
Good morning. It's Sunday the 3rd of March and here is the GB2RS news 
broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and 
short-wave listeners. 

The RSGB is very supportive of the Islands on the Air, or "IOTA", 
programme, and has been most impressed to observe its growth in recent 
years. The Society wishes to give full recognition to IOTA and to 
establish, in due course, a new IOTA Committee as a full committee of 
the Society. The recent growth of IOTA has been very significant and is 
undoubtedly placing unreasonable demands on those involved in the 
administration of the programme. The Society's Headquarters will in 
future therefore handle all administration. This will free up members of 
the new IOTA Committee to concentrate on strategic and technical 
matters.

In order to facilitate this move, it has been decided to disband the 
existing IOTA committee. This committee is in fact a working group and 
is a sub-committee of the Society's HF Committee. An IOTA Transition 
Group under the joint chairmanship of Martin Atherton, G3ZAY, and the 
Society's General Manager, Peter Kirby, G0TWW, is to manage the transfer 
of the IOTA administration to the Society's headquarters. Mrs Eva 
Telenius-Lowe has been appointed HQ IOTA Co-ordinator.

The Society is most grateful to all members of the IOTA Committee for 
their past support and contribution, especially Roger Balister, G3KMA, 
whose unstinting hard work and enthusiasm over the past 11 years has 
largely been responsible for the growth and popularity of the programme 
worldwide. The Society is delighted that Roger has accepted the position 
of RSGB IOTA Manager and will continue to manage the programme on a day 
to day basis alongside the HQ IOTA Co-ordinator and the IOTA Committee.

As a result of the action of the Society the future of the RSGB IOTA 
programme is now assured, and the Society is confident that the 
programme will continue to grow in popularity and take its place as one 
of the leading amateur radio awards in the world. All future 
correspondence and enquiries regarding IOTA should be directed to RSGB 
IOTA Programme, PO Box 9, Potters Bar, Herts. The postcode is EN6 3RH.

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 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.

There has been an overwhelming increase in demand for Morse test places 
over the last few weeks, as a result of candidates wishing to obtain one 
of the last G-series callsigns before the change to the M-series on the 
1st of April. This demand is expected to peak next weekend at the RSGB 
London Amateur Radio and Computer Show, where there will be ten Morse 
examiners on duty, with two parallel testing streams in operation. The 
examiners will attempt to test as many candidates as possible, but 
anyone wishing to take a Morse test on-demand at this venue is advised 
to book in at the information desk as early as possible. Two passport 
size photographs and the appropriate fee are required if you wish to 
take a Morse test on demand.

Contrary to the rumours currently being put about, particularly on the 
packet network, RSGB Council wishes to state categorically that neither 
at the present time, nor at any time in the past, has any consideration 
whatsoever been given to the idea of disaffiliating all or any Raynet 
groups. Council believes that the question of affiliation or 
non-affiliation is a matter to be decided by the groups themselves and 
will support, to the best of its ability, any and all groups which 
choose, or have chosen, to do so. Council has not been and is not 
engaged in any negotiation with R-A-E-N, but can see no reason why we 
should not co-exist peacefully.

A weekend of amateur radio and Scouting activities will take place at 
Gilwell Park on the 8th and 9th of June. The camp and amateur radio 
station will be set up as close as possible to the Greenwich Meridian, 
which runs through the Gilwell Park site. Participants must bring their 
own tent and camping equipment, but food will be provided. Places are 
limited, so contact Geoff Dellbridge, 19 Cleve Close, Astley Cross, 
Stourport on Seven, Worcestershire as soon as possible if you are 
interested. His postcode is DY13 0NY.

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.

There is a new RSGB QSL Bureau Sub-Manager for Guernsey. He is Mr R A 
Attwater, GU4WQP, 3 Stanley Villas, Stanley Road, St Peter Port, 
Guernsey.

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

>From the Cayman Islands, Bob Whelan, G3PJT, will sign ZF1JT from 
Thursday the 7th until the 12th of March. Activity will be on all bands, 
CW only, including an entry in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest on the 9th 
and 10th. Outside the contest, he will emphasise activity on the low 
bands.

>From Cambodia, VS6WV is active again as XU6WV from now until at least 
the 15th of March. Check 14192 at 1300 UTC, and 3507 kHz, listening up, 
from sunset.

And from Myanmar, formerly Burma, the XZ1R operation has been postponed 
due to regulatory difficulties. Approval for the XZ1N operation 
scheduled for the 2nd to the 11th of April is still pending, with a 
decision expected next week.

Next the Rally News:

The Red Rose Rally organised by the West Manchester Radio Club takes 
place today, the 3rd of March, at the Horwich Leisure Centre, Church 
Street, Victoria Road, Horwich. The event features many traders, a bring 
and buy stall and Morse tests on demand. The doors open at 11.00 am, or 
10.30 am for disabled visitors, and talk-in is on 2 metres, channel S22. 
Further details can be found on page 94 of the March edition of RadCom.

The Wythall Radio Club annual rally will take place at Wythall Park, 
Silver Street, Wythall, near Birmingham, next Sunday, the 10th of March. 
There will be 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 will be 
on 2 metres channel S22. For further details contact the rally 
organiser, Chris Pettitt, G0EYO, on 0121 430 7267.

Now for the HF contest news:

The ARRL International DX SSB Contest is taking place this weekend, the 
2nd and 3rd of March. The contest finishes at midnight UTC tonight, 
Sunday. 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 weekend, the 9th and 10th of March, the RSGB Commonwealth Contest 
takes place. It starts at 1200 UTC on Saturday, and running for 24 
hours. Stations in the UK should work other Commonwealth stations 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.

Next some VHF contest news:

The RSGB March 144 and 432 MHz Contest is taking place this weekend, the 
2nd and 3rd of March, until 1400 UTC on Sunday afternoon. The rules can 
be found in the September 95 RadCom.

The final session in the RSGB 70 MHz Cumulative Contests will take place 
on Sunday the 10th of March between 10 and 1200UTC. The rules for this 
contest are also in last September's RadCom.

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

The period from the 19th to the 25th of February saw solar activity at 
very low levels and the geomagnetic field at "quiet to unsettled" 
levels. The sunspot number increased from 12 on the 19th, to 29 on the 
24th and 25th. The mean was 21. Solar flux levels increased slightly 
from 71 units on the 19th to peak at 76 units on the 24th. Levels then 
declined to 73 units the following day, and the average was 73. No solar 
flares were reported.

Electron fluence levels were moderate on the 19th, 23rd and 24th, and at 
high levels on the 20th to 22nd and on the 25th. X-Ray flux levels 
remained at the minimum level of A1 until the 24th. They increased 
slightly to A2 units by the 25th and the average was A1.2 units. The 
90-day solar flux average on the 25th was 73 units, the same level as 
last week.

Geomagnetic activity started at "quiet" levels and increased to 
"unsettled" levels from the 23rd. By the 24th the level was up to Ap 17 
units. The average was Ap 10 units. The aa indices, as supplied by the 
British Geological Survey for the period from the 13th to the 19th of 
February, saw levels decline slightly from 28 nanoTeslas on the 14th, to 
18 nanoTeslas by the 19th. The average was 21 nanoTeslas, which is just 
K3.

Solar wind speeds declined from 530 kilometres per second on the 12th to 
14th, to 400 kilometres per second until the 18th. The particle density 
averaged less than 10 particles per cubic centimetre during most of the 
period. However, levels increased to 25 particles per cubic centimetre 
on the 18th. The Bz showed no sustained northward or southward 
orientation, with maximum deflections of plus 7 to minus 7 nanoTeslas 
taking place on the 16th and the 18th.

I'll repeat the figures: spots - 21, flux - 73, Ap index - 10, X-Ray 
flux - A1.2.

Now the ionospheric data for Central France:

The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon 
for the period from the 16th to the 22nd of February, increased from 
6.3MHz on the 16th to 7.2MHz by the 20th, with an average of 6.8MHz, 
which is the highest figure so far this year. The darkness hour lows 
also increased from 2MHz on the 16th to 2.6MHz by the 18th, but then 
declined to 2.1MHz by the 22nd. The average was 2.3MHz. The daytime 
highs took place at 0900 on the 18th, at 1600 on the 20th and 22nd, and 
at midday on the other days. The darkness hour lows took place at 0600 
each day.

I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.8MHz, lows - 2.3MHz.

And lastly the solar forecast:

This week the quiet side of the sun is expected to rotate into view and 
the solar disc may well be spotless on most days. Solar activity is 
expected to be at very low levels and solar flux levels are expected to 
decline to the low 70s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be "very 
quiet" until next weekend, when levels may increase to become 
"unsettled". Ionospheric MUFs during daylight hours are expected to be 
about 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north. With the nights 
shortening in the northern hemisphere, the darkness hour lows are 
expected to show some improvement, with levels up to 8MHz for the coming 
week.

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 
Yankee 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 Monday the 4th of March:

Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club gathers for a 'construct your own 
interface board' session. Details from G4ODM on 01256 26050.

Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. 
For further details contact John, G1WQQ on 01787 460947.

Southdown Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'the Secret 
Tunnels of South Heighton - HMS Forward'. For details telephone 01825 
763022.

Surrey Radio Contact Club has a surplus sale. For further details 
contact G4WAY on 0181 689 7089. 


Meetings for Tuesday the 5th of March:

Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk by Jonathan Higgins 
of the BBC entitled 'Here is the News Brought to you by...' Telephone 
01245 360545 for more details.

Chichester & District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 
'WAB - Worked All Britain' by John, G0KJU. For details telephone 01243 
573541.  

Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has an 'Open night'. For 
more information contact Paul on 01707 333542.


Meetings for Wednesday the 6th of March:

Aylesbury Vale Radio Society has a surplus equipment sale. For further 
details contact G3KLT on 01296 437720.

Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a junk sale. Contact G4CJC 
on 0181 366 0157 for details.

Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 
'Aerials and Matching' by Ron, G3XPH. For further information contact 
Andrew, G0AMS on 01329 235397.

Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a short talk and 
discussion. For details telephone 01903 753893.


Meetings for Thursday the 7th of March:

Colchester Radio Amateurs gathers for a talk entitled 'In-flight 
Entertainment' by Bev, G0KOY. Details from Brian, G0GGM on 01206 822547.

Cray Valley Radio Society gathers for a talk by Ted, G0ULL entitled 
'Mushrooms'. Details from Tony, G4WIF on 0171 739 5057.

Horsham Amateur Radio Club has a junk sale. For further details 
telephone 0181 686 5701 during office hours.


Meetings for Friday the 8th of March:

Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. 
Telephone 01703 813827 for more details.

Mid-Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a talk and demonstration by Chris, 
G0GMC on cable and antenna renovation. Telephone 01444 241407 for 
further details.

Silverthorn Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. For details contact 
Dave, G0KHC on 0181 505 1871.

Wimbledon and District Amateur Radio Society also has an on-the-air 
evening. For more information telephone 0181 679 1387.  

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST


Meeting for Monday the 4th of March:

Weston-Super-Mare Radio Society has a bring and buy sale. Details from 
Graham, G8WAR on 0934 415700.


Meetings for Tuesday the 5th of March:

Salisbury Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. For details 
telephone 01722 329398.

West Somerset Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Grid 
References and Locators'. Details from Alan, G7RSU on 01643 707207. 


Meetings for Wednesday the 6th of March:

South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 
01275 834282 for further information.

Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a surplus equipment sale. 
For details contact Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 during evening hours.


Meetings for Thursday the 7th of March:

Bristol Amateur Radio Club gathers for a projects night. Telephone 0117 
9654886 for details.

Yeovil Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by G0WAL entitled 'Cruising 
the Coast of Britain'. Contact Cedric, G4JBL who is QTHR or telephone 
01258 473845.



NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA

Meeting for Tuesday the 5th of March:

Leiston Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Roz Fotherby on the 
therapeutic use of hypnosis. Contact Dave, G6FS on 01728 832924 for more 
details.

Meetings for Wednesday the 6th of March:

Ipswich Radio Club will be visiting Martin Brown's Novices' Shack. For 
further details contact Andy, G7SMN on 01473 212891.

Norfolk Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Phase Locked 
Loops' by Mike, G4EOL. For details contact G4EOL on 01603 789792.



NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS


Meetings for Monday the 4th of March:

Leicester Radio Society meets for a talk entitled 'Radio Bloopers' by 
Monica Winfield from BBC Radio. Telephone 0116 291 7250 for more 
details.

Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has an open forum. For 
details telephone 01509 231289.

Maxpak meets for a talk and practical demonstration of Winpack. For 
further details contact Edward Loach on 01902 741877.

Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for the 
President's Annual Dinner. For further details contact Gordon, G0TZV on 
01384 395206.


Meetings for Wednesday the 6th of March:

Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a junk sale. Further 
details from Richard, G3VGW on 01773 852475.

Oswestry and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on 'Satellite 
Operations' by Meirion, G4UDE. Telephone 01691 830328 for details.


Meeting for Thursday the 7th of March:

Vale of Evesham meets for a talk of 'Feeders and Baluns' by David, 
G3PGQ. Details from Alasdair on 01386 41508.


Meeting for Friday the 8th of March:

Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 
'Microwave Update' by Sam, G4DDK. Contact Don, G3RLF on 01905 796718 for 
more details.



NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND


Meetings for Monday the 4th of March:

Isle of Man Radio Society meets to discuss club activities and how to 
attract new members. For details telephone 01624 842786.

Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by Les, G0ETV. 
Telephone 01253 853554 for more details.


Meetings for Tuesday the 5th of March:

Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society screens a coastguard video. 
Telephone 0151 722 1178 for more details.

Manchester and District Amateur Radio Society has a 'Chuckles Night'. 
For further details contact G0VJZ on 0161 338 4412.

Wakefield and District Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Details 
from G3WWF on 0113 282 5519.


Meeting for Wednesday the 6th of March:

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'Surfing 
the Internet' by G1FYS. Contact G8RWN on 01484 861782 for details.


Meeting for Thursday the 7th of March:

Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has an on-the-air evening. More details 
from Simon, G0IEG on 0115 950 1733.


Meetings for Friday the 8th of March: 

Goole Radio and Electronics Society meets for a talk on construction. 
For further details telephone 01757 638539.

South Manchester Radio Club meets for a talk by G0CBJ on 
'Refrigeration'. Telephone 0161 969 1964 for details.



NEWS FOR SCOTLAND


Meeting for Tuesday the 5th of March:

Dundee Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Emergency 
Planning Communications Vehicle' by Jim, GM4TNP. Telephone 01382 739179 
for details.



NEWS FOR WALES


Meeting for Wednesday the 6th of March:

Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Dewi, GW0ABL 
entitled 'Stesion Waenfawr Station - the VK/GW Connection'. Details from 
GW6PMC on 01745 855068.


Meeting for Saturday the 9th of March:

Swansea Amateur Radio Society is organising a coach trip to the RSGB 
London Amateur Radio and Computer Show. Places are still available on 
the 53-seater coach. For details telephone 01792 404422. 

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

