April 2018 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AO-92 satellite demo - Saturday - April 14th - 1517 UTC
by John Brier 14 Apr '18

14 Apr '18

Hi all, I'll be doing a satellite demo at the Raleigh March for Science in the kids area (Halifax Mall) from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, in grid FM05, tomorrow morning. The pass has a max elevation of 66 degrees so it should be a good opportunity to show some kids and their parents (and maybe adults without kids too!) ham radio satellites. I may have developed a high SWR issue with my mobile radio powered sat rig and the Arrow I use with it, so I may be forced to use "just" my 5 watt HT, so if you hear me having trouble getting through, please help out by letting me make a contact or two - it's for the children, come on. ;-) I'm also going to try and demo ISS SSTV on an earlier pass but it's only 5 degrees max elevation and I'm uncertain about the obstructions where we'll be. If it works they may get an even bigger kick out of that. I announced it on the Facebook event page and told people what apps they can download to decode it by holding their phones up to the speaker I'll have. 73, John Brier KG4AKV P.S. I am aware Patrick, WD9EWK will be roving to DM54/DM55 tomorrow but I imagine he'll still be driving there. Also, if I'm reading Orbitron right by moving my mouse pointer to DM54/DM55 it looks like this pass will only barely cover that area, if at all. Regardless, if he's on I will make sure not to keep anyone who needs the grid[s] from getting it[them].

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-14 00:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 14 Apr '18

14 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-14 00:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Watch for SSTV 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg Salado Intermediate School, Salado, TX, direct via K5LBJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-17 16:44:23 UTC 24 deg Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, NY, direct via KD2IFR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-04-18 15:57:46 UTC 28 deg The school will be hosting an ARISS contact on Wednesday April 18 at 15:57:46 UTC. The video stream of the contact will be available online. Wednesday, April 18, 2018 (15:57:46UTC - 11:57:46 EDST) Video stream should begin around 10:30am. Stream should come to an end around 12:15pm Navigate to http://www.centralislip.k12.ny.us/ariss Click on the livestream logo. When the event is live, there will be a link to the stream. King’s High School, Warwick, UK, direct via GB4KHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-04-19 12:05:19 UTC 72 deg Russian school TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov (***) Contact is a go for Tue 2018-04-24 11:05 UTC (***) Russian school TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov (***) Contact is a go for 2018-04-25 08:35 UTC ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** 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: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-04-14 00:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1219. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1168. 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: 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 2018-04-11 05:00 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. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Martlesham Microwave Roundtable on BATC Video Stream (April 15)
by JoAnne K9JKM 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Here is a news item which is more timely released sooner than the weekend news cycle ... some of their topics and techniques seem applicable to future satellites ... microwave construction, SDR, GNUradio ... AMSAT-UK relayed that the UKGHZ Martlesham Microwave Roundtable Sunday [April 15] talks will be streamed live on BATCOnline: https://beta.batc.org.uk/live/mmrt The Sunday programe will streamed live. The times are apparently British Summer Time which I believe is UTC+1 this time of year. Their programe includes: 09:00 Doors Open 09:50 Welcome and Opening 10:00 UK Microwave Group AGM, Trophy Presentations 10:45 Refreshments & Judging of the Construction Contest 11:00 An introduction to SDRs and GNU Radio - Heather Lomond M0HMO 11:45 Aircraft Scatter using Airscout - John Quarmby G3XDY 12:30 Lunch Break 13:30 ATV on 5.6, 10 and 24GHz - Dave Crump G8GKQ 14:15 The Wednesday Digifest - John Worsnop G4BAO 15:00 Refreshments 15:15 UKuG Contest Forum - John Quarmby G3XDY 16:00 Close -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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HM58 rover (last minute notice)
by Pedro Dutra Sousa 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Hi all, A last minute trip came up. I’ll be in HM58 from Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon (April 14-15), SAT equipped FM only. Not the best working conditions but doable. Email me if you want a specific pass and I’ll see if possible. 73 Pedro CU2ZG Sent from my iPhone Please excuse any typos or briefness -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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SSTV and the APRN - the time is now (ID too)
by Robert Bruninga 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Actually, the smartphone SSTV ap can just as easily generate the associated APRS packet audio as well to ID the image. Thus it fully does everything. >From taking the picture and sending the ID info so it can be cataloged and distributed by the APRN network. A simple Mic-E object packet would put the location of the image on the map and the direction the camera was facing, and the title of the image, and sender, date and time. All in only a short 25 byte packet. -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 9:35 PM To: aprssig(a)tapr.org Cc: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Subject: SSTV and the APRN - the time is now Ham Radio can really make good use of Handheld smartphone SSTV applications anywhere anytime by adding APRS to ID and catalog the images. Since EVERY ham with a smartphone, iphone, android or tablet (or old VCH1 KenCam) can send and receive SSTV images over the air via any HT or walkie talkie, NOW we have a real untapped emergency response imaging capability that we are not exercising. See http://aprs.org/aprn.html The APRN network allows anyone to upload or download any real-time image to/from the local APRN server via audio on a local VHF frequency. And they use their APRS handheld to send a message TO APRN that identifies the SENDER, TIME/DATE, and location of the image. This allows the image to be cataloged, sorted and saved and served on demand. The image is not only available over the air back to any radio user on demand, but is also available to anyone on the web, such as emergency operators to view images from the "scene". Sure, any smartphone can send an image via broadband. But with APRN, they can do it anytime, anywhere even without their wireless network and it is seamlessly shared locally and globally. And if we practice, anyone with an APRS radio can do it. AND the local APRN frequency is visible locally on the APRS map via its own FREQUENCY OBJECT. The only problem, is that I am too old to write the APRN code. The local APRN code runs on a local computer, and has two radios. One sending and receiving the SSTV images on the local APRN VHF channel, and the other radio is on the APRS channel for communicating the information and putting the images on the map and for receiveing image queries. Any authors with nothing to do ready to step up to the plate? Bob, WB4APR

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-12 18:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-12 18:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Watch for SSTV 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg Salado Intermediate School, Salado, TX, direct via K5LBJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-17 16:44:23 UTC 24 deg Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, NY, direct via KD2IFR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-04-18 15:57:46 UTC 28 deg The school will be hosting an ARISS contact on Wednesday April 18 at 15:57:46 UTC. The video stream of the contact will be available online. (***) Wednesday, April 18, 2018 (15:57:46UTC - 11:57:46 EDST) Video stream should begin around 10:30am. Stream should come to an end around 12:15pm Navigate to http://www.centralislip.k12.ny.us/ariss Click on the livestream logo. When the event is live, there will be a link to the stream. King’s High School, Warwick, UK, direct via GB4KHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-04-19 12:05:19 UTC 72 deg Russian school TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is TBD Contact is a go for 2018-04-25 08:35 UTC ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** 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: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-04-11 05:00 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 1219. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1168. (***) 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 2018-04-11 05:00 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. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Malfunctioning G-5500 elevation control
by JOEL KANDEL 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

The rotor and cables check out ok, but the control box will not operate the elevation rotor. Before I go in and try to troubleshoot each individual component, does anyone know of a common failure in the box that would disable the control? Thank you in advance. Joel, KI4T Traveling at 300,000,000 meters per second

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Funcube dashboard
by Kevin Schuchmann 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Hi All, I recently learned that adding the option "/autostart /source=soundcard" could get the dashboard to auto start, I'm curious if anyone has run across any other options or maybe a tweak to the config file? specifically I would like to to tell it a particular location and window size when starting up. I'm attempting to set everything to auto start up after a power failure. Thanks 73 Kevin WA7FWF

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VP5/KL7CN QRV today
by Bryan Green 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

VP5/KL7CN QRV FL41 most passes today only 2018-04-11 approx 17:00z to 21:00z. AO-7 145.935 Tx. AO-85 included. 21:10 SO-50 likely. -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6 bryan(a)kl7cn.net

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March/April 2018 Edition of Apogee View Posted
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

The March/April 2018 edition of Apogee View, an update on AMSAT's activities from AMSAT President Joe Spier, K6WAO, has been posted to the AMSAT website. https://www.amsat.org/apogeeview/ 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice President Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

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