EI7GL Amateur Radio Newsletter #0002 - 22nd March 2024
Amateur Radio News with an emphasis on radio experiments & the VHF bands
EI7GL Amateur Radio Newsletter #0002 - 22nd March 2024
Summary: -
Intro
HF Beacon & Propagation News - Region 2, 160m, 80m, 40m, Solar eclipse, Solar Flux, 10m
40 MHz & Low Band VHF News : 40 MHz reports, Luxembourg
50 MHz News: 50 MHz reports, GB3MBA, ZB2GI, Pirate
Upcoming 50 MHz expeditions... a long list!
70 MHz News: 4m activity, 4m nets
144 MHz & Above: Expeditions & Microwave beacons
In conclusion
Intro… Welcome to issue #0002! The new newsletter is very much a ‘work in progress’ and we’ll have to see how it develops. Over the last two weeks, it has picked up over 260 subscribers so there’s an obvious appetite out there for VHF related news.
On the subject of news, I have found over the last few years that quite a number of my blog posts end up being reported in other newsletters or on websites. That’s perfectly fine, as long as people credit the source then that’s not an issue. The main thing is that news is shared and it might encourage more people to get active.
What I often find is that someone needs to write up a news item in the first place. Sometimes, I’ll just see a screenshot that someone has posted on social media or read something interesting but it takes time for someone to do some research on it and then write it up in a format that makes it suitable a short news item.
I think the new newsletter might be a source of news items for other platforms.
News…
HF Beacon & Propagation News…
IARU Region 2… The IARU Region 2 beacon list is currently being updated. I’ll have a report up on the blog soon.
160m beacon in Sweden... Mirek, OK1DUB reports that the SM6AAL/B beacon in Sweden (JO67GQ) is back on air on 1999.0 kHz CW. It is using 5-watts to a T-antenna. Times - 17:00 to 06:00 CET (CEST) / occasional gaps.
80m beacon in England… OK1DUB also reports a new beacon on the 80m band in England. M6GLD/B is on 3593.9 kHz CW & WSPR +100 Hz in JO02HL using 1-watt to an End-Fed Half-Wave antenna up 6m above ground level. Operational 24-hours over the Winter months with occasional gaps.
South African 40m beacon... Again from Mirek, he notes that the ZS1AGI/B beacon in South Africa on 7038.0 kHz is off the air. The beacon normally runs 0.5 watts to an inverted V-dipole.
Solar Eclipse in North America - 8th Apr 2024... The last total solar eclipse across North America for twenty years will occur on Monday, April 8th. Ed Efchak, WX2R who is the Public Information Officer for the HamSci organisation is asking radio amateurs and short wave listeners to take part.
On the 27th of March 2024 at 8PM (Eastern) / 5PM (Pacific)*, or that same day at 10PM (Eastern) / 7PM (Pacific)*, there will be a Zoom presentation on HamSCI's Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science (FoEIS). The presenters will take your questions during the 30-minute presentations.
For more information on HamSci, visit www.hamsci.org
Solar Flux & Sunspots - Over the last two weeks, the solar flux reached a peak of 177 on the 18th of March 2024. The SESC Sunspot Number reached a high of 127 on the 18th.
28 MHz propagation news... The RSGB propagation news team report the following conditions for NW Europe - "Expect transatlantic propagation conditions to decline by the time April arrives. The good news is that propagation to South Africa, South America and the Caribbean may improve."
40 MHz & Low Band VHF News…
40 MHz Reports... As we're near the equinox and near the peak of the sunspot cycle, there have been some really good conditions on the 40 MHz (8m) band. Most days, the maximum usable frequency goes well above 30 MHz and often reaches 40 MHz. This is especially notable on north-south paths.
On the 1st of March, Rolando CX7FH in Uruguay reports reception of PJ4MM on the island of Bonaire using a Yaesu FT450D with a vertical for the 50 MHz band.
On the 3rd of March 2024, Andre, ZS1F in South Africa reports an exchange of signal reports with G9PUV in the south-east of England. On the same day, Joan, EA3ERE near Barcelona in Spain reports reception of ZS6OB and ZS3/V51PJ in South Africa. Later on 3rd, the signal from Robbie, EI2IP in Ireland is heard by Edward, K5YT in Texas and Chris, N3IZN in California as well as a few others in the eastern US states.
Belgium is the latest country to give a 40 MHz allocation and Didier, ON4AOI reports working ZS3/V51PJ on the 4th of March. The distance was about 9,100kms.
On the 6th of March, Andre, ZS1F reports a contact with SV1DH in Greece. On the same day, Pierre, ON4PS reports a contact with ZS3/V51PJ.
On the 7th of March, Joan, EA3ERE in Spain reports reception of ZR1ADI and ZS3/V51PJ in South Africa.
On the 8th of March, Didier, ON4AOI in Belgium reports working ZR1ADI in South Africa using the callsign OO9A and just 5-watts. The distance was around 9200 kms.
On the 13th & 14th of March, David Thorpe in England reported reception of several South African stations using just a long wire antenna.
The above reports are a selection of what was reported on the 8m band for the first three weeks of March 2024 and virtually all the activity was on 40.680 MHz. The ZS6WAB beacon on 40.675 MHz has also been reported by many stations in Europe on an almost daily basis.
40 MHz in Luxembourg???... The national society for radio amateurs in Luxembourg reports that they are in talks with their national authority about getting an allocation on the 40 MHz (8m) band. The follows in the step of radio amateurs in neighbouring Belgium getting an allocation at 40 MHz in 2023.
50 MHz News
50 MHz Reports... As we're near the peak of the sunspot cycle and we're at the equinox, the dominant DX on the 50 MHz band has been over north-south paths. Over the last two weeks, there have been plenty of openings from the USA to South America and from Europe to South Africa and South America. Those in southerly latitudes like the Caribbean have enjoyed very long paths to places on the other side of the world.
From a European perspective, the real point of interest is how far north does the propagation go?
Alan, EI3EBB (IO52) in the south of Ireland reports recent openings to South America with several PY (Brazil) stations in the log as well as CE3SX (Chile), ZP5DA (Paraguay) and CX2ACB in Uruguay. In the direction of Africa, he worked ZS6WN (South Africa) and ZD7CTO (St Helena). Alan is using less than 100w to a vertical antenna which shows just how good conditions have been on north-south paths.
Darrell, G0HVQ in England also reports openings to South America at 20:00 UTC on the 7th of March with path lengths in the region of 11,000kms. This is about the optimum time for Trans-Equatorial Propagation.
GB3MBA back on air... Brian, G4NNS reports that the GB3MBA meteor research beacon is back on air after a prompt repair of the transmitter stage. This high powered beacon near Mansfield in England operates on 50.408 MHz and is used for meteor scatter research.
ZB2GI Silent Key... The Gibraltar Amateur Radio Society has announced the passing of Kevin Hewitt, ZB2GI. He used to be an active operator on the 50 MHz, 70 MHz & 144 MHz VHF bands as well as on the QO-100 satellite.
Pirate on 50 MHz... G0VJG was recently active on the HF bands as 5H3VJG from Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. He reports that there was no permission to operate on the 50 MHz band and any such activity was due to a pirate.
50 MHz Dxpeditions - (in order of end date)…
Ichiro Takahashi JH7IPR, will be active again as T88UW from Koror Island in Palau (IOTA OC-009) until the 24th of March 2024. He will operate on 160 - 6m CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, JT9, JT65.
A nine-man Cuban team (Pirates DX Group) will be active from Isla de la Juventud in Cuba (NA-056) as T44DX from the 21st to the 25th of March 2024. QRV on HF and VHF bands, including SATs; various modes.
DK5ON will be again active as PJ2/DK5ON from Curacao Island (IOTA SA-099) until the 27th of March 2024. He will be active on 160 - 6 m CW, SSB, FT8, FT4 and also Satellites.
The T32EU Team will be active from Kiritimati Atoll (IOTA OC-024), Kiribati, until the 27th of March 2024. They will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, RTTY and probably FT8.
Rick, NE8Z and Maria, HC1MM will be active from San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands as HD8MD & HD8MM until 29th of March, 2024. QRV on 6m SSB using 2x element 6m Moxon.
Tom, AA9A will be active as PJ7AA from Saint Maarten (IOTA NA-105) until the 30th of March 2024. He will be active on 40 - 6m CW, FT8, FT4.
Peter, DC0KK will be active again as 4S7KKG from Sri Lanka (IOTA AS-003) until the 30th of March 2024. He will operate on 20 - 6m, CW, Digital modes.
JS6RRR is operating as JI3DST/6, JJ5BRH/6 or JR8YLY/6 on AS-079 Miyako Island (AS-079) until the 1st of April. Operation from 80 to 6 meter using CW, SSB and FT8.
The VQ5P Team will be active from Turks and Caicos Islands from the 26th of March until the 2nd of April 2024. They will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, FT8, FT4.
Haru, JA1XGI plans to be active from Raivavae, Austral Islands as TX5XG during March 27 to April 3, 2024. QRV on 160-6m, CW and Digi.
CE3SX will carry out an expedition to Juan Fernadez Island mainly in the 6m band (50Mhz) with the callsign CB0ZIX. The dates are 21st March until the 4th of April 2024. He will use a 5-element LFA (100w) on 6m and will be on HF during times when he does not have 6m propagation. QSL only via LoTW.
Stefan, DL7AOS will be activating Romo Island off the west coast of Denmark as 5P5K from the 23rd of March to the 6th of April 2024. Loc: JO45GE. Operation will be holiday style with emphasis on SSB and digital modes on 80-6m. Station: ICOM IC-7300, Moxon-beam for 6m.
Jean-Luc, F1ULQ will be active as TO1Q from FG - Guadeloupe (NA-102) from 25 March to 7 April. He will operate SSB and FT8 on the HF bands and 6 metres.
A three man team will be active as YJ0VK from Port Vila, Vanuatu on 40 through to 6 metres from 29 March until 11 April 2024. For the first week their focus will be on SSB and CW, with FT8 as a ‘back-fill’ mode. The second week will be CW and FT8.
The A8OK Team will be active from Liberia in west Africa from the 5th to 19th of April 2024. They will operate on 160 - 6m, SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8, FT4, PSK.
KH0/JA6REX, KH0/W6HZH & WH0B (JA6VQA) will be active from Saipan (OC-086) during April 25-30, 2024. QRV on FT8/FT4; 160-6m.
Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active as H44MS from Malaita (IOTA OC-047), in the Solomon Islands, until the 25th of April 2024. He will be QRV daily, with activity on the HF & 6m bands using SSB and some FT8.
Toshi, JH6HZH will be operating as KH0/JH6HZH on the Mariana Islands from the 24th of April to the 1st of May. Activity from 160 to 6m using CW, SSB and FT8.
JD1BQP will be active on Ogasawara from the 22nd of April to the 3rd of May 2024. Operation from 15m to 6m using mainly SSB.
A Norweigan team will be active from Market Reef (IOTA EU-053) as OJ0T from the 27th of April to the 4th of May 2024. They will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, Digital Modes. OJ0T call sign will be used CW, SSB. On FT8 they will use OJ0/LA1UW, OJ0/LA3WAA, OJ0/LB5SH, OJ0/LB0VG.
A team from Belgium will be active on Lolland Island (EU-029) in Denmark as 5P5LI from the 29th of April to the 5th of May. QRV from 160 to 6 meter using CW, SSB and Digi.
DF2WO / D44TWO (FT8 and CW) and Franz DG9KAN / D44KAN (SSB) will be active on Santiago Isl (AF-005) in Cape Verde from the 8th to the 20th of June 2024. Operation mainly on 6m using FT8 and CW.
Gregg, W6IZT and Hal, W8HC will be operating from Falaise des Oiseaux, St. Martin (FS) for a one week DX-cation from June 25 to July 2. They will be active 6m-40m with a 5 element LFA yagi for 6m.
Giovanni IZ2DPX will be active from Saint-Leu, Reunion island as TO7PX during July 8-14, 2024. QRV on 40-6m; SSB & FT8 using fishing rod antenna; holiday-style activity.
KV1J will be active as FP/KV1J on St Pierre & Miquelon (FP) from the 10th to the 2nd to the 16th of July 2024. Operation from 80 to 6 meter using CW, SSB and digi.
A team of Canadian radio amateurs will be active as TO8FP on St Pierre & Miquelon (FP) from the 10th to the 22nd of August 2024. 10-22. Operation from 80 to 6m using CW, SSB, digi and sats.
The CY9C team will be active from St Paul Island off the east coast of Canada on all bands from HF to 6m & 2m. The dates for the DXpedition are August 26 – September 5, 2024.
ZD9, TRISTAN DA CUNHA Lance, W7GJ will be active as ZD9GJ on Tristan Da Cunha as a 6m EME DXpedition from the 23rd of August to the 30th of September 2024.
HA5AO is planning to be active in four African countries from the 3rd of September to the 14th of October 2024. He writes… “The operating sites are within 40-80 km circle of the common borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Ten days of operation can be expected from each country on CW, SSB, and FT8 from 80 m up to 6 m. The licenses are in hand, the QTHs are booked.
I will use K3S and FT-710 transceiver with KPA 500 power amplifier. The antenna is DX Commander vertical for 40-6 m bands and multi-band inverted-V (80 m-6 m) on 12 m HD Spider pole, donated by Spiderbeam. The planned schedule is as follows,
03-13 September, Zimbabwe, Zambezi National Park as Z22AO, QRA: KH21ww
14-23 September, Zambia, Victoria Falls region as 9J2AO, QRA: KH22wc
24 Sept-04 October, Botswana, Chobe National Park as A25AO, QRA: KH22oc
05-14 October, Namibia, Katima Mulilo region as V5/HA5AO QRA: KH22dm”
Dave, VK2DS will be active as VK0DS from Davis Station, Antarctica until November 2024. He will operate on HF Bands, plus 6m and EME 2m and 23cm.
The Rebel DX Group hope to be active from Nigeria (5N) after their Tuvalu DXpedition. They have requested the callsign 5N5N. Three ops with up to 10 stations; 160-6m, mainly CW & FT8. Dates will be announced soon.
For more information on DX and expeditions, go to https://www.dx-world.net/
70 MHz News…
70 MHz Activity - 9th to 22nd March 2024… Looking at the DX-Cluster, things have been pretty quiet on the 4m band. There have been a few spots for slightly enhanced tropo conditions but March is generally too early for any Sporadic-E. That should change in April.
70 MHz FM Net... The Mid Lanark Amateur Radio Society near Glasgow, Scotland hold a weekly net on 70.425 MHz FM. Look for them at 20:00 UTC on Thursday evenings.
70 MHz FM Net... The International 'Vertical' SSB net near Southampton is held every Monday evening at 19:30 local time. Look for them on 70.220 MHz.
144 MHz & Above…
EME 144/432 MHz Dx-pedition to Rhodes (SV5)... Two German radio amateurs (DF2ZC and DH7FB) are planning to travel to the island of Rhodes (SV5) and be active on 2 m and 70 cm moonbounce with the callsign SZ5RDS. Their locator square will be KM46CK and they will use the Q65A-60 and JT65B modes. They plan to be active from 14 APR through 20 APR, 2024. Frequencies will be determined when on site. For updates, go to https://xteamdxps.blogspot.com/
Antarctica (VK0)… David VK2JDS will occasionally be active from Davis Station, Antarctica using the callsign VK0DS until November 2024. He hopes to be QRV on HF bands and will also try 2m EME using a single 12el yagi and 100 watts from an IC9700 using JT65A or Q65A-60 (or similar).
GB3CAM Microwave Beacons... Bernie, G4HJW reports that the microwave beacon GB3CAM in Cambridge, England will be off air for several months as it's moved to another site. The beacon transmits on the 10 GHz and 24 GHz bands. He writes..."Within the next couple of weeks we'll be removing both beacons from the Wyton water tower site, prior to moving to a new QTH some 10 miles (16kms) to the East. It will be a good few months before RF is radiated again from the new GB3CAM site"
GB3EDN 23cm Beacon Back on the Air... Brian, GM8BJF reports that the GB3EDN beacon on 1296.990MHz is back on air and it sends its callsign GB3EDN and QRA locator (IO85jv) in both FSK and JT4 once per minute. The Edinburgh beacon moved 1.5kms south and about 200m and it is hoped that coverage is somewhat improved from the NW through to the east giving good coverage up the East coast and across the North Sea to Scandinavia. It is also hoped that there will be better propagation to the south from the new site.
EI7GL Blog Posts…
Here are some of the posts on the blog over the last two weeks…
Long slow goodbye of BBC Radio 4 on Long Wave... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/long-slow-goodbye-of-bbc-radio-4-on.html
Video: TinyGS, the Open Source Global Satellite Network with Jeffrey Roe EI7IRB... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/video-tinygs-open-source-global.html
Lightning Scatter contact on 1296 MHz in Australia - 13th Feb 2024... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/lightning-scatter-contact-on-1296-mhz.html
Low band VHF tests by Tony Mann in Western Australia - 2023... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/low-band-vhf-tests-by-tony-mann-in.html
Commercial 144 MHz Cavity Filter - PE1RKI... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/commercial-144-mhz-cavity-filter-pe1rki.html
20,000km opening on 50 MHz from Chatham Island to Europe - 9th Mar 2024... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/20000km-opening-on-50-mhz-from-chatham.html
Soviet era spy radio dug up in Germany... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/soviet-era-spy-radio-dug-up-in-germany.html
New Amateur Radio Newsletter - 7th March 2024... https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2024/03/new-amateur-radio-newsletter-7th-march.html
In Conclusion… That ended up being a rather long newsletter and hopefully not too long. It’s surprising how the snippets of news can add up over a two week period.
The plan is to have the next newsletter ready for the 5th of April 2024.
As outlined previously, the new newsletter is an experiment and we’ll see how it develops. If you’d like to support it then you might consider becoming a paid subscriber even if it’s for a month or two.
John, EI7GL
My radio blog: https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/