GB2RS NEWS
Sunday 12th January 2014
The news headlines:
· Happy New Year from GB2RS
· Centenary Award plaque deadline looms
· Register now for Advanced Distance Learning course
The news team and all the staff at RSGB HQ would like to wish our newsreaders, listeners and online readers a very Happy New Year. We would like to remind listeners that the deadline for news items is 10am on Thursday mornings and we welcome your news every week, to . The GB2RS script is uploaded to the RSGB website on Friday afternoons.
Award chasers are reminded to submit their applications for the RSGB Centenary Award. Although there is no deadline for applying for your Centenary Award certificate, you are reminded that Special Commemorative Plaques will be awarded to the leading Full UK, Intermediate or Foundation amateur licence holders, leading SWL and leading overseas station, who have the highest overall scores, submitted by 2359UTC on 31st January 2014. Further information, including the application form and check sheet downloads, can be found at www.rsgb.org/centenaryclaim.
The Bath-based Advanced Distance Learning team start their next course on the 23rd of January. There are still places available for anyone looking to sit the Advanced exam in July. Weekly work packages are emailed to students to guide them through the Advanced textbook and remote tutor support is provided in small groups. The team have an average pass rate of 90% and they have had nearly 200 passes in the last three years. If you would like further details on how to join the course, please contact Steve Hartley, G0FUW, via email to g0fuw@ tiscali.co.uk.
The FUNcube-1 or AO-73 amateur radio satellite has been in orbit for more than six weeks and things are going well. There is now a way to view the latest AO-73 high resolution data that has been uploaded to the FUNcube Data Warehouse. A link can be found in the Navigation Bar on the warehouse. Clicking on this link will make the high resolution data available to download as .csv files, go to tinyurl.com/funcube-telemetry-dashboard. The telemetry downlink frequency is 145.935MHz and data is transmitted in BPSK format. FUNcube also carries a CW and SSB inverting transponder. The uplink pass band is from 435.150 to 435.130MHz LSB, with a downlink from 145.950 to 145.970MHz on USB.
The Spanish PTT has authorised the use of several frequencies in the 5MHz band from 1st January to 30th June 2014. The authorised frequencies are 5268, 5295, 5313, 5382, 5430 and 5439kHz, with a power of 100W PEP. Unfortunately none of these frequencies coincide with the UK 5MHz frequency allocations. The first 4 channels are very close to our allocation; the last 2 are well above. The frequencies announced are channel centres, so USB dial frequency will be 1.5kHz lower. Please note that if UK operators respond to calls on these frequencies, they will be operating out of band.
A limited number of Czech radio amateurs will be returning to the 5MHz band and the permits will be valid until the end of 2014. Those Czech amateurs issued with one of these special permits will be allowed to use six channels that are common to many other nations. These are 5288.5, 5330.5, 5366.5, 5371.5, 5398.5 and 5403.5kHz. Transmissions are limited to upper sideband and CW only at a power level of 100 watts effective radiated power.
SOS Radio Week organisers have had some difficulty with the registration page on their website for the event that runs from 19 to 25 January. To date 27 registrations have been successfully received, but it seems there may be more. If you have attempted to register and you have not received any login details, please contact the organisers. All details on the event can be found at www.sosradioweek.org.uk.
Members of the UK CubeSat community have established a forum for UK nanosatellite or CubeSat stakeholders. The UK Space Agency and two radio amateurs sit on the organising committee. The UK Space Agency's first CubeSat, UKube-1, will carry an amateur radio transponder and is expected to launch this year. You can follow the work of the forum and respond to requests for views at www.cubesatforum.org.uk/.
And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week
Today, 12th January 2014, the red Rose Winter Rally takes place in the George H Carnall Leisure Centre, Kingsway Park, M41 7FJ. The venue is easily accessible from M60 junction 9. Doors open at 11am and there will be trade stands and a Bring and Buy as well as an RSGB bookstall. Details can be obtained from John on 07840 389 427.
On 19th January, the Chippenham & District ARC mini indoor rally will be held in the Neston Village Hall, Pool Green, Neston, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9SN. Doors open at 10m and admission is £1.50. Tables for sellers are £5 pre-booked. Email for full details.
If you have any rally or event information you’d like to appear in future editions of the News and in RadCom, please
email details to .
Now for the news of special events
For those interested in football, Portuguese radio amateurs will be operating the special event callsign CS2EUSEBIO around the country in memory of the footballer Eusebio. QSLing is via the bureau.
And now the DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources
AF1G is now living and working on Andros Island, which is IOTA reference NA-011, signing /C6A. He will be there until 20th November and is expected to be on the 6 to 80m bands using SSB. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct to Tim Hardy, PSC 1012 Box 593, FPO AA 34058-9998, USA.
JA3ARJ and JA1CJA will be active as TO3JA from Martinique, NA-017, between 12th and 19th January. QSL via JA3AVO, direct, by the bureau or Logbook of the World.
Joe Musachia, W5FJG, has been assigned to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and will be operating from KC4AAA, the amateur radio station there. He will operate SSB only on weekdays and some weekends, through the winter season until November 2014. Almost all activity is currently on 20 meters on or near 14.243MHz. QSL to Larry Skilton, K1IED.
Francis, F6BLP will be active again as 6W7SK from Senegal until 31st January. He will operate mainly CW on the 10 to 80m bands. QSL via his home callsign either direct or via the bureau, Logbook of the World and eQSL. See more at www.f6blp.org.
Now the contest news
The CW AFS takes place on Sunday 12th from 1400 to 1800UTC with the SSB event six days later on Saturday 18th at the same time. Because twilight occurs about half way through them, propagation at the end can be expected to be nothing like it is at the start. At the start signals from around the UK should be strong and Continentals relatively weak, but by the end it is not unusual for inter-UK propagation to be difficult and for Continentals to be much stronger. Using the 80m band, the exchanges for both events is signal report and serial number.
On 14th January the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the solar factual data for the period from Friday the 14th of December to Thursday the 9th of January, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS on Friday the 10th of January.
Solar activity for the last three weeks was low on most days, moderate on some days and high on the occasional day. Solar activity was high on the 1st and the 7th of January. An X1 class solar flare took place on the 7th, this was the first X class flare since the 19th of November last year. Solar flux levels initially declined slight lower than forecast, reaching 116 units on Boxing Day and then climbed higher than forecast to peak at 237 units, that's the highest daily figure for this sunspot cycle and also since August 2002. By the 9th levels had declined to 184. The 90 day solar flux average on the 9th was 152 units, which is also the highest for this cycle. X-ray flux levels increased from B3.5 units at the end of the year to C1.8 units by the 5th of January. Geomagnetic activity was quiet every day except for the 1st and 2nd of January which increased to an Ap index of 15 and 18 respectively. That was the only coronal hole disturbance to take place.
Finally, the solar forecast for the coming week. While the large sunspot region is still in view that rotated into view on the 1st solar activity could be at moderate to high levels, however, as the region rotates out of view towards next weekend solar activity is expected to decline to low levels. Solar flux levels should decline to around 130 units. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at low levels unless an Earth directed coronal mass ejection increases activity. No coronal hole disturbances are expected. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around or slightly above 30MHz. Darkness hour lows should be about 8MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate of around 30MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent success rate will be about 25MHz. The best time to try this path will be between 0900 and 1500 hours UTC.
And that’s all for this week from the propagation team.
Next, the Local News:
Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies
can be found on the RSGB website, including email addresses
and website links where known.
[Note to Newsreaders: Please read the local news items appropriate to the service area of your transmission.]
NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS
We start with clubs that are having more than one event this week. Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is taking part in the AFS CW contest today. Thursday sees a surplus equipment sale, and next Saturday it’s the AFS SSB. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241 099.
Coventry Amateur Radio Society has its club net on Monday on 145.375MHz from 8pm. The annual dinner is on Friday, 7.30pm for 8. Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777 363.
Lincoln Short-Wave Club is taking part in the 432MHz UKAC Contest from the shack on Tuesday from 8pm. The AGM is on Wednesday and Thursday sees the club net on 145.375MHz at 8pm. For more information contact Pam Rose, G4STO, on 01427 788 356.
Rugby ATS is taking part in the 432MHz UKAC alongside other radio operation and projects on Tuesday. On Saturday there’s a video about vintage electronics by Mike, G8CTJ. Details from Steve, G8LYB, on 01788 578 940.
South Birmingham Radio Society Shack has its regular coffee morning in the shack on Tuesday from 11am. On Thursday there are training classes with Dave Murphy, G8OWL and Friday sees work in the shack. Contact Gemma Gordon, M6GKG, by email to .
Central Radio Amateur Circle Group is holding a meeting on Thursday. Next Sunday sees the start of SOS Radio Week activities, which run until the 27th. Contact Martin Hallard, G1TYV, on 07906 905 071.
Now we return to the traditional listing in date order. On Monday Gloucester Amateur Radio & Electronics Society is having a talk on communicating over a light beam by Chris Rennie, 2E0OLO. Contact Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01242 699 595, daytime.
On Tuesday Derby & District Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting. Contact Richard Buckby, by email to .
On Tuesday Loughborough & District Amateur Radio Club is watching part 2 of the ‘Now it can be told’ video. More information from Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319.
On Wednesday Midland Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting and training classes. Details from Norman, G8BHE, on 07808 078 003.
On Wednesday South Kesteven Amateur Radio Society is holding a net on 145.525MHz from 8pm. Contact Nigel, M0CVO, on 01476 402 550.
On Wednesday Telford & District Amateur Radio Society is looking at winter projects. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677.
On Sunday Worcester Radio Amateurs Association commences operations for SOS radio week. Details from Rich Moles, M0UVA, via email to .
NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND
On Monday Angel of the North Amateur Radio Club is running a mock Foundation examination. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 01914 770 036.
On Monday Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is having a chat about other hobbies. Details from John E Rodway, G4FRK, on 01253 862 810.
On Tuesday Chester & District Radio Society is holding a committee meeting. Contact Bruce Sutherland, M0CVP, on 01244 343 825.
On Tuesday Fleetwood Radio Enthusiasts Group is having an explanation of baluns. Contact John Earnshaw, M0JFE, on 07940 815 659.
On Wednesday Denby Dale Radio Club is having a talk on the RSGB Club Calls Contest by Richard, M0RBG. Details from Richard, M0RBG, on 07976 220 126.
On Wednesday Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is holding a committee meeting. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606 553 401.
On Thursday South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a practical construction Q & A session with Ged. Details from Ron, G3SVW, on 01619 693 999.
On Friday East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671.
On Friday Mexborough & District Amateur Radio Society is having a film night. More info from Darrell, G0FUO, on 07887 423 221.
On Saturday Stockport Radio Society is on the air from Walthew House. Contact Nigel Roscoe, on 07973 312 699.
NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
West Tyrone ARC will be holding a Foundation Course on Saturday 15 and Saturday 22 February. The exam is on Monday 24 February. If anyone is interested, contact Paul on 07511 411 257.
On Sunday Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the secret listeners of Gilnahirk by guest George Busby. Contact Brian Burns, MI0TGO, by email to .