Category Daily Updates

Dec 11 2011

FrequencyCast ARISSat-1 Video

The UK Tech Podcast, FrequencyCast, has released a short video showing reception in Essex of FM voice and an SSTV image from the amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1.

The 145.950 MHz FM signal was recorded at 1055 UT on November 14, 2011 and was uploaded to support the feature at http://www.essexham.co.uk/arissat

Watch ARISSat-1 Amateur Radio Satellite Pass 14 Nov 2011

Catch the Last ARISSat-1 Telemetry Competition
http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/11/09/catch-the-last-arissat-1-telemetry/

ARISSat-1 Re-entry Date January ? http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/12/01/arissat-1-re-entry-date/

Essex Ham http://www.essexham.co.uk/

FrequencyCast – The UK’s TV and Tech Podcast http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/

Dec 11 2011

BBC Micro and AMSAT-UK Software Library

The 6502 based BBC Microcomputer

The 6502 based BBC Microcomputer

The first 6502 based BBC microcomputers were produced on December 1, 1981. They proved popular with radio amateurs who used them for RTTY, Cambridge Packet Radio, SSTV and running the AMSAT-UK software library.

The Cambridge Packet Radio software was popular in the years before the widespread adopton of the AX.25 standard. The free software enabled users to send and receive packet radio direct from the BBC Micros cassette tape interface without needing a seperate modem. Software for other modes required an additional modem interface such as the IGADUMA which was produced by radio amateurs in Hertfordshire. Continue reading →

Dec 11 2011

AMSAT VP-Educational Outreach

Mark Hammond, N8MH appointed AMSAT VP-Educational Outreach

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has announced the appointment of Mark Hammond, N8MH as AMSAT Vice President-Educational Relations.

Barry noted, “The subject of educational outreach was well discussed at the 2011 AMSAT Symposium, based upon the paper that I presented as well as other presentations that outlined some of the challenges that AMSAT has experienced in creating a structure for fulfilling our mission component regarding education. Mark has agreed to help AMSAT establish and coordinate an education initiative program and serve as AMSAT s senior point of contact with outside organizations regarding educational outreach.”

Given the increasing importance of fulfilling education goals as
justification for launch opportunities, this is an increasingly important subject for AMSAT.

Mark is aptly suited for this position as he is a professor of biology and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC and is very familiar with the potential for using the amateur radio satellites as a teaching resource and understands the teacher perspective as well.

Dec 10 2011

Keychain Satellite

This “Keychain-Satellite”, just 5*5*5 cm, uses tiny Arduino based hardware

Watch FemtoSatellite model(1/2)

Watch FemtoSatellite model(2/2)

More pictures and information at http://tinyurl.com/cepqnrh

Dec 10 2011

Danish Euroluna Project on TV

Tor Foss Mortensen of Google X-Prize team Euroluna (OZ9LUNA) appeared in the Danish TV show Aftenshowet.

Euroluna is developing a 2U CubeSat MiniRomit1 which was shown on TV.  Watch Tor i Aftenshowet

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Euroluna

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=708263#!/pages/Euroluna/337261739568?ref=mf

Euroluna: http://www.euroluna.dk/

Google Lunar X PRIZE: http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/

AMSAT-UK publishes a colour A4 newsletter, OSCAR News, which is full of Amateur Satellite information. Free sample issue at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf
Join online at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK
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Dec 9 2011

SpaceX Applies for Dragon Frequencies

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has submitted an application for Special Temporary Authority to the FCC.

They request the use of frequencies in the 400 MHz and 2200 MHz bands under the callsign WF9XGI . The application says:

The purpose of this operation is to demonstrate a low-cost, commercial capability to transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return it safely to the Earth. The nominal mission profile calls for launch of the capsule from Cape Canaveral into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), followed by ISS proximity operations, berthing with ISS (nominally remaining berthed for several weeks), unberthing, de-orbit maneuvers, re-entry, and splash-down in the Pacific Ocean. The basic orbital parameters for this mission are as follows: Non-Geostationary circular orbit (approx. 407 km); Equatorial Inclination of 52.5 degrees; Period of Orbit is 5400 s. The scheduled launch readiness date for this mission is currently NET December 19, 2011.

Read the application at https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=49678

NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/dec/HQ_11-413_SpaceX_ISS_Flight.html

AMSAT-UK publishes a colour A4 newsletter, OSCAR News, which is full of Amateur Satellite information. Free sample issue at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join online here