Practical Wireless Magazine

The February 2026 issue of Practical Wireless is now available, bringing together construction, operating, heritage and radio technology for today’s amateur.

Don opens the issue with thoughts on QSLing and New Year resolutions, while Georg Wiessala continues his practical exploration of radio propagation monitoring in Finding Your Funkwetter. Constructors will enjoy Frank Howell K4FMH’s design for a lightweight portable multiband HF vertical, alongside Tom Morgan G0CAJ’s investigation into verticals and velocity factor with a two-element vertical array.

VHF features include Steve Macdonald G4AQB’s description of the 144MHz beacon used in a recent high-altitude balloon project. Operating skills are centre stage in The Morse Mode, where Roger G3LDI explains the four P’s of Morse excellence. Contesting fans can follow Don G3XTT’s account of operating from Uganda during his latest African contest adventure.

Radio history remains a strong theme this month, with continued coverage of the early days of BBC Broadcasting House, focusing on the ‘Special Effects’ studios, plus a classic archive advertisement for the Lissen Skyscraper 3 wireless kit. We also revisit broadcasting events from February 1926, continue the In Focus feature on the BBC Penmon transmitter, mark 60 years of BBC-2, and examine how American Armed Forces broadcasts influenced Icelandic radio and television.

Rounding out the issue, Mike G4WNC delivers a varied selection of data-mode projects and ideas, starting with a low-cost GPS antenna splitter and more.

A diverse and engaging issue for every radio enthusiast.