Issue No. 31 - 1st October 2009

Sunspots are appearing, and when these were announced and welcomed contemporaneously Nets run on 80m during the afternoon and evening of 22nd September were very well attended. 18 call signs listed (19 including mine) during the afternoon and 27 (28 including G4BXQ) during the evening. Still a bit short of exchanges though but plenty to talk about. (The Autumnal equinox has just passed and we can look forward next month to another clock change and I am sure many [and I am one of them] are wondering what effect this is going to have on our Nets.)
Linda (2E1SIS) operating as G3SIG during September managed a new one during that evening, making 7 exchanges for the eponymous Award this month. The call will remain in Chilwell for the month of October to be operated by yours truly, so if G3SIG is required you know where it is. On the subject of G3SIG please don't forget Sam G4OHX (the G3SIG Award Manager) is still looking for volunteer operators during 2010.

Our display of QSL cards this month continues with a military theme and features cards from GB2FR, GB2RA, GB2SOE, GB4LRG, GB4MO, GB4WP, GB6DD, GB65BTF and GB2ADU conjoined, and GB1ØØTA. The card of GB2CMD recently operated by Jack, Spike and Max arrived on 30th September and so is included in the gallery and the monthly totals: it shows the history of CRE Memorial Day. I am sure that members will join me in thanking all those involved in getting these on air with Affiliated numbers and of course operating the stations. Nearer to home as far as I am concerned of course is the onerous job of preparing and sending QSL cards to the Bureau which we award chasers always look forward to receiving. So I add my personal thanks to them for keeping me busy

I am always on the look-out for cards with a story to tell so please - if you have a any interesting ones which you think members would enjoy please send scans (to avoid cards getting lost) to me along with their history and it will be my pleasure to include such in a future monthly Newsletter.

And now back to reality and the ever-decreasing statistical records. Activity created by Dennis GW4XKE and his 'specials' has all but dried up. I am receiving cards for Nick G3RWF, as F/G3RWF and 5B/G3RWF from members lucky enough to have caught him in action three times with the N2DAN key and having already received cards from Nick for the UK and France N2DAN contacts I am looking forward to receiving 30 for his 5B/G3RWF (F283) contacts - well done and thanks Nick - cards have already been posted to you for your three activations.

Not sure how many contacts were made with GB2CMD but I have already posted one rather thick envelope to Jack G3PWK. I am privileged to know of a new Overseas operation later in the year by one of our members and another early 2010 but apart from those I feel that the Bureau is going to have a few quiet months. Therefore if you do know any of our new or rare not-so-new members let them know that conditions on the 80m nets are getting better and one can have the odd surprise on 40m too, so at least ask them to switch on the rig and listen - they could be surprised.

Statistics

I mentioned last month the reason for not despatching so many cards was due to the fact that the Bureau intact would be taken to the LARS Rally at Loughborough University. Whether it was the change in venue, the uncertainty of whether it would be on or not or the fact that there was no Rally on Friday (it was only open Saturday and Sunday), but attendance figures were well down - I think? Thankfully including the workers (the group of three) some 30 members signed in over the two days and a small number of members saved a stamp by collecting by hand but the majority of cards this month will have travelled by the normal method - Royal Mail. However I am aware of three members who were in attendance both days to meet and greet our RSARS visitors, and potential new members: pictures of Linda 2E1SIS, Dick G3NVK and Bryan MØOIC are attached. These images are in good company with others showing Alan G4BXQ, John MØRRA, Rod G4JVJ with Pat, his neighbour (keeping an eye on him!) and one of our SWL. Dick and I were of course also there on Friday setting-up. Whether we will be there next year and in what format the LARS Rally will be next year we will have to wait and see.

Talking about Royal Mail, whilst envelopes are down generally, it is good to note that envelopes are being addressed to number 6 and that neighbours are not popping round with an RSARS Bureau envelope in their hand and asking "Is this meant for you?" However I did have one arrive written across the top in red "This is not 6 Greenland Crescent PLEASE try again!!!!" It was correctly addressed but sadly this does happen. We regularly receive envelopes addressed to 6 anywhere but here, and I gather, on checking, that the post person is only required to put it into the number 6 letterbox as he follows his route if 6 is on the envelope and in the Greenland Crescent pile. The fact that 6 Marton Road has nothing to do with 6 Greenland Crescent is irrelevant and I received one so addressed this very morning. We did have one young lad who asked if it was OK to give me RSARS QSL Bureau letters even though incorrectly addressed, and even though it was against his instructions. Obviously I agreed but sadly he didn't last long - I wonder why? - maybe thinking too much and using his brain were not appreciated.

Finally: it is always a great pleasure to receive your cards each month and this is often added to by the enclosure of a short note discussing an item or making comment about the Bureau and these are always welcome. These "missives" frequently also arrive across space in the form of telephone calls and again are appreciated (if I ignore the ones late at night ) but over the last week of September I have received one telephone call, and one envelope containing cards with an adverse comment on the inability to exchange details with members on the Thursday afternoon Net. Gentlemen (and ladies if reading) I am happy to take on board any criticism of the RSARS Bureau or my own Tuesday afternoon Net, in which cases I will either agree, and do something about it, or disagree and continue as is. However, I will not get involved as middle-man in sorting out the Thursday afternoon Net. Ian G8OFZ is the Non-Serving Members' Representative who is following this thread, he knows my thoughts for what they are worth, and I have advised him of the two complaints received this last week. It is up to him and GØRGB who is the actual the Net Controller to decide the way ahead as regrettably this topic has nothing to do with MØOIC on this occasion. Please if you have comments for or against the way any nets are run then in the first instance speak to the Net Controller concerned and afterwards, if necessary, to either of our two NSMRs.

A very early reminder to members about the Hogmanay Pop-In-Pop-Out Net which will be running from 1200hrs 31st December 2009. There were one or two exchanges last year with members who had not met before, although not many owing to it really being a pop-in and pop-out affair. A few members managed to work all Net Controllers on 80m which was the main band in use, some members also saying hello to Brendan 2EØBDS for the first time on Top Band. Further information will be included in the November "MERCURY" and with my Newsletter of 1st December of course. So get it written into your diaries now, with the improving conditions we want more this year Who knows - we may even have some exchanges on 40m this year and on 20m with our Overseas members - we will try our best as always to be sure.

As ever - Good Hunting, especially with our members overseas.