Tag Archives: Ham Radio

Jul 23 2015

Trade Stands at the Space Colloquium Guildford

A delegate from the University of Surrey at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, Guildford

A delegate from the University of Surrey at a previous AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford

In addition to the AMSAT-UK shop there will be several traders at the International Space Colloquium in Guildford July 25-26. The RF Design stand of Kevin Avery G3AAF is a regular feature and there will also be stands from both Dave Powis G4HUP and Sam Jewell G4DDK.

Among the items available from G4DDK will be DG8 SK for the GM3SEK 144MHz masthead preamp, WA5VJB PCB antennas, connectors and leads. Also horn antennas that might be of interest to satellite enthusiasts.

RF Design StandThe RF Design stand is well known for precision calibrated noise sources, low noise amplifiers, noise gain analysers and other equipment for frequencies up to 11 GHz.

The company also specialises in
● High power RF generation, e.g. CO2 laser plasma power supplies
● Solid state RF power amplifiers to 10kW from LF through UHF
● Short range wireless devices, e.g. Social Alarms

RF Design Amateur Radio and Radio Astronomy products http://www.g8fek.com/

RF Design http://www.rfdesignuk.com/

Dave Powis G4HUP products http://www.g4hup.com/Products.htm

Sam Jewell G4DDK products http://www.g4ddk.com/

The Colloquium is open to all. Admittance is £10 each day and parking is free. Further details and programme schedule spreadsheet at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/

RF Design Table

Jul 23 2015

Project DX15 – RSGB Young Members DXpedition to Wales

Three Northern Ireland participants traveled to Brecons for ProjectDX15

Three Northern Ireland participants traveled to Brecons for ProjectDX15

The Radio Society of Great Britain’s Youth Committee are running a Kenwood-sponsored Youth DXpedition and will be active as MC0RYC from the Brecon Beacons in Wales from July 23-30. They’ll be on all bands HF through VHF, including satellite operations

This is the first young person’s DXpedition that the Society has organised and therefore we are keen to publicise it as much as we can.

Chair of RSGB Youth Committee Mike Jones 2E0MLJ

Chair of RSGB Youth Committee Mike Jones 2E0MLJ

Throughout the course of the week, the young Members will be taking part in an array of activities including operating SOTA summits Pen-y-fan (SOTA reference GW/SW-001) & Waun-Fach (SOTA reference GW/SW-002). Provided the weather isn’t too bad, SOTA activations will be taking place on the following dates and times:

• Saturday 25 July – afternoon

• Sunday 26 July – afternoon

• Tuesday 28 July – noon UTC

• Wednesday 29 July – noon UTC

These are approximate times, and we will keep you up to date via our Twitter.

We will be doing many other activities including ARDF, antenna-building workshops and encouraging good radio operation. As well as having fun, we want to help train the young Members to be competent and confident radio amateurs.

You can support us by:

• Following our progress on Twitter @theRSGByouth

• Working the first RSGB Youth DXpedition in the UK – we will keep you updated on frequencies via our Twitter channel and the DX spots.

• Listening for the call sign MC0RYC during the IOTA Contest over the weekend 25-26 July. Please work the young team if you can, so they can experience the full flow of a big contest

A special QSL card will be available for those who wish to receive one, both direct and via the Bureau. The team are keen to encourage responsible QSLing and OQRS will be available via Club Log.

DX15 has been made possible by generous sponsorship from Kenwood as principal sponsor and other prime sponsors SOTA, the RCF and the RSGB Legacy Fund.

Please pass this information on to fellow amateurs, local clubs and any other amateur radio contacts you may have. Thanks for your support for the future of amateur radio.

We also have a dedicated email address set up for the DXpedition where you can email us if you have any questions or would like to set up a sked: m0ryc<at>rsgb.org.uk

Kind Regards,

Mike Jones, 2E0MLJ
Youth Committee Chairman
Leadership Team Member
Radio Society of Great Britain
M: +44 (0) 7577 447754
E: youth.chairman<at>rsgb.org.uk

Jul 22 2015

Satellite Beginners Session in Guildford

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

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

The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford starts at 3:30pm on Friday, July 24 with a special session for newcomers to the amateur satellite world.

Newcomers will be helped through the complexities by three amateurs, Dave G4DPZ, Carlos G3VHF and Drew KO4MA, who, between them, have thousands of hours of experience.

They will explain the theories and talk about the practice of listening to and having satellite contacts through the ever increasing number of satellites in orbit.

This year, there will be copies available of the very recently updated AMSAT-NA publication “Getting started with Amateur Satellites 2015″ in full colour available for sale from the shop at a special show price of £15.

Further details and programme schedule spreadsheet at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/

Jul 22 2015

International Space Colloquium Guildford – Speakers for Sunday, July 26

Holiday Inn Guildford side entrance

Holiday Inn Guildford side entrance

There is a great line up of speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ. The event is open to all.

Admittance is £10 for the day and car parking is free.

Speakers for Sunday, July 26

• Surrey Space Centre (SSC) Update including DeOrbitSail Report by Dr Chris Bridges 2E0OBC

• USN Academy NO-84 ParkinsonSat/PSAT by Mike Rupprecht DK3WN

• Tim Peake / ARISS / UKSA Outreach by Ciaran Morgan M0XTD

• UKube-1: technology, mission and operations by Helen Walker, RAL Space

• The Nayif-1 opportunity by Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

• Data Recovery as part of the ISEE-3 Reboot Project by Phil Karn KA9Q

• ESEO Update and Demonstration by Dr Chris Bridges 2E0OBC and Graham Shirville G3VZV

• Open Discussion Session lead by Graham Shirville G3VZV

• AMSAT-UK AGM

Further details and programme schedule spreadsheet at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/

Jul 21 2015

Special Colloquium Price for Getting Started with Amateur Satellites

Getting Started With Amateur Satellites 2015 coverA special full colour edition of the book Getting Started with Amateur Satellites 2015 will be available for just £15 at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, Guildford, July 24-26. The price after the event will be higher.

This definitive reference is written for the new satellite operator by Gould Smith, WA4SXM, but includes discussions for the experienced operator who wishes to review the features of amateur satellite communications. The new operator will be introduced to the basic concepts and terminology unique to this mode. Additionally, there are many practical tips and tricks to ensure making contacts, and to sound like an experienced satellite operator in the process.

Newly revised in May 2015 with new information on, AO-73, UKube-1, the upcoming Fox-1A, Fox-1B, Fox-1C, Fox-1D, and Fox-1E, plus many other updates of general interest. It also include information on several satellites of interest to hams expected to be launched in the coming year.

AMSAT-UK thanks AMSAT-NA for permission to print the book in the UK.

International Space Colloquium Holiday Inn, Guildford – Speakers for Saturday, July 25
https://amsat-uk.org/2015/07/16/colloquium-speakers-saturday/

Jul 21 2015

Students receive FUNcube-1 (AO-73)

Student Receiving FUNcube-1 CubeSat

Student Receiving FUNcube-1 CubeSat

David Haworth WA9ONY showed students how to receive the FUNcube-1 amateur radio CubeSat during a workshop at Pine Mountain Observatory, Oregon.

Students adjusting the antenna

Satellite Antenna

FUNcube-1 (AO-73), launched on November 21, 2013 is an educational satellite built by volunteers from AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics.

The satellite carries a BPSK telemetry beacon on 145.935 MHz for students to receive and a linear transponder for two-way amateur radio communications. In addition there is a materials science experiment, from which the school students can receive telemetry data which they can compare to the results they obtained from similar reference experiments in the classroom.

On the FUNcube Yahoo Group David posted:

FUNcube-1 activities were successful at Pine Mountain Observatory workshop on Sunday, July 12 to Wednesday 15.

During this time 759 packets were received which resulted in a ranking of 456.

The student were impressed when we were the only station receiving a packet and seeing our FM2 message.

The antenna was a Arrow II Portable 146/437-10 3 element 2 meter Yagi on a camera tripod.

Watch PMO Workshop FUNcube-1 Satellite Telemetry Pass July 13, 2015

Watch PMO Workshop FUNcube-1 Satellite Receving Equipment

Watch PMO Workshop FUNcube-1 Satellite Pass July 13, 2015

FUNcube-1 presentation PDF given by David Haworth WA9ONY at SEA-PAC on June 6, 2015

BBC News report about FUNcube-1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25084547

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

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