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G4TNU > NEWS 17.10.26 23:45l 234 Lines 11217 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 18 Oct 2026
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RSGB Main News for Sunday 18 October 2026
The Headlines:
* 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<at>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<at>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 GBP 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<at>hotmail.co.uk
Now the Special Events news
Members of the Cray Valley Radio Society are operating special
callsign GB80CVÂ until the 28th of October to celebrate the club's
80th anniversary. Visit cvrs.uk/cvrs80 for detailed information on
the Oak Anniversary Award. QSL via Logbook of the World.
Members of the Araucaria [A-RAW-KA-RIA] DX Group are using the
special callsign ZW50B until the end of October to celebrate five
decades of radio activity, international contacts, contests,
expeditions, technical development and friendship. Visit
araucariadx.com/50anos for details of the 50th Anniversary Award
programme.
Now the DX news
John, AE5X will be active as ZA/AE5X from various locations in
Albania until the 30th of October. He is operating CW only on the 20m
to 10m bands. Visit ae5x.blogspot.com for updates.
Lui, YT3PL, Luc, F5RAV and Darko, E70A will be active on various
bands and modes as C5R from The Gambia until the 4th of November,
including an entry in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest. QSL direct to YT3PL
and logsearch on Club Log.
Bernhard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from the Solomon Islands until
the 20th of November. He is usually QRV every day from
Malaita Island OC-047 on 80m to 6m SSB and FT8. QSL via home call,
direct or bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and
Club Log.
Now the Contest news
The RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900UTC to 2130UTC on
Tuesday the 20th of October. Using all modes on 1.3GHz, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 21st of October, the IRTS 80m Evening Counties
Contest runs from 2000UTC to 2100UTC. Using CW and SSB modes on the
80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The RSGB HF Autumn Series SSB Contest is on Thursday the 22nd of
October between 1900UTC and 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ WW DX SSB Contest runs from 0000UTC on Saturday the 24th of
October to 2359UTC on Sunday the 25th of October. Using SSB on the
160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone.
The UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800UTC to 2000UTC
on Sunday the 25th of October. Using all modes on the 76 to 241GHz
bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the Propagation news, compiled by G0KYA, G4BAO and G3LYA on
Thursday, the 15th of October 2026.
Last weekend saw the Kp index soar to seven, with a massive visible
aurora over the UK. Unfortunately, many of the UK's leading DXers and
VHF enthusiasts were at the RSGB Convention in Milton Keynes and so
missed it!
The aurora was caused by a very strong solar wind, emanating from a
coronal mass ejection on the Sun, which occurred the previous
Thursday.
The solar wind speed hit between 750 and 850 kilometres per second
and the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field, or IMF,
shifted sharply south at times, meaning it coupled with the Earth's
magnetic field more easily.
This has now settled, and we are back to a more reasonable Kp index
of between one and three. The solar flux index has also been
relatively high, often in the 130s, with only minor C-class solar
flares. This has meant the MUF over a 3,000-kilometre path has
reached more than 28MHz at times, although 21MHz has been more
reliable.
Better autumnal HF conditions are returning, with the 1.3kW KQ2H FM
repeater in the Catskill Mountains of New York State faintly audible
on 29.620MHz some afternoons. Conditions should improve over the
coming weeks.
DX to be worked on HF next week includes JD1BQP in Ogasawara, TZ4AM
in Mali, 6O2M in Somalia, V63SC in Micronesia, 9N7XT in Nepal, 3DA0GY
in Eswatini, S9R on Sao Tome and Principe, and C5R in The Gambia.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the
solar flux index should remain at around the 100 mark. Geomagnetic
conditions should be settled for the first half of the week, but then
become unsettled with a Kp index up to four between the 21st and 24th
of October.
There is a slight risk this weekend of unsettled geomagnetic
conditions due to another large coronal hole on the Sun's surface,
which was due to become geoeffective late on Friday the 16th of
October.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO.
The unsettled weather pattern will continue throughout the coming
week. This means that there will continue to be periods of wet and
windy weather that will alternate with more settled spells.
Limited periods of Tropo are possible, although probably somewhat
restrained due to the transient nature of the Highs. However, in the
unsettled periods the locally heavy frontal rain and heavy showers
will be good candidates for some rain scatter. The strong winds in
such cases may make tracking the echoes for GHz QSOs a challenge.
The meteor scatter prospects are reasonable this month and the next
meteor shower of note is the Orionids, which peak on the 21st into
the 22nd of October and are the result of the Earth's orbit passing
through the debris from Halley's Comet.
The prospects for aurora have been worth considering in recent weeks,
typical of the autumn season, and there's good reason to keep
monitoring the Kp index for signs of it going above 5. Bear in mind
that auroral events may be short-lasting and often found in the early
evening, so don't leave it until later before going outside for a
look.
EME now, and Moon declination is at its lowest but starting to rise
again. We are still a week away from positive values. Moon windows
lengthen and peak Moon elevation is rising. Apogee was on Friday the
16th of October, so path losses are falling again. 144 MHz sky noise
is high until Monday, then low for the rest of the week.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
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.
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