RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 29th September 2024

GB2RS

GB2RS News

Sunday the 29th of September

The news headlines:

• There is still time to book tickets for the RSGB 2024 Convention
• The RSGB is helping to promote JOTA activities in October
• The RSGB has responded to a recent Ofcom Consultation concerning the 2.3GHz band

With just two weeks until the RSGB Convention, this year’s event is the place to go if you are interested in anything and everything to do with amateur radio. There will be a host of expert speakers presenting on topics ranging from Sporadic-E and how to use AI to write amateur radio applications, to panel debates on amateur radio modes and presentations on inspiring the next generation of radio amateurs. The presentation summaries and speaker biographies are now available on the RSGB speaker page. AMSAT-UK has started to release news of its presentations too and you can see those on the RSGB’s Convention programme. There really is something for everyone. If you haven’t already bought your ticket, be sure to secure it by Monday the 7th of October when the online booking process will close. Buying tickets before the event will save you up to £5 off the usual 'on the day' ticket prices. Due to demand, the RSGB has also arranged an extra introduction to microcontroller programming workshop that will take place on the Sunday morning. There are still some tickets available for Saturday’s Gala Dinner too. To book your tickets for any part of the weekend or to find out more about the programme go to rsgb.org/convention

Jamboree on the Air, also known as JOTA, is taking place between the 18th and 20th of October. The event promotes friendship and global citizenship and is a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the groups within the Scout Association. Some groups have already shared details of activities that will be taking place over the weekend and the RSGB plans to compile and share a list of these on its comms channels. If you are part of a Scouting group and are planning to get involved with JOTA then please get in touch via [e-mail] with a summary of your station name, callsign and any other relevant information.

The RSGB has responded to a recent Ofcom Consultation which would see new users sharing spectrum within the 2.3GHz amateur band. Whilst the new devices may be limited to indoor use, the RSGB has taken the opportunity to highlight concerns regarding the weak signal 2320MHz segment. In addition, the RSGB has also indicated its wish to review the current restrictions that apply to this band that date back to 2013, when it was subject to Public Sector Spectrum Release. The response and background information can be found in the Spectrum Forum web pages at rsgb.org/spectrum-forum

The October edition of RadCom includes an article about the very first two-way radio communication between the UK and New Zealand, something that Sir Edward Appleton, radio physicist and Nobel laureate, later described as “probably the most dramatic moment in the history of the development of the short waves.” The contact was between two radio amateurs, one in Mill Hill School, London and the other on a sheep farm in New Zealand. Centenary celebrations will be taking place in New Zealand and at Mill Hill School, and special event callsigns will be active from today until late October. GB2NZ and ZM100DX will be active each day during that period and, for the week of the centenary, the near-actual callsigns used in 1924, G2SZ and ZL4AA, will be active from the 14th to the 20th of October. A commemorative certificate will be available for those who make contacts with the event stations. For more information on the Goyder-Bell award, and to find out more about the centenary celebrations, go to gb2nz.com

Lots of amateur radio stations are on the air this weekend for the Railways on the Air event. The occasion marks the anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger railway journey which 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. Activity will be centred around 3.65, 7.15 and 14.25MHz. For more information visit rota.barac.org.uk

The September 2024 issue of RadCom Basics is now available on the RSGB website for members to read. RadCom Basics is aimed at new licensees or anyone who enjoys reading about the fundamental principles behind the many facets of amateur radio. This issue includes articles on antenna building, home construction and getting fit with amateur radio. If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to receive updates about RadCom Basics via the RSGB Membership Portal. RSGB members can read RadCom Basics by going to rsgb.org/radcom-basics

The September 2024 issue of RadCom Plus, the online magazine for the more technically minded radio amateur, has been published. The first article was written by RSGB Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, and is an introduction to using AI to write computer software. Next, is a contribution from Tony Preedy, G3LNP about how to make an efficient magnetic loop antenna. The third article, by Andy Talbot, G4JNT dives into the interesting, but perhaps unfamiliar, mathematics behind the encoding algorithms used in digital data programs which we all use. The final article is the fourth in the continuing series by Barry Chambers, G8AGN about his pioneering experiments at 30THz. RSGB Members can read past and present issues of RadCom Plus via rsgb.org/radcom-plus

Don’t forget to listen out for all the 145 Alive activity which is taking place today, Sunday the 29th. Operators will be active from 1pm to 4pm and there will be nets operating in most Maidenhead Squares across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. To take part in the event, which is designed to promote FM activity on the 2m band, all you need to do is call in and make contact with others. For more information contact Mark Savage, M0XIC via the 145 Alive Facebook page.

And now for details of rallies and events

On Saturday the 5th of October Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is holding a surplus equipment sale in aid of club funds. The venue will be Cwmduad Community Centre, Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire, SA33 6XN. The doors are open for traders from 8am, and for visitors from 10am. Disabled access will be available from 9.30am. The entrance fee for visitors will be £2. For more information, or to book a table, email [e-mail]

The 49th Welsh Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 6th of October at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport, NP18 2YE. Traders can gain access from 7am and the doors will be open for visitors from 9.30am. The entrance fee is £3 per person and free parking will be available. For more information email Mike Rackham, GW4JKV via [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Now the Special Event news

Today, the 29th, the British Railways Amateur Radio Society will be active with special callsign GB1FRT on behalf of the Furness Railway Trust in Preston. Operation will be on the 40m band using SSB. QSL via the Bureau. To read more about the station, visit brars.info and QRZ.com

During October and November special callsign PZ5JT will be back on the air from Surinam during the jungle training of the Royal Dutch Army and Marines. The station is operated by personnel from the signal regiment and will operate on the 40, 20, 17, 15 and 10m bands using SSB. In-service military L3Harris radios from different locations will be in use and the operators will welcome your call. To read more about this station visit QRZ.com

Now the DX news

John, W5JON is active as V47JA from Saint Kitts, NA-104, until the 1st of October. He is operating using SSB and FT8 on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or directly to W5JON.

Vlad, OK2WX is active as 5H1WX from Mafia Island, AF-054, Tanzania until the 6th of October. He is operating using CW, SSB and FT8 on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via I8KHC. More information, including a detailed QSL policy, is available via tinyurl.com/5H1WX2024

Now the contest news

The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 28th and ends at 2359UTC today, the 29th of September. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.

Today, the 29th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday the 1st, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 1st, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

On Wednesday the 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

The Oceania DX SSB Contest starts at 0600UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 0600UTC on Sunday the 6th of October. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The RSGB October 432MHz to 245GHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of October. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The IARU 432MHz to 245GHz Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of October. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday the 5th of October, the RSGB 2.3GHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on 2.3GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Saturday the 5th of October, the RSGB 1.3GHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Wednesday the 25th of September 2024

Solar activity is back to moderate levels with an M3.7 solar flare detected on the 22nd of September. Newly assigned AR 3835 in the southeast quadrant is the main source and the event looks to have thrown a stream of plasma into space.

The latest model suggested a possible passage near our planet by the 25th and it looks like the prediction was correct. The Space Weather Prediction Centre issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch and visible aurora may be likely at very high latitudes. Expect maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs for short, to decline if the Kp index is above 4 or 5.

Other than a large number of C-class solar flares in the past five days, this was the biggest eruptive event to occur.

The solar flux index had declined to 172 on Wednesday the 25th but is unlikely to decrease much further. Note that nearly all the sunspots are in the Sun’s southern hemisphere at the moment.

Meanwhile, daytime MUFs over a 3,000km path are now consistently over 28MHz under quiet geomagnetic conditions. This is good news for fans of the 10m band. Night time MUFs over 3,000km are around 14 to 16MHz, so it looks like we may soon lose the 24-hour DX openings on the 20m band, which are prevalent in the summer months.

Increasing solar proton flux at the moment means paths over the Arctic Circle may be compromised.

Daytime critical frequencies remain over 8MHz and often reach nearly 11MHz, so NVIS communications around the UK on the 40m band remain commonplace but may disappear later in the evening.

NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase next week but may not reach the 200s. Keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates.

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

The present run of unsettled weather has become firmly established and, although many parts of the country have not seen the torrential rain and flooding of last week, there will be some rain at times in most parts of the country during the first week of October.

There are a couple of brief periods in the models when a weak ridge of high pressure is due to cross southern areas, but these are not seen as great for Tropo.

The week beginning Monday the 30th of September sees at least two major lows pass close to northern Britain. One occurs as this weekend draws to a close and there may be another one later in the week. These types of changeable patterns are notorious for problems with detailed predictions beyond a few days, although the general weather type is well forecast.

Just a reminder that strong wind events at the end of a long summer can be a big shock to antennas, so now is a very good time to check that all is well in the guying department.

Having discounted Tropo as an option, the obvious choice will be rain scatter on the GHz bands, but some of these events may produce very fast-moving echo sources. So, it could be quite a challenge although last week saw plenty of good rain scatter conditions.

Meteor scatter is again largely dependent upon random meteors with just a couple of lesser showers, the Kappa Leonids and Sextantids, which see out the end of September.

The auroral situation continues to provide some excitement, and the autumn months are a good time of the year for such things.

For EME operators, Moon declination is still positive until Tuesday evening, so Moon visibility windows are shortening. Path losses are high with apogee next Wednesday the 2nd of October. Thursday the 3rd sees near-eclipse conditions when the Sun and Moon are close in the sky meaning high noise with wider beam width antennas. 144MHz sky noise is, in general, low for the rest of the week.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week