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G4APL > NEWS 13.01.18 22:43l 240 Lines 11577 Bytes #999 (0) @ GBR
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 14 Jan 2018
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 14th January 2018
The news headlines:
* RSGB Band Plans updated
* RSGBTech and RSGBForum have moved
* National Museum of Computing to host Raspberry Jam
The 2018 RSGB Band Plans can be found in the forthcoming February
edition of RadCom, due to arrive with Members this week, and online.
These incorporate changes from the 2017 IARU Region 1 Conference,
along with UK usage changes. The main changes are in the 5MHz HF
band, and the 50, 144 and 430MHz VHF/UHF bands. At 5MHz, the changes
align with the flexible UK Usage plan and the lack of full access to
the WRC-15 band. At VHF/UHF a number of new features accommodate
digital modes and encourage experimentation. VHF DX and Contest
enthusiasts should particularly note the changes in the 144MHz
narrowband segment. At UHF, new designations for personal hot spots
and reverse split repeaters have been introduced to accommodate
growth in digital usage. Further information on the changes can be
found in RadCom – and the online change notes, plus full band
plans, are at www.rsgb.org/bandplans
The independent Yahoo! Groups RSGBTech and RSGBForum have moved to
groups.io. Existing members of both groups, with working accounts,
were automatically copied to the corresponding new groups. In
addition, previous messages, files and so on held in each group were
also copied to the new group location in order to maintain continuity
of service. Anyone wishing to join RSGBTech or RSGBForum, should
visit groups.io and search for the corresponding Group.
Raspberry Jams are something of a phenomenon. Independent and run by
volunteers, they gather together people from all walks of life to
celebrate the Raspberry Pi in particular, and digital making in
general. The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park is
holding a Raspberry Jam for younger people, who are just starting out
with coding and creating their own projects. Running from 12 noon to
5pm on the 16th of February, tickets cost from GBP 9.20 depending
upon your age. Please note that this is not a ‘Drop-Off' event:
parental supervision is required at all times. Your ticket also gets
you access to the whole of the museum, giving you the chance to find
inspiration from the 70 years of computing that have come before.
Tickets and details are available at https://tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0114-A
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/raspberry-junior-jam-tickets-4169569795
5?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTM2NDE3MjYvcmFkY29tQHJzZ2Iub3JnLnVrLzA%3D&u
tm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&utm_te
rm=eventpage]
Phil Cragg, G3UGK has indicated that he is standing down as Morse
Competency Project Lead. The RSGB wishes to thank him for his work on
behalf of the Training and Education Committee (TEC). The RSGB is now
seeking a successor to take forward the Morse Competency Scheme,
including proposed changes to make the scheme more accessible that
are at an advanced state of preparation. If you feel you can assist
in this capacity and wish to discuss it further, please contact TEC
Chair Paul Whatton, G4DCV via email to tec.chair<at>rsgb.org.uk
The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Monitoring System
Newsletter reports that many Indonesian pirates were heard on the
30th of December in the 7.000 to 7.040MHz range, USB and LSB, active
in 5kHz increments. Signals were reported to be rather strong in
Europe. There were also Chinese over-the-horizon radars on 7 and
14MHz, emitting 10kHz wide bursts with durations of 3.8 and 7.6
seconds, and often jumping. A Russian military system was also
reported, transmitting DSB on 7.030MHz from Crimea, covering about
5.6kHz for several days. Radio Eritrea and white noise jamming
reported to be from Radio Ethiopia continue to be reported on 7.140
and 7.180MHz.
The Bouvet Island 3Y0Z DXpedition team has issued an invitation to
follow the team while it's on its way to the "most remote place on
Earth". The 3Y0Z team will be using a Garmin InReach SE
satellite-tracking device that will enable others to follow the
team's travel route and progress in real time on a map. The device
uses Iridium satellite technology and will send a waypoint along the
route every 30 minutes. These will appear on the Bouvet MapShare
website, as the team travels to Chile and eastward on the vessel
Betanzos on the 10- to 12-day journey across the South Atlantic to
Bouvet. See more at https://share.garmin.com/bouvet
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, the 14th, The Red Rose Winter Rally will be held at The George
H Carnall Leisure Centre, Kingsway Park M41 7FJ. The venue is
opposite the Trafford Centre and is easily accessible from junction 9
of the M60. The hall is all on one level with a large free car park.
There is a café on site. Doors open at 11am. There will be trade
stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall.
Further details from John on 0787 016 1953 or see www.wmrc.co.uk
We have no details in the diary for any rallies next weekend. The
next rally on our list is the Horncastle Radio Rally on the 27th of
January.
Please do not just assume we know about your event. The February
RadCom lists every rally we have been told about, but we suspect
there are some notable omissions. To get your rally or event
information into 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
Brian, GW4DVB will be operating a small holiday DXpedition between
the 21st and 28th of January. Operating as J88PI from Palm Island
situated near the southern tip of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The
IOTA reference is NA-025. He will be using a Yaesu FT-991A with 100
watts into a 10m vertical on the 10, 15, 17, 20 and 40m bands, SSB
only. QSL direct only to PO Box 20:20, Llanharan, Pontyclun,
CF72 9ZA.
Rich, PA0RRS will be on Penang Island, West Malaysia using his 9M2MRS
callsign until the 31st of January. The IOTA reference is AS-015 and
QSLs go via his home call.
Thomas, DL9OBQ is on the air as 9Z4/DL9OBQ from Saint Augustine,
Trinidad Island, IOTA SA-011, until the 7th of February. Activity is
on 30, 17 and 15 metres, using mostly CW. QSL to home call.
Steve, KG4LJB is operating as C6AJB from Eleuthera Island in the
Bahamas, IOTA NA-001, until the 20th of January. Activity is holiday
style on 40 to 17 metres. QSL to his home call.
A group of operators will be on the air as E31A from the 14th to the
23rd of January. Activity will be on 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB
and RTTY. The main objective of this trip is to support the Eritrean
National Olympic Committee. QSL via JH1AJT.
Now the special event news
The GB1LBC will be on the air from Silloth RNLI Lifeboat Station on
the 20th and 21st and the 27th and 28th of January, to raise
awareness of the work the volunteer crews undertake in the coastal
waters of the UK. Main operating bands will be 40m voice and 20m
digital modes, mostly PSK and FT8. Other bands maybe used if
conditions allow. QSL information is on QRZ.com.
MX0YHA in SD94 and MX0PHX in SK41 will be on air on the 2m band
today, the 14th, for the Robin Hood January VHF Award. Details are
online at www.robinhoodradio.uk
Members of the Norwegian national society are on the air with special
calls LM90NRRL, LM90HQ and LM90C throughout 2018 to celebrate their
90th year as their national IARU Society.
Now the contest news
On Tuesday the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000to 2230UTC.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
On the 18th the 70MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2000UTC.
It is followed by the 70MHz UK Activity contest that uses all modes
from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange is the same for both, signal
report, serial number and locator.
On the 20th the datamodes AFS contest runs from 1400 to 1800UTC.
Using only the 3.5 and 7MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
The Worked All Britain 1.8MHz contest takes place from 1900 to
2300UTC on the 20th of January. The exchange is signal report, serial
number and WAB square. Entries need to be with the contest manager by
the 10th of February. Full details of the rules and log sheets are
online at www.worked-all-britain.org.uk
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday 12th January.
Last week, we continued to suffer the effects of coronal holes on the
Sun, which are very prevalent at this point in the solar cycle. On
Wednesday, HF was very lacklustre with little on the bands and 20m
closing around 4pm. Having said that, there were pearls to be found.
The 6O6O [Six Oscar Six Oscar] DXpedition to Somalia has been worked
by many UK stations on 20 and 15 metres and Japan has been heard on
40 metres.
In mid-Winter, it can pay to check out 80 metres too. The USA is
often romping in on SSB at the top end of the band around sunrise.
Even if you have a compromise antenna you may be able to hear the
louder stations, such as Mitchell, KH6M in Naples, Florida. Just
listen around 3.795MHz for the 80 metre DX nets from 7.00am onwards.
Transatlantic signals will start to fade out after sunrise around 8am
as the D layer starts to build.
Next week, the solar flux index is predicted to remain around 70,
reflecting zero sunspots, but we may get some geomagnetic
disturbances due to the ongoing effects of coronal holes. NOAA
predicts the K index may rise to a maximum of four, bringing
unsettled conditions this weekend. Unsettled conditions are also
predicted for the following weekend of the 20th and 21st, so mid-week
may be best for HF. As always, we recommend using tools, such as the
International Beacon Network, DX Cluster, or Reverse Beacon Network,
to get a real-time snapshot of conditions. Or best of all, get on the
bands, tune around and call CQ! Overall, make the most of the low
bands – 160, 80 and 40 metres – which are at their best this time
of year.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
There has been some Tropo over the last week, but the conditions are
on the turn again as pressure falls and a cold front crosses the
country after this weekend. Any remaining Tropo will be gone by
Monday evening as the cold front arrives and introduces a cold,
showery west to north-westerly across the country.
Much of the coming week will be rather windy with showers, so
microwave bands rain scatter, satellites and aircraft scatter at VHF
and above should be the modes of choice. There's still plenty to keep
DXers happy!
We are now entering the annual ‘low' in sporadic meteor activity
that lasts until the Lyrids shower at the end of April, so you'll
still need to work hard for meteor scatter contacts.
The Moon is at apogee on Monday and minimum declination on Tuesday,
so EME opportunities will be short with low moon elevations and path
losses at their highest of this month's lunar cycle.
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 gb2rs<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
http://www.theskywaves.net http://gb7cip.ampr.org
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