Good morning. It's Sunday the 1st of May and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain. And we start this week with the news that a rare RSGB Supreme VHF/UHF Award was issued to David Bullock, G6UWO, on the 5th of March. This coveted certificate was awarded for obtaining three RSGB Senior awards between October 1990 and March 1994. These were for contacts with 40 counties and 9 countries on 432MHz; 40 counties and 6 countries on 1296MHz and 60 counties and 15 countries on 144MHz. Brian Underdown, G7LIJ, has gained the RSGB 144MHz award for having confirmed contacts with over 100 squares and 20 countries. What makes this really remarkable is that his certificate is endorsed: 'All contacts to achieve this award were effected during the first year of being licensed'. Details of the RSGB VHF and UHF awards can be found in the RSGB Call Book or may be obtained from the VHF Awards Manager, Ian Cornes, G4OUT whose address is correct in the Call Book. The South Yorkshire VHF repeater, GB3NA, will return to service at 12 noon today, the 1st of May. This follows an investigation by the Chairman of the RSGB Repeater Management Group into allegations of misuse of the repeater. After consultation between the UK FM Group (Northern), who manage the repeater, the Radiocommunications Agency and the Repeater Management Group, it has been agreed that a number of strategies will be adopted by the committee to combat abuse. It has been agreed that the group should monitor the extent of misuse of the repeater with the aim of educating users how to respond in the face of provocation and misuse of the repeater. This will involve tape-recording repeater traffic, direction finding and informing the authorities via RMG. A number of other measures have been taken which are aimed at minimising the problems caused to legitimate users by persistent mis-users of the repeater. The committee of the UK FM Group (Northern) has been re-organised. It is hoped that all users will act sensibly in using the repeater. The Chairman of the RMG would like to thank all amateurs in the area for their input which has proved most useful in reaching a conclusion. The two metre Repeater GB3LY on 145.600MHz, channel R0, operated by the Limavady Repeater Group has been switched off by the keeper, due to on-site interference. The keeper Jimmy, GI3GGY, and the Repeater Group members would like to thank all those who have supported GB3LY during the past 15 years and regret any inconvenience until the problem is resolved and the repeater is reactivated. For further details regarding the repeater contact, GI3GGY whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. A new Packet Node, GB7AR on 144.650MHz, which is located near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, is due to become operational next Friday the 6th of May. For further details and reports contact GW4KAZ, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. The 3 Centimetre Beacon GB3CMS on 10.36896GHz, located near Chelmsford is now off air for maintenance. For further details regarding the beacon contact the keeper, G4ZPE whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. The RSGB QSL Sub-Manager for the GM0AAA-LZZ callsign series is now Mr G W A Spiers, GM0AGN, whose address is: 43 Sheuchan View, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway DG9 7TA. He has taken over from Miss Karen Hunter, GM0JHE. With immediate effect HF Committee member, Fred Handscombe, G4BWP, will process all new applications for RSGB HF Awards. For the past several years the RSGB's HF Awards programme has been in the capable hands of Bill Ricalton, G4ADD. Bill now wishes to relinquish this post and a replacement is to be recommended to RSGB Council by the HF Committee. The committee wishes to record a sincere vote of thanks to Bill, G4ADD for all the work that he has done since taking on the task of HF Awards Manager. Fred Handscombe's address is: Sandholm, Heath Farm Road, Red Lodge, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 8LG. All new applications for RSGB HF Awards should now be sent to this address. Attention RSGB members in Tayside: A new RSGB Liaison Officer (RLO) has been appointed for Tayside. He is Alfred Low, GM4UZP, and his address is 21 Earn Crescent, Menzieshill, Dundee DD2 4BS. His telephone number is 0382 644597. RLOs hold a wide range of information and they are available to help any RSGB member seeking advice. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Dominica, IK2GNW will be QRV from today Sunday the 1st until Tuesday the 10th of May. His J7 callsign will be issued on arrival. Activity will be SSB only on 160 - 10 metres, with emphasis on 12 and 17 metres. From Micronesia, JR7OEF and JR7JLU will sign, respectively, V63NI and V63YH from Thursday the 5th until Sunday the 8th of May. Activity will be on CW and SSB. And from Barbados, DL7VOG will be active as 8P9GQ from Tuesday the 10th of May for twenty days. Activity will be on all bands 10 - 80 metres. Now the Rallies for today Sunday the 1st of May: The 11th Anglo-Scottish Rally is being held at Tait Hall, Kelso, Borders. Doors open at 11am. The event features trade stands and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available and talk-in is on two metres, channel S22. The British Amateur Television Club (BATC) Rally is being held at The Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry. Note that this is a new venue for this popular rally. The event features the usual trade stands, demonstrations, a lecture programme and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available. Next the two rallies we know of for tomorrow, Bank Holiday Monday, the 2nd of May: The Dartmoor Radio Rally is to be held at the Yelverton Memorial Village Hall, Meavy Lane, Yelverton, Devon. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall and other attractions. Refreshments will be available and talk-in is on channel S22. For further information contact Ron on 0822 852586. The Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society Rally will be held at the Civic Hall, Winsford, Cheshire. Doors open at 11am, or 10.30am for disabled visitors. The event features trade stands and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available and talk-in is on two metres, channel S22 and seventy centimetres, channel SU22. For further details contact Dave, G4XUV on 0606 77787. And now two events for next Sunday the 8th of May: The Midland Amateur Radio Society, Drayton Mobile Radio Rally is to be held at Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire, on the A4091 road. Doors open 10.30am. The event features trade stands, club stands, a flea market and a car boot area. Details from G6DRN on 021 443 1189. The 10th Yeovil QRP Convention is to be held at the Preston Centre, Yeovil. Doors open at 9am. The event features traders orientated towards QRP, kits, components etc. There will be a club bring and buy stall, QRP station demonstrations, displays of home built rigs, vintage ham radios and communication equipment. Talks are planned covering propagation, construction and RSGB matters. Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22 by GB2LOW. For further details contact G3CQR on 0935 813054. Now some dates for your diary: This year's RSGB Headquarters Open Day is scheduled for Saturday, the 4th of June. Details can be found in the May edition of Radio Communication. RSGB affiliated Clubs and Societies are invited to take part in this year's open day by providing a display or stall. Interested clubs are asked to contact Justine Hodges at RSGB HQ urgently on 0707 659015. The next RSGB Regional Meeting takes place at Brighouse in West Yorkshire on Sunday the 5th of June. These meetings are for members and non-members of the Society to meet Council Members, Society Officers and staff to discuss the workings of the Society and amateur radio related matters. For further details, contact RSGB Zonal Council Member Peter Sheppard, G4EJP, on 0964 550397. HF contest news now: The Yeovil QRP Funrun Contest starts tomorrow, Monday the 2nd and runs daily from 8 to 10pm local time until Friday the 6th of May. See April RadCom page 73 for full details. The ARI International DX Contest takes place during next weekend, starting at 2000 on Saturday the 7th and finishing at 2000 on Sunday the 8th of May, using all bands from 1.8MHz to 28MHz but excluding the WARC bands, on CW, SSB and RTTY. The contest is rather complex so participants are advised to consult the rules which can be found in the April edition of RadCom on page 20. The Danish SSTV Contest is scheduled to start at 0000 on Saturday the 7th and finish at 2400 on Sunday the 8th of May on 3.5 to 144MHz, but excluding the WARC bands. See the May edition of RadCom for further details. The fifth in this year's series of RSGB QRS (Slow Morse) Cumulative Contests will take place on Monday the 9th of May from 1900 to 2030 UTC between 3.540 - 3.580MHz. See April RadCom page 8, for further details and January's RadCom, page 83 for the rules. Novice licensees are particularly encouraged to participate as contacts with Novice calls are worth quadruple points. Next some VHF contest news: The RSGB 70 Centimetre Trophy Contest take place next Saturday the 7th of May, from 1400 to 2200 UTC. Starting at the same time is the 432MHz to 24GHz Contest which is a 24-hour event. See February RadCom, page 83 for further details of both events. Special event stations active in May include: GB0CT, Channel Tunnel, which will be aired by members of the British Rail Amateur Radio Society from New Romney Railway Station, near Folkestone, Kent. At the same time TM5TSM, will be operational from Wimereux Town Hall near Boulogne. Both stations will be operational from next Friday the 6th, until Sunday the 8th of May, on 80, 40, 20 and 2 metre and 70 centimetre bands. An Amateur Television Station will also be set-up on both ends of the channel tunnel. These events form part of the opening celebrations being held during May. For further details contact G3FIB on 0474 706615. OZ5MAY, will be operated by OZ9CM from the Museum of Denmark Fight for Freedom on Thursday the 5th of May from 1000 to 1300 UTC on 14.006 or 14.020MHz. The station will operate from the attic in the museum that Gunner Christiansen, code name Mat, was using in WW2. Another station, OZ5MAJ/P will be operational from the attic of the Danish Student's Rowing Club from 1000 to 1800 UTC using these frequencies: 3.560 or 3570MHz, 7.010 or 7.030MHz or 14.006 or 14.020MHz. The two stations will be operational using suitcase transceivers and a watertight B2. For further information about the stations, contact Lars Schultz, OZ1CHL telephone Denmark 45 40 50 07 77. And now the solar factual data The period from the 18th to the 24th of April has seen the magnetic activity decline to near normal levels, and the ionosphere recover to about what we should expect at this time. There has been no flare activity and solar activity has remained very low. The spot index has meaned about 43, slowly rising over the period. Solar flux levels have also improved and averaged 85 units but they are still below what we would expect at this time. The 90-day flux mean on the 24th was 92 units. Geomagnetic activity has declined from 'sub-storm' levels on the 18th down to 'quiet' by the 20th and has remained there, with the 24th being down to an Ap index of only 7 units. The period averaged 11.5 units which is the lowest weekly period since last January. The state has been 'nil nothing to report' throughout the period. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the period 12th to 18th April, were very disturbed. The daily averages were 49.9 nanoteslas but the 17th, with the mass ejection and aurora reported last week, levels rose to 192 nanoteslas during the early morning period. That day's average was 97.1 nanoteslas. X-Ray flux levels have continued to improve and averaged A5.2 units.This is still below what we should expect at this time but it is a major improvement over the past weeks. The monthly geomagnetic Ap indices for March were 22 units, the 6-month smoothed for September 1992 is 15.4 units. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 43; Flux - 85; Ap index - 11.5; X- ray flux - A5.2. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, have shown a major improvement with levels averaging 7.5MHz, and the 21st being up to 8.5MHz. The daily highs are now centred about 19.00 hours. The darkness hour lows have also risen and averaged 3.3MHz, though the seasonal changes are partly responsible for some of it; the lows are now centred about 03.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 7.5MHz; lows - 3.3MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg has seen a considerable improvement rising from an average of 5.5MHz last week up to 7.0MHz this week, with the 21st being up to 7.7MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged 3.0MHz, again a worth-while improvement. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 7.0MHz; lows - 3.0MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week the part of the sun where the mass ejection occurred will have rotated to be looking our way again. It is most unlikely that all of the disturbance will have died down, so from today we could expect problems from geomagnetic disturbance. Geomagnetic levels may be up to an Ap of about 50 units and auroral conditions could result today. Levels are expected to decline as the week proceeds. Ionospheric MUFs are expected to be only about 16.0MHz in the south, improving slightly as the week goes by. Northern stations are expected to be severely affected with very depressed levels most of the week. And that is 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 Victor and G7 Sierra India series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Hotel and 2 1 Charlie Victor 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. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meeting for Monday the 2nd of May: Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club has an Indoor Direction Finding Hunt by G8FMH. For further details telephone 0256 25517. Meetings for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Andover Radio Amateur Club has a Quiz Night - Salisbury v Andover. Details from G8ALR on 0264 773547 (evenings). Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Digital Receivers' by Richard Easom. Further information from Charles, G0GJS on 0245 256654. Chichester and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Transformers' by John, G0KJU. Further details from G0KNU, Tel: 0243 573541. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'TCP-IP the Latest Development in Packet' by Ian, G6KHW, Alan, G8XLH and Paul, G0MHD. For further details contact Neil, 2E1ASZ on 0438 350882. Vale of White Horse Amateur Radio Society has a talk. Further details from Ian, G3SEK on 0235 531559. Meetings for Wednesday the 4th of May: Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a talk on 'Direction Finding' by Alan Simmonds. For further details contact Martyn, G4XZJ, on 0296 81097. Brighton and District Amateur Radio Society has a visit to the Radiotherapy Department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road. Members to meet outside the Unit at 7.45pm. The usual meeting is cancelled due to racing. Details from Harold, G3WR, tel: 0273 501100. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a V/UHF Rig Clinic - Test equipment for rig line-up. For further information contact Roger, G4OAA on 0992 464795. Dover Radio Club has a Novice Evening. For further details contact Mike, G7NOR on 0304 825030. Meetings for Thursday the 5th of May: Colchester Radio Amateurs has a talk entitled 'Kites and Antennas' by Colin, G0STW. Further details from Trevor, G0URJ on 0206 764034. Cray Valley Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Ballooning with Branson' by G4SOT. Contact Bob on 081 850 1386 for details. Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Raynet' by Dick, G0MNL. Further details from Stuart, G0FYX, tel: 0705 472846. Horsham Amateur Radio Club has a 'Home Brew Evening'. Details from Peter, G8SUI on 073784 2150. Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk and demonstration on 'Static Electricity' by Paul, G3BGL. For more details contact Neil, G0SVN on 0628 25952. Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Coopering, the Making of Wooden Barrels' by Brian Palfrey of Bury St Edmunds. Further details from Paul, G1GSN on 0462 700618. Meetings for Friday the 6th of May: The Radio Society of Harrow has its Spring Junk Sale. All are welcome. For further details contact Jim, G0AOT on 0895 632377 evening or 071 251 2700 daytime. Medway Amateur Receiving & Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Satellite TV' by Colin, G3VTT at 8.15pm. For further details contact Gloria, G7OVI on 0634 710023. Meeting for Sunday the 8th of May: Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a 2m Portable Competition. For further information contact Roy, G4GPX on 0903 753893. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meetings for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Plymouth Radio Club has a 'Checking and Overhauling the Contest Equipment' evening. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222 for details. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has a talk entitled 'Microwaves, part 2' by G4LDR and G8OFA. For further details contact David, G7GWF on 0722 330971. South Dorset Radio Society has a talk and questions evening on 'Planning Regulations' by Mike Kelly, Assistant Chief Planning Officer of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. For further details contact Mike, G7HNY on 0305 773860. Meetings for Wednesday the 4th of May: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a 20 metres Activity evening. For more information tel: 0275 834282. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Amateur Satellite Operating' by G7AZP. For further details contact Ian, G0GRI on 0225 864698 (evenings). Meetings for Thursday the 5th of May: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a 'Preparation for QRP Convention' by G3CQR. Enrolment date for the next RAE course is Thursday the 12th of May, from 7 - 10pm. Details from Rob, G3MYM on 0935 79027. For further Club information contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845. Cornish Radio Amateur Club has a talk entitled 'Family History' by Peter, G3WKP. For further details contact Robin, G0MYR on 0209 820118. Meeting for Friday the 6th of May: Shirehampton Amateur Radio Club has a 'Morse night with the Club Contest Simulator' by G3YHV. Further details from Ron, G4GTD on 0272 770504. Meeting for next Sunday the 8th of May: Flight Refuelling (Wimborne) Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'GPS - Global Positioning'. Contact John, G4POF on 0425 653404 for further details. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Monday the 2nd of May: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Chinese Cookery' by Paul, G4YQC. For details contact Paul, G4YQC on 0394 273507 any evening. Meetings for Tuesday the 3rd of May: The Amateur Radio Club of Fakenham has a Used Equipment Sale. Details from Dave, G4DCJ on 0485 528633. Sudbury and District Radio Amateurs has a talk by Tony, G4ZVR on 'Magnetic Loop Aerials'. Details from Tony, G8LTY on 0787 313212. Meetings for Wednesday the 4th of May: Ipswich Radio Club has a Slim Jim Construction evening with George, G0JWQ and John, G4BAV at 7.30pm. For further details contact Sheila, G8HYE on 0473 742072. Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP evening. For details contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810. Meeting for Thursday the 5th of May: Yarmouth Radio Club has a Used Equipment Sale. For further details contact Tony, G3NHU, on 0493 721173. Meeting for Friday the 6th of May: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'Ham Radio as it was' by Peter, G3GGK starting at 8pm after the Morse class. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for further details. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Grantham Radio Club has a talk on 'RSGB HF Contests' by Chris, G3SJJ. Further details from John, G8WWJ, 0476 65743. Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has a Direction Finding event starting 8pm. For further details contact G8SNF on 0509 218259. Meeting for Wednesday 4th of May: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Sale. Further information from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. Meetings for Thursday the 5th of May: South Birmingham Radio Society has a visit to Minworth Waterworks - members to use their own transport please. For further details contact Bob on 021 458 1829. Vale of Evesham Radio Amateurs Club has a talk on 'Astronomy and the Radio Amateur' by Ken, G4NIJ. For further details telephone 0386 41508. Meetings for Friday the 6th of May: South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'PC, part 2 - The Software' by Gary, G7RTF. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342 for further details. Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a 2m Direction Finding Hunt. For further information contact David, G1ORG, tel: 0203 311468. Meeting for Saturday the 7th of May: Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has its 25th Anniversary Dinner. For further information contact Dave, G4EIX, on 0952 588878. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has its Novice Course Post-Mortem. Further details from Ian, G4WWX, who is QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society has a Rally Discussion led by David, G0FLX. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 4th of May: Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Construction and Demonstration of Magnetic Loop Antennas' by Des, G3ABS. Further details from G3ABS on 0484 606542. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Construction Night. Contact Mike, G7LQD on 0606 331210 for details on future activities and Morse/ RAE classes. Meetings for Thursday the 5th of May: Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a Spring Surplus Sale, with Roy, G4YDI as the auctioneer. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 0924 497767. Members of the North Wakefield Radio Club should note that the Official Opening of the Club Shack has been postponed until Thursday the 19th of May. Contact John, G4RCG on 0924 362144 for further details. Meetings for Friday the 6th of May: North Ferriby United Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Get to Know your Secretary' by David, G7PER. Further details from David, tel: 0482 656324. Stockport Radio Society Computer Group has a talk on 'Circuit Diagrams on TurboCad' by Frank Lunt. For further information telephone 061 439 4952. South Manchester Radio Club has a 'Home Brew Contest'. Visitors welcome to attend. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY on 061 969 1964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Night at 7pm in the College of Further Education, Graham Street, Dundee. Details from GM4FSB who is QTHR. Meetings for Friday the 6th of May: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. For further information contact Gordon, GM7PXW, tel 0224 780591. Ayr Amateur Radio Group has a talk on 'RSGB Activities' by the President, Ian Suart, GM4AUP. Details from Ian, GM43VMG Tel: 0292 260870. West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Advanced Developments in In-Car Entertainment' by Garry, GM7MZZ. Contact Jack, GM4COX on 0698 350926 for further details. NEWS FOR WALES Dragon Amateur Radio Club is hoping to arrange a coach to run from Menai Bridge to the Drayton Manor Mobile Radio Rally on Sunday the 8th of May. If sufficient seats are booked the trip will take place. Anyone interested in going is asked to contact Gwilym on 0248 714884 without delay. Meeting for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has its Annual Constructors' Contest. For further details contact Ian, GW1MVL on 0978 845858. Meetings for Thursday the 5th of May: Conway Valley Amateur Radio Club a talk on 'Creatures from the Deep' by Dr David Last, GW3MZY. The AGM will now take place on the 24th of May. Further details from Merfyn, GW4NNL on 0492 530725. Meirion Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'North Wales Repeater Management' by Dave, GW4NQJ. Contact Maurice, GW3GKZ on 0341 422447 for further details. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Tuesday the 3rd of May: Carrickfergus Amateur Radio Group has a talk on 'Contesting' by GI0NMV. The Club meets every Tuesday at 7pm in Downshire Secondary School. Details from Hugh, GI0JOF on 0960 351807. And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast, which was prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain. -- GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain Tel +44 707 659015 Fax +44 707 645105