Gb2rs

GB2RS News Sunday the 21st of July 2024   The news headlines: The RSGB has released new training manuals for amateur radio exams Plans for the RSGB Convention in October are taking shape ICQ Podcast Episode 434 features interviews with RSGB representatives at Friedrichshafen The RSGB is pleased to announce that it has released new training manuals for the Foundation, Intermediate and Full licence exams. These books are in addition to the existing manuals and reflect changes to the syllabus due to the new licence conditions. The RSGB will start examining to version 1.6 of the syllabus from the 1st of September 2024 and the new manuals will help tutors and students to prepare for exams from that date. If you are taking an exam before the 1st of September, you should continue to use the existing manuals. There isn’t a single manual for the Direct to Full exam, but you can buy a bundle of all three licence-level manuals for a discounted price. The manuals are available from the RSGB via rsgbshop.org/training and

GB2RS News Sunday the 14th of July 2024   The news headlines: The RSGB is looking for a Company Secretary The RSGB Planning Advisory Committee needs volunteers An RSGB video summarises the Ofcom licence changes   The RSGB is looking to recruit an RSGB Member to be the Society's Company Secretary. This volunteer position plays a key role in the Society’s governance and provides vital support in running Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Stephen Purser, GW4SHF took on the role temporarily after the previous Company Secretary stepped down. The Board is grateful to Stephen for stepping in at short notice last year and is keen to find a good candidate to take the role forward. If you feel you have the necessary skills to fulfil this important role, would like more information or to discuss what is required, please email gm.dept@rsgb.org.uk in the first instance. The Board Chair will then contact you for a chat. If you email to apply for the position, please include a current CV. In line with all volun

GB2RS News Sunday the 7th of July 2024   The news headlines: A revised Direct to Full examination syllabus has been released The RSGB has announced its representative for the 2024 YOTA camp The RSGB British Science Week Time challenge is an opportunity for constructors The new amateur radio licence has now been in effect for a few months and changes to the licence conditions have necessitated revision to the examination syllabus. Tony Kent, G8PBH, who is the RSGB Examinations Standards Committee Chair, has announced that he is pleased to release version 2.0 of the Direct to Full syllabus, including these revisions. Compared to the version in current use, the only section that has seen major changes is Section 1: “Licensing and station identification”. Section 2: “Operating practices and procedures” has seen some minor changes, for example with regard to suffixes. The RSGB will begin examining to version 2.0 of the syllabus on the 1st of October 2024. It will not be taking any bookings for Direct to Full exam

GB2RS News Sunday the 30th of June 2024   The news headlines: The IARU HF Championship is coming up Learn about the QMX+ transceiver at the next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar The Examinations Standards Committee has published its annual report   The IARU HF Championship contest will be held between the 13th and 14th of July and there is a great opportunity for you to get involved in a different way this year. During the contest, ‘Headquarters Stations’ represent their countries and the RSGB’s station GR2HQ will be run by a network of about a dozen stations around the UK and islands. This year, the RSGB Contest Committee has introduced a new challenge to encourage individual stations to work the GR2HQ station on each band-mode slot. You will be able to submit your log, including QSOs with GR2HQ, to the RSGB contest robot for the GR2HQ Challenge. If you include your club or group name when you submit your log, each QSO with GR2HQ will count towards an aggregate score for your club or team. There will be two results t

GB2RS News Sunday the 23rd of June 2024   The news headlines: RSGB Convention workshops and practical sessions – what would you like? RSGB Team interviewed by ICQ Podcast at the Dayton Hamvention in May Don’t forget to try the updated RSGB Discovery Scheme Do you like making things? Are you interested in finding out more about the Raspberry Pi or programming an Arduino? Have you heard about the NanoVNA and DragonOS but don’t know where to start? The RSGB wants its 2024 Convention to offer practical sessions to help radio amateurs try something new, develop their skills and go away inspired! If you can offer to run a workshop or a practical session over the weekend of the 11th to the 13th of October, or you’d like to take part in one, please email the RSGB Convention Team via convention@rsgb.org.uk by the 3rd of July. As part of its strategy, the RSGB wants to ensure that this prestigious annual event not only meets the needs of its members but also helps every radio amateur to share their love of the hobby w

GB2RS News Sunday the 16th of June 2024  The news headlines: The RSGB’s annual Convention is coming up in October National Coding Week returns in September Exercise Blue Ham is taking place this week  This year, the RSGB’s annual Convention will take place from the 11th to the 13th of October. What would you like to see at the Convention? This year the Society is offering everyone the opportunity to propose a presentation, a topic, a practical session or a project to share. Are you involved in some new research? Have you discovered something new in amateur radio that you’re keen to share? Are you part of an interesting project that will take amateur radio to new audiences? Or have you helped to make amateur radio more accessible to people with different abilities? If you’d like to offer, or suggest, a presentation on these, or any other topics, please send your proposal to the Convention Team. As part of its strategy, the RSGB wants to ensure that this prestigious annual event not only meets the needs of its

GB2RS News Sunday the 9th of June 2024  The news headlines: TX Factor is marking its tenth anniversary by launching its 30th episode Changes to the four-year planning rule in England Bath Based Distance Learning’s next Full licence course is starting soon TX Factor is marking its tenth anniversary by launching its 30th episode. It looks at how radio technology has advanced since Marconi conducted some of his early transmissions. The episode includes the first of a two-part feature on operating via the QO-100 geostationary satellite with a look at the hardware and software needed to achieve your first QSO at home or out mobile. Bob, G0FGX reviews the FTM-500D which is the latest mobile transceiver from Yaesu and demonstrates the many advanced features of this versatile FM and digital rig. There is a visit to Sidmouth Amateur Radio Society which secured a derelict former sports social club from the local council and turned it into a community hub and the club’s new QTH. Watch this interesting episode and don’t

GB2RS News Sunday the 2nd of June 2024  The news headlines: Nominations for IARU President and Vice President have been ratified The next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar is coming up RSGB National Radio Centre to operate D-Day anniversary special event stations   IARU member societies have ratified the nomination of Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA and Thomas Wrede, DF2OO as IARU President and Vice President, respectively, for a five-year term which began on the 9th of May 2024. On starting his 4th term as President, Tim Ellam thanked member societies for their support, congratulated Thomas Wrede on his election as Vice President, and also offered a special and heartfelt thank you to Ole Garpestad, LA2RR who retired as IARU Vice President. You can read more on this story via the IARU website at tinyurl.com/IARU2024 The RSGB Tonight@8 webinar this Monday, the 3rd of June, examines how amateur radio can be accessible and enjoyable even if you have sight, hearing or mobility difficulties. Three radio amateurs will explain how the

GB2RS News Sunday the 26th of May 2024   The news headlines: The RSGB’s Exams and Syllabus Review Group is seeking volunteers RSGB representatives had a successful time at Dayton Hamvention The RSGB Discovery scheme has just been relaunched in a new format The Exams and Syllabus Review Group – or ESRG as it is often known – is looking for new members to move the group forward. Its current task is to approve a new Direct to Full syllabus and to write and approve new questions for the new exams in September due to licence changes. The group meets online every Tuesday between 3 pm and 4.30 pm, with members of the Exam Standards Committee, but meeting times can be changed to accommodate everyone. ESRG volunteers need to be Full licence holders, members of the RSGB and be able to give a few hours a week. This is your chance to shape the future as we move to Syllabus 2.0 in 2025. To volunteer or find out more, contact the ESRG Chair Andrew Lenton via esrg.chair@rsgb.org.uk Members of the RSGB Team, including RSGB

GB2RS News Sunday the 19th of May 2024 The news headlines: RSGB Board liaison roles update The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is closing soon The UK Six Metre Group Summer Marathon is under way Each RSGB Board Director has a liaison role between the Board and specific aspects of the Society’s work. This focuses very much on the work done by RSGB volunteers in committees, groups and teams as well as by the Honorary Officers. The Board has just agreed on the liaison roles for the coming year. To find out more or to see contact details for each Board Director, go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/board The Signals Museum at RAF Henlow is closing soon. Its final open day will be on the 8th of June 2024. According to the Museum’s website, after this time it will start to dispose of its exhibits. The Museum attempts to tell the story of RAF Signals. Among its attractions, it contains a lot of working equipment which can be demonstrated, including transmitters, receivers and radar consoles. To read more about the Museu

GB2RS News Sunday the 12th of May 2024  The news headlines: New RSGB Trophy Manager announced Questionnaire launched to help shape the future of the Commonwealth Contest Learn about designing PCBs using KiCAD during the next Tonight@8 webinar We are pleased to announce that Mike Franklin, G3VYI will be the new RSGB Trophy Manager. He will focus on the Contest Trophy collection and HQ will now manage the AGM Trophies. Jacqui Goodey, G6XSY, the retiring RSGB Trophy Manager, will support Mike’s transition into this role. She will also take responsibility for the historical aspect of our trophies. You can contact Mike via trophy.manager@rsgb.org.uk and Jacqui will have the new email address trophy.archivist@rsgb.org.uk  The RSGB thanks Mike and Jacqui for volunteering for this important work. Following the RSGB Commonwealth Contest in March, a small group of representatives have been reviewing possible changes that they hope will encourage more participation in future contests. The group includes representative

GB2RS News Sunday the 5th of May 2024   The news headlines: RSGB insurance update RSGB Legacy Committee Chair appointed SOS Radio Week is under way   RSGB club insurance, and beacon and repeater insurance, have now been renewed for the year to April 2025. Club insurance certificates can be downloaded from the RSGB website. You will need to log in to obtain your certificate. Beacon and repeater insurance certificates are available for an admin fee of £15 from the RSGB shop. Please allow a couple of days after renewal for your certificate to be dispatched. The RSGB Board is pleased to announce it has approved the appointment of Richard Horton, G4AOJ to the role of Legacy Committee Chair. The RSGB Legacy Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors, has significant financial resources available to encourage and develop amateur radio. The Legacy Committee, which is a sub-Committee of the RSGB Board, considers proposals for grants that can be awarded to projects from the RSGB Legacy Fund. The criteria and applicati

GB2RS News Sunday the 28th of April 2024   The news headlines: New mock papers for amateur radio licence exams have been published A revised amateur radio examination syllabus has been released The RSGB has released the video review of 2023 by its President John McCullagh, GI4BWM The RSGB Exam Syllabus Review Group has published a new set of mock papers covering each of the amateur radio licence exams, from Foundation through to Direct to Full. These papers are in addition to those already available. They are each marked as ‘mock exam paper 3’ and you can find them on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/mock-exams  The new amateur radio licence has now been in effect for a few weeks. Changes to the licence conditions have made it necessary to revise the examination syllabus. The RSGB is pleased to release version 1.6 of the syllabus which includes these revisions. Compared to version 1.5 in current use, the only section that has seen major changes is Section 1 – “Licensing and station identification”. In Section 7

GB2RS News Sunday the 21st of April 2024 The news headlines: Dr Stewart Bryant, G3YSX to continue as RSGB Board Chair The RSGB has vacancies for Regional Representatives The Radio Communications Foundation is recruiting new Trustees   The RSGB Board has met for the first time since the Society’s AGM where three Directors were endorsed to serve as Nominated Directors on the Board and one was confirmed as elected unopposed. The new Board has chosen Dr Stewart Bryant, G3YSX to continue in the role of RSGB Board Chair until the 2025 AGM. You can find details of all RSGB Board Directors on the Society’s website and the Board Liaison roles will be confirmed and added to the page in the coming weeks. Go to rsgb.org/board for more information. At its recent AGM, the RSGB was delighted to confirm the unopposed election of five Regional Representatives. However, there are still vacancies for Regional Representatives in Region 11, which covers England South-West and the Channel Islands, and also Region 12 which is Engl

  GB2RS News Sunday the 14th of April 2024 The news headlines: RSGB member interviewed by the BBC about the total solar eclipse Ofcom releases video about changes to UK amateur radio licensing World Amateur Radio Day is coming up On Monday the 8th of April, a total solar eclipse gripped North America as radio amateurs worldwide looked on to see its effect on the ionosphere. This included RSGB Propagation Committee associate member Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL, who was interviewed by BBC news on the topic. The article, which was shared across the world, looked at some of the scientific experiments that took place during the eclipse. You can read the article by searching for “The 4-minute window into the Sun's secrets” on BBC news. The RSGB thanks all the WSPR users who responded to Gwyn’s call to action, got involved and shared their results on the RSGB social media channels.  Ofcom has released a video about changes to the UK amateur radio framework covering licensing and callsign changes. It also gives some insigh

GB2RS News Sunday the 7th of April 2024 The news headlines: The RSGB 2024 AGM is approaching Don’t forget about the RSGB’s new ‘Join a friend’ referral scheme The next Tonight@8 webinar is taking place tomorrow, the 8th of April   Are you an RSGB member? Have you voted on the AGM resolutions? The deadline for voting is 9 am on Thursday the 11th of April. Online voting is available 24 hours a day, so make sure you use your vote before then. Registration for asking a question live via Zoom has now closed but there is still time to submit a written question in advance – this is the only way for members to ask a question during the formal part of the meeting. During the later Q&A sessions, written questions will be answered before any are asked via YouTube live chat. The AGM itself includes the results of the voting, the Honorary Treasurer’s report, a video review of the year by the RSGB President, as well as announcements of trophies and construction competition winners. There will also be a presentation by

GB2RS News Sunday the 31st of March 2024 The news headlines: Chris Whitmarsh, G0FDZ’s lifetime achievement award The RSGB 2024 AGM is coming up The RSGB is providing regular updates on its strategic priorities   Congratulations to Chris Whitmarsh, G0FDZ who has been presented with an RSGB Lifetime Achievement Award by RSGB President John McCullagh, GI4BWM and RSGB Board Chair Stewart Bryant, G3YSX. Chris is the only amateur in the UK to have had a two-way QSO on every single amateur band for which we are licensed. Chris has been Vice President of Cray Valley Radio Society for over 20 years, and members of the club turned out in force to see the presentation and celebrate his achievement. A reminder that this year’s RSGB AGM will take place at 10 am on Saturday the 13th of April. It is being held online to ensure as many members as possible can watch and take part. The formal business of the meeting will include the results of members’ votes on the resolutions, including the endorsement of three Nominated Dir

GB2RS News Sunday the 24th of March 2024 The news headlines: New RSGB ‘Join a friend’ referral scheme launched The RSGB’s Planning Advisory Committee seeks volunteers The RSGB’s 2023 Committee reports are available The RSGB has just launched a new opportunity to get even more out of your RSGB membership. If you recommend a friend who hasn’t been an RSGB member during the last 12 months, you will both receive £10 cashback when they become a member paying by direct debit. Whether you’re an individual RSGB member or an affiliated club, you can sign up as many friends as you like. Membership of the RSGB gives you a range of fantastic benefits so why not encourage others to join? Members have access to RadCom, exclusive online resources, RSGB award schemes and contests, as well as advice from the Society’s specialist committees. The RSGB’s representation to Ofcom, and its ability to defend the spectrum nationally and internationally, is more powerful through strength in numbers. Go to the special RSGB 'Join a fri

GB2RS News Sunday the 17th of March 2024 The news headlines: The RSGB’s 2024 AGM is coming up British Science Week is drawing to a close Changes to examination fees are coming soon This year’s RSGB AGM will take place at 10 am on Saturday the 13th of April and will be held online to ensure as many members as possible can watch and take part. The formal business of the meeting will include the results of members’ votes on the resolutions, including the endorsement of three Nominated Directors. The President will give a video review of 2023 and the Society will announce the recipients of its annual awards and trophies, as well as the winners of its construction competition. At the end of the meeting, there will be a recorded presentation on “Making amateur radio licensing fit for the future” by Ofcom Group Director, Spectrum, David Willis. This will be followed by a live Q&A on the new licence conditions, with four senior RSGB representatives answering your questions: President, John McCullagh, GI4BWM; Boa

GB2RS News Sunday the 10th of March 2024 The news headlines: New rules for HF contests are in place Applications are open for this year’s YOTA camp Listen out for operators taking part in British Science Week   The RSGB HF Contest Committee has introduced a couple of rules to address changes in licence conditions that came into effect on the 21st of February. It has also highlighted power changes to specific contests. The committee is introducing a section for Foundation licensees in some of its contests now that the power limit is increased to 25W. Before finalising the rules for 2025, the committee will consult widely on whether Regional Secondary Locators should remain mandatory in those contests for which the country in which the operator is situated has no bearing on the score. For more details see the RSGB Notices section on the RSGB website. Are you aged between 18 and 25 and passionate about all things radio? Are you ready for exciting experiences, making new friends and shaping the future of amateur