Hams Respond to Tragedy In Chilean Andes

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An annual occasion that celebrates strength, courage and pride in a free homeland ended in tragedy in the Andes Mountains, even as amateur radio operators mobilised to help with their best efforts. 

Riding horseback across the mountains each year recalls a defining moment of independence for South American nations. This year's 209th anniversary ride of the Crossing of the Andes under Jose de San Martin and the Army of the Andes, led to an emergency evacuation of one rider in early February. As the mounted expedition began its return trip home through Chile in the early evening, the woman suffered a serious fall from her horse.

Writing in the Forums section of QRZ.com, Carlos Almirón, LU7DSY, said that the San Felipe Provincial Radio Club, CE2REU, sent out a call for emergency assistance through the Chilean ham radio network. The Los Molinos Radio Club of Villa Alemana, CE2CQ, provided GPS coordinates for the mountains' La Vega section. As ground resources and a helicopter were dispatched, the Los Molinos hams continued their coordination with the expeditioners through a link with the San Felipe Provincial Radio Club. The rescue teams arrived, performed CPR followed by an evacuation. It was later reported that the rider had died from her injuries while being treated at the hospital.

Indiana BMV Unveils New Amateur Radio License Plate

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Indiana BMV Unveils New Amateur Radio License Plate

The new plate design will honour Indiana's amateur radio operators and their public service contributions.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has announced the launch of a new license plate design for amateur radio operators in the state. The Amateur Radio License Plate will feature the operator's assigned callsign and be available for passenger vehicles and trucks. The plate is intended to recognise the important role amateur radio operators play in emergency response and disaster communications in Indiana.

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Not Moonbounce, Rather Building- And Pedestrian-Bounce

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Not Moonbounce, Rather Building- And Pedestrian-Bounce

In late January, an Alphabet-owned Waymo self-driving car was cruising near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, when a young child suddenly darted into the street. Waymo’s LiDAR sensors detected the student, who had just emerged from behind a parked SUV, but it was too late. Despite slamming on the brakes and slowing from 17 to six mph, the driverless car struck the child, knocking them to the pavement. Luckily, reports show that the child only suffered minor injuries, but that’s likely little comfort to parents whose children live in the growing number of cities where driverless cars operate.

In this case, the Waymo detected the child once they came into view—but what if it could have “seen” them from around the corner? That is the general idea behind new research emerging out of the University of Pennsylvania, where a team of engineers have developed a sensor system that uses radio waves to help robots detect objects (or people) hidden behind walls.

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