
Good morning. It's Sunday the 25th of February and here is the GB2RS 
news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs 
and short-wave listeners. And a special greeting to all Guides and 
Brownies taking part in Thinking Day on the Air.

The annual Guides Thinking Day On The Air is taking place this weekend, 
the 24th and 25th of February. At least 130 stations using GB callsigns 
and GX and other club special prefixes are representing Guides and 
Brownies' groups all over the country. For example, GB2CFG, representing 
Chandlers Ford Guides, is being operated by the Itchen Valley Amateur 
Radio Society from the Chandlers Ford Guide Headquarters in Hursley 
Road.

The RSGB London Amateur Radio and Computer Show will take place at the 
Lee Valley Leisure Centre at Edmonton in London on 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 a 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 is published in the March edition of Radio 
Communication, which has been posted to all RSGB members this week.

A new GB2CW Slow Morse practice transmission is now being broadcast at 
8.15pm on Sundays on 1850kHz. The transmission is from the North 
Cheshire Radio Club, operated by Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, and should give 
nationwide coverage. There has also been a small change to the 80 and 6 
metre GB2CW transmissions from G3LEQ. These are now broadcast at 9.45am 
on Sundays on 3640kHz and 51.530MHz. Reports on any of the GB2CW 
transmissions are welcomed by the operators. Please let them know what 
your Morse speed requirements are and whether the practice sessions are 
useful. You can contact the individual operators directly, or 
alternatively write to the co-ordinator, David Pratt, G4DMP. His address 
is 11 Moorleigh Close, Kippax, Leeds, and the postcode is LS25 7PB.

Now a note for your diary: the date of the RSGB Regional Open Forum 
Meeting at Witham in Essex has now been set for Sunday the 26th of May. 
Details of the meeting are on page 11 of the March RadCom, but the date 
of the meeting wasn't available as we went to press. Further details can 
be obtained from Fred Stewart, G0CSF, whose address is correct in the 
RSGB Call Book.

Another VHF Round Table will be held at the BT Laboratories, Martlesham 
Heath, near Ipswich in Suffolk on Sunday the 31st of March. The event 
will include round table sessions and seminars, testing facilities and a 
bring and buy stand. For BT Labs' security reasons, all access is by 
advance booking only. For tickets, send a list of the names of all 
persons attending along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Roy 
Smith, G0RRC, whose address is correct 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.

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

>From the British Virgin Islands, KK9A will sign VP2V/KK9A from the 25th 
of February until next Tuesday, the 5th of March. Activity will 
emphasise 80 and 160 metres.

>From the Cayman Islands - Zulu Foxtrot - four American operators are 
active from Thursday the 29th of February until the 4th of March, from 
160 to 6 metres.

And from Chad, Frank Turek DL7FT was planning activity as TT8FT from now 
until the 9th of March. He will use CW and SSB on all bands, including 
160 metres.

Next the Rally News:

The Barry Mobile Rally is taking place at Barry Leisure Centre today, 
Sunday the 25th of February. Doors open at 10.30 am, or 10.00 am for 
disabled visitors.

Also today, the 25th, the Taw and Torridge Rally takes place at the 
Bideford Centre on the Quay at Bideford in Devon. Doors open at 10.15am.

On Saturday, the 2nd of March, the West Wales Amateur Radio and Computer 
Rally will take place at its new venue - Penparcau School, Aberystwyth. 
For details call 01 545 580675.

Now for the HF contest news:

The Belgian UBA CW contest is taking place this weekend. It started at 
1300 on Saturday the 24th of February and runs for 24 hours.

The French REF SSB contest is also taking place this weekend. It started 
at 0600 on the 24th and continues until 1800 on the 25th. Brief rules 
for both of these contests are on page 23 of the February RadCom.

Next weekend, the 2nd and 3rd of March, the ARRL International DX SSB 
Contest takes place. The contest starts at 0000UTC on Saturday and runs 
for 48 hours. Work USA and Canadian stations only on all bands from 160 
to 10 metres - excluding the WARC bands - and send an RS 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 fourth out of five sessions in the RSGB 70 MHz Cumulative Contests 
is taking place today, the 25th of February, between 10 and 1200UTC. The 
final session will take place on Sunday the 10th of March and the rules 
can be found in last September's RadCom.

Next weekend, the 2nd and 3rd of March, the RSGB March 144 and 432 MHz 
Contest takes place. It runs for 24 hours from 1400 UTC on Saturday, and 
the rules can be found in the September 95 RadCom.

And before the solar factual data, a reminder that an explanation of the 
solar and geophysical terms used in this broadcast can be found on page 
94 of the current RSGB Call Book. For visually handicapped listeners, a 
copy of the Guide to Propagation Terms on specially tinted paper is 
available from the Propagation Studies Committee. Contact the Chairman, 
Professor Martin Harrison, G3USF on 01782 627396 for details. For those 
requiring this Guide in Braille, the Radio Amateur Invalid and Blind 
Club are able to supply a copy. Contact Margery Hey on 01953 454920 for 
details.

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

The period from the 12th to the 18th of February saw solar activity at 
very low levels and the geomagnetic field at "quiet to unsettled" 
levels. The solar disc remained spotless and featureless except on the 
15th, when one small spot appeared and then disappeared again the same 
day. The mean for the period was 6. Solar flux levels increased slightly 
from 69 to 71, with an average of 70 units. No solar flares were 
reported. Electron fluence increased from moderate to high levels on the 
13th, but then declined to a moderate level on the 16th. X-Ray flux 
levels remained at its minimum level of A1 every day. The 90-day solar 
flux average on the 18th was 73 units, the same level as last week.

Geomagnetic activity started the period at "unsettled" levels but by the 
15th declined to "quiet", with an average of Ap 10 units. The aa 
indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey for the period 
from the 6th to the 12th of February, saw activity increase from "quiet" 
levels, with 9 nanoTeslas on the 6th, to just "sub-storm" levels with 42 
nanoTeslas by the 11th. Levels then declined on the 12 and the average 
was 20.8 nanoTeslas, which is just K3.

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 6, flux - 70, Ap index - 10, 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 9th to the 15th of February, saw levels improve 
from 5.8MHz on the 9th and 10th, to 6.4MHz by the 15th. The average was 
6.0MHz. The darkness hour lows increased slightly from 2.4MHz on the 
9th, to 2.8MHz by the 11th. Levels then declined to 2.1MHz on the 13th 
and the average was 2.4MHz. The daytime highs took place between 1100 
and 1600 hours, with the darkness hour lows at 0600 hours every day 
except on the 11th, when it was at 2100.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.0MHz, lows - 2.4MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast.

As reported last week, the sun has declined in all forms of activity. On 
the last solar rotation, the slightly more active side of the sun was 
looking our way, but the sun spots were declining. Therefore this week 
solar activity looks set to continue at very low levels, with solar flux 
levels about the mid 70s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be 
"unsettled" for the next couple of days and then decline to "quiet" 
levels for the remainder of the week. Ionospheric MUFs for the south 
during daylight hours are expected to be about 17MHz, and the darkness 
hour lows 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 
X-Ray and G7 Whisky Hotel series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alfa 
November and 2 1 Echo Uniform series.

Next, the local news.


NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST


Meetings for Tuesday the 27th of February:

Dorking and District Radio Society gathers for two talks - entitled 
'Antenna Measurements' and 'Call Book on Disk' - by John, G3AEZ. For 
further details contact G3AEZ on 01306 631236.

Horndean and District Amateur Radio Club has its annual junk sale. 
Details from Stuart, G0FYX on 01705 472846.

Stevenage & District Amateur Radio Society has a project night. For 
details telephone 01707 333542.

Verulam Amateur Radio Club holds a debate on the 'Future of the Morse 
Code in Amateur Radio'. For details contact Walter, G3PMF on 01923 
262180.

Waterside Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by Andy, G4MYS on PMR. 
For more information contact Bill, G1AEH on 01703 783170.


Meetings for Wednesday the 28th of February:

Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a members' forum. For 
further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391.

Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a discussion about 
1996 contests. Telephone 01635 863310 for details.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a junk sale. For details 
telephone 01903 753893.


Meetings for Thursday the 29th of February:

Hoddesdon Radio Club pays a visit to Waters and Stanton. Further details 
from Don, G3JNJ on 0181 245 8119.

Reading and District Amateur Radio Club visits Quantel Laboratory. 
Contact Peter, G0PUB on 01734 617388 for more details.

Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by 
Cable-Tel on their system of communications. More details from Paul, 
G1GSN on 01462 700618.


Meetings for Friday the 1st of March:

Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association has a constructors' contest. 
Telephone 01242 242336 for further information.

Loughton and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a look at the 
club's latest QSL design by John, G0VEH. Telephone 0181 500 2811 for 
details.

Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society gathers for a talk 
entitled 'Something for Nothing - the Sequel' by Geoff, G3YVF. More 
details from Gloria, G3VUN on 01634 710023.

Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a quiz night. For further details 
telephone 01444 241 407.

Radio Society of Harrow meets for a demonstration of the World Wide Web. 
For further details telephone 01895 632377 during evening hours.

Silverthorn Radio Club has an Extraordinary General Meeting. Contact 
Dave, G0KHC on 0181 505 1871 for further details.



NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meetings for Tuesday the 27th of February:

Blackmore Vale Amateur Radio Society gathers for a look at kits and 
projects with G1RSF. Contact Stuart, G7JIF on 01747 838554 for more 
details.

RSGB City of Bristol Group gathers for a talk on Amateur Fast Scan TV by 
Paul, G8YMM. Contact Dave, G4NKT on 0117 9672124 for more details.

Salisbury Amateur Radio Club takes a look at members' construction 
efforts. For details telephone 01722 329398.


Meetings for Friday the 1st of March:

Axe Vale Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'The Measurement 
of Time' by G3AHX. Details from G3FFH on 01297 445518.

Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Eddy, G4LZU 
entitled 'My Introduction to Amtor and Pactor'. Telephone 01823 680778 
for details.



NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA


Meetings for Wednesday the 28th of February:

Ipswich Radio Club has a Morse practice evening. For details contact 
Andy, G7SMN on 01473 212891.

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



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meeting for Monday the 26th of February:

Leicester Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 0116 291 
7250 for more details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 27th of February:

Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'Test 
Equipment for the Radio Amateur'. Details from Barry, G0TPG on 01527 
542266.

Buxton Radio Amateurs meets for a talk by Derek on Operating Practices. 
For details contact Derek, G4IHO on 01298 25506.

Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 
'Protective Multiple Earthing' by Paul Saba of East Midlands 
Electricity. Contact G8HRI on 01926 424465 for more details.

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


Meetings for Wednesday the 28th of February:

South Notts Amateur Radio Club has a talk and teaching session on 
Contest Logging Software by Ray, G0SOM. Details from the Secretary at PO 
Box 4, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 9DE.

Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has its annual 'Under a 
Fiver' construction competition. Contact Paul, G2RSA on 01952 261923 for 
more details. 


Meeting for Thursday the 29th of February:

Salop Amateur Radio Society has a demonstration on Slow Scan TV by Clem, 
G0ALV. Details from 1 Willington Close, Little Harlescott Lane, 
Shrewsbury SY1 3RH.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meeting for Sunday the 25th of February:

Isle of Man Radio Society visits the control tower at Ronaldsway 
Airport. Contact Chris, GD6TWF on 01624 842786 for more details.


Meetings for Monday the 26th of February:

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 two ten-minute talks, and 
more on the club project. Telephone 01253 853554 for details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 27th of February:

Chester and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on 'RAF 
Radio' by Frank, G0KZS. Telephone 0151 608 3229 for more details.

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

Wakefield and District Radio Society has a video evening. Further 
details from G3WWF on 0113 282 5519.


Meetings for Wednesday the 28th of February:

Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. For 
details telephone 01606 592207.

Stockport Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'To Russia with 
Love' by G0AMY. For further details telephone 0161 439 4952.


Meetings for Thursday the 29th of February:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a construction evening. Telephone 
0115 970 3225 for more details.

Keighley Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'A Very 
Different Frequency' by G3TDZ. Further details from Kath, G0RLO on 01274 
496222.


Meetings for Friday the 1st of March:

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

Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a GB2HBS planning session. For 
details telephone 01757 638539.

South Manchester Radio Club has a 'Technical Topics Discussion Evening'. 
Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.



NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 27th of February:

Dundee Amateur Radio Club has a construction evening. For details 
telephone 01382 739179.



NEWS FOR WALES


Marford and District Amateur Radio Society is a recently-formed club 
which meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Marford 
Community Centre near Wrexham. For further details contact Rod, GW7TKZ 
on 01978 853992.

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

