Dear friends,

This morning I have uploaded a new High Definition (HD) video: http://www.vimeo.com/4911267

COMPASS-1 is the first CubeSat of the Aachen University in Germany. It is a 10x10x10 cm cubic satellite with a mass of less than 1 kg.

Daily download of satellite data is delegated to a team of radio amateurs around the world. (btw I am not one of the active members, only just a back-up station)

In this video it is demonstrated how satellite data (telemetry) is downloaded using 1k2 AFSK modulation.

Maybe this video can make others also enthousiastic to start looking into Compass-1 or other Cubesat programs running today. If so; take a look here for some commands: http://www.raumfahrt.fh-aachen.de/news.htm

To me it shows Amateur Radio is very exiting, and satellite operations are way cool ! Yes, these Cubesats are no replacement for HEO's, but they do challenge me (just getting your station non-stop, fully automated running sounds easier as it is)... and HAM radio is all about challenges and experiments, that's what makes it fun and keeps it interesting for me !

To play the movie full-screen, click on the right bottom button in the player. Also there is a HD button, ensure it is showing "HD is on".

Henk, PA3GUO