RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for September 1st 2019.

GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 1st September 2019

The news headlines:

Good news for the two metre band

More positive news from CEPT ahead of WRC-19

Syllabus 2019 mock exams

The past week has seen CEPT meet in Turkey, where it finalised its positions on a wide range of WRC-19 Agenda Items, including proposals for WRC-23. So let’s look at the matters that interest radio amateurs. At 144MHz, after a major effort, the 144 to 146MHz frequency range was successfully withdrawn from the French WRC-23 aeronautical proposal. This hot topic had been the subject of detailed submissions by the IARU, France and Germany. This excellent result for amateur radio occurred in parallel to a number of other proposals being adopted to support aeronautical interests. There’s more positive news at 50MHz. CEPT confirmed its common position for an overall 50 to 52MHz secondary allocation for IARU Region 1. Following requests from both the RSGB and the UK Six Metre Group to Ofcom, we are pleased to announce that the UK has signed an optional footnote in the CEPT proposal for national Primary status in the 50 to 50.5MHz segment, along with a number of other countries. In most microwave bands it is pleasing to report that the CEPT positions adopted should result in no further regulatory change to the amateur 5GHz Secondary and 47GHz Primary allocations, as well as innovative UK usage above 275GHz. However, for the 23cm band, following intense discussions, a WRC-23 proposal was considered necessary to ensure the protection of new satellite navigation systems such as Galileo from amateur emissions in the 1240 to 1300MHz range. The draft Resolution that would guide such studies excludes the removal of the existing amateur Secondary allocations. Commenting on the overall outcome, IARU Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ praised the IARU team of volunteers and their contributions; and was pleased that regulators had recognised the strength of the amateur case. The RSGB will shortly add further details and copies of key papers to its online focus pages at www.rsgb.org/wrc-19. The October edition of RadCom will also feature further information as the process now moves towards the final stage at the World Radio Conference this autumn.

In preparation for Syllabus 2019, which comes into effect this Sunday, 1 September the RSGB has added to the range of documents for tutors and candidates. Foundation, Intermediate and Full licence mock exam papers are now available from the Society’s website. They include a new handy syllabus reference column to help candidates check the appropriate part of the syllabus if they need further revision on specific questions. You’ll find all of these documents on the special Syllabus 2019 part of the RSGB website, www.rsgb.org/mock-exams. The Syllabus Full Specification document has been updated with a few minor changes that are shown in the Change Log at the end. Additional supporting materials will be released soon, including documents that will provide sample questions for every syllabus item in each of the exams.

Hot on the heels of August’s Youngsters On The Air summer camp in Bulgaria, IARU Region 1 YOTA will be running a winter camp in the Netherlands from the 12th to the 15th of December. We’ve secured five places at the camp for RSGB Members who are aged 16 to 25. The camp, which will take place in a forest setting, promises to be lots of fun, and will include a variety of workshops and activities. The RSGB will cover the majority of the cost of the event, with attendees contributing £50. To apply to take part, please contact Board Director Mark Jones, G0MGX, via email to [email protected]. The closing date for applications is the 30th of September. Find out more at www.rsgb.org/yota

The RSGB Convention takes place in Milton Keynes from the 11th to the 13th of October. The provisional programme of lectures and workshops is now online at www.rsgb.org/convention. The Buildathon on Saturday evening includes food and also the SMD Sudden 2, a 40m direct conversion receiver, made and supplied by Kanga Products UK. All necessary equipment will be provided, along with a team to assist you through the build. For more info, to book your Buildathon place, for weekend packages or day tickets, go to www.rsgb.org/convention. Early Bird discounts end at midnight tonight, the 1st of September.

With over 60,000 visitors to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park so far in 2019, we are looking to recruit new volunteers to engage with the public and give radio demonstrations. If you’re interested in becoming an NRC volunteer you should be passionate about meeting people, feel confident explaining the hobby, as well as operating the NRC’s radio station, GB3RS. You must be a licensed amateur, an RSGB Member and be prepared to work a minimum of one or preferably two days per month. You will be joining a team of enthusiastic, friendly and dedicated volunteers and full training will be given. Travel expenses are paid to volunteers living within reasonable travelling distance and NRC volunteers enjoy numerous benefits associated with volunteering at Bletchley Park. Please email [email protected] for further information.

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

Today, the 1st of September, the Telford Hamfest and G-QRP Convention takes place at Harper Adams University, near Telford, TF10 8NB. See www.telfordhamfest.org.uk for more information.

Next Sunday, the 7th of September, the Caister Lifeboat Rally will be held at Caister Lifeboat station, Tan Lane, Caister on Sea, Norfolk NR30 5DJ. Access is via the car park in Beach Road. Doors open from 9.30am. There will be a raffle and the onsite café and museum will also be open. A special event station will be on the air. Details from Zane, M1BFI on 0771 121 4790.

Please send details of your 2020 rally and event plans as soon as possible to [email protected].

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

Laurent, F8BBL will be active as TK19IOTA between the 6th and the 22nd of September. He plans to operate from IOTA groups EU-014, which is the main island of Corsica, EU-100, which is Cerbicales, EU-104, which is Sanguinaires and EU-164, which is Lavezzi. He operates mainly CW. QSL via F8BBL either direct or via the bureau and Logbook of The World.

Yuri, N3QQ, Cezar, VE3LYC, Sandro, VE7NY and Adrian, KO8SCA will be active as K7TRI from Tillamook Rock, IOTA reference NA-211, between the 6th and the 9th of September. They will operate CW and SSB on the 40 to 17m bands with two stations active around the clock. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, or via VE3LYC.

Members of the Russian Robinson Club will activate Sledge Island in Alaska, NA-120, until the 2nd of September. The callsign will be KL7RRC/P. QSL info is via Club Log OQRS.

Now the special event news

Today, the 1st of September, the Radio Club of Binche will activate ON44WAR to commemorate the sacrifice of the Belgian Resistance in WWII, especially those of the Refuge B 40 in Waudrez. On the hour, for 30 minutes, a Whaddon MK VII Paraset will be used to make CW transmissions on the 7MHz band. The following half hour will be SSB transmissions on the 7MHz band. QSL via ON7RY; more information is at www.on7ry.be

During the month of September, Dutch special event stations PA75PARA, PA75BTF and PA75OMG will be on the air to commemorate the 75 years since British, American and Polish airborne forces tried to capture the river bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegen. PA75OMG will be active from 12 to 22 September. PA75SODS will be on the air to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Schelde.

Please send special event details to [email protected] as early as possible so we can give you free publicity. It is a licensing condition that stations using a UK special event callsign must be open to the public.

Now the contest news

The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX contest ends its 24 hour run at 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and District code.

On Monday the Pioneer FT4 Series runs from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FT4 only on the 3.5MHz band. The exchange is signal report followed by your 4-character locator. Do read the rules carefully for this new contest.

On Tuesday the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 18550UTC, using FM only. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. At the same time, the Machine Generated Mode 144MHz Activity Contest takes place, exchanging your report and 4-character locator. From 1900 to 2130UTC it’s the 144MHz UK Activity Contest, using all modes. The exchange 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 4-character locator.

On Saturday the CWops CW Open Contest runs from 0000UTC to 2359UTC. Using the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is serial number and name. The contest has three 4-hour sessions.

Next weekend is the RSGB SSB Field Day. Running from 1300UTC on the 7th to 1300UTC on the 8th, it uses the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands. The exchange is signal report and serial number.

Also next weekend is the 144MHz Trophy contest, this time running from 1400UTC on the 7th to 1400UTC on the 8th. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Another contest over next weekend is the All Asian DX contest. It runs from 0000UTC on the 7th to 2359UTC on the 8th. Using SSB only on the 1.8 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and your age. YL operators may send 00.

In a busy weekend of contests, the IARU Region 1 Field Day runs from 1300UTC on the 7th to 1300UTC on the 8th. Using SSB only on the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

Finally for contests over the full weekend, it’s the IARU 144MHz contest. This runs from 1400UTC on the 7th to 1400UTC on the 8th. Using all modes, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

There are two contests on next Sunday only. The 5th 144MHz Backpacker contest runs from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Running from 1000UTC to 1400UTC next Sunday is the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest. Using SSB and FM, the exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA & G4BAO on Friday the 30th of August.

The past week was characterised by a low solar flux index and relatively-calm geomagnetic conditions. There were reports of numerous Sporadic-E openings this week that livened up the 10m band. On Thursday these spread from Serbia through to Germany, Finland and Norway and were probably caused by a strong jet stream, which can be seen on the Met Office 300millibar charts.

The Space Weather Services Bureau of Meteorology in Australia has been reporting that its T index, which can be best thought of as an "equivalent sunspot number", has been hovering around zero after weeks of being very negative. This suggests that maximum usable frequencies may be up to 20% better than we have been experiencing, partly due to quieter geomagnetic conditions and partly due to the seasonal change. Nevertheless, the Chilton ionosonde has been recording daytime F2 critical frequencies of about 4.3 to 4.7MHz, giving a maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km path of between 14 and 18MHz.

Next week NOAA predicts a solar flux index of 67, but a large T-shaped coronal hole on the Sun threatens to push the K index up to six late on Saturday 31st or Sunday 1st as solar matter hits the Earth’s magnetic field. This may result in depressed HF conditions after an initial enhancement. These should settle by Tuesday or Wednesday, leaving the rest of the week with a K index of two or three and potentially better conditions.

And now the VHF and up propagation news.

The last week brought some welcome late season Sporadic-E to many parts of the UK, even reaching 2m on one occasion. This was an unusually-widespread opening geographically, with most areas from Scandinavia round to Portugal being worked. Sporadic-E is possible into early September, so be sure to check the various blogs and clusters for activity. You haven’t got much time left to bag those missing squares!

The coming week will see unsettled weather generally with some showers or spells of rain, especially in the north. This may give a few opportunities for rain scatter. The south will be closer to high pressure over the continent and has the best chance of tapping into some Tropo conditions, although it’s not really a strong option until near the end of the week, when high pressure builds in from the Atlantic.

The Moon is past perigee and declination goes negative again tonight, reaching minimum a week today. The EME week will be characterised by shortening Moon windows and rising path losses. There are no major meteor showers this week so stick with the usual pre-dawn enhancement for the best meteor scatter conditions.

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