Episode XV: A New Home

Hello there, my friends, and welcome to our new website! The blog at LiveJournal was okay, but it didn't offer me the kind of flexibility that I want. There's a lot of big things to come for this site in the next few months. My little sister Melissa came up to me and asked if she could design the layout of the site, and I was more than happy to pass it off to her. All the writing and stuff, that's still mine. But the overall design is hers. It's pretty nice, eh?

So, being that this is a brand new site, there are probably a few little kinks that need to be worked out. Maybe there's some links that don't go anywhere, or there's missing pictures? If you find anything like that, email me and let me know.

First of all, go and check the Links section out. There's a lot of pretty awesome Humber and NASA websites there. Humber College has a lot of really awesome reporters and journalists working for the various media outlets, so I strongly suggest checking them out. Both the Humber Daily Planetand Humber Life have released articles regarding our project so far, and as soon as I get permission from the appropriate people, I will either link to them or re-post them here. Honestly, though, check out some of the other stuff in our Links section. You won't be disappointed!

Second, there's still a little more work to do. The Bio section, for instance, isn't up yet.

Last, on a more personal note, I would like to dedicate this website to the memory of my grandfather, who passed away in March after a long battle with cancer. I always wanted him to be proud of me, and this project will be my way of paying tribute to him. Ti amo, Nonno.

Episode XIV: Taking it to the Streets

Now that we have been given the official go-ahead for NASA, the time has come to start getting the word out to everybody about our project. Today, we put on a small presentation for Humber's media outlets. Representitives from Humber's marketing department, Humber Life, Humber Et Cetra, and the Humber Student Federation came and joined us in Screening Room B for out presentation this afternoon. In a nutshell, we explained all the work we've done so far, and how we would like some media coverage. Following the presentation, we had a Q&A session where everyone could ask us questions about the project, and then a tour and photo shoot on top of the N building.

Personally, I am so excited that we've come as far as we have so far. As we explained during our presentation, it hasn't come easy at all. As a team, we've had our fair share of obstacles. The important thing, though, is that we always manage to overcome them. We may not always agree on everything, but we respect each other enough to know that we all have vaild opinions.

I have a few surprised planned for this blog, which I plan to roll out in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled for some big changes, and expect to see a lot more of us around!

Episode XIII: Acceptance

"Good evening Gino.

Sorry for the delay but I am happy to report that your application has been approved and has been placed in queue waiting for a time slot for the contact.

You will be contacted a couple of months in advance and a mentor will be assigned to you to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Good luck.

73,
Daniel, VE2KA.
ARISS Canada team member."

Episode XII: I'm starting to run out of Star Wars-inspired titles

We're back! Finally, some action around here.

A few days ago, Paul recieved the azimuth/elevation rotor for our primary station. For the first time since the end of last semester, our group met up at the school yesterday evening to install it. It was really great to see everyone, and to finally make some progress on Operation: First Contact.

For the purposes of this project, we did a lot of research into what components we should incorporate into our radio station. Ultimately, we decided on using the Yaesu G-5500 rotor based on it's price, ease of use, and reliability.

The unit itself was fairly easy to assemble, and phyisically integrated well with our antenna and stand. Our next step with the rotor is going to be connecting the unit itself to a controller box, and testing how it will work with our setup. Paul and I are going to go look for all the cables we need this weekend, and with any luck, we'll be testing the rotor sometime next week.

Episode XI: Construction Begins

Finally! It looks like we're all more or less finished with school for the semester! For most of us, that means one of two things:

(1) You've gone back home to mom and dad for a summer of lazing around, or
(2) You have to spend your summer working full time in a hot, sweaty factory.

Unfortunately, I fit into the second category. So I'm sure you'll understand why this entry is a few days late.

Last Friday, our team made the first real significant advance in the project. Armed with tape measures and screwdrivers, we built the antenna for our primary station! And what a beautiful antenna it is! Fourteen feet long, 10 dB of gain, with circular polarization. It was a beast of an antenna to assemble, but well worth it. We assembled it in room N214, and ended up having to take it up to the roof in three sections.

When all was said and done, it took about seven hours to assemble the antenna, clean the junk off the roof of the N building, take up our antenna, and mount the antenna stand to a pair of four by fours. And those bags? Thirty kilograms each. That antenna's not going anywhere. By the end of it, we were all filthy and smelly, but it was an awesome experience. 

In the middle, in the blue hat, is Mr. Kelly Gray. Many thanks to him for his help!