GB2RS 70th anniversary

 “To me GB2RS provides an excellent service to the amateur fraternity, and deserves all the support it can get”

GB2RS Newsreader, John, G0NAJ

GB2RS is the weekly RSGB news broadcast that is delivered by over 100 volunteers every Sunday. This year marks its 70th anniversary.

Tonight@8

In January, a Tonight@8 webinar commenced the celebrations with a special webinar about the weekly broadcast. The presentation looked back at the pioneering days of the early broadcasts, before coming right up to date with how today’s news is prepared and broadcast every week.

The presentation also explained how the script is compiled, as well as giving a Newsreader’s perspective by Pete, G0PNM.

You’ll also be able to learn about plans for the 70th anniversary and how you can get involved.

Catch up with the webinar via our YouTube channel.

Special event stations

As part of the celebrations, special callsign GB70RS is active throughout the year. The call sign is being operated by radio amateurs who help to deliver GB2RS each week and could include Newsreaders and RSGB Headquarters staff.

You can listen out for operators on all modes and all bands, with activity taking place at any time, although you are particularly likely to hear them before and after the GB2RS broadcasts. Find out more via the GB70RS page at QRZ.com

Awards

The RSGB is offering four awards for logging several GB2RS news broadcasts between 1 August and 3 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

Find out more via the GB70RS page at QRZ.com

“I feel this sums up the newsreading, and hobby as a whole: no matter who you are, where you are or when, there is always a voice to talk to and a pair of ears that are willing to listen”

GB2RS Newsreader, Danny Morrison, MM3YHA