Good morning. It's Sunday the 21st of August and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. First the headlines:- September RadCom is scheduled to be posted this week, RadCom Readers' Award nominations due in, and Ongoing discussions with the Science Museum. September RadCom will be posted out to members on Monday the 22nd of August. This issue includes details of RSGB Council vacancies which will exist at the end of 1994. The closing date for RadCom readers' awards is the 30th of August. See July RadCom page 6 for further details. Following on from last week's statement regarding the GB2SM Science Museum station, the RSGB and representatives from the museum are currently engaged in discussions in an effort to save GB2SM from closure. We now have news of some RSGB awards. Roger Betts, G0TRB, has received the RSGB Supreme Transmitting Award in recognition of his three Senior Awards, covering 144, 432 and 50MHz. Roger also updated his award level to 50 countries on the 50MHz band. On 70MHz Derek Thom, G3NKS, has gained two RSGB certificates, one for 60 counties, 40 locator squares and 8 countries confirmed. Further 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 latest batch of repeater applications forwarded by the RSGB to the Radiocommunications Agency includes three new Packet Repeaters: GB7KL for Kings Lynn, GB7PL for Plymouth and GB7ME for Danbury, Essex. One new Repeater, GB3VX, a 24 centimetre Television Repeater for Heathfield, East Sussex and one frequency change, GB3TG, a 3 centimetre TV Repeater covering Milton Keynes and one site change, GB3GJ, a 2 metre Repeater covering Jersey. These have been processed by the RSGB's Repeater Management Group to whom any enquiries should be addressed. It is anticipated that the minimum time for clearance of UHF repeaters by the RA is six months. As usual, the Society will keep repeater keepers informed of progress by distributing the RA's monthly progress reports. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Switzerland, the special callsign HB4JAM will be aired until the 25th of October, in connection with the Swiss National Camp for Scouts and Guides at Willisau, near Lucerne. From Waganiha Island, UE1QDX and UE1QQQ will sign RA1Q until today Sunday the 21st on all bands, except WARC, on CW and SSB. From Singapore, the special prefix S61, in lieu of 9V1, will be used until the 12th of September, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Singapore Amateur Radio League. We know of three rallies taking place today, Sunday the 21st of August: The Great Eastern Rally is being 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. The Southend Rally is being held 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. The West Manchester Radio Clubs 'Red Rose' Rally is being 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. Next the one event we know of, lasting three days next weekend, from Saturday the 27th until Monday 29th: The Computer Fair 1994, which includes a Radio and Electronics Fair is to be held at the Show Grounds, Aldridge, West Midlands. The showground is located just off the main A454, Aldridge to Walsall road, some 4 miles from A5 or some 5 miles from M6 junction 7. Doors open at 10am, or 9.30 for disabled visitors. The event features a summer spectacular with various shows, displays and other interests. For further details telephone 0543 372807 after 5pm during weekdays or any-time at weekends. Now the five events for next Sunday the 28th: The Coleraine and District Amateur Radio Society Rally will be held at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, County Londonderry. Doors open at 12 noon. The event features the usual trade stands, a bring and buy stall and other attractions. Refreshments will be available. Talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22. Details from Jim, GI4ORI on 0265 52393. The East Coast Amateur Radio and Computer Rally is to be held at the Clacton Leisure Centre, Vista Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade stands, including radio, computers, software and accessories and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available from 11am. Talk-in to be on channels S22 and SU22. Details are available by telephoning 0473 272002. The Galashiels and District Amateur Radio Society Open Day is to be held at the Focus Centre, Livingstone Place, Galashiels, Borders. Doors open at 11am. The event features all the usual trade stands, club stalls and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available. A new attraction, a bring and sell stand. Details from John, GM0AMB on 0835 822686. The Gloucester Radio Rally will be held at Nass Lane, Quedgeley, Gloucester. The site is located just off the old Bristol road, look for the signs. Doors open at 9am. The event features a bring and buy stall, a car boot sale and flea market stalls. Details from Mike on 0452 503786. The Torbay Rally is to be held at the Clenon Valley Leisure Centre, Paignton, Devon. This is a new and larger venue for the rally. Doors open at 10am. The rally features many trade stands, an RSGB Bookstall and Members service stand, a bring and buy stall and special interest displays. Refreshments will be available. For the family, some four minutes walk away, there is a boating lake, a beach, a steam railway and a flume water park. Details from John, G3YCH on 0803 842178. And finally, the two events to be held on Monday the 29th of August: The Huntingdonshire Amateur Radio Society, 6th Annual Bank Holiday Monday Rally and Junk Sale will now be held at St Peter's School, St Peter's Road, Huntingdon. This is a change of venue from the one published in RadCom. Trading commences at 10am, now in two halls, with car boot pitches also available adjacent to the halls. Hot and cold refreshments will be available. Talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22, or via GB3OV on 433.125MHz, RB5. Details from David, G7DIU on 0480 431333. The Scarborough Radio and Electronics and Computer Fair is to be at The Spa, South Foreshore, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Doors open at 11am, or 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features the usual trade stands, a bring and buy stall, Club and Group stalls and RSGB Books. Morse Tests will be available on demand, but please remember to bring two passport size photographs. Talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22. Further details from Ross, G4NZ on 0723 514767 after 6pm. Now for the HF contest news: The South-East Asia Net DX SSB Contest finishes today Sunday the 21st at 2359, after 48 hours, on 1.8 to 28MHz, but not WARC bands. For further details see July RadCom page 19. The RSGB SSB Field Day Contest takes place during the weekend, Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of September on 3.5 to 28MHz, but excluding the WARC bands. Full details can be found in the June edition of RadCom. Next some VHF contest news: The RSGB's 432MHz Fixed and Listeners Contest takes place today, 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. The next RSGB 10GHz Summer Cumulative Contest takes place from 0900 to 2100 UTC next Sunday the 28th of August. See April's RadCom page 82 for further details. The Firth Weekend takes place next Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th, when eleven Special Event Stations will be established overlooking the Firths of Scotland. All stations will be active on 10 through 80 metres on SSB, with some activity on VHF/UHF between 8am on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday. See August RadCom, page 29 for awards details or contact Mike, GM4SUC on 0292 443127 for further information. GB1WAS and GB2WAS will be operated by members of the Hoddesdon Radio Club at the Wood Green Animal Shelters, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire during next weekend. The occasion is the Charity's Fun Days with the proceeds from the Sponsored Special Event Station going to the Animal Charity. Operation will be from 0001 on Saturday the 27th, until 1800 on Monday the 29th of August, using GB1WAS on 2 metres SSB, FM and Packet and GB2WAS on 80 to 10 metres. See September RadCom page 7. Over the three days over 10,000 people are expected to visit the centre. More information can be obtained from John Rudd, G7OCI, on 0920 466639. Other Special event stations active this month include: GB2QE, which will be aired by the Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club, from Perch Rock Lighthouse, New Brighton, Wirral, to celebrate the visit of the Cunard Liner, the QE2 to Liverpool. The visit lasts from Saturday the 27th of August, until Thursday the 1st of September. Operation will be SSB on 80, 20 and 2 metres and skeds have already being arranged with G3UXO/MM on the QE2. Details from Ron, G3HFA, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 8th to the 14th of August has seen solar activity at very low levels, with the geomagnetic field being very quiet rising to unsettled by the end of the period. An M3.9/1N flare occurred on the 14th accompanied by radio bursts. This is the first M type flare reported for just over 6 weeks. The sunspot indices started very low, but rose during the period with the 14th being the highest day with a count of 75. The mean for the period was about 46. The solar flux levels have also risen, from 74 up to 89 units by the 14th giving an average of 79 units. The 90 day flux average on the 14th was 79 units. The geomagnetic activity rose from very quiet levels of an Ap index of only 2 units on the 8th, with the planetary K index recording 3 zeros, up to a sub storm level of 28 units by the 14th, due to the passage of a coronal hole. Most of the period was unsettled, with the Ap average being 16 units for the period. The state has been 'nil nothing to report' all the period. The aa indices as supplied by the British Geological survey for the period the 2nd to the 8th of August, were very quiet. The daily indices averaged only 7.2 nanoTeslas about K1, with the 8th being very quiet at only 4.5 nanoTeslas, with periods down to 2 nanoTeslas. This is the quietest day since May 1993. The X-ray flux levels started the period at A1.8 units before climbing again to reach a sudden peak of B1.3 on the 13th, but just as quickly declined again. The average for the period was A5.6 units. The electron fluence levels continued to fall over most of the period being near-normal, but the M flare on the 14th pushed levels back up to high, but it is not expected that this will be maintained. The monthly average of the Planetary Ap index for July was 11, with the smoothed level for last January being 18.0 units. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 46; Flux - 79; Ap index - 16; X-ray flux - A5.6; July Ap 11. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: Due to holidays at Meudon, not all the data is to hand, so the F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers are approximate. The daily highs averaged about 6.7MHz, and the darkness hour lows about 2.7MHz. The highs are still being recorded about 20.00 hours, and the lows about 04.00 hours. The 10th and 11th were affected by blanketing E and periods of spread F. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.7MHz; lows - 2.7MHz. There is no data is to hand from Ekaterinberg this week. The latest smoothed predictions for the coming minimum for spots is April/May 1996, with a count of about 6, and the solar flux minimum is expected about October 96, with about 69 units. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the active side of the sun will be looking our way. Solar flux levels are expected to be about the 85s. Based on past history the geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet to just unsettled. MUFs during daylight in the south are expected be about 18MHz, and the darkness hours about 10MHz. North/south paths will be the best. Sporadic E is still possible on 10 and 6 metres though of lower intensity. 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 Victor Echo and G7 Tango Kilo series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta Hotel series. . -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Tuesday the 23rd of August: Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Frank's Theory!!' by Frank, G3OVT. The next RAE course starts on Wednesday the 7th of September. For further details contact Peter, G7HCL on 0438 724509. Verulam Amateur Radio Club has a Quiz Evening. Visitors are welcome at all club meetings. Further details from Walter, G3PMF on 0923 262180. Meetings for Wednesday the 24th of August: Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Penguin Night'. For further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a Discussion evening. Contact Roger, G4OAA on 0992 464795 for further details. Darenth Valley Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Back to Basics'. More details from Len, G0HRD, tel: 0474 703322. Farnborough and District Radio Society has its SSB Field Day Preview. For further information telephone 0252 715765. Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society is showing a 'Radio Related' Video. Further details from Norman, G0HFU tel: 0635 863310. Meetings for Thursday the 25th of August: Echelford Amateur Radio Society is showing a Video entitled 'A Visit to Lithuania' with Dave, G0BZF at 7.30 for 8pm. Further details from Peter, G6PMT on 0344 843472. Edgware and District Radio Society has a Briefing Session for SSB Field Day. Further details from Stephen, G0PQB, tel: 081 953 2164. 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. Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has a Field Day Planning Session. Further information from Tony, G0OPB on 0734 698274 (evenings). Southgate Amateur Radio Club meets for a Direction Finding Hunt equipment check. For further information contact Brian, G0MEE on 081 360 2453. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Team Quiz night. Contact Doris on 0268 552606 for further information. Meetings for Friday the 26th of August: Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has an Open Night. There will be with cheese and wine available. Contact Brenda on 0622 850277 for further details. Meridian Repeater Group meets for its Annual General Meeting at the Clifton Amateur Radio Society Club rooms at Kidbrooke House Community Centre, 90 Mycenae Road, London, SE3 7SE at 8.30pm. Further details from Keith, G4TJE, 081 859 7630. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST Meetings for Tuesday the 23rd of August: Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society has a Club Stand set-up evening for the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show at the Showground. Details from Stuart, G7JIF on 0963 362766. RSGB City of Bristol Group has a talk entitled 'Biasing Transistors' by Ross, G3NWS. Contact Dave, G4NKT by telephoning 0272 62124 for further information. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has a Construction and Advice Clinic evening. Details from David on 0722 330971 (weekends only). Meeting for Wednesday the 24th of August: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a slide presentation of Astro Photography by Brian, G7NQJ. For more information telephone 0275 834282. Meeting for Sunday the 21st of August: Flight Refuelling (Wimborne) Amateur Radio Society has a Forward Planning night. Details from John, G4POF on 0425 653404. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Monday the 22nd of August: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'The World Below 500KHz' by Neil, G0ORG. For details contact Paul, G4YQC on 0394 273507 any evening. Meeting for Wednesday the 24th of August: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP night. For further information contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810. Meeting for Thursday the 25th of August: Yarmouth Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Wind Generators'. More information from Tony, G3NHU, tel: 0493 721173. Meeting for Friday the 26th of August: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Fire Precautions' by Bob Chapman, a member of the Cambridge Fire Service. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for further information. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Tuesday the 23rd of August: Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has a Pedestrian Direction Finding Hunt. More information from Barry, G0TPG on 0527 542266. Buxton Radio Amateurs has a talk entitled 'Operating Procedures'. Further details from Derek, G4IHO, telephone 0298 25506. Meetings for Wednesday 24th of August: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Pressure Vessels' by Jenny, G4EYM. Further details from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a Rally Preparation evening, starting at 8pm. For details call Dave, G4EIX on 0952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 25th of August: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a Construction night. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. Salop Amateur Radio Society has its Telford Rally Group meeting at 8pm. For details contact Sheila, G0SST on 0743 361935. Meeting for Friday the 26th of August: South Notts Amateur Radio Club has an "On Air - Portable Operation" from the Black Rock Picnic Site. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342 for further details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 22nd of August: Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a 'Brains Trust' evening. There will be no meeting next week - Bank Holiday Monday. Further details from David, G0JJR tel: 0742 446282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has two 'Ten-minute' talks. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 23rd of August: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has an 'RAE Post-mortem'. Further details from Ian, G4WWX who is QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a talk on 'Techniques for the September Two- metre Contest' by Bob, G3WWF. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 24th of August: Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Periodic Antennas' by Mike, G3FDW at the Rolls Royce Sports and Social Club, Barnoldswick, Colne at 7pm. Further details from G4ILG on 0282 812288. Stockport Radio Society has a talk on 'Fibre Optic Networks' by Nynex. For further information telephone 061 439 4952. Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club has a UHF Direction Finding Hunt, meeting at 8pm at Heswall lay-by. Further details from Bob, G4NCI on 051 677 0210. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Friday the 26th of August: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has its SARCON'94 Briefing and Job Assignments night. Contact Gordon, GM7PXW on 0224 780591 for further details. NEWS FOR WALES North Wales Radio Rally Club is considering running Practical Construction courses, for the Autumn and Winter months. Anyone interested in building useful and interesting items of Test Equipment should call Tony, GW0NSR on 0492 513246. Mid-Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group are running a Novice Class near Bridgend, two minutes off the M4 motorway, to start mid/end September. Anyone interested to contact Roger on 0656 733729 or Tom on 0656 736954. -- 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