
Good morning. It's Sunday the 10th of March and here is the GB2RS news 
broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and 
short-wave listeners. 

We start with a statement concerning the RSGB and Mr Greg Reilly-Cooper, 
G0MAM, ECO.

The investigative group composed of John Hall, G3KVA; Richard Horton, 
G4AOJ; and Neil Lasher, G6HIU, has seen and noted the contents of the 
bulletin dated the 25th of February 1996 from Michael Mansfield, G2SP, 
and bulletins from Greg Reilly-Cooper, G0MAM, dated the 24th and 27th of 
February 1996. The bulletins are inaccurate and do not fairly reflect 
the substance of the meeting held with Mr Mansfield and Mr Reilly-Cooper 
on Friday the 23rd of February 1996. The statements can only make a 
resolution of the issue more difficult.

The group does not believe that it is appropriate for any further 
discussion concerning an allegation of libel against the Society or its 
President to be conducted or published over the packet network. 
Hopefully, however, the Society may soon be in the position to confirm 
that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

The RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show is taking place at the 
Lee Valley Leisure Centre at Edmonton in London this weekend, the 9th 
and 10th of March. The event features a very large number of traders, 
lectures, a bring and buy stand, the RSGB bookstall and membership 
information stand, RSGB Morse tests on demand and much more. This year 
for the first time the event also features a Vintage Sound and Vision 
Fair. The official show guide was published in the March edition of 
Radio Communication.

RSGB Headquarters at Potters Bar will be open next Saturday, the 16th of 
March, 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 but don't forget to bring two passport-size photographs and the 
appropriate fee with you.

Next Sunday the 17th, there will be an RSGB Zone "A" meeting at the 
Norbreck Radio, Electronics and Computing Exhibition in Blackpool. The 
meeting will be at 2.30pm and all RSGB members and officials in Zone "A" 
- the North of England - are invited to attend. Come along and meet your 
regional RSGB Liaison Officer and RSGB Council Member for Zone "A", 
Gordon Adams, G3LEQ. Further details can be obtained from Gordon on 
01565 652652. Gordon's address is correct in the RSGB Call Book, and he 
is also available on 3640 kHz after the 1100 Sunday GB2RS news 
broadcast.

The RSGB intends to recommence the Amateur Radio Observation Service, or 
"A-R-O-S", and a new volunteer administrator is now required. He or she 
will be required to:

Acknowledge information received and pass it to the appropriate 
committee,

Maintain a list of approved observers,

Maintain records of reports and progress,

Report regularly to the Chairman of the Licensing Advisory Committee - 
LAC - on information received and action taken, and

Where appropriate, and with the agreement of LAC, pass on reports to the 
RA.

RSGB members interested in applying should in the first instance write 
to the Chairman of the LAC, c/o RSGB HQ, stating if they are licensed 
and for how long they have held their call. Other information such as 
whether they belong to a local club, any offices they have held 
associated with amateur radio and their particular interests should also 
be included.

The City and Guilds Radio Amateurs' Examination is to be revised from 
May next year, that's May 1997. The revised exam will consist of a 
single multiple-choice paper of 80 questions, with a duration of two and 
a quarter hours. This compares with the present two papers containing 
100 questions, with a total duration of two and three quarter hours.

No major changes to the current syllabus are likely. Further details, 
including the number of items per syllabus topic and the cost, will be 
available later. Because there will only be one paper, the revised RAE 
is likely to be cheaper than the present one. It will reflect an 
increasingly realistic and modernistic approach whilst maintaining the 
present high standards.

Those candidates who have already passed one of the present two papers 
have two opportunities to re-sit the remaining paper: May and December 
1996. From May 1997 it will be necessary for all candidates to sit the 
revised RAE as a whole.

The Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society has written to clubs throughout the 
UK inviting them to join in a national effort to raise funds for the 
BBC's Children in Need appeal later this year. In 1994 and '95, MSARS 
operated GB0KIN, raising over 1300 for the appeal. If your club would 
like to join in, contact Phil Baldwin, G3LCF, whose address is in the 
RSGB Call Book.

Now a request for radio operators in Somerset. On Sunday the 24th of 
March exercise "Parish Contact" will attempt to establish communications 
between radio operators in Somerset's parishes and six Local Authority 
Emergency Centres staffed by members of Raynet. Significantly more radio 
operators are needed to cover the large rural areas which might be cut 
off in a major disaster. The exercise will take place on 2 metres FM and 
on CB radio. Further information can be obtained from Bill Lawrence or 
Jim Butterworth on 01 823 255 531.

GB2PQ will be on the air from the "Power Quest" Visitors' Centre at 
Heysham Power Station from Thursday the 14th to Sunday the 17th of 
March. The centre is open to schools on the Thursday and Friday and to 
the public over the weekend.

Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet, which 
this week was edited at RSGB Headquarters:

>From China, Mike, G4IUF, plans to operate as BY1PK on Tuesday and 
Wednesday, the 12th and 13th of March, and from the 18th to 20th of 
March. Check these frequencies: 7005, 10105, 14025, 18070 and 21025 on 
CW, and 7065, 14195, 18145 and 21295 kHz SSB.

>From Kerguelen Island - FT5X - the latest planned dates for FR5HR's 
operation are the 9th to 15th of March. After Kerguelen, he goes on to 
Amsterdam Island - FT5Z - from the 18th to 24th of March. All dates are 
approximate, as his schedule is dependent on the weather.

And from Antigua, YU1NR planned to be active as V29NR from the 8th until 
about the 15th of March.

Next the Rally News:

The Wythall Radio Club annual rally is taking place at Wythall Park, 
Silver Street, Wythall, near Birmingham, today, the 10th of March. There 
are three halls and a marquee with traders, and a bring and buy stall 
run by the club. The doors open at 10.30 and talk-in is on 2 metres 
channel S22.

Next Sunday, the 17th of March, the Norbreck Radio, Electronics and 
Computing Exhibition takes place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel Exhibition 
Centre on Queen's Promenade, North Shore, in Blackpool. The event 
features over 100 trade stands, a bring and buy stand, RSGB book stall 
and membership information stand and club stands. Doors open at 11.00 am 
and talk-in will be on 2 metres channel S22. For more information see 
page 94 of the March RadCom, or contact the exhibition manager Peter 
Denton, G6CGF, on 0151 630 5790.

And the Tiverton South Radio's 10th rally also takes place on Sunday the 
17th of March. For further details contact Alan, G0MAS, on 01884 252 
259.

The Bishop's Stortford 70 centimetre voice repeater, GB3SV, which 
operates on channel RB0, now has a new keeper. He is Trevor Jones, 
G1NOL. Engineering work to improve the service of GB3SV is planned for 
later this year. For more details, contact Trevor on 0973 790786.

Now for the HF contest news:

The RSGB Commonwealth Contest is taking place this weekend, the 9th and 
10th of March. The contest runs for 24 hours from 1200 UTC Saturday. 
Stations in the UK should work other Commonwealth stations outside the 
UK on CW only, in the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metre bands. A full list of 
Commonwealth call areas and the rules for this contest can be found in 
the RSGB Contesting Guide in last September's RadCom.

The Russian DX Contest takes place next weekend, the 16th and 17th of 
March for 24 hours from 1200 UTC Saturday. The contest is on all bands 
from 10 to 160 metres, excluding the three WARC bands, on CW and SSB. 
Brief rules are on page 21 of the March RadCom.

The Bermuda Contest also takes place next weekend, from 0000 UTC on 
Saturday the 16th, for 48 hours. This contest is on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 
10 metres SSB and CW and brief rules are on page 22 of the March RadCom.

And the BARTG Spring RTTY contest takes place from 0200 UTC on the 16th 
of March until 0200 UTC on the 18th. Brief rules can be found on page 22 
of the March RadCom.

Next some VHF contest news:

The final session in the RSGB 70 MHz Cumulative Contests takes place 
today, the 10th of March, between 10 and 1200UTC. The rules for this 
contest are in last September's RadCom.

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

The period from the 26th of February to the 3rd of March saw solar 
activity continue at very low levels and the geomagnetic field at "quiet 
to unsettled" levels. Sunspot numbers declined from 26 on the 26th, to 
zero by the 1st, with a mean of 14. Solar flux levels remained at 72 
units from the 26th to the 1st, and then declined slightly to 70 units 
by the 3rd. The average was 72 units. The only other feature on the 
solar disc was a 40-degree long filament, located at 45 degrees south of 
the equator, on the 29th. The filament remains quiescent. No solar 
flares were reported. Electron fluence levels were just at high levels 
for most of the period. X-Ray flux levels remained at A1 units every 
day. The 90-day solar flux average on the 3rd was 73 units, the same 
level as last week.

Geomagnetic activity declined from "unsettled" levels on the 26th and 
27th to "quiet". Activity was down to Ap 2 units on the 2nd. The average 
was Ap 7 units. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological 
Survey for the period from the 20th to the 26th of February, saw levels 
increase from 9 nanoTeslas on the 21st to 34 nanoTeslas by the 25th. On 
the 26th, levels declined. The average was 23 nanoTeslas, about K3. 
Solar wind speeds averaged 350 to 400 kilometres per second, but did 
increase to 550 kilometres per second on the 26th. Particle density 
stayed below 10 particles per cubic centimetre for the period, also the 
Bz showed no sustained northward or southward orientation. 

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 14, flux - 72, Ap index - 7, X-Ray flux 
- A1.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France:

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon 
for the period from the 23rd to the 29th of February, saw levels at 
7.3MHz on the 24th. They collapsed to 5.6MHz by the 26th but then showed 
signs of improvement by the end of the period. The average was 6.6MHz. 
The darkness hour lows averaged 2.9MHz, but were up to 3.7MHz on the 
24th. The daytime highs took place between 1000 and 1500 hours every 
day, with the darkness hour lows at 0600 hours every day except for the 
24th, when it took place at 2300 hours. Blanketing E took place on the 
evening of the 29th, also sporadic E took place on 50MHz on the 27th.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.6MHz, lows - 2.9MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast.

This week the quiet side of the sun is expected to be looking our way. 
The solar disc could be spotless most days and solar activity is 
therefore expected to be at very low levels. Solar flux levels are 
expected to be around 70. Geomagnetic activity could start the week at 
"unsettled" but during the second half of the week decline to "quiet" 
levels.

During previous sunspot minima there has always been a major geomagnetic 
storm. These rogue storms are totally unpredictable. There have only 
been nine days since the end of October 1995 where the Ap index has been 
greater than 20 units, but this could this be the calm before the storm.

Ionospheric MUFs during daylight hours are expected to be about 18MHz 
for the south and 15MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows are 
expected to be about 9MHz.

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 
Zulu and G7 Whisky Juliet series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Victor series.

Next, the local news.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meetings for Wednesday the 13th of March:

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

Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club has a junk sale. For further 
details please contact Andrew, G0AMS on 01329 235397.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'Information Super Highways' by G7PIW. Contact G4GPX on 01903 753893 for 
details.


Meetings for Thursday the 14th of March:

Echelford Amateur Radio Society has a classic wireless competition. For 
more details telephone 01344 843472.

Edgware and District Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Multi-Band Home-Brew Antennas' by John, G3SJE. For more information 
contact Stephen, G0PQB on 0181 953 2164.

Reading and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'A 
Guide to Buying a Mobile Phone'. Details from Peter, G0PUB on 01734 
617388.

Southgate Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Mike Williams entitled 
'The Explosive Inspector'. For details telephone 01707 850146.

Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'The Impossible DXpedition' by G4LOO. More details from Paul, G1GSN on 
01462 700618.

Three Counties Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Scanners 
and Preparing Pictures - Slow Scan TV'. Telephone 01428 606298 for 
details.


Meetings for Friday the 15th of March:

Loughton and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a further 
demonstration of packet radio by John, G8DZH. For further details 
telephone Ray, G0LWF, on 0181 500 2811.

Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has an RAE talk on propagation by 
Peter, G3ORP. For further details telephone Graham, G4AXD on 01622 
729462.

Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a 'Surprise Evening' with Phil, 
G3LCF. Contact Mike, G0GNV on 01444 241407 for more details. 

Radio Society of Harrow has its Annual General Meeting. Further details 
from Jim Ballard on 0171 251 2700 during office hours.

Winchester Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'History of 
Morse and Morse Keys' by Keith, G3XUO. Telephone 01962 865814 for 
details.


Meeting for Saturday the 16th of March:

Crystal Palace and District Radio Club pays a visit to the Croydon 
Astronomical Society. For details contact the club's new secretary G1PKS 
on 0181 653 2946. 



NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meeting for Monday the 11th of March:

Sedgemoor Radio Club meets for a talk on QRP rigs and kits by Tim 
Walford, G3PCJ. Telephone 01278 455923 for more details. 


Meetings for Tuesday the 12th of March:

Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk on SSTV by 
G3UGR. Contact Stuart, G7JIF on 01747 838554 for more details.

Salisbury Amateur Radio Club has a packet radio demonstration. Telephone 
01722 329398 for more details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 13th of March:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club meets for a handheld rigs evening. 
Telephone 01275 834282 for details.


Meetings for Thursday the 14th of March:

Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a computers evening. For further details 
telephone 0117 9654886.

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Workshop Practice 
part 2' by G7SDD. Further details from Peter, G3CQR on 01935 813054.


Meeting for Friday the 15th of March:

Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club meets for: 'The Ordnance Survey 
Towards the Year 2000' by Jeff Bentley. Call 01823 680778 for details.


Meeting for Saturday the 16th of March:

Torbay Amateur Radio Society has its Annual Dinner. For further details 
contact Walt, G3HTX on 0803 526762.



NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA


Meeting for Wednesday the 13th of March:

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


Meeting for Thursday the 14th of March:

Kings Lynn Amateur Radio Club has a talk on the Nuclear Industry by a 
representative of British Nuclear Fuels. For details telephone 01553 
765614.



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meeting for Monday the 11th of March:

Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society pays a visit to the Cable 
and Wireless Company College. For further details telephone 01789 
773286.


Meetings for Tuesday the 12th of March:

Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Contact 
Barry, G0TPG on 01527 542266 for more information.

Malvern Hills Radio Amateur Club meets for a talk entitled 
'Communications on Railways'. Further details from Jim, G0OWS on 01684 
576538.

Mid - Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society has its Annual General Meeting. 
Contact G8HRI on 01926 424465 for more details.

Wolverhampton Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on satellite TV 
receiver decoders by Chris, G7JIN. Telephone 0902 324750 for details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 13th of March:

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has its main construction 
competition. Further details from Paul, G2RSA on 01952 261923.


Meeting for Thursday the 14th of March:

Salop Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by John, G0HCU on his trip 
to the Pyrenees. Details from G7SBD whose address is in the RSGB Call 
Book.


Meeting for Friday the 15th of March:

Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club has a skittles night. For 
further details contact Don, G3RLF on 01905 796718.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meeting for Monday the 11th of March:

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society makes its final arrangements 
for the Norbreck Rally. Telephone 01253 853554 for more details.



Meetings for Tuesday the 12th of March:

Keighley Amateur Radio Society pays a visit to the TA Parachute 
Regiment, Bradford. Details from Kath, G0RLO on 01274 496222.

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 its Annual General 
Meeting. More details from G0VJZ on 0161 338 4412.

Mansfield Amateur Radio Society screens amateur radio videos. Contact 
David, G0RDP on 01623 631931 for details.

Wakefield and District Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'the 
Return of the Pathologist'. Details from Bob, G3WWF on 0113 282 5519. 

Warrington Amateur Radio Society makes final preparations for the 
Norbreck Rally. Details from John, G0RPG on 01925 762722.


Meetings for Wednesday the 13th of March:

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society has a surplus equipment sale. Contact 
Malcolm, G8RWN on 01484 861782 for more details.

Hornsea Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'the Method of 
Fluxions' by G0TPS. Telephone 01964 533331 for more details.

Stockport Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Show Me - Setting up 
Modulation Levels' by G3LX. Telephone 0161 439 4952 for further details.


Meetings for Thursday the 14th of March:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a fox hunt review. For details 
telephone 0115 970 3225.

Preston Amateur Radio Society meets to discuss stewarding and duties at 
the 'NARSA Rally'. For details telephone 01772 686708.


Meetings for Friday the 15th of March:

East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club has a QSL card evening presented by 
Malcolm, G4YMB. Details from Alistair, G4OLK on 01642 475671.

South Manchester Radio Club meets for a talk by a maritime radio 
operator on his experiences at sea. Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.



NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 12th of March:

Dundee Amateur Radio Club has its construction evening. Telephone 01382 
739179 for more details.


Meeting for Wednesday the 13th of March:

Lothians Radio Society has a junk sale. For details telephone 0131 314 
2689 during office hours. 



NEWS FOR WALES


Meeting for Monday the 11th of March:

Cardiff RSGB Group has an open forum on aerials. Contact GW4HWR on 01222 
810368 for further details. 



NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND


Meeting for Wednesday the 13th of March:

Armagh and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk on crime 
prevention. For details telephone 01861 522153.

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

