AMSAT-BB September 2018

125 participants
135 discussions

InfoStellar / StellarStation Presentation at AMSAT-UK Colloquium

by David Johnson

Hi There has been some speculation on the -bb that this actually exists and is not vapourware: https://www.stellarstation.com/amateur Yes, it does exist and I have one as an early adopter / beta tester and I am preparing an article for OSCAR News. Naomi Kurahara, the CEO of InfoStellar will be giving a presentation about there philosophy for shared ground station operation for LEO satellites, at the Colloquium. https://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/rsgb-convention-programme/ I do not wish to get into a SATNogs debate (I use it too) I simply want to put this forward as an alternative and encourage you to watch the stream or attend the event. 73 Dave W4/G4DPZ Sent from my iPhone

4 years, 2 months

(no subject)

by mikflathead＠aol.com

I wonder if not using a metal boom is the problem? Mike

4 years, 2 months

Homebrew LFA yagi problems

by Hans BX2ABT

I'm new to yagi building and so far have made a four element test LFA yagi for 70 cm using a wooden boom and thick copper wire. Worked as expected. I scaled it up and build a 10 element version very closely to the specs of the InnovAntenna version (thanks KB1PVH for the help there). You can find an photo here: http://bx2abt.com/main/data/_uploaded/image/20180924-yagi.jpg The main differences are the tubing (InnovAntenna uses 1/2", I use 8 mm) and the width of the loop (InnovAntenna uses 46 mm, the smallest my tube bender can do is 68 mm). Apart from these two the InnovAntenna has through-boom elements and I use on-boom elements. According to the lenght of my loop the resonant frequency is 436 MHz (300/436 = 68.8 cm). Using a HT and my Daiwa SWR meter I only get resonance (SWR 1:1) at 412 MHz. Making the loop shorter in length doesn't make much difference. I understand that the reflector and directors bring the high impedance of the loop down to the desired 50 ohms, hence they have a noticable influence on the resonant frequency. How to go on from here? What am I doing wrong? My first thought was to start trimming the elements up to 95% of their current lengths (412/436*100 = 94.5%), then adjust the element spacing to 95% of the original distance. Second thought: there is (still) a feedline mismatch and the coax throws off the resonant frequency. On the G0KSC website there is a design for a 1:1 symetrical coax balun and talk about the Pawsey stub. Worth trying? I would appreciate input from people who have successfully homebrew LFA yagis and who could point me in the right direction. Also if you have experience with modelling LFAs using MMANA I would like to hear from you. Cheers, Hans BX2ABT

4 years, 2 months

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-29 02:00 UTC

by aj9n＠aol.com

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-29 02:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Indian Trails Middle School, Winter Springs, FL, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT Contact was successful: Thu 2018-09-27 17:52:47 UTC 74 deg (***) Pell Elementary School, Newport, RI, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-10-02 17:45:06 UTC 85 deg Watch for a live simulacast at: http://bit.ly/RIspacechat3 OR https://livestream.com/accounts/9685187/ISS2018 (***) Amur University, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Wed 2018-10-10 08:00 UTC Kursk University, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Fri 2018-10-12 10:40 UTC If you are interested in applying for an ARISS contact, please go to http://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html (***) The information below is from the ARISS webpage: (***) International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ ARISS Students (***) ARISS-US program’s education proposal window open Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2018 September 25, 2018: ARISS is seeking proposals beginning October 1, 2018 from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host amateur radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between July 1 and December 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with learning opportunities about space technologies, communications, and much more through the exploration of Amateur Radio and space. ARISS has been pleased of late, to be one of many possibilities of interest to educators during NASA’s A Year of Education on Station, which celebrates an almost 12-month presence of a teacher aboard the ISS. The ARISS program connects students to astronauts on the ISS through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, other Amateur Radio global organizations and the worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in Amateur Radio. Educators report regularly that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and STEM careers. One educator wrote, “Many of the middle school students who took part in and attended the ARISS contact have selected science courses in high school as a result of that contact.” Educators are setting up ham radio clubs in schools and learning centers because of students’ interest. 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 other STEM subjects. 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 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal window opens October 1, 2018 and the proposal deadline is November 30, 2018. For proposal guidelines and forms and more details, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answered will be offered October 11 and October 23, 2018, both at 8 pm Eastern Time. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to: ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2018.eventbrite.com/ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, click here. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) ****************************************************************************** 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 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 107 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-09-29 02:00 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 1260. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1206. 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 2018-09-28 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

4 years, 2 months

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-28 02:00 UTC

by aj9n＠aol.com

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-28 02:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Indian Trails Middle School, Winter Springs, FL, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT Contact was successful: Thu 2018-09-27 17:52:47 UTC 74 deg (***) Pell Elementary School, Newport, RI, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-10-02 17:45:06 UTC 85 deg Amur University, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Wed 2018-10-10 08:00 UTC Kursk University, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Fri 2018-10-12 10:40 UTC 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 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 107 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-09-28 02:00 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 1260. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1206. (***) 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 2018-09-28 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

4 years, 2 months

FT726R operating questions

by Ron VE8RT

while using the FT726R with the satellite board, a couple of questions have come to mind. First, I think that this is a fault, I cannot transmit CW unless both the receiver and transmitter are set to CW. It does not transmit CW if the receiver is in another mode. And second, I'm messing up on the FM satellites sometimes because I'm forgetting to turn the PL tone on. Can I leave it switched on when using another mode like SSB. Will it only be present if FM is selected or will it appear in the audio when transmitting on SSB? Thanks, Ron VE8RT DP22 -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

4 years, 2 months

Neat web dashboard of Hayabusa2 real-time data

by Zach Metzinger

In case someone hasn't seen this before: http://haya2now.jp/en.html --- Zach N0ZGO

4 years, 2 months

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-27 05:00 UTC

by aj9n＠aol.com

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-09-27 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Obie Elementary School, Kurashiki, Japan, direct via 8N4KLO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact was successful: Wed 2018-09-26 08:47:27 UTC 53 deg (***) Indian Trails Middle School, Winter Springs, FL, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Serena Aunon-Chancellor KG5TMT Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-09-27 17:52:47 UTC 74 deg Pell Elementary School, Newport, RI, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-10-02 17:45:06 UTC 85 deg Amur University, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Wed 2018-10-10 08:00 UTC Kursk University, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergei Propopev Contact is a go for Fri 2018-10-12 10:40 UTC 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 135 (***) Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 107 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-09-27 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 1259. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1205. (***) 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 2018-09-27 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. 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

4 years, 2 months

Extra, Extra, Read All About It

by Bruce

The AMSAT 2018 Symposium store items have been updated. Keep in mind that registration goes up on Monday, October 1. We now have the ability for Students to register at 50% off. You can now pre-order printed copies of the AMSAT Symposium Proceedings (those attending get digital copies only) The Sunday tour is available to order. It will be the Marshall Space Flight Center. Please order early so that we get an accurate count of how many buses will be needed. Visit the AMSAT Online store and click on Symposium to see all the items. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2020 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

4 years, 2 months

Yaesu FT-290RII For Sale

by Tucker McGuire

Hi All, Looking to sell my Yaesu FT-290RII 2m all mode rig. Upgraded my satellite setup and this is now excess to my needs. Has to 25w optional amp, tone board, mobile bracket, and the original mic. Asking $175 Shipped OBO. 73, Tucker W4FS

4 years, 2 months

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AMSAT-BB September 2018