March 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 26th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 28-30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission deadline is July 31, 2007. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve, WB8IMY ARRL

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SV1BSX is Silent Key
by Nader Omer 06 Apr '09

06 Apr '09

Rest in peace my Elemer Mak SV1BSX. We well miss you on air and on the list. My condolences goes to all EU-AMSAT,AMSAT BB lists members and to his family. God bless your soul. Nader st2nh www.st2nh.com

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KiwiSat's Updated Status
by Bill Ress 03 Apr '09

03 Apr '09

Hello all, The status of New Zealand's AMSAT-ZL - KiwiSat - has just been updated. Check out their steady march to a launch at: http://kiwisat.org/index.html Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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OH8MBN -3000 lOGS. AJ9K -2000 lOGS.
by TERRY BROMLEY 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Mika, OH8MBN, congratulations on reaching 3000 + logs on the AO-7 Logbook. Also Dan, AJ9K on reaching 2000 + logs. Allways a pleasure in our qso's, thankyou. 73s Terry G1WPR.

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ISS SSTV Photos
by racer5039 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

I was able to catch 3 nice photos from the ISS as it passed over this afternoon. In the middle of one of them, the antennas where resetting the the other side, but still got most of it. Is there some way of "fixing them up" after the down load? It looks like the others are much smoother than the ones I got. Now if I could only catch them on the repeater....someday. Marv. N0FJP

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Dayton
by Martha 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

I have 5 rooms left in the AMSAT block for Dayton. I have to send the list to the hotel in 2 weeks, So if you are planning on staying with us, please call me as soon as possible (301-589-6062) -- 73- Martha - AMSAT Manager

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First SSTV Rx
by Kent Frazier 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Hi all, After reading some of the posts about the SSTV on AO-51 I decided to give it a try. I downloaded and installed MMSSTV and waited for a pass. There was a good 40 degree pass over San Angelo, Texas beginning at about 00:14 UTC. I connected my radio's data jack to my computer with my USB adapter and recorded the pass with my digital voice recorder. Lucky I did as nothing showed up on the computer via the data jack connection. I used my Elk Antenna to receive the signals. After the pass I brought everything back into the house and connected the voice recorder's ear jack to the computer's mic jack. After adjusting the volume so MMSSTV wasn't complaining about an overload I ran the recording. MMSSTV was in Auto Rx Mode and changed to Robot 36 as it received the information. The image isn't very clear, but at least I was able to receive something. If anyone would care to look at the image and help me identify why it is not clearer it would be appreciated. It has been uploaded to my photobucket account at the following URL: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/badfrog88/Amateur%20Radio/?action=… -- 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

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ISS transmitting SSTV
by D. Craig Fox 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Greetings all. ISS just passed 10 mins ago transmitting a SSTV image of NA1SS. Not sure if I can post this with a .jpeg image attached, but it is attached for anyone that wants to see what we received here in SoCal on MMSSTV. 73's Craig N6RSX <<Copy of IMG_0462.jpg>> NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.

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wsjt - anyone got it working?
by Gordon JC Pearce MM3YEQ 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

I've been looking at wsjt for EME stuff, but I just can't get it to work. It won't compile, throwing strings of errors, and the binary package crashes immediately on startup. Emails to K1JT's arrl.net address don't seem to be answered (although perhaps he's busy). Any thoughts? Gordon MM3YEQ

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Internet via Dish
by Dave 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Hi group- I have a need to look into getting high-speed internet via satellite. Any suggestions from the group? Dish Network? Dave

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Re: Live ARISS web TV broadcast - Cambridge, UK
by Ciaran Morgan 31 Mar '09

31 Mar '09

Folks, Many thanks to all of you who watched the live stream of the Parkside ARISS contact and who sent your best wishes. I have recorded contacts watching from Puerto Rico India Netherlands upstate New York Canada Marshall Space Flight Center Johnson Space Center And many, many in the UK (including non amateurs !!) We are working on a video of the contact which we will release hopefully - it was a late night after the teardown and travelling home! I would appreciate comments on the stream itself - we hope to make this a regular part of future ARISS contacts in the UK. Regards Ciaran Morgan M0XTD

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AO-7 milestone QSOs
by k3szh＠netzero.net 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

With 660 stations using Emily's logger worldwide 24 stations have made the 1000 plus list of QSOs. Five of those stations eclipsed the the 2000 mark. AJ9K Dan (2001) with his mixed CW & SSB N3TE Steve (2045)using his smooth CW skills 9A2SB Zlatko (2103) always with a great signal OH8MBN Mika (3000) steady as a rock IN REMEMBRANCE OF A SILENT KEY SV1BSX Mak made his last entry March 14, 2009 (2109) QSOs - he will be missed by all of us and his love of AO-7 The AO-7 friendly group salute you with our antennas pointed straight up. 73s Joe K3SZH AMSAT 3788 ____________________________________________________________ Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/BLSrjpYR2bnWIUXDdn4czVB3rfGu…

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Re: Nothing heard GO-32
by Mike Rupprecht 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Hi All, it seems that GO-32 crashed again and is now again in a reloading process. Heard heavy download traffic in the range of control station. GO-32 was sending a pretty old beacon format (47 byte length) -> TechSat-V4.2. New format is : 49 byte length -> TechRam1V9.87 [47 Bytes KISS Frame (without CRC)] 1 > C0 00 0A 0B 15 00 8C 00 AB 3B B9 49 54 65 63 68 53 61 74 2D 21 > 56 34 2E 32 00 70 00 00 00 00 40 08 10 00 40 00 04 00 00 00 41 > 00 00 4D 0E 03 00 C0 À.....Œ.«;¹ITechSat-V4.2.p....@...@.......M...À 30.03.2009 18:10:27 UTC Key : 8C 00 ASCII Header : TechSat-V4.2 Statusbits [1] : 0111.0000 0000.0000 (70 00h) Statusbits [2] : 0000.0000 0000.0000 (00h) choosen RAM : 1 Attidude State : 4 Start Datasegment : 2112 (08 40h) PIC Vector : 16 (10h) Start Codesegment : 64 (40h) Power State : 0 Power Current : 0.00 A Power VBattery : 14.59 V Power AH Counter : 3 Does someone have contact to the control team in Israel? 73, Mike DK3WN -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: Mark L. Hammond [mailto:marklhammond@gmail.com] Gesendet: Sonntag, 29. März 2009 14:21 An: Mike Rupprecht Betreff: Nothing heard GO-32 Hi Mike! Nothing heard from GO-32 right now. Strange...when is last time you heard it? From your satblog, it looks like Friday? 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Internet via Dish?
by John Marranca, Jr 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

My boss used to have "DirectPC". Whether pr not it's still available today...I couldn't say. But circa 2004 when he had it, it was pretty cool. He was able to connect at minimum 256 KB/s in a rural area. Good Luck. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: Live ARISS web TV broadcast - Cambridge, UK
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Excellent job folks ... I went around the building here at MSFC and got several folks watching. Very good show !! Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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NASA Approved Lacing Tape Needed
by Bill Ress 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Hello all, I'm working with an Amateur satellite team that has reached the stage where lacing of the satellite wiring harness in fast upon them. We're looking for about 100 feet or so of lacing tape which is NASA approved. An approved source is from Gudebrod for their 18DPTH (per MIL-T-43435B Type II Size 3 Finish C). They current have a 6 to 8 week lead time and a 8 spool (1500 feet per spool minimum). Other NASA approved sources would be acceptable such as Federal Mogue HT-30TVS - I think!! If you have any leads on obtaining this material, please contact me off list. Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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AMSAT Journal
by Kent Frazier 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Is the AMSAT Journal web page (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/journal/) correct in that the current issue is November/December 2008? If not, when was the last issue mailed, as I haven't received any since the November/December 2008 issue. Also is there any way to order backissues? I can't seem to find any of the other 2008 issues. I'm asking as my magazine delivery has been rather unreliable lately. -- 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

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info for WB7QXU Mike
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 30 Mar '09

30 Mar '09

Mike asked me to get some information for his satellite efforts. He is not yet on the BB. What is the general consensus of egg beaters for LOE's. What is the consensus of Icom preamps, he recently got a 910. His email is WB7QXU(a)juno.com 73 Bob W7LRD

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YouTube - Morse Code: Digital mode for interplanetary communication?
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

I liked this YouTube video Morse Code: Digital mode for interplanetary communication? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovIc7lkQMfY 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Get Daily Amateur Radio News by Email: http://tinyurl.com/ARemailnews ---- AMSAT-UK publish a quarterly newsletter OSCAR News, you can join at https://secure.amsat.org.uk/ AMSAT-UK Colloquium: http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/ ----

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SSTV/ Icom- IC-910
by Peter 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

Hi, I have an IC-910 and I'm not able to receive SSTV when the radio is in satellite mode, has anyone worked around this problem, thank you. I'm using MMSSTV and when I attempt to transmit, I receive an e access violation and the program shuts down, any ideas? 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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Live ARISS web TV broadcast - Cambridge, UK
by Howard Long 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

Folks We are going to attempt to perform a video feed from Parkside College on Monday 30 March at 17:02UTC. We are somewhat held back with lack of local Internet connectivity, but in tests today things appear OK. The URL is http://www.batc.tv, then click on the Live Events button (three down on the left). Then select "Live Stream 1 - ARISS" and push the "View Stream" button. We'll be streaming from about 16:00Z. I apologise in advance if the stream fails! We also have some evil local home powerline LAN type interference here, with one of its nasty peaks at 145.807MHz so things could be a bit scary at the start of the pass, possibly even more reason to tune in to see us fretting. 73, Howard G6LVB

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[ans] ANS-088 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-088 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: * Venus Bounce?? * Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, to Step Down from ARISS and AMSAT Duties * Will Marchant, KC6ROL, Appointed AMSAT’s VP-Human Space Flight * AMSAT Booth Volunteers Needed for Dayton 2009 * ARISS Status - 23 March 2009 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.01 Venus Bounce?? AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 29, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-088.01 On March 25th, 2009 a team from the German space organisation AMSAT-DL reached another milestone on its way to an own interplanetary probe towards planet Mars. The ground station at the Bochum observatory transmitted radio signals to Venus. After traveling almost 100 million kilometers and a round trip delay of about 5 minutes, they were clearly received as echoes from the surface of Venus. Receiving planetary echoes is a première in Germany and Europe. In addition, this is the farthest distance crossed by radio amateurs, over 100 times further than echoes from the moon (EME reflexions). For receiving the EVE (Earth-Venus-Earth) reflections, an FFT analysis with an integration time of 5 minutes was used. After integrating for 2 minutes only, the reflected signals were clearly visible in the display. Despite the bad weather, signals from Venus could be detected from 1038UT on until the planet reached the local horizon. The high power amplifier which is described in the current AMSAT-DL journal has therefore passed this crucial test as a final key component for the planned P5-A Mars mission. By receiving generated echoes from Venus, the ground and command station for the Mars probe has been cleared for operational use and the AMSAT-Team is now gearing up for building the P5-A space probe. For financing the actual construction and launch, AMSAT-DL is currently in negotiation with the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) among others, to obtain financial support for the remaining budget of 20 Mill EUR. AMSAT-DL wants to show that low-budget interplanetary exploration is possible with its approach. More information and the link to the official press release: http://www.amsat-dl.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=166&Item… The EVE experiment was repeated on Thursday, March 26th for several hours with good echoes from Venus. Morse code was used to transmit the well known „HI“ signature known from the AMSAT OSCAR satellites. 73s de DB2OS Peter Guelzow President AMSAT-DL [ANS thanks Peter, DB2OS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.02 Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO to Step Down from ARISS and AMSAT Duties AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 29, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-088.02 Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, announced today that, effective immediately(3/24/09), he will be stepping down from all his Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) duties. This includes his contributions to NASA Education as the ARISS program leader, his support as the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Working Group Chair, his appointment as one of two ARISS USA delegates, and as the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation’s (AMSAT) Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs. Mr. Bauer cited personal and professional reasons for his departure. He is currently the Chief Engineer for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. This directorate is developing the next generation human spaceflight vehicles that will take NASA to the International Space Station and then to the Moon, Mars and beyond. He is also providing some backup support to the Space Operations Chief Engineer who supports the Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs. “Work responsibilities, which have increased substantially over the past couple of years, coupled with some recent health issues within my immediate family, led me to the conclusion that I could not continue to provide the leadership and passion that has been characteristic of my past support to these amateur radio endeavors,” Mr. Bauer said. “This was a very hard decision. I will certainly miss the phenomenal ARISS international team and our mission to inspire the next generation of space explorers using ham radio as our platform. But I thought it would be best to step down at this juncture,” Bauer explained. KA3HDO continues, “Over the past 12 years, we have developed, mentored and matured an outstanding volunteer team with a wide breadth and depth. I am fully confident that they will keep the ARISS program running smoothly without missing a beat.” AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, has tapped Will Marchant, KC6ROL, to become the next AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs and the AMSAT USA delegate of the ARISS International Working Group. Barry Baines stated that “AMSAT is fortunate that we have a very capable leader in Will Marchant who is intimately familiar with ARISS, our extensive human spaceflight program, and is well respected internationally.” Barry observed, “Frank’s leadership has left a significant mark on the overall ARISS program and the cooperative relationship between amateur radio, NASA and other governmental space agencies. However, Frank also ensured that his team evolved to the point where the work that he pioneered will be carried on by those that he mentored and encouraged to take on greater responsibility.” In his new role, Will Marchant will work with the other ARISS USA delegate, Rosalie White, K1STO, from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the other ARISS International Delegates and the ISS Space Agencies to coordinate the development and operations of the amateur radio systems onboard the ISS. Rosalie stated that “I look forward to working with Will in his new role. He has provided outstanding leadership and support to ARISS from its very beginning, most recently as an Operations team leader. And he helped pioneer the school group mentor role as part of the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) program in the early 1990’s.” She continued, “Frank will be missed tremendously. It is incredible how much volunteer time and effort he put into ARISS educational activities; it was easy to see it was his passion.” With Mr. Bauer stepping down from the ARISS International Chairman role, the ARISS International Vice Chair, Mr. Gaston Bertels, ON4WF will become the ARISS International Chairman effective immediately. Mr. Bertels has been a leader of ARISS from its inception and serves as the Chairman of the ARISS-Europe team. Mr. Bertels has established a close relationship between ARISS and ESA, the European Space Agency. This resulted in the development and the installation of ARISS L- and S-band antennas on the nadir of Columbus, the European Space Laboratory. Mr. Bertels also chairs the ARSPEX (Amateur Radio Space Exploration) working group of the International Amateur Radio Union, Region 1. Mr. Bertels stated: "We can understand the reasons of Frank Bauer's resignation, but we also feel how difficult this decision has been. Frank has inspired a worldwide group of passionate radio amateurs, working together to a common goal. Now it is up to us to continue in the same direction and with the same spirit. That's the best farewell present we can offer Frank". Mr. Bauer’s departure today represents the culmination of over 25 years of leadership and support to amateur radio activities on human spaceflight vehicles, including NASA sponsored ham radio activities on the Shuttle, Space Station Mir, and the International Space Station. Starting in 1983, he led the Goddard Amateur Radio Club team that provided around-the clock Space Shuttle retransmissions from the WA3NAN club station. These retransmissions provided the international ham radio community up-to-the-minute information during the flight of Owen Garriott, W5LFL on STS-9 and subsequent SAREX flights. These real-time bulletins and frequent orbital element updates could only be obtained through amateur radio in the days prior to the internet. In 1991, AMSAT then President Bill Tynan, W3XO tapped Frank to be the AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight, a position he has held until today. In 1996, when the International Space Station design development was well underway, NASA Headquarters Education Office executive Pam Bacon (Mountjoy) requested that the amateur radio community form a single, international team to provide one voice for all ham radio development and operations on the ISS. The SAREX Working Group, led by Roy Neal, K6DUE, was tapped to turn this vision into reality. In November 1996, Roy (ARRL), with the other SAREX working group members Frank Bauer, KA3HDO (NASA/AMSAT), Rosalie White K1STO (ARRL), and Matt Bordelon, KC5BTL, (NASA) organized a joint NASA-international amateur radio meeting at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This led to the formulation of the ARISS International Working Group of delegates representing Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the USA—and the rest is history. Since those austere beginnings, the ARISS team of volunteers has developed and deployed ham radio equipment that resides in three modules of the ISS---the Service Module, the FGB and the Columbus Module as well as having deployed a short duration satellite in a space suit called SuitSat-1/Radiosskaf/AO-54. These systems enable the ARISS team to inspire over 15,000 students each year, encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through amateur radio communications with the ISS on-orbit crew. It also introduces these students and millions from the worldwide general public to the fun, exciting, multi-faceted world of amateur radio. The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), is an educational, not-for-profit corporation founded 40 years ago and is based in Silver Spring, MD. Its primary objective is to foster Amateur Radio’s participation in space research, communications, and education through the development and operation of amateur radio satellites in space. To date, there are over 60 amateur radio satellites that have been built by volunteers around the world and flown in space. [ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.03 Will Marchant, KC6ROL Appointed AMSAT’s VP-Human Space Flight AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 29, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-088.03 Will Marchant, KC6ROL Appointed AMSAT’s VP-Human Space Flight AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has appointed Will Marchant, KC6ROL of Marshall, VA as VP-Human Space Flight and to serve as the AMSAT USA delegate to the ARISS International Working Group. These appointments follow the resignation of Frank Bauer, KA3HDO that was announced on Tuesday morning, 24 March due to family and professional reasons. “AMSAT is fortunate that we have a very capable leader in Will Marchant who is intimately familiar with ARISS, our extensive human spaceflight program, and is well respected internationally.” Barry observed, “Frank’s leadership has left a significant mark on the overall ARISS program and the cooperative relationship between amateur radio, NASA and other governmental space agencies. Frank has also ensured that his team evolved to the point where the work that he pioneered will be carried on by those that he mentored and encouraged to take on greater responsibility.” Will Marchant, KC6ROL was first licensed in 1990 when he was assisting search and rescue organizations in California and wanted to use amateur radio as a backup to local law enforcement communications. One of his early activities as an amateur radio operator was to track and listen for the space shuttle and MIR. Will increased his participation in amateur radio in space in 1992 with the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX). At that time, he managed a shuttle contact with Lawrence Hall of Science of the University of California, Berkeley, CA with STS-57. From that point on, Will increased his activities in the SAREX program following his relocation from Berkeley to Virginia in 1994. He served as a mentor for various school contacts and was appointed to serve as Operations Manager for SAREX in 1995. As SAREX Operations Manager Will coordinated both school contacts and ‘family & friends’ contacts for four years, spending time at Mission Control in Houston during SAREX missions managing these contacts. When the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Working Group was established in 1996, Will was involved under Frank Bauer’s leadership. The first International Space Station module was sent into orbit in 1998 and has been continuously manned since 2000. Over the past nine years (with two years ‘off’ from SAREX and ARISS to complete a Master’s Degree in Space Sciences), Will has been heavily involved with ARISS Telebridge operations, School Technical Support, and training of personnel for amateur radio operations in Space. For example, Will worked extensively with Richard Garriott, W5KWQ prior to his ‘space tourist’ trip to the ISS in Fall 2008 to help him prepare for his amateur radio operations from space. Rosalie White, K1STO of the ARRL is the other US Delegate to the ARISS International Working Group. She commented, “Will and I have worked closely together on a number of SAREX and ARISS projects over the years, and we 'click.' A hard worker, he believes strongly in the use of ARISS by teachers as an educational tool. I will absolutely miss Frank in our work as US ARISS delegates and ARISS International Officers, but having Will step up is the consolation." In response to his appointments, Will noted, “I’m excited about assuming responsibility as AMSAT’s VP-Human Space Flight as well as serving as the AMSAT USA delegate to the ARISS International Working Group. ARISS continues to play a significant role in science education as well as providing an opportunity for AMSAT to participate in human activities in space. I look forward to working with an outstanding team that Frank created, encouraging greater educational outreach by AMSAT as well as working as AMSAT’s delegate within ARISS International Working Group.” Currently based in Virginia, Will is employed by the University of California Berkeley as a senior programmer and is involved with several space science missions. [ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.04 AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 29, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-088.04 AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2009 I am looking for volunteers to help in the AMSAT booth during the 2009 Dayton Hamvention, May 15-17. I would like people to volunteer for 2 hour shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Multiple shifts are welcome. I also need help with booth setup and take down on Thursday May 14 and Sunday May 17. With enough people we have been able to setup and take down the booth in 3 - 4 hours ( or less). Please volunteer to Gould, WA4SXM at wa4sxm(a)amsat.org. This is a great opportunity to give back to AMSAT and to have an enjoyable time talking with other AMSAT members and future members. Please visit the AMSAT website and follow the Hamvention information to find out the latest details on AMSAT activities at Dayton. Don't forget to order your banquet tickets via the website too. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-088.05 ARISS Status - 23 March 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 088.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 29, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-088.05 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Cotswold School in Christchurch, New Zealand. The contact took place on Thursday, March 26 at 23:52 UTC via telebridge station VK5ZAI in Australia. Cotswold is a primary school which has an enrollment of 500 children, ages 5 to 11. The ARISS contact has been integrated into the school’s science curriculum which covers the solar system and space exploration. Students have learned what the requirements are to become an astronaut and about life in space. The school is in the process of setting up an amateur radio station; ten children have joined the amateur radio club. These students have also learned about sound waves, the history of radio communication, and basic circuit building. St. Joseph High School in Nepean, Ontario, Canada QSO has been accomplished with the International Space Station (ARISS) on Friday, March 27 at 13:38 UTC. This was a telebridge contact via LU1CGB in Argentina. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with the Istituto Comprensivo Statale “Alessandro Volta,” in Mandello Del Lario, Lecco, Italy happened Friday, March 27 at 14:03 UTC. This was a direct and telebridge contact via stations I2JRY and IZ2PBM. The ARISS contact will be integrated into the school curriculum as students are taught lessons in radio, astronautics, astronomy and English. Parkside Community College in Parkside, Cambridge, U.K. has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, March 30 at 17:00 UTC. Station GB4FUN will handle the connection. The Girl’s Middle School (GMS) in Mountain View, California has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, March 30 at 18:22 UTC via telebridge station K6DUE in Maryland. The contact is planned with spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi, KE7KDP/HA5SIK. GMS is a small, independent school for girls in 6th - 8th grade. The school’s mission is to nurture and empower girls during this pivotal time in their lives. It looks for non-traditional educational opportunities to help girls expand their horizons. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Marcelino Canino Canino Middle School in Dorado, Puerto Rico. The contact will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 15:36 UTC. The student body is made up of 577 students of which approximately 77% live under the poverty level. 100% of the students receive Title I services and over 100 students receive special education services. A Microsatellite Student Program has been implemented where students design, construct, build and launch microsatellites which are then tracked and recovered with the help of amateur radio operators. The coordinating teacher has prepared a NASA Explorer Schools proposal and other science oriented proposals in the school to help motivate its largely underprivileged population to become competitive professionals in the global economy. Two contests have been held at the school – one for an activity logo and another for an essay. Scientists, state government functionaries, Department of Education representatives, and students from other grade levels in elementary and high school have been invited to attend the event. Of major interest to the students is the fact that Joseph Acaba, the first astronaut of Puerto Rican descent, flew to the ISS on STS-119. The school is planning its own press releases and expects media coverage. Milwee Middle School in Longwood, Florida has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, April 1 at 17:55 UTC via telebridge station ON4ISS in Belgium. Carl Sandburg Elementary in the Lake Washington School district in Kirkland, Washington has been approved for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The contact is slated for Thursday, April 2 at 19:35 UTC, assisted by telebridge station W6SRJ in California. 2. Article on Hampton Bays Contact Hampton Bays Middle School students participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, February 25. The Southampton Press published a news story on the event. See: http://www.27east.com/story_detail.cfm?id=197658 Video is also available: http://www.27east.com/video.cfm?video=98 3. General Radio Contacts STS-119 Mission Specialist Joseph Acaba, KE5DAR, made voice contacts over Puerto Rico on March 20. Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, made general contacts last weekend as ground stations wished him a happy birthday. 4. ARISS Team Meeting to be Held The next ARISS International Team meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at 11:15 UTC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, 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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SV1BSX
by John Hackett 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

It is both appropriate and fitting that so many operators offered their condolences here and on the Amsat-bb for the very sad loss of my dear friend Mak SV1BSX. He was an inspiration to many newcomers to the satellite scene and his web pages will remain a source of inspiration to future potential Amateur satellite operators. LA2QAA John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Email for VE1WRC?
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

Hey everyone, I decoded an SSTV image from AO-51 this evening that has the Westcum Amateur Radio Club (Nova Scotia) callsign - VE1WRC. If anyone has an email address for a club member, send it to me off-board. I'd like to email them the file. Thanks - and thanks to the Control Team for this week of SSTV. It's been a lot of fun - the ignorant, hateful jamming notwithstanding. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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ZF2AE will be on SO-50 and AO-51 this afternoon
by Adrian Engele 29 Mar '09

29 Mar '09

HI fellow operators, Thanks to those who have worked me so far. I appreciate your patience as I have had a few glitches to contend with. I wanted to let you know that I hope to be on during the following passes later today: SO-50 3/27/2009 AOS 22:15:31 LOS 22:29:09 AO-51 3/27/2009 AOS 23:30:49 LOS 23:44:42 FO-29 3/28/2009 AOS 03:02:45 LOS 03:18:29 VU-52 3/28/2009 AOS 03:20:35 LOS 03:33:05 All times are UTC from EK99hi. Heading to Little Cayman for part of CQWPX. I should be available for satellites contacts most afternoons and late evening on AO-51, SO50, VU-52 and FO-29. Please be patient. It's been many years since I have worked linear birds and I am just getting used to working with SatPC in half-duplex mode with my FT857D and holding an Arrow Antenna at the same time. See you on the birds or on HF. 73 from Sunny Grand Cayman Adrian AA5UK ZF2AE & ZF2AE/ZF8

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