February 2008 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AO-51 Cardboard Model needs test builders!
by Stefan Wagener 04 Feb '08

04 Feb '08

AO-51 Satellite Cardboard Model Hi folks, I have just finished the 1st prototype of an AO-51 cardboard model design and would like to give a few dedicated individuals the opportunity to actually build the model and help me with the final design and the necessary instructions. At this stage I will need individuals that have built cardboard models (ships, airplanes, rockets etc.) before and don't need detailed instructions but know the tools that are required to assemble such a model. Pictures of the current prototype can be seen at: www.msig.ca/model.html It is still a work in progress and hopefully will end up as a product that AMSAT can offer for a donation. I designed the model in a 1:1 scale but for the purpose of this project it has been reduced to 75% size. This will allow builders to print it on regular size photo paper and still have a beautiful model for display in the shack or wherever. Building the model will require time, patience and a color printer since the model is distributed as pdf files. This form of distribution will save me paper and will allow you to print it as many times as you need (trust me, once you messed up the first piece, you will be glad that you can print it again). As mentioned above, I am looking for up to five test builders (with experience) that are willing and able to finish the model in four to five weeks. No, it is not a two hour project and dedication to detail and exact cutting and gluing is required. Those that help and provide me with updates on their progress and final feedback will get the final distribution files as well as the model files in a 1:1 scale. Send me an email off line if you are interested! 73, Stefan VE4NSA

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Re: mentpor help
by G0MRF＠aol.com 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Hello Nick. Alternatively, you may be able to implement the microprocessor functions in radiation tolerent FPGA from Actel. 200 - 300k rads seems to be the limit. _http://www.actel.com/products/milaero/rtaxs/default.aspx_ (http://www.actel.com/products/milaero/rtaxs/default.aspx) Thanks David In a message dated 03/02/2008 17:05:24 GMT Standard Time, quadpugh(a)bellsouth.net writes: This processor is planed to fly on the CAPE II satellite on 2009. It is anticipated that this will involve two one hour session a month via WEB X. We are seeking those have skill in designing fault tolerant microprocessors and he have knowledge how high energy particles effect memory chips.

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Atlanta 08
by G0MRF＠aol.com 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Has the date of the 2008 symposium been set ? I saw the announcement saying it was going to be held in Atlanta but haven't been able to locate the dates. Sorry if this has been posted and I missed it. Just forward planning. Regards David G0MRF

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SuitSat 1 Anniversary !!
by Stefan Wagener 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Message from Frank Bauer, KA3HDO .............. All, Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the deployment of SuitSat-1/Radioskaf/AO-54 from the ISS. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers around the world that supported the SuitSat-1 development, deployment, public outreach and ground station reception. Despite its lateness, I would also like to announce that the SuitSat Certificates have been mailed to the regional QSL distributors who will, in turn, mail these to you in the very near future. Specifically, this is the ARRL in the U.S. and ARISS-EU in Europe. The Canadian certificates were mailed directly to their QTHs. I will take responsibility for the lateness in delivery of these. My extensive work travel over the past two years coupled with needing to focus on keeping the ARISS program alive despite looming budget threats were factors in not getting these to you in a timely basis. I hope you will enjoy them, just the same. I ask that you please wait for about 2 weeks before making further requests regarding the certificates. I would expect that they will be in your hands in that time frame. At the end of February will we make a second call regarding the certificates, if for some reason you did not receive it from us. 2008 brings new opportunities to you, the hams interested in ARISS. This, as we plan to commemorate the 25th anniversary of human spaceflight ham radio operation---the flight of Owen Garriott, W5LFL on the space shuttle Columbia, STS-9 in 1983. As you know, we are working to bring SuitSat-2 to reality. It is not clear when it will be deployed, but we are working feverishly to have it ready for deployment before the end of the year. And we expect to have significant ARISS crew participation starting in the October timeframe with the launch of the Expedition 18 crew and Soyuz taxi flight. As we get more details on specifics, the ARISS team will inform you through e-mail and the ARISS and ISS Fan Club Web sites. I thank all of you for your interest in ARISS. This program is truly inspirational for students, the ham radio community, and the communities surrounding the schools that have been touched by the 334 (to date) school contacts conducted since December 2001. Enjoy the currently operational ARISS voice repeater! 73, Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS Internatonal Chairman AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs

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Stretching the footprint!!
by Frank A Cahoy 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Congrats Bob. I'm actually jealous. I have yet to hear Europe on AO-7 but that's only because I've been very QRV on HF. I'm sure it can be done from DN81. It's a feather in your hat no matter how you look at it. I think I'll throw my hat into the ring for footprint stretching. I have to go back to AO-40 for my bragging rights. On 20 Oct. 2003 I worked VK9CD in NH87 and that figures to about 10073 miles to DN81. I was hearing the fellows on the West Coast work VK9CD and again, I was very jealous because I figured I had but only 8 to 10 minute window under the best of conditions. To make matters worse the window was totally below 10 degrees of elevation. Then rubbing salt into the wound was a very tall line of Chinese Elm trees between my sat antennas the horizon. When I saw that I had a slight chance I began calling them. The West Coast guys told me that VK9CD was hearing me! I could not hear them or my own downlink. Determination was also the key for me. I finally heard them ever so faintly just as LOS was almost on us. All of the sudden I heard my call clearly and distinctly and the exchange happened in literally, the last few seconds of the footprint. I stepped out on my front steps to try and figure how such a piece of great good luck could have happened. Looking up at that row of trees I saw a "hole" through the leaves about the size of a bushel basket. My prize piece of AO-40 DX was worked in the few seconds that the bird was actually "line of sight". BTW, all of this on CW!! This may be off subject a bit but I've been a DXer for 47+ years and that was by far one of my most memorable QSOs satellite, HF or otherwise. I was never tempted to post the above story until Bob's good fortune on AO-7. See what great fun we could have with an AO-10 type bird up in an HEO!! That's it. I'm climbing down off my soapbox. 73 to all. Frank, KØBLT

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AO-16 in repeater mode
by Jim White 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

In ANS this week the note on AO-16 is a bit incomplete regarding the current state of the satellite. Here is some further detail. The on-board computer has not failed. What is no longer working is the computer's ability to access the EDAC SRAM needed to run uploaded software. The boot loader (MBL) software was burned into ROM prior to launch and continues to run. The processor itself works OK and is running that MBL software just fine. One of the unique features of MBL is that it does not use any SRAM but runs entirely in processor registers. It also does not use DMA or interrupts. One of the design goals was for it to continue to run even when several hardware things had failed - and that has proven to work well now that the SRAM access no longer works. With the computer still processing instructions and running MBL it remains possible to send commands directly to various hardware modules using the AART bus (another innovation in these satellites). It is that capability which allowed the mode to be switched. Further, we know the computer continues to successfully run MBL because any glitch in processing would likely reset the computer. That would cause MBL to restart and reset the hardware to the default, turning off the U TX, and resetting the downlink to digital. Should that happen it might be possible to get it back into the repeat mode, and perhaps do that more than once. But at this point it's anyone guess how long enough hardware will work to allow more use from this rugged old bird. Jim jim(a)coloradosatellite.com wd0e(a)amsat.org

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FCAL & Quakesat
by Chris Bloy 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Hi All, Is FCAL still in orbit or has it gone the way of ANDE? Also, anyone heard Quakesat this month? Thanks, Chris No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.18/1255 - Release Date: 01/02/2008 09:59

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Re: Tired on off topic fake QSO:s on this reflector
by Steven Raas 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

I can understand this statement, however.. I for one can assure you that Knowing that there is a data base in the program is EAISLY overcome, with one simple step.. you don't fill in the call sign or grid box.. and you put your radio on desired frequency and listen. None of my low power eme qso's had pre filled in fields waiting for pro-signs to confirm a qso. So with that being said.. enjoy your pseudo QRP eme qso's using jt65, I know I did.. and when I get back on the air.. I will again. Steve Raas N2JDQ 'Hello, I would be happy to punch you back to stoneage with your deep search fake QSO:s Read more on http://www.sm2cew.com/jt65.html Hakan SM7WSJ' Re: 25 watt Moonbounce > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <001201c865dd$b057c8e0$0b01a8c0@homepc> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi list, > > I am using a homebrew single 6 el. Yagi (DK7ZB design 10.15dBd gain) > on the terrace of my house (approx 8ft above ground on a tripod))for "QRP EME" > operations regularly. I am running about 90-100 Watt into this antenna > (approx 1 KW ERP). This is real QRP for EME standards. > > See here: > http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=146 <http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=146&call=DJ0MY&> &call=DJ0MY& > bbycal > l=1 > > Usually Gary KB8RQ always comes back on my first calls (even without > prior announcement of my call in one of the usual EME internet chat rooms). > > Thus, I would guess that it would even work with much less power (I > just never tried it)...so it seems "normal practice" at least with big > gun stations of the size of KB8RQ, W5UN, etc. > > I would even say if he could work KB8RQ with 25w he should give RN6BN > a try with only 10-15w (he uses most likely the largest private array > on earth since he has recently expanded it). The smallest station he > ever worked via OSCAR 0 was a 4 el. yagi with 40W. I am sure you can > even decode him on a > dipole+preamp, since he has exorbitant strong signals (even compared > dipole+to > other big guns). > > RX is generally not the problem: I can copy 2 and 4 yagi stations very > frequently. I even copied some single longyagi (6 lambda boom length) > stations with my tiny antenna in the past a few times. The only > problem is the return path where you simply would need more HF power. > > In total I have already worked about 8 stations (the smallest were 8 > yagi group stations) and had more than 15 QSOs with my tiny setup > during the past year. > > This is of course only possible with the help of WSJT software and > JT65 mode, hi !!! Otherwise we would still be stuck in EME stone age. > > 73 de Oscar DJ0MY _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb Steven J.Raas

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Tired on off topic fake QSO:s on this reflector
by Håkan Harrysson 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Hello, I would be happy to punch you back to stoneage with your deep search fake QSO:s Read more on http://www.sm2cew.com/jt65.html Hakan SM7WSJ Re: 25 watt Moonbounce > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <001201c865dd$b057c8e0$0b01a8c0@homepc> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi list, > > I am using a homebrew single 6 el. Yagi (DK7ZB design 10.15dBd gain) on the > terrace of my house (approx 8ft above ground on a tripod))for "QRP EME" > operations regularly. I am running about 90-100 Watt into this antenna > (approx 1 KW ERP). This is real QRP for EME standards. > > See here: > http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=146&call=DJ0MY&bbycal > l=1 > > Usually Gary KB8RQ always comes back on my first calls (even without prior > announcement of my call in one of the usual EME internet chat rooms). > > Thus, I would guess that it would even work with much less power (I just > never tried it)...so it seems "normal practice" at least with big gun > stations of the size of KB8RQ, W5UN, etc. > > I would even say if he could work KB8RQ with 25w he should give RN6BN a try > with only 10-15w (he uses most likely the largest private array on earth > since he has recently expanded it). The smallest station he ever worked via > OSCAR 0 was a 4 el. yagi with 40W. I am sure you can even decode him on a > dipole+preamp, since he has exorbitant strong signals (even compared to > other big guns). > > RX is generally not the problem: I can copy 2 and 4 yagi stations very > frequently. I even copied some single longyagi (6 lambda boom length) > stations with my tiny antenna in the past a few times. The only problem is > the return path where you simply would need more HF power. > > In total I have already worked about 8 stations (the smallest were 8 yagi > group stations) and had more than 15 QSOs with my tiny setup during the past > year. > > This is of course only possible with the help of WSJT software and JT65 > mode, hi !!! Otherwise we would still be stuck in EME stone age. > > 73 de Oscar DJ0MY

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mentpor help
by Nick Pugh 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

The University of Louisiana is asking for a volunteers to help mentor a senior design capstone project to design and test to destruction with high dose of radiation a communication control and data handling processor. This processor is planed to fly on the CAPE II satellite on 2009. It is anticipated that this will involve two one hour session a month via WEB X. We are seeking those have skill in designing fault tolerant microprocessors and he have knowledge how high energy particles effect memory chips. If you which to help students become practical engineers please let me here from you thank nick k5qxj

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Satellites on 1200Mhz
by Vincenzo Mone 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Hi to the list, as I have been off the satellites for a while I would like to know if there are any satellites still active on 1200 MHz 144/1200 430/1200 or viceversa. Thanks in advance. 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 *************************************** ***** GSM +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** SMS +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** ***************************************

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[ans] ANS-034 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-034 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 In this edition: * AO-16 Status * AMSAT STraight key nite winners * ISS Cross Band Repeater * DC Area AMSAT Gathering * OSCAR 11 Report * ARISS Status - 28 January 2008 * ANDE De-Orbit Awards Have Been Mailed * ARISS INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN MOVES INTO NEW POSITION AT NASA SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.01 AO-16 Status AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.01 AO-16 is now alive and well. Many contacts going through the previously packet only satellite. Uplink on 145.920 and downlink 437.026. Its downlink is best heard in USB mode since it is a doubleside band, reduced carrier transmitter. Thanks to someone that assisted in assembling this satellite for remembering a simple command to link tx and rx for direct communications not using the failed onboard computer. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.02 AMSAT Straight key nite winners AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.02 Many thanks to all who participated in AMSAT's Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2008, held in memory of Haruo Yoneda, ex-JA1ANG. Only two linear-transponder satellites were available this year, AO-7 and VO-52. Two enterprising hams, W6ASL and WA8SME, didn't let that stop them: they used audio oscillators to work each other through the FM transponder of AO-51. That counts too! The silence of FO-29 notwithstanding, a record 15 amateurs each received at least one Best Fist nomination from someone they worked. The increase in European activity was especially welcome. This year's winners are: Jay Garlitz, AA4FL Sergei Pyatygin, ER1AN Laszlo Kekes, HA5FB Ron Gorzynski, K8DID Frank Wiesenmeyer, K9CIS Scott Newell, KA8HOK Keith O'Brien, N4ZQ Allen Mattis, N5AFV Al Ozias, N7EQF Rolf Moberg, OH6KXL Andy Macallister, W5ACM Jim Van Striver, W6ASL Mike Herr, WA6ARA Mark Spencer, WA8SME Neven Mrduljas, 9A5YY Congratulations to all. See you next year! [ANS Thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.03 ISS Repeater AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.03 The ISS cross band repeater is on and functioning as of this announcement. It is on Uplink - 437.800FM Downlink - 145.800FM. It is quite strong and can be heard well on a simple setup. I read a report that "someone" called CQ and there was no -one coming back to him. Listen and give it a shot. [ANS thanks Tony, K2MO, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.04 DC Area AMSAT Gathering AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.04 Meeting Announcement-AMSAT-DC We will meet in Pioneer Hall at the Historical Electronics Museum. Same place as last year, same time as last year, for at least one more time. If you can't make Dayton or the Symposium, plan to attend this great gathering. Clip and share! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2008 AMSAT-DC MEETING AND SPACE SEMINAR WHO: YOU are invited! Amateur radio operators, students, educators and the public are all invited. WHAT: Talks, demos, tutorials and socializing about amateur satellites and high-altitude balloon experiments in the greater mid-Atlantic USA area. A full day of activities! WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2008, starting at 11:00 A.M. local. WHERE: Historical Electronics Museum (HEM) at 1745 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090 (near BWI airport). In Pioneer Hall. HEM directions at http://www.hem-usa.org/ WHY: Fun, education, public service, training, cool stuff, and more fun. HOW: Talk-in on 146.760 MHz (107.2 Hz PL on some receiver sites) HOST: Pat Kilroy, n8pk(a)amsat.org or Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov WEB: Check the AMSAT-DC page http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ for late breaking news. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Notes: Please download the AMSAT-DC-2008 flier from the AMSAT-DC web page, print copies and share them widely, like at a club meeting, at a hamfest, in a public library, in a school, and other visible places. Meeting preparations are being conducted on the amsat-dc e-mail list. Go to the link at top of the AMSAT-DC page to subscribe. This year will feature something new, a Pot Luck luncheon! You may bring a favorite dish to share. See the AMSAT-DC web page for additional info or please contact the host, yours truly, at n8pk(a)amsat.org. Free paved parking is available a short walk from the museum front door. Like before, monetary donations will be accepted to help offset the associated meeting and seminar costs. Like last year, we'd like to in turn donate a portion to the museum for the use of their facility. Outrageous fun, learning, and camaraderie are in store for you. See you there! 73, Pat Kilroy, N8PK AMSAT Area Coordinator Maryland-DC Area [ANS thanks Pat, N8PK, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.05 OSCAR 11 Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.05 OSCAR-11 Report for 26 January 2008 This report covers the period from 19 December 2007 to 26 January 2008. After two months of silence from 20 November, when eclipses started, the satellite resumed transmissions on 22 January 2008. At the time of writing signals are consistantly strong, although the polarisation is very variable, with a cycle time of around 20 seconds, causing deep fading if the antenna polarisation is fixed. This suggests that the satellite may be tumbling. If the current watchdog cycle continues uninterrupted, the 145.826 MHz beacon should switch off around 01 February and on again around 11 February. However, if low battery voltage causes the watchdog timer to reset, then the beacon should switch on 21 days later. I am indebted to Peter ZL3TC, Mark KU7Z, Gene WA4UKX, SWL Mark in CM87, Ron G4PGY, Julian WB9YIG, John HB2HSH and Edward BX1AD for their reports. Many thanks. The satellite is now in continuous sunlight, and this is expected to continue until mid March, when eclipses will start again. Unfortunately eclipses will then become a permanent feature of the orbit, which is likely to prevent any periods of sustained operation after March. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexplained 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 Beacon frequency is 145.826 MHz. (AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry) Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSCAR-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 http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ 73 Clive G3CWV [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.06 ARISS Status - 28 January 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.06 1. ARISS School Contacts Status Due to crew schedules onboard the ISS, no Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts are planned at this time. The ARISS team expects contacts to resume once STS-122 launches in early February. 2. STS-120 Crew Talks with Italian Students On January 22, STS-120 crewmembers visited “La Sapienza” University in Rome where approximately 600 students from several universities and high schools gathered. Among those in attendance were students from the schools that participated in ARISS contacts with astronauts Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA, and Clay Anderson, KD5PLA. The crew gave a presentation on their mission which included educational activities, and showed videos to their audience. The complete story and photos of the event have been posted on the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_01_25.htm 3. Astronaut Training Status On Wednesday, January 23, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX, participated in a simulation of an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contact. The Kenwood D700 radio in the JSC Service Module mockup was used for the contact. He spoke with the training support team who participated as students, asking Oleg questions about space and his visit on the ISS. Kononenko is scheduled as a flight engineer on Expedition 17. A basic Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) operations and school contact class was held with Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP, and Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, on January 24. Wakata is scheduled to fly to the ISS on 15A (STS-119) toward the end of 2008 as Flight Engineer-2 during Expedition 18. Noguchi is the backup for that flight and could participate as part of the 6 man ISS crew operations in 2010. Mike Barratt, KD5MIJ, has been scheduled for an ARISS training session at JSC on Tuesday, January 29. Barratt is a backup crewmember for Expedition 18. 4. ARISS Looking for New Telebridge Stations The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team is currently looking to expand its telebridge station network. The proposal has been announced on the ARISS Web site. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article, “ARISS Team Looking for Ground Stations,” which may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/01/22/100/?nc=1 The ARRL Letter also ran the announcement. See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0125/ 5. ARRL Article on JPL Amateur Radio Club Anniversary The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article, “Jet Propulsion Lab's Amateur Radio Club Marks 50 Years in Space.” See: http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7957 [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.07 ANDE De-Orbit Awards Have Been Mailed AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.07 ANDE De-Orbit Awards Have Been Mailed ANDE Awards have been mailed the last week of January.Details are available here: http://www.ande-deorbit.com/status.shtml In case you did not sign up yet, there is still a chance to do so: http://www.ande-deorbit.com/submission.shtml Mailing may take a week or so, but you should expect them one of these days in your mailbox ! For those interested, on the website there is the full overview of all telemetry of the final days (incl. the very last one, by JA0CAW). Also all the TLE (kepler sets) since launch: http://www.ande-deorbit.com/ande_all_tle.txt [ANS thanks Henk, PA3GUO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-034.08 ARISS INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN MOVES INTO NEW POSITION AT NASA AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 3, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-034.08 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, was named recently as the NASA Headquarters Chief Engineer for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). ESMD is NASA's initiative to develop a sustained human presence on the moon, promote space exploration and serve as a stepping stone to Mars and beyond. As ESMD Chief Engineer, he provides systems engineering advice and consultation to resolve some of the most demanding and complex technical and organizational challenges within the Exploration Program. Bauer and Rosalie White, K1STO, are the two ARISS delegates for the US. He is the Vice President of Human Spaceflight Programs for the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. Bauer was a 2006 nominee for the Rotary National Award for Space Acheivement, bestowed upon him for "his tireless work to engage the youth of our nation and the world in the exploration of space through unique direct communications made possible by Amateur Radio on human spaceflight missions." Bauer is the recipient of NASA's 2002 Outstanding Leadership Medal, the 1997 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal -- bestowed for Pioneering Efforts in Spaceborne GPS -- and NASA's 1992 Exceptional Service Medal (for agency contributions in GN&C). He received the Silver Snoopy Award, the highly prestigious NASA Human Spaceflight Awareness award, in 1992. For more information about ARISS, please visit the ARISS Web page <http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm>. [ANS Thanks, ARRL news for the above item] /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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Tracking program VS doppler corr
by Luc Leblanc 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Feed up in running after my tail i give a try to a doppler tracking program on AO-16. I could be put the bar a bit too high using this one but i ended always off by a couple of KC on the RX side (probably the same on TX uplink) I guess i will have to play a bit with some parameters? i'm using Nova and FT-847 super control. I guess the benefits will be more visible on the transponder type? Thank's for your inputs and here is "another" tracking program but on line and based on your IP address http://www.n2yo.com/ "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Re: FW: Oh - my - God - (AO-7 uplink power).
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

-------------- Original message -------------- From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net John/etc To requalify- This is my capability! I use only the exciter IC-451 1-8W. I am acutely aware of the sensitivity of AO-7. However when attempting work footprint edge to footprint edge, I did run some power momentarily to find my down link. Yes John I have read all the available information regarding the history and operation of AO-7. John, I trust you will take the liberty to CC this email to the EU AMSAT reflector, their mail bounces back. I should have reread my initial post to the bb, as the context is not correct. My apologies to all for the justifyable outrage this has caused. I conscientiously make every effort to follow all the rules written and unwritten. I will look into the wet shoestring concept. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle -------------- Original message -------------- From: john hackett <la2qaa(a)hotmail.com> > > For those that don't understand power budgets on satellites - especially ailing > ones - *PLEASE* make the effort to read up on the subject - so you can honestly > say "your" operating *DIDN'T* shorten a particular satellites life ... or ... > you were *NOT* being an alligator ... (all mouth and no ears) ... and using more > than your fair share of the available power. > > Remember ... there are potentially many !! users on AO-7 and the available power > is distributed among them ... a LINEAR transponder isd *NOT* like an FM > transponder. > > There is an excuse for simply "not knowing" - but there is no !! excuse for > knowing and ignoring the facts - that's just plain anti-social. > > If you're not aware of it, do please !!! take the time to read up on the > subject. > > 73 John > > From: la2qaa(a)hotmail.com > To: w7lrd(a)comcast.net > CC: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com; allan_gm1sxx(a)hotmail.com > Subject: Oh - my - God - (AO-7 uplink power). > Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 09:41:04 +0100 > > > > > > > > > Oh - my - God!, > > >On 70cm I run about 80-100 watts to a 40 el cp > >yagi. I can pick up my down link when the sat > >is about 7 degrees. > > 73 Bob W7LRD That's not an AO-7 station Bob, it's an EME station. > > Did you not read the recommended operating proceedure for AO-7 > > > > 5 watts or less to a decent aerial is adequate. Personally, I have *NEVER* used > more than 5 watts to a homebrew 6 element yagi but this gave me 3rd place > worldwide - (currently 5th) - when I was more active. > > I have taken the liberty of CC'ing part of your mail to the EU amsat reflector > because like me - they won't believe! the power you're using ... 100 watts to 40 > elements is several kilowatts !! EIRP. > > I would respectfully suggest you do some research about *WHY* one should > maintain a reasonable power budget when operating satellites ... afterwards - > (hopefully) - you'll see what I mean. > > AO-7 is not in the best of health at at the best of times but hitting it with so > much uplink power is most certainly not going to prolong it's life. > > It is also thoroughly recommended to use a "receiver" with an aerial attached - > though with your uplink power - (if it's true) - > a wet shoelace ought to suffice. > > NB. > > You did say 40 elem ents ... did you mean 4 ???. > > 73 John. > ................................................................................ > ...... > > > From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net > > To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org > > Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 03:58:29 +0000 > > Subject: [amsat-bb] antenna attenuation > > > > Hello > > Has anyone encountered this situation- My satellite antennas are about 15 > feet off the ground. approximatly 18 feet away at that height is the base of a > 25 foot tripod that holds my HF quad. When aiming at a certain direction about > 15-20 degrees I can't seem to get through to AO-7. I am trying to connect with > OH8MBN. Other directions I can usually hear my downlink almost down to the > horizon. On 70cm I run about 80-100 watts to a 40 el cp yagi. I can pick up my > down link when the sat is about 7 degrees. > > 73 Bob W7LRD > > Seattle > > > > -- > > "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Sub scription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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ande-award arrived tks
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

hi folks, got my ande award today and is it ever nice. going to frame it up in hamshack. 73 all kc8gkf west michigan usa

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Re: Explorer I
by David Donaldson 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Guys, thanks for sharing of personal history! But some engineers have all the fun and some of us just design cellsite...lol History is always welcome on this list!! Sent with Wireless Sync from Verizon Wireless by DAVE DONALDSON-Burnsville MN Amateur radio: WB7DRU Navy Mars: NNN0AXK ---- Original Message ---- From: "Edward Cole" <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> Date: 2/2/08 11:47 am To: "Davidoff, Martin" <MDAVIDOFF(a)ccbcmd.edu> ; "AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org" <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subj: [amsat-bb] Re: Explorer I Martin, I was involved with the MA-10 (MVM-73) mission as a project engineer at the 210-foot Goldstone tracking station that followed MA-10 around Venus and on to Mercury. I was involved in the Venus dual-band (S/X) atmospheric study. I was one of the two receiver operators that tracked MA-10's signal as it was occulted behind Venus. The differential bending of the two microwave signals provided one of the first direct measurements of Venus' atmospheric density. How time flies! (34-years). 73 Ed - KL7UW At 08:54 AM 2/1/2008, Davidoff, Martin wrote: >1 February 2008 > > Reading the comments on the Explorer I Spacecraft by Roy (W0SL) >and Dan (N8FGV) has certainly stimulated lots of old memories. > > In late 1983 I attended a presentation by James Van Allen at a >meeting of the National Academy of Sciences in DC convened to celebrate >25 years in space. At this point in time the development of the Space >Transportation System (The Shuttle) was being seriously debated. > > Most (!!!) scientists of the era thought the program was a >political boondoggle whose costs would seriously impede the progress of >real space science. As Van Allen, a spokesperson for this group, put it >(my paraphrase) -- These guys claim they're going to reduce my launch >costs by a factor of 100 by taking a scientific instrument with a one >cubic foot volume, putting it in a bus and adding all the life support >systems necessary for five people. > > These past few weeks we've seen spectacular photos of Mercury >taken by the Messenger Spacecraft on its first flyby of the planet. How >many people realize that the Messenger mission is the follow on to >NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft which mapped about 45 percent of the >Mercury's surface during three flybys in 1974 and 1975. Because (?) of >the Shuttle Program it took us more than three decades to return. > >de K2ubc (Martin Davidoff) > > > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On >Behalf Of Roy >Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 12:33 PM >To: AMSAT BBS >Subject: [amsat-bb] Explorer I > >If I'm not mistaken this is the 50th anniversary of the launch of >Explorer I, the USA's first satellite put in orbit. I listened to the >telemetry broadcast on 108 mHz and recorded it. The JPL had asked for >the loan of any recordings made so I sent them out for their analysis. >I received my original tapes back along with a supply of new reels of >tape for use in making further recordings. JPL sent copies on to the >Air Force Research Center at Cambridge. > >I later received letters from JPL and the Air Force Research Center >describing the data they had recovered from the recordings relative to >micrometeorite impacts and other items. It was a really exciting period > >for Amateur Radio. > >-- >Roy -- W0SL >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > >-- >BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS >------------------------------------------------------ > >Teach CanIt if this mail (ID 34618761) is spam: >Spam: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=s >Not spam: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=n >Forget vote: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=f >------------------------------------------------------ >END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb 73, Ed - KL7UW ====================================== BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ====================================== _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb --- http://USFamily.Net/dialup.html - $8.25/mo! -- http://www.usfamily.net/dsl.html - $19.99/mo! ---

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TNX for the AO-16 QSOs!
by Andrew.MacAllister＠emerson.com 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Howdy! We are just finishing up our cruise to the western Caribbean (W5ACM, W5GFP, WA5TWT, WA5WOD, N5RPQ and WB5RMA). Over 90 QSOs were made using my call W5ACM/MM from the Carnival Conquest. We made some AO-16 passes with excellent results, but I must admit that it is a bit difficult to do FM up and SSB down while standing out on the deck of a ship with handheld gear! Most of the contacts were via AO-51 (much easier), but we were amazed at the signal strength of the AO-16 downlink. It was REALLY EXCELLENT!! 73 de Andy W5ACM/MM

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DX on AO-7
by Darin Cowan 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

>>I'm not sure if this contact is a record distance, but I >>will claim it until I'm knocked off my pedestal. At >>about 1915Z I worked Mika-OH8MBN in KP24, I'm in CN87 >>(running 8W John). I heard OH8MBN calling CQ on AO-7 today, so I'm glad someone came back to him. We at VE3JW didn't have the key handy to reply ourselves. Unfortunately we couldn't decipher any of the voice signals. The satellite seemed crowded, but we were unable to copy any callsigns :( But, we did hear it and it's nice to know that it's up and running. Darin Cowan VE3OIJ

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Re: record AO7B
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

My fame was short lived! I acquesce my DX record to Joe K3SZH (I think he owns AO-7). I lost by about 200 miles. Now Joe my friend you are the target. Enjoy! 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "k3szh(a)netzero.net" <k3szh(a)netzero.net> > Bob W7LRD you did great on AO7B,Persistence that's what it takes.My price is > with Fabio PY4AJ grid GH70UN for 4610 miles. > 73 > Joe > K3SZH > Amsat 3788 > _____________________________________________________________ > Click for free information on court reporter careers, $100 per hour potential. > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4s110SbBzG2oEokhBKuJpf… > auCKxw2u36UvX96V2hCzb/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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record AO7B
by k3szh＠netzero.net 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

Bob W7LRD you did great on AO7B,Persistence that's what it takes.My price is with Fabio PY4AJ grid GH70UN for 4610 miles. 73 Joe K3SZH Amsat 3788 _____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on court reporter careers, $100 per hour potential. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4s110SbBzG2oEokhBKuJpf…

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Re: 25 watt Moonbounce
by Oscar Diez 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

Hi list, I am using a homebrew single 6 el. Yagi (DK7ZB design 10.15dBd gain) on the terrace of my house (approx 8ft above ground on a tripod))for "QRP EME" operations regularly. I am running about 90-100 Watt into this antenna (approx 1 KW ERP). This is real QRP for EME standards. See here: http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=146&call=DJ0MY&bbycal l=1 Usually Gary KB8RQ always comes back on my first calls (even without prior announcement of my call in one of the usual EME internet chat rooms). Thus, I would guess that it would even work with much less power (I just never tried it)...so it seems "normal practice" at least with big gun stations of the size of KB8RQ, W5UN, etc. I would even say if he could work KB8RQ with 25w he should give RN6BN a try with only 10-15w (he uses most likely the largest private array on earth since he has recently expanded it). The smallest station he ever worked via OSCAR 0 was a 4 el. yagi with 40W. I am sure you can even decode him on a dipole+preamp, since he has exorbitant strong signals (even compared to other big guns). RX is generally not the problem: I can copy 2 and 4 yagi stations very frequently. I even copied some single longyagi (6 lambda boom length) stations with my tiny antenna in the past a few times. The only problem is the return path where you simply would need more HF power. In total I have already worked about 8 stations (the smallest were 8 yagi group stations) and had more than 15 QSOs with my tiny setup during the past year. This is of course only possible with the help of WSJT software and JT65 mode, hi !!! Otherwise we would still be stuck in EME stone age. 73 de Oscar DJ0MY

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AO-7 DX claim
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

Hello I'm not sure if this contact is a record distance, but I will claim it until I'm knocked off my pedestal. At about 1915Z I worked Mika-OH8MBN in KP24, I'm in CN87 (running 8W John). This works out to 7229Km or 4493 miles. Mika and I have been trying to connect for several days, the window is really really short. QSO was on SSB with KC8ZFN as a witness. Has anyone else "stretched" the footprint. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"

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Re: Explorer I
by Edward Cole 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

Martin, I was involved with the MA-10 (MVM-73) mission as a project engineer at the 210-foot Goldstone tracking station that followed MA-10 around Venus and on to Mercury. I was involved in the Venus dual-band (S/X) atmospheric study. I was one of the two receiver operators that tracked MA-10's signal as it was occulted behind Venus. The differential bending of the two microwave signals provided one of the first direct measurements of Venus' atmospheric density. How time flies! (34-years). 73 Ed - KL7UW At 08:54 AM 2/1/2008, Davidoff, Martin wrote: >1 February 2008 > > Reading the comments on the Explorer I Spacecraft by Roy (W0SL) >and Dan (N8FGV) has certainly stimulated lots of old memories. > > In late 1983 I attended a presentation by James Van Allen at a >meeting of the National Academy of Sciences in DC convened to celebrate >25 years in space. At this point in time the development of the Space >Transportation System (The Shuttle) was being seriously debated. > > Most (!!!) scientists of the era thought the program was a >political boondoggle whose costs would seriously impede the progress of >real space science. As Van Allen, a spokesperson for this group, put it >(my paraphrase) -- These guys claim they're going to reduce my launch >costs by a factor of 100 by taking a scientific instrument with a one >cubic foot volume, putting it in a bus and adding all the life support >systems necessary for five people. > > These past few weeks we've seen spectacular photos of Mercury >taken by the Messenger Spacecraft on its first flyby of the planet. How >many people realize that the Messenger mission is the follow on to >NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft which mapped about 45 percent of the >Mercury's surface during three flybys in 1974 and 1975. Because (?) of >the Shuttle Program it took us more than three decades to return. > >de K2ubc (Martin Davidoff) > > > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On >Behalf Of Roy >Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 12:33 PM >To: AMSAT BBS >Subject: [amsat-bb] Explorer I > >If I'm not mistaken this is the 50th anniversary of the launch of >Explorer I, the USA's first satellite put in orbit. I listened to the >telemetry broadcast on 108 mHz and recorded it. The JPL had asked for >the loan of any recordings made so I sent them out for their analysis. >I received my original tapes back along with a supply of new reels of >tape for use in making further recordings. JPL sent copies on to the >Air Force Research Center at Cambridge. > >I later received letters from JPL and the Air Force Research Center >describing the data they had recovered from the recordings relative to >micrometeorite impacts and other items. It was a really exciting period > >for Amateur Radio. > >-- >Roy -- W0SL >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > >-- >BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS >------------------------------------------------------ > >Teach CanIt if this mail (ID 34618761) is spam: >Spam: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=s >Not spam: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=n >Forget vote: >https://ssl.ccbcmd.edu:7726/canit/b.php?i=34618761&m=87ca5f44f198&c=f >------------------------------------------------------ >END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb 73, Ed - KL7UW ====================================== BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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JH3XCU/1 and AO-7 web site
by DeYoung James 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

Greetings, I am not sure of the intent of a recent AMSAT-BB submission related to JH3XCU/1 and his entry or lack of entry of specific information into the AO-7 web site logger. As far as I can tell he is a competent operator. I also note when searching the web that almost all of his web information is in his native language (Japanese) and I therefore presume that there may be a language related issue possibly. If there is an issue with his submissions appropriate use of statistical filtering is always possible to do on the collected information. I probably have hundreds of QSO's via AO-7 where I only talked to myself, often times on purpose just to measure the loopback frequency. I don't generally even bother to log any loopbacks or QSOs anymore. In most cases others enter information from the other side of the QSO so I see no need to duplicate the information which is also a statistical problem depend on the use of the web site collected data. I hope we can all be more tolerant and give JH3XCU/1 the benefit of the doubt especially since he is a fellow licensed amateur operator. Best regards to all. KG4QWC ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Congrats to Frank KA3HDO
by Bruce 02 Feb '08

02 Feb '08

I didn't see anything like this on the SAREX or AMSAT-BB or ANS. I must have missed it if it came across. Congrats to Frank, KA3HDO. Also a spot from the ARRL Board of Directors 73...bruce *************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 27, No. 4 February 1, 2008 *************** IN THIS EDITION: * + ARRL Board Authorizes New Section Positions, Adopts Budget, More, at Annual Meeting * + NTIA Report on Broadband in America 2007 Inflates BPL Figures * + James De Loach Jr, WU0I, Named 2007 Orr Award Winner * + ARISS International Chairman Moves into New Position at NASA * + Arkansas Health Department Sponsors Amateur Radio Training * + FCC Enforcement Actions * Solar Update * IN BRIEF: This Weekend on the Radio ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration + W1AW Receives New Equipment for 160 Meters Amateurs Activated as Tornado Strikes Mississippi Town Make Your Mark on the ARRL Diamond Terrace Radio Amateur Named Head of Tropical Prediction Center ARRL DXCC Desk Approves E4/OM2DX Operation We Stand Corrected +Available on ARRL Audio News<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> =========================================================== snip... The Board adopted a resolution of support for AMSAT's initiative seeking access to an Intelsat platform in geostationary orbit. AMSAT is in consultation with Intelsat regarding an application of an Intelsat platform carrying amateur satellites into geostationary orbit, with potential benefits for emergency communications. AMSAT has been the principal initiator of projects in the Amateur Satellite Service and continues to play a key role in significantly advancing the state of the art in space science, space education and space technology. snip... ==> ARISS INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN MOVES INTO NEW POSITION AT NASA Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, was named recently as the NASA Headquarters Chief Engineer for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). ESMD is NASA's initiative to develop a sustained human presence on the moon, promote space exploration and serve as a stepping stone to Mars and beyond. As ESMD Chief Engineer, he provides systems engineering advice and consultation to resolve some of the most demanding and complex technical and organizational challenges within the Exploration Program. Bauer and Rosalie White, K1STO, are the two ARISS delegates for the US. He is the Vice President of Human Spaceflight Programs for the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. Bauer was a 2006 nominee for the Rotary National Award for Space Acheivement, bestowed upon him for "his tireless work to engage the youth of our nation and the world in the exploration of space through unique direct communications made possible by Amateur Radio on human spaceflight missions." Bauer is the recipient of NASA's 2002 Outstanding Leadership Medal, the 1997 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal -- bestowed for Pioneering Efforts in Spaceborne GPS -- and NASA's 1992 Exceptional Service Medal (for agency contributions in GN&C). He received the Silver Snoopy Award, the highly prestigious NASA Human Spaceflight Awareness award, in 1992. For more information about ARISS, please visit the ARISS Web page <http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm>. -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0200z on W0KIE new satellite soon. Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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