Good morning. It's Sunday the 14th of August and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. First this week's headlines: The RSGB has details of many RAE, Novice and Morse courses, A QSL Manager has been appointed for the new G0 Victor series, And a more stable conditions are predicted for the HF bands. This time of year sees the start of courses for the Radio Amateurs Examination and for Morse training. For RSGB members, lists of courses are published in the August and September editions of Radio Communication, but there are too many courses to list on GB2RS. Anyone wanting to join an RAE or Morse course, can call RSGB Headquarters on 0707 659015 for details. Full information is available on Novice courses, too. Now that the Class A licences have reached the G0 Victor series, an RSGB QSL sub-manager has been appointed to handle incoming cards. He is Mr R C Powell, G4VAA, and his address is: 11 North Park, Fakenham, Norfolk, postcode NR21 9RG. Full details of how the RSGB QSL Bureau works, and how to send and receive cards, can be found in the RSGB Call Book, or will be sent to you on request if you call 0707 659015. The RSGB Liaison Officer for the West Midlands, Tony Faulkener, G0SKG, has a new telephone number. RSGB members in the West Midlands who require advice or assistance can now call him on: 0384 820616. The South Glamorgan UHF repeater, GB3SG, has closed down from its site near Cardiff and will be of until a new site is approved. Enquiries should go to the repeater keeper, Roy Selleck, GW0JZR, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From the Ivory Coast, K4ZLE, expects to be operational from next Thursday the 18th for four days, and for a further four days from the 23rd. The callsign is not yet known. From Monaco, 3A/W5ZPA will be active from Tuesday the 16th for five days running 100 watts to a vertical. And from Vietnam, JA1IED hopes to be on the air about now using a 3W6 prefix. Frequencies to check include: 14,013, 14,240, 21,010 and between 21,150 and 21,200 kHz. We know of two rallies taking place today, Sunday the 14th of August: The Derby and District Amateur Radio Society Radio Rally is held at Littleover Community School, Littleover, Derby. This is on the A5250, just north of its junction with the A38. The event has the usual attractions including a monster junk sale. The Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Hamfest is at the Flight Refuelling Sports Ground, Merley, Wimborne, Dorset. Doors are open from 10am and the event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall and a car boot sale. Also on display is the G4RFR 10GHz EME station. Talk-in is available on 2m, channel S22. Next the three events we know of for next Sunday the 21st of August: The Great Eastern Rally is to be held at the Cattle Market, Hardwick Narrows, Kings Lynn. The market is located just off the A10, at its junction with the A47. Doors open at 10am, or 9.30 for disabled visitors. The event features trade stands and a bring and buy stall indoors, and a car boot area outside. Refreshments will be available. The site has easy access for the disabled as it is all on one level. Details from Ian, G0BMS, on 0553 765614. The Southend Rally will be at the Rocheway Centre, Rochford, Essex. Doors open at 10am. The event features trade stands and, weather permitting, a boot sale for radio, computer and electronic equipment. Talk-in will be on channel S22. Details are available by telephoning 0702 353676. The West Manchester Radio Clubs 'Red Rose' Rally is to be held at the Bolton Sports and Exhibition Centre, Silverwell Street, Bolton. Doors open at 11am, or 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features over 70 trade stands, society stands and a bring and buy stall, all at pavement level. Refreshments will be available all day. Details from Dave, G1IOO, on 0204 24104, evenings only. Now for the HF contest news: The European DX CW Contest is taking place this weekend and finishes at 2400 tonight, Sunday the 14th. Operate on HF bands, 3.5 to 28MHz, excluding the WARC bands and obeying IARU Region 1 band plans. The South-East Asia Net DX SSB Contest is next weekend, from 0001 on Saturday the 20th until 2359 on Sunday the 21st on 1.8 to 28MHz, but not WARC bands. For further details see July RadCom page 19. Next some VHF contest news: The RSGB 24GHz Summer Cumulative Contest takes place today, the 14th, from 0900 to 2100 UTC. See April's RadCom page 82 for details. The RSGB's 432MHz Fixed and Listeners Contest is next Sunday the 21st from 1700 to 2100 UTC. There are three sections, Single Operator Fixed, Others Fixed and SWL. See May RadCom page 79 for further details. Special event stations active this week include: GB4ASH at the Ashfield Show, Sutton-in-Ashfield, today, where the Mansfield Amateur Radio Society will be on the HF and VHF bands, CW and SSB, plus packet on 2 metres. Visitors are most welcome. Also today, G2TV, will be activated by members of the Baird Amateur Radio Society to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first multi-gun colour television tube. From now until Wednesday, GB4ATC celebrates Flight Activities Week at the RAF Museum, Hendon, in London. Next weekend, the 20th and 21st, GB50DD will be at the P L U T O Show at Lepe Country Park, near Calshot, Hampshire. Operation by members of the Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club will be on HF CW and SSB, plus VHF, all weekend. Also next weekend GB2HP will be activated by the Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club from Holyrood Palace, and GB800DON will be on from the Doncaster Show. Next, here is the solar factual data: First the good news that the telex service has now been restored we are once again able to bring you the full data on GB2RS and via the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee packet propagation data service. The period from the 1st to the 7th of August has seen solar activity at extremely low levels. On the 1st there were 3 sub faint flares - these would normally not be reported - and on the 4th there was one spotted region on the disc made up of 11 very small spots. Geomagnetic activity has declined to 'very quiet'. The sunspot indices have been very low every day with the mean for the period being only 22. Solar flux levels have hardly changed, averaging 75 units. The 90 day flux average on the 7th was 79 units. The geomagnetic Ap indices have also been very quiet, averaging only 3.7 units, with some days being down to only 2 units. The state has been 'nil, nothing to report' all week. The daily aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the 26th of July to the 1st of August, gave an average of 19.4 nanoTeslas, about K2, with periods down to only 5 nanoTeslas. The X-Ray flux has remained low with the period averaging A2.6 units, though levels ranged from A3.4 down to A1.5, which is very low. The electron fluence levels which have been very high for some months have at last declined to near normal; this should improve the stability of the HF bands. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 22; Flux - 75; Ap index - 3.7; X-ray flux - A2.6. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, have increased almost every day from 6.4MHz up to 7.1MHz by the 7th August, giving an average of 6.8MHz for the period. The darkness hour lows averaged 3.1MHz. There have been many periods of blanketing E lasting up to 4 hours at times and some spread F. The highs are now about 20.00 hours and the lows at 04.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.8MHz; lows - 3.1MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg averaged 5.8MHz. The darkness hour lows have been affected by blanketing E, preventing readings at times but would appear to have been about 3.5MHz. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 5.8MHz; lows - 3.5MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the quieter side of the sun will be in view. Solar activity is expected to remain at very low levels. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet up to the 19th, when levels could increase to unsettled. Ionospheric MUFs in the south are expected to be about 20MHz during daylight, and about 12MHz for the darkness hours. Northern levels will be down on this; north/south paths will be the best. 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 Victor Delta and G7 Tango Hotel series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta Golf series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meeting for Monday the 15th of August: Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has a QRP Construction and Operating evening. Contact Margaret on 0376 327431 for further details. Meetings for Tuesday the 16th of August: Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Electron Waves' by Mark, G7LSZ. For further details contact Alan, G0TLK on 081 777 0420. Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Audio and Acoustics' by Brian, G3OYU at Tilgates at 8pm. For further details telephone 0342 325322. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'RF Filters and the New Novice Transceiver' by John, G8MVK of AKD. Details from Neil, 2E1ASZ on 0438 350882. Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of August: Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion Evening. For further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'Starting Up in Amateur Radio, part 1' by John, G3WFM. Contact Roger, G4OAA on 0992 464795 for further details. Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has its annual 'Bring your Thing' evening for the Constructors' Trophy. Bring along anything you have made. More details from Stan, G4ITM on 01424 430579. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a Barbecue. For further details contact Roy, G4GPX on 0903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 18th of August: Hoddesdon Radio Club has a preparation evening for the Special Event Station at Godmanchester and HF Field Day. Further details from John, G7OCI, tel: 0920 466639. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society meets for a talk on 'The History of Radar' by Eryl Davies. Details from John, G0BWV on 081 644 9945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Rally arrangements evening. Contact Doris on 0268 552606 for further information. Meetings for Friday the 19th of August: Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society has a 'Raynet Video' evening, with Alan, G1OMH. Details from Gloria, G7OVI on 0634 710023. Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a Round Table on 'Packet Radio' with Chris, G0GMC. Details from Phil, G3LCF on 0444 831400. Winchester Amateur Radio Club has a Social evening. For further information contact John, G4AXO on 0962 860807. Meeting for Sunday the 21st of August: Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a 2 metre and 70 centimetre Direction Finding Hunt. Contestants should meet at Ditchling Common car park, at 10.30am. Contact Phil, G3LCF on 0444 831400 for further details. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST Meeting for Monday the 15th of August: Weston Super Mare Radio Society has a Workshop evening. Details from Graham, G8WAR on 0934 415700. Meetings for Tuesday the 16th of August: Plymouth Radio Club has an 'Aunt Sally' night. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222 for further details. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has a field event providing communications for Sparkford and Blackmore Vale Pony Club. Contact Dave, G3ZXX on 0963 34360 for further details. Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of August: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Barbecue evening. For more information telephone 0275 834282. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a Social evening. For further details contact Ian, G0GRI on 0225 864698 (evenings). Meeting for Thursday the 18th of August: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Strange Happenings on Amateur Radio' by G3KSK. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845 for further information. Meetings for Friday the 19th of August: The Channel Island Packet Group is organising a talk on 'Packet Developments' by Phil Bridges, G6DLJ of Siskin Electronics. The venue is the Civil Defence Headquarters and the start time is 8pm. This talk is open to all, whether on packet or not. Details from Chris, GU4YMV, tel: 0481 49301. Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a Barbecue at Peter's QTH. Further details from Brian Giles, tel: 0752 844321. Meeting for Sunday the 21st of August: Flight Refuelling (Wimborne) Amateur Radio Society has Video tapes of 'Vintage Racing Cars'. Details from G4POF on 0425 653404. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of August: Ipswich Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The New GB3IH Repeater' by Iain, G0OZS. Contact Sheila, G8HYE on 0473 742072 for details. Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Science for All' by Arnold, G3PTB. For further information contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810. Meeting for Thursday the 18th of August: Yarmouth Radio Club has a talk on 'Wind Generators'. More information from Tony, G3NHU, tel: Yarmouth 721173. Meeting for Friday the 19th of August: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a Visit to CNFM at Histon. The party number is limited to twelve. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for further information. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Monday the 15th of August: Aldridge and Barr Beacon Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The Novice Licence' by Chris, G0MLY. Details from Charles, G0NOL on 0922 36162. Meeting for Tuesday the 16th of August: Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has an 'HF at Wymswold' evening. For further details contact G8SNF, tel: 0509 218259. Meetings for Wednesday 17th of August: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Treasure Hunt, meeting at Markeaton Park at 7.30pm. Further details available from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk and demonstration of 'FAX and SSTV using a PC'. For details call G4EIX on 0952 588878. Meeting for Thursday the 18th of August: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has its fifth Direction Finding Hunt. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. Meetings for Friday the 19th of August: Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a Social night at 'The Horse and Jockey', Corley Moor. Further details from David, G1ORG, tel: 0203 311468. South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a Visit to Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Club. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342 for further details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 15th of August: Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has its fourth-round, Inter Club Contest Eliminator. Further details from David, G0JJR Tel: 0742 446282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a Construction and a Fix-it evening. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 16th of August: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'RF Power Measurements' by G8FHD. Further details from Ian, G4WWX who is QTHR. Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk by Tony, G7OKW at Rishworth School. Contact David, G0DLM on 0422 202306 for details. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'It's as Easy as ABC' by John, G0MVA. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meetings for Thursday the 18th of August: Grimsby Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'AMSAT UK Satellite Up-date' by G4CUO. For further details contact John, G3DOT on 0472 825899. Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a Treasure Hunt, with Tony, G1GTQ. For further information contact David, G1CTO on 0924 497767. Meeting for Friday the 19th of August: South Manchester Radio Club has a talk on 'Sound Cards' by G3ZDM. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 061 969 1964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Wednesday the 17th of August: Paisley (YMCA) Amateur Radio Club has the final Planning Meeting for GB2HP. The club meets in the YMCA, 5 New Street, Paisley, on alternate Wednesday nights. Details from Stuart, GM0UKD, tel: 0505 335195. Meeting for Friday the 19th of August: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has a Beetle Drive and Social evening. Contact Gordon, GM7PXW on 0224 780591 for further details. NEWS FOR WALES Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group is considering running Novice classes, starting next month. Anyone interested should call Roger on 0656 733729. Meeting for Monday the 15th of August: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'An Evening Down the Band" by John, GW3VVC. Further details from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 0248 600963. Meeting for Tuesday the 16th of August: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has a 'Field Night'. For further information contact Ian, GW1MVL, Tel: 0978 845858. Meeting for Thursday the 18th of August: Porthmadog Amateur Radio Society has a Ladies Night. 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 1707 659015 Fax +44 1707 645105