The first amateur satellite (OSCAR-1) was launched on December the 12th 1961. OSCAR while a nice name, does actually have a meaning, Orbital Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio, and there has been more than 70 to date. Next weekend (15th/16th) is JOTA weekend.

The Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) is an annual event in which about 500,000 Scouts and Guides all over the world make contacts with each other by means of amateur radio. It is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, thus contributing to the world brotherhood of Scouting.

Members of South Eastern Amateur Radio Group and Tipperary Amateur Radio Group will be helping out in Waterford helping scouts to get “On the Air”.

Especially for this event, AO-51 will be configured in the Dual FM repeater mode. This will provide two independent FM repeaters (separate uplink and downlink frequencies) for use over the weekend. Both repeaters will be for use by the JOTA activity. This mode will run Monday through Friday before the event to allow amateur satellite stations to familiarise and test this mode. It is planned to operate a portable satellite station on the 15th.

See you on the bird!