KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

Satellites

ICQPodcast Episode 487 – A Taste of Ham Radio Friedrichshafen

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ICQ Podcast logo.In this episode, I joined Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss:
  • Germany Likely to Get Full 4 Metres Band Back. The Brits on the podcast seem to love the 4-meter band. Unfortunately, I doubt that we’ll ever get access to it here in the U.S.
  • Eyeball-to-Eyeball Off-the-Air QSO Party. The Eyeball QSO Party is a weekly Zoom meeting that got started during the pandemic that continues to this day. Hams from different countries attend every week to share their opinions and activities.
  • Canada Reviewing Policy on Antennas, Towers. Although this effort isn’t specifically meant for radio amateurs, the Radio Amateurs of Canada thinks that the proposals will give hams much more latitude when it comes to putting up antenna structures.
  • Researchers Create Space ‘Wall’ to Weaken Solar Storms. Researchers believe they have developed an effective line of defence against geomagnetic storms that would protect radio communications, GPS systems, electrical grids and satellites from disruption. This is, however, all theoretical at this point, and the panel was dubious that this would work in practice.
  • YOTA Camp Region 1 – Austria July 2026. A highlight of this year’s YOTA Summer Camp is that every attendee will go home with a QMX+ they built, with the help of Hans Summers G0UPL of QRP Labs. Hans is also donating endfed antennas, power banks,  microphones, and Morse keys. I want to be like G0UPL when I grow up.
This episode’s feature is a Taste of Ham Radio Friedrichshafen.

ICQPodcast Episode 479 – Baofeng UV-5R Mini

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ICQ Podcast logo.In this episode, I join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news, including:

Colin, M6BOY, also reports on the following:

This month’s feature is a report on the new Baofeng UV-5R Mini.

ITU offers spectrum-management classes

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I’m not sure how I got on this particular ITU mailing list, but I got an email this morning announcing some spectrum management courses that the ITU is offering:

  • SMTP – Advanced spectrum authorization regimes
    3 – 28 February 2025 | Online
    Explore modern spectrum management approaches, focusing on advanced allocation, dynamic access, flexible use, and innovative licensing to optimise spectrum resources.
  • Satellite coordination procedures & fillings 
    17 February – 14 March 2025 | Online
    Learn about ITU’s Radio Regulations, covering orbit spectrum allocation, satellite filings, coordination procedures, regulatory examinations, and BR space tools and databases.
  • SMTP – Opportunistic spectrum access & cognitive radio
    17 February – 14 March 2025 | Online
    Gain insights into opportunistic spectrum access, spectrum sensing techniques, white space utilisation, and current regulations on Cognitive Radio and White Spaces.

The cost for these is $300 each, so I’m not sure that individual hams will want to sign up for these classes, but perhaps it might be worthwhile for someone at the ARRL to sign up for one or more. That is, if there is anyone left there whose job it is to keep up with advances in spectrum management.

One free event that hams certainly might be interested in attending is the seminar E1 – LEO Satellite Constellation Fundamentals, 30 January 2025, 14:30 to 16:30 CET. The description for this seminar reads:

Kickstart your 2025 space journey with our inaugural Space Connect session! In this first installment of our exciting new series, we’re diving into the revolution happening in Low Earth Orbit.  Discover the orbital choreography of modern satellite constellations and the radio spectrum that makes global connectivity possible. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Director of Radiocommunications Mario Maniewicz will open this session, followed by expert insights into the technology and market forces driving the LEO satellite boom. Join us for this first step into the future of space communications. Save your spot now – and stay tuned for more fascinating Space Connect sessions throughout 2025!

I think that they’re probably going to be talking about things like Starlink, but perhaps this could get some hams thinking about doing a ham radio version of Starlink.

Wanna work with satellites? Get an amateur radio license

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LEO satellite In the June 2024 issue of IEEE Spectrum, the article, “The LEO Satellite Industry Needs More Engineers,” pointed out the need for more engineers to work in this burgeoning industry. It points out that the LEO satellite market is expected to grow from US $4 billion in 2022 to US $7 billion in 2031.

The article then focuses on the efforts of the IEEE Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites and Systems (LEO SatS) project. The article points out that it has held a number of workshops and other events to educate engineers and students about opportunities in the industry, but it makes no mention of amateur radio. I think that’s a mistake, and I’ve just emailed the leader of the program, Witold Kinsner, reminding him of the role that amateur radio could play.

Where else can students get actual experience with LEO satellites? Not only is there AMSAT, but many student groups have sent up their own LEO satellites in the past.

The article points out that LEO SatS has also sponsored a workshop on ground stations. I would refer them to the SatNOGS, which is building a network of open-source ground stations.

Incorporating amateur radio into the work of LEO SatS would be a win-win for LEO SatS and amateur radio. Aspiring satellite engineers would get hands-on experience with the technology, amateur radio satellite projects would get access to the latest technology, and the satellite industry would eventually get some trained engineers and technicians.

 

Amateur radio in the news: STEM students get licenses, eclipse news

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I’ve been falling a bit behind in my “amateur radio in the news” posts. These are from the beginning of April, but still worth blogging about, I think……Dan

STEM Club Members Earn HAM Radio Licenses

[GREENVILLE, IL] Members of the Greenville Junior High School STEM Club have obtained their Amateur HAM Radio licenses, after attending sessions led by the Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club.

The students immersed themselves in learning radio communications principles, regulations, and practical skills. Okaw Valley members believe the partnership by the two groups showcases the importance of community collaboration in enriching educational experiences.

Attainment of the licenses not only equips students with valuable skills, but also opens doors to opportunities in emergency communication and public service.

Earning their licenses were Milan Hustedde, Jay Neer,  Ryder Johnson, Nolan Prater, Lukas Simmonds,  Ezra Van Middendorp,  Jackson Wood.

…read more

Tooele students have out-of-this-world conversation with astronaut

TOOELE, Utah — Excitement filled the air as students from the Tooele County School District had the extraordinary opportunity to connect directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Thanks to the amateur radio on the stations, students from the district gathered at Blue Peak High School and posed questions Monday to astronaut Mike Barratt in live ham radio contact.

…read more and watch video

see also “Utah students use ham radio to connect with astronaut during eclipse”

BBC – Total solar eclipse: The 4-minute window into the Sun’s secrets

About halfway down is this section:

Radio listening party

The Sun’s activity can disrupt almost all our communications, including the humble long-wave radio. Energy from the Sun charges a region in the upper atmosphere called the ionosphere, which helps radio transmissions whizz around the planet. But when the Moon blocks the Sun, the ionosphere is affected.

To test what that does to radio, hundreds of amateur radio operators will join a listening party and send signals to each other across the world, competing for the most connections. They might communicate in Morse code or even speak.

The results could help scientists better understand radio communications used by emergency workers, airplanes, and ships, as well as GPS, according to Nathaniel Frissell at University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, who is running the party.

…read more

Amateur radio videos: Make the most of solar cycle 25, backyard ISS contact, build a mini-HF loading coil

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How to make the most of Solar Cycle 25

It’s no secret that the bands have been in great shape lately. In this video, W3LPL shows how to make the most of it.

Michigan ham talks to astronauts aboard the ISS from his backyard

This video has been gotten a lot of press, but I think it’s pretty cool, so I’m posting it here. It’s kind of cool that KB8M happens to be in Michigan, my home state.  You can tell how geeked Doug was about the contact.

How to build a mini HF loading coil

Here’s another video on how to build your own version of a Buddipole or Wolf River loading coil. VA5MUD has a lot more interesting videos on his YouTube channel, Mr MuDs Radio Time.

Amateur radio in the news: ISS contact on the TODAY Show, Indian students launch satellite, VA club prepares for emergency

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ISS contact on The TODAY Show


NBC TODAY Show reporter Harry Smith covers a PA high school contact with the space station. What’s nice about this is that you can tell that it’s really a professional production.

Somaiya students’ amateur radio satellite takes to the skies

[MUMBAI] An amateur radio satellite created by students and named ‘Somaiya Beliefsat-0’ was successfully launched on New Year’s Eve at 9.10 am from Sriharikota’s premier launch pad. The satellite serves as a payload on the PSLV-C58 mission’s PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform.

With the launch of the satellite, Somaiya Beliefsat-0 pays tribute to 100 years of the HAM radio in India and endeavours to succeed its predecessor. “HAMSAT was decommissioned in 2016,” said Umesh Shinde, the faculty coordinator for the mission. “Now Somaiya Beliefsat-0, positioned in a 350-km orbit with a 9.6-degree inclination, is set to become a crucial player in the realm of global amateur radio.”

…read more

ESARC Participates in Emergency Preparedness Exercise

[VIRGINIA] The Eastern Shore Amateur Radio Club participated in an emergency communications preparedness exercise on December 13, 2023.  The exercise, known as a “Shelter Test,” involved setting up and operating emergency radio communications using amateur (ham) radio to communicate with similar operations throughout the county.

The club coordinated its December 2023 Shelter Test from the Accomack County Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”), on Beacon Road, Melfa (near the airport) and from the Northampton County EOC in Eastville.

From the Emergency Operations Centers, the radio operators established reliable communications between the two county EOCS and with several of the locations that will be used as shelters in times of emergency on the Eastern Shore.  In the event of a hurricane, or other major disaster, the counties have established several shelters located around the counties.  These are locations where residents could go for food, medical care and short-term housing.  See graphic for Accomack County shelter map which is available on the Accomack County Web Site or the Hurricane Preparedness Guide on Shoredailynews.com.

…read more

ICQ Podcast Episode 420 – Ultra Portable HF Antennas

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In this episode, I  join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss:
  • 2024 10 Metre SOTA Challenge
  • Hams Help Community Radio Station Get Back on Air
  • Global Response to Signals from Irelands 1st Satellite
  • Tradition Carries on in Sweden
  • A DXPedition Before a DXPedition
This episode’s feature is ultra-portable HF antennas.

ICQ Podcast Episode 416 – Amateur Radio Someone Else’s Problem

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In this episode, I join Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news, including:

This episode’s feature is Amateur Radio, Someone Else’s Problem. In this feature, Martin, M1MRB, and Colin, M6BOY, discuss what rank-and-file amateurs to help amateur radio grow and prosper.

ICQ Podcast Episode 412 – More Workshop Tips

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In this episode, I joined Martin Butler M1MRB, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP, and we discussed

This episode’s feature is More Workshop Tips.