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

Lindenblad
by marzo7088＠yahoo.com 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

Hello all.There is a nice article on building a EZ Lindenblad for 2 meters.I like the elevation pattern on the antenna and wondering if it pretty easy to convert to 70CM as well.I know the lengths change on the elements but does the circumference of the wire make a difference.If it is more involved i can always find one for 70CM Thanks Rich

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-12-09 19:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-12-09 19:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Turkish State Meteorological Service Mehmet Zakir Ekni High School, Yenimahalle, Turkey Kuyubaşi Şehit Oğuzhan Duyar Secondary School, Keçiören, Turkey Ted Ankara College Foundation High School, Gölbaşı, Turkey Maya Anatolian High School, Gölbaşı, Turkey Direct via TC2TSC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Victor Glover KI5BKC Contact was successful: Wed 2020-12-09 08:30:41 UTC 72 deg(***) About Gagarin From Space, Southwestern State University of Kursk, Kursk, Russia, direct via UB3WCL The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Sergey Kud-Sverchkov Contact was successful Wed 2020-12-09 11:45 UTC (***) ************************************************************************************************************* ************************************************************************************************************* 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 2020-12-09 19:00 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. 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 2020-12-09 19:00 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; the window has now closed. 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 Sergey RV3DR with 139 (***) Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 138 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 1409. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1342. (***) 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 Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Sergey Ryzhikov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov SpaceX-Crew 1 on orbit Victor Glover KI5BKC Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP Shannon Walker KD5DXB **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Crazy amount of mail that I don't want!
by n1rcn＠aol.com 09 Dec '20

09 Dec '20

Hello, Please take this email address off whatever list it is on. I unsubscribed to the BB back during elections because things were out of control. Now I get 40 unsolicited emails a day. Thank You,Dwight FletcherN1RCN

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2 satellite antennas?
by marzo7088＠yahoo.com 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

I am looking into building 2 omni-directional satellites,just wondering if anyone is familiar with these 2 and can give me their opinions on them? link: http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html http://www.antentop.org/w4rnl.001/turns.html The 2nd link is all can find on it.I have a PDF file I downloaded a while back that has directions on building it.But it's a Turnstile/ moxon and doesn't have the Ground screen. Thanks Rich

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Limits of Open Source development.
by Joe Fitzgerald 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

Howie wrote: >This is a good example of why open source development is so important, >especially for a small volunteer organization. While I generally agree that there is a strong argument for open source development, it is important to realize that it has limitations. I am particularly grumpy about those limits today since I am involved in a particular project where all the open source goodness of GNU and Ubuntu was unable to provide well motivated engineers with working tools to properly migrate user preferences in what should have been a simple upgrade. de KM1P Joe

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How to determine why Fox satellite batteries failed before projected 5 year lifetime
by John Brier 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

I hope for this to be a purely engineering based discussion that could shed some light on this question. Please only respond from an engineering perspective in this thread. Data: According to the "AMSAT Fox-1 Systems Engineering Documentation" the satellites were expected to last at least five years. [1] For each satellite, before there were any issues with the batteries, they were able to power the transponder continuously without going into safe mode. However, once battery issues were encountered, the transponder would turn off unexpectedly while the satellite went into safe mode. Using that cutoff my back of the hand calculations show the following [2]: AO-92: batteries lasted 35% of their expected lifetime AO-91: batteries lasted 60% of their expected lifetime. AO-85: batteries lasted 87% of their expected lifetime. I know the batteries used were Nicad. I know they were matched. I believe the issue so far has been that one cell in the set has failed such that the minimum voltage required to run the transponder is not met. Is that last point correct? So that is the data that I am currently aware of. I think the next data to procure would be to understand what information was used to project a five year lifetime. Then you could look at the available data about the real satellites (from telemetry for example) to find out if there are any discrepancies that would explain the reduced lifetime. From my scanning of the "AMSAT Fox-1 Systems Engineering Documentation" I didn't see the battery chemistry mentioned. However, in addition to the "AMSAT Fox-1 Systems Engineering Documentation" there is a lot of information in the Fox engineering material from past Symposium Proceedings. These are available as PDFs to AMSAT members. Do people agree that the next steps would be to understand what information was used to project a lifetime of five years? If so, can anyone tell me, or can anyone go through the past Symposium Proceedings, and lay out what information was used to project a five year lifetime? If not, what are the better next steps in understanding the reduced battery lifetime? 73, John Brier KG4AKV 1) 2.3 Reliability Requirements 2.3.1 The satellite shall be designed for a minimum 5-year, on-orbit lifetime. " https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AMSAT-Fox-Docume… 2) AO-92 was launched/commissioned in January 2018. AO-92 has had battery issues since this fall such that it can't be used. AO-91 was launched/commissioned in November 2017 and now it too seems to be having the same battery issues. AO-85 was launched October 2015, declared EOM February 2020.

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My email address ??
by James Jipping 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

Double OOOOOPPPSS! Having a bad day! Hope it gets better. Should have written : When the sign up asks for my email address does it mean "W8MRR(a)AMSAT.ORG" or "jijipping(a)gmail.com" ?? Thank you JHJ, W8MRR AMSAT 5512

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My email address ??
by James Jipping 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

OOOOOPPPSS! Should have written : When the sign up asks for my email address does it mean "W8MRR(a)AMSAT.ORG" or "jijipping(a)jmail.com" ?? Thank you JHJ, W8MRR AMSAT 5512

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My email address ??
by James Jipping 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

When the sign up asks for my email address does it mean "W8MRR(a)AMSAT.ORG" or "jijipping(a)comcast.net" ?? Thank you JHJ, W8MRR AMSAT 5512

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Mail Server Migration - Update for Yahoo, Verizon, AOL Users
by Matthew Alberti 08 Dec '20

08 Dec '20

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your patience with the e-mail server migration. It has been a significant undertaking, with a lot of moving parts to account for. We discovered late afternoon on Monday that Yahoo/Verizon/AOL is purposely deferring delivery of messages from our new server. This is probably because it is not an established e-mail server (no history to the IP address). So it is a SPAM prevention measure. We expect this to last about 48 hours. This has had the unfortunate effect of delaying the confirmation e-mails, password reset e-mails, etc. from our new Mailman system. We see that the messages are indeed being delivered, but in some cases it has taken over 8 hours. We have been able to provide some workarounds and recommendations, but they are mostly specific to individual preferences. If you are encountering specific problems with anything AMSAT-NA e-mail related, please contact postmaster(a)amsat.org. Thanks. - Matt Alberti (KM4EXS) / AMSAT-IT Volunteer

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