The West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society — WELCOME
“……………….One of the projects that is confirmed is a chess game that will allow radio amateurs to play having as an opponent the on-board computer sending FSK frames with the movements, to which the on-board computer will answer in its telemetry. Several radio amateurs are working on the project and if it is completed by the time the satellite is due to be delivered, it will be included………………” Read more – HERE .
“……………The orbiting module beacon will transmit on 437.31 MHz using PSK31. The surface probe beacon will transmit on 437.41 MHz using FM, PSK31, and PCM-PSK/PM…………………” Read more HERE .
Mauritius’ first satellite has aroused overwhelming enthusiasm among students at Forest-Side State College. the 1st school in Mauritius to have decoded MIR-SAT 1, using a Ground-station and appropriate software.
They are the second school in Mauritius to be equipped with a simplified ground station donated by Radio Amateurs. Vickram Mungul, (3B8BBD) and physics teacher at this school is pleasantly surprised to see the girls’ extraordinary enthusiasm.
“The girls were very motivated, honoured and wanted to know more about the project,” he recalls. The Girls’ interest in this Mauritian satellite started over a year ago when they were gradually exposed to the operation of satellites and their importance. Since knowledge about satellites is not widespread in Mauritius, they were first introduced to the NOAA satellite and decoding through the use of appropriate software was explained.
“We were not sure of ourselves at the very beginning as this is a new subject. But, little by little, we learned new things. This is what motivated us to learn more, ”says Christa Gunnoo. She now understands how to communicate with international satellites, but especially what is taught in her physics classes.
Receiving telemetry from the Mauritian satellite was not an easy task for the college. Several tests had to be carried out. Once the tests were completed, there was no sign that the Groundstation was going to acknowledge the first signals.
Aïshani Beeharry-Panray, a Grade 12 student, explains that three software programs are essential for communication. The first concerns the radio, Tracking and the decoder. “The software allows us to know when the satellites will pass over Mauritius and its elevation. We also receive audio and images, ”she says.
The software the girls use is free. They made their own antenna using PVC pipes, solder, pieces of aluminium and glue
During ‘On-Air’ chats, members of WoSARS often hear me describe some of the fun that can be had on microwave frequencies; especially for myself 13cms (2.3/2.4GHz) whilst out Activating a SOTA summit.
These escapades evolved from the creation of the GM13 GROUP of likeminded amateurs in 2017.
Following the successful launch and operation of OSCAR 100 in 2018/19; this has opened up the opportunity to predictably work distant stations around Europe, Asia, Africa and even South America. Using the Satellite’s 13cms UP and 3cms (10GHz) DOWN translator; some of our hardy band of SOTA-microeers have put together kit to access this facility.
Andrew’s GM/SS-037 – LOG
Andrew G4VFL was an early adopter of this challenge (see WoSARS Web March 2020 Article – HERE ) along with his ‘partner-in-crime’ Nick G0HIK; they have been progressively ‘knockin’ off summits in LD (Lake District) and SS (Southern Scotland).
And I’ll leave the last word to Nick:
“……… Hi Guys,
Extracted off GB2RS – 29th March
“The DATV beacon on the QO-100 satellite has changed frequency and symbol rate to allow more space on the transponder for other users. The new transmission is on 10491.5MHz with a symbol rate of 1500kS, DVB-S2, FEC 4/5. A new band plan is being developed and will be published on the Wideband Spectrum Monitor https://eshail.batc.org.uk/wb/ as soon as it is finalised.”
Checkout OSCAR 100 – HERE .
I was working Andrew – G(M)4VFL on GM/SS-056 on 13cms (2.3GHz) FM last week and he happened to mention that earlier in the week he had worked VU (India) to activate G/LD-030. I was intrigued – of course via OCAR 100 – HERE . 13cms Up & 3cms down.
I asked him if he had a picture, and indeed he has forwarded a nice shot.
Now does anybody fancy working out the path distances? 🙂
Cheers
Jack(;>J
7th March 2019
Between Zhao – BG0AUB and Remco – PA3FYM had the second QSO through OSCAR – 100 using an Umbrella antenna at Zhao’s end.
Zhao’s uplink (2.4GHz) was 8W with Osar 100’s downlink (10GHz) signal of about 25dB above the receiver noise floor.
The news headlines:
The RSGB’s Propagation Studies Committee has released a new propagation tool for amateurs. Based on the ITU’s ITU RHF PROP program, the new tool is the work of programmer and Committee member James Watson, HZ1JW.
There has been a great deal of interest in the Easy-100 DIY upconverter for geostationary satellite QO-100, which was published in the June edition of RadCom. A special interest group has now been created for discussions and support at groups.io/g/easy-100 where all are welcome to join.
Dementia Awareness Week will be run by Alzheimer’s Scotland from the 3rd to the 9th of June. Peter, MM0NQY will be operating GB2DAW during this time to help raise the worldwide amateur community’s awareness of dementia.
Next Saturday and Sunday sees this year’s Museum Ships weekend.
M0PAI will be active from the 1st to the 8th of June on the Isles of Lewis and Harris, IOTA reference EU-010, and the Isle of Skye, as MM0PAI/p. He will be active all week on 80m to 2m, including 4m SSB, and on FT8. New references for World Flora Fauna will be activated, there will also be WAB references up for grabs and possibly some SOTA activations depending on weather.
Ric, LA/DL2VFR, Friedrich, LA/DL4BBH and Klaus, LA/DL7UXG will be active from the Vesteralen Islands (in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle), EU-033, from the 27th to the 31st of May, and from the nearby Lofoten Islands, EU-076, on the 1st to the 5th of June. They will operate CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via their home calls, Club Log and eQSL
The 48 hour CQ Worldwide WPX CW contest is in full swing, ending at 2359UTC tonight. Using CW only on the 1.8 to 28MHz bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number.
On Tuesday the 432MHz FM Activity Contest will run from 1900 to 2000UTC, using FM only. It is immediately followed by the all-mode 432MHz UK Activity Contest from 2000 to 2230UTC. The exchange for both contests is signal report, serial number and locator.
Also on Tuesday, the SHF UKAC will take place from 1830 to 2130UTC, Using all bands on the 2.4 to 10GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.
On Thursday the 80m Club Championships CW leg will run from 1900 to 2030UTC. The exchange is signal report and serial number
Next weekend will see the lower parts of the bands very busy for the RSGB CW National Field Day, which is part of the IARU Region 1 Field Day.
Cockenzie & Port Seton Amateur Radio Club is running MM0CPS today for Port Seton Gala Day. More information from Bob, GM4UYZ, on 01875 811 723.
Edinburgh & District Amateur Radio Club will have an operating evening on Monday. Next Saturday sees a club meeting and social evening. Contact Norman, GM1CNH, on 07740 946 192 for further details.
For more news visit GB2RS – HERE .
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