I can't believe it is October 4th and I have not heard one mention of Sputnik anywhere. Not in the news, not on any radio forums, no where. People seem to forget how much panic that first satellite caused. It was 62 years ago today that the USSR launched Sputnik 1 into orbit.
Posted Oct 4, 2019, 10:51 PM UTC
That's a worthy thing to remember, especially since amateur radio operators were an intended listening audience.
Sputnik transmitted so it would be easy for hams, we common folk, to hear it. The propaganda value was clearly huge. The USSR wanted to be sure everyone heard .
Edit: Sputnik apparently transmitted on two frequencies: 20.005 MHz and 40.002 MHz.
Being an 80s child, I never really understood what Sputnik was until I watched the “Chasing the Moon” documentary 3 part series from American Experience on PBS (highly recommended). Wow, I can only imagine the paranoia it caused around the world, but it also made it apparent that Russia was making a statement.
Tell us more. Did you experience it firsthand?
Well--yeah I sort of did...being about three months old at the time...Was worried sick about it...that the commies are in space looking down and ready to steal my binky at any moment...
There was a 40-year commemorative Sputnik PS2 launched (hand-lauched from the Mir space station) in 1997. Hams monitored in on the 2m band for 55 days until it died. I copied it several times. http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive/ARLS034/1997
I saw a post on reddit about it! I dont remember where though.
Communist!
I actually know a fellow who was in a photo in the paper listening to it. I’ll try to find it.
Excuse me, but October 4th (10-4) is actually National CB Radio Day!! ;)
new generation doesn't even know about that.. they are busy trying to figure out their china DMR radio.
It is 10-4 (cb radio) day, but agreed - I’m really surprised that there aren’t even any media reports about Sputnik.