Amateur Radio Software Award Nominations Open

The Amateur Radio Software Award is seeking nominations for outstanding software developed for ham radio. Nominations should promote innovative, free, and open source projects. Submissions are being accepted until 28th February 2026.

The Amateur Radio Software Award is an annual international award for the recognition of software projects that enhance amateur radio. The award aims to promote amateur radio software development that adheres to the same spirit as amateur radio itself: innovative, free and open.

More Information - https://arsaward.com/

Construction Competition in UK Eyes Maker Community

Some new elements have been introduced into the Radio Society of Great Britain’s annual Construction Competition.

As in previous years, the RSGB’s Construction Competition has six categories which emphasise the hands-on building and designing of projects - activities that are rooted deeply in ham radio. Organisers have introduced a new category this year - Reimagination - which still draws its challenges from radio but produces projects with an appeal to non-amateurs, such as individuals in the Maker community. The society hopes that these innovative entries will shine even more of a spotlight on what ham radio is all about.

This is an international competition. Entries can be from anywhere in the world, but competitors must belong to the RSGB. 

The deadline for entries is the 1st of March. For details on how to enter and for a list of the other six categories, visit rsgb.org and search for “construction competition.”

More Information - https://rsgb.org/main/construction-competition/

Ofcom Approves VMO2’s Request to Provide Satellite Connectivity to UK Smartphones

Ofcom has approved Telefonica UK’s (VMO2) request to vary its licence to allow it to provide satellite connectivity to standard smartphones in the UK.

This is the first licence variation of its kind to be approved by Ofcom. We have also made the final regulations to support the rollout of new services powered by ‘direct to device’ (D2D) technology.

D2D services involve satellites in space beaming down signals to smartphones on earth, enabling people to stay connected in coverage ‘not-spots’ - including in hard-to-reach rural areas and mountainous regions.

Having received and approved the first licence variation request from VMO2 under the new authorisation framework, we have now inserted the frequencies on which the company is allowed to provide D2D services and formally made the regulations that allow existing handsets to use the service.

These regulations are intended to come into effect on 25 February 2026.