Good morning. It's Sunday the 31st of March and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. The Radiocommunications Agency and SSL presented the first of the new "M" series callsigns at a ceremony in Bristol yesterday, Saturday the 30th of March. M0AAA was issued to the Reading Novices' Amateur Aerial Association, with the licence being presented to club members Paul Sayer, G0VKT, and Ben Clarkson, G7WHO. Ben, aged 14, recently upgraded from his Novice callsign 2E1DHA, and is an active member of the Reading and District Amateur Radio Club. The first "M" series Class B callsign, M1AAA, was presented to Ian Oliver. The Reading and District Amateur Radio Club will be activating M0AAA and MX0AAA from Zero hundred hours BST on Monday the 1st of April. The station will be active for much of the first week of April and a special QSL card will be available for the first one thousand contacts. For further details contact Peter Swynford, G0PUB, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book, or call him on 01734 617388. An RSGB Regional Open Forum meeting will take place on the 26th of May at Rivenhall Village Hall, Church Road, Rivenhall, Witham, in Essex. RSGB President Peter Sheppard, G4EJP; Executive Vice-President Ian Kyle, GI8AYZ; and Zonal Council member Fred Stewart, G0CSF, will be attending, as well as RSGB Liaison Officers and a representative from the Datacomms Committee. Further details can be obtained from Fred Stewart, G0CSF, whose address is correct in the latest RSGB Call Book. RSGB President Peter Sheppard, G4EJP, will be the guest of honour at the first meeting of the newly-formed Louth Repeater and Packet Group at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 2nd of April. The meeting will take place at the Greyhound Public House at Upgate, Louth, and all are welcome. The group was formed to help support the 70 centimetre repeater GB3LC, and to plan to apply for a 24 centimetre and 3 centimetre TV repeater and packet node. For further details contact Roger, G4IPE, on 01507 602220. A new GB2RS news broadcast starts next Sunday, the 7th of April, covering the Telford area. The newsreader will be G3JKX, and the broadcast will be at 1200 via the GB3TF 70 centimetre FM repeater on channel RB8. Reports will be welcomed by the newsreader. "Kidlink '96" takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May. Schools are invited to put on stations so that youngsters, especially those between the ages of 10 and 15, can use amateur radio to communicate with their peers in this country and overseas. For further details, contact Peter Daly, G0GTE, on 01438 724991. A new RSGB Liaison Officer has been appointed for Counties Londonderry and Tyrone. He is John Crichton, GI4YWT, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Groups intending to take part in the RSGB's National Field Day contest on the 1st and 2nd of June are reminded that they must register, by sending details of the site to be used, by the 9th of April at the latest. Send the details to David Hill, G4IQM, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Please enclose an SAE if contest stationery or an acknowledgement of entry is required. Listeners to this broadcast are asked to remind their Club Secretaries of the 9th of April deadline. For further details see page 4 of the RSGB Contesting Guide, which was published in the September 1995 RadCom, or call David Hill, G4IQM, on 01293 882641 weekends or evenings. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet, which is edited by Chris Page, G4BUE: >From Saint Helena, Andy Chadwick, G4ZVJ, plans activity as ZD7WJ from the 29th of March until the 12th of April, CW only. Check around 1827, 3503, 7003, 10107, 14027, 18077, 21027, 24897 and 28027 kHz, listening up. Andy goes on to Ascension Island, where he will be active as ZD8VJ, on the 16th of April. >From Sri Lanka, HB9BRM is signing 4S7BRM from now until the 17th of April. Activity is on all bands, SSB, Amtor and Pactor. And from Cyprus, DL8KWS is signing 5B4/DL8KWS from now until the 10th of April. Next the Rally News: The Magnum Radio and Computer Rally takes place at the Magnum Leisure Centre, Harbourside, Irvine, Strathclyde, today Sunday the 31st of March. The event features the usual traders, an RSGB book stall and membership information stand, and Morse tests on demand. Doors open at 11.00 am. The Thames Valley Electronics Rally takes place at Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, in Middlesex today, Sunday the 31st. The event features retailers, antenna and accessory suppliers and a bring and buy stall. Doors open at 10.30 am. Next Sunday, the 7th of April, the Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadets Computer and Radio Rally takes place at the Feltham and Hounslow Sea Cadet Corps, 2 Popular Way, Feltham, in Middlesex. Talk-in will be provided on 2 metres channel S22, and for further details ring 01784 456486. Now for the HF contest news: The CQ WPX SSB Contest is taking place this weekend. It started at zero hundred UTC on Saturday and continues until 2400 UTC tonight. This contest is on all bands from 1.8 to 28 MHz, with the exception of the three "WARC" bands. All stations can work any other station, and the multiplier is the sum of all the different prefixes contacted. The first of five sessions in the RSGB Slow Speed Cumulative Contest takes place tomorrow evening, Monday the 1st of April, from 1900 until 2030 UTC. Send CW no faster than 12 words per minute - and never faster than the other station is sending - between 3540 and 3580 kHz. Novices are particularly encouraged to take part part. The second session is next Tuesday, the 9th of April. The rules are in last September's RadCom. Next weekend, the 6th and 7th of April, the SP DX contest takes place from 1500UTC Saturday for 24 hours. Brief rules are on page 21 of the April RadCom. And next Sunday, the 7th of April, the first RSGB Ropoco Contest takes place from 0700 to 0900 UTC. The rules are in last September's RadCom. Next some VHF contest news: The first of three sessions in the RSGB 144MHz SSB Fixed Station Cumulative Contest takes place on Tuesday the 2nd of April, from 1900 until 2100 UTC. The second session is on Wednesday the 10th of April and the rules are in last September's RadCom. And the RSGB 1.3 and 2.3 GHz Fixed station contests take place next Sunday, the 7th of April, between 1700 and 2100 UTC. The rules are in the September RadCom. And now the solar factual data compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS: The period from the 18th to the 24th of March saw solar activity increase to low levels. The geomagnetic field was up to "active" levels. Sunspot numbers declined to zero by the 20th as one small sunspot group disappeared, but on the 21st another group appeared and by the 23rd sunspot numbers were up to 24. The mean was 12. Solar flux levels averaged 71 units but were up to 74 units on the 22nd. Several small B class solar flares took place on the 22nd. On the 23rd, solar activity increased to low levels by virtue of a single C1 solar flare. Electron fluence levels increased from a high level to a very high level by the 23rd. X-Ray flux levels increased from A1 units to A1.6 units on the 23rd, with an average of A1.1 units. The 90-day solar flux average on the 24th was 73 units, the same as last week. Geomagnetic activity was mostly "unsettled", but did increase to "active" levels on the 21st with an Ap index of 22 units. The average was Ap 13 units. The following data covers the period from the 12th to the 18th of March. The aa indices, as supplied by the British Geological Survey, started at "active" levels with 40 nanoTeslas on the 13th, but then remained at "unsettled" levels. The average was 22 nanoTeslas. I'll repeat the figures: spots - 12, flux - 71, Ap - 13, X-Ray flux - A1.1. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies, as reported by Meudon for the period from the 15th to the 21st of March, saw levels around 6.4MHz each day except on the 21st, when they increased to 7.4MHz. The average was 6.5MHz. The darkness hour lows declined from 3.1MHz on the 17th to 2.3MHz by the 19th, with an average of 2.8MHz. The daytime highs took place between 1100 and 1800 hours with the darkness hour lows at 0500 hours every day except on the 18th, at 2100 hours. Two hours of blanketing E took place at daybreak on the 18th. I'll repeat the figures: highs - 6.5MHz, lows - 2.8MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week the quieter side of the sun is expected to be looking our way, and even though there may be days when sunspots are visible, solar activity is expected to remain at very low levels. Solar flux levels are expected to be around the 70 mark. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at "quiet" levels right up to next weekend when conditions may increase to "active" levels. Ionospheric MUFs during daylight hours are expected to be about 18MHz for the south and 15MHz for the north, but levels may be slightly higher some days. The darkness hour lows may show signs of improvement now the nights are becoming shorter and shorter. Also the daytime highs are expected to take place in the evening period now that the seasonal effects are taking place. 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 X-Ray Bravo and G7 Whisky Lima 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 1st of April: Basingstoke Amateur Radio Club has a Constructor's Competition. 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. Surrey Radio Contact Club has its Annual General Meeting. For further details contact G4WAY on 0181 689 7089. Meetings for Tuesday the 2nd of April: Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk on Antarctica by Professor Barclay, G3HTF. Telephone 01245 360545 for more details. Chichester and District Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. For details telephone 01243 573541. Dacorum Amateur Radio Transmitting Society has its Annual General Meeting. Telephone 01582 620507 for further details. Meetings for Wednesday the 3rd of April: Aylesbury Vale Radio Society meets for a talk on operating techniques by Ivan, G3KLT. For further details contact G3KLT on 01296 437720. Fareham and District Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Restoration and Exhibits' by the Collingwood Group. For further information contact Andrew, G0AMS on 01329 235397. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club screens a video by G8VEH entitled '1985 Revisited'. For details telephone 01903 753893. Meeting for Thursday the 4th of April: Horsham Amateur Radio Club has a Home-brew evening. For further details telephone 0181 686 5701 during office hours. Meetings for Friday the 5th of April: East Kent Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 01227 742288 for more details. Maidstone YMCA Amateur Radio Society has a shack and antenna maintenance evening. Details from Graham, G4AXD on 01622 729462. NEWS FOR THE SOUTH WEST Meeting for Sunday the 31st of March: Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society has a surplus equipment auction. For more details telephone 01425 653404. Meetings for Monday the 1st of April: Weston-Super-Mare Radio Society has an Extraordinary General Meeting followed by a talk by Taunton's RLO. Details from Graham, G8WAR on 0934 415700. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk by Mike, G7SDD on '6m Equipment Design'. Details from Tim, G6RCT on 01963 31788. Meeting for Tuesday the 2nd of April: West Somerset Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting and a construction contest. Details from Alan, G7RSU on 01643 707207. Meetings for Wednesday the 3rd of April: South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has an on-the-air evening. Telephone 01275 834282 for further information. Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk entitled 'Whys and Wherefores of the Cubical Quad Antenna' by G0DAB. For details contact Ian, G0GRI on 01225 864698 during evening hours. Meetings for Thursday the 4th of April: Bristol Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk on 'Distribution Boxes'. Telephone 0117 9654886 for details. Cornish Radio Amateur Club has its Annual General Meeting. Details from Robin, G0MYR on 01209 820118. Yeovil Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk by G3FFH entitled 'Adjudication of the Annual Constructor's Contest'. Contact Cedric, G4JBL who is QTHR or telephone 01258 473845. Meeting for Friday the 5th of April: Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'Questions and Answers' session. Telephone 01823 680778 for details. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Tuesday the 2nd of April: Leiston Amateur Radio Club gathers for a talk on 'Microwaves' by Sam, G4DDK. Contact Dave, G6FS on 01728 832924 for more details. Meetings for Wednesday the 3rd of April: Ipswich Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'The Police Helicopter' by Inspector Mike Walker. For further details contact Andy, G7SMN on 01473 212891. Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has its Annual General Meeting. For details contact G4EOL on 01603 789792. Meeting for Thursday the 4th of April: Yarmouth Radio Club has an Extraordinary General Meeting. More details from G3NHU on 01493 721173. NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Monday the 1st of April: Leicester Radio Society meets for a talk about its history by Frank, G4PDZ. Telephone 0116 291 7250 for more details. Maxpak has its Annual General Meeting. For further details contact Edward Loach on 01902 741877. Stourbridge and District Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. For further details contact Gordon, G0TZV on 01384 395206. Meetings for Wednesday the 3rd of April: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society pays a visit to the new Fire Service Headquarters. Further details from Richard, G3VGW on 01773 852475. Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club has a nostalgia night. Telephone 0115 921 2857 for more details. Meeting for Thursday the 4th of April: Stoke-on-Trent Amateur Radio Society has a junk sale. For details contact Ian, G8MVV whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Great Lumley Amateur Radio and Electronics Society now has a new secretary - Nancy Bone, G7UUR. The club meets every Wednesday night. For more details telephone 0191 384 4055. Meetings for Monday the 1st of April: Barnsley and District Amateur Radio Club has a surplus equipment sale. Contact Ernie, G4LUE on 01226 716339 for more details. Isle of Man Radio Society meets for a talk by Dave, GD4HOZ on the 'Past, Present and Future of Isle of Man Repeaters'. For details phone 01624 842786. Mansfield Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk on new radio receivers by Richard Hillier. For details contact David, G0RDP on 01623 631931. South Normanton and District Amateur Radio Club has a quiz night. For further details telephone 01773 863892. Meetings for Tuesday the 2nd of April: Eccles and District Amateur Radio Society gathers for a discussion about the HF NFD contest. Details from G8KRG on 0161 773 7899. Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society meets for a talk by G0WRE. Telephone 0151 722 1178 for more details. Manchester and District Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. For further details contact G0VJZ on 0161 338 4412. Wakefield and District Radio Society has a quiz. Details from G3WWF on 0113 282 5519. Warrington Amateur Radio Society gathers for a talk entitled 'the Internet Revisited' by David, G7TLT. Details from John, G0RPG on 01925 762722. Meetings for Wednesday the 3rd of April: Hornsea Amateur Radio Club meets for a debate entitled 'Compulsory Membership? Never!' Telephone 01964 533331 for more details. Mid Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has an on-the-air evening. For more details telephone 01606 592207. Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club has a ten pin bowling evening. Contact Bob, G4NCI on 0151 606 8989 for more details. Meeting for Thursday the 4th of April: Keighley Amateur Radio Society gathers for the 'Latest Talk by Mr Dougherty'. Further details from Kath, G0RLO on 01274 496222. Meeting for Friday the 5th of April: Goole Radio and Electronics Society has a contest planning evening. For further details telephone 01757 638539. NEWS FOR WALES Meeting for Monday the 1st of April: Dragon Amateur Radio Club meets for a talk entitled 'Something Different' by Stewart, GW0ETF. For details telephone 01248 660963. Meeting for Wednesday the 3rd of April: Conwy Valley Amateur Radio Club has an evening of members' past and present construction efforts. Details from GW6PMC on 01745 855068. Meeting for Thursday the 4th of April: Meirion Amateur Radio Society gathers for two talks: 'Planning for NFD 96' plus 'Communications for the Cader Race'. Contact Maurice, GW3GKZ on 01341 422447 for more details. NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Meeting for Friday the 5th of April: Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society hosts a talk by Practical Wireless editor Rob Mannion, G3XFD. Details from Harry, GI4JTF on 01232 422762. -- GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain. Tel +44 1707 659 015 Fax +44 1707 645 105