AmateurRadio.com

Fire up your sat tracking software, because the ISS will be live for Jamboree on The Air. An article at Southgate Amateur Radio Club’s website reports that Astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG, will be participating in Jamboree on The Air from the International Space station this weekend, using the callsign NA1SS. Mike is also a scout master. 

Photo Courtesy of NASA / Southgate ARC

While he won’t be available for every pass, you may hear him from 0800-1930 UTC as this is the usual work time for the crew, but they could also stay on a little later as well. When Mike is on he will be working ITU 1, which is Europe, Africa and Russia, with the uplink of 145.200 MHz FM and ITU regions 2 & 3, which is every one else, using the uplink of 144.49 MHz. Downlown for all will be 145.800 MHz FM. Be sure to be using a wide filter if your radio supports it, as the station uses a 5 Khz FM deviation, so 25 khz channel spacing is recommended.

If you don’t have satellite tracking software installed, you can track the Space Station online at NASA’s Spaceflight website. And, AMSAT UK has a wonderful article on getting started with satellites as well. This is should a fun Jamboree this year. To all the scouts and scout masters, enjoy!

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, Albany’s #1 Rock Station website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday on AmiZed Studios and hosts a podcast called The Kim & Rich Show with his fiance’ Kim Dunne.

ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!! That is what you will probably hear a lot of when the Zombies attack. And with Zombie attacks on the rise, Scouts are preparing for the worst this Halloween season. They’ll be working with First Responders as well as public safety communications professionals and Amateur Radio operators to earn their radio merit badges as part of scouting’s world-wide Jamboree on the Air.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

During the weekend of October 15th, Troop 7, from Coral Gables, Florida, will be learning about wireless communications equipment learning about all aspects starting with some of the basics and working into professional broadcasting, and also public safety. This is all for the annual Jamboree on The Air, sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America and The ARRL.

From the article at Southgate’s website:

The troop has invited local First Defenders to participate. “If there are Zombies around, we definitely think that the police and fire departments should be involved,” said Dan Deveson, an assistant scoutmaster with the troop. “We wanted to find a way that the boys could learn how the pros use their radios, and few things are so important to a 12-year-old as thwarting Zombie attacks.”

The troop will be broadcasting Zombie Action Reports around the world using amateur radio equipment provided by licensed radio operator volunteers. “In case of hurricanes, or Zombies, amateur radio operators often work with public safety professionals to provide community support. That’s exactly the sort of activity that modern scouting is all about,” said Deveson.

I gotta say, this is a pretty fun way to get the kids involved and to also have it educational. And plus, you can never tell when a freak Zombie attack could take us by surprise. So to Troop 7, I say “Well done!!” To to prepare more, I suggest watching Shaun of the Dead. There are some well thought out plans of actions in that movie should you find yourself in the middle of a group of brain hungry zombies.

73.

Rich also writes a Tech blog and posts stories every Tuesday and Thursday on Q103, Albany’s #1 Rock Station website, as well as Amateur Radio stories every Monday thru Friday on AmiZed Studios and hosts a podcast called The Kim & Rich Show with his fiance’ Kim Dunne.