
Good morning. It's Sunday the 12th of March 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:- 

The RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show is taking place this 
weekend.

And RSGB headquarters will be open to visitors next Saturday.


Today, Sunday the 12th of March, is the second day of the RSGB London 
Amateur Radio and Computer Show, which is taking place at the Lee Valley 
Leisure Centre, Picketts Lock Lane, Edmonton, in north London. This 
major annual event features over 100 trade stands, an RSGB book and 
information stand, lectures, special interest groups and a bring and buy 
stall. RSGB Morse tests will be available on demand, but don't forget to 
bring two passport-size photographs along if you wish to take your test 
at the Show. There will be talk-in stations on 2-metres and 
70-centimetres, and doors open at 10.00 am with priority admission for 
the disabled. Refreshments are available on site. The official 8-page 
Show guide, which was published in the March edition of Radio 
Communication, includes a full programme of events and travel details.

Next Saturday, the 18th, RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar will be open 
to visitors. This is not a formal open day so there will be no guided 
tours, but the shack, museum, library and bookshop will be available 
from 10 am to 4 pm.

King's College London is holding a 'Radio And Communication Day' on 
Friday the 24th of March, which will be open to the general public. 
There will be an exhibition, a series of presentations on the 
development of radio and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the 
work of Sir Edward Appleton. There will be an RSGB stand at the 
exhibition, with representatives available to answer questions about 
amateur radio and the Novice licence. The 'Radio Day' will be held at 
King's College Strand campus, located next to Somerset House and close 
to Waterloo Bridge. The closest underground station is Temple. For 
further information call Anne Robinson on 0171 873 2696.

Would all G1s please note that they now have a new QSL bureau 
sub-manager. He is Mr M Marriott, G0OPC, Greenfield View, March Road, 
Friday Bridge, Near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 0HA, who takes over 
from Mr R Kingstone, G4HHB.

This year is the 100th anniversary of Marconi's first successful 
experimental transmissions and there will be a number of special event 
stations and exhibitions on International Marconi Day on the 22nd of 
April and during the course of the year. At RSGB headquarters in Potters 
Bar there will be a Marconi exhibition and a special event station, 
GB100IMD {that is GB one hundred IMD}, at the RSGB's annual Open Day 
which this year is also on Saturday the 22nd of April. Would anyone 
celebrating the 100th anniversary of Marconi's work please let us know 
at RSGB headquarters so we can give your special event station or 
exhibition a mention on GB2RS.

The new RSGB Liaison Officer for South Gwynedd is Gordon Rogers, GW0RJV, 
whose address is Maesgwersyl, Garthmyl, Newtown, Powys SY15 6RS, tel: 
01686 640611, who is also RLO for Powys. RLOs hold a wide range of 
information and are available to help RSGB members in their county.

Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is 
edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO.

From Paraguay, NI5D and KD5IC will sign 'ZP stroke own calls' from 
Thursday the 16th of March until the 15th of April. Try 7.250 and 
14.240MHz.

From South Africa, ZS6YA is signing ZS9RWR from now until the end of May 
for the Rugby World Cup games. In major contests he will sign ZS9F.

And from Jamaica, K6JAH/6Y5 will be active from now until Wednesday the 
22nd of March on 10 to 40 metres, SSB only.

Next the Rally News:

Today, Sunday the 12th of March, is the Wythall Radio Club Rally, at 
Wythall Park, Silver Street, Wythall, near Birmingham. It features the 
usual traders in three halls and a marquee, a bring and buy stall, and 
bar and refreshment facilities. Talk-in is on channel S22.

Next Sunday, the 19th of March, the Norbreck Amateur Radio Electronic 
and Computing Exhibition will take place at the Norbreck Castle 
Exhibition Centre, Blackpool. Details from Peter, G6CGF, on 0151 630 
5790.

Also on Sunday the 19th, the Tiverton Mid-Devon Rally will take place at 
Pannier Market, Tiverton. The rally features trade stands, a bring and 
buy stall and refreshments in two halls. The doors open at 10.00 am. 
Talk-in will be on channel S22 and further details may be obtained from 
G4TSW, Mid-Devon Rally, P O Box 3, Tiverton, Devon.

Now for the HF contest news:

The RSGB Commonwealth contest is taking place today, the 12th of March. 
This contest, which started at 1200 UTC yesterday, continues until 1200 
UTC today. Work Commonwealth call areas on CW only and send RST and 
serial number. The full rules were published in the November 94 edition 
of Radio Communication.

Next weekend, the 18th and 19th of March, the Bermuda Contest takes 
place, and the following weekend - the 25th and 26th of March - is the 
CQ WPX SSB contest.

As usual, HF National Field Day this year will be held over the first 
weekend in June, the 3rd and 4th. There is a small change to the rules 
this year - a second receiver will be allowed in both the Open and 
Restricted sections. That is, you will be allowed to use one transmitter 
and one receiver (or one transceiver) plus an additional receiver. Note 
that a transceiver with a built-in second receiver, such as the FT-1000, 
counts as two receivers. Groups wishing to compete must send details of 
the site to be used to: David Hill, G4IQM, 14 The Garrones, Worth, 
Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 7YT, to arrive no later than the 6th of May. 
The full rules will be published in the April edition of RadCom, but 
groups wishing to receive an advance copy are welcome to request one 
from the RadCom office at RSGB Headquarters.

Next some VHF contest news:

Today, Sunday the 12th of March is another event in the 70MHz Cumulative 
Contest, which is taking place between 1000 and 1200 UTC. The rules can 
be found in the January RadCom.

And in two weeks time, on Sunday the 26th of March, another 70 MHz 
contest will take place - it is the 70 MHz Fixed station and SWL 
contest, and the rules for this contest can be found in the February 
RadCom.

After extensive consultation that took place with regard to the 4-metres 
or 6-metres contest debate earlier in the year and at the VHF Convention 
on the 19th of February, the VHF Contest Committee chairman is pleased 
to announce that there will be no changes with respect to 4-metres in 
this year's Field Day, and he would like to thank all correspondents for 
their input. As a result of this feedback, the VHF Contest Committee is 
currently looking at ways of promoting new 6-metre and 4-metre events.

Now some beacon news:

G0RDI/P has been authorised as an NBFM beacon on 50.83MHz at Amersham 
for a limited period of six months. The current power level is 1W and 
identification is by keyed tone.

GB3WV, the 1.3 GHz ATV repeater on channel RT2R located at Weymouth, 
Dorset, was taken out of service on the 25th of February.

The Salisbury UHF repeater, GB3SW, on channel RB9, resumed service on 
the 17th of February.

The Harrow UHF repeater, GB3HR, on channel RB14, is temporarily off the 
air due to a transmitter fault.

The Daventry UHF repeater, GB3XX, on channel RB13 is temporarily off the 
air due to a fault with the repeater logic.

GB3HK at Hawick on channel RB14 is temporarily off the air due to a 
fault with the transmitter PA.

And now the solar factual data:

The period from the 27th of February to the 5th of March saw solar 
activity at very low levels. Sunspot numbers increased slightly and the 
geomagnetic activity was mostly unsettled to active. The sunspot indices 
increased slightly every day from 56 on the 27th to 85 on the 5th, the 
mean for the period was 71. Solar flux levels up to the 4th varied 
little day to day and were about 90 units, but on the 5th declined to 84 
units. The average for the period was 89 units. Several small sub flares 
were reported on the 28th and the 3rd. The electron fluence increased 
from moderate levels on the 27th and the 28th, to very high levels on 
the 1st to the 3rd before declining to high levels on the 4th. The X-Ray 
flux remained almost stationary for the period and averaged B1.0 units. 
The 90-day solar flux average on the 5th was 85 units, one unit up on 
last week.

Geomagnetic levels were mostly active with the most disturbed day being 
the 28th with an Ap index of 28 units; the most likely cause was a 
disappearing filament from the south-west quadrant of the sun on the 
26th. The only quiet day was the 3rd with an Ap index of 7 units. The 
average for the period was Ap 19 units. The state has been 'mag alert' 
for most of the period. The aa indices as supplied by the British 
Geological Survey for the period from the 21st to the 27th of February 
were very quiet up to the 26th. The 25th was down to only 4.8 
nanoTeslas. Levels increased to 25.9 nanoTeslas on the 26th and 
increased again to 'Sub Storm' levels on the 27th with 43.0 nanoTeslas 
being recorded. The average for the period was 14.9 nanoTeslas, about 
K2. The monthly RI sunspot number for February was 29.9, with a maximum 
of 47 on the 22nd and a minimum of 12 on the 8th. The smoothed monthly 
sunspot number for August 1994 was RI 26.8, +/- 5.

I'll repeat the figures: 

Spots - 71; Flux - 89, Ap index - 19, X-Ray flux - B1.0, February spots 
- RI 29.9.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon 
for the period from the 24th of February to the 2nd of March, averaged 
7.8MHz, the best day being the 26th up to 9.6MHz. Levels declined to 
6.8MHz on the 1st due to the high geomagnetic activity. The darkness 
hour lows declined from 3.7MHz on the 25th to 2.0MHz by the 28th, and 
averaged 3.2MHz. The daytime highs are taking place anywhere between 
10.00 hours and 17.00 hours, with the darkness hour lows between 04.00 
and 06.00 hours.

I'll repeat the figures: highs-7.8MHz, lows-3.2MHz.


And lastly the solar forecast.

This week solar flux levels are expected to increase to the high 80s, 
but solar activity should remain very low. Geomagnetic activity is 
expected to be at active levels for the next few days and then decline 
to quiet levels for the rest of the week. Ionospheric MUFs for the south 
are expected to increase this week from about 18MHz up to 24 later in 
the week. Levels for the north will be some three MegaHertz lower than 
the south. The 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 allocated were in the G0 Victor 
Uniform and G7 Uniform Papa series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
Juliet and 2 1 Delta Uniform series.

-- 

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST

Meeting for Sunday the 12th of March:

Hoddesdon Radio Club has a stand at the London Amateur Radio and 
Computer Show at Lee Valley Leisure Centre. The club needs volunteers to 
help with the stand. For details telephone 0992 460841.


Meeting for Tuesday the 14th of March:

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General 
Meeting. Contact Peter, G7HCL on 0438 724509 for details.


Meetings for Wednesday the 15th of March:

Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a contest operations discussion 
meeting. For further details contact Ivan, G3KLT on 01296 437720. 

Brighton and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 
'Switched Mode Power Supplies and Other Things' by Jim, G4XRU. More 
details from Harold, G3WR who is QTHR.

Darenth Valley Radio Society has a crystal set competition. For further 
information telephone 01689 826846.

Hastings Electronics and Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. 
Telephone 01424 830454 for more details.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a discussion with a 
visit by RSGB RLO G4DRV. For more details contact G4GPX on 01903 753893.


Meetings for Thursday the 16th of March:

Cray Valley Radio Society has a construction contest. Contact Tony, 
G4WIF on 0171 739 5057 during office hours for more details.

Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by Alan 
Jubb about his latest 'Shacklog' computer program. He will also be 
demonstrating rig connections. More details from P Bradfield on 0462 
700618. 

Southend and District Radio Society gathers for a talk about apples. 
Further details from Bob, G0RSW on 0585 442776 during the day or 0702 
712775 in the evenings.

Sutton and Cheam Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Early 
Television' by Ray, G2KU. Contact John, G0BWV on 0181 644 9945 for more 
details.


Meetings for Friday the 17th of March:

East Kent Radio Society has a talk by Paul, G3VJF entitled 'How I Got 
Started in Ham Radio and What Happened Then'. For further details 
telephone Paul, G3VJF on 01227 743070.

Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society meets for an open lecture with 
G3ORP on antenna systems as well as RAE questions. More details from 
John, G0RHO on 01622 832259.

Radio Society of Harrow has a construction contest. For further details 
telephone 0171 252 2700 during the day or 0895 632377 evenings.



Meeting for Saturday the 18th of March:

Crystal Palace and District Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 
'Oscilloscopes in Amateur Radio' by P Burton, G3ZPB. For details call 
0181 699 5732.



NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meeting for Sunday the 12th of March:

Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society gathers to discuss its contest 
strategy for 1995. For more details telephone 01425 653404.


Meetings for Tuesday the 14th of March:

Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on Smith Charts by 
Rob, G3MYM. Contact Stuart, G7JIF on 0935 814055 for further 
information.

Portland Amateur Radio Club has its first general meeting at the 
Kimberlin Club, Blacknor Road, Westcliff Estate, Weston, Portland, 
Dorset. New members are very welcome. Further information from Carol, 
2E1DQZ on 01305 823373.


Meeting for Wednesday the 15th of March:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club gathers for a model railway magazine 
evening. Telephone 01275 834282 for more details.


Meeting for Thursday the 16th of March:

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by G3GC entitled 'Getting the 
Best Out of Your Aerial'. Details from Cedric, G4JBL, telephone 0258 
473845.


Meetings for Friday the 17th of March:

Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club visits Widegates Astronomy 
Observatory. For further details contact Brian, G7SSH on 01752 844321.

Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on kites by 
Paul Foulds. Contact G3WNI on 0823 680778 for details.

NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA

Meetings for Sunday the 12th of March:

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club visits the London Amateur and Radio Computer 
Show. For details contact Mike, G4EOL on 0603 789792.

Yarmouth Radio Club visits the London Amateur and Radio Computer Show. 
Contact Tony, G3NHU for details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 15th of March:

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a briefing on the CW National Field Day. 
For further information contact Mike, G4EOL on 0603 789792.


Meeting for Thursday the 16th of March:

Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club has a lecture on 24cm amateur television 
by Mark, G0LGJ. Details from Ian, G0BMS, telephone 01553 765614.


Meeting for Friday the 17th of March: 

Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'meet your committee' 
evening. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for more details.



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meeting for Monday the 13th of March:

Mansfield Amateur Radio Society has a junk sale. More details from Mick, 
G0UYQ on 01623 792243.


Meetings for Tuesday the 14th of March:

Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society meets for an question and answer in 
practice session. For further information contact Barry, G0TPG on 0527 
542266.

Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has a junk sale. Telephone 
01509 231289 for details.

Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Living 
Without Electricity' by Bill Ford. Contact G8HRI on 01926 424465 for 
details. 


Meetings for Wednesday the 15th of March:

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has an illustrated talk about 
hospital radio. For further details contact Hayley, G7PXA on 01773 
856904. 

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society holds its annual construction 
competition. Contact Dave, G4EIX on 01952 588878 for more details.


Meetings for Thursday the 16th of March:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a surplus equipment sale. Further 
details from Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733.

Solihull Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by 'Badger Boards'. For 
more details contact Paul, G8AYY who is QTHR.


Meetings for Friday the 17th of March:

Coventry Amateur Radio Society has a night on the air, featuring RTTY 
and construction. For more details contact John, G8SEQ on 0203 617367

South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a construction evening. Telephone 
01509 672734 for details.

Spilsby Amateur Radio Society has a junk sale. Call Clive, G6HYF on 
01790 752712 for more details.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meetings for Monday the 13th of March:

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on the workings of RAYNET 
by Rick. For further details telephone 0114 244 6282.

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society meets to the make final 
arrangements for the Norbreck Rally. Telephone 01253 853554 for further 
details. 


Meetings for Tuesday the 14th of March:

Buxton Radio Amateurs has a live Morse session with Derek, G4IHO. For 
more details contact Derek, G4IHO on 01298 25506.

Chester and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 
'Review of 73 Years of Radio' by Dave, G2FVA. For details call 0151 608 
3229.

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a ten pin bowling competition. For 
details telephone 0114 244 6282.


Meetings for Wednesday the 15th of March:

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Digital Electronics and 
Repeater Controls' by G0PRF. Deatils from Kevin, G1FYS on 01484 547553.

Hornsea Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on single tube colour 
imaging by G8EQZ. Telephone 01964 533331 for details.

Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a talk on HF Propagation by 
David, G4XUV. For further information call Ted, G0RBA on 01606 592207. 

Wirral Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on PMR conversion by 
G4EWJ. Telephone 0151 644 6094 for more details.


Meetings for Thursday the 16th of March:

Grimsby Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk: 'Navy Communication 
Systems, before Satellites' by G3DOT. For details telephone 01472 
825899.

Keighley Amateur Radio Society has a visit from a crime prevention 
officer. For details call 01274 496222.

Pontefract and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a rally review 
and arrangements. Telephone 01977 677006 for more details.

Rolls Royce Amateur Radio Club has an RAE course night. Telephone 01282 
869614 for details.


Meetings for Friday the 17th of March:

South Manchester Radio Club meets for a talk on Computer Assembly by 
Ray, G6OCW. For details contact Edward, G7FQY on 061 969 1964.

Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk: 'Memoirs From QSL Cards - 
A Reflection' by G7RET. Details from Glen, G0SBN on 0191 286 8851.



NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 14th of March:

Inverclyde Amateur Radio Group has a talk and video by Tom, GM4FDM on 
his operation from the Shiant Islands. For further information contact 
Jim, GM0GMN who is QTHR or telephone 0585 371974.


Meeting for Friday the 17th of March:

Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Curing TVI and 
Breakthrough'. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN on 01569 731177. 


NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND


Meeting for Wednesday the 15th of March:

Belfast RSGB Group meets for a talk by Jeff, RS 75793 entitled' The 
Mediterranean the Easy Way'. Details from Richard, GI0OUM who is QTHR.


Meeting for Saturday the 18th of March:

Lagan Valley Amateur Radio Society has its annual Hamfest. For details 
telephone 01846 601941.



-- 

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

