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G4TNU > NEWS 26.05.24 02:34l 283 Lines 13659 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 26 May 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 26th of May 2024
The news headlines:
* The RSGB's Exams and Syllabus Review Group is seeking
volunteers
* RSGB representatives had a successful time at Dayton
Hamvention
* The RSGB Discovery scheme has just been relaunched in a new
format
The Exams and Syllabus Review Group – or ESRG as it is often known
– is looking for new members to move the group forward. Its current
task is to approve a new Direct to Full syllabus and to write and
approve new questions for the new exams in September due to licence
changes. The group meets online every Tuesday between 3pm and 4.30pm,
with members of the Exam Standards Committee, but meeting times can
be changed to accommodate everyone. ESRG volunteers need to be a Full
licence holder, a member of the RSGB and be able to give a few hours
a week. This is your chance to shape the future as we move to
Syllabus 2.0 in 2025. To volunteer or find out more, contact the ESRG
Chair Andrew Lenton via esrg.chair<at>rsgb.org.uk
Members of the RSGB Team, including RSGB General Manager, Steve
Thomas M1ACB and the RSGB President, John McCullagh GI4BWM had a
successful time at the Dayton Hamvention last weekend. The event was
a brilliant opportunity to engage with radio amateurs from around the
world and resulted in 132 people joining or rejoining the RSGB. There
were also a number of podcasters, YouTubers and local news outlets in
attendance. This included WHIO, which is a local US news channel, who
interviewed RSGB President, John McCullagh GI4BWM. This was shared on
local TV news, radio, as well as online. Josh from Ham Radio Crash
Course also did a live stream to his 346,000 YouTube subscribers,
which included a chat with RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas M1ACB
and the RSGB President. You can find links to view these clips on the
RSGB notices section of the RSGB website.
The RSGB Discovery scheme has just been relaunched in a new format.
Now called the Discovery Logbook, there are fewer requirements, an
easy-to-follow programme and exciting links with external
organisations such as Parks on the Air and Worked All Britain. There
are also some great RSGB Awards to work towards if you'd like to
include those in your own programme of activities. The RSGB hopes
that these links will enable radio amateurs to discover new ways of
enjoying their hobby with the guidance and support of experts in
those fields. There are three difficulty levels and the first of
these, called Explorer, has just been launched. To see the programme
activities, find out how to get involved or talk to the Society about
linking your organisation with the Discovery Logbook, go to the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/discovery
British Science Week is an annual event run by the British Science
Association celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths.
The event, which is taking place between the 7th and 16th of March
2025, will have the theme ‘change and adapt', which lends itself
perfectly to amateur radio in the 21st century. As part of its
commitment to encourage new radio amateurs into the hobby, the RSGB
will again be providing resources and activities to inspire people of
all ages to get involved. The RSGB is now collecting ideas for
activities for primary and secondary schools, or for use with the
wider community. The 2025 theme offers a huge range of opportunities
for creativity and discovery. Ideas could cover any area of the
hobby, from construction to propagation, from making QSOs under
supervision, to space and satellites. Whatever the idea, the Society
would love to hear from you. Please send ideas to the RSGB British
Science Week Coordinator Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw<at>rsgb.org.uk. To
find out more about previous activities you can visit rsgb.org/bsw
and britishscienceweek.org
The popular Electromagnetic Field event, also known as ‘EMF Camp',
is taking place between the 30th of May and the 2nd of June. The
event is a non-profit camping festival for those with an inquisitive
mind. Over 3,000 like-minded people, including scientists, engineers
and radio amateurs, are expected to attend the event in Eastnor,
Herefordshire. For more information visit emfcamp.org
Guisborough and District Amateur Radio Club is organising a mini
DXpedition to Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis from the 22nd to the
29th of September. The team has a couple of spaces left and is
welcoming amateurs from other clubs who would like to join in. For
more information email m.dutton<at>virginmedia.com
And now for details of rallies and events
Durham and District Amateur Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the
26th of May at Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn, County Durham,
DH6 5AT. The doors are open from 10.30am to 2.30pm with disabled
visitors gaining access at 10am. The entrance fee will be GBP 2.
There will be a bring-and-buy sale, trade stands, special interest
groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering and a licensed bar will be
available on site. For more information contact Michael, G7TWX, on
07826 924 192, or email dadars<at>gmx.com
Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society's Annual Rally will take
place on Sunday the 2nd of June. This year sees the event taking
place at a new venue: Spalding Rugby and Football Club, Centenary
Park, Drain Bank North, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 6AF. The event will
feature a free on-site car park, inside and outside traders, an RSGB
bookstall and an outside boot area. General admission is GBP 3 per
person. For more information visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is coming up on Sunday the 9th of June at
Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The
doors will be open from 10.15am and admission will be GBP 4. For more
information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally<at>snadarc.com
The Worked All Britain Awards Group will be holding its 2024 AGM from
12pm at the Junction 28 Rally. Those unable to attend in person but
wishing to join online via Zoom should email the Group's secretary at
m1aib<at>worked-all-britain.org.uk
Now the Special Event News
Hull and District Amateur Radio Society is running special event
station GBH0UL from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June. The station
is active to mark 100 years of amateur radio in Hull and to celebrate
the 95th birthday of Honorary Club member Bernard Atkinson, G0SWO.
Listen out for operators on the HF and VHF bands using SSB, FT4 and
FT8.
Special event stations CS2GPDX, CR2GPDX and CR3GPDX are active until
the 31st of May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Portuguese
DX Group. The stations will be operating on all HF bands using SSB,
CW, FT8, FT4 and RTTY. QSL via Logbook of the World only. For details
of certificates and trophies that are available, see QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Martin, MW0BRO is active as ZC4GW from Dhekelia [DUH-KAY-LEE-UH] in
Cyprus until tomorrow, the 27th of May. He is operating CW only on
the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via MW0BRO. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log
and Logbook of the World.
Rolf, DO4RKR is active as 8Q7KR from the Maldives, AS-013, until the
31st of May. He is working with 30W and operating SSB on the 10m band
only. QSL via Rolf's home call, directly or via the Bureau.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
25th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 26th of May. Using CW on
the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
Today, the 26th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from
0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 28th of May, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from
1830 to 2130UTC. Using 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 30th of May, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900
to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
National Field Day starts at 1500UTC on Saturday the 1st of June and
ends at 1500UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m
bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest starts at 1300UTC on Saturday
the 1st of June and ends at 1300UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using
all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial
number, locator and membership number.
The ARRL International Digital Contest runs from 1800UTC on Saturday
the 1st of June until 2359UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using any
digital mode, excluding RTTY, on the 160 to 6m bands, the exchange is
your four-character locator.
On Sunday the 2nd of June, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest
runs from 0900 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz
frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Wednesday the 22nd of May 2024
After the extremely unsettled HF conditions on the 10th and 11th of
May, it was gratifying to see things returning to normal last week.
The Kp index has returned to being in the range of 1 to 4 and, with a
solar flux index still in the 190s, we have seen some good
propagation around the world.
But make no mistake – it probably won't last!
Active region 3664, which was the source of so much mayhem a couple
of weeks ago, will soon be returning from its trip around the Sun. It
has probably been the source of a major flare while on the Sun's far
side and there is a good chance we may get a repeat performance of
last month.
Meanwhile, make hay while the Sun shines!
NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase above 200 next
week, but unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for tomorrow,
the 27th of May, and also for the end of the month and early June.
Daytime critical frequencies have been up to between 8 and 9.3MHz,
making 40m a good band for inter-G QSOs. These have also meant that
the maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km path has often exceeded
24 to 27MHz, making 12m a viable band for DX. Note that this is a
little patchy, so if you don't hear anything on 24MHz just wait a
while or check later.
Nighttime critical frequencies are usually around 6 to 7MHz, meaning
20m is generally open all night with occasional openings on 17m as
well.
We are also now well into the Sporadic-E season so there should be
lots of short-skip into Europe on the 12 and 10m bands to play with.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The end of the current week, in the lead-up to the bank holiday
weekend, shows a low and its thundery rain moving north and leaving
behind a slack area of pressure with a weak trend towards building a
ridge over the country.
The bulk of next week is showing up with a slack westerly pattern and
weak fronts brushing past. From midweek, and towards next weekend,
the frontal systems will be more active with longer periods of
heavier rain possible.
The end result for most VHF and up operators is that there may be
some occasional Tropo events, especially overnight during the slacker
period with the weak ridge over the country by the start of the
weekend.
A more likely option will again be rain scatter which will produce
better scattering from the larger raindrops now the summer season is
upon us, and thundery developments are more common. Check the many
online weather radars for your tracking beam headings.
Meteor scatter will also be worth considering since we are
approaching the period when many lesser showers appear to pep up the
background meteor count. This will obviously be useful for meteor
scatter operators, but also serve the Sporadic-E folk well.
The solar activity continues to deliver random events which take the
Kp index to high values. Remember that a Kp index greater than 5
indicates the chance of aurora propagation.
The primary mode at this time of the year is Sporadic-E. The late May
and early June period is often regarded as a peak time for monitoring
your favourite VHF beacons. As many will know, the 10m band is a
useful starting point for identifying the beginning of an opening,
and then check the higher bands in turn as the event strengthens.
This is often indicated by the skip distance shortening on the 10m
band.
The other basic operating tip is to use the daily blog on the
Propquest.co.uk website for commentary on the effectiveness of the
various upper air patterns such as jet streams, which can influence
the location where Sporadic-E propagation occurs.
There are no major meteor showers this week so, in between the
Sporadic-E, look around dawn for the best random meteor prospects.
Saturday the 22nd sees the lowest Moon declination of the month, so
next week will see lengthening Moon windows. EME path loss is
falling, but we are still over a week from perigee, its closest point
to Earth. 144MHz sky noise starts the week high, as it reached over
2500 Kelvin on Saturday the 25th. It is 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 radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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