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G4APL > NEWS 26.11.23 12:22l 270 Lines 12371 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 26 Nov 2023
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From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 26th of November 2023
The news headlines:
* 2023 ITU World Radiocommunication Conference
* RSGB 2023 Convention presentation on Ofcom consultation
* Tonight@8 webinar
The first week of the 2023 ITU World Radiocommunication Conference
has seen discussions get underway on a wide variety of agenda items.
Notably for amateur radio, IARU Region 1 reports that new ITU
Recommendation M.2164 on guidance for amateur and amateur satellite
usage in the 1240 to 1300MHz range has now been published online. The
IARU has also published an accompanying guide on its website – to
read it visit tinyurl.com/IARU2023 The recommendation is the
culmination of a challenging four-year development period. It now
forms a key component of the WRC-23 discussions, which are ongoing,
relating to WRC-23 agenda item 9.1b. The RSGB special focus web page
has regular reports and background on both 23cm and other frequency
bands. To read more, visit rsgb.org/wrc-23
In the latest RSGB 2023 Convention presentation to be released, RSGB
Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB provides another informative
session on the Ofcom Consultation. He also looks ahead to other
changes in prospect across HF to microwaves from the IARU and WRC-23.
He outlines the RSGB's response to the Ofcom Consultation and takes
questions about the next steps. Work by specialist RSGB volunteers is
integral to the RSGB's strategic focus on spectrum and licensing. You
can watch the presentation on the RSGB YouTube channel at
youtube.com/theRSGB
Put the date in your diary for the final RSGB Tonight@8 webinar of
2023. On Monday the 11th of December there will be a focus on amateur
radio construction. Previous category winners Jenny Curtis M7JNY,
Colin Murray GM4EA and David Law G0LBK, will talk about their
construction projects and what they gained from entering the RSGB
Construction Competition. Join the presentation and ask questions
live on the RSGB's special BATC channel or the RSGB YouTube channel
at youtube.com/theRSGB
There is a great programme of live webinars lined up for early in
2024. We begin on Monday the 15th of January with an update on WRTC
2026 which is going to take place in the UK. Chairman and Project
Manager Mark Haynes, M0DXR, and other members of the WRTC 2026 team,
will join us live for this presentation. They will explain what WRTC
is about and provide an overview of what the UK's Organising
Committee are planning for the 2026 event. Find out how you can be
part of this once-in-a-lifetime event – either as a spectator,
volunteer, competitor or referee. If you saw Mark's RSGB 2023
Convention presentation, this Tonight<at>8 webinar will tell you what
has been happening since! Find out more about this and the other
webinars in the spring programme on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/webinars
The November issue of RadCom Basics is now available. Among others,
it contains articles on getting started with SOTA and building a 2m
band antenna. To find out more, visit rsgb.org/radcom-basics
Don't forget that Youngsters on the Air month is taking place
throughout December. The month is aimed at helping youngsters get
active on the amateur bands. It could be giving a demonstration at a
local school or youth club or helping a young person to send a
greetings message. Callsign GB23YOTA will be active for the duration
of the month. Cambridge University Wireless Society is the first
group to use the callsign. Listen out for them on Friday the 1st and
Saturday the 2nd of December. Cray Valley Radio Society will be
following them on Sunday the 3rd of December. A full list of
operating slots can be found on QRZ.com These slots will be
first-come, first-served, so check your calendars and reserve your
place as soon as possible. To find out more about YOTA month visit
rsgb.org/yota-month You can also email Jamie, M0SDV at
yota.month<at>rsgb.org.uk to register your interest, or simply ask
for further information.
The RSGB shop's Black Friday sale is on now and ends on Thursday the
30th of November. Members, and non-Members alike, will find bargains
on a large number of books with up to 50% off the usual retail price.
Check out rsgbshop.org
A recent Ofcom investigation has resulted in the conviction of a man
who was deliberately causing interference to amateur radio users in
the Hull area. The investigation involved the use of automatic
monitoring equipment as well as ground-based engineers who monitored
live transmissions. The case went to court and the defendant was
found guilty of the unlicensed use of radio equipment, illegal
possession of radio apparatus, and causing deliberate interference to
wireless telegraphy – all of which are offences under the Wireless
Telegraphy Act. To read more on this story visit tinyurl.com/OFCOM-INV
And now for details of rallies and events
The Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club Rally will take place on
Sunday the 3rd of December. The event will be held at Spennymoor
Leisure Centre, High Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6DB. The
doors open at 10.30am for visitors, with disabled access from 10am.
For more information, contact bdingle<at>hotmail.co.uk
Mid Devon Amateur Radio and Computer Fair will take place on Saturday
the 9th of December. The venue will be Winkleigh Sports and
Recreation Centre, Mid Devon, EX19 8HZ. The event will run from 9am
to 2pm. Entry is GBP 3 but there is no charge for partners and under
16s. for more information, or to book a table, contact Phil, G6DLJ
via email at philbridges<at>hotmail.com
The Sparkford Wireless Group Tabletop Rally, in aid of the RAIBC,
will take place on Thursday the 28th of December from 9.30am to 1pm.
The event will be held at Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel near
Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7QX. Entry is GBP 3 and free parking and
refreshments will be available. For more information, email Bob via
wjh069<at>gmail.com
Now the Special Event News
LA100K is the special callsign in use by the Akademisk [AKA-DEM-ISK]
Radioklubb, LA1K to celebrate the 100th anniversary since its
foundation. Based in Trondheim, it is the oldest amateur radio club
in Norway. The special callsign will be in use until the 31st of
December.
The Turkish Radio Amateurs Association is celebrating the 100th
anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on the 29th
of October 1923. A number of special callsigns, including TC100YEAR,
will be in use until the end of 2023.
Now the DX news
Tom, VK2WN will be active as AX37EUDXF until the 30th of November to
celebrate the 37th anniversary of the European DX Foundation. QSL via
Logbook of the World, eQSL or Club Log's OQRS. He does not use the
bureau.
Take, JI3DST will be active from the Miyako [MY-AH-COE] Islands,
AS-079, until the 19th of December. He will be operating SSB, CW and
FT8 using a variety of callsigns including JS6RRR. QSL via Club Log
and Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide DX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
25th of November. It ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 26th of
November. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. The UK is in
zone 14.
On Monday the 27th of November, the RSGB FT4 Contest runs from 2000
to 2130UTC. Using FT4 on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is
your report.
On Tuesday the 28th of November, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs
from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 29th of November the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m
Contest will run from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the
exchange is your six-character locator.
The UK Six Metre Group's Winter Marathon runs from Friday the 1st of
December 2023 to Wednesday 31st of January 2024. Using all modes on
the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and locator.
The ARRL 160m Contest starts at 2200UTC on Friday the 1st of December
and ends at 1600UTC on Sunday the 3rd of December. Using CW on the
160m band, the exchange is a signal report. American and Canadian
stations also send their ARRL or RAC section.
On Sunday the 3rd of December, the 144MHz Affiliated Societies
Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. 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 23rd of November 2023
What a difference a week makes! Last week the solar flux index was at
118 but, by Thursday the 23rd, it had climbed up to 190 with the
Sun's surface covered in spots with up to nine groups showing.
The maximum useable frequency over a 3,000km path was estimated at
more than 40MHz at times. This, coupled with a Kp index of around two
to three, was quite good for HF.
But it isn't all good news. There has been quite a bit of solar flare
activity, and the promise of more to come. A significant eruption was
recently observed beyond the northeast limb. This may result in a
coronal mass ejection, but this will likely be directed away from
Earth.
Active regions 3490 and 3492 remain the main regions of focus and are
listed as the most likely to produce a noteworthy solar flare. The
current flare threat stands at 55% for a moderate M-Flare and 10% for
a strong X-Flare.
DX this week included 4W8X in Timor-Leste and Don, ??3B8/G3XTT in
Mauritius.
The 10m band was good last week with the KQ2H repeater on 29.620MHz
FM coming in strongly in the afternoon. There were plenty of SSB
signals to work between 28.4 and 28.5MHz as well.
A scan from 28.200MHz to 28.300MHz around 2pm on the 23rd revealed
plenty of beacons being received including IQ8CZ, IQ8BB and IZ8RVA in
Italy; SV6DBG and SV2RSS in Greece; WW2BSA in New Jersey; K4PAR in
Georgia; KA3JOE in Pennsylvania; and K5AB in Texas. All of these run
less than 20W. For a full list of 10m beacons choose ‘Beacons and
Repeaters' from the ‘On the air' tab at rsgb.org
Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may decline to be
in the range of 145 to 155. Geomagnetic conditions may be reasonably
settled with a Kp index of two to three, although a coronal mass
ejection or two could soon alter that!
So, make the most of the good HF conditions while you can, especially
in this weekend's CQ World Wide DX CW Contest.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
Weather patterns are settling and, with the current cold
north-westerly wind, there are signs of something useful for eastern
areas in the form of potential rain-scatter from heavy showers
running down the North Sea.
In the west, we have an area of high pressure with a chance of Tropo
but, in cold low-level air near the surface, this may not be very
reliable.
The chance of high pressure building is probably limited and we are
already seeing a return to more changeable weather.
The bulk of the coming week will be controlled by low pressure with
rain or showers.
So, we have the possibility of further rain scatter, but little
chance of significant Tropo, except perhaps if high pressure tries to
make a comeback in the north the following weekend.
The November Orionids meteor shower is making an appearance on the
28th with a low Zenithal Hourly Rate, or ZHR, of three per hour for
meteor scatter operators.
Keep checking for auroral modes and don't forget that this can give
LF bands a flutter to the signal, as was heard on 40m CW on Wednesday
evening. In really strong events with a Kp index above, say, six then
check the usual places for activity on the 6, 4 and 2m bands.
For EME operators, Moon declination is positive and rising to maximum
on Wednesday the 29th. Path losses are low to start the week but
rising. 144MHz sky noise is low to moderate all 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.
Our thanks to Andy G4TNU for providing this RSGB feed.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
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