Disney Research Demonstrates Open-Air Wireless Charging

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Disney Research has invented a new method of wirelessly charging mobile devices that could someday allow amusement park patrons to walk about freely while also getting their mobile devices charged.

The technology, which Disney has dubbed "quasistatic cavity resonance" (QSCR), enables purpose-built structures such as cabinets, rooms and warehouses to generate quasistatic magnetic fields that "safely deliver kilowatts of power to mobile receivers contained nearly anywhere within."

Disney's wireless charging technology research was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE.

Media Story - http://www.computerworld.com/article/3173305/emerging-technology/disney-research-demonstrates-open-air-wireless-charging.html

Baofeng Solution for Traffic Lights

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German Amateur Radio Operator Bastian Blössl DF1BBL was working on a traffic light project when he stumbled across an idea to use his amateur radio skills to solve an RF dilemma.

As part of the project, Blössl needed to send an RF signal when traffic lights changed. He trialed a Baofeng radio, a popular and inexpensive amateur radio handheld device, usually found for less than $30.

The solution used a custom designed UDP packet to an audio flow graph in GNU Radio. GNU Radio then feeds the Baofeng. The radio’s built-in VOX function handles transmit switching.

More infromation - http://hackaday.com/2017/02/11/baofeng-handy-talkie-meets-gnu-radio/

Bastian Blössl DF1BBL Blog - https://www.bastibl.net/baofeng-digi-modes/

Lowest Sunspot Cycle for 5 Years

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Sunspot counts have reached their lowest level in 5 years, a clear sign that Solar Minimum is approaching. 

Solar Minimum is neither dull nor uneventful. Instead, space weather changes in interesting ways.

Spaceweather - http://spaceweather.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d&id=f592752b6e&e=f98eeb7cd6