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G4TNU > NEWS 01.09.24 05:31l 316 Lines 15609 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 01 Sep 2024
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 1st of September
The news headlines:
* RSGB collaborates on a special contact with the International
Space Station
* The RSGB's Tonight<at>8 webinar autumn programme starts
tomorrow, the 2nd
* The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week
We are delighted to announce that the Radio Society of Great Britain
and ARISS, in conjunction with Girlguiding Surrey West and Brooklands
Museum including the Innovation Academy, have been collaborating on a
special event due to take place on Saturday the 5th of October.
Girlguiding President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh
will attend a planned contact with the International Space Station as
part of a visit to promote the engagement and involvement of girls
and young women in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Further details of the contact and the event will be announced in
late September.
The RSGB's autumn Tonight<at>8 programme starts this Monday, the 2nd
of September. Brian Coleman, G4NNS will give an update on the Meteor
Beacon Project which is a cooperation between the worlds of amateur
radio and astronomy. The first phase of this project was completed in
May 2022 when the UK meteor beacon GB3MBA went on the air from the
Sherwood Observatory of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical
Society. It enabled studies of meteor events over the UK using simple
equipment and made possible a range of STEM projects featuring radio
and astronomy. The second phase of the project, which Brian will
describe in the presentation, is to develop a network of receivers
streaming their data via a central server for detailed study of
individual meteor events. You can watch and ask questions live on the
RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel. To find out more go to
the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week which begins on
the 16th of September. This national event is in its 11th year and
encourages people of all ages to try coding, or programming as it is
also called. During the next few days, the RSGB's Outreach Team will
release two new coding activities for you to try on your own, with
members of your local club, or at a school or other youth group.
These are in addition to the seven activities the Society shared last
year. This is a great opportunity to see how coding can link with
your usual amateur radio activities, or for you to try something new.
If you are planning an activity or an event, or would like some
support, please email the RSGB National Coding Week Coordinator Nigel
Thrower, G3YSW via ncw<at>rsgb.org.uk You can find the coding
activities on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/coding
The British Science Association has announced that applications for
kick start grants will open on the 17th of September 2024. The grants
are provided to help schools in challenging circumstances to deliver
events and activities as part of British Science Week. To find out
more visit the British Science Week website and enter ‘Grant
applications for British Science Week 2025' in the search box located
in the top right-hand corner. If you need some inspiration on how to
get involved, the RSGB is already planning for the March event. You
can go to rsgb.org/bsw to find out more, as well as to view activity
ideas and lesson plans from previous years. If you'd like to get
involved or have any questions, you can email the RSGB British
Science Week Coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw<at>rsgb.org.uk
RSGB Members can ensure that they are the first to hear about the
Society's online webinars and events by registering to receive
updates by email. Simply log into the RSGB members' portal, select
the ‘Manage Preferences' tab and click the online events option. By
selecting this preference you'll be kept up to date on events such as
the Tonight<at>8 webinars, which are already shaping up to have a
brilliant programme for the Autumn. Keep an eye on your mailboxes for
more news about these soon.
Don't forget that the popular Churches and Chapels on the Air event,
also known as CHOTA, is taking place on Saturday the 14th of
September. Lots of stations will be on the air from 10am to 4pm so
please give them a call. Operation will be focused on the 80, 40 and
20m bands. To see the list of churches and chapels taking part visit
the ‘CHOTA' tab on the World Association of Christian Radio
Amateurs and Listeners website at wacral.org
The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park, or NRC, will be
closed for one day on Monday the 16th of September to allow time for
some minor decorating and cleaning. Don't forget that RSGB members
can gain free entry to Bletchley Park and the NRC by downloading a
voucher from rsgb.org/bpvoucher
And now for details of rallies and events
Telford Hamfest is taking place today, Sunday the 1st of September
at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire. The doors open
at 10.15am and admission is GBP 5. Children up to the age of 16 will
be admitted free of charge. Free parking, catering, an RSGB
bookstall, and a bring-and-buy area are available on site. For more
details visit tdars.org.uk or email John, M0JZH at
hamfest<at>tdars.org.uk
Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is due to take place on Sunday the 8th
of September at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ.
The doors will be open from 9am to 8pm and there is no admission fee.
Sellers can gain access from 8am. For more information email Zane,
M1BFI via m1bfi<at>outlook.com or phone 07711 214 790.
The Broadcast Engineering Museum near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is
new and a work in progress, so it only opens a few days each year.
The next open days are coming up on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the
15th of September from 11am to 4pm. The Museum contains a vast
collection of historic broadcasting equipment and memorabilia, some
restored and working, on display in a former RAF sergeants' mess.
Free parking is available on site. For more information email
contactus<at>becg.org.uk or visit becg.org.uk
Now the Special Event news
Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in Churches and
Chapels on the Air again this year with special event station GB2SCC.
The station will be operating on Saturday the 14th of September from
0900 to 1500UTC on the 40 and 17m bands using SSB. Operators will
also be available for VHF and UHF FM calls. For more information see
QRZ.com
Austin, M0MNE, who is a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy, will be
operating special callsign GB0MND on the HF Bands and flying the
British Red Ensign from the seafaring town of South Shields, home of
the world's longest operating marine training college. This is to
commemorate Merchant Navy Day on the 3rd of September and the
merchant seafarers all over the world who work tirelessly, day in day
out, keeping global trade afloat. The station will operate from the
3rd of September until World Maritime Day on the 26th of September.
On the 3rd of September, Austin will be concentrating on SSB and CW
on the 40, 20 and 15m bands. During the rest of the month, he will be
working on all bands using SSB, CW, FT8, and digital modes such as
Olivia, Domino, Hell and SSTV. More information about the station and
Merchant Navy Day is available via QRZ.com
Callington and District Amateur Radio Society will activate Special
Event Station GB0EKF for the annual Esedhvos [ESS-ETH-VOS] Kernow
Festival of Cornish Culture which this year is being held in
Callington, Cornwall on Saturday the 7th of September. Listen out for
GB0EKF on the local repeaters, HF bands and via the QO-100 satellite.
Now the DX news
Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba
[EESOLA-DELBA], EU-028, until the end of September. He is operating
using SSB on the 20 to 6m bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log
and Logbook of the World.
Yann, F1SMB is active as FO/F1SMB from French Polynesia until the
15th of September. His main QTH will be Tahiti [TA-HE-TEA], OC-046,
with a side trip to Fakarava [FA-KUH-RAA-VUH], OC-066. Usually, he
operates FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL to F1SMB directly or
via the Bureau, Logbook of the World or eQSL.
Now the contest news
The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest started at 1200UTC on
Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC today, the 1st of
September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK and
Ireland stations also send their district code.
The Worked All Britain DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the
31st of August and ends at 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain
square, where applicable. Entries need to be with the contest manager
by the 11th of September. Visit the Worked All Britain website for
more information and to read more on the rules for the contest.
Tomorrow, the 2nd, the Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to
2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
On Tuesday the 3rd, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to
1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 3rd, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 4th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs
from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 4th, the
144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
Also on Wednesday the 4th of September, the UK and Ireland Contest
Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m
band, the exchange is your six-character locator.
SSB Field Day runs from 1300UTC on Saturday the 7th to 1300UTC on
Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where
contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial
number.
The 144MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400UTC on Saturday the 7th to
1400UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using all modes on the 2m
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 7th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour
sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands,
where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 7th and
ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 160
to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age.
On Sunday the 8th, the 5th 144MHz Backpackers Contest takes runs from
1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 8th, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest
runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using AM, FM and SSB on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain
square.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO
on Thursday the 29th of August 2024
We had a good week for HF propagation, at least until we had a Kp
index of 5.67 on Wednesday the 28th. This was caused by the Bz
component of the interplanetary magnetic field moving into a
south-pointing position.
Luckily, it didn't last long and geomagnetic conditions were back to
normal by Thursday.
The solar flux index remains above 200 with no sign of it dropping.
But solar flare activity has not diminished either with 16 M-class
flares over the past seven days and more than 60 C-class events.
There remains a 55% chance of a further M-class flare and a 10%
chance of an X-class event.
Tuesday the 27th saw some good activity on the upper HF bands with
the 10m band opening up at times. VK has been heard on 28MHz in the
mornings, which bodes well for the coming months.
The top DX choice this week has been CY9C on Saint Paul Island near
Newfoundland. The team is active on all bands until the 5th of
September using CW, SSB, FT8, Super Fox and RTTY. VOACAP Online shows
that the 20 and 17m bands offer the best chance for a contact and are
open from 0900 to 2000UTC. The 30m band is another strong contender
from 2000 to 1000UTC.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start at
around 250 but could end the week at 275. As always, it estimates the
Kp index will be at 2 all week, but this will depend upon coronal
mass ejections, so keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates.
If a solar flare and associated coronal mass ejection does occur,
expect the Kp index to rise after about 48 hours, with a lowering of
the maximum useable frequency.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The autumn season usually brings thoughts of Tropo since areas of
high pressure can often be a feature of this time of year. Most
models predict that there will be high pressure moving in to offer
Tropo conditions today, the 1st.
Thereafter, the models differ, and some bring low pressure over the
country for much of the coming week, while others maintain a
high-pressure story and the continuation of Tropo.
This is potentially useful for the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on
Tuesday and Wednesday and, if it lasts, the 144MHz Trophy Contest
next weekend along with the Backpackers contest on Sunday the 8th.
With the uncertain feel to the forecast at the moment, we may find
rain scatter is the main option on the GHz bands.
Meteor scatter is again reduced to non-shower random events with just
a minor shower, the Aurigids, peaking on the 31st of August. This
shower has produced brief unexpected outbursts with a zenithal hourly
rate of around 30 to 50 per hour in 1935, 1986, 1994 and 2019.
Random meteor flux is at its annual maximum in September with
relatively good rates, especially during morning hours. Pre-dawn is
the best time to try.
The solar conditions continue to provide chance auroras. Keep one eye
on the Kp index and lock the frequency of some northern European
beacons into your rig's memory.
Lastly, it's the nominal end of the 2024 summer Sporadic-E season and
the daily blogs on Propquest have finished. However, some years can
produce surprise Sporadic-E events during the first week of September.
Moon declination starts the weekend still high but falling, going
negative again on Thursday the 5th. So, Moon visibility windows will
also fall, as will peak Moon elevation.
Moon apogee is also next Thursday so path losses are still
increasing. 144MHz sky noise is low until Monday but, shortly after
moonrise that day, the Sun and the Moon become close in the sky and
continue to be until after moonset on Tuesday.
This means sky noise will be very high, especially at VHF, due to
wide antenna beamwidths.
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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