UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS

The Wharfedale Observer reports Otley school has been chosen for ‘out of this world’ talk using amateur radio to British astronaut.

Children in Otley are set to enjoy an ‘out of this world’ talk with British astronaut Tim Peake GB1SS.

Ashfield Primary School pupils will be put in direct contact with Major Peake, who is on a mission with the International Space Station, in May.

The event is a coup for the school which is the only one in Yorkshire to be selected for the Amateur Radio on ISS link-up.

Ashfield was chosen following a lengthy application process involving schools across the country, and will be put in touch with the space station at some point between May 3 and 6.

Its bid was led by staff member Michael Ross M6FFK, through his links with Otley Amateur Radio Society (OARS) and supported by BBC One Show scientist – and Otley resident – Dr Marty Jopson.

Read the full story at
http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/14347948.Otley_school_chosen_for__out_of_this_world__talk_to_British_astronaut/

Dates of future Tim Peake amateur radio school contacts are at
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/02/03/all-uk-ariss-shortlisted-schools-are-now-scheduled/

Listening to the ISS on a handheld radio https://amsat-uk.org/2016/01/10/listening-iss-on-handheld/

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/

In this video, UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS talks about the opportunities ARISS offers and the impact it can have on the next generation of explorers.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio.

On Thursday, March 10, 2016 astronauts on the International Space Station logged their 1,000th educational contact with the ground. No matter how many times it happens, talking directly with someone orbiting above the Earth remains a thrill for students.

Watch ARISS: Talking to Astronauts

Read more at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/ariss_students/

Follow Tim Peake during his stay in space at: https://twitter.com/astro_timpeake

For more on ARISS, visit: http://www.ariss.org/

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/

The Enquirer newspaper report on the educational outreach by Essex Ham

ISS school contacts provide an opportunity for radio amateurs across the country to get publicity for the hobby in their local newspaper.

Simply hearing Tim Peake using amateur radio from the ISS is in itself a newsworthy event which can be used to promote your local amateur radio club and the hobby in general.

Leigh Times newspaper reports Essex Ham helped school students listen to the Tim Peake Norwich contact

Essex Ham have made the most of the publicity and educational outreach opportunities presented by receiving the school contacts.

When Essex Ham’s Pete Sipple M0PSX received a signal from ISS astronaut Tim Peake talking to Sandringham School students in Hertfordshire he contacted his local newspaper, the Southend Echo, and told them about it. The newspaper was very interested to hear that someone in their local area had actually received the ISS and published the story.

Subsequently Sarah M6PSK and Pete M0PSX, both members of Essex Ham, took amateur radio into St Michael’s School in Leigh-on-Sea to enable the pupils to listen in to Tim Peake’s transmission from space to a school in Norwich. As well as receiving the astronaut, Year 4 and Year 5 pupils were able to send greetings messages through the ISS digipeater. They were successfully digipeated and received in Norway, Germany and The Netherlands.

Southend Echo Tim Peake newspaper story

At the time of writing Essex Ham have generated four separate stories about the Tim Peake contacts in different newspapers. Additionally they were able to explain about amateur radio to many young people some of whom may one day go on to become part of a new generation of radio amateurs.

The RSGB produce a handy Media Guide and Template press release, see
http://rsgb.org/main/clubs/media-guide-for-affiliated-societies/

Press release used to report reception of Tim Peake download here.

Essex Ham Educational Outreach http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/essex-school-tunes-in-to-iss.html

Local newspaper reports reception of Tim Peake on ISS https://amsat-uk.org/2016/01/13/local-paper-tim-peake-iss/

Dates of future Tim Peake amateur radio school contacts are at
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/02/03/all-uk-ariss-shortlisted-schools-are-now-scheduled/

Listening to the ISS on a handheld radio https://amsat-uk.org/2016/01/10/listening-iss-on-handheld/

Essex Ham – 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/

Pete M0PSX and Sarah M6PSK set up the equipment at St Michael’s School