FUNcube-1 flight model – Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

A test of the Autonomous Mode on the FUNcube-1 (AO-73) SSB/CW linear transponder has been carried out.

It was switched into Autonomous Mode during orbit 32 at 1113 UT on Saturday, November 23. In this mode the transponder will automatically switch on when the spacecraft enters darkness, and switch off again when it enters sunlight.

During the test all radio amateurs in the footprint were encouraged to make their own tests of the transponder up/down links, and make contacts.

Among the contacts reported have been:

Alan ZL2BX: Transponder switched to eclipse mode OK about mid pass over ZL. Good signals from the transponder and had a brief contact with VK2MAL.

Malcolm VK2MAL: Good signals from AO-73 over VK tonight. Stations heard through the transponder were ZL2BX Alan and VK4CBW Wal.

If you did make a contact or test please report the details as a comment on the FUNcube website at http://funcube.org.uk/

Please note that the transponder frequencies have not yet been fully characterised.

FUNcube-1 Radio Communications Subsystem:
• 145.935 MHz BPSK Telemetry 300 mW or 30 mW when the transponder has been activated
• Inverting SSB/CW transponder 300 mW PEP
– 435.150 – 435.130 MHz Uplink LSB
– 145.950 – 145.970 MHz Downlink USB

Analysis of the telemetry data from FUNcube-1 (AO-73) is continuing. Thank you to all stations who have provided telemetry so far. More telemetry data is needed to enable the FUNcube team to characterise the satellite.

We would encourage stations to download the Dashboard software to receive the telemetry and upload it to the Data Warehouse.

FUNcube website http://www.funcube.org.uk/

First Transponder Test https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/funcube-1-ao-73-transponder-tested/

FUNcube-1 Deployed !!! https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/21/funcube-1-deployed/

BBC TV visit FUNcube station at RSGB National Radio Centre
https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/bbc-visit-funcube-station-at-rsgb-national-radio-centre/

FUNcube-1 flight model – Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

The FUNcube Team are planning to open the SSB/CW linear transponder on the FUNcube-1 (AO-73) CubeSat for a single orbit on Saturday, November 23. The aim of this test is to establish the thermal performance of the satellite when in this mode for an extended period.

All radio amateurs who are in the footprint are welcome to make their own tests of the transponder up/down links, and make contacts. It is planned to switch on the transponder either during the orbit timed at 0937 UT (orbit 31) at the Time of Closest Approach (TCA) to Bletchley Park, or the following orbit at 1113 UT (orbit 32).

If you do make a contact or test please report the details as a comment on the FUNcube website at http://funcube.org.uk/2013/11/22/transponder-test-tomorrow-23-nov-2013/

Please note that the transponder frequencies have not yet been fully characterised.

FUNcube-1 Radio Communications Payload:
• 145.935 MHz BPSK Telemetry 300 mW or 30 mW when the transponder has been activated
• Inverting SSB/CW transponder 300 mW PEP
– 435.150 – 435.130 MHz Uplink LSB
– 145.950 – 145.970 MHz Downlink USB

FUNcube website http://www.funcube.org.uk/

First Transponder Test https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/funcube-1-ao-73-transponder-tested/

FUNcube-1 Deployed !!! https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/21/funcube-1-deployed/

BBC TV visit FUNcube station at RSGB National Radio Centre
https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/bbc-visit-funcube-station-at-rsgb-national-radio-centre/

BBC presenter John Maguire interviews Graham Shirville G3VZV at the RSGB National Radio Centre

On Friday, November 22 a film crew from the BBC Breakfast show visited the RSGB National Radio Centre (NRC) at Bletchley Park to interview the FUNcube Project team about the new educational amateur radio satellite FUNcube-1 (AO-73).

BBC film Howard Long G6LVB and Jim Heck G3WGM working FUNcube-1 (AO-73)

BBC presenter John Maguire interviewed Graham Shirville G3VZV at the GB3RS station in the NRC.

Other members of the FUNcube team were filmed making a SSB contact from the Bletchley Park car park using the FUNcube-1 linear transponder.

During the visit to the National Radio Centre, John Maguire asked the FUNcube Team to support a visit to a local school, Abbeys Primary School in Bletchley, to meet up with some 10-11 year old pupils and talk to them about the FUNcube project.

Ciaran Morgan M0XTD and BBC crew at Abbeys Primary School in Bletchley

The visit was a huge success, with the school children asking lots of questions. As this was the first educational outreach opportunity after launch, the children were asked to compose a Fitter message which the FUNcube Team will upload to FUNcube-1 (AO-73) when they have decided what it should be! (Teachers’s comment “Might be their home work!”).

The FUNcube news report was broadcast on the BBC One TV Breakfast show on Monday, November 25 at 06:52 and 07:53 as well as on the BBC 24 hour News channel throughout the day. You can watch a recording at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25084547

Watch the BBC FUNcube item at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25084547

BBC Radio 5 Outriders Podcast, look for the “Outriders 26 Nov 13: Crypto, crosswords and tiny satellites” edition
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/pods
Direct link to podcast http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/fivelive/pods/pods_20131126-0530a.mp3

BBC Breakfast show http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006v5tb

FUNcube-1 Deployed !!! https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/21/funcube-1-deployed/

First Fitter Message Uploaded https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/21/ao-73-first-fitter-message-uploaded/

First Transponder Test https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/funcube-1-ao-73-transponder-tested/

FUNcube website http://www.funcube.org.uk/