Tag Archives: FUNcube

Feb 16 2012

FUNcube group exceeds 3000 members

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch Rev4 20100609

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

In just 16 months the AMSAT-UK FUNcube Yahoo Group has exceeded a membership of 3000.

The group was created by Rob Styles M0TFO at the end of October 2010 to provide support for the AMSAT-UK FUNcube satellite and the FUNcube Dongle VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio.

The FUNcube satellite project is an educational CubeSat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics. It will support the educational Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) initiatives and provide an additional resource for the RSGB GB4FUN Radio Communications Demonstration Module. The target audience is school pupils in the 8-18 age range.

As well as providing a strong 145 MHz telemetry beacon for the pupils to receive FUNcube will also have a 435/145 MHz linear transponder for Amateur Radio SSB/CW use.

The FUNcube Dongle VHF/UHF SDR was originally developed for educational outreach as part of the ground segment for the FUNcube satellite. However, it was realised it can be used for many other applications as well, so AMSAT-UK developed a Pro version which has a frequency range of 64-1700 MHz.

Similar to a USB TV Dongle, the FCD simply fits into a computer USB port and can be used with freely available Software Defined Radio software. The FCD is all-mode which this means that as well as data, it will also receive many other signals including AM, FM, SSB and CW. It can even receive weather satellite pictures.

You can join the FUNcube Yahoo Group at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube/

More information on the FUNcube satellite project is at http://FUNcube.org.uk/overview/

For information on the FUNcube Dongle SDR see http://www.FUNcubeDongle.com/

FUNcube information for schools Teach Space with a real satellite

Jan 24 2012

Schools' communications satellite to put the fun back into science lessons

FUNcube_Graphic_Large

Artists impression of FUNcube in space

The Jan 25-31 printed edition of Electronics Weekly (circulation 36,400) carries an article on the AMSAT-UK FUNcube amateur radio satellite. The article, titled “Schools’ communications satellite to put the fun back into science lessons”, appears on page 12.

You can read or download this issue of Electronics Weekly at http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4f1d2b906fdb1433.cde

(The PDF can be downloaded by clicking on the PDF icon at the top).

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 24 2012

Schools’ communications satellite to put the fun back into science lessons

FUNcube_Graphic_Large

Artists impression of FUNcube in space

The Jan 25-31 printed edition of Electronics Weekly (circulation 36,400) carries an article on the AMSAT-UK FUNcube amateur radio satellite. The article, titled “Schools’ communications satellite to put the fun back into science lessons”, appears on page 12.

You can read or download this issue of Electronics Weekly at http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4f1d2b906fdb1433.cde

(The PDF can be downloaded by clicking on the PDF icon at the top).

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 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’