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G4TNU > NEWS 19.10.25 01:33z 265 Lines 12857 Bytes #30 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 19 Oct 2025
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 19th of October 2025
The news headlines:
* Ofcom implements Phases 2 and 3 of the amateur radio licence
review
* Share your feedback on the RSGB's 2025 Convention
* The RSGB releases a video to help members make the most of
its mobile app
Following the introduction of the current amateur licensing framework
in February 2024, Ofcom has now implemented most of the remaining
changes associated with Phases 2 and 3. The Ofcom updates to its
online Licensing Portal accommodate applications for new M8 and M9
Intermediate callsigns, more flexible special event callsigns, and
other changes which include easier revalidation. It also starts a
gradual move to single personal callsigns. For example, the
revocation of lower licence callsigns is automatically triggered by a
new application. Both Ofcom and the RSGB have released guidance for
radio amateurs about these changes. You can see both documents by
going to rsgb.org/guidance-resources Please also note that the Ofcom
licensing portal now requires longer and stronger passwords, so you
may need to reset yours first before you can make any changes.
The RSGB's 2025 Convention took place last weekend and brought
together hundreds in person, as well as many more from across the
globe who watched via the livestream. The Society is already
receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. If you did
attend the Convention and haven't yet completed the feedback form,
please go to rsgb.org/feedback and share your thoughts. If you were
unable to attend in person and watched the livestream, the RSGB would
also love to hear your feedback. Please visit
rsgb.org/livestream-feedback and let the team know what you thought
of the online event. The feedback forms will be closed at the end of
October. The livestreams for both days will remain available for
everyone to watch on the Society's YouTube channel via
youtube.com/thersgb Whether you want to sit back, relax and enjoy
the whole programme or use the timestamps to watch a particular
topic, you'll find something to enjoy. As well as talks from the
weekend, you'll find exclusive interviews and pre-recorded videos.
The RSGB has released a short video explaining how to get the most
out of its new mobile app. The Society has received great feedback
about the new app and wants to ensure everyone enjoys the full
functionality. You can find the video via rsgb.org/radcom or on the
RSGB YouTube channel. If you'd like to watch a behind-the-scenes chat
with RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB about the lead up to
the app launch, you can see that on the RSGB Convention Saturday
livestream recording at 4 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds.
The Tonight<at>8 webinar series continues on Monday the 3rd of
November with Graham Somerville, owner and managing director of DSP
noise cancellation specialists bhi [B-H-I] Limited. During the
presentation, he will look at the types of DSP noise cancelling
available for improving audio quality and which products are best
suited to specific applications and setups. Join him live on the RSGB
YouTube channel or special BATC channel and ask questions via the
live chat. To find out more go to the RSGB website at
rsgb.org/webinars
Today, the 19th, is the last day of Jamboree on the Air, also known
as JOTA. The event promotes friendship and global citizenship and is
a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the Scout Association.
The Society has compiled a list of Scouting groups that are involved
with the annual event and has shared it on its website. The list is
available by going to rsgb.org/jota and choosing the ‘JOTA
Stations on the Air' link on the righthand side of the page. If
you've been involved with JOTA this year, the RSGB would love to hear
from you. There will be a special JOTA report in the January edition
of RadCom so please send details and photos from your event to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk by the 14th of November.
RAF Air Cadets Exercise Blue Ham will be operating on the 60m band
from 0700 to 1600UTC today, the 19th of October. To operate you must
be a Full Licence holder. More details can be found on the
alphacharlie.org.uk website.
Schools and youth organisations interested in setting up an ARISS
radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space
Station are invited to submit an application and an educational
project. Applications can be submitted until the 24th of October
2025. The school selection will take place in December 2025. The
space conversation will be scheduled in the period extending from
July to December 2026. You can find out more at tinyurl.com/ARISS-2026
And now for details of rallies and events
Carrickfergus Amateur Radio Group Rally will take place on Saturday
the 25th of October at Elim Church, North Road, Carrickfergus,
BT38 8ND. The doors open at 9.30am for traders and at 11.30am for
visitors. Disabled access and free car parking will be available. For
more information email Tim, MI0TBL via carg<at>hotmail.co.uk
On Sunday the 26th of October, Galashiels Radio and Computer Rally
will take place at The Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels,
TD1 3JX. The doors open at 11am and admission costs GBP 3. Disabled
access will be available from 10.45am. For more information visit
galaradioclub.co.uk
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
are available at gmroundtable.org.uk The event has a maximum
capacity of 50 people and there are limited places left. Book now to
avoid disappointment.
Advance notice now that the 79th Annual Orlando HamCation event will
take place between the 13th and 15th of February 2026 at the Central
Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park. HamCation is the second-largest
amateur radio convention in the world, with the inaugural event
dating back to 1946. For more information follow HamCation on social
media channels or visit hamcation.com
Now the Special Event news
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of DARC, the national amateur radio
society in Germany, four special callsigns are active until the 31st
of October. For more information, including details of a certificate
that is available for working the stations, visit the DC75DARC page
at QRZ.com QSL via the bureau, or directly to DL2VFR.
Members of Haiti [HAY-TEE] Radio Club are active as 4V1SB until the
31st of October. The callsign is in use to commemorate Simon Bolivar
who led several South American countries to independence. Recently,
the station has been worked using FT8 on the HF bands. QSL via N2OO.
Now the DX news
Phill, C21TS is active on the island of Nauru [NA-OO-ROO], OC-031,
until the 30th of November. The station is spotted regularly using
FT8 on the HF bands. QSL via Logbook of the World or OQRS. See
QRZ.com for more information.
Mike, VE2XB is active as VY0ZOO [VICTOR-YANKEE-ZERO-ZULU-OSCAR-OSCAR]
from Coral Harbour on Southampton Island, NA-007, until the 18th of
December. Listen for the station on the 80 to 10m bands using CW and
SSB. QSL via VE2XB.
Now the contest news
Today, 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.
On Tuesday the 21st, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from
1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 22nd, the IRTS 80m Evening Counties Contest runs
from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 80m band, the exchange
is signal report and serial number. EI and GI stations also send
their county code.
On Thursday the 23rd, 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.
The Worked All Germany Contest started at 1500UTC yesterday, the
18th, and ends at 1500UTC today, 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.
The CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
25th and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 26th of October. Using SSB
on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange
is signal report and CQ Zone. The UK is in Zone 14.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 16th of October
Conditions over the past week have been reasonable with a relatively
high solar flux and lower Kp indices. This resulted in a maximum
usable frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path, in excess of 35MHz.
This is just what October was meant to be like!
But all good things come to an end and there are a few flies in the
ointment coming up.
On the 14th, the latest coronal mass ejection, or CME, tracking model
from NOAA and the Space Weather Prediction Testbed showed three weak
CMEs possibly passing Earth over the next few days.
Although none of them is expected to deliver a large impact to the
Earth's geomagnetic field, a combined passage could generate minor G1
to isolated moderate G2 geomagnetic storming.
We are now well and truly into autumn and, with a daytime critical
frequency of more than 9 to 10MHz, the 40m band is ideal for QSOs
around the UK during the daylight hours. At night, the critical
frequency is generally around 5MHz in the early part of the evening,
dropping to 3.5 to 3.6MHz as the night progresses.
This means that the 80m band is remaining open around the UK for
longer, but it may fade out, perhaps towards midnight.
October is a great month for HF with the potential for worldwide
openings on the higher bands.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 140
to 150 range. Unsettled geomagnetic conditions with reduced MUFs are
forecast for the 20th of October and then again on the 25th and 26th,
when the Kp index could hit 5. Incidentally, these are the same dates
as the CQ Worldwide SSB contest.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
This next period offers a marked contrast to our recent spell of
Tropo weather under high pressure.
Today, the 19th, sees a change to a much more unsettled weather type
with rain, areas of low pressure, strong winds and showers.
This will take Tropo off the agenda for the coming week and its
replacement is likely to be rain scatter for those on the GHz bands.
There is no point in trying to time each individual low and front
coming through this far ahead, and there is no real scope for any
significant intervening areas of high pressure between the lows. So,
there is no hint of Tropo next week.
The recent solar conditions have again suggested that it's worth
looking at the Kp index for signs of aurora, should it go above 5.
Next, a few words about meteor scatter, which is gearing up for the
Orionids, peaking on Tuesday the 21st. However, they can have a broad
spread with a minor peak preceding the main event. Either way, it's
worth checking up on meteor scatter techniques and frequencies before
the shower, rather than wondering what to do when it happens.
For EME operators, the Moon's declination is falling again, and
becomes negative today, the 19th, so Moon window lengths and peak
elevation follow suit by falling. Path losses are still rising as we
approach apogee early on the morning of the 24th.
As we move through 2026 we reach a ‘sweet spot' in June where
perigee and the highest declination coincide. This means the lowest
path losses occur when we have the longest Moon windows. This cyclic
event last occurred in 2018 and will not occur again until 2035.
144MHz sky noise starts the week low until Tuesday the 21st when the
Sun and Moon are close in the sky. This brings noise problems for
Yagi-type antennas with their high beam width. After that, the noise
rises to high again for the weekend beginning the 25th of October.
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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