The FUNcube-1 is a new amateur radio satellite that aims to get youngsters into radio, space, physics and electronics. It’s a tiny cubesat measuring just 10 x 10 x 10cm, and it was launched today from Russia as part of a payload onboard a former Cold-war ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile). It’s a project developed by AMSAT-UK, the UK’s amateur radio satellite group.
The first signal from the satellite was received at 07:37GMT today (21 November 2013) from a station in South Africa, and the first pass over the UK was just before 09:00GMT, although this was very low on the horizon and I wasn’t able to receive it here in Essex.
However, the second UK pass was very clear in Essex. At 10:28GMT, I successfully heard the FUNcube-1 from my rooftop co-linear antenna here in Southend. It was a good strong signal, although it was only audible for a couple of minutes before the signal faded away.
The FUNcube-1 transmits on 145.935MHz USB and sends short bursts of packet data. By installing the software developed by the AMSAT-UK team, it’s possible to decode the packet data from the satellite and upload it automatically to the team at AMSAT-UK. I was able to capture and decode 8 packets of data, and here’s a screen capture of the first I received.
In the packet was data to confirm I’d received a genuine signal, plus temperature and voltage information from this little orbiting cube.
The data is collated at the AMSAT-UK FUNcube data warehouse, and the online ranking stats show that less than a dozen UK amateurs were able to capture, decode and upload data from FUNcube-1… and I was one of them! As of 10:30, the top UK stations to have uploaded data were (in order): G3VZV, G0MJW, GM8OTI, G4BBH, M6GTG and M0PSX
Here is an MP3 file of the pass captured in Southend today: FUNcube-1 1028GMT 21 Nov (mp3 file)
How to receive FUNcube-1
If you want to try to decode signals from the FUNcube-1, you’ll need a VHF SSB receiver tuned to 145.935MHZ USB, with the audio fed into your PC’s soundcard. A standard external 2m antenna should be able to receive the signal. You can also get hold of the FUNcube Dongle, which plugs into your PC’s USB port and when connected to an antenna, will be able to tune to the required frequency. You’ll also need the free application running on your PC to convert the audio data signal. The signal will only be audible for a short time in each pass (every 90 minutes just a few times a day). For more details on how to receive it, go to funcube.org.uk
Well done to the AMSAT-UK team for their hard work in getting the satellite launched and operational. Their team has been at the National Radio Centre in Bletchley Park all through the night, and there was much rejoicing when the first signal was received. With help from the BATC (British Amateur Television Club), a live stream has been in operation, and I captured this shot of the team at the NRC just after the first UK pass:
The Funcube-1 is going to be used to help with various amateur radio education activities, and we wish this plucky little cube good luck and long life!
Pete M0PSX
