UK Advanced Distance Learning Course

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For most people, distance learning is not as good as face-to-face training but these courses are ideal for anyone who cannot make it to traditional classroom events

The Bath-based distance learning team will be running an Advanced amateur radio course from early July to December.

Weekly work packages are sent out to students who complete the studying at home and submit answers to revision questions and exercises via the internet.

Some video tutorials and demonstrations are included in the course material and links to other useful resources are also provided.

To enrol contact Steve Hartley, G0FUW - https://twitter.com/G0FUW

Pirate Radio in the Digital Age

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In the past twelve months, over 400 pirate radio stations have been shut down in the UK, and whilst many stations are providing an outlet for alternative music not covered by mainstream services, the impact upon the bands cannot be ignored.

Ofcom have commissioned Dr Angus Nurse and Dr Robin Fletcher to examine the modern-day phenomenon of unlicensed 'pirate' radio in the UK 

Dr Robin Fletcher and Dr Angus Nurse are currently examining the modern-day phenomenon of unlicensed ‘pirate’ radio in the UK.  The aim of the research is to, so far as is possible, examine the extent to which pirate radio remains a contemporary social and regulatory problem. We are examining why ‘pirate’ radio persists despite the existence of legal alternatives to unlicensed broadcasting.

The research, which was commissioned by the regulator Ofcom, also aims to assess both why people continue with ‘pirate’ broadcasting on FM radio, as well as the reasons why audiences continue to consume ‘pirate’ radio broadcasts.

They are now looking in depth at the reach of pirate radio and the reasons why people listen to it – especially in London. An anonymous online questionnaire published last year has been updated to try to gain more information from listeners and the public.

Public submissions - https://sprc.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bygvr8rwjNe4t6J

Full story - https://mdxminds.com/2016/05/24/is-pirate-radio-still-a-problem-in-the-digital-age/

2016 HF Propagation Update

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Steve Nichols, G0KYA, the Chairman of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, has updated his hourly UK HF Propagation Predictions maps for the rest of 2016.

The new charts take into account the latest smoothed sunspot numbers from NOAA/NGDC.

Steve’s group have seen a steady decline in sunspot activity from the peak of solar cycle 24. Since a high of 164 in May 2015, the current solar flux is well under 100.

Adding to the effects are plasma from solar coronal holes, created by the sun's open magnetic field allowing plasma to escape.

This increased K index is usually a sign of poor HF conditions, with noisy bands and depressed maximum usable frequencies. Any path over the poles is also badly affected. This can also lead to aurora, which while not being visible in the summer, can lead to openings on VHF.

Updated Propagaion Charts - http://g0kya.blogspot.co.uk

HF Propagation Prediction Tool -  http://www.predtest.uk