RAC Ontario Sections Bulletin for April 15th, 2023
Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada with this week’s bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Arbitrary Code Execution Over Radio
Computers connected to networks are constantly threatened by attackers who seek to exploit
vulnerabilities wherever they can find them. This risk is particularly high for machines connected
to the Internet, but any network connection can be susceptible to attacks. .
The vulnerability found involves exploiting a flaw in a piece of software called WinAPRS.
APRS is a method commonly used in the amateur radio community for sending data over radio,
and WinAPRS allows for this functionality on a PC. The author specifically sought out this
program for vulnerabilities since it is closed-source and hasn’t been updated since 2013.
The exploit was found while using Windows XP because it lacks some of the more modern memory
protection features of modern operating systems, but the exploit does still work with Windows 10,
just not as reliably and with a bit of extra effort required. It’s a good reminder to use open aource
software when possible so issues like these can get resolved, and to regularly install security updates when possible.
— Hackaday Blog
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/07/arbitrary-code-execution-over-radio/
2. Solar Max Might Arrive Early:
Evidence is mounting that Solar Cycle 25 might peak much earlier than expected. New research
by a leading group of solar physicists predicts maximum sunspot activity in late 2023 or early 2024
with a peak that could be twice as strong as the previous solar cycle.
— Full story @ Spaceweather.com
3. ARSA Announces 2023 Award Winner
The Amateur Radio Software Award (ARSA) Committee has announced that GridTracker,
a project led by Stephen Loomis, N0TTL, and the GridTracker.org team, has been selected as
the recipient of the 4th annual Amateur Radio Software Award.
The award recognizes software projects that enhance amateur radio and promote innovation,
freedom, and openness in amateur radio software development.
The committee was impressed by the breadth of features in GridTracker, its innovative graphic
interface, and its ability to make amateur radio more fun.
GridTracker is a tool that visualizes WSJT-X amateur radio traffic, like FT8 and contacts from
log files, which makes it easier for radio amateurs to track their contacts and participate in contests.
Its unique approach to visualizing radio traffic adds a new dimension of enjoyment to the radio art.
To learn more about GridTracker, visit https://gridtracker.org
— arrl letter
4. Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting Open during Dayton Hamvention®.
The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, in conjunction with the West Chester Amateur
Radio Association, announce their expanded hours during the 2023 Dayton Hamvention®.
The museum will be open Thursday May 18 and Friday May 19th from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM;
Saturday May 20 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday May 21 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
and is located at 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, Ohio. Admission is $10.00 at the door.
The museum is a short drive from Hamvention, down Interstate 75 or Route 42 from Xenia.
For further information, visit voamuseum.org or wc8voa.org. You can also find the museum on Facebook.
— arrl letter
This concludes this week’s bulletin.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC