GB2RS News Script



GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 13th January 2019

The news headlines:

• Volunteers invited for National Radio Centre

• IARU Region 1 consolidates project groups

• RSGB Board and Regional Representative nominations open

With over 55,000 visitors to the RSGB’s National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park in 2018, we are looking to recruit new volunteers to engage with the public and give radio demonstrations. If you’re interested in becoming an NRC volunteer you should be passionate about meeting people, feel confident explaining the hobby, as well as operating the NRC’s radio station, GB3RS. You should be a licensed amateur, an RSGB Member and be prepared to work a minimum of one (preferably two) days per month. You will be joining a team of enthusiastic, friendly and dedicated volunteers and full training will be given. Travel expenses are paid to volunteers living within reasonable travelling distance and NRC volunteers enjoy numerous benefits associated with volunteering at Bletchley Park. Please email nrc.support@.uk for further information.

At the IARU Region 1 General Conference in Landshut in 2017, it was agreed to create three project groups to address issues of the future direction and growth in amateur radio across the Region. These groups have undertaken some of the planned work, but because of other commitments of the project leaders, progress has not been as rapid as the IARU Region 1 had hoped. It was decided to bring the three project groups together under a single project manager. Mark Jones, G0MGX, has agreed to take this role. Mark is already deeply involved in ‘future and growth’ issues in RSGB, where he is a Board Member. Mark can be contacted via email to mark.g0mgx.r1@. We wish Mark every success in this key role.

RSGB Members are reminded that nominations are open for RSGB Board and Regional Representatives. Details are in the January RadCom and on the RSGB website via GB2RS-0113A. These roles offer a good opportunity to help the RSGB develop and to promote amateur radio. Nominations close on the 31st of January.

[Note to Newsreaders: the full URL is ]

In America, the FCC is not processing any US amateur radio applications as the partial government shutdown approaches its fourth week. For radio amateurs, the shutdown means that while the Universal Licensing System continues to accept applications for all valid purposes, the FCC will not review or act upon them until the funding stalemate is resolved. Newcomers who have passed the required examinations will have to wait until the shutdown concludes to receive a callsign and authorisation to operate. License upgrades are also on hold.

Please note that the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park will be closed for a private event on Tuesday the 15th of January. Outside of this, volunteers look forward to welcoming visitors seven days a week, especially RSGB Members, who can download a free entry voucher for Bletchley Park from the RSGB website.

On the 27th of December a Soyuz launch deployed two German satellites, D-Star ONE – Sparrow and D-Star ONE – iSat. The beacons have been successfully received from both satellites, which each carry a D-Star repeater. They uplink on 437.325MHz and downlink on 435.525MHz. The December Soyuz flight also deployed the UWE-4 1U CubeSat carrying a 70cm AX.25 digipeater, with an uplink/downlink frequency of 437.375MHz. AMSAT Germany has reported that in-orbit testing of the P4-A amateur radio transponders on Es’hail-2 has begun but amateurs should not attempt to transmit on the Es’hail-2 uplink. When all in-orbit testing has been successfully completed, the satellite will be moved to its final orbital position at 26° East and availability announcements will be made.

Club Log’s latest Most Wanted List, generated on the 28th of December, can be found at . The information is derived from the half-billion or so QSOs uploaded to Club Log and available for analysis. To improve quality, only QSOs that have QSLs confirmed are considered to be worked. The most wanted charts are rebuilt once per month, on average.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

The next rally in the diary is on the Horncastle Amateur Radio and Electronics rally on the 27th of January. It takes place at the Horncastle Youth Centre, Cagthorpe Buildings, Willow Row, Harncastle LN9 6DZ. Doors open at 10am.

Advance notice now of the CW Boot Camp, which will be run by the GMDX Group. It takes place on Sunday the 10th of March at Stirling & District ARS, Unit 68, Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk FK7 7NP. This event is open to all however places are limited, so it is important that you pre-register your interest by email to gmdxgroup@.

To get your event into RadCom, onto GB2RS and on the RSGB website, please send details as early as possible to radcom@.uk – we need to know about four months in advance for RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

A group of operators will be active as H33J from Volcan in the Chiriqui Province of Panama, between the 13th and the 31st of January. They will operate CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, with a focus on the low bands FT8. QSL via Logbook of The World, Club Log’s OQRS or via JA1HGY.

Jean-Pierre, F6ITD will be active as FG/F6ITD from La Desirade Island, IOTA NA-102, in Guadeloupe from the 14th of January to the 13th of March. Activity will be on the 80 to 6m bands using CW, SSB and various digital modes. He will also be active as TO7D in various contests. QSL direct to his home call.

Willy, KB8YRX will be on the air as 8P9CA from Barbados between the 15th of January and the 4th of February. Activity will be focused on 20m and FT8. QSL to his home call.

Gerhard, OE3GEA will be on the air as HC8GET from Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Islands from the 13th to the 25th of January. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL to his home callsign.

Now the special event news

Worthing & District ARC will be running a special event station to commemorate its 70th anniversary. This will be on the weekend of the 19th and 20th of January, using callsign GB5WOR. The station will be on the air on all HF bands, possibly 2m and 70cm. Further details from the club website, .uk

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Sweden's National Society for the Active Visually Impaired will be active as SF50CG throughout 2019. QSL via SM0BYD.

Please send special event details to radcom@.uk, as early as possible, for free publicity on GB2RS, in RadCom and online. Remember that UK special event stations must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

Today, the 13th, the Datamodes AFS contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using data only on the 3.5 and 7MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Thursday sees the 70MHz UK Activity Contest, also from 2000 to 2230UTC. Both use all modes on the respective band and the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday the 19th the SSB AFS contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using the 3.5 and 7MHz bands only, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Also on Saturday the 19th, the Worked All Britain 1.8MHz Phone contest runs from 1900 to 2300UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and the WAB square.

The UK Six Metre Group Marathon continues until the 31st of January. Using all modes on the 50MHz band, the exchange is signal report and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 9th of January.

This week saw relatively-settled HF conditions after the effects of a geomagnetic storm that impacted Earth at the weekend had passed. The Kp index was mostly around one or two thanks to a reduced solar wind. A small solar coronal hole did become Earth-facing on Wednesday the 9th, but its effects, if any, won’t be felt until around Friday the 11th. The sun’s disk remained spotless, with the solar flux index around 71-72.

The Propquest.co.uk site shows that daytime critical frequencies remain around 3.5-5MHz, although there have been some high spots where it has hit more than 6MHz. These can spark short-term long-range HF propagation at maximum usable frequencies of more than 18MHz, so it is worth keeping an eye on the higher bands. Otherwise, the upper bands have been fairly lacklustre with mostly contacts around Europe, as can be expected at this point in the sunspot cycle.

Next week NOAA has the solar flux remaining around 70 with settled geomagnetic conditions, other than around the 16th when the K index may rise to four due to recurrent coronal hole activity.

A check with the new animation facility at predtest.uk shows that the upper HF bands currently favour one-hop contacts into Southern Europe with occasional openings to North Africa. Forty metres should be open to Europe both day and night with the possibility of some weaker longer paths opening up around sunset and after dark.

Eighty metres remains a good evening and night-time band, but make the most of it now as the nights are starting to get shorter.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

The weekend started with a residual high pressure area, by now displaced to the southwest of Britain. This means that the bulk of the country is under a weaker ridge. This will obviously favour the western side of the country, which is closest to the high, for any Tropo activity.

As the week progresses, the high weakens further and the pattern becomes more like a showery north-westerly with little chance of Tropo and rather more breeze, especially over the north and down the eastern side of the country. This type of weather can produce an opportunity for rain scatter on the Gigahertz bands as big reflective shower clouds drift past the coasts.

We are in the quiet period of the year for meteor activity with few major showers until April. There are, though, always opportunities for random meteor scatter contacts peaking around dawn when the earth is rotating towards the main orbital flux of meteoric particles.

Lunar declination is positive again, so moon windows will lengthen as the week progresses, and path losses will fall. Early in the week, moonrise will be around lunchtime, and getting later over the coming week.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

Next, the Local News.

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies can be found on the RSGB website, including email addresses and website links where known.

[Note to Newsreaders: Please read the local news items appropriate to the service area of your transmission.]

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Burton Amateur Radio Club has a net from 10am on 145.575MHz today and next Sunday. Wednesday sees an open club night and on Thursday there’s a net on 145.575MHz from 8pm. Details from Rob, G6EIH, on 0781 214 6333.

Wythall Radio Club has its net from 8pm on 145.225MHz or GB3WL today and next Sunday. Tuesday sees a Morse class followed by a club night and other activities. Contact Chris, G0EYO, on 0771 041 2819.

Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is having a ‘name that members’ shack’ fun contest on Monday. There’s a club net on Wednesday from 7.30pm on 145.475MHz FM, and another on Thursday from 7.30pm, also on 145.475MHz FM, which usually moves to 80m SSB. Friday sees a club net from 7.30pm on 432.220MHz SSB. More information from Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01242 699 595, daytime.

Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group has a shack night on Monday. Thursday sees the club net from 8pm on 145.325MHz and Friday is a planning evening. Contact Paul, G1SGZ, via email to pr@.uk.

RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club has its net on Monday from 8pm on 145.325MHz. On Friday there’s a club night with nibbles. Contact Bob, G3VCA on 0797 116 6250.

South Birmingham Radio Society is checking the club aerials and feeders on Monday and has its regular coffee morning in the shack from 11am on Tuesday. Thursday sees training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. More from Gemma, M6GKG by email to gemmagordon.m6gkg@.

On Monday Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society has a club meeting. Tuesday sees an open net on 70.475MHz from 7.30pm. Details from Robert Bird, via email to rob2e0zap@.

Now back to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday Leicester Radio Society has a Morse class, committee meeting and free ’n easy evening. Contact Sandra, G0MCV, on 0793 027 4044.

On Tuesday Dudley and District Amateur Radio Society is having a club night. More details from Graham, 2E0GIJ, via email to secretary@.

On Tuesday Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is having an open forum on band plans and testing your station. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding training classes plus a review of the social calendar and rally visits. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 0780 807 8003.

On Wednesday Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting Contact John, M0JZH, on 0782 473 7716.

On Thursday Kettering & District Amateur Radio Society has its net from 7pm on 145.300MHz FM. Details from Ed, M0TZX, via email to M0TZX@.

On Thursday Solihull Amateur Radio Society has its net from 8pm on 145.450MHz. Contact Stu, G4KUR, via email to solihullradioclub@.

On Friday Bromsgrove & District Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. More information from John, G4OJS, on 0788 9678 303.

On Friday Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a club night. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 0795 877 7363.

On Friday Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society has a quiz night. Contact Phil, G4LWB, on 01664 567 972.

On Friday Spalding & District Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Details from Graham, G8NWC, on 0775 461 9701.

On Sunday South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is activating Mam Tor from 10am to 2pm. More information from Steve, 2E0WCG, on 01780 764 419.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

We start with advanced information that the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will be holding an Advanced exam on 17 February. Contact Andy, GD1MIP, on 01624 620 469.

Now for clubs that have several events this week. Central Lancs Amateur Radio Club has its net on 1.940MHz LSB from 11am today and next Sunday. Monday sees a club net centred on 70.450MHz from 8pm. Details from Peter, G3UCA, via email to g3uca@blueyonder.co.uk.

Denby Dale Radio Club has its net via GB3HD from 10.30am today and next Sunday. On Wednesday there’s a club night. Contact Darran, G0BWB, on 0797 442 3227.

Oldham Radio Club has a club D-Star net – REF 14B from 9.30am today. Wednesday sees the club 2m FM net from 8pm and on Thursday there’s a club night. Next Sunday sees the C4FM net, FCS004-55, from 9.30am. Contact Mike, M1CVL, on 0740 276 3203.

Oldham Radio Club has a C4FM Net, FCS004-55, from 9.30am today. Wednesday sees a 2m FM net and on Thursday there’s a club night. Next Sunday it’s the club D-Star net – REF 14B from 9.30am. Contact Mike, M1CVL, on 0740 276 3203.

Sheffield & District Wireless Society is taking part in the RSGB AFS 80-40m Data contest today. Next Saturday it’s the RSGB AFS 80-40m SSB Contest. Contact Krystyna, 2E0KSH, on 0788 406 5375.

Wirral Amateur Radio Society is concludes its ATV activity weekend today. On Tuesday there’s a natter night and on Wednesday there’s a talk by Stan. Thursday sees an ATV on-air and construction night. Details from Bill, G4YWD, on 0780 488 4245.

Halifax & District Amateur Radio Society has a club meeting on Tuesday. Wednesday sees an open net on GB3HD from 7pm and on Thursday there’s a joint net with RAFARS on 145.350MHz from 7pm. Details from Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

Stockport Radio Society has a net on Tuesday from 7.30pm on 51.550MHz FM. Thursday sees a committee meeting and a net on 145.375MHz FM from 7.30pm. On Friday it’s the trophy presentation and social evening, accompanied by a net from 7.30pm on 433.575MHz. Details from Heather, M6HNS, on 0750 690 4422.

On Thursday Nuneaton & District Amateur Radio Club has its net from 9.30pm on 145.475MHz. Friday sees the AGM and a talk on Rugby Radio. Details from Neil, M0NKE, via email to info@ndarc.co.uk.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. Contact David, G6DCT, via email to littlewood20@.

On Monday Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a video evening. Contact John, G4FRK, on 01253 862 810.

On Wednesday Durham and District Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. More information from Michael, G7TWX, on 0782 692 4192.

On Wednesday Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Gordon, G3WOV on his shack. Details from Gordon, G3WOV, on 01377 240 573.

On Wednesday Newsham Amateur Radio Training Centre has a club night with Foundation training. Details from John, 2E0DCV, on 01912 371 729.

On Thursday Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club is having a club night with study for all levels of exams. Contact Gail, M3GBB on 0191 372 0473.

On Thursday Keighley Amateur Radio Society is having a club meeting. Details from Geoff, G7JZM, on 0777 489 1641.

On Thursday South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a talk by Ron, G3SVW on contests large and small. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Thursday Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has its AGM. Contact Russell, G0FOI, on 01274 875 038.

On Friday East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

On Friday Hartlepool Amateur Radio Club has Foundation and Intermediate training. More information from Stan, G7VGM, via email to stan.g7vgm@.

On Friday Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. For details, email mail@.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

No news items have been received for Northern Ireland this week.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

We start with news of a new club. Auchtermuchty Radio Group will launch itself on Friday with a Bring & Buy sale, talks and a flea market. The launch event takes place from 7.30pm at the Upper Town Hall, High St, Auchtermuchty KY14 7AP and admittance to the event is £3. Full details are available from Izzi Andrews on 0753 388 0332, or by email to izzi.andrews@.

West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has a meeting of the Solder Group today, plus taking part in the RSGB AFS 80m & 40m SSB Contest. On Wednesday there’s a meeting of the Solder Group. Friday sees a talk about taking the heat out of a situation by Barry, GM0KZX. Next Saturday it’s the RSGB AFS 80m & 40m Data Contest, plus a meeting of the Solder Group. Details are at Tiny.url/wosars.

On Tuesday Dundee Amateur Radio Club is having a club night plus Foundation training. Contact Martin, 2M0KAU, on 0776 370 8933.

On Tuesday Kilmarnock & Loudoun Amateur Radio Club is holding a training and construction night. Contact Len, GM0ONX, via email to klarcinfo@.

ASRA Club will be holding its AGM on Wednesday at intu Breahead. Contact Andrew Hood, via email to gm7gde@.

On Thursday Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a video evening. Contact Fred, GM3ALZ, on 01975 651 365.

On Thursday Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club has a net. Saturday sees a club meeting and social evening. Contact Norman, GM1CNH, on 0774 094 6192.

On Friday Mid Lanarkshire Amateur Radio Society is having a club night and tuition Joseph, 2M0JHY, mlarsclub@, MLARS.co.uk

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Burnham Beeches Radio Club has its net from 10.30am on 145.500MHz today and next Sunday. Contact Greg, G4EBY, via email to ebytronics@.

Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has its net today and next Sunday from 11am on 144.575MHz. Contact Gordon, M3YXH, on 01424 431 909.

Radio Society of Harrow has its club net at noon today and next Sunday on 1938kHz LSB. On Monday there’s a net from 8.15pm, settling on 145.350MHz. On Friday there’s a club night and talk, then next Saturday and Sunday sees the Foundation course continue. Contact Linda, G7RJL via email to lcasey100@.

Surrey Radio Contact Club has a net today and next Sunday on 1905kHz from 9.30am. Thursday sees a net on 70.300MHz from 8pm, and on Friday there’s a net on 145.350MHz, also at 8pm. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

Braintree & District Amateur Radio Society has nets from 8pm on 145.375MHz on Tuesday and Saturday. Details from Edwin, G0LPO, on 01376 324 031.

Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is operating at the shack on Tuesday from 9am to 2pm. Thursday sees the club net on GB3ES from 8.15pm. Details from Martin, M0MJU, via email to m0nuc.bsars@.

On Tuesday Thurrock Acorns Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on basic propagation by Gwyn, G4FKH. Thursday sees the club net on 145.500MHz FM from 7.30pm. More information from Gordon, M0WJL, via email to acorns@taarc.co.uk.

Worthing & District Amateur Radio Club has a tour of its new venue on Tuesday, at TS Vanguard, HQ of Worthing Sea Cadets, 9a, Broadwater Road, Worthing. Members are asked to not arrive before 7.45pm. Next Saturday and Sunday sees GB5WOR on the air marking the club’s 70th anniversary. See .uk.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. Hilderstone Radio Society is operating a station in support of RNLI this week. Details from Ian, 2E0DUE, via email to secretary@.

On Monday Essex Ham has its net on GB3DA from 8pm, with chatroom and audio feed at . Contact Pete, M0PSX, via email to news@essexham.co.uk.

On Monday Hog's Back Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night and CW practice. More information from Ray, G4LUA, on 0118 981 4174.

On Tuesday Chippenham & District Amateur Radio Club has its weekly meeting from 7.30pm. For details, email secretary@.uk.

On Wednesday Bromley & District Amateur Radio Society has a club meeting plus a net starting on 145.500MHz at 9pm. Contact Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

On Wednesday Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club has its net from 8pm on 145.525MHz ± QRM. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Wednesday Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal evening plus table top sale. Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 308.

On Thursday Bredhurst Receiving & Transmitting Society is having a bring & talk evening. Contact Nicky, via email to secretary@brats-.

On Thursday Cray Valley Radio Society is planning meetings and events for 2019. Details from Dave, G8ZZK, on 0773 954 9822.

On Thursday Shefford & District Amateur Radio Society is discussing how fast members find their internet connections. More information from David, G8UOD on 01234 742 757.

On Friday Horndean & District Amateur Radio Club is having a club night. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472 846.

On Friday Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio night and table top sale. Contact Peter, G4AKG, on 01444 239 371.

On Friday Thames Amateur Radio Group is having a practical radio projects evening. Contact Patrick, G8JLM, on 01621 855 461.

On Friday Whitton Amateur Radio Group has a club night and the HF and VHF stations will be on the air. Contact Ian, G0OFN, on 0795 620 3495.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

Torbay Amateur Radio Society has nets from 9.30am on 14.270MHz and noon on 145.575MHz today and next Sunday. Monday sees club nets on 3.663MHz from 10.30am, 1.982MHz from 8pm and 50.155MHz from 8.30pm. On Wednesday there are club nets on 14.270MHz from 9.30am and on 3.663MHz from 10.30am. Friday sees a club meeting from 7.30pm and a club net on 3.663MHz from 9.15pm. On Saturday there’s a club net on 3.663MHz from 10am. Details from Kerry, M0KRE, on 0772 599 9973.

On Monday Weston Super Mare Radio Society is having Morse tuition plus a construction and operating night. Contact Martin, G7UWI, via email to g7uwip@googlemail.co.uk.

On Wednesday Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an ad hoc talk or demo. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274 172.

On Wednesday Newquay & District Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Details from Terry, 2E0XTM, on 01841 540 142.

On Thursday Riviera Amateur Radio Club celebrates its 7th birthday from 7pm at the Precinct Centre, Church Road, St Marychurch. For details, email rivieraarc@.

On Thursday South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a video evening. Contact Andy, G7KNA, on 0783 869 5471.k

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on Thursday by Bob Harris, G8UED on practical applications of the Smith Chart. Friday sees Sparkford on the air and on Saturday there’s a coffee morning. Details from Bob, G8UED, on 01963 440167.

On Friday Poldhu Amateur Radio Club is having as operating day to remember the first two way contact between USA and UK. Contact Keith, G0WYS, on 01326 574 441.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Monday Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is having a DVD night. Details from Steve, MW6CCG, on 0787 849 4337.

On Thursday North Wales Radio Society is having a talk on Marconi in Wales by Peter Roberts, GW4UWD. Contact Liz, GW0ETU, on 0776 019 0355.

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