Category: RSGB

Tap or click the link below to download this week’s news script

• News script for 15 November 2026
  (MS Word document)

The RSGB Examinations Standards Committee, or ESC as it is often known, has a vacancy for one Independent Member.

The role of the ESC is to ensure the examination system is fit for purpose so that licensed radio amateurs can enjoy their hobby legally and safely, not cause interference to other spectrum users and the public, and generally be good citizens on the air. The ESC also ensures that the Full licence level is broadly aligned with the HAREC international exam standard.

Independent Members are full voting members of the ESC and should not currently have any direct involvement in the provision or administration of the RSGB amateur radio exams. To be suitable for this vacancy you must be an RSGB member and you would normally have held a professional role in technology, management, or education.

Your role would be to provide input to the Committee regarding the level and standard of the examinations and to monitor the performance of the exam processes.

You can go to the RSGB website to find the ESC’s terms of reference and the role of its Independent Members in the Schedule of Terms between the RSGB and Ofcom.

If you’d like to find out more about this important volunteer role, please contact the RSGB ESC Chair, Tony Kent, G8PBH by emailing esc.chair@rsgb.org.uk

Has your club booked an operating slot to host GB26YOTA for Youngsters on the Air Month in December?

This is an opportunity for clubs to support young operators to get on the air and even make their first QSO. Perhaps you could run an open day for families and young operators, or maybe your club could invite local youth groups to join you for an opportunity to get on the air.

Whatever your idea, support the RSGB Youth Committee and make this annual event the biggest and best yet.

If your club hasn’t taken part before, booking a slot is easy, simply go to the RSGB website and follow the links.

The November edition of the RSGB Youth Committee’s newsletter is now available on the RSGB website.

RSGB Youth Chair Leon Shaw, M0VUF looks back at the RSGB Convention, whilst Megan, EI5LA shares her perspective as a young contester in the World Radiosport Team Championship which took place earlier this year.

You’ll also be able to read how amateur radio helped Katie to decide to study engineering at Cambridge University, and how a young Scout hopes to buy his own SDR radio after being inspired by a demonstration during Jamboree on the Air last month.

You can read all these stories by going to the RSGB website.

Are you planning a visit to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park over the holiday season or in early January 2027?

If so, please be aware that the Centre will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Following this, the NRC will also be closed on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 January 2027 for routine maintenance.

Outside of these dates, volunteers look forward to welcoming you and showing you all the Centre has to offer.

You can find more information on planning your visit on the RSGB website and do remember that RSGB members can download a free entry voucher.

Being part of the RSGB Regional Team is a highly rewarding role in which you can give back to your local amateur radio community.

You’ll take part in a range of activities including attending local rallies and clubs, responding to email queries, supporting local radio amateurs and also promoting the RSGB.

There are several volunteering opportunities available including Regional Representative for England East & East Anglia, and District Representative roles in South Devon, Leicestershire & Rutland, South Devon and Guernsey. You can view the full list of vacancies on the RSGB website.

You can find contact details of your local Regional Team on the RSGB website. This includes the new Regional Representative for Region 1, Len Paget, GM0ONX who has been co-opted to the role by the Board until the RSGB 2027 AGM.

Are you planning a visit to the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park over the holiday season or in early January 2027?

If so, please be aware that the Centre will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Following this, the NRC will also be closed on Monday, 11 and Tuesday, 12 January 2027 for routine maintenance.

Outside of these dates, volunteers look forward to welcoming you and showing you all the Centre has to offer.

You can find more information on planning your visit, by going to rsgb.org/nrc  and remember that RSGB members can download a free entry voucher at rsgb.org/bpvoucher

Being part of the RSGB Regional Team is a highly rewarding role in which you can give back to your local amateur radio community.

You’ll take part in a range of activities including attending local rallies and clubs, responding to email queries, supporting local radio amateurs and promoting the RSGB.

There are several volunteering opportunities available including Regional Representative for England East & East Anglia and District Representative roles in South Devon, Leicestershire & Rutland, South Devon and Guernsey.

You can view the full list of vacancies by going to rsgb.org/volunteers  You can find contact details of your local Regional Team by going to rsgb.org/regions

This includes the new Regional Representative for Region 1, Len Paget, GM0ONX who has been co-opted to the role by the Board until the RSGB 2027 AGM.

The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 took place on Monday, 9 November in Doha, Qatar.

President of the International Amateur Radio Union Tim Ellam, VE6SH was interviewed during the event. You can watch Tim talking about the links between the IARU and the ITU, among other topics, via tinyurl.com/VE6SH-26

You can also head over to the ‘RSGB 2026 Convention playlist’ at youtube.com/theRSGB  where you can watch Tim’s keynote presentation and other videos in which he explains more about himself, his role and the importance of amateur radio.

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

The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Winter Rally is on Saturday, 21 November at St Vincent de Paul’s Hall, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR.

The doors open at 10am and admission is £3.

Contact Martin Shore, treasurer and rally organiser, on 07587 709 006 or email rally.radars@hotmail.com

The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on Sunday, 29 November at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High Street, Spennymoor, Co Durham DL16 6DB.

For more details, email Bob Dingle at bdingle@hotmail.co.uk

To celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the birth of Rudolf Hell, special callsign DA125RH is active until 31 December.

Hell was a German engineer who, in 1925, invented the Hellschreiber, an early forerunner to dot matrix printers and fax machines.

The transmission method named after him had a major impact on communications technology and continues to be used by amateur radio operators today.

QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of the World and eQSL.

Special callsign DB100FT is active until the end of the year to celebrate the centenary of the Berlin Radio Tower, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

The 150m-high steel lattice tower occupies a prominent place in the history of radio broadcasting in Germany.

QSL via the Bureau or directly to DO2PZ.

Jeff, TZ4AM is on the air from Mali until 2 December. He is operating using CW and SSB on the 80 to 6m bands.

QSL via Logbook of the World or directly to KX4R.

Wolfgang, HB9CCS is active as 7P8EA from Thaba-Tseka in Lesotho until Wednesday, 25 November.

He plans to be available daily from 0400 to 0600UTC on the 20m band using CW. From 1500 to 1800UTC, he will be working on the 15 and 10m bands using CW and SSB.

He may also operate on the 17 and 12m bands.

QSL via Wolfgang’s home call, HB9CCS.