Toronto college students design device to contact International Space Station

[Thunderbolt]

TORONTO — Astronauts circling high above the earth should expect a call from four Toronto college students who have surpassed expectations by coupling a simple-looking antenna with a complex communications device capable of contacting the International Space Station.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jiaytfIhmwAy6LAnx0ey42_unrlg

 

[DaveNF2G]

College students build ham radio. Must be a slow news day.

Toronto college students who have surpassed expectations

Really? Do Canadians expect so little of their college students?

 

[WouffHong]

Students achieve..

College students build ham radio. Must be a slow news day.

Really? Do Canadians expect so little of their college students?

C'mon, OM - Give it a break - It's wonderful that they have torn away from their IPODS and WWII's to do something relatively innovative and creative in these "Like, Duhhh..." generation days..

Tom, W4NOV
Amateur Extra
Real Radios Glow... and are Shocking! ))

 

[N_Jay]

College students build ham radio. Must be a slow news day.

Really? Do Canadians expect so little of their college students?

I thought the same thing, but did not post thinking, maybe, just maybe I missed some subtlety of ISS communications?

Of course knowing today's EE students, they probably spent 3/4 of the semester trying to figure out how to implement the antenna is software!:roll::lol:

 

[Forts]

At least they broke away from their in depth study of hydraulic principles of the keg.

 

[poltergeisty]

It takes a college education to contact the ISS? :lol:


Now this is cool! http://www.unwiredadventures.com/unwire/2005/12/defcon_wifi_sho.html

At least they broke away from their in depth study of hydraulic principles of the keg.

Never could figure out what was the master and slave of the hydraulic keg. Until I discovered that it was woman. :twisted: :lol:

 

[ka3jjz]

It reads a bit like the writer of the article isn't well informed about how easy it can be to call the Station with the right equipment. Certainly a 'device' isn't really needed; I've heard of folks doing it with their 2m mobile and a good antenna, or even a handheld with an Arrow antenna when the Station is nice and high.

It's interesting - the professor they interview in this article doesn't know of any college students doing this, but then it goes on to mention ARISS and how ham radio has been used to talk to the station, and the fact that these students had to get their licenses. What's so extraordinary?

Not a very well written, nor researched, piece. Many universities around the world have talked to the Station via ARISS in the past.

73 Mike

 

[rdale]

Obviously it's not a conventional ham radio - so while ripping up the students / prof / etc is fun, it might be better to research a bit and find out more info on specifics. For a news article (i.e. Joe Public reader) this is probably sufficient.

 

[slicerwizard]

So there is a (mechanically aimed?) auto-tracking gain antenna setup and a (analog?) transceiver that they built? Possibly with some Doppler shift handling? How many hams, some no doubt with no higher education, have accomplished similar feats? It's cool, but nothing fantastic.

And the guy with the ham license - he has a satellite installation business? Where does he install these satellites?

 

[EngineerZ]

Obviously it's not a conventional ham radio - so while ripping up the students / prof / etc is fun, it might be better to research a bit and find out more info on specifics. For a news article (i.e. Joe Public reader) this is probably sufficient.

OK, I did a little research... IMHO, these students should be getting a double major in marketing.

The article concedes other hams have done what these students are doing with "traditional" ham radio gear... But if you look at their web site ( http://www.operationfirstcontact.com/ ) they too are using traditional ham radio equipment as well, including an Icom IC-V8000, a Hy-Gain Oscar antenna, and a Yeasu G-5500 rotor. They aren't even homebrewing this stuff for crying out loud...

Their website doesn't go in to much detail as to what exactly they are building or how they are going to communicate. They plan using the same 2 meter ARISS frequencies that everyone else uses. I suppose they could be developing some sort of automated tracking system to aim the antenna, but AMSAT folks have been doing that type of thing for years.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to beat these guys up too badly because I think their efforts should get favorable press to promote engineering and technical careers. Gosh knows we engineers are often portrayed in an unfavorable light. However, if they are going as far as to compare these students to "only about a dozen professional radio engineers or graduate-level university engineering students" that "have previously been successful," it would be nice if they had some details on their "complex communications device" to back it up. Everything I've seen looks pretty much the same as so-called traditional ham radio. In my experience in the telecom and wireless industry, statements that aren't backed with some sort of detailed proof often turn out to be exaggerations that exploit the target audience's lack of knowledge of the state of the art. If these students produce some details that prove me wrong, I'll gladly admit it. But until then, the burden of proof is on them to show us how extraordinary they are.

--z

 

[ChemicalBrother]

I have read most of these posts, and find it amazing at how most hams got offended.
I am one of the four students on this project, and I hold a valid ham license.
I can tell you that this project was not set out to be a publicity stunt, but
just another educational project.

As most of you know by now there are many different requirements in order to
be granted an official communication with the ISS. One of them is to inform the
public/press about the contact. The other important aspect is to get your application
approved. So while we followed protocol and have been granted the contact,
we are currently working on a second and third radio station. (Homebrew as you like to
call it).

I hope you see trough the simple concept of hooking up a yagi to a transceiver.
Of course it helps when you hold a degree in electronics, like most of you ham's,
so it's just another day for you. In any event shouldn't you be on board with this
ISS contact since it applies to your interests?

 

[kb2vxa]

While I'm not offended I'm amazed you think any ham would swallow this crap.

"As most of you know by now there are many different requirements in order to
be granted an official communication with the ISS."

Like what?

"One of them is to inform the public/press about the contact."

Why?

"The other important aspect is to get your applicationapproved."

What application and by whom?

"So while we followed protocol and have been granted the contact, we are currently working on a second and third radio station. (Homebrew as you like to call it)."

Please stand by while I catch my breath...

First off there are but two requirements, a basic license and a 2M radio. I've never notified the press, never made application to anyone and followed but one protocol, calling Mir, the Shuttle and the ISS like any other station. I've been granted numerous of contacts when an astronaut answered me and you're trying to come off like someone special?

"I hope you see trough the simple concept of hooking up a yagi to a transceiver."

I hope you see through the simple concept of hooking up a 5W HT to a 1/4 wave ground plane made from metal coat hangers.

"Of course it helps when you hold a degree in electronics..."

I need a BSEE to solder a few coat hangers to an SO-239?

"... like most of you ham's, so it's just another day for you."

Yawn.

"In any event shouldn't you be on board with this ISS contact since it applies to your interests?"

Been there, done that so many times I'm bored stiff so I'll pass and give you a go at it. Now before you stick your foot in it again first get a publicist who knows how to write. Since you obviously don't know how to communicate without bloviating you'd better learn humility and come out of orbit so you can talk up. Talking down to casual hobbyists on a non technical site only got you this reprimand (you hadn't counted on me being here) and likely many others wherever your pomposity showed up if you were foolish enough to post on an Amateur Radio web site.

 

[gpsdepot]

The technical part aside, I think these guys are trying to get scheduled for an official school contact with the ISS. The type of thing where students are allowed to pose questions to the astronauts etc.
Different thing from a random connect while the station passes overhead.

More info at:

http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/ariss-ap.html

Rick

While I'm not offended I'm amazed you think any ham would swallow this crap.

"As most of you know by now there are many different requirements in order to
be granted an official communication with the ISS."

Like what?

"One of them is to inform the public/press about the contact."

Why?

"The other important aspect is to get your applicationapproved."

What application and by whom?

"So while we followed protocol and have been granted the contact, we are currently working on a second and third radio station. (Homebrew as you like to call it)."

Please stand by while I catch my breath...

First off there are but two requirements, a basic license and a 2M radio. I've never notified the press, never made application to anyone and followed but one protocol, calling Mir, the Shuttle and the ISS like any other station. I've been granted numerous of contacts when an astronaut answered me and you're trying to come off like someone special?

"I hope you see trough the simple concept of hooking up a yagi to a transceiver."

I hope you see through the simple concept of hooking up a 5W HT to a 1/4 wave ground plane made from metal coat hangers.

"Of course it helps when you hold a degree in electronics..."

I need a BSEE to solder a few coat hangers to an SO-239?

"... like most of you ham's, so it's just another day for you."

Yawn.

"In any event shouldn't you be on board with this ISS contact since it applies to your interests?"

Been there, done that so many times I'm bored stiff so I'll pass and give you a go at it. Now before you stick your foot in it again first get a publicist who knows how to write. Since you obviously don't know how to communicate without bloviating you'd better learn humility and come out of orbit so you can talk up. Talking down to casual hobbyists on a non technical site only got you this reprimand (you hadn't counted on me being here) and likely many others wherever your pomposity showed up if you were foolish enough to post on an Amateur Radio web site.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I am not offended, merely deeply unimpressed.

 

[roadranger]

Another look at it...

TORONTO — Astronauts circling high above the earth should expect a call from four Toronto college students who have surpassed expectations by coupling a simple-looking antenna with a complex communications device capable of contacting the International Space Station.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jiaytfIhmwAy6LAnx0ey42_unrlg

Maybe the actual writer of the story had never seen any Ham Radio equipment before, let alone met any Ham!

 

[kb2vxa]

Re: Roadranger;
"Maybe the actual writer of the story had never seen any Ham Radio equipment before, let alone met any Ham!"

Had you read the story he has, the newly licensed green and wet behind the ears one who is spearheading this fiasco. I'm well aware of how school, club and public demonstrations are handled, contacts with ISS and others. The author and his "ham" consultant both got things so mixed up they all came out looking like a bunch of fools. Articles on Newsline and those published by the ARRL among others are well written and informative, this one is a joke.

Speaking of my awareness; radio, TV and newspaper reporters are ignorant as they come in matters of Amateur Radio as is the general public. That's why whenever I've been interviewed I've made sure the reporter has his/her notes straight and understands the subject. Having read the copy I've been perfectly satisfied with the results printed or aired. Apparently this one was left twisting in the wind having to fill in the blanks as best he could and it shows.

One of the things that irks seasoned hams (pardon my pun) to no end is EMCOMM wannabies or whackers without lights to coin a phrase is getting a license for no other reason than getting in on the action. Here's a case of one getting licensed for the sole purpose of putting on a school demonstration. Frankly having a desire to stand in the limelight must be the worst reason there is for getting a license of any kind having no real interest in the purpose of the license which in this case is as follows. Now before you jump on me for quoting the FCC be it known the FCC follows international law laid down by the ITU so in one form or another the paragraph applies to every country in the world including Canada.

Subpart A--General Provisions

Sec. 97.1 Basis and purpose.

The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an
amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the
following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service
to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to
contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and
technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio
service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to
enhance international goodwill.

 

[VE3RADIO]

you guys take this stuff way to seriously.

 

[poltergeisty]

Marconi would be impressed!

kb2vxa has a point.. A lic is more than just what the students intend on doing.

 

[kb2vxa]

And why shouldn't I take Amateur Radio seriously? It's far too valuable a resource and asset to the community to be taken otherwise, if it's a sick joke you want CB is for you. Thanks noisy ghost but what all should be aware of is it's not my point alone, I stand with a vast majority who have written time and time again that it's importance should not be diminished nor belittled. It is a federal GRANT, that is a privilege that may be rescinded should the powers that be feel it is of little value.

 

[ChemicalBrother]

Here we go again!!!!!
Coming back at you strong!
Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame Honours Humber College Students and Professor for Space Communications Project - MSNBC Wire Services - msnbc.com
Can all those haters please stand up?
Cheers.