New SO-50 Distance Record

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A new distance record has been claimed on SO-50. During a SOTA activation of Pine Mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on May 24, 2023 at 13:16 UTC, Joe Werth, KE9AJ, worked George Mamjis, MI0ILE, in Northern Ireland. KE9AJ’s location was EN55wu90gp and MI0ILE’s location was IO64wn80. The distance between the two locations is 5,584 km. The previous record on this satellite was 5,523 km – set by F4DXV and N1AIA on October 24, 2018.

NCDXF to offer $100k for solutions to deliberate QRM

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If you tried to work the Bouvet Island DXpedition, you heard some nasty deliberate interference (DQRM). Well, the Northern California DX Foundation has had enough. They’re going to be issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to address this problem. Their website reads:

DQRM RFP Project

The Northern California DX Foundation recognizes the negative aspect deliberate QRMers are having on our hobby. We believe this is a problem that can be mitigated by applying amateur operators’ vast knowledge and receiving tools to good use. In order to spur research into solving the problem the NCDXF Board of Directors at their latest Board meeting allocated $100,000 to help develop solutions.

NCDXF will entertain grant proposals from individuals and/or groups that specifically outline their approach to identify bad actors. A group of directors led by Craig Thompson (K9CT) and Don Greenbaum (N1DG) will weigh the probability of success of these proposals as well as monitor the progress of the grantees.

Funding is available for R & D as well as implementation of the technology. It is hoped that manufacturers will also assist us with equipment and resources.

NCDXF will shortly outline specifics for how to apply for these grants.

More Information -  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-449A1.pdf

Cars Would be Required to Keep AM Radio under a new Bipartisan Bill

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Cars Would be Required to Keep AM Radio under a new Bipartisan Bill

Some automakers are dropping AM radio, citing electromagnetic interference with EV powertrains. But a bipartisan group of senators led by Ed Markey and Ted Cruz is pushing back.

Automakers would be required to keep AM radio in their vehicles under a new bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced today. The legislation was introduced in response to an increasing number of vehicles coming out without first-generation radio broadcast technology.

The bill, titled the AM for Every Vehicle Act, would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that “requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge.” Prior to the new rule from NHTSA, automakers selling vehicles without AM radio would be required to disclose that fact to potential customers. And the Government Accountability Office would be tasked with identifying alternate communication methods that could match the effectiveness of AM radio for emergency alerts.

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