{"id":40052,"date":"2019-10-06T06:49:55","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T10:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=40052"},"modified":"2019-10-06T06:52:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-06T10:52:04","slug":"nasa-considers-this-80-year-old-radio-buff-part-of-the-astronaut-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/nasa-considers-this-80-year-old-radio-buff-part-of-the-astronaut-family\/","title":{"rendered":"“NASA considers this 80-year-old radio buff part of the astronaut family”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Source: ABC News<\/a> via Michael Bird)<\/p>\n

To NASA personnel, he is VK5ZAI. To his neighbours at Pinks Beach, a small coastal town in South Australia, he goes by Tony.<\/p>\n

In his 30-year association with the US space agency, Tony Hutchison has been called upon to help in times of crisis, moderate calls between astronauts and their families, and run a worldwide schools program.<\/p>\n

He’s shared a beer with first commanders, had barbecues with mission specialists, and watched the space shuttle launch from the bleachers at Kennedy Space Centre.<\/p>\n

Looking back, it’s a life he never expected.<\/p>\n

Mr Hutchison, 80, fell in love with radio at age 10, had his amateur radio licence by 21, and became involved with satellite communication a few years later.<\/p>\n

In October 1992 he made his first contact in space \u2014 cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev onboard the Mir space station.<\/p>\n

“You could talk up to them as they passed over and they’d talk back to you.”<\/p>\n

He became good friends with one of them, Aleksandr Serebrov.<\/p>\n

“He would call me probably a couple times a week as he passed over. Of course they keep to Russian time, which is almost the opposite time to us, so it would be in the middle of the night and Alex would call.”<\/p>\n

NASA eventually caught on and had Mr Hutchison doing communications for Andy Thomas while he was onboard Mir.[…]<\/p>\n

Click here to continue reading the full story.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: ABC News via Michael Bird) To NASA personnel, he is VK5ZAI. To his neighbours at Pinks Beach, a small coastal town in South Australia, he goes by Tony. In his 30-year association with the US space agency, Tony Hutchison has been called upon to help in times of crisis, moderate calls between astronauts and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[545,3],"tags":[912,1672,4628,8052],"class_list":["post-40052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-news","tag-abc-news","tag-nasa","tag-space","tag-tony-hutchison-vk5zai"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-aq0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":42330,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/radio-waves-keeping-car-radios-moon-bounce-voyager-2-and-abc-delays-plan\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":0},"title":"Radio Waves: Keeping Car Radios, Moon Bounce, Voyager 2, and ABC Delays Plan","author":"Thomas","date":"March 19, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019sRadio Waves, a collection\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Car-Radio-Philipp-Katzenberger-1024x683.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Car-Radio-Philipp-Katzenberger-1024x683.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Car-Radio-Philipp-Katzenberger-1024x683.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45447,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/nasa-science-live-presents-our-next-solar-cycle\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":1},"title":"NASA Science Live presents “Our Next Solar Cycle”","author":"Thomas","date":"September 19, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who writes: On Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Science at NASA had a presentation on the next solar cycle predictions. It's available on YouTube and other outlets without needing a login or Zoom serial number: https:\/\/youtu.be\/6XNBuhJ6Qj8 Fascinating! Thanks for the tip, Paul!","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Sun-NASA-Solar-Dynamics-Goddard.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Sun-NASA-Solar-Dynamics-Goddard.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Sun-NASA-Solar-Dynamics-Goddard.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Sun-NASA-Solar-Dynamics-Goddard.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44539,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/nasas-scan-testbed-was-an-orbiting-multi-function-sdr\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":2},"title":"NASA’s SCAN testbed was an orbiting multi-function SDR","author":"Thomas","date":"July 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan (VR2HF) who writes: \"This looks like the world's most expensive SDR to me. And a little mysterious. Like quantum computing!\" (Source: NASA) Space Communications and Navigation (SCAN) Testbed The SCAN Testbed, formerly known as Communications, Navigation, and Networking reConfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT), served as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SCAN-test-bed.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SCAN-test-bed.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SCAN-test-bed.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/SCAN-test-bed.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":34627,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/sstv-special-event-from-the-international-space-station-on-saturday-october-27\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":3},"title":"SSTV Special Event from the International Space Station on Saturday, October 27","author":"Thomas","date":"October 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: ARRL News) Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has scheduled a slow-scan television (SSTV) event to begin on Saturday, October 27, at about 1000 UTC. NASA\u2019s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Department will support the event. SCaN manages NASA\u2019s three most important communications networks \u2014 The Space\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Modes"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Modes","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-modes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ISS.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ISS.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ISS.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43727,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/radio-waves-atc-communications-abc-is-highly-trusted-new-sw-forum-in-turkey-and-did-a-ham-speak-to-crew-dragon\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":4},"title":"Radio Waves: ATC Communications, ABC is Highly Trusted, New SW Forum in Turkey, and Did a Ham Speak To Crew Dragon?","author":"Thomas","date":"June 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Aviation"","block_context":{"text":"Aviation","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/aviation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NASA-Crew-Dragon-Demo-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NASA-Crew-Dragon-Demo-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NASA-Crew-Dragon-Demo-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NASA-Crew-Dragon-Demo-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51062,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/radio-waves-first-transatlantic-signal-120-years-today-100-years-of-german-radio-nasa-laser-communications-and-ham-transmitter-on-the-moon\/","url_meta":{"origin":40052,"position":5},"title":"Radio Waves: First Transatlantic Signal 120 Years Today, 100 Years of German Radio, NASA Laser Communications, and Ham Transmitter on the Moon","author":"Thomas","date":"December 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Marconi_at_newfoundland.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Marconi_at_newfoundland.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Marconi_at_newfoundland.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Marconi_at_newfoundland.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Marconi_at_newfoundland.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40052"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40052\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}