Welcome to your new amateurs'
newsletter from RSGB
In this issue we take a special look at 20 metres (14 MHz); help you take your first steps into radio sport with the 80m Club Championship; give you some hints and tips on tracking down interference sources in your home; and start to demystify the solar information and forecast in the GB2RS HF propagation report.
But before we move on, one quick update. In the last issue we looked at operating on 70 MHz (4m).
Unfortunately, we may have misled you slightly as to the current bandplan. We've now so that you can see exactly where the beacon, narrowband and FM parts of the band are.
And don't forget to read the monthly "Getting Started In ......" Radcom supplement, which is intended for newcomers too.
The "Getting Started" section of the RSGB website also has a whole host of other material for you to read, plus there are seven back issues of this newsletter.
Note: you'll have to log in to the Members' Only section of the new RSGB website to read " Getting Started" and also log in to the site to read the ezine features below.
Making the most of 20m (14 MHz)
If you have just received your licence, and are finding your way around the HF bands, a good place to start can be 20 metres (14 MHz).
Why? Well, running from 14.000 MHz to 14.350 MHz, 20 metres is probably the most active and consistent band in terms of being able to hear and work DX.
So what can you expect to hear on 20m and where?
Contesting with the RSGB
80m Club Championship
Contesting or “Radio Sport” enjoys a large and loyal following within RSGB's membership. Radio Sport usually involves a competition to see who can contact the most stations in a set period of time on certain band(s) and within specific rules.
Love it or loathe it, contesting gives you the opportunity to hone your operating skills and tweak your equipment to get the best results.
If you have never taken part in a contest before then there is one way that you can dip your toe in the water – and perhaps help out your local club at the same time.
Understanding the GB2RS
Propagation Report - part 1
Each week the GB2RS weekly news report carries a section devoted to propagation.
This is prepared by Martin G3USF and Neil G0CAS of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee and usually outlines the solar activity for the past week and looks at the coming week too.
But what does it all mean and why is it important?
Tracking down sources of interferenceOne of the biggest threats to amateur radio is the rise of electrical and electronic interference.
Every day the problems seems to get worse as more and more devices emit increasing amounts of radio frequency interference (RFI).
But is there anything you can do about it? Well, yes there is. If you think you have a high noise level on the HF bands, or you are hearing raspy/buzzy sounds, it might be time to take a closer look at your own home.
In the next issue:
