Tag Archives: Bletchley Park

Mar 21 2014

FUNcube in TX Factor TV show

FUNcube Dongle Pro+ Software Defined Radio

FUNcube Dongle Pro+ Software Defined Radio

The second episode of the online TV show for amateurs, TX Factor, has been released and features the FUNcube-1 (AO-73) satellite and the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ (FCD) Software Defined Radio (SDR).

Decoding satellites

FUNcube-1 (AO-73) - Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

The TX Factor team were at Bletchley Park with the inventor of the FUNcube Dongle, Howard Long G6LVB – This is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) that’s designed to receive signals from the orbiting FUNCube satellite.

The video features a pass of the FUNcube satellite and how to decode the data.  The feature goes on to interview both Howard Long G6LVB and Graham Shirville G3VZV who discuss why and how the FUNCube Dongle was created, including a short piece with retailer Martin Lynch G4HKS.

More information can be found at http://www.funcube.org.uk/

Bath Buildathon

2013 Bath Buildathon

A look at this annual event that gets people to pick up an iron and get building. The project is the RSGB Centenary Receiver kit, together with a Raspberry Pi – The construction counts towards Intermediate, and also makes for a nice PSK31 data receiver.

Nice to see Steve Hartley G0FUW talking about the event – Steve is well known for driving the UK amateur radio training activities, including the online Full licence distance learning course.

This year’s Buildathon took place on January 4 http://southgatearc.org/news/november2013/2014_bath_buildathon.htm

National Radio Centre

FUNcube-1 Launch Monitoring Station at the NRC Bletchley Park

Next up, a tour of the National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park. If you’ve not visited the RSGB’s flagship venue, join TX Factor on a tour. Nice bit of production as the presenter calls CQ – it never goes to plan when a camera’s rolling!

You can also check out our considerably more amateur production filmed at the National Radio Centre here:
http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/national-radio-centre-a-first-look.html

Rig Review

The team also takes a look at the Yaesu FT-DX1200 at Martin Lynch and Sons.

Watch TX Factor – Episode 2 (TXF002)

TX Factor http://www.txfactor.co.uk/

National Radio Centre Bletchley Park http://www.nationalradiocentre.com/

FUNcube Dongle LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF SDR http://www.funcubedongle.com/

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

FUNcube Yahoo Group https://amsat-uk.org/funcube/yahoo-group/

FUNcube Forum http://forum.funcube.org.uk/

Join AMSAT-UK https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/13/join-amsat-uk-7/

Thanks to Essex Ham for this story http://www.essexham.co.uk/

Jul 11 2012

Official Opening of the RSGB National Radio Centre

Official Opening of National Radio CentreWednesday, July 11, saw the official opening of the RSGB’s National Radio Centre (NRC) at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes.

Ed Vaizey MP Unveiling the Plaque with RSGB President Dave Wilson M0OBW

Ed Vaizey MP Unveiling the Plaque with RSGB President Dave Wilson M0OBW

The opening and unveiling of the plaque was undertaken by Mr Ed Vaizey MP. Mr Vaizey is the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries and, as such, has overall responsibility for OFCOM. He stated that he fully supported the aim of the Centre in being able to enthuse and inspire children to become the engineers of the future.

Attendees included many of the sponsors together with Iain Standen, the Chief Executive of the Bletchley Park Trust plus, from overseas,  Dave Sumner K1ZZ, CEO of the ARRL and Ole Garpestad, LA2RR  IARU Vice-President.

Ed Vaizey MP and RSGB President Dave Wilson M0OBW

Ed Vaizey MP and RSGB President Dave Wilson M0OBW

AMSAT-UK have supported the creation of this valuable educational outreach resource at Bletchley Park and have arranged for the provision and installation of a set of fully steerable VHF and UHF satellite antenna arrays. It is hoped that it may be possible to use the NRC as the FUNcube-1 Mission Control Centre during the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) of the mission later this year.

National Radio Centre http://www.nationalradiocentre.com/

AMSAT-UK at NRC for World Amateur Radio Day https://amsat-uk.org/2012/04/19/amsat-uk-on-satellites-for-world-amateur-radio-day/

Sponsor Plaques Fitted at National Radio Centre https://amsat-uk.org/2012/04/21/sponsor-plaques-fitted-at-national-radio-centre/

Minister opens National Radio Centre http://www.rsgb.org/news/articlelinks.php?id=0377

National Radio Centre – A First Look http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/national-radio-centre-a-first-look.html

Howard Long G6LVB and Carlos Eavis G0AKI

Howard Long G6LVB and Carlos Eavis G0AKI