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G4APL > NEWS 30.09.17 23:42l 275 Lines 12965 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 1 Oct 2017
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Sent: 170930/2137Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:58877 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 1st of October 2017
The news headlines:
* IARU Conference report now online
* Enter the RSGB Construction Competition
* VDSL interference survey extended
The Report for the 24th Region 1 IARU General Conference, held in
Landshut Germany from 16 to 23 September, is available on the Region
1 website at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1001a The papers for C3, C4, C5 and C7
are also available in zipped format on this page.
[Note to Newsreaders: the original, full URL is
www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/general-conference]
The RSGB annual Construction Competition is still 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 has been
extended to 6 October 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 on the 14th of
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 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 Committee set up a survey at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0309A to collect current signal levels at the
frequencies of VDSL band transitions. There are still lots of
responses being received so the deadline has been extended; it will
remain open this week. Please fill it in, or persuade your fellow
amateurs to do so. If you have part-filled in the survey, you should
be able to re-open and complete it, or you can make a new entry and
the earlier version will be deleted. Thanks to everyone who has
participated. Some people found they had VDSL RFI that they were
previously unaware of. The survey results will be presented at the
RSGB Convention and published on the RSGB website.
A valve workshop will be held on the 14th of October at The National
Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park MK3 6EB. If you have a basic
knowledge of electronics and can read an electronic circuit diagram
then they will show you how electronics began, following its critical
components for its first 50 years. Find out about valve history, how
to handle and test valves and how valves are used in amplifiers,
radios and computers. Full details can be found at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0309B
[Note to Newsreaders: the full URL is
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/valve-workshop-tickets-37414464671?ref=enivtefo
r001&invite=MTI1ODE2MjYvcXNsQHJzZ2Iub3JnLnVrLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email
&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_ter
m=attend]
The RSGB has recently responded to two Ofcom consultations affecting
amateur microwave bands, as part of its ongoing strategy to protect
amateur spectrum. The latest input in a series regarding 5GHz has
been made in relation to Ofcom's consultation to liberalise Fixed
Wireless Access channels. This would affect amateur narrowband and
particularly satellite reception. Additionally, at even higher
frequencies there has been a response to an Ofcom Call for Input
regarding future fifth generation smartphone handset and base
stations. In a marked change from current systems these are expected
to use new frequencies in or near our 24 and 47GHz Primary amateur
bands. Both consultation inputs were developed in the RSGB Spectrum
Forum with assistance from special interest groups including UK
Microwave Group and AMSAT-UK. Details can be found at
tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1001b
[Note to Newsreaders: the full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/committees/spectrum-forum/papers-and-con
sultations/]
Saturday the 7th of October will see the 1st DX Féile take place on
Inis Mór Island, Aran Islands, for a DX filled-convention.
DXpeditioners Kenneth, LA7GIA, Nigel, G3TXF and IOTA Deputy Manager
Cezar, VE3LYC along with Declan, EI6FR and Jeremy, EI5GM will host a
day of DX-related talks, followed by a dinner and social evening,
amongst other activities. Two HF stations will be on the air for the
weekend, signing EJ1D and giving IOTA reference EU-006. Early booking
is advised due to limited availability. Full information is available
on their website, www.dxfeile.ie
Do you have some spare time to support fellow radio amateurs? Are you
passionate about the future of amateur radio? The RSGB currently has
a number of volunteer vacancies within the Regional representation
structure and would like to hear from you. There are Deputy Regional
manager vacancies in Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 13. Details can be
found at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1001c
[Note to Newsreaders: the full URL is
http://rsgb.org/main/blog/volunteer-vacancies/2016/08/09/regional-team
/]
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The Hack Green Hanger Sale is on today, the 1st of October, at the
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire
CW5 8AL. Doors open at 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.
Next Sunday, the 44th Blackwood ARS rally will be held at Rougemont
School, Newport, Gwent NP20 6QB. There is free parking on site,
including disabled spaces. Doors open 10am and entry is GBP 2.50.
There will be trade stands, special interest groups, an RSGB
bookstall and a Bring & Buy. A raffle will be held. There are talks
and lectures during the day. Catering is available on site. Contact
Mike Rackham, GW4JKV on 01495 226 149.
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
Witek, SP9MRO and Danuta, SP9PX will be active as 9H3I and 9H3QQ
respectively from Malta, IOTA reference EU-023, until the 9th of
October. They will operate CW, SSB and RTTY on the 12 to 40m bands.
QSL both callsigns via SP9SX and Logbook of The World.
From the 6th of October, several amateurs will be active from
Guantanamo Bay, NA-015. Henry, W2DZO will operate as KG4HH until the
9th, Jeff, KQ4LA as KG4LA until the 13th, Bill, W4WV as KG4WV until
the 20th and Al, W6HGF as KG4HF until the 20th. QSL via their home
callsigns. KG4LA and KG4HF will upload their logs to Logbook of The
World.
Look for Tina, HB0/DL5YL and Fred, HB0/DL5YM to be active from
Liechtenstein until the 7th. They will operate mainly CW, with some
SSB and RTT on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via their home calls, direct
or via the bureau.
The RI1F DXpedition team plan to be on the air from the
never-before-activated Victoriya Island between the 1st and 7th,
depending on weather and ice conditions. They will operate CW and SSB
on all bands, including EME and satellite activity. QSL via Club
Log's OQRS, where you should search for RI1F/EU-190. Victoriya Island
is new one for IOTA, EU-190, but DXCC-wise is part of Franz Josef
Land.
Oliver, DK7TX will be active as SV5/DK7TX from the Dodecanese islands
of Kos, Kalymnos, Nisyros and Telendos, EU-001, between the 3rd and
the 13th. QSL via his home callsign, direct or via the bureau.
A regular air service from Johannesburg to St Helena Island, AF-022,
is due to start on the 14th and Bill, G0VDE hopes to be on the first
commercial flight. He plans to be active as ZD7VDE for one week, and
to operate SSB and some data modes. See www.sthelenadx.com/ for more
information.
Now the special event news
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the launch of the first
artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, special callsign R60SAT will
be active from the 1st to the 8th. QSL via R4AS direct.
Now the contest news
The UK EI DX contest ends its 24-hour run at 1200UTC today, the 1st.
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.
On Tuesday the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC,
it is immediately followed until 2130UTC by the 144MHz UK Activity
Contest, where all modes are acceptable. The exchange for both is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the UK EI Counties Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC.
Using SSB on the 80m band the exchange is your 4 character locator.
There is lots going on next weekend. On Saturday the 7th from 1400 to
2200UTC the 1.2/2.3GHz Trophy takes place. Using all modes, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
From 0800 on the 7th to 0800UTC on the 8th, the Oceania DX SSB
contest uses the 1.8 to 28MHz bands. The exchange is signal report
and serial number.
From 1400UTC on the 7th to 1400UTC on the 8th, the 432MHz to 245GHz
contest takes place. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also from 1400UTC to 1400UTC on the 7th and 8th is the IARU 432MHz to
245GHz contest. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
From 1900 to 1900UTC on the 7th and 8th is the Worked All Britain HF
Phone contest. Using the 14 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal
report, serial number, WAB area and Book number.
On the 8th, the DX Contest runs from 0500 to 2300UTC. Using CW and
SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Friday the 29th of September.
Last week was a mixed bag in terms of HF propagation. With the solar
flux index just into the 90s, amateurs were able to take advantage of
the improving autumnal conditions. At times, maximum usable
frequencies over a 3,000km path were stretching up to and beyond
21MHz, with openings to the US being reported on 15 metres. But a
geomagnetic disturbance due to a coronal hole on the sun saw the K
index soar to six on Wednesday, with associated auroral warnings.
At noon on Wednesday the critical frequency over the UK managed to
hit 8.125MHz, as measured at RAF Fairford. But an incoming solar wind
stream above 600km/s, with a south-facing Bz magnetic component, took
its toll. By late evening Wednesday predicted MUFs over 3,000km were
below 14MHz. If the solar wind has a south-facing Bz magnetic
component it is more likely to couple with the earth's magnetic field
and cause disruption. An even more unsettled ionosphere saw this
continue on Thursday as the K index hit a very stormy seven.
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the mid 90s
and geomagnetic conditions may be more settled. This could mean more
fun on the HF bands.
As we move into October we can expect HF conditions to improve on
east-west paths. Make sure you are using the latest smoothed sunspot
number of 22 with VOACAP-based prediction programs for the best
results.
And now the VHF and up propagation news.
The weekend and beginning of the coming week looks likely to be
affected by low pressure, with potentially windy conditions in the
north. The unsettled weather will also mean that GHz bands rain
scatter could be possible.
High pressure is set to move in towards midweek and should place
Tropo at the top of the operating list through to the end of the
week. Models differ slightly in the exact placement of the high, but
most allow the centre to drift east across southern Britain, while
leaving a linking ridge back to another large high north of the
Azores. What this means for the VHF bands from the UK is some fairly
good Tropo, especially into the near continent and across Biscay
towards Spain and perhaps farther south. Unfortunately, northern
Britain remains closer to low pressure and probably misses out on the
main Tropo action, although recent activity from CMEs highlights the
possibility of aurora if the sun continues to be disturbed.
There are no significant meteor showers, this week, so continue to
look before dawn for the best random meteor scatter contacts on the
lower VHF bands.
Moon declination goes positive again on Thursday, so expect
lengthening Moon windows and falling losses this coming week as the
Moon heads for perigee a week tomorrow.
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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