Mike Safyan presented the “FunCube Dongle Pro,” a USB Software Defined Radio Receiver in a dongle format (size of a USB stick for less than $200.00) and how he applies this in support of the PhoneSat program here at Ames. Eric Stackpole, one of design engineers for O/OREOS and Pharmsat, has also been investigating on using several FunCube Dongles to build a large phased array, a technique of similar used by SETI and other large organizations are using, but one of very lowcost.

This wide range receiver can be controlled by many freeware programs that produce spectrum plots and waterfall displays. Downside is demand is very high, production rate is low and available batches are sold out in less than 60 seconds. For more see http://www.funcubedongle.com

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