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Shareware Overload Trio 2
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IRTS0522.TXT
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1994-05-25
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108 lines
IRTS News for 22nd May 1994
SOLAR MINIMUM PREDICTION
------------------------
Many operators will have experienced the low level of sunspot
activity in recent times despite the fact that this minimum
should occur in 1997 if the 11 year cycle predictions are
to be followed. Extrapolation of the present trend suggests
that the sunspot minimum will be reached some time in 1995
- the previous minimum was in 1986.
The daily values of the 10.7 cm radio flux in September
continues a rapid trend that has been present since March.
This trend and values of flux resemble the daily 10.7 cm flux
values observed in 1984. That was only nine years ago, reinforcing
tentative predictions that the present cycle will end after
only nine years, becoming the shortest cycle in 200 years.
The last cycle recorded at near nine years in length was cycle
no. 3, which peaked in 1778.
The possibility of a nine year cycle is presented after
updating comparisons among the five cycles for which there
are 10.7 cm flux data. The cycles were plotted under each
other on a single graph, placing each in alignment by the
reference of times of abrupt drop in flux that has occurred
at the end of the maximum phase of each cycle. The present
cycle revealed this drop early in 1992.
Following the data from the overlays of each graph it has
been observed that there is a possibility of a constant interval
of 3.5 years between the abrupt drop in flux levels and the
time of the sunspot minima. Using this supposition, the date
of the sunspot minimum would be in the last quarter of 1995,
resulting in a nine years cycle. The most anomalous time of
starting minimum is that of the present cycle, suggesting
that the cycle had a true start eight to nine months earlier
than the September 1986 minimum. In a separate comparison
between the present and previous cycles, using smoothed sunspot
numbers, it was noticed that the best match was achieved with
a shift of eight months later than the time of the previous minimum.
SOUTH DUBLIN RADIO CLUB
-----------------------
Two lectures have been arranged by SDR for May. They will
be held on 24th and 31st, and both will be by Con Hunter EI9V.
Con expects to cover a wide range of topics, including propagation
and antennas, subjects of great interest to radio experimenters,
and of which Con has considerable experience and expertise.
All are welcome to attend the lectures, both at 8.30 pm.
DONEGAL (TIR CONAILL) ARC
-------------------------
With the AGM '94 already logged in the history of IRTS
as a huge success, there is continuing euphoria in Donegal
following the recent appointment of two Donegal experimenters
to office in the Society: Ken McDermott EI4DW as vice-president
and assistant secretary, and Danny Bonner EI6GS as head of
the new sub-committee to promote the use of Irish on the amateur
bands and chairman of the IARUMS sub-committee. Meanwhile,
in Yeats's county, Martin O'Dea EI3FI, of Grange, Co. Sligo,
succeeds Bill Somerville-Large EI9FK as honorary secretary
of the Society.
CORK ARC
--------
Last week, a lecture and demonstration of the conversion
and tuning of PMR equipment was given by Con EI7DMB, following
the showing of a video entitled "Getting Started on Packet
Radio."
There was a huge attendance, and the group had to be moved
to another room. While giving the talk, Con tuned the Pye
Westminster transceiver on to 2m, demonstrating the ease with
which it can be done. The dmonstration continued with a discussion
on how the Westminster could be converted for use as a 2m
repeater, using the discriminator output to operate a relay
to trigger the transmit side, enabling the rig to be used
as a talk-through repeater. The rugged construction of the
Pye ex-commercial gear was discussed, as was the fact that
the gear was so easy to convert and repair within the copacity
of the relative newcomer to the hobby.
Following the success of this lecture, it is hoped to cover
the conversion of rigs in the future.
The second part of the series on packet radio will be shown
this week, and again a large attendance is predicted.
RADIO NEWS ITEMS URGENTLY REQUIRED
----------------------------------
Once again an appeal goes out to all clubs and groups around
the country for items of interest which can be included in
the radio news bulletins.
ITEMS FOR INCLUSION
-------------------
That concludes the bulletin for this week. Items for inclusion
in the radio news should be sent to Steve Wright EI5DD, c/o
Dept. of Pathology, Regional Hospital, Galway. Fax messages
may be sent to EI5DD at 091 24216. All such items will be
forwarded to Dave Moore for inclusion in the printed news.
Items for the printed news only should be sent to Dave
Moore EI4BZ, QTHr, or phoned to 021 632444 (daytime), or
021 883555 (evenings). Items may be sent by packet radio to
EI4BZ at EI7DKB-5. Fax messages may be sent to 021 632730.