Page 31 - EngineerIT May 2022

AMATEUR RADIO

Why is amateur radio Beating the solar cycles
Amateur radio is unlike everything

unlike everything else? else because of its innovative nature.
This proved itself again over the past
five years when new digital modes
were developed that facilitated
communication over long distances
By Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV at very low power levels. One such
digital system is FT8, part of a suite of
low signal communication software
mateur radio is unlike everything developed by Nobel Laurate Joe Taylor
else, not because famous people K1JT, and expanded by a team of radio
Alike Maxwell, Hertz, Marconi and amateurs.
many other early wireless communication FT8 is a digital protocol, designed
experimenters were radio amateurs in for rapid and accurate communication
the true sense of the word, but because between amateur radio stations,
it was a pastime experience. From those particularly in weak signal conditions.
unpretentious early beginnings, it has grown Information exchanged in a minimal
in stature and complexity, yet has remained two-station contact typically
relevant in modern times and accessible to consists of call signs, four-character
people of all ages, young and old. Maidenhead locators, signal reports,
The Covid-19 pandemic, the endless and acknowledgments. FT8 uses
periods of lockdown, restriction of time-synchronised transmissions and
movement and limited or no association structured messages with lossless
with other people was a trying time. Many Author with the AMSAT SA dual band compression of standard call signs, grid
people were at a loss as to how to keep satellite antenna and handheld radio locators, and other basic information
themselves busy and look for other ways into a minimum number of bits. Strong
to remain in touch. Radio amateurs were of 11 years and as it happens, the solar forward error correction (FEC) is an
in the unique position of being able to turn minimum occurred when the pandemic integral part of the mode. FT8 uses
on their radios and talk to others, be it was at its height. Currently, the new cycle, a low-density parity check (LDPC)
on a simple hand radio to people around cycle 25, is gaining momentum, with HF block code, designed and optimised
the corner, or with more sophisticated communication across the world being specifically for this application.
radios and antennas to people across many possible most of the time. While this type of communication
borders. Many radio amateurs have turned may not appeal to everyone, for many
Over the past two years, there to satellite communications. There are it provides that challenge at the current
was the revolution of being connected several low earth orbit amateur radio edge of amateur radio communication
to the internet and the world wide satellites that can be accessed with small, and the vision that it is actually the
web, facilitating working from home hand-held radios and a simple handheld beginning of a new era in technology
and having conversations on video beam antenna. Communication with with endless creativity and exploration
platforms. In the amateur radio world, these satellites is limited to cross-country, in the wings.
many local radio repeater stations although some inspiring radio amateurs That is why amateur radio is
are interconnected via the internet challenged the edge of technology by unlike everything else. For some it is
(Echolink), making it possible to have carefully studying satellite orbits to a hobby, for others a techno pastime
a conversation, in amateur radio determine when one of the satellites was in and for others, yet a new world of
terminology a QSO, with another person between South Africa and South America, experimentation, self-education and
walking with a handheld radio in Central with a one minute mutual visibility window - enrichment. For countries, it is a
Park in New York or on his berry farm in and attempting to make contact. contribution to their intellectual capital.
in Oregon, USA, or walking the streets of For the past few years, radio amateurs In the centre of all this are radio clubs,
London. in Europe, Africa and the Middle East have national amateur radio societies such
Amateur radio is unlike anything had access to a geo-stationary satellite, as the South African Radio League in
else because of the solutions it offers to Oscar Qatar 100, which provides 24/7 South Africa and internationally, the
technological challenges. For the past communication opportunities, from International Amateur Radio Union.
few years, the Sunspot cycle has been voice, digital to amateur television. The
at its lowest ebb, making conventional equipment required is more complex but Is it not time for you to learn more about
radio communication on HF frequencies with a bit of ingenuity, various inexpensive amateur radio? Visit www.sarl.org.za,
difficult and on many days, impossible. modules and a home TV dish, a station www.amsatsa.org.za and
The solar sunspot cycle follows a period could be assembled at a relatively low cost. www.iaru-r1.org to become involved. n

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