RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 8th September 2024

GB2RS News

Sunday the 8^th of September

The news headlines:

• Book your RSGB Convention tickets now
• There are several vacancies in the RSGB’s Regional Team
• Remember to call in to the CHOTA stations on Saturday

The RSGB Convention is just five weeks away and an exciting programme of presentations and practical activities is being prepared. The early bird price for day tickets ends on the 15^th of September and this year there won’t be any extensions to that date! As well as three streams of presentations across the weekend there will be an introductory workshop on microcontroller programming. This workshop is part of the Society’s aim to widen the programming skills in the amateur radio community and to introduce people to something new. On Saturday morning RSGB experts will give an EMC and EMF update presentation, followed by an informal EMC and EMF clinic in the afternoon. The RSGB HF and VHF contest forums will take place on Sunday. Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities to talk to RSGB representatives and to members of many special interest groups who could inspire you to try a different aspect of amateur radio. The RSGB 2024 Convention – your convention, your way. To book your day tickets and to book for the workshop, go to rsgb.org/convention

The RSGB has 13 regions, each covered by a Regional Representative and a team of District Representatives. This volunteer team is an important link to clubs and a potential source of support and information for individual radio amateurs. There are several vacancies in the Regional Team and this month we’re highlighting two regions. In Region 5 there is an opportunity for someone to volunteer as a District Representative covering Gloucestershire, Hereford and South Worcestershire. There are also two vacancies in Region 13 for District Representatives to cover Leicestershire and Rutland, and also North Lincolnshire. If you’re interested in supporting local radio amateurs and clubs in those areas, please contact the appropriate Regional Representative. You can find their details by going to our website at rsgb.org/regions and clicking on the region in which you live.

Next Saturday, the 14^th, lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 10 am to 4 pm and operation will be focused on the 80, 40 and 20m bands. To see the list of churches and chapels taking part visit the ‘CHOTA’ tab on the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners website at wacral.org

Several changes have been made to the RSGB contest trophies process, for logistical and resource reasons. For example, instead of engraving each trophy, the winner will be presented with a quality certificate at the Trophy Presentations on Sunday morning at the RSGB Convention. For each award, a high-quality photograph will be taken of the winner with their trophy, and that photo will be available for the winner if they would like it. RSGB HQ will now administer all trophies for the AGM event. The full changes are shown in the updated trophy policy on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/trophies  If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the RSGB Trophy Manager Mike Franklin, G3VYI via trophy.manager@rsgb.org.uk

Over the course of a year, radio amateur Maggie laquinto, VK3CFI attempted to make contact with Russian cosmonauts on the Mir space station. Maggie used her amateur radio skills and equipment to monitor the orbit of the space station and listen to the frequencies that it used. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Maggie relayed crucial information to cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev. In a recent BBC programme, Maggie’s son Ben laquinto speaks to Megan Jones. You can listen to the programme by searching for ‘The woman who spoke to the space station’ on the bbc.co.uk website.

 And now for details of rallies and events

Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is taking place today, the 8^th, at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors are open from 9 am to 8 pm and there is no admission fee. Sellers can gain access from 8 am. For more information email Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com or phone 07711 214 790.

The Broadcast Engineering Museum near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is new and a work in progress, so it only opens a few days each year. The next open days are coming up on Saturday the 14^th and Sunday the 15^th of September from 11 am to 4 pm. The Museum contains a vast collection of historic broadcasting equipment and memorabilia, some restored and working, on display in a former RAF sergeants' mess. Free parking is available on-site. For more information email contactus@becg.org.uk or visit becg.org.uk

The British Vintage Wireless Society is holding a swap meet and auction on Sunday the 15^th of September. The venue will be the Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JH. Stallholders can gain entry from 9 am. Admission for visitors will be available from 9.30 am for £8. The auction starts at 12.30 pm and hot and cold refreshments will be available all day. For more information visit bvws.org.uk or email Jeremy Owen, G8MLK at secretary@bvws.org.uk

Now the Special Event news

To celebrate Malaysia Day, special callsign 9M61S is active until the 16^th of September. Operators will be working on the HF bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. For more information see QRZ.com

Special callsign DL250CDF is active until the 30^th of September to mark the 250^th anniversary of the birth of painter Caspar David Friedrich, an icon of the German Romantic movement. The station is operating on the HF bands using CW, digital modes and SSB. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the Bureau, eQSL and Logbook of World. For details of a certificate that is available visit tinyurl.com/DL250CDF

Now the DX news

Bob, ZL1RS is active as E51EME from Rarotonga, OC-013, in the South Cook Islands until the 15^th of September. He is focusing on operating FT8 on the 6m band, with 6m EME using Q65-60A as a secondary activity. QSL via Club Log's OQRS and Logbook of the World. See QRZ.com for more information and updates.

Bernard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from Malaita, OC-047, in the Solomon Islands, until the 15^th of September. He operates SSB and some FT8 on the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via Bernard’s home call, directly or via the Bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and Logbook of the World.

Now the contest news

The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 7^th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 8^th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and your age.

SSB Field Day started at 1300UTC on Saturday the 7^th and ends at 1300UTC today, the 8^th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 144MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 7^th and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 8^th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Today, the 8^th, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.

Also today, the 8^th, the 5^th 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1100 to 1500 UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 10^th, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855 UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 10^th, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130 UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 11^th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 11^th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100 UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

Also on Wednesday the 11^th, the Autumn Series CW Contest runs from 1900 to 2030 UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Thursday the 12^th, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130 UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Sunday the 15^th, the 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1200 UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest starts at 0000 UTC on Saturday the 14^th and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 15^th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Sunday the 15^th, the UK Microwave Group 24 to 76GHz Contest runs from 0900 to 1700 UTC. Using All modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Sunday the 15^th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Irish stations also give their county.

The IRTS 2m Counties Contest is also taking place on Sunday the 15^th from 1300 to 1500 UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Irish stations also give their county.

Also on Sunday the 15^th, the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint PSK63 Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using PSK63 on the 80 to 10m bands, the exchange is your serial number.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 5^th of September 2024

Last week was underlined by continued high solar flux indices and excellent 10m band propagation to CY9C on Saint Paul Island near Newfoundland.

The DXpedition, which has now ended, was often at S9+ on 28MHz up to two hours after sunset. This may be a sign that better autumnal HF conditions are just around the corner and bodes well for the rest of the year.

The average sunspot number has now exceeded 200 for the first time in 23 years. This puts it significantly better than Solar Cycle 24 and it looks like there is more to come.

Propquest.co.uk reports that maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path are now often above 28MHz, so look out for DX on the 10m band. This will improve as the month goes on. September is a good month for north-south paths and paths to North America will improve as we head into October.

So, get your higher HF band antennas sorted out, as this autumn could be fun!

During the week just past, there were 21 M-class flares, but no X-class events. The Kp index has been under 5 all week, which no doubt helped HF propagation flourish.

Large coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, did occur on the 1^st and 3^rd of September, but these appear to be related to far-side events, well beyond the northwest limb and were directed away from Earth. But that active region is now rotating into view so buckle up for potential Earth-directed CME activity.

Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre suggests that the solar flux index will remain in the 240 to 250 range. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for today, the 8^th of September but, as we always say, keep an eye on solarham.com for up-to-date solar information as things are likely to change each day.

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

The slightly enhanced Tropo conditions were welcome for the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on the 3^rd of September. However, in the coming week, the opposite is now the case for many parts of the country as low pressure is set to dominate the weather charts.

There may be some weak ridges of high pressure nearby or even over northern Britain this weekend, but it is not looking great.

If pressed for a direction, it looks better across the North Sea to northern Europe and southern Scandinavia in the first part of the week.

Much of next week will have low pressure in control, and it will be worth looking for rain scatter on the GHz bands.

The solar side of things means that we should be alert to the chance of aurora if the Kp index rises. The autumn is often a good time of the year for these. It will be useful to monitor the Kp index, especially if you hear any signals sounding ‘watery’ on the HF and LF bands.

It’s always worth a reminder that the Sporadic-E season does not drop off a cliff at this time of year.  That said, it does become very infrequent and restricted to lower bands or digital modes under the influence of jet streams.  The southward paths to Iberia and the western Mediterranean look most promising next week for an out-of-season chance Sporadic-E event.

There is one small meteor shower this week. The September Epsilon-Perseids peaks with a low zenithal hourly rate of five tomorrow, the 9^th. This shower produced unexpected outbursts in 2008 and 2013, but modelling indicates that 2024 activity should be nothing unusual.

For EME operators, Moon declination is now negative and falling further, reaching minus 29 degrees next Wednesday. Moon visibility windows continue to fall, as will peak Moon elevation, while path losses are decreasing after apogee. 144MHz sky noise increases from moderate today, the 8^th, reaching over 2,500 Kelvin next Wednesday.

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