Amateur Radio’s FIRST Geosynchronous Satellite

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Several milestones were reached at the same time when Qatar’s OSCAR-100 (QO-100) was placed into geosynchronous orbit. First it is the 100th orbiting amateur radio satellite. Second, it is the first for Qatar. Third, it is the first geosynchronous amateur radio satellite.

The bad news is for those of us in North America is that we are outside the footprint of the satellite, which was positioned to service Asia, Europe and Africa (I don’t know that there would have been an orbital slot available in this part of the world).

But we can listen to what is going on, including the 400 bps data downlink (which hasn’t been heard since AO-40 days in 1999) at 10489.800 MHz.  One of the ground stations has a SDR receiver setup online.  The link is below. Please note that when too many users are online you won’t be able to start the sound, but the waterfall is still running.

Here a link to an online SDR that can be used to listen to AO-100 remotely: https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Screen cap of Remote SDR tuned to QO-100

Here is an audio recording of G0API calling CQ on QO-100.  John is using 1.2 watts output to a 90 cm dish (3 feet in diameter).

Meeting Reminder: Monday Feb 11 at 7 PM

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Monday Feb 11 will be our next NCRC meeting at 7 PM, at the KVH manufacturing facility (75 Enterprise DR, Middletown RI)

During our business meeting we will have some preliminary discussion about our most recent Winter Field Day, and we hope to get some feedback from you as to desirable programs for the future.

See you Monday at 7

Winter Field Day Underway

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Right on schedule at 14:00 EST, W1SYE was on the air for Winter Field Day from Glen Park in Portsmouth.  Willy W1LY and helpers made short work of the setup, and had two ladder line antennas in the trees, and two tents setup for operation by noon.  There was some concern about HF noise from a new generator, and the noise went away when it was swapped out.  And as you might expect there was a scramble to get the logging computers up and going.

Two tents and two simple multiband antennas

Things were working well later this afternoon.  Reverse Beacon Network spots indicated that the CW tent was putting out a fine signal

The gang is busy on phone during WFD — that’s a new tech (waiting for license) at the mic

 

Bob WB4SON made a satellite (only one allowed) with N1FD who was 4O NH (4 transmitters Outdoors in New Hampshire). The first satellite pass happened 13 minutes after the contest began, and the contact was in the log as soon as the satellite was above the horizon.

Satellite Antenna (crossed 2m/70cm beam)

2m/70cm all-mode radio, laptop to correct Doppler, and 30 AH Battery inside truck (warm)

 

NCRC Meeting Reminder: Mon Jan 14 at 7 PM

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Happy New Year!

Our first meeting of the year will be at the usual time/location (7 PM on the 2nd Monday, which is January 14th, at KVH Manufacturing – 75 Enterprise DR, Middletown, RI).

Due to other commitments, Portsmouth EMA Director, Ray Perry, KC1IPC, will give a short presentation at 7 PM on the dot.  After his presentation we will move into our regular short business meeting, induct new members, discuss the upcoming Winter Field Day event (Jan 26/27), and our plans for the coming year.

Please Signup for Winter Field Day

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It is only 24 days to Winter Field Day.  A new tab, to the right of the “news” tab, has been added to the website that describes WFD 2019.  In addition to the details, it has a signup form that you can fill in to volunteer for the event.

NCRC has done very well (1st or 2nd place nationally) for the past several years.  This is an excellent opportunity to test your skills.

Winter Field Day 2019 details and signup