TopBand: Radio Propagation Network for Radio Communicators

[Nick Hall-Patch]

The following appeared on the "hard-core DX" list, and might be of interest:



>We would like to announce the availability of a new radio propagation service.
>The service is known as CAROS, or the Coordinated Amateur Radio Observation
>System.
>
>CAROS is based on the principle of amateurs contributing radio propagation
>information for others to use.  
>
>We have, for several years, been planning to implement such a service
>primarily
>to test whether amateurs can supply sufficient information to make such a
>global service useful.  Its success or failure will be directly dependent
>upon those who use it and find it useful.  Your cooperation is solicited.
>
>We believe amateur radio operators and listeners can supply a considerable
>amount of information regarding the state of the Earth's ionosphere by
>contributing to this service.
>
>A small sample of the types of information we are interested in includes:
>
>1. Propagation reports telling others of NORMAL propagation conditions on
>   paths that you are familiar with.  If, for instance, you communicate
between your
>   location and London, England and notice today that propagation is normal,
>   a report submitted to us using:
>   http://solar.uleth.ca/solar/www/subcaros.html
>   (or the link provided on our CAROS homepage) would be valuable.
>
>2. Propagation reports indicating BELOW-NORMAL propagation conditions on
>   paths you are familiar with.  Other radio communicators may appreciate
>   knowing that propagation on specific paths is not normal.
>
>3. Propagation reports indicating ABOVE-NORMAL propagation conditions on paths
>   you use are also very valuable.  Above-normal propagation includes
>   receiving signals that normally aren't there, or band openings on
frequencies that
>   normally aren't open.  These can be exceptionally valuable to others.
>
>4. Unusual propagation (non-great-circle, aurora-related, meteor-induced, etc)
>   that you observe.  We hope people will make an effort to report unusual
>   propagation conditions.  It will give others a chance to confirm what you
>   have observed and even enjoy unusual propagation conditions that they might
>   not have otherwise known about.
>
>5. Rare contacts should also be reported.  If, for example, you are able to
>   establish contact with someone on a remote island that perhaps is normally
>   not there or simply has never been found before, please take the time to
>   report it, so others can look for the same opportunity to make a rare
>   contact.
>
>Any other form of radio propagation related information that you feel would be
>of value to others (which includes just about anything).
>
>There are no limitations.  We will accept reports from anyone, at any time,
>and on any frequency (from ELF to microwave and beyond).  Moon-bounce
>communicatorsare welcome to join in the fun, as are satellite communicators
and anyone
>else.
>
>All reports are archived.  Please remember to be as specific as you can in
>your propagation report submissions.  Since there is a possibility that this
>service could generate data that might supplement types of future scientific
>research, we hope all submissions will be detailed and complete.
>
>The main CAROS web page is: http://solar.uleth.ca/solar/www/caros.html
>It is updated every 5 minutes.  For those who are using web browsers
>capable of automatic screen updating, your web-browser should automatically
fetch the
>latest information every 5 minutes.  All others will need to manually click on
>the "Reload" button to refresh their information.
>
>The main CAROS submission form for providing propagation reports is:
>http://solar.uleth.ca/solar/www/subcaros.html
>
>For all of those who contribute to and support this service, we would like to
>express our gratitude.
>
>Any questions or problems regarding this service should be directed to
>COler@Solar.Stanford.Edu.
>
>
>**  End of Bulletin  **
>
>
******************************************************************
Nick Hall-Patch
Victoria, B.C.
Canada

e-mail:  Nick_Hall-Patch@bc.sympatico.ca
******************************************************************


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