Space-π to transmit SSTV images via UMKA-1 (RS40S) CubeSat

December 29, 2025AMSAT-Francophone has posted information about an SSTV event sponsored by Space-π. The event will transmit SSTV images from the UMKA-1 (RS40S) CubeSat and run December 28th through the later portion of January. Transmitted images will include children’s drawings with additional imagery to follow early in January.

Those looking to receive images can point their antennas at the UMKA-1 (RS40S) CubeSat and tune their receivers to 437.625 MHz. SSTV images are expected to be transmitted in the Robot 36 format.

Source: AMSAT-Francophone open_in_new SSTV Space-π UMKA-1

DXLook Introduces Real-Time D-RAP Visualization for HF Absorption Events

December 14, 2025The following is a press release from DXLook:

DXLook has released a new D-RAP (D-Region Absorption Prediction) view that helps amateur radio operators understand and visualize HF absorption caused by solar X-ray flares in real time.

D-region absorption is a major cause of sudden daytime HF blackouts, particularly on lower-frequency bands. DXLook’s new D-RAP view presents existing D-region absorption data in a band-aware, geographic format, allowing operators to visually assess where and on which HF bands absorption may be occurring at a given moment.

The D-RAP view is primarily driven by official data from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, using the global “frequency for 1 dB absorption” product based on GOES satellite X-ray measurements. This dataset identifies, for each region of the Earth, the highest HF frequency expected to experience significant D-layer absorption at the current time.

When NOAA data is unavailable or becomes outdated, DXLook automatically switches to a physics-based fallback model derived from real-time solar position calculations. The system clearly indicates when calculated data is being used instead of measured NOAA data, ensuring transparency for users.

Absorption regions are displayed as smooth, color-coded zones aligned with amateur HF bands, allowing operators to quickly assess which frequencies may be degraded. The D-RAP view integrates with DXLook’s existing MUF, spot, and propagation tools, helping users understand the full operating window between D-layer absorption at lower frequencies and ionospheric refraction limits at higher ones.

The new D-RAP view is especially useful for contest operators, DXers, and emergency communications groups assessing HF reliability during solar events, as well as for operators trying to understand sudden short-wave fadeouts during daylight hours.

The D-RAP view is now live and available to all users at https://dxlook.com.

About DXLook
DXLook is a real-time HF and VHF propagation visualization platform built by amateur radio operators for the amateur radio community. It combines live reception reports, space weather data, and physics-based modeling to help operators better understand band conditions and propagation behavior worldwide.

Source: DXLook open_in_new DXLook