Good morning. It's Sunday the 11th of December and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. Now this week's headlines:- We have the result of the RSGB Council election, The result of the voting at the RSGB Extraordinary General Meeting, and some repeater news. The Annual Meeting of the Radio Society of Great Britain took place at the Royal Society of Chemistry, London on the 3rd of December. The meeting included an Annual General Meeting and an Extraordinary General Meeting. At the AGM, the result of the election for four Ordinary Members for the 1995 - 97 Council were announced as follows: N Roberts, G4IJF received 1629 votes; G R Morris, GW1ATZ, 721 votes; R Horton, G3XWH, 1532 votes; M G Shread, GM6TAN, 1098 votes; D B Glover, G1VJP, 881 votes and E J Allaway, G3FKM, 1626 votes. The President declared elected: l: N Roberts, G4IJF, E J Allaway, G3FKM, M G Shread, GM6TAN and R Horton, G3XWH. The result of the election for Zone 'E' (Wales) is as follows: E P Essery, GW3KFE, 93 votes and M J Adcock, GW8CMU, 48 votes. Therefore E P Essery, GW3KFE was declared elected. P R Sheppard, G4EJP, has been elected unopposed for Zone A, the North of England. I J Kyle, GI8AYZ, has been elected unopposed for Zone F, Northern Ireland. A full list of the 1995 RSGB Council will be published in the January edition of Radio Communication. The EGM had been called by the Council to make a number of amendments to the Society's Articles of Association, which provide the ground rules for running the Society's affairs. All RSGB members received details of the proposed changes with the November edition of Radio Communication. At the meeting, all six Special Resolutions were carried overwhelmingly. The full Minutes of both meetings, together with a report on the question and answer session will be published in RadCom as soon as possible. Next week's GB2RS bulletin will include the first part of our annual review of the year. There will be no bulletin on Christmas Day, and the next GB2RS, on the 1st of January 1995, will conclude the review of 1994. GB0TEN is a special event station celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Brickfields Amateur Radio Society on the Isle of Wight. Operation will be from now until Friday the 30th of December on 80m, 2m and 70cm. The latest batch of repeater applications forwarded by the RSGB to the Radiocommunications Agency includes six for packet radio repeaters: GB7BS at Bristol for 144 and 439MHz, GB7EH at Edge Hill for 430, 432 and 439MHz and GB7EA at Bury St Edmunds for 1.3GHz. All applications are processed by the RSGB's Repeater Management Group to whom any enquiries should be addressed. As usual, the Society will inform keepers of progress by distributing the RA's monthly progress reports. The Rochester repeater, GB3RE, was closed down last Sunday and will remain out of service until its new site is cleared by the RA. For further information, contact the keeper, G4AKQ, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. The Hexham repeater GB3TY, on channel R6, was switched off and is now closed down permanently, since Wednesday the 30th of November. For further information, contact the keeper G0GXO, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. The new RSGB QSL Sub-Manager for the G6AAA - G6ZZZ callsign series is Mr C R J Healey, G0NCS, whose address is: 22 Sterling Road, Plymouth, Devon PL5 1PD. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Mauritius, F6HWU will sign 3B8/F6HWU from now until the middle of December on all bands 160 to 10 metres, especially CW. From New Caledonia, a group of Japanese operators will sign FK/Own Call from Thursday the 15th, until Tuesday the 20th of December on the WARC and LF bands. And from Rwanda, PA3DZN is now active as 9X5EE on 10 to 40 metres and hopes soon to be on 80 and 160 metres. Next the Rally News, and we know of one event for today, Sunday the 11th of December: The Verulam Amateur Radio Club Rally is being held at the Watford Leisure Centre, Horseshoe Lane, Garston, Watford, a new venue for this event. Doors open at 10am. The event features a bring and buy stall, and a grand raffle. Refreshments will be available and talk-in is on 2 metres, channel S22. Now for the HF contest news: The ARRL 10 metre Contest finishes today Sunday the 11th at 2359 UTC. See December's edition of RadCom, page 19 for further details. Next some VHF contest news: The last of five RSGB 432MHz Cumulative Contest will take place next Tuesday the 13th of December from 2030 to 2300 UTC. For further details see July RadCom page 82. The first of the RSGB Winter 2.3GHz-and-Up Cumulatives Contest takes place next Sunday the 18th of December, from 0900 to 2100 UTC. For details see November RadCom page 78. And now the solar factual data: We are pleased to announce that all of our data sources are now back on line. The period from the 28th of November to the 4th of December saw solar activity at very low levels. However a small series of B-class flares on the 30th and 3rd, together with the passage of a coronal mass ejection, increased the geomagnetic activity to 'mostly unsettled'. The sunspot indices fell from 32 on the 28th to 11 by the 3rd, with a mean of 22 for the period. Only some minor B-class flares were reported on the 30th, but a B7.4/SF flare was reported on the 3rd at 12.46, but nothing came of it. Solar flux levels are now remaining fairly constant at about the 90-day average levels, varying only slightly from day to day and averaging 80 units. Previous minima have flattened out at around 68 units, so we have still some way to go before that point is reached. The x-ray flux levels showed a steady increase from A4.2 on the 30th up to A7.2 units by the 4th. The period averaged A4.7 units. The 90-day solar flux averaged 82 units on the 4th of December. Geomagnetic activity was mostly unsettled with the most disturbed day being the 2nd, when the Ap index was 18 units. The 29th of November and the 4th of December were quiet days, with the Ap index at 7 and 6 units respectively. The average Ap index for the period was 11 units. The state as been 'nil, nothing to report'. The aa indices, as reported by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 22nd to the 27th of November, started at quiet levels with the 25th being down to only 7.3 nanoTeslas, about K1. By midday on the 26th, levels had increased considerably up to 137 nanoTeslas, about K6, because of the passage of a coronal hole. This gave a daily index for that day of 66.1 nanoTeslas. The period averaged 24.2 nanoTeslas, about K3. The monthly RI sunspot number for November was 18.0 with a maximum of 48 on the 2nd and a minimum of 7 on the 21st. The smoothed sunspot number for May 1994 was RI 32.6 +/- 5. I'll repeat the figures: Spots - 22, Flux - 80, Ap index - 11, x-ray flux - A4.7, November spots RI 18.0. We have been able to catch up with some of last week's missing data. The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon from the 22nd of November to the 27th, saw average daytime levels of 7.9MHz. However, the 26th saw a pre-auroral enhancement to 11.1MHz just before the magnetic storm. The period from the 28th November to the 4th December saw daylight levels average 7.4MHz, with little variation from day to day. The darkness hour lows have seen little change over both periods and averaged 2.7MHz. Spread-F was reported during some early mornings. The highs are now taking place around noon, and the lows between 04.00 and 06.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 7.9 and 7.4MHz; lows - 2.7MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the quiet side of the sun is expected to be looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be very low, with solar flux levels down to the mid 70s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly quiet but may increase to unsettled levels towards next weekend. Ionospheric MUFs during daylight hours in the south are expected to reach 24MHz, and in the north 20MHz. Darkness hour lows are expected to reach 10MHz on north/south paths with east/west paths being about 7MHz. 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 Mike and G7 Tango Whiskey series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Juliet and 2 1 Delta Oscar series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of December: Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Party. For further details telephone 0181 777 0420. Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has a Dummy Morse Test. Contact John, G0RHO on 01622 832259 for further details. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a Christmas Supper plus a Prize Draw and fun. For further details contact Peter, G7HCL, 01438 724509. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of December: Bracknell Amateur Radio Club has a Cheese and Wine Party. Details from Steve, G4AUC on 01344 420577. Chiltern Amateur Radio Club has its Christmas Party. Admission is by ticket. Contact Roy, G4YAN on 01494 534216 for details. Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Lecture. Details from Ian, G0RTF on 01494 676391. Darenth Valley Radio Society has its Christmas Dinner. More details from Len, G0HRD, tel: 01474 703322. Grafton Radio Society has a Christmas Party and Constructors' Competition. For further information contact John, G0DFZ on 0171 272 2328. Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society has a Social plus a Lecture Evening. For further details telephone: 01635 863310. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a slide talk on 'Tarawa' by G0KAG. Next meeting will be on the 4th. For details telephone 01903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 15th of December: Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a Chairman's Mince Pie night. For further details contact Paul, G1GSN, on 01462 700618. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a Christmas Buffet and Get-together. For details contact John, G0BWV, tel: 0181 644 9945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a Christmas Buffet, for club members and guests only. More details from Doris on 0268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 16th of December: The Radio Society of Harrow has the Judging and adoption of the club's new logo. Further details from Jim, G0AOT on 0898 632377 (evenings). Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has a Christmas Dinner and Social. Further details from Reg, G3YYF on 01424 830454. Medway Amateur Receiving & Transmitting Society has its Christmas Social. For further details contact Gloria, G3VUN on 01634 710023. Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has its Grand Christmas Dinner. For further information contact Phil, G3LCF on 01444 831400. Silverthorn Radio Club has its Christmas Party. Details from Dave, G0KHC on 0181 505 1871. Three Counties Amateur Radio Club has its Christmas Dinner. For further details contact Tom, tel: 0428 606298. West Kent Amateur Radio Society has a Christmas party. Further details from G3OHV, tel: 01892 664960. Winchester Amateur Radio Club has a Christmas Party. Details from John, G4AXO, tel: 01962 860807. Meeting for Saturday the 17th of December: Crystal Palace and District Radio Club has a Christmas Party and a Video/Film Show. Further details from Wilf, G3DSC on 0181 699 5732. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of December: Plymouth Radio Club has a Mince Pie and Sherry night. Contact Frank, G7LUL on 01752 563222 for further information. RSGB City of Bristol Group has a Christmas Social. Contact Dave, G4NKT by telephoning 0117 967 2124 for further information. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has a Christmas Party. Contact David on 01722 330971 for further details. Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has its Christmas Dinner. For further information contact G3WNI, on 01823 680778. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of December: Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a Social at The Boatman, Saltash. Further details from Brian Giles, tel: 01752 844321. South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Christmas Social. For more information telephone 01275 834282. Meeting for Thursday the 15th of December: Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a Practical evening, testing the 'Coker' Transmitter, with G3PCJ. Details from Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845. Meeting for Friday the 16th of December: Torbay Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Party. For further information contact Walt, G3HTX on 01803 526762. Meeting for Sunday the 18th of December: Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has a talk about wildlife entitled 'Fur and Feathers'. Further details from John, G4POF on 01425 653404. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of December: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has an 'Armchair Christmas Video' at 8pm at Orwell Park School. For details call 0394 273507 (evenings). Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of December: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a Construction QRP evening. For further information contact Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meeting for Thursday the 15th of December: Yarmouth Radio Club has a Sherry and Pies evening. For further details contact Tony, G3NHU, on 01493 721173. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Monday the 12th of December: Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society has an 'Open House'. Visitors are most welcome. Details from Martin, G3XZO 0789 740073. Sutton Coldfield Amateur Radio Society has a Christmas Get-together. Contact Tony, G0FEO on 01827 874010 for further details. Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of December: Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has a talk on a technical topic. More information from Barry, G0TPG on 01527 542266. Buxton Radio Amateurs have a Social evening. Details from Derek, G4IHO, tel: 01298 25506. Malvern Hills Radio Amateurs Club has its Annual General Meeting. For further details contact Bernard, G0TWT on 01684 560490. Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society has a Christmas Quiz. Details from Peter, G0JEW on 01455 552449. Meetings for Wednesday 14th of December: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Constructors' Contest. Contact Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 856904 for further details. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'AC Generators for Field Day' by G4LSA. For details contact Dave, G4EIX, on 01952 588878. Meeting for Thursday the 15th of December: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has its Christmas 'Do'. For further information contact Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meeting for Monday the 12th of December: Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has its Grand Christmas Quiz. Further details from David, G0JJR Tel: 0742 446282. Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of December: Bury Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further details from Laurence, G4KLT on 0161 762 9308. Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Social. Further details are available from G0OXA, tel: 051 608 3229. Fylde Amateur Radio Society has a Christmas Supper and Social evening. Details from Rob, G7CUL, on 01772 635464.. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'GX3AHD on the Air' evening. Further details from Ian, G4WWX QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society has a talk: 'Early Airborne Communications and Equipment' by G1FDL. Further details from Roy, G0TBY 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of December: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a 'Novice Update' by G3TLI and G0DEB. For details contact Jeff, G4IGY on 01964 533331. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a talk 'Test Equipment and its uses'. Details from Ted, G0RBA on 01606 592207. Stockport Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Details can be obtained on 0161 439 4952. Meeting for Thursday the 15th of December: Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a Quiz Night. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 01924 497767. Meetings for Friday the 16th of December: East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club meets for a 'Pool Competition'. Details from Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475671. South Manchester Radio Club has its Christmas Party and will then be closed until the 6th of January. Contact G7FQY, on 0161 969 1964 for details. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of December: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The RSGB and its Committees' by RSGB President Ian Suart, GM4AUP, and Frank Hall, GM8BZX, Council member Zone 'G', Scotland. Details from GM4FSB. Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of December: Inverclyde Amateur Radio Group has its monthly meeting. Details from Jim, GM0GMN who is QTHR. Meeting for Friday the 16th of December: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Cheer 'Bring a Pressie' evening. For further information contact Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 12th of December: Cardiff RSGB Group has its Christmas Dinner. Further details from GW4HWR on 01222 810368. Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of December: Wrexham Amateur Radio Society has its Christmas Buffet. Contact Ian, GW1MVL on 01978 845858 for details. Meeting for Thursday the 15th of December: Swansea Amateur Radio Society has its Annual Quiz. Contact Graham, GW3SIY, on 01792 403527 for further details. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of December: Belfast RSGB Group has a 'Members' Night', starting at 8pm. 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