GB2RS News

Sunday the 6th of September 2026

The news headlines:

Are you aware of the GB0PSC Baldock space weather station? The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee recently installed a HamSCI HFRx at Ofcom’s spectrum monitoring site at Baldock. The station is part of HF propagation studies that will allow the Committee to learn more about space weather and its effects including radio blackouts, Doppler flashes and travelling ionospheric disturbances. You can find out how the Committee is progressing with its studies by joining Gwyn Griffiths, G3ZIL on Saturday the 10th of October at the RSGB Convention. If amateur radio construction is something you’d like to find out more about, then join RadCom Plus Editor Paul Marks, G8FVK on Sunday the 11th of October to learn about his approach to modular design of amateur radio equipment. In particular, he’ll be looking at QRP HF and VHF gear, using readily available circuit boards and modules such as the AD831 RF mixer module. You can attend both lectures at the Society’s annual Convention at Kents Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes between the 9th and 11th of October. Secure your place via rsgb.org/convention

National Coding Week is back this month! To support radio amateurs in building their digital skills and explore the world of programming, the RSGB has shared three new activities for you to try. The first builds on the Python Pocket Morse activity developed last year and guides radio amateurs to use a BBC Micro:bit to send Morse code either on a telegraph wire or wirelessly. The second is ‘Ener-G use’ which is great for unlicensed and younger radio amateurs and allows them to compare increasing forces and energy use with a fun Micro:bit activity. The third activity is based on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2W. It is a demonstration of Pulse Width Modulation and uses just a couple of components, including an LED and a resistor, and will give you a better understanding of the concept of duty cycle. All three activities are available via rsgb.org/coding  You can try them at home, set up a practical club night or use them as an activity with a youth or school group. Let the Society know how you get on by sending photos and a summary to [email protected] by the 30th of September.

Following the conclusion of the on-site WRTC 2026 adjudication process at Wyboston, UK on the 13th of July 2026, significant new information became available resulting in necessary further work by the Judging Committee. In order for the WRTC event to be reflective of the most accurate assessment of contesting conduct and ability, the Organising Committee and Sanctioning Committee agreed collectively to support this work and have now published revised scores. This report voids and replaces the previously announced results. To read the full report visit wrtc2026.org

Don’t forget that the RSGB Tonight@8 webinar series is back tomorrow night, Monday the 7th  of September. Join RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB live for a presentation on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. You’ll also be able to hear how you can get involved with World Space Week, which takes place from the 4th to the 10th of October. The webinar will contain lots of useful information on how your club can host an event and show that amateur radio is part of space exploration, education and communication. Watch the webinar and ask questions via the RSGB YouTube channel or special BATC channel. Find out more at rsgb.org/webinars

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station programme is an opportunity for educational organisations to host an amateur radio contact with a crew member on board the International Space Station. The window to submit an application is now open and ends on the 23rd of October 2026. This is for a contact to take place between July to December 2027. If you are a school, college, university or youth group, take a look at the information available on the ‘School Contacts’ tab via ariss-eu.org  If you would like to view videos of different contacts, go to the RSGB YouTube channel at youtube.com/thersgb  and search for 'ARISS'.

Don't forget to listen out for the amateur radio stations that will be on the air during International Air Ambulance Week. The event started yesterday, the 5th, and runs until Sunday the 13th of September. For more details visit tinyurl.com/IAAW2026

On Saturday the 12th of September, lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 1000 to 1600UTC. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More details are available at wacral.org

The next in the popular 145 Alive series of events takes place on Sunday the 13th of September from 1200 to 1500UTC. Many hundreds of operators are expected to be on the air using 145MHz FM and 144MHz SSB. For more information, go to the 145 Alive Facebook page or email [email protected]

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

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest is taking place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. For more information contact the Hamfest team via [email protected]

On Saturday the 12th of September, East Midlands Ham and Electronics Rally will take place at Beckingham Village Hall, Southfield Lane, Beckingham, DN10 4FX. The doors will be open from 9.30am to 4pm and free car parking is available behind the hall. Hot food and refreshments will be available on site. More information is available via emerg.uk/rally

On Sunday the 13th of September, Caister Lifeboat Radio Rally will take place at Caister Lifeboat station, Caister on Sea, NR30 5DJ. The doors will be open from 10am to 3pm and entrance is free of charge. For more information email, Zane, M1BFI via [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society will be running special event station GB1PPF on Saturday the 12th of September from 9.30am until 4pm. The station will be located at St Peter and St Paul Church, Church Lane, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire PE28 9JS. Listen for activity on the HF, VHF and UHF bands.

Special event station GB0SXW will be on the air on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September at the Stone Cross Windmill near Eastbourne BN24 5EA. Operators will be using SSB on the HF bands and FM on the 2m band. Visitors are welcome. Find out more via QRZ.com

Special event callsigns EO210WLP and EM70WWW are in use until the end of year to celebrate 210 years of Lviv Polytechnica University and 70 years of the Lviv Polytechnica club station. More information, including details of awards that are available for working the stations, is available via QRZ.com

Now the DX news

Gunter, DK2WH is active as V51WH and V55Y from Namibia until the 10th of October. He is operating using FT8, SSB, RTTY and some CW on the 160 to 6m bands. QSL via Gunter's home call, directly or via the Bureau.

Now the contest news

RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day started at 1300UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1300UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest started at 1400UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The All Asian DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, the 5th, and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and your age.

Today, the 6th, the RSGB 5th 144MHz Backpackers contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Tomorrow, the 7th, the RSGB Autumn Series SSB Contest runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also, on Tuesday the 8th, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 9th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 9th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

On Thursday the 10th, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The Worked All Europe DX SSB Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 12th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 13th of September. Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Sunday the 13th, the UK Microwave Group Millimetre Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 70cm Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1330UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report and serial number. EI and GI stations also give their county.

Also, on Sunday the 13th, the IRTS 2m Counties Contest runs from 1300 to 1500UTC. Using SSB and FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator. EI and GI stations also give their county.

Also, on Sunday the 13th, the Practical Wireless 70MHz Contest runs from 1200 to 1600UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 3rd of September 2026.

Solar activity has continued to decline, leaving us with a solar flux index around 100. The upside is we haven’t had any solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, to contend with.

Over the last week, we had only one M-class flare and no X-class events. The solar flux index declined to 102 on Thursday the 3rd of September – down from 122 a week ago.

But the Kp index has been firmly in the range of 1 to 2 which bodes well for ionospheric stability.

This has led to maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, over 3,000km being around 21 to 24MHz. However, FT8 has stretched this up to 28MHz at times. There have been some good 10m band FT8 openings to South America late in the afternoon. Chile, Brazil and Argentina were workable during these periods.

DX to be worked this week includes 3W9C from Vietnam; T99PB from Palau; Z68PX in Kosovo; P29YY in Papua New Guinea; HP/WE9G from Panama; D44TWO from Cape Verde; T32AZ from East Kiribati; and J38DX and J38LD operating from Grenada.

V47YA and V47RCX from St Kitts and Nevis will be active from the 8th of September until the end of the month and KH8WW, in American Samoa, will be on the air from the 10th to the 24th of September.

Two rare ones to look for are VK0DS from Davis Station and VK0TBC from Casey Station, both in Antarctica. Operations are mostly using SSB and FT8, as time permits. Both stations have been spotted on the FT8 frequencies of the 20, 15 and 10m bands at times.

Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain around the 100 mark. However, the good news is that, barring any flares or CMEs, the Kp index should remain low, perhaps around 2 all week.

And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G0KYA.

The weather remains in a rather unsettled state. However, there are some signs of a transient area of high pressure brushing past the south of the country today, the 6th. This may create a chance of some tropo into the continent.

This could tie in very well with the RSGB 144MHz Trophy and Backpackers Contests, which are taking place today the 6th. The unsettled pattern returns for the rest of the week and may not provide much help for the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday the 8th, or the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest on Thursday the 10th.

In occasional bursts of heavier rain there may be some potential for rain scatter on the GHz bands.

The prospects of meteor scatter remain in the random territory. So, it is best to listen just before dawn for the better chances. The solar conditions have not been very dramatic lately with the Kp index staying below 3. However, if it perks up a bit, say above 5, there may be a chance of aurora.

The Sporadic-E season has more or less ended now. The next period to consider checking usually comes at the end of the year, and the first week in January, for out-of-season surprise openings.

EME now, and sky noise should remain low during the coming week. Moon declination remains high. The Moon reached perigee, its closest point to Earth, yesterday, the 5th, so path losses remain low.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 30th of August 2026

 The RSGB Board is pleased to announce that, following its meeting on the 22nd of August 2026, Graham Smith, G4NMD has been appointed Chair of the Board. This appointment forms part of a planned and orderly leadership transition agreed by the Board. Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, who has served as Chair since 2023 with distinction, fully supports the change and will remain a Director until the 2027 AGM. He will continue to contribute his considerable experience to the Society and its activities. Licensed since 1974, Graham has been active in many areas of amateur radio, including service as an RSGB District Representative, RAYNET-UK Controller and member of the Emergency Communications and Resilience Group. Since joining the Board, he has led work on resilience, volunteer development, and governance improvement, as well as serving as Board Liaison for Training and Education. The Board looks forward to continuing its work with volunteers, members and staff across the Society as it delivers its strategic priorities and supports the amateur radio community throughout the UK and beyond. For the full announcement please see the RSGB Notices section of the RSGB website.

The Tonight@8 autumn programme begins on Monday the 7th of September with an engaging webinar on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB will be delivering a presentation that will start with a brief history on the subject before looking ahead to the future. He will touch on FUNcube developments, FUNcube+ and missions such as Jovian-1, whilst also considering how radio amateurs are now using geostationary satellites like QO-100. He will also ask how radio amateurs can adapt their skills and equipment for a rapidly changing communications world. Patrick is an expert in the subject having had a 38-year career in the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 30 years dedicated to the space sector. RSGB webinars are live streamed on its YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online. Find out more about September’s presentation and other upcoming webinars, by going to rsgb.org/webinars

The RSGB Convention ‘NanoVNA Essentials’ workshop has now sold out! Make sure you don’t miss out on the remaining spaces for the two other workshops by securing your ticket now. On Friday the 9th of October you can take part in a five-and-a-half-hour workshop offering practical advice on identifying the sources and mitigating the effects of Radio Frequency Interference. On the afternoon of Saturday the 10th of October or the morning of Sunday the 11th of October you can take part in a two-hour workshop offering practical and interactive exercises that show you how to use AI more effectively in your own amateur radio projects. Both workshops are available to purchase at the same time as your Convention ticket. Go to rsgb.org/convention-workshops  to book your place. Don’t forget that you only have until 9am on Tuesday the 1st of September to purchase your ticket at the early bird pricing.

Time is running out to submit your nominations for the annual RSGB G5RP Trophy. You have until Friday the 11th of September to send in a nominee who has recently discovered and made significant progress in HF DXing. Perhaps you know someone who has worked a good total of new countries, or perhaps they have taken part in some substantial HF DXpedition activity. Please send your nominations to RSGB HF Manager Ian Greenshields, G4FSU at [email protected]

The DMR Youth Net, organised by the RSGB Youth Committee, is back at 7pm BST on Tuesday the 1st of September following a break over the summer holidays. Since the launch of the net in 2025, young operators have joined from across Europe to build confidence speaking on the radio, connect with fellow young operators from around the world, and join in without needing to set up antennas at home. The RSGB Youth Talk Group 23554 is available on the DVSPh and Brandmeister Networks. The net will take place on the first Tuesday of each month.

We’re delighted to announce that Steve Chalk achieved a Bronze Medal at the IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships in Romania last week. He was one of a small team competing on behalf of the RSGB. Steve gained his medal in the M60 category of the Sprint race, in which the transmissions are just 12 seconds in duration. Congratulations to Steve!

Don't forget to listen out for the stations that are taking part in this year’s British Inland Waterways on the Air event. Stations have been operating since yesterday, the 29th, and activity continues until tomorrow, Monday the 31st of August. To find out more, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk  and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2026’ link.

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 30th, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking 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 £3 and parking is free of charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally

Also today, the 30th, Torbay Amateur Radio Society’s Annual Rally is taking 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 £3 and visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at torbayars.org

Tomorrow, Monday the 31st, 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 [email protected]

On Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest will take place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. The G-QRP Club Convention will be held at the same venue on Saturday the 5th of September. For more information contact the Hamfest team via [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

REP, Portugal's national amateur radio association, is active with special callsign CT100REP until the 31st of December. The station is operating to mark the group's 100th anniversary. Look for activity on the HF, VHF, and UHF bands using CW, digital modes, SSB and satellites.

Now the DX news

Mark, WB2OIL is active as WB2OIL/VY0 from Broughton Island, NA-130, until Tuesday the 1st of September. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. More information is available via QRZ.com

Now the contest news

The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC yesterday, the 29th, and ends at 1200UTC today, 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.

On Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, 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 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age.

On Saturday the 5th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.

On Sunday the 6th, the Worked All Britain 144MHz SSB Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.

RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day start at 1300UTC on Saturday the 5th and end at 1300UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Sunday the 6th, the 5th RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 27th of August 2026.

Last week we said there were no coronal holes to threaten HF propagation. However, guess what appeared just after the time of writing.

Coronal holes can appear at any time, which is why we recommend going to solarham.com  for daily updates.

This week another coronal hole has appeared and this one really does look like it could threaten Earth. This, coupled with coronal mass ejections, means that today, the 30th, could see the Kp index rise and maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, fall.

On a brighter note, the Kp index has been very low this past week, mostly below 2, with the result that HF propagation has been very good. Top DX being worked includes RI1FJL on Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Circle, which has been loud on many bands, right up to the 12 and 10m bands.

Other DX to be worked in the coming week includes V5/HB9BFM from Namibia; J38DX and J38LD from Grenada; and P29YY working from Papua New Guinea.

A quick check of the NCDXF beacon chain revealed very good propagation on 14MHz and 21MHz. This includes reception of the following beacons: CS3B in Madeira; RR90 in Siberia; 4S7B in Sri Lanka; 4X6TU in Israel; and 4U1UN in New York.

So, it looks like we are starting to leave the summer doldrums and entering better autumnal HF conditions.

Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be around 120, falling to 90 as the week progresses. After the potential for geomagnetic disruption this weekend, ending today the 30th, the forecast is good with a Kp index of around 2.

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

The weather has changed to autumnal conditions with lows bringing periods of rain or showers and quite windy conditions at times. The coming week will turn out in similar fashion and means that we won’t be dealing with much, if any, tropo for VHF. The main weather-dependent mode will be rain scatter for GHz band operators.

The chances of aurora will need to show a Kp index above 5 to be of much interest, and probably a bit higher for southern areas. The prospects for meteor scatter are likely to be reduced to random activity which tends to give better results in the early morning hours before dawn.

Lastly, we are coming to the close of the Sporadic-E season and, with probably a week or so to play out, any openings will be few and far between. Try checking during the main operating windows of mid-morning and late afternoon. As a back-up, consider the middle of the day since towards the edges of the season the traditional timings are less reliable.

For EME operators, Moon declination went positive again yesterday, the 29th, with increasing peak elevation and lengthening Moon windows. Path losses are falling all week towards perigee on Sunday the 6th of September. 144MHz sky noise is low, increasing to medium by Friday the 4th of September.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 30th of August 2026

 The RSGB Board is pleased to announce that, following its meeting on the 22nd of August 2026, Graham Smith, G4NMD has been appointed Chair of the Board. This appointment forms part of a planned and orderly leadership transition agreed by the Board. Stewart Bryant, G3YSX, who has served as Chair since 2023 with distinction, fully supports the change and will remain a Director until the 2027 AGM. He will continue to contribute his considerable experience to the Society and its activities. Licensed since 1974, Graham has been active in many areas of amateur radio, including service as an RSGB District Representative, RAYNET-UK Controller and member of the Emergency Communications and Resilience Group. Since joining the Board, he has led work on resilience, volunteer development, and governance improvement, as well as serving as Board Liaison for Training and Education. The Board looks forward to continuing its work with volunteers, members and staff across the Society as it delivers its strategic priorities and supports the amateur radio community throughout the UK and beyond. For the full announcement please see the RSGB Notices section of the RSGB website.

The Tonight@8 autumn programme begins on Monday the 7th of September with an engaging webinar on amateur radio and the future of satellite communication. RSGB Board Director Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB will be delivering a presentation that will start with a brief history on the subject before looking ahead to the future. He will touch on FUNcube developments, FUNcube+ and missions such as Jovian-1, whilst also considering how radio amateurs are now using geostationary satellites like QO-100. He will also ask how radio amateurs can adapt their skills and equipment for a rapidly changing communications world. Patrick is an expert in the subject having had a 38-year career in the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 30 years dedicated to the space sector. RSGB webinars are live streamed on its YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online. Find out more about September’s presentation and other upcoming webinars, by going to rsgb.org/webinars

The RSGB Convention ‘NanoVNA Essentials’ workshop has now sold out! Make sure you don’t miss out on the remaining spaces for the two other workshops by securing your ticket now. On Friday the 9th of October you can take part in a five-and-a-half-hour workshop offering practical advice on identifying the sources and mitigating the effects of Radio Frequency Interference. On the afternoon of Saturday the 10th of October or the morning of Sunday the 11th of October you can take part in a two-hour workshop offering practical and interactive exercises that show you how to use AI more effectively in your own amateur radio projects. Both workshops are available to purchase at the same time as your Convention ticket. Go to rsgb.org/convention-workshops  to book your place. Don’t forget that you only have until 9am on Tuesday the 1st of September to purchase your ticket at the early bird pricing.

Time is running out to submit your nominations for the annual RSGB G5RP Trophy. You have until Friday the 11th of September to send in a nominee who has recently discovered and made significant progress in HF DXing. Perhaps you know someone who has worked a good total of new countries, or perhaps they have taken part in some substantial HF DXpedition activity. Please send your nominations to RSGB HF Manager Ian Greenshields, G4FSU at [email protected]

The DMR Youth Net, organised by the RSGB Youth Committee, is back at 7pm BST on Tuesday the 1st of September following a break over the summer holidays. Since the launch of the net in 2025, young operators have joined from across Europe to build confidence speaking on the radio, connect with fellow young operators from around the world, and join in without needing to set up antennas at home. The RSGB Youth Talk Group 23554 is available on the DVSPh and Brandmeister Networks. The net will take place on the first Tuesday of each month.

We’re delighted to announce that Steve Chalk achieved a Bronze Medal at the IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships in Romania last week. He was one of a small team competing on behalf of the RSGB. Steve gained his medal in the M60 category of the Sprint race, in which the transmissions are just 12 seconds in duration. Congratulations to Steve!

Don't forget to listen out for the stations that are taking part in this year’s British Inland Waterways on the Air event. Stations have been operating since yesterday, the 29th, and activity continues until tomorrow, Monday the 31st of August. To find out more, visit Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group’s website at nharg.org.uk  and follow the ‘BIWOTA 2026’ link.

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 30th, Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking 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 £3 and parking is free of charge. For more information visit mkars.org.uk/mkrally

Also today, the 30th, Torbay Amateur Radio Society’s Annual Rally is taking 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 £3 and visitors are welcome from 10am. More details are available at torbayars.org

Tomorrow, Monday the 31st, 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 [email protected]

On Sunday the 6th of September, Telford Hamfest will take place at Harper Adams University near Telford, TF10 8ND. The doors open at 10.15am. Admission costs £5 but children up to 16 will be admitted free of charge. The G-QRP Club Convention will be held at the same venue on Saturday the 5th of September. For more information contact the Hamfest team via [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

REP, Portugal's national amateur radio association, is active with special callsign CT100REP until the 31st of December. The station is operating to mark the group's 100th anniversary. Look for activity on the HF, VHF, and UHF bands using CW, digital modes, SSB and satellites.

Now the DX news

Mark, WB2OIL is active as WB2OIL/VY0 from Broughton Island, NA-130, until Tuesday the 1st of September. He is operating using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 40 to 10m bands. More information is available via QRZ.com

Now the contest news

The World-Wide Digi DX Contest started at 1200UTC yesterday, the 29th, and ends at 1200UTC today, 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.

On Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 1st of September, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 2nd, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also, on Wednesday the 2nd, 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 2nd, the UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000 to 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

The All Asian DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and your age.

On Saturday the 5th, the CWops CW Open takes place in three four-hour sessions between 0000 and 2359UTC. Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is serial number and name.

On Sunday the 6th, the Worked All Britain 144MHz SSB Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using SSB on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and Worked All Britain square.

RSGB SSB Field Day, IARU Region 1 Field Day and IRTS SSB Field Day start at 1300UTC on Saturday the 5th and end at 1300UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The RSGB 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 5th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 6th of September. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Sunday the 6th, the 5th RSGB 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1000 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 27th of August 2026.

Last week we said there were no coronal holes to threaten HF propagation. However, guess what appeared just after the time of writing.

Coronal holes can appear at any time, which is why we recommend going to solarham.com  for daily updates.

This week another coronal hole has appeared and this one really does look like it could threaten Earth. This, coupled with coronal mass ejections, means that today, the 30th, could see the Kp index rise and maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, fall.

On a brighter note, the Kp index has been very low this past week, mostly below 2, with the result that HF propagation has been very good. Top DX being worked includes RI1FJL on Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Circle, which has been loud on many bands, right up to the 12 and 10m bands.

Other DX to be worked in the coming week includes V5/HB9BFM from Namibia; J38DX and J38LD from Grenada; and P29YY working from Papua New Guinea.

A quick check of the NCDXF beacon chain revealed very good propagation on 14MHz and 21MHz. This includes reception of the following beacons: CS3B in Madeira; RR90 in Siberia; 4S7B in Sri Lanka; 4X6TU in Israel; and 4U1UN in New York.

So, it looks like we are starting to leave the summer doldrums and entering better autumnal HF conditions.

Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be around 120, falling to 90 as the week progresses. After the potential for geomagnetic disruption this weekend, ending today the 30th, the forecast is good with a Kp index of around 2.

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

The weather has changed to autumnal conditions with lows bringing periods of rain or showers and quite windy conditions at times. The coming week will turn out in similar fashion and means that we won’t be dealing with much, if any, tropo for VHF. The main weather-dependent mode will be rain scatter for GHz band operators.

The chances of aurora will need to show a Kp index above 5 to be of much interest, and probably a bit higher for southern areas. The prospects for meteor scatter are likely to be reduced to random activity which tends to give better results in the early morning hours before dawn.

Lastly, we are coming to the close of the Sporadic-E season and, with probably a week or so to play out, any openings will be few and far between. Try checking during the main operating windows of mid-morning and late afternoon. As a back-up, consider the middle of the day since towards the edges of the season the traditional timings are less reliable.

For EME operators, Moon declination went positive again yesterday, the 29th, with increasing peak elevation and lengthening Moon windows. Path losses are falling all week towards perigee on Sunday the 6th of September. 144MHz sky noise is low, increasing to medium by Friday the 4th of September.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 23rd of August 2026

The news headlines:

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 £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 [email protected]  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 £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 £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 [email protected]

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.

GB2RS News

Sunday the 16th of August 2026

The news headlines:

The RSGB is launching a new Training and Development Lead pilot. This is a 12-month volunteer Honorary Officer role for someone who cares deeply about how people learn, progress and stay active in amateur radio. The pilot will focus on listening, mapping, evidence gathering and supporting the training community. If you enjoy connecting people and want to build bridges across the training landscape, this role could be for you. To find out more about the role go to the RSGB website at rsgb.org/volunteers  To discuss the role informally, please contact Board Director Graham Smith, G4NMD via [email protected]  Applications close on the 18th of September and interviews will take place during the week of the 28th of September 2026.

National Coding Week returns between the 14th and 20th of September, bringing a fantastic opportunity for radio amateurs of all ages to build confidence in digital skills and explore the world of programming. This year, the RSGB Outreach Team has released three coding activities designed especially for National Coding Week. These are available on the RSGB website via rsgb.org/coding  for all members to enjoy and they will also be shared directly with youth groups. Whether you’re a complete beginner or are already tech savvy, there’ll be something fun and accessible for everyone. You’ll also find a coding feature in the September edition of RadCom.

The RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park is hosting another of its popular Build Your Own Radio workshops. Morning and afternoon sessions will be held on Thursday the 27th of August and will offer young people aged between 12 and 18 the opportunity to learn more about amateur radio and electronics. The workshops are funded by the Radio Communications Foundation and allow participants to build their own VHF FM broadcast receiver, which they can take home with them. Attendance at the workshop costs £11. You can find out more and secure your place by selecting the ‘What’s on’ menu at bletchleypark.org.uk

The RSGB has launched some new web pages demonstrating how amateur radio aligns with the STEM curriculum. Whichever part of the hobby you enjoy, you’re bound to be using skills relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths every day! And what better way to encourage people into STEM-related study or careers than getting them involved in amateur radio. If you want to give back to the hobby, why not consider becoming a registered STEM Ambassador for amateur radio. The RSGB already has a fantastic team of volunteers who are STEM Ambassadors and use their skills and passion to showcase wireless communication to young people. Why not join them? You can find out how you can get involved at rsgb.org/stem

The IARU has published the fourth edition of ‘Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur’, bringing together updated guidance and best practice for radio amateurs around the world. The latest edition also includes improved accessibility features for those with visual impairments. Whether you’re newly licensed or have been on the air for many years, it’s a useful reminder of the operating standards, courtesy and good practice that help make amateur radio enjoyable for everyone. The RSGB welcomes this updated guide and is particularly pleased that the RSGB Operating Advisory Service Coordinator Ian Suart, GM4AUP, was among those who contributed to its development. The Society would like to thank Ian, and everyone involved, for the considerable time, expertise and effort that has gone into producing this important resource for the international amateur radio community. To find out more and read the new edition, go to tinyurl.com/rsgb-eop

The RSGB is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, a former President and Life Vice-President of the Society, and one of the most knowledgeable and respected technical figures in British amateur radio. Peter worked tirelessly for the RSGB, IARU and for all radio amateurs through his spectrum, technical and regulatory work. Read a full tribute to Peter at rsgb.org/sk

On Saturday the 12th of September lots of amateur radio stations will be on the air to take part in the Churches and Chapels on the Air event, also known as CHOTA. The event will take place from 10am to 4pm. Although stations will be working on a variety of bands and modes, most operating will take place on the 40m band using SSB. More details are available at wacral.org

The Fourteenth Scottish Microwave Round Table GMRT 2026 will take place between 10.30am and 5pm on Saturday the 31st of October 2026 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. An interesting programme of speakers has been arranged. Microwave test facilities will be provided and there will be an opportunity to buy components and microwave-related items. An optional dinner will be held in the evening at the Kingswood Hotel, Burntisland. Full information and online registration are available at gmroundtable.org.uk  Alternatively, email Colin, GM4HWO via [email protected] for more information. The numbers for the day event are limited to 50 so please book early to avoid disappointment.

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

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 16th of August, the North Wales Amateur Radio Group Rally and Tabletop Sale takes place at the Bryn Cadno Community Centre, Upper Colwyn Bay. The doors open at 10am and the entry fee is £3. Light refreshments are available.

Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Radio Rally is also taking place today, the 16th of August at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby, CV23 9PY. The doors open to the public from 10am. More details are available at rugbyats.co.uk

Also today, the 16th of August, West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose Summer Rally takes place at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh WN7 2PJ. The doors open at 10am. For more information and bookings, contact [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club has its annual field weekend on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of August in a field off Hook Street, Berkeley GL13 9TH. All are welcome to visit or catch us on the air, club call sign GX4ABC. For further details, contact the Secretary via email at [email protected]

Members of the Scarborough Amateur Radio Society will be operating as GB400SCA on the HF Bands between 10am and 4pm on Sunday the 23rd of August from the grounds of Scarborough Castle. The callsign celebrates 'Scarborough 400', marking 400 years since Scarborough became the UK’s original seaside resort when health-giving spa waters were discovered in the cliffs above the beach. This led to the start of seaside tourism in 1626 and the idea of seaside holidays subsequently spread throughout the UK. 

 Now the DX news

Special event station EN35UKR is active until the 30th of August to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. QSL via Logbook of the World or direct via UT2UCN.

Curtis, MW0USK and Kevin, MW9KJC are operating as GB64MOD until the 31st of August. The special event station is active to “celebrate the spirit of the Mod movement through amateur radio". Find out more at gb64mod.co.uk

9A10SOTA is the special callsign celebrating ten years of SOTA Croatia. Look out for activity until the 30th of September. QSL via Logbook of the World.

Sands, VK4WXW has returned to Willis Island (OC-007) and will be stationed at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s weather monitoring facility until late October or early November. He expects to be increasingly active in the coming weeks and operates SSB and FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands with a vertical antenna. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS.

Now the contest news

Tomorrow, the 17th of August, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80m to 10m bands where contests are permitted bands, the exchange is your report.

On Tuesday, the 18th of August, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on 1.3GHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday, the 20th of August, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Sunday the 23rd of August, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 5.7GHz and 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 13th of August 2026

The 2026 solar eclipse is done and dusted, so we can get back to normal HF propagation predictions.

The Solar Flux Index dropped below 100 this week, which is more symbolic than anything. But it shows where we are heading as Solar Cycle 25 drops away. The SFI was 99 on the 13th of August with five sunspot groups visible on the solar surface. Activity has been settled with only 12 minor C-Class solar flares over the past seven days.

The Kp index has remained low over the past few days, with just one excursion to 5.33 on the 8th of August thanks to an incoming solar wind stream from a coronal mass ejection. Otherwise, it has been mainly in the ones and twos which bodes well for HF.

Sporadic-E effects are still showing up on HF, while we haven’t yet seen the first signs of an autumnal change in conditions.

A plot from the Dourbes Digisonde shows that the Maximum Usable Frequency, or MUF, over a 3,000km path only got as high as 16.8MHz at noon on the 12th of August.

There were excursions up to 21.5MHz later in the day but this suggests that 15 and 17m are opening now and again. So keep an eye on the bands. It may sound quiet but they may open up at any time.

DX to be worked this week includes A50QO from Bhutan, 3B9/SQ9UM in Rodrigues Island, J68TT from St Lucia, C6AUB in Bahamas from the 19th of August, OJ0JR and OJ0YL from Market Reef and RI1FJL from Franz Josef Land.

Next week NOAA predicts that the SFI may remain around the 100-115 mark.

We may have unsettled geomagnetic conditions around the 17th to 19th of August, with a predicted maximum Kp of five. More settled conditions are forecast for the 20th of August onwards with a maximum Kp of two.

So, it looks like later next week and next weekend will be best for HF DX.

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

The long spell of settled weather for most southern parts of the country may get a shake up during next week as the high pressure to the east of the country weakens to allow low pressure to move in, bringing some much-needed rain. 

Northwestern parts of the UK have had cloudier spells with patchy rain recently and there will be more to come next week.

The result is that any Tropo effects will be tailing off after this weekend and then it will be the turn of rain scatter as more unsettled weather arrives.

Meteor scatter is probably going to ease back slightly after the peak of the Perseids meteor shower last week, although there will still be a random component to keep things going so stick to the hours around dawn for best results.

The solar conditions have shown the occasional increase in the Kp index but not enough to get too excited about aurora, although it's still worth keeping an eye out for values going above a KP of six.

We are still in the Sporadic-E season and the recent input of Perseids meteor debris has provided some new fuel for Es so it’s by no means all over.

The DXcluster maps give a very good idea of the current directions that might prove rewarding. 

The main North Atlantic jet stream will run across the UK into Scandinavia so paths to the east and northeast could do well, together with the usual paths to the south.

In general, it’s still the time of year to check in the morning and again late afternoon for signs of Es activity and if the bands seem quiet then call CQ.

For EME operators, we have passed maximum Moon declination and minimum path losses for the month but there's still a few more days of usable Moon time next week if you have a low horizon. Minimum declination and apogee are still over a week away.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 9th of August 2026

The news headlines:

The RSGB Board has approved an updated Contest Entry Policy following a review, consultation and careful consideration. From the 1st of January 2027, eligibility to participate in RSGB contests will be open to all appropriately licensed radio amateurs, regardless of nationality or location. Entry will be subject only to the legal and regulatory obligations applicable to both the Society and the entrant, together with the relevant contest rules and any applicable RSGB membership requirements. The implementation date has been chosen to allow the Society's HF and VHF Contest Committees sufficient time to prepare contest administration and adjudication systems ahead of the 2027 contest season. The Board considers that this approach reflects the long-established principles of amateur radio, including friendship, cooperation and goodwill between individual operators across national boundaries. It is also consistent with the principles promoted by the International Amateur Radio Union, encouraging international understanding and cooperation through amateur radio. The policy also ensures that all RSGB activities continue to comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations. The Board is grateful to the Board subgroup, the members of the HF and VHF Contest Committees, and everyone who contributed to the review of this policy, including the many members who took the time to submit their comments and observations. Full details of the updated Contest Entry Policy are available on the RSGB website.

There will be a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday the 12th of August and the RSGB’s Propagation Studies Committee would like your help with some radio experiments. There are three ways that RSGB members can get involved and support the Committee in investigating how the Sun’s ultraviolet and X-ray output affects our ionosphere and how radio waves are propagated. If you are active on the lower bands, including medium wave, 80m and perhaps even 40m, you can report back on your findings on how transmissions are impacted during the eclipse. Alternatively, you could run WSPR on 160, 80 and 40m during the main eclipse period and then repeat the exercise, either the day before or the day after so comparisons can be drawn. Or you could take part in two specially organised RSGB contests on 80m CW and 40m FT8. These are open to non-RSGB members as well. For more details go to rsgb.org/psc  and select ‘Projects’ from the right-hand menu.

The Course and Exam finder page on the RSGB website is now back online at rsgb.org/examfinder  The application has been completely redeveloped, following major works on the Society’s website this summer. It now features a fully responsive layout for mobile devices, plus a clearer and more accessible user interface. You’ll find colour-coded banners for the exam levels offered by each club, plus useful and easy to read accessibility information for each venue. Training providers and exam centres are reminded that any updates need to be submitted to the RSGB Examinations Team via [email protected] by 3.30pm each Friday, for them to appear the following week.

You have one week left to secure your RSGB Convention ticket at early bird prices. Weekend tickets currently stand at £49 and are available until Sunday the 16th of August. Your weekend ticket gives you access to two days’ worth of engaging and informative content from over 40 speakers, including the AMSAT-UK colloquium. Buy your ticket at rsgb.org/convention  Find out what else is going on during the weekend by selecting ‘What else is happening at the RSGB 2026 Convention?’ from the right-hand menu of the Convention web pages.

Ofcom and the RSGB have formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding under which the RSGB provides the amateur radio licence examinations currently and in the future. The main changes from the original relate to the confidentiality of examination questions and the replacement of the Examinations Audit Committee with 'independent' voting members of the ESC. You can read the latest document by going to rsgb.org/esc

The first of this year’s International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekends will run from 0001UTC on Saturday the 15th to 2400UTC on Sunday the 16th of August. The event usually attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries. To register for the event, and view a list of participating stations, visit illw.net

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 9th, Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Hamfest is taking place at Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, near Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3DA. The doors are open from 9am to 3pm. Car-boot and field traders are welcome from 7am. Admission costs £5 and includes parking. Talk-in is on 145.550MHz. For more information visit frars.co.uk

On Saturday the 15th of August, DX Commander Fest will be taking place at Holly Farm Business Park, Honiley, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP. More information is available at dxcommander.com

On Sunday the 16th of August, the North Wales Amateur Radio Group Rally and Tabletop Sale will take place at the Bryn Cadno Community Centre. The doors open at 10am and the entry fee is £3. Light refreshments will be available. To book a table email [email protected]

Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Radio Rally will be taking place on Sunday the 16th of August at Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby, CV23 9PY. The doors will be open to the public from 10am. More details are available at rugbyats.co.uk

Also on Sunday the 16th of August, West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose Summer Rally will take place at Mather Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh WN7 2PJ. The doors open at 10am. For more information and bookings, contact [email protected]

Now the Special Event news

Special callsign YR100RC is on the air until the 30th of September to celebrate 100 years of amateur radio in Romania. Look for activity on the HF bands using a variety of modes. For details of a certificate that is available for working the station, visit tinyurl.com/romania1786

Marking the 70th anniversary of the DARC's weekly news broadcast, special callsign DB70DLRS will be on the air until the 31st of December. Look for activity on all bands and modes. QSL via DK5ON, Logbook of the World and the DARC Community Logbook. More information is available at QRZ.com

Now the DX news

Darek, SP9DLM and his 13-year-old son Greg, SN9GM are active as UK/SP9DLM and UK/SN9GM from Uzbekistan until Saturday the 15th of August. The stations have been worked recently on the HF bands using SSB. QSL via OQRS.

Sands, VK4WXW has returned to Willis Island, OC-007, and will be stationed at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's weather monitoring facility until late October or early November. He expects to become increasingly active as VK9WX in the coming weeks. He operates using FT8 and SSB on the 40, 20, 15 and 10m bands. QSL via OQRS.

Now the contest news

Today, Sunday the 9th, the UK Microwave Group 25GHz Trophy contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 1.2cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The RSGB Machine Generated Mode Contest started at 1400UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 1400UTC today, Sunday the 9th of August. Using machine-generated modes on the 6 and 2m bands, the exchange is report and your four-character locator.

The Worked All Europe DX CW Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 9th of August. Using CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Tuesday the 11th of August the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 11th, the RSGB UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 12th of August the RSGB Eclipse CW Contest runs from 1630 to 1930UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is report and serial number.

Also on Wednesday the 12th, the RSGB Eclipse FT8 Contest runs from 1630 to 1930UTC. Using FT8 on the 40m band, the exchange is your report.

On Wednesday the 12th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 12th, the RSGB 432MHz FT8 Activity two-hour Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 70cm band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Stations entering the four-hour contest may also enter the two-hour contest.

On Thursday the 13th of August, the RSGB 50MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 6th of August 2026.

The Sun was mostly settled last week with very little to report.

The solar flux index declined to 108 by Thursday the 6th of August, with most of the sunspot activity being on one half of the solar surface. Geomagnetic conditions have also been settled with a Kp index mostly below 3 for the past few days.

A coronal mass ejection impacted the Earth and pushed the Kp index to 5.67 on Sunday the 2nd of August, but conditions recovered within 24 hours.

We’ve even been almost solar flare free with, at the time of writing, only seven minor C-class events over the past three days.

So, this all bodes well for HF propagation.

24 and 28MHz are mostly only open to Sporadic-E. Some multi-hop paths are still opening up to the Far East especially, so don’t write off 10m, even if you have to listen to noise for a lot of the day! F2-layer propagation still favours North-South paths on the 10m band.

Next week, DX to be worked includes E51KEE from the Cook Islands; YS/WE9G in El Salvador; UK/SP9DLM from Uzbekistan; and OX3LX operating from Greenland. Later in the week look for A50QO in Bhutan; J68TT from St Lucia and OJ0JR and OJ0YL working from Market Reef.

NOAA predicts that next week the Sun will remain pretty calm and be in the 105 to 110 range. The Kp index is forecast to be mostly around 2 to 3. So, conditions should remain fair but not disrupted.

And don’t forget the solar eclipse on Wednesday the 12th of August. The RSGB has lots of activities planned including two HF contests, WSPR activity and medium- and long-wave monitoring. See the August issue of RadCom for details.

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

The main theme of the weather during the coming week is one of some settled high-pressure with tropo options, especially early in the coming week.

This is likely to be interrupted by occasional periods of low pressure with rain for north westerly areas. The summer weather patterns typically produce a more showery type of rain, even from fronts, giving a reasonable chance of rain scatter. However, activity may be low in the south and east. Of the two modes mentioned above, next week will probably be more biased towards tropo than rain scatter.

The Kp index made a brief excursion to 5 last week but seems a bit quieter now. However, it's useful to check now and again in case we find some radio aurora.

The meteor scatter options feature strongly this week as the Perseids meteor shower peaks around Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August. It's quite interesting to simply leave a receiver on a meteor scatter calling channel to hear the transient signals.

The Sporadic-E season continues and, since meteor debris plays a role in providing the ionisation required, the Perseids week is always worth checking for a surprise opening. In terms of jet stream weather patterns, the stronger hints come from looking east towards the Baltic. However, other directions are not to be ignored since even quite small features, such as a slow-moving severe thunderstorm, can have an influence.

For EME operators, Moon declination reaches maximum today, Sunday the 9th, when Moon window length and Moon elevation will be at their peak. Path losses are at their lowest at perigee tomorrow, Monday the 10th of August. 144MHz sky noise is low to moderate until Wednesday the 12th, when the Sun is close to the Moon in the sky due to the partial eclipse that day.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 2nd of August 2026

The news headlines:

An exciting volunteer opportunity has arisen to lead the RSGB Regional Team following the decision by George Crawford, GM1DSV to stand down as Regional Forum Chair once the right candidate is appointed. The RSGB would like to express its thanks to George who will be focusing his time on serving Region 1 as its Regional Representative. The role of Regional Forum Chair is ideal for someone who is passionate about amateur radio, teamwork and empowering volunteers. This is a standout volunteer opportunity for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact across all regions, support our dedicated Regional and District Representatives, and strengthen the connection between members, volunteers and the wider organisation. The RSGB is also looking for a Regional Forum Secretary to support the smooth running of activity behind the scenes. This is a fantastic volunteer opportunity for someone who thrives on coordination, communication and teamwork, and wants to play a key role in supporting the Regional Team Chair and the entire Regional Forum. Find out more about both roles, along with details of how to apply, by going to rsgb.org/volunteers  You can use the same link to find out about District Representative roles in various regions around the country.

The RSGB Examinations Standards Committee, or ESC, has published its annual report, relating to activities in 2025. The report shows that, although overall candidate numbers in 2025 decreased a little compared with 2024, they remain about 20% higher than predictions based on the extrapolation of pre-2019 trends. The ESC believes that this is largely due to the increased accessibility of training courses and examinations online. The ESC noted that the initial feedback received from candidates on the publication of the Full level question bank has been very positive. However, a few months of exam data are needed before the full impact of the measure can be assessed, and then consideration given to rolling it out at other levels. You can read the report by going to rsgb.org/esc  and choosing the ‘Minutes, papers and reports’ tab on the righthand side of the web page.

RSGB Board Director and Board liaison for the Youth Committee Nathan Nuttall, MM9OCC has announced that the RSGB Youth Chair Chris Aitken, MM0WIC has stepped down from his role as Chair. Chris, who is a teacher at Wick High School, has secured an ARISS contact for his school and will be using his time to focus on activities surrounding this. The current RSGB Youth Vice-Chair Leon Shaw, M0VUF will step up as Chair and the RSGB Youth Champion for Scouts Sam McCutchion, M0UEL will take on the Vice-Chair position. Sam will continue in his role as Scout Champion until a suitable replacement can be found.

The RSGB is preparing to launch a new Training and Development Lead pilot role to help rebuild structured engagement with trainers, support new licensees, and strengthen the wider training environment. This 12-month pilot will focus on listening, mapping, evidence gathering and supporting the training community. Some initial information was outlined in the August RadCom strategy update and more details will be shared in August, including how trainers and providers can get involved.

The July 2026 issue of RadCom Basics is now available in the RSGB mobile and web app for members to enjoy. RadCom Basics is aimed at newcomers to amateur radio and those who enjoy refreshing their skills and knowledge. The July issue includes articles on DMR for beginners, RF connectors and dummy loads. The full collection of RadCom Basics back issues can be found in the RSGB app or via rsgb.org/radcom

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

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 2nd, Part 1 of the 2026 British Amateur Television Club Convention 2026 is taking place at Midland Air Museum, Rowley Road, Coventry, CV3 4FR. The event is running from 10am to 4pm and includes show-and-tell, test-and-fix-it and bring-and-buy elements. There are comprehensive test facilities available for all bands from 144MHz to 24GHz. Non-members are welcome. For more information, visit batc.org.uk/events

Also today, the 2nd, the Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information, visit becg.org.uk/events

Also today, the 2nd, Finningley Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place at the Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster, DN8 5SX. The doors are open from 10am. Entrance costs £5 per person but under-16s will be admitted free of charge. For more information, visit g0ghk.com 

Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club Rally is also taking place today, the 2nd, at Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King’s Lynn PE30 4EL. The doors open at 9am and the entrance fee is £2.50. For more information, email [email protected] or call 0770 907 4951.

On Sunday the 9th of August, Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Hamfest will be taking place at Cobham Sports and Social Club Ground, Merley, near Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3DA. The doors will be open from 9am to 3pm. Car-boot and field traders are welcome from 7am. Admission costs £5 and includes parking. Talk-in will be on 145.550MHz. For more information visit frars.co.uk

Now the Special Event news

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the Croatian Flora and Fauna Amateur Radio Club is active as 9A44FF until the 31st of December. For information about an award that is available for working the station, visit QRZ.com

Special callsign LZ75HSC is active to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Radio Telegraphy Highspeed Club. The club was founded in 1951 and to date membership has grown to include more than 1,400 operators spanning every continent. For more information, visit highspeedclub.org

Now the DX news

Rafal, SQ4O is a member of the 50th Polish Antarctic Expedition to the Henryk Arctowski  Station on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, AN-010. He will be working there until October. In his spare time, he will be operating as HF0PAS on the HF bands using CW and SSB. Rafal is also active on the 6m band using FT8.

Jan, DL4XT is active as 4K/DL4XT from Azerbaijan until Saturday the 8th of August. Look out for activity using CW, FT8 and SSB on the 20 to 10m bands. QSL via Logbook of the World, OQRS and QRZ.com

Now the contest news

Today, the 2nd of August, the RSGB 432MHz Low Power Contest runs from 0800 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and your two-letter postcode.

The UK Six Metre Group Summer Marathon started on the 2nd of May and ends today, Sunday the 2nd of August. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is your four-character locator.

On Tuesday the 4th of August, the RSGB 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also on Tuesday the 4th, the RSGB 144MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 5th, the RSGB 144MHz FT8 Activity four-hour Contest runs from 1700 to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on the 2m band, the exchange is report and four-character locator. Also on Wednesday the 5th, 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.

The RSGB Machine Generated Mode Contest starts at 1400UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 1400UTC on Sunday the 9th of August. Using machine-generated modes on the 6 and 2m bands, the exchange is your report and four-character locator.

The Worked All Europe DX CW Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday the 8th and ends at 2359UTC on Sunday the 9th of August. Using CW on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Sunday the 9th, the UK Microwave Group 24GHz Trophy Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on the 1.2cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 30th of July 2026.

We’ve had quite a reasonable period of HF propagation over the past seven days. The solar flux index remained quite high and conditions have been quite stable, apart from a geomagnetic disturbance on Thursday the 23rd of July that saw the Kp index rise to 5.33.

The solar flux index has been in the 140s and 150s, which bodes well for HF. There have been reliable openings up to at least the 15m band. We are still around eight weeks away from the start of better Autumnal HF conditions, but it is looking promising.

At the time of writing there were nine active regions visible on the Sun, bringing a solar flux index of 143 and a sunspot number of 123. However, for software prediction purposes you are better off using August’s current smoothed sunspot number of 84.

The sunspots we do have are mostly clustered around the Sun’s equator, which is quite normal for this point in the solar cycle. We normally associate high-latitude sunspots with the beginning of a new cycle, which is still many years away.

Paul, GM4ULS reported a contact suddenly vanishing on 5MHz SSB around 1530UTC on Sunday the 26th of July. This was caused by a sudden ionospheric disturbance, or SID, due to an M-class solar flare. A SID usually sounds like someone has just ‘switched off’ the ionosphere, although recovery can be quite quick.

DX to be worked next week includes E51KEE on the Cook Islands; YS/WE9G from El Salvador; C6AYM in the Bahamas; T2JK in Tuvalu; UK/SP9DLM from Uzbekistan and OX3LX working from Greenland. The Arctic Legends team is now operating as RI0BU from Uedineniya Island until Friday the 7th of August.

The higher bands, such as 15 and 10m, currently favour north-south paths, for example UK to South Africa and South America. The 20m band should be more usable for paths to North America.

NOAA predicts that the Sun’s activity may decline slightly in the coming week. A solar flux index in the range 120 to 130 is predicted. 

A geomagnetic disturbance is forecast for Tuesday the 4th of August, with a predicted Kp index of 4. This should recover over subsequent days, back to a more usual 2 to 3.

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

The current spells of very hot weather have set their own agenda for radio conditions when it comes to tropo.  

We have a tick for the high pressure, but the extreme temperatures have meant that the tropo-producing temperature inversions seldom survive the daytime heating over the land. It is only coastal stations that remain in the lift conditions during the daytime. 

The weather forecast models for the coming period suggest that the weather pattern is trying to become more unsettled but, as in recent weeks, it seems to take a while to materialise in some parts of the country. 

However, it will bring two changes for radio activity. One is slightly cooler weather and some showery rain, so there is a chance of rain scatter. Secondly, there will perhaps be less reliable tropo as the high pressure weakens. Some potential tropo paths probably remain from the fragmented elements of high pressure, but it may be rather hit and miss.

Meteor scatter is worth checking out during the next few weeks with two smaller showers, the Southern Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids peaking at the end of July before the lead-up to the Perseids in mid-August. The solar conditions are still in play for the effects of coronal mass ejections from the Sun and the potential for auroras. So that’s another mode to keep on the list.

Lastly, a mention for Sporadic-E which continues through August and produced daily North American openings for many last week. Jet streams are often the driving force for turbulence in the lower atmosphere, and can influence the location of Sporadic-E. In the coming week they will probably not help greatly due to a very weak pattern over Europe. It’s still worth checking out during the two usual windows of activity in the mid-morning and late afternoon.

For EME operators, Moon declination is increasing again with consequent northern hemisphere increases in Moon window length and peak Moon elevation. Path losses will decrease as the week progresses towards perigee on Monday the 10th of August. 144MHz sky noise is low to moderate all week.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 26th of July 2026

The news headlines:

Are you a young radio amateur? Have you secured your RSGB Convention ticket yet? This year’s Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre in Milton Keynes will include a wider range of youth-specific activities. This is being arranged by the RSGB Youth Committee in tandem with the main Convention organising team. You’ll find a youth forum with ten-minute lightning talks on youth-focused topics, as well as an opportunity to share your practical projects. There will be a youth panel discussion on how the radio amateur community can encourage and support young people coming into amateur radio. To top that off there will be a chance to get involved with a POTA activation and join an informal youth dinner on the Saturday night. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to meet with like-minded people, develop your network and have lots of fun. If you’re under 21, you will receive free admission to the RSGB Convention. Tickets do not need to be pre-booked and are given on the day. If you’re under the age of 16 you will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. If you are aged over 21, buy your ticket at rsgb.org/convention

This year’s Youngsters On The Air summer camp is taking place in the Austrian Alps from the 25th of July to the 1st of August. A team of four young radio amateurs has been selected by the RSGB Youth Committee to represent the Society. The group will be spending six days engaging with like-minded youngsters and learning more about amateur radio. They’ll be taking part in a range of activities including Summits on the Air and also experimenting with underground propagation. From tomorrow, the 27th, you will be able to see regular updates from the group by going to rsgb.org/yota-camp  and selecting ‘YOTA Austria 2026’ from the right-hand menu. You can also see updates via the Society’s Facebook, Instagram and X pages.

The Club Finder on the RSGB website is now back online at rsgb.org/clubfinder  This has been completely redeveloped and now features a fully responsive layout for mobile devices, plus a much clearer and more accessible interface. Clubs are reminded to check their data and to submit any required updates via their club’s Membership Services portal or by emailing [email protected]  Data in Club Finder is updated at 3.30pm every Friday, so please submit updates by then, so that they appear the following week.

RSGB members and non-members alike can read the report on this month’s World Radiosport Team Championship in the RSGB’s August publications. The report, written by WRTC Organising Committee member Keith Haynes, G3WRO is available to members via RadCom and to non-members via the Affiliated Clubs Newsletter in the RSGB app. This can be viewed online, on a tablet or mobile phone. Also, you can catch up on all the WRTC livestream videos and additional content at youtube.com/@WRTC2026

The first of this year’s International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekends will run from 0001UTC on Saturday the 15th to 2400UTC on Sunday the 16th of August. The event usually attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries. To register for the event, and view a list of participating stations, visit illw.net

Please send details of all your news and events to [email protected]  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 2nd of August, Part 1 of the 2026 British Amateur Television Club Convention 2026 will be held at Midland Air Museum, Rowley Road, Coventry CV3 4FR. The event will run from 10am to 4pm and include show-and-tell, test and fix-it and bring-and-buy elements. There will be comprehensive test facilities available for all bands from 144MHz to 24GHz. Non-members are welcome. For more information visit batc.org.uk/events

The Broadcast Engineering Museum has an open day on Sunday the 2nd of August from 11am. The museum is located at 41 Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff, near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 5XS. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic broadcasting equipment in the world. For more information visit becg.org.uk/events

Also on Sunday the 2nd of August, Finningley Amateur Radio Society Rally is taking place at the Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster, DN8 5SX. The doors will be open from 10am. Entrance costs £5 per person but under-16s will be admitted free of charge. For more information visit g0ghk.com

Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club Rally is also taking place on Sunday the 2nd of August at Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King’s Lynn PE30 4EL. The doors open at 9am and the entrance fee is £2.50. An outdoor trader’s stall costs £8 and an indoor one is £10. To book, email [email protected] or call 0770 907 4951.

Now the Special Event news

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the German DX Foundation is active with special callsign DQ30GDXF until the end of the year. QSL via OQRS and Logbook of the World. For details of an award that is available for working the station visit tinyurl.com/gdxf2026

To celebrate his 50th anniversary in amateur radio, Nick, US8AR is active throughout 2026 using special callsign EM50AR. Electronic QSL cards can be downloaded from em50ar.pp.ua

Now the DX news

Red, DL1BUG is active as TY5FR from Cotonou in West Africa until Tuesday the 4th of August. He is operating using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World or via Red’s home call.

The CG2C Group is active on various bands and modes from Cap-aux-

Now the contest news

Today, the 26th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The RSGB IOTA Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 25th and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 26th of July. Using CW and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report, serial number and IOTA reference.

Tomorrow, the 27th, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 1900 to 2100UTC. Using FT4 on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.

On Tuesday the 28th, 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.

On Saturday the 1st of August, the EU HF Championship runs from 1200 to 2359UTC. Using CW and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and the last two digits of the first year you were licensed.

Also, on Saturday the 1st of August, the RSGB 4th 144MHz Backpackers Contest runs from 1400 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and your two-letter postcode.

Also, on Saturday the 1st of August, the RSGB 144MHz Low Power Contest runs from 1400 to 1800UTC. Using all modes on the 2m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and your two-letter postcode.

On Sunday the 2nd of August, the RSGB 432MHz Lower Power Contest runs from 0800 to 1200UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and your two-letter postcode.

The UK Six Metre Group Summer Marathon started on the 2nd of May and ends on Sunday the 2nd of August. Using all modes on the 6m band, the exchange is your four-character locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 23rd of July 2026

We said last week that there were no coronal holes to worry about. Yet two days later a massive crack appeared on the Sun, stretching over one million kilometres.

Luckily, this didn’t amount to much and it had little effect on HF propagation, but it does go to show that solar events can rapidly develop and that long-term forecasts can be tricky.

The solar flux index has increased over the past week, and was sitting at 150 as this report was being written. As we suggested earlier, geomagnetic conditions have been quiet with the Kp index generally below 3.5, which bodes well for HF.

Solar conditions have been good with only four M-class solar flares and no X-class events. Any coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, have been directed away from Earth.

We are still in the summer doldrums, so D-layer absorption remains high and maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, are generally lower than in the autumn and winter. However, we have the IOTA contest this weekend, which is a great opportunity to work some far-flung DX. So why not dust off your radio and get on the air? With mainland Great Britain being an island, you might find you are in demand as EU-005!

Other DX to be worked this week includes RI0BW, the Arctic Legends IOTA DXpedition; 3B9HR from Rodrigues Island; PJ7/LA5IIA on St Maarten; TY5FR from Benin; E51CZZ and E51KEE on the Cook Islands; VU4R from the Andaman Islands; and VP5G operating from Turks and Caicos.

In the coming week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may fall back to 125 at first, and then down to around 108. Luckily, the Kp index is predicted to remain low, with a predicted Kp of 2, at least until the end of the month.

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

There have been good examples of both tropo and Sporadic-E in the last week and there are reasons to continue with some optimism for the coming week.

This is still a good period for summer tropo. However, remember that hot days are the enemy of tropo over land and it tends to be sea paths that survive throughout the day, whereas land stations have to make the best of nighttime operations.

That said, the main change in the weather pattern this coming week will be that the high pressure, which has been over the Atlantic just west of Britain, shifts into the continent and eventually out of reach by the end of next week.

So, the message is to get into the tropo while it's here and use the latter part of the week for perhaps meteor scatter, with the Delta Aquarids peaking in the coming week. There is reserved optimism for this since it’s primarily a southern hemisphere event.

Rain scatter has been very hard to find recently but looks like making a comeback as the weather turns more unsettled with sequences of fronts crossing the country. Maybe only patchy weak fronts, but still worth considering.

The summer aurora prospects are staying on the marginal side but watch out for Kp index values creeping above 5 before turning your beams north.

Sporadic-E, which is rolling along in main summer season fashion, has been very good lately and was producing a full set of bands, up to 2m, last Thursday the 23rd of July.

As the weather turns a bit more unsettled, this could help with Sporadic-E. This could happen if the fronts move into the continent and weak jet streams, and possibly thundery cold fronts, create turbulence at the right sort of range over Europe. This will probably favour paths to Scandinavia and to the Balkans.

For EME operators, Moon declination reaches minimum today, the 26th, so Moon window lengths and peak Moon elevation are at their lowest value. With apogee yesterday, the 25th, path losses will decrease as the week progresses. 144MHz sky noise is high to start the week, peaking at over 2800 Kelvin today, the 26th, before slowly decreasing in the coming week.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 19th of July 2026

The news headlines:

Following last year’s success, the ‘Find the spy transmitter’ events are back for Summer 2026 at the RSGB National Radio Centre. This family-friendly activity will turn you into spy hunters as you explore Bletchley Park looking for hidden transmitters. The event will be running on Tuesday the 28th of July and Thursday the 30th of July.  Each date has two start times, one at 10.30am and another at 1.30pm. Spaces are limited to 12 groups per session and are available via rsgbspytransmitter.eventbrite.co.uk  The activity is free to take part in, however entry to Bletchley Park is required. Don’t forget that RSGB members get free access to the historic site as a membership benefit. Download your voucher at rsgb.org/bpvoucher

Last year, the RSGB introduced a new membership benefit offering its members discounted entry at six fascinating museums. Following positive feedback from members, this offer continues and RSGB members can receive between 20 and 50 percent off admission fees at Amberley Museum, Bawdsey Radar Museum, Internal Fire Museum of Power, PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, the Royal Signals Museum and the National Museum of Computing. You can make the most of this offer by incorporating a visit to one, or all, of the museums this summer. Whether you are organising a club visit, looking to entertain the children over the summer holidays, or planning for a day out by yourself, there is lots to keep you busy. Visit rsgb.org/partner-museums  for details on how to receive your personalised discount voucher.

Members of the RSGB Outreach Team will be attending the WINGS Jamboree in Windsor between the 26th and 30th of July. The team will be showcasing amateur radio to Scouts and Girlguiding members aged 6 to 14, who will have the opportunity to test their Morse skills through the ever-popular Morse Battleships game. The team will be activating special event callsign GB1WINGS over the period, and the youngsters will have the opportunity to make supervised on-air contacts across the UK and internationally. The team welcomes your support and encourages you to make QSOs on the HF bands and via the QO-100 satellite. Please check the DX Cluster for frequency details. QSL will be via QRZ, eQSL and Logbook of the World after the event.

Revalidating your licence is required every five years, however Ofcom recommends doing it annually. The process requires licence holders to confirm or update their details on the Ofcom licence database. Whether you have recently moved, have a new email address, or all your details remain the same, use this as a reminder to log in and tick the job off your list. You can find guidance on the process by selecting ‘Licence Revalidation’ at rsgb.org/licensing  As well as FAQs, you’ll also find a link to a step-by-step video by Ofcom, which shows you the process of revalidating your licence using the online licensing portal.

The first of this year’s International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekends will run from 0001UTC on Saturday the 15th of August to 2400UTC on Sunday the 16th of August. The event usually attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries. Registration for the event is open at illw.net

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

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 19th, Lincoln Short Wave Club Summer Radio Rally is taking place at The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. The doors open at 10am and admission costs £3. This in an indoor event and ample free car parking is available. For more information email [email protected]

On Saturday the 25th, the Wiltshire Radio Rally Electronics Fair and Car Boot Sale takes place at Kington Langley Village Hall and Playing Fields, Church Road, Kington Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5NJ. The doors open at 7.30am for traders and at 9am for visitors. Hot and cold refreshments and ample parking are available on site. For more information visit chippenhamradio.club/rally

Now the Special Event news

Radio amateurs using Bawdsey Radar Museum’s callsign GB2GRS will be on the air today, Sunday the 19th. Visit the museum to hear where in the world they are contacting. More information is available at bawdseyradar.org.uk

Special callsign HF170TESLA is active to mark the 170th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla. Look for activity on various bands and modes until the 31st of July. For details of awards that are available for working the station, visit tinyurl.com/teslaSES

To celebrate the centenary of Romania's first amateur radio club, special callsign YR100RC is active until the 30th of September. Find out about awards that are available at tinyurl.com/yr100rc2026

Now the DX news

Didier, F6BCW has been active as FO/F6BCW from Tikehau Atoll, OC-066, in French Polynesia until tomorrow, the 20th. He operates CW and SSB on the 80 to 6m bands. QSL via FO/F6BCW, Logbook of the World and OQRS.

Aldir, PY1SAD is active as 8R1TM from Guyana until Sunday the 26th of July. He operates CW, SSB and digital modes on the 160 to 6m bands and via satellite. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, QRZ.com  or directly to Aldir’s home call.

The IP1X team will be active from Gallinara Island, EU-083, on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of July. They will be operating using CW and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands. QSL via the Bureau, OQRS or directly to IU1JCZ. For more details and updates see QRZ.com

Now the contest news

Today, the 19th, the RSGB International Low Power Contest runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using CW on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and transmitter power.

On Tuesday the 21st, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Thursday the 23rd, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The RSGB IOTA Contest starts at 1200UTC on Saturday the 25th and ends at 1200UTC on Sunday the 26th of July. Using CW and SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report, serial number and IOTA reference.

On Sunday the 26th, the UK Microwave Group High Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 5.7 and 10GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 16th of July 2026.

Last week was characterised by a falling solar flux index. Over the past week it has gone from 116 to 100, but the good news is that we have only had one M-class solar flare in that time and a multitude of lesser C-class flares that haven’t amounted to much.

As a result, the Kp index remained low, certainly below 4, other than one excursion to 4.67 on Sunday the 12th of July.

This means propagation has been stable rather than outstanding. But as the winners of the World Radiosport Team Championship showed last week, it was still possible to make 5,800 QSOs in 24 hours. An analysis shows that the best scoring band was 20m, closely followed by 15m and 40m. The predominant mode was CW.

Maximum usable frequencies, or MUFs, over a 3,000km path have been peaking at around 19 to 23MHz at midday, according to the Dourbes DigiSonde.

Major DXpeditions to be worked this week include RT25AA, the Arctic Legends IOTA DXpedition; TY5FR from Benin; VP5G in Turks and Caicos; and HP1/LA5IIA operating from Panama.

The 20m band remains good for contacts across the Northern Hemisphere during daylight, while the 15m band offers better opportunities for north-south paths.

Next week NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may increase, perhaps to 135. Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be good for the first half of the week, but a Kp index of 4 is forecast for Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd of July so expect declining MUFs and poorer HF conditions around that time. There are currently no coronal holes to worry about.

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

The coming period of weather feels very much like what we’ve been getting in the last week or so. High pressure dominates the chart and, since it’s placed just west of Great Britain, this implies a north-westerly flow over the country, with a chance of tropo for many areas.

Last week saw northerly paths worked from the UK up to the Faroe Islands, Norway and Sweden on both 144 and 432MHz.

The high-pressure part of the story suggests not much, if any, rain to speak of and therefore rain scatter is unlikely.

The auroral prospects are not especially great in radio terms. There are about three meteor showers currently giving a broad period of activity for meteor scatter operators and providing long-lived ionisation as fuel for sporadic-E.

In view of the links between Sporadic-E and jet streams, the upper air jet stream patterns suggest favouring paths to the southeast into the Balkans round to the northeast and Scandinavia for Sporadic E. Don’t ignore the options for multi-hop paths into the Far East in the morning on the 6m band and later in the day to the United States, which have been very good lately.

For EME operators, Moon declination is falling again and passed perigee on Monday the 13th of July so Moon window lengths will shorten and path losses increase. 144MHz sky noise is low, increasing to moderate on Thursday the 23rd of July.

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

GB2RS News

Sunday the 12th of July 2026

The news headlines:

The IARU Region 1 Conference is held every three years. The next one will be in September 2026 and will be hosted by the Austrian member society ÖVSV, which is also celebrating its centenary. Reports and proposals on a wide range of amateur radio topics are available from the conference website at conf.iaru-r1.org/documents  The scope includes the more regular topics such as band plans, spectrum matters, EMC and youth. This particular event will also consider updates for amateur radio development, operating and organisational matters. The RSGB has contributed several inputs. More about the event will be shared via the Society’s comms channels and a future edition of RadCom.

This year’s World Radiosport Team Championship is taking place in East Anglia in the UK between the 8th and 13th of July. The RSGB is an official partner to the event and representatives from the Society have been on site throughout the week. The team has been supporting various activities including media liaison to raise awareness for WRTC 2026, the RSGB and amateur radio as a whole. You can see coverage of the event in a range of radio and online outlets including BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC News Online, Shropshire Live and the East Anglia Gazette. Links to the coverage are available on the RSGB website. Volunteers at the RSGB National Radio Centre have been busy welcoming competitors, referees, and supporters of WRTC to the Centre, with some enjoying time operating the GB3RS station. Keep up to date with more WRTC news, including the winners of the Championship, by visiting  wrtc2026.org

Remember to enable RSGB app notifications on your mobile device to be the first to hear when the Society releases the latest edition of RadCom and its sister publications. You’ll also be notified when new editions are added to the collection of back issues. For iOS devices, go to Settings then tap Apps. Locate the RSGB app in the list, and toggle to allow notifications. For Android devices, go to Settings, navigate to Notifications and then tap on App notifications. Locate the RSGB app in the list and toggle to allow notifications. If you haven’t yet downloaded the RSGB app, get the links by going to rsgb.org/radcom

RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB visited the RSGB National Radio Centre earlier this month. Steve was on site to deliver two awards to volunteers including the Norman Keith Adams prize and another for outstanding services to the Centre. The RSGB National Radio Centre Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB is currently looking for friendly and enthusiastic radio amateurs to join this successful team. If you are able to volunteer a minimum of one, or preferably two, days per month, find out more about the role by visiting rsgb.org/volunteers 

Don’t forget to listen out for all of the stations that will be on the air today, the 12th, during the 145 Alive event. From 1100 to 1400UTC, many hundreds of operators will be on the air using 145MHz FM and 144MHz SSB. For more information, go to the 145 Alive Facebook page or email [email protected]

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

And now for details of rallies and events

Today, the 12th, McMichael Radio and Electronics Rally is taking place at White Waltham Airfield, Maidenhead, SL6 3LW. The doors are open from 8am for traders and to the public from 9am. The entry fee for visitors is £4 per person. More details are available at mcmichaelrally.org.uk

On Sunday the 19th, Lincoln Short Wave Club Summer Radio Rally will take place at The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. The doors open at 10am and admission costs £3. This in an indoor event and ample free car parking will be available. For more information email [email protected]

Amateur radio will feature at the Electromagnetic Field EMF 2026 event taking place from the 16th to the 19th of July at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EN. AMSAT-UK, the British Amateur Television Club and the UK Microwave Group are teaming up to showcase satellite communications, amateur television and microwave radio experimentation. Throughout the weekend, they plan to demonstrate how radio amateurs communicate via satellites in both low-earth orbit and geostationary orbit, including contacts and digital amateur television via the QO-100 satellite. They also hope to demonstrate microwave operating techniques and experimental radio systems used on the higher amateur bands. Visitors can see live satellite ground-station setups, microwave equipment, an amateur television demonstration and learn how hobbyists build and operate space-related radio technology. Special event callsign GB26EMF will also be active on site. If you are attending the event, drop by to explore satellites, video over radio and the microwave spectrum. More details are available at amsat-uk.org

Now the Special Event news

To mark the centenary of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, special callsign ZL100C is on the air until Thursday the 6th of August. QSL via the Bureau and Logbook of the World.

Special callsign DL0SOP is active until the 31st of July for the 68th edition of the Sea of Peace Award. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World and eQSL. More information, including the rules and how to apply for an award, is available at dl0sop.darc.de

Now the DX news

Emil, DL8JJ is active as OX/DL8JJ/P from Greenland until Tuesday the 14th of July. He is operating CW from the main island, NA-018, as well as from Tasiilaq, NA-151.

Aldir, PY1SAD is active as 8R1TM from Guyana until Sunday the 26th of July. He operates using CW, digital modes and SSB on the 160 to 6m bands as well as via satellite. QSL via Logbook of the World, eQSL, QRZ.com  or directly to Aldir’s home call.

Now the contest news

Today, the 12th, the UK Microwave Group 24, 47 and 76GHz Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 24 to 76GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The GR2HQ Challenge and IARU HF Championship started at 1200UTC yesterday, the 11th, and ends at 1200UTC today, Sunday the 12th of July. Using CW and SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and ITU Zone. The UK is in Zone 27.

On Tuesday the 14th of July, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest runs from 1800 to 1855UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Also, on Tuesday the 14th of July, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday the 15th of July, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 1900 to 2030UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

On Thursday the 16th of July, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity Contest runs from 1900 to 2130UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Saturday the 18th of July, the RSGB 70MHz Trophy Contest runs from 1400 to 2000UTC. Using all modes on the 4m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number, locator and your two-letter postcode.

On Sunday the 19th, the RSGB International Low Power Contest runs from 0900 to 1600UTC. Using CW on the 80, 40 and 20m bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and transmitter power.

Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO on Thursday the 9th of July 2026.

We have had another week of mixed HF propagation. We started with a Kp index of 6.33 on Saturday the 4th of July which was caused by a coronal mass ejection, or CME. This caused a strong G3 geomagnetic storm and auroral conditions. A check on the bands on the 4th of July showed poor HF propagation with lower maximum useable frequencies, or MUFs, and weak and watery signals from the NCDXF beacons on 14.100MHz.

But conditions have since improved and we had a Kp index of less than 3 over the past few days which means the ionosphere has returned to normal.

Meanwhile, the solar flux index declined from a high of 203 on Thursday the 2nd of July to a low of 116 on Wednesday the 8th of July. That’s quite a change and means that HF propagation has declined somewhat.

An Earth-facing coronal hole has now passed with few effects and currently there is nothing of significance rotating into view. Solar flare activity has also declined with only two M-class flares over the past three days.

So, the big question is: what happens next? Active region 4482 on the Sun continues to be a major threat. A solar flare and accompanying CME could soon ruin our chances of good HF conditions. The declining solar flux index hasn’t helped either.

Again, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the 120 to 145 range over the coming week with a Kp index of 2 to 3. So, good news overall.

DX to be worked this week includes D73G on Ch’ongsan Island; T22TT from Tuvalu; TY5FR in Benin; RT9K, the Arctic Legends IOTA DXpedition; JK1HFB/JD1 in Ogasawara, OX3LX from Greenland; and VP5G operating from Turks and Caicos.

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

The weather is becoming a talking point in terms of the heatwave developing over much of the country, but especially in the south.

This has propagation implications too. It's all being driven by a large area of high pressure, which for much of the coming week resides to the north and west of the British Isles. This will give a north-easterly breeze over the south-eastern half of the UK which means it will be blowing in from the North Sea, possibly with areas of low cloud at times.

The propagation implication is that this represents almost ideal tropo potential. This is especially the case when the low cloud moves inland and we find a marked contrast between the hot dry air above the inversion and the cool, moist and shallow cloud layer below. However, in high summer the daytime heating over the land degrades the lift during the morning as the temperature inversion gets broken down by the strong sunshine.

Northern areas will see the occasional weakening front clip the northwestern fringes of the UK to offer up the only rain scatter prospects available at first. However, some models are starting to suggest a breakdown by the end of the week, so more rain scatter and an end to the tropo.

The prospects for aurora depend upon the Kp index, which at the moment is mostly cycling between 1 and 3. This is not anything to generate radio interest, for which a Kp index of 7 is nearer the mark. Meteor showers are still in the random state with the next shower, the Delta Aquarids, coming late in the month.

The Sporadic-E season is doing well this year, particularly for digital modes. There have also been events for CW and SSB up to 2m at times. However, not all parts of the country experience an opening, so watch the clusters for early notice of workable paths.

EME now, and declination reaches maximum today, the 12th, so Moon window lengths will peak along with maximum Moon elevation. Path losses are still falling, until perigee tomorrow, the 13th. 144MHz sky noise is moderate until Tuesday the 14th when the Sun and Moon are close in the sky, then low for the rest of the week.

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