[continued from previous message]   
      
   it occurred before the sun shot massive busts of electromagnetic   
   radiation, which we know as solar flares. The researchers viewed the   
   phenomenon just before 50 such solar flares.   
      
   Their findings were presented to the American Astronomical Society in   
   Maryland on January 15th. The scientists believe that what they have   
   observed may provide a way to develop more dependable forecasts of   
   space weather. They believe that predictions based on this observation   
   can offer an accuracy of 60 to 80 percent for flares that occur within   
   two to six hours. The biggest of these geomagnetic disturbances can   
   disrupt power grids, satellite orbits, rail lines and GPS systems.   
      
   More accurate forecasts of space weather would also be welcomed by   
   amateur radio operators and people chasing the northern lights.   
      
   This is Kent Peterson KC0DGY.   
      
   (SPACE.COM)   
      
   **   
   PRESENTERS NEEDED FOR SOUTHEASTERN VHF CONFERENCE   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Two days in April will be devoted to getting the best out   
   of using VHF, UHF and weak-signal microwaves to operate at the   
   Southeastern VHF Conference in Clarksville, Tennessee. We have more   
   details from Sel Embee KB3TZD.   
      
   SEL: Organizers are looking for papers and presentations that cover   
   equipment, construction projects, station accessories, roving, DXing   
   and the digital modes - anything relevant to weak-signal operating on   
   either an operational or technical level. In general, the conference is   
   not accepting topics on FM or packet repeaters or packet unless the   
   subject relates directly to weak-signal operations.   
      
   The deadline for submissions is the 15th of February and should be   
   emailed to Mike Stipick, KC4RI, at KC4RI@att.net   
      
   The conference will be held on April 4th and 5th. For details on   
   acceptable formats for submissions, follow the link that appears in the   
   text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.   
      
   This is Sel Embee KB3TZD.   
      
   [DO NOT READ:    https://svhfs.org/wp/  ]   
      
   (AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY, SOUTHEASTERN VHF SOCIETY)   
      
   **   
   NASA ANTENNA BEING REPURPOSED FOR SATELLITE TRACKING SYSTEM   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Retirement isn't for everyone and that includes antennas -   
   especially ones used by NASA for many of its historic space missions   
   over the years. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about one historic antenna   
   that's gone back into service in Australia.   
      
   GRAHAM: Decommissioned almost 40 years ago, the 29.8 meter parabolic   
   antenna at the site of Australia's Overseas Telecommunications   
   Commission in Carnarvon, Western Australia, will be reporting for duty   
   again as part of a satellite-tracking system said to be of interest to   
   the military.   
      
   Its return will follow a period of thorough refurbishing that includes   
   some new paint, some new equipment to be installed - and the removal of   
   some serious accumulations of pigeon droppings over the years.   
   According to ABC News Australia, the refurbishment began last year.   
      
   The dish is the property of ThothX Australia, part of the private   
   Canadian aerospace company ThothX, which bought it in 2022 in the hopes   
   of offering it for use by military clients interested in having   
   satellite-tracking capabilities.   
      
   This antenna is a veteran of many notable NASA missions, including the   
   Apollo 11 moon landing. Although it is not yet ready for prime time   
   again, ABC News Australia reported in December 2024 that the dish had   
   received its first signal in 40 years, sent as a test from a   
   geostationary object.   
      
   This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.   
      
   (WIRELESS INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA, HACKADAY, ABC AUSTRALIA)   
      
   **   
   BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur   
   Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including   
   the Utah Amateur Radio Club's W7SP repeater on Sundays as part of the   
   club's 9 p.m. net.   
      
   **   
   MESH NETWORK FOR 70CM A PROJECT IN CANADA   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: An ambitious project in Canada hopes to develop a mesh   
   network to link repeaters and accommodate several digital modes. Hoping   
   to combine the best features of such digital networks as HamWAN, AREDN   
   and New Packet Radio, developers in Canada are starting development of   
   a mesh network that will operate on the 70cm band.   
      
   Writing in the newsletter, Zero Retries, Martin Alcock, VE6VH, said the   
   project is being designed to link repeaters using RF and will include   
   digital voice modes, data transfers, messaging and a data networking   
   layer. The project is called IP400, short for Intelligent Protocol 400.   
   It has the support of the Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society   
   and is looking for contributors familiar with the C and C++ languages.   
   Free open source code is being used for the development. IP400 is   
   intended to operate on amateur frequencies between 420 and 450 MHz.   
   Martin said that unlike conventional analogue links, a digital mesh   
   platform will be capable of carrying compressed digital video as well   
   as compressed audio and telemetry.   
      
   He writes: [quote] "The first step is to get a simple chat and   
   beaconing application running to experiment with the technology. From   
   there we can layer on other features and frame types, and then consider   
   moving into the repeater world." [endquote]   
      
   A link to his contact page can be found in the text version of this   
   week's newscast at arnewsline.org   
      
   [DO NOT READ:  https://ve6vh.mapledsp.com/home-page/contact/       ]   
      
   (ZERO RETRIES, AMATEUR NEWS WEEKLY)   
      
   **   
   EASTERN COLORADO HAMS' REPEATER GROUP TO ENHANCE SAFETY   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: Although repeater systems are often viewed as safety nets   
   by travelers as well as emergency responders, these wireless layers of   
   protection are not everywhere. One group in Eastern Colorado has been   
   working to change that. Here's Andy Morrison K9AWM with the details.   
      
   ANDY: The Eastern Colorado Repeater Association is a small and very new   
   group that has taken on a big job: to close what one organizer calls   
   "the repeater communication gap across Eastern Colorado." The   
   organizer, Bryan Wheeler, KB9UZO, is a retired firefighter and aircraft   
   mechanic who has assembled a  group of radio operators specifically to   
   fill what he considers a "dead zone" in that part of the state.   
      
   Bryan writes on the group's GOFUNDME page that with no reliable radio   
   coverage in the state's Eastern plains region, the effort's first   
   priority is to expand coverage via VHF/UHF, DMR and APRS through a   
   linked repeater system. He said that testing had already begun with a   
   repeater in Eastern El Paso County on 147.030 MHz, but progress is slow   
   because of limited resources.   
      
   At the same time, Bryan said he hopes he can create a network of   
   something just as reliable and important: a welcoming community of hams   
   like him who are involved in experimenting with technology and in   
   growing a cohesive community of radio amateurs. He writes: [quote] "We   
   want every member to feel included, heard and appreciated as we work   
   together to strengthen communication networks and enrich the amateur   
   radio experience throughout the region." [Endquote]   
      
   This is Andy Morrison K9AWM.   
      
   (QRZ.COM, GOFUNDME)   
      
   **   
   SILENT KEY: NOTED CW CONTESTER ROSEL ZENKER, DL3KWR   
      
   PAUL/ANCHOR: A noted CW contester and prominent YL in the international   
   community has become a Silent Key. We hear more about her from Jeremy   
   Boot G4NJH.   
      
   JEREMY: A ham since 1975, Rosel Zenker DL3KWR died on the 15th of   
   January, according to an announcement by Scandinavian Young Ladies   
   Radio Amateurs, one of six YL groups she belonged to.   
      
   Rosel was an amateur who loved to combine travel with being on the air   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)