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.
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
If you’re interested in any of these projects send us a note in the Contacts box.