Contest News – 07 December 2025

The ARRL 160m Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday, 5 December and ends at 1559UTC today, 7 December. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report. American and Canadian stations also send their ARRL or RAC section reference.

Today, 7 December, the RSGB 144MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Tuesday, 9 December, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday, 9 December, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday, 10 December, 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, 10 December, 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.

On Thursday, 11 December, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The ARRL 10m Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday, 13 December and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday, 14 December. Using CW and phone on the 10m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. American and Canadian stations also send their state or province code.

Special event News

Celebrating the city of Chemnitz, one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2025, a number of special event callsigns are active from Germany until Monday, 15 December. All QSOs will be uploaded to eQSL, Logbook of the World and Club Log. To read more, including information about certificates that are available for working the stations, visit 2025c.de

The first French satellite, named Asterix, was launched into orbit on 26 November, 1965. To mark the 60th anniversary, members of the Wingles Radio Club, F4KLR are active as TM60ATX on Friday, 12 December and Saturday, 13 December, and again between 19 and 23 December. All CW and SSB QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the Bureau. FT8 QSOs will be confirmed via eQSL.

Rallies and Events

This listing is correct as of 7 December 2025.

28 Dec – Sparkford Radio Rally

Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel, Nr Yeovil BA22 7QX.

Doors open 9.30am, admission £2.

Free parking and refreshments.

Traders from 7.30am.

Contact Luke on 07870168197 or email luke@mymixradio.co.uk.co.uk for more information.

25 Jan 2026 – Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally

The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT.

Doors open at 10am. Admission £3. Tables £10.

Indoor event with ample free car parking.

Hot refreshments including the famous bacon butties.

Card payments accepted

To book tables or for more information contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 07777699069 or email m5zzz@outlook.com

8 Feb 2026 – Red Rose Winter Rally

Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, Lancs. WN7 2PJ

Large car park, catering, bring and buy, raffle, improved disable access and seating area.

Open from 10am (exhibitors 8.15am).

For more information and booking visit WMRC website at wmrc.co.uk

15 Feb 2026 – Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society

Nantwich Civic Hall. Cheshire, CW5 5DG.

10am – 3pm.

Card payments accepted.

70+ trader tables and exhibitor stands.

400+ Visitors.

Bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle.

Catering, parking, public transport and disabled facilities

Traders: to book tables please contact the Rally Manager at info@radioactivefair.co.uk

For further and updated information please visit:

radioactivefair.co.uk  and facebook.com/radioactivefair

1 Mar 2026 – Exeter Radio Rally

New Venue. The Kenn Centre, EX6 7UE, one minute from the end of the M5.

Free Car Parking. Entry Fee £3.

Trader’s entry 8am. Public entry 10am.

Bring and buy, disabled facilities, catering.

Contact Bill, G7AKJ, 07511522092, billwrench213@btinternet.com

7 Mar 2026 – Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally

Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, BT26 6AR.

Doors open 10.30am.

More details are available at www.lvars.uk

15 Mar 2026 – Ripon and District Amateur Radio Society Rally

Great Ouseburn Village Hall, Lightmire Ln, Great Ouseburn, York YO26 9RL.

The doors open for traders at 7.30am and to the public at 10am. Admission costs £5.

Free parking, refreshments and bacon butties available.

Tables are available at a cost of £10 each, please book early.

For more information email radars.rally@gmail.com

22 Mar 2026 – Callington Radio and Electronics Rally

The Callington Radio and Electronics Rally will be held in the Town Hall, New Road, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7BE on Sunday 22 2026. The venue is booked from 8am until 1.30pm with public access from 10am until 1pm. Entry is £2 each with no charge for those under the age of 16. A comprehensive selection of traders, clubs and societies from the Southwest will be present along with a bring-and-buy stall and the usual excellent catering service. The bring-and-buy stall accepts payment by all major debit and credit cards using contactless, chip and pin or by phone. The café area and serving hatch will be in an adjacent room seating about 18 people. The venue has disabled access, toilet facilities, and ample parking in a nearby car park with up to one hour’s parking free. Although all tables in the main hall have now got confirmed bookings or are reserved, there is a waiting list should there be any cancellations. Charges for tables are 6ftx2ft (£5), 5ftx2ft (£4) and 4ftx2ft (£3). There is an adjacent room available (~50sq.m) with no tables at a cost of £45 for a single occupant. Pre-booking is essential, so please contact Alastair (M0KRR) at alastair.kerr1@btinternet.com or by phone on 01503 262 755 with your requirements as soon as possible. Also check the website at callingtonradiosociety.org.uk for further information.

22 Mar 2026 – Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally

Note new venue: Eastry Village Hall, High Street, Eastry, Kent CT13 0QB

What 3 words locator ///townhouse.supper.struggle

Google maps  https://maps.app.goo.gl/EXUpMTYLoi7RdSuQ9

Trevor G6APW.  Publicity@darc.online

10am  to 2pm.

Entrance fee still £3.

Tea, coffee and bacon rolls available on site.

Tables are £15 each, maximum two tables per vendor.

To book your table please contact the Club via darc.online

12 Apr 2026 –  Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association (NARSA) Exhibition (Blackpool Rally)  

Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool FY2 9AA.

Details from Dave, M0OBW 01270 761 608, 07720 656542, dwilson@btinternet.com

narsa.org.uk

11 Oct – 2026 Annual Hornsea ARC Rally 

Driffield Showground, YO25 9FB, East Yorkshire.

Details from Les on 01377 252 393.

25 Oct 2026 – Galashiels Radio Rally and Open Day 

The Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX.

Doors open at 11.15am. Disabled access from 11am. Admission £3.

Bring and buy, refreshments and traders.

More details at galaradioclub.co.uk

YOTA Month: Listen out for GB25YOTA

Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Month officially begins on Monday, 1 December 2025.

Listen out for special event station GB25YOTA throughout the month as young radio amateurs get on the amateur bands.

Sandringham School and the 2nd Marlborough Scout Group start the event on Wednesday, 3 December 2025.

On Friday, 5 December 2025, Bracknell Amateur Radio Club will host GB25YOTA, as well as Jon, M0NOJ who will be operating later in the afternoon.

Cambridge University Wireless Society will be hosting the call sign on both Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday, 6 December 2025, you’ll be able to work South Durham Radio Club who are active using the GB25YOTA.

Looking forward to Sunday, 7 December 2025, listen out for the 2nd Marlborough Scouts and Cray Valley Radio Society.

Details of operating times, bands and modes can be found on the YOTA Month web page.

Take the time to encourage a young radio amateur by having a QSO with them.

DX News – 07 December 2025

Vlad, OK2WX and Paula, OK2YL are active as HP3/OK2WX and HP3/OK2YL from Panama until Wednesday, 10 December. They are operating CW and SSB with a focus on the 160, 80 and 40m bands. See QRZ.com for more information.

Pierre, VK3KTB is active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Amateur Radio Club station on Ellesmere Island, NA-008, until Wednesday, 10 December. He operates CW, SSB and FT8 on various bands. QSL via OQRS and Logbook of the World.

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Welcome

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society (SADARS) meet at the Resource Centre in Chells, Stevenage every Tuesday at 7:30pm- 9:00pm  

During the year there are talks, competitions, field days and visits to companies and institutions of interest to radio amateurs.  We welcome all people with an interest in Amateur Radio generally.

Please note that to transmit on the Amateur Radio Bands, a radio amateur licence is a legal requirement and exams (Online or Paper multiple choice) are involved.  SADARS has registered trainers and assessors  and the club currently provides  training and assessment at foundation and intermediate licence level.  Do get in touch if you want to know more.

The club runs a Facebook group at this link.