NARC Live online - Wednesday 8th February 2023: Node Red!

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Published: 13 January 2023

Last Updated: 03 February 2023

Tonight we meet online for NARC Live and welcome back Mike Richards G4WNC who is going to ive us an illustrated introduction to Node Red for amateur radio....   Not sure what that is - Nor am I so look forward to finding out more.

Before Mike's presentation we want to share your club news, stories, pictures and the solution to the latest 'What on Earth...'!

Please send any news and views you an share for NARC Live! to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 3pm latest on Wednesday.

Join Tammy M0TC and David G7URP live on BATC or Facebook - everyone is welcome.

Watch live on BATC or Facebook at 19.30: 

Watch live on BATC:

https://batc.org.uk/live/NARC

or Facebook Live:

https://www.facebook.com/norfolkamateurradioclub  

WATCHING PREVIOUS NARC LIVE's...

If you missed a NARC Live we now we record most shows in the studio and upload them to Youtube within   couple of days. So you can watch almost any previous recorded NARC Live show by going to YouTube, searching for "Norfolk ARC", click on Videos and choose the programme you want to watch. https://www.youtube.com/c/norfolkamateurradio/videos 

What on Earth is this...?

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Published: 05 January 2023

Last Updated: 03 February 2023

This is our regular competition where we show an unusual object, tool, gadget or thing-me-bob sent in by one of the NARC members and you have to guess (or you know!) what it is or what it does...

Have a good look at the picture below - what on earth are these for...?!

Please email your answers with the subject 'What on earth' to David & Tammy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 3pm on WEDNESDAY OF OUR NEXT NARC LIVE and we will read out all of the entries and tell you what it is!

Whats your mystery object - we need more unusual gadgets, tools and gizmos

We ask for your photos of unusual items to feature in future weeks. To enter please send us a good quality photo of your 'What on earth is this' along with a brief description and ideally at the same time include a second photo of it in use by email to the same email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Everyone has one of those 'must-have' kitchen gadgets they bought at a show or one of the strange inventions by Ronco or KTel that you just had to have at the time, but only used once! Please use your own photo if you possibly can, but if you do send us a photo by someone else please be sure to tell us who owns the © copyright.

73 

David G7URP & Tammy M0TC  

Remember please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not reply to the newsletter or any other email address or Facebook or David & Tammy will not receive it directly and may never receive it!  

NARC Raspberry Pi Jam is GO!

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Published: 07 February 2023

Last Updated: 07 February 2023

We are pleased to confirm that we have had a good amount of interest in the Raspberry Pi workshops and can confirm they start next week. All workshops will be at CNS School and start after notices at 19.45 and will be led by Jeff G7PLF - our sincere thanks to him.

GB2CW Morse Corner Week ending 03.02.23

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Published: 03 February 2023

Last Updated: 03 February 2023

GB2CW Morse Corner Week ending 03.02.23
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MORSE CLASSES FOR 2023 HAVE REALLY GOOD ATTENDANCE.

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It is very encouraging to see a good attendance in the classes this year. However we have as yet to see any approach from some of the new M7 licencees so it would be even more encouraging to see some of those take an interest. I do hope they have not gone the way of most into the use of repeaters linked to the Internet, thinking that is amateur radio.
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Have YOU made a NYR ( New Year's Resolution ) to learn the code and become a proficient Radio Operator? Telegraphy on HF is one of the most exciting modes you can use. It's a world of it's own and having a contact with another operator in some other part of the world using your own ability at reading the Morse and also sending it is the most satisfying methods of communication there is. Age is no barrier, but the sooner you get started the sooner you will be joining a world wide band of like minded operators.
You are not relying on anything other than your own operating skill, your antenna and hearing stations direct. That is the premise of proper communications and there is nothing that can replace it.

Once you do get on the air, there are numerous clubs that you can join. They all have their own participation events, contests, ladders, tables and so on. Each one also has a regular magazine, so there is a lot of different things to do once you become a CW operator.
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Classes are as per the table below, BUT speeds will be aimed at whoever checks in for practice.
Accuracy transcends Speed is the motto of FISTS, but in tuition that is the way to go.
So, if you join and can only manage around 10 wpm that will be the speed!
Classes are now waiting for you to join and there is a variety of days and times to choose from. You will be expected to put in at least 30 minutes practice per day and if you do that you can soon see progress. It's not only the code to learn but lots of procedural signals, punctuation, abbreviations ( around 300 but not all are used! ) and correct protocols to use on the air.
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Learn to use your receiver around 80% more than your transmitter and hear what is happening on the air. CW is a nuanced mode and CW operators take pride in their mode.
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Soooooooooooooo, join in any of the following - you will be most welcome!

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We are still waiting to hear from the two newly licenced M7s who were at the CLub Dinner. Both expressed an interest in Morse, so please let's hear from you on 145.450 at some time so we can have a chat about joining the classes, learning the code and all the additional things you will need to know in order to become a proficient CW operator.
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Start with a straight key if you can and please get the technique correct. It is shown in my Morse for Radio Amateurs book, or you can ask the correct way. Look for one with both a knob and a skirt. There are plenty for sale on Ebay and other sites, but make sure you get a heavy one and preferably made of brass if possible.
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Four people turned up for the head copy class this week, Phil G4LPP, Robert G4TUK, CHris G4CCX and Les G0DFC. Paul M1AFQ did not manage to drag himself out of bed this week!

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To prevent your key from sliding all over the desk - that does not help with clean keying - get yourself something like this:
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09YLRQXJG?ref=em_1p_0_im&ref_=pe_2443691_772380271
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 CW OPS

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There are still a large number of locals taking part. If you would like to be nominated for membership of CW OPS just let one of the local members know and we will do the necessary. The only pre-condition is that you are good up to 25wpm.You can earn yourself a medallion by attending a certain number of sessions.
Even if you are NOT a member, please feel free to join in some of these sessions. For the UK the exchange is {NAME} G
This is a great way of both making new friends and gaining a lot of practice in a fun way.
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If again you are serious about learning CW, then why not join the CW OPS Academy? You sign up for a year in semesters with your own tutor. He will oversee your course and get you up to a decent speed in a year. The younger you are the easier it is. It is never too late to learn however so don't let your age be a barrier.

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RUFZXP

There seems to be a reluctance in updating - or should I say trying to update - scores in this table. I say trying because I have been trying for some time now to improve my score and although I can sometimes equal what I have I never quite get above it! Perhaps it is the same for you. However, I suspect that those at the lower end of the table could improve their scores more readily and it is just a liberal use of the Big P word and Persistence, another Big P word, that is preventing any updates.

So, while we are all waiting for Bouvet to appear in our log, do have a try and see if we can get some updates to this table. Even a single plcing is worthwhile and it will all aid in the 3Y0J call appearing in your log!

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Send your new score to Jim G3YLA by Thursday evening at the latest. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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It would be nice to see some more new entries in this table.

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The NARC Net.
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CHANGE OF TIME.
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The 2000 start time is much better for most and this week we had 9 on the net, including Paul M1AFQ and David M7BLX, which was great to see. The unfortunate thing this week was the fact that it was SK night and the speed is naturally a lot lower than normal so the Net did take a long time! David continues to make progress with his keying using a straight key. Malcolm gave him some one to one practice with his technique at the club and it proved to be helpful.
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Learning Net Protocol is not that easy and requires practice. To help with this the NARC Net was started a few years ago. We are STILL waiting for newcomers to join on a regular basis however. No need to feel shy or nervous because the Net is the place to learn and we always have a discussion afterwards on 145.250 FM.
Well, regardless of SK night, we are now starting the NARC Net at 20 wpm. On a paddle, this provides reasonable speed and good Morse to encourage those trying out their skils for the first time, or even those not comfortable at higher speeds. This is what the Net was instigated for in the first place so please try to join in. The Net controller will call ON TIME at 8.00 and will listen ONLY for beginners to start with so please DO NOT call before time and DO NOT call until sufficient time has been given to those beginners. There must be dozens of them just busting to join in so let's hope this produces some results! Please wait until the Net Controller STARTS the Net before lodging your call.
Once the Net controller has called for those beginners a couple of times, then we can also join in. Then, we can run at 20 wpm for the complete Net or if the controller wishes, he can increase the speed to a suggested level, say 25 wpm.
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Being a pedantic pest I do like to see accurate netting. Please pay particular attention to that. This week was very good, with just about everbody netting correctly. Please don't adopt the "That's near enough" attitude. I used to upset my father-in-law, ( jokingly ) when he was measuring wood when we were making my bookshelves. He used to explode when I said those three words.

Whilst on the subject of CW nets, ours is not the only one.

Vintage & Military Amateur Radio Society

See full list on rafars.org

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  This is just a few of those that take place each week. Most allow visitors into their Nets and it is another good way of practising.

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Below are the details of the NARC Net.

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3543.00KHz 2000 local time on Monday evenings. Join us for a chat.
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Net Operator's list:
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Malcolm G3PDH
Chris G4CCX
Phil G4LPP
Dick G3WRJ
Roger G3LDI
Les G0DFC
Jim G3YLA
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This is the current list.
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++++++++++++++++ THERE IS NO NET THIS COMING MONDAY AS IT IS THE START OF THE NEW RSGB CC SERIES OF CONTESTS++++++++++
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Please keep a list of Net Controllers so you can work out when it will be your turn. I will highlight the call in red each week for the following Monday.
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We are now past the winter solstice and winter conditions on the LF bands are beginning to take the toll on the net. Stations were fading into the noise and copy became poor and inconsistent. It was doubly difficult this week because just as Malcolm was about to launch the net he got called away on the telephone. I took over but we had another difficult net. We closed and moved to 145.250 for discussion.
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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.

NARC Contest News (71) Friday 3rd February 2023

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Published: 02 February 2023

Last Updated: 02 February 2023

Welcome to week seventy one of NARC’s contest news.

Results:-

On VHF

No VHF results so far this week.

On HF

The results of the penultimate AFS for the current series came out on 1st February - This was the 40m/80m SSB contest. Our A team (G3F (G4AFF), G1A (M0NKR), G3PDH and G4LPP) managed a creditable 3rd place in the Local clubs section. Our B team was 10th (G4PFZ, G3LDI, G4OZG and G3WRJ). Our C team was 22nd ( M0KKM, M0RYB, G4KQY and G8VPE). Our D team was 38th with only 3 members (G3YLA, G3PXT and G0ELJ). Top scorer in the 100W section was our own Andy M0NKR as G1A so congratulations to him. Congratulations and thanks to all who took part for NARC.

The final AFS of this series is the 432MHz on Sunday morning - see below.

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 only VHF contest this week has been the 144MHz FT8 AC (2h & 4h sections~) on Wednesday 1st Feb. Entry in the 2h section was G0ODR.

On HF

Members from this club took part in the BARTG RTTY sprint on Saturday 28th Jan - G8VPE, G3PDH, G4OZG and M0KKM. Some decent scores have been claimed by those members. This from John G8VPE:-

      "The 24 hour BARTG RTTY Sprint Contest last weekend, 28/29th January was most enjoyable and a very leisurely approach netted me 100 QSOs with 33 DXCC multipliers and a total of 21,000 points.  On Saturday afternoon 10m was quite productive with CX2AQ Uruguay for a SA continent multiplier, followed in the late afternoon by a slightly difficult exchange with ZD7BG in St.Helena on 10m and the AF continent multiplier.  The afternoon was mostly spent on 15m, yielding quite a few contacts in NA as well as swelling the total of EU stations.  Saturday evening was spent mostly on 80m collecting as many different EU DXCCs for more multipliers.  Sunday morning was a very late 11am start but 15m yielded TA2EJ for my 5th continent multiplier, AS, and a last half hour dash to log as many as possible on 20m, mostly in EU.   The Oceania, OC, continent eluded me but a few JAs and a VK4 did print up on the screen but my bare 100W and a wire antenna just didn't put out a big enough signal to even get a reply or a QRZ?.

The next BARTG contest is the 48 hour HF RTTY contest starting Saturday 18th March at 02:00.

Enjoy the jingle bells !

73 John  G8VPE"

I also believe some members participated in the CQ 160m CW contest over the weekend.

I would be pleased to receive writeups from anyone who took part for this newsletter.

If any other contests have been worked by NARC members writeups are always welcome here. Please e-mail content to me at the address below.

We are always on the lookout for new contesters to add to our team and welcome people of any ability who either wish to add their score to ours or develop their skills.

Note, NARC contest net takes place every Friday evening at 9pm clock time on 145.250MHz. This is a useful place to exchange contest information and get help with logging and station setup issues etc.

Contest reports are always appreciated from any club members.

I have been approached about forming a contest group to participate for NARC in the various 2m / VHF contests throughout the year such as VHF Field day, 2m CW Marconi, VHF championships etc. This would be on a portable station basis. If there is any interest out there in putting together such a group please contact me for details. There has certainly been a reduction in NARC participation in these events since COVID and it would be good to get a well prepared club VHF contest station up and running once more.

UPDATE:- so far I have had emails from two interested parties. More would be appreciated!

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 5th Feb 0900-1300 432MHz AFS - AFS Super League - the last one of this AFS series - a good turnout would be appreciated!
* Tue 7th Feb 2000-2230 144MHz UKAC
* Wed 8th Feb 1700z 432MHz FT8 AC (2 and 4 hour sections)
* Thus 9th Feb 2000-2230 50MHz UKAC
* Tue 14th Feb 2000-2230 432MHz UKAC
* Wed 15th Feb 1700-2100 432MHz FT8 AC (2h and 4h sections)
* Thu 16th Feb 2000-2230 70MHz UKAC

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 https://ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/

On HF

* Sat 4th February 0001 to Sun 5th February 2359 10-10 Int. Winter contest - 10m Phone - see WA7BNM
* Sat 4th February 1200 for 24h - Mexico RTTY International contest - see WA7BNM
* Sat 4th February 1200 for 24h - European Union DX contest CW / SSB - see WA7BNM
* Sat 4th February 1200 for 24h - F9AA Cup CW - see WA7BNM
* Mon 6th February 2000-2130 80m CC SSB - this is the first of the new series ! Please make a huge effort to enter!!
* Sat 11th February 0000 for 48h CQ RTTY WW WPX contest - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1100-1300 Asia Pacific Spring CW Sprint (40m and 20m) - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1200 for 36h SKCC Weekend Sprintathon CW - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1200 for 24h KCJ Topband contest CW - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1200 for 24h Dutch PACC contest - CW/SSB - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1400 to 13th February 0200 YLRL YL-OM contest CW, Digital and SSB - see WA7BNM
* Sat 11th February 1900-2300 1st 1.8MHz Contest - part of the RSGB HF Championship.
* Wed 15th February 2000-2130 80m CC DATA - the second of this year's series.

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.

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

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

Propagation News, Friday 3rd February 2023

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Published: 02 February 2023

Last Updated: 03 February 2023

HF News

Well, what a difference a few weeks make. On the 15th of January, the solar flux index was at 234 and the Sun was peppered with spots. And this week on Thursday the SFI was at 134 and the solar surface looked like it was sunspot minimum again.

The Sun has also been mainly quiet geomagnetically, with a maximum Kp index of 3.67 on Thursday due to an elevated solar wind speed with a southward pointing Bz. And we have only had relatively minor C-class solar flares to contend with.

Meanwhile, there is DX to be worked, especially on 10 metres which continues to shine.

The good news is that this lull in solar activity should come to an end, although the Space Weather Prediction Centre predicts that the SFI may only go up to 155 next week. Unfortunately, it also predicts disturbed geomagnetic conditions, especially from the 7th to the 10th.

With the daytime critical frequency as measured at Chilton reaching almost 9.7MHz at times, we are virtually guaranteed good conditions on all the upper HF bands with 10 metres predicted to be open over 3,000km for most of the day. Night-time highs are set to reach 9-9.5MHz over 3,000km, so all bar 7MHz and below will likely be closed to DX.

Eighty metres may also close to short-range or near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) skip at night, leaving only continental and longer paths, such as southern England to Scotland, open. This should improve as we head into Spring.

VHF and up

There is a continuing tendency for high pressure to dominate the weather charts and keep tropo on the agenda for much of the coming week, but with some caveats.

The position of the high is such that as we end the current week it’s over France and puts us in a mild westerly flow with reasonable tropo propagation.

After this weekend, some weather models suggest a modest cold-air Atlantic high arrives and probably links with an intense high of more than 1050 mb over western Russia. This may lead to a very cold easterly weather pattern over southern Britain by midweek with a chance of wintry weather and snow showers over eastern areas coming in from the North Sea.

This could be a good time to experiment with scatter propagation on the GHz bands. Note that winter showers generated over the sea are often 24/7 phenomena rather than the traditional daytime showers used for rain scatter in the summer.

Keep trying other modes like meteor scatter around dawn and aurora when the Kp index is high, but the high-pressure-driven modes will be the primary focus.

For EME operators, Moon declination is still high, not going negative again until Thursday, so EME Moon availability windows will shorten and path losses decrease as the week progresses. 144 MHz sky noise is low all week, only reaching 350 Kelvin next Sunday.