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G4TNU > NEWS 12.05.24 02:42l 289 Lines 13937 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 12 May 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 12th of May 2024
The news headlines:
* New RSGB Trophy Manager announced
* Questionnaire launched to help shape the future of the
Commonwealth Contest
* Learn about designing PCBs using KiCAD [KEY-CAD] during the
next Tonight<at>8 webinar
We are pleased to announce that Mike Franklin, G3VYI will be the new
RSGB Trophy Manager. He will focus on the Contest Trophy collection
and HQ will now manage the AGM Trophies. Jacqui Goodey, G6XSY, the
retiring RSGB Trophy Manager, will support Mike's transition into
this role. She will also take responsibility for the historical
aspect of our trophies. You can contact Mike via
trophy.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk and Jacqui will have the new the email
address trophy.archivist<at>rsgb.org.uk The RSGB thanks Mike and
Jacqui for volunteering for this important work.
Following the RSGB Commonwealth Contest in March, a small group of
representatives have been reviewing possible changes that they hope
will encourage more participation in future contests. The group
includes representatives from countries including Canada, Australia,
New Zealand and the UK. The RSGB HF Contest Committee is now calling
on both regular entrants, and those who have never entered before but
may do in the future, to complete a questionnaire to help shape the
next steps in the discussion. The questionnaire is open until Monday
the 20th of May and can be found by visiting tinyurl.com/cwctest2024
The latest Tonight@8 webinar is tomorrow, Monday the 13th of May.
Mike Willis, G0MJW will be giving an introduction to designing
printed circuit boards using the popular open source KiCAD [KEY-CAD]
package. The presentation covers the basics in real time, starting
with a circuit sketch, going through the process of converting that
into a schematic diagram, and then using that to create a printed
circuit board design. It will then conclude with how to send this out
for production. Watch this live presentation on the RSGB YouTube
channel or special BATC channel and ask questions via the live chat.
To find out more go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
The RSGB Board Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX has announced that, due to
pressure of work, Paul Nichols, M0PVN has resigned as an RSGB Board
Director. Paul runs a busy and growing legal practice which, like
many professional roles, requires long hours each day. Paul has
offered to be a Legal Adviser to the Board. Stewart has welcomed him
to that role and thanked him for his input to the RSGB during the
last year.
Today, the 12th, lots of amateur radio stations are on the air as
part of Mills on the Air Weekend 2024. The event takes place across
the UK every May with more than 300 windmills and watermills usually
taking part. For more information, and to view a list of registered
stations, visit ddars.net/mills.html
The date has been confirmed for the 12th Scottish Microwave Round
Table GMRT. It will go ahead on Saturday the 9th of November 2024
at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. Lunch will be
provided, and an optional dinner will be held in the evening at a
local hotel. Online booking will open in July 2024. Updates, when
available, will be published on the GMRT website
at gmroundtable.org.uk For more information, email Colin, GM4HWO
via gm4hwo<at>gmail.com
And now for details of rallies and events
The RetrotechUK event is taking place today, the 12th. The venue is
Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry,
CV8 3FL. The doors open at 10.30am with an entry fee of GBP 10. A fee
of GBP 25 applies for early-doors entry at 9am. This is an annual
event organised by the British Vintage Wireless Society. There are
almost 200 dealer stalls, clubs and private sellers. Everyone is
welcome to come along and enjoy the wide range of retro equipment.
For more information email info<at>retrotechuk.com and visit
retrotechuk.com
Barry Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place on Saturday the
18th of May. The venue will be Sully Sports and Social Club, South
Road, Sully, CF64 5SP. Doors open from 9.30am and admission is GBP 3.
Access for traders is available from 7.30am. For more information,
traders and exhibitors can ring Nigel, GW1CUQ on 02920 892 580. For
general enquiries ring Steve, 2W0VOG on 07900 560 080 or email
s.cawsey<at>sky.com
The Braehead Rally will be taking place next Sunday the 19th of May
at the Braehead Arena from 10am. There will be free on-site parking,
bring and buy and refreshments available. For more information
contact Paul via email at mm3ddq<at>gmail.com
Also on Sunday the 19th of May, Dartmoor Radio Club Rally will be
held at Yelverton War Memorial Hall, PL20 6AL. The doors open at
10am. For more information, please contact Roger Hann on
07854 088 882 or email 2e0rph<at>gmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Special event station GB1SCW is active today, the 12th, from the
National Coast Watch Station at Shoreham by Sea. Operators are
celebrating the work of the National Coast Watch and RNLI as part
of SOS Radio Week. Listen out for the station on the 40m to 70cm
bands using SSB, CW, FM, and digital modes. See QRZ.com for more
information.
The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club is once again supporting
the International Men's Mental Health month and helping to raise the
profile of Men's Mental Health 2024 throughout the international
amateur radio community. Club members will be operating from their
headquarters at Patrington Haven, East Yorkshire using special
callsign GB0MMH. The station will be active throughout the weekends
of the 17th to 19th of May and the 14th to 16th of June across all
the HF bands. Please listen out for the operators and give them a
call. Your support will help raise the awareness of men's mental
health. For more information see QRZ.com
Poole Amateur Radio Society, supported by Royal Signals Amateur Radio
Society, the British Amateur Television Club and Flight Refuelling
Amateur Radio Society, will be operating GB4PRS to support the RNLI
Poole lifeboat festival over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of
May. This is a celebration of the RNLI saving lives for 200 years and
a full programme of events and visitor attractions has been organised
by the RNLI, culminating with a historic ship sail-past on the
evening of Sunday the 19th at 4pm. The free-of-charge event will be
open between 11am and 4pm and thousands of visitors are expected to
visit. The station will be set up on Poole Quay, adjacent to the RNLI
HQ. As well as demonstrating the use of radio in emergency
situations, the station will also be participating in the SOS Radio
Week activity. The station will be contacting other amateur radio
stations at various RNLI lifeboat centres around the UK, as well as
other lifesaving institutions nationally and internationally. A
commemorative QSL card will be available. Anybody with permission to
operate adjacent to, or from, a lifeboat station is invited to
arrange a scheduled contact and participate in this major RNLI event.
For more information, please contact secretary<at>g4prs.org.uk
Also in support of RNLI SOS Radio Week, Wirral Amateur Radio Society
will be active as GB2HLS on Sunday the 19th of May. The station will
be operating from the Hoylake Lifeboat Station, Wirral, CH47 3AL from
10am to 4pm. More information is available at tinyurl.com/SOSG3NWR or
from Bill, G4YWD on 07804 884 245.
Now the DX news
Ric, DL2VFR is active as SM2/DL2VFR from Holmon Island, EU-135, until
the 14th of May using CW and some SSB. He may also be QRV as
SM5/DL2VFR from IOTA group EU-084 on the 15th or 16th. QSL via Ric's
home call. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club
Log.
Three amateurs from Stockport Radio Society are hoping, subject to
appropriate weather for the crossing, to activate Great Saltee
Island, EU-103, from Tuesday the 14th to Friday the 17th of May using
the callsign EJ6KP/P. This will be a daylight activity only as the
team is not permitted to stay overnight. Listen out for the operators
on the 40, 20 and 15m bands using SSB.
Harold, DF2WO is active as 9X2AW from Rwanda [RUE-AN-DAH] until the
17th of May. He is operating CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF and
6m bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS.
Now the contest news
Today, the 12th, the 70MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC.
Using CW on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Tomorrow, the 13th, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to
2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
On Tuesday the 14th, 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 14th, 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 Thursday the 16th, 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 144MHz May Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 18th and
ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 19th of May. Using all modes on the 2m
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK
stations also send their postcode.
On Sunday the 19th of May, the 1st 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs
from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their
postcode.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 9th of May 2024
Disrupted solar conditions continued this week with X-class solar
flares aplenty.
Four X-class events on the 8th and 9th of May prompted coronal mass
ejections, which could join together to impact the Earth this
weekend. We can expect a strong G3 event with the Kp index rising to
6 and the potential for visible aurora in the UK.
It's hard to be positive about this as HF conditions this weekend,
ending today the 12th, are likely to be very disrupted with reduced
MUFs and noisy bands.
But do look out for auroral signals, perhaps on the 10m band, and
above, and a potential HF band enhancement just as the plasma cloud
hits.
The solar flux index hit 227 on Thursday the 9th, which is one of the
highest we have had in this cycle. But don't get carried away as it
is forecast to decline.
Meanwhile, conditions have been typical for this time of year, with
reduced F-layer propagation on the 10m band, offset by the start of
the Sporadic-E season. The lower HF bands are staying open later in
the evening, and may even increase to all night on the 20m band, as
we heard towards June and July.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will drop below
200, but remain at or above 175 all week. After this weekend's
chaotic geomagnetic conditions, we can expect the Kp index to fall to
2, but increase again on the 13th, to perhaps 4.
In the meantime, solar maximum is still predicted to be later this
year, although geomagnetic disturbances are likely to increase on the
downward part of the cycle. So, buckle up for a rough ride!
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
We end the current week with high pressure over the country and some
occasional Tropo paths, especially over surrounding waters. The high
will decline from the west as we progress through this weekend.
At the time of reading on Sunday, the transition will be all but
complete and low pressure will remain in control for much of the
coming week. This means periods of rain, heavy showers or
thunderstorms and quite windy weather at times. In terms of
propagation, a shift to rain scatter is a good choice for those
equipped for the GHz bands for the week ahead.
Recent solar activity continues to offer chances of auroras so
remember to monitor the Kp index and check for fluttery signals on
the HF bands and raspy signals on VHF. The many clusters and band
reports should be a good tool for these conditions.
Lastly, the Sporadic-E season is having a few starting twitches.
Earlier in the evening of Wednesday the 8th there was a short opening
of about an hour to Scandinavia on 6m CW from a patch in the middle
of the North Sea. The positions of the jet streams may not entirely
suit further openings in the shorter term but, as the low pressure
moves in next week, things could improve for Sporadic-E paths to
Iberia and central Mediterranean.
With the Eta Aquariids peak now past, the next big meteor shower
isn't until July with the Delta Aquariids. But before the Delta
Aquariids, we can look forward to the Arietiids in late May.
However, the Eta Aquariids will continue to produce the odd ping or
burst. Last week there was plenty of evidence of meteors continuing
to burn up after the peak. There may still be the odd one during the
coming week together with the usual background sporadic meteor
returns.
As the Moon starts to decline this week, the distance between the
Moon and Earth is also beginning to increase and with it the path
loss increases to a maximum on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th.
However, sky noise will remain low all week. The Moon is favourably
placed for daytime operating this 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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