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

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-09-24 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 24 Sep '15

24 Sep '15

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-09-24 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Nowogard Union Schools: Junior High School No. 2, Nowogard, Poland, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Kjell Lindgren KO5MOS Contact is a go for: Tue 2015-09-29 12:56:27 UTC 36 deg Watch for possible live stream http://ariss.pzk.org.pl/live/ (***) Fukara Junior High School, Susono, Japan, direct via 8N2F The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Kimiya Yui KG5BPH Contact is a go for: Thu 2015-10-01 10:26:55 UTC 85 deg **************************************************************************** ** Interested in hosting an ARISS contact? The window is now open from 2015-09-01 to 2015-11-01. These proposals will be for school contacts during the second half of 2016. Go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact or http://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html for full details. To help organizations in preparing their proposals, the ARISS Program Coordinator will offer hour-long online information sessions. These are designed to provide more information regarding US ARISS contacts and the proposal process and offer an opportunity to ask questions. While attending an online information session is not required, it is strongly encouraged. These will be offered Thursday, September 17, at 2000 UTC; Tuesday, September 22, at 2000 UTC, and Wednesday, September 30, at 2300 UTC. Advance registration is necessary. Email ARISS (ariss(a)arrl.org) to sign up for an information session. **************************************************************************** ** >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 114 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 109 **************************************************************************** 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 2015-09-22 18:30 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 994. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 959. 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 2015-09-17 08:30 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. 44 on orbit Oleg Kononenko RN3DX Kimiya Yui KG5BPH Kjell Lindgren KO5MOS Exp. 45 on orbit Sergey Volkov RU3DIS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Yaesu FT-5200 Repair
by Les Rayburn 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

I have a nice dual-band Yaesu FT-5200 that works fine, however the display is shot. Probably too much exposure to Alabama heat and sunshine. Can someone recommend a good repair service who are willing to tackle this little rig? -- -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296

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Fox Telemetry Decoder Software Version 1.0 Available for Download
by Chris Thompson 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Fox Telemetry Decoder Software Version 1.0 Available for Download Version 1.0 of the FoxTelem software, the Fox Telemetry Decoder is being released to enable setup, testing, and debugging of your Fox-1A ground station prior to the launch of the satellite. FoxTelem is used to demodulate, store and analyze telemetry data from AMSAT’s Fox series of Cube Sats. Fox-1 satellites include two telemetry formats: + Slow Speed, also called Data Under Voice (DUV) is 200 bps FSK data sent at the same time as the transponder audio. Whenever the trans- mitter is on, data is being sent. This happens during beacons and during live QSOs. + High Speed is 9600 bps FSK sent instead of the transponder. This is used for data intensive experiments such as the Virginia Tech Camera. This is only active when commanded from the ground. You can recognize High Speed because it sounds like an old school computer modem. FoxTelem will receive and store both formats assuming you can feed it audio that does not have the frequencies below 200 Hz filtered. For High Speed, the audio must also extend to include the full 9600bps bandwidth of the FM signal. For both modes this is best achieved from a Software Defined Radio or from the 9600 bps packet port of some radios. The FoxTelem User Guide provides more details. FoxTelem is supplied as an archive file (.zip on windows, .dmg file on MacOs, .gzip on Linux). Links for downloading can be found at: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=4532 You can unzip the contents and put it in the directory of your choice. Also, detailed in the User Guide, are instructions to select the sound source and set received audio levels on your computer. Until Fox-1A is launched you can confirm everything is working by testing with test wav file which will be available from: http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/recordings . Access to the test file is accomplished by selecting “Load Wav File” from the FoxTelem File menu, then navigate to the directory where you saved the test wav file. Once you press the start button the file will play through the decoder. The FoxTelem page can also be accessed from the main AMSAT web page: http://www.amsat.org --> Fox Project --> FoxTelem Software for Windows, Mac, & Linux The direct link to the page is: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=4532 -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

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Active on next pass LilacSat-2
by Daniel Estévez 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Hi all, Hopefully I will be on the next pass of LilacSat-2, starting about 17:07 UTC and working portable as M/EA4GPZ from IO94EX. 73, Dani.

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Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 over Central US 2340z
by kb2m＠arrl.net 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

On the last 12 degree east coast pass I was able to hear my d/l with a center frequency of 437.188. That’s 37 kHz lower than the suggested 437.225... 73 Jeff kb2m -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 23:39 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 over Central US 2340z to 437.190 MHz and possibly even 437.185 MHz.

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XW-2(CAS-3) Keplerian data update
by Alan Kung 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

XW-2A(CAS-3A) 1 00601U 15265.00000000 .00557105 00000-0 -31719-1 0 00006 2 00601 097.4566 273.1262 0012842 256.6068 170.4479 15.12849425000013 XW-2B(CAS-3B) 1 00603U 15265.00000000 .01225069 00000-0 -71232-1 0 00004 2 00603 097.4579 273.1246 0014061 242.4512 178.9795 15.12083523000016 XW-2C(CAS-3C) 1 00602U 15265.00000000 .01188536 00000-0 -69010-1 0 00001 2 00602 097.4565 273.1243 0014771 244.3546 177.4051 15.12125536000013 XW-2D(CAS-3D) 1 00604U 15265.00000000 .01232014 00000-0 -71649-1 0 00005 2 00604 097.4529 273.1233 0014212 242.3341 179.0383 15.12075242000019 73 Alan, BA1DU

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LilacSat-2 Report
by Paul Stoetzer 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Good morning, I just worked a pass of LilacSat-2 from here in Washington, DC. The downlink signal was good and I was able to work KO4MA with 5 watts, though the constant carrier and audio filtering made it tough to know when I was getting in to the satellite. I had to listen very carefully to hear my own voice coming back from my headphones. There was terrestrial interference, but I was able to get in below 6 degrees and heard the satellite all the way down to below a degree. Equipment used was two Yaesu FT-817s, an Arrow antenna, and a High Sierra Microwave LNAA432 preamp. 73, Paul, N8HM

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Hi
by PY5LF 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Hi Heard Lilacsat now over Brazil , downlink in 437200,00 , signal a little weak in a low elevation pass. 73 PY5LF Luciano Fabricio Curitiba-PR-BR GG54jm http://www.qrz.com/db/PY5LF

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Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 over Central US 2340z
by Rick Tejera 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Patrick, A JA op posted a screen shot of LilacSat-2 on the AMSAT Facebook page, he too was down around 437.191, so it does appear to be quite a bit lower. I did notice the quick doppler change, especially near the zenith. I'll give it a go on the D72a, if that proves unworkable, I'll set up the Icom IC-7000 & HDSDR and see how that goes. I'm currently working on a pair of Crossed Moxons so I don't have to lug gear outside all the time. I'll add the AMSAT preamp, and hopefully that'll hold me until I can afford the M2 Leo pack. Not sure when I'll ahve the time, but now that it's cooling off, we need to get together so you can elmer me on the fine art of working the linear birds. Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroaAstro(a)cox.net -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 9:46 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 over Central US 2340z Hi Rick! You should be ready for a downlink lower than what was published. Glenn AA5PK and I were giving each other our downlink frequencies late in the pass, so we could compare where we were listening. If you didn't have more than HT power (5W), you may have also had issues getting through. Hopefully the FM transponder stays on, as these lower passes compared to other satellites only leave me one workable pass per late afternoon. If only these satellites were launched 60 or 90 mimutes later... As for the uplink frequency and where it falls in various bandplans, Arizona - like the ARRL's 2m band plan - appears to be the exception to the "rule" that nobody recognizes anything more than 145.800-146.000 MHz for satellite operation. I saw this page from the Amateur Radio Council of Arizona, which is the coordinator in Arizona, for the 2m band plan: <https://t.co/Y8DvZR8q3i>http://azfreqcoord.org/bp/144bp.html Other than the APRS and AM calling/net frequencies, this is one of the rare cases where amateur satellite operation is actually recognized in a local band plan for this part of the 2m band. Since LilacSat-2, like most of the others launched over the weekend, didn't receive IARU frequency coordination - it won't be eligible for an OSCAR number. A shame, but I understand the rationale for that. Just give a quick listen on the 144.350 MHz frequency before transmitting, to make sure you don't interfere with anyone else who might be there, before working these passes. And be ready to adjust the downlink quicker than you do with SO-50. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK > I saw the message about the FM transponder being on around the middle of > the pass, by the time I got my gear out and set up on the VFO (frequencies > now in memory) the bird was about 20 degree from LOS. Since I operate from > the backyard of my North facing house, it was down near the rooftops. I did > throw my call out, but did not hear the downlink. based on your report, I > was probably too high. I won't be available tomorrow or Thursday to try > again, maybe Friday. My Schedule is starting to ramp up with theater > season.... > > As for the choice of uplink, Here in AZ 144.410mhz has become the defacto > Fm simplex frequency for SOTA (Summits on the Air). So dredging up a > discussion from a few weeks back about the choice of frequency, It appears > that the IARU will not coordinate these frequencies, so does that mean > these birds will not receive OSCAR numbers? > > _______________________________________________ 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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Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 over Central US 2340z
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

Hi Rick! You should be ready for a downlink lower than what was published. Glenn AA5PK and I were giving each other our downlink frequencies late in the pass, so we could compare where we were listening. If you didn't have more than HT power (5W), you may have also had issues getting through. Hopefully the FM transponder stays on, as these lower passes compared to other satellites only leave me one workable pass per late afternoon. If only these satellites were launched 60 or 90 mimutes later... As for the uplink frequency and where it falls in various bandplans, Arizona - like the ARRL's 2m band plan - appears to be the exception to the "rule" that nobody recognizes anything more than 145.800-146.000 MHz for satellite operation. I saw this page from the Amateur Radio Council of Arizona, which is the coordinator in Arizona, for the 2m band plan: <https://t.co/Y8DvZR8q3i>http://azfreqcoord.org/bp/144bp.html Other than the APRS and AM calling/net frequencies, this is one of the rare cases where amateur satellite operation is actually recognized in a local band plan for this part of the 2m band. Since LilacSat-2, like most of the others launched over the weekend, didn't receive IARU frequency coordination - it won't be eligible for an OSCAR number. A shame, but I understand the rationale for that. Just give a quick listen on the 144.350 MHz frequency before transmitting, to make sure you don't interfere with anyone else who might be there, before working these passes. And be ready to adjust the downlink quicker than you do with SO-50. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK > I saw the message about the FM transponder being on around the middle of > the pass, by the time I got my gear out and set up on the VFO (frequencies > now in memory) the bird was about 20 degree from LOS. Since I operate from > the backyard of my North facing house, it was down near the rooftops. I did > throw my call out, but did not hear the downlink. based on your report, I > was probably too high. I won't be available tomorrow or Thursday to try > again, maybe Friday. My Schedule is starting to ramp up with theater > season.... > > As for the choice of uplink, Here in AZ 144.410mhz has become the defacto > Fm simplex frequency for SOTA (Summits on the Air). So dredging up a > discussion from a few weeks back about the choice of frequency, It appears > that the IARU will not coordinate these frequencies, so does that mean > these birds will not receive OSCAR numbers? > >

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