
Good morning. It's Sunday the 13th of February and here is the GB2RS news
broadcast, prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.

First the headlines:- The VHF Convention and Thinking Day on the Air are both
held next weekend; and more auroras are forecast for this week.

Next Sunday sees the premier event in the VHF Calendar, the RSGB VHF
Convention, held at its usual venue, Sandown Race Course, Esher, Surrey. Doors
will open at 10.30am and the convention features a trade exhibition and a
lecture programme featuring VHF, UHF and Microwaves, starting at 2.15pm. The
February edition of Radio Communication carries full details of the event
including a list of lectures. Refreshments will be available from 11.00am and
talk-in will be on channels S22 and SU22 by GB2VHF. Further information can be
obtained from Geoff, G3FZL on 081 699 6940. Also next Sunday is the Trafford
rally in Manchester. More details of this later in our bulletin.

Thinking Day on the Air takes place next weekend the 19th and 20th of
February. Guides and Brownies all over the world will be communicating with
each other via amateur radio stations and as usual many governments have
relaxed their third party message restrictions for this event.

The Society has had enquiries about what to do if something goes wrong when
applying for, or renewing, their licence. Subscription Services Limited work
as agents of the Radiocommunications Agency, so it is to the RA that the
complaints must be addressed. To assist the RA in looking at your query, it is
important that all communication with SSL is by letter, not by telephone, and
that copies are kept of all correspondence.

The Scarborough Amateur Radio Society at its Annual Dinner this month
presented Jim Lynch, G0NXX, with the Fred Powel Trophy for working the
greatest number of DXCC countries in the previous 12 months. Jim's score was
225 countries, all on CW using 80 watts to a Ground Plane antenna.

Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is
edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From American Samoa, G4ZVJ will sign AH8F
from Tutuila Island from the 16th of February for a month, mainly on CW. From
Belize, many American operators will be active on all bands/modes from the
16th, until the 23rd of February, using individual V31 calls. For the ARRL CW
Contest they will use the callsign V31WW. From Revilla Gigedo, XE1BEF and many
others will sign XF0C from Clarion Island from Friday the 18th of February for
two weeks. Activity will be on all bands 6 - 160 metres on CW, SSB and RTTY.
And from Jamaica, K6JAH will sign 6Y5/K6JAH from Sunday the 20th of February
for two weeks. Activity will be on 10 - 40 metres SSB only.


{Newsreaders: These events, the Welsh Mobile Rally, the Cambridge & DARC Radio
& Computer Rally and the Northern Cross Rally can be deleted if your broadcast
does not cover the local area for any or all of these Rallies}

Rally news now and we know of the following event(s) for today, Sunday the
13th of February:

The Welsh (Barry) Mobile Rally is being held at the Barry Leisure Centre, off
Holton Road, Barry. Doors open at 10am, or 9.30 for disabled visitors. The
event features trade stands and a bring and buy stall. Refreshments are
available and talk-in is on 2 metres channel S22.

The Cambridge & District Amateur Radio Club Radio Electronic and Computer
Rally is being held at Addenbrookes Hospital Ambulance Station, Cambridge. The
site has easy access from the M11, junction 11 and the A45 via the Ring road.
Doors open at 10.30am. The event features trade stands and a bring and buy
stall. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on channel S22.

The Northern Cross Rally is being held at the Rodillian School on the A61 road
between Leeds and Wakefield, near the junction of the M1 and M62 motorways.
Doors open at 11am, or 10.30 for disabled visitors and for bring and buy
vendors. There are over 60 trade and group stands and a bring and buy stall.
The RSGB Propagation Studies Committee and the RSGB Planning Advisory
Committee will be represented. The Wakefield and District Radio Society is
showing some new Morse test practice aids and RSGB books. Morse Tests are
available on demand, but please remember to bring two passport size
photographs. Refreshments are available and talk-in is on channel S22 and via
the repeater GB3WU.

There is only one Mobile Rally next weekend:

On Sunday the 20th of February, the Trafford Rally will be held at the G-MEX
Centre, Manchester. Doors open at 10.30am for all but there is a disabled
persons priority queue. This event features all the usual trade stands and
many other attractions, including an RSGB book and information stand.
Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on channel S22 via GB1GMX.
Further details can be obtained from G1IJK on 061 748 9804.

Next some dates for your diary:

The 1994 RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show is to be held during
Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of March, at the Lee Valley Leisure
Centre, Picketts Lock Lane, Edmonton, North London. February's RadCom contains
details of the Show which is being run by RadioSport Ltd, in conjunction with
the RSGB and the Southgate Amateur Radio Club. A Show Guide is being published
as a supplement to the March edition of RadCom which is due to be posted in
about ten day's time. There will be no RSGB National Convention this year so
the Society will put on a larger stand at the London Show. For further
information call 0923 893929.

HF contest news now:

The ARRL International CW DX Contest takes place next weekend from 0000 UTC on
Saturday the 19th, to 2400 UTC on Sunday the 20th of February. Contestants may
use all bands from 1.8MHz to 28MHz, but excluding the WARC bands. See February
RadCom page 19 for rules and entry details but please disregard the dates
which are incorrect. To recap, the correct dates are the 19th and 20th of
February.

Next some VHF contest news:

First the result of the RSGB 144MHz AFS, Fixed and Listeners Contest held in
December 1993. In the Multi Operator Section the winner was GD4IOM with 4,177
points, with G4ANT second with 4,112 points. In the Single Operator section
the winner was G4PIQ with 9,950 points, with G4WFR as runner up with 3,944
points. The leading Affiliated Society was the Martlesham DX and Contest Group
which came first with a score of 13,921 points. The Spalding and District
Amateur Radio Society was runner-up with 8,081 points. The full results will
be published in RadCom as soon as possible. The next sessions of the RSGB
70MHz Cumulative Contest take place today, Sunday the 13th and again Sunday
the 27th of February, both from 1000 to 1200 UTC. There are three sections:-
Fixed station single operator, Open and Listeners. See December's RadCom page
83 for details.

GX3CHM/P will aired from East Pennard, Somerset, during Sunday the 20th of
February. It will be operated by members of the Yeovil Amateur Radio Club who
will be commemorating the 40th anniversary of first sky-wave contact using a
transistor transmitter. GX3CMH/P will operate on 3.560MHz CW using an
equivalent QRPP transmitter to that used in the first tests. For further
details contact G4JBL on 0258 473845. RSGB members may like to note that a
feature on this historic event appeared in the February RadCom. The West
Bromwich Central Radio Club wishes to thank all participants in January's
County Air Ambulance Appeal for the very kind sentiments expressed. There was
a refreshingly high level of activity, particularly on 2 metres. The County
Air Ambulance award certificate is available to stations who worked four or
more of the County Air Ambulance special event stations. The Award Manager is
Geoff, G0KNM whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. For further
information contact the Club Secretary Ian, G0PAI on 021 561 2884.

And now the solar factual data:

The period from the 31st of January to the 6th of February saw the quiet side
of the sun looking our way. Based on past history little was expected to
happen, and indeed little happened up to the 3rd when to everyone's surprise a
major magnetic storm occurred at high latitudes. This was due to a coronal
hole that suddenly developed from the sun's southern hemisphere. As this swept
across the earth, major magnetic storms developed at high latitudes, and
extended to mid latitudes as well. No flares were associated with this
disturbance. The HF bands were very severely affected and had not recovered
when this bulletin was being prepared. MUFs were down to around 15MHz and that
was for continental short wave broadcasters. No long distance broadcasters
could be heard. Auroras were reported on the 5th and 6th, both on 6 and 2
metres, with further storms being forecast. Sunspot indices declined as
expected and meaned at about 46. Solar flux levels hardly changed day to day
and averaged 95 units. The 90 day mean on the 5th was 106 units. The
geomagnetic Ap index was quiet up to the 3rd with levels around 8 units; on
the 4th it became unsettled with levels up to 19 units with a storm developing
at high latitudes. Levels increased to 33 units on the 5th when a major storm
at high latitudes began at 10.30, which increased to an Ap of 60 by the 6th.
The period averaged an Ap of 21.4 units. The coronal hole passage was expected
to take 5 or 6 days so warnings of further storms were kept in force. The
auroras built up to an excellent one on the afternoon of the 6th, with
continental contacts on 6 meters being plentiful with powers of only 3 watts.
The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the 25th to
the 31st January, gave daily averages of 25.7 nanoTeslas. This is about K3,
just unsettled. The 25th was the quietest day, down to 10.4 nanoTeslas or K2.
The X-Ray flux declined considerably and averaged A9.7 with the 5th being down
to only A8.0 units. The sunspot means for January were RI 58.8 with a maximum
of 104 on the 5th and a minimum of 25 on the 17th. The 6 month smoothed spots
for July are 54.6 +/-5.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France:

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers as reported by Meudon averaged
7.9MHz but with the magnetic storm the daily highs dropped to only 5.0MHz on
the 6th. The darkness hour lows also declined and averaged 2.8MHz; there was
blanketing E and spread F lasting up to 6 hours on some days.

Now the ionospheric data for the north:

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Ekaterinberg have varied from 8.7MHz on
the 1st down to 2.9MHz on the 5th with the period averaging 5.7MHz. The
darkness hour lows averaged 2.4MHz but was down to only 1.8MHz on the 6th.
Flares are listed in energy levels and GB2RS gives only the higher ones, the M
and the X. These are followed by a number depending on the energy level, and
the optical brightness, which is F (faint), N (normal) or B (bright), followed
by a number or letter S which means sub, or less than. So SN means sub normal
or N1 is more than normal.

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 rise to about the 110s. Based on past history the
geomagnetic activity is expected to be just unsettled. Daylight MUFs are
expected to reach 24MHz, possibly slightly higher on north/south paths.
Darkness hour lows are expected to be about 8MHz.

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 issued were in the G0 U L and
G7 R P series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 A H and 2 1 C P series. .

You're listening to GB2RS, the news broadcasting service of the Radio Society
of Great Britain, transmitting in the 80, 40, 6 and 2 metre bands.


Next, the local news.



NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meetings for Tuesday the 15th of February:

Acton, Brentford and Chiswick Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Kit Building for
Beginners'. More details from G0JRY, tel: 081 749 9972

Bromley and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'RAYNET' by Phil,
G6AQP. For further details contact Alan, G0TLK on 081 777 0420.

Dacorum Amateur Radio and Transmitting Society has a talk entitled 'Amateur
Radio, an Old Man Needing the Kiss of Life?'. For details contact Nick on
0582 766973.

Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Space, the Risk
Business' by Geoff Hall. For more details contact Neil, G0SVN on 0628 25952.

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a Video evening. Details from
Neil, 2E1ASZ, tel: 0438 350882.


Meetings for Wednesday the 16th of February:

Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a talk by Richard Biltcliffe. For further
details contact Martyn, G4XZJ, on 0296 81097.

Brighton and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Video
Recorders - Operation, Faults and Repair' by Eddie, G3ECW, at 8pm. A good
attendance is requested please. Further details from Harold, G3WR,
tel: 0273 501100.

Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a Construction evening - 'Wire
Aerials' with G8AHS. Details from Ian, G0RTF  on 0494 676391.

Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has a talk on 'Security Alarms' by Peter,
G0FVV. Further details from Stan, G4ITM on 0424 430579.

Three Counties Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The History of Dunsfold
Aerodrome from its Beginning in 1940 to the Present Day' by Paul McCue.
Further details from Tom, tel: 0428 606298.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Phase Look Loops' by
G0SWH. For further details contact G4GPX on 0903 753893.


Meetings for Thursday the 17th of February:

Cray Valley Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Penguin Night! - VP8SSI' by Bob
Treacher. Contact Bob on 081 850 1386 for details.

East Kent Radio Society has a short talk on 'How I became a Radio Amateur' by
George, G4AOE. Further information from Paul, G3VJF on 0227 364606.

Hoddesdon Radio Club has a Visit by Waters & Stanton Electronics. All are
welcome to attend. Details from Roy, G4UNL, tel: 081 804 5643.

Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society has a Members' Activity night.
Contact Paul, G1GSN on 0462 700618 for further details.

Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a Constructional Contest. For details
contact John, G0BWV, tel: 081 644 9945.

Vange Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Home Brew - Hints and Tips'.
Contact Doris on 0268 552606 for further information.


Meetings for Friday the 18th of February:

Hilderstone Amateur Radio Society has a Construction evening - 'High Pass
Filter'. For further details, telephone 0843 869812.

Loughton and District ARS has a talk on 'Meccano - its History and Present
Popularity' by Alan Curtis. Details from John, G8DZH on 081 508 3434.

Silverthorn Radio Club has a preparation evening for 'Thinking Day on the
Air'. Details from G0LWS on 081 529 4489.

West Kent Amateur Radio Society has a Video night, with some of the latest
videos from the RSGB. For further details contact G3OHV, tel: 0892 664960.

Winchester Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Radio Interaction between Radio
Astronomers and Radio Amateurs' by Alan Dowdell. Further details from John,
G4AXO, tel: 0962 860807.


Meeting for Saturday the 19th of February:

Crystal Palace and District Radio Club meets for its AGM and Construction
Contest. For further details contact Wilf, G3DSC on 081 699 5732.



NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST


Exeter Amateur Radio Society Club has a new venue and now meets in The Moose
International Centre, Blackboy Road, Exeter. For details contact Ray, G3YBK
0392 78710.

Meetings for Wednesday the 16th of February:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a Demonstration of Practical Morse. For
more information telephone 0275 834282.

Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has an 'Open evening'. For further
details contact Ian, G0GRI on 0225 864698 (evenings).


Meeting for Thursday the 17th of February:

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a talk and demonstration on 'The Clubs Original
Semi-Conductor Transmitter' by G3MYM. Contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845 for
further information.


Meetings for Friday the 18th of February:

North Bristol Amateur Club has a talk entitled 'Transistor Applications'. More
details from Tony, G4ROX tel: 0272 513573.

Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'Demonstration and Operation of
the Club's HF Rig'. Details from Brian Giles, tel: 0752 844321.

Shirehampton Amateur Radio Club is closed for half-term. The next meeting is
on the 4th of March. For further details contact Ron, G4GTD on 0272 770504.

Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk 'The Development of the
Air-to-Air Guided Missile' by Doug, G5JJ. Contact G3WNI on 0823 680778 for
details.

Torbay Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Further details
from Walt, G3HTX on 0803 526762.



NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA


Meetings for Wednesday the 16th of February:

Ipswich Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Antennas' by Frank, G3FIJ. Further
details from Sheila, G8HYE, tel: 0473 742072.

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Science for All' by Arnold, G3PTB.
For further details contact Sheila, G0KWP on 0603 618810.


Meeting for Friday the 18th of February:

Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk by Dr Peter Andrews of
the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Visitors are welcomed to attend. The meeting
starts at 8pm. For further details contact John, G0TIL on 0763 243570.



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meetings for Monday the 14th of February:

Radio Society of Bloxwich has a Competition night - Design a Society Logo, QSL
Card and Poster. Details from Rob, G0MLY on 0922 683877.

Mansfield Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Are We Being Conned -
part 3.' by Charles, G4ZZG. For further information contact Mary, G0NZA on
0623 755288.

Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society has a Test Equipment evening -
with preferential treatment given to homebrew or converted equipment. Further
details from Clive, G0CHO on 0789 450623.


Meeting for Tuesday the 15th of February:

Grantham Radio Club has a talk on 'Overcoming EMC Problems' by G4OUB. Further
details from John, G8WWJ, 0476 65743.


Meetings for Wednesday 16th of February:

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'The History of the
Motor Tyre' by Brian, G4SXE of the Pirelli Company. Further details from
Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904.

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Connectors
Revisited' by Brian, G6UDX. For further details contact Dave, G4EIX, on
0952 588878.


Meetings for Thursday the 17th of February:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a Surplus Equipment Sale, with Dave,
G3YUT as auctioneer. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733.

Solihull Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'A Brief Guide to
Re-chargeable Batteries' by Collin, G3USA. Details from Paul, G8AYY  on
021 783 2996.


Meeting for Sunday the 20th of February:

Charnwood Amateur Radio Contest Club has a Contest Planning session. For
further details telephone 0509 232927.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meetings for Monday the 14th of February:

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a talk and demonstration of the club's Packet
Station. Details from David, G0JJR tel:0742 446282.

Scarborough Amateur Radio Society meets for its Annual General Meeting at
7.30pm at Scarborough Cricket Club. Further details from Ross, G4ZNZ, tel:
0723 514767.

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a Construction and Fix-it
evening. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR.


Meetings for Tuesday the 15th of February:

Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Radio Waves in
Medicine, High Resonance Scanning. Further details from G0OXA, tel:
051 608 3229.

Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society has a Junk Sale at the club's new
venue at West End Hotel, West End, Halifax. Contact David, G0DLM on
0422 202306 for further details.

Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a Debate - 'The Place of the
Computer in Amateur Radio'. Further details from Ian, G4WWX QTHR.

Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a Tally Inquest evening.
Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321.


Meetings for Wednesday the 16th of February:

Denby Dale and District Amateur Radio Society has its Preliminary Rally
meeting at 8.30pm. Details from Ivan, G0SBR on 0484 532371.

Hornsea Amateur Radio Club has a lecture on 'Phasors'. Details from G4YTV,
QTHR.

North Wakefield Radio Club has a visit to the Wakefield Police Control Centre.
For further details contact John, G4RCG on 0924 362144.

Wirral Amateur Radio Society has a visit by Keith Brooks, G0SPH the RSGB's RLO
for Merseyside. Details from G3FOO, tel: 051 644 6094.


Meetings for Thursday the 17th of February:

Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Decorative Paint Finishes'
for Russell, G0FOI. For further details contact David, G1CTO on 0924 497767.

Trafford Amateur Radio Club has its Preparation Meeting for the G-MEX Rally.
For details contact Malcolm Collis on 061 748 8046.


Meetings for Friday the 18th of February:

Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a Quiz evening. For further details
contact Steve, G8VHL on 0405 769130.

North Ferriby United Amateur Radio Society has a Members' Problems and Tips
evening. Further details from Frank, G3YCC, tel: 0482 650410.

South Manchester Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Future Communications' by
G4HOW. For further details contact Edward, G7FQY, tel: 061 969 1964.



NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 15th of February:

Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Computers in Your Amateur Radio
Station' by Allan, GM4ZUK. Details from GM4FSB who is QTHR.


Meeting for Wednesday the 16th of February:

Glenrothes and District Club has a talk on 'The Radio Control of Model
Aeroplanes' by the Fife Model Aero Club. Details: GM1BID, 0592 267515.


Meeting for Thursday the 17th of February:

Dunfermline Radio Society has a talk on 'Moon Bounce' by David, GM4JJJ.
Further details from Wallace, GM0GNT who is QTHR.


NEWS FOR WALES


Meetings for Thursday the 17th of February:

Rhondda ARS has a talk: 'TV Bandwidth' by GW1ABB at the NUM Club, Tonypandy at
7.45pm. Details from Dennis on 0443 440680.

Swansea Amateur Radio Society has a Planning session for 'Thinking Day on the
Air'. Details from Graham, GW3SIY, on 0792 403527.



NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND


Meeting for Wednesday the 16th of February:

Belfast RSGB Group has a talk entitled 'Raynet' by Ian, GI4MDD starting at
8pm. For further details contact Richard Ferris,who is QTHR.

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast, which was prepared by
the Radio Society of Great Britain.

