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G4TNU > NEWS 02.06.24 03:01l 303 Lines 14801 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 02 Jun 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 2nd of June 2024
The news headlines:
* Nominations for IARU President and Vice President have been
ratified
* The next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar is coming up
* RSGB National Radio Centre to operate D-Day anniversary
special event stations
IARU member societies have ratified the nomination of Tim Ellam,
VE6SH/G4HUA and Thomas Wrede [RAY-DUH], DF2OO as IARU President and
Vice President, respectively, for a five-year term which began on the
9th of May 2024. On beginning his 4th term as President, Tim Ellam
thanked member societies for their support, congratulated Thomas
Wrede [RAY-DUH] on his election as Vice President, and also offered a
special and heartfelt thank you to Ole [OH-LA] Garpestad [GARP-STAD],
LA2RR who retired as IARU Vice President. You can read more on this
story via the IARU website at tinyurl.com/IARU2024
The RSGB Tonight<at>8 webinar this Monday, the 3rd of June, looks at
how amateur radio can be accessible and enjoyable even if you have
sight, hearing or mobility difficulties. Three radio amateurs will
explain how they have adapted their equipment, written software or
used extra support from the RSGB or other radio amateurs, to enable
them to enjoy all that amateur radio has to offer. There will also be
input from Sight Matters, an Isle of Man charity helping to assist
over 700 visually-impaired members. The charity has recently
discovered how much amateur radio can offer people with visual
impairments and it has formed the Sight Matters Amateur Radio Club.
This aims to encourage new people into the hobby and to help assist
existing licence holders back onto the air. Whether this webinar is
relevant to you, a friend or colleague, or you're in a club that is
wondering how to support all radio amateurs to enjoy the hobby, make
a note of the date and be inspired! You can watch and ask questions
live on the RSGB special BATC channel or YouTube channel at
youtube.com/theRSGB
The RSGB's National Radio Centre will be operating special event
callsign GB2DAY to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day
landings during World War Two. The station will be active between the
6th and 9th of June. In addition, volunteers will be hosting the
special demonstration station GB1SOE on Saturday the 15th of June.
Don't forget that RSGB members can gain free entry to Bletchley Park
and the RSGB's National Radio Centre by downloading a voucher from
the RSGB website: rsgb.org/bpvoucher
The RSGB Board recently spent an afternoon visiting RSGB
Headquarters, meeting staff and gaining a more detailed understanding
of the work of this professional team. Later that day, the Board
received training from members of the senior team about their
specialist areas. During the Board meeting the following day, the
Board decided to continue with its chosen four strategic priorities
until the 2025 AGM. These priorities are: the growth of amateur
radio; membership of the RSGB; spectrum and licensing; and ensuring
the continued financial stability of the Society. To make further
progress with the outcomes of the recent growth workshop, the Board
allocated a member of its team to champion each of the seven
workstreams. Each workstream champion will now create a volunteer
team, prioritise work tasks, set measurable objectives, define what
success looks like, list deliverables and establish reporting
mechanisms and frequency. More details will be shared about these
over the coming months.
Do you have some spare time to support fellow radio amateurs? Are you
passionate about the future of amateur radio? Do you like a
challenge? The RSGB currently has volunteer vacancies for Regional
Representatives in Region 7 South Wales, and Region 12 England East
and East Anglia. Could you fill one of those roles? To learn more
about being a Regional Representative see the RSGB website or
contact the Regional Team Forum Chair, Keith Bird, G4JED via
rr10<at>rsgb.org.uk
Next week is the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week in the UK. As
always, the RSGB will be taking part in this national event and
thanking its volunteers for the great work they do for the Society
and for amateur radio generally. The Society will be sharing stories
about some of its volunteers on its social media channels and then
you'll be able to read more details on the RSGB website later in the
week at rsgb.org/your-stories
The May 2024 edition of RadCom Basics is now available. RadCom Basics
is aimed at new amateurs and those who are wishing to refresh their
skills and knowledge. Among others, this edition contains articles to
help you learn about checking and testing components, how to keep
your transmissions clean and how to build and tune an end-fed
half-wave antenna for the 40 to 10m bands. Read more via
rsgb.org/radcom-basics
And now for details of rallies and events
Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society's Annual Rally is taking
place today, Sunday the 2nd of June. This year sees the event taking
place at a new venue: Spalding Rugby and Football Club, Centenary
Park, Drain Bank North, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 6AF. The event
features a free on-site car park, inside and outside traders, an RSGB
bookstall and an outside boot area. General admission is GBP 3 per
person. For more information visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is coming up on Sunday the 9th of June at
Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The
doors will be open from 10.15am and admission will be GBP 4. For more
information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally<at>snadarc.com
The Worked All Britain Awards Group will be holding its 2024 AGM from
12pm at the Junction 28 Rally. Those unable to attend in person but
wishing to join online via Zoom should email the Group's secretary at
m1aib<at>worked-all-britain.org.uk
The Mendips Rally is set to take place on Sunday the 9th of June.
The Rally will be held at Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church
Lane, Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UA. The doors will be open from 9am to
1pm and admission will be GBP 2. Access for traders will be available
from 7.30am. Inside tables cost GBP 8 and field pitches are GBP 5
each. Free car parking and hot and cold refreshments will be
available on site. For more information contact Luke on 07870 168 197
or email mendipsrally<at>hotmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society will be active as GB0WVR during
Market Harborough Carnival on Saturday the 8th of June. The team of
operators is planning to use SSB, FT8 and some CW on the 20, 17, 15,
12 and 10m bands. There may also be activity on the 40m band,
depending on the working conditions. Listen out for the callsign
which will be active from 10am until late in the evening. For more
information see QRZ.com
Throughout June, Stockport Radio Society will be active with the
callsign GB0COL to mark the 80th anniversary of Colossus, the world's
first fully-electronic computer. Bands and modes to be used include
FM on the 2m band, SSTV and VHF digital voice. SSB, CW and RTTY will
be used on the HF bands. Operators are also planning to be active via
the QO-100 satellite. For more information visit g8srs.co.uk/gb0col
Next weekend, Torbay Amateur Radio Society will be active with
special event callsign GB80DCS to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The station will be working from Slapton Sands in Devon from the
afternoon of Friday the 7th of June until approximately 1200UTC on
Sunday the 9th of June. A team of operators plans to use phone and CW
on the HF and VHF bands. More information is available via QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Roland, F8EN is active as TR8CR from Gabon until at least the end of
June. He will operate CW only and will celebrate his 96th birthday
while there. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the Bureau. Roland can
usually be found on the 30 to 10m bands using CW.
Tosy [TOE-ZEE], JA6VZB is active as JD1BQW from Chichijima
[SHE-SHE-JIM-AH], AS-031, in Japan, until the 5th of June. He plans
to concentrate on the 12 and 6m bands using FT8. QSL via Logbook of
the World, eQSL, Club Log's OQRS, or via the Bureau.
Now the contest news
National Field Day started at 1500UTC on Saturday the 1st of June and
ends at 1500UTC today, the 2nd of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m
bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest started at 1300UTC on Saturday
the 1st and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 2nd of June. Using all
modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and membership number.
Today, the 2nd of June, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs
from 0900 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz
frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The ARRL International Digital Contest started at 1800UTC on Saturday
the 1st and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 2nd of June. Using any
digital mode, excluding RTTY, on the 160 to 6m bands, the exchange is
your four-character locator.
On Tuesday the 4th, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to
1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 4th, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 5th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 5th, the
144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
The IARU ATV Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends
at 1800UTC on Sunday the 9th of June. Using TV on 432MHz and up
frequencies, the exchange is serial number, four-digit code and
locator. More details on rules for this contest are available at
tinyurl.com/IARUATV
On Sunday the 9th, the 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 0900
to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 9th of June, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP Contest
runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB, CW and a maximum of 5W
on the 2m band, the exchange is signal, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 30th of May 2024
Last week was characterised by relatively-quiet geomagnetic
conditions and a fairly-high solar flux. But is that all about to
change?
Active region 3664 has returned. It is now named 3697 and has already
emitted an X1.4-class solar flare. You may recall that it was AR 3664
that caused the aurora that was visible all over the UK around the
10th and 11th of May.
As Solarham.com says, "The chances for an Earth-directed eruption
will increase with each passing day as the active sunspot region
turns into a better geoeffective position."
Scientists now believe that the coronal mass ejection associated with
the long-duration X1.4-class flare on Wednesday the 29th may pass
close enough to Earth to generate moderate G2 geomagnetic storming
beginning on the 31st of May – just in time for this weekend's
National Field Day!
Otherwise, HF propagation has generally been good with decent
F2-layer openings up to 21 and even 24MHz at times. The 17 and 15m
bands look to provide the best DX, with paths to the east in the
morning, and to the west during late afternoon and early evening.
The 10m band is subject to Sporadic-E openings, with F2-layer
openings mainly restricted to paths to South Africa and South America.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 165
to 200 range, with quiet geomagnetic conditions. However, that is
perhaps a little optimistic as active region 3697, or perhaps 3691,
could easily throw a spanner in the works, with a flare and
associated CME potentially sending the Kp index skywards.
So, as always, keep an eye on the current state of the Sun at
solarham.com, and work the bands while they are open!
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The close of the current week offers a temporary return of high
pressure for this weekend. This should be good for some Tropo
conditions for western parts of the UK. The weather turns a bit more
unsettled going through the coming week, especially over northern
Britain, but also occasionally in the south.
Rain at this time of the year can often be heavy and thundery with
good prospects for GHz bands rain scatter, but this may have to wait
for the end of next week when a low moves north from France towards
the southern UK.
The early part of June is a time of several minor meteor showers.
These should offer scope for meteor scatter operators as well as
provide some fuel for Sporadic-E propagation which rocket
measurements show consists of long-lived meteor ions.
Sporadic-E propagation is often associated with the position of jet
streams in the upper troposphere due to the turbulence that these
fast-flowing currents of air generate.
In the coming week, the jet stream pattern becomes much weaker,
although still with a few options. Daily blogs are available at
Propquest.co.uk for those who are interested.
Don't ignore the prospects for multi-hop transatlantic paths to the
United States and particularly the Caribbean, which are usually well
supported in the early part of the season before the upper winds over
the Caribbean change over to high-summer slacker flow.
Equally, multi-hop Sporadic-E paths to the Far East are worth
checking in the early morning following the effects of the now
displaced northerly meandering jet stream flow across northern Russia.
Moon declination went positive again on Saturday the 1st of June, so
the coming week will see lengthening Moon windows. EME path loss is
falling, reaching a minimum at perigee today, Sunday the 2nd of June.
144MHz sky noise is low apart from Thursday when the Sun and Moon are
close in the sky.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
And that's the end of the main news for this week prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain. Items for inclusion in subsequent
bulletins can be emailed to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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