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G4TNU > NEWS 18.08.24 03:00l 236 Lines 11362 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 18 Aug 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 18th of August 2024
The news headlines:
* Plans for the RSGB 2024 Convention continue to take shape
* New amateur radio exam reference documents have been released
* Ofcom has released a new video on amateur radio licence
revalidation
The RSGB Convention is just eight weeks away and the programme is
shaping up to be a fantastic mix of interesting presentations for
every radio amateur, regardless of experience. There will also be
practical sessions and time to chat to representatives from RSGB
committees and groups. For a reminder of the wide range of RSGB
representatives who were there last year and the great work that they
all do for the Society, its members and the wider amateur radio
community, watch the Convention Chat video that has just been
released. Head over to the RSGB YouTube channel at
youtube.com/theRSGB and then don't forget to book your ticket for
this year's event at rsgb.org/convention
The RSGB Exams Teams are pleased to release the exam reference
documents for Syllabus 1.6 at Foundation, Intermediate and Full
levels. You can find them on the RSGB website by searching for
‘Exam Forms'. If you are taking an exam before the 1st of
September, please make sure you use the previous versions which will
remain on the website until that date. They have also released the
updated mock exams for all levels including new questions from the
question bank relating to licensing and operating. These are on the
RSGB website at rsgb.org/mock-exams
Ofcom has released a new step-by-step video on its YouTube channel to
assist radio amateurs in the process of revalidating a UK amateur
radio licence using the online licensing portal. Ofcom does note that
whilst it is a requirement to revalidate your licence every five
years, it is recommended to do it annually. Make sure you keep your
details up to date and make a diary reminder to renew each year. You
can find the video by going to the RSGB website at rsgb.org and
searching for ‘licence revalidation'. On that page you will also
find a helpful FAQ section prepared by the Society on the topic.
Do you belong to your local u3a group? Are you keen to share your
passion for amateur radio with others? As part of the RSGB's
commitment to grow the hobby, the Society would love to hear from
RSGB members who would like to spread the word to local u3a groups.
As we all know, getting involved in amateur radio provides the
opportunity to gain a new interest, learn different skills and form
social connections, which fits well with u3a's ethos. Register your
interest to join an RSGB Teams meeting sometime in September to
discuss ideas for engaging u3a groups. Please email
strategy<at>rsgb.org.uk if you'd like to be involved.
The RSGB Youngsters on the Air representative Rhys Williams, M0WGY,
arrived in Prague, Czechia on Friday the 16th of August for this
year's YOTA summer camp. The camp is organised by the IARU Region 1
Youth Working Group together with the Czech Radio Club and finishes
on Friday the 23rd of August. These camps offer participants an
unforgettable experience and are a fantastic opportunity for young
people to learn more about amateur radio, take part in construction
activities and make international friendships. To keep up to date
with how Rhys is getting on, you can go to rsgb.org/yota-camp and
read his daily blog. You can also follow his journey by visiting the
RSGB on its Facebook and X pages. Simply search for ‘<at>thersgb'
to find the Society's profile page.
Don't forget that International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is
taking place at the moment. There are lots of operators on the air so
why not give them a call? To see a list of registered stations, visit
illw.net
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society's Annual Radio Rally is taking
place today, the 18th, at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby.
The doors are open from 10am to 4pm, the admission fee is GBP 4 per
person and pitches cost GBP 20. For more information email
rally<at>rugbyats.co.uk or visit rugbyats.co.uk
West Manchester Radio Club's Red Rose Summer Rally is also taking
place today, the 18th, at St Joseph's Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh,
WN7 2PJ. The doors open at 10am. For further information email
rally<at>wmrc.co.uk or phone 07796 264 569.
Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally will take place on Sunday
the 25th of August. The venue will be Heron's Lodge Guide Activity
Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes, MK8 9AA. The
doors open to the public from 9am. The entrance fee will be GBP 3 and
free parking will be available. For trader and exhibitor enquiries
please email rally<at>mkars.org.uk Outdoor pitches and indoor tables
are available. For more information visit mkars.org.uk
Torbay Annual Communications Fair is set to take place on Sunday the
25th of August at Newton Abbot Racecourse, TQ12 3AF from 10am. This
will be an indoor event with free parking, a bring-and-buy area, RSGB
book stall and on-site catering. For more information email
rally<at>tars.org.uk
Now the Special Event news
Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club is active from all three lighthouses on
Rathlin Island today, the 18th. Operators are working on the 80 to
10m bands using SSB, CW and FT8. Listen out for special event
callsigns, GB1RP, GB2EL and GB2WL which will all be in use. For more
information, visit the QRZ.com page for each of the callsigns.
Special callsign SK100FRK is active until the end of the year to
celebrate the 100th anniversary of Falu Radio Club, SK4AO. All
amateur bands are in use and operators are working with SSB, CW and
FM. For details of a diploma that is available visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Frans, DJ0TP is active as TK/DJ0TP from Corsica, EU-014, until the
4th of September. The station was spotted recently on the 20m band
using FT8. QSL via Frans' home call and Logbook of the World.
Jean-Louis, F6ITS left France in August 2023 for a round-the-world
voyage. He recently obtained a Gambian licence and will be active as
C5GM until the end of the year. For the time being he is operating
using SSB and CW. QSL via EA7FTR.
Now the contest news
On Tuesday the 20th, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
The World Wide Digi DX Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 24th
of August and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 25th of August. Using
FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted,
the exchange is your four-character locator.
On Sunday the 25th, 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 15th of August 2024
Last week was notable for its auroral activity, high solar flux index
and variable HF conditions.
Monday the 12th saw the Kp index rise to 7 as coronal mass ejection
material struck the Earth, sparking visible aurora as far south as
Cornwall. But by lunchtime on Tuesday things were back to normal with
a Kp index below 2.
The rest of the week remained fairly settled with the occasional blip
up to a Kp index of 4. Meanwhile, HF conditions have been variable
with N5J on Jarvis Island in the Pacific being the main DX being
chased. This has turned out to be a difficult catch for all but the
better-equipped stations in the UK.
The operators are active on SSB, CW and FT8, using the SuperFox and
Fox and Hound modes, and are working until the 20th of August. So,
have a listen and give them a call.
The peak times are around 0500 to 1200UTC for a short path contact,
and around 1800UTC for a long-path contact. See jarvisisland2024.com
for frequency details and the latest news.
Otherwise, the maximum useable frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path
has been more than 18MHz and often 21MHz during daylight. Nighttime
MUFs have been more than 14MHz when there have been no geomagnetic
disturbances.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start at
around 260 but decline to perhaps 210 as the week progresses. This is
still enough for some good HF propagation. Predictions are less
certain about geomagnetic disturbances, other than a rise on the 22nd
of August.
Solarham.com predicts that a coronal mass ejection associated with an
X1.1 solar flare last Wednesday will pass Earth by the 18th of
August, so we may expect the Kp index to rise today.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The period of alternating hot summer days and unsettled spells with
rain or heavy showers looks like the recipe for the coming week.
The weak ridges of high pressure could prove useful for some Tropo on
occasions. In the summer months, Tropo is often more pronounced over
nearby waters such as the North Sea and south across Biscay or the
English Channel. But it can also feature overnight and, if we are
lucky, may help with the 23cm UK Activity Contest on Tuesday the 20th.
These high-summer active fronts or heavy showers can be very good for
rain scatter. Since temperature plays an important role in the
intensity of summer thunderstorms, the resulting rain scatter is
often best in the afternoon and early evening. On rare occasions
daytime storms can drift north from France to be over the UK during
the night.
The Perseids meteor shower peak has passed now, with some good QSOs
reported. It's a broad shower and there should still be some
worthwhile meteor input to play meteor scatter next week.
The recent solar conditions have produced a disturbed Kp index and
there were some impressive visible and radio auroras from 10m up to
6m last week. It's worth watching out for a high Kp index above, say,
6 and be ready to listen for radio aurora in the afternoon.
Lastly, the Sporadic-E season struggles on with varying degrees of
success, but it's still very much a player for another two or three
weeks. The upper air charts show that there should be some strong jet
streams and thus potentially good sources of the turbulence required
for Sporadic-E. Use the Propquest.co.uk NVIS graphs to see if
Dourbes [DORB] in Belgium is showing any spikes.
Moon declination is negative but rising now. It won't go positive
until Wednesday, so short Moon visibility windows and peak elevation
continue to increase. Wednesday is also perigee, the Moon's closest
point to Earth and when path losses are at their lowest. 144MHz sky
noise is moderate to low over the coming 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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