Solar Cycle 24 is peaking!!!

Came across this very interesting article there yesterday all about Solar Cycle 24 peaking.
As KD8SAV mentioned;
"It sure looks like we might be heading for an improvement.
We're suddenly at almost 200 sunspots, and if this holds up for several months, we'll have some pretty good propagation."
The Sun seems to be waking up as it approaches the peak of its roughly 11 year cycle.
Here is the Link if anyone is interested in reading it;
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/MAweatherboy1/comment.html?entrynum=58
I hope you enjoy the conditions this peak brings... I know I certainly will enjoy the DX! :)
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX

Worldwide 5 MHz Amateur Allocations Chart update & announced changes on 472KHz.

The 'Worldwide 5 MHz Amateur Allocations' chart has been updated to optimally include the new UK Frequency Blocks. This has necessitated a major re-work and some changes will be noticed, although the essential information still remains in place.

It can be viewed at;

http://tinyurl.com/82rwq2b

472 kHz Amateur Band and 5MHz (Experimental) Band announcements

Ofcom have announced changes that will allow holders of the UK Full Amateur Licence to take advantage of the new amateur band at 472 kHz and enhanced access on channels near to 5 MHz. 

The Society has been working on both matters for some years. Gaining 472 kHz needed first international agreement within IARU and support from DARC to encourage the German regulator to propose it for the WRC-12 agenda, and then countless hours of committee time by IARU representatives and many national societies, including the RSGB, to reach a successful WRC-12 outcome. We acknowledge and thank Ofcom for their support within CEPT and ITU during this preparatory work. Discussions with Ofcom in 2010, on improved access around 5 MHz, resulted earlier this year with proposals from the Primary User that were discussed with UK amateurs through an RSGB consultative process.

May I take this opportunity of wishing everybody all the best DX for 2013 and Good Luck on the new 472 kHz and 5MHz (Experimental) UK  frequencies.

Irish Radio amateurs get a new MF allocation!

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society have been informed by ComReg that the band segment 472 to 479 kHz becomes available to all licensed radio
amateurs in Ireland, on a secondary basis, and has been in effect since Today the 1st of January.

The maximum power is 5 watts (7 dBW) and the modes available are CW, QRSS, and narrow band digital modes.

Stations in the Amateur service operating in this band shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, stations of the aeronautical radionavigation service or stations of the maritime service. The amateur service shall ensure that no harmful interference is caused to the frequency 490 kHz which is used exclusively for the transmission
by coast stations of navigational and meteorological and urgent information to ships.

This announcement arises from a decision taken at WRC-12 and was the
result of a number of years of lobbying by the IARU and its Member Societies worldwide. The Test Licence held from ComReg by IRTS under which a number of licensed amateurs were given permission to operate in the band segment 501 to 504 kHz expires on the 2nd January 2013.

Licensed amateurs who had received such permission must cease operation on 501 to 504 kHz as and from Wednesday, tomorrow the 2nd of January at the latest.

The Society appreciates that ComReg has made this new allocation available to licensed radio amateurs from the earliest date possible under the WRC-12 decision.

May I take this opportunity of wishing everybody all the best DX for 2013 and Good Luck on the new 472 kHz Amateur Band.

Happy New Year 2013

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you're going and the insight to know when you're going too far.....
Happy New Year! :)
- Posted from my iPhone - 73's DE EI5IX / M0XII