
Good morning. It's Sunday the 11th of February and here is the GB2RS 
news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs 
and short-wave listeners. 

Following last week's story about the RSGB's response to press coverage 
of illegal recording of mobile phones, another news item mentioning 
amateur radio has appeared in some newspapers. This concerns the use of 
"radio keys", which are used to lock - and in some cases immobilise - 
vehicles. They work on a Europe-wide allocation of 433.92MHz and some 
press reports have suggested that amateur radio transmissions have 
caused the "radio keys" to stop working, resulting in cars having to be 
towed away.

An RSGB Press Release has been sent to broadcasters and national 
newspapers This points out that the potential clash could be reduced if 
the receivers in the "radio key" devices were better designed, but that 
in any case the frequency allocated to these devices is quite 
inappropriate.

Next Sunday, the 18th, sees the RSGB's prestigious National VHF 
Convention which takes place as usual at Sandown Park in Surrey. The 
event features a full VHF, UHF and Microwave lecture programme, together 
with a trade show, special interest groups and an RSGB stand. The 
official show guide can be found in the February edition of Radio 
Communication. Further details can be obtained from Norman Miller, 
G3MVV, on 01 277 225563.

The results of last July's RSGB Islands On the Air Contest have been 
released and will be published in full in the March edition of RadCom. 
There was a record number of 643 entries received for what has now 
become the RSGB's most popular contest. The winners of the 
multi-operator island section were once again the Portuguese DX Group, 
operating as CS2B from Berlenga Island. Runners-up were "GW5LP 
Portable", who were operating from Anglesey. The leading UK single 
operator stations in other sections were:

G3XTT in third place in the mixed mode island section,

G3NKC who led the 12-hour mixed mode island section,

G3NLY in first place in the 12-Hour SSB Island Section, 

GM3POI in second place in the 12-Hour CW Island Section,

G3SWH in third place in the CW Island Section

and G0VSN in fourth place in the SSB island section.

The rules for this year's IOTA contest will also be published in the 
March RadCom, which is due to be posted to all RSGB members on the 19th 
of February.

RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar will be open on Saturday, the 17th of 
February, 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.

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 next Sunday. If you have an item of home-made 
microwave equipment and you are proud of the way you've constructed it, 
then 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, there is 
still just time for you to send in detailed photographs and a written 
description of your equipment for judging. Send them to Steve Davies, 
G4KNZ, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book.

John Hallenberg, SM0DJZ, will be activating SJ9WL and LG5LG from 
Morokulien on the Swedish - Norwegian border from Thursday the 15th 
until Monday the 19th of February. He'll be active on the WARC bands, 
RTTY, and the RS-12 satellite as well as participating in the ARRL CW 
and DARC RTTY contests. John is the custodian of the Morokulien Award 
and his activity should help award chasers to obtain it.

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

>From Vietnam, a Japanese group is planning activity as 3W6YL from Friday 
the 9th until the 15th of February. Activity will be on all bands, CW, 
SSB and RTTY, with the emphasis on the low frequency bands to Europe and 
USA.

>From Anguilla, AA4NC will be active as VP2EN from Monday the 12th until 
the 20th of February, including activity on RTTY especially on 80, 40 
and 20 metres.  And from Chatham Island - ZL7 - OH2BTB and OH5TB will be 
active from Friday the 9th until the 16th of February. QSL to their home 
calls.

Next the Rally News:

The Northern Cross Rally takes place today - Sunday the 11th - at the 
Thornes Park Athletics Stadium on the A642 Horbury Road in Wakefield. 
This is a new venue for this rally. The event features the usual 
dealers, a bookstall and bring-and-buy stand, an RSGB Propagation 
Studies Committee stand and Morse Tests on demand. Please bring two 
passport-size photographs and the appropriate fee with you if you wish 
to take your Morse test at the rally. Talk-in will be provided on 2 
metres channel S22 and 70 centimetres channel SU22.

The Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club Rally takes place today, 
Sunday the 11th, at the Ambulance Station at Addenbrookes Hospital. The 
event features trade stands, a bring and buy stall and car boot sale. 
Doors open at 10.00am and talk-in will be on 2 metres channel S22.

Now for the HF contest news:

The Dutch PACC Contest is taking place this weekend - from 1200UTC on 
Saturday the 10th, for 24 hours. It is on both CW and SSB and brief 
rules can be found on page 22 of the February RadCom.

Next weekend, the 17th and 18th of February, the ARRL International DX 
Contest takes place for 48 hours starting from 0000UTC on Saturday. Work 
USA and Canadian stations only on all bands from 160 to 10 metres - 
excluding the WARC bands - and send an RST report plus your power. USA 
and Canadian stations will send a report and their state or province. 
Brief rules can be found on page 22 of the February RadCom.

Next some VHF contest news:

The third session out of five in the RSGB 70 MHz Cumulative Contests 
takes place today, Sunday the 11th of February, between 10 and 1200UTC. 
The rules can be found in last September's RadCom.

And now the solar factual data compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS:

The period from the 29th of January to the 4th of February saw solar 
activity at very low levels and the geomagnetic field at quiet levels. 
Sunspot numbers increased slightly from 12 on the 29th to 26 the 
following day. They then declined and by the 3rd the solar disc became 
spotless. The mean for the period was 13. Solar flux levels increased 
slightly from 74 units on the 29th to peak at 77 on the 31st. Levels 
then declined back to 74. The average was 75 units. Several small and 
insignificant solar flares took place on the 31st and the 1st. Electron 
fluence increased slightly from moderate levels to just above the high 
level threshold. X-Ray flux increased slightly from A1.0 units to A2.5 
units on the 2nd and averaged A1.4 units. The 90-day solar flux average 
on the 4th was 74 units, the same as last week.

Geomagnetic activity was at quiet levels after it had declined from 
"unsettled" on the 29th with an Ap index of 16 units. Levels were down 
to Ap 4 units on the 3rd and the average was Ap 7 units. The aa indices, 
as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the period from the 
23rd to the 29th of January, increased every day - from 10 nanoTeslas on 
the 23rd, to active levels by the 29th with 39 nanoTeslas. Levels 
reached 67 nanoTeslas for a time around midday on the 29th. The average 
for the period was 17.7 nanoTeslas, which is K2.

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 13, flux - 75, Ap - 7, X-Ray flux - 
A1.4.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France:

The F2 daytime critical frequencies, as reported by Meudon for the 
period from the 26th of January to the 1st of February, increased 
slightly from 6.2MHz on the 26th, to 6.9MHz on the 30th. Levels 
collapsed to only 5.9MHz the following day, but were showing signs of 
improvement on the 1st. The average was 6.3MHz. The darkness hour lows 
averaged 2.6MHz and showed little variation, although on the 27th they 
were up to 3.7MHz. The daytime highs took place between 1200 and 1500 
hours every day, with darkness hour lows between 0500 and 0700 hours.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.3MHz, lows - 2.6MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast:

This week the quiet side of the sun is expected to be looking our way 
and the solar disc could well be spotless on most days. Solar flux 
levels are expected to be about the 70 mark, but may show signs of a 
slight rise later in the week. Geomagnetic levels are expected to be 
unsettled to active today and then decline to quiet levels until the end 
of the week, then increase again to unsettled levels. Ionospheric MUFs 
during daylight hours are expected to be about 17MHz for the south and 
14MHz for the north. 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 Whisky 
Whisky and G7 Whisky Delta series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Sierra series.

Next, the local news.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of February:

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Cryptography - A Layman's View' by Tony, G7JAW. For further information 
contact Paul on 01707 333542.


Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of February:

Bracknell Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Amateur Radio 
Abroad'. For further details telephone 01344 420577.

Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'the 
Internet' by Alan, G6CDV. Contact Ian, G0RTF on 01494 676391 for more 
details.

Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk about 
'Satellite Television' by Roger, G4OAA. Contact G4CJC on 0181 366 0157 
for details. 

Darenth Valley Radio Society meets for a contest discussion. Telephone 
01689 826846 for more information. 

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club screens a video entitled 
'Whispers in the Air - the Story of Marconi'. Contact G4GPX on 01903 
753893 for details.


Meetings for Thursday the 15th of February:

Cray Valley Radio Society has a quiz with Darenth Valley Radio Society. 
For further details contact Tony, G4WIF on 0171 739 5057 during office 
hours.

Hoddesdon Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. For further details 
contact Don, G3JNJ on 0181 245 8119.

Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a construction contest. Contact John, 
G0BWV on 0181 644 9945 for details.


Meetings for Friday the 16th of February:

Loughton and District Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. 
For further details telephone 0181 500 2811.

Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a kit building session with 8th 
Burgess Hill Scouts. Contact Mike, G0GNV on 01444 241407 for more 
details. 


Meeting for Saturday the 17th of February:

Crystal Palace and District Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting 
and a construction contest. For further details telephone 0181 699 5732. 


NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of February:

Salisbury Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Computer Aided 
Cartography' by Neil, G4LDR. Telephone 01722 329398 for more details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of February:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club meets for a 'Valentines Day Power 
Supply Construction' session. Telephone 01275 834282 for details.


Meetings for Thursday the 15th of February:

Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a club management meeting. For further 
details telephone 0117 9654886.

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has a surplus equipment sale. For details 
contact Cedric, G4JBL on 01258 473845.


Meetings for Friday the 16th of February:

Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a VHF rig night. More 
details from Giles, G7SSH on 01752 844321.

Torbay Amateur Radio Society has an Annual General Meeting. For further 
details contact Walt, G3HTX on 0803 526762.


NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA

Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of February:

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


Meeting for Thursday the 15th of February:

Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk on Sporadic E by Jim, 
G3YLA. For further details telephone 01553 765614.


NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meeting for Monday the 12th of February:

Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society meets for a talk on DX 
Cluster by John, G4PDQ. For further details telephone 01789 773286.


Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of February:

Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has a video evening. Contact Barry, 
G0TPG on 01527 542266 for more information.

Buxton Radio Amateurs has an on-the-air evening. For further details 
contact Derek, G4IHO on 01298 25506.

Malvern Hills Radio Amateur Club gathers for a talk on PIC chips. 
Further details from Jim, G0OWS on 01684 576538.

Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on repeaters by 
Dave, G6FEO. Contact G8HRI on 01926 424465 for more details.

Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society gathers for a discussion night 
entitled 'Give your Problems an Airing!' Telephone 0902 324750 for 
details.


Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of February:

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a video night. Telephone 
01773 852475 for more details.

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is shown a range of First Aid 
techniques of particular importance to radio amateurs. Further details 
from Paul, G2RSA on 01952 261923.


Meetings for Thursday the 15th of February:

Salop Amateur Radio Society gathers for a session entitled 'Know Your 
Locator'. For further details contact Ian, G7SBD whose address is 
correct in the RSGB Call Book.

Solihull Amateur Radio Society has a video night. Telephone 0121 783 
2996 for further information.


NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meetings for Monday the 12th of February:

Mansfield Amateur Radio Society has a quiz night. For further details 
contact Howard, G1JGY on 01623 423697.

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club also has a quiz night. Telephone 0114 244 
6282 for more details.

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Life with 
Les, an Ordinary Radio Ham' by his wife Jean. Telephone 01253 853554 for 
more details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of February:

Chester and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Electrical Transmissions' by Dave, G4JMF. For further details telephone 
0151 608 3229.

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

Manchester and District Amateur Radio Society has a Morse Quiz. More 
details from G0VJZ on 0161 338 4412.

Wakefield and District Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Details 
from Bob, G3WWF on 0113 282 5519. Also, please note that clubs and 
groups in Yorkshire are being invited to host a presentation on the work 
of Sir Edward Appleton by Dr Peter Excell. Those interested should also 
contact G3WWF.


Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of February:

Hornsea Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Digital Music' 
by G8EQZ. Telephone 01964 533331 for more details.

Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a table top sale. Details from 
Ted, G0RBA on 01606 592207.

Stockport Radio Society has a Quiz night. Telephone 0161 439 4952 for 
further details.


Meetings for Thursday the 15th of February:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a surplus equipment and junk sale. 
For details telephone 0115 970 3225.

Preston Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'the Society - 
What Direction?' For details telephone 01772 686708.


Meetings for Friday the 16th of February:

Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a junk sale. For further details 
telephone 01757 638539.

North Ferriby Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Contact 
G7PER on 01482 656324 for more details.

South Manchester Radio Club meets for a talk by G8APB entitled 'Eproms - 
Uses and Abuses'. Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.


NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of February:

Strathmore and District Amateur Radio Club pays a visit to the Tayside 
Fire Brigade. Contact Alan, GM4JCM on 01382 644585 for further 
information.


Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of February:

Lothians Radio Society has a video night. For details telephone 0131 314 
2689 during office hours. 

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

