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RSGB Cymru, Region 6 & 7 – 40 Metre (7MHz) Challenge

January 10, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Radio amateurs across Cymru / Wales are being encouraged to get active on the 40 metre band this February with the launch of the February 2026 7 MHz QSO Challenge.

Running from 1 to 28 February 2026, the month-long activity challenges operators to make as many contacts as possible on the 7 MHz band. The event is open to individual members and affiliated clubs of the Radio Society of Great Britain within Wales, and is designed to promote on-air activity, friendly competition, and club participation.

Participants may operate from home, an alternative location, or portable, and there are no restrictions on antenna choice. Multiband, single-band, home-brew, and commercial antennas are all permitted. In keeping with the accessible nature of the challenge, operators are allowed to work the same station on different days, with each QSO counting towards their total.

Six operating categories are available, covering a range of power levels and modes: 25 watt voice, CW, and machine-generated modes, along with 100 watt voice and CW, and 50 watt machine-generated modes. Certificates will be awarded to the leading station in each category.

In addition to individual awards, a 7 MHz Challenge Trophy will be presented to the RSGB-affiliated club whose members collectively submit the highest number of QSOs. Entrants are therefore reminded to clearly indicate their club affiliation when completing the submission form.

Log submission is not required. Instead, participants simply complete a basic submission form (which you can download from the bottom of this news article) after the event and email it to Simon Taylor (MW0NWM) at rr6@rsgb.org.uk. The closing date for entries is 10 March 2026.

The organisers hope the challenge will encourage increased activity on 40 metres throughout February and provide an enjoyable way for individuals and clubs alike to test their stations and operating skills.

RSGB Cymru Feb 2026 7MHz Challenge (2) Submission Form Download

GB1TRRailways on the Air Special Event Station

October 4, 2025 /

GB1TR
Saturday 27th September 2025 – Sunday 28th September 2025
Special Event Station



The date of this special event station celebrates the anniversary of the first steam powered passenger railway which took place on 27th September 1825 – the first passenger train ran on a line in the North East of England from Darlington to Stockton. 

Our Special Event Station was set up at Abergynolwyn Station, Talyllyn Railway (Tywyn, Wales). The Talyllyn is the world’s first preserved railway, in continuous operation since 1951, running from Tywyn on the Mid-Wales coast through the scenic Fathew Valley. This event celebrates the anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and promotes Britain’s rich railway heritage.

    Mike Suddaby and Janet helped set up the special event station. The antenna went up on Thursday, and Mike tested the radios on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, Mike, Janet, and I ran the station together.

    We had plenty of interest from passengers—some even tried operating the radios, and one passenger kindly helped us put up the long-wire antenna. The VHF setup, using an Icom 9700, didn’t perform as well as hoped, but 40m with the Icom 7300 worked very successfully.

    We were fortunate to have a table in the café, which kept us warm and dry, and the rain only arrived just as we were packing up.

     

    Is There More to an Antenna Than Just SWR? A talk by David Morgan GW6MLI

    July 17, 2025 /

    At the July meeting, David Morgan gave an excellent and informative talk on Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)—and why it doesn’t tell the whole story. He also explained key concepts such as impedance, reactance, RF feedback, and common mode currents, along with their impact on station performance. Most importantly, David provided clear, step-by-step guidance on how you can improve your own station setup, making the talk both practical and easy to follow.
    (The Powerpoint presentation is available to view at the end of this page.)

    After the talk the club Chairman, Mike Suddaby was keen to see for himself how a correctly tuned and setup 40m Delta Loop Antenna would perform using an Icom 7300 HF radio. The Icom 7300 is The Icom IC-7300 is  a base station HF transceiver (also known as “ham radio”) that operates on HF, 6-meter, and 70-centimeter bands (with the 70cm band available in European versions). It’s notable for being Icom’s first Software Defined Radio (SDR) HF transceiver. It features a real-time spectrum scope, a large color touchscreen LCD, and a built-in automatic antenna tuner. 

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    Presentation to the MARS Honorary President

    July 17, 2025 /

    Bob (AYQ) Smith received a certificate of honour from the club Chairman Mr Mike Suddaby at the 2025 AGM.
    Bob has the honour of being named as the clubs first Honorary President which is a big deal as being appointed as an Honorary President is a mark of high distinction, awarded for Bob’s significant and lasting contributions to the Meirion Amateur Radio Society and to Amateur Radio.

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