Tag Archives: Ham Radio

Mar 14 2016

Listen for ISS with Raspberry Pi 3 and LimeSDR

LimeSDR 100 kHz to 3800 MHz SDR Transceiver - Credit Lime Microsystems

LimeSDR 100 kHz to 3800 MHz SDR Transceiver – Credit Lime Microsystems

Andrew Back G7JKB writes in Design Spark about using the Raspberry Pi 3, he is very adamant about this technology, his long journey to mastery started with the alluring Teardrop Flags at a technology trade show some years ago.

LimeSDR to receive amateur radio transmissions from the International Space Station. Update: The article refers to the SoDeRa SDR but due to a trademark issue the name is now LimeSDR.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Credit RS-Online

Raspberry Pi 3 – Credit RS-Online

The LimeSDR board was only formally announced in February 2016 at the Mobile World Congress. Developed by Lime Microsystems in Guildford, Surrey and featuring their latest Field programmable RF (FPRF) transceiver, the LMS7002M, the SoDeRa is capable of supporting just about any wireless standard that operates between 100 kHz and 3.8 GHz. As if this wasn’t enough, it’s also dual channel — MIMO — with two each fully independent transmit and receive channels.

The board also includes an Altera Cyclone IV FPGA, enabling high throughput processing to be carried out in hardware, between the transceiver and FX3 USB 3.0 controller.

Read Andrew’s article at
http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/blog/listening-for-the-iss-with-raspberry-pi-3-and-sodera

Watch LimeSDR board – create apps for wireless networks

Launch announcement http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/02/23/canonical-introduces-sodera-software-defined-radio-solution-for-base-stations-and-iot-gateways/

Lime Microsystems, Surrey Research Park, GU2 7YG http://www.limemicro.com/

LimeSDR http://limesdr.org/
https://twitter.com/LimeSDR_org

Andrew Back G7JKB
https://twitter.com/9600
http://carrierdetect.com/

Mar 13 2016

AMSAT/TAPR Banquet at Dayton Hamvention

Michelle Thompson W5NYV

2016 Dayton Hamvention Banquet Speaker Michelle Thompson W5NYV

The tenth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday evening, May 20.  This dinner is one of the main AMSAT activities during the Hamvention. Tickets ($35 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store at www.amsat.org. The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 17.

The Banquet will take place at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 p.m.

AMSAT and TAPR alternate the task of providing a speaker for the banquet. It is AMSAT’s responsibility this year.

Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, will present “It¹s just software, right?” She will survey the AMSAT Ground Terminal:  Who, what, when, where, why, and how we¹re designing open source radio solutions for the next generation of AMSAT payloads.

Michelle is AMSAT’s Team Leader for the design and execution of the AMSAT Ground Terminal.  The goal is to create a ‘Five and Dime‘ (5 and 10 GHz) digital SDR transceiver that will support both voice and data modes, for both general QSOs and emergency communication, for the Phase 4B satellite and for future AMSAT projects.  This is an effort to design an inexpensive ground terminal for amateurs that would cost tens of thousands of dollars commercially, for as much under $1,000 as we can get it.

A true renaissance woman, in addition to being an engineer and a licensed amateur radio operator, Michelle has worked for Qualcomm, attends Burning Man, and is a longtime DEFCON participant.  She is also the lead for Organ Donor (an AI pipe organ). Her Phase 4B Weekly Ground Engineering Reports are fascinating reading.

Seating is limited to the number of meals we reserve with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets purchased online may be collected at the Books, Shirts & Memberships corner of the AMSAT booth (445-446).

[ANS thanks Steve N9IP and the AMSAT Office for the above information]

Michelle W5NYV
https://twitter.com/abraxas3d
https://www.youtube.com/user/abraxas3d

Mar 11 2016

Tim Peake talks about Amateur Radio on the ISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) logo

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/

Mar 10 2016

Get press publicity by receiving ISS school contacts

The Enquirer newspaper report on the educational outreach by Essex Ham

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

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

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

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

Mar 7 2016

Video of Tim Peake and Powys Combined Schools contact

Builth Wells High School Head Girl Gwen Davies talking to Tim Peake - Credit Ionwen Spowage

Builth Wells High School Head Girl Gwen Davies talking to Tim Peake – Credit Ionwen Spowage

An amateur radio contact between students from Powys Combined Schools GB4PCS and UK astronaut Tim Peake GB1SS took place at 1053 GMT on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

Susan Buckle UKSA Astronaut Flight Education Programme - Credit Ionwen Spowage

Susan Buckle UK Space Agency Astronaut Flight Education Programme – Credit Ionwen Spowage

The video starts with an introduction by the head teacher and is followed by the schools giving presentations of their activities and studies in Space and STEM subjects.

The ARISS portion of the video starts at approximately 26 minutes with Susan Buckle from the UK Space Agency giving an introduction before handing over to Ciaran Morgan M0XTD, the ARISS Operations Lead in the UK.

The contact with Tim Peake GB1SS starts at approximately 51 minutes.

After the contact has finished, the Head Girl from Builth Wells High School, Gwen Davies, introduces Jeremy Curtis and Susan Buckle from the UK Space Agency for an explanation of the science on board the ISS and a general Q&A session with the audience.

After the Q&A session, Gwen concludes the contact with thanks to all involved and gives a traditional Welsh goodbye.

Watch Video of ARISS Contact between Powys Combined Schools and Tim Peake

News reports of Powys schools amateur radio contact with Tim Peake
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/05/news-powys-schools-tim-peake/

ARISS contact planned for Mid Wales schools
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/01/ariss-contact-planned-for-school-in-mid-wales-uk/

ARISS Principia site https://principia.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/

Beccy Bowen 2W0YLL led the contact between Powys school students and Tim Peake GB1SS

Beccy Bowen 2W0YLL (right) led the contact between Powys school students and Tim Peake GB1SS

Mar 5 2016

News reports of Powys schools amateur radio contact with Tim Peake

Beccy Bowen 2W0YLL led the contact between Powys school students and Tim Peake GB1SS

Beccy Bowen 2W0YLL (right) led the contact between Powys school students and Tim Peake GB1SS

On Saturday, March 5, 2016 students from Powys Secondary Schools, call sign GB4PCS, had an amateur radio contact with UK astronaut Tim Peake GB1SS.

The contact, led by radio amateur Beccy Bowen 2W0YLL, took place at Builth Wells High School and students from the school along with Gwernyfed High School pupils were able to ask Tim Peake questions for 8 minutes as the ISS passed by traveling at 27,600 km/hour.

As part of the preparations for the contact Powys students took part in an Amateur Radio Buildathon - Credit RSGB

As part of the preparations for the contact Powys students took part in an Amateur Radio Buildathon – Credit RSGB

Wales Online carried an interview with Adam Tofarides MW0XDD, Chair of the Brecon and Radnor Amateur Radio Society. Adam gained his Foundation licence in April 2014, and progressed to Intermediate and Advanced in October and December of the same year. He said the contact was an “amazing experience”. He added: “The hall was completely packed out. There must have been around 170 people.”

“No-one could quite believe it was going to happen and we were quite stunned when we got hold of Tim on the first attempt.”

“It’s the first and last time it’s going to happen in Wales that we’ll be able to speak a British astronaut while they are at the ISS.”

“It’s an achievement to inspire these pupils and encourage them to carry on with this in the future.”

BBC Wales video report of the contact http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35735473

BBC Wales Today show at 18:00 on March 5 had a report start at 3:40 into
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b071y4cm/bbc-wales-today-05032016

Wales Online
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pupils-welsh-high-school-spoke-10995463

County Times http://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/159450/builth-wells-high-school-makes-contact-with-tim-peake-on-international-space-station.aspx

ITV News http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2016-03-05/welsh-pupils-to-quiz-astronaut-tim-peake-via-live-link/

ARISS contact planned for Mid Wales schools
https://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/01/ariss-contact-planned-for-school-in-mid-wales-uk/

ARISS Principia site https://principia.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/

Builth Wells High School Head Girl Gwen Davies talking to Tim Peake

Builth Wells High School Head Girl Gwen Davies talking to Tim Peake