Introduction
On December 12, 1961, Amateur Radio entered the Space Age when OSCAR-1 was launched. Since then, amateurs from more than 22 different countries have launched over 70 satellites, exploring both digital and analog satellite technology. Many of the latest birds have been school experiments, training scientists and engineers. But, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to participate-- Some satellites operate FM and can actually be worked using a dual-band handheld transceiver. An excellent place to start is AMSAT's Station and Operating Hints page. AMSAT, or the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, has played a key role in building, launching, and using amateur satellites.Occasionally, Radio Amateurs can talk with the astronauts on the International Space Station. For more information check out ARISS
ARRL Videos at the 2011 AMSAT Symposium
Bob Allison, WB1GCM, ARRL Test Engineer, interviews some of the key people today in AMSAT. Recorded November 5th, 2011 at the AMSAT Symposium in San Jose, California. Video by ARRL Laboratory Technical Consultant, Jerry Ramie, Ki6LGY.
For more information about the ARRL's working Oscar 1 prototype, see February, 2012 QST.
Lance Ginner, K6GSJ
One of Oscar 1's original builders, Lance reflects on Oscar 1 and his work on later Amateur Satellites.
Carrol Swain, W7DU
Carrol Swain, W7DU, first licensed in 1929, is active in satellite communications. Carrol explains how he started out in Ham Radio.
Keith Baker KB1SF
Jan King, VK6GEY
Jan King, VK6GEY and charter member of AMSAT, talks about his work in getting Oscar 5 launched from a NASA spacecraft. Not an easy task at the time!
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Barry Baines, current President of AMSAT, talks about AMSAT today and of future planned Amateur satellites.
Gould Smith, WA4SXM
Gould Smith, WA4SXM, Project Manager of ARRISAT-1 talks about the satellite's recent launch from the International Space Station. Gould also explains the ARRISAT mock-up in front of him.
The ARRL's Oscar 1 Protoype
Articles
- OSCAR-1 Launched 50 Years Ago
By Andreas Bilsing, DL2LUX. Translated and reprinted with the permission of Funkamateur -
QRP to the ISS by Doug Cook, KD5PDN
QST February 2012
Contacting the International Space Station with a few watts and a shoestring budget antenna.
- An Amateur Satellite Primer
QST April 2000, pp. 36-41
If you think you might like to work satellites but think it is difficult and expensive, this is a must read
(Note: This article contains a chart showing the Uplink and Downlink frequencies of several amateur satellites at the time of publication of the April 2000 QST. These frequency pairs can be reversed without notice by the control operator of the individual satellite. If you don't hear the signal near the Downlink frequency, you might want to check for the latest status. - Those Keplerian Elements
Operating Manual 3rd Edition p. 13-19
What do those numbers mean? - Loading ARRL Keplerian Bulletins into InstanTrack
Question submitted to the ARRL Technical Information Service - A Simple Fixed Antenna for VHF/UHF Satellite Work
QST August 2001, pp. 38-41
Work the low-earth orbiting satellites with this effective Turnstile Antenna system - A Low-Loss VHF/UHF Bias Tee
QEX May/June 2002, pp. 52-54
A simple circuit that lets you superimpose DC control voltage onto the transmission line without altering the RF characteristics. - An Inexpensive External GPS Antenna
QST October 2002, pp. 36-39
An easy to build antenna for your GPS unit for better reception. - Satellite DXing "To Go"
QST June 2002, pp. 40-43
Working the Amateur Satellites from a mobile.
Web Links
- ARISS News and Information The latest Information about the International Space Station.
- Keplerian Elements from ARRL These numbers are used to predict the orbit of a satellite.
- AMSAT - The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation They are responsible for many of the satellites used by amateur radio operators.
- Welcome to Heavens-Above
24 hour predictions for radio amateur satellites over your city
(This site is not very intuitive, but it does work well - Ed.) - Arrow II Satellite Antenna A hand held dual band 2M and 70 cm cross polarized Yagi. Product Review QST June 2000, p. 64
- PCsat, A Naval Academy Amateur Radio Satellite APRS Networked Satellites.
- Clint Bradford, K6LCS, describes how to work FM Amateur Satellites with your handheld transceiver.
News
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Ham Radio’s SuitSat Returns in Short Horror Film (01/25/2021)
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Seven US Schools Move Forward in ARISS Selection Process (01/11/2021)
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AMSAT CW Activity Day 2021 Takes Place On New Year’s Day (UTC) (12/29/2020)
Technology >> Radio Technology Topics >> Technical Specialties >> Space Communication