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G4APL > NEWS 14.08.17 07:57l 268 Lines 12943 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 13 Aug 2017
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Sent: 170812/2123Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:53191 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 13th of August 2017
The news headlines:
* YOTA 2017 wraps up
* Nominate an upcoming DXer
* RSGB site adds dynamic updates
This weekend sees the end of a fabulous YOTA 2017 week. It has been
action-packed and a great success. Eighty young radio amateurs from
26 countries have enjoyed trying out new aspects of amateur radio as
well as making new friends. After a tense start at the ISS contact on
Tuesday, twelve young radio amateurs were able to put their questions
to astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA. It was truly a night to remember
for all the participants, everyone present at the YOTA event itself,
plus those watching from around the world via the BATC internet video
stream. IARU Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ and Hilary
Claytonsmith, G4JKS visited the YOTA camp and were impressed by the
skills and enthusiasm shown by the YOTA teams. You can see a snapshot
of the huge range of activities that have been happening via the YOTA
2017 Daily Diaries at www.rsgb.org/yota-dd
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 2017, now is the
time to send in your nomination. This prestigious award will be
presented this year at the RSGB Convention on the 13th to 15th
October. Please send nominations to Ian Greenshields, G4FSU, by
e-mail to ian.greenshields<at>gmail.com to arrive no later than
Friday the15th of September.
This week the RSGB has launched its new dynamic updates page. It
brings together in one place the live RSGB Facebook, Twitter and
YouTube content as well as the latest news feed. This week the news
is focusing on YOTA 2017 but in the future it will show the RSGB's
latest breaking news.
From the 16th to the 27th of August, Medway Amateur Receiving and
Transmitting Society will be holding their annual field event at
Milton & District Scout Camp, Bexon Lane, Bredgar, Sittingbourne,
Kent ME9 8HD. Over the two weeks the club will be on the air on the
80m to 70cm bands using their three callsigns G2FJA/P, G5MW/P and
G8MWA/P. Anyone who contacts all three callsigns by SSB, data or CW
over the two weeks will receive a commemorative certificate either by
eQSL or email. On the weekend of the 19th and 20th of August there
will be specialised demonstrations at the field using microwaves,
antennas, WSPRlite and data. For further updates please visit
www.marts.org.uk
Ofcom has issued frequency clearances for four microwave beacons.
These are GB3FNM at Farnham on 2.3GHz, GB3LPC at Bampton on 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.
The end of the Early Bird discount for bookings at the RSGB's
Convention is fast approaching. The deadline is the 18th of August
and the event takes place on the 13th to the 15th of October. The
provisional programme is now available on the website, so visit
www.rsgb.org/convention for all the latest information.
Marcus Hazel-McGown, MM0ZIF has decided to step down as Regional
Manager for Scotland South and the Western Isles. The RSGB would like
to thank Marcus for his hard work during his term as Regional
Manager. We are of course seeking a replacement Regional Manager and
would welcome applications from anyone living in the Region who is
keen to represent the Society and help support and develop amateur
radio in the area. For further details, please contact RSGB General
Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB via email to gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk
YOTA 2017 ends this weekend and the 80 young radio amateurs from 26
countries will make their way home after a week of operating, visits
and construction projects. A quick preview of the amazing CW
transceiver that Hans, G0UPL designed for the YOTA teams to build is
at www.rsgb.org/yota-vlogs There was lots of activity in the shack on
GB17YOTA and, at the time this script was prepared, over 8,000 QSOs
were in the log. They also had the first FT8 mode transatlantic
contact on 6m on Thursday. More information is at
www.rsgb.org/yota-dd
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Flight Refuelling ARS Hamfest takes place today, 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 area 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
Next Sunday, the 20th, the Rugby ATS Radio Rally takes place at
Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby, CV23 9PY. Doors open from
10am to 4pm and admission is GBP 3. Sellers can gain access from 8am.
There will be a car boot area. Catering is available on site. Details
from Tony, G0OLS on 0775 968 4411.
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
Special station 4A2MAX from St Maximilian Maria Kolbe Temple in
Monterrey on the 13th to the 19th of August. Activity will be on the
HF bands and 6 metres SSB, CW and digital modes. Born in 1894, Father
Kolbe, SP3RN died on 14 August 1941 at Auschwitz. QSL via Logbook of
The World, eQSL and Club Log.
YB72RI is a special callsign celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the
Republic of Indonesia until the 17th of August. Activity takes place
from all Indonesian provinces and ORARI districts, using YB72RI/0 to
YB72RI/9. See YB2RI on QRZ.com for details.
Two Alaskan IOTA islands will be activated by Mike, VE7ACN. He will
be operating as AL3/AA7CH from Hinchinbrook Island, NA-042, until the
15th of August and as NL6/AA7CH from Kayak Island, NA-157, from the
18th to the 28th. All QSLs to his Canadian call.
Alex, F4GHS will be operating holiday style from two different
locations in the South Cook Islands until the 25th of August. He will
use the callsign E51GHS. QSLs go via his home call.
Martti, OH2BH and Henri, OH3JR, signing as OJ0BH and OJ0JR,
respectively, will be on the air until the 19th of August, using the
new FT8 digital mode from Market Reef.
Now the special event news
Grey Point Fort ARS club station will be transmitting at the 204 NI
Field Hospital Family Fun Day at Grey Point Fort today, the 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.
Llanelli ARS will be running GB1BPL for this year's International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend from 0000UTC on the 19th until 2359UTC
on the 20th. Activity will be on HF and 2m. QSL is via the bureau.
Details on QRZ.com
Fareham & District ARC will be operating GB1GL from the Mary Mouse 2,
an automated light vessel moored in Portsmouth Harbour as part of
International Lighthouses and Lightships Weekend on the 19th of
August. Two stations will be active on HF and VHF from 9am to 6pm.
The Lightship is open to the general public for food and drink. The
Shack will be in the wardroom on the foredeck if you would like to
visit in person.
After being invited by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Humber Fortress
DX ARC will be activating GB2SL on the 19th and 20th from Spurn Head
Lighthouse for International Lighthouses and Lightships Weekend. This
will be only the third activation in the last 10 years and coincides
with the full renovation of the Spur High Lighthouse.
Loughton & Epping Forest ARS is all set to activate GB0TBW at the
Trinity Buoy Wharf for International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
on the 19th and 20th. This lighthouse is the only lighthouse on the
Thames. Visitors are most welcome and there are refreshments
available on site. The postcode is E14 0JY, but space for parking is
limited.
Colchester Radio Amateurs will be activating GB6NT at Naze Tower at
Walton on the Naze on the 19th and 20th of August for International
Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. Planned operation is 11am on the
19th to 5pm on the 20th using HF, VHF and UHF. All stations in the
log will receive an eQSL card; paper cards will be QSLR only. Details
are on QRZ.com
Now the contest news
The WAE DX CW contest ends its 48 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 13th
of August. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal
report and serial number. EU stations work non-EU stations only.
Today, the 13th, the fifth 70MHz Cumulative Contest runs from 1400 to
1600UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
On Tuesday the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
On Thursday the 70MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800UTC to
1900UTC. It is immediately followed by the 70MHz UK Activity Contest
until 2130UTC. The exchange is the same for both: signal report,
serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G3SVW, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 11th of August.
Last week, the solar flux index continued in the mid 70s, with a
single sunspot group making its way across the visible disk. Compare
and contrast this with the same week last year, when there were
actually five sunspot groups visible. This confirms, as it we didn't
know, that Solar Cycle 24 continues to decline. The current estimates
for sunspot minimum place it around 2019 to 2020, so get used to more
of the same.
The good news last week was that conditions were more geomagnetically
stable, with the K index mostly around one after Monday the 7th. This
meant that there was DX to be had, including some short-lived
openings to the Far East on 20 and 30 metres around 1800hrs. Milton,
ZP9CTS in Paraguay was also worked by Tony, G4CJC on Tuesday using
the new digital mode FT8 on 10 metres.
Next week may start off unsettled due to another solar coronal hole,
which became Earth-facing on Wednesday. This suggests unsettled
geomagnetic conditions could occur from Friday the 11th and run in to
this weekend. This could spark auroral conditions, but may ultimately
result in depressed maximum useable frequencies.
Once the weekend is over, next week should be more settled and
conditions may settle. Look for DX openings on 30, 20, and 17 metres,
with occasional Sporadic-E openings on higher bands at times.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
The big problem with multiple weather models is that they usually
predict ridges of high pressure and troughs across the country at
different times. It's best therefore, to provide generalised
operating guidance for the different weather types.
This week, the ridges of high pressure will tend to favour the south
of the country for Tropo, principally into the continent and across
Biscay to Spain. The troughs and lows usually bring rain scatter and
there's been some good examples with the heavy thundery downpours
lately. Look for heavy rain, shown as bright colours on the many
online rainfall radars, to get the best from any large storm events.
The Perseids passed their peak at the weekend, but activity will
still be high over the next few days for meteor scatter enthusiasts.
Sporadic-E is still hanging on into the last part of the season with
a few openings on most days, but not necessarily reachable from the
UK. It's quite likely that the unsettled weather currently bodes well
for Sporadic-E, since the powerful upper atmosphere jet streams that
drive the rainy weather are also good for Sporadic-E.
The lunar cycle continues on its predictable way. Now, and for the
next few years, lowest path losses are coinciding with highest
declination in the Northern Hemisphere. This means that Moon windows
are longest when losses are at their lowest. This week should be good
for EME, with falling losses as we move towards perigee and maximum
declination on Friday.
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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