
Good morning. It's Sunday the 28th of January and here is the GB2RS news 
broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and 
short-wave listeners. 

First this week's headlines:- 

A new DXCC Country has been created.

There are changes to the GB2CW Morse practice transmission schedule.

And there are several items of news for 50 MHz operators.

The ARRL announced on Tuesday that its Board of Directors approved a 
recommendation to add Scarborough Reef to the DXCC Countries List. QSL 
cards may be submitted to the DXCC desk from the 1st of April.

A new 50 MHz packet radio node was due to become operational on Saturday 
the 27th of January. It is GB7PW, located near Montgomery in Powys, and 
will operate on 50.650 MHz.

Also on 50 MHz, a GB2RS news broadcast serving Central Scotland starts 
on Sunday the 4th of February at 11.30 am. Initially, it will be for an 
experimental period of three months but will be continued if it proves 
to be a success. The transmission will be from the station of Tom 
Menzies, GM1GEQ, and will be on 51.530 MHz with vertical polarisation. 
Reports will be welcome, and should be sent to GM1GEQ via the RSGB QSL 
bureau. 

And the ZB2VHF 6-metre beacon is temporarily off the air, due to an 
overhaul before installation at a new location.

Last Friday was the 70th anniversary of the first demonstration of 
television. John Logie Baird gave his historic demonstration to members 
of the Royal Institution in London on the 26th of January 1926. 

The Bishop Auckland Radio Amateurs' Club is now an official City and 
Guilds examination centre for both the Radio Amateurs Examination and 
Novice Radio Amateurs Examination. The club also offers regular courses 
of tuition. For further details please contact Tim Bevan, G6WBA, whose 
address is: 6 Buttermere Grove, West Auckland, Bishop Auckland, County 
Durham. The postcode is DL14 9LG.

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 and 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.

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.

Is there anyone listening who can help Noel Midworth, G0WTA? He would be 
very interested to hear from any licensed amateur who has a pacemaker, 
or who has a family member at the same location with a pacemaker. Noel's 
address is correct in the RSGB Call Book under his previous callsign of 
G7SNL, or he can be contacted on 01 509 215 278.

And now some news about changes to the RSGB's GB2CW Morse practice 
transmission schedule:

An additional transmission for those wishing to develop their Morse 
speed is now being transmitted by GM4HYF in Rutherglen. The transmission 
is on Thursdays at 2045 on 3527 kHz using A1A only, and covers speeds 
from 15 to 30 words per minute.

The Glasgow 145.250 MHz transmission on Mondays at 2000 has now been 
taken over by GM0NPS.

Reports on all GB2CW transmissions are welcomed by the operators: please 
let them know what your particular speeds and requirements are. Feedback 
may be sent direct to the operators, or to the Morse practice service 
co-ordinator, David Pratt, G4DMP, whose address is correct in the RSGB 
Call Book. David would also like to hear from anyone willing to devote 
half an hour a week to provide Morse practice on the 1.8 or 3.5 MHz 
bands. If you are interested, please write to G4DMP suggesting the day, 
time and frequency on which you can help.

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

>From Madeira, Dick King, G3PFS, will sign CT3EU from Thursday the 25th 
of January, on all bands 40 to 10 metres.

>From Aruba, K2LE should be active as P4/K2LE from Wednesday the 31st of 
January until the 17th of February on all bands.

And from Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, a large American group 
will be signing "PJ2 Stroke Own Calls" until the 30th of January on all 
bands, emphasising the WARC and LF bands.

Next the Rally News:

The Fenland Repeater Group and Lincolnshire Packet Group is holding a 
"Mid-winter Rally" at 10.00 am today, the 28th of January, at the Youth 
Club, in Horncastle, Lincolnshire.

Next Sunday, the 4th of February, the Lancastrian Rally takes place at 
the University of Lancaster. Doors open at 11.00, or 10.30am for 
disabled visitors. For further information contact Sue, G1OHH, on 01 524 
64 239.

Also next Sunday, the South Essex Amateur Radio Society Radio Rally 
takes place at The Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey Island. The event 
includes RSGB Morse Tests and candidates are reminded that they will 
need the test fee and two passport-size photographs. Doors open at 10.30 
am. Further details can be obtained from David, G4UVJ, on 01 268 697 
978.

And now a date for your diary:

The RSGB National VHF Convention takes place at the usual venue - 
Sandown Park in Surrey - on Sunday the 18th of February. The event 
features a full VHF, UHF and Microwave lecture programme, together with 
a trade show and special interest groups. Full details are in the 
February edition of Radio Communication, which was posted to all RSGB 
members last week.

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. 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.

Now for the HF contest news:

The RSGB LF Cumulative Contest continues with a 40 metre session today, 
Sunday the 28th, a 160 metre session on Thursday the 1st of February, 
and another 40 metre session next Saturday the 3rd. The final session is 
an 80 metre one, on Sunday the 4th of February. 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 and 
February RadComs.

The CQ World Wide 160 metre CW Contest is taking place this weekend, and 
ends at 1600 UTC today, the 28th. Brief rules appear on page 23 of the 
January RadCom.

Next some VHF contest news:

The second of five sessions in the RSGB 70 MHz Cumulative Contest takes 
place today, the 28th, from 1000 to 1200 UTC.

Next Sunday, the 4th of February, the 432 MHz Fixed station and 
Affiliated Societies Contest takes place. The rules for these contests 
can be found in last September's RadCom.

Now some news from Ian Cornes, G4OUT, of the RSGB VHF Contest Committee:

Despite average to poor conditions being reported for all sessions of 
the 1995 RSGB 432MHz cumulative contest, there were many DX stations to 
be found in France, Germany, Jersey, Belgium and Holland. Peter Tribe, 
G0VVE, won each of the four sessions in which he worked and consequently 
became the winner of the Single Operator Fixed Station Section ahead of 
Stephen Redfern, G4AEQ. The Open Section was won by Allan Duncan, 
GJ4ZUK, from his portable station on the north coast of Jersey. The 
six-strong South Birmingham Radio Society operating as G8OHM, who were 
placed second in the Open section, appreciated contacts with the 
continental stations who were participating. Support for this contest 
continues from Holland where PA0GHB, was the highest placed overseas 
station, with PE1EWR in second place. Other certificates went to Chris 
Skelcher, G3YHF, who was the highest placed single operator fixed 
station using 25W or less to a single antenna; G3FIJ, second highest in 
this category and 2E1AXO, the highest-placed Novice operator.

And now the solar factual data:

The period from the 15th to the 21st of January saw solar activity at 
very low levels and the geomagnetic field at quiet to unsettled levels. 
For most of the period the solar disc remained spotless, but on the 21st 
a small spot group emerged. The mean for the period was 7. Solar flux 
levels increased very slightly from 70 units on the 15th, to 72 units by 
the 21st, with an average of 71 units. No solar flares were reported. 
The electron fluence remained at a moderate level. X-Ray flux remained 
at the minimum value of A1.0 units every day. The 90-day solar flux 
level on the 21st was 74 units, the same as last week.

Geomagnetic activity remained at quiet to unsettled levels every day. 
The most disturbed days were the 15th and the 20th, with an Ap index of 
12 and the quietest day was the 21st with an Ap of 6. The average for 
the period was Ap 8 units. The aa indices, as supplied by the British 
Geological Survey for the period from the 9th to the 15th of January, 
started at quiet levels with only 7.2 nanoTeslas, but increased every 
day to peak at 42.5 nanoTeslas by the 14th. It declined slightly on the 
15th, to give an average of 23.9 nanoTeslas, about K3.

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 7, flux - 71, Ap index - 8, X-Ray flux 
- A1.0.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France:

The period from the 12th to the 18th of January saw the F2 critical 
frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, at a rather 
disappointing level. On the 12th levels were at only 5.2MHz. They did 
increase slightly to peak at 6.3MHz on the 15th, but then declined to 
5.4MHz on the 18th, and the average was 5.8MHz. The darkness hour lows 
also declined from 2.7MHz on the 12th, to 2.2MHz by the 18th and 
averaged 2.4MHz. These are the lowest levels for some time. The daytime 
highs took place between 1000 and 1500 hours and the darkness hour lows 
between 0500 and 0700 hours, except for the 15th when they took place at 
1900 hours.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 5.8MHz, lows - 2.4MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast.

This week the more active side of the sun will be looking our way. On 
the last solar rotation several solar flares took place, but the sunspot 
group responsible was declining as it rotated away over the west limb. 
Even so, solar flux levels are expected to increase to the high 70s. 
Geomagnetic activity is expected to remain at quiet levels for all of 
the coming week. Ionospheric MUFs could well improve over recent weeks 
and be up to 17MHz during daylight hours in the south or 14MHz in the 
north. The darkness hour lows are expected to be at 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 
Uniform and G7 Victor Zulu series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Quebec series.

Next, the local news.


NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meeting for Tuesday the 30th of January:

Stevenage & District Amateur Radio Society has the first part of a 
soldering session. For details telephone 01707 333542.


Meetings for Wednesday the 31st of January:

Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a video evening. For 
further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391.

Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. 
Contact Andrew, G0AMS on 01329 235397 for more information.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'members hints and tips' 
session. For details telephone 01903 753893.


Meetings for Thursday the 1st of February:

Cray Valley Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'So What's a 
Valve' by G0FDU. For details Contact Tony, G4WIF on 0171 739 5057 during 
office hours.

Hoddesdon Radio Club has an audio-visual night. Details from Roy, G4UNL, 
on 0181 245 8119. Please call during the afternoon.

Horsham Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Brian, G3GDU on 'Aircraft 
Landing Instruments'. For details telephone 01403 27552 during evening 
hours. 

Maidenhead and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'British Forces Broadcasting' by John, G3VRF. Contact Dave, G3SET on 
01628 486554 for more details.


Meetings for Friday the 2nd of February:

Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association has a surplus sale. Telephone 01242 
242336 for further information.

East Kent Radio Society meets for a film and talk by Mr F R Turner 
entitled 'The Thames Sea Forts'. Telephone 01227 743070 for more 
details.

Loughton and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Surfing the Internet' by John, G1DJI. Telephone 0181 500 2811 for 
details.

Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a novice night with Mark, 2E1AOU 
and Chris, 2E1DCP. For further details telephone 01444 241 407.

Silverthorn Radio Club has a packet radio demonstration. Contact Dave, 
G0KHC on 0181 505 1871 for further details.



NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meeting for Sunday the 28th of January:

Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has an operating and novice 
night. Telephone 01425 653404 for further details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 30th of January:

Plymouth Radio Club meets for an Internet demonstration by Mark, G7LJN. 
Telephone 01752 563222 for details.

RSGB City of Bristol Group gathers for a talk entitled 'Incidents Not 
Accidents' by John Walker. Contact Dave, G4NKT on 0117 9672124 for more 
details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 31st of January:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club meets for a video evening entitled 
'Building the Matthew Cabots Boat' by G0AWX. Telephone 01275 834282 for 
details.


Meetings for Thursday the 1st of February:

Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a QRP and Projects evening. Telephone 
0117 9654886 for details.

Cornish Radio Amateur Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Antennas for 
Confined Spaces' by David, G3NPB. Details from Robin, G0MYR on 01209 
820118.

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'the First 
Transatlantic Test' by G3MYM. Details from Cedric White on 01258 473845.



Meeting for Friday the 2nd of February:

Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Fishy 
Tales' by John. Telephone 01752 844321 for details.



NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA


Meeting for Wednesday the 31st of January:

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 01603 
789792 for more information.



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meeting for Monday the 29th of January:

South Notts Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk and demonstration on 
'Operating a Modern HF Transceiver' by Gary, G7RTF. For details write to 
PO Box 4, Nottingham NG11 9DE.


Meeting for Tuesday the 30th of January:

Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society meets to discuss its future 
programme. For further details telephone 0902 324750.


Meetings for Wednesday the 31st of January:

Bolsover Amateur Radio Society has a junk sale. Contact Colin, G0RXT on 
01246 822856 for details.

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a computer shareware swap 
evening. For details contact Richard, G3VGW on 01773 852475.

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has an equipment session with 
selected items explained and demonstrated. Contact Paul, G2RSA on 01952 
261923 for more details. 


Meetings for Thursday the 1st of February:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham gathers for a talk entitled 
'Calibration' with Mike, G7THF plus a 'Test' by Ron, G4NZU. For further 
details contact Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733.

Salop Amateur Radio Society has a surplus equipment sale. Details from 1 
Willington Close, Little Harlescott Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 3RH.


Meeting for Friday the 2nd of February:

Vale of Evesham Radio Amateurs Club meets for a talk entitled 'Top band 
Equipment - How to use it and make it' by G3UEY. Details from Alasdair 
on 01386 41508.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meetings for Monday the 29th of January:

Oulder Hill Amateur Radio Society has a talk and slide show by Fred 
Fielder, radio broadcaster, balloonist and local historian. For further 
details contact Alan, G4TMV on 01706 344186.

Sheffield Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'How to Operate 
Radio Equipment'. Telephone 0114 2446282 for more details.

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has an auction of silent key 
equipment. Telephone 01253 853554 for details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 30th of January:

Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society has a surplus sale. 
Telephone 0151 722 1178 for more details. 

Wakefield and District Radio Society has a bring and buy sale. Further 
details from G3WWF on 0113 282 5519.

Warrington Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. Contact 
John, G0RPG on 01925 762722 for more information.


Meeting for Wednesday the 31st of January:

Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a quiz night. For details 
telephone 01606 592207.


Meetings for Friday the 2nd of February:

East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. Details 
from Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475671.

Goole Radio and Electronics Society meets for an evening entitled 
'Hobbies Exhibition Planning'. For details telephone 01757 638539.

South Manchester Radio Club is holding a 'Hands On' computer clinic. 
Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.

Tynemouth Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. Contact Terry, 
G8EZL on 0191 2570799 for more details.


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

