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G4TNU > NEWS 25.02.24 06:32l 280 Lines 13727 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 25 Feb 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 25th of February 2024
The news headlines:
* New amateur radio licence conditions are effective
* Amateurs are reminded to carry out EMF assessments
* The 2024 Band Plans have been published
Ofcom has released its final decisions following its consultation on
the amateur radio licensing framework last year. Revised licence
conditions became effective on Wednesday the 21st of February 2024.
The changes to licence conditions include the optional use of
Regional Secondary Locators, increased transmitter power levels and
provide greater opportunity to bring newcomers into amateur radio.
There are approximately 100,000 amateur radio licences issued by
Ofcom in the UK. Ofcom says that it will shortly be contacting all
licensees to provide each with their new licence document. Ofcom is
aiming to reissue all UK amateur radio licences by the autumn of
2024. To help this process run as efficiently as possible, please
ensure that your contact details are up to date in the Ofcom
licensing system. Further updates to the amateur radio licensing
framework, including the issuing of M8 and M9 Intermediate callsigns,
will be rolled out in two more phases later this year and in the
2024/25 year. A video entitled ‘Updating the amateur radio
licensing framework: RSGB overview of key changes' is available in
the Ofcom playlist on the RSGB's YouTube channel which you can find
at youtube.com/theRSGB In it, RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas,
M1ACB and RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB discuss the
impact of the new rules. They also describe how the RSGB worked with
Ofcom before and during the consultation period to arrive at the best
outcome for all UK amateurs. Steve, Murray, and many people across
the RSGB, have also worked hard to engage with individual amateurs,
and amateur radio clubs and groups, to help them prepare for the
licensing changes. The RSGB will continue to release information and
support for radio amateurs as we all adapt to the new arrangements.
You can read more details and guidance on the Ofcom website at
tinyurl.com/ARFEB2024 or via the RSGB website at rsgb.org/licensing
Given that increased transmitter power limits are now available to UK
licensees, all amateurs are reminded that they are required to carry
out EMF assessments. To help you do this, advice and an online EMF
calculator can be found at rsgb.org/emf
The RSGB Band Plans for 2024 were published in the March issue of
RadCom. They are also available via the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/bandplans This year's changes support the new Ofcom
licensing framework and guidance, particularly in the VHF and UHF
bands. All amateurs are reminded to consult the Band Plans before
operating.
The list of amateur radio events taking place in British Science Week
and the resource suggestions are growing. GB3RS, the radio station
at the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park could be
available for QSOs with stations operating as part of British Science
Week. Contact the RSGB's BSW coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at
bsw<at>rsgb.org.uk and he will link you with the NRC Coordinator
Martyn Baker, G0GMB to make your arrangements. Please continue to
send to Ian the resources you'd like to share and details of British
Science Week events you're organising, including the times you'll be
on the air. The RSGB would like to inspire as many people and groups
as possible to get involved! You can access all event and resource
details on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bsw
The RSGB has been trialling paper wrappers for RadCom as part of its
plans to be more environmentally friendly. The Society has been
collating feedback and is aware that there have been particular
problems with the gluing of the RadCom wrappers this month. Please be
assured that the RSGB is discussing this with its supplier to try to
resolve the problem before the next issue.
During a year when the global landscape shifted once more, with
conflicts across the world and economic difficulties touching the
lives of individuals, the RSGB was pleased to see that the amateur
radio community continues to thrive. It may have changed shape and
adapted with the times, but the Society has been there not only to
support its members but to defend the spectrum and provide
information for all radio amateurs. In the March RadCom there is a
feature called ‘A year in numbers' which shows some of the great
things to celebrate, in which RSGB HQ staff have often led the way.
There is an infographic and a short video with the highlights, and
you can read the fuller story from page 40 in RadCom and on the
website. Go to rsgb.org/strategy-updates and click on "2023 - a year
in numbers". The April RadCom will show in detail the work of the
RSGB committees and other specialist volunteers.
The amateur radio licence exams will be updated in line with the new
licence conditions decided by Ofcom this week. Further information
about the timing of those changes can be found on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/syllabus2019
Registration is open for the Mills on the Air event which will take
place on Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of May. To read more
about the event, register and view a list of stations that are taking
part, visit ddars.net and follow the "mills on the air" link.
And now for details of rallies and events
The British Vintage Wireless Society Biggleswade Swapmeet and AGM is
taking place today, the 25th. The venue is The Weatherley Centre,
Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JH. A bring-and-buy
stall is available with a 10% commission on sales going to the
British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum. Stallholders can gain
entry from 9am. The doors open to the public at 9.30am and admission
is GBP 8. For more information visit bvws.org.uk or email
secretary<at>bvws.org.uk
The Red Rose Winter Rally is also taking place today, the 25th. The
venue is St Joseph's Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Access for
exhibitors is available from 8.30am and the event will be open to the
public from 10am. Hot and cold refreshments are available. Further
details can be found via West Manchester Radio Club's website at
wmrc.co.uk Send enquiries to Les, G4HZJ via
lesjackson<at>ntlworld.com or phone 07796 264 569.
The Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally will take place on Sunday the
3rd of March from 10am to 1pm. The event will be held at America
Hall, Pinhoe, EX4 8PX. For more information, contact Pete, G3ZVI on
07714 198 374 or email g3zvi<at>yahoo.co.uk
Now the Special Event News
In celebration of World Radio Day, and the 100th anniversary of the
start of regular radio broadcasting in Spain, special callsign
AO100RADIO [ALPHA-OSCAR-ONE-HUNDRED] will be active until the 29th of
February. QSL requests should be sent via the Bureau to EA4URE.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Radio Amateur Society of
Thailand, RAST members are active as HS60RAST until the 10th of
March. QSL via HS6MYW.
Now the DX news
Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active as H44MS from Malaita [MAL-EYE-TAH],
OC-047, in the Solomon Islands, until the 25th of April. He will be
QRV daily, with activity on the 160 to 6m bands using SSB and some
FT8. QSL via Berhard's home call, directly or via the Bureau. He
will upload details of his contacts to Club Log and Logbook of the
World.
Francis, F6BWJ is active as FM/F6BWJ from Martinique [MAR-TIN-EEK],
NA-107, until roughly the middle of March. He is operating CW on the
80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, or via the Bureau to
his home call.
Now the contest news
The French HF Championship, also known as the REF Contest, started at
0600UTC on Saturday the 24th and ends at 1800UTC today, Sunday the
25th. Using SSB on the HF bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number. French stations send
their department number or overseas territory prefix.
The CQ 160m DX Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday the 23rd and ends
at 2200UTC today, the 25th. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange
is signal report and CQ zone. American stations send their state and
Canadian stations send their province.
On Monday the 26th, the FT4 Series Contest runs from 2000 to 2130UTC.
Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 27th, 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 28th, 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.
The 144 and 432MHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 2nd of
March and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 3rd of March. Using all modes
on the 2m and 70cm bands, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
On Sunday the 3rd, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from
1000UTC to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the microwave bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The Worked All Britain 80m Contest will take place on Sunday the 3rd
of March from 1800 to 2200UTC. Please note that this is an SSB-only
contest, and the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked
All Britain area. All entries need to be with the contest manager by
the 13th of March. Full Contest rules are available on the Worked
All Britain website at worked-all-britain.org.uk
The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
2nd of March and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 3rd of March. Using
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and transmitter power. American stations
send their state and Canadian stations send their province.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 22nd of February 2024
We've had two X-class solar flares over the past few days. The first
occurred at 2307UTC on the 21st of February, so didn't affect the UK
at all. The second erupted at 0632UTC on the 22nd of February and was
too early to affect the ionosphere in this region. However, HF paths
to the east may have been affected.
However, active region 3590 could cause more problems as it rotates
into an Earth-facing position. Look out for more flares and potential
coronal mass ejections as we head into the weekend.
Another problem is a coronal hole on the solar equator, which was
Earth-facing on Friday the 23rd and could lead to an increased Kp
index today, the 25th, if its associated Bz magnetic field points
south.
Although there are only two sunspot groups visible, the solar flux
index is 170, showing just how potent these spots are.
Daytime MUFs over a 3,000km path are still exceeding 35MHz, while
nighttime MUFs over a similar distance struggle to get above 10 to
11MHz.
With the daytime MUF so high, it is a good opportunity to check for
low-power 10m beacons. The RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee has
just released a new 10m beacon list, which has been created from
scratch using the reverse beacon network and help from amateurs
around the world.
The new beacon list, which can be found under the Propagation section
of the RSGB website at rsgb.org/beacons should be more useful than
its predecessor as it is based on actual beacons that have been
received. But if you hear any beacon that is not on the list, please
inform Steve, G0KYA at psc.chairman<at>rsgb.org.uk
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may decline a
little into the 160s. As for geomagnetic conditions, it all depends
upon what happens with active region 3590. We could be in for a rough
ride, or things could be fine – let's wait and see.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The current spell of unsettled weather continues, and this means that
Tropo won't be worth waiting for, other than any temporary
short-lived early morning temperature inversions, especially if
accompanied by misty low cloud or fog.
The main part of the story is again rain scatter, which will have
plenty of opportunity to shine in the period to the end of the coming
week. Summer thunderstorms are usually full of large raindrops, while
winter systems are generally less intense but, in the absence of much
else, it's still worth considering for those on the GHz bands.
The other propagation modes of meteor scatter or aurora are even
longer shots, but they may still crop up. The best time for random
meteor scatter QSOs is around dawn.
Lastly, the doldrums for Sporadic-E propagation are still with us and
don't expect too much until we are well into April, even on the 10m
band.
The high solar flux could see some trans-equatorial 50MHz openings if
the Kp index remains low, especially for the far south and west of
the UK.
For EME operators, Moon declination starts the weekend positive, but
drops negative again on Monday. With apogee, when the Moon is at its
furthest point from Earth, occurring yesterday, Saturday the 24th,
path losses are at their highest for the month this weekend. 144MHz
sky noise is low 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.
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