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G4APL > NEWS 14.08.17 07:56l 342 Lines 17271 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 6 Aug 2017
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 6th of August 2017
The news headlines:
* ARISS contact for YOTA 2017
* RSGB comments on Ofcom VDSL report
* 12-year-old activates all 214 Wainwrights
An International Space Station ARISS contact has been planned for
astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA and the Youngsters on the Air event,
which takes place at Gilwell Park this week. The ARISS contact is
scheduled for Tuesday the 8th of August at approximately 1838UTC.
This will be a direct radio contact, operated by GB4YOTA, and
downlink signals will be audible in many parts of Europe on
145.800MHz narrowband FM. Paolo, IZ0JPA will operate the HamVideo
transmitter. The Goonhilly receiver will be activated sometime on the
4th of August and will remain active over the weekend, continuing to
track the ISS until the morning of the 9th. Two internet video
streams will be available. The main YOTA event stream is at
https://ariss.batc.tv/ and the ISS contact stream, starting at around
1740UTC on Tuesday, will be at https://ariss.batc.tv/hamtv You can
also watch the ISS contact live on the RSGB's YouTube channel at
www.youtube.com/theRSGB
Ofcom published a research report that the RSGB contends came to the
mistaken conclusion that no electromagnetic disturbance capable of
causing harmful interference was found at three sites tested, all of
which had reported interference from VDSL. The RSGB EMC Committee has
analysed in detail the results obtained by Ofcom and converted them
to standard units for this type of measurement. Ofcom results were
then found to be within a few decibels of RSGB's earlier measurements
at these sites. We believe these constitute Harmful Interference and
so we presented these results at a meeting with Ofcom in June 2017.
Slides from presented by RSGB at the meeting are at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0608a Ofcom now proposes to conduct further tests
at other sites using a different test setup. We are discussing with
them test methods that will find what is and what is not receivable
because of the VDSL RFI. Currently, Ofcom propose to measure only
what is receivable despite the RFI. [Note to Newsreaders: the full,
original URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/files/2012/12/VDSL-RFI-RSGBOfcom-meeting-June-21-
2017.pdf ]
Congratulations to Lauren, M6HLR, who completed the Wainwrights on
the Air challenge this week. She has climbed all 214 Wainwrights
within two years and been portable on amateur radio from each one. At
just 12 years old she is the youngest person to complete the
challenge. BBC News caught up with her on Monday after her 213th
Wainwright and the programme aired after she completed the challenge
on Tuesday. The BBC report is online at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0608b She
is a great advocate for amateur radio and an enthusiastic role model
for encouraging others of her age to get involved. [Note to
Newsreaders: the full, original URL is
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cumbria-40796381/lauren-richar
dson-12-completes-wainwright-challenge]
Online voting is now open to determine which scoring system will be
used in the UKAC contests from 6m though to 23cm for 2018. Online
voting on this consultation will remain open until 2359 BST on the
20th of August. Those eligible to vote are current RSGB Members who
have taken part in an RSGB VHF, UHF or SHF contest in the past five
years either as single operators, or as members of a multi-operator
entry, as verified against the Contest Committee database. If you
have changed your callsign since entering your last VHF Contest,
please include both your old and new callsigns. The vote can be
reached by going to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/UKAC_Vote
The MSF radio signal is a dedicated time broadcast that provides an
accurate and reliable source of UK civil time, based on the NPL time
scale UTC. The annual shutdown of the MSF time signal service to
allow safe maintenance of the masts and antennas, including greasing
of the stays, will take place between the 14th and the 31st of
August. The service will be off-air from 8am to 7pm each day,
including weekends. If the weather is unsuitable for work to be
carried out, then the service will not be turned off. If the work is
completed sooner than 7pm on any day, the service will be restored as
soon as possible.
GB2RS newsreader Reg, G8VHI will be away on the 13th of August so
there will be no 2m SSB transmission at 2030 on 144.250MHz. There
will only be the 145.525MHz FM broadcast, with a slightly reduced
coverage, as the reserve reader Jim, G4AEH will be reading. SSB will
return on the 20th of August.
The Danish national society, EDR, celebrates its 90th anniversary in
August. Danish radio amateurs will, throughout 2017, be active with
OZ90EDR, OX90EDR and 5P90EDR. On the 15th August from 0000UTC until
2359UTC there will be extensive activity with these callsigns and the
special Headquarters station, OZ90HQ, and also the Joker station,
OV90EDR, will be active. On the 19th, OZ90HQ will be active again.
After the 19th, the HQ station will go back to using OZ1HQ. All
contacts on the 15th and 19th will be valid for the EDR 90
Anniversary Award. Read more about the award on www.OZ90EDR.dk
Alan Betts, G0HIQ recently stepped down as chair of the Examinations
Group. His successor has been announced as Professor Peter Richmond,
M0HBL. Peter has been interested in amateur radio since his
schooldays and this interest in electricity and magnetism led to a
career with Unilever looking into the effectiveness of washing
powders and the nature of food. A lengthy career in research and
general management followed, including a post in Trinity College
Dublin applying his physics skills to problems in economics and
social science, which continues to this day. On retirement, Peter
obtained his licence and joined the Examinations Group. You can read
more about Peter and the work of the Examinations Group at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0608c [Note to Newsreaders: the full, original URL
is
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/committees/examination-standards-committ
ee/exams-group/]
Thames Amateur Radio Group is hosting an RSGB Train the Trainers
event on Saturday the 9th of December between 9am and 5pm. Training
is open to candidates from any club and is delivered free to RSGB
Members, but the club will be asking for a GBP 5 donation per
candidate towards hall hire, buffet lunch and refreshments. To book
send an email to Nigel.m0ich<at>gmail.com
The annual Churches and Chapels on the Air event takes place on the
9th of September, between 10am and 4pm. Most operation is on 40m SSB.
If you are putting a station on please register your event with John,
G3XYF by email to g3xyf<at>btconnect.com A list of CHOTA stations
will be on www.wacral.org
Ofcom has updated the conditions of the 2300-2302MHz microwave NoV.
Operation from Jersey and Guernsey is now also permitted under the
latest terms. As many of the existing 3-year NoVs are due to expire,
all holders are encouraged to renew online, free, from
www.rsgb.org/nov to benefit from the latest terms. Separately, Ofcom
has issued frequency clearances for four microwave beacons. These are
GB3FNM at Farnham on 2.3GHz, GB3LPC at Bampton in 3.4GHz, a move of
GB3KEU to Finningley on 5.7GHz and a change to GB3KBQ in Taunton on
10GHz. These are all Secondary allocations where RSGB supports and
encourages activity.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The 28th King's Lynn ARC Great Eastern Radio Rally takes place today,
the 6th of August, at Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King's
Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4DZ. Car parking on site is free and talk in will
be provided on 145.550MHz. Doors open at 9am, with admission GBP 2.
There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. There are amateur radio
pitches outside as well as tables inside. On site catering will be
available. Details from Ted, G4OZG, on 01553 768 701, 0794 683 8656.
The Lorn Radio Rally takes place today, the 6th of August, at
Crianlarich Village Hall, Main Street, Crianlarich, Perthshire
FK20 8QN. Doors open at 10.30am and entry is GBP 2. There will be
trade stands as well as a Bring & Buy. A raffle will be drawn at
1.30pm. Catering is available on site. Details, by email, to
lornradioclub<at>gmail.com
The 24th Cockenzie and Port Seton ARC Annual Mini Rally Night takes
place on the 11th of August at Port Seton Resource Community Centre,
South Seton Park, Port Seton, East Lothian EH32 0BQ. Doors are open
from 6pm to 9pm and entry is GBP 2. A raffle will be held on the
night and refreshments will be available. Bring along your own junk
and sell it yourself. There is no charge for a table but they are
only available on a first come first served basis. More information
from gm4uyz<at>csparc.com
Flight Refuelling ARS Hamfest takes place next Sunday, the 13th of
August, at Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, near
Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3DA. There will be a talk in station on S22 and
the venue has free car parking. Doors open at 10am and admission is
GBP 3.50. There will be trade stands, a car boot areas and indoor and
field pitches for traders. Lectures will take place during the day.
There is catering and a licensed bar on site. Camping is available,
on Saturday night only, in an adjacent field. More information from
hamfest<at>frars.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 full details to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Gianluca, IK4LZH and Teresa, IU4ICT will be active as 4O/IK4LZH and
4O/IU4ICT from Montenegro between the 6th and 15th of August. They
will operate SSB on 40 and 20 metres. QSLs via Logbook of The World,
eQSL or via IK4LZH, bureau preferred.
Alex, F4GHS will be active holiday style as E51GHS from Aitutaki,
IOTA reference OC-083, between the 7th and 16th of August, then from
Rarotonga, OC-013, until the 25th. QSL via his home callsign.
Giovanni, IK1WEG will be active as 9A/IK1WEG from Rab Island, EU-136,
between the 7th and 19th of August. He will operate mainly CW on the
HF and VHF bands. QSL via his home callsign, direct or bureau.
S9V will be active from Robben Island, AF-064, between the 9th and
13th of August. The team of operators plan to operate SSB and CW with
two stations. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS; traditional QSLs direct only to
M0OXO.
Geoff, G8OFQ will be working as a volunteer at the Giant Tortoise
Breeding Center on Isla Isabela, Galapagos, SA-004, until the 31st of
October. He will be mostly on the air /MM from his yacht the Blue
Aurora moored in Puerto Villamil. QSL direct only. He will upload his
logs to Logbook of The World and Club Log.
Now the special event news
We start with details of Regional Youngsters On The Air activities.
GB17YOTA will be a big signal on many bands this week, marking the
RSGB international YOTA event at Gilwell Park. Listen out for them
and give them a call – there will be a mixture of operators in the
age range from 15 to 25 visiting from around the world.
Meirion ARS will be running a YOTA event over this weekend at Maes Y
Neuadd, Talsarnau Gwynedd LL47 6YA. The event is being hosted by the
1st Porthmadog Scout Group who are holding a weekend YOTA camp where
Explorer Scouts, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers will all be going for their
communications awards. All visitors are welcome to this event and a
talk-in station will be operating on 145.475MHz.
There will be a YOTA station in Sussex operating as GB2HAY from the
Thursday the 10th to Saturday the 12th of August from noon to 6pm.
The venue is Gummies, Beacon Hill Campsite, Tower Road, Faygate
RH12 4SX. Contact Mick, G4EFO on 0785 526 8666, for more information.
Members of Bredhurst RATS will be activating Rochester Castle on the
11th and 12th of August and they believe it will be the first time
the location has been activated.
Dundee Amateur Radio Club is holding a YOTA2017 Day on Saturday the
12th of August between 10am and 4pm from Monikie Scout Hut, Panmure
Road, Monikie, Angus DD5 3QA. The 53rd Angus 1st Newbigging Scout
Group will be joining them for a day of radio activity. Details from
Jim, MM0DXD on 0772 032 1824.
Grey Point Fort ARS club station will be transmitting at the 204 NI
Field Hospital Family Fun Day at Grey Point Fort on the 12th and 13th
of August. All the museums will be open with other attractions such
as a climbing wall, military displays, stalls and a band. Everyone is
welcome.
Now the contest news
The 432MHz Low Power contest takes place today, the 6th, running from
0800 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on 70cm, the exchange is signal
report, serial number, locator and postcode.
On Tuesday the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC.
It is immediately followed by the 432MHz UK Activity Contest from
1900 to 2130UTC. The exchange is the same for both contests, signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
The 144MHz Meteor scatter Sprint Contest takes place during the
maximum of the Perseids meteor shower. Running from 2200UTC on Friday
the 11th to 2159 on Sunday the 13th, you can find the necessary
rules, scoring system and award details at
www.mmmonvhf.de/ctestinfo.php
Running from 0000UTC on Saturday the 12th to 2359UTC on Sunday, the
13th the WAE DX CW Contest uses the 3.5 to 28MHz bands. Europe works
non-Europe only and the exchange is signal report and serial number.
Next Sunday, the 13th, the fifth 70MHz Cumulative Contest runs from
1400 to 1600UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G3SVW, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 4th of August.
Last week was characterised by reasonably settled geomagnetic
conditions and a solar flux index in the low 70s. The settled
conditions meant that, despite the ionosphere still suffering from
the summer doldrums, there was HF DX to be had. Andy, M0NKR reports
working Z81D South Sudan and TX5EG Marquesas Island on Monday as well
as a string of North and South American stations on 20m in the early
evening. This shows that at this point in the solar cycle quiet
geomagnetic conditions can make all the difference.
Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will remain in the mid
seventies, but we may suffer from the tail end of the geomagnetic
disturbance that started on Friday the 4th. This is due to solar
matter from a large Earth-facing coronal hole on the Sun. At the time
this is being written we don't know the magnetic characteristics or
speed of the incoming solar wind stream so it is hard to be precise.
Nevertheless, if its magnetic component is south-facing we can expect
it to couple more easily with the Earth's magnetic field and the K
index could soar as particles are channelled towards the poles.
After a potential initial positive phase we might see maximum usable
frequencies to decline and the bands to be noisy, perhaps until
Tuesday the 8th. The good news is that a new sunspot has just rotated
into view and the rest of next week is predicted to be more settled.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
The unsettled weather of the past week will continue through this
weekend and into the first half of next week. This means that, like
last week, rain scatter is one mode of choice for the GHz bands. As
Sunday's UK Microwave Group contest showed, even light patchy rain
can improve 10GHz propagation so be alert, check the beacons and
announce activity.
Around the middle of next week there are signs that a weak ridge of
high pressure will build towards southern Britain, offering a hint of
tropo across southern UK and into the continent. Paths of maximum
range are probably going to be across the ridge over Biscay to Spain,
Portugal and perhaps even the Canaries or the Azores.
As we approach the end of the Sporadic-E season, August offers
decreasing chances. That said, there have been some very good days
well into the second half of the month, especially when the weather
is more unsettled and is driven by strong jet streams. Subjectively,
these late season events can pop up at odd times, quite often biased
towards the middle of the day rather than the morning and evening
splits of mid-season Sporadic-E.
EME path losses start to fall again this week and Moon declination is
rising but stays negative until Friday. UK Moonrise gets later in the
evening as the week progresses, so EME will be a late night or early
morning activity all week.
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 Thursday before transmission.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
http://www.theskywaves.net http://gb7cip.ampr.org
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