Lmst

Before prevalent social media, a static webpage and a few mailing lists could shake a brand.

My 1999 #Swatch #Protest archive shows how amateur radio operators used hand-coded HTML, listserv chains, and Usenet newsgroups to stop Swatch’s #satellite from advertising on their radio frequencies.

Relive the early-internet playbook here: https://vees.net/hobbies/hamradio/swatch-protest

#InternetHistory #DialUpDays #Space #DigitalProtest #ARRL #AMSAT

Online now at https://vees.net/hobbies/hamradio/swatch-protest/

In early 1999 #Swatch set out to publicize its new “Swatch .beat Internet Time” by launching #Beatnik, a grapefruit‑size “mini‑Sputnik” #satellite from the Mir space station. The plan was to replay user‑submitted voice clips (each had to include the word *beat*) on the #hamradio frequencies between 145.8 and 146 MHz. Because ITU rules forbid any commercial traffic on ham frequencies, the idea threatened to turn protected #radio spectrum into a marketing platform.

In February of 1999, a young me stumbled onto the scheme while browsing Swatch’s website. I confirmed the frequency claim and posted the first public alert. That single e‑mail snowballed into the pages that aggregated press releases, contract excerpts, ITU citations, and template letters to regulators. The archive helped the ARRL, multiple #AMSAT groups, and hundreds of individual operators coordinate a unified protest that reached the #FCC, the Swiss and Russian telecom authorities, and the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.

The pressure paid off. Beatnik was hand‑launched from #Mir on 16 April 1999, but its transmitter stayed off; Swatch later claimed its batteries were “donated” to the cosmonauts instead. No commercial messages ever hit the airwaves.

I recently found all the documents from that time and have converted them into consistent Markdown to republish. Watch this space!

Just worked VY0SAT in Canada 🇨🇦 (Gridsquare: EP28BP / distance: 5351.7 km) on RS-44 🛰️ (1.1° el / 337.5° az) using SSB #hamr #wavelog #amsat #IOTA NA-131

Ein guter Vortrag von Kurt DJ0ABR über das #amsat #hsmodem und die #qo100 Bake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9is8TDKChX0

Just worked C5R in The Gambia 🇬🇲 (Gridsquare: IK13PK / distance: 4664 km) on RS-44 🛰️ (1.6° el / 217.1° az) using SSB #hamr #wavelog #amsat

Tried to work HADIES-R, I heard a slight change in static and possibly a voice! I wonder if it's time to build a better yagi, I might have gotten as far as I can with my 3 element tape-measure yagi

#hamradio #AmateurRadio #amsat #hamsat #satellite #hadiesR

Just tried to operate Eyesat-1, I think I was pointing in the correct direction because I could hear something which I assumed was the afsk beacon, although it didn't sound like afsk to me. Anyway, I threw out my callsign a few times but couldn't hear anything back, I hope I didn't unknowingly cut anyone off.

#hamradio #AmateurRadio #amsat

🎉 Le 18 avril, c’est la Journée mondiale des #radioamateur s !
À cette occasion, voici une surprise visuelle pleine de détails… 📡🛰
👉 Dans le cadre du projet Phoenix de Fédération Open Space Makers #FOSM , et en collaboration avec lluuciole et Ema, nous mettons en avant les technologies radio – parce que le #spatial sans radio, c’est pipeau 😉
Plusieurs clins d’œil #hamradio #satellite à chercher en plus de toutes les antennes...
cc #amsat #amsatF #REF #amateurfunk #satellite