December 2015 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-12-29 22:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-12-29 22:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Frederick W. Harnett Middle School, Blackstone, Massachusetts, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-01-05 17:42:06 UTC 81 deg Sandringham School, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK, direct via GB1SAN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be GB1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-01-08 08:47:47 UTC 83 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** I would like to thank everyone who has supported ARISS since the first contact back 15 years ago. I can still remember ARISS contact #1 where I was the control operator at Burbank outside of Chicago. It has been a blast ever since. Now we are heading into 2016 where we hope to keep the traditions going. We have 2 contacts scheduled in the first week of the new year. Charlie AJ9N (***) **************************************************************************** ** >From 2015-12-20 to 2016-01-04, there will be no US Operational Segment (USOS) hams on board ISS. So any schools contacts during this period will be conducted by the ARISS Russia team. **************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. **************************************************************************** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Francesco IKØWGF with 115 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 114 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2015-12-29 22:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1015. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 980. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 46. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2015-12-09 07:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 43/44 on orbit Scott Kelly Mikhail Kornienko RN3BF Exp. 45 on orbit Sergey Volkov RU3DIS Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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follow-up on request for list of North American grids activated in 2015
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Hi! Thanks for the responses to my request last night for stations to send me information on the grids that they activated during calendar year 2015! I have received information from 18 different stations, and a couple of others have said they will compile their lists after 31 December. This is great, and I appreciate the responses. I would like to hear from any satellite operators in Mexico that have been active from more than their home grids, as I know I have worked a few down there in different locations during 2015. I would appreciate receiving this information by 15 January 2016, if others are interested in providing me their lists of grids activated in 2015. I also have details on a couple of other stations that have posted their lists of grids activated in 2015 online, and I will include those in my writeup. I received one comment that questioned my use of Twitter in my request for this information. I understand that many hams don't use, or care for, social media platforms like Twitter. Of the 18 stations that have sent me information, about 2/3 of them are also on Twitter - and all of those have operated from between 5 and 58 different grids in 2015. Many of us use Twitter specifically, since it does not require full access to the Internet to send information for others to see. Twitter can be used with SMS messages, which means just having access to a mobile phone network is all that is needed to interact with Twitter. Many of us also keep our Twitter feeds open for anyone to read - the reason why I usually refer to a link to see my @WD9EWK Twitter feed in a web browser (http://twitter.com/WD9EWK ), without having a Twitter account. Twitter is just another way to spread the word, a reason why I also posted my original request here on the AMSAT-BB list last night. If I was interested in plotting a map showing all of the grids that were active in 2015, this could be done by everyone submitting lists of grids worked during the year. Although that would make for a nice map, especially to see if it would have been possible to work all of the states in the continental USA during the year, that is a larger project I didn't want to take on. I'm looking to highlight those stations that go out and activate grids away from home, for the benefit of other satellite operators. Thanks again, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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AO-7 Mode A at 1950Z
by Paul Stoetzer 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Good afternoon, I'll be on AO-7 Mode A at 1950Z today looking for a few QSOs. There's only a few days left until AO-7 sees daily eclipses for many years to come, meaning the 24 hour timer will not function and the satellite will spend a large majority of its time in Mode B. I may also be on the 2144Z pass. 73, Paul, N8HM

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EO79
by PY5LF 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Very good signal from EO79 now , 15:31 UTC . Actually I`m using this doppler information on SatPC32; EO-79,145950,435066.4,USB,LSB,REV,0,0 I hope it helps. 73 PY5LF Luciano Fabricio Curitiba-PR-BR GG54jm http://www.qrz.com/db/PY5LF

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ISS Voice, SSTV, and SO-50 video clips - Trailer for my YouTube Channel Space Comms
by John Brier 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSBPdAmBx8k 73, John, KG4AKV

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Re: [amsat-bb] TS-2000 and 9600 baud Sats
by Tony 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Lizeth: > Unisat-6 has strong 9k6 telemetry. Would you happen to have a recent set of keps for Unisat-6? Searched Celestrak for catalog # 40012, but haven't found it yet. > Unisat-6 has strong 9k6 telemetry. Used a dongle and the same soft modem. Yes, I've had great results decoding XW-2F with the Funcube Dongle and UZ7HO's 9k6 modem. The problem is that I haven't been able to do the same with the Kenwood TS-2000 and SCS Tracker modem which is G3RUH / GMSK compatible. Any other reliable 9600 baud sats on your list? Thanks Tony -K2MO On 12/28/2015 8:30 PM, Lizeth Norman wrote: > Unisat-6 has strong 9k6 telemetry. Used a dongle and the same soft > modem. Works best with a fast (4 core) computer, lots of memory.. Have > tried it with a bunch of different machines. core2duo with 2 Gb just > does not cut it. > > On Sun, Dec 27, 2015 at 8:09 PM, Tony <dxdx(a)optonline.net> wrote: >> All: >> >> Having failed to copy ANY 9600 baud satellites with my Kenwood TS-2000 and >> 9600 baud SCS modem, I decided to try a Funcube Dongle instead. Needless to >> say, the Funcube worked and I was able to copy XW-2F's down link using >> UZ7HO's 9600 baud G3RUH Soundmodem. >> >> That made me take a closer look at the Kenwood TS-2000 / SCS Modem setup >> and, low and behold, I found that the data rate for the external TNC was set >> at 1200 baud instead of 9600. For those TS-2000 users, this setting is found >> in Menu item 50F. >> >> I'm hoping this is the only setup parameter I missed. I don't know of any >> 9600 baud terrestrial links or PBBS near my location so I'll have to wait >> till the next 9600 bird comes along. >> >> Tony -K2MO >> >> >> >> >> >> . >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions >> expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of >> AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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XW-F satellites
by Vincenzo Mone 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Hi all > Has anyone been able to copy the XW- F satellite via 9600 or 19200 baud FSK and GMSK? If yes please which program to use? I am trying with the Funcube Dongle Pro Plus and UZ7HO Soundmodem program. I get a strong signal from the satellites but nothing decode. Any help will be really appreciated. 73's de Enzo IK8OZV Inviato da iPhone

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Re: [amsat-bb] What on earth (or in space...) is going on?
by Daniel Schultz 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

> I have been sucked into a discussion that makes me feel like I have spent > the last six months in a coma... Dear Pete MM0TWX, Attending the annual AMSAT Space Symposium is certainly the best way to get caught up on the newest developments but I recognize that not everybody can come, although we do try to move the symposium to different parts of the country each year to give everyone a chance to attend at least once. If you want to bring the symposium to your city, form a local organizing committee and make a proposal to AMSAT! The AMSAT forums and exhibits at Dayton are also a good place to get caught up, but I recognize that not everybody can come to Dayton. Lacking that, the AMSAT Journal is your best source of up to date information and it is included in the price of your membership. If you are not a member, then I guess you have only yourself to blame. Most of the really active AMSAT volunteers are too busy to read AMSAT-BB on a regular basis, the signal to noise ratio can get a bit rough sometimes. Please recognize, as Jerry and Tom pointed out, that we live in a brave new world where a 6U Cubesat might be the largest thing that we can launch, and it has to have a scientific, technological or educational purpose that NASA or some other sponsor will buy into. Sometimes I feel like we are trying to fit 50 pounds of satellite into a 5 pound sack, and this requires some tricky space engineering to make it work. Getting the antennas to fit on such a tiny satellite is one challenge, generating enough solar power is another challenge. With AO-10 and AO-13, we could cover the body of the satellite with solar cells and tolerate the inefficiency that comes when the cells don't always point directly to the sun. With a Cubesat that might be only 10 x 20 x 30 centimeters, we really have to have three axis attitude control to keep those cells pointing at the sun most of the time. This is challenging technology for AMSAT. (And for those who love the older RS birds, remember that they were attached to larger satellites that provided an ample amount of power for their transmitters. You would have to ask the Russians if they have any plans to do more such satellites in the future.) I think we will include some type of analog transponder in most future satellites, the SDR radios can most likely be programmed to relay analog signals, but these signals will come from small antennas with limited transmitter power, they will be weaker than what you received in the past, and we are doing this for those hams who enjoy a challenge. Please do not complain that we are only interested in serving the "elite" hams, yes, the analog transponders are for those hams. The digital ground system group is working hard to make a 5 GHz up, 10 GHz down digital transponder kit that average hams can buy and assemble, and we intend to design future satellites that can all use those bands and modes so that your equipment investment will not be wasted when one satellite dies. The geosynchronous transponder might be about as challenging as a Skype call, but think about what that might do for those hams who work in public service and emergency communications. This is the sort of thing that attracts attention from the FCC and Congress when they are considering the future value of amateur radio to the nation. Please also recognize, as Bob pointed out, that some things CAN'T be released to the membership, and you will just have to trust that he knows what he is doing. There are also some things that are just too darn speculative and we may be reluctant to talk about them in public until our ideas firm up. The symposium is the best place to get the latest gossip on the really far out ideas. Finally, if you see something that needs to be done, please step forward and do it. The absolute best way to keep up with our progress is to work alongside those AMSAT volunteers who are making things happen, because in the end, AMSAT is nothing more than the passion and energy of its volunteers. 73, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dan Schultz N8FGV

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Midland CT890 working full duplex in AO85
by Felix Paez EA4GQS 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Hi all, finally I have been able to do the test with AO85. As Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK told me in a previous thread, It seems impossible to work SO-50 full duplex with a single HT like this because It gets completely saturated but today my experience with AO85 has been completely different. Just at the beginning of the pass, when the satellite was still in the horizon I have been able to hear my own voice on the downlink when nobody seemed to still be using it. It has been only a pair of CQ calls. After that I have lost the downlink (maybe because I have some buildings in the way) and I haven't recovered it until it was in the middle of the pass. My impression is that I haven't been able to excite the repeater again but it is difficult to assure because the sat was too crowded. The test has been done with the Midland CT890 and an Arrow Antenna using 4W. I have a Wouxun KG-UV8D (lent to me with the Arrow from Antonio EA1IW) and it seems the same HT as the Midland CT890 (at least externally is almost identical and the menus are the sames, so I suppose the electronics are the same in both HTs). Anyway I will do more test with both HTs... but this could be great news,.. An important thing is that I have used a handheld microphone with headphones. Another thing that I would like to say is that sometimes I hear very clear voices when I am in 145.975 and sometimes when I am in 145.980 (in the same pass) and it does not seem directly related to doppler. This is my impression!! Well that is my experience of this night. Still no QSOs in this sat but I think I am in the right way... SO-50 is not challenge anymore (each pass I am able to do between 1 and 4 QSOs) but this tricky sat still is to me! :) Thanks all, Felix Paez EA4GQS

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XW-2A
by sm7wsj＠telia.com 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Hello! Does anyone know why they have activated the transponder in the middle of the coordinated space for repeaters here in EU? We have worked very hard to get the repeaterlinking out of the satellitepart of our 2m&70cm band but now it will be even worse to motivate why it is important to protect the bandplan. It is sad to see! 73 Hakan SM7WSJ

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