Entries from May 2011
May 25th, 2011 · Comments
This is the iPOD compatible version of the GB2RS broadcast news files.
If you are reading this text on your iPOD you will see that the iPOD truncates the text. To see the complete text please go to http://gb2rs.podbean.com
GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 29th May 2011
The news headlines:
-
Foundation Syllabus changes on 1 July
-
Train the trainers session to be held in Derby
-
Japan drops Morse requirement
The syllabus of the Foundation examination changes on 1 July this year. A new question on etiquette and dealing with abuse will be added, making 26 questions in total on each paper. The pass mark is 19 correct answers. Details are on the RCF examinations website at www.commsfoundation.org/rce, where you will need to click on Foundation Syllabus - current.
A Train the Trainers course will take place on 18 June at the Old Mill Community Centre, West Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. The event will start at 10am and includes a free lunch as well as a raffle. If any tutors would like to attend, please contact Jim Stevenson, G0EJQ, by email to g0ejq@live.co.uk.
The Japanese radio regulatory council recently announced that the Morse requirement for amateur radio licenses will shortly be dropped. The move comes after a public consultation following the decisions taken at WRC-2003. The RSGB understands that the change will be effective from 1 October 2011.
Would all those still intending to take part in the International Museums Weekend in June please register via the IMW website. This includes those who are registering for the first time as well as those who have taken part in the past and need to update their registration. The URL is www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw.
The BBC Community Bus paid a visit to West Tyrone Amateur Radio Club. Some of its members attended a 2 day radio production workshop on board the Bus. They learned how a magazine style radio programme is produced and gained new skills in interviewing, collecting vox pops, scripting and presenting. If you would like to listen to the result, go to http://wtarc.co.uk/news.aspx.
At the recent Dayton Hamvention, Sylvia Margolis was posthumously inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honours those individuals, whether licensed amateurs or not, who have made significant contributions to amateur radio. Sylvia was a prolific author for CQ magazine in the 1960s and early 70s and was well known for her humorous look at the hobby. She was also the first Public Relations Officer for the Radio Society of Great Britain. Her son, well-known DXer Laurie Margolis, G3UML, said he was "Somewhat stunned and rather chuffed" when he heard the news.
There are three UK Buildathon events taking place this year. On 5 June the Buildathon team will be at Torbay ARC building a Manhattan-style Sudden receiver. Booking details are on the Torbay club’s website at www.tars.org.uk. Then in July, at the QRP in the Country event on the 17th, a Cary regenerative receiver is the project. Finally, the G-QRP Club is planning to have a Friday night Buildathon and social supper on 21 October, the eve of the Rishworth Convention. Details from www.gqrp.com/rishworth.htm. All these will be ideal for Intermediate students to build their projects and get some of the test meter assessments signed off.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The 21st annual Waters and Stanton Open Day will take place today, 29 May. Essex CW Club, who won the Region 12 Club of the Year award will collect their trophy from Waters & Stanton, who sponsor both the Region 12 Trophy and the National Trophy scheme too.
D-Star Northants and UKIT are organising a D-Star Meet and Greet Day today, 29 May. This will be held in Northampton at Tetra Communications, Bunting Road, Northampton NN2 6EE. The event will include help and advice from D-Star Northants and UK IT.
Porthcurno Telegraph Museum has an open day today, 29 May. Doors open from 10am to 5pm to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of the wartime tunnels at Porthcurno. This event is open to all, but the museum would particularly like to hear from anyone who was involved at Porthcurno during WW2 or who had an involvement in any other way. Entry to the museum, including the tunnels, will be free to all on this day.
Next weekend, 5 June is a busy day for rallies up and down the country. The Newhaven Fort Amateur Radio Group Rally and Fort Open Day takes place at Newhaven Fort, East Sussex, near the southern end of the A26. Entry is £2 and the doors open at 10.30am. Details from Eddie, G0ECW on 01273 300772.
The Spalding & DARS annual rally will be held at The Sir John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs, PE11 2EF. There is free car parking and the doors open at 10am. Details from John, G4NBR, on 0794 630 2815.
The 15th Red Rose QRP Festival will take place at Formby Hall, Alder Street, Atherton, Manchester M46 9EY. There is free car parking and entry is £2. There will be a Bring & Buy. Details from Les Jackson, G4HZJ on 01942 870634.
Finally for 5 June, the Hull & District Amateur Radio Society Grand Auction and Mini Rally will be held at the HADARS Club House, Goathland Close, Hull. Doors open at 12 noon and the sale starts at 1.30pm. There will be a Bring & Buy with 10% of proceeds to the club funds. To book any items in before the sale call Keith on 01482 217776.
Now for the news of special events
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run GB6COD at the open day in HMS Collingwood on 4 June. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 440MHz. The Society headquarters station will be open for viewing from 9.30am to 6pm on the day. Advanced tickets will be available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information Offices and Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.
GB0VUL will be on the air promoting and celebrating the continued flying of XH558, the world’s only flying Vulcan bomber. The station will be on the air today, 29 May, from the Air Training Corps Hall in Newbury. This is the 3rd consecutive year this call has been run by members of Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society. More information can be found at www.vulcantothesky.org.
The Geoparks Communication Weekend will take place this weekend, 28 and 29 May. GB6GEO will be on again this year from Occombe Farm in Torbay. There will be several other Geopark stations operating around the world. There is an award available for contacting Geopark stations. More information on qrz.com.
As part of the Imagineering stand at the Bath and West Show, Weymouth College are putting on a special event station to demonstrate amateur radio to visitors. The idea is to particularly allow young people to send greetings via the HF special event station GB0BAW. If there are any local amateurs who are planning on visiting the show and would like to help operate the station that will be on the air for the duration of the agricultural show between 1 and 4 June, please contact Rob, G0ECX whose details are on QRZ.com, or telephone 01305 787120.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET Group will be active on the Island of Jura, which is IOTA reference EU008, until 2 June. The group is providing emergency safety communications for the annual Fell Race on the 28th. They will also be activating the island on all HF bands using group callsign GS0RAY/P throughout the week. Reports are most welcome. For further details please contact group controller Paul Lucas on 07768 271736 or by e-mail to mm3ddq@yahoo.co.uk.
VE7/DK6AO will stay on Quadra island in British Columbia between May 30 and June 7. QSL via his home callsign either via the bureau or direct.
Jan, PA4JJ will be active holiday style as 9A/PA4JJ from Porec on the Croatian mainland between 6 and 24 June. He will operate RTTY and PSK31 most of the time. QSL via his home callsign.
I2VGW, IZ2LSC and IZ3EZV will be active as HB0/homecall from Liechtenstein between 2 and 5 June. They plan to operate holiday style CW, SSB and RTTY, with main focus to be given to 12, 17 and 30 metres and the upper HF bands. They will also give 6 metres a try. QSL via their home callsigns.
Now the contest news
On 31 May, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
CW NFD is the first HF event of the month on 4 and 5 June. With HF propagation much improved this year, smart competing stations will be keeping a very careful listen on 10m. When it opens there will be a real feeding frenzy because, like 160m, QSOs on 10m are worth double points. Running from 1500 to 1500UTC and using all bands from 1.8 to 28MHz, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The UK 6m Group’s Summer Es Contest also takes place for 24 hours over the weekend of 4 and 5 June. You can participate and give points away even if you’re not a member. Send a report, serial number and your locator, and expect to receive the same plus a membership number. Remember that many members of UKSMG are experts on 6m, so they’re likely to hear you even if your station is far from ideal for the band. The contest runs from 1200 to 1200UTC.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 16th to the 22nd of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 23rd of May.
Solar activity was very low every day except for a C2 class solar flare that took place on the 18th from a sunspot group that was in the process of rotating out of view around the west limb. The solar disc had a number of sunspot groups visible every day with 5 on the 18th. All of the groups were small and magnetically simple. Solar flux levels reflected this and declined from 92 units on the 16th and the 17th to 84 by the 19th. The average was 87 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 22nd was 108. That’s two units down on last week. X-ray flux levels also declined as expected from B1.4 units on the 17th to A6.8 on the 21st. The average was A9.4 units. Geomagnetic activity started at just unsettled levels with the Ap index of 12 and 10 units on the 16th and the 17th respectively. Quiet conditions then prevailed to the end of the period as the effects of the coronal hole declined. The average was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 600 kilometres per second on the 17th to 310 by the 21st. Particle densities remained low throughout. Bz varied between minus and plus 7 nanoTeslas on the 16th, which was the most disturbed day, and between minus 4 and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet days.
Sporadic-E was reported daily on 28 and 50MHz, with double-hop propagation on 50MHz on several days. 70MHz was also open across much of Europe on several days. During the 21st an opening took place on 144MHz but it would appear only affected the Mediterranean area.
And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be very low to low. However, the latest STEREO spacecraft images show a large active region that will be rotating into view today or tomorrow. How active this region will be only time will tell. Solar flux levels should be around the 100 mark but could be much higher if this region is still active. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be unsettled today and tomorrow due to the effects of a coronal hole but then activity is expected to be quiet for the rest of the week. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 12MHz. Paths this week to South Africa should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of about 29MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be around 22MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1100 and 1500 hours. Sporadic-E is expected to take place most days. During the more intense openings double hop events could take place along with openings on 144MHz.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
Tags: Ham Radio
May 18th, 2011 · Comments Off
Here is this weeks, combined GB2RS files read by G4NJH, converted to podcast format by ED VK2ARE.
GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 22nd May 2011
The news headlines:
RSGB AGM information National Club of the Year winners Latest 6 and 10 report available
More than 100 RSGB Members and interested parties were at the RSGB AGM in Derby last weekend. As well as the formal business of the AGM, visitors took part in a full day of discussions about the RSGB and amateur radio. The Board has determined that fundamental changes are needed in the way the Society operates and received a number of practical comments on the proposed way ahead. A full report of the AGM appears in the June RadCom, which should arrive with Members before the end of the month.
Also at the RSGB AGM, the winners of the National Club of the Year were announced. The annual competition is sponsored by Waters and Stanton plc. In third place, Bolton Wireless Club received a certificate and £250 prize money; second place went to Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club who also received a certificate plus a cheque for £500. First place went to Reading & District Amateur Radio Club, who received the trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £1000. Prizes were presented by RSGB President, Dave Wilson, M0OBW. The 2011 competition will be open for nominations later this year.
The Six and Ten Reporting Club is an informal group of radio amateurs. They are mostly from the UK and interested in propagation studies at frequencies around the HF to VHF boundary, mainly the 6 and 10 metre amateur bands. The club produces the Six and Ten Report, a monthly newsletter, that includes analysis of 28MHz propagation based on beacon monitoring and analysis of 50MHz activity reports as well as results of on-going experiments. The latest report from Martin Harrison, G3USF and the 6 and 10 reporting club has been published and it is available at http://g7kse.co.uk/6and10.
The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Conference takes place in Sun City, South Africa in August. The papers to be discussed at the conference are now available online from the IARU Region 1 website. They can be downloaded from www.iaru-r1.org.
The 21st annual Waters and Stanton Open Day will take place on Sunday, 29 May. Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood will be in attendance as will bhi. There will also be an RSGB bookstall. Essex CW Club, who won the Region 12 Club of the Year award will collect their trophy from Waters & Stanton who sponsor both the Region 12 trophy and the national trophy scheme. A prize raffle in aid of Marie Cure Cancer Care, supported by W&S and their suppliers, will take place on the day.
Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET Group will be active on the Island of Jura, which is IOTA reference EU008, from 26 May to 2 June. The group is providing emergency safety communications for the annual Fell Race on the 28th. They will also be activating the island on all HF bands using group callsign GS0RAY/P throughout the week. Reports are most welcome. For further details please contact group controller, Paul Lucas, on 07768 271736 or by email to mm3ddq@yahoo.co.uk.
The Deutsche Amateur Radio Club is sponsoring an award to celebrate the 2011 Women's Football World Cup. Both licensed amateur radio operators and short wave listeners can apply for this award. Between 1 June and 31 July, the special station DL0YLWM and YL district stations will be on the air. You need to log the appropriate number of German YL stations to apply for any one of four awards. Full details at www.darc.ce, search on the website for DL0YLWM.
The 2011 International Museums Weekend special event will take place on 18 and 19 June as well as 25 and 26 June. Anyone planning to take part should register their museum via e-mail to harry.m1byt@tiscali.co.uk. Full details of the event can be found on the International Museums Weekend website at www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
The 1st Leicester RS Grand Clearance and Bring & Buy will be held today, 22 May, at the Leicester Radio Society HQ in Groby Road, Leicester. There is approximately £2000 of donated radio equipment for disposal as well as a Bring & Buy. Doors open 10am to 4pm. Details of equipment available and further details from Alex on 0753 120 1640.
Also today, 22 May, the Dunstable Downs Radio Club National Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale will be held at Stockwood Park, Luton LU1 5NR. Talk in will be on S22 and there is plenty of car parking. Doors open at 9am and entry is £2.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club Rally and Boot Sale due to take place today, 22 May, has been cancelled. The organisers would like to thanks everyone for their support and hope to see everyone at next year’s event.
D-Star Northants and UKIT are organising a D-Star Meet and Greet Day on Sunday 29 May. This will be held in Northampton at Tetra Communications, Bunting Road, Northampton NN2 6EE. The event will include help and advice from D-Star Northants and UK IT. Visitors to the event will also have the opportunity to visit Tetra Communications warehouse that will be open for the duration of the event.
Now for the news of special events
Castles and stately homes on air will take place on the 21st and 22nd of the month. Information can be found at www.cashota.co.uk.
GB1LC will be active on the evening of the 24th for the 1st Laindon Cubs who will be gaining their communicator badge. Activity will be on 2m and HF. Special QSL cards designed by the cubs will be available for all contacts. For further info please contact G1KOT.
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run a GB6COD at the open day in HMS Collingwood on 4 June. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 440MHz. The Society headquarters station will be open for viewing from 9.30am to 6pm on the day. Advanced tickets will be available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information Offices and Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.
GB0VUL will be on the air promoting and celebrating the continued flying of XH558, the world’s only airworthy Vulcan bomber. The station will be on the air over the bank holiday weekend of 28 and 29 May, from the Air Training Corps Hall in Newbury. This is the 3rd consecutive year this call has been run by members of Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society. More information can be found at www.vulcantothesky.org.
The Geoparks Communication Weekend will take place over the weekend 28 and 29 May. GB6GEO will be on again this year from Occombe Farm in Torbay. There will be several other Geopark stations operating around the world. There is an award available for contacting Geopark stations. More information on qrz.com.
As part of the Imagineering stand at the Bath and West Show, Weymouth College are putting on a special event station to demonstrate amateur radio to visitors. The idea is to particularly allow young people to send greetings via the HF special event station GB0BAW. If there are any local amateurs who are planning on visiting the show and would like to help operate the station that will be on the air for the duration of the agricultural show between 1 and 4 June, please contact Rob, G0ECX whose details are on QRZ.com, or telephone on 01305 787120.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
From 22 to 28 May, Japanese operators JA7HMZ, JA7AGO and JA7ZP are heading to Pohnpei, Micronesia, which is IOTA reference OC-010, for activity as V63DX, V63GO and V63ZP respectively. They will be on all bands and modes. QSL via their home callsigns.
TM0Z will be active from Batz Island, which is IOTA reference EU-105, until 26 May. They will operate SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK on 6 to 80m with at least four stations. QSL via F5EOT either direct or via the bureau.
Laci, HA0HW will be active again as SV8/HA0HW from Thassos Island, which is IOTA reference EU-174 from 26 May to 5 June. He will operate on the HF bands and 6 metres. QSL via his home callsign preferably through the bureau.
Henry, TJ3AY has been issued special callsign TJ3IC to be used until 30 May to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the independence of Cameroon. QSL via F5LGE.
Sam, K0YAK is based at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal and is active as 9N7AK during his spare time. It is expected that he will be there until early July. He is using SSB and PSK31 on 10 to 20m and QSLs should go via his home callsign.
TM0Z will be active from the French island of Batz until 26 May. A group of 5 French amateurs will be operational on all bands 6 to 160m. The IOTA reference is EU-105.
Three Czech Republic operators will be on the Island of Crete until 28 May and will sign SV9/homecall/P from the main island, which is IOTA EU- 015. They also plan a few side trips to offshore islands, which will count as IOTA EU-187.
K6VVA and NI6T will be on the air as K6VVA/6 from Santa Catalina Island. They plan to work mainly in CW on 15 to 40m from 24 to 26 May. QSL via N6AWD either via the bureau or direct.
Now the contest news
Tuesday 24 May sees the 50MHz UK Activity Contest taking place between 1900 and 2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On the same evening, the SHF UK Activity Contest also takes place between 1900 and 2130UTC. Using the 1.3 to 10GHz bands, all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The CQWW WPX CW Contest takes place for the whole 48 hours of the weekend of 28 and 29 May. This is a follow-on event from the SSB leg held at the end of March. Expect the CW segments of the bands to be packed and some pretty big serial numbers to be handed out by the end, especially if propagation on the upper HF bands is favourable. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number
On 29 May from 1000 to 1200UTC the 3rd 70MHz Cumulative contest takes place. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Finally for this week, on 31 May, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 9th to the 15th of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 16th of May.
Sunspots groups were visible every day; all were small and most were quiet and stable. Solar activity was mostly very low, however, activity increased to low on the 9th, 12th and the 15th when small C class solar flares took place. These had little effect on propagation. Solar flux levels declined from 104 units on the 9th to 91 by the 14th. This is the lowest daily figure since the middle of March. The average was 95 units. The lower flux levels slowed the rate of increase on the 90 day solar flux average, which remained at the same level as last week at 110 units. X-ray flux levels declined slightly from B2.9 units on the 9th to B1.1 by the 14th. The average was B1.6 units. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day, but only just on some days, for example the Ap index was at 8 units on the 10th and 11 on the 15th. The average was Ap 6 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 410 kilometres per second on the 10th to 290 by the 14th. Speeds then increased to 590 kilometres per second on the 15th. Particle densities were low every day except for the 19th which increased briefly to 25 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz on the quiet days varied between minus 2 and plus 4 nanoTeslas and between minus 9 and plus 11 nanoTeslas during the 14th.
F-layer propagation was up to predicted values. Also strong Sporadic-E openings within Europe were reported on a daily basis on 28 and 50MHz. Some areas also had 6 metre propagation to West Africa. Brief openings were reported on 70MHz.
And now the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. The recent spell of increased levels of activity that started back in February seems to have come to an end. Of course, the emergence of a new active region could take place and with it activity could increase but for now that seems unlikely but not totally ruled out. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the 100 mark. Geomagnetic activity should start at quiet levels but by midweek activity is expected to increase due to a recurring coronal hole and last until the weekend. On its last rotation the disturbance lasted 5 days. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 22MHz for the south and 19MHz 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 22MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 17MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 1000 and 1600 hours. Sporadic-E should take place on some days with opening up to 50MHz and maybe higher on the more intense openings.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
Tags: Ham Radio
May 12th, 2011 · Comments Off
Here are the G4NJH files combined and stored as a Podcast. Enjoy Ed VK2ARE.
GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 15th May 2011
The news headlines:
New Amateur Radio Observation Service appointment SDR club launched New US 4m band beacon
At the last Board meeting, Brian Reay, G8OSN was appointed to lead the Amateur Radio Observation Service. The Board would like to thank his predecessor Tony Selmes, G4KLF, who has retired from the post after many years managing the service. AROS is an advisory and reporting service of the RSGB that is intended to assist radio amateurs and others who may be affected by problems that occur within the amateur bands or that develop on other frequencies as a result of amateur transmissions. The service investigates reports of licence infringements, or instances of poor operating practice that might bring the amateur service into disrepute. Reports, complaints and associated supplementary information are accepted from any source and the content of each communication is regarded as confidential material. Brian has e-mailed all Observers for whom he has a current e-mail address. If you are an Observer and have not received an e-mail from Brian regarding his appointment, please e-mail him on aros@rsgb.org.uk. Those interested in becoming an Observer should contact Brian on using this e-mail address.
A new online Software Defined Radio Club has been launched by Adrian, 2E0SDR and can be found at www.softwaredefinedradio.co.uk. The idea is to create a global community dedicated to the technology of software defined radio and membership is free. The site is being run as a dedicated portal with all members being able to add content to the site.
70MHz is not an amateur band in the USA, but European stations may try to listen for a new 4 metre band Radio Science E-skip Trans-Atlantic propagation beacon from the East Coast of the US. Its operating frequency is 70.005MHz. WE9XUP is located at FM07fm and transmits CW. Any amateur or SWL reports are welcome via e-mail to WA1ZMS@ARRL.NET. The beacon is scheduled to run 24 hours a day until 1 September.
Bletchley Park Trust has opened a new exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the capture of an Enigma machine and codebooks from German U-boat 110 that took place 70 years ago. The exhibition contains photographs of the capture and it is the first time all known photos have been exhibited together at the same time. The exhibition tells the full story including many of the details that appeared in the best selling book on the capture of the Enigma code. For visitor information, contact 01908 640404, or go to www.bletchleypark.org.uk.
Illegal church broadcasts have been heard on 28.265MHz in Germany and amateurs are requested to listen on this frequency in order to identify the location. Please send any reports to Ger McNamara, EI4GXB, IARU Monitoring System Co-ordinator by e-mail to ei4gxb@gmail.com.
AMSAT-UK is now active on Twitter. AMSAT-UK is a voluntary organisation that supports the design and building of equipment for amateur radio satellites. You can find AMSAT-UK on Twitter as @AMSAT_UK.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, Sunday 15 May, sees the National Vintage Communications Fair taking place at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, The Fosse, Fosse Way, Leamington Spa CV31 1XN. Doors open at 10am and there is free car parking on site. Entry is £6 and there will be plenty of trade stands and special interest groups as well as catering services. Details by e-mail from info@nvcf.org.uk.
The 1st Leicester RS Grand Clearance and Bring & Buy will be held on 22 May at the Leicester Radio Society HQ, Groby Road, Leicester. There is approximately £2000 of donated radio equipment for disposal as well as a Bring & Buy. Doors open 10am to 4pm. Details of equipment available and further details from Alex on 0753 120 1640.
Also on 22 May, the Dunstable Downs Radio Club National Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale will be held at Stockwood Park, Luton LU1 5NR. Talk in will be on S22 and there is plenty of car parking. Doors open at 9am and entry is £2.
Sunday 22 May sees the Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club Rally and Boot Sale take place at Drumgor Youth Centre, Drumgor Heights, Craigavon, BT65 4AP. Doors open at 11am and there is plenty of car prking on site. There will be a Bring & Buy.
John, 2E0XER and Jem, 2E0JEM are holding a Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society event on Saturday 21 May in a field at the village of Libbery, about eight miles East of Worcester on the A422 Stratford Road. Visitors are welcome to join them. Any experimental equipment is welcomed and all those old antennas that have been in the loft or shed for the last 30 years will have an opportunity of getting the dust blown off them! Visitors should make their own food provision, although there is expected to be a military field kitchen on site for the weekend. The event coincides with the Saturday morning VMARS AM net with the opportunity to operate and make contacts. For further information please contact Jem on 07711 162322 or e-mail info@wraa.co.uk.
Now for the news of special events
In commemoration of the 617 Squadron Dambusters raid, on Monday 16 May, the Lincoln Short Wave Club will be operating on the 80m band as near to 3.617MHz as conditions allow. The transmissions will commence at precisely 2139; this is the time the first wave of nine Lancaster bombers took off. Transmissions will cease at 0139, the time the Mohne Dam was breached. There will be a limited edition QSL card sent to all contacts.
May 2011 will be the month for chasing castles and stately homes on air. The weekend of the 21st and 22nd will be the international castles weekend from 1am on the 21st to 11pm on the 22nd. For UK stations, information can be found at www.cashota.co.uk as well as links to regional activity. The website now allows interested amateurs to complete activation forms online.
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run a special event station at the open day of HMS Collingwood on Saturday 4 June. The callsign to be used is GB6COD, Collingwood Open Day. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 440MHz. The Society headquarters station will be open for viewing from 9.30am to 6pm on the day. A number of demonstrations will be taking place using amateur radio and amateur television. The open day will feature the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition. Additional attractions will include a display from the Royal Marines Band, Collingwood, a free fun fair and much more. Advanced tickets will be available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information Offices and Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Glasgow and Clyde RAYNET Group will be active on the Island of Jura, which is IOTA reference EU008, from 26 May to 2 June. The group is providing Emergency Safety comms for the Annual Fell Race on Saturday 28 May but will also be activating the island on all HF bands using GS0RAY/P throughout the week. Reports are most welcome. For further details please contact Paul Lucas on 07768 271736 or e-mail mm3ddq@yahoo.co.uk.
Over the weekend 20 to 22 May, Kev, M0TNX will activate Hilbre Island, IOTA reference EU120. Wirral Council has given Kev the opportunity to stay overnight on this uninhabited Island. The callsign for this event will be GB2HI and operation will be on SSB but CW is available on request. The bands in use will be 40, 20 and 17m only and a commemorative QSL card will be available. Charles, M0OXO, has kindly offered to be QSL manager and the QSL cards are being undertaken by Gennady at UX5UO print.
Macquarie Island is one of the rarer DXCC entities and in recent times there has been some activity from Kevin, VK0KEV. The good news now is that Kevin will be joined by Denis, ZL4DB who will be active from there as VK0/ ZL4DB until late July. Denis is new to DXing and will only be able to operate during his spare time.
Phil, F4EGS will be active as TT8PK from Chad until 15 June. He will be on the air in his spare time. QSL via F4EGS either direct or via the bureau.
Joe, W5FJG is now on Midway Island, which is IOTA reference OC-030. He is working on the island as the Chief Communications Officer for at least a year. He plans to be active as KH4/W5FJG, starting the last week in May. Activity will be on 10 to 40m bands using CW, SSB and digital modes.
A few Italian amateurs will be operating from Lampedusa in the Pelagie Islands using the callsign IG9E from 18 to 23 May. QSL via IZ2GMT either direct or via the bureau.
Now the contest news
The Worked All Britain LF Phone contest takes place today, Sunday 15 May, from 1000 to 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square. Full details of the rules and logsheets may be obtained from the WAB website at www.worked-all-britain.co.uk or from the Contest Manager, G3XKT by e-mail to aebbooks@ntlworld.com.
On 17 May the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest will take place from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The CW leg of the 80m Club Championships will take place from 1900 to 2030UTC on 19 may. The exchange is signal report and serial number.
The May 144MHz Activity Contest takes place on 21 and 22 May from 1400 to 1400UTC. The timing coincides with first three hours of the four-hour First 144MHz Backpackers Contest, which is the contest where the low power enthusiasts head for the hills. The exchange for both events is signal report, serial number and locator, with the UK Activity Contest also exchanging postcode information.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 2nd to the 8th of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 9th of May
Several sunspot groups were visible every day. In fact, there as only been one spotless day so far this year and that was on the 27th of January. Solar activity started at low levels when a C1 class solar flare took place on the 2nd and the 3rd. Activity declined to very low levels for the remained of the period. Solar flux levels declined from 110 units on the 2nd to 102 by the 6th. The average was 105 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 8th was 110, that’s two units up on last week. X-ray flux levels showed little variation and averaged B2 units. Geomagnetic activity started at active levels due to a recurring coronal hole that lasted longer than forecast. The most disturbed day was the 2nd with an Ap index of 20 units. The average was Ap 8 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds decline from 730 kilometres per second to 280 by the 8th. Particle densities were very low throughout. Densities were no more than 3 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz varied between minus 6 and plus 4 nanoTeslas on some days but with smaller variations on the quieter days.
And now the solar forecast. This week the slightly more active side of the Sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be low for most of the week but there is a slight chance that activity could increase to moderate levels if any M class solar flares take place. Solar flux levels should be between 110 and 120 units. Geomagnetic activity should be quiet everyday but could be unsettled today and tomorrow due to a coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and 20MHz for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 12MHz. 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. Even though the band will be open earlier and later than the times quoted these though are the best time to try this path and will be between 1400 and 2000 hours. Sporadic-E should take place on some days with openings including 50MHz also.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
Tags: Ham Radio
Here is this weeks RSGB News in iTunes fomat - vk2are.
GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 8th May 2011
The news headlines:
Russia signs up to CEPT licensing Talk in for the RSGB AGM Intruder Watch lecture at Friedrichshafen
Russia has become the latest nation to sign onto the pan-European CEPT licensing agreement. According to the IARU Region 1 website, the Russian State Radio Frequencies Commission decided in March that the Russian Federation would join both the CEPT and ECC Recommendation. This makes it possible for every CEPT licence holder to operate on the territory of the Russian Federation. There are a few caveats. Among them is that Russia will only permit such CEPT operation by a foreign station for a limit of three months, without any additional permission needed. Also, the callsign to be used in CEPT operations will be RA followed by the foreign amateur’s personal call letters.
Arrangements have been made for a talk-in station for those attending the RSGB's AGM in Derby on 14 May. It will be available on 145.550MHz from about 8am through to 12 noon and the callsign will be G2DJ, Golf 2 Delta Juliet. Tickets for the amateur radio dinner on Saturday evening are still available from the RSGB online shop.
At the Ham Radio exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany there will be lectures about the activities of IARU Region 1 and DARC Monitoring System Intruder Watch. It will take place on Saturday, 25 June at 10am in Room Schweiz, Hall A2.
Summits on the Air recently passed a significant milestone with its millionth QSO being made over the recent holiday period. SOTA started in 2002 and has now grown into a worldwide award scheme with 55 associations across the world and around 44,000 qualifying summits. For more information on the scheme, check out the internet at www.sota.org.uk.
Sad news broke late last week. James McLaughlin, WA2EWE/T6AF was one of several Americans killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 27. News sources say that eight American troops and a US contractor died Wednesday after an Afghan military pilot opened fire during a meeting in an operations room of the Afghan Air Corps at the Kabul airport. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
On Sunday 8 May, the Magnum Radio Rally will take place at the Magnum Leisure Centre, Harbourside, Irvine, Ayrshire KA12 8PP. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and special interest groups. Doors open at 10.30am and admission is £4. Details from Helen, MM0HLN, on 0787 332 7597.
Sunday 15 May sees the National Vintage Communications Fair taking place at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, The Fosse, Fosse Way, Leamington Spa CV31 1XN. Doors open at 10am and there is free car parking on site. Entry is £6 and there will be plenty of trade stands and special interest groups as well as catering services. Details by e-mail from info@nvcf.org.uk.
Advanced notice now of the 1st Leicester RS Grand Clearance and Bring & Buy that will be held on 22 May at the Leicester Radio Society HQ, Groby Road, Leicester. There is approximately £2000 of donated radio equipment for disposal as well as a Bring & Buy. Doors open 10am to 4pm. Details of equipment available and further details from Alex on 0753 120 1640.
Now for the news of special events
Today, 8 May, the Whitton Amateur Radio Group will be presenting amateur radio to the public using GB2IKE in Bushy Park as part of an open day called Chestnut Sunday at Bushy Park, located in-between Teddington and Hampton Court Palace in Middlesex. Whitton Amateur Radio Group has the Royal Parks to thank for allowing the station to be situated in the park and it is likely that these will be the first radio transmissions from this location since the base was operational in WW2.
On 14 May a group of Merseyside and North Lancashire based amateurs will activate Lindisfarne Island, which is IOTA reference EU120. A special QSL card will be available. The team of G0LZX, G0WRE and M0TNX plan to be active on the 40, 20 and 17m bands, with the possibility of 15m. Mainly using SSB, data and CW contacts will be available if required. The call for this event will be GB0HI. Charles, M0OXO, has kindly offered to be QSL manager and the QSL cards are being undertaken by Gennady at UX5UO print.
The Shannon Basin Radio Club will be taking part in the Mills on the air weekend on 14 and 15 May. They will be operating from Elphin Windmill in Co. Roscommon and using the call EI2EWM.
On Sunday 16 May, radio operators of the Radio Club of Binche with the help of the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society will be on the air from Bletchley Park. The callsign will be M/ON4WAR. Contacts will be made in telegraphy only on 3.566 to 3.583, 7.006 to 7.012 and 7.016 to 7.025MHz. The transceivers used for this event will be essentially replicas of the Whaddon MK VII or Paraset constructed by the radio club. QSLs either direct or via ON7RY.
May 2011 will be the month for chasing castles and stately homes on air. The weekend of the 21st and 22nd will be the international castles weekend from 1am on the 21st to 11pm on the 22nd. For UK stations, information can be found at www.cashota.co.uk as well as links to regional activity. The website now allows interested amateurs to complete activation forms online.
The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society will run a Special Event station at the open day in HMS Collingwood on Saturday 4 June. The callsign to be used is GB6COD, Collingwood Open Day. The station will be operational on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 440MHz. The Society headquarters station will be open for viewing from 9.30am to 6pm on the day. A number of demonstrations will be taking place using amateur radio and amateur television. The open day will feature the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition. Additional attractions will include a display from the Royal Marines Band, Collingwood, a free fun fair and much more. Advanced tickets will be available from Gosport and Fareham Tourist Information Offices and Portsmouth News Offices from May 2011.
And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
Marcello, IK8DNJ is off to the Dominican Republic and will use the callsign HI7/IK8DNJ until 13 May. He will operate SSB and digital modes on the 10 to 40m bands. QSL via IZ8LKL.
Several Japanese operators will be on the air from the island of Ogasawara for varying dates up to 13 May. Calls to look out for are JD1BMT, JD1BLY and JD1BMH. As well as being quite a rare DXCC entity, Ogasawara also counts for IOTA AS-031.
Gerard, F2JD will be active as HR5/F2JD until the middle of May. His QSL manager is F6AJA.
Fred, PA1FJ, will be on the air as SV5/PA1FJ/P from Karpathos Island, which is IOTA reference EU-001, from 8 to 14 May. Fred works in SSB and CW on the 6 to 40m bands with QRP equipment. QSL via his homecall callsign either via the bureau or direct.
9A8AMS, 9A/IK4RQJ, 9A/IZ4BBF and 9A/IK3AES will activate Sveti Nikola Island, which is IOTA reference EU-110 until 15 May. Although generally using CW, SSB and digital modes on the 10 to 40m , 9A8AMS will concentrate on 160m, 80m and 6m. QSL via their home callsigns either via the bureau or direct. Details for 9A8AMS can be found on QRZ.com.
Now the contest news
On 10 May the 432MHZ UK Activity Contest takes place from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The data leg of the 80m Club Championship takes place on 11 May from 1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is the usual signal report and serial number.
On Sunday 15th, the 70MHz CW Contest could be interesting. This event was reinstated last year after a gap of four years, during which there was an explosion of activity on the band. Its timing puts it well within the Sporadic-E season, so it might be blessed with good conditions. Taking place between 0900 and 1200UTC, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and postcode.
The Worked All Britain LF Phone contest takes place next Sunday, 15 May, from 1000 to 1400UTC. The exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square. Full details of the rules and logsheets may be obtained from the WAB website at www.worked-all-britain.co.uk or from the Contest Manager, G3XKT by email to aebbooks@ntlworld.com.
The Volta DX RTTY Contest takes place for 24 hours over the weekend of 14-15th, from 1200 to 1200UTC. In this one you can make a single-band entry. Work everyone on all bands from 3.5 to 28MHz and the multipliers are DXCC countries. Incidentally, this event doesn’t have a low power section. The exchange is signal report, serial number and CQ Zone, which is 14 for the UK.
And now the solar factual data for the period from the 25th of April to the 1st of May, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on the 2nd of May
First the latest monthly smoothed sunspot numbers, which continue to show a steady rise from sunspot minimum. The figures are for July, August and September are 16.7, 17.4 and 19.6 respectively.
The solar disc had up to five sunspot groups visible on some days. At least two of these groups produced C class solar flares, 14 in total. However, none took place on the 25th and the 26th when solar activity was very low. Solar flux levels gradually declined from 112 units on the 25th to 106 by the 1st. The average was 109 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 1st was 108, that’s two units up on last week. X-ray flux levels varied little day to day and averaged B2.9 units. Geomagnetic activity started at quiet levels but from the 29th a coronal hole disturbance arrived, a day earlier than forecast. The most disturbed day was the 30th with an Ap index of 24 units. The disturbance rumbled on into the next day with an Ap of 19 units. The average was Ap 10 units. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 310 kilometres per second to 750 by the 30th. Particle densities were low every day except for a very brief increase to 15 particles per cubic centimetre on the 29th. Bz on the quiet days varied between minus and plus 3 nanoTeslas on the quiet days to minus 15 and plus 11 nanoTeslas on the 30th.
Small sporadic-E openings took place occasionally but on the 1st a larger opening occurred and included 50MHz.
And now the solar forecast. An active region is expected to be in view this week according to the latest STEREO images. Therefore, solar activity is expected to be mostly at low levels but could increase on some days. Solar flux levels should be around the 120’s for most of the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be disturbed today and tomorrow due to a recurring coronal hole. Levels should then decline to quiet levels, however, a weak coronal hole disturbance could take place again next weekend. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 23MHz for the south and some 3MHz lower for the north. Darkness hour lows should be about 11MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent chance of around 22MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 17MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0800 and 1100 hours. The long path should be open with similar values around sunset time in the UK. Sporadic-E should take place with openings on 50MHz some days.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
Tags: Ham Radio
