“I’m delighted to welcome SARL (South African Radio League) to the family of national societies supporting the Commonwealth Contest”

Colin Smithers, G4CWH

RSGB UK Evans Committee representative

(Look out for further information)

The following UK HQ stations are scheduled for the Commonwealth Contest 2026:-

GB5CC – Bob Beebe GU4YOX

G6XX – Graham Bubloz G4FNL

GI6XX – Richard White GI4DOH

GM6XX – Chris Tran GM3WOJ

These are also posted on the G6XX QRZ page at https://www.qrz.com/db/G6XX. Any last minute take up of the remaining regions will be posted here.

Reminder that all HQ stations will append ‘HQ’ to their exchange which must be logged. Enjoy the contest and let’s hope for good conditions – 10m has been nicely open in recent days..;-)

73, Stew GW0ETF (who sadly will miss the contest this year)

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Dr Bob Whelan, G3PJT.

Bob’s contribution to amateur radio was extensive. First licensed in 1961, his main interest was in HF/LF CW operation. In this he soon became a strong supporter of the Commonwealth Contest, operating from a number of DX locations for the contest over the years. He wrote the book “Reflections in a Rosebowl” which covers the history of the Commonwealth Contest and he put much effort into building an on-line Commonwealth Contest community.

Professionally, Bob was a solid state physicist and served as a non-executive director on a number of high technology organisations.

Bob played a very significant role in RSGB and IARU, firstly as a member of the HF Committee and Management Committees of RSGB and then for two periods as President of RSGB. He also served on the Interim Board in RSGB during a period of turbulence in the Society’s affairs. He was a Board member of the Radio Communications Foundation in the UK, and also represented IARU in CEPT on radio spectrum regulation.

Bob always offered thoughtful and authoritative advice on amateur radio matters and will be very much missed. Amateur radio has lost one of its giants.

We send our condolences to his wife Rosemary and their family at this sad time.

(Thanks to Don Beattie G3BJ for this thoughtful obituary)

Bob G3PJT is having some health issues and has asked me if I can take over as the main contact for posting messages on the site for the time being. Please send any material you wish to appear here to myself at <gw0etf.1@gmail.com>.

I’m sure you will all join me in sending our very best wishes to Bob…

73, Stew GW0ETF / GW4J

I’m really sad about the passing of Keith Hanlon, VK4TT – and condolences to his family.

Keith and I never met but we have been emailing each other and working regularly on CW for at least the last 25 years.  He was a great supporter of the RSGB Commonwealth Contest and regularly a member of one or other of the Australian teams since the team competition started.  In recent years, Keith was the operator of the VK4WIA HQ station.

Some people are naturally helpful and thoughtful and Keith to me was one of the best examples of this kind of person I can think of.

He enjoyed contesting but it seemed to me it was all about participation and nothing to do with winning.  That being said, he was an excellent CW operator (FOC #1857) and when you put him into a team or cooperative situation, he would give absolutely everything to what he was doing.

A gentleman and a gentle man. Rest in peace Keith and I shall miss you.

161

Steve, VK6VZ