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

what is a good contact?
by Ron VE8RT 13 Apr '20

13 Apr '20

maybe this has been brought up before, an alternative subject line might be "home far should you go" It seems that recording contacts and translating them into the log is acceptable. What about using post recording enhancements to pull call signs and grid squares out of the noise? A younger person with uncompromised hearing would do a better job at picking out contact information, the arguement might be made that even high end hearing aids do some audio processing. I just used Audacity to pull KJ7ATK's call out as Diawata-2 was low to my horizon, and his FM deviation was almost not there even though he had full quieting. I'll pass someone the recording if they'd like to hear it. Grid squares are required, is there an alternative other than RST? Ron VE8RT -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-13 17:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 13 Apr '20

13 Apr '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-13 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: TBD Exp. 62 now on orbit (***) Welcome aboard! Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Anatoli Ivanishin Ivan Vagner ************************************************* Looking for some stay at home activities related to science and for when you are not playing on your radio? Check out these links: (***) >From ARISS Vice Chair Oliver Amend DG6BCE: ESA Astronauts to offer inspiration during isolation in #SpaceConnectsUs https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Astronauts_to_offer_inspiration_during_isolati… Celestron, the telescope, microscope, and sports optics folks, now has something called #STEMINYOURBACKYARD that you can find on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. By the way, I don't work for Celestron or have any business dealings with them and this is just something I saw. Apparently there are 10 free STEM activities covering Astronomy, Nature and Wildlife, and The Microscopic World. Check out: https://www.celestron.com/blogs/news/discover-stem-in-your-backyard NASA has a STEM page with fun activities to do at home. Check out https://www.nasa.gov/stem ************************************************* 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. The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools (***) Cancelled: No new schools (***) The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements here also. 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) 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 2020-04-13 17:00 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 2020-03-21 00:00 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 ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. Message to US Educators ARISS Contact Applications (United States) The Proposal Window of February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 has now closed. 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. Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 133 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 1387. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1320. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. https://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: 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. 60 on orbit Drew Morgan KI5AAA Exp. 61 on orbit Oleg Skripochka Jessica Meir Exp. 62 now on orbit (***) Welcome aboard! Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Anatoli Ivanishin Ivan Vagner **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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4/11 14:30z AO-92
by Roy Dean 13 Apr '20

13 Apr '20

https://network.satnogs.org/observations/2028147/ There is a little bit of the discussion that can be heard in this recording from today's 15:20z pass. --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] 4/11 14:30z AO-92
by Roy Dean 13 Apr '20

13 Apr '20

Yep, definitely more repeater stuff on the 15:20 pass this morning (early in the pass... it's cleared up now). No call signs heard this morning, but they were gabbing about corona virus on sea vessels. --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] What is a good contact?
by z man 12 Apr '20

12 Apr '20

>From now on I'm just going to put my call out there on the satellite and ANY station that also puts their call out, will be considered a contact... (Tongue in cheek) I live in RI. If I try to work a station in AK or HI, I have to make sure I get their call AND grid correct, otherwise its a busted contact and a struggle to work them again. Using a recorder is good for logbook updates, but if I were to realize I got their call wrong, you bet I'm emailing them to set up a sked for a redo! It's the same thing for HF contacts... Im not here to argue, just answer a question. You're going to do what you're comfortable with. It's just a hobby - some people forget that. You didn't hear the call or grid right the first time? Work 'em again - it's moe funner that way! Larry N1MIW

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Contacts with N6DNM from CM99/98 and DM08/09 grids on Apr 9, 10, 11
by Dmitry Mizin 12 Apr '20

12 Apr '20

Hi there, As I am stuck here in Tahoe region, I did a few mini roves to those grids making 131 contacts overall. All uploaded to LOTW where 81 were confirmed. I know I've worked many ops for the first time (and this sometimes true even for those who worked me before) and often other operator will make mistake with my call. So, if you do need confirmation for those grids - make sure you have my call correctly - N6DNM. If confirmations are still missing for you, email me directly with details and I will verify it on my side. Thank you all for contacts and looking forward to catching you later! Dmitry N6DNM

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Past Satellite Ham
by Brad Smith 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

<I talked to Julia on the phone about 2 months ago. She is well. Just busyand has not been on the birds.I told her about DMR and the AMSAT TG.Hopefully we will be able to "work" her there.> Thank you, Rick. Great to know that she is well. We have worked on SO-50 many times. I , too would love to get into the AMSAT net, if they could do it on a repeater that also does D-Star. Brad KC9UQR

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Efficient Contacts
by Brad Smith 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

< Cannot this be done more efficiently in only 4 transmissions instead of 5? > Most people do it in 3 transmissions. My call, your call, with my grid.Reply, with grid.QSL and your call. With the crowding on the FM birds, one has to get as inventive as one can. Lots of times, the QSL gets stepped on by a more powerful station. It happens all the time to me, as a portable. Lots of hams will still call it a contact. If I get stepped on , I try to come back to the station again. But sometimes-------------. Brad KC9UQR

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4/11 14:30z AO-92
by Roy Dean 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

To those in the northeast, it appears that somebody might be setting up a repeater on the 70cm uplink frequency of AO-92 (at least that's what it sounded like). I got one call sign (from NH), but there is no email address shown on QRZ to inquire about it. Might want to keep this in mind when operating the early passes on AO-92. --Roy K3RLD

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Gagarin Cup International DX Contest
by Brennan Price 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

There are several ways in which the Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW only) is unique. One of them is that satellite QSOs count. While radiosport on satellites may seem concerning, the level of activity (at least in North America) is usually no more consuming than AMSAT CW Activity Day every New Year's Day, and certainly less consuming than Field Day (or a typical weekend FM pass). I feel it can conducted responsibly, and I am going to try this year. I invite you to join me. I plan to be QRV as time permits in this year's contest, which runs from 2100 UTC Saturday to 2100 UTC Sunday. Recommended CQ format is CQ GC de [call]. Exchange is RST (don't complicate things--599 means no more and no less than "I hear you" in the radiosport context, so send 599) and ITU Zone (8 for me). I will operate via the functional XW-2x satellites, the CAS-4x satellites, and EO-88. I will not try AO-7, as CW is more prone to cause a mode change, all other things being equal. I'll be toward the lower end of the passband when the satellite passes westish or northish from my back deck in FM18iv. I hope to work some of you. I commit to keeping my EIRP low and enjoying the passes with other users. 73 de Brennan N4QX

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Ev Tupis 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

This issue comes up with regularity. The answer is simple. If you want a direct answer...scroll to the last paragraph of this email. ----- Background ----- Let's play out a scenario from the point of a 3rd party listening to two sides of a valid QSO from the "old days" of voice-based meteor scatter communications: Man's Voice: CQ W2AAA CQ W2AAA CQ W2AAA Break Woman's Voice: W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZBreak Man's Voice: K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA Break Woman's Voice: W2AAA S5 W2AAA S5 W2AAA S5 Break Man's Voice: Roger S5 S4 Roger S5 S4 Roger S5 S4 Break Woman's Voice: Roger S4 73 Roger S4 73 Roger S4 73 Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break (silence) Unless you were part of the QSO or had engaged in this particular agreed upon protocol before, you would have no way to decipher what just happened. I could explain everything that happened (including the fact that the Man's side of the QSO didn't copy enough to agree that a QSO had occurred during the last exchange and required three repeats until their QSO Protocol was satisfied)... but ultimately, the point is: A QSO is "valid" when two parties agree to a protocol (or follow an events' established protocol) and follow it to their satisfaction. Doing so honorably is part of the hobby. Regards, Ev, W2EV Chairman, Rochester VHF Group The Rochester VHF Group

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AMSAT Freq Guide April 2019
by W0JW John 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

I came into this posting late so if this has already been shared sorry for the band width. But if not this site will give you a lot of information. 73 John W0JW EN31be http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/satslist.htm

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AMSAT Freq Guide April 2019
by Ron VE8RT 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

I rely a lot on the AMSAT frequency guide, to at least double check the software (GPredict). There are several satillites listed on the April 2019 (latest guide I have) that I have no data for, TLE's or transponder. Maybe if I'd been following this list more closely I'd be up to date. They are no longer in service, or would I find them identified as something else? My 475 CAT control worked very well on the latest pass of XW-2B, too bad I couldn't hear anyone else on the west coast. Ron VE8RT -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Roy Dean 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

> > I believe > most people use grids because then you are also elligible for all the > awards that go with grid collection. Of course, now that I think about it, if you use LotW or QSL cards, you pretty much get the grid for free no matter what - so honestly maybe grid exchange is popular just because it's quick and straight forward, and works best for people that are listening to ongoing QSOs and need specific grids? --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Roy Dean 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

> > Grid squares are required, is there an alternative other than RST? > Ron VE8RT I think all you need to do is exchange ANY type of information (other than your callsign, of course - which IS mandatory). So, grid, first name, occupation, what you had for dinner, etc. I believe most people use grids because then you are also elligible for all the awards that go with grid collection. I also believe that using a recording (that you actually made yourself on the pass) is totally legit. Using a recording from a satnogs station 500 miles away - not so much. I'm not a grid-chaser, per se - so I'm sure somebody else will give you the official position on both questions. --Roy K3RLD

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Satellite station for sale
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

Posting for a friend. Contact Jerry directly if interested: n5rv (at) outlook.com The station consists of the following: Yaesu FT-847 (manual, mic., box, various cables) Yaesu FC-20 Tuner Yaesu SP-8 Speaker (Not in very good condition, may have been in smoking environment, I cleaned it up the best I could) Yaesu FP-1030a 30A power supply 2x Tigertronics SignaLink USB M2 SatPack1 VHF/UHF (egg beater) antennas with cross boom SatPC32 software package with key I would like $1300 for all, but will entertain cash+trades, offers. Willing to drive halfway within a reasonable distance. .

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Past Satellite Ham
by Brad Smith 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

Are there any "old timers" on the board (from around 2013), who remember Julia Gatti N2PPL? She used to be on SO-50 almost every day, with her Arrow and HT. I have not heard her for years. Just wondering. Brad KC9UQR

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Re: [amsat-bb] suggested audio recorder?
by Russ Kinner 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

I use an Olympus IEC JIS LR03 Which is also used to record classroom sessions. Its about the size of a small candy bar and holds about 22 hrs. in mp3 format. It has a built-in USB connector to get the files into a PC and a MIC micro phone jack along built in microphone. Any electronic recorder should work fine with these minimum features. I use Audacity to edit and change formats to get a file that can be emailed or placed on a file service such a Google or dropbox (there are several others if you record daily and need the space.) WD9EWK among several others record most passes on FM birds that are in range. He is only 25 miles away from me so hears the same passes as I do. Look for someone near you if you want to check what other stations hear. With receiver de-sense, you may not hear exactly what others do. There are resources to help on line if you do a little searching. There is no one place to check but Amsat is a good starting point as is this message service. I'm only 2+ months on the FM birds and I have a ways to go to have a good signal/operating practice but I'm much farther along due to on line info. Keep asking questions when you need help. Rusty. WA8ZID

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suggested audio recorder?
by Ron VE8RT 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

I should make a practice of recording my QSOs for logging. Any suggested recorders? Ron VE8RT DP22 -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

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Re: [amsat-bb] suggested audio recorder?
by Nick KE8AKW 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

The best Audio Recorder is your ears, and a pen and a piece of paper :) But if you dont have one hand free you might be better off with some type of a inline audio recorder for sure! 73 Nick KE8AKW

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Re: [amsat-bb] Voice Recorder
by Clint Bradford 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

How about the simple Voice Record app on your SmartPhone - in your shirt pocket? Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com <http://www.work-sat.com/>

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Voice Recorder
by Brad Smith 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

<I should make a practice of recording my QSOs for logging. Anysuggested recorders?> I just use my iPhone. That way I don't have to haul and charge another item. Brad KC9UQR

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OA4 on AO7
by The Romagni's 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

Hello all, I have spend my stay-at-home time hunting... OA4/XQ3SA has been very active on AO7... after 4 days yesterday finally got him, we have a very small window between EM55 and FH17; The old but trusted AO7 came thru for me. Looking at my records that is the longest qso so far I have done via the birds, around 3385 miles. He seem to have some local QRN, but he is there on almost every afternoon pass. 73 Steve W4DTA

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-7 and Move-11 - Move-11b
by gw1fky＠aol.com 09 Apr '20

09 Apr '20

Hi,I noted the comments and reports regarding sources of signals being received whilst monitoring AO-7.I am located in Wales ( UK ) and use a simple "ELK " antenna and "Funcube" dongle for monitoringmany of the satellites.I can confirm that recently whilst monitoring I noted strong signals in the band with the software forFox satellites and others during pass times in the morning and late evening.I checked out both MOVE -11 ( Operates 145.950 Mhz ) and MOVE- 11b ( Operates 145.840 Mhz ). The signals were very strong and the Fox Telemetry software in auto late yesterday evening(8th April ) Move-11b on 145.840 and quite wide - It prevented the software from locking onto the Foxsatellite that I was tracking at times.Ken EatonGW1FKY

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Rocket Lab Rocket Recovery test
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 08 Apr '20

08 Apr '20

Before New Zealand went into COVID-19 lockdown, the folks at Rocket Lab did a test to recover a first stage Electron rocket. You can see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3CWGDhkmbs There are some other videos of the view from the rocket and inside the helicopter. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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