GB2RS Local News



GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 30th March 2014

The news headlines:

• Summary of RSGB-Ofcom meeting published

• 1MHz more amateur spectrum likely at 2m

• D-Star repeater replaced by MotoRTBO in Dundee

RSGB Officers met with representatives of Ofcom on 15 March as part of a regular series of discussions. Among the principal items on the agenda were the review of amateur radio licence, the revalidation of licences, VHF spectrum release proposals, amateur radio on the ISS and the public sector spectrum release. For more details of the discussions you can go to the RSGB website at and click on the Ofcom-RSGB Forum link on the right hand side under the Latest News heading. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 June.

Ofcom have published a consultation paper that makes proposals for the release of VHF spectrum, including 146 to 147MHz for amateur radio use on a temporary non-protected and non-interference basis. Details of how the RSGB will formulate its response will follow. The consultation is open until 26 May and can be viewed at .

On 4 March the GB7DD D-Star repeater in Dundee was shut down due to lack of use and has been replaced by a Motorola MotoTRBO DMR TDMA digital voice repeater provided by Martin, MM0DUN. GB7DD is the first DMR repeater on the air in Scotland and is a colour code 1 UHF repeater on 439.6625MHz with a -9MHz split. See gb7dd.co.uk for more information.

The RSGB has launched its 2014 Construction Competition, intended to encourage home construction, experimentation, design and innovation. Any RSGB Member is eligible to enter and there will be prizes in each category. The overall winner will be awarded the new Pat Hawker G3VA Trophy. Full details are online at constructioncompetition/.

In the news broadcast of 23 March we incorrectly stated that GB4IMD would be active from Poldhu for International Marconi Day. GB4IMD is the callsign of the Cornish Amateur Radio Club, who will be active from Stithians Field on that Day. The Poldhu Amateur Radio Club will be operating from the Marconi site at Poldhu for International Marconi Day using their callsign GB2GM. We apologise for this confusion. All stations planning to participate are urged to register in advance. Full details are at . 

The European CW group is launching a new on-air game called Snakes and Ladders from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. It is designed to promote activity on all bands and to encourage friendly contacts. Everyone taking part will be acknowledged and any station submitting six or more logs during the twelve months from April to March next year can receive a certificate of participation. Full rules are available in English and many other European languages from the Snakes and Ladders web page at sl.html.

The BAA Radio Astronomy Group will be holding its 2014 General Meeting on 17 May at the National Space Centre, Leicester, LE4 5NS. This year there are two keynote speakers. Professor Paul Cannon will address the issue of solar storms, their origin and consequences and Dr Klaas Wiersema will describe how new radio telescope technologies enable the exploration of the 'transient' radio universe, from the mysterious millisecond duration fast radio bursts to the energetic afterglows of gamma-ray bursts that are sometimes visible for years. Other presentations include an ultra-low cost Hydrogen Line radio telescope; the design of an Arduino-based magnetometer and experiments with a small SDR radio telescope. Tickets are £12 for BAA members, £15 for non-members, including free parking. Details at radio/.

Amateur radio will have its own geostationary transponders on-orbit by the end of 2016. This is thanks to the approval of a concept from by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society to include a pair Phase 4 amateur transponders part of the Qatar Satellite Company’s new communications satellite. It will carry a 250kHz wide linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations such as CW and SSB. Also on board will be an 8MHz wide transponder to be used for experimental digital modulation schemes and digital amateur television. Precise operating frequencies remain to be finalised. Both of the transponders will be feeding broad beam antennas to provide coverage over about a third of the Earth’s surface. This equates to Europe, Africa, along with parts of South America and Asia.

Icom has published a firmware update for the IC-7700 that is free to download. It follows a similar upgrade made to the IC-7800 last year and is aimed at providing sharpened performance and a greater user experience for operators. It can be downloaded from icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm.

Richard, G3CWI completed his 16th talk since last June at the Bolton Wireless Club this week. If your club meets within a 2 hour drive of Macclesfield, he would be happy to come along to speak. His talks draw on his experience of portable operating from Antarctica to the Andes and from Patagonia to Pacific islands. Details of how to book are online at sotabeams.co.uk/book-a-club-talk/.

Radio amateurs in Thailand with a basic class licence have gained an extension to the 2m band to 146.500MHz and now have access to 28 to 29.7MHz as well. They were previously restricted to 2m FM. The PDF of the Thai regulators announcement can be downloaded from .

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

On 6 April, the 51st Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association Exhibition will be held in the Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool FY2 9AA. Doors open at 10.30am, or 15 minutes earlier for disabled visitors. 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 on 6 April, the Devon and Cornwall Repeater Group and Callington ARS Rally will be held in the 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 at Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, CB22 6RN. Doors open at 7am for traders and 10am for visitors, with admission being £2. There will be trade stands and a Bring and Buy. Details from Lawrence, M0LCM on 07941 972 724.

Regrettably, the decision has been taken to cancel the 6th South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Rally due to be held on 13 April, due to the unfortunate clash of rally dates resulting in insufficient table bookings to offer a worthwhile rally, combined with potential bad weather causing site problems. A decision will taken in due course on whether to hold a rally in 2015. Support given by traders and the public to the South Gloucestershire Rally over the years is greatly appreciated by the Rally organisers.

If you have any rally or event information you’d like to appear in future editions of GB2RS News, in RadCom and on the RSGB website, please e-mail details to GB2RS@.uk.

Now for the news of special events

Worcester Radio Amateur Association will put GB1PER on the air today, 30 March, for the annual Airfields on the Air operation. This will take place in the grounds of the former Royal Air Force base at Perdiswell, from where the Kings Flight was based during the Second World War. GB1PER will be on the HF bands only. The club's 60 foot tower will be in evidence on Bilford Road, putting Perdiswell alongside more famous participating RAF stations such as Scampton, Tangmere and Leeming. More details are on .

GB1BST, marking the start of British Summer Time, will be on the air today, 30 March, from Mount St Bernard Abbey in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire (SK41). The abbey is home to a community of Cistercian monks who have kindly given permission for the Special Event to operate from the abbey lawn. The station will be operated by the Phoenix Radio Group on the 40m, 20m and 2m bands plus others if conditions allow.

Riviera ARC are planning to run a club station in support of RAFARS Airfields on the Air event on 5 and 6 April. The intention is run from the site of Little Haldon, outside Teignmouth, Devon, which was a WW2 airfield, using the HF bands from 10 to 40m as well as 2m.

Dengie Hundred Amateur Radio Society will be active from Stow Maries Aerodrome in Essex, using the call sign GB0SMA, for Airfields on the Air next weekend. Stow Maries Aerodrome is one of the best preserved World War One aerodromes in the UK, with 20 of the original buildings still intact.

II1SWL will be on the air from 5 to 13 April using the HF, VHF and UHF bands with SSB, CW and digital signals. It is to encourage those new to amateur radio as either operators or listeners to take part in the hobby. A special QSL card is available, either via the bureau or direct to IW1EHL.

GB6RAF will be on the air from Rednal Air Field near Oswestry in Shropshire on 5 and 6 April. It will be operated by RAF Air Cadets from 2364 sqn (Welshpool), 2416 sqn (Newtown) and 1165 sqn (Oswestry), along with cadets from a number of other squadrons from around the region. The main operating band will be 7MHz with another stations working on 14 and 21MHz as time allows. Many Cadets on air will be new to amateur radio and it is hoped that this event will spark interest in the hobby.

To commemorate the centenary of the 1914/1918 war, a special activation will take place throughout 2014 in various departments of France. Activity runs from 1 March 2014 until 31 December 2014. Certificates are available for contacting the various stations. Stations involved will have a TM callsign, such as TM02REF and TM8FDA. More detail can be seen on under TM02REF.

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

N7QT, AB1UH, W4VAB and N7UN will be operational as 5J0X from San Andres Island, NA-033, between 2 and 14 April. Their activity will be primarily holiday style on the 10 to 80m bands using CW, SSB and PSK. QSL direct to N7QT.

A large group of operators will be active as DA0HEL from Helgoland Island, EU-127, between 3 and 12 April. They plan to have 3 to 4 stations on the air but no bands nor operating times have been announced. If you make contact, QSL to DF6QC via the bureau.

Guy, F5MNW will be active as FR/F5MNW from Reunion Island, AF-016, until 8 April. He will operate CW only. QSL via his home callsign, either direct or via the bureau.

Now the contest news

The SSB leg of CQWW WPX ends at 2359 today, the 30th. Everybody works everybody, exchanging a report and serial number. Expect the contesting bands between 1.8 and 28MHz to be heaving and some large serial numbers to be exchanged.

On Tuesday the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Next Sunday, 6 April, the first 70MHz contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the band the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also next Sunday the 1st RoPoCo takes place from 1900 to 2030UTC. It’s the SSB leg and the exchange is the signal report and the full postcode received.

The SP DX Contest runs for 24 hours next weekend from 1500UTC on the 5th to 1500UTC on the 6th. In it there are numerous entry categories, mainly for single ops. Multipliers in this one are the sixteen Polish provinces that are given a single letter of the alphabet for the purpose of this contest. The exchange is signal report and serial number with SP station giving the single letter Province code.

Now the solar report for the period from Friday 21st March to Thursday 26th March, compiled by Martin Harrison, G3USF, on Friday 27th March.

Solar activity was low throughout the week. C-class solar flares were reported every day, but there was only one smallish M-class flare. The solar flux began the period at 153 units, rose slightly, and then returned to 145, averaging 153. The 90-day average on the 27th stood at 159 – two points up on the week. A coronal mass ejection occurred on the 23rd, with the effects reaching Earth on the 25th, but it struck only the lightest of glancing blows, scarcely showed up on the daily Ap figures, and had a negligible effect on propagation. Indeed the daily index reached double figures on just one day – the 21st, when it was 10. For the week as a whole the average was only a modest 6.5 units. The X-ray flux showed little variation day-to-day, averaging B6.2 – a slight decline. Solar wind speeds reported by the ACE spacecraft ranged between 289km/sec on the 21st and 524km/sec on the 25th. Particle densities were generally low, apart for a spike to 10 particles per cubic centimetre on the 21st. Bz ranged between plus 7 and minus 5 nanoTeslas. Overall, low geomagnetic activity and relatively high solar flux levels made for consistently good conditions on the HF bands.

Finally, the forecast for the week ahead. Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate, with C-class flares on most days and the occasional M-class flare. A major X-class flare looks unlikely, as does any great increase in geomagnetic activity – though, as usual, the possibility of an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection cannot be dismissed. However, solar flux levels are expected to rise, possibly reaching the 170s. Aided by seasonal factors, MUFs at equal latitudes should again exceed 30MHz. Darkness lows are expected to be about 11MHz. Paths to India should have an MUF – that’s a 50 per cent chance of a contact – of 34MHz. The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a 90 percent chance of success, will be 28MHz. The path should be best between 0900 and 1400UTC.

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. Wythall Radio Club is taking part in the CQ WPX SSB Contest today and has its club net on 145.225MHz at 8pm tonight and next Sunday. Monday sees a curry night at the Monsoon from 6.30pm. On Tuesday there's a Morse class at 7.45, plus a free 'n' easy evening from 8.30 and the 144MHz UKAC. On Friday there's a nibbles night in the shack from 7.30. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Friskney and East Lincolnshire Communications Club has a net on Monday from 7.45pm on 144.285MHz USB, vertical polarisation. There's a talk by Bren, 2E0BDS on the pros and cons of being a foster parent on Tuesday from 7pm, with free refreshments. The M3+M6 group net on GB3FR is on Wednesday from 7.30 and the AM net is on Thursday from 8pm on 144.550MHz. The open HF net is on Friday on ±3.737MHz from 6pm. More information from Ron, G7ZRT, on 0753 4624 559.

Rugby ATS is taking part in the UKAC 144MHz on Tuesday, alongside radio operation and projects. On Saturday there's a talk on wonder wand antennas by Carl, G0NZI. Contact Steve, G8LYB, on 01788 578 940.

South Birmingham Radio Society has its regular coffee morning in the shack on Tuesday from11am. Thursday sees training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL. Contact Gemma Gordon, M6GKG, by email to gemmagordon.m6gkg@.

Lincoln Short-Wave Club is holding shack activities from 7.30 and a natter night in the BSA club from 8.15pm on Wednesday. Thursday sees a net on GB3LM from 8pm, and on Saturday there's new licensee mentoring and the Saturday surgery. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.

Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding an open meeting with training classes and on the air night on Wednesday. Next Sunday sees a trip to the NARSA exhibition at Blackpool. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

Worcester Radio Amateurs Association is holding a discussion evening on Wednesday. Next Sunday sees the regular breakfast meeting at the Goring Café from 9am. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to secretary@m0zoo.co.uk.

Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is holding its first fox hunt of the year on Thursday. On Friday there's a quiz night from 8pm. Details from Neil M0NJJ, by email to neilm0njj@.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 31 March Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is having an informal meeting. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01242 699 595, daytime.

On Monday 31 March Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society is holding its 2m net on 145.250MHz± from 7.30pm. More information from Robert Bird, by email to spirit.guide@hotmail.co.uk.

On Tuesday 1 April Central Radio Amateur Circle is on the air. Contact Martin Hallard, G1TYV, on 07906 905 071.

On Tuesday 1 April Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radio@.uk.

On Tuesday 1 April Dudley and District Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the 2m UKAC 2m and having a night on the air. Details from Carl Roberts, M0ZCR, by email to m0zcr@live.co.uk.

On Tuesday 1 April Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is holding a Yaesu equipment evening. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 2 April South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is having an informal evening. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.

On Wednesday 2 April Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting and putting GX3ZME on the air. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.

On Friday 4 April Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having mini lectures. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

We start with clubs that have several events this week. South Manchester Radio and Computer Club has a technical forum on Monday. Thursday sees preparations for the NARSA rally. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

Stockport Radio Society is having part 2 of the talk on antenna modelling by Carsten Steinhoefel, G0SYP/DL1EFD on Tuesday at Walthew House. Next Sunday there's a trip to the NARSA rally. Contact Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

Warrington Amateur Radio Club is making final preparation for the Blackpool rally on Tuesday with Brian, G6XRE. On Thursday there's an informal meeting from 10am with a chance to use the club equipment, chat, and have lots of tea and biscuits. Sunday sees a trip to the Blackpool rally plus the regular Solder Sunday from noon. Contact Ken Hatton, G3VBA, on 01928 733 234.

Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club is taking part in the 2m UKAC on Tuesday. Wednesday sees a social evening at the Fox and Hounds, Barnston and on Sunday there's a trip to the NARSA rally. Contact Simon, G6XHF, on 0151 601 3269.

On Monday 31 March Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Nancy, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.

On Monday 31 March Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding an auction. Details from John E Rodway, G4FRK, on 01253 862 810.

On Tuesday 1 April Chester and District Radio Society is having an operating evening. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Wednesday 2 April Denby Dale Radio Club is having a club night. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Wednesday 2 April Sheffield and District Wireless Society is having a talk and demo on getting going on datamodes by Peter Day, G3PHO. Contact Krystyna, 2E0KSH, on 07884 065 375.

On Wednesday 2 April Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk and demo on software defined radio by Bob, G4APV and David, G8EQD. More information from Peter Day, G3PHO, by email to sarc@.uk.

On Friday 4 April Wakefield and District Radio Society continues its Foundation course with Stu, M0TNG alongside a social and operating evening in the shack. Details from Ken, G8FSO, on 07900 563 117.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Tuesday 1 April Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club is having a VHF contest night from the shack. 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 construction and education 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 2 April Ayr Amateur Radio Group is having tales from Tuvalu by Tom Wylie, GM4FDM. Details from Ralph Riddiough, GM4SQO, on 01292 285 281.

On Thursday 3 April Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. Contact Fred Gordon, MM0ODL, on 01975 651 365.

On Thursday 3 April Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM from 7pm at Ashgrove Hall, New Elgin. Details from Barry Horning, GM4TOE, on 01807 580 376.

On Friday 4 April Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is having a normal club night. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST and EAST ANGLIA

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Farnborough and District Radio Society is working slow speed Morse at 8pm on Wednesday on 1995kHz. Friday sees the 2m net at 8pm on 144.675MHz. Contact Neville, G4SPD, on 01252 404 816.

Lowestoft and District PYE Amateur Radio Club Meeting Club has a night at the shack on Wednesday plus a 2m net from 9pm on 145.450MHz FM. The 10m CW net is next Sunday from 8.30pm on 28.050MHz followed by the FM net on 29.140MHz from 9pm. More information from Tim Ward, 2E0TJW, on 07810 481 182.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 31 March Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. More information from Paul, G4YQC, by email to pjw@.

On Tuesday 1 April Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having a talk at Oaklands Museum on marine radio by Carl Thomson, G3PEM. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Wednesday 2 April Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is having a club contest presentation, QandA and planning session with Roger, G3MEH. More information from Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 2 April Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Details from Chris, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Wednesday 2 April Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating at the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

On Thursday 3 April Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night, social and activities evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472 846.

On Thursday 3 April Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk by Colin McCartney on the inside story of Concorde. Contact John Burnett, 2E0OAK, on 07860 804 793.

On Friday 4 April Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is having a talk on the installation of an effective homemade solar hot water system. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737 552 170.

On Friday 4 April Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society is having a radio night. Contact Sue Davis, G6YPY, on 01273 845 103.

On Friday 4 April Silverthorn Radio Club is holding a junk sale at 56 Friday Hill East, Chingford E4 6JT. More information from Tom Dawson, on 07866 636 492.

On Saturday 5 April Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the shack. For more information contact Steve, on 01424 720 815.

On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th Burnham Beeches Radio Club is holding its club picnic. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Saturday 5 April Radio Society of Harrow starts its two-day event running GX3EFX and displaying period radio equipment at the 1940's Family Experience Weekend. All are welcome At the Lincolnsfield Centre, Bushey Hall Drive, Watford WD23 2ES. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 02083 868 586.

On Sunday 6 April Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society commences its Intermediate course. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

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

On Monday 31 March Bristol RSGB Group is having a talk by Prof Cathryn Mitchell of Bath University on solar flares and their effect on GPS signals. Details from Robin Thompson, G3TKF, by email to robin@g3tkf.co.uk.

On Tuesday 1 April Exeter Amateur Radio Society is holding its 2m net on 145.575MHz at 7.45pm. Contact Nick, M0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

On Wednesday 2 April Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is holding its spring operating night. Details from Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274 172.

On Wednesday 2 April Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a visit from G4JLG of Bolton Wireless Club to talk about the UKAC. Details from Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings and weekends.

On Thursday 3 April Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club is holding its main meeting and would warmly welcome any newcomers to the hobby. Contact Mark Chanter, 2E0MGC, on 01752 215 546.

On Thursday 3 April Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the superhet receiver by G3MYM. Details from Rodney Edwards, M0RGE, on 01935 825 791.

On Friday 4 April Guernsey Amateur Radio Society has its first social evening of the year at the La Hougue du Pommier Hotel. All are welcome from 8pm. Contact Tom Burnett, 2U0TKB, on 07781 405 083.

On Friday 4 April 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 3 April North Wales Radio Society is holding a general planning meeting. For more information email Liz Cabban via lizcabban@vodafoneemail.co.uk.

On Thursday 3 April Powys Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. Contact Dave, GW4NQJ, on 07870 827 887.

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