Sometimes even NASA needs a ham to re-task a radio package to control a helicopter on Mars. Courtney Duncan, N5BF, was just the right guy, in the right place, to make this happen. Listen to my interview with N5BF in this QSO Today episode
Great story! Congrats Eric on the podcast production. I always suspected radio amateurs were involved with this project. Not just ONE either, by Duncan's own words MANY; > 40% of his JPL team are licensed hams and many more aspire to be! One of numerous example biographies that underline the benefits and value that amateur radio knowledge, skills, and social networking can bring to an individual's professional career, and reasons why the public and their government representatives should strongly support the ARS.
As we said in the podcast, we have to do a better job with this communication to the public and authorities of the benefits of amateur radio. Thanks for your post.
