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G4TNU > NEWS 22.07.12 01:05l 237 Lines 12212 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 22 Jul 2012
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 22nd July 2012
The news headlines:
* Still time to get your O callsign
* Changes to IOTA Rules
* Latest news on transatlantic 2m beacon
It's not too late for UK amateurs to apply for the special prefix to
celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. The Notice
of Variation application can be found on the RSGB website at
www.rsgb.org/olympics. The special callsigns run until 2359BST on 9
September. The letter O, Oscar, will be added to calls, or replace
the regional identifier.
The IOTA Contest takes place on 28 and 29 July and there are some
important rules changes for participants. The scoring for
Island-World and World-World QSOs has changed, to increase the
importance of working island stations. The World Multi-op category
has been discontinued. A QSY rule for Island Multi-Op stations has
been introduced, because some entrants have been operating with more
than one multiplier station. Finally, low power expedition entrants
are now allowed to use any antenna. The 2012 rules are on the Contest
Committee section of the RSGB website. All operators are asked to
please be careful to use contest preferred band segments, as
penalties will be applied to stations who do not observe these limits.
Over in the USA, Brian, WA1ZMS, is making the final preparations to
ship the GB3WGI 144MHz transatlantic beacon transmitter over to
Northern Ireland. Thanks to the kind donation of antenna parts and
clamps from G4CQM at Powabeam Antennas, beacon keeper Gordon, GI6ATZ,
is in the process of building the antenna system for the beacon, and
installing the emergency shutdown system. It is hoped to have the
beacon up and running before the year end.
Because of an increase in applications for digital gateways in the 2m
band, a number of changes have been proposed to the channels used. A
Litmus Test consultation exercise was carried out by the RSGB, and an
amended bandplan has now been published on the RSGB website. The
opportunity was also taken to correct an error in the 4m bandplan.
Following the success of the QSO party to mark the Queen's Diamond
Jubilee, the Society is running a similar event to commemorate the
Olympics. The object is to work as many special United Kingdom O
callsign amateur stations as possible, ie callsigns beginning with
GO, MO and 2O. In keeping with the previous style of event, people
are asked to log the name of the distant operator. Hopefully, other
information will be exchanged also, such as the sender's chosen name,
a real signal report, the sender's location and station equipment
data. Participation in the Olympic QSO Party is open to licensed
radio amateurs in the UK and overseas. Full details are in August's
RadCom, on page seven.
An incorrect phone number was printed on page 44 of the August
RadCom, in the Transmit-Receive Sequencer article. The correct
telephone number is 01234 832 700, not as printed. The editorial team
apologises for this error.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
We have no details of any rallies taking place this weekend.
On 29 July, the Horncastle Summer Rally takes place at the Horncastle
Youth Centre, Willow Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6DZ. Doors
open at 10.30am and admission is GBP 1.50. Tables are GBP 5 and
anyone interested should contact Tony, G3ZPU on 01507 527 835.
Also on 29 July, the Blind Veterans UK Radio & Computer Rally will
take place at St Dunstan's, Ovingdean, Brighton
BN2 7BS. Doors open at 10.30am and admission is GBP 2. Tables are
GBP 10 and anyone interested should contact Eddie on 01273 300 772.
Now for the news of special events
As a celebration of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, two
flagship amateur radio stations will be active during the Games as
part of the Cultural Olympiad. The Cray Valley Radio Society is to
host England's celebration from the Royal Borough of Greenwich, using
2O12L, that's two Oscar one two Lima. A similar amateur radio
celebration is happening in Barry, South Wales, where the callsign
will be 2O12W, that's two Oscar one two whisky.
Both teams are looking to make as many contacts as possible
throughout the UK, Europe and the world during the Games,
particularly with countries participating in the Games. They will be
operating 24/7 from Wednesday 25 July until Sunday 9 September, and
will be open to the public from Thursday 26 July. The London station
will be open from 10am to 4pm and the Welsh station from 10am to 5pm
daily. Commemorative QSLs will be available for both stations. For
more information about the stations, their locations, operating
frequencies and QSL information, check out www.2o12l.com and
www.2o12w.com.
South Tyneside Amateur radio club is operating from Marine Walk,
Roker, Sunderland for RNLI Harbour Day on Sunday 29 July from 11am to
4pm. Using GB1SLB, operation will be on 10 to 40 metres. Details from
Gerard, M3XYP, whose details are correct on QRZ.com.
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Football tournament in
Manchester is being marked by two special event stations. GB2012MV
will be operated by Warrington Amateur Radio Club from their club
shack at Bell House Lane, Grappenhall, Warrington. South Manchester
Radio and Computing Club will be operating GB2012MS from Trafford MV
Rugby & Cricket Club, Finley Bank, Sale. The stations will be
operating on HF, VHF and UHF. Transmissions start on 25 July, the
start of the football tournament. They will end on 9 September, the
closing ceremony of the Paralympics.
GB2012OSP is planned for operation from Fancy's Family Community Farm
on Portland Heights. The station is being organised by Dave Aitch,
G1OCN and has free public access and a good view of the sailing
events. Details will be on QRZ.com.
South Essex Amateur Radio Society will be operating GB1HF close to
the 5km Olympic mountain biking course at Hadleigh Farm in South
Essex. The station is located opposite the venue at the bottom of
Benfleet Downs and will be operated at various times and days on
several bands and modes from 27 July to 28 August.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
The CY9M DXpedition to St Paul Island, IOTA NA-094, will have six
transceivers, four amplifiers and a wide range of antennas. They will
be on the air from 26 July to 1 August using 160 to 6 metres, SSB, CW
and digital modes. QSL via M0URX, direct or bureau, but preferably
through his online QSL request service.
Bodo, DF8DX will be active as BW/DF8DX from Taiwan, IOTA AS-020, on
22 to 25 July. He will also be on the air as DU8/DF8DX from Mindanao
Island, OC-130, from 26 July to 10 August. QSL via DF8DX, direct or
via the bureau.
HB9EOU and HB9CVC will be active as TO2D from St Barthelemy, IOTA
NA-146, from 22 July to 4 August. They will operate SSB and RTTY on
40 to 6 metres. QSL via HB9EOU.
VE3DZ and VA2WA will be active as FP/VE3DZ and FP/VA2WA from St.
Pierre et Miquelon, NA-032, until 31 July. They will operate CW, SSB
and RTTY with two stations on 160 to 6 metres. An online QSL request
service for bureau and direct cards will be available after the
expedition.
Rick, NE8Z will be active again from Ecuador until 31 July. He will
be on the air on 40 to 10 metres as HC1MD from Cumbaya using CW and
RTTY, HC1MD/HC1 from Mount Cayambe using CW, as HC1MD/HC3 from Loja
again using CW only and as HC1MD/HC5 from Cuenca also using CW only.
QSL via K8LJG.
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday 22nd, sees the Low Power Contest taking place. There
are two power categories, 10W and 3W, and sections for fixed and
portable stations. That makes four categories, and a trophy is
awarded to the winner of each. Running from 0900 to 1600UTC on the
3.5 and 7MHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
power.
The 70MHz Trophy Contest also takes place toady, Sunday 22nd. Running
from 1000 to 1600UTC and using all modes, the exchange is signal
report, serial number, locator and postcode.
On Monday 23 July the SHF UK Activity Contest takes place on 2.3GHz
and up from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday 24 July, from 1900 to 2130UTC, the 50MHz UK Activity
Contest takes place. Using all modes the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 13th to
Thursday the 19th of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday
the 20th of July
The large sunspot group from last week continued to dominate the
solar disc until it rotated out of view during the 18th. It produced
several M class solar flares and then, on the 19th, produced a long
duration M7 solar flare. Solar activity was low on the 13th and the
15th. Solar flux levels declined from 148 units on the 14th to 100 by
the 19th. The average was 130 units. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 19th was 128, that's seven units up on last week. X-ray flux
levels peaked at C1 units on the 16th and the 17th but then declined
to B5.8 by the 19th. The average was B8.2 units. In last week's
report I mentioned the X1 solar flare that took place on the 12th and
the associated coronal mass ejection that was heading our way. This
arrived during the afternoon of the 14th. Initially, the storm was
not too strong but during the early hours of the 15th activity
increased. Bt, the total magnetic strength of the solar wind, was not
that high, but what made the disturbance so strong was that the Bz
remained southward for over 32 hours. The Ap index on the 15th was 86
units and 40 units on the next day. It was not until the 18th that
activity returned to quiet levels. The average was Ap 25 units. Solar
wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from
320 kilometres per second to 720 by the 14th. Speeds then declined
370 kilometres per second by the end of the period. Particle
densities were low at first but increased late on the 14th, peaking
at 35 particles per cubic centimetre on the 15th. Bz varied between
minus and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 19
and plus 7 nanoTeslas during the disturbance. Radio aurora began on
the evening of the 14th and continued through to the early hours of
the 17th. It peaked during the afternoons of the 15th and 16th, when
it reached all parts of the UK. Contacts were reported on 50, 70,
144MHz and there were even one or two reports on 432MHz – but not
in the UK. However, some night-owls were treated to a rare red
visual aurora display as far south as East Anglia. Es continued on
28, 50 and 70, including a strong 70MHz opening to the Canary Islands
on the 18th.
And finally the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the Sun
is expected to be looking our way. However, activity could show signs
of increasing towards next weekend. Solar activity is expected to be
low but the occasional M class solar flare could take place and
increase activity to moderate levels. Solar flux levels could be
slightly below the 100 mark at first but could start to increase
after midweek. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly quiet
but around midweek a weak disturbance could take place due to a small
coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north. Darkness hour
lows should be about 13MHz. Paths this week to India should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around
21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be about 16MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1100 and 1700 hours. Sporadic-E should take place on most days.
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 Thursday before transmission.
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