[continued from previous message]   
      
   Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts   
   to bit.ly/3COBg9Y   
   in order to provide more accurate data.   
      
   These figures were updated Boxing Day, 2024.   
      
   (amsat/qrz)   
      
   NASA's Deep Space Network Upgraded   
      
   Installation of the latest antenna took place on Dec. 18, when teams at   
   NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California,   
   installed the metal reflector framework for Deep Space Station 23,   
   a multifrequency beam-waveguide antenna.   
      
   When operational in 2026, Deep Space Station 23 will receive transmissions   
   from missions such as Perseverance, Psyche, Europa Clipper, Voyager 1, and   
   a growing fleet of future human and robotic spacecraft in deep space.   
      
   "With the Deep Space Network, we are able to explore the Martian landscape   
   with our rovers, see the James Webb Space Telescope's stunning cosmic   
   observations, and so much more," said Laurie Leshin, director of JPL.   
   "The network enables over 40 deep space missions, including the farthest   
   human-made objects in the universe, Voyager 1 and 2.   
      
   With upgrades like these, the network will continue to support humanity's   
   exploration of our solar system and beyond, enabling ground breaking   
   science and discovery far into the future."   
      
   tinyurl.com/ANS-364-Deep-Space.   
      
   (na)   
      
   IT'S IN THE BOOK.   
      
   Or is it?   
      
   Satellite enthusiasts have only until the 10th of January to submit their   
   logs for contacts made during the global competition that celebrated the   
   22nd anniversary of the launching of SO-50, also known as Saudisat 1C.   
      
   This low-earth orbit satellite was the centrepiece of an event organized   
   by the Saudi Amateur Radio Society between the 13th and 22nd of December.   
      
   Hams were challenged to make as many contacts as possible in different   
   Maidenhead grid squares. To submit your log, or get technical help see   
   the email addresses in the text version of this week's WIA National News   
      
   Best read at wia.org.au   
      
   SUBMIT LOGS TO: log@sars.sa   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- ASTRONOMY (and Wireless Weather)   
      
   Android Smart Phones Help Map the Ionosphere   
      
   Hi I'm Richard VK2SKY   
      
   Some very clever people at Google Research have worked out and   
   demonstrated a way to study the ionosphere using millions of Android   
   smart phones.   
      
   Normally, Global Navigation Satellite System ground stations provide maps   
   of ionospheric Total Electron Content, but their observations are limited   
   to where such ground stations exist.   
      
   Google Research has shown that by using Android phones as a distributed   
   sensor network, and analysing the GNSS signals picked up by the phones,   
   they can fill in large gaps in the ionospheric data, effectively doubling   
   the global observational coverage. This can be especially useful in areas   
   like India, Africa and South America, where GNSS ground stations are   
   lacking. The system proved its worth by mapping ionospheric plasma bubbles   
   over these areas during the large geomagnetic storms we experienced   
   in May last year, 2024.   
      
   You can read more in the summary published by TechRadar and the original   
   paper in Nature, which are both linked in the text edition of this news.   
      
   I'm Richard VK2SKY. This is WIA National News.   
      
   tinyurl.com/mv49bssc   
      
   nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08072-x   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS - IOTA   
   iota-world.org/   
      
   SA-099 - Curacao.   
      
   W 2 APF announces that he will be operating from Curacao as PJ2/W2APF   
   starting January 12 until April 8 on 80-10m; CW, SSB & FT8.   
      
   QSL via Home call, W2APF, LoTW.   
      
   (dx-world)   
      
   ---------   
      
   Back a little closer to home is  OC-065 - Temotu Province.   
      
   Active is H 40 DA from Pigeon Island, Reef Islands IOTA Group (OC-065) in   
   the early part of this year - dates are to be firmed up. Operators   
   previous work as H40DA was in 2017 from Nendo Island (OC-100).   
      
   Darren, the op., will use RF bands 10m, 12m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m all on   
   SSB.   
      
   (dx-world)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- RADIO AMATEUR YOUNG TIMERS - YOTA   
   (Youngsters On The Air)   
   WIA committee:- Steve VK6SJ, Alec VK2MV and Pete VK2LP.   
   ham-yota.com/category/yota-region-3/   
   facebook.com/groups/YOTAOC/   
   youtube.com/channel/UClAapljf0VQ751sOgu2IzaA   
   As I am writing this on New Year's Day, I am reflecting on last year and   
   looking towards next year.   
      
   We had a few new YOTAs get their callsign, one as young as eight years old.   
      
   My brother, VK2COD, helped get the members barbecue for ARNSW going again,   
   which proceeds go to supporting youth in amateur radio.   
      
   Emmanuel VK2EMM joined the VK2WI news team at Dural.   
      
   Steve Kennedy VK6SJ, and Andrew Johnston VK6SWR with the WIA YOTA   
   committee are working on a remote station for YOTAs to get on air.   
      
   There was a great time had by all at this year's Jota-Joti held in October.   
      
   The question has been raised a couple times on how YOTAs get together in   
   VK. Maybe we start our own YOTA net?   
      
   What did the individual clubs do in December for YOTAs?   
      
   Please send in your YOTA news to myself and the news team so we can spread   
   the word about VK YOTA activity to the amateur radio community.   
      
   We must remember our hobby should be a lifelong journey rather than just   
   getting a callsign or participating in Jota-Joti once a year.   
      
   Before I close, I would like to let you know when you hear this news   
   broadcast I will be on a bus with fellow scouts.   
      
   We will be on our way to the 26th Australian Jamboree in   
   MaryboroughQueensland,   
      
      
   VI2025AJ will be held on the land of the Butchulla and the Kabi Kabi   
   people from 6 to 15 January.   
      
   Listen out for us on the air using the callsign VI2025AJ during that time.   
   Happy New Year!   
      
   For WIA National News, I am Alec VK2MV in Sydney. Now back to you Col.   
      
   VK2CGH Chris looks after call and will be sending E-QSL cards directly   
   from the Jamboree at the end of each day.   
   (yota/qrz.com)   
      
   WW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS --- STAMP COLLECTING RADIO AMATEURS   
      
   THIS IS NOT A SCAM   
      
   Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club's Service Project Recognized Around the   
   World.   
   Since 2014 the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club in Philadelphia, has   
   participated in the Stamps for the Wounded program.   
      
   Stamps for the Wounded (SFTW) is a service organization dedicated to   
   providing comfort and stimulating activity to U.S. veterans through stamp   
   collecting. SFTW sends stamps, covers, supplies and literature to enable   
   veterans to begin, or continue to collect stamps. Stamp collecting is an   
   activity that provides comfort, meaningful activity and social   
   connections... it is not physically challenging and very stimulating.   
      
   SFTW has been helping veterans since 1942.   
      
   The Ham Club originally got involved with the SFTW program when they   
   received about 1000 QSL card requests following members participation   
   in the annual 13 Colonies Special Event held each July. HARC's Club call,   
   WM 3 PEN, is a bonus station during that event.   
      
   The question came up as to what, if anything, could be done with all of   
   the cancelled stamps on the envelopes. Upon learning of the program,   
   club members began inserting a brief note about the program with the QSL   
   card request.  Soon envelopes, both large and small, started to arrive   
   from around the U.S. They even got packages from England and Germany.   
      
   Rich Shivers, K3UJ, who coordinates the shipping of the stamps to SFTW   
   says that the Club has shipped about 74 pounds of stamps so far. That's a   
   lot of stamps when you consider stamps are shipped with about a ¼ inch   
   border.   
      
   Rob Jenson, president of Stamps for the Wounded recently thanked HARC for   
   "coordinating outreach among your members, and other amateur radio   
   operators around the world.   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)