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Paul G3SEM equipment sale...
Firstly, on behalf of Paul and Rita many thanks to the 30 or so people who came to the open house sale on Saturday. It was a great turnout and hopefully there was something for everyone who came.
Whilst many items were sold and taken on the day, there are still quite a few things left which will be offered for sale via various platforms once we get them listed and photographed, plus at our Barford radio rally on July 7th.
The family now need to make changes to their home with more space for practical reasons, so Tammy and I have offered to look after the unsold equipment and arrange for its sale, so if you saw something at the event or on a photograph and are interested please contact me by email (not Facebook please) with what you are interested in and I will let you know if it is still available. Most main items were priced and anything not priced we can check with the family if necessary, but please do not contact Paul directly regarding this equipment as he has asked us to deal with this from here.
Specifically some of the main items which are still available are an FT-817 complete portable QRP station in Flight case, Icom IC-706Mk2 with filter and head separation kit, Expert MB1 SDR TxRx, Anritsu wideband Spectrum analyser, Tektronix flat screen oscilloscope and StepIR 3 element antenna with controller, Icom AH-4 weatherproof ATU, ELAD FDM-DUO SDR transceiver, Ailunce micro transceiver HS2, Vectronics VC-300M Mobile ATU, Apache Labs SDR transceiver with matching LCD control centre, Avometer Model 8 in excellent condition, Fulton heavy duty winch. (NB all power supplies were sold on the day).
This Wednesday...
In addition to main items there are also quite a few lower value items including some IT like old laptops and compact keyboards, CCTV DVR, Echostar satellite receiver, kits etc. The family has said that I can offer these smaller items to club members for donations to the NARC Charity, so I will be bringing some of these to CNS meeting this Wednesday 27th March (I can also bring any of the larger unsold items by specific request to me by Tuesday 9pm please)
73, David G7URP. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Pictures of some of the smaller items I will be bringing to CNS this Wednesday:
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Speaker of the Year 2023 - its your votes that count!
We ask every NARC Member to vote for your favourite of the 23 talks and presentations which were broadcast on NARC Live or seen in person in 2023. A complete list of presenters and their talks is on the voting form linked below. The winner will be announced at the NARC AGM on Wednesday 3rd April 2024. Please note that you must be a current paid up member of NARC to vote.
The deadline for all nominations and voting is 23.59 on 31st March 2024
It's simple, safe and quick to vote online in just 60 seconds, just click here for list of speakers and make your choice: https://forms.gle/uERaFMc4JPKj2S9w9
Nominations for charity of the Year
We also encourage members to nominate a charitable cause for NARC to support in 2024 by emailing your nomination to the current chairman David G7URP - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This will then be included in the list of charities at our AGM and members there will vote on which one to support.
Last year we raised £900 from our fund raising efforts and as we saw and heard from last years recipients this sort of amount can make a huge difference, especially to smaller local charities. More details on these nominations can be found on the NARC website and newsletter.
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Wednesday 27th March 2024 - Meeting at CNS school
Tonight we meet in the 6th form common room of CNS School for a social evening, informal construction chats and Bright Sparks for our younger members who are going to complete and test their AM/FM radio kits they started at CNS Science day.
There will also be some smaller items left over from Paul G3SEM open house sale and sold in aid of NARC Charity funds.
As usual we meet from 1900-2130 - Cold drinks and biscuits will be available to purchase and there is a hot drink vending machine in the adjacent canteen room. We will also be accepting Membership subs, just £10 for the whole year.
If you are coming to see us for the first time, this is the first building on the left as you enter the main school gates - plenty of free parking.
David G7URP
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NARC Live
Most of our talks are given by speakers from all over the world and delivered live online via the clubs Facebook page and BATC TV streamer on approximately alternate Wednesdays.
We also make a studio recording of live editions of NARC Live and upload them to our YouTube channel which you can see here:
https://www.youtube.com/@norfolkamateurradio/videos
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NARC Contest News 131 Friday 22nd March 2024
Welcome to week one hundred and thirty one of NARC’s contest news.
Results:-
On VHF
The results of the 144MHz UKAC of 5th March came out on 19th March. We managed 13 logs for this one. It's great to see new stations coming on board, the latest being M0YRU, Stephen. Top scorer was Steward G4AFF with 828 points and the team scored our best score so far this year with 5034 points. This put us 3rd in the general clubs section of this contest. We remain 4th on this band this year. Link to results
We are now running 4th on every band in the UKACs except SHF which we haven't entered so far this year.
On HF
Two Club Championship results came out on Monday this week:-
The 80m DATA CC of 4th March results. As previously we won this one scoring a total of 8,961 points from 15 entries. This was the highest club score achieved in either group in this contest. Top scorer for NARC was Ray G3G with 922 points and second place overall in the 100W assisted section. Results link here
The 80m CW CC of 13th March was also convincingly won by NARC scoring once again, more points than any other club in either section. 11,636 from 21 entries. Top scorer for NARC was Malcolm G3PDH who scored 982 points, coming second in the 100W unassisted section. Link to results here
If people are entering other contests of whose results I am obviously unaware please e-mail me to let me know the outcome and I'll mention it here.
Contests:-
On VHF
The 1.3GHz UKAC ran this Tuesday 19th March. Unfortunately I was unable to participate as my antenna system was down whilst a new tower was in the process of erection.
NARC was ably assisted by Stewart G4AFF and Mike G4DYC. I am unsure how conditions were but Stewart's best DX was OZ3Z. Link to claimed scores here
The 70MHz UKAC ran on Thursday 21st March. Conditions were reasonable to the South West but pretty average to poor elsewhere. There was possibly a milt hint of Aurora on some of the signals too, but nothing useful! NARC had 6 entries of which I am aware but there could be others. Link to claimed scores
On HF
The BARTG HF 48h RTTY contest ran last weekend 16th and 17th March with 2h overspill into the Monday 18th. Several NARC members paricipated. Wilson G6WQN managed 387 contacts in the Single Operator All Band 100W section, I entered 194 in the SOAB6H section, Lorna 2E0YAO entered 75 in the SOAB100 section, Peter M0RYB entered 69 in the SOAB section, Ray G3G entered a 181 station Checklog, Also Roger G3LDI with a 114 station checklog. If I've missed anyone then please let me know. Activity was quite good with entries from all continents. 943 logs received by BARTG. Link to entries table
Upcoming contests in the next 2 weeks:-
On VHF / UHF / SHF
Before each of the 2m and 70cm UKACs there is an FM leg starting 1 hour before for 55 minutes. I hear almost no activity in this from here but others may have more luck! Rules etc on RSGBCC site.
* Sun 24th Mar. 0600-1000 UBA (Belgium) Spring 6m contest, CW and Phone - Rules here
* Tue 26th Mar. 1930-2230 SHF UKAC
* Tue 2nd Apr. 1900-2130 144MHz UKAC
* Wed 3rd Apr. 1800-2130 144MHz FT8 AC 2h and 4h sections
Also of interest for some on the vhf / uhf bands are the EU FT8 activity tests - see the following link for more information. These are on the first (144 MHz), second (432MHz) and third (1.3GHz) Wednesdays of each month. 1700-2000 Hrs EU FT8 series website
On HF
* Sat 23rd Mar. 0000 to 2359 on 24th Mar. Maidenhead Mayhem Sprint - Rules here
* Sun 24th Mar. 0900-1200 Part 1 of the One Watt Game 20m band CW. This was good fun last year with some surprising distances worked - Rules below:-
THE 1 WATT GAME 2021 - PART1.
I. OBJECTIVE: A short QRPP CW game on the 20 meterband. All radio amateurs and SWL's are cordially invited.
II. DATE: sunday 28 march 2021 from 0900 to 1200 UTC.
III. BAND: 20 meter band only. 14.060 MHz +- 10 kHz.
IV. POWER: maximum 1 watt.
V. OPERATION: Only CW (A1A).
1. CALL: CQ 1W
2. EXCHANGE: RST / POWER / LOCATOR
ie. 559/1w/ JO21LA. Additional info like power, RTX, antenna,... is welcome.
VI. SCORING:
First calculate the distance of each QSO.
QSO points = distance divided by the power of the other station (in watts).
Eg. your counter station is 2000 km away and uses 5 watts. Then the point count for this qso is: 2000/5 = 400 points.
Eg. your counter station is 3000 km away and uses 1 watts. Then the point count for this qso is: 3000/1 = 3000 points.
TOTAL SCORE: Sum of all QSO points.
VII. LOG SUBMISSION:
Email your score to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Add the text: Me, (your call) , I declare that I managed a total of XXX QSOs, my total result is XXX points.
Please add your best DX (call and locator)station-info: locator, power, RTX, antenna. Pictures of your set-up are appreciated.
VIII. GAME REFEREE: Peter Kempenaers (ON6KZ/OO7Z). The Game Referee has the right to request full log in case of any doubt.
IX. LOG DEADLINE: 1 May 2021.
X: Nominees: award for the winner, the best DX, funiest location (if outdoor), original home brew, lowest power.
* Thu 28th Mar. 2000-2130 80m CC SSB
* Sat 30th Mar. 0000 to Sun 31st Mar. 2359 CQ WW WPX SSB contest Rules here. This contest has a NARC club entry planned for it.
There are several contests planned for Easter Monday, 1st April. See Link to WA7BNM
Wednesdays throughout the year, CW ops 1 hour mini tests 13:00, 19:00, Thurs 03:00 and 07:00, exchange Name and G if not a member or CWOPS number if you are a member.
See CWOPS website for more details.
Also on Fridays 2000 to 2100 and Mondays 0000 to 0100 each week CWops runs the K1USN slow speed CW contests. Any speed up to 20wpm is acceptable. For rules see :- CW OPs SST page these contests are open to anyone.
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All RSGB contest rules and further details plus log submission at RSGB contest site
Look to WA7BNM’s contest calendar for other contests and links to rules etc at WA7BNM weekly contest calendar
A link to John 2E0TWQ’s site’s Narc contest history page - 2E0TWQ's NARC contest results page
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Contesting can be great fun but I know there's a reluctance to step into unknown waters. It's a great way of improving many aspects of our hobby including one's own performance and the quality of your station. If you have any interest whatsover please call in to the contest net on Friday evening at 9pm on 145.250MHz FM or speak to any of the regular contesters on 450. Or indeed email me!
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Submissions or comments for this news to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
73 until next week,
Phil G4LPP
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GB2CW Morse Corner 22.03.24
GB2CW Morse Corner 22.02.24
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Morse Classes
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The classes are progressing quite well this year. I am very impressed with the beginner's class and pleased to see there are no drop-outs so far. In fact Steve and Marie M0YRU amd M7YRU respectively have gone the whole nine yards. They have purchased a new two-metre transceiver and also joined the CW OPS Academy. Tony M7BGJ is also thinking of joining the Academy but first has to progress to a paddle because they do not support a straight key.
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I did preach at one time about the use of a straight key before progressing to a paddle but the modern school of thought supports using a paddle from the start. I do accept the reasoning but I am still not sure that we should relegate the straight key to history just yet!
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It won't be too long before we have the summer recess from Morse Classes, enabling the tutors to go cut grass or put up more towers with the advent of summer. I will give more information as soon as the date has been decided. It does not apply to students however who should carry on with their practice over the summer period, if only to surprise the tutors when term begins again in the autumn!
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I am awaiting delivery of my new paddle. It has been posted from Ukraine but I am not sure how long this takes! I have purchased a CT 755 X single lever as shown in the picture below. I did opt for an engraved call plaque on it too. My trusty Vibroplex is still going strong but it is old technology in comparison, i.e. it has springs whereas the Ukrainian paddle has neodymium magnets. I also have the HST 1 by Begali which I shall probably sell.
Roy G3ZIG sent me a picture of a keyer and paddle he saw on Faceache. It looks like a Collins keyer, but is it? Roy isn't sure that Collins ever made a keyer. The paddle is also unknown so if anybody has any idea where the paddle comes from I would be interested.
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CW OPS
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The four sessions are very well attended by lots of amateurs from around the world. Great practice and good fun too. Try it some time. You don't have to be a member to participate.
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Les MM0UMH now has the membership number of 3509 and is taking part in the CWTs.
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NARC NET 3543KHz plus or minus QRM 2000 local time
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Other Net Controllers and tutors will not join in but will leave the frequency to those that need the experience, tuition and practice. Speed will be maintained at 18wpm.
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If you require any practice, come and join in.
This week it is the turn of Colin G4EYT.
Malcolm G3PDH
Phil G4LPP
Dick G3WRJ
Roger G3LDI
Jim G3YLA
Colin G4EYT
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That's it, open the cage, play the music.
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If you have any input, please email me.
73 de Roger, G3LDI GB2CW Coordinator. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. May the Morse be with you.
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Propagation News, Friday 22nd March 2023
HF News
As we said last week - what a difference a month makes. Only in this case, what a difference a week makes!
On Friday the 15th, the solar flux index was at 129 and the Sun did not look very spotty at all. This week it’s all changed. On Thursday the 21st, the solar flux index stood at 176 with seven active regions visible.
For HF propagation forecasts, the golden rule is to use smoothed sunspot numbers (SSN) rather than a daily figure - that is, sunspot numbers averaged over the past 12 months.
The current SSN is 129, which equates to a solar flux index of about 144. But I think the daily figure of 176 just gives you more psychological confidence that the bands will be open!
A moderately strong M7.4 solar flare was observed around active region 3615 at 07:36 UTC on March 20th. The region continues to rotate into a better Earth-facing position and will remain a threat for additional solar flares above the M5.0 threshold.
If a flare leads to a coronal mass ejection or CME we could expect a disturbed ionosphere roughly 48 hours later, depending upon the solar wind speed.
Also, a large coronal hole on the solar equator became Earth-facing on Thursday the 21st. A coronal hole is a lower-energy area on the Sun with open magnetic field lines that lets solar plasma escape. This may lead to a geomagnetic disruption, perhaps on Saturday the 23rd or Sunday 24th, with increased Kp numbers and a lowering of the maximum usable frequency.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the SFI will be in the 155-165 range. Geomagnetic conditions are hard to predict, due to coronal hole effects and CMEs, but NOAA puts the figure at Kp equal to two to three. If we get a CME this could easily rise to five or more.
Finally, we are now at the equinox, which means that auroras are more likely due to the “Russell-McPherron” effect. The equinox is also a good time for north-south HF paths. Also, note that the HF bands are staying open for longer, with the 4U1UN (New York), YV5B (Venezuela) and 4X6TU (Israel) international beacons audible on 14.100MHz around 2230hrs last week.
VHF and up
It’s not good news for weather-related propagation with a total absence of high pressure on the charts again and a resulting lack of Tropo for the majority of the coming week.
But Tropo is not the only mode to be affected by the weather and step forward… rain scatter.
This has been a player quite often recently and, as we move into spring, the characteristic ‘April showers’ can be very useful for rain scatter. Their effectiveness is related to the sixth power of the raindrop diameter, so the larger drops in heavier ‘April showers’ can be increasingly valuable on the GHz bands.
Many good online weather radar displays are available online to allow you to track them for maximum benefit.
Other promising mentions should go to Aurora, which as we said earlier can be more likely around this time of the year when the Earth’s magnetic field is more favourably coupled to the solar wind. Meteor scatter is a lesser option and rests with random chance activity as we are still some way off any major meteor showers.
Sporadic-E and related Trans-Equatorial Propagation, or TEP, in the shorter term during the next month or so will soon be a major player. For TEP between Europe and southern Africa, check clusters around the middle part of the day and although usually favouring stations in southern Europe, it can occasionally turn up for UK ops, particularly for those located in the southern half of the country.
As for Sporadic-E, the new season is starting to wake up, so the usual maxim of checking clusters is the best advice, starting with 10m and working up to 6m. The traditional morning and late afternoon ‘windows' are less reliable in early-season events, so just check anyway if you’re in the shack.
For EME operators, Moon declination is still positive, but going negative again this coming Monday. Path losses are at their maximum due to apogee on Saturday the 23rd. 144 MHz sky noise is low but rising to moderate by the end of the coming week, reaching more than 1,000 Kelvin on Sunday 31st.