AMSAT reports that two of its “GOLF” (Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint) series CubeSats are among 21 missions recommended for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment) and GOLF-1, were among the 21 missions recommended for selection. AMSAT now must negotiate and execute a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with NASA for each project, in order to finalize selection.
“The GOLF-TEE project tees off the next phase of our CubeSat program,” AMSAT Vice-President-Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, quipped. According to AMSAT, NASA anticipates a sufficient number of launch opportunities but does not guarantee that all recommended payloads will be launched. GOLF-TEE will also carry a Fox-1E design V/u linear transponder and RadFx (radiation effects) experiment for Vanderbilt University.
GOLF-TEE allows for rapid deployment and on-orbit testing of AMSAT’s Advanced Satellite Communications and Exploration of New Technology (ASCENT), including radiation-tolerant transponder and integrated housekeeping unit technologies that will lead the way for low-cost, off-the-shelf commercial systems that can function in the medium Earth orbit (MEO) and HEO radiation environments.
GOLF-TEE and the GOLF program will provide for the development of “five and dime” field-programmable gate array software-defined radio (FPGA SDR) transponders for use on a variety of missions and orbits. The target GOLF-TEE launch date is in the final quarter of 2019.
GOLF-1 will serve as a follow-on mission; AMSAT has not yet specified its Amateur Radio payload. Launch is targeted for 2020 – 2021. The GOLF-1 CubeSat will require a de-orbiting plan that complies with NASA requirements for limiting orbital debris, due to the high altitude AMSAT has requested.
AMSAT-NA President Joe Spier, K6WAO, unveiled the GOLF program at AMSAT’s annual meeting last October as a crucial step toward fulfilling AMSAT’s strategic goals involving high-altitude, wide-access satellite missions. — Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Source:ARRL
Antenna
160m/80m Transmit Vertical by AC0C
Adding topband to a full sized elevated 80m vertical and putting N6LF’s QEX data to the test This antenna started out as an 80m vertical... Read more
The 2 Meter Coffee Can Antenna
The 2 meter coffee can antenna is easy to make and you’ll have loads of fun making contacts with it! The coffee can antenna is actually a... Read more
TRI-BAND MOBILE ANTENNAS – NGC – Comet Antennas
MOBILE ANTENNAS Fold-Over Hinge Most Comet mobile antennas over 29″ length have a fold-over hinge built into the base section of the antenna. It is NO... Read more
UHF VHF Antenna 08-ANT-0861
UHF VHF antenna 08-ANT-0861 has a 25MHz – 6GHz frequency range. This HAM radio base station antenna and two way radio antenna is for land mobile radio... Read more
Antenna Polarization [ ARRL PODCAST ]
Your antenna’s polarization can make a big difference in how well you can hear, and be heard — especially on VHF and up. Read more
Review
Introducing the RSP1A SDR from SDRPlay
“The folks at SDRPlay were nice enough to send me their new RSP1A SDR. Some very significant upgrades come with this new model. Any of you still... Read more
How Antenna Traps Work
How Antenna Traps Work Read more
MFJ-868B Giant SWR/Wattmeter
MFJ touts the MFJ-868B Giant SWR/Wattmeter as the World’s Largest HF SWR/Wattmeter. The MFJ-868B measures peak, average forward and reflected power an... Read more
App - Mobile
The RS-MS1I APP is now available via the iTunes store
Description Functional overview of the application DR functions You can use some transceiver’s DR functions. Share pictures Send and receive vo... Read more
New! RemoteHamRadio App
Hold a mega-station in the palm of your hand. Wherever you are, you can work DX and log it. Operate from our 18 unique stations to snag a new country,... Read more
iSDR for Iphone and Ipad
iSDR is a software defined radio application compatible with the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad™. iSDR is designed for experimenters, shortwave... Read more
RS-MS1A – Remote Control Android App
Ray Novak and George Thomas show you how to control the ID-51A with the RS-MS1A Android app. Read more
Shortwave radio distributes smartphone apps
Imagine being able to download an app…without the internet. Well, it’s finally happened, thanks to shortwave radio. Broadcasting Board of Governors (B... Read more
Equipment
Antennas and bands programmable controller LBC8ARD – MomoBeam
LBC8ARD 8 DIRECTION CONTROLLER programmable for any remote relay switches and controlers; Easily programmable to control equipment of: LowBandSystems... Read more
RIGblaster Pro
Capabilities Compatible with All Manufacturers’ Radios Can be used with almost any make or model microphone and most model radios no matter what... Read more
Icom IC-9100 Review [ Video ]
George Thomas, W5JDX, of Ham Nation and AmateurLogic.tv provides an in depth review of the Icom IC-9100 Read more
DR4020 Dual band Digital QRP radio
A simple QRP digital transceiver. — Fully assembled and tested– Perfect for outdoor digital radio contacts,such as FT8,FT4,JT65 etc. Band: 20... Read more
Baofeng UV-7300 Ham radio HF Transceiver – Its Fake
Update! Dear readers 1 april fool : Source http://www.aliexpress.com.jv7u.clonezone.link/uv7300 Real Radio Chine KN-920: http://rigreference.com/rig... Read more
Digital Modes
FT8DMC 3rd Anniversary-Activity Days 2020
To commemorate our 3rd anniversary, special event stations will be on air during the FT8DMC Activity Days from 1. to 31. July 2020. All stations will... Read more
K1JT , JOE TAYLOR HINTS AT POSSIBLE NEW MODE!
In a post to the WSJT-X email group today, Joe Taylor K1JT hinted at some ongoing experimentation of a new digital mode with sub-modes. His post was a... Read more
WWSA GACW Contest Rules.
WWSA GACW I – Dates Second weekend of June of every year. From Saturday 15.00 UTC until Sunday 15.00 UTC. 24 hours period. II – Goal To co... Read more