RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for April 2nd 2023

GB2RS News

Sunday the 2^nd of April 2023

The news headlines:

• March 2023 edition of RadCom Basics
• Coronation activities
• Nominated Director vacancy

 

The March 2023 edition of RadCom Basics is now available on the RSGB website for Members to read. It is for new licensees or anyone who wants an introduction to a different aspect of amateur radio. This edition features articles which cover: QRP operating, an introduction to Andy’s Ham Radio Linux software, basic fault finding and how to have fun on the 10m band. To read RadCom Basics visit rsgb.org/radcom-basics

The RSGB has just published a new section on its website with further details of its Coronation celebration activities. More information will be added over the coming weeks so do check back for updates. Go to rsgb.org/coronation to find out more.

The resignation of Richard Horton, G4AOJ has left an RSGB Board vacancy for a Nominated Director. The Society needs to embrace new methods of working to help meet the changing needs of the amateur community. Candidates with experience in change management, for example, would be welcomed. The RSGB needs a strong and effective Board; this could be your opportunity to be part of that. To find out more, go to the volunteer vacancies section of the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers or, for an informal discussion, please email Nominations Committee Chair Stephen Purser, GW4SHF at nominations.chair@rsgb.org.uk

The RSGB’s Tonight@8 live webinar series continues this Monday the 3^rd of April with a presentation called “Sheep Worrier: A High Altitude Balloon Flight and Recovery System” by Heather Nickalls, M0HMO. Heather will cover an introduction to flying High Altitude Balloons, the radio systems involved, some science experiments she did on her flights, the recovery system developed to help find the payload when it lands and, of course, lots of pictures from ‘almost’ the edge of space. You can ask questions live during the presentation via the RSGB YouTube channel or the special BATC channel. Find out more about this and other webinars on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars

Matthew Smith, M0VWS is moving on from his role as RadCom Technical Editor to pursue other opportunities. The RSGB thanks Matthew for all his work and wishes him well for the future. The RSGB is now seeking to recruit a new Technical Editor for RadCom. Reporting to the Managing Editor, the successful candidate will need a wide range of radio and electronic knowledge, including amateur radio. The RSGB is looking for someone positive, enthusiastic about technology, has an excellent command of English and has a good eye for detail. For more information about the role and how to apply, see rsgb.org/careers

 

And now for details of rallies and events

The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hanger Sale is taking place today, Sunday the 2^nd of April. The venue is Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale includes electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. For more information email coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk or visit www.hackgreen.co.uk

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club’s 37^th QRP Convention will take place on Saturday the 15^th of April at The Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. Doors open from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and admission is £3. The Convention will feature talks, traders, bring and buy, club stalls and a café. For more information visit yeovil-arc.com or contact qrp@yeovil-arc.com

The Cambridgeshire Repeater Group Rally will take place on Sunday the 16^th of April. The venue will be Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6RN. Doors open at 7.30 am for traders and 9.30 am for visitors. Admission is £3. The rally will feature a talk-in, trade stands, bring and buy, an RSGB Bookstall and free car parking. For more information contact Lawrence, M0LCM on 07941 972 724, email rally2023@cambridgerepeaters.net and see the cambridgerepeaters.net website.

The Holsworthy Spring Rally and Boot Sale will also take place on Sunday the 16^th of April. The venue will be Holsworthy Livestock Market, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7FA. There will be plenty of parking, wheelchair access and full catering available. The doors open to the public from 10 am. For more details contact the club secretary Ken, G7VJA via email at m0omc@m0omc.co.uk and visit the m0omc.co.uk website.

Now the Special Event News

Celebrating World Amateur Radio Day, DARC special event callsign DA23WARD will be active until the 18^th of April. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau. Direct cards will be managed via DL2VFR.

Special callsign II1CAI will be active until the 30^th of June. The callsign celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the local section of the Italian Alpine Club, founded in 1863. QSL via IQ1NO.

9M8SOTA and 9M8BOTA are the special callsigns that 9M8HAZ and others will be using during 2023 while operating from various mountains and beaches in Sarawak, East Malaysia. QSL for both callsigns via 9M8HAZ directly or, via Logbook of the World and Club Log.

OE40XTU is the special callsign being used by OE1XTU, the Amateur Radio Club at the Vienna University of Technology during 2023 to celebrate its 40^th anniversary. QSL via eQSL is preferred. QSL via Logbook of the World is also accepted. Paper cards requested via Club Log's OQRS will be issued in early 2024.

 Now the DX news

Luca, HB9OBD will be active as D44KIT from Sal Island, Cape Verde, AF-086, until the 5^th of April. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or via EB7DX.

Pierre, VK3KTB will be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Amateur Radio Club station on Ellesmere Island, NA-008, until the 12^th of April. He will be operating using SSB, FT8 and CW on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS page.

Diya, YI1DZ has been in Juba, South Sudan since the 13^th of March and expects to remain there until the 22^nd of April. He operates SSB and FT8 as Z81D in his spare time. QSL via Club Log's OQRS and Logbook of the World, or via OM3JW.

Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active in the Solomon Islands until the end of April. He plans to operate as H44MS from Malaita, OC-047, on a daily basis. He will be operating on the 80 to 6m bands using SSB and some FT8. QSL via his home call, direct or via the bureau. He will upload his log to Club Log and Logbook of the World when he returns home.

 

Now the contest news

Today, Sunday the 2^nd of April, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 1000 to 1600UTC. Using All modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The SP DX Contest began yesterday, Saturday the 1^st of April, at 1500UTC. The contest ends today, Sunday the 2^nd of April at 1500UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Polish stations send their province code.

On Monday the 3^rd of April, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday the 4^th of April, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also, on Tuesday the 4^th of April, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 5^th of April, 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 5^th of April, 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.

Also, on Wednesday the 5^th of April, the UK and Ireland Contest Club Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

Next Sunday, the 9^th of April, the Worked All Britain Data Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC and from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using data modes on the 80 to 20m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.

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

We were right in our prediction about the effects of the large solar coronal hole last week, which saw the Kp index peak at 7.67 with widespread aurora visible from the UK, even in the south.

This was probably the most significant geomagnetic event we have had so far in this solar cycle.

Last week saw another X1.2 solar flare erupt on the Sun. This one erupted from active region 3256 on the 29^th of March at 0233UTC. It didn’t impact the ionosphere over the UK, but a fadeout was observed over the Pacific region.

This was the seventh major solar flare since 2023 began. The Sun has now matched 2022’s total –and it's only March!

The associated CME off the southwestern limb of the Sun was modelled and determined to be well ahead of the Earth’s orbit. This means that we are unlikely to see the Kp index rise as a result of this event.

This region also produced an M1.2 flare that peaked around 1407UTC and an M1.1 flare at 2347UTC. The earlier flare didn’t seem to affect the ionosphere too much according to the ionosonde data.

A minor solar wind stream is heading for Earth and is due on Saturday the 1^st of April. The material is flowing from a relatively small coronal hole in the Sun's atmosphere, but it is on the equator and very Earth-centric. Expect Arctic auroras and an elevated Kp index when the solar wind arrives this weekend.

The SFI remained fairly static, around 160, earlier in the week but then declined to 148 on Thursday the 30^th. NOAA predicts that this decline will continue next week, perhaps down to the low 130s. Once the weekend’s geomagnetic conditions recover, NOAA predicts that the rest of the week should be quite settled.

This is good news for HF propagation, although do continue to watch out for solar flares and CME activity which could affect conditions and MUFs.

And now the VHF and up propagation news

We have three phases of weather to consider over the next week. Forecasts predicted an unsettled weekend with rain and strong winds, so should have provided a focus for rain scatter on the GHz bands.

The weekend ends with developing high pressure which lasts into early next week. There is good potential for some tropo from Sunday afternoon until about Tuesday lunchtime.

At the time of writing, the best paths are likely to be from southern England into the near continent, also via Biscay to northern Spain and across the southern North Sea to Denmark.

The third phase occurs when the high moves to the south to allow fronts to move in from the Atlantic across northern Britain, but possibly still leaving tropo into France and across Biscay. Later in the week, the high pressure may head back north again to reintroduce tropo to northern areas.

The Sporadic-E season is fast approaching, typically from mid-April on 10m. If anything does happen before then, check the propquest.co.uk website for the Es blog tab, which shows the current day’s jet streams and will maybe provide a clue for which direction to beam.

Remember to look for aurora if the Kp index reaches five or more and, of course, meteor scatter around dawn for those random meteor QSOs. 

For EME operators, Moon declination is positive until Wednesday, so still plenty of Moon time to get some QSOs in. Perigee was last Thursday, so path losses are now falling. 144MHz sky noise is low, rising slowly throughout the week.

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