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G4TNU > NEWS 31.03.24 01:30l 287 Lines 13739 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 31 Mar 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 31st of March 2024
The news headlines:
* Chris Whitmarsh, G0FDZ's lifetime achievement award
* The RSGB 2024 AGM is coming up
* The RSGB is providing regular updates on its strategic
priorities
Congratulations to Chris Whitmarsh, G0FDZ who has been presented with
an RSGB Lifetime Achievement Award by RSGB President John McCullagh,
GI4BWM and RSGB Board Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX. Chris is the only
amateur in the UK to have had a two-way QSO on every single amateur
band for which we are licensed. Chris has been Vice President of Cray
Valley Radio Society for over 20 years, and members of the club
turned out in force to see the presentation and celebrate his
achievement.
A reminder that this year's RSGB AGM will take place at 10am on
Saturday the 13th of April. It is being held online to ensure as many
members as possible can watch and take part. The formal business of
the meeting will include the results of members' votes on the
resolutions, including the endorsement of three Nominated Directors.
RSGB members are encouraged to vote on all the resolutions. This year
you can ask the RSGB Board a question in one of three ways: by
submitting it in advance via an online form; registering to ask a
question live on video via Zoom; or asking via the YouTube live chat
during the event. There are deadlines for submitting questions via
the online form or Zoom so make sure you don't miss those! Find out
more on the RSGB AGM web pages at rsgb.org/agm
At the Discussion with the Board session at the RSGB Convention last
year, the President John McCullagh, GI4BWM committed the Board to
giving regular updates on work being done to fulfil the RSGB's
strategic priorities. Since the beginning of this year, a monthly
report has been shared in RadCom and on the RSGB website. These
reports have covered a range of activities and achievements involving
both staff and volunteers. The Board is committed to continuing this
regular communication so look out for the updates in RadCom each
month. If you've missed any this year, you can find them all on the
RSGB website at rsgb.org/strategy-updates
Are you aged 18 to 30? Are you passionate about all things
radio? Are you ready for exciting experiences, making new friends
and shaping the future of amateur radio? Why not apply to be part of
the RSGB YOTA team going to the YOTA Czechia summer camp this
year? You can find out more on the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/yota-camp You'll be able to read about the experiences of
previous teams and download an application form for the Czechia
event. The closing date for applications is the 15th of April for the
Team Leader and the 22nd of April for Team Members.
The March 2024 edition of RadCom Basics is now available on the RSGB
website for members to read. RadCom Basics is aimed at new licensees
or anyone who enjoys reading about the fundamental principles behind
the many facets of amateur radio. This edition includes articles
which cover: the checking and testing of components; working on the
160 and 80m bands with limited space; the importance of antenna
radials; what it's like to take up portable operating; and a guide to
clean transmissions. To read RadCom Basics visit
rsgb.org/radcom-basics
At its recent meeting, the CEPT Frequency Management Working Group
confirmed that Barry Lewis, G4SJH, in his IARU role, would continue
as Chair for a further three-year period, having first been appointed
in 2019. The meeting also noted updates to T/R 61-01 that
facilitates the temporary operation in a fellow member's country, for
Georgia joining the scheme, as well as editorial changes to
accommodate Australian licence changes and Canadian provincial
prefixes. Barry has also continued his work in CEPT on the 23cm band,
following the outcomes from WRC-23. IARU and RSGB volunteers are also
starting ITU WRC-27 preparations, where further bands and topics are
of concern to amateur radio.
Please note that RSGB HQ will be closed for the bank holiday on
Monday the 1st of April. Please continue to send all of your news and
updates to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for the GB2RS News is
10am on Thursday before the Sunday broadcast.
And now for details of rallies and events
Holsworthy Spring Rally will be held on Sunday the 7th of April at
Holsworthy Livestock Market in Devon. The doors open to traders from
8am, and to the public from 10am. Wheelchair access, catering and
free parking will be available. For more information email
m0omc<at>m0omc.co.uk
Yeovil Amateur Radio Club's 38th QRP Convention will be held on
Saturday the 20th of April at The Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset,
DT9 3AA. The doors will be open from 9.30am to 1.30pm and admission
will be GBP 3. The event will feature talks, traders, a bring-and-buy
area, club stalls and a café. For more information, see
yeovil-arc.com or email derekbowen1949<at>talktalk.net
Now the Special Event News
Special event station GB0WYT [GOLF-BRAVO-ZERO-WHISKEY-YANKEE-TANGO]
will be active from RAF Wyton during the Airfields on the Air event
on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of April. This is the 12th year
that the station has put on a special event station for the event.
The callsign will again be operated by RAF Air Cadet Communication
Staff and club members from the Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio
Society. This year, due to restrictions, the activity will be run
from a site just west of the main runway at Wyton. Operators will be
active on the HF bands, subject to working conditions, using CW,
phone, RTTY, PSK31 and FT8. FM and SSB will also be in use on the 2m
band.
Special event station OE100RADIO
[OSCAR-ECHO-ONE-HUNDRED-ROMEO-ALPHA-DELTA-INDIA-OSCAR] is active
until the 31st of December to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
beginning of regular radio transmissions in Austria in 1924. The
station was heard recently on the 40m band using CW. QSL via the
Bureau.
Now the DX news
Felipe, CE3SX will be active as CB0ZIX from Juan Fernández until the
4th of April. He will be QRV almost exclusively on the 6m band using
SSB and FT8. QSL via Logbook of the World. Traditional QSL cards will
not be available.
Thaire [TARE], W2APF is active as VP2MDX from Montserrat, NA-103,
until the 11th of April. He is operating CW, SSB, FT8 and FM on the
80 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, or directly to W2APF.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX SSB Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
30th of March and ends at 2359UTC today, the 31st. Using SSB on the
160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
On Monday the 1st, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to
1330UTC. Using FM and SSB on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number. EI and GI stations also send their country.
Also on Monday the 1st, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs from 1330
to 1500UTC. Using FM and SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number. EI and GI stations also send their country.
On Tuesday the 2nd, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to
1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 2nd, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 3rd, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 3rd, the
144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 2m 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 3rd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest
runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is
your six-character locator.
The FT4 International Activity Day starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the
6th of April and ends at 1200UTC on Sunday the 7th of April. Using
FT4 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is your report.
The SP DX Contest starts at 1500UTC on Saturday the 6th and ends at
1500UTC on Sunday the 7th. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands,
where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and
serial number. SP stations also send their province code.
On Sunday the 7th, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from
1000 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on 1.3 to 3.4GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 7th, the Worked All Britian Data Contest runs from
1000UTC to 1400UTC and from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, FT4, JS8,
RTTY and PSK on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. Club and
multi-operator stations can only score points in either one of the
operating periods. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the
17th of April. The full rules are available on the Worked All Britain
website.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Wednesday the 27th of March 2024
What a tumultuous time we had last week. Active region 3614 produced
an X1.1 solar flare and coronal mass ejection, or CME, in the early
hours of the 23rd of March. This impacted Earth's geomagnetic field
sending the Kp index to 8 on the 24th of March.
In fact, there were simultaneous flares from active region 3614 and
the larger region AR3615.
The solar wind speed reached more than 850 kilometres per second at
the height of the geomagnetic storm, peaking at 880 kilometres per
second.
The CME started to impact the Earth early in the afternoon of the
24th and, according to Digisonde data, its full effects on the
ionosphere started to be felt by 1540UTC.
The large AR3615 sunspot cluster continues to evolve as it moves into
the Sun's southwest quadrant. Moderate flaring will remain likely in
the short term with a lower chance for another strong X-class flare,
although it is around the side of the Sun and is not considered a
threat today, Sunday the 31st.
All this was not good news for HF propagation, which saw maximum
useable frequencies over a 3,000km path plummet on the 24th to less
than 18MHz. The ionosphere didn't fully recover until two days later,
with the MUF struggling to get above 18MHz on the 25th.
It wasn't until the afternoon of Wednesday the 27th that we saw the
10m band behaving normally again with the Kp index back in the range
of 1 to 3.
So, this is what can happen if we have an X-class flare and
associated CME. We can expect more of the same to come.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain high
at around 175 to 190. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast
from the 3rd to the 5th of April when the Kp Index could rise to 4.
But keep an eye on solarham.net for a near real-time guide to current
solar conditions.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The period leading up to the Easter Weekend, and the following week,
shows up on the forecast charts as dominated by low pressure, feeding
several periods of rain and showers across the country.
This unfortunately means that Tropo is again off the menu of
weather-related VHF propagation.
Of course, wet weather is usually very supportive of rain scatter
propagation on the GHz bands and this prolonged period of rain or
showers will give the UHF and SHF operators something to occupy their
time.
Meteor scatter prospects are once again just random, which tends to
be better in the hours just before dawn. We can start to look forward
to the April Lyrids, which are active in the second half of April
with a peak around the 22nd. It's worth checking out the operating
conventions and frequencies now so that you can be ready.
Strong aurora has been reported recently, with a Kp index of 8, and a
quick listen for fluttery signals on the 80m or 40m bands is often a
good clue if you don't have access to the Kp index at the time.
The main mode of interest for the coming months is Sporadic-E and
some early propagation is possible, mainly on digital modes on the
10m or 6m bands, but probably very fleeting.
During the summer Sporadic-E season, it's well worth checking the
propquest.co.uk graphs to see what is occurring and get an idea of
how it may relate to jet stream weather patterns by cross-checking
with the Sporadic-E blog upper air charts.
The Sporadic-E Probability Index, or EPI, maps are also potentially
useful to see how the favourable regions change with time. In the
current pre-season period, it's more typical to find trans-equatorial
propagation, or TEP, as an exotic mode offering paths to the south
into South Africa and possibly into South America.
For EME operators, Moon declination reaches minimum on Easter Monday,
so we'll see short Moon windows with low elevation. Path losses are
falling all week and 144MHz sky noise is moderate, rising to a peak
of more than 3,000 Kelvin on Easter Monday before returning to low
levels.
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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