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G4TNU > NEWS 04.10.13 21:03l 255 Lines 12994 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 06 Oct
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 6th October 2013
The news headlines:
* US government shutdown puts K9W DXpedition on hold
* Pre-consultation on Ofcom licence review
* RSGB Convention next weekend
The long-anticipated K9W Wake Island DXpedition has been put on hold
because of the US government shutdown. On their website, the
organisers say that they will announce new dates for the DXpedition
as soon as possible. The DXpedition was expected to be on air on
October 7 and continue until October 18 and is dedicated to the
civilian contractors who lost their lives on the island in World War
II. Another casualty of the US government shutdown is many aspects of
the FCC's work. Although cover for emergency situations is still in
place, the shutdown has affected services like amateur radio licence
renewals for US amateurs. The exam system is largely unaffected at
the moment. The FCC website says that online systems will not be
available until further notice. For details of the full extent of the
shutdown, see the ARRL website at www.arrl.org/news.
Paul Jarvis of Ofcom addressed the National Hamfest on 27th September
with their thinking for the forthcoming Licence Review. He covered
the reasons why the review was being undertaken and emphasised that
it was not intended to be a radical change, but that the Licence
Review was geared to be more explicit with regard to the wording of
some of the existing clauses, on operational practice and to help
extend the services available to Amateur Radio to encourage
development of modern technologies. He explained that his workload
and staffing meant that he would not be able to enter into general
discussions on the likely topics prior to the consultation which is
expected to begin at the end of the year. He did, though, stress that
Ofcom were working with the RSGB as part of the pre-consultation
preparation, and invited the RSGB to feedback general comments on the
topics that he raised. To begin that process, two Litmus Tests have
now commenced and all amateurs are invited to participate. Register
on the RSGB website www.rsgb.org.uk under Amateur Radio consultations.
The RSGB Convention takes place next weekend, 11 to 13 October, at
Horwood House near Milton Keynes. Although accommodation is now fully
booked for Saturday evening, day tickets for both Saturday and Sunday
are available on the door. The lecture programme starts at 9am on
both Saturday and Sunday. Places are still available at the technical
dinner on Saturday evening, where those attending can look forward to
an interesting after dinner talk from QRP expert George Dobbs, G3RJV.
The latest programme is on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org.uk.
On 1 October Swedish radio amateurs gained access to the 472 to
479kHz band. Their maximum radiated power is 1W EIRP because Sweden
is adjudged to be too close to Russia to permit the 5 watts EIRP
enjoyed by many other countries.
Ofcom has appointed Philip Marnick as its new Group Director in
charge of spectrum. Philip has 27 years' experience in the wireless
communications industry. He joins from UK Broadband, where he served
as Chief Technology Officer. He has also held senior positions at
several telecoms companies including O2, BT and Orange. Philip is
also a member of the Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board. He will lead
Ofcom's Spectrum Policy Group that is responsible for setting and
implementing the strategy for managing spectrum.
Today, 6 October, Bletchley Park is hosting an event looking at
communication throughout the 20th Century and particularly in times
of war, from the post and pigeon carriers to radio, telephones,
television and beyond. There will be exhibits from the Vintage
Military Amateur Radio Society, Milton Keynes Museum and the British
Postal Museum amongst others. The National Radio Centre will be open
and visitors have the opportunity to go on air and pass greetings
messages from GB3RS. More information can be found on the Bletchley
Park website.
G100RSGB, the special event callsign celebrating the RSGB Centenary,
will be operated today, 6 October by Hucknall Rolls-Royce ARC using
the 6 to 160m bands with SSB and data. Monday it's the turn of
Northants Communication Club who will also be using the 6 to 160m
bands with SSB and data. The Centenary callsign then moves to Region
5, the West Midlands and on Tuesday Worcester Radio Amateurs
Association will be operating on the 10 to 40m band as well as 2m
using SSB and CW. On Thursday, Wolverhampton ARS take over and they
will be operating on the 10 to 80m bands as well as 2m using SSB and
FM. Finally, over the weekend of 11 to 13 October, Bromsgrove and
District ARC will be running 10 to 160m as well as 2m using CW, SSB
and data. Details of how to get your QSL card are on the RSGB
website, www.rsgb.org.uk, under the Operating drop down menu,
clicking on Centenary Station.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, 6 October, is a busy day for rallies. The Autumn Militaria and
Electronics and Radio Amateur Hangar Sale takes place at the Hack
Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Doors open
10am and there will be civil, military and vintage radio equipment
plus vehicle spares and more. Contact Lucy Siebert, on 01270 623 353.
Blackwood and District ARS Rally will be held at Coleg Gwent, Risca
Road, Cross Keys NP11 7ZA. Talk in is on S22 and doors open at 10am,
with admission costing GBP 2. There will be trade stands, a car boot
area and a Bring and Buy. More information from Dave, GW4HBK on
01495 228 516.
The 24th Great Northern Hamfest will be held at Barnsley Premier
Leisure Complex, Queens Road, Barnsley S71 1AN. Doors open at 10.30am
and admission is GBP 3.50. There will be trade stands, special
interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Details from Ernie, G4LUE on
07984 191 873.
Mid Sussex ARS will be holding a junk sale on Friday 11 October in
the Millfield Suite, Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill RH15 8DX.
Doors open 6.30pm and the sale commences at 7pm.
The RSGB Convention takes place between 11 and 13 October at Horwood
House in Buckinghamshire. The full convention programme of lectures
for all interests is on the website. Principal sponsor, Martin Lynch
and Sons, and several other UK manufacturers will be in attendance.
Day tickets are available on the door.
The Hornsea Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on 13 October in the
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Yorks HU18 1NQ. Doors
open at 10.30am and there will be trade stands, a Bring and Buy as
well as special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Details from
Rick, M0CZR on 01964 533 712.
Now for the news of special events
Today, Sunday 6 October, Banbury Amateur Radio Society will operate
with special event callsign GB0BRA on HF and VHF at the annual
Banbury Canal Day.
During October, GB1LCT will be on air from Leyland in Lancashire. The
station is a tribute to the men and women of Leyland who built and
operated the Centurion tanks. The operators Mark, G1PIE, Phil, M6SRZ
and Pam, 2E1HQY will be transmitting from the side of the Centurion
tank. More information about the station is on QRZ.com.
During October, Chorley and District ARS will be running GB1BNB as
part of the Royal Observers Corps bunkers month. The station will be
at the site of Brinscall Nuclear Bunker, near Chorley. QSL via the
bureau or Graham, G7DKY QTHR. More details on QRZ.com.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
J7RJ will be on Reunion Island, AF-016, signing stroke FR and with a
focus on the lower bands until 2 November. Listen out for him on the
10 to 160m bands using SSB and CW. QSL via DJ7RJ either direct or via
the bureau.
DL4VM will be operating stroke OZ when he returns back North Jutland.
He will be there until 19 October. QSL via DL4VM either direct or via
the bureau.
DK8LRF is reportedly operational from Columbia as HK3JCL until 23
November. His activity will mostly be on 20 and 40 meters using SSB.
QSL to his home callsign via the bureau.
TN2MS will be on the air from Congo Brazzavile, Africa from 12
October. They are part of a support project for the health
organisation Mercy Ships. They will be on the air for two weeks using
RTTY, SSB and CW.
An expedition to Sable Island, NA-063, will be on the air until 11
October as CY0P. QSL manager is VE1RGB.
A Spanish group will operate as H7H from the YN2N shack in Nicaragua
until 16 October. They will be on all bands from 6 to 160m. QSLs go
via EB7DX.
Now the contest news
The 21/28MHz contest ends at 1900UTC today, 6 October. Using CW or
SSB the exchange is signal report, serial number and District.
The UK Microwave Group's Low Band contest is on today from 0800 to
1400UTC. Using all modes on the 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz bands the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
Wednesday the 9th sees the 80m Club Sprint take place from 1900 to
2000UTC. Using CW only the exchange is serial number and name.
On Saturday 12 October the EU Sprint CW Contest takes place between
1600 and 2000UTC. Using CW only on the 3.5 to 14MHz bands the
exchange is both callsigns, serial number and name.
Next weekend, the Oceania DX CW contest runs from 0800UTC on the 12th
to 0800UTC on the 13th. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz bands the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
Now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 27th of
September to Thursday the 3rd of October, compiled by Neil Clarke,
G0CAS on Friday the 4th of October.
All visible sunspot groups were either small or the larger groups
were magnetically simple and as a result solar activity was very low.
In total six small C class solar flares took place which increased
activity to low on the 29th, 2nd and the 3rd. On the 29th one of
these flares took place during a filament eruption and a large
coronal mass ejection took place that headed our way. Solar flux
levels increased from 103 units on the 29th to 114 by the 3rd
averaged 107 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 3rd was 110
units, that's one unit down on last week. X-ray flux levels averaged
B2.7 units and varied little day to day. Geomagnetic activity was
very quiet until just after midnight on the 2nd when the coronal mass
ejection that departed the Sun early on the 30th arrived and for the
rest of the day a geomagnetic storm took place. Between 0300 and 0600
hours a Kp index of 7 took place during the most intense part of the
disturbance. The Ap index for the 2nd was 43 units. The average was
Ap 9 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds decrease to a very slow 235 kilometres per second by the 30th.
An increase in wind speeds from 380 to 640 kilometres per second took
place in less than 30 minutes at the start of the disturbance.
Densities were low except for an increase to 64 particles per cubic
centimetre early on the 2nd. Bz varied between minus 1 and plus 2
nanoTeslas on the quiet days and between minus 29 and plus 24
nanoTeslas during the first half of the 2nd. The disturbance was not
sufficiently severe for any but UK operators in northern Scotland to
make auroral contacts. The HF bands are showing seasonal improvement
with trans-Atlantic working up to 28MHz most days. However, on the
morning of the 2nd MUFs were reduced by some 4MHz by the disturbance.
Finally, the solar forecast for the coming week. Yet again the coming
week the prospects for solar activity increasing are very small.
Solar activity is expected to be very low most days but could
increase to low on the occasional day. Solar flux levels should be
around the 100 mark for most of the week but could increase slightly
towards next weekend. No coronal holes are expected and other than a
coronal mass ejection then geomagnetic activity is expected to be
quiet every day. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should
be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz for the north. Darkness hour
lows are expected to be about 10MHz. Paths this week to South America
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success
rate of around 32MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per
cent success rate will be about 26MHz. The best time to try this path
will be between 1300 and 1800 hours UTC.
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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