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G4TNU > NEWS 17.09.23 02:31l 266 Lines 12811 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 17 Sep 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 17th of September 2023
The news headlines:
* RSGB Strategic Priorities
* RSGB 2023 Convention
* YOTA month
The RSGB Board has chosen four strategic priorities for the Society
to focus on until the 2024 AGM. These are the growth of amateur
radio; membership of the RSGB; spectrum and licensing; and ensuring
the continued financial stability of the Society. These priorities
will set the framework for the RSGB's activities over the coming
months. Both HQ staff and volunteers across the range of RSGB teams
will be involved in planning how best to implement these four
priorities. Look out for further details in the coming weeks.
The RSGB 2023 Convention has a great speaker programme and there are
also some fantastic forums to take part in. The RSGB HF and VHF
Forums will take place on Sunday, and on Saturday in conjunction with
ICQPodcast, the RSGB is offering Convention attendees the chance to
discuss two important topics. The first will challenge you to
consider and take responsibility for the issues within amateur radio
today – for example, is amateur radio just about what you like?
Should someone else fix the issues you see? The second forum will
focus on QRM and how both newcomers and experienced radio amateurs
can sometimes feel frustrated or discouraged by on-air activities. In
both forums you can discuss personal experiences, share ideas, and
help to promote positive interactions with fellow radio amateurs. You
will leave with a notepad full of ideas. The only way to participate
in these forums is to be at the Convention, so do book your package
or tickets now! Full information about the updated programme,
speakers, the drop-in buildathon and the social scene are on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/convention
December is Youngsters on the Air, or YOTA, month and is an exciting
opportunity for you, your club, school, or social group to host an
amateur radio station with the aim of getting youngsters active on
the amateur bands. Once approval from Ofcom is received, the RSGB
will provide access to the special callsign GB23YOTA and a full list
of operating slots will be made available on QRZ.com. These slots
will be first-come, first-served, so check your calendars and reserve
your place as soon as possible. If you'd like to register your
interest for YOTA month, or simply ask for further information, you
can email Jamie, M0SDV at yota.month<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB Learning Team is calling out for your help – it is looking
for volunteers to get involved in the development, implementation and
relaunching of the new Discovery Challenge, which is a revamp of the
Individual Scheme from the Beyond Exams initiative. The team is
proposing to split the activities into three levels – Explorer,
Adventurer and Master. If you'd like to help out with these exciting
changes, or would just like to share some ideas or feedback, you can
contact Mark Burrows, 2E0SBM the Beyond Exams Coordinator at
be.coordinator<at>rsgb.org.uk
The UK Six Metre Group's 2023 AGM will be held via Zoom on Sunday the
8th of October from 6pm BST. The brief formal part of the meeting
will be followed by a talk from Antoine, 3D2AG entitled "Extending 6m
DX boundaries from the Heart of the South Pacific." Zoom details have
been emailed to members. Non-members will be welcome to join the
call but will not be able to vote on AGM business. For more
information about the group, visit uksmg.org
The popular Railways on the Air weekend, coordinated by Bishop
Auckland Amateur Radio Club, usually takes place on the weekend
closest to the 27th of September each year. This date celebrates the
anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger railway journey
which took place on the 27th of September 1825. The first passenger
train ran on a line in North East England from Darlington to
Stockton. This year, the event will run on the weekend of the 23rd
and 24th of September with lots of special event stations on the air.
For more information, to register, and to see a list of stations
taking part, visit rota.barac.org.uk
And now for details of rallies and events
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hangar Sale will
take place on Sunday the 24th of September. The venue will be Hack
Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. The sale
will include electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military
radio items and vehicle spares. For more information visit
hackgreen.co.uk or contact coldwar<at>hackgreen.co.uk Any
last-minute news will appear on facebook.com/HGsecretbunker
The Bury St Edmunds Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 24th
of September. The venue will be Rougham Tower Museum, IP32 7QB. The
doors will be open from 8am for traders and from 9.30am for the
public. The entrance fee will be GBP 3. The event will feature trade
stands, tabletop sales, bring and buy, local radio clubs' displays,
an RSGB book stall and Raynet. Refreshments will be available from
the Museum's cafeteria. Please direct enquiries to
rally2023<at>bsears.co.uk
The Weston super Mare Radio Society Radio and Electronics Rally
will take place on Sunday the 24th of September. The venue will be
The Campus Community Centre, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7DX. The
doors will open at 10am and entry will be GBP 3 per person. Under 16s
will be admitted free of charge. Free parking and refreshments will
be available. For more information, or to book a table, email
westonradiosociety<at>gmail.com or call 07871 034 206.
Biggleswade Swap-meet and Auction will take place on Sunday the 24th
of September. The venue will be The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm
Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. The doors will open at 9.30am and entry
costs GBP 8. The auction starts at 12.30pm. Bring and buy, hot food
and ample parking will be available. To book tables, or for further
information, email Jeremy, G8MLK via Jezzer3<at>hotmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign TI70RC [TANGO-INDIA-SEVEN-ZERO-ROMEO-CHARLIE] will
be active until the 30th of September to celebrate the 70th
anniversary of the Radio Club de Costa Rica, TI0RC, founded on the
29th of September 1953. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Special event callsign DM23BUGA is active until the 8th of October.
The suffix stands for 'Bundesgartenschau' [BOON-DES-GAR-TEN-SHAW],
the biennial horticulture show and festival that is taking place in
Mannheim this year. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the
bureau. Direct cards will be managed via DL2VFR.
Now the DX news
Claudio, HB9OAU is active as SV5/HB9OAU from Karpathos Island,
EU-001, until the 21st of September. He is operating using SSB, CW,
RTTY and FT8 on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World,
eQSL, or direct to his home call.
Ken, KH6QJ is active as T32AZ from Christmas Island, OC-024, until
the 17th of October. QSL via KH6QJ, direct or via the bureau.
John, VK1POR is active on Deal Island, OC-195, until the 1st of
December. He often uses FT8 on the HF bands and uploads his log to
eQSL and Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
Today, the 17th of September, the 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest
runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Today, the 17th of September, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs
from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also
give their county.
Also today, the 17th of September, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs
from 1300 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also
give their county.
Also today, the 17th of September, the British Amateur Radio Teledata
Group Sprint PSK63 Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using PSK63 on
the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
serial number.
On Monday the 18th of September, the RSGB FT4 Contest runs from 1900
to 2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is
your report.
On Tuesday the 19th of September, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 21st of September, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The CQ Worldwide DX RTTY Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
23rd and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 24th of September. Using RTTY
on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.
On Sunday the 24th of September, 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 on Sunday the 24th of September, the Practical Wireless 70MHz
Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 14th of September 2023
While our terrestrial weather this week was variable, it seems our
space weather was equally unsettled!
We warned last week that it wouldn't take much to cause the Kp index
to rise and on Tuesday a coronal mass ejection, or CME, hit the Earth
sending the Kp index to 5.67. The Bz component of the interplanetary
magnetic field tipped sharply south for a long duration causing
visible aurora to be seen across the north of the UK and as far south
as Cornwall.
This really hit HF quite hard and good signals were scarce.
Unsettled radio conditions continued into Wednesday bringing the
Maximum Usable Frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path down below
18MHz for most of the day. The Kp index was still around 3 or 4 on
Thursday, but MUFs were recovering and were at around 28MHz over
3,000km by lunchtime.
Next week NOAA predicts that the Solar Flux Index will start the week
around 165 and then decline as the week progresses, perhaps ending at
around 145 to 150.
Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be quiet, at least until the
23rd when the Kp could rise to four. But at this point in the solar
cycle the risk of a solar flare, and subsequent CME, remains high
every day, so watch solarham.net for up-to-date information.
And finally, a new paper by NASA's Lisa Upton and David Hathaway
indicates that sunspot maximum is now forecast to be in the Autumn of
2024. They predict a maximum sunspot number of 135, plus or minus 10,
which is slightly larger than Cycle 24's maximum of 116.4, but well
below the average of 179 for Solar Cycles 1 to 23.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
Tropo conditions are still present over southern areas today, the
17th. However, by early next week, low pressure will be a dominant
force and the coming week looks very unsettled with rain and quite
strong winds at times.
This means that any Tropo, either across the southern North Sea or
down across Biscay, will not last beyond this weekend, ending today
the 17th.
The unsettled low-pressure-driven weather will mean that rain scatter
is a distinct possibility on some of the more active days. The other
propagation modes are the usual fall-backs of meteor scatter using
random meteors and aurora, which may not be too far-fetched in view
of the geomagnetic activity and visible auroras experienced recently.
The September Epsilon Perseids meteor shower has already peaked
earlier in the month, but a few lingering meteors may give some truly
random radio reflections.
Last week there were indications that this normally quiet period
after the August Perseids and the forthcoming October Draconids can
still provide some interest for persistent meteor scatter enthusiasts.
During this coming equinox week, the Moon will reach its lowest
declination of the month on the 22nd and 23rd. This point also
coincides with the Moon being in Sagittarius, so that sky noise will
be very high. This will make moon bounce operations particularly
difficult towards the end of 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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