RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 3rd December 2023

GB2RS News

Sunday the 3^rd of December 2023

The news headlines:

• ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 update
• Youth country representatives sought
• YOTA month has begun

 

The 2023 World Radio Conference has reached the halfway point in its four-week deliberations. After numerous meetings, the 23cm topic has made progress at the sub-working group level, and the outcome is expected to progress up the WRC committee structure for adoption. Meanwhile, attention is also being paid to a wide variety of other current and future agenda proposals where amateur frequency allocations are in scope, from HF and VHF upwards into the microwave bands. IARU President Timothy Ellam, VE6SH arrived to support the amateur radio team at the Conference and was able to record an ITU interview which is available online. The RSGB special focus page continues to have regular updates and additional details. You can find the page at rsgb.org/wrc-23

The RSGB is looking for four licensed radio amateurs to help raise the profile of wireless communication amongst young people. Initially, we’re looking for RSGB members based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to engage young people in the hobby. Volunteers in these new roles will represent the RSGB at externally organised events and will plan and deliver outreach events. If you have plenty of ideas, a passion for getting young people involved in amateur radio and experience of running small-scale events, we would be very keen to hear from you. For full details of these roles visit rsgb.org/volunteers and for an informal discussion please email RSGB Board Director, Ben Lloyd, GW4BML via gw4bml@rsgb.org.uk

Youngsters on the Air month has now begun. Callsign GB23YOTA is active for the duration of the month, with a range of groups, clubs and individuals having reserved operating slots. Cray Valley Radio Society is active with the callsign between 12 pm and 6 pm today, the 3^rd. Tomorrow, Monday the 4^th of December, Wick High School is the first of several schools this week to be operating GB23YOTA. It will be on the air between 8 am and 5 pm. Sandringham School will be active on Wednesday the 6^th of December between 8 am and 4 pm, as well as Mallaig High School who will be hosting the callsign on Thursday the 7^th of December between 8 am and 3 pm. Finally, for this week, the RSGB National Radio Centre will be operating as GB23YOTA on Saturday the 9^th of December between 9 am and 5 pm. Remember to listen out and have a QSO with a young radio amateur on the air. If you’d like to get involved, you’ve still got time. Email Jamie, M0SDV at yota.month@rsgb.org.uk to register your interest or ask for further information. 

The latest RSGB 2023 Convention video to be released is three presentations in one, on the topic of the 23cm band. Barry Lewis, G4SJH talks about amateur and RNSS coexistence in the 23cm band, then John Worsnop, G4BAO considers how the possible RNSS changes will affect narrow band DX and Earth Moon Earth operation. Finally, Dave Crump, G8GKQ looks at the future of ATV on the 23cm band. These presentations were given before the WRC23 conference, and final arrangements will depend on the WRC23 outcome. You can watch the presentation on the RSGB YouTube channel at youtube.com/theRSGB

The last of the RSGB’s Tonight@8 webinars for 2023 is on Monday the 11^th of December. It focuses on amateur radio construction and the RSGB Construction Competition. Jenny Curtis M7JNY, Colin Murray GM4EAU, and David Law G0LBK will talk about the projects they worked on and why they decided to submit them to the RSGB Construction Competition in recent years. If you’re interested in trying something new or are wondering whether to submit your construction project to the RSGB competition, this webinar is for you! Watch live on the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel and ask questions via the live chat. To find out more go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars

The RSGB Emerging Technology Coordination Committee members will be taking a break from processing Notices of Variation and enquiries from the 20^th of December until the 3^rd of January. They will reply to emails after that but please be patient as they work through any backlog.

When G-QRP Club Secretary Dick, G0BPS, heard about the Radio Communications Foundation initiative to pay for 60 RSGB Foundation exams taken by young people in full-time education, he asked if the Club could help out. The Club Committee, minus Chairman Steve G0FUW, who is also an RCF Trustee, agreed to sponsor an additional ten exams. The RCF now has the funds and awaits applications from young people who would benefit from a little help in getting started in amateur radio. The G-QRP Club is devoted to low-power communications and has over 4,000 members, mostly in the UK, but also in pretty much every corner of the world. Further information can be found at gqrp.com

 

And now for details of rallies and events

The Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 3^rd of December. The event is happening at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6DB. The doors open at 10.30 am, with disabled access from 10 am. For more information contact bdingle@hotmail.co.uk

Also taking place today, the 3^rd, is the Royal Wootton Bassett Swapmeet and Auction in Swindon, Wiltshire. There will be approximately 25 tables of items available from private sellers as well as bring-and-buy tables. The auction will include around 300 lots. Location details and event times are on the Event Location page at bvws.org.uk

The Mid Devon Amateur Radio and Computer Fair will take place on Saturday the 9^th of December. The venue will be Winkleigh Sports and Recreation Centre, Mid Devon, EX19 8HZ. It will run from 9 am to 2 pm. Entry is £3 but there is no charge for partners and under 16s. For more information, or to book a table, contact Phil, G6DLJ via email at philbridges@hotmail.com

The Sparkford Wireless Group Tabletop Rally, in aid of the RAIBC, will take place on Thursday the 28^th of December from 9.30 am to 1 pm. The event will be held at Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel near Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7QX. Entry is £3 and free parking and refreshments will be available. For more information, email Bob via wjh069@gmail.com

 

Now the Special Event News

Datta, VU2DSI is active as AU2JCB until the 11^th of December to commemorate the birthdate of Indian physicist and radio pioneer Jagadish Chandra Bose who was born on the 30^th of November 1858. He will operate SSB on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands, and FM on the 10 and 6m bands. QSL direct to his home call.

A60WRC is the special callsign in use by members of the Emirates Amateur Radio Society during the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 which is ongoing until the 15^th of December. Individual operators may append a serial number to the special callsign, and operate as, for example, A60WRC/1. See QRZ.com for more information.

Special event station VP8FLY is operating throughout the month of December to mark the 75th anniversary of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service. For more information visit QRZ.com

 

Now the DX news

Burkhard, DL3KZA is active as YB9/DL3KZA from Sumbawa Island, OC-150, until tomorrow, the 4^th of December. QSL via home call, direct or via the bureau.

Maurizio, IK2GZU is active as 5H3MB in Tanzania until the 8^th of December while doing volunteer work at the Ikelu Hospital and Ilembula Orphanage. In his spare time, he operates SSB, CW and digital modes on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World, eQSL, via IK2GZU directly or via the bureau.

 

Now the contest news

Today, the 3^rd, the 144MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 5^th of December the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also, on Tuesday the 5^th of December, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 6^th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 6^th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

The UK Six Metre Group’s Winter Marathon started on Friday the 1^st of December 2023 and runs until Wednesday the 31^st of January 2024. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and locator.

The ARRL 160m Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday the 1^st of December and ends at 1600UTC today, Sunday the 3^rd of December. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is your signal report. American and Canadian stations also send their ARRL or RAC section.

The ARRL 10m Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 9^th of December and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 10^th of December. Using CW and Phone on the 10m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. American, Canadian and Mexican stations also send their state or province code.

 

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 30^th of November 2023

We were lucky last week – the solar flux index remained quite high and, after the geomagnetic upsets around the 25^th, we had settled conditions, with the Kp index below two.

Unfortunately, it looks like that is all about to change.

On Tuesday the 28^th, two M-class solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections caused a plasma cloud to be directed towards Earth. It is expected to catch up with an earlier coronal mass ejection, or perhaps arrive shortly thereafter.

Moderate G2 storming with a chance for strong G3 storming can therefore be expected, with an increased Kp index.

If this wasn’t bad enough, a very large coronal hole is rotating into an Earth-facing position as well.

This became geo-effective on the 2^nd of December, and we can therefore expect any associated plasma in the solar wind early next week. Just how bad it will be is hard to say as it will largely depend on the interplanetary magnetic field of the plasma coming off the Sun. If it's north-facing we might just dodge the bullet but, if it is south-facing, we can expect significant auroral displays and propagation to match.

Either way, it will be worth keeping an eye on solarham.net and also the upper HF bands for signs of auroral-type activity. After an initial surge in the MUF, we can expect band conditions to decline for at least a day or two.

So, all in all, then, we can expect the bands to be disrupted at the end of this weekend ending the 3^rd of December.

Next week NOAA predicts the worst will be over by the 8^th of December, but we are in uncharted territory and can expect anything to happen. So, work the HF DX if and when you hear it!

On a side note, we are now heading towards winter propagation conditions so expect to hear DX activity on Top Band and 80m at night and especially around sunrise. The 40m band may also throw up some surprises during late afternoon.

 

And now the VHF and up propagation news

The weak but cold easterly pattern is providing some sharp frosts, and scattered showers suggest that Tropo is not likely. However, the overnight cooling temperature inversion inland, or anywhere away from the East Coast, could see temporary Tropo develop overnight and up to about mid-morning. The showers themselves are mostly fairly shallow and don’t look wonderful from a rain scatter perspective.

All of this changes by mid-week as low pressure starts to dominate again and really takes control for the rest of the coming week. This will bring stronger winds, spells of heavy rain and a return to milder air again. It does not, however, encourage thoughts of Tropo becoming a big player next week!

Don’t forget to check in the early mornings for random meteor scatter opportunities and keep an eye on the Kp index for possible aurora. This is the better option with such an active Sun at the moment and, as we said earlier in the HF report, seems to be a strong player as we finish this first weekend of December.

For EME operators, Moon declination is positive and falling, going negative on Thursday the 7^th. Monday the 4^th is apogee when the Moon is furthest away so expect path losses to be at their highest. 144MHz sky noise is low all week.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.