Frequency Measurement Tests in Europe - Feb 2026

 

Is your HF radio on frequency? How accurate is it? The reality is that in most cases, your HF radio could be off frequency by 100Hz or 200Hz and you'd have no idea. On SSB and CW, you just tune in the other station. Even with modes like FT8 on fixed frequencies, you could be off frequency a bit and it will still work fine.

Still though, it's nice to know what your radio is like? Is it accurate or not?

On the 9th and 16th of February 2026, a group in Poland will be making test transmissions from Warsaw (loc KO02md) on precise frequencies on the 20m, 40m and 80m bands.

This is the schedule...

Mon 9th Feb 2026 - Frequency calibration
10:00 UTC - 14.069000 MHz
16:00 UTC - 14.069000 MHz
19:00 UTC - 7.039000 MHz
21:00 UTC - 3.569000 MHz

The message is 'QST DE SN0FMT CALIBATION FMT'

Fri 13th Feb 2026 - Frequency calibration and timing signals
10:00 UTC - 14.0687 MHz
16:00 UTC - 14.0687 MHz
19:00 UTC - 7.0387 MHz
21:00 UTC - 3.5687 MHz

How to check... If you're not sure how to check your radio then maybe some of you will be using modes like FT8 and software like WSJT-X with its waterfall display. For the 14.069 MHz transmission, set your radio to 14.068 MHz on USB. Check the waterfall display and you should see the carrier at 1000 Hz. If it's off then put the cursor over the signal on the waterfall and see how far off frequency you are.

There are other options as well. I prefer to use software like SpectrumLab which is an audio spectrum analyser and you can examine the frequency in finer detail.

Limitations... Note that the signals are coming off the ionosphere and that is not static, especially if there are points along the path where the sun is rising or setting. You should still be able to get an accurate reading to within a few Hz.

Note that these test transmissions are primarily for Europe but they may be heard elsewhere.

Link... https://fmtlab.org/

***

Addendum... These are my own results when I listened to the test transmission on the 40m band on the 9th of February 2026.

I was using a SDRPlay receiver on 7.038000 MHz USB. The SN0FMT cw signal was on 7.039000 MHz which meant I should hear a 1-kHz tone.

I used the SpectrumLab software programme to examine the signal and as can be seen above, it's very close to 1-kHz / 1000 Hz.

I knew in advance that I should be close because I had adjusted the frequency compensation in the SDRPlay receiver already so that my reception reports on WSPR on 28 MHz (10m) would be accurate.

Still though, it's nice to see the test signal on frequency as predicted.

The test signal lasted for 15-minutes.

Opening on the 50 MHz band from Europe to Australia - 1st Feb 2026

Steve, VK3OT reports that the 50 MHz (6m) band was open between Europe and Victoria, Australia on Sunday 1st February 2026.

The map above shows the FT8 paths as reported on the PSKReporter website. The longest path was to EB1IC in Spain at just over 17,000kms.

A full list of the reported stations can be seen below...

145 Alive activity periods in 2026

The 145 Alive concept is to have activity periods on the 145 MHz (2m) band at certain times during the year. It's not a contest, it just a net where stations are encouraged to call in and exchange signal reports with others on the band. 

The 145 Alive activity period is primarily in the UK and Ireland but some activity in Norway started in late 2025.

These are the planned activity periods for 2026...

Saturday 7th February / Saturday 18th April / Sunday 12th July / Sunday 13th September

The activity period runs from 12:00hrs to 15:00hrs local time.

Activity is on the FM simplex channels. There will be net controllers in certain areas but the easiest thing to do is to tune around and see who you can hear.

There will be some limited activity on SSB for the UK in 2026 as an experiment.

The 145 Alive group are also looking to spread the activity period to other countries and they will share their experience if anyone would like to set up one somewhere else.

The last print edition of the World Radio TV Handbook will be in 2026...

The World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH) has been a valuable source of information for short wave listeners and DX-ing enthusiasts for about 80 years. 

Up to 2022, it used to be be published by a company in the UK and I had a post about this back in December of 2021.

It was subsequently taken over by a company in Germany and they published print copies in 2023, 2024 & 2025. They also introduced an E-book version in 2024 and an app version in 2025.

They have now announced that the last printed edition will be in 2026.

They wrote... "An Important Message to the WRTH Community

Dear Friends of WRTH,

As we approach the publication of the 80th edition of the World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH 2026), we find ourselves at both a moment of celebration and of change. For eight decades, WRTH has been a constant companion to radio listeners, broadcasters, and enthusiasts worldwide. We know that many of you treasure the annual arrival of the printed book, and it is with great care and reflection that we share the following news.

The Final Printed Edition

WRTH 2026 will be the last edition to appear in print. After this milestone 80th edition, WRTH will move entirely to digital formats—our regularly updated Web App and the twice-yearly E-book (Winter and Summer schedules). This is not a decision we have taken lightly. The printed WRTH has been part of the identity of our community, and we understand what it means to see it come to a close.

Example page inside the book showing frequency lists

Why This Change Is Necessary

Over the past years, the costs of producing WRTH in print have risen sharply. Printing, paper, tariffs, shipping, and logistics have all become increasingly expensive and difficult to manage. Despite our best efforts to absorb these pressures, continuing to publish in print on a yearly basis is no longer sustainable. In order for WRTH to survive as a publication, and continue serving the global broadcasting community, we must adapt.

Pre-Order Only: A Collector’s Edition

The WRTH 2026 printed book will be available exclusively through pre-order, with delivery scheduled for December 2025. There will be no launch stock or reprints. Once pre-orders close, the book will not be available again. This makes WRTH 2026 a true collector’s edition—our final tribute in print to 80 years of The World’s Most Comprehensive and Up-to-Date Guide to Broadcasting.

Pre-orders will open on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and close on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Please watch our communication channels for the official announcement, and subscribe to our newsletter to always stay up-to-date: https://wrth.info/newsletter/ 

Looking Ahead with Digital

Moving forward, WRTH will be available in two formats:

The WRTH Web App, updated throughout the year with the most current data.

The WRTH E-book, released twice a year to cover Winter and Summer schedules.

We believe this transition will allow WRTH to remain relevant, accessible, and sustainable, while providing you with more up-to-date information than print has ever allowed.

Updated Pricing

To reflect the realities of production and to keep WRTH alive in its new form, prices for 2026 are as follows:

WRTH 2026 Printed Book: EUR 59,90 (excluding shipping)
WRTH 2026 Web App: EUR 47,90
WRTH 2026 E-book (Winter and Summer editions): EUR 47,90

Please note: Prices are set in EUR. Currency conversion applies at the point of purchase for all other currencies.

Shipping costs will remain similar to last year, varying by region, with WRTH continuing to subsidize rates in some areas.

A Word of Thanks

We know these changes may be difficult to accept, especially for those who have collected the printed WRTH for many years. Please know that this was not an easy decision for us to make. It comes from a deep responsibility: to ensure that WRTH not only celebrates its remarkable past but also secures its future.

We are grateful beyond words for your loyalty and support, and for the place you have given WRTH in your lives. As we turn this page together, we hope you will join us in celebrating the WRTH 2026—the final printed volume and a lasting collector’s item—and in embracing the new digital editions that will carry WRTH into the years ahead.

If you have any other questions, please visit our FAQs ( https://wrth.info/faqs/ ) for quick, clear answers and support.

With gratitude, The WRTH Team"

Obviously the cost of printing a large book for a diminishing number of people has become prohibitive.

The image below shows how the price of the printed edition has changed recently.

The 2026 edition will cost almost €60 before shipping which I'm sure some will find very expensive. The 2026 physical edition costs about 50% more than the 2023 edition.

On their website, they have the E-book editions for 2024 & 2025 listed as €29.90. The 2026 price is €47.90 and that covers a winter and summer edition.

The 2026 app version at €47.90 is only €10 cheaper than the printed book.

In summary... The WRTH contains a wealth of information about various radio and TV stations around the world. Most if not all of this information is available online but the advantage of the WRTH is that it's in one location.

For some, the price of the WRTH will be way too high. For other users, the price will be acceptable.

If you're interested in ordering the last print edition for 2026 then visit their website... https://wrth.info/