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G4TNU > NEWS 31.10.90 23:35l 245 Lines 12184 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 01 Nov 2026
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RSGB News for Sunday 01 November 2026
* Register your school, university or youth group for YOTA Month
* Two new RSGB Convention lectures now available on YouTube
* Winter opening hours at the RSGB National Radio Centre
Are you part of a school, college or university amateur radio club?
Or maybe you are part of a Scout, Girlguiding or Cadet group and
would like to host an amateur radio activity? Youngsters On The Air
Month starts in December and the RSGB is looking for groups to get
involved and host special event station GB26YOTA. This annual
campaign is a fantastic opportunity to get as many young operators on
the air as possible and to show them how fun and educational amateur
radio can be. Do you remember the magic of making your first QSO?
Let's share that experience with as many young people as possible and
show them what amateur radio has to offer. A requirement of special
event stations is that you need a Full licensee on site to supervise
the operators. If you're not a Full licensee, you could team up with
another group for the event. Alternatively, you could contact your
local amateur radio club and see if their members can come and
support you. Find out more about YOTA Month, including how to
register as host, by going to rsgb.org/yota-month
The RSGB has released the first of its 2026 Convention presentations
for radio amateurs to enjoy via its YouTube channel. Hear from RSGB
Board members in ‘A discussion with the Board'. During this
informative session you will receive updates about the Society's
strategy and associated activities. The second video to be shared is
an engaging youth panel discussion. Four young radio amateurs share
their experiences of amateur radio including the support they have
received from different sources. This video is a must-see for clubs,
groups and individuals to discover how you can support and encourage
young radio amateurs. You can watch both presentations in the ‘RSGB
2026 Convention' playlist at youtube.com/thersgb
Have you planned your visit to the RSGB National Radio Centre? Please
be aware that, in line with Bletchley Park's winter opening hours,
from Monday the 2nd of November the NRC will be closing at 4pm each
day. Whether you are an individual or a group, you'll find
information to help you plan your trip at rsgb.org/nrc You'll find
support on arranging a visit for your club or society, and licence
requirements to operate GB3RS. Remember that RSGB members can
download a free entry voucher to access both Bletchley Park and the
RSGB National Radio Centre at rsgb.org/bpvoucher
Are you registered to receive online event emails from the RSGB? You
can check your preferences by going to rsgb.org/members and the
‘Manage Preferences' option. By turning on the option to receive
these emails, you'll receive details about events including the RSGB
Convention livestream, online AGM and the Society's Tonight<at>8
webinars. If you haven't received this week's email detailing the
upcoming November edition of the webinar series, don't miss out on
the opportunity to hear from Thomas, K4SWL. At 8pm tomorrow, the 2nd
of November, Thomas will be walking you through his approach to
building a versatile field kit – one that adapts to the conditions
that the field presents and even provides a few creature comforts.
Join the webinar live via the RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC
channel.
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
The British Vintage Wireless Society's Golborne Swapmeet takes place
today, the 1st of November, at Golborne Parkside Sports and Community
Club, Rivington Avenue, Golborne, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 3HG.
Stallholder entry is from 9.30am. Doors open to the public at 10am.
The event is for BVWS members only. For more information, contact
Mark Ryding at markryding100<at>hotmail.co.uk
The Broadcast Engineering Museum's final Open Day of 2026 is also
today, the 1st of November. Doors open at 11am at the museum, 41
Capper Avenue, Hemswell Cliff near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire.
Admission is GBP 8 for adults, GBP 4 for children, and free for
under-fives. There is free car parking. For more details, visit
becg.org.uk/events
The Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Winter Rally is on Saturday,
the 21st of November at St Vincent de Paul's Hall, Norden, Rochdale,
OL12 7QR. Doors open at 10am and admission is GBP 3. Contact Martin
Shore, Treasurer and Rally Organiser, on 07587 709 006 or
email rally.radars<at>hotmail.com
The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place on Sunday,
the 29th of November at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High St,
Spennymoor Co Durham DL16 6DB. For more details, email Bob Dingle at
bdingle<at>hotmail.co.uk
Now the Special Events news
East Midlands Electronics and Radio Group is to activate former RAF
Binbrook, using the callsign GB1BK, on Saturday, the 7th and Sunday,
the 8th of November to mark Remembrance Day. Operators will be active
on HF bands 80m, 40m, 20m according to conditions using SSB during
daylight hours. There may also be activity on the 2m band.
Amateur radio operators in Burgos, Spain, will activate the special
callsign EG1PR during PRESURA, an event devoted to the future of
rural communities. The event takes place from Friday, the 6th to
Sunday, the 8th of November and aims to highlight the challenges
faced by villages, to build connection across borders and show that
amateur radio has a social as well as technical purpose. The official
operating bands, modes, award requirements and more information are
available on the EG1PR pages at qrz.com
Special callsign OT5IDPD [OSCAR TANGO FIVE INDIA DELTA PAPA DELTA]
will be active from Thursday in the run-up to International Day of
Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December. All operators will
be those with a disability. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of the
World, Club Log and eQSL. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically
via the bureau.
Now the DX news
Giovanni, IZ2DPX is active as D44PX from Boa Vista, AF-086, Cape
Verde until the 11th of November. He is operating SSB, FT8 and FT4 on
the 60 to 6m bands. QSL via Club Log's OQRS or via home call.
Maurizio, IK2GZU is active as 5H3MB from Tanzania until the 19th of
November while he volunteers at a local school. He is operating SSB,
CW and digital modes on the 80 to 10m bands and via QO-100. QSL via
Club Log's OQRS, Logbook of the World and eQSL.
Bernhard, DL2GAC is active as H44MS from the Solomon Islands until
the 20th of November. He is usually QRV from Malaita Island, OC-047
every day on the 80 to 6m bands, SSB and FT8. QSL via home call,
direct or bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World and
Club Log.
Now the Contest news
The UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 1000UTC to 1500UTC
today, the 1st of November. Using all modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz
bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
Tomorrow, the 2nd of November, the RSGB HF Autumn Series Data Contest
takes place from 2000UTC to 2130UTC. Using RTTY and PSK63 on the 80m
band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
The RSGB VHF 144MHz FM Activity Contest runs on Tuesday, the 3rd of
November, from 1900UTC to 1955UTC, Using FM on 144MHz, the exchange
is signal report, serial number and locator. The RSGB VHF UK Activity
Contest is also on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, between 2000UTC and
2230UTC. Using all modes on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report,
serial number and locator.
On Wednesday, the 4th of November, the RSGB VHF 144MHz FT8 four-hour
Activity Contest runs from 1700UTC to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz,
the exchange is signal report and locator. The RSGB VHF 144MHz FT8
two-hour Activity Contest is also on Wednesday, the 4th from 1900UTC
to 2100UTC. Using FT8 on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report and
locator.
The UKEICC 80m contest takes place on Wednesday, the 4th, between
2000UTC and 2100UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is your
six-character locator.
The WAB DX Contest is this weekend from 1200UTC on Saturday, the 31st
of October until 1200UTC on Sunday, the 1st of November. Using SSB on
the 80 to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
WAB square.
The RSGB VHF 144MHz CW Marconi Contest runs from 1400UTC on Saturday,
the 7th of November until 1400UTC on Sunday the 8th of November.
Using CW on 144MHz, the exchange is signal report, serial number and
locator.
Now the Propagation News, compiled by G0KYA, G4BAO and G3YLA on
Thursday the 29th of October 2026
As we enter November, our thoughts turn to low-band operation. The
next four months will favour DXing on 160, 80 and 40m, regardless of
where we are in the sunspot cycle.
Speaking of which, the SFI fell below 100 last week, hitting a low of
89 on a couple of occasions. The good news is that we had no solar
flares to temporarily stop our HF fun, and the Kp index was mostly
below three, bringing quiet geomagnetic conditions.
Next week, NOAA forecasts that the SFI will be in the range 82 to 84.
This weekend is set to be unsettled geomagnetically with a predicted
maximum Kp index of five. This is due to a high-speed solar wind
stream flowing from a solar coronal hole on the Sun's equator. The
rest of the week is forecast to be good with a typical Kp index of
two to three.
Back to low-band operations, and now is a good time to check that
your 80m and 40m antennas are in good condition, and your 160m
antenna if you are lucky enough to have one. We can expect conditions
to improve as we head towards the winter solstice, with long hours of
darkness. Also look for greyline openings around sunrise and sunset,
which may only last a few minutes. More details will follow as we get
closer to winter.
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO.
The classic autumn theme of high-pressure weather is with us at the
moment and it may well last to the end of the coming week, giving a
typical ten to fourteen day window to get some Tropo in the log.
Instead of the usual scrabble through co-channel interference on the
repeaters, or clicking callsigns with FT8, consider trying CW and SSB
as well as the traditional FM modes, which might be very busy.
High pressure will remain over or near the UK for much of the time.
The quality of any lift will depend on the moisture contrast across
the temperature inversion. Autumn mists and fog or low cloud are good
signs for a better duct. As a broad rule, beaming around the edges
of a large high-pressure area is preferable to going across the
centre where the inversion may be too close to the ground.
November is an interesting month for meteor scatter with the Taurids
in the first half of the month leading to the Leonids mid-month.
Aurora should remain worth checking via the usual Kp index for values
above Kp of 5
There are still reports of QSOs via sporadic-E up to 50MHz on FT8
and, in view of a very disturbed jet stream pattern over Europe and
across the Atlantic to the eastern United States, there are reasons
to keep looking on digital modes for the chance of an opening.
EME now, and with the Moon declination just past its highest and path
losses still low, this weekend is ideal if you are an early bird. The
Moon is visible for around 13 hours on Saturday and Sunday from
midnight onwards with peak Moon elevation over 60 degrees in the UK.
144MHz sky noise is moderate, falling to low as next week progresses.
And that's all from the propagation team this week.
And that's the end of the main news for this week prepared by the
Radio Society of Great Britain. Items for inclusion in subsequent
bulletins can be emailed to radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk to arrive by
10:00 on the Thursday before transmission.
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