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

Rocket Lab test flight analysis released
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 07 Aug '17

07 Aug '17

Hello Launch watchers, The report on Rocket Lab’s first test flight is here: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/latest/rocket-lab-completes-post-flight-analys… Memo, turn ON the FEC before launch. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter. SPAMfighter has removed 306 of my spam emails to date. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len Do you have a slow PC? Try a Free scan http://www.spamfighter.com/SLOW-PCfighter?cid=sigen

1 0

Cleaning up the Global APRS Satellite ground station network?
by Robert Bruninga 07 Aug '17

07 Aug '17

I think we should better organize our autmoatied automatic APRS satelite ground stations. We found about 330 unique IGATES feeding the APRS-IS and the two APRS satellite networks: http://pcsat.findu.com and http://ariss.net For decades a hot topic at SmalSat conferences has been remote ground station networks. Some costing $100,000 or more but with only a half dozen other stations that seem to always be just one more software, and one more receiver upgrade to actualy be operating. Meantime, APRS has had global ground stations by the hundreds. They all work fine for APRS donwlinks on 145.825. I am not really interested (for now) in diluting this always-listening network by spinnning off stations that can be remotely tuned to go listend to the other hundreds of small sats and their UHF downlinks which require tracking AND Doppler tuning, For now, I'd rather encourage more AMSATS to use our network and provide more APRS transponders! In addition, I'd like to at least see about making this ground station netwrok to be TWO_WAY just like APRS was designed, so that small satellite control operators with satellites on 145.825 can send APRS message back to their spacecraft for control anywhere anytime. The inherent protocol does this already (once a fground station has heard the satelite at least once on that pass). I do think this transmit path might need to be available only to valid control operators, though,,, Remember, with this many stations I have not encouraged AZ/EL active trackign but just omni receivers. After seeign all the problems when Yaesu rotators are run full time, I do not think that is a strong idea for hams at home... But maybe universities who have budgets to replace warn out equipment? So here are just some initial thoughts about this network we already have: PHASE 1: Lets choose a unique set of APRS symbols to clearly identify this network. In 2008 we expanded the APRS symbol set. FOr example the \& gateway symbol has plenty of vacancies we can use for this purpose. Here are the existing Gateway overlays: /& = HF Gateway <= the original primary table definition I& = Igate Generic (please use more specific overlay) R& = Receive only IGate (do not send msgs back to RF) P& = PSKmail node T& = TX igate with path set to 1 hop only) W& = WIRES-X as opposed to W0 for WiresII 2& = TX igate with path set to 2 hops (not generally good idea) We could; define additional overlays for this Satellite ground station network: A& for Omni "AMSAT" ground station (2-way, 50W radio) L& for Omni "AMSAT" low power or other wise less than optimum sky view O& for Omni receive Only H& for HFSAT (that will be our next one in a few years) Y& for Yaggi oscar class (Gernerallyh tracks APRS sats of current interest) U& for UHF downlinks chanel (TBD) S& for Schools and University class (always on and can track on demand?) and can QSY when we figure out how we want to do this... (and can afford to wear out their stuff) V& for Various? Since APRS has a FREUENCY SPEC already, we can assume that all stations using these symbols are on 145.825, UNLESS they include a different frequency in their STATUS text. A V station might be VARIOUS and that indicates that it is auto tracking and auto tuning any satellite in view and is beaconing that frequency in its status each time it changes frequency. THen lets come up with some well defined way to categorize capablities so that it all fits in the station's STATUS packet in a consistent way. I know there are LOTS of ideas of all kinds of automated linked ground stations. I am not trying to disrupt all those ideas, but simple clean up what I think is what APRS already has? Does this seem like a plan? Bob, WB4apr

3 2

Cleaning up the Global APRS Satellite ground station network?
by Dave Ryan 07 Aug '17

07 Aug '17

Hi Bob I run an RX only i-gate in the UK MB7UEI-6. Currently it uses AZ/EL active tracking antennas, VHF and UHF wimo Xquads, the system runs 24/7 and also tracks the 3 Funcube sats, I have plans to expand this further and include the station on WEBSDR, I would be interested to participate. Regards Dave EI4HT / M0GIW

1 0

YOTA ARISS Contact Tuesday 8th August
by Graham Shirville 07 Aug '17

07 Aug '17

Hi all, Just to confirm that all the plans have now been finalised for tomorrow's ARISS contact with the ISS from the YOTA 2017 event at Gilwell Park near London The FM audio downlink will be on 145.800 MHz as usual and the HAMtv system has been switched back on today and is expected to be used by Paolo Nespoli for the contact. Full details about the contact, scheduled to start at 18:38utc, including guidance about how to watch the event live on the batc webstreams, can be found at https://amsat-uk.org/2017/08/03/ariss-contact-yota-2017/ 73 Graham G3VZV

1 0

Yaesu G-5500 az issue
by Jeff Griffin 06 Aug '17

06 Aug '17

I removed the rotor from the tower today and started working on the azimuth rotor. When power is applied via left or right control the motor is running. I carefully split the case and everything appears intact. Grease is still good, no missing gear teeth, no metal shavings in bottom of housing. So the problem is somewhere in the gearing, or mechanical control. I would like to proceed further but have no exploded view of the inside of the rotor. I wouldn't want to proceed without some kind of service manual part description view. Does anyone have anything that might help? Does anyone have a clue, maybe had this same problem and fixed it?I already have the useless Yaesu user manual.. 73 Jeff kb2m

3 4

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-08-06 21:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 06 Aug '17

06 Aug '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-08-06 21:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA Contact was successful: Sat 2017-08-05 18:02:31 UTC 87 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. 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 2017-08-06 21:00 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 1151. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1110. (***) 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 2017-08-06 21:00 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. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Exp. 51 on orbit Jack Fischer K2FSH Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

Ham Science using PSAT PSK31 HF xponder
by Robert Bruninga 06 Aug '17

06 Aug '17

Some people have reported difficulty getting into the BrnoUniversity PSK31 HF uplink on PSAT(NO84) and we just realized that such reports could be valuable data that we have been ignoring.! For our next HFSAT we want to explore how often the ionosphere bends the uplink down below the satelite and any given station is unable to get in even though their tracking program shows them the satelite is in view. We just realized we can get all this data simply by monitoring the PSAT transponder and when people see AOS and LOS. WHen we are looking for success (DX via the transponder) it is human nature to ignore passes that didn't work. But in this case, that is the science data that is more interesting. But then there is also another problem with "negative reslts" is that you have now way of knowing if the resason you got negative results was becuase of a vist by Murphy or because in fact, the negative effect you are looking for was the cause. So the best data is from a relatively high pass where you domt start seeing your downlink until the satelite gets above X degrees elevation and then gets strong and then fades out below Y elevation on the other side. An ideal report might be something like: DATE, STARTTIME, AOS angle, Max angle/AZ, LOS angle, ENDTIME, SUn AZ/EL The sun direction will be helpful in explainign difference in AOS and LOS elevation angles. Its just an idea if aonyone wants to dabble in some Ham Science... Bob, WB4APR

1 0

To AA5AO (Fwd: Re: Hardware you use with gqrx and gpredict)
by PE0SAT | Amateur Radio 05 Aug '17

05 Aug '17

Hello James, I am unable to reply via your ATT mail provider, therefor my reply via Amsat-BB. 73 Jan PE0SAT -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Subject: Hardware you use with gqrx and gpredict Date: 03-08-2017 16:18 To: jameshickox(a)sbcglobal.net Hello James, The minimum I use at the moment is a refurbished HP ProBook 6460b (It has a quad core i5 with 8Gb) 73 Jan PE0SAT --- With regards PE0SAT On 03-08-2017 15:19, James Hickox via de website. wrote: > From: James Hickox <jameshickox(a)sbcglobal.net> > Call: AA5AO > Subject: Hardware you use with gqrx and gpredict > > Message Body: > Hello, I am trying to run gpredict and gqrx together while using > gpredict to tune my transceiver and a rtl-sdr dongle for a duplex > station. > > I am running an old Toshiba nb505, which is a single core processor > running at about 1.2 ghz. It crashes or has unacceptable lag time or > stutters. > > What do you use or what would be minimal computer specifications you > would recommend? > > Thanks and 73, > James Hickox > AA5AO >

1 0

Turnstile antenna feed point
by Andrew Rich 05 Aug '17

05 Aug '17

Hello I am making a turnstile antenna and interested to seek ideas on how the support the upper two dipoles I see some people have sort of supporting material that fits inside the upper dipoles I am hoping to keep all the rf connections inside the pvc pipe which forms the vertical supporting structure of the antenna No one makes commercial turnstiles ? Andrew Sent from my iPhone

2 1

ANS-218 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 05 Aug '17

05 Aug '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-218 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: * Return of Experimenter's Wednesday to AO-85 * ARISS contact planned for YOTA, England * VUCC Awards/Endorsements for July 2017 * ARRL PR Poster Features Amateur Radio in Space * AMSAT Phase 4 Groundstation at DEFCON * AMSAT-NA BoD Ballots Due At AMSAT Office By September 15, 2017 * AMSATSA/SARL Workshop To Focus On Taking SDR To A New Level * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-218.01 ANS-218 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 218.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. August 6, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-218.01 Return of Experimenter's Wednesday to AO-85 With the recent popularity of Slow Scan Television (SSTV) from the ISS, AMSAT Operations is bringing back Experimenter’s Wednesday to AO- 85. On a trial basis, we invite users to exchange pictures using Robot 36 SSTV mode via the FM repeater on AO-85 during UTC Wednesdays. Please identify prior to beginning transmissions, and only send when the uplink is clear. Stations are requested to only uplink if they have a reasonable expectation of maintaining a full-quieting signal for the duration of the image transmission. Smaller stations are encouraged to focus on receiving the images. Please don’t send questionable or provocative images. If in doubt, pick another one. Expect all ages to be participating. Feedback is encouraged, and comments may be directed via email to me at ko4ma at amsat dot org. [ANS thanks Drew KO4MA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS contact planned for YOTA, England An International Space Station ARISS contact has been planned for astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZ0JPA and the Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) event, which takes place in UK. The ARISS contact is scheduled Tuesday August 8, 2017 at approximately 18.38 UTC. This will be a direct radio contact, operated by GB4YOTA. Downlink signals will be audible in parts of Europe on 145.800 MHz narrowband FM. Moreover, Paolo Nespoli IZ0JPA will operate the HamVideo transmitter. The Goonhilly receiver will be activated sometime Friday (4th August) and will remain active over the weekend and continue to track the ISS until Wednesday morning, 9th August. Goonhilly, will be one of several European HamTV reception ground stations contributing to the reception of the HamTV signal for the contact itself. Two web streams will be available: 1. The normal ARISS/BATC website will be available at https://ariss.batc.tv/hamtv ; This shows only the HamTV video downlink as an output from the merger facility, with an indication of which registered HamTV stations are providing signal input to the merger. 2. The ARISS Operations UK Team will be web streaming from the YOTA event itself at https://ariss.batc.tv/ ; This web stream includes introductions and presentations from the RSGB and the YOTA participants before the actual contact itself according to the timetable of the event below. The timetable of the event is as follows. ALL times are UTC times: 17:30 - All participants and guests to be present at the location. The event web stream (https://ariss.batc.tv/) will start at approximately this time to capture some of the build-up. 17:40 - Formal start of the RSGB/YOTA introductions and presentations. 18:20 - ARISS Operations in the UK take over the event, give the background to what is happening, how it is organised and how all the different elements of the contact are managed. 18:38 - Scheduled time for start of contact with Nespoli operating as NA1SS. The YOTA participants will be using the GB4YOTA callsign. 18:50 - Approximate end of contact with Nespoli. After closing the contact, the operator will invite RSGB/YOTA to formally close down the ARISS event. [ANS thanks Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, ARISS Europe for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards/Endorsements for July 2017 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period July 1, 2017 through August 1, 2017. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL GRIDS KD8CAO 1240 N8RO 1010 N8HM 980 N4UFO 675 WA5KBH 630 KG5CCI 616 KK4FEM 476 WD9EWK 375 PV8DX 313 NJ7H 203 KX9X 158 KA9P 150 XE3DX 117 OX/NJ7H 110 (NEW VUCC) PT9BM 100 (NEW VUCC) Eduardo PY2RN wrote, "Congratulations to aGustavo, PT9BM for the first VUCC-SAT in South America (below the Equator), way to go!" This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for July 1st and August 1st, 2017. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! [ANS thanks John K8YSE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL PR Poster Features Amateur Radio in Space The ARRL offers a series of six posters that promote Amateur Radio to the general public. These were originally designed by ARRL for the 2017 National Scouting Jamboree, but may be used for any outreach effort. Each poster is 11" x 17". One of the posters features amateur radio in space. The six posters are based around the theme, "Ham Radio Is..." Those themes are: + Adventure (Portable operating of all kinds) + Discovery (Making/Building/DIY) + Friendship (Community and Mentoring) + Out Of This World (space communications/satellites) + Ready (Publc Service) + The Game (Contesting and Awards) A link to ARRL's "What Is Ham Radio" page is provided as both a URL and a QR code on each poster. The posters are available for free download in PDF format. http://www.arrl.org/pr-posters We suggest printing on high-gloss paper and framing them for maximum effect. [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Phase 4 Groundstation at DEFCON Amateur Radio and AMSAT were prominently featured this year at DEFCON Hacking Conference. In addition to the license exam session run by one of the many local DEFCON Groups, there were amateur radio demonstrations of software defined radio, Phase 4 Ground, and GNU Radio flowgraphs at WiFi Village, one of the many subject-specific subcategories at DEFCON. The amateur satellite service was of great interest! At an estimated 30,000 attendees, outreach was highly successful. Participants were diverse, technical, curious, and came ready with the questions! A very high fraction were already licensed or interested in getting their license. Amateur radio was also part of the WiFi Village Capture the Flag competition. Word on the street is that next year we expect to see a lot more ham content in this exciting signal intelligence competition. AMSAT Phase 4 Ground will next present at the GNU Radio Conference in September, in San Diego, CA. Register now at https://www.gnuradio.org/grcon-2017/ After that, we will be at the AMSAT Symposium in October, in Reno, NV. More information at https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/ Thank you to Paul Williamson and Steve Conklin for helping staff the booth, bringing cool custom swag, setting up demonstrations, and answering hundreds and hundreds of questions. We are already looking forward to next year! [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-NA BoD Ballots Due At AMSAT Office By September 15, 2017 Ballots for AMSAT-NA's Board of Directors were mailed to members in good standing on July 15. Members are encouraged to complete their ballots and return them as soon as possible. Ballots must be received at the AMSAT office by September 15 in order to be counted. This year AMSAT-NA will be electing four voting members of the Board of Directors. These will go to the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In addition, there will be one alternate chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received. The 2017 candidates, in alphabetical order by last name are: Jerry Buxton, N0JY Clayton Coleman, W5PFG Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Peter Portanova, W2JV Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Election of Board members is both an obligation as well as an opportunity by our membership to help shape the future direction of AMSAT. Please take the time to review the candidate statements that will accompany the ballot and determine who you wish to see on the Board. You have the option to vote for up to four candidates. [ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSATSA/SARL Workshop To Focus On Taking SDR To A New Level The AMSAT SA/SARL workshop, to be held on Saturday 19 August at the SARL National Amateur Radio Centre at Radiokop Roodepoort, will focus on how to get more out of Software Defined Radio, and will take participants to another level in Amateur Radio activity. The workshop will be presented in two sessions. Session one will deal with the VHF SDR dongle and how to have more fun, such as listening to satellites, receiving weather satellites pictures, and astronomy projects. The second session will discuss a HF Dongle and the SARL HF Noise floor monitoring project, with details and a demonstration of how to automate this and how to build an autonomous system using a raspberry Pi. For more details and to check your registration status, point your browser to www.amsatsa.org.za or send an e-mail to admin at amsatsa.org.za [ANS thanks SARL weekly news in English 2017-8-5 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between VCP-Bundeszeltplatz, Großzerlang, Germany and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-08-01 18:20 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via DP9S. ARISS Mentor was Peter IN3GHZ. + A Successful contact was made between Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX, USA and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began Sat 2017-08-05 18:02:31 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via ON4ISS. ARISS Mentor was Keith W5IU. [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Free SpaceUK Magazine Edition 47 of the UK Space Agency's free magazine SpaceUK is now available for download The latest edition is packed with interesting content, including a feature on growing the UK space sector, a look at the next mission to Mars and an interview with Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS. Download your copy of SpaceUK from http://tinyurl.com/ANS218-SpaceUK Sign up for email updates http://tinyurl.com/ANS218-EmailUpdates UK Space Agency blog https://space.blog.gov.uk/ [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] + Satellite has deployable VHF crossed Yagi antenna Radio amateurs Sean Hum VA3SHV and Jeff Nicholls VA3NGJ worked on the design for a deployable VHF crossed Yagi antenna on the recently launched NORsat-2 The very high frequency (VHF) antenna was designed to unfold from the CubeSat after receiving a command from the Norwegian Space Center to deploy once in orbit. “This antenna is a completely new type of deployable antenna — it unfolds to be more than three times as large as the satellite that took it into orbit,” says Hum. “This is the first time that a deployable antenna of this type has been contemplated and successfully used as a main mission antenna for a CubeSat.” On July 20, cameras on board the CubeSat confirmed the successful deployment of the antenna. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/ANS218-Cubesats [ANS thanks Southgate ARN 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

1 0

Options for safer & permanent roof access?
by Scott 05 Aug '17

05 Aug '17

Hello everyone. Most of the time, when you're looking for how-to ideas, searching online will result in lots of options. This time, I'm not having much luck - with the exeption of expensive commercial solutions. What I would LIKE to see are some ideas on how I can give myself better (permanent) access to the roof that is more stable than an extension ladder. I only need to get up about 4 meters to a simple "A" roof, but with every passing year that transition from the top of the ladder to the sloped roof becomes more dangerous. Has anyone built exterior stairs or utilized a fixed ladder to the roof perhaps with some extended hand rails to make getting on & off the roof less hazardous? Alternatively, I'm certainly open to a purchased or second-hand solution if the cost is reasonable. Pictures would be great if anyone would like to share a URL or two. With the number of antennas that have been put on the roof by Amateur Radio operators over the decades, I have to think that someone out there besides me got tired of using a plain old ladder at some point. Thanks! -Scott, K4KDR

4 6

The loyal engineers steering NASA Voyager probes across the universe.
by Arthur Feller, W4ART 04 Aug '17

04 Aug '17

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/03/magazine/the-loyal-engineers-steering-na… <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/03/magazine/the-loyal-engineers-steering-na…> To thrive in life, you need three bones: a wish bone, a back bone, and a funny bone. - Reba McEntire http://afeller.us <http://afeller.us/>

2 1

YOTA ARISS Contact + Deployable Sat VHF Yagi VA3NGJ Interview
by M5AKA 04 Aug '17

04 Aug '17

ARISS contact planned for YOTA 2017 UK https://amsat-uk.org/2017/08/03/ariss-contact-yota-2017/ New Satellite Report by Peter 2M0SQL https://amsat-uk.org/2017/08/01/2m0sql-satellite-report/ Press reports ISS success of Chertsey Radio Club https://amsat-uk.org/2017/07/28/press-iss-chertsey-radio-club/ KD2BHC 437 MHz Sprite satellites deployed https://amsat-uk.org/2017/07/26/sprite-satellites-deployed/ Jeff Nicholls VA3NGJ is interviewed about the Deployable VHF Antenna which is 3 times the size of the NORsat-2 satellite launched on July 14 http://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/u-t-engineering-designed-cubesats-novel… Wirral Globe newspaper reports planned ISS contact with #YOTA2017 (145.800 MHz FM) and says Milo 2E0ILO @milonoblet has been chosen to represent UK at the event http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/15454630.Wirral_teenager_to_represent_UK_… Glasgow Pocketqube satellite company on front page of The National newspaper. D/L 437.160 MHz https://twitter.com/AlbaOrbital/status/892862152855474176 https://www.pocketqubeshop.com/unicorn-1/ New @ARRL Amateur Radio PR Posters include - Out Of This World (Space Comms/Satellites) http://www.arrl.org/pr-posters Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 04 Aug '17

04 Aug '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX on 05 Aug. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 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 OR4ISS and ON4ISS. The contact should be audible over portions of Europe 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. For the third year in a row, the Frontiers of Flight Museum is honored to be selected for a live contact with the International Space Station through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. We greatly appreciate the support and assistance of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in making this phenomenal opportunity for our students possible. The Frontiers of Flight Museum is committed to educating, motivating, and inspiring all ages in science, technology, engineering, and math, and this remarkable opportunity offers us a unique venue toward that goal. Our previous ARISS contacts have been viewed by overflow audiences in our 200-seat auditorium, and we once again welcome this chance to inspire young people while also educating the public about the importance of the International Space Station. This TALK LIVE! To the ISS event will be held on 5 August, only two weeks after our ninth annual "Moon Day" event, the largest annual space exposition in Texas. This year, Moon Day featured exhibits and demonstrations by the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, AMSAT, the Johnson Space Center, several universities, and numerous space-related corporations and organizations. Programs and classes for all ages included model rocket building and launching for younger visitors as well as serious academic presentations for mature audiences such as The Future of Human Spaceflight: The Moon, Asteroids, and Mars, The August Solar Eclipse, and a special appearance by Dr. Janet Kavandi, Director of the NASA Glenn Research Center and a three-time Space Shuttle astronaut (STS-91, STS-99, and STS-104). Several young visitors to Moon Day submitted questions for consideration for this upcoming ARISS contact. The live conversation via Amateur Radio with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station in the Museum's auditorium will be open to the public. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How long did it take for the Space Station to be built? 2. Does the change in gravity affect a person's heart rate and length of sleep? 3. How do the experiments on the Space Station help us overcome the challenges humans will face on the journey to Mars? 4. Does electricity work differently in space than on Earth? 5. Are there any plans to reduce, recycle, and even reuse the space debris orbiting Earth? 6. How do you fly the Space Station? 7. Will you be able to see the solar eclipse on August 21st in space? 8. What is it like to live in micro-gravity? 9. Do you have dreams and how do you feel after waking up? 10. What was the most surprising experiment you have done on the Space Station? 11. What language do you speak on the Space Station? 12. Have you ever been sick in space? 13. What has been your best experience as an astronaut? 14. What did you study in school to help you become an astronaut? 15. Are your favorite foods in space the same as your favorite foods on Earth? 16. Why does your spacecraft heat up coming back down to Earth but not while launching into 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): 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. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

NO-84
by Roy Dean 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

I've never experienced a PSAT pass that was of decent elevation (say, over 20°) that I couldn't get into with an arrow and 10w from my D710. And occasionally it sounds so strong as to lead me to believe it's putting out at LEAST 5 watts (which we know is not the case). That's when it's on, of course. --Roy K3RLD

3 5

Re: [amsat-bb] Speaking of APRS
by skristof＠etczone.com 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

Thanks. I was hoping for a little more long-term outlook with respect to NO-84. As best I can tell from clicking on the satellites that have links, there are no other satellites that have APRS transponder capabilities. Is that correct? Steve AI9IN On 2017-08-03 09:47, W2JV wrote: > Steve, > > You can look at the AMSAT Status Page, have fun. http://www.amsat.org/status/ > > Best, > > Peter, W2JV > > -----Original Message----- From: skristof(a)etczone.com > Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2017 9:35 AM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Speaking of APRS > > With the ISS APRS down, probably for months, I've been looking to NO-84 > for orbiting APRS action. But it seems that NO-84 has been APOFF quite a > bit, leaving no active APRS transponders in space (that I am aware of). > > Can we get a status report on NO-84 and, for folks like me who aren't > sure where to look for such info, some info on any other APRS > transponder satellites? > > Thank you! > > Steve AI9IN > _______________________________________________ > 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

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] Speaking of APRS (and PSK31)
by Robert Bruninga 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

So, while digipeater is off, now is a good time to play with PSAT (NO84's) PSK31 transponder which we try to always keep on. Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Speaking of APRS Probably the closest thing to a status report on the health of NO-84 is available from Mike DK3WN: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?cat=254 DK3WN is one of the command stations for NO-84, and he is able to switch on the APRS digipeater when he feels the satellite can handle it. His last blog entry related to that satellite was from last week, where he commented that "digipeater should remain off". Along with his web site, DK3WN is also on Twitter as @DK3WN where he also posts information related to NO-84. If you're not on Twitter, you can read his tweets in a browser at: http://twitter.com/DK3WN In terms of APRS digipeaters operating on 145.825 MHz, NO-84 is off, ISS is down, and from an earlier -BB post it looks like QIKCOM-1 (another satellite with an APRS transponder on 145.825 MHz): http://aprs.org/qikcom-1.html has been delayed in its deployment from the ISS. We'll have to be patient... 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK On Thu, Aug 3, 2017 at 7:04 AM, <skristof(a)etczone.com> wrote: > Thanks. > > I was hoping for a little more long-term outlook with respect to NO-84. > As best I can tell from clicking on the satellites that have links, > there are no other satellites that have APRS transponder capabilities. > Is that correct? > > Steve AI9IN > > _______________________________________________ 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

5 4

Simplesat lokdown
by Joe 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

I have in the past used this program often to see when there were mutual windows with a second station it worked great, but now I can not seem to make it do that anymore. Can anyone help? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] NO-84
by Roy Dean 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

> Thanks for that info, Roy. Perhaps what I have heard in the past was some sort of telemetry coming from NO-84. Is it also sending a data beacon? > > check out: pcsat.findu.com If the PSAT packets are shown as "PSAT-1]APOFF", then all it sends out are beacons (with embedded telemetry info, more info on Bob's website, aprs.org ). If the packets are shown as "PSAT]APRSON", then it will send beacons, and occasional friendly messages, as well as digipeat (use "ARISS" as path). If you send a message directly to "PSAT" (while it is on), then it will not digipeat it, and instead will eventually respond with some information about the next AOS (I think, it's been a while). It's really a neat satellite.

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] NO-84
by W M WILLOUGHBY 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

Thanks for that info, Roy. Perhaps what I have heard in the past was some sort of telemetry coming from NO-84. Is it also sending a data beacon?

1 0

Speaking of APRS
by skristof＠etczone.com 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

With the ISS APRS down, probably for months, I've been looking to NO-84 for orbiting APRS action. But it seems that NO-84 has been APOFF quite a bit, leaving no active APRS transponders in space (that I am aware of). Can we get a status report on NO-84 and, for folks like me who aren't sure where to look for such info, some info on any other APRS transponder satellites? Thank you! Steve AI9IN

1 0

APRS, AM radio and the solar Eclipse (Cloud Reporting)
by Robert Bruninga 03 Aug '17

03 Aug '17

If you are portable on ECLIPSE day, keep your APRS object updated. If you are in the Totality band , please use the SUNNY (\U) symbol to make it easy to identify special Eclipse stations, and update your STATUS text frequently as to your CLOUD cover. NWS says some 65% ? of us will be blocked by clouds and so a last minute race to a clear area might be important. (if you can move at all). A Status like “Clouds 25% at 1015.” fits nicely on the 10x10 line popup display on APRS HT’s. There may be lots of APRS Balloons that day too on 144.39 or 144.34. After the eclipse, use your HT and go chase one down (and meet others)! The QIKCOM1 APRS module deployment from ISS is delayed (unknown) but other events are listed on the HamSCI web page, below. Bob, WB4APR *From:* Robert Bruninga [mailto:bruninga@usna.edu] *Sent:* Monday, July 10, 2017 9:15 AM *Subject:* APRS, AM and the solar Eclipse There will be several Ham Radio experiments during the eclipse. Please see: http://HamSCI.org Anyone can do the AM radio experiment by listening for the 13 clear channel AM radio stations that are along the path of totality. As the D layer is darkened these stations should come up out of the noise. Check the web page for times and frequencies. The eclipse traverses the USA over about an hour with any one observer seeing totality for about 2 minutes. Also, APRS will be used during the day of the eclipse (21 Aug) for locating those hams involved in eclipse observations to be able to see where other nearby ham observers are located. Imagine the APRS map that day showing a clustering of mobile and portable positions all along the totality line. Please use the station symbol SUNNY (\U) for this event so these stations will stand out among all others on the national tracking page http://aprs.fi and report Cloud cover %. In addition to position reporting, APRS real-time messaging can be used for direct station-to-station texting plus the announcement server will give national connectivity for announcements. To use it, just send an APRS message to ANSRVR and begin the message with CQ ECLIPSE… Such a message will be sent to every other station in the event that has also sent a similar message. Due to the load, limit transmissions to no more often than once every half hour. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR(a)amsat.org

1 0

SATPC32 & FT-817: CAT Delay ?
by PA3GUO 02 Aug '17

02 Aug '17

My set-up: Windows 10 & SATPC32: works perfect with TS2000 (CAT delay 20) Now I want to connect my FT817: via a Bluetooth Dongle. Pairing to the PC successful. Now letting SATPC32 control the FT817: - started with CAT delay 20: works kind off, downlink (RX VFO A): OK, uplink (TX/VFO B): frequency not correct - increased CAT delay (5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, ....110): effects start to vary but never OK + at some delays flipping between VFO A and B without pressing PTT + freq of VFO A and B continue to be wrong + often in RX VFO B is selected, pressing PTT VFO B (should be the other way around) Tried at CAT rates 9600 and 38400, no differences. Seems like a timing problem to me, as there is influence of the CAT delay setting. Official recommendation: CAT RATE 38400, CAT delay 110. (that does not work though) A friend has similar problem, when using a wired USB interface between PC and FT-817. Who has some tips for us ? Henk, PA3GUO

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] VUCC Awards/Endorsements for July 2017 Correction
by John Papay 02 Aug '17

02 Aug '17

The listing for OX/NJ7H and PT9BM were for New VUCC rather than DXCC. Thanks to K8BL for spotting the error. 73, John K8YSE --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

3 2

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-08-02 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 01 Aug '17

01 Aug '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-08-02 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: VCP-Bundeszeltplatz, Großzerlang, Germany, direct via DP9S The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA Contact was successful: Tue 2017-08-01 18:20:35 UTC 46 deg (***) Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA Contact is a go: Sat 2017-08-05 18:02:31 UTC 87 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. 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 2017-08-02 07:00 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 1150. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1109. (***) 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 2017-08-02 07:00 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. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Exp. 51 on orbit Jack Fischer K2FSH Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0