GB2RS Local News - Radio Society of Great Britain



GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 6th April 2014

The news headlines:

• Extended opening for National Radio Centre

• Keep emergency frequencies clear for Chile

• New spectrum released for Short Range Devices

The RSGB National Radio Centre, at Bletchley Park is now open 5 days per week from Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am until 4.30pm as well as bank holiday Mondays throughout the year. The volunteers look forward to meeting interested amateurs as well as members of the public. If you wish to operate the state of the art GB3RS station, please take your licence with you when you visit. For more information, please go to .

The Radio Club de Chile has been called to assist in the aftermath of the earthquake in Chile on 1 April. As we completed this news script, nets are operating on 7.055, 14.25, and 21.315MHz depending on propagation and time of day. The net controls are asking other radio amateurs to please keep these frequencies clear until further notice.

Ofcom has published a statement on the release of spectrum in the 870 to 876MHz and 915 to 921MHz bands for Short Range Devices, which can be used for machine to machine communications. The UK will be among the first countries in Europe to make this spectrum available. Read the statement at

International Amateur Radio Day is celebrated each year on 18 April to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in Paris in 1925. This year the theme is Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication. It is an opportunity for amateurs to show their expertise in digital and wireless communications to those in the community who have wireless communication interests, but haven’t looked into amateur radio yet.

This weekend, the FUNcube team are planning to command FUNcube-1 into full time transponder mode. It will be commanded into transponder mode on a suitable pass over the UK on the evening of 4 April. If all goes as planned, it will be left in transponder mode until the evening of 6 April.

Current beacon and repeater insurance arranged through the RSGB expires on 30 April. The contact point for all enquiries is repeater.insurance@.uk.

The rules for the UK radio exams are set out in the RCF booklet entitled Conduct of Amateur Radio Examinations, which is also referred to as EX500. It has come to our attention that a number of the RCF booklets in circulation are outdated and this has led to some confusion at Exam Centres. All Exam Secretaries are requested to check their copies and destroy any 2006 or 2012 versions. The current version was published in 2013 and is available to download from the RCF website, , or requested from Carol Meredith at RSGB Headquarters.

International Museums Weekend 2014 will take place on the two weekends of 14/15th and 21/22nd June 2014. Radio amateurs of clubs are encouraged to work with their local museums to put stations on the air. More details about the event and a registration form can be found at the events new website at .

The British Young Ladies Amateur Radio Association, BYLARA, is celebrating its 35th anniversary on 29 April. The callsign GB35BYL will be on the air from Chapmanslade Village Hall, High Street, Chapmanslade, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4AP. Operation will be on 40m around 7.175MHz. The organisers hope to work as many people as possible from 9am and welcome visitors to the village hall.

DXers will be interested to know that the recently completed 3C0BYP operation from Annobon has been approved for DXCC credit. That DXpedition ran from 26 February to 6 March.  

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

Today, 6 April, the 51st Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association Exhibition takes place in the Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool from 10.30am. There will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Details from Dave, M0OBW on 01270 761 608.

Also today, the Devon and Cornwall Repeater Group and Callington ARS Rally will be held in Callington Town Hall, New Road, Callington PL17 7BD. Doors open at 10am. Information from Roger, 2E0RPH, by e-mail to 2e0rph@.

Finally for 6 April, the Cambridge Repeater Group Rally will take place from 10am at Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, CB22 6RN. There will be trade stands and a Bring and Buy. Details from Lawrence, M0LCM on 07941 972 724.

Greenisland Electronics Amateur Radio Society will hold an auction on 12 April from 12 noon at Knockagh Lodge, 236 Upper Road, Greenisland, Carrickfergus BT38 8RP. Contact David, GI4FUM, on 0771 3633 225.

The Hack Green Bunker Rally is from 10am on 13 April at the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. Items will include amateur gear, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Contact Lucy on 01270 623 353.

The West London Radio and Electronics Show will be held from 10am on 13 April at Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury on Thames TW16 5AQ. There is free car parking, a Bring and Buy and the usual trade stands. Contact Paul, M0CJX on 08451 650 351.

Now for the news of special events

Riviera ARC is planning a station for Airfields on the Air on 6 April from the site of Little Haldon, outside Teignmouth, Devon. Look out for the station on the HF bands from 10 to 40m as well as 2m.

Dengie Hundred Amateur Radio Society will be active for Airfields on the Air on 6 April from Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex, using the callsign GB0SMA.

GB6RAF will be on the air from Rednal Airfield near Oswestry on 6 April, operated by RAF Air Cadets. The main band will be 7MHz, with other stations on 14 and 21MHz as time allows. Many Cadets on the air will be new to amateur radio and it is hoped that this event will spark interest in the hobby.

Bletchley Park was the central site of the UK Government Code and Cypher School that, during the Second World War, broke the German Enigma and Lorenz ciphers. A special event station will be on the air on 12 April to commemorate the first real-time breaking of Enigma messages. N7E will be using as many bands as possible and has skeds with GB3RS, the National Radio Centre station at Bletchley Park.

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

GM4YXI and GM3WOJ will be operational as A35X and A35V respectively from Tongatapu Island, Tonga, IOTA OC-049, until 18 April. Activity will be on the 10 to 160m bands using CW and SSB, with some RTTY. QSL via N3SL.

Pete, F4GPK is on the air as 6W/F4GPK from La Somone in Senegal until 15 April. QSL to his home callsign.

ZS1LL will be on the air as A22LL from his farm in Lobatse, Botswana until 30 April. Activity will be on 20 metres using CW and SSB. QSL to his home callsign.

Pedro, ON7WP will be on the air as C5WP from Buntu in The Gambia from 8 to 12 April. Activity will be on the 6 to 80m bands using SSB and PSK. QSL to his home callsign.

Victor, CE1WFN will be on the air as CE0Y/CE1WFN from Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua, IOTA SA-001, until April 17. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL to his home callsign.

Now the contest news

The SP DX Contest ends at 1500UTC today, 6 April, having run for 24 hours. In it there are numerous entry categories, mainly for single ops. The exchange is signal report and serial number; SP stations give their single letter Province code.

On Monday between 1900 and 2030UTC the CW leg of the 80m Club Championships takes place. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to 2130UTC on Tuesday. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday from 1600 to 2000UTC, the EU Spring Sprint takes place. Using CW only on the 3.5 to 14MHz bands the exchange is both callsigns, serial number and name.

Sunday 13 April has several contests taking place. The First 50MHz contests rums from 0900 to 1200UTC using all modes on the band. The exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and postcode.

On the same day from 1000 to 1600UTC the UK Microwave group contest runs on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Worked All Britain datamode contest takes place next Sunday, 13 April, from 1200 to 2200UTC. This is a new contest and there are separate categories for RTTY and PKS31.The exchange is signal report (RSQ), serial number and WAB square. Entries need to be with the contest manager by 4 May 2014. Full details of the rules and logsheets may be obtained from the WAB website, worked-all-britain.co.uk.

The first OK-OM DX SSB Contest takes place from 1200UTC on 12 April to 1200UTC on 13 April. The exchange is signal report and serial number with Czech and Slovak stations also sending their 3 letter county code. Full details at .

Now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 28th of March to Thursday the 3rd of April, compiled by Neil Clarke on Friday the 4th of April.

New sunspot regions appeared every day, some of which produced solar flares of varying strengths. Solar activity was low on most days but increased to high on the 29th when a X1 class flare took place and again on the 2nd when an M6 class solar flare occurred. In total 58 C class solar flares took place. Solar flux levels increased from 143 units on the 29th to 155 by the 2nd; the average was 150 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 3rd remained at the same level as last week at 159 units. X-ray flux levels increased from B5 units on the 28th to B9.1 by the 31st before declining slightly by the end of the period. The average was B6.9 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day. The most disturbed day was the 31st, with an Ap index of 8 units. The average was 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 490 kilometres per second on the 29th to 350 by the 1st. Particle densities were low every day except for the 29th and the 30th, which increased to 14 particles per cubic centimetre on both days. Bz never varied more than minus and plus 6 nanoTeslas during the period.

Finally, the solar forecast for the coming week. This week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity should be at low levels with only a small chance of activity increasing to moderate levels with a M class solar flare taking place. Solar flux levels are expected to decline to the 130s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly quiet with no coronal hole disturbances expected and a low chance of a coronal mass ejection heading our way. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 30MHz or slightly higher. Darkness hour lows should be about 14MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 36MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 30MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1600 hours UTC.

And that’s all for another 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 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. Midland Amateur Radio Society is at the NARSA Exhibition at Blackpool today. Wednesday sees a committee meeting and next Sunday there’s a trip to the West London Radio and Electronics show at Kempton Park. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

Worcester Radio Amateurs Association has its monthly breakfast meeting at 9am today at the Goring Café. On Monday it’s the 80m CC CW contest, and on Wednesday there’s a talk by Ted, G3EUE, on the restoration of the West Coast Railway in Tasmania. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to secretary@m0zoo.co.uk.

Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the RoPoCo SSB Contest today and has its club net on 145.225MHz at 8pm tonight and next Sunday. On Monday it’s the 80m CC CW contest. Tuesday sees a Morse class at 7.45pm and a committee meeting at 8.30. On Friday there's a nibbles night in the shack from 7.30 and next Sunday sees a trip to the West London Radio and Electronics show at Kempton Park. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Coventry Amateur Radio Society has its club net on Monday on 145.375MHz from 8pm. Friday sees a committee forum and a surplus equipment sale. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club announces that it is to hold a Foundation course commencing at 10am on Saturday 10 May. On Tuesday it’s the 432MHz UK AC in the shack from 7.30pm. Wednesday sees shack activities from 7.30 and a natter night in the BSA club from 8.15pm. The simplex net is on Thursday on 145.375MHz from 8pm and on Saturday there's new licensee mentoring and the Saturday surgery. For more information, including details of the Foundation course in May, contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

Rugby ATS is taking part in the 432MHz UKAC on Tuesday, alongside radio operation and projects. On Saturday there's a committee meeting and general radio and technical activities. Contact Steve, G8LYB, on 01788 578 940.

South Birmingham Radio Society has its regular coffee morning in the shack on Tuesday from 11am. Thursday sees training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL and on Friday there’s work in the shack. Contact Gemma Gordon, M6GKG, by email to gemmagordon.m6gkg@.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club is holding a Morse class plus general discussion. Contact Albert, G0KFS, on 01922 614 169.

On Monday Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is closed. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01242 699 595, daytime.

On Monday Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is holding an open net on ±145.250MHz. More information from Robert Bird, by email to spirit.guide@hotmail.co.uk.

On Tuesday Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radio@.uk.

On Tuesday Dudley and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air and having a natter night. Details from Carl Roberts, M0ZCR, by email to m0zcr@live.co.uk.

On Tuesday Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having part 2 of the Now It Can Be Told talk. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society has its net on 145.525MHz at 8pm. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is preparing for Marconi Day, GB8MD. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Thursday Central Radio Amateur Circle is holding a group meeting. Contact Martin Hallard, G1TYV, on 07906 905 071.

On Thursday RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club is holding a committee meeting. For more information contact Bob, G3VCA, on 07971 166 250.

On Friday Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Details from Neil, M0NJJ, by email to neilm0njj@.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Warrington Amateur Radio Club is at the NARSA Blackpool Rally today, and is also running the usual Solder Sunday from noon today and next Sunday. Tuesday sees a talk on the history of the Sankey Navigation by Peter Keen. On Thursday at 10am there’s an informal meeting, chat and lots of tea and biscuits. Contact Ken Hatton, G3VBA, on 01928 733 234.

Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is at the Blackpool Rally today. Tuesday sees the 70cm UKAC Contest and on Wednesday there’s another fascinating evening on technical radio topics with Professor Brian Austin. Details from Simon, G6XHF, on 0151 601 3269.

Denby Dale Radio Club is taking part in the 80m CC CW leg on Monday. Wednesday sees a club net from 7.30pm on ±145.575MHz. Next Sunday sees G6LD on the air from Cartworth Moor from 1200-2200 for the WAB 14/7/3.5MHz Data contest. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Sunday Stockport Radio Society is attending the NARSA Blackpool Rally. Contact Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Monday Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a talk on aircraft collisions by Cliff Barber, G4BGP. Details from John E Rodway, G4FRK, on 01253 862 810.

On Tuesday Chester and District Radio Society is holding a committee meeting. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Thursday South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is looking at new licensees’ impressions of radio. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Sunday Chorley and District Amateur Radio Society is operating GB1LCT for CASHOTA Monuments month. Contact Mark, G1PIE, via email to procter_family@.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club is having a shack-attack night on Tuesday, and there’s the regular monthly meeting next Sunday. Contact Brian Burns, MI0TGO, by email to muarc.secretary@yahoo.co.uk.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND

Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club has its Sunday club today and next Sunday from 9am to 1pm. On Tuesday there’s a club night and Thursday sees a construction evening. Contact Graham, MM3GDC, by email to mm3gdc@.

Stirling District Amateur Radio Society is open today and next Sunday from 10.30am till late afternoon for construction, training, projects and operating. The weekly club meeting is on Thursday. Contact John McGowan, by email to gm0fsv@.

On Wednesday Lothians Radio Society is having a surplus equipment sale at St Fillans Church. Contact Alan J Masson, GM3PSP, on 0131 623 4580.

On Thursday Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Fred Gordon, MM0ODL, on 01975 651 365.

On Friday Border Amateur Radio Society Club meeting. Details from Alex, GM8BDX, on 01890 830 607.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Lowestoft and District PYE Amateur Radio Club has its 10m CW net from 8.30pm today and next Sunday on 28.050MHz followed by the FM club net on 29.140MHz from 9pm. Wednesday sees a night at the bowls club from 8pm plus a 2m net from 9pm on 145.450MHz FM. More information from Tim Ward, 2E0TJW, on 07810 481 182.

Farnborough and District Radio Society has a slow Morse net on Monday on 3.570MHz at 1pm, then a Top Band net at 8pm on 1.995MHz. Wednesday sees a natter night and on Thursday the 2m net is on 144.675MHz from 8pm. Contact Neville, G4SPD, on 01252 404 816.

Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having an interview of John, G6RHL and Ian, G3ORG by Brian, G8GHR, discussing memories of the good old days. Next Sunday sees the annual club lunch. Contact John Burnett, 2E0OAK, on 07860 804 793.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society commences its Intermediate course today. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

On Monday Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a rig clinic with G0DEC. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having a talk on communicating with the Empire by HF data comms from the 1950's to 1980's by Greg, G4EBY. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Tuesday Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Tuesday Harwell Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on antenna modelling by Ron, G7DOE. Details from Malcolm, G8NRP, on 01235 524 844.

On Tuesday South Essex Amateur Radio Society is having a back to basics talk by Dave, G4AJY on AC theory. More information from Dave, G4UVJ, on 01268 697 978.

On Wednesday Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a visit from PW editor Don Field, G3XTT. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday Southgate Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Tony Crake, G0OVA on 40 years of technology in the BBC. Contact Mr K Mendum, G8RPA, via email to g8rpa@.

On Thursday Edgware and District Radio Society is looking at QRP with Steve, G0PQB and others. More information from Mike, G4RNW, on 02089 500 658.

On Thursday Hilderstone Radio and Electronics Club is having a natter night. Contact Chrissie Turner, via email to hilderstoneclub@.

On Thursday Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the IOTA Awards Programme by Roger Balister, G3KMA. Details from Pete, G8FRC, on 01189 695 697.

On Thursday Verulam Amateur Radio Club is having a social evening with the GB3VH Repeater Group from 7.30 at the Rose and Crown. Contact Peter, G4HSO, on 01438 833 066.

On Friday Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having beginners and veterans presentations. Details from David, M0ZEB, on 01353 778 093.

On Friday Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a demonstration of SDR by Brian, G0UKB. Please note that the club has recently changed its venue to The Bianchi Suite in Otterbourne Village Hall. Contact Quintin Gee, M1ENU, on 023 8078 7799.

On Friday Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is discussing the shack layout with Mary, 2E0FMY. Details from Kim Brown, G6JXA, on 07812 735 507.

On Saturday Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group is looking at Shipspotting and Ships AIS with Kevan, 2E0WMG. Contact Michael Topple, 2E0GUI, via email to michael.2e0gui@.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting today and is on the air on Wednesday. Next Sunday there’s a natter night and members' projects. More information from John, G4POF, by email to g4pof@.

Exeter Amateur Radio Society has its HF net on 3.675MHz at 7.45pm on Monday. The 2m net is on Tuesday on 145.575MHz at 7.45. Contact Nick, M0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

On Tuesday Plymouth Radio Club is having a talk by Chris Parker on Echolink and repeaters. Details from David Beck, 2E0DTC, by email to d.beck123@.

On Thursday Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Details from Rodney Edwards, M0RGE, on 01935 825 791.

On Friday Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp@.uk.

NEWS FOR WALES

On Thursday Aberystwyth and District Amateur Radio Society is hosting the North Dyfed RAYNET AGM at Waunfawr Hall. Details from Ray, GW7AGG, on 01970 611 853.

On Thursday Marches Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Details from the club secretary, by email to marchesars@hotmail.co.uk.

On Thursday North Wales Radio Society is looking at technical topics. For more information Liz Cabban via email to lizcabban@vodafoneemail.co.uk.

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