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G4FVG > NEWS 15.02.26 11:33l 271 Lines 12625 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
BID : 49864_G4FVG
Subj: RSGB Main News 15 Feb 2026
Path: ED1ZAC<ED1ZAC<EA2RCF<I0OJJ<I3XTY<GB7COW<GB7BED<GB7YEW<G4FVG
Sent: 260215/1006Z 49864@G4FVG.#79.GBR.EURO LinBPQ6.0.25
It appears as though the forwarding has been interrupted today,
so here is a backup copy of the [same] RSGB news. This might be
duplicated later via the normal route, but at least two copies are
better than none!
So here is the GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 15th of February 2026
The news headlines:
- Support the RSGB Contest Committees
- Learn your freedoms and restrictions in relation to
repeaters, gateways and packet radio in March's Tonight@8
- Check your club's details are up to date on Club Finder
The RSGB Contest Support Committee, HF Contest Committee and VHF
Contest Committee are looking for volunteers who can help
organise, support and manage the Society's contesting activities.
While applications from experienced contestants are welcome, the
committees would also be pleased to hear from radio amateurs who
are new to contesting. If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact RSGB General Manager, Steve Thomas, M1ACB in the
first instance, via gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk
In February 2024, Ofcom made significant changes to the amateur
radio licensing conditions, but how has that affected your
freedoms and restrictions in relation to repeaters, gateways and
packet radio? In the next episode of Tonight<at>8, two members of
the RSGB Emerging Technology Coordination Committee will answer
this question for you. Join Steve Morton, F4VTF and John
McCullagh, GI4BWM live on Monday the 2nd of March via the RSGB's
YouTube Channel or via its special BATC channel. If you have a
question on this topic, ensure you watch the webinar live and
submit your question via the live chat feature. Find out more by
going to rsgb.org/webinars
If you are a member of an RSGB-affiliated club or society, the
RSGB is encouraging you to check that your organisation's details
are up to date on Club Finder. The RSGB Club Finder allows people
to search for local amateur radio groups. Those people could want
to join your club, find out more about amateur radio before
taking their Foundation licence exam, or could perhaps need
support for British Science Week activities. Updating your
listing is easy. Just log into your club's Membership Services
account and go to the 'UK Club Finder' section. The form includes
a section called 'Meeting details' where you can add helpful
information about disabled access, as well as details about both
physical and online meetings. The Society will update Club Finder
with any new data between 4pm and 6pm every Friday afternoon. If
you wish your latest information to appear before the weekend,
please ensure you update your details before 3pm on Fridays. If
you have any questions about the process, please contact
membership<at>rsgb.org.uk
Among the many informative and engaging displays at the RSGB
National Radio Centre, you'll find information highlighting the
contribution to the war effort made by Voluntary Interceptors who
were RSGB Members during World War Two. It is this topic that
Josephine Saunders explores in her compelling article "Listening
for victory" published in "BRITAIN" magazine. The four-page
feature looks at the role that radio amateurs played in the War,
and how RSGB volunteers now help to bring this history to life at
the RSGB National Radio Centre. She also looks at some of the
wide-ranging activities on offer at the NRC, such as the 'Find
the spy transmitter' event held last year. Subscribers to the
magazine can read the feature on page 63. It can also be read by
going to tinyurl.com/NationalRadioCentre
Participation from radio amateurs in this year's British Science
Week is already looking to exceed last year. A number of clubs
and groups are looking to set up skeds, ranging from South
Derbyshire and Ashby Woulds Amateur Radio Group to Crowthorne and
Wokingham Without NMI Men's Shed. A sked is a prearranged radio
contact with another radio operator at a scheduled time and on a
particular frequency. Find out more about these opportunities by
going to rsgb.org/bsw and selecting 'Events happening near you'
from the right-hand menu.
For those unable to attend the Memorial Service for Dr Julian
Gannaway, G3YGF, tomorrow, Monday the 16th of February, the
service can be viewed online at watch.obitus.com The login
details are available via the RSGB's Silent Key web page.
And finally, a date for your diary. The 14th Scottish Microwave
Round Table GMRT will be held on Saturday the 31st of October
2026 at the Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife, Scotland.
There will be an optional dinner in the evening at a local hotel.
Further updates will be provided on the GMRT website at
gmroundtable.org.uk
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
Today, the 15th of February, Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society's
Radioactive Fair is taking place at Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire
CW5 5DG. The doors are open from 10am to 3pm. The event features
a bring-and-buy sale, RSGB bookstall and raffle. Catering,
parking and disabled facilities are available on site. For more
details visit radioactivefair.co.uk
On Sunday the 1st of March, the Exeter Radio Rally will take
place at The Kenn Centre, EX6 7UE. The rally will include a
bring-and-buy area, disabled facilities, catering and free car
parking. The entry fee is £3. Traders can gain entry from 8am and
the doors open to the public at 10am. For more information email
Bill, G7AKJ via billwrench213<at>btinternet.com
Now the Special Event news
Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society will be using special
callsign GB100MKG with Milton Keynes Girlguiding during Thinking
Day on the Air weekend. The station will be on the air from 11am
on Saturday the 21st of February and throughout the day.
Operators will be running primarily on the 40, 17 and 15m bands,
as well as via the QO-100 satellite, using SSB. FT4 and FT8
contacts will also be possible.
Special event station TM23AAW is on the air until the 2nd of
March to celebrate the 23rd Antarctic Activity Week. Look for
activity on the 40 to 10m bands. QSL via F8DVD or the Bureau. For
more information visit QRZ.com
Now the DX news
Borut [BOH-ROOT], S53BV is active as S9BV from Sao Tome
[SOW-TOH-MAY], AF-023, until Friday the 20th of February. He is
operating using CW and SSB on the 60, 40, 30 and 15m bands. QSL
via OQRS only.
Walt, W0CP and Mary, K0ZV are active as V31DJ and V31DK from
Placencia [PLUH-SEN-SHUH] in Belize until the 27th of February.
They are using CW, FT4, FT8 and SSB. Look for activity on the 160
to 10m bands. QSL via OQRS, Logbook of the World or directly.
Now the contest news
The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest started at 0000UTC on Saturday
the 14th and ends at 2359UTC today, Sunday the 15th of February.
Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted,
the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The PACC Contest started at 1200UTC on Saturday the 14th and runs
until 1200UTC today, Sunday the 15th of February. Using CW and
SSB on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the
exchange is signal report and serial number. PA stations also
send their province reference.
On Tuesday the 17th of February, the RSGB 1.3GHz UK Activity
Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 23cm
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 19th of February, the RSGB 70MHz UK Activity
Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 4m
band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
The ARRL International DX Contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday
the 21st and runs until 2359UTC on Sunday the 22nd of February.
Using CW on the 160 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted,
the exchange is signal report and serial number. American
stations also send their state and Canadian stations send their
province.
The REF Contest starts at 0600UTC on Saturday the 21st of
February and runs until 1800UTC on Sunday the 22nd of February.
Using SSB on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted,
the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Sunday the 22nd of February, the UK Microwave Group EHF Band
Contest runs from 0800 to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 76 to
241GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and
G4BAO on Thursday the 12th of February.
It has been a good time for HF DX. Settled geomagnetic conditions
and a fairly high solar flux index has meant the ionosphere has
had time to shine.
With the Kp index not exceeding 4.33, and generally being in the
ones and twos, coupled with a solar flux index in the 160s, this
has meant that the upper HF bands have been humming.
This is despite many relatively minor C- and M-class solar flares.
DX heard or worked this week includes stations in Vietnam, India,
Australia and New Zealand on the 10m band, even with modestly
equipped stations.
DX being chased includes the KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Island DXpedition
near Puerto Rico. This has been difficult, often because they are
running low power on their remotely controlled rigs. But UK
stations have got through on all bands from 40 to 10m. Due to
deteriorating sea conditions they have delayed equipment recovery
until the 3rd of March, so you still have time to work them.
The next big DXpedition to look forward to is 3Y0K from Bouvet
Island. Due to technical problems with their ship, the operation
has now been delayed and will now start around the 26th of
February. With the path to Bouvet being almost due south from the
UK, propagation predictions suggest that the path should be open
from around 0730UTC until 1830UTC, up to 10m, with 21MHz being
open from around 0800 to 1000UTC and again from 1600 to 1800UTC.
Outside of these times, look for a path on the 20, or even 30 or
40m bands, in the evening and night.
FT8 will be the most favourable mode, but CW and SSB are
possible. However, remember they will be using split frequency
operation.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will increase
to be in the 160 to 180 range. Geomagnetic conditions may start
the week settled, with a predicted Kp index of 2, but we may
expect more unsettled conditions as the week progresses with a
predicted Kp index of 4 from the 16th to the 21st of February.
So, get your HF Dxing in early next week!
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The weather is often described as blocked when we see
long-lasting high pressure, which hangs around for weeks at a
time and is a gift for tropo on VHF. However, right next door to
a blocked high you will probably find a low-pressure region,
which is also blocked for the same reason.
Currently, we are in the middle of a prolonged period of blocked
low pressure, hence the rain and absence of tropo. The position
of the low varies a bit, of course, so sometimes we will have
milder southerly winds with rain and at other times colder
northerlies with snow.
We have the full variety in the coming week or so and that means
no tropo for VHF operators, but plenty of rain scatter for the
GHz folk.
The meteor scatter position hasn't changed since last week's
news, so we are once again confined to random activity and, for
this, early morning hours are usually best. Aurora alerts
continue to trickle through and as we approach the spring equinox
the chances of auroras improve, but there is a little way to go
yet.
Lastly, thoughts of Sporadic-E remain dormant since we are some
way short of the typical early season openings of late April and
May. As usual, consider checking the propquest.co.uk graphs
occasionally, which have shown minor peaks of the foEs, or
critical frequency of the Es layer, in the early evening on some
days.
The Moon reached perigee, its closet point to the Earth on
Tuesday the 10th of February. The Moon is moving toward apogee on
Sunday the 22nd of February, meaning path loss will gradually
increase throughout the week as the Moon's distance grows. Cosmic
background noise is relatively low during this period, which
helps maintain a better signal-to-noise ratio.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
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