Yearly Archives: 2011

Jun 10 2011

Deep sleep in deep space for Europe’s comet chaser

Artist's impression of the Rosetta Spacecraft. Credit: ESA - C. Carreau

Artist's impression of the Rosetta Spacecraft (Credit: ESA - C. Carreau)

Rosetta’s hibernation mode starts today (8th June 2011) and will last until January 2014, during which time the spacecraft will reach its maximum distances from the Sun (about 800 million kilometres) and Earth (about 1000 million kilometres). UK scientists and engineers involved in this exciting mission are hoping Rosetta will unlock the hidden secrets of comets and teach us more about the origin of these huge, dirty snowballs.

Rosetta’s primary mission hasn’t even started yet but since the launch in 2004 it has been on a non-stop cosmic ‘road-trip’ Continue reading →

Jun 8 2011

College congratulated on ISS ham radio link-up

NASA Astronaut Ronald J Garan KF5GPO

NASA Astronaut Ronald J Garan KF5GPO

Lough Erne Amateur Radio Club congratulates South West Regional College on its very successful Amateur Radio link up with the International Space Station.

Particular credits to Mamraz Nagi whose initiative secured this ARISS event, the College technicians, and the students who spoke with the Radio Amateur in the ISS, Ronald J Garan, KF5GPO. Among his replies to the Enniskillen students’ questions, he shared very happy memories of a recent visit to Northern Ireland.

David Taylor operated the ground station K6DUE in Maryland USA linking up to the ISS, and Gaston Bertels ON4WF in Belgium, guided the College ARISS team through checks, rehearsals student questions and wrapped up with remarks that brought massive applause from over a hundred present for the radio amateurs in space and on the ground, and all involved in Northern Ireland’s first ever ARISS event. Continue reading →

May 28 2011

Funcube Dongle distance record.

Breaking the Funcube Dongle distance record.. 219.000.000 kilometers, Mario Lorenz DL5MLO explains…

AMSAT-DL AGM May 2011 – 1 from Jim Heck on Vimeo.

 

May 25 2011

FUNcube at AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 30-31

The 26th AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held on the weekend of July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford, England, close to the University of Surrey.  A special beginner’s session is planned for Friday afternoon July 29.

Among the presentations will be talks on the FUNcube satellite and the FUNcube Dongle VHF-UHF Software Defined Radio.

In additional to the lecture stream there will be the GB4FUN Mobile Communications Centre, AMSAT-UK shop, a Saturday night Gala dinner, auction and raffle.

The event is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL’s. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available.

Further details are available on the Colloquium page.

May 25 2011

FUNcube Dongle SDR’s On Sale May 26

The next batch of AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle VHF-UHF Software Defined Radios will be available on Thursday May 26 at 21:00 UT (22:00 BST).

The FUNcube SDR Dongle was originally developed for educational outreach as part of the ground segment for the FUNcube satellite. However, it was realised it can be used for many other applications as well, so AMSAT-UK developed a Pro version which has a range of 64-1700MHz and sells for about £125.

A proportion of the sales of the FUNcube SDR Dongle goes to support AMSAT-UK’s FUNcube satellite.

Order your FUNcube Dongle Pro at: http://www.funcubedongle.com/?page_id=286

Join the FUNcube Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube/

FUNcube SDR Dongle: http://www.funcubedongle.com/

AMSAT-UK FUNcube SDR video

May 25 2011

FUNcube Dongle SDR's On Sale May 26

The next batch of AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle VHF-UHF Software Defined Radios will be available on Thursday May 26 at 21:00 UT (22:00 BST).

The FUNcube SDR Dongle was originally developed for educational outreach as part of the ground segment for the FUNcube satellite. However, it was realised it can be used for many other applications as well, so AMSAT-UK developed a Pro version which has a range of 64-1700MHz and sells for about £125.

A proportion of the sales of the FUNcube SDR Dongle goes to support AMSAT-UK’s FUNcube satellite.

Order your FUNcube Dongle Pro at: http://www.funcubedongle.com/?page_id=286

Join the FUNcube Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube/

FUNcube SDR Dongle: http://www.funcubedongle.com/

AMSAT-UK FUNcube SDR video