Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Dec 03 2020 19:14:44 DISCOVERY EXTENDS LIFESPAN OF SOLAR PANELS JIM/ANCHOR: There's some good news for hams who use solar panels when they operate portable. Well, it's good news - but it's still in the future. Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF, has the details. JIM: Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have announced their discovery of a means of extending the lifespan of perovskite- based solar cells, using a method that is also environmentally friendly. Perovskite, which is used as a semiconductor, is light-sensitive material that degrades over time. The researchers are calling their finding a cost-saving measure because it allows perovskite-based cells to be recycled. The process renews the cells' ability to absorb light by restoring a panel's photovoltaic capability. One of the PhD students on the research team in the Department of Applied Physics told the Jerusalem Post that the key is the use of a layer of stable oxides. The student, Avi (Ah-Vee) Schneider said the layer [quote] "acts as an electrode of the cell but it's also a stable material that allows for us to be able to remove any degraded perovskite." [endquote] He said that perovskite is the most sensitive component in the solar cell and the most likely to suffer damage over time. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Meachen, ZL2BHF. (JERUSALEM POST) ** MARKETER OF MOBILE RADIOS AND HTS CHARGED BY FCC JIM/ANCHOR: The FCC has cracked down on a California-based company, saying it sold radios capable of transmitting illegally. Jack Parker, W8ISH, tells us more. JACK: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has charged a radio marketer with the sale of six models of mobile and handheld two-way radios that allowed transmission outside authorized frequencies. The November 24th action by the agency's Enforcement Bureau notified Rugged Race Products, also known as Rugged Radios, that the California company must immediately stop selling the radios in the U.S. or face fines. According to the FCC citation, the agency's inquiry of the company's marketing dates back to its initial contact in August of 2018 in response to complaints. The citation says Rugged Radios acknowledged that it marketed each of the six models identified in the letter of inquiry, dating as far back as February 2014. The citation further says: [quote] "Rugged Radios acknowledged that all six models were 'sold with the capability of being face-programmable to allow a user to enter new operating frequencies' and that the associated manufacturer or supplier delivered the radio to the Company with this capability." [endquote] The FCC acknowledges, however, that after the first letter of inquiry, Rugged Radios did take steps to comply with agency rules and halted its marketing of four of the six models and later ensured that new models included the appropriate FCC ID and labeling information. The company also made firmware changes that disabled face-programming changes on the two remaining models, but ultimately pulled them from the market as well in May of 2020. The FCC has given the company 30 days to respond to the citation. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jack Parker, W8ISH. (FCC) ** CHANUKAH SPECIAL EVENT LIGHTS UP THE AIRWAVES JIM/ANCHOR: If you're looking to grab some DX from Israel, you'll have nine special days and nights in December. John Williams, VK4JJW, has that story. JOHN: Get ready for a number of Israeli radio amateur stations to light up the airwaves throughout Chanukah, the festival of lights, for nine days beginning at 1400 UTC on December 10th. The special event stations will include 4X1C, which will be activated by a team of hams as the first candle of the holiday is lit. On the next night, 4X2H, will join 4X1C on the air as the second candle is lit. Subsequent activations will be by 4Z3A, 4X4N, 4X5U and others, with the number in each call sign representing the number of candles to be lit on that day. All new stations will join the ones previously activated. The team activating 4X0NER will be on for the duration of the special event. Be listening on all the HF ham bands including the WARC bands and the QO-100 satellite. Operations end at 2159 UTC on December 19th. There are special certificates available for Israeli amateurs, European amateurs and hams from outside Europe. The certificates are digital downloads provided by the Israel Amateur Radio Club. The club is also offering a prize for best menorah and invites hams to email pictures of menorahs in and around their QTH from their part of the world. For details about the certificates and the photo contest, visit the club website at iarc.org/iarc. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW. (ISRAEL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB) --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (618:250/33) .