Good morning. It's Sunday the 17th of July and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. First the headlines, all of which concern licence changes:- Power restrictions have been lifted on parts of the 1.8 and 50MHz bands, Antenna and ERP restrictions no longer apply on 50MHz, Unattended digital operation now needs notifying to the RIS, and There are changes to the computer logging requirements. With immediate effect, the Amateur and Amateur (Novice) Licences have been amended by the Radiocommunications Agency. In a Gazette notice, to be published this Monday, the 18th, the RA announced the following major changes: Holders of the full Amateur Licence (A) may use 26dBW (that's 400 watts) on the whole of the sub-band 1.81 to 1.85MHz, removing the power restriction on 1.81 to 1.83MHz. The power limit for 1.85 to 2MHz remains at 15dBW. Holders of the full Amateur Licences (A) and (B) may use 26dBW between 50 and 51MHz. The maximum permitted power between 51 and 52MHz is still 20dBW. The ERP and antenna height restrictions have been removed from the whole of the 50 to 52MHz band, allowing the use of any antenna. Maritime Mobile is now permitted on 50MHz. Holders of all types of licence, full and Novice, (A) and (B), are now required to notify their local Radio Investigation Service office of unattended digital operation. This additional restriction has, unfortunately, been necessary following a number of problems with unattended operation. The procedure is far less onerous than that required for a repeater or beacon on a hilltop site, and requires only the agreeing of suitable emergency close-down procedures. The final change, which also affects all licensees, concerns logs which are kept on a computer. At the main address, a licensee must be able to provide a print-out of the log on demand. When not at the main address, it must be possible to provide a copy on disk, followed later by a print-out. The full text of these changes is available in the London, Belfast and Edinburgh Gazettes, obtainable from HMSO stationers. The full text, plus explanatory notes and a list of RIS addresses will be published in the August edition of Radio Communication, scheduled to be posted to all RSGB members in the week commencing the 25th of July. In the meantime, members should contact their RLO or Headquarters if they have any queries. A DXpedition to Lithuania, is scheduled to take place from next Saturday the 23rd until Monday the 1st of August. David, G0BZF and a multi national group will operate as LY94BDX. Operation is to be on all bands CW, SSB and packet but UK stations are recommended to check 14.055, 14.295MHz, 3.555 or 3.72MHz. Skeds can be arranged by contacting G0BZF on 0932 566435. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From St Pierre and Miquelon, FP/KA1NCN will operate from the 19th, until the 25th of July on 10 to 160 metres, CW, SSB and RTTY. From the Maldive Islands, G0PBV will sign 8Q7AE from Tuesday the 26th of July until Tuesday the 9th of August, on 10, 15, 20 and 40 metres. And from the Principality of Seborga, some 25km north-east of Monaco, 3A2LF will sign 0S0C from now until Monday the 18th on CW only. I1RBJ is also active as 0S1A over the weekend. Now the rallies we know of for today, Sunday the 17th of July: The McMichael Rally and Car Boot Sale is being held at the Haymill Youth and Community Centre, Burnham Lane, near Burnham railway station, Slough. Doors open 10.30am. The event features a car boot sale, no advanced booking is required. Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. The Radio Amateur Invalid and Blind Club (RAIBC) Romsey Picnic is being held at Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire. All members, families, friends and supporters are welcome. The event features a junk sale, a bring and buy stall and a grand draw. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. The callsign GB0IBC, will be aired throughout the event. Next the two events we know of for next Sunday the 24th of July: The Colchester Radio and Computer Rally is to be held at St Helena School, Sheepen Road, Colchester, adjacent to the Colchester inner bypass. The event, which opens at 10am, has trade stands featuring a wide range of radio and computer items, a car boot sale and a bring and buy stall. RSGB Morse Tests will be available on demand, but remember to bring two passport size photographs. Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. For further details contact Frank, G3FIJ on 0206 851189. The first Humber Bridge Amateur Radio Rally is to be held at the Exhibition Centre, Freightliner Road, off Clive Sullivan Way, Hull. The site has easy access and is one mile from the bridge. Doors open at 11am, 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. For further details and a booking form contact Roly, G0UKS on 0482 837042. Now for the HF contest news: The RSGB Low Power Field Day CW Contest takes place today Sunday the 17th July from 0900 to 1200 and from 1300 to 1600 UTC, using frequencies in the range 3.510 to 3.560MHz and 7.010 to 7.040MHz. See April's RadCom page 80 for full details. Next some VHF contest news: The RSGB 144MHz Low Power Contest will take place next Saturday the 23rd from 1400 to 2200 UTC. It features four entry sections: single operator fixed, single operator portable, all others and Listener. The RSGB 432MHz Low Power Contest will take place next Sunday the 24th from 0800 to 1400UTC. April RadCom has further details of both of these low power events. Special event stations active this week include: GB800DON, operated next Saturday the 23rd, by members of RAF Finningley Amateur Radio Society for Doncaster's 800 years Festival Celebration. The station will be located at the Gala event at Stainforth Welfare using HF CW and SSB, plus FM and SSB on 2 metres and 70cm. GB1WSF, Washington School Festival, will be active from tomorrow, Monday the 18th until Friday the 22nd of July from Washington School in Tyne and Wear. Operation will be on VHF, UHF, Packet and SSTV with the students taking part in the activities and demonstrations of amateur radio. During this weekend, many special event stations will be active from lifeboat stations. This is to raise money for the Worked All Britain 25th Anniversary Lifeboat Appeal. Full details can be found in the July RadCom. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 4th to the 10th of July has seen an increase in solar activity with an M flare and numerous B flares every day over the period. The geomagnetic activity has varied between quiet to unsettled but the general decline has continued and levels are now the lowest since last November. The sunspot index meaned at 59, an M1.3/1N flare was reported on the 7th, and B flares up to a B8.2/SF were reported every day. Solar flux levels did not vary much but tended to rise slightly, averaging 85 units. The 90 day mean flux level was 80 units on the 10th of July. The geomagnetic Ap indices have continued to decline from very unsettled down to quiet, with the period averaging 8.7 units. However, the 10th was down to only 3 units. The state has been 'nil nothing to report' throughout the period. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the 28th of June to the 4th of July, saw a general quietening with the daily index dropping from around 48 nanoTeslas to 19 by the 4th. The 28th was very disturbed with a midnight period of 102 nanoTeslas. By the 4th, levels had dropped to around 12 nanoTeslas. The period averaged 35.6 nanoTeslas. Bartells rotation 2198 began on the 7th July. The X-Ray flux levels have remained high and averaged A5.8 units. The electron fluence levels of more than 2 mega electron volts are continuing to decline and were down to nearly normal levels by the 10th of July; this should help to stabilise the HF bands. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 59; Flux - 85; Ap index - 8.7; X-ray flux - A5.8 . Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, have improved over recent levels and averaged 7.3MHz. The 6th was up to 8.3MHz which was the highest level for the past 2 months. The darkness hour lows averaged 3.5MHz with periods of blanketing E being reported some days. The highs are now at about 20.00 hours and the lows 04.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 7.3MHz; lows - 3.5MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg averaged 6.2MHz and the darkness hour lows 4.3MHz. The latest forecast for the minimum of cycle 22, based on the time since the first spotless day reported in the autumn of 1993, will be late 1996. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 6.2MHz; lows - 4.3MHz. 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 80s, geomagnetic levels are expected to be quiet becoming unsettled towards the end of the week. MUFs are expected to be about 21MHz in the south during daylight, and 14MHz for the darkness hours. Northern levels will be down on these. Sporadic E is still present most days on 10 and 6 metres, but the intensity is declining. 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 Uniform Zulu and G7 Sierra Lima series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta Delta series. --- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Monday the 18th of July: Bishops Stortford Amateur Radio Society has a QRP evening. Contact Neil, G0TVJ on 0279 655384 for details. Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has a Table Top Sale. For further details contact Margaret on 0376 327431. Meetings for Tuesday the 19th of July: Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society has a Barbecue and Operating evening. For details telephone 081 777 0420. Dacorum Amateur Radio and Transmitting Society has a 2 metre Direction Finding Hunt. For more information telephone 0442 66787. Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Videophones - from Techniques to Systems' at Tilgates at 8pm. Further details from Tel: 0342 325322. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a Video Evening. For further information contact Neil, 2E1ASZ on 0438 350882. Meetings for Wednesday the 20th of July: Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion Evening. Details from Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has a Junk Auction. Doors open 6.30pm, auction to commence 7.30pm. Refreshments available. Details from G3YYF, 0424 830454. Hoddesdon Radio Club has a day at Tolmers Scout Camp from 2pm, followed by a talk on 'The Night Sky' by Brian Bond. All are welcome. Details from John, G7OCI 0920 466639. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Nostalgia' by G8MSQ. For further details contact G4GPX on 0903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 21st of July: Cray Valley Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Getting Started on Packet' by G6SDO. Contact Bob on 081 850 1386 for further information. Crowborough and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'BBC Overseas Broadcasting, part 2' by Les, G3FET. Further details from Mick, G6UUO on 0892 661807. East Kent Radio Society has a talk on 'Amateur Radio' by Dennis, G4SOT at Icom at 8pm. For further information contact Paul, G3VJF on 0227 364606. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Operating from Tristan da Cunha' by Roger, G3SXW. For details contact John, G0BWV, tel: 081 644 9945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Computer Memories' by Roy, G3ASH. Contact Doris on 0268 552606 for further information. Meeting for Friday the 22nd of July: Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has an 'Open Meeting'. For further details contact Trevor, G3KWU on 0703 693673. Meeting for Sunday the 24th of July: Waterside Amateur Radio Society has a 'Bring your picnic Box and portable HF/VHF gear for a Picnic' at the Yew Tree Heath car park on Beaulieu Road, Station and Iplley Road, from 1.30pm onwards. Further details from G1AEH on 0703 783170. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST Meetings for Monday the 18th of July: Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club has a Treasure Hunt. Details from G4ETJ, tel: 0237 477301. Weston Super Mare Radio Society has a 'Workshop Evening'. Further details from Graham, G8WAR on 0934 415700. Meetings for Wednesday the 20th of July: Plymouth Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Logging' by G3NOH. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222 for further details. South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a 'North v South Bristol Darts Match'. For more information tel: 0275 834282. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a Social evening. For further details contact Ian, G0GRI on 0225 864698 (evenings only). Meeting for Thursday the 21st of July: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'The PC - Your Best Friend in the Shack' by G4JBH. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845 for further information. Meeting for Sunday the 24th of July: Flight Refuelling (Wimborne) Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'The Somerset Light Railway'. For further details contact John, G4POF who is QTHR. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Wednesday the 20th of July: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Satellite DXing' by Gordon, G3PXT. For further information contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810. Meeting for Friday the 22nd of July: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'The Electricity Industry's PMR System' by John, G0GKP. Further details from John, G0GKP on 0954 200072. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Monday the 18th of July: Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society has its final meeting before the Summer break. Contact James, G7HEZ on 0384 374354 for more details. Meeting for Tuesday the 19th of July: Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has an Open Forum to discuss 'Direction Finding'. For further details contact G8SNF, tel: 0509 218259. Meetings for Wednesday 20th of July: Bolsover Amateur Radio Society has its fifth Direction Finding Contest. For further details contact Colin, G0RXT, tel: 0246 822856. Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Barbecue at Drum Hill, Little Eaton. Further details from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Shopping List Night'. For further details contact Dave, G4EIX, on 0952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 21st of July: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has its fourth Direction Finding Hunt. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. Salop Amateur Radio Society has a Fox Chase. Meet at the Oak Hotel car park at 7.30pm. For details contact Sheila, G0SST on 0743 361935. Meeting for Friday the 22nd of July: South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening at Fairham College. For further details Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 18th of July: Barnsley and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. For further details contact Alan, G4JKW on 0226 299031. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has its third round of the inter club contest eliminator. Further details from David, G0JJR Tel: 0742 446282. Meetings for Tuesday the 19th of July: Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a Construction and working demonstration of a Wefax Demodulator for HF, by Chris, GW0PJX. Further details are available from G0OXA, tel: 051 608 3229. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Coach trips planning' evening. Further details from Ian, G4WWX QTHR. Meetings for Thursday the 21st of July: Grimsby Amateur Radio Society has a 'Pedestrian Treasure Hunt'. For further details contact John, G3DOT, on 0472 825899. North Wakefield Radio Club has a talk by Derek, G0RZP Local RLO for West Yorkshire. Further details from John, G4RCG on 0924 362144. Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has an 'Evening with Ray, G3VTD'. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 0924 497767. Meetings for Friday the 22nd of July: Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a talk entitled 'Amateur Television' by G8VHL. For further details contact Steve, G8VHL on 0405 769130. South Manchester Radio Club has a talk on 'Moonbounce' by G0EME. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 061 969 1964. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 18th of July: Dragon Amateur Radio Club meets for an 'Opportunity to Display Home Brew Equipment'. Further details from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 0248 600963. Meeting for Tuesday the 19th of July: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has a Field Night. Contact Ian, GW1MVL on 0978 845858 for details. Meeting for Thursday the 21st of July: Porthmadog Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Equipment Sale. Further details from GW6IMS on 0766 770546. -- GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain and is broadcast in the 80m, 40m, 6m and 2m bands. Tel +44 707 659015 Fax +44 707 645105