Click here to see the Space Shuttle status
Project:
The retransmission of live NASA Space Shuttle mission audio for South Eastern Michigan area amateur radio operators on 145.53 MHz FM.
Designers:
N8UDK / N8QPJ
Description:
To promote Amateur Radio (and the space program) we have constructed a self contained, battery backed up, Space Shuttle audio retransmission system. Space Shuttle missions from takeoff to landing are now retransmitted in their entirety on 145.53 MHz FM simplex. If you live in South Eastern Michigan area tune in!
Some Technical Information:
The 15 story repeater building is located on 14 Mile Road between Main Street and Crooks (Lat. N 42 31 59, Lon. W 83 09 05) in Clawson Michigan. The 2 meter transmitter is an Alinco DR-1200. The control radio is a 1.2 GHz Kenwood TM-541A. The Shuttle video/audio is received via satellite from the Dish Network (110 degrees). The Alinco radio outputs 25 watts into a DCI bandpass filter. The signal travels through 70' of flexi 9913 coax feed line into a Diamond U-5000 triband antenna. The 2 meter gain is 4.5 db. It is at ~160 feet above ground level. The controller is commanded via DTMF commands on a 1.2 GHz FM channel. The station mixes a CW ID message every 5 minutes and plays a 15 second DVR (digital voice recorder) message every half an hour. The DVR message gives information on how to contact me Chris (N8UDK) or Jeff (N8QPJ). The CW ID is followed by the cabinet temperature in CW.
If you can receive a good signal on 2 meters the NASA shuttle mission is also retransmitted through our ATV repeater (video and audio). If you are interested in receiving the signal contact us for more information.
Conclusion:
It sure was fun building this system! I really enjoy listening to the live NASA Space Shuttle mission coverage at work and in the car. I hope others will too. Please tell everyone who might be interested to tune in. If you could give it a plug at your club meeting I'd appreciate it. Please drop me an email or give me a call on 144.34 MHz simplex with any thoughts, comments, and questions you may have. General system status is also updated on the Sunday night (145.33) at 8:00 PM.
- Chris Oesterling N8UDK
"The Clawson Manor" is location of the N8UDK shuttle mission retransmissions.
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