In SolderSmoke #224 I mentioned the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. I found a book review in The New Yorker (see below). In Red Mars they mention that there is no ionospheric propagation on Mars. W1PJE and K1RID point out that this is incorrect — there is ionospheric propagation on Mars. K1RID provides a link to a really detailed NASA study of this question (it includes discussion of the effect on propagation of Martian dust storms — good to know!). Finally, 2E0CHK suggests placing VHF repeaters on the two moons of Mars. I found a good article about the overhead passes of these moons. See below for all.
AND REMEMBER: THE ELSER-MATHES CUP REMAINS UNCLAIMED!
Here’s a review from The New Yorker:
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/our-greatest-political-novelist
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Newburyport Electronics & Radio Society
www.K1YRD.org
No skip on Mars ?
No ionosphere ?
Every cloud has a silver lining, even if Mars doesn’t have any clouds 😉
Mars has two moons.
Could be paradise for Moon Bounce aficionados. No ionosphere or F layer to get in the way. VHF can get around corners after all.
