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G4TNU > NEWS 28.06.15 01:04l 287 Lines 14350 Bytes #999 (0) @ GBR
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 28 Jun 2015
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 28th June 2015
The news headlines:
* MBE for radio amateur
* RSGB Convention news
* Nine satellites to be launched
Congratulations to Ray Aldous, G8CBU who was awarded the MBE in this
year's Queen's Birthday Honours for his service to Scouting. Ray
became interested in radio whilst he was a student at Luton Technical
College and he joined the RAF in 1951 as a wireless mechanic. He was
posted to Egypt and it was there that he became a leader in the Scout
movement. After leaving the RAF he continued as a Scout leader with
the 7th Luton troop. His interest in radio was re-kindled when he
accompanied his Scouts to the 1966 JOTA station in Luton and 2 years
later he gained his amateur licence. Ray has been involved in JOTA
since 1966 and over the years has inspired a number of Scouts and
leaders into becoming licenced – and influenced a few amateurs to
get involved with Scouting.
The RSGB Convention takes place over the 9th to the 11th of October
at Kent's Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. More lectures have
been confirmed. Steve Nichols, G0KYA will be speaking on
Understanding HF Propagation with a look at the sun, sunspots, solar
flares, coronal mass ejections and their effects on HF. He will also
discuss propagation prediction programs and where amateurs can get
solar information. Ian White, GM3SEK will help visitors to clean up
their shack by showing how you can reduce your noise levels on
receive, and reduce risks of causing interference. Details can be
found at www.rsgb.org/convention
Nine satellites, designated CAS-3A to CAS3i, with payloads operating
in the amateur bands, are expected to be launched on 20 July on the
new CZ-6 rocket. The Chinese amateur satellite group CAMSAT says that
six of the satellites, CAS-3A to CAS-3F, are equipped with
substantially the same amateur radio payloads. This will be a 20kHz
bandwidth 435/145MHz 100mW linear transponder for SSB/CW
communications, a CW telemetry beacon and an AX.25 19.2k/9.6k bps
GMSK telemetry downlink. CAS-3G has 9k6 GMSK AX25 downlinks on 145MHz
and 437MHz; CAS-3H carries 145MHz APRS, an FM transponder and a
437MHz CW beacon while CAS-3i has a 9k6 FSK telemetry downlink on
437MHz.
Ofcom has published a statement giving effect to policy decisions to
extend Recognised Spectrum Access for Receive-Only Earth Stations to
two new frequency bands. These are ground based terminals that are
used to receive signals from meteorological satellites, earth
exploration satellites and space missions, but do not transmit. This
now extends to the 7850 – 7900MHz band and the 25.5 – 26.5GHz
band and will come into force on the 10th of July.
The CISPR 11 standard with the catchy title of ‘Industrial,
scientific and medical equipment – Radio disturbance
characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement' covers power
electronic devices such as solar inverters. Although there were
voltage limits for conducted emissions at the mains port in the past,
limits for the connections to the solar cells were missing. After a
positive vote of the international standard bodies, CISPR 11 Ed.6.0
is about to appear officially. In this new version, limits finally
apply for the DC terminals, in particular for systems up to 2kVA in
residential environments. These limits are 74dBµV between 500kHz and
30MHz. The IARU has worked with the standardisation bodies over the
last 5 years to achieve this but the work in terms of photovoltaic
does not end here. With the current limit, however, a reasonable
protection for short wave reception has already been achieved. Ofcom
have published details on their website.
Ofcom has published a policy on temporary callsigns and callsign
enhancements and the subject was discussed at a recent meeting
between the RSGB and Ofcom. The RSGB has asked for clarification
about two issues. The first is that all clubs in England must now use
the Regional Secondary Locator ‘X' in the callsign at all times,
although this would appear to differ from the licence conditions. The
second point is that the structure of temporary callsigns for special
events is such that some very recent approvals do not follow the
policy and, as written, this will restrict Ofcom's ability to
accommodate some requests in future. For example, G100RSGB would not
now be allowed. Ofcom agreed to look again at these points but,
nevertheless, the policy is now a public document and thus in force.
The RSGB will report any further communication from Ofcom.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, Sunday the 28th of June, the West of England Radio Rally will
be held at the Cheese & Grain, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset
BA11 1BE. Doors open from 10am to 2pm and admission is GBP 2.50.
There will be trade stands, including an RSGB bookstall, as well as
disabled facilities. Details from Shaun, G8VPG on 01225 873 098.
On Saturday the 4th of July the Bangor and District Amateur Radio
Society annual rally will be held in the Donaghadee Community Centre,
located just 100m from the harbour. Doors will be open at 11am sharp
and there will be a small entrance fee. All are welcome.
Next Sunday, the 5th of July, British Vintage Wireless Society
Swapmeet and Auction will take place at the Royal Wootton Bassett
Memorial Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8EN. Doors open at
10am and the auction starts at around 1pm. Details from Mike Barker
on 01380 860 787.
Also next Sunday, the 19th Red Rose QRP Festival will be held in
Formby Hall, Alder Street, Atherton, Manchester M46 9EY. There is
free car parking and the doors open at 11am with GBP 2 admission.
There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and special interest
groups. Details from Les Jackson, G4HZJ on 01942 870 634.
The Barford Norfolk Radio Rally will be held in the Barford Village
Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich NR9 4AB on the 5th of July. Doors open
at 9am. There will be trade stands, a car boot area, a Bring & Buy as
well as special interest groups and catering on site. Admission is
GBP 2 with under 16s free. See www.norfolkamateurradio.org.
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.
Now the special event news
Today, the 28th of June, Martin, G7MRV and Bob, M1BBV are walking the
Lyke Wake Walk challenge, whilst operating GB0MAG. Operation will be
at quite low power on 2m FM only with an ultra lightweight rucksack
mounted antenna to increase the range. See QRZ.com for more
information.
The 16th Island Games will be held in Jersey until the 3rd of July.
Jersey ARS will be active with GJ15IG using SSB and CW. Logs will be
uploaded the Logbook of the World and paper QSLs should be requested
using the OQRS facility provided by Club Log.
Bush Valley ARC will be taking part in the Museums on the Air from
The Green Lane Museum in The Roe Valley Country Park today, the 28th
of June, using GB8GLM. Two stations will operate HF, VHF and D-Star.
Banbury Amateur Radio Society is operating GB8OOM until mid-July to
celebrate 800 years of the signing of the Magna Carta. Operation is
on HF, VHF and UHF, with days given for modes other than voice. The
club will have a special 48 hour event for the weekend of the 4th of
July including a barbecue and will also enter VHF Field Day under the
club call of G0BRA. Further information is at www.banburyarc.org
Durham & DARS is participating as one of the bonus stations in the 13
Colonies special event, operating GB13COL. The event will run from
1300UTC on 31 June until 0400UTC on 6 July. The primary focus of the
event will be the HF bands except the WARC bands and 60 metres, as
well as VHF & UHF for local QSOs using SSB, CW and digital modes.
Every year there is a different certificate theme for amateurs who
make contact with either one or all participating stations, including
the bonus stations. See www.13colonies.info
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
G8OFQ will be active stroke HC8 from the Galapagos Islands, SA-004,
from the 1st of July to the 30th of September. Operations will be on
the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via HA3JB.
ON8VP, ON6QQ and ON5TQ will be operating as OJ0V from Market Reef
from the 28th of June to the 4th of July. Activity will be on the 40
to 10m bands using CW and SSB. QSL via ON5TC.
PJ5A will be active from St Eustatius Island, IOTA NA-145, until the
6th of July. Their emphasis will be on 6m but there will be some HF
and low band activity as well. QSL via M0URX.
T88MZ will be active from Koror Island, IOTA OC-009, from the 30th of
June to the 3rd of July. Activity will be holiday style on the 80 to
6m bands using SSB. QSL to home call.
Kouchi, JR2GAG will be QRV as V63GG from Pohnpei Island, IOTA OC-010,
from the 29th of June to the 5th of July. Activity will be on the 20
to 6m bands and possibly the lower bands as well. QSL to his home
callsign.
VK7NSE and VK2HV are on the air as VK7FG from Flinders Island, IOTA
OC-195, until the 2nd of July. Activity is on the 6 to 160m bands.
QSL via M0OXO.
Now the contest news
The 50MHz CW contest takes place today, the 28th of June, from 0900
to 1200UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The 4th 70MHz Cumulative contest runs from 1400 to 1600 today, the
28th of June. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
Finally for today, the UK Microwave Group contest runs from 0600 to
1800. Using all modes on the 5.7 to 10GHz bands the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC.
The exchange is the usual signal report, serial number and locator.
The first VHF contest of July is VHF National Field Day, which runs
for 24 hours from 1400UTC on Saturday the 4th of July. There are
station inspections in this contest so if you have registered and
decide not to take part for any reason, please contact the Contest
Committee in case an inspector wastes time trying to locate a station
that's not active. Bands in use are 50MHz to 1296MHz and all modes
can be used. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 5th of July the 3rd 2m Backpackers contest will take
place from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes in the 144MHz band the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. It is helpful
is portable and mobile stations in this contest also know their WAB
square for the contest taking place at the same time.
The Worked All Britain 144MHz Low Power contest takes place next
Sunday the 5th of July from 1000-1400UTC. The exchange is signal
report, serial number and WAB square. Entries need to be with the
contest manager by the 26th of July. The power limit is 10 watts for
this contest. Details from the WAB website,
www.worked-all-britain.org.uk
The UK Six Metre Group's Summer Marathon continues throughout July.
With no particular operating times, just try to work every Locator
square you can, whenever you can. The exchange is your 4 character
locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 26th of June.
What a week it has been in terms of solar activity and its effects on
HF propagation. We've had everything thrown at us. On Sunday we
started with a series of strong M-class X-Ray flares. One of these
resulted in a full halo coronal mass ejection. The halo effect
observed means the CME was coming straight towards earth.
On Monday we had a proton radiation storm, which impacted HF radio
propagation through the polar regions, a so-called Polar Cap
Absorption Event. And on Tuesday we had the big one with the arrival
of the CME from Sunday's flare. This pushed the Kp index to eight,
with dire effects on the F2 layer and ionospheric propagation, with
aurora and depressed critical frequencies.
The Chilton Ionosonde struggled to get any returns from the F2 layer
on Tuesday morning and all that could be heard were a few weak
European signals on 20m. By early afternoon the critical frequency
was 4.350MHz, giving a maximum usable frequency of about 16.8MHz on
3,000km paths. By Thursday the K index hit six again thanks to
another CME.
So, this week has been characterised by dismal HF conditions with
Sporadic-E being disrupted as well. Next week is predicted to be more
settled with a solar flux index in the 120s and quieter geomagnetic
conditions, so HF propagation may improve.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
We are still in the peak period for Sporadic-E and the weather
triggers, chiefly jet streams in the upper atmosphere, are still
likely to be present for the coming week. There was more good
Sporadic-E across Europe last week with some 6 metre openings to the
Caribbean and the Americas, plus Auroral Es to Scandinavia and 2
metre paths to southern Italy. Expect more of the same.
Longer-term weather models are showing good potential for enhanced
Tropo conditions in the coming week. A ridge of high pressure should
develop across southern England today, and soon build to form a large
high over southern UK which moves into the North Sea and Scandinavia
by mid-week. By this time, a trough may bring some heavy thundery
showers into southwestern Britain from France to give a chance of
rain scatter on the gigahertz bands.
Remember that Tropo paths across the sea can remain active throughout
24 hours, but inland stations may benefit during night-time and early
morning, before the sun breaks down any temperature inversion. Often
Tropo tends to be better on the higher bands, like 70cm and 23cm, and
is often long-lasting compared with the fleeting lower band QSOs via
Sporadic-E.
And that's all from the propagation team for 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 gb2rs<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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