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M1CUK > NEWS 08.05.08 01:37l 585 Lines 24112 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Better late than not at all...
GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 4 May
The news headlines
New RSGB HQ up and running
ARRL wins over FCC in PLT case
Italians get 4m band
------------------------
The RSGB has completed its relocation to Bedford and is fully
operational. The new mailing address is
3 Abbey Court, Priory Business Park, Bedford, MK44 3WH. The phone number
is unchanged, 0870 904 7373. Email addresses also remain the same.
For the time being, QSL Bureau cards should continue to be sent to PO
Box 1773, Potters Bar, EN6 3DP. They are being forwarded to the new QSL
handler, Norcomm Services.
The Bedford office is purely administrative and will not be open to
visitors. A purpose-built visitors’ centre, the RSGB Pavilion, will be
set up at Bletchley Park. It will include the National Amateur Radio
Library and Museum and the GB3RS shack. Details will be published in
RadCom and on GB2RS as they become available.
----------------------------------
The ARRL has scored a significant victory in its fight to minimise the
impact of broadband over power line systems, known as PLT in the UK. The
US court of Appeals ruled that that the US licensing authority, the
FCC, had not fully disclosed for public comment the technical studies on
which it relied, and which the ARRL’s technical team refuted. The FCC
must now revisit the technical basis on which it set the rules for BPL.
A detailed report is available on the ARRL’s web site at www.arrl.org.
----------------------------------
Italy’s Ministry of Communications has authorised Italian amateurs to
use three spot frequencies on the 70MHz band. This experimental
allocation runs until 31 December 2008. All modes are authorised at a
maximum of 25W EIRP on 70.100, 70.200 and 70.300MHz, plus or minus
25kHz. Further information can be found at www.space.it/70MHz.
----------------------------------
A major DXpedition to Christmas Island has been announced for 8 to 20
July 2008. The team includes CT1BWW, EA3GHZ, EA5EOR and EC5BME. Three
stations will be active on 160 to 6 metres, using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31
and SSTV. Callsigns will be VK9XWW, VK9XHZ, VK9XOR and VK9XME. More
information can be found on the web at www.dxciting.com/vk9x.
----------------------------------
Six CubeSat research satellites were successfully launched on 28 April
on an Indian rocket. All communicate using amateur radio frequencies,
mostly on the 70cm band. One will eventually provide a linear
transponder
from 70cm to 2m, but will operate in telemetry mode for the first three
months.
----------------------------------
Japanese amateurs have been permitted additional frequencies on the 80
metre band. They may now operate CW between 3500 and 3575kHz, digital
modes between 3520 and 3525kHz, and voice in six slots between 3680 and
3805kHz.
----------------------------------
An RSGB Train the Trainers session will take place on Saturday 31 May at
Chatham House School in Ramsgate Kent. It has been organised in
collaboration with the Hilderstone Amateur Radio Society. The event is
open to all individuals who are involved with running Foundation,
Intermediate and Full courses at their radio clubs. Tutors and anyone
who assists with the courses are welcome to attend. For more
information, and to register, contact Mike Howland, G4MIX, on 07732
133230, or email g4mix@waitrose.com.
The Train the Trainers scheme is an all day course which is free of
charge. It helps tutors enhance the standard of their Foundation,
Intermediate and Advanced licence courses. Demand is expected to be
high, so it is important to register as soon as possible. Further
sessions are scheduled for Chippenham on 7 June and Norwich on 6
September. See the Train the Trainers calendar at www.g8osn.org.uk for
further details.
-----------------------------------
German Educational organisation AATiS has its annual School Club EU
activity day on Monday 5 May. The idea is to get young operators on the
air from their school and club shacks. Operators are encouraged to
take time to chat beyond the basic RST and locator exchange. The event
takes place between 0600 and 1600UTC. There are two sections, HF only
and VHF, UHF and SHF only. A certificate of participation will be issued
for stations that send a log excerpt. Full details are available online
at www.aatis.de.
-----------------------------------
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.
Over the weekend 3 and 4 May various islands in the Firth of Clyde will
be activated. They all have the IOTA reference EU-123. This is a good
opportunity to work some rare islands for IOSA and SCOTIA awards. The
team is expected to be MM0DFV, GM0WRR, MM0GDL and GM4TOQ. They will use
100 Watts and lightweight portable antennas. The actual islands
activated will depend on the weather conditions and other circumstances,
but are expected to include Horse Island (SC21), Lady Island (SC28),
Ailsa Craig Island (SC28), Pladda Island (SC21), Inchmarnock Island
(SC04) and Little Cumbrae Island (SC21). The callsign MS0EPC will be
used for PSK contacts, and MS0DGR for other modes.
The DXpedition to Glorioso, originally scheduled to start on 6 May, has
been postponed once again.
Operation cannot commence until new tropical storms shelters are built
and this will take a couple of months. The DXpedition is now expected to
take place in September or October.
DU9/PA3GZU will operate holiday style from Mindanao until 12 May. The
IOTA reference is OC-130. He will mainly be on 20 metres SSB and PSK31.
FJ/DJ2VO will be active from Saint Barthelemy, IOTA reference NA-146,
until 8 May. He will operate CW only on 80-10 metres.
------------------------------------
Now for the news of special events
Over the Bank Holiday weekend of 3 to 5 May the Bittern DX Group will be
operating GB0GFH to coincide with events organised in the town of Holt
in Norfolk. The occasion is the 300th anniversary of the Great Fire of
Holt.
GB0WHR will be active on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, at the Welsh
Highland Railway, Porthmadog,Gwynedd.
Other British special event stations likely to be active over the next
few days include GB0BWS at Bishop Waltham Scouts, Shedfield, Hampshire;
and GB1RL at the Royal Liver, Pier Head. Liverpool.
10 and 11 May is National Mills Weekend, which includes Mills on the
Air. The weekend is organised by the Mills section of the Society for
the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Denby Dale Radio Society
co-ordinates
the amateur radio activities. Many special event stations will be active
from windmills and watermills. Further details can be found at
www.g4cdd.net, and a list of participating stations is on page 105 of
the May RadCom.
Special event station 9A08P [Nine Alpha Zero Eight Papa] will be active
until 31 December. Activity is to celebrate the city of Djurdjevac, and
operation will be on all bands and modes. A special QSL card will be
issued with a story on it. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via
the bureau.
-----------------------------------
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
On Sunday 4 May, the Dambusters Hamfest takes place at Thorpe Camp
Museum, Coningsby, Lincolnshire. More information from Tony, G3ZPU,
telephone 01507 527835 or email tcrm@hotmail.co.uk. Alternatively
check the web site at beam.to/tcrm.
On Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, the Dartmoor Radio Rally takes place at
Tavistock College, Tavistock in Devon. Doors open at 10.30. Details are
available from Peter, M1AYI, telephone 01822 860277.
Details of these and future rallies are published in the May edition of
RadCom.
----------------------------------
Now the contest news
The RSGB 432MHz to 248GHz contest finishes at 1400UTC on Sunday, 4 May.
All modes are permitted and the exchange is RST, serial number and
Locator.
The ARI International contest finishes at 1959UTC on Sunday, 4 May. This
is a CW, SSB and data event covering all HF bands and the exchange is
RST and serial number. Although this is sponsored by the Italian
society, everyone can work everyone in the contest.
Monday 5 May sees the RSGB 80m Club Championship which runs from 1900 to
2030 UTC. This is an SSB event and the exchange is RS plus serial
number.
On Tuesday 6 May, there is the RSGB 144MHz activity and Club
Championship from 2000 to 2230 local time. All modes are permitted and
the exchange is RST, serial number and Locator.
The weekend of 10 and 11 May sees the Volta RTTY Contest on 3.5 to
28MHz. The exchange is RST, serial number and CQ zone.
The full rules of RSGB contests can be found in the current RSGB
Yearbook.
-------------------------------
And now the solar factual data for the period from 21 to 27 April,
compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
A small sunspot group disappeared on the 24th. Solar activity was very
low. Normally, we do not mention A or B class solar flares in this
report, but on the 26th a B3/SF flare took place. What was unusual about
this flare is that it took place from a spotless region known as a
‘plage region’ where spots have not developed, or in this cause where
spots have decayed. Also, a very rare event occurred, a coronal mass
ejection
accompanied this very small solar flare. Solar flux levels declined
slightly from 71 to 68 units by the 27th.
The average was 70 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 27th was
72, that’s one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels remained below
the minimum reporting value every day. Geomagnetic activity started at
quiet levels but, as forecast, a coronal hole disturbance arrived on the
23rd and lasted for the remainder of the period. The most disturbed day
was the 23rd with an Ap index of 32 units. The average was Ap 12 units.
The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 320 kilometres
per second to 700 by the 23rd.
Particle densities were low except for the 23rd which briefly increased
to 14 particles per cubic centimetre.
Bz varied between minus and plus 3 on the quiet days and between minus
14 and plus 11 nanoTeslas on the 23rd.
HF bands conditions deteriorated with the arrival of the coronal hole
disturbance and the F2 daytime critical frequencies declined from 5.3MHz
to only 4.1MHz on the 24th. Auroral contacts were reported on the 23rd.
The darkness hour lows averaged 2.3MHz. Small sporadic-E openings took
place on some days with the 24th being the best day.
And now the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun is
expected to be looking our way. The solar disc could be spotless on some
days. Therefore, solar activity is expected to be very low. Solar flux
levels should be around the 70 mark all week. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to start at unsettled levels due to a recurring hole, this
should last until around midweek then activity should decline to quiet
levels for the remainder of the week. 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 9MHz. Paths this
week to India 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 0800 and 1600 hours UTC. The first half of the month of May
signals the start of the summer sporadic-E season. Expect openings on
some days, which tend to take place during the mid morning period
and again in the late afternoon or early evening periods. VHF openings
are not expected to take place just yet, they will come in the next few
weeks.
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 Sunday 4 May Radio Society Of Harrow is operating at the De Havilland
Aircraft Heritage Centre from 10am until about 2pm. Contact Linda,
G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586, or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk.
On Monday 5 May Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
safety testing evening and planning for Mills on the air. Contact John,
M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.
On Monday 5 May Radio Society Of Harrow is celebrating May Day at Harrow
Museum, Headstone Manor, HA2 6PX. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386
8586, or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk.
On Tuesday 6 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
the beacon network by RSGB Board member Leslie Butterfields, G0CIB.
Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Tuesday 6 May Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247
2846, or on the web at www.hdarc.co.uk.
On Tuesday 6 May North Kent Radio Society is having a natter night.
Contact Dave, G4YIB, by email to nkrs@crystaldave.com.
On Tuesday 6 May Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society is taking
part in the 144MHz UK activity contest. Contact Neil, M0ARH, on 01438
217 077.
On Wednesday 7 May Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a general meeting. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491, or by email
to terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Wednesday 7 May Dover Radio Club is having an operating and natter
night. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to g4sau@DARC.org.uk.
On Wednesday 7 May Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having an
informal evening. Contact Dave, 2E0EBV, on 07956 594 514.
On Wednesday 7 May Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
direction finding for beginners by G0CLR and G7URP. Contact Mark Taylor,
G0LGJ, on 01362 691099, or by email to narc@g0lgj.co.uk.
On Wednesday 7 May Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is continuing
its the intermediate license course. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695
697.
On Wednesday 7 May Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is planning
for Mills Weekend. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
On Thursday 8 May Echelford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by
Mike Underhill, G3LHZ, on 'Tuned loops and other small aerials'. Contact
John Osborne, G4GSC, on 01784 451898.
On Thursday 8 May King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club night
and 2 metre club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
ral-g3rsv@supanet.com, or on the web at www.klarc.org.uk.
On Thursday 8 May Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Tom Grady, G6IGA, on the latest commercial PMR radio. Contact
Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.
On Thursday 8 May Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having
a talk on micro-DXpeditions by Roger Western, G3SXW. Contact David,
G8UOD, on 01234 742 757.
On Friday 9 May Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
aircraft positioning by Paul, M1CNK. Contact Liz, M0ACL, on 02380
254599.
On Friday 9 May Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio Society is on
the air. Contact Marc, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645, or by email to
info@lefars.org.uk.
On Friday 9 May 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 9 May Radio Society Of Harrow is having an update on the
status of GB3HR by Peter, G3YXZ. Contact Linda, G7RJL, on 020 8386 8586,
or on the web at www.g3efx.org.uk.
On Friday 9 May Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on the 3B7C DXpedition by Justin Snow, G4TSH. Contact Jim, M0CON,
on 020 8874 7456, or on the web at www.gx3wim.org.uk.
On Saturday 10 May Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
Mills on the air with GB5SM. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.
On Saturday 10 May Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is taking
part in Mills on the air weekend. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831
491, or by email to terry.g0vfw@ntlworld.com.
On Saturday 10 May Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating special
event station GB2PW at Polegate Windmill. Contact John, G3DQY, on
01424,424,319, or by email to vaughdqy@aol.com.
On Sunday 11 May Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society is running
its intermediate course at Victory Social Club, Kechill Gardens. Details
on the web at www.bdars.org, or by email to bdars@g0tlk.me.uk.
On Sunday 11 May Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is
operating GB2WTM at Woodbridge Tide Mill. Contact Paul, G4YQC, by email
to paul.whiting@bt.com.
On Sunday 11 May Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is operating
special event station GB0HSM from High Salvington Radio Club. Contact
Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893.
-----------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST
On Wednesday 7 May Bath Amateur Radio Club is having an informal
evening. Contact Rob, M0TFO, on 01225 351 016, or by email to
robpegs@hotmail.com.
On Wednesday 7 May Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a visit to
Goonhilly Earth Station. Contact Ian, 01872 561 058.
On Wednesday 7 May Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an auction,
bring and buy and barbecue. Contact Dean, G0UIL, on g0uil@eclipse.co.uk.
On Wednesday 7 May South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a Morse
code workshop. Contact Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.
On Wednesday 7 May Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
Morse class and preparing for NFD. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666
234, or by email to g3wni@btinternet.com.
On Wednesday 7 May Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio
Club is having a direction finding workshop. Contact Tony, G0WMB, by
email to tonytsgarc@beeb.net.
On Wednesday 7 May Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk by Dave Mansbridge on his expedition to Everest Base Camp.
Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698.
On Thursday 8 May Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
talk by Shaun, G8VPG, on "The Longleat Video Diaries". Contact Mike,
M5CBS, on 01793 826 465.
On Thursday 8 May Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a photo quiz with
M0WOB. Contact Gary, 2E0BFJ, by email to g.swain@tesco.net.
On Friday 9 May Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night.
Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp@tars.org.uk.
----------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
A final reminder that Wythall Radio Club will be hosting the Midlands
RSGB Train the Trainers Day on Sunday 18 May. The course takes place
from 9.30am to 4pm at the Britannia Room, Wythall House, Silver Street,
Wythall. It will cover a number of topics of interest to examination
trainers and would-be trainers.
Attendance is free but you must pre-register. If you or anyone in your
club is interested, please send an email to Chris, G0EYO to
g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk or contact him on 07710 412 819. Lunch will be
provided, as will morning and afternoon refreshments.
On Sunday 4 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is attending the Dambusters
rally. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.
On Monday 5 May Gloucester Amateur Radio And Electronics Society is
operating from Crickley Hill. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478,
daytime, or on the web at www.g4aym.org.uk.
On Tuesday 6 May Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
junk sale. Contact Martin, G3SZJ, on 01332 556 875.
On Tuesday 6 May Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a computer clinic. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Tuesday 6 May Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the 2m Club
Championship from the shack. 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 7 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is having a news and views
evening. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.
On Wednesday 7 May Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is holding
an open house. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677, or by email to
mjstreetg3jkx@blueyonder.co.uk.
On Thursday 8 May RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
tidying the shack. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on 01522 752 785, or by email
to martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
On Thursday 8 May Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a fox hunt.
Details on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.
On Thursday 8 May Tamworth Amateur Radio Society is having a
construction evening. Contact Colin Marks, G4ZPJ, on 01827 700 893, or
by email to colin.marks2@ntlworld.com.
On Friday 9 May Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is holding
its AGM. Contact Chris, M0BQE, on 01905 776 869, m0bqe@hotmail.com.
On Friday 9 May Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a video night,
watching the Scarborough Reef BS7H video. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 02476
273 190, or by email to johng8seq@ntlworld.com.
On Saturday 10 May Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in Mills on
the air from Ellis Mill. Contact John, G1TSL, on 01526 323 153.
On Saturday 10 May RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is having a visit
to Eden Camp. Contact Martin, M0MDF, on 01522 752 785, or by email to
martin@farmer4.freeserve.co.uk.
--------------------------------
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
On Monday 5 May Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a visit from two
suppliers. Contact Trevor, M0TWS.
On Tuesday 6 May Chester and District Radio Society is celebrating its
60th anniversary with a special dinner. RSGB President Colin Thomas,
G3PSM, will be guest of honour. Details on the web at
www.chesterdars.org.uk, or by email to info@chesterdars.org.uk.
On Tuesday 6 May Stockport Radio Society is preparing for national field
day. Contact David, M1ANT, on 0161 456 7832.
On Tuesday 6 May Warrington Amateur Radio Club is having a bar night.
Contact Roger, M0DWQ on 01925 813 558, m0dwq@warc.org.uk.
On Wednesday 7 May Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is having a
natter night. Contact Tom, G4BKF, on 07050 291 850.
On Thursday 8 May North Wakefield Radio Club is having a planning
meeting for Mills on the air. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126,
m0rbg@talktalk.net.
On Friday 9 May 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 9 May Mexborough and District Amateur Radio Society is having
an HF radio night. Contact Sharon, M0BOH.
On Friday 9 May South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a
talk on aerial matching by Ron, G3SVW. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999.
On Friday 9 May Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night.
Contact Tony, G8YFA, by email to tony.regnart@gmail.com.
On Saturday 10 May North Wakefield Radio Club is taking part in Mills on
the air. Contact Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126, m0rbg@talktalk.net.
-----------------------------
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
On Thursday 8 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having an antenna
check night. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663, or on the web at
www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
On Friday 9 May Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having
its first 144MHz DF hunt. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.
On Saturday 10 May Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in
National Mills Weekend at Benholm Mill. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224
575 663, or on the web at www.aars.freeserve.co.uk.
-----------------------------
NEWS FOR WALES
On Monday 5 May Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having a junk sale. Contact
Martin, GW3PRL, on 01248 430 848, or by email to martinsnow1943@hotmail.c
om.
----------------------------
NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
No news items were 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
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