Science article
https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-seeks-end-climate-research-premier-u-s-climate-agency
NYT article
The proposal from the Office of Management and Budget would abolish the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office at NOAA, one of the world’s premiere Earth sciences research centers.
A budget allocation of just over $170 million, down from about $485 million in 2024, would hobble science as varied as early warning systems for natural disasters, science education for students in kindergarten through high school, and the study of the Arctic, where temperatures have increased nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet over the past four decades. “At this funding level, O.A.R. is eliminated as a line office,” the proposal states.
I did end up getting into ham radio, and one of my motivations was to keep in contact during a weather emergency as we get wild weather this time of year too. Thankfully there’s a repeater nearby that talks about the weather and has spotters getting together when severe weather does come. I mostly rely on them these days. I think they are led by NWS staff, but amateurs from all over the area talk on there.
I really should be doing this. I’ve talked about it for years. I guess I didn’t need a license to listen at least.
The technician (lowest license level) license is fairly easy if you take some online practice quizzes, or study the old-fashioned way if you want. But you’re right, you don’t need a license just to listen. A Baofeng handheld radio and maybe an upgraded antenna should be all you need to listen to local repeaters. You can look up your area online and find the frequencies and settings to access them. Transmitting without a license can get you into trouble, but exceptions are made for emergencies.
Got my GT-5R today. I found a club that hosts tests monthly, next one is next week, I’m not sure I’ll do that one, but May is on the docket. Thanks for the motivation.