Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Feb 09 2023 19:35:48 PROTOTYPE WIRELESS SYSTEM CALLED 'POWER-FREE' STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Imagine being able to transmit without having to rely on a battery or some other external power source. Well, a group of researchers in Washington State did more than imagine it. We hear the details from Kent Peterson, KC0DGY. KENT: A research team in Washington state has developed a prototype of wireless communication that enables a signal to be transmitted by relying on a byproduct of its circuitry's electrical resistance instead of any external source of power. This new system differs from previous so-called passive wireless and backscatter communication systems because unlike its predecessors, it does not need to make use of sunlight, broadcast TV signals or ambient temperature differences to provide it with power. The electrical resistance it uses instead is known as "Johnson noise," the name given to the charge that electrically conductive materials generate within themselves. The University of Washington prototype, like its predecessors, can function on very little power. The wireless - and power-free - transmission occurs through the opening and closing of a switch - a transistor - that connects the antenna to a resistor. Findings by the university development team were released by the university and published as well on the Hackaday website and by the news organization known as The Conversation. The researchers write on the university website: [quote] "Our system, combined with techniques for harvesting energy from the environment, could lead to all manner of devices that transmit data, including tiny sensors and implanted medical devices, without needing batteries or other power sources. These include sensors for smart agriculture, electronics implanted in the body that never need battery changes, better contactless credit cards and maybe even new ways for satellites to communicate." [endquote] This is Kent Peterson, KC0DGY. (UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, THE CONVERSATION.COM) ** ARDC REPORTS ON $8 MILLION IN GRANTS GIVEN IN 2022 STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Grant money helped amateur radio grow in new directions last year. Here's a short accounting from Sel Embee, K B 3 T Zed D. SEL: The private foundation known as Amateur Radio Digital Communications continued to spread its support for ham radio and broader communication science and technology during 2022. According to the annual report released at its community meeting on January 21st, ARDC distributed 101 grants totaling $8 million last year. It expanded support across international borders, with 13 percent of that grant money going to programs outside the United States. Meanwhile, ARDC's plans for the year ahead include providing funds for 95 scholarships; thirteen of those will be going to support women who are pursuing degrees in STEM studies. ARDC's 2022 survey of 44Net usage drew a response that exceeded its expectations, more than 1700 replies. The system, also known as the AMPRNet or Amateur Packet Radio Network, is an internet network often used for scientific and digital purposes. ARDC also introduced its new technical director. Jon Kemper K-A-6-N-V-Y came on board at the ARDC in October of 2022. The California amateur brings a strong background of engineering management experience. This is Sel Embee, KB3TZD. (ARDC) ** SKYWARN TEAM OPTS FOR SURPRISE IN NEXT DRILL STEPHEN/ANCHOR: In Western Pennsylvania, some emergency responders are in for a big surprise - and that's the whole idea behind their next exercise. We find out why from Randy Sly, W4XJ. RANDY: As amateur radio operators. we are supposed to plan for emergencies, but we can never plan on emergencies. That's why such events as the ARRL Simulated Emergency Tests, or SETs, are good, but participants still know ahead of time when and where an activity will take place. So, the Southwest District Skywarn Team Of Western Pennsylvania is building the element of surprise into their upcoming training exercise. Sometime before the next SET on April 1st, they will have an unexpected weather exercise initiated by the Pittsburgh National Weather Service Office. When SKYWARN is activated, they will then be told how serious the weather event is, whether there is internet or cell service and the status of power. From then on, spotters will be deployed and begin their work just as in an actual emergency. Eddie Misiewicz (Mi-shŠ -vitz - short e), KB3YRU, president of the group, told AR Newsline that the unexpected is always part of a normal activation and that hams will be better prepared for an actual emergency when their training begins with "Surprise! This is a test." This is Randy Sly, W4XJ. ** BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world, including the KB9LPP repeater in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and on Echolink. --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (954:895/7) .