April 2021 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

VAFB back pedaling on "indefinitely"
by Bruce Perens 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

Now the VAFB officer is saying "indefinitely" just means they don't have a new launch date. A friend makes electronic thrusters which are on the Genesis satellites, it will be nice to see them go up. On Thu, Apr 22, 2021, 12:43 Bruce Perens <bruce(a)perens.com> wrote: > A number of online press were sent this memo: > > On Thu, Apr 22, 2021, 12:43 Bruce Perens <bruce(a)perens.com> wrote: > >> A number of online press were sent this memo: >> >> On Thu, Apr 22, 2021, 12:33 Pierros Papadeas <pierros(a)papadeas.gr> wrote: >> >>> Hey Bruce, >>> >>> Citation needed. >>> >>> https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1385311969360584712?s=21 >>> >>> On Thu, Apr 22, 2021, 21:31 Bruce Perens via AMSAT-BB < >>> amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >>> >>>> It looks like Firefly can't launch their rocket, and they don't know >>>> when they can. This affects the Genesis pocketqubes and I don't know what >>>> else. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Bruce Perens K6BP >>>> - Board Partner, OSS Capital LLC Venture Capital >>>> - CEO, undisclosed startup >>>> >>>> ----------------------------------------------------------- >>>> >>>> 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. >>>> Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at >>>> https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ >>>> >>>> View archives of this mailing list at >>>> https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org >>>> Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at >>>> https://mailman.amsat.org >>> >>>

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Membership Involvement
by Clint Bradford 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

I have been involved in many charitable organizations the past few decades. Appointing a “bylaws committee” is the norm - and not opening it up for all members’ input during an update process. We elected to board because we trust them. The folks we elected - and their appointees - have drawn up proposed bylaws. And we all now have the opportunity to submit inquiries / suggestions. The entire membership IS now involved in the process. Clint Bradford K6LCS > On Apr 22, 2021, at 11:53 AM, Bruce Perens via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > It would have been much better if the members were included in the process. Sent from my iPhone

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-04-22 19:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-04-22 19:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: St Scholastica’s College, Glebe, NSW, Australia, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Victor Glover KI5BKC Contact is go for: Mon 2021-04-26 08:34:51 UTC 74 deg St. Margaret’s School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Shannon Walker KD5DXB Contact is go for: Mon 2021-04-26 10:12:59 UTC 39 deg Watch for live stream at: www.ariotti.com (***) ************************************************************************************************************* The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2021-04-22 19:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2021-04-20 20:30 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) New Proposal Window is February 15th, 2021 to March 31st, 2021 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on February 25th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 148 Francesco IKØWGF with 140 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 140 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 1437. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1370. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, 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 **************************************************************************** SpaceX-Crew 1 on orbit Victor Glover KI5BKC Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP Shannon Walker KD5DXB Exp. 64 now on orbit Oleg Novitskiy Pyotr Dubrov Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ND9M/mm - AO-91
by Clary, James T (Jim) 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

My apologies to those trying to get the grids on the midday AO-91 passes. I'm not able to get through the steady stream of calls, i.e. an op starts calling as soon as the previous one stops, but I'll keep trying to get the grids into your logs. We haven't received e-mail in nearly a week, so I've been sending these updates in the blind and hoping they're getting through. Our phone system is working fine, and I keep in regular phone contact with the weather routing office and maritime safety office, so there's no safety issue. We'll hopefully be back into the primary satellite's footprint and resume normal comms in the next few days. 73/Jim, ND9M

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Address Change?
by Roy Dean 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

I just received an Email from KE4AL explaining what is occuring, but in it he says objections should be sent to a PO Box? I just sent a certified letter to H Street NE address.... Can somebody please clarify? --Roy K3RLD

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ND9M/mm - Thursday Grid Ops - 4/22
by Clary, James T (Jim) 22 Apr '21

22 Apr '21

Today's grids were from EK20 on the midday AO-91 and afternoon AO-7/CW passes and then from EK11 on the second AO-7/CW pass as well as XW-2D/F, CAS-4A/B, and RS-44/CW. We went through a small part of EK10, but no passes were available while we were there. Tomorrow should see us in DK92 at midday again on AO-91. We'll probably cross into DK82 in the late afternoon and stay in that grid for the evening. We'll be making another time change tonight, so while we would still probably be in DK92 when AO-7 passes almost directly overhead, the pass will occur in my work hours, so I may not be able to put that grid out a second time. 73/Jim, ND9M

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Proposed Bylaw Changes
by Roy Dean 21 Apr '21

21 Apr '21

Is there somewhere that I can get a digital copy of the proposed bylaw changes? It would make comparison with the existing bylaws much easier. Thanks. --Roy K3RLD

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"Tail" on AO-27 transmissions
by sjdevience＠gmail.com 21 Apr '21

21 Apr '21

On the last two AO-27 passes I've worked (this morning and this evening), there was a sort of squelch tail after every person's transmission. It sounded like a higher noise level, then after a few seconds it would go back to normal if no one else transmitted. It made it a little weird to work. I have not looked at it on a waterfall. Hopefully the satellite is still healthy. -Stephen N8URE

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Bylaws change. Why now?
by amsat＠w5pfg.us 21 Apr '21

21 Apr '21

"Because the board doesn't want you to interfere with their addition of this rule, they have required ... writing a letter on paper and mailing it with a stamp." This person didn't read existing bylaws, is intentionally trying to mislead readers, or a combination of the two. The written requirement is not something the current board implemented. "Include the initiative on the ballot for the next directors like president's club inserts in the past and let the membership vote after the complete text of the proposed changes are included on the ballot insert. " This statement demonstrates complete ignorance of the bylaws of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT.) Timing of AMSAT's proposed bylaws changes is in advance of the upcoming 2021 election of Directors. The proposed changes clarify dates with regards to candidate eligibility. Making these bylaws changes saves the corporation in mailing costs and allows for electronic balloting (eliminating handling of paper ballots.) 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Bylaws change. Why now?
by Steve Kristoff 21 Apr '21

21 Apr '21

AMSAT has been in business for over 50 years. Could one or more of the directors please address why they feel that this denial of membership clause is needed now? Steve AI9IN

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