[continued from previous message]   
      
   passkeys are actually helping to improve security posture and protect   
   customer accounts by being an efficient [attack] resistance and a form of MFA   
   by design, it was reported in itnews.   
      
      
   Passkeys are way faster and provide a high-volume success rate, and most   
   importantly, passkeys saved a lot of costs, as they are much cheaper in terms   
   of operational costs compared to SMS one-time passwords in   
      
   large-scale applications and organisations like VicRoads.   
      
   A highly specialised drone research fleet is providing the opportunity for   
   Australian researchers to fast-track a range of projects  from solving daily   
   traffic snarls to targeted monitoring and protection of coral reefs.   
      
      
   The University of Queensland (UQ) Drones Collaborative Research Platform   
   offers both aircraft and significant piloting and technical expertise to   
   assist with corporate, government and academic projects. Platform Director   
   Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite said the goal was to democratise   
   drones and help researchers across the country to harness the many potential   
   uses they offer.   
      
      
   Our aim is to provide highly specialised gear that they normally couldnt   
   afford, so they can collect data in new and more effective ways,   
   Micklethwaite said.   
      
      
   The expanding fleet of about 30 drones is managed by a team at UQs   
   Sustainable Minerals Institute, with custom models built in UQ labs including   
   the heavy-lift Earthdrone. About the size of a single mattress, it features   
   eight rotors and can drop and retrieve sensors used for geoscience research   
   using a retractable arm, with applications including remote water sampling   
   and ground scanning.   
      
   (critical comms)   
      
   ------------------------------------------------------------*   
      
   INTERNATIONAL NEWS is with thanks to Amateur Radio Daily, ARRL,   
   DX-WORLD, eHam, Hackaday, IARU, IRTS, NEWSLINE, NZART,  RAC,   
   Radioworld.com, RSGB, SARL and the World Wide sources of WIA.   
   EQUATORIAL GUINEA   
      
   The Government of Equatorial Guinea  temporarily has suspended all   
   amateur radio licenses.  This decision  follows  the revelation of a   
   case involving  a foreign amateur radio operator  who gained access to   
   sensitive areas with unauthorized equipment.   
      
   The authorities  are committed to establishing a new regulatory framework   
   that guarantees effective control  over the use  of telecommunications   
   frequencies and equipment, in accordance with national security   
   requirements.   
      
   The information  was reported on 10 September.   
      
   ahoraeg.com   
   I'd think most of us have seen, or are aware of those massive radomes   
   used by the bureau of meteorology.   
      
   Imagine one almost destroyed by mother nature.   
      
   That's what happened in New Zealand where, following a massive lightning   
   strike Westland Rain Radar near Hokitika.   
      
   The radar has sustained significant damage, and repairs will be complex.   
      
   The radar is to remain offline for an extended period.   
      
   How could a lightning strike cause this?   
      
   A 156,000-amp lightning strike (the NZ national average is around 29kA   
   so that's about 5 times more powerful than a typical bolt for NZ) hit the   
   area. Thats enough energy to power an average home for over two years!   
      
   A lightning strike can heat the air it passes through to about 30,000   
   degrees Celsius, which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun,   
   unleashing a blinding flash, deafening thunder, and a shockwave strong   
   enough to destroy the radome. Moisture in nearby structures likely   
   vaporised instantly, leading to explosive damage.   
      
   Needless to say, this kind of strike can fry electronics and overwhelm   
   even robust grounding systems, and that weather our radar took the full   
   hit.   
      
   ARRL has launched a grassroots campaign throughout the USA aimed at   
   securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur   
   Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as   
   those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.   
      
   The campaign, follows the reintroduction of the Amateur Radio Emergency   
   Preparedness Act in February 2025. The bipartisan bills are designed to   
   prevent restrictive homeowners association (HOA) rules that currently   
   prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas,   
   even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on   
   vehicles, or look like flagpoles.   
      
   This legislation is about restoring equal rights to licensed Amateur   
   Radio operators, said ARRL President Rick Roderick.   
      
   Well you may not WORK them BUT you MAY hear them.   
      
   Once again Italian radio amateurs have been authorized to use the   
   40 MHz band until the end of the year.   
      
   They are allowed to operate from 40.660 MHz to 40.700 MHz with a   
   maximum power of 10 watts.   
      
   The Italian regulator has given permission until 31 December also   
   for 70.1, 70.2, and 70.3 MHz.   
      
   Radio Communications Foundation Trustee, Andy Webster, G7UHN will be at   
   this year's RSGB Convention to deliver a fascinating lecture on using   
   radio technology to engage and inspire non-radio amateurs.   
      
   In particular, he will look at this within STEM, Science, Technology,   
   Engineering and Math education settings, using the subject to connect   
   with young people. Matthew Phillips, G6WPJ will also be at the Convention   
   where he will be discussing the use of low-power software-defined radio   
   to rejuvenate medium and short-wave broadcasting.   
      
   AM Radio For Every Vehicle Bill Advances   
      
   We brought you this story well over two years ago, Help Save AM Radio In   
   Your Car, and it would seem like the wheels of the US Congress indeed   
   turn slowly.  However, this issue has not died and appears to be closer   
   to passage in Washington.   
      
   More than two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives have now signed   
   on to co-sponsor a bill seeking to block automakers from removing AM   
   radios from new vehicles, a move supporters say is essential for public   
   safety and emergency communications.   
      
   As of mid-September, the measure had attracted 296 co-sponsors in the   
   House, easily surpassing the two-thirds threshold, with members from both   
   parties lining up behind it. In the Senate, a companion bill has secured   
   61 co-sponsors, also demonstrating bipartisan support and giving the   
   proposal strong momentum in both chambers.   
      
   The push to preserve AM radio has also become a symbolic debate over   
   technology, tradition, and safety.   
      
   Lawmakers say the issue resonates with constituents who may not listen to   
   AM daily but want it available when disaster strikes. Rural   
   representatives have been especially vocal, pointing out that their   
   districts rely heavily on AM signals that cut through terrain where   
   cell service is unreliable   
   -------------------------------------------------------------------   
      
   OPERATIONAL NEWS - A FELIX VK4FUQ PRESENTATION   
   --------------   
   --------------   
   ALARA CONTEST 2025   
   WINNERS ARE GRINNERS   
      
   Stacey VK2SJC with 476 is the top scoring Australian YL and receives this   
   years trophy.   
      
      
   Alisha VK2FASH just 6 points behind is the runner up to Top Score YL.   
      
   With 292, is Linda VK7QP the top Score of a VK7 Member and   
   then Deena VK6DEE with 234 is the top score YL using EchoLink and also   
   Top Score for a VK6 ALARA Member.   
   (alara web)   
      
   ------------------   
      
   The CQ Worldwide DX RTTY Contest runs from 0000UTC on Saturday the 27th to   
   2359UTC on Sunday the 28th of September.   
      
      
   Using RTTY on the 80 to 10m bands, where contests are permitted, the exchange   
   is signal report and CQ Zone.   
      
   (rsgb)   
   ------   
      
   Oceania DX (OCDX) Contest   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)