Radio Astronomy and SDR Dongles

David Morgan 2W0CXV has released several papers covering the use of the RTL-SDR Dongle in radio astronomy 

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In 2011 David described the equipment configuration and software involved in setting to work a small 3m diameter amateur radio telescope using the FUNcube Dongle Pro software defined radio receiver.

At the end of 2014 he published a paper dealing with the setting up and use of a RTL-SDR dongle to receive meteor pings from the Graves Radar on 143.050 MHz.

He has now released two new papers covering the measurement of signal strength and  RF noise sources with the RTL-SDR.

Download David’s papers - http://www.dmradas.co.uk/Downloads.html

You can join the BAA Radio Astronomy Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baa-rag

5-year-old Passes Ham Radio Exam

Colton Ragdale KE0CRD has successfully passed the US amateur radio exam at the age of 5

5-year-old Colton Ragdale, KE0CRD, Passes Ham Radio Exam

Colton got 93% of the questions in the Technician exam correct. The USA Technician exam is broadly equivalent to the UK Foundation although it doesn't have any practical assessments. A Tech licence permits the holder to run 200 watts output on four HF bands and 1,500 watts on the VHF, UHF and Microwave bands. Techs can operate Maritime Mobile, build their own equipment and run repeaters.

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Colton's parents Debra K0KAI and Zeke K0XK are both radio hams and it was seeing his parents using radios and talking to one another that made him want to become involved. So he took the FCC test and passed.

Full Story (Video) - http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/01/23/5-year-old-passes-ham-radio-exam/22247015/

Tour de France Ham Radio Volunteers Rewarded

A RAYNET team that helped the 2014 Tour de France race through the Yorkshire Dales has received radio equipment worth about £5,500

The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network (RAYNET) provided communications over 2,000 square miles in North Yorkshire.

Radios were operated by 42 volunteers. The money has been donated by North Yorkshire County Council.

Full story - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-30967391

RAYNET in Yorkshire - http://www.yorkshireraynet.org/