RSGB 80/40m SSB AFS Contest 2026

Reported band conditions for this event were mixed with everything from good to bad but clearly quite acceptable as activity was always high and the leading stations achieved 150+ QSOs on 40m in the first hour. As usual 80m activity was low at the start with almost all entrants starting out on 40m but many chose to move to the lower band around 14:30 and most had migrated there by 15:00. In the last hour there were plenty of Eu stations available with the HA DX contest in full swing and just a couple of DX stations in the logs on 40m with Turkey and Asiatic Russia.

With high activity on both bands in use entrants must ensure they are radiating a clean signal which does not take up more bandwidth than necessary. If notified of a problem with your signal you must respond and take steps to rectify it. There is a link in the rules with guidelines to help with correct setting up: https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/information/how_to_keep_your_signal_clean_v1.pdf

Congratulations to all the Trophy and certificate winners, as usual certificates have been awarded to the leading three, two and single station teams in both club categories. This year the Flight Refuelling ARS Trophy for the highest team score goes to Camb-Hams 'A' in the Local Club category, just ahead of the leading team and last year's winner Three As CG 'A' in the General Club category. The band leaders are Fred G4BWP (M7Z) with 175 QSOs on 80m and Gordon MM0GPZ (MM2N) making 343 QSOs from two sessions on 40m. Thanks also to all the non-UK stations for their participation and continued support.

This is the penultimate contest in the 25/26 AFS Superleague, the final event is on Sunday 8^th February on 432MHz.

John G4CZB