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G4TNU > NEWS 21.09.11 15:02l 324 Lines 17551 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 25th September 2011
The news headlines:
* National Hamfest starts on 30 September
* T32C DXpedition to go ahead despite equipment difficulties
* RSGB Convention adds more lectures
Former BBC weatherman, Jim Bacon G3YLA will open the National Hamfest
this year. The ceremony takes place at 10am on Friday, 30 September,
when the main exhibition hall will open. Gates open at 9.30am for
access to the Bring and Buy and Car Boot area. The Bring and Buy is
bigger this year and arrangements have been made to speed up
check-in. Forms may be downloaded from the website so that you can
book in quicker. Check in is from 9.30, half an hour earlier than the
main exhibition hall. If you are looking for a lift to the National
Hamfest, or can offer one, e-mail clive<at>nationalhamfest.org.uk and
your details will appear on the Car Sharing and Lifts page on the
website. US microphone manufacturer Bob Heil will conduct a workshop
each day of the show as part of the lecture stream. An interview with
Bob can be downloaded from the National Hamfest website. Full details
with directions are at www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.
The 5 star DXers Association's T32C expedition to Kiritimati due to
start on 28 September has hit some logistical problems. The container
with its 6 tonnes of kit got as far as T30, Tarawa, but onward
shipping to T32 has proved impossible. The DXpedition will go ahead
anyway because thanks to the global sponsor, Yaesu, ten FT-450D
radios will be carried as luggage by the team along with several
lightweight linears. The operators will also take enough hardware to
set up verticals and vertical arrays for all bands 10 through to
160m. All the computer equipment was to be hand-carried in any case,
so daily log updates to ClubLog will be unaffected. Unfortunately,
unless the container makes an unlikely late arrival on the island, 6m
EME will have to be abandoned, and they will not have the 4-square
arrays for 30 and 40m. Keep an eye on the website at www.t32c.com for
updates
The RSGB Convention takes place on 7 to 9 October and there is just 1
week remaining for bookings. The latest news from the programme is
that Bob NQ1R from the ARRL will provide a virtual tour of the ARRL
and Tom GM4DOZ will speak about radio astronomy and its roots in
amateur radio. With the unfortunate difficulties the T32C DXpedition
has getting equipment to the island, the lecture from Steve Nichols
on the reality of propagation to increase your chances of working
this DXpedition is sure to be a popular one. Full details of the most
up to date timetable, details of the lectures and booking information
can be found at www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention.
The British Astronomical Association is organising a 'meteor watch'
exercise for the coming Draconids shower, between 7 and 9 October. It
would be interesting to compare meteor scatter counts against
activity reported by visual observers up and down the country. The
Draconids are not normally a large event but are subject to
occasional outbursts and there has been speculation that this year
could produce one of these. Observations are requested across the
three days: 7, 8 and 9 October. Preferably these would be around-the
clock, but if this is not possible between 1500 and 2300UTC on the
three days. Counts in 15-minute bins will be appropriate for most of
the time but on the evening of 8 October, most likely between 1800
and 2100UTC the rates may be changing very quickly and so it would be
advantageous to have the counts in 5-minute bins.
It is very important that receiver settings and antenna alignment are
kept constant throughout the period of observation. If possible, the
beam of the antenna should be directed towards the mid-point of the
great circle path joining the transmitter and receiver locations.
Paul Hyde, G4CSD the BAA Coordinator for the Radio Astronomy Group,
will be consolidating the observations into a single report which
will be sent to all participants. Please contact him by e-mail at
radiogroup<at> britastro.org for further information on how to submit
reports.
NASA is giving the public the power to vicariously journey through
the solar system using a new interactive Web-based tool. The Eyes on
the Solar System interface combines video game technology and NASA
data to create an environment for users to ride along with agency
spacecraft and explore the cosmos. Screen graphics and information
such as planet locations and spacecraft manoeuvres use actual space
mission data. You can begin your ride at
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eyes/.
A new Newsletter has been launched to support the growing number of
5MHz operating permissions globally. The 5MHz Newsletter is edited by
Paul Gaskell, G4MWO, one of the original RSGB 5MHz team. It aims to
be both an accurate information source of news about 5MHz and a
platform for exchange of ideas, be they theoretical, operational,
constructional or just general comments about the band. You can
freely access the 5MHz Newsletter from Google Documents at
http://tinyurl.com/6fkhcmf.
Although originating in the UK, the 5MHz Newsletter invites
world-wide interest, both in readers and contributors. Understandably
all that we ask is when contributing items of news concerning new
5MHz permissions or allocations, that the contributor can provide a
means of official verification of such. It is hoped to produce the
5MHz Newsletter on a quarterly basis, its size being dependent of
course on news and other relevant contributions from 5MHz operators
and listeners around the world. For those without Internet access
wishing to have a paper copy of the 5MHz Newsletter, a Self-Addressed
Envelope of sufficient size to take folded A4 sheets, together with
adequate postage, or IRCs in the case of outside of the UK, will
bring a copy of the latest edition. Requests should be addressed to
G4MWO, who is QTHR in the UK Callbook and on QRZ.com
Did you know that a real life radio amateur was involved in the
famous 1961 recording of Tony Hancock's The Radio Ham? His name was
Alan Florence. He was just 18 years of age and was working as a
recently appointed sound engineer at Star Sound Studios off Baker
Street in London. These days he is also known on the bands as G7CDK
and although he wasn't licensed back in 1961, Alan claims that the
experience did have some influence on him taking the RAE in later
years. Saturday 1 October will be the 50th anniversary of the Pye
recording. The Radio Ham was never made for radio but not to be out
done, the digital station BBC Radio 4 Extra will be broadcasting The
Radio Ham and the equally famous Blood Donor between 1400 and 1500BST
on Saturday 1 October. The shows can also be heard online at
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra and on the BBC Radioplayer for seven days
after transmission. Last year RSGB member and BBC presenter Jim Lee,
G4AEH, brought Alan, G7CDK together with the show's iconic writers
Galton and Simpson, to remember the events of the 1 October 1961.
Extracts from the interview, in which the writers reveal why they
chose the radio ham scenario will be broadcast as a series of shorts
or fillers between the pre-recorded announcements, throughout the day.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The National Hamfest organised by the RSGB in association with the
Lincoln Short Wave Club takes place on Friday 30 September and
Saturday 1 October. The venue is the George Stephenson Pavilion,
Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe,
Newark NG24 2NY, which is close to the junction of A1/A46/A17. There
will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy, special interest groups, an
RSGB bookstall, lectures and a car boot area. Full details of the
rally may be found at www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.
The RSGB Convention takes place at Horwood House near Milton Keynes
on 7 to 9 October. Five lectures streams are available on both
Saturday and Sunday, totalling 65 lectures to choose from. There is
also a Partners Programme for those not interested in the radio
events of the weekend with a trip to Stowe Landscape Gardens and
Milton Keynes. Both UK and US exams are available over the weekend,
see www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention for full details.
Now for the news of special events
Throughout September, special event station GB2JB, will be on the air
to commemorate the life and birth place of Jack Binns, radio operator
of the Passenger Ship Republic in 1909. Operation will be from Coney
Court, Brigg and is run by Brigg & District Amateur Radio Club.
The Crewe Heritage Centre ARC will be taking part in the Railways on
the Air on 25 September. They will be operating two stations using
SSB and Digimodes from the First Class carriage of the Advanced
Passenger Train prototype that is on permanent display at the centre.
Using GB4CHC the club hope to work as many stations as possible
during the two days on all HF bands.
This year Justices of the Peace in England and Wales are celebrating
their 650th anniversary of serving the community. The Scarborough
Special Events Group will be on the air as GB650JP over the weekend
of 1 and 2 October, to mark the anniversary. QSL cards will be sent
via the Bureau. Anyone requiring a direct QSL can apply via the club
callsign G0OOO. SWL listener reports are also welcomed.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of HMS Belfast's arrival in the
Pool of London, in October 1971, the London Group of the RNARS will
be active as GB40HMSB between 1 October and 31 December. A
commemorative QSL card will be available in the New Year.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
A Belgian group plan to activate on Rockall, EU-189, around 27 or 28
September. Hoping for good weather and calm seas, during the four day
voyage to EU189 they will be one the air as ON4ATW/MM. Details at
www.rockall.be.
IN3VZE will once again be active from Malawi as 7Q7CE until 3
October. His operation will be holiday style on 10 through to 80
metres using SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, either via the
Bureau or direct.
Operators from the Cambridge University Wireless Society will be
active from Miquelon, which is IOTA reference NA-032, until 29
September. Look for FP/M0BLF, FP/G3ZAY, FP/G4EAG, FP/M0TOC, FP/M0VFC
and FP/M1BXF all bands, CW & SSB.
A team of 8 amateur radio operators from Australia and the USA will
be activating YJ0VK from Port Vila on Efate Island between 30
September and 12 October. Earlier updates indicate that the team will
operate with 3 stations on bands from 10 to 160m, using CW, SSB and
RTTY or PSK31. They do not have plans to activate 6m. The YJ0VK team
has obtained authorization to operate on 60m.
Preparations for the large multi-national 3D2R DXpedition to Rotuma
are going according to plan. They expect to be on the air from 27
September to 7 October. They will be active on 10 to 160m using CW,
SSB, RTTY, PSK and SSTV, plus 6 and 2m EME, with a focus on Europe
and Africa when propagation permits. QSL via YT1AD.
www.yt1ad.info/3d2r/index.html.
Now the contest news
The 48 hour CQWW RTTY DX Contest comes to a close today, 25
September, at 2359UTC. The exchange is signal report and CQ Zone –
Britain is 14. Some rare countries ought to be active in this one.
There are too many entry categories to list here though.
The Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest takes place for four hours
today, Sunday 25 September, from 1200 to 1600UTC. It has sections for
Low Power (10W max) and Full Legal. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Tuesday 27 September sees the 50MHz UK Activity Contest take place
between 1900 and 2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
At the same time on Tuesday 27 September the SHF UK Activity Contest
takes place. Using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
Thursday 29 September sees the CW leg of the 80m Club Sprint taking
place from 1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is both callsigns, serial
number and name.
The 1.2/2.3GHz Trophy Contest takes place for eight hours on Saturday
1 October. After several years of modest but steady participation,
the number of entries to this event increased substantially last
year, even though propagation was nothing special and the weather was
awful. Using all modes from 1400 to 2200UTC, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
The Oceania DX SSB Contest runs for 24 hours from 0800 on 1 October
to 0800UTC on 2 October. QSOs with stations in Oceania are the only
ones that count for points, which basically means working VK, ZL and
the Pacific islands. The exchange is signal report and serial number.
The Worked All Britain HF Contest runs on 20m to 10m for 24 hours
from 1200UTC on 1 October to 1200UTC on 2 October. Using all modes on
the 14 to 28MHz bands, UK stations send a report, serial number and
WAB area, while non-UK stations send report, serial number and DXCC
country. Inter-UK QSOs do not count for points in this one.
The IARU 432MHz-248GHz Contest runs for 24 hours from 1400UTC on 1
October to 1400UTC on 2 October. The exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator. The first six hours coincides with the
RSGB 1.2GHz/2.3GHz Trophy Contest. From 1600UTC to 2000UTC the SSB
leg of the EU Sprint takes place. Being a sprint, of course there's a
QSY rule. It says that if you make a QSO as a result of calling CQ or
QRZ, you then have to QSY a minimum of 2kHz before you can make
another QSO. And please don't forget that the exchange includes both
callsigns.
The 21/28MHz Contest takes place on Sunday 2 October. The planned
deletion of this event from the contest calendar may have contributed
to the substantial increase in entries in all sections last year.
They are hoping for similar results this year. Taking place from 0700
to 1900UTC and using CW and SSB on the two bands, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and district.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 12th to the
18th of September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 19th of
September.
The Sun had many groups visible everyday, for example, the 15th had
11 groups visible. Many of these groups were producing C class solar
flares. In total over one hundred took place. Most days an M class
solar flare was expected but never took place, but on the 12th and
the 14th a C9 flare occurred, failing by fractions to reach the M
class category. Small sudden ionospheric disturbances took place
along with a number of coronal mass ejections, one of which headed
our way, more on the later. Solar flux levels increased from 124
units on the 12th to 150 by the 18th. The average was 135. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 18th was 103, that's three units up on last
week. X-ray flux levels increased from B5.3 units on the 13th to B9.2
by the 18th. The average was B6.9 units. The first disturbance
arrived on the 12th when the Ap index was 27 units and 17 units the
next day, this was in response to a coronal hole. As mentioned
earlier, one of the coronal mass ejections arrived early on the 17th
when the Ap was 32 units. The source was a C9 solar flare taking
place on the 14th. There were some quiet days also, for example, on
the 16th the Ap was only 2 units. The average was Ap 13 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline form
680 kilometres per second on the 12th to 350 by early on the 17th.
Particle densities were low except for a brief rise to 18 particles
per cubic centimetre on the 17th. Bz varied between minus and plus 3
nanoTeslas on the quieter days and between minus 12 and plus 14
nanoTeslas on the 17th. Once the disturbance of the 12th and the 13th
had ended HF propagation reached or exceeded predicted values for
most of the time, with 28MHz open at times and openings to all
continents on 24MHz. On the 17th MUFs of around 33MHz were recorded.
And now the solar forecast. The Sun is going through a restructuring
phase where what was the quiet side of the Sun is now the active side
on its return a couple of weeks later. This week solar activity
should be at low levels but there is the chance that activity could
rise to moderate levels. Solar flux levels should be around the 120s
or even higher. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at quiet
levels barring any Earth directed coronal mass ejections till towards
next weekend when a small coronal hole disturbance is expected. MUFs
during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 26MHz for
the south and 23MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about
11MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a maximum
usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 29MHz. The
optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be
about 24MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and
1500 hours.
And that's all for this week from the propagation team.
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.
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