Special event News

Today, 22 February Hartlepool Amateur Radio Club will be operating using special callsign GB100HG for World Thinking Day on the Air.

Listen for activity on the 40m, 20m and 10m bands mainly using SSB and possibly CW and FT8. FM contacts will also be possible on the 2m and 70cm bands.

The operators are keen to make as many contacts as possible so, if you hear them, please give them a call.

Celebrating World Radio Day, the VIC Amateur Radio Contest DX Club is operating as 4UNR until Saturday, 28 February using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via OQRS.

DX News – 22 February 2026

Michael, OZ6ABL is active as 5Z4/OZ6ABL from Watamu in Kenya, until Saturday, 28 February. Activity is on the 80m to 6m bands using CW, SSB, FT8 and FT4. QSL via Logbook of the World, OQRS, or via Michael’s home call.

Ulmar, DK1CE is active as TZ1CE from Bamako in Mali until Sunday, 1 March. He is operating using mainly FT8 on the HF bands. SSB contacts are also possible. QSL via Club Log and Logbook of the World.

Contest News – 22 February 2026

Today, 22 February, the UK Microwave Group EHF Band Contest runs from 0800UTC to 1700UTC. Using all modes on 76GHz to 241GHz frequencies, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The REF Contest started at 0600UTC yesterday, 21 February and runs until 1800UTC today, 22 February. Using SSB on the 80m to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The ARRL International DX Contest started at 0000UTC yesterday, 21 February and finishes at 2359UTC today, 22 February. Using CW on the 160m to 10m bands, the exchange is signal report and transmitter power. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province.

Tomorrow, 23 February, the RSGB FT4 Series Contest runs from 2000UTC to 2200UTC. Using FT4 on the 80m to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange is your report.

On Tuesday, 24 February the RSGB SHF UK Activity Contest runs from 1930UTC to 2230UTC. Using all modes on the 13cm band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

On Wednesday, 25 February, the United Kingdom and Ireland Contest Club 80m Contest runs from 2000UTC to 2100UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is your six-character locator.

On Thursday, 26 February, the RSGB 80m Club Championship runs from 2000UTC to 2130UTC. Using CW on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report and serial number.

The CQ 160m DX Contest starts at 2200UTC on Friday, 27 February and runs until 2200UTC on Sunday, 1 March. Using SSB on the 160m band, the exchange is signal report and CQ zone. American stations also send their state, and Canadian stations send their province.

On Sunday, 1 March, the Worked All Britain 3.5MHz Phone Contest runs from 1800UTC to 2200UTC. Using SSB on the 80m band, the exchange is signal report, serial number and your Worked All Britain area.

British Science Week 2026

British Science Week (BSW), run by the British Science Association (BSA), is an annual event celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It provides a platform to support teachers, STEM professionals and the public in delivering STEM activities and events across the UK.

It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase amateur radio to new audiences, regardless of age.

British Science Week 2026 will take place from 6–15 March and preparations are already well underway. RSGB British Science Week Co-ordinator Professor Ian Neal, G7IGN is working on guidance and activity suggestions that you could use to get involved. The BSA has chosen ‘curiosity’ as its theme for 2026, which fits perfectly with amateur radio.

Preparations for British Science Week 2026 are already well underway.

RSGB British Science Week Co-ordinator Professor Ian Neal, G7IGN is working on guidance and activity suggestions that you could use to get involved. The annual event is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths and is run by the British Science Association. It has chosen ‘curiosity’ as its theme for 2026, which fits perfectly with amateur radio.

This campaign is a brilliant opportunity for radio amateurs to share their passion with others. This could be through organising an open day for the local community, setting up a buildathon for a club evening, operating a special event station from your local library or even supervising your friends and family in making their first QSO – the options are endless.

If this has piqued your interest, and you would like to share your thoughts, ideas and plans with Ian, get in touch via bsw@rsgb.org.uk

You can also see what other people did last year for ideas and also look at the RSGB’s resource bank for inspiration.

British Science Week 2025 

The RSGB BSW 2025 campaign was a huge success and included schools, universities, Scouts, Brownies, community groups, amateur radio clubs, plus many more.

We are delighted to see that more and more radio amateurs are getting involved with BSW each year, sharing their enthusiasm and passion for the hobby with others.

Read the reports in the June and July editions of RadCom to see more about some of the great activities that took place.