| |
G4TNU > NEWS 10.10.26 23:45l 265 Lines 12876 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
BID : 33641G4TNU
Read: DJ6UX DH1ME GUEST
Subj: RSGB Main News - 11 Oct 2026
Path: DB0FHN<OE2XZR<OE6XPE<DB0RKB<DK0WUE<GB7CIP<GB7CIP<GB7CIP
Sent: 261010/2126Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO $:33641G4TNU
T:From: G4TNU@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO <g4tnu@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
T:Newsgroups: ampr.news.europe
T:Message-Id: <E1_341621_G4TNU@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
RSGB Main News for Sunday 11 October 2026
The Headlines:
• 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 experimet, 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<at>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 r Srfuture 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<at>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 GBP 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 Associati
on'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.
And that's the end of the main news for this week prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain. Items for inclusion in subsequent
bulletins can be emailed to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
