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G4TNU > NEWS 22.02.26 10:34l 229 Lines 12829 Bytes #5 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 22 Feb 2026
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GB2RS News for Sunday the 22nd of February
The news headlines:
- RSGB 2026 Elections - Nominated Director candidates announced
- A year in numbers 2025 - a celebration of RSGB achievements
- Former RSGB President Colin Thomas, G3PSM is now a Silent Key
In this year's RSGB elections there are vacancies for two Nominated
Directors. Following a rigorous selection process, the Society's
Nominations Committee has chosen to put forward Graham Smith, G4NMD,
and Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB for endorsement. RSGB members will be able
to vote to endorse these candidates when voting opens on Wednesday
the 18th of March. To help you learn more about the candidates, the
RSGB has published two videos. The candidates weren't given the
questions in advance and were interviewed separately. You can watch
their in-depth answers in a single easy-to-view video, whilst the
two-minute video provides their brief thoughts on RSGB membership.
You can watch them on the RSGB YouTube channel and on its website at
rsgb.org/candidates
Amateur radio continues to evolve and the RSGB, in turn, develops how
it supports current radio amateurs and reaches out to new audiences.
The RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB wrote his annual feature
called 'A year in numbers' for the March issue of RadCom. In it he
shared some of the year's great achievements in which RSGB HQ staff
have often led the way. Read the full feature and view the
infographic on page 48 of the March edition. You can also see the
highlights in a brief video on the RSGB YouTube channel at
youtube.com/theRSGB
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Colin Thomas,
G3PSM. Colin worked tirelessly for the RSGB and was President from
2008 to 2009. He made a great contribution to the acquisition and
defence of radio spectrum. Within Region 1 he played a leading role
in the acquisition of additional bands including 136kHz, 472kHz,
allocations at 5MHz and the expansion of 7MHz. He also led the
successful defence of existing allocations. IARU Region 1 radio
amateurs owe him a huge debt. Colin was an Honorary Life
Vice-President and a recipient of the Founder's trophy in recognition
of his work both for the Society and for the IARU. A full tribute to
Colin is being prepared for the RSGB website and for RadCom.
The RSGB is reminding radio amateurs that the frequencies at 5MHz are
only available on a secondary basis to holders of a UK Full amateur
radio licence. Foundation and Intermediate licence holders are not
allowed to operate on 5MHz. You can find details about this in the
OFW611 amateur radio licence terms and conditions booklet which is
available from ofcom.org.uk and there is also more information about
operating on this band at rsgb.org/5mhz
Are you passionate about attracting older people to amateur radio,
while retaining and engaging our valued senior members? The RSGB is
seeking an enthusiastic individual to take on the role of Honorary
Mature Members' Officer. This volunteer leadership role will champion
the inclusive ethos of amateur radio and promote how the hobby can be
enjoyed by all irrespective of age. You will help to ensure that
mature members feel supported, valued and actively involved and build
a small team to develop initiatives that strengthen engagement across
our community. If you are an RSGB Member and are committed to helping
others remain active and involved in the hobby they love, visit
rsgb.org/volunteers to read the full role description and find out
how to apply.
Time is running out to submit your entry to the RSGB 2026
Construction Competition. The deadline is Sunday the 1st of March.
You'll need to email a short description of your entry and up to four
photographs. It is also recommended to send a link to a video that
demonstrates your entry working. More details on submitting your
application can be found via rsgb.org/construction-competition The
results of the competition will be announced during the RSGB 2026
Annual General Meeting on Saturday 18th of April.
To encourage activity on the 2m band, the 145 Alive team has
introduced 145 Alive 50. The trial period for this initiative runs
until the 18th of April. The rules are simple. Call CQ on the calling
channel and have at least one QSO per day on the 2m band. Record your
contacts and send your log for 50 or more days, in ADIF format, to
145aliveuk<at>gmail.com Electronic certificates will be supplied by
the 145 Alive team to successful applicants.
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 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 8am and the doors open to the
public at 10am. For more information email Bill, G7AKJ via
billwrench213<at>btinternet.com
On Sunday the 22nd of March, Callington Radio and Electronics Rally
will be held in the Town Hall, New Road, Callington, Cornwall,
PL17 7BE. The doors will be open to the public from 10am until 1pm.
Entry is ｣2 each with no charge for those under the age of 16. A
comprehensive selection of traders, clubs and societies from the
southwest will be present along with a bring-and-buy stall and the
usual catering service. Pre-booking is essential, so please contact
Alastair, M0KRR via alastair.kerr1<at>btinternet.com or by phone on
01503 262 755 with your requirements as soon as possible. Visit
callingtonradiosociety.org.uk for more information.
Now the Special Event news
Today, Sunday the 22nd, Hartlepool Amateur Radio Club will be
operating using special callsign GB100HG for World Thinking Day on
the Air. Listen for activity on the 40, 20 and 10m bands mainly using
SSB and possibly CW and FT8. FM contacts will also be possible on the
2m and 70cm bands. The operators are keen to make as many contacts as
possible so, if you hear them, please give them a call.
Celebrating World Radio Day, the VIC Amateur Radio Contest DX Club is
operating as 4UNR until the 28th of February using CW, SSB and
digital modes. QSL via OQRS.
Now the DX news
Michael, OZ6ABL is active as 5Z4/OZ6ABL from Watamu [WUH-TA-MOO] in
Kenya, until Saturday the 28th of February. Activity is 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.
Ulmar, DK1CE is active as TZ1CE from Bamako [BA-MUH-KOW] in Mali
until Sunday the 1st of March. He is operating using mainly FT8 on
the HF bands. SSB contacts are also possible. QSL via Club Log and
Logbook of the World.
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 22nd of February, the UK Microwave Group EHF Band
Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 76 to 241GHz
frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The REF Contest started at 0600UTC yesterday, the 21st, and runs
until 1800UTC today, 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.
The ARRL International DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the
21st, and finishes at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 22nd of February.
Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and
transmitter power. American stations also send their state, and
Canadian stations send their province.
Tomorrow, the 23rd of February, 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 24th of February, the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest
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 25th of February, 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.
On Thursday the 26th of February, the RSGB 80m club Championship runs
from 2000 to 2130UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is
signal report and serial number.
The CQ 160m DX Contest starts at 2200UTC on Friday the 27th of
February and runs until 2200UTC on Sunday the 1st of March. Using SSB
on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. American
stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their
province.
On Sunday the 1st of March, the Worked All Britain 3.5MHz Phone
Contest runs from 1800 to 2200UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the
exchange is signal report, serial number and your Worked All Britain
area.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 19th of February.
We had a week of relatively low solar flux indices and mostly settled
geomagnetic conditions.
While the solar flux index fell to be in the 117 to 129 range, the Kp
index was mostly in the twos and threes. This was after the weekend's
geomagnetic disturbance, due to a large coronal hole that expelled
solar plasma in a stream that moved past Earth at nearly 700
kilometres per second.
As a result, HF conditions have been quite good with plenty of DX
being worked.
The KP5/NP3VI Desecheo [DEH-SEH-CHAY-OH] Island DXpedition near
Puerto Rico has been a struggle for many, due to its popularity and
use of solar-powered batteries and low power. One quick hint: try FT8
on the 40m band around 7 to 7.30am. You get a greyline enhancement at
sunrise, but for much of Europe the band is closing, which means
there is little competition. Let us know how you get on.
Other DX this week includes 8R1WA in Guyana. This is an Italian team
operating until Friday the 27th of February. Chuck will be active as
VP2MCV on Montserrat and will be active in the ARRL DX CW Contest and
until the end of the month. Finally, a German team will be operating
as J51A in Guinea-Bissau until mid-March.
Another large solar coronal hole became Earth-facing on Friday the
20th of February, so we may expect unsettled geomagnetic conditions
from today, the 22nd.
Next week, the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasted a low solar
flux index of 105 for yesterday, the 21st, before rising again to
potentially reach 165 by the end of this month. Unsettled geomagnetic
conditions are forecast for the 24th and 25th with an estimated Kp
index of 5.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th of February saw afternoon
openings on 50MHz to TZ1CE in Mali to generate DX interest. However,
as expected, it was stations much further south that benefitted from
the best propagation, with just a few stations in the southern areas
of the UK making QSOs on FT8.
The present spell of unsettled weather remains the main theme for the
period up to the end of the coming week. The pattern is controlled by
a strong Atlantic jet stream so 'changeable' is the watchword with
periods of heavy rain alternating with brighter showery interludes
and, of course, quite strong winds at times.
In terms of propagation, rain scatter is a clear favourite, although
in one cloudy period in mild air around Tuesday the 24th, some
possible tropo may show up for southern areas of UK. The meteor
scatter options are again subject to random activity since we are
still some way off the next important shower, the Lyrids, in late
April.
The auroral prospects have, at best, been gently simmering at low
values of the Kp index, mostly less than 5. Stay tuned though,
because we may see an uptick around Tuesday the 24th. So watch for
signs of fluttery signals on the LF bands and then check for auroral
tones on 10m and up through the 6 to 2m bands. These events are
always a bit of a long shot but should be worth checking this time.
The sporadic-E season is still some way off, although a strong jet
stream pattern is always a positive.
For EME, Moon declination is positive and rising, meaning longer Moon
windows and higher peak elevation. Path loss continues to fall as we
approach perigee on Tuesday the 24th. 144MHz sky noise starts the
coming week low, rising to moderate towards the end.
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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