Tag Archives: satellites

Sep 28 2022

University students learn about Amateur Radio Satellites

Celebrating Engineering Day Workshop with Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXPIn India on 15 Sep 2022, on the occasion of National Engineering Day, an excellent Workshop titled “Fascinating World of Ham Radio & Amateur Radio Satellites” was conducted by AMSAT-INDIA’s Regional Coordinator Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP at reputed Marwadi University Rajkot (Gujarat) INDIA.

It was half day (10:00 AM to 02:00 PM IST) interactive workshop full of presentations, Audio Visual Documentary, Practical Demos, Q & A sessions and Radio stuff Exhibition with live operation.

There were 80 B.Tech students participated from ICT Dept + MU’s Student Satellite Project team. Yes Marwadi University has announced to build a Student Satellite and to be launched by ISRO!

Our ham team includes YL Sakshi Vagadia VU3EXP & YL Shyama Vagadia VU3WHG, both member extended great support to setup VHF station, organise & display Radio Stuff and assisting in practical demos including SSTV, Digital & VHF FM Demo with groups! Btw Shyama VU3WHG also remains one of the student coordinator of this event as well as Team member of Student Satellite Project.

All participants gained knowledge on broad spectrum of topics from CW to Cube Satellites! In first session Radio Fundamentals, operating protocols, radio jargons, licensing procedure etc were covered. In second session participants were briefed with various Ham radio events like FD, Hilltop, Light House activation, POTA, IOTA, EME, Satellite tracking, SatCom, High Altitude Balloon tracking, ARISS SSTV & Student outreach program which gives exposure to gain knowledge & develop skills from outside radio Shack activities also!

Lots of fruitful discussion happens during workshop and students were satisfied with all of their queries.

In workshop we had gracious presence of Shri Naresh Jadeja (Registrar), Dr. R. Sridaran (Dean), Dr. Jaypalsinh (MCA Dept), and Dr. Shobhit Patel (Researcher). We also get positive response from Marwadi University authorities to be engaged with AMSAT-INDIA to conduct more programs & projects in upcoming period for benefit of student community.

We also thank to Shri C. D. Parmar Sir (HOD ICT) and Program Coordinator Prof Mitesh Solanki for all the great support provided to make this workshop successful.

I am glad to notice this Ham workshop created a Ham buzz in the Marwadi University campus. For me too it was great honor to present & share my best knowledge amongst budding engineers on the occasion of Engineering Day!

Thank you
73
Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Regional Coordinator West India Zone AMSAT-INDIA

University staff and the audience

Oct 11 2021

AMSAT-UK Online Colloquium Sunday Oct 24

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch Rev4 20100609The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held as an online Zoom Webinar on Sunday the 24th October 2021. You don’t have to be a member of AMSAT-UK to attend, and the event is free.

The Colloquium will run from 10.45 BST to approximately 16.00 BST (0945-1500 GMT). A full programme of the event is available at programme-for-amsatuk-20211014

This year’s Colloquium will be in the form of a Zoom Webinar. It’s easy to use, simply register at the address below, and follow the instructions which will arrive by email.

Please register before the 24th , or join live at
https://tinyurl.com/AMSATUK2021Colloquium

The 2021 colloquium will also be streamed via YouTube.
Our channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK

The event will be hosted by members of AMSAT-UK and formally opened by our Chairman, Martin Sweeting, G3YJO.

Each presentation will be followed by a 5 minute Q+A session, which will allow those viewing via Zoom, to pose questions to the speakers.

The 2021 colloquium will be followed by the AMSAT-UK AGM and after a short break there will be an informal evening discussion session on ‘All things satellite.’

Programme (all times BST, UTC+1)

10.30 Webinar web site opens

10.45 – 11.00 Official opening by Martin Sweeting, G3YJO.
11.00 – 11.30 IARU Amateur Satellite co-ordination Hans Blondeel Timmerman PB2T
11.30 – 12.00 AMSAT-DL Peter Guelzow DB2OS

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch break

13.00 – 13.30 Robert Bankston KE4AL President AMSAT North America
13.30 – 14.00 STAR-XL: AMSAT-UK Payload – An updated OBDH for Nanosats
Phil Bladen, Sam Lane, Chris Bridges

14.15– 14.30 STAR-XL: X-Band Upconverter & Dual Band L/X Patch Antenna for Space
Patrick Hope, Marcel Friesch, Chris Bridges

14.30 – 14:45 Coffee Break

14.45 – 15.00 Iain Young G7III – QO-100 using a SkyQ Dish
15.00 – 15.30 David Johnson B2Space Presentation
15.30 – 16.00 Satellite Operating from 57 Degrees North. Peter Goodhall 2M0SQL
16.00 – 16.05 Announcement of G3AAJ Trophy – G3YJO.
16.05 End of Colloquium
16.05 – 16.35 AMSAT-UK AGM

17.30 Onwards. Informal session. Q/A and audience participation

We are very grateful to our speakers for contributing to our Colloquium

Aug 15 2021

Guide to using FT4 on satellites

Setup for FT4 on the RS-44 satelliteAMSAT-SM have published a guide to using the popular digital mode FT4 via the amateur radio satellites using SDR-Console software, a SDR receiver and the Icom IC-705 as the transmitter.  We have also had information from Jef ON8NT of the setup that he and Thierry ON2ACO used.

The AMSAT-SM guide covers:

• Step 1 – Setup SDR-Console and IC-705 with correct frequency

• Step 2 – Config WSJT-X

• Step 3 – Start Satellite External Radio in SDR-Console

• Step 4 – Select correct RX frequency in SDR-Console

• Step 5 – Find yourself on the satellite transponder

• Step 6 – Start calling CQ

• How to use a 2nd instance of WSJT-X for RX of your own FT4 signal

Read the guide at https://www.amsat.se/2021/08/15/ft4-via-satellite-with-sdr-console-and-ic-705/

This is a short video of FT-4 communication via satellite AO-73 with SDR-Console V3.1 and Icom IC-705. It is a part of a guide that will be published later on AMSAT-SM web https://www.amsat.se/

In the first part you will see the first screen with SDR-Console with Airspy Mini as receiver, audio is piped to WSJT-X. You will also see SDR-Console handle the TX Doppler correction for the IC-705 via “External radio”.

In the second part you will see the second screen with WSJT-X connected to IC-705. The output was only one (1) to two (2) watts! You can see that WSJT-X is reading the Doppler corrected frequency. You will also see SDR-Console satellite tracking and PstRotator controlling the SPID RAS rotor.

Watch FT4 via AO-73 with SDR-Console and Icom IC-705

Thierry ON2ACO and Jef ON8NT use the ICOM IC-9700 for FT4 on the satellites.

They used the video from NU1U on YouTube which gives a good step by step ‘how-to’.

Watch IC-9700 using SatPC32 and WSJT-X

Instead of SatPC32 they used the S.A.T. controller from http://csntechnologies.net/sat

For configuring the RX instance from WSJT-X, also the article from GM4FVM on using multiple instance was very helpful in setting up the soundcard properly in WSJT-X !
See https://gm4fvm.blogspot.com/2021/02/multiple-instances-of-wsjt-x-using-more.html

Jun 13 2020

Indian radio amateur starts petition for licence change

Department of Telecommunications India LogoRohit Bokade VU3OIR has started a petition requesting a change to the Amateur Radio licence in India to permit all grades of licence to use the amateur radio satellites.

In India holders of the Restricted grade of licence (VU3 prefix) are not permitted to use amateur radio satellites or communicate with the International Space Station. The exam requirements for a Restricted licence are of a similar level to the UK Intermediate.

Rohit says:

“Last decade has seen a rapid increase in Amateur Satellites, especially the ones made by educational institutes. As we are slowly moving towards an era when Space will be democratized, more and more students are becoming interested in joining the Amateur radio community.”

“By keeping the amateur radio service bound to General grade license, we are preventing a vast majority of restricted grade operators consisting of a major portion of students yet to get general grade license, from operating these satellites even if it is possible to operate them within the power bounds of restricted grade. We request you through this petition to allow restricted grade operators to operate amateur satellite service within their emission power bounds.”

Read the full petition text at
https://www.change.org/p/wireless-planning-and-coordination-wpc-wing-change-in-amateur-radio-rules-in-india-to-facilitate-rising-amateur-and-student-satellites

Rohit Bokade (VU3OIR) https://twitter.com/rnbokade/status/1271706670943502336

The two grades of licence in India are General (400w HF, 25w VHF/UHF) and Restricted (50w HF, 10w VHF/UHF). The exam syllabus and licence regulations can be downloaded from
http://www.niar.org/training-material.html

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, released the 2018/19 Amateur Radio statistics in their Annual Report. See page 60 (PDF page 62) at
http://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annual%20Report-2018-19(English).pdf

Previous Annual Reports http://dot.gov.in/reports-statistic/2471

Mar 2 2020

AMSAT-India participated in Somaiya Space Conclave 2020

AMSAT-India at Somaiya Space Conclave 2020Somaiya Space Conclave 2020 was organised by KJ Somaiya Institute of Engineering and Information Technology – Mumbai, India on Friday, February 28, 2020.

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP reports:

It was a full day event covering topics related to Students Satellite program, Amateur Satellites, PS4 Orbiting Platform program, Design & Development of Nano Satellites etc.
AMSAT-INDIA was invited along with prominent speakers from ISRO & Satellite industries.

Myself Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP, (Regional Coordinator for West India Zone) represented AMSAT-INDIA. I did introduced AMSAT-INDIA & it’s activities, along with Amateur Satellite Development scenario in India. I talked on HAMSAT, AISAT, role of ITU (API Submission), IARU (frequency allocation) etc procedure in brief for students satellite program. Some highlights were given on Satellite Ground station / Amateur Club station requirement. At last gave info on ARISS program & gave live Demo of SSTV over VHF which turnout as fun for all.

More than 60 curious Students including few budding team for Satellite program participated from different institutions and gained knowledge on various topics. Students from IIT Bombay shared their sensible experience on their Pratham satellite.

I am thankful to our AMSAT-INDIA Secretary Nitin Muttin VU3TYG for all technical support & Coordinating with organisers. I also thanks to Dr. Umesh Shinde, Mr. Rohit Bokade, Supriya Bhide, Siddharth & whole volunteer team for great cooperation & support.

It was remarkable event for all of us to gain & share knowledge, meet & discuss on single subject SATELLITES!

thanks & 73

Rajesh P. Vagadia VU2EXP
Regional Coordinator
West India Zone
AMSAT-INDIA
http://www.amsatindia.org/

Dec 6 2019

Live Amateur Radio Satellite Demo for Physics Students

Group photo at campus

Group photo at campus

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP reports a Special Hands on Workshop of Applied Physics was organised at well-known School of Science – RK University, Rajkot (Gujarat), India

It was 5 day event from 2nd Dec to 6th Dec 2019.

50 final year B.Sc Physics Students from various Colleges across state of Gujarat were registered for this special program.

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP gives an introduction to Amateur Radio

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP gives an introduction to Amateur Radio

On 4th December 2019, Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP (Regional Coordinator of AMSAT-INDIA) conducted detailed presentation on Ham Radio & its Application along with Live Satellite Demo amongst 50 students & faculties.

In beginning I gave complete overview of Ham radio hobby ranging from CW to Satellites!

My presentation Included operating procedure & protocols, various ham events, different modes incl CW, SSB, FM, Digital, SSTV, APRS. Licensing procedure & ASOC exam syllabus was covered. For practical observing collection of radio stuff were displayed incl antennas, accessories, CubeSat model, SDR Dongle, VHF Base, HTs, PSU, Morse Keyer, Paddle, QSL Cards, ARISS Awards etc. And of course my homebrewed IOio Sat Antenna.

AMSAT functioning & its motto was explained in detailed. Few amateur satellites were bring into notice made or supported by various AMSAT organisations.

ARISS student outreach program highlights were also given & played original audio conversation happened between 13 year Student (Sakshi Vagadia) and female Astronaut Sunita Williams aboard ISS, particular ARISS event was carried out on 14th Nov 2012 at Science City Ahmedabad Gujarat by we few hams. Below is the link to enjoy conversation
https://tinyurl.com/sakshi-talks-sunita

Students surprised to see scientific capabilities of ham radio reaches up to ISS Astronauts & even further to moon with EME experiments!

Lots of queries were raised on different topics throughout the session, and students as well as faculties were satisfied with the given answers. I always encourage students to raise query at any point of time and get immediate reply 🙂

VHF voice demonstration

VHF voice demonstration

Thereafter Students also enjoyed practical Demos as below:

• Students find it funny to learn Sound act as a language during Morse code demo with my keyer & paddle.

• VHF Voice demo was given by making 3 groups and students introduce each other with Radio, simple HT created more excitement amongst students who used to carry expensive iphones, hi..

• For APRS Demo a prior information were shared to University administration & students to track my QTH to Venue journey on https://aprs.fi with Callsign (SSID) VU2EXP-10. To my own surprise group of Faculties stepped out to welcome me exactly on arrival of my car at Campus! Infact everybody were live tracking my journey on APRS!

• Star attraction was for Live Satellite Demo amongst group of students. Tiny cubsat AO91 was preferred for demo considering elevation of 44° & AOS Time 1247 (IST). Demo was previously announced to get support of Ham community. All students, faculties and admins get assembled 15 minutes prior to AOS at terrace of the building. There were no obstacles or tall buildings in any side.

I made students familiar with important Satellite terms such as AOS, TCA, LOS, Uplink Freq, Downlink Freq, Doppler shift, Tracking with apps etc. I used IOio dual band antenna with two separate HTs. Necessary frequency & tx ctcss tone was set & tested before pass. For Tx Speaker Mic was used for convenience, and for Rx small PA was connected to HT so whole group can listen to our possible two way QSO. I was prepared aiming IOio antenna at 180° (South), on AOS time at 1247 (IST) I gave few Sat calls… De VU2EXP on AO91 Satellite… repeat… soon heard a station replying me!!! Cheers!!!

Initially his signal was fading, but finally we establish 1st Satellite QSO, it was VU3PEN from Hyderabad (MK97em) 955 Kms from us. Students can’t stop their excitement and started cheering up!!!

Soon we worked 2nd station with VU3BXS from Haryana (MM80pd) 1083 Kms away.

To our surprise 3rd contact was made with DX station A65BP from UAE (LL75qj) 1602 Kms away.

4th contact was with VU2DGR from Kerala (MJ89gg) 1576 Kms away from us.

Now we were near to LOS at NNW direction and at low elevation we heard 5th station, mostly it was R9LR (MO27qf) 3907 Kms away, I gave repeated call but two way contact was not established. Students were very excited to learn such things & just thrilled to witness live SatDemo. Many new queries were answered on SatCom and we had memorable group photo in terrace too.

My session was extended to 4 hours for presentation & various demos.

I am thankful to VU3PEN, VU3BXS, A65BP, VU2DGR & R9LR for extending valuable support for my demo activities. This was my first Live Satellite Demo (AO91) amongst group of students & faculties who all keenly enjoyed whole session.

I also thanks Prof. Harshal Desai, Dr. Savan Katba (Coordinator), Dr. Ashish Tanna (HOD Physics) & School of Science RK University Rajkot to give me wonderful platform to conduct this memorable Ham Session with Live Demos.

Best 73’s

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP
Rajkot – Gujarat
Regional Coordinator
West India Zone
AMSAT-INDIA
M: 9898283916
E: vu2exp@gmail.com
http://www.qrz.com/db/vu2exp

Whole group witness live satellite demonstration

Whole group witness live satellite demonstration