This is amazing! I have a background in physics and electronics, but I have never been involved in amateur radio. However, I would love to and would like to ask if one could point me to resources for delving into it? When it comes to math and e.g. electrodynamics and practical filters, I wouldn't need an introduction. Thanks!
Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
21–30 of 62 posts
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#22> designed by radio amateur and Nobel prize winning astrophysicist Joe Taylor He doesn't sound like an amateur at all
I am not a native speaker, but it is my understanding that amateur has 2 definitions: 1) unpaid, 2) incompetent or inept. The Camras team is maintaining and operating the telescope on their own time. The members have dayjobs like programmers and scientists, or are retired professionals. So I'll go with the first definition.
unpaid as in never having done something as a paid profession. A professional software developer who retires and programs as a hobby is not suddenly an amateur developer.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#23How do pixels work in radio astronomy? Does the antenna only capture one pixel every time the "shutter" is opened and then move to the next position?
The same way pixels for on your phone camera. The only difference is the file/data is transmitted over a different transport.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#24> designed by radio amateur and Nobel prize winning astrophysicist Joe Taylor He doesn't sound like an amateur at all
The word amateur has two different meanings in English.
"1. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis"
"2. a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity"
Here we refer to the first definition. The English word amateur comes from French "lover of". Someone who does things just because they like it, not because they get paid to do it.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#25This is amazing! I have a background in physics and electronics, but I have never been involved in amateur radio. However, I would love to and would like to ask if one could point me to resources for delving into it? When it comes to math and e.g. electrodynamics and practical filters, I wouldn't need an introduction. Thanks!
Getting a license is your first step if you want to transmit. If you are in the US, the ARRL produces the training material for the various tests. There are free apps that go over the test questions but I like having a little more context to the answers.
With your background you'd probably need to devote time mostly to learning the rules and regulations. You can take all 3 tests in one sitting for a $15 fee and be done with it. Each test gets you more privileges (power, frequencies).
Even without a license you can receive with a cheap SDR and home brew antenna. This blog has many examples of that: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/
Finally, you may want to find a local club. Usually visiting during a "contest" will enable you to get on the air. In the US you don't need a license to use the radio if you are with a properly licensed operator.
Hope you find the hobby as fun as I have.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not a native speaker, but it is my understanding that amateur has 2 definitions: 1) unpaid, 2) incompetent or inept. The Camras team is maintaining and operating the telescope on their own time. The members have dayjobs like programmers and scientists, or are retired professionals. So I'll go with the first definition.
unpaid as in never having done something as a paid profession. A professional software developer who retires and programs as a hobby is not suddenly an amateur developer.
So a professional football player who after his career joins an amateur team for recreational football should not be regarded as an amateur?
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not a native speaker, but it is my understanding that amateur has 2 definitions: 1) unpaid, 2) incompetent or inept. The Camras team is maintaining and operating the telescope on their own time. The members have dayjobs like programmers and scientists, or are retired professionals. So I'll go with the first definition.
unpaid as in never having done something as a paid profession. A professional software developer who retires and programs as a hobby is not suddenly an amateur developer.
I don't think there's a definition like that anywhere. Only if you define 'amateur' as some who doesn't really know the trade. We should remember that 'amateur' actually means "lover of", i.e. that an amateur is simply someone doing it because they love to (as opposed to "just" because they're paid to do it). It doesn't say anything about the level.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#28> designed by radio amateur and Nobel prize winning astrophysicist Joe Taylor He doesn't sound like an amateur at all
Not sure if this was a joke or serious, but 'amateur radio' refers basically to people who are into HAM radio. It doesn't necessarily preclude them from also working with radio professionally.
I recently learn, and therefore want to tell everyone, the ham in Ham radio isn’t an acronym.
It means ham as in ham fisted, as in amateurish or unskilled.
See the Wikipedia entry for more info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not sure if this was a joke or serious, but 'amateur radio' refers basically to people who are into HAM radio. It doesn't necessarily preclude them from also working with radio professionally.
I recently learn, and therefore want to tell everyone , the ham in Ham radio isn’t an acronym. It means ham as in ham fisted , as in amateurish or unskilled . See the Wikipedia entry for more info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
As per the linked wikipedia article.. it used to mean that (as a pejorative term coming from professional wired telegraphy in the 19th century). From the article ".. by the mid-20th century it had lost its pejorative meaning." But yes, it's not an acronym.
Re: Dutch radio amateurs image far side of the Moon using Chinese satellite data
#30> designed by radio amateur and Nobel prize winning astrophysicist Joe Taylor He doesn't sound like an amateur at all
We need to start using the term "amateur" in it's original sense to mean "for the love of". This is why people call themselves amateur astronomers, say, not because they failed astronomy class but because they love their hobby of astronomy.