Jul 26 2015

Video of P3E Satellite Announcement

This BATC video shows the P3E satellite announcement made on July 25 at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford.

Drew KO4MA and Peter DB2OS were happy to be able to announce a cooperation between AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL and Virginia Tech to try and get Phase-3E launched!

Watch AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-NA announce a potential Phase-3E launch opportunity

Virginia Tech has approached the US Government to fly the Phase 3-E space frame into High Earth Orbit (HEO) in order to support scientific payloads as well as serve as an amateur radio satellite.  During the AMSAT-DL Annual Meeting on July 4, 2015, the AMSAT-DL membership approved the concept, agreeing to allow the Phase 3-E space frame that is currently stored in Germany to be shipped to Virginia Tech in the USA for further construction, testing and preparation for eventual launch to HEO should the US Government formally agree to fund such a mission.

Should the project move forward, AMSAT-NA will apply for frequency coordination from the IARU Satellite Advisor and satellite licensing from the FCC as the satellite’s initial operator.

Video streaming and production by the BATC (http://batc.tv)

Jul 26 2015

Satellite demonstration at AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium

Drew Glasbrenner M/KO4MA working FO-29 at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2015

Drew Glasbrenner M/KO4MA working FO-29 at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2015

On July 25 Drew Glasbrenner M/KO4MA gave a demonstration at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford of working the amateur radio satellite FO-29

His portable station comprised two FT-817’s with an Arrow 145/435 MHz antenna.

Watch Drew KO4MA satellite demo at AMSAT-UK Colloquium

Thanks to Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG for the video.

Further information on the SSB linear transponder satellite FO-29 is at
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/communications/fuji-oscar-29-jas-2/

Also see the RadCom article Getting started on satellites
https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/radcom-getting-started-on-satellites/

Jul 25 2015

AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL, and Virginia Tech Announce Potential Phase-3E Opportunity

Virginia Tech has approached the US Government to fly the Phase 3-E space frame into High Earth Orbit (HEO) in order to support scientific payloads as well as serve as an amateur radio satellite.  During the AMSAT-DL Annual Meeting on 4 JUL 15, the AMSAT-DL membership approved the concept, agreeing to allow the Phase 3-E space frame that is currently stored in Germany to be shipped to Virginia Tech in the USA for further construction, testing and preparation for eventual launch to HEO should the US Government formally agree to fund such a mission.

Should the project move forward, AMSAT-NA will apply for frequency coordination from the IARU Satellite Advisor and satellite licensing from the FCC as the satellite’s initial operator.

Stay tuned to the AMSAT-DL Journal, the AMSAT-NA Journal, and the AMSAT-NA News Service for further developments and details as they become known.

Jul 23 2015

Live Streaming for International Space Colloquium

BATC Logo SmallThanks to the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) the presentations at this weekend’s AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford will be streamed live.

This year to provide an enhanced streaming experience, the webstream of the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, kindly provided by the BATC team, will be available at this NEW location:

http://batc.tv/live/events/amsatuk/

Further details and programme schedule spreadsheet at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/

Jul 23 2015

Trade Stands at the Space Colloquium Guildford

A delegate from the University of Surrey at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, Guildford

A delegate from the University of Surrey at a previous AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford

In addition to the AMSAT-UK shop there will be several traders at the International Space Colloquium in Guildford July 25-26. The RF Design stand of Kevin Avery G3AAF is a regular feature and there will also be stands from both Dave Powis G4HUP and Sam Jewell G4DDK.

Among the items available from G4DDK will be DG8 SK for the GM3SEK 144MHz masthead preamp, WA5VJB PCB antennas, connectors and leads. Also horn antennas that might be of interest to satellite enthusiasts.

RF Design StandThe RF Design stand is well known for precision calibrated noise sources, low noise amplifiers, noise gain analysers and other equipment for frequencies up to 11 GHz.

The company also specialises in
● High power RF generation, e.g. CO2 laser plasma power supplies
● Solid state RF power amplifiers to 10kW from LF through UHF
● Short range wireless devices, e.g. Social Alarms

RF Design Amateur Radio and Radio Astronomy products http://www.g8fek.com/

RF Design http://www.rfdesignuk.com/

Dave Powis G4HUP products http://www.g4hup.com/Products.htm

Sam Jewell G4DDK products http://www.g4ddk.com/

The Colloquium is open to all. Admittance is £10 each day and parking is free. Further details and programme schedule spreadsheet at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/

RF Design Table

Jul 23 2015

Project DX15 – RSGB Young Members DXpedition to Wales

Three Northern Ireland participants traveled to Brecons for ProjectDX15

Three Northern Ireland participants traveled to Brecons for ProjectDX15

The Radio Society of Great Britain’s Youth Committee are running a Kenwood-sponsored Youth DXpedition and will be active as MC0RYC from the Brecon Beacons in Wales from July 23-30. They’ll be on all bands HF through VHF, including satellite operations

This is the first young person’s DXpedition that the Society has organised and therefore we are keen to publicise it as much as we can.

Chair of RSGB Youth Committee Mike Jones 2E0MLJ

Chair of RSGB Youth Committee Mike Jones 2E0MLJ

Throughout the course of the week, the young Members will be taking part in an array of activities including operating SOTA summits Pen-y-fan (SOTA reference GW/SW-001) & Waun-Fach (SOTA reference GW/SW-002). Provided the weather isn’t too bad, SOTA activations will be taking place on the following dates and times:

• Saturday 25 July – afternoon

• Sunday 26 July – afternoon

• Tuesday 28 July – noon UTC

• Wednesday 29 July – noon UTC

These are approximate times, and we will keep you up to date via our Twitter.

We will be doing many other activities including ARDF, antenna-building workshops and encouraging good radio operation. As well as having fun, we want to help train the young Members to be competent and confident radio amateurs.

You can support us by:

• Following our progress on Twitter @theRSGByouth

• Working the first RSGB Youth DXpedition in the UK – we will keep you updated on frequencies via our Twitter channel and the DX spots.

• Listening for the call sign MC0RYC during the IOTA Contest over the weekend 25-26 July. Please work the young team if you can, so they can experience the full flow of a big contest

A special QSL card will be available for those who wish to receive one, both direct and via the Bureau. The team are keen to encourage responsible QSLing and OQRS will be available via Club Log.

DX15 has been made possible by generous sponsorship from Kenwood as principal sponsor and other prime sponsors SOTA, the RCF and the RSGB Legacy Fund.

Please pass this information on to fellow amateurs, local clubs and any other amateur radio contacts you may have. Thanks for your support for the future of amateur radio.

We also have a dedicated email address set up for the DXpedition where you can email us if you have any questions or would like to set up a sked: m0ryc<at>rsgb.org.uk

Kind Regards,

Mike Jones, 2E0MLJ
Youth Committee Chairman
Leadership Team Member
Radio Society of Great Britain
M: +44 (0) 7577 447754
E: youth.chairman<at>rsgb.org.uk