AMSAT-BB March 2019

143 participants
198 discussions

How AMSAT uses Twitter to make AO-92 mode-change notifications...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

Hi. Last night, the @AMSAT Twitter account apparently retweeted a notice from Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA, AMSAT's Vice President of Operations, that the normally-scheduled AO-92 mode change would not take place until this morning. I did not see this. Even though Drew's initial AO-92 announcement was retweeted by the @AMSAT Twitter account, I was not able to view it because Drew blocked my @WD9EWK Twitter account from seeing anything originating from his @glasbrenner account. Drew did this as a result of my encouraging AMSAT and ARRL to do more about the DMR hotspot interference that AMSAT reported last August, and Drew's initial weak response (only encouraging everyone to contact the hotspot operators). Drew changed his tune a couple of weeks later, encouraging everyone to contact him about DMR hotspot interference to our satellites, when he appeared on Amateur Radio Newsline: https://www.arnewsline.org/news/2018/9/6/amateur-radio-newsline -report-2132-for-friday-september-7th-2018 The script for that edition of Newsline is at: https://www.arnewsline.org/s/nsln2132.txt Despite this change of tune, my Twitter account remains blocked from viewing tweets from the @glasbrenner account for the past 6 or 7 months. This was not the first time Drew has chosen to have the @AMSAT Twitter account retweet something from his personal Twitter account, instead of using the @AMSAT Twitter account to make this sort of announcement. Drew has done this on two other occasions in the past 3 weeks for announcements on AO-92 mode changes. There have been other occasions where the @AMSAT account retweeted the AO-92 mode-change announcements from Mark Hammond N8MH. I am able to see those, but that doesn't change my opinion on how AMSAT should handle these notifications. I know I can always go to the AMSAT web site and look at the status page for AO-92 to see the status of the satellite, including whether or not the L-band uplink is active. If AMSAT is only going to use its Twitter account to make these announcements, and not post them on the AMSAT-BB list or the AMSAT web site, these tweets from AMSAT really need to originate from the @AMSAT Twitter account. This was done earlier last week, when the @AMSAT Twitter account announced new pricing on the 2018 Getting Started books: https://twitter.com/AMSAT/status/1108171995697606656 and the one-day sale on AMSAT T-shirts: https://twitter.com/AMSAT/status/1108368893914030081 What Drew does with his personal Twitter account is Drew's business. It becomes an AMSAT issue when he is using his personal Twitter account to make announcements on behalf of the organization, and not everyone has access to those announcements. I have tried to address issues related to how Drew manages the @AMSAT Twitter account over the past few months with a few AMSAT officers and Board members, and have either been greeted with silence to my inquiries, contempt for daring to question AMSAT, or outright dismissal in one case. I don't have a problem with AMSAT using its Twitter account for these announcements, as long as AMSAT makes the announcements so *everyone* can see them. Otherwise, the AMSAT-BB list or the AMSAT web site may be better avenues to make announcements about the status of AMSAT's satellites that all can see. Thank you. Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK Scottsdale, Arizona

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2019-03-25 16:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2019-03-25 16:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Khabarovsk University, Khabarovsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Konenenko Contact is a go for 2019-03-26 10:45 UTC Ulluriaq School, Kangiqsualujjuaq, QC, Canada, via LU8YY The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI Contact is go for: Thu 2019-03-28 16:14:54 UTC 47 deg 58th Hamilton Scout Group, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, direct via VE3DC (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI Contact is go for: Sat 2019-04-06 18:31:06 UTC 38 deg (***) ARISS Contact Applications (United States) The ARISS-US program’s education proposal window should go open in the spring of 2019. The ARISS webpage is at http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. 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, go to: http://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) http://www.jarl.org/ (***) ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) http://www.jarl.org/ ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 112 **************************************************************************** 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 2019-03-25 16:00 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 1294. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1237. 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: 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 2019-03-21 03:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 58 on orbit Oleg Konenenko David St-Jacques KG5FYI Anne McClain Exp. 59 on orbit Christina Koch Aleksey Ovchinin Nick Hague KG5TMV **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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AO-92 L/v this morning
by Ronald G. Parsons 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

Looks possible that the AO-92 pass over eastern US this morning may be within the 24 hour L/v activation period. I’ll be there. Let’s try. Ron W5RKN

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FL11 activations on the way.
by Pavel Milanes Costa 25 Mar '19

25 Mar '19

Hi to all, I'm Pavel CO7WT, I was off-air from quite long time, mainly because haven't radio for 70cm... I'm glad to inform you that I have now a Wouxun KG-UV8E and it's capable of full duplex in U/V mode, that means all fox satellites! This past weekend I made some attempts in AO-92 and reception in SO-50, that resulted in failure (can't hear my signal coming trough the bird, nor the 70cm downlink of SO-50) I'm using a homebrew cross yagui with 3el in 2m and 7 el in 70cm... I have located and fixed the failure: a open condenser in the UHF part of the VHF/UHF (homebrewed) diplexer, almost two years of storage + used/rescued parts have consequences. Sadly it was to late for Sunday noon passes, I made some test with my laptop and a RTL-SDR and the diplexer is working now, I have seen/heard some beacons from digi satellites in the 70cm band, but this night is raining, so no joy for today; AO-91 is passing NOW but heavy rain keep me inside. I will be working as time permit on week days, mainly night passes beyond 1800 local (-4GMT) and weekends... be kind with me I'm rusted on sat operation... cu on the birds! PS: I have not yet figured the "record" part of the wiring, full duplex with a handy needs a headphone and mike to control, so I will be asking here for partial calls from time to time until I figure it out, ideas are welcomed. 73 CO7WT Pavel.

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Rocket Lab Launch Update
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

Now scheduled for Tuesday 11:30 UTC see: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1110002183716524032 Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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Re: [amsat-bb] Thank you - VUCC
by R.T.Liddy 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

Got my SAT-VUCC #235, Oct 31, 2012 Was lazy and never got around to applying before that - HIHI. (VUCC for SAT is for QSOs dated 1/1/83 and later) First SAT QSO was 10/16/77 with W1ECH on AO-7 CW 2M/10M. 73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT #6593, since 1979) P.S. When did others have their First SAT QSO & details? -------------------------------------------- On Fri, 3/22/19, Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net> wrote: Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Thank you To: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Friday, March 22, 2019, 9:04 PM #188, November 19, 2009 73 Glenn AA5PK -----Original Message----- From: Andrew Glasbrenner Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 5:55 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Thank you #123, November 22, 2002 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Gerald R Brown via AMSAT-BB Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 6:29 PM To: n1jez(a)burlingtontelecom.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Thank you Mike, Were you just lucky to get #73 or did you pay somebody for that honor??? 73, Jerry, K5OE #88 in 1998 ps: 95% of my contacts were confirmed by Bruce (below) -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Mike Seguin Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 2:50 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Thank you #73 in 1997 here.... On 3/22/2019 3:17 PM, Bruce wrote: > Oh, my..... I am showing my age now. I became a ham in 1993 and > immediately went into satellite operations. My VUCC in late 1993 is #17. > For at least a dozen years after that they increased very rarely. > > I am glad to see all the activity on the satellites and enough > satellites for everyone to have fun with. > > 73...bruce > > On 3/22/2019 1:54 PM, Paul Stoetzer wrote: >> Congrats! >> >> On another note, the fact that we're at #427 in VUCCs issued is a >> testament to the increase in popularity of satellite ops and grid >> chasing over the past few years. VUCC Satellite has been around since >> either the late 1980s or early 1990s. I received #248 in March 2014. >> So, in about 5 years, about 42% of all satellite VUCCs issued in >> about >> 30 years have been awarded. >> >> 73, >> >> Paul, N8HM >> >> On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 2:50 PM johnv(a)frontier.com >> <johnv(a)frontier.com> wrote: >>> I just got number VUCC #427 certificate in the mail this morning. >>> >>> Thank you to all those who helped me with it. It will be on the >>> wall Monday after I show it off tomorrow at the Snohomish County >>> Hams Club. >>> JohnN7AME >>> _______________________________________________

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Rocket Lab Launch scrubbed for today.
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

It seems they have a faulty video transmitter see: https://twitter.com/RocketLab 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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AO73/FUNcube-1 Mode changes
by Graham Shirville 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

As reported by a number of users, the transponder on AO73/FUNcube-1 appears to be being affected by its many months in continuous sunlight. The transponder is presently not working as intended and will therefore not be activated again for the time being. We believe that the problem has occurred due to the higher than anticipated on-board temperatures. We anticipate that the situation may be resolved when the spacecraft starts to experience eclipses again at the end of April. The spacecraft will therefore remain in education mode until that time with the usual high-power telemetry downlink active. In addition to the telemetry, Fitter messages also remain available. Any schools or colleges that would like to have their message transmitted from space should contact operations(a)funcube.org.uk <mailto:[email protected]> with their request, giving at least two weeks’ notice. 73 Graham G3VZV

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For Sale Ten-Tec 2510
by Rolf Krogstad 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

I have for sale a Ten-Tec "Model 2510 Mode B Satellite Station". This is a mid-1980s vintage SSB/CW transmitter and receive converter. It has 10 watts output for uplink in the 435.0 to 435.5 portion of the 70 cm band and use an external receiver in the 29 Mhz portion of the 10 meter band to receive the 2 meter signal. It is in good condition. I used it to make a some satellite contacts a few years ago. I am asking $95 or best offer, plus shipping in the continental USA. To estimate the shipping cost it weighs 6 pounds and HWD is 4 1/2" x 7 9/16" x 11". Photos, PDF version of the manual and a copy of the October 1985 review in QST are available upon request. 73 Rolf NR0T EN34

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Re: [amsat-bb] Clarification
by Bruce 24 Mar '19

24 Mar '19

Sorry for all the confusion and the thread. I created these three 50th Anniversary Awards back in September, last year to try and allow hams all over the world to celebrate with us. Some, like the 50th Anniversary Communication Achievement Award follow the rules of the current award with a date qualification. Others like the 50th Anniversary Friends of 50 award were simply designed to allow everyone worldwide the opportunity to participate and earn a certificate. It was not designed as a contest nor something difficult to achieve, thus the work 50 hams on 50 different days was simple and attainable by all worldwide. It has seemed to have morphed into more and that was due to me responding to one question on the -BB and then my new AMSAT-VP of User Services also responding with an interpretation. The posted rules did not mention anything about unique call signs. Thus, if you said, "Hi" to your friend every day for 50 days on SO-50, you would be able to earn the award. If you were friendlier and said, "Hi to 50 different hams on SO-50" every day for 50 days you too would earn the award. The HF award, I have been asked if you can work the same station on different bands and different modes. Why of course. How many unique call signs might we get on HF from satellite operators when we might see a majority of them with only a 2m/70cm HT's and never have seen an HF rig except in a magazine or a store. 73...bruce On 3/23/2019 10:19 PM, Bob wrote: > Hi > > One of the AMSAT VPs stated on the BB that the 50th Anniversary AMSAT > Satellite Friends of 50 Award requires 50 UNIQUE callsign signs in > addition to the one per day limit. > > I originally thought the goal was at least one contact on each of 50 > days. > > The unique requirement on 50 unique days within a year may well be > impossible. I’ve only worked about 250 unique calls in 45 years on the > birds. I would also hate to have to dupe check each entry if I were in > your shoes. > > Can you clarify, please fingers crossed the VP misunderstands. > > 73, Bob, WB4SON > > -- 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 athttp://www.amsatnet.com Podcast athttp://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitterhttp://www.twitter.com/amsat

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AMSAT-BB March 2019