  We present the results from high-resolution spectroscopic measurements to
determine metallicities and activities of bright stars in the southern
hemisphere. We have measured the iron abundances ([Fe/H]) and chromospheric
emission indices (logR'HK) of 353 solar-type stars with V=7.5-9.5. [Fe/H]
abundances are determined using a custom chi^2 fitting procedure within a large
grid of Kurucz model atmospheres. The chromospheric activities were determined
by measuring the amount of emission in the cores of the strong CaII HK lines.
The sample of metallicities has been compared to other [Fe/H] determinations
and was found to agree with these at the +/-0.05 dex level for spectroscopic
values and at the +/-0.1 dex level for photometric values. The distribution of
chromospheric activities is found to be described by a bimodal distribution,
agreeing well with the conclusions from other works. Also an analysis of
Maunder Minimum status was attempted and it was found that 6+/-4 stars in the
sample could be in a Maunder Minimum phase of their evolution and hence the Sun
should only spend a few per cent of its main sequence lifetime in Maunder
Minimum.
