GB2RS News

Sunday, the 28th of September 2025

The news headlines:

• What are your must-see presentations at this year’s RSGB Convention?


• The RSGB invited the MP for Buckingham and Bletchley to the RSGB National Radio Centre for a private visit


• Listen out for today’s special 70th anniversary GB2RS broadcasts

Before we begin today’s news bulletin, we would like to share a special message from the RSGB President Bob Beebe, GU4YOX, to mark the 70th anniversary of GB2RS. Bob says, “It is with a profound sense of respect and appreciation that today we mark the 70th anniversary of the GB2RS News service. Since 1955, volunteers have given their time and their voice to keep our radio community informed, connected, and inspired. For many of us, GB2RS has been a constant and familiar presence in our radio lives. On behalf of the RSGB, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have played a part in this remarkable story for the last seventy years. Today, we honour their legacy and reaffirm our commitment to the values and spirit that the GB2RS News service so proudly represents.”

 And now we move to today’s news items.

The programme for this year’s RSGB Convention has nearly 50 presentations for you to enjoy, including leading industry speakers such as Mike Walker, VA3MW from FlexRadio and Hans Summers, G0UPL from QRP Labs. There will also be well-known names such as Neil Smith G4DBN, RadCom Technical Editor Peter Duffett-Smith GM3XJE, Brian Coleman G4NNS and Walt Hudson K4OGO, known to many as ‘Salty Walt’. This annual RSGB event is your only opportunity within the UK to have access to this level of knowledge, learning and networking opportunities. As well as a packed full lecture programme, there will be nearly 20 special interest groups in attendance, so if you are thinking of pursuing a different area of the hobby, this is the perfect time to explore your options. To guarantee a place, you will need to purchase a ticket online via rsgb.org/convention before advance sales close on Sunday the 5th of October. Buying your ticket online not only guarantees your place, but it also saves you money when compared to on-the-door ticket prices. If you are arriving on Friday, why not join a private tour of Bletchley Park at 2.30 pm, which has been arranged especially for Convention attendees. In addition to this, and new for this year, RSGB National Radio Centre volunteer Patrick, 2E0IFB, will be running an informal introduction on getting started with low-earth orbiting satellites. The RSGB Convention takes place from the 10th to the 12th of October at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes.

The RSGB was pleased to welcome Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham and Bletchley, to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park last week. Callum enjoyed seeing the history of radio, watching live CW contacts and listening to his voice coming back from space, having been relayed via a satellite. Callum was invited to meet a small group of senior RSGB representatives who emphasised the important role of amateur radio in encouraging young people into an engineering career. Getting involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths activities gives a great foundation that could lead some young people to follow in the footsteps of radio amateur pioneers who led the development of many wireless technologies that we rely on today. Most importantly, the visit gave the RSGB an opportunity to show the problems that ElectroMagnetic Disturbance can cause to wireless reception. Examples of EMD include household appliances, Broadband FTTC and green energy from solar panels and windfarms, where the signal levels are thousands of times stronger than the expected levels given in ITU recommendations. EMC Chair John Rogers M0JAV and Board Chair Stewart Bryant G3YSX explained that unless the year-on-year increases in background noise are stopped, many critical services and infrastructures could be impacted soon, just as the amateur radio bands are today. The RSGB looks forward to meeting again with Callum, who is the Parliamentary Private Secretary for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Don’t forget to listen out for three special one-off broadcasts from the RSGB National Radio Centre today. The broadcasts are part of the celebrations, which are taking place to mark the 70th anniversary of GB2RS. Listen out at 1 pm, 2.30 pm and 4 pm. Go to rsgb.org/gb70rs  for details of frequencies and newsreaders. All listeners are welcome to join the pre- and post-News nets, which will be operating using the special event station GB70RS.

The RSGB LoRa high-altitude balloon launch took place on Saturday, the 20th of September and was a great success despite tricky weather conditions, which included rain and high winds. The balloon soared at a peak altitude of 48,556 feet before landing in a remote location in the Thursden Valley. Winners of the competition to win a £200 Moonraker voucher will be announced at the RSGB 2025 Convention on Sunday, the 12th of October. If you’re wondering what you can do with your LoRa tracker now that the RSGB challenge has finished, go to rsgb.org/lora-balloon for a handy guide on how you can continue the fun. If you took part and would like to be included in a special feature in the December edition of RadCom, send your photos and a short summary of your activity to comms@rsgb.org.uk by Wednesday, the 1st of October.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from the 23rd of July to the 2nd of August 2026. The organisers are looking for amateur radio operators to volunteer and assist with radio, spectrum and other technical tasks. To register as a radio volunteer, email spectrum@glasgow2026.com to be sent a code that you can enter into the volunteer booking portal. For more information and to apply to become a volunteer, visit the ‘Volunteering’ tab at glasgow2026.com

Wednesday, the 1st of October, sees the launch of UKBOTA's second annual celebration of the work carried out by the volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps. Activate or hunt any UKBOTA ROC bunker reference during October to qualify. More details are available at ukbota.org

Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week. 

And now for details of rallies and events

Carmarthen Amateur Radio Society is holding a surplus equipment sale on Saturday, the 4th of October, at the Cwmduad Community Hall. The doors will be open from 8.30 am for traders, 9.30 am for disabled access and from 10 am for all visitors. All radio amateurs and shortwave listeners are welcome. Limited parking is available outside the hall, and more is available on the main road. For more information, or to book a table, contact Andy, GW0JLX, on 07768 282 880.

On Sunday, the 5th of October, the 50th Welsh Radio Rally takes place at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport in South Wales. The doors open for traders from 7 am and for the public from 9.30 am. Admission costs £3. For more information, email welshradiorally@gmail.com

On Sunday, the 12th of October, the Autumn Dartmoor Radio Club Rally takes place at Yelverton War Memorial Hall, Meavy Lane, Yelverton. The doors open at 10 am and admission is £3. For more information, email 2e0rph@gmail.com

Also, on Sunday the 12th, Hornsea Amateur Radio Club’s annual rally takes place at Driffield Showground in East Yorkshire. Exhibitors can gain access from 8 am, and visitors are welcome from 10 am. For more information, email lbjpinkney1@hotmail.co.uk

Now the Special Event news

Paul, VK5PAS, is active as VI8POL until tomorrow, the 29th, to celebrate Australia's annual National Police Week. Recently, the station was spotted using FT8 on the 20m band. QSL via VK5PAS, Logbook of the World and eQSL.

Eight special call signs are in use until the 12th of October to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Swedish Amateur Radio Association. Look for activity on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, SSB and digital modes. For details of an award that is available for working the stations, visit tinyurl.com/ssa-100

Now the DX news

The Salamis Radio Team is active as SX8AJX from Salamina Island, EU-07, until Tuesday, the 30th of September. Operators are using CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands and via satellite. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club Log. 

Janusz, SP9FIH, is active as VK9/SP9FIH from Christmas Island, OC-002, until Friday, the 3rd of October. Look for activity on the 30 to 10m bands using SSB and FT8. QSL via Club Log's OQRS.

Now the contest news

The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000 UTC yesterday, the 27th, and ends at 2359 UTC today, the 28th of September. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.

Also, today, the 28th, the UK Microwave Group 5.7 and 10GHz Contest runs from 0600 to 1800 UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday, the 1st of October, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100 UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and a four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 1st, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100 UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and a four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

Also, on Wednesday the 1st, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100 UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is you