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GB2RS NEWS

Sunday 4th October 2009

The news headlines

* RSGB goes to law over PLA dispute with Ofcom

* EMC committee at Newbury

* More lectures to interest amateurs at the RSGB Convention

The RSGB continues to take the Power Line Adaptor compliance fight to
Ofcom. This follows Ofcom's statement on PLT/PLA on 3 September 2009
and the RSGB's response statement issued on 4 September 2009. The
Society has now received a formal reply from Ofcom following the
Society's earlier formal complaint to Ofcom regarding non compliant
PLA's and Ofcom's interpretation of the EMC Directive regarding these
devices.

The RSGB continues to find Ofcom's responses and position totally
unacceptable and has recently met with and instructed its lawyers to
investigate a legal challenge on the Ofcom position. The RSGB will
continue the fight to protect the radio spectrum against non compliant
devices which cause unacceptable levels of interference, particularly
to the HF bands. We will issue further statements as the case develops.

Visitors to the EMCUK Exhibition and Conference at Newbury in Berkshire
on 13 and 14 October will be able to meet members of the RSGB EMC
Committee on their stand in the main exhibition hall. The stand will
feature the Society's work on interference issues and HF signal
strength measurement together with demonstrations of the high level of
emissions from Power Line Telecommunications systems. There will be a
bookstall selling RSGB and ARRL books including the latest Radio
Communications Handbook * all at member's prices. The event is held in
the Grandstand at Newbury Racecourse. There is plenty of parking space
nearby. Admission to the exhibition, and to the IEEE's EMC
demonstration bench sessions, is free. Tickets are available from
www.emcuk.co.uk.

The exhibition sets out the latest in EMC test equipment and in
components and techniques for compatible product design. Many amateurs
and professionals will find attendance at the EMC training sessions or
at the associated technical conference well worth the extra costs. For
details see the exhibition website.

RSGB Convention takes place next weekend, 9 to 11 October, at Wyboston
in Bedfordshire, just off the A1. A good turnout of visitors is
expected whether day visitors or those staying for the weekend. This
year there are more lectures than in 2008 including a new stream of VHF
and Up talks. There are bigger rooms available for some of the most
popular talks and more space at Contest University, which runs as two
lecture streams this year. As part of the non-technical beginners talk
on Moonbounce, David Hilton-Jones, G7RAU is planning a live moonbounce
QSO. It's not too late to plan your visit as day tickets will be
available on the door for the lecture streams on Saturday and Sunday.
Full details of the lecture streams can be found on the RSGB Convention
website http://www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconventio..._programme.php.

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The video showing Martin Maynard, G8CIX promoting amateur radio from
the 4th Plinth in Trafalgar Square can be seen on the web at
www.GB1AO.co.uk. The Fourth Plinth is part of a major living monument
created by sculptor Antony Gormley. Martin, G8CIX was allocated a slot
on the plinth between 4 and 5pm on Friday 25 September during which he
operated GB1AO using Icom radio equipment. Full details of the hour
will be in the November RadCom.

The IARU Region 2 Executive Committee met for its annual meeting in
Lima, Peru in September. On behalf of Region 1 IARU, Hans, PB2T
attended this meeting as observer. He found it interesting to see how
the Region 2 EC meetings are conducted in both English and Spanish
language. Emergency communications formed an important part of the
discussions. IARU Region 1 expressed its concerns that apparently no
progress was made on mutual recognition of IARP and CEPT licenses. It
was good to hear that results can still be expected. More information
can be found on IARU Region 2 home page.

The K5D Desecheo video is almost ready, according to the K5D website.
It reports that this exciting DXpedition DVD by Bob, K4UEE and Ed,
W4ZSB is expected for release by October 2009. Bob, K4UEE is booked for
three talks at the forthcoming RSGB Convention on 9 to 11 October at
Wyboston in Bedfordshire. He will be speaking once on Saturday and
twice on Sunday. Check out the RSGB Convention website for times at
www.rsgb.org.uk/rsgbconvention.

And now for the details of rallies and events for the coming week Just
a reminder that this year's Chesterfield Rally due to be held on 10
October has had to be moved to 24th April 2010. The organisers of the
rally are sorry to have caused any inconvenience or trouble to anyone
wanting to visit this year's rally. They look forward to seeing you on
Saturday 24th April 2010 at Hasland Village Hall. Chesterfield. Details
will be available as they arise on the website
www.chesterfieldrally.com or by ringing 01246 275 889. Today, 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. On 7 October, the Denby Dale ARC Mini
Rally & Surplus Sale will take place in Pie Hall, Wakefield Road, Denby
Dale, Huddersfield HD8 8RX. Doors open at 7.30pm. Contact Gerald, G3DSY
on 01484 602905 for more details. The RSGB Convention will be held at
the Wyboston Lakes Conference Centre, Bedfordshire on 9 to 11 October.
New for 2009 is a VHF and Up Stream of lectures. Other highlights will
be Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, looking at the theory of ATUs and Leslie
Butterfields, G0CIB discussing the international beacon project. The
ever-popular Contest University will also be running. Details at
www.rsgb.org/rsgbconvention. On 11 October the Great Lumley AR & ES
Rally will be held in the Great Lumley Community Centre, Front Street,
Chester-le-Street DH3 4JD. Doors open at 10.30am and admission is £2.
There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and catering on site. More
details from David Barclay, M0BPM, on 0191 3888113, or by e-mail to
.

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Now for the news of special events 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 .

On 5 October, GB2MS will be on the air from Macclesfield to raise
awareness for multiple sclerosis. At the same time, 5 October, listen
out for GB4HSG for the Handforth Scout Group in Wilmslow, Cheshire. On
8 October, GB0NPD will be on the air for National Pottery Day from
Halifax.

And now the HF DX news compiled from 425 DX News and other sources.
Dave, G4IAR and Judith, G4IAQ will be operating as G4LAB/P from Scilly,
which is IOTA reference EU-011, between 9 and 19 October. They plan to
use the IOTA frequencies on the HF bands, plus or minus QRM. QSL via
G4IAR, direct only please. RIODXGROUP, with a team of four operators,
PY1NB, PY1ON, PY1YB and PY1ZV will activate Trindade Island as ZY0T.
Scheduled dates are from 11 to 16 October, but this may vary a bit due
to Brazilian Navy schedules. More information on
http://riodxgroup.dxwatch.com/trindade-2009. QSL via PY1NB, direct only
please. Andrew, G7COD, will be operational every day from Embudu Island
in Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives, which is IOTA AS-013, using the call
8Q7AK from 11 to 25 October. He will be using SSB and CW on the 80 to
10m bands including WARC frequencies. For comprehensive details of
operating times, suggested frequencies and QSL information etc, please
check 8Q7AK on QRZ.COM. Nick, M1DDD will be active as KP2/M1DDD from
the Island of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands from 14 to 20 October.
Activity will be on 40, 20, 15 and 10m and he will also be trying on 6m
especially for Europe. Various beam antennas will be used. QSL will be
via his homecall, direct or via the bureau. 3D20CR, commemorating 20
years since the first activation of Conway Reef, will be on the air
until 10 October with eight operators, using all bands and modes. They
should be workable from the UK on 40, 30, 20 and 17m at the very least,
and probably other bands for the better-equipped among you. They have a
website where you will find the latest information. DJ8NK will be
handling the QSL chores. The Midway operation boasts a line up of many
top DXpeditioners and is due to be active from 9 to 19 October. The
call will be K4M and they expect to be on all bands and modes with
multiple stations. As with most expeditions nowadays, their website is
the place to find the latest news, www.midway2009.com.

FT5GA is active from Glorioso, with almost 30,000 contacts in the log
and still a few days to go. UK stations have worked FT5GA on all bands
160 through 10 but the deliberate interference on the FT5's frequency
has been horrendous at times. In practice, the team seem to be doing a
creditable job in difficult circumstances, with two or three enforced
downtimes each day over which they have no control as they are under
military jurisdiction on the island and have to fit in with other
scheduled activities.

Now the contest news 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

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at http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/information...ictcodes.shtml. There are Open,
Restricted and QRP categories and sections for CW, SSB and mixed modes.
The Worked All Britain HF Phone Contest takes place on 10 and 11
October from 1200 to 1200UTC in the 14, 21 and 28MHz bands. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and WAB square. Rules and log
sheets are available from the Contest Manager, G0BFJ, QTHR or from the
WAB website at www.worked-all- britain.co.uk. It's the third month of
the 80m Club Sprint Contest on 8 October from 1900 to 2300 UTC. It
became apparent after the first Sprints took place in August that not
everybody had fully understood the format of the event, so a reminder
seems appropriate. The contest exchange is a serial number and your
name, but no signal report (eg `001 Fred'). If you call CQ, after
someone has replied and you complete a contact you must vacate the
frequency. On the other hand, if you call someone and make a contact,
practice dictates that you then call CQ on that frequency until someone
replies. When the contact is completed, you then QSY. In practice this
means that much of the time you have two contacts on a frequency, the
first when you reply to a CQ and the second after calling CQ. On 6
October it's the 144MHz UKAC & Club Championship between 1900 and
2130UTC using all modes. The exchange is signal report, serial number
and locator. The Second 50MHz Contest takes place on Sunday 11 October.
It is a short event, lasting only three hours between 0900 and 1200UTC.
There are categories for Single-operator fixed stations and Open. The
exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Now the solar factual data for the period from the 21st to the 27th of
September, compiled on 28th of September by Neil Clarke, G0CAS. We
start this week with the latest monthly smoothed sunspot numbers which,
for December, January and February, are 1.7, 1.8 and 1.9. December 2008
could possibly be the month which sunspot minimum took place, but still
no conformation on this as yet. Now to the present. Sunspots were
visible every day, one group rotated into view and the other emerged.
Both groups belonged to the new cycle. Solar activity was very low
except for a single C class solar flare that occurred on the 25th.
Solar flux levels increased to the highest level so far this year at 76
units on the 23rd. Levels then gradually declined to 72 units by the
end of the period. The average was 73 units and the 90 day solar flux
average on the 27th was 68. That's the same level as last week. X-ray
flux levels which have remained below the minimum reporting level for
many weeks finally increased and by the 22nd were up to A1.4 units.
Geomagnetic activity was quiet everyday with an average of Ap 4 units
for the period. Solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft saw solar wind
speeds decline from 440 kilometres per second on the 22nd to 260 by the
25th. Particle densities were low everyday. Bz only varied between
minus and plus 8 nanoTeslas at worst, while some days had variations
much less than that. And finally the solar forecast. This week solar
activity is expected to be at very low levels. Solar flux levels are
expected to be in the high 60's. However, if sunspots do appear then
flux levels could rise to the mid 70's. Geomagnetic activity should be
at quiet levels everyday. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes
should be around 19MHz for the south and 16MHz for the north. The
darkness hour lows should be about 9MHz. Paths this week to India
should have a maximum usable frequency with a 50 per cent success rate
of around 21MHz. The optimum working frequency with a 90 per cent
success rate will be about 17MHz. The best time to try the path will be
between 0900 and 1400 hours UTC.

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 Sunday 4 October Worthing and District Amateur Radio
Club is having a club breakfast at Goring Café Restaurant. Contact Roy,
G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Monday 5 October Basingstoke Amateur Radio
Club is holding its AGM. Contact Clive, G4ODM, on 01256 326050.

On Monday 5 October Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society is
planning for Jota and continuing the club construction project. Contact
John, M5AJB, on 01787 460 947. On Monday 5 October Burnham Beeches
Radio Club is having part two of its DFM construction. Contact Dave,
G4XDU, on 01628 625 720. On Monday 5 October Felixstowe and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a fish and chip supper at The Victoria.
Contact Paul, G4YQC, on . On Monday 5 October
Southdown Amateur Radio Society is having a talk at Chaseley by Arthur
Kinson, G0KOC, on the International Short Wave League. Contact John,
G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Monday 5 October Surrey Radio Contact Club
is having its autumn surplus equipment sale. Contact Ray, G4FFY, on 020
8644 7589. On Tuesday 6 October Andover Radio Amateurs Club is having a
talk on an SDR design from scratch. Contact Martin, M0MWS, on 0777 618
1646. On Tuesday 6 October Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society is
operating from the shack. Contact Steve, on 01424 720815. On Tuesday 6
October Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM. Contact
Martyn, G1EFL, on 01245 469 008. On Tuesday 6 October Horndean and
District Amateur Radio Club Is having a natter night and social
evening. Contact Stuart, G0FYX, on 023 9247 2846. On Tuesday 6 October
Leiston Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by Dave, G4HUP, on the
Bawdsey project. Contact Dave, G4HUP, on 01473 737 717. On Wednesday 7
October Bracknell Amateur Radio Club is having a 2m local net on
145.375 FM. Contact Paul, M3XPR, by email to . On
Wednesday 7 October Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society is
having a general meeting and CW practice. Contact Terry, G0VFW, on
01442 831 491.

On Wednesday 7 October Dover Radio Club is having a natter and
operating evening. Contact Brian, G4SAU, by email to .

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On Wednesday 7 October Havering and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a business meeting. Contact John, M0UKD, 07817365354. On
Wednesday 7 October Norfolk Amateur Radio Club is having an inter-club
quiz. Contact Chris Danby, G0DWV, on 01603 419204. On Wednesday 7
October Southdown Amateur Radio Society is operating G3WQK at the
Hailsham Shack. Contact John, G3DQY, on 01424 424 319. On Wednesday 7
October Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club is having a radio
discussion evening. Contact Roy, G4GPX, on 01903 753 893. On Thursday 8
October Bittern DX Group is having an informal evening. Contact Keith,
G0GFQ, on 01263 588 506. On Thursday 8 October Echelford Amateur Radio
Society is having a bring and buy and CW practice. Contact John, G4GSC,
on 01784 451898. On Thursday 8 October Edgware and District Radio
Society is having a talk. Contact Mike, G4RNW, on 020 8950 0658. On
Thursday 8 October King's Lynn Amateur Radio Club is having a club
night and 2m club net. Contact Ray, G3RSV, by email to
.

On Thursday 8 October Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is
holding its 2009 construction contest. Contact Pete, G8FRC, on 01189
695 697. On Thursday 8 October Shefford and District Amateur Radio
Society is having a video night. Contact David, G8UOD, on 01234 742
757. On Friday 9 October Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club
continues its series of talks on C programming. Contact David Leary,
G8JKV on 01223 355254.

On Friday 9 October Itchen Valley Amateur Radio Club is having a club
sale. Contact Charlie, M0WYM, on 02380 439560. On Friday 9 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 9 October Wimbledon and District
Amateur Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Jim,
M0CON, on 020 8874 7456.

NEWS FOR THE SOUTH-WEST On Tuesday 6 October Blackmore Vale Amateur
Radio Society is on the air. Contact Tony G0GFL, on 01258 860741. On
Wednesday 7 October Cornish Radio Amateur Club is having a nostalgic
talk by Peter, G3WKP. Contact Steve, G7VOH, on 01209 844939.

On Wednesday 7 October Exmouth Amateur Radio Club is having an auction
night. Contact Mike, G1GZG, on 01395 274172. On Wednesday 7 October
Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM at 8pm in
room 17, St. Agustine School. Contact William, G3WNI, on 01823 666 234.
On Wednesday 7 October Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur
Radio Club is having a discussion evening. Contact Tony, G0WMB, on
01454 417048.

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On Wednesday 7 October Trowbridge and District Amateur Radio Club is
having a presentation on software defined radio by Jan Verduyn, G0BBL
and Alan Rowe, M0PUB. Contact Ian, G0GRI, on 01225 864 698, evenings
and weekends only. On Thursday 8 October South Bristol Amateur Radio
Club is having a technical matters forum with Len, G4ZRY. Contact Len,
G4RZY, on 01275 834 282.

On Thursday 8 October Swindon and District Amateur Radio Club is having
a talk on meters by Dennis, G3LLZ. Contact Den, M0ACM, on 07810 317750.
On Thursday 8 October Yeovil Amateur Radio Club is having a talk on
aerial efficiency by Rob, G3MYM. Contact Steve Crask, G7AHP, by email
to . On Friday 9 October Torbay Amateur Radio Society
is having a natter night. Contact Dave, G6FSP, by email to
.

NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS On Monday 5 October Gloucester Amateur Radio And
Electronics Society is having a talk on Lundy by Brian, G4CIB. Contact
Anne, 2E1GKY, on 01452 548478, daytime. On Monday 5 October South
Birmingham Radio Society is getting ready for the contest. Contact Don,
on 0121 458 1603. On Monday 5 October Worcester Radio Amateurs
Association is helping Hallow Scouts get their communicators badges.
Contact Leslie Coyne, M3WRZ, on 01905 764320. On Tuesday 6 October
Derby and District Amateur Radio Society is having a junk sale. Contact
Richard Buckby, by email to . On Tuesday 6 October
Loughborough and District Amateur Radio Club is having a video evening.
Contact Chris, G1ETZ, on 01509 504 319. On Wednesday 7 October Midland
Amateur Radio Society is holding an open meeting and training classes.
Contact Norman, G8BHE, on 01214 229 787. On Wednesday 7 October South
Birmingham Radio Society is having a lecture in the main hall and is on
the air in the shack. Contact Don, on 0121 458 1603. On Wednesday 7
October Telford and District Amateur Radio Society is closed. Contact
Mike, G3JKX, on 01952 299 677. On Thursday 8 October Lowestoft and
District Pye Amateur Radio Club is holding its AGM Lowestoft Railway,
Bowls and Social Club. Contact Phil, G0JSG, on 01502 585448. On
Thursday 8 October Salop Amateur Radio Society is having a mini talk on
the spirit of amateur radio by Richard, G3VZG. Details on the web at
www.salop-ARS.org.uk.

On Friday 9 October Coventry Amateur Radio Society is holding its AGM.
Contact John, G8SEQ, on 07958 777363. On Friday 9 October Nunsfield
House Amateur Radio Group is having a video evening with Brian Reid.
Contact Ken Frankcom, G3OCA, on 01332 720976. On Friday 9 October South
Birmingham Radio Society is having a construction evening. Contact Don,
on 0121 458 1603.

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NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND On Monday 5 October Angel Of The North
Amateur Radio Club takes to the air and continues its Advanced Licence
course. Contact Nancy Bone, G7UUR, on 0191 4770036. On Monday 5 October
Sheffield Amateur Radio Club is having a talk by M1ERS and M0TWS.
Contact Trevor Wood, M0TWS, by email to . On
Monday 5 October Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society is holding
its construction contest. Contact John Foster, M3WAZ, on 01253 399377.
On Tuesday 6 October Chester and District Radio Society is having a
talk on D-Star by Gordon Nicholas, G8MMM. Contact Barbara Green on 0151
339 9183. On Tuesday 6 October Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society is
having a social evening. Contact Martin Hazel, M0ZIF, on 07852 200232.
On Tuesday 6 October Otley Amateur Radio Society is operating from the
shack and having technical chatter in the village hall. Contact Paul,
2E0PAK, on 07768 996370. On Wednesday 7 October Denby Dale Radio Club
is holding a mini rally with a surplus sale and flea market. Contact
Gerald, G3SDY, on 01484 602905. On Wednesday 7 October Hornsea Amateur
Radio Club is having a committee meeting. Contact Gordon MacNaught,
G3WOV, on 01377 240573. On Wednesday 7 October Mid-Cheshire Amateur
Radio Society is working on the club project and will be on the air.
Contact Peter Paul Fox, G8HAV, on 01606553401. On Thursday 8 October
South Manchester Radio and Computer Club is having a talk on the
digital TV switchover by Chris, G3ZDM. Contact Ron, G3SVW, on 0161 969
3999. On Friday 9 October East Cleveland Amateur Radio Club is on the
air. Contact Alistair, G4OLK, on 01642 475 671. On Friday 9 October
Tynemouth Radio Club is having an operating night with technical topics
and a Morse class. Contact Graham Errington, on 07812 172136.

NEWS FOR SCOTLAND 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. On Tuesday 6 October Livingston and
District Amateur Radio Society is having a talk on antennas by Fred
Hetherington, GM3UCN. Contact Norman, on 07740 946192. On Wednesday 7
October Kingdom Amateur Radio Society Club is having a shack night.
Contact Brian, MM0XBD, on 01383 738905. On Wednesday 7 October Lothians
Radio Society is having a talk. Contact Andy Sinclair, by email to
. On Wednesday 7 October Paisley YMCA
Amateur Radio Club is having a training evening. Contact Bill Anderson,
2M0BZZ, on 01505 613633. On Thursday 8 October Aberdeen Amateur Radio
Society is having a DVD night. Contact Lewis, GM4AJR, on 01224 575 663.
On Thursday 8 October Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society is having a
talk on foreign languages for QSOs by GM3KHH. Contact Jim, MM0SMD, on
01340 820 134.

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NEWS FOR WALES On Monday 5 October Dragon Amateur Radio Club is having
a quiz night. Contact Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF, on 01248 362229. On Monday
5 October Llanelli Amateur Radio Society is on the air. Contact Craig,
MW0MXT, on 01269 840292. On Wednesday 7 October Conwy Valley Amateur
Radio Club is having a talk on the digital television switchover by
Simon Lloyd Hughes, GW0NVN. Contact Wynne, GW6PMC, on 01745 855 068.

On Friday 9 October Newport Amateur Radio Society is having a technical
night. Contact Gareth Price on 01633 880081.

NEWS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND No news items have been received for Northern
Ireland this week.

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

prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain.