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G4TNU > NEWS 04.12.22 11:32l 237 Lines 10958 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 04 Dec 2022
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 4th of December 2022
The news headlines:
* Special Contest Calls, Expansion of Qualifying Events
* Exams and Syllabus Review Group Recruitment
* Bath Based Intermediate Licence Distance Learning
Ofcom has recently authorised an expansion of the list of Special
Contest Call qualifying contests. It now includes the World Wide DIGI
contest and the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint PSK63
contest. Full details of how to apply for a Special Contest Call can
be found on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/scc
The RSGB is seeking to appoint additional members to the Exams and
Syllabus Review Group, formerly known as the Exams Group. Membership
of the Group now includes places for club tutors who hold a Full
amateur radio licence and have taught the Full Syllabus for at least
two years. If you are interested in making an application, or require
further information, please email the Examination Standards Committee
Chair Tony Kent, G8PBH at esc.chair<at>rsgb.org.uk Further
information about the ESRG can be found on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/esrg
The closing date for applications for the next Bath Based Distance
Learning course for the Intermediate exam is Thursday the 7th of
December. Following application, students must complete some short
pre-course study and a quiz to ensure they are able to use the Bath
Based Distance Learning systems and to see if it suits their needs.
That work must be completed by the 21st of December. The course
starts on the 4th of January 2023 with exams expected in May. For
full details and an application form, please e-mail Steve, G0FUW, via
g0fuw<at>bbdl.org.uk
The RSGB's final Tonight<at>8 webinar of 2022 is this Monday the 5th
of December. David Palmer, G7URP will explore 100 years of BBC
technology and innovation. You can watch the presentation and ask
questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel or via BATC. There is more
information about the presentation and how to take part on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/webinars
The RSGB has released two further RSGB 2022 Convention presentations
this week, the first of which wasn't part of the Convention
livestream so is brand new to people watching online. Werner
Hasemann, DJ9KH explains the preparations and realisation of a
low-budget DXpedition in his presentation "Z66DX, Activating Kosovo
under special circumstances". The second presentation is called
"Digital ATV, Opening New Horizons" in which Dave Crump, G8GKQ
describes how easy it is for the home constructor to transmit and
receive digital ATV without the need for the specialist camera or
receiving equipment that used to be required. These and other
presentations are in the RSGB 2022 Convention playlist on the RSGB
YouTube channel at youtube.com/theRSGB
There are two big events taking place during December. YOTA Month
encourages youngsters to get on the air and the RSGB has supported
this for many years. The special callsign GB22YOTA is being hosted by
schools, clubs and individuals so listen out for it on the air and
have a chat to the young operators. The RSGB's Transatlantic
Centenary Tests also run throughout December and there are awards
available for working the special stations. There are still
opportunities to get involved in both events so go to the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/yota-month to find out how to host the YOTA
callsign or check out rsgb.org/tct to book an operating slot for the
Transatlantic Tests.
And now for details of rallies and events
The Yeovil Amateur Radio Club Rally will be held on Thursday the 29th
of December at Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel, Yeovil, Somerset,
BA22 7QX. Doors will be open from 9.30am to 1pm and admission is
GBP 3. Free parking is available. The event will include bring and
buy as well as 20 tables for traders. For more information contact
Bob on 01963 440 167.
We regret to announce that the Callington Amateur Radio Society 2023
Rally, usually held on the last Sunday in March, has been cancelled
because of a conflict with an alternative amateur radio-related event
at the venue on the same day. Notice of the alternative event will be
provided by the organiser.
Now the Special Event News
On Thursday the 1st of December, GB1WH began operating. The Special
Event Station has been established to promote the work done by
Wakefield Hospice. For more information, visit the GB1WH QRZ.com page.
GB1LJF began its on-air activities on Thursday the 1st of December.
The Special Event Station is operating to celebrate the manufacturing
of the English Electric Lightning aircraft in Lancashire. More
information is available via the GB1LJF QRZ.com page.
Now the DX news
Ed, N2HX will be active as PJ7PL from Sint Maarten [SAINT MARTIN],
NA-105, until the 10th of December. He will be operating CW, SSB,
RTTY and FT8. QSL via his home call.
Ferdy, HB9DSP will be active as 5H3FM from Zanzibar Island, AF-032,
Tanzania until the 13th of December. He will operate SSB and some FT8
on the 20, 15 and 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or via his
home call.
The Qatar Amateur Radio Society has announced that nine special event
callsigns will be active until the 18th of December to celebrate the
2022 FIFA World Cup. Look out for station HQ A722FWC, as well as
eight callsigns that contain sequential numbers, from A71FIFA to
A78FIFA. The stations are active on the HF bands and via the QO-100
Satellite. QSL via the bureau, Logbook of the World or directly.
Now the contest news
The UK Six Metre Group Winter Marathon began on Thursday the 1st of
December. The contest will run until the 31st of January 2023. Using
all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and locator.
The ARRL 160m Contest ends today, the 4th, at 1600UTC. Using CW only
on the 160m band, the exchange is a signal report. American and
Canadian stations also send their ARRL or RAC section.
Today, the 4th, the 144MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from
1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 6th of December, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 6th of December, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 7th of December, the 144MHz FT8 Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 only on the 2m band, the
exchange is report and four character locator.
On Thursday the 8th of December, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The ARRL 10m Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 10th of
December and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 11th of December. Using
CW and phone, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
American, Canadian and Mexican stations also send their state or
province code.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Friday the 2nd of December 2022
Last week was characterised by unsettled geomagnetic conditions that
had not been forecast.
The Kp index fluctuated between three and five nearly all week,
resulting in reduced HF propagation, especially over polar paths. The
solar wind just refused to abate with speeds over 600km/s being
commonplace. A southward-facing Bz interplanetary magnetic field just
added to the problems.
In the CQ Worldwide CW contest last weekend, signals from the west
coast and Midwest were badly affected, with one station in Colorado
sounding very fluttery and weak. Strong aurorae were also recorded in
the polar regions.
Nevertheless, some good scores were made in the contest. It was a
case of making do with what was available, HF propagation-wise!
By Thursday, the Fairford Digisonde was reporting F2-layer critical
frequencies in the region of 10MHz, with an extrapolated MUF over
3,000km well above 28MHz around noon.
Sunspots remained on the decline all week with the solar flux index
struggling to get to 110. But the good news is that could now all
change. Solarham.net reports that the beginning of December will see
a potential influx of sunspots.
A new active region is now beginning to turn into view off the
southeast limb and was the source of a number of minor C-Flares on
Wednesday.
In addition to this, old regions 3140, 3141 and 3145 from earlier in
November are about to turn back into view from behind the northeast
limb.
NOAA predicts the solar flux index could increase to 120-125 next
week, which would be a welcome upturn. We may also be entering a more
settled phase with regard to the Kp index too, with NOAA predicting a
maximum index of two or three all week.
However, a solar coronal hole will become Earth-facing on Saturday,
so we expect the Kp index to rise perhaps late Sunday or Monday.
The ionosonde data server in the States, for the Propquest foF2
graphs, is still having problems, but it is being worked on. In the
meantime, you will see a backup plot from Fairford to keep things
going.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The main weather theme for the coming week is that of colder
north-easterly winds, but with some high pressure off the North West
to give a chance of slightly enhanced Tropo, at first in western
Britain. This will probably be spoiled, in eastern areas, by showers
coming in from the North Sea.
GHz band rain-scatter options with the North Sea showers should be
worth considering but, on this occasion, the showers may be
relatively limited. So, don't expect too much.
The solar conditions are still showing signs of activity, which can
bring some VHF propagation options, such as aurora on 6m to 2m given
a good trigger. So, look for high Kp indices above about five or six
to make it worth checking.
Meteor scatter is, of course, an ever-present option for surprising
us with any random activity. These sporadic meteors are more frequent
around dawn, and the big Geminids shower in December is less than a
fortnight away.
Moon declination is positive and increasing this week. So, Moon
windows will lengthen and zenith angles will increase. Path losses
are high and increasing this week. 144MHz sky noise is low to
moderate, reaching 500 Kelvin next 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 radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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