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HomeWorkshop: Radio Astronomy & Satellites

Radio Astronomy & Satellites 2026
(Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/satellites)

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RADIO ASTRONOMY & SATELLITES - Applications for 2026 will be accepted after the orientation sessions this November 2025.

This is a new workshop under development. It will be taught by Worcester PolyTech (WPI) student Rye Hogan and several staff from NESciTech.  Students must maintain a NEST membership during the program in order to take the workshop for a one-time lab fee of $55. Students who can't commit to the full workshop will be allowed to attend individual sessions to learn about some of these topics.

A specialized activity for students who are members of NEST, we offer a hands-on introduction to digital radio, satellite communication and radio astronomy. Using Software Defined Radio (SDR), you'll explore the RF spectrum, and capture real signals from aircraft, satellites, and the galaxy. We'll start with the fundamentals, but go on to explore the deeper relationships between these topics.

In the course, you'll design and build three (or more) working antennas (a dipole, helical, and horn antenna), use them to track airplanes in real time, receive images and data from space, and capture the 21cm hydrogen line emitted by our galaxy. You'll learn how scientists and engineers use radio waves every day for exploration and communication. If you've ever wanted an introduction to the world of digital radio, antenna design, satellite communication, or radio astronomy, this course will be a great place to start.
 
After the project ends, students will be encouraged to evaluate their data and give a report at a radio conference in Marlborough in August. Students will be expected to achieve an FCC Amateur Radio License (beginner level) during this program.

This program is limited to 10 students. Students will be expected to work with others in teams.  Attending one of the info sessions is required for joining the Radio Astronomy & Satellites team.

2025-26 SESSIONS

 
Radio Astronomy & Satellites
REGISTER HERE 
(Must maintain membership for program duration)

ALSO: Student Permissions Form

Meetings are Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 AM from mid-Nov to mid-May.

Parents are encouraged to join their students in workshops.

We ask that students as a team present their projects and findings at the HamXposition on August 15.


Before taking the class, students should have had some experience in basic electronics, or have an Amateur Radio Technician license, or be currently enrolled in an amateur radio course.

Students who cannot commit to the entire course will be allowed to join certain Saturday sessions to learn about these fascinating topics. 

2025-26 SATURDAY MEETINGS, 9:30-11:30 am

(First 30 minutes is the lesson; 90 minutes is design/build session)

Oct 25, Nov 1, Nov 8 – You must attend one required Info Session to participate.
Nov 15 – #1, Intro to radio waves and ADS-B, build antenna, receive signals from aircraft.
Nov 22 – #2, Doppler effect, antenna tuning, introduce monopole antennas.
Nov 29 – no meeting, Thanksgiving break
Dec 6 – #3, ADS-B feeder and aggregator software, introduction to ship and rail car signals.
Dec 13 – #4, Helical antennas, and helical antenna build.
Dec 20 – #5, Filtering and amplification
Dec 27 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Jan 3 – #6, Satellite orbits, and azimuth and elevation, Doppler effect part II.
Jan 10 – #7, Signal polarization.
Jan 17 – no meeting, Winter break
Jan 24 – #8, Antenna pointing software (NEST ground station). 
Jan 31 – #9, Weather satellite and ISS (International Space Station) data.
Feb 7 – #10, Open source satellite projects.
Feb 14 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Feb 21 – no meeting, School vacation week
Feb 28 – #11, Hydrogen line physics, horn antenna design and build. 
Mar 7 – #12, Hyperfine structure and applications in radio. 
Mar 14 – #13, Signals from Supernova Remnants.
Mar 21 – #14, Stellarium and planning long-term observations, WebSDR, real world antennas and research 
Mar 28 – #15, Signals from black holes and pulsars, Synchrotron and Cyclotron Radiation 
Apr 4 – #16, Signals from the sun.

Apr 11 – #17, Signals from Jupiter and Saturn, Interferometry. 
Apr 18 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
Apr 25 – no meeting, School vacation week
May 2 – #18, Final data analysis. Begin work on HamX powerpoint.
May 9 – #19, Work on HamX powerpoint.
May 16 – #20, Final required meeting. Prep for HamXposition.

May 23 – no meeting, Holiday weekend
May 30 – Optional #21, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 6 – Optional #22, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 13 – Optional #23, work on radio license and HamX presentations.
June 20 – no meeting, Juneteenth holiday weekend
June 27 – Optional #24, ARRL Radio Field Day, radio activities all day.
July 4 to Aug 15 – No meetings
Aug 15 – Northeast HamXposition, Youth Day. Presentations for Radio Astronomy & Satellites

Using a homemade antenna and a digitizer dongle, Jonathan demonstrates how Software Defined Radio (SDR) works. He is downloading image data directly from a weather satellite over New England.


New England Sci-Tech is grateful to ARDC for a grant that allows us to offer this workshop for almost no cost to students, to purchase the hardware that students can build and keep, and to pay for the students' admissions and meals at the Amateur Radio Convention in August.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These dates are subject to change. On alternate and holiday weekend dates when the workshop does not meet, students are welcome to attend other clubs, such as rocketry, robotics, or battlin' bots, or to continue working on projects.

 

Because of traffic conditions and for your convenience, you are welcome to drop off and pick up for up to 30 minutes on each side of class time. Members may stay through the day during member open time.

 

If a class cannot meet in person because of severe weather, we may switch to online classes via Zoom.

 

*NOTE: Students must be a current member of New England Sci-Tech as a "Teen" or "Family" membership level. Having a club membership alone (radio or rocketry club) or supporting membership does not qualify a student for general NEST activities and programs like this.  Membership must run from at least November through April for class participation.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.


In addition to registering for this workshop, please fill out the Workshop Student Permissions Form.