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G4TNU > NEWS 16.06.16 11:37l 309 Lines 14893 Bytes #999 (0) @ GBR
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 05 Jun 2016
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 5th June 2016
The news headlines:
* Band plans updated
* Hi-Impact balloon going up
* RSGB Convention news
Amateurs are advised that updates to a number of band plans are now
in effect in the UK and across IARU Region 1 as of the 1st of June.
The changes to 80m, 30m and VHF provide for greater flexibility for
narrow band digital modes. The new version also includes some
editorial updates in other bands. Full details can be found on the
RSGB website at http://rsgb.org/main/operating/band-plans/
On the 9th of June, a team from Hi-Impact, including DRM61, Mark,
MW1MDH, will be launching a High Altitude Balloon from a site in
Welshpool. It will carry a HABduino as part of a project with schools
in the area. Mark is asking all amateurs and SWLs, if they would help
track this flight and feed the data back into Habitat, the web based
HAB tracker, http://tracker.habhub.org. The launch will take place
around 11.30am and the HABduino will be transmitting on the
434.650MHz, RTTY, 50 Baud, 425Hz shift, 7 data bits, no parity, 2
stop bits. The callsign to look for is BARNABY.
If you weren't able to visit the RSGB Convention in 2015, some of the
lectures were recorded and are being made available to Members via
the RSGB website. Go to www.rsgb.org/video and click the RSGB 2015
Convention link. In 2016, the Convention is looking forward to
welcoming John Rogers, M0JAV who will speak about Diagnosing and
Reporting RFI problems. He will outline the new EMC assisted
diagnosis / reporting process and will explain what is needed for
Ofcom to consider investigating RFI cases. Booking information can be
found at www.rsgb.org/convention where you can click on the
Convention logo to book.
A 2m signal from the UK was heard across the Atlantic on the 2nd of
May. It had been reflected off the structure of the International
Space Station. Following two weeks of preparation, Tim, G4LOH, in
Cornwall and Roger, VE1SKY, in Nova Scotia attempted a FSK441
contact. With a mutual window of less than 1 minute, VE1SKY was able
to copy G4LOH at a distance of 4441km. This was the first signal
received via ISS-bounce from Europe to North America, and the first
intentional signal heard via ISS reflection in any direction across
the North or South Atlantic.
Thanks to the Brazilian Amateur Radio League (LABRE) radio amateurs
who will visit Brazil for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games will be able to
get on the air easily. During August and September any foreign
amateur will be able to operate in Brazil, regardless of whether
there is a reciprocal agreement. No IARP or CEPT licence is necessary
and no fees are required. You just need to send a scan of your
passport identification pages and licence, a list of the cities you
intend to operate in and when, plus an email address, to
executiva<at>labre.org.br.
The MSF 60kHz time and frequency signal broadcast from Anthorn Radio
Station will be shut down on the 9th of June from 10am to 2pm. The
interruption to the transmission is required to allow maintenance
work to be carried out in safety. More details are online at
www.npl.co.uk/time
Registration is open for the 3rd International Air Ambulance
activity, a 9-day special event. The 2016 dates are the 19th to the
27th of September. To register your station, go to
tinyurl.com/2016-iaw
The marine buoy ZL1SIX with its low powered transmission on the 30m
band is now floating around the Pacific Ocean. Bob, ZL1RS reports
that the solar powered buoy is transmitting the weak signal WSPR and
JT9 modes on the 30m band. The yacht Windflower launched the buoy in
the middle of the South Pacific Ocean with its last location being
south of Fiji and Tonga. Data sent hourly shows the buoy travelling
at about 1.8km per hour in a north-nor-east direction. More details,
including tracking progress being mapped, are online at
www.qsl.net/zl1rs/oceanfloater.html
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
This weekend, the 4th and 5th of June, the Sussex Electronics and
Radio Fair takes place at Eastbourne Sports Park, Cross Levels Way,
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 2UF. The venue has free car parking as
well as camping and caravanning on site and there are disabled
facilities. A talk-in station will be in operation as well as a
special event station. Doors open from 10am to 4pm and admission is
GBP 3, with children free. There will be indoor/outdoor trade stands
and catering on site. There is a room for talks and demonstrations.
More information from Dave, G8PUO on 07807 074 538.
Today, the 5th, the Central Scotland Amateur Radio Mini Convention
takes place in Crofthead Community Education Centre, Templar Rise,
Dedridge, Livingston EH54 6DG. There is car parking on site and the
venue has disabled facilities. Doors open at 10am, with disabled
visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. Admission is GBP 4. There
will be trade stands, a flea market, special interest groups, an RSGB
bookstall and lectures during the event. A raffle will also take
place. Details from John, MM0JRR, 01506 437 908.
Also on the 5th, the Spalding & District ARS Rally will be in the Sir
John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs
PE11 2EF. The venue has free car parking and talk-in is on S22. Doors
open at 10am. There will be trade stands and outside car boot area.
Catering will be available on site. More information from John, G4NBR
on 0794 630 2815.
On the 11th of June Martin Lynch is celebrating his 60th birthday at
ML&S, Wessex House, Drake Avenue, Staines, Middlesex TW18 2AP.
Customers old and new are invited, with the event co-hosted by Yaesu,
Icom & Kenwood. There will be plenty of refreshments with hot & cold
drinks.
On the 12th of June the 15th Junction 28 Rally will be held at
Alfreton Leisure Centre, Church Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BD. The venue
has car parking available and disabled facilities. There will be
trade stands, special interest groups and a raffle will take place,
there is also a licensed bar. More information from Anya Lawrence on
01159 307 322.
Also on the 12th, the East Suffolk Wireless Revival will be held at
the Orwell Crossing Lorry Park, A14 Eastbound, Nacton, Ipswich
IP10 0DD. There will be a talk in station on S22 and car parking is
available on site. Doors open at 9.30am and admission is GBP 2. There
will be an RSGB bookstall, a car boot area and a Bring and Buy.
Special interest groups will be attending. There is a licensed bar
and catering available. An HF station running GB4SWR will be on the
air. Details from Kevin, G8MXV, 0771 004 6846.
If you have any rally or event information you'd like to appear in
future editions of GB2RS News, in RadCom and on the RSGB website,
please email details to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
On the air until the 15th of June, Kevin, K6TOP will be in the
British Virgin Islands, IOTA reference NA-023, with the callsign
VP2V/K6TOP. Find him on the 10 to 40m bands working CW in his spare
time. Send QSLs via Logbook of the World.
John, 2M0JMN, is in the Cayman Islands, NA-016, operating as ZF2MN
until the 17th of June. He will be operating holiday-style on the HF
bands. Send QSL cards via M0OXO.
Waldi, SP7IDX, is active from Vannoya Island, EU-046, as LA/SP7IDX
until the 10th of June. Send QSLs to his home callsign, via the
Bureau, direct, Logbook of the World or Club Log.
Gerard, F6CKD is on the air from French Guiana until the 15th of June
1th as FY/F6CKD. He is mainly on 20 and 17 metres. Send QSLs via
F6CKD.
Jonathan, KK7PW is on the air as 5X1O from Uganda until the 8th of
July. Activity is on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres using 5 watts. QSL via
EA5GL.
Hans, DF5UG is on the air as 9M2QQ from Segamat in West Malaysia
until the 15th of June. Activity is mainly on 20 metres using SSB.
QSL to his home callsign.
Jeff, K5WE is on the air as XR0YS from Easter Island, SA-001, until
the 8th of June. Activity is on 80 to 6 metres using mostly CW and
some RTTY. He may be active on 160 metres depending on local
conditions. QSL to his home callsign.
Now the special event news
Radio amateurs of the ARI Fidenza group will operate a radio station
located close to the keel of the yacht Elettra, Marconi's floating
laboratory. Using the callsign IY4EC, the station will be on the air
today, the 5th, as part of the Museum Ships event.
Chertsey Radio Club has the extended use of GB9LIZ until the end of
June to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday. The club has been
operating most weekends on HF from Laleham Park and during the week
using DMR modes.
Thurrock Acorns ARC will operate GB90QEB on the 8th of June to
celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday Tea Party being held at Tilbury
Riverside Project from 2 to 4pm.
Members of the Virtual Amateur Radio Club will operate GB90QB for the
Queen's 90th birthday celebrations using SSB and data on the HF bands
from the 9th to the 13th of June. Details are on QRZ.com.
Coulsden ATS will operate GB2ER over the weekend of the 10th to the
12th of June.
Crystal Palace Radio & Electronics Club will be running GB6CPR on the
12th of June to celebrate the 60th anniversary year since their
foundation. Operation will be on the HF and VHF bands at 21 Overhill
Way, Beckenham, Kent and will coincide with a street party in the
same road. The station will be accessible to the public.
Now the contest news
The CW National Field Day ends its 24 hour run at 1500UTC today, the
5th, on the 1.8 to 28MHz bands. The exchange is signal report and
serial number.
The South East Asia NETwork Contest ends its 24 hour run at 1200UTC
today, the 5th. The SEANET area encompasses CQ Zones 22, 24, 25, 26,
27, 28 and 29, which is a triangle extending from India in the West
to Japan in the North East and Australia in the South East. Using the
3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The UK Six Metre Group's annual Summer Es Contest ends its 24 hours
at 1300UTC today, the 5th. You don't need to be a member of UKSMG to
participate or enter. The exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and membership number if you have one.
The UK Microwave Group is holding another Low Band contest on 23, 13
and 9cm today, the 5th. Running from 1000 to 1400UTC on the 1.3, 2.3
and 3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
On Monday the 80m Club Championships data leg will take place from
1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday it's the 144MHZ UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
Next weekend, from 1600UTC on the 11th to 1600UTC on the 12th, the
French DDFM 6m contest takes place. Using SSB, CW and FM the exchange
is signal report, serial number and the 4-digit locator. Multipliers
are French Départments and French Locator squares.
On the 12th the second 144MHz Backpackers contest runs from 0900 to
1300UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator. If you are intending to take part in the 3 watt
section of the 2m Backpackers you might like to carry on for an
additional three hours at the end to do the full seven hours of the
Practical Wireless event. That 2m Low Power Contest takes place from
0900 to 1600UTC. The maximum power in this one is 3 watts and the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The annual IARU ATV Contest takes place on from 1200UTC on the 11th
to 1800UTC on the 12th. The contest includes all bands from 432MHz up
and additionally the BATC will run an ATV Contest on 71MHz and 146MHz
at the same time. Full details and links to the log sheets are at
tinyurl.com/iaru-atv-16
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday 3rd June.
The solar flux index declined further this week to the mid 80s. A
quick look at an image of the sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory
on solarham.net shows why. On Thursday two sunspot groups were
rotating out of sight on the sun's limb, leaving a pretty blank disk.
As a result NOAA predicts the solar flux index will diminish to 75-80
for the whole of next week.
This week has been quieter geomagnetically, with a maximum K index of
three and a low of one. As we mentioned in the last report, this week
may start off very unsettled with a K index up to five this weekend
due to a geo-effective recurring coronal hole on the sun's surface.
After a respite mid week, next weekend may also become unsettled.
The highlight this week has been prolonged Sporadic-E openings on the
upper HF bands. These have brought lengthy short-skip openings on 20m
and up and hopefully may continue. Rare, but relatively local, DX has
included both Monaco and San Marino on 10 metres.
If you are fairly new to the hobby look around 28.500MHz for signals
around mid-morning, mid to late afternoon and early evening. Also
look for FM signals around 29.600MHz. Beacon hunters should look
between 28.125 and 28.325MHz.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
The weather pattern is fairly slow moving and although we start with
high pressure, this will get displaced to the east. This could still
provide some Tropo from northern Britain across to southern
Scandinavia. Low pressure approaching from the Atlantic will
introduce some showery weather with warmer and more humid southerly
winds. If these showers are heavy and thundery they could produce
good rain scatter on the Gigahertz bands.
As we said earlier, we've had a good start to this year for
Sporadic-E with many days of European Sporadic-E on 50MHz upwards to
144MHz. Tea time on the 30th produced strong 144MHz signals from
YU1EV and others, copied from East Anglia right over to West Wales
and the Isle of Man.
Disturbed weather patterns with strong jet streams are what is
required for Sporadic-E, but the next week is looking quieter as the
jet stream migrates to the northern parts of Europe. This could mean
paths to Scandinavia more often than southern Europe as in recent
weeks. If you do one thing, check the VHF bands for Sporadic-E around
tea time, before eating, and you'll catch most of what develops.
With high declination, the Moon is favourably placed for EME, with
low losses early in the week.
And that's all for this week from the propagation team.
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 gb2rs<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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