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G4TNU > NEWS 22.08.26 21:44z 236 Lines 11215 Bytes #194 (0) @ EU
BID : 54861G4TNU
Subj: RSGB Main News - 23 Aug 2026
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<GB7CIP<GB7CIP<GB7CIP
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T:From: G4TNU@GB7CIP.#32.GBR.EURO <g4tnu@gb7ipf.ampr.org>
T:Newsgroups: ampr.news.europe
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 23rd of August 2026
The news headlines:
* View the action-packed RSGB Convention programme
* Find out more about Experimenters' Corner at Hamfest
* The RSGB continues to support young radio amateurs
The RSGB has released the full draft programme for its Convention,
which takes place between the 9th and 11th of October at Kents Hill
Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. The programme includes
details of the inspiring lectures that have been lined up for your
enjoyment. They have been organised into three engaging streams:
Learn, Connect and Inspire. You'll also find three newly announced
speakers. John Carter, N6YU will be talking about "The spec is the
new schematic: Reproducible station software with spec-driven
development" whilst Paul Marks, G8FVK will explain "A modular
approach to construction". Dr Tom Cheetham from Bletchley Park will
give a fascinating historical presentation called "The Fox shall not
escape: The RSGB and signals interception during WWII". The Society
has also announced that it has extended its early-bird pricing until
9am on Tuesday the 1st of September. This means you can snap up your
weekend ticket for only GBP 49, which gives you access not only to
the programme, but also to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, Special Interest
Groups, a great social scene, and much more. View the programme and
secure your ticket by going to rsgb.org/convention
Do you enjoy amateur radio construction? Or perhaps you enjoy trying
out new and emerging technology? Each month RSGB Board Director Mark
Jones, G0MGX writes a column called ‘Experimenters' Corner' for
RadCom, which focuses on a new aspect of experimenting within amateur
radio. He has also been giving a brief introduction to each column in
a monthly reel shared on the Society's social media channels. Mark
covers topics ranging from home-brew construction techniques and
3D-printing to software development and cost-saving tips. You can
speak to Mark and talk about his column at this year's Hamfest at the
Newark Showground on the 25th and 26th of September. He will be in
the RSGB village with a selection of interactive displays which you
won't want to miss. You can find out more on Experimenters' Corner by
going to rsgb.org/experimenters-corner
The Youngsters On the Air Summer Camp 2026 took place in Wagrain
[VAH-GRAIN], Austria earlier this month. If you missed out on the
daily updates sent by the team of young radio amateurs who
represented the RSGB, go to rsgb.org/yota-camp The daily blogs,
photos and some fantastic sketches will remain on the Society's
website to view in your own time. If you are a young radio amateur
looking to meet like-minded people, have you seen the youth
activities being offered at this year's RSGB Convention? There will
be a wide range of youth-specific activities to inspire you,
including an update from the YOTA team. Go to
rsgb.org/convention-youth to find out more. You can also get
involved with youth activities in December by taking part in YOTA
Month. The RSGB will once again be taking part in this special IARU
initiative, which encourages young amateur radio operators to get on
the air, make contacts around the world, and promote the hobby among
young people. Keep an eye out for announcements on how to get
involved by going to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/yota-month
In the USA, the FCC has released a further proposal for new
commercial satellite allocations that overlap existing amateur
spectrum. This time the 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.7GHz bands are the
topic. The ARRL has already made an initial response. Further
information and links for this are available via
rsgb.org/spectrum-forum This follows the unwelcome FCC authorisation
of 70cm last year for telemetry for a 248-satellite constellation.
For more information on satellite challenges visit
tinyurl.com/rsgbsf2026
This year's British Inland Waterways on the Air event will run from
Saturday the 29th until Monday the 31st of August. The event is open
to radio amateurs who use canals, towpaths, rivers, lakes or
reservoirs for work or recreation. To find out more, visit Nunsfield
House Amateur Radio Group's website at nharg.org.uk and follow the
‘BIWOTA 2026' link.
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
On Sunday the 30th of August, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society
Rally will take place at Heron's Lodge Guide Activity Centre,
Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, Milton Keynes. The doors open to the
public from 9am. The entrance fee is GBP 3 and parking is free of
charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally
Also on Sunday the 30th of August, Torbay Amateur Radio Society
Annual Rally will take place at The Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton
Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA. This new venue is a town centre site
and is adjacent to a large car park. The entry fee is GBP 3 and
visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at
torbayars.org
On Monday the 31st of August, Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Rally
will take place at Ramsey Rural Museum, Wood Lane, Ramsey,
Cambridgeshire. The doors will be open to traders from 7am and to
visitors from 9am. Hot and cold refreshments will be available on
site. For more information email harsrally2026<at>hotmail.com
Now the Special Event news
The German DX Foundation is using special callsign DQ30GDXF until
December to celebrate its 30th anniversary. QSL via OQRS and Logbook
of the World. Contacts made between the 1st of July and the 30th of
September count towards an award. For more information, visit
tinyurl.com/DQ30GDXF
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, members of the Croatian Flora and
Fauna Amateur Radio Club are active as 9A44FF and 9A44FF/P until
December. For details of an award that is available for working the
station, visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Rafal, SQ4O is a member of the 50th Polish Antarctic Expedition to
the Henryk Arctowski [ART-STOF-SKEE] Station on King George Island,
South Shetland Islands, AN-010. In his spare time, he is operating as
HF0PAS on the HF bands using CW and SSB, and on the 6m band using FT8.
Tom, VK2TBC is active as VK0TBC from Casey Station, Antarctica until
December. Look out for him using FT8 and SSB on the HF bands. For
more information visit QRZ.com
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 23rd of August, the UK Microwave Group High Band
Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 6 and 3cm
bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Tuesday the 25th of August, 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.
The World Wide Digi DX Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 29th
and ends at 1200UTC on Sunday the 30th of August. Using FT4 and FT8
on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange
is your four-character locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 20th of August 2026.
Last week was characterised by geomagnetic disturbances, due to
high-speed solar wind streams from coronal holes, and a slightly
increasing solar flux index.
The Kp index hit 5 on the 18th and 19th of August reducing maximum
useable frequencies, or MUFs, and generally being detrimental to HF
propagation.
We also had more than 50 C-class solar flares and one M-class event
this past week, so nothing too severe. It was coronal holes that did
the damage with two large areas on the Sun. A coronal hole is an area
of the Sun with open magnetic field lines that allows solar plasma to
escape.
HF conditions were relatively poor during International Lighthouse
and Lightship Weekend on Sunday the 16th, with little DX and heavy
QSB or fading. The MUF struggled to get to 21MHz and most activity
was on the 40 and 20m bands. Some transatlantic signals were logged,
but they were weak and watery. That didn't stop people from enjoying
the event though!
DX to be worked this week includes 3B8/SQ9UM from Mauritius; RI8KR
from Asiatic Russia; RI1FJL operating from Franz Josef Land; V47JA on
St Kitts; and V51WH and V55Y active in Namibia.
Good news this week as Propquest is back online, showing near
real-time MUFs over various distances. Jim, G3YLA says this is a
temporary fix pending further work.
NOAA predicts that we will see a solar flux index around 100 to 120
next week, with relatively poor geomagnetic conditions forecast for
today, the 23rd. The Kp index is predicted to be around 2 during the
coming week.
At the time of writing, there are no coronal holes threatening HF
propagation, but keep an eye on solarham.com for updates.
We are still analysing the eclipse experiment data, but a video of
the 80m WSPR contacts has been produced and can be found at
tinyurl.com/80mWSPR
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The return of unsettled weather last week pauses over this weekend,
ending today the 23rd, as a new high moves across the country from
the Atlantic. This gives a good chance for some tropo and, if the
land temperatures pick up again and drift offshore, it could produce
some good conditions across sea paths like the North and Irish Seas.
Before mid-week, probably during Tuesday, low pressure will return
and push a frontal system across the country followed by further
fronts and showery periods for the rest of the week. This could be
very good for rain scatter on the GHz bands, especially if the
showers turn thundery.
Meteor scatter will be largely random activity for most of the coming
week. We will also see the end of the Delta Aquarids today, the 23rd,
and the final trailing off from the Perseids, which end tomorrow,
the 24th.
The solar conditions are worth monitoring after recent activity saw
the Kp index reach 5 on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Ideally, we
require something a little higher to start considering auroral
propagation from the southern UK.
Sporadic-E can last into the first week of September but tends to
become harder to find and shorter in duration. There is no reason to
stop checking though; anytime from mid-morning to late afternoon
should cover it.
For EME operators, the Moon was at apogee and at minimum declination
yesterday, the 22nd. With minimum peak elevation and maximum path
losses, it's a good excuse to check out the mechanics of your
antenna. 144MHz sky noise is very high today, the 23rd, falling back
to low 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.
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