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This is the weekly RSGB GB2RS broadcast. Please send any news items to radcom@rsgb.org.uk.

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October 16, 2026Episode 51914 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for October 18th 2026

RSGB news 18 October 2026 What were your RSGB 2026 Convention highlights? New RSGB Youth newsletter launched JOTA stations shared on the RSGB website The RSGB would like to thank the hundreds of radio amateurs who joined the RSGB 2026 Convention in person, and the thousands more that joined via the livestream. The Society is already receiving positive feedback and event highlights. If you haven’t already done so, you can share your thoughts via rsgb.org/feedback If you were unable to attend in person and watched the livestream, the RSGB would also love to hear your feedback via rsgb.org/livestream-feedback The feedback forms will be closed at the end of October. If you were at this year’s Convention, go to the RSGB YouTube channel and see if you can spot yourself or your friends in “The RSGB 2026 Convention - a fantastic experience!” video. And if you couldn't make the event, see what you missed and come and be part of it next year. The video and the livestream from each day are in a new playlist called “The RSGB 2026 Convention” where you can choose to watch the full livestream programmes or use the timestamps to watch a particular presentation. You’ll also find exclusive interviews and pre-recorded videos to enjoy. The RSGB Youth Committee has launched a newsletter aimed at RSGB members who are aged 25 and under. The newsletter will cover updates from school and university clubs, share the achievements of young radio amateurs, and will also showcase what can be done with a licence. You’ll also be able to find news on upcoming events and how to get involved. The Youth Committee is keen for young radio amateurs to get in touch with stories and photos about their amateur radio experiences that could be included in future issues. The newsletter was revealed at the Youth Forum at October’s RSGB Convention, alongside a new logo for RSGB youth activities. You can read the first edition of the youth newsletter by going rsgb.org/youth-newsletter This weekend is Jamboree on the Air, also known as JOTA. The event promotes friendship and global citizenship and is a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the Scout Association. The RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts has compiled a list of Scouting groups that are involved with the annual event and has shared it on its website. You can view the list by going to rsgb.org/jota and choosing the ‘JOTA Stations on the Air’ link on the righthand side of the page. You could be included in a special JOTA report in the January edition of RadCom. To be involved, please send details and photos from your event to radcom@rsgb.org.uk by 13 November. The latest edition of RadCom Basics is now available via the RSGB app for web and mobile, with articles covering a range of topics from encouraging young radio enthusiasts into the STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – to how to build your own transmitter monitor. Open up RadCom Basics and read more about making construction easier to attract young people into the hobby. There is Andy Gilfillan, G0FVI’s next article in the series on Digital Mobile Radio and Dr Chris Trayner, G4OKW introduces connectors for Radio Frequencies, loading and the potential divider and how to test your Push to Talk button. RSGB members can read previous editions of RadCom Basics at rsgb.org/radcom Register via the Preferences section in your RSGB membership portal to receive notifications of new issues as they become available. Subscribers receive an email alert when a new edition of RadCom Basics is published. World Space Week took place earlier this month. If you organised an amateur radio activity as part of the event, you could be featured in a special RadCom report. To be included, send a summary of your event, along with any photos to comms@rsgb.org.uk by Wednesday 21 October. You can find out more on how the RSGB supported World Space Week by going to rsgb.org/wsw And now for details of Rallies and Events On Sunday, the 25th of October, Galashiels Radio Rally and Open Day takes place at The Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX. Doors open at 11.15am, with access for the disabled from 11am. Admission is £3. There will be a ‘Bring and Buy’ sale, refreshments and traders. For more information, visit galaradioclub.co.uk Also on Sunday, the 25th of October, the Holsworthy Amateur Radio Club Autumn Rally takes place at Kivells Livestock Market, EX22 7FA from 10am. For details, visit tinyurl.com/holsrally26 The British Vintage Wireless Society’s Golborne Swapmeet is on Sunday, the 1st of November at Golborne Parkside Sports & Community Club, Rivington Avenue, Golborne, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 3HG. Doors open at 10am. Stallholder entry is from 9.30am. The event is for BVWS members only. Contact Mark Ryding at markryding100@hotmail.co.uk Now the Special Events news Members of the Cray Valley Radio Society are operating special callsign GB80CV until the 28th of October to celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. Visit cvrs.uk/cvrs80 for detailed information on the Oak Anniversary Award. QSL via Logbook of the World. Members of the Araucaria [A-RAW-KA-RIA] DX Group are using the special callsign ZW50B until the end of October to celebrate five decades of radio activity, international contacts, contests, expeditions, technical development and friendship. Visit araucariadx.com/50anos for details of the 50th Anniversary Award programme. Now the DX news John, AE5X will be active as ZA/AE5X from various locations in Albania until the 30th of October. He is operating CW only on the 20m to 10m bands. Visit ae5x.blogspot.com for updates. Lui, YT3PL, Luc, F5RAV and Darko, E70A will be active on various bands and modes as C5R from The Gambia until the 4th of November, including an entry in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. QSL direct to YT3PL and logsearch on Club Log. Bernhard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from the Solomon Islands until the 20th of November. He is usually QRV every day from Malaita Island OC-047 on 80m to 6m SSB and FT8. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and Club Log. Now the Contest news The RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900UTC to 2130UTC on Tuesday the 20th of October. Using all modes on 1.3GHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 21st of October, the IRTS 80m Evening Counties Contest runs from 2000UTC to 2100UTC. Using CW and SSB modes on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The RSGB HF Autumn Series SSB Contest is on Thursday the 22nd of October between 1900UTC and 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The CQ WW DX SSB Contest runs from 0000UTC on Saturday the 24th of October to 2359UTC on Sunday the 25th of October. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. The UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800UTC to 2000UTC on Sunday the 25th of October. Using all modes on the 76 to 241GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the Propagation news, compiled by G0KYA, G4BAO and G3LYA on Thursday, the 15th of October 2026. Last weekend saw the Kp index soar to seven, with a massive visible aurora over the UK. Unfortunately, many of the UK’s leading DXers and VHF enthusiasts were at the RSGB Convention in Milton Keynes and so missed it! The aurora was caused by a very strong solar wind, emanating from a coronal mass ejection on the Sun, which occurred the previous Thursday. The solar wind speed hit between 750 and 850 kilometres per second and the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field, or IMF, shifted sharply south at times, meaning it coupled with the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. This has now settled, and we are back to a more reasonable Kp index of between one and three. The solar flux index has also been relatively high, often in the 130s, with only minor C-class solar flares. This has meant the MUF over a 3,000-kilometre path has reached more than 28MHz at times, although 21MHz has been more reliable. Better autumnal HF conditions are returning, with the 1.3kW KQ2H FM repeater in the Catskill Mountains of New York State faintly audible on 29.620MHz some afternoons. Conditions should improve over the coming weeks. DX to be worked on HF next week includes JD1BQP in Ogasawara, TZ4AM in Mali, 6O2M in Somalia, V63SC in Micronesia, 9N7XT in Nepal, 3DA0GY in Eswatini, S9R on Sao Tome and Principe, and C5R in The Gambia. Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the solar flux index should remain at around the 100 mark. Geomagnetic conditions should be settled for the first half of the week, but then become unsettled with a Kp index up to four between the 21st and 24th of October. There is a slight risk this weekend of unsettled geomagnetic conditions due to another large coronal hole on the Sun’s surface, which was due to become geoeffective late on Friday the 16th of October. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO. The unsettled weather pattern will continue throughout the coming week. This means that there will continue to be periods of wet and windy weather that will alternate with more settled spells. Limited periods of Tropo are possible, although probably somewhat restrained due to the transient nature of the Highs. However, in the unsettled periods the locally heavy frontal rain and heavy showers will be good candidates for some rain scatter. The strong winds in such cases may make tracking the echoes for GHz QSOs a challenge. The meteor scatter prospects are reasonable this month and the next meteor shower of note is the Orionids, which peak on the 21st into the 22nd of October and are the result of the Earth’s orbit passing through the debris from Halley’s Comet. The prospects for aurora have been worth considering in recent weeks, typical of the autumn season, and there’s good reason to keep monitoring the Kp index for signs of it going above 5. Bear in mind that auroral events may be short-lasting and often found in the early evening, so don’t leave it until later before going outside for a look. EME now, and Moon declination is at its lowest but starting to rise again. We are still a week away from positive values. Moon windows lengthen and peak Moon elevation is rising. Apogee was on Friday the 16th of October, so path losses are falling again. 144 MHz sky noise is high until Monday, then low for the rest of the week. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

October 9, 2026Episode 51816 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for October 11th 2026

RSGB News Sunday the 11th October 2026 Join the RSGB 2026 Convention livestream The RSGB has shared a list of JOTA stations Start planning your Youngsters On The Air Month activity The second day of the RSGB 2026 Convention is well underway with a great line-up of lectures. If you aren’t able to attend the event in person this year, you can catch up with the livestream on the Society’s YouTube channel via youtube.com/thersgb The livestreams for both days will remain available for everyone to watch and offer a programme full of engaging speakers to help you learn, connect and be inspired. In Sunday’s programme, you can hear an update on the latest developments in the microwave community with Heather Nickalls, M0HMO and Brian Coleman, G4NNS. You’ll also be able to find out the results of the 12th of August 2026 eclipse propagation experiment, which was led by Steve Nichols, G0KYA and the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee. Whether you’ve attended the Convention in person or watched the livestream, the Society would love to hear what you loved most about the event. Share your feedback by going to rsgb.org/feedback for those who have attended the event and rsgb.org/livestream-feedback for those who watched the event online. The RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts, Sam McCutchion, M0UEL has shared a list of special event stations that will be active for Jamboree on the Air next weekend, the 16th to 18th of October. You can view the list by going to rsgb.org/jota and selecting the ‘JOTA Stations on the Air’ link on the righthand side of the page. Thank you to everyone who has responded to the RSGB’s call so far. If you would like to be added to the list, send a summary of your station name, call sign and any other relevant information to youthchampion.scouts@rsgb.org.uk by Wednesday the 14th of October. If you’re not involved with a JOTA station, listen out for them on the air and encourage the young operators. December is Youngsters On The Air Month, providing young radio amateurs across the UK with the chance to operate using special event station GB26YOTA. The activity is a special IARU initiative that encourages young amateur radio operators to get on the air, make contacts around the world, and showcase amateur radio to other young people. As GB26YOTA is a special event call sign, you will need a Full licensee on site to supervise the operators. If you’re not a Full licensee, get together with others and have a group event. Clubs, schools, universities, youth groups and individuals can all apply to host the special event station and are encouraged to start planning now. You can find details of the application process, eligibility requirements, operating slots and call sign allocations by going to rsgb.org/yota-month Make sure you don’t miss out on being part of the team helping to make YOTA Month the best yet! TX Factor has released a National Hamfest 2026 edition of its popular amateur radio show. In this special episode, Bob McCreadie, G0FGX chats with Dominic, M0BLF from Camb-Hams whilst operating QO-100. Bob discovers more about the proposed new rig release from Icom and updates you on a future repeater upgrade from Yaesu. Bob meets key personnel from the RSGB to learn more about the Society's membership strategies and some changes in the way the Society meets and greets visitors at major shows and conventions such as Hamfest and Dayton. There will be much more coverage and news from Hamfest in future episodes. TX Factor is sponsored by the RSGB and the latest episode can be found by visiting txfactor.co.uk Are you looking for some spooky family fun for Halloween? You can plan a visit to Bletchley Park and the RSGB National Radio Centre to discover top secret clues and solve a mystery. You’ll be tasked with solving codes, ciphers and puzzles to reveal secrets along the way. You can find out more by going to the ‘What’s on’ section of the Bletchley Park website at bletchleypark.org.uk RSGB members can get free access to the historic site by downloading a voucher at rsgb.org/bpvoucher And now for details of Rallies and Events The annual Hornsea ARC Rally takes place today, the 11th, at Driffield Showground, YO25 9FB. Doors open at 10am, For full details, call Les on 01377 252 393. Essex CW Amateur Radio Club’s Boot Camp and CW Conference is on Saturday, the 24th of October at the 3rd Witham Scout and Guide HQ. If you are interested in attending and have not registered, email info@essexcw.org.uk There is one place left on the Boot Camp, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Booking for online CW on the Club’s Beginners, Improvers and Advanced classes is now open. Doors open at 8.30am for registration. The meetings begin at 9am. The day will finish around 4.20pm. For more details, visit essexcw.uk On Sunday, the 25th of October, Galashiels Radio Rally and Open Day takes place at The Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, TD1 3JX. Doors open at 11.15am, with access for the disabled from 11am. Admission is £3. There will be Bring and buy, refreshments and traders. For more information, visit galaradioclub.co.uk Also on Sunday, the 25th of October, Holsworthy Amateur Radio Club Autumn Rally takes place at Kivells Livestock Market, EX22 7FA from 10am. For details, visit tinyurl.com/holsrally26 Now the Special Events news Members of the Cray Valley Radio Society are operating special callsign GB80CV until the 28th of October to celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. Visit cvrs.uk/cvrs80 for detailed information on the Oak Anniversary Award. QSL via Logbook of the World. 8J7SPO is the special callsign commemorating the Japan Sport Association’s 80th Japan Games and the 25th National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities. Look out for activity until the 26th of October. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and confirmed automatically via the bureau. The Belgian Air Force Amateur Radio Association is active until the 30th of October to celebrate the Air Force’s 80th anniversary. Listen for activity on the HF bands using CW, SSB and digital modes. All the details, including eQSLs and awards, are at bafara80.be Now the DX news Jacek, SP9FIH is active as FW1P from Wallis Island, OC-054 until Saturday, the 17th of October. He operates mainly FT8, on the 80, 20, 15 and 10m bands, QSL via Club Log’s OQRS. Sands, VK4WXW has returned to Willis Island, OC-007 and will be stationed at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s weather monitoring facility until late October or early November. He operates SSB and FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands with a vertical antenna. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS. Lui, YT3PL, Luc, F5RAV and Darko, E70A will be active on various bands and modes as C5R from The Gambia until the 4th of November, including an entry in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. QSL direct to YT3PL and logsearch on Club Log. Now the Contest news The RSGB 432MHz FMAC Contest on Tuesday, the 13th of October runs from 1800UTC to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday the 13th of October, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900UTC to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 432MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700UTC to 2100UTC on Wednesday, the 14th of October. Using FT8 on 432MHz, the exchange is signal report and four-character locator. The RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest is also on Wednesday the 14th of October, from 1900UTC to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 432MHz, the exchange is signal report and four-character locator. The RSGB HF Autumn Series DATA Contest is on Wednesday the 14th of October, from 1900UTC to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Thursday the 15th of October, the RSGB 70MHz UKAC Contest runs from 1900UTC to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 70MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The Worked All Germany Contest runs from 1500UTC on Saturday, the 17th of October to 1500UTC on Sunday the 18th of October. Using CW and SSB on the 80m to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Now the Propagation news, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Wednesday, the 7th of October 2026. As we head further into October, the maximum usable frequencies available are slowly starting to climb. We are seeing 21MHz doing quite well, with 24MHz often coming into play. This should improve as the month goes on. This last week was characterised by relatively quiet geomagnetic conditions at times, but with a lowish Solar Flux Index. The Kp index hit four and five on the fourth and fifth but has otherwise been quiet, often in the ones and twos. HF conditions have been adequate rather than outstanding. 80 metres has proved useful during the RSGB’s Autumn Series of contests, often with good loud signals from around the UK and further afield from Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. There have been some good highlights further up the bands, including hearing the 4S7B NCDXF beacon on 14.100MHz well after dark on Monday the 5th of October and the 4U1UN beacon on 21.150MHz during the late afternoon. If you wish to work the eastern seaboard of the USA on 10 metres, look between 1300 and 1700UTC, with perhaps FT8 or CW being the most likely modes at this time. There is plenty of DX to be worked next week, including 6O2M in Somalia, H49A on the Solomon Islands, C5R in The Gambia and FW1P, Wallis Island. From next weekend, also look for 3DAOGY in Eswatini, S21HRG in Bangladesh and S9R on Sao Tome. The solar flux index climbed from 92 to 113 on Wednesday, the 7th of October, which is a help. The question is, where does it go from here? Next week, the SWPC forecasts the SFI will be in the range of 90 to 105. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be good, with a maximum Kp index of two. As always, this is subject to no CMEs or coronal holes, so keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates. This weekend may see unsettled geomagnetic conditions thanks to two large coronal holes. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO. We have moved into the season of autumn changeability with alternating unsettled weather. Rain scatter is possible on the GHz bands as is the traditional Tropo that comes from areas of high pressure and temperature inversions. The bulk of the period up to the end of next week is firmly in the unsettled domain with some potentially active lows passing close to the UK with perhaps some very strong winds in northern areas. So rain scatter is likely to be an option at times. There is a signal in the weather models that we could see a big high developing at the end of next week, with Tropo returning to many areas. The meteor scatter prospects are slightly lifted by the Draconids, which peaked on Thursday the 8th of October, and then the slow climb to the Orionids later in the month on Wednesday the 21st of October, which are the debris from Comet Halley and usually the better of the two showers. We have recently been having the occasional peak in the Kp index to around 4 or 5, which is just enough to give us a reason to look out for aurora. Although not really where we need it for a good radio aurora, this is definitely a hint to check the Kp index. The surprise out-of-season Sporadic-E on Monday, the 5th of October, when the FoEs reached just over 10MHz, was a reminder that guidelines about the span of the season are just that, and other externally forced events can and do happen. It is not easy to give exact reasons for that event, but a sudden increase in meteor input can play a regional role if other triggers like jet streams are also present. EME now, and Moon declination is negative and falling to minimum on Friday the 16th of October, so Moon windows are shortening and peak Moon elevation is falling. Path losses are rising as we approach apogee, also on the 16th. The Sun and Moon were close over the weekend of Saturday the 10th of October, so expect high sky noise, then moderate, becoming high again as the week progresses. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

October 2, 2026Episode 51717 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for October 4th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday, the 4th of October 2026 The news headlines Less than a week until the RSGB 2026 Convention RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair wins international award New RSGB Regional Forum Chair and Secretary announced You have less than 24 hours left to buy your advance ticket for the RSGB Convention, which takes place next weekend at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. Online ticket sales will close at 9am tomorrow, Monday, the 5th of October, so book your tickets online to guarantee your place and save money compared to prices on the door. If you are coming to the Convention make sure you have your QR code ready to collect your badge at the conference centre. You can either bring this on your phone or printed out. This system was introduced last year and was extremely successful in speeding up access to the Convention. If it is your first time at the event, pop along to the ‘Welcome desk’ that will be in the bar on the Friday evening. You can view the most up-to-date version of the programme before and during the event by going to rsgb.org/convention and downloading the Convention programme and speaker information. You’ll also be able to view the menus, as well as see which forums and drop-in sessions you can attend. Click on ‘What else is happening at the Convention?’ to find details on the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, RSGB Committees and Special Interest Groups. You’ll also find information on Friday’s activities including the RSGB National Radio Centre, The National Museum of Computing and the amateur radio quiz, which takes place in the evening. If you have tickets for the Gala Dinner on Saturday and wish to reserve a table with friends, send your name and callsign details to radcom@rsgb.org.uk If you are unable to travel to the Convention this year, the Society will be livestreaming a selection of lectures. You can find out more about this on the RSGB website from tomorrow, Monday, the 5th of October. If you’re an RSGB member and are planning to visit The National Museum of Computing, based at Bletchley Park, on Convention Friday, the 9th of October, please ensure you email membership@rsgb.org.uk in advance to request your personalised 30% discount voucher. Please state your name, callsign and RSGB membership number. This applies to visits at any time, read more at rsgb.org/partner-museums The RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB, has been awarded the Roy Stevens, G2BVN Memorial Trophy. Murray was one of two recipients to receive the award at the IARU R1 Conference last month. The trophy is awarded to radio amateurs who have best exemplified Roy’s work and dedication in international amateur radio. The RSGB congratulates Murray and thanks him for the huge amount of time and effort he gives as a volunteer to this important work. You can read more about the Conference in the December edition of RadCom. Philip Hosey, MI0MSO has been appointed the new RSGB Regional Forum Chair. Philip is well known to many having previously served in the role and he is currently the RSGB Special Interest Group Manager. With more than a decade of volunteering with the Society, Philip has a strong understanding of both the organisation and the community it serves. Stephen Purser, GW4SHF has been appointed as the new Regional Forum Secretary. Stephen brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served the Society in a wide range of volunteer positions over many years, including on the Regional Team and more recently as Deputy Company Secretary. You can read the full announcements by viewing the RSGB Notices web pages on the Society’s website. Next Sunday, the 11th of October, two GB2RS News broadcasts will be coming from the RSGB Convention. At 10am, Esther, GI0AZA and Ian, GI0AZB will transmit an 80m bulletin on 3640kHz using a remote link to their station near Dungiven in Northern Ireland. At 3pm, Brian, G4BIP will read the RSGB News via the QO-100 satellite on a frequency of 10489.855MHz. Brian will use the uplink facilities provided by AMSAT-UK in the Special Interest Group room. Our volunteer Newsreaders are happy to receive calls following the formal broadcast, so do listen out for them and call in to let them know how their signals were received. The next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar takes place tomorrow, Monday, the 5th of October and is presented by the Society’s Maker Champion Tom Wardill, M9TWM. Tom will deliver an overview of what is available to the average home user, from SMT components and PCB fabs to 3D-printed cases, or to test equipment that was only available to IBM and HP just a few years ago. He’ll discuss where source help and advice on the tools you need to complete your project. Join the livestream via the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/webinars Are you a newcomer to Morse, or perhaps you are a seasoned Morse operator looking for support in developing your skills? If so, you’ll want to take a look at the updated Morse web pages on the RSGB website. You’ll find a page on RSGB resources that you can use; from Morse battleships to GB2RS in Morse, from the Morse Certificate of Competency to GB2CW. It also includes a series of links to additional RSGB video content that you can watch at your own pace. Other new web pages include a look back at the history of Morse, as well as a list of places to help you find the right equipment and further training resources. You can start viewing all this great content at rsgb.org/morse The RSGB QSL Bureau Service has three important reminders for radio amateurs using the service. This includes ensuring that your RSGB membership record includes all your allocated callsigns and that you are following Royal Mail’s postage criteria. The third is for radio amateurs that have recently acquired an M8 or M9 callsign. You can read the full details of all these important reminders by going to tinyurl.com/qsl-reminder The RSGB has updated the Youth Committee web pages. On the main page you’ll see an overview of the Youth Committee’s strategy for the next year. On other pages you’ll find information about Committee members, what projects they are working on and how you can get in touch with them. To find out more go to rsgb.org/youth-committee Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions this week is 10am on Wednesday. GB2RS will be broadcast as usual on Sunday. And now for details of rallies and events The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day today, Sunday the 4th of October from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events Also today, Sunday the 4th, the Welsh Radio Rally will take place at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport, NP18 2YE, South Wales. The doors open to traders at 7am and to the public at 9.30am. Admission costs £3. The rally will include technical talks, a bring-and-buy area and a raffle. For more information, email welshradiorally@icloud.com The annual Hornsea ARC Rally takes place next Sunday, the 11th of October at Driffield Showground, YO25 9FB. For more information, call Les on 01377 252 393. Now the Special Event news To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Belgian National Railway Company, special callsign OT26B is active until the 31st of December. The line between Brussels and Mechelen opened in 1835 and was the first steam-powered public railway in continental Europe. QSL via OR4K. Now the DX news Atsu, 5W1SA and Jacel, 5W0AF are active from Upolu Island, Samoa OC-097 until the 12th of October. They are operating using SSB on the 10 to 40m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World. More information is available via qsl.net 9H6C will be active from Malta, IOTA EU-023 from Saturday, the 10th to Monday, the 12th of October. They will operate on all HF bands. QSL via Logbook of the World. Now the contest news The RSGB and IARU October 432MHz to 245GHz Contests started at 1400UTC yesterday, Saturday the 3rd of October and end at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 4th of October. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also today, Sunday, the 4th of October, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Tomorrow, the 5th of October, the Autumn Series CW Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday the 6th of October, the RSGB 144MHz FMAC Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB 144MHz UKAC Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC on Tuesday, the 6th of October. Using all modes on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 7th of October, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 four hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report and four-character locator. The RSGB 144MHz FT8 AC Contest also takes place on Wednesday from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 7th of October, the UKEICC 80m Contest takes place from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band the exchange is your six-character locator. On Thursday the 8th of October the RSGB 50MHz UKAC Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The Oceania DX CW Contest runs from 0600UTC on Saturday, the 10th of October to 0600 on Sunday, the 11th of October. The exchange is signal report and serial number. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 1st of October 2026. As we enter October, I think it’s time to get excited about HF again. Some of the best HF conditions can occur this month as MUFs rise. It might take a couple of weeks to get going but it will, we promise – there’s a good reason why the CQ Worldwide SSB contest is held in October after all. Solar conditions have been surprisingly calm. The solar flux index has been ranging from 90 to 100 but geomagnetic conditions have been quiet, with the Kp index usually around one to two. We had a brief excursion to a Kp index of 4 on September the 26th and 27th, but this was relatively short-lived. Daytime Maximum Usable Frequencies, or MUFs, over a 3,000km path have been touching 25 to 28MHz at times but we can expect this to improve over the next few weeks. As long as the Solar Flux Index can stay around 100 we should see some transatlantic paths opening up on 28MHz, but they may not be as good as previous years. Ten-metre openings at the start of this month may be fleeting and unreliable. What we do have is a massive coronal hole on the Sun’s equator, which could send the Kp index up this weekend as solar plasma impacts the Earth. Keep an eye on solarham.com for updates. If this comes to pass, expect lower MUFs and poor DX for a day or two. DX to be worked this week include 5W0AF from Samoa; 9T0MD from the Democratic Republic of Congo; JW6VM, JW7XK and JW9DL on Svalbard; 7P8JL, 7P8LZ and 7P8TR in Lesotho; 6O2M (Somalia), C5R from The Gambia and FW1P from Wallis and Futuna. NOAA predicts that the SFI this coming week may bottom out at around 90, before rising again, perhaps reaching 100 to 102 by next weekend. As mentioned earlier, we can expect the Kp index to rise, perhaps hitting four on October the 5th to the 7th. After this, it should settle to a more reasonable Kp index of 2 for the rest of the week. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO. The autumn season is typically a mix of still, quiet weather with high pressure on the charts and, in contrast, a few days later deep Atlantic lows roll by with wind and rain. The coming ten days or so will follow that script and offer a mix of propagation modes for the VHF/UHF fraternity. The Tropo conditions will dominate in the south and should probably be in control up to the middle of next week. Northern Britain will have activity from weather fronts and possible rain scatter for the GHz bands, which becomes more general from midweek onwards. The autumn season is also a prime time for aurora, so keep that mode on the 'to do' list and be aware of changes in the Kp index to values higher than Kp index 5. Meteor scatter is mostly in the realms of random activity. Lastly, a surprise mention of Sporadic-E, which for CW and SSB modes is pretty much done, but last week on Thursday the 24th of September there was some activity for FT8 within Europe. This was mixed in with Tropo paths, so it was difficult to pinpoint the exact mode being used without looking at detailed measurements from radiosondes and ionosondes. The end result is that ‘out of season’ may still produce Es for digital modes, but it’s probably a rare occurrence. EME now, and the Moon is at maximum declination on Friday the 2nd of October, so Moon windows are at their longest and peak Moon elevation is at its highest. Path losses are low after perigee on the 1st of October but will start to increase. 144 MHz sky noise starts the week moderate, dropping back to low for the rest of the week. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

September 25, 2026Episode 51614 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for September 27th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday, the 27th of October 2026 The news headlines: Entry to the RSGB 2027 Construction Competition is now open! RadCom from the 1990s is now available in the RSGB app One week left to buy your RSGB Convention ticket The Society is pleased to have launched the RSGB 2027 Construction Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity for RSGB members, wherever they are in the world, to get involved in designing and building. Whether you’re looking for an outlet for your creativity, wanting a fresh challenge to work on in your spare time or simply looking for the motivation to finish a homebrew project you have already started, the RSGB Construction Competition is the perfect excuse. Are you looking to inspire others to get involved in amateur radio? If so, our two more recent categories, Reimagination and Outreach, are the ideal way. Overall, there are seven different judging categories, so there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re a newcomer to amateur radio, a serial constructor, or want to push yourself in a new direction, be it software or hardware – it’s time to get those construction ideas flowing! Cash prizes will be awarded to winners and runners up, and entry is open until the 1st of March 2027. Full details of the competition and inspiration from previous years’ entrants can be found via rsgb.org/construction-competition The Society has just released an additional set of RadCom back issues to the RSGB app, available for the web and on mobile devices. RSGB members can now browse all the editions from January 1990 through to December 1999. This creates an even more valuable resource of amateur radio publications for members, who now can enjoy over 425 editions of RadCom. If you haven’t explored the RSGB app recently, visit rsgb.org/radcom to get started. Attending the RSGB 2026 Convention gives you access to knowledge, learning and networking opportunities that aren’t available at any other event in the UK this year. The extensive programme includes expert speakers such as Heather Nickalls, M0HMO; Brian Coleman, G4NNS; Steven Dodd, M0SNZ; and Peter Duffet-Smith, GM3XJE, to name just a few. You can view the full programme, including lectures that are being delivered as part of the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, by going to rsgb.org/convention If you are a younger radio amateur, you’ll find a series of youth-specific events including a series of lightning talks, a youth POTA activation and a youth dinner on the Saturday evening. For radio amateurs looking to start the weekend festivities early, you have a number of activities to take part in on Friday the 9th of October, from visiting the National Museum of Computing to joining an amateur radio pub-style quiz in the conference centre bar in the evening. You’ll find details of all these activities, plus more, on the RSGB Convention web pages. Online ticketing closes at 9am on Monday the 5th of October so make sure you buy your ticket to guarantee your place. The RSGB Convention takes place between the 9th and 11th of October at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. The next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar is by the Society’s Maker Champion Tom Wardill, M9TWM on Monday the 5th of October. Tom believes that amateur radio has never been in such a good place in terms of the availability of tools, supplies, and connections. He will give you a quick guide on what is available to the average home user, from SMT components and PCB fabs to 3D-printed cases, or to test equipment that was only available to IBM and HP just a few years ago. He’ll discuss where to look, how to source, and how to get help with the tools you need to make the projects that you’ve written off as too complicated. You can join the livestream via the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch and ask questions online. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/webinars Have you tried one of the RSGB’s National Coding Week activities? If you took part and would like to be included in a special feature in RadCom, send your photos and a short summary of your activity to ncw.coordinator@rsgb.org.uk by the 30th of September. All coding activities will remain on the RSGB website via rsgb.org/coding so whether you want to do something new just for fun or find a way to use programming within your current amateur radio interests, you’ll find something to try! Don't forget to listen out for all of the stations that are operating during the annual Railways on the Air event today, the 27th. Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club coordinates this event and you can read more at rota.barac.org.uk 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. And now for details of rallies and events The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day on Sunday the 4th of October from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events Also on Sunday the 4th of October, the Welsh Radio Rally will take place at Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport, NP18 2YE, South Wales. The doors open to traders at 7am and to the public at 9.30am. Admission costs £3. The rally will include technical talks, a bring-and-buy area and a raffle. For more information email welshradiorally@icloud.com Now the Special Event news Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society is running special event station GB2RMR today, the 27th at the Riverside Miniature Railway, Riverside Park in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Operators will be active from 9.30am until 4pm on the HF, VHF and UHF bands. More information is available via QRZ.com To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Belgian National Railway Company, special callsign OT26B is active until the 31st of December. The line between Brussels and Mechelen opened in 1835 and was the first steam-powered public railway in continental Europe. QSL via OR4K. Now the DX news Members of Guisborough and District Amateur Radio Club are active from the Isle of Lewis today, the 27th. Listen out for the MS0NYM callsign on the 40 to 10m bands using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB. More information is available via QRZ.com Toni, W5RCX and Tom, K0YA are active as V47RCX and V47YA, respectively, from St. Kitts, NA-104, until Wednesday the 30th of September. They are operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the HF and 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World and to their home calls. Now the contest news The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 26th, and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 27th of September. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. The UK is in zone 14. Also today, the 27th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Monday the 28th of September, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report. On Wednesday the 30th of September, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. The Oceania DX SSB Contest starts at 0600UTC on Saturday the 3rd and ends at 0600UTC on Sunday the 4th of October. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Saturday the 3rd of October, the RSGB 1.2GHz Trophy runs from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Saturday the 3rd of October, the RSGB 2.3GHz Trophy runs from 1400 to 2200UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB and IARU October 432MHz to 245GHz Contests start at 1400UTC on Saturday the 3rd and end at 1400UTC on Sunday the 4th of October. Using all modes on 432MHz to 245GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Sunday the 4th of October, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Wednesday the 23rd of September 2026. As we head towards the end of September, we are seeing daytime maximum usable frequencies, or MUFs, starting to climb. The daytime MUF over 3,000km is reaching 12m and is just touching 10m at times. Within a few weeks we can expect it to reach 10m on a regular basis, perhaps bringing transatlantic QSOs to 28MHz once again. Meanwhile, we can make the most of the openings on the 17, 15 and 12m bands, which are showing promise with increasing propagation to Asia, North Africa, South Africa and South America. The solar flux index is hanging in there. Last week it fell to 96 but then rebounded back into the low 100s. There are currently eight sunspot groups visible on the Sun. The good news is that geomagnetic conditions have been calm, with the Kp index mostly in the ones and twos. That could soon change, however, thanks to a large coronal hole on the Sun’s surface. These are dark, cool and less dense regions in the Sun's outer atmosphere, when viewed in ultraviolet, with open magnetic field lines. This one stretches from the solar equator to its pole. There are also two coronal holes following it, which may cause more problems. With the equinox, we often see more auroral activity, due to the Earth-Sun alignment and the Russell-McPherron effect. Once auroral conditions clear, the Kp index should return to normal, with a Kp of 2 predicted from Monday the 28th of September onwards. The solar flux index may even improve slightly, with a forecast solar flux index of 115 towards the end of the month. Make the most of the HF conditions by working one of the DX stations on the air. You can choose from 5W0AF in Samoa; JD1BON and friends on the Ogasawara Islands; OX3LX in Greenland; FR/F1TEQ and FH/F1TEQ from Reunion and Mayotte; and 8Q7JH operating from the Maldives. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO Recently, the overall characteristic of the weather in southern areas has been one of high pressure, giving some occasional tropo. This region of high pressure will drift away by this weekend as a deep low over the northern Atlantic drives a weakening cold front south, so any major tropo will probably not survive into the coming week. The rest of the period looks generally unsettled. The northern half of Britain will have the more active part of any weather system crossing the country and therefore will also have a better chance of some rain scatter on the GHz bands. This time of the year we often get some very active Atlantic storms. Although they may not cross the UK directly, they may be close enough for severe gales and damaging winds in north western areas by the middle of the coming week. It is a good time to make sure your antenna guys are in good shape and keep an eye on the forecasts. There are no major meteor showers in the period so, once again, any activity is likely to be random, and this is typically best in the hours just before dawn. The prospect for auroras is a little more interesting since we are now just past the equinox of the 22nd of September. It's a preferential time to be alert for auroras due to the way the Earth’s magnetic field aligns better with the Sun’s magnetic field. This makes it easier for the solar wind to get through and create auroras. EME now, and Moon declination went positive at Moonset on Friday the 25th of September. This means we’ll see lengthening Moon windows and higher peak Moon elevation into the coming week. Path losses continue to fall. 144MHz sky noise starts the week low, increasing to moderate by Friday the 2nd of October. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

September 18, 2026Episode 51514 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for September 20th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday, the 20th of September 2026 The news headlines: Visit the RSGB village at Hamfest What does your RSGB Convention weekend look like? Get involved with World Space Week The RSGB will have a large presence at the National Hamfest at Newark Showground on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of September. In addition to a new-look bookstall and membership stand, the Society will have a great selection of displays and practical activities to enjoy. These include another opportunity to see 3D printing in action and to have your CW skills tested at a range of speeds. Across both days the RSGB Outreach team will be running a buildathon, with this year’s kit being the Kanga Morse Tutor – why not go along and hone your soldering skills? All activities are free of charge and there is no need to book in advance. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next construction project, you can hear from the overall winner of the RSGB 2026 Construction Competition and discover a whole host of projects from the popular monthly RadCom feature, Experimenters’ Corner. Members of the RSGB Board, staff and representatives from the Propagation Studies Committee and the QSL Bureau will also be there and are looking forward to meeting you, answering your questions and offering support. Would you like to learn a new skill or improve your knowledge on a particular topic? Perhaps you’d like to network with likeminded people and make some new connections? Maybe you are looking for inspiration on what to do next in your amateur radio journey? You can find answers to all these questions at the RSGB Convention, which is taking place between the 9th and 11th of October in Milton Keynes. You can choose from a selection of over 50 lectures, workshops, forums and activities and build a programme to suit you. By viewing the Convention web pages via rsgb.org/convention you’ll not only find the programme for both days but also detailed speaker biographies and presentation summaries. There’s a wealth of information on extra activities that are taking place over the weekend, from getting involved with additional events on the Friday, to joining the Gala Dinner on the Saturday evening. Find out which RSGB Committees and Special Interest Groups are attending and choose which ones to fit into your programme. You can find all this information and more by using the sub-menu located on the righthand side called 'In this section'. Remember to book your ticket online before 9am on Monday the 5th of October to guarantee your place and to pay the best available price. After this time you will only be able to buy tickets on the door. RSGB Board Director and Board Liaison for ARISS Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB is calling on radio amateurs to support World Space Week 2026 by hosting an activity between the 4th and 10th of October. In his Tonight@8 webinar, broadcast earlier this month, Patrick revealed the RSGB had launched some web pages to help inspire clubs and individuals. You could host an introductory talk on satellites, orbits and OSCAR missions using a set of slides he has shared for you to use. Alternatively, you could host a live demonstration, an on-air activity, or even getting involved with the planned International Space Station SSTV event. Start planning your event by going to rsgb.org/wsw You can view events that have already being confirmed, including several talks at the RSGB National Radio Centre, by selecting ‘WSW – events taking place’ from the menu on the righthand side. Jamboree on the Air is taking place between Friday the 16th and Sunday 18th of October 2026. It is the world’s largest radio Scout event and is a brilliant celebration of amateur radio among the groups within the Scout Association. It also promotes friendship and global citizenship. The RSGB Youth Vice-Chair and Youth Champion for Scouts, Sam McCutchion, M0UEL will be compiling a list of JOTA stations which will be shared on the RSGB website. If you are part of a Scouting group and are planning to get involved with JOTA then please contact youthchampion.scouts@rsgb.org.uk as soon as possible with your station name, call sign and any other relevant information. Sam is encouraging everyone to get involved either by putting a station on the air or listening out for the JOTA stations, so let him know how you are supporting the events. The annual Railways on the Air event will take place on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September. The following frequencies are suggested for use: 3.650, 7.150 and 14.250MHz. Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club coordinates this event and you can read more at rota.barac.org.uk The deadline for the GB2RS News on Sunday the 27th of September is 10am on Wednesday the 23rd of September. Please send details of all your news and events to radcom@rsgb.org.uk And now for details of rallies and events The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day today, the 20th, from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events National Hamfest, the UK's largest amateur radio event, returns to Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground on Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of September. Located on the A46 just north of Newark, it features major retailers, a large outdoor flea market, and on-site camping. The site is open from 9.30am to 4pm each day. The doors open to visitors from 10am on Friday. Find out more via nationalhamfest.org.uk Now the Special Event news Vendeen Radio Club, F6KUF is active as TM4GGR until Friday the 9th of October. The special callsign's suffix stands for 'Golden Globe Race', the single-handed, round-the-world sailing race that started from Les Sables-d'Olonne, on Sunday the 6th of September. For some information visit live.f6kuf.fr Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society will be running special event station GB2RMR on Sunday the 27th of September from 9.30am until 4pm at the Riverside Miniature Railway, Riverside Park in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Operators will be active on the HF, VHF and UHF bands. More information is available via QRZ.com Now the DX news Kasimir, DL2SBY is active as S79/DL2SBY from Mahe, AF-024, in the Seychelles until tomorrow, the 21st. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the HF and 6m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, OQRS or directly to Kasimir. Yuris, YL2GM and Eugene, EA5EL are active as KH8WW from Aunu'u Island, OC-045, in American Samoa until the 24th of September. The station is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via OQRS is preferred, or via YL2GN. Now the contest news Today, the 20th, the RSGB 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also today, the 20th, the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group PSK63 Sprint runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using PSK63 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number. On Tuesday the 22nd of September, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Thursday the 24th of September, the RSGB Autumn Series Data Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The CQ World Wide DX RTTY Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 26th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 27th of September. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. The UK is in zone 14. On Sunday the 27th of September, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 17th of September 2026. Thursday the 17th of September marked a milestone in terms of the solar flux index. On this day the solar flux index fell to 100. This is more psychological than important, but it is a sign that the solar flux index is falling from the dizzy heights of more than 300 that it reached at the height of solar cycle 25 two years ago. The solar flux index briefly dipped to 99 on Sunday the 13th of September but it probably won’t be too long before we see it dropping further. The declining solar flux index has been helped somewhat by better ionospheric conditions as we head towards October. The lower solar flux index has also been slightly compensated for by relatively good geomagnetic conditions. The Kp index hit a peak of 4 on Monday the 14th, but has otherwise been around 1 or 2. Daytime maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, over 3,000km have been hovering around 21MHz and nighttime MUFs over 3,000km have been around 7 to 10MHz. But don’t ignore 24MHz as we may see the occasional daylight DX opening. We may expect the daytime MUFs to increase slightly as the month progresses. DX to be worked this week includes 5W0AF from Samoa; RI1FJZ from Franz Josef Land; FR/F1TEQ and FH/F1TEQ in Reunion and Mayotte; KH8WW in American Samoa; PJ2/K5SL from Curaçao; and 8Q7JH in the Maldives. Later in the week look for KH0/JR1FKR from Saipan and N7NU/VP9 and VP9I in Bermuda. So, there is lots of DX to search for next week! We expect the solar flux index to hover around 100 over the next seven days but watch out for poor geomagnetic conditions from Thursday the 24th to Sunday the 27th of September when NOAA forecasts that the Kp index could hit 5. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The period of unsettled weather that has brought much-needed rain is just about done for a while, since it looks like high pressure will build across southern UK today, the 20th. It may even produce some ridging over northern Britain, so there is a good chance for tropo in many areas at some stage during the coming week. Admittedly, the high does gradually edge away to the east by the end of the week, but will still be close enough to provide further lift conditions, especially across the North Sea to the Baltic and south to France. Don’t forget to try calling CQ on SSB or CW in case conditions are up. It's easy to miss a new square unless you are checking remote beacons to see how the lift is developing. The far northwest of the UK will have some occasional rain at times and may miss out on the enhanced lift conditions, especially after midweek. For meteor scatter it is largely a case of trying to catch the best of any random activity. This means checking conditions in the early hours of the morning. The solar activity has produced slightly elevated geomagnetic activity with a Kp index up to 4 at times. With the possibility of a minor storm in the second half of the last week, it probably should remain a watching brief in case we find an unexpected auroral opening, which would tend to favour the equinoxes due to the Russell-McPherron effect. EME now, and Moon declination starts rising again after its lowest point on Friday the 18th of September. Meanwhile, path losses start falling again after apogee, also on the 18th. 144MHz sky noise starts the weekend high, falling back to low by Tuesday the 22nd where it remains for the rest of the week. And finally, if you are coming to National Hamfest, remember to call in and see the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee stand. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

September 11, 2026Episode 51414 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for September 13th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday, the 13th of September 2026 The news headlines: Final RSGB Convention speakers announced RSGB experts contribute to IARU Region 1 general conference Could you be the next RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts? Advance ticket sales for the RSGB Convention close in three weeks – have you purchased your ticket yet? The not-to-be-missed Convention takes place between the 9th and 11th of October at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. This year’s speaker programme is crammed full of fascinating lectures including Paul Whiting, G4YQC who will be describing how the 21cm neutral hydrogen emission line can be used to map the Milky Way galaxy. He will explain how this can be done from your back garden using inexpensive equipment. You’ll also get to hear from Dave Robinson, G4FRE, who will be talking about GPS disciplined oscillators, both past and present. Several lectures on the programme have changed time slots, so make sure you keep up to date with the latest version by going to rsgb.org/saturday and rsgb.org/sunday Which presentations are your must-sees? Have you picked a workshop? And have you booked your evening dinner tickets yet? The Convention is open to all radio amateurs, so whether you are newly licensed and looking to broaden your knowledge or have 50 years of experience and are looking to engage in technical debates on the latest technology, the Society looks forward to seeing you there. The International Amateur Radio Union general conference is taking place from the 19th to the 23rd of September in Vienna. Representatives of national societies from across Region 1 will meet to discuss 100 papers on a wide range of amateur radio topics. A significant body of work has been done by RSGB volunteers and specialists to prepare for the conference, and the RSGB has submitted ten papers, making it the largest contributor of any of the member societies. The four key areas where the Society will have input are spectrum protection and HF strategy, protecting 430 to 440MHz, IARU Region 1 Governance, and licensing and examinations. The Society would like to thank Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB who led the RSGB expert team who prepared the Society's papers for the conference. Murray will attend the conference in person with RSGB Head of Delegation RSGB President Bob Beebe GU4YOX, RSGB HF Manager Ian Greenshields, G4FSU and RSGB Board Director Nathan Nuttall MM9OCC who has been contributing to the international development of youth amateur radio through the IARU Region 1's Youth Committee. For further information about the RSGB’s input go to the RSGB Notices section of the Society’s website. You can read all the papers submitted for the conference at tinyurl.com/iaru-r1 Are you a radio amateur who is also active within the Scout Association? Would you like to support the RSGB in encouraging Scouts to take part in amateur radio activities through the Scout programme? If so, you could be the next RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts. This exciting volunteer role will build on the success of the current Scout Champion and will be supported in developing and furthering this over time. The Champion will work with Scout groups, the National Radio Scouting Support Unit, and local radio clubs to encourage participation in radio, technology, and STEM activities, and to support young people on their journey towards an amateur radio licence. To apply for this role, first read the full role profile by going to rsgb.org/volunteers and then email the current RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts Samuel McCutchion, M0UEL via youthchampion.scouts@rsgb.org.uk The deadline for applications is Wednesday the 14th of October 2026. As we get closer to WRC-27, which is the 2027 ITU World Radio Conference, Ofcom has released a consultation for the provisional UK views and positions on the current, and proposed, agenda items. This WRC is notable for a large number of space-related topics, as well as more common items such as spectrum for 6G mobile broadband. This year there are also a record number of proposals for the next conference agenda in 2031. The RSGB has a special focus section on its website which highlights the topics which are of concern to amateur radio, and where the RSGB spectrum team and its IARU colleagues have been preparing for some time. You will find more information at rsgb.org/wrc-27 including a link at the bottom of the page to the Ofcom consultation. The consultation closes on the 24th of November. Don't forget to listen out for all of the stations that are taking part in the 145 Alive activity today, the 13th. Hundreds of operators will be making contacts using 145MHz FM and 144MHz SSB between 12pm and 3pm. For more information, go to the 145 Alive Facebook page or email 145aliveuk@gmail.com 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. And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 13th, Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally is taking place at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors are open from 10am to 3pm and entrance is free of charge. For more information, email Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com The Broadcast Engineering Museum has open days on Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of September from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events Now the Special Event news The Turkish Amateur Radio Society will be active with special callsign TC8KHT from Friday the 18th until Sunday the 20th of September. Operators will be on the air to promote the historical and cultural significance of the Neolithic archaeological site Karahan Tepe. Look out for activity on the 80 to 10m bands using CW, FT8 and SSB. Contacts will also be possible via the QO-100 satellite. For more information, visit QRZ.com Special callsign YR100RC is on the air until Wednesday the 30th of September to celebrate 100 years of amateur radio in Romania. Look for activity on the HF bands using a variety of modes. For details of a certificate that is available for working the station, visit tinyurl.com/romania1786 Now the DX news Harald, DF2WO is active as D44TWO from Santiago Island, AF-005, until mid-September. He operates using CW, FT8 and SSB on various bands and via the QO-100 satellite. For more information, visit QRZ.com. QSL via OQRS. Suvarna, OM0GA is active as 9N/OM0GA from Nepal until Saturday the 19th of September. He operates mainly using CW on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via OQRS. Now the contest news The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 12th, and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 13th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. Today, Sunday the 13th, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, today, the 13th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, today, the 13th, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs from 1330 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, today, the 13th, the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Tuesday the 15th, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 16th, the RSGB Autumn Series CW Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Thursday the 17th, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Sunday the 20th, the RSGB 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Sunday the 20th, the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group PSK63 Sprint runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using PSK63 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 10th of September 2026. As we head into September, autumnal HF conditions are fast approaching. We can expect the maximum useable frequency, or MUF, to climb during the day and DX to become more plentiful. However, we are not there yet and it may take a few more weeks before we see much of a change in HF propagation. Meanwhile, solar activity remains quite low, with a solar flux index around 100 to 110. Geomagnetic disturbances are still occurring, but their effects have been minimal. The Kp index rose to 5 on the 8th of September, due to the effects of a coronal hole stream. Luckily, this was short-lived and the following day the Kp index was back to being in the 2 to 3 range. The last four days have seen only minor C-class flares but, with seven sunspot groups visible leading to the risk of solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections, activity remains quite high. MUFs over a 3,000km path have reached 24.9MHz at times, although the 17 and 15m bands have been more usable. Expect the daytime MUF to climb to perhaps 28 or 29MHz by the end of the month. Two coronal holes appear to be developing on the Sun and will become Earth-facing today, the 13th, so there could be a coronal high-speed stream hitting us between tomorrow, the 14th and Wednesday the 16th of September. DX to be worked next week includes RI1FJZ from Franz Josef Land; V47YA and V47RCX on St Kitts and Nevis, KH8WW from American Samoa; and S79/DL2SBY from the Seychelles. Also, look for PJ2/K5SL from Curaçao from the 18th of September and 8Q7JH in the Maldives from the 20th of September. Next week the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the solar flux index may remain in the 105 to 115 range. We can expect unsettled geomagnetic conditions from the 14th to the 16th of September. This is possibly due to the coronal hole activity mentioned earlier, with a predicted Kp of 4. Otherwise, the rest of the week may remain calm with a Kp index of 2 to 3. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The current spell of changeable autumnal weather looks likely to remain with us for most of the coming week. However, the UK covers a broad span from south to north and some differences will be apparent. We have seen the arrival of some fronts with rain in the south. These will probably be weaker than in northern Britain and with only occasional patches of rain. For the rest of the time, look out for weak ridges of high pressure and periods of tropo into the near continent and possibly south across Biscay to Spain. For the northern half of the country, the weather systems will be more active and tropo will be less likely, but you could find some occasional rain scatter opportunities on the GHz bands. Meteor scatter options are still only available via random activity with no major showers playing a role. The aurora prospects are probably not zero, but recently alerts have been for minor levels of disturbance with a Kp index up to 5, but nothing dramatic on the radio aurora front. However, with it now being autumn, it is always worth monitoring. As we head towards the autumnal equinox on the 23rd of September, it is a good time of the year for aurora if the triggering solar activity is sufficiently strong. EME now, and Moon declination continues to fall until its lowest point around Friday the 18th of September. Meanwhile, path losses continue to rise until apogee, the Moon’s furthest point from Earth, also on the 18th of September. Sky noise remains low and then rises again around Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of September, when the Moon is in Sagittarius. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

September 4, 2026Episode 51317 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for September 6th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday the 6th of September 2026 The news headlines: Learn about HF propagation studies at the RSGB Convention Which coding activities will you be trying? WRTC 2026 results have been rescored Are you aware of the GB0PSC Baldock space weather station? The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee recently installed a HamSCI HFRx at Ofcom’s spectrum monitoring site at Baldock. The station is part of HF propagation studies that will allow the Committee to learn more about space weather and its effects including radio blackouts, Doppler flashes and travelling ionospheric disturbances. You can find out how the Committee is progressing with its studies by joining Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL on Saturday the 10th of October at the RSGB Convention. If amateur radio construction is something you’d like to find out more about, then join RadCom Plus Editor Paul Marks, G8FVK on Sunday the 11th of October to learn about his approach to modular design of amateur radio equipment. In particular, he’ll be looking at QRP HF and VHF gear, using readily available circuit boards and modules such as the AD831 RF mixer module. You can attend both lectures at the Society’s annual Convention at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes between the 9th and 11th of October. Secure your place via rsgb.org/convention National Coding Week is back this month! To support radio amateurs in building their digital skills and explore the world of programming, the RSGB has shared three new activities for you to try. The first builds on the Python Pocket Morse activity developed last year and guides radio amateurs to use a BBC Micro:bit to send Morse code either on a telegraph wire or wirelessly. The second is ‘Ener-G use’ which is great for unlicensed and younger radio amateurs and allows them to compare increasing forces and energy use with a fun Micro:bit activity. The third activity is based on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2W. It is a demonstration of Pulse Width Modulation and uses just a couple of components, including an LED and a resistor, and will give you a better understanding of the concept of duty cycle. All three activities are available via rsgb.org/coding You can try them at home, set up a practical club night or use them as an activity with a youth or school group. Let the Society know how you get on by sending photos and a summary to ncw.coordinator@rsgb.org.uk by the 30th of September. Following the conclusion of the on-site WRTC 2026 adjudication process at Wyboston, UK on the 13th of July 2026, significant new information became available resulting in necessary further work by the Judging Committee. In order for the WRTC event to be reflective of the most accurate assessment of contesting conduct and ability, the Organising Committee and Sanctioning Committee agreed collectively to support this work and have now published revised scores. This report voids and replaces the previously announced results. To read the full report visit wrtc2026.org Don’t forget that the RSGB Tonight@8 webinar series is back tomorrow night, Monday the 7th of September. Join RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB live for a presentation on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. You’ll also be able to hear how you can get involved with World Space Week, which takes place from the 4th to the 10th of October. The webinar will contain lots of useful information on how your club can host an event and show that amateur radio is part of space exploration, education and communication. Watch the webinar and ask questions via the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel. Find out more at rsgb.org/webinars The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station programme is an opportunity for educational organisations to host an amateur radio contact with a crew member on board the International Space Station. The window to submit an application is now open and ends on the 23rd of October 2026. This is for a contact to take place between July to December 2027. If you are a school, college, university or youth group, take a look at the information available on the ‘School Contacts’ tab via ariss-eu.org If you would like to view videos of different contacts, go to the RSGB YouTube channel at youtube.com/thersgb and search for 'ARISS'. Don't forget to listen out for the amateur radio stations that will be on the air during International Air Ambulance Week. The event started yesterday, the 5th, and runs until Sunday the 13th of September. For more details visit tinyurl.com/IAAW2026 On Saturday the 12th of September, lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 1000 to 1600UTC. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More details are available at wacral.org The next in the popular 145 Alive series of events takes place on Sunday the 13th of September from 1200 to 1500UTC. Many hundreds of operators are expected to be on the air using 145MHz FM and 144MHz SSB. For more information, go to the 145 Alive Facebook page or email 145aliveuk@gmail.com 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. And now for details of rallies and events Today, Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest is taking place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. For more information contact the Hamfest team via hamfest@tdars.org.uk On Saturday the 12th of September, East Midlands Ham and Electronics Rally will take place at Beckingham Village Hall, Southfield Lane, Beckingham, DN10 4FX. The doors will be open from 9.30am to 4pm and free car parking is available behind the hall. Hot food and refreshments will be available on site. More information is available via emerg.uk/rally On Sunday the 13th of September, Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally will take place at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be open from 10am to 3pm and entrance is free of charge. For more information email, Zane, M1BFI via m1bfi@outlook.com Now the Special Event news Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society will be running special event station GB1PPF on Saturday the 12th of September from 9.30am until 4pm. The station will be located at St Peter and St Paul Church, Church Lane, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire PE28 9JS. Listen for activity on the HF, VHF and UHF bands. Special event station GB0SXW will be on the air on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September at the Stone Cross Windmill near Eastbourne BN24 5EA. Operators will be using SSB on the HF bands and FM on the 2m band. Visitors are welcome. Find out more via QRZ.com Special event callsigns EO210WLP and EM70WWW are in use until the end of year to celebrate 210 years of Lviv Polytechnica University and 70 years of the Lviv Polytechnica club station. More information, including details of awards that are available for working the stations, is available via QRZ.com Now the DX news Gunter, DK2WH is active as V51WH and V55Y from Namibia until the 10th of October. He is operating using FT8, SSB, RTTY and some CW on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Gunter's home call, directly or via the Bureau. Now the contest news RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day started at 1300UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and your age. Today, the 6th, the RSGB 5th 144MHz Backpackers contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Tomorrow, the 7th, the RSGB Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 9th, 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 the 9th, 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 the 10th, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 12th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 13th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. On Sunday the 13th, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also give their county. Also, on Sunday the 13th, the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 3rd of September 2026. Solar activity has continued to decline, leaving us with a solar flux index around 100. The upside is we haven’t had any solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, to contend with. Over the last week, we had only one M-class flare and no X-class events. The solar flux index declined to 102 on Thursday the 3rd of September – down from 122 a week ago. But the Kp index has been firmly in the range of 1 to 2 which bodes well for ionospheric stability. This has led to maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, over 3,000km being around 21 to 24MHz. However, FT8 has stretched this up to 28MHz at times. There have been some good 10m band FT8 openings to South America late in the afternoon. Chile, Brazil and Argentina were workable during these periods. DX to be worked this week includes 3W9C from Vietnam; T99PB from Palau; Z68PX in Kosovo; P29YY in Papua New Guinea; HP/WE9G from Panama; D44TWO from Cape Verde; T32AZ from East Kiribati; and J38DX and J38LD operating from Grenada. V47YA and V47RCX from St Kitts and Nevis will be active from the 8th of September until the end of the month and KH8WW, in American Samoa, will be on the air from the 10th to the 24th of September. Two rare ones to look for are VK0DS from Davis Station and VK0TBC from Casey Station, both in Antarctica. Operations are mostly using SSB and FT8, as time permits. Both stations have been spotted on the FT8 frequencies of the 20, 15 and 10m bands at times. Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around the 100 mark. However, the good news is that, barring any flares or CMEs, the Kp index should remain low, perhaps around 2 all week. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G0KYA. The weather remains in a rather unsettled state. However, there are some signs of a transient area of high pressure brushing past the south of the country today, the 6th. This may create a chance of some tropo into the continent. This could tie in very well with the RSGB 144MHz Trophy and Backpackers Contests, which are taking place today the 6th. The unsettled pattern returns for the rest of the week and may not provide much help for the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday the 8th, or the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest on Thursday the 10th. In occasional bursts of heavier rain there may be some potential for rain scatter on the GHz bands. The prospects of meteor scatter remain in the random territory. So, it is best to listen just before dawn for the better chances. The solar conditions have not been very dramatic lately with the Kp index staying below 3. However, if it perks up a bit, say above 5, there may be a chance of aurora. The Sporadic-E season has more or less ended now. The next period to consider checking usually comes at the end of the year, and the first week in January, for out-of-season surprise openings. EME now, and sky noise should remain low during the coming week. Moon declination remains high. The Moon reached perigee, its closest point to Earth, yesterday, the 5th, so path losses remain low. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

September 4, 2026Episode 51214 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for August 30th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday the 30th of August 2026 RSGB Board Chair change as part of planned transition Tonight@8 is back! Last chance to buy your RSGB Convention ticket at early bird prices The RSGB Board is pleased to announce that, following its meeting on the 22nd of August 2026, Graham Smith, G4NMD has been appointed Chair of the Board. This appointment forms part of a planned and orderly leadership transition agreed by the Board. Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, who has served as Chair since 2023 with distinction, fully supports the change and will remain a Director until the 2027 AGM. He will continue to contribute his considerable experience to the Society and its activities. Licensed since 1974, Graham has been active in many areas of amateur radio, including service as an RSGB District Representative, RAYNET-UK Controller and member of the Emergency Communications and Resilience Group. Since joining the Board, he has led work on resilience, volunteer development, and governance improvement, as well as serving as Board Liaison for Training and Education. The Board looks forward to continuing its work with volunteers, members and staff across the Society as it delivers its strategic priorities and supports the amateur radio community throughout the UK and beyond. For the full announcement please see the RSGB Notices section of the RSGB website. The Tonight@8 autumn programme begins on Monday the 7th of September with an engaging webinar on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB will be delivering a presentation that will start with a brief history on the subject before looking ahead to the future. He will touch on FUNcube developments, FUNcube+ and missions such as Jovian-1, whilst also considering how radio amateurs are now using geostationary satellites like QO-100. He will also ask how radio amateurs can adapt their skills and equipment for a rapidly changing communications world. Patrick is an expert in the subject having had a 38-year career in the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 30 years dedicated to the space sector. RSGB webinars are live streamed on its YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online. Find out more about September’s presentation and other upcoming webinars, by going to rsgb.org/webinars The RSGB Convention ‘NanoVNA Essentials’ workshop has now sold out! Make sure you don’t miss out on the remaining spaces for the two other workshops by securing your ticket now. On Friday the 9th of October you can take part in a five-and-a-half-hour workshop offering practical advice on identifying the sources and mitigating the effects of Radio Frequency Interference. On the afternoon of Saturday the 10th of October or the morning of Sunday the 11th of October you can take part in a two-hour workshop offering practical and interactive exercises that show you how to use AI more effectively in your own amateur radio projects. Both workshops are available to purchase at the same time as your Convention ticket. Go to rsgb.org/convention-workshops to book your place. Don’t forget that you only have until 9am on Tuesday the 1st of September to purchase your ticket at the early bird pricing. Time is running out to submit your nominations for the annual RSGB G5RP Trophy. You have until Friday the 11th of September to send in a nominee who has recently discovered and made significant progress in HF DXing. Perhaps you know someone who has worked a good total of new countries, or perhaps they have taken part in some substantial HF DXpedition activity. Please send your nominations to RSGB HF Manager Ian Greenshields, G4FSU at hf.manager@rsgb.org.uk The DMR Youth Net, organised by the RSGB Youth Committee, is back at 7pm BST on Tuesday the 1st of September following a break over the summer holidays. Since the launch of the net in 2025, young operators have joined from across Europe to build confidence speaking on the radio, connect with fellow young operators from around the world, and join in without needing to set up antennas at home. The RSGB Youth Talk Group 23554 is available on the DVSPh and Brandmeister Networks. The net will take place on the first Tuesday of each month. We’re delighted to announce that Steve Chalk achieved a Bronze Medal at the IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships in Romania last week. He was one of a small team competing on behalf of the RSGB. Steve gained his medal in the M60 category of the Sprint race, in which the transmissions are just 12 seconds in duration. Congratulations to Steve! Don't forget to listen out for the stations that are taking part in this year’s British Inland Waterways on the Air event. Stations have been operating since yesterday, the 29th, and activity continues until tomorrow, Monday the 31st of August. To find out more, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2026’ link. And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 30th, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place at Heron’s Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes. The doors open to the public from 9am. The entrance fee is £3 and parking is free of charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally Also today, the 30th, Torbay Amateur Radio Society’s Annual Rally is taking place at The Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA. This new venue is a town centre site and is adjacent to a large car park. The entry fee is £3 and visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at torbayars.org Tomorrow, Monday the 31st, Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Rally will take place at Ramsey Rural Museum, Wood Lane, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The doors will be open to traders from 7am and to visitors from 9am. Hot and cold refreshments will be available on site. For more information email harsrally2026@hotmail.com On Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest will take place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. The G-QRP Club Convention will be held at the same venue on Saturday the 5th of September. For more information contact the Hamfest team via hamfest@tdars.org.uk Now the Special Event news REP, Portugal's national amateur radio association, is active with special callsign CT100REP until the 31st of December. The station is operating to mark the group's 100th anniversary. Look for activity on the HF, VHF, and UHF bands using CW, digital modes, SSB and satellites. Now the DX news Mark, WB2OIL is active as WB2OIL/VY0 from Broughton Island, NA-130, until Tuesday the 1st of September. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. More information is available via QRZ.com Now the contest news The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC yesterday, the 29th, and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 30th of August. Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator. On Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age. On Saturday the 5th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name. On Sunday the 6th, the Worked All Britain 144MHz SSB Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square. RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day start at 1300UTC on Saturday the 5th and end at 1300UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Also on Sunday the 6th, the 5th RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 27th of August 2026. Last week we said there were no coronal holes to threaten HF propagation. However, guess what appeared just after the time of writing. Coronal holes can appear at any time, which is why we recommend going to solarham.com for daily updates. This week another coronal hole has appeared and this one really does look like it could threaten Earth. This, coupled with coronal mass ejections, means that today, the 30th, could see the Kp index rise and maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, fall. On a brighter note, the Kp index has been very low this past week, mostly below 2, with the result that HF propagation has been very good. Top DX being worked includes RI1FJL on Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Circle, which has been loud on many bands, right up to the 12 and 10m bands. Other DX to be worked in the coming week includes V5/HB9BFM from Namibia; J38DX and J38LD from Grenada; and P29YY working from Papua New Guinea. A quick check of the NCDXF beacon chain revealed very good propagation on 14MHz and 21MHz. This includes reception of the following beacons: CS3B in Madeira; RR90 in Siberia; 4S7B in Sri Lanka; 4X6TU in Israel; and 4U1UN in New York. So, it looks like we are starting to leave the summer doldrums and entering better autumnal HF conditions. Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be around 120, falling to 90 as the week progresses. After the potential for geomagnetic disruption this weekend, ending today the 30th, the forecast is good with a Kp index of around 2. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The weather has changed to autumnal conditions with lows bringing periods of rain or showers and quite windy conditions at times. The coming week will turn out in similar fashion and means that we won’t be dealing with much, if any, tropo for VHF. The main weather-dependent mode will be rain scatter for GHz band operators. The chances of aurora will need to show a Kp index above 5 to be of much interest, and probably a bit higher for southern areas. The prospects for meteor scatter are likely to be reduced to random activity which tends to give better results in the early morning hours before dawn. Lastly, we are coming to the close of the Sporadic-E season and, with probably a week or so to play out, any openings will be few and far between. Try checking during the main operating windows of mid-morning and late afternoon. As a back-up, consider the middle of the day since towards the edges of the season the traditional timings are less reliable. For EME operators, Moon declination went positive again yesterday, the 29th, with increasing peak elevation and lengthening Moon windows. Path losses are falling all week towards perigee on Sunday the 6th of September. 144MHz sky noise is low, increasing to medium by Friday the 4th of September. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

August 21, 2026Episode 51113 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for August 23rd 2026

GB2RS News Sunday the 23rd of August 2026 The news headlines: View the action-packed RSGB Convention programme Find out more about Experimenters’ Corner at Hamfest The RSGB continues to support young radio amateurs The RSGB has released the full draft programme for its Convention, which takes place between the 9th and 11th of October at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. The programme includes details of the inspiring lectures that have been lined up for your enjoyment. They have been organised into three engaging streams: Learn, Connect and Inspire. You’ll also find three newly announced speakers. John Carter, N6YU will be talking about “The spec is the new schematic: Reproducible station software with spec-driven development” whilst Paul Marks, G8FVK will explain “A modular approach to construction”. Dr Tom Cheetham from Bletchley Park will give a fascinating historical presentation called “The Fox shall not escape: The RSGB and signals interception during WWII”. The Society has also announced that it has extended its early-bird pricing until 9am on Tuesday the 1st of September. This means you can snap up your weekend ticket for only £49, which gives you access not only to the programme, but also to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, Special Interest Groups, a great social scene, and much more. View the programme and secure your ticket by going to rsgb.org/convention Do you enjoy amateur radio construction? Or perhaps you enjoy trying out new and emerging technology? Each month RSGB Board Director Mark Jones, G0MGX writes a column called ‘Experimenters’ Corner’ for RadCom, which focuses on a new aspect of experimenting within amateur radio. He has also been giving a brief introduction to each column in a monthly reel shared on the Society’s social media channels. Mark covers topics ranging from home-brew construction techniques and 3D-printing to software development and cost-saving tips. You can speak to Mark and talk about his column at this year’s Hamfest at the Newark Showground on the 25th and 26th of September. He will be in the RSGB village with a selection of interactive displays which you won’t want to miss. You can find out more on Experimenters’ Corner by going to rsgb.org/experimenters-corner The Youngsters On the Air Summer Camp 2026 took place in Wagrain [VAH-GRAIN], Austria earlier this month. If you missed out on the daily updates sent by the team of young radio amateurs who represented the RSGB, go to rsgb.org/yota-camp The daily blogs, photos and some fantastic sketches will remain on the Society’s website to view in your own time. If you are a young radio amateur looking to meet like-minded people, have you seen the youth activities being offered at this year’s RSGB Convention? There will be a wide range of youth-specific activities to inspire you, including an update from the YOTA team. Go to rsgb.org/convention-youth to find out more. You can also get involved with youth activities in December by taking part in YOTA Month. The RSGB will once again be taking part in this special IARU initiative, which encourages young amateur radio operators to get on the air, make contacts around the world, and promote the hobby among young people. Keep an eye out for announcements on how to get involved by going to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/yota-month In the USA, the FCC has released a further proposal for new commercial satellite allocations that overlap existing amateur spectrum. This time the 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.7GHz bands are the topic. The ARRL has already made an initial response. Further information and links for this are available via rsgb.org/spectrum-forum This follows the unwelcome FCC authorisation of 70cm last year for telemetry for a 248-satellite constellation. For more information on satellite challenges visit tinyurl.com/rsgbsf2026 This year’s British Inland Waterways on the Air event will run from Saturday the 29th until Monday the 31st of August. The event is open to radio amateurs who use canals, towpaths, rivers, lakes or reservoirs for work or recreation. To find out more, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2026’ link. 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. And now for details of rallies and events On Sunday the 30th of August, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally will take place at Heron’s Lodge Guide Activity Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes. The doors open to the public from 9am. The entrance fee is £3 and parking is free of charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally Also on Sunday the 30th of August, Torbay Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally will take place at The Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA. This new venue is a town centre site and is adjacent to a large car park. The entry fee is £3 and visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at torbayars.org On Monday the 31st of August, Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Rally will take place at Ramsey Rural Museum, Wood Lane, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The doors will be open to traders from 7am and to visitors from 9am. Hot and cold refreshments will be available on site. For more information email harsrally2026@hotmail.com Now the Special Event news The German DX Foundation is using special callsign DQ30GDXF until December to celebrate its 30th anniversary. QSL via OQRS and Logbook of the World. Contacts made between the 1st of July and the 30th of September count towards an award. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/DQ30GDXF To celebrate its 15th anniversary, members of the Croatian Flora and Fauna Amateur Radio Club are active as 9A44FF and 9A44FF/P until December. For details of an award that is available for working the station, visit QRZ.com Now the DX news Rafal, SQ4O is a member of the 50th Polish Antarctic Expedition to the Henryk Arctowski [ART-STOF-SKEE] Station on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, AN-010. In his spare time, he is operating as HF0PAS on the HF bands using CW and SSB, and on the 6m band using FT8. Tom, VK2TBC is active as VK0TBC from Casey Station, Antarctica until December. Look out for him using FT8 and SSB on the HF bands. For more information visit QRZ.com Now the contest news Today, Sunday the 23rd of August, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 6 and 3cm bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Tuesday the 25th of August, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1830 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 2.3 to 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The World Wide Digi DX Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 29th and ends at 1200UTC on Sunday the 30th of August. Using FT4 and FT8 on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your four-character locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 20th of August 2026. Last week was characterised by geomagnetic disturbances, due to high-speed solar wind streams from coronal holes, and a slightly increasing solar flux index. The Kp index hit 5 on the 18th and 19th of August reducing maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, and generally being detrimental to HF propagation. We also had more than 50 C-class solar flares and one M-class event this past week, so nothing too severe. It was coronal holes that did the damage with two large areas on the Sun. A coronal hole is an area of the Sun with open magnetic field lines that allows solar plasma to escape. HF conditions were relatively poor during International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on Sunday the 16th, with little DX and heavy QSB or fading. The MUF struggled to get to 21MHz and most activity was on the 40 and 20m bands. Some transatlantic signals were logged, but they were weak and watery. That didn’t stop people from enjoying the event though! DX to be worked this week includes 3B8/SQ9UM from Mauritius; RI8KR from Asiatic Russia; RI1FJL operating from Franz Josef Land; V47JA on St Kitts; and V51WH and V55Y active in Namibia. Good news this week as Propquest is back online, showing near real-time MUFs over various distances. Jim, G3YLA says this is a temporary fix pending further work. NOAA predicts that we will see a solar flux index around 100 to 120 next week, with relatively poor geomagnetic conditions forecast for today, the 23rd. The Kp index is predicted to be around 2 during the coming week. At the time of writing, there are no coronal holes threatening HF propagation, but keep an eye on solarham.com for updates. We are still analysing the eclipse experiment data, but a video of the 80m WSPR contacts has been produced and can be found at tinyurl.com/80mWSPR And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The return of unsettled weather last week pauses over this weekend, ending today the 23rd, as a new high moves across the country from the Atlantic. This gives a good chance for some tropo and, if the land temperatures pick up again and drift offshore, it could produce some good conditions across sea paths like the North and Irish Seas. Before mid-week, probably during Tuesday, low pressure will return and push a frontal system across the country followed by further fronts and showery periods for the rest of the week. This could be very good for rain scatter on the GHz bands, especially if the showers turn thundery. Meteor scatter will be largely random activity for most of the coming week. We will also see the end of the Delta Aquarids today, the 23rd , and the final trailing off from the Perseids, which end tomorrow, the 24th. The solar conditions are worth monitoring after recent activity saw the Kp index reach 5 on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Ideally, we require something a little higher to start considering auroral propagation from the southern UK. Sporadic-E can last into the first week of September but tends to become harder to find and shorter in duration. There is no reason to stop checking though; anytime from mid-morning to late afternoon should cover it. For EME operators, the Moon was at apogee and at minimum declination yesterday, the 22nd. With minimum peak elevation and maximum path losses, it’s a good excuse to check out the mechanics of your antenna. 144MHz sky noise is very high today, the 23rd, falling back to low as the week progresses. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

August 14, 2026Episode 51015 min

RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for August 16th 2026

GB2RS News Sunday the 16th of August 2026 The news headlines: Apply for the new RSGB Training and Development Lead Honorary Officer vacancy Get ready for National Coding Week 2026! Build a radio workshop at the RSGB National Radio Centre The RSGB is launching a new Training and Development Lead pilot. This is a 12-month volunteer Honorary Officer role for someone who cares deeply about how people learn, progress and stay active in amateur radio. The pilot will focus on listening, mapping, evidence gathering and supporting the training community. If you enjoy connecting people and want to build bridges across the training landscape, this role could be for you. To find out more about the role go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers To discuss the role informally, please contact Board Director Graham Smith, G4NMD via g4nmd@rsgb.org.uk Applications close on the 18th of September and interviews will take place during the week of the 28th of September 2026. National Coding Week returns between the 14th and 20th of September, bringing a fantastic opportunity for radio amateurs of all ages to build confidence in digital skills and explore the world of programming. This year, the RSGB Outreach Team has released three coding activities designed especially for National Coding Week. These are available on the RSGB website via rsgb.org/coding for all members to enjoy and they will also be shared directly with youth groups. Whether you’re a complete beginner or are already tech savvy, there’ll be something fun and accessible for everyone. You’ll also find a coding feature in the September edition of RadCom. The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is hosting another of its popular Build Your Own Radio workshops. Morning and afternoon sessions will be held on Thursday the 27th of August and will offer young people aged between 12 and 18 the opportunity to learn more about amateur radio and electronics. The workshops are funded by the Radio Communications Foundation and allow participants to build their own VHF FM broadcast receiver, which they can take home with them. Attendance at the workshop costs £11. You can find out more and secure your place by selecting the ‘What’s on’ menu at bletchleypark.org.uk The RSGB has launched some new web pages demonstrating how amateur radio aligns with the STEM curriculum. Whichever part of the hobby you enjoy, you’re bound to be using skills relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths every day! And what better way to encourage people into STEM-related study or careers than getting them involved in amateur radio. If you want to give back to the hobby, why not consider becoming a registered STEM Ambassador for amateur radio. The RSGB already has a fantastic team of volunteers who are STEM Ambassadors and use their skills and passion to showcase wireless communication to young people. Why not join them? You can find out how you can get involved at rsgb.org/stem The IARU has published the fourth edition of ‘Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur’, bringing together updated guidance and best practice for radio amateurs around the world. The latest edition also includes improved accessibility features for those with visual impairments. Whether you’re newly licensed or have been on the air for many years, it’s a useful reminder of the operating standards, courtesy and good practice that help make amateur radio enjoyable for everyone. The RSGB welcomes this updated guide and is particularly pleased that the RSGB Operating Advisory Service Coordinator Ian Suart, GM4AUP, was among those who contributed to its development. The Society would like to thank Ian, and everyone involved, for the considerable time, expertise and effort that has gone into producing this important resource for the international amateur radio community. To find out more and read the new edition, go to tinyurl.com/rsgb-eop The RSGB is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, a former President and Life Vice-President of the Society, and one of the most knowledgeable and respected technical figures in British amateur radio. Peter worked tirelessly for the RSGB, IARU and for all radio amateurs through his spectrum, technical and regulatory work. Read a full tribute to Peter at rsgb.org/sk On Saturday the 12th of September lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 10am to 4pm. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More details are available at wacral.org The Fourteenth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT 2026 will take place between 10.30am and 5pm on Saturday the 31st of October 2026 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. An interesting programme of speakers has been arranged. Microwave test facilities will be provided and there will be an opportunity to buy components and microwave-related items. An optional dinner will be held in the evening at the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland. Full information and online registration are available at gmroundtable.org.uk Alternatively, email Colin, GM4HWO via gm4hwo@gmail.com for more information. The numbers for the day event are limited to 50 so please book early to avoid disappointment. 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. And now for details of rallies and events Today, the 16th of August, the North Wales Amateur Radio Group Rally and Tabletop Sale takes place at the Bryn Cadno Community Centre, Upper Colwyn Bay. The doors open at 10am and the entry fee is £3. Light refreshments are available. Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Radio Rally is also taking place today, the 16th of August at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby, CV23 9PY. The doors open to the public from 10am. More details are available at rugbyats.co.uk Also today, the 16th of August, West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose Summer Rally takes place at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh WN7 2PJ. The doors open at 10am. For more information and bookings, contact rally@wmrc.co.uk Now the Special Event news Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club has its annual field weekend on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of August in a field off Hook Street, Berkeley GL13 9TH. All are welcome to visit or catch us on the air, club call sign GX4ABC. For further details, contact the Secretary via email at secretary@tsgarc.uk Members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Society will be operating as GB400SCA on the HF Bands between 10am and 4pm on Sunday the 23rd of August from the grounds of Scarborough Castle. The callsign celebrates 'Scarborough 400', marking 400 years since Scarborough became the UK’s original seaside resort when health-giving spa waters were discovered in the cliffs above the beach. This led to the start of seaside tourism in 1626 and the idea of seaside holidays subsequently spread throughout the UK. Now the DX news Special event station EN35UKR is active until the 30th of August to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct via UT2UCN. Curtis, MW0USK and Kevin, MW9KJC are operating as GB64MOD until the 31st of August. The special event station is active to “celebrate the spirit of the Mod movement through amateur radio". Find out more at gb64mod.co.uk 9A10SOTA is the special callsign celebrating ten years of SOTA Croatia. Look out for activity until the 30th of September. QSL via Logbook of the World. Sands, VK4WXW has returned to Willis Island (OC-007) and will be stationed at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s weather monitoring facility until late October or early November. He expects to be increasingly active in the coming weeks and operates SSB and FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands with a vertical antenna. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS. Now the contest news Tomorrow, the 17th of August, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80m to 10m bands where contests are permitted bands, the exchange is your report. On Tuesday, the 18th of August, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Thursday, the 20th of August, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Sunday the 23rd of August, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7GHz and 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 13th of August 2026 The 2026 solar eclipse is done and dusted, so we can get back to normal HF propagation predictions. The Solar Flux Index dropped below 100 this week, which is more symbolic than anything. But it shows where we are heading as Solar Cycle 25 drops away. The SFI was 99 on the 13th of August with five sunspot groups visible on the solar surface. Activity has been settled with only 12 minor C-Class solar flares over the past seven days. The Kp index has remained low over the past few days, with just one excursion to 5.33 on the 8th of August thanks to an incoming solar wind stream from a coronal mass ejection. Otherwise, it has been mainly in the ones and twos which bodes well for HF. Sporadic-E effects are still showing up on HF, while we haven’t yet seen the first signs of an autumnal change in conditions. A plot from the Dourbes Digisonde shows that the Maximum Usable Frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path only got as high as 16.8MHz at noon on the 12th of August. There were excursions up to 21.5MHz later in the day but this suggests that 15 and 17m are opening now and again. So keep an eye on the bands. It may sound quiet but they may open up at any time. DX to be worked this week includes A50QO from Bhutan, 3B9/SQ9UM in Rodrigues Island, J68TT from St Lucia, C6AUB in Bahamas from the 19th of August, OJ0JR and OJ0YL from Market Reef and RI1FJL from Franz Josef Land. Next week NOAA predicts that the SFI may remain around the 100-115 mark. We may have unsettled geomagnetic conditions around the 17th to 19th of August, with a predicted maximum Kp of five. More settled conditions are forecast for the 20th of August onwards with a maximum Kp of two. So, it looks like later next week and next weekend will be best for HF DX. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO The long spell of settled weather for most southern parts of the country may get a shake up during next week as the high pressure to the east of the country weakens to allow low pressure to move in, bringing some much-needed rain. Northwestern parts of the UK have had cloudier spells with patchy rain recently and there will be more to come next week. The result is that any Tropo effects will be tailing off after this weekend and then it will be the turn of rain scatter as more unsettled weather arrives. Meteor scatter is probably going to ease back slightly after the peak of the Perseids meteor shower last week, although there will still be a random component to keep things going so stick to the hours around dawn for best results. The solar conditions have shown the occasional increase in the Kp index but not enough to get too excited about aurora, although it's still worth keeping an eye out for values going above a KP of six. We are still in the Sporadic-E season and the recent input of Perseids meteor debris has provided some new fuel for Es so it’s by no means all over. The DXcluster maps give a very good idea of the current directions that might prove rewarding. The main North Atlantic jet stream will run across the UK into Scandinavia so paths to the east and northeast could do well, together with the usual paths to the south. In general, it’s still the time of year to check in the morning and again late afternoon for signs of Es activity and if the bands seem quiet then call CQ. For EME operators, we have passed maximum Moon declination and minimum path losses for the month but there's still a few more days of usable Moon time next week if you have a low horizon. Minimum declination and apogee are still over a week away. And that’s all from the propagation team this week.