From the desk of our amateur radio columnist:

Welcome to 2026! 🎆 The new year has arrived with a surge of energy across the bands. While the world celebrated, the amateur radio community was busy preparing for what promises to be the most ambitious year of the decade. We are standing on the threshold of the historic Bouvet Island activation, witnessing a massive "Year of the Club" initiative in the US, and seeing a renewed focus on advanced technical education in Canada.

The solar cycle continues to defy early predictions, providing high flux levels that are keeping the upper bands alive, even as we dodge minor geomagnetic storms. Whether you are prepping your station for the next big pileup or studying for an upgrade, operating at The Zero-Beat has never been more exciting. Let’s dive into the first briefing of 2026!

🗺️ The DX Chaser's Digest: The Southern Cross & Caribbean Secrets

I. 3Y0K Bouvet Island: The Final Countdown ❄️🚢

The most expensive and logistically complex DXpedition in history is nearly ready to sail. The 3Y0K Bouvet Island team is in the final staging phase for their February 1st departure from Cape Town, South Africa. This $1.7 million project has just cleared its final financial hurdles, thanks in part to a $5,000 Colvin Grant from the ARRL and significant support from the NCDXF.

The 24-man international team will be using an Icelandic icebreaker and heavy-lift helicopters to land on the glacier-covered island. With up to 12 operating positions planned, they aim to give thousands of hams an "All Time New One" (ATNO). For those looking to punch through the sub-Antarctic noise, ensure your linear amplifiers are tuned and ready—this will be the battle of the year on the airwaves!

II. Surprise Activation: Desecheo Island (KP5) 🏝️

In a surprise move, the first Puerto Rican-led DXpedition in 48 years is heading to Desecheo Island during the second week of January. This is the first activity from this protected nature reserve since 2009. Because of strict access limits, the team will utilize "Remote Deployable Units" (RDUs). Expect massive pileups for this #14 most-wanted entity, with operations spanning 160m through 6m on CW, SSB, and FT8.

III. Solar Report: Persistence of Cycle 25 ☀️📈

Solar Cycle 25 is showing remarkable staying power. As of the first week of January, the 10.7cm solar flux has been averaging a robust 145-160 SFU. While this is fantastic for 10m and 12m openings, we are currently navigating a series of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from late December that have kept the K-index unsettled. Expert analysis suggests that while flux is high, the critical frequencies of the F2 layer are lower than in previous cycles, meaning you might find the bands closing earlier than expected—keep a close eye on real-time propagation tools like DXLook!

🇨🇦 The Canadian Ham's Frequency: Education & Public Service Net

I. Winter Advanced Qualification Course Starts 🎓

For hams looking to start the year by expanding their privileges, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) launched its Winter 2026 Advanced Qualification course on January 4th. Led by Dave Goodwin (VE3KG), this course allows Maple Leaf members to upgrade for free. Gaining your Advanced Certificate is the key to running higher power, setting up your own repeaters, and becoming a club station trustee. If you've just passed your Basic, consider a high-quality Retevis handheld to get your feet wet in the local VHF/UHF community while you study for the next level.

II. Public Service: CARHA Hockey Tournament 🏒📡

The Westcoast Amateur Radio Association (WARA) is kicking off its 2026 public service calendar with the CARHA Hockey Pacific Cup in Victoria, BC, from January 16-18. Over 75 volunteer shifts are being filled to provide scores and emergency comms across nine different rinks. This event is a classic example of how "amateur" radio provides a professional-grade backbone for community events where cellular networks can't always be trusted.

III. Regulatory Note: ISED Service Interruption ⚠️

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada has announced a planned maintenance window for the Spectrum Management System. Licensing and payment services will be offline from January 8th through January 12th. If you need to renew your credentials or pay invoices, plan around this outage!

🇺🇸 The View from the States: Year of the Club & FCC Cleanup

I. 2026: The Year of the Club 🤝🏘️

The ARRL has officially designated 2026 as the "Year of the Club." This year-long celebration recognizes that local clubs are the heartbeat of the hobby. To start things off, the ARRL is hosting a Club Newsletter and Website contest with a deadline of January 30th. It’s the perfect time to revitalize your local group, mentor a new ham, or start a "Foxhunt." A strong club is the best defense against the isolation that can sometimes affect our hobby.

II. Legislative Grind: The HOA Antenna Battle 🏛️🏗️

The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (H.R. 1094 / S. 459) remains a top priority in Washington. While the bills are currently in the committee phase, the ARRL is pushing a massive grassroots letter-writing campaign. The goal is to ensure every ham, regardless of their neighborhood, has the right to install effective outdoor antennas. This legislation is vital for the long-term sustainability of the service in an increasingly urbanized world.

III. FCC Update: Rule Deletions & License Extensions 📋

Mark your calendars: on February 10, 2026, the FCC will officially delete four obsolete Part 97 rules. These include outdated procedures for replacing paper licenses and "grandfather" clauses for 1970s-era amplifiers. More importantly for active hams, the FCC has extended the filing deadline for license renewals until March 5, 2026, to help clear the backlog created by federal system disruptions late last year. If your license was set to expire between October and March, you have some extra breathing room!

Whether you’re a long-time DXer or just getting started with a mobile rig or even a CB radio for local trail comms, 2026 is shaping up to be a legendary year. Stay tuned to The Zero-Beat Journal for all the latest updates!