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G4TNU > NEWS 02.02.25 03:43l 281 Lines 13096 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 02 Feb 2025
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 2nd of February 2025
The news headlines:
* The RSGB's Tonight<at>8 webinar tomorrow will focus on
fault-finding and basic electronics in construction projects
* Peter Bowyer, G4MJS to take on new role as RSGB Board Vice
Chair
* Don't forget to keep track of the RSGB's strategy updates
Tomorrow's Tonight<at>8 webinar will help you navigate basic
fault-finding and electronics within your construction projects. Lee
Aldridge, G4EJB will use his many years' experience of working in
telecoms and electronics to help you understand what to do when
you've built a project, but it doesn't work. Go to
rsgb.org/webinars to find out more. Join the presentation live on
the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel and ask questions
via the live chat. You can also read more from Lee in the latest
edition of RadCom Basics on pages 16 to 24.
The RSGB has announced that Peter Bowyer, G4MJS is to take on the new
role of RSGB Board Vice Chair. The current Board Chair, Stewart
Bryant, G3YSX said that the role of RSGB Board Chair has always been
a busy one and, as the RSGB has taken on more commitments, the
demands of this position have continually grown. Being able to share
those duties is in the best interests of both the Society and the
incumbent, and he is grateful to Peter for volunteering for this new
role. Contact details for Peter and other RSGB Board Directors are on
the RSGB website at rsgb.org/board
As we start a new year, the RSGB would like to highlight that it
shares regular updates on its strategy both in RadCom and online. The
latest update by General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB reflects on the
year ahead and discusses how best the Society might achieve a clear
direction for 2025. Read this and previous strategic updates on the
RSGB website at rsgb.org/strategy-updates
The RSGB exams team is pleased to announce publication of a revised
version of Syllabus Version 1.6. This update is known as Version
1.6b. The revisions address feedback received from the community
since the publication of Version 1.6a. The companion document
summarises the changes made to the syllabus which include moving
some material from Licensing, in Section 1, to the more appropriate
Section 7 which focuses on Operating. There are no significant
changes to the number and content of learning points. Version 1.6b
will be in effect for exams held from the 1st of April 2025.
The RSGB's weekly news broadcast GB2RS is celebrating its 70th
anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations, special callsign
GB70RS is active throughout the year. The callsign is being operated
by radio amateurs who help to deliver GB2RS each week and could
include Newsreaders and RSGB Headquarters staff. You can listen out
for operators on all modes and all bands, with activity taking place
at any time, although you are particularly likely to hear them before
and after the GB2RS broadcasts. Find out more via the GB70RS page at
QRZ.com If you'd like to learn more about the weekly news service,
and other celebratory activity taking place this year, watch
January's Tonight<at>8 webinar, which is available on the Society's
YouTube channel.
The January 2025 edition of RadCom Basics is now available on the
RSGB website for members to read. RadCom Basics is aimed at new
licensees and amateurs who want to refresh their skills and
knowledge. Among others, this edition includes articles that provide
advice on constructing a kit, options for installing a suitable 40m
band antenna in a small garden, and a discussion on what you need to
power a portable station. To read RadCom Basics visit
rsgb.org/radcom-basics
RSGB Headquarters will be closing at 12pm on Friday the 7th of
February as RSGB staff will be attending the funeral of their
colleague Gillian Coull [COOL]. To allow time for preparation of the
GB2RS News script, the deadline for the GB2RS News broadcast on
Sunday the 9th has been brought forward. Please send details of all
your news and events to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk by 10am on Wednesday
the 5th of February.
And now for details of rallies and events
On Sunday the 9th of February, the Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio
Society RadioActive Fair will take place at Nantwich Civic Hall,
Market Street, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5DG. The doors will be open
from 10am to 3pm and admission will cost GBP 5. Hot food,
refreshments and free car parking will be available. For more
information contact Patrick, 2E0VGF via info<at>radioactivefair.co.uk
The Red Rose Winter Rally is due to take place on Sunday the 23rd of
February from 10am at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, Lancashire,
WN7 2PJ. Please note that the maximum number of five-foot tables per
trader has had to be reduced from six to five. On a brighter note,
the price remains as it has been for several years at GBP 10 per
table. For more information visit wmrc.co.uk
The Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally will take place
on Saturday the 1st of March at Hillsborough Village Centre, 7
Ballynahinch Road, BT26 6AR. The doors open at 10.30am. For more
details visit lvars.uk
[LIMA-VICTOR-ALPHA-ROMEO-SIERRA-DOT-UNIFORM-KILO]
Now the Special Event news
Special callsign HB20SOTA is in use throughout 2025 by the Swiss SOTA
Group to celebrate its 20th anniversary. For more information, and to
read details of a certificate that is available for working the
station, visit tinyurl.com/hb20sota
Special callsign OF60AP is in use throughout 2025 by members of
Central Uusimaa [USE-EH-MAH] Radio Amateurs Association, OH2AP. The
station is operating to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary. QSL
via Club Log's OQRS. For details of a certificate that is available
for working the station visit tinyurl.com/OF60AP2025
Now the DX news
Giovanni, IZ2DPX is active from ZD7DPX from St. Helena Island,
AF-022, until tomorrow the 3rd of February. He is operating SSB and
digital modes on the HF bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or directly
to IK2DUW.
Aldir [ALL-DER], PY1SAD is active as 8R1TM from Georgetown, Guyana
until the 8th of February. He is operating CW, SSB and digital modes
across a variety of bands and via satellite. QSL via Logbook of the
World, eQSL, QRZ.com, or directly to Aldir's home call.
Now the contest news
Today, the 2nd, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs
from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
Tomorrow, the 3rd, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to
2130UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
On Tuesday the 4th, the RSGB 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 4th, the RSGB 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 5th, the RSGB 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 5th, the
RSGB 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.
On Wednesday the 5th, The United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m
Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the
exchange is your six-character locator.
On Saturday the 8th, the Worked All Britain 1.8MHz Phone Contest runs
from 1900 to 2359UTC. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain area.
Also on Saturday the 8th, the RGSB 1.8MHz Contest runs from 2000 to
2300UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
8th of February and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 9th of February.
Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
The PACC Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 8th of February
and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 9th of February. Using CW and
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number. PA stations also send
their province.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 30th of January 2025
Last week was pretty unremarkable as far as the Sun goes, but it
looks like that is about to change.
The seven days preceding Thursday the 30th were characterised by
reasonably settled geomagnetic conditions, with a maximum Kp index of
3.67 and a solar flux index that fell from 205 on the 24th, to the
170s by the 30th. During this period there had been only four M-class
solar flares and no X-class events.
Over the next few days, things could change. Two large coronal holes
near the Sun's equator threaten to upset the quiet conditions. As the
solar material flows out it could cause the Kp index to rise, perhaps
to 4, with reduced maximum usual frequencies and noisy conditions.
But this will depend upon its associated Bz or interplanetary
magnetic field.
If it is south-pointing it will couple more easily with the Earth's
magnetic field, allowing plasma to flow in, and the Kp index will
rise. However, if it is north-pointing we may see very little effect
at all.
So, keep an eye on Solarham.com for real-time updates and look for
increased solar wind speed as the main indicator of the approaching
solar material.
If the Bz does point south we may expect unsettled conditions and
possible aurora today, the 2nd.
Meanwhile, three sunspot groups are rotating into an Earth-facing
position in the Northern Hemisphere on the Eastern side of the Sun.
We have already seen an M-class flare from one of them.
These could boost the solar flux index but could also be a source of
solar flares and coronal mass ejections over the coming week.
Strangely, NOAA does not seem to think they will, as its predicted
solar flux index over the next seven days is in the 150 to 160s
range. It does agree with our prediction of unsettled geomagnetic
conditions, although with a projected Kp index of 5 today, the 2nd,
falling to 4 over the next three days.
We will just have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, maximum useable frequencies over a 3,000km path are still
exceeding 28MHz from around 0830 to 1600UTC. As the month moves on,
we can expect the amount of daylight to increase, so this period may
be extended.
Make the most of 160 and 80m as the optimum time for these bands has
now passed.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The tail end of the previous week saw a few weak weather features as
lows and a front brushed past. However, from this first weekend of
February, there will be a trend to higher pressure, which will offer
up some tropo opportunities at times during the coming week.
There is a chance of the occasional decaying front drifting down the
country but, for most of the next week, it'll be a tropo story, if
anything.
50MHz has been quiet again as we await the return of maybe the last
Spring equinox-style propagation of this cycle around mid-March.
Meteor scatter is once again mostly down to random activity although
there is one minor shower, the Capricornids-Sagittariids, which
peaked yesterday, Saturday the 1st of February.
Rain scatter may be somewhat rarer due to the mainly high-pressure
pattern.
Some auroral propagation is not without hope in view of the large
coronal hole, which crossed the Sun last week. Keep a lookout for
high Kp values, and keep an ear open for watery signals on the LF
bands as a good sign of potential activity on the higher bands.
Moon declination goes positive again today, the 2nd. With perigee
having passed late yesterday, the 1st, this means that the upcoming
week will be good for EME. This is especially true on the GHz bands,
if you have a clear view of the horizon. 144MHz sky noise is low,
rising to moderate next weekend.
One final note: there have been some access problems with the data
feeds for the Propquest website. Hopefully, these are temporary and
have fixed themselves by the time you hear this broadcast. The other
data plots such as jet stream charts should continue to update so
there is plenty to look at on the other pages.
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 Wednesday before transmission.
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