PZK and IARU Anniversaries

2015 sees the 85th anniversary of establishment of the Polish Amateur Radio Union(PZK) and the 90th anniversary of the IARU

This is to publicise the jubilees a selection of the special event stations, capability of intensive operation will use an assigned call sign, and on assuming activation of club stations which train future radio amateurs, as well as of such stations already activated by young fully licensed radio amateurs.

This action is based on the assumption of operation on the air during the following period: 01.01.2015 - 30.04.2015, encompassing two dates referring to both jubilees, namely - the 24th February 2015 - the 85th anniversary of establishment of the PZK and the 18th April 2015 - the 90th anniversary of establishment of the IARU.

For more information - http://85.pzk.org.pl/

CQ Hall of Fame Awards

Nominations for the Contest and DX Halls of Fame are made by contesting or DX clubs or national organizations and must be submitted by 1 March 2015 of each year to be considered.

A maximum of two (2) people may be inducted into each hall of fame each year. Nominations for the CQ Contest and DX Halls of Fame should be directed to CQ (DX or Contest) Hall of Fame, c/o CQ magazine, 25 Newbridge Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801 USA; or via e-mail to w2vu@cq-amateur-radio.com. Be sure to specify for which hall of fame the nomination is made.

Nominations for the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame (see recent January

issue of CQ for details) are due by March 1 of each year. They may be

submitted by individuals as well as radio clubs or national organizations

and should be sent to CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, 25 Newbridge Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801 USA; or e-mailed to hall-of-fame[at]cq-amateur-radio.com.

More information - http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_awards/cq_hall_of_fame_awards/cq_hall_of_fame_awards.html

UK HF Propagation Prediction Maps

Steve Nichols G0KYA, chairman of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, has updated his UK HF coverage prediction maps for this quarter using the current smoothed sunspot numbers (SSNs).

The maps for April to December can be used as being representative, but will be updated as and when the SSNs are updated later in the year.

Steve said that on the current evidence it looks like we passed the peak of Sunspot Cycle 24 in the Spring of 2014. However, the cycle still seems to have some life left in it.

The peak solar flux index (SFI) for the cycle occurred on 23 rd October 2014 at 227, although there were plenty of other times when it bettered 200, including January 2014, October and December 2014.

On an annual basis, 2014 had the highest average daily sunspot numbers of any year since 2002, according to the ARRL, although the peak solar flux indices were higher in 2002, hitting 261 on 29th January 2002.

The highest peak solar flux indices of cycle 23 were actually seen in 2001, with 283 being reached on 26 th September 2001. This cycle has been poor in comparison.

But what next? Steve says that what has been very apparent is the general increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) recently. This has led to disturbed geomagnetic and HF conditions and is typical of the downward trail away from a sunspot maximum.

Over the next quarter we can expect to see overall sunspot numbers decline slightly, with solar flare and CME activity remaining high. Expect to see SFI numbers in the range 120-180, still good enough to provide good openings to DX on the higher bands at times.

We may see the cycle peak up yet again before it finally tails away, but are we likely to see the SFI go above 200 again? Who knows.

G0KYA's UK HF prediction maps - http://www.infotechcomms.net/propcharts/ and his blog at  www.g0kya.blogspot.co.uk