Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator
There are more than 2,000 active satellites orbiting Earth. At the end of their useful lives, many will simply burn up as they reenter the atmosphere. But some will continue circling as “zombie” satellites — neither alive nor quite dead.
“Most zombie satellites are satellites that are no longer under human control, or have failed to some degree,” says Scott Tilley.
Tilley, an amateur radio operator living in Canada, has a passion for hunting them down.
Long Island ham radio operators to honor coronavirus pandemic heroes in May
To honor the new generation of coronavirus pandemic heroes, local operators from the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC) will look to one of the oldest forms of electronic social networking available to link folks in the time of social distancing: ham radio.
Their monthlong event, which will run 24 hours a day from May 1-31, will see FCC-licensed ham radio operators, hams for short, from each of the state’s 62 counties operate their stations under the special event call sign K2H to reach out to other operators around the globe.
Amateur radio, a hobby for the social distancing era
During the coronavirus crisis we’ve been told to be socially distant and remain two meters apart. Coincidentally, two meters is a very popular amateur radio frequency range which, locally, has taken on special meaning during the statewide shutdown.
Every day, at 11 a.m., local amateurs, called “hams,” get together on the Lockport Amateur Radio Association’s repeater (146.820 for all of you with police scanners) to check in, check on others, offer camaraderie, and provide help — such as shopping errands or donations of food and supplies — to shut-ins or the ill who desperately need it.
That daily net, frequented by 20 to 30 radio operators, has served as a beacon of hope, support and love during these difficult times.
That speaks to the value of ham radio as a two-pronged pursuit: It’s a hobby and a public service.
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