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G4TNU > NEWS 19.10.11 16:04l 208 Lines 10136 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 23 Oct
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday 23rd October 2011
The news headlines:
* New web discussion board on RSGB's future
* Amateurs provide Thai emergency communications
* QSL sub manager wanted for 2E series
The November RadCom is now in the post and should be with UK members
by Monday 24 October. This edition contains details of the
proposals to be discussed at the Extraordinary General Meeting on
19 November at the NEC in Birmingham. Members are encouraged to read
the proposals carefully. The Society has opened a web-based
discussion group to encourage debate and questions about the Board's
proposals. This facility can be accessed at www.rsgb.org/EGM after 20
October. The Board encourages all RSGB members to vote on the
proposals, either in person at the EGM, via the internet, or by post.
Full details of how to vote are on page 14 of the November RadCom.
Amateurs in Thailand are providing essential communication links
during that country's devastating floods. The Radio Amateur Society
of Thailand club station HS0AC has been very busy, as has HS0AB at a
special flood relief centre at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. Thai
amateurs are using 7.060 to 7.063MHz, plus local working on the 2m
band.
Due to Tony Horton, G0LKG stepping down as 2E series QSL manager
after 12 years, there is now a vacancy for a replacement. The 2E
series is one of the top three QSL groups, so this volunteer position
is ideal for someone with time available and who is keen to make a
difference. If you're interested, up for a challenge and want to
help, contact the QSL Bureau by email to qsl<at>rsgb.org.uk.
A number of Portuguese repeaters are believed to be off the air due
to funding issues. There is speculation that they may be amateur
radio's first direct casualties of the economic downturn. The keepers
are reportedly trying to develop sponsorship relationships to
generate funding, but it is not currently possible to predict when
the devices will be back on the air.
The international Telecommunications Union has announced that the
world's newest country, South Sudan, has joined the ITU. It became
the Union's 193rd member state earlier this month. South Sudan has
only been independent since 9 July 2011, but joining the ITU
demonstrates the country's commitment to adhere to the International
Radio Regulations.
The Society is receiving reports of a new wave of very
plausible-sounding emails that try to obtain money by deception. The
emails appear to be from a fellow amateur, often someone known to
you. The usual pattern is to claim that the person has been mugged
while on holiday abroad, has lost everything, and needs a sum of
money in order to settle their hotel bill and pay for a new flight
home. The amount requested is usually quite specific, for example
2650 euros. If you do receive an email of this type, it is
recommended you make careful checks on its truthfulness before
parting with any money. It is often the case that the alleged mugging
victim is safe and well at home, but that their email system has been
hijacked by the fraudsters – so check by telephone, not email.
AMSAT South Africa has issued the first call for papers for the 2012
Space Symposium to be held in Durban next May 12th at the University
of KwaZulu-Natal. If you would like to present a paper, please send a
brief synopsis to reach SA AMSAT by no later than 31 January 2012.
The theme will be 50 years of OSCAR, celebrating the launch of the
first amateur radio satellite on 12 December 1961.
Professor Jean-Marie P Wersinger, KI4YAU is asking for help in
tracking the forthcoming amateur radio satellite AubieSat-1. The
satellite is due to be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on
Tuesday 25 October, and will transmit around 800mW on 437.475MHz. The
beacon signal is sent as 20 words per minute CW, along with telemetry
at up to 60wpm. It is likely to be active from around 1221UTC, at
which time the satellite is expected to be over the South Atlantic,
but no further orbit information has currently been released.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
On Sunday 16 October the Blackwood and District ARS Rally takes place
at Coleg Gwent, Risca Road, Cross Keys, NP11 7ZA. Doors open at 10.40
and admission is GBP 2. There will be trade stands, special interest
groups and a Bring & Buy. More details from Dave, GW4HBK on
01495 228 516.
The Hornsea Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on 16 October at the
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Yorkshire, HU18 1NQ.
Doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy as well
as special interest groups. Details from Rick, M0CZR by e-mail to
R106221<at>aol.com.
On 29 and 30 October the North Wales Rally is at John Bright School.
Llandudno LL301LF from 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring and
Buy, catering and disabled facilities. Contact John, G4PBN, on
01822 835 834.
Sunday 30 October sees the Holsworthy Amateur Rally at Holsworthy
Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy EX22 6JD. Details from
Roger Williams, on 07773 983 691.
Now for the news of special events
The White River Light Station in Whitehall, Michigan will be on the
air as W8L on Sunday 23 October. The event is sponsored by the
Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council and the station will be operating
on 40 to 10m, SSB and CW.
On Sunday 23 October Leiston Amateur Radio Club will be operating
GB2LSM on HF from the Long Shop Museum in Leiston, Suffolk.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
The third annual North American Summits On The Air activation takes
place next weekend, 22 and 23 October. Typical operating frequencies
are 7.040, 7.032, 10.116, 14.060, 14.062, 14.282, 14.285 and
14.342MHz.
G3RWF will be active as 5X1NH from Uganda for three weeks, starting
on 23 November. He will concentrate on the low bands. QSL via his
home callsign.
DK7PE will be active as TL0CW from the Central African Republic from
26 October to 3 November. QSL via his home call.
OS1T will be active as PJ4J on Bonaire Island from 27 October to 9
November 2011. The focus will be on RTTY, SSB and the WARC bands, but
other bands may also be used depending on the propagation.
4X/N6HD will be operating from Israel until 3 November. He will be on
160 to 10m using CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign or Logbook of
the World.
JK1KSB will be on the air as 8Q7SO from Mirihi Island Resort in the
Maldives between 28 October and 3 November. Activity will be holiday
style on 80 to 10m using CW, RTTY, SSB and PSK31. QSL via JK1KSB,
either via the bureau or to the address on QRZ.com.
Now the contest news
On 25 October the 50MHz and SHF UKAC contests take place from 1900UTC
until 2130UTC. Operating on 6m and 13cm to 3cm respectively, the
exchange is RST, serial number and locator.
Thursday 27 October sees the 80m Club Sprint from 1900UTC until
2030UTC. Operating on 3.5MHz SSB, the exchange is serial number and
name.
Next weekend, 29 & 30 October, it's the CQWW DX SSB contest, running
from 0000UTC until 2359UTC. Use SSB on all contest bands from
3.5-28MHz and exchange RST plus Zone, which is 14 for the UK.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 10th to the
16th of October, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS, on the 17th of
October
There was no shortage of sunspot groups this week with up to ten
visible on most days. Several regions produced occasional C class
solar flares but one group that increased in size and magnetic
complexity every day produced numerous C class flares every day later
in the period. No M or X class solar flares took place. Solar flux
levels increased from 126 units on the 10th to 151 by the 16th. The
average was 136 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 16th was
118, that's four units up on last week. X-ray flux levels increased
from B3 units to B8.6 by the 16th. The average was B4.9 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet with the Ap index in single figures
every day. The most disturbed day was the 15th with an Ap index of 8
units. The average was Ap 5 units. Solar wind data from the ACE
spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 320 kilometres per
second to 490 by the 15th. Particle densities were very low, with
only one particle per cubic centimetre on the 12th. Even for the rest
of the period densities remained in single figures. Bz never varied
more than minus 9 and plus 8 nanoTeslas during the period. The
combination of the increase in solar flux levels, low geomagnetic
activity and seasonal improvement made for good propagation across
the HF range, right up to 28MHz, where all continents and the T32C
DXpedition were workable.
And now the solar forecast. This week the more active side of the Sun
is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity should be low every
day, there is a good chance that activity could increase on some
days. Solar flux levels are expected to be in the 120's for most of
the week. Geomagnetic activity should start at quiet levels but by
next weekend a small coronal hole disturbance could increase activity
slightly. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be
around 30MHz, or slightly higher particularly in the south. Darkness
hour lows are expected to be about 11MHz. One of the largest HF
contests of the year takes place next weekend, that's the CQ SSB
worldwide contest. HF propagation is looking good with openings to
all continents on all the higher bands including 28MHz. Hopefully,
the coronal hole disturbance will have little effect but maybe the
Sunday will be the better of the two days.
And that's all for this week from the propagation team.
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 gb2rs<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Tuesday before transmission.
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