Tracking comms to/from Artemis II

If you're interested in the details of which site handles communications to and from the Artemis II, currently en route to the moon, here is a site providing some of that info in real-time.

To see the data specific to Artemis II:

1. Identify the antenna. The ones currently talking to the spacecraft will have wavy lines emanating from them. This info updates every 5 seconds. Select the antenna labeled " ART2". 

2. Click on "+ more detail" to see info on uplink and downlink frequencies, data speeds and receive signal levels, etc.

On Monday, Artemis II will pass behind the moon and there will be a 41-minute radio blackout. Once the space craft emerges, its telemetry will be re-acquired by DSS 43 in Canberra Australia.

Also, soon after Artemis II re-emerges from behind the moon, it will attempt to send 4k video of the lunar surface via a laser operating on 193 THz (1550nm) at 260 Mbps.

Here are the telescopes used to send/receive laser comms: 

 

This data can only be received at facilities in White Sands (NM) or the Table Mountain Facility in CA, chosen due to their cloud-free (usually!) skies.

.

. 

Celebs discuss ham radio

As we know, there are a number of celebrities/politicians who are or have been ham radio operators: Barry Goldwater, Joe Walsh, King Hussain and many others.

Not so commonly known is that many non-ham celebrities know enough about the hobby to have opinions on it.

Here are a few:

 

.

. 

Yu's upcoming rig in its prototype case

6-80 meters, 50 watts SSB/CW, 20 watts on digital modes.

No projected release date or price yet.

Images of Yu holding it give a better perspective of the radio's small size than if it were simply on a tabletop. 

.

 .

 More photos:

5-band QMX on this morning's 5-band POTA activation

The little QMX has come a long way since it was first released as a CW/digital transceiver, and I don't just mean the addition of SSB.

Far more significant to me are the very recent firmware updates that corrected two major shortcomings with the radio:

Strict DC input voltage limitations and

Common failure of the final BS170's during high SWR at full power.

These two issues prevented the QMX (and QMX+) from being a serious consideration for outdoor ops who don't use resonant antennas and don't want to take along a buck converter, LiPo battery or place "dropping diodes" in series with the DC source.

Those are a lot of things to contend with if you want to just set up and be on the air with minimal fuss.

They are no real issue at all though, if you don't mind taking the time to accommodate the radio rather than have the radio accommodate you.

Sometimes I like to savor the steps necessary to put a station on the air and don't mind taking extra time (and steps) to enjoy the process.

But for a roadtrip like the one I have planned, I want a minimal to-do list and a quick set up time - and I'm happy to say that the QMX/QMX+ now support this.

This morning's was my first activation with the 15-40m QMX. Hans built this one for me and expedited it to me a few months ago as I was trying to get permission to operate in Vietnam and Thailand. Thailand said 'Yes" but Vietnam said "No, don't even bring a radio here". So I had to leave the radio at home since VN was our first stop.

Now, with a different type of trip on the horizon, the little QMX again has become the front runner of the 4 radios I'm considering. 

Video: 3Y0K equipment transfer begins

It's impossible to watch this video and not be impressed by the operations currently underway in the South Atlantic. 

Chun (@satofishi) is onboard the Argus and is a "field chronicler" for the 3Y0K Bouvet DXpedition. He created the following video.

He provides frequent real-time updates via his X account (@satofishi), sharing photos of the voyage, sea conditions, and the loading of critical gear like helicopters and containers.

“I woke up this morning at 09:40, just in time for the helicopter practice. In the afternoon, when the weather improved, we began flying supplies and personnel onshore. The first test flight took off at 17:02, and we continued with two more passengers and three more cargo round trips until 19:05. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get on the helicopter before sunset.

We will continue transporting the remaining supplies and personnel to the island tomorrow. Hoping the weather will be good.” 

Here is a video Chun posted today documenting the quite impressive preparations being made to put Bouvet on the air:

 

.

.