SA-AMSAT starts building prototype for ZASAT

SA AMSAT has started building the first prototype of its payload on the second South African Satellite code named ZASAT.

ZASAT is a project initiated and funded by the Department of Science and Technology. The department recently launched a competition to find a suitable name for the satellite but until a name is chosen the project designation is ZASAT. To find out more about the naming competition visit www.amateurradio.org.za/youth.htm.

The Amateur Radio Payload is operating in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch Software Defined Receiver project, as it will share the VHF receiver and UHF transmitter used by the SDR project.

SA AMSAT has designed and will build a control system to facilitate the following operations:
V/U voice transponder with an uplink in the 2 metre band and a downlink in the 70 cm band;
A parrot repeater (voice digipeater);
A voice beacon.

Various other payload options were considered but due to limited real estate, available power and the short time frame, the above configuration was decided on. Visit www.amsatsa.org.za for more information and regular updates.

Source: The South African Radio League

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