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G4APL > NEWS 11.09.16 00:30l 309 Lines 14984 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 11 Sep 2016
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Sent: 160910/2309Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:17543 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 11th September 2016
The news headlines:
* British ARDF gold medal
* Apply for ISS Schools Contacts
* Latest Hamfest news
Eight British competitors attended the ARDF World Championships in
Bulgaria in the name of the RSGB. The National Anthem sounded at the
award ceremony for Day 2 of the championships. David Williams, M3WDD
took the gold medal in the Men's 50 year plus age group Sprint race.
This is only the second gold medal won at a World Championships by an
RSGB Member. The RSGB would like to add its congratulations to David
and thank him and the other competitors for their efforts.
Following on from the successful ARISS contacts carried out during
the Tim Peake Principia mission to the International Space Station,
schools from across Europe are being invited to submit applications
to be part of the ARISS programme for September 2017 to January 2018.
As so clearly demonstrated by the UK contacts, schools extensively
benefit from a ‘direct' contact where a full amateur radio ground
station is established at the school and used in the contact with the
astronaut on the ISS. This is the preferred approach within the UK
and to assist schools, the AMSAT UK/ARISS UK Operations team have a
fully portable satellite station that can be used as part of the
contact, thereby allowing schools to concentrate on the educational
aspects of how a contact can inspire students. Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD,
is the RSGB Representative to ARISS as well as the UK Operations
co-ordinator and is available to give advice and support to those
planning an application. Early interaction with Ciaran can help avoid
many of the pitfalls of ARISS selection process. The deadline for
applications is in November 2016, with the selection of the
successful schools being made in December. If you are interested in
putting in an application, contact Ciaran as soon as possible by
email to ciaran.morgan<at>rsgb.org.uk
For the first time, DXCC card checking will be available at the
National Hamfest on the 30th of September and the 1st of October.
This is being undertaken by volunteers on the UK 6m group stand,
where you can also have your identity documents checked for your
Logbook of the World application. Your photo driving licence or
passport do not then need to be copied and sent to the USA. If you
plan to bring a lot of cards, more than 25, please drop them off as
soon as you arrive. DXCC checking is not the focus of the stand but
is a service to fellow amateurs. Please note the paper application
forms are no longer used, so use the online tool to make your
application and bring the resulting printout with the cards.
The RSGB 2016 Convention takes place on the 7th to the 9th of October
at Kents Hill Conference Centre, Milton Keynes. One of the highlights
will be a talk on Space Weather by Professor Cathryn Mitchell, M0IBG.
Space Weather bombards the Earth, sometimes with dramatic effects on
our technology. Many people will already be familiar with solar
events disrupting our HF communications and Cathryn will describe why
Space Weather is important to the UK and how we are building
resilience for our infrastructure. She will discuss the question,
what happens if we have a really big solar storm? Are we prepared? Go
to www.rsgb.org/convention for bookings and details of the event. The
provisional programme is on the website, along with a detailed list
of lectures and descriptions on the various talks.
The G5RP Trophy is an annual award to encourage newcomers to HF
DXing. The award is not limited to youngsters or the newly-licensed;
it is open to anyone who has recently discovered and made significant
progress in HF DXing. If you are an established HF DXer and want to
recommend someone to be awarded the G5RP Trophy for 2016, now is the
time to send in your nomination. Please send your nominations to Ian
Greenshields, G4FSU by e-mail to hf.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive
no later than Friday the 16th of September.
The annual RSGB Construction Competition is to encourage home
construction, experimentation, design and innovation. Any Member of
the RSGB, or group of Members, is eligible to enter. The closing date
for entries is 30 September and judging will take place at the RSGB
Convention. This year the competition is being sponsored by Martin
Lynch and Sons with prizes of GBP 50 of vouchers for each category
winner and GBP 100 for the winner of the prestigious Pat Hawker G3VA
Trophy that will be awarded to the best overall entry. See the RSGB
website for full details of the various categories, where you will
also find an entry form.
Free and unbureaucratic short-term cross-border amateur radio
operation is set to be expanded to more countries outside Europe:
non-CEPT countries can now join the framework of the CEPT licence and
the CEPT Novice licence in a much simplified process thanks to an
initiative of IARU Region 1 to change the relevant recommendations.
Full details of these changes can be read at www.iaru-r1.org
The Grimsby UHF FM repeater, GB7GBY, operated by the Grimsby Amateur
Radio Society for the last 30 years, was turned off at the end of
August. It was removed because the multi storey flats where it was
sited are due to be demolished next year. The new licence for a site
in Cleethorpes is awaited. The new NoV holder is Dave, M0KWK. If you
have D-Star in the North East Lincolnshire, try the new D-Star
repeater GB7GC while GB7GY is off the air.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, the 11th, sees the Torbay Communications Fair at Newton Abbot
Racecourse, Devon TQ12 3AF. The event is indoors and doors open at
10am with disabled visitors gaining access half an hour earlier.
Admission is GBP 2. There is plenty of car parking on site. There
will be a Bring & Buy, an RSGB bookstall and onsite catering.
Today, the 11th, is the Andover Radio and Computer Boot Sale at
Tangley Village Hall, Wildhern, Andover, Hants SP11 0JE. Doors will
be open from 9am to 4pm, with disabled visitors gaining access from
8.30am. Admittance will be GBP 2. There will be a Bring & Buy, car
boot area, as well as trade stands. Catering will be available on
site and there will be a raffle held on the day. More details from
Paul Phillips, G4KZY, 0777 573 8200.
Membership of British Railways Amateur Radio Society is open to
anyone with an interest in amateur radio and railways. BRARS is
hosting the International Federation of Railway Radio Amateurs
Congress in Derby from the 15th to the 19th of September and it will
attract amateur radio & railway enthusiasts from around Europe. For
more information go to www.BRARS.info
The Fog on the Tyne Rally takes place on Saturday the 17th of
September 2016 at Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall, Bensham,
Gateshead NE8 4LH. Doors open at 10.30am. There will be a Bring &
Buy, junk stall, RSGB bookstand and plenty of traders. Car parking is
available.
The 28th Great Northern Hamfest takes place on the 18th of September
at Barnsley Premier Leisure Complex, Queen's Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN.
The venue has easy access for disabled visitors and the Hamfest is in
one large hall. Doors open at 10am and traders have access from
7.30am. Admission is GBP 3.50, while children under 14 accompanied by
an adult are free. There will be trade stands, special interest
groups and an RSGB bookstall. There is no Bring & Buy. Details from
Ernie, G4LUE on 07984 191 873.
The Weston Super Mare Radio and Electronics Rally is on the 18th of
September at The CAMPUS Community Centre, Highlands Lane, Weston
super Mare BS24 7DX. There is free parking, level access and
catering. Doors open from 10am to 3pm and admission is GBP 3, with
under 16s free. There will be trade stands, group exhibitors, an
auction of surplus equipment, a homebrew competition and lectures.
For more details call Mike, M0VLN on 01278 786 684.
The Crawley Microwave Round Table takes place on the 18th of
September at Tilgate Forest Rec Centre, Hut 18, Tilgate Forest,
Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9BQ. It's a day of demonstrations,
presentations, equipment and component sales, all microwave related.
Refreshments will be available.
Looking ahead, from the 3rd to the 10th of October the British Young
Ladies Amateur Radio Association will be hosting the very first
International Young Ladies Radio Convention to be held in this
country. There are ladies and their partners booked into the Novotel
in Milton Keynes from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain,
France, Germany, Iceland, Scotland, Sweden and the USA. More details
are at www.bylara.org.uk
If you have any rally or event information you'd like to appear in
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
Listen for Marcel, PD5MVH, working as PD5MVH/p from Ameland Island,
IOTA reference EU-038, until the 17th of September. He will use the
40, 20 and 10m bands, using CW, SSB and JT65. Send QSL cards to his
home callsign, direct or via the Bureau.
Uli, DL2AH is active from Pitcairn Island, OC-044, using the callsign
VP6AH until the 25th of November. He is operating holiday style on
SSB and digital. Send QSL cards to his home call.
Ken, KH6QJ is operating from East Kiribati using the callsign T32AZ
until the 15th of September. Listen for him on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m
using SSB. Send QSL cards to his home call.
Ralf, DK8FA is operating as D44TUJ from Boa Vista Island, AF-086,
between the 15th and 29th of September. He will be heard mostly on 20
metres using digital modes. Send QSL cards to his home callsign,
direct or by the Bureau. Ralf does not accept eQSL or LoTW.
Bob, VK2BOB will be on the air as 5W0BOB from Upolu Island, OC-097,
until the 17th of September. Activity will be holiday style on 40 and
20 metres using SSB. QSL direct to home call.
Jim, KB1ZSQ is on the air as 9X0JW from Kigali until December 2017.
Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 10 metres using SSB and
various digital modes. QSL via operator's instructions.
Joshua, VA7YM is on the air as A31YM from Eua Island, OC-049, from
the 13th to the 21st of September. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL
direct to EA5GL.
Now the special event news
GB75ACO – that's Air Cadet Organisation – will be operating at
Stalham ATC Squadron, Norfolk, until the 18th of September. They are
celebrating 75 years of the Air Training Corps. Primary activity will
be on 40m, with some local 2m and 60m. Special QSL cards will be
available and details are on QRZ.com.
Enigma Reloaded 2016 takes place from the 17th of September to the
1st of October. The main goal of the event is to promote amateur
activity as possible all over the world, celebrating the history of
the Enigma cipher machine and its crucial role in World War II. From
the 17th to the 30th of September, stations registered as Activator
stations will be on the air. On the 1st of October those stations
will exchange predefined CW messages. Full details and rules are at
www.enigma-reloaded.it
Now the contest news
The WAE DX SSB contest ends its 48 hours run at 2359UTC today, the
11th. Using SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands the exchange is signal
report and serial number. Note that European stations work non
European stations only.
Today, 11th, from 0900 to 1700UTC the UK Microwave Group's contest is
on the 24 and 47GHz bands. The exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
On Tuesday the 432MHz UK Activity contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
On Wednesday it's the 80m Club Sprint running from 1900 to 2000UTC.
Using SSB only the exchange is both callsigns, serial number and name.
On the 18th, the 2nd 70MHz contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using
all modes on the band the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.
Also on the 18th, this time from 1700 to 2100UTC, the BARTG Sprint 75
takes place. Using RTTY only on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange
is your serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 9th of September.
Last weekend saw very unsettled geomagnetic conditions due a large
coronal hole across the sun's equator. This impacted SSB Field Day,
with the K index being pushed as high as four and five, sparking
visible auroras at high latitudes and depressed maximum usable
frequencies. The solar flux index hung tantalisingly close to 100
during the week, but couldn't quite make it.
The good news is that better autumnal conditions are beginning to
show, with the noon daytime critical frequency as measured by the
Chilton ionosonde exceeding 5.6MHz on Wednesday. This indicated a
maximum useable frequency of up to 21MHz on longer paths. There have
also been some late-season Sporadic-E openings on ten metres, giving
weak but useable short 28MHz skip to the south of France and Spain.
Next week the USAF predicts the solar flux index will start at around
90, decline slightly, and then peak at more than 100 next weekend.
The extreme ultraviolet image from the SDO spacecraft on Thursday
showed no earth-facing coronal holes, so fingers crossed we may have
more settled conditions this week. NOAA, however, does predict a K
index of four for Tuesday the 13th.
Mid-September often marks the start of better HF conditions, so if
you have been put off over the last few months, now may be the time
to switch on the radio.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
We had some very good Tropo including a GM to EA8 contact last week
and we start the coming week in a similar vein, after a brief cooling
off period. It seems that, although high pressure will be nearby over
the continent for the start of the week, the unsettled weather over
Scotland and Ireland will edge south-east as the days pass. Even so,
there may still be high pressure near to southern areas and over
Biscay to offer paths towards Spain and Portugal for stations in the
west.
Heading into autumn we usually hit the key time for overnight and
early morning mist and fog. These conditions are perfect for Tropo,
so make use of the visual clues and you'll get some more new squares
into the log.
The Moon is at minimum declination tomorrow so EME Moon windows will
start to lengthen and losses will fall to minimum at perigee on the
18th.
The Orionids meteor shower continues with no large peak into
November, so continue to look out for enhanced meteor scatter
conditions this coming week.
And that's all for this week from the propagation team.
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
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