GB2RS

GB2RS News

Sunday, the 15th of February 2026

 

The news headlines:

Support the RSGB Contest Committees

Learn your freedoms and restrictions in relation to repeaters, gateways and packet radio in March’s Tonight@8

Check your club’s details are up to date on Club Finder

 

The RSGB Contest Support Committee, HF Contest Committee and VHF Contest Committee are looking for volunteers who can help organise, support and manage the Society’s contesting activities. While applications from experienced contestants are welcome, the committees would also be pleased to hear from radio amateurs who are new to contesting. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas, M1ACB, in the first instance, via [email protected]

In February 2024, Ofcom made significant changes to the amateur radio licensing conditions, but how has that affected your freedoms and restrictions in relation to repeaters, gateways and packet radio? In the next episode of Tonight@8, two members of the RSGB Emerging Technology Coordination Committee will answer this question for you. Join Steve Morton, F4VTF and John McCullagh, GI4BWM, live on Monday, the 2nd of March, via the RSGB’s YouTube Channel or via its special BATC channel. If you have a question on this topic, ensure you watch the webinar live and submit your question via the live chat feature. Find out more by going to rsgb.org/webinars

If you are a member of an RSGB-affiliated club or society, the RSGB is encouraging you to check that your organisation’s details are up to date on Club Finder. The RSGB Club Finder allows people to search for local amateur radio groups. Those people could want to join your club, find out more about amateur radio before taking their Foundation licence exam, or perhaps need support for British Science Week activities. Updating your listing is easy. Just log in to your club’s Membership Services account and go to the ‘UK Club Finder’ section. The form includes a section called ‘Meeting details’ where you can add helpful information about disabled access, as well as details about both physical and online meetings. The Society will update Club Finder with any new data between 4 pm and 6 pm every Friday. If you wish your latest information to appear before the weekend, please ensure you update your details before 3 pm on Fridays. If you have any questions about the process, please contact [email protected]

Among the many informative and engaging displays at the RSGB National Radio Centre, you’ll find information highlighting the contribution to the war effort made by Voluntary Interceptors who were RSGB Members during World War Two. It is this topic that Josephine Saunders explores in her compelling article “Listening for victory” published in “BRITAIN” magazine. The four-page feature looks at the role that radio amateurs played in the War, and how RSGB volunteers now help to bring this history to life at the RSGB National Radio Centre. She also looks at some of the wide-ranging activities on offer at the NRC, such as the ‘Find the spy transmitter’ event held last year. Subscribers to the magazine can read the feature on page 63. It can also be read by going to tinyurl.com/NationalRadioCentre

Participation from radio amateurs in this year’s British Science Week is already looking to exceed last year's. Several clubs and groups are looking to set up skeds, ranging from South Derbyshire and Ashby Woulds Amateur Radio Group to Crowthorne and Wokingham Without NMI Men’s Shed. A sked is a prearranged radio contact with another radio operator at a scheduled time and on a particular frequency. Find out more about these opportunities by going to rsgb.org/bsw  and selecting ‘Events happening near you’ from the right-hand menu.

For those unable to attend the Memorial Service for Dr Julian Gannaway, G3YGF, tomorrow, Monday the 16th of February, the service can be viewed online at watch.obitus.com. The login details are available via the RSGB’s Silent Key web page.

And finally, a date for your diary. The 14th Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT will be held on Saturday, the 31st of October 2026, at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife, Scotland. There will be an optional dinner in the evening at a local hotel. Further updates will be provided on the GMRT website at gmroundtable.org.uk

Please send details of all your news and events to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week. 

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society’s Radioactive Fair is taking place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. The doors are open from 10 am to 3 pm. The event features a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering, parking and disabled facilities are available on site. For more details, visit radioactivefair.co.uk

On Sunday, the 1st of March, the Exeter Radio Rally will take place at The Kenn Centre, EX6 7UE. The rally will include a bring-and-buy area, disabled facilities, catering and free car parking. The entry fee is £3. Traders can gain entry from 8 am, and the doors open to the public at 10 am. For more information, email Bill, G7AKJ via [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society will be using the special callsign GB100MKG with Milton Keynes Girlguiding during Thinking Day on the Air weekend. The station will be on the air from 11 am on Saturday, the 21st of February and throughout the day. Operators will be running primarily on the 40, 17 and 15m bands, as well as via the QO-100 satellite, using SSB. FT4 and FT8 contacts will also be possible.

Special event station TM23AAW is on the air until the 2nd of March to celebrate the 23rd Antarctic Activity Week. Look for activity on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via F8DVD or the Bureau. For more information, visit QRZ.com

Now the DX news

Borut, S53BV is active as S9BV from Sao Tome, AF-023, until Friday, the 20th of February. He is operating using CW and SSB on the 60, 40, 30 and 15m bands. QSL via OQRS only.

Walt, W0CP and Mary, K0ZV, are active as V31DJ and V31DK from Placencia in Belize until the 27th of February. They are using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB. Look for activity on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via OQRS, Logbook of the World or directly.

Now the contest news

The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest started at 0000 UTC on Saturday, the 14th and ends at 2359 UTC today, 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 started at 1200 UTC on Saturday, the 14th and runs until 1200 UTC today, 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.

On Tuesday, the 17th of February, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230 UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday, the 19th of February, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000 UTC on Saturday, the 21st and runs until 2359 UTC on Sunday, the 22nd of February. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province.

The REF Contest starts at 0600 UTC on Saturday, the 21st of February and runs until 1800 UTC on Sunday, the 22nd of February. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Sunday, the 22nd of February, the UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700 UTC. Using all modes on 76 to 241GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday, the 12th of February.

It has been a good time for HF DX. Settled geomagnetic conditions and a fairly high solar flux index has meant the ionosphere has had time to shine.

With the Kp index not exceeding 4.33, and generally being in the ones and twos, coupled with a solar flux index in the 160s, this has meant that the upper HF bands have been humming.

This is despite many relatively minor C- and M-class solar flares.

DX heard or worked this week includes stations in Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand on the 10m band, even with modestly equipped stations.

DX being chased includes the KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition near Puerto Rico. This has been difficult, often because they are running low power on their remotely controlled rigs. But UK stations have got through on all bands from 40 to 10m. Due to deteriorating sea conditions, they have delayed equipment recovery until the 3rd of March, so you still have time to work them.

The next big DXpedition to look forward to is 3Y0K from Bouvet Island. Due to technical problems with their ship, the operation has now been delayed and will start around the 26th of February. With the path to Bouvet being almost due south from the UK, propagation predictions suggest that the path should be open from around 0730UTC until 1830UTC, up to 10m, with 21MHz being open from around 0800 to 1000UTC and again from 1600 to 1800UTC. Outside of these times, look for a path on the 20, or even 30 or 40m bands, in the evening and night.

FT8 will be the most favourable mode, but CW and SSB are possible. However, remember they will be using split frequency operation.

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase to be in the 160 to 180 range. Geomagnetic conditions may start the week settled, with a predicted Kp index of 2, but we may expect more unsettled conditions as the week progresses, with a predicted Kp index of 4 from the 16th to the 21st of February.

So, get your HF Dxing in early next week!

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

The weather is often described as blocked when we see long-lasting high pressure, which hangs around for weeks at a time and is a gift for tropo on VHF. However, right next door to a blocked high you will probably find a low-pressure region, which is also blocked for the same reason. 

Currently, we are in the middle of a prolonged period of blocked low pressure, hence the rain and absence of tropo. The position of the low varies a bit, of course, so sometimes we will have milder southerly winds with rain and at other times colder northerlies with snow. 

We have the full variety in the coming week or so, and that means no tropo for VHF operators, but plenty of rain scatter for the GHz folk.

The meteor scatter position hasn’t changed since last week’s news, so we are once again confined to random activity and, for this, early morning hours are usually best. Aurora alerts continue to trickle through, and as we approach the spring equinox, the chances of auroras improve, but there is a little way to go yet. 

Lastly, thoughts of Sporadic-E remain dormant since we are some way short of the typical early season openings of late April and May. As usual, consider checking the propquest.co.uk  graphs occasionally, which have shown minor peaks of the foEs, or critical frequency of the Es layer, in the early evening on some days. 

The Moon reached perigee, its closest point to the Earth, on Tuesday, the 10th of February. The Moon is moving toward apogee on Sunday, the 22nd of February, meaning path loss will gradually increase throughout the week as the Moon's distance grows. Cosmic background noise is relatively low during this period, which helps maintain a better signal-to-noise ratio.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News

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 the 15th of March with ‘Curiosity: what’s your question?’ as its theme. Several 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 10 am and 4 pm 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 [email protected]

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 several 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, MM0WI,C 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 [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week. 

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 8.15 am and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, a 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 10 am to 3 pm. 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 detail,s visit radioactivefair.co.uk

Now the Special Event news

To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the special event station DD2026OWG 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 in Poland until the 22nd of February to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city of Gdynia. 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 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, OZ6AB,L is active as 5Z4/OZ6ABL from Watamu 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 1300 UTC. 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 1955 UTC. 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 2230 UTC. 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 a report and a 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 a 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 1200 UTC 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 of the Mediterranean in its usual winter position, so any Sporadic-E may be a bit too far 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.

GB2RS News

Sunday the 1st of February 2026

The news headlines:

RSGB Board appoints a Deputy Company Secretary

Make sure you are aware of changes in the RSGB 2026 band plans

An opportunity to join the GB2RS Newsreader team

The RSGB Board is delighted to announce that it has appointed Stephen Ramsden, M0CCA as Deputy Company Secretary. Stephen is a solicitor and former law firm managing partner, with extensive experience in governance systems and compliance frameworks. He is a keen HF portable operator and always interested to learn about and experiment with anything related to amateur radio. Stephen Purser, GW4SHF, has told the Board that he wishes to retire from his role as Company Secretary, and the Board’s intention is that Stephen Ramsden will take on the full Company Secretary role after the AGM. You can contact Stephen Ramsden via [email protected]

The RSGB 2026 Band Plans were published in the recently released February edition of RadCom. They are now also available on the RSGB website in a wider variety of formats, including more detailed change notes. This year’s changes address a handful of key topics, including updates to the 5MHz band plan to emphasise correct operating, which comes in the light of out-of-band FT8 usage and Ofcom monitoring concerns. Updates at 50MHz have been made to accommodate new repeater inputs, which use a wider 1MHz split, easing the implementation of their duplex filters. In the 430MHz UHF band, provision for low-power ad-hoc repeaters and some editorial updates have also been made. As Band Plans change over time, please ensure you only refer or link to the current ones on the RSGB website and remove any older ones you have locally. Unfortunately, the RSGB still notes some websites and unofficial usage charts have obsolete information and urge that these are all removed. View the 2026 Band Plans at rsgb.org/bandplans

The RSGB is looking for volunteers to join the team of newsreaders who broadcast the GB2RS news each Sunday. The GB2RS News Manager, Steve, G4HPE, is particularly interested in hearing from people in Wales and Northern Ireland, where he is keen to increase the number of broadcasts. He’d also like to bolster existing QO-100 and Digital Voice services and to add new stations to the national teams on the 40, 60 and 160m bands. If you’d like to be involved with any of these opportunities, or if you have proposals for transmissions using new modes or bands, get in touch. Read the full role description at rsgb.org/volunteers

The next Tonight@8 webinar will be live tomorrow, Monday the 2nd of February, from 8 pm via the RSGB’s YouTube channel and special BATC channel. RSGB Propagation Studies Committee Chair Steve Nichols, G0KYA, will be showing you how to use the Society’s free online HF propagation tools. He'll explain how you can tailor your predictions to suit your particular station, including selecting the right mode, power, noise levels, antennas, and exact location. If you can’t wait until tomorrow to hear from Steve, you can catch up on the presentation he delivered at the RSGB 2025 Convention. His lecture, ‘Was that solar cycle 25? What did we learn? is now available to watch in the RSGB 2025 Convention playlist at youtube.com/thersgb

Chris Flanagan, G7NRO, is unfortunately no longer able to continue as RSGB QSL Bureau sub-manager for the G7 series, and the RSGB thanks him for the time he has given as an RSGB volunteer. RSGB members with G7 callsigns who collect QSL cards should now send their self-addressed envelopes to Mr Anthony Holles, G4AAV. You can find his details in the sub-manager list of the RSGB QSL Bureau web section at rsgb.org/qsl

The January 2026 edition of RadCom Basics is now available for RSGB members to read via the RSGB mobile and web app. This edition includes articles on using a multimeter, advice on getting on the air, and the challenges that face radio amateurs who are new to the HF bands. RadCom Basics covers key aspects of amateur radio in a clear, accessible way and is invaluable for those getting started in amateur radio or wanting to explore something new. This is why the Society is delighted to have added to its collection of RadCom Basics back issues in the RSGB app, where RSGB members can now enjoy editions dating back to May 2019. The publication takes you through topics ranging from working split frequency to building your own digital hotspot, and from using FT8 to taking part in a radio net. With the RSGB mobile app, you can download editions to enjoy offline. You can also browse RadCom Basics on the web via rsgb.org/radcom

And finally, a reminder that the next in the popular 145 Alive series will take place on Saturday the 7th of February from 12pm to 3pm. The event will include the addition of 144MHz SSB stations with vertical polarisation. For more information, visit the 145 Alive Facebook page.

And now for details of rallies and events

The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can set up from 8.15 am and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, a bring-and-buy sale, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, 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 10 am to 3 pm. 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

Operators from the DARC special event team are active as DH2026EM until the 10th of February to celebrate the Men's European Handball Championship. QSL via DK5ON, Logbook of the World and the DARC Community Logbook. Look for activity on the HF bands using CW, digital modes and SSB. See QRZ.com for more information.

Phil, ZL3PAH, is active as ZL60PAH until the 22nd of February to mark his diamond jubilee in amateur radio. He is operating using CW, RTTY and some SSB on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World. For more information, see QRZ.com

Now the DX news

Chas, NK8O, is active as 5H3DX from Tanzania until the 9th of February. In his spare time, he operates CW and digital modes on the 20 to 10m bands. If conditions allow, Chas may also be active on the 6m band. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or directly to NK8O.

Harald, DF2W,O is active as 9X2AW from Kigali in Rwanda until the 9th of February. He is operating on the 160 to 6m bands using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB as well as via the QO-100 satellite. QSL via OQRS.

Now the contest news

Tomorrow, the 2nd of February, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday, the 3rd of February, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 1955 UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday, the 3rd of February, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230 UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday, the 4th of February, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100 UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is a report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 4th, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m 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 4th of February, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100 UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

On Sunday, the 8th of February, the RSGB 432MHz Affiliated Societies Contest runs from 0900 to 1300 UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 29th of January 2026

We had a much quieter week Sun-wise, with fewer geomagnetic disturbances and a decreasing solar flux index. Last week started at 153 but decreased to 133 by Wednesday.

The Kp index started the week at 2.33 and, apart from an excursion to 5.33, was below 4.33 all week. The 5.33 value was due to an enhanced solar wind stream flowing from a small coronal hole.

The lower Kp indices have meant that the ionosphere has had a chance to recover, and we have been seeing maximum usable frequencies, or MUFs, over a 3,000km path reaching 35MHz at times.

The 10m band has been coming up quite nicely, with the RR90 beacon in Eastern Russia audible on 28.200MHz mid-morning. On Thursday, the 29th of January, the band was otherwise quite bare, apart from EM0WWA in Ukraine on 28.480MHz with some sort of digitised voice. Also, PP8ZAC in Brazil was loud on 28.025MHz using CW.

A quick scan of the 28MHz low-power beacons revealed PY4YYF Brazil on 28.115MHz, YM7TEN in Turkey on 28.225MHz, and that was it. Hopefully, 28MHz will improve as we head towards Spring.

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 120 to 140 range, with the Kp index set to remain low until the 4th of February, when it is predicted to rise to 4.

So, if this goes to plan, we can expect reasonable conditions on the HF bands. However, you might be better off on 18, 21 or 24MHz as the 10m band may not be as active as we would like.

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

The recent pattern of low pressure close to the southwest of the British Isles has staked its claim for another week. This means further spells of rain, especially in the south and west.

The cold southeasterly wind over the northeastern half of the UK will persist, but any high pressure will stay well to the north and east of us, so tropo will probably be hard to find.

Rain scatter, on the other hand, may be more productive, especially for the south and west. Some periods of rain, sleet or snow are possible in the northeast, where there may also be some snow static on antennas from time to time. 

Meteor scatter will have to rely upon random meteors for the next few weeks, and, as most of you who follow these bulletins will remember, are at a peak in the pre-dawn hours.

There has been a steady stream of auroral alerts recently. These have been mostly minor events, but they reinforce the notion that it is worth monitoring the Kp index, which gives a sense of Earth’s geomagnetic activity. High Kp values are a useful indicator of a potential auroral event.

Sporadic-E usually takes a break at this time of the year, but if you make a point of checking the foEs trace at propquest.co.uk, you may see that there are occasional spikes in the graph of the data from Dourbes in Belgium. This suggests that, although rare, out-of-season Sporadic-E does occur, especially on the lower bands such as 10 and 6m. 

This week, Moon declination is positive and falling, going negative again on Thursday. Moon window length and peak elevation are falling. Path losses are rising again as we passed perigee on the 29th of January. 144MHz sky noise will be low all week.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News

Sunday, the 25th of January 2026

The news headlines:

It is the last week to submit your nominations for the RSGB 2026 Elections

The RSGB EMC Committee has published a "Guide for Reporting Harmful Interference to Ofcom"

Apply to be the RSGB’s Honorary Skills and Career Development Officer

Time is running out to submit your candidate forms and nominations to become an RSGB Board Director or Regional Representative in the upcoming RSGB 2026 Elections. Both roles offer the chance to use your skills, experience, energy and enthusiasm to help shape the future of the RSGB and its activities as it fulfils its strategic priorities. If you’d like to rise to the challenge and join a team of enthusiastic and dedicated radio amateurs who are eager to ensure the growth of the RSGB and amateur radio, act now. The closing date for all vacancies is 2359UTC on the 31st of January. The Society strongly encourages applications from radio amateurs of all different backgrounds and identities. Find out how to submit your application at rsgb.org/elections

The RSGB EMC Committee has recently published a new “Guide for Reporting Harmful Interference to Ofcom". The leaflet contains some dos and don’ts on the style and content of the report that has to be submitted. It also provides some examples of wording that can be used. This is the 18th leaflet the EMC Committee has released that offers advice on dealing with interference issues. Download all of them by going to rsgb.org/emc  and selecting ‘EMC Leaflets’ from the ‘In this section’ menu on the right-hand side.

The RSGB is looking for a volunteer to build a team that will engage with early-career engineers, as well as those making a career transition, to encourage them to use amateur radio to develop their skills and knowledge. As the Honorary Skills and Career Development Officer you will lead a team that will design and deliver learning material and courses at a level both just beyond, and significantly beyond, the Full Licence. If you are an RSGB member and interested either in this role or contributing to this programme, read the full role description at rsgb.org/volunteers

Girl Guides and Scouts across the globe will be celebrating 100 years of World Thinking Day on Sunday, the 22nd of February. The aim of Thinking Day on the Air is to encourage Girlguiding and Scouting members to make friendships with those in other units, using amateur radio as the means of communication. What will you be doing to help them celebrate? You could put on a special event station with a callsign that reflects this centenary. Let the RSGB know your plans so it can help to promote the event and share a list of stations that will be active over the weekend. A similar and highly popular resource was shared for Jamboree on the Air in October. Get involved and help to make this event just as successful. Send details of your activity to [email protected]

Amateur Radio Digital Communications, also known as the ARDC, has funding opportunities open for projects. Applications are invited for a range of topics including hardware, software, digital and satellite communications and educational material. The next deadline for submitting applications is the 1st of February 2026. Read more at tinyurl.com/ardcfeb26

Join the new Radio For Us net ️on FreeSTAR International today, Sunday the 25th of January, from 8 pm. A live stream of the event will be available at youtube.com/@radioforus. You can find out more about the network visit by visiting freestar.network 

And finally, a reminder that the next in the popular 145 Alive series will take place on Saturday, the 7th of February, from 12 pm to 3 pm. The event will include the addition of 144MHz SSB stations with vertical polarisation. For more information, visit the 145 Alive Facebook page.

Please send details of all your news and events to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week. 

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, Sunday the 25th of January, the Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally is taking place at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The doors are open from 10 am, and admission is £3. For more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 07777 699 069 or email [email protected]

The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain access to set up from 8.15 am, and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk

Now the Special Event news

Special callsign DF100KWTJ is active until the 31st of March to mark the centenary of the Kurzwellentagung. This commemorates the first convention of German HF amateurs, which was held in January 1926. QSL via the Bureau. Visit QRZ.com for more details.

The World Wide Award is currently underway and runs until the 31st of January. The award combines CW, SSB and digital mode activity from stations around the world. Real-time online award tracking is available for chasers. For more information, visit hamaward.cloud/wwa

Now the DX news

Gabriele, HB9TSW, is active as Z68BG from Slatina Air Base near Pristina in Kosovo until Wednesday, the 28th of January. He is operating CW only. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, or via Gabriele’s home call.

Gabriel, LU1WGB, is active as LU1WGB/Z from the Joint Antarctic Base on Laurie Island, in the South Orkney Islands, AN-008, until the 22nd of February. He operates using FT8 with a QRP SDR transceiver and a dipole.

Now the contest news

The CQ World Wide 160m DX Contest started at 2200UTC on Friday, the 23rd and runs until 2200UTC today, Sunday, the 25th of January. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province.

The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint started at 1200UTC yesterday, Saturday the 24th and runs until 1200UTC today, Sunday the 25th of January. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your serial number.

On Tuesday, the 27th of January, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday, the 28th of January, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 22nd of January 2026

Last week featured a massive aurora that couldn’t have been predicted in the previous report. The cause was a large Earth-directed coronal mass ejection on Sunday, the 18th of January at 18:08 UTC.

The solar wind speed was above 1,100 kilometres per second, so the impact on the Earth arrived sooner than expected. The result was that the Kp index rose to 8.33 at around 1938UTC on Monday, the 19th, sparking widespread aurora. Such was its intensity that the aurora was visible from Devon, and the Kp index was still at 8 the following day. HF was badly affected with maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path, struggling to reach 14MHz on the 20th of January.

Luckily, things have now calmed down, but it shows that it is worthwhile keeping an eye on solarham.com  for daily updates.

HF DX was a little sparse during the height of the geomagnetic storm, but has since recovered. 8Q7JI in the Maldives was reported as being worked on the 20m band using FT8 in the afternoon of Wednesday, the 21st of January.

The KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition continues and has been worked from the UK by better-equipped stations. 9X2AW in Rwanda will be operating for the coming two weeks. Lastly, VP2EIO in Anguilla is active until the 31st of January using FT8 and some SSB.

NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start next week around 175, but decline to 165 by Friday, the 30th. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be reasonable, at least until the 28th, when we may expect a Kp index of 4 or 5 over a three-day period.

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

The mild unsettled weather is probably going to transform into a cold unsettled pattern during the next week. However, things will stay essentially unsettled with active weather fronts or heavy showers bringing plenty of opportunity for rain scatter on the GHz bands.

After the good auroral and auroral-E propagation on the VHF bands early last week, we are in quieter territory now. However, as usual, a daily check on the Kp index will ensure you keep in touch with any sign of a recurrence. As for meteor scatter, we are now firmly in the random meteor period for several weeks and, with no major showers available, the best times will usually be in the early hours before sunrise.

Lastly, a mention of Sporadic-E, which might crop up as brief spikes on the propquest.co.uk graphs. The foEs values in January show as isolated peaks from 5 to 7MHz, which is approximately equivalent to 10m and 6m. Perhaps a good way to see where the prospects exist is by using dxmaps.com  to find current Sporadic-E paths on the 10 and 6m bands.

A second hint can be found by looking at the Sporadic-E blog tab on Propquest to see where the main weather jet streams are located. This is because Sporadic-E paths are often associated with jet streams, especially where they cross mountain ranges like the Pyrenees or Alps. 

July this year sees maximum Moon declination coinciding with lowest path losses in the northern hemisphere, so there's never been a better time to try EME operating.

This week, Moon declination is positive and rising, so Moon window length and peak elevation are increasing. Path losses are falling as we approach perigee on the 29th of January. 144MHz sky noise is low, rising to moderate on the 29th of January.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.

GB2RS News

Sunday, the 18th of January 2026

The news headlines:

RSGB announces important changes to its QSL Bureau Service

RSGB Regions 6 and 7 launch a new challenge for February

Could you be the RSGB Youth Activities and Engagement Champion?

The RSGB is pleased to announce the next stage in developing its QSL Bureau Services following the retirement of the RSGB QSL Bureau Manager Richard Constantine, G3UGF. After a comprehensive review of long-term options, the Society has entered into a formal Contractual Agreement with the German National Radio Society, Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, to process all incoming and outgoing RSGB QSL cards. DARC operates a modern, high-capacity QSL bureau. Its systems already support several national societies and offer industrial-scale reliability, digital processing capability and long-term resilience. This partnership will provide a robust and effective QSL bureau service for RSGB members. Volunteers remain central to the RSGB QSL Bureau Service, and the RSGB extends its thanks to all sub-managers, whose dedication forms the backbone of the service. The new arrangements are designed to support volunteer involvement, not replace it, and to ensure volunteers have a strong infrastructure behind them. The new service preserves the traditional bureau structure but will offer additional options for RSGB members who send cards. Find out more about these developments on the newly updated QSL Bureau pages on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/qsl

RSGB Regional Representatives in North and South Wales have launched a new challenge. The 40 Metre Challenge encourages radio amateurs to make as many QSOs as possible on the 40m band between the 1st and 28th of February. The event has six categories to enter and is open to individual RSGB members living in Wales and members of RSGB-affiliated clubs located in Wales. Certificates will be awarded to the top station in each category, as well as a 7MHz Challenge Trophy for the RSGB Affiliated Club with the most QSOs submitted by its membership. Find out more by searching ‘40 Metre Challenge’ in the search bar on the RSGB website at rsgb.org

Have you got ideas for activities that will inspire and engage young Foundation licence holders? The RSGB is looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to become its volunteer Youth Activities and Engagement Champion. The role will take the lead on youth-focused activities and help in promoting and supporting events such as YOTA Month and the annual IARU YOTA Summer Camp. Read the full details on this exciting role and how to apply at rsgb.org/volunteers

The RSGB is seeking to appoint a new Advertising Agent to take over from the current contractor upon their retirement. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the UK’s national amateur radio society and manage advertising sales across a diverse portfolio of respected publications and digital platforms. If you are a contractor or agency and can support the development of RSGB advertising and contribute to the growth of its publications and digital platforms, this opportunity could be for you. Go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/careers to find out more. Applications are closing soon, so don’t delay if you’re interested!

YOTA Month took place in December and was full of young radio amateurs having fun on the air. If you were involved with the event, don’t forget to share your experience by featuring in a YOTA Month special in the March edition of RadCom. To be included, email your photos and a short report to [email protected] by the 23rd of January at the latest, and please make it clear if the photos can also be used on social media.

A reminder that the RSGB will stop offering the Intermediate 100 award and the VHF/UHF Activity award at the end of 2026. Anyone working towards these awards will have until the end of the year to complete the necessary QSOs. The RSGB has numerous other awards for you to chase, so get started by going to rsgb.org/awards

The Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys is having a ‘What is my STEM future’ conference for Canterbury school pupils aged between 10 and 13. The event aims to give students a sense of what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is, and to help them plan for their futures. The conference programme includes four workshops, one of which will be on amateur radio and Morse. Under supervision, students will have the opportunity to operate the school’s amateur radio club callsign, G3OSL. Listen out between 10 am and 1 pm on Wednesday, the 21st of January, when pupils will be active using CW on the 40 and 20m bands. Read more about the event via rsgb.org/school-zone

Please send details of all your news and events to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is 10 am on Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week. 

And now for details of rallies and events

On Sunday, the 25th of January 2026, the Lincoln Short Wave Club Winter Radio Rally will be held at Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free parking. The doors will be open from 10 am, and admission is £3. Tables cost £10. To book tables, or for more information, contact Steve, M5ZZZ on 07777 699 069 or email [email protected]

The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club, will take place on Sunday, the 8th of February at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain entrance from 8.15 am, and the doors open to visitors at 10 am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy, raffle, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk

Now the Special Event news

The Royal Association of Radio Amateurs in Morocco is active as CN35CAN during the 35th Africa Cup of Nations. The competition sees African national football teams compete against each other every two years. Recently, the station was worked on the 20m band using SSB. For more information, visit QRZ.com

The Straight Key Century Club's Straight Key Month is currently underway. The annual on-air event commemorates the Club's founding in 2006 and celebrates the original instruments of early radiotelegraphy, including straight keys, bugs and ‘cootie’ keys. Listen out for the K3Y callsign, which is being aired from the ten USA call areas. Information on the event and QSL instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/skcc2026

Now the DX news

Jonathan, W5GI, is active as VP2V/W5GI from Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, NA-023, until Tuesday, the 20th of January. He operates SSB and FT8 on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World.

Andre, ON7YK, is active as C5YK from The Gambia until Sunday, the 25th of January. He operates using SSB, digital modes and some CW on the 20 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL or directly to Andre’s home call.

Now the contest news

Tomorrow, the 19th of January, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 2000 to 2200UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.

On Tuesday, the 20th of January, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The CQ World Wide 160m DX Contest starts at 2200UTC on Friday, the 23rd and runs until 2200UTC on Sunday, the 25th of January. Using CW on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ Zone. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province.

The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group Sprint starts at 1200UTC on Saturday, the 24th and runs until 1200UTC on Sunday, the 25th of January. Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your serial number.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 15th of January 2026

The Solar Flux Index increased a little last week, but it was never exceptional. We started at 111 on the 11th of January and ended at 127 on Thursday the 15th – hardly much to get excited about.

The 11th of January also marked the most geomagnetically disturbed day of the week, with the Kp index hitting 5.33. Luckily, the rest of the week was more settled, with the Kp index not getting above 3 for the three days up until Thursday, the 15th.

The Sun also produced two M-class solar flares during that time, but there were no X-class events.

This has meant reasonable HF propagation, with the maximum usable frequency over 3,000km climbing steadily after sunrise, often reaching more than 30MHz at times. But it has been choppy, with many falls below 25MHz during the day. So, if you are a 10m band operator, stick with it, as you may find conditions improve after 10 minutes or so.

Nighttime maximum usable frequencies are still falling to around 7 to 9MHz over a 3,000km path, often dropping further, leaving the 40m band closed to many.

A quick check of the NCDXF IBP beacon chain around midday on Thursday, the 15th, showed that the 24.930MHz beacons were probably the most active, but DX signals were still a little watery.

The lower bands are still coming up with the goods, though, with Hong Kong being reported on 80m using CW. 3D2USU in Fiji has also been worked on the 20m band using CW, according to the CDXC Slack Group. The KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition has been another sought-after entity this month. The station has been reported as being worked from Europe on the 30m band using FT8, on the 80m band using CW and on the 40m band using USB.

Next week’s DXpeditions include 9X2AW in Rwanda, 5H3DX in Tanzania, P40AA in Aruba, and PJ2ND on Curacao Island. Also reported to be active are VE3VSM/HR9 on Roatan Island in the Caribbean, Z81D in South Sudan, H44MS on the Solomon Islands and FT4YM in Antarctica. If you work any of them, send your reports to [email protected]

Next week, the solar flux index is predicted to climb slightly, perhaps peaking at 140, before heading back down to the 120 to 130 range at the end of the month.

Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be settled next week, before becoming unsettled again on the 28th of January.

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO

The current unsettled pattern looks likely to continue for the next week with low pressure nearby for much of the time, driving a series of rain-bearing fronts across the country. 

This will provide some opportunities for rain scatter, although these fast-moving winter systems may need some delicate rotator work to keep track of them. Tropo seems unlikely to feature much, if at all, during the period.

The prospects for meteor scatter are best for random meteors around dawn since we are now entering a long period between important meteor showers. This will last through to the Lyrids in late April. 

The solar conditions may be interesting due to a large sunspot group moving into view as the previous week closes, so don’t abandon hope of potential auroral activity and, as usual, monitor the Kp index for enhanced values above 5, ideally reaching 7 or better.

A final note about Sporadic-E, which, last week, provided some mid-winter QSOs, including on the 4m band. This was encouraged by the stronger winter jet streams, although we are now moving out of that traditional winter window of activity. 

Check the foEs trace on the propquest.co.uk  graphs to be sure you don’t miss any final throes of the winter Sporadic-E season.

For EME operators, Moon declination is at minimum over this weekend and negative all next week, going positive again on Friday the 23rd. Path losses are falling, and the Moon window length and peak elevation are increasing. 144MHz sky noise was high from Friday the 16th, and the Sun and Moon are close in the sky today, the 18th. Sky noise will be low from tomorrow, the 19th, onwards.

And that’s all from the propagation team this week.