Good morning. It's Sunday the 20th of February and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain. First the headlines:- Today's RSGB VHF Convention; The Trafford Rally; The VHF Round Table; Arfon Repeater Update; Closedown of Repeater GB3NA; New RLOs for the Isle of Man and Lothian areas; Dates for next year's rallies and events required urgently; Morecambe Bay amateur wins Silver Trophy. Today sees the premier event in the VHF Calendar, the RSGB VHF Convention, held at Sandown Race Course, Esher, Surrey. Doors open at 10.30am and the convention features a trade exhibition and a lecture programme featuring VHF, UHF and Microwaves, starting at 2.15pm. The February edition of RadCom carries full details of the event including a list of lectures. Refreshments will be available from 11am and talk-in is on channels S22 and SU22 by GB2VHF. Also today, the Trafford rally takes place at Manchester. More details of this later in our bulletin. A VHF 'Round Table' meeting is scheduled for Sunday the 10th of April at the British Telecom Laboratories, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich. Comprehensive measuring and test equipment will be available and there will be the usual technical workshops and talks. Entrance to the meeting will be strictly by ticket only, but these are free and are available from Darren Hatcher, G7BKO, BT Computer Centre, Bibb Way, Ipswich, Suffolk. Please remember to enclose a Stamped Addressed Envelope and a list of names of all those in your party. Refreshments and free car parking are available. For further details contact Darren on 0473 227332 during office hours only. The Arfon Repeater Group 70cm Repeater GB3AN has now been operational from its new site on the north east coast of Anglesey for three months. The received reports to date, show good results of the predicted coverage area, but during the past few weeks a problem arose which made access to the repeater difficult. The cause was traced to the 1750 Hz tone detect circuit which has now been rectified. The Group apologies for any inconvenience this caused. The linking experiment between GB3AN on 70 centimetres and GB3AR on 2 metres is also receiving favourable comments, and giving extended coverage to both repeaters. The repeaters can be link from either GB3AR or GB3AN and once the confirmation "K" is received, then normal QSO's can be carried out over the two repeaters which has a four minute time-out. Both send a total of four pips, it is good practice to wait for two pips before transmitting, this gives a chance for a station to break-in. For further details about the group or for a copy of the operating procedures for linking, contact the Arfon Repeater Group Secretary, John, GW0AQR, enclosing a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. John's address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. The Repeater GB3NA has been closed down by the RIS from the 9th of February 1994 as no NOV was in force. The issue of the NOV has been deferred by the RSGB in consultation with the Radiocommunications Agency pending an investigation by G4AFJ, Chairman of the Repeater Management Group, of allegations that individuals concerned in the management of the repeater are responsible for abuse and until RSGB(RMG) are satisfied that there are adequate arrangements in place to reduce abuse. Anyone who wishes to give information on this matter is advised to write to G4AFJ, 31 Newbold Road, Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire, LE9 7OG. {Newsreaders: This item can be deleted if your broadcast does not cover the County of Lothian or Isle of Man areas} Attention RSGB members in the County of Lothian and the Isle of Man areas. Two new RSGB Liaison Officers (RLO) have been appointed, one for each area. The RLO for the Lothian is Mr TWG Menzies, GM1GEQ. His address is 31 Pentland Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 6HD. For the Isle of Man, the RLO is Mr C G Baillie-Searle, GD4EIP. His address is 2 Marguerite Place, Foxdale, Isle of Man, IM4 3HE. RLOs hold a wide range of information and they are available to help any RSGB member seeking advice. Next, attention all Club and Rally Secretaries. The Society intends to update all the society records of all Club Rallies and Events for 1995. For this to be achieved, can all club secretaries involved send the date of their event for 1995 immediately to RSGB Headquarters so that it can be included in the list. Information should be marked for the attention of Justine Hodges, Marketing Coordinator, and must be received at Headquarters by Friday the 4th of March. Congratulations to Len Williams, G4UUX, the winner of the Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society Construction Competition which took place last January. Len was presented with a silver Cup by Ian, G4VAP who started the competition some years ago in order to encourage more home construction. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Aruba, VE3MR will sign P40MR from tomorrow, Monday the 21st until Saturday the 12th of March. Activity will be on 12 and 17 metres, SSB only. From Canada, G3RBP will be active as VA3YJ/8 from Yellowknife, North West Territories (VE8), for one or two days, during the next three weeks. Activity will be on 160, 80 and 40 metres, CW only. Check these frequencies 1.827, 3.505 and 7.005MHz, QSX up. From Africa, ZS6EZ will activate the callsign ZS9Z from Walvis Bay, starting, all being well, late on Thursday the 24th of February. On Monday the 28th at 2200 UTC, midnight local time, the area becomes part of Namibia and he will use the callsign V51Z, until after dawn on Wednesday the 2nd of March. Particular attention will be paid to the WARC and LF bands. And from Reunion Island, G0IXC will sign FR/G0IXC from Friday the 25th of February for three weeks. Activity will be SSB only, 10 - 40 metres but mainly 15m. {Newsreaders: This event can be deleted if your broadcast does not cover the local area} Rally news now and we know of the following event for today, Sunday the 20th of February: The Trafford Rally is being held at the G-MEX Centre, Manchester. Doors open at 10.30am for all, but there is a disabled persons priority queue. This event features all the usual trade stands and many other attractions, including an RSGB book and information stand. Refreshments are available and talk-in is on channel S22 via GB1GMX. There are three events that we know for next weekend: On Saturday the 26th the Rainham Radio Rally will be held at the Rainham School for Girls, Derwent Way, Rainham, Kent. A new venue for this event. Leave the M2 Motorway at junction 4 and follow the Rainham Radio Rally arrows. Doors open at 10am. The venue has more space and ample off road parking. There will be trade stands, a bring and buy stall and club stands featuring, Packet, Television, KRG, Raynet etc. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on channel S22 via GB4RRR. Further details can be obtained from Martin, G7JBO on 0634 365980. Also on Saturday the 26th, the Tyneside Amateur Radio Society Annual Rally will be held at the Temple Park Centre, John Reid Road, South Shields. Accessable from the A1 and A19 from both the north and south and the A69 from the West. Doors open at 11am, 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features all the usual trade stands and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on channel S22. Further details can be obtained from Jack, G0DZG on 091 265 1718. And on Sunday the 27th of February, the Taw and Torridge Rally will be held at the Bideford Halls on the Quay, Bideford, North Devon. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade exhibitors and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available all day. Further details can be obtained from Mike, G3PGA,who is QTHR.1IJK on 061 748 9804. Next a date for your diary: The 1994 RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show is to be held during Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of March, at the Lee Valley Leisure Centre, Picketts Lock Lane, Edmonton, North London. February's RadCom contains details of the Show which is being run by RadioSport Ltd, in conjunction with the RSGB and the Southgate Amateur Radio Club. A Show Guide is being published as a supplement to the March edition of RadCom. There will be no RSGB National Convention this year so the Society will put on a larger stand at the London Show. For further information call 0923 893929. If anyone would like to take advantage of the special arrangements made for hotel accommodation during this event, then please get in touch with Bernard Godfrey, G4AOG, telephone 0923 678770. HF contest news now: The ARRL International CW DX Contest takes place this weekend, from 0000UTC on Saturday the 19th, to 2400UTC on Sunday the 20th of February. Contestants may use all bands from 1.8MHz to 28MHz, but excluding the WARC bands. See February RadCom page 19 for rules and entry details but please disregard the dates which are incorrect. To recap, the correct dates are the 19th and 20th of February. The RSGB 7MHz DX Contest takes place next weekend, from 1500 UTC on Saturday the 26th, to 0900 UTC on Sunday the 27th. See September RadCom page 81 for full details. Next the results of the 1993 2nd 1.3/2.3GHz Fixed Contest were as follows: In the 1.3GHz Single Operator Section G3MEH came first with 251 points and GD4GNH was second with 113 points. For the 1.3GHz Multi Operator Section the winner was G8OHM with 149 points. The winner of the 2.3GHz Single Operator Section was G8ZQB with 32 points. Now some VHF contest news: The penultimate sessions of the RSGB 70MHz Cumulative Contest takes place next Sunday the 27th of February, from 1000 to 1200 UTC. There are three sections:- Fixed station single operator, Open and Listeners. See December's RadCom page 83 for details. The RSGB 144/432MHz Contest will take place from 1400 UTC on Saturday the 5th, to 1400 UTC on Sunday the 6th of March. See January and February RadCom's pages 83 for details of the different sections. GX3CHM/P will aired from East Pennard, Somerset, during today Sunday the 20th. It will be operated by members of the Yeovil Amateur Radio Club who will be commemorating the 40th anniversary of first sky-wave contact using a transistor transmitter. GX3CMH/P will operate on 3.560MHz CW using an equivalent QRPP transmitter to that used in the first tests. For further details contact G4JBL on 0258 473845. RSGB members may like to note that a feature on this historic event appeared in the February RadCom. And now the solar factual data: The period 7th to 13th February must hold a record of some sort, the geomagnetic field has been at storm or severe storm levels all the period, with sever storm at high latitudes every day. It is the most disturbed period since March 1989. Needless to say, the HF bands have been severly affected, auroras and noise storms were reported particularly from northern stations. The cause of the storms was an elongated coronal hole which has taken some 10 days to pass by, and as this bulletin was being prepared on the 14th we had not seen the end of it. No flares have been reported. Sun spot indices didnot change much day to day and meaned at 53. Solar flux levels have declined slightly and averaged 96 units. The 90 day mean was 106 units on the 8th. The geomagnetic Ap indices ranged from full storm levels of 62 units on the 7th and 8th only dropping to sub storm levels of 45 units by the 13th, with the period averaging at an Ap of 48 units. The state has been magstorms in progress all the period. The aa indices for the 1st to 7th February as supplied by the British Geological Survey gave daily averages of 43.7 nanoTeslas about K4, with the 1st being very quiet down to only 11.6 nanoTeslas, rising to sub storm levels of 85 nanoTeslas by the 6th and 7th, with the auroral periods being up to 136 nanoTeslas about K6. The X-Ray flux increased over the period and averaged B1.9 units, though the 12th was up to B2.9 units. Bartells rotation 2192 starts on the 26th February. A major Stratospheric Warming was reported on the 13th covering the North Atlantic, Europe and was spreading East, the temperature rise was 30 degrees C at 10 Hecta Pascals level about 35 kilometres high. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers as reported by Meudon, were very severly affected by the storms and only averaged 6.8MHz, with the 8th 9th and 10th being down to only just over 5MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged only 1.8 MHz with little variation day to day. These are the lowest levels recorded since this data was first given in October 1992. The darkness hours also recorded a lot of spread F and other phenomena at times making readings impossible. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg only averaged 5.4MHz and the darkness hour lows 2.2MHz. Another suprise from solar cycle 22. About this time in solar cycles coronal holes are very prevalent, but most are either isolated patches or are tongues reaching up or down from the suns polar regions, which pass in two or three days, in the passed 17 years since I have been doing the GB2RS news, I cannot remember a coronal hole elongated along the sun's equator of the shape and size that has occurred at this time. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the active side of the sun will be rotating away, solar flux levels are expected to be about the 110s, and the X-Ray flux is expected to be high about B3.0. Geomagnetic activity will depend on the progress of the coronal holes but is expected to decline to more normal levels. Ionospheric MUFs in the south are expected to be about 24MHz during daylight and 10MHz during the darkness hours. East/west paths may be slightly lower than this. Northern station levels will be lower. And that's the end of the solar information. Finally in the main news, SSL has informed the Society that as of last Wednesday morning, the latest callsigns issued were in the G0 U L and G7 R T series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 A H and 2 1 C R series. . You're listening to GB2RS, the news broadcasting service of the Radio Society of Great Britain, transmitting in the 80, 40, 6 and 2 metre bands. Next, the local news. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of February: Dorking and District Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Doughnuts in Radio' by Pat, G8HMG. Members and visitors welcome. For further details tel: 0306 631236. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'The 1993 Coast to Coast walk' by Ralph, G7HFD. Details from Neil, tel: 0438 350882. Waterside Amateur Radio Society has a talk by David Wright on 'Radio Astronomy'. Details from George, G0IDN on 0703 843491. Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of February: Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk 'The RSGB - speaker to be advised'. Details from Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'The LONNY Wormhole' by Julian, G4NQO. Details from Roger, G4OAA on 0992 464795. Darenth Valley Radio Society has a visit by Fred Stewart, RSGB RLO for Kent. More details from Len, G0HRD, tel: 0474 703322. Dover Radio Club has a talk on 'The history of the Duke of York School' by Mike Carson. For further details contact Mick, G7NOR on 0304 825030. Farnborough and District Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Introduction to Contesting' by G3HEJ. For more information telephone 0252 715765. Grafton Radio Society has a talk 'Understanding Ferrite transformers in HF Power Amplifiers' by Stein Torp, LA7MI. Further details from Rod, G0JUZ 081 368 8154. Newbury & District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Further details from Norman, G0HFU tel: 0635 863310. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a Discussion evening. For further details contact G4GPX on 0903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 24th of February: Colchester Radio Amateurs has a talk called 'Rallies and Practical Wireless' by Rob Mannion, G3XFD. Further details from Mike, G4YJN on 0206 738189. Crowborough & District Amateur Radio Society has an E.G.M. followed by the talk 'Antenna design in miniature' by Eric, G3TXZ. For details contact Mick, G6UUO on 0892 661807. Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society meets for its Annual General Meeting. Contact Paul, G1GSN on 0462 700618 for further details. Southgate Amateur Radio Club has an Activity Night. Further information from Brian, G0MEE on 081 360 2453. Vange Amateur Radio Society meets for its Annual General Meeting. Contact Doris on 0268 552606 for further information. Meetings for Friday the 25th of February: Clifton Amateur Radio Society has a Film Evening. Further details from Keith, G4TJE on 081 859 7630. Hilderstone Amateur Radio Society has a demonstration 'First Aid & Resuscitation' by Ken Bailey, St Johns Ambulance Brigade. For further details, telephone 0843 869812. Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has a visit from Rob Mannion, G3XFD. Contact Les, G3ABA on 0703 732997 for details. Medway Amateur Receiving & Transmitting Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further details from Gloria, G7OVI on 0634 710023. Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Desert Island Radio'. Information from Chris, G0KEB, tel: 081 397 0427. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST Exeter Amateur Radio Society Club has a new venue and now meets in The Moose International Centre, Blackboy Road, Exeter. For details contact Ray, G3YBK 0392 78710. Meetings for Monday the 21st of February: Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Satellite Communications' by Dennis, G0FCL. Details from G4ETJ, tel: 0237 477301. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has an Open Evening. Further details from Dave, G3ZXX on 0963 34360 or Andy, G1FPW on 0747 51381. Meeting for Wednesday the 23rd of February: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Talk/demo entitled 'Soldering Techniques and their use' by Ken, G0TDS. For more information tel: 0275 834282. Meeting for Thursday the 24th of February: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a Station-on-Air evening. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845 for further information. Meeting for Friday the 25th of February: North Bristol Amateur Club has a Table Sale. More details from Tony, G4ROX tel: 0272 513573. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Monday the 21st of February: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a Computing Workshop, led by Paul, G4YQC. For further details contact Paul, G4YQC on 0394 273507 any evening. Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of February: Ipswich Radio Club has a CW evening. For further details contact Sheila, G8HYE on 0473 742072. Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction and QRP evening. For further details contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810. Meetings for Thursday the 24th of February: Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club has a lecture on 'Amateur TV on the cheap' by Ian, G1NOO. Visitors welcome. Details from Ian, G0BMS on 0553 765614. Yarmouth Radio Club has a talk 'Tapes for the Blind' by G0FIY. Contact Tony, G3NHU, on 0493 721173 for further details. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Monday the 21st of February: Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club now meets at its new venue: The Aldridge Central Community Association Hall, Middlemore Lane, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8AN. Details from Charles, G0NOL 0922 36162. Dudley Amateur Radio Club has a Resume of current VHF practices and thoughts for the future by Peter Burden, G3UBX. More information from Drew, G7DMO on 0533 755310 during office only. Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society has its Annual Construction Competition. Contact James, G7HEZ on 0384 374354 for more details. Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of February: Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has a Visit by Dave Gourley, Zonal Council Member and John Marks, local RSGB Liaison Officer. After a short talk, there will be a Question and Answers session. Details from Barry, G0TPG on 0527 542266. Buxton Radio Amateurs has a QSL Card night. Details from Derek, G4IHO, tel: 0298 25506. Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Video Editing' by Derrick, G7OXA. For further details contact G8SNF, tel: 0509 218259. Meetings for Wednesday 23rd of February: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk by Ken Griffin called 'Another side of G4HDP'. Details from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. Lincoln Short Wave Club has a talk 'Amateur Satellites' by Dave, G4CUO and Ted, G6HMS. For more details contact Nigel, G7KIE on 0522 703778. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has its 'Under a Fiver' Competition. For further details contact Dave, G4EIX, on 0952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 24th of February: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a Construction night. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. Salop Amateur Radio Society has a demonstration of 'FAX and SSTV, both software and dedicated machines' by Clem, G0ALV. Details from Sheila, G0SST 0743 361935. Meetings for Friday the 25th of February: Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a Quiz Night. Further details from David, G1ORG, tel: 0203 311468. South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a visit from Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Club at Fairham College. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342 for details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 21st of February: Rochdale and District Amateur Radio Society has a Talk by Rev George Dobbs, G3RJV. For more information contact Brian, G0GNR on 061 653 8316. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a Construction night. Further details from David, G0JJR Tel: 0742 446282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is discussing its 'Stand Plan for the Norbreck Rally'. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Woodford (RATEC) has a talk 'HMS Bronington, G0TON' by Peter, G3XGE. Visitors welcome to attend. For further details contact Don, G4SFU on 061 485 3912. Meetings for Tuesday the 22nd of February: Bury Radio Society has a showing of RSGB videos. For further details contact Mike, G4GSY on 061 761 5083. Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Equipment Sale by G3EWZ. Further details are available from G0OXA, tel: 051 608 3229. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Sale. Further details from Ian, G4WWX QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a Night on the Air. Further details from Roy G0TBY 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 23rd of February: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'PAL Colour TV' by G8EQZ. For further details contact G4UOZ on 0964 534283. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Video night. Contact Mike, G7LQD on 0606 331210 for details. North Wakefield Radio Club has a visit to the West Yorkshire Police Control at 7pm. Details from John, G4RCG on 0924 362144. Stockport Radio Society has a Quiz night - Committee v Members. For further details telephone 061 439 4952. Meetings for Thursday the 24th of February: Hambleton Amateur Radio Society has a Practical night. For further details contact Nigel, G0NHM, 0609 776608. Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a 'Practical Fractals - a hands on electromnic experience' by Lance Kean. Further details from Kathy, G0RLO on 0274 496222. North Wakefield Radio Club has a talk entitled 'A guide to short Term Forecasting' by Charlie Newton, G2FKZ. Details from John, G4RCG on 0924 362144. Meetings for Friday the 25th of February: East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has a talk on Mountain Safety by Jim Butcher. Details from Alistair, G4OLK on 0642 475671. North Ferriby United Amateur Radio Society meets for its Annual General Meeting. Further details from Frank, G3YCC, tel: 0482 650410. South Manchester Radio Club has a talk 'Desk Top Publishing' by G0OQS. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 061 969 1964. Stockport Radio Society Computer Group has a talk 'Computer hardware/software' by a member of the Firstec Company. For further details telephone 061 439 4952. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 22nd of February: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Night. Details from GM4FSB who is QTHR. Meeting for Thursday the 24th of February: Dunfermline Radio Society has a Construction evening - Top Band DF equipment. Further details from Wallace, GM0GNT who is QTHR. Meetings for Friday the 25th of February: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has a talk 'A junk sale Frequency Meter'. Details from Gordon, GM7PXW, tel 0224 780591. Ayr Amateur Radio Group has a 'Home Constructors' evening. Details from Ian, GM43VMG on 0292 260870. West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has a Construction Competition. For details contact Jack, GM4COX on 0698 350926. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 21st of February: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a Talk by Bob, GW3CGN. Further details from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 0248 600963. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Friday the 25th of February: Ballymena Amateur Radio Club has its Winter Bring & Buy Sale. The RAIBC will be present and there will be an RSGB Bookstall. Refreshment will be available. Details from Jeff, Gi4HCN, tel: 0266 659769. And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast, which was prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.