Satellite Operations
Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR) Station
Waterways Heritage Festival 2017
For years our club has wanted an Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR) station. Our dream came through in February 2013 thanks to a grant from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The grant provided the funds necessary to purchase equipment. The rest came from a lot of sweat, toil, and engineering ingenuity from club members and our youth from the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology (CCST), now known as the Chesapeake Career Center, Amateur Radio Club. Today the club boasts of a mobile OSCAR station comprised of a
- Kenwood TS-2000
- Yaesu GS-232B Rotors and Controller
- HP Laptop Computer
- 8-Foot trailer with a tilting tower
- 2 Meter and 70cm antennas
- Cables
"And it is not just for K4AMG". Read on.
Operations at Great Bridge High School with Lucas, KM4KSO
The club recognizes the desire of fellow amateur radio enthusiasts to make satellite contacts but due to the cost of an OSCAR station, often forgo getting into this aspect of amateur radio. K4AMG to the rescue. K4AMG makes the use of the mobile OSCAR station available to amateur radio clubs in the Tidewater area. Clubs requesting use of the station need to contact the K4AMG club and undergo an orientation session in the operation of the station.
Handheld Satellite Operations
Jonathan, KM4KSP working the handheld satellite station.
It does not take a HUGH amount of money to be able to use the Amateur Radio Satellite network. For less than $200, you can make a handheld satellite station. The club is currently using one with the Great Bridge High School Amateur Radio Club, W4GBH. The station consist of
- Two Baofeng UV-5R VHF/UHF Handheld transceivers
- Arrow II Satellite Antenna
- Cables
- Compass