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G4APL > NEWS 15.04.18 05:06l 322 Lines 15286 Bytes #999 (0) @ GBR
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 15 Apr 2018
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From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@GBR
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 15 April 2018
[Note to Newsreaders: we are aware that there is a discrepancy
between the GB2RS .tops and tails' and information published in
RadCom and elsewhere. This concerns the email address for listeners
to send information for publication. Please amend your .tops and
tails' to ask people to send information to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk .
we have started an auto-responder on other email addresses directing
contributors to that address and asking them to send material to that
one ONLY, not copying it to multiple RSGB addresses. A revised set of
.tops and tails' is in the pipeline but will take some time to
complete. If you have any suggestions on the .tops and tails' or
indeed any other matter related to GB2RS broadcast scripts, please
let us know via email to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk]
The news headlines:
* International Marconi Day
* FIFA World Cup Marathon
* Radio amateur honoured
Illness of a key RSGB staff member means that it has not been
possible to prepare Local News again this week, for which we
apologise. Details of many club events can be found in the April
edition of RadCom, supplemented by the Events List on the RSGB
website: rsgb.org/events/ Thank you to everyone who has sent event
details for the May RadCom; all event information sent to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk by the published deadline will appear in that
edition
.
International Marconi Day (IMD) is a 24-hour amateur radio event that
is held annually to celebrate the birth of Guglielmo Marconi on 25
April 1874. The event is usually held on the Saturday closest to
Marconi's birthday and this year it will be held on the 21st April
from 0000UTC to 2359UTC. Registered Stations must operate from a site
which has a connection with Marconi. Find out more via the event
website: gx4crc.com/gb4imd
The RSGB has agreed to participate in the FIFA World Cup Marathon
which is being organised by the Union of Radio Amateur of Russia
(RRC). The Marathon is set to run from the 1st of June to the 15th of
July. There will be two call signs available for use on a rotation
basis: GB18FWC, for stations in England; and MB18FIFA, for stations
in the home nations who did not qualify for the World Cup finals.
Applications for the call signs are open now. An application form and
more information can be found on the RSGB website: rsgb.org/fwc The
deadline for applications is 23.59 on the 29th of April 2018.
Markus Vester, DF6NM has been honoured as one of the Inventors of
2017. As a Principal Key Expert at Siemens, he has worked on MRI
systems since the pioneering days. Markus says, "I have to say
that such an award shouldn't be regarded as a solitary
achievement, but rather also as an appreciation of the fine people
and bright minds I am allowed to work with. Like many engineers
who are also radio amateurs, work and play have never been
completely separate aspects of my life. Inspiration tends to flow
both ways between the two."
A reminder that next Wednesday, the 18th of April, radio amateurs
worldwide will take to the airwaves in celebration of World Amateur
Radio Day. It was on that day in 1925 that the International Amateur
Radio Union was formed in Paris. World Amateur Radio Day is the day
when IARU Member-Societies can show their capabilities to the public
and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide. It is a
great opportunity to put on a local event, so do share details with
us if you're planning something. You can find out more about World
Amateur Radio Day on the IARU website:
www.iaru.org/world-amateur-radio-day.html
The latest RSGB 2017 Convention video has been released for members
to view. "Ionosonde data . see what you hear" by Jim Bacon, G3YLA
shows some ways that the band conditions can be visualised to help
operators make maximum use of the conditions available. It details
how plotting the near real-time ionosonde data can reveal why the
band sounds the way it does and is especially useful in determining
the reasons why the local nets on 40m and 80m appear to fade as they
do, or an 80m CC contest appears to go long skip. Take a look at the
presentation in the RSGB video portal: rsgb.org/videos
Steve Hartley, G0FUW has been appointed as the new Chair of the RSGB
Legacy Committee and he will begin the role after the AGM. He takes
over from current RSGB President Nick Henwood, G3RWF who has done
excellent work with the committee over the last seven years. The RSGB
Legacy Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors, has resources
available to encourage and develop amateur radio. Some interesting
projects have already been supported but the committee is keen to
receive more good proposals. For more information including the
application form and guidelines see the RSGB website:
rsgb.org/legacy-committee
In a week when the Kings High School for Girls in Warwick has an
amateur radio contact with the ISS, the RCF is delighted to announce
that Arkwright scholar Tim Hare, M6HTJ, has just passed his
Intermediate exam. Tim passed his Foundation licence in preparation
for the Tim Peake ISS contact with the City of Norwich School in
2016. He and fellow Arkwright Scholar Luke Andrews are both now keen
to progress to their Full licence. Further information about RCF
projects and how you can support the charity can be found on the RCF
website: https://commsfoundation.org/
The RSGB knows that many radio amateurs are becoming concerned about
the data protection changes that come into force in late May and how
those changes will affect their clubs and societies. The RSGB has
been preparing for the new law and explains more about it for its
Members on the Society's website: rsgb.org/gdpr
Have you voted yet in the RSGB elections? If not, please take a few
minutes to go to rsgb.org/agm and make sure your voice is heard.
There are four Board candidates and you can see their personal
statements on the AGM web pages. The deadline for receipt of votes is
23:59 on Thursday the 19th of April 2018.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, the 15th, The West London Radio & Electronics Show takes place
at Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames,
TW16 5AQ. There will be a talk-in station and on-site car parking is
free. Doors open at 10am, with disabled visitors gaining access 10
minutes earlier. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB book
stall and special interest groups. Other attractions are lectures, a
raffle and on-site catering. Details from Paul, M0CJX on
0845 165 0351, e-mail info<at>radiofairs.co.uk or see
www.radiofairs.co.uk.
Also, the Yeovil ARC QRP Convention takes place at Digby Hall,
Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. It is supported by RSGB, RAFARS and
BYLARA. Doors open at 9.30am and admission GBP 3. Guide dogs are
permitted, but not pets. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy and
club stands. Programme details of the talks that will be taking place
can be found on the event's website,
http://yeovil-arc.com/QRPconvention.php
Next Sunday, the 22nd of April, the Cambridge Repeater Group Rally
takes place at Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge,
CB22 6RN. There is free car parking and a talk-in station. Doors open
at 9.30am, with traders gaining access from 7.30am. Entry is GBP 2.
In addition to trade stands there will be a Bring & Buy and an RSGB
book stall. Catering will be available on site. For further
information contact Lawrence, M0LCM on 07941 972724, e-mail
rally2018<at>cambridgerepeaters.net or see www.cambridgerepeaters.net
The organisers of the Southern Electronics & Radio Fair in
Eastbourne, due to be held on the 6th May, have advised that the
event has been cancelled. More information can be found at:
serf.org.uk
To get your rally or event information into GB2RS News, RadCom and on
the RSGB website, e-mail details as early as possible to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Bodo, DF8DX will be active as DU1WQY/1 from Palawan Island in the
Philippines which counts as OC-128 for Islands on the Air from the
15th to the 18th of April.
Oleh, KD7WPJ will be active as E51BCP from Rarotonga in the South
Cook Islands from the 15th to the 20th of April. Apparently, he also
plans some SOTA activity on the island. This one counts for OC-013
for IOTA.
Ken, KH6QJ will be active again as T32AZ from Kiritimati .
pronounced Christmas . Island in East Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas)
from the 17th to the 24th of April. This is OC-024 for IOTA.
Grant, VK5GR will be active as YJ0AG from Efate (OC-035 for IOTA) in
Vanuatu from the 17th to the 29th of April.
The St Brandon Island 3B7A DXpedition has a few more days to run and
will probably go QRT on Tuesday, 17 April so there is only one day
left to catch Andy, VK5MAV/9 from Cato Reef (OC-265).
VE7ACN/VE2 will go QRT from Harrington Island in Quebec - NA-084 for
IOTA - on Tuesday, 17 April.
Arthur/4X4DZ, Alex/4Z4AK, Hilik/4X6YA and Jan/4X1VF will be active
with the special call sign 4X0BG between 1000 UTC, April 20th and
2200 UTC, April 21st 2018. Activity is during Israel's 70th
anniversary celebration from "Ben Gurion's Hut" (Holyland Square
E27BS, WFF 4XFF-058) in the desert. The group will also participate
in the Holy Land Contest.
And finally a challenge as Sho, JA7HMZ will be active again as V63DX
from Pohnpei (OC-010) in Micronesia from the 18th to the 24th of
April. He will focus on working Europe on 160 metres FT8.
Now the special event news
Special Event Station news for April did not arrive in time to be
included in the printed edition of RadCom, but the information can be
found on the RSGB website via tinyurl.com/SES-0418
A number of stations involved in International Marconi Day will be
active on the bands next weekend. Details of the stations registered
can be found at: gx4crc.com/imd-stations/
GB4AMT will be active using CW on the HF bands from 20th April to
17th May to remember HMS Amethyst. Details are on QRZ.com.
Reg G8VHI will be active again today as G6RAF to help celebrate the
formation of the Royal Air Force 100 years ago.
Now the contest news
The First 50MHz Contest takes place this morning, Sunday the 15th of
April, from 0900 to 1200 UTC. Exchange signal reports, a serial
number, your 6-figure Locator and the first two letters of your
Postcode. All modes can be used, but most activity will be on single
sideband.
The Worked All Britain Data Contest takes place today, Sunday the
15th of April. There are four separate periods, from 1200 to 2200
UTC. The modes are RTTY and PSK, and the bands are 3.5MHz to 14MHz.
Exchange signal reports, a serial number and your Worked All Britain
reference, which are the first, second third and sixth digits of your
Ordnance Survey reference.
On Tuesday the 17th of April the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest
takes place from 1900 to 2130 UTC. Exchange signal reports, a serial
number and your 6-figure Locator.
On Thursday the 19th of April the 70MHz FM Activity Contest takes
place from 1800 to 1900 UTC. It is immediately followed by the 70MHz
UK Activity Contest, which takes place from 1900 to 2130 UTC. In each
of these events the exchange is a signal report, a serial number and
your 6-figure Locator.
Next Sunday, the 22nd of April, the British Amateur Radio Teledata
Group's Sprint 75 Contest takes place for four hours on the 3.5MHz to
28MHz bands. All activity is at 75 bauds and the contest exchange is
a serial number only.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 13th of April.
The predicted unsettled geomagnetic conditions arrived on Tuesday and
continued with the K index hitting five on Wednesday. This was due an
elongated coronal hole on the Sun, with the escaping plasma causing
the solar wind to pick up in both speed and density. The wind peaked
at more than 550 kilometres per second and widespread visual aurora
were reported at high latitudes.
There was a brief ionospheric enhancement on Tuesday evening that saw
the critical frequency rise to more than 5 MHz, with the predicted
MUF reaching 18 MHz around 1900 UTC. But maximum usable frequencies
struggled to get to 14 MHz on Wednesday during the subsequent
ionospheric storm. This shows that we can get a brief ionospheric
enhancement as the solar material first hits, so it is worth watching
the bands.
Otherwise, the sun remained spotless with the solar flux index
sitting in the high sixties.
Next week the solar flux index will remain around 67 and HF
propagation will largely be dominated by solar wind effects again.
NOAA predicts reasonably settled conditions for the first half of the
week, but unsettled conditions again from around the 19th.
As we'll describe in the VHF section, Sporadic E may start to show
quite soon, and this can affect all the upper HF bands with strong,
but often brief short-skip propagation into Europe.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
The cold misty weather across the northern North Sea into the Baltic
may have set up a few Tropo paths, but so far it has seemed fairly
quiet. This initial phase of the Scandinavian high will decline over
the weekend, but early next week the high will rebuild over the North
Sea. It will be better placed and could be more useful during the
rest of the week for Tropo along the east coast, say from East Anglia
to North-East Scotland and eastwards across the North Sea to the Low
Countries.
There will also be some occasional thundery developments, mainly in
the lead up to this weekend with a hint of potential rain scatter on
the Gigahertz bands.
It is mid April and the 2018 Sporadic E season beckons, so it is
worth repeating a few basic rules to help those who have never worked
it before. Start by checking the European beacons on 10m and 6m
during the morning and late afternoon. A classic opening will usually
have two phases, one say from 1000 to 1200 UTC and a second in the
late afternoon and early evening from 1600 to 1900 UTC. Of course it
can happen at other times, so put 10m and 6m in your shack routine
during these summer months. Keep QSOs brief, so report and locator
will do in these transient events.
April also brings increased meteor activity. The first significant
shower, the Lyrids, peaks on the 22nd of April, some time between
1000 and 2100 UTC.
Moon declination is positive and increasing this week and the Moon is
at perigee again on Friday at 368,717km from the earth. It is a good
week for EME then, with long windows and high Moon elevations,
meaning low ground noise with low path losses.
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.
Our thanks to Andy G4TNU for providing this RSGB feed.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
http://www.theskywaves.net http://gb7cip.ampr.org
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