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G4TNU > NEWS 23.06.24 03:00l 266 Lines 12956 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 23 Jun 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 23rd of June 2024
The news headlines:
* RSGB Convention workshops and practical sessions – what
would you like?
* RSGB Team interviewed by ICQ Podcast at the Dayton Hamvention
in May
* Don't forget to try the updated RSGB Discovery Scheme
Do you like making things? Are you interested in finding out more
about the Raspberry Pi or programming an Arduino? Have you heard
about the NanoVNA and DragonOS but don't know where to start? The
RSGB wants its 2024 Convention to offer practical sessions to help
radio amateurs to try something new, develop their skills and go away
inspired! If you can offer to run a workshop or a practical session
over the weekend of the 11th to the 13th of October, or you'd like to
take part in one, please email the RSGB Convention Team via
convention<at>rsgb.org.uk by the 3rd of July. As part of its
strategy, the RSGB wants to ensure that this prestigious annual event
not only meets the needs of its members, but also helps every radio
amateur to share their love of the hobby with others.
Members of the RSGB Team, including RSGB President John McCullagh,
GI4BWM and RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB, had a successful
time at the Dayton Hamvention in May. The event was a brilliant
opportunity to engage with radio amateurs from around the world and
it resulted in 132 people joining the RSGB. It also provided several
media opportunities with podcasters, YouTubers and local news
outlets. Martin Butler, M1MRB from ICQ Podcast was one of those who
interviewed the President and the General Manager. The interview
covered a wide range of topics, from using the new licence conditions
as part of outreach, to the RSGB's role in defending the spectrum and
even to the RSGB President's amateur radio activities with both
RAYNET UK and SOTA! For the full interview go to Episode 432 on
icqpodcast.com and listen from just before two hours into the episode.
Have you tried the updated RSGB Discovery Scheme? Now called the
Discovery Logbook, there are fewer requirements, an easy-to-follow
programme and exciting links with external organisations such as
Parks On The Air and Worked All Britain. There are also some great
RSGB Awards to work towards if you'd like to include those in your
own programme of activities. As a relatively new radio amateur, Jim,
ME7HEF had found that the sheer breadth of the hobby made it a little
difficult to know where to start. The Discovery Scheme gave him a
simple structure to try various aspects of amateur radio and he has
really enjoyed it. Read more about Jim's experience on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/your-stories and follow the links to find out how
you could try something new using the Discovery Logbook.
The RSGB is looking for an individual to take on the complex role of
Editor of the annual RSGB Yearbook, following the retirement of the
previous Editor. This is a paid post, working part time from home for
a few months each year, and is offered as a fixed-term contract. You
will need experience of editing material from a wide range of sources
and working to deadlines, as well as attention to detail. An
understanding of desktop publishing programs such as InDesign will be
helpful along with knowledge of the breadth of amateur radio in the
UK today. If you are interested in this post, please email
authors<at>rsgb.org.uk with an appropriate CV or covering statement
of your abilities.
Last weekend was 1940s weekend at the Bletchley Park Museum. The RSGB
National Radio Centre, or NRC, supported the event by hosting the
World War Two Special Operations Executive radio station, GB1SOE. The
station, operating on the 40m band, attracted lots of visitor
attention, as did GB3RS which was busy on the air as part of the
Museums on the Air weekend. NRC volunteers made QSOs and invited
visitors to pass greetings messages. If appropriate, the volunteers
used the new licence conditions to allow visitors to run QSOs
themselves under supervision. The weekend was a huge success and
1,211 people visited the RSGB National Radio Centre. The Society
would like to thank all the NRC volunteers who delivered such an
enjoyable weekend.
Alexanderson Day will take place on Sunday the 30th of June
2024. The unique Alexanderson alternator, with the callsign SAQ, is
scheduled for two transmissions on 17.2kHz using CW. At 0830UTC, the
alternator will be started up and at 0900UTC the first transmission
will take place. A second transmission is scheduled for 1200UTC. You
can read more about the event and historic transmitter at
alexander.n.se
The Bath Based Distance Learning team is busy enrolling students into
its pre-course classroom for its forthcoming course for the Full
Licence exam. The team has received a number of enquiries about
whether its course is suitable for the Direct to Full exam. The
course content focuses on the Full level syllabus items, which are
only a part of the Direct to Full syllabus. Learners are expected to
know the Foundation and Intermediate material already. Parallel study
is possible, but the Bath Based Distance Learning Full Licence course
alone would not be sufficient to ensure a pass in a Direct to Full
exam. More details can be found in the latest edition of RadCom, but
please note that the email address provided to RadCom was incorrect;
anyone wanting details of the Bath Based Distance Learning course
should email Steve, G0FUW, using g0fuw<at>bbdl.org.uk
Guisborough and District Amateur Radio Club is organising a mini
DXpedition to Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis from the 22nd to the
29th of September. The team has a couple of spaces left and is
welcoming amateurs from other clubs who would like to join in. For
more information email rm.dutton<at>virginmedia.com
And finally, don't forget to listen out for all the amateur stations
that will be on the air during the Museums on the Air activity today,
the 23rd. For more information about the event visit
tinyurl.com/imw2024
And now for details of rallies and events
The Newbury Radio Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 23rd of
June. The venue is Newbury Showground, next to junction 13 of the M4
motorway in Berkshire, RG18 9QZ. The event includes a display area
with an amateur radio station, exhibits, special interest groups,
clubs and societies. The doors open to sellers at 8am, and to
visitors at 9am. Lots of free parking is available and entry costs
GBP 3 for visitors. A seller's pitch costs GBP 15. For more
information visit nadars.org.uk
Dunstable Downs Radio Club would like to invite everyone to its
annual boot sale and radio rally on Sunday the 30th of June at
Stockwood Park in Luton. As always, there will be plenty of plots
available on the day for GBP 10 each. The fee for car parking will be
GBP 4 per vehicle for visitors. Updates will be posted to Dunstable
Downs Radio Club's Facebook page. To add yourself to the email list
visit ddrcbootsale.org
Burton on Trent Amateur Radio Club Mini Rally and Barbecue is set to
take place on Saturday the 6th of July. The event will take place at
The Barley Mow public house, Burton on Trent, DE5 9AP. Ample car
parking will be available, and admission will be free. Apart from all
the usual stalls, there will be a live demonstration of the Club's
remote access station. For more information phone Barry on
01283 540570 or see the Club's Facebook page.
Now the Special Event News
Marking the 25th anniversary since Poland joined the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation, special callsign HF25NATO will be active until
the 31st of August. QSL via Club Log's OQRS. Only 100 limited edition
QSL cards will be distributed. These will be issued first-come,
first-served so call in quick! For details of a certificate that it
available visit tinyurl.com/hf25nato
Special callsign SK100FRK is active from Sweden to celebrate the
100th anniversary of Falu [FAH-LOO] Radio Club's formation in 1924.
The station is active until the end of the year on all bands and
operators are using SSB, CW and FM. For details of an award that is
available see QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba
[EESOLA-DELBA], EU-028, until the end of September. He is operating
using SSB on the 20 to 6m bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log.
QSL via Domenico's home call.
Chas, NK8O is active as 5H3DX from near Dodoma [DOH-DUH-MUH],
Tanzania until the 30th of June. He is operating using CW, FT8 and
FT4 on the 30 to 10m bands. QSL directly to NK8O or via eQSL.
Now the contest news
Today, the 23rd, the 50MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC.
Using CW on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.
On Tuesday the 25th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 27th, the 80m Club Championship SSB Contest runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
On Sunday the 30th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs
from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 20th of June 2024
We had a relatively quiet week, with the Sun generally being settled.
There were coronal mass ejections, but they were on the far side of
the Sun and not Earth-directed.
There were no X-class flares, although we did have a few C- and
M-class events.
The solar flux index declined to 167 but has since recovered and
stood at 196 on Thursday the 20th. Active regions 3712, 3713 and 3716
are all large and 3712 has been emitting flares. However, all three
regions will soon rotate out of view, so should not be a threat in
the coming week.
As such, HF conditions have been reasonable given the time of year.
Maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path during daylight have
generally been between 14 and 21MHz, although there have been
occasional openings up to 24MHz. Sporadic-E remains the main
propagation mode on the 10m band.
Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain in the
175 to 190 range and geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be
mainly settled.
However, the far-side coronal mass ejections we have been seeing
suggest we could be in for a rough ride in about a week to ten days.
So, this week could be a good time for HF propagation.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather is trying to change to a more summer-like pattern, which
means that the main jet stream will be farther north than recently
and this will make Sporadic-E harder to find than during the recent
strong jet stream pattern over Europe.
For most UK stations, the emphasis for Sporadic-E paths will
gradually shift from the typical central Europe and Mediterranean to
perhaps Scandinavia and the Baltic states.
The relatively new player this time around will be high pressure
which comes and goes during the period but should bring some useful
Tropo. In these high-summer days, sea or coastal paths are often
good, but paths across hot land do not fare well in summer during the
daytime. Concentrate on the night or early morning, especially if
foggy.
There will be occasions when small lows and fronts edge into the
south and west of the British Isles and, in typical summer fashion,
may bring a risk of thundery showers. Any local, heavy rain means
good conditions for rain scatter on the GHz bands. Meteor scatter
again remains in the random category, which usually peaks around the
dawn period.
Lastly, a note about aurora which has been kept at arm's length
although there have been several periods with a slightly enhanced Kp
index. The light summer nights mean that visible auroras are very
unlikely but do look out for noctilucent clouds on the northern
horizon around midnight.
Noctilucent clouds are thin, wispy clouds that glow with a blue or
silvery hue at night when illuminated by sunlight from below the
horizon.
The Moon is at minimum declination this coming weekend so peak
elevation is low and windows of usage are short. EME path loss is
falling as we approach perigee next Thursday the 27th. 144MHz sky
noise is high this weekend but falls to low early next week.
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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