Radio Ship Navigation Returns to Combat Cyber Threat

Due to the risk of cyber attacks targeting ships' satellite navigation, National Naval Services are delving through history and develop back-up systems with roots in World War Two radio technology.

Ships use GPS (Global Positioning System) and other similar devices that rely on sending and receiving satellite signals, which many experts say are vulnerable to jamming by hackers.

About 90 percent of world trade is transported by sea and the stakes are high in increasingly crowded shipping lanes. Unlike aircraft, ships lack a backup navigation system and if their GPS ceases to function, they risk running aground or colliding with other vessels.

South Korea is developing an alternative system using an earth-based navigation technology known as eLoran, while the United States is planning to follow suit. Britain and Russia have also explored adopting versions of the technology, which works on radio signals.

Media Story - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shipping-gps-cyber-idUSKBN1AN0HT

The Australian Travelers Net

To provide safety for radio amateurs traveling long distances often in remote areas, or being marine mobile, Travellers Net is an Australian service available on the air 365 days of the year.

Anyone can also send a telephone message to the travelers or inquire about their whereabouts across the vast country.

A team of operators runs the Travellers Net on 14.116 MHz with a check-in at 0200 UTC, and for 21.185MHz it is 0400 UTC. Priority is always given to urgent traffic.

Sometimes the use of relay stations is necessary for those not heard by a net controller.

Each controller was recognised by a WIA Presidents Commendation at the WIA AGM Hahndorf in May in 2017.

More information - http://www.wia.org.au/members/nets/travellers/

BBC to End AM Local Radio

The BBC will be closing a number of AM local radio stations from January 2018

Following a number of trials over the past few years, the BBC has confirmed that from January 2018, Medium Wave transmissions of a number of BBC Local Radio stations will either cease or be reduced.

The plans will result in BBC Radio Sussex, Surrey, Humberside, Wiltshire, Nottingham, Kent, and Lincolnshire no longer being broadcast on Medium Wave and reduced MW coverage for BBC Devon, Lancashire and Essex.

The reduction of Medium Wave services was first considered as part of the BBC's 2011 "Delivering Quality First" program. Trial switch-offs in subsequent years provided the BBC the chance to find out how many listeners were listening on AM. Most switch-offs took place without much public reaction, although a trial affecting BBC Radio Merseyside's signal provoked a strong reaction from listeners and national newspaper headlines. BBC Radio Merseyside's Medium Wave signal has been left off the current closure list.

Full Media Story - http://www.a516digital.com/2017/08/bbc-starts-medium-wave-switch-off.html