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

FT-991A Transmit Interference
by VA3ASE 03 Aug '18

03 Aug '18

Hi AMSAT friends, I'm having a technical problem and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I've been experimenting with using an FT-991A transmitter and SDR receiver to run full-duplex on the satellites. My problem is as soon as I key the FT-991A transmitter, my SDR receiver waterfall goes completely white and I don't hear anything but static. Classic overload symptoms. I've tried several things: - Upgrading my receiver from an RTL-SDR to an SDRplay RSP1A: no improvement. - Adding a duplexer as a band pass filter: no improvement. - Transmitting with a vertical antenna about 40' away from my yagis: YES it did solve the problem but is not a suitable solution. I'm using the same yagi antenna setup that I've used successfully for years with an FT-847, and have also had the same problem with a handheld Arrow. At last I tried transmitting with a different radio, and the problem disappears. I figured the problem was in my FT-991A so I sent it for warranty repair, but just got the call that they can't find anything wrong with it. It has no measurable spurious or out of band emissions. I'm at a loss here... I know people are using the same equipment (FT-991 + SDRplay) successfully; Simon Brown comes to mind. Here is a video I created demonstrating the problem with the FT-991 and showing that it doesn't appear with an Icom ID-880H. https://youtu.be/gXOIK5gLjgs I still think the problem must be in the radio, but if they can't find anything to fix then I'm out of luck. I'd love to hear any suggestions or feedback. Thanks, Alex VA3ASE

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CQ from South Indian Ocean
by Jean Marc Momple 03 Aug '18

03 Aug '18

Dear All, We have a bunch of active satellite operators in the region, mainly from Mauritius (3B8), Reunion (FR) and South Africa (ZS) also from Madagascar 5R8 sometimes , in spite many countries reachable particularly on FO-29 we do not hear much traffic except for regular QSO with Thailand (thanks to Kob, E21EJC). I guess the active guys reachable around the Indian Ocean (West Africa, Middle-East, Asia and Oceania) are not looking this way as not expecting any trafic and also due to time difference. Just to let you know that we would like to QSO with you guys. Look for us on the birds. 73 Jean Marc (3B8DU)

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Birds-2 satellite
by alex weimer 02 Aug '18

02 Aug '18

Since the sats have a APRS digipeater, does anyone know what the callsign will be ?? How would we access the digipeater ?? I.E. The ISS is ARISS as is NO884 !! What will the Birds-2 be ?? Thanks JACK KC7MG

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-08-02 05:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 02 Aug '18

02 Aug '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-08-02 05:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 17th Nippon Scout Jamboree, Suzu City, Ishikawa, Japan, via 8N9SJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact cancelled due to on orbit operations (***) ****************************************************************************** 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 130 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 106 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-08-02 05:30 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 1242. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1190. 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 2018-07-27 02:00 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. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Exp. 56 on orbit Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT Alexander Gerst KF5ONO Sergei Propopev **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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calibrating my EMOTATOR rotor control
by mikflathead＠aol.com 02 Aug '18

02 Aug '18

I just replaced the o ring in my control box .Can some head me in the correct direction on how to align it? Not sure why they did not use a meter like most rotors? Mike

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Return of ARISS packet radio
by Dave Taylor 01 Aug '18

01 Aug '18

If you have missed APRS and packet radio from ISS (as ARISS has), you'll be happy to hear that a replacement system is on its way. When the packet module aboard ISS died in late 2017, the ARISS hardware team was heavily involved in design and safety certification of the new Interoperable Radio System (IORS). After basic troubleshooting and a few attempts to revive the failed module, we decided to dedicate our time to IORS and get it - with its packet and other capabilities - aboard ISS as soon as possible. Early this year, thermal testing of the first flight-identical IORS power supply showed that some changes to air flow were needed. This change looked likely to delay our expected IORS deployment from late 2018 to early 2019. With some newly available time, the hardware team was able to dig up an original duplicate of the packet module, replace its battery, and test the module to verify that it still works. Fortunately, NASA has approved flight of this identical unit with minimal paperwork, so we are asking to be on the manifest for supply mission 71P (a Progress spacecraft). Launch currently is scheduled for 31 October, with docking on 2 November. Installation will depend on the crew’s busy schedule, but we expect packet will be operational again by the end of November 2018. Dave, W8AAS

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VUCC Awards-Endorsements for July 2018
by Ronald G. Parsons 01 Aug '18

01 Aug '18

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period July 1, 2018 through August 1, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL 01Jul 01Aug K8YSE 1848 1879 WA4NVM 1488 1522 N9IP 618 625 WD9EWK 450 476 K7TAB 306 430 KE4AL 379 429 AA8CH 256 316 AE5B 100 239 K5IX 175 202 N6RFM 107 201 N7AGF 152 175 PU8RFL 120 125 IK0USO 100 118 LW2DAF New 103 WW8W New 103 K2MTS New 100 KG4AKV New 100 KJ4EU New 100 If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for July 1, 2018 and August 1, 2018. 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! 73, Ron W5RKN

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AD0DX Roving to FN05 Aug 3/4
by Ron Bondy 01 Aug '18

01 Aug '18

Hi Everyone, I'm doing a short trip this Friday / Saturday to FN05 to my sisters cottage in FN05 north of Toronto, ON, Canada. I'll be activating on linear and FM sats. I've put a schedule on my qrz.com page of the passes I'm planning to activate from FN05. I may be able to sneak in a few more, but these are the ones I can promise at this time. Cell reception at the cottage is spotty so I may not be able to post passes to Twitter. Please reply using my qrz.com email address if you have any questions or comments. Logging in LOTW at AD0DX/VE3. Please allow 48 hours for me to upload to LOTW. I have one good opening for EU on AO-7 on Friday, details on my qrz.com page. I'll be driving from Windsor to Toronto and back and will activate a few other grids as I have opportunity. 73 and hope to give you a new grid Fri or Sat. Cheers, Ron, ad0dx

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-08-01 05:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 01 Aug '18

01 Aug '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-08-01 05:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 17th Nippon Scout Jamboree, Suzu City, Ishikawa, Japan, via 8N9SJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-08-08 10:28:50 UTC 38 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: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 130 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 106 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-08-01 05:30 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 1242. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1190. 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 2018-07-27 02:00 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. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Exp. 56 on orbit Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT Alexander Gerst KF5ONO Sergei Propopev **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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