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G4TNU > NEWS 09.06.24 05:45l 319 Lines 15959 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 09 Jun 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 9th of June 2024
The news headlines:
* TX Factor is marking its ten-year anniversary by launching
its 30th episode
* Changes to the four-year planning rule in England
* Bath Based Distance Learning's next Full licence course is
starting soon
TX Factor is marking its ten-year anniversary by launching its 30th
episode. It looks at how radio technology has advanced since Marconi
conducted some of his early transmissions. The episode includes the
first of a two-part feature on operating via the QO-100 geostationary
satellite with a look at the hardware and software needed to achieve
your first QSO at home or out mobile. Bob, G0FGX reviews the
FTM-500D which is the latest mobile transceiver from Yaesu and
demonstrates the many advanced features of this versatile FM and
digital rig. There is a visit to Sidmouth Amateur Radio Society which
secured a derelict former sports social club from the local council
and turned it into a community hub and the club's new QTH. Watch this
interesting episode and don't miss out on the TX Factor free-to-enter
draw with a chance to win three RSGB publications. You can see this
and previous episodes on txfactor.co.uk
The four-year planning rule has offered a degree of protection for
antennas and masts that have been erected without planning
permission. Under this rule any installations which had been
installed and unchanged for four years or more were protected against
planning enforcement action. However, as of the 25th of April 2024,
this rule ceased to exist in its current form in England under
changes introduced under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The rule has been replaced by a more stringent ten-year period for
the exemption from enforcement for residential dwellings. This change
does not affect Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where the
four-year rule will continue to apply. Any installation that was
substantially completed prior to the introduction of the Act will
still be subject to the four-year rule meaning, for most radio
amateurs, the ten-year rule will not apply until the 24th of April
2028. For more information on planning matters visit rsgb.org/planning
Bath Based Distance Learning's next Full licence course runs from
August to December, with exams in January. There is no charge for the
training, but applicants must work through some pre-course material
and complete a quiz to be eligible for a place. To request full
details, and an application form, please email Bath Based Distance
Learning's Team Leader, Steve, G0FUW via g0fuw<at>bbdl.org.uk
A reminder that the RSGB is asking radio amateurs to share their
ideas on the theme of ‘change and adapt', as part of plans for
British Science Week 2025. The event is run by the British Science
Association and celebrates science, technology, engineering and
maths. The 2025 theme offers a huge range of opportunities for
creativity and discovery. Ideas could cover any area from
construction to propagation, from making QSOs under supervision, to
space and satellites. This is a chance to show young people in
schools, or anyone in your local community, just how interesting and
enjoyable amateur radio can be. 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 year's activities, or next year's theme,
you can visit rsgb.org/bsw
Don't forget that you have the opportunity to get even more out of
your RSGB membership. If you recommend a friend who hasn't been an
RSGB member during the last 12 months, you will both receive GBP 10
cashback when they become a member paying by direct debit. Whether
you're an individual RSGB member, or an affiliated club, you can sign
up as many friends as you like. Membership of the RSGB gives you a
range of fantastic benefits so why not encourage others to join!
Members have access to RadCom, exclusive online resources, RSGB award
schemes and contests, as well as advice from the Society's specialist
committees. The RSGB's representation to Ofcom and its ability to
defend the spectrum nationally and internationally is more powerful
through strength in numbers. Go to the special RSGB 'Join a friend'
web page to find all the information you'll need to take advantage of
this offer, including a link to the online form:
rsgb.org/join-a-friend
A new exhibition entitled 'What happened next' will open to the
public on Friday the 14th of June in the Pye Building at the
Cambridge Museum of Technology. It will explore the period after the
Pye Group was acquired by Philips in 1967 and track the progress of
these organisations up to the present day. More information on the
Cambridge Museum of Technology is available at museumoftechnology.com
The 2024 Gateways on the Air event will take place between the 15th
and 23rd of June. The aim of the event is to promote and increase RF
activity via UK simplex gateways. The event is hosted by the FreeSTAR
International network and will feature special event stations GB0GOA
and GB4GOA. Confirmed simplex gateways are listed at gota.org.uk
CDXC: The UK DX Foundation is holding its annual DX Convention and
dinner on the 20th of July. This year there will be a new venue: The
Littlebury Hotel, Bicester, OX26 6DR. The CDXC AGM will be held at
11am and there will be a series of talks in the afternoon. Mark,
M0DXR will be speaking about WRTC 2026. Mike, G4WNC is covering all
things SDR. Nigel, G3TXF will be discussing the impact of FT8 on
DXpeditions. And Gregg, W6IZT will be describing the build and
operation of his 'Rig in a Box' for DXpeditions. Non-members of CDXC
are most welcome to come for the day and the evening dinner. Full
details and booking information can be found by following the link on
the CDXC homepage at cdxc.org.uk
Do you live in the southeast of England and could you spare an hour
on Sundays to help inform radio amateurs in your area? The GB2RS news
service is looking for new volunteer newsreaders in Essex, London,
and the counties to the south and southeast, ideally to broadcast on
the 2m or 70cm bands using FM. RSGB members with Full or Intermediate
licences, who have a good VHF or UHF station, are needed to help
improve our coverage. There is flexibility in deciding a band, mode
and time that would suit individual circumstances. If you are
interested in finding out more about what the role entails, please
contact the GB2RS News Manager, Steve Richards G4HPE, via
gb2rs.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk There is also more information on the
RSGB website, at rsgb.org/gb2rsschedule
And finally, don't forget to listen out for all the amateur stations
that will be on the air during the Museums on the Air activity next
weekend, the 15th and 16th. For more information about the event
visit tinyurl.com/IMW2024
And now for details of rallies and events
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is taking place today, the 9th, at
Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The
doors are open from 10.15am and admission is GBP 4. For more
information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally<at>snadarc.com
The Mendips Rally is also taking place today, the 9th. The event is
being held at Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church Lane,
Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UA. The doors are open from 9am to 1pm and
admission is GBP 2. Access for traders will be available from 7.30am.
Inside tables cost GBP 8 and field pitches are GBP 5 each. Hot and
cold refreshments, and free car parking, are available on site. For
more information contact Luke on 07870 168 197 or email
mendipsrally<at>hotmail.com
The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Summer Rally is set to take
place on Saturday the 15th of June at St Vincent de Paul's Hall,
Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. The doors open at 10am and entry will
cost GBP 3. The usual traders and caterers will be present and
plenty of free parking will be available. All proceeds from this
event will be donated to a local charity. Last year the organisers
were able to donate GBP 4,000 from rally sales and Silent Key
donations to the Rochdale Springhill Hospice. For more information,
email Dave, G3RIK at dave<at>cardens.me.uk
The East Suffolk Wireless Revival, also known as the Ipswich Radio
Rally, will be held on Sunday the 16th of June. The venue will be
Kirton Recreation Ground, Back Road, Kirton, IP10 0PW, just off the
A14. Doors open at 9.30am and the entry fee for visitors is GBP 3.
The venue has free car parking and catering is available on site. For
more information, contact Kevin, G8MXV on 07710 046 846 or visit
eswr.org.uk
Now the Special Event News
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Radio Belgrade, members of the
Belgrade Amateur Radio Club are active as YT100RB and YU1924RB until
the 30th of November. For details of a certificate that is available,
see yu1ano.org
9A100RKZ is the special callsign celebrating the 100th anniversary
since Radioklub Zagreb was founded on the 24th of March 1924. The
callsign will be active throughout 2024 and details of an award for
contacting the station are available via QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Dave, WJ2O is active as VP6DF from Pitcairn Island, OC-044, until
tomorrow, the 10th of June. He is running low power and operating CW
on the 40 to 10m bands. He may also operate on the 160 and 80m bands,
depending on working conditions. QSL via N2ZN and Logbook of the
World.
John, W5JON is active as V47JA from Saint Kitts, NA-104, until the
13th of June. He is operating SSB and FT8 on the HF and 6m bands. QSL
via Logbook of the World, or directly to W5JON.
Now the contest news
The IARU ATV Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends
at 1800UTC today, Sunday the 9th of June. Using TV on 432MHz and up
frequencies, the exchange is serial number, four-digit code and
locator. More details on rules for this contest are available at
tinyurl.com/IARUATV
Today, the 9th, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP Contest runs from 0900
to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB, CW and a maximum of 5W on the 2m band,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, the 9th, the 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from
0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Monday the 10th, the 80m Club Championship will run from 1900 to
2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 11th, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800
to1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 11th, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 12th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 12th, the
432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 13th, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
The 50MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 15th and
ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 16th of June. Using all modes on the 6m
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 15th and
ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 16th of June. Using CW on the 160 to
10m bands, the exchange is your signal report and age.
On Sunday the 16th, the Worked All Britain 6m Phone Contest runs from
0800 to 1400UTC. Using phone on the 6m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. More information
is available from the Worked All Britain website.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 6th of June 2024
It seems that we haven't had a repeat performance of the auroral
conditions caused by active sunspot region 3697. For aurora watchers,
that could be a disappointment, but for HF lovers it means the bands
have been quite settled.
The Kp index has been at 3 and below, while the solar flux index has
been consistently above 175 all week. As a result, HF conditions have
been quite good with maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path
being regularly over 21MHz and often 24MHz.
It is always a good idea to operate on the highest HF band that is
open as absorption decreases the higher you go.
Meanwhile, Sporadic-E propagation brought interest to the 10m band
with stations from all over Europe being workable for long periods,
but more of that in the VHF report.
On the 5th of June, a filament located in the northeast quadrant
erupted. The event flung a coronal mass ejection into space that
doesn't appear to be Earth-directed. But this shows that we are still
in the danger zone for major solar events, and anything could happen.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around
175, but we expect some geomagnetic disruption today, the 9th of
June, with a predicted Kp index of 4. Otherwise, solar conditions are
predicted to be calm next week.
So, if these conditions continue, this is a good time to make the
most of the HF bands.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather pattern for the coming week is dominated by low pressure,
which means there is unlikely to be any significant Tropo to speak
of.
There will probably be several opportunities for those on the GHz
bands to search for rain scatter. However, these events look to be
moving showers or rain bands, which means that you'll need to be
pretty agile with the rotator to keep on the scattering target.
With the solar conditions continuing to keep the pot simmering it's
not impossible that the Kp index could rise high enough to promote an
aurora, but it's a low probability.
The early part of June is well regarded for minor meteor events and
should be worth a look for those using meteor scatter modes.
There were several Sporadic-E openings early in the week that
finishes today, the 9th. Sporadic-E was reported up to the 2m band on
a few occasions. Last Sunday, the 2nd, it lasted up to three hours on
the path from Eastern England down to the Italian peninsula.
Events initially get picked up on the 10m band and then move up
through the VHF bands of 6m, 4m and finally 2m as the Sporadic-E
propagation strengthens. In this peak of the Sporadic-E season, the
openings on the lower bands, such as 10 and 6m, can be present for
much of the day and certainly quite late into the evening.
Follow the weather patterns on the daily Sporadic-E blog on
propquest.co.uk and you should be able to point in the right
direction for an opening. Multi-hop paths to the Far East or Americas
do require a good antenna like a beam, but single-hop European
Sporadic-E propagation can be very strong, and any antenna will do
the job.
Moon declination is at its maximum this weekend for the DUBUS 10 and
24GHz EME contest, but EME path loss is rising. 144MHz sky noise is
low all 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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