December 2007 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Satellite re-entry predictons
by Dave Guimont 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

The one I copied the last telemetry from burned up in the pacific on 13oct89..... The on going satellite re-entry prediction chats on here are very interesting, and may be of interest to those predictors in the following: I made the statement on the bb a while back that "I had the last qso on Oscar 9 (Uosat 1) launched by the University of Surrey. Jeff, wb3jfs, kindly reminded me that I could not have had a "qso" as it was digital only!! And I thank him for that. I recorded the last telemetry, as proven by the U of Surrey.... Sooooooooooooooooo...I dug out the paperwork I have from 18 years ago (it has faded about as much as I have!). And I present it here for anyone that may like to take a peek... http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads The four files are: OSCAR9xxxx.jpg with the x's giving a slight clue...My photography leaves something to be desired, but they are readable...I find that with my computer if I save it on my computer the legibility is improved...when opened in that fashion....... Simply click on the file...and do with it what you will.....No fancy pictures, so access is instant. I will be happy to describe the procedures I used, send me direct... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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ANDE-1 Great Lakes passes 23 DEC 07
by am25544 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Here are packets recieved from ANDE-1 from EN62. All times are UTC. 23-Dec-07 12:47:19 WA4AEJ>APRS,ANDE-1*:=3031.90N/08626.94WrDale in Niceville, FL 23-Dec-07 12:47:28 KC9XG-14>APRS,ANDE-1*:=4134.300NS08803.300W& D700, omni ant 23-Dec-07 12:47:37 N8IGJ>EN62,ANDE-1*,SGATE: 23-Dec-07 12:47:38 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#005,134,046,049,046,213,11100001,000 23-Dec-07 12:47:43 ANDE-1>APRS3,SGATE::BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN 23-Dec-07 14:18:38 N8FQ>T2UY6W,ANDE-1*:`r_Il y/ 23-Dec-07 14:19:38 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#006,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 23-Dec-07 14:20:42 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*:>Have a Merry Christmas and a great 2008, Stefan 23-Dec-07 15:49:43 N8FQ>T2UY6W,ANDE-1*:`r_Il y/ 23-Dec-07 17:23:13 AB9FT-15>T3TS9T,AB9FT-11,ANDE-1*:'sH/l [/> 23-Dec-07 17:23:26 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*::AB9FT-15 :>Having fun? 23-Dec-07 17:23:33 ANDE-1>BEACON:>Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy 23-Dec-07 17:23:38 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*::VE2DWE :>Having fun? 23-Dec-07 17:23:48 ANDE-1>APRS1,SGATE::BLN1ANDE :ANDE-1 only wakes up 1 of evry 15s for users. Pse conserve. 23-Dec-07 17:24:16 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#008,140,136,121,138,133,10101011,000 23-Dec-07 20:27:05 WA4AEJ>APRS,ANDE-1*:=3031.90N/08626.94WrDale in Niceville, FL 23-Dec-07 20:27:22 AJ5C-3>SVQU7X,ANDE-1*:'y`gl -/]>Bob in EM36KG 23-Dec-07 20:27:24 N0AN-6>APRS,ANDE-1*:=4205.00N/09400.00WS73' Via Sat {UISS50} 23-Dec-07 20:27:30 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#006,138,144,138,134,135,10101111,000 If I did my math correctly, Ande was still at a comfortable room temp during the last pass: Temp Batt = 26.0 C Temp Sol -X = 27.9 C Temp Sol -Y = 26.0 C Temp Sol-Z = 24.7 C Temp Retro = 25.0 C 73 & Merry Chirstmas, Armando, N8IGJ

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Re: Crossed yagis
by Richard Limebear 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

VK4TEC wrote: > What is the best way to set up phased crossed yagis ? > Have an electric coax switch in the middle to switch from left to > right circ polar ? See <http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/misc/ant_swit.gif> for one way to do this -- 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL g3rwl(a)amsat.org FOC # 1188 So many beautiful girls ... (sob) so little time

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ANDE alive still
by Mineo Wakita 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Over Japan 05:15 UTC, Dec. 24 de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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ANS-357 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (relay via amsat-bb)
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-357 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org These bulletins can also be read on the web at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/ In this edition: * W2RS SKN * OSCAR 11 Report * AMSAT YEAR End * ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 * President's message * Holiday Message SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.01 W2RS SKN AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.01 Reminder! Participating in OSCAR SKN is fun and simple. No scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR, using a straight hand key, at any time between 0000 and 2400 UTC on January 1, 2008. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for Best Fist. Your nominee need not have the best fist you heard, just the best of those you worked. Please send your nomination to W2RS at w2rs(a)amsat.org. Those nominated will be recognized in an AMSAT News Service bulletin, and in The AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT 20 December 2007 RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you are able to record the satellite as a WAV file, please do so, but let me know what you have, before sending it! If you need to hear what the satellite sounds like, please visit my website www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ The satellite transmits on 145.826 M Hz. set receiver to NBFM. --------- During the period 15 November to 19 December 2007 the satellite has been heard from 18 to 20 November. Signals were variable in strength, mostly weak. The real time clock has lost a further 4.29 days since 08 October. When last heard it was 74.26876 days slow. I am indebted to Kevin WA6FWF, Peter ZL3TC, Armando N8IGJ and Thomas HB0SKA for their reports. Many thanks. Eclipses have continued and are expected until mid January 2008. Although the maximum duration of the current eclipses is less than those earlier this year, it is doubtful whether the satellite will be heard for any sustained period. Even in continuous sunlight during September and October the satellite was unable to support continuous operation. It is likely than the satellite will only be heard by chance, by stations listening for other satellites on 145.826 Mhz. The current status of the satel lite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although over short periods timekeeping is accurate to a few seconds per month. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. More data is required to determine exactly when the date changes. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexp lained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 23 years in orbit the battery has undergone around 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations suggest that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses, or sometimes during periods of poor solar attitude. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 days ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. However, poor solar attitude may result may result in a low 14 volt line supply, which may cause the beacon to switch OFF prematurely, and reset the watchdog timer cycle. When this occurs, the beacon is OFF for 20.7 days. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSC AR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. There is an example of the latest telemetry received from the satellite. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT140.CWV, to prevent duplication. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.03 AMSAT YEAR End AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.03 Are you looking for an end of the year tax deduction? Have you thought about renewing your AMSAT Membership? What about joining the President's Club? What about a spanking brand new enclosure for the LVB tracker board? There is even an AMSAT branded clock and weather station. The AMSAT online store is awaiting your visit. Please follow the direct link below to make your purchase. http://www.amsat-na.com/categories.php Afraid of embedded links... go to amsat.org and click on the Online Store from the left margin. 73...bruce AMSAT Store Manager [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.04 ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.04 1. ARISS - Russian School Contact Kursk State Polytechnic University in Kursk, Russia experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, December 14. The students and faculty had previously participated in other ARISS contacts from Kursk, Sochi and Mt. Elbrus with Expedition 15 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI. On this occasion, the students were scheduled to speak with flight engineerYuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP. 2. ARISS School Application Updated The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has finalized the updated ARISS school contact application forms. The updated forms have been posted on the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm 3. Kenwood Radio Software Approved The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team's request to have the Memory Control Program (MCP) software added to the Expedition 17 SSC load has been approved. Once onboard, a crew member will be tasked to restore the Kenwood radio to its proper launch configuration. 4. ARISS SuitSat-2 Status The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has obtained solar panels for the SuitSat-2 project. Testing continues on the RF and power systems. A SuitSat-2 status presentation was given at the 2007 Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) Space Symposium held in Pittsburgh in October. It has been posted on the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Presentations/AMSAT%20Symposiums /2007%20Symposium/Suitsat%202%20Rev%20E%20Symp%2007.pdf 5. ARRL Article on STS-122 Mission The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article on the STS-122 shuttle mission status. The shuttle will deliver the Columbus module with the installed Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/12/11/100/?nc=1 [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.05 President's report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.05 President's Report From the 2007 AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting 2007 Symposium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Over the past year AMSAT has developed a well-defined mission and vision for an exciting future of amateur radio in space. In fact, some of the items we have discussed here at the Symposium may perhaps become known as the weekend that changed amateur radio. In response to input from the members, AMSAT's Board of Directors and Officers have undertaken a clearly defined Mission and Vision of our current and on-going work: AMSAT's Mission Statement + AMSAT designs, builds and operates experimental satellites and promotes space education as a non-profit, volunteer organization. + AMSAT develops and fosters partnerships with government, industry, educational institutions and fellow amateur radio societies. + AMSAT leads the way on technical and scientific innovation. + AMSAT develops and fosters an environment encouraging the training and development of designers and operators. AMSAT's Vision Statement + AMSAT will deploy high earth orbit (HEO) satellites, initially with daily coverage, evolving to continuous coverage. + AMSAT will participate in human space missions. + AMSAT will support a stream of LEO satellites which are developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite groups. The New Reality Going forward, we are realizing a new reality of the future of Amateur Radio in space. There is a distinct shift away from the aegis of government/military sponsored spaceflight to a field that will be more and more driven by commercial consideration. This development signifies that space missions will become driven by a business-case model. While our new missions will provide great new services to the Amateur Radio community, we cannot afford to pay millions for them. The reality is that no one will pay for more "toys" for us to play with. To gain the funding necessary our missions must excite the funding sources. AMSAT will be required to fit into the business-case models of just about every launch opportunity we wish to pursue in the future. Your Board of Directors and Officers have identified two key areas which capture the attention and imagination of potential funding sources: + Education - The Phase IV geosynchronous satellite will enable TDRS-like support of ARISS. Ten minute school contacts will grow to hours-long contact with the Space Station. We are working on an expanded curriculum with the ARISS and NASA teams. We are planning the establishment of the AMSAT Institute which will train educators to bring space into the classroom using AMSAT's Phase IV facilities in conjunction with ARISS. + Emergency Communications - The Advanced Communications Payload is being co-developed as spaceflight and ground station gear available for rapid deployment or pre-positioning into disaster areas to provide 365/24/7 communication capability. This proposal is gaining some attention within the Homeland Security organization. AMSAT's Current Development Plans Consistent with our Vision Statement we are continuing development of Phase III satellites. Budget and staffing for the Eagle satellite will continue for 2007-2008. AMSAT-NA is contributing staff and money toward completing AMSAT-DL's Phase 3 Express Satellite in 2008. AMSAT-NA teamed with AMSAT-UK to donate 25,000 Euros to AMSAT-DL for the completion of P3E. Phase IV is not a replacement program at the expense of Phase III. The same transponder gear already in development for Eagle and P3E remains applicable to Phase IV. The new commercial launch reality mentioned previously indicates we may actually be able to be launched earlier to a high orbit if we fit into the Intelsat ride sharing model. We need to be ready for this event. Phase IV will enable AMSAT to concentrate more fully on the development of space communications. The Intelsat platform will provide hundreds of watts of power for 15 years eliminating the need for AMSAT to provide solar cells, it will perform the station keeping and earth pointing tasks, internal housekeeping will be simplified. Once we have shown funding sources what AMSAT is capable of additional launch opportunities will arise. Intelsat can drop off sub-payloads into LEO, GTO, or GEO orbits on their way to their primary mission. There are more doors open to the future if we realize and pursue the new reality. I invite you join AMSAT's exciting future. As we recognize and work within the new reality of commercial spaceflight we will provide exciting new services for amateur radio, emergency preparedness, and education. The side effect of developing "services" will be that we still gain what everyone is asking - high orbit transponders for us to use and enjoy. AMSAT is to satellites what the Wright brothers were to flight. We are "Amateur" only in the sense that we are not paid in much the same sense that Olympic athletes are "Amateurs." 73, Rick Hamly, W2GPS President, AMSAT-NA [ANS thanks Rick, W2GPS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.06 Holiday Greetings from the AMSAT News Service AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.06 The crew at the AMSAT News Service wishes you and your family the best of the holiday season and for an excellent, prosperous New Year too! Thanks for reading! Please continue to send news and comments to the ans-editor(a)amsat.org mailbox. The weekly ANS bulletins are also posted on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/ so you can read them there if you are away from your e-mail. Best wishes and Season's Greetings from all of us! Gould WA4SXM Vice-President, User Services Lee KU4OS, Editor Dee NB2F, Editor JoAnne K9JKM, Editor [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: Tracking Santa ?
by Keith N4ZQ 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Thanks David. Looks like the jolly old fellow has two landing opportunities on Christmas eve/day here in EL87, west central Florida. 01:02 and 02:28 UTC 25 December 2007. Hope he has that new D Star radio in his sack of goodies for me... ;-)) Happy Holidays.. Keith N4ZQ -- David Bate - VA3DBJ <va3dbj(a)rogers.com> wrote: Keith, Give this a try.. Just came across the TLE's for Santa. Santa_Claus 1 00001U 00001A 07358.83333333 .00000038 00000-0 00000-0 0 0007 2 00001 089.9500 233.3808 0012602 180.0000 270.0000 15.00000000020072 Keith N4ZQ wrote: > The grand kids would like to track Santa Christmas eve, just to make sure he is on his way. Anyone got any Keps for him and his team of reindeer? _____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on attaining an equity line of credit. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4tzIvQIMfAFaOaUB0XsGak…

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Ande still alive at 21:53Z
by Mark Vandewettering 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Just recorded two packets as it went overhead from my QTH in CM87 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#002,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 ANDE-1>APRS2,SGATE::BLN2ANDE :ANDE stays awake for 30 secs after last pkt heard. Just using my Kenwood TH-D7A and an arrow antenna. Probably won't get another chance... Mark

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Tracking Santa ?
by Keith N4ZQ 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

The grand kids would like to track Santa Christmas eve, just to make sure he is on his way. Anyone got any Keps for him and his team of reindeer? Merry Christmas.. Keith N4ZQ _____________________________________________________________ Free comparison of top car rental companies. Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4uHs754D7Oow5r9pOqxzKJ…

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ANDE Still alive
by Paul Lenharr II 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Decoded several stations on my TH-D7 and Arrow II yagi on the 1725 pass over the east coast. KC2PCR and KB1GVR She is still going strong! 73, Paul KB3NDS -- Paul D. Lenharr II (KB3NDS) VUCC #1522 - 50mhz Six Club Member #2350 Skywarn Spotter # CS-19 "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever!" Charles County Tactical Response Team Tactical Paramedic, Firefighter, Haz-Mat Specialist Department of Homeland Security Instructor (301) 399-9504

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Another great pass with ANDE
by Paul Lenharr II 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Hooked up the TH-D7 and arrow II to the laptop running Hyperterminal. Here are the results ANDE-1>BEACON:T#008,139,138,138,138,138,10101111,000 KD8ATF-2>APRS,ANDE-1*:GOOD BYE ANDE AND HAVE A MARRY CHRISMAS FROM WV KD8ATF-2>APRS,ANDE-1*:GOOD BYE ANDE AND HAVE A MARRY CHRISMAS FROM WV ANDE-1>BEACON:T#009,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#007,137,047,050,047,214,11100001,000 ANDE-1>BEACON:>Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy K8YSE-4>APRS,ANDE-1*:merry christmas from en91 K8YSE-4>APRS,ANDE-1*:hello ve4nsa merry christmas VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*:=4958.81N/09701.36W->73' Via Satellite, EN1 51} -- Paul D. Lenharr II (KB3NDS) VUCC #1522 - 50mhz Six Club Member #2350 Skywarn Spotter # CS-19 "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever!" Charles County Tactical Response Team Tactical Paramedic, Firefighter, Haz-Mat Specialist Department of Homeland Security Instructor (301) 399-9504

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