Amateur Radio Daily

GEO Satellite Proposal Could Include Large Portion of North America, Laser Communications

In response to the recent GEO satellite proposal outlined by the European Space Agency, AMSAT-UK, British Amateur Television Club, AMSAT-NA, and the UK Microwave Group have outlined their own proposal that suggests potential satellite coverage areas, microwave bands, laser communications, and more.

The proposal illustrates several coverage scenarios with a focus on including as much population as possible across Europe and Canada simultaneously. Depending on the satellite's position, the majority to very little of the overall North American landmass could be included. The proposal states that the entirety of Canada and Europe cannot be covered simultaneously.

In addition, the proposal also explores an experimental laser based high-speed data link pointed at central western Europe.

Additional highlights include:

• 5.6GHz to 10GHz transponders up to 1 MHz bandwidth at 20 Watts
• Optional SDR block
• 47 GHz or 76 GHz multimode beacon
• High definition camera used for educational outreach

Source: AMSAT open_in_new

Akademisk Radioklubb Celebrates 100 Years with Special Event Callsign

Akademisk Radioklubb is a student run amateur radio club out of Norway celebrating 100 years since its founding in 1923. The club will be on the air with special event callsign LA100K until the end of December.

Akademisk Radioklubb (“Academic Radio Club”), ARK, is a student amateur radio club in Trondheim, Norway. Founded in 1923, it’s the second oldest amateur radio club in Norway, and its license LA1K is the oldest Norwegian callsign still in use.

Source: Akademisk Radioklubb open_in_new

Introducing the Flying Hams Network

WX5WX recently established a multi-mode "watering hole" for amateur radio operators interested in aviation. Pilots and enthusiasts alike are welcome to discuss a wide range of topics including both manned and unmanned aircraft. Flying Hams can be found at the following locations:

• TGIF DMR: 3120664
• YSF: 20664
• AllStarLink: 515422
• Echolink: AE5ME-R
• Facebook Group

Source: Flying Hams open_in_new

RAC Canada Winter Contest

In December each year, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) sponsors the Canada Winter Contest. Amateurs all over the world are invited to participate.

The contest period runs for 24 hours between 0000 UTC and 2359 UTC on December 30th, 2023. Special plaques and certificates will be awarded for various categories including rookie and overall highest single operator.

Full details and rules are available for viewing on the Canada Winter Contest website.

Source: RAC open_in_new

FCC Symbol Rate Limitations Expire January 8th 2024

FCC rule changes regarding symbol rate limitations being removed from the HF bands will go into effect on January 8th, 2024.

In November, the FCC put forth a Report and Order removing the symbol rate limit and in its place implement a 2.8 kilohertz bandwidth limitation. Those rules were adopted in a final Report and Order published today, December 7th. The rules outlined in the Report and Order go into effect on January 8th, 2024.

Source: FCC / Federal Register open_in_new

ARDC and ARRL Announce Continued Funding for Scholarships and Grants

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) and The ARRL Foundation announced a three-year commitment with over $2.1 million in combined funding to support scholarships for radio amateurs, radio technology for classroom teachers, and amateur radio club grants. This commitment reinforces a strong shared vision between ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® and ARDC to invest in the future of amateur radio through programs supporting the next generation of radio amateurs. The renewed commitment will result in over 200 total scholarships, awarded over the next three years, for radio amateurs pursuing higher education.

Additional information about scholarships can be found at The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program.

More information about grants can be found at The ARRL Club Grant Program.

Source: ARRL open_in_new

HamSCI Publishes Initial Observations from October Annular Solar Eclipse

Hundreds of amateurs participated in the HamSCI event by getting on the air. Combining their data with contacts from other amateur contest activities, citizen-science cooperation contributed to one of the largest participatory days ever in amateur radio history.

...observations show that signals from [medium wave] AM stations located to [the] north across the annular eclipse path showed significant signal strength enhancements associated with the eclipse, whereas signals from AM stations to the south did not.

Visit the HamSCI website for A full report [PDF] with charts and images.

Source: HamSCI open_in_new

ISS SSTV Event December 7-8

Russian cosmonauts will be active on the International Space Station conducting a partial global slow scan television (SSTV) event.

Images honoring cosmonaut graduate Yuri Usachov will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz FM Thursday December 7, 08:55 UTC to 14:25 UTC and Friday December 8, 08:15 UTC to 14:10 UTC.

Source: AMSAT open_in_new

ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference named ARRL Specialty Conference

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) recently named the 40th anniversary celebration planned by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) an ARRL-sanctioned Specialty Conference. This special designation from ARRL will provide additional marketing opportunities for the ARISS event including mentions in the ARRL weekly email and monthly journal.

The ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference will celebrate the positive impact of amateur radio on human spaceflight. The event takes place at the Center for Space Education at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Center in Titusville, Florida February 22-24, 2024.

Amateur radio operation on human spaceflight first occurred in 1983 when astronaut Owen Garriott (W5LFL) made contact with amateur radio operators from the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Source: ARISS open_in_new

AMSAT Canada Officially Incorporated

Amateur Radio Satellites and Systems - Canada (AMSAT-CA) has officially been incorporated to support amateur radio in space. Over the next few months, AMSAT-CA will establish processes around its online presence as well as membership opportunities.

The first major effort from AMSAT-CA will be to develop a paper in support of the European Space Agency's proposal for a European and Canadian geosynchronous amateur radio satellite project.

Source: AMSAT-CA open_in_new