Two JumboSpots and the World Solar Challenge

The Cambridge University Eco Racing team required two Raspberry Pi Zeros, but where were they going to find them in Darwin?  Yes, that's correct, the Amateur Radio community naturally!  The Jumbo Spot uses a Rasberry Pi Zero W and I have/had one and so did Ian (VK8LOL). We dismantles our Spots in the name of environmental sustainability and for the sake of all humanity.

The World Solar Challenge starts on Sunday and is a sun powered car race from Darwin to Adelaide (about 3000km).

 You can track the cars here

ISS SSTV

On Monday (7th) I received the following form Work-Sat@groups.io

Russian cosmonauts are expected to activate Slow Scan Television (SSTV) image transmissions on 145.800 MHz FM from the International Space Station on October 9 and 10.
This is the schedule for the planned activation of the MAI-75 SSTV activity from the ISS.

• - Oct 9 09:50-14:00 GMT
• - Oct 10 08:55-15:15 GMT

Transmissions will be sent on 145.800 MHz FM in the SSTV mode PD-120.

Using my ID-51a with it's voice record function, I managed to receive the following from the balcony at 10.07pm Wednesday 9 October.

Not as good as I had hoped but nonetheless, received.

Multi Frequence CW Beacon

A few years back (2015)  Anthony, K3NG published code for a Yaesu FT-817 Arduino Controlled Beacon.  Although not polished or documented, I decided to give it a go, and learn a thing or two in the process.  The code can be found here. 

After some tweaks we have the code side of things up and running.  It's amazing what you can do with an Arduino Uno.

Watch this space.