New licence consultation launched New internet support forum for amateurs Permission Granted for K9w wake Atoll dxpedition

Sunday 3rd November 2013

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  New licence consultation launched
  
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  New internet support forum for amateurs
  
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  Permission Granted for K9W Wake Atoll DXpedition
  

Important changes are being considered for the UK amateur radio licence terms and conditions. The RSGB, working in consultation with Ofcom, is running a series of discussions on the RSGB website where any amateur can contribute and help shape the future of amateur radio. Three new discussion topics have just been launched, looking at Airborne Use, Remote Operation and Embedding the Progressive Licence Culture. You can access the forum at www.rsgb.org/licencereview. In previous news we mentioned that Paul Jarvis of Ofcom spoke at Hamfest and the RSGB Convention. The slides from his presentation are now available as a 21-page PDF file at www.rsgb.org/ofcomreviewslides.

We’ve been given details of a new internet forum for radio users. The Internet Radio Club aims to give online help, support and a social gathering place for amateur radio operators, short wave listeners and anyone else interested in radio. The club is free to join. The club says it has a policy of using plain and simple English wherever possible to help newcomers. Go to www.netradioclub.com for more information.

The K9W Wake Atoll DXpedition, which was put on ice as a result of the partial US government shutdown, now has US Air Force permission to visit Wake. Their equipment is already on Wake and in safe storage awaiting their arrival. The 12 operators plan to arrive on 2 November and immediately erect antennas and set up the stations. The team expects to have two CW and two SSB stations on the air, and current plans call for K9W to be active from 3 to 15 November. The team has posted its operating plan on its website.

The RSGB Training and Education Committee is hosting a workshop to provide guidance on writing items for the exam question banks. The idea is to provide an interactive day with a chance to write items and to discuss them with other authors. Representatives from the RSGB and RCF will be on hand to clarify requirements and provide assistance to potential authors. After the workshop, attendees having 10 items accepted will receive an RSGB book token. There will be no charge for attending and tea/coffee will be provided. The event will take place on Saturday 30 November in Sheffield. There are a few places left and anyone who would like to attend should contact Steve Hartley, G0FUW, via email to tec.chair@rsgb.org.uk.

Some listeners may have had the opportunity to hear Dave Johnson, G4DPZ speak about the FUNcube satellite at the recent RSGB Convention. He is also willing to give talks to local clubs in the West Midlands and Warwickshire area on the new amateur radio satellite FUNcube-1, expected to launch in late November. His talk will cover the design, development, launch and operation of the satellite. Interested clubs can contact Dave by e-mail to dave@g4dpz.me.uk or phone 07733 106 990.

Noel Matthews, G8GTZ, Chair of the British Amateur Television Club, has announced the first 11 presentation videos from the recent CAT13 convention on ATV and DATV have been put up on the BATC video archive area. They can be found in the http://batc.tv/ Film Archive by selecting the BATC CAT13 category.

There’s still time to book your seat at the joint meeting of the RSGB and the Institution of Engineering and Technology on Thursday 5 December. The meeting will be held at Imperial College between 6.30pm and 9pm. The meeting is open to all and attendance is free, including the tea and biscuits. The meeting will comprise two lectures on amateur radio technology and its application over the past 100 years and a look to see how amateur radio may develop in the first decade, or so, of our next 100 years. See the RSGB website and the November RadCom for details.

G100RSGB, the special event callsign celebrating the RSGB Centenary, will be operated today by Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association using the 10 to 40m bands as well as 6m to 70cm. Tomorrow, Monday, they will be using the HF bands between 10 and 160m. Then the callsign moves into Scotland and becomes GM100RSGB. On Tuesday and Wednesday Falkirk ARC take over running HF and VHF stations using SSB. Thursday and Friday a group for Castles and Stately Homes on the Air will be running on the 10 to 80m bands, SSB and data. Next weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, Stirling and DARC will be running on the 10 to 160m bands with SSB, CW and data. Details of how to get your QSL card are on the RSGB website, www.rsgb.org.uk, under the Operating drop down menu, clicking on Centenary Station.

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

Today, 3 November, the Foyle and District ARC Rally will be held at the White Horse Hotel, 68 Clooney Road, Londonderry BT47 3PA. Doors open at 11.30am and there will be trade stands, special interest groups as well as a Bring and Buy. Tables are available at £5. More information from Nigel, GI7FJY on 07514 101 141.

Also today, the Holsworthy Amateur Radio Rally will be held in the Holsworthy Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy EX22 6JD. More details from Don, by e-mail to g0rql@hotmail.com.

On Wednesday 6 November the Lincoln Short Wave Club will holding their Autumn used equipment sale. The venue is Aisthorpe Village Hall LN1 2SG. Goods for sale can be booked in from 7pm and the auction starts at 8pm.

On Thursday the Bangor and District ARS surplus sale will be held at the Boathouse, Groomsport. Doors open at 8pm and admission is £2. More information from Peter on 07989 501 666.

Next Sunday, the West London Radio and Electronics Show takes place at Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. There is free car parking and the doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy as well as an RSGB bookstand. Details from Paul, M0CJX on 08451 650 351, info@radiofairs.co.uk.

If you have any rally or event information you’d like to appear in future editions of the News and in RadCom, please email details to GB2RS@rsgb.org.uk.

Now for the news of special events

The Royal Air Force station at Henlow in Bedfordshire and the RAF Signals Museum will be open for business under the Permanent Special event callsign GB4SMH with effect from 1 November.

Two Japanese stations will be operating from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam early in November. First from 1 – 9 November look for XV2CNH operated by JA6CNH. Then from 2 – 8 November XV2NHL will be operated by JA3NHL. QSLs in both cases go via the home calls.

Members of the Uruguay DX Group will be on the air from Easter Island, SA-001, as XR0YY from 1 - 7 November. A seven-person team will operate from Hanga Roa, running three stations simultaneously on the 1.8 to 50MHz bands using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via EB7DX.

Stephane, F5UOW will once again visit Reunion Island, IOTA AF-016, until 21 November. As FR/F5UOW he will mostly work CW on the 10m to 40m bands. From 3 to 17 November he will use the special callsign TO2R. QSL via F5UOW either direct or via the bureau.

The Austral Islands will be activated by K3EL and VE7DS until 6 November. They will use the callsign TX5RV and be active mainly on CW. The IOTA reference is OC-114. QSL Manager is M0URX.

A multi-national team will sign 5J0R from the San Andres Archipelago, NA-033, from 1 – 10 November. San Andres is a separate DXCC entity and is located in the Caribbean near Columbia. QSLs go via EA5RM.

SP5BTB is QRV from Sierra Leone as 9L1BTB until 10 November. He is operating from Freetown on 20m and 15m and QSLs go via the home callsign.

Now the contest news

On VHF, the Marconi CW Contest takes place this weekend. There are 6- and 24-hour sections for Open and Single-operator Fixed entries. This is the final VHF CW Championship event of the year. Running from 1400UTC on the 2nd until 1400UTC on the 3rd, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The International Police Association Radio Club Contest also takes place on the first weekend in November. There are various modes in use at varying times on the 10 to 80m bands, for full details check out the website at www.iparc.de.

On Tuesday the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Next Saturday, the 9th, the Club Calls contest runs from 2000 to 2300UTC. Using SSB on the 1.8MHz band the exchange is signal report, serial number and club code.

The last of this year’s WAE DX contests, the RTTY leg, takes place for 48 hours on 9 and 10 November. Unlike the CW and SSB WAE contests in the RTTY leg everyone can work everyone. In WAE events QTCs or reports of a previously conducted contest QSOs, can add significantly to your total score, so before the event it’s well worth reading the rules on the DARC website to understand how they work.

Solar activity continued at high levels, with four X class solar flares taking place, two on the 25th, one on the 28th and one on the 29th. Also seventeen M class flares occurred along with numerous C class solar flares, making this one of the most active weeks of this sunspot cycle. In total 23 X class solar flares have taken place so far for this cycle compared to 120 for the whole of the previous sunspot cycle. Solar flux levels peaked at 167 units on the 27th but then declined to 142 units by the 30th. The average was 156 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 31st was 117, that's four units up on last week. X-ray flux levels declined from C1.2 units to B5.9 by the 31st, the average was B9.7 units. Geomagnetic activity was very quiet every day except for the 30th when a weak disturbance arrived from a coronal mass ejection that departed the Sun on the 28th associated with the X1 class solar flare. The Ap on the 30th was 13 units. The average was Ap 4 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 260 kilometres per second to 480 by the 31st. Particle densities were low every day except for the 29th which increased in the evening to 26 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus 2 and plus 6 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 10 and plus 12 nanoTeslas during the 29th. The continuing combination of high solar flux, low geomagnetic levels and seasonal factors made for excellent conditions on the higher HF bands. MUFs exceeded forecast values on most days and there were particularly good afternoon openings across to North America on 10 metres.

Finally, the solar forecast for the coming week. This week the quiet side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Saying that, activity will still have the potential to increase to moderate levels on some days. However, solar flux levels are expected to be lower that recent weeks and decline to around 120 units by next weekend. Geomagnetic activity should be mostly quiet provided that no coronal mass ejections heads are way. Next weekend though, a recurring coronal hole disturbance is expected to arrive. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 35MHz for the south and 32MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz. Paths this week the east coast of North America should be about 32MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 27MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1300 and 1700 hours UTC.

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

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

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Wythall Radio Club has its club net on 145.225MHz at 8pm today and next Sunday. On Monday the Advanced course continues at 8pm. Tuesday sees the regular Morse class at 7.45 and the 144MHz UKAC plus preparation for the Club Calls contest from 8pm. Friday sees the regular shack social from 7.30pm and the RSGB Club Calls Contest commences at 8pm on Saturday. Details from Chris, G0EYO, on 07710 412 819.

Coventry Amateur Radio Society has its club net on Monday and Friday on 145.375MHz. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.

South Birmingham Radio Society has an open meeting and ragchew on Monday. Tuesday sees the regular coffee morning from 11am. The AGM is on Wednesday at 8pm prompt, and there are the usual training classes with Dave Murphy on Thursday. Friday sees a ragchew and a planning session for the Christmas party. Contact Mick Cleary, G7RRP, on 07595 696 359.

Dudley and District Amateur Radio Society is taking part in the 2m UKAC on Tuesday. The Advanced training course continues on Wednesday. Contact Carl Roberts, M0ZCR, via email to m0zcr@live.co.uk.

Rugby ATS is taking part in the 2m UKAC on Tuesday, along with general radio operation and projects. On Saturday there’s an equipment test session, at which the club’s 2955 and other test equipment will be available. Contact Steve, G8LYB, on 01788 578 940, particularly if you have any special test equipment requirements for Saturday.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 4 November Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club is having a social evening. Contact Albert, G0KFS, on 01922 614 169.

On Monday 4 November Gloucester Amateur Radio and Electronics Society is having a demo by Alan, G4MGW, on getting to grips with the new Kenwood transceiver. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01242 699 595, daytime.

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

On Monday 4 November Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society holds its club net on 145.275MHz. For more information contact Peter D Rivers, G4XEX, on 01858 432 105.

On Tuesday 5 November Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to radio@dadars.org.uk.

On Tuesday 5 November Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is holding an open forum. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.

On Wednesday 6 November Midland Amateur Radio Society is having an open meeting, training classes and putting the shack on the air. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.

On Wednesday 6 November 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 Thursday 7 November Central Radio Amateur Circle is on the air from 8pm. Contact Martin Hallard, G1TYV, on 07906 905 071.

On Friday 8 November Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club is having a VHF night. Contact Chris, M0BQE on 01905 776 869.

On Friday 8 November Hucknall Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club is having an EME planning and interest discussion. Details from Dave Wilde, G1YAI, by email to treasurer@hrrarc.com.

On Saturday 9 November Leicester Radio Society is taking part in the RSGB 160 metre Club Calls contest. Contact Alex, G8FCQ, on 07531 201 640.

On Monday 4 November Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on small antennas for 160m and 80m by Ross, G6GVI. For details, send an email to boltonwireless@gmail.com.

On Monday 4 November Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact John E Rodway, G4FRK, on 01253 862 810.

On Tuesday 5 November Chester and District Radio Society is having is having a talk on aerials by David Oakden, G3UFO. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.

On Tuesday 5 November Fleetwood Radio Enthusiasts Group is holding a natter and discussion with Sharon, M6TKU. Contact John Earnshaw, M0JFE, on 07940 815 659.

On Tuesday 5 November Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air and having a short talk on how to identify if you are transmitting out of band by Martin, M0GQB. Details from Martin, M0GQB, on 01422 341 317.

On Tuesday 5 November Stockport Radio Society is holding an opening evening. Contact Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.

On Wednesday 6 November Denby Dale Radio Club New is having a talk on new radios from China by Martin, G3ZXZ. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.

On Wednesday 6 November Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553 401.

On Thursday 7 November South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a talk on nuclear power by Dave, G3WFH. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.

On Friday 8 November East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. For more information contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

On Thursday 7 November Bangor and District Amateur Radio Club is holding a surplus sale from 8pm and admission is £2. Details from Peter Moore, MI6NID, on 07989 501 666.

Stirling and 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. More information from John McGowan, by email to gm0fsv@gm6nx.com.

On Tuesday 5 November Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is having a club evening. Details from Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192.

On Thursday 7 November Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. Contact Fred Gordon, MM0ODL, on 01975 651 365.

We start with clubs that have several events this week. Fort Purbrook Amateur Radio Club meets on 145.500MHz at 8.55pm tonight and next Sunday to decide the frequency for its 40m net, which starts at 9pm. The Monday 2m USB net is on 144.350MHz from 7pm and the 70cm FM net is on Wednesday at 8pm on 433.575MHz. Thursday at 7pm sees the 2m FM net on 145.550MHz. Contact Neil Hoare, M0NEH, on 02392 378 559.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has its monthly breakfast meeting at the Goring Café today. On Wednesday there’s a talk by Phil, G4UDU on optimising antennas using antenna modelling programs and on Saturday it’s the 160m Club Calls contest. Contact John, G8FMJ, on 01273 593 232.

Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is having demo on Tuesday of video editing using a PC by John Yates, G1UZD. Thursday sees a Morse class. Contact Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008.

On Friday 8 November Farnborough and District Radio Society holds an open net on 44.675MHz from 8pm. All welcome Neville, G4SPD, 01252 404816

Farnborough and District Radio Society is holding an 80m slow Morse net on Monday from 1pm on 3.570MHz, followed by a the Top Band Net on 1.995MHz at 8pm. The Top Band slow Morse net is on Wednesday on 1.995MHz at 8pm. Contact Neville, G4SPD, on 01252 404 816.

Southdown Amateur Radio Society is discussing its 2014 programme on Monday. Wednesday sees operations from the Hailsham shack. Details from John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday 4 November Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on fibre optics by Dave, G0DEC. For more information contact John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947.

On Monday 4 November Burnham Beeches Radio Club is having its second construction project. Contact Dave, G4XDU, on 01628 625 720.

On Monday 4 November Surrey Radio Contact Club is looking at the Piggy Axe Project by Gareth, G4XAT. Contact John, G3MCX, on 020 8688 3322.

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

On Wednesday 6 November Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is having an informal evening and quiz with Peter, G3JSR. More information from John, M0UKD, on 07890 222 111.

On Wednesday 6 November Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the logging program LOG4OM by Terry Genes, G4POP. Details from Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 898 678.

On Thursday 7 November Crawley Amateur Radio Club is holding its annual inter-club construction challenge. More information from John, G3VLH, on 01342 714 402.

On Thursday 7 November Cray Valley Radio Society is holding a surplus sale, conducted by Guy, G0UKN. Contact Lawrie, G4FAA, on 0208 300 1894.

On Thursday 7 November Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is having a natter night and social evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 02392 472 846.

On Thursday 7 November Horsham Amateur Radio Club is at the Crawley club for the annual inter-club construction challenge. Contact Alister, G3ZBU, on 01932 242 243.

On Friday 8 November Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the Sun and other stars by Peter, M0DCV. Details from David, M0ZEB, on 01353 778 093.

On Friday 8 November Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding its club auction. Details from Quintin Gee, M1ENU, on 023 8078 7799.

On Friday 8 November Radio Society of Harrow is having a talk at the RAFA Windsock Club by Mike, M0ITI on using LTspice to design circuits. More information from Linda, G7RJL, on 02083 868 586.

On Friday 8 November Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Andrew Maish, G4ADM, on 02083 353 434.

On Saturday 9 November Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society continues its Intermediate course. Details from Andy, G4WGZ, on 01689 878 089.

On Sunday 10 November Thanet Radio and Electronics Club is on the air. Contact Denis, M0ZDE, by email ot contact@m0tfc.org.

On Sunday 10 November East Kent Radio Society is at Kempton Park Rally. Details from Karl Davies, M1DFM, on 01227 710 120.

On Sunday 10 November Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is visiting the Telephone Museum at Milton Keynes. Contact John Burnett, 2E0OAK, on 07860 804 793.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST

We start with clubs that have several events this week. On Monday Exeter Amateur Radio Society has its HF net from 7.45pm on 3.675MHz. The 2m net is on Tuesday on 145.575MHz at 7.45pm. Contact Nick, M0NRJ, on 01363 775 756.

Riviera Amateur Radio Club is holding a meeting and putting MX0RIV on the air on Tuesday. The club net is on Friday from 8pm on 145.425MHz. Contact Alan Wyatt, G2DXU, by email to rivieraarc@gmail.com.

Poole Radio Society has its 2m club net on Wednesday at 8pm. The Foundation course continues on Friday, plus there’s a talk on early test equipment by Alan Stepney, G8BLW and Bill Coombes, G4ERV. More info from Bill Coombes, G4ERV, by email to secretary@g4prs.org.uk.

Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club operates the following nets on VHF and HF: The Zepp Net is on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1600 on 145.450MHz. Wednesday via GB3DN, 1600 local time. The HF net is on Friday at 1600 local time on 7.185MHz ± QRM. Contact Brian Jewell, M0BRB, on 01237 473 251 for more information.

Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Wednesday 6 November Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is holding an auction. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274 172.

On Thursday 7 November Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on lessons learned about DXpedition antennas by Don Field, G3XTT. Contact Kevin, G6FOP, by email to www.sdarc.net.

On Thursday 7 November Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on basic inductors by G6LLP. Contact Rodney Edwards, M0RGE, on 01935 825 791.

On Friday 8 November Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Details from Tom Burnett, 2U0TKB, on 07781 405 083

On Friday 8 November Torbay Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. For more information contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to g6fsp@tars.org.uk.

On Sunday 3 November Powys Amateur Radio Club is holding a junk sale from 2pm. Details from Dave, GW4NQJ, on 07870 827 887.

On Monday 4 November Dragon Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM. More information from Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 07833 620 733.

On Monday 4 November Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is putting GC0EZQ on the air. Contact Craig, MW0MXT, on 01269 845 773.

On Tuesday 5 November Wrexham Amateur Radio Society is closed. Details from Frank Bailey, M1EYH, by email to fcbailey20@btinternet.com.

On Thursday 7 November North Wales Radio Society is holding a general meeting. Contact Liz Cabban, by email to lizcabban@vodafoneemail.co.uk.