HAM RADIO IN SPACE; AMATEURS INVITED TO LISTEN FOR MARS ROVER

Post-launch checkout of the Electra software-defined UHF radio aboard the
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be conducted on or about September 26th ad
ham redio is invited to take part. That's because the tests will include CW
transmissions during spacecraft turns to verify the UHF helix antenna
pattern.

Interested radio amateurs and amateur and professional radio-astronomers in
North America with sensitive receiving capabilities at 437.1 MHz can attempt
to receive the UHF signal from MRO during this test. Please note that this
is advance information and is subject to change. (ASR)