Good morning. It's Sunday the 19th of February and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. This week marks an important anniversary in the world of radio. It was on the 23rd of February 1895 that Guglielmo Marconi in Italy successfully transmitted for the first time. A new beacon marking the centenary of his tests and using the callsign I1M is now transmitting on 21.151 MHz. After moving to England, Marconi used a site at Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight for the first transmissions to a ship at sea. The West Wight Radio Society has recently obtained a permanent special event callsign, GB2GMM, for a station located at this site. Thinking Day on the Air, when Guides throughout the world are able to communicate using amateur radio, started yesterday, Saturday the 18th and continues today. Well over two hundred UK stations are operational using the GB prefix, as well as many using the special club prefixes. The RSGB Repeater Management Group is looking for an editor for their occasional newsletter, Repeater Report, which is sent to all UK repeater groups. Applications should be sent to the Repeater Management Group Chairman, Geoff Dover, G4AFJ, whose address is correct in the latest RSGB Callbook. A GB2CW RSGB Morse practice transmission is available each week in the Huntingdon area. The sender is G4LHI who will operate at 7.00 pm local time each Tuesday on 145.225 MHz using FM. The RSGB Liaison Officer for the Shetlands is Robert Miles, GM4CAQ, whose address is correct in the current RSGB Call Book. RLOs hold a wide range of information and are available to advise RSGB members. The Kuwait National and Liberation Days are on the 25th and 26th February, and Kuwaiti stations may add the suffix stroke NLD after their callsigns from 0001 UTC on 25th February until the end of the month. The Kuwait Amateur Radio Society is offering an award to amateurs who contact three Kuwaiti stations during this period. The K.A.R.S. club station, 9K2RA/NLD, will be active and counts as two contacts. The award is also available on a heard basis for SWLs. Now some other items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From Antigua, Ratko, YU1NR will sign V29NR from Thursday the 23rd of February until the 3rd of March. Activity will be on all bands, SSB only. Check these frequencies:- 1.845, 3.795, 7.095, 14.193, 21.295 and 28.595MHz. There may also be activity on the WARC bands. From Namibia, DL7UTR and DL7UUO will sign V5/own calls from around Friday the 24th February until the 19th of March. Activity will be on all bands using high power to vertical and wire antennas. And from the Comoros - D68 - Marcel, ON4QM, will be active from around the 20th February for two months on all bands 40 to 10 metres, SSB only. Next the Rally News: The RSGB VHF Convention takes place today, Sunday the 19th, at the usual venue, Sandown Exhibition Centre, near Esher in Surrey. Featured are trade stands, a full lecture programme on VHF, UHF and Microwave subjects, specialist groups, Morse tests, trophy presentations and an RSGB book and information stand. Doors open at 10.30 am. Refreshments are available and there is ample car parking. Talk-in is by GB2VHF on channels S22 and SU22. Full details of the lecture programme and a map can be found in the February edition of Radio Communication. Next Saturday, the 25th of February, the Tyneside Amateur Radio Society rally will take place at the Temple Park Centre, John Reid Road, South Shields. The doors open at 11.00 am, with disabled visitors being admitted from 10.30 am. All the usual traders will be there, as will an RSGB book stand. Morse tests will be held on request, but don't forget to take two passport-size photographs along if you wish to take your test at the rally. There will be a talk-in station on S22 from 8.00 am and there is ample car parking, with special arrangements for disabled drivers. Further information is available from Stuart, G0BSV, on 0191 281 0999. Also on Saturday the 25th February, the Rainham Radio Rally will be held at Rainham School for Girls, Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, in Kent. Doors open at 10.00 am, or 9.30 am for disabled visitors. Further information from Martin, G7JBO, on 01634 365980. On Sunday the 26th February, the Barry Mobile Rally will take place at the Barry Leisure Centre, off Holton Road, Barry. Doors open at 10.30 am. Enquiries to Margaret, GW4GSH, on 01446 738756. Also on Sunday the 26th, the Taw and Torridge Rally will take place at Bideford Hall, The Pill, adjacent to Victoria Park, Bideford, North Devon. Doors open at 10.30 am. For further details, please contact Mike, G3PGA, on 01271 860930. On Saturday the 4th of March, the Aberystwyth and District Amateur Radio Society will be holding their rally at Aberaeron School, Aberaeron, in Dyfed. Details may be obtained from Katy, GW0SFO on 01545 580675. Finally, the Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has informed us that they have had to cancel their rally, which was planned for Bank Holiday Monday, the 8th of May. Now for the HF contest news: The ARRL DX CW Contest is taking place until 2359 UTC tonight on all HF bands, excluding the WARC bands. Contact only USA and Canadian stations and send RST followed by your power. Next weekend, Saturday the 25th of February and Sunday the 26th, the RSGB 7MHz CW contest takes place. The contest starts at 1500 UTC on the Saturday and ends at 0900 on the Sunday morning. Send RST, a serial number, and your County Code. The full rules were published in the November 1994 RadCom and the county codes are in the January edition. Other contests taking place next weekend include the CQ World Wide 160-metre SSB contest, which starts at 2200 UTC on the Friday evening, 24th of February, and the REF French SSB and Belgian UBA CW contest, both of which take place on Saturday and Sunday. Brief rules for all these contests have been published in recent issues of RadCom. Next some VHF contest news: Next Sunday, the 26th, sees another event in the 70MHz Cumulative Contest which takes place between 1000 and 1200 UTC. The rules can be found in the January RadCom. Also on the 26th is another event in the Winter Microwaves Cumulative contest, between 0900 and 2100 UTC on all bands from 2.3 GHz up. The rules are in the November 1994 RadCom. The RSGB VHF Contests Committee has received several requests for the inclusion of a 6 metre section in VHF National Field Day. The committee is willing to consider this, but only as an alternative to 4 metres, not as an addition. Changes could be made in time for the 1995 event if RSGB members express their views in writing before the end of February. Write to the Chairman, David Johnson G4DHF, at the address in the RSGB Call Book. Members' opinions will also be sought today at the RSGB VHF Convention. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 6th to the 12th of February saw solar activity at very low levels. There was a slight decline in sunspots and solar flux levels; geomagnetic levels were mostly quiet but did increase to active levels on the 8th. Sunspot numbers declined from 55 on the 6th to 24 on the 12th, and mean for the period was 39. Solar flux levels also declined slightly from 84 units on the 6th to 81 units by the 12th. The average for the period was 83 units. Only one weak solar flare took place during the period, that was a B1.1/SF on the 11th. The electron fluence declined every day and by the end of the period returned to moderate levels. The X-Ray flux increased slightly at the start of the period to peak at B1.5 units on the 9th and then declined to end the period at A4.3 units. The average for the period was A8.1 units. The 90 day solar flux average on the 12th was 83 units. Geomagnetic activity was mostly quiet with levels as low as Ap 3 units on the 10th. The most disturbed day was the 8th with an Ap index of 29 units, the average for the period was Ap 13 units. The state has been 'nil, nothing to report' for the period, except for the 8th when it was 'mag alert'. The aa indices as reported by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 31st of January to the 6th of February declined from unsettled levels of 44.5 nanoTeslas on the 31st to quiet levels with only 8.2 nanoTeslas on the 5th. The average for the period was 31.4 nanoTeslas, about K3. The monthly RI sunspot number for January was 23.8, with a maximum of 55 on the 21st and a minimum of 7 on the 7th. The smoothed monthly sunspot number for July 1994 was RI 28.5, +/-5. I'll repeat the figures: Spots --39; Flux-- 83; Ap index - 13; X-Ray flux - -A8.1; January RI spots - 23.8. Now the ionospheric data for Central France. Following the problems reported last week we are glad to announce that the ionospheric data is available again. The F2 daytime critical frequencies, as reported by Meudon for the period from the 3rd to the 9th of February, averaged 7.1MHz with the 6th being by far the best day at 9.0MHz. The darkness hour lows increased from 1.9 MHz on the 3rd to 2.6 MHz by the 7th, with the average for the period at 2.2 MHz. Spread F was reported most early mornings and lasted 10 hours on the 6th. The daytime highs are taking place between 10.00 and 14.00 hours, with the darkness hour lows between 22.00 hours and 06.00 hours. And lastly the solar forecast. This week the more active side of the sun is expected to be rotating away, so solar activity could be at low levels. Solar flux is expected to decline throughout the period. Geomagnetic levels are expected to be mostly quiet for most of the week, but may increase to active levels next weekend due to a recurring coronal hole. Ionospheric MUFs in the south are expected to be about 20 MHz during daylight hours. The darkness hour lows may show a slight improvement as the nights start to shorten in the northern hemisphere and be up to 8 MHz. 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 Sierra and G7 Uniform November series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa Juliet and 2 1 Delta Tango series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Monday the 20th of February: Dengie Hundred Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on DF Construction by G8YEZ. Contact Bob, G0UKV on 01621 776237 for more information. Sevenoaks and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled `Radio and TV Distribution Systems' by John Black. Details from The Secretary, Sevenoaks and DARS, c/o Sevonoaks District Council, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HG. Meetings for Tuesday the 21st of February: Acton, Brentford and Chiswick Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled `Working With QRP' and a demonstration of an HRO Receiver by G0HHP. For further details telephone 0181 9921602. Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on 'Astronomy' by Roy East of the Croydon Astronomical Society. Call Alan Messenger, G0TLK on 0181 7770420 for information. Chichester and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on ATUs by John, G3IJS. Details from D Clear, G0KNU, telephone 01243 573541. Dacorum Amateur Radio and Transmitting Society is staging a 'Beginners Guide to DXing' by John Pears, G0FSP. Contact Nick, G7KFQ for more details. Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club has a construction night. For more information telephone G D Aram, G3SET on 0628 486554. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has an equipment sale. Call Peter, G7HCL on 01438 724509 for more details. Meetings for Wednesday the 22nd of February: Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society turns the spotlight on Medical Electronics with Steve, G6HUH. Details from Ian, G0RTF on 01494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a quiz night. Contact Roger, G4OAA on 01992 464795 for information. Grafton Radio Society meets for a talk entitled `An Introduction to Fibre Optics' by Stein Torp, LA7MI. For details call John, G0DFZ on 0171 2722382 Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled `TCP/IP'. For details telephone 01635 863310. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a video on 'Amateur Television'. Further details from P J Robinson, G8MSQ on 01903 762634. Meetings for Thursday the 23rd of February: Colchester Radio Amateurs meet for a talk entitled `Fibre Optics in the Future' by East Coast Cable. Further details from Adrian, G0APP, tel: 01206 383510. Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled `RadCom - The Editor's View' by Mike Dennison, G3XDV. More information from Tony, G0OPB on 01734 698274. Shefford and District Amateur Radio has its Annual General Meeting. Telephone Paul, G1GSN on 01462 700618 for more information. Southend and District Radio Society has an evening of videos from the RSGB video library. For details telephone Bob, G0RSW on 0702 712775 (evenings). Southgate Amateur Radio Club meets for a discussion on `Club Radio on the Air'. More details are available from Brian, G0MEE, tel: 0181 360 2453. Vange Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Details from Doris on 0268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 24th of February: Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club meets for a Raynet evening with a talk by Bernie, G4LGK about Raynet's involvement in the 1994 floods. For details call John, G7DYV on 01703 639180. Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further information from the secretary on 0634 710023. Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society has a Desert Island Radio evening. More details from Mike, G0AWQ on 0737 351313. Meeting for Saturday the 25th of February: Crystal Palace and District Radio Club has its club dinner. For details call 0181 6995732 or 01737 552170. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meeting for Monday the 20th of February: Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has a silent key auction of rigs and other gear plus a sale of construction components. For more details telephone Roger, G6TER on 0747 822202. Meeting for Tuesday the 21st of February: Appledore and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on fire brigade emergency communications by G0PGK. For further details call 01237 477301. Meetings for Wednesday the 22nd of February: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a short-wave listeners night. For more information tel: 01275 834282. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club. Further details from Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 (evenings only). Meetings for Thursday the 23rd of February: Bristol Amateur Radio Club take a look at computers. For more details call 0117 9654886. Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled `First Broadcasts in Britain' by G3MYM to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the commencement of broadcasting. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845 for further information. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Monday the 20th February: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society hold a packet clinic with Andy, G3ZYP and Adrian, 2E1BEY. Contact the secretary Paul Whiting, G4YQC on 0394 273507 for more details. Meeting for Wednesday the 22nd of February: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a construction QRP evening. For further information contact Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meeting for Friday the 24th of February: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Video (ATV or commercial)'. Details from John, G0GKP on 0954 200072. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meeting for Monday the 20th of February: Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on 'The Royal Signals' by Phil Martin. For more information contact G7HEZ on 01384 374354. Meeting for Tuesday the 21st of February: Stafford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Irish Amateur Radio' by Paul, G0VGK/EI5HK. More details from Bernard, G3ESW on 0785 662350. Meetings for Wednesday the 22nd of February: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has an illustrated talk entitled `Glowing in the Dark' presented by Kevin Jones, G4FPY. More information contact Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 856904. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is staging the first of two construction competitions. For more details call Dave, G4EIX on 0952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 23rd of February: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a construction/activity night. Details from Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733. Salop Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled `23cms The Easy Way' by G8DIQ and G4EAB. For further details contact Ian, G7SBD who is QTHR. Meetings for Friday the 24th of February: Coventry Amateur Radio Society has an equipment sale. More details from John, G8SEQ on 0203 617367. South Notts Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on 'Basic First Aid for the Amateur Radio Shack' presented by St John Ambulance trainer Mike Braidey. Contact Julie, G0SOU on 01509 672734 for details. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Meetings for Monday the 20th of February: Barnsley and District Amateur Radio Society is holding a junk sale. More information from Alan, G4JKW on 01226 299031. Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a quiz in preparation for the inter-club competition. For details call 0114 2446282. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on 'DIY Satellite TV'. Details from J E Duddington, G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 21st of February: Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society has a video evening. For more details call David, G0DLM on 01422 202306. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society meets to discuss contest planning. More details from Ian G Mant, G4WWX who is QTHR. Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a practical demonstration of packet radio by Bob, G3WWF. Details from Roy, G0TBY, tel: 01924 893321. Meetings for Thursday the 23rd of February: Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a quiz. More details from Kathy, G0RLO on 01274 496222. Pontefract and District Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Contact Colin, G0NQE for details. Meetings for Friday the 24th of February: North Ferriby Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Raynet and the Code Test' by G4XBU. Contact David, G7PER on 01482 656324 for details. South Manchester Radio Club has Packet on the Air evening. More details from Edward, G7FQY on 061 9691964. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND And before the club news, listeners in the Edinburgh/Firth of Forth area may be interested to know that from the 5th of March there will be a new 70cm GB2RS service on SU21 at 10.30 am local time. It will be broadcast from the QTH of GM1GEQ. Meeting for Tuesday the 21st of February: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a construction night. Details from Allan, GM7ONJ who is QTHR. Meeting for Wednesday the 22nd of February: Lothians Radio Society is visiting the Royal Observatory. For details call Brian Howe, GM4DIJ on 031 3377311. Meeting for Friday the 24th of February: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society meets for a debate entitled `This House Believes that FM Should Be Banned'. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 20th of February: Dragon Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Hospital Radio'. More details from Ray, GW0FMQ on 01248 600963. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND First, a notice for all Raynet members in Northern Ireland: An EGM will take place on Wednesday the 22nd of February. Further details from Ian Gibson, GI4MDD who is QTHR. Meeting for Friday the 24th February: Ballymena Amateur Radio Club has a Bring and Buy sale. Contact Jeff Clarke, GI4HCN who is the QTHR or telephone 0266 659769. -- 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