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G4FVG > NEWS 28.12.25 10:10l 243 Lines 11377 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News 28 Dec 2025
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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 28th of December 2025
The news headlines:
* Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF is now Silent Key
* Become a member of the RSGB Legacy Committee
* The RSGB 2026 Convention planning team opens the call for
proposals
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr Julian
Gannaway, G3YGF is now Silent Key. He volunteered for the RSGB over
many years, most recently on the RSGB Examination Standards Committee
and as a corresponding member of the Spectrum Forum. He was made an
RSGB Honorary Life President after serving as RSGB President in 1989.
Julian's contribution to amateur radio was widespread, and we will
share a fuller tribute in due course.
The RSGB Legacy Fund has resources available to encourage and develop
amateur radio. It is overseen by the Legacy Committee which is a
sub-committee of the RSGB Board. The Legacy Committee considers
applications from individuals and groups and advises the RSGB Board
in reaching its funding decision. It is currently looking for a new
member to support this important work to help amateur radio move
forward. To find out more go to rsgb.org/volunteers
Have you been involved in some research or been part of a project
that will take amateur radio to new audiences? Maybe your
organisation is working to encourage young people into STEM careers
and supporting the radio engineers of the future? Perhaps you have
discovered something new in amateur radio or have helped to make the
hobby more inclusive and accessible. The Society has started planning
its 2026 Convention and is offering radio amateurs the opportunity to
propose a presentation or a practical activity and be part of the
weekend's programme. Submit your proposal on these, or any other
topics, by sending the title and at least a one paragraph summary of
your suggestion to convention<at>rsgb.org.uk
Time is running out to be part of two exciting opportunities to make
an impact with the RSGB. The Society is seeking a full-time, highly
motivated Operations Manager to be part of its senior leadership
team, based at the RSGB HQ in Bedford. It is also looking for a new
contractor or agency to work with, to support the development of RSGB
advertising and contribute to the growth of its publications and
digital platforms. If you are professional, proactive and excited by
either of these opportunities, go to the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/careers to find out more. The application deadline for both
is the 4th of January 2026.
A reminder that RSGB HQ is closed over the festive season and opens
again for business at 8.30am on Monday the 5th of January 2026. The
exams booking system will be remain open at rsgb.org/exampay during
the festive season so you can book exams to take on the 5th of
January onwards. The RSGB National Radio Centre will be operating
reduced opening hours and will shut its doors at 2pm on New Year's
Eve and remain closed on New Year's Day. In addition to this, it will
be shut for essential maintenance works on the 5th and 6th of
January. Outside of these times, volunteers look forward to welcoming
visitors as usual.
Youngsters on the Air Month 2025 has been filled with some brilliant
activity from young people using special callsign GB25YOTA. Before
the year ends, there is still time to listen out for operators from
the RSGB Outreach Team, Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club, the 2nd
Marlborough Scouts, Hilderstone Radio Society and Jon, M0NOJ. View
the operating schedule at rsgb.org/yota-month The RSGB would like to
thank everyone who has been involved with YOTA Month, from
supervising young radio amateurs to making QSOs with them. If you
have been involved with the event and would like your activity to be
in a special feature in the March edition of RadCom, email your
photos and report to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk by the 23rd of January
2026.
Give something back to the amateur radio community in 2026 by
becoming an RSGB volunteer. The Society has a number of opportunities
to suit different interests and experience. If you would like to use
your skills to help strengthen the future of amateur radio and to
provide services for other radio amateurs, go to rsgb.org/volunteers
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk Please note there will be no GB2RS broadcast
on Sunday the 4th of January 2026, but many newsreaders will be
holding informal nets in their usual broadcasting slots.
And now for details of rallies and events
Sparkford Radio Rally is taking place today, Sunday the 28th of
December at Davis Hall Howell Hill, West Camel, near Yeovil,
BA22 7QX. The doors are open from 9.30am and admission costs GBP 2.
Refreshments and free parking are available on site. For more details
contact Luke on 07870 168 197 or email luke<at>mymixradio.co.uk
On Sunday the 25th of January 2026, Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter
Radio Rally will be held at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market
Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The
doors will be open from 10am and admission is GBP 3. Tables cost
GBP 10. To book tables, or for more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ
on 0777 7699 069 or email m5zzz<at>outlook.com
Now the Special Event news
A series of special event stations is on the air from the Netherlands
during the festive period. Recently, the PD25HOHOHO station was
worked on the 20m band using SSB. More information about this
station, and the others in the series, can be found at QRZ.com
Special callsign GB70RS is in use to celebrate the 70th anniversary
of the RSGB's weekly news service GB2RS which has been running
continuously since the 25th of September 1955. A team of amateurs is
using the callsign on a variety of bands and modes. QSL via the
Bureau, Logbook of the World and eQSL. For more information visit the
GB70RS page at QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Todd, AF4CZ is active as TG9/AF4CZ from Guatemala until the 5th of
January. He is operating mainly using FT8 and FT4 on the 40 to 10m
bands. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, eQSL and Club
Log.
Yannick, F6FYD is active as CN2YD from Marrakech [MA-RUH-KESH],
Morocco until the 31st of March 2026. You can find him using SSB on
the 20 to 10m bands. QSL via F6FYD directly or via the Bureau.
Now the contest news
The Stew Perry Topband Challenge started at 1500UTC yesterday, the
27th, and ends at 1500UTC today, the 28th of December. Using CW on
the 160m band, the exchange is your four-character locator.
Today, the 28th of December, the RSGB 70MHz Christmas Contest runs
from 1500 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Tomorrow, the 29th of December, the RSGB 144MHz Christmas Contest
runs from 1500 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also tomorrow the 29th of December, the RSGB Youth team will be
active with the GB0Y callsign during the IARU Youth on the Air
Contest. The exchange is signal report and operator age. More
information about the contest is available at ham-yota.com/contest
On Tuesday the 30th of December, the RSGB 432MHz Christmas Contest
runs from 1500 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 3rd of January, the RSGB 80 and 40m CW Contest runs
from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using CW on the 80 and 40m bands, the exchange
is signal report and serial number.
On Saturday the 3rd of January, The Marconi Club's QSO Party runs
from 0700 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the
exchange is signal report and serial number. Listen for operators
calling ‘CQ MCD'.
Now the radio propagation report compiled by G0KYA and G3YLA on
Thursday, December 23rd, 2025.
We have had some solar ups and downs over the past week. A high-speed
stream from a large coronal hole has kept the Kp index high at times,
plus the solar flux index has been relatively low due to a lack of
sunspots.
The coronal hole has been massive, covering from the Sun's south pole
right up to and past the solar equator.
Nevertheless, there has been DX about, including PZ3OZ in Surinam on
80m FT8 and 40m CW, ZS7ANF in Antarctica on 30m CW, and TG9ADM in
Guatemala on 10m CW.
Also spotted have been some of the ‘12 Days of Christmas stations
in the US', including W2R/5 in Arizona on 15m CW.
Let's take a look at HF propagation over the next two weeks.
According to NOAA, we may be in for a bumpy ride. The Kp index is
predicted to rise to six on the 30th of December and stay high until
early January. Meanwhile, at the same time, the SFI is predicted to
rise to 170.
The best time for HF may be after the 3rd of January, when the Kp
index is predicted to fall to a more reasonable two to three, while
the SFI remains in the 150-160 range.
There should be plenty of activity on HF, with the G-QRP club's
Winter Sports running up until the 1st of January, and a whole range
of contests, from the RSGB's AFS CW Contest from 1300hrs UTC -
1700hrs UTC on the 3rd of January, to the Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO
Party from 0700hrs UTC - 2100hrs UTC, also on the 3rd of January.
Keep an eye on www.contestcalendar.com for updates.
We hope you have a happy New Year and look forward to bringing you
more HF propagation news in 2026.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO.
The Christmas week saw a brief cold easterly around Christmas Day,
then milder air returned around the top of the large area of high
pressure. We go through the next week with the high pressure just to
the north or west of Britain and this will bring a more northerly
flow across the country and, although initially milder, will become
much colder again for the second half of next week.
Since it is primarily a high-pressure week, there's always a chance
of Tropo, but not everywhere. It's suggested you look for regions of
cloud and fog for the best paths since it shows there is moisture
under the inversion … a good thing for Tropo.
The solar conditions are likely to offer prospects for aurora and
since this period is between two meteor showers with the second one,
the Quadrantids, peaking on the 4th at the end of the week.
Finally, a note to follow up on last week's heads-up for mid-winter
Sporadic-E. It's certainly worth checking for digital modes and quite
possibly for SSB/CW on 10m and 6m if there are signs of activity.
For EME operators, Moon declination is rising again and path losses
are decreasing as we head towards perigee on the 2nd of January, the
point where the Moon is closest to Earth. 144 MHz sky noise remains
low until the 14th to 18th of January.
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. There will be no broadcast for
next Sunday (4th January). 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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