The Skunkworks advanced projects team is a group of members of the Gloucester County ARC who recognized a common passion for developing projects using new computing and communications technologies and who work together developing projects in these areas. Many of our projects utilize various iterations of the popular Raspberry Pi computers as well as low-cost software-defined radios such as the rtl-sdr and SDR Play units. Most of our projects are housed in the GCARC Clubhouse, a dedicated building housing complete HF, VHF and satellite ham stations for member use.
We also occasionally host programs on various technical topics at the GCARC “Tech Saturday” events that are held at the Clubhouse on the first Saturday that follows the first Wednesday of the month. The GCARC meetings occur on the first Wednesday of the month. For information about GCARC meetings see the GCARC website.
NOTE: Throughout the spring and summer of 2022 the VHF/Satellite room has been disassembled for installation of lightning protection similar to that in the HF room and redesign of the space. All of the projects located in that room have temporarily been suspended pending completion of that project including the GOES, SatNOGS, FIAB and other satellite reception facilities. Some of those stations may be brought back online over the next few weeks but may again shut down as lightning protection devices are installed on the antenna feedlines. Some of the servers are online again but showing outdated imagery. (Updated 3/21/23)
Our projects explore various types of communications, including the following:
Receiving and building images and videos from transmissions from the GOES 16 geostationary weather satellite
Receiving SSTV pictures from the International Space Station
Copying weather images from the NOAA satellites
Operating the GCARC Field Day satellite station
Designing and building 3D printed enclosures and other components for various uses, like this rack-mount structure for Raspberry Pi and SDR projects
Operating a dedicated SatNOGS station to record telemetry from satellites operating on amateur radio frequencies
Operating an AIS receiving station reporting ship traffic on the Delaware River to the APRS.FI website
Conducting seminar sessions on technical topics of interest to club members
Operating a local Raspberry Pi-based weather station that transmits the local weather and Clubhouse inside temperatures via APRS
Building an AREDN-based mesh network to facilitate emergency communications
If you’re interested in any of these projects send us a note in the Contacts box.