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G4TNU > NEWS 24.09.23 01:31l 262 Lines 12962 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 24 Sep 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 24th of September 2023
The news headlines:
* RSGB 2023 Convention
* RSGB Board appointment
* RSGB Trophy Manager
It is just three weeks until the RSGB 2023 Convention so grab a
coffee and browse the great line-up of speakers at this year's event.
The keynote and after-dinner speaker is Colonel John Doody, who has
the unique experience of having held appointments in Defence, the
Intelligence Services and Industry. John will discuss his radio
communication experiences across the frequency spectrum from VLF, LF,
HF, VHF and SHF to satellite communications from 1965 to today. He
will also talk about how amateur radio skills can help people to make
the most of the many career opportunities within the RF Spectrum.
During the rest of the weekend, you will have a wealth of topics and
speakers to choose from, ranging from DXpeditions and SOTA to 23cm,
aircraft scatter, 30THz cutting edge technology and everything else
in between! AMSAT-UK is also holding its Colloquium at the RSGB
Convention again. Find out more at rsgb.org/convention and book your
place at this fantastic amateur radio event.
The RSGB Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard
Horton, G4AOJ as a co-opted Director to assist it in its duties until
the RSGB 2024 AGM.
After serving for nine years, the RSGB Trophy Manager is retiring
and the Society is looking for a new volunteer for this role.
Although traditionally an individual role, the tasks of the Trophy
Manager could also be carried out by a small team. Working in close
relationship with the three Contest Committees and the RSGB General
Manager, the Trophy Manager looks after the RSGB trophies, arranges
for their engraving and presentation to recipients, and maintains the
trophies' history. Currently the trophies are stored in a commercial
storage facility, paid for by the RSGB, and this can be moved near to
the location of the new Trophy Manager or team. If you are interested
in applying for the role as an individual or a small team, please
email gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk or you can find out more about the role
on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers
For the whole month of October 2023, a new event known as ‘UK
Bunkers On The Air' will be taking place. The event is now a
standalone activity and this year it is dedicated to the memory of
the late Chris Darlington, M0DOL. It recognises his work to establish
Bunkers On The Air within the former Castles And Stately Homes On The
Air, or CASHOTA, team. This is a brand new activity with a fully
revamped register of former Royal Observer Corps bunkers, with more
than 1500 potential references to activate or chase. Activities are
planned for the HF and VHF bands. This is a good opportunity to get
out and do some portable activity before the winter closes in. Awards
will be available for chasers, activators and short-wave listeners.
Overseas amateurs and short-wave listeners will be very welcome to
chase activators and apply for awards. For more details, search for
‘Bunkers On The Air' on Facebook, visit bunkersontheair.org or
email bunkersontheair<at>gmail.com
Lots of operators are taking part in Railways on the Air weekend.
Today, the 24th, is the last day of the event, so log the
participating special event stations while you can! For more
information, and to see a list of stations taking part, visit
rota.barac.org.uk
This is the last call for volunteers to apply to be the new Intruder
Watch Coordinator when Richard Lamont, G4DYA retires from the role in
a few weeks. If you're interested in finding out more, email RSGB
Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB
at spectrum.chairman<at>rsgb.org.uk or look at the volunteer
description on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers
And now for details of rallies and events
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hangar Sale is
taking place today, Sunday the 24th of September. 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 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 is taking place today, Sunday the
24th of September. The venue is Rougham Tower Museum, IP32 7QB. The
doors are open from 8am for traders and from 9.30am for the public.
The entrance fee is GBP 3. The event features trade stands, tabletop
sales, bring and buy, local radio clubs' displays, an RSGB book stall
and Raynet. Refreshments are 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 is
being held today, the 24th of September. The venue is The Campus
Community Centre, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7DX. The doors are
open from 10am and entry is GBP 3 per person. Under 16s will be
admitted free of charge. Free parking and refreshments are available.
For more information, email westonradiosociety<at>gmail.com or call
07871 034 206.
Biggleswade Swap-meet and Auction is taking place today, Sunday the
24th of September. The venue is The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm
Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. The doors are open from 9.30am and entry
is GBP 8. The auction starts at 12.30pm. Bring and buy, hot food and
ample parking are available. For more information, email Jeremy,
G8MLK via Jezzer3<at>hotmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign OQ95RCL is in use throughout 2023 by Radio Club
Leuven, ON4CP, in Belgium, to celebrate its 95th anniversary. QSL via
Logbook of the World, eQSL, the bureau, or direct to ON3AR.
VI10VKFF [VICTOR-INDIA-ONE-ZERO-VICTOR-KILO-FOXTROT-FOXTROT] is the
special callsign in use to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the
World Wide Flora and Fauna programme in Australia. It will be used
from Australian parks until the end of 2023. QSL via Logbook of the
World, eQSL, or via VK5PAS, direct or via the bureau.
Now the DX news
Darren, VK4MAP will be active as 3D2RAT from Rotuma [RUH-TOO-MUH]
Island, OC-060, until the 29th of September. He operates SSB on the
80, 40, 20, 15, 12 and 10m bands. QSL direct to home call.
Holger, ZL3IO will be active as ZL7IO from Waitangi [WHY-TANG-EE],
Chatham Islands, OC-038, until the 29th of September. He is QRV on
the 160 to 10m bands using CW, RTTY, SSB, FT8 and FT4. QSL via
Logbook of the World, Club Log's OQRS, or via DK7AO.
Don, M0CVZ will be active as 6Y5DH from Jamaica, NA-097, until the
30th of September. He will operate SSB on the 40, 20, 17, 12 and 10m
bands. QSL via Club Log and Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
The CQ Worldwide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
23rd of September and ends at 2359UTC today, 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.
Today, the 24th, 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 24th, 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.
On Tuesday the 26th of September, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs
from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 27th of September, the UK and Ireland Contest Club
80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the
exchange is your six-character locator.
On Thursday the 28th of September, the Autumn Series Data Contest
runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest runs from 1200UTC on
Saturday the 30th of September to 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of
October. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Stations
from the UK and Ireland also send their District Code. This event
replaces the original RSGB DX contest. It is listed on the RSGB
contest calendar and, for entrants from the UK and Crown
Dependencies, counts towards the HF Championship. This international
DX SSB contest also has a Teams section. Team members, with a maximum
of three members, can be from different DXCCs and can enter different
sections. Rules, in English and eight other languages, can be found
under the "DX CONTESTS" menu at ukeicc.com
The Worked All Britain DX Contest runs from 1200UTC on Saturday the
30th of September to 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of October. Using SSB
on the 80 to 10m 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 21st of September 2023
Last week's space weather was very disturbed from a geomagnetic point
of view. The Kp index hit 6.67 on the 19th of September, spawning
reports of visible aurora from around the UK once again. This was the
result of a coronal mass ejection passing Earth, which caused a
period of strong G3 storming very early that morning.
The ionosphere was badly affected with MUFs over a 3,000km path down
below 18MHz for most of the day. By Wednesday the 20th, things began
to improve and MUFs were back to 21MHz, and sometimes even 24MHz, by
late morning. By Thursday the 21st, the Kp index was down to 2.67.
Meanwhile, we had numerous C- and M-class solar flares to contend
with as well – a total of 39 from the 18th to the 20th.
So, last week was not exactly a good time for HF operations!
This week, commencing today the 24th, NOAA predicts that the solar
flux index will be in the range of 135 to 145 although, if the past
month is anything to go by, it could easily be higher. The Kp index
is forecast to be 2, apart from on the 28th and 29th when it could
rise to 4.
In reality, with so many sunspots, we could have a solar flare and
associated coronal mass ejection at any time, so take these
predictions with a pinch of salt!
The good news is that we are now past the autumnal equinox, so the
ionosphere is improving. Expect better worldwide HF conditions as we
head towards October and November.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The recent unsettled weather seems to have set a trend for us with a
likely repeat process through the coming week, although there may be
a few drier interludes. The next low in the sequence will soon be
arriving to keep the rather unsettled theme in play.
This means that rain scatter is a good choice for operators during
the period.
There is usually some uncertainty in such a complex pattern, and
recent model runs have been alternating between a return of high
pressure during the next week, with a chance of Tropo, and the
continuation of lows with fronts bringing rain and showers.
We are, however, in a ‘keep the lows coming' mindset at the moment,
so don't build your hopes of Tropo too high. Such uncertainties in
long lead-time forecasts are quite typical at this time of the year
when ex-hurricanes can get involved in the Atlantic flow pattern and
disrupt the forecasts very easily.
The other modes to monitor are aurora, which has been seen recently
from southern Britain, so definitely one to keep in mind, and meteor
scatter, which can be productive.
We are approaching the ‘busy season' for meteors with several good
showers between early October and December. However, the last week in
September does not hold much promise. There are always random meteors
to keep interest alive, but this week might be better used getting
equipment ready for the next few months of activity.
Having reached its lowest declination of the lunar month, the Moon is
now beginning its slow climb back up. With the Moon out of
Sagittarius, sky noise will decrease and is at its lowest mid-week.
Path loss, or degradation, will be lowest on the 27th with the Moon
at perigee, its closest point to Earth. The full Moon is on the 29th.
Altogether, it looks like a good week for EME operations, especially
if you can elevate your antenna or dish reflector.
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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