SearchLites - Vol 02 No 4

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 2, Number 4, Autumn 1996, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. It is a membership-supported, non-profit, educational, and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. The issue covers the League's progress, introduces its president, discusses technical challenges, and provides information for members.

Charter Members Due to Renew

This section announces that Charter Memberships, which have been active for up to two years, are subject to renewal by December 31, 1996. It highlights the League's accomplishments since its inception, including building a membership base of nearly 500 supporters, developing prototype radiotelescopes, popularizing SETI through media appearances, launching Project Argus (an all-sky microwave survey), establishing amateur SETI stations worldwide, maintaining an award-winning website, and publishing books and newsletters. The section emphasizes that much remains to be accomplished in achieving real-time, all-sky microwave coverage and developing more sensitive hardware and software. It urges members to renew their support to help demonstrate that 'We Are Not Alone.'

Introducing: The SETI League's President

This article introduces Richard C. Factor, the founder and president of The SETI League. Factor was dismayed when the US Congress terminated funding for NASA's SETI program in October 1993. He decided to take action, reasoning that he could help resurrect SETI. A longtime amateur radio operator (WA2IKL), he believed radio amateurs could be a valuable resource for SETI research. He founded The SETI League as a non-profit, membership-supported organization and serves as its volunteer president and a member of its Board of Trustees. The article provides personal details about Factor: he is fifty years old, has an extensive vocabulary, enjoys science fiction, owns a Cessna 172, and has an addiction to chocolate. Professionally, he heads Eventide Inc., a manufacturer of advanced electronic equipment. He is also active in amateur radio, maintaining a high position on the ARRL DXCC Honor Roll.

Membership Meeting Scheduled

This announcement details the Third Annual Membership Meeting of The SETI League, Inc., scheduled for 2 PM Eastern time on Saturday, March 22, 1997, at SETI League Headquarters in Little Ferry, NJ. It reminds members that one percent of the membership constitutes a quorum and encourages attendance. Members are invited to submit Old and New Business items for the agenda via email. Written notice of the meeting, along with the agenda and directions, will be mailed to members in good standing at least ten days and no more than sixty days prior to the meeting date.

Editorial: The Sky Is Filling! The Sky Is Filling!

In his editorial, Executive Director H. Paul Shuch discusses the persistent problem of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) plaguing SETI efforts. He notes that early SETI experiments, like Project Ozma, were often hampered by terrestrial signals, such as those from military satellites operating on the protected Hydrogen Line. Harvard University's Project META and BETA have mapped numerous RFI sources from navigation satellites. Project Phoenix also encountered RFI during its search. The SETI League's own Project Argus detected an anomalous signal on May 10, identified as RFI from a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite, exhibiting a digital modulation and a Doppler shift inconsistent with Earth's rotation. Shuch expresses encouragement that the signal was detected by a member, verified as RFI, and reported to League headquarters, indicating the effectiveness of their protocols. However, he warns that the RFI situation is worsening with the launch of new communication and navigation satellites. He mentions proposals for SETI observatories on the lunar farside (Jean Heidmann) and Solar Sail missions for cosmic surveying (Claudio Maccone) as long-term solutions to escape Earth's RFI. Shuch concludes by stating that The SETI League's role is to pioneer techniques for working around increasing RFI and encourages members to share their thoughts and suggestions.

Figures

• Figure 1: Labeled as a 'Project BETA image courtesy of Dr. Paul Horowitz,' this figure displays a spectral analysis, likely showing RFI signals. The image includes a computer interface with settings like 'F2', 'F3', 'F4', 'F6', 'F7', 'Setup', 'Save', 'Load', 'Calor', 'KHZ', 'Max Freg', and CPU usage.
• Figure 2: Labeled as a 'Project Argus image courtesy of Trevor Unsworth,' this figure shows a spectral display with a line indicating a signal with a Doppler shift. The display includes axes labeled with frequency and amplitude, and a line with a negative slope, suggesting a Doppler shift.

Where Do I Start? What Should I Build? What Must I Buy?

This section addresses a SETI League member's request for a simplistic guide to setting up a search effort with minimal background knowledge. Dr. Shuch explains that, unlike setting up a satellite TV system, there is no simple 'cookbook' approach for amateur SETI due to the evolving nature of the technology and the desire to encourage member creativity. He draws a parallel to the early days of satellite TV, which took two decades to become a consumer industry. He states that The SETI League avoids dictating specific equipment purchases to foster innovation. However, recognizing that not all members have extensive engineering expertise, the League intends to provide assistance. Shuch recommends reviewing Dan Fox's System Block Diagram and outlines the minimum equipment needed: an antenna and feedhorn, a low-noise preamplifier, a microwave receiver, and a computer with digital signal processing software. He shares his own experience with the first Project Argus station at SETI League headquarters, detailing the equipment used (Paraclipse Classic 12 dish, Lichtman feedhorn, Down East Microwave GaAs MMIC amplifier, Icom 7000 receiver, Texas Instruments 560CDT laptop with Spectra Plus software) for expediency. He notes that this setup cost around $7,000 US, but can be duplicated for under $1000 US by using more modest components, existing computers, and surplus dishes.

Ask Dr. SETI

This Q&A column addresses a question from R.Z. of Bensalem, PA, who inquired about the meaning of the sequence '6EQUJ5' from the 'Wow!' signal printout. Dr. SETI explains that the 'Wow!' signal, received on August 15, 1977, at the Ohio State University Radio Observatory, was named after a note written by investigator Dr. Jerry Ehman. The sequence '6EQUJ5' itself is not a message but a representation of the signal's amplitude over time, measured in standard deviations above background noise. The symbols indicate amplitude levels, with 'U' representing the strongest peak at 30 standard deviations. The signal's Gaussian distribution is consistent with the Big Ear radiotelescope's antenna pattern. The article directs readers to a research article on The SETI League's website for more information on the 'Wow!' signal's significance as a calibration benchmark.

Conference Calendar

This section lists upcoming conferences where SETI-related information will be presented, from November 1996 to September 1999. Events include AMSAT Annual Meeting, Philcon, Winter Solstice Regional Gathering, Boskone, Lunacon, SETI League Third Annual Membership Meeting, Southeastern VHF Conference, Dayton Hamvention, Rochester Hamfest, Central States VHF Conference, Lonestarcon, and Worldcon.

Ham SETI-Net Initiated

This news brief announces the initiation of 'Ham SETI-Net,' a suggestion by Peter Wright, The SETI League's volunteer coordinator in Germany. The initiative encourages League members who are licensed radio amateurs to meet on the air weekly to compare notes and share ideas. European members are monitoring 14.204 MHz on Sundays at 1000 UTC. Interested hams worldwide are invited to check in by looking for the callsign DJOBI or calling 'CQ SETI.' Members in other time zones are encouraged to organize similar nets. SETI enthusiasts without on-the-air capabilities can visit The SETI League's website.

Who's Who in The SETI League

This section provides a list of key personnel within The SETI League, including Founder and President Richard C. Factor, Executive Director H. Paul Shuch, Secretary Diana Davidson, Treasurer Martin Schreiber, Administrator A. Heather Wood, Registered Agent Marc Arnold, and Trustees Marc Arnold, Richard Factor, and Martin Schreiber. It also lists the Advisory Board members: Anthony Agnello, Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert S. Dixon, Frank D. Drake, Malcolm I. Raff, and Clifford Stoll.

Holiday Renewal Special - Gift Memberships 30 percent off!

This promotional section offers a special discount for renewing SETI League Full Memberships and purchasing Gift Memberships. Full Members renewing between now and January 1, 1997, can give Guest Memberships to friends and family at a 30 percent discount. The offer requires sending the recipient's name, address, phone number, ham call, and email address, along with the member's name and a check for $50 (renewal) plus $35 (gift membership). The offer is valid until New Year's Eve, and both renewals and gift memberships are tax-deductible contributions. Payment is requested in US Dollars, with foreign checks needing to be payable through a US bank.

Order Your SETI League Goodies:

This section lists various merchandise available for purchase, including T-shirts, coffee mugs, pocket protectors, buttons with SETI-related slogans, a 'Sing a Song of SETI' songbook, the SETI League Technical Manual, and Project Cyclops 2nd Printing. Prices are listed for US addresses and other addresses, with New Jersey residents required to add sales tax.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing efforts and challenges in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). There is a strong emphasis on the role of amateur radio operators and enthusiasts in advancing SETI research, highlighting their contributions through projects like Project Argus and the new Ham SETI-Net. The newsletter consistently addresses the practical aspects of SETI, from building equipment to understanding technical data, while also acknowledging the significant hurdle posed by Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). The editorial stance is one of encouragement and advocacy for SETI, promoting membership and active participation, and stressing the importance of continued support for the scientific endeavor. The SETI League positions itself as a vital organization facilitating and supporting these amateur efforts, aiming to achieve the ultimate goal of detecting extraterrestrial signals.