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A question from a newbie to the discussion list:


Has anyone experienced arranging and planning interaction with
Astronauts in a Science outreach setting?   I was  fortunately given this opportunity
at our Jamesburg Dish, a converted former ATT/COMSAT Earth Station Dish, in California
 which we set up  for doing Moon Bounce Communications, via Ham Radio.  
A number of the original Apollo moon walking Astronauts plan to visit later this year, 
and I am planning some hospitality, and setting it up for them to speak to other people 
around the world, bouncing their voices off the moon surface, via ham radio Moon Bounce operations.

Normally this is very difficult to do, but it is made easier with the Jbrg Steerable 100 ft dish.
I plan to invite some middle school age kids to share the operating station position with 
the Apollo Astronauts at the station  for a science outreach opportunity.  The Astronauts can 
invite the kids to the operating position, and supervise the 2 way voice contact, which should 
leave a lasting impression on the kids, and good footage, suitably filmed.

  The rare opportunity begs maximum exposure, with media, etc, but I dont want to over do  it or make the  Astronauts uncomfortable with attention.  Their first intent with the visit is 
to tour the facility which played a vital role in world wide distribution of Apollo "Live, from the moon" via Satellite TV pictures, in the 60's and early 70s, beginning with Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 moon landing.
Here are some sites, that show Jamesburg, in ham radio operation, including a recording of a 
Voice Moon Bounce Contact:
Video of a Moon Bounce Contact with  Station in Czech Republic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y7v8up211E&feature=related
 
Jamesburg Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/jawayetti/JamesburgEarthStation
http://www.xertech.net/Jam_pics2/Dish1b1.html

Hands on  Feed Horn For Moonbounce:
http://www.jamesburgdish.org/Portals/14/Gallery/1029/new-1296-feed-installed.JPG
http://www.jamesburgdish.org/Portals/14/Gallery/1029/new-1296-feed.JPG
All the best,
Pat Barthelow    (916) 315-9271
Project Manager, 
Jamesburg Moon Bounce Team
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