Monthly focus: Put your fall antenna plans into practice, check station power under load, and use October operating events to learn how your station performs.
October gives Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club members a useful combination of station projects and on-air opportunities. Start with one improvement you can measure. Then make contacts, record the results, and decide what to tackle next.
This report continues our September ham radio station guidance. If you saved antenna sweeps or voltage readings last month, bring them out now. If you are just getting started, October is a good time to create your first station record.
Prepared October 7, 2026. Space-weather forecasts are dated snapshots. Check the linked official sources for updates before operating or planning an event.
1. October Space Weather: Keep the Forecast in Perspective
NOAA’s three-day forecast issued October 7 at 1230 UTC anticipates minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on October 9 following a coronal mass ejection, or CME, from October 6. A CME is an eruption of solar material that can disturb Earth’s magnetic environment.
The same forecast gives a 45% daily chance of minor to moderate radio blackouts through October 9. These are probabilities, not guaranteed outages. Read the latest NOAA three-day space-weather forecast.
NOAA explains that moderate geomagnetic storms can cause HF signals to fade at higher latitudes, while flare-related radio blackouts affect the sunlit side of Earth. Before changing an antenna because distant stations disappear, check the NOAA space-weather scales.
The October 5 27-day outlook places predicted 10.7-centimeter solar radio flux around 105–110 during October 15–20. Treat this as a reason to check the higher bands, not a promise of openings. Its October 9 geomagnetic prediction is already superseded by the newer three-day forecast.
2. Build an October Band Plan
Use this as a starting operating plan rather than a fixed schedule. HF means high frequency; DX means distant contacts.
| Band | What to try | Station priority |
|---|---|---|
| 80 meters | Evening regional contacts | Confirm your antenna covers the frequencies you use |
| 40 meters | Regional daytime work and evening DX | Make this a dependable fall operating band |
| 20 meters | Daytime DX; check again near sunset | Keep a repeatable daytime reference |
| 15 and 10 meters | Daytime openings when conditions support them | Keep usable antennas available |
| 2 meters and 70 centimeters | Local contacts and repeater operation | Verify memories, feed lines, and backup power |
Propagation depends on the path, time, ionosphere, and solar conditions. Try several bands before deciding that the station needs repair. Explore ARRL’s radio propagation resources for the underlying principles.
3. Finish Your 40- and 80-Meter Antenna Work
A half-wave dipole is a straightforward project. ARRL gives this construction starting formula:
Total length in feet = 468 ÷ frequency in MHz.
| Band | Example design frequency | Total starting length | Each side |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 meters | 3.850 MHz | 121.6 ft | 60.8 ft |
| 40 meters | 7.200 MHz | 65.0 ft | 32.5 ft |
| 20 meters | 14.250 MHz | 32.8 ft | 16.4 ft |
| 15 meters | 21.300 MHz | 22.0 ft | 11.0 ft |
| 10 meters | 28.400 MHz | 16.5 ft | 8.2 ft |
These calculated lengths are rounded examples for voice-oriented designs, not final cutting dimensions or reserved operating frequencies. Choose your own center frequency, leave trimming allowance, and measure the antenna in its installed position. See ARRL’s dipole construction guide.
For 80 meters, measure both your digital and voice operating areas. One low standing wave ratio, or SWR, reading does not establish coverage across the entire band. Transmit only within your license privileges and permitted modes.
4. Recheck a Fan Dipole After Adjustments
A fan dipole uses several wire pairs connected to a common feedpoint. For an existing installation, make one adjustment at a time and save a sweep before and after it.
A practical tuning sequence is to start with the lowest-frequency element, work upward, and then recheck every band. Nearby elements can interact. If an adjustment improves one band but shifts another, your records will show the tradeoff.
5. Give Vertical Antennas a Ground-System Check
For a ground-mounted quarter-wave vertical, inspect radial connections and repair broken wires. Radials provide the antenna’s RF return path; a ground rod alone can have substantial RF resistance.
Do not use a universal radial count to judge every vertical. Ground-mounted and elevated designs have different requirements. Follow the antenna’s design instructions and review ARRL’s explanation of RF grounds and radials.
6. Inspect Supports and Outdoor Connections
Choose a dry, calm day for an accessible inspection. Look for damaged coax jackets, loose strain relief, deteriorated connector seals, and supports that rub against wire or cable.
Photograph anything questionable before disturbing it. Then repair one item and repeat the measurement. That approach helps connect a change in performance to a specific repair.
Keep antennas and supports clear of power lines, including where they could fall. Leave climbing and unsafe access work to qualified help.
7. Check DC Power at the Equipment
Use the radio manufacturer’s specifications when selecting the supply, wiring, connectors, and protection. As one example, Kenwood lists a transmit current drain of 20.5 amps or less for the TS-590SG. See the manufacturer’s TS-590SG specifications.
With power disconnected, inspect crimps, fuse holders, cable insulation, and polarity labels. Avoid choosing wire size from transmitter wattage alone; cable length and allowable voltage drop also matter.
8. Record Voltage During Transmit
Measure at the radio’s DC input using a safe connection method. Record receive voltage and transmit voltage at your normal power. Use a properly rated dummy load for controlled tests, and follow equipment duty-cycle limits.
For example, suppose the supply remains at 13.8 volts but the radio receives 12.8 volts while drawing 20 amps. The one-volt drop corresponds to:
Resistance = 1 V ÷ 20 A = 0.05 ohm.
Heat loss = 20 A × 1 V = 20 watts.
That is a calculated example, not a measurement of your station. Check each part of the power path to locate the loss.
9. Exercise Backup Power Before You Need It
Run a planned battery test with the equipment you expect to use. Record the operating time, receive and transmit voltage, and whether any device resets.
Check source-side fuse protection and the battery’s permitted discharge current. A battery management system does not replace appropriate cable protection.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s charging and temperature limits. For example, Bioenno advises against using lead-acid chargers for its lithium iron phosphate batteries. Review the Bioenno battery and charger guidance, or the instructions for your own battery.
10. Make October SWR Readings Repeatable
First, disconnect the transmitter from the analyzer’s measurement path and bypass the tuner. Keep the same feed line, adapters, and measurement point when comparing results.
| Record | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Date, weather, and antenna position | Document the test conditions |
| SWR at your operating frequencies | Compare the match where you actually operate |
| Frequency of minimum SWR | Track movement in the matching curve |
| Resistance and reactance, if available | Keep more detail than SWR alone |
| Calibration point and cable arrangement | Make the next test comparable |
A saved trace with clear notes is more useful than an isolated meter reading.
11. Understand What the Tuner Changes
A tuner in the shack can give the radio a suitable match while leaving the antenna-side feed line mismatched. It does not automatically remove that line’s losses or improve antenna efficiency.
ARRL explains this distinction in its guide to antenna tuner operation. Measure the untuned system for diagnostics, then evaluate the tuned system for operation. A stable match within your radio’s limits is a useful goal; a perfect meter reading is not the only measure of success.
12. Use a Focused Analyzer Sweep
On a NanoVNA, select the frequency range first. For a reflection measurement, calibrate with open, short, and 50-ohm load standards at the point where the device under test will connect. Include your test jumper in that calibration when measuring at its far end.
Verify the calibration with a known load, then connect the antenna system. Sweep the band of interest rather than trying to read a small feature on a very wide display.
Follow the procedures for your particular instrument. The NanoVNA calibration instructions and NanoVNA V2 manual explain their respective calibration workflows.
13. Investigate Changes Before Trimming Wire
| Observation | What to investigate |
|---|---|
| Matching curve moves after rain | Moisture, wet surroundings, and connector sealing |
| Reading changes when coax moves | Loose connections or common-mode current |
| SWR rises during transmission | Heating, intermittent connections, and power handling |
| Signals weaken but SWR is unchanged | Propagation, noise, losses, and receiver settings |
These are troubleshooting leads, not diagnoses. For a simple dipole, a lower-than-desired matching minimum can suggest excess electrical length, but verify the measurement and installation before cutting.
A known-good load at the antenna end can help test the feed line. However, low SWR alone cannot prove low cable loss; a lossy cable can hide a mismatch.
14. Watch for RF on Station Cables
If transmitting causes computer disconnects or other interference, investigate whether RF current is flowing on cable exteriors. A suitable current choke can help control that current.
ARRL discusses choke baluns for dipole installations in its station grounding guidance. Select a choke for the bands and power involved. Adding an arbitrary ground wire is not a substitute for understanding the current path.
15. Check Receive Noise Before Adding Seasonal Lighting
Save a receive-noise reference before connecting new lights, chargers, or other electronics. Some lighting equipment can cause radio frequency interference, or RFI, as described in ARRL’s lighting interference resources.
If noise appears, switch suspected devices off and on individually and record what changes. Keep receiver settings consistent so the comparison means something.
16. Keep the Local Station Ready, Too
Give VHF and UHF equipment the same attention as HF. Test handheld batteries, confirm programmed settings, and check local communication from the places where you normally operate.
Also inspect grounding, bonding, cable-entry hardware, and surge protection. Electrical safety, lightning protection, and RF-current control serve different purposes. Use ARRL’s lightning-protection resourcesand qualified guidance for installation work.
If you change antenna placement, power, or operating duty cycle, review your station’s RF exposure assessment.
17. October 2026 On-Air Opportunities
| Event | Verified dates | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| JOTA-JOTI | October 16–18 | Explore radio and Scouting outreach |
| Illinois QSO Party | October 18 | Put your Illinois station on the air; check current rules for hours and exchanges |
| School Club Roundup | October 19–23; 8:00 a.m. Monday to 6:59 p.m. Friday CDT | Make contacts with school stations |
| CQ World Wide DX Contest, SSB | October 24–25 UTC; locally, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. through October 25 at 6:59 p.m. CDT | Practice voice DX and accurate logging |
CDT is Central Daylight Time, the Chicago-area time zone for these dates. SSB means single sideband, a common voice mode. JOTA-JOTI combines Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet.
These are operating opportunities, not announcements of organized SARC participation. Check each organizer’s current information before making plans.
18. Participate with a Simple Operating Goal
Choose one event and a goal you can finish: make a few contacts, try a second band, or learn a new logging workflow. Listen to several exchanges before calling.
For CQ WW SSB, the exchange is a signal report and the CQ zone of your transmitter location. Its six contest bands exclude 30, 17, and 12 meters. The 2026 SSB log deadline is October 27 at 2359 UTC, or 6:59 p.m. CDT. Read the current CQ WW rules, including entry categories and assistance restrictions.
School Club Roundup welcomes individuals and non-school clubs. Its exchange includes call sign, signal report, entry class, and location. See the School Club Roundup operating rules; its full exchange requires more information than a standard FT8 contact provides.
October Operating Plan
| Period | Suggested focus |
|---|---|
| October 7–11 | Save antenna and voltage references; check updated space weather before judging DX performance |
| October 12–18 | Finish accessible repairs; prepare for JOTA-JOTI or the Illinois QSO Party |
| October 19–25 | Try School Club Roundup or CQ WW; compare operation across available bands |
| October 26–31 | Submit logs promptly, review results, and finish backup-power checks |
October Priority Checklist
- Compare October antenna measurements with your September records.
- Check your actual operating frequencies on 40 and 80 meters.
- Keep higher-band antennas ready for openings.
- Inspect accessible supports and outdoor cable connections.
- Measure radio-input voltage during transmit.
- Complete one documented backup-power exercise.
- Save receive-noise references and analyzer traces.
- Choose one October operating event and review its rules.
- Record what worked, what changed, and what needs attention.
Bring Your Results to SARC
You do not need an elaborate station to participate. Bring a station sketch, an analyzer screenshot, a voltage reading, or a question to a SARC monthly club meeting. Visitors are welcome; check the meeting page for current details.
New to the hobby? Explore SARC membership and ways to get involved.
Make one measurable improvement. Put it on the air. Share what you learn. That is a useful October goal for a first station or a longtime operator.