RSGB collaborates on a special contact with the International Space Station
The RSGB’s Tonight@8 webinar autumn programme starts tomorrow, the 2nd
The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week
We are delighted to announce that the Radio Society of Great Britain and ARISS, in conjunction with Girlguiding Surrey West and Brooklands Museum including the Innovation Academy, have been collaborating on a special event due to take place on Saturday the 5th of October. Girlguiding President, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a planned contact with the International Space Station as part of a visit to promote the engagement and involvement of girls and young women in science, technology, engineering and maths. Further details of the contact and the event will be announced in late September.
The RSGB’s autumn Tonight@8 programme starts this Monday, the 2nd of September. Brian Coleman, G4NNS will give an update on the Meteor Beacon Project which is a cooperation between the worlds of amateur radio and astronomy. The first phase of this project was completed in May 2022 when the UK meteor beacon GB3MBA went on the air from the Sherwood Observatory of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society. It enabled studies of meteor events over the UK using simple equipment and made possible a range of STEM projects featuring radio and astronomy. The second phase of the project, which Brian will describe in the presentation, is to develop a network of receivers streaming their data via a central server for detailed studies of individual meteor events. You can watch and ask questions live on the RSGB YouTube channel or a special BATC channel. To find out more go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
The RSGB is getting ready for National Coding Week which begins on the 16th of September. This national event is in its 11th year and encourages people of all ages to try coding, or programming as it is also called. During the next few days, the RSGB’s Outreach Team will release two new coding activities for you to try on your own, with members of your local club, or at a school or other youth group. These are in addition to the seven activities the Society shared last year. This is a great opportunity to see how coding can link with your usual amateur radio activities, or for you to try something new. If you are planning an activity or an event or would like some support, please email the RSGB National Coding Week Coordinator Nigel Thrower, G3YSW via ncw@rsgb.org.uk You can find the coding activities on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/coding
The British Science Association has announced that applications for kick-start grants will open on the 17th of September 2024. The grants are provided to help schools in challenging circumstances to deliver events and activities as part of British Science Week. To find out more visit the British Science Week website and enter ‘Grant applications for British Science Week 2025’ in the search box located in the top right-hand corner. If you need some inspiration on how to get involved, the RSGB is already planning for the March event. You can go to rsgb.org/bsw to find out more, as well as to view activity ideas and lesson plans from previous years. If you’d like to get involved or have any questions, you can email the RSGB British Science Week Coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw@rsgb.org.uk
RSGB Members can ensure that they are the first to hear about the Society’s online webinars and events by registering to receive updates by email. Simply log into the RSGB members’ portal, select the ‘Manage Preferences’ tab and click the online events option. By selecting this preference you’ll be kept up to date on events such as the Tonight@8 webinars, which are already shaping up to have a brilliant programme for the Autumn. Keep an eye on your mailboxes for more news about these soon.
Don’t forget that the popular Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA, is taking place on Saturday the 14th of September. Lots of stations will be on the air from 10 am to 4 pm so please give them a call. The operation will be focused on the 80, 40 and 20m bands. To see the list of churches and chapels taking part visit the ‘CHOTA’ tab on the World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners website at wacral.org
The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park, or NRC, will be closed for one day on Monday the 16th of September to allow time for some minor decorating and cleaning. Don’t forget that RSGB members can gain free entry to Bletchley Park and the NRC by downloading a voucher from rsgb.org/bpvoucher
And now for details of rallies and events
Telford Hamfest is taking place today, Sunday the 1st of September at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire. The doors open at 10.15 am and admission is £5. Children up to the age of 16 will be admitted free of charge. Free parking, catering, an RSGB bookstall, and a bring-and-buy area are available on site. For more details visit tdars.org.uk or email John, M0JZH at hamfest@tdars.org.uk
The Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is due to take place on Sunday the 8th of September at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be open from 9 am to 8 pm and there is no admission fee. Sellers can gain access from 8 am. For more information email Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com or phone 07711 214 790.
The Broadcast Engineering Museum near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is new and a work in progress, so it only opens a few days each year. The next open days are coming up on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of September from 11 am to 4 pm. The Museum contains a vast collection of historic broadcasting equipment and memorabilia, some restored and working, on display in a former RAF sergeants' mess. Free parking is available on-site. For more information email contactus@becg.org.uk or visit becg.org.uk
Now the Special Event news
Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is taking part in Churches and Chapels on the Air again this year with special event station GB2SCC. The station will be operating on Saturday the 14th of September from 0900 to 1500UTC on the 40 and 17m bands using SSB. Operators will also be available for VHF and UHF FM calls. For more information see QRZ.com
Austin, M0MNE, who is a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy, will be operating special callsign GB0MND on the HF Bands and flying the British Red Ensign from the seafaring town of South Shields, home of the world's longest-operating marine training college. This is to commemorate Merchant Navy Day on the 3rd of September and the merchant seafarers all over the world who work tirelessly, day in and day out, keeping global trade afloat. The station will operate from the 3rd of September until World Maritime Day on the 26th of September. On the 3rd of September, Austin will be concentrating on SSB and CW on the 40, 20 and 15m bands. During the rest of the month, he will be working on all bands using SSB, CW, FT8, and digital modes such as Olivia, Domino, Hell and SSTV. More information about the station and Merchant Navy Day is available via QRZ.com
Callington and District Amateur Radio Society will activate Special Event Station GB0EKF for the annual Esedhvos Kernow Festival of Cornish Culture which this year is being held in Callington, Cornwall on Saturday the 7th of September. Listen out for GB0EKF on the local repeaters, HF bands and via the QO-100 satellite.
Now the DX news
Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba, EU-028, until the end of September. He is operating using SSB on the 20 to 6m bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and Logbook of the World.
Yann, F1SMB is active as FO/F1SMB from French Polynesia until the 15th of September. His main QTH will be Tahiti, OC-046, with a side trip to Fakarava, OC-066. Usually, he operates FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL to F1SMB directly or via the Bureau, Logbook of the World or eQSL.
Now the contest news
The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK and Ireland stations also send their district code.
The Worked All Britain DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and ends at 1200UTC today, the 1st of September. The exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square, where applicable. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 11th of September. Visit the Worked All Britain website for more information and to read more on the rules for the contest.
Tomorrow, the 2nd, the Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 3rd, the 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 3rd, the 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 4th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 4th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
Also, on Wednesday the 4th of September, 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.
SSB Field Day runs from 1300UTC on Saturday the 7th to 1300UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The 144MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400UTC on Saturday the 7th to 1400UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 7th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 7th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 8th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age.
On Sunday the 8th, the 5th 144MHz Backpackers Contest takes runs from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 8th, the Worked All Britain 2m QRO Phone Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using AM, FM and SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 29th of August 2024
We had a good week for HF propagation, at least until we had a Kp index of 5.67 on Wednesday the 28th. This was caused by the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field moving into a south-pointing position.
Luckily, it didn’t last long and geomagnetic conditions were back to normal by Thursday.
The solar flux index remains above 200 with no sign of it dropping. But solar flare activity has not diminished either with 16 M-class flares over the past seven days and more than 60 C-class events. There remains a 55% chance of a further M-class flare and a 10% chance of an X-class event.
Tuesday the 27th saw some good activity on the upper HF bands with the 10m band opening up at times. VK has been heard on 28MHz in the mornings, which bodes well for the coming months.
The top DX choice this week has been CY9C on Saint Paul Island near Newfoundland. The team is active on all bands until the 5th of September using CW, SSB, FT8, Super Fox and RTTY. VOACAP Online shows that the 20 and 17m bands offer the best chance for a contact and are open from 0900 to 2000 UTC. The 30m band is another strong contender from 2000 to 1000 UTC.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start at around 250 but could end the week at 275. As always, it estimates the Kp index will be at 2 all week, but this will depend upon coronal mass ejections, so keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates.
If a solar flare and associated coronal mass ejections do occur, expect the Kp index to rise after about 48 hours, with a lowering of the maximum useable frequency.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The autumn season usually brings thoughts of Tropo since areas of high pressure can often be a feature of this time of year. Most models predict that there will be high pressure moving in to offer Tropo conditions today, the 1st.
Thereafter, the models differ, and some bring low pressure over the country for much of the coming week, while others maintain a high-pressure story and the continuation of Tropo.
This is potentially useful for the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday and Wednesday and, if it lasts, the 144MHz Trophy Contest next weekend along with the Backpackers contest on Sunday the 8th.
With the uncertain feel of the forecast at the moment, we may find rain scatter is the main option on the GHz bands.
Meteor scatter is again reduced to non-shower random events with just a minor shower, the Aurigids, peaking on the 31st of August. This shower has produced brief unexpected outbursts with a zenithal hourly rate of around 30 to 50 per hour in 1935, 1986, 1994 and 2019.
Random meteor flux is at its annual maximum in September with relatively good rates, especially during morning hours. Pre-dawn is the best time to try.
The solar conditions continue to provide chance auroras. Keep one eye on the Kp index and lock the frequency of some northern European beacons into your rig’s memory.
Lastly, it's the nominal end of the 2024 summer Sporadic-E season and the daily blogs on Propquest have finished. However, some years can produce surprise Sporadic-E events during the first week of September.
Moon declination starts the weekend still high but falling, going negative again on Thursday the 5th. So, Moon visibility windows will also fall, as will the peak Moon elevation.
Moon apogee is also next Thursday so path losses are still increasing. 144MHz sky noise is low until Monday but, shortly after moonrise that day, the Sun and the Moon become close in the sky and continue to be until after moonset on Tuesday.
This means sky noise will be very high, especially at VHF, due to wide antenna beamwidths.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 25th August 2024
Episode 409
Friday, August 23, 2024 • Duration 17:41
GB2RS News
Sunday the 25th of August 2024
The news headlines:
The RSGB 2024 Convention will feature a microcontroller programming workshop
You can take the RSGB Morse competency test at National Hamfest this year
RSGB Board Director Peter Bowyer, G4MJS to take on Board Liaison roles for contesting and trophies
At this year’s RSGB Convention, there will be a workshop to introduce attendees to microcontroller programming through a short presentation followed by practical exercises. The Society aims to widen the programming skills in the amateur radio community and introduce individuals to radio-related usage of Micro Controller Units, or MCUs. If you attend the workshop, you will receive a genuine Arduino board, a set of DuPont wires, a breadboard and two specific devices which you will be able to take away with you at the end of the workshop. The exercises will take you through using the Arduino IDE, basic programming and interfacing to the provided devices. You need to pre-register as spaces are limited to just 20 people. The workshop and hardware are free, but in return for the £10 booking fee, you will receive a copy of the book “Microcontroller Know How” by Mark Jones, G0MGX. You must be a ticket holder for the Convention to be able to take part. To find out more and to book your place, go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/convention and choose the workshops and forums tab on the right-hand menu.
If you’re going to the National Hamfest on the 27th and 28th of September, why not try the RSGB Morse competency test? You don’t have to book in advance, just visit the RSGB village area. You can be tested at 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30 words per minute so you don’t have to be a CW expert. If you pass the test, you’ll either receive a certificate on the day or it will be sent to you electronically shortly after. Eric Arkinstall, M0KZB is the RSGB Morse Competency Project Lead and he will guide you through the test process. If you don’t want to do the test you can still drop in to try Morse for the first time or pick up some hints and tips. It will be a busy event so whilst there will be headphones available, you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Eric looks forward to seeing you at the event! If you have any questions, please contact Eric via morse.tests@rsgb.org.uk
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 23rd June 2024
Episode 400
Friday, June 21, 2024 • Duration 15:07
GB2RS News
Sunday the 23rd of June 2024
The news headlines:
RSGB Convention workshops and practical sessions – what would you like?
RSGB Team interviewed by ICQ Podcast at the Dayton Hamvention in May
Don’t forget to try the updated RSGB Discovery Scheme
Do you like making things? Are you interested in finding out more about the Raspberry Pi or programming an Arduino? Have you heard about the NanoVNA and DragonOS but don’t know where to start? The RSGB wants its 2024 Convention to offer practical sessions to help radio amateurs try something new, develop their skills and go away inspired! If you can offer to run a workshop or a practical session over the weekend of the 11th to the 13th of October, or you’d like to take part in one, please email the RSGB Convention Team via convention@rsgb.org.uk by the 3rd of July. As part of its strategy, the RSGB wants to ensure that this prestigious annual event not only meets the needs of its members but also helps every radio amateur to share their love of the hobby with others.
Members of the RSGB Team, including RSGB President John McCullagh, GI4BWM and RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB, had a successful time at the Dayton Hamvention in May. The event was a brilliant opportunity to engage with radio amateurs from around the world and it resulted in 132 people joining the RSGB. It also provided several media opportunities with podcasters, YouTubers and local news outlets. Martin Butler, M1MRB from ICQ Podcast was one of those who interviewed the President and the General Manager. The interview covered a wide range of topics, from using the new licence conditions as part of outreach, to the RSGB’s role in defending the spectrum and even to the RSGB President’s amateur radio activities with both RAYNET UK and SOTA! For the full interview go to Episode 432 on icqpodcast.com and listen just before two hours into the episode.
Have you tried the updated RSGB Discovery Scheme? Now called the Discovery Logbook, there are fewer requirements, an easy-to-follow programme and exciting links with external organisations such as Parks On The Air and Worked All Britain. There are also some great RSGB Awards to work towards if you’d like to include those in your programme of activities. As a relatively new radio amateur, Jim, ME7HEF had found that the sheer breadth of the hobby made it a little difficult to know where to start. The Discovery Scheme gave him a simple structure to try various aspects of amateur radio and he has enjoyed it. Read more about Jim’s experience on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/your-stories and follow the links to find out how you could try something new using the Discovery Logbook.
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 16th June 2024
Episode 399
Friday, June 14, 2024 • Duration 13:59
GB2RS News
Sunday the 16th of June 2024
The news headlines:
The RSGB’s annual Convention is coming up in October
National Coding Week returns in September
Exercise Blue Ham is taking place this week
This year, the RSGB’s annual Convention will take place from the 11th to the 13th of October. What would you like to see at the Convention? This year the Society is offering everyone the opportunity to propose a presentation, a topic, a practical session or a project to share. Are you involved in some new research? Have you discovered something new in amateur radio that you’re keen to share? Are you part of an interesting project that will take amateur radio to new audiences? Or have you helped to make amateur radio more accessible to people with different abilities? If you’d like to offer, or suggest, a presentation on these, or any other topics, please send your proposal to the Convention Team. As part of its strategy, the RSGB wants to ensure that this prestigious annual event not only meets the needs of its members but also helps every radio amateur to share their love of the hobby with others. The deadline for proposals is Wednesday the 3rd of July so it is important to send in your ideas as soon as possible. Email convention@rsgb.org.uk and make sure you put ‘Convention proposal’ and the topic in the email title.
National Coding Week runs in September. Coding – or programming as it used to be called – is used in a range of amateur radio activities. This year the Society would like to develop its activities further by appointing a volunteer National Coding Week Coordinator. Could you encourage people, help them with their ideas and work with HQ teams to publicise and support activities? If you love computer programming and think you could help others enjoy it through amateur radio, why not think about offering an activity or volunteering to be the RSGB’s National Coding Week Coordinator? Get in touch by emailing strategy@rsgb.org.uk
RAF Air Cadets are running the ever-popular Blue Ham Radio Communications Exercise, on the 60m band, between the 17th and 21st of June. Subject to your licence conditions, the Blue Ham team hopes that you can put some time aside to join in with the cadets and staff who will be ready to take your calls. The Blue Ham Team will issue you with a participation certificate if, during the period of the exercise, you contact 20 or more special military cadet callsigns with an MRE prefix. For more information visit alphacharlie.org.uk Please note that only Full licensees may operate on the 60m band.
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 9th June 2024
Episode 398
Friday, June 7, 2024 • Duration 19:17
GB2RS News
Sunday the 9th of June 2024
The news headlines:
TX Factor is marking its tenth anniversary by launching its 30th episode
Changes to the four-year planning rule in England
Bath Based Distance Learning’s next Full licence course is starting soon
TX Factor is marking its tenth anniversary by launching its 30th episode. It looks at how radio technology has advanced since Marconi conducted some of his early transmissions. The episode includes the first of a two-part feature on operating via the QO-100 geostationary satellite with a look at the hardware and software needed to achieve your first QSO at home or out mobile. Bob, G0FGX reviews the FTM-500D which is the latest mobile transceiver from Yaesu and demonstrates the many advanced features of this versatile FM and digital rig. There is a visit to Sidmouth Amateur Radio Society which secured a derelict former sports social club from the local council and turned it into a community hub and the club’s new QTH. Watch this interesting episode and don’t miss out on the TX Factor free-to-enter draw with a chance to win three RSGB publications. You can see this and previous episodes on txfactor.co.uk
The four-year planning rule has offered a degree of protection for antennas and masts that have been erected without planning permission. Under this rule any installations which had been installed and unchanged for four years or more were protected against planning enforcement action. However, as of the 25th of April 2024, this rule ceased to exist in its current form in England under changes introduced under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. The rule has been replaced by a more stringent ten-year period for the exemption from enforcement for residential dwellings. This change does not affect Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where the four-year rule will continue to apply. Any installation that was substantially completed before the introduction of the Act will still be subject to the four-year rule meaning, for most radio amateurs, the ten-year rule will not apply until the 24th of April 2028. For more information on planning matters visit rsgb.org/planning
Bath Based Distance Learning’s next Full licence course runs from August to December, with exams in January. There is no charge for the training, but applicants must work through some pre-course material and complete a quiz to be eligible for a place. To request full details, and an application form, please email Bath Based Distance Learning’s Team Leader, Steve, G0FUW via g0fuw@bbdl.org.uk
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 2nd June 2024
Episode 397
Friday, May 31, 2024 • Duration 17:51
GB2RS News
Sunday the 2nd of June 2024
The news headlines:
Nominations for IARU President and Vice President have been ratified
The next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar is coming up
RSGB National Radio Centre to operate D-Day anniversary special event stations
IARU member societies have ratified the nomination of Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA and Thomas Wrede, DF2OO as IARU President and Vice President, respectively, for a five-year term which began on the 9th of May 2024. On starting his 4th term as President, Tim Ellam thanked member societies for their support, congratulated Thomas Wrede on his election as Vice President, and also offered a special and heartfelt thank you to Ole Garpestad, LA2RR who retired as IARU Vice President. You can read more on this story via the IARU website at tinyurl.com/IARU2024
The RSGB Tonight@8 webinar this Monday, the 3rd of June, examines how amateur radio can be accessible and enjoyable even if you have sight, hearing or mobility difficulties. Three radio amateurs will explain how they have adapted their equipment, written software or used extra support from the RSGB or other radio amateurs, to enable them to enjoy all that amateur radio has to offer. There will also be input from Sight Matters, an Isle of Man charity helping to assist over 700 visually impaired members. The charity has recently discovered how much amateur radio can offer people with visual impairments and it has formed the Sight Matters Amateur Radio Club. This aims to encourage new people into the hobby and to help assist existing licence holders back onto the air. Whether this webinar is relevant to you, a friend or colleague, or you’re in a club that is wondering how to support all radio amateurs to enjoy the hobby, make a note of the date and be inspired! You can watch and ask questions live on the RSGB special BATC channel or YouTube channel at youtube.com/theRSGB
The RSGB’s National Radio Centre will be operating a special event callsign GB2DAY to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during World War Two. The station will be active between the 6th and 9th of June. In addition, volunteers will be hosting the special demonstration station GB1SOE on Saturday the 15th of June. Don’t forget that RSGB members can gain free entry to Bletchley Park and the RSGB’s National Radio Centre by downloading a voucher from the RSGB website: rsgb.org/bpvoucher
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 26th May 2024
Episode 396
Thursday, May 23, 2024 • Duration 16:32
GB2RS News
Sunday the 26th of May 2024
The news headlines:
The RSGB’s Exams and Syllabus Review Group is seeking volunteers
RSGB representatives had a successful time at Dayton Hamvention
The RSGB Discovery scheme has just been relaunched in a new format
The Exams and Syllabus Review Group – or ESRG as it is often known – is looking for new members to move the group forward. Its current task is to approve a new Direct to Full syllabus and to write and approve new questions for the new exams in September due to licence changes. The group meets online every Tuesday between 3 pm and 4.30 pm, with members of the Exam Standards Committee, but meeting times can be changed to accommodate everyone. ESRG volunteers need to be Full licence holders, members of the RSGB and be able to give a few hours a week. This is your chance to shape the future as we move to Syllabus 2.0 in 2025. To volunteer or find out more, contact the ESRG Chair Andrew Lenton via esrg.chair@rsgb.org.uk
Members of the RSGB Team, including RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas M1ACB and the RSGB President, John McCullagh GI4BWM had a successful time at the Dayton Hamvention last weekend. The event was a brilliant opportunity to engage with radio amateurs from around the world and resulted in 132 people joining or rejoining the RSGB. There were also several podcasters, YouTubers and local news outlets in attendance. This included WHIO, which is a local US news channel, who interviewed RSGB President, John McCullagh GI4BWM. This was shared on local TV news, radio, as well as online. Josh from Ham Radio Crash Course also did a live stream to his 346,000 YouTube subscribers, which included a chat with RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas M1ACB and the RSGB President. You can find links to view these clips on the RSGB notices section of the RSGB website.
The RSGB Discovery scheme has just been relaunched in a new format. Now called the Discovery Logbook, there are fewer requirements, an easy-to-follow programme and exciting links with external organisations such as Parks on the Air and Worked All Britain. There are also some great RSGB Awards to work towards if you’d like to include those in your programme of activities. The RSGB hopes that these links will enable radio amateurs to discover new ways of enjoying their hobby with the guidance and support of experts in those fields. There are three difficulty levels and the first of these, called Explorer, has just been launched. To see the programme activities, find out how to get involved or talk to the Society about linking your organisation with the Discovery Logbook, go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/discovery
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 19th May 2024
Episode 395
Friday, May 17, 2024 • Duration 14:06
GB2RS News
Sunday the 19th of May 2024
The news headlines:
RSGB Board liaison roles update
The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is closing soon
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Marathon is under way
Each RSGB Board Director has a liaison role between the Board and specific aspects of the Society’s work. This focuses very much on the work done by RSGB volunteers in committees, groups and teams as well as by the Honorary Officers. The Board has just agreed on the liaison roles for the coming year. To find out more or to see contact details for each Board Director, go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/board
The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is closing soon. Its final open day will be on the 8th of June 2024. According to the Museum’s website, after this time it will start to dispose of its exhibits. The Museum attempts to tell the story of RAF Signals. Among its attractions, it contains a lot of working equipment which can be demonstrated, including transmitters, receivers and radar consoles. To read more about the Museum, and learn how you can visit it before it closes, visit signalsmuseum.uk
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Marathon is underway. The activity is open to all amateur radio operators worldwide and membership of the Group is not required. The objective is to work as many four-digit grid squares as possible between the 4th of May and the 4th of August on the 6m band. Logs can be submitted until the 18th of August 2024. You can find out more at uksmg.org
The latest RadCom contesting column is now available for all to read on the RSGB website. Since April 2024 this exclusive content has been shared online each month following the publication of each RadCom issue. This useful resource shares various aspects about contesting including a tip of the month, a featured UK contester, as well as a contest of the month. This month Nick Totterdell, G4FAL, who is the HF Contest Committee Chairman, looks at the history of contesting. To find out more, and to read this month’s column, visit rsgb.org/radcom-contesting
A reminder now that International Museums Weekend will be taking place on the third and fourth weekends in June. This year, those weekends are the 15th and 16th, and the 22nd and 23rd of June. Special event stations will be operating from a wide variety of museums from many different countries. To read more about the event, and to register to take part, visit tinyurl.com/IMW2024
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 12th May 2024
Episode 394
Friday, May 10, 2024 • Duration 17:01
GB2RS News
Sunday the 12th of May 2024
The news headlines:
New RSGB Trophy Manager announced
Questionnaire launched to help shape the future of the Commonwealth Contest
Learn about designing PCBs using KiCAD during the next Tonight@8 webinar
We are pleased to announce that Mike Franklin, G3VYI will be the new RSGB Trophy Manager. He will focus on the Contest Trophy collection and HQ will now manage the AGM Trophies. Jacqui Goodey, G6XSY, the retiring RSGB Trophy Manager, will support Mike’s transition into this role. She will also take responsibility for the historical aspect of our trophies. You can contact Mike via trophy.manager@rsgb.org.uk and Jacqui will have the new email address trophy.archivist@rsgb.org.uk The RSGB thanks Mike and Jacqui for volunteering for this important work.
Following the RSGB Commonwealth Contest in March, a small group of representatives have been reviewing possible changes that they hope will encourage more participation in future contests. The group includes representatives from countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The RSGB HF Contest Committee is now calling on both regular entrants and those who have never entered before but may do so in the future, to complete a questionnaire to help shape the next steps in the discussion. The questionnaire is open until Monday the 20th of May and can be found by visiting tinyurl.com/cwctest2024
The latest Tonight@8 webinar is tomorrow, Monday the 13th of May. Mike Willis, G0MJW will be giving an introduction to designing printed circuit boards using the popular open-source KiCAD package. The presentation covers the basics in real time, starting with a circuit sketch, going through the process of converting that into a schematic diagram, and then using that to create a printed circuit board design. It will then conclude with how to send this out for production. Watch this live presentation on the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel and ask questions via the live chat. To find out more go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/webinars
The RSGB Board Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX has announced that, due to the pressure of work, Paul Nichols, M0PVN has resigned as an RSGB Board Director. Paul runs a busy and growing legal practice which, like many professional roles, requires long hours each day. Paul has offered to be a Legal Adviser to the Board. Stewart has welcomed him to that role and thanked him for his input to the RSGB during the last year.
RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for 5th May 2024
Episode 393
Friday, May 3, 2024 • Duration 17:36
GB2RS News
Sunday the 5th of May 2024
The news headlines:
RSGB insurance update
RSGB Legacy Committee Chair appointed
SOS Radio Week is under way
RSGB club insurance, and beacon and repeater insurance, have now been renewed for the year to April 2025. Club insurance certificates can be downloaded from the RSGB website. You will need to log in to obtain your certificate. Beacon and repeater insurance certificates are available for an admin fee of £15 from the RSGB shop. Please allow a couple of days after renewal for your certificate to be dispatched.
The RSGB Board is pleased to announce it has approved the appointment of Richard Horton, G4AOJ to the role of Legacy Committee Chair. The RSGB Legacy Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors, has significant financial resources available to encourage and develop amateur radio. The Legacy Committee, which is a sub-Committee of the RSGB Board, considers proposals for grants that can be awarded to projects from the RSGB Legacy Fund. The criteria and application form are available on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/legacy If you have an interesting idea and would like to submit it for funding, you can contact the new Legacy Chair via legacy.chair@rsgb.org.uk
SOS Radio Week is underway. It is an annual event that takes place throughout the month of May to celebrate the work of the volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Independent Lifeboats and National Coastwatch Stations around the British Isles. Between them, members of these organisations save many lives who are in danger along and around the thousands of miles of coastline and further out to sea. This year is the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI, and SOS Radio Week is being co-branded SOS Radio Week 200 for those operators who are supporting the RNLI during the event. Participants can operate from home, a public location, or a lifeboat or Coastwatch station, with the appropriate authorisation from the station manager. A commemorative certificate is available to all official stations that record their contacts on the website together with awards for the top individual and club, or group, stations on each band from 160m to 70cm. To read more about the event visit sosradioweek.org.uk
The RSGB Board Chair has announced that new Director Peter Bowyer, G4MJS will take on the Board Liaison roles for contesting and trophies. If you would like to contact Peter, his email address is g4mjs@rsgb.org.uk
This year’s Youngsters on the Air camp in the Czech Republic finished on Friday the 23rd of August after an action-packed week. The RSGB representative Rhys Williams, M0WGY took part in a range of amateur radio activities that included kit building, ARDF and surface-mount technology as well as a day trip into Prague. Rhys also made the most of the great station setup and enjoyed plenty of airtime. This included making over 100 QSOs on the 40m band whilst operating special callsign OL24YOTA, which he has said was good to practise his pile-up management. You can read more from Rhys by going to rsgb.org/yota-camp and reading his daily blog. This year’s camp was organised by the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group together with the Czech Radio Club.
The next event in the popular 145 Alive series takes place on Sunday the 29th of September 2024. The event will run from 1 pm to 4 pm 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. The organisers are looking for more net controllers. If you would like to run a net, contact Mark Savage, M0XIC via the 145 Alive Facebook page.
The date has been confirmed for the Twelfth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT. The event will take place on Saturday the 9th of November 2024 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. Lunch will be provided and an optional dinner will be held in the evening at a local hotel. The programme is now confirmed and online booking is available via the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk or by emailing Colin, GM4HWO at gm4hwo@gmail.com
National Hamfest is only a few weeks away. Early-bird advance tickets are currently available but this offer finishes on Saturday the 31st of August. Visit nationalhamfest.org.uk for more details and booking information.
And finally, don’t forget to listen out for all the stations that are on the air for the British Inland Waterways on the Air event this weekend. To read more about the event visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2024’ link.
And now for details of rallies and events
Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place today, the 25th. The venue is Heron’s Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes, MK8 9AA. The doors open to the public from 9 am. The entrance fee is £3 and free parking is available. For trader and exhibitor enquiries please email rally@mkars.org.uk Outdoor pitches and indoor tables are available. For more information visit mkars.org.uk
Torbay Annual Communications Fair is also taking place today, the 25th, at Newton Abbot Racecourse, TQ12 3AF from 10 am. This is an indoor event with free parking, a bring-and-buy area, an RSGB bookstall and on-site catering. For more information email rally@tars.org.uk
Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally is taking place tomorrow, Monday the 26th, at Ernulf Academy, St Neots, PE19 2SH. The gates open for traders at 7 am and for the public at 9 am. The entrance fee is £3. Free car parking, an RSGB bookstall, a bring-and-buy area, catering, and indoor and outdoor stalls will be available. For more information email henry_hirst@hotmail.com or phone 01480 214282.
Saffron Walden Radio Ham and CB Club Rally will run from Friday the 30th of August to Sunday the 1st of September in the CM22 6BH area. For more information about fees, and directions, visit the event’s Facebook page or email swrc73@gmail.com
Telford Hamfest is set to take place on Sunday the 1st of September at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire. The doors open at 10.15 am and admission is £5. Children up to age 16 will be admitted free of charge. Free parking, catering, an RSGB bookstall, and a bring-and-buy area will be available on site. For more details visit tdars.org.uk or email John, M0JZH at hamfest@tdars.org.uk
September marks the golden anniversary of the G-QRP Club, which was started by the Reverend George Dobbs, G3RJV in 1974. The Club will be marking its 50th anniversary at its annual Convention over the weekend of the 31st of August to the 1st of September. The event takes place in parallel with the Telford Hamfest at the Harper Adams University Campus near Newport, Shropshire. Following a buildathon and social supper on the Saturday, there are a number of speakers lined up on Sunday, including Hans Summers, G0UPL talking about his QRP kits. Non-members are welcome to come along on the Sunday and enjoy the Hamfest and the G-QRP Club talks. Full details are on the G-QRP Club website at gqrp.com Following the Convention, the Club is running an activity period called ‘Low and Clear’ throughout September. A number of QRP stations are being activated across the UK and in other countries, with ‘LOW’ or ‘QRP’ in their special callsigns. Stations working a number of them will receive a certificate, and the ‘best’ logs will be awarded prizes which have been donated by traders who advertise in the Club’s journal Sprat. Again, details can be found on the Club’s website. You can find details of a new RSGB book celebrating 50 years of the G-QRP Club in the September issue of RadCom.
Now the Special Event news
Special callsign YQ60YODXC is active until the 31st of August to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the YO DX Club. For details of certificates that are available, see QRZ.com
Marking the 25th anniversary since Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, special callsign HF25NATO will be active until the 31st of August. QSL via Logbook of the World or Club Log's OQRS. A certificate will be available for download via tinyurl.com/hf25nato
Now the DX news
Today, the 25th, a team from Guernsey Amateur Radio Society is operating a Parks on the Air station on Lihou Island, just off the coast of Guernsey. The park reference for the location is GG-0005 and activity is planned from 6 am to 3 pm. Operators will be using SSB and data modes on the HF bands but will also be available on the 2m band for local calls.
Alex, SQ9UM is active as D4UM from Sal Island, AF-086, in Cape Verde until tomorrow, the 26th. He is operating CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4 on the 80 to 6m bands. QSL via Alex’s home call. QSOs will be uploaded to ClubLog.
Holger, DG3FEH is active as S79/DG3FEH from Mahe [MA-HAY], AF-024, in the Seychelles until the 27th of August. He is operating using SSB on the 40, 20 and 15m bands and also via the QO-100 satellite. QSL via the Bureau to Holger’s home call.
Now the contest news
The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 24th of August and runs until 1200UTC today, Sunday the 25th of August. Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator.
Today, the 25th, 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 27th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The UK and Ireland Contest Club DX SSB Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK and Ireland stations also send their district code.
The Worked All Britain DX Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 31st of August and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 1st of September. The exchange is a report, serial number and Worked All Britain square, where applicable. Entries need to be with the contest manager by the 11th of September. Visit the Worked All Britain website for more information and to read more on the rules for the contest.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 22nd of August 2024
We had yet another week with a high solar flux and relatively calm geomagnetic conditions.
The solar flux index ended up at 239 on Thursday the 22nd, while the Kp index has been below 4 since Sunday the 18th. There are currently 11 active sunspot regions on the Sun’s surface and there is a 20% chance of a major X-class solar flare according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.
There are signs that HF propagation may be improving, but it will probably be another month or so before we see any large change. This is due to the summer doldrums that see the ionosphere harder to ionise due to a change in its chemical composition.
By mid to late September, we will start to see a change to autumnal conditions and DX will start to open up again on the higher bands. Having said that, there is still DX to be had. The N5J DXpedition to Jarvis Island in the Pacific Ocean proved that the DX is workable, but the path was mainly open to well-equipped stations with beams and linear amplifiers.
15m remains the best DX band and there are occasional openings on the 12m band. The 10m band may come into its own as we head into September and October.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, solar cycle 25 likely reached its highest sunspot number yet of at least 299 on the 8th of August. This may increase further, but we may be close to solar maximum.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around 200 to 210. Geomagnetic conditions will depend almost entirely on the occurrence of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. And, as we are at a particularly active part of the solar cycle, flares and CMEs are very prevalent.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The overview for the coming week is that, although some fronts will affect the north and west at times, there are only a few that reach down to the southeast of Britain. This means that rain scatter is more likely in northern areas.
There will be weak high pressure over southern areas for much of the coming week and, although not enough for a full-blown Tropo event, conditions should be a little ‘up', especially for paths into the near continent or across the North Sea.
Meteor scatter is back to a more random approach since the broad peak of the August Perseids comes to an end. The solar conditions mean that auroras can be a possible element of operating excitement in the coming week. Remember to look out for a disturbed Kp index value of 6 or greater.
The last part of the sporadic-E season is playing out this week taking us to the end of the month. These 'last hurrahs' are usually characterised by QSOs of very limited duration on the 10m band, or perhaps up to 6m, and mainly over the southern half of Europe.
This usually favours southern UK stations but, notwithstanding the previous comments, some years have seen isolated Sporadic-E events in the first part of September. But they are certainly not reliable.
Moon declination is positive but still rising, reaching maximum on Wednesday, so long Moon visibility windows and high peak elevations continue. We are past perigee now, so path losses are increasing again. 144MHz sky noise is low but increasing to a moderate 500 Kelvin on Wednesday before falling back to low at the end of the week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
The RSGB is looking for an individual to take on the complex role of Editor of the annual RSGB Yearbook, following the retirement of the previous Editor. This is a paid post, working part-time from home for a few months each year, and is offered as a fixed-term contract. You will need experience of editing material from a wide range of sources and working to deadlines, as well as having attention to detail. An understanding of desktop publishing programs such as InDesign will be helpful along with knowledge of the breadth of amateur radio in the UK today. If you are interested in this post, please email authors@rsgb.org.uk with an appropriate CV or covering statement of your abilities.
Last weekend was 1940s weekend at the Bletchley Park Museum. The RSGB National Radio Centre, or NRC, supported the event by hosting the World War Two Special Operations Executive radio station, GB1SOE. The station, operating on the 40m band, attracted lots of visitor attention, as did GB3RS which was busy on the air as part of the Museums on the Air weekend. NRC volunteers made QSOs and invited visitors to pass greetings messages. If appropriate, the volunteers used the new licence conditions to allow visitors to run QSOs themselves under supervision. The weekend was a huge success and 1,211 people visited the RSGB National Radio Centre. The Society would like to thank all the NRC volunteers who delivered such an enjoyable weekend.
Alexanderson Day will take place on Sunday the 30th of June 2024. The unique Alexanderson alternator, with the callsign SAQ, is scheduled for two transmissions on 17.2kHz using CW. At 0830UTC, the alternator will be started up and at 0900UTC the first transmission will take place. A second transmission is scheduled for 1200UTC. You can read more about the event and historic transmitter at alexander.n.se
The Bath Based Distance Learning team is busy enrolling students into its pre-course classroom for its forthcoming course for the Full Licence exam. The team has received enquiries about whether its course is suitable for the Direct to Full exam. The course content focuses on the Full level syllabus items, which are only a part of the Direct to Full syllabus. Learners are expected to know the Foundation and Intermediate material already. Parallel study is possible, but the Bath Based Distance Learning Full Licence course alone would not be sufficient to ensure a pass in a Direct to Full exam. More details can be found in the latest edition of RadCom, but please note that the email address provided to RadCom was incorrect; anyone wanting details of the Bath Based Distance Learning course should email Steve, G0FUW, using g0fuw@bbdl.org.uk
Guisborough and District Amateur Radio Club is organising a mini DXpedition to Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis from the 22nd to the 29th of September. The team has a couple of spaces left and welcomes amateurs from other clubs who would like to join in. For more information email rm.dutton@virginmedia.com
And finally, don’t forget to listen out for all the amateur stations that will be on the air during the Museums on the Air activity today, the 23rd. For more information about the event visit tinyurl.com/imw2024
And now for details of rallies and events
The Newbury Radio Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 23rd of June. The venue is Newbury Showground, next to junction 13 of the M4 motorway in Berkshire, RG18 9QZ. The event includes a display area with an amateur radio station, exhibits, special interest groups, clubs and societies. The doors open to sellers at 8 am, and to visitors at 9 am. Lots of free parking is available and entry costs £3 for visitors. A seller’s pitch costs £15. For more information visit nadars.org.uk
Dunstable Downs Radio Club would like to invite everyone to its annual boot sale and radio rally on Sunday the 30th of June at Stockwood Park in Luton. As always, there will be plenty of plots available on the day for £10 each. The fee for car parking will be £4 per vehicle for visitors. Updates will be posted to Dunstable Downs Radio Club’s Facebook page. To add yourself to the email list visit ddrcbootsale.org
Burton on Trent Amateur Radio Club Mini Rally and Barbecue is set to take place on Saturday the 6th of July. The event will take place at The Barley Mow public house, Burton on Trent, DE5 9AP. Ample car parking will be available, and admission will be free. Apart from all the usual stalls, there will be a live demonstration of the Club’s remote access station. For more information phone Barry on 01283 540570 or see the Club’s Facebook page.
Now the Special Event News
Marking the 25th anniversary since Poland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, special callsign HF25NATO will be active until the 31st of August. QSL via Club Log's OQRS. Only 100 limited edition QSL cards will be distributed. These will be issued first-come, first-served so call in quick! For details of a certificate that is available visit tinyurl.com/hf25nato
Special callsign SK100FRK is active from Sweden to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Falu Radio Club’s formation in 1924. The station is active until the end of the year on all bands and operators are using SSB, CW and FM. For details of an available award see QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba, EU-028, until the end of September. He is operating using SSB on the 20 to 6m bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log. QSL via Domenico's home call.
Chas, NK8O is active as 5H3DX from near Dodoma, Tanzania until the 30th of June. He is operating using CW, FT8 and FT4 on the 30 to 10m bands. QSL directly to NK8O or via eQSL.
Now the contest news
Today, the 23rd, the 50MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using CW on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 25th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 27th, the 80m Club Championship SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Sunday the 30th, 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.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 20th of June 2024
We had a relatively quiet week, with the Sun generally being settled. There were coronal mass ejections, but they were on the far side of the Sun and not Earth-directed.
There were no X-class flares, although we did have a few C- and M-class events.
The solar flux index declined to 167 but has since recovered and stood at 196 on Thursday the 20th. Active regions 3712, 3713 and 3716 are all large and 3712 has been emitting flares. However, all three regions will soon rotate out of view, so should not be a threat in the coming week.
As such, HF conditions have been reasonable given the time of year. Maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path during daylight have generally been between 14 and 21MHz, although there have been occasional openings up to 24MHz. Sporadic-E remains the main propagation mode on the 10m band.
Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain in the 175 to 190 range and geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be mainly settled.
However, the far-side coronal mass ejections we have been seeing suggest we could be in for a rough ride in about a week to ten days. So, this week could be a good time for HF propagation.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather is trying to change to a more summer-like pattern, which means that the main jet stream will be farther north than recently and this will make Sporadic-E harder to find than during the recent strong jet stream pattern over Europe.
For most UK stations, the emphasis on Sporadic-E paths will gradually shift from the typical central Europe and Mediterranean to perhaps Scandinavia and the Baltic states.
The relatively new player this time around will be high pressure which comes and goes during the period but should bring some useful Tropo. In these high-summer days, sea or coastal paths are often good, but paths across hot land do not fare well in summer during the daytime. Concentrate on the night or early morning, especially if it is foggy.
There will be occasions when small lows and fronts edge into the south and west of the British Isles and, in typical summer fashion, may bring a risk of thundery showers. Any local, heavy rain means good conditions for rain scatter on the GHz bands. Meteor scatter again remains in the random category, which usually peaks around the dawn period.
Lastly, a note about aurora which has been kept at arm’s length although there have been several periods with a slightly enhanced Kp index. The light summer nights mean that visible auroras are very unlikely but do look out for noctilucent clouds on the northern horizon around midnight.
Noctilucent clouds are thin, wispy clouds that glow with a blue or silvery hue at night when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon.
The Moon is at minimum declination this coming weekend so peak elevation is low and windows of usage are short. EME path loss is falling as we approach perigee next Thursday the 27th. 144MHz sky noise is high this weekend but falls to low early next week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
The May 2024 edition of the IARU Region 1 Monitoring System Newsletter is now available. The newsletter contains details of intrusions into amateur bands, and you can access it via tinyurl.com/IARUMAY24
This year, the popular British Inland Waterways on the Air event will take place between the 24th and 26th of August. The event is open to amateurs who use canals, towpaths, rivers, lakes or reservoirs for work or recreation. Registration for the event is now open. To sign up, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk and follow the BIWOTA 2024 link.
And now for details of rallies and events
The East Suffolk Wireless Revival, also known as the Ipswich Radio Rally, is taking place today, the 16th of June. The venue is Kirton Recreation Ground, Back Road, Kirton, IP10 0PW, just off the A14. The doors open at 9.30 am and the entry fee for visitors is £3. The site has free car parking and catering is available. For more information, contact Kevin, G8MXV on 07710 046 846 or visit eswr.org.uk
The Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society Rally will take place on Saturday the 22nd of June at Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church Halls. The doors open at 11.30 am. For more information, the Society can be contacted via its Facebook page.
The Newbury Radio Rally is set to take place on Sunday the 23rd of June. The venue will be Newbury Showground, next to junction 13 of the M4 motorway in Berkshire, RG18 9QZ. There will be a display area with an amateur radio station, exhibits, special interest groups, clubs and societies. The doors open to sellers at 8 am, and to visitors at 9 am. Lots of free parking will be available and entry will cost £3 for visitors. A seller’s pitch costs £15. For more information visit nadars.org.uk
Dunstable Downs Radio Club would like to remind everyone that its annual boot sale has been postponed until the 30th of June. This is due to the site being used by BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend music festival. Updates will be posted to Dunstable Downs Radio Club’s Facebook page and reminder emails will be sent out closer to the time. To add yourself to the list, visit ddrcbootsale.org and sign up for email reminders.
Now the Special Event News
Look out for special callsign GB9DAT which is active until the 28th of June to help promote digital modes in amateur radio. Operators are using a variety of digital modes including FT8, FT4, PSK and RTTY, among others. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or directly to MM0DFV.
Special callsign OE20SOTA is active until the 31st of October to mark the 20th anniversary of Austria joining the Summits on the Air programme. Operators have been heard recently on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands using SSB. For details of an available certificate, for making 20 or more contacts with the station, see QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Elvira, IV3FSG is active as 5U5K from Niger until the 20th of June. She is operating SSB, FT8, FT4, RTTY and some CW on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL directly to IK2DUW.
Erwin, DK5EW is active as SV8/DK5EW from Crete Island, EU-015, until the 20th of June. He is QRV on the 6 and 4m bands only, from grid locator KM15. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or directly to Erwin’s home call.
Now the contest news
The 50MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC on the 15th and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 16th of June. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC on the 15th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 16th of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your signal report and age.
Today, the 16th, the Worked All Britain 6m Phone Contest runs from 0800 to 1400UTC. Using phone on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. More information is available from the Worked All Britain website.
Tomorrow, the 17th, the FT4 Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 18th, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 19th, the 80m Club Championship CW Contest takes place from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 20th, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 23rd, the 50MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using CW on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 13th of June 2024
No sooner do we say that conditions will remain good than the Sun emits an X-class solar flare! Such is the challenge of writing propagation predictions.
Nevertheless, after the X1.5-class flare on the 10th of June, things settled again and, at the moment, there are no incoming coronal mass ejections, or CMEs for short, to report. With a Kp index of less than 1 on Thursday the 13th, and a solar flux index of 165, it looks like HF conditions could be quite good.
However, the Sun’s proton flux has increased and is close to the 10 million electron volts warning threshold. This means that paths through the polar regions might be disrupted. Protons can herald the arrival of a CME two or three days later, although NOAA is not predicting any disruption.
On the 13th of June, the critical frequency was between 7 and 8MHz, meaning a maximum useable frequency over a 3,000km path of around 21 to 24MHz. The 10m band will be open, mainly to Sporadic-E. However, F2-layer propagation on the 10m band will be sparse.
NOAA predicts the solar flux index will fall to around 155 today, the 16th, before climbing again to around 195 in a week. Geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be quiet all week, but that may be because solar flares and CMEs are hard to predict at this point in the solar cycle.
As always, make hay on the HF bands while the Sun shines! And make the most of the Sporadic-E propagation on the higher HF bands as June is probably a peak month for this.
Finally, the latest sunspot data show that the average sunspot number for May was 171.7, the highest in 22 years. However, the ARRL reports that shortwave conditions were above average on only six days out of the entire month of May, and mostly poor on half of the days due to geomagnetic disturbances and solar flares.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The current spell of seemingly endless, poor weather is struggling to provide much Tropo. The general theme is low pressure bringing weather fronts with rain or, if not that, then scattered heavy showers.
This again points to rain scatter for the GHz Bands as the mode worth exploring. There is just one glimmer of Tropo hope in that the latest model predictions are starting to inject the notion of a ridge developing over southern areas, initially around mid-week but perhaps more so at the end of the week. Although, it's fair to say that other models hang on to the low-pressure theme. That said, it's worth checking from the middle of next week onwards.
There are no significant meteor showers this week so continue to check for random meteors around dawn.
The solar conditions have continued to trickle charge the auroral oval with an occasionally enhanced Kp index indicating possible aurora. This is unlikely to be visible at this time of the year although, if you are outside with a clear view to the north, you might be rewarded with a seasonal look at noctilucent clouds to make up for it.
High-summer Sporadic-E propagation is providing daily contacts so it’s worth checking the bands each day. The daily blogs always have something to show on the 10m band and many days there are reports of contacts on the 6m band. Remember these openings are not always reachable from all parts of the UK. One of the characteristics of Sporadic-E is that at each end of the path the ‘signal footprint’ is very small. Even in a busy opening, signals may still pass you by but you should continue to monitor in case a Sporadic-E path opens up that does include your station at one end!
Moon declination is negative again from this weekend, ending today the 16th. EME path loss was at its highest at apogee on Friday the 14th. 144MHz sky noise starts the week low but rises steadily, reaching over 3,000 Kelvin on Friday the 21st.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
A reminder that the RSGB is asking radio amateurs to share their ideas on the theme of ‘change and adapt’, as part of plans for British Science Week 2025. The event is run by the British Science Association and celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths. The 2025 theme offers a huge range of opportunities for creativity and discovery. Ideas could cover any area from construction to propagation, from making QSOs under supervision to space and satellites. This is a chance to show young people in schools, or anyone in your local community, just how interesting and enjoyable amateur radio can be. Please send ideas to the RSGB British Science Week Coordinator Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw@rsgb.org.uk To find out more about the previous year’s activities, or next year’s theme, you can visit rsgb.org/bsw
Don’t forget that you have the opportunity to get even more out of your RSGB membership. If you recommend a friend who hasn’t been an RSGB member during the last 12 months, you will both receive £10 cashback when they become a member paying by direct debit. Whether you’re an individual RSGB member or an affiliated club, you can sign up as many friends as you like. Membership of the RSGB gives you a range of fantastic benefits so why not encourage others to join? Members have access to RadCom, exclusive online resources, RSGB award schemes and contests, as well as advice from the Society’s specialist committees. The RSGB’s representation to Ofcom and its ability to defend the spectrum nationally and internationally is more powerful through strength in numbers. Go to the special RSGB 'Join a friend' web page to find all the information you’ll need to take advantage of this offer, including a link to the online form: rsgb.org/join-a-friend
A new exhibition entitled ’What Happened Next’ will open to the public on Friday the 14th of June in the Pye Building at the Cambridge Museum of Technology. It will explore the period after the Pye Group was acquired by Philips in 1967 and track the progress of these organisations up to the present day. More information on the Cambridge Museum of Technology is available at museumoftechnology.com
The 2024 Gateways on the Air event will take place between the 15th and 23rd of June. The event aims to promote and increase RF activity via UK simplex gateways. The event is hosted by the FreeSTAR International network and will feature special event stations GB0GOA and GB4GOA. Confirmed simplex gateways are listed at gota.org.uk
CDXC: The UK DX Foundation is holding its annual DX Convention and dinner on the 20th of July. This year there will be a new venue: The Littlebury Hotel, Bicester, OX26 6DR. The CDXC AGM will be held at 11 am and there will be a series of talks in the afternoon. Mark, M0DXR will be speaking about WRTC 2026. Mike, G4WNC is covering all things SDR. Nigel, G3TXF will be discussing the impact of FT8 on DXpeditions. And Gregg, W6IZT will be describing the build and operation of his 'Rig in a Box' for DXpeditions. Non-members of CDXC are most welcome to come for the day and the evening dinner. Full details and booking information can be found by following the link on the CDXC homepage at cdxc.org.uk
Do you live in the southeast of England and could you spare an hour on Sundays to help inform radio amateurs in your area? The GB2RS news service is looking for new volunteer newsreaders in Essex, London, and the counties to the south and southeast, ideally to broadcast on the 2m or 70cm bands using FM. RSGB members with Full or Intermediate licences, who have a good VHF or UHF station, are needed to help improve our coverage. There is flexibility in deciding a band, mode and time that would suit individual circumstances. If you are interested in finding out more about what the role entails, please contact the GB2RS News Manager, Steve Richards G4HPE, via gb2rs.manager@rsgb.org.uk There is also more information on the RSGB website, at rsgb.org/gb2rsschedule
And finally, don’t forget to listen out for all the amateur stations that will be on the air during the Museums on the Air activity next weekend, the 15th and 16th. For more information about the event visit tinyurl.com/IMW2024
And now for details of rallies and events
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is taking place today, the 9th, at Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The doors are open from 10.15 am and admission is £4. For more information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally@snadarc.com
The Mendips Rally is also taking place today, the 9th. The event is being held at Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UA. The doors are open from 9 am to 1 pm and admission is £2. Access for traders will be available from 7.30 am. Inside tables cost £8 and field pitches are £5 each. Hot and cold refreshments, and free car parking, are available on-site. For more information contact Luke at 07870 168 197 or email mendipsrally@hotmail.com
The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Summer Rally is set to take place on Saturday the 15th of June at St Vincent de Paul’s Hall, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. The doors open at 10 am and entry will cost £3. The usual traders and caterers will be present and plenty of free parking will be available. All proceeds from this event will be donated to a local charity. Last year the organisers were able to donate £4,000 from rally sales and Silent Key donations to the Rochdale Springhill Hospice. For more information, email Dave, G3RIK at dave@cardens.me.uk
The East Suffolk Wireless Revival, also known as the Ipswich Radio Rally, will be held on Sunday the 16th of June. The venue will be Kirton Recreation Ground, Back Road, Kirton, IP10 0PW, just off the A14. Doors open at 9.30 am and the entry fee for visitors is £3. The venue has free car parking and catering is available on site. For more information, contact Kevin, G8MXV on 07710 046 846 or visit eswr.org.uk
Now the Special Event News
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Radio Belgrade, members of the Belgrade Amateur Radio Club are active as YT100RB and YU1924RB until the 30th of November. For details of an available certificate, see yu1ano.org
9A100RKZ is the special callsign celebrating the 100th anniversary since Radioklub Zagreb was founded on the 24th of March 1924. The callsign will be active throughout 2024 and details of an award for contacting the station are available via QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Dave, WJ2O is active as VP6DF from Pitcairn Island, OC-044, until tomorrow, the 10th of June. He is running low power and operating CW on the 40 to 10m bands. He may also operate on the 160 and 80m bands, depending on working conditions. QSL via N2ZN and Logbook of the World.
John, W5JON is active as V47JA from Saint Kitts, NA-104, until the 13th of June. He is operating SSB and FT8 on the HF and 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, or directly to W5JON.
Now the contest news
The IARU ATV Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 1800UTC today, Sunday the 9th of June. Using TV on 432MHz and up frequencies, the exchange is a serial number, four-digit code and locator. More details on the rules for this contest are available at tinyurl.com/IARUATV
Today, the 9th, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP Contest runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB, CW and a maximum of 5W on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, the 9th, the 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Monday the 10th, the 80m Club Championship will run from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 11th, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 11th, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 12th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 12th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 13th, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The 50MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 15th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 16th of June. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 15th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 16th of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is your signal report and age.
On Sunday the 16th, the Worked All Britain 6m Phone Contest runs from 0800 to 1400UTC. Using phone on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. More information is available from the Worked All Britain website.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 6th of June 2024
It seems that we haven’t had a repeat performance of the auroral conditions caused by active sunspot region 3697. For Aurora watchers, that could be a disappointment, but for HF lovers it means the bands have been quite settled.
The Kp index has been at 3 and below, while the solar flux index has been consistently above 175 all week. As a result, HF conditions have been quite good with maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path being regularly over 21MHz and often 24MHz.
It is always a good idea to operate on the highest HF band that is open as absorption decreases the higher you go.
Meanwhile, Sporadic-E propagation brought interest to the 10m band with stations from all over Europe being workable for long periods, but more of that in the VHF report.
On the 5th of June, a filament located in the northeast quadrant erupted. The event flung a coronal mass ejection into space that doesn’t appear to be Earth-directed. But this shows that we are still in the danger zone for major solar events, and anything could happen.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around 175, but we expect some geomagnetic disruption today, the 9th of June, with a predicted Kp index of 4. Otherwise, solar conditions are predicted to be calm next week.
So, if these conditions continue, this is a good time to make the most of the HF bands.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather pattern for the coming week is dominated by low pressure, which means there is unlikely to be any significant Tropo to speak of.
There will probably be several opportunities for those on the GHz bands to search for rain scatter. However, these events look to be moving showers or rain bands, which means that you’ll need to be pretty agile with the rotator to keep on the scattering target.
With the solar conditions continuing to keep the pot simmering it's not impossible that the Kp index could rise high enough to promote an aurora, but it's a low probability.
The early part of June is well regarded for minor meteor events and should be worth a look for those using meteor scatter modes.
There were several Sporadic-E openings early in the week that finish today, the 9th. Sporadic-E was reported up to the 2m band on a few occasions. Last Sunday, the 2nd, lasted up to three hours on the path from Eastern England down to the Italian peninsula.
Events initially get picked up on the 10m band and then move up through the VHF bands of 6m, 4m and finally 2m as the Sporadic-E propagation strengthens. In this peak of the Sporadic-E season, the openings on the lower bands, such as 10 and 6m, can be present for much of the day and certainly quite late into the evening.
Follow the weather patterns on the daily Sporadic-E blog on propquest.co.uk and you should be able to point in the right direction for an opening. Multi-hop paths to the Far East or the Americas require a good antenna like a beam, but single-hop European Sporadic-E propagation can be very strong, and any antenna will do the job.
Moon declination is at its maximum this weekend for the DUBUS 10 and 24GHz EME contest, but EME path loss is rising. 144MHz sky noise is low all week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
The RSGB Board recently spent an afternoon visiting RSGB Headquarters, meeting staff and gaining a more detailed understanding of the work of this professional team. Later that day, the Board received training from members of the senior team about their specialist areas. During the Board meeting the following day, the Board decided to continue with its chosen four strategic priorities until the 2025 AGM. These priorities are the growth of amateur radio; membership of the RSGB; spectrum and licensing; and ensuring the continued financial stability of the Society. To make further progress with the outcomes of the recent growth workshop, the Board allocated a member of its team to champion each of the seven workstreams. Each workstream champion will now create a volunteer team, prioritise work tasks, set measurable objectives, define what success looks like, list deliverables and establish reporting mechanisms and frequency. More details will be shared about these over the coming months.
Do you have some spare time to support fellow radio amateurs? Are you passionate about the future of amateur radio? Do you like a challenge? The RSGB currently has volunteer vacancies for Regional Representatives in Region 7 South Wales, and Region 12 England East and East Anglia. Could you fill one of those roles? To learn more about being a Regional Representative see the RSGB website or contact the Regional Team Forum Chair, Keith Bird, G4JED via rr10@rsgb.org.uk
Next week is the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week in the UK. As always, the RSGB will be taking part in this national event and thanking its volunteers for the great work they do for the Society and amateur radio generally. The Society will be sharing stories about some of its volunteers on its social media channels and then you’ll be able to read more details on the RSGB website later in the week at rsgb.org/your-stories
The May 2024 edition of RadCom Basics is now available. RadCom Basics is aimed at new amateurs and those who wish to refresh their skills and knowledge. Among others, this edition contains articles to help you learn about checking and testing components, how to keep your transmissions clean and how to build and tune an end-fed half-wave antenna for the 40 to 10m bands. Read more via rsgb.org/radcom-basics
And now for details of rallies and events
Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society’s Annual Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 2nd of June. This year sees the event taking place at a new venue: Spalding Rugby and Football Club, Centenary Park, Drain Bank North, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 6AF. The event features a free on-site car park, inside and outside traders, an RSGB bookstall and an outside boot area. General admission is £3 per person. For more information visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is coming up on Sunday the 9th of June at Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The doors will be open from 10.15 am and admission will be £4. For more information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally@snadarc.com
The Worked All Britain Awards Group will be holding its 2024 AGM from 12 pm at the Junction 28 Rally. Those unable to attend in person but wishing to join online via Zoom should email the Group’s secretary at m1aib@worked-all-britain.org.uk
The Mendips Rally is set to take place on Sunday the 9th of June. The Rally will be held at Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UA. The doors will be open from 9 am to 1 pm and admission will be £2. Access for traders will be available from 7.30 am. Inside tables cost £8 and field pitches are £5 each. Free car parking and hot and cold refreshments will be available on-site. For more information contact Luke at 07870 168 197 or email mendipsrally@hotmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Welland Valley Amateur Radio Society will be active as GB0WVR during Market Harborough Carnival on Saturday the 8th of June. The team of operators is planning to use SSB, FT8 and some CW on the 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m bands. There may also be activity on the 40m band, depending on the working conditions. Listen out for the callsign which will be active from 10 am until late in the evening. For more information see QRZ.com
Throughout June, Stockport Radio Society will be active with the callsign GB0COL to mark the 80th anniversary of Colossus, the world’s first fully electronic computer. Bands and modes to be used include FM on the 2m band, SSTV and VHF digital voice. SSB, CW and RTTY will be used on the HF bands. Operators are also planning to be active via the QO-100 satellite. For more information visit g8srs.co.uk/gb0col
Next weekend, Torbay Amateur Radio Society will be active with a special event callsign GB80DCS to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The station will be working from Slapton Sands in Devon from the afternoon of Friday the 7th of June until approximately 1200UTC on Sunday the 9th of June. A team of operators plans to use phone and CW on the HF and VHF bands. More information is available via QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Roland, F8EN is active as TR8CR from Gabon until at least the end of June. He will operate CW only and will celebrate his 96th birthday while there. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the Bureau. Roland can usually be found on the 30 to 10m bands using CW.
Tosy, JA6VZB is active as JD1BQW from Chichijima, AS-031, in Japan, until the 5th of June. He plans to concentrate on the 12 and 6m bands using FT8. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, Club Log's OQRS, or the Bureau.
Now the contest news
National Field Day started at 1500UTC on Saturday the 1st of June and ends at 1500UTC today, the 2nd of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest started at 1300UTC on Saturday the 1st and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 2nd of June. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and membership number.
Today, the 2nd of June, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 0900 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The ARRL International Digital Contest started at 1800UTC on Saturday the 1st and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 2nd of June. Using any digital mode, excluding RTTY, on the 160 to 6m bands, the exchange is your four-character locator.
On Tuesday the 4th, the 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855 UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also, on Tuesday the 4th, the 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130 UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 5th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 5th, the 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
The IARU ATV Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 1800 UTC on Sunday the 9th of June. Using TV on 432MHz and up frequencies, the exchange is a serial number, four-digit code and locator. More details on the rules for this contest are available at tinyurl.com/IARUATV
On Sunday the 9th, the 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 9th of June, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP Contest runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB, CW and a maximum of 5W on the 2m band, the exchange is signal, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 30th of May 2024
Last week was characterised by relatively quiet geomagnetic conditions and a fairly high solar flux. But is that all about to change?
Active region 3664 has returned. It is now named 3697 and has already emitted an X1.4-class solar flare. You may recall that it was AR 3664 that caused the aurora that was visible all over the UK around the 10th and 11th of May.
As Solarham.com says, “The chances for an Earth-directed eruption will increase with each passing day as the active sunspot region turns into a better geoeffective position.”
Scientists now believe that the coronal mass ejection associated with the long-duration X1.4-class flare on Wednesday the 29th may pass close enough to Earth to generate moderate G2 geomagnetic storming beginning on the 31st of May – just in time for this weekend’s National Field Day!
Otherwise, HF propagation has generally been good with decent F2-layer openings up to 21 and even 24MHz at times.
The 17 and 15m bands look to provide the best DX, with paths to the east in the morning, and to the west during late afternoon and early evening.
The 10m band is subject to Sporadic-E openings, with F2-layer openings mainly restricted to paths to South Africa and South America.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 165 to 200 range, with quiet geomagnetic conditions. However, that is perhaps a little optimistic as active region 3697, or perhaps 3691, could easily throw a spanner in the works, with a flare and associated CME potentially sending the Kp index skywards.
So, as always, keep an eye on the current state of the Sun at solarham.com, and work the bands while they are open!
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The close of the current week offers a temporary return of high pressure for this weekend. This should be good for some Tropo conditions for western parts of the UK. The weather turns a bit more unsettled going through the coming week, especially over northern Britain, but also occasionally in the south.
Rain at this time of the year can often be heavy and thundery with good prospects for GHz bands rain scatter, but this may have to wait for the end of next week when a low moves north from France towards the southern UK.
The early part of June is a time of several minor meteor showers. These should offer scope for meteor scatter operators as well as provide some fuel for Sporadic-E propagation which rocket measurements show consists of long-lived meteor ions.
Sporadic-E propagation is often associated with the position of jet streams in the upper troposphere due to the turbulence that these fast-flowing currents of air generate.
In the coming week, the jet stream pattern becomes much weaker, although still with a few options. Daily blogs are available at Propquest.co.uk for those who are interested.
Don’t ignore the prospects for multi-hop transatlantic paths to the United States and particularly the Caribbean, which are usually well supported in the early part of the season before the upper winds over the Caribbean change over to high-summer slacker flow.
Equally, multi-hop Sporadic-E paths to the Far East are worth checking in the early morning following the effects of the now displaced northerly meandering jet stream flow across northern Russia.
Moon declination went positive again on Saturday the 1st of June, so the coming week will see lengthening Moon windows. EME path loss is falling, reaching a minimum at perigee today, Sunday the 2nd of June. 144MHz sky noise is low apart from Thursday when the Sun and Moon are close in the sky.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
British Science Week is an annual event run by the British Science Association celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths. The event, which is taking place between the 7th and 16th of March 2025, will have the theme ‘change and adapt’, which lends itself perfectly to amateur radio in the 21st century. As part of its commitment to encourage new radio amateurs into the hobby, the RSGB will again be providing resources and activities to inspire people of all ages to get involved. The RSGB is now collecting ideas for activities for primary and secondary schools, or for use with the wider community. The 2025 theme offers a huge range of opportunities for creativity and discovery. Ideas could cover any area of the hobby, from construction to propagation, from making QSOs under supervision, to space and satellites. Whatever the idea, the Society would love to hear from you. Please send ideas to the RSGB British Science Week Coordinator Ian Neal, M0KEO at bsw@rsgb.org.uk. To find out more about previous activities you can visit rsgb.org/bsw and britishscienceweek.org
The popular Electromagnetic Field event, also known as ‘EMF Camp’, is taking place between the 30th of May and the 2nd of June. The event is a non-profit camping festival for those with an inquisitive mind. Over 3,000 like-minded people, including scientists, engineers and radio amateurs, are expected to attend the event in Eastnor, Herefordshire. For more information visit emfcamp.org
Guisborough and District Amateur Radio Club is organising a mini DXpedition to Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis from the 22nd to the 29th of September. The team has a couple of spaces left and welcomes amateurs from other clubs who would like to take part. For more information email m.dutton@virginmedia.com
And now for details of rallies and events
Durham and District Amateur Radio Rally takes place on Sunday the 26th of May at Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5AT. The doors are open from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 10 am. The entrance fee will be £2. There will be a bring-and-buy sale, trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering and a licensed bar will be available on-site. For more information contact Michael, G7TWX, on 07826 924 192, or email dadars@gmx.com
Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society’s Annual Rally will take place on Sunday the 2nd of June. This year sees the event taking place at a new venue: Spalding Rugby and Football Club, Centenary Park, Drain Bank North, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 6AF. The event will feature a free on-site car park, inside and outside traders, an RSGB bookstall and an outside boot area. General admission is £3 per person. For more information visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
The Junction 28 Radio Rally is coming up on Sunday the 9th of June at Alfreton Sports Centre, DE55 7BD, one mile from M1 Junction 28. The doors will be open from 10.15 am and admission will be £4. For more information visit snadarc.com or contact j28rally@snadarc.com
The Worked All Britain Awards Group will be holding its 2024 AGM from 12 pm at the Junction 28 Rally. Those unable to attend in person but wishing to join online via Zoom should email the Group’s secretary at m1aib@worked-all-britain.org.uk
Now the Special Event News
Hull and District Amateur Radio Society is running a special event station GB0HUL from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June. The station is active to mark 100 years of amateur radio in Hull and to celebrate the 95th birthday of Honorary Club member Bernard Atkinson, G0SWO. Listen out for operators on the HF and VHF bands using SSB, FT4 and FT8.
Special event stations CS2GPDX, CR2GPDX and CR3GPDX are active until the 31st of May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Portuguese DX Group. The stations will operate on all HF bands using SSB, CW, FT8, FT4 and RTTY. QSL via Logbook of the World only. For details of certificates and trophies that are available, see QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Martin, MW0BRO is active as ZC4GW from Dhekelia in Cyprus (British Sovereign Base Area) until tomorrow, the 27th of May. He is operating CW only on the 40 to 6m bands. QSL via MW0BRO. QSOs will be uploaded to Club-Log and Logbook of the World.
Rolf, DO4RKR is active as 8Q7KR from the Maldives, AS-013, until the 31st of May. He is working with 30W and operating SSB only on the 10m band. QSL via Rolf's home call, directly or via the Bureau.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 25th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 26th of May. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
Today, the 26th, the UK Microwave Group High Band 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 28th of May, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 30th of May, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
National Field Day starts at 1500UTC on Saturday the 1st of June and ends at 1500UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest starts at 1300UTC on Saturday the 1st of June and ends at 1300UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and membership number.
The ARRL International Digital Contest runs from 1800UTC on Saturday the 1st of June until 2359UTC on Sunday the 2nd of June. Using any digital mode, excluding RTTY, on the 160 to 6m bands, the exchange is your four-character locator.
On Sunday the 2nd of June, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 0900 to 1500 UTC. Using all modes on 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Wednesday the 22nd of May 2024
After the extremely unsettled HF conditions on the 10th and 11th of May, it was gratifying to see things returning to normal last week.
The Kp index has returned to being in the range of 1 to 4 and, with a solar flux index still in the 190s, we have seen some good propagation around the world.
But make no mistake – it probably won’t last!
Active region 3664, the source of so much mayhem a couple of weeks ago, will soon return from its trip around the Sun. It has probably been the source of a major flare while on the Sun’s far side and there is a good chance we may get a repeat performance of last month.
Meanwhile, make hay while the Sun shines!
NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase above 200 next week, but unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for tomorrow, the 27th of May, and at the end of the month and into early June.
Daytime critical frequencies have been between 8 and 9.3MHz, making 40m a good band for inter-G QSOs. These have also meant that the maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km path has often exceeded 24 to 27MHz, making 12m a viable band for DX. Note that this is a little patchy, so if you don’t hear anything on 24MHz just wait a while or check later.
Nighttime critical frequencies are usually around 6 to 7MHz, meaning 20m is generally open all night with occasional openings on 17m.
We are now well into the Sporadic-E season so there should be lots of short-skip into Europe on the 12 and 10m bands to play with.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The end of the current week, in the lead-up to the bank holiday weekend, shows a low and its thundery rain moving north and leaving behind a slack area of pressure with a weak trend towards building a ridge over the country.
The bulk of next week is showing up with a slack westerly pattern and weak fronts brushing past. From midweek, and towards next weekend, the frontal systems will be more active with longer periods of heavier rain possible.
The end result for most VHF and up operators is that there may be some occasional Tropo events, especially overnight during the slacker period with the weak ridge over the country by the start of the weekend.
A more likely option will again be rain scatter which will produce better scattering from the larger raindrops now the summer season is upon us, and thundery developments are more common. Check the many online weather radars for your tracking beam headings.
Meteor scatter will also be worth considering since we are approaching the period when many lesser showers appear to pep up the background meteor count. This will be useful for meteor scatter operators and serve the Sporadic-E folk well.
The solar activity continues to deliver random events which take the Kp index to high values. Remember that a Kp index greater than 5 indicates the chance of aurora propagation.
The primary mode at this time of the year is Sporadic-E. The late May and early June period is often regarded as a peak time for monitoring your favourite VHF beacons. As many will know, the 10m band is a useful starting point for identifying the beginning of an opening, and then you should check the higher bands in turn as the event strengthens. This is often indicated by the skip distance shortening on the 10m band.
The other basic operating tip is to use the daily blog on the Propquest.co.uk website for commentary on the effectiveness of the various upper air patterns such as jet streams, which can influence the location where Sporadic-E propagation occurs.
There are no major meteor showers this week so, in between the Sporadic-E, look around dawn for the best random meteor prospects.
Saturday the 22nd sees the lowest Moon declination of the month so next week will see some lengthening Moon windows. EME path loss is falling, but we are still over a week from perigee, its closest point to Earth. 144MHz sky noise starts the week high, as it reached over 2500 Kelvin on Saturday the 25th. It is low for the rest of the week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
Don’t forget that lots of stations are on the air to celebrate SOS Radio Week throughout May. The event takes place each year to celebrate the work of the volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Independent Lifeboats and National Coastwatch Stations around the British Isles. A commemorative certificate is available to all official stations that record their contacts on the website together with awards for the top individual and club, or group, stations on each band from 160m to 70cm. To read more about the event visit sosradioweek.org.uk
And now for details of rallies and events
The Braehead Rally is taking place today, the 19th of May, at the Braehead Arena from 10 am. Free on-site parking, bring and buy and refreshments are available. For more information contact Paul via email at mm3ddq@gmail.com
Also today, the 19th of May, the Dartmoor Radio Club Rally is being held at Yelverton War Memorial Hall, PL20 6AL. The doors open at 10 am. For more information, please contact Roger Hann on 07854 088 882 or email 2e0rph@gmail.com
Durham and District Amateur Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 26th of May at Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn, County Durham, DH6 5AT. The doors are open from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 10 am. The entrance fee will be £2. There will be a bring-and-buy sale, trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering and a licensed bar will be available on-site. For more information contact Michael, G7TWX, on 07826 924 192, or via email at dadars@gmx.com
Dunstable Downs Radio Club would like to remind everyone that its annual boot sale has been postponed until the 30th of June. This is due to the site being used by BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend music festival. Updates will be posted to Dunstable Downs Radio Club’s Facebook page and reminder emails will be sent out closer to the time. To add yourself to the list, visit ddrcbootsale.org and sign up for email reminders.
Now the Special Event News
Today, the 19th, RAF Waddington Amateur Radio Club will be back at the International Bomber Command Centre for its Inspire Ride 2024 event, which this year will pay tribute to the men of Stalag Luft III who took part in the ‘Great Escape’ in March 1944. Operators expect to be working on the HF bands, using SSB and some CW, as well as FM on the 2m band. The station will be using a special event call sign GB5ESC, between 10 am and 4 pm.
North West Group Amateur Radio Club, MN0NWG is running a special event station GB0AEL until the 31st of May to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's transatlantic flight. On the 20th and 21st of May 1932, Earhart became the first woman to fly nonstop and alone across the Atlantic Ocean. Recently, the station has been heard on the HF bands using CW, FT8 and SSB. QSL via MI0HOZ, directly or via the Bureau.
The United Nations Global Service Centre Amateur Radio Club, 4U1GSC, in Brindisi, is active as 4U29MAY until the 31st of May. The special callsign is active to promote the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, which is on the 29th of May. The station has been worked recently on the 20 and 15m bands using CW. QSL via 9A2AA.
Now the DX news
Chris, WA7RAR is active as 8P9CB from Barbados, NA-021, until the 26th of May. All of his operations are portable at various locations throughout the island, especially Parks on the Air sites. He is QRV on the 20 to 10m bands using CW and SSB. QSL via Logbook of the World, or directly to WA7RAR.
Roland, F8EN is active again as TR8CR from Gabon until at least the end of June. He will operate CW only and will celebrate his 96th birthday while there. QSL via F6AJA directly or via the Bureau. Roland can usually be found on the 30 to 10m bands using CW.
Now the contest news
The 144MHz May Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 18th and ends at 1400UTC today, the 19th of May. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Today, the 19th, the 1st 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1100 to 1500 UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Tomorrow, the 20th, the FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 21st, the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 22nd, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using data modes on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 25th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 26th of May. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Sunday the 26th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using All modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 16th of May 2024
After last weekend’s auroral spectacular, it was nice to see the Sun calm down a little and the bands get back to normal. But that didn’t last long.
To recap, on Friday the 10th of May the Kp index shot up to 9, due to the effects of a number of coronal mass ejections, while the HF bands closed down in the subsequent geomagnetic storm.
While there was visible aurora across the UK and Europe, HF propagation suffered and didn’t start to recover until the late afternoon on Saturday the 11th.
The main culprit, active region 3664, has now rotated out of view, but that doesn’t mean we are out of the woods just yet.
Solar flares can cause short-term disruption to HF propagation due to their X-rays penetrating deep into the D-region and causing signals to be absorbed. Subsequent coronal mass ejections can cause longer-term degradation of the F2 layer with reduced maximum usable frequencies, noisy bands and auroral conditions.
At the time of writing, the Kp index stood at 6 again so it looks like unsettled geomagnetic conditions are continuing with a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm in progress.
Low to moderate activity is now expected, with a slight chance of further strong-class flares. The regions currently on the visible disc are smaller and simpler, with isolated M-flares possible from these. However, a new active region, now rotating into view, has already emitted an X-class solar flare.
Next week, the United States Air Force predicts that the solar flux index may remain in the 160 to 180 range. HF conditions remain a lottery as they can be badly affected by solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
It is best to keep an eye on solarham.com for updates, and also propquest.co.uk for near real-time reports of the critical and maximum usable frequencies.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather remains on the unsettled side of things with areas of rain and some thunderstorms over the country, especially the south as we end this week. As this report is being read out, high pressure is becoming established over northern and western Britain.
This may eventually take a tenuous hold over the rest of the country during the second half of the coming week and into next weekend, the 25th and 26th.
This high pressure, although fairly weak, may help with some Tropo for those in northern Britain in the 144MHz May Contest and the Backpackers Contest this weekend, ending on the 19th. It may also be helpful to those taking part in the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest on the 21st. However, the conditions may not be of much use in the south as another low arrives from the continent.
Overall, rain scatter on the GHz bands will probably be worth exploring in the rainy areas again, since some of the showers may be heavy and thundery.
The prospects for Aurora are still worth keeping in mind despite the recent stunning event. Minor non-visible events can still provide a reasonable radio aurora to explore.
The Sporadic-E season continues to develop. And with such unsettled weather, there are plentiful jet streams to act as source regions for turbulence, which can propagate up to the E region where they can generate Sporadic-E.
We are currently at the tail end of the Eta Aquariids meteor shower. A few meteors from this shower will continue to appear, but no major shower is expected this week.
The lowest Moon declination occurs this coming Friday. With the Moon being full on the 23rd, a clear sky should reveal an impressive ‘Flower Moon’.
For EME, path loss will still be relatively high, although the Moon is starting to move back towards its closest point to Earth, or perigee.
144MHz sky noise starts the week low but rises to high on Saturday the 25th.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
Today, the 12th, lots of amateur radio stations are on the air as part of Mills on the Air Weekend 2024. The event takes place across the UK every May with more than 300 windmills and watermills usually taking part. For more information, and to view a list of registered stations, visit ddars.net/mills.html
The date has been confirmed for the 12th Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT. It will go ahead on Saturday the 9th of November 2024 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. Lunch will be provided, and an optional dinner will be held in the evening at a local hotel. Online booking will open in July 2024. Updates, when available, will be published on the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk For more information, email Colin, GM4HWO via gm4hwo@gmail.com
And now for details of rallies and events
The RetrotechUK event is taking place today, the 12th. The venue is Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. The doors open at 10.30 am with an entry fee of £10. A fee of £25 applies for early-doors entry at 9 am. This is an annual event organised by the British Vintage Wireless Society. There are almost 200 dealer stalls, clubs and private sellers. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the wide range of retro equipment. For more information email info@retrotechuk.com and visit retrotechuk.com
Barry Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place on Saturday the 18th of May. The venue will be Sully Sports and Social Club, South Road, Sully, CF64 5SP. Doors open from 9.30 am and admission is £3. Access for traders is available from 7.30 am. For more information, traders and exhibitors can ring Nigel, GW1CUQ on 02920 892 580. For general enquiries ring Steve, 2W0VOG on 07900 560 080 or email s.cawsey@sky.com
The Braehead Rally will be taking place next Sunday the 19th of May at the Braehead Arena from 10 am. There will be free on-site parking, bring and buy and refreshments available. For more information contact Paul via email at mm3ddq@gmail.com
Also on Sunday the 19th of May, the Dartmoor Radio Club Rally will be held at Yelverton War Memorial Hall, PL20 6AL. The doors open at 10 am. For more information, please contact Roger Hann on 07854 088 882 or email 2e0rph@gmail.com
Now the Special Event News
Special event station GB1SCW is active today, the 12th, from the National Coast Watch Station at Shoreham by Sea. Operators are celebrating the work of the National Coast Watch and RNLI as part of SOS Radio Week. Listen out for the station on the 40m to 70cm bands using SSB, CW, FM, and digital modes. See QRZ.com for more information.
The Humber Fortress DX Amateur Radio Club is once again supporting the International Men's Mental Health Month and helping to raise the profile of Men's Mental Health 2024 throughout the international amateur radio community. Club members will be operating from their headquarters at Patrington Haven, East Yorkshire using special callsign GB0MMH. The station will be active throughout the weekends of the 17th to 19th of May and the 14th to 16th of June across all the HF bands. Please listen out for the operators and give them a call. Your support will help raise the awareness of men's mental health. For more information see QRZ.com
Poole Amateur Radio Society, supported by the Royal Signals Amateur Radio Society, the British Amateur Television Club and the Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society, will be operating GB4PRS to support the RNLI Poole lifeboat festival over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of May. This is a celebration of the RNLI saving lives for 200 years and a full programme of events and visitor attractions has been organised by the RNLI, culminating with a historic ship sail-past on the evening of Sunday the 19th at 4 pm. The free-of-charge event will be open between 11 am and 4 pm and thousands of visitors are expected to visit. The station will be set up on Poole Quay, adjacent to the RNLI HQ. As well as demonstrating the use of radio in emergency situations, the station will also be participating in the SOS Radio Week activity. The station will be contacting other amateur radio stations at various RNLI lifeboat centres around the UK, as well as other lifesaving institutions nationally and internationally. A commemorative QSL card will be available. Anybody with permission to operate adjacent to, or from, a lifeboat station is invited to arrange a scheduled contact and participate in this major RNLI event. For more information, please contact secretary@g4prs.org.uk
Also in support of RNLI SOS Radio Week, the Wirral Amateur Radio Society will be active as GB2HLS on Sunday the 19th of May. The station will be operating from the Hoylake Lifeboat Station, Wirral, CH47 3AL from 10 am to 4 pm. More information is available at tinyurl.com/SOSG3NWR or from Bill, G4YWD on 07804 884 245.
Now the DX news
Ric, DL2VFR is active as SM2/DL2VFR from Holmon Island, EU-135, until the 14th of May using CW and some SSB. He may also be QRV as SM5/DL2VFR from IOTA group EU-084 on the 15th or 16th. QSL via Ric’s home call. QSOs will be uploaded to the Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Three amateurs from Stockport Radio Society are hoping, subject to appropriate weather for the crossing, to activate Great Saltee Island, EU-103, from Tuesday the 14th to Friday the 17th of May using the callsign EJ6KP/P. This will be a daylight activity only as the team is not permitted to stay overnight. Listen out for the operators on the 40, 20 and 15m bands using SSB.
Harold, DF2WO is active as 9X2AW from Rwanda until the 17th of May. He is operating CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF and 6m bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS.
Now the contest news
Today, the 12th, the 70MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using CW on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Tomorrow, the 13th, the 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 14th, the 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 14th, the 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 16th, the 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The 144MHz May Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 18th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 19th of May. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
On Sunday the 19th of May, the 1st 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 9th of May 2024
Disrupted solar conditions continued this week with X-class solar flares aplenty.
Four X-class events on the 8th and 9th of May prompted coronal mass ejections, which could join together to impact the Earth this weekend. We can expect a strong G3 event with the Kp index rising to 6 and the potential for visible aurora in the UK.
It’s hard to be positive about this as HF conditions this weekend, ending today the 12th, are likely to be very disrupted with reduced MUFs and noisy bands.
But do look out for auroral signals, perhaps on the 10m band, and above, and a potential HF band enhancement just as the plasma cloud hits.
The solar flux index hit 227 on Thursday the 9th, which is one of the highest we have had in this cycle. But don’t get carried away as it is forecast to decline.
Meanwhile, conditions have been typical for this time of year, with reduced F-layer propagation on the 10m band, offset by the start of the Sporadic-E season. The lower HF bands are staying open later in the evening, and may even increase to all night on the 20m band, as we head towards June and July.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will drop below 200, but remain at or above 175 all week. After this weekend’s chaotic geomagnetic conditions, we can expect the Kp index to fall to 2, but increase again on the 13th, to perhaps 4.
In the meantime, solar maximum is still predicted to be later this year, although geomagnetic disturbances are likely to increase on the downward part of the cycle. So, buckle up for a rough ride!
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
We end the current week with high pressure over the country and some occasional Tropo paths, especially over surrounding waters. The high will decline from the west as we progress through this weekend.
At the time of reading on Sunday, the transition will be all but complete and low pressure will remain in control for much of the coming week. This means periods of rain, heavy showers or thunderstorms and quite windy weather at times. In terms of propagation, a shift to rain scatter is a good choice for those equipped for the GHz bands for the week ahead.
Recent solar activity continues to offer chances of auroras so remember to monitor the Kp index and check for fluttery signals on the HF bands and raspy signals on VHF. The many clusters and band reports should be a good tool for these conditions.
Lastly, the Sporadic-E season is having a few starting twitches. Earlier in the evening of Wednesday the 8th there was a short opening of about an hour to Scandinavia on 6m CW from a patch in the middle of the North Sea. The positions of the jet streams may not entirely suit further openings in the shorter term but, as the low-pressure moves in next week, things could improve for Sporadic-E paths to Iberia and central Mediterranean.
With the Eta Aquariids peak now past, the next big meteor shower isn’t until July with the Delta Aquariids. But before the Delta Aquariids, we can look forward to the Arietiids in late May.
However, the Eta Aquariids will continue to produce the odd ping or burst. Last week there was plenty of evidence of meteors continuing to burn up after the peak. There may still be the odd one during the coming week together with the usual background sporadic meteor returns.
As the Moon starts to decline this week, the distance between the Moon and Earth is also beginning to increase and with it the path loss increases to a maximum on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th. However, sky noise will remain low all week. The Moon is favourably placed for daytime operation this week.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
The next in the series of the popular 145 Alive events, to promote the use of 145MHz FM, is coming up on Saturday the 11th of May, from 1pm to 3pm. The event and the supporting Facebook Group was started by Tim, G5TM and from the start of 2024 has been organised by Mark, M0XIC and John, M0XJA. The last successful event took place in January this year, when over 30 nets operated simultaneously across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern and Southern Ireland. Over 900 QSOs took place, with many amateurs operating portable, mobile or from their club or home QTH. If you would like to take part, and find out more about the event and 145 Alive in general, then join the 145 Alive Facebook Group.
Next weekend, the 11th and 12th, lots of amateur radio stations will be taking to the air as part of Mills on the Air Weekend 2024. The event takes place across the UK every May with more than 300 windmills and watermills usually taking part. For more information, to register, and to view a list of registered stations, visit ddars.net/mills.html
Advance notice now that International Museums Weekend will be taking place on the third and fourth weekends in June. This year, those weekends are the 15th and 16th, and the 22nd and 23rd of June. Special event stations will be operating from a wide variety of museums from many different countries. To read more about the event, and to register to take part, visit tinyurl.com/IMW2024
And now for details of rallies and events
Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club’s 40th Annual Radio Rally is taking place today, the 5th of May. The venue is Share Discovery Village, 221 Lisnaskea Road, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen, BT92 0JZ. The event features food and drink, bring and buy, RSGB books, the QSL Bureau, and the usual variety of traders. The doors open at 11 am. Traders are asked to arrive around 9 am. Admission, which includes a ticket for the prize draw, will cost £5 or five Euro. Contact Alan at argault91@gmail.com to arrange a table.
Thorpe Camp Hamfest is also taking place today, the 5th of May at Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire, LN4 4PL. The doors open at 9am for buyers and the entrance fee is £5 per person. The event will finish at 1pm.
The RetrotechUK event will be held on Sunday the 12th of May. The venue will be Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. The doors open at 10.30 am with an entry fee of £10. A fee of £25 applies for early-doors entry at 9 am. This is an annual event organised by the British Vintage Wireless Society. There will be almost 200 dealer stalls, clubs and private sellers. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the wide range of retro equipment. For more information email info@retrotechuk.com and visit retrotechuk.com
Dunstable Downs Radio Club would like to remind everyone that its annual boot sale has been postponed until the 30th of June. This is due to the site being used by BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend music festival. Updates will be posted to Dunstable Downs Radio Club’s Facebook page and reminder emails will be sent out closer to the time. To add yourself to the list, visit ddrcbootsale.org and sign up for email reminders.
Now the Special Event News
Special callsign 9H6HE is in use by the Malta Amateur Radio League to celebrate the swearing-in of Malta's 11th President. Look for activity until the 31st of May on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL via Logbook of the World. Paper QSL cards are not available.
The RSGB National Radio Centre will be operating a special event callsign GB2DAY to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during the Second World War. The station will be active between the 6th and 9th of June. In addition, volunteers will be hosting the special demonstration station GB1SOE on Saturday the 15th of June. Don’t forget that RSGB Members can get free entry to Bletchley Park and the RSGB’s National Radio Centre by downloading a voucher from the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bpvoucher
Now the DX news
Bo, OZ1DJJ is active as OX3LX from Greenland until the 9th of May. In his spare time, he operates FT8, RTTY and CW. The station was spotted recently on the 10 and 12m bands using FT8. QSL via OZ0J. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Tom, NL7RR is active on Wake Island, OC-053, until the 15th of May. Look for KH9/NL7RR to be QRV daily at about 0700UTC on or around 14.200MHz. QSL via Logbook of the World, or direct to Tom’s home call. QSOs will also be uploaded to Club Log.
Now the contest news
Today, the 5th, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on 1.3 to 3.4GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also, today, the 5th, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre-wave Contest runs from 0900 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24, 47 and 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, the 5th, the Worked All Britain 7MHz Phone Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 40m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain Square.
The ARI International DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 4th and ends at 1159UTC today, Sunday the 5th of May. Using CW, RTTY and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Italian stations also send their province.
The 432MHz to 245GHz Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 4th and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 5th of May. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Today, the 5th, the 10GHz Trophy runs from 0800 to 1400UTC. Using All modes on 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 7th, the 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 7th, the 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 8th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 8th, the 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 9th, the 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 12th, the 70MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using CW on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. UK stations also send their postcode.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA, and G4BAO on Thursday the 2nd of May 2024
What a strange week we had. With the solar flux index in the 167 range, falling to 130, conditions should have been reasonable. But the Kp index hit 4, and even 5.33, on the evening of Friday the 26th of April, which meant propagation on Saturday the 27th was truly dire.
Stations taking part in International Marconi Day on the 27th found the 40m band only open to long skip in the morning. This was due to the critical frequency being below 5MHz. The predicted MUF over a 3,000km path fluctuated between 15MHz and 19MHz for the whole day, which meant only 14MHz was open reliably. As a result, QSOs were hard to come by and many stations reported that it was slow going with virtually no signals from outside of Europe.
So what happened? Well, it was a combination of factors. The increased Kp index, due to a fast solar wind, took its toll. And we are now moving to a summer ionosphere, where chemical changes make it harder to ionise. This will mean we should see MUFs dropping as the season progresses, at least during the day. Nighttime MUFs will be higher than in winter.
So it may be that the glory days of 28MHz F2-layer propagation are on hold until Autumn, with only short-skip Sporadic-E on the 10m band to keep us entertained.
F2-layer propagation is still available on the higher HF bands, but it may be patchy.
International Marconi Day station GB0CMS in Caister, Norfolk, reported that its 20m signals were picked up by a reverse beacon network skimmer in Utah, despite not working anyone outside of Europe. Meanwhile, on the morning of the 2nd, Laurie, G3UML was quite surprised to work YJ0CA on Vanuatu on the 15m band using SSB. He also worked 3D2CCC on Conway Reef on the 20m band using CW, and JD1BMH in Japan on the 15m band, also using CW.
Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the 125 range, rising to 175 as the week progresses. Geomagnetic conditions are dependent on coronal mass ejections. We have had eight M-class solar flares in the past three days, and a Kp index of 5 on Thursday the 2nd, which doesn’t bode well for next week. So, keep an eye on solarham.com for current conditions and look for the best HF propagation if the Kp index is low for a day or two.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather pattern remains very unsettled for the whole period with areas of low pressure edging north across the UK from the continent.
There will be a risk of thundery weather at times with locally heavy rainfall, which will be good for rain scatter on the Gigahertz bands. Tropo looks to be hard to find as we end the current week dominated by low-pressure systems, but there are signs of high pressure returning after mid-week, but only temporarily.
This could produce some Tropo paths, especially across surrounding waters such as the Irish Sea, English Channel and North Sea.
The nominal summer season of Sporadic-E propagation is upon us and, from May to early September, daily blogs will be provided on the Propquest.co.uk website highlighting the possible Sporadic-E links to the position of the jet streams shown on the upper air charts.
It’s well worthwhile getting into the habit of regularly checking the DX clusters and activity maps, since the early season is usually characterised by a complex jet stream pattern with multiple potential locations for Sporadic-E propagation.
Timewise, it eventually settles into a more traditional behaviour with activity often in two phases, one in the morning and the second in late afternoon, early evening.
As you listen to this report, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower should be peaking. Unfortunately, the best viewing for the shower, which is part of the debris from Halley’s comet, will be in the southern hemisphere.
Nevertheless, this is expected to be one of the best showers this century. For those viewing the shower, a waning Moon means that light levels should be low, making for ideal visual sighting.
For EME, the Moon will be waning all week with the new Moon around the 8th of May. The Moon will be rising in the sky throughout the week, with zero declination on the 5th of May and peaking at its highest in the sky on Saturday the 11th of May.
The lowest additional path loss occurs today and tomorrow, the 5th and 6th, but high Sun noise, with the Moon close to the Sun at new Moon, occurs shortly afterwards. Later in the week, as the Sun 'leaves' the Moon behind, noise levels, at least on the higher bands will fall to around normal.
And that’s all from the propagation team this week.
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to GB2RS, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
