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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 27th September 2009

The news headlines

* Five days to go until the UK's largest amateur radio show

* Over the horizon radio causes interference

* Postal delays affect the RGSB

Next Friday, the 2nd of October, sees the opening of the UK's largest
amateur radio show for some years. The show takes place at the Newark
showground and spans two days. The National Hamfest will have lots for
visitors to see because all space for traders is completely full. All
the major manufacturers and retailers will be at the show, including a
number of overseas traders making their first visit to the UK. There is
a car boot area and bring and buy too. The National Hamfest will be
your one opportunity this year to meet the RSGB and its many
representative committees. The new GB4FUN vehicle will be in attendance
and so will Ofcom. This will be the first time that Ofcom have attended
a major UK amateur radio event. The star of the show will be the Luso
aerial tower that created such a huge interest at both Dayton and
Friedrichshafen earlier this year. The new National Hamfest has
everything for the radio amateur and is a show not to be missed. The
showground is easy to find and there is ample car parking right next to
the hall. Full details can be found in RadCom and on the National
Hamfest website, www.nationalhamfest.co.uk, where you will find a full
list of all traders plus an up to date floor plan. IARU Region 1
reports that the Russian over-the-horizon radar is active daily on
14.440MHz and is producing splatter plus and minus 110kHz. The upper
part of the 20m band is affected, too. The location of the ABM2-radar
is in the area of Smolensk. The German PTT has been informed. More
information is available on their website, www.iaru-r1.org. The RSGB,
like most organisations and businesses, is suffering delays due to the
many local Royal Mail disputes around the UK. The situation appears to
be worsening and there is a threat of a national postal strike on the
horizon. The Society apologies for any delays in postal exchanges and
in particular late delivery of RadCom; this is beyond our control.
There have been several additions and changes to the programme for the
RSGB Convention taking place over the 9th to 11th October. For example,
the HF Contest Forum will now take place before the HF Contest Trophy
presentations. Bookings for rooms, meals and so on closes next Friday,
2nd October, although day visitors are welcome at all times. For the
latest updates check out the Convention's programme on the RSGB
Convention website www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention. After more than 20
years of handling all of the QSL cards for residents and the scores of
visiting amateurs who come year upon year to enjoy the rarer prefix of
Jersey, Reg Allnet, GJ3XZE is stepping down as the island's volunteer
sub manager. The RSGB wishes to convey its grateful thanks for his
sterling work on behalf of his fellow amateurs and hopes that maybe now
he will have some time to operate. Reg has found his own replacement
and we are delighted to welcome Michael Brown, 2J0SZI, who has
volunteered to take his place. Full contact details are available in
the QSL section of the RSGB members' website, where a full list of all
sub managers can be found. Visitors to the Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man are reminded that

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UK stamps for the collection of QSL cards are not valid and that it is
wise to purchase appropriate stamps for SAEs during their stay. Cards
arriving at the bureau without a via listing * and many hundreds do *
will not be diverted to home addresses. The British Young Ladies
Amateur Radio Association will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on
their stand at the National Hamfest in Newark on 2 and 3 October. They
invite all radio amateurs to join them in their celebrations and look
forward to meeting as many amateurs as possible * whether BYLARA
members or not. For more information on how to get to the venue to join
in these birthday celebrations, go to www.nationalhamfest.co.uk.

In the week leading up to the National Hamfest, G0PIO, G6JUT and G3XZF
are involved in some local radio broadcasts about amateur radio. In the
Rob Underwood programme broadcast throughout the BBC Radio Midlands
area and on Monday evening on local radio throughout the BBC East
region they will be talking about amateur radio and its value as a
hobby. They are hoping to encourage people through these regions to
visit the National Hamfest and see what amateur radio is all about for
themselves. IARU Region 1 reports that in the evening hours of 18
September a strong WXfax signal appeared on 14.0019MHz. DK2OM bearings
pointed to USA and the transmissions came from the US Coastguard. Jack,
AA3GZ informed the US Coastguard and they promised to solve the
problem. The same day a strong F1B signal was heard on 7.1017MHz. The
ident belonged to the Royal Navy in Faslane, Scotland. Interference was
reported to the German PTT, who informed Ofcom. About 20 minutes later
the transmission was finished. D-Star repeater GB7NE is now on the air.
It operates on 439.450MHz and covers most of the county of
Northumberland from Newcastle upon Tyne to Bamburgh. The repeater is
maintained by Colin, G7RWC and has a website, gb7ne.org.uk. The
repeater currently operates as a stand alone digital audio repeater but
will be connected to the D-Star network within the next few weeks. The
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) will be exhibiting and
participating at the upcoming ITU Telecom World 2009 in early October.
The event will be used to roll out the new IARU Emergency
Communications Brochure as well as to showcase some publications of
IARU member societies.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week The
Kempton Radio and Electronics Show will be held today, 27 September, at
Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury on Thames TW16 5QA. The show opens at
10am and there will be a talk-in station on 145.550MHz using the call
GB2KRT. Most major amateur radio distributors will be represented and
there will be plenty of trade stands. There will be three talks in the
RSGB Bytesized Lecture Series, details of which are on the website
www.radiofairs.co.uk. RSGB Abbey Court staff will be running the RSGB
bookstall. The National Hamfest, organised by the RSGB in association
with the Lincoln Short Wave Club, will take place on the 2nd and 3rd
October at the George Stephenson Pavilion, Newark and Nottinghamshire
Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark NG24 2NY. There will be the
largest showing of trade stands as well as car boot sales and a Bring &
Buy, plus special interest groups and Morse proficiency tests. The RSGB
will have a large presence at the show with a bookstall and RSGB
Services & Committees. Details are at www.nationalhamfest.org.uk. On 4
October, the Autumn Militaria & Electronics & Radio Amateur Hangar Sale
will take place at the Hack Green secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich,
Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2.50. Contact
Rod Siebert on 01270 623353.

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Now for the news of special events Following last year's first Railways
on the Air event, Bishop Auckland Amateur Radio Club is coordinating
ROTA 2009 over the weekend 26 and 27 September. The event is timed to
coincide with the anniversary of the running of the world's first steam
passenger train on the Stockton to Darlington Railway and there are
many special event stations on the air. For a full listing, check out
their website at http://barac.m0php.net.

GB70GB is a very special Special Event callsign, issued by Ofcom for
the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Research Centre at Great
Baddow. This is the home to what was originally Marconi's Research
Laboratories. Later, it was also home to famous staff including
Spycatcher author Peter Wright and Chris Cockrell, inventor of the
hovercraft. The station will be operating on Saturday 3rd October and
will be operated by members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society.
Baddow is also home to the last surviving fully intact 360ft Chain Home
radar mast from the Battle of Britain - itself coming up to its own
anniversary in February 2010, the 75th anniversary of the Daventry
Experiment when radar was born. Visitors must pre- register to visit
the special event station and they will see a series of exhibits on
Baddow's history and technology from turn of the century Marconi
heritage right up to present day innovations at what is now known as
BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre. Full details can be found at
qrz.com. Special event station GB4GDS, celebrating the work of the
Guide Dogs for the Blind organisation, will be operating from 1 October
for 28 days from the Lindsayfield branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Operator Keith, GM4DAE hopes to be active on 80m, 40m, 20m and 2m at
various times from early morning through to late evening. The station
celebrates the 78th anniversary of the first Guide Dog training in
Wallasey, Cheshire, in 1931. Over the weekend of 3rd and 4th October,
members of the Grimsby & District battalion will be operating GB1BB for
the Founding weekend On the Air, which celebrates the founding of the
Boys Brigade movement in 1887. Also on the air will be the 1st Bermuda
battalion, callsign VP9400BB. If you are helping a Battalion or Company
take part then please register the callsign via e-mail to
.

And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources. The
Glorioso Island DXpedition team are now active. The FT5GA team had some
antenna problems at first due to windy weather conditions and a faulty
contact on a WARC Spiderbeam, which was fixed. Indications seem that
all three stations are now on the air. Activity has been on all bands
and the CW/SSB modes with some RTTY. Operations will last until October
5th and the QSL Manager is F5OGL, Didier Senmartin, PO Box 7, F-53320
Loiron, France. Full details on their website at
http://glorieuses2008.free.fr.

From 5 to 50 October, Bill Vanderheide, N7OU will be on Rarotonga,
South Cooks Island doing volunteer work. His callsign will be E51NOU
and he'll be on the air in his spare time on 80 to 10m, CW only. QSL to
his home callsign N7OU. Barrie, G4AHK will operate holiday style as
7Q7BJ while travelling around Malawi, until 12 October. He plans to
focus on 160, 80 and 40 metres. QSL via G4AHK.

Now the contest news The Edgware Activity Periods run until 2 October
in short periods of operation * these can be found on their website,
www.g3asr.thersgb.net. You can use SSB or CW on any or all of the
bands. On 29 September the 70MHz UK Activity Contest takes place
between 1900 and 2130UTC. You can use all modes on the band and the
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

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The first RSGB HF event of October is the 21/28MHz Contest On October 4
between 0700 and 1900UTC. You can work others on each mode on each
band, exchanging RS(T) and serial number plus District Code. For most
people this means the first two letters of your postcode, but single
first letter postcodes are padded to two letters. If you're not sure
what your District Code is, a list is available in the RSGB Yearbook or
online at http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/information...ictcodes.shtml. There are
Open, Restricted and QRP categories and sections for CW, SSB and mixed
modes. Saturday 3 October sees the 1.2/2.3GHz Trophy taking place
between 1400 and 2200UTC using all modes. The exchange is Signal
report, serial number and locator.

Non-RSGB events start with the IARU 432MHz*248GHz Contest, which runs
for a full 24 hours from 1400 to 1400UTC on 3 and 4 October. The first
six hours coincide with the RSGB 1.2GHz/2.3GHz Trophy Contest. Casual
participants will doubtless find some 70cm stations on SSB to contact,
but its well-equipped hilltop residents or portables that will be
making the running.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 14th to the 20th of
September, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS and Martin Harrison, G3USF.
The solar disc was spotless throughout the week and solar activity
remained very low. However, the solar flux moved very slightly upwards,
reaching 71 units on the 19th and 20th, its highest level since July.
The average across the week was 70, a gain of one point. The 90-day
average was unchanged at 68 and the X- ray flux stayed below its
minimum reporting threshold. More importantly for HF propagation,
geomagnetic levels were consistently low, averaging a shade under 5 Ap
units. Solar wind speeds reported by the ACE spacecraft ranged between
a high of 476km/sec on the 16th and a low of 278km/sec on the 20th.
Particle densities were low every day, apart from the occasional
short-lived blip. And the interplanetary magnetic field was quiet, with
Bz showing only small variation, the maximum being between plus 7 and
minus 5 nanoTeslas on the 20th. Aided by low geomagnetic levels and
seasonal improvement, HF propagation reached predicted values. Good
morning openings to the Far East and the Pacific were reported on 14MHz
and the Glorioso DXpedition proved workable up to 24MHz. There were
even brief periods with sporadic-E on 28MHz. Looking ahead now, solar
activity will mostly be very low, though we may well see occasional
sunspots and even a minor flare. Solar flux levels are expected to
hover around 70. The geomagnetic field may initially be slightly
unsettled in the wake of a small coronal hole disturbance but should
subsequently be quiet. Prospects for HF propagation look reasonably
good, within the context of the current prolonged solar minimum. MUFs
at equal latitudes will continue to be around 19MHz in southern Britain
and 16MHz in the north. Darkness lows will be about 9MHz. Paths to
southern Africa should have a maximum usable frequency around 22MHz.
The optimum working frequency, at which there should be a 90 per cent
chance of success, will be around 18MHz. The best time will be between
1400 and 2000 UTC. Finally, G4FKH's propagation predictions for a wide
range of paths can now be found on the Society's web page at
www.rsgb.org.uk/propagation.

And that's all for this week from the propagation team.

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Next, the Local News:

Please note that details of all RSGB-affiliated clubs and societies

can be found on the RSGB website, including e-mail addresses

and website links where known.

[Note to newsreaders: Please read the local news items appropriate to
the service area of your

transmission.]

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

and EAST ANGLIA On Tuesday 29 September Brede Steam Amateur Radio
Society is operating from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On
Wednesday 30 September Bracknell Amateur Radio Club is having a 2 metre
local net on 145.375 FM. Contact Paul, M3XPR, by email to
.

On Wednesday 30 September Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction evening. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on 01442 831 491.
On Wednesday 30 September Dover Radio Club is having ten-minute talks
by members. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to . On
Wednesday 30 September Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having an informal evening. Contact John, M0UKD, 07817365354. On
Wednesday 30 September Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an informal
construction and workshop evening with Bright Sparks. Contact Chris
Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 30 September Worthing and
District Amateur Radio Club is on the air and having a discussion
enening. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 1 October
Cray Valley Radio Society is having a talk by George, G3BNE oh his life
in radio. Contact Bob, 2E0RCV, on 020 8265 7735 after 8pm. On Thursday
1 October Horsham Amateur Radio Club is having a used equipment sale.
Details on the web at www.harc.org.uk. On Thursday 1 October King's
Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club night and 2m club net. Contact
Ray, G3RSV, by email to . On Thursday 1 October
Shefford and District Amateur Radio Society is planning for CQWW.
Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742 757. On Friday 2 October Cambridge
and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on Cambridgeshire
RAYNET by David, G8IDL. Contact David Leary, G8JKV on 01223 355254. On
Friday 2 October Crystal Palace Radio and Electronics Club is looking
at mobiles, portables and test equipment. Contact Bob, G3OOU, on 01737
552 170. On Friday 2 October Loughton and Epping Forest Amateur Radio
Society is having a talk on the history of signalling by John Mulye,
G0VEH. Contact Marc Litchman, G0TOC, on 020 8502 1645.

On Friday 2 October Wey Valley Amateur Radio Group is having a talk by
Roger Western, G3SXW. Details on the web at www.weyvalleyarg.org.uk.

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On Saturday 3 October Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is at the
bunker. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Saturday 3 October Surrey
Radio Contact Club has its club dinner. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020 8644
7589. On Sunday 4 October Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is
having breakfast at the Goring Café Restaurant. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on
01903 753 893.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST

Foundation and Advanced training courses start in Lymington, Hampshire
this month. The Foundation course commences on Friday 25 September and
the Advanced on Monday 28 September. Details from Richard Ferguson,
M0RBF, by email to . The Horndean & District
ARC will be running their next Licence training course in October. The
first part of the tuition for the Foundation Licence will be on
Saturday October 3rd, with the remainder of the course, plus the exam
on Sunday October 11th. There is also an intermediate licence course,
with the exam also on October 11th. Details from the Stuart Swain,
G0FYX, on 02392 472846 On Monday 28 September Bristol RSGB Group is
having a talk on the mechanics of music and how to stay in tune by
Professor Alan Bramley, G4NDU. Contact Robin, G3TKF, on 01225 420442.
On Tuesday 29 September West Devon Radio Club is having a CW night.
Contact Jules Cuddy, M1AGY, on 01752291588. On Wednesday 30 September
Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on kite
aerials by Roger, G4ROJ. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234. On
Wednesday 30 September Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is on the air. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on 01454 417048.

On Thursday 1 October Newquay and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general chat and operating night. Contact Joe Bell, M6JOE, on
01726 891557. On Thursday 1 October South Bristol Amateur Radio Club is
having talks by members on domestic radios from yesteryear. Contact
Len, G4RZY, on 01275 834 282. On Thursday 1 October Swindon and
District Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on the world of DX by Don
Field, G3XTT. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.

On Friday 2 October Bournemouth Radio Society is having a talk by Nicky
Marriott, M5YLO about her recent YL Dxpedition to the Falklands.
Visitors are welcome. The meeting is at 8pm at the Kinson Community
Centre. Contact John, G0HAT on 07719 700771. On Friday 2 October Torbay
Amateur Radio Society is having an operating night. Contact Dave,
G6FSP, by email to .

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 28 September Gloucester Amateur Radio
and Electronics Society is having an informal evening. Contact Anne,
2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime.

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On Monday 28 September Leicester Amateur Radio Society is on the air.
Contact the duty committee member on 07804 595749. On Monday 28
September South Birmingham Radio Society is testing its equipment for
field day. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Monday 28 September
Stratford Upon Avon District Radio Society is having a talk on aurora
by G4GEE. Contact G0CHO, on 01608 664488. On Tuesday 29 September Derby
and District Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Richard
Buckby, by email to . On Tuesday 29 September
Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having a practical
evening. Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 30
September Lincoln Short-Wave Club is making final arrangements for
National Hamfest on the 2nd and 3rd. Contact Pam Rose, on 01427 788356.
On Wednesday 30 September Midland Amateur Radio Society Club is on the
air, having a ragchew and holding training classes. Contact Norman,
G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On Wednesday 30 September South Notts Amateur
Radio Club is holding a members-only Forum. Contact Terry, M0RIA, on
the web at www.radioclubs.net/snarc.

On Wednesday 30 September Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a social evening. Contact Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On
Thursday 1 October Lowestoft and District Pye Amateur Radio Club is
having a club night. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on 01502585448. On Thursday 1
October Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a natter night. Details
on the web at www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Friday 2 October Cheltenham Amateur Radio Association is having a
talk on D-Star by G4SGI. Contact Derek Thom, G3NKS, on 01242 241099. On
Friday 2 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on
Coventry Cathedral by Gordon Thorpe, M0GKO. Contact John, G8SEQ, on
07958 777363. On Friday 2 October Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group
is holding a photo competition on the subject of fire. Contact Ken
Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976. On Friday 2 October South Birmingham
Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don, on 0121
458 1603.

NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 28 September the UKFM Group
Western holds its Annual General Meeting in the club room of the
Warrington Amateur Radio Club. The venue is Grappenhall Community
Centre, Bellhouse Lane Grappenhall WA4 2SG. For further information
please contact Kath, M1CNY on 01270 761 608 or email
. On Monday 28 September Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club is on the air and continues its Advanced licence
course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday 28
September Bolton Wireless Club is having a talk on low earth orbit
amateur satellites by Andy, G1EFP. Contact .

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On Monday 28 September Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a social
night. Contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to .
On Monday 28 September South Manchester Radio And Computer Club has its
monthly technical forum. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On
Monday 28 September Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is
watching a video on the Wellington bomber with John, G4FRK. Contact
John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377. On Tuesday 29 September Chester
and District Radio Society is having a bring and tell evening. Contact
Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183. On Tuesday 29 September Morecambe Bay
Amateur Radio Society is having a social evening. Contact Martin Hazel,
M0ZIF, on 07852 200232. On Tuesday 29 September Otley Amateur Radio
Society is having presentations by members. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on
07768 996370. On Tuesday 29 September Warrington Amateur Radio Club is
having a talk on DSP basics by Cliff, M0MRC. Contact Roger, M0DWQ, on
07868 000 705. On Saturday 3 October Chester and District Radio Society
is having a committee meeting. Contact Barbara Green on 0151 339 9183.

On Saturday 3 October Otley Amateur Radio Society Club is visiting the
National Hamfest. Contact Paul, 2E0PAK, on 07768 996370. On Wednesday
30 September Hornsea Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on contesting
by Richard, G4CGG. Contact Gordon MacNaught, G3WOV, on 01377 240573. On
Wednesday 30 September Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society is planning
for Radioactive. Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401.

On Thursday 1 October South Manchester Radio And Computer Club a is
having a talk on navigating the Warwickshire Ring by Dave, G4UGM.
Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969 3999. On Friday 2 October East
Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is having a radio magazines evening.
Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 2 October
Tynemouth Radio Club is looking at the virtual world. Contact Graham
Errington, 07812 172136.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND On Sunday 27 September Moray Firth Amateur Radio
Society is taking part in Railways on the Air from Dufftown station.
Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on 01340 820 134. On Tuesday 29 September Ayr
Amateur Radio Group is having a construction night. Contact Charlie,
MM0GNS, on 01563 551704, . On Tuesday 29
September Livingston and District Amateur Radio Society is having a
club evening. Contact Norman, on 07740 946192. On Wednesday 30
September Kingdom Amateur Radio Society is having a shack night.
Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905. On Thursday 1 October Aberdeen
Amateur Radio Society is having a junk sale. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on
01224 575 663.

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On Friday 2 October Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is
having a normal club night. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723. On
Sunday 4 October Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is taking
part in the RSGB 21 and 28MHz Contest. Contact Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875
811 723.

NEWS FOR WALES On Thursday 1 October Meirion Amateur Radio Society is
having a talk on antenna design by Simon, 2W0SAK. Contact John, MW0VTK,
on 07868 738016. On Friday 2 October Newport Amateur Radio Society is
having a construction night. Contact Gareth Price on 01633 880081.
GB2RS welcomes news from all RSGB affiliated local clubs. We invite
Club secretaries to email details of forthcoming meetings to
. Any information for November meetings that arrives
before Thursday 1 October will also appear in the Club Calendar section
of RadCom.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND On Thursday 1 October Bangor and District
Amateur Radio Club is having an operating evening. Contact Mike,
GI4XSF, on 028 4277 2383. GB2RS welcomes news from all RSGB affiliated
local clubs. We invite Club secretaries to email details of forthcoming
meetings to . Any information for November meetings
that arrives before Thursday 1 October will also appear in the Club
Calendar section of RadCom.

And that's the end of this week's GB2RS news broadcast,

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.