G4TNU  > NEWS     31.08.25 00:30z 289 Lines 14069 Bytes #184 (0) @ EU
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 31st of August 2025

The news headlines:

* Plan your RSGB Convention weekend with the newly released 
programme
* Volunteer for the RSGB as the Honorary Mature Members' Officer
* RSGB representatives and practical activities at the National 
Hamfest

Have you bought your ticket for this year's RSGB Convention yet? The 
weekend's draft programme has just been released and details all the 
inspiring speakers that the Society has lined up for your enjoyment. 
If you are wanting to improve your technical knowledge, make sure you 
put the presentation by Hans Summers, G0UPL from QRP Labs on your 
must-see list. Hans will introduce the concept of polar modulation 
SSB, along with the story of the practical implementation of polar 
modulation SSB in the QRP Labs QMX and QMX+ transceivers. Perhaps 
you'd like to get some operating tips? In which case Walt Hudson, 
K4OGO is one to add to your weekend schedule. Walt, also known as 
‘Salty Walt', will discuss different types of antennas and his 
experience with them when operating portable. If you'd like to 
discover something new within amateur radio, then join Kjetil 
[KEE-ET-AY] Vinorum [VEE-NOR-UM], LB4FH for a presentation on 
‘elmering' in an online world. In addition, Mike Walker, VA3MW will 
present an exclusive look at the new Aurora transceiver from 
FlexRadio Systems and will showcase how the Aurora pushes the 
boundaries of software-defined radio. With a wide-ranging programme 
to spark your interest, three exciting workshops, the Special 
Interest Groups room, GB3HQ and much more, this year's Convention is 
one not to be missed. The event takes place between Friday the 10th 
and Sunday the 12th of October at Kents Hill Conference Centre in 
Milton Keynes. Tickets are selling fast so to view the full programme 
and book go to rsgb.org/convention  

The RSGB has announced an exciting new volunteer role, which will be 
tasked with attracting older people to amateur radio. The Honorary 
Mature Members' Officer will also be responsible for retaining and 
engaging with our existing senior members. The individual will 
research organisations or groups with memberships that include older 
people who may be interested in amateur radio as a hobby. They will 
also help to identify ways the RSGB can support lifelong enjoyment of 
amateur radio, including accessibility, training and social 
engagement. If you are an RSGB member and interested in this role, go 
to rsgb.org/volunteers  to read the full description. If you'd like 
to apply or have a chat about the role, email the Nominations 
Committee Chair Will Richardson, 2E0WYA via 
nominations.chair<at>rsgb.org.uk 

The RSGB will have a large presence at the National Hamfest at Newark 
Showground on Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th of September. In 
addition to an extensive book stall and membership stand, the Society 
will be running a range of exciting practical activities and 
demonstrations. These include a semi-interactive display of the 
CubeSat and a web-based dashboard from a Tiny Ground Station running 
remotely. There will be the opportunity to play ‘MORSE', a 
minimalist, wave-based strategy game operated with just two controls. 
You can also have your CW skills tested at a range of speeds. On the 
Saturday, there will be an opportunity to get hands on, building a 
Kanga FM receiver kit. The activities are all free of charge and 
there is no need to book in advance. Members of the RSGB Board, staff 
and representatives from specialist committees and teams will also be 
in attendance and are looking forward to meeting you, answering your 
questions and offering support.

If you know an up-and-coming HF DXer who has made rapid progress in 
the last year and has some real achievements to show, you have until 
Friday the 12th of September to nominate them for the RSGB's G5RP 
Trophy. The award is not limited to youngsters or the newly licensed 
but is open to anyone who has recently discovered and made 
significant progress in HF DXing. Please email your nominations to 
Ian Greenshields, G4FSU via hf.manager<at>rsgb.org.uk

Worked All Britain's new Summer Saunter award is being extended to 
include an Autumn Amble. There is now a rota of volunteers to act as 
regular net controllers from 10.30am UK time on the 40m band. Other 
nets will run on an ad hoc basis, whenever activity is planned. To 
find out more visit the Worked All Britain website.

 
And now for details of rallies and events

Telford Hamfest is taking place today, Sunday the 31st of August at 
Harper Adams University Sports Hall. The doors open at 10.15am. 
Admission is GBP 5 but young people up to the age of 16 will be 
admitted free of charge. Lots of fascinating titles are available at 
the RSGB bookstall on site. More details are available at 
tinyurl.com/tdars25

On the 14th of September Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally will be held at 
Caister Lifeboat station, Caister-on-Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be 
open to visitors from 9am to 2pm and there is no entrance fee. For 
more information email Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi<at>outlook.com


Now the Special Event news

Members of Central Uusimaa [OO-SEE-MAH] Radio Amateurs Association, 
OH2AP are active throughout 2025 as OF60AP to celebrate their club's 
60th anniversary. QSL via Club Log's OQRS. For details of a 
certificate that is available for working the station, see 
tinyurl.com/oh2ap25

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

Antonio, IK7WUL is active as TY2AA from Benin until the 7th of 
September. Recently, the station was spotted on the 10m band using 
SSB. For more information visit the TY2AA page at QRZ.com

Domenico, IK1MNF is active as IK1MNF/IA5 from Isola d'Elba [EE-SO-LA 
DEL-BA], EU-028, until the end of September. He is mainly using SSB 
on the 20 to 6m bands. QSL via Domenico's home call. QSOs will be 
uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club Log.


Now the contest news

The World Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 
30th and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 31st of August. Using FT4 
and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the 
exchange is your four-character locator.

On Monday the 1st, the RSGB Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 
to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report 
and serial number.

On Tuesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 
1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal 
report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs 
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is 
signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 3rd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest 
runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is 
report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 3rd, the 
RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. 
Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character 
locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the 
two-hour contest.

Also on Wednesday the 3rd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m 
Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the 
exchange is your six-character locator.

The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 6th and 
ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 7th of September. Using SSB on the 160 
to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age.

On Saturday the 6th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour 
sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, 
where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.

The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 6th 
and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 7th of September. Using all modes 
on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and 
locator.

Both RSGB SSB Field Day and IARU Region 1 Field Day start at 1300UTC 
on Saturday the 6th and end at 1300UTC on Sunday the 7th of 
September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are 
permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Sunday the 7th, the Worked All Britain 2m SSB Contest runs from 
1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal 
report, serial number and Worked All Britain Square. This year the 
QRO and QRP contests are combined together. The full rules are 
available on the Worked All Britain website.

On Sunday the 7th, the 5th RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 
1100 to 1500UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is 
signal report, serial number and locator.


Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO 
on Thursday the 28th of August 2025

This week saw a change in HF propagation with a perceptible move 
towards more autumnal conditions.

The 10 and 12m bands have started opening up to the USA, at least on 
FT8. As we move into September this will improve further. Also, as we 
head towards the Autumnal Equinox, we can expect better conditions on 
north-south paths, such as the UK to South Africa.

The week saw the solar flux index climb to 226 on Thursday the 28th 
thanks to a host of sunspots, mainly in the Sun's southern hemisphere.

Over the last seven days the Sun also provided us with 12 M-class 
solar flares. Any associated coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, were 
not Earth-directed, so these had little effect and the Kp index 
stayed firmly at 3 or below. The latest updates suggest that there is 
only a ten per cent chance for a strong X-class solar flare.

FT8 continues to be the preferred HF mode, or so it seems, with 
stations in China, Japan, Indonesia and Cameroon making their way 
into UK logs on the 12m band.

The 10m band has also been humming with South America rolling in 
during late afternoon and early evening. This can only get better as 
we move into September and October.

NOAA predicts that the coming week will start with a solar flux index 
of 155 tomorrow, the 1st. This may be a little pessimistic, but we'll 
see. It also predicts that the solar flux index will drop off as the 
week progresses, ending the week at 125.

Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be good for the first half of 
the week, but then decline from the 4th of September. Batten down the 
hatches as a Kp index of 6 is forecast for the 5th, with unsettled 
conditions lasting until the 10th of September. Check for auroral HF 
signals on the 5th, or even the possibility of visible aurora from 
the UK.

We recommend you get your HF DXing in early next week!


And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

Last week saw some lovely late season Sporadic-E on the 6 and 4m 
bands including Spain, Italy, and east into Ukraine. There was an 
opening to Brazil on the 24th that reached as far as East Anglia but, 
as usual, stations on the south coast and west of the country had the 
best of the transatlantic QSOs.   

This is the last bulletin in the nominal 2025 Sporadic-E season, 
which lasts from May to August. However, last week was a good 
reminder not to give up too soon as there were several CW and SSB 
paths showing up, particularly on the 10 and 6m bands. There were 
also a few reports on the 4m band.

The daily Sporadic-E blogs on propquest.co.uk  come to an end today, 
the 31st, but the site will continue to provide the maps as usual. To 
help you, notes on how to interpret the maps are available on the 
website. Thanks to all the Sporadic-E operators who have submitted 
logs to the various clusters this year.

The change over to unsettled weather is now complete and we will see 
rain and thunderstorms in most areas from time to time. It's a good 
period to check out rain scatter propagation if you are set up for 
the gigahertz bands.

The heavier rain is well-captured by the many online rain radar 
displays to help you track the most active scattering volumes, which 
move with the stronger winds quite high up in the atmosphere. Speeds 
of 30 to 60 miles per hour are common.

There is one note of contrast with the model evolution after midweek. 
One branch sticks with low pressure to the following weekend while 
another outcome tries to bring in a ridge of high pressure and a 
chance of Tropo propagation. If the latter turns out to be the actual 
evolution, it may prove useful for the 144MHz Trophy and Backpackers 
Contest next weekend. However, it may not have arrived in time for 
the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday.

The solar conditions are still providing some interest for auroral 
propagation, but with a Kp index less than 3, nothing of use 
radio-wise. Look for a Kp index increase beyond 7 for that. Meteor 
activity is currently between major showers so expect random 
activity, which suggests early mornings for checking out meteor 
scatter prospects.

Moon declination is negative, reaching a minimum on Monday the 1st. 
So, it's a week to check out your equipment rather than to operate. 
With the Sun still high in the sky, it's easy to check system 
performance with Sun noise. Path losses started to fall after apogee 
on Friday the 29th. 144MHz sky noise is close to 3,000 Kelvin on 
Monday, dropping back to moderate on Wednesday.

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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