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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