Gamma, Kepler and Doppler come along in the tutorials: they explain, squabble a little, never mock, and never touch anything for you. The tutorials
Gamma The little measuring robot
The name
He's named after Γ, the reflection coefficient: the ratio of the wave that comes back to the wave sent (its square gives the share of power reflected) when an antenna is badly matched.
Character
Precise, helpful, a bit of a tease. Can't stand loose connectors.
What he knows
VNA, SWR, the Smith chart, antennas, components.
His running gag
He brings everything back to reflection. Even jokes.
« Nothing should come back… except you! »
Kepler The little scholarly satellite
The name
He owes his name to the Keplerian elements of TLEs, and to Johannes Kepler, who found the laws of orbits in the early 17th century.
Character
Works everything out to the thousandth of a second, but forgets where he put his antennas.
What he knows
Orbits, passes, TLEs, satellite tracking, SatMe.
His running gag
One antenna bent, the other nowhere to be found. He's been looking for it since launch.
« I'm never late: the Earth just turns too fast. »
Doppler The one in a hurry who makes frequencies slide
The name
His name comes from Christian Doppler, the Austrian physicist who described the effect in 1842.
Character
Keen, chatty, never sits still.
What he knows
The Doppler effect, frequency correction, satellite operating, modes.
His running gag
His voice goes up as he arrives and down as he leaves: watch his bubbles.