Living in space can get lonely. What helps? Talking to random people over ham radio

[blantonl]

Living in space can get lonely. What helps? Talking to random people over ham radio

The International Space Station cost more than $100 billion. A ham radio set can be had for a few hundred bucks.

Perhaps that explains, in part, the appeal of having one of humankind’s greatest scientific inventions communicate with Earth via technology that’s more than 100 years old. But perhaps there’s a simpler explanation for why astronauts and ham radio operators have been talking, and talking, for years.

Living in space can get lonely. What helps? Talking to random people over ham radio

From their living rooms and pickup trucks, amateur radio operators reach out to the International Space Station, circling 240 miles above Earth.

www.latimes.com

 

[WB9YBM]

With the advancement made in radio (some of it even by the ham community itself), some of it in very recent history (just take a look at all the digital modes hams are using as an example), I'm not sure where the "more than 100 years old" aspect comes from.

Either way, though--old or new tech being in use--"old" does not necessarily mean "bad".

Ham radio also has a long-standing history of providing back-up as well as emergency communications so staying in practice--maybe even having a bit of fun with it along the way--well, why not?

 

[mikewazowski]

With the advancement made in radio (some of it even by the ham community itself), some of it in very recent history (just take a look at all the digital modes hams are using as an example), I'm not sure where the "more than 100 years old" aspect comes from.

Contact was most likely made via FM which was invented around 1933 hence the “more than 100 years old” comment.

 

[Outerdog]

Contact was most likely made via FM which was invented around 1933 hence the “more than 100 years old” comment.

1933 + 100 = 2033.

Dude over here living in 2033.

 

[mikewazowski]

1933 + 100 = 2033.

Dude over here living in 2033.

Yeah, I know but I figured we were close enough to 2033.

Lot better than assuming it was a recently invented digital mode like ft-8 that was involved.

 

[Outerdog]

Maybe they were just going for "radio" in general... what, around 1900, 1906 or so?

 

[WB9YBM]

Contact was most likely made via FM which was invented around 1933 hence the “more than 100 years old” comment.

I'm sorry to point out the obvious but 1933 + 100 = 2033 (don't rush me--I'm getting old fast enough already!!)

 

[WB9YBM]

Maybe they were just going for "radio" in general... what, around 1900, 1906 or so?

That sounds more reasonable; yeah, about 1890 (details here: Invention of radio - Wikipedia)

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

FM may be "old" technology by some measures, however we have been cooking with fire for 500K years and it is still the best way to prepare a meal.

FM is the way to go. Like cooking with a gas flame.

Edwin Howard Armstrong - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[appleagenda]

FM is the way to go. Like cooking with a gas flame.

"I sell propane and...Yaesu accessories." --Hank Hill, slightly paraphrased