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G4TNU > NEWS 02.04.23 02:35l 268 Lines 12489 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 02 Apr 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 2nd of April 2023
The news headlines:
* March 2023 edition of RadCom Basics
* Coronation activities
* Nominated Director vacancy
The March 2023 edition of RadCom Basics is now available on the RSGB
website for Members to read. It is for new licensees or anyone who
wants an introduction to a different aspect of amateur radio. This
edition features articles which cover: QRP operating, an introduction
to Andy's Ham Radio Linux software, basic fault finding and how to
have fun on the 10m band. To read RadCom Basics visit
rsgb.org/radcom-basics
The RSGB has just published a new section on its website with further
details of its Coronation celebration activities. More information
will be added over the coming weeks so do check back for updates. Go
to rsgb.org/coronation to find out more.
The resignation of Richard Horton, G4AOJ has left an RSGB Board
vacancy for a Nominated Director. The Society needs to embrace new
methods of working to help meet the changing needs of the amateur
community. Candidates with experience of change management, for
example, would be welcomed. The RSGB needs a strong and effective
Board; this could be your opportunity to be part of that. To find
out more, go to the volunteer vacancies section of the RSGB website
at rsgb.org/volunteers or, for an informal discussion, please email
Nominations Committee Chair Stephen Purser, GW4SHF at
nominations.chair<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB's Tonight<at>8 live webinar series continues this Monday the
3rd of April with a presentation called "Sheep Worrier: A High
Altitude Balloon Flight and Recovery System" by Heather Nickalls,
M0HMO. Heather will cover an introduction to flying High Altitude
Balloons, the radio systems involved, some science experiments she
did on her flights, the recovery system developed to help find the
payload when it lands and, of course, lots of pictures from
‘almost' the edge of space. You can ask questions live during the
presentation via the RSGB YouTube channel or the special BATC
channel. Find out more about this and other webinars on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/webinars
Matthew Smith, M0VWS is moving on from his role as RadCom Technical
Editor to pursue other opportunities. The RSGB thanks Matthew for all
his work and wishes him well for the future. The RSGB is now seeking
to recruit a new Technical Editor for RadCom. Reporting to the
Managing Editor, the successful candidate will need a wide range of
radio and electronic knowledge, including amateur radio. The RSGB is
looking for someone who is positive, enthusiastic about technology,
has an excellent command of English and a good eye for detail. For
more information about the role and how to apply,
see rsgb.org/careers
And now for details of rallies and events
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hanger Sale is
taking place today, Sunday the 2nd of April. The venue is Hack Green
Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale includes
electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items
and vehicle spares. For more information email
coldwar<at>hackgreen.co.uk or visit www.hackgreen.co.uk
Yeovil Amateur Radio Club's 37th QRP Convention will take place on
Saturday the 15th of April at The Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset
DT9 3AA. Doors open from 9.30am to 1.30pm and admission is GBP 3. The
Convention will feature talks, traders, bring and buy, club stalls
and a café. For more information visit yeovil-arc.com or contact
qrp<at>yeovil-arc.com
The Cambridgeshire Repeater Group Rally will take place on Sunday the
16th of April. The venue will be Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road,
Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6RN. Doors open at 7.30am for traders and
9.30am for visitors. Admission is GBP 3. The rally will feature
talk-in, trade stands, bring and buy, an RSGB Bookstall and free car
parking. For more information contact Lawrence, M0LCM on
07941 972 724, email rally2023<at>cambridgerepeaters.net and see the
cambridgerepeaters.net website.
The Holsworthy Spring Rally and Boot Sale will also take place on
Sunday the 16th of April. The venue will be Holsworthy Livestock
Market, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7FA. There will be plenty of parking,
wheelchair access and full catering available. The doors open to the
public from 10am. For more details contact the club secretary Ken,
G7VJA via email on m0omc<at>m0omc.co.uk and visit the m0omc.co.uk
website.
Now the Special Event News
Celebrating World Amateur Radio Day, DARC special event callsign
DA23WARD will be active until the 18th of April. All QSOs will be
confirmed automatically via the bureau. Direct cards will be managed
via DL2VFR.
Special callsign II1CAI will be active until the 30th of June. The
callsign celebrates the 100th anniversary of the local section of the
Italian Alpine Club, founded in 1863. QSL via IQ1NO.
9M8SOTA and 9M8BOTA are the special callsigns that 9M8HAZ and others
will be using during 2023 while operating from various mountains and
beaches in Sarawak [SUH-RAA-WICK], East Malaysia. QSL for both
callsigns via 9M8HAZ directly or, via Logbook of the World and Club
Log.
OE40XTU is the special callsign being used by OE1XTU, the Amateur
Radio Club at the Vienna University of Technology during 2023 to
celebrate its 40th anniversary. QSL via eQSL is preferred. QSL via
Logbook of the World is also accepted. Paper cards requested via Club
Log's OQRS will be issued in early 2024.
Now the DX news
Luca, HB9OBD will be active as D44KIT from Sal Island, Cape Verde,
AF-086, until the 5th of April. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the
40, 20, 15 and 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or via
EB7DX.
Pierre, VK3KTB will be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Amateur Radio
Club station on Ellesmere Island, NA-008, until the 12th of April.
He will be operating using SSB, FT8 and CW on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and
10m bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS page.
Diya [DEE-AA], YI1DZ has been in Juba, South Sudan since the 13th of
March and expects to remain there until the 22nd of April. He
operates SSB and FT8 as Z81D in his spare time. QSL via Club Log's
OQRS and Logbook of the World, or via OM3JW.
Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active on the Solomon Islands until the end
of April. He plans to operate as H44MS from Malaita, OC-047, on a
daily basis. He will be operating on the 80 to 6m bands using SSB and
some FT8. QSL via his home call, direct or via the bureau. He will
upload his log to Club Log and Logbook of the World when he returns
home.
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 2nd of April, the UK Microwave Group Low Band
Contest runs from 1000 to 1600UTC. Using All modes on the 1.3 to
3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
The SP DX Contest began yesterday, Saturday the 1st of April, at
1500UTC. The contest ends today, Sunday the 2nd of April at 1500UTC.
Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Polish
stations send their province code.
On Monday the 3rd of April, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900
to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
On Tuesday the 4th of April, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from
1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 4th of April, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 5th of April, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour
Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band the
exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the
5th of April, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900
to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and
four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may
also enter the two-hour contest.
Also on Wednesday the 5th of April, the UK and Ireland Contest Club
Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the
exchange is your six character locator.
Next Sunday, the 9th of April, the Worked All Britain Data Contest
runs from 1000 to 1400UTC and from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using data modes
on the 80 to 20m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 30th of March 2023
We were right in our prediction about the effects of the large solar
coronal hole last week, which saw the Kp index peak at 7.67 with
widespread aurora visible from the UK, even in the south.
This was probably the most significant geomagnetic event we have had
so far in this solar cycle.
Last week saw another X1.2 solar flare erupt on the Sun. This one
erupted from active region 3256 on the 29th of March at 0233UTC. It
didn't impact the ionosphere over the UK, but a fadeout was observed
over the Pacific region.
This was the seventh major solar flare since 2023 began. The Sun has
now matched 2022's total –and it's only March!
The associated CME off the southwestern limb of the Sun was modelled
and determined to be well ahead of the Earth's orbit. This means that
we are unlikely to see the Kp index rise as a result of this event.
This region also produced an M1.2 flare that peaked around 1407UTC,
and an M1.1 flare at 2347UTC. The earlier flare didn't seem to affect
the ionosphere too much according to the ionosonde data.
A minor solar wind stream is heading for Earth and is due on Saturday
the 1st of April. The material is flowing from a relatively small
coronal hole in the Sun's atmosphere, but it is on the equator and
very Earth-centric. Expect Arctic auroras and an elevated Kp index
when the solar wind arrives this weekend.
The SFI remained fairly static, around 160, earlier in the week but
then declined to 148 on Thursday the 30th. NOAA predicts that this
decline will continue next week, perhaps down to the low 130s. Once
the weekend's geomagnetic conditions recover, NOAA predicts that the
rest of the week should be quite settled.
This is good news for HF propagation, although do continue to watch
out for solar flare and CME activity which could affect conditions
and MUFs.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
We have three phases of weather to consider over the next week.
Forecasts predicted an unsettled weekend with rain and strong winds,
so should have provided a focus for rain scatter on the GHz bands.
The weekend ends with developing high pressure which lasts into early
next week. There is good potential for some tropo from Sunday
afternoon until about Tuesday lunchtime.
At the time of writing, the best paths are likely to be from southern
England into the near continent, also via Biscay to northern Spain
and across the southern North Sea to Denmark.
The third phase occurs when the high moves to the south to allow
fronts to move in from the Atlantic across northern Britain, but
possibly still leaving tropo into France and across Biscay. Later in
the week, the high pressure may head back north again to reintroduce
tropo to northern areas.
The Sporadic-E season is fast approaching, typically from mid-April
on 10m. If anything does happen before then, check the
propquest.co.uk website for the Es blog tab, which shows the current
day's jet streams and will maybe provide a clue for which direction
to beam.
Remember to look for aurora if the Kp index reaches five or more and,
of course, meteor scatter around dawn for those random meteor QSOs.
For EME operators, Moon declination is positive until Wednesday, so
still plenty of Moon time to get some QSOs in. Perigee was last
Thursday, so path losses are now falling. 144MHz sky noise is low,
rising slowly throughout the 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 radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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