This Week at KE2YK — November 8, 2026
KE2YK Posts — November 2–7
Wednesday, November 4 — CQ WW CW 2026 Rules: Automation and the Log Deadline
Three key actions in CQ WW CW now need a person to start them, and the log window is down to 48 hours. This guide shows what to check in your station software and when to submit your log. Read the CQ WW CW rules guide.
Saturday, November 7 — Pocket Shack: AllStarLink From Your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Mac
Pocket Shack lets licensed hams with an AllStarLink account listen to compatible nodes from supported Apple devices. The guide explains how to get started, what you can do for free, and what the paid version adds. Read the Pocket Shack guide.
The Daily Brief Recap — November 2–7
The headings show when each Daily Brief appeared. Some of the source reports appeared earlier.
Monday, November 2 — Mozambique, Satellite Status, and CW Sweepstakes
The C8K team laid out its Mozambique operating plans. AMSAT announced a new home for its satellite status page, along with an interface for software developers. The ARRL CW Sweepstakes offered a QRP category and practice copying a longer contest exchange.
Tuesday, November 3 — XR0Z, HOA Antennas, and UNNE-1B
The XR0Z team moved its Alexander Selkirk Island plans to late November, weather permitting. The Community Associations Institute’s position paper explains its opposition to proposed U.S. amateur antenna legislation. AMSAT reported that Spain’s UNNE-1B was sending telemetry during commissioning.
Wednesday, November 4 — Christmas Island, Contest Rules, and Low-Band Noise
The VK9XY Christmas Island team highlighted youth participation and remote operating. The CQ WW committee’s rules update covered operator control and a shorter log deadline. In Senegal, the 6W team’s field report described heavy noise on 80 and 160 meters despite trying several receive antennas.
Thursday, November 5 — Streetlight Noise, Spectrum Talks, and Futuna
The Senegal team’s follow-up pointed to an LED streetlight as the likely source of its HF noise. The Croatian amateur radio association’s conference report covered IARU Region 1 discussions on 40 meters and 23 centimeters. FW3GT’s operator update from Futuna discussed plans for 60 and 80 meters.
Friday, November 6 — UK Spectrum, Pocket Shack, and Guinea
The RSGB reported an extension of UK amateur access to 146–147 MHz through October 2027. Pocket Shack brought AllStarLink listening to Apple devices. The 3X4U team’s station plan highlighted dedicated 6-meter monitoring and moonbounce.
Saturday, November 7 — ISS Pictures, Antenna Reports, and Morse Practice
ARISS announced a November slow-scan TV event from the space station. DXLook’s Antenna View guide shows how to compare signals using reception reports. Cadenza offers Morse listening, sending, and practice contacts on a mobile device.
DX Look Ahead — November 9–14
- KH8A, American Samoa. The KH8A team plans to operate through November 12 on 160 through 6 meters, including CW and FT8. Listen early in the week if you want this South Pacific contact before the team wraps up.
- C8K, Mozambique. The Czech DXpedition Team expects limited activity November 10–11 and full operation starting November 12. CW and several other modes are planned on 160 through 6 meters. Try the lower bands if you want to see how your station does toward southeastern Africa.
See the NG3K Announced DX Operations list for more. DX plans were reviewed November 8 and can change.
Antenna Troubleshooting
Change one thing about your portable antenna, such as its height. Keep your CW power and band the same, then compare reports from the same Reverse Beacon Network receivers. My guide explains what to look for. Portable QRP Antenna Troubleshooting: Beyond 1:1 SWR.
What antenna change has made a difference for you? Share your ideas in the comments. 73!
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