Also in GB2RS this week…

| June 20, 2014

Thursday 19 June saw the successful launch of the FUNcube-3 satellite from Dombarovsky near Yasny in the Russian Federation. It was one of 12 satellites carrying amateur radio payloads and part of a constellation of 37 satellites on the aboard the Dnepr rocket. Described as a fast-track mission to provide a transponder-only payload on a 2U CubeSat, FUNcube-3 is part of the precursor programme for the forthcoming QB50 mission. The satellite carries a FUNcube inverting 400mW SSB/CW linear transponder with 70cm input and 2m output, plus a telemetry beacon on 145.815MHz. A second QB50 precursor satellite, QB50p2, has beacons on 145.880 and 145.840MHz, plus a 70cm to 2m FM transponder that is expected to be switched on in the coming months. More details can be found at http://funcube.org.uk.

International Museums Weekends stations are on the air this weekend. More details about the event can be found at www.radio-amateur-events.org including a list of the stations registered. An award certificate can be obtained for 5 and 20 stations worked or 10 heard by a short wave listeners.

The RSGB’s IOTA programme is celebrating its 50th anniversary at a conference at Beaumont House, Windsor, on 4 to 6 July. One of the talks that is sure to be interesting is the afternoon lecture by the Russian Robinson Club. There are almost 100 guests already booked for the Saturday Gala Dinner, with overseas guests featuring prominently and 20 countries and 5 continents are represented. Anyone considering attending as a day visitor should note that pre-booked tickets from www.rsgbevents.org attract savings over those on the day.

The BBC will mark the centenary of World War One with events running from 2014-2018. This summer, as part of the season, BBC Learning will create eight large-scale inspirational Great War events that will take place throughout the UK, reflecting the dramatic impact the war had on local families and communities. The WW1 At Home Live Events will reflect on the dramatic impact the war had on families and communities, as well as helping people to explore their own relatives’ links to the war. The family-friendly events will include hands-on activities, performances and interactive sessions. People can also learn about how medicine and communications were transformed during the war, including demonstrations of how carrier pigeons were an invaluable resource for sending messages. Several amateur radio clubs are taking part in these events with special event stations or hands on Morse demonstrations for visitors. The next event is on 28 June at Woolwich Great Get Together and Armed Forces Day.

Category: GB2RS Headlines