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G4TNU > NEWS 28.09.25 02:51l 310 Lines 15116 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 28 Sep 2025
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 28th of September 2025
The news headlines:
* What are your must-see presentations at this year's RSGB
Convention?
* The RSGB invited the MP for Buckingham and Bletchley to the
RSGB National Radio Centre for a private visit
* Listen out for today's special 70th anniversary GB2RS
broadcasts
Before we begin today's news bulletin, we would like to share a
special message from the RSGB President Bob Beebe, GU4YOX to mark the
70th anniversary of GB2RS. Bob says, "It is with a profound sense of
respect and appreciation that today we mark the 70th anniversary of
the GB2RS News service. Since 1955, volunteers have given their time,
and their voice, to keep our radio community informed, connected, and
inspired. For many of us, GB2RS has been a constant and familiar
presence in our radio lives. On behalf of the RSGB, I extend my
heartfelt thanks to all who have played a part in this remarkable
story for the last seventy years. Today, we honour their legacy and
reaffirm our commitment to the values and spirit that the GB2RS News
service so proudly represents."
And now we move to today's news items.
The programme for this year's RSGB Convention has nearly 50
presentations for you to enjoy, including leading industry speakers
such as Mike Walker, VA3MW from FlexRadio and Hans Summers, G0UPL
from QRP labs. There will also be well-known names such as Neil Smith
G4DBN, RadCom Technical Editor Peter Duffett-Smith GM3XJE, Brian
Coleman G4NNS and Walt Hudson K4OGO, known to many as ‘Salty Walt'.
This annual RSGB event is your only opportunity within the UK to have
access to this level of knowledge, learning and networking
opportunities. As well as a packed-full lecture programme, there will
be nearly 20 special interest groups in attendance, so if you are
thinking of pursuing a different area of the hobby, this is the
perfect time to explore your options. To guarantee a place you will
need to purchase a ticket online via rsgb.org/convention before
advance sales close on Sunday the 5th of October. Buying your ticket
online not only guarantees your place, but it also saves you money
when compared to on-the-door ticket prices. If you are arriving on
the Friday, why not join a private tour of Bletchley Park at 2.30pm,
which has been arranged especially for Convention attendees. In
addition to this, and new for this year, RSGB National Radio Centre
volunteer Patrick, 2E0IFB will be running an informal introduction on
getting started with low earth orbiting satellites. The RSGB
Convention takes place from the 10th to the 12th of October at Kents
Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes.
The RSGB was pleased to welcome Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham
and Bletchley, to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park
last week. Callum enjoyed seeing the history of radio, watching live
CW contacts and listening to his voice coming back from space, having
been relayed via a satellite. Callum was invited to meet a small
group of senior RSGB representatives who emphasised the important
role of amateur radio in encouraging young people into an engineering
career. Getting involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Maths activities gives a great foundation that could lead some young
people to follow in the footsteps of radio amateur pioneers who led
the development of many wireless technologies that we rely on today.
Most importantly the visit gave the RSGB an opportunity to show the
problems that ElectroMagnetic Disturbance can cause to wireless
reception. Examples of EMD include household appliances, Broadband
FTTC and green energy from solar panels and windfarms, where the
signal levels are thousands of times stronger than the expected
levels given in ITU recommendations. EMC Chair John Rogers M0JAV and
Board Chair Stewart Bryant G3YSX explained that unless the
year-on-year increases in background noise are stopped, many critical
services and infrastructures could be impacted soon, just as the
amateur radio bands are today. The RSGB looks forward to meeting
again with Callum who is the Parliamentary Private Secretary for
Science, Innovation and Technology.
Don't forget to listen out for three special one-off broadcasts from
the RSGB National Radio Centre today. The broadcasts are part of the
celebrations which are taking place to mark the 70th anniversary of
GB2RS. Listen out at 1pm, 2.30pm and 4pm. Go to rsgb.org/gb70rs for
details of frequencies and newsreaders. All listeners are welcome to
join the pre- and post-News nets, which will be operating using the
special event station GB70RS.
The RSGB LoRa high-altitude balloon launch took place on Saturday the
20th of September and was a great success despite tricky weather
conditions, which included rain and high winds. The balloon soared at
a peak altitude of 48,556 feet before landing in a remote location in
the Thursden Valley. Winners of the competition to win a GBP 200
Moonraker voucher will be announced at the RSGB 2025 Convention on
Sunday the 12th of October. If you're wondering what you can do with
your LoRa tracker now the RSGB challenge has finished, go to
rsgb.org/lora-balloon for a handy guide on how you can continue the
fun. If you took part and would like to be included in a special
feature in the December edition of RadCom, send your photos and a
short summary of your activity to comms<at>rsgb.org.uk by Wednesday
the 1st of October.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from the 23rd of
July to the 2nd of August 2026. The organisers are looking for
amateur radio operators to volunteer and assist with radio, spectrum
and other technical tasks. To register as a radio volunteer, email
spectrum<at>glasgow2026.com to be sent a code that you can enter into
the volunteer booking portal. For more information and to apply to
become a volunteer, visit the ‘Volunteering' tab at glasgow2026.com
Wednesday the 1st of October sees the launch of UKBOTA's second
annual celebration of the work carried out by the volunteers of the
Royal Observer Corps. Activate or hunt any UKBOTA ROC bunker
reference during October to qualify. More details are available at
ukbota.org
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.Â
And now for details of rallies and events
Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is holding a surplus equipment sale
on Saturday the 4th of October at the Cwmduad [CUM-DOO-AD] Community
Hall. The doors will be open from 8.30am for traders, 9.30am for
disabled access and from 10am for all visitors. All radio amateurs
and shortwave listeners are welcome. Limited parking is available
outside the hall and more is available on the main road. For more
information, or to book a table, contact Andy, GW0JLX on
07768 282 880.
On Sunday the 5th of October, the 50th Welsh Radio Rally takes place
at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport in South Wales.
The doors open for traders from 7am and for the public from 9.30am.
Admission costs GBP 3. For more information email
welshradiorally<at>gmail.com
On Sunday the 12th of October, the Autumn Dartmoor Radio Club Rally
takes place at Yelverton War Memorial Hall, Meavy Lane, Yelverton.
The doors open at 10am and admission is GBP 3. For more information,
email 2e0rph<at>gmail.com
Also on Sunday the 12th, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club's annual rally
takes place at Driffield Showground in East Yorkshire. Exhibitors can
gain access from 8am and visitors are welcome from 10am. For more
information, email lbjpinkney1<at>hotmail.co.uk [EMAIL ADDRESS BEGINS
WITH LIMA-BRAVO...]
Now the Special Event news
Paul, VK5PAS is active as VI8POL until tomorrow, the 29th, to
celebrate Australia's annual National Police Week. Recently, the
station was spotted using FT8 on the 20m band. QSL via VK5PAS,
Logbook of the World and eQSL.
Eight special callsigns are in use until the 12th of October to
celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Swedish Amateur Radio
Association. Look for activity on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, SSB
and digital modes. For details of an award that is available for
working the stations visit tinyurl.com/ssa-100
Now the DX news
The Salamis Radio Team is active as SX8AJX from Salamina Island,
EU-07, until Tuesday the 30th of September. Operators are using CW,
SSB and digital modes on the HF bands and via satellite. QSOs will be
uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club Log.
Janusz [YAN-USH], SP9FIH is active as VK9/SP9FIH from Christmas
Island, OC-002, until Friday the 3rd of October. Look for activity on
the 30 to 10m bands using SSB and FT8. QSL via Club Log's OQRS.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the
27th, and ends at 2359UTC today, the 28th of September. Using RTTY on
the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.
Also today, the 28th, 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 Wednesday the 1st of October, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity
four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m
band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on
Wednesday the 1st, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs
from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour
contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
Also on Wednesday the 1st, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest
Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m
band, the exchange is your six-character locator.
The Oceania DX SSB Contest runs from 0600UTC on Saturday the 4th to
0600UTC on Sunday the 5th of October. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m
bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
On Saturday the 4th of October, the RSGB 2.3GHz Trophy Contest runs
from 1400UTC to 2200UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Saturday the 4th, the RSGB 1.2GHz Trophy Contest runs from
1400UTC to 2200UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Both the IARU and RSGB 432MHz to 245GHz Contests run from 1400UTC on
Saturday the 4th to 1400UTC on Sunday the 5th of October. Using all
modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 5th of October, the UK Microwave Group 24 to 76GHz
Contest runs from 0900UTC to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz
frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 25th of September
Last week was good for HF propagation for a number of reasons.
Firstly, we are now entering autumn, which offers better propagation
prospects than summer. Secondly, the solar flux index has remained
high at up to 184 as of last Thursday the 25th.
We had a week of near-normal geomagnetic conditions, with a low Kp
index, no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections, and a relatively
quiet solar wind.
These have all combined to give excellent HF propagation, including
openings on the 10m band using FM and transatlantic 10m contacts
being possible in the afternoon.
The maximum useable frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path, according
to Propquest, has mainly been in excess of 30MHz during daylight
hours.
The KQ2H repeater in upstate New York, with an output frequency of
29.620MHz, has been loud at times in the afternoon and is a good
indicator of HF propagation. Expect it to get better as we enter
October. Other US stations have also been heard on the 10m band using
FM, including one in Ohio.
Steve, G0KYA was surprised to hear the GB3XMB 10m beacon on 28.287MHz
from Waddington, Lancashire this week. Steve remarked that it is 175
miles to Norfolk as the crow flies. He said that the signal didn't
sound like backscatter, so that's quite a distance for 10m ground
wave.
Other DX worked, according to CDXC, included FP5KE, the St. Pierre
and Miquelon DXpedition. The station could heard on everything from
Top Band to 10m.
V6D in Micronesia has been worked on the 40 and 17m bands using CW.
Other highlights include D2USU in Fiji on the 12m band using FT8, and
9Y49R in Trinidad and Tobago on the 10m band using FM.
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index may fall to be in the
159 to 170 range. Geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be poor
tomorrow, the 29th, with a Kp index of 5, and again between the 3rd
and 5th of October, also with a predicted Kp index of 5. Expect
decreased MUFs for a few days until the ionosphere recovers.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The next week or so looks to be typical for autumn. It will be a mix
of Atlantic weather systems bringing lows and their fronts which may
offer some rain scatter for those on the GHz bands.
The other side of the coin is areas of high pressure or mostly weak
ridges, in this case mainly affecting the south and east of the
country. This is the point where Tropo operators can move in with
paths probably favouring the North Sea and Scandinavia up to this
weekend and then across to the continent and down to Spain during the
coming week.
It is worth remembering that Tropo can exist throughout the 24 hours
across water and along coasts like the North Sea and English Channel,
although the portion of a path overland can weaken during daytime.
The meteor scatter prospects remain in the random territory, so are
best in the early morning.
Recent activity with geomagnetic disturbances suggests that aurora
should continue to be part of the operating list in the coming week.
Check for a hollow note or warble on HF signals and for a Kp index
greater than 5, then consider turning your VHF arrays to the north.
For EME operators, Moon declination reaches its minimum tomorrow, the
29th, so from then on we will see lengthening Moon windows and
increasing peak elevation. The Moon's distance from Earth started to
decrease after apogee on Friday the 26th, meaning path losses are
falling. 144MHz Sky noise will be high today, the 28th, and peaks at
around 2800 Kelvin tomorrow, the 29th, before dropping back to low
for the rest of the week.
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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