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G4TNU > NEWS 09.07.23 01:30l 246 Lines 11548 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 09 Jul 2023
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 9th of July 2023
The news headlines:
* New ATV display at the RSGB's National Radio Centre
* Film award for members of Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society
* International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
A new amateur TV display has just been installed at the RSGB's
National Radio Centre, with signals received via the wide-band
segment of the geostationary satellite QO-100. The Society is
delighted to be able to demonstrate amateur TV as a permanent display
at the NRC, helping to highlight yet another exciting aspect of our
technical hobby. A special configuration, developed in conjunction
with the British Amateur Television Club, incorporates a touch screen
from which visitors can select a signal to be tuned, decoded and
displayed on the large monitor. The RSGB would like to thank Justin,
G8YTZ for designing the display and working with the BATC for the
specially adapted configuration.
A short film produced by members of Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society
has won a top award at the 2023 Doric Film Festival. The film was
joint winner in the ‘Groups' category of the prestigious festival
that showcases the distinctive Doric language and culture, most
closely associated with North-East Scotland. The film includes a
specially written fiddle music theme, based on Morse code. You can
find the film by searching for ‘Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society
Groups DFF Entry' on YouTube.
A reminder now that International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is
coming up soon. The event is usually held on the third weekend of
August which this year is the 19th and 20th. It is one of the most
popular amateur radio events in the calendar and in past years there
have been more than 500 entries from over 40 different countries.
More details about the event and a registration form can be found at
illw.net
There is so much happening at the RSGB's National Radio Centre that
it needs to expand its team of volunteers! If you can volunteer at
weekends, you will be particularly welcome. 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. You should enjoy meeting people and
be able to volunteer for one or two days per month. For more
information please email NRC Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB
via nrc.support<at>rsgb.org.uk
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
The Cornish Radio Amateur Club Rally is taking place today, Sunday
the 9th of July, at Penair School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TN. The
doors open at 10.30am and admission is GBP 3. There are traders,
bring and buy and club stalls. Car parking and catering are available
on site. Contact Ken, G0FIC on 01209 821073 for more information.
The McMichael Radio and Electronics Rally and Car Boot Sale will take
place on Sunday the 16th of July. The venue will be Reading Rugby
Club which offers a bar and catering facilities and has ample free
parking. Admission will be GBP 3 per person and GBP 10 per table for
traders. Visit mcmichaelrally.org.uk for more information and contact
details.
The Finningley ARS Rally 2023 will take place on Sunday the 23rd of
July at Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster, DN8 5SX. The doors will be
open from 10am and a food bar will be available. For more information
visit g0ghk.com
Wiltshire Radio and Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday the 30th
of July at Kington Langley Village Hall and Playing Field, Kington
Langley, Wiltshire SN15 5NJ. The event will start at 9am and finish
at 1pm. There is a GBP 2 entry fee for traders. Indoor tables cost
GBP 10. Admittance for car booters is GBP 10, and for vans it is
GBP 15. For further information please contact
Chairman<at>Chippenhamradio.club
Now the Special Event News
Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is running special event station GB5IG
[…INDIA-GOLF] until the 14th of July to celebrate the 19th Island
Games, which is held every two years. The station will be active
using SSB, digital modes, possibly satellite and CW, on HF, VHF and
UHF bands. More information is available on QRZ.com
VX7NA is the special callsign in use by the Nanaimo [NUH-NAI-MOW]
Amateur Radio Association, until the 24th of July, to celebrate its
75th anniversary. The Association is based on Vancouver Island,
NA-036. QSL via VE7NA.
Now the DX news
Pierre, VK3KTB will be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Amateur Radio
Club station on Ellesmere Island, NA-008, until the 12th of July. QSL
via M0OXO's OQRS.
Rag, LB3RE will be active on the 40 to 6m bands as DU1/LB3RE from
Luzon Island, OC-042, until the 18th of July. QSL via Logbook of the
World, Club Log, or via his home call.
Bo, OZ1DJJ will be active as OX3LX from Qaanaaq [KHAN-ACK], on the
main island of Greenland, NA-018, until the 18th of July. He will
focus on the 6 and 4m bands but will also be QRV on the HF bands. A
side trip to Herbert Island, NA-134, or Meteorite Island, is
possible. QSL via Logbook of the World, Club Log, or direct to OZ0J.
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 9th of July, the UK Microwave Group 24, 47 and
76GHz Contest runs from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24, 47
and 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.
The IARU HF Championship ends its 24-hour run at 1200UTC today,
Sunday the 9th of July. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands,
where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and ITU
zone. The UK is in zone 27. In particular, listen out for the RSGB HQ
station operating as GR2HQ from a variety of different locations
using CW and SSB. A team of operators at different stations will be
on the air simultaneously on all the available contest bands.
On Tuesday the 11th of July, 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 11th of July, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange
is signal report and serial number.
On Wednesday the 12th of July, 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
12th of July, 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 Wednesday the 12th of July, the 80m Club Championship SSB Contest
runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 13th of July, 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.
On Saturday the 15th of July, the 70MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400
to 2000UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number, locator and two-letter postcode.
On Sunday the 16th of July, the International Low Power Contest runs
from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using CW on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and TX power.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 6th of July 2023
NOAA's prediction that the Solar Flux Index, or SFI, would decline
last week didn't come to fruition. In fact, the SFI stayed in the
160s and 170s until Thursday, when it declined to 155.
The Sun produced more than 160 sunspots in June, the highest monthly
number in more than two decades. This has led some newspapers to run
more doom and gloom stories about solar Armageddon, while we amateurs
look forward to some F2-layer DX!
Unfortunately, more sunspots do mean more chance of solar flares and
coronal mass ejections, but we have to take the rough with the smooth.
As an example, we had an X1-class solar flare on the 2nd of June.
This occurred at 2314UTC so didn't affect the UK, but did cause an R3
radio blackout over the west coast of the USA and Pacific.
Otherwise, there is still DX to be bagged for well-equipped stations,
such as Eric, FP/KV1J on the St Pierre and Miquelon islands on 12m
FT8, and Marek, FH4VVK, on Mayotte island, on 10m FT8. Other DX
worked this week by CDXC members includes the 4W6RU DXpedition on
Timor Leste on various bands; Robert, 9N7AA in Nepal on 12m FT4; and
V31XX in Belize on 20m CW.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre has the SFI at 155,
rising to 175 by the end of the week. Unfortunately, the Kp index is
forecast to rise to four over the weekend, possibility due to a large
Earth-facing coronal hole, and again up to Kp five on the 12th and
13th. If it happens, expect noisy bands and a decline in the maximum
usable frequency.
As always, we encourage you to get on the HF bands, in the evening,
nighttime and especially around dawn, which is when a lot of HF DX is
being worked.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
Low pressure dominates the whole weather pattern this coming week,
driven by an active meandering jet stream across the Atlantic.
This provides several regions where the turbulence, generated on the
edge of these strong winds up at 10km, can propagate upwards to
trigger Sporadic-E propagation at about 110km height in the E region.
So, unsurprisingly, Sporadic-E will feature as a ‘go to mode' for
the coming week. Typically, single-hop paths within Europe will
produce very strong signals, whereas multi-hop paths, for example
across the Atlantic, will require several such refraction points from
Sporadic-E patches, plus intervening reflections from the sea
surface, and will have much higher losses.
These will usually be weak signals and probably very fleeting in view
of the complex geometry of such paths.
Tropo need not concern us this week, but rain scatter is worth a look
since the unsettled weather will provide several heavy rainfall
events in some areas. Look for the brighter echoes on the rainfall
radar displays, especially those associated with thunderstorms.
Random meteors could be useful in the early morning hours. We also
have the start of two showers, Alpha Capricornids and Delta Aquarids,
during next week, which don't actually reach a peak until the end of
July. So prospects for meteor scatter and Sporadic-E propagation are
improving this month.
The aurora chances may be reasonable initially in view of the recent
coronal hole transition, so keep an eye on the Kp index.
Moon declination goes positive on Sunday so there will be lengthening
Moon windows. Path losses are currently low but will rise all week.
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.
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