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G4FVG > NEWS 20.10.24 09:20l 266 Lines 13012 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News 20 Oct 2024 [backup]
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Sent: 241020/0811Z 37687@G4FVG.#79.GBR.EURO LinBPQ6.0.24
It appears as though the forwarding has been interrupted today, so
here is a backup copy of the [same] RSGB news. This might be duplicated
later, but at least two copies are better than none!
So here is the GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 20th of October
The news headlines:
* The RSGB welcomes your feedback on its 2024 Convention
* Today is the last chance to get involved with JOTA 2024
* The RSGB is looking for Youth Champions
The RSGB's 2024 Convention took place last weekend and brought
together hundreds in person, as well as many more from across the
globe who watched via the livestream. The Society is already
receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback, but if you did
attend the Convention and haven't yet completed the feedback form,
please go to rsgb.org/feedback and share your thoughts. If you
watched the livestream the Society would also love to hear your
feedback. Please visit rsgb.org/livestream-feedback and let the team
know what you thought of the online event. The feedback forms will be
closed at the end of October. The livestreams for both days will
remain available for everyone to watch, so if you'd like to catch up
on the selection of presentations that were aired, go to the RSGB
website and search for ‘Convention 2024 livestream'. As well as
talks from the weekend, you'll find exclusive special interviews and
pre-recorded videos.
Today, the 20th, is the last day of Jamboree on the Air, also known
as JOTA. The event promotes friendship and global citizenship and is
a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the Scout Association.
The Society has compiled a list of Scouting groups that are involved
with the annual event and has shared it on its website. The list is
available by going to rsgb.org/jota and choosing the ‘JOTA Stations
on the Air' link on the righthand side of the page. The RSGB would
love to see your photos of Scouts getting involved with JOTA, so tag
<at>theRSGB and also use #JOTAJOTI [‘#' is pronounced ‘hashtag']
to be involved in the conversation on social media. If you're not
involved with a JOTA station do listen out and encourage the young
operators on the air. There will be a report in RadCom so please send
details and photos from your event to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk by the
15th of November.
Following the recent appointment of two Youth Champions for schools
and universities, the RSGB is keen to expand the team. The Society is
looking for a Youth Champion for scouts, guides and cadets, and
another to lead activities and create resources to support young
people once they have gained their Foundation licence, motivating
them to try new things within amateur radio. The four Youth Champions
will work closely as a team, as well as with RSGB Board Liaison, Ben
Lloyd, GW4BML and the RSGB Outreach Team. Together, the Youth
Champions will also create a youth team and run a net or sked to
involve all youngsters. Do you have what it takes to engage with
young people and support them on their amateur radio journey? Another
part of each Youth Champion's role is to give input and support for
current activities, such as promoting and participating in Youngsters
on the Air Month each December. If you are proactive, experienced at
managing your own time efficiently, a good leader who can build
relationships and mentor young people, and you are passionate about
growing the number of young people involved in amateur radio, then
one of these roles could be for you! Take a look at the youth
activities on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/youth and see some of the
great things that are happening already. If you're interested in
being part of the team, contact Youth Board Liaison Ben Lloyd, GW4BML
via gw4bml<at>rsgb.org.uk
The date has been confirmed for the Twelfth Scottish Microwave Round
Table GMRT. It will be going ahead on Saturday the 9th of November
2024 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland in Fife. Lunch will
be provided, and an optional dinner will be held in the evening at a
local hotel. The programme is now confirmed and, at the moment, 43
people have booked to attend the event. There are only 7 places left
so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Online
booking is available via the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk or
by email to Colin, GM4HWO at gm4hwo<at>gmail.com
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
Part 2 of the British Amateur Television Club Convention for Amateur
TV 2024, also known as CAT 24, is taking place on Saturday the 26th
of October. The online event will run from 10am until 3pm and will
feature talks about ATV-related topics. For more information visit
batc.org.uk/live
Carrickfergus Amateur Radio Group's Rally is also taking place on
Saturday the 26th of October at Elim Pentecostal Church, North Road,
Carrickfergus. The doors will be open from 11.30am and refreshments
will be available. More information, including contact details, is
available on the Group's Facebook page.
The next Essex CW Boot Camp is scheduled to go ahead on Saturday the
26th of October. The event is an opportunity to meet your friends and
enjoy a day of CW activities, tea, coffee and cakes. If you are
interested in attending and have not yet registered, email
info<at>essexcw.org.uk For more information about the event visit
essexcw.uk
The Galashiels Rally is taking place on Sunday the 27th of October at
the Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX. The doors
will be open from 11am. The admission fee is GBP 3 and there will be
refreshments, traders and a bring-and-buy area to enjoy. For more
information contact rallyqueries<at>galaradioclub.co.uk or visit
galaradioclub.co.uk
Now the Special Event news
Special event station PF16F is active to say farewell to the F-16
fighter aircraft, or Fighting Falcon. After 45 years of service, from
1979 to 2024, the F-16 will retire from the Royal Netherlands Air
Force. Members of Radio Club Limburg will be operating the callsign
until the 30th of November 2024 and hope to work as many amateur
radio operators across the world as possible. For more information
about the station visit rclb.nl/pf16f
As part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the world's
first trans-global two-way radio communication, special callsign
GB2ZL has been active at times from the UK. This is in addition to
the main UK activity from GB2NZ, G2SZ and others. On Tuesday the 15th
of October, the GB2ZL station, operated by Chris GM3WOJ from near
Inverness, made a remarkable QSO with the ZL4AA team located just
North of Dunedin [DUH-NEE-DONE]. The ZL4AA station was operated by
Dave ZL4DK, Mike ZL4OL and Stephen ZL4BN. This QSO, on the 40m band
long path at 0721UTC, was made using CW. 559 reports were exchanged
each way and the operators at both ends were thrilled to make the
contact. At each end of the QSO was an 80-year-old all-valve military
transceiver from New Zealand, the iconic ZC1. These radios date from
1944, just 20 years after the first UK to New Zealand QSO. For more
information about the station and the ZC1 transceiver visit the GB2ZL
page at QRZ.com
Sylvia, OE5YYN is active as OE20SOTA until the 31st of October to
mark the 20th anniversary of Austria joining the Summits on the Air
programme. Details of a certificate that is available for working the
station are available at QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Harold, DF2WO is active as 9X2AW from Rwanda [ROO-WHAN-DAH] until the
22nd of October. He is operating using CW, FT4 and SSB on the 80 to
10m bands. You might also catch Harold operating via the QO-100
satellite. When possible, he also hopes to be QRV on the 6m band. QSL
via OQRS.
Stephane [STEFF-ANN], F5UOW is active as FR/F5UOW from Reunion
Island, AF-016, until the 28th of October. He is operating using CW
only on the 17 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World only.
Now the contest news
The Worked All Germany Contest started at 1500UTC on Saturday the
19th and ends at 1500UTC today, the 20th of October. Using CW and SSB
on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
Today the 20th, the RSGB 50MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from
0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 22nd, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830
to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 24th, the RSGB Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
The CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
26th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 27th of October. Using SSB on
the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. The
UK is in Zone 14.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 17th of October 2024
The past week has been characterised by a low geomagnetic Kp index
and excellent conditions on HF, including the 10m band. With a solar
flux index between 168 and 195, and a Kp index that never rose above
4, conditions have been better than the previous week, which suffered
from the bad effects of solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
This came as NASA, NOAA and the International Solar Cycle Prediction
Panel announced that the Sun has reached its solar maximum period,
which should continue for the next year.
The announcement was not unexpected, and the exact period of maximum
activity won't be known for some time. But it was a wake-up call for
radio amateurs to get on the bands and make the most of the
conditions!
NOAA anticipates additional solar and geomagnetic storms during the
current solar maximum period and during the declining phase of the
solar cycle.
The solar flux index fell from its 200-plus highs to be in the 160 to
195 range last week. But this was still more than enough to keep the
ionosphere running. Maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path
have been consistently over 28MHz during daylight, falling to around
11MHz overnight.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre thinks the solar flux
index will rise into the 200s again, but we may also get some
geomagnetic disturbances, namely on the 22nd and 23rd when the Kp
index might rise to around 4.
Meanwhile, October can be one of the best months for HF propagation
with good 10m band openings to Australasia in the morning and North
and South America in the afternoon.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The current unsettled spell of weather seems likely to continue into
next week and is not atypical at this time of year. We should expect
a more changeable pattern around the autumn as the main polar front
jet stream migrates south across the UK into its winter state over
the Mediterranean.
That said, there may well be some brief interludes when the extended
region of high pressure across Europe influences conditions over the
British Isles, more specifically the southeastern corner.
This is shown by some models around midweek for potential Tropo from
southeastern England into the continent or across the North Sea to
northern Europe and southern Scandinavia.
The obvious mode to result from this unsettled weather will be rain
scatter and it is probable that the GHz bands will enjoy this period
of weather.
Meteor scatter in October has a few showers to maintain interest. The
Orionids and the Taurids are both active during the coming week. In
fact, the Orionids, associated with the comet Halley, peaks on Monday
and Tuesday.
Just a final note about Sporadic-E, which is ‘out of season'.
Remember that there are no ‘zero Sporadic-E months' and recent
indications have tended to show the response of raised critical
frequencies of the Sporadic-E layer occurring around the middle of
the day on the propquest.co.uk NVIS graphs.
You may also see peaks earlier in the day around dawn, which is the
peak time for meteor input. Beware, it is easy to get hooked on
out-of-season Sporadic-E hunting!
For EME operators, Moon declination is positive and rising. Path
losses are rising again after perigee on Thursday the 17th. So, we
have increasing peak Moon elevations and longer Moon windows until
Tuesday the 22nd. 144MHz sky noise is low to moderate for the rest of
the 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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