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M1CUK > NEWS 01.08.10 18:39l 219 Lines 10905 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 1 August 2010
The news headlines
• New world record on 10GHz
• Ofcom publishes Notice on Licence Exempt Devices
• ROS mode development definitely continues
A new world record in distance on 10GHz has been established between the
Cape Verde islands and southern Portugal. On 10 July at 10:46 UTC the
previous record of 2070km was smashed by a SSB QSO at 2696km during the
Hyperatlantica 2010 DXpedition. A detailed report will appear in the
September 2010 RadCom but in the meantime details, in French, can be
found at www.hyperatlantica.ch. Congratulations to all involved.
Ofcom has published a new document that describes proposed changes to
some licence exempt radio services, including underwater radio links.
The RSGB expressed concern in an earlier consultation that underwater
radio in the range 1-30MHz might have unwanted surface emissions under
certain conditions, with the potential to cause interference to amateur
bands. Ofcom's says that the equipment user must ensure that the
apparatus is operated in accordance with the conditions of the licence
exemption. Concerns were also expressed about implementing the European
Commission's Short Range Device Decision, which may have some impact on
the 433MHz licence-exempt band. Full details of the Ofcom Notice can be
found online at http://tinyurl.com/GB2RS-Ofcom-SRD.
Further to recent reports on GB2RS we are delighted to confirm that the
author of ROS has definitely decided to continue development work. The
software's author, Jose Alberto Nieto Ros, told GB2RS that he will be
implementing new modes and enhanced facilities. The most recent
development is an auto reporting system linked into the PSK-Reporter
system at http://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html. The latest version of ROS
is available for download at http://rosmodem.wordpress.com.
The IARU reports that Spanish fishermen are abusing frequencies in the
3.5, 7, 14 and 21MHz bands. Only private names are used; there are no
ship names or other idents. Voice communications may also be scrambled.
Amateurs are reminded not to engage in communication with unlicensed
stations because this would be in breach of your own licence conditions.
GB2RS understands that the Omani Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
has allocated the band 50-52 MHz to the amateur service on a secondary
basis. We hope to provide more information as it becomes available.
The M0OCT Amateur Radio Society, based at Clay Cross near Chesterfield,
starts Foundation and Advanced courses on 1 September. The Foundation
course runs for 8 evenings with the exam on 20 October. The Advanced
exam will be in June 2011. Details on either course can be obtained by
email to exams@m0oct.com or by phone to 01246 20 50 72. Details will
also be posted on the group website www.m0oct.com.
On the 24 July the Eagle Radio Group held an open day at their venue in
Mablethorpe. There were demonstrations on D-Star, WISPR, slow scan TV,
HF radio and much more. The event was supported by the RSGB Regional
Team of Jim, G0EJQ and Steve, M5ZZZ. The exhibition was attended by
local dignitaries including the Mayor and his consort. Public interest
was better than expected and five people showed keen interest in taking
the Foundation licence. A donation to the RSGB Spectrum Defence Fund was
presented by the group. Eagle Radio Group Chairman Charles, G0CBM, said
that concentrating more on the newer digital modes had been a key
attraction for the younger generation.
The RSGB headquarters at Abbey Court in Bedford will be closed on Friday
6 August for staff training.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, 1 August, sees the King’s Lynn ARC rally & car boot sale at
King’s Gaywood Community Centre, PE30 4DZ. Opening time is 10am, and
there will be trade stands, a bring and buy, catering and of course the
boot sale. Details from Ray, G3RSV, on 01553 671307or on the web at
www.klarc.org.uk.
Today also sees the Lorn radio amateur rally at Crianlarich Village
Hall, Crianlarich, near Oban. Opening time is 10.30 and there will be
trade stands, catering and a raffle. Details from GM0ERV by e-mail to
gm0erv@sky.com.
The Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society, G4RFR Hamfest takes place
on Sunday 8 August at Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley,
Dorset BH21 3AA. There is plenty of onsite parking and doors open at
10am. There will be the usual mix of trade and display items and an RSGB
book stall.
The South Coast Repeater & Beacon Group will be selling all forms of
electronic and microwave exotica to raise funds to maintain the
multi-band Bell Hill GB3SC series Microwave beacon Complex. Full details
of Hamfest can be found on the web at www.frars.org or by phone from
Mike, M0MJS on 01202 883 479.
Now for the news of special events
GB2YD will be celebrating Yorkshire Day at Maltby Crags today, Sunday 1
August. Operation will be on HF, 2m and 70cm, with activity on 6m as
well if conditions permit. Operation is likely to be from 10am to 4pm.
Special event stations also licensed from today include GB6TPR for The
Princess Royal at Ormesby in Norfolk and GB4BPL for Bury Port Lighthouse
in Wales.
GB50RN will be operating from 6 to 8 August in Coventry to celebrate the
50th anniversary of the Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society. Operation
will be on CW and SSB on HF bands from 80-10m plus FM on 2m and 70cm.
Maltby Festival will be celebrated next weekend by GB4MF, which will
operate on HF bands from 80-10m plus 2m and 70cm.
South Tyneside amateur radio society will be operating GB2SJ from Souter
Lighthouse over the weekend of 21 August and not the 7th as they had
previously advised.
On 2 August, special event station 3Z0PDXA will commence three months of
operations in Poland.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Vasek, OK2AN, will be activating a number of Czech castles on 1 - 7
August for the World Castles Award. Details at www.wcagroup.org.
Moj, PA3GZU will be active holiday style as DU9/PA3GZU from Mindanao
Island (OC-130) from until 7 August. He will operate SSB, BPSK31 and CW
mainly on 20 metres, plus 40, 15 and 10m depending on conditions. QSL
via home call, bureau preferred.
Lionel, F5PSL will be active as FH8ND from Mayotte (AF-027) until 15
August. He plans to operate SSB on 80 to 6m. QSL via F1OKV, direct or
bureau.
Members of the Kennehoochee Amateur Radio Club will be active on 5-7
August as special event station K4L. They will be operating from Sapelo
Island (NA-058, USi GA007) in the State of Georgia. QSL via W4BTI,
direct or bureau. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW and e-QSL. More details
including frequencies will be posted at www.w4bti.org.
Look for IZ2DPX operating as 5Z4/IZ2DPX from Malindi, Kenya, from 4 to
17 August. Operation will be on 40-10m; QSL via IK2DUW or direct.
Now the contest news
Early in the morning of 1 August is the RoPoCo 2 contest. Operating in
CW on 80m from 0730 to 0830 UTC, the exchange is RST and full postcode
received.
3 August sees the 144MHz UKAC between 1900 and 2130 UTC. All modes are
permitted in the 2m band. RST, serial number and locator form the
exchange.
The European HF Championship takes place on Saturday 7 August from 1200
until 2359 UTC. Operation is CW and SSB on the contest bands from 1.8 to
28MHz. EU stations should only work other EU stations for contacts to be
valid. The exchange is RST plus the year you were first licensed.
Also on the 7th is the 144MHz Low Power contest from 1400-2000 UTC. All
modes are permitted and the exchange is RST, serial number, locator and
postcode.
The 432MHz Low power contest is on Sunday 8 August from 0800 until
2100UTC. Operation is all mode on 70cm. RST, serial number, locator and
postcode should be exchanged.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 19th to the 25th
of July, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 26th of July.
First, the latest smoothed monthly sunspot numbers for October, November
and December 2009 are now available and are 7, 7.6 and 8.3 respectively.
On the 19th a medium sized group rotated into view and to some degree
was magnetically complex. However, it only produced one C class solar
flare which occurred on the 20th. As the week progressed the group grew
in size but magnetically simplified which in turn reduced the threat of
any further solar flares. Solar flux levels increased from 80 units on
the 19th to 89 by the 21st. The average was 86 units. The 90 day solar
flux average on the 25th was 75, that’s the same level as last week.
X-ray flux levels increased from previous weeks and averaged B1.6 units.
Geomagnetic activity remained quiet every day despite a weak coronal
hole disturbance that took place. The most disturber day was the 23rd
with an Ap index of 8 units. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data
from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increased from 280
kilometres per second on the 19th and the 20th to 470 by the 25th.
Particle densities were low except for an increase to 30 particles per
cubic centimetre on the 23rd. Bz varied between minus 6 and plus 9
nanoTeslas on the 23rd and with fluctuations much less on the other
days. HF propagation was above predicted levels for much of the week.
This was due to the higher solar flux levels and not seasonal effects,
which will come in a few more weeks. There was sporadic-E up to 70MHz on
most days.
And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of
the Sun is expected to rotate into view. Solar activity is still
expected to remain at very low levels. Solar flux levels should increase
into the 80’s as the week progresses. Geomagnetic activity is expected
to be quiet everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes
should be around 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. Darkness
hour lows are expected to be around 10MHz. Paths this week to Australia
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 14MHz. The best time to try this path will be
between 0700 and 1000 hours. With the peak of the summer sporadic-E
season now gone, openings on 144MHz are unlikely to take place. However,
openings will still take place on 28 and 50MHz on some days with
openings up to 70MHz occasionally.
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
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