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G4TNU > NEWS 25.05.25 03:34l 252 Lines 12059 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 25 May 2025
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 25th of May 2025
The news headlines:
* Apply to become the RSGB's new CW Champio
* The Tonight<at>8 series continues in June with Morse code
* Could you be the RSGB's new STEM Champion?
As part of the RSGB's ongoing strategy to take amateur radio to new
and diverse audiences, it is seeking to appoint a volunteer CW
Champion. Whilst the need for a CW test has been removed from the
licensing requirements, there is still a strong interest in the mode.
Recent communications and activity involving Morse have received high
levels of interest and the Society would like to do all it can to
encourage and promote CW within the hobby. This new role will take
the lead with activities including managing RSGB web content relating
to Morse code and contributing to the GB2CW broadcasts. The volunteer
will also be tasked with building a team of enthusiastic individuals
who can support CW-related activities undertaken by the Society. This
role is intended to help take Morse to new audiences with an emphasis
on learning and development to further the skills of RSGB members.
Read the full role description, as well as details of how to apply,
by going to rsgb.org/volunteers
The next webinar in the Tonight<at>8 series is on Monday the 2nd of
June. The RSGB's Morse Test Coordinator, Eric Arkinstall, M0KZB, will
lead the webinar and will be joined by a panel of Morse experts
including RSGB Morse Assessor and GB2CW broadcaster Michael Topple,
GM5AUG. The presentation will include an introduction to Morse, how
to start learning the code, the different types of Morse keys and the
Achillies heels that can occur when learning Morse. There will also
be a panel discussion on how they each became interested in the mode
and how they overcame any problems they have encountered along the
way. Find out more about this, and future webinars, on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/webinars
Would you like to become the RSGB STEM Champion? This new volunteer
role is part of the Society's strategic plans to encourage more young
people into STEM careers and to demonstrate the contribution that
amateur radio can make to those careers. The focus of the role will
also be to develop and strengthen the Society's relationship with the
STEM Learning organisation. The Champion will need to work closely
with licensed STEM Ambassadors, attend STEM events to promote amateur
radio, and support radio amateurs who would like to become STEM
Ambassadors. The STEM Champion will work closely with the Board
Liaison, Ben Lloyd, GW4BML and members of the RSGB Outreach team. To
make the most of the role you will need to have the right skills and
experience. This includes being a STEM Ambassador with involvement in
the STEM sector, and also being proactive, enthusiastic, organised
and willing to find new ways to achieve the role's objectives. For
full details of this challenging but rewarding role and how to apply,
see the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers
Staff and volunteers from the RSGB had a successful time at the
Dayton Hamvention last weekend. The event was a brilliant opportunity
to engage with radio amateurs from around the world and resulted in
134 people joining the RSGB or renewing their membership. These
included ARRL First Vice President, Kristen McIntyre, K6WX and ARRL
CEO, David Minster, NA2AA as well as Phil Karn, KA9Q and many more
who took advantage of the new RSGB Digital Membership. Members of the
RSGB team are always delighted to hear how much the Society's
publications, videos and other content are appreciated by radio
amateurs in other countries.
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.
And now for details of rallies and events
The Durham and District Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place
today, the 25th, at Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn, County Durham.
The doors are open from 10.10am to 2.30pm with disabled visitors
gaining access at 10am. Entry costs GBP 3. There is a bring-and-buy
sale, trade stands, special interest groups, an RSGB bookstall and
catering available on site. For more information phone Michael, G7TWX
on 07826 924 192 or visit the sdars.org.uk website.
Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society's annual radio rally is
set to take place on Sunday the 1st of June. The venue will be
Spalding Rugby and Football Club, Centenary Park, Drain Bank North,
Spalding, Lincolnshire. There will be free car parking available,
traders, on-site catering and a bar. For more information visit
sdars.org.uk
Mendips Radio Rally will take place on Sunday the 8th of June at
Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Farrington Gurney. The
doors will be open from 9.30am and free parking and refreshments will
be available on site. For more details contact Luke on 07870 168 197.
Now the Special Event news
Special event station YO160ITU is active throughout the month of May
to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the ITU. See QRZ.com for
details of diplomas that are available for working the station.
The North West Group, MN0NWG is running special event station GB0AEL
until the 31st of May to commemorate the anniversary of Amelia
Earhart's transatlantic flight. In May 1932, Earhart became the first
woman to fly nonstop and alone across the Atlantic. She left Harbor
Grace in Newfoundland and landed 15 hours later in Northern Ireland.
QSL via MI0HOZ directly or via the Bureau.
Now the DX news
Frank, PH2M is active as PJ4M from Bonaire, SA-006, until the 29th of
May. He is operating mainly FT8 and some SSB on the 80 to 10m bands.
There may also be some 6m band work, if conditions allow. QSL via
Logbook of the World, Club Log's OQRS, or via Frank's home call.
Remo, HB9SHD is active as V51/HB9SHD, while touring Namibia, until
the 15th of June. He is operating using SSB and digital modes on the
40 to 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Don, KW7R is active as V73KW from the Marshall Islands. He is there
on a work assignment until September. In his spare time, he operates
using CW and FT8 on various bands. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the
24th of May and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 25th of May. Using
CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
Today, the 25th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from
0600 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on the 3 and 6cm bands, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 27th, the SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to
2130UTC. Using all modes on the 3 and 13cm bands, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 29th of May, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 22nd of May 2025
A high-speed solar wind, originating from a massive coronal hole,
took its toll on HF this past week.
During the weekend of the 17th and 18th, the Kp index was above four
for nine of the three-hourly recording periods. Unfortunately, the
feed from the Dourbes Digisonde failed over this period, so we can't
comment on what effect this had on maximum useable frequencies, or
MUFs for short.
Later in the week, geomagnetic conditions improved, despite the
coronal hole still being Earth-centric, and the Kp index fell to more
reasonable levels, sometimes in the ones and twos.
An M3.2 solar flare was observed at 0821UTC on the 19th of May. The
source was located off the northeast limb, so perhaps we can expect
more as it turns to become more Earth-facing.
Unfortunately, the solar flux index also fell to lower levels,
reaching 119 by Thursday the 22nd. In fact, on that day it had been
below 120 for more than seven days. But all is not lost as a solar
flux of more than 100 is usually enough to keep the HF bands open.
MUFs over a 3,000km path have generally reached 21MHz and have often
peaked at 24MHz at times. It is quite normal for the F2-layer MUF not
to reach 28MHz due to a change in the ionospheric chemical make-up in
the summer – the so-called summer doldrums. However, Sporadic-E may
keep 10m alive so don't write the band off.
Propagation, at the moment, favours paths into the southern
hemisphere, although each band can have different characteristics at
different times. A quick play with the propagation tool at
tinyurl.com/propcharts will show you what we mean.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around
120 until the 27th of May, after which it could rise to 140 by the
end of the month. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are forecast for
the period from the 28th of May to the 2nd of June. This could see
the Kp index peak at five or six with corresponding drops in the MUF
and DX.
As we are now on the downward portion of this solar cycle, we may
expect more geomagnetic disturbances from coronal holes and coronal
mass ejections.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The long run of fine settled weather seems to have drawn to a close.
We have a period of changeable and, at times, wet and windy weather
to deal with over the coming week. I doubt we will see much, if any,
Tropo except perhaps towards the end the week as some models show a
new high building as we move into June.
Before then, the various fronts and showers will bring several spells
of rain and a much greater chance of rain scatter on the GHz bands
than recently.
The solar conditions have again provided weak auroral events, with
fluttery signals on the HF bands being a good indicator, since the
bright evenings and early dawns leave little chance of any visual
clues. As usual, the measure to follow is the Kp index. So, look out
for values of Kp going above five to generate interest.
Meteor scatter is declining as the last of the Eta Aquariids play
out, following a long tail from the peak on the 6th of May. Meteors
also make up the content of Sporadic-E because, as they burn up, they
produce long-lived metallic ions that can be focused into thin layers
of Sporadic-E.
There are some less well-known meteor showers in June. So, next week
there may be more to say. In the meantime, random meteors and
declining Aquariids will have to suffice.
Now, on to Sporadic-E. This is beginning to be the primary mode in
these summer weeks. It is sensible to check during main operating
windows in the morning, late afternoon and early evening.
Ideally, we require meteor input, a low Kp index, plus some weather
triggers to set up atmospheric gravity waves which produce the right
wind shear in the E region. Jet streams are usually the best clues
for where Sporadic-E might form.
Use the daily Sporadic-E blog on the Propquest website to get an
insight of the current day's weather patterns – see propquest.co.uk
If you have very limited time and have still not worked Sporadic-E,
just checking 50MHz in the late afternoon will ensure that you make a
start this year.
EME path losses are still falling as the Moon reaches perigee, its
closest point to Earth, on the 26th of May. Moon windows and peak
elevation are again rising, reaching a maximum on the 29th of May.
144MHz sky noise is low and remains low as the week progresses.
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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