The April edition of Practical Wireless magazine has a special treat for all satellite enthusiasts and VHF/UHF listeners - a two page article on the AMSAT-UK FUNcube Dongle radio
The FUNcube Dongle (FCD) Software Defined Radio (SDR) was developed as part of the AMSAT-UK FUNcube satellite project.
It plugs into the USB port of your PC and although little bigger than a memory stick covers the range 64 - 1700MHz (Note: external antenna required). The FCD costs about £125 and a proportion of the price goes to support AMSAT-UK's FUNcube satellite. So far over 500 have been sold around the world.
David Dix G8LZE bought his FCD in January from the second batch to be produced. He must have been quick off the mark as they all sold out in under a minute of going on sale!
Since then David has been putting the FCD through its paces. His well written PW article gives an overview of CubeSats and describes the results he obtained with his 1/4 wave 70cm Ground Plane antenna and the free WRplus software.
As usual PW is packed full of first class radio articles. In this issue Data Modes columist Mike Richards G4WNC deals with ALE, while Chris Lorek G4HCL, in his Emerging Technology column, shows how once again Amateur Radio work is proving its valuable worth to the emerging future of radio communications.
Practical Wireless magazine is on sale now from UK High Street newsagents such as W.H.Smith.
Postal copies can be purchased using a Debit or Credit card by ringing +44 (0)1202 659910 Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 4.00pm.
Yearly subscriptions to PW are available from http://www.mysubcare.com/magazinestore.asp?curpage=3
PW Publishing http://www.pwpublishing.ltd.uk/
Free WRplus SDR Software by Alberto di Bene I2PHD http://www.wrplus.altervista.org/
You can join the FUNcube Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube/
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73 Trevor M5AKA