March 2017 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Flex6500 and Satpc32
by David Warnberg 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

Discovered something tonight, when satpc32 is on and controlling frequencies and the rotor I get interference on the display in SmartSDR on the 70cm side mainly .. any ideas on what might be causing this? I have a ERC USB inside the Yaesu G-450A control box could that be the cause? Something being picked up across the USB cable? Thanks David KK4QOE Sent from my iPad

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ALSAT 1N no TX ?
by John Mac 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

Hi all. Has anyone had a copy on the sat ALSAT 1N . The last two times I have tried , there has been no signal. All the sites say its still operational. ?? John

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Satpc32 calibration Help
by Don 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

Yaesu GS232B and G5500 did calibration in manual, all is OK. 180 and 450 Using Satpc32 with Yaesu Gs-232 rotor interface selected. Settings 2-60-N-0 selected as options...... Stored. Quit and restarted program. Go to Rotor control and manually set elevation to 90 degrees and azimuth to 90 degrees. Execute settings. Results are about 12 degrees low. Used the correction buttons to bring up the rotor directions to 90 degrees and saved the corrected values. Quit and restarted program. Back to rotor control, and send rotor to Park position (both set to 0 degrees park position) Both the elevation and azimuth go to about 12 degrees - not zero. Try to correct values by zeroing, save and quit. restart and send back to 90 degrees again result in low readings. What am I missing? Thanks Don.

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ungulige gleitkommaoperation
by Bob- W7LRD 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

Hello Getting un gl again when I put in a grid square for "observer 2 DM90 in this case. help. 73 Bob W7LRD

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ANS-071 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 12 Mar '17

12 Mar '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-071 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: * US ARISS Proposal Window Remains Open Through April 15, 2017 * First Moon Bounce using Opera * NEON - NASA Educators Online Network - ANNOUNCEMENTS * Cubesat Developers Workshop 2017 * ARISS News SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-071.01 ANS-071 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 071.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 12, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-071.01 US ARISS Proposal Window Remains Open Through April 15, 2017 Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an- ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss at arrl.org. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, Peru, IN, USA and Astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began Thu 2017-03-09 15:21:33 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via WD9GIU. ARISS Mentor was Charlie AJ9N. + A Successful contact was made between 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece and Astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via SV7APQ. ARISS Mentor was Bertus PE1KEH. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule McBride High School, Long Beach, CA, direct via K6MHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-15 16:28:44 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN 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, EMike McCardel, AA8EM aa8em at amsat dot org

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International Crystal MFG closing
by Alan 11 Mar '17

11 Mar '17

I was surprised to see that ICM is closing. I bought crystals from them back in my days as a Novice, and most recently for my mode-L transverter. They have supplied crystals for many satellites. According to their website, icmfg.com, they will be honoring all existing orders, and some new orders depending on material availability. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

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DM90 Sunday, 12 March
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 11 Mar '17

11 Mar '17

I'll operate portable from DM90 on the following FO-29 passes: My AOS at 1600Z My AOS at 1745Z Xmit ~145.960 to avoid possible conflict with V31NJ. QSL via LoTW or hard copy by email request. 73 Glenn AA5PK

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-11 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 11 Mar '17

11 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-11 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC 28 deg (***) Watch for live stream at http://sv7apq.blogspot.gr/2016/10/as-amateur-radio-enthusiast-i-have.html McBride High School, Long Beach, CA, direct via K6MHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-15 16:28:44 UTC 25 deg **************************************************************************** ** 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2017-03-11 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 http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1125. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1086. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. 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, South Dakota, 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 2017-03-11 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] Best HT for satellite operation?
by JoAnne K9JKM 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Pointing out another resource containing a huge amount of discussion of "best HT" or "arrow vs elk" topics can be found at: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?forums/satellite-and-space-communications.… Watch the line wrap in case the -bb mangles the URL. I learn lots reading what the guys post on there. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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Best HT for satellite operation?
by Clayton Coleman 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

I've seen a lot of great recommendations for satellite HT's. I really prefer the Icom IC-910h. Since it is a little heavy for neck straps, and the belt clip is made of 3/8" steel plate, I'd probably recommend the BABYBJÖRN carrier approach. You can buy a 15 year old one at a bargain price of $1000-1500 at most hamfests. TGIF Clayton W5PFG

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Opinions on improving receive for portable ops
by Ka9p＠aol.com 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

I've just started getting on the linear transponders in the last month or so after a 30 year absence from sat work, necessarily with a portable setup, and would be eager to hear experienced opinions on what to do next to improve receive. I'm running Cheap Yagis on V(3 el) and U(6 el), diplexers, about 10 feet of RG8X, and receiving on an FT817 or 897, usually on FO29 and the XW's, and have up to 25 watts available for the uplink. Q's are: 1) with those radios and only about 10 feet of feed line, will a preamp help much on 432? 2) If it will, is the 50$ preamp on the AMSAT site a good start? Or? and 3) With relatively short yagis, will it make a noticeable difference going to circular polarization? WRT to 3, I've pretty much exhausted what I can find the internet, but just don't have a pragmatic sense for what it will do in terms of evening out reception over, say, an FO 29 pass - I read that you nominally lose 3 dbs most all the time but may pick up a lot on the deep fades, but still not sure how that translates to the real world. Or is the answer that the set up is marginal enough I need to do it all of the above if I want reliable communications above about 5 degrees or so? Thanks for the bandwidth and any input. Scott ka9p

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AO-73/FUNcube Mode change
by Jim Heck 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Hi folks, I have just changed the sat into amateur (continuous transponder) mode. Plan is to switch back to auto mode on Sunday pm UTC as usual. Pls see below for other FUNcube transponder info Have FUN with the transponder. 73s Jim G3WGM and the FUNcube team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FUNcube frequencies and other details ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 aka FUNcube on UKube The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… EO88 Nayif-1 FUNcube-5 EO88 is presently operating in autonomous mode. The transponder is operational when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. The transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.045 – 435.015 MHz LSB (inverting) Downlink: 145.960-145.990 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.940MHz All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands.

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Best HT for satellite operation?
by Dale Kubichek 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Message: 10 Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2017 14:17:14 -0500 From: Tucker McGuire <tucker(a)mcguireland.com> To: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Best HT for satellite operation? This is a loaded questions and every HAM I've ever met has opinions... It is better to ask what HT's fit SAT OPs functionality: Everyone wants 'full duplex', I've not seen a dual-band HT that can do 'real' RX while the PTT is pushed, period! Nest shoot for - What dual-band HT can program SAT offsets (in the SAME single memory)? My definition: in one memory can program both 2m-RX AND 70cm-PTT or vice-versa. Why: you only need say 4 or 5 memories per SAT for AOS/LOS OPs - one less hand needed and far less hassle. I know Yaesu and Wuoxon can do this via PC Program. Kwood TH-F6, Icom IC-91/T8, Alinco G7 cannot they can do it only via flipping the A/B Bands (pain in the butt) - they do not allow cross band offsets in memory. Now another BAD issue with Yeasu & Wuoxun is they both have a high discharge rate of battery when in the OFF state. I found if I leave my HT's on the shelf for +60days I must isolate the battery for the radio to eliminate wasteful discharging dropp[ing a B-Meter bar. I do this by using a 'paper' business-card cut it to size, sandwich between the battery and HT - isolating the battery contacts. Easy, simple, effective, cheap - what HAM Radio is all about. Best regards, Dale Kubichek, MS-EET, N6JSX Sidney, OH 45365 EN70vh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HAM-SATs http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDF-USA

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Kenwood TS-2000X on satellite
by Vincenzo Mone 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Hi folks, Is there anybody using a TS-2000X for automatic satellites operations? If yes please what are using to automate all? Thanks 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 ******************************************* ****** GSM +39 328 7110193 ****** ***** SMS +39 328 7110193 ***** *******************************************

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FM25/26 Portable operation
by Tucker McGuire 10 Mar '17

10 Mar '17

Hi All, I will be portable in FM25 for the 1656z FO-29 pass tomorrow 3/11. Will possibly try 2228z SO-50 pass from FM26 as well later in the day if plans align. Cheers & 73, Tucker W4FS

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-10 03:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-10 03:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, Peru, IN, direct via WD9GIU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Thu 2017-03-09 15:21:33 UTC 80 deg (***) 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC 28 deg Watch for live stream at http://sv7apq.blogspot.gr/2016/10/as-amateur-radio-enthusiast-i-have.html McBride High School, Long Beach, CA, direct via K6MHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-15 16:28:44 UTC 25 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS congratulates Frank Bauer KA3HDO on being named Dayton Hamvention 2017 Amateur of the Year. **************************************************************************** ** 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classroo ms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2017-03-10 03:00 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 http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1124. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1085. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. 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, South Dakota, 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 2017-03-10 03:00 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Radios and Satellites
by John KI4RO 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

I've had a lot of cheap fun. I only have Baofeng rigs. They work great on all the FM birds. To me, and maybe its just me, but it is very offputting to be told I "must" go full duplex in order to get on the birds. It would be really nice if I could, but $$$ are definitely a problem for me. I cannot afford 2 $300+ HTs or 2 $200+ HTs or 2 $100+ HTs and 1 or 2 MFJ diplexers at $30 each and then coax jumpers at $20 each and then an Arrow at $160. That's a lot of $$$ for a retiree on a fixed income. I'm not trying to turn this into a pity party but I'm just trying to get folks to understand that jumping on the sats in full duplex mode ready to kick butt and take names is not always possible. Yes, it is a nice goal but not always achievable by everybody. 73 John KI4RO

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best Ht for satellites
by Kevin M 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

And before someone posts erroneously that all 5 digit serial number W32As will do mode J, while SOME of them will, it actually has to do with whether or not it can be soft modded to receive 800 MHz. I know this from going through several 5 digit serial number W32As that still have/had desense. If you come across a W32A and want to know, try this... - Turn off radio - Press and hold the band and squelch buttons - Turn on the radio while holding these buttons, wait for 5 seconds before releasing them. - Step through the bands... if you discover it now has an 800 MHz, good chance you have one that will not desense in Mode J As always, your mileage may vary. Me, I'll be keeping an eye out for a 530 this weekend at the hamfest... I hear good things. =^) The tricky thing with the W32A is that newer models of it desensed in Mode J. 73, Paul, N8HM On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 18:49 <ingejack at cox.net> wrote: > Hey Guys: Don't forget the old ICOM IC W32A Also Full duplex 73 > JACK-KC7MG > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB at 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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best Ht for satellites
by ingejack＠cox.net 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Hey Guys: Don't forget the old ICOM IC W32A Also Full duplex 73 JACK-KC7MG

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Best HT for satellite operation?
by Devin L. Ganger 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

All, I'll be heading to the Mike & Key Hamfest this weekend in Puyallup, WA, with enough spare change that I hope to be able to pick up my second HT. My first is a Baofeng UV5RA, which is nice for hitting local repeaters, but I have heard is not a great choice for hitting the birds. I have a very nice Elk log periodic dual-band antenna my family got me for Father's Day last year, so I'd really like a HT to pair with it. What's a good radio for working satellites? Is the Kenwood TH-D72a still the acme? -- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin(a)thecabal.org<mailto:[email protected]> web: Devin on Earth<http://www.devinonearth.com/> cell: +1 425.239.2575

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Kx9x/0 and /4 for a few days
by Sean K 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Will be on SO50 as times permits from EM48 this afternoon/evening, then tomorrow on the road between St Louis and Nashville. Nothing super-rare. Will also try from Em66 in Nashville Friday/Saturday as time permits. Sent from my iPhone

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FO29 13:36 UTC
by Jose Elias Diaz 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Hi i´ll be on FO29 pass 1336 UTC from IN52PE only 0,6 max elevation. Frecuency TX 145930 EB1AO

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Antenna better when NOT pointing directly at TX source?
by Scott 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

Hello everyone. While my question is not directly satellite related, I hope that it's a general antenna question that might be of benefit for satellite reception as well. I have developed an interest in tracking the 400 MHz radiosonde transmitters used by the (U.S.) National Weather Service office on the other side of the state for their twice-daily weather balloon launches. When the wind carries one anywhere in my general direction, it's a lot of fun to try to receive & decode the position & altitude telemetry being sent by the thing. Maybe one day I'll even hit the road and track one down! Anyway, my question is in regard to the pointing of my antenna, which is a 70cm X-Quad connected for RHCP. The elevation is fixed at 45°. I have confirmed that my antenna is pointing in the compass direction indicated by the indoor control box. The radiosonde is telling me via telemetry what its location is. From that, it's easy enough to plot on Google Earth and see exactly what the compass heading is from my location to the balloon at any given time. The catch, even considering the ~ 10° declination at my location, is that it's very common for me to receive a MUCH stronger signal with my antenna pointing 45 or 90 degrees away from what should be the correct heading! I sweep back and forth and it varies... and also depends on how close the balloon is to my location. But for much of a flight, especially at greater distance, it's quite common to receive a huge signal off-heading... where if I point directly at the transmitter, it's barely out of the noise. I don't know if this is a polarity issue, an issue caused by the transmitter wildly swinging around under the balloon (much like a tumbling satellite?), or an issue caused by the characteristics of my particular antenna. So that's my dilemma; I can't tell you anything about the TX side because for this particular aspect of the hobby, I'm only concerned with reception. But is there any legitimate reason for me to be seeing these massive differences in receive SNR when I am turned so far away from the transmit source? Anyone ever seen this in other situations? Thanks! -Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA USA

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ARISS News Release no. 17-05
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

ARISS NEWS RELEASE no. 17-05 March 8, 2017 David Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org Frank Bauer, KA3HDO 2017 Dayton Amateur of the Year Winner The Dayton Hamvention has selected ARISS International Chair, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, for its top award, Amateur of the Year for 2017. Each year, Hamvention recognizes radio amateurs known for making major contributions to the art and science of amateur radio, and it's no surprise why Bauer was chosen. A few things from his lengthy list of achievements follow. In 1995, Bauer proposed an experiment for the AMSAT Phase 3D satellite (AO-40) to measure the strength of the signal from the GPS satellite constellation. For years after, the aerospace industry cited this experiment because the results helped engineers improve the GPS system, led to new applications for GPS, and changed navigation at High-Earth Orbit (HEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) altitudes, allowing new missions to operate in these orbits. Prior to NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, flying in space and taking along ham radio in 1983, Bauer came up with a plan for, and helped set up and operate, the worldwide retransmission of space shuttle air-to-ground communications by the Goddard Amateur Radio Club station, WA3NAN (now K6DUE). Tens of thousands of hams enjoyed listening to most every shuttle mission's astronaut communications, and amateurs used these to help them make ham contacts with crewmembers who had their amateur licenses. Bauer's work with this system also let to his becoming part of the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) team. Bauer attended Purdue University where he earned its prestigious bachelor's degree and master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics. This led to a long and full career with NASA followed by a move to the private aerospace industry. He earned his amateur radio license in 1974, and has been the AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight for many years. What Bauer has spent, and now spends, the most time and energy on is the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. He helped set up the very first meeting of worldwide volunteers at NASA's behest in 1996, working as AMSAT's representative, alongside Rosalie White, K1STO as ARRL's representative. People from the world's AMSAT societies and IARU organizations answered their calls to attend the meeting at NASA Johnson Space center in Houston, and the rest is history--20 years of growing ARISS into how it is today...still growing! White wrote, "Frank didn't just think about where amateur radio in space should be; he always thought about where it was headed--he still does. His multi-faceted background and experience in aerospace, NASA, and amateur radio is the ideal combination resulting in effectively spearheading the ARISS team in offering to hams, students, and the general public, ARISS success after ARISS success." Very hearty congratulations from the ARISS team to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, on his new title, Dayton Hamvention 2017 Amateur of the Year! 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), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and 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. Also, join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status Contact: David Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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ARISS News Release no. 17-05
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 08 Mar '17

08 Mar '17

ARISS NEWS RELEASE no. 17-05 March 8, 2017 David Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org Frank Bauer, KA3HDO 2017 Dayton Amateur of the Year Winner The Dayton Hamvention has selected ARISS International Chair, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, for its top award, Amateur of the Year for 2017. Each year, Hamvention recognizes radio amateurs known for making major contributions to the art and science of amateur radio, and it's no surprise why Bauer was chosen. A few things from his lengthy list of achievements follow. In 1995, Bauer proposed an experiment for the AMSAT Phase 3D satellite (AO-40) to measure the strength of the signal from the GPS satellite constellation. For years after, the aerospace industry cited this experiment because the results helped engineers improve the GPS system, led to new applications for GPS, and changed navigation at High-Earth Orbit (HEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) altitudes, allowing new missions to operate in these orbits. Prior to NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, flying in space and taking along ham radio in 1983, Bauer came up with a plan for, and helped set up and operate, the worldwide retransmission of space shuttle air-to-ground communications by the Goddard Amateur Radio Club station, WA3NAN (now K6DUE). Tens of thousands of hams enjoyed listening to most every shuttle mission's astronaut communications, and amateurs used these to help them make ham contacts with crewmembers who had their amateur licenses. Bauer's work with this system also let to his becoming part of the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) team. Bauer attended Purdue University where he earned its prestigious bachelor's degree and master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics. This led to a long and full career with NASA followed by a move to the private aerospace industry. He earned his amateur radio license in 1974, and has been the AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight for many years. What Bauer has spent, and now spends, the most time and energy on is the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. He helped set up the very first meeting of worldwide volunteers at NASA's behest in 1996, working as AMSAT's representative, alongside Rosalie White, K1STO as ARRL's representative. People from the world's AMSAT societies and IARU organizations answered their calls to attend the meeting at NASA Johnson Space center in Houston, and the rest is history--20 years of growing ARISS into how it is today...still growing! White wrote, "Frank didn't just think about where amateur radio in space should be; he always thought about where it was headed--he still does. His multi-faceted background and experience in aerospace, NASA, and amateur radio is the ideal combination resulting in effectively spearheading the ARISS team in offering to hams, students, and the general public, ARISS success after ARISS success." Very hearty congratulations from the ARISS team to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, on his new title, Dayton Hamvention 2017 Amateur of the Year! 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), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and 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. Also, join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status Contact: David Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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