Topics and links of the broadcast 6-3-2022 11:00 am (CEST)
From the RSGB news (by PC5D):
On February 26, 22 stations from 14 countries of IARU Region 1 participated in a rapid response, emergency communications exercise using the facilities of the geostationary satellite QO-100. This was the first of several smaller exercises, tests and meetings that IARU Region 1 will conduct over the course of the year, building on the previous Global Simulated Emergency Tests to cover as many aspects of emergency communications as possible. It is intended that emergency communicators will meet more frequently to demonstrate how the Amateur Radio Service can work together as a global community and develop a common understanding of each other's capabilities. Learn more at iaru-r1.org.
The RSGB has agreed to fund a 50MHz beacon specifically for studying meteor events over the UK. Unlike conventional propagation beacons, this beacon will radiate vertically upwards with circular polarization. The 50 MHz band is particularly suitable for radio observing meteors, as they form an ionized track that reflects strongly off radio at that frequency, as they burn up as they enter the Earth's atmosphere. This is a collaborative project between the radio amateur and radio astronomy community and will enable a series of radio-based citizen science and STEM projects studying meteors. The beacon will be located at the Sherwood Observatory of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, a central location for coverage in the UK.
An updated document listing the amateur radio beacons in New Zealand, including their active status, is now available online. This also includes the beacons on the HF bands. Go to nzart.org.nz and scroll down for the news item on ZL beacons.
On the ARRL site a more extensive DARC statement than that of the IARU regarding the war in Ukraine. (by PC5D)
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has adopted a neutral stance. "IARU is an apolitical organization focused on promoting and defending amateur radio and the amateur radio services," the IARU said. "The amateur radio service is about self-instruction in communications and friendship between people." IARU Region 1 has said it continues to monitor the development and expect all radio amateurs "to follow their national laws and regulations."
IARU Region 1 also re-posted part of an advisory from the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club HF Committee on February 27. "Any radio amateur currently transmitting from Ukraine is risking his or her life. If you hear a Ukrainian station, do not broadcast its call sign, location, or frequency whether on the band, in a cluster, or on social media. You may be putting lives at risk.
"The DARC's overarching advice: In the current situation, the best we can do is listen."
Propagation on the bands (by PC5D)
HF
Last week got off to a slow start in terms of sunspots, with the solar flux index around 100. Since Thursday, the sun has been a bit more active with more spots and an SFI of 113. The good news is that geomagnetic conditions have been generally calm, allowing the F2 ionospheric layer to really develop.
As a result, there were reports of some good 10m gaps to the west coast of the US and many FT8 stations could be logged on Saturday morning, Malawi, Indonesia and Australia and 12m busy with Japanese stations
Propquest.co.uk confirmed this and showed 10m of gaps over a 3,000km path throughout the day. It's worth calling CQ on 28MHz, even if the band seems closed, as some of the gaps will be fleeting and short-lived.
For the coming days, NOAA expects the SFI to rise slightly to 117 and a Kp index between 2 and 4. The geomagnetic conditions are not ideal, but good enough for nice HF propagation. This includes the caveat that a hard-to-predict Earth-directed coronal mass ejection can significantly affect propagation.
The MUF (for the F layer over 3000 km) will vary between about 10 MHz at night to about 28 MHz during the day. For trails south, the chances of DX are greatest, so keep an eye on the band.
This weekend is the ARRL International DX SSB contest, which is another chance to increase the number for your Worked All States award.
VHF, EME
Currently, our region has calm weather with varying temperatures between day and night. This in itself should provide opportunities for tropo, but the air over land is probably a bit on the dry side. As the international 144 and above contest takes place this weekend, it could bring some activity on the tires.
For next Tuesday, March 8, dxinfocentre will show some elevated conditions over the North Sea. It can therefore be worthwhile to participate in the 70 cm activity contest.
We're still not in the new Sporadic-E season, but the Propquest charts on Propquest.co.uk pick up the occasional 'blip' which can be seen on the digital modes at 10m. As in past weeks, don't forget to keep an eye out for solar events for possible northern lights as the Kp index rises, and for the early risers some random meteorscatter before dawn.
The Moon's declination is positive all week, but path losses are mounting as the Moon returns to its greatest distance on Thursday. The 144MHz noise is low to moderate throughout the week, peaking around 500 Kelvin on Thursday and Friday.
Romanian radio amateurs provide assistance
Posted on March 1, 2022 by PA0NON
(more to read at dares.nl)
As has been reported several times in recent days, war is currently raging in Ukraine and as a result the use of amateur radio stations is currently banned. The situation is being monitored very closely by IARU Region 1 and its Member States, and measures to support the refugees are being prepared, especially in the countries on the route of refugee flows.
In Romania, radio amateurs have been approached by the government to offer their expertise should the situation deteriorate. In Poland, mobile phone providers are deploying temporary mobile phone stations and refugees are given free use of mobile phones and trains. In addition, Polish radio amateurs have also activated more Winlink gateways to give Ukrainian radio amateurs more communication options in the event of a breakdown or shutdown of the mobile networks.
In principle, however, any radio amateur currently broadcasting from Ukraine risks his life. If you're listening to a Ukrainian channel, don't yell about it. The distribution of call signs, locations and frequencies – both on a band and in a cluster – should in any case be avoided.
In the current situation it is best to listen. We should not try to call Ukrainian radio amateurs. If we hear a corresponding call, we should not organize stacking either, because we definitely want to work a station during the war.
IARU1 QO-100 Emergency Communication Exercise
posted on 17 februari 2022 door PA0NON
Update: 18 februari 2022 | 12:08 UTC
On Saturday, February 26, 2022, the IARU1 emcomm group will conduct an emergency communications exercise on the Q0-100 satellite. 2 Dares regions participate.
In addition to the Netherlands, Slovenia, Portugal, Bosnia-Herzegovina, England, Germany, Spain and South Africa are also taking part in this exercise.
Voice messages are exchanged according to the IARU message protocol.
Posted on IARU, Info algemeen, OefeningLabel IARU1, QO-100