Radio tech students ‘over the moon’

February 5, 2009 by Arvadmin

Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning in Toronto Canada named their International Space Station contact ‘Operation First Contact’ - and it was indeed something very special.

Four of the college’s radio technology students as a class project set about building a station including a steerable circular polarised 10dB gain antenna.

Professor Mark Rector was sceptical at first when they proposed the project as a practical way of applying their knowledge and skills.

They pulled it off on 2 February with a contact talking to Astronaut Sandra Magnus asking a range of questions.

One of the students, 34-year old Gino Cunti VA3JUV, put out the call to NA1SS, initially getting static, then loud and clear Astronaut Sandra Magnus replied.

A video of the event shows them getting very animated with delight and one student was overcome with tears.

Professor Rector described it as the highlight of his teaching career. The accomplishment has been honoured by Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame – a great addition to the student’s curriculum vitaes.