news reading from Northern Ireland has temporarily
ceased. In the early hours of Saturday 15 March the antenna system of
newsreader Jimmy Porter, GI3GGY, collapsed during gales that swept
Northern Ireland. The antenna was a huge log periodic, weighing over a
ton. It originally served at the nearby US Clooney Base radio station as
part of the Cold War 'hot line' between Kruschev and Kennedy.
The antenna, plus two complete spares, were given to Jimmy in 1977 when
the base closed. Fortunately the antenna's lattice tower was not
seriously damaged, but repairs are unlikely to be completed for at least
two months. Jimmy is the longest serving GB2RS newsreader, having
broadcast the news for over 50 years.
-----------------------------
Two metre repeater GB3LB has been testing since 17 March. The site is in
the Scottish Borders, about 20 miles south of Edinburgh. The frequency
is 145.7875MHz which is the old GB3DU frequency. Access is by CTCSS at
118.8Hz. To ensure best results, users must transmit using narrow
deviation at a maximum of 2.5kHz. This will also avoid causing
interference to adjacent 12.5kHz channel repeaters and the ISS
downlink on 145.800MHz. Details are available at www.ukrepeater.net.
------------------------------
Now advance notice of an event on Monday 5 May.
The German group, Amateur Radio and Telecommunication in Schools,
invites all radio amateurs in schools and educational establishments all
over Europe to take part in the ninth European Activity Day. The idea is
to promote communication and understanding. It is not a contest and
operators are encouraged to take the time to chat. Contacts may be made
among schools as well with any other European stations. Every
participating station will get a certificate and will have the chance to
win one of the attractive prizes. Full details can be obtained from
Wolfgang Beer, DL4HBB, by email to dl4hbb@aatis.de. There is also a
German-language web site at www.aatis.de.
-------------------------------
Amateur radio was part of a recent American Red Cross exercise in
Connecticut that became a real life emergency operation. The original
purpose of the planned operation included gaining experience in the use
of GPS; and comparing the operation of VHF/UHF amateur radio gear and
Red Cross 47MHz radios. But just minutes prior to the scheduled start of
the exercise, a real incident – a fire – occurred and the volunteers
responded. During the emergency, radio amateurs were the communications
link for the Red Cross which provided canteen supplies, office supplies
and water. Radio contact using the Red Cross 47MHz frequency
proved impossible from the incident site, but amateur radio performed
flawlessly using local repeaters.
---------------------------------
The Radio Amateurs and Blind Club is looking for volunteer readers to
help them produce audio copies of publications for the visually
impaired. They make audio versions of radio magazines, books and course
material. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact Graham
Bedwell on 0118 978 5348.
---------------------------------
We are sad to note the passing of writer Arthur C Clarke. While not a
licensed amateur, his technical and literary work influenced many in the
amateur world. He was well respected by many amateur organisations,
notably AMSAT, and was once President of the British Amateur Television
Club.
---------------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.
9X0R is operating from Rwanda until 27 March. Three stations are 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.
----------------------------------
Ed Sawyer, N1UR, and his wife Christine, KB1PQN, are expected to be
active from the Layang-Layang Island Resort in the Spratly Islands until
midnight UTC on 30 March. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters, CW and
SSB, using 100 watts to omnidirectional verticals. The operators will be
moving bands frequently to take advantage of changing band conditions
and openings. Sunset on Spratly is 1040 UTC with sunrise at 2240 by the
middle of that week. More information is at www.n1urspratly.com.
------------------------------------
Belgian operators and members of the Radio Club Secunda from South
Africa will be active as 7P8FC from Katse Dam in Lesotho. The operation
runs from 27 March to 3 April and the station will be active during the
CQ WPX SSB contest. They will use SSB only on topband, SSB and RTTY on
80 metres and SSB, RTTY and PSK all HF bands except 30 metres. They
appear not to be using CW. Further information can be obtained from
www.7p8fc.be.
------------------------------------
Now for the news of special events
Radio club OSA in Antwerp will be active as ON70REDSTAR for the rest of
the year. This special callsign commemorates the Red Star Line, a
shipping company that operated between Belgium and North America
from 1873 to 1934.
------------------------------------
Now the contest news
The BATC ATV Repeater contest ends on Sunday 23 March at 1200. Bands
from 1.3GHz upwards are used, and the exchange is P grade, serial number
and locator.
The BARTG HF RTTY contest ends at 0200 on Monday 24 March. The event
covers all bands from 3.5 to 28MHz. Exchange RST, serial number and the
time.
To celebrate its Quarter Century Anniversary, the Bavarian Contest Club
(BCC) invites amateurs around the world to participate in its three
QSO-Parties taking place on the 25th day of the third month of each
quarter 2008. The first of these is on Tuesday 25 March. The rules can
be found on the club’s web site at www.bavarian-contest-club.de.
On Tuesday 25 March, the RSGB holds its 50MHz Activity Contest. It
starts at 2000UTC and ends at 2230. All modes are permitted and the
exchange is RST, serial number and locator.
The CQ Worldwide WPX SSB contest takes place over the weekend of 29 and
30 March. It starts at 0000 UTC on the Saturday and ends 48 hours later.
There are likely to be many exotic prefixes active in this contest which
uses the bands from 1.8 and 28MHz. The exchange is RST and serial
number.
-------------------------------------
And now the solar factual data for the period from 10 to 16 March,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
A small sunspot group disappeared on the 10th and then the solar disc
was spotless until the 15th when another small group emerged. Both
groups belonged to the old sunspot cycle. Solar activity was very low.
Solar flux levels were 70 units every day, except on the 12 which was at
69. The average was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 16th
was 72. That’s two units down on last week. X-ray flux levels remained
below the minimum recording level. Due to a large coronal hole, the
geomagnetic field was at unsettled to active levels. The most disturbed
day was the 10th with an Ap index at 18 units. Only the 16th was quiet
with an Ap of 5 units. The average was Ap 12 units. The ACE spacecraft
saw solar wind speeds remain very fast all week, fluctuating between 610
and 730 kilometres per second. Particle densities were low throughout
and
varied between 1 and 3 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between
minus 5 and plus 5 nanoTeslas everyday.
The higher levels of geomagnetic activity brought depressed MUFs on the
HF bands. The F2 daytime critical frequencies averaged 5.3MHz. The
higher bands were in poor shape for much of the week, particularly over
east-west paths and at high-latitudes. However, both 24 and 28MHz
enjoyed good openings to Africa on the afternoon of the 15th. The
darkness hour lows averaged 2.1MHz. Several spells of auroral
propagation at 50
and 144MHz were reported but they were confined to high latitudes.
And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to
be very low. The solar disc should be spotless on some days. Solar flux
levels are expected to be around the 70 mark for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity should be quiet today and tomorrow but on Tuesday a
recurring coronal hole disturbance should arrive. This will last till at
least Friday and may even linger into the weekend. If it does
conditions could be poor for the start of the CQ WPX contest. 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
8MHz.
Paths this week to the East Coast of North America 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 is around
16MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1300 and 1900
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 24 March Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its club net. Contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.
On Tuesday 25 March Crawley Amateur Radio Club is having a demonstration
of SoftRock 40 by Mike Davies, G0KAD. Contact John, G3VLH, on 01342 714
402.
On Tuesday 25 March Home Counties ATV Club is having an instructional
video by Mike, G8LES, on Hollywood camera work. Contact Dave, M0SAT, by
email to m0sat@gb3hv.com, or on the web at www.gb3hv.com.
On Tuesday 25 March Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Dave Bartlett on "Egypt - The Island of Philae". Contact Stuart,
G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846, or on the web at www.hdarc.co.uk.
On Wednesday 26 March Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an evening of practical electronics and basic soldering
techniques. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 506 344, or by email to
terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Wednesday 26 March Dover Radio Club is having an operating and natter
night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sau@DARC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 26 March Hastings Electronics and Radio Club is inviting
members to identify a mystery object. Contact Gordon, 01424 431 909, or
by email to gordon@gsweet.fsnet.co.uk.
On Wednesday 26 March Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a practical night. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.
On Wednesday 26 March Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having an ATV
evening. Contact Liz, M0ACL, on 02380 254599.
On Wednesday 26 March Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is
having an Ask the Audience evening. Contact Richard, G3ZGC, on 01635
46241, or by email to richard.jolliffe@vodafone.com.
On Wednesday 26 March 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 26 March Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
putting GX3WOR on the air. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 27 March Bittern DX Group is having an informal evening.
Contact Keith, G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506, keith@g0gfq.com, or on the web
at www.bittern-dxers.org.uk.
On Thursday 27 March Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a social
evening at The Blue Ship, The Haven. Details on the web at
www.harc.org.uk.
On Thursday 27 March King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2 metre net. Contact Andy, G1KLP, on or on the web at
www.klarc.org.uk.
On Thursday 27 March Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Des Howlett, G8FIF, on the ins and outs of the internet. Contact
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.
On Thursday 27 March Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society Club is
having its second SDR Construction evening. Contact David, G8UOD, on
01234 742 757.
On Friday 28 March Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645, or by email to
info@lefars.org.uk.
On Friday 28 March Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a surplus
equipment sale. Contact Sue, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103, or by email to
sue@figgerit.co.uk.
On Friday 28 March Radio Society Of Harrow is holding its AGM 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 28 March Reading and District Amateur Radio Club commences its
two-day Foundation Licence Course. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695
697, or on the web at www.radarc.org.
On Friday 28 March Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a presentation
night, entry by ticket only. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
g6fsp@tars.org.uk.
On Friday 28 March Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk by Dennis M0NDJ on JOTA 2007 GB100J. Contact Jim, M0CON,
on 020 8874 7456.
On Saturday 29 March Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
running its Foundation Course with Paul, G4YQC. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by
email to paul.whiting@bt.com.
-------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Wednesday 26 March South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a PC
and electronics workshop with Norman, G4NFS. Contact Len, G4RZY, on
01275 834 282.
On Wednesday 26 March Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by email to
tonytsgarc@beeb.net.
On Thursday 27 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 Thursday 27 March Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact
Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swain@tesco.net.
On Friday 28 March Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Echolink by Keith, GU6EFB. Contact Phil, GU0SUP.
On Sunday 30 March Pembrokeshire Radio Society is having an amateur
radio bring and buy at "The Patch", Furzey Park Community Centre.
Contact Evan, GW4AKZ, on 01437 710 141.
--------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
A vacancy for an RSGB Deputy Regional Manager has arisen in
Lincolnshire. This is a volunteer post for someone who is an RSGB
member, lives in Lincolnshire and has a few hours to spare. It is a
great opportunity to meet people and represent the RSGB in the East
Midlands area. To volunteer, or for more details, contact Regional
Manager Jim Stevenson, G0EJQ, telephone 01522 806935, or email
g0ejq@rsgb.org.uk. The web site for RSGB Region 13, the East Midlands,
is www.rsgb-region-13.org.uk.
On Monday 24 March Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is
operating at the Escarpment. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime, or on the web at www.g4aym.org.uk.
On Monday 24 March Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is on the
air from the club shack. Contact Jack, G3VYE, on 01926 641 988,
g3vye@onetel.com.
On Tuesday 25 March Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having
an illustrated talk on heraldry by Harry Bodkin. Contact Martin, G3SZJ,
on 01332 556 875.
On Tuesday 25 March Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a practical evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 25 March Wythall Radio Club is having a natter night. 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 26 March Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
holding its AGM. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
mjstreetg3jkx@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Thursday 27 March RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is on the air and
having a chatter night. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on 01522 752 785, or by
email to martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 27 March Salop Amateur Radio Society is having an evening on
how to use your oscilloscope. Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.
On Friday 28 March Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having its
President's Night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476 273 190, or by email to
johng8seq@ntlworld.com.
-----------------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
On Monday 24 March Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society will be on
the air as GB0BUZZ until Sunday On Sunday 30 March. Contact Colin,
G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, info@pontefractradioclub.org.
On Monday 24 March Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a Morse lesson
and IOTA planning night. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.
On Tuesday 25 March Chester and District Radio Society is having a bring
and tell night. Details on the web at www.chesterdars.org.uk, or by
email to info@chesterdars.org.uk.
On Tuesday 25 March Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
Jim, G3NFB, on all the buttons on his 756 Pro. Contact Roger, M0DWQ on
01925 813 558, by email to m0dwq@hotmail.com.
On Wednesday 26 March Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by
G4CGG on his time at sea as a CW operator. Contact Sue, G6UQA, on 01482
668 041, or on the web at www.hornseaarc.co.uk.
On Wednesday 26 March Maltby and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a club night. Contact Keith, G1PQW, on 07801 156 678, or on the
web at www.maltbyradio.org.uk.
On Wednesday 26 March Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291 850.
On Friday 28 March East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671, or by email to
alistair.mackay@talk21.com.
On Friday 28 March South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
talk on the Elecraft K3 by Bill, G3SMM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.
On Friday 28 March Tynemouth Radio Club is having a talk on transmitting
the Venetian way. Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to tony.regnart@gmail.com
.
On Saturday 29 March Pontefract District Amateur Radio Society commences
its Foundation License Course from noon in the club room at The Grange,
Carleton Road. Contact Colin, G0NQE, on 01977 677 006, or by email to
info@pontefractradioclub.org.
----------------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Tuesday 25 March Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on D-star by John Dundas, GM0OPS. Contact Norman, 07740
946 192, or on the web at uk.groups.yahoo/group/ms0liv.
On Wednesday 26 March Lothians Radio Society is having a surplus
equipment auction. Contact Toby, MM0TSS, on 07739 742 367,
enquiries@lothiansradiosociety.com, or on the web at
www.lothiansradiosociety.com.
On Thursday 27 March Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is on the air and
having a construction evening. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663,
or on the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
On Friday 28 March West Of Scotland Amateur Radio Society is having a
club night. 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
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
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