WSJT-X Core Developer Goes SK

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Sad news now. We learned from Joe Taylor, K1JT, that Bill Somerville, G4WJS, died suddenly and unexpectedly.

He was only about 65 years old.

Bill was the first to join Joe in 2013, forming a core development group for WSJT-X.

He helped to bring the overall program structure more nearly up to professional standards.

Moreover, he devoted countless hours to program support, patiently answering users’ questions on WSJT-related forums.

RSGB Obituary - https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/silent-keys/2021/12/06/bill-somerville-g4wjs-december-2021/

RSGB Examinations Standards Committee Report Published

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The RSGB Examinations Standards Committee has published its 2021 annual report which covers activities in 2020.

Despite the challenges of Covid, the Committee was quick to approve and support proposals for changes to the exam system, such as approving online remote invigilation and the suspension of practical assessments. This allowed people to continue to take exams and get involved in amateur radio during lockdown.

The total number of exams administered by the RSGB Examinations Department in 2020 increased by 41.9 percent compared to the previous year.

RSGB Examinations Standards Committee Report - https://thersgb.org/publications/committees/esc/2021/211203_esc_annual_report%202021.pdf

Moon bouncing and radar imaging with LoRa

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Moon bouncing and radar imaging with LoRa

The LoRa radio protocol is well known to hardware hackers because of its Long Range (hence the name) but also its extremely low power use, making it a go-to for battery powered devices with tiny antennae. But what if the power wasn’t low, and the antenna not tiny? You might just bounce a LoRa message off the moon. But that’s not all.

The team that pulled off the LoRa Moonbounce consisted of folks from the European Space Agency, Lacuna Space, and the CA Muller Radio Astronomy Station Foundation which operates the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope. The Dwingeloo Radio Telescope is no stranger to Amateur Radio experiments, but this one was unique.

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