| |
G4TNU > NEWS 23.06.13 01:18l 239 Lines 12059 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
BID : 1503G4TNU
Read: GUEST
Subj: RSGB Main News - 23 Jun 2013
Path: IZ3LSV<IK2XDE<DB0RES<ON0AR<GB7CIP<GB7CIP<GB7CIP
Sent: 130622/2319Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EU $:1503G4TNU
T:From: G4TNU@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EU <g4tnu@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
T:Newsgroups: ampr.news.europe
T:Message-Id: <E125623_G4TNU@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
GB2RS Main News for Sunday 23rd June 2013
The news headlines:
* Ofcom Consultations
* WRC-18 Agenda Item spectrum harmonisation
* V series NoVs available for RSGB Centenary
Ofcom is consulting on a series of topics that will have a direct
effect on amateur radio in the UK. A discussion forum has been opened
on the RSGB website for the first of these – Spectrum Release in
the 2.3 and 3.4GHz amateur bands. This particularly affects the
microwave and ATV communities and the Ofcom documents have extensive
detail and implications. The forum is a moderated one and open to all
UK amateurs who should register using their callsign. The web address
is rsgb.org/consultations and includes links for the forum as well as
additional background information and the Ofcom documents
The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference WRC-15 preparation
process, as outlined in last weekend's GB2RS News, covers some
complex issues for the amateur community. The RSGB has been closely
involved with this preparation process by attending and presenting
papers at a number of Ofcom, CEPT and ITU meetings, and will continue
to do so. This direct involvement has, in part, been made possible by
significant technical support from experts within our membership. In
a few months time the WRC-15 Preparatory process will consider what
additional agenda items need to be added to the WRC-18 Agenda. The
RSGB has submitted its proposal to Ofcom for consideration along with
those from other spectrum stakeholders. The RSGB proposal is for
improving harmonisation on the 1.8MHz, 50MHz and 3.4GHz bands. For
more information see http://rsgb.org/main/news/special-focus/wrc-15/.
Ofcom has supported the RSGB's Centenary celebrations with the very
special G100RSGB callsign, for which the RSGB is very grateful. UK
clubs and societies have made the station a success both at home and
abroad with thousands of contacts made already. Now Ofcom have made
available NoVs for a commemorative prefix of GV, MV and 2V, which
will be active from 0001BST on 5 July until the end of the month. You
can download your Notice of Variation from www.rsgb.org/centenarynov,
although you cannot use the prefix until the start time. QSL cards
for your Centenary prefixed callsign can be ordered from the RSGB
Shop.
G100RSGB, the special event callsign celebrating the RSGB Centenary
will be operated today by Bedford & DARC running an HF and VHF
station. Monday it's the turn of Bracknell ARC who are planning HF
and VHF coverage with the possibility of some datamodes operations.
On Tuesday 25th, Echelford ARS will be running HF and VHF stations
using SSB & CW and Verulam ARC take over on Wednesday putting signals
out on the 160m to 23cm bands. Newport Pagnell Group will run the
station on Thursday operating on the 160m to 6m bands as well as 2m.
Next weekend from Friday to Sunday, Shefford & DARS will be operating
from Clophill using the 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m & 10m bands. Details of
how to get your QSL card are on the RSGB website, www.rsgb.org.uk
under the Operating drop down menu, clicking on Centenary Station.
An update on amateur radio on the International Space Station program
given by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO can now be viewed on the web. The
presentation was given at the 2013 Dayton Hamvention and Frank takes
a quick look at 30 years of amateur radio on the Space Shuttle and
International Space Station, and some changes at NASA that are
affecting ARISS. Watch the video via the AMSAT-UK website at
www.amsat-uk.org.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, 23 June, the East Suffolk Wireless Revival, otherwise known as
the Ipswich Radio Rally will be held at The Orwell Crossing Lorry
Park, A14 Eastbound, Nacton, Ipswich, IP10 0DD. Doors open at 9.30am
and admission is GBP 2. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as an
RSGB Bookstall. Details from Kevin, G8MXV on 07710 046 846.
The LAM Communications Rally In Aid Of Cancer Research will take
place today, 23 June, at Elsecar Heritage Centre, inside Building 21,
located 2.2 miles from LAM Communications Ltd. Doors open from 10am
to 4pm.
The date of the South Manchester Radio Club Boot Sale has been moved
from 23 June because of clashes with other events. It will now take
place on 4 August at Trafford Metrovicks Rugby and Cricket Club,
Finnybank Road, Sale. For more information contact Terry Baily,
G6CRF, by e-mail to Terry.Baily<at>gmx.com.
Next weekend the HAMTRONIC Show takes place in Friedrichshafen,
Germany. There will be trade stands and a large RSGB bookstall.
Former Interim Board member, Chris G3SVL will be delivering a lecture
on the RSGB and it's place in European amateur radio history.
On 30 June, the West Of England Radio Rally will be held at the
Cheese & Grain, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. Doors open
at 10am and admission is GBP 2.50. There will be trade stands and an
RSGB book stall. More details from Shaun, G8VPG on 01225 873 098.
If you have any rally or event information you'd like to appear in
future editions of the News and in RadCom, please email details to
GB2RS<at>regb.org.uk.
Now for the news of special events
On 26 June 1913, Barrow Wireless Association in NW England received a
transmitting licence from the Post Office, the fifth English club to
do so. Furness Amateur Radio Society, as a successor to that
association, is celebrating this centenary with a series of events
and on-air activities. Ofcom have been approached for a special
callsign and this will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
Amateurs in the UK and beyond are invited to work the station.
Activity will be from early June for around 28 days.
South Tyne Side Amateur Radio Society is activating Segedunum Roman
Fort from Buddle Street, Wallsend NE28 6HR on 23 June with the
callsign GB4SRF on all HF and VHF bands.
Riviera Amateur Radio Club will be operating the special event
callsign GB8AFD for Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June at Little
Haldon, the site of a World War 2 airfield, near Teignmouth in Devon.
The main operating band will be 40mm SSB as well as 2m FM. A QSL card
is available via bureau, direct or eqsl. See www.rivierarc.org.uk for
more details.
From 1 to 14 July 2013 a CW only special event station will be on the
air to commemorate the invention of the jet engine, paying tribute to
Sir Frank Whittle. The callsign will be GB4SSC and the plan is to
operate on the 20, 30, 40, 80 and 160m bands.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
W6JKV will be active as V31IV from San Pedro in Belize until 1 July.
Operations will be on the 6 to 80m bands and he will probably focus
on 6 meters CW. QSL via his home callsign.
DL4SDW will be active stroke HI3 from the Dominican Republic until 26
July. Operations will be limited to his spare time on the HF bands,
using mainly CW, but some SSB and digital modes. QSL via his home
callsign, preferably with cards sent via the bureau.
Champ, E21EIC will be in Laos until mid September. This time he will
sign XW0YJY. He will be operating on all bands from 2m to 160m. QSLs
go via his home call in Thailand.
Three US amateurs, K4RX, AC4TO and N4SIA will be active from
Guantanamo Bay until 29 June. Look for them on the air as KG4RX,
KG4TO and KG4AS respectively.
Now the contest news
Today, 23 June, the 50MHz CW Contest ends at 1200UTC. The exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, 23 June, the 4th 70MHz Cumulative finishes at 1600UTC.
Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
The Marconi Memorial HF Contest is organised by the Italian national
society RAI ends at 1400UTC today, 23 June. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz
bands the exchange is signal report and serial number. There are
QRP/Low/High-power categories and DXCC entities count as multipliers.
Today, 23 June, the IRTS 80m Counties Contest take place between 1400
and 1700UTC. Using SSB and CW, the exchange is signal report and
serial number with EI & GI stations also giving the county.
On Tuesday two contests take place between 1900 and 2130UTC. The
50MHz UK Activity Contest uses all modes with the exchange of signal
report, serial number and locator. The SHF Activity Contest uses the
2.3 to 10GHz bands and the exchange is also signal report, serial
number and locator.
Next weekend, 30 June the Worked All Britain 2m Low Power Phone
Contest takes place from 1000 to 1400UTC. The power limit is 10 watts
and the exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square.
Also next Sunday, 30 June, the UK Microwave Group Cumulative Contests
takes place from 1000 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7, 10 and
24GHz bands the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
And now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 14th to
Thursday the 20th of June compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday
the 21st of June.
Solar activity was low everyday with only a small number of C class
solar flares taking place each day. Up to seven sunspot groups were
visible on the 16th. Solar flux levels increased from 109 units on
the 14th to 126 by the 20th. The average was 119 units. The 90 day
solar flux average on the 20th was 121 units, that's the same level
as last week. X-ray flux levels increased slightly from B3.1 to B4.6
units by the 17th. The average was B4 units. Geomagnetic activity was
quiet everyday until the 20th when a coronal hole disturbance arrived
when the Ap was 16 units, the average was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data
from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from a slow
260 kilometres per second on the 17th and the 18th to 530 kilometres
per second on the 20th. Particle densities were low except for the
20th, which increased to a high 119 particles per cubic centimetre.
Bz varied between minus 5 and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quietest day
and between minus 12 and plus 10 nanoTeslas on the 20th.
And finally the solar forecast for the coming week. This week could
see the more active side of the Sun looking our way. Solar activity
is expected increase to moderate levels on some days. Solar flux
levels could be around the 130s at first but may decline as the week
progress. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be unsettled for the
next couple of days and again next weekend. Both of these
disturbances are due to recurring coronal holes. MUFs during daylight
hours at equal latitudes should be about 24MHz for the south and
21MHz for the south. Daytime highs are expected to take place during
the evening. Darkness hour lows should be around 14MHz. Paths this
week to South America should have a maximum usable frequency with a
50 per cent success rate of around 28MHz. The optimum working
frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 22MHz. The
best time to try this path will be between 1500 and 2000 hours UTC.
Sporadic-E is expected most days with openings up to 144 possible on
the occasional days.
NASA prepares to launch a new solar satellite, which is due for lift
off on the 26th, IRIS, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph will
observe how solar material moves, gathers and heats up as it travels
through the Sun's lower atmosphere. IRIS carries a multi-band
ultraviolet imaging spectrograph. It will be in a polar-synchronous
orbit which will take it almost over both poles and will cross the
equator at the same place at the same time everyday and will allow an
almost continuous solar observations to take place during its two
year mission.
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 Thursday before transmission.
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
