Good morning. It's Sunday the 5th of February and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. And we start this week with a report from the RSGB DX News Sheet. In last weekend's CW Worldwide 160m CW Contest no less than 83 countries were worked from the UK, including Alaska and West Malaysia. In addition, UK stations had contacts with 43 US states and Canadian provinces. The 1988 RSGB President, Sir Richard Davies, G2XM, died last weekend. He was President during the Society's 75th Anniversary year and was active on the air until recently. A full obituary will be published in the March edition of Radio Communication. The RSGB, which carries out Morse testing on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency, has vacancies for Morse Examiners in the following counties: Bedfordshire, Cumbria, Greater London (South), Greater Manchester, Gwynedd, Lincolnshire and Surrey. RA requirements are that prospective examiners demonstrate their ability to receive at 20 WPM and send a typical test passage on a manual key. In addition, the Society is looking for people with the personality to deal with candidates in a professional manner, and the ability to work as part of a county team. Applicants should contact the Chief Morse Examiner, Roy Clayton, G4SSH, at 9 Green Island, Irton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 4RN, telephone number 01723 862924. Interviews will be arranged at radio rallies throughout the UK, starting with the RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show. A new GB2CW RSGB Morse Practice transmission is available each week in the Huntingdon area from next Tuesday, the 7th, at 7pm on 145.225MHz FM. The operator will be G4LHI of Huntingdon. A full list of the GB2CW Transmissions is published in the 1995 edition of the RSGB Call Book. Latvia has signed the CEPT T/R 61-01 agreement which means that UK amateurs may operate temporarily in Latvia simply by using the prefix 'LY stroke' before their own callsign. This removes the need for formal reciprocal licensing, except for long term operation. Suitably qualified Latvian amateurs may operate in the UK on a similar basis. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Nauru (C2), W9GW will be active until the 12th of February, mainly on CW on 80 to 10 metres. From Comoros (D6) DK7UY was due to be active from now until the 24th of February, on 80 to 10 metres using CW, RTTY and SSB, but mainly CW. He will not QSL direct, only via the Bureau. The callsign is not known. Next the Rally News: Today, Sunday the 5th of February, the South Essex Amateur Radio Society Radio Rally, is at The Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex, at the end of the A130. The rally features trade stands, a bring and buy stall, and refreshments. Disabled car parking is located near the main doors. Doors open at 10.30am and talk-in is available on 2 metres, channel S22. We know of two rallies for next Sunday, the 12th: The Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place at the Addenbrookes Ambulance Station, Cambridge. Doors open at 10 am. The event features trade stands, a car boot sale and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available. Further details can be obtained from John, G0GKP, on 01954 200072. And the Northern Cross Rally will be at Rodillian School on the A61 between Leeds and Wakefield, near the junction of the M1 and the M62. The event includes dealers, a bring and buy stall and refreshments. Doors open at 11 am, or 10.30 for disabled visitors and for the bring and buy. RSGB Morse Tests will be available on demand. Talk-in will be on 2m and 70cm. Details can be obtained by calling Dave Gray, on 0113 282 7883. Three dates to note for later this month are: Saturday, the 18th, when RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar will be open to visitors. This is not a formal open day so there will be no guided tours, but the shack, museum, library and bookshop will be available between 10 am and 4 pm. On Sunday, the 19th, the 1994 RSGB VHF Convention will be held at Sandown Race Course, Esher, Surrey. Full details of the event, including the lecture programme, are published on page 24 of the February edition of RadCom, or can be obtained by calling RSGB HQ on 01707 659015. And on Sunday, the 25th, the Tyneside Amateur Radio Society Rally takes place in South Shields. In addition to the usual traders and a bring a buy stall, there will be an RSGB stand. GB2RS will be bringing you more about this event, or you can call Jack, G0DZG, on 0191 265 1718 for details. And a date for your diary: The RSGB National Mobile Rally is being held as usual at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. The date is Sunday the 6th of August and details can be obtained from Norman Miller, G3MVV, on 01277 225563. Now for the HF contest news: The last event in the RSGB LF CW Cumulative Contest takes place today, Sunday the 5th, on the 3,5MHz band from 1600 to 1800 UTC. December's RadCom, page 78, gives detailed information. Next weekend, there is the 1st RSGB 1.8MHz Contest which runs from 2100 UTC on the 11th to 0100 UTC on the 12th. The full rules are in the October 1994 RadCom. Next some VHF contest news: Today, Sunday the 5th, there is the RSGB 432MHz Fixed, Affiliated Societies and SWL Contest which takes place between 0900 and 1500 UTC. Next Sunday, the 12th, sees another event in the 70MHz Cumulative Contest which takes place between 1000 and 1200 UTC. The rules for both of these events can be found in the January RadCom. The RSGB VHF Contests Committee has received several requests for the inclusion of a 6 metre section in VHF National field Day. The committee is willing to consider this if there is sufficient support from the membership, but only as an alternative to 4 metres, not as an addition. Changes could be made in time for the 1995 event if RSGB members express their views in writing before the end of February. Write to the Chairman, David Johnson, G4DHF, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Members opinions will also be sought at the RSGB VHF Convention. GB500AU, celebrates the 500th anniversary of the founding of Aberdeen University in 1495. It will be operational from next Friday, the 10th, to Thursday, the 16th on 80, 40, 20 and 15 metres SSB, SSTV and CW, and on two metres FM and SSB. Further details can be obtained before the event from GM4CAU on 01224 272538 between 9 and 10 am. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 23rd to the 29th of January saw solar activity at low levels with flares taking place on most days. Geomagnetic activity was very quiet but increased to active levels on the 29th. The sunspot indices declined throughout the period from 87 on the 24th to 25 on the 29th. The sunspot mean for the period was 56. Solar flux levels also declined from 97 units on the 24th to 83 units by the 28th with the average at 89 units. C class flares occurred from the 23rd to the 27th with the largest being a C7/1N on the 24th. The electron fluence varied little day to day and was at a moderate level throughout. The x-ray flux level remained at a reasonable level due to all the small flare activity and averaged B1.1 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 29th was 82 units. Geomagnetic activity was very quiet from the 23rd to the 28th with an Ap index of only 3 units on the 26th and the 27th. On the 29th, activity increased to active levels with an Ap index of 19 units. The average for the period was Ap 6 units. The state had been 'nil, nothing to report' until the 28th, then 'magalert' from the 29th due to a recurring coronal hole. The aa indices, as reported by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 17th to the 23rd of January, averaged 38.1 nanoTeslas, about K3. Conditions started the period at 'sub storm' levels with the late evening period on the 17th up to 115 nanoTeslas, which is K5; the daily figure for the 17th was 55.9 nanoTeslas. Conditions declined from the 18th and were back to quiet levels for the rest of the period. The quietest day was the 19th at 8.9 nanoTeslas. Bartells rotation number 2206 starts on the 8th of February. I'll repeat the figures: Spots - 56; Flux - 89; Ap index - 6; x-ray flux - B1.1. Now the ionospheric data for Central France. The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon for the period from the 20th to the 26th of January, averaged 6.7MHz. The best day was the 20th when the figure reached 7.4MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged 2.1MHz. The daytime highs are taking place between 12.00 and 14.00 hours with the darkness hour lows between 5.00 and 06.00 hours. Stratwarm alerts have been in existence for most of the period. On the 22nd the whole stratosphere temperature gradient was reversed between 60 degrees north and the pole. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 6.7MHz; Lows - 2.1MHz. And lastly the solar forecast. This week the quiet side of the sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity should be very low with solar flux levels expected to be in the mid 70s. Geomagnetic activity should be mostly quiet to unsettled levels. Ionospheric MUFs for the south are expected to be at about 21MHz, and for the north 18MHz. Darkness hour lows are expected to be at about 8MHz. 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 allocated were in the G0 Victor Romeo and G7 Uniform Golf series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Juliet and 2 1 Delta Romeo series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Monday the 6th of February: Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club meets to discuss test equipment, plus some simple and inexpensive construction tips. For details telephone 01256 25517. Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Satellites, Part 2' by Frank Howe, G3FIJ. Details from Margaret on 01376 327431. Dengie Hundred Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'HM Coastguard Services'. Contact Bob, G0UKV, on 01621 776237 for more information. Southend Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Nodes and Bulletin Boards' by Frazer Lees, G0JDR. Details from Tony on 01825 763022. Surrey Radio Contact Club meets for the 'Sid Morley Memorial Lecture'. Details from Berni, G8TB on 0181 660 7517. Meetings for Tuesday the 7th of February: Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has talks entitled 'JVFAX' by G0IPU, and 'Noise Bridges' by G2HNF. Call Charles, G0GJS on 01245 256654 for details. Meetings for Wednesday the 8th of February: Bracknell Amateur Radio Club meets for a 'Bring and Show' evening. More details from Steve, G4AUC, telephone 01344 420577. Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a technical topic evening on 'Switch-Mode Power Supplies' with Mike, G0DNJ. Further details from Ian, G0RTF on 01494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a Members' Forum. Contact Roger, G4OAA on 01992 464795 for information. Meetings for Thursday the 9th of February: Colchester Radio Amateurs meet for a talk entitled 'Local Radio in the UK' by Bill, G1WJR. Further details from Adrian, G0APP, telephone 01206 383510. Edgware and District Radio Society has an 'Old Bygones' evening. Details from Rod, G0SQL, telephone 0181 204 1868. Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has a Quiz with Maidenhead Amateur Radio Club, at Reading. Details from Tony on 01734 698274. Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has its G8EMJ Constructors' Contest. Telephone Paul, G1GSN on 01462 700618 for more information. Southdown and District Radio Society meets at its new venue, The Druid Venture Scouts Hall, Eastern Avenue, Southend, to discuss the Club's 75th anniversary. Details from Bob, G0RSW, on 01585 442776 during the day. Southgate Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Digital Signal Processing in Communications' by Mr Harvey Collins. More details are available from Brian, G0MEE, telephone 0181 360 2453. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Quiz Night. Telephone Doris on 01268 552606 for more details. Meetings for Friday the 10th of February: Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has a talk and demonstration on 'Slow Scan TV' by G6OLK. Further details from Les, G3ABA on 01703 732997. Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society has a Construction Contest. Details from Gloria, G3VUN, telephone 01634 710023. The Radio Society of Harrow has a Junk Sale. All are welcome. For details contact Jim Ballard, whose home telephone number is 01895 632377. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meeting for Wednesday the 8th of February: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Loop Antenna demonstration with Bob, G0LHD. For more information telephone 01275 834282. Meeting for Thursday the 9th of February: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk by a Planning Officer on 'Applying for Planning Permission'. Details from Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845. Meeting for Friday the 10th of February: Poole Radio Society has a Novice Evening. All Novices welcome to attend to meet other Novices. For details contact Vernon, G3BCI on 01202 762110. Meeting for next Sunday, the 12th of February: Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Repeaters (and EME Update)' by G0API. Details from John, G4POF, telephone 01425 653404. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meetings for Tuesday the 7th of February: Leiston Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on 'Flying Saucers - the Truth' by Professor John Allen. For details call Fergie, G6FS on 01728 832924. Sudbury and District Radio Amateurs meet for a talk and demonstration on 'Weather Satellites' by Mark, G3CQL. The venue is Wells Hall Old School, Great Cornard. Call Tony, G8LTY on 01787 313212 (before 10pm) for details. Meeting for Wednesday the 8th of February: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP evening. For further information contact Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meeting for Friday the 10th of February: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a Rally Preparation evening. More details from John, G0GKP on 01954 200 072. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Tuesday the 7th of February: Radio Society of Bloxwich meets for a slide show on DXpeditions and Contesting. Contact Chris, G0MLY, telephone 01922 683877 for details. Meetings for Wednesday 8th of February: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has an illustrated talk entitled 'Orlando - 100%' by G3SZJ. Details from Hayley, G7PXA, on 01773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'The Radio Amateur Relief Expeditions Group' by Don Sunderland, G6FHM. For further details contact Dave, G4EIX, on 01952 588878. Meeting for Thursday the 9th of February: Salop Amateur Radio Society has an Equipment Sale. For further details contact Ian, G7SBD who is QTHR. Meetings for Friday the 10th of February: Coventry Amateur Radio Society has an Indoor Direction Finding evening and a Construction evening. Further details from John, G8SEQ on 01203 617367. South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening at Fairham College. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 01509 672734 for further details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 6th of February: Central Lancashire Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. Details from J Procter, G0FQN, telephone 01772 423741. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on 'The Workings of Raynet' by Rick, G7DSD. Further details from David, G0JJR on 0114 244 6282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by Les, G0ETV. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 7th of February: Eccles and District Amateur Radio Society meets to discuss the Club Stand at Norbreck. For details call Dr C G Harrison, G8KRG, on 0161 773 7899. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Radio Controlled Flying' by G0OSC. Contact Ian, G4WWX, for more information. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets to discuss final preparations for the Northern Cross Rally. Details from Roy, G0TBY, on 01924 893321. Meeting for Wednesday the 8th of February: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Short Way to Valves' by G4IGY. Details from Mr J R Thompson, G0TPS, telephone 01964 562258. Meetings for Thursday the 9th of February: Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Keighley During the 2nd World War' by Ian Dewhirst. Call Kathy, on 01274 496222 for further details. Pontefract and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Computers' by Derek, G6NDF. Details from Colin, G0NQE, telephone 0977 677006. Meetings for Friday the 10th of February: Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a talk on 'Emergency Planning'. Further details from Steve Price, G8VHL on 01405 769130. South Manchester Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Setting up Computers' by G4HON. For further details call Edward, G7FQY, on 0161 969 1964. Meeting for next Sunday the 12th of February: Sunderland and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale and Auction at The Alexandra, Queen Alexandra Road, Sunderland. Doors open at 10.30am for a 12 noon start. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 7th of February: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening. Details from Allan, GM7ONJ who is QTHR. Meeting for Wednesday the 8th of February: Lothians Radio Society has a Video evening. For details contact Brian, GM4DIJ, whose home telephone number is 0131 337 7311. Meeting for Thursday the 9th of February: Lerwick Radio Club has a Video and Social evening for members, visitors and friends. Telephone Bob, GM4CAQ on 01595 696411 for more information. Meeting for Friday the 10th of February: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society meets for a Radio Software evening. More details from Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES The Mid Glamorgan Radio Group is looking for another Novice Instructor to cope with their busy programme. Contact Tom, GW0TOM on 01656 736954. Meeting for Monday the 6th of February: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Underwater Explorations'. Details from Tony, GW0FMQ on 01248 600963. Meeting for Wednesday the 8th of February: Cardiff RSGB Group has a talk on 'Computer Aided Design of Computers'. Details from GW4HWR on 01222 810368. Meeting for Thursday the 9th of February: Aberystwyth and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a DIY Project - Building an RF Noise Bridge. More information from Katy, GW0SFO, telephone 01545 580675. -- GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain and is broadcast in the 80m, 40m, 6m and 2m bands. Tel +44 1707 659015 Fax +44 1707 645105