| |
G4TNU > NEWS 15.08.26 21:44z 280 Lines 13236 Bytes #185 (0) @ EU
BID : 53100G4TNU
Subj: RSGB Main News - 16 Aug 2026
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<GB7CIP<GB7CIP<GB7CIP
Sent: 260815/2126Z @:GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO $:53100G4TNU
T:From: G4TNU@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO <g4tnu@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
T:Newsgroups: ampr.news.europe
T:Message-Id: <E1_6133621_G4TNU@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 16th of August 2026
The news headlines:
* Apply for the new RSGB Training and Development Lead Honorary
Officer vacancy
* Get ready for National Coding Week 2026!
* Build a radio workshop at the RSGB National Radio Centre
The RSGB is launching a new Training and Development Lead pilot. This
is a 12-month volunteer Honorary Officer role for someone who cares
deeply about how people learn, progress and stay active in amateur
radio. The pilot will focus on listening, mapping, evidence gathering
and supporting the training community. If you enjoy connecting people
and want to build bridges across the training landscape, this role
could be for you. To find out more about the role go to the RSGB
website at rsgb.org/volunteers To discuss the role informally,
please contact Board Director Graham Smith, G4NMD via
g4nmd<at>rsgb.org.uk Applications close on the 18th of September and
interviews will take place during the week of the 28th of September
2026.
National Coding Week returns between the 14th and 20th of September,
bringing a fantastic opportunity for radio amateurs of all ages to
build confidence in digital skills and explore the world of
programming. This year, the RSGB Outreach Team has released three
coding activities designed especially for National Coding Week. These
are available on the RSGB website via rsgb.org/coding for all
members to enjoy and they will also be shared directly with youth
groups. Whether you're a complete beginner or are already tech savvy,
there'll be something fun and accessible for everyone. You'll also
find a coding feature in the September edition of RadCom.
The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is hosting another
of its popular Build Your Own Radio workshops. Morning and afternoon
sessions will be held on Thursday the 27th of August and will offer
young people aged between 12 and 18 the opportunity to learn more
about amateur radio and electronics. The workshops are funded by the
Radio Communications Foundation and allow participants to build their
own VHF FM broadcast receiver, which they can take home with them.
Attendance at the workshop costs GBP 11. You can find out more and
secure your place by selecting the ‘What's on' menu at
bletchleypark.org.uk
The RSGB has launched some new web pages demonstrating how amateur
radio aligns with the STEM curriculum. Whichever part of the hobby
you enjoy, you're bound to be using skills relating to Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths every day! And what better way to
encourage people into STEM-related study or careers than getting them
involved in amateur radio. If you want to give back to the hobby, why
not consider becoming a registered STEM Ambassador for amateur radio.
The RSGB already has a fantastic team of volunteers who are STEM
Ambassadors and use their skills and passion to showcase wireless
communication to young people. Why not join them? You can find out
how you can get involved at rsgb.org/stem
The IARU has published the fourth edition of ‘Ethics and Operating
Procedures for the Radio Amateur', bringing together updated guidance
and best practice for radio amateurs around the world. The latest
edition also includes improved accessibility features for those with
visual impairments. Whether you're newly licensed or have been on the
air for many years, it's a useful reminder of the operating
standards, courtesy and good practice that help make amateur radio
enjoyable for everyone. The RSGB welcomes this updated guide and is
particularly pleased that the RSGB
Operating Advisory Service Coordinator Ian Suart, GM4AUP, was among
those who contributed to its development. The Society would like to
thank Ian, and everyone involved, for the considerable time,
expertise and effort that has gone into producing this important
resource for the international amateur radio community. To find out
more and read the new edition, go to tinyurl.com/rsgb-eop
The RSGB is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Peter Chadwick,
G3RZP, a former President and Life Vice-President of the Society, and
one of the most knowledgeable and respected technical figures in
British amateur radio. Peter worked tirelessly for the RSGB, IARU and
for all radio amateurs through his spectrum, technical and regulatory
work. Read a full tribute to Peter at rsgb.org/sk
On Saturday the 12th of September lots of amateur radio stations will
be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air
event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 10am to
4pm. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and
modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More
details are available at wacral.org
The Fourteenth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT 2026 will take
place between 10.30am and 5pm on Saturday the 31st of October 2026 at
the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. An interesting
programme of speakers has been arranged. Microwave test facilities
will be provided and there will be an opportunity to buy components
and microwave-related items. An optional dinner will be held in the
evening at the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland. Full information and
online registration are available at gmroundtable.org.uk
Alternatively, email Colin, GM4HWO via gm4hwo<at>gmail.com for more
information. The numbers for the day event are limited to 50 so
please book early to avoid disappointment.
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
Today, the 16th of August, the North Wales Amateur Radio Group Rally
and Tabletop Sale takes place at the Bryn Cadno Community Centre,
Upper Colwyn Bay. The doors open at 10am and the entry fee is GBP 3.
Light refreshments are available.
Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Radio Rally is also taking place
today, the 16th of August at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe,
Rugby, CV23 9PY. The doors open to the public from 10am. More details
are available at rugbyats.co.uk
Also today, the 16th of August, West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose
Summer Rally takes place at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh WN7 2PJ.
The doors open at 10am. For more information and bookings, contact
rally<at>wmrc.co.uk
Now the Special Event news
Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club has its annual
field weekend on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of August in a
field off Hook Street, Berkeley [BARC-LEE] GL13 9TH. All are welcome
to visit or catch us on the air, club call sign GX4ABC. For further
details, contact the Secretary via email at secretary<at>tsgarc.uk
Members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Society will be operating as
GB400SCA on the HF Bands between 10am and 4pm on Sunday the 23rd of
August from the grounds of Scarborough Castle. The callsign
celebrates 'Scarborough 400', marking 400 years since Scarborough
became the UK's original seaside resort when health-giving spa waters
were discovered in the cliffs above the beach. This led to the start
of seaside tourism in 1626 and the idea of seaside
holidays subsequently spread throughout the UK.
Now the DX news
Special event station EN35UKR is active until the 30th of August to
mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. QSL via Logbook
of the World or direct via UT2UCN.
Curtis, MW0USK and Kevin, MW9KJC are operating as GB64MOD until the
31st of August. The special event station is active to "celebrate the
spirit of the Mod movement through amateur radio". Find out more at
gb64mod.co.uk
9A10SOTA is the special callsign celebrating ten years of SOTA
Croatia. Look out for activity until the 30th of September. QSL
via Logbook of the World.
Sands, VK4WXW has returned to Willis Island (OC-007) and will be
stationed at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's weather
monitoring facility until late October or early November. He expects
to be increasingly active in the coming weeks and operates SSB and
FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands with a vertical antenna. QSL via
M0OXO's OQRS.
Now the contest news
Tomorrow, the 17th of August, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from
1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80m to 10m bands where contests are
permitted bands, the exchange is your report.
On Tuesday, the 18th of August, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday, the 20th of August, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Sunday the 23rd of August, the UK Microwave Group High Band
Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7GHz and
10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 13th of August 2026
The 2026 solar eclipse is done and dusted, so we can get back to
normal HF propagation predictions.
The Solar Flux Index dropped below 100 this week, which is more
symbolic than anything. But it shows where we are heading as Solar
Cycle 25 drops away. The SFI was 99 on the 13th of August with five
sunspot groups visible on the solar surface. Activity has been
settled with only 12 minor C-Class solar flares over the past seven
days.
The Kp index has remained low over the past few days, with just one
excursion to 5.33 on the 8th of August thanks to an incoming solar
wind stream from a coronal mass ejection. Otherwise, it has been
mainly in the ones and twos which bodes well for HF.
Sporadic-E effects are still showing up on HF, while we haven't yet
seen the first signs of an autumnal change in conditions.
A plot from the Dourbes Digisonde shows that the Maximum Usable
Frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path only got as high as 16.8MHz at
noon on the 12th of August.
There were excursions up to 21.5MHz later in the day but this
suggests that 15 and 17m are opening now and again. So keep an eye on
the bands. It may sound quiet but they may open up at any time.
DX to be worked this week includes A50QO from Bhutan, 3B9/SQ9UM in
Rodrigues Island, J68TT from St Lucia, C6AUB in Bahamas from the
19th of August, OJ0JR and OJ0YL from Market Reef and RI1FJL from
Franz Josef Land.
Next week NOAA predicts that the SFI may remain around the 100-115
mark.
We may have unsettled geomagnetic conditions around the 17th to 19th
of August, with a predicted maximum Kp of five. More settled
conditions are forecast for the 20th of August onwards with a maximum
Kp of two.
So it looks like later next week and next weekend will be best for HF
DX.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The long spell of settled weather for most southern parts of the
country may get a shake up during next week as the high pressure to
the east of the country weakens to allow low pressure to move in,
bringing some much-needed rain.
Northwestern parts of the UK have had cloudier spells with patchy
rain recently and there will be more to come next week.
The result is that any Tropo effects will be tailing off after this
weekend and then it will be the turn of rain scatter as more
unsettled weather arrives.
Meteor scatter is probably going to ease back slightly after the peak
of the Perseids meteor shower last week, although there will still be
a random component to keep things going so stick to the hours around
dawn for best results.
The solar conditions have shown the occasional increase in the Kp
index but not enough to get too excited about aurora, although it's
still worth keeping an eye out for values going above a KP of six.
We are still in the Sporadic-E season and the recent input of
Perseids meteor debris has provided some new fuel for Es so it's by
no means all over.
The DXcluster maps give a very good idea of the current directions
that might prove rewarding.
The main North Atlantic jet stream will run across the UK into
Scandinavia so paths to the east and northeast could do well,
together with the usual paths to the south.
In general, it's still the time of year to check in the morning and
again late afternoon for signs of Es activity and if the bands seem
quiet then call CQ.
For EME operators, we have passed maximum Moon declination and
minimum path losses for the month but there's still a few more days
of usable Moon time next week if you have a low horizon. Minimum
declination and apogee are still over a week away.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
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
| |
