1 reply to this topic

[StarKannon]

I need to send data wirelessly from a high altitude research probe. I am completely new to HAM radio, though I do have electronics and computer/IT experience, but some of this stuff is a bit confusing. So, can I get an idiots guide to it? I thank you guys for your help, I do look forward to getting my technicians license, but is there anything else I would need on top of that? Packet/Data transmission is rather a dead art so finding books on it has been difficult! Thanks

[Shortwave]

StarKannon, on 27 November 2009 - 09:24 PM, said:

I need to send data wirelessly from a high altitude research probe. I am completely new to HAM radio, though I do have electronics and computer/IT experience, but some of this stuff is a bit confusing. So, can I get an idiots guide to it? I thank you guys for your help, I do look forward to getting my technicians license, but is there anything else I would need on top of that? Packet/Data transmission is rather a dead art so finding books on it has been difficult! Thanks

Try having a look here: http://showcase.neti.../ARHABlinks.htm

The images failed to load on the page when I tried it, but the links to various sites seem fine.


You can still find books on packet radio on eBay.


Packet radio is not really a dead art, many folks still use it, but it might be worth looking at some of the newer data modes, especially the weak signal ones, that way you can still get good copy from your probe even at the extremes of range using very low power levels. After all, the greater the power requirement for the probe so to will be the greater the battery payload.

It may well be better to use UHF or even milimetric frequencies so as to cut down on the antenna payload/size, and allow for the use of very high gain antenna arrays for reception while still affording an easily managable size.


73, Mark.