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G4TNU > NEWS 11.01.90 03:05l 245 Lines 11629 Bytes #999 (0) @ EU
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Subj: RSGB Main News - 11 Jan 2026
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GB2RS Main News for Sunday the 11th of January 2026
The news headlines:
* Give back to the amateur radio community in 2026
* Understand the basic characteristics of dipoles for
transmitting and receiving
* RSGB Lecture Coordinator role – a chance to educate and
spark curiosity
Have you set your goals for 2026 yet? How about using your knowledge
and expertise to make a difference to the amateur radio community
this year. The RSGB has two Elected Board Director vacancies that are
available for nominations in this year's elections. The Society is
looking for applications from members with leadership skills and a
desire to embrace and implement the Society's strategic priorities.
The RSGB also has three Regional Representative roles open for
nominations. These are for Region 2 which covers Scotland North and
the Northern Isles, Region 7 which represents South Wales, and Region
9 which covers London and Thames Valley. As a Regional Representative
you will lead the team of District Representatives in your area and
not only represent the Society but also support your fellow radio
amateurs. Find out more about what it takes to succeed as a Director
or a Regional Representative by reading the candidate packs via
rsgb.org/elections The closing date for nominations is the 31st of
January 2026.
The first RSGB Tonight<at>8 webinar of 2026 is a fascinating
presentation for all radio amateurs, regardless of how long you have
been licensed. Tomorrow, Monday the 12th of January, Steve Stearns,
K6OIK will explain the basic characteristics of dipoles for
transmitting and receiving. Having a proper understanding of dipole
properties and characteristics is essential to understanding many
other antennas including complementary antennas such as slots. You
can join the webinar and ask questions via the live chat on both the
RSGB YouTube channel and special BATC channel. Find out more at
rsgb.org/webinars
Each year the RSGB delivers over sixty lectures, including around
fifty at the RSGB Convention and a further eleven presented through
its popular livestreamed Tonight<at>8 webinar series. These
presentations cover a rich variety of amateur radio topics, cater to
every level of experience and attract audiences from across the
world. The Society is seeking a proactive, collaborative and
passionate volunteer to become its Lecture Coordinator, who will play
a key role in shaping the lecture programme. Could this be you?
Working closely with the Tonight<at>8 and Convention teams, you would
bring fresh ideas for talks that educate, inspire and spark
curiosity. Your efforts would encourage radio amateurs to explore new
areas, deepen their knowledge and embrace the excitement of amateur
radio – all while supporting the Society's strategic priorities.
Are you interested? Find out more about the role by reading the full
description at rsgb.org/volunteers and then contact the RSGB General
Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB via gm.dept<at>rsgb.org.uk
When was the last time you checked your membership details in the
RSGB Membership Portal? If you have moved house recently, changed
your email address or callsign, put a few minutes aside to log in via
rsgb.org/members and select ‘Update details' to make any changes.
Whilst logged in, visit the ‘Manage preferences' screen to select
which topics you'd like to receive updates about, including GB2RS and
online events. You can also choose whether to receive notifications
when new editions of RadCom Basics and RadCom Plus become available.
Please send details of all your news and events to
radcom<at>rsgb.org.uk The deadline for submissions is 10am on
Thursdays before the Sunday broadcast each week.
And now for details of rallies and events
On Sunday the 25th of January 2026, the Lincoln Short Wave Club
Winter Radio Rally will be held at Festival Hall, Caistor Road,
Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. This is an indoor event with ample free
parking. The doors will be open from 10am and admission is GBP 3.
Tables cost GBP 10. To book tables, or for more information, contact
Steve, M5ZZZ on 0777 7699 069 or email m5zzz<at>outlook.com
The Red Rose Winter Rally, organised by West Manchester Radio Club,
will take place on Sunday the 8th of February at Mather Hall,
WN7 2PJ. Exhibitors can gain entrance from 8.15am and the doors open
to visitors at 10am. A large car park, catering, bring and buy,
raffle, improved disabled access and a seating area will be available
on site. For more information and booking, visit wmrc.co.uk
Now the special event news
A series of special event stations is active from Italy to raise
awareness of key figures who supported the life and work of Guglielmo
Marconi. Throughout the month of January, listen for activity on all
bands and modes. For more information, including details of an award
that is available for working the stations, visit
tinyurl.com/marconi26
The World Wide Award is currently underway and runs until the 31st of
January. The award combines CW, SSB and digital mode activity from
stations around the world. Real-time online award tracking is
available for chasers. For more information visit hamaward.cloud/wwa
Now the DX news
Pierre-Jean, F4GPK is active as TO2FY from French Guiana until
Thursday the 15th of January. He operates using SSB only. QSL via
Logbook of the World and eQSL.
Rikk, WE9G is active as J38WG from Grenada [GREN-AY-DA], NA-024,
until the 16th of January. Listen for activity on the 160 to 6m
bands, mostly using FT8 but also some CW and SSB. QSL via OQRS,
Logbook of the World or via WE9G.
Now the contest news
Today, Sunday the 11th of January, the RSGB Affiliated Societies 80
and 40m Data Modes Contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using PSK63 and
RTTY on the 80 and 40m bands, the exchange is signal report and
serial number.
On Tuesday the 13th of January, the RSGB 432MHz FM Activity Contest
runs from 1900 to 1955UTC. Using FM on the 70cm band, the exchange is
signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday the 13th of January, the RSGB 432MHz UK Activity
Contest runs from 2000 to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 70cm band,
the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Wednesday the 14th of January, 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 14th, 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 15th of January, 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.
On Saturday the 17th of January, the RSGB Affiliated Societies 80 and
40m SSB Contest runs from 1300 to 1700UTC. Using SSB on the 80 and
40m bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
Now the radio propagation report, compiled by G0KYA, G3YLA and G4BAO
on Thursday the 8th of January 2026
Now that the dust has settled after the New Year's celebrations, we
can get back to our regular propagation reports.
The New Year has started with minor disturbed geomagnetic conditions
at times, plus lots of C-class solar flares, and a healthy dose of
sunspots. As we slide down the slope towards sunspot minimum, we can
expect more geomagnetic disturbances and raised Kp indices. But we
should still have good HF conditions for a couple of years.
The Kp index hit 5 on the 2nd of January, but has otherwise been
relatively quiet, often registering less than 1 or 2. And the lack of
M- and X-class solar flares means we have had no solar fade-outs.
With the solar flux index at more than 150 for much of the time, this
bodes well for HF propagation and, as Propquest shows, the maximum
usable frequency over 3,000km during daylight has often been more
than 28MHz. Unfortunately, this does decline quite quickly after
sunset, leaving the maximum usable frequency below 10MHz most of the
time. As we head towards spring, we can expect this to improve.
DX has been available. Stations worked include V51WH in Namibia on
the 12m band using SSB, TZ4AM in Mali on 30m using CW, and ZS7ANF in
Antarctica using CW on the 17m band.
Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 130
to 150 range.
Geomagnetic conditions are forecast to be variable, with the Kp index
predicted to hit 5 on the 13th and 14th of January, and again between
the 17th and 20th of January.
So, we recommend you get your HF DXing in before the 13th and around
the 15th and 16th, as propagation and maximum usable frequencies will
no doubt be affected if the Kp index rises.
With the three-week 3Y0K Bouvet Island DXpedition set for early
February, now may be a good time to sort out your antennas. Remember
that Bouvet is almost due south from the UK, so plan accordingly.
More propagation details will be made available nearer the time
And now the VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO
The unsettled weather pattern continues to provide a variety of
challenging weather types with heavy snow and rain, plus strong winds
at times.
The nature of such patterns in January is that the timing and track
of the lows are critical for the rain and snow outcome. Overall, it's
likely to be a cold-system week with occasional brief milder
interludes as Atlantic fronts move through in the middle of the
coming week.
The effect on VHF and UHF propagation is limited with tropo unlikely,
but there is a significant chance of rain or snow scatter at times
for GHz operators.
There have been some slight increases in the Earth's Kp index, which
responds to solar activity. However, as we are between the peak
periods of autumn and spring for aurora, it's probably not a major
player this time.
Meteor scatter has been a bit more interesting lately due to the peak
of the Quadrantids meteor shower on the 4th of January. The shower
has a short, intense peak, but spans the period from the 28th of
December to the 12th of January. The next major shower isn't until
April, so it's back to random activity from this weekend through to
the late April Lyrids.
Lastly, a reminder that mid-winter Sporadic-E does happen. The 6th of
January saw a nice early evening 6m band opening to the Baltic
states, moving round to Ukraine and the Balkans later.
Recent Quadrantids meteors may have contributed some long-lived
metallic ions, which can be focused into thin Sporadic-E patches.
It's always worth checking the Sporadic-E Layer Critical Frequency
values plotted on the Propquest graphs for short spikes in the purple
trace, which could be a sign of potential interest in Sporadic-E on
the 10 and 6m bands.
For EME operators, Moon declination is negative again and we are past
perigee, so path losses are increasing and Moon window length and
peak elevation are reducing. 144MHz sky noise remains low but rising
to high by Friday the 16th.
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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