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G4TNU > NEWS 08.02.26 19:31l 272 Lines 13124 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 08 Feb 2026
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 8th of February 2026
The news headlines:
* RSGB member-exclusive DDS programming workshop in Blackpool
* What are your British Science Week plans?
* Submit your RSGB 2026 Convention ideas
As part of the Society's strategy to support radio amateurs in
developing their practical skills, the RSGB will be running a DDS
programming workshop in Blackpool on Saturday the 11th of April, the
day before the NARSA Rally. The six-hour workshop, which was first
run at the RSGB 2025 Convention, is intended for RSGB members who
already have a basic knowledge of Arduino programming. Attendees will
learn how to control and program a Direct Digital Synthesiser using a
microcontroller and will use this to generate RF. As well as
covering the maths behind the programming process, attendees will
also gain an insight into vibe coding. So, if 2026 is the year you
want to take your programming skills up a notch, this is the event
for you. For full information and booking details, visit
rsgb.org/practical-events
This year's British Science Week runs from the 6th to 15th of March
with ‘Curiosity: what's your question?' as its theme. A number of
clubs, youth groups and schools have already planned events and
activities, and the RSGB's team of Champions are working together to
deliver more. You can take part by trying one of the great activity
suggestions that the RSGB has on its website. You could get your
local WI, Men in Sheds group, school or youth groups or even your own
family involved. If you have your own ideas, let the RSGB know; they
don't need to be ‘grand', simply demonstrating the magic of radio
is enough. Another way to get involved with British Science Week is
by taking part in a sked, which is a pre-arranged radio contact with
another radio operator at a scheduled time and on a particular
frequency. The RSGB National Radio Centre is offering groups and
clubs the opportunity to arrange a sked and get its sought-after
GB3RS callsign into the logbook. To take part in this unique offering
go to rsgb.org/bsw and select ‘Events happening near you' from the
right-hand menu. Contacts must be arranged in advance and would take
place between 10am and 4pm during British Science Week.
Is there a particular topic you'd like to learn more about at the
RSGB 2026 Convention in October? Have you been working on some
research or a project that you'd like to share with the amateur radio
community? Or would you like to see a workshop explaining a new skill
you'd like to try? Whatever the idea, submit your proposal to the
RSGB by sending the title and at least a one-paragraph summary of
your suggestion to convention<at>rsgb.org.uk
If you're not yet an RSGB member and are curious to read RadCom
Basics or RadCom Plus, take a look at the RSGB app, which is
available for mobile and web. The RSGB has just released a sample
edition of each, so whether you are a newcomer or are looking for
more technical features, the samples will give you a taster of the
Society's digital RadCom supplements.
There are only three weeks left until the closing date for entries in
the RSGB Construction Competition. The competition is open to all
RSGB members and has six categories to enter, ranging from
'Beginners' to 'Construction Excellence'. Whether you are taking your
first steps in construction or it is your 50th project, the Society
invites you to get involved and be in with the chance to win a cash
prize. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/construction-competition
The deadline for entries is the 1st of March 2026.
The RSGB has a number of Regional Team vacancies including District
Representative positions in Hampshire, Leicestershire and Rutland,
South Derbyshire and South Nottinghamshire, and also North
Lincolnshire. This is an opportunity not only to support the work of
the RSGB but to provide help and guidance for local radio amateurs
and groups in your area. To find out how to apply or to view other
Regional Team vacancies in other areas, go to rsgb.org/volunteers
The RSGB is delighted to hear that Wick High School in Scotland is
preparing for an ARISS contact later this year. The RSGB School Youth
Chair Chris Aitken, MM0WIC is the Computing teacher at the school and
also runs the school's amateur radio club, GM0WHS. Chris shared the
news with the Society, and you can read more by going to
rsgb.org/school-zone
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.Â
And now for details of rallies and events
The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club,
is taking place today, Sunday the 8th of February at Mather Hall,
Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can set up from 8.15am and
the doors open to visitors at 10am. A large car park, catering,
bring-and-buy sale, improved disabled access and a seating area are
available on site. For more information, visit wmrc.co.uk
On Sunday the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society's
Radioactive Fair will take place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire
CW5 5DG. The doors will be open from 10am to 3pm. The event will
feature a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering,
parking and disabled facilities will be available on site. For more
details visit radioactivefair.co.uk
Now the Special Event news
To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, special event station
DD2026OWG [DELTA-DELTA-TWO-ZERO-TWO-SIX-OSCAR-WHISKEY-GOLF] is active
until the 1st of March. QSL via Logbook of the World. For more
information visit QRZ.com
Six special event stations are active from Poland until the 22nd of
February to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city of Gdynia
[GUH-DI-NYUH]. Look for activity on the 160 to 6m bands, as well as
the 2m and 70cm bands using CW, SSB, FM, RTTY, FT4 and FT8. For
information about an award that is available for working the
stations, and for QSL details, visit tinyurl.com/gdynia26
Now the DX news
Aldir, PY1SAD is active as 8R1TM from Guyana [GAI-AA-NUH] until the
23rd of February. He is operating CW, SSB and digital modes on the
160 to 6m bands and via satellite. Listen for activity between 2300
and 0300UTC during the week, and ‘full time' during the weekends.
QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, QRZ.com or directly to Aldir's
home call.
Michael, OZ6ABL is active as 5Z4/OZ6ABL from Watamu [WUH-TA-MOO] in
Kenya until the 28th of February. The station is operating on the 80
to 6m bands using CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4. QSL via Logbook of the World,
OQRS, or via Michael's home call.
Now the contest news
Today, the 8th of February, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies
Contest runs from 0900 to 1300UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 10th of February, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 10th of February, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity
Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 11th of February, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity
four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm
band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on
Wednesday the 11th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest
runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange
is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour
contest may also enter the two-hour contest.
Also on Wednesday the 11th of February, the RSGB 80m Club
Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using PSK63 and RTTY on the
80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Thursday the 12th of February, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest
runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Saturday the 14th of February, the Worked All Britain 1.8MHz
Contest runs from 1900 to 2359UTC. Entries need to be with the
contest manager by the 24th of February 2026. Please note that the
contest will include SSB contacts only. To view the complete rules,
visit the Worked All Britain website.
Also on Saturday the 14th of February, the first RSGB 1.8MHz Contest
runs from 2000 to 2300UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 160m band, the
exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the
14th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 15th of February. Using RTTY
on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
The PACC Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 14th of February
and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday the 15th of February. Using CW and
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number. PA stations also send
their province reference.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 5th of February
Last week was characterised by a high solar flux index but with a
succession of X-class solar flares from active region 4366 on the Sun.
Luckily, none of these resulted in a coronal mass ejection, so we got
away lightly.
The solar flux index stood at 178 on Tuesday the 3rd of February with
the result that the 10m band was humming. US states logged included
Oregon, Nevada, California, Washington and Idaho, all between 1530
and 1730UTC.
As we always say, look for a high solar flux index and a low Kp index
for DX – in this case a Kp index of between 1 and 2.33.
By comparison, the next day was a washout, possibly thanks to a Kp
index increase to 3.67, thanks to a coronal mass ejection, or CME,
that passed Earth at 1506UTC.
Poor conditions continued on Thursday the 5th when the solar wind
speed increased to more than 500 kilometres per second, the Kp index
increased to 5.33 and maximum usable frequencies across a 3,000km
path struggled to exceed 20MHz.
Incidentally, February and March are good months for 10m band paths
to the US. By April, paths start to drop away and start favouring
South America, so if you need US states for your Worked All States
award, now is the right time!
In the meantime, keep an eye on active region 4366 as it may still
have a sting in its tail. This monstrous sunspot group, 15 times the
width of Earth, was Earth-centric on Thursday the 5th.
As always, we recommend visiting solarham.com for daily updates on
space weather.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 130
to 150 range, although the Kp index might be unsettled at times, with
an average Kp index of 3. Friday the 13th of February is forecast to
be particularly unsettled with a Kp index of 5.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The markedly unsettled weather pattern continues to bring a mix of
rain and showers and very strong winds at times plus the threat of
snowfall in some eastern and northern areas. This probably means that
tropo will be hard to find during the coming week but leaves us with
plenty of chances for rain scatter for GHz operators.
In the solar-terrestrial domain, the disturbed Sun has once again
brought a sequence of flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs,
which has provided frequent auroral alerts as the Kp index has
climbed to 4 or more. Listen for fluttery signals on the LF bands and
perhaps ghostly sounding signals on HF and VHF, typically 10m to 2m.
Meteor scatter operators must rely upon random meteor activity, but
over the whole Earth this can amount to 25 million meteors or
meteoroids per day, so there is every chance that even random
activity could produce a path for you if you have a quiet site.
The mix of meteor activity and a low Kp index can lead to
out-of-season Sporadic-E, given some jet stream weather activity.
However, this is currently well south over the Mediterranean in its
usual winter position, so any Sporadic-E may be a bit too far to the
south to reach from the UK in the short term.
This week, Moon declination is negative all week and falling until
Thursday the 12th of February. Moon window length and peak elevation
follow suit. Path losses are rising again as we reach apogee, the
Moon's furthest point from Earth, on Tuesday the 10th of February.
144MHz sky noise is low but rising to high by Thursday the 12th of
February.
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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