TWIAR News Feed

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Chinese Satellite Profiles Earths RF Spectrum as Seen from Lunar Orbit

Posted: 15 Aug 2019 07:25 AM PDT
http://bit.ly/2ZbtbXq

The Chinese DSLWP-B (LO-94) satellite that had been in lunar orbit provided
a profile of Earth’s HF spectrum as seen from the moon. The microsatellite
subsequently was crashed into the moon’s surface after having completed its
mission. DSLWP stands for “Discovering the Sky at Longest Wavelengths
Pathfinder.� Among other things, DSLWP-B was designed to test low-frequency
radio astronomy and space-based interferometry, and it carried Amateur
Radio and educational payloads.

The HF spectrum mission included mapping “RF interference� from Earth in
the 1 – 30 MHz range by studying its occlusion by the moon during lunar
orbit. According to Chinese media accounts, this was done to “verify the
technology of ultra-long wave astronomical observation and solar radiation
research.� The onboard detector sensed the spectrum of RF radiation at
different positions of the lunar orbit.


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FCC Staff Recommends Designating 988 as National Suicide, Mental Health
Crisis Hotline

Posted: 15 Aug 2019 07:25 AM PDT
http://bit.ly/2YOOrms

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and its Office of Economics and
Analytics have sent aÂ*reportÂ*to Congress that recommends that the
Commission considers designating 988 as a three-digit emergency code for a
nationwide suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The report,
mandated by the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018, finds
that such a three-digit number “would likely make it easier for Americans
in crisis to access potentially life-saving resources.�


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ARRL Board Pledges to Oppose French Proposal for 2 Meters

Posted: 14 Aug 2019 07:25 AM PDT
https://ift.tt/2KGRovC

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board of DirectorsÂ*resolved that “at the
appropriate time� ARRL will oppose a proposal by France to include 144 –
146 MHz among spectrum to study for non-safety Aeronautical Mobile Service
applications with an eye toward sharing the spectrum with the Amateur
Services.Â*The action came as the Board met July 19 – 20 in Windsor,
Connecticut for its second meeting of 2019.Â*The Board pointed out that 144
– 146 MHz isÂ*allocated globally to the Amateur Service on a primary basis
andÂ*enjoys widespread use for emergency communication. It also pointed to
the investment by radio amateurs of money and effort to build repeaters,
beacons, space infrastructure, and propagation research systems that have
global reach. The AMSAT and ARISS communities would be severely affected as
many spacecraft use 2 meters to facilitate communication, the Board noted.
ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, recommended
continuing to monitor the proposal. If it is added as an agenda item for
study for WRC 2023, the Board should consider action, he advised.