July 2019 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Setting up an Igate with Xastir for ISS
by Brian Clark 14 Jul '19

14 Jul '19

Hello Everyone, I am working to set up an Pi TNC using Xastir as an igate/digipeater for the ISS. Any guidance on the config would be helpful. Wasn't sure if it was as simple as having the radio configured for the correct frequency. I am presently configured for the standard 144.390 frequency for APRS, and that works fine. 73's de KF6FES Brian

1 0

Upcoming Satellite Operations
by Robert Bankston 14 Jul '19

14 Jul '19

Lots of great satellite DX and grid chasing opportunities happening this Summer. More information is available on the Upcoming Satellite Operations page of AMSAT's website: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/. This page is updated often, sometimes with only on or two days notice, so check back often. If you are planning a trip, feel free to email me to get it posted. Happy Hunting! 73, Robert Bankston, KE4ALAMSAT-NA VP of User Services Twitter: @KE4ALabamaWebsite: KE4AL.wordpress.com

1 0

Fo 29
by Frank Staffa Jr. 14 Jul '19

14 Jul '19

Is FO 29 having an issue? Couldn't get into the last pass, heard nothing Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

2 1

Anyone need some grids around Arizona?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 14 Jul '19

14 Jul '19

Hi! It's mid-summer, time to make trips away from the desert to cooler places and work satellites. I have already made a couple of trips north to work from DM34 and DM35 in June. Are there other grids that people need around northern Arizona? Options include... DM34/DM44 grid boundary: along I-17, near Camp Verde AZ DM35/DM45 grid boundary: north or south of I-40, west of Flagstaff AZ DM54/DM55 grid boundary: along I-40, east of Holbrook AZ I know there have been some travelers working satellites across northern Arizona, but it always seems like those grids are new for someone whenever they show up on the satellites. I have been to those places many times in the past, and enjoy making return trips to put them on the air. I could go to other places that don't have the cooler weather, like the DM23/DM24 boundary in western Arizona, or the DM52/DM53 boundary in southeastern Arizona - places I have visited already, earlier this year. Something like DM32 is not far from the Phoenix area, and can get there in less than an hour's drive. After two trips to grid DM31 in February, and the very hot temperatures down there in summertime, I will probably not try to get back down there until sometime after summer is done. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK

3 3

Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum Moon Day a week away.
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

The 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic moon landing is upon us. Saturday July 20th, the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, TX Love Field will be presenting it's annual "Moon Day" STEM event. AMSAT will be represented along side the Dallas Amateur Radio Club. We will be showing off the Fox cubesat engineering model, the AMSAT Cubesat Simulator, talking orbits and demonstrating Amateur Radio Satellite communications. This is a general public event, with lots of young people in attendance. If you live in North Texas, are a supporter of AMSAT and would like to spend some time next Saturday, helping with our display table, or assisting Mac Cody, AE5PH, in doing satellite contacts, please drop me an email and I will give you more details on when and how to help. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms N5hyp(a)arrl.net

1 0

AO-92 data pages.
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

AO-92 Image gallery at http://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 as mentioned in the AMS bulletin yields a completely blank page. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms

2 1

ANS-195 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Paul Stoetzer 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-195 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information 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://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 dot org. In this edition: * 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ballots Sent * New Orbitrack iOS app free for Apollo 11 Anniversary * Help Needed - JAISAT-1 Telemetry * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 11, 2019 * How to Support AMSAT * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-195.01 ANS-195 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. July 14, 2019 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-195.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 50th Anniversary AMSAT Space Symposium will be held October 18-20 in Arlington, VA. For details, see: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ballots Sent AMSAT members should expect to see ballots for the 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors election arriving in their mailboxes. The ballots have been sent for printing and will be mailed on or before July 15. The 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors election will be conducted differ- ently than in past elections. In previous years, the balloting process was handled by multiple vendors. This year, AMSAT has contracted with a single, independent party, ElectionBuddy, to conduct and fully manage the election process. You may cast your ballot by visiting a unique URL or utilizing the QR code printed on the mailing. You also have the option of returning your paper ballot in the supplied envelope to the AMSAT office. Please do not include any other correspondence in this envelope. It will be opened only by ElectionBuddy. If you do not receive your ballot, you will need to contact ElectionBuddy via email: amsat(a)electionbuddy.com. Individual candidates’ statement of qualification (biographies) are displayed on the ElectionBuddy website available to voters and are available on AMSAT’s website: https://www.amsat.org/2019-board-statements/ Because AMSAT has contracted ElectionBuddy for a fully managed election, they will be voters’ single point of contact regarding any ballot issues. The AMSAT Secretary or Office Manager may direct you to contact ElectionBuddy in situations deemed part of this fully managed election. Questions will not be answered on the AMSAT-BB or organizational Social Media accounts. In the previous election announcement, it was mentioned that voters would have the option to request a special paper ballot. The election process has been modified to eliminate this need. A single mailing has been designed to better accommodate traditional and online voting. Sincerely, Clayton L. Coleman, W5PFG AMSAT Secretary [ANS thanks AMSAT Secretary Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Orbitrack iOS app free for Apollo 11 Anniversary n the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s first manned moon landing, a new iOS app – Orbitrack – lets you explore the universe of spacecraft in orbit around our home planet today, using cutting-edge augmented and virtual reality technology. Better yet: for just one day, July 20th, 2019, Orbitrack (normally $4.99) will be offered for free on the iTunes Store. >From the original developer of the award winning SkySafari™ apps, Orbitrack is the first new release from Southern Stars since 2014. It includes spectacular new graphics, incredibly detailed 3D spacecraft models, fascinating illustrated mission descriptions, and a new database of more than 8,000 satellites updated daily from n2yo.com and celestrak.com. Orbitrack includes many classified military satellites, and SpaceX’s new Starlink mega-communications-satellite constellation. Both visual and radio observers will appreciate Orbitrack’s up-to-date catalog, which includes frequencies and call signs for amateur radio satellites, and predicts satellite passes and Iridium flares. Orbitrack’s brand new voice-controlled virtual reality mode works with any iPhone-compatible VR headset. And its rewritten augmented reaiity (AR) capability lets you identify satellites passing across the sky in real time, using you phone’s GPS, camera, and motion-sensing hardware. Orbitrack supports the latest Apple hardware and showcases the latest iOS technologies. Southern Stars founder Tim DeBenedictis writes, “When Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, there were only 159 satellites in orbit. Today, there are well over 40,000. The computing power of the entire lunar module would be dwarfed by today’s smallest cell phones. Offering our latest satellite tracking app for free seemed a good way to celebrate the past, while also looking forward to the future of spaceflight, both manned and unmanned.” To download Orbitrack for iOS devices from the iTunes Store, follow this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/orbitrack/id1092984911?mt=8 Available today for iOS devices, Orbitrack will be available for Android in the 2nd half of 2019. [ANS thanks Southern Stars for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New 2019 AMSAT Apparel Now Available on the Web Didn't make it to Hamvention but you want the latest in AMSAT haberdashery? The new 2019 tee-shirts, polo shirts and hats are now available in the AMSAT online store. Browse the styles and sizes online and put your order in today at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-apparel/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Help Needed - JAISAT-1 Telemetry JAISAT-1, a 3U CubeSat developed by the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand was launched on July 5, 2019. The satellite carries a VHF/ UHF linear transponder for amateur radio use. The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) and the JAISAT-1 Project Teamare urgently seeking raw data that can be received from all packets worldwide. Please send raw data and KSS files to RAST by email at jaisatonetele(a)gmail.com. The JAISAT-1 beacon signal is transmitted on 435.700 MHz in GMSK Mobitex 4800 bps mode. Two other satellites on this launch also use this engineering frequency. The code for JAISAT-1 frames 1 in row 11 is: 41 (0x29) - JAISAT UHF1 42 (0x2A) - JAISAT UHF2 Example of signals in this format can be found with the the reception of signals from the satellite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FDoE0oaesY JAISAT-1 has been identified as 2019-038F. TLEs are below: 2019-038F 1 44419U 19038F 19190.66730395 .00001667 00000-0 10000-3 0 9996 2 44419 97.4914 152.5407 0020014 233.1737 126.7422 15.12176922 634 [ANS thanks Tanan Rangseeprom, HS1JAN, JAISAT Project Manager for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program. Full details are available at https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for July 11, 2019 The following Amateur Radio satellites have been removed from this week's TLE distribution. They are part of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy STP-2 launch of June 25,2019 at 06:30 GMT from launch pad LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center. They have been identified by Space-Track. OBJECT B - NORAD CAT ID 44340 - NPSAT1 (Non-Radio Amateur) OBJECT C - NORAD CAT ID 44341 - OTB (Non-Radio Amateur) OBJECT E - NORAD CAT ID 44343 - FORMOSAT7-3/COSMIC2-3 (Non-Radio Amateur) The following Amateur Radio satellite has been added to this week's TLE distribution. LightSail-2 - NORAD CAT ID 44420 - Separated from PROX-1, CAT ID 44330 [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Purchase AMSAT gear on our Zazzle storefront. 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Support AMSAT AMSAT relies on the support of our members and the amateur radio community to Keep Amateur Radio in Space. How can you help? * Join AMSAT Both you and AMSAT will benefit when you join. You get the AMSAT Journal bimonthly and support from AMSAT Ambassadors. Member dues and donations provide AMSAT’s primary support. Join today at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ * Become a Life Member Becoming a Life Member has never been easier. Now you can become a Life Member with 12 monthly payments of $74 through our online store. See https://www.amsat.org/product/lifetime-membership/ for details. * Donate to AMSAT Make a one time or recurring donation to AMSAT today. Even as little as one dollar a month can make a difference! Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ * Purchase AMSAT gear on our Zazzle storefront. AMSAT receives 25% of the price of each sale on AMSAT logo merchandise from our Zazzle storefront located at https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear * Support AMSAT when you make purchases from Amazon! So far, AMSAT has received $3,913.29 from AmazonSmile. Search for "Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation" https://smile.amazon.com/ref=smi_ext_twt_dshb_smi * Volunteer for AMSAT AMSAT relies on volunteers for nearly all of our activities. If you have an idea for how to help, please let us know, Details on volunteering can be found at https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/ [ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. We have reached a great milestone with $33,250 raised or about 17% towards our goal. This would not have been possible without your outstanding generosity!! For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit: https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations +Iceland (HP93, HP94, HP95, IP03, IP05, IP13, IP14, IP15, IP24, IP25, IP35) – July 13-19, 2019 Adam, K0FFY, is taking his family (and his radios) to Iceland. He’ll be staying in HP95 on July 13, IP15 on July 14-15, IP25 on July 16, IP03 on July 17-18, and HP94 on July 19. In total, he’ll be passing through HP93, HP94, HP95, IP03, IP05, IP13, IP14, IP15, IP24, IP25, IP35. There’s a lot to see, so passes will be best effort & announced on Twitter shortly prior. https://twitter.com/K0FFY_Radio +CY9 St. Paul Island (FN97) – July 31 to August 8, 2019 CY9C will be on St. Paul Island July 31st through August 8th. This is an all bands/mode dxpedition, with EME and Sats as well. More info available at http://cy9c.com/index.html. +Washington Invasion (CN96/96 & DN06/07/17/17) – August 9-10, 2019 Casey, KI7UNJ, will be heading North to invade the State of Washington, August 9th and 10th. Keep an eye on Casey’s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ +St Pierre et Miquelon (GN16) – August 10-18, 2019 A DXpedition is planned to St Pierre et Miquelon, August 10th through the 18th. The team will operate as T05M will from Ile aux Marins on 6-160m, but there is a possibility of some FM Satellites. Keep an eye on their website for updates: http://fp2019.net/ +Santa Rosa Island, CA (CM93) – August 12-14, 2019 Ron, AD0DX, is heading back to Santa Rosa Island, August 12th -14th. When not distracted by the feathered-birds, Ron will be on FM and linear satellites as W6R. Keep an eye on Ron’s Twitter feed for updates at the dates get closer. https://twitter.com/ad0dx Remember to check out W3ZM On the Road for additional upcoming activations! https://www.amsat.org/events/was-w3zm/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts from All Over +FO-29 has been offline since approximately 22:00 UTC on July 9th. The amateur satellite community awaits word from the satellite's operator, JARL, on the situation. +AMSAT Operations activated the Virginia Tech Camera on AO-92 on July 10th and July 11th in support of the ARRL Teachers Institute. Images captured can be found at http://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 +AMSAT Operations reports that AO-85 is shutting down each eclipse. The satellite turns on several minutes after entering sunlight, when voltages reach adequate levels to operate the satellite hardware. +Virgin Orbit conducted a successful drop test of LauncherOne on July 10th. This was the final test prior to the first test flight of the new air launch system. AMSAT's RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E is scheduled to fly on the second launch of the LauncherOne, as early as late this summer. Details on the test can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-195-VO +The AMSAT Board of Directors meeting minutes page was updated with recent minutes. https://www.amsat.org/minutes-of-the-board-of-directors/ +AMSAT financial audit/review reports and IRS Form 990 filings can be found at https://www.amsat.org/audit-and-other-financial-reports/ +EA4GPZ's blog contains several updates on images captured by LO-94. See https://destevez.net/ for details. +This week's Flashback Friday Tweet from @AMSAT: https://twitter.com/AMSAT/status/1149667412779786240 In the late 1970s, the AMSAT-GOLEM-80 Microcomputer Project was designed as a low-cost and expandable Z80 or 8080 based microcomputer for amateur radio applications. Details can be found in the Sept 1979 issue of Byte Magazine. https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1979-09/page/n183 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 additional 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 student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org

1 0

CM93 Santa Rosa Island Activation Aug 12 to 14, W6R
by Ron Bondy 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

Hi Everyone, I will be activating grid CM93 Santa Rosa Island Aug 12 to 14 as W6R. I will be active on both FM and Linear satellites. I expect I will be able to tweet passes as I did last year. I should be able to start around 2200z on Mon Aug 12th and will finish up around 1900z on Wed Aug 14th. Last year I worked 45 grid squares from Santa Rosa Island, and would really like to get VUCC from Santa Rosa Island this year if possible. I will upload to LOTW within one week of returning home. After Santa Rosa Island I'll be doing some bird watching / camping with my wife and I'm not sure about internet access while camping. If you are new to satellites and are interested in the GridMaster award (work all 488 grids in the continental USA), this grid can be a little challenging because Santa Rosa Island is the only land mass in the grid. It's not as rare as DM02, but I believe the last activation was Aug 2018 for 48 hours. Cheers, Ron, ad0dx

1 0

Grid Activation in South Dakota
by Kees van Oosbree 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

Hello, I will be activating EN12/EN13 grid line in Vermillion, South Dakota under the callsign KE0STO. The dates will be July 15-17, Monday-Wednesday of next week. I might go and activate other grids in SD when I have a chance on my road trip. I will only be working the FM satellites. Thank you! 73 de KE0STO

2 2

Amsat Fox Telemetry Server down for maintenance
by Chris Thompson 13 Jul '19

13 Jul '19

Telemetry will queue at your ground station and will be automatically uploaded later. Totals on the web page will not update until then. Email me with any questions. 73 Chris g0kla

1 0