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M1CUK > NEWS 25.06.10 22:36l 252 Lines 12198 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 27th June 2010
The news headlines
• Ofcom releases report on PLT
• Oman now on 6 metres
• CISPR seeks plasma TV interference experiences
Last Wednesday Ofcom published its long-awaited report, The Likelihood
and Extent of Radio Frequency Interference from In-Home PLT Devices.
This 156 page report assesses the likelihood of interference to various
users of the radio spectrum over the next decade. The main conclusion is
that action is needed to reduce the interference footprint of PLT
devices, and that this action could take various forms. The Society is
considering the report in detail prior to initiating discussions with
Ofcom about the follow-on actions it intends to take. We expect the
position to become clearer over the next few weeks and months.
The Omani Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has now allocated the
band 50-52MHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis.
The international standards committee responsible for EMC matters,
CISPR, have launched an information-gathering campaign, specifically
aimed at determining the extent and seriousness of interference from
plasma TV receivers. Initially they have asked national standards
organisations for this data and, in the UK, BSI contacted our Regulator,
Ofcom. They posed the simple question, asking how many complaints have
there been? Ofcom indicated that they had received only 12 to 15. Over
the last few years, the EMC Committee have received many more complaints
from members, but no recording system is in place. So, we now need your
help. If you have suffered, or are suffering now, from interference from
a plasma TV receiver we need to know. All that you have to do is send a
very brief e-mail to plasma.tv@rsgb.org.uk. We only need to know the
number of interference cases, no details, and no names/addresses. Please
act as soon as possible, since the timescale for gathering this
information is very tight.
The RSGB Convention that takes place between 8 and 10 October has a wide
variety of talks and lectures over the weekend. One of the latest talks
to be confirmed is by David Johnson, G4DPZ on the current status of
amateur satellite communications. He will also update the audience on
the FUNcube satellite project. It is hoped that live satellite demos
will take place as passes allow. Bookings for this popular event are
already
up on last year and you can find details of weekend packages or day
tickets at www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention.
The RSGB VHF Field Day takes place next weekend, 3 and 4 July. Although
this is basically a 24-hour contest, there are exceptions. The 50MHz
part takes place during the first eight hours and the 70MHz part takes
place during the last eight. It is interesting to note how VHF NFD has
developed over the years. At one time there were just a few categories
and the only awards were for portables, but now there are two
categories for fixed stations as well, Open and Restricted. For full
details of the rules, go to the RSGB Contest website at
www.rsgbcc.org/vhf and click on the calendar for 3 or 4 July.
2
Jersey Amateur Radio Repeater Group has got its repeater GB3GJ back on
the air. Information about the repeater can be found at
www.radioclubs.net/gb3gj and the group welcome calls from anyone who can
get through for signal reports. The repeater is based on a commercial
Tait repeater transceiver and requires 71.9Hz CTCSS.
The National Hamfest is being organised by the RSGB in conjunction with
Lincoln Short Wave Club and will take place on Friday 1 October and
Saturday 2 October. Building on the success of the first National
Hamfest in 2009, improvements are being made to the layout. Outside the
main hall, the trading area is being extended to around twice the area
used last year. Outside traders did brisk business at the last year’s
show and it is hoped to be able to accommodate many more at this year’s
event. There will also be a large area for car booters. Pitches can be
booked via the National Hamfest website at www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.
South Bristol ARC will be starting a new Intermediate course on 1 July.
The venue is the Community Centre, rear of 122-124 Novers Park Road,
Filwood, Bristol. Lead instructor will be Andrew Jenner, G7KNA.
Candidates are invited to contact Andrew by e-mail to g7kna@ukfsn.org.uk
as soon as possible in order to have their names registered.
Celebrating the role of the armed forces throughout history and in
particular the role of the cadet forces, Bletchley Park in
Buckinghamshire is hosting an Armed Forces weekend on 3 and 4 July. The
event will also look at how Bletchley Park assisted the armed forces
during World War Two. Other activities during the weekend will include a
display by the Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society of radio equipment
spanning the last hundred years, showing how communication in the armed
forces has changed over time and become ever more vital. More
information can be found at their website www.bletchleypark.org.uk or on
01908 640404.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The West Of England Radio Rally takes place today, 27 June, at the
Cheese & Grain, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. There will be
trade stands, an RSGB bookstall as well as catering facilities and easy
access for disabled visitors. Further details from Shaun, G8VPG, on
01225 873 098.
On Saturday 3 July, the 1st Stockport Rally will be held at Walthew
House, Shaw Heath, Stockport SK2 6QS. Doors open at 10am and admission
is £1. Tables are available at £10 each. Details from Bernard, G3SHF, on
01625 850088 during the day or Nigel, G0RXA, on 0161 428 8413 in the
evening.
The Bangor & District ARS Rally takes place at Donaghadee Community
Centre, County Down BT21 0HB. Doors open at 12 noon and admission is
free. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. More details
from Bill, GI4AAM on 028 9181 6707.
The Barford Norfolk Radio Rally will take place on 4 July. This well
established radio rally has both indoor tables and outdoor pitches and
as well as being a fine place to trade in all things radio and
electronic is a traditional meeting place for many local as well as DX
amateurs. Entry cost is just £1 per person and outdoor pitches are under
£10, so together with hot and cold refreshments a good and affordable
day out for the
family. Gates open 8am for traders and 9am for visitors. Contact David,
G7URP on 01953 457322 for more information.
3
Now for the news of special events
Jack, G3PWK will be operating GB70AAF for the Anniversary Airborne
Forces) today, 27 June.
The Scarborough Special Events Group will be on the air as GB1AFD for
Armed Forces Day today, 27 June. The town's adopted Warship HMS Explorer
will be in the bay and there will be fly past by a Spitfire.
GB4BAH will be operated by members of the Coventry Amateur Radio Society
on 3 July from The Almshouses, All Saints Square, Bedworth. This station
is celebrating the 170th anniversary of the founding of Bedworth
Almshouses by Rev. Nicholas Chamberlaine.
Then, on 4 July, GB4BLC will be operated by members of the Coventry
Amateur Radio Society. This is a joint venture between Coventry Amateur
Radio Society & Bedworth lions Club, operating from 30th Signals
Regiment Gamecock Barracks, Bramcote near Nuneaton. The station is
promoting amateur radio & Lions Club International to the public.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.
Pontus, SM0R and Jaan, SM0R/1 will be operating from IOTA reference
EU-020 in Sweden from 2 to 4 July. They will be on the air using the HF
bands and 50MHz. QSL via SM0R either direct or via the bureau.
Wolf, LA/DM2AUJ, is on holiday in the Lofotem Islands, which is IOTA
reference EU-076, until 8 July. He will be operating mostly CW with some
SSB. QSL to his home callsign either direct or via the bureau.
Jimmy, FS/W6JKV, will be on the island of St Martin, which is IOTA
reference NA-105 until 5 July. QSL to his home callsign either direct or
via the bureau.
Looking ahead now. On the week commencing 25 September, members of Sands
Contest Group and Workington Radio Club along with Brendan Minish, EI6IZ
will be visiting the Isle of Aran off the coast of south western
Scotland, operating under the callsign MM0SCG. They will be operating on
VHF and HF using SSB, CW and data modes. The location is IOTA island
number EU-123.
Now the contest news
The 4th 70MHz Cumulative Contest takes place today, 27 June, from 1000
to 1200UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
Tuesday 29 June sees the 70MHz UK Activity Contest on the air from 1900
to 2130UTC. Again using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial
number and locator.
Finally for this week, the RSGB VHF NFD takes place on 3 and 4 July from
1400 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the bands, 6m, 4m, 2m, 70cm and
23cm, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
There are rules on which bands can be used at certain times, so please
check the rules before taking part.
4
Now the solar factual data for the period from the 14th to the 20th of
June, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 21st of June.
Sunspots were visible every day except for the 15th and the 16th. The
sunspot groups were small and only produced one C class solar flare
which occurred on the 14th. Solar flux levels declined slightly from 73
units
on the 14th to 69 by the 19th. The average was 71 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 20th was 75 units, that’s one unit down on
last week. The 90 day solar flux levels have declined since late March
when 83
units was recorded. X-ray flux levels varied little day to day and
averaged A4.9. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels but by the
15th a coronal hole disturbance arrived, this peaked on the 16th with an
Ap index of 19 units. The average was Ap 8 units. Solar wind data from
the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 360 kilometres
per second to 600 kilometres per second by the 16th. Wind speeds then
gradually declined. Particle densities were low except for the 15th
which increased to 22 particles per cubic centimetre. On the quiet day
the Bz varied between minus 3 and plus 4 nanoTeslas and between minus 9
and plus 7 nanoTeslas on the 16th which was the most disturbed day.
Strong Sporadic-E occurred on most days on frequencies up to 70MHz,
though there were also substantial periods when sporadic-E was not
present. F2-related propagation at HF tended to be a bit below expected
levels as a consequence of the midweek disturbance.
And now the solar forecast. Without an upsurge in sunspot activity then
solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. There are no signs
that an upsurge in imminent, but as we know things can change with very
little warning. Solar flux should be in the 70’s for most of the week.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to be unsettled for the next few days
due to a recurring coronal hole. Activity should subside to quiet levels
from midweek onwards. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes
should be around 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north. Darkness
hour lows are expected to be about 11MHz. Paths this week to India
should
have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of
around 19MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success
rate will be about 15MHz. The best time to try this path will be between
0900 and 1700 hours. Sporadic-E is expected to take place most days on
the lower VHF bands with openings up to 144MHz possible now that we are
at the peak of the summer season.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
-------------------------------------------------------
73
Trev,
SysOp gb7fcr.#16.gbr.eu
E-Mail trev@gb7fcr.co.uk
Packet Radio <-> InterNet Gateway
RF & Telnet access
BBS Web Site http://www.gb7fcr.co.uk
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