GB2RS

Weekly RSGB News Broadcast read by Jeremy G4NJH.
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This is the weekly RSGB GB2RS broadcast. Please send any news items to radcom@rsgb.org.uk.

  1. 6d ago

    RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for November 1st 2026

    GB2RS News Sunday the 1st of November 2026  Register your school, university or youth group for YOTA Month Two new RSGB Convention lectures now available on YouTube Winter opening hours at the RSGB National Radio Centre Are you part of a school, college or university amateur radio club? Or maybe you are part of a Scout, Girlguiding or Cadet group and would like to host an amateur radio activity? Youngsters On The Air Month starts in December and the RSGB is looking for groups to get involved and host special event station GB26YOTA. This annual campaign is a fantastic opportunity to get as many young operators on the air as possible and to show them how fun and educational amateur radio can be. Do you remember the magic of making your first QSO? Let’s share that experience with as many young people as possible and show them what amateur radio has to offer. A requirement of special event stations is that you need a Full licensee on site to supervise the operators. If you’re not a Full licensee, you could team up with another group for the event. Alternatively, you could contact your local amateur radio club and see if their members can come and support you. Find out more about YOTA Month, including how to register as host, by going to rsgb.org/yota-month The RSGB has released the first of its 2026 Convention presentations for radio amateurs to enjoy via its YouTube channel. Hear from RSGB Board members in ‘A discussion with the Board’. During this informative session you will receive updates about the Society’s strategy and associated activities. The second video to be shared is an engaging youth panel discussion. Four young radio amateurs share their experiences of amateur radio including the support they have received from different sources. This video is a must-see for clubs, groups and individuals to discover how you can support and encourage young radio amateurs. You can watch both presentations in the ‘RSGB 2026 Convention’ playlist at youtube.com/thersgb Have you planned your visit to the RSGB National Radio Centre? Please be aware that, in line with Bletchley Park’s winter opening hours, from Monday the 2nd of November the NRC will be closing at 4pm each day. Whether you are an individual or a group, you’ll find information to help you plan your trip at rsgb.org/nrc  You’ll find support on arranging a visit for your club or society, and licence requirements to operate GB3RS. Remember that RSGB members can download a free entry voucher to access both Bletchley Park and the RSGB National Radio Centre at rsgb.org/bpvoucher Are you registered to receive online event emails from the RSGB? You can check your preferences by going to rsgb.org/members  and the ‘Manage Preferences’ option. By turning on the option to receive these emails, you’ll receive details about events including the RSGB Convention livestream, online AGM and the Society’s Tonight@8 webinars. If you haven’t received this week’s email detailing the upcoming November edition of the webinar series, don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from Thomas, K4SWL. At 8pm tomorrow, the 2nd of November, Thomas will be walking you through his approach to building a versatile field kit – one that adapts to the conditions that the field presents and even provides a few creature comforts. Join the webinar live via the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel. 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 British Vintage Wireless Society’s Golborne Swapmeet takes place today, the 1st of November, at Golborne Parkside Sports and Community Club, Rivington Avenue, Golborne, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 3HG. Stallholder entry is from 9.30am. Doors open to the public at 10am. The event is for BVWS members only. For more information, contact Mark Ryding at markryding100@hotmail.co.uk The Broadcast Engineering Museum’s final Open Day of 2026 is also today, the 1st of November. Doors open at 11am at the museum, 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. Admission is £8 for adults, £4 for children, and free for under-fives. There is free car parking. For more details, visit becg.org.uk/events The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Winter Rally is on Saturday, the 21st of November at St Vincent de Paul’s Hall, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. Doors open at 10am and admission is £3. Contact Martin Shore, Treasurer and Rally Organiser, on 07587 709 006 or email rally.radars@hotmail.com The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on Sunday, the 29th of November at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High St, Spennymoor Co Durham DL16 6DB. For more details, email Bob Dingle at bdingle@hotmail.co.uk Now the Special Events news East Midlands Electronics and Radio Group is to activate former RAF Binbrook, using the callsign GB1BK, on Saturday, the 7th and Sunday, the 8th of November to mark Remembrance Day. Operators will be active on HF bands 80m, 40m, 20m according to conditions using SSB during daylight hours. There may also be activity on the 2m band. Amateur radio operators in Burgos, Spain, will activate the special callsign EG1PR during PRESURA, an event devoted to the future of rural communities. The event takes place from Friday, the 6th to Sunday, the 8th of November and aims to highlight the challenges faced by villages, to build connection across borders and show that amateur radio has a social as well as technical purpose. The official operating bands, modes, award requirements and more information are available on the EG1PR pages at qrz.com Special callsign OT5IDPD will be active from Thursday in the run-up to International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December. All operators will be those with a disability. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, Club Log and eQSL. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau. Now the DX news Giovanni, IZ2DPX is active as D44PX from Boa Vista, AF-086, Cape Verde until the 11th of November. He is operating SSB, FT8 and FT4 on the 60 to 6m bands. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS or via home call. Maurizio, IK2GZU is active as 5H3MB from Tanzania until the 19th of November while he volunteers at a local school. He is operating SSB, CW and digital modes on the 80 to 10m bands and via QO-100. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, Logbook of the World and eQSL. Bernhard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from the Solomon Islands until the 20th of November. He is usually QRV from Malaita Island, OC-047 every day on the 80 to 6m bands, 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 UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 1000UTC to 1500UTC today, the 1st of November. Using all modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Tomorrow, the 2nd of November, the RSGB HF Autumn Series Data Contest takes place from 2000UTC to 2130UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. The WAB DX Contest is on Saturday 31st October until 1200UTC on Sunday 1st November. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square. The RSGB VHF 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, from 1900UTC to 1955UTC, Using FM on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB VHF UK Activity Contest is also on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, between 2000UTC and 2230UTC. Using all modes on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. On Wednesday, the 4th of November, the RSGB VHF 144MHz FT8 four-hour Activity Contest runs from 1700UTC to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report and locator. The RSGB VHF 144MHz FT8 two-hour Activity Contest is also on Wednesday, the 4th from 1900UTC to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report and locator. The UKEICC 80m contest takes place on Wednesday, the 4th, between 2000UTC and 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. The RSGB VHF 144MHz CW Marconi Contest runs from 1400UTC on Saturday, the 7th of November until 1400UTC on Sunday the 8th of November. Using CW on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. Now the Propagation News, compiled by G0KYA, G4BAO and G3YLA on Thursday the 29th of October 2026 As we enter November, our thoughts turn to low-band operation. The next four months will favour DXing on 160, 80 and 40m, regardless of where we are in the sunspot cycle. Speaking of which, the SFI fell below 100 last week, hitting a low of 89 on a couple of occasions. The good news is that we had no solar flares to temporarily stop our HF fun, and the Kp index was mostly below three, bringing quiet geomagnetic conditions. Next week, NOAA forecasts that the SFI will be in the range 82 to 84. This weekend is set to be unsettled geomagnetically with a predicted maximum Kp index of five. This is due to a high-speed solar wind stream flowing from a solar coronal hole on the Sun’s equator. The rest of the week is forecast to be good with a typical Kp index of two to three. Back to low-band operations, and now is a good time to check that your 80m and 40m antennas are in good condition, and your 160m antenna if you are lucky enough to have one. We can expect conditions to improve as we head towards the winter solstice, with long hours of darkness. Also look for greyline openings around sunrise and sunset, which may only last a few minutes. More details will follow as we get closer to winter. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO. The classic autumn theme of high-pressure weather is with us at the moment and it may well last

  2. Oct 23

    RSGB GB2RS News Bulletin for October 25th 2026

    RSGB news 25 October 2026 RSGB opens nominations process for three AGM trophies Tonight@8 in November RSGB VHF and HF contest trophy presentation photos now online Each year at the RSGB AGM, the Society gives three important trophies to groups or individuals who have made a significant national or international contribution to amateur radio. These trophies are: the Calcutta Key for work associated with international friendship through amateur radio; the Founders’ Cup for outstanding service to the Society; and the Kenwood Trophy for making a significant contribution to training and development in amateur radio within the United Kingdom. This year, the RSGB Board would like to consider an even wider group of potential recipients when making its decision, so it is inviting you to suggest who should be considered for the RSGB 2027 AGM trophies. To find out how to make your nomination, simply complete the form that you will find at the top of the RSGB trophies’ web page at rsgb.org/trophies  The deadline for nominations is Monday the 4th of January 2027. Are you new to portable operating and unsure how to build a versatile QRP field radio kit? Or perhaps you are looking for some hints and tips on efficiency and packing for different conditions. Thomas, K4SWL will cover this and more on Monday the 2nd of November in the next RSGB Tonight@8 webinar. Thomas will include how to pack for specific Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air, and Worldwide Flora and Fauna activations, with a particular emphasis on why summit and park operations might require different gear considerations despite similarities. Thomas is a lifelong field operator and will share his experience, as well as the mishaps and mistakes that taught him the most. Join the webinar live via the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel. Find out more at rsgb.org/webinars The main VHF and HF contest trophy presentations were held at the RSGB 2026 Convention on Sunday the 11th of October. You can see a list of the winners and photos on the RSGB website if you go to rsgb.org/trophies  and select ‘Awards photos galleries’ from the menu on the righthand side. During the presentation the prestigious ROTAB Trophy was awarded to Ian Fugler, G4IIY for outstanding and consistent DX work. Tracy Land, M7KVC received the G5RP Trophy, which is given to those who have recently discovered and made significant progress in HF DXing. The RSGB would like to congratulate Ian, Tracy and all the winners who received a trophy. You have less than a week to submit your feedback on the RSGB 2026 Convention. If you attended in person, let the RSGB know what you enjoyed most about the event by going to rsgb.org/feedback  If you watched the livestream programme, please use the form at rsgb.org/livestream-feedback  Your feedback helps to shape next year’s Convention, and the Society encourages you to take a few minutes to let them know your highlights. The forms close at the end of October. The RSGB was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trevor Hughes, G4WKJ. Trevor was a former volunteer at the RSGB National Radio Centre who was known for his warmth and friendliness. He designed the hugely popular Snail Morse key, which has been used to introduce amateur radio to thousands of children. In 2023, Trevor was given the ‘NRC Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award’. A full tribute to Trevor will follow via rsgb.org/sk  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 British Vintage Wireless Society’s Golborne Swapmeet is on Sunday, the 1st of November at Golborne Parkside Sports and Community Club, Rivington Avenue, Golborne, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 3HG. Stallholder entry is from 9.30am.  Doors open to the public at 10am. The event is for BVWS members only. For more information, contact Mark Ryding at markryding100@hotmail.co.uk The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Winter Rally is on Saturday, the 21st of November at St Vincent de Paul’s Hall, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. Doors open at 10am and admission is £3. Contact Martin Shore, Treasurer and Rally Organiser, on 07587 709 006 or email rally.radars@hotmail.com The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on Sunday, the 29th of November at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High St, Spennymoor Co Durham DL16 6DB. For more details, email Bob Dingle at bdingle@hotmail.co.uk Now the Special Events news David, G3SKA and team will be operating as GB50PUNK until the 31st of December to celebrate 50 years of punk rock music. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and eQSL. QSL via the bureau or direct. The DARC Referat DX Team is operating five special callsigns during 2026. DA100LH, DL100LH and DK100LH celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa Airlines while DA100TV and DL100TV mark the centenary of television in Germany. DB70DLRS is a special callsign marking the 70th anniversary of DARC’s weekly news broadcast Deutschland-Rundspruch for Germany’s radio amateurs. Activity is on all bands and modes until the 31st of December. QSL via DK5ON, Logbook of the World and the DARC Community Logbook DCL. Now the DX news Team 7P8GE will be active from Lesotho until Thursday, the 29th of October. They are operating CW, SSB and digital modes on the 80 to 10 metre bands with up to five stations. QSL is via DL7UFR, direct or bureau. Team S9R will be active from Tamarindos, Sao Tome until Saturday, the 31st of October. They are operating CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on the 160 to 6 metre bands with three stations. The team is also active via the QO-100 satellite. Jan, DL4XT will be active as 9N7XT from Kathmandu in Nepal until Saturday, the 31st of October. He is operating CW, SSB and FT8 on various bands. QSL is via Logbook of the World, Club Log’s OQRS and QRZ. The Italian DXpedition team is active from Senegal from Wednesday, the 28th of October until the 9th of November. They will operate CW, SSB and RTTY as 6W/I2YSB and FT8 as 6W/IK2HKT with five stations on the 160 to 6 metre bands. Send QSLs direct to I2YSB. Now the Contest news The UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800UTC to 2000UTC today, the 25th of October. Using all modes on the 76 to 241GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB HF FT4 Contest number 10 runs from 2000UTC to 2200UTC tomorrow, the 26th of October. Using FT4 on the 80m to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report. The UKEICC 80m contest takes place on Wednesday, the 28th of October, between 2000UTC and 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator. The UKEICC DX SSB Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday, the 31st of October and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday, the 1st of November. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number. UK/EI entrants add their 2-character UK/EI District Code.  Now the Propagation News, compiled by G0KYA, G4BAO and G3YLA on Thursday the 22nd of October 2026 Autumnal HF conditions continue to improve with the odd surprise on the upper HF bands. With a solar flux around 120, there have been some good HF contacts to be made via FT8 on 10 metres, including in Australia, China and Japan, which were all spotted during the afternoon. These openings have been fleeting but can easily add to your DXCC score. Conditions have been variable, with a decreasing solar flux index and periods of geomagnetic disturbance, thanks to emissions from a coronal hole on the Sun. A Kp index of five or more usually means lower MUFs and noisier bands.  But the time of year has helped with Autumnal HF conditions being some of the best. Maximum Usable Frequencies have usually been above 21MHz during daylight hours, with some openings on 24 and 28MHz at times. If you venture up to 12 or 10 metres, give it some time as openings may be short and fleeting. This week, DX to be worked includes YJ0CA in Vanuatu, TZ4AM in Mali, XX9TXN in Macao, 3DAOGY in Eswatini, S9R in Sao Tome, C5R in The Gambia and 5W0ZP in Samoa. Many other entities may remain on the air following the weekend’s CQWW SSB Contest. Also keep an eye on 40 and 80 metres, which should be improving as we enter late Autumn. Thirty metres, an overlooked band, may be currently open all night, so it is worth a look. Next week, NOAA predicts that the SFI will remain around the 95 to 105 mark. Geomagnetic conditions are predicted to be good all week with a Kp index of two. This may increase to five at the end of the month, so do your DXing early in the week. As always, keep an eye on solarham.com as it only takes one solar flare and associated CME to push the Kp index up. And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO. The middle of last week saw some good daytime rainscatter on 24GHz for those of us fortunate enough to catch it. More active weather fronts are likely to bring spells of heavy rain or showers, which might cause a repeat, so keep an eye on the rain maps if you have equipment for the 5.7, 10 and 24GHz bands. The current spell of unsettled weather is likely to run through much of the coming week and, in typical autumn fashion, some of these storms will be major lows with strong or potentially damaging winds for unsecured aerials.  The recent slight enhancements of the Kp index suggest that we should still keep an eye out for some probably weak auroral activity if the Kp index goes above five.  On to meteor scatter now and it seems that we have recently seen a top-up of meteor input due to the peak of the Orionid meteor shower, which peaked last Wednesday night. That may have helped the 50MHz Sporadic Es QSOs on the 17th of October for some. QSOs were made on FT8 into Iberia, Scandinavia and North Africa where 7T5E was active. Cloudy weather probably made it difficult to see evidence o

  3. Oct 16

    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

  4. Oct 9

    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. Geo

  5. Oct 2

    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 repo

  6. Sep 25

    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 shoul

  7. Sep 18

    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, sinc

  8. Sep 11

    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 to

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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Weekly RSGB News Broadcast read by Jeremy G4NJH.
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright of original owners acknowledged and respected.
  • Show Website
    GB2RS

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