Libris Britannia 4/science library(b).zip/science library(b)/HAM_RAD/0288.ZIP/29-06-86.RSG

Text File | 1986-09-11 | 11KB | 317 lines

     This  is the GB2RS News Broadcast for the week commencing Sunday
the 29th of June.

     Because of a power cut in the Potters Bar  area  last  Wednesday
evening  the  whole  of the GB2RS script was lost from the computer's
memory. Recovery was attempted on Thursday morning  with  no  success
and  so the news was hastily retyped. In order to ensure that scripts
were printed, packed and posted by Thursday  afternoon  it  was  only
possible  to  retype  the main news so unfortunately there will be no
local news this week.

     We begin with an update on the RSGB Morse Test Service.

     As at last Thursday, about a third of the UK Morse test  centres
had the required minimum of 2 examiners appointed to operate tests. A
significant number of these have already advised the Society of their
first examination sessions. The Bulletin section of the July issue of
Radio Communication carries a list of active centres.
     There  is  still a number of centres where just one examiner has
been appointed and these  can  only  operate  when  another  suitable
examiner  has  been found. Further interviews took place yesterday in
the West Country and are due to take place in the London area on  the
6th  of  July. A visit to Northern Ireland is beeing planned next but
no date is yet available.
     It's just been confirmed that Morse Tests will be  conducted  at
the  Harlow  Rally on the 21st of September. Forty-two places will be
available and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
     Applications for tests at any of the active centres must be made
on the official form available from the RSGB Headquarters and  please
mark the envelope "Morse Tests B R".

     For  those  whomissed  last week's news the Department of Trade
and Industry stated in a press release dated Wednesday  the  18th  of
June  that a pass in the Radio Amateur Morse Test will be regarded as
valid for life. This brings into line the currency of the Morse  Test
with that of the Radio Amateurs Examination. This change has occurred
after consultation with the RSGB.

                         SOLAR FACTUAL DATA
                         ----- ------- ----

Once  again,  there  was very little change during the period between
the 16th and 22nd of June. The sun spot counts continue  to  be  zero
and  has  been  for the past twenty days. Solar flux levels are still
falling and they  are  currently  steady  at  around  67  units.  The
geomagnetic  A  index  was  quiet  during the period and averaged 6.8
units. There was almost no particle input from the solar wind.

               IONOSPHERIC DATA FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
               ----------- ---- --- ------- --- -----

     The F2 critical frequencies varied between 5 MHz on the 20th and
7.4 MHz on  the  21st;  there  was  no  discernible  pattern  in  the
variations.  The  period averaged 6.1 MHz for the highs. The darkness
hour lows are still increasing and averaged 3.3 MHz; a level  of  3.8
MHz  was reached on the 22nd. Sporadic E was still prevalent and good
coverage of Europe was possible on 28 MHz at times last week.

                           SOLAR FORECAST
                            ----- -------

     Solar activity is expected to remain very low and the sun  could
well continue to be spotless. The geomagnetic field is expected to be
unsettled  up  untill  about the 3rd of July. Quiet conditions should
prevail after then untill about the 10th. Ionospheric conditions  are
expected to be good untill around the 7th; critical frequencies up to
about  6.5  MHz  are  possible  in the south. this equates to maximum
usable frequencies of around 21 MHz. Unfortunately, northern stations
are not likely to see much change and MUFs  in  the  north  are  only
likely  to  reach around 15 MHz. Sporadic E is still prevalent and is
likely to affect the 28  MHz  band,  mostly  during  daylight  hours,
particularly in the south. Sporadic E is also likely to affect the 50
MHz  band; signals from Portugal and Gibraltar have been consistently
very strong in the UK in the past couple of weeks.  It  is  at  least
possible  that  transatlantic paths will open up on 50 MHz this week.
Statistically speaking, there have been openings during the last week
of June and in the first few days of July for the past  three  years.
These  have  mainly  taken place during late evening, usually between
about 19:00 and midnight. It's also worth  nothing  that  geomagnetic
levels  are  low  at  the  present, which is a good sign and may well
help.


                       Next some contest news

     The results of the 70 MHz and SWL contest held in April  are  as
follows:-
     The  winner  of  the  fixed  section  was  the Flight Refuelling
Amateur Radio Society, operating from a site 7  Kilometres  north  of
Pool in Dorset.
     The  joint  winners  of  the  other  section were the Wirral and
District Amateur Radio Club, operating from a site 12 Kilometres west
of Wrexham and the Sheppey  Outcasts  Contest  Group,  16  Kilometres
south west of Lampeter.
     The  winner  of  the  Short  Wave Listeners section was M Parry,
BRS52543 who lives in Blackpool.

     In the 430 MHz CW contest held in April,  GW4MGR  portable  came
first  with  3477  points  from  41 contacts. The runner up was G4BVY
portable with 297 points from 35 contacts. There were 17 entrants  in
all and conditions were said to have been poor.

     And the final contest results are for the Town & Country Contest
held in March.
     The  North  Bucks  Contest Group, G4NUT portable came first with
GW5SNF coming second and G4WQN third. Bob Treacher, BRS32525 was  the
winner of the SWL section.


     The  Longleat  Rally, run by the Bristol RSGB Group, takes place
to day (Sunday the 29th) at Longleat Park,  Warminster.  It  will  be
opened  by a free-fall parachute descent at 10am and features all the
usual attractions including representatives from many  amateur  radio
groups,  a bookstall and displays. There are many attractions for all
the family including a fairground organ, wild west  shoot-outs,  mini
motor bikes and of course Longleat House itself. Talk-in to the event
is provided on S22 and SU8 by GB4LMR.

     The  Amsat Colloquium takes place on Saturday and Sunday the 5th
and 6th of July  at  the  University  of  Surrey  in  Guildford.  Ron
Broadbent,  G3AAJ  has  asked  us  to point out that there is no more
overnight accommodation available. Anyone who  wishes  to  visit  the
event on a daily basis excluding meals, may do so by booking with Ron
before  12 noon tomorrow (Monday the 30th) on 01 989 6741. It must be
stressed that there will be no entry to the colloquium without  prior
booking. AMSTT-UK's address is simply:- AMSAT UK, london E12 5EQ.

     Special event stations this week include:-

     GB2CAT  &  GB6CAT  - Throughout today at the Egerton Youth Club,
Mere Heath Lane, Knutsford Cheshire. There will be a  car  boot  sale
from  11am  and  a  summer  fete in the afternoon. Visiting amateurs,
their families and friends are welcome.
     GB1BGD - From 2pm untill 5pm today for the Beacon  Gala  Day  at
the  Barr  Beacon  Community  School  in Aldridge, West Midlands. The
station will be active on 2 metres only.
     GB0SMR - On the 2nd, 5th and 6th of July from  the  headquarters
of   the  Brighton  and  District  Amateur  Radio  Club  at  Brighton
Racecourse.
     GB0BVF & GB1BCW - From the 4th to the  11th  of  July.  Activity
will be in the evenings from 8pm to 10 am.
The  Borehamwood-Esltree Amateur Radio  Society will be on the air on
Saturday the 5th of July using its Callsign G1RBW and G0ETS portable.
The station will be on show at the Borehamwood Festival Families Day,
Meadow Park, near Borehamwood football ground. They  will  be  active
from  about  12 noon to 5:30pm on 80, 40, 20 and 2 metres SSB and CW.
It is also hoped to operate RTTY. Visitors are welcome and the  event
is free with plenty of attractions for all the family.
     And lastly - though again not strictly a special event station -
the  Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will be active today from Peel
Castle. St. Patrick's Isle,  Peel  using  the  callsign  GD4IOM.  The
station  is in WAB square SC28 and qualifies as a separate island for
the WAB Offshore Award. However, GB4IOM will  be  active  in  the  HF
bands  only  as  there  are some restrictions on antennas that can be
used by the National Trust. The station  will  operate  untill  about
6pm.


     On the DX front, Operation Raleigh continues its round the world
expedition  and  we  have  some  news of amateur activity due to take
place from some of the more exotic Pacific Islands.
     From  the  30th  of  June  to  the  13th  July,  Raratonga   and
surrounding  islands in the Cook Is. group - ZK1 - will be activated.
From the 17th of July to the 28th of July, operation moves to  KH8  -
Tutuila  and  the  Manua  Is. The Savai and Upolu Is. - 5W1 - will be
activated from the 28th of July to the  8th  of  August.  In  between
these  dates, the special station GB0SWR Maritime Mobile is likely to
be operational from the Sir Walter Raleigh as she sails  between  the
Pacific island groups. More news as we have it.


                           SATELLITE NEWS
                           --------- ----

     First  the  bad  news - OSCAR 10 is presently out of action. The
problem appears to be radiation damage to part of the on-board memory
due to the spacecraft passing  the  Van  Allen  radiation  belts  too
often.  Attempts  are  being  made to reload parts of the memory with
simple programs in order  to  gain  control  of  the  satellite.  The
situation is constantly changing and AMSAT has asked that all amateur
operation  via the satellite be ceased untill further notice. Battery
power is precious and is required for testing in an attempt to regain
control.
     The good news is that the Japanese packet radio satellite, JAS-1
is all set for launch at 22:30 UTC on the 31st of July.


     Club secretaries are warned that items  for  next  week's  GB2RS
news must be received at H.Q. by 10am on Tuesday. This is so that the
news  can  be  prepared  a day in advance as the computer will not be
available for routine on Wednesday.

     Mr K. Plumridge, the QSL sub-manager for  the  G0A  series,  has
recently  moved.  His  new  callsign  and  address are as follows. Mr
K.Plumridge, GW4BYY, Swn-Y-Gwynt, High Street,  Llanberis,  Gweynedd,
LL55 4EH.
     Still  on  the  subject  of the QSL Bureau, please note that the
Bureau will be closed for the whole month of August.  Please  do  not
sent  any cards to G3DRN just before or during the month as Ted likes
to be able to open his door occasionally.


     And finally, the Post Office has  informed  the  RSGB  that  the
latest  callsigns  issued as of Thursday the 26th of June were in the
G0FE and G1TU SERIES.

                             END OF FILE