GB2RS 70th anniversary

GB2RS 70 Years logo

GB2RS is the call sign used by over 100 stations around the UK and the Crown Dependencies to transmit the weekly Radio Society of Great Britain news bulletin every Sunday.  The service has been running continuously since 1955 so 2025 marks its 70th anniversary.

There will be a number of activities and events happening throughout the year to mark this occasion – you’ll find some details below and we’ll be adding further information and case studies over the coming weeks.

Special call sign

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the GB2RS News service, QSL card for 70 years of GB2RSspecial call sign GB70RS has been on the air since 1 January so that as many radio amateurs as possible can join us in the celebrations. Listen out for operators on all modes and all bands. QSL via the Bureau, eQSL or Logbook of the World.

For more information, please visit the GB70RS page on QRZ.com 

Tonight@8 webinar

The first RSGB Tonight@8 webinar of 2025 will be live on Monday 6 January. The presentation is all about the RSGB’s GB2RS News service which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

A team of people will contribute to the presentation and give you a behind-the-scenes insight into how the script is compiled, as well as a newsreader’s perspective of the weekly broadcast. They share details of the plans being put in place for the anniversary and explain how you can get involved. The team will also consider GB2RS in the modern media environment and how new technologies in amateur radio are being embraced.

Find out more about this fascinating discussion and the presenters by going to the Tonight@8 page. Watch the presentation on the RSGB YouTube channel.

Awards

The RSGB is offering four awards for logging several GB2RS news broadcasts between 1 August and 30 September 2025.  Please note that these awards are for hearing the GB2RS broadcast, not for QSOs with GB70RS:

  • Basic Listener Award

  • Regular Listener Award

  • International Listener Award

  • International Regular Listener Award

Further information on the award criteria, as well as how to apply can be found via the GB70RS page on QRZ.com

Newsreaders

Over the coming months we will share stories and recollections from a wide range of people who have read the GB2RS News over the years.