Good morning. It's Sunday the 4th of September and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. First the headlines:- There's been more media attention on amateur radio, The RSGB has published two membership consultation papers, And JOTA participants should register now for an information pack. Amateur radio has featured in the media again this week: On the positive side, BBC Children's Television repeated the programme "Why Don't You .. ?", which included an excellent piece by Emma Constantine, 2E1BVJ, in which she describes her enjoyment of radio, both at home and at the school radio club. But adverse publicity was provided by a story in a number of national newspapers concerning deliberate interference to an air traffic control station. The blame was attributed to an unspecified radio amateur. The RSGB responded rapidly by circulating a press release to the papers involved, expressing concern at the implied slur on all radio amateurs, and pointing out and how amateur radio differed from the hobby of listening to aircraft. Tomorrow, the International Amateur Radio Union opens its Region 3 Conference in Singapore. The week-long conference will discuss matters of concern to amateurs in the Pacific and Oceania, but there may be implications worldwide. The RSGB is represented at the Conference. The September edition of the RSGB's magazine Radio Communication includes two discussion papers: The first, on page 7, concerns a proposed Novice calling frequency on Top Band. The other, on page 11, concerns the possibility of a change to 12.5kHz FM channel spacing on the two metre band. It is emphasised that these papers are simply seeking input from members and they do not yet represent formal proposals. RSGB members are urged to read these papers and to respond as soon as possible. This year's Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) will take place over the weekend, the 15th and 16th of October. The RSGB is putting together an information pack, which will include a list of known participating stations and an up-to-date list of countries permitting greetings messages. Any group involved in the event, and who would like to be sent this pack should send an A4-size self-addressed envelope, with 38p in stamps, to Fiorina Sinapi at RSGB Headquarters, Lambda House, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, Herts, postcode EN6 3JE. The 23cm beacon GB3CLE will have to close down at its existing site next March. Two alternative sites have been offered. One is near Oswestry in North-West Shropshire and the other is near Newtown in Powys. The sponsors of the beacon, the Salop Amateur Radio Society, invites users to indicate their preference. Anyone who uses this beacon, and who would like a say in its future, should contact the keeper, Don Goddard, G3UQH, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Many courses for the Radio Amateurs Examination and for Morse training are now starting. 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 still 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 some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From the Galapagos Islands, DL1ABJ hopes to be active about now running a TS-50 and wire antennas. From Chad, F5IXR will be operational at least until Christmas. He is presently using TT8/F5IXR but has asked for TT8XR. And from Chagos, VQ9QM is listening on 160m on Sunday evenings. Now the rallies we know of for today, Sunday the 4th of September: Please note that the Preston Rally, scheduled for today, is cancelled. The Bristol Radio Rally is being held at the Brunel Centre, Temple Meads Railway Station, Bristol. Doors open at 10.30am, or at 10.15 for disabled visitors. The event features over 40 trade stands, a bring and buy stall and an 'under 25' bring and buy stall. Refreshments will be available. The Vange Amateur Radio Society Rally is being held at the Laindon Community Centre, Laindon High Road, Basildon, Essex, which is just a few minutes walk from the British Rail station. Doors open at 10am. The rally has the usual exhibitors. This year RSGB Morse Tests will be available on demand but candidates should remember to bring two passport-size photographs. Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. The Telford Radio Rally is at the Telford Exhibition Centre, Telford, Shropshire which has first class facilities for disabled visitors. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features many trade stands, both large and small, also many special interest group and club stands, a flea market, Novice features and a bring and buy stall. The RSGB's Morse Test will be available on demand, subject to the usual fee and the need to bring two passport size photographs. Refreshments will be available, with a seating area. An RSGB Bookstall and Enquiries stand will be manned by Headquarters staff supported by local Council members and RLOs. This is a good opportunity to meet your local RSGB representative. Next the three events we know of for next Sunday, the 11th of September: The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group (BARTG) Rally is to be held at the Sandown Exhibition Centre, Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey. There is easy access from junction 10 of the M25, which is not far from the M3, M4 and M40 motorways. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features many exhibitors and special interest groups, covering radio, computers, peripherals, software, books, kits and test equipment, all with the emphasis on Data Communications. Refreshments will be available. For further details contact Peter, G8VXY, on 021 453 2676. The Cranfield Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale (organised by the Milton Keynes and District Amateur Radio Society) is to be held at Cranfield Airfield, Bedfordshire. The airfield is located near the M1 Motorway. Take junction 13, if travelling from the south or 14 if arriving from the north. Doors open at 9.30am. Talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22. Further details can be obtained from Mike, G0FMC on 0908 566796. Also the Lincoln Short Wave Club 'Hamfest' will be held at the Lincolnshire Showground and Exhibition Centre, situated some four miles north of Lincoln on the A15, Lincoln to Scunthorpe road. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features all the usual trade stands and a bring and buy stall. The site also has lots of attractions for other family members. Refreshments will be available and talk-in is on channel S22. Further details from Sue, on 0522 525431. Now the HF contest news: The RSGB SSB Field Day Contest finishes at 1500 UTC today, Sunday the 4th of September. Bands in use are 3.5 to 28MHz, excluding the WARC bands. Full details can be found in the June edition of RadCom. The Worked All Europe SSB Contest takes place from 0000 next Saturday the 10th, until 2400 on the 11th. Europeans work non-europeans only and the exchange is RS and a serial number. Bands are 3.5 to 28MHz, but not the WARC bands. See August RadCom page 18 for further details. Next some VHF contest news: The RSGB 144MHz Trophy and Listeners Contest finishes at 1400 UTC today, Sunday the 4th. See May Radcom for details. The 4th RSGB Back Packers 144MHz Contest takes place from 1100 to 1500 UTC today, Sunday the 4th. See January Radcom for further details. The next RSGB 24GHz Summer Cumulative Contest is next Sunday the 11th from 0900 to 2100 UTC. See April's RadCom for details. Also on the 11th is the Worked All Britain 144MHz High Power Phone Contest. Times are 0900 to 1700 UTC and there are sections for fixed, portable, mobile and Short Wave Listener stations. Full details are available from the WAB Contest Manager G4SKQ, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book, or who can be contacted via packet radio at GB7SYP. Special event stations active this week include: GB2EPF, which is activated today, Sunday the 4th, by members of the Grafton Radio Society at the Police Sports Ground Chigwell, Essex. Operation is on HF, VHF, packet and 24cm amateur television. Starting next Friday, the 9th, GB2OWM will operate for 7 days from the Orkney Wireless Museum on the island of Ronaldsay, WAB area ND49. The occasion is the Fourth Orkney Science Festival. Amongst the special event stations active next weekend, the 10th and 11th, are GX8MWA and GX5MW which will be operated by the Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society at the Strood Steam Rally, and GB2NFR operational from the North Foreland area of East Kent, commemorating the wartime radar sites operated from the area. And now the solar factual data The period from the 22nd to the 28th August has seen solar activity at very low levels with the geomagnetic field also at quiet levels. On the 22nd a sub-flare took place which was rated at B1.9. Sunspot numbers fell throughout the period and meaned at only 19. The solar flux remained very steady and averaged 71 units. The 90-day average flux was 78 units on the 28th. The geomagnetic Ap indices were mainly quiet, with levels down to single figures, except for the 25th which was just unsettled. The average for the period was an Ap index of 8.1 units. The state has been 'nil nothing to report' throughout the period. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 16th to the 22nd of August, were quiet. Daily indices for the period gave an average of 15.3 nanoTeslas, about K2. The very quiet day on the 19th was down to only 8.9 nanoTeslas, about K1, with periods down to only 2 nanoTeslas. The X-Ray flux levels have declined to very low, in fact the lowest level since last May, averaging only A1.04 units. The electron fluence levels fell slightly throughout the period but remained at moderate levels. They are now about two orders of magnitude lower than the disturbed periods of recent months and this should help to stabilise the HF bands. The Geomagnetic Ap average for July was 11 units, well down on previous months. The six-month smoothed level for January was 18.0 units. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 19; Flux - 71; Ap index - 8.1; X-ray flux - A1.04; July Geomagnetic Ap 11. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, are not complete this week due to a breakdown with the ionosonde on the 28th. For the other days, levels averaged 6.3MHz with the darkness hour lows down to an average of 3.0MHz. Blanketing E was reported for a couple of hours on the 22nd and 27th, possibly due to sporadic E. The highs are now about 20.00 hours with the darkness hour lows about 04.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.3MHz, Lows - 3.0MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: There is still no news about Ekaterinberg and no data is being received. We just hope that they have not closed down the ionosonde station and the RSGB is trying to contact the authorities to find the answer. And lastly the solar forecast: This week will see the quiet side of the sun looking our way. Solar flux levels are expected to be in the mid 70s. Geomagnetic levels are expected to be quiet at first but becoming very unsettled by the end of the week. The ionospheric seasonal changes are now beginning to be felt so the HF bands are expected to improve slowly. Ionospheric MUFs in the south are expected to reach about 21MHz during daylight hours; the darkness hours about 14MHz. Levels in the north will be down on these. North/south paths are expected to be 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 Foxtrot and G7 Tango Papa series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta India series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Monday the 5th of September: Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening and Challenge. For further details telephone 0256 25517. Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has a Kite Flying and Barbecue night. Details from Margaret on 0376 327431. Southdown Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Phase Locked Loops' by Brian, G0SWH. Please enquire about RAE and Morse classes. Details from Tony, G1SHH on 0825 753027. Surrey Radio Contact Club has a talk entitled 'Amateur Television' by Bryan, G6ODE. Further details from Berni, G8TB on 081 660 7517. Meetings for Tuesday the 6th of September: Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Gliding Plus' by Brian, G3CVI. Further information from Charles, G0GJS on 0245 256654. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society meets for CW practice and HF/VHF on Air evening. The next RAE course starts on Wednesday the 7th of September. For further details contact Peter, G7HCL on 0438 724509. Vale of White Horse Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion evening. Details from Ian, G3SEK on 0235 531559. Meetings for Wednesday the 7th of September: Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has an 'RSGB - Questions and Answers Session' by Council Member Hilary Claytonsmith, G4JKS. For further details contact Martyn, G4XZJ, on 0296 81097. Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a General Meeting. For further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has an RSGB Video entitled 'Lancaster'. Details from Roy, G4GPX on 0903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 8th of September: Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'IOTA, What's it all about?' by Neville, G3NUG. Further information from Tony, G0OPB on 0734 698274 (evenings). Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Communications Systems' by Bryan, G8EIK. For details contact Paul G1GSN on 0462 700618. Southgate Amateur Radio Club has a Tutorial on 'Serial Communications'. For further information contact Brian, G0MEE on 081 360 2453. Meetings for Friday the 9th of September: Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has an 'Open Meeting'. Contact Trevor, G3KWU on 0703 693673 for details. Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'The 7th Cavalry, the Pogo Stick and Guide to Personal Communications' by Brian, G8DIU. Details from George, G3DWW on 081 540 2180. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meeting for Monday the 5th of September: Weston Super Mare Radio Society has a talk and video entitled 'Radio Expedition to Alderney' by G4OJH. For further details contact Graham, G8WAR on 0934 415700. Meetings for Tuesday the 6th of September: Plymouth Radio Club starts its Autumn programme and welcomes new RAE candidates. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222 for details. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has an Inter-Club Quiz against Andover Club. Details from David on 0722 330971 (weekends only). Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has visiting guest speakers from The Radio Investigation Service and Subscription Services Limited. Details from Dave, G3ZXX on 0963 34360. Meetings for Wednesday the 7th of September: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a 2 Metre Worked All Bristol evening. For more information telephone 0275 834282. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Design and Use of the Log Periodic Dipole Array' by G0DAB. For further details contact Ian, G0GRI on 0225 864698 (evenings). Meeting for Thursday the 8th of September: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a 'Morse Miscellany' by G3KSK. For details contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845. Meeting for Friday the 9th of September: Poole Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'The Dreaded Decibel' by Chuck Hobson. Contact Vernon, G3BCI on 01202 762110 for details. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meetings for Tuesday the 6th of September: The Amateur Radio Club of Fakenham has a talk: 'Weather and Propagation' by Jim, G3YLA. Details from Dave, G4DCJ on 0485 528633. Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP evening. Further details from Mike, G4EOL on 0603 789792. Sudbury and District Radio Amateurs meet for their Annual General Meeting at Wells Hall Old School. Details from Tony, G8LTY on 0787 313212. Meeting for Wednesday the 7th of September: Ipswich Radio Club has a talk on 'The G3PPD Insect Filter' by Stuart Dodson, G3PPD. The talk starts at 8pm at the 'Rose and Crown'. More details are available from Sheila, G8HYE on 0473 742072. Meetings for Thursday the 8th of September: Dereham Amateur Radio Club has a Visit to Lynford Hall Amateur Radio Collection. For further information contact Mark, G0LGJ, tel: 0362 691099. Yarmouth Radio Club has a technical talk by G3PPD. Contact Tony, G3NHU on 0493 721173 for further details. Meeting for Friday the 9th of September: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Archaeology from the Air' by Ben Robinson of the County Archaeological Service. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for further information. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Wednesday 7th of September: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Further details from Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904. South Birmingham Radio Society has a talk at 8pm. Visitors welcome. For details contact Bob, G7BZM on 021 458 1829. Meeting for Thursday the 8th of September: Salop Amateur Radio Society has a Visit to Powys Radio Club for a Quiz night, starting at 8pm at the British Legion Club. Details from Sheila, G0SST on 0743 361935. Meetings for Friday the 9th of September: Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'QRP' by Rev George Dobbs, G3RJV at 7.30pm. Admission is by ticket. Contact G4IVJ on 021 477 7447 for details. Spalding and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Aerials' by G3RED. Details from G4OO, tel: 0775 750382. South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a talk and demonstration on 'The New Morse Test' by Ken, G4HDP. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0602 216342 for further details. Meeting for Sunday the 11th of September: West Bromwich Central Radio Club has an informal talk by Tony, G0SKG on his appointment and issues of the day as an RLO. Details from Ian, G0PAI 021 561 2884. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND A small group of radio amateurs is hoping to re-establish a radio club within South Shields to represent the South Tyneside area. Enrolment will take place at South Tyneside College, South Shields, on the 5th, 6th and 7th of September. Club meetings will be held at the college itself on the last Wednesday of every month, the first meeting being 21st September. Details from Albert McCabe, G7PZY, on 091 427 0219. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society now offers an RAE Course on Tuesdays, 7.30 - 8.30pm, starting in September. The tutor is Albert, G0MSO. Contact G4WWX on 051 722 1178 for further information. Meetings for Monday the 5th of September: Central Lancs Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Awards' by G0GVA. Visitors are welcome. For details contact Jack, G0FQN on 0772 423741. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a Direction Finding Competition with Dronfield Radio Club. Details from David, G0JJR Tel: 0742 446282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a Barbecue and GB0XXV operating. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 6th of September: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a Demonstration on 'Oscilloscopes'. Further details from Ian, G4WWX who is QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society has an Inquest on the 2 metre Contest. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meeting for Wednesday the 7th of September: Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Construction evening. Further details from Ted, G0RBA on 0606 592207. Meeting for Friday the 9th of September: South Manchester Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Lagos Connection' by G3SVW. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 061 969 1964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Friday the 9th of September: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has its penultimate round of the 'Wet String Listening Competition' by GM0LNQ. Contact Gordon, GM7PXW 0224 780591 for details. NEWS FOR WALES The Novice course being run by the Mid-Glamorgan Radio Group will take place on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 9pm at Aberkenfig Sports and Social Club, Aberkenfig. The venue is approximately 500 yards from the M4, junction 36. The start date for the course is 6 October. There are three registered Novice instructors, Roger Luke, GW3XJC, Tom Beedle, GW0TOM and Lynne Beedle, GW7KDO. Anyone interested in joining the Radio Group or the Novice course should ring Roger on 0656 733729 or Tom on 0656 736954. Meeting for Monday the 5th of September: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The Anglesey DX Cluster' by Tony, GW4VEQ. Details from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 0248 600963. Meeting for Tuesday the 6th of September: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has a Computer evening. Contact Ian, GW1MVL on 0978 845858 for details. Meeting for Thursday the 8th of September: Aberystwyth and District Amateur Radio Society has a Preparation for JOTA evening. For further details contact Kay, GW0SFO on 0545 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