Good morning. It's Sunday the 16th of October and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. And there's a special Good Morning to all scouts, guides, cubs and brownies who are listening from Jamboree On The Air stations today. We hope you enjoy this taste of amateur radio. Now this week's headlines:- The RSGB has ensured the future of amateur radio at the Science Museum, The age limit on qualifying for a Full Licence has been lowered, And the propagation forecast indicates that southern stations may get more out of next weekend's 21/28MHz Contest than those in the North. As the result of a meeting between the RSGB General Manager, Peter Kirby, G0TWW, and the Director of the Science Museum, Sir Neil Cossons, on the 6th of October, the future of amateur radio at the Museum has been secured. The Museum Director has agreed to enter into discussions with the RSGB with a view to providing an innovative, state-of-the-art, hands on exhibit to replace the existing station which will close, as planned on the 7th of November. It is hoped that whilst the new station is planned and built there will be an opportunity to keep the GB2SM callsign on the air. We are pleased to report that following recent discussions between the RSGB and the Radiocommunications Agency, the minimum age limit on the Full Amateur Radio Licence Age has been reduced. This removes the anomaly whereby young people who had passed the Radio Amateurs Examination were unable to obtain a Full Licence until they reached the age of 14. The RA announcement reads as follows: "Amateur Radio Licence Age Requirement Reduced: Holders of the Amateur Radio (Novice) Licence who are between the ages of 10 and 14 years will now have the opportunity to obtain a full Amateur Radio Licence provided they meet certain conditions, the Radiocommunications Agency announced today. "The conditions that will be applied are as follows. The person must be at least ten years of age and must have held an Amateur Radio (Novice) Licence Class (A) or an Amateur Radio (Novice) Licence Class (B) for at least one year. In addition, they must have passed the required examinations for the full Class (A) or Class (B) licence, including the 12WPM Morse test for Class (A)." A Microwave Round Table meeting takes place today, Sunday the 16th at the Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society Clubhouse, Merley, near Wimborne, Dorset, commencing at 10am. The attractions include technical talks, calibration and alignment facilities, plus of course the usual round table discussions. There will be a bring and buy stand, hot drinks and snacks. All are welcome to attend. An RSGB Regional Meeting takes place next Saturday, the 22nd of October, in Bristol. Doors open at 12.30pm when light refreshments will be available, and the meeting commences at 2pm. Members of the RSGB Council will be in attendance plus representatives of HQ. RSGB members should see the October edition of RadCom which has full details and a map of the venue. Non-members are very welcome to attend and they can obtain further information from the RSGB Liaison Officer for Avon, Dave Collins, G4ZYF, on 0272 676381. The Radiocommunications Agency has informed the Society that the government of Qatar has now agreed reciprocal licensing. This is based on their General Class Licence and the UK's Full Class A Licence. Applications should be made to: Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation, PO Box 217, Doha, Qatar. Now news of a Rally cancellation and change of contact details: The Leeds and District Amateur Radio Society wishes to announce that due to circumstances beyond its control the Christmas Rally, scheduled for the 4th of December 1994 has had to be cancelled. Further details from G0IBU who is QTHR. The Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club Radio Rally which is to be held on Sunday the 20th of November has a change of contact person, the new contact is Nick Dingle, G1XNI on 01388 488533. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Botswana, A22MN is now active every other week on 160 metres until early November, when conditions usually deteriorate. He will work split frequency using 1.828MHz and 1.832MHz on SSB and CW. From the Falkland Islands, G8XFT will sign VP8CQJ from Tuesday the 18th of October until February 1995 on all bands using SSB and possible digital modes. From Nauru, JA3JA will sign C21/JA3JA from next Thursday the 20th to Monday the 24th. Operation will be on the 10 to 80 metres bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. And from St Maarten, WB1HBB will be active as PJ7/WB1HBB from next Friday the 21st for one week. Check 14.263MHz at 1230 and 2100 UTC. We know of no rallies for today Sunday the 16th, but the following Friday and Saturday, the 21st and 22nd of October there is the Leicester Amateur Radio Show. This is to be held at The Granby Halls, Aylestone Road, Leicester. This is just off the M1 motorway, junction 21. Parking arrangement will be better than in previous years, with special arrangements for larger vehicles, as the old cattle market is still being used but it has a height restriction. Doors open daily at 10am, or 9.30am for disabled visitors. The event features an extensive trade exhibition, an RSGB Book and Information Stand and a bring and buy stall. Morse Tests will be available on demand during the two days, but prospective candidates are reminded that they need to provide two passport-type photographs, together with the test fee. The RAOTA AGM will be held in the conference room on Saturday. Full catering and bar facilities will be available. Talk-in will be on channel S22 and SU22 by GB2GH. The October edition of RadCom has full details of the show including a stand layout. Further information can be obtained from Frank Elliott, G4PDZ, on 0116 287 1086. Now for the HF contest news: The RSGB 21/28MHz CW Contest is today Sunday the 16th from 0700 - 1900 UTC. See the June edition of Radio Communication, page 82 for further details. The CQ Worldwide DX SSB Contest takes place in two weeks' time, from 0001 on Saturday the 29th until 2359 on Sunday the 30th of October. This involves all bands 160 - 10 metres but excluding the WARC bands. See October RadCom page 18 for further details. Next some VHF contest news: The second of five RSGB 1.3GHz and 2.3GHz Cumulative events takes place next Wednesday the 19th from 2030 to 2300 local time. See July's RadCom for details. The next RSGB 432MHz Cumulative Contest is on Thursday, the 27th of October, from 2030 to 2300 local time. See the July edition of RadCom, page 82 for further details. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 3rd to the 9th of October has seen a generally large increase in geomagnetic activity. An aurora occurred during the afternoon period of the 3rd, and was preceded by an HF band enhancement on the 2nd, which was most noticeable on the 28 and 50MHz bands. The electron fluence levels have remained high. The only flare of any note reported during the period was a B4.2/SF on the 9th which resulted in an increase in the X-Ray flux levels. Though numbers are low, the sunspot indices have increased every day and meaned at 45. Solar flux levels have also increased slightly with the flare activity from 74 units on the 3rd up to 87 units by the 9th, averaging 81 units for the period. The 90 day solar flux average on the 9th was 78 units. The geomagnetic field started the period at 'major storm' levels, with a sudden storm commencement at 2230 on the 2nd of October. This lasted over the next few days. This activity is believed to be due to a favourably positioned recurrent coronal hole feature. Activity has generally been very unsettled, being up to sub-storm levels on many days. It reached full storm on the 3rd together with an aurora. The Ap index reached 71 units, about K7, the highest level since last April. The period averaged a sub-storm level of Ap 34.7 units. Levels were declining by the 9th as this bulletin was being prepared. The state has been 'mag storm alert' for high latitudes most of the period. The X-Ray flux levels increased almost every day from A1.0 on the 3rd, up to B1.0 by the 9th giving an average of A5.0 for the period. The aa indices, as reported by the British Geological Survey for the period the 27th of September to the 3rd of October, started at quiet to unsettled levels, with the 30th being down to only 8.5 nanoTeslas. However, on the 3rd, during the height of the storm, it peaked at 137 nanoTeslas. The 3rd averaged 97.1 nanoTeslas, about K5, whilst the average for the period was 28.7 nanoTeslas, about K3. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 45; Flux - 81; Ap index - 34.7; X-ray flux - A5.0. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: Not all the data is to hand this week but the F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, have been affected by the high levels of geomagnetic activity, and averaged about 5.6MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged about 2.6MHz. There has been spread F lasting up to 8 hours some days and blanketing E lasting up to 2 hours on most days. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 5.6MHz; lows - 2.6MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the quiet side of the sun will be rotating away. Solar flux levels are expected to be at about the mid 70s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be quiet at first, with an Ap of less than 10, increasing to 'unsettled' with an Ap of 20 by the end of the week. This is due to the passage of a coronal hole. Ionospheric MUFs during daylight in the south are expected to be around 21MHz, with the darkness hours about 10MHz. North/south paths are expected to be the best, though east/west openings on the lower HF bands can be expected during the early mornings. 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 allocated were in the G0 Victor Hotel and G7 Tango Uniform series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Juliet and 2 1 Delta Kilo series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meeting for Monday the 17th of October: Sevenoaks and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Amateur Frequency Measurement' by Ray, G0OAT. Details from The Secretary, Sevenoaks & DARS, c/o Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HG. Meetings for Tuesday the 18th of October: Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. For details telephone 0181 777 0420. Dacorum Amateur Radio and Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Steam Railways'. All are welcome. Further details from Nick, G7KFQ on 01582 766973. Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Raynet' at 8pm. For further details telephone 01342 325322. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'General Get- together' to discuss your projects etc. Details from Peter, G7HCL on 01438 724509. Meetings for Wednesday the 19th of October: Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a Discussion Evening. For further details contact Martyn, G4XZJ, on 01296 81097. Brighton and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'A 9MHz Exciter, Multi-band, Multi-mode Transceiver' by Colin, G3WKZ Details from Harold, G3WR on 01273 501100. Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has a Surplus Equipment Auction. Doors open at 6pm, sale starts at 7.30pm. Further details from Ron, G4VBK on 01424 428428. Havering and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'TV Aerial Systems' by G6TRX. Further details from Brian, G6EBO tel: 01708 769724 (evenings). Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a Discussion Evening. For further details contact Roy, G4GPX on 01903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 20th of October: Colchester Radio Amateurs has a talk entitled 'Contests' by Andy, G4PIQ. Visitors are welcome. Further details from Adrian, G0APP on 01206 383510. Cray Valley Radio Society has an evening of RSGB Videos. Contact Bob on 0181 850 1386 for details. Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual Dinner. Further details from Tony, G0OPB, tel: 01734 698274 (evenings). Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a Quiz Night with G4PSO. Contact Paul, G1GSN on 01462 700618 for further information. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a Junk Sale. For details contact John, G0BWV, tel: 0181 644 9945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Construction Contest. For further details contact Doris on 01268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 21st of October: The Radio Society of Harrow has a talk on 'The Latest Developments in Television' by Ivan, G5IJ. Details from Jim, G0AOT on 0895 632377 evening. Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Clandestine Radio!'. Contact John, G0RHO on 01622 832259 for further information. West Kent Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Servicing of Electronic Equipment' by G7NOR. Further details from G3OHV, tel: 01892 664960. Winchester Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'An Introduction to Adaptation of Circuits' by Gerry, G2DBT. Details from John, G4AXO, tel: 01962 860807. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST Meetings for Monday the 17th of October: Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club has a Bring and Buy Sale. Further details from G4ETJ, tel: 01237 477301. Weston Super Mare Radio Society has a Workshop night. Details from Graham, G8WAR on 01934 415700. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has a Surplus Sale. Contact Dave, G3ZXX on 01963 34360 for further details. Meetings for Tuesday the 18th of October: Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society has its Club Open Night. Details from Stuart, G7JIF on 01963 814055. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has its JOTA debrief plus QSL Writing and a discussion on 'What Could We Have Done Better?'. Contact David on 01722 330971 for details. Meetings for Wednesday the 19th of October: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has its Home Construction Trophy judging evening. For more information telephone 01275 834282. South Devon Radio Club has an Antenna Project evening. For further details contact G0CDB on 01803 522995. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a Social Evening. For further details contact Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 (evenings). Meeting for Thursday the 20th of October: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The Mystery of Valve Equipment' by G7LNJ. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845 for further information. Meetings for Friday the 21st of October: Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has its Constructors' Competition. For further details contact Brian, G7SSH on 01752 844321. Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting at 8pm. Further details from Bill, G3WNI on 01823 680778. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA First an announcement for Novice Instructors in Norfolk: A meeting of Novice Instructors covering Norfolk will be held next Sunday the 23rd of October at the Grange Hotel, Thorpe Road, Norwich at 2.30pm. If attending, please inform David, G3OEP, (Senior Novice Instructor Norfolk), whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Meeting for Monday the 17th of October: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk and demonstration of 'A Weather Satellite Receiver'. Details from Paul, G4YQC on 01394 273507 (evenings). Meetings for Wednesday the 19th of October: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a QRP Construction evening. Further details from Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Ipswich Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Don't Shoot the Messenger' by Malcolm, G3XVV, the local RLO. Further details from Sheila, G8HYE, tel: 01473 742072. Meeting for Thursday the 20th of October: Yarmouth Radio Club has a talk on 'Nuclear Power'. For further information contact Tony, G3NHU on 01493 721173. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Monday the 17th of October: Dudley Amateur Club has its Annual General Meeting at 7.45pm. For further details contact Tony, G4LVA on 01384 277925. Leicester Radio Society has a talk on 'Practical Home Brew Antennas' by Tony, G4XBY. Details from Wayne, G6NGV, tel 0116 254 6851 (evenings). Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Private Mobile Radio' by a representative of Castle Electronics. Contact James, G7HEZ on 01384 374354 for more details. Meetings for Tuesday the 18th of October: Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Contest. Details from G8SNF on 01509 218259. Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society has a Bring and Buy Sale. Details from Peter, G0JEW, tel: 01455 552449. Meetings for Wednesday the 19th of October: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Technical Topic evening. For details contact Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Contest Training Session'. More details from Dave, G4EIX, on 01952 588878. Meeting for Thursday the 20th of October: Solihull Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting, starting at 7.30pm. Details from Paul, G8AYY on 0121 783 2996. Meeting for Friday the 21st of October: South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a Construction evening. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 01509 672734 for further details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meeting for Monday the 17th of October: Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has an Inter-Club Quiz with Dronfield Radio Club. For further details contact David, G0JJR, tel: 01742 446282. Meetings for Tuesday the 18th of October: Bury Radio Society has a Discussion and Operating evening. For further information contact Laurence, G4KLT on 0161 762 9308. Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Avionics' by John, G1LML. Further details from G0OXA, tel: 051 608 3229. Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Novice Training' by Esde, G0AEC. Contact David, G0DLM on 01422 202306 for further information. Wakefield and District Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 19th of October: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has an Activity Night. For further details contact Duncan, G3TLI on 01964 532588. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Video entitled 'The Future of Computing'. Details from Ted, G0RBA, tel: 01606 592207. Meetings for Thursday the 20th of October: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has its 7th Direction Finding Hunt. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733. Grimsby Amateur Radio Society has its Post-AGM meeting. For further information contact John, G3DOT, tel: 0472 825899. Hambleton Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'HF Operating from the Falklands'. Please note there will be no meeting on the 27th. Details from Bob, G7RNH on 01642 710886. Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'M J Components' by Martin, G3ZXZ. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 01924 497767. Meetings for Friday the 21st of October: Goole Radio and Electronics Society has its Autumn Junk Sale, (not surplus equipment but pure junk!). Contact Steve, G8VHL on 01405 769130 for details. South Manchester Radio Club has a talk entitled 'GBR' by G2HW Further details from Edward, G7FQY on 0161 969 1964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meetings for Tuesday the 18th of October: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Members' Participation Evening. Further details from GM4FSB who is QTHR. Edinburgh University Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Amateur Radio Expeditions'. Details from Alison, GM0UGG on 0131 668 4618. Meeting for Friday the 21st of October: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has the final round of its 'Wet String' Listening Competition, with GM0LNQ. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 17th of October: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has 'An Evening with the Camcorder' with Trefor, GW0PZS and Norman, GW0MKP. Details from Tony, GW0FMQ, tel: 01248 600963. Meeting for Tuesday the 18th of October: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Contact Ian, GW1MVL on 01978 845858 for further information. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Wednesday the 19th of October: Belfast RSGB Group has a talk entitled 'The Island of Coll and Amateur Radio' by John, G4FPP. Further details from Richard, GI0OUM who is QTHR. -- 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