Tracking satellites and learning radio frequency
When I was a small child, I took the lid off a shoe box and jammed the antenna from a radio straight through the middle. I climbed to the top of a tree and waved it around to see if the radio’s reception would improve. I had no idea how things worked, but I was a curious kid.
Fast forward thirty-something years. I’m constantly amazed by things and at how happy I become when I’m left in peace to tinker with stuff.
I’ve been interested in amateur radio for a long time now, a possible side-effect from growing up next to one of the UK’s largest airports. Nothing gives me a greater sense of achievement than when I’m able to successfully track a passing satellite! Maximum nerd.
The short window of opportunity in which to tune in and decode signals that most people spend their lives being blissfully unaware of, really excites me.
It’s a lot of fun and fills me with awe to know that the heart of an ancient satellite which was launched when your parents were little is still beating.
Some of these satellites were first launched many decades ago in an almost unrecognizable world. They’re powered by primitive technology but it still seems to work, and nobody seems to be making an effort to stop them. Today that technology might be better suited to a museum.
They pass overhead each day, hurtling through space while being constantly recharged under the sun’s rays broadcasting valuable information disguised as their haunting signature sound. My unusual skill set came in quite useful when I was living on a remote beach in North Carolina.
Occasionally the key to the SUV would go missing, only to turn up at a later date (and after much searching) buried in the sand outside. Being able to open a car door using a tiny pocket PC and radio transceiver feels like a superpower.
The trick also works on most garage doors and radio frequency can be used to show the tire pressure from passing cars among other things. With all this power comes great responsibility. As a Christian ✝ with strong moral and ethical values, its a good idea to know when to not cross a line.
Weird hobbies like these have enabled me to connect with many different people and talk in depth about a wide range of subjects. I often surprise ex-military servicemen who were professionally trained to use the same knowledge in order to protect lives and win wars.
I’m still curious. What’s your weird hobby?