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G4APL > NEWS 23.09.17 22:26l 311 Lines 15005 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 24 Sep 2017
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Sent: 170923/2124Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:58295 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 24th of September 2017
The news headlines:
* IARU honours Colin, G3PSM
* Book for Convention Buildathon
* 4m NoV procedure streamlined
We're delighted to announce that RSGB Past President Colin Thomas,
G3PSM has been given the prestigious Roy Stevens G2BVN Memorial Award
by IARU Region 1. It is particularly appropriate, given that Roy was
Colin's mentor in his international work. Colin retires as Chairman
of the External Relations Committee this year after a period of
exemplary service to amateur radio, and in particular to the
International Amateur Radio Union in Region 1. You can read the full
story at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0924a
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/2017/09/21/iaru-r1-honours-colin-thomas
-g3psm/]
Over the last few years the RSGB Convention has included a
Buildathon, where attendees build a kit with help from mentors from
the Bath Buildathon Crew. This year the kit will be an Arduino-based
Morse tutor supplied by Kanga UK. The tutor is ideal for those
learning Morse code or looking to improve their receive speed. It
also makes an ideal Intermediate assessment project. All necessary
tools and test equipment will be provided, and the Bath team will be
there to assist. This year's Buildathon at the RSGB Convention takes
place on the 14th of October in Milton Keynes. Buildathon places cost
no more than the kit, which is just under GBP 40. Places can be
booked online via the RSGB Shop Convention Booking Office. If you
need any further details, please contact Steve Hartley, G0FUW, via
email to g0fuw<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB is pleased to announce that a more streamlined process is
now available for digital experiments in the 70.5-71.5MHz range.
Amateurs who successfully apply via the Ofcom Special Research Permit
process are now able to confirm their details and download their
Notice of Variation from the RSGB website in a similar manner to the
146-147MHz NoVs. Further details are at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0924b
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/operating/band-plans/vhf-uhf/vhf-spectrum-release
/]
A video created by the RSGB was used by Don Beattie, President of
IARU Region 1, at the IARU Conference in Landshut to spark discussion
about the future of amateur radio. Filmed at YOTA 2017, five young
radio amateurs from different countries explain what they think the
future of amateur radio should look like. They are optimistic,
enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Take a look at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0924c to see the video he showed.
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/publications-archives/video/young-amateurs/]
The GB2RS news team for Region 8, Northern Ireland, is appealing for
new readers. You need to hold a Full licence and be an RSGB Member.
For DMR broadcasts you will need to be able to access one of the TG8
/ S2 enabled repeaters, currently GB7LY, GB7UL, GB7HB or GB3OM. If
you're interested, or want to know more, please contact RSGB Regional
Manager Philip Hosey, MI0MSO via email to rm8<at>rsgb.org.uk or call
him directly on 0784 902 5760.
DXCC card checking will be available at the National Hamfest, on the
29th and 30th of September at the Newark & Nottinghamshire
Showground. Situated on the UK 6m Group stand, they can also check
your documents for your Logbook of the World, so bring your licence
and original photo ID such as photo driving licence or passport, with
the same name on both. These documents don't have to be 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. Please note the paper application
forms are no longer used: you must use the online tool to make your
application and bring the resulting printout with the cards.
The RSGB annual Construction Competition is open for entries. The aim
of the competition is to encourage home construction,
experimentation, design and innovation. The competition can be
entered by individual members or groups of members where the build
team will be treated as a single entrant. The closing date is the end
of September and any project that you have built, other than one that
was a previous winner in this competition, may be entered. Judging
will take place at the RSGB Convention in October. Full details are
at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0924c
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/convention-construction-
competition/]
The IARU Region 1 Conference concluded on Thursday with the final
plenary adopting a wide range of recommendations for current and
future amateur radio, from HF to microwaves. Having made a
substantial number of proposals, the RSGB was pleased to see many of
these being adopted in some form in the final plenary. Note that
those changes affecting band plans will be discussed in the
forthcoming RSGB Spectrum Forum meeting, prior to the update of RSGB
band plans in early 2018.
The RSGB Legacy Sub-Committee makes recommendations to the RSGB Board
on requests for funding from the GBP 180,000 Legacy Fund. The Board
wishes to appoint a new Chairman of the Legacy Sub-Committee and also
a further sub-committee member. Information about the fund is on the
RSGB website and further details of these appointments are available
from the General Manager, Steve Thomas, M1ACB, via email to
gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk
Following the recent ARISS-Europe Board elections, four candidates
were elected unopposed for a term of two years. Oliver, DG6BCE is
chairman, Emanuele, I0ELE is technical director, Bertus, PE1KEH and
Jean Pierre, F6DZP are counsellors. They take office on the 1st of
October.
At the IARU Region 1 Conference, in recognition of their outstanding
and ongoing contributions, Graham Shirville, G3VZV, Lisa Leenders,
PA2LS and Gregg Mossop, G0DUB have been awarded the IARU Region 1
Medal for their work on Satellite Coordination, Youth and Emergency
Communications respectively.
Doug Fraser has decided to stand down as DRM 21 in Region 2. We would
like to thank him for his service to his fellow amateurs. There is
now a vacancy in the area for an RSGB Member to take on the role of
Deputy Regional manager. If anyone is interested in applying for the
role of DRM 21, Highlands, please contact Andy Burns, MM0CXA via
email to rm2<at>rsgb.org.uk.
The RSGB EMC Committee has been investigating VDSL broadband
interference on the HF amateur bands for three years now. To increase
the amount of evidence available, the RSGB EMC Committee has set up a
survey at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0309A to collect current signal levels at
the frequencies of VDSL band transitions. The survey closes on 30
September and everyone is invited to contribute their findings,
whether or not they believe they suffer VDSL interference.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The Pencoed ARC Table Top Sale is today, the 24th, at Pencoed Rugby
Football Club, The Verlands, Felindre Road, Pencoed CF35 5PB. Doors
open at 10am for the public and entry is GBP 2. Refreshments,
including hot food, will be available. Details from Madeline Roberts
on 01639 767056.
The National Hamfest takes place this week on Friday the 29th and
Saturday the 30th of September at the Newark & Nottinghamshire
Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire
NG24 2NY. The venue has extensive free car parking and disabled
facilities. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, car boot area,
flea market, special interest groups and a huge RSGB bookstall. There
will also be representatives from the RSGB Services and Committees.
Morse proficiency test will be available. The venue has catering
outlets and a seating area. See www.nationalhamfest.org.uk for
details.
The Hack Green Hanger Sale is on the 1st of October at the Hack Green
Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. Doors
open 10am. Sales will include amateur gear, electronic equipment,
components, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Refreshments are
available on site. More details from Lucy Siebert on 01270 623 353 or
by email to lucy<at>hackgreen.co.uk.
Finally, we understand that the Dambusters Hamfest that takes place
in early May has changed its name and will henceforth be known as the
Thorpe Camp Hamfest.
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
Hal, JR4OZR will be active as A35W from Tongatapu, IOTA reference
OC-049, Tonga until the 26th of September. He will operate RTTY and
FT8, and will participate in the CQ WW DX RTTY Contest. QSL via
JJ2VLY and Logbook of The World or logsearch on Club Log.
JA3KIO as T88XA and JA3JND as T88ON will be active from Koror,
OC-009, Palau, until the 28th of September. QSL via home calls,
direct or bureau.
JR1FKR as V63FKR and JH1MLO as V63MLO will be active from Pohnpei,
OC-010, in Micronesia between the 27th September and the 2nd of
October. They will operate SSB and RTTY. QSL via home calls, direct
or bureau. They do not use Logbook of The World.
AT7M is the callsign for the IOTA DXpedition to St Mary Islands,
AS-096. A large team will operate on all modes with a multi
transceiver station from the 30th of September to the 1st of October.
QSL via VU3NPI.
Now the special event news
Stations for Railways on the Air will be active this weekend
including Coventry ARS from the Coventry Model railway club with
GB6CMR. Loughton and Epping Forest ARS will be activating GB2RGM at
the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey, although public access is
not permitted to the site. Riviera ARC will operate GB4BCR from
Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
Enigma Reloaded takes place from the 22nd to the 30th of September.
The main goal is to promote as much amateur radio activity as
possible all over the world, celebrating the history of the Enigma
cipher machine and its crucial role in the outcome of World War II.
From the 22th to the 29th, Italians and others registered as
Activator Stations will ensure the activation of their radio stations
in order to allow the participants to get their scores for the Enigma
Award Contest. Full details are online at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0924e
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
www.enigma-reloaded.it/index_eng.html]
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest ends its 48 hours at 2359UTC on the
24th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and
Zone, which is 14 for the UK.
Today, the 24th, the UK Microwave Group contest runs from 0600 to
1800UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7 and 10GHz bands, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC today,
the 24th. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC.
Using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the UK EI Counties Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC.
Using CW only, the exchange is your 4 character Locator square.
On the 30th of September and the 1st of October, the UK EI DX contest
takes place between 1200 and 1200UTC. Using SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz
bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and District
Code. Please note that the signal report is optional in this contest.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 22nd of September.
Last week saw sunspot numbers decline, but geomagnetic conditions
become more settled. This, plus the fact we are heading into autumn,
resulted in better HF conditions, with 21MHz opening to DX for short
periods. The CS3B Madeira and 4X6TU Israel beacons on 21.150MHz were
both audible at times and Jim, G3YLA reports working S01WS in Western
Sahara on the band.
Not to be outdone, the lower bands have also been active, with UK
operators on the DXpedition to St Pierre and Miquelon being worked
from the UK on 160, 80, 40 and 30 metres. The better critical
frequencies and therefore higher MUFs mean 40 metres has also been
open to shorter skip at times, perhaps with a minimum of about 500km.
Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index may increase slowly up
to and beyond 100 once again. However, there is a strong possibility
that geomagnetic conditions may be unsettled all week due to coronal
hole activity and the potential for coronal mass ejections from the
active sunspots that are predicted.
Currently, VOACAP Online suggests that reasonably-equipped UK
stations have around a 50% chance of working New York on 20 metres CW
from around 1800 to 2030hrs. This should improve to about 70% as we
head into mid-October, with 17 and 15 metres both offering better
reliability too.
With the better autumnal HF conditions coming, it is worth playing
with the online tools at VOACAP.com and www.predtest.uk to get a
better understanding of the best times to work various parts of the
world on HF.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
It's been a good week for rain scatter on the GHz bands, with daily
propagation over to the Netherlands and Belgium and intra-UK. Sadly
this has not been matched by activity, but a few good QSOs were
reported by those who were aware.
This week sees a welcome return of high pressure nearby, to the east
of the UK. This will allow stations in the south and east of the
country to enjoy slightly enhanced conditions. The position of the
high would favour Tropo paths up the east coast and across the
southern North Sea. This will probably be a brief period of Tropo
before low pressure from the Atlantic drifts in towards the UK in the
second half of the week. The high remains nearby over Scandinavia,
with a ridge extending southwest across France into Spain. This may
possibly offer some Tropo options to the south for stations on the
south coast.
There is a low rate meteor shower, the daytime Sextantids, on
Wednesday, so continue to look before dawn for the best random meteor
scatter contacts.
The Moon is at maximum negative declination and apogee on Wednesday
so losses are at their greatest and Moon windows short. So this is a
good week to catch up on antenna maintenance for the autumn.
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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