The following is a message from SafecomLink:

SafecomLink has published a new case study documenting live AI-based weather routing over HF radio north of the Arctic Circle. Sailor Harley Soltes (LA/KN7H) used SafecomLink with a Pactor 4 link to access the Safie AI assistant from his vessel off the Norwegian coast — establishing a connection to a land station in Austria (OE3FQU) on 14.120 MHz, then reaching the open internet, with no cellular coverage, no satellite service, and no shore-side infrastructure.

The real-time two-way AI conversation provided wind forecasts and a day-by-day crossing comparison for the passage to Lofoten, Norway. After completing the passage, Soltes reported the AI forecast was more accurate than his usual weather apps and far faster than the WinLink email method he previously used.

This is pretty game-changing — to have fast Pactor 4 communication from sea to a real-time internet AI connection. — Harley Soltes, LA/KN7H

Full case study: https://www.safecomlink.com/post/safecomlink-case-study-maritime

Source: SafecomLink

The number of amateur radio stations in Japan continues to decline. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the latest numbers for the first quarter of 2026 showing a steady reduction of 1,000+ stations each month. Over the last 10 years Japan's station count has reduced by more than 100,000 from 435,969 in January 2016 to 332,120 in January 2026.

While an explanation for the decline was not given, Japan has seen significant population loss over the last several years including a reduction of 3 million citizens over the past 5 years.

Source: hamlife.jp

A new feature has been added to DXLook that allows amateur radio operators to visualize DXpedition activity on a world map using live reception reports from multiple amateur radio networks.

The new DXpeditions View combines data from PSK Reporter, Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), WSPRnet, and DX Clusters to display where DXpedition signals are being received in near real time. Rather than presenting reports as individual spots or entries in a cluster feed, the system plots activity geographically, providing operators with a broader view of how a DXpedition signal is propagating around the world.

DXpeditions often generate thousands of reception reports across multiple bands and continents. While traditional spotting networks remain invaluable, they can make it difficult to quickly understand the overall propagation picture. The new view aims to address this by transforming individual reports into a visual representation of global activity.

Operators can use the feature to identify which regions are hearing a DXpedition, observe changes in propagation throughout the day, and compare activity across different bands. Filters are available for both band selection and time range, allowing users to focus on current conditions or review activity over longer periods.

The feature is designed to complement existing spotting tools rather than replace them. By visualizing reception reports geographically, it becomes easier to identify developing openings, regional coverage patterns, and changes in propagation that may not be immediately apparent from spot data alone.

The DXpeditions View is available immediately and can be accessed from the Maps section of DXLook. For operators interested in learning more about how the feature works, a detailed guide is available on the DXLook blog.

DXLook is a free amateur radio platform that aggregates live data from multiple sources including PSK Reporter, WSPRnet, Reverse Beacon Network, DX Clusters, APRS, POTA, and SOTA. The platform was recently featured in the May 2026 issue of QST magazine.

DXLook -> https://dxlook.com

DXpeditions View Guide -> https://dxlook.com/blog/posts/dxpeditions-view-guide/

73,

Rodrigo Vazquez
AK6FP / LU6ERV

Source: DXLook