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G4TNU > NEWS 08.10.23 02:31l 259 Lines 12451 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 08 Oct 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 8th of October 2023
The news headlines:
* RSGB 2023 Convention
* New Intruder Watch Coordinator
* 2m band NoV extension
With just one week to go until the RSGB 2023 Convention, your time is
running out to book packages or pre-book day tickets. The deadline is
midnight today, Sunday the 8th of October, so head over to
rsgb.org/convention and follow the booking links. You will still be
able to buy day tickets at the Convention so do go along and enjoy
not only the fantastic presentations in the RSGB programme and
AMSAT-UK Colloquium, but also the fun of catching up with other radio
amateurs in person. If you live too far away to attend in person,
there will be a livestream of some Convention content on each day
over the weekend. This year you will need to register in advance to
watch that livestream, so reserve your free slot soon. You can find
out more details about the livestream on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/livestream
The RSGB is delighted to welcome Vaughan Ravenscroft, M0VRR as its
new Intruder Watch Coordinator. There were a number of applicants for
this volunteer role and the Society would like to thank them all for
their interest and enthusiasm. Thanks must also go to Richard Lamont,
G4DYA for his hard work and dedication to this important role over
the last five years. You can contact Vaughan via iw<at>rsgb.org.uk
Ofcom has agreed to the RSGB request to extend the 146 or 147MHz NoV
for a further year. It is available on a non-interference basis and
the NoV is subject to a 30-day notice period of change or withdrawal.
Full licence holders can apply for the 146 or 147MHz NoV on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/nov
The RSGB's news service, GB2RS, is one of the largest volunteer
groups in the Society. Every Sunday, right across the UK, over 100
readers broadcast the latest mix of amateur radio stories,
propagation forecasts, contesting and DX information, together with
local club activities. There are plenty of ways to tune in, on-air
and on the web. Have a look at rsgb.org/gb2rsschedule where you can
download the full list of transmissions. Recently, a new broadcast
for north Wales has been introduced. Brian, GW6VEI and Hugh, GW0WWQ
transmit from the Denbigh area on 80m at 10.30am local time with
excellent regional coverage. And another new recruit, Sean, M0OEG is
now delivering the news twice each Sunday via GB3EG in Wigan. One
Newsreader recently reached an outstanding personal milestone. On 3rd
September 2023, John, G0NAJ celebrated his 25th year of reading the
GB2RS news in the Greater Manchester area. His first broadcast was in
1998 when the paper news script was still being sent through the post
each week from RSGB HQ! John now reads from Dukinfield alongside
colleagues on 4m and 2m FM. The Society would like to thank John for
his long dedication to GB2RS. If you would like to find out more
about becoming a GB2RS Newsreader, please contact Steve, G4HPE via
gb2rs.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk
A reminder now that, during the month of October, a new event known
as ‘UK Bunkers On The Air' is taking place. This is a good
opportunity to get out and do some portable activity before the
winter closes in. Awards are available for chasers, activators and
short-wave listeners. Overseas amateurs and short-wave listeners are
very welcome to chase activators and apply for awards. For more
details, search for ‘Bunkers On The Air' on Facebook, email
bunkersontheair<at>gmail.com and visit bunkersontheair.org The
website has ‘spotter' and ‘sked' tools to make chasing easier.
Thursday the 12th of October sees the launch of a new conference
which seeks to stimulate interest in science, technology,
engineering, art and mathematics. The aim is "to foster collaboration
between learners, educators and industry, harnessing the power of
innovation and technology to enhance learning experiences and open
doors to new opportunities." The event will take place at the Royal
Liver [LYVER] Building in Liverpool from 8.45am to 4pm. To find out
more, or to get involved, visit brilliantfestival.com
And now for details of rallies and events
The UK Six Metre Group's 2023 AGM will be held via Zoom today, 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 2023 Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT, is taking place
between 10.30am and 5pm on Saturday the 11th of November at the
Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife in Scotland. There are
still places available to book. An interesting programme of speakers
has been arranged and microwave test facilities will be provided.
There will also be opportunities to purchase components and
microwave-related items. The cost is GBP 12 and this includes a
buffet lunch. A dinner will be held in the evening at a local hotel.
Online registration is available at gmroundtable.org.uk For more
information email Colin, GM4HWO via gm4hwo<at>gmail.com
Dartmoor Autumn Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 15th of
October. The venue will be Yelverton War Memorial Hall, Meavy Lane,
Yelverton. Devon, PL20 6AL. There will be bring and buy, trader
stands, free parking and refreshments available. The doors will open
at 10am and admission will be GBP 2.50. For more information, contact
Roger on 07854 088 882 or email 2e0rph<at>gmail.com
Hornsea Amateur Radio Club Rally will also take place on Sunday the
15th of October. The venue will be Driffield Showground, YO25 9DW.
For more information, contact Les, 2E0LBJ on 01377 252 393 or email
lbjpinkney1<at>hotmail.co.uk
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.
9A66AA is the special callsign that Tom, 9A2AA is using throughout
2023 to mark his 66th year in amateur radio. QSL via his home call.
Now the DX news
Elvira, IV3FSG is active as 6W/IV3FSG from Senegal until the 16th of
October. She usually operates using SSB and digital modes. QSL via
Club Log's OQRS, or direct to IK2DUW.
Anders, SM0HPL is active again as 5X7W from Uganda until the 27th of
October. He operates QRP with weak, but hopefully readable, signals.
QSL via M0OXO's OQRS. QSOs will also be uploaded to Club Log, Logbook
of the World and eQSL.
Now the contest news
The Oceania DX SSB Contest started at 0600UTC on Saturday the 7th of
October and ended at 0600UTC today, Sunday the 8th of October. Using
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
Both the IARU and RSGB 432MHz to 245GHz Contests started at 1400UTC
on Saturday the 7th of October and end at 1400UTC today, Sunday the
8th of October. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The UK Microwave Group 24 to 76GHz Contest has been brought forward
by one week. It will now run from 0900 to 1700UTC today, Sunday the
8th of October. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 10th of October, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs
from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 10th of October, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 11th of October, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour
Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the
exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the
11th of October, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from
1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report
and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest
may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 12th of October the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 5th of October 2023
Last week progressed quite well from a solar point of view, at least
until the morning of Thursday the 5th when the Kp index rose to five.
But the Kp high was short-lived and only lasted for one three-hour
reporting period.
Until this point, it had been around one to three all week, which
meant the ionosphere had a chance to settle and build. As a result,
we saw daytime MUFs over a 3,000km path rise well above 28MHz. This
was partly due to the seasonal change, which sees daytime MUFs
generally rise as we head towards autumn.
Similarly, we are seeing nighttime MUFs declining as we progress
through October. The times of seeing the 17 and 20m bands open all
night are probably behind us now and they won't be back until next
summer!
The Solar Flux Index held up quite well last week, peaking at 161 on
the 1st of October, before declining slightly to 155 by Thursday the
5th.
Propagation-wise, we are really starting to benefit from the autumnal
changes. Stations worked from the UK recently include the 5W0LM
DXpedition to Samoa on 20m CW. The team expects to be on air until
the 14th of October.
The big one this autumn is the W8S DXpedition to Swains Island, a
remote coral atoll in the Tokelau [TOW-KUH-LAU] Islands in the South
Pacific Ocean. We will look at the propagation prospects for working
W8S in the GB2RS News next week.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the Solar Flux Index will remain in the
160s. It also predicts a Kp index of two all week. But, with eight
active regions on the Sun at present, the risk of a solar flare
and/or Coronal Mass Ejection remains high. So, don't be surprised if
we see the Kp index head skywards again, at times, with a reduction
in the maximum useable frequency.
And finally, the good news is that the Chilton Digisonde is now back
in action. You can select it, as well as Dourbes, at propquest.co.uk
And now the VHF and up propagation news
This first weekend of October could be good for meteor scatter with
the peak of the October Draconids tonight, the 8th, into the 9th of
October.
It should also be quite a good period for Tropo as high pressure over
the south provides enhanced paths across the continent to France and
Germany. There may also be a path across Biscay to Spain or the
Canaries and Azores.
Along with fine and unusually warm weather, it should fit in well
with the October 432MHz to 245GHz Contest which ends at 1400UTC
today, the 8th. Hopefully there will still be something left for the
432MHz FM Activity Contest and UK Activity Contest on Tuesday the
10th.
On the evening of Wednesday the 5th, an aurora alert arrived, so
clearly that's another mode to keep in mind. From around the 11th, we
will find a trend towards more unsettled conditions with rain and
showers and rather windy weather as low pressure takes charge. This
will remove Tropo from the operating schedule but may give some rain
scatter opportunities.
For EME operators, Moon declination is just past maximum this coming
weekend so, as the following week progresses, Moon elevation will
fall from its high and Moon windows will shorten. With apogee on
Tuesday the 10th of October, path losses are at, or around, their
maximum. 144MHz sky noise is falling, reaching a minimum next
Tuesday. The Sun and Moon are close in the sky on Saturday the 14th
meaning high noise all weekend.
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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