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G4TNU > NEWS 14.07.24 02:45l 269 Lines 12856 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 14 Jul 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 14th of July 2024
The news headlines:
* The RSGB is looking for a Company Secretary
* The RSGB Planning Advisory Committee needs volunteers
* An RSGB video summarises the Ofcom licence changes
The RSGB is looking to recruit an RSGB Member to be the Society's
Company Secretary. This volunteer position plays a key role in the
Society's governance and provides vital support in running Board
meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Stephen Purser, GW4SHF took
on the role temporarily after the previous Company Secretary stepped
down. The Board is grateful to Stephen for stepping in at short
notice last year and is keen to find a good candidate to take the
role forward. If you feel you have the necessary skills to fulfil
this important role, would like more information or to discuss what
is required, please email gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk in the first
instance. The Board Chair will then contact you for a chat. If you
email to apply for the position, please include a current CV. In line
with all volunteer roles, the Board welcomes applications from people
with diverse backgrounds. For full information on the role, please go
to rsgb.org/volunteers.
The RSGB Planning Advisory Committee still needs additional
volunteers to join its advisory panel. Volunteers deal with queries
from members about problems they face in getting planning permission
for masts and antennas. These enquiries can be for support in making
an application to the local council, or in submitting an appeal. If
you have a relevant professional background, not necessarily as a
planner, or have some knowledge of how the planning system works,
please get in touch. Find out more about the committee
at rsgb.org/pac and then email the Board Liaison for planning Len
Paget, GM0ONX at gm0onx<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrange a chat.
The RSGB has released a video summary of the Ofcom licence changes
that came into effect in February this year. This is an extended
version of the video shown at the Society's AGM. It covers the range
of updates from power increases and callsigns, to additional options
for Foundation licensees and new opportunities for sharing amateur
radio with people who do not have a licence. It also looks at the
next phases of Ofcom's licence changes. If you don't feel you're
making the most of the new licence conditions, or you're unsure about
some of the changes, why not watch this short video and see what you
could do! You can find it on the RSGB YouTube channel and on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/licence-review
Callum, M0MCX reports that DX Commander is having an open day on
Saturday the 17th of August. The event will include operating two
amateur radio stations. One will be an HF station with a Kenwood
TS-990s transceiver. The other station will be an Icom IC-9700
operating on the VHF bands. The stations are located in a low-noise
environment and visitors are welcome to enjoy using them. Attendees
are also welcome to visit the new expanded antenna field, check out
DX Commander's new secret projects and maybe enjoy some food. The
RSGB will be in attendance with Region 5 Representative Mark Savage,
M0XIC manning the bookstall. The doors will be open from 12pm to 4pm.
Numbers are limited so visit the DX Commander website and click the
‘Register' button to book your place. For more information visit
dxcommander.com
This year, International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend will run
from 0001UTC on the 17th of August to 2400UTC on the 18th of August.
The event usually attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located
in over 40 countries. You can read more at illw.net
Advance notice now that the next Essex CW Boot Camp and Conference
will be held on Saturday the 26th of October at the 3rd Witham Scout
and Guide HQ. Spaces are limited so book your place early to avoid
disappointment. If you are interested in attending, visit essexcw.uk
and follow the ‘Boot Camp & CW Conference' link for more
information.
And now for details of rallies and events
Cambridge Repeater Group Rally is taking place today, Sunday the
14th, at Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridgeshire,
CB22 6RN. The doors open at 9.30am for visitors and at 7.30am for
traders. The event features a car boot sale, talk-in, trade stands,
clubs and a bring-and-buy area. A free marshalled car park and burger
van will be available on site. For more information visit
cambridgerepeaters.net and click on the Rally tab.
Also today, Sunday the 14th, Lincoln Short Wave Club Summer Rally is
taking place at Rasen Festival Hall, Caistor Road, LN8 3HT. The doors
open at 10am and entry will cost GBP 3. Hot refreshments and ample
free car parking will be available. More information, including
contact details, are available via tinyurl.com/LSWC2024
The McMichael Radio and Electronics Rally and Car Boot Sale is also
taking place today, Sunday the 14th of July. The venue is Reading
Rugby Club, Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Reading, RG4 6ST. The doors
open at 9am for visitors and at 8am for traders. Refreshments and
ample parking will be available. For more information visit
mcmichaelrally.org.uk
Bury St Edmunds Radio Rally is scheduled to take place on Sunday the
21st of July. The venue will be The Rougham Tower Museum, IP32 7QB.
The doors open at 9.30am for visitors and at 8am for traders.
Refreshments will be available from the Museum's cafeteria. Admission
for visitors costs GBP 3. For further information email
rally2024<at>bsears.co.uk
The Finningley Amateur Radio Society Rally is also set take place on
Sunday the 21st of July at Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster, DN8 5SX.
The doors will be open from 10am. More details are available at
g0ghk.com
Now the Special Event news
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, look for TM67JO which will be
active for 15 days between the 26th of July and the 11th of August.
The operators will include F1LFL on SSB, F5PZT using FT8 and FT4, and
F5TFW on CW. QSL to F1LFL, via the Bureau or directly.
Special callsign HB50VC is active until the 31st of December to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio Amateur Club Swissair, HB9VC.
QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World. QSL cards will not be
provided, but details of a participation certificate are available at
tinyurl.com/HB50VC
Now the DX news
Eric, KV1J is active as FP/KV1J from Miquelon [MEE-KUH-LON] Island,
NA-032, until Tuesday the 16th of July. Eric is operating primarily
using SSB and FT8, plus some CW, RTTY and FT4. He is QRV on the 80 to
6m bands but with a focus on the 12, 10 and 6m bands. QSL via Logbook
of the World, Club Log's OQRS, eQSL, via Eric's home call directly or
via the Bureau. For more information see tinyurl.com/FPKV1J
Giovanni, IZ2DPX will be active as TO7PX from Reunion Island, AF-016,
until Thursday the 18th of July. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the
40 to 6m bands. QSL directly to IK2DUW.
Now the contest news
The IARU HF World Championship started at 1200UTC on Saturday the
13th of July and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 14th of July.
Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and ITU zone.
Today, the 14th, the next session of the UK Microwave Group 24, 47
and 76GHz Cumulative Contest runs from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using all
modes on 24, 47 and 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Tomorrow, the 15th, the RSGB FT4 Contest runs from 1900UTC to
2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 16th, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz frequencies, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 18th, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 20th, the 70MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400UTC to
2000UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number, locator and two-letter postcode.
On Sunday the 21st, the International Low Power Contest runs from
0900 to 1200UTC, and from 1300 to 1600UTC. Using CW on the 80, 40 and
20m bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
transmitter power.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 11th of July 2024
We had another week of reasonably settled geomagnetic conditions and
a high solar flux index.
The solar flux index was at 214 on Thursday the 11th, while the Kp
index has been around 2 to 3 all week. That's generally good news for
HF.
However, a small coronal hole is now facing Earth and a solar wind
stream flowing from this zone was predicted to reach Earth by the
13th of July. This could result in an elevated Kp index and lower
maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs for short. It probably won't
last too long, so expect conditions to be back to normal by tomorrow,
the 15th.
Active region 3738 is dominating the Sun's surface but has only been
the source of minor C-class solar flares and will remain a threat for
moderate M-class flares. All other regions have been mostly stable.
The daytime MUF over a 3,000km path has often exceeded 24.9MHz, with
some better-equipped stations reporting contacts into Australasia on
the 10m band.
Nighttime MUFs over a similar distance are still consistently above
14MHz. Make the most of this as they are likely to drop as we head
out of summer and into autumnal conditions.
The MUF is extrapolated from the Dourbes [DORB] ionosonde data and
should only be used as a guide – it may often be higher, especially
in some directions.
The most sought-after DX this week has been K8K/K8R in American
Samoa. The DXpedition is testing out all systems on all bands, using
CW, SSB and FT8, ahead of the upcoming Jarvis Island DXpedition. The
station has been worked from the UK on the 30 to 10m bands, mainly by
well-equipped stations, and has been testing the FT8 Superfox mode
with some success.
Otherwise, contestants in the RSGB's 80m SSB Club Championship on
Wednesday the 10th reported fair conditions, but a very, very noisy
band. Noise is often a limiting factor, especially on the lower HF
bands.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may decline to the
180 to 190 range. Geomagnetic conditions may be unsettled today, the
14th, with a Kp index of 4 at times. The second half of the coming
week should be more settled, as long as we don't have a coronal mass
ejection.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The overall picture is of unsettled weather still being around for
the coming week, but there will be some temporary moments of weak
high pressure to alleviate incessant rain.
As we end the current week, pressure will rise over western areas
bringing a chance of Tropo for paths down the Irish Sea and across
Biscay. There will also be a second period of high pressure for a
time in the middle of next week, favouring the south. This gives us
at least a chance of Tropo for this week's UK Activity Contests on
the 23cm and 4m bands.
The ‘unsettled' part of the story is worth noting, especially if we
get some heavy thundery downpours, which should be great for rain
scatter. Continuing with scatter modes, there is always meteor
scatter as a diversion and the advice is to look in the early hours
before daybreak when random meteors are more likely.
Solar conditions are still not entirely settled so there remains a
chance of aurora should the Kp index rise to 5 or more. The
Sporadic-E season is still doing good business within Europe, but it
feels as though it's not been quite so noticeable as during June for
UK stations.
The jet stream pattern is trying to help next week with several
useful segments over northwest Europe, which should improve the
chances of Sporadic-E paths from the UK into the continent.
Moon declination went negative again on Friday the 12th, which also
corresponds to apogee, the point at which the Moon is furthest from
Earth. So, Moon peak elevation and path losses will continue to fall
again next week. 144MHz sky noise starts low early next week rising
to a high of 2100 Kelvin on Friday.
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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