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G4TNU > NEWS 29.09.24 01:31l 303 Lines 14970 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 29 Sep 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 29th of September
The news headlines:
* There is still time to book tickets for the RSGB 2024
Convention
* The RSGB is helping to promote JOTA activities in October
* The RSGB has responded to a recent Ofcom Consultation
concerning the 2.3GHz band
With just two weeks until the RSGB Convention, this year's event is
the place to go if you are interested in anything and everything to
do with amateur radio. There will be a host of expert speakers
presenting on topics ranging from Sporadic-E and how to use AI to
write amateur radio applications, to panel debates on amateur radio
modes and presentations on inspiring the next generation of radio
amateurs. The presentation summaries and speaker biographies are now
available on the RSGB speaker page. AMSAT-UK has started to release
news of its presentations too and you can see those on the RSGB's
Convention programme. There really is something for everyone. If you
haven't already bought your ticket, be sure to secure it by Monday
the 7th of October when the online booking process will close. Buying
tickets before the event will save you up to GBP 5 off the usual 'on
the day' ticket prices. Due to demand, the RSGB has also arranged an
extra introduction to microcontroller programming workshop that will
take place on the Sunday morning. There are still some tickets
available for Saturday's Gala Dinner too. To book your tickets for
any part of the weekend or to find out more about the programme go to
rsgb.org/convention
Jamboree on the Air, also known as JOTA, is taking place between the
18th and 20th of October. The event promotes friendship and global
citizenship and is a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the
groups within the Scout Association. Some groups have already shared
details of activities that will be taking place over the weekend and
the RSGB plans to compile and share a list of these on its comms
channels. If you are part of a Scouting group and are planning to get
involved with JOTA then please get in touch via
comms<at>rsgb.org.uk with a summary of your station name, callsign
and any other relevant information.
The RSGB has responded to a recent Ofcom Consultation which would see
new users sharing spectrum within the 2.3GHz amateur band. Whilst the
new devices may be limited to indoor use, the RSGB has taken the
opportunity to highlight concerns regarding the weak signal 2320MHz
segment. In addition, the RSGB has also indicated its wish to review
the current restrictions that apply to this band that date back to
2013, when it was subject to Public Sector Spectrum Release. The
response and background information can be found in the Spectrum
Forum web pages at rsgb.org/spectrum-forum
The October edition of RadCom includes an article about the very
first two-way radio communication between the UK and New Zealand,
something that Sir Edward Appleton, radio physicist and Nobel
laureate, later described as "probably the most dramatic moment in
the history of the development of the short waves." The contact was
between two radio amateurs, one in Mill Hill School, London and the
other on a sheep farm in New Zealand. Centenary celebrations will be
taking place in New Zealand and at Mill Hill School, and special
event callsigns will be active from today until late October. GB2NZ
and ZM100DX will be active each day during that period and, for the
week of the centenary, the near-actual callsigns used in 1924, G2SZ
and ZL4AA, will be active from the 14th to the 20th of October. A
commemorative certificate will be available for those who make
contacts with the event stations. For more information on the
Goyder-Bell award, and to find out more about the centenary
celebrations, go to gb2nz.com
Lots of amateur radio stations are on the air this weekend for the
Railways on the Air event. The occasion marks the anniversary of the
first steam-powered passenger railway journey which took place on the
27th of September 1825. The first passenger train ran on a line in
the North East of England from Darlington to Stockton. Activity will
be centred around 3.65, 7.15 and 14.25MHz. For more information visit
rota.barac.org.uk
The September 2024 issue of RadCom Basics is now available on the
RSGB website for members to read. RadCom Basics is aimed at new
licensees or anyone who enjoys reading about the fundamental
principles behind the many facets of amateur radio. This issue
includes articles on antenna building, home construction and getting
fit with amateur radio. If you haven't already, you can subscribe to
receive updates about RadCom Basics via the RSGB Membership Portal.
RSGB members can read RadCom Basics by going to rsgb.org/radcom-basics
The September 2024 issue of RadCom Plus, the online magazine for the
more technically minded radio amateur, has been published. The first
article was written by RSGB Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, and is an
introduction to using AI to write computer software. Next, is a
contribution from Tony Preedy, G3LNP about how to make an efficient
magnetic loop antenna. The third article, by Andy Talbot, G4JNT dives
into the interesting, but perhaps unfamiliar, mathematics behind the
encoding algorithms used in digital data programs which we all use.
The final article is the fourth in the continuing series by Barry
Chambers, G8AGN about his pioneering experiments at 30THz
[TERAHERTZ]. RSGB Members can read past and present issues of RadCom
Plus via rsgb.org/radcom-plus
Don't forget to listen out for all the 145 Alive activity which is
taking place today, Sunday the 29th. Operators will be active from
1pm to 4pm and there will be nets operating in most Maidenhead
Squares across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. To take part in
the event, which is designed to promote FM activity on the 2m band,
all you need to do is call in and make contact with others. For more
information contact Mark Savage, M0XIC via the 145 Alive Facebook
page.
And now for details of rallies and events
On Saturday the 5th of October Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is
holding a surplus equipment sale in aid of club funds. The venue will
be Cwmduad [COME-DO-ADD] Community Centre, Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire,
SA33 6XN. The doors are open for traders from 8am, and for visitors
from 10am. Disabled access will be available from 9.30am. The
entrance fee for visitors will be GBP 2. For more information, or to
book a table, email G0JLX<at>mail.com
The 49th Welsh Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 6th of
October at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport,
NP18 2YE. Traders can gain access from 7am and the doors will be open
for visitors from 9.30am. The entrance fee is GBP 3 per person and
free parking will be available. For more information email Mike
Rackham, GW4JKV via welshradiorally<at>gmail.com or phone
07976 368 250.
Now the Special Event news
Today, the 29th, the British Railways Amateur Radio Society will be
active with special callsign GB1FRT on behalf of the Furness Railway
Trust in Preston. Operation will be on the 40m band using SSB. QSL
via the Bureau. To read more about the station, visit brars.info and
QRZ.com
During October and November special callsign PZ5JT will be back on
the air from Surinam during the jungle training of the Royal Dutch
Army and Marines. The station is operated by personnel from the
signal regiment and will operate on the 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10m bands
using SSB. In-service military L3Harris radios from different
locations will be in use and the operators will welcome your call. To
read more about this station visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
John, W5JON is active as V47JA from Saint Kitts, NA-104, until the
1st of October. He is operating using SSB and FT8 on the 160 to 6m
bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or directly to W5JON.
Vlad, OK2WX is active as 5H1WX from Mafia Island, AF-054, Tanzania
until the 6th of October. He is operating using CW, SSB and FT8 on
the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via I8KHC [INDIA-EIGHT-KILO-HOTEL-CHARLIE].
More information, including a detailed QSL policy, is available via
tinyurl.com/5H1WX2024
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
28th and ends at 2359UTC today, the 29th of September. Using RTTY on
the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.
Today, the 29th, 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.
On Tuesday the 1st, the RSGB 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 1st, the RSGB 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 2nd, the RSGB 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 2nd, the
RSGB 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.
On Wednesday the 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest
runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is
your six-character locator.
The Oceania DX SSB Contest starts at 0600UTC on Saturday the 5th and
ends at 0600UTC on Sunday the 6th of October. Using SSB on the 160 to
10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
The RSGB October 432MHz to 245GHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on
Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of October.
Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The IARU 432MHz to 245GHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the
5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of October. Using all modes
on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 5th of October, the RSGB 2.3GHz Trophy Contest runs
from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on 2.3GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Saturday the 5th of October, the RSGB 1.3GHz Trophy Contest
runs from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Wednesday the 25th of September 2024
Solar activity is back to moderate levels with an M3.7 solar flare
detected on the 22nd of September. Newly assigned AR 3835 in the
southeast quadrant is the main source and the event looks to have
thrown a stream of plasma into space.
The latest model suggested a possible passage near our planet by the
25th and it looks like the prediction was correct. The Space Weather
Prediction Centre issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch and visible
aurora may be likely at very high latitudes. Expect maximum useable
frequencies, or MUFs for short, to decline if the Kp index is above 4
or 5.
Other than a large number of C-class solar flares in the past five
days, this was the biggest eruptive event to occur.
The solar flux index had declined to 172 on Wednesday the 25th but is
unlikely to decrease much further. Note that nearly all the sunspots
are in the Sun's southern hemisphere at the moment.
Meanwhile, daytime MUFs over a 3,000km path are now consistently over
28MHz under quiet geomagnetic conditions. This is good news for fans
of the 10m band. Nighttime MUFs over 3,000km are around 14 to 16MHz,
so it looks like we may soon lose the 24-hour DX openings on the 20m
band, which are prevalent in the summer months.
Increasing solar proton flux at the moment means paths over the
Arctic Circle may be compromised.
Daytime critical frequencies remain over 8MHz and often reach nearly
11MHz, so NVIS communications around the UK on the 40m band remain
commonplace but may disappear later in the evening.
NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase next week but
may not reach the 200s. Keep an eye on solarham.com for daily
updates.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The present run of unsettled weather has become firmly established
and, although many parts of the country have not seen the torrential
rain and flooding of last week, there will be some rain at times in
most parts of the country during the first week of October.
There are a couple of brief periods in the models when a weak ridge
of high pressure is due to cross southern areas, but these are not
seen as great for Tropo.
The week beginning Monday the 30th of September sees at least two
major lows pass close to northern Britain. One occurs as this weekend
draws to a close and there may be another one later in the week.
These types of changeable patterns are notorious for problems with
detailed predictions beyond a few days, although the general weather
type is well forecast.
Just a reminder that strong wind events at the end of a long summer
can be a big shock to antennas, so now is a very good time to check
that all is well in the guying department.
Having discounted Tropo as an option, the obvious choice will be rain
scatter on the GHz bands, but some of these events may produce very
fast-moving echo sources. So, it could be quite a challenge although
last week saw plenty of good rain scatter conditions.
Meteor scatter is again largely dependent upon random meteors with
just a couple of lesser showers, the Kappa Leonids and Sextantids,
which see out the end of September.
The auroral situation continues to provide some excitement, and the
autumn months are a good time of the year for such things.
For EME operators, Moon declination is still positive until Tuesday
evening, so Moon visibility windows are shortening. Path losses are
high with apogee next Wednesday the 2nd of October. Thursday the 3rd
sees near-eclipse conditions when the Sun and Moon are close in the
sky meaning high noise with wider beamwidth antennas. 144MHz sky
noise is, in general, low for the rest of the 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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