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G4APL > NEWS 03.03.24 13:11l 307 Lines 14934 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 3rd of March 2024
The news headlines:
* The Calling Notice for the RSGB's 2024 AGM is now online
* New HF beacon list released by the RSGB's Propagation Studies
Committee
* The next RSGB Tonight<at>8 webinar is coming up
The Calling Notice for the RSGB's 2024 AGM is now online. The Notice
includes the resolutions and information about the three Nominated
Directors who are being put forward for endorsement by RSGB members.
You can also read the minutes of last year's AGM. Voting opens on
Wednesday the 13th of March. On that same day, you will be able to
submit a question for the RSGB Board via a web form or register to
ask a question via video on Zoom. For more information go to the
Society's website at rsgb.org/agm
The RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee has released a new HF beacon
list, with the 10m band listings completely revamped. The old list,
which was started by Martin Harrison, G3USF Silent Key, had been
added to over the years but was getting out of date. The only way to
make it more accurate was to start again. The Propagation Studies
Committee made use of the Reverse Beacon Network which wasn't
available when the list was originally created, plus listeners'
contributions from around the world. The new beacon list can be found
at rsgb.org/beacons
Have you wondered what happens at a VHF National Field Day? Would you
like to take part in one? In this month's Tonight<at>8 webinar, on
Monday the 4th of March, the RSGB offers two different perspectives.
Firstly, RSGB VHF Contest Committee member Richard, G4HGI will talk
about how the RSGB VHF Contest Committee uses the VHF Survey and
other tools to formulate the rules and calendar for all VHF Contests,
with specific emphasis on VHF National Field Day. Secondly, three
members of Lothians Radio Society, GM3HAM will explain how they
organise and operate these hilltop events in the Scottish borders.
The club has made a short, professional film capturing their 2023 VHF
National Field Day weekend. They will show clips of that and of an
old cine film to show how this looked from a technical standpoint at
much earlier club competition events in the 1970s. This will be a
great evening so put it in your diary and be inspired! You can watch
and ask questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC
channel. Go to rsgb.org/webinars to find out more.
The RSGB has made two safeguarding announcements. Firstly, the
Society's safeguarding policy has been revised in line with modern
practices and you can find it on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/policies Secondly, if your club relies on the RSGB's
affiliated club insurance for activities that may have a safeguarding
requirement, it is important that you are aware of the conditions in
Section 10 of that insurance. You can find the insurance details in
your club portal on the RSGB website.
The Radio Society of Harrow is running a one-day classroom-style
Foundation course on Saturday the 23rd of March at its venue in
Watford. If you know anyone who would like to join the course, please
tell them to email Brian, G3YKB at g3ykb<at>yahoo.co.uk There will
be an optional extra session on the morning of the 24th.
Following complaints from some members, the RSGB has investigated a
problem with non-delivery of RadCom on Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
It seems that following changes at Royal Mail, the labelling
requirement for these copies was incorrectly applied by the printers
and these copies didn't go through the postal system correctly. The
Society is sorry that this error has occurred and apologises for any
inconvenience caused. It has, of course, asked its printers to ensure
that there is no repetition of this problem, and the printer has paid
for the two missing copies to be sent to each RSGB member in those
areas. If your RadCom doesn't arrive in future, please email the RSGB
membership team via membership<at>rsgb.org.uk so they can send a
replacement and track any wider problem.
Those who enjoy constructing and operating with low-power devices
will be interested to know that a QRP conference is taking part in
Rennes [REN] in the northwest of France on the 18th of May 2024. The
event will include lectures and demonstrations and will be an ideal
opportunity for the exchange of information between likeminded
amateurs. The organisers are putting together a programme of speakers
and are looking for contributors on every aspect of low-power design,
construction and operating. To read more about attending and
contributing to the event, visit tinyurl.com/QRPCONF You may need to
set your web browser to translate the web page from French to English.
And now for details of rallies and events
The Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally is taking place today, Sunday
the 3rd of March from 10am to 1pm. The event is being held at America
Hall, Pinhoe, EX4 8PX. For more information, contact Pete, G3ZVI on
07714 198 374 or email g3zvi<at>yahoo.co.uk
The Hack Green Radio Surplus Hangar Sale will take place on Sunday
the 10th of March. The venue will be Hack Green Secret Nuclear
Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. The event will include the sale
of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio
items and vehicle spares. For more information email
coldwar<at>hackgreen.co.uk or visit hackgreen.co.uk
Callington Radio and Electronics Rally will take place on Sunday the
17th of March. The rally will be held in the Town Hall, New Road,
Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7BD from 7.30am until 2pm. The doors will
be open from 10am. Entry will be GBP 2 each but there will be no
charge for those under the age of 16. A comprehensive selection of
traders, clubs and societies will be present along with a
bring-and-buy stall and the usual excellent catering service. The
venue has excellent disabled access, toilets, and there is ample car
parking nearby. Tables are still available at GBP 5 for the large
size and GBP 3 for the smaller ones. Booking is essential, so please
contact Alastair, M0KRR via email at alastair.kerr1<at>btinternet.com
or by phone on 01503 262755.
Grantham Amateur Radio Club Radio and Electronics Rally will be held
on Sunday the 17th of March. The venue will be Grantham West
Community Centre, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire. The doors will
be open from 9am to 1.30pm and entry for buyers will be GBP 3. Those
under the age of 16 will be admitted for free. There is a cost of
GBP 5 per table for sellers. Traders must book and pay in advance.
The event will feature an RSGB book stall, hot and cold refreshments
and a prize raffle. Ample free parking will be available. To reserve
tables, contact rally<at>garc.org.uk For more information visit
garc.org.uk/rally
Pencoed [PEN-KOYD] and District Amateur Radio Club Radio Rally will
take place on Sunday the 17th of March. The venue will be Sarn and
Bryncwils [BRIN-QUILS] Social Club, Sarn, Bridgend, CF32 9NY. Doors
open for traders at 8am and tables cost GBP 15. The entrance fee will
be GBP 2 but there will be no charge for those under the age of 16.
Doors open to the public at 10am and refreshments will be available.
Disabled access is available via a chair lift. To book your tables
please contact Leuan Jones on 07791 709 691.
Now the Special Event News
Members of the Newfoundland-based Grassroots Amateur Radio Club,
VO1GRC are active as VO1TAP until the 18th of March. QSL via Logbook
of the World and eQSL. The callsign commemorates the anniversary of
the USS Truxtun and USS Pollux naval disaster that occurred off the
coast of Newfoundland on the 18th of February 1942.
Members of the Zurich City Police Radio Amateur Club, HB9SP are
active on the HF bands as HB20SP throughout 2024 to celebrate their
club's 20th anniversary. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the
World, Club Log and QRZ.com Please do not send any cards via the
Bureau.
Now the DX news
Uwe [EW-VER], DL8UD is active as V31KO from Belize, in Central
America, until the 6th of March. He is operating using SSB, CW and
FT8 on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via DL8UD directly or via the Bureau.
A group of intrepid amateurs is active as part of the H40WA
DXpedition to Temotu [TEM-OH-TOO] Province, OC-065, in the Solomon
Islands until the 7th of March. Listen for activity, from up to six
stations, on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via
M0URX's OQRS page.
Now the contest news
The 144 and 432MHz Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 2nd of
March and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 3rd of March. Using all
modes on the 2m and 70cm bands, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
Today, the 3rd, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from
1000UTC to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the microwave bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Today, the 3rd, The Worked All Britain 80m Contest runs from1800 to
2200UTC. Please note that this is an SSB-only contest, and the
exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain area.
All entries need to be with the contest manager by the 13th
of March. Full Contest rules are available on the Worked All Britain
website at worked-all-britain.org.uk
The ARRL International DX Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
2nd of March and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 3rd of March.
Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and transmitter power. American stations
send their state and Canadian stations send their province.
On Monday the 4th, the 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to
2130UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
The Commonwealth Contest starts at 1000UTC on Saturday the 9th of
March and ends at 1000UTC on Sunday the 10th of March. Using CW on
the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number. HQ stations also send ‘HQ'.
On Tuesday the 5th, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
1955UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 5th, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 6th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 6th, the
144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
Also on Wednesday the 6th, the UK and Ireland Contest Club Contest
runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is
your six-character locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 29th of February 2024
Active region 3590, which was the large sunspot group that threatened
us with solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, has now
moved to the Sun's limb and is no longer a threat. Region 3590 was
potentially dangerous, but ultimately wasn't too bad.
Yes, we had flares, but they were only minor C-class and M-class
events. Three recent CMEs, which will all probably miss Earth, but
with a risk of some glancing influence, are most likely to have
arrived by this weekend, ending the 3rd of March.
However, old active region 3576 will begin to turn into view off the
southeast limb by the end of today, the 3rd.
The Kp index rose to 4.67 during one three-hour period on Tuesday the
27th of February, but the disturbance was short-lived and HF
propagation wasn't too badly affected.
Speaking of which, there have been some good HF openings to the
Pacific area over the last week. Spotted have been 3D2AG in Fiji on
the 17m band, VK on the 10m band, and the H40WA Temotu [TEM-OH-TOO]
DXpedition to the Solomon Islands. This latter DXpedition has mostly
been spotted on FT8 Fox and Hounds mode in the UK.
The maximum usable frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path still
remains above 28MHz during daytime, with MUFs over 14 to 15MHz at
night. So, as we head into March and towards the spring equinox, HF
is still looking good.
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the range
165 to 170. The Kp index is predicted to be two all week, but that is
suspect and dependent on coronal mass ejections – or a lack of
them. At this point in the cycle anything could happen. With six or
seven active regions visible, the risk of a flare and CME remains
relatively high.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The overall weather pattern remains very unsettled with further
active lows and weather fronts crossing the country. There will also
be periods with stronger winds and it may be cold enough for some
wintry weather, especially over northern hills. The upshot of all
this is that that Tropo will once again be a rarity, but rain scatter
may offer some comfort to those on the GHz bands.
Later in the coming week, high pressure will strengthen over Norway
and this will produce quite strong winds over the North Sea and
eastern UK and perhaps encourage paths to the east, but it's probably
marginal at best in terms of Tropo.
The prospects for aurora and meteor scatter are not especially
reliable, but it was encouraging to hear of some digital activity on
the 6m band earlier in the week to South Africa and Lesotho
[LUH-SOO-TOO]. This was probably the result of Trans Equatorial
Propagation or TEP, as suggested in last week's news.
In fact, the spring period is a fairly good time to listen for TEP,
timed between the decay of the southern hemisphere summer Sporadic-E
season and the start of the northern hemisphere summer Sporadic-E
season. It's well worth checking for similar activity during March
for paths to the southern hemisphere via TEP. Signals can be strong
enough for SSB or CW modes, so it is not exclusively for digital
modes.
For EME operators, Moon declination drops to a minimum on Tuesday.
Path losses are past their peak now and falling until perigee on
Sunday the 10th. 144MHz sky noise is moderate to high, reaching a
peak of over 2,500 Kelvin on Tuesday the 12th.
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
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