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

EQUiSat Optical Beacon CubeSat
by Trevor . 17 Oct '18

17 Oct '18

Students at the Ivy League Brown University are developing an amateur radio satellite EQUiSat that will carry a Xenon Flash Tube (XFT) subsystem to act as an Optical Beacon that should be visible to the unaided eye of observers on Earth. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10635 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAK-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ ----

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-10-26 23:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Sep '17

22 Sep '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2015-10-26 23:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Possible Russian contact with Kursk Tue 2015-10-27 11:35 UTC Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn, Michigan, USA, direct via K8UTT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Kjell Lindgren KO5MOS Contact is a go for Option #3: Tue 2015-10-27 16:01:59 UTC 57 deg Watch for a live video stream that should start about 15:00 UTC: (***) http://www.dearbornschools.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbhrQiZ62LE Daggett Montessori School K-8, Fort Worth, Texas, USA, direct via K5COW The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Kjell Lindgren KO5MOS Contact is a go for Option #4: Thu 2015-10-29 14:12:56 UTC 31 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 112 **************************************************************************** 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 2015-10-24 06:00 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 1001. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 966. (***) 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 2015-10-24 06:00 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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LVB Tracker USB serial port driver for Windows 7 x64?
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 22 Dec '16

22 Dec '16

Has anyone located a driver for the LVB Tracker internal USB to serial port adapter on Windows 7 x64? If not, has anyone reverted to the serial port connection on LVB Tracker and used an external USB to serial port adapter successfully with SatPC32 on Windows 7 x64? I have an Edgeport multiple USB to serial port that has drivers for Windows 7 x64 that I will use if I have to. I would prefer using the LVB Tracker with its USB to serial adapter if someone has another solution. 73, Bill NJ1H

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Re: [amsat-bb] Free content from six satellites via Outernet (APRS?)
by Robert Bruninga 29 Oct '16

29 Oct '16

Global Ham channel? We should find someone to work with the OUTERNET folks to add an amateur radio channel to their downlink. Their satellites could provide connectivity to 99% of amateur radio operators on earth. In addition, Ham Radio can bring to OUTERNET an uplink capability that they currently don't have. And the uplink can be from the same remote areas where there is no service... How? Like this. They simply take the APRS packet data stream from the global APRS Internet System (APRS-IS) and stream it in their downlink for hams. Then hams anywhere on earth can transmit traffic via HF back into the system. Since the APRS-IS is one of the world's largest HF receiver-diversity receiver networks in the world, then a packet transmitted from almost anywhere on earth has a reasonable chance of being heard at least once at least somewhere and interjected back into the network, where it gets to the OUTERNET and then in the downlink. The only question, is the atrophy of our HF IGates? Years ago, the HF channel on 10,147.2 MHz had receivers all over the world. I have not listened much recently, but maybe there is still a viable network there. And if not, maybe we could re-invigorate it if it meant global APRS connectivity for ham travelers and hams in remote areas. An HF packet transmitter can be as small as a cigar box and solar powered. Has anyone tuned in the OUTERNET downlink? I have heard anyone with OUTERNET's free ORxPi software and a Raspberry Pi can get the OUTERNET content when plugged into a DVB-S tuner. Then there is of course the arm-chair-lawyers concern of rebroadcast of amateur radio content on a non-ham network? Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thane Richard Sent: Friday, November 13, 2015 1:22 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Free content from six satellites via Outernet Hello everyone, My name is Thane and I lead content and business development at Outernet. Some of you may be aware of us but I suspect most are not. I am writing this email to introduce Outernet to AMSAT. Outernet broadcasts a DVB-S signal <https://wiki.outernet.is/wiki/Coverage_and_transponder_settings> from six different satellites covering 99% of humans on Earth. We created this information service to reach the 4.3 billion people who do not have Internet access and designed it to overcome the problems the Internet presents, namely download speed and recurring cost. Our datacast is completely free to receive, our bitrate is 90 Kbps (~1 GB/day of content), and you can even build your own receiver with a Raspberry Pi <http://store.outernet.is/>. Right now, the content we send is curated by us and a group of editors but we are working on a Reddit/Wikipedia/YouTube mashup where the contents of our broadcast can be decided publicly. Currently, we broadcast Wikipedia, 30,000+ ebooks, PLOS One journal articles, Khan Academy, CK12 textbooks, music from SoundCloud, and more. I want to invite this community to be involved in Outernet and help us build this project. Our current focus is on developing channels to get devices into schools and generally into countries/areas where Internet penetration is very low. Our forum <http://discuss.outernet.is> is very active with users and Outernet staff. Please stop by! Avidly, Thane -- Thane Richard <https://twitter.com/thanerichard> Content and Business Development Lead Outernet <http://outernet.is/> *Outernet in the press:* WIRED <http://www.wired.com/2015/07/plan-beam-web-3-billion-unconnected-humans/> , Inc.com <http://www.inc.com/dev-aujla/a-library-for-all.html>, TechCrunch <http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/13/outernet-joins-the-space-race-for-intern et-accessibility/> , Gizmodo <http://gizmodo.com/what-is-the-outernet-and-is-it-the-future-of-the-inter n-1659647614> , BBC <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29593734>, CNN <http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/tech/internet-for-everyone/>, Fast Company <http://www.fastcolabs.com/3027663/all-about-google-loons-low-cost-space-b ased-competitor-outernet> , LA Times <http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-g-outernet-explained-201 40808-htmlstory.html> , Motherboard <http://motherboard.vice.com/read/how-the-outernet-plans-to-broadcast-free -internet-from-space> Our receiver, Lighthouse, is now available! To show how revolutionary Lighthouse is, we installed one in a remote school in Uganda. Watch the video here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQFoGK1aWQ>. _______________________________________________ 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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AO-16 telemetry 3 Oct 2010
by Mark L. Hammond 01 Jul '16

01 Jul '16

Hi All, Here is a quick AO-16 update. On Sunday I turned AO-16 long enough to get some telemetry packets. The satellite would remain on for less than one minute after being commanded on. A quick test of the "bent pipe" voice mode repeater was successful. . The "hardware watchdog timer problem" is still evident; as expected, spacecraft temperatures are insufficient to keep the transmitter ON (needs to be above 15 deg C). Orbit projections suggest that satellite illumination conditions will not result in increased temperatures for nearly 10 years. Command stations do periodically turn AO-16 "ON" to check on its condition and see if the hardware timer problem has "automagically" fixed itself (which in not anticipated, but who knows...). AO-16 telemetry 3 Oct 2010 1838 utc PACSAT MBL Telemetry Decoder Ver. 1.3 (c) Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN =============================================================================== (average values) +10V Battery Bus : 0.00 V Battery Charge Reg : 0.55 mA Base Temp : 9.07 °C PSK RF Out : 1.90 W +5V RX Bus : 4.87 V +8.5V RX Bus : 8.49 V +10V RX Bus : 11.24 V Here is another teaser :) Several months ago I commanded the AO-16 S-band transmitter ON; it too remains functional (albeit weak), and was received by me, Drew KO4MA, and Alan WA4SCA. 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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OUFTI 1 identified
by Nico Janssen 05 May '16

05 May '16

All, Detailed doppler measurements show that OUFTI 1 is object 41458, 2016-025C. The separation between AAUSAT 4 and e-st@r-II still is less than 4 km, so it is not possible yet to identify them. It is remarkable how slowly they drift apart. 73, Nico PA0DLO

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AMSAT at ARRL Nevada State Convention - "halftime" report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

Hi! Things are going well for AMSAT here at the ARRL Nevada State Convention ("NVCON") in Las Vegas. Except for one thing - the weather. It has been raining here all day, sometimes hard. Frank N7ZEV and I have been working at the AMSAT booth, talking about satellites, and showing off different things on my tablets. You can see more about that, including photos, on my @WD9EWK Twitter feed - or visit this link: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK If the weather breaks later this afternoon, we'll look to do some demonstrations outside before the convention closes at 6pm (0100 UTC). The convention continues tomorrow until midday (around 1900 UTC), so there may be some chances to do demonstrations then - assuming it's not raining tomorrow morning. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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BBC TV Show Click features CubeSats + Solar Powered APRS Balloon
by M5AKA 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

Frequency information for AIST-2D and SamSat-218 satellites launch April 28 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/04/30/aist-2d-and-samsat-218/ BBC Click TV show features CubeSats. Interviews radio amateur Michael Johnson M0MJJ the developer of Pocket Spacecraft @mySpacecraft who gave a presentation to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium in 2013 There is also an interview with Dr Christine Hollenstein. CubeSat segment starts at 3:40. Watch the show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079c96x Solar Powered APRS & 434 MHz Contestia UBSEDS15 around-the-world balloon launched from Bristol https://amsat-uk.org/2016/04/28/ubseds15-balloon-launch/ Three new CubeSats launched April 25 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/04/26/three-new-cubesats-now-in-orbit/ TV Coverage of Derby High School Tim Peake Contact April 25 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/04/24/derby-high-school-tim-peake/ Ashfield Primary School Tim Peake Contact Thursday, May 5 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/04/26/ashfield-primary-school-tim-peake/ This year's AMSAT-UK Colloquium takes place July 29-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford and is open to all https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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Upcoming trip - Nevada activations
by Kevin M 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

Hello all, Just a heads up that I will be leaving out tomorrow morning (Sunday May 1st) for a three week trip that will hopefully include some satellite operations. I plan on being in Nevada from May 8th through the 15th. Among the places I'd like to operate from are DM16, DM07/08/17/18, DM27, DN00/10 and DN01/11. Also possibly DM28 or DM19. Another op told me that he plans to operate from DM19 on May 7th & 8th. Will check with him afterwards and see how he did, then decide my exact plans. For those that want more details, please see my special webpage on QRZ: https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO/P I have a map, pics showing locations and a detailed explanation of my plans on that page. There is a link to a special 'rover' twitter feed where I will send out information as I can (spotty coverage in Nevada) and you can watch for that information by simply saving the link and checking it regularly; no twitter account is required. I also have a special e-mail account while on the road and there are links to follow my travel progress via APRS, provided my signal is getting out to the network. It was suggested that when I announced my plans, I should clearly state my objectives. My operations on this trip are intended to pass out grids to as many people as possible that need them and some of these are rarely heard grids. To that end, I would like to request that if you need the grid, please call me, but please be brief with your calls, be courteous to other callers and try your best to only work me ONCE per grid. And if you already have a grid confirmed, it would be considerate to leave the precious airtime for others that need it. (If I am working a grid line or corner and you need at least one of the grids, by all means call me!) I would like to further ask that folks do not blind call me, do not call me if I temporarily lose the bird and please do not 'tail end' on others working me. I am running 5 watts or less. If someone starts calling me, you will likely be PREVENTING me from getting into the bird. (And when one person calls, others tend to start calling, compounding the problem.) On FM, your signals may cover mine, preventing me from getting in (even if no signal is being heard - two or more signals can clash and nothing gets through). And on the linear birds, a loud signal (anywhere in the transponder) may turn on the AGC limiter and raise the receive threshold, preventing me from being heard despite being heard just a few moments earlier with the same power settings. (Calling on the 'tail end' of another QSO can cause this as well.) I am not traveling alone and satellites are not the primary purpose of this trip, thus, I have other things to consider; so please be understanding if my plans vary a little bit. I will also try to operate from 'the road' from a few grids squares along the way out & possibly the way back as well. That will mostly be on an ad hoc basis, but if I think I might be able to stop somewhere of interest, I will try to give notice of the possibility, ahead of time. Again, best to watch my twitter feed. More details on all this are at the QRZ page linked above. Good luck to us all, happy hunting and I look forward to working everyone "from the high desert!" - 73, N4UFO P.S. For those that asked, no I will not be going to the Area 51 gates. X^D But I WILL try to operate from the Little A'Le'Inn parking lot.

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New Russian Radio Sputnik 48 launched
by Nico Janssen 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

All, On April 28, 2016 at 02:01 UTC, the Russian 3U cubesat SamSat 218D (aka 'Kontakt-Nanosputnik') was launched from the new Russian satellite launch base 'Vostochny' ('Eastern') in eastern Siberia. SamSat 218D (object 41466, 2016-026C), built at the Samara State University, transmits telemetry on 435.315 MHz, identifying as 'RS 48'. For further information on RS 48 see: http://spaceflight101.com/soyuz-lomonosov/samsat-218d/ 73, Nico, PA0DLO

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