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Show Notes
GB2RS News
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 the 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 [email protected]. Electronic certificates will be supplied by the 145 Alive team to successful applicants.
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 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]
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 10 am until 1 pm. 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 [email protected] 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. 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 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 in Mali until Sunday, the 1st of March. He is operating 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 1700 UTC. Using all modes on 76 to 241GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The REF Contest started at 0600 UTC yesterday, the 21st, and runs until 1800 UTC 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 2359 UTC 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 2200 UTC. 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 runs from 1930 to 2230 UTC. 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 2100 UTC. 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 2130 UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The CQ 160m DX Contest starts at 2200 UTC on Friday, the 27th of February and runs until 2200 UTC 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 2200 UTC. 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 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 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 7.30 am. 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 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 benefited 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 the 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.