Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (B)
To   : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Jan 28 2021 18:58:15

FIRST DIGITAL SYSTEM OPERATIONAL IN NORTH DUBLIN

PAUL/ANCHOR: Hams using digital modes in one part of Ireland have 
something to be grateful for, as Jeremy Boot, G4NJH, tells us.

JEREMY: In Ireland, hams in North Dublin who use the digital modes are 
celebrating the area's first digital system, which was put into use on 
the 19th of January. The C4FM Wires-X Gateway became operational thanks 
to the efforts of Ger EI4HOB and the North Dublin Radio Club EI0NDR. 
With the call sign EI2PMD, it is available to local hams at 144.825 MHz. 
The repeater is linked to the CQ-IRELAND Room, as are systems from 
Galway, Limerick, and Northern Ireland. 

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.

(IRTS)

**

QCWA IN SEARCH OF TREASURER

PAUL/ANCHOR: The Quarter Century Wireless Association is looking for an 
amateur radio operator who doesn't just love radio but has a talent for 
finance and numbers too. In short, the nonprofit group is in search of a 
treasurer to fill the post left vacant last year. The treasurer is 
responsible for preparing the proposed operating budget for approval by 
the Board of Directors. The treasurer also provides the Board with 
quarterly income statements along with a year-end income statement and 
balance sheet. The treasurer's responsibilities also include preparing 
the necessary paperwork at tax time, which includes the proper documents 
for employees and contract workers and the federal tax return, among 
other forms.

Members who are interested should contact Ken, VE6AFO, at 
president@qcwa.org.

(QCWA)

**

SKYWARN PREPS FOR SEASON'S STORMY WEATHER

PAUL/ANCHOR: Stormy weather is a reality this time of year in many parts 
of the world. In the U.S., a special group of hams is always preparing 
for it, as we learn from Randy Sly, W4XJ.

RANDY: While we normally think of Skywarn activations during tornadoes 
and hurricanes, winter storms also require “ground truth,” actual 
reports from the field to confirm what meteorologists are observing on 
radar and with other instruments. While spotters can report by phone, 
email or online, those from the Amateur Radio community can also 
communicate such things as snow depth and ice accumulation to 
meteorologists quickly and efficiently through local repeater nets 
connected to the weather services office.

Christopher Strong, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the 
Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, states, "Reports of snow 
and ice are vital to keeping the forecast on track. Automated reporting 
stations are great at detailing temperatures, rainfall, and winds, but 
do not report snow and ice accumulation. So, spotter reports really help 
us see how much is accumulating and match it up with how much we 
expected through that time."

Reports from radio amateurs and other spotters help the National Weather 
Service save lives and property in the community and minimize the impact 
of severe weather on the public. To find out more about becoming a 
Skywarn Spotter, please visit the Skywarn page on the National Weather 
Service Website and click on the link to contact the Warning 
Coordination Meteorologist in your area.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Randy Sly, W4XJ.

**

CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE SOLAR KIND

PAUL/ANCHOR: In the U.S., the Parker probe sent up by NASA has just made 
a close encounter of the solar kind. Kent Peterson, KC0DGY, gives us the 
details.

KENT: For the first time since last September, NASA's Parker Solar Probe 
spacecraft made a close approach to the sun just as solar activity began 
to kick into high gear.

From a distance of 8.4 million miles, or 13.5 million kilometers, the 
probe made its approach on Sunday, January 17th. There's plenty of data 
for it to collect, especially with Solar Cycle 25 now well under way. 
Last November, the sun had its first major flare in three years.

NASA has planned four close approaches to the sun this year along with 
two flybys of Venus, with the first one happening on February 20th. 
After that, it's back to the sun for another close look on April 29th.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY.

(SPACE.COM)
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