Politics and News

Dayton Hamvention is digitizing the attendee experience - the new ARRL Events App allows users to build custom schedules, track live prize drawings, and exchange digital QSL cards via QR codes during the world's largest ham radio gathering.

The FCC is moving to ban overseas electronics testing labs - a new proposal aims to prevent laboratories owned by entities posing national security risks, specifically in China, from certifying electronic devices for the U.S. market.

Brazil is modernizing its amateur radio licensing - the regulator ANATEL is removing Morse code requirements for exams and granting licensed hams new access to the 11-meter band under specific power limitations.

Social bonding is crucial for elephant rehabilitation - After 35 years of solitary confinement, Mundy the elephant demonstrated that peer interaction and shared space are essential for recovering from the trauma of long-term captivity.

Wildlife refuges prioritize animal energy over public access - By remaining closed to the public, specialized retirement communities for elephants can better control the environment and allow animals to heal without the stress of constant human observation.

Institutional friction dominated the recent US political era - The speakership of Kevin McCarthy and the ensuing far-right rebellion illustrated a period of extreme volatility within the House of Representatives and broader government functions.

Dayton Hamvention goes digital with a new events app - the mobile tool features forum scheduling, site maps, and a QR-based digital QSL card system to modernize attendee networking.

The FCC moves to restrict Chinese electronics testing - a proposed order would ban device certification by labs controlled by entities posing national security risks, shifting the responsibility to US-based facilities.

Brazil eliminates Morse code requirements for hams - regulator ANATEL is updating license exams and granting amateur radio operators new access to 11-meter Citizens' Band frequencies.

The ARRL Hamvention app is now live for 2025 - this digital tool allows attendees to plan schedules, browse exhibitors, and exchange digital QSL cards via QR codes during the world's largest amateur radio gathering.

The FCC is moving to ban overseas electronic testing labs - this proposed order targets facilities in countries like China that pose national security risks, shifting the certification of US-bound electronics to domestic laboratories.

Brazil has modernized its amateur radio regulations - the national regulator ANATEL has dropped Morse code requirements for licenses and granted hams new access to the 11-meter citizens' band.

Elephants require vast social environments to heal from trauma - moving Mundy the elephant from a quarter-acre enclosure to an 850-acre refuge allowed her to recover from decades of isolation by forming natural bonds with other elephants.

Public visibility can hinder animal rehabilitation - the Georgia refuge remains closed to the public because elephants are highly sensitive to human energy and vibrations, which can disrupt their recovery from captive trauma.

2023 was a year of extreme institutional and economic friction - the U.S. saw a historic 15-ballot struggle for the House Speakership alongside a major surge in labor strikes and banking instability.

FCC targets foreign testing of US electronics - The commission plans to ban device testing by laboratories owned or controlled by entities posing national security risks, specifically highlighting that Chinese labs currently test 75% of electronics sold in the US.

Brazil drops Morse code and expands ham bands - Regulator ANATEL is removing Morse requirements for amateur licenses and granting hams access to the 11-meter (CB) band with power limits of up to 25 watts on SSB.

Digital radio library secures two-year funding extension - A second grant from the ARDC will allow the Internet Archive's Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications to continue digitizing historical newsletters, software, and call books.

The FCC plans to ban device testing in high-risk nations - this proposal aims to move electronics certification to US-based labs to mitigate national security risks associated with labs controlled by countries like China.

Brazil is eliminating Morse code requirements for ham licenses - new regulatory changes will modernize the licensing exam process and grant amateur operators new access to 11-meter citizens' band frequencies.

Historical radio archives receive a major funding boost - a new grant from the ARDC ensures the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications can continue digitizing and preserving century-old call books and software for two more years.

The AI industry is likely in a massive financial bubble - analysts suggest a $2 trillion revenue gap exists between the cost of current infrastructure and actual revenue, which currently sits around only $55 billion.

OpenAI is struggling to articulate clear product utility - despite billions in investment, leadership continues to rely on vague hype regarding 'super brains' and 'agentic' behavior rather than defining concrete use cases.

High operational costs are forcing a pivot to niche, expensive features - new releases like 'Pulse' are being gated behind $200-a-month subscriptions, suggesting the underlying compute is still too costly for broad consumer adoption.

The FCC plans to move electronics testing to US soil - The regulator is reviewing an order to ban device testing by overseas labs owned by entities deemed national security risks, specifically targeting labs in China.

Brazil is dropping Morse code for amateur licenses - Regulator ANATEL is modernizing exam requirements and granting licensed hams new access to the 11-meter citizen band with specific power limits.

Historical radio archives secured two more years of funding - A new grant for the Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications will allow the continued digitization of club newsletters, vintage software, and century-old call books.