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G4FVG > NEWS 22.06.25 10:38l 282 Lines 13872 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News 22 June [backup]
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Sent: 250622/0804Z 43946@G4FVG.#79.GBR.EURO LinBPQ6.0.24
It appears as though the forwarding has been interrupted today,
so here is a backup copy of the [same] RSGB news. This might be
duplicated later via the normal route, but at least two copies are
better than none!
So here is the GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 22nd of June 2025
The news headlines:
* Introducing the RSGB's team of young radio amateurs for YOTA
Paris
* The RSGB celebrates International Women in Engineering Day
* The RSGB Exam Standards Committee publishes its annual report
The RSGB has announced the team of young members who will be
representing the Society at this summer's Youngsters on the Air camp.
The event, hosted by the French national amateur radio society and
the IARU, will take place at the historical Château [SHA-TOE] de
Jambville [ZHOM-VIL] near Paris between the 18th and 25th of August.
The team is made up of team leader, Leon, 2E0VUF and team members
Sophie, M7IJG and Emily, M7HPU. You can read more about the camp and
the team on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/yota-camp
The RSGB knows that amateur radio is a great foundation for careers
in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM as it is
often known. That's why for International Women in Engineering Day
tomorrow, Monday the 23rd of June, the Society is sharing stories of
female radio amateurs involved with STEM. From a young radio amateur
who was inspired by an ARISS contact, through to a Professional
Transmitting Engineer at Woofferton Transmitting Station, each one of
them has a love for amateur radio and STEM activities and the career
opportunities they present. Read more about them on the RSGB website
at rsgb.org/inwed The Society will also be sharing the profiles on
its X and Facebook pages throughout the day tomorrow, the 23rd. Get
involved by liking and sharing these motivational stories.
The RSGB Examinations Standards Committee, or ESC, has published its
annual report, relating to activities in 2024. The report shows that
overall candidate numbers have increased to above pre-pandemic levels
and are well above the extrapolation of the declining trend over the
decade before the pandemic. The ESC believes that this is probably
due to the availability of remote invigilation online examinations
taken at home and the increase in provision of distance learning
courses, making the hobby much more accessible than in the past. You
can read the full report on the RSGB website by going to rsgb.org/esc
and choosing the ‘Minutes, papers and reports' option in the
right-hand menu.
Whether you are just starting to learn Morse code or are already an
experienced operator, the GB2RS Morse Practice web page is just what
you need to brush up your skill! Created by GB2RS Newsreader Graham,
G4JBD, you can select different sections of the latest RSGB news
which are then played in Morse code at the pitch and speed of your
choosing. What makes this resource unique is that you can also add in
different degrees of man-made noise and natural band noise, which
gives you a very realistic experience of copying Morse code under
poor propagation or contest conditions. Graham has recently updated
the page with more options. One of these is the Farnsworth timing
which can play the individual characters at a selectable speed while
allowing separate adjustment of the gap between the characters. The
new version works well on smartphones and displays the text with a
real-time pointer as the Morse is sent. The GB2RS Morse Practice page
can be found at tinyurl.com/gb2rsmorse
Bath Based Distance Learning's next Full licence course runs from
August to December, with exams in January. There is no charge for the
training, but applicants must work through some pre-course material
and complete a quiz to be eligible for a place. To request full
details, and an application form, email Bath Based Distance
Learning's Team Leader, Steve, G0FUW via g0fuw<at>bbdl.org.uk
The next in the popular 145 Alive series will take place on Sunday
the 20th of July. The event will run from 12pm to 3pm. There will be
nets on the 2m band operating in most Maidenhead Squares across
England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. To take part on the day, all
you need to do is call into a local net and make contact with others.
The organisers are looking for more net controllers. If you are
interested, email 145aliveuk<at>gmail.com You can find more
information, including details of the nets, the operators, their
locations and operating frequencies on the 145 Alive Events Facebook
page.
Today, the 22nd, is the last chance to take part in Gateways on the
Air 2025. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just love the thrill
of the chase, Gateways on the Air is your invitation to step outside,
power up your gear, and connect via simplex gateways from a park
bench, hillside, or anywhere that captures your sense of adventure.
To find out more visit gota.org.uk
Don't forget to listen out for all the amateur stations that will be
on the air during Museums on the Air today, the 22nd. Remember that
the fun doesn't stop today as the event continues on Saturday the
28th and Sunday the 29th of June. For more information visit
tinyurl.com/IMOTA2025
And now for details of rallies and events
The Cornish Radio Amateur Club Rally will take place on Sunday the
29th of June at Penair School, St. Clement, Truro, TR1 1TN. The doors
open at 10.30am. For more information contact Ken, G0FIC on
01209 821 073.
Saffron Walden Radio Ham and CB Club Rally will take place from the
4th to the 6th of July. The venue will be Lovecotes Farm, Chickney
Road, Henham Village, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6BH. You can camp on
the field from Friday to Sunday and have a table at a cost of GBP 15.
If you are camping, you can arrive from 6pm on Friday. To book a
camping pitch, or arrange tables, email g8swr1.5<at>gmail.com
Barford Norfolk Radio Rally will take place on the 6th of July at
Barford Village Hall and Green, Barford, Norwich, NR9 4AB. The doors
open at 9am for visitors. The event features trade stands, car boot
sales, bring and buy, a charity raffle, repeater groups, catering and
free car parking. Entry costs GBP 3 per person but under 16s will be
admitted free of charge. Outside pitches cost GBP 8 and are available
from 8am on the day. Inside tables cost GBP 10 and must be
pre-booked. For more details visit tinyurl.com/Barford2025 or email
David, G7URP at radio<at>dcpmicro.com
Now the Special Event news
Special event station 9A2025HWC is active until the 30th of June to
celebrate the 29th World Men's Handball Championship. The station was
spotted recently on the 80 and 40m bands using SSB. QSL via Logbook
of the World. QSOs are also uploaded to QRZ.com, Logbook and Club Log.
As part of International Museums on the Air Weekend 2025, The
Grampian Hilltoppers Contest Group is operating special event station
GB2KDR from the Keith and Dufftown Heritage Railway in Moray,
Scotland. The station is active on the HF bands using SSB and digital
modes, as well as via the amateur satellites when conditions permit.
QSL via OQRS. For more information visit the GB2KDR page at QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Nobby, G0VJG is active as FO/G0VJG from Bora Bora, OC-067, in French
Polynesia until Thursday the 26th of June. He is operating using CW,
FT8 and SSB on the 80 to 6m bands. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS and Logbook
of the World.
Bob, ZL1RS is active as YJ0RS from the island of Efate [EH-FAH-TAY],
OC-035, until Saturday the 28th of June. Bob is mainly operating on
the 6m band using FT8. There may also be some activity on 10m when
the 6m band is closed. QSL via Logbook of the World, Club Log, or via
Bob's home call. More information is available on the YJ0RS page at
QRZ.com
Now the contest news
The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 21st and
ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 22nd of June. Using CW on the 160
to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal
report and your age.
The RSGB 50MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 21st
and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 22nd of June. Using all modes
on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
Today, the 22nd, the Worked All Britain 6m Phone Contest runs from
0800 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 6m band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.
On Tuesday the 24th, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830
to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 26th, the RSGB 80m SSB Club Championship runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
On Sunday the 29th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs
from 0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 29th, the RSGB 50MHz CW Contest runs from 0900 to
1200UTC. Using CW on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 19th of June 2025.
Last week we mentioned a large coronal hole on the Sun that might
cause problems. The hole is so large that it is still Earth-centric
seven days later.
We had expected the hole to increase the Kp index due to the solar
wind emanating from it. However, as of Thursday the 19th of June,
conditions remained quiet with a Kp index of 2. As geomagnetic
conditions have remained calm this past week, it has been quite good
for HF.
15m has been one of the better bands, with openings to both the east
and west, depending on the time. As is the way nowadays, most of the
activity has been on FT8, but it has opened up opportunities to work
the Far and Middle East, as well as South America.
The solar flux index has generally been in the range of 130 to 150,
with a peak of 161 on the 15th of June. The Sun has been active, with
a near X-class solar flare being observed around sunspot region 4114.
This peaked at 1805UTC on the 15th of June. There was also an X-class
solar flare at 2149UTC on the 17th of June.
This latter event was late in the evening, so had little impact on
the UK, other than to potential paths to the west.
Maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs for short, declined a little
during the past week, with openings on 21MHz becoming a little
scarcer. It is useful to operate as close to the MUF as possible to
minimise the effects of D-layer absorption and maximise the chances
of working DX.
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the range of
125 to 145. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for the
period from the 24th to the 27th of June, with a maximum predicted Kp
index of 5.
If the Kp index is low, then we have a good chance of 21MHz openings
to South America in the evening. As we pass the summer solstice we
may even expect 14MHz to remain open to DX throughout the night. We
can also expect Sporadic-E to continue to provide short-skip openings
on 28MHz, and even the lower HF bands, such as 14, 18, 21, and 24MHz.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
After a week of high pressure, this weekend returns to something more
normal with showery rain and a series of weather fronts and showery
interludes in the coming week. This will mean that rain scatter on
the GHz bands is worth considering. Also, since we are into the
summer season, the chances of some rain being heavy and thundery is a
good signal for rain scatter.
This sequence of low-pressure weather suggests that high pressure and
Tropo will be less likely to make a big impact on the coming week's
operating log. Any sign of high pressure will tend to be towards the
south of the UK and over the continent. In very hot weather, the
conditions can be good for low-level surface ducts across cooler
seas. So, if you are tempted, then go for coastal or maritime paths
up the east coast or across Biscay, for example.
Meteor scatter may benefit from the late June Bootids [BO-AH-TIDS],
which peak on Friday, the 27th of June and the daytime Beta Taurids
which peak on the 28th of June. These are small showers, but they can
also be important for contributions to long-lived metallic ions which
are the building blocks of Sporadic-E propagation.
Aurora continues to appear with occasional radio events, but there is
too much daylight for anything visual. As an alternative, you might
see glimpses of noctilucent clouds low down on the northern horizon.
These form in the mesosphere, at about 80km, as ice crystals form on
meteor dust and can exhibit complex wave patterns. These are both
good omens for Sporadic-E.
The summer Sporadic-E season is well under way now. It is advisable
to check the usual cluster maps and the propquest.co.uk website for
daily updates. It's also worth making use of the longer daylight and
weather patterns over the polar regions for paths to the Far East.
The Moon reaches perigee, its closest point to Earth, tomorrow, the
23rd, so path losses are low. Moon declination also reaches a maximum
positive value on the 25th of June. This will mean that there are
long Moon windows. 144MHz sky noise is moderate, increasing to high
by tomorrow, the 23rd. The New Moon is on the 25th of June so expect
high noise levels due to its proximity to the Sun.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
And that's the end of the main news for this week prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain. Items for inclusion in subsequent
bulletins can be emailed to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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