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G4TNU > NEWS 08.09.24 01:31l 301 Lines 14432 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 08 Sep 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 8th of September
The news headlines:
* Book your RSGB Convention tickets now
* There are several vacancies in the RSGB's Regional Team
* Remember to call in to the CHOTA stations on Saturday
The RSGB Convention is just five weeks away and an exciting programme
of presentations and practical activities is being prepared. The
early bird price for day tickets ends on the 15th of September and
this year there won't be any extensions to that date! As well as
three streams of presentations across the weekend there will be an
introductory workshop to microcontroller programming. This workshop
is part of the Society's aim to widen the programming skills in the
amateur radio community and to introduce people to something new. On
Saturday morning RSGB experts will give an EMC and EMF update
presentation, followed by an informal EMC and EMF clinic in the
afternoon. The RSGB HF and VHF contest forums will take place on
Sunday. Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities to talk to
RSGB representatives and to members of many special interest groups
who could inspire you to try a different aspect of amateur radio. The
RSGB 2024 Convention – your convention, your way. To book your day
tickets and to book for the workshop, go to rsgb.org/convention
The RSGB has 13 regions, each covered by a Regional Representative
and a team of District Representatives. This volunteer team is an
important link to clubs and a potential source of support and
information for individual radio amateurs. There are several
vacancies in the Regional Team and this month we're highlighting two
regions. In Region 5 there is an opportunity for someone to volunteer
as a District Representative covering Gloucestershire, Hereford and
South Worcestershire. There are also two vacancies in Region 13 for
District Representatives to cover Leicestershire and Rutland, and
also North Lincolnshire. If you're interested in supporting local
radio amateurs and clubs in those areas, please contact the
appropriate Regional Representative. You can find their details by
going to our website at rsgb.org/regions and clicking on the region
in which you live.
Next Saturday, the 14th, lots of amateur radio stations will be on
the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event,
also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 10am to 4pm and
operation will be focused on the 80, 40 and 20m bands. To see the
list of churches and chapels taking part visit the ‘CHOTA' tab on
the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners
website at wacral.org
A number of changes have been made to the RSGB contest trophies
process, for logistical and resource reasons. For example, instead of
engraving each trophy, the winner will be presented with a quality
certificate at the Trophy Presentations on Sunday morning at the RSGB
Convention. For each award, a high-quality photograph will be taken
of the winner with their trophy, and that photo will be available for
the winner if they would like it. RSGB HQ will now administer all
trophies for the AGM event. The full changes are shown in the updated
trophy policy on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/trophies If you have
any questions about these changes, please contact the RSGB Trophy
Manager Mike Franklin, G3VYI via trophy.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk
Over the course of a year, radio amateur Maggie laquinto
[EYE-AH-QUIN-TOE], VK3CFI attempted to make contact with Russian
cosmonauts on the Mir space station. Maggie used her amateur radio
skills and equipment to monitor the orbit of the space station and
listen to the frequencies that it used. After the dissolution of the
Soviet Union in 1991, Maggie relayed crucial information to cosmonaut
Sergei Krikalev. In a recent BBC programme, Maggie's son Ben laquinto
speaks to Megan Jones. You can listen to the programme by searching
for ‘The woman who spoke to the space station' on the bbc.co.uk
website.
And now for details of rallies and events
Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is taking place today, the 8th, at
Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors are
open from 9am to 8pm and there is no admission fee. Sellers can gain
access from 8am. For more information email Zane, M1BFI via
m1bfi<at>outlook.com or phone 07711 214 790.
The Broadcast Engineering Museum near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is
new and a work in progress, so it only opens a few days each year.
The next open days are coming up on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the
15th of September from 11am to 4pm. The Museum contains a vast
collection of historic broadcasting equipment and memorabilia, some
restored and working, on display in a former RAF sergeants' mess.
Free parking is available on site. For more information email
contactus<at>becg.org.uk or visit becg.org.uk
The British Vintage Wireless Society is holding a swap-meet and
auction on Sunday the 15th of September. The venue will be the
Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire,
SG18 8JH. Stallholders can gain entry from 9am. Admission for
visitors will be available from 9.30am at a cost of GBP 8. The
auction starts at 12.30pm and hot and cold refreshments will be
available all day. For more information visit bvws.org.uk or email
Jeremy Owen, G8MLK at secretary<at>bvws.org.uk
Now the Special Event news
To celebrate Malaysia Day, special callsign 9M61S is active until the
16th of September. Operators will be working on the HF bands using
SSB, CW and digital modes. For more information see QRZ.com
Special callsign DL250CDF is active until the 30th of September to
mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of painter Caspar David
Friedrich, an icon of the German Romantic movement. The station is
operating on the HF bands using CW, digital modes and SSB. All QSOs
will be confirmed automatically via the Bureau, eQSL and Logbook of
World. For details of a certificate that is available visit
tinyurl.com/DL250CDF
Now the DX news
Bob, ZL1RS is active as E51EME from Rarotonga [REUH-RUH-TONG-GUH],
OC-013, in the South Cook Islands until the 15th of September. He is
focusing on operating FT8 on the 6m band, with 6m EME using Q65-60A
as a secondary activity. QSL via Club Log's OQRS and Logbook of the
World. See QRZ.com for more information and updates.
Bernard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from Malaita [MAL-EYE-TAH],
OC-047, in the Solomon Islands, until the 15th of September. He
operates SSB and some FT8 on the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via Bernard's
home call, directly or via the Bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Club
Log and Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 7th and
ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 160
to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal
report and your age.
SSB Field Day started at 1300UTC on Saturday the 7th and ends at
1300UTC today, the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m
bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
The 144MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 7th and
ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 8th of September. Using all modes
on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
Today, the 8th, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest runs from
1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.
Also today, the 8th, the 5th 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 10th, 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 10th, 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 11th, 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 11th, 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.
Also on Wednesday the 11th, the Autumn Series CW Contest runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
On Thursday the 12th, 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.
On Sunday the 15th, the 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from
0900 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday
the 14th and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 15th of September.
Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Sunday the 15th, the UK Microwave Group 24 to 76GHz Contest runs
from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using All modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 15th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from
1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator. Irish stations also give
their county.
The IRTS 2m Counties Contest is also taking place on Sunday the 15th
from 1300 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator. Irish stations also give
their county.
Also on Sunday the 15th, the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group
Sprint PSK63 Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using PSK63 on the 80
to 10m bands, the exchange is your serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 5th of September 2024
Last week was underlined by continued high solar flux indices and
excellent 10m band propagation to CY9C on Saint Paul Island near
Newfoundland.
The DXpedition, which has now ended, was often at S9+ on 28MHz up to
two hours after sunset. This may be a sign that better autumnal HF
conditions are just around the corner and bodes well for the rest of
the year.
The average sunspot number has now exceeded 200 for the first time in
23 years. This puts it significantly better than Solar Cycle 24 and
it looks like there is more to come.
Propquest.co.uk reports that maximum usable frequencies over a
3,000km path are now often above 28MHz, so look out for DX on the 10m
band. This will improve as the month goes on. September is a good
month for north-south paths and paths to North America will improve
as we head into October.
So, get your higher HF band antennas sorted out, as this autumn could
be fun!
During the week just past, there were 21 M-class flares, but no
X-class events. The Kp index has been under 5 all week, which no
doubt helped HF propagation flourish.
Large coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, did occur on the 1st and 3rd
of September, but these appear to be related to far-side events, well
beyond the northwest limb, and were directed away from Earth. But
that active region is now rotating into view so buckle up for
potential Earth-directed CME activity.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre suggests that the
solar flux index will remain in the 240 to 250 range. Unsettled
geomagnetic conditions are forecast for today, the 8th of September
but, as we always say, keep an eye on solarham.com for up-to-date
solar information as things are likely to change each day.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The slightly enhanced Tropo conditions were welcome for the 144MHz UK
Activity Contest on the 3rd of September. However, in the coming
week, the opposite is now the case for many parts of the country as
low pressure is set to dominate the weather charts.
There may be some weak ridges of high pressure nearby or even over
northern Britain this weekend, but it is not looking great.
If pressed for a direction, it looks better across the North Sea to
northern Europe and southern Scandinavia in the first part of the
week.
Much of next week will have low pressure in control, and it will be
worth looking for rain scatter on the GHz bands.
The solar side of things means that we should be alert to the chance
of aurora if the Kp index rises. The autumn is often a good time of
the year for these. It will be useful to monitor the Kp index,
especially if you hear any signals sounding ‘watery' on the HF and
LF bands.
It's always worth a reminder that the Sporadic-E season does not drop
off a cliff at this time of year. It becomes very infrequent and
restricted to lower bands or digital modes. That said, it does become
very infrequent and restricted to lower bands or digital modes under
the influence of jet streams. The southward paths to Iberia and the
western Mediterranean look most promising next week for an
out-of-season chance Sporadic-E event.
There is one small meteor shower this week. The September
Epsilon-Perseids peaks with a low zenithal hourly rate of five
tomorrow, the 9th. This shower produced unexpected outbursts in 2008
and 2013, but modelling indicates that 2024 activity should be
nothing unusual.
For EME operators, Moon declination is now negative and falling
further, reaching minus 29 degrees next Wednesday. Moon visibility
windows continue to fall, as will peak Moon elevation, while path
losses are decreasing after apogee. 144MHz sky noise increases from
moderate today, the 8th, reaching over 2,500 Kelvin next Wednesday.
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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