November 2014 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

UAE’s first CubeSat Nayif-1
by M5AKA 04 Nov '14

04 Nov '14

UAE’s first CubeSat Nayif-1 http://amsat-uk.org/2014/11/04/uae-nayif-1-cubesat/ IARU Region 1 Approve Youth Budget and Satellite Allocation IARU Region 1 Approve Youth Budget and Satellite Allocation ----Trevor M5AKAAMSAT-UKWebsite http://amsat-uk.org/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatukTwitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK----

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CUBESAT INTERN OPPORTUNITY
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 04 Nov '14

04 Nov '14

> CubeSat Simulator Intern Opportunity in Greenbelt, MD USA > > The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is offering an internship > position for the Spring, 2015 semester. Applications are being taken > on the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI) recruiting web site: > https://intern.nasa.gov/ > > Internship Title: CubeSat Simulator Upgrade Plus > > The objective of this Opportunity is to allow a university level > student to rework, repair and improve a prototype "1-Unit" CubeSat > simulator/model on loan from AMSAT and then to share his or her > experiences as a result. The model used in this Opportunity is similar > to that described in The AMSAT Journal article "Education With a > Satellite Simulator: ETP CubeSat Simulator," by Mr. Mark Spencer, > ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator, Part 1 in the > September/October 2009 issue and Part 2 in the November/December 2009 > issue. > > Back copies are available at: > http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ETP/CubeSat/CubeSat-Pt1-SepOct09.pdf > http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ETP/CubeSat/CubeSat-Pt2-NovDec09.pdf > > A course of study in engineering is required. Electrical/Electronics > Engineering (EE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) for > university students in their junior class or higher. Experience in > hardware is also required. Open to U.S. citizens. > > The immediate skills required of the intern are to be a well-rounded > individual, and to have an excellent knowledge of and experience with > Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office (especially in using > spreadsheets), electrical and electronic circuits (theory and practice), > microcontrollers, interfacing, and the use of basic laboratory > test equipment and procedures. > > Familiarity with the CubeSat community is important. > > A proficiency in either C++ or a similar language for microcontrollers > and the desire to learn a new one is necessary. A basic understanding > of data acquisition, signal processing, or control is required. > > Hands-on experience in building something, repairing or upgrading > PCs or other electronic gear, or just getting stuff to work is required. > Mechanical and electrical construction skills will be used. > > Experience in RF or wireless technology (anywhere between 3 and > 2400 MHz) is very important. Holding or obtaining an Amateur Radio > license from the FCC and practical radio experience is a distinct > advantage. > > A good attitude, an exceptional willingness to learn and to contribute > as a team player are essential qualities. Likewise, excellent > communicator skills (verbal, writing and definitely e-mail), > reliability, punctuality, having a self-starter work ethic and the > ability & desire to work independently for long periods are required. > > You may ask questions regarding the tasks and skill requirements > with the mentor in advance (Mr. Pat Kilroy, Code 568, > Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov<mailto:Patrick.L.Kilroy@nasa.gov>) and telephone interviews will be > available. The deadline to apply for the Spring 2015 semester > is this month November 9. Applications must be made via the > OSSI web. > Mr. Pat Kilroy Integration and Test (I&T) Lead NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Building 5, Mail Code 568 Greenbelt, Maryland 20771-5860 W: 301-286-1984 E: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov<mailto:Patrick.L.Kilroy@nasa.gov>

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W5PFG/P November EL09 & DL89 area ops
by Clayton Coleman 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

Nov 23-25 I will operate from grid EL09, not far from the DL99 line. It's likely I'll operate from DL99 on several passes. I will try to visit DL98/DL99 line at least once. I have not operated from those grids since 2011. I know that N8RO operated from this area not too long ago but I'll activate it again for those who missed Ron on his trip. November 25-28, I will be operating from DL89 with occasional operations from DL79/89. It is possible, though I have not made reservations yet for 4x4 transportation, that I will operate from DL88 for a 2nd time in 2014. November 28-29, I will operate from the DM90/DM91 area. I won't have a lot of time in this area and will only notify via Twitter in advance of me working a pass. It's becoming common to see satellite operators post their updates via Twitter (recent examples: KG5CCI, WD9EWK, AC0RA, XE3DX.) Here's a little explanation: Twitter is possibly the most versatile tool for notifying individuals about grid operations. You can access my Twitter feed by web at http://www.twitter.com/w5pfg. If you create an account on Twitter, you can configure email and text (SMS) alerts. It is not necessary to have Internet access to send notifications. I can post a Tweet simply by sending a text (SMS) to a special phone number. Alternatively, I can send a Tweet even if I don't have cell coverage but do have Internet access. It provides a lot of flexibility. There is no cost for this service and it is generally as reliable or better than email service. It does not rely on any individuals relaying information for you. 73, Clayton W5PFG

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Standard time = More convenient pass times for AO-73
by Paul Stoetzer 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

Good evening, Just a reminder that AO-73 now has more convenient evening pass times as we've fallen back to Standard Time here in the United States. Just worked a pass that started at 9:41pm EST covering the eastern and central United States and heard just two other stations. Now that many ascending FO-29 passes come too early in the day for those of us who work 9-5, AO-73 is our only evening satellite when SO-50 pass times do not fall in the evening. Hope to hear more people on. I'm still waiting to issue 73 on 73 Award #3! 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

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Virgin Galactic "SpaceShipTwo" crash
by Alan 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

Just breaking: http://preview.tinyurl.com/l5565d3 Another reminder that flight is never routine. Alan WA4SCA

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AmsatDroid Free on Android 4.4 (KITKAT)
by David A B Johnson 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

Hi, It has been brought to my attention that there is a problem uploading and using a nasabare.txt on the SDCARD on some devices with 4.4 (KITKAT). After reading the Google docs, I've found that they have changed the file access model. I will be building a new release in the next couple of days to fix this. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

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Nasabare.txt on AMSAT website - no permissions?
by Tom Deeble - KA6SIP 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

I just tried to access the nasabare.txt keps but I get an error "You don't have permission to access /amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt on this server." Has anyone else run into this? Thanks, Tom Tom Deeble - KA6SIP, ka6sip(a)aol.com Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Membership Chairman MDARC, PO Box 23222, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-0222 PACIFICON - Oct 16-18, 2015, San Ramon

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Re: [amsat-bb] Nasabare.txt on AMSAT website - no permissions?
by Joe Fitzgerald 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

> > I just tried to access the nasabare.txt keps but I get an error "You don't > have permission to access > /amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt on this server." > Tom, Thank you for this report. I believe the problem has been resolved. Would you check to see if it is working properly for you now? 73 de KM1P Joe

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KLM parts
by Jeff KB2M 03 Nov '14

03 Nov '14

The KLM antenna parts went to the first reply. There was a surprising amount of interest, and some good needs. But I had to be fair. Thanks for all the interest. 73 Jeff kb2m

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DN30vx and DN41aa via FO-29
by Lee Ernstrom 02 Nov '14

02 Nov '14

Wow, what a day. It all started this morning when I exchanged emails with Frank, K5FEG and Jeff, NX9B. Both of them expressed their need for some grids close to my QTH so I checked the weather outside and it looked pretty decent so I decided I would activate DN30. In August of this year while I was checking out good locations on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake for the Perceids meteor shower I found a great spot on the east side of the island with a great take off to the east. Unfortunately, it was in DN30 and I really wanted to operate from DN31 for the shower. This morning when I found out there was some interest in DN30 I immediately thought of the high spot on the island that would be an ideal spot to access low angle shots to FO-29 to the east. So I packed up the car with my radio gear and camera and drove the 18 miles to the spot I had in mind. When I got there there was a little wind and it was a little cold but I figured I could withstand fifteen minutes of that. Since I was several hours early I drove back home and puttered around the house until it was time to leave for the island again. When I got there the wind had picked up considerably and the temperature had really dipped, so instead of operating on the picnic table like I had planned I moved the radio gear back into the car and operated from there. Since the satellite didn't rise into the sky very high I didn't have much adjusting of the antenna to do. Here is a list of the stations I worked through FO-29 from DN30vx. K4FEG, KB1RVT, AA5PK, N5JF, AC0RE, NX9B, K3SZH, KB0VXN, WB8RJY, NM3B, NX9G, WN9Q, K8YSE/7, and WA4NVM (I think). Well, when that was over I dashed home, grabbed a bite to eat and drove to a park in west Kaysville, Utah in DN41aa where there was a big parking lot. FO-29 passed practically right over my location so I struggled to keep the antenna pointed in the right direction. the stations I worked from there were... N5JF, AC0RA, NX9B, XE2BHL, W5PFG, K4FEG, K8YSE/7, AND N6FUB. When I got home I uploaded all the QSOs to LOTW. I will also produce QSL cards for anyone who wants a hard copy. Just let me know. Thanks for the fun! 73, Doc, WA7HQD

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