{"id":49885,"date":"2026-08-19T12:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/?p=49885"},"modified":"2026-09-08T13:17:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:17:23","slug":"7-september-adapting-to-orbit-radio-amateurs-and-the-future-of-satellite-communication-by-patrick-wood-2e0ifb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/blog\/tonight-at-eight-archive\/2026\/08\/19\/7-september-adapting-to-orbit-radio-amateurs-and-the-future-of-satellite-communication-by-patrick-wood-2e0ifb\/","title":{"rendered":"7 September – Adapting to orbit: radio amateurs and the future of satellite communication by Patrick Wood, 2E0IFB"},"content":{"rendered":"

The presentation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
This webinar briefly traces amateur radio satellite communication<\/strong><\/a> from the early OSCAR missions to today\u2019s CubeSats, with a practical example of a FUNcube-1 telemetry ground station, building satellite trackers and antenna rotators. It looks ahead to future FUNcube developments, FUNcube+ and missions such as Jovian-1, whilst also considering how radio amateurs are now using geostationary satellites like QO-100. Alongside the growing importance of satellite communication in everyday life, the talk asks how radio amateurs can adapt their skills and equipment for a rapidly changing communications world.<\/div>\n

<\/h3>\n

About the presenter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Patrick Wood BEng CEng FIET FRAeS\u00a0retired in 2025 after a 38-year career in the aerospace, defence, and space sectors, with over 30 years dedicated to the space sector. He has worked in some of the most iconic space companies in the UK and Europe, including CEO of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, SVP and GM Space Systems UK at Airbus Defence and Space with roles in programmes, engineering and AIT, and as the UK Head of Space at Lockheed Martin Space.<\/p>\n

His most notable role was leading the UK Skynet 5 MilSatCom programme, overseeing the delivery in orbit of the first three satellites of the four-satellite GEO constellation, and being responsible for the prime system, space, and ground infrastructure deliveries..<\/p>\n

Patrick is a keen radio amateur and operates as 2E0IFB. He is a member of the RSGB Board of Directors<\/strong><\/a> and a member of AMSAT-UK<\/strong><\/a>. He is a Fellow of both the IET and RAeS and a Fellow of the UKSpace Trade Association. Additionally, he is a regular volunteer steward at Bletchley Park<\/strong><\/a> and a volunteer at the RSGB National Radio Centre<\/strong><\/a>, also based at Bletchley Park.<\/p>\n

Watch live<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tonight@8<\/em>\u00a0webinars are live-streamed on our\u00a0YouTube channel<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0special BATC channel<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online.<\/p>\n

Find out more<\/strong><\/h3>\n