QRZ! Ham Radio 5

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ QRZ! Ham Radio 5 / QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso / digests / infoham / 940422.txt < prev next >

Wrap

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 30.0 KB

Date: Sat, 16 Apr 94 00:59:37 PDT From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu> Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #422 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Sat, 16 Apr 94 Volume 94 : Issue 422 Today's Topics: 3V8AS - Anyone Get a Card? Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 14 April Florida west coast repeaters GB2RS News 17th April 1994 REVIEW: Radio Shack DSP-40 Working AO-21 with TH-78A Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu> Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu> Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 19:37:54 GMT From: worldbank.org!news@uunet.uu.net Subject: 3V8AS - Anyone Get a Card? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Has anyone ever received a card from the IK5 manager for 3V8AS? (I understand that it's not valid for DXCC, I'm just curious to get a card!) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Apr 1994 21:55:45 MDT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 14 April To: info-hams@ucsd.edu /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY 14 APRIL, 1994 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data) SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 14 APRIL, 1994 --------------------------------------------------------- !!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 104, 04/14/94 10.7 FLUX=079.4 90-AVG=095 SSN=028 BKI=5334 2333 BAI=019 BGND-XRAY=A4.1 FLU1=3.1E+05 FLU10=1.1E+04 PKI=5435 4334 PAI=026 BOU-DEV=108,038,023,059,017,023,024,029 DEV-AVG=040 NT SWF=00:000 XRAY-MAX= B1.4 @ 1419UT XRAY-MIN= A3.4 @ 2001UT XRAY-AVG= A6.2 NEUTN-MAX= +003% @ 0545UT NEUTN-MIN= -002% @ 1950UT NEUTN-AVG= +0.1% PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 2035UT PCA-MIN= -0.3DB @ 0610UT PCA-AVG= +0.0DB BOUTF-MAX=55370NT @ 0124UT BOUTF-MIN=55302NT @ 1722UT BOUTF-AVG=55327NT GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT G7-AVG=+068,+000,+000 GOES6-MAX=P:+125NT@ 1827UT GOES6-MIN=N:-114NT@ 0113UT G6-AVG=+087,+029,-049 FLUXFCST=STD:090,085,085;SESC:090,085,085 BAI/PAI-FCST=015,020,030/015,025,045 KFCST=3344 4322 2234 5455 27DAY-AP=018,015 27DAY-KP=4442 3223 4434 3223 WARNINGS=*GSTRM;*AURMIDWRN ALERTS= !!END-DATA!! NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 13 APR 94 was 11.9. The Full Kp Indices for 13 APR 94 are: 3+ 4o 5o 4- 3+ 4o 4- 4- The 3-Hr Ap Indices for 13 APR 94 are: 19 28 46 21 19 28 25 21 Greater than 2 MeV Electron Fluence for 14 APR is: 1.2E+09 SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY -------------------- Solar activity was very low. Certainly the most interesting event of the day escaped detection in H-alpha and soft x-rays, but was dramatic in x-ray imagery. A large volume of the south-southeast quadrant was seen to dramatically restructure during the first 5-6 hours of the day. This event suggests a large-scale coronal mass ejection, extending to near the ecliptic plane. Just a very small filament disappeared as part of the event. Elsewhere, little flare activity occurred. One new Region, 7701 (N05E77), rotated into view as a mature sunspot. Solar activity forecast: solar activity is expected to be very low. STD: A full-disk Yohkoh x-ray image has been appended to this report showing another large trans-equatorial coronal hole approaching the central meridian at about 02:50 UTC on 14 April. The geomagnetic field varied from quiet to minor storm levels during the past 24 hours. Nighttime substorms continue. The greater than 2 MeV electron fluence was very high. Geophysical activity forecast: the geomagnetic field is expected to be increasingly more disturbed through the interval. Effects of today's CME are due to begin midway through the interval, culminating in minor storm conditions on April 17. Event probabilities 15 apr-17 apr Class M 01/01/01 Class X 01/01/01 Proton 01/01/01 PCAF Green Geomagnetic activity probabilities 15 apr-17 apr A. Middle Latitudes Active 30/25/20 Minor Storm 20/35/50 Major-Severe Storm 10/20/20 B. High Latitudes Active 40/15/10 Minor Storm 15/40/50 Major-Severe Storm 05/15/35 HF propagation conditions continued below-normal over the upper-middle to high latitude paths. Near-normal to slightly-below normal propagation was observed elsewhere. Similar conditions are expected until 17 April when effects from the above-noted coronal mass ejection should arrive, resulting in renewed signal degradation for most regions. COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS ======================================================== REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 14/2400Z APRIL -------------------------------------------------------- NMBR LOCATION LO AREA Z LL NN MAG TYPE 7700 N07W08 204 0010 BXO 05 007 BETA 7701 N05E77 119 0050 HSX 02 001 ALPHA REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 15 APRIL TO 17 APRIL NMBR LAT LO 7696 S16 096 LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 14 APRIL, 1994 ---------------------------------------------------- BEGIN MAX END RGN LOC XRAY OP 245MHZ 10CM SWEEP NONE POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 14 APRIL, 1994 -------------------------------------------------------- BEGIN MAX END LOCATION TYPE SIZE DUR II IV NO EVENTS OBSERVED INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 14/2400Z --------------------------------------------------- ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH CAR TYPE POL AREA OBSN 75 N20W30 N10W50 N10W56 N26W32 236 ISO NEG 005 10830A 76 N42E44 S26E24 S10W22 N45E42 188 ISO POS 034 10830A SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY ------------------------------------------------ Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn 2695 MHz 8800 MHz 15.4 GHz ------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------- --------- --------- 13 Apr: 0338 0341 0345 B2.4 1739 1744 1751 B1.1 SF 7700 N08E09 REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY ------------------------------------------------ C M X S 1 2 3 4 Total (%) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- ------ Region 7700: 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 001 (50.0) Uncorrellated: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 001 (50.0) Total Events: 002 optical and x-ray. EVENTS WITH SWEEPS AND/OR OPTICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE LAST UTC DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn Sweeps/Optical Observations ------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------------------------- NO EVENTS OBSERVED. NOTES: All times are in Universal Time (UT). Characters preceding begin, max, and end times are defined as: B = Before, U = Uncertain, A = After. All times associated with x-ray flares (ex. flares which produce associated x-ray bursts) refer to the begin, max, and end times of the x-rays. Flares which are not associated with x-ray signatures use the optical observations to determine the begin, max, and end times. Acronyms used to identify sweeps and optical phenomena include: II = Type II Sweep Frequency Event III = Type III Sweep IV = Type IV Sweep V = Type V Sweep Continuum = Continuum Radio Event Loop = Loop Prominence System, Spray = Limb Spray, Surge = Bright Limb Surge, EPL = Eruptive Prominence on the Limb. SPECIAL INSERT: CURRENT X-RAY EMISSIONS FROM THE JAPANESE YOHKOH SPACECRAFT =========================================================================== 14 April 1994, 02:50 UTC North ....,,,,,,,,,::::::::;:::::;;;::::,,,... ....,,,:;;;;;;;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;--------;;;;:::,.. ..,,,:::;:::;;:::;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;-;-;;;;:::,,.. . . ..,,:::;;;;;;;;::::::::::::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;--;;::,,,.. ....,,,,,,:;;::::;;;--;;;;;:::::;;:::::;;;::;:;;;;;;;;;;;-;::,,,. ....,,,::;;;;-:,.,,:;-----;;;;;;:::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:;--;;;::;;:;;;::,,... ...,,::;;;--;:::,,,,:;;---;;;;;;;::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;-;;;;;;::::::;;;::,,.... ..,,::;;-----;;--;;,...,:;--------;;;;;;;;-+--;;;;-;;;:;:::,,,:::::;;;;::,,.... .,::;;;--++-;-++-;::,,...,:;+||||++-;;;;;---+---------;:,,,,,,:::::::--;;::,,,. ::;;----++;;;+!!|;:::,. .,:;-||!11!|--+++++++++-++|++-;;;:,,,,,,,:,::++-;;:,,, ---+++|||-:::;-;:,.,,,.. .,-|2222!132|||++|||+|!1!!|++--;:,.. .,,,:-!--;;::, ;-++!13*2-;::::,..,,,,,.. .-|1444**2!|||||||||!!!|+++++-;:,...,,,,:;++--;:: :;-+|!*@1-;:,,,..,.,..,,,. .,;|12!||||++|!!|||||++-----+-;::,...,,,,:|!+-;;: ;;-+|1*#|;;:,..,,,,,..... .,;;;;--:::--+++-----;;-;-;;:,,. ,,,,:-+-;;:: :;;+|12!-:,,,,,,,,::,... .,:::,.,,::;-----;;;;;;::,,,. .,.,,,,;--;::: ;;-+|!!|;::,:,,::::::,... . .,,,:,:::;;;;;:,...... .....,:-;;:,, ;;-|!!1!;;::::::---;;;,,. ...,,,,,,,:,,........ ..,.,;;:::,, ;-++!124+;;;;::;;;;::::,. . . ......,,,,...,... ,,.,;;::,,, ,:;-+!342-;;;-;;::,,.. . .... .,,,...... .. ,;;;::,,, .,;+|1234!;:::,,,. . ......,:,,,,.,,. ...:;;::,,,. .:;-|!233+:,,,. . .. . .. ......,,,,,,,.,.. ..,;::,,... .,:;--+|!!!-:,,,. ,;;:,,,.... ... .....,,,,,,,,,,............,;:,,.. .,:;;;;--++|-;:,...,:--;::::,:,:,:::,..,,,,,,,,,....,..... .,. ....::,,.. .,,:;;;;;;--++;:::;--;;;::::,,..,:,,::,,,.,...,......... ...,,,,.. ..,,,::;;;;---+++-----;;::,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,.,,... ....,,. ..,,,:::;;-+|||||++----;,,,,,,,,,,,,,... . .....,,::;;--+++++-:,...... ....,,,,:::::;;;;:,. .......,,,,,,,::::;;:,... ........,,:::;;:,,,::::::,,,.. ....,,,:,....,,,,... .... . South KEY: East and west limbs are to the left and right respectively. Emission strength, from minimum to maximum are coded in the following way: [space] . , : ; - + | ! 1 2 3 4 * # @ Units used are arbitrary, for illustrative purposes. Get "showasc.zip" from "pub/solar/Software" at the anonymous FTP site: ftp.uleth.ca (IP # 142.66.3.29) to view these images on VGA screens. Remove all but the image data before typing "showasc filename". ** End of Daily Report ** ------------------------------ Date: 15 Apr 94 15:23:41 GMT From: ncrgw2.ncr.com!ncrhub2!tdbunews!nsc32!wps@uunet.uu.net Subject: Florida west coast repeaters To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article et0@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu, tgwright@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Thomas G Wright) writes: --> -->Can anyone tell me what the PL code is for the Sanibel Island 144 repeater? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 18:21:47 +0000 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!demon!llondel.demon.co.uk!dave@network.ucsd.edu Subject: GB2RS News 17th April 1994 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Good morning. It's Sunday the 17th of April and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain. It's Scottish Activity weekend and we wish all our Scottish listeners an active day. The organisers of this event, the Scottish Tourist Board (Radio Amateur) Expedition Group, aims to encourage activity by Scottish radio amateurs and to create a worldwide interest in contacts with Scottish stations. The Scottish Century Award is available and further details can be obtained from Robbie Aitkenhead, GM4UQG, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. All GM, GS and 2M stations are invited to participate. Next Saturday the 23rd of April is International Marconi Day. The event is held each year on the Saturday nearest to the birth date of Marconi and is organised by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club. This year is the seventh IMD and is the biggest event to date, with over 35 special event stations taking part from around the world. The Cornish Radio Amateur Club offers an award for working or hearing a minimum of twelve of the participating stations. For details and a list of official stations which count for the award contact the IMD Awards Manager, Sue Thomas, G0PGX at the Cornish Radio Amateur Club, P O Box 100, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1RX. Or send a message via packet to G4USB at GB7AKE. Amongst the International Marconi Day special event stations is GB0IOW which will operate from Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight, described by Marconi as "the World's first permanent wireless station". Another IMD station is GB1IMD which will use amateur satellites only. The station will be operational for the whole of the Saturday. Main activity will be via Oscar 13 mode B, on a down link close to 145.930MHz USB, and with the uplink around 435MHz. Additional operation will take place via the Russian satellite RS10 on a downlink around 28.385MHz, with an uplink on 2 metres. Precise operating times will depend on the satellites in range. The station will operate from a Marconi factory site in Leicester. For further details contact John Heath, G7HIA. ------------------------------ Date: 15 Apr 94 22:09:08 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!sgiblab!barrnet.net!informix.com!informix.com!informix.com!randall@ucbvax.berkeley.edu Subject: REVIEW: Radio Shack DSP-40 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Radio Shack now sells the DSP-40, a Digital Signal Processor with a 5-watt audio amplifier and built-in speaker. The price is $79.95 in the US. The catalog number is 21-543; you will need that number when you call and ask if it's in stock, because most Radio Shack personnel probably won't know what it is. (none of the ones I called knew about it) The product is not in the 1994 catalog. Some newer Radio Shack CBs will have DSP built-in to the units. The unit is small (about the size of a paperback novel) and runs off 12 VDC through a jack in the back (fused cord included). It has an audio input jack and audio output jack, both of the standard 1/8'' mono phone type. (cord included) The input jack is designed to take input from an earphone jack or external speaker output of a radio. The DSP-40 is simple to install: just connect to power, and run the included cord from your rig's external speaker output to the unit. There are four controls on the front: a volume/on-off knob, a button that turns DSP on or off, a bandwidth knob (three positions, WIDE, MEDIUM, NARROW), and a mode knob. (three positions: CW, SSB, NR/Noise Reduction) For the CW operator, the unit works pretty well as an audio filter. If you already have an audio narrow bandwidth filter on your rig, this unit may not provide any more functionality. You need to tune the rig very carefully if you use this unit, especially if the unit is in the NARROW bandwidth setting. For the SSB operator, the unit is very effective in eliminating squeals (heterodynes) caused by interference from AM stations. This is much better than the Notch filters offered on some rigs and some active filters like the MFJ filter. This is very useful for the 40m SSB operator, especially if you work mobile. You push a button, and the heterodynes go away; no need to fiddle with knobs. For the AM operator, the unit is of limited usefulness. When the CB band is open, heterodynes (or squeals that sound like heterodynes) are a problem, and this unit can help filter them. The DSP-40 does NOT reduce engine noise for mobile operators. The unit is somewhat effective in reducing hiss. Audio quality is reduced when DSP is engaged on AM signals. The internal speaker is pretty good for mobile operation. Its quality is about the same as the one built-in to my Icom 735. For $79.95, this is cheaper than other DSP units. Does it provide $80 worth of functionality? Yes, if you are a 40m SSB enthusiast. No, if you are anyone else. It is a fun new toy to play with though, and I am glad that Radio Shack is selling it. 73 DE KG0HW -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Randall Rhea Informix Software, Inc. Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems randall@informix.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 19:19:29 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!col.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!icon!greg@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Working AO-21 with TH-78A To: info-hams@ucsd.edu John Boudreau (ve8ev@gov.nt.ca) wrote: : : The AO-21 satellite boasts a fine AFC on the uplink receiver. : Working the satellite with your TH-78A set to 435.0125 should not : be a problem, although as the satellite move farther away from you : it may take a half second or so for the AFC to lock on your signal : when you transmit. : 73 : John Boudreau : VE8EV Can you really work AO-21 from a handheld? I've tried using my Yaesu 767GX (10 watts) into an 8 element Quagi, with not even a hint of a change in the downlink static. Am I doing something wrong? I had the uplink tuned to 435.016, and even tried to move it around a little (+/- 5khz or so). Judging from the conversations I hear on the bird, most folks seem to have complete OCSAR setups with BIG antennae and lots of power (100w range). Greg KD6KGW p.s. I've also not had any luck with FO-20, but I've made dozens of contacts on RS-10. ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) The Coventry/ Northampton HF Direction Finding Qualifying event is scheduled to take place next Sunday the 24th of April. It takes place at Irchester Country Park, NGR 912658 using map 152, Northampton and Milton Keynes. Participants should assemble at 1pm for 1.20pm start. Competitors requiring supper should notify George Whenham, tel: 0926 812367 no later than today Sunday the 17th. Attention RSGB members in Scotland: A new RSGB Liaison Officer (RLO) has been appointed for Tayside. He is Alfred Low, GM4UZP, and his address is 21 Earn Crescent, Menzieshill, Dundee DD2 4BS, telephone 0382 644597. RLOs hold a wide range of information and they are available to help any RSGB member seeking advice. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) Location Output Input Call Notes Sponsor -------- ------ ----- ---- ----- ------- Sanibel 146.790 - K8CUL ter SEM My book lists the notes as: t - Tone-access (CTCSS Tone) required to access. (I guess it needs a PL) e - emergency power r - (this is not listed) your guess is a good as mine. Maybe someone out there might shed some light on this. If it were me, would set my FT530 to 146.790 down 600 kHz and scan the PLs while the repeater is used waiting for the correct PL to break squelch on my handheld. Another way is to contact: >> call k8cul Call-Sign: K8CUL Class: TECHNICIAN Real Name: GAILLARD A DOBBS Birthday: SEP 24, 1939 Mailing Address: 2221 PERIWINKLE WAY, SANIBEL, FL 33957 Valid From: NOV 1, 1988 To: NOV 1, 1998 >> -->Also, what machines are accessible from North Captiva Island with a handheld? --> -->Thanks, -->Tom KF8LM This contact could also answer your other question. Good luck! 73's Bill +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Bill Starkgraf wps@ElSegundoCA.ncr.com | | AT&T Global Information Solutions (310) 524-5754 | | El Segundo, CA (800) 222-8372 x5754 | | | | Call: KD6UQB Simi Settlers ARC | | Simi Valley, CA | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) And from Switzerland, I1YRL will operate the Geneva ITU station 4U1ITU during Saturday the 30th of April and the special Geneva ITU callsign 4U9ITU throughout the month of May. Rally news now: Now the Rallies for today Sunday the 17th of April: The Bury Radio Society Radio Rally is being held at the Castle Centre, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancs. Doors open at 11am, or 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features trade stands and a bring and buy stall. Talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22. The Cambridge Repeater Group Amateur Radio Rally is being held at the Philips Telecom Catering Centre, St Andrews Road, Chesterton, Cambridge. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall and an auction. Refreshments are available. The Marske-by-the Sea Radio Rally is being held at the Marske Leisure Centre, High Street, Marske-by-the-Sea, near Saltburn, Cleveland. Doors open at 11am. The event features the usual traders and a bring and buy stall and refreshments will be available. Now the only event we know for next weekend, Saturday the 23th and Sunday the 24th of April: The Irish Receiving and Transmitting Society Annual General Meeting and Mobile Rally is to be held at the Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland on Sunday the 26th. This is the first IRTS AGM to be held in Co Donegal. The Hotel is also the host to the IRTS Dinner Dance to be held on Saturday the 23rd. For ticket information and other details contact Ken, EI4DW on 010 353 74 31109. Now some dates for your diary: The RSGB National Mobile Rally is to be held at its usual venue on Sunday the 7th August at Woburn Park, Bedfordshire. For further information contact Norman Miller, G3MVV on 0277 225563. The next RSGB Regional Meeting will be held on Sunday the 5th of June in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. For further details, contact RSGB Zonal Council Member Peter Sheppard, G4EJP, on 0964 550397. HF contest news now: The RSGB Low Power Contest is taking place today, Sunday the 17th from 0700 to 1100 UTC using CW between 3.510 - 3.560MHz and 7.010 - 7.040MHz. See the February edition of Radio Communication, for the rules and further details. Clubs wishing to enter the RSGB's HF National Field Day should note that the deadline for registration is next Saturday, the 23rd of April. Further information can be found on page 82 of the February edition of RadCom. The third in this year's series of RSGB QRS (Slow Morse) Cumulative Contests will take place next Thursday the 21st of April from 1900 to 2030 UTC between 3.540 - 3.580MHz. See April RadCom page 8, for further details and January's RadCom, page 83 for the rules. Novice licensees are particularly encouraged to participate as contacts with Novice calls are worth quadruple points. The Helvetia Contest takes place during next weekend, starting at 1300 on Saturday the 23rd and finishing at 1300 on Sunday the 24th of April. Use CW only on 1.8MHz, and CW and SSB on 3.5 to 28MHz but excluding the WARC bands. The contest is rather complex so participants are advised to consult the rules which can be found in the April edition of RadCom on page 19. A special event station active today is GB2AMN, which will be aired by members of RAF Finningley Amateur Radio Society from the Newark Air Museum, from 10am to 6pm on the HF bands and two metres. And now the solar factual data The period from the 4th to the 10th of April has seen continuing magnetic storms, particularly at high latitudes, due to the passage of coronal holes. The HF bands continued to be very poor. Solar activity has remained very low with the sun spot indices down to zero on some days and the mean for the period being only 7. There was only one flare reported which was a sub-flare. This has less energy than a C-class flare, and would not normally be reported. The last M flare reported was on the 27th of February, and solar rotation 1880 has passed without any flares at all. The solar flux levels have also taken a knock and averaged only 74.4 units, being depressed throughout the period. The 90 day mean flux on 9th April was 96 units. The geomagnetic activity was expected to die down but alas it remained as bad as ever, and was at storm levels every day. Since February the storms have raged almost continuously making this period the stormiest of solar cycle 22. The Ap indices averaged 40.7 units. The main effects of the storms have been at the higher latitudes with complete ionospheric blackouts. The state has been 'mag storm at high latitudes' all the period. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the period 29th March to the 4th April, gave daily averages ranging from the only quiet day on the 29th at only 11.1 nanoTeslas, up to the full storm days of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, with daily levels up to 98 nanoTeslas. During the auroras of the 2nd and 3rd, there were periods of 137 nanoTeslas. The weekly average was 41 nanoTeslas, about K4, with the storm periods up to K6. The X-Ray flux has dropped to very low levels and averaged only A1.1 units, the lowest levels since we have been bringing you this data. The Electron Fluence at greater than 2 Mega-electron-volts has remained at a very high level, probably the result of the outpourings from the coronal holes. The sunspot mean for March was RI 31.7 with a maximum of 62 on the 3rd and a minimum of 8 on the 20th. The 6 month smoothed level for September 1993 was 48.5 plus or minus 5. Bartells rotation 2195 starts today, the 17th. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 7; Flux - 74.4; Ap index - 40.7; X-ray flux - A1.1; March spot mean 31.7. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, averaged only 6.1MHz, with the 7th being down to only 4.6MHz. Again, this is the lowest level since we have been bringing you this data. The darkness hour lows have also been depressed, averaging 2.1MHz. However, spread F has been bad, lasting up to 8 hours on some days. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.1MHz; lows - 2.1MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg have been severely affected by the magnetic storms. Readings have not been possible on some days but what we have gives levels of around 4.7MHz. The darkness hour lows were about 2.3MHz. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 4.7MHz; lows - 2.3MHz. Recent times have very clearly shown that it is not only flare activity that can cause magnetic storms. Coronal holes which are magnetic holes in the sun's outer corona have the effect of guiding the solar material out into space. These holes are always present at the sun's poles, but at times such as now, tongues extend down to the solar equator and it is this outpouring which affects the earth. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the quieter side of the sun will be coming into view, and based on past history the magnetic activity should be just about unsettled. It would appear that some solar restructuring is taking place and the solar flux levels are likely to remain low at about the 80s. Ionospheric MUFs in the south during the daytime are expected to reach about 21MHz, and darkness hour lows about 7MHz. Best contacts should be over north/south paths. For the north, daytime levels will be lower, possibly only 18MHz. Seasonal effects will depress the east/west paths. And that is the end of the solar information. Finally in the main news, SSL has informed the Society that as of last Wednesday morning, the latest callsigns issued were in the G0 Uniform Sierra and G7 Sierra Hotel series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Hotel and 2 1 Charlie Uniform series. ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #422 ******************************