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G4TNU > NEWS 27.08.23 01:31l 289 Lines 14226 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 27 Aug 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 27th of August 2023
The news headlines:
* RSGB Board Co-option
* RSGB 2023 Convention
* IARU Region 1 Conference
RSGB Board Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX is pleased to announce that
the Board has co-opted Ben Lloyd, GW4BML as a Board Director until
the AGM in April 2024. Ben had a significant number of votes in the
RSGB 2023 Board elections. Ben brings a fresh perspective together
with a very active life as a radio amateur in Wales. The Society
hopes you will welcome Ben to his new role.
The RSGB 2023 Convention is just seven weeks away and the Society is
delighted that AMSAT will be holding its Colloquium during the event
again. The RSGB's programme includes a fantastic range of expert
speakers and amateur radio topics. You'll hear behind-the-scenes
stories about the Rockall DXpedition 2023 and the Bouvet 3Y0J
DXpedition; Cathy Clarke, G1GQJ will share the history of RAYNET and
its importance in the modern world; and there are presentations on
aircraft scatter, PCB Building plus working FM satellites on a
budget. Following the exciting news that the UK will be the hosts for
the World Radiosport Team Championship in 2026, you'll hear from
competitors and referees who took part in the 2022 Championship and
gain an insight into the preparations for the 2026 event. For the
first time, the Convention will also have a clear focus on outreach
and practical activities as the RSGB provides opportunities for
individuals and clubs to ‘have a go' and be inspired to try new
things in their local areas. These are just some of the many
highlights and the RSGB will be publishing full details in the
October RadCom. Keep an eye on rsgb.org/convention for more details
over the next couple of weeks. Also, the RSGB is delighted to
announce that Keith Hotchkiss, G0FEA has been appointed as the RSGB's
volunteer Lecture Coordinator for the 2023 Convention. Keith will be
working with General Manager and Convention Chair Steve Thomas, M1ACB
and the rest of the Convention team to create another fantastic event.
IARU Region 1 will hold its next General Conference from the 1st to
the 4th of November 2023 in Zlatibor, Serbia. A wide range of papers
and proposals are now available online and the RSGB welcomes comments
on these. Topics include: general reports; organisational and budget
proposals; the new HF Bandplan; VHF, UHF and SHF changes; and
consideration of WRC-23, the World Radiocommunication Conference,
which follows shortly afterwards. Other themes include: strategic
projects and progress, accommodating digital technologies, contests,
EMC and other spectrum matters. Comments should be forwarded to the
relevant HF, VHF or Microwave spectrum manager, by Thursday the 12th
of October, in order to allow time to finalise the RSGB position. You
can find a link to the consultation via thersgb.org/go/iaruconsult
Have you replied to the Ofcom consultation about amateur radio yet?
And have you read the article by Ofcom Director for Spectrum, David
Willis, in the September edition of RadCom? In it, David says: "We
fully recognise the contribution amateur radio has made to developing
radio technologies over the years, including in the development of
radar and LTE. We know how important amateur radio is as a hobby to
those who are involved, and that it plays an important role in
nurturing the next generation of radio engineers." This recognition
of the importance of amateur radio skills for careers in engineering
dovetails with the RSGB's strategic priority to grow and develop
amateur radio. You can read David's full article on the RSGB website
and watch three RSGB presentations that give information and guidance
about the Ofcom Consultation. The Society encourages every radio
amateur to submit their views about the Consultation proposals – go
to rsgb.org/licencereview
A reminder now that the popular British Inland Waterways on the Air
event is taking place this weekend and will finish tomorrow, Monday
the 28th. The event is open to amateurs who use canals, towpaths,
rivers, lakes or reservoirs for work or recreation. Lots of stations
are active, so why not give them a call? To find out more about the
event visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group's website
nharg.org.uk and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2023' link.
It has been announced this week that the UK will host the world's
first summit on artificial intelligence safety in November. The
summit will be held at the iconic Bletchley Park, which is one of the
birthplaces of computer science. To be able to host an event of this
global importance, Bletchley Park and the RSGB National Radio Centre
will be closed to the public from Saturday the 28th of October to
Friday the 3rd of November inclusive. If you have pre-booked a visit
for during that time, Bletchley Park will contact you. For more
information see bletchleypark.org.uk
And now for details of rallies and events
Torbay Annual Communications Fair is taking place today, Sunday the
27th of August. The venue is Newton Abbot Racecourse, TQ12 3AF. This
is an indoor event with free parking. The doors open at 10am. A
bring-and-buy area, on-site catering, and an RSGB bookstall are
available. For more information contact Pete, G4VTO on 01803 864 528,
Mike, G1TUU on 01803 557 941 or email rally<at>tars.org.uk
Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is also taking place today,
Sunday the 27th of August. The rally is being held at a new venue
this year – Heron's Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road,
Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes, MK8 9AA. The venue is opposite the
National Badminton Centre and has excellent modern amenities together
with free on-site parking, catering and disabled facilities. The
entrance fee is GBP 3 and doors are open to the public from 9am.
Outdoor pitches and indoor tables are available. For trader and
exhibitor enquiries please email rally<at>mkars.org.uk For more
information see mkars.org.uk
The Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally will take
place tomorrow, Monday the 28th of August. The venue will be Ernulf
Academy, St Neots, PE19 2SH. The gates open for traders at 7am and
for the public at 9am. The entrance fee will be GBP 3 and free car
parking will be available. The event will feature an RSGB bookstall
and bring and buy. For more information, email Malcolm, M0OLG via
events<at>hunts-hams.co.uk or phone 01480 214282.
On Saturday the 2nd of September, the G-QRP Club Convention,
featuring its famous Buildathon, will take place at the Harper Adams
University campus near Telford, Shropshire, TF10 8NB. The following
day, Sunday the 3rd of September, Telford Hamfest will take place at
the same venue. Talk-in will be available on Sunday morning on
145.550MHz FM. Further details are available at
gqrp.com/convention.htm and telfordhamfest.org.uk If you have any
questions, you can contact Martyn, G3UKV on 01952 255416 or John,
M0JZH on 07824 737716.
Dartmoor Autumn Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 3rd of
September. The venue will be Yelverton War Memorial Hall, Meavy Lane,
Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6AL. There will be the usual bring and buy,
trader stands and refreshments available. The doors will open at 10am
and admission will be GBP 2.50. Free parking will be available. For
more information email Roger via 2e0rph<at>gmail.com or phone
07854 088882.
Now the Special Event News
PG100N is the special callsign in use to celebrate the centenary of
the lighthouse located at Noordwijk aan Zee [NORD-WIG-ANNE-ZEE]. Look
out for activity until the 11th of September, especially during Open
Monument Day on the 9th and 10th of September. QSL via the bureau to
PA7DA.
Special callsign LX90RTL is active in celebration of the 90th
anniversary of Radio Luxembourg's first long wave broadcast. It is
being used by various LX operators until the end of the 2023 year.
Look for activity on the HF bands. QSOs are possible via SSB, CW,
digital modes and satellite. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically
via the DARC bureau. The logs will be uploaded to Club Log, Logbook
of the World and eQSL on a regular basis. See QRZ.com for more
information.
Now the DX news
Frans, DJ0TP will be active as TK/DJ0TP from the main island of
Corsica, EU-014, until the 3rd of September. QSL via his home call
and Logbook of the World.
From the 1st to the 7th of September, Christo, LZ3FN and Thomas,
SV2CLJ will be QRV from Skyros Island, EU-060, in Greece, as
SV8/LZ3FN and SV8/SV2CLJ. They will be operating on the 80 to 2m
bands using CW, SSB and digital modes.
Now the contest news
Today, the 27th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs
from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, the 27th, the CQ RTTYops Contest is running from 1200 to
2359UTC. Using RTTY only on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and the four-digit year of
your first licence.
The World Wide Digi DX Contest ends today, the 27th, at 1200UTC.
Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 2nd of
September and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 3rd of September. Using
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is serial number and age.
On Saturday the 2nd of September, the CWops CW Open will run from
0000 to 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.
IARU Region 1 SSB Field Day starts at 1300UTC on Saturday the 2nd of
September and ends at 1300UTC on Sunday the 3rd of September. Using
SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
The 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 2nd of
September and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 3rd of September. Using
All modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
On Sunday the 3rd of September, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone
Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using phone, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.
On Sunday the 3rd of September, the 5th 144MHz Backpackers Contest
runs from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 24th of August 2023
Last week saw plenty of DX being worked, thanks to quiet geomagnetic
conditions and a seasonal change to a more autumnal ionosphere.
Although we are still in August, there are signs that the ionosphere
is moving away from its summer doldrums as its chemical composition
changes to more monatomic species, which ionise more easily.
Another bonus is that there has been a big reduction in the size and
number of coronal holes on the Sun, which again leads to lower Kp
indices.
Mike, G8AXA reports that, for the first time in a long while, his
Faros IBP beacon monitoring software recorded the VK6RBP beacon on
28.200MHz between 0857 and 1000UTC, via short path, just making S1 on
his long wire and Yaesu FT-991A. On 21.150MHz, he also recorded
hearing the ZL6B beacon between 0757 and 0909UTC up to S3.
Conditions should continue to improve as we move towards September
and October.
Last week, the solar flux was in the 140s and 150s. The Kp index
never rose above three, meaning the ionosphere was quite stable. The
proton flux was also very low. FT8 on the 15m band was humming in the
afternoon with the Far East and Caribbean both being workable at the
same time.
Next week we have active regions 3413 and 3415 rotating to be more
Earth-centric. NOAA predicts that the Solar Flux Index will rise to
the 160s again and the quiet geomagnetic conditions may continue with
a predicted Kp index of two.
So, as long as we don't get any solar flares, or CMEs erupting from
sunspot groups 3413 and 3415, we could have a good week again for HF
DX.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The current spell of unsettled weather looks likely to stay with us
for most of next week, in fact until around Friday when there are
signs of a ridge building in for next weekend, although mainly for
southern areas.
This could be in time for some Tropo over the weekend of the 144MHz
Trophy Contest. However, the models are a bit uncertain this far out,
so keep a watch for changes during the week.
The remaining mode in such unsettled weather is of course rain
scatter and most of the period until the end of the week should
provide many opportunities.
As we approach the close of the traditional Sporadic-E season,
although it can still occur in any month, the activity levels are
much reduced after the end of August and certainly tail off sharply
after the first week in September. We are still getting the
occasional flurry of activity for multi-hop paths on 10m to the Far
East and the States, so don't abandon it just yet.
Remaining modes such as meteor scatter are still available via random
meteor activity and there are always chances of a higher Kp index
with its implications for aurora. Note that the autumn and spring
months are typically a preferred time for aurora.
This Saturday sees minimum Moon declination with the Moon not getting
above 10 degrees elevation. It goes positive again next Friday. As
the Moon's perigee is on Wednesday, path losses are at their lowest.
144MHz sky noise is high this weekend, but falling to low levels by
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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