GB2RS

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 23rd November 2018

The news headlines:

Share your love of radio

Black Friday book sale ends Monday

UKFM Group seeks opinions

Do you have friends or family members who are interested in getting into our amazing and varied hobby? Why not encourage them to book onto one of the RSGB’s brand-new workshops, An Introduction to Amateur Radio? Running in association with Bletchley Park, the workshops will take place at the RSGB’s National Radio Centre on the weekend of 15 and 16 December. They are open to anyone aged 17 and upwards. Full details, including booking information and prices, can be found at tinyurl.com/ya7exjva

The RSGB Shop is having a Black Friday sale between now and the end of Monday, the 26th of November. Members, and non- Members alike, will find great bargains on a large number of books. Check out www.rsgbshop.org for full details.

The UKFM Group (Western) repeater group is conducting an online survey about the Stoke-on-Trent 2m repeater, GB3VT, and its mode, which changed to D-Star from FM some years ago. The results of the survey will provide insight into whether changing the repeater’s mode should be considered. The survey is open until the end of New Year’s Eve. Please visit www.ukfmgw.co.uk for more information and a link to the survey.

Reg, G8VHI is still looking for a second reader for the GB2RS news reading at 8.30pm on Sundays. He starts a new work shift system in mid January and will not be able to broadcast every week. Please email [email protected] and we will forward the details to Reg.

YOTA month is almost upon us. The first two clubs to activate the GB18YOTA callsign will be Aberkenfig Radio Club in Bridgend on the first of December and Sandringham School Amateur Radio Club, with help from Verulam ARC, on the 3rd. If you hear this station and others around the world taking part in YOTA month, please take the time to contact the young people.

Most of the 2017 RSGB Convention videos, which were on the Members’ area of the RSGB website, have now been released onto YouTube. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ybwm7fu6 to view all the videos available.

RSGB Members who have signed up to receive RSGB Membership communications should have received a free RSGB book shop discount voucher this week. If you would like to sign up for this and similar emails from the RSGB, go to www.rsgb.org/rsgbmailing

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, the 25th, the Bishop Auckland ARC rally takes place at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, 32 High Street, Spennymoor, Co Durham, DL16 6DB. This venue has good parking and access to a large ground floor hall. Doors open at 10.30am, 10.15am for disabled visitors. Admission is £2, accompanied under-14s free. There will be the usual radio, computer, electronics and bring and buy stalls as well as catering and bar facilities. Talk-in is on S22. Contact John, G4LRG, on 01388 606 396.

Next Saturday, the 1st of December, is the annual ML&S Hog Roast & Open Day at ML&S Ltd, Wessex House, Drake Ave, Staines TW18 2AP. Sponsored by Yaesu, Icom & Kenwood, the store will have its usual low prices, lecture streams and manufacturers on site. There will be bacon butties for the early birds and a succulent pig in a bun for lunch. Doors open 8am and close at 4pm. For details, see hamradio.co.uk/hogroast

Also on the 1st of December is the South Lancashire ARC Winter Rally at Bickershaw Village Community Club, Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, Wigan WN2 5TE. Attractions include trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups, car parking, disabled facilities, catering and a licensed bar. Admission is £2.50 and the doors open at 9am. More from Jason, G0IZR on 01942 735 828.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three to four months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Norman Stewart will be active in Colombia from the 30th of November to the 31st of December. Operation will be on the 80 to 10m bands as time and band conditions allow. He will use the callsign HK3/MM0BMG. Note that the numeric part of the HK3 callsign may vary depending on the region of operation within Colombia. QSL via eQSL or MM0BMG.

Cezar, VE3LYC and Adrian, KO8SCA will be active as TX0A from Maria Est Atoll, IOTA reference OC-113, and as TX0M from Morane Atoll, a new IOTA, OC-297, during the first half of December. DXCC wise, both these atolls count for French Polynesia. The tentative schedule is to operate from Morane on the 6th to the 10th of December and from Maria Est on the 12th to the 16th of December. Plans are to operate SSB and CW with two stations on the 40 to 10m bands. The logs will be uploaded to Club Log when the operators return home. QSL via Clublog’s OQRS or via VE3LYC direct or via the bureau.

DK7TF and DH6ICE will be active as 4S7DLG from Sri Lanka, AS-003, until the 6th of December. They will operate mainly SSB and FT8. QSL via Logbook of the World or via DK8ZZ, either direct or via the bureau.

Look for 4W/HL1AHS and 4W/DS3EXX from Timor Leste, OC-148, between the 26th of November and the 3rd of December. They will operate SSB, CW and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct to their home callsigns.

KN4EEI and AA7JV will be active as C6AGU from Water Cay in the Bahamas, NA-001, until the 3rd of December. They will operate CW and FT8 mainly on the 160, 80 and 40m bands. They plan to operate during the CQ Worldwide DX CW contest and the ARRL 160m contests.

Santa’s Radio Club will be active as OH9S between the 1st and the 8th December from Finnish Lapland, some 200km above the Arctic Circle. Activity will be mainly on the 80m to 6m bands on all modes, FT8 included. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau and Logbook of the World; direct cards via ClubLog’s OQRS are preferred, or via OH9MM.

Now the special event news

The Radio Club de Nice will be active as TM8AB between the 24th of November and the 12th of December to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the first trans-Atlantic amateur two-way contact between Leon Deloy, F8AB and Fred Schnell, 1MO, on the 28th of November 1923.

Please send event details to [email protected], as early as possible, for free publicity on GB2RS, in RadCom and online. UK special event stations must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The big contest this month, CQ Worldwide DX CW, ends its 48 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 25th. Using all contest bands from 1.8 to 28MHz, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone, which for the UK is 14.

On Tuesday the 27th, the SHF UK Activity contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday the Autumn Series of contest runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using CW only on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Starting on Friday at 2200UTC and ending on Sunday at 1600UTC, the ARRL 160m contest uses CW only. The exchange is just the signal report, although American and Canadian stations will also send their ARRL or RAC section number.

Next Sunday, the 2nd of December, the 144MHz Affiliated Societies contest runs from 1000 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 144MHz band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The UK Six Metre Group’s Winter Marathon begins on Saturday the 1st of December and runs until the end of January. There are no specific operating periods. Just work as many Locator squares as you can, when you can, using any mode on the 50MHz band.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 23rd of November.

Last week saw relatively quiet geomagnetic conditions, thanks to a reduction in coronal hole activity. The Kp index never got higher than three, and was usually between zero and two for most of the week. We had a solar flux index high of 72 and a low of 69, which is in keeping with this point in the solar cycle. Speaking of which, a new sunspot with a reversed magnetic signature was spotted on 17th November. As it was at a high solar latitude we can probably associate it with the upcoming Solar Cycle 25. Unfortunately it quickly faded, but the spot marked the second such region in the Sun’s northern hemisphere in as many weeks, suggesting we could be in the early throes of the new solar cycle. Don’t get too excited though, as sunspot minimum is still predicted as being somewhere between September 2019 and early 2020.

Other news was the appearance of Sporadic-E on 10 metres. This gave many UK amateurs some relatively short skip contacts into southern Europe on November the 10th. On the 19th we also saw a short-lived F2-layer opening on 10 metres around lunchtime, which just goes to show it pays to watch the bands, and/or the near real-time graphs at Propquest.co.uk

Next week NOAA has the solar flux index around 68 with generally quiet geomagnetic conditions until Saturday the first, when the K index is predicted to rise to four or more. Therefore conditions for this weekend’s CQ Worldwide CW contest could be quite reasonable, at least on the bands up to and including 20 metres, with occasional higher band openings.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

It’s looking a bit like a flat week for most VHF propagation modes, with high pressure parked to the north of Shetland. This leaves just a hint of Tropo, but confined to the far north across to Scandinavia. The rest of the country is under an easterly flow with a bit too much wind to allow any significant temperature inversions to develop.

The next changes will come as a large area of low pressure moves in from the Atlantic by mid-week, which will bring unsettled weather and remove any chance of Tropo, although it may introduce a possibility of some rain scatter on the microwave bands. Other options might include some aurora if we’re lucky and perhaps even some out-of-season Sporadic-E, like we saw on 10 metres on November the 10th with an opening to Corsica and southern France.

There is no meteor shower activity this week, but the December Geminids shower is not too far away!

With maximum declination today, the Moon is up for nearly 12 hours early this week, and with Monday’s perigee, path losses are at their lowest meaning it is a good week for EME.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 18th November 2018

The news headlines:

First geostationary amateur satellite success

New RSGB Convention videos on YouTube

Lithuania and Montenegro get 60m

On Thursday the 15th of November, a SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle lifted off flawlessly at 2046UTC from Cape Canaveral. It was carrying the first amateur radio payload destined for geostationary orbit. About 32 minutes after launch, SpaceX reports the spacecraft was successfully deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit. Positioned at 25.5°E, the satellite will carry an amateur radio S-band and X-band payload capable of linking radio amateurs from Brazil to Thailand. The recent subject of an AMSAT-UK Colloquium presentation, Es’hail-2 carries two Phase 4 non-inverting amateur radio transponders operating in a 2.4GHz up and 10.45GHz down configuration. This offers a 250kHz bandwidth linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations, plus an 8MHz bandwidth transponder for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television. You can see the talk at www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos

Two more 2018 RSGB Convention talks are now on YouTube. Using drones to measure antenna radiation patterns by Jenny Bailey, G0VQH looks at how antenna radiation patterns are difficult to measure because antennas are typically high above the ground. A practical method of measuring the radiation field around an antenna could be with a drone. This video deals with the CAA restrictions, drone selection, payload and operation as well as measurement antenna design and plotting the results. The second video is An Introduction to SDRs and GNU Radio by Heather Lomond, M0HMO. She gives an overview of what is in an software defined radio, the types of tasks they can do for us and how to get started with them, as well as an introduction to some digital signal processing techniques such as IQ Modulation, Filters, DDS and FFT demodulation. Go to rsgb.org/videos, click on the RSGB Convention lectures section and then the RSGB 2018 Convention icon to view these videos.

A new WSJT-X release candidate, version 2.0.0-rc4, now is available, and the version 2.0 Quick Start Guide has been revised and extended. The developers urge anyone upgrading to the new version to read the release notes thoroughly. The upgrade requires users to change operator settings, so the software may not work straight out of the box when upgrading from previous versions. The latest version of WSJT-X also removes compatibility with earlier versions of the software in certain circumstances. Full information is at https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/36465968/

It is vital that we contribute to the debate around spectrum use. Former RSGB President Graham Murchie, G4FSG recently made a presentation on behalf of all UK radio amateurs to the UK Spectrum Policy Forum, a body that advises the government. He also led the subsequent discussion, supported by RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB and RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB. Topics included the shortage of practical skills in the radio arena, the social and economic aspects of spectrum use, and examples of where the RSGB is encouraging development of scarce skills and using them to good effect. You can see the presentations at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1811A

Lithuania and Montenegro are the latest countries active on 60m. Lithuania’s telecomms regulator has enabled the new WRC-15 Secondary Allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5kHz at 15W EIRP in its 2018 update to the country’s Frequency Allocation Table. The latest update to the Montenegro National Frequency Plan lists a new band at 5MHz, namely the WRC-15 Amateur Secondary Allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5kHz with 15W EIRP, which has been confirmed by national society, the Montenegro Amateur Radio Pool.

As from this Sunday, the 18th, at 1830UTC, Eddie, G0VVT will be reading GB2RS News on GB7ST slot 2 talk group 9, the DMR repeater in Stoke on Trent. At the same time, he will read the news on 433.525MHz and GB3SX, the 6m repeater in Stoke on Trent. Thanks go to Eddie and all the other news readers who give freely of their time to serve their fellow radio amateurs.

The RSGB has appointed Sara McGarvey, 2I0SSW into the new role of Youth Committee Champion. The role will include managing the UK attendance at the YOTA camp each year and YOTA Month every December.

The next Advanced Distance Learning course to be run by the Bath-based team is due to start on the first of February 2019, aiming for an exam in July or August. Course places are limited; the last four were completely filled well before the start date. So, if you are interested in joining, contact the Course Leader Steve, G0FUW, without delay, via email to [email protected].

Now a date for next year’s diary. The RSGB AGM will be held on 27 April 2019 at Jurys Inn, 245 Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2HQ. The Society’s accounts and reports for 2018 will appear in the April 2019 RadCom.

Three of ITU-R Study Group 5 Working Groups meet in Geneva between the 5th and the 16th of November. Working Party 5A deals with the Land mobile service above 30MHz, wireless access in the fixed service and the amateur and amateur-satellite services. Working Group 5A1, responsible for amateur matters is chaired by Dale, VK1DSH. The main topic is to develop a technical report to support the work for World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 Agenda Item 1.1, considering an allocation of the frequency band 50 to 54MHz to the amateur service in Region 1. The Working Group consists of a mix of radio amateurs from all three IARU Regions, administrations from all over the world and other interested parties like meteorologists and military.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

The Nevada Radio and Waters & Stanton Open Day takes place today, the 18th. It is at Nevada Radio, 1 Fitzherbert Spur, Portsmouth PO6 1TT, and doors are open from 10am to 4.30pm. Major manufacturers will be in attendance to demonstrate their latest radios. There’s a free burger and coffee, between 11am and 2pm, for every attendee. The main warehouse will be opened to customers to wander around and pick up many one-off deals on the day, or pick through a large selection of vintage and used radio equipment. See www.nevadaradio.co.uk for more details.

Also today, the 18th, the 41st CATS Radio & Electronics Bazaar is at Oasis Academy, Homefield Road, Coulsdon CR5 1ES. There is free car parking; doors open at 10am, with admission being £1.50. You’ll find trade stands, special interest groups, refreshments and more. Contact Andy, G0KZT, on 0772 986 6600.

The Plymouth Radio Rally takes place today, the 18th, at Harewood House, Church Road, Plympton PL7 1NH. Doors open at 10.30am and there’s a £2 entrance fee. For details, email [email protected].

Next Sunday, the 25th, the Bishop Auckland ARC rally will take place at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, 32 High Street, Spennymoor, Co Durham, DL16 6DB. This venue has good parking and access to a large ground floor hall. Doors open at 10.30am, 10.15am for disabled visitors. Admission is £2, accompanied under-14s free. There will be the usual radio, computer, electronics and bring and buy stalls as well as catering and bar facilities. Talk-in on S22. Contact John, G4LRG, 01388 606 396.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three to four months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Nick, VE3EY will be active as 9Y4/VE3EY from Trinidad, IOTA reference SA-011, between the 19th and 26th of November, including an entry in the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. QSL via VE3EY, Club Log’s OQRS and Logbook of The World.

Uwe, DL8UD will be active as HC5M from Cuenca in Ecuador between the 21st and 28th of November, including an entry in the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. Outside the contest he will operate SSB and CW on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via DL8UD, direct or via the bureau.

A team will be active as J8NY from St Vincent, NA-109, between the 21st and 28th of November. They will operate all modes including FT8 on the 160 to 6m bands, and will participate in the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. QSL via VE7NY and Logbook of the World.

Alex, K2BB and Pavel, UU0JR will be active as 5R8UM from Nosy Be, AF-057, Madagascar, between the 19th and 26th of November, including an entry in the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. Plans are to use the 160 to 6m bands on CW, SSB, FT8 and JT65A. They will also give 6m EME a try. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS and Logbook of the World.

Pierre, HB9AMO will be active as 5U9AMO from Niamey, Niger from the 20th of November to the 3rd of December. He will operate CW on the 160 to 10m bands, including participation in the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. QSL via M0URX’s OQRS and Logbook of the World.

Rich, N0HJZ will be active as C6ARW from Grand Bahama, NA-080, between the 20th and the 28th of November. He will be competing in the CQ Worldwide DX CW contest; operation outside the contest will be on SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct to N0HJZ.

Audie, DU1ZDR and Gazelle, DU1ZDQ will be active as DZ1A/DU2 from Basco, Batan Island, OC-093, on the 19th and 20th of November. Main frequencies will be and 7055 and 14260kHz.

Now the special event news

We have no news of special events this week. Please send event details to [email protected], as early as possible, for free publicity on GB2RS, in RadCom and online. UK special event stations must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

Today, the 18th, the UK Microwave Group’s Low Band contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000UTC to 2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the Autumn Series contest runs from 2000UTC to 2130UTC. This is the SSB leg and is on the 80m band. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

The big contest this month is the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest over the 24th and 25th. Conditions are unlikely to be good, but at least CW is a narrowband mode so really weak signals should be more copyable than on other modes. It starts at 0000UTC on the 24th and runs until 2359UTC on the 25th. Using all contest bands from 1.8 to 28MHz, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone, which for the UK is 14.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 16th of November.

The predicted bad geomagnetic conditions forecast for last weekend didn’t turn out to be quite so bad after all. The Kp index only rose to four on the tenth and then conditions settled again, despite a large coronal hole on the Sun’s surface. However, reports did come in of poor conditions on 80 metres on Monday evening during the RSGB 80m Autumn Series contest. A good guide to conditions for inter-G, or near vertical incidence skywave propagation, is always the ionosonde data at propquest.co.uk. The site showed that the critical frequency, which is the maximum frequency at which signals launched vertically into the ionosphere are returned, dropped as low as 3.16MHz on Monday evening. This so-called critical frequency, or FoF2, meant the ionosphere couldn’t support close-in 80 metre signals – they basically carried on out into space rather than being returned to Earth. This may be a trend we see in the evenings throughout the winter, especially with a solar flux index as low as 67 as we have been seeing. The only answer is to move to Top Band or make do with VHF and UHF.

Next week, NOAA predicts more of the same, with an SFI of around 68-70. Geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be more settled though with a maximum Kp index of two. This means daytime maximum useable frequencies are likely to be around 18 or 19MHz over a 3,000km path. There have been the occasional openings during the day up to 21 and even 28MHz, but these are likely to be fleeting and generally unreliable.

Night-time MUFs over a 3,000km path may struggle to reach 9-12MHz at times, with 40, or more likely 80 metres, being the highest reliable band for DX.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

It looks like a good Tropo spell coming up, especially over the eastern side of the country with some good paths across the North Sea to northern Europe and Scandinavia. This is due to a strong temperature inversion set up by a large area of high pressure over Scandinavia. As this high drifts away towards Iceland, the Tropo will decline and low pressure will take over for southern areas by mid-week. This could introduce some coastal showers, especially along the English Channel and over the southern North Sea, which may bring some chance of rain scatter for the microwave bands.

Today we should still be in the tail end of last night’s Leonid meteor shower so look for enhanced meteor scatter paths.

Moon declination goes positive tomorrow so the week will see increasingly long Moon windows and path losses will fall as the week progresses.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 11th November 2018

The news headlines:

India gets 60, 630 and 6000m

Join the Legacy Committee

Register for next Bath Distance Learning course

The Indian Government’s Telecommunications regulator has published a 2018 Update to the Indian National Frequency Plan, effective from the 25th of October. It lists new amateur bands at 5MHz, 472 and 136kHz. In more detail that means 5351.5 to 5366.5kHz as Secondary users with 15W EIRP. 472 to 479kHz is also as a Secondary user, this time with 1W EIRP. Finally, there’s 135.7 to 137.8kHz, again as a Secondary user with 1W EIRP. The regulations follows current ITU criteria for these bands.

The RSGB Legacy Committee considers applications to the Legacy Fund for project funding and makes recommendations to the Board. One of the current members is coming towards the end of his term of office and the RSGB is looking for a new Member to take his place. Most applications for funding are discussed via email exchanges and three meetings are arranged each year; these are generally carried out via Skype. Full information on the volunteer role can be found at https://tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1111A

The next Advanced Distance Learning course to be run by the Bath-based team is due to start on the first of February 2019, aiming for an exam in July or August. The team will then look at the new syllabus and so there will be no Bath Distance Learning courses for 6 to 12 months. The course is free but students must provide their own textbook, calculator and arrange their own exam when the time comes. Guidance is provided by the course team. A £40 deposit is required to secure a place on the course, but this is refunded to those who complete the training. Deposits from students who did not complete the course, and generous donations from students who did, have so far raised over fourteen thousand pounds for charities like the RCF, British Wireless for the Blind and RAIB. Course places are limited; the last four were completely filled well before the start date. So, if you are interested in joining, contact the Course Leader Steve, G0FUW, without delay, via email to [email protected].

At the IARU R1 interim meeting in Vienna 2016 it was agreed to reorganise the VHF Handbook to make it more readable for all interested users. IARU Region 1 has now made version 8.12 of the VHF Handbook available as a free PDF download. You can now download it from https://tinyurl.com/GB2RS-1111B

Starting on Monday the 12th and running until Sunday the 18th, the Essex CW Activity Week is a friendly, non-contest style event to encourage CW operators old and new. Whilst the object is to work as many radio amateurs as possible in a week, it is hoped that QSOs will go beyond just an exchange of RST and become a CW chat for as long as you wish. Listen out for the club callsign GX1FCW, which will also be on the air during the activity week. The exchange is signal report and name for non members of the group. Members add their membership number. For full details, just search for Essex CW ARC.

More videos from the AMSAT-UK Colloquium part of the RSGB Convention, held at Milton Keynes on the 13th and 14th of October, are now available on the AMSAT-UK YouTube Channel. Among the presentations is one by Graham Shirville, G3VZV and Dave Crump, G8GKQ about the amateur radio transponders on the satellite Es’hail-2, which is expected to be launched into a geostationary orbit soon. To see what’s available, go to www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos

December is Youngsters on the Air month around the world and details of stations in the UK who will be operating GB18YOTA will be announced soon. The idea for this event is to show the amateur radio hobby to young people and to encourage youngsters to be active on the amateur bands. As part of YOTA month, Bob W9XY and Ken K4ZW will travel to Ethiopia to team up with the ET3AA club at the Addis Ababa University's Institute of Technology. You can let them know what bands and modes you need ET on by taking a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/982K53W

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

There are no rallies in the diary for this weekend of the 10th to 11th of November.

On Saturday the 17th the RADARS Traditional Radio Rally will be at St Vincent de Paul’s, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.30am, with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. There is a Bring & Buy as well as commercial traders and amateur radio sellers. Refreshments will be available, including bacon and sausage butties. Details from Robert, M0NVQ on 0777 811 3333.

The Nevada Radio & Waters & Stanton Open Day will take place on the 18th November. It is at Nevada Radio, 1 Fitzherbert Spur, Portsmouth PO6 1TT, and doors are open from 10am to 4.30pm. Major manufacturers will be in attendance to demonstrate their latest radios. There’s a free burger and coffee, between 11am to 2pm, for every attendee. The main warehouse will be opened to customers to wander around and pick up many one-off deals on the day, or pick through a large selection of vintage and used radio equipment. www.nevadaradio.co.uk has more details.

Next Sunday, the 18th, the 41st CATS Radio & Electronics Bazaar will be held at Oasis Academy, Homefield Road, Coulsdon CR5 1ES. There is free car parking; doors open at 10am, with admission being £1.50. You’ll find trade stands, special interest groups, refreshments and more. For more information contact Andy Briers, G0KZT on 0772 986 6600.

The Plymouth Radio Rally takes place on the 18th at Harewood House, Church Rd, Plympton PL7 1NH. Doors open at 10.30am and there’s a £2 entrance fee. David has all the details via email to [email protected]

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three to four months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Ronald, PA3EWP, Martin PA4WM and Tom, GM4FDM will be on Tonga, IOTA reference OC-049, between the 13th and 27th of November. Operating as A35EU, they plan to operate three stations and use vertical antennas including VDAs using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL direct using OQRS Clublog, Logbook of The World or to Tom, GM4FDM via the bureau.

Dom, M0BLF, Rob, M0VFC and Dan, M0WUT will be active as VP2MUW from Montserrat, NA-103, from the 17th to the 23rd of November. They will operate SSB and CW on the 80 to 10m bands with three stations. QSL via Logbook of The World, Club Log’s OQRS, direct or via the bureau.

Braco, E77DX will be active on the 160 to 10m bands as 8Q7DX from the Maldives, AS-013, until the 25th of November. QSL via Logbook of The World or OE1EMS.

A team will operate ZY6V from Santa Barbara Island in the Abrolhos Archipelago, SA-019, between the 14th and 19th of November. They will operate SSB, CW and FT8 in Fox & Hound mode on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of The World or direct to PY6HD.

Now the special event news

Many special event stations will be on the air to commemorate Armistice Day, today, the 11th of November. Listen out for GB1FB operated by members of the Museum of Communication Burntisland ARC and assisted by members of Glenrothes & District ARC. Poldhu ARC will be operating GB100MPD. Grey Point Fort ARS will operate GB1WWC and GB0GPF. The Radio Officers’ Amateur Radio Society will operate GB100WWI. The HMS Belfast Radio Group will operate GB100ARM. Chippenham & District ARC will be active with GB1WWI and Coventry ARS will be operating GB1BNS. Details are usually available on QRZ.com.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a UK special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The WAE DX RTTY contest ends its 24 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 11th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Monday the Autumn Series contest runs from 2000 to 2130UTC using data only on the 80m band. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 432MHz UK Activity Contest from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday is the IRTS Evening Counties contest from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Stations in EI and GI also send their county.

On Thursday the 70MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 70MHz UK Activity Contest from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday the 17th the Second 1.8MHz contest runs from 1900 to 2300UTC. Using CW only, the exchange is signal report, serial number and District code.

Next Sunday, the 18th, the UK Microwave Group’s Low Band contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. 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 Friday the 9th of November.

The large geomagnetic disturbance that we predicted last week actually hit the Earth on Sunday evening and Monday morning, as the plasma cloud was moving slower than experts predicted. Nevertheless, its effects were dramatic, pushing the Kp index to six and sparking widespread visible aurora, even from parts of the UK.

The geomagnetic storm hit HF conditions on Monday with Propquest.co.uk showing maximum useable frequencies over a 3,000km path struggling to exceed 12 to 13MHz in the morning. Things did improve as the week went on, but conditions remained unsettled with the Kp index still hitting four on Thursday the 8th.

It would be good to be able to give you better news for next week, but another very large Earth-facing coronal hole on the Sun on Thursday means we can probably expect more unsettled geomagnetic conditions on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th. NOAA agrees and predicts the Kp index could reach at least four, with the threat of suppressed maximum useable frequencies on HF. The better news is that conditions may then improve and we may see better HF propagation from Wednesday onwards.

There have been some HF highlights, however. Ron, G3SVW reports working Brian, 9J2BO in Zambia on 15 metres last Sunday, and Andy, M0NKR reports Andy, 5R8UP in Madagascar being active on 80m, which is a long haul from the UK for early November.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

This weekend we are still under the influence of the large area of low pressure just to the northwest of Britain. This means a mild and rather breezy pattern of southwesterly winds and scattered showers, some likely to be heavy and perhaps thundery. Rain scatter will therefore be a possibility for stations on the microwave bands.

High pressure remains to the east of the UK and therefore Tropo will be only an occasional presence for the eastern side of the country, across the North Sea for example. This leaves us with the possibility of aurora due to disturbed geomagnetic conditions; the tip here is to follow the Kp index, which is a measure of how disturbed the Earth’s magnetic field is and thus indicates the prospects for aurora. Values greater than five or six should start to attract your interest.

As well as the smaller Northern Taurids meteor shower on Monday, the Leonids reach their peak next Saturday, and with a zenithal hourly rate, or ZHR, of 15 it’s one of the largest showers of the year. The Leonids occasionally produce a meteor storm with a ZHR of more than 1,000. The last one was 2001, but that’s not predicted this year. Look for enhanced reflections from today on the lower VHF bands.

The Moon is at minimum declination today and apogee on Wednesday so a poor week for EME.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 4th November 2018

The news headlines:

RSGB Spectrum Forum meeting reports available

ARRL opposing possible charger QRM

Italians gain 60m allocation

The reports, presentations and minutes from the recent RSGB Spectrum Forum annual meeting are now available. The material provides a unique overview, as a wide range of topics from EMC, HF to VHF and microwaves is covered from both the Society and Nationally Affiliated Groups. This year there was a particular focus on the latest state of preparations for the 2019 World Radio Conference and developments in new digital modes. The reports are online at www.rsgb.org/sfmeeting2018

The RSGB, in common with the whole of the International Amateur Radio Union, IARU, has serious concerns about wireless power transmission. Studies of its impact in the residential environment suggest that there are likely to be harmful levels of harmonic interference to existing radio services such as amateur and broadcast. RSGB EMC Chair Dr Martin Sach, G8KDF joined the IARU team at the recent CISPR standards organisation meeting in Korea to represent our concerns. Work is also underway in CEPT and ITU, where IARU is representing the concerns of the amateur service. As yet there is no reconciliation of the positions of the wireless power transfer device manufacturers and the radio services likely to be affected. Many of the issues are set out in a consultation document from CEPT that can be found at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0411A

The Italian Minister of Economic Development has approved a Decree updating Italy’s national frequency plan to allocate the 60m band to amateurs. The range 5351.5 to 5366.5kHz will be available, with a maximum EIRP not to exceed 15W. The new rules should be in effect from the 3rd of November 2018.

GB2RAF, the permanent special event station based at the RAF Neatishead Air Defence Radar Museum will be off the air from the 10th of November 2018 to March 2019 due to the Museum’s winter closure.

The VP6D Ducie Island DXpedition was obliged to cease operations a day earlier than planned due to an expected worsening in landing conditions. Their final contact count was 121,136, with some 67,686 on CW. There were 28,736 on SSB and 24,714 on digital modes.

The Bank of Lithuania has released a commemorative gold €5 coin featuring the country’s LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSAT-1 amateur radio satellites. The two CubeSats were launched to the International Space Station in January 2014, and deployed on the 28th of February. LituanicaSAT-1 carried a FM transponder and a camera, while LitSat-1 had a linear SSB/CW transponder developed by William, PE1RAH. The face of the gold coin features the Lithuanian coat of arms as a star constellation, with LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSAT-1 on the obverse.

Still on the subject of satellite operation, the Yasme Foundation has announced a significant grant to Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, ARISS, in support of the effort to upgrade amateur radio equipment and systems on the space station. ARISS mounted a fund-raising campaign earlier this year to cover the costs of its next generation Interoperable Radio System, which will replace the aging and intermittent ISS amateur radio gear now in space. The Yasme Excellence Award is presented to individuals and groups who, through their own service, creativity, effort and dedication, have made a significant contribution to amateur radio.

The national society of Belgium, UBA, reports radio amateurs in Belgium can use the OP prefix during November as part of the 100th anniversary of WWI commemorations. The addition of the letter P is for Poppies. So those who hold a Belgian licence can use the prefix OP instead of the standard prefix ON. This does not apply to those holding short callsigns, or affect licenses issued by other countries.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

The Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club annual radio rally takes place today, the 4th of November, at the United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry BT49 9DF. Doors open from 11am to 4pm, with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.50am. Admittance is £3. There will be an auction, trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. A talk-in station will be on the air. Catering is available on site. Contact Jason Smyth, MI3UIW, 07793 314 313 for more details.

There are no rallies in the diary for the weekend of the 10th to 11th of November.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three to four months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

In international team will be active as 8P9AE from Barbados, IOTA reference NA-021, on the 6th to the 20th of November. They will operate three stations on CW, SSB and digital modes on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL within 6 months via DL7DF, direct or via the bureau, and Logbook of The World.

Col, MM0NDX, Eric, EL2EF and Jonathan, MM0OKG plan to be active as EL2EL/4 from southern Liberia between the 5th and 9th of November. They plan to reach Telengbe Island, AF-111, which is a new IOTA, before sunset on the 5th. Main activity will be on the 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15m bands SSB, with some CW and possibly FT8. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of The World or via M0SDV.

Andy, OE7AJH will be active holiday-style, mainly during his morning and evening hours, as 5R8UP from the main island of Madagascar, AF-013, until the 13th of November. He will operate CW and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands, and on 80m depending on the antenna he has. QSL via OE7AJH, either direct or via the bureau.

Special event station IY1EY will be active until the 31st of December from Loano to commemorate the experiments conducted by Marconi from his yacht Elettra in the Ligurian Sea between 1919 and 1936. Expect activity on all bands CW and SSB. A special QSL card is available via IK1QBT.

VI100PEACE, as well as State and Territory special event callsigns VI#PEACE and VI#LWF, for Lest We Forget, will be active until the 11th of November to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice agreement that ended the hostilities in World War I. QSLs will be online only, see www.silvertrain.com.au/

Now the special event news

Leading up to next week’s Armistice Day commemorations, many special event stations will be on the air.

North Queensferry Heritage Trust, with assistance from GM3MDX, is to operate on 40m and 20m on various days from the 4th of November to the 1st of December from the fisherman’s hut next to the North Queensferry Light Tower. This new facility aimed at attracting a younger audience who will be able to participate in WW1 themed code breaking and signal flag puzzles. The operation will be undertaken by members of the Museum of Communication Burntisland ARC, assisted by members of Glenrothes & District ARC.

The Royals Signals Museum based at Blandford will operate GB100RSM on the 6th and 7th of November.

Poldhu ARC will be operating GB100MPD. MPD was the callsign used at the Poldhu Radio station during the First World War. At the outbreak of war, the station sent a message to all merchant ships informing them that hostilities then existed with Germany. On Armistice Day, 11th November 1918, Poldhu again sent coded messages to merchant ships using the call sign MPD to advise them that hostilities had ceased. The station will be on air from the 9th to the 13th of November.

Grey Point Fort ARS will operate GB1WWC from Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus on the 9th of November. In addition to this, Grey Point Fort ARS members will also be operating from their station address at Grey Point Fort using GB0GPF. More information can be obtained on QRZ.com.

The Radio Officers’ Amateur Radio Society will operate GB100WWI to remember the thousands of seafarers who sacrificed their lives during this conflict, including the hundreds of Wireless Operators who were lost at sea. The station will be operated by a team of ex-Marine and Coast Station Radio Officers from the 10th to the 12th of November, using CW only, on all amateur bands. QSLs via eQSL and Logbook of The World only.

The HMS Belfast Radio Group will operate GB100ARM to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice on the 11th of November 1918. The callsign will be active until the 28th of November. QSL details are available on QRZ.com

During the month of November, Chippenham & District ARC will be active with GB1WWI to commemorate the ending of World War 1. Activity will take place from the Chippenham & District ARC’s new QTH at Kington Langley Village Hall.

TM5PAX will be active on all bands and modes until the 11th of November for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. QSL via F5JSQ, Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Over the weekend of the 11th of November, Coventry ARS will be operating GB1BNS to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day from Bedworth Ex Servicemen's Club. Bedworth has continuously held its Armistice Day parade on the 11th of November since 1921.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a UK special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The Marconi CW Contest on 2m ends its 24 hour run at 1400UTC today, the 4th. Using the 144MHz band only, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 144MHz UK Activity Contest from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the UK EI Contest Club 80m contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB only, the exchange is your 4-character Locator square.

On Thursday the 50MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 50MHz UK Activity Contest from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday the 1.8MHz AFS Club Calls contest runs from 2000 to 2300UTC using CW and SSB. The exchange is signal report, serial number and your club information.

Next weekend, from 0000UTC on the 10th to 2359UTC on the 11th, the WAE DX RTTY contest takes place. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 2nd of November.

Quieter geomagnetic conditions and a better autumn ionosphere meant HF conditions were quite good this week. GB2RS listeners reported plenty of DX activity during CQ Worldwide last weekend, including openings on 21 and 28MHz at times. While HF propagation was never going to be as good as it is at sunspot maximum, it does show that the higher bands can and do open with no sunspots, albeit sometimes briefly.

For the next week the sun is predicted to remain pretty spotless, with a solar flux index of around 68-70. Once again it will be the absence or presence of the effects of solar coronal holes that will drive HF propagation.

As you read or hear this report, the Earth is due to be subject to a geomagnetic storm, thanks to fast-moving solar particles from a large coronal hole that became Earth-facing on Thursday. This is predicted to send the Kp index to five on or by Saturday the 3rd. After an initial potential positive phase, where HF conditions may get better for a short time, the negative main phase will likely see maximum useable frequencies decline and auroral-type conditions predominate. The good news is that geomagnetic conditions should improve by Wednesday or Thursday. Beyond that, it is more difficult to predict.

Do make the most of the better autumn HF conditions when you can. Steve, G0KYA reports that his 20m 5W WSPR signal was received from as far away as Japan, Australia, Reunion Island, Antarctica, Alaska, San Francisco and Brazil this week.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

With low pressure to the west of Britain, it will be a relatively mild southerly flow of air across the British Isles during the next week. Tropo does not appear to be a major feature, since we are nearer to low pressure than high pressure. The better chances are more likely over the eastern side of the country and down into France or across the southern North Sea. The southerly weather pattern may have some areas of heavy rain moving north at times, so there is a possibility of some rain scatter on the microwave bands.

There are a few standard weather rules for getting the most out of your shack time; such as conditions are usually more favourable for Tropo overnight or during the morning, especially on occasions when fog is slow to clear. Heavy rain showers are most likely around the coast, so look for the brighter echoes on rain radar displays for rain scatter possibilities. Lastly, there is always a chance of aurora and meteor scatter to liven the VHF bands, so watch the band reports and clusters to stay ahead of the game.

The Moon’s declination goes negative again on Monday and its distance from the Earth is increasing, so EME path losses will rise and Moon windows will shorten as the week progresses.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 28th October 2018

The news headlines:

NRC opening 7 days a week

Register for GB18YOTA

Contesting consultation ends

The RSGB is pleased to announce that the RSGB’s National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park will now be open seven days a week, starting from this week. Thanks to all the volunteers that make this possible. RSGB Members can download a free admission voucher to Bletchley Park from the RSGB website.

Last call for applications to host GB18YOTA during YOTA Month this December has been extended to Sunday the 4th of November. Clubs, groups and individuals from all over the country are invited to set up stations and host the callsign over the 31 days of December. Please see www.rsgb.org/yota-month for further information and application details.

The RSGB VHF Contesting Consultation closes at midnight tonight, the 29th of October. Go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VHFCC2018 to take part in the survey.

International delegates were pleased to learn that an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station plan is under consideration by NASA’s Deep Space Gateway program. NASA Gateway Utilization Manager informed those attending the annual ARISS International in-person meeting that ARISS is the only non-commercial entity whose ideas are under study by the program. The ARISS plan focuses on amateur radio communication, including optical communication channels, as well as equipment development, team cooperation, education and public outreach.

Mexico’s IARU member-society is asking radio amateurs to avoid 7.060, 7.130 and 14.120MHz, where hurricane emergency nets are operating in Spanish. Mexico’s National Emergency Net activated the nets earlier this week. Also, storm Yutu is said to be the strongest storm on record to hit the Northern Mariana Islands, home to about 55,000 people. Four ARRL HF/VHF Ham Aid kits in Guam are available for use in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Another seven kits are positioned in Hawaii. Radio amateurs in Guam and Hawaii are attempting to get in touch with amateurs who can assist on Saipan. Amateur radio teams that had planned to operate in the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest from Saipan this weekend have cancelled their trips.

UKube-1, the UK Space Agency’s first CubeSat, was launched into space in July 2014. It completed its successful nominal mission fourteen months later in September 2015. Since that date, the FUNcube-based payload has continued to provide a transponder for use by radio amateurs and, additionally, 30+ channels of real time telemetry for STEM outreach and for use by schools and colleges. These downlinks have operated continuously on the 145MHz band and more than 450 stations have supported this ongoing activity. They have uplinked the telemetry data to the FUNcube Data Warehouse, where it is stored and available for research. Just before midnight on Thursday the 18th of October, the Warehouse received a data frame from KB6LTY in California. This is the last record of signals being received from the spacecraft and since that date, careful observations have failed to detect any signals from either of the transmitters carried by the spacecraft. An early analysis of the last telemetry received has not shown any obvious anomalies, but this work continues. Although it is obviously sad for both the amateur and educational worlds to lose such a valuable resource, both AO73-FUNcube 1 and EO88-Nayif 1 continue to operate nominally and JY1SAT and ESEO are expected to launch before the end of 2018.

Two lectures from the RSGB’s 2018 Convention are now available for RSGB Members to view on the RSGB website. Neil Smith, G4DBN speaks on FT8 Performance Secrets and William Eustace, M0WJE on Microwave Engineering – From Death Rays to Dinner. These join a wide selection of videos on the RSGB website. Go to www.rsgb.org/videos and then select RSGB Convention Lectures.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

On the 3rd of November, the VERON Ham Radio Convention takes place in The Netherlands. Open from 9.30am to 5pm, entry is €9 and on-site car parking is €5. Full details, in English, can be found at https://dvdra.veron.nl/english/visitors/

The West London Radio & Electronics Show, otherwise known as the Kempton Rally, that was scheduled for the 4th of November has been cancelled.

The Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club annual radio rally takes place on the 4th of November at the United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry BT49 9DF. Doors open from 11am to 4pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.50am. Admittance is £3. There will be an auction, trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. A talk-in station will be on the air. Catering is available on site. Contact Jason Smyth, MI3UIW, 07793 314 313 for more details.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three to four months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Janusz, SP9FIH will be active again as E44WE from Palestine until the 11th of November, including a single-band entry on 20m in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. He will operate SSB, some RTTY and FT8 on the 20, 17 and 15m bands, and possibly on 160m. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or via his home callsign.

Lee, DS4NMJ is active as DT8A from the King Sejong Station on King George Island, South Shetlands, IOTA reference AN-010, until the 18th of December. He operates FT8, CW and SSB on the 40, 20, 17, 15 and 12m bands. QSL via HL2FDW and Logbook of the World.

Peter, DC0KK will be active as 4S7KKG from Sri Lanka, AS-003, from the 1st of November to the 1st of April 2019. He operates mainly CW and digital modes. QSL via his home callsign, either direct or via the bureau and Logbook of The World; OQRS on Club Log.

Madhu, VU3NPI and others will be active AT4DK from Pamban Island, AS-173, on the 3rd and 4th of November. The team plans to operate SSB, CW and FT8 on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via the operator’s instructions.

Now the special event news

The HMS Belfast Radio Group has obtained the special callsign GB100ARM to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting in World War I on the 11th of November 1918. The callsign will be active from the 1st to the 28th of November 2018 from the Bridge Wireless Office onboard HMS Belfast. QSL details are available on QRZ.com or via the group’s QSL manager, Marc Litchman, G0TOC, via email to [email protected]

During the month of November, Chippenham & District ARC will be active with the special callsign GB1WWI to commemorate the ending of World War 1. Activity will take place from the Chippenham & District ARC’s new QTH at Kington Langley Village Hall.

Special callsign TM5PAX will be active on all bands and modes until the 11th of November for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. QSL via F5JSQ, Logbook of The World and eQSL.

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the battle that marked the end of World War I on the Italian Front, II3BVV will be on the air until the 4th of November. Main activity will be on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, using SSB, CW and digital modes. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau and eQSL.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a UK special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The CQ WorldWide DX SSB contest ends its 48 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 28th. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and your Zone, which for the UK is 14.

On Wednesday the UK EI Contest Club 80m event runs from 2000 to 2100UTC using CW only. The exchange is your 4 character Locator, for example IO85.

Next weekend it’s the Marconi CW Contest on 2m from 1400UTC on the 3rd to 1400UTC on the 4th. Using the 144MHz band only, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 26th of October.

We were blessed with quieter geomagnetic conditions this week. And despite the solar flux index only being around 70, a more settled ionosphere meant there was DX to be had. The 6G’s VK9XG DXpedition to Christmas Island off the north-west of Australia has been worked on many bands from the UK, including 160 and 80m. As well as RTTY, SSB and CW, it is also running FT8 as the primary data mode in ‘fox and hound’ configuration, so there is a chance of a contact for lesser-equipped stations too. VP6D on Ducie Island, east of Pitcairn Island, is also active and it too is using FT8 as well as other modes. So generally, HF conditions have been better this week, helped too by the more advantageous Autumnal conditions.

Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be pegged at 68. Geomagnetic conditions may be unsettled on Monday the 29th due to a small coronal hole, but the rest of the week should be better with a maximum K index of 2.

Make the most of the better conditions as the prediction is that we are in for a geomagnetic disturbance across the weekend of the 3rd of November, and into the beginning of the following week, due to recurrent coronal hole activity on the Sun. This is likely to be due to the return of a coronal hole that pushed the K index up to five on the 7th of October, and which has taken around 27 days to rotate back into view.

And don’t forget that this weekend is the SSB leg of the CQ Worldwide contest, when there will be many high-powered and well-equipped stations on the band.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

After some very good tropo for those in the south and west of the UK last week, the weather is changing. British Summer Time has ended and we see a cold northerly airstream flooding down across the country. This is also a signal that the high-pressure system and its tropo of last week are gone, now replaced by windy, showery-type weather. In terms of propagation weather, there could be some useful rain scatter on the microwave bands as heavy showers develop in some coastal regions. Some models do suggest that there may be a hint of high pressure later in the week, but it’s not looking like a very strong contender. Tropo chances could improve though, as the week progresses.

While it will be a quiet week for weather-related propagation, there’s always aircraft scatter on the microwave bands to keep the DX interesting. The digimode JT9F Fast seems to be the best for these bands if fast CW or repetitively chanting callsigns and reports on SSB is not your thing.

The Moon reaches maximum declination on Monday and perigee on Wednesday with lowest path losses meaning a good week for EME.

There are no meteor showers this week, so look for the usual enhancement around local dawn for the best meteor scatter contacts as our side of the Earth is rotating into the flux of meteoric particles.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 21st October 2018

The news headlines:

Call for IARU R1 input

RSGB Convention Construction Competition winners

First of six new IOTA groups announced

The RSGB has opened a call for inputs as part of its preparation and consultation process for the 2019 IARU Region 1 Interim Meeting that will be held next April. Topics on HF, VHF/Microwave and EMC matters will be considered. Whilst suggestions are welcome at this stage, full Draft papers are required by December, ahead of the mid-January submission deadline. The RSGB IARU Forum has threads available for both this 2019 event and broader WRC-19 matters at http://forums.thersgb.org/ Further background is also available under Consultations in the Publications & Archives tab on the main RSGB website, www.rsgb.org 

Congratulations to all the category winners in the RSGB Convention Construction Competition 2018, sponsored by Martin Lynch and Sons. Antony Watts, M0IFA won the Innovation section for a series of tools to help people learn to code and understand radio. Andrew Vare, G4XZL was awarded a Technical Merit for his approach to measuring noise. The Camb Hams G3PYE team was awarded the Judges’ Merit for building their Flossie 2 communications vehicle and for using it to serve the community. The Construction section and overall winner of the Pat Hawker G3VA trophy was Dean Brice, G0UIL, from the RAIBC, for his SDR transceiver. The entries were judged by Bo, OZ2M, Sam, G4DDK and Stewart, G3YSX.

Islands on the Air has announced the first of six new IOTA groups. The new groups cover a Swedish/Finnish joint sovereignty island and groups in North America, Asia, and Oceania. All new groups have provisional numbers. This means they will need to be confirmed by a thousand-plus QSO operation that takes place after the 14th of October 2018, as well as meeting the other normal validation requirements. Only after confirmation of the number will credit for past operations be considered. The provisional new groups are Kataja Island, EU-192P; Morane Atoll in the Tuamotu Islands, OC-297P; Puerto Rico Coastal Islands, NA-249P; Yakutat County Group, NA-250P; Bering Sea Coast East group AS-205P and Kuril’skiye Islands North, AS-204P. See www.iota-world.org for more information.

We were saddened to learn that John Crabbe, G3WFM, became a Silent Key in the early hours of Thursday the 18th. He volunteered for many years as Curator of the RSGB Museum and Library at Potters Bar, and was also the RSGB Shack Manager. A longer tribute can be found on the RSGB website via www.rsgb.org/sk

The RSGB Contest Committee’s VHF Contesting Consultation closes at midnight on Sunday the 29th of October. Go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VHFCC2018 to help set the rules for 2019.

Last weekend’s RSGB Convention 2018 was a great success, with over 600 visitors. Put the dates for next year in your diary: the Convention will run from the 11th to the 13th of October 2019. We video many of the lectures and then release them throughout the year, first to Members via our website, then publicly on YouTube after a while to help advertise the Convention and to generate wider interest in amateur radio. We have started with two important videos today, straight to YouTube. In the video of Tim Duffy, K3LR, giving his keynote speech The K3LR Super Station, he talks about his famous contest station but also, as he puts it, focused on ‘keeping ham radio fun and alive’. In the second video, the President of IARU Region 1, Don Beattie, G3BJ asks So what has the IARU ever done for us? In his talk, he describes what IARU is doing, how the challenges of representing amateur radio globally are changing, and what the world would be like without IARU. You will find all of our videos at www.rsgb.org/videos/ Follow the links to RSGB Convention lectures and then 2018 for the latest ones, with more to follow.

November’s RadCom, which should be with most Members by now, leads with an article about VDSL2 radiation and EMC analysis software tools. Supported by the RSGB Legacy Fund, Dr Martin Sach, G8KDF has developed EMC analysis software tools for the RSGB EMC Committee to use when supporting Members. The software, Lelantos, has been developed to identify and measure the relative strengths and spectrum of VDSL2 RFI and desired signals. The development of this software reflects the RSGB’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing radio amateurs’ ability to use the radio spectrum, as outlined in our Strategy 2022. The EMC Committee will now experiment with Lelantos, which is effectively still in its infancy, in order to refine it and realise its full potential. The Committee will then consider how the software may best be deployed in the wider community.

This year the RSGB has secured the callsign GB18YOTA for the December YOTA month event. Clubs, groups and individuals from all over the country are invited to set up stations and host the callsign over the 31 days of December. Please see www.rsgb.org/yota-month for further information and application details. For any questions, email [email protected]. The deadline for applications is Monday the 29th of October.

The UK Six Metre Group is holding its 2018 AGM today, the 21st, at 4pm. The meeting is held by web conference and all members are invited to take part. You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone by going to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/956522885

Owing to security concerns, the 4V7R DXpedition to Haiti that was to take place between the 19th and the 29th of October has been cancelled.

The ARRL Contest Branch has announced that participants in the 2019 ARRL RTTY Roundup will be permitted to use the new FT8 protocol, which is part of the WSJT-X software suite. Read the full ARRL story at www.arrl.org/news

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, the 21st, the Galashiels Radio Rally takes place at Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels TD13JX. Doors open at 11.15am, with disabled visitors gaining access at 11am. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy, and refreshments available on site. Admission is £2.50.

British Railways ARS is holding its AGM at the Brunswick Inn in Derby on Tuesday. BRARS members are invited from 11am for an informal meet and greet and chat. The formal AGM commences at 1.15pm. For details, go to www.BRARS.info and follow the link from the front page.

The Essex CW ARC CW Boot Camp will be held next Saturday, the 27th, at the 3rd Witham Scout & Guide HQ, Rear of Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham, Essex CM8 2HE. Doors open at 8.30am for registration and the event runs from 9am to 4.30pm. Parking is free. Entry is £10, with free sausage rolls, drinks and cakes. Contact Andy, G0IBN, on 0745 342 6087 or email [email protected]

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Bertrand, DF3FS will operate CW and SSB as TU5MH from Cote d’Ivoire from the 20th to the 29th of October. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World or via DF3FS.

Ed, N2HX will be active as PJ7PL from Sint Maarten, IOTA reference NA-105, from the 20th of October to the 4th of November, including an entry in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. Before and after the contest he will operate SSB, RTTY and possibly FT8. QSL via N2HX.

A Slovenian team will be active as XT2SZZ from Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso from the 22nd to the 30th of October. Activity will be on various HF bands and 6 metres. They will participate in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. QSL via S59ZZ.

Steve, WB2IQU will be active as 5W2IQ from Apia, Samoa, OC-097, until the 25th of October. He will be on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands. QSL direct to his home call.

Don, K6ZO will be active as 7Q6M from Malawi from the 23rd to the 29th of October, including participation in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. QSL via K6ZO.

Thierry, F6CUK will be active holiday style as FJ/F6CUJ from Saint Barthelemy, NA-146, from the 21st of October to the 1st of November. He will operate CW and SSB on various bands. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of The World, eQSL or via his home call either direct or via the bureau.

Now the special event news

Look for a large number of special event stations on the air this weekend for Jamboree on the Air, an annual event in which half a million Scouts and Guides all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The Worked All Germany contest runs for the 24 hours ending at 1500UTC today, the 21st. Using CW and SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number, with German stations sending DOK as well.

Today, the 21st, the 50MHz AFS takes place from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The UK Microwave Group’s 24 to 76GHz contest runs from 0900 to 1700UTC today. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The RSGB’s Second RoLo contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC today. Using CW only on the 3.5MHz band, the exchange is signal report and the rolling locator.

On Tuesday the SJF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday, the 80m Autumn Series takes place between 1900 and 2030UTC. Using SSB only, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Next weekend it’s the big CQ WorldWide DX SSB contest. It runs from 0000UTC on the 27th to 2359UTC on the 28th. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and your Zone, which for the UK is 14.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday 19th October.

The sun remained pretty well spotless in the latter half of this week, with a solar flux index of 70 at the time this report was being prepared. But after an e-mail from a GB2RS listener it is probably a good idea to recap how sunspot numbers are calculated. We count each sunspot as one, but each group as 10. So a single sunspot in what is obviously one group is 11, and two in two different groups becomes 22. So while the leap from zero to 11 may sound like a big jump, it may mean that only a single, solitary, and probably tiny, sunspot has appeared. This is precisely what happened earlier in the week, although the spot probably had little real effect on HF propagation. The best guide is the smoothed, or averaged sunspot number, which is what prediction programs like VOACAP use.

Geomagnetic conditions were more settled on Tuesday and Wednesday after last weekend, but we did have a planetary K index of five on the 13th thanks to our old friend a solar coronal hole. This may have generated a pre-auroral positive phase on Saturday, when the HF station at the RSGB Convention managed to work the USA and South America, although a beam did help. This week NOAA predicts the solar flux will remain around 70 and geomagnetic conditions will be reasonably settled, with a maximum Kp index of three.

Fingers crossed that better HF conditions continue for next weekend’s CQ Worldwide DX SSB contest.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

The coming week will be dominated by high pressure and indeed looks like being in control over most of the country. This is a typical pattern for autumn with misty nights and early morning fog indicating a sharp temperature inversion. This can occur at the Earth’s surface and is often joined by a second inversion at a height of 1km to 3km. These temperature inversions set up sharp changes in the refractive index of the air over short vertical distances and can form important ducts for the propagation of VHF, UHF and microwave signals. These effects often last for extended periods and cover long distances, similar in scale to the dimensions of the high pressure system itself. So don’t just sit on the repeaters and complain about co-channel interference, get onto the simplex channels or down into the CW, SSB or data mode segments and spread out a bit. You’d be amazed what these modes can bring you with only a modest directional antenna.

The Moon’s declination rises all this week, going positive on Tuesday, so combined with falling path losses, it’s time to start looking for EME contacts again.

Meteor showers to look for this week are the Orionids, peaking today, plus the smaller Leonis Minorids on Wednesday.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 14th October 2018

The news headlines:

RSGB Past President GI3KYP SK

VHF Contest Consultation Now On

Do you want to activate GB18YOTA?

RSGB Past President Alexander Davidson Patterson OBE, FIEE, GI3KYP, died on October 10, 2018, peacefully, at home, surrounded by his family. Better known as Barney, he was RSGB President in 1967. Barney travelled widely during his Presidency and, among many other achievements, oversaw the purchase of 28 Little Russel Street, London, as the then-new RSGB HQ. Also holding the callsign EI4BC, he served as President of the Irish Radio Transmitters Society in 1971 and 1972, the only person ever to have held both posts. His funeral is on Monday at 1pm in Roselawn Crematorium. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

The RSGB Contest Committee has opened the 2018 edition of the RSGB VHF Contesting Consultation for comments at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VHFCC2018 to help set the rules for 2019. They are specifically looking for your views around the AFS contests, FM Activity Contests, possible new MGM contests, Christmas Cumulatives, 432MHz Low Power, and the SHF UK Activity Contests, but are also really open to hearing your broader views about what’s right, and where you think things could be different. The survey closes at midnight on Sunday the 29th of October.

This year the RSGB has secured the callsign GB18YOTA for the December YOTA month event. Clubs, groups, and individuals from all over the country are needed to set up stations and host the callsign over the 31 days of December. The RSGB is particularly looking for stations with a passion for running events aimed at engaging youngsters in the hobby. So, if you think your club or group is up for the exciting challenge of hosting young people and operating a Special Event Station, please see www.rsgb.org/yota-month for further information and application details. For any questions, email [email protected]. The deadline for applications is Monday the 29th of October.

This year’s Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet take place from the 19th to the 21st of October. About 1.8 million Scouts will be participating from around the world. Some 20,000 licensed amateur radio operators put 12,000 radio stations on the air. Over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of October, Hartlepool ARC will be among many station joining in. Using GB0TVS from the Hartlepool Scout Centre, Stockton Road, Hartlepool, they plan to be active on HF SSB and CW, plus VHF/UHF FM. A full programme of activities run jointly with Leaders from Tees Valley Scouts will enable local Cub Scouts to obtain the Cub Communications Activity badge. The 3rd Limerick Scout Group will also participate using the callsign EI1K. For full details of the event, see www.jotajoti.info

The national association of Icelandic Radio Amateurs has announced that access to the 70MHz band in Iceland has been extended to 70.250MHz. Also, applicants are now are granted a two year licence. This new frequency extension means that Icelandic radio amateurs can now make full use of the international calling frequency 70.200MHz. Access is still granted on secondary basis with a maximum bandwidth of 16kHz and a power limit of 100W.

An International Space Station school contact has been planned between Alexander, KF5ONO and a school in Belgium. The event is scheduled for Tuesday the 16th of October at approximately 1204UTC. The conversation will be conducted in English and German. The contact will be a direct operated by ON4NOK and downlink signals will be audible in parts of Europe on 145.800MHz FM. However, plans may be disrupted by last Thursday’s failed Soyuz launch.

The Isle of Wight Radio Society will be active at the Noel Turner Physics Festival on the 18th of October at Cowes Enterprise College on the Isle of Wight. The club will be explaining about the use of satellites by radio amateurs and schools supporting young people to learn about science, technology, engineering and maths, and the important part amateur radio can play in this. The club has also arranged for the FUNcube satellite, AO73, to beam a greetings message saying "Greetings to all at the Noel Turner Physics Festival Cowes Isle of Wight”. The event is open to the public from 4 to 6pm on the 18th.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, the 14th of October, the Hornsea Amateur Radio Rally will take place in The Floral Hall, Hornsea HU18 1NQ. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2, with under 14s free. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy run by the Hornsea ARC and an RSGB book stall. Hot and cold food is available in the café. More from Les, 2E0LBJ on 01377 252 393.

The Holsworthy Radio Rally takes place today, at Holsworthy Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JD. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy and catering. Doors open at 10am. More information from Howard, M0MYB, by email to [email protected]

The Carrickfergus ARC rally will take place next Saturday, the 20th of October, at Downshire Secondary School, Downshire Road Carrickfergus. The doors open at 11am and all are welcome. More details from Liz, MI6GHA by email to [email protected]

On the 21st, the Galashiels Radio Rally will take place at Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels TD13JX. Doors open at 11.15am with disabled visitors gaining access at 11am. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy, and refreshments available on site. Admission is £2.50.

The British Railways ARS is holding its AGM at the Brunswick Inn in Derby on Tuesday the 23rd of October. BRARS members are invited from 11am for an informal meet and greet and chat. The formal AGM commences at 1.15pm. For details, go to www.BRARS.info and follow the link from the front page.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Look for P4/NN5E and P4/NT5V to be active from Aruba, IOTA reference SA-036, until the 19th of October. They will operate CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on the 10 to 80m bands. QSLs via Logbook of The World, or their home calls.

Philippe, F1DUZ will be active as FG4KH from Guadeloupe, NA-102, from the 16th of October to the 7th of November. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the HF bands. QSL via Logbook of The World, eQSL, or to F1DUZ either direct or via the bureau.

Shige, JH1GNU, Kaz, JH1HRJ and Tack, JE1SCJ will be active as ZL7X from the Chatham Islands, OC-038, from the 16th to 22nd of October. They will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands. More information on www.QRZ.com, search on ZL7X. QSL via Logbook of The World and eQSL; traditional cards via JA0VSH, direct or bureau, or Logsearch on Club Log.

Haru, JA1XGI will be active as EA9/W1XGI from Melilla between the 16th and the 22nd of October. He will operate mainly CW and FT8 on various HF bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of The World or via JA1XGI.

EA1ACP, EA1DVY, EA7FTR, EB7DX, HH2JR and HH2MK will be active as 4V7R from Haiti, NA-096, between the 19th and 29th of October. They will operate CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via EB7DX.

Tony, G2NF, Nigel, G3TXF, Chris, G3SVL, David, G3WGN and Mike, G3WPH will be active as VK9XG from Christmas Island, OC-002, between the 17th and 30th of October. They will operate CW, SSB, FT8 DXpedition mode and perhaps RTTY on the 160 to 10m bands with four stations. QSL via Logbook of The World, Club Log’s OQRS or via G3TXF.

Now the special event news

Scarborough ARS will be operating GB2YMR at Pickering War Weekend today, the 14th of October, from the North Yorks Moors Railway Station in Pickering. Operations will include some modern and military radios. A warm welcome is extended to all visitors and those they contact on the air.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The Oceania DX CW contest ends its 24 hour run at 0800UTC today, the 14th. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Today, the 14th, the IRTS 40m Counties contest runs from 1200 to 1400UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 7MHz band, the exchange is signal report and serial number, with EI and GI stations also sending their County.

On Tuesday the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 80m Autumn Series contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTX. Using data only, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Thursday the 70MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 70MHz UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

Next weekend the Worked All Germany contest runs from 1500UTC on the 20th to 1500UTC on the 21st. Using CW and SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number, with German stations sending DOK as well.

On Sunday the 21st the 50MHz AFS takes place from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The UK Microwave Group’s 24 to 76GHz contest runs from 0900 to 1700UTC on the 21st of October. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The RSGB’s Second RoLo contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC on Sunday the 21st. Using CW only on the 3.5MHz band, the exchange is signal report and the rolling locator.

Now the radio propagation report by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 11th of October.

Last week was not very good for HF propagation, with the effects of an enormous solar coronal hole, and its associated high-speed solar wind, sending the K index soaring. There were, however, some upsides. The initial positive phase of a geomagnetic storm saw maximum useable frequencies rise to more than 21MHz during the afternoon and early evening of Sunday the 7th of October. These positive phases are very hard to predict, but it is always worth checking, as a rise in the solar wind speed and pressure, coupled with a southward facing Bz or interplanetary magnetic field, can be signals that something is about to happen, often before the three-hourly K index changes. The propagation charts at g0kya.blogspot.com include near real-time output from the ACE spacecraft, which can show these effects, or go to solarham.com where you’ll also find information.

HF conditions this weekend may be unsettled again. Another large equatorial coronal hole is moving across as the Sun rotates and became Earth-facing on Thursday. This means we may expect unsettled geomagnetic conditions from perhaps Saturday the 13th. According to NOAA, conditions may again become unsettled on Thursday the 18th through to Saturday the 20th.

Barring any surprises, we will likely see no sunspots this week, with the solar flux index hovering around 69. Unfortunately, this will probably remain the pattern for the next few months, although now we are into October we are seeing more DX available when conditions allow. Kenneth, TT8KO in Chad has been a strong CW signal on 15 metres at times, although the E6Y DXpedition on Niue in the South Pacific has proved a little more elusive for many.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

This is going to be a much more autumnal week, with the best of the recent Tropo having declined by now. That leaves us with predominantly low pressure near or just to the north of the British Isles and, at times, rather windy weather, especially in the north of the country.

Tropo will not be so likely next week, but there may be options for rain scatter perhaps, but we are not very convinced that this would be a major outcome.

I guess it's a good time to check the antennas before the winter gales become the norm, and perhaps try your luck on the VHF/UHF frequencies in case of any short Tropo or rain-scatter events. Or why not make a winter resolution to learn Morse for the UHF and microwave bands, or perhaps set up your station for digital modes, where such QSOs can make use of bands that may be dead or marginal to voice modes.

The Moon is at minimum declination tomorrow and at apogee on Wednesday so it’s a poor week for EME, with short, low-elevation passes and high losses.

October continues to produce meteor showers, with the Eta Geminids, a small one, peaking on Thursday followed by the Orionids a week today. But neither are much to get excited about due to low meteor rates.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 7th October 2018

The news headlines:

RSGB Club of the Year winners announced

Jamboree on the Air looms large

Renew your 146 to 147MHz NoV

At the National Hamfest on the 29th of September the winners in the RSGB’s National Club of the Year 2017 competition were presented with their prizes. Once again, we thank Waters and Stanton for sponsoring this year’s event. There are two categories, Large clubs with 25 members or over, and Small clubs with under 25 members. The 3rd placed Large club was Stockport Radio Society in Region 3 and the Small club was Greenisland Electronics & ARS in Region 8. The 2nd placed Large club was Wythall Radio Club in Region 5 and the Small club was South Bristol ARC in Region 11. The 1st place large club was Essex Ham in Region 12 and the Small club was South Kesteven ARS in Region 13. Congratulations to all the winners for the excellent job they do at the grass roots of amateur radio, and also to all the other clubs who took part in earlier stages of the competition.

Two million young people from around the world are expected to take part in this year’s Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet. These take place from the 19th to the 21st of October and are the world’s biggest Scouting event. Some 20,000 licensed amateur radio operators put 12,000 radio stations on the air. This offers an excellent opportunity for radio amateurs both young and old, to inspire Scouts with the charms of radio techniques. During JOTA-JOTI, Scouts and Guides will encounter numerous different languages and cultures in a worldwide learning experience that lasts all day and well into the night.

All current 146-147MHz band Notices of Variation expire on Tuesday the 31st of October. Ofcom has agreed that the band will be made available for another year. To continue to use the frequencies you must obtain a new NoV via www.rsgb.org/nov

On Friday the 12th of October, the RSGB’s National Radio Centre is inviting RSGB members to visit in the afternoon as part of the Convention weekend. Entry will be via the main Bletchley Park site. RSGB Members should download their free entry voucher from www.rsgb.org/bpvoucher At 3pm there will be a private Bletchley Park tour just for RSGB visitors. At 4pm there will be a practical introduction to making an FT8 QSO for anyone interested to learn about this new, popular mode. Licenced amateurs are reminded to bring a copy of their licence and, if there is time, they will have the opportunity to operate the NRC station GB3RS.

IARU volunteers have been working for three years to progress World Radio Conference 2019 Agenda Item 1.1, which seeks a Region 1 allocation at around 50MHz for the Amateur Service in the Radio Regulations Table of Frequency Allocations, to align with the allocations in Regions 2 and 3. After many weeks of planning and meetings in both regional and global forums post the WRC in 2015, the next step on the route to WRC19 took place last week. The Amateur Service has met strong opposition from a few nation states who argue that the 50MHz band is already allocated to other services in their countries, following the closure of many broadcasting stations in recent years which operated in this band, and believe that sharing the band presents problems. At this meeting two options were prepared. You can find out the full details of the meeting and proposals at www.iaru-r1.org

The RSGB Convention takes place from the 12th to the 14th of October at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. Our thanks to the principal sponsor, Martin Lynch & Sons. This year there will be a Partners’ room, which also includes space for those who bring non-radio projects. Also the deadline has been extended until midnight tonight, the 7th, for those wishing to join others at the Convention Buildathon. You can see the whole Convention lecture programme, and apply for a Buildathon place, at www.rsgb.org/convention

For the second time this year, during the weekend of the 13th and 14th of October, the Cadet Forces will be operating on the UK 5MHz band using the allocated frequencies for the purpose of Exercise Blue Ham 100. All their usual live logging and map plotting will be taking place. Upon conclusion of the exercise, amateurs who have met the requirement for the number of contacts can submit their log sheet to the Blue Ham Ex Co-Originator via [email protected] for your certificate to be issued. Please note that once again the exercise has different QSL exchange information. Also, PSK31 will be in use on 5.363MHz. You can find all the details via https://alphacharlie.org.uk/exercise-blue-ham

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, the 7th of October, the 45th Welsh Radio Rally will take place at Rougemont School, Malpas Road, Newport, South Wales NP20 6QB. Doors open 10am and admittance is £2.50. There will be a Bring & Buy sale, catering, lectures/seminars, talk-in, RSGB bookstall, trade stands, special interest groups, and a prize draw/raffle. There will be talks by Eric Edwards, GW8LJJ on Free Digital Voice on HF and by Andrew Rushton, GW0UZK on Aerial Basics. Contact Michael Rackham, GW4JKV, on 01495 226 149.

Today, the 7th of October, the Hack Green Bunker Rally will be held at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Hack Green, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. This will be a sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, and there will be refreshments available onsite. Contact 01270 623 353 for further information.

Next weekend, from the 11th to the 14th of October, Microwave Update 2018 will take place at the Holiday Inn Dayton, Fairborn, Ohio, USA. It is an international conference dedicated to microwave equipment design, construction and operation. It’s hosted by The Midwest VHF/UHF Society. Go to www.microwaveupdate.org/ for more information.

From the 12th to the 14th of October, the RSGB Convention takes place at Kent’s Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, Kent’s Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6BZ. The RSGB would like to thank the principal sponsor Martin Lynch & Sons for their continued support of the event. The Convention programme of lectures for all interests is available on the website, www.rsgb.org/convention

On the 14th of October, the Hornsea Amateur Radio Rally will take place in The Floral Hall, Hornsea HU18 1NQ. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2, with under 14s free. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy run by the Hornsea ARC and an RSGB book stall. Hot and cold food is available in the café. More from Les, 2E0LBJ on 01377 252 393.

The Holsworthy Radio Rally will take place on the 14th of October at Holsworthy Community College, Victoria Hill Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JD. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy and catering. Doors open at 10am. More information from Howard, M0MYB, by email to [email protected]

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected] – we need to know at least three months in advance to get your information into RadCom.

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

John, W5JON will be active as V47JA from St Kitts, IOTA reference NA-104, from the 10th of October to the 6th of November. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via W5JON, direct only, and Logbook of The World.

Ken, LA7GIA will be active as TT8KO from N’Djamena in Chad from the 9th to the 21st of October. He will operate CW and maybe some SSB on the 160 to 10m bands.

Volker, DL1WH will be active as DL1WH/p from Rugen Island, EU-057, from the 6th to the 20th of October. He will operate mainly CW with some SSB on the HF bands. QSL via his home call, direct or via the bureau.

Scout station 3E1JT from Panama will be active throughout October, and particularly during the Jamboree on the Air from the 19th to the 21st. QSL via HP1ALX.

WA7WJR will be active as XV9WJR from Vietnam until the 27th of October. He will operate CW, some PSK31 and SSB on the 40, 20 and 15m bands from the city of Vung Tau, with side trips to Con Son Island, AS-130, and Phu Quoc Island, AS-128. QSL via Logbook of The World, eQSL, or via WA7WJR.

Now the special event news

The RNIB, now known as the Royal National Institute of Blind People, was founded on 16 October 1868. As part of their 150th anniversary, Terry, GM3WUX will run GR150NIB throughout October. Special QSLs will be available. A log search is at www.g3swh.org.uk/gr150nib.html

Scarborough ARS will be operating GB2YMR at Pickering War Weekend from the 12th to the 14th of October from the North Yorks Moors Railway Station in Pickering. Operations will include some modern and military radios. A warm welcome is extended to all visitors and those they contact on the air.

The Wireless in Wales Amateur Radio Club will operate GB0WIW on the 8th of October to celebrate the Museum's 10th anniversary. Museum tours, talks and refreshments will be available 10am to 3pm. Visitors are welcome.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The CQWW DX RTTY contest ends its 48 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 30th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is RST and Zone, which for the UK is 14.

The Oceania DX SSB contest ends its 24 hour run at 0800UTC today, the 7th. Using SSB only on the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The IARU 432MHz to 245GHz contest ends its 24 hour run at 1400UTC today, the 7th. Using all modes on 70cm and above, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Today, the 7th, the DX Contest takes place from 0500 to 2300UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The Worked All Britain DX contest takes place today, the 7th of October, from 0500 to 2300UTC. The exchange will be RS plus serial number plus WAB square using the 80, 50, 20, 15 and 10m bands, SSB only. This is a new contest and replaces their HF contest that was discontinued. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 28th of October. www.worked-all-britain.org.uk is your source for details of the rules and log sheets.

On Tuesday the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 432MHz UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday the 50MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 50MHz UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.

Next weekend the Oceania DX CW contest runs from 0800UTC on the 13th to 0800UTC on the 14th. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On the 14th, the IRTS 40m Counties contest runs from 1200 to 1400UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 7MHz band, the exchange is signal report and serial number, with EI and GI stations also sending their County.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday 5th October 2018.

There are signs that ionospheric conditions are improving as we head into autumn. This isn’t unexpected; as the ionosphere cools there is a chemical shift towards more monatomic species that are easier to ionise.

The 4U1UN New York, VE8AT Nunavut and ZS6DN Pretoria beacons on 14.100MHz were all audible at the same time on Wednesday, and we can expect transatlantic conditions to get better as the month progresses. Robert, G4TUK even reported working Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on 10 metres. So do make sure you make the most of the autumn DX openings if and when they occur.

Next week the solar flux index is predicted to remain around 68-70, so 14 and 18MHz are likely to be the main daylight DX bands, with the possibility of occasional openings on higher bands. However, the effects of a solar coronal hole may once again disrupt the ionosphere with Sunday the seventh and Monday the eighth predicted to see a raised Kp index of up to six.

Look for pre-auroral enhancements before or just after the solar matter hits the earth. One way to do this is monitor the real-time solar wind at solarham.com. An increasing wind speed, increasing particle density and a south-facing interplanetary magnetic field or Bz are all indicators of an impending geomagnetic disturbance.

Wednesday the 10th and Thursday the 11th may also be disturbed, before we see a little respite later in the week.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

It’s looking a bit mixed for the next week with high pressure nearby over southern areas, while we have occasional periods of low pressure to the north and west of Scotland. The high pressure in the south will mean that Tropo will be a feature again this week. This is typical autumn fare, and there should be some good paths into the continent and across the southern North Sea to the Baltic. It will also be worthwhile checking paths to the south across Biscay to Spain and the Canaries.

The northwest of the British Isles will probably miss out on these Tropo conditions since it will also be rather breezy with occasional rain or showers. A few options may present themselves for some rain scatter on the microwave bands.

Moon declination is positive until Monday night, so EME windows will shorten and losses will climb as the week progresses.

October is a busy month for meteor showers. Next Tuesday sees the peak of the Draconids, which favours temperate and far-northern latitudes. Look for increased activity from tonight.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 30th September 2018

The news headlines:

Renew your 146MHz NoV NOW

DXCC card checking at Convention

Enigma Reloaded at National Radio Centre

All current 146-147MHz band Notices of Variation (NoV) expire on Tuesday the 31st of October. Ofcom has agreed that the band will be made available for another year. However, to continue to use the frequencies you must obtain a new NoV. These are available free from the RSGB website via www.rsgb.org/nov Currently, 548 NoVs have been issued for this band.

DXCC card checking will be available on Saturday the 13th in the special interest display area at the RSGB Convention near Milton Keynes. Before the Convention please use the ARRL’s online DXCC application form at www.arrl.org/online-dxcc-application to complete and pay for your application, then print out the PDF document to bring with your cards. Hand completed paper forms are no longer accepted.

The fifth Enigma Reloaded event will take place in two stages. Until the 5th of October, Italian and other amateur radio stations registered as Activator Stations will be on the air to allow participants to obtain the points required for the Enigma Award. On the 6th of October, the final day, the Activator Stations will exchange predefined CW messages previously enciphered by a real or emulated Enigma machine. The RSGB’s National Radio Centre, located at Bletchley Park, will be the only UK organisation participating. A team of CW operators using the NRC’s amateur radio station, GB3RS, will take down the encoded message and pass it to an Enigma operator for decoding into plain text. The original WWII Enigma machine, and an operator, will be provided by Bletchley Park. Don’t forget, RSGB Members can gain access to the NRC by downloading a free entry voucher from the RSGB website. All details and rules are available on the official website in English at https://tinyurl.com/y7qgxfb4

The RSGB Youth Committee provides a focus for the young Members of the RSGB and represents the UK at several national and international events. The RSGB would like to appoint an individual to champion the Youth Committee in all that they do including managing the UK attendance at the YOTA camp each year and YOTA month every December. Full details of the role are on the RSGB website at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0930A

The RSGB Convention takes place from the 12th to the 14th of October at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. Our thanks to the principal sponsor, Martin Lynch & Sons. You can see the whole Convention lecture programme at www.rsgb.org/convention Visitors will be pleased to know that Neil Smith, G4DBN will investigate what really matters when you are aiming for the ultimate performance with FT8 and other digital modes. Antenna radiation patterns are difficult to measure because antennas are typically high above the ground, and the peak gain tends to be horizontal or above. Jenny Bailey, G0VQH will describe a practical method of measuring the radiation field around an antenna using a drone. She will cover CAA restrictions, drone selection, payload, operation, measurement of antenna design and plotting results.

Although the current UK amateur radio licence is known as a ‘licence for life’, all radio amateurs are required to revalidate their licence at least every five years. This means every licence holder must contact Ofcom to confirm or update the details on the licence database. The quickest way to revalidate is simply to access the licensing system and confirm or re-confirm your details online via the Ofcom website, or by email to [email protected]. Links to the Ofcom website as well as a helpful article about the Licensing Portal, Registration and Revalidation can be found on the RSGB website at tinyurl.com/GB2RS-0930A

The RSGB is pleased to announce that Mike Bruce, M0ITI has been co-opted to the RSGB Board, with immediate effect. Mike will provide focus and expertise to ensure that the Board is fully equipped to support the major changes within the Examinations Systems. Mike was recently appointed Examination Systems Review Manager, has been a member of the Examination Group for some years. Other Board changes of responsibility will be announced in due course.

The next RSGB Train the Trainers event will take place on Saturday the 3rd of November in Wimborne, Dorset. The course runs from 9am to 4.30pm at Flight Refuelling ARS, Cobham Sports and Social Club, off Merley Park Road, Broadstone, Wimborne BH21 3DA. To book a place please contact Sue Macdonald via email to [email protected] It is over two years since a course was held in the South West, so it would be useful for new trainers and those who attended previously as a refresher. The course continues to develop, improve and change, so those attending again will not be bored! There are significant opportunities to network and exchange ideas and good practice throughout the day.

The final of our series of lectures from the RSGB 2017 Convention entitled Reflections on the History of Radar by Hugh Griffiths, G4CNV is now available online for RSGB Members. Go to the Video section after you have logged into your RSGB account.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

Today, the 30th, the Pencoed ARC Table Top Sale takes place at Pencoed Rugby Football Club, The Verlands, Felindre Road, Pencoed CF35 5PB. Tables are £10 each, on a first come first served basis. Doors open 8am for sellers, 9.30 for buyers. Admission is £2. Hot and cold drinks are available, with hot food available in the morning and at lunchtime. More from Madeline Roberts on 0773 837 5775.

Next Sunday, the 7th of October, the 45th Welsh Radio Rally will take place at Rougemont School, Malpas Road, Newport, South Wales NP20 6QB. Doors open 10am and admittance is £2.50. There will be a Bring & Buy sale, catering, lectures/seminars, talk-in, RSGB bookstall, trade stands, special interest groups, and a prize draw/raffle. Lectures from Eric Edwards, GW8LJJ on Free Digital Voice on HF and Andrew Rushton, GW0UZK on Aerial Basics. Contact Michael Rackham, GW4JKV, on 01495 226 149

Next Sunday, the 7th of October, the Hack Green Bunker Rally will be held at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Hack Green, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. This will be a sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, and there will be refreshments available onsite. Contact 01270 623 353 for further information.

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected]

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

A large team of operators from Albania, Austria and Slovenia will be active as ZA5V from Lake Shkodra, JN92RD, on the 1st to the 12th of October. They will be using 6 and 2m EME as well activity on the 80 to 10m bands using all modes. QSL via OE6FNG.

Fabien, F4GYM will operate as F4GYM/p from Sein Island, part of the Finistere South West group, IOTA reference EU-068, between the 2nd and the 5th of October. Operating on the 80m to 10m bands using SSB and digital, QSL via F4GYM, either direct or via the bureau.

Klaus, DL8DZL will be visiting Trassenheide on Usedom Island, EU-129, until the 6th of October. He will operate as DL8DZL/p on all HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL via DL8DZL, either direct or via the bureau.

Four operators will be on the air from Christmas Island, OC-002, as VK9XT until the 6th of October. Planned activities will take place on the 160m to 10m bands using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL direct via N4GNR, Logbook of The World or eQSL.

Ulrich, DL2AH will operate as WH8/DL2AH from Ofu Island, OC-077, between the 2nd and the 29th of October using SSB, FT8 and RTTY in holiday style. He plans to take part in the CQWW DX SSB contest. QSL direct via DL2AH.

Now the special event news

The RNIB, now known as the Royal National Institute of Blind People, was founded on 16 October 1868. As part of the celebration of their 150th anniversary, Terry Robinson, GM3WUX will run a special event callsign GR150NIB from 1 to 28 October. Activity is planned on SSB and CW across all HF bands except 60m, plus some possibly limited activity on 4m and 6m. Special QSLs will be available. There will be a log search at www.g3swh.org.uk/gr150nib.html where all QSL requests should be made via OQRS only.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

The CQWW DX RTTY contest ends its 48 hour run at 2359UTC today, the 30th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is RST and Zone, which for the UK is 14.

Today, the 30th, the UK Microwave Groups contest runs from 0600 to1800UTC on the 5.7 and 10GHz bands. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1900UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 144MHz UK Activity Contest from 1900 to 2130UTC. The exchange for both is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the UK & EI Contest Club 80m event runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB only, the exchange is your four-character locator.

Next Saturday, the 6th, the 1.2GHz trophy takes place from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on the 1.2 and 2.3GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Oceania DX SSB contest runs from 0800UTC on the 6th to 0800UTC on the 7th. Using SSB only on the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The 432MHz to 245GHz contest runs from 1400UTC on the 6th to 1400UTC on the 7th. Using all modes on the 432MHz to 245GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The IARU 432MHz to 245GHz contest runs from 1400UTC on the 6th to 1400UTC on the 7th. Using all modes on 70cm and above, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Sunday the 7th, the DX Contest takes place from 0500 to 2300UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The Worked All Britain DX contest takes place next Sunday, the 7th of October from 0500 to 2300UTC. The exchange will be RS plus serial number plus WAB square using the 80, 50, 20, 15 and 10m bands, SSB only. This is a new contest and replaces their HF contest that was discontinued. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 28th of October. www.worked-all-britain.org.uk is your source for details of the rules and log sheets

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday 28th September 2018.

At the risk of sounding very “samey”, the solar flux index remained at around 67-68 with zero sunspots this week, and just a few points off what we can expect at absolute solar minimum.

As predicted, geomagnetic conditions were relatively poor at the beginning of the week, but did improve slightly later on, although the K index remained at three at times. This was due to ongoing coronal hole activity on the Sun. But as we are now moving to better autumnal ionospheric conditions the daytime maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km path did exceed 18MHz at times according to the Chilton ionosonde. There are signs that if geomagnetic conditions can remain quiet for a few days this may even reach the dizzy heights of 21MHz. It is worth monitoring the higher bands, and if you don’t hear much activity, check out the FT8 frequencies on 18 or 21MHz or head for the International Beacon Network frequencies at 18.100MHz or 21.150MHz. If all else fails, call CQ!

Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will remain around 68-70, but we may have unsettled geomagnetic conditions around the 1st and 2nd of October. The best HF conditions may occur later in the week as the ionosphere becomes more settled.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

At 21:47hrs on Tuesday the 25th of September, the Region 1, 144MHz tropo record was broken again, this time from England. G3SMT worked D4Z on the Cape Verde Islands via the marine duct caused by the Azores High system. At 4,431km, it broke the previous record of 4270km set just one minute earlier by GW0KZG!

Next week has plenty of high pressure around, so get down to the bottom of the bands on CW, SSB and FT8. The high pressure will again be centred initially just to the west of the UK making linkage in to the Azores system still a possibility. Eventually part of this will drift east across the country to end the week over the continent, while a weak front crosses the British Isles. Tropo will be present to some degree for much of the week over southern parts, but more fleeting in the north, where it will be rather breezy at times.

If you’re not well placed for Tropo, EME conditions will be at their best this coming week with peak declination on Tuesday and perigee next Saturday. Note that these two occurrences are starting to drift apart in time again, but don’t worry they won’t be fully out of phase until July 2022!

There are no significant meteor showers this week so around dawn on the lower VHF bands will be the best time for QSOs via random meteors.

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

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 23rd September 2018

The news headlines:

Railways on the Air this weekend

Planning Permission guide update for RSGB Members

RSGB Operating Advisory Service pages online

This weekend is Railways on the Air and many clubs will be operating special event stations from railway related sites around the country. It celebrates the anniversary of the first steam powered passenger railway that took place on the 27th of September 1825 – the first passenger train ran on a line in the North East of England from Darlington to Stockton. Bishop Auckland ARC coordinates this event. You can find a list of the participating callsigns at https://rota.barac.org.uk/

The RSGB’s Planning Advisory Committee will be launching its latest Planning Guide for Members at the National Hamfest on Friday the 28th of September. Now in its 9th edition and edited by PAC Chairman John Mattocks, G4TEQ, this popular guide draws on John’s many years as a professional Planning Inspector and the work of the RSGB Planning Advisory Committee. The guide has been updated to reflect recent changes in the planning system and includes advice on making planning applications, enforcement notices and also appeals for amateur radio aerials and masts. A limited number of printed copies of the new RSGB Planning Guide will be available from the RSGB Planning booth at the National Hamfest. It will be available as a downloadable pdf for RSGB Members from the 28th September on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.rg/pac

The Operating Advisory Service, OAS, is an RSGB volunteer-run service that provides guidance to licensed radio amateurs in the UK and Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It helps promote good practice, and advises on you how to manage problematic behaviour and poor operating practice on the amateur bands. The initial OAS pages are now on the RSGB website at www.rsgb.org/oas

Reg Woolley, G8VHI is looking for an additional newsreader to help when he is unavailable due to his work shift pattern. His newsreading covers the Midlands area and he uses both 2m and 70cm. If you are interested, please drop an email to [email protected]

The National Hamfest takes place in Newark on the 28th and 29th of September at the George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark & Nottingham Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY. On Saturday the 29th, the National Club of the Year trophies 2017 will be presented, with thanks to Waters & Stanton for their sponsorship of this competition. Details and tickets from www.nationalhamfest.org.uk

The RSGB Board has decided to make changes to the way in which Nominated Board Directors are appointed. The RSGB Board is made up of 8 Directors – one is the elected President and four are directly nominated and elected by Membership ballot. A further three Directors are nominated by the RSGB Nominations Committee for endorsement by the Membership at the AGM. The role of the committee is to identify areas where the knowledge and skills of the Board members may need further support and to find suitable candidates; primarily they are looking for business skills and not those directly associated with amateur radio. Full details are on page 10 of the October RadCom. If you feel you have skills that could be of benefit to the RSGB Board, please get in touch by email to [email protected]

The RSGB Convention takes place from the 12th to the 14th of October at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. Our thanks to the principal sponsor, Martin Lynch & Sons. You can see the whole Convention lecture programme at www.rsgb.org/convention Visitors will be pleased to know that Jim Bacon, G3YLA will be speaking with a lecture entitled Sporadic-E revisited – is it any clearer? Sporadic-E is a complex propagation mode so Jim will start with a review of where we are with current understanding of Sporadic-E, ideal for the many newcomers to amateur radio. VHF Baluns – Fact and Fancy by Ian White, GM3SEK shows how our ideas about HF baluns have changed dramatically in recent years. Now Ian extends those ideas into the VHF-UHF spectrum, taking a critical look at some long-established methods for feeding Yagi antennas and identifying a new list of Do’s and Don’ts for modern conditions.

Keith Haynes, G3WRO has recently decided for personal reasons to step down as an RSGB Board Director. Keith was co-opted to the Board following his proposal by the Nominations Committee, and took on the liaison responsibilities for the RSGB Awards and Regional Team. We wish Keith well for the future and thank him for his contribution to the RSGB in the many roles he has undertaken.

Those attending the RSGB Convention Gala dinner on Saturday the 13th can reserve tables for groups. Please email [email protected] with the names and callsigns, if appropriate, of those wishing to share a table, and the organisers will take care of the details.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week

On the 28th & 29th of September the National Hamfest is at the Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2NY. The venue has free car parking and has disabled facilities. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, car boot area, flea market, special interest groups and a huge RSGB bookstall. There will also be representatives from the RSGB Services and committees. Morse proficiency test will be available. The venue has catering outlets and a seating area. Details are at www.nationalhamfest.org.uk

On Sunday the 30th of September the Pencoed ARC Table Top Sale takes place at Pencoed Rugby Football Club, The Verlands, Felindre Road, Pencoed CF35 5PB. Tables are £10 each, on a first come first served basis. Doors open 8am for sellers, 9.30 for buyers. Admission is £2. Hot and cold drinks are available, with hot food available in the morning and at lunchtime. More from Madeline Roberts on 0773 837 5775.

Also on the 30th, the Belgium Amateur Radio & Computer Rally takes place at Louvexpo, in La Louvière. There is direct access from the motorway and it is 50km south of Brussels. Open from 9am, there is talk-in on local FM repeaters on 145.600MHz. There is 4000m² exhibition space, trade stands from UK, Holland, Germany & France and a flea market. Details at www.on6ll.be

To get your event into RadCom and GB2RS, please send details as early as possible to [email protected]

And now the DX news from 425 DX News and other sources

Chris, VE6CMV will be active in the CQWW RTTY contest on the 28th and 29th September as VO2VC, which CQ Zone 2, Labrador. He will be operating in the low power, single op, on 20m only using a delta loop antenna and 100W. Outside of the contest he will be active from the 27th of September to the 4th of October on 80 to 6m SSB, RTTY and FT8. QSL to his home call VE6CMV as per QRZ.com

Victor, WB0TEV and Scott, K5PS will be active as V31VP and V31CQ respectively from Blackman Eddy in central Belize from the 27th of September to the 2nd of October. They will operate SSB and RTTY and will participate in the CQ WW DX RTTY Contest. QSL V31VP via Club Log’s OQRS, or via WB0TEV direct or via the bureau; QSL V31CQ via Logbook of The World, Club Log’s OQRS or via K5PS direct or via the bureau.

Stu, K4MIL will be active as KG4SS from Guantanamo Bay from the 25th September to the 9th of October. He will operate RTTY including in the CQ WW DX RTTY Contest, FT8 in Fox & Hound mode and CW. QSL via Logbook of The World or direct to K4MIL.

The NB-DX Team will be active as HB0/ON4ANN from Liechtenstein from the 24th to the 28th of September. QSL via M0URX’s OQRS.

Now the special event news

Celebrating 100 years of the RAF, GB100RAF will be operating from the Air Defence Radar Museum at RAF Neatshead in Norfolk today, the 23rd. QSL cards require an SAE only to RAFARS, RAF Cosford, WV7 3EX.

North Bristol ARC has been invited by Avon Valley Railway to set up a two stations on the 23rd, one station from within an operational train. The main HF station will be using GB0AVR on the 20, 40 and 80m bands. A portable station will operate from the train using QRP on 20 and 17m as well as via GB3BS and GB7BS.

We are very happy to publicise your event on GB2RS, in RadCom and on the RSGB website. Please send details to [email protected] as early as possible. One condition for getting a special event callsign is that the station must be open to the public, so our free publicity can help make your efforts more widely known.

Now the contest news

Over this weekend the UK and EI Contest Club Contest DX ends its 24 hour run at 1200UTC today, the 23rd. Using SSB on the 3.5 to 28MHz bands the exchange is signal report, serial number and district code.

Today, the 23rd, the Practical Wireless 70MHz contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the SHF UJK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2230UTC using all modes on the 2.3 to 10GHz bands. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the UK and EI Contest Club contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW only, the exchange is your 4-character locator square.

On Thursday the 80m Autumn Series contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using data only, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Next weekend from 0000UTC on the 29th to 2359UTC on the 30th the CQWW DX RTTY contest takes place using the 3.5 to 28MHz bands. The exchange is RST and Zone, which for the UK is 14.

On the 30th the UK Microwave Groups contest runs from 0600 to1800UTC on the 5.7 and 10GHz bands. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Friday the 21st of September 2018.

First, the sunspot reported a few weeks ago as possibly being from the new sunspot cycle 25 was in fact from cycle 24. Although it had a reverse magnetic polarity signature than other cycle 24 spots, scientists now say that its low solar latitude means it was not from the new cycle. Scientists are also now predicting that sunspot minimum may be in September 2019, so we can expect poor conditions to last for some time yet.

Over this last week the solar flux index was pegged pretty much at 68. Geomagnetic conditions were mainly settled in the latter half of the week with the K index zero at times. Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will remain in the range 68-69. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be poor on Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th due to a small coronal hole that will contribute to the high speed solar wind. Expect the K index to reach at least four, with conditions improving as the week progresses.

We are now moving into the autumnal propagation season so we can expect to see modest rises in maximum usable frequencies, perhaps passing 18 and even 21MHz at times.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

This weekend looks to be in the grip of unsettled weather with more strong winds possible. One model puts a deep low over southern England today with the potential for very strong winds in the south. Another model doesn’t develop this strong feature, so check the forecasts regularly and make sure your antennas are secure.

There is better news for the coming week as high pressure is expected to return to bring more settled conditions, giving a chance for Tropo to develop. The overnight and early morning autumn mists are a good weather clue for Tropo conditions since they indicate cool moist air near the surface, overlain by warmer drier air above. It’s this contrast of moisture which is the major contribution to changes in the refractive index of the air and hence ducting or Tropo.

The moon is past apogee now and declination goes positive on Tuesday meaning increasingly longer moon windows and decreasing EME path losses as the week progresses.

There’s a light meteor shower peaking next Saturday. The daytime Sextantids is not well known to visual observers as its radiant lies close to the sun, meaning trails are only visible during the last couple of hours before dawn. Meteor rates are very low so nothing to get excited about from a meteor scatter point of view.

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