GB2RS News 20th November 1994
David Hough
news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs
and short-wave listeners.
Now this week's headlines:-
There's a new two metre repeater in mid Wales,
December's RadCom will be a little late, and
Don't forget to vote in the RSGB Council election.
And we start this week with a number of items of repeater news:
The new Mid Wales repeater GB3RA became operational on Friday the 5th of
November. The repeater is located north-west of Llandrindod Wells,
Powys, locator IO82GG and operates on channel R5, which has its output
on 145.725MHz and input on 145.125MHz. Further details and/or reports
should go to the repeater keeper GW0KQX, whose address is correct in the
RSGB Call Book.
The Yorkshire Coast two-metre 'In-fill' repeater, GB3YC, became
operational on Monday the 7th of November. The repeater is located
north-west of Scarborough in North Yorkshire and operates on channel R0,
which has its output on 145.6MHz and input on 145.0MHz. Further details
and/or reports should go to the repeater keeper G0OII, whose address is
correct in the RSGB Call Book.
The Newhaven 70 centimetre repeater GB3LR, was returned to service on
Saturday the 12th of November. The repeater operates on channel RB11,
which has its output on 433.275MHz and input on 434.875MHz.
The Kilmarnock repeater, GB3AY, on channel R2, has been switched off
because of a logic problem. The keeper, GM3YKE, regrets any
inconvenience to users, but at the moment he is unable to say how long
it will be off. For further details, contact GM3YKE whose address is
correct in the RSGB Call Book.
The Elgin repeater GB3SS, on channel R0, had to be switched off on
Thursday the 2nd of November, due to a technical fault. The keeper,
GM7LSI regrets any inconvenience to users, but at the moment he is
unable to say how long it will be off. For further details, contact the
group secretary GM4WKO whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book.
The December edition of Radio Communication has been subjected to
unavoidable production delays and is likely to be delivered to members
during the first week in December. We apologise for this delay which is
not expected to affect subsequent editions.
RSGB members are reminded that the ballot papers for Council nominations
must be received at RSGB Headquarters by 12 noon on Tuesday the 29th of
November. The ballot paper and proxy voting form are part of the
Society's Annual Report and Accounts which was posted to all members on
the 17th of October. Any member who has not received this document
should contact Fay Huxley at RSGB Headquarters urgently.
The Annual Meeting of the Radio Society of Great Britain will take place
at the Royal Society of Chemistry, London on Saturday the 3rd of
December at 2pm. Full details are in the RSGB Annual Report, sent out
with November's RadCom.
Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is
edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO.
From East Kiribati, WC5P and KH6DFW will sign respective T32BE and T32BI
from Christmas Island from today, Sunday the 20th until Sunday the 27th
taking in the CQ World Wide CW contest.
From Syria, a large US American group, including K3NA, N6TV, W6OAT and
W0YK will sign YK0A from Wednesday the 23rd until Wednesday the 30th on
all bands and modes, with special attention to CW, RTTY and LF bands.
And from the Isle of Man, G4UOL will be active as GD4UOL from now until
Wednesday the 30th of November and as GT3FLH during Thursday and Friday
the 1st and 2nd of December. Activity will be on all bands, CW only.
Check 10kHz up from band edges, plus 10.102MHz and 18.070MHz.
Next the Rally News and we know of one for today, Sunday the 20th of
November: The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Radio Rally is being
held at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, Beveridge Arcade, Newton
Aycliffe, County Durham. From the A1M take the A167 to Aycliffe town and
follow the rally signs. Doors open at 11am, or from 10.30 for disabled
visitors. The event features trade stands covering radio, electronic and
computer interests, an RSGB Book and Information stand and a bring and
buy stall. The centre has numerous attractions for the whole family.
Refreshments are available and talk-in is on 2 metres, channel S22.
Now news of the two rallies we know of for next Sunday the 27th:
The Bridgend Radio Rally is to be held at the Bridgend Recreation
Centre, Bridgend. From the M4, take junction 35 or 36. Doors open at
11am, or from 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features a bring
and buy stall, and an RSGB Book stand. RSGB Morse Tests will be
available on demand but remember to bring two passport size photographs
and the necessary fee. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will
be on 2 metres, channel S22 and via GB3MG on RB7. Details from Mike,
GW7NIS on 01656 722199.
The West Manchester Radio Clubs Winter Rally is to be held at the Bolton
Sports and Exhibition Centre, Silverwell Street, near Bolton town
centre. Doors open at 11.00am or 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event
features the usual trade and club stands and a bring and buy stall, all
at pavement level. Details from G1IOO on 01204 24204 evenings only.
Now news of a Rally cancellation:
The Leeds and District Amateur Radio Society Christmas Rally, scheduled
for the 4th of December has had to be cancelled. Details from G0IBU
whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book.
HF contest news next:
The HF Contests Committee reports much activity during the RSGB Club
Calls Contest, which took place on the 12th of November. It appears that
many more clubs are using this event as a first step to general contest
activity and several clubs and their members made a first time
appearance. A number of new Novice and Class 'B' licensees seemed to be
enjoying themselves operating club stations. The committee hopes to hear
many of these newcomers in the RSGB Affiliated Societies' Contest in
January.
Next weekend, the CQ World-wide DX CW Contest takes place from 0001 on
Saturday, to 2359 on Sunday the 27th. All bands 160 to 10m will be used,
but not the WARC bands. See October RadCom p18 for brief details.
Next some VHF contest news:
The RSGB VHF Contests Committee has declared the winners of the 432MHz
Fixed Station Contest which was held on the 21st of August. The contest
attracted an increased number of entries and conditions were generally
considered to be average to good. Many stations had contacts in excess
of 350 kilometres. Stations in nine countries, twenty-five Locator
squares and forty-four UK counties appeared in the entry logs. The
Single Operator section winner was Erik Gedvilas, G8XVJ, with 32,500
points from 75 contacts. Runner up was D Gordon, GW6ZUQ, with 27,693
points from 64 contacts. Winner of the 'Others Fixed' section was M J
Willis, G3IGQ, with 9,400 points from 46 contacts and the Wythall Radio
Club, G1WAC, was runner-up with 4,653 points from 33 contacts.
Certificates were also awarded to Frank Laanen, PE1EWR, the leading
overseas station and Roger Piper, G3MEH, who was the leading station
using 25 watts or less to a single antenna. The full results will be
published in RadCom as soon as possible.
The first RSGB Winter Microwave Cumulative Contest takes place next
Sunday the 27th of November from 0900 to 2100 UTC on all bands from
2.3GHz and up. See November Radcom page 78 for further details.
The penultimate RSGB 432MHz Cumulative Contest takes place on Monday the
28th of November from 2030 to 2300 UTC. For further details see July
RadCom page 82.
Special event stations active this week include several who are
operating as part of the BBC's Children in Need appeal during next
Friday and Saturday, the 25th and 26th of November. We have details of
two of these:
GB2CIN, will be aired from Jarvis Brook Social Club by members of the
Crowborough and District Amateur Radio Society. Operation will be on HF
and VHF. Contact Mick, G6UUO on 01892 661807 for further information.
GB0KIN, Kids in Need, will be operated by members of the Mid Sussex
Amateur Radio Society from the Burgess Hill Shopping Place. Activity
will be on 2 metres and 70 centimetres and pledges will be for the
number of contacts. Details from Phil, G3LCF on 01444 8831400.
And now the solar factual data:
The period from the 7th to the 13th of November saw solar activity at
very low levels, with a decline in both sunspot and solar flux levels.
No flares of any note were reported. The geomagnetic activity ranged
between quiet and unsettled levels, mainly affecting the more northern
latitudes.
The sunspot indices increased slightly, reaching 69 on the 12th before
declining to end the period at only 11. The spot indices meaned at 40.
Solar flux levels hardly varied from day to day, and averaged 80 units
for the period. Though the electron fluence levels overall have declined
slightly, they are still at a relatively high level. The 90 day solar
flux averaged 82 units on the 13th.
Due to a disappearing filament on the 7th, the geomagnetic field became
unsettled giving an Ap index of 14 units by the 9th. From then on,
levels declined to mostly quiet, being down to only 5 units by the 13th.
The period averaged an Ap index of 9 units. The state has been 'nil,
nothing to report' throughout the period. The x-ray flux declined
slightly from A5.4 down to A3.0 units, with the period averaging A3.5
units.
The aa indices, as reported by the British Geological Survey for the
period from the 10th to the 16th of November, were mainly unsettled,
however the 6th, became very disturbed with a late morning period being
up to 102 nanoTeslas, giving an index of 54.2 nanoTeslas - about K4 -
for that day. The period averaged 31.8 nanoTeslas, about K3. The October
monthly geomagnetic Ap index was 19 units, with the smoothed level for
April 1994 being 17.6 units. There has been a steady increase in the
smoothed magnetic levels since April 1993 which was 14.9 units.
I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 40; Flux - 80; Ap index - 9; x-ray flux
- A3.5. October magnetic Ap 19.
Now the ionospheric data for Central France:
The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon,
declined over the period from 8.2MHz down to 6.8MHz by the 13th, giving
an average of 7.3MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged 2.6MHz and were
reasonably steady. Spread F was reported on the 8th lasting up to 9
hours. The highs are now occurring around mid-day, with the lows mainly
around 05.00 to 06.00 hours.
I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 7.3MHz, Lows - 2.6MHz.
And lastly the solar forecast:
This week, the more active side of the sun should be rotating into view,
solar flux levels are expected to increase into the 90s. There is also a
chance of the odd C class flare. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be
up to very unsettled levels today, then declining to more quiet levels
until the 25th, when a recurrent coronal hole is expected to lift levels
to very unsettled or possibly sub storm at higher latitudes. Ionospheric
MUFs during daylight in the south, are expected to reach 25MHz, and in
the north about 21MHz, but much will depend on the level of geomagnetic
activity. The best daylight paths are generally north/south, with the
lower HF bands giving east/west paths during the darkness hours.
And that's the end of the solar information.
Finally in the main news, SSL has informed the Society that as of last
Wednesday morning, the latest callsigns allocated were in the G 0 Victor
Lima and G 7 Tango Victor series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha
Juliet and 2 1 Delta November series.
--
GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain
and is broadcast in the 80m, 40m, 6m and 2m bands.
Tel +44 1707 659015 Fax +44 1707 645105
David Hough
Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of November:
Dorking and District Radio Society has a Presentation Evening at the
Friends Meeting House at 7.45pm. For further details telephone 01306
631236.
Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion Evening on
'New Projects etc'. Further details from Peter, G7HCL on 01438 724509.
Waterside Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale at 7.30pm. For further
details contact G1AEH on 01703 783170.
Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of November:
Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting.
Details from Roger, G4OAA on 01992 464795.
Grafton Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Further information from John,
G0DFZ, tel: 0171 272 2328.
Havering and District Amateur Radio Club has its Constructors Cup
Competition. Further details from Brian, G6EBO on 01708 769724
Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Forensic
Science' by Mike Fereday. For further details telephone 01635 863310.
Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'The Global
Positioning System' by G0SWH. For further details contact Roy, G4GPX on
01903 753893.
Meetings for Thursday the 24th of November:
Crowborough and District Amateur Radio Society has a Quiz evening at
Jarvis Brook Social Club - Please note the change of venue. Details from
Mick, G6UUO on 01892 661807.
Echelford Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Satellite
Technology' by Robin, G3TDR. Contact Peter, G6PMT on 01344 843472 for
further details.
Hoddesdon Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. Details from John,
G7OCI, tel: 01920 466639.
Medway Amateur Receiving & Transmitting Society has its annual General
Knowledge Quiz evening at Brat's QTH. Details from Gloria, G7OVI on
01634 710023.
Oxford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk and demonstration
by Mr C Pettitt of Eddystone Radio at 7.30pm. For further details
telephone 01865 247311.
Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has a Grand Junk Sale. Details
from Tony, G0OPB on 01734 698274 (evenings).
Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk about 'Old
Radios' by Les Jeeves. Further details from Paul, G1GSN, on 01462
700618.
Southgate Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Competition entrants'
demonstration evening. Further details from Brian, G0MEE on 0181 360
2453.
Vange Amateur Radio Society has its Construction Contest, postponed from
the 20th of October. Contact Doris on 01268 552606 for further
information.
Meetings for Friday the 25th of November:
Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Morse Code, Morse Keys
and Spy Sets' by Keith, G3XUO. Contact Les, G3ABA on 01703 732997 for
details.
Loughton and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Tack and
Tape' Dinghies' by Ray, G0LWP. Details from John, G8DZH, on 0181 508
3434.
Silverthorn Radio Club has a Junk Sale. For further information contact
Dave, G0KHC on 0181 505 1871.
Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled
'Microwaves' by G0OLX. Details from George, G3DWW on 0181 540 2180.
Meeting for next Sunday the 27th of November:
Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club has a 2m Direction Finding Competition on
Map OS185 with G7JZU as the fox. For details telephone 01256 25517.
NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST
Meetings for Monday the 21st of November:
Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club has a Club Radio Quiz. For
further details contact G4ETJ, tel: 01237 477301.
Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has a QSL Card Competition with Roger,
G6TER. Further information from Dave, G3ZXX on 01963 34360.
Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of November:
Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society has a Project Night. Details from
Stuart, G7JIF on 01963 362766.
Plymouth Radio Club has a Table Top Sale. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 01752
563222 for details.
Salisbury Radio & Electronic Society has a Construction Evening - using
Greenweld 10 in one kit. Contact David on 01722 330971 for further
details.
Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of November:
South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Christmas Raffle evening. For
more information telephone 01275 834282.
South Devon Radio Club has an 'Antenna' night. For details telephone
01803 522995.
Meeting for next Sunday the 27th of November:
Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting
at 8pm in the Table Tennis Room). Details from John, G4POF who is QTHR.
NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA
Meeting for Wednesday the 23rd of November:
Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a 'Christmas Surprise' by Mike, G4UUB.
For further information contact Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792.
Meeting for Thursday the 24th of November:
Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club has a Surplus Equipment and General Car
Boot Sale at 7.30pm. Further details from Ian, G0BMS on 01553 765614.
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
Meeting for today, Sunday the 20th of November:
West Bromwich Central Radio Club meets for a talk about their
Ornithological Field Trip to the Falkland Islands by Anne, G0NDI and
Arthur, G0NDJ. The venue is the upstairs private function room at The
Sandwell Hotel, High Street, West Bromwich and the talk starts at 8pm
prompt. Details are available from Ian, G0PAI on 021 561 2884.
Meetings for Monday the 21st of November:
Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club has a talk and video on
'Wrought Iron' by G0NOL. Details from Charles, G0NOL on 01922 36162.
Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society has its Annual Surplus
Sale. Contact James, G7HEZ on 01384 374354 for more details.
Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of November:
Radio Society of Bloxwich has a talk 'on 'Worked All Britain' by G4JZF.
For further information contact Chris, G0MLY on 01922 683877.
Buxton Radio Amateurs meet for a Practical Plumbing evening. Details
from Derek, G4IHO, tel: 01298 25506.
Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club has a Video night. Further
details from G8SNF on 01509 218259.
Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society has a 'Practice Night for the 2m AFS
Contest'. Details from Peter, G0JEW on 01455 552449.
Meetings for Wednesday 23rd of November:
Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has an illustrated talk
entitled 'An American Odyssey' by Brian, G3BHT. Contact Hayley, G7PXA on
01773 856904 for further details.
Telford and District Amateur Radio Society are hosts to the Annual
General Meeting of the Telford Radio Rally Group. Further details from
Dave, G4EIX, on 01952 588878.
Meeting for Thursday the 24th of November:
Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a Construction/Activity night. For
further information contact Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733.
Meeting for Friday the 25th of November:
South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'The protection of the British
AC Power Supply System' by Noel Midworth. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0115
921 6342 for further details.
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
Meetings for Monday the 21st of November:
Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Raynet Operations' by Rick,
G7DSD. For further details contact David, G0JJR Tel: 0114 244 6282.
Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has an Auction of Silent Keys'
Equipment. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR.
Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of November:
Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a video night: Part 1 -
'Getting Started in Amateur Satellites' and Part 2 'Satellite Fuji
JARL'. For further details telephone 0151 608 3229.
Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled
'Flying' by G0MSD. Further details from Ian, G4WWX who is QTHR.
Wakefield and District Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Very Large
Crude Carriers' by John, G7JTH. Further details from Roy, G0TBY 01924
893321.
Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of November:
Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a Members' Activity night. For details
contact Duncan, G3TLI on 01964 532588.
Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm.
Further details from Leslie, G4ILG on 01282 812288.
Stockport Radio Society has a Ladies evening. For further information
telephone 0161 439 4952.
Meetings for Thursday the 24th of November:
Grimsby Amateur Radio Society has a Construction Evening with Barry,
G8RIW. For further details contact John, G3DOT, on 01472 825899.
Hambleton Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'HF Airbands and
Secals' by Jeff Hall, BASF Seal Sands. Details from Bob, G7RNH on 01642
710886.
Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a Film and Video evening. For details
contact Kathy, G0RLO on 01274 496222.
South Tyneside Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Morse Tests' by
Bill, G4RXR in TV lounge at the Martec Club . Further details from Tim,
G7PHI @ GB7MSF.
Meetings for Friday the 25th of November:
East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has a 'Test Rig' night. Details from
Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475671.
North Ferriby United Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'DX
Clusters' by Neil, G4DBN. Further details from David, G7PER on 01482
656324.
South Manchester Radio Club has a talk on 'Assembling PC's' by G6OCW.
Contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 0161 969 1964 for further details.
NEWS FOR SCOTLAND
Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of November:
Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Night. Details from GM4FSB
who is QTHR.
Edinburgh University Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Conversion
of PMR Equipment to Amateur Use'. Further details from Alison, GM0UGG on
0131 668 4618.
Meeting for Wednesday the 23rd of November:
Lothian Raynet Group has an Open Meeting - for anyone interested in
Raynet, whether licensed or not. The venue is The Lothian Regional
Council, Emergency Planning Dept., George 4th Bridge, Edinburgh and the
meeting starts at 7.30pm prompt. Lothian's Radio Society members please
note that this meeting replaces your normal meeting. Further details
from GM3OWU who is QTHR.
Meeting for Friday the 25th of November:
Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Contact
Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177 for further details.
NEWS FOR WALES
Meeting for Monday the 21st of November:
Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a Sale of Surplus Equipment. For details
contact Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 01248 600963.