Tag Archives: AMSAT

Jan 23 2012

FUNcube Dongle in Radiouser Magazine

Radiouser Magazine February 2012

Radiouser Magazine February 2012

The February issue of the UK magazine Radiouser features a 5 page article on the AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle (FCD) VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio written by Mike Richards G4WNC.

For the review amateur radio dealer Martin Lynch & Sons loaned a FCD to Mike who ended up buying one for himself!

Other articles in the February issue include Pat Carty’s ‘Military Matters’ column, DXTV and NDB DXing. In the ‘Sky High’ column Godfrey Manning G4GLM highlights the problems that wind farms cause to Radar and questions the need for the extensive restrictions on UK airspace to be imposed during July and August.

Postal copies of Radiouser can be purchased direct from the publisher using a Debit or Credit card by ringing +44 (0)1202 659910 (Monday – Thursday, 8.30am – 4.00pm) – the cost is the same because there is no postage to pay.

RadioUser magazine will be available from UK High Street newsagents such as WH Smith from January 26.

Radiouser magazine http://www.radiouser.co.uk/

Mike G4WNC also writes the Decode column and runs the DataModes Yahoo Group

The AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle SDR is available from http://www.funcubedongle.com/?page_id=286
or Martin Lynch & Sons (ML&S) http://tinyurl.com/MartinLynchFCD

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

Jan 14 2012

FUNcube in Electronics Weekly

FUNcube_Graphic_Large

Artists impression of FUNcube in space

The FUNcube amateur radio satellite project is featured on the website of Electronics Weekly.  The printed version of the publication (circulation 36,400) is due out on Wednesday, January 18.

Read the article ‘Radio hams seal launch deal for FUNcube satellite’ http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/13/01/2012/52712/radio-hams-seal-launch-deal-for-funcube-satellite.htm

A free subscription to the digital version of the publication is available via the Electronics Weekly website http://www.electronicsweekly.com/ On the lef-hand side under “SIGN UP TO” click on “Digital Magazine”.

 

Jan 14 2012

Winter OSCAR News

The Winter issue of OSCAR News has been posted to members.

In this issue:
– It all started here – 50 years ago!
– UKube-1 Update
– Clive Wallis G3CWV column
– RSGB Spectrum Forum Meeting Nov 2011
– FUNcube Report
– Utility of Nearly Geostationary Orbits for Amateur Spacecraft
– Another 50th Anniversary
– News from Bochum
– Winner of Space App Competition
– The AMSAT-UK Survey
– Accurate Time Keeping
– ‘Shorts’

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 1 2011

ISS Shadow-Beacon Experiment Postponed

This weekends Plasma Thrust Space experiment using Amateur Radio has been postponed until after the delivery of a new rig due next April.

On the AMSAT bulletin board Andy G0SFJ passes on the following information:

It was earlier announced that the timetable of SpEx “Shadow-beacon” sessions on November 26-27, 2011 was reduced because the crew are newcomers and need more time to gain experience. For the same reason previously announced sessions on December 2-5, 2011 are cancelled.

Sergey Samburov RV3DR, the employee of space-rocket corporation “Energia” who is responsible for amateur radio on ISS, explains that the onboard radio was accidentally switched on standard simplex 145.825 MHz not the required duplex 144.360 / 145.825 MHz digipeater mode because of the old age of the onboard gear. It has been in use for more than 10 years and Sergey has previously observed malfunction like this.

A new radio is planned to be delivered to the ISS by cargo vehicle in April and Mission Control Center (TsUP) plans to hold new SpEx “Shadow-beacon” sessions in May-June 2012.

Again  many thanks for those submitted reports and made other assistance! The results of data processing will be presented on our site. We wait for further cooperation!
http://knts.tsniimash.ru/Shadow/en/

Amateur Radio assistance requested: ISS Plasma Thrust Shadow Experiment
http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/11/20/amateur-radio-assistance-requested-iss-plasma-thrust-shadow-experiment/

Nov 29 2011

AO-51 End of Mission

AO-51 on Launch Platform

It is with a heavy heart I report that AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU may continue to be operative. Initial tests with the S band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be heard.

The command team will regularly attempt communications with the satellite over the coming months (and years). There is always the possibility that a cell will open and we could once again talk to our friend while illuminated. Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command, and operate AO-51. It’s 7 year mission has been extraordinary. Please support AMSAT’s Fox-1 project, and other AMSAT projects worldwide with your time and money.

For the AO-51 Command Team,

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations

AO-51 http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/

AMSAT Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB)http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/