This Week in Ham Radio: Solar Flares, Spy Tech, and Digital Advancements
Ham radio enthusiasts, buckle up! This week has been buzzing with developments that could shape the future of amateur radio. From the skies above us, where solar flares dazzle, to the cutting-edge tech that's changing how we communicate and even spy on the world, there's a lot to cover. Plus, we've got community news that celebrates the spirit of amateur radio, alongside potential regulatory changes that could impact how we engage with our passion. Ready to dive into the details? Let's get started.
This week in ham radio news, several interesting developments and events have caught the attention of the amateur radio community:
The K7RA Solar Update reported on the transition of two large active regions on the solar disk, AR3575 followed by AR3576, which saw massive flares and proton flares accompanied by CMEs. Despite the intense solar activity, the impacts on Earth were minimal, with predictions indicating a decrease in solar activity following the sunset of these regions. However, solar activity is expected to increase again in early March, potentially improving shortwave propagation conditions (ARRL).
Elon Musk’s Satellites and China’s New Spy Tech: Chinese scientists have reportedly developed a new surveillance technology that significantly enhances military monitoring capabilities, suggesting that enemy assets have "nowhere to hide." Additionally, satellite data continues to provide valuable insights into Earth's conditions, such as detailed information on Antarctic ice (This Week in Amateur Radio).
Brandmeister Adds TETRA Based Network: The Brandmeister DMR network has integrated a TETRA-based network, enhancing the digital mobile radio experience with features like 4 timeslots, full-duplex conversations, and superior voice quality. This integration aims to improve communications within the amateur radio community (Amateur Radio Daily).
ESA's Continued Support for Geostationary Satellite Project: The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking feedback from amateur radio operators for a potential follow-up geostationary satellite to QO-100. This initiative aims to gather lessons learned and design ideas for future projects, potentially benefiting portions of Europe and North America (Amateur Radio Daily).
Potential Canada Ban on SDR Devices: Public Safety Canada is considering a ban on devices that can record and replay wireless signals used for remote keyless entry in cars, including software-defined radios (SDR). This move is in response to concerns over vehicle theft and the misuse of such devices (Amateur Radio Daily).
Special Event Celebrating Silver Comet Amateur Radio Society's 20th Anniversary: The Silver Comet Amateur Radio Society (SCARS) is celebrating its 20th year with a series of special event stations, offering QSL cards and certificates for participants. This event highlights the society's longstanding commitment to the amateur radio community (Amateur Radio Daily).
