up2date appears to be ignoring GPG signatures which it can't understand. When downloading packages which are unsiqned it warns. However, when downloading packages signed with a signature it doesn't recognize (such as the beta RPMs signed with the beta key), it downloads and installs them without generating any warnings.
The beta gpg key should be on the new default keyring (/etc/sysconfig/rhn/up2date-keyring.gpg), so the key is known.
It doesn't appear to be, at least judging by the failed checks seen from rpm --checksig against the new packages
rpm doesnt use the up2date keyring by default, so you will need to add the key to roots keyring (or whatever keyring you use to validate rpms with). try `gpg --import /usr/share/rhn/BETA-RPM-GPG-KEY` and then verifing the package...
Ah, I was thinking rpm would already have the keys. I'll close this then, since everything works as it should after I add the keys to the user running rpm.
An errata has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2003-177.html