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G4APL > NEWS 06.05.18 08:49l 337 Lines 16325 Bytes #999 (0) @ GBR
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 6 May 2018
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From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@GBR
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 6th May 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
We apologise that we haven't been able to prepare Local News for the
past few weeks. It returns in this week's script and we hope to be
able to continue with a more normal service. Thank you to all for
bearing with us; the situation has been caused by a key RSGB staff
member becoming seriously ill.]
The news headlines:
* NHS amateur radio callsign launches
* Tim Duffy, K3LR to speak at RSGB Convention
* Get a special callsign letter for the Royal Wedding
GB1NHS is the new National Health Service amateur radio station. The
RSGB's National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is hosting the launch
event on Tuesday the 8th of May. National Radio Centre Coordinator
Martyn Baker, G0GMB, will make the initial transmission using the
call sign at 10.45am and the event will run to 2pm. The launch is
part of the NHS #EndPJparalysis campaign, a 70-day mission to get
patients up, dressed and moving while in hospital. The long-term aim
of the station is to promote, through the medium of amateur radio,
NHS initiatives that lead to patients receiving excellent care,
faster recovery and living longer, healthier lives. For further
information see www.GB1NHS.net
The RSGB is delighted to announce that Tim Duffy, K3LR has agreed to
be the Keynote and after-dinner speaker at its 2018 Convention in
October. Tim is amongst the leaders, if not the leader, in the field
of amateur radio contesting. He will be talking about his contest
station but also, as he puts it, focusing on ‘keeping ham radio fun
and alive'. Bookings for the RSGB Convention are now open. Visit the
RSGB website for more information and to book your tickets. You'll
find details at www.rsgb.org/convention
UK radio amateurs wishing to celebrate the royal wedding can apply
for a Notice of Variation to do so. The RSGB has agreed with Ofcom an
NoV to authorise the temporary use of the Regional Secondary Locator
R after the United Kingdom call sign prefix. So M1ACB could use
MR1ACB, 2E1GKR could use 2R1GKR and GW1MFG could use GR1MFG – note
that the celebratory letter R replaces the usual Regional Secondary
Locator. Exact details are given in the NoV documentation. You must
apply for the Notice of Variation before using the R, and it will
only be valid between the 19th and the 21st of May 2018. To apply for
the Royal Wedding Regional Secondary Locator Notice of Variation,
visit the RSGB web page www.rsgb.org/rwrsl – the NoV is free and
open to all UK licensees.
Also to celebrate the Royal Wedding, Ofcom has issued the unique
Special Event callsign GR9RW to the Cray Valley Radio Society. It
will be in operation between the 19th and the 23rd of May. This is
believed to be the first time that the GR9 series has been officially
activated in the UK. GR9RW will primarily use SSB and CW on its two
HF stations, plus FM on the VHF / UHF station. A very special QSL
card will be sent on request and cards can also be requested via
OQRS. For further information see the Cray Valley Radio Society
website, www.cvrs.org
In a landmark step, the Irish regulator Comreg has agreed to amateur
access, on a Secondary basis, to an extensive amount of VHF spectrum
including 30-49MHz and 54-69.9MHz. In addition, their existing 4m
band has been widened to the full 69.9-70.5 MHz CEPT range. It is
expected that this will facilitate a number of innovative
developments, including digital amateur television and new or
realigned VHF propagation beacons. The RSGB congratulates its IRTS
colleagues on their success, which dates back to a 2016 consultation
input.
The FIFA World Cup Marathon is being organised by the Russian
national radio society. Over 20 FIFA nations will be active between
the 1st of June and the 15th of July. UK nations will be
participating with three different special event callsigns. GB18FWC
will be on the air from the RSGB National Radio Centre on the 4th and
20th of June and also on the 12th of July. On the 13th to the 15th of
July it will be hosted by the HF Contest Committee Chair. MB18FIFA
will be hosted by the Aberystwyth Radio Club on the 12th of June, and
by the Dundee Radio Club on the 10th, 13th and 14th of July. The
Russian publicity also shows GB18FIFA will be on air from Scotland
from the 30th of June to the 15th of July and the same call may also
be active from Northern Ireland from the 1st to the 28th of June.
GB18FIFA has not been organised by RSGB. Further details about the
World Cup Marathon will be published soon on the RSGB's FIFA World
Cup event webpage, www.rsgb.org/fwc
There won't be a news broadcast from Germany today because both
newsreaders are unavailable.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, the 6th, the Thorpe Camp Hamfest, formerly known as the
Dambusters Hamfest, takes place at Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre,
Tattershall Thorpe, Lincoln LN4 4PL. Details are on the Thorpe Camp
website, http://thorpecamp.org oryou can contact Anthony on
0795 665 4481.
As announced last week the Southern Electronics and Radio Fair,
planned for 6 May 2017, has had to be cancelled—details at
www.serf.org.uk.
Bank Holiday Monday sees the Dartmoor Radio Rally at Tavistock
College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock PL19 8DD. There's ample free
parking and doors open at 10.30am – or 10.15 for disabled visitors.
Under 14s are free when accompanied by an adult. There will be trade
and club stands, the usual Bring & Buy, plus on-site catering.
Details from Viv Watson, G7AWG, 01752 823 427, or email
vivwatsondrc<at>aol.com.
Next Sunday, the 13th, the Lough Erne Amateur Radio Rally takes place
at Share Centre, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh BT92 0EQ. Access in NI
is from the M1, A5 & A4, or via the M/N3 from the RoI. Doors open at
11.30am. Details from David, GI4VHO, on 0784 291 0076, or online at
www.learc.eu.
To get your rally or event information into GB2RS News, RadCom and on
the RSGB website, email details as early as possible to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Depressed summer propagation is on the way so DXpedition activity is
on the wane, but there are still operations to chase.
Ari, OH3KAV will be active as OH0KA from the Aland Islands, IOTA
reference EU-002, from the 6th to the 11th of May. He plans to focus
on CW and FT8 operation on 5MHz.
Col, MM0NDX, Max, IK8LOV and Bjorn, ON9CFG will be active from
Buyukada Island off the coast of Turkey, IOTA AS-201, from the 7th to
the 11th of May. They will operate on 80 to 2 metres as TC0AX.
Jim, KM7R will be active as E51KMR from Rarotonga Island,
OC-013, in the South Cook Islands from the 8th to the 11th of May.
He will operate mostly SSB from E51JD's station.
A team of Belgian operators will be active as GB9OSA from the Isle of
Wight, EU-120, from the 8th to the 13th of May. They will operate
two stations, mainly SSB and digital, on 160 to 6 metres.
Johannes, DF5AU will be active as P4/DF5AU from Aruba, SA-036, from
the 8th to the 13th of May.
A group of operators from Reunion Island will be visiting Rodrigues
Island, AF-017, active as 3B9RUN from the 11th to the 16th of
May. They will operate SSB and FT8 on 80 to 10 metres.
Gerard, HR5/F2JD in Honduras will be going QRT on May 10th so be
quick if you need this one.
And last but not least Chris, VK3QB, Brenton, VK3YB and Luke, VK3HJ
will be active as VK9LI from Lord Howe Island, OC-004, from the 11th
to the 18th of May. They will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on 160 to 17m.
Now the special event news
May is RNLI SOS week month and many stations will be on the air for
part or all of the month from RNLI-related locations, such as
lifeboat stations, up and down the country. Details of all the
registered stations taking part can be found online at
www.sosradioweek.org.uk and there are a variety of free awards
available for working or even just hearing the registered stations.
Next weekend is Mills on the Air and there will be many special event
stations on the air for this popular event. The May RadCom included a
long list of participating stations; some that didn't make that list
include GB1DW at Drapers Mill, Margate, run by Hilderstone Radio and
Electronics Club; Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society running
GB2DWM at Duloe Windmill, St Neots; and GB2WTM at Woodbridge Tide
Mill, operated by members of Felixstowe & District Amateur Radio
Society.
A brand new event, Pubs and Clubs on the Air, or PACOTA, takes place
next weekend, the 12th and 13th. There is a list of confirmed
stations on the event website, www.g6tw.org.uk/pacota and for
further information, hints or tips, email pacota<at>g6tw.org.uk
Finally, whilst on the subject of special events, we were pleased to
learn that the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, home of the Chelsea
Pensioners, has been granted the permanent special event callsign
GB4CP. Great Britain 4 Chelsea Pensioners went live on the 2nd of
May. The Chelsea Pensioners will be on the air as often as possible,
as soon as some initial shack and aerial issues have been ironed out,
and a special QSL card is being developed. To find out more about the
Chelsea Pensioners, all of whom are British Army veterans, visit
www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk
Now the contest news
The ARI International DX contest ends its 24-hour run today, the 6th,
at 1200UTC. Using CW, Phone, RTTY on the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands,
signal report and serial number forms the basic exchange, with
Italian stations also sending their Province code.
Also ending its 24-hour run today, at 1400UTC, is the 432MHz-248GHz
Trophy. Using all modes on the 432MHz to 248GHz bands, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
Today, the UKuG Low Band contest runs from 0800UTC to 1400UTC. Using
all modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also today, the IRTS 40m Counties contest runs from 1200UTC to
1400UTC. Using SSB and CW on 7MHz, the exchange is signal report and
serial number, with EI and GI stations also sending their County.
On Monday the 80m Club Championships take place from 1900UTC to
2030UTC, SSB only, on the 3.5MHz band. Signal report and serial
number form the exchange.
Tuesday is busy on 70cm, with the 432MHz FMAC running from 1800 UTC
to 1900UTC, FM only. It's immediately followed, from 1900UTC to
2130UTC, by the 432MHz UKAC, which uses all modes on the band. The
exchange for both events is the same: signal report, serial number
and locator.
Thursday is similarly busy, down on 6m. At 1800UTC the 50MHz FMAC
kicks off, using FM only, until 1900UTC. Then it's over to the 50MHz
UKAC from 1900UTC to 2130OUC, using all modes. Again, the exchange
for both is signal report, serial number and locator.
Next Sunday the RSGB 70MHz CW contest takes place from 0900UTC to
1200UTC. Using CW only on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and postcode. This is a VHF CW Championship event.
Finally for next weekend, the Worked All Britain 40m Phone contest
runs from 1000UTC to 1400UTC on the 7MHz band. Using SSB only,
participants should exchange signal report, serial number and their
WAB area.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday 4th May.
The sun remained spotless last week and the latest projections place
sunspot minimum sometime around mid-2019. NOAA's Space Weather
Prediction Center says solar cycle 24 is declining more quickly than
originally forecast, but expect the current solar conditions to last
for at least another 12 to 18 months.
On the bright side, quieter geomagnetic conditions this week helped
counter the low solar flux to provide the odd surprise. There has
been F2-layer 20 metre propagation to the USA reported in the
afternoons, but it was accompanied by rapid fading due to the maximum
usable frequency just skirting 14MHz at times.
There were other highlights last week. We are starting to see
Sporadic-E making an appearance. The FT8 frequency of 28.074MHz has
shown some activity at times and special event station OE100WMA in
Austria made a brief appearance on 10m CW on Wednesday morning. The
good news is that Sporadic-E should strengthen as the weeks go on, so
do monitor the higher HF bands.
Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will remain around 68,
so F2 layer propagation will favour the lower bands, plus 20 and
occasionally 17 metres. The lowest the solar flux index got down to
during the last solar minimum was 65, in 2007 and 2008.
Another coronal hole became Earth-facing on Thursday, so we may
expect unsettled geomagnetic conditions from Saturday 5th. Its
extended elongated shape means these could last until Tuesday or
Wednesday, with a maximum K index of five. After a positive initial
positive phase we may expect subdued maximum usable frequencies, poor
HF conditions and noisy bands as the geomagnetic storm develops.
Thursday the 10th, through to Saturday the 12th of May, look to be
more settled and may offer the best opportunities for DX.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
After some very wet weather recently, we have high pressure making a
welcome return. This will be centred over Biscay, across to southern
Scandinavia as an elongated ridge. This should give many areas a
chance of Tropo, probably favouring paths to the southwest and south
across Biscay to Spain, but they may also be some options to the
east, although not as solid. The ridge should last for much of next
week, so there is plenty of time.
As mentioned earlier, the Sporadic-E season has started for FT8 and
is putting in the odd appearance for CW and SSB. Since the present
set of openings have tended to be associated with the location of jet
streams in the upper atmosphere, it makes sense to see what the
charts offer for next week. Sadly, there is a marked lack of jet
stream activity in the nearby region of Europe, which we may need for
Sporadic-E paths from the UK. Indeed, it may be a thin week, unless
one of the other possible weather triggers, a strong ridge pattern,
is enough to do the trick, but it's not often something we see early
in the season. Check the beacons and clusters for band reports and
the Sporadic E blog on propquest.co.uk, which may give some useful
pointers.
For meteor scatter operators, the Eta Aquarids shower peaked before
dawn today, but the shower really favours the southern hemisphere.
The smaller Eta-Lyrids peak on Wednesday.
The Moon reached minimum declination and apogee yesterday.
Declination only goes positive next Saturday, so EME windows will be
short, but lengthening, and losses will fall as the week progresses.
And that's all from the propagation team this week. But keep
listening, because this week we've been able to include Local News,
hopefully restoring normal service. We apologise for the gap in the
last few weeks, which was caused by a key RSGB staff member becoming
seriously ill.
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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