January 2016 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] [Starcom-bb] SatPC32 & AO-85?
by R.T.Liddy 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Warren, Here's what worked for me. (There were other suggestions, but I stopped whenI tried this and figured I'd stop while I was ahead and didn't mess anything else up!) Run SatPC32Click of the "?" (It's the Help Dropdown)Bring your cursor down to Auxiliary Files, then over to Doppler.SQFClick on Doppler.SQF and a Notepad File will come up (unless you're defaulted to some other text editor)Scroll down to the end of the Satellite Listing just before the line beginning with a ";"Add a blank lineType in the appropriate Satellite info per the instructions provided in the lines beginning with the ";"'s-OR- In the case of AO85, you can paste in the following line: AO-85,145978.0,435175.0,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM VoiceBe sure NOT to leave a blank line in the file!Save the edited Doppler.SQF file and close NotepadClose SatPC32 and Re-Start it. The Freq Info will be at the top of the Screen where it belongs. If you need to do this for other Satellites, follow the instructions at the bottom of the Doppler.SQF File. GL/73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT # 6593, since 1979) P.S. If the above formatting is hosed up, it happens in the AMSAT BBS and I don't know why. I typed it correctly. For whatever reason, the Starcom-bb BBS passes my e-mails through correctly as typed. From: "warmac51(a)aim.com" <warmac51(a)aim.com> To: k8bl(a)ameritech.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; starcom-bb(a)star-com.net Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 6:17 PM Subject: Re: [Starcom-bb] SatPC32 & AO-85? How did you all do it. Funcube, AO-85 and the EW's and Hope have no frequencies. Did you edit the KEPS ? warmac51(a)aim.com Warren McCluerAI4AK -----Original Message----- From: R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; Starcom-BB <starcom-bb(a)star-com.net> Sent: Mon, Jan 18, 2016 6:12 pm Subject: Re: [Starcom-bb] SatPC32 & AO-85? SAT Group, OK, got it fixed with the great help from the SAT Community!!! Thanks to N8RO + WA4NVM, WC7V, NK1N, K4FEG, KB1PVH!!! It's a blessing to have such helpful folks at the ready to help when needed!! TNX/73, Bob K8BL From: R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; Starcom-BB <starcom-bb(a)star-com.net> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 4:34 PM Subject: SatPC32 & AO-85? Group, I have SatPC32 Version 12.8c and have just added AO-85 tomy Selected List. However, the screen does not show the Uplinkand Downlink Frequencies in the top-middle of the Display Mapas it does with the other Satellites I've Selected. I've had to searchfor the correct frequencies and adjust for Doppler manually. Anyone have a suggestion for getting SatPC32 to display the Freq's? TNX/73, Bob K8BL (EN91 at the moment) _______________________________________________Starcom-bb bulletin [email protected]://lists.star-com.net/listinfo/starcom-bb

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SatPC32 & AO-85?
by R.T.Liddy 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Group, I have SatPC32 Version 12.8c and have just added AO-85 tomy Selected List. However, the screen does not show the Uplinkand Downlink Frequencies in the top-middle of the Display Mapas it does with the other Satellites I've Selected. I've had to searchfor the correct frequencies and adjust for Doppler manually. Anyone have a suggestion for getting SatPC32 to display the Freq's? TNX/73, Bob K8BL (EN91 at the moment)

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Teletek DXP-U150 UHF Aamp
by Farrell Winder 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Still looking to purchase Teletek DXP-U150 UHF Amp good working order. Please reply off line. Thanks, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF

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Cruise
by onmontauk＠gmail.com 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Booked my ticket today. I paid extra for a large balcony on the top level so we can work the sats from there. What meal plan did most people pick? Steve Kd2cjw Sent from my iPhone

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Audio for ARISS contact Wednesday
by John Spasojevich 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Please join us in listening to the ISS contact with participants at the *Brihaspati Vidyasadan, Kathmandu, Nepal* on Wednesday 20 January. AOS is anticipated at 0837 UTC The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and VK5ZAI in South Australia. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Audio from this contact will be fed into the: EchoLink *AMSAT* (101377) Server IRLP Node 9010 Discovery Reflector Streaming Audio https://sites.google.com/site/arissaudio/ Audio on Echolink & web stream is generally transmitted around 20 minutes prior to the contact taking place so that you can hear some of the preparation that occurs. IRLP will begin just prior to the ground station call to the ISS. Please note that on Echolink and IRLP there are manual breaks, however connected repeaters may time out. ** Contact times are approximate. If the ISS executes a reboost or other manoeuvre, the AOS (Acquisition Of Signal) time may alter by a few minutes **

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Brihaspati Vidyasadan, Kathmandu, Nepal
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Brihaspati Vidyasadan, Kathmandu, Nepal on 20 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:37 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and VK5ZAI. The contact should be audible over Australia and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Brihaspati Vidyasadan is a 32 year old High school, located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Brihaspati runs classes from Nursery to 100 at Secondary level and the 10+2 program in Science and Management at the Higher Secondary Level. Besides these Brihaspati also runs Diploma in Hospitality Managemant and Tourism in affiliation with Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK. Brihaspati is known for its Academic excellence. Till date Brihaspati has produced over 2000 SLC graduates and over 600 +2 Graduates who have achieved excellent academic achievements. Brihaspati has also been awarded the Best School in Nepal in 2055BS. Brihaspati is also known for its co-curricular and extra-curricular activities including sports, debates and concerts. Over the years the School has achieved Inter-school successes in Football (Soccer), cricket and Basketball at national levels. School has also successes in inter-school competitions like debate, elocution and concerts. For its academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular achievements Brihaspati has been placed among the Class A schools of Nepal by the Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal. Brihaspati staff and students have been known for their innovation in education. The school is reputed to be the first school in Nepal to introduce computer education. Brihaspati houses clubs like Lokopakar, which is a student club that looks into Humanitarian aid. Brihaspati students recently started gThink Inkh, an activity designed using the principles of Extreme Design from Stanford for instilling Critical Thinking and Problem solving skills in students. This program has gained attention of a lot of people in the academia at a very rapid pace. Brihaspati is located in a 25 acre land space at the heart of Kathmandu within the Balmandir compound. It has academic facility that is of very high standards. It houses the Free and Open Source Research lab and HAM (Amateur) radio facility that students and staff have access to. Recently during the earthquake of Nepal, one of the buildings of Brihaspati was used by HAM radio operators from Nepal and India to coordinate search and reconciliation of families where over 500 families were reunited with their loved ones. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What is the most beautiful view from the space? 2. What are the most important things that ISS have known till now about space? 3. Many inventions were first used by astronauts which were later found to be commonly used by all e.g. Velcro. Can you tell us of any such tools or equipment that you are currently using that might be commonly used later by all? 4. What would happen if you sneeze without holding on to anything? 5. Can you see any signs of pollution from space? 6. What would you like to say to students like us? 7. How does a match burn in near zero gravity? Is it very different to that from what happens here? 8. Who or what inspired you to be an astronaut? What advice can you give to youths who want to be astronauts? 9. What are the detrimental effects on the body when living for a long time in a space lab? 10. Is it true that you use pencil to write in space? If not what do you use? 11. Has there been any case of sickness like common cold in the ISS? 12. Which subjects must we study to become astronauts? 13. I think half the crew members are from Russia. Do you have a language barrier problem when talking to each other? 14. Is it true that Americans use the foot/pound system of measurement, so is there any difficult in this regard? 15. In Kathmandu, our shirts become dirty within a few hours. How often do you have to clean your clothes? 16. Is there any research going on in ISS which can have impact in less developed countries like Nepal? Could you please briefly explain about it? 17. In what ways does zero gravity affect human physiology? How difficult is it to perform normal human activities that time? 18. How do you manage communication in the space? - 19. Some people believe that there is existence of aliens in the space. What are the possible evidences to prove their survival? 20. How aging is affected in the prevailing conditions of space? 21. Why is space black in the movies even though the sun is there? 22. Can we change the direction of the spaceship according to our wish? 23. What is the most difficult part of training to become an astronaut? 24. How did you feel seeing cities on earth, the bright lights at night and gray smudges in daytime from space? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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AO-73 Telemetry
by skristof＠etczone.com 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Has anyone else had trouble getting telemetry from AO-73 lately? I haven't heard it at all on the last couple of passes. Steve AI9IN

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Office Closed
by Martha 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

The AMSAT Office will be closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. -- 73- Martha

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ANS-017 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-017 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including 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. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * ARRL President Bestows President’s Award on AMSAT’s Tom Clark, K3IO * Joseph Spier, K6WAO, Appointed VP-Educational Relations * 25 Year AMSAT Office Volunteer Bob Carpenter, W3OTC, SK * Nepal students to speak to Tim Peake * ESA Online Astronaut Selection Tes SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-017.01 ANS-017 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 017.01 From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD. January 17, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-017.01 ARRL President Bestows President’s Award on AMSAT’s Tom Clark, K3IO The ARRL has honored veteran AMSAT personality and Amateur Radio digital pioneer Tom Clark, K3IO (ex-W3IWI), with its President’s Award. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, presented the award plaque to Clark at a January 10 meeting of the Potomac Valley Radio Club in Blacksburg, Virginia. The plaque, which bears a likeness of ARRL Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, recognizes Clark’s 60 years of advancing Amateur Radio technology. Former AMSAT President and current AMSAT Director Bob McGwier, N4HY, stated directly. “There would be no AMSAT to inspire all of this work without Tom Clark,” he said, noting that the organization was in serious trouble after the Phase 3A satellite launch failure. “Tom took over as president of AMSAT, and he saved the organization and inspired all of us to look to the future and aim for the stars,” McGwier said. “All that has followed, including PACSAT and microsats, CubeSats, AO-13, all the way through AO-85, are a direct result of Tom Clark saving AMSAT and providing it leadership as president from 1980 to 1987 and continuous leadership on the Board of Directors of AMSAT from 1976 until today.” McGwier said it was Clark who convinced him in 1985 that the future lay in digital signal processing — DSP. “We started the TAPR/AMSAT DSP project, and it was announced in 1987,” he said. “We showed in our efforts that small stations with small antennas could bounce signals off the moon, and, using the power of DSP, we could see the signals in our computer displays.” McGwier said this led to the SDX, the Software Defined Transponder, included in ARISSat and in AMSAT’s Phase 3E. McGwier said Clark was an early supporter of women in science, too. “Tom is now and always will be a leader, mentor — the chief scientist for all of Amateur Radio,” he said. Clark is an adviser to Virginia Tech as adjunct professor of aerospace and ocean engineering and of electrical and computer Engineering. McGwier said Clark will play a crucial role in the Phase 4B geosynchronous satellite opportunity on the USAF Wide Field of View spacecraft, in which Virginia Tech is a partner. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Spier, K6WAO, Appointed VP-Educational Relations AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has accepted the resignation of E. Michael "EMike" McCardel, AA8EM, as VP-Educational Relations and appointed Joseph Spier, K6WAO, as his replacement. E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, of Howard, OH was first appointed as an Associate Director for Educational Outreach under former VP Educational Relations Mark Hammond, N8MH, in 2011 and succeeded Mark as VP Educational Relations in September 2013. Among EMike's biggest successes were establishing a solid relation with ARRL's Education Division and working closely with ARISS as a member of its Executive Team. He was instrumental with keeping ARISS going and restructuring the ARISS program after funding was cut for Teaching From Space (TFS). At the time TFS was the primary NASA partner and education liaison for ARISS. TFS lead the school proposal and selection process in the USA. That process is now lead by ARRL and AMSAT. AMSAT VP Human Spaceflight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, notes, "EMike has been invaluable to ARISS and I will miss his support. He and I worked behind the scenes to rescue ARISS through our discussions at the ISS Conference in 2014. And his rapport with ARRL is outstanding…something I will miss dearly. I thank EMike for making that all happen for ARISS." EMike also worked at establishing relations with various colleges and universities. He pushed to make aware the importance of AMSAT as an educational organization by emphasizing how education is part of AMSAT's earliest Mission Statements and Objectives and reminding us of all the educational programs and outreaches AMSAT has engaged in during its history. AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW notes, "EMike made a positive difference and helped set the course in a number of areas involving Educational Outreach, ARISS, and the overall direction of AMSAT. While I regret losing your considerable enthusiasm and talents, I understand the need to 'recalibrate' your priorities." EMike will complete his duties on January 31, citing time and commitments outside of AMSAT as his reason for stepping down. EMike will continue serving AMSAT as one of the rotating editors for the AMSAT News Service (ANS). With EMike's resignation, the appointment of Joseph Spier, K6WAO of Weimar, CA, as the new VP-Educational Relations is also announced. Joe came on board with the Educational Relation's team in 2011 serving as Associate Director then Director for Educational Outreach. EMike noted, "Joe and I started with Educational Relations at the same time and we have always had a great personal and working relationship. Joe is extremely enthusiastic and someone who thinks outside the box. Many have pointed out those similarities between us. However, Joe will bring a different dimension to the position because of his background in engineering. I support Joe as he takes over and am excited to see what new and exciting things are in store for AMSAT Education under his direction." “I’m very pleased that Joe has agreed to become our next VP-Educational Relations”, notes AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW. “Joe is passionate about integrating amateur radio into educational opportunities at all educational levels. His engineering background will help in interacting with university engineering departments encouraging a greater focus on educational impacts of amateur spacecraft, developing new ways of bringing science to the class room. He recognizes the importance of ARISS in reaching out to students based upon his personal involvement in managing an ARISS contact as part of the 2012 Pacificon Convention. His interaction with young people at the 2014 ARRL Centennial Convention where he encouraged their curiosity about AMSAT’s cubesat design by their holding the engineering mockup while visiting the AMSAT booth created many positive impressions for both the students and their parents. I look forward to working with Joe to further enhance our ability to touch students through amateur radio satellites and develop new ways to incorporate education into AMSAT’s mission.” E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD V.P. for Educational Relations, AMSAT-NA [ANS thanks EMike, AA8EM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 Year AMSAT Office Volunteer Bob Carpenter, W3OTC, SK Bob Carpenter, W3OTC died on January 8th. Since 1991 Bob had volunteered at the AMSAT Office on a weekly basis. He was our computer specialist and handled the donations for AMSAT. A memorial service will be held on January 23rd at 7:00PM a the Guild Memorial Chapel, Asbury Methodist Village, 211 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg MD. [ANS thanks Martha for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Nepal students to speak to Tim Peake UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI will be using amateur radio to talk to students at Brihaspati Vidhyasadan School (BVS) in Nepal on Wednesday, January 20. The Himalayan Times reports this is the first link up between a school in Nepal and the International Space Station (ISS). It will be a Telebridge contact via Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI in Australia and is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20 at 08:37:04 UT. The ISS should be in range of the Telebridge station for about 8 minutes. BVS is organizing an Exhibition during the week of the contact from January 19-23. Experts as well as knowledgeable students will be at hand to respond to queries of visiting students who will be able to get acquainted with amateur radio during the exhibition. The Nepal Amateur Radio Operators’ Society is one of the organizations supporting the exhibition. Brihaspati Vidyasadan is a 32 year old High school, located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Brihaspati runs classes from nursery to 100 at secondary level and the 10+2 program in Science and Management at the higher secondary Level. Besides these Brihaspati also runs Diploma in Hospitality Managemant and Tourism in affiliation with Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK. Brihaspati is known for its academic excellence. To date Brihaspati has produced over 2000 SLC graduates and over 600 +2 graduates who have achieved excellent academic achievements. Brihaspati has also been awarded the “Best School in Nepal” in 2055BS. Brihaspati is also known for its co-curricular and extra-curricular activities including sports, debates and concerts. Over the years the school has achieved Inter-school successes in football (soccer), cricket and basketball at national levels. School has also successes in inter-school competitions like debate, elocution and concerts. For its academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular achievements Brihaspati has been placed among the Class A schools of Nepal by the Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal. Brihaspati staff and students have been known for their innovation in education. The school is reputed to be the first school in Nepal to introduce computer education. Brihaspati houses clubs like Lokopakar, which is a student club that looks into Humanitarian aid. Brihaspati students recently started gThink Inkh, an activity designed using the principles of Extreme Design from Stanford for instilling critical thinking and problem solving skills in students. This program has gained attention of a lot of people in the academia at a very rapid pace. Brihaspati is located in a 25 acre land space at the heart of Kathmandu within the Balmandir compound. It has academic facility that is of very high standards. It houses the Free and Open Source Research Lab and Ham (amateur radio) facility that students and staff have access to. Recently during the earthquake of Nepal, one of the buildings of Brihaspati was used by ham radio operators from Nepal and India to coordinate search and reconciliation of families where over 500 families were reunited with their loved ones. Read The Himalayan Times story at https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepali-students-to-talk-to-astronaut-in- intl-space-station/ Brihaspati Vidhyasadan School http://www.bvs.edu.np/bvstalkstoiss/ https://www.facebook.com/bvsTalksToISS/ ARISS http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ESA Online Astronaut Selection Test The European Space Agency is offering a trial version of a test developed for future astronauts for you to try at home – and by taking part you will help us select a new generation of astronauts. Read the ESA press release at: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Astronauts/Test_your_as… ut_skills_and_help_ESA Access the astronaut selection test at: http://www.nlr.org/the-astronaut-selection-test/ [ANS thanks the European Space Agency 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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KG5CCI/P EM35 2016-01-17
by Dave Swanson 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

Friends and Colleagues, I'll be up in EM35 tomorrow, scouting out a fabled spot in the Ozarks that I've heard of from other ham radio operators and off-road travelers. Supposedly this mountain is 500' higher than anything else around it, has 360° unobstructed views, is miles from the nearest power line, and has a somewhat respectable Jeep trail to the top. If such a mystical spot truly exists, I plan to hang out for a few hours and operate the following passes from the site: 2016-01-17 1529z SO-50 2016-01-17 1649z AO-73 2016-01-17 1700z SO-50 2016-01-17 1736z FO-29 2016-01-17 1758z AO-7(B) (Big EU Footprint) 2016-01-17 1848z SO-50 2016-01-17 1918z FO-29 For western hemisphere chasers, I will try to hand out anyone needing EM35 on all birds other than AO7. There's plenty of passes on both linear and FM, so I should get you in the logs no problem, even if the mountain turns out to be a bust. On the AO-7 pass at 1758z though, as it will only be 1.6° in elevation from this location, I will be using it for something a little special. I'll be using a couple of precision clocks and cameras in order to record actual AOS and LOS times, and compare that to the times that the computer calculates for my location. As I've indicated before, I have some theories of just how much elevation can affect satellite visibility, but I'm always trying to collect more data to back these theories up. As soon as I can get into the bird I'll begin CQing in SSB around 145.945 and will continue until I have lost it again some minutes later. The computer says I should have 7 minutes and 18 seconds of visibility, but based on my observations, the Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) of this location should grant me an additional 55 seconds on the front and about 45 seconds on the end of the pass. I would appreciate any listeners out there with bigger footprints that I will have (if they're not chasing new contacts that is) to note the time they first hear me, and the time that I disappear into the noise, and email me with the results. I would also welcome any DX stations to stop by and have a quick QSO, if they're interested in picking up a new grid that I don't believe any Sat operators live in. Normally it's our friends across the pond that us Americans are chasing after, so I'm going to do my best to return the favor when I can, with trips like tomorrow. As always, I'll be providing play-by-play on Twitter @KG5CCI. I may also throw an HF rig in, for the downtime between passes and I'll announce my spots on Twitter if I do. Twitter will also be the way to find out if something goes horribly wrong with the plans, such as the mountain is inhabited by silver coveting dragons and I have to trade my N-connectors for my life.. or snow.. but more likely dragons.. anyway.. Hope to hear you tomorrow. 73! Dave, KG5CCI

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