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

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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Re: [amsat-bb] ERC-m g5500 pcsat32
by Pete (vk2pet) 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

Hi everyone, Does anyone have the setup details for PCSAT32, integrating with USB ERC-M with G 5500 rotator? I'm after a step by step setup instructions for it please. Running an IC9100 via usb. 73 Pete vk2pet

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AMSAT: RFI from LED bulbs?
by Robert Bruninga 19 Jul '20

19 Jul '20

I am hearing reports of RFI from these LED bulbs. Not just HF, but also VHF. If you can make any quantitative assessments of such RFI, please let me know. And the amazing thing is that at VHF you will never notice it because RFI is noise power and it is noise power that keeps a squelch CLOSED. Manuallly open the squelch and sometimes RFI will show full scale on the S meter yet not open the squelch. And on my radios, when the squelch is closed, the S meter is inactive and shows 0. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

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DOSAAF-85 transponder activation
by Blinov Igor 01 May '20

01 May '20

Good day! Satellite DOSAAF-85 turn on transponder (linear, inverting) on for testing purposes. UPLink 145965KHz +/-30 KHz DOWNLink 435640KHz +/-30 KHz BEACON 435605KHz TLE: 1 44909U 19096E 20120.96346743 +.00000010 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 9999 2 44909 082.5239 027.5343 0217449 340.2089 019.0669 12.79706663015985 Try it! -- 73! Igor, RW3XL

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Anybody Hear RS-44?
by Mike Lucas 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

Listened for the Beacon & Transp freqs this last pass, heard nothing. Anybody else hear anything yet? Mike N7ASZ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-30 17:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-30 17:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Northern Virginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA, Multi-point telebridge via AB1OC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Contact was successful: Thu 2020-04-30 13:35:00 UTC 62 deg (***) Watch for live stream at: https://youtu.be/Cu8I9ose4Vo A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. ************************************************* 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 additional schools (***) Cancelled: No additional 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 2020-04-30 17:30 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 2020-04-30 17:30 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 1388. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1321. (***) 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. 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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DOSAAF in HRD?
by Peter 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

Can't track RS 44 because its no in the keplerian elements yet.No way to manually load the TLE into HRD either.Is their a way to get it into HRD so I can use it to track or at least is their a way I can find out when it will be in my area and alt az data?ThanksPeterW2PP

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 133
by Brennan Price 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

It's apparently inverting (yay!). >From AMSAT-BB: Message: 8 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:08:25 +0300 From: Blinov Igor <rw3xl(a)yandex.ru> To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] DOSAAF-85 transponder activation Message-ID: <468221588233298(a)mail.yandex.ru> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Good day! Satellite DOSAAF-85 turn on transponder (linear, inverting) on for testing purposes. UPLink 145965KHz +/-30 KHz DOWNLink 435640KHz +/-30 KHz BEACON 435605KHz TLE: 1 44909U 19096E 20120.96346743 +.00000010 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 9999 2 44909 082.5239 027.5343 0217449 340.2089 019.0669 12.79706663015985 Try it! --? 73! Igor, RW3XL ---------------- On Thursday, April 30, 2020, 09:50:29 AM EDT, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org> wrote: Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions (Loren M. Lang) 2. Re: AO-92 camera mode more info plse (Leffke, Zachary) 3. Re: AO-92 camera mode more info plse (Andrew Glasbrenner) 4. Re: AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions (Andrew Glasbrenner) 5. amsat-bb reader? (Douglas Tabor) 6. Re: AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions (Jerry Buxton) 7. Re: AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions (Ben Cook) 8. DOSAAF-85 transponder activation (Blinov Igor) 9. Re: D-Star One Sparrow (Don KB2YSI) 10. Re: DOSAAF-85 transponder activation (Nico Janssen) 11. Re: D-Star One Sparrow (Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL)) 12. D-Star One Sparrow (Roy Dean) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 06:53:56 -0700 From: "Loren M. Lang" <penguin359(a)gmail.com> To: Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net> Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions Message-ID: <CACymvmeW40RsVnNaxFhht-VowTZUnCcf3_6YaPfhiW=vehSdEQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Ok, that makes sense. So the repeated signal I heard was simply repeated attempts at getting the command through and were being interfered with by the existing FM transmissions. All of the frames I collected would have actually been DUV and not the same as the sounds I heard. Did camera mode ever get activated during that third pass? On Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 02:31 Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net> wrote: > What you heard was the command station attempting to send the command to > AO-92 to activate the camera. > > Unfortunately, there were several stations trying to use the repeater at > the time and blocking the commands being sent to > AO-92. > > When the camera is active, the repeater is not available. > > Glenn > AA5PK > > -----Original Message----- > From: Loren M. Lang via AMSAT-BB > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 1:13 AM > To: AMSAT BB > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions > > I tried capturing some of the high-speed data from AO-92 today from the > final 1750Z pass today when the camera was activated. I believe I had some > success, but I am a little confused about what I captured. I did it in two > stages using my phone to capture the raw IQ from my SDR during the pass and > then playing it back on my computer right after into Foxtelem 108z5. The > pass was only 16 degrees at it's peak, but I was able to hear the satellite > down to as little as 6 degrees and Foxtelem reported 24 frames successfully > decoded. > > ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:18:37 +0000 From: "Leffke, Zachary" <zleffke(a)vt.edu> To: "AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org" <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 camera mode more info plse Message-ID: <MN2PR05MB7037F081F130BFC4F397AFD0DFAD0(a)MN2PR05MB7037.namprd05.prod.outlook.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Rob, When in camera mode the VT camera follows the following basic sequence: Snap a picture, check how much 'earth' is in the frame, if it meets the 'earth detection' threshold, compress it with JPEG algorithms, break up the result into smaller data frames (8 pixel lines) and send the frame to the flight computer. If the 'earth detection' threshold is not met, the image is discarded and another one is taken, check if there is earth, rinse repeat. There is no long term storage of any given image and the earth detection step is part of the NOAA license. If an image is received by a station, it's a shot from roughly 'overhead', and the AMSAT page has a nifty feature that shows the subsatellite point based off timestamp information from each image downloaded. I believe there is a 45 minute timer (roughly half of one orbit, the command folks can double check my number there) for the general 'camera mode' of the spacecraft (which is both 'high speed mode' and 'camera on'), with the command stations that start that process in NA. After the timeout the spacecraft goes back into transponder mode (or safe mode, again command stations can correct me there). So it might be tricky to pick up in New Zealand. I know early on in the life of AO-92 there were some experiments to trigger camera mode right as the spacecraft set over the horizon (I believe on ascending passes) by command stations at higher latitudes so that the camera would be active and received by Japanese hams. A similar experiment might work for descending passes and southerly command stations, but it would be smart to look at the footprint/ground track to see which pass might put New Zealand in the footprint within the timer window. -Zach, KJ4QLP -- Research Associate Aerospace & Ocean Systems Lab Ted & Karyn Hume Center for National Security & Technology Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Work Phone: 540-231-4174 Cell Phone: 540-808-6305 -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Rob Ramsey via AMSAT-BB Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 12:39 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-92 camera mode more info plse A little more info please on the camera mode of AO-92 , Is this just a real time transmission as the satellite is overhead or close by? is it stored and sent continuously for a predetermined time? I had my station on remote all day got nothing here in New Zealand ZL3TCM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:25:49 -0400 From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> To: "'Rob Ramsey'" <ramsey4(a)xtra.co.nz> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 camera mode more info plse Message-ID: <042501d61e32$14c744d0$3e55ce70$(a)mindspring.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Sorry, the images are real time and the camera is on a 45 minute timer to satisfy one of our original NOAA imaging license requirements. We did get some partial pics from Chile yesterday, but VK/ZL is likely too far for it to remain on long enough to hear. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Rob Ramsey via AMSAT-BB Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 12:39 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-92 camera mode more info plse A little more info please on the camera mode of AO-92 , Is this just a real time transmission as the satellite is overhead or close by? is it stored and sent continuously for a predetermined time? I had my station on remote all day got nothing here in New Zealand ZL3TCM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:27:48 -0400 From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> To: "'Loren M. Lang'" <penguin359(a)gmail.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions Message-ID: <042601d61e32$5b915ea0$12b41be0$(a)mindspring.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" No, it didn't get activated the third pass. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Loren M. Lang via AMSAT-BB Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 9:54 AM To: Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net> Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions Ok, that makes sense. So the repeated signal I heard was simply repeated attempts at getting the command through and were being interfered with by the existing FM transmissions. All of the frames I collected would have actually been DUV and not the same as the sounds I heard. Did camera mode ever get activated during that third pass? ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 08:33:23 -0600 From: Douglas Tabor <dtabor52(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] amsat-bb reader? Message-ID: <4932CC24-506A-4295-880A-734436FDA649(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Does anyone know of an -bb ?reader? application that can be used with amsat-bb? Back in the usenet days, there were reader clients that could parse entries to make them more human readable. Don?t really care if it?s Linux or MacOS based. I browsed the amsat.org ?mailing lists and services? area and didn?t see any mention -or- is this another one of those things that are well known to those that know them well? Many thanks. N6UA, Douglas Tabor dtabor52(a)gmail.com ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 10:56:25 -0500 From: Jerry Buxton <n0jy(a)amsat.org> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions Message-ID: <4124a772-5c91-e2a0-2290-4c9f1c5d37e4(a)amsat.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Loren, It is true that the DUV telemetry would continue uninterrupted, as long as AO-92 was still in Transponder Mode.? As Drew confirmed the sat never made it to Data Mode (the mode that enables the camera and high speed data downlink) and if it had, the same DUV telemetry frames also come down in the high speed data so you would continue to see them on FoxTelem. Jerry Buxton, N?JY On 4/29/2020 08:53, Loren M. Lang via AMSAT-BB wrote: > All of the frames I collected would have > actually been DUV and not the same as the sounds I heard. Did camera mode > ever get activated during that third pass? ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:58:04 -0500 From: "Ben Cook" <n6elf(a)nanoloop.io> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions Message-ID: <21464113-FE29-4A5C-9C69-6FD27FD1445C(a)nanoloop.io> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"; format=flowed As someone new to satellite operations, I?m finding out that it?s extremely helpful to not only check the AMSAT status page before an upcoming pass, but also check reports from AMSAT and others on twitter. That helps to cut down on the confusion around schedule or mode changes. For example, helps to know that AO-92 was put into L mode an hour before the next pass you?re planning to work. Just thoughts to myself this first week or so on the air. 73, Ben - N6ELF ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:08:25 +0300 From: Blinov Igor <rw3xl(a)yandex.ru> To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] DOSAAF-85 transponder activation Message-ID: <468221588233298(a)mail.yandex.ru> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Good day! Satellite DOSAAF-85 turn on transponder (linear, inverting) on for testing purposes. UPLink 145965KHz +/-30 KHz DOWNLink 435640KHz +/-30 KHz BEACON 435605KHz TLE: 1 44909U 19096E 20120.96346743 +.00000010 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 9999 2 44909 082.5239 027.5343 0217449 340.2089 019.0669 12.79706663015985 Try it! --? 73! Igor, RW3XL ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 07:28:12 -0400 From: Don KB2YSI <kb2ysi(a)gmail.com> To: kd4iz(a)frawg.org Cc: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] D-Star One Sparrow Message-ID: <CAAJiE8Poeb5wwUSsNBDELs6TQDsfWbx8yvc2Hqonu1eX5KLkRA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" The last I heard was that it was being launched and then no further information was released afterwards. I take that as the bird is non-operational. On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 18:07 Jack Spitznagel via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Out of curiosity - what is the status of this bird? It shows up in the NASA > orbital info, but not in the Amateur in the SatPC32 tracking selections. > > The German Orbital Systems site does not elaborate on some of the details. > particularly if one wished to configure a D-Star rig and try it. With > IC-9700's proliferating I would expect some noise if it is accessible. > > > > Any info or help would be appreciated. > > > > Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ > > Trustee for NR3DT > > The Museum Ship USCGC Taney WHEC-37 Amateur Radio Group > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:06:01 +0200 From: Nico Janssen <hamsat(a)xs4all.nl> To: Blinov Igor <rw3xl(a)yandex.ru>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] DOSAAF-85 transponder activation Message-ID: <d66462f9-424b-1252-0043-aa12023aabad(a)xs4all.nl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed The new amateur payload DOSAAF 85 appears to work very well. Doppler measurements confirm that it is indeed object 44909, 2019-096E. The satellite identifies itself as "RS44" (i.e. Radio Sputnik 44) on its CW beacon on 435.6043 kHz. The passband is about 63 kHz wide. It may also have a downlink between 2400 and 2485 MHz. The frequencies of RS44/DOSAAF 85 have not been IARU coordinated. The satellite is in an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 1175 km, an apogee of 1511 km and an inclination of 82.5 degrees. The payload is apparently attached to the Breeze-KM upper stage of a Rokot launch vehicle that launched three Gonets satellites on December 26, 2019. It was originally expected to launch in 2015. It is based on the Yubileiniy platform. For details, see https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/dosaaf-85.htm <https://t.co/CCuN4HN8KI?amp=1>and http://spaceflight101.com/rockot-blasts-off-from-plesetsk-with-military-sat… 73, Nico PA0DLO On 30-04-2020 10:08, Blinov Igor via AMSAT-BB wrote: > Good day! > Satellite DOSAAF-85 turn on transponder (linear, inverting) on for testing purposes. > UPLink 145965KHz +/-30 KHz > DOWNLink 435640KHz +/-30 KHz > BEACON 435605KHz > TLE: > 1 44909U 19096E 20120.96346743 +.00000010 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 9999 > 2 44909 082.5239 027.5343 0217449 340.2089 019.0669 12.79706663015985 > Try it! > -- > 73! Igor, RW3XL > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:17:24 +0100 From: "Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL)" <peter(a)magicbug.co.uk> To: Don KB2YSI <kb2ysi(a)gmail.com> Cc: Amsat <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] D-Star One Sparrow Message-ID: <CAFvUaiqqg0e0=QW_Dxqj-OboxT9Q7cU+qpdWBXWw6Z=hPfueCQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Yeah asked for further details on DSTAR One group of satellites but the operator doesn't reply to emails and no updates so guessing failed mission. Peter, 2M0SQL On Thu, 30 Apr 2020 at 12:30, Don KB2YSI via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > The last I heard was that it was being launched and then no further > information was released afterwards. I take that as the bird is > non-operational. > > On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 18:07 Jack Spitznagel via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > wrote: > > > Out of curiosity - what is the status of this bird? It shows up in the NASA > > orbital info, but not in the Amateur in the SatPC32 tracking selections. > > > > The German Orbital Systems site does not elaborate on some of the details. > > particularly if one wished to configure a D-Star rig and try it. With > > IC-9700's proliferating I would expect some noise if it is accessible. > > > > > > > > Any info or help would be appreciated. > > > > > > > > Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ > > > > Trustee for NR3DT > > > > The Museum Ship USCGC Taney WHEC-37 Amateur Radio Group > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > > expressed > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > > AMSAT-NA. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 09:43:25 -0400 From: Roy Dean <royldean(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] D-Star One Sparrow Message-ID: <CADGPg2toHCoB2e0vGi_NGz5uoy0hoBMU3qJY=kA9NLsrmHVOEg(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Yeah asked for further details on DSTAR One group of satellites but > the operator doesn't reply to emails and no updates so guessing failed > mission. Peter, 2M0SQL There was ONE report of a successful D-Star qso not long after commissioning. Then the story faded into history...... --Roy K3RLD ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 133 *****************************************

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D-Star One Sparrow
by Roy Dean 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

> > Yeah asked for further details on DSTAR One group of satellites but > the operator doesn't reply to emails and no updates so guessing failed > mission. Peter, 2M0SQL There was ONE report of a successful D-Star qso not long after commissioning. Then the story faded into history...... --Roy K3RLD

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D-Star One Sparrow
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

Out of curiosity - what is the status of this bird? It shows up in the NASA orbital info, but not in the Amateur in the SatPC32 tracking selections. The German Orbital Systems site does not elaborate on some of the details. particularly if one wished to configure a D-Star rig and try it. With IC-9700's proliferating I would expect some noise if it is accessible. Any info or help would be appreciated. Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Trustee for NR3DT The Museum Ship USCGC Taney WHEC-37 Amateur Radio Group

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions
by Ben Cook 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

As someone new to satellite operations, I’m finding out that it’s extremely helpful to not only check the AMSAT status page before an upcoming pass, but also check reports from AMSAT and others on twitter. That helps to cut down on the confusion around schedule or mode changes. For example, helps to know that AO-92 was put into L mode an hour before the next pass you’re planning to work. Just thoughts to myself this first week or so on the air. 73, Ben - N6ELF

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AO-92 High Speed Data decode questions
by Loren M. Lang 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

I tried capturing some of the high-speed data from AO-92 today from the final 1750Z pass today when the camera was activated. I believe I had some success, but I am a little confused about what I captured. I did it in two stages using my phone to capture the raw IQ from my SDR during the pass and then playing it back on my computer right after into Foxtelem 108z5. The pass was only 16 degrees at it's peak, but I was able to hear the satellite down to as little as 6 degrees and Foxtelem reported 24 frames successfully decoded. My first point of confusion is I heard QSO what sounded like modem sounds over the FM downlink intermixed with amateur calls coming through. I assume that was the high-speed 9600 data mode I was hearing, but this was starting a few minutes before 1750Z so was the camera mode able to be activated a little early? Second, is the repeater still active while HS mode is running? I thought that repeater operation would be disabled to avoid having voice interfering with the data downlink or is this not an issue? Last question is, why do I not having anything under the Camera (1D) tab for AO-92? That tab is completely blank and doesn't seem to have any data collected. It appears that all frames received are under either the Health tab or HERCI HK (1D). The recent telemetry for HERCI HK is also all zeros it seems. It definitely sounded like there was some high-speed data transfer happening, something besides the 200 bps DUV signal, but it doesn't look like I collected anything particular to the Camera operation. Was it not active during that time or did I just not collect enough frames to assemble anything? I still have the original raw IQ capture from the event today. - Loren K7IW

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amsat-bb reader?
by Douglas Tabor 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

Does anyone know of an -bb ‘reader’ application that can be used with amsat-bb? Back in the usenet days, there were reader clients that could parse entries to make them more human readable. Don’t really care if it’s Linux or MacOS based. I browsed the amsat.org “mailing lists and services” area and didn’t see any mention -or- is this another one of those things that are well known to those that know them well? Many thanks. N6UA, Douglas Tabor dtabor52(a)gmail.com

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AO-92 camera mode more info plse
by Rob Ramsey 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

A little more info please on the camera mode of AO-92 , Is this just a real time transmission as the satellite is overhead or close by? is it stored and sent continuously for a predetermined time? I had my station on remote all day got nothing here in New Zealand ZL3TCM

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by Stephen DeVience 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

*Not to get too far off topic, but this is the kind of thing that an SDR in orbit could help hunt down. Imagine one of the GOLFs, with is SDR capability.....* Yes, with its very own NROL-37, AMSAT could make enough money to put a lot of satellites in orbit! Speaking of which, I'm sure there's a recording of the interfering stations *somewhere* already. KV1J, that would be awesome to test. Even just recording the repeater output if someone is talking during the pass might allow it to be correlated with a satellite recording. I was going to try on echolink, but it looks like the nodes are down. Maybe leave a radio on the input frequency sometime as well to see if anyone on baofengs shows up. -Stephen, N8URE

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TLE for QUETZAL-1?
by Mike Lucas 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

Anybody have or have a link to element set for the new satellite yet? Thanks! Mike N7ASZ

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by Eric Williams 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

I ran the experiments for 2 passes. 28Apr 1608 UTC and 29Apr 0245 UTC. The first pass was just a few minutes before it switched to the video mode. The second pass was high elevation and 11 minutes. It was mentioned that the interference might be from a 145.110 MHz repeater due to the 3rd harmonic. Also mentioned were towns heard in the conversation and that there was a courtesy beep. A repeater in our area that fits all those items in the N1CON repeater in Concord MA. For both passes I heard the bird fine and there were ongoing QSOs. During the passes I transmitted periodically on the repeater announcing my call and 'testing' to cause some audio on the repeater. Also had another station transmitting on the repeater. Throughout the test I did not hear any interference on the downlink. So also, I did not listen to the uplink frequency since there did not seem to be any interference at that time. I am using different radios for TX and RX, and antennas that are far apart for the tests. I'll check from time to time listening to the downlink. If I hear the interference, I can both check the uplink frequency and also listen to the local repeaters. There are many in this area. 73, Eric KV1J FN42 (West of Boston MA) -----Original Message----- From: Eric Williams [mailto:kv1j@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 11:14 AM To: 'amsat-bb(a)amsat.org' <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: RE: Repeater interference on AO-92 Yes, I am also listening to the uplink freq. Next pass is in about 1 hour. 73 Eric KV1J (I use digest mode for this list so pardon the not including the string of messages) -----Original Message----- From: Eric Williams [mailto:kv1j@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 10:51 AM To: 'amsat-bb(a)amsat.org' <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: RE: Repeater interference on AO-92 I am in the area of a suspected repeater. Also in the area of the towns mentioned to could be that machine. I'll watch for the next AO-92 pass and announce my call of the repeater a few times and listen to AO-92. So if you hear "KV1J" it is me testing for the interference. I have not looked at the pass schedule yet but I can try a couple passes. 73, Eric KV1J FN42

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AO-92 Images
by Tom Matthews 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

Thinking of AO-82 - Be sure to check out these fantastic images from today: https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 -- Tom K5SAF

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ARISS News Release (ANR) No. 20-03
by David Jordan 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

ARISSNews Release No. 20-03 DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Duringthe COVID-19 Pandemic, ARISS to Begin Experimental Demonstrations ofSchool Contacts using a Multipoint Telebridge Amateur Radio Approach April28, 2020—AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased toannounce the first use of a concept called MultipointTelebridge Contact via Amateur Radio,allowing school contacts for Stay-At-Home students and simultaneousreception by families, school faculty and the public. Duringthe last several weeks, efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19virus have resulted in massive school closures worldwide. Inaddition, the Stay-At-Home policies invoked by authorities, initiallyshut down opportunities for ARISS school contacts for the nearfuture. Tocircumvent these challenges and keep students and the public safe,ARISS is introducing the MultipointTelebridge Contact via Amateur Radio concept.First operation of this experimental system will occur during acontact scheduled with a group of Northern Virginia Studentslocated in Woodbridge, VA on Thursday, April 30 at 13:35 UTC (9:35EDT). During this event, an ARISS telebridge radio ground stationwill link to the astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS)ham radio station and each Stay-At-Home student and their teacherwill be individually linked to the telebridge station. Under theteacher’s direction, each student, from their home, takes a turnasking their question of the astronaut. QuotingARISS Chair Frank Bauer, “Thisapproach is a huge pivot for ARISS, but we feel it is a greatstrategic move for ARISS. In these times of isolation due to thevirus, these ARISS connections provide a fantastic psychologicalboost to students, families, educators and the public. And theycontinue our long-standing efforts to inspire, engage and educatestudent in STEAM subjects and encourage them to pursue STEAMcareers.” ARISSis inviting the public to view a live stream of the upcoming contactat its new ARISS YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/Cu8I9ose4Vo. Duringthe contact, participants will ask as many of the following questionsas time allows: 1.What does the sun look like from outer space? 2.How comfortable is it to sleep in space? 3.What is one thing you want to eat when you get back to earth? 4.I've heard that stars are red, yellow and blue. Can you see thosecolors in space when you look at the stars? 5.Besides your family, what do you miss most while being in space? 6.What are your thoughts on our Covid-19 situation right now? Does theEarth look differently over the last 3 months now that many peopleare inside and not creating pollution? 7.How often do you get to go out of the ISS? Have you been on any spacewalks? 8.Who makes the rocket that takes you to the ISS? 9.What does it feel like to float all the time? 10.Do you use flashlights on space walks? 11.How do you exercise in space? 12.How do you get out for space walks safely without the air from theISS coming out into space? How does it feel to walk in space? 13.What do you wear in the space station? 14.How did it feel when you first got to space? 15.How is space different from Earth? 16.What do you study in school to become an astronaut? 17.What do you like the most about being in space? 18.Were you nervous when you launched into space? 19.How do you communicate with loved ones while you are in space? AboutARISS: AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperativeventure of international amateur radio societies and the spaceagencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In theUnited States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation(AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Laband National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primarygoal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduledcontacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS andstudents in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radiocontacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn aboutspace, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information,see www.ariss.org MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR

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AMSAT
by Ronaldo Martins 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

OLÁ 73 de PY2RMY

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LoTW and PO-101
by Bob Meyers 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

I am using N3FJP's logging program to upload contacts to LoTW. It has been working very good on all satellites. However when I try and upload PO-101 it gets rejected by LoTW. Does anybody know what LoTW wants for this satellites name? I get a message back that says "invalid satellite name on line 41". Bob WA8FXQ

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QUETZAL-1
by Pedro Converso 29 Apr '20

29 Apr '20

Passes & freqs http://amsat.org.ar/pass?satx=quetzal Congrats Guatemala for your 1st Satellite. 73, lu7abf, Pedro

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First signals from Quetzal-1
by Roland Zurmely 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

Please see here: < https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/quetzal.htm > 73s de Roland PY4ZBZ

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NASA NEWS - Lunar Flashlight mission - CUBESAT TECH
by christy hunter 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

FYI - NASA CUBESAT NEWS https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7647&utm_source=iContact&utm… 73 Christy KB6LTY

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by Eric Williams 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

Yes, I am also listening to the uplink freq. Next pass is in about 1 hour. 73 Eric KV1J (I use digest mode for this list so pardon the not including the string of messages) -----Original Message----- From: Eric Williams [mailto:kv1j@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 10:51 AM To: 'amsat-bb(a)amsat.org' <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: RE: Repeater interference on AO-92 I am in the area of a suspected repeater. Also in the area of the towns mentioned to could be that machine. I'll watch for the next AO-92 pass and announce my call of the repeater a few times and listen to AO-92. So if you hear "KV1J" it is me testing for the interference. I have not looked at the pass schedule yet but I can try a couple passes. 73, Eric KV1J FN42

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Repeater interference on AO-92
by Roy Dean 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

> > Yes, I am also listening to the uplink freq. Next pass is in about 1 hour. > 73 Eric KV1J Keep in mind that somebody may be commanding it into picture mode. --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by Eric Williams 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

I am in the area of a suspected repeater. Also in the area of the towns mentioned to could be that machine. I'll watch for the next AO-92 pass and announce my call of the repeater a few times and listen to AO-92. So if you hear "KV1J" it is me testing for the interference. I have not looked at the pass schedule yet but I can try a couple passes. 73, Eric KV1J FN42

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by Burns Fisher 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

>Maybe someone here can better explain how the Fox tone squelch >works, for example how long it stays on after hearing a tone. The Fox FM satellites (now AO-91 and AO-92) have their receivers on all the time and listen for the 67Hz tone. If they do not hear it they turn on the Tx every 2 minutes for about 10 seconds for a couple frames of telemetry and a voice ID (without the repeater enabled). If they do hear a tone, they turn on the repeater for 1 minute (extended each time they hear the tone). The tone detector is not too sharp so it might trigger on 69.3 or 71.9 Hz as well. It does require that the tone be heard for a bit of time (I don't remember exactly how long--in the hundreds of ms, I think), so it is not too likely to be triggered by random noise that has some components in that frequency range. Of course it is not impossible. Unlike many terrestrial repeaters, the Fox repeaters do not transmit a tone squelch on the downlink. Those frequencies are right where we stick the telemetry. I hope that is helpful... Burns WB1FJ AMSAT Fox Flight Software > >

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Re: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

Do be aware that the repeater that might be causing the interference may actually not be running 67Hz tone. The Fox satellites do need to hear 67 Hz to wake the transponder, but after that it is a bent pipe. Thus, as long as it got woke up, it would pass whatever FM it hears. Like the apparent DMR interference we dealt with several months ago, it's folks who think that it is "Clear air" down there and do their own thing. Hopefully someone with a scanner can locate and politely pass along some education. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms _______ Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2020 08:55:51 -0400 From: Stephen DeVience <sjdevience(a)gmail.com <mailto:sjdevience@gmail.com> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Repeater interference on AO-92 Message-ID: <CAMPfQQD4qBy7HOEC29rqjwVsWf7f=yoPfQY4gjibqqHtmPsajQ(a)mail.gmail.com <mailto:CAMPfQQD4qBy7HOEC29rqjwVsWf7f=yoPfQY4gjibqqHtmPsajQ@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Following up on the previous discussion, I too heard a ragchew on AO-92 during the 4/26 15:20 pass, and others heard it on the 4/27 02:00 pass. I checked for repeaters in New England with a 67 Hz CTCSS tone, and W1RJC in New Bedford comes up. Its output at 145.110 MHz also uses a 67 Hz tone and would have a third harmonic at 435.330 MHz, just about right for AO-92 considering doppler. It is also consistent with hearing a NH callsign and discussions about sea vessels :) -Stephen, N8URE

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Repeater interference on AO-92
by Stephen DeVience 28 Apr '20

28 Apr '20

Following up on the previous discussion, I too heard a ragchew on AO-92 during the 4/26 15:20 pass, and others heard it on the 4/27 02:00 pass. I checked for repeaters in New England with a 67 Hz CTCSS tone, and W1RJC in New Bedford comes up. Its output at 145.110 MHz also uses a 67 Hz tone and would have a third harmonic at 435.330 MHz, just about right for AO-92 considering doppler. It is also consistent with hearing a NH callsign and discussions about sea vessels :) -Stephen, N8URE

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Upcoming ARISS contact for Northern Virginia Schools Group - Woodbridge, VA
by David Jordan 27 Apr '20

27 Apr '20

AnInternational Space Station school contact has been planned withparticipants at NorthernVirginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA on30 April. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:35 UTC.It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutesbefore this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a Multi-Point Telebridgebetween NA1SS and AB1OC. Amulti-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on thetelebridge from their own home. Thecontact should be audible over the state of New Hampshire andadjacent areas. U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in onthe 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted inEnglish. Watchfor live stream at: https://youtu.be/Cu8I9ose4Vo Story: Weare students from Northern Virginia. We are ages 5-10 years old andwe are in K-5th grade, in Woodbridge VA, just outside of DC. Ourschool year was ended on March 13th and we have been home learningmany things using distance learning methods. We have been learninghow to get along in small spaces with little contact with the rest ofour community. We are learning quickly how it must feel to be on theISS! Participantswill ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1.What does the sun look like from outer space? 2.How comfortable is it to sleep in space? 3.What is one thing you want to eat when you get back to earth? 4.I've heard that stars are red, yellow and blue. Can you see thosecolors in space when you look at the stars? 5.Besides your family, what do you miss most while being in space? 6.What are your thoughts on our Covid-19 situation right now? Does theEarth look differently over the last 3 monthsnow that many people are inside and not creating pollution? 7.How often do you get to go out of the ISS? Have you been on anyspace walks? 8.Who makes the rocket that takes you to the ISS? 9.What does it feel like to float all the time? 10.Do you use flashlights on space walks? 11.How do you exercise in space? 12.How do you get out for space walks safely without the air from theISS coming out into space? How does it feelto walk in space? 13.What do you wear in the space station? 14.How did it feel when you first got to space? 15.How is space different from Earth? 16.What do you study in school to become an astronaut? 17.What do you like the most about being in space? 18.Were you nervous when you launched into space? 19.How do you communicate with loved ones while you are in space? PLEASECHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: VisitARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on theInternational Space Station (ARISS). Toreceive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Nextplanned event(s): TBD AboutARISS AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperativeventure of international amateur radio societies and the spaceagencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In theUnited States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation(AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Laband National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primarygoal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduledcontacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS andstudents in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radiocontacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn aboutspace, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information,see www.ariss.org. Thankyou & 73, David – AA4KN

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AO-92 QRM
by Steve Kristoff 27 Apr '20

27 Apr '20

I heard a couple of folks call me and I tried to answer but the deliberate QRM on AO-92 may have prevented you from hearing me. We'll just keep trying until the annoying person gets tired and moves on. I did get W4DTA in the log. Steve AI9IN Em79ji Oldenburg IN

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K4KDR featured on new Scott Manley Video
by Roy Dean 27 Apr '20

27 Apr '20

Scott (Chapman) is featured in Scott Manley's new video about the Iranian Noor satellite. https://youtu.be/SPTz7Ig9RQE Nice work, K4KDR! --Roy K3RLD

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-27 16:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 27 Apr '20

27 Apr '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-27 16:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Northern Virginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA, Multi-point telebridge via AB1OC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Contact is go for: Thu 2020-04-30 13:35:00 UTC 62 deg Watch for live stream at: https://youtu.be/Cu8I9ose4Vo (***) A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. ************************************************* 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 additional schools (***) Cancelled: No additional 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 2020-04-27 16:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. 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. 62 now on orbit Welcome aboard! Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Anatoli Ivanishin Ivan Vagner **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

FUNcube Warehouse Status
by David Johnson 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

Hi, End of day and we have a working server in a closed environment. All UI elements are working but we have to test upload. Will do that in the morning and if all goes well we should be collecting data again by midday UTC As you can imagine we have moved quite a lot of data but it went smoothly. Once again thank you for you patience. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

1 0

LVB tracker and Sat32PC
by Chris Busch 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

Gentlemen, just getting back into Satellite work - used to work AO-13 regularly with a pair of KLM twists, GASFET preamps, Yeasu 726R and Mirage amps plus a KCT tracker. Now trying to get my newly built LVB tracker to work with SAT32PC I’ve read the post and response in the archives from 2018 concerning interfacing the LVB tracker to Sat32PC which was a big help (thank you!), but my issue is that while Sat32PC can now control the azimuth via GS-232 commands over a serial port, the tracker is ignoring elevation commands. I have calibrated the (90 degree) elevation rotor multiple times and stored to EPROM, but no joy to any of the GS-232 elevation commands, even when I issue them directly from a Putty ap via the com port. I can read back the calibration offset values and the rotor position, but none of the commands to the rotor to change elevation work. I know the elevation rotor interface is working because I can move the rotor with the LVB push buttons. Although I just built this interface (from an AMSAT UK kit), the design is >15 years old and emails to the designer have gone unanswered. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I’m out of ideas. Thanks and 73 Chris K4CKB

2 1

observer not centered sat 32
by James Brown 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

Running ver 8d sat 32. Can not get observer (my qth)to center on map. Think this happened after a windows update.Any ideas? Jim KI6WJ

1 0

PSAT-2 SSTV
by PY5LF 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

Images of PSAT-2 in a one minute video. https://youtu.be/goaTrVtWH3o -- *PY5LF * *Luciano Fabricio* *www.falautomation.com.br <http://www.falautomation.com.br>*

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Quetzal-1 deploy from ISS 28th Apr
by Masahiro Arai 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

JAXA announced Guatemalan 1st satellite Quetzal-1 deploy from ISS 1520z 28th April. The live will be on YouTube JAXA channel at 1445-1540z. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M39SjJJsEc Quetzal-1 is 1U CubeSat. She operates on amateur band. http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=653 This is J-SSOD#13 mission. G-Satellite is also J-SSOD#13 mission. There is no her deployment info. G-Satellite is 3U CubeSat. She does not operate amateur band, but very interesting satellite. G-Satellite deploys miniature figures of Mobile Suite GUNDAM and Char ZAKU in orbit and sends messages from space about the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It might be postponed until the Games. https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/g-satellite-completed https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/tokyo-2020-g-satellite-carried-to-the-interna… Masa JN1GKZ Tokyo Japan

1 0

ANS-117 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by KI7UNJ Tucker 26 Apr '20

26 Apr '20

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-117 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 at 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: * March/April 2020 Edition of Apogee View Posted * Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator * Let's Take Some Pictures * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * The W4AMI Award and How to Obtain One * New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-117.01 ANS-117 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 117.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 April 26 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-117.01 March/April 2020 Edition of Apogee View Posted The March/April 2020 edition of Apogee View, a comprehensive update on AMSAT's activities from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, has been posted to the AMSAT website. https://www.amsat.org/apogeeview/ [ANS thanks AMSAT the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, has made the news once again for tracking down yet another "zombie" satellite. Scott was the subject of a report broadcast on National Public Radio on Friday, April 24. This time, he managed to identify signals from LES-5, an experimental military UHF communications satellite built by the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory and launched in 1967. Even though the satellite was supposed to shut down in 1972, it's still go- ing. As long as the solar panels are in the sun, the satellite's radio continues to operate. In 2018, Tilly found a signal from a NASA probe called IMAGE that the space agency had lost track of in 2005. With Tilley's help, NASA was able to reestablish contact. He has rediscovered several other long- forgotten birds, including Transit 5B-5, a nuclear-powered U.S. Navy navigation satellite launched in 1965. Scott announced his findings on LES-5 through his Twitter account, @coastal8049, on March 24. The full NPR story may be found at: https://n.pr/2x64aAZ. [ANS thanks NPR.org 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Let's Take Some Pictures The command team has had a few requests for camera mode on AO-92 over the last few weeks, and it’s been a while, so let’s take some pictures next week. Next Tuesday morning, April 28th, we’ll attempt to command the camera on at approximately 1440Z and 1612Z. We’ll also try the 1750Z pass. If we can’t command on the 1750Z pass, we’ll find a suitable pass later in the week for the west coast. Take a look at https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/ for a guide on how to set up FoxTelem, and https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 for near-live images as we go. Remember, the more stations submitting telemetry during the event, the better the chance of complete images! [ANS thanks Andrew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution Last week's AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin (ANS-110.01) contained a news item entitled "Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR" from Zoltan Doczi, HA7DCD. Please note that on December 19, 2019 AMSAT designated SMOG-P as Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and ATL-1 as Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106). In the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution, the TLEs for these two Hungarian satellites are shown as follows: MO-105 is NORAD Cat ID 44832 (SMOG-P) MO-106 is NORAD Cat ID 44830 (ATL-1) [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- The W4AMI Award and How to Obtain One Just a little history, Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI, was a very prolific operator and in his honor this certificate was created and the first certificate was issued to him on June 27, 1994. He has since become an SK and his local club has taken over his call sign. The award was originally the W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. The local club asked me not to use their call sign for the award. I changed the award to The Robert W. Barbee, Jr. W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. And here we are today, finally having issued over 100 certificates and over 30 of the 5,000 certificates. This award is for making 1,000 contacts with any station any time. You can say hello to your friend on every satellite on every pass every day and count those contacts. That being said, any contact you log counts. The award has endorsements for making 1,000 more contacts up to 4,000. Another 1,000 contacts will earn a special W4AMI 5,000 certificate. To submit for the award, please email me an extract from your log either in Microsoft Excel XLS(X) format or ADI(F) format. Either will work just fine. Then wait for me to get back to you notifying you to go online and make your payment. I need nothing from LoTW, confirmed contacts are not an issue, this award is for simply making a contact. https://www.amsat.org/amsat-robert-w-barbee-jr-w4ami-award/ [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store Thanks to an post on Twitter from Michael Styne, K2MTS, AMSAT is pleased to offer a new t-shirt on the AMSAT Zazzle Store. This t- shirt design is available in variants suitable for printing on either dark or lightly colored shirts. The shirt features a representation of AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in orbit with the tagline "OSCAR - Adventure and Excitement in Space Age Communication" This image was used in advertisements for the 1978 ARRL book "Getting to Know OSCAR." The ARRL has granted AMSAT permission to republish this classic image as a t-shirt. Get yours today! 25% of the purchase price goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_dark-235643945481104970 https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_light-235449229998854129 [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations ZW8, BRAZIL (Special Event). Operators Freddy/PY3YD, Joselito/PS8BR, Fernando/PS8CW, Raimundo/PS8DX, Jose/PS8ET, Milton/PS8HF, Nelson/PS8NF, Pirajah/PS8RF, Dalton/PS8TV and Andre/PT9AL are using the special event callsign ZW8THANKS as a tribute to health care professionals fighting COVID-19. Activity will be on all bands and modes including the satel- lites. QSL via direct, eQSL or LoTW. (ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1461 for the above information) Due to COVID-19, there are no other announced satellite operations at this moment. Any roving activity of which AMSAT becomes aware will be posted at: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ Until then, stay safe and keep making contacts from home. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir- ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. Northern Virginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA, Multi-point telebridge contact via AB1OC is scheduled for Thursday, April 30. The ISS call- sign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS, and the scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR. The contact is go for 13:35:00 UTC at a max- imum elevation of 62 degrees. Stations in the eastern U.S. should be able to listen in on this contact on 145.80 MHz FM. A multi-point tele- bridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions. ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem- ber in their own homes (even quarantined). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX September 26, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Diwata-2 (PO-101) has been active daily to provide emergency access during Covid-19 pandemic. Check https://twitter.com/Diwata2PH For Daily activation schedule (ANS thanks DIWATA-2 Ground Team for the above information) + On this 50th anniversary of the flight of Apollo 13, the BBC has pro- duced a documentary video series, "13 Minutes to the Moon," along with associated web resources and podcasts. The documentary can be accessed worldwide at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttx2 (ANS thanks Peter Green, G0ABI, for the above information) + Happy 30th anniversary, Hubble! The Hubble Space Telescope was laun- ched into LEO on April 24th, 1990 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery STS-31 launch video). Featuring a 2.4 m mirror and optics that are smooth to 10 nanometers (but were in the wrong shape until corrected by the first of five servicing missions in 1993), Hubble takes images of the Universe with never-before-seen quality. The telescope may work into the 2040s, hopefully being joined by its more-advanced sib- ling, the JWST, next year. Take a moment to browse some of Hubble’s most stunning snapshots of the Universe at: https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/ (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + Astronauts onboard the International Space Station have gotten a first good look at the controversial Starlink satellites. On April 13th, they photographed a train of 16 Starlinks cutting through Southern Lights over the Antarctic. Learn more about their unique photo + corresponding ground-based sightings on Spaceweather.com (ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information) + SpaceX launched 60 more spacecraft Wednesday to join the Starlink fleet. The successful launch Wednesday marked the 84th flight of a Falcon 9 rocket since June 2010. That makes SpaceX’s Falcon 9 the most-flown orbital-class U.S. launcher currently in operation, ex- ceeding the 83 missions performed by the Atlas 5 rocket built by rival United Launch Alliance. With Wednesday’s launch, SpaceX has delivered 422 Starlink satellites to space. The company is seeking regulatory approval to fly 4,400 of the satellites in the project's first phase. SpaceX’s next Starlink launch after Wednesday could happen as soon as early May on another Falcon 9 rocket mission. That will be followed by SpaceX’s first launch with astronauts on-board — scheduled for May 27 — to begin a test flight of the company’s Crew Dragon spaceship to the International Space Station. (ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information) + A series of unusually severe spring storms parading across the south- eastern USA had residents taking shelter this week from hail and tor- nadoes. High above the maelstrom, sprites were dancing. Sprites are a form of electricity in powerful storm clouds. While regular light- ning lances down, sprites leap up. They can reach all the way to the edge of space 90 km or more above Earth’s surface. (ANS thanks Southgate ARC and spaceweatherarchive.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, Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ ki7unj at amsat dot org

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Uplink Calibration in SatPC32
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 25 Apr '20

25 Apr '20

The clock is important to be as accurate as possible. Also make sure that you are using as accurate a latitude and longitude setting in Observer setup. Even just using two decimal places after the Lat/Lon value may not be adequate especially on high passes even if the clock is accurate. These two settings will make all the difference. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms ______________________ ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:13:44 -0500 From: "Alan" <wa4sca(a)gmail.com> To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Uplink Calibration in SatPC32 Message-ID: <000201d61a4a$f318f710$d94ae530$(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Have you checked your system clock? Try https://time.is which is very accurate. Some computer clocks can drift badly, and this can cause the need for constant tweaking, even with very stable satellites. 73, Alan WA4SCA

1 0

VHF/UHF Transverter?
by Ham Radio Essentials 25 Apr '20

25 Apr '20

Hello, I've been doing FM satellites for quite some time, and I am wondering if there is a cheap way to get into linear satellites. Could I use a transverter for VHF and UHF? I have an IC-7300 for HF. Could I just hook that up to a transverter and it would put out RF on VHF and UHF? 73 de W0AAE

5 7

Let's take some pictures.
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Apr '20

24 Apr '20

The command team has had a few requests for camera mode on AO-92 over the last few weeks, and it's been a while, so let's take some pictures next week. Next Tuesday morning, April 28th, we'll attempt to command the camera on at approximately 1440Z and 1612Z. We'll also try the 1750Z pass. If we can't command on the 1750Z pass, we'll find a suitable pass later in the week for the west coast. Take a look at https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/ for a guide on how to set up FoxTelem, and https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 for near-live images as we go. Remember, the more stations submitting telemetry during the event, the better the chance of complete images! 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

1 0

Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator
by Bob Hammond 24 Apr '20

24 Apr '20

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/24/843493304/long-lost-u-s-military-satellite-f…

5 4

Uplink Calibration in SatPC32
by VA3ASE 24 Apr '20

24 Apr '20

I've been learning to operate my station using SatPC32. I'm finding I need to constantly adjust my uplink calibration in the CAT Tuning menu or I start to lose myself. On the most recent pass of XW-2A it required adjustment of about 150 Hz over the duration. This seems like a lot to me - I know its normal to make fine adjustments at the beginning of a pass but thought I could then leave it. Is this normal or is something amiss? If anything I suspect it is related to keps - I update these manually by going to Satellites and clicking Update Keps. Then selecting the nasa.all file and Download. Have I missed something? Station details: Icom IC-9700 transceiver (firmware 1.21), SatPC32 version 12.8d, Windows 10. Crossed yagis on a G-5500 rotator, K3NG based interface. Thanks in advance and 73, Alex VA3ASE

4 3

Another Effect of Covid 19
by Brad Smith 23 Apr '20

23 Apr '20

< With everybody at home these days every day is like a weekend on the FM satellites. Good luck if you've got an HT and an Arrow. > It has been difficult, but I keep trying and sometimes succeeding. The discouraging thing is the open mics on 91 and 92, which I am beginning to think is a deliberate act by some disgruntled ham that can't get into the bird. What doesn't make sense is that if the station is powerful enough to disrupt, it would be powerful enough to get in. Brad KC9UQR

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AO-92 L band
by Ronald Parsons 23 Apr '20

23 Apr '20

Everything conspired against L-Band for me today (UTC). Family, other commitments, bedtime, . A belated 73 to all the regulars. Ron W5RKN

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AO-92 L band
by 73 Bob W7LRD 22 Apr '20

22 Apr '20

I had AO92 all to myself. I sounded pretty good hihi 73 Bob W7LRD

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-22 17:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 22 Apr '20

22 Apr '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-04-22 17:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Northern Virginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA, Multi-point telebridge via AB1OC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Contact is go for: Thu 2020-04-30 13:35:00 UTC 62 deg A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. ************************************************* 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: Salem-South Lyon District Library, South Lyon, MI, telebridge via TBD (***) Cancelled: YOTA Region 2 Camp, Voice of America (VOA) Museum, West Chester, OH, telebridge via TBD or direct via W8Y (***) 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 2020-04-22 17:30 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 2020-03-21 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. 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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