Amateur Radio technologies help in Canadian Cave Rescue.

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5-watt QDX-M Transceivers from QRP-Labs, set up (we believe) for 2200m were used to communicate through 100 metres of solid rock at Rats Nest Cave using JS8-CALL ham radio conversational digital data software (a derivative of FT8), allowing text messages to be communicated from the rescuers with the trapped man and the control centre on the surface.

A few readers may be interested to know that this same 2200m band setup was recently tested to see if it could support 2-way chat using JS8CALL, in a surface-to-cave context. Results were very successful, with SNR’s as high as +09 dB being recorded through more than 100m of solid rock. FB, Ian!

Cave radios have existed for decades and have penetrated much deeper than this initial test, but the small size, light weight and low cost of the QDX-M makes it a potential breakthrough in utility for cave exploration and cave rescue. More tests to follow.

This was not a SOTA accomplishment per se, although there has been the occasional thread on this reflector suggesting there may be room for a Caves On The Air program :grin:… Interesting possibility: the test cave (called Rat’s Nest) is located in Grotto Mountain, which happens to be SOTA summit VE6/HC-015. In theory it might be possible to have a 2200m band QSO between the summit of HC-015 and the lowest point in the cave, which is about 165m below the entrance. Pretty stiff trip in both directions, though, for a 6 - point activation and chase …

$1 Million and Counting: Contester and Engineer Dr James Galm Makes Historic Gift to ARRL

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$1 Million and Counting: Contester and Engineer Dr James Galm Makes Historic Gift to ARRL

Every so often a story comes along that shows just how far a lifetime in this hobby can carry someone — and how they choose to give back at the end of it.

ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio®, has announced a historic $1 million gift from Dr James M. Galm, W8WTS — an entrepreneur and lifelong amateur radio operator who spent his career solving complex energy and engineering problems, and is now turning his attention to the next generation of problem solvers coming up through the hobby.

Where the Money's Going

The gift will directly support several ARRL programmes, including the ARRL STEM education initiative within the Education and Technology Program, and the Spectrum Defence Fund, which underpins ARRL's work protecting amateur radio's access to spectrum. Beyond that, Dr Galm designated a substantial portion of the gift as unrestricted support — split between the ARRL Diamond Club, which feeds the general fund, and the Second Century Fund, ARRL's unrestricted endowment, which will be invested to support ARRL's operations in perpetuity.

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AST SpaceMobile's 800 MHz Trial Wraps Up — But the 70cm Interference Story Isn't Going Away

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AST SpaceMobile's 800 MHz Trial Wraps Up — But the 70cm Interference Story Isn't Going Away

Direct-to-device satellite service is one of the fastest-moving stories in the industry right now, and it keeps brushing up against amateur radio spectrum along the way.

The FCC has given Texas-based AST SpaceMobile until 12th September to complete its trial of direct-to-device cellular broadband service over the 800 MHz band. The company has been operating under a 30-day permit, testing delivery to everyday consumer mobile phones in Lanham, Maryland, and near its own headquarters in Midland, Texas.

Back in April, the regulator approved AST's use of 817–824 MHz for uplink and 862–869 MHz for downlink. AST has strategic partnerships with Verizon and AT&T, and is positioning itself as a rival to SpaceX's Starlink, which is also active in the direct-to-device space.

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