New Version of WSJT-X July 2021

/

A new version of WSJT-X, the software suite that includes FT8 and other digital protocols, has introduced a new mode, Q 65.

According to the release notes, it is designed to accommodate fast-fading signals and paths with Doppler shifts of more than a few Hertz.

"Q65 is particularly effective," the notes say, "for tropospheric scatter, rain scatter, ionospheric scatter, TEP (trans-equatorial propagation) and EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) on VHF and higher bands." It uses the same message formats and sequencing as those used in FST4, FT4, FT8 and MSK144.

Q65 is one of 11 total modes included in the latest WSJT-X package.

For more information or to download the free software - https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

'Woodpecker' is Now a Cultural Heritage Site

/
'Woodpecker' is Now a Cultural Heritage Site

Ukraine has declared that the enormous Duga-1 radar array is a protected cultural monument.

Almost 2,300 feet long and more than 450 feet high, the steel beams of the radar tower over the surrounding forest. From a distance, it appears to be a massive wall or the start of a cage.

The Association of Chernobyl Tour Operators first announced that Ukraine had made Duga-1 a protected heritage site on its Facebook page. Interfax, a Russian news service, later reported the official designation.

Read More

820,000 Norweigan Kroner to Support Ham Radio Emergency Comms

/
820,000 Norweigan Kroner to Support Ham Radio Emergency Comms

The Norwegian Radio Relay League will receive more than NOK 820,000 (£69,651) from the Gjensidige Foundation to strengthen emergency preparedness.

This will enable an important and long-awaited boost for us, and will significantly strengthen the preparedness in our area, says Henrik Solhaug in the Norwegian Radio Relay League.

For several years, the Gjensidige Foundation has been concerned that volunteer rescue crews, among other things, lack the necessary, suitable and good technical equipment. This weakens the entire voluntary rescue service and emergency preparedness in Norway. Therefore, NOK 54 million was set aside for FORF (Voluntary Organizations' Rescue Professional Forum), which includes the seven organizations that make up the backbone of the voluntary rescue service . Among the applications that were approved was the Norwegian Radio Relay League, which now receives funding to contribute to a safer society through a further development of the rescue service.

Read More