GB2RS

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for March 26th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 26th of March 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB Elections
RSGB Membership and communications
Coronation regional secondary locator
 
If you are an RSGB Member, don’t forget to vote for the two candidates that you would like to see as Board Directors for the next two years. You can find out more about each of them on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/candidates and then there is a link at the top and the bottom of the page to cast your vote. Read their personal statements, watch the videos and see if their background, skills and aspirations match your view of what the Society needs. The decision about who to vote for is entirely yours, but please do vote – it only takes a few minutes and will help to ensure that the RSGB Board reflects your views. 
As the RSGB continues to expand the use of its new Membership and management systems, it will make greater use of electronic communications to advise Members of important changes to their fees, benefits and offers as well as to send notifications for important publications and events. If you are an RSGB Member, please remember to keep your preferences and personal information up to date, including your callsign and email address, by logging into the Society’s Membership portal via rsgb.org/members or by contacting membership@rsgb.org.uk
As part of our Coronation celebration activities, Ofcom has approved “R” as the optional Coronation regional secondary locator prefix for all UK radio amateurs to use during May and June 2023. You will need to apply for a Notice of Variation – or NoV – and the form is now available on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/nov
A group of radio amateurs in Jersey will be using a special event callsign GB3KCJ as part of the Coronation celebrations. An opportunity exists for groups in each of the UK Nations who have a regional secondary locator, and the Crown Dependencies, to apply for similar special event callsigns. Applications for special event callsigns can be made through the Ofcom web portal, as usual. Using the same format as the Jersey special event station callsign, applicants might consider the following if they are available: Scotland: GB3KCM; Wales: GB3KCW; Northern Ireland: GB3KCI; Guernsey: GB3KCU; and the Isle of Man: GB3KCD.
The RSGB’s Tonight@8 summer programme begins on Monday the 15th of May when Jack Purdum, W8TEE and Al Peter, AC8GY will talk about “The T41-EP ALPS: A High-Performance CW Decoder”. Jack and Al collaborated to build the T41-EP, a seven-band, 20W, CW/SSB SDR transceiver but this presentation is chiefly about how they developed the high-performance CW decoder. The two were awarded the RSGB’s Bennett Prize in 2021 for their article on their “Double-Double Magnetic Loop” antenna article in the February 2020 issue of RadCom. Full details of all the webinars in the summer programme are on our website – there are some great topics, so take a look and put the dates in your diary! Go to rsgb.org/webinars to find out more.
If you are an RSGB Member who is interested in online webinars and events, don’t miss out! Log into the RSGB Members’ portal, choose the preferences tab and click the online events option. The RSGB will be using this mailing list in future to send out details of forthcoming online events, for example, the packed programme of Tonight@8 live webinars that are booked until July. Go to rsgb.org/members
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hanger Sale will take place on Sunday the 2nd of April. The venue will be Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale will include 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 37th QRP Convention will take place on Saturday the 15th 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 16th 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 16th 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
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on the 1st of July 1997, Hong Kong licensed amateurs are granted the use of the special prefix VR25 until the 30th of June 2023. The VR2 Contest Club and the Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society will be using VR25CC and VR25HK, respectively.
YR1400VT is the special callsign that members of Radio Club YO6KGS will be using until the 30th of June 2023 to popularise the newly inaugurated Via Transilvanica, a long-distance trail used for hiking, cycling and horse riding that crosses Romania. More information can be found on QRZ.com QSL via eQSL.
9A66AA is the special callsign that Tom, 9A2AA will be using throughout 2023 to mark his 66th year in amateur radio. QSL via Tom's home call.
 
Now the DX news
Neville, G3RFS will be active as 6Y5FS from Jamaica, NA-097, until the 29th of March. He will operate mainly using CW and some SSB. QSL via Logbook of the World, Club Log's OQRS, or via G4BWP.
Rich, PA0RRS will be active as 9M2MRS from Penang Island, AS-015, West Malaysia until the 29th of March. He will operate using CW most of the time but will also use RTTY, FT8 and FT4 on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS is preferred, but also via Logbook of the World, or via PA0RRS.
Willy, ON4AVT will be active as 6W7/ON4AVT from Warang, Senegal until the 31st of March. He usually operates using FT8, with some SSB and CW, on the 80 to 10m bands. He will also be available on the QO-100 satellite. QSL via Club Log's OQRS is preferred, or via his home call.
Lars, SM6NT will be active as HS0ZME from Hua Hin, Thailand until the 2nd of  April 2023. He will operate mainly CW on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via SM6NT.
 
Now the contest news
The CQ Worldwide WPX SSB Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 25th of March and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 26th of March. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Monday the 27th of March, the FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 28th of March, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2.3GHz band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 29th of March, the UK and Ireland Contest Club Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.
On Saturday the 1st of April, the FT4 International Activity Day runs from 0800 to 2000UTC. Using FT4 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.
The SP DX Contest starts at 1500UTC on Saturday the 1st of April and runs until 1500UTC on Sunday the 2nd of April. 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 Sunday the 2nd 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.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday 23rd of March 2023
The solar flux index dipped a little last week, down to 148, but it didn’t last long and was back up to 159 by Thursday the 23rd. We were free of major solar flares with only one M-class flare occurring on the 20th.
Geomagnetic conditions were mainly settled as well, but that could change this weekend thanks to a large coronal hole.
The massive coronal hole on the Sun became Earth-facing on Thursday. A coronal hole is an area on the Sun’s surface with open magnetic field lines, which allows plasma to flow out. They appear dark when photographed in extreme UV light.
Although the bulk of the hole is south of the Sun’s equator, a long finger reaches out to the equator, which makes it a potential threat to Earth.
All eyes will be on the Kp index over the weekend as we expect it to increase, possibly dramatically as the solar wind impacts us. Solar wind speeds are likely to be in excess of 600km/s and continue into the weekend, resulting in isolated G1 storm levels. Keep an eye on solarham.net for updates.
We are now at the spring equinox, so it is prime time for auroral activity. The spring equinox traditionally brings greater solar activity which results in an increased frequency of auroral displays.
It is also a prime time for north-south HF paths, such as the UK to South Africa, and the UK to South America.
Next week, the US Air Force predicts that the solar flux index will decline slightly to bring it into the range of 130 to 140. Once the weekend’s solar storm declines, we may expect a few days of relatively calm geomagnetic conditions before another period of unsettled space weather is predicted for Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st. This could see the Kp index rise to five once again.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The overall unsettled nature of the current weather pattern is likely to continue for much of the period through to the end of next week, except for a brief ridge of high pressure crossing the country after the weekend.
This might offer the only tropo potential for VHF operators. The rest of the time will probably be beset by bands of rain, showers and, at times, strong winds and introduce the prospect of some rain scatter on the GHz bands.
It’s a week to focus on fleeting tropo, rain scatter and aurora as modes of choice. As we said earlier, the aurora is worth looking out for since the solar conditions are still very disturbed. As usual, good indicators are the Kp index values, which ideally should be five or greater to get our attention.
The meteor shower calendar is still in its quiet period, and with no major showers to look for, it would be best to try your luck with random meteors, which tend to peak just before dawn.
The Sporadic-E season has not started yet but is getting closer, say from mid-April on 10m, perhaps.
For EME operators, Moon declination reaches maximum next Tuesday meaning long Moon availability windows. Path losses increase throughout the week and 144MHz sky noise starts out moderate, falling to low next weekend.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for March 19th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 19th of March 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB AGM and Elections
RSGB Board vacancy for a Nominated Director
Tonight@8 Webinar
 
Voting for candidates in the RSGB elections is now open. On the Society’s website, you can see details about the Calling Notice, Resolutions, elected Board Director candidate statements and video interviews, as well as the voting process and a link to vote. Voting ends at 9 am on Thursday the 13th of April. The RSGB will be holding its AGM online this year on Saturday the 15th of April and will live stream the event. This year, RSGB Members have the opportunity to submit written questions in advance or to ask questions via the live chat on YouTube during the AGM. You can read further information in the April RadCom and on the Society’s website at www.rsgb.org/agm
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 on Monday the 3rd 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 a special BATC channel. Find out more about this and other webinars on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
Barry Lewis, G4SJH, the RSGB’s Microwave Manager, is the IARU Lead on WRC23 AI9.1b.  He reports that the IARU has carried out the only statistical study regarding the WRC-related 23cm Galileo issue. You can read more information about it on the IARU Region 1 website at iaru-r1.org The post includes links to the background and updates on the developments.
The RSGB has received a statement from National Hamfest (Lincoln) Ltd confirming that, due to several factors, there will not be a National Hamfest event in 2023. The organisers of the event say that there will be a bigger and better event next year at Newark Showground on the 27th and 28th of September 2024. To read the full statement from National Hamfest (Lincoln) Ltd visit nationalhamfest.org.uk
And now for details of rallies and events
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hanger Sale will take place on Sunday the 2nd of April. The venue will be Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale will include 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 37th QRP Convention will take place on Saturday the 15th 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 16th 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 cambridgerepeaters.net
The Holsworthy Spring Rally and Boot Sale will also take place on Sunday the 16th 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 m0omc.co.uk
Now the Special Event News
GB1PAT and GB2PAT are the special callsigns for members of the Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club to use between the 1st and 28th of March to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Three certificates are available for making contact with both callsigns on different bands. QSL via Logbook of the World only.
HH75RCH is the special callsign for the Haiti Radio Club, established on the 29th of March 1948,  to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The station will be active until the 1st of May. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or via N2OO.
Special event callsign A60AP will be active until the 31st of  August. The callsign is active in recognition of the United Arab Emirates' Astronaut Programme which was launched in 2017. The Programme prepares crews of United Arab Emirates astronauts for missions to the International Space Station and other destinations in space. QSL via EA7FTR.
Now the DX news
Andy, DK5ON will be active as PJ2/DK5ON from Curacao, SA-099, until Wednesday the 22nd of March. He will operate SSB, CW and digital modes on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, Club Log's OQRS or via DK5ON directly or via the bureau.
John, N9EAJ will be active as VP5/N9EAJ from Grand Turk Island, NA-003, until Wednesday the 22nd of March. Activity will be mainly on SSB and some CW. He also plans to be active in the Columbus Landfall National Park for Parks on the Air. QSL via his home call. He will upload his contacts to Club Log and possibly to Logbook of the World.
Stephane, F5UOW will be active as FR/F5UOW from Reunion Island, AF-016, until Monday the 27th of March. He operates using CW. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Sands, VK4WXW has been on Willis Island, OC-007, since October, and will remain there until the end of April 2023. He works at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's weather monitoring station on the island, and in his spare time, he is QRV as VK9WX.
Now the contest news
The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group HF RTTY Contest started at 0200UTC on Saturday the 18th of March. It will run until 0200UTC on Monday the 20th of March. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report, serial number and time.
On Tuesday the 21st of March, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 1.3GHz band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also, on Tuesday the 21st of March, the IRTS 80m Evening Counties Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and county code.
On Thursday the 23rd of March, the 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ Worldwide WPX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 25th of March and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 26th of March. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday 16th of March 2023
Last week was split in two, in terms of HF propagation. The first half of the week was characterised by excellent high-band conditions, with many people commenting on how good things were. The Kp index was low, there was a lack of solar flares and the solar flux index was high – perfect for HF.
There were reports of openings to Hawaii and Alaska on 10m and Bob, MD0CCE said 10m had been open to the Pacific every night for the last five or six days.
But it didn’t last and by Wednesday it all went pear-shaped.
The Earth was hit by a fast-solar wind with a southward-pointing Bz on Wednesday the 15th, which increased the Kp index to 5.67. Its impact on the ionosphere was quick and very damaging, to such an extent that the two ‘local’ Digisondes at Fairford and Chilton couldn’t detect the F2 layer, leaving their traces blank.
It happened again on Wednesday evening, with the Kp index hitting 5.67 once again.
Luckily, it didn’t last long and the Kp index was back down to less than two by the morning and the MUF over 3,000km was back over 28MHz by mid-morning on Thursday.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain in the range of 135 to 145. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for the 20th but, as we know, anything can happen at this point in the solar cycle. Look for a low Kp index but, above all, get on the bands and see what you can work!
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The unsettled weather pattern seems likely to continue through the coming week driven by an undulating jet stream over the British Isles. This will mean, for yet another week, there is unlikely to be much good Tropo. It’s not all bad news though, since the unsettled part of the weather story may introduce some rain scatter on the GHz bands.
The mention of jet streams should, in a month or so, raise the promise of some Sporadic-E activity, which is often geographically related to the position of jet streams. It’s probably a bit early for that, although it could be worth considering a look at 10 and 6m as we move towards the end of the month.
10m, and 6m if you're in the far South West, can also give some good Trans Equatorial propagation, this time of year. This is typical of the changeover period from the southern hemisphere to northern hemisphere Sporadic-E activity.
As usual, the chance of aurora is still around, so keep a watch out on the clusters or spaceweather.com for all the latest news. Early-morning random meteors should stay on the checklist too.
For EME operators, moon declination is low but rising, going positive again on Wednesday meaning Moon availability windows will lengthen. The Moon is at perigee today, so path losses are at a minimum. 144MHz sky noise is low this week, apart from the whole of Tuesday when the Sun and Moon are close to an eclipse.
It is perhaps worth reminding new licensees that preparing a good list of HF and VHF beacons to monitor can be worthwhile, especially in quieter times before the summer Sporadic-E season gets underway.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for March 12th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 12th of March 2023
The news headlines:
YOTA Summer Camp in Hungary
Saint Patrick's Day Award Event
RSGB Company Secretary
 
Applications are open to be part of the RSGB team going to the Youngsters on the Air summer camp in Hungary. The event will take place from the 5th to the 12th of August 2023. This is a chance in a lifetime for young RSGB Members to represent their country and national society. You could be a team member if you are aged between 15 and 25, or a team leader if you are aged between 18 and 30. We would love to hear from you if you’re interested in meeting other young amateurs, supporting local and regional YOTA activities, and developing ideas regarding the future of amateur radio. For more information and the application form, either head over to our website at rsgb.org/yota-hungary or email the Youth Champion Liam Robbins, G5LDR via youth.champion@rsgb.org.uk
The annual Saint Patrick's Day Award Event takes place over a 48-hour period from 1200UTC on the 16th of March to 1200UTC on the 18th of March to allow worldwide participation in all time zones. The Saint Patrick's Day Award is 48 hours of non-competitive fun. Everyone can participate in the event, whether they are licensed or not. You can register to be a participating station by completing a short registration form online at stpatricksaward.com
The RSGB is looking to recruit an RSGB Member for the voluntary position of Company Secretary. The position plays a key role in the Society’s governance and provides vital support in the running of Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting. The deadline for applications is Monday the 24th of April. You can find out more about the role on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers If you feel you have the necessary skills to fulfil this important role or would like more information, email the General Manager’s department via gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB has released two more 2022 Convention presentations for radio amateurs to enjoy. In “Antennas for an effective contest station” Lee Volante, M0MTN reviews many of the options available to the HF contester when making antenna choices. He considers how antenna type, height, location and available resources have to be balanced with the type of contest and a contester's personal goals. The “Further exploration of SDR” by Gordon Lean, G3WJ covers the design and performance of Software Defined Radio systems from direct carrier generation to the use of units incorporating the GNU-Radio design software. It also focuses on experience and actual use of equipment on all bands from 80m to 10GHz and some of the benefits and difficulties associated with SDR operation. You can watch them both on the RSGB YouTube channel or in the RSGB members’ portal at rsgb.org/videos
GB3ORK, the Orkney Islands 5MHz beacon has closed down following the expiry of its Notice of Variation. It was the last of a chain of three beacons that once provided a wealth of data for the “5MHz Experiment” prior to the band being formally allocated. The RSGB thanks its keeper for the time and dedication given.
On Tuesday the 14th of March 2023, the Radio Security Service Memorial Amateur Radio Society will be enjoying a talk by Brian Clarke about his experiences in working at Gilnahirk Listening Station, part of the Y Station network. This is a pre-recorded talk, but Brian will be present to take questions at the end of the talk, which runs for about 45 minutes. The talk will be via Zoom and anyone is free to attend. For more information contact Roger Bradley, MI0WWB via mi0wwb@btinternet.com
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The British Vintage Wireless Society Meet is taking place in Biggleswade today, Sunday the 12th of March. The venue will be the Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. The event will feature traders selling vintage radios and TVs, and components including valves and test gear. There will be a large bring-and-buy area and refreshments will be available. Extensive, free off-road car parking right by the hall is available, as well as disabled parking right beside the main door. The venue has level access throughout. Everyone is welcome to attend. Doors open at 9.30 am and admission is £8. For more details contact Jeremy on 07799 110 080.
Also taking place today, the 12th, is Dover Amateur Radio Club’s Hamzilla Electronics Fair and Radio Rally. The venue will be Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QX. Free parking is available. The doors open at 10 am, or 9.30 am for early bird ticket holders. Local and national traders are welcome. Book your ticket and/or table online at Hamzilla.uk or email: club@darc.online
The Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hanger Sale will take place on Sunday the 2nd of April. The venue will be Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL. The sale will include 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 thirty-seventh QRP Convention will take place on Saturday the 15th 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
 
Now the Special Event News
GB1PAT and GB2PAT are the special callsigns for members of the Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club to use between the 1st and 28th of March to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Three certificates are available for making contact with both callsigns on different bands. QSL via Logbook of the World only.
DR100XRAY will be active until the end of June. It is a special callsign commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Wilhelm C Roentgen, the physicist whose discovery of X-rays earned him the inaugural Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 and revolutionised diagnostic medicine. QSL via the bureau, or direct to DJ6SI.
As part of British Science Week, the Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club, supported by the Extended Freedom Network, will be operating three special event stations demonstrating FT8, FM Voice and Digital technologies as well as Morse code and more. On Monday the 13th of March the club will be operating GB4SCE from Staindrop Church of England Primary School. On Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th it will be operating GB4HJS from Hunwick Primary School. Finally, on Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th the club will be operating GB2SPS from St Andrew’s Primary School. For more information and updates visit www.extendedfreedom.network
 
Now the DX news
Rich, PA0RRS will be active as 9M2MRS from Penang Island (AS-015), West Malaysia until the 29th of March. He will operate CW and digital modes including RTTY, FT8 and FT4 on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS is preferred, but also via Logbook of the World, or via PA0RRS.
Thaire, W2APF will be active as VP2MDX from Montserrat, NA-103, until the 28th of March. He will operate CW and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, or via W2APF.
Tom, AA9A is active again as PJ7AA from Sint Maarten, NA-105, from the 3rd of March to the 1st of April. He usually operates CW, SSB and FT8 on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World or direct to AA9A.
Sands, VK4WXW has been on Willis Island, OC-007, since October, and will remain there until the end of April 2023. He works at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's weather monitoring station on the island, and in his spare time, he is QRV as VK9WX.
 
Now the contest news
Today, the 12th, the Commonwealth Contest ends its 24-hour run at 1000UTC. Using CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. HQ stations also send ‘HQ’.
On Tuesday the 14th of March, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also, on Tuesday the 14th of March, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 15th of March, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 16th of March, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using All modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Next weekend, the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group HF RTTY Contest begins at 0200UTC on Saturday the 18th of March and will run until 0200UTC on Monday the 20th of March. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report, serial number and time.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday 9th of March 2023
It was business as usual last week with the solar flux index in the 180s, numerous C-class flares and, at the time of writing, 13 M-class flares over the past seven days.
The Kp index has been mostly settled for this part of the cycle, averaging two to three all week. But this doesn’t mean there has been little activity on the Sun, just that any eruptions have been directed away from Earth.
For example, a large prominence eruption off the Sun on the 7th of March resulted in a coronal mass ejection that stretched hundreds of thousands of kilometres into space.
It is this type of activity that makes space weather predictions difficult. If it had been Earth-facing, we could have ended up with a highly-raised Kp index and extensive aurora. As it was, the event had little or no effect on Earth.
Maximum usable frequencies continue to be high, but we are starting to see the effects of the Summer ionospheric changes that will see daytime MUFs decline.
The MUF over a 3,000km path often doesn’t exceed 28MHz now until later in the morning.
This is due to a seasonal change in the ionospheric chemistry and a shift from monatomic species to diatomic ones, which are harder to ionise.
So, make the most of 10m as by mid-summer we may lose long-range propagation on 28MHz, other than through Sporadic-E events.
We mentioned last week that this is a good time for North-South paths as we head towards the Spring equinox. That is, good paths to South Africa and South America are more likely now than they were a few months back. There have been a lot of stations on 10m in the late afternoon from South America so make the most of the propagation.
Next week, NOAA predicts similar solar flux index figures, with the SFI being in the range of 170 to 185. The Kp index is predicted to be at two or three, with perhaps more unsettled geomagnetic conditions on Wednesday the 15th.
As always, see solarham.net for more up-to-date information.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The unsettled winter weather has yet to give way to spring, so it's primarily low-pressure systems and periods of rain or snow that we will be dealing with in the next week or so.
Whether it’s rain or snow, this unsettled pattern limits any Tropo options and leaves only GHz band rain-scatter as a propagation mode to explore. Generally speaking, the rain, or perhaps the point where the snow is melting as it falls, should provide better reflections, whereas, in very cold areas, where it is all snow, reflections may be weaker. This probably means that it will be southern areas that perform better with rain scatter.
For the next few weeks, there are no significant meteor showers and therefore the pre-dawn random meteors will be the best options. Aurora, on the other hand, tends to favour the spring and autumn months, so in view of the current state of solar activity, as mentioned in the previous section, you should continue to monitor the Kp index for signs of activity and check the bands if it gets to the point that Kp equals five.
For EME operators, after minimum declination this Thursday, Moon availability windows will start to lengthen. Path losses will continue to fall but we are still a week from the Moon’s perigee – its closest point to Earth. 144MHz sky noise is high, reaching over 2,800 Kelvin on Thursday.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for March 5th 2023.

GB2RS News
Sunday the 5th of March 2023
The news headlines:
New GB2RS broadcast
Tonight@8 webinar
Train the trainers course
 
We’re pleased to announce a new West Midlands GB2RS broadcast on the 4m band. Eddie, G0VVT, already broadcasts each Sunday evening from Stoke-on-Trent on 2m FM, 6m FM via GB3SX and on 70cm both simplex and via the GB7ST DMR repeater. He has now added 4m to his schedule. So, if you are in the area, please join him at 6 pm local time on 70.425MHz FM. You can download the full GB2RS broadcast schedule from the RSGB website at rsgb.org/gb2rsschedule
Don’t forget the RSGB’s Tonight@8 live webinar tomorrow, Monday the 6th of March. Barry Lewis, G4SJH, the RSGB’s Microwave Manager, will talk about contesting in the microwave and millimetre wave bands at 23cm and above. You can watch and ask questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel or a special BATC channel. Find out more about this and other webinars on the Society’s website at rsgb.org/webinars
The Train the Trainers course is designed to help amateur radio trainers deliver interesting and engaging courses. It imparts some of the latest best practices in education from front-line teachers in a fun and friendly environment. Further details are available on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/train-the-trainers The team would like to apologise for any late replies to emails received following its December announcement of Train the Trainers courses for 2023, which was due to personal circumstances beyond its control. If you are interested in attending a Train the Trainers course or are a club that can host a course during 2023, then please contact the team by emailing trainthetrainers@rsgb.org.uk The team needs 25 delegates to make a course viable and have already received offers of venues in Essex, Bristol and Livingston in Scotland. So, if you are in or around one of these areas and would like to attend a course, the team would particularly like to hear from you.
The RSGB has just launched a new video called “2022 – a year in numbers”. It links with the March RadCom feature which gave an overview of the continuing amateur radio success story of 2022, in which RSGB HQ staff often led the way. You can watch the video on the RSGB YouTube channel at youtube.com/theRSGB In the April RadCom you will be able to read in detail the work of the RSGB committees and other specialist volunteers.
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Northern Syria on the 21st of February, BBC’s Digital Planet spoke to Aziz Şasa, TA1E, who is the President of the Turkish Amateur Radio Association. Aziz explained the vital role of amateur radio as a key communication method in the region. He also talked about how radio amateurs were aiding relief efforts and the use of repeaters for VHF and UHF frequencies. You can hear the interview on BBC Sounds – go to bbc.co.uk/sounds and search for “Data in disaster zones”. The interview starts two minutes and forty seconds into the broadcast.
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 5th of March. The venue for the event will be America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. The doors will open at 10.30 am for everyone and 10.15 am for disabled visitors. Admission is £3. Entry for those under 16 is free. There will be trade stands and bring and buy.
The South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society Junk Sale will take place next Saturday the 11th of March at the  Railway Club, Grantham, NG31 7AU. Doors open for traders at 8 am. Traders are asked to bring their own table. Doors are open to the public between 9.30 am and 1 pm. Admission for traders is £5, and for the public £1. Refreshments will be available on-site. Contact Stewart, M0SDM for more details via s.mason@skars.co.uk
The British Vintage Wireless Society Meet will take place in Biggleswade on Sunday the 12th of March. The venue will be the Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH. The event will feature traders selling vintage radios and TVs and components including valves and test gear. There will be a large bring-and-buy area and refreshments will be available. Extensive, free off-road car parking right by the hall is available, as well as disabled parking right beside the main door. The venue has level access throughout. Everyone is welcome to attend. Doors open at 9.30 am and admission is £8. For more details contact Jeremy on 07799 110 080.
Dover Amateur Radio Club’s Hamzilla Electronics Fair and Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 12th of March. The venue will be Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QX. Free Parking is available. The doors open at 10 am, or 9.30 am for early bird ticket holders. Local and national traders are welcome. Book your ticket and/or table online at Hamzilla.uk or email: club@darc.online
 
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign HG200AN will be active until the 15th of March to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Petőfi Sándor, one of Hungary’s most famous poets. QSL via Logbook of the World and Club Log’s OQRS.
Members of the Grassroots Amateur Radio Club in Newfoundland, Canada will be active as VO1TAP until Tuesday the 18th of March. The callsign is active to mark the anniversary of the USS Truxton and USS Pollux naval disaster that occurred off the coast of Newfoundland on the 18th of February 1942.
 
Now the DX news
Gopan, M0XUU and Ram, VU2JXN will be active from the Andaman Islands, AS-001, until the end of today, Sunday the 5th. Operating will be focussed on the higher HF bands from 20 to 10m using CW and QO-100. For more details visit QRZ.com
Philippe, F1DUZ will be active as FG4KH from Guadeloupe, NA-102, until the 8th of March, including participation in the SSB leg of the French HF Championship and the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL or via F1DUZ.
Paul, VE3AXT will be active as V31AX from Caye Caulker island, NA-073, off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea until Monday the 6th of March. He will be operating QRP on the 20 to 6m bands. QSL via M0URX’s OQRS.
 
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 5th of March, 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.
Also today, the Worked all Britain 3.5MHz Contest runs from 1800 to 2200UTC. Using CW and SSB, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked all Britain square, if applicable.
The ARRL International DX Contest ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 5th of March. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and transmission power. American stations send a signal report and their State. Canadian stations send a signal report and their Province.
The March 144MHz and 432MHz Contest ends at 1400UTC today, the 5th of March. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Monday the 6th of March, the 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 7th of March, 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 7th of March, 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 8th of March, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 8th of March, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 9th of March, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Next weekend, the Commonwealth Contest runs for 24 hours from 1000UTC on Saturday the 11th of March to 1000UTC on Sunday the 12th of March. Using CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. HQ stations also send ‘HQ’.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 2nd of March 2023.
The auroral event last week was probably the strongest we've had in this solar cycle. There were widespread visible aurora reports from the UK on Sunday the 26th of February. The Kp index eventually hit seven at 0900 UTC on February 27th, sparking widespread visible aurora alerts all over the UK for Tuesday evening as well.
The solar wind speed gradually decreased to below 650km/s and the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field shifted to the north, bringing the Kp index down.
March is always a good, or bad, month for aurora, depending on your perspective. The aurora is at its most active around the equinoxes in March and September.
Active region 3234 also produced an M8.6 flare on the 28th, but as this was at 1750UTC, the radio blackout was restricted to the Americas. Any CME material was directed away from Earth.
The solar flux index remained in the range of 150 to 160 last week, which was enough to make the daytime maximum usable frequency remain above 28MHz most of the time, although the geomagnetic disturbance did have an effect and lowered it slightly.
Next week NOAA predicts the SFI will remain in the range of 145 to 165. A geomagnetic disturbance is predicted for the fifth to the seventh, which could see the Kp index hit five. So, watch out for visible aurora once again.
The period between the ninth to the fourteenth is predicted to be generally calm geomagnetically, so this might be the best time for DX on the upper HF bands.
However, as we know this is a difficult time for predictions, anything could happen. We suggest keeping an eye on solarham.net for updates.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The very strong high pressure and tropo enhancement recently have. competed for attention with magnificent auroras, but we are now heading into quieter territory. The large high will decline early this weekend, ending the tropo bonus.
After which, the central weather theme is that of a colder northerly weather type with wintry showers, especially near windward coasts. This raises the prospect of rain scatter on the GHz bands.
After the recent dramatic solar-induced propagation week, it would be optimistic to expect a repeat, but the spring months are notable for producing auroras and there is always random meteor scatter. So, there are plenty of options to check up on in the coming week.
For EME operators, Moon declination is still high this weekend but we are on a downward trend, turning negative on Thursday, meaning Moon availability windows shortening all week.
With perigee last Friday, path losses will continue to fall. 144MHz sky noise is low all week. Perhaps you already view your radio-activity in the context of propagation conditions. But, for those not yet making this a routine, becoming aware of how these things are controlled can make a huge difference to your operating successes.
Why not start by seeking out some of the excellent propagation talks from radio clubs and the RSGB Convention which are often available online?
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for February 26th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 26th of February 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB Board Update
New RSGB Youth Champion
Celebrating BBC Broadcasting in Scotland
 
The RSGB President Stewart Bryant, G3YSX has reported that due to the workload of the Board and the number of remaining members, the Board thought it prudent to ask Ian Shepherd, G4EVK to re-join the RSGB Board as a co-opted Director until the AGM. After the AGM and the elections, the Board will look at its membership and will likely make further co-options. The RSGB Company Secretary fulfils an important role in the AGM proceedings and so Stephen Purser, GW4SHF was asked to return to this role until the AGM, whilst the Society appoints a new Company Secretary through the usual process. If you are an RSGB Member and would be willing to undertake the duties of RSGB Company Secretary, or if you would like further information about the role, please contact the General Manager’s department via gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk
Liam Robbins, G5LDR has been appointed as the RSGB’s new Youth Champion. He gained his Foundation licence in 2021 and his Full licence in late 2022. Liam plans to encourage the use of amateur radio with local Scouts and he is also keen to revive radio societies at universities and colleges. He is eager to work with younger radio amateurs and to engage with outreach programmes that clubs are already running. Liam is looking forward to working with the current RSGB Youth Team. You can email him at youth.champion@rsgb.org.uk
At 7 pm on the 6th of March 1923, BBC broadcasting in Scotland officially began. The studio was housed in a small attic apartment at Rex House in Bath Street, Glasgow, and the transmitter at Port Dundas. Using 1.5kW on 722kHz, the station was allocated the callsign 5SC. This year, 100 years to the day, the BBC Amateur Radio Group will be celebrating the anniversary with a special event callsign GB5SC. The operation will take place on the 4th, 5th and 6th of March, from the present BBC Pacific Quay headquarters, using HF, VHF, UHF and QO-100. The BBC club team is being joined by operators from the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society. For more information, visit the GB5SC page at QRZ.COM and the wosars. club website.
The next RSGB Tonight@8 live webinar takes place on Monday the 6th of March. Barry Lewis G4SJH, RSGB Microwave Manager, will talk about contesting in the microwave and millimetre wave bands at 23cm and above. He’ll cover the frequency bands, contest activity sessions, special rules and equipment needed. Although similar to VHF and UHF contesting, the microwave and millimetre wave bands bring additional challenges which will be discussed, along with the awards and trophies that can be won. You can watch and ask questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel. Find out more on the Society’s website at rsgb.org/webinars
This is a final call for entries in the RSGB Construction Competition as the deadline is this Wednesday, the 1st of March. The four categories are Beginners; Construction excellence; Innovation; and Software. The judges will give special recognition to entries submitted by radio amateurs under the age of 24 and also to those who have just gained their Foundation licence. There are cash prizes in every category. If you’re a new licensee or new to construction, don’t be worried about submitting your entry – read the stories of last year’s winners and runners-up and be inspired to enter your project! You can read their stories and find out how to enter on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/construction-competition
SOS Radio Week 2023 starts at 0000UTC on the 1st of May and concludes at 2359 on the 31st of May. It is an opportunity to support the many voluntary organisations in the British Isles whose members volunteer to save the lives of others at risk around the many miles of its coastline, and out at sea. These organisations include the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the National Coastwatch Association and numerous independent lifeboat and coastal rescue groups. Individual amateur radio operators and clubs are invited to register to become an official SOS Radio Week station and operate under their own callsign, their club’s or a special event callsign to raise awareness of the great work these volunteers perform. Awards are available for registered stations that make the most contacts on each of the 160m to 70cm bands and use various modes. Registration is now open and further details can be found at sosradioweek.org.uk
 
And now for details of rallies and events
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place today, Sunday the 26th of February. The event is being held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htm
The Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society is holding its annual rally on the 4th of March. The venue will be the Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, BT26 6AR. Doors open at 10.30 am. For more information visit www.lvars.uk
Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally is taking place on Sunday the 5th of March. The venue for the event will be America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. The doors will open at 10.30 am for everyone and 10.15 am for disabled visitors. Admission is £3. Entry for those under 16s is free. There will be trade stands and bring and buy.
The South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society Junk Sale will take place on Saturday the 11th of March at the  Railway Club, Grantham, NG31 7AU. Doors open for traders at 8 am. Traders are asked to bring their own table. Doors are open to the public between 9.30 am and 1 pm. Admission for traders is £5, and for the public £1. Refreshments will be available on-site. Contact Stewart, M0SDM for more details via s.mason@skars.co.uk
 
Now the Special Event News
Members of Radio Club Jean Bart, F6KMB will be active as TM6C until Monday the 27th of February during the traditional Dunkirk Carnival. QSL via F6KMB.
The Vienna International Centre Amateur Radio Contest DX Club is expected to be active as 4UNR until Tuesday the 28th of February. The location counts as Austria for DXCC and for the Vienna International Centre for the CQ DX Marathon. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS or via UA3DX.
Special callsign OZ625E will be active until Tuesday the 28th of February for the opening of the new Enigma Museum of Communications in Copenhagen. An award will be available for contacts with OZ625E stations with different suffixes. More information about the special callsign and the award can be found via the OZ625E QRZ.com page.
This year Dennis, G7AGZ will again be running a radio project in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. This will be in two parts. The first part will be a special event station with the callsign GB0CHC and will run from the 1st of April for 28 days. Dennis plans to activate all bands from 80m to 70cms and operate using SSB, FM and DMR. The second part will be a coast-to-coast walk in Cornwall in the summer. Details will be released nearer the time. More details, including a link to Dennis’s JustGiving page, are on the G7AGZ QRZ.com web page.
Now the DX news
Philippe, F1DUZ will be active as FG4KH from Guadeloupe, NA-102, until the 8th of March, including participation in the SSB leg of the French HF Championship and the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL or via F1DUZ.
Jozef, ON6HX will be operating as YB9/ON6HX from Lombok Island, OC-150, until Wednesday the 8th of March. He expects to be available on the 80 to 10m bands using all modes including CW. QSL via his home call, directly or the bureau, Logbook of the World and eQSL.
Lars, SM6NT will be active as HS0ZME from Thailand until Thursday the 2nd of April. He will operate mainly using CW on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via SM6NT.
Now the contest news
The CQ 160m DX Contest ends at 2200UTC today, Sunday the 26th of February. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations send a signal report and their State. Canadian stations send a signal report and their Province.
The French HF Championship, also known as the REF Contest, ends at 1800UTC today, Sunday the 26th of February. 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.
On Wednesday the 1st of March, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 1st of March, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Wednesday the 1st of March, 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.
The ARRL International DX Contest begins at 0000UTC on Saturday the 4th of March and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 5th of March. Using SSB on the 1.8 to 28MHz bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and transmission power. American stations send a signal report and their State. Canadian stations send a signal report and their Province.
The March 144MHz and 432MHz Contest begins at 1400UTC on Saturday the 4th of March and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 5th of March. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 5th of March, 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.
Also on Sunday the 5th of March, the Worked all Britain 3.5MHz Contest runs from 1800 to 2200UTC. Using CW and SSB, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked all Britain square, if applicable.
 Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 23rd of February 2023
Last week was characterised by many low- and medium-level solar flares. At the time of writing, in the past seven days, the Sun has emitted more than 60 C-class flares, six M-class flares and one X-class flare.
The X-class flare coincided with the measurement of the solar flux index meaning an erroneous reading of 343 was logged. The next day it was back to a more accurate 167.
The solar flux index has generally declined from the 200s we saw earlier in the month and stood at 152 on Thursday the 23rd. Nevertheless, daytime maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path still exceed 28MHz on a daily basis.
Geomagnetic conditions have been mixed with the Kp index hitting 4.67 on Thursday due to a fast solar wind.
We are heading towards the equinox period as we leave February next week and enter March. This is a time that favours North/South paths, such as the UK to South Africa and the UK to South America.
We’ll start to lose propagation to the USA on the higher bands as the Spring progresses, but don’t worry – it will be back in the Autumn!
A coronal hole is turning into an Earth-facing direction, which may cause some disruption with an increasing Kp index this weekend.
NOAA also predicts slightly worse conditions for the next week with the solar flux index declining to the 125-145 range. Unsettled conditions are predicted for the period of the 5th to the 7th of March, with the Kp index perhaps hitting five again.
As always, this is a guide as we are living in unpredictable times with regard to solar activity.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The coming week looks likely to be another high-pressure period on the weather charts. As we ended this week, the high was offset to the west of Ireland but will become centred over Scotland with a colder north easterly over southern Britain.
This means that Tropo may become a mode of choice, particularly for northern areas, although this may well decline as a colder northerly starts at the end of next week. This could offer rain or snow showers with the chance of some associated GHz band scatter propagation.
As secondary options, aurora and meteor scatter remain viable, of course. Watch for a high Kp index for aurora and remember that random meteor scatter is always likely to be best around dawn.
For EME operators, the positive and rising Moon declination this week will see Moon availability windows lengthening until maximum declination on Wednesday. So, there will be high moon elevations, but path losses will continue to increase until apogee next Friday when the path loss trend will reverse.
144MHz sky noise is moderate to low for the rest of the week, only reaching 500 Kelvin on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for February 19th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 19th of February 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB Board Chair and Company Secretary
RSGB Unopposed Election Results
Saint Patrick's Day Award
 
We report with regret that Richard Horton, G4AOJ has tendered his resignation as an RSGB Board Director and the Board Chair, and Stan Lee, G4XXI has tendered his resignation as RSGB Company Secretary. The resignations are independent of each other and for personal reasons. The RSGB would like to thank them for their hard work and contribution to the Society. The RSGB President Stewart Bryant, G3YSX will Chair the Board until the AGM. In view of the important role of the Company Secretary in the Society’s AGM, which is just a few weeks away, the Board will agree to the appointment of a temporary Company Secretary pending the advertisement of the position and selection through the normal process.
The RSGB has announced the unopposed nomination results in its 2023 elections. In the election for RSGB President, there was only one nomination received so John McCullagh MBE, GI4BWM is elected unopposed for a two-year term. This year there were Regional Representative vacancies for five Regions – Regions 3, 7, 8, 11 and 13. The only candidate for Region 8 was Michael Na bPiob, MI0HOZ so he is duly elected unopposed for a three-year term. The terms of office for both roles above will commence at the AGM on the 15th of April 2023. You can read their personal statements on page 6 of the March RadCom or on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org/election The RSGB would like to congratulate both candidates and wish them well in their roles. RSGB Board Director candidates will be announced in the April RadCom and voting will begin on Wednesday the 15th of March.
There are just over three weeks left to register to participate in the annual Saint Patrick's Day Award. The event takes place over a 48-hour period from 1200UTC on the 16th of March to 1200UTC on the 18th of March to allow worldwide participation in all time zones. The Saint Patrick's Day Award is 48 hours of non-competitive fun. Everyone can participate in the event, whether they are licensed or not. You can register to be a participating station by completing a short registration form online at stpatricksaward.com
The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society will be operating the club callsign GT3FLH from the Isle of Man Sea Terminal building in Douglas on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of February between 11 am and 3 pm. The callsign will be active to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Douglas being the first radar-controlled harbour in the world. FT8, CW and SSB modes will be used on the HF bands from 40m and upwards. If the weather is inclement, the operation will be from the club HQ at the Scout Hall in Ballasalla. For more information about the Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society visit www.iomars.im
Today, the 19th is the second day of the British Amateur Television Club’s monthly activity weekend. The event is aimed at getting more people on the air either from home or a nearby high spot to promote this exciting part of the hobby. This month, activity on 23cm and upwards is planned. Participants are encouraged to post details of where they are going to be, and what time they’ll be on the air, on the BATC forum. You can view the forum posts via forum.batc.org.uk Everyone is welcome and you don’t need to be a member to take part.
As part of British Science Week, the RSGB is running the ever-popular ‘Build a Morse Tutor’ workshop at the National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park on Saturday the 18th of March. For information about the workshop and to see our British Science Week activity pack, visit our website: www.rsgb.org/bsw
Radio amateurs are requested to give way to emergency response groups that are dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake that unfortunately hit Turkey and Syria earlier this month. Response activities are primarily expected to be on VHF and UHF but 3.777MHz and 7.092MHz may also be used, if needed.
 
And now for details of rallies and events
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of February. The event will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htmThe Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society is holding its annual rally on the 4th of March. The venue will be the Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, BT26 6AR. Doors open at 10.30 am. For more information visit www.lvars.uk
Exeter Radio and Electronics Rally is taking place on Sunday the 5th of March. The venue for the event will be America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. The doors will open at 10.30 am for everyone and 10.15 am for disabled visitors. Admission is £3. Entry for those under 16 is free. There will be trade stands and bring and buy.
The South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society Junk Sale will take place on Saturday the 11th of March at the  Railway Club, Grantham, NG31 7AU. Doors open for traders at 8 am. Traders are asked to bring their own table. Doors are open to the public between 9.30 am and 1 pm. Admission for traders is £5, and for the public £1. Refreshments will be available on-site. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment. Contact Stewart, M0SDM for more details via s.mason@skars.co.uk
 
Now the Special Event News
Special event stations, 7Z3FD, 8Z3FD and HZ3FD are operating in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day. The stations will be active until the 22nd of February. QSL via HZ1SAR. The logs will be uploaded to Club Log.
The United Nations Global Service Centre Amateur Radio Club will be active as 4U13FEB until the 28th of February. The station is active to promote World Radio Day which was held on the 13th of February. QSL via 9A2AA, directly or via the bureau.
Members of the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society will be active as 9K9NLD until the 28th of February. The special callsign is active in celebration of Kuwait National Day, on the 25th of February, and Liberation Day on the 26th of February. QSL via EC6DX.
Members of the Panama Canal Amateur Radio Association will be active as 3E30PCARA until the 28th of February to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the formation of their club in 1993. QSL directly to the Association.
 
Now the DX news
Peter, G4HSO will be active as S79/G4HSO from Seychelles until the 21st of February. He will be operating CW and VarAC only. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR will be active as YJ0A from Efate, OC-035, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Their visit will include operating in the CQ WPX RTTY Contest and the ARRL DX CW Contest. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of the World or via K7AR.
Vlad, OK2WX will be active as 9U4WX from Burundi until the 27th of February. He will be operating CW and SSB on the HF bands. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS is preferred. QSL is also possible via Logbook of the World or via IZ8CCW.
 
Now the contest news
The ARRL International DX Contest ends its 48-hour run today, the 19th, at 2359UTC. CW will be used on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted. For stations outside of the USA and Canada, the exchange is signal report and transmission power. American stations send a signal report and their State. Canadian stations send a signal report and their Province.
On Tuesday the 21st of February, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 22nd of February, 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.
On Thursday the 23rd of February, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ 160m DX Contest will run for 48 hours from 2200UTC on Friday the 24th of February. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their State and Canadian stations send their province.
The French HF Championship, also known as the REF Contest, begins at 0600UTC on Saturday the 25th of February and ends at 1800UTC on Sunday the 26th of February. 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.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 16th of February 2023
Last week was interesting as we had an X-class solar flare, and a significant geomagnetic disturbance, as well as good HF conditions at times.
An impulsive X1.1 solar flare was observed around active region 3217 in the southeast quadrant of the Sun at 1548UTC on the 11th of February. The flare did not appear eruptive, so we had no associated coronal mass ejection.
Nevertheless, the flare caused a fade-out as its X-rays penetrated deep into the D-layer of the ionosphere.
There were other lesser M-class and C-class flares throughout the week.
The Kp index rose to five on Wednesday the 15th of February and conditions continued to be geomagnetically unstable throughout Thursday. Nevertheless, the ionosphere remained relatively stable with daytime MUFs over 3,000km generally staying above 28MHz all week.
The critical frequency is generally remaining well above 4MHz until midnight, meaning 80m is open around the UK and also to DX. After midnight it can decline, meaning only longer paths are open.
NOAA has updated its coronal mass ejection forecast model to predict a stronger-than-anticipated solar wind passing Earth by late Friday the 17th of February and into Saturday the 18th. A moderate G2 level storm watch was officially added, beginning on Friday, so aurora sky watchers and VHF enthusiasts should be alert this weekend.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the SFI will fall back, perhaps to 130 by next Friday. Once we get past this weekend’s geomagnetic disturbance, the Kp index is predicted to remain settled all week, although a single coronal mass ejection could soon spoil that.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
After some good tropo for the 70cm UK Activity Contest last Tuesday, it will be a return to more unsettled weather that ends this week and starts this weekend. High pressure will then quickly return and take up residence over the south and west of the country, eventually ending up west of Ireland. 
This will mean that tropo will again offer some enhanced conditions on VHF and UHF and may prove useful for the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday evening.
After midweek, it will tend to favour paths within the UK and to the south into France. From midweek there will be low pressure to the east of the British Isles with a showery northerly flow down the North Sea. This will cut off the eastern half of Europe from any Tropo prospects, but it may offer some rain scatter from eastern areas.
There may continue to be some good chances of auroral propagation, which you can explore by checking the Kp index for values higher than five. In the absence of major meteor showers, random meteor scatter is always an option and likely to be most profitable around the dawn period.
For EME operators, Moon declination is negative but increasing, going positive again on Wednesday. The week will therefore see Moon availability windows increasing and path losses increasing from their lowest with perigee, the point where the Moon is closest to Earth, occurring today Sunday the 19th. 
The Sun and Moon are close to an eclipse later today and throughout all of Monday’s moon window, so sky noise will be high due to the Sun being in the beamwidth of most antennas. After that, 144MHz sky noise is low for the rest of the week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for February 12th 2023

 
GB2RS News
Sunday the 12th of February 2023
The news headlines:
Special Contest Callsigns
BBC Radio Somerset Interview
RSGB Convention Videos
 Ofcom has recently authorised an expansion of the list of Special Contest Callsign qualification contests to include two UK and Ireland DX Contests. Full details of how to apply for a Special Contest Callsign, including the complete qualifying criteria, can be found at rsgb.org/scc
On the 6th of February, RSGB District Representative Andy Jenner, G7KNA spoke to the BBC’s Simon Parkin about his passion for amateur radio. The RSGB arranged this interview having been contacted by BBC Radio Somerset, following the Society’s recent piece in The Times. Andy discussed how he got into radio, getting licensed and about the work he and South Bristol Amateur Radio Club are doing to involve young people in amateur radio. This includes plans for a demonstration day at a Bristol primary school as part of British Science Week in March. You can still listen to the interview if you search for BBC Radio Somerset and Simon Parkin’s show on BBC Sounds. The interview starts at 19 minutes and 20 seconds into the programme.
The RSGB has released two more of its 2022 Convention videos just for RSGB Members to view. In the first presentation, called “Using the right tools to work more 144MHz DX”, RSGB VHF Manager, John Regnault, G4SWX gives a comprehensive guide to a range of software packages and websites that will help you to develop your VHF DXing skills. The second presentation is by James Stevens, M0JCQ who is the co-author of the RadCom VHF/UHF column. In his presentation “VHF Equipment to start you going”, he explains how newcomers to amateur radio or even the most ardent HF enthusiast can get started on the VHF bands. These are being released as a benefit of RSGB Membership and can be seen in the RSGB 2022 Convention video section of the website at rsgb.org/videos
An organisation called Experimental Danish Radio Amateurs, also known as ‘EDR’, are celebrating the opening of the Enigma Post and Telegraph Museum in Copenhagen which now has a new address, appearance and name. EDR has created a special award to celebrate this opening. Contacts with different qualifying stations between the 14th and 28th of February will be eligible for the award. For more information, please visit the OZ625E page on QRZ.com
The Polish Amateur Radio Association is inviting the amateur radio community to participate in an event related to the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus. From 0000UTC on the 17th of February to 2359UTC on the 5th of March, there will be nine special event stations on the air, including SN550NC. Awards will be available for contacts made with the special event stations. For more information about the event and the awards visit 550mk.pzk.org.pl
Time is running out to enter the RSGB Construction Competition. You don’t have to be an expert constructor and the judges will give special recognition to entries submitted by radio amateurs under the age of 24 and also to those who have just gained their Foundation licence. The four categories are: Beginners; Construction excellence; Innovation; and Software. There are cash prizes in every category. The RSGB Communications Manager chatted to last year’s winners and runners-up and shared their stories in the January and February editions of RadCom. So, take a look and be inspired! You can also read the stories and find out how to enter the competition on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/construction-competition
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society Radioactive Fair is being held today, Sunday the 12th of February. The venue is Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10 am and admission is £5. A wide variety of trader stalls, a bring-and-buy platform and refreshments and snacks are available. Parking is immediately adjacent to the hall. For more information visit radioactivefair.co.uk
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of February. The event will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htm
The Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society is holding its annual rally on the 4th of March. The venue will be the Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, BT26 6AR. Doors open at 10.30 am. For more information visit www.lvars.uk
 
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign ZX89L is operating in celebration of the 89th anniversary of the Brazilian Radio Amateur League and will be active until the 15th of February. QSL via Logbook of the World. Details of awards associated with the station can be found via QRZ.com
Special event station TM20AAW will be on the air until the 24th of February in celebration of the 20th Antarctic Activity Week. François, F8DVD will be operating the station from Mâcon in eastern France, 60km north of Lyon. For further information visit QRZ.com
Members of the Panama Canal Amateur Radio Association will be active as 3E30PCARA until the 28th of February to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the formation of their club in 1993. QSL directly to the Association.
Special event station GB0CFG will be active from the 16th of February. The station will be operated by Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club to mark World Thinking Day on the air. The event provides an opportunity for local Girl Guides to talk to other members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts all over the world via amateur radio. Several other special callsigns will also be active in February to take part in the event. These include Easingwold Girl Guides, who will be operating with special callsign GB2EGG from the 17th of February, and Milton Keynes Girlguiding who will be active with special callsign GB0MKG from the 18th of February.
 
Now the DX news
John, W5JON will be active as V47JA from Saint Kitts, NA-104, until the 15th of February. He will be operating SSB and FT8 on the HF bands and 6m. QSL via Logbook of the World, or directly to W5JON.
Andre, ON7YK will be active from Bijilo, Gambia until the 24th of February. He will be operating as C5YK on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL via eQSL, Logbook of the World or directly to his home call.
Francis, F6BWJ will be active as FM/F6BWJ from Martinique, NA-107, until the 10th of March. He will be operating CW, PSK and RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands. He will upload his log to the Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Gerard, F2JD will be active as HR5/F2JD from Copan, Honduras until the 13th of March. He will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the bureau.
 
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 12th of February, the CQ Worldwide WPX RTTY Contest ends its 48-hour run at 2359UTC. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The PACC Contest ends its 24-hour run at 1200UTC today, the 12th. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Stations from The Netherlands also send their province.
On Wednesday the 15th of February, the 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 16th of February, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 18th of February and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 19th of February. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and transmission power. American stations also send their State and Canadian stations send their province.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 9th of February 2023
The solar flux index rose again this week with the arrival of more sunspots. By Thursday, the SFI had reached 192, up from 135 the week before.
However, there has been some flare activity with minor C-class and some M-class flares, mainly from active region 3213. None of these has erupted in an Earthward direction so we’ve avoided coronal mass ejections and their effects.
The solar wind has been quite active, including long periods with a negative Bz and speeds of up to 600 kilometres per second. This has meant that the Kp index has remained relatively high, hovering around 3.5 for days.
All of this means that ionospheric conditions have been quite good with the daytime critical frequency over the UK generally above 9MHz. This means that paths over 3,000km have generally supported operations up to and beyond 10 metres.
At night, MUFs over 3,000km hover around 10MHz, especially in the hours just after sunset.
Next week, the US Air Force has the SFI remaining at around 195, before falling back to 150 by the 17th. Geomagnetic conditions should remain relatively settled unless we get a coronal mass ejection.
All in all, this is a good time for HF so get to it! And good luck with making contact with the 3Y0J Bouvet Island DXpedition.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The large area of high pressure which has brought tropo to many parts of the British Isles looks good for a few more days. Some models suggest that Atlantic lows may move in after mid-week, so make the most of it before then. 
Unfortunately, the northern parts of the country have seen windier weather at times and largely missed out on the best tropo, although with some chance of rain scatter to make up for it.
The aurora prospects and meteor scatter are still worth a check during the next week. Check aurora when the Kp index is high, and meteor scatter around dawn. Use the usual sources of information, such as clusters and band reports to get onto the bands at the right time.
For EME operators, Moon declination is negative, reaching a minimum on Thursday. EME Moon availability windows will be short. Path losses are at their lowest as the Moon approaches perigee next Sunday.
144MHz sky noise is moderate at the start of the week but increases to a high of over 3200 Kelvin next Thursday, the 16th.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
 
 

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for February 5th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 5th of February 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB feature in The Times
RSGB Convention videos
British Science Week
 
The RSGB was delighted to see the feature in The Times on Saturday the 28th of January about amateur radio. It was a great opportunity to highlight both amateur radio and the Society in the mainstream media. Heather Parsons, the RSGB Communications Manager, spent a week liaising with Rhys Blakely, the Science Correspondent, and coordinating the interviewees. She put forward a whole range of ideas and possible interviewees and the RSGB would like to thank everyone who supported this opportunity, even though some contributions didn’t make it into the final piece. An external media monitoring agency has confirmed that the potential online audience for this feature was over 42 million. The feature is called “Ham radio tunes in to a new generation” and you can still read it online. Go to thetimes.co.uk and search for amateur radio.
The RSGB has just released another presentation from its 2022 Convention. Brian Coleman, G4NNS talks about The UK Meteor Beacon Project which is a collaborative project between the amateur radio and radio astronomy communities. The aim is to collect data on meteor events over the UK and Phase one was to establish a transmitting beacon. Phase two is to create a network of receivers to monitor the radio echoes from meteors and to stream data over the internet to support the study of meteor events and their impact on the ionosphere. The Project has received RSGB Legacy funds to help make this great idea happen. You can see the presentation on the RSGB YouTube channel and you can find out more about the RSGB Legacy funds on the Society’s website at rsgb.org/legacy
British Science Week, run by the British Science Association, is an annual event celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths. It provides a platform to support teachers, STEM professionals and the public in delivering STEM activities and events across the UK. This year’s theme is Connections, which lends itself perfectly to wireless communication and amateur radio-related activities! The RSGB has put together a set of activities suitable for children in Early Years, Primary and Secondary school. Several radio clubs from across the UK have already planned activities for British Science Week and the RSGB hopes its resources will inspire you to get involved too. Find out more on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bsw
Edition 32 of RadCom Basics is now available. The edition contains articles on antenna performance comparison and basic fault finding, among others. RadCom Basics can be downloaded via rsgb.org/radcom-basics
On the 26th of January 2023, some students from the University of Glasgow met and formed the Glasgow University Wireless Society. The Glasgow University Wireless Society Net takes place on Monday evenings around 145.525MHz from 6 pm. Those who are interested in joining the Society can make contact via mm0wsg@neotes.uk A list of universities with amateur radio clubs can be viewed on the RSGB website via rsgb.org/university-corner
Widnes and Runcorn Amateur Radio Club is running its first face-to-face Foundation training course since Lockdown happened in March 2020. The course will take place over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of February at Lostock Sports and Social Club, Works Lane, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7NW. The online Foundation exam will take place on Sunday afternoon. Prior registration, before Wednesday the 8th of February, is essential. For further details, and to book a place, please contact Dave Wilson, M0OBW either by phone on 07720 656 542 or by email at dwilson@btinternet.com.
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The Canvey Rally takes place today, Sunday the 5th of February, at Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey, Essex, SS8 9QS. The Rally is expected to be the usual hive of activity with plenty of traders and an indoor boot sale. Hot food and drinks will be available. Contact sears.enquiries@gmail.com for further information.
The Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society Radioactive Fair will be held next Sunday the 12th of February. The venue will be Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10 am and admission is £5. A wide variety of trader stalls, a bring-and-buy platform and refreshments and snacks will be available. Parking is immediately adjacent to the hall. For more information visit radioactivefair.co.uk
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of February. The event will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htm
Andover Radio Amateur Club has unfortunately had to cancel its boot sales this year. The sales were due to be held on the 23rd of April and the 3rd of September.
 
Now the Special Event News
Special event station GB0CFG will be active from the 16th of February. The station will be operated by Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club to mark World Thinking Day on the air. The event provides an opportunity for local Girl Guides to talk to other members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts all over the world via amateur radio. Several other special callsigns will also be active in February to take part in the event. These include Easingwold Girl Guides, who will be operating with special callsign GB2EGG from the 17th of February, and Milton Keynes Girlguiding who will be active with special callsign GB0MKG from the 18th of February.
Today, the 5th is the last chance to log special callsign TM25PVJ. The station is active to celebrate the festival of the Opening of the Yellow Wine which, this year, takes place at Voiteur, Jura in France. QSL via F8GGZ.
 
Now the DX news
Emmanuel, F5LIT plans to be active as HS0ZPU from Thailand until Monday the 6th of February. QSL via Logbook of the World or directly to his home call.
Jeff, VA3QSL will be active as P4/VA3QSL from Aruba, SA-036, until the 8th of February. He will be operating SSB, CW and digital modes on the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, the bureau or his home call.
Andre, ON7YK will be active from Bijilo, Gambia until the 24th of February. He will be operating as C5YK on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL via eQSL, Logbook of the World or directly to his home call.
Francis, F6BWJ will be active as FM/F6BWJ from Martinique, NA-107, until the 10th of March. He will be operating CW, PSK and RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands. He will upload his log to Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Gerard, F2JD will be active as HR5/F2JD from Copan, Honduras until the 13th of March. He will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the bureau.
 
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 5th, the 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Monday the 6th of February, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Saturday the 11th of February, the First 1.8MHz Contest runs from 1900 to 2300UTC. Using CW, the exchange is a signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 7th of February, the 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 7th of February, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM only, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 8th of February, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 8th of February, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 9th of February, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number, and locator.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 2nd of February 2023
Well, what a difference a few weeks make. On the 15th of January, the solar flux index was at 234 and the Sun was peppered with spots. This week, on Thursday, the SFI was at 134 and the solar surface looked like it was at sunspot minimum again.
The Sun has also been mainly geomagnetically quiet, with a maximum Kp index of 3.67 on Thursday, due to an elevated solar wind speed with a southward pointing Bz. We have only had relatively minor C-class solar flares to contend with.
Meanwhile, there is DX to be worked, especially on 10m which continues to shine.
The good news is that this lull in solar activity should come to an end, although the Space Weather Prediction Centre predicts that the SFI may only go up to 155 next week. Unfortunately, it also predicts disturbed geomagnetic conditions, especially from the 7th to the 10th.
With the daytime critical frequency, as measured at Chilton, reaching almost 9.7MHz at times, we are virtually guaranteed good conditions on all of the upper HF bands with 10m predicted to be open for contacts over 3,000km for most of the day. Night-time highs are set to reach 9 to 9.5MHz over 3,000km. So, all frequencies, except 7MHz and below, are likely to be closed to DX.
80m may also close to short-range or near vertical incidence skywave skip at night, leaving only continental and longer paths, such as southern England to Scotland, open. This should improve as we head into Spring.
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
There is a continuing tendency for high pressure to dominate the weather charts and keep tropo on the agenda for much of the coming week, but with some caveats.
The position of the high is such that, as we end the current week, it’s over France and this puts us in a mild westerly flow with reasonable tropo propagation.
After this weekend, some weather models suggest a modest cold-air Atlantic high will arrive and will probably link with an intense high of more than 1050 millibars over western Russia. This may lead to a very cold easterly weather pattern over southern Britain by midweek with a chance of wintry weather and snow showers over eastern areas coming in from the North Sea.
This could be a good time to experiment with scatter propagation on the GHz bands. Note that winter showers generated over the sea are often twenty-four-seven phenomena rather than the traditional daytime showers used for rain scatter in the summer.
Keep trying other modes such as meteor scatter around dawn and aurora when the Kp index is high, but the high-pressure-driven modes will be the primary focus.
For EME operators, Moon declination is still high, not going negative again until Thursday. So, EME Moon availability windows will shorten and path losses will decrease as the week progresses. 144MHz sky noise is low all week, only reaching 350 Kelvin next Sunday.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for January 29th 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 29th of January 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB Construction Competition
RSGB Elections
Tonight@8 webinar
 
Have you been busy making something recently? Don’t forget that you have just five weeks left to enter the RSGB Construction Competition. The four categories are Beginners; Construction excellence; Innovation; and Software. The judges will give special recognition to entries submitted by radio amateurs under the age of 24 and also to those who have just gained their Foundation licence. There are cash prizes in every category. The RSGB Communications Manager chatted to last year’s winners and runners-up and shared their stories in the January and February editions of RadCom, so take a look and be inspired! Details about how to enter the competition are on the RSGB website at: rsgb.org/construction-competition
If you’re interested in helping to see amateur radio, and the RSGB, continue to thrive over the coming years, this is a final reminder that the closing date for RSGB President, Elected Director and Regional Representative roles is this Tuesday, the 31st of January. Candidate packs, forms and further details can be found at rsgb.org/election
On Monday the 6th of February, Anthony Luscre, K8ZT will talk about QRP operating on the RSGB’s Tonight@8 webinar. Find out more on the Society’s website at rsgb.org/webinars and put the date in your diary for another fascinating live presentation.
We are delighted to announce that, as part of our Coronation celebration activities, Ofcom has approved "R" as the optional Coronation regional secondary locator prefix for all radio amateurs. You will be able to use this for the whole of May and June 2023. More information will be reported closer to the date of the Coronation.
Aged 26 or under? Love all things radio? Why not join the RSGB Youth Team? The team currently has over 30 members across the UK, who work together to encourage young people into the hobby. You'll be involved in planning events, attending shows and writing articles. Get involved, gain skills and make new friends! See the new youth video “Try it!” on the RSGB YouTube channel and find out how to get involved in the Youth Team via the Society’s website: rsgb.org/youth
Today, the 29th, from approximately 1200UTC, James, M0GQC, Fraser, MM0EFI, David, EI5IMB and Chris, M0RSF will be activating four separate Worldwide Flora and Fauna areas on 20 and 40m SSB. They will post their working frequencies on the Worldwide Flora and Fauna website. All calls are welcome.
 
And now for details of rallies and events
The Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Radio Rally will be held today, Sunday the 29th of January, at The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Doors open at 9.30 am and entry is £2. Refreshments are available on-site and talk-in is available on 145.375MHz. For more information email Graham via contact@m1dhv.co.uk
The Canvey Rally will be held on the 5th of February at Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey, Essex, SS8 9QS. The Rally is expected to be the usual hive of activity with plenty of traders and an indoor boot sale. Hot food and drinks will be available. Contact sears.enquiries@gmail.com for further information.
The Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society Radioactive Fair will be held on Sunday the 12th of February. The venue will be Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10 am and admission is £5. A wide variety of trader stalls, a bring-and-buy platform and refreshments and snacks will be available. Parking is immediately adjacent to the hall. For more information visit radioactivefair.co.uk
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of February. The event will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htm
Andover Radio Amateur Club has unfortunately had to cancel its boot sales this year. The sales were due to be held on the 23rd of April and the 3rd of September.
 
Now the Special Event News
Throughout the month of January, Weston-super-Mare Radio Society has been operating special callsign GB4WSM in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Society’s formation on the 3rd of January 1923. There are still a few days left, before the end of the month, to work the station if you don’t already have it in your logbook.
Special callsign GB2WC will be active until the 31st of January. The station is operating to promote the World Radiosport Team Championship due to be held in July in conjunction with the IARU HF World Championships. More details about the World Radiosport Team Championship can be found by visiting wrtc.info
7U7C is the special callsign used by members of the 7X2VFK Radio Club to mark the 7th African Nations Championship, the biennial football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football. The callsign will be active until the 4th of February.
 
Now the DX news
Jeff, VA3QSL will be active as P4/VA3QSL from Aruba, SA-036, until the 8th of February. He will be operating SSB, CW and digital modes on the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, the bureau or his home call.
Andre, ON7YK will be active from Bijilo, Gambia until the 24th of February. He will be operating as C5YK on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL via eQSL, Logbook of the World or directly to his home call.
Francis, F6BWJ will be active as FM/F6BWJ from Martinique, NA-107, until the 10th of March. He will be operating CW, PSK and RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands. He will upload his log to the Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Gerard, F2JD will be active as HR5/F2JD from Copan, Honduras until the 13th of March. He will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the bureau.
 
Now the contest news
The UK Six Metre Group Winter Marathon began on Thursday the 1st of December last year. The contest will run until the 31st of January 2023. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and locator.
The CQ Worldwide 160m DX Contest ends its 48-hour run today, Sunday the 29th of January, at 2200UTC. Using CW only, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state and Canadian stations send their province.
The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group RTTY Sprint ends its 24-hour run today, Sunday the 29th of January, at 1200UTC. Using RTTY only, the exchange is a serial number.
On Wednesday the 1st of February, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB only, the exchange is your six-character locator.
On Wednesday the 1st of February, the 144MHz FT8 Activity Contest runs for four hours from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 only, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 1st of February, a separate 144MHz FT8 Activity Contest runs for two hours from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 only, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Sunday the 5th of February, the 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
 
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 26th of January 2023
As of Thursday, we had a strange situation whereby all the current visible sunspots were in one hemisphere of the Sun. But this isn’t that unusual, as the two hemispheres usually peak at different times in the cycle.
In a couple of years, we may well have the reverse situation.
Nevertheless, the solar flux index declined and stood at 172 on the 26th when this report was prepared. While there are plenty of sunspots, they are all relatively small, unlike a week ago when active region 3190 was on the visible face.
Last week saw the Sun being settled geomagnetically, with the Kp index not exceeding three. We have had some M-class flares, but nothing stronger.
NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will decline to 175 before increasing again at the beginning of next month. We can expect quiet geomagnetic conditions for a time, but NOAA predicts that the Kp index will rise again around the 1st and then from the 7th to the 10th of February.
Meanwhile, the 3YOJ Bouvet Island DXpedition, located at 54.42 degrees South, 3.36 degrees East, is getting closer to its final location. So, it's time to start looking at propagation predictions for this sought-after entity. Bouvet lies almost exactly due south from the UK. If you have a beam point it at 180 degrees or 0 degrees for the long path.
The short path is likely to give you the best results, that is 80 to 100% reliability, with the 15m band open from 0800 to 2100UTC. There are shorter 12m and 10m openings during the day, with 10m open from 1200 to 1400UTC and again from 1700 to 1800UTC. 20m should give the best results overall from 1700 to 0200UTC, although it is likely to be the busiest band.
30m and 40m also offer up good propagation from 1700 to 0400UTC.
There is also a weaker long-path opening predicted on 17m from 1000UTC until 1600UTC with 50% probability. These were all calculated with VOACAP online and Proppy.
The UK appears to have good HF propagation to Bouvet overall but make sure you are on the right band at the right time!
 
And now the VHF and up propagation news
There has been some very focused tropo in the last week, especially on 70cm and 23cm digital modes around the edge of some high pressure from the UK into eastern Europe and the southern Baltic.
This shows the value of looking for paths along the edge of extensive highs, rather than across the centre, where the inversion dips lower and may duct the path into the ground.
The coming week offers further high-pressure systems, mostly over the Atlantic to the west of Britain or to the south. So, perhaps paths towards Spain or the Canary Islands are worth a look. The northern half of the charts will see deep lows, much stronger winds and rain or showers, so introducing rain scatter options and testing the antennas.
Other modes are available, of course, but the good practice of watching the clusters should keep everyone informed so that you don’t miss out.
It’s still worth a check for aurora, and random meteor scatter is always an option around dawn, even in the current meteor shower minimum period that lasts until the Lyrids in mid-to-late April.
With the Moon at peak declination on Thursday, this is a good week for EME with long Moon availability windows. That said, Moon apogee next Saturday means that EME path losses are high. 144MHz sky noise is moderate, reaching 500 Kelvin on Wednesday.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for January 22nd 2023

GB2RS News
Sunday the 22nd of January 2023
The news headlines:
RSGB Elections
RSGB Band Plans
RSGB Convention Videos
 
Could you help to shape the future of amateur radio? The RSGB is looking for volunteers who are willing and able to give their time and enthusiasm to ensure that amateur radio and the Society continue to develop and thrive. There is still time to stand for the eight elected roles. Would one of these roles suit your skills, experience and enthusiasm? You can stand for RSGB President, elected Board Director or for one of the five Regional Representative roles. The closing date is the 31st of January and the results of the elections will be announced at the AGM on the 15th of April. Candidate packs and information about the nomination process can be found on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/election
The 2023 RSGB Band Plans are now available online and in the February edition of RadCom. Whilst there are no formal changes compared to 2022, an accompanying background article explains what may be in prospect in the year ahead which has both major IARU and World Radio Conference events. The Band Plans can be viewed by visiting: rsgb.org/bandplans 
As a benefit for its members, the RSGB has released two Convention videos just for members to view. Peter Duffett-Smith, GM3XJE talks about the input impedance of feeders, whilst ‘Sprinkles or Mirrors’, the presentation by Chris Deacon, G4IFX, discovers the true nature of six-metre sporadic-E. Both videos are available in the RSGB online members’ portal. Over the next few weeks, the Society will release more videos into this portal so RSGB members have the benefit of watching these presentations first. Log into the RSGB website, go to www.rsgb.org/videos and then choose the Convention lectures section.
RSGB District Representative Martyn Vincent, G3UKV was interviewed on BBC Radio Shropshire recently for “Learn your name in Morse Code Day”. Martyn spoke to Michaela Wylde about amateur radio, CW and his club, Telford and District Amateur Radio Society. He gave a demonstration of how to send his name in Morse code and played an example of what Morse sounds like in a contest on the 40m band. You can hear the interview on BBC Sounds where Michaela was sitting in for the Mark Elliott show on the 11th of January. The interview starts at 12 minutes and five seconds into the programme.
The Cray Valley Radio Society will be running a two-day face-to-face Foundation licence course on Saturday the 4th and Saturday the 11th of February, with a paper exam on the second Saturday. A few places remain available on a first-come first served basis. Located in Eltham London SE9, the course will also provide practical advice and instruction to assist candidates in setting up a station. For the online application form, please go to CVRS.org and open the training tab.
The Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is running an Intermediate license training course on the weekend of the 18th and 19th of March 2023. This classroom-based course runs from 9 am to 5.30 pm on both days and is held in a quiet village hall near Newbury in Berkshire. Each course is limited to eight students, enabling the trainers to provide the highest standard of training to each student. The team of six instructors, each specialising in a topic, will help you gain all the knowledge you need to pass the Intermediate exam. If you are interested or know someone who might be, then please contact the course secretary Lloyd, M5LDF via m5ldf.uk@gmail.com or complete the online enquiry form via nadars.org.uk/courses.asp
 And now for details of rallies and events
The Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Radio Rally will be held on Sunday the 29th of January at The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Doors open at 9.30 am and entry is £2. Refreshments are available on-site and talk-in is available on 145.375MHz. For more information email Graham via contact@m1dhv.co.uk
The Canvey Rally will be held on the 5th of February at Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey, Essex, SS8 9QS. The Rally is expected to be the usual hive of activity with plenty of traders and an indoor boot sale. Hot food and drinks will be available. Contact sears.enquiries@gmail.com for further information.
The Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society Radioactive Fair will be held on Sunday the 12th of February. The venue will be Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, CW5 5DG. Doors open at 10 am and admission is £5. A wide variety of trader stalls, a bring-and-buy platform and refreshments and snacks will be available. Parking is immediately adjacent to the hall. For more information visit radioactivefair.co.uk
West Manchester Radio Club’s Red Rose Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of February. The event will be held at St. Joseph’s Hall, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Free parking, café services and a raffle are among the attractions on offer. For further information visit: wmrc.co.uk/rally.htm
Now the Special Event News
Throughout the month of January 2023, Weston-super-Mare Radio Society will be operating a special callsign GB4WSM in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Society’s formation on the 3rd of January 1923.
Special event station GB2KW will be active until the 28th of January. The station, located near Inverness in Scotland, will be using vintage equipment manufactured by KW Electronics Limited during the 1960s and 70s. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Special callsign GB2WC will be active until the 31st of January. The station is operating to promote the World Radiosport Team Championship due to be held in July in conjunction with the IARU HF World Championships. More details about the World Radiosport Team Championship can be found by visiting wrtc.info
 Now the DX news
Andres, SM0HPL will be active as 5X7W from Uganda until the 23rd of January. He operates a QRP station using a vertical antenna four stories up in his accommodation block. He will be using CW, FT8 and FT4 on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS page, Logbook of the World and eQSL.
Chris, WA7RAR will be active as 8P9CB from Barbados, NA-021, until the 25th of January. He will be operating using SSB and some CW on the 20 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or directly to his home call.
If you are interested in logging Jersey, EU-013, on 160m, then the next CQ Worldwide 160m CW contest could be your opportunity. Bob, GU4YOX will be operating from Jersey as MJ5E in the contest next weekend. QSL via Logbook of the World, directly to Bob’s home call, or via the Bureau. More details can be found on the MJ5E QRZ.com page.
Now the contest news
The UK Six Metre Group Winter Marathon began on Thursday the 1st of December last year. The contest will run until the 31st of January 2023. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report and locator.
On Tuesday the 24th of January, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 25th of January, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW only, the exchange is your six-character locator.
The CQ Worldwide 160m DX Contest runs from 2200UTC on Friday the 27th of January to 2200UTC on Sunday the 29th of January. Using CW only, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state and Canadian stations send their province.
The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group RTTY Sprint runs from 1200UTC on Saturday the 28th of January to 1200UTC on Sunday the 29th of January. Using RTTY only, the exchange is a serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Friday the 20th of January 2023
The solar flux index has continued to remain above 200, which is good news for the upper HF bands.
10m continues to surprise people with 10m FM around 29.600MHz bringing transatlantic contacts to many. AM around 29.000MHz is also bringing some exciting contacts.
The Sun is currently peppered with spots, with the recent solar flux index of 234 being the highest since 2014. But solar flares and coronal mass ejections remain a threat. We have had numerous M-class flares over the week, but nothing stronger.
The Kp index hit four on Wednesday the 18th due to a glancing blow from a coronal mass ejection and we can expect it to rise again on Friday or Saturday due to an Earth-facing coronal hole.
The Chilton and Fairford ionosondes remain offline so please select Dourbes if using Propquest.co.uk. The critical frequency, as measured at Dourbes, remains above 7MHz from around sunrise onwards, giving a MUF over 3,000km of more than 30MHz for much of the day. So do make the most of 10m, which is probably at its best right now. Make hay, or DX contacts, while the Sun shines, as they say!
The good news is that the Space Weather Prediction Centre expects the solar flux index to remain above 200 for the next week. It says the Kp index might rise again to perhaps five on the 26th and 27th, but may otherwise be two to three in the early part of next week.
And now the VHF and up propagation news
The overall weather pattern remains rather changeable at first, but with a tendency to form high pressure, initially in the south, more generally after mid-week. 
In terms of propagation, a welcome return of Tropo conditions is likely, although it may take a while to develop more widespread lift conditions. Sometimes it takes a high-pressure region to become a ‘cloudy high’ to give the best chances of widespread Tropo. Ideally, the high needs to be located such that cloudy Atlantic air can move in across the country underneath the temperature inversion.
It’s still worth a check for aurora, as the Sun is very active at the moment but it's probably a good time to put away Sporadic-E thoughts until the spring.
Random meteor scatter is always an option around dawn, but we are now into the meteor shower minimum period that lasts until the Lyrids in mid-to-late April.
Yesterday’s Moon perigee means that EME path losses are at their lowest but will slowly rise throughout the week. Declination is rising and goes positive on Thursday so Moon availability windows will lengthen. 144MHz sky noise is low all week, only going much above 300 Kelvin next Saturday.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.