Good morning. It's Sunday the 2nd of October and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. An we start this week with details of the largest event in the HF DXer's calendar which takes place next weekend. The RSGB International HF and IOTA Convention is held from Friday the 7th until Sunday the 9th of October, at the Beaumont Conference Centre, near Windsor in Berkshire. A large number of top DXers from around the world will be in attendance, but this is an event which has something for the beginner as well as the expert. And although many of the Convention visitors will be staying overnight, the event is open to day visitors. There is a full programme of lectures, slide shows and discussion sessions on both the Saturday and the Sunday and many special interest groups will be represented. The special event station will use the unusual call GB 301 OTA. Morse tests will be available on demand, subject to producing two passport-type photographs and test fee. Details of the HF Convention can be found on page 19 of October's edition of Radio Communication, or can be obtained from RSGB Headquarters. Enquiries should go to Neville Cheadle on 01442 62929. The next RSGB Microwave Round Table meeting is on Sunday the 16th of October at 10am. Organised by the RSGB Southern Microwave Group, the event will be at the Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Clubhouse, Merley, near Wimborne in Dorset. The attractions include technical talks, calibration and alignment facilities and a demonstration of receiver noise figure measurements, plus of course the usual round table discussions. There will be a bring and buy stand, hot drinks and snacks. For further details telephone Mike, G3LYP, on 0494 881298. An RSGB Regional Meeting takes place on Saturday the 22nd of October in Bristol. See October's Radio Communication for further details and a map of the venue. The Kidderminster 70 centimetre repeater, GB3KR, is back on the air on channel RB3, which has its output on 433.075MHz and input on 434.675MHz. Due to site problems the antenna is not at its intended height, and consequently the repeater's coverage has been reduced. Further details and/or reports should go to the repeater keeper G8NTU, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Repeater GB3LR, was closed down for extensive engineering diagnostic work on Tuesday the 20th of September. The repeater is located at Newhaven, and normally operates on channel RB11. Further information from the repeater keeper G6RZA, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Packet repeaters, GB7WH and GB7MC, on 4 metres, 70 centimetres and 23 centimetres, have all been switched off for reassessment and realignment of linking arrangements. The repeaters are located at Winter Hill. Further information from the repeater keeper G3WPF, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Packet repeater GB7PX, was scheduled to take over from GB3PX, with effect from yesterday, Saturday the 1st of October. The repeater which is operated by the Cambridge Repeater Group is located at Madingley, near Cambridge. Further details and/or reports should go to the repeater keeper Tony, G4NBS, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. 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 Hotel and G7 Tango Tango series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta Kilo series. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Honduras, HR1ERL is signing HQ1T from now until the end of October. From Vanuatu, W6YA will sign YJ0YA or YJ0AYA from today, Sunday the 2nd until Wednesday the 12th of October. Activity will be on all bands, with emphasis on the WARC bands, on CW. From Madeira Island, DL8KWS and DL3KUD will sign own-call/CT3 from Thursday the 6th until Thursday the 27th of October on all HF bands. And from Sao Tome, S92SS is now active on 160 metres on Fridays and Saturdays. Check 1.835MHz at around 1730 UTC. Now the rallies we know of for today, Sunday the 2nd of October: The Blackwood and District Amateur Radio Society Rally is being held at the Community College, Oakdale, near Blackwood, Gwent. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall with a '1 per item or job-lot' fee, and raffles. Talk-in is on 2 metres, channel S22. The Great Lumley Radio Rally is being held at Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Doors open at 11am, or from 10.30 for disabled visitors. The event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall and refreshments. Under-14s accompanied by an adult will be admitted free. In addition to the RSGB HF Convention, there are three events taking place next weekend the 8th and 9th of October: On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th, the All Ireland International Radio and Hobbies Exhibition takes place in St Patrick Hall, Cathedral Road, Armagh. Doors open 12 noon on both days. The event features many trade stands, including radio, computer and much more. Full catering and bar facilities will be available. Details from John, GI8RLE, on 0762 870423. On Sunday the 9th of October, the Kidderminster and District Amateur Radio Society Rally is at Stourport on Severn High School, Minster Road, Stourport on Severn. Doors open at 10am. The event features the usual trade stands, a bring and buy stall and refreshments. Talk-in will be on 2 metres and 70 centimetres. Details from Malcolm, G8JTL on 0384 894019. Also next Sunday, the South Devon Radio Club Computercations'94 Amateur Radio & Computer Rally is held at the Hillhead Campsite, Hill Head, Kingswear Road, Brixham. Doors open at 10am. The event features trade stands for radio & computers, a bring & buy stall, a raffle and refreshments. Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. Overnight camping and caravan facilities will be available. Further details from Bill, G6ZRM on 01803 522216. Next a date for your diary: The Leicester Amateur Radio Show is to be held at The Granby Halls, Leicester on Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd of October. Parking arrangement are the same as in previous years, the old cattle market is still being used but it has a height restriction. The October edition of RadCom has full details of the show including a stand layout. Further information can be obtained from Frank, G4PDZ, on 0116 287 1086. Now for the HF contest news: The RSGB 21/28MHz SSB Contest is taking place today, Sunday the 2nd, from 0700 to 1900 UTC. See June RadCom page 82 for full details. The VK/ZL/Oceania CW Contest starts at 1000 next Saturday the 8th and runs for 24 hours. See September RadCom for further details. Here is some VHF contest news: The RSGB and the IARU 432MHz to 24GHz Contest finishes today Sunday the 2nd of October at 1400 UTC. The WAB 50MHz Phone Contest runs from 0900 to 1400 UTC today Sunday the 2nd. There are sections for Fixed, Portable, Mobile and Listener. The first of five RSGB 1.3GHz and 2.3GHz Cumulative events is next Tuesday the 4th from 2030 to 2300 local time. See July's RadCom for details. Another RSGB 24GHz Summer Cumulative Contest takes place next Sunday the 9th from 0900 to 2100 UTC. See April's RadCom for details. Special event stations active this week include: GB2MFY, Meteor Flight Yatesbury, on most HF bands until Friday the 14th from Yatesbury, Wiltshire. The site is at the old No 2 RAF Radio School, where ground and aircrew wireless operators were trained. Also GB0LPD is at Lochpark Adventure Centre, Drummuir Castle Estate, Drummuir, Banff next weekend, the 8th and 9th. The occasion is Centre Activity Weekend, which consists of outdoor events geared for the disabled as well as the able bodied. Operation will be on most HF bands. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 19th to the 25th of September saw the quiet side of the sun looking our way. Spots and flux remained very low and the geomagnetic field was also very quiet. There was only one flare reported, a B1/SF - the 'SF' means 'sub faint'. In normal times such flares would not be reported, being so very small. The sunspot indices fell to zero on the 20th and 21st, but recovered by the 25th to a level of 35. The period meaned at only 17. Solar flux levels, not surprisingly, remained almost steady and averaged 71 units. The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels most of the period. The daily highest Ap index was only 10 units on the 25th, with other days down to between 3 and 5 units. The period averaged 4 units. The state has been nil 'nothing to report' throughout the period. We regret that the aa indices are not to hand this week. The X-Ray flux generally has continued to decline, with levels remaining at only A1.0 up to the 24th, when a slight rise to A2.8 by the 25th meant that the period averaged A1.2 units. The electron fluence levels declined to moderate for most of the period. The monthly average of the planetary geomagnetic field for August was Ap 8. The 6 month smoothed level for February 94 was 17.9. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 17; Flux - 71; Ap index - 5.7; X-ray flux - A1.2; Ap August - 8. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon {Newsreaders - this is pronounced Mer-don}, averaged 6.4MHz. This varied little from day to day. The darkness hour lows averaged 2.6MHz, and this, too, varied little. The daytime highs are mostly around 18.00 hours, but on odd days the high is now being reported at around 1300 hours, which is closer to the time we would expect. The darkness hour lows are still around 05.00, hours - much as would be expected. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.4MHz; lows - 2.6MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: It is believed that Ekaterinberg has now closed down. Unfortunately, no alternative data is available. The new ionosonde at DRAL is still not working properly but in time it is hoped that this data will become available. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the more active side of the sun will be coming into view. Solar flux levels are expected to be into the 85s with the possibility of some small flare activity. The geomagnetic field may be very unsettled at first particularly at higher latitudes, due to the passage of a small coronal hole, but quieter levels should prevail for the rest of the week. Ionospheric MUFs during daylight are expected to reach about 21MHz in the south, and darkness hours about 12MHz. The seasonal changes are now beginning to influence the bands with east/west paths becoming easier, but the best openings are still more north/south. And that's the end of the solar information. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Monday the 3rd of October: Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club meets for its Annual General Meeting. For further details telephone 01256 25517. Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has a Demonstration of ATUs - their use and operating. Further details from Margaret, tel: 01376 327431. Southdown Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Equipment Sale. Details from Tony, G1SHH on 01825 753027. Surrey Radio Contact Club has a Surplus Sale. Further details from Berni, G8TB on 0181 660 7517. Meetings for Tuesday the 4th of October: Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further information from Charles, G0GJS on 01245 256654. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a CW and HF/VHF on Air evening. Further details from Peter, G7HCL on 01438 724509. Vale of White Horse Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further information from Ian, G3SEK on 01235 531559. Meetings for Wednesday the 5th of October: Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a talk: 'Contest Operating Techniques' by G3MEH and G3YLC. For details contact Martyn, G4XZJ, on 01296 81097. Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club has its AGM. Please note the change of day to Wednesday. Details from Stuart, G0FYX, on 01705 472846. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has an illustrated talk: 'Tasmania to Darwin' by G3EUE. Details from Roy, G4GPX on 01903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 6th of October: Colchester Radio Amateurs has its Annual General Meeting. Visitors and guests are welcome. Further details from Adrian, G0APP on 01206 383510. Cray Valley Radio Society has a Surplus Equipment Sale. Contact Bob on 0181 850 1386 for details. East Kent Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting, followed by the club's Construction Contest. Details from Paul, G3VJF 01227 743070. Horsham Amateur Radio Club has a Surplus Equipment Sale. Details from Peter, G8SUI on 0173 784 2150. Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Members' Activity night'. Contact Paul, G1GSN on 01462 700618 for further details. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. For further information contact Doris on 01268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 7th of October: The Radio Society of Harrow has its Autumn Junk Sale. Further details from Jim Ballard, G0AOT on 01895 632377 (evening) or 0171 251 2700 (daytime). Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion on 'VHF Contests, etc' Further details from John, G0RHO on 01622 832259. Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting, starting at 7.30pm. Further details from Phil, G3LCF on 01444 831400. Southend and District Radio Society has a talk on 'Worked All Britain' by Bob, G4OBE. Details from Stephen, G1XGP whose daytime telephone number is 0171 623 9611 NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meetings for Monday the 3rd of October: Weston Super Mare Radio Society has a Radio Quiz night. Details from Graham, G8WAR on 01934 415700. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Yagi Aerials" by Dave, G3ZXX. Further details from Dave, G3ZXX on 01963 34360. Meetings for Tuesday the 4th of October: Plymouth Radio Club meets for its Annual General Meeting. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 01752 563222 for details. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has an inter Club Quiz, at Andover Radio Amateur Club. Further details from David, G7GWF on 01722 330971. Meetings for Wednesday the 5th of October: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club meets for 'CW with Club members' evening. For more information telephone 01275 834282. South Devon Radio Club has a Computercations Rally preparations night. For details contact G0CDB on 01803 522995. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'The British Red Cross Society' by Mrs Avril Taylor-Webb. Visitors are welcome to attend. An RAE class has just started, contact tutor G0HFX on 01225 764874 (evenings) if interested. For Club details contact Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 (evenings). Meetings for Thursday the 6th of October: Cornish Radio Amateur Club has a talk entitled 'Repeaters and their Maintenance'. For further information contact Robin on 01209 820118. Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Using your Grid Dip Oscillator' by G3ICO. For further details contact Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Monday the 3rd of October: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a Visit to the Suffolk Ambulance Headquarters, Bramford. Names of those interested to be notified to Paul, G4YQC. Further details from Paul, G4YQC on 01394 273507 any evening. Meetings for Tuesday the 4th of October: The Amateur Radio Club of Fakenham has a QSL Cards and Awards evening, bring six of your best. Contact Dave, G4DCJ on 01485 528633 for further information. Sudbury and District Radio Amateurs has a talk on 'Electrical Safety and Regulations' by Frank, G1MYD and Tony, G8LTY. Further details from Tony, G8LTY on 01787 313212. Meeting for Wednesday the 5th of October: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP evening. Further details from Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meeting for Thursday the 6th of October: Yarmouth Radio Club has an Inter Club Quiz. Contact Tony, G3NHU, on 01493 721173 for further details. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for today Sunday the 2nd of October: West Bromwich Central Radio Club has a visit by Harry Harrison of The Black Country Bugle, for a chat and picture-taking evening. Further information from Ian, G0PAI, tel: 0121 561 2884. Meetings for Monday the 3rd of October: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a meeting of its Amateur TV Group. Further information from Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 856904. Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. All are welcome to attend. Details from G8SNF on 01509 218259. Meeting for Tuesday the 4th of October: Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society has a Computer evening (with lots of Shareware). Bring your own formatted disks. Details from Peter, G0JEW on 01455 552449. Meeting for Wednesday 5th of October: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Further information from Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 856904. Meeting for Friday the 7th of October: South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 0115 926 72734. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 3rd of October: Central Lancs Amateur Radio Club has a talk by Mr Allan Clayton on 'The Work of the Radio Investigation Service'. All are welcome to attend. This talk was originally scheduled for the 17th of October. Details from Jack, G0FQN, 01772 423741. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. For further details contact David, G0JJR, tel: 0114 244 6282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has the showing of 'The Video of the Club Year'. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 4th of October: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has its Pre-AGM meeting. Further details from Ian, G4WWX, who is QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a Construction evening, in preparation for the Club Competition. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 01924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 5th of October: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a Junk Sale. For details contact Edward, G4UOZ on 01964 534283. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Construction evening. Details from Ted, G0RBA on 01606 592207. Wirral Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Details from G3FOO, tel: 0151 644 6094. Meetings for Thursday the 6th of October: Bridlington and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk by Peter, G3FYP. For further details contact Norman, G4NJP on 01262 673635. Hambleton Amateur Radio Society has a Practical and Operating night. Further details from Bob, G7RNH on 01642 710886. Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a Surplus Equipment Sale. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 01924 497767. Meetings for Friday the 7th of October: Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a Discussion on 'Emergencies and How to deal with them' hosted by Geoff, G0FRX. Details from Steve, G8VHL on 01405 769130. North Ferriby United Amateur Radio Society has a Social Night, with XYL's and friends, to celebrate the club's new mast. Contact David on 01482 656324 for details. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND First an announcement concerning the Scottish Borders Repeater Group: The Scottish Borders Repeater Group has arranged for a test transmission from the proposed new site for GB3BT to check the coverage, to take place next Sunday the 9th of October. The test will commence at 11am on 145.55MHz, channel S23. Contacts with Mobile and Portable station would be welcomed. Reports and/or comments to Alex, GM0BPY whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Meeting for Friday the 7th of October: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Further details from GM0JCN, tel 01569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 3rd of October: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. Further information from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 01248 600963. Meeting for Tuesday the 4th of October: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has an HF Activity night. Contact Ian, GW1MVL on 01978 845858 for further details. Meetings for Thursday the 6th of October: Conway Valley Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Cellular Radio' by Richard Whitley, GW4GJI. The meeting starts at 7.30pm at The Studio, Penrhos Road, Colwyn Bay. Contact Merfyn, GW4NNL on 01492 530725 for details. Meirion Amateur Radio Society has a Discussion entitled 'Raynet Activities'. Further details from Maurice, GW3GKZ on 01341 422447. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Friday the 7th of October: Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk and demonstration on 'Valves' by John, GI4LZS. The venue is Bangor Technical College. The relevant room will be signposted from the main entrance. More details from Keith Stevenson, GI0SSA, tel: 01247 883315. -- 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