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G4FVG > NEWS 28.04.14 08:17l 226 Lines 10463 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
BID : E00345G4FVG
Read: GUEST
Subj: RSGB MAIN news 27 April
Path: IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<GB7CIP<GB7COW
Sent: 140428/0548Z @:GB7COW.#44.GBR.EU #:52455 [249065] FBB7.01.35 alpha
From: G4FVG@GB7COW.#44.GBR.EU
To : NEWS@EU
Hello all,
Due to continuing problems at GB7IPF/GB7CIP gateway, Andy/G4TNU has asked me
to
kindly forward his news bulletins from my BBS.
So here is the....
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 27th April 2014
The news headlines:
* KickSat deployed – stand by for Sprites
* TX-Factor to podcast GB2RS
* 3100 miles on 472kHz for ZL1BPU
The Kickstarter-funded KickSat satellite is safely in orbit after its
deployment on 17 April. Operating at an altitude of around 335km, an
internal timer is currently counting down to release the dozens of
Sprite micro-satellites that form its payload. This is due to occur
around 2000 GMT on Sunday 4 May. KickSat transmits 1W of telemetry on
437.505MHz, whilst the large-postage-stamp-size Sprites will send
10mW on 437.240MHz and use digital codes to identify themselves.
The popular new video streaming show TX-Factor is to begin podcasting
GB2RS News on a weekly basis, starting with this edition. TX News is
a new service that allows users to stream the news file or have it
emailed automatically every week. Full information can be found at
www.txfactor.co.uk
472kHz signals from Murray Greenman, ZL1BPU have been heard at a
range of over 3100 miles. Dereck Zeck, VK6DZ logged the transmissions
in Elleker, western Australia. Activity on 630m is quite common
between New Zealand and Australia, although generally over shorter
paths.
A new 9-day International Air-ambulance Weekend event, IAW, has been
announced by the new Amateur Radio Events Organisation. The inaugural
event will commence on 27 September 2014 and is in support of the
many air ambulance services around the world, particularly in the UK,
that are funded by donations. More details on the event, it aims, and
a form for free registration can be found at
www.radio-amateur-events.org
At 0032 GMT on 25 April an X1.3-class solar flare occurred, causing
an HF blackout on the Sun-facing side of the Earth. Reports say that
a coronal mass ejection was also produced but is not heading towards
Earth, so there is no chance of a corresponding geomagnetic storm.
Bletchley Park has been undergoing major restoration work funded by
the National Lottery, and the upgraded facilities will be open from
12 May. Admission to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park
has always been free to all but from 12 May RSGB Members will be able
to download a voucher from the RSGB website that permits free entry
to all the Bletchley Park Trust facilities.
A Multi-DF direction-finding competition is being held at Blake's
Wood in Danbury this afternoon, Sunday 27 April. Whether you are an
absolute beginner or an expert, this is the event for you. There will
be ten transmitters to find, ranging from easy to seriously hard.
Equipment and tuition are available. The event starts at 1pm and the
last transmission is at 4pm. After the event participants will be
heading to The Bell public house, 128 Main Road, Danbury CM3 4DT.
The ARRL Centennial station W1AW has been very busy since it first
hit the airwaves, often running solid pileups. At present W1AW/1 is
on the air from New Hampshire and W1AW/2 from New Jersey. Starting at
0000 on April 30, operation will shift to W1AW/1 in Connecticut and
W1AW/7 in Nevada. These will be active until 2359z on May 6. More
information on the ARRL Centennial QSO Party is online at www.arrl.org
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The Andover Radio Amateurs Club Spring Boot Sale is today, 27 April,
in the Wildhern Village Hall, Andover. There will be trade stands as
well as a car boot area. Doors open at 10am. Details, by e-mail, from
Aracsec<at>hotmail.co.uk
The 30th Yeovil QRP Convention takes place today at Digby Hall, Hound
Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA, adjoining the central shopping car
park. Doors are open from 9.30am to 3pm with lectures, trade stands
and a Bring & Buy. Full details from Steve, G7AHP on 01803 666 407.
Next Sunday sees the Dambusters Hamfest at Thorpe Camp Visitor
Centre, Coningsby LN4 4PE. Talk-in is on S22 and via GB3FR and
parking is free. Opening time is 10am, admission is GBP 3 and pitches
are free but limited in size if not pre-booked. There's an RAF
heritage centre on site and overnight camping is possible by
appointment. Details from tcrm<at>hotmail.co.uk or online at
www.thorpecamp.org
On Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, the Dartmoor Radio Rally takes place
at Tavistock College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock PL19 8DD. There's
free car parking, opening time is 10.15/10.30 and admission is GBP 2.
You'll find trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups,
catering and more. Contact Roger Hann, 2E0RPH, on 01822 860 619.
If you have any rally or event information you'd like to appear in
future editions of GB2RS News, in RadCom and on the RSGB website,
please e-mail details to GB2RS<at>rsgb.org.uk.
Now for the news of special events
GB2SOH will be on the air from the Isle of Scalpay, EU-010, in the
Outer Hebrides, from today until 9 May. Operated by Elaine, 2E1BVS,
Val, G6MML, John, G3WFK & Glenn, G6HFF, activity will be on various
HF bands, using SSB and PSK31, subject to band conditions. Some
own-callsign portable SOTA and WAB working will also take place.
GB35BYL will be on the air on 29 April from Chapmanslade Village Hall
to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the British Young Ladies Amateur
Radio Association. Operation will be around 7.175MHz, from 9am.
Visitors and members are most welcome to visit the station or call in
to the QSO party on the air.
3 May sees the start of SX5LA operating from Dodcanese, EU-001. Nine
operators will be on the air from 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB and
RTTY. QSL via SV2FWV.
DL4HTK and DO5AD will be on the air from Liechtenstein as HB0DRK and
HB0YRK, respectively, between 4 to 18 May. Operation will be on
80-10m using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY. QSL both callsigns via DL5DRK.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Camb-Hams will be operating GS3PYE/P from the Isle of Lewis, IOTA
EU-010, until 3 May. Thirteen operators will be active on all bands
and many modes from 80 to 4m plus 2m and 70cm for satellites and 2m
and 23cm for EME.
Take, JI3DST will be active as JI3DST/6 from Kuchino island, AS-049,
from 29 April until 5 May. Operation will be on 40-2m, CW, SSB and
digimodes. QSL direct or via JARL bureau.
Rocco, DG5AA, Rich, DK8YY and Dieter, DL1AWD are operating as 3D2RH
until May 4. Activity is on 80 to 10m using CW, SSB and various
digital modes. QSL via DH7WW.
A group is activating B7CRA from rare Yongxing Island, China, AS-143,
until May 10. Operations are on the HF bands and will vary at times.
QSL via BA4EG.
In Indonesia a group of operators are on the air as YB8RW/p from
Tahulanddang Island, OC-210, until April 28. QSL via YB9BU.
Dickson, EL2DT has been QRV on 20m using CW around 1930 to 2115z. QSL
via operator's instructions.
Now the contest news
The SP DX RTTY contest runs from 1200UTC on 26 April to 1200UTC on
the 27th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz bands the exchange is signal report
and serial number with SP stations sending their Province code too.
The BARTG 75 Baud Sprint runs for four hours on Sunday 27th from 1700
to 2100UTC. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is serial
number only.
The RSGB 432MHz – 248GHz Trophy contest runs from 1400 on Saturday
3rd until the same time on Sunday 4th. All modes are allowed; RST,
serial number and locator form the exchange.
The RSGB 432MHz Trophy and RSGB 10GHz Trophy are both on Saturday 3rd
from 1400-2200. Operating on all modes on 70cm and 3cm respectively,
the exchange is RST, serial number and locator.
Now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 18th to
Thursday the 24th of April, compiled by Neil Clarke on Friday the
25th of April.
Several large and magnetically complex sunspot regions were visible
during the period but only one M class solar flare took place and
that was a M7 on the 18th, however, numerous C class solar flares
took place every day. Only one new sunspot region appeared during the
week. Solar flux levels declined from 172 units on the 18th to 130 by
the 24th. The average was 153 units. The 90 day solar flux average on
the 24th was 156, that's one unit up on last week. X-ray flux levels
varied little day to day and averaged B7.6 units. Geomagnetic
activity started at quiet levels but during the 19th a coronal mass
ejection arrived that departed the Sun several days earlier. The Ap
index for the 20th and the 21st was 21 and 22 units respectively.
Quiet conditions returned from the 22nd. The average was 12 units.
Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds
increase from 360 kilometres per second on the 18th to 760 by the
20th. Speeds then gradually declined to 380 kilometres per second by
the 24th. Particle densities were moderate at around 18 particles per
cubic centimetre for the first four days but then declined to below
10 particles per cubic centimetre for the rest of the period. Bz
varied between minus 8 and plus 21 nanoTeslas on the most disturbed
day and between minus 2 and plus 5 nanoTeslas on the quietest day.
Finally, the solar forecast for the coming week. This week the quiet
side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar flux levels
are expected to decline to around the 110 mark but towards next
weekend levels should start to increase. Geomagnetic activity is
expected to be mostly quiet with no coronal hole disturbances and
coronal mass ejections expected. MUFs during daylight hours at equal
latitudes should be around 26MHz. Darkness hour lows are expected to
be about 14MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a
maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around
24MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate
will be about 18MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
1000 and 1500 hours. Anytime now the start of the summer sporadic E
season is expected to commence.
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.
73 de Mike G4FVG
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