GB2RS News Sunday the 24th of March 2024 The news headlines: New RSGB ‘Join a friend’ referral scheme launched The RSGB’s Planning Advisory Committee seeks volunteers The RSGB’s 2023 Committee reports are available The RSGB has just launched a new opportunity to get even more out of your RSGB membership. If you recommend a friend who hasn’t been an RSGB member during the last 12 months, you will both receive £10 cashback when they become a member paying by direct debit. Whether you’re an individual RSGB member or an affiliated club, you can sign up as many friends as you like. Membership of the RSGB gives you a range of fantastic benefits so why not encourage others to join? Members have access to RadCom, exclusive online resources, RSGB award schemes and contests, as well as advice from the Society’s specialist committees. The RSGB’s representation to Ofcom, and its ability to defend the spectrum nationally and internationally, is more powerful through strength in numbers. Go to the special RSGB 'Join a friend' web page at rsgb.org/join-a-friend  to find all the information you’ll need to take advantage of this offer, including a link to the online form. The RSGB Planning Advisory Committee would like additional volunteers to join its advisory panel. Volunteers deal with queries from members about problems they face in getting planning permission for masts and antennas. These enquiries can be for support in making an application to the local council or in submitting an appeal. If you have a relevant professional background, not necessarily as a planner, or have some knowledge of how the planning system works, please get in touch. The Committee Chair will be happy to give you more information about what is involved and how you can help other radio amateurs. Find out more about the Committee on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/pac and then email John Mattocks, G4TEQ via [email protected] to arrange a chat. The April edition of RadCom contains the annual reports of the RSGB Committees, Honorary Officers, Teams and Groups. These reports give an overview of activities for the many important areas of the Society that support and develop amateur radio. You can also read them on the RSGB website if you go to rsgb.org/vlt and choose the committee reports section in the menu on the righthand side. The RSGB thanks all its many volunteers who give their time to support the Society and the amateur radio community. Leicester Radio Society has launched an Amateur Radio Clubs on the Air activity this weekend, the 23rd and 24th. The aim of the activity is to encourage amateur radio clubs and societies to get on the air and operate. You can read details about an award that is available to both licensed amateurs and shortwave listeners by visiting the G3LRS page at QRZ.com For more information, contact Sandra, G0MCV on 07930 274 044. International Marconi Day is coming up on Wednesday the 27th of April and, once again, the Cornish Radio Amateur Club is organising and running the event. Lots of amateur radio stations will be operating from sites that Marconi operated from or had a personal connection with. For more information, and to view a list of the stations that are taking part, follow the ‘International Marconi Day’ link on the gx4crc.com website. This week, please send all your news and updates to [email protected] by 10 am on Wednesday the 27th of March. The GB2RS News will be compiled a day earlier than usual, due to the Easter bank holidays, and will be available for download on Thursday the 28th of March.   And now for details of rallies and events Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally is taking place today, the 24th of March, at Saint Radigunds Community Centre, Poulton Close, Dover, CT17 0HL. The doors are open from 10 am to 2 pm and the entrance fee is £3. Tables cost £15 each with a maximum of two tables per vendor. For more information visit darc.online/rally The Ripon Rally is also taking place today,