October 2020 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

FM Birds?
by Brad Smith 25 Oct '21

25 Oct '21

Are there any plans to launch more FM satellites and if not, why not? FM birds seem to be much more popular than linear birds. Brad KC9UQR

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AISat1?
by Steve Kristoff 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

What happened to AISat? We have no more functioning APRS satellites? Steve AI9IN

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cube sat model
by Bob- W7LRD 07 May '21

07 May '21

Hi All-Is there a cube sat model, mock up etc, available anywhere 73 Bob W7LRD

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AMICALSAT Award
by christophe.mcr 05 Nov '20

05 Nov '20

Dear all The satellite has been active since September 3, 2020. The launch of the Vega rocket went well. According to the project team, the commissioning of the satellite is in progress and is proceeding normally. The team has succeeded in stabilizing the satellite and is beginning to test image capture and retrieval. The contributions of radio amateurs have been very important for the project. This has contributed to the commissioning of the satellite. In the case of AMICALSAT , it is possible to send telemetry to the dashboard hosted by the Satnogs network via - a Satnogs station - the AMICALSAT Decoder software provided by AMSAT-F. ( https://code.electrolab.fr/xtof/josast/-/blob/master/ApplicationAmicalsat/s… ) - the software edited by DK3WN (TLM Forwarder) Data from AMICALSAT Decoder is also sent to the AMSAT-F database ( https://amsat.electrolab.fr/). To date, more than 42 radio amateurs from all over the world have contributed more than 28,000 telemetry frames. In order to thank the radio amateurs who have sent telemetry via AMICALSAT Decoder software before December 31, 2020, AMSAT-F will issue a diploma. *Rules for issuing the diploma* The diploma in electronic format will be given to all radio amateurs or earphones that have received data from the Amicalsat satellite and sent these data to the AMSAT-F database with the "AMICALSAT Decoder" software. Depending on the number of data received on the AMSAT-F database (( https://amsat.electrolab.fr/) ) , the nature of the diploma will be different depending on the number of frames received before December 31, 2020 23:59 UTC : - GOLD Diploma for persons having sent more than 5000 frames to the AMSAT-F database. - Silver Diploma for those who have sent between 2500 & 4999 frames to the AMSAT-F database. - Bronze Diploma: for those who have sent between 500 & 2499 frames to the AMSAT-F database. - Diploma without mention for persons having sent between 1 & 499 frames to the AMSAT-F database The request for a diploma is done by sending an email to amsatf(a)amsat-f.org indicating your callsign or the name given in the AMSAT-F database to send the data. Only the received frames actually registered on https://amsat.electrolab.fr/ will be taken into account. Regards Christophe Mercier Amsat-F president

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PSAT2 PSK31
by Stephen DeVience 01 Nov '20

01 Nov '20

Today I was able to get a PSK signal through PSAT2, and it was recorded by KO4AQF in FL. I sent with a dial frequency of 29.4815 MHz and an audio frequency of 1000 Hz using DopplerPSK. It was detected at ~2650 Hz, which means the appropriate dial frequency to use is actually about 29.479 MHz. This agrees with the Brno team's website, where they say "The main function of the transponder is to receive PSK signals from 29.48 MHz uplink (passband from 29.4804 to 29.4826 MHz)." I also measured the downlink to be about 3.6 kHz higher than 435.350 MHz. -Stephen N8URE

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Yaesu Gs-232B issues
by mikflathead＠aol.com 31 Oct '20

31 Oct '20

Trying to get my GS-232B to track the sats. Is it possible to test the unit without the computer. Trying to isolate the problem. This is being used with a G-5400 rotor that works. Thanks Mike

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Request for Award
by Jean Marc Momple 31 Oct '20

31 Oct '20

Good evening, I wish to request for Diploma, my callsign is 3B8DU from Mauritius. I also have a question: is sending TLM through Satnogs also eligible for the Diploma as I see a huge difference between Satnogs (334 frames) and echolab.fr (199 frames) for the frames I sent, to note that I don’t think that both forwarders where working at same time except for a few day. Let me know how you would prefer to receive the future frames and I will try to accommodate. 73 Jean Marc Momple (3B8DU)

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Doppler.Sqf files in SatPC32
by Bernie and Cheryl 31 Oct '20

31 Oct '20

Dear Folks: I have two questions. First, I am having trouble figuring out CAT for the linear satellites (not as critical as FM birds, but my CAT works for those just fine). When I create the Doppler.Sqf file for SatPC32, do I used the center frequency for the passband as the entry into the file, or should I use some other frequency? When I try and use CAT for the linear birds, it really doesn't work (the downlink and uplink frequencies rarely match up and I end up adjusting for doppler manually after turning CAT off). Second, I initially typed up my Sqf files by hand after reading the instructions. However, I checked out the Sqf file generator on the AMSAT and notice that the file generated always ends with a ",". Since I hadn't included that when I manually typed the files (I've since added it) is it possible that that could be part of the problem on the linear birds? Thanks for any help you can give me and 73 de Bernie, KF0QS

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-10-30 19:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 30 Oct '20

30 Oct '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-10-30 19:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: TBD ************************************************************************************************************* The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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 2020-10-30 19:30 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. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2020-10-14 18:00 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (United States) The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2021 and December 30, 2021. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 24th, 2020. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 8, 2020 at 8PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2020.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: https://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) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* 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 https://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? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. 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 The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 140 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 138 Sergey RV3DR with 137 Gaston ON4WF with 123 **************************************************************************** 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. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1403. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1336. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. 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: https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correcti… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 63 now on orbit No ARISS school contacts are planned until at least 2020-11-30 Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Sergey Ryzhikov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Fw: A Very Cool Tracker
by k6vug＠sbcglobal.net 29 Oct '20

29 Oct '20

I was sent this link to a very cool satellite antenna tracker, the best I have seen so far. https://www.facebook.com/groups/12699105116/permalink/10164301884790117/ 73!Umesh, k6vug

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PSAT2 PSK31
by Stephen DeVience 29 Oct '20

29 Oct '20

Has anyone been able to get a PSK signal through PSAT2? I'm trying to get set up to try SSTV, and I'm first trying to get a PSK signal through. I only have 5W, but I've been able to get into PSAT (NO-84) and hold its transponder on both with and without DopplerPSK. I have not had any success using the same procedure with PSAT2. I was using DopplerPSK and was sure to change satellites to NO-104. It could just be that the passes are lower and more power is needed. I also want to confirm that the frequency is 29.4815 MHz, as there are a bunch of different frequencies listed at various sources. Thanks, Stephen N8URE

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Rocket lab launch streaming now on
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 28 Oct '20

28 Oct '20

See: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream/ 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92
by Roy Dean 28 Oct '20

28 Oct '20

> > So I just learned today that AO-92 is dead. Does anyone know what happened? > > -- > Chris Pohlad-Thomas > > It's not officially dead (as far as I can recall... I think they are never called "dead" until they re-enter). Also, it seems to turn on now and again (it was on and being used about a week ago, according to SatNogs observations and the amsat status page). I've also caught at least one pass where it was partially on (I caught what appeared to be a beacon, but with no DUV telemetry - and it was weak and didn't sound right either), about 2 weeks ago. The problem seems to be battery life issues, btw. --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT BB Still Alive?
by Daniel Schultz 28 Oct '20

28 Oct '20

The digest version (AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 426) shows no messages on October 26 or 27: Message: 7 Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2020 16:55:33 +0000 (UTC) From: <aj9n(a)aol.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ISS Cross Band Repet Message: 8 Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:27:01 -0400 From: Roy Dean <royldean(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT BB Still Alive? Dan N8FGV

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LD-C101 USB to CI-V for ICOM
by Joseph Armbruster 28 Oct '20

28 Oct '20

Does anyone have experience using an LD-C101 USB to CI-V cable? Joseph Armbruster KJ4JIO

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ISS Cross Band Repet
by Joel W9NXM 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

Just starting out to chase the ISS with it's new cross-band repeater. I've noticed that for the last 2 weeks, there has not been any FM activity on the ISS_FM status page. Is there somewhere I can find out the schedule of it's operations? And likely when it will be available? Thanks much! Joel, W9NXM, EN52

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Re: [amsat-bb] ISS Cross Band Repet
by Roy Dean 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

> > Is there > > somewhere I can find out the schedule of it's operations? And likely > when it will be available? > > Thanks much! > > Joel, W9NXM, EN52 > > There is no schedule. Check here for status: https://www.amsat.org/status/ --Roy K3RLD

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Rocket launch as viewed from space
by Zach Metzinger 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

Neat view of a rocket launch from space. I suspect this is viewed from the ISS. https://tinyurl.com/y26qcpp8 --- Zach N0ZGO

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K5Z QRV
by John Geiger 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

K5Z from DL88 was on the 1525Z pass of XW2A running CW so they are on the air! Good luck to everyone-they were a new grid for me! 73 John AF5CC

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Re: [amsat-bb] All-Mode Satellite Transceiver Choices?
by Chris Busch 25 Oct '20

25 Oct '20

At the risk of posting something that is already known, I would agree that success with 9600 baud is a matter of both a transmit and receive audio/data bandwidth of 8-12 kHz, which unless that is under SW control in your particular radio, it can’t be addressed with a FW mod. I have successfully moded both Yeasu FT-726/736R (many years ago) and more recently, the Icom 970 by accessing the FM discriminator and modulator directly and bringing those signals via shielded cable to either an added connector on the rear panel or utilizing unused pins on one of the existing rear jacks, which is then attached to an external TNC. In the case of the Yeasu, I also changed the IF filter to wider BW. BTW, that added IF BW in FM mode on the Yeasus when not using 9600 packet was a compromise for FM voice, but worthwhile for me. I know that performing surgery on a new expensive radio which is still under warranty may be scary, but it’s the only answer I have found, and it actually isn’t an extensive mod - just soldering the cable(s) directly to the appropriate points. Since I don’t own a 9700 (still using the IC 970), I haven’t looked at the schematic to locate the appropriate attachment points, but maybe worth a look if you can’t find another option and 9600 is critical for you. Here’s a link to the mod for the 970 for reference as to what is typically required: https://manualzz.com/doc/23724528/modifications-for-the-icom-ic-970-ic (it’s the 2nd mod down) 73, K4CKB (Chris)

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ANS-299 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Oct. 25
by Mark Johns, K0JM 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-299 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT, 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 commun- icating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.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(a)amsat.org You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Virtual Symposium Replay Available on YouTube * AMSAT Board of Directors Elects Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President * Satellite Acronyms Wiki Established * New Satellite Distance Records Claimed * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 22 * FO-29 operation schedule for Nov. 2020 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-299.01 ANS-299 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 299.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 October 25 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-299.01 AMSAT Virtual Symposium Replay Available on YouTube The 2020 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting was held via a Zoom Webinar on October 17, 2020 with over 200 AMSAT members in attendance. If you were not able to attend, a complete replay is available on the AMSAT YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/EHDgrI_w8hY The YouTube video is divided into chapters to make it easy to find the specific presentation you are looking for: 0:00:00 Welcome 0:02:07 AMSAT GOLF-TEE System Overview and Development Status 0:43:02 GOLF IHU Coordination 1:19:10 GOLF Downlink Coordination 1:50:15 FUNcube Next 2:13:50 LunART - Luna Amateur Radio Transponder 2:45:35 CatSat HF Experiment Overview 3:13:30 Neutron-1 CubeSat 3:39:58 Progress and Development of Open Source Electric Propulsion for Nanosats and Picosats 4:15:00 AMSAT Education 5:14:00 ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) / AREx (Amateur Radio Exploration) 6:14:00 AMSAT Engineering 7:21:16 AMSAT Annual General Meeting AMSAT members may download the 2020 Symposium Proceedings at https://launch.amsat.org/Proceedings. The 2021 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting is expected to be held in the Minneapolis area in October 2021. [ANS thanks the 2020 AMSAT Symposium Team for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT Board of Directors Elects Robert Bankston, KE4AL, President At its annual meeting, the AMSAT Board of Directors elected Robert Bankston, KE4AL, of Dothan, AL, President, succeeding Clayton Coleman, W5PFG. Bankston is a Life Member of AMSAT and has previously served as Treasurer and Vice-President User Services, as well as volunteering in several other capacities for AMSAT, including the development and launch of AMSAT’s online member portal and chairing the 2018 AMSAT Space Symposium held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, in Huntsville, Alabama. He also is an ARRL Life Member and holds an Extra Class license. Immediate Past President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, said “It has been both a joy and privilege to serve as President of AMSAT in 2020. In what has been a rather difficult year for many individuals in amateur radio, AMSAT, through its many supportive members, volunteers, and donors, has continued course on our vision of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. With our initiatives such as modernizing the AMSAT office with a self-service member portal and the Linear Transponder Module, the organization has moved forward. With the talented and capable individuals sitting on AMSAT’s new Board and its Officers, I am confident in a bright future ahead for AMSAT and the amateur radio satellite service.“ Other officers elected by the Board were: • Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, of Washington, DC, as Executive Vice President • Jerry Buxton, N0JY, of Granbury, TX, as Vice-President - Engineering • Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, of Brooksville, FL, as Vice President - Operations • Jeff Davis, KE9V, of Muncie, IN, as Secretary • Steve Belter, N9IP, of West Lafayette, IN, as Treasurer • Martha Saragovitz, of Silver Spring, MD, as Manager • Alan Johnston, KU2Y, of Philadelphia, PA, as Vice President - Educational Relations • Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, of Burnsville, MN, as Vice President - Development [ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Acronyms Wiki Established As with any specialized or technical endeavor, the language of amateur satellites is filled with terms, abbreviations, shorthands, and acro- nyms that become second nature to those who use them daily, but can be obscure to newcomers -- or even to old hands who begin to explore new aspects of satellite construction or operation. This became abundantly clear during the recent AMSAT Symposium, in which some of our hobby's top experts presented projects to the general memebership. In response to inquiries from Symposium participants, John Brier, KG4AKV, and Brad Brooks, WF7T, have initiated a wiki page for listing, and briefly explaining, the technical jargon of our field. When con- fused by an unfamilar batch of "alphabet soup," consult the wiki at: http://sats.wikidot.com/acronyms [ANS thanks John Brier, KG4AKV, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Satellite Distance Records Claimed Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ, and Jérôme LeCuyer, F4DXV, have set a new record via RS-44. They completed an 8,402 km QSO between DN32 in Idaho and JN15 in France on October 19th at 07:15 UTC. This exceeds the prior record of 8,357 km set by W5CBF and DL4EA in late May. F4DXV also set another record during his trip to JN15. Shortly after setting the record on RS-44, Jérôme worked Michael Styne, K2MTS, in FN22 via AO-27. This QSO covered a distance of 5,904 km, eclipsing the prior record of 5,682 km set by E21EJC and R9LR on June 9th. In addition to these two new records, McKinley Henson, KE4AZZ, claimed the record for the NO-84 digipeater for a 3,439 km QSO with Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, on April 22, 2019. For more distance records, see the AMSAT Satellite Distance Records page at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for October 22 The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution: EnduroSat One - Cat ID 43551 - decay epoch is 2020-10-15 per Space- Track. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FO-29 operation schedule for Nov. 2020 Time in UTC Nov. 1 03:15- Nov. 3 01:30- 03:10- Nov. 7 01:15- 03:00- Nov. 8 03:50- Nov.14 01:50- 03:35- Nov.15 02:40- 04:28- Nov.21 02:25- 04:10- Nov.22 03:15- 05:05- Nov.23 02:20- 04:05- Nov.28 01:15- 03:00- Nov.29 02:05- 03:50- https://www.jarl.org/Japanese/3_Fuji/fuji3-201907.htm [ANS thanks Hideo Kambayashi, JH3XCU, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS ARISS is seeking alumni from Luther Burbank School, Burbank, IL. Stu- dents, families or staff who participated in the hamradio contact with Bill Shepherd on Dec. 21 2000, are asked to contact Charlie Sufana, AJ9N (aj9n at aol.com). This was ARISS school contact #1, and this is the 20th year since that event. ARISS would like to celebrate! Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. No school contacts are scheduled in the coming week. ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, there may be last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. As always, ariss.org will try to provide near-real-time updates. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Upcoming Roves: DL88: The K5Z DL88 expeditions is heading out!!!! @Ad0dx and @N6ua are heading out on 10/25. Weather looks great, and there is even a chance at some passes on the 26th. This is a daytime activation only because the Talley campground is closed currently. Head on over to QRZ.com and check out the K5Z page for all the details. Or, visit: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ Quick Hits: KH67,: 7Q7RU, AO-7, RS-44, QO-100, 11/11 thru 11/21. FN01: @K8BL will run over to PA tomorrow and I’ll have a chance to ac- tivate the EN91/FN01 Line. Not sure of the timing, but I’ll pop up on a few FM & Linear SATs. All Qs will be on LoTW a day or so afterward. KP44: OH8FKS is in KP44 until Sunday 10/25. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Rick Tejera K7TEJ from the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) will be giving a presentation and demonstration of Satellite operations to the Northwest Christian School in Glendale, AZ on Nov. 11th 2020. The demo will be on SO-50 at 2323UT. I will be using our Club call WB7TBC and the church is in Grid DM33wp. I may try to get a student on the air. Please keep an ear out for us and respond to our call, the kids will appreciate it. I’ll send outa reminder as the date gets closer. Clint Bradford K6LCS has booked his “Work the FM Voice Satellites With Minimal Equipment” presentation for the clubs: 10/27/2020 – Cherryland ARC / Traverse Bay ARC TBD – Antelope Valley (CA) ARC TBD – A private presentation for a Boy Scout troop in Danville, Penn. These will be Zoom presentations. Everyone is asked to update their copies of the Zoom application – by directly visiting Zoom.us. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + After 196 days living and working in Earth's orbit aboard the Inter- national Space Station, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, re- turned from his third space mission Wednesday, Oct. 21, with cosmo- nauts Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Cassidy formally turned the station over to cosmonaut Ser- gey Ryzhikov on Tuesday, handing him a ceremonial “key” to the lab complex. Ryzhikov, Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ, ar- rived at the station last Wednesday aboard their own Soyuz ship. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information) + NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft unfurled its ro- botic arm Tuesday, Oct. 20, and in a first for the agency, briefly touched an asteroid to collect dust and pebbles from the surface for delivery to Earth in 2023. This well-preserved, ancient asteroid, known as Bennu, is currently more than 200 million miles from Earth. Bennu offers scientists a window into the early solar system as it was first taking shape billions of years ago and flinging ingredients that could have helped seed life on Earth. If Tuesday’s sample col- lection event, known as “Touch-And-Go” (TAG), provided enough of a sample, mission teams will command the spacecraft to begin stowing the precious primordial cargo to begin its journey back to Earth in March 2021. Otherwise, they will prepare for another attempt in Jan- uary. (ANS thanks www.asteroidmission.org for the above information) + China is building a new rocket to fly its astronauts to the moon. An- nounced at the 2020 China Space Conference last month, the vehicle could deliver 25 metric tons into a trans-lunar injection. The rocket consists of three, 5-meter (16.4') boosters and is 87 meters (285') tall. Liftoff mass will be ~2,200 metric tons, which is about three times that of the Long March 5 (the current heavy lifter in China’s rocket lineup). (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above informa- tion) + Most of the aerospace world watched the skies over Antarctica and New Zealand for portions of Thursday night/Friday morning. Earlier this week, LeoLabs Inc, a company that tracks objects in Low Earth Orbit, issued a statement regarding two large objects which posed a “high risk” of collision at 00:56:40 UTC on 16 October 2020. Roughly one hour after the time of possible collision, LeoLabs confirmed “No in- dication of collision” via a statement on Twitter. The two objects held a greater than 10% chance of colliding 991 km above Antarctica. (ANS thanks nasaspaceflight.com for the above information) + The website, Hackaday recently featured an article about David Prut- chi, Ph.D., N2QG, and his home station that is capable of copying telemetry from deep-space satellites. Read the article at: https://bit.ly/2HqZMSb or read David's paper directly at: https://bit.ly/2FRSXs9 (ANS thanks hackaday.com for the above infor- mation) + The University of Western Australia (UWA) is set to install an opti- cal communications station capable of receiving high-speed data transmissions from space. The communications station will be able to receive data from spacecraft from anywhere between low-Earth orbit to as far away as the surface of the moon - about 384,000km away. Dr. Sascha Schediwy, Astrophotonics Group leader at UWA and the Interna- tional Centre for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR), said optical communica- tions are an emerging alternative to radio waves and are expected to drastically improve data transfer capabilities from space. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and IT News of Australia for the above information) + Nokia says it has been tapped by NASA to build the first cellular communications network on the moon. The Finnish telecommunications equipment maker said Monday, Oct. 19, that its Nokia Bell Labs divi- sion will build a 4G communications system to be deployed on a lunar lander to the moon’s surface in late 2022. Nokia’s network will pro- vide critical communications capabilities for tasks astronauts will need to carry out, like remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and high-definition video streaming, the company said. (ANS thanks apnews.com for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, Mark D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org

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IC-9700 and 9600 Baud
by Tony 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

All: Does anyone know if the ICOM 9700 is capable of 9600 baud in it's current form or will it have to be modified? Tony

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pocketsat3 support or info
by willmarbrowns＠charter.net 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

Anybody use this program with registration number?i have tried many avenues toget info or support with no responses. any help appreciated...tkx...73 bruce ke0lx

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All-Mode Satellite Transceiver Choices?
by Tony 24 Oct '20

24 Oct '20

All: I'm in the market for a new all-mode satellite transceiver and it seems the ICOM 9700 is the only game in town. Nice rig, but it doesn't have 9600 baud capabilities which is what I'm looking for. The TS-2000 was discontinued and there's no indication that it will be replaced any time soon. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know. A used ICOM 910H might be the way to go, but one can get burned buying second-hand gear. I'm not familiar with the rigs reliability so maybe someone who owns one can elaborate. It appears to be a good performer overall -- not sure about it's 9600 baud capabilities. Thanks 73, Tony

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K5Z in DL88 Sunday Oct 25
by Ron Bondy 23 Oct '20

23 Oct '20

The weather looks great for our trip to DL88 in Big Bend National Park this Sunday. I've updated the K5Z page on qrz.com with lots of information about the trip. Doug N6UA and I hope to give you DL88 this Sunday if you need it. We will be active on FM and linear satellites, however it looks like it will be mostly linear this trip based on the times we will be in DL88. 73, Ron, ad0dx https://www.qrz.com/db/K5Z

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