Weekend Update for 10/23/2026
Drum Roll, Please!! It is time for all the news that is the news for your Weekend Update, on everything that will keep your radio humming, and your antennas tuned.
This update is also available on the Clubs Discord channel. Check it out!
Weather
Fall has definitely arrived!! Fall colors showing, and definitely lower temps. However, with less leaves, there are less interferences to our radio communications!! WINNING!!! The weekend is supposed to be nice with highs in the mid to low 60s and lows in the mid to high 30s. So bring your jacket. Low chance of rainfall in the Laurel area. No promises if W3RJX goes for a hike in Shenandoah though!
The solar conditions show an SFI of 106 (solar flux index (SFI) is the intensity of solar radio emissions. Higher the better up to about 300, so not great, and a drop from 126 last week), A index of 20 ( daily numerical average of the K Index of Earth’s geomagnetic field and activity. The lower the better from 0-400, and a rise from 9 last week and trending upwards), and K index of 2 (lower is better, 2= quiet and stable Earths magnetic field, about same as last week). 10-12m are poor, 15-17m are “Fair” with the rest of the bands being good.
Events
- October 24th – The 7th Annual SOTA Appalachia Workshop – Lake Arrowhead in Luray VA. Besides talks on Summit activations gear, mapping and logging, there will be a morning social and it is followed by SOTA activators transiting to summits to make activations. More information can be found on the SOTA Appalachia facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/294996811399188/.
- October 24th 2026 Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club is hosting Oktoberfest (how could I not include this one?) - 8000 Derry Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 (1hr 45 mins from APL) – More information https://w3uu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-HRAC-Oktoberfest.pdf
- October 24th 2026, SK6SAQ is scheduled to air a message to the World, promoting Peace, Unity, and Global Partnerships. The unique Alexanderson alternator is scheduled for one transmission over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW. The Grimeton Radio Station welcomes all visitors to attend the transmission. To attend one of the transmissions in the transmitter hall, a ticket will be required. Please see grimeton.org for complete visitor’s information. https://daily.hamweekly.com/2026/09/saq-grimeton-united-nations-day-transmission/
- October 25th 2026 – Columbia Makers Faire - Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects. We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Glimpse the future and get inspired! Located at 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044. More information https://downtowncolumbia.makerfaire.com/
Special Events Stations
- ARRL America250 Worked All States
- A Year-Long Worked-All-States Operating Event Celebrating the 250th Anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Ongoing.
- Oct 23rd-Oct 25th, 1400Z-2300Z, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 87 Birthday (N2S), Marlton, NJ. Unitee States Coast Guard Auxiliary. 7.250 21.3 14.230 28.350. Certificate. Michael Slepian WB2LKO, 12 Continental Ln, Marlton, NJ 08053-4606. Coast Guard Auxiliary radio operators who are also hams will participate from more than a dozen locations throughout the US. Contact: [email protected].
Contest Info
State QSO Contests
No state QSO parties this weekend.
Contest
- October 19th-23rd - School Club Roundup – A contest for school clubs (Elementary through College/University) to make as many contacts as they are able during the allotted contest time. More information https://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup.
Other Contests
International Contests not ARRL but more information can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php.
| Contest | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| NCCC FT4 Sprint | 0100Z-0130Z, Friday (Oct 23) |
| Weekly RTTY Test | 0145Z-0215Z, Friday (Oct 23) |
| NCCC Sprint | 0230Z-0300Z, Friday (Oct 23) |
| K1USN Slow Speed Test | 2000Z-2100Z, Friday (Oct 23) |
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB | 0000Z, Oct 24 to 2359Z, Oct 25 |