Magnetic North Pole Shift

For more than four centuries, Earth’s magnetic north pole drifted slowly from the Canadian Arctic toward Siberia. In recent decades, that movement has accelerated sharply, surprising scientists who closely monitor the planet’s magnetic behavior and internal dynamics.

Researchers attribute the shift to changes deep within Earth’s outer core, where flowing molten iron generates the magnetic field. Alterations in these powerful currents, especially beneath Siberia, are pulling the magnetic pole at unprecedented speeds compared to the past.

This rapid motion has real-world consequences. Compasses, navigation systems, airport runway alignments, satellites, and even animal migration depend on accurate magnetic data. To keep technology functioning correctly, scientists must frequently update global magnetic models as the pole continues its journey.

The End of HamClock: RIP WB0OEW

 

Keith Maton, G6NHU of QSO365 has posted the following very sad news to the ham radio world:  

On Thursday, January 29, 2026 the simple notice (at left)  appeared on the HamClock home page.

 I’ve worked with Elwood Downey, WB0OEW very closely on HamClock over the last couple of years and we’d become good friends. I emailed him straight away using a different address to the one he posts online and I received an instant reply to say that Elwood has passed away.

What will happen?

I’m assuming that some time in June, the backend server that hosts HamClock will go offline. Because so much of the data that is displayed on HamClock comes from its own server, most things will stop working very quickly.

Firstly, Live Spots and the On The Air pane will go to zero. The solar data displays will gradually clear and show an error. Within ten minutes or so, the map display will fail as it won’t be able to download. Even the basic country map will fail and a blue bar will appear across the display saying it can’t download.

The contest and dxpedition panes will stop getting updates. They may last a little longer.

The DXCluster pane is one of the few that relies on a different source for its feed. This will continue to work, but without a map to show the spots on, it’ll be basically useless.

I’m going to miss my friend Elwood. Towards the end of last year, he moved house so all his development kit was packed away but up until then, we used to email regularly. Mainly talking about HamClock and what else we could do with it, but often about other stuff, including other projects he was working on. I had nothing to do with the actual programming of HamClock but Elwood would take on board suggestions I and others made, and then between us, we’d thrash it out via beta versions of HamClock, tweaking and adjusting to give the best possible user experience. He’d add something, I’d suggest how to make it work better and between us, I think we ended up with a superb piece of software.

I’ll miss the ability to walk into the shack, switch the screen on and at a single glance, see how the bands are performing in real time, noticing any new band/mode slots that are currently on air and seeing any DXPeditions that are live. Being able to have easy access to VOACAP specific predictions or general propagation prediction maps during contests. The whole thing has become an essential tool and there’s nothing that even comes close to replace it with.

Over the next few days, I’ll be removing the HamClock content from this site, there’s no need for build instructions any more and there won’t be any need for the other guides when it all goes off in June.

Goodbye Elwood.

Tom Salzer, KJ7T writes further in The Random Wire: 

HamClock availability and alternatives

Boeing 737 to Serve as ‘Freedom Plane’ During U.S. 250th Celebrations

 

A Boeing 737 will play an important part in the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations later this year.

The National Archives this week announced the “Freedom Plane National Tour,” a traveling exhibition that will bring Founding-Era documents to eight U.S. cities between March and August. A 737 in a special patriotic livery will transport the documents from city to city, officials said.

“Americans across the country can bear witness to the people and principles that shaped our nation through the Freedom Plane National Tour,” Jim Byron, senior adviser to the archivist of the U.S., said in a statement. “There is no more noteworthy an occasion than America’s 250th birthday to share this history, to inspire our fellow Americans to champion our nation’s founding ideals into the future.”

Boeing is providing the aircraft, as well as operational support.

The tour will make stops in Atlanta, Kansas City, Missouri, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, Dearborn, Michigan, and Seattle. According to the National Archives’ schedule, the exhibition will spend about two and a half weeks in each location.

Documents selected for display include a copy of the Declaration of Independence, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, and Revolutionary War-era oaths of allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr.

New Comedy Podcast Tackles Ham Radio’s “Gatekeeping Problem” With Humor and Education

Guy and Gus launch innovative series as survey data reveals 73% of new operators feel intimidated by online ham radio communities

Orlando, FL – January 20, 2025 – As amateur radio experiences a post-pandemic surge in new licensees, a troubling trend has emerged: online communities have become battlegrounds where “real radio” debates and equipment tribalism drive newcomers away from a hobby designed around experimentation and connection.

Ham Radio Gizmos is tackling this challenge head-on with an innovative solution: a comedy podcast that makes learning fun again.

See the first episode here:

The show centers on twin brothers Guy and Gus Wyre, whose constant disagreements mirror the hobby’s most heated debates. Guy champions modern software-defined radios, digital modes, and computer integration. Gus lives for vintage tube equipment, heavy iron, and radios that glow before they transmit. Their sibling rivalry becomes the vehicle for education – proving both approaches have merit while reminding listeners that ham radio is big enough for everyone.

“Somewhere between firmware updates and heated forum arguments, we forgot that this hobby is supposed to be enjoyable,” says Lee Love (N2LEE), creator of Ham Radio Gizmos. “Guy and Gus exist to prove you can laugh at ourselves while learning – and that ‘real radio’ is whatever gets you on the air.”

What Makes This Different
Unlike traditional ham radio podcasts that lecture or interview, Guy and Gus creates an entertainment experience where education happens naturally through story, debate, and good-natured brotherly warfare. The innovative production format allows for consistent weekly releases, professional quality, and creative storylines – including time travel segments, historical recreations, and exaggerated character conflicts that make technical concepts memorable.

Each episode features:

• Character-driven comedy that breaks down technical barriers
• Practical troubleshooting embedded in entertaining narratives
• Historical context connecting vintage and modern approaches
• Inclusive messaging welcoming all experience levels and equipment choices

The podcast’s philosophy is simple: Ham radio should be fun. Learning should be enjoyable. And laughing at ourselves is part of the process.

Bridging the Generation Gap
The show addresses a critical industry challenge: attracting younger operators while respecting the hobby’s deep traditions. By personifying both camps through Guy (modern) and Gus (vintage), the podcast validates every operator’s path while gently mocking the tribalism that divides communities.

“We’re not saying one approach is better,” Love explains. “We’re saying the arguments are entertaining, both sides have wisdom, and the hobby thrives when we stop gatekeeping and start experimenting together.”

Proven Educational Approach
Ham Radio Gizmos represents a fresh approach to educational content creation. The character-driven format maintains broadcast-quality consistency while exploring creative formats:

• Consistent character voices and personalities across episodes
• Time travel segments featuring historical radio operators
• Rapid-fire technical debates that clarify complex concepts
• Weekly release schedules with professional production values

Early listener feedback validates the approach: audiences report higher engagement and better retention of technical concepts compared to traditional lecture formats – proof that entertainment and education can coexist.

About Ham Radio Gizmos

For Tinkerers of All Ages: The Kolbecast Episode 134

Join Chris Ranck, K3DCR (a fellow member of the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Net ) as he talks about the geography, cross-generational communication, math, science, abstract concepts, and practical applications involved in the ham radio medium.  Chris also highlights St. Max Kolbe’s engagement with media developments of his time, shares his own experience of how hobbies provide a way to explore learning as a family, and touches on the importance of mastering communication media rather than being mastered by them.  Listen to the podcast here.

Chris has also developed the Ham Radio In The Homeschool website, an informative resource offering compelling reasons on why and how to get started in ham radio, as well as ways to introduce kids to ham radio, thereby equipping them with valuable knowledge and skills that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, as well as activities that the entire family can enjoy together.

Well done, Chris!

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Cracking Enigma: Secret Ham Operators

Join Lee Love, N2LEE of Ham Radio Gizmos as he explores the story of the hams who helped crack the infamous Enigma code in World War II.