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G4TNU > NEWS 15.06.25 06:04l 273 Lines 13252 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 15 Jun 2025
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 15th of June 2025
The news headlines:
* Book now to secure your place at the RSGB 2025 Convention
* The RSGB launches the "SES Cookbook"
* The RSGB Operating Advisory Service issues advice
The RSGB annual Convention is a fantastic opportunity for radio
amateurs to meet, learn and share experiences. Whether you're newly
licensed or have years of experience, there is always more to
discover. That's why the Society is excited to introduce this year's
theme: "Discover, Learn, Progress". Whether you want to discover
something new, learn more about a particular aspect of amateur radio,
or progress and develop your skills, you'll find something at the
Convention to explore and enjoy. The prestigious event is taking
place between the 10th and 12th of October at Kents Hill Conference
Centre in Milton Keynes. Book now to secure your place in joining
like-minded people for what is also one of the best social events in
amateur radio. Take advantage of the early-bird prices by going to
rsgb.org/convention The Society is delighted that the event will be
sponsored again by Martin Lynch and Sons.
Special event stations are popular around the world and a great
source of fun and excitement for organisers and QSO chasers. They can
also be a fantastic tool for outreach, allowing you to demonstrate
amateur radio and encourage people to find out more. But how do you
organise an event to achieve all those objectives? The RSGB has just
launched a new web section that focuses on special event stations.
For RSGB members and Affiliated Clubs, there is an online guide
called the SES Cookbook which offers a wide range of practical
guidance to help you deliver the best experience for your visitors
and the organisers. The guide covers a wide range of topics,
including how to apply for a special event station callsign, the
stages of the planning process, publicising your event to attract
visitors and how to make a good number of contacts. For non-RSGB
members there is a simple guidance document that outlines the main
things to consider when planning this type of event. The new section
also draws together existing information about permanent special
event stations as well as QSL guidance. If you're planning an event
for this year, or even for next year, now is the time to make the
most of this comprehensive guide. Go to rsgb.org/ses to find out
more.
The RSGB Operating Advisory Service, or OAS, provides advice to
members on dealing with situations that are not within the spirit of
amateur radio. From time to time this activity goes beyond what is
classed as acceptable behaviour and requires action to be taken. In
these circumstances the OAS recommends reporting the matter directly
to Ofcom and to the police in the case of issues which could be
classed as harassment, stalking or hate crimes. Experience has shown
that this carries more weight coming directly from the people hearing
or suffering the problem rather than a third party such as the RSGB.
If you hear anything that is not acceptable behaviour, contact the
RSGB OAS first and the team will suggest the correct course of
action. Once Ofcom and the police have issued reference numbers these
should be passed to the Operating Advisory Service. You can contact
OAS via oas<at>rsgb.org.uk
The RSGB has submitted responses to a pair of Ofcom consultations.
The first considered a series of licence exemption updates, including
arrangements for some visiting radio amateurs to the UK. The second
concerned filing procedures for the growing number and variety of
satellites. Both replies were developed by the RSGB Spectrum Forum,
drawing on its members' wide breadth of expertise. The Spectrum Forum
expects that there will be further updates to both topics. Find the
full replies by going to rsgb.org/spectrumforum and selecting the
‘Papers and Consultations' option from the right-hand menu.
The RSGB recently announced two new volunteering opportunities. The
RSGB CW Champion will help the Society in taking Morse code to new
audiences. Tasks will vary from developing the CW content on the
RSGB's website through to developing and supporting a team of
enthusiastic individuals who can support CW-related activities. The
second role requires an individual with experience in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics. The RSGB STEM Champion will
help the Society to reach new audiences, build relationships with
related organisations and encourage more young people into STEM
careers. Go to rsgb.org/volunteers to read the full role
descriptions and learn how to apply.
And now for details of rallies and events
The East Suffolk Wireless Revival, also known as ‘The Ipswich Radio
Rally', is taking place today, the 15th, at Kirton Recreation Ground,
Back Road, Kirton, IP10 0PW. The doors open at 9.30am and the entry
fee for visitors is GBP 3. The venue has free car parking. Visitors
can enjoy trade stands, a car-boot sale, a bring-and-buy area and
special interest groups. An HF station is operating with the callsign
GB4SWR. Catering and an RSGB bookstall are available on site. For
more details contact Kevin, G8MXV on 07710 046 846 and visit
eswr.org.uk
Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society's Annual Radio Rally is due
to take place on Saturday the 21st of June at Ballygilbert
Presbyterian Church Hall. The doors will open at 11.30am and
admission costs GBP 5.
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 10.30am. For more information contact Ken, G0FIC on
01209 821 073.
Now the Special Event news
Special callsign HS30DXA is active until the 21st of June to
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Thailand DX Association. Look
for activity on all HF bands and the amateur radio satellites. QSL
via HS6MYW.
The Amateur Radio Society of India, VU2ZH is celebrating the
centenary of the International Amateur Radio Union by activating
special callsign VU1IARU until the 29th of June. The Indian Society
has been a member society of IARU Region 3 since 1958. The station
has been spotted recently using CW and FT8 on the HF bands. QSL via
VU2ZH.
And finally, don't forget to listen out for all the amateur stations
that will be on the air during International Museums on the Air
weekend on the 21st and 22nd of June. For more information about the
event visit tinyurl.com/IMOTA2025
Now the DX news
Gerry, G3WIP is active as VP8DPD from Port Stanley, in the Falkland
Islands, until the 12th of July. Recently, the station was spotted on
the HF bands using FT8. QSL via EA5GL and Logbook of the World.
Don, KW7R is active as V73KW from the Marshall Islands. He is there
on a work assignment until September 2025. In his spare time, he
operates CW and FT8 on various bands. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Llanelli [LAN-ETH-LEE] Amateur Radio Society is operating with
special callsign GB1BAF during the month of June to honour the
British Armed Forces. Look for activity on the HF, 6 and 2m bands
using CW, FT8 and phone. For more information visit the GB1BAF page
at QRZ.com
Now the contest news
Today, the 15th, the RSGB 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from
0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also today, the 15th, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP Contest runs from
0900 to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB and CW on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Note that 5W is
the maximum power allowed in this contest.
On Monday the 16th, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to
2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are
permitted, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday the 17th, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 19th, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 21st and
ends at 2359UTC on 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 starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 21st
and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 22nd of June. Using all modes on
the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday 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.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 12th of June 2025
Propagation was a mixed bag last week with occasional Kp index rises
but a solid solar flux index which hit 141 on Thursday the 12th. We
also had some Sporadic-E short-skip conditions on the HF bands which
brought some surprises.
We are now in June so the summer HF doldrums are well under way. But
that doesn't mean that the fun has gone from the HF bands. Daytime
maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path have been around 18 to
20MHz, so the main active band has been 20m.
Paul, GM4ULS reports that there was a spectacular inter-G event on
the morning of Tuesday the 10th of June. Whilst activating special
event station GB70RS from Perth, he worked a mini pile-up of English
stations from anywhere between Southampton and Manchester. This was
between 0949 and 1022UTC on 14.210MHz. He said it sounded like the
40m band at times!
We think this was probably a Sporadic-E event which often creates
strong but short-lived paths across the UK on the HF bands in the
summer. We normally think of Sporadic-E as affecting the 10m band,
but the lower bands are also often implicated. Have you worked
anything unusual via Sporadic-E? If you have, please send your
reports to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk
Otherwise, DX on the HF bands has been a little sparse, with paths
opening to South Africa and South America on the 20 and 17m bands at
times. Perhaps this is a good time to work some Summits on the Air or
World Wide Flora and Fauna stations in Europe. These are usually QRP
stations and appreciate your contacts.
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the 120 to
130 range. Unfortunately, geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be
unsettled, thanks mainly to the return of a massive coronal hole on
the Sun.
Disruption was due to start around the 14th, but due to the hole's
size this could continue for at least three days with a maximum Kp
index of 6. Expect the HF bands to be disrupted with lower maximum
usable frequencies as the plasma in the solar wind hits the Earth. It
may be a good time for visible aurora hunting though.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The high summer conditions have brought an increasing chance of
Sporadic-E, particularly on digital modes with DXmaps.com plots
showing plenty of paths on most days.
Many of these are possibly associated with turbulence generated by
jet streams in the weather part of the atmosphere. These send
atmospheric gravity waves upwards to affect the E region.
It's this association with specific weather features that makes
Sporadic-E sporadic in a geographical sense. If so, in the coming
week the jet streams are mainly over the northern fringe of Europe.
These suggest a better chance of paths to Scandinavia with fewer
options to the south to support paths to the Mediterranean and the
Balkans.
In any event, June is high season for Sporadic-E, so remember to
check the 6m band either mid-morning or late afternoon.
The early thundery weather at the end of last week was useful for
rain scatter on the GHz bands and it is just possible it will return
for the end of the coming week.
In between times, it will be a high-pressure story that will dominate
and may well produce some useful Tropo conditions. However, note that
in the hot days of summer, inversion conditions and Tropo will be
better at night and tend to weaken by the middle of the morning.
Meteor scatter will have been boosted by two showers on the 7th and
8th of June and, since they were broad peaks, there should be some
meteor input left to see us through the coming week.
For EME, sky noise is dropping. Declination, which has been low, is
now starting to decrease. So, Moon windows and peak elevation are
improving. EME conditions are classed as poor to moderate, today the
15th of June, but are then good on the 21st and 22nd of June.
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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