The Digital Press

An open-source project is developing affordable, scalable phased array hardware and software to enable amateur radio operators to bounce signals off the Moon and conduct advanced RF experiments.

Why it matters: It democratizes space communication, making Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) radio accessible without massive antennas or cost.

The big picture: The phased array kits support diverse uses like satellite downlinks, drone telemetry, and atmospheric sensing beyond just moonbounce.

The stakes: Moon-bounce requires overcoming extreme free-space path loss (~283 dB), challenging the limits of legal ham radio power.

Commenters say: Enthusiasts appreciate the innovation and potential, but some remain skeptical about practical moonbounce feasibility and latency claims.