Satellite edumacation - courses?

[BGonaSTICK]

Hi folks...

I seem to be getting more intersted by the day with satellite technology and have been considering going 'back to skool'.

There is just so much to learn, and I've been looking around for a good quality distance-learning course, but without much luck.

My existing qualifications aren't great, cos I was a bit of a lunatic in my younger days, but I did make it to degree level (mechanical and production engineering) although I jumped ship in my final year to get into computer programming. My maths is quite good, although very rusty.

I've now 'retired' at 40, and if I can find something suitable, I might consider a more formal education than just arsing about on here all day, though I'll not be using it in a vocational sense.

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has either done something like this or knows of any courses which may fit the bill.

I've checked the obvious places like the OU, but nothing doing. I want it to be very satellite/technical based with the occasional house-call by a beautiful blonde-girly-tutor, but I'm willing to compromise on the first bit.

Any thoughts or comments?

:-righton

 

[w hole]

9/10 for content and style

Rgds

W.H.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Is retirement really that boring (at 40 ) ?

Really the best way to learn is by trial and error. Technical help for satellite is free on the Net so its worth searching for the forums and telecoms listings (nothing will be as good as this forum though ) .

Some of the maths / physics sites will lead you to the formulae for checking parabolas, signal strengths, and cable losses.

Buy a book on the subject , Digital Satellite by Baylin Press is full of useful stuff for beginners, or for the indoor kit something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6911646462&sspagename=STRK:MEUS:IT&rd=1

Bung the bloke at the local tip a couple of quid for a biggish , ropey looking dish, straighten it out as best you can , get a meter that is within your budget, and see just how much you can pick up once you have tweaked the system.

Just dont climb about on roofs for any spanner monkey as a way of hands on knowledge, it can hurt.

 

[BGonaSTICK]

Thx CH, I knew I was in the right place all along ;)

Well I'm all done with getting my hands dirty at my ripe old age. Got my motorised system working just nicely, and get to watch what I want. Now I just want to focus on theory. Some of you guys on here leave me cold with the level of detail you have.

You know it's sort of ironic that I'm so e-focused these days, that grinding my way through a good book never really crossed my mind!

Thanks for your recommendation. I'll check it out.
I did my radio amateurs exam a few years ago, but I'd like to drag my understanding into the digital age!

:-cheers

 

[Channel Hopper]

40 a ripe old age ?

 

[twag42]

oohhh to be 40 again!! kids today(haha).you are right though about all this technology it certainly is baffling yet addictive!!

TWAG

 

[BGonaSTICK]

.... now which dusty un-opened drawer would I have buired my library card in?

Do they still HAVE libraries?!?!?!

 

[erik1]

Good question: why aren't there any satellite specific courses or degrees? (Or if there are, where are they hiding?) Where do people who work professionally installing SAT systems get their training? Or what about people who say work in a news TV SAT truck? I suppose you first get some sort of Electronics degree and the rest is learned on the job? An apprenticeship?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Good question: why aren't there any satellite specific courses or degrees? (Or if there are, where are they hiding?) Where do people who work professionally installing SAT systems get their training? Or what about people who say work in a news TV SAT truck? I suppose you first get some sort of Electronics degree and the rest is learned on the job? An apprenticeship?

Specific satellite courses do exist , but they are usually military communications or a electronic course thats dedicated to microwaves, specialising in communications (or vice versa)

You really do have to check out the university and college offerings, the best way is to ask on this forum though; whilst a lot here are not officially qualified (note to self - do I have anything worth giving with a 25 yard back stroke, or the Scouting 30 mile hike)?, we do have experience.

 

[twag42]

i got my yellow stripe but it hasnt been much good to me in adult life.a good place to check might also be the careers office?? see what or if they could point you in the right direction.

TWAG

 

[BGonaSTICK]

i got my yellow stripe but it hasnt been much good to me in adult life.a good place to check might also be the careers office?? see what or if they could point you in the right direction.

TWAG

LOL, yes, but that way I run the risk of someone trying to employ me! ;)
Seriously, thanks for your input. I'll add it to my 'resource list'.