
Good morning. It's Sunday the 14th of January and here is the GB2RS news 
broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and 
short-wave listeners. 

The Barnsley and District Amateur Radio Club is co-ordinating a coach 
trip to Friedrichshafen in June on behalf of the RSGB. The 
Friedrichshafen 'Hamfest' is Europe's largest amateur radio exhibition. 
The coach will depart on Wednesday the 26th of June and return on 
Tuesday the 2nd of July. Pick-ups can be arranged at pre-determined 
locations en route. Places are allocated on a first come, first served 
basis so contact the organiser Ernie Bailey, G4LUE, without delay. He is 
available on 01226 716339, or 0836 748958, between 6.00 and 8.00pm.

A new award in memory of Cyril James, G3VVB, and aimed at the home 
constructor of microwave equipment, will be presented for the first time 
at the RSGB VHF Convention on the 18th of February. If you have an item 
of home-made microwave equipment and you are proud of the way you've 
constructed it, then why not bring it along to the Convention and enter 
it in the competition? The equipment can be constructed from any design, 
or from a kit - what the judges will be looking for particularly is 
quality of construction and finish. If you cannot attend the Convention 
in person, you may send detailed photographs and a written description 
to Steve Davies, G4KNZ, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book.

A new RSGB Liaison Officer has been appointed for the county of 
Wiltshire, until the next session of RLO elections later this year. He 
is Ivan Rosevear, G3GKC, whose address is 20 Christchurch Road, 
Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. The postcode is BA15 1TB, and his phone 
number is: 01225 863622. RLOs are available to help and advise RSGB 
members locally.

The Radio Amateurs' Invalid and Blind Club - RAIBC - is keen to hear 
from blind amateurs who would like to receive tape recordings of 
readings from technical magazines. On offer are selections from RadCom, 
Practical Wireless, Short Wave Magazine and others. The service will be 
free of charge but those participating will need to supply cassettes. If 
you are interested, please contact Shelagh Chambers, 78 Durley Avene, 
Pinner, Middlesex. The postcode is HA5 1JH.

The annual Guides 'Thinking Day on the Air' takes place over the weekend 
of the 24th and 25th of February. A pack is available from RSGB HQ 
consisting of a list of participating special event stations and details 
of the countries which permit third party Greetings Messages during the 
event. If your group is participating in Thinking Day on the Air and 
would like a pack, please send an A4-size self-addressed envelope, with 
38p in stamps, to Mrs Eva Telenius-Lowe at RSGB Headquarters. Groups 
using a GX or similar prefix instead of a GB call are asked to contact 
HQ as well.

Three new Senior Instructors in the Novice licence training scheme have 
recently been appointed by the RSGB. They are . . .

in Avon - Steve Hartley, G0FUW;

in Buckinghamshire - Verdon Webley, G0RKV;

and in Oxfordshire - Brian Fisher, G0SAG.

Anyone requiring information about the Novice amateur radio licence 
should contact Lynnette Ranger at RSGB Headquarters in the first 
instance.

The Radio Society of Harrow is celebrating its Golden Anniversary this 
year. The society's committee is particularly keen to hear from old 
members, wherever they may now be, who may have pictures or documents 
relating to the history of the club, or who have reminiscences to 
contribute. Past, lapsed or potential members are also invited to join 
the society in a programme of amateur radio and social events throughout 
the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary. For further details of this 
year's activities, contact treasurer Chris Friel, G4AUF, whose address 
is correct in the RSGB Call Book.

RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar will be open on Saturday, the 20th of 
January, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. The bookshop and GB3RS shack will 
be available to visitors, as will the National Amateur Radio Museum and 
Library. Morse tests are also available on demand between 11.00 am and 
12.30 pm. Don't forget to bring two passport-size photographs and the 
appropriate fee with you if you wish to take your Morse test at RSGB 
Headquarters.

Finally in the main news, SSL has informed the Society that as of last 
Wednesday morning, the latest callsigns allocated were in the G0 Whisky 
Uniform and G7 Victor Yankee series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Papa series.

Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet, which 
is edited by Chris Page, G4BUE:

A major expedition is planned from Wake Island in mid-Pacific by 'The 
Dateline DX Association' from the 24th to the 31st of January. The 
operators are AL7EL, K4HQI, N6EK, W4PGX and WB2DND, and the callsign for 
the DXpedition has been announced as AL7EL/KH9. The group has promised 
to give European DXers plenty of opportunity to work them.

>From the Bahamas, K2LE was planning activity as K2LE/C6A from Saturday 
the 13th of January for one week. Activity will be on all bands from 80 
to 15 metres.

And from the Dominican Republic, DF5WA was planning to be active as 
DF5WA/HI8 from Tuesday the 16th of January until the 6th of February on 
CW, SSB and RTTY, all bands including 160 metres.

Next the Rally News:

We know of no rallies for today, but the Oldham Amateur Radio Club 
Mobile Rally will take place next Sunday, the 21st of January, at the 
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Civic Centre, West Street, in Oldham. The event 
features the usual traders and a bring and buy stall. Morse tests will 
also be available on demand. Doors open at 11.00 am, or 10.30 am for 
disabled visitors, and talk-in will be on 2 metres channel S22. For 
further details ring 0161 652 4164.

Now for the HF contest news:

The RSGB Affiliated Societies - AFS - Contest takes place on 80 metres 
CW today, the 14th of January, between 1400 and 1800 UTC. The SSB AFS 
contest will take place next Saturday, the 20th of January, between the 
same times. The rules were published in last September's RadCom.

On Tuesday the 16th of January the first session of the LF Cumulative CW 
Contest will take place in the 160 metre band. A 40 metre session takes 
place on Saturday the 20th, and an 80 metre session on Sunday the 21st 
of January. The rules were published in last September's RadCom, but 
please note that the dates were given incorrectly in September. The 
correct dates are shown in the January RadCom.

Next some VHF contest news:

The RSGB 144MHz CW contest takes place today, Sunday the 14th, from 1000 
to 1600 UTC. And the first of five sessions in the 70 MHz Cumulative 
Contest takes place next Sunday, the 21st of January. The rules for all 
these contests can be found in last September's RadCom.

And now the solar factual data:

The period from the 1st to the 7th of January saw solar activity at low 
levels and the geomagnetic field at quiet levels. Sunspot numbers 
increased from 25 on the 1st to peak at 69 on the 5th, but then declined 
to 45. The mean was 47. Sunspot region number 7938 emerged on the solar 
disc on the 3rd and grew rapidly over the following few days. On the 3rd 
it produced a C1/SF solar flare, lifting solar activity to low levels. 
On the following day the same region produced over 20 uncorrelated 
B-class flares. By the 7th, the region had shown some decay and the 
flare activity had also subsided. Solar flux levels increased from 75 
units on the 1st, to 86 units by the 4th, but then declined slightly to 
83 units by the 7th. The average was 81 units. Electron fluence remained 
at a moderate level, whilst X-Ray flux increased from A1.2 units on the 
1st, to A7.1 units by the 6th. The figures for the 4th and the 5th are 
missing due to a computer problem at Boulder. The 90-day solar flux 
average on the 7th was 76 units, one unit up on last week.

Geomagnetic activity remained at low levels and averaged Ap 5 units. On 
the 1st and the 7th the Ap index was down to 3. Due to the Scottish 
Hogmanay no aa indices are available from the British Geological Survey 
in Edinburgh. To replace the aa indices this week we bring you the solar 
wind data. The period from the 25th to the 31st of December saw the 
solar wind velocities average 600 kilometres per second on the 25th, 
declining to 350 kilometres per second for the rest of the period. 
Particle density fluctuated between 5 and 10 particles per cubic 
centimetre, but increased to 20 on the 30th. The magnetic sector 
structure was mostly 'away' on the 25th and 'towards' on the 30th. 
Sector structure was not clearly discernible during the remaining days.

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 47, flux - 81, Ap index - 5, X-Ray flux 
- A3.0.

Now the inospheric data for Central France.

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon 
for the period from the 29th of December to the 4th of January, remained 
fairly steady and averaged 6.4MHz. The darkness hour lows increased from 
2MHz on the 31st, to 2.5MHz, with an average of 2.4MHz. The daytime 
highs took place between 1100 and 1400, with the darkness hour lows 
taking place between 1800 and 0600 hours.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.4MHz, lows - 2.4MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast.

This week, with the quiet side of the sun expected to be looking our 
way, solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. The solar disc 
is expected to be spotless on some days, and the solar flux levels may 
be as low as the 70 mark. A slight increase could take place later in 
the week. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be very quiet, with levels 
down to Ap 5 units or below on some days. Activity could increase to 
'unsettled' levels on Thursday or Friday. Ionospheric MUFs for the south 
during daylight hours are expected to be about 20MHz, and the darkness 
hour lows about 8MHz. For the north levels will be about 3MHz lower. 
There is a small chance of sporadic E openings, particularly on 28 and 
50MHz.

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 Whisky 
Uniform and G7 Victor Yankee series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Papa series.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meetings for Tuesday the 16th of January:

Bracknell Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. For further 
details telephone 01344 420577.

Dacorum Amateur Radio Transmitting Society meets for a talk about RIS. 
Details from G7KFQ on 01582 620507.

Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club faces Reading and District 
Amateur Radio Club in a quiz competition. Details from Dave, G3SET on 
01628 486554.

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a calibration night. 
For further information contact Paul on 01707 333542.


Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of January:

Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has its annual dinner. For further details 
contact Ivan, G3KLT on 01296 437720.

Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'members forum'. 
Contact Ian, G0RTF on 01494 676391 for more details.

Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'Computers in the City' by Rob. Contact G4CJC on 0181 366 0157 for 
details. 

Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club meets for an RAE night with 
Dave, G8IOJ. For more information contact Andrew, G0AMS on 01329 235397.

Hastings Electronics and Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'Construction and Similar Techniques' by Dick, G0BPS. Telephone 01424 
432418 for details.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. 
Contact G4GPX on 01903 753893 for details.


Meetings for Thursday the 18th of January:

Cray Valley Radio Society has a donated surplus equipment sale. For 
further details contact Tony, G4WIF on 0171 739 5057 during office 
hours.

Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a test equipment evening. Contact 
John, G0BWV on 0181 644 9945 for details.


Meetings for Friday the 19th of January:

Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society has its annual general 
knowledge quiz. Further details from George, G7CEL on 01634 685585.

Radio Society of Harrow has a talk by Clive, G6DOF on 'PMR Rig 
Convertion'. Details from Jim, G0AOT on 01895 632377.

Silverthorn Radio Club has a general meeting to discuss its 
Constitution. For details contact Dave, G0KHC on 0181 505 1871.

Winchester Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. Details 
from John, G4AXO on 01962 860807.


Meeting for Saturday the 20th of January:

Crystal Palace and District Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'Hands-on Test Equipment' by G3OOU. For further details telephone 0181 
699 5732. 

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Mid Somerset Radio Club has started up again and is looking for new 
members. Contact Peter, G0SFS on 01749 676875.


Meeting for Sunday the 14th of January:

Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 
'Effective Communication' by Angus Ross. Telephone 01425 653404 for 
details.


Meeting for Tuesday the 16th of January:

Plymouth Radio Club gathers for the presentation of the first of the 
club call award certificates. For more details telephone 01752 563222.


Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of January:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a bring and buy car boot sale. 
Telephone 01275 834282 for details.

Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General 
Meeting. For more details contact Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 during 
evening hours.


Meeting for Thursday the 18th of January:

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Development of a 
2 to 6 metre Transverter' by G7SDD. For details contact Cedric, G4JBL on 
01258 473845.


Meetings for Friday the 19th of January:

Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk and 
demonstration on SSTV and JV Fax by G7DPY and G0VKY. 

Taunton and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Tuning and Matching' by John, G3GTJ. Details from Graham, G0GTR on 
01823 680778.

Torbay Amateur Radio Society gathers for its construction cup. For 
further details contact Walt, G3HTX on 0803 526762.

NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA


Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of January:

Ipswich Radio Club has a video night. For further details contact Andy, 
G7SMN on 01473 212891.

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has an on the air evening. For details 
contact Mike, G4EOL on 01603 789792.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of January:

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Court in the Act - the Work of a Magistrate' by Alan, G3XOF. Telephone 
01773 852475 for more details.

South Notts Amateur Radio Club has an on the air evening. Telephone 
01509 672734 for details.

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Black Flag Night'. 
Further details from Paul, G2RSA on 01952 261923.

Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 
0902 324750 for more details.


Meeting for Thursday the 18th of January:

Salop Amateur Radio Society has a contesting discussion. For further 
details contact Ian, G7SBD whose address is correct in the RSGB Call 
Book.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meeting for Monday the 15th of January:

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club has a quiz night. For details telephone 
0114 244 6282.


Meetings for Tuesday the 16th of January:

Halifax and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Wireless is Dead' by Richard, G3UGF. Telephone 0422 202306 for further 
details.

Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. 
Telephone 0151 722 1178 for more details.

Warrington Amateur Radio Club gathers to make preparations for the 
Norbreck Rally. Telephone 01925 762722 for details.


Meetings for Wednesday the 17th of January:

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society has a rally meeting. Details from 
Malcolm, G8RWN on 01484 861782.

Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Pharmacy'. Details from Ted, G0RBA on 01606 592207.

Wirral Amateur Radio Society meets for a slide show by Max Kirby 
entitled 'Alpine Peaks and Flowers'. Telephone 0151 336 3247 for more 
details.


Meetings for Thursday the 18th of January:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham gathers for a talk entitled 'Setting Up 
and Operating on 2m' by Simon, G0IEG. For details telephone 0115 970 
3225.

North Wakefield Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. For further 
details contact Olga, 2E1ASV on 0113 253 9087.

Preston Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. For 
details phone 01772 686708.


Meetings for Friday the 19th of January:

East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club gathers for a review of the Ten Tec 
Argosy rig by Alan, G3JMO. Details from Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475671.

South Manchester Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Brazil Report' 
by G8APB. Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.


Meeting for Saturday the 20th of January:

Wakefield and District Radio Society has a junk sale. Details from G3WWF 
on 0113 282 5519.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Thursday the 18th of January:

Dunfermline Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'Offshore Pirates 
of the 60s and 70s' by James, GM4WZP. For further details telephone 
01383 735967.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND


Meeting for Wednesday the 17th of January:

Belfast and District RSGB Group gathers for a talk entitled 'Electrical 
Safety and Power Systems' by Roy, GI8VKA. More details from Richard, 
GI0OUM whose address is correct in the current RSGB Call Book.

-- 
GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
Tel +44 1707 659 015   
Fax +44 1707 645 105

