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G4APL > NEWS 10.08.25 06:26z 256 Lines 11966 Bytes #195 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 10 Aug 2025
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Sent: 250810/0608Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:38435 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@EU
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 10th of August 2025
The news headlines:
* Three fantastic workshops have been announced for the RSGB
Convention
* The RSGB National Radio Centre has won a prestigious award
* Ensure that Ofcom has your correct contact details
Discover new skills at this year's RSGB Convention in October by
securing your place in one, or all three, of the workshops that will
be taking place. On Friday the 10th of October, the RSGB is giving
you the opportunity to build on the basics of Arduino programming
with a six-hour workshop that will cover programming Direct Digital
Synthesis for RF generation. This session will also include how to
use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to write software. You are
welcome to book this workshop even if you're not able to attend the
whole Convention this year. If programming is new to you, then
Saturday's two-hour workshop is a great place to get started. This
session will introduce you to microcontroller unit programming
through a short presentation followed by practical exercises.
Alternatively, on Sunday, you can book into a two-hour antenna
building workshop that will guide you through the process of
constructing a 49:1 balun for use in a QRP end-fed long-wire antenna.
Spaces for the workshops are limited, and pre-booking is essential.
The workshops are subsidised by the RSGB Legacy Funds, and every
attendee will also receive a GBP 5 RSGB book voucher. Find out more
and guarantee your place by going to rsgb.org/convention and
selecting ‘Workshops' from the right-hand menu. Book your
Convention tickets using the same link. Early-bird pricing closes
tomorrow, Monday the 11th of August, so ensure you book now to get
the best available price.
The Society is proud to announce that the RSGB National Radio Centre
has been recognised in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for
2025. Winners of this award are among the top 10% of listings around
the world on Tripadvisor. The award is based on genuine feedback from
anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic,
first-hand review on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period. The award
reflects the passion and dedication of the RSGB's volunteers, and the
fantastic role they play in promoting amateur radio. Start planning
your visit to the NRC by going to rsgb.org/nrc If you're an RSGB
member, download your free entry voucher at rsgb.org/bpvoucher
The RSGB is encouraging radio amateurs to check that their contact
details registered with Ofcom are up to date. As well as confirming
your home address and email address are correct, you can also select
your communication preferences. Ofcom will use these details to
contact radio amateurs about the implementation of phases two and
three of its planned updates to the amateur radio licensing
framework. This stage will include changes to new intermediate
callsigns and rules for Special Event Stations. Find out more about
licensing in the UK via rsgb.org/licensing
Peter Duffett-Smith, GM3XJE is retiring as the Editor of RadCom Plus.
Peter is staying on in the role of RadCom Technical Editor which has
been keeping him very busy for the last few years. If you are
interested in applying for the role of RadCom Plus Editor, please
email radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend will run from 0001UTC
on Saturday the 16th to 2400UTC on Sunday the 17th of August. The
event usually attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located in
over 40 countries. To register for the event, and view a list of
participating stations, visit illw.net
The Thirteenth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT will take place at
the Museum of Communication in Burntisland, Fife, Scotland on
Saturday the 1st of November from 10.30am to 5pm. An interesting
programme of speakers has been arranged and microwave test facilities
will be provided. There will be an opportunity to buy components and
microwave-related items. An optional dinner will be held in the
evening at a local hotel. Further information and online registration
is available at gmroundtable.org.uk The event has a maximum capacity
of 50 people and over 20% of the tickets are already sold. So, book
now to avoid disappointment.
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
Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Hamfest is taking place
today, the 10th, at Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley,
near Wimborne, Dorset. The doors are open from 9am to 4pm. Admission,
which includes parking, is GBP 5. Talk-in is on 145.550MHz. For more
information visit frars.co.uk/hamfest-2025
Also today, the 10th, The Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Annual
Radio Rally is taking place at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe,
Rugby, CV23 9PY. More information is available at rugbyats.co.uk
On Sunday the 17th, Finningley Amateur Radio Society Rally will begin
at 10am. The details are available at g0ghk.com
Also on Sunday the 17th, the West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose
Summer Rally is taking place at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh,
WN7 2PJ. The doors open at 10am. More information is available by
following the ‘Red Rose Rally' tab at wmrc.co.uk
Now the Special Event news
Special event station GB1HAF will be active on Saturday the 16th of
August in support of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. Operators will
be working on the 40m, 20m, 10m, 2m and 70cm bands using SSB and,
possibly, data modes and CW.
The East Midlands Electronics and Radio Group will be on the air to
celebrate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day between the 15th and 17th of
August. Using the callsign GB1BK, the Group will operate from former
RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire. Operators expect to be available on the
40 and 20m bands using SSB. They will also be working on the 2m band
using FM. If you hear them, give them a call.
Now the DX news
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.
George, VU2DGR is active as AT44I [ALPHA-TANGO-FOUR-FOUR-INDIA] from
the Bharati Research Station. He is a member of the 44th Indian
Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. The station was heard recently
on the 20m band using SSB. QSL via George's home call.
Now the contest news
The Worked All Europe DX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday
the 9th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 10th of August. Using
CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange
is signal report and serial number.
The RSGB Machine Generated Modes Contest started at 1400UTC on
Saturday the 9th and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 10th of
August. Using machine generated modes on the 6 and 2m bands, the
exchange is your report and four-character locator.
On Tuesday the 12th, 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 12th, 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 13th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest
runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange
is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 13th, the
432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using
FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the
two-hour contest.
On Thursday the 14th, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
report and four-character locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 7th of August
Over the last week we had nearly ideal solar conditions for HF
propagation. These included low geomagnetic indices and a reasonable
solar flux index, hovering around the 150 mark.
Other solar events of note included six M-class solar flares.
The only stumbling block is the time of year, with summer seeing
lower maximum usable frequencies, or MUFs, and poorer propagation due
to changes in ionospheric chemistry. We will have to wait another
month or so to see conditions really pick up.
The main HF DX this week has been T30TTT from Western Kiribati
[KIRIB-ASS], mainly on FT8 and CW and focusing on the 20 and 17m
bands. TJ1GD from Cameroon was also worked on the 17m band using FT8.
E51KEE on the South Cook Islands was logged on the 17 and 15m bands
using CW. And finally, AH6KO in Hawaii was worked on the 15m band
using CW.
But this may all be set to change.
A coronal mass ejection observed on Tuesday the 5th may deliver a
glancing blow to the Earth's geomagnetic field. This may also
coincide with an expected high-speed stream from a very large coronal
hole on the Sun's surface. NOAA predicts that the Kp index could rise
to 5 or 6.
The hole is so large and elongated that we could see unsettled
conditions occurring in the coming week.
NOAA predicts unsettled geomagnetic conditions from the 11th to the
14th of August. It also predicts more unsettled conditions from the
18th to the 22nd, with a maximum Kp index of 5. Expect reduced MUFs
and poor HF conditions, especially for paths over the poles.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The main setting for the weather pattern over the next week is a
tendency for high pressure in the south and lower pressure to the
north of Britain. There may be some input from a low over France
around the middle of the week. This might introduce some thundery
showers and a chance of rain scatter on the GHz bands.
Meanwhile, occasional weak frontal systems will bring patchy rain to
the far northwest, but probably not so good for rain scatter
opportunities.
The Tropo at this time of year can be very good around the coasts and
occasionally inland overnight. However, it tends to weaken inland
during the heating of the day. Out at sea, temperatures remain fairly
constant and maintain an ideal cool moist layer at the sea surface
overlain by a layer of warm dry air from the land. This provides
Tropo 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mid-August is good for meteor scatter with the peak of the Perseids
on the Tuesday night of the 12th and 13th. Apart from digital-mode
QSOs, it's good for late summer evening sky watching. It is
fascinating to listen on the VHF SSB meteor scatter frequencies while
watching to get the full experience. It's a broad shower, so don't
worry if you must pick a night either side of the peak.
The chances of aurora are not zero with further minor alerts to
remind us that it's worth checking. The main mode for DX is probably
still going to be Sporadic-E, which has roughly another four weeks to
run. Don't expect something every day as it tends to become more
random towards the latter part of the season.
Moon declination is negative, but rising again, so Moon window
lengths and peak elevation will increase. Path losses are also
falling, reaching minimum at perigee on Thursday the 14th of August.
144MHz sky noise is low to moderate all next 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.
Our thanks to Andy G4TNU for providing this RSGB feed.
--
g4apl@gb7cip.ampr.org g4apl@gb7cip.#32.gbr.euro
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