The Synergy of Amateur Astronomy andAmateur RadioAstronomy Day, Saturday, Oct. 8, GeorgeObservatory This will be the 7th year that BVARC has had a presence at Astronomy Day atGeorge Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park (about 15 miles South of Sugar Land). We set up a working amateur radio station on the deck and present what wecall "The Synergy Of Amateur Astronomy and Amateur Radio." We have THE PRIME location onthe deck. This is usually coordinated by Kirk Kendrick (KK2Z, past Presidentof BVARC and of the Houston Astronomical Society - HAS) and myself, JohnChauvin (K5IZO, BVARC Newsletter Editor and past President of HAS). Many of you have shown up at onetime or another over the past 6 years. If the WX is good, the event usually draws around 3000 people, ofall ages from babes-in-arms to 90 year olds. The median age is probably around 30. Note, that because it is Astronomy Day, these 3000 people, bydefinition, have some scientific interests, and thus, we want to introduce Amateur Radio to them. Generally we set up around 2 - 3PM and go until 8 or 9PM. Inthe early years, using our ham radios, we were able to let the public hear theradio emissions from Jupiter. However, Jupiter is not well positionedthis year, so we are always interested in other such objects. This year, we are doing a satellite QSO demo which is usually of interest to the AmateurAstronomers and the public. Regardless, our posters promote the synergyand give many examples. Kirk and I provide all the equipment; we needyour smiling, knowledgeable faces there for at least a few hours. It isreally a hoot, especially with young people there, and especially if there is aBoy/Girl Scout presence in the park that weekend. Would you be willing to participate this year even if for just afew hours? E-mail me ([email protected] call me (281-216-4158). Even if you don't know your availability until the last minute, just show up between about 3 and 8. Its a good thing, it is fun and it iseducational! Tnx es 73de John, K5IZO
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