February 20, 2026 — DXLook.com has released two new composite map views designed to help amateur radio operators compare actual on-air results with propagation expectations in one place. The update adds Reports + MUF and Reports + VOACAP, allowing operators to see where signals are being reported versus where models suggest they should propagate—without switching between separate tools or screens.

New Composite Views

Reports + MUF
This view overlays real contact reports (solid arcs) on top of MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) zones. The colored zones represent the highest usable band by direction, helping operators quickly confirm whether contacts align with expected openings and identify unusual paths such as grey-line effects, sporadic-E, or long-path propagation.

Reports + VOACAP
This view overlays real contact reports (solid lines) with VOACAP theoretical predictions (dashed, semi-transparent arcs). It provides a direct side-by-side visual comparison between model-based expectations and real-world activity, making it easier to spot agreement, gaps, and surprises.

How to Access
Operators can try the new views by visiting dxlook.com, selecting Reports + MUF or Reports + VOACAP from the View dropdown, then entering a callsign or grid square and clicking Go.

Update Details

• The MUF/VOACAP prediction backdrop refreshes every 5 minutes independently
• Reports refresh based on the selected time window (1 minute to 24 hours)
• Existing Reports features remain available, including filters for band/mode/direction, marker options, and the spot table

DXLook.com is free to use, requires no login, and aggregates data from PSK Reporter, Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), WSPRnet, and DX Cluster, supporting bands from 160m through 2m.

About DXLook.com
DXLook.com is a web-based platform that combines reception reports and propagation-focused views to help amateur radio operators monitor activity, understand band conditions, and explore propagation patterns in real time.

Source: DXLook

The Honour Roll is a list of the call-signs of stations with a checked score equalling or exceeding 50% of the total of numbered IOTA groups, excluding those with provisional numbers, at the time of preparation. Listing in the 2026 tables was restricted to those participants who had updated their scores since February 2021. IOTA rules […]

[#651] Here’s the latest FREE NON-SUBSCRIPTION DX-World Weekly Bulletin written by Bjorn ON9CFG available to download. Click below to get the newest jam-packed edition which this week runs to 17 pages. Previous bulletins can all be found here. Please contact Bjorn with any updates or errors. DOWNLOAD THE LATEST BULLETIN =====

By Martino, IU8LMC – Developer. FT2 is not a theoretical concept. It is fully working software, tested and operational. On February 16, 2026, we successfully completed dozens of real contacts in FT2 mode, with transmission cycles of 3.8 seconds — four times faster than FT8 and twice as fast as FT4. QSOs were verified on […]

Zero Retries Digital Conference (ZRDC) will return for a second year on Friday, October 16, 2026. This year’s conference will take place in Sam Ramon, California, USA at the Roundhouse Conference Center. Pacificon 2026 will take place the same weekend in the same city, just down the street from ZRDC.

An informal visit to the Computer History Museum will take place the Thursday before ZRDC 2026. (Editor’s note: A visit to CHM is worth arriving early!)

Keep an eye on the ZRDC 2026 website for more details.

Source: Zero Retries Digital Conference

Hrane, YT1AD (N9YU) lets DX-World know that he along with Sergey R7KW and Steve YU3AA (NS3A) plan a DX tourist-type expedition in March to the Philippines, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan). The schedule is as follows: DU6/N9YU and DU6/NS3A (during March 4-12). KH2/N9YU and KH2/NS3A (during 13-17). KH0/N9YU and KH0/NS3A (during March 17-23). QRV […]

The following is a message from the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management:

February 8–9, 2026 | Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

On February 8–9, 2026, severe weather brought high winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, power outages, and hazardous surf conditions across Honolulu and the State of Hawaiʻi. Both Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi issued emergency proclamations to mobilize resources and protect public safety.

Amateur radio operators were activated inside the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in support of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), City and County of Honolulu. Volunteer communicators reported in and stood ready to provide backup communications should cellular or internet systems fail.

During the activation, we:

• Participated in county and statewide briefings with Governor Josh Green and Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) leadership.
• Joined statewide HF nets at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. on 7.090 MHz (LSB).
• Updated and posted the ICS-205 Communications Plan on HawaiiARES.net for download and offline reference.
• Logged activity in the ICS-214 Unit Log.
• Operated at KH6OCD on HF and VHF/UHF voice, monitored repeaters, and utilized Winlink radio email on HF and VHF FM.

Radio traffic remained light as outages were quickly addressed through coordinated efforts between city and state agencies and utility partners. Shelters and volunteers remained ready in case conditions worsened.

Personnel Participation

At the EOC: AH6WN, KH6LT, KH6ML, KH7HO, WH6HCV, WH6HEZ, WH7Y.
Field and statewide support: AH6CP, KH6C, KH6LY, KH7FV, KH7O, WH7GG, WH7PD, Kaneohe CERT, Kailua CERT, and ARES members statewide.

Emergency Management Reserve Corps (EMRC)

The Emergency Management Reserve Corps (EMRC) supports the community through trained volunteers who serve either in field operations across Oʻahu or as amateur radio communicators under RACES. Most RACES members are also active in ARES, strengthening coordination between county and statewide response efforts. Interested operators on Oʻahu can apply here: https://veoci.com/v/p/191705/workflow/7pgrj5u5q833

“It was encouraging to work alongside such engaged and supportive leadership from the Department. Dr. Randal Collins, Director, and Jennifer Walter, Deputy Director, along with Douglas Tom and Jeff Spencer, clearly understand how amateur radio strengthens resiliency and provides independent communications capability. Their awareness of our role in a larger grey or black sky event ensures RACES remains fully integrated into emergency operations.”

— Michael Miller, KH6ML Deputy Coordinator, RACES Program

Operations and Coordination

Mark Kaku, KH6LT, coordinated amateur radio operations inside the EOC, ensuring continuous coverage throughout the activation.

“Our goal is simple—be ready before we’re needed. We focus on coverage, documentation, and coordination so that if primary systems fail, we can immediately step in.”
— Mark Kaku, KH6LT Coordinator, RACES Program

Prepared and Ready

Systems were tested, nets were active, and documentation was completed. The activation reinforced the value of having trained, infrastructure-independent amateur radio communicators embedded within emergency management operations.

Mahalo to all who staffed the EOC and supported from across the islands.

Prepared by:

Michael C. Miller, KH6ML
Deputy Coordinator
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES)
Department of Emergency Management – City and County of Honolulu

Assistant Section Manager, Pacific Section
ARRL – The National Association for Amateur Radio®

Source: Honolulu Department of Emergency Management

The following is a press release from SpottedHam.com:

Following its successful launch earlier this month, the spotting and alert platform SpottedHam.com has released a major feature update driven by community feedback.

In addition to its signature POTA and SOTA real-time email alerts, the platform now integrates a global DX Cluster feed. This allows operators to filter for rare DX alongside portable activations, all within the same lightweight, mobile-first interface. Users can still set custom watchlists for specific callsigns, ensuring they never miss a “need” on the bands.

Perhaps the most significant addition is the new SpottedHam Club Widget. Radio clubs can now generate a custom HTML snippet to embed a live member activity table on their own club websites. This feature aims to help local clubs stay connected by showing at-a-glance what club members are currently on the air.

Developed by Robert Campbell (KM6HBH), SpottedHam continues to focus on a “low-bandwidth, high-speed” philosophy, making it ideal for field use or slow shack connections. The service is free to use and is already running some DX clubs pages.

Operators can explore the new DX filters, set up their first email alert, or generate a widget for their club at: https://www.spottedham.com.

Source: SpottedHam.com

[DX INFO] by Jacek, SP5APW. I am going to perform a solo expedition to Lakeba Island (IOTA OC-095). The callsign assigned to the expedition by TAF is 3D2JK. Lakeba Island is the rarest IOTA reference in Fiji belonging to the top 10% of the world-wide most wanted references. The last activation of OC-095 was carried […]

Alex, OE5AUH announces that he will be active from Kuramathi Resort, Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives as 8Q7AH during March 1-10, 2026. He mentions that full details on his activity coming soon.