I spend a lot of my time on this #OpenSource hardware and software #HamRadio project. We have a limited number of no solder kits available next week for your classroom or #STEM outreach: The #AMSAT #CubeSatSim, the #CubeSat Simulator:
https://www.amsat.org/ans-152-amsat-news-service-weekly-bulletins/
Tried to talk to the satellite AO-91. I’ve waited for my antenna to ship from China (pre-tariffs and en de minimis), learned how to program and operate my radio (no thanks to Anytone), decided between AMSAT’s and Celestrak’s data, and studied the proper procedures for talking to space as a (literal) earth station.
But I got noped by rain.
Still, I heard some partial callsigns, so progress! Now I really can’t wait for the weather to clear.
Before prevalent social media, a static webpage and a few mailing lists could shake a brand.
My 1999 #Swatch #Protest archive shows how amateur radio operators used hand-coded HTML, listserv chains, and Usenet newsgroups to stop Swatch’s #satellite from advertising on their radio frequencies.
Relive the early-internet playbook here: https://vees.net/hobbies/hamradio/swatch-protest
#InternetHistory #DialUpDays #Space #DigitalProtest #ARRL #AMSAT
In early 1999 Swatch set out to publicize its new “Swatch .beat Internet Time” by launching Beatnik, a grapefruit‑size “mini‑Sputnik” satellite from the Mir space station. The plan was to replay user‑submitted voice clips (each had to include the word beat) on the ham radio frequencies between 145.8 and 146 MHz. Because ITU rules forbid any commercial traffic on ham frequencies, the idea threatened to turn protected radio spectrum into a marketing platform.
Online now at https://vees.net/hobbies/hamradio/swatch-protest/
In early 1999 #Swatch set out to publicize its new “Swatch .beat Internet Time” by launching #Beatnik, a grapefruit‑size “mini‑Sputnik” #satellite from the Mir space station. The plan was to replay user‑submitted voice clips (each had to include the word *beat*) on the #hamradio frequencies between 145.8 and 146 MHz. Because ITU rules forbid any commercial traffic on ham frequencies, the idea threatened to turn protected #radio spectrum into a marketing platform.
In February of 1999, a young me stumbled onto the scheme while browsing Swatch’s website. I confirmed the frequency claim and posted the first public alert. That single e‑mail snowballed into the pages that aggregated press releases, contract excerpts, ITU citations, and template letters to regulators. The archive helped the ARRL, multiple #AMSAT groups, and hundreds of individual operators coordinate a unified protest that reached the #FCC, the Swiss and Russian telecom authorities, and the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.
The pressure paid off. Beatnik was hand‑launched from #Mir on 16 April 1999, but its transmitter stayed off; Swatch later claimed its batteries were “donated” to the cosmonauts instead. No commercial messages ever hit the airwaves.
I recently found all the documents from that time and have converted them into consistent Markdown to republish. Watch this space!
In early 1999 Swatch set out to publicize its new “Swatch .beat Internet Time” by launching Beatnik, a grapefruit‑size “mini‑Sputnik” satellite from the Mir space station. The plan was to replay user‑submitted voice clips (each had to include the word beat) on the ham radio frequencies between 145.8 and 146 MHz. Because ITU rules forbid any commercial traffic on ham frequencies, the idea threatened to turn protected radio spectrum into a marketing platform.
Alan Johnston, KU2Y
Robert DL5GAC JN47UT 🛰️
Endaf Buckley
Colin Cogle 
Rob Carlson 
