RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for February 25th 2024

GB2RS News

Sunday the 25^th of February 2024

The news headlines:

• New amateur radio licence conditions are effective
• Amateurs are reminded to carry out EMF assessments
• The 2024 Band Plans have been published

Ofcom has released its final decisions following its consultation on the amateur radio licensing framework last year. Revised licence conditions became effective on Wednesday the 21^st of February 2024. The changes to licence conditions include the optional use of Regional Secondary Locators, increased transmitter power levels and provide a greater opportunity to bring newcomers into amateur radio. There are approximately 100,000 amateur radio licences issued by Ofcom in the UK. Ofcom says that it will shortly be contacting all licensees to provide each with their new licence document. Ofcom is aiming to reissue all UK amateur radio licences by the autumn of 2024. To help this process run as efficiently as possible, please ensure that your contact details are up to date in the Ofcom licensing system. Further updates to the amateur radio licensing framework, including the issuing of M8 and M9 Intermediate callsigns, will be rolled out in two more phases later this year and in the 2024/25 year. A video entitled ‘Updating the amateur radio licensing framework: RSGB overview of key changes’ is available in the Ofcom playlist on the RSGB’s YouTube channel which you can find at youtube.com/theRSGB  In it, RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB and RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB discuss the impact of the new rules. They also describe how the RSGB worked with Ofcom before and during the consultation period to arrive at the best outcome for all UK amateurs. Steve, Murray, and many people across the RSGB have also worked hard to engage with individual amateurs, and amateur radio clubs and groups, to help them prepare for the licensing changes. The RSGB will continue to release information and support for radio amateurs as we all adapt to the new arrangements. You can read more details and guidance on the Ofcom website at tinyurl.com/ARFEB2024 or via the RSGB website at rsgb.org/licensing

Given that increased transmitter power limits are now available to UK licensees, all amateurs are reminded that they are required to carry out EMF assessments. To help you do this, advice and an online EMF calculator can be found at rsgb.org/emf

The RSGB Band Plans for 2024 were published in the March issue of RadCom. They are also available via the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bandplans  This year’s changes support the new Ofcom licensing framework and guidance, particularly in the VHF and UHF bands. All amateurs are reminded to consult the Band Plans before operating.

The list of amateur radio events taking place in British Science Week and the resource suggestions are growing. GB3RS, the radio station at the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park could be available for QSOs with stations operating as part of British Science Week. Contact the RSGB’s BSW coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw@rsgb.org.uk and he will link you with the NRC Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB to make your arrangements. Please continue to send to Ian the resources you’d like to share and details of British Science Week events you’re organising, including the times you’ll be on the air. The RSGB would like to inspire as many people and groups as possible to get involved! You can access all event and resource details on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bsw

The RSGB has been trialling paper wrappers for RadCom as part of its plans to be more environmentally friendly. The Society has been collating feedback and is aware that there have been particular problems with the glueing of the RadCom wrappers this month. Please be assured that the RSGB is discussing this with its supplier to try to resolve the problem before the next issue.

During a year when the global landscape shifted once more, with conflicts across the world and economic difficulties touching the lives of individuals, the RSGB was pleased to see that the amateur radio community continues to thrive. It may have changed shape and adapted with the times, but the Society has been there not only to support its members but to defend the spectrum and provide information for all radio amateurs. In the March RadCom, there is a feature called ‘A year in numbers’ which shows some of the great things to celebrate, in which RSGB HQ staff have often led the way. There is an infographic and a short video with the highlights, and you can read the fuller story from page 40 in RadCom and on the website. Go to rsgb.org/strategy-updates and click on “2023 - a year in numbers”. The April RadCom will show in detail the work of the RSGB committees and other specialist volunteers.

The amateur radio licence exams will be updated in line with the new licence conditions decided by Ofcom this week. Further information about the timing of those changes can be found on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/syllabus2019

Registration is open for the Mills on the Air event which will take place on Saturday the 11^th and Sunday the 12^th of May. To read more about the event, register and view a list of stations that are taking part, visit ddars.net  and follow the “mills on the air” link.

And now for details of rallies and events

The British Vintage Wireless Society Biggleswade Swapmeet and AGM is taking place today, the 25^th. The venue is The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JH. A bring-and-buy stall is available with a 10% commission on sales going to the British Vintage Wireless and Television Museum. Stallholders can gain entry from 9 am. The doors open to the public at 9.30 am and admission is £8. For more information visit bvws.org.uk or email secretary@bvws.org.uk

The Red Rose Winter Rally is also taking place today, the 25^th. The venue is St Joseph’s Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Access for exhibitors is available from 8.30 am and the event will be open to the public from 10 am. Hot and cold refreshments are available. Further details can be found via West Manchester Radio Club’s website at wmrc.co.uk  Send enquiries to Les, G4HZJ via lesjackson@ntlworld.com or phone 07796 264 569.

The Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally will take place on Sunday the 3^rd of March from 10 am to 1 pm. The event will be held at America Hall, Pinhoe, EX4 8PX. For more information, contact Pete, G3ZVI on 07714 198 374 or email g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk

 Now the Special Event News

In celebration of World Radio Day, and the 100^th anniversary of the start of regular radio broadcasting in Spain, special callsign AO100RADIO will be active until the 29^th of February. QSL requests should be sent via the Bureau to EA4URE.

Celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, RAST members are active as HS60RAST until the 10^th of March. QSL via HS6MYW.

 Now the DX news

Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active as H44MS from Malaita, OC-047, in the Solomon Islands, until the 25^th of April. He will be QRV daily, with activity on the 160 to 6m bands using SSB and some FT8. QSL via Bernard’s home call, directly or via the Bureau.  He will upload details of his contacts to Club Log and Logbook of the World.

Francis, F6BWJ is active as FM/F6BWJ from Martinique, NA-107, until roughly the middle of March. He is operating CW on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, or via the Bureau to his home call.

 Now the contest news

The French HF Championship, also known as the REF Contest, started at 0600UTC on Saturday the 24^th and ends at 1800UTC today, Sunday the 25^th. Using SSB on the HF bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. French stations send their department number or overseas territory prefix.

The CQ 160m DX Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday the 23^rd and ends at 2200UTC today, the 25^th. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. American stations send their state and Canadian stations send their province.

On Monday the 26^th, the FT4 Series Contest runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.

On Tuesday the 27^th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 28^th, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

The 144 and 432MHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 2^nd of March and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 3^rd of March. Using all modes on the 2m and 70cm bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Sunday the 3^rd, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 1000UTC to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the microwave bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Worked All Britain 80m Contest will take place on Sunday the 3^rd of March from 1800 to 2200UTC. Please note that this is an SSB-only contest, and the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain area. All entries need to be with the contest manager by the 13^th of March. Full Contest rules are available on the Worked All Britain website at worked-all-britain.org.uk

The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 2^nd of March and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 3^rd of March. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and transmitter power. American stations send their state and Canadian stations send their province.

 Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 22^nd of February 2024

We’ve had two X-class solar flares over the past few days. The first occurred at 2307UTC on the 21^st of February, so didn’t affect the UK at all. The second erupted at 0632UTC on the 22^nd of February and was too early to affect the ionosphere in this region. However, HF paths to the east may have been affected.

However, active region 3590 could cause more problems as it rotates into an Earth-facing position. Look out for more flares and potential coronal mass ejections as we head into the weekend.

Another problem is a coronal hole on the solar equator, which was Earth-facing on Friday the 23^rd and could lead to an increased Kp index today, the 25^th if its associated Bz magnetic field points south.

Although there are only two sunspot groups visible, the solar flux index is 170, showing just how potent these spots are.

Daytime MUFs over a 3,000km path are still exceeding 35MHz, while nighttime MUFs over a similar distance struggle to get above 10 to 11MHz.

With the daytime MUF so high, it is a good opportunity to check for low-power 10m beacons. The RSGB’s Propagation Studies Committee has just released a new 10m beacon list, which has been created from scratch using the reverse beacon network and help from amateurs around the world.

The new beacon list, which can be found under the Propagation section of the RSGB website at rsgb.org/beacons should be more useful than its predecessor as it is based on actual beacons that have been received. But if you hear any beacon that is not on the list, please inform Steve, G0KYA at psc.chairman@rsgb.org.uk

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may decline a little into the 160s. As for geomagnetic conditions, it all depends upon what happens with active region 3590. We could be in for a rough ride, or things could be fine – let’s wait and see.

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

The current spell of unsettled weather continues, and this means that Tropo won’t be worth waiting for, other than any temporary short-lived early morning temperature inversions, especially if accompanied by misty low cloud or fog.

The main part of the story is again rain scatter, which will have plenty of opportunity to shine in the period to the end of the coming week. Summer thunderstorms are usually full of large raindrops, while winter systems are generally less intense but, in the absence of much else, it’s still worth considering for those on the GHz bands.

The other propagation modes of meteor scatter or aurora are even longer shots, but they may still crop up. The best time for random meteor scatter QSOs is around dawn.

Lastly, the doldrums for Sporadic-E propagation are still with us and don’t expect too much until we are well into April, even on the 10m band.

The high solar flux could see some trans-equatorial 50MHz openings if the Kp index remains low, especially for the far south and west of the UK.  

For EME operators, Moon declination starts the weekend positive but drops negative again on Monday. With apogee, when the Moon is at its furthest point from Earth, occurring yesterday, Saturday the 24^th, path losses are at their highest for the month this weekend. 144MHz sky noise is low all week.

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