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G4APL > NEWS 21.05.23 03:32l 284 Lines 13077 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 21 May 2023
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Sent: 230521/0231Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:47960 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
As Andy/G4TNU is having a well earned break from preparing this week's
RSGB news bulletins, Mike G4FVG has kindly performed the honours in
readiness for Paul G4APL to press the 'send' button.
So here is the GB2RS News for Sunday the 21st of May 2023
The news headlines:
- Youngsters on the Air camp
- RSGB Board appointment
- RadCom Basics Editor
The RSGB has announced the team of young members who will be
representing the Society and the UK at this summer's Youngsters on
the Air camp. The event, hosted by the Hungarian Radio Amateur
Society MRASZ, will take place in Gyor, Hungary between the 5th and
the 12th of August. The team is made up of team leader Alexander,
2E0FMZ and members Henry-James, M7HJR; Hannah, M7YYQ and Jake, M7JNS.
You can read more about the camp and the team on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/yota-hungary
The RSGB Board has decided to co-opt Ian Shepherd, G4EVK as a Board
Director until the 2024 AGM. Please see the Board's explanation of
this appointment on the Society's website at thersgb.org/go/boardcoopt
The RSGB is sad to report that RadCom Basics Editor Lee Aldridge,
G4EJB wishes to retire later this year. The RSGB thanks Lee for all
his hard work and effort in the making of RadCom Basics. If you are
interested in taking on the role of RadCom Basics Editor, please
email radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk
Last year, the RSGB was approached by the BBC to find experts to
contribute to its planned series 'The Secret Genius of Modern Life'.
For episode one, which takes a look at the bank card, Neil Smith,
G4DBN re-created the Great Seal Bug - a wooden seal, gifted to the US
embassy in Moscow in 1945, and which contained a covert listening
device. The technology developed for the bug was an early example of
RFID, which is what allows contactless card payments to work. Neil
has now released a series of fascinating videos on his YouTube
channel which explain the history of the Bug as well as the
mechanical design and machining needed to re-create it. You can find
the videos in Neil's playlist on 'Machining and Microwaves' and you
can watch the original BBC Two programme on BBC Sounds - this episode
is available for a further seven months.
The RSGB National Radio Centre welcomes thousands of people through
its doors each month and needs to expand its team of volunteers. If
you are interested in becoming an NRC volunteer, you should enjoy
meeting people and be prepared to work a minimum of one - preferably
two - days per month. The team is particularly interested in
recruiting new volunteers who are able to work at the weekend. The
National Radio Centre has a fabulous set-up and full training on
using the GB3RS radio station will be given. You will be joining a
friendly and dedicated team. NRC volunteers also enjoy numerous
benefits associated with volunteering at Bletchley Park. For more
information about volunteering, please email NRC Coordinator Martyn
Baker, G0GMB via nrc.support<at>rsgb.org.uk
Interest in QRP activity is as strong as ever in the worldwide
amateur radio community. QRP activity showcases the ability of radio
amateurs to communicate using low power and helps to reduce QRM on
the amateur bands. This year, QRP Day will be held on the 17th of
June. More information is available via the IARU website: iaru.org
And now for details of rallies and events
RetrotechUK, hosted by the British Vintage Wireless Society, is
taking place today, the 21st of May. The venue is Sports Connexion,
Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. This large
annual vintage technology fair features around 200 indoor
stalls. Private sellers, clubs and dealers are offering vintage
items, including radio, television, hi-fi, vinyl, 78s, gramophones,
telephones, communications equipment, spare parts, and much more.
There is also a bring-and-buy area and free parking available. The
event is open to everyone and general admission from 10.30am is £10.
Early entry from 9am costs £25. For more details contact Jeremy,
G8MLK via email on jezzer3<at>hotmail.com, by phone on 07799 110 080,
or visit retrotechuk.com
The Dunstable Downs Radio Club Annual National Amateur Radio Car Boot
Sale is also taking place today, the 21st of May. The venue is
Stockwood Park in Luton. All the usual facilities are available. For
more information visit ddrcbootsale.org
The Barry Amateur Radio Society Rally will take place on Saturday the
27th of May. The venue will be Sully Sports and Social Club, South
Road, Sully, CF64 5SP. Doors open from 9.30am for the public and
7.30am for traders. Free parking is available on site. For more
information contact Steve on 07368 140 795.
The Durham and District Amateur Radio Rally will take place on Sunday
the 28th of May. The venue will be Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn,
Co Durham, DH6 5AT. The doors will be open from 10.10am to 2.30pm
with disabled visitors gaining access at 10am. Admittance is £2.
There will be a bring-and-buy sale, trade stands, special interest
groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering and a licensed bar are
available on site. For more information, contact Michael Wright,
G7TWX on 07826 924 192, or on email via dadars<at>gmx.com
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign GB4VLB is active this weekend from the Volunteer
Life Brigade Watch House in Tynemouth. The station is operating as
part of SOS Radio Week in support of the Volunteer Life Brigade, RNLI
and National Coast Watch Institution. For more information visit the
GB4VLB QRZ page. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Look out for special callsign AU40NRO which is active until the 30th
of June to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Institute
of Amateur Radio in India. QSL via VU2NRO.
North West Group Amateur Radio Club in Northern Ireland is running
special event station GB0AEL until the 26th of May to commemorate the
anniversary of Amelia Earhart's transatlantic flight. On the 20th and
21st of May 1932, Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop and
alone across the Atlantic, leaving Harbor Grace on Newfoundland,
Canada, and landing 15 hours later in Northern Ireland. QSL via
MI0HOZ, directly or via the bureau.
Members of ARI Novara will be active as II1CAI
[INDIA-INDIA-ONE-CHARLIE-ALPHA-INDIA] until the 30th of June. The
special callsign marks the 100th anniversary of the local section of
the Italian Alpine Club, founded in 1863. QSL via IQ1NO.
Now the DX news
Today is the last chance to work Pete, M1PTR, Tom, M0DCG and Kieron,
M5KJM / EI6KP from Stockport Radio Society who are operating as EJ6KP
from Great Blasket Island, EU-007. The team is active on the 40, 20
and possibly 15m bands using SSB. QSL via the bureau or OQRS.
Bob, N7XR is active as V7/N7XR from Kwajalein Atoll [KWA-JUNE
EH-TOL], OC-028, in the Marshall Islands until late June or early
July. He operates CW, RTTY and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via
Club Log's OQRS.
James, KI7MGY will be stationed in Djibouti [JUH-BOO-TEE] until June
and plans to be QRV as J28HJ on the 80, 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10m bands
using SSB and FT8. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Giorgio, IU5HWS [INDIA, UNIFORM?] will be active as 5UA99WS from
Niamey [NEE-AA-MAY], Niger [NAI-JUH] until the 15th of June. In his
spare time, he will be QRV on the 40 to 10m bands using FT8 and SSB.
QSL via Logbook of the World, or via EA5GL.
Now the contest news
Today, the 21st 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 and Crown Dependency
stations also send the first two letters of their postcode.
Today, the 21st of May, the 144MHz May Contest ends its 24-hour run
at 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator. UK and Crown Dependency stations
also send the first two letters of their postcode.
On Monday the 22nd of May, the FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to
2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is your
report.
On Tuesday the 23rd of May, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from
1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2.3GHz and up bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 25th of May, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900
to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
On Saturday the 27th of May, the CQ Worldwide WPX CW Contest starts
its 24-hour run at 0000UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where
contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial
number.
On Sunday the 28th of May, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest
runs from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7 and 10GHz
bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 18th of May 2023
After last week's NOAA prediction that we would have settled
geomagnetic conditions all week, it seems they were right! The Kp
index never got above three - a miracle given the recent disruption
due to coronal mass ejections and coronal holes.
The proton flux from the Sun has declined as well. However, an M9
solar flare on Tuesday from active region 3310, and numerous C-class
flares, may be a precursor to more flare activity next week.
With a solar flux index in the 130s and 140s, HF conditions have been
quite good. Daytime maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path
have usually exceeded 21MHz, with 24MHz seeing occasional F2-layer
openings, as well as sporadic-E propagation.
At the moment, the 10m band is mainly open to Sporadic-E propagation
with more DX paths now locked out until the Autumn. This is in line
with predictions, as the ionosphere changes in the Northern
Hemisphere summer with a change to more diatomic elements, which are
harder to ionise.
So, will our luck hold out next week?
The Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the Solar Flux
Index, or SFI, will decline slightly to the 120s and this weekend
should be geomagnetically settled. However, it is predicting that the
Kp index will rise again from the 23rd of May. It suggests that the
Kp index may hit four or even five for a few days before becoming
more settled again from the 30th.
The US Air Force disagrees and thinks the SFI will be higher, perhaps
hitting 145 and even 155 by the 28th. It agrees that we are in for
more unsettled geomagnetic conditions from the 24th to the 28th,
possibly due to a coronal hole rotating into an Earth-facing position.
So, expect MUFs to decline if the Kp index goes up, with poor overall
HF conditions.
It is certainly looking like this weekend may see the best conditions
for HF, so we suggest you get your DXing in right now, with 14 to
21MHz offering the best prospects.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The upcoming weather week will be predominantly high-pressure driven,
with an elongated region of high pressure from the Azores to
Scandinavia.
However, there is still scope for a few blemishes and as we end the
current week it comes as isolated showers, especially in the south
and weakening fronts over north-western Britain. Early next week, a
brief period with low pressure over the near continent will threaten
some heavier rain for south-eastern areas.
Concentrating on the high-pressure part of the story, this means
Tropo is a strong player and will hopefully be in attendance for the
144MHz May Contest and 144MHz Backpackers Contest this weekend.
Remember that, in the summer months, Tropo becomes much weaker over
the land during the stronger heating of the daytime sunshine but can
become quite widespread overnight and around coasts.
The rainfall component can lead to good rain scatter options,
especially as the summer usually produces more intense rainfall, so
performs better as a scatterer on the GHz bands.
The other primary propagation mode is going to be Sporadic-E as we
move into the peak summer months. Follow the position of jet streams
on the upper air charts, shown on propquest.co.uk and described in a
daily blog.
Don't forget there are always modes like aurora and meteor scatter,
which can add to the excitement, but will need to be checked each day.
Moon declination is at its highest this weekend for the Dubus EME
10GHz and up SSB/CW contest, peaking on Monday. With apogee next
Friday, path losses will continue to increase.
144MHz sky noise is moderate early next week becoming low by Thursday.
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.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
https://www.theskywaves.net http://gb7cip.ampr.org
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