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G4TNU > NEWS 07.07.24 03:01l 285 Lines 13789 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 07 Jul 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 7th of July 2024
The news headlines:
* A revised Direct to Full examination syllabus has been
released
* The RSGB has announced its representative for the 2024 YOTA
camp
* The RSGB British Science Week Time challenge is an
opportunity for constructors
The new amateur radio licence has now been in effect for a few
months and changes to the licence conditions have necessitated
revision to the examination syllabus. Tony Kent, G8PBH, who is the
RSGB Examinations Standards Committee Chair, has announced that he is
pleased to release version 2.0 of the Direct to Full syllabus,
including these revisions. Compared to the version in current use,
the only section that has seen major changes is Section 1:
"Licensing and station identification". Section 2: "Operating
practices and procedures" has seen some minor changes, for example
with regard to suffixes. The RSGB will begin examining to version 2.0
of the syllabus on the 1st of October 2024. It will not be taking any
bookings for Direct to Full examinations to take place in September.
You can find the syllabus on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/direct-to-full
The RSGB is pleased to announce that it will be represented at this
summer's Youngsters on the Air camp by Rhys Williams, M0WGY / AJ6XD.
The event, which is organised by the IARU Region 1 Youth Working
Group together with the Czech Radio Club, will be held between the
16th and 23rd of August 2024 in Prague, Czechia. Rhys is currently
studying aerospace engineering at Cambridge University and is going
on to do a PhD in engineering at Oxford University from September. He
says he has found a lot of joy in the building aspect of amateur
radio and enjoys contesting with his university amateur radio club.
Find out more about Rhys and this inspirational annual YOTA camp on
the RSGB website at rsgb.org/yota-camp
Are you looking for your next construction challenge? Then the RSGB
British Science Week Time challenge could be for you. The task is to
provide a method of either measuring the frequency of a radio
frequency source or signal, or providing a time reference to a radio
operator or radio system. You must use readily available components,
material or other resources. The activity is open to all ages and is
divided into three categories: under 18 or still in school; under 21
or an undergraduate up to the age of 23; and a category with no age
restriction. You can enter as an individual or as a group. The winner
of each category will win a prize of GBP 150 with the winners being
announced at this year's RSGB Convention in October. The deadline for
entries is the 1st of September. You can find out more, including how
to enter, by visiting rsgb.org/bsw and selecting the ‘Time-related
challenge' link under the BSW24 header.
Don't forget you can get involved in the new GR2HQ Challenge next
weekend, the 13th and 14th of July, as part of the IARU HF World
Championship contest. You can take part as individuals but also
benefit your club, so why not encourage your club members to take
part whether they are regular contesters or not. During the contest,
Headquarters Stations represent their countries and the RSGB's
station GR2HQ will be run by a network of about a dozen stations
around the UK and islands. You will be able to submit your log,
including QSOs with GR2HQ, to the RSGB contest robot for the GR2HQ
Challenge. If you include your club or group name when you submit
your log, each QSO with GR2HQ will count towards an aggregate score
for your club or team. You can read more in the June RadCom feature
on the GR2HQ Challenge and you can see the rules on the RSGB website
at thersgb.org/go/gr2hq
TX Factor has released its latest episode in which there is a look at
the IC-R15 communications receiver, the latest offering from Icom.
Bob, G0FGX and Mike, G1IAR discuss how best to configure the Anytone
BT-01 bluetooth microphone with the Anytone AT-D578, which will be a
boon for mobile operating. Finally, there is the second part of a
feature on operating via the QO-100 satellite with the Groundstation
2 from DX Patrol. Watch this and previous episodes on the TX Factor
website at txfactor.co.uk or on its YouTube channel.
A reminder that the next RSGB Tonight<at>8 webinar is tomorrow,
Monday the 8th of July when Hans Summers, G0UPL from QRP Labs will
give a presentation on the QMX+ multi-mode 160 to 6m transceiver kit
design and features. This is a great opportunity to find out more and
ask questions live on the night. You can watch on the RSGB YouTube
channel or special BATC channel. Find out more about the webinar on
the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
And now for details of rallies and events
Barford Radio Rally is taking place today, the 7th, at Barford
Village Hall and Green, Norwich, NR9 4AB. The doors open at 9am for
visitors. The event features trade stands, car boot sales, bring and
buy, a charity raffle, repeater groups, catering and free car
parking. Entry is GBP 2.50 per person but under 16s will be admitted
free of charge. To read more about the event visit
norfolkamateurradio.org or email David, G7URP via
radio<at>dcpmicro.com
The Cornish Radio Amateur Club Rally is also taking place today, the
7th, at Penair School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TN. The doors open at
10.30am and admission costs GBP 3. Traders, bring and buy, club
stalls, car parking and catering are all available on site. Contact
Ken, G0FIC on 01209 821073 for more information.
Cambridge Repeater Group Rally is due to take place next Sunday the
14th, at Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridgeshire,
CB22 6RN. The doors open at 9.30am for visitors and at 7.30am for
traders. The event features a car boot sale, talk-in, trade stands,
clubs and a bring-and-buy area. A free marshalled car park and burger
van will be available on site. For more information visit
cambridgerepeaters.net and click on the Rally tab.
Also on Sunday the 14th, Lincoln Short Wave Club Summer Rally is
taking place at Rasen Festival Hall, Caistor Road, LN8 3HT. The doors
open at 10am and entry will cost GBP 3. Hot refreshments and ample
free car parking will be available. More information, including
contact details, are available via tinyurl.com/LSWC2024
The McMichael Radio and Electronics Rally and Car Boot Sale is also
taking place on Sunday the 14th of July. The venue will be Reading
Rugby Club, Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Reading, RG4 6ST. The doors
open at 9am for visitors and at 8am for traders. Refreshments and
ample parking will be available. For more information visit
mcmichaelrally.org.uk
Now the Special Event news
Special callsign OR100LGE is in use by members of Liege [LEE-AYZH]
Radio Club, ON5VL throughout 2024 to celebrate the Club's 100th
anniversary. Look for activity on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, SSB,
FT8 and FT4. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL or via ON6YH. QSOs
will also be uploaded to Club Log.
SK100FRK is the special callsign in use by the Falu [FAH-LOO] Radio
Club, SK4AO to celebrate the 100th anniversary since it was founded.
The station will be active until the end of 2024 and details of an
award that is available can be found at QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Bo, OZ1DJJ is active as OX3LX from Greenland until the 16th of July.
He is QRV on the 6 and 4m bands, as well as on the HF bands, often
using FT8. QSL via OZ0J [OSCAR-ZULU-ZERO-JULIET].
Zsolt [ZOLT], HA8PX is active as S79/HA8PX from Mahe [MA-HAY],
AF-024, in the Seychelles until Wednesday the 10th of July. He is
operating mainly CW, but also some SSB and FT8, on various bands. QSL
via Club Log's OQRS, or directly.
Now the contest news
VHF National Field Day started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 6th of July
and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 7th of July. Using all modes on
the VHF bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
Today, the 7th, the 3rd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1100 to
1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 9th, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to
1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 9th, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 10th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 10th, the
432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
On Wednesday the 10th, the 80m Club Championship Contest runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
On Thursday the 11th, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
The IARU HF World Championship starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 13th
of July and ends at 1200UTC on Sunday the 14th of July. Using CW and
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and ITU zone.
On Sunday the 14th, the UK Microwave Group 24, 47 and 76GHz Contest
runs from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24, 47 and 76GHz
frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 4th of July 2024
After a rough spot last weekend, the Sun has since behaved itself,
allowing HF propagation to get back to normal. To recap, the Kp index
hit 7.67 on Friday the 28th of June, thanks to incoming plasma from a
coronal mass ejection. For a time, it looked like we might have a
repeat performance of the 10th of May when the Kp index hit 9 and
there was a visible aurora across the UK.
This time around, however, conditions calmed down again and 24 hours
later the Kp index was back to 2.33. Since then, the Sun has remained
calm with only two M-class and zero X-class flares, and the Kp index
is back in the 1 to 3 range.
This means that the ionosphere has had a chance to build up and we
have been seeing MUFs over a 3,000km path exceeding 21MHz and often
reaching 24MHz. That's pretty good considering we are in the Summer
HF doldrums.
An analysis of the Sun's active sunspot regions shows that two are
growing, five are declining and one is stable.
WSPRNet.org shows that signals have been getting to the UK from
Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Far East on the 15m band, while
28MHz is still mainly open to short-hop Sporadic-E contacts across
Europe.
The solar flux index has declined over the past week and was sitting
at 167 on Thursday the 4th of July. Next week, NOAA predicts it will
remain around the 170 mark, with quiet geomagnetic conditions.
However, solar flares and coronal mass ejections remain hard to
predict so keep an eye on Solarham.com and Propquest.co.uk for a
real-time view of solar and geomagnetic conditions.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather sequence to the end of next week is much like an autumn
pattern in that the story is all about areas of low pressure, showers
and weather fronts. None of this suggests that Tropo will be a
feature of the weather. In fact, high-pressure systems simply do not
appear on the charts at all.
We can leave rain scatter on the list and, since it is technically
summer, or meant to be, there is a lot of energy in any showers.
Indeed, some may be heavy and thundery and are probably good
rain-scatter candidates. Meteor scatter, in the absence of major
showers, is most likely around the dawn period when random meteors
tend to be more prevalent.
The solar conditions continue to offer much variability and it is
always worth checking for elevated Kp index values, which can be a
signal for aurora to occur. As a general guide check the bands when
Kp reaches 5 or higher.
The Sporadic-E season continues, although recently there have been
some higher-than-ideal Kp indices, which unlike for aurora need to be
at lower values, say below a Kp index of 3, for ideal Sporadic-E
conditions.
The other ingredient that tends to promote Sporadic-E is the presence
of jet streams in the upper atmosphere around 10 to 15km up. It is
believed that these can generate atmospheric gravity waves that can
propagate up to the E region at 110km where they become part of the
process for making Sporadic-E.
This unsettled autumn-like weather is providing plenty of jet
streams, so it continues to be worth checking for Sporadic-E. A quick
look at the upper air pattern suggests that paths towards Scandinavia
and the Baltic may be productive, and perhaps to Iberia later next
week.
Moon declination is close to maximum positive this coming weekend so
Moon peak elevation will be high. Moon apogee is on Friday the 12th
so EME path losses continue to increase. 144MHz sky noise is low all
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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