On February 1, 2018, the D-Star ONE cube sat was part of the payload successfully launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket.

Digital Signal Processing is central to the software-defined radios (SDR) and digital modes which are an increasingly important part of Amateur Radio.

Radio operators interested in beginning to learn about the mathematical underpinnings of the digital side of their hobby are encouraged to take advantage of the Introduction to Digital Signal Processing maintained by Tom O’Haver, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland at College Park, as a retirement project and an international community service.

Purchasing an AREDN compatible radio and antenna is only the first step in assembling a useful, deployable, personal node.

Additional parts and equipment to support planned network capabilities—including provisions for portable power—must be purchased and then packaged in a manner which allows for safe and reliable operation.

Trevor Paskett (K7FPV), a member of the AREDN project, has designed a a portable mesh node to support his local mesh network’s mission while meeting served agency policy restrictions which prohibit permanent installation of equipment in their buildings.

An introductory video by W2AEW describing how complex impedance and admittance are represented on the Smith Chart, and how to convert between them. Includes a demonstration using a [VNA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_analyzer_(electrical) to illustrate the complex impedance representation on a live smith chart with variable resistive and reactive components.)

Building a new antenna is a great way to start the new year. The folding J-pole antenna project by RRRA member KA0ZLG , and featured in the March 2005 issue of QST magazine, is a new twist on an old design. It is an excellent cold weather project for improving your Go-Kit or enhancing portable operations.