Message 23796 in NEWS.GBR
From: G4APL
Date: Sun, 07 Jun 26 15:01:00 Z
Newsgroups: NEWS.GBR
Subject: RSGB Main News - 7 Jun 2026
Message-ID: <61778_GB7CIP>
Path: GB7RJJ|GB7OSW|GB7BED|GB7CIP
R:260607/1506Z 14719@GB7RJJ.#79.GBR.EURO LinBPQ6.0.25
R:260607/1504Z 42537@GB7OSW.#16.GBR.EU LinBPQ6.0.25
R:260607/1504Z 12553@GB7BED.#21.GBR.EU LinBPQ6.0.25
R:260607/1501Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO #:61778 [Caterham Surrey GBR]
From: G4APL@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO
To : NEWS@GBR
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 7th of June 2026
The news headlines:
* Discover how vibe coding can help radio amateurs
* RSGB Board Director attends ARISS International Conference
* Trio of RSGB experts added to the RSGB Convention programme
RSGB Board Chair, Stewart Bryant, G3YSX delivered a technical seminar
called 'Vibe Coding for radio amateurs' at the Four Days In May
Symposium. The event was organised by the QRP ARCI and held before
the start of the Dayton Hamvention. You can now enjoy the
presentation from the comfort of your own home by watching it online
at tinyurl.com/fdim-vibecoding Stewart's presentation demonstrated
additional things AI can do to aid radio amateurs. His talk was
delivered to a packed audience and was based on the workshops he ran
at last year's RSGB Convention and in Blackpool this April. If you
are interested in finding out more about how radio amateurs can
utilise AI, the RSGB is hosting workshops on the topic at its
Convention in October. Find out more at rsgb.org/convention-workshops
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, held its
annual conference in London last week. The event was organised by
RSGB Representative to ARISS, Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD, and attended by
Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB. On behalf of the RSGB President,
Patrick delivered a short welcome at the event opening and attended
an RSGB-sponsored evening reception along with other RSGB Board
Directors. ARISS International contacts are a fantastic way to
demonstrate the place of amateur radio within STEM and the RSGB
continues to support this excellent outreach work. The RSGB was a
founding member of the European division of ARISS in the 1990s, along
with AMSAT-UK, and is pleased it continues to be such a globally
recognised STEM activity.
The RSGB has added a trio of experts to its Convention programme.
RSGB ETCC member John McCullagh, GI4BWM will deliver a lecture on
ETCC, repeaters and new technology, whilst RSGB EMCC Chair Dr John
Rogers, M0JAV will be on hand to enhance your knowledge on EMF
exclusion zones. You'll also be able to discover the results of the
12th of August eclipse propagation experiment with RSGB PSC Chair
Steve Nichols, G0KYA. These presenters have years of experience in
their field and this is your opportunity to learn directly from them.
Join them at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes between
9-11 October by securing your ticket at rsgb.org/convention
The Region 12 team is looking for a volunteer to become the District
Representative for Cambridge. If you live in the area and are
passionate about supporting local radio amateurs then please get in
touch with the Regional Representative Brian Woolnough, M5ADQ via
rr12<at>rsgb.org.uk The role of District Representative varies from
attending rallies and making club visits, to supporting individual
radio amateurs and responding to queries via email. View the full
list of Regional Team vacancies by going to rsgb.org/volunteers
After a three-year wait since the last World Radiosport Team
Championship in Italy, WRTC 2026 in the UK is nearly upon us. The
RSGB is proud to be an official partner of the event and will be
highlighting UK participants in its Photo Friday' feature on social
media. Each Friday throughout June, the Society will share an image
showing you a different aspect of the Championship, from the UK team
to a UK volunteer, a referee, and a member of the WRTC organising
committee. Head to the RSGB's Facebook, Instagram or X pages to see
the latest post. You can also read more about WRTC on page 45 of the
July edition of RadCom which will be available from the 17th of June.
The Blue Ham Team has been actively monitoring the 60m band over the
past weeks. Due to the current propagation conditions, the team has
decided to cancel the planned Exercise in June. The next Exercise is
planned for October 2026 and updates will be provided closer to the
time. For more information visit tinyurl.com/BlueHam26
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
The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day today, 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 today, the 7th of June, Spalding and District Amateur Radio
Society's Annual Radio Rally is taking 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 are on
site. For more details, visit sdars.org.uk/spaldingrally
On Sunday the 14th of June, the Junction 28 Radio Rally will be held
at The Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, Derbyshire, DE55 2EJ. The
doors open at 10.15am and admission is GBP 4. Indoor and outdoor
tables are available. For more information and to book tables, visit
snadarc.com or contact j28rally<at>snadarc.com
Also on Sunday the 14th of June, the Mendips Radio Rally is taking
place at Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Farrington
Gurney BS39 6UA. Doors open at 7.30am for traders and at 9.30am for
visitors. Entrance costs GBP 3. For more information and table
bookings contact Luke on 07870 168 197 or email
luke<at>mymixradio.co.uk
Now the Special Event news
The Ramsbury Amateur Radio DX Group is active as GB1DDAY until
tomorrow, the 8th of June, to commemorate the D-Day landings. The
station is operating from the decommissioned RAF and USAAF site in
Ramsbury, Wiltshire. Activity is on the 80 to 10m bands using CW, FT8
and SSB.
Amateur radio operators across the USA, Canada and Mexico are
activating a series of special callsigns to celebrate the 2026 FIFA
World Cup. Stations are active until the 19th of July from each of
the cities hosting the tournament. Look out for activity on all bands
and modes. For more information visit wc2026ses.org
To mark the 90th anniversary of Akashvani [UH-KAHSH-VAH-NEE], also
known as All India Radio, the state-owned public radio broadcaster in
India, VU3YBH will be active as AT90VANI until the 16th of August.
The station is operating using FT8 and SSB on the 20, 15, 12 and 10m
bands. QSL via the bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and
Logbook of the World.
Now the DX news
Mike, VE2XB is active as VY0ZOO from Coral Harbour on Southampton
Island, NA-007, until mid-June. He usually operates using CW and SSB
on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL directly to Mike's home call.
Mike, 9M2/KM9D is operating from Teluk Kelubi [TUH-LOOK KUH-LOO-BEE]
Beach on Rebak [REE-BACK] Island, AS-058, in West Malaysia. He
operates low-power CW on various bands. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
RSGB National Field Day started at 1500UTC yesterday, the 6th, and
ends at 1500UTC today, 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 UK Six Metre Group Summer Contest started at 1300UTC yesterday,
the 6th, and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 7th of June. Using all
modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number,
locator and member number.
The ARRL International Digital Contest started at 1800UTC yesterday
the 6th, and ends at 2359UTC today, 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.
Today, 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.
On Tuesday the 9th of June, 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.
runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the ls also
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 10th of June, 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
10th of June, the RSGB 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.
Also on Wednesday the 10th of June, the RSGB 80m Club Championship CW
Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 11th of June, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs
from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
The IARU ATV Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 13th and ends
at 1800UTC on Sunday the 14th 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 14th of June, the RSGB 2nd 144MHz Backpackers Contest
runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Sunday the 14th of June, the Practical Wireless 2m QRP
Contest runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using AM, FM, SSB and CW on the 2m
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. A
maximum of 5W of power can be used in this contest.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 4th of June.
We are awaiting the arrival of solar material as a result of three
coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, that erupted off the Sun. These were
sparked by three solar flares. These, coupled with a high-speed solar
wind stream from an Earth-facing coronal hole, threaten to initiate a
geomagnetic storm.
A strong G3 geomagnetic storm has been predicted, which could push
the Kp index up to 6 or 7, and push maximum usable frequencies down,
perhaps lasting through the weekend and affecting RSGB National Field
Day.
Meanwhile, the solar flux index has crept up and stood at 147 on
Thursday the 4th of June. This has meant that the ionosphere has been
playing ball, with lots of reports of DX being worked, either through
F-region propagation or Sporadic E. The 10m band has been sounding
like 20m at times, especially around the FT8 frequency of 28.074MHz.
DX to be worked this week includes 5Z4/MM0ZBH in Kenya, 8Q7ML in the
Maldives, VJ2L on Lord Howe Island, 5H1KB in Tanzania and 9X5KM
operating from Rwanda.
We are now heading for midsummer, which means the 20m band may be
open 24 hours a day. In general, F-region maximum usable frequencies,
or MUFs, will be lower than in the winter or spring. However,
Sporadic-E makes up for that with strong signals on the higher HF
bands out to 1,500km on a single hop, with occasional multi-hop
openings.
Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will decline,
perhaps into the 120 to 135 range. After the recent geomagnetic upset
clears, conditions are predicted to stabilise, with the Kp index
forecast to be around 2 for the beginning of the coming week.
Unsettled geomagnetic conditions are then forecast from Thursday the
11th to Sunday the 14th with the potential for the Kp index to hit
between 4 and 6, with a corresponding drop in the MUF.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The unsettled weather has brought some heavy rain and a few chances
of rain scatter for the GHz bands, but it does also tend to limit the
chances of tropo.
However, it is the UK that retains the unsettled weather, whereas the
continent is still enjoying relatively higher pressure. So perhaps
stations in southern Britain may be able to gain some occasional
tropo advantage.
There are options for meteor scatter from the Arietids, which peak
early this coming week. Some predict that it will be a strong shower
this year. Since it's a daytime meteor shower it can be very useful
for Sporadic-E, which makes use of the ionisation they leave behind.
The Kp index has been gently disturbed at times, but not enough to
generate any exciting radio aurora. However, it has possibly been
disturbed enough to subdue Sporadic-E at times, as this depends on a
stable and low Kp index to be most effective.
Sporadic-E itself has provided some reasonable European openings and
a few longer multi-hop paths for the digital modes. This unsettled
weather produces strong jet streams, for summer, and should continue
to be useful for providing the turbulence needed as part of the
process for making Sporadic-E.
The placement of the jet streams may however be confined to the
northwestern fringe of Europe and perhaps prompting a focus on
Scandinavia and northern Europe for any resulting Sporadic-E.
EME now, and after last week's low declination and apogee, this week
sees Moon declination increasing again and path losses falling. The
144MHz sky temperature is low all 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
← Return to Bulletin List