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From: G4TNUDate: Sun, 31 May 26 03:26:00 Z
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Subject: RSGB Main News - 31 May 2026
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 31st of May 2026
* The RSGB celebrates Volunteers' Week 2026
* The RSGB Youth Committee has announced the YOTA Austria team
* The closure of BBC Long Wave
Volunteers' Week 2026 begins tomorrow, Monday the 1st of June. This
national campaign is an opportunity for organisations like the RSGB
to recognise the contribution and hard work of its volunteers. In
celebration, the Society asked some of its volunteers why they chose
to step forward. You'll be able to see their answers and view more
in-depth profiles from tomorrow via rsgb.org/volunteers-week The
answers, along with a short video, will also be shared on the RSGB's
social media channels throughout the week. If there is a volunteer
you would like to thank, or you'd like to share your own volunteering
story, please add a comment on the daily social media content that
the RSGB will be posting. You can also see these profiles in the July
edition of RadCom. Volunteers are at the heart of the work that the
Society does and on behalf of the RSGB Board, HQ and the amateur
radio community it would like to thank everyone who gives their time
and expertise to support the RSGB across such a wide range of roles.
The RSGB Youth Committee is delighted to announce the team for this
year's Youngsters on the Air summer camp in Wagrain, Austria. Team
leader Tom, M1TJM will be joined by team members Filip, M7SZW and
Milo, M9ILO. They will be going to the Austrian Alps at the end of
July for a week of exciting activities and challenges designed to
allow youth members to push their skills within amateur radio, while
meeting other amateurs from across the world. The Youth Committee's
hard work in promoting amateur radio to young people has seen great
success, with applications increasing by 200%. All the applications
received were outstanding, and the Committee was blown away by the
calibre of enthusiastic youth members of amateur radio. Tom, Filip
and Milo impressed them with their variety of interests and clear
dedication to the hobby and promoting amateur radio. The RSGB looks
forward to hearing what they get up to in Austria this summer! This
year's camp is being organised by ÖVSV, the Austrian Amateur Radio
Society, and the IARU Region 1 Youth Committee. You can read more
about the camp and the team at rsgb.org/yota-camp
The BBC has announced that its Long Wave service on 198kHz, currently
transmitting BBC Radio 4, will close on the 27th of June 2026 at 1am
BST. The Long Wave transmitters at Droitwich in Worcestershire,
Westerglen near Stirling, and Burghead overlooking the Moray Firth,
will be closed that day. The RSGB and the BBC Amateur Radio Group
will be marking this occasion on the air and are looking for
volunteers to activate a special callsign in the week leading up to
and including the day of the closure. In addition, three radio clubs
have volunteered to activate special callsigns to celebrate the
almost-92 years of these historic transmitters on the day that they
are finally turned off. You can find more information on the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/longwave-transmitters
The weekend of the 13th and 14th of June is 1940s weekend at
Bletchley Park. The RSGB National Radio Centre will be open to
visitors and is supporting the occasion by hosting the special event
station GB1SOE using CW on 40m. There will also be a display of World
War Two radios. Remember that RSGB Members can gain free access to
the Bletchley Park museum by downloading and printing the entry
voucher via rsgb.org/bpvoucher
The May 2026 issue of RadCom Basics is now available in the
RSGB mobile and web app for members to enjoy. RadCom Basics is aimed
at newcomers to amateur radio and those who enjoy refreshing their
skills and knowledge. The May issue includes articles on DMR for
beginners, building a 2m and 70cm travel antenna and understanding
radio waves. The full collection of RadCom Basics back issues can be
found in the RSGB app or via rsgb.org/radcom
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day on Sunday the 7th of
June from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell
Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home
to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment
in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events
Also on Sunday the 7th of June, Spalding and District Amateur Radio
Society's Annual Radio Rally will take place at Spalding Rugby and
Football Club, Centenary Park, Drain Bank North, Spalding,
Lincolnshire PE12 6AF. Free car parking is available and the entrance
fee is GBP 3 per person. Traders, catering and an RSGB stall will be
on site. For more details visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
Now the Special Event news
The Blind Veterans UK Amateur Radio Society will be active from the
new Blind Veterans UK Rustington Centre in West Sussex, from the 1st
to the 6th of June 2026 using the MX0SBV callsign. Listen for
activity on the HF bands using CW and SSB. The team will also be
available on the 6m, 4m, 2m and 70cm bands. For more information,
visit QRZ.com
Special callsign PA40AC will be active from the historic minesweeper
Abraham Crijnssen [KRANE-SIN] during Museum Ships Weekend on Saturday
the 6th and Sunday the 7th of June. Look for activity on the HF bands
using CW, FT8 and SSB. For more information, including details of
awards that are available for working the station, visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Didier, F6BCW is active as FO/F6BCW from Tikehau [TEE-KEH-HOW] Atoll,
OC-066, in French Polynesia until the 20th of July. He operates using
CW and SSB on the 80 to 6m bands. QSL to FO/F6BCW via Logbook of the
World and OQRS.
Phill, FK1TS is active as C21TS from Nauru [NAA-OO-ROO], OC-031,
until July. He operates using mainly FT8 as well as some SSB. QSL via
Logbook of the World or OQRS. QSOs are live streamed on Club Log.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX CW Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the
30th, and runs until 2359UTC today, Sunday the 31st of May. Using CW
on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange
is signal report and serial number.
Tomorrow, the 1st of June, the RSGB 80m Club Championship Data
Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m
band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 2nd of June, 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 of June, 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 of June, 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 of June, 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.
RSGB National Field Day starts at 1500UTC on Saturday the 6th and
ends at 1500UTC on Sunday the 7th of June. Using CW on the 160 to 10m
bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report
and serial number.
The ARRL International Digital Contest starts at 1800UTC on Saturday
the 6th of June and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 7th of June. Using
digital modes on the 160 to 6m bands, where contests are permitted,
the exchange is your four-character locator.
The UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest starts at 1300UTC on Saturday
the 6th and ends at 1300UTC on Sunday the 7th of June. Using all
modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and member number.
The IARU ATV Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 6th and ends
at 1800UTC on Sunday the 7th of June. Using TV on frequencies from
432MHz and up, the exchange is picture quality, serial number,
four-digit code and locator.
On Sunday the 7th of June, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest
runs from 0900 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on 1.3, 2.3 and 3.4GHz
frequencies, 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 May 2026
What a difference a week can make! Last week we reported that the
solar flux index was down in the 100s, but that it looked like there
were spots coming around the Sun. This week they've arrived, pushing
the solar flux index up to 142 on Thursday the 28th.
But with sunspots comes the risk of solar flares and coronal mass
ejections, or CMEs, so don't get too comfy! So far, we have only seen
minor C-class flares so keep your fingers crossed.
Upper HF activity has been split between F2-layer propagation and
Sporadic-E. As always, there seems to be more activity on FT8 than CW
or SSB. However, it is also worth keeping an eye on the 10m band
beacons which often spring out of the noise. You can find a list of
10m beacons at rsgb.org/main/technical/propagation Just follow the
link to ‘Propagation Beacons'.
DX to be worked this week includes 5Z4/MM0ZBH in Kenya; 3G0Z and XR0Z
on the Juan Fernández Islands; ZL7IO from the Chatham Islands; CP7DX
in Bolivia and VJ2L on Lord Howe Island. More details can be found at
dx-world.net
Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will remain in the 140
to 150 range, with generally calm geomagnetic conditions and an
estimated Kp index of 2. There may be a brief excursion to 4 around
Thursday the 4th of June but it is predicted to return to 2 the next
day.
As we mentioned earlier, with up to ten sunspot groups visible on the
Sun's surface anything could happen, so keep an eye on solarham.net
for news of solar flares and CMEs. Otherwise, enjoy the good HF
conditions while they last.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO.
The lengthy spell of heat is releasing its grip and we are now seeing
the start of a change to unsettled weather driven by Atlantic weather
systems crossing the country.
It can often take a while to properly reach the southeast, but there
will be some rain there eventually. For most parts of the country, it
will be a mix of occasional spells of rain or scattered heavy
showers. Apart from transient ridges of high pressure in between the
fronts, there is only a limited option for tropo, in favour of rain
scatter for the coming week.
The first week in June is often regarded as a prime period for
Sporadic-E and the return of unsettled weather means that there
should be some jet stream activity to generate atmospheric gravity
waves that provide the wind shear in the E region.
There is also a lesser-known meteor shower to provide the fuel for
Sporadic-E propagation. This is the Arietids which is mainly a
daytime shower.
The solar conditions have provided a few recent minor enhancements of
the Kp index between 1 and 4, but not enough to get excited about in
a radio sense for aurora.
EME now and this is a week to check out your kit. Moon declination
reaches minimum tomorrow, the 1st of June. We also reach lunar apogee
tomorrow. Conditions will improve after this period. 144MHz sky
temperature is moderate to high all week, peaking at nearly 3,300
Kelvin on Tuesday.
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
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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