home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- SHUTTLE AMATEUR RADIO EXPERIMENT (SAREX)
-
- SAREX-II-01 is a secondary payload on STS-35, currently scheduled for
- launch on May 9, 1990. It will be located in the Aft Flight Deck of the
- Space Shuttle Columbia. Ron Parise, WA4SIR, the Payload Specialist and
- astronomer on Columbia will be the Astronaut ham operator, using
- Configuration C, explained in the Payload Description section below.
-
- SAREX-II-02 is a secondary payload on STS-37, currently scheduled for
- launch on November 1, 1990. It will be located in the Aft Flight Deck
- of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Ken Cameron, KB5AWP, the pilot of
- Atlantis will be the Astronaut ham operator, using Configuration D,
- explained in the Payload Description section below.
-
- The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the customer on the SAREXII
- payloads. NASA gave its authorization for SAREX operations for the
- following reasons:
-
- To encourage our youth to become excited about science and
- technology, and
-
- To familiarize large numbers of the general public with manned
- space flight
-
- NASA's intent in making astronauts available for SAREX operations is to
- involve the largest possible numbers of people, particularly
- youngsters, in Amateur Radio and the US space program. With Amateur
- Radio Clubs and hams, our astronauts will speak over the ham airwaves
- directly with large groups of students, showing teachers, parents and
- communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science,
- technology, and learning.
-
- You can easily become a part of this activity in your local schools, as
- the astronauts will operate the SAREX equipment on the 2-meter band.
- You will be able to send and receive messages via packet for periods of
- about 12 hours daily. The astronauts' work schedules will determine
- your chances for a voice or television message, but Ron and Ken may
- have an hour or more each day for these modes.
-
- The Johnson Space Center's Amateur Radio Club station, W5RRR, in
- Houston, Texas, will re-transmit astronaut's signals to WA3NAN, at
- Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD (near Washington, DC),
- and to W6VIO, at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA. These
- stations, plus W1AW and several VHF and UHF repeater groups, will
- re-transmit the signals on most amateur bands so that you and the
- students can copy the communications. You will hear NASA Mission
- Commentary, frequent bulletins to advise listeners of astronaut-planned
- transmissions, and all amateur two-way voice and amateur television
- transmissions with the shuttles. Using a simple hand-held transceiver,
- you can open the world of science to hundreds of youngsters. Students
- themselves can take part in the shuttle flight via a packet message,
- and some will even be able to talk directly to the astronauts in orbit.
-
- ARRL and AMSAT are co-sponsoring these exciting missions, with AMSAT
- heading up technical operations. Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators
- have already been working behind the scenes for months.
- The ARRL takes the lead with information and educational support. ARRL
- Educational Activities Branch (EAB) and NASA HQ will create lesson
- plans for teachers. All you need to provide is a 2-meter rig or a
- packet radio setup. If you are a teacher or instructor, contact ARRL
- EAB to get everything you will need and regular news updates. If you
- are a parent or a grandparent, contact ARRL EAB and a local school.
- EAB will send you materials, including ways to convince teachers and
- school administrators that Amateur Radio is an important discipline the
- school should take advantage of on a full-time basis.
-
- This a tremendous opportunity for you to showcase SAREX 1990 and
- Amateur Radio to kids of all ages in a big way. Plan on being a part
- of it; contact ARRL EAB now and give your best to our exciting hobby
- and to our hope for tomorrow: America's youth.
-
- The above info can be found in the February 1990 ARRL magazine QST on
- page 46.
-
- Write to Rosalie White, WA1STO, the ARRL Educational Coordinator at
-
- ARRL Headquarters Phone (203) 666-1541, Ask for Rosalie
- 225 Main St.
- Newington, CT 06111
-
- Listen to the ARRL Bulletins on W1AW (see QST for CW and voice
- bulletins) on a daily basis; and to the AMSAT International Satellite
- Nets on Tuesdays, 3.840 MHz, 0130Z to 0300Z, and on Sundays, 14.282
- MHz, 1800Z to 2100Z, +/- QRM.
-