https://github.com/GyanD/codexffmpeg/releases/tag/2023-03-05-git-912ac82a3c

RSID: <<2024-08-29T23:31Z MFSK-32 @ 9265000+1500>>
 

Welcome to program 368 of Shortwave Radiogram.

I'm Kim Andrew Elliott in Arlington, Virginia USA.

Here is the lineup for today's program, in MFSK modes as noted:

  1:42 MFSK32: Program preview (now)
  2:51 MFSK32: A below-100-MHz search for alien technology
  6:57 MFSK64: Airborne stations can expand internet connectivity*
14:26 MFSK64: This week's images*
28:36 MFSK32: Closing announcements

* with image(s)


Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net

We're on X/Twitter now: @SWRadiogram




From Phys.org:

Researchers start first low frequency search for alien technology
in distant galaxies

by SETI Institute
August 26, 2024

The SETI Institute, the Berkeley SETI Research Center and the
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research announced a
study using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western
Australia. Led by Dr. Chenoa Tremblay of the SETI Institute and
Prof. Steven Tingay of Curtin University, this research is the
first to search for signs of alien technology in galaxies beyond
our own, focusing on low radio frequencies (100 MHz).

This innovative study used the MWA's large field of view (FOV),
allowing the team to cover about 2,800 galaxies in one
observation, of which 1,300 we know the distance to. Usually, the
search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has focused on
signals within our galaxy. This new approach goes further,
looking at distant galaxies.

This new approach looks at distant galaxies, making it one of the
most detailed searches for super civilizations—those more
advanced than ours. To send a signal from another galaxy, a
civilization would need technology powerful enough to use the
energy of their sun or several stars in their galaxy.

The research is published on the arXiv preprint server:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.10372

"This work represents a significant step forward in our efforts
to detect signals from advanced extraterrestrial civilizations,"
said Tremblay. "The large field of view and low-frequency range
of the MWA makes it an ideal tool for this kind of research, and
the limits we set will guide future studies."

While this first study did not find any technosignatures (signs
of alien technology), it provides insights that will help focus
future searches. It shows how important it is to keep exploring
different radio frequencies and using the unique capabilities of
telescopes like the MWA.

"The MWA continues to open up new ways of exploring the universe
for intelligent civilizations and technosignatures, while using
the same data to study the astrophysics of stars and galaxies.
This work is new and novel, but also paves the way for future
observations with even more powerful telescopes," said Tingay,
who is also the Director of the MWA.

This research highlights the importance of working together
internationally and using advanced technology to expand our
understanding of the universe. The SETI Institute explores the
cosmos for signs of intelligent life and works to increase our
knowledge of the universe.

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-frequency-alien-technology-distant-galaxies.html


Shortwave Radiogram now changes to MFSK64 ...


 

RSID: <<2024-08-29T23:36Z MFSK-64 @ 9265000+1500>>



This is Shortwave Radiogram in MFSK64

Please send your reception report to radiogram@verizon.net

 

From TechXplore:

A third of the world lacks internet connectivity—airborne
communications stations could change that

by Mohamed-Slim Alouini and Mariette DiChristina
The Conversation
August 26, 2024

About one-third of the global population, around 3 billion
people, don't have access to the internet or have poor
connections because of infrastructure limitations, economic
disparities and geographic isolation.

Today's satellites and ground-based networks leave communications
gaps where, because of geography, setting up traditional
ground-based communications equipment would be too expensive.

High-altitude platform stations—telecommunications equipment
positioned high in the air, on uncrewed balloons, airships,
gliders and airplanes—could increase social and economic equality
by filling internet connectivity gaps in ground and satellite
coverage. This could allow more people to participate fully in
the digital age.

One of us, Mohamed-Slim Alouini, is an electrical engineer who
contributed to an experiment that showed it is possible to
provide high data rates and ubiquitous 5G coverage from the
stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second lowest layer of the
atmosphere, ranging from 4 to 30 miles above the Earth.
Commercial planes usually fly in the lower part of the
stratosphere. The experiment measured signals between platform
stations and users on the ground in three scenarios: a person
staying in one place, a person driving a car and a person
operating a boat.

My colleagues measured how strong the signal is in relation to
interference and background noise levels. This is one of the
measures of network reliability. The results showed that the
platform stations can support high-data-rate applications such as
streaming 4K resolution videos and can cover 15 to 20 times the
area of standard terrestrial towers.

Early attempts by Facebook and Google to commercially deploy
platform stations were unsuccessful. But recent investments,
technological improvements and interest from traditional aviation
companies and specialized aerospace startups may change the
equation.

The goal is global connectivity, a cause that brought the
platform stations idea recognition in the World Economic Forum's
2024 Top 10 Emerging Technologies report. The international
industry initiative HAPS Alliance, which includes academic
partners, is also pushing toward that goal.

Fast, cost effective, flexible

Platform stations would be faster, more cost effective and more
flexible than satellite-based systems.

Because they keep communications equipment closer to Earth than
satellites, the stations could offer stronger, higher-capacity
signals. This would enable real-time communications speedy enough
to communicate with standard smartphones, high-resolution
capabilities for imaging tasks and greater sensitivity for
sensing applications. They transmit data via free-space optics,
or light beams, and large-scale antenna array systems, which can
send large amounts of data quickly.

Satellites can be vulnerable to eavesdropping or jamming when
their orbits bring them over adversarial countries. But platform
stations remain within the airspace of a single country, which
reduces that risk.

High-altitude platform stations are also easier to put in place
than satellites, which have high launch and maintenance costs.
And the regulatory requirements and compliance procedures
required to secure spots in the stratosphere are likely to be
simpler than the complex international laws governing satellite
orbits. Platform stations are also easier to upgrade, so
improvements could be deployed more quickly.

Platform stations are also potentially less polluting than
satellite mega-constellations because satellites burn up upon
reentry and can release harmful metals into the atmosphere, while
platform stations can be powered by clean energy sources such as
solar and green hydrogen.

The key challenges to practical platform stations are increasing
the amount of time they can stay aloft for months at a time,
boosting green onboard power and improving reliability—especially
during automated takeoff and landing through the lower turbulent
layers of the atmosphere.

Beyond satellites

Platform stations could play a critical role in emergency and
humanitarian situations by supporting relief efforts when
ground-based networks are damaged or inoperative.

The stations could also connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices
and sensors in remote settings to better monitor the environment
and manage resources.

In agriculture, the stations could use imaging and sensing
technologies to help farmers monitor crop health, soil conditions
and water resources.

Their capability for high-resolution imaging could also support
navigation and mapping activities crucial for cartography, urban
planning and disaster response.

The stations could also do double duty by carrying instruments
for atmospheric monitoring, climate studies and remote sensing of
Earth's surface features, vegetation and oceans.

From balloons to airplanes

Platform stations could be based on different types of aircraft.

Balloons offer stable, long-duration operation at high altitudes
and can be tethered or free-floating. Airships, also known as
dirigibles or blimps, use lighter-than-air gases and are larger
and more maneuverable than balloons. They're especially well
suited for surveillance, communications and research.

Gliders and powered aircraft can be controlled more precisely
than balloons, which are sensitive to variations in wind speed.
In addition, powered aircraft, which include drones and
fixed-wing airplanes, can provide electricity to communication
equipment, sensors and cameras.

Next-generation power

Platform stations could make use of diverse power sources,
including increasingly lightweight and efficient solar cells,
high-energy-density batteries, green hydrogen internal combustion
engines, green hydrogen fuel cells, which are now at the testing
stage, and eventually, laser beam powering from ground- or
space-based solar stations.

The evolution of lightweight aircraft designs coupled with
advancements in high-efficiency motors and propellers enable
planes to fly longer and carry heavier payloads. These
cutting-edge lightweight planes could lead to platform stations
capable of maneuvering in the stratosphere for extended periods.

Meanwhile, improvements in stratospheric weather models and
atmospheric models make it easier to predict and simulate the
conditions under which the platform stations would operate.

Bridging the global digital divide

Commercial deployment of platform stations, at least for
post-disaster or emergency situations, could be in place by the
end of the decade. For instance, a consortium in Japan, a country
with remote mountainous and island communities, has earmarked
US$100 million for solar-powered, high-altitude platform
stations.

Platform stations could bridge the digital divide by increasing
access to critical services such as education and health care,
providing new economic opportunities and improving emergency
response and environmental monitoring. As advances in technology
continue to drive their evolution, platform stations are set to
play a crucial role in a more inclusive and resilient digital
future.

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-08-world-lacks-internet-airborne-communications.html


 

Image: Illustration of a solar-powered airship could someday play
a role in providing internet access to rural areas or disaster
zones ...


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This is Shortwave Radiogram in MFSK64

Please send your reception report to radiogram@verizon.net
 

This week's images ...

 

Tourists and visitors try to get a view of a volcanic eruption in
southwestern Iceland, August 22. https://tinyurl.com/22ynreyx ...

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The sun sets behind thin clouds in Montargis, France, August 19.
https://tinyurl.com/2ygfw6s2 ...

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Lightning strikes after a severe storm passed over Chicago,
August 27. https://tinyurl.com/2434ct6a ...

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A regional jet about to land on runway 19 at Washington National
Airport, sunrise, August 28. The Potomac River is visible.
https://tinyurl.com/27mb5ajq ...

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A flower at Sebastian Inlet State Park, on Florida's east coast.
https://tinyurl.com/2xpuf3z9 ...

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Flowers at Chadwick Arboretum, at the Columbus campus of The Ohio
State University. https://tinyurl.com/2y3c2wg2 ...

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A blue heron near the Paco ponds at Ridgeway State Park,
Colorado. https://tinyurl.com/2yqv9dwk ...

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Our painting of the week is "San Diego 2" by Guy Yanai (b.
1977). https://tinyurl.com/2778fe5c ...

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Shortwave Radiogram returns to MFSK32 ...


 

RSID: <<2024-08-29T23:58Z MFSK-32 @ 9265000+1500>>
 

This is Shortwave Radiogram in MFSK32 ...


Shortwave Radiogram is transmitted by:

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and

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Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net

Twitter: @SWRadiogram or twitter.com/swradiogram

I'm Kim Elliott. Please join us for the next Shortwave
Radiogram.