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G4TNU > NEWS 12.10.25 02:32l 240 Lines 11535 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 12 Oct 2025
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6IHL<IK7NXU<HB9ON<DK0WUE<GB7CIP<GB7CIP<GB7CIP
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 12th of October 2025
The news headlines:
* Introducing the RSGB mobile app
* Join the RSGB 2025 Convention livestream
* Get involved with Jamboree on the Air
The Society is excited to announce the launch of the RSGB mobile app.
This fantastic new members' benefit allows you to enjoy RadCom,
RadCom Basics and RadCom Plus wherever you are. Complementing the
RSGB's existing web app, with the new mobile app you can save
editions to read offline, bookmark articles to enjoy later, and have
seamless access to extra digital content. With easy-to-use
navigation, the app is your one-stop shop for RSGB publications. You
can download it now via the Apple App and Google Play stores or go to
rsgb.org/radcom for the links.
The second day of the RSGB 2025 Convention is well underway with a
great line-up of presentations. If you have been unable to attend in
person you can catch up with the livestream on the Society's YouTube
channel via youtube.com/thersgb The livestreams for both days will
remain available for everyone to watch and offer a programme full of
engaging speakers to help you discover, learn and progress within
amateur radio. Presentations include Radio Communications Foundation
Trustee, Andy Webster, G7UHN who explains how you can use radio
technology to engage and inspire non-radio amateurs. Hans Summers,
G0UPL of QRP Labs talks about polar modulation, and you can also
watch a fascinating panel discussion in which representatives of four
amateur radio groups or societies discuss what they have been doing
to help their club thrive. Whether you've attended the Convention in
person or watched the livestream, the Society would love to hear your
feedback. Share your thoughts on the event by going to
rsgb.org/feedback for those that have attended the event and
rsgb.org/livestream-feedback for those who watched the event online.
Thank you to everyone who has responded to the RSGB's call for
Jamboree on the Air participation. Samuel McCutchion, M0UEL is the
RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts, Cadets and Guides and has compiled a
list of Scouting groups that are involved with the annual event. To
view the list go to rsgb.org/jota and select the ‘JOTA Stations on
the Air' link on the righthand side of the page. If you are planning
to get involved with JOTA and would like to be added to the list,
please get in touch via youthchampion.scouts<at>rsgb.org.uk with a
summary of your station name, callsign and any other relevant
information. The RSGB would love to see your photos of Scouts getting
involved with JOTA, so tag <at>theRSGB and also use #JOTAJOTI to be
involved in the conversation on social media. If you're not involved
with a JOTA station do listen out for them on the air and encourage
the young operators. This year's event is taking place between the
17th and 19th of October.
Volunteers at the RSGB National Radio Centre had a particularly busy
weekend at the end of September. It was 1940s weekend at Bletchley
Park for which the Centre set up the GB1SOE station and over the
weekend RSGB volunteers welcomed almost 1,100 visitors through the
doors. If you'd like to be part of this engaging and motivated team,
the NRC Coordinator is currently looking for a volunteer specifically
to join the Friday team. If you'd like to find out more about this
role email Martyn Baker, G0GMB via nrc.support<at>rsgb.org.uk
RAF Air Cadets Exercise Blue Ham will take place on the 60m band from
0700 to 1600UTC over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of October. To
operate you must be a Full licence holder. More details can be found
on the alphacharlie.org.uk website.
The RSGB wishes to record, with sadness, the passing of GB2RS
Newsreader Peter Valentine, G0NQZ at the grand age of 101. Age was
no barrier to Peter. At a mere 96, he walked 96 miles for his local
hospital charity, and he was still broadcasting GB2RS from Eastbourne
in his 100th year. He was described by a fellow Newsreader as a true
ambassador for amateur radio. Peter had a wonderfully distinctive
voice on the air and for many years he also read a talking newspaper
for the blind. Our thoughts are with Peter's wife Heather and family.
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
Today, the 12th of October, the Autumn Dartmoor Radio Club Rally is
taking 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 today, the 12th, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club's Annual Rally is
taking 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...]
The next Essex CW Amateur Radio Club Bootcamp will take place on
Saturday the 18th of October. It will be held at the 3rd Witham Scout
and Guide HQ. Places are limited so email info<at>essexcw.org.uk as
soon as possible to book your place.
Now the Special Event news
Special callsign AT25GOA is active to celebrate HamFest India 2025.
Look for activity on the 80 to 10m bands using CW, FT8, FT4 and SSB.
QSOs will be uploaded to QRZ.com and Club Log. See QRZ.com for more
information.
The International Amateur Radio Club at ITU HQ in Geneva is active
with the 4U0ITU callsign until the end of the year. The station is
operating in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the
International Telecommunication Union. QSL via Logbook of the World,
Club Log's OQRS, or directly to the International Amateur Radio Club.
Now the DX news
Today, the 12th, is your last chance to work Harry, JG7PSJ who is
active as WH0RU from Saipan, OC-086, on the Northern Mariana Islands.
He usually operates CW and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via
Logbook of the World or directly to JG7PSJ.
Bo, OZ1DJJ is active as OX3LX from Greenland, NA-018, until the 21st
of October. The station is spotted regularly on the HF bands using
FT8. QSL via Logbook of the World, Club Log's OQRS or via OZ0J.
Now the contest news
On Tuesday the 14th, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from
1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal
report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 14th, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 15th, the RSGB Autumn Series Data Contest runs from
1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange
is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 16th, 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.
On Sunday the 19th, the RSGB 50MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs
from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The Oceania DX CW Contest started at 0600UTC on Saturday the 11th and
runs until 0600UTC today, the 12th of October. Using CW and SSB on
the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
The Worked All Germany Contest runs from 1500UTC on Saturday the 18th
to 1500UTC on Sunday the 19th of October. Using CW and SSB on the 80
to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal
report and serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Wednesday the 8th of October
We finally got rid of the high-speed solar wind stream, which caused
havoc on the HF bands. But we are not out of the woods yet!
Last week saw the Kp index hit 6.67 on the 2nd of October, and it was
often up around 4 or more. Even though the Kp index eventually
reduced, the ionosphere took its time to recover and things were not
back to near normal until Tuesday the 7th.
Meanwhile, the solar flux index decreased to 131 by the 8th, so the
HF bands were hardly humming by this time.
DX on the 10m band was hard to find. Openings to Europe were
commonplace but longer paths were not so good, with only weak North
American stations being heard later in the day.
A minor G1 geomagnetic storm watch was in effect for 48 hours from
the 7th of October when at least one faint coronal mass ejection was
predicted to pass the Earth. Only minor C-class solar flares occurred
during the week, but that didn't help too much.
CDXC members were reporting DX, such as V85T in Brunei on 15m and
A52G in Bhutan on 20m – both using CW. However, there was not much
to work on the higher bands. Southerly paths were a little better
with 5X2I in Uganda reported on the 17m band using FT8.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the
range of 130 to 140, but it is also predicting geomagnetic
disturbances today, the 12th. After that, the Sun may quieten a
little with a maximum Kp index of 2 for the rest of the coming week
before more geomagnetic disturbances. The Kp index is forecast to be
4 or 5 during the weekend of the 18th and 19th.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The coming week is dominated by high pressure, either over the UK or
near enough to influence the propagation and provide a prolonged
period of Tropo weather.
It's probably worth mentioning a few ground rules about Tropo
operating. Firstly, large areas of high pressure can produce
widespread lift conditions due to the strength of the elevated
temperature inversion 1 to 1.5km above the ground. The longer the
high lasts, the lower this descends, so limiting maximum distance
across the centre of the high.
Try beaming around the edge rather than across the centre. Secondly,
there may be surface temperature inversions at night or in foggy
weather, and these will provide temporary enhancements. Thirdly, the
clue for a good ‘radio' temperature inversion is the presence of
fog or layers of cloud which give a better moisture contrast and
ducting prospects.
One last point. Try other modes like SSB or CW rather than sticking
to repeaters which can get very crowded in lift conditions.
There is no rain scatter in the frame this week and the Draconids
meteor shower has just passed, so back to random activity on that
front. On the 8th of October the Sporadic-E graphs at propquest.co.uk
showed that there had been occasional spikes up to 5MHz or so. This
may liven up the 10m band if we get any more. There have been a few
weak auroral events but nothing too exciting.
For EME operators, the Moon's declination is still increasing,
reaching its peak today, the 12th, so long Moon windows and high peak
elevation continue. Path losses are rising again after perigee on the
8th. 144MHz Sky noise will be moderate to low for the coming 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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