Historic QSO

On 14th November, the next launch of the space shuttle
Endeavour is scheduled to take place.

This is almost 25 years to the day after a famous QSO took place between the Irish Radio Transmitters Society's headquarters station and Owen Garriot W5LFL aboard the space shuttle Columbia. This was the first amateur radio operation from space. Mike Staunton EI3DY was at the microphone at EI0RTS when contact was made on two-metres.

The station was set up especially for the occasion at the RTE museum, then located in Rathmines. Unfortunately, the Columbia disintegrated on re-entry to earth's atmosphere in
February 2003 killing all seven aboard.

Two events took place recently which brought to mind that famous QSO in 1983. Own Garriot's son Richard was recently a fare-paying space tourist when he spent 12 days aboard the International Space Station.

However, on 25th October members of SDR, including Mike (EI3DY) paid a visit to EI0MAR at the vintage radio museum in Howth which has a recording of that famous EI0RTS QSO with the Shuttle from 1983. Tony, EI5EM played the recording to the gathering, following which, Mike received a spontaneous round of applause.

Tony now has that recording on YouTube, which can be viewed below. The museum in Howth has now reverted to winter opening hours 11-4 on Saturdays and Sundays.
If any groups or clubs would like to visit the museum they can email tony@ei0mar.org or through the museum's web page www.ei0mar.org.

Source: IRTS