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G4APL > NEWS 26.01.25 09:02l 277 Lines 13254 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 26 Jan 2025
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Sent: 250126/0745Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:24647 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 26th of January 2025
The news headlines:
• The RSGB has announced the details of the amateur radio
activity that it provided for the British Science Week 2025 Community
Pack
• Nominations encouraged for the role of RSGB President
• The next Tonight<at>8 webinar will focus on fault finding in
construction projects
The RSGB is delighted to announce details of the?amateur radio
activity?that the Society provided for the?British Science Week
2025 Community Pack. The RSGB Outreach Team, working with the RSGB
Comms Team, submitted two activities on this year's theme of
‘Change and adapt' and one was chosen for the Community Pack. This
activity was created by John Hislop, G7OHO and tested by RSGB School
Youth Champion Chris Aitken, MM0WIC, and other members of the
Outreach Team with various groups and ages. It uses amateur radio to
find out if people in different countries are seeing changes in their
weather patterns. It is a simple activity that is also designed to
get people on the air. Community or youth groups will need access to
a Digital Mobile Radio repeater and assistance from a radio amateur,
which is why the RSGB is asking for the support of the amateur radio
community to make this as effective as possible! You can find
the?RSGB activity and other resources on its website at
rsgb.org/bsw so take a look and get ready to be involved! You can
also find the full set of this year's activity packs at
britishscienceweek.org To ask questions or suggest an activity,
contact the RSGB British Science Week Coordinator Ian Neal, M0KEO
via?bsw<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB President is a prestigious and important role. Each
President has the autonomy to shape the duties and activities they
carry out to best match their view of the role. Former Presidents
have spoken of the unique insight it has given them into the hobby,
and the fulfilment they have felt from the role. Read more from the
current and some previous Presidents by going to rsgb.org/president
If you believe you can advocate for amateur radio, that you have the
necessary understanding of how the RSGB works, and are someone who
can relate to and talk engagingly with a wide range of people, then
why not apply to be the next RSGB President? Nominations are now open
in the RSGB 2025 elections and full candidate packs can be found via
rsgb.org/election Applications are strongly encouraged from radio
amateurs of all different backgrounds and identities. Every new
volunteer who joins the RSGB is an opportunity to bring a different
perspective, which the Board is eager to embrace. Remember that the
closing date for all vacancies is 2359UTC on the 31st of January. So,
if you'd like to rise to the challenge and be the Society's next
President, act now.
Have you ever spent time constructing a project, only to find it
doesn't work? If so, the next Tonight<at>8 webinar on Monday the 3rd
of February is one to put in your diary. Lee Aldridge, G4EJB will
present a basic fault finding and electronics session that will look
at the requirements of construction, as well as the pros and cons of
different types of construction.?He will also look at what to do
when you've built a project, but it doesn't work. This will include
looking at your method, understanding some simple circuits and basic
use of a digital multimeter, your expectations, as well as checking
and testing. Lee has nearly 35 years' experience of working in
telecoms and electronics and will be known by many as the former
RadCom Basics Editor. Find out more about this discussion by going to
rsgb.org/webinars Watch the presentation live on the RSGB YouTube
channel or special BATC channel and ask questions via the live chat.
Today, the 26th, the 2m band is full of transmissions from operators
taking part in 145 Alive. The event is running from 12pm to 3pm and
there are nets operating in most Maidenhead Squares across England,
Scotland, Wales and Ireland. To take part, all you need to do is call
in and make contact with others. For more information visit the 145
Alive Facebook page.
Have you been involved in inspiring newcomers to amateur radio? Do
you have a knack for introducing and explaining the fundamental
principles of our wonderful pastime to the uninitiated? If so, have
you considered writing for RadCom Basics? Tim, G5TM, the RadCom
Basics Editor, welcomes all suggestions. If you have ideas for future
articles, email radcombasics<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB is looking for an assistant editor to join the team that
produces its suite of RadCom publications. The successful candidate
will be involved in everything from magazine production and
sub-editing, to writing articles and planning content. More
information is available on page 83 of the February 2025 issue of
RadCom and via rsgb.org/careers If you are interested in applying
for the role, email radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk
And now for details of rallies and events
The Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Radio Rally is taking place today,
the 26th, at The Festival Hall, Caistor Road in Market Rasen. The
doors open at 10am and admission is GBP 3. Hot refreshments and ample
free car parking are available. For more information contact Steve
Burke, M5ZZZ on 07777 699 069 or email m5zzz<at>outlook.com
On Sunday the 9th of February, the Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio
Society RadioActive Fair will take place at Nantwich Civic Hall,
Market Street, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5DG. The doors will be open
from 10am to 3pm and admission will cost GBP 5. Hot food,
refreshments and free car parking will be available. For more
information contact Patrick, 2E0VGF via info<at>radioactivefair.co.uk
The Red Rose Winter Rally is due to take place on the 23rd of
February from 10am at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, Lancashire,
WN7 2PJ. Please note that the maximum number of five-foot tables per
trader has had to be reduced from six to five. On a brighter note,
the price remains as it has been for several years at GBP 10 per
table. For more information visit wmrc.co.uk
Advance notice now that the 13th Scottish Microwave Round Table will
be held on Saturday the 1st of November 2025 at the Museum of
Communication, Burntisland, Fife, Scotland. There will be an
optional dinner in the evening at a local hotel. Further
updates will be posted on the gmroundtable.org.uk website in June or
July 2025. To find out more email Colin via gm4hwo<at>gmail.com
Now the Special Event news
The Straight Key Century Club's Straight Key Month is currently
underway. The annual on-air event commemorates the Club's founding in
2006 and celebrates the original instruments of early radiotelegraphy
including straight keys, bugs and ‘cootie' keys. Listen out for the
K3Y callsign which is being aired from the ten USA call areas.
Information on the event and QSL instructions can be found at
tinyurl.com/K3Y2025
A large multi-national team is active as TX7N from Hiva Oa
[HE-VAH-OH-AH] in the Marquesas [MAR-KWAI-SUHS] Islands, OC-027,
until tomorrow, the 27th. The team is operating using CW, SSB and
digital modes on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS and
Logbook of the World. For more information and updates visit tx7n.com
British Railways Amateur Radio Society is running special event
stations GB0LMR and GB2SDR during 2025 to celebrate 200 years of
train travel. Operation will be mainly focused on 40m but there may
be additional activity on other bands. QSL via the Bureau. To read
more about the special event stations visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Dwight, VE7BV is active as TG9BBV from Guatemala until the 28th of
January. He is operating using mostly CW and SSB on the 40 to 6m
bands. QSL via Dwight's home call and Logbook of the World.
Ralf, DB4REB is active as CN2REB while on holiday in Morocco until
the 30th of January. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on various
bands. Ralf is hoping to work some Parks on the Air sites along the
coast during his visit. QSL via eQSL or directly to Ralf's home call.
For more information and updates visit QRZ.com
Felix, DL5XL is active as DP1POL from a German research station in
Antarctica, AN-016, until the 25th of February. He is operating
mainly using CW on the HF bands. There may also be some digital mode
and SSB activity. QSL via DL1ZBO. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of
the World and Club Log.
Now the contest news
The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group RTTY Sprint started at
1200UTC on Saturday the 25th and runs until 1200UTC today, the 26th
of January. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is your serial number.
The CQ 160m DX Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday the 24th and runs
until 2200UTC today, the 26th of January. Using CW on the 160m band,
the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. USA stations also send
their state and Canadian stations send their province.
On Tuesday the 28th, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930
to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13, 9, 6 and 3cm bands, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 29th, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club
80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the
exchange is your six-character locator.
The UK Six Metre Group Winter Marathon began at 0000UTC on Sunday the
1st of December and ends at 2359UTC on Friday the 31st of January.
Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and
locator.
On Sunday the 2nd, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs
from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 23rd of January 2025
This week, ending today the 26th, has looked a lot like a repeat
performance of two weeks ago. The majority of the sunspots are in the
western hemisphere with very few in the eastern side. This means that
the solar flux index could drop over the coming week unless there are
sunspots ready to rotate into view to replace those being lost.
A look at the STEREO Ahead spacecraft imagery suggests that there are
indeed sunspots over the Eastern limb, so all may not be lost.
Overall, the Sun has been fairly quiet. There were no X-class flares
and only five M-class flares from the 19th to the 23rd of January.
The Kp index has also been relatively low, only peaking at four for
one three-hour period on the 20th of January.
As a result, with the solar flux index in the 200s, HF conditions
have been quite good. The maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km
path has been consistently over 28MHz, from around 0830 to 1600UTC.
However, the 20, 17, 15 and 12m bands, seem to be carrying most of
the DX at the moment.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain in the
mid-200s. Geomagnetic conditions are also predicted to be good until
the end of the month, but a Kp index of 5 is forecast for the 31st of
January, and this could last for a few days.
So, we urge you to make the most of the conditions now, before
geomagnetic storming, if it occurs, makes a mess of HF as we enter
February.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather pattern is being driven by a very strong winter jet
stream across the Atlantic Ocean. This gives scope for rapid
development of deep lows and consequent gales and damaging winds.
On Friday the 24th of January, the first big storm hit the northwest
of Britain. We may find that the next low in the series is heading
for southern Britain tomorrow, the 27th.
This all makes tropo unlikely for much of the week ahead since it
stays unsettled through most of the period, but with the smallest
hint of higher pressure trying to return from Thursday.
Rain scatter will probably be worth some consideration on the GHz
bands while meteor scatter remains driven by random activity rather
than any major showers.
There have been further aurora alerts over the last week and it's
always worth keeping the Kp index in view to monitor any possible
chances for aurora. High figures, above a Kp index of 4, are a good
trigger point to get interested.
Moon declination reaches minimum in the northern hemisphere today,
the 26th, when Moon windows are at their shortest and peak Moon
elevation is at its lowest.
Path losses are now falling as we passed apogee on Tuesday the 21st.
144MHz sky noise is high, reaching over 3,000 Kelvin today, the 26th,
before dropping to moderate until Wednesday when the Moon and Sun are
very close in the sky for the whole Moon pass. After this, it drops
to low 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 gb2rs<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Tuesday before transmission.
Our thanks to Andy G4TNU for providing this RSGB feed.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
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