Good morning. It's Sunday the 29th of January and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. First this week's headlines:- Two Microwave records have been broken; and GB2RS is available again on television in the Home Counties; Two world records have recently been broken on the microwave bands. On the 10GHz band, VK5NY has worked VK5KZ/VK6 over a distance of 1,911km. And on the 145GHz band - that's 145 Gigahertz, not Megahertz - OZ9ZI and OZ1UM exchanged reports over an 11km path. They used 47GHz for talkback. The February edition of Radio Communication, features the Danish Microwave Activity week and the record-breaking work on 145GHz. This edition of RadCom, which is scheduled to be posted to all RSGB members this week, also includes advice to members on the planning implications of using mobile masts. The GB2RS News Service is broadcast on a number of bands and modes, including amateur television on the 1.3GHz band. After a period of inactivity, the television broadcast provided by Roy Powers, G8CKN, has returned to its regular service. The broadcast is goes out live via Home Counties Amateur Television Group's repeater, GB3HV, at High Wycombe at 9.30 am on Sunday mornings. It is recorded at the repeater and is then available on demand during the rest of the week. GB3TV transmits on 1308MHz. Photographs of events covered in the news would be appreciated for insertion into this transmission. Further information on this TV broadcast and the GB3HV repeater can be obtained from Mike, G8LES, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Nauru (C2), W9GW will be active for the FOC Marathon which takes place next weekend, the 4th and 5th of February. And from Christmas Island, members of the Bavarian Contest Club will sign VK9XY from next Thursday, the 2nd for a week, operating on all bands. A free sample copy of the DX News Sheet can be obtained from RSGB HQ by calling 01707 659015. Next the Rally News and we know of two events for today, Sunday the 29th of January: The Lancaster Rally, is being held at Lancaster University, Lancaster. Doors open at 11am, or 10.30am for disabled visitors. This year's event is in larger halls than previously, with more trade stands, a bring and buy stall and special interest groups stands. Refreshments are available. The Fenland Repeater and Lincs Packet Group's Midwinter Junkarama is being held at the Horncastle Youth Centre, Horncastle, Lincolnshire. The event starts at 10.30am and features trade stands and club tables. Refreshments are available. And now the one event we know of for Sunday the 5th of February: The South Essex Amateur Radio Society Radio Rally, is to be held at The Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey Island, Essex. The Paddocks is located at the end of the A130. The rally features trade stands, a bring and buy stall, and refreshments. Disabled car parking facilities will be located near the main doors. Doors open at 10.30am Talk-in will be on 2 metres, channel S22. Further details can be obtained from Roger, G0LTO, on 01268 693786. On Sunday the 19th of February the 1994 RSGB VHF Convention is to be held at its usual venue at Sandown Race Course, Esher, Surrey on. Full details of the event, including the comprehensive lecture programme, are published in the January and February editions of RadCom, or can be obtained by calling RSGB HQ on 01707 659015. Every year, RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar has an Open Day so that members and non-members can see the HQ of the organisation which represents amateur radio in the UK. This year's open day is on Saturday, the 22nd of April. This coincides with International Marconi Day so exhibits and a special event station will mark the centenary of Marconi's practical demonstrations of radio. Make a note in your diary now for the 22nd of April. Now for the HF contest news: The final rounds of the RSGB LF CW Contest take place this week: 7MHz events are held today, Sunday the 29th of January, and next Saturday, the 4th. Both are from 1000 to 1200 UTC. Next Thursday, the 2nd, sees a 1.8MHz event from 2000 to 2200 UTC, and next Sunday, the 5th, a 3,5MHz event is held from 1600 to 1800 UTC. December's RadCom, page 78, gives detailed information. The CQ World Wide 160 metre Contest took place this weekend, and it finishes at 1600 UTC today, the 29th. See January RadCom page 24 for brief details. The February edition of RadCom includes a full report on the IARU Region 1 SSB Field Day which took place last September. The Open Section winner was Lichfield Amateur Radio Society, G3WAS Portable and the Restricted Section winner was Plymouth Radio Club, G3PRC Portable. Next some VHF contest news: The second of five RSGB 70MHz Cumulative Contest events takes place today Sunday the 29th, from 1000 to 1200 UTC. There are three sections, Fixed station single operator, Open and Listeners. See January RadCom page 81 for further details. Next Sunday, the 5th of February, there is the RSGB 432MHz Fixed, Affiliated Societies and SWL Contest. The event takes place between 0900 and 1500 UTC and full details can be found in January's RadCom. The RSGB VHF Contests Committee has announced a new mailing address for the entries to VHF events. This is: PO Box 29, Bridgend CF35 5YA. Logs can still be sent to individual adjudicators, but it is hoped that the single address will be easier for contestants to remember. And now the solar factual data: First this week we would like to congratulate the Space Environment Laboratory at the Space Environment Services Center Boulder, Colorado, on attaining the American Secretary of Commerce Customer Service Excellence Award. This award was received from Secretary Brown in Washington on the 22nd of November 1994. The RSGB would like to thank everybody involved for providing a first class service in supplying the Propagation Studies Committee with the solar - geophysical data information. The period from the 16th to the 22nd of January saw an increase in sunspots and flux levels with flares reported on several days. Geomagnetic activity declined to quiet levels. Sunspot Indices increased from 30 on the 16th to 96 on the 22nd, with the sunspot mean at 62. Solar flux levels also increased every day from 83 units at the start, to 96 units at the end of the period. The average was 90 units. Several sub-flares were reported. On the 18th at 17.42 hours a C1.2/SF took place, this was the largest flare of the period. The electron fluence remained reasonably steady at moderate levels throughout. The x-ray flux levels increased from A5.1 units on the 16th to B1.9 units by the 21st, averaging B1.0 units. Average 90 day solar flux on the 22nd was 83 units. Geomagnetic activity declined from 'sub-storm' levels on the 17th and 18th with an Ap index of 27 and 28 units respectively, to quiet levels with an Ap index of only 5 units on the 21st. The average for the period was Ap 13 units. The state was 'magalert' at first due to a coronal hole, then declined to 'quiet' after the 18th. The aa indices, as reported by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 10th to the 16th, were at mostly quiet levels with the 15th down to only 9.0 nanoTeslas. Only the 11th and the 16th were at active levels. The average for the period was 17.5 nanoTeslas, about K2. I'll repeat the figures: spots-62; flux-90; Ap index-13; X-ray flux-B1.0. Now the ionospheric data for Central France. The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon for the period from the 13th to the 19th of January, averaged 6.7MHz. On the 15th, a critical frequency of only 6.1MHz was recorded but the best day was the 17th at 7.3MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged 2.3MHz and were down to 1.9MHz on the 19th. Spread F was also reported for 13 hours from 19.00 hours on the 18th. The day time highs are taking place between 10.00 and 14.00 hours. Darkness hour lows are mostly between 04.00 and 06.00 hours but can be as early as 19.00 hours as was the case on the 14th. And lastly the solar forecast. This week the quieter side of the sun will be looking our way. Solar activity is expected to be very low with the solar flux into the 70s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at 'unsettled to active' levels for most of the week. Ionospheric MUFs may decrease during the week but, for the south, levels are expected to be at about 20MHz and, for the north, about 17MHz at best. The darkness hour lows are expected to be 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 Quebec and G7 Tango Zulu series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha Juliet and 2 1 Delta Papa series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meeting for Tuesday the 31st of January: Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Video Evening'. For further information contact Peter, G7HCL on 01438 724509. Meetings for Wednesday the 1st of February: Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Cellnet Basics' by Graham G7OZM. Details from Roger, G4OAA, telephone 01992 464795. Three Counties Amateur Radio Club has a talk about HMS Warrior. Further details from Tom, telephone 01428 606298. Meetings for Thursday the 2nd of February: Cray Valley Amateur Radio Society has a talk on Camcorder Techniques by G0JBT. Further information from Tony, G4WIF, on 0171 739 5057 during office hours. Hoddesdon Radio Club has a talk by Rob Mannion, G3XFD, the Editor of Practical Wireless. Further details can be obtained from Dave, G1CAY whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club is holding a 'Junk Sale'. Further details from Stuart, G0FYX, on 01705 472846. Horsham Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'World War 2 Radar', by Brian, G3GDU. Further details from Peter, G8SUI, telephone 01737 842150. Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'ARDF'. Further details from Roy, G4XYN, on 01628 25952. Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is having a 'Members Activity Night'. Further details from Mr P Bradfield on 01462 700618. Southend and District Radio Society has a demonstration of Digital Communications via the Telephone Network including live Internet access. Further details from Bob, G0RSW on 01702 712775, evenings. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society is holding an 'Informal Meeting'. Further details from John, G0BWV on 0181 6449945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a 'Junk Sale'. Further details from Doris on 01268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 3rd of February: Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has an EMC lecture: 'Don't QRT, Operate!', by G3ORP. Further details from John, G0RHO on 01622 832259. The East Kent Radio Society has a talk by Nick, G7FUM who will play some PW tapes on 'Recognising the Data Noises heard on HF'. Further details from Paul, telephone 01227 743070. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meetings for Tuesday the 31st of January: The City of Bristol RSGB Group has a meeting about the Radio Investigation Service. Further details from Dave Bailey, G4NKT on 0117 99672124. Plymouth Radio Club has a Business Meeting and Natter Night. Further details from Mr F Russell on 01752 563222. Meetings for Wednesday the 1st of February: Exmouth Amateur Radio Club has its AGM. Further details on 01395 279574. The South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a 10 metres Activity Evening. Further details and information on 01275 834282, a 24 hour answerphone. Meetings for Thursday the 2nd of February: Bristol Amateur Radio Club is having a discussion evening, the subject being 'Contests'. Further details and information contact David, G4ZBT, on 0117 9654886. Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk entitled 'Operating Techniques', by G3KSK. Further details from Cedric White, G4JBL, on 01258 473845. Meetings for Friday the 3rd of February: Axe Vale Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'The Somerset Range of Kits', by G3PCJ. Further details are available from Mr J Frings, G3FFH, on 01297 445518. Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a Aerial Test and Club Rig Night. Further information from B Giles, G7SSH on 01752 844321. Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Ham Practical Workshop', by Graham Wills, G0GTR. Details from G3WNI on 01823 680778. Meeting for Sunday the 5th of February: Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has a video entitled 'The Vulcan Bomber (part 2)'. Further details from John Hart, G4POF on 01425 653404. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Wednesday the 1st of February: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a 'D F Equipment Night', bring yours to the club. Further details from Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meetings for Friday the 3rd of February: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Society has an Informal Evening. More information can be obtained from John, G0GKP on 01954 200072. Leiston Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'Flying Saucers - The Truth', by Professor John Allen. Further details are available by calling Dave, G6FS, on 01718 832924. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Tuesday the 31st of January: Radio Society of Bloxwich has an RSGB Evening with Dave Gourley, G0MJY. Further details from Chris Rolinson, G0MLY on 01922 683877. Meetings for Wednesday 1st of February: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Junk Sale'. Further details from Mrs Hayley Winfield on 01773 856904. Gloucester Amateur Radio Society has a visit from RSGB President Clive Trotman, GW4YKL. Details on 01452 421510. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a Club Equipment Evening. Further information from Dave, G4EIX on 01952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 2nd of February: The Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a talk entitled 'Transmission Lines', by Trevor G0IXR. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 01602 501733. Vale of Evesham Radio Amateurs Club has a Magazine Swop Night and Video Night. Further details from Alasdair on 01386 41508. Meetings for Friday the 3rd of February: Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a 'Night on the Air', the theme being HF CW. Further details from John, G8SEQ, on 01203 617367. South Notts Amateur Radio Club has an Open Forum for Members Only. Further details from Julie, G0SOU, telephone 01509 672734. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 30th of January: Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a Committee Meeting and lessons on how to work the HF bands. Further details from Dave, G0JJR, on 0114 244 6282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a 'Transmitting Evening'. Further details from G4BFH, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Meetings for Tuesday the 31st of January: Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Surplus Sale'. More information from Ian, G4WWX whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a video entitled 'Getting Started in Packet Radio'. Further details can be obtained from Roy, G0TBY, on 01924 093321. Meetings for Wednesday the 1st of February: Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society is having a talk entitled 'We Are Sailing', by Ken G0CVJ. Further details from Kevin, G1FYS, on 01484 547553. Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a talk about 'Steam Trawlers' by G7NNT. For further details call 01964 562258. Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a Construction Night. Further details from Ted Bannister, G0RBA, on 01606 592207. Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club will meet at The Harp, Ness. Further details from Bob, G4NCI on 0151 606 8989. Meetings for Thursday the 2nd of February: Grimsby Amateur Radio Society is having a 'Video Night'. Details can be obtained from John Allen, G3DOT, on 01472 825899. Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a 'Natter Night'. Contact Kathy, G0RLO, on 01274 496222 for further information. Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has an evening of 'Ten Pin Bowling'. Further details from Dave, G1CTO, on 01924 497767. Meeting for Friday the 3rd of February: South Manchester Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Air Band Revisited' by G7FQY and G0BJK. Further details from G7FQY on 0161 969 1964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meetings for Tuesday the 31st of January: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has a 'Junk Sale'. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN, on 01569 731177. Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a Construction Night. Details from Allan, GM7ONJ, who address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Meeting for Sunday the 5th of February The SDX Support Group has a junk sale at the Community Halls, Maryhill Road, Glasgow. Doors open at 11am. The event features traders, a junk sale and a bring and buy sale. Refreshments will be available and there is talk-in on channel S22. Details from Ray, GM4CXM who is available by packet radio at GB7SAN or GB7SDX. NEWS FOR WALES Meetings for Thursday the 2nd of February: Meirion Amateur Radio Society has a home-built equipment contest. Details can be obtained from Maurice, GW3GKZ, on 01341 422422. Mid Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group has a talk by Brian, GW3WBU, on Fibre Optics for Transmission of Data Information. Further details from Tom, GW0TOM, on 01656 736954 or Roger, GW3XJC, on 01656 733729. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Friday the 3rd of February Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on photography by Roy Finlay. Details from GI0SSA, telephone 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