Tag Archives: Amateur Radio

Jun 11 2016

UKHAS Conference Cambridge Sept 10

SSDV picture from a PIE balloon – Image credit Dave Akerman M0RPI

SSDV picture from a PIE balloon – Image credit Dave Akerman M0RPI

The UKHAS Conference will be held at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, on Saturday, September 10, 2016. There will be an opportunity to take the amateur radio Foundation Practical Assessments and Exam.

The conference attracts those interested in learning about building and flying High Altitude Balloons or in tracking their 434 MHz signals.

Tickets can be purchased from the wiki page and cost just £10 each.

This is our first year away from London but the change in location also comes with a greatly reduced ticket price, with thanks to Andy Batey G7LBL for offering up the facilities. Hopefully this will offset any increased difficulties in travel and Cambridge is still well connected to the major transport hubs.

For those who haven’t attended before, the conference is a great opportunity to learn more about the hobby and meet new faces. There will be a series of structured talks, workshops and discussions.

If you would like to speak or run a workshop, please do get in touch with either Daniel Saul M6DSA or Steve Randall G8KHW. Contributions don’t need to be directly linked to ballooning and we look forward to all suggestions.

As in previous years, there will also be the opportunity to take RSGB amateur radio exams on the day. Please contact Phil Crump M0DNY if you are interested email: phil <at> philcrump.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you all in September!

Cheers,

Daniel & Steve

UKHAS Conference Booking https://ukhas.org.uk/general:ukhasconference2016

Those intending to take the amateur radio Foundation exam may find this free Online Foundation course useful http://www.essexham.co.uk/foundation-online

Last year’s conference had an impressive line of of radio amateurs giving presentations
https://amsat-uk.org/2015/08/17/2015-ukhas-conference/

Jun 7 2016

Australian radio ham helps schools link to ISS

Shane Lynd VK4KHZ at Glenmore State High School - Credit ABC News

Shane Lynd VK4KHZ at Glenmore State High School – Credit ABC News

ABC News reports chance encounters of the space kind give radio amateur Shane Lynd VK4KHZ a chance to help NASA.

Experimenting with amateur radio equipment had led to a rare position as a NASA volunteer for a central Queensland man.

Mackay man Shane Lynd was tinkering with his radio equipment 18 years ago when a chance encounter with space changed everything.

Mr Lynd made radio contact with Andy Thomas VK5JAT / VK5MIR, the first Australian member of NASA’s astronaut corps, who was on board the Russian Space Station Mir at the time.

“That sparked my interest,” Mr Lynd said.

He soon began thinking of opportunities for schools to link with space.

It was another series of chance encounters that took Mr Lynd a step closer to his goal.

He was invited to join Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), a project that helps students engage with amateur radio and make contact with the International Space Station (ISS).

Read the full ABC News story at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/australian-radio-buff-helps-out-nasa/7485540

Glenmore State High School students had a successful amateur radio contact with astronaut Tim Kopra KE5UDN / NA1SS
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/central-qld-school-students-call-international-space-station/7485140

Jun 7 2016

TX Factor video: The King’s School Tim Peake contact

UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI GB1SS in the ISS Jan 2016

UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS

In this special edition, the TX Factor team of Nick Bennett 2E0FGQ, Bob McCreadie G0FGX and Mike Marsh G1IAR, follow the progress of The King’s School GB1OSM, Ottery St Mary, Devon in their attempt to be one of the ten lucky UK schools to use amateur radio to link up with Tim Peake GB1SS aboard the International Space Station.

The team go behind the scenes with the ARISS team to meet the members and see the technology that helped to make the UK schools’ link-ups such a great success.

Among those interviewed are the RSGB Youth Committee Chair Mike Jones 2K0MLJ and the RSGB Communications Manager Heather Parsons.

TX Factor sincerely hope you enjoy their latest feature that has taken over 18 months to make!

Watch TX Factor – Episode 11 (TXF011)

The King’s School Tim Peake contact https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/02/the-kings-school-tim-peake/

ISS HamTV at Goonhilly in TX Factor Show
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/02/27/hamtv-at-goonhilly-in-tx-factor-show/

What is Amateur Radio? http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio

Find an amateur radio training course near you https://thersgb.org/services/coursefinder/

A free booklet is available aimed at introducing newcomers to the hobby that can also be used as a handy reference while getting started, see
http://rsgb.org/main/get-started-in-amateur-radio/alex-discovers-amateur-radio-2/

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) logoARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the volunteer support and leadership from AMSAT and IARU societies around the world with the ISS space agencies partners: NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crew members on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on ISS can energize youngsters’ interest in science, technology, and learning.

ARISS Principia https://principia.ariss.org/

Jun 4 2016

French schools to talk to ISS

Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG

Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG

ARISS-F and AMSAT-F have announced the 13 French schools that have been selected for amateur radio contacts with ISS astronaut Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG.

He is planned to launch to the International Space Station in November 2016. The 13 French schools selected represents 66% of planned ARISS contacts for Europe.

AMSAT-F article in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/ARISS-Thomas-Pesquet

ARISS-F list of selected schools
http://tinyurl.com/ARISS-F

Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG on Twitter
https://twitter.com/Thom_astro

May 31 2016

OSCAR News Issue 214

Oscar News 214 front coverIssue 214 of the AMSAT-UK amateur radio satellite publication OSCAR News was released on May 30, 2016. E-members can download it here.

The paper edition is usually posted 2-3 weeks after publication of the electronic issue.

In this issue:
• OSCAR 1
• Es’hail 2 – the first Phase 4 Amateur Satellite
• Damage to the glass in the ISS Cupola Module
• New IARU Satellite Adviser appointed
• ESA Parabolic Flight Coordinator
• HAM TV ON the ISS
• Updates on the FUNcube Project
• More news from ESA
• QB50 project update
• Status of Satellites with Transponders on Amateur Satellite Frequencies
• Notice of the 2016 Annual General Meeting of AMSAT-UK
• ARISS contacts – the inside story and (a few of) the lessons learnt
• AMSAT-UK 2016 Colloquium
• 2016 Events and Meetings Calendar

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in amateur radio satellites or space activities, including the International Space Station (ISS).

E-members of AMSAT-UK are able to download OSCAR News as a convenient PDF that can be read on laptops, tablets or smartphones anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Join as an E-member at Electronic (PDF) E-membership

There are two rates for the paper edition to cover the extra postage costs:
• UK
• Rest of the World (Overseas)

PDF sample copy of “Oscar News” here.

Join AMSAT-UK using PayPal, Debit or Credit card at
http://shop.amsat.org.uk/

E-members can download their copies of OSCAR News here.

May 30 2016

ARISS school contacts explained on radio show

Sandringham student Jessica Leigh M6LPJ established radio contact with Tm Peake GB1SS

Sandringham student Jessica Leigh M6LPJ established radio contact with Tm Peake GB1SS

Pete M0PSX had the opportunity to talk about the ARISS school contacts and amateur radio during a radio show aired on Basildon Hospital Radio and community station Gateway FM.

The interview was broadcast on 1287 AM, 97.8 FM, via the patient bedside system at Basildon Hospital, and online via both station’s Internet streams.

In the interview, Pete discussed the perception of amateur radio, how the hobby has kept pace with technology, and some of the activities taking place in Essex. There was also some discussion of the various Tim Peake ARISS contacts, plus a short extract of the first ARISS Tim Peake contact, with Sandringham School in St Albans.

Read the full Essex Ham report and listen to the recording at
http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/radio-interview-may16.html

The interview was arranged by the Chair of Basildon Hospital Radio Jacqui James M3TWO. Jacqui took the amateur radio Foundation training course run by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society. To find out more the course contact the CARS Training Manager at:
Email: training2016 <at> g0mwt.org.uk
Web: http://g0mwt.org.uk/training