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

ND9M - Wet Grids
by Clary, James T (Jim) 15 Apr '21

15 Apr '21

Still a lot of relative wind, but another beautiful day on the water. At least I don't have to worry about securing the laptop any longer! Grids today were FL21, FL20, and FL30. I got called out mid evening so missed XW-2A, but without CAT control, the XW-2D pass got a lot of ops into the log from FL21. Tomorrow (4/16), grids are looking like FK26, FK16, and FK15. With a little luck, I might be able to get on from FK27 at midday on AO-91; dunno. We're due at the Panama Canal early Sunday morning for an all-day transit, then into the Pacific and all points west. 73, Jim ND9M/mm

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Amateur Radio satellites for Beginners?
by Carl A Estey 15 Apr '21

15 Apr '21

What handful of Amateur Radio satellites should a newcomer focus on? The Amsat Current Status table lists 15 with current reports but many of those are telemetry only. Is there a current “Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide? My April 2019 is pretty out of date. I need to know what satellites I should try to hear in an effort to validate my IC-9700 and M2 Leo Pack system. 73 Carl WA0CQG

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Re: TO-108
by wa2ndv＠gmail.com 15 Apr '21

15 Apr '21

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TO-108
by Perry Yantis 15 Apr '21

15 Apr '21

Just worked KE9AJ and N6CKC on TO-108 with strong signals on this new satellite. Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple Macbook Pro

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ND9M/mm Wet Grid Update - 4/14
by Clary, James T (Jim) 14 Apr '21

14 Apr '21

I had just gotten my laptop to play nicely with SatPC32 in time for this voyage, but relative winds have been very strong both days. Today, the 30-knot sustained winds got hold of my laptop as I was strapping it down just before a pass, and threw it a good distance before the laptop slammed into the deck. The CPU portion and its USB and HDMI ports work, but the display is completely wrecked. After we transit the Panama Canal this weekend and turn west, the winds may be more favorable. If that happens, I may test the practicality of bringing an external monitor up to the flight deck. In the meantime, I'll be manually tuning for a while if not for the rest of the trip. We're turning due south in the morning to pass between Haiti and the eastern end of Cuba, and then will head for the Canal. Tomorrow's grids (4/15) are looking like FL22 (midday, but not likely on the air), FL21, and FL20. XW-2A and XW-2F are working well for me, XW-2D is a challenge, and RS-44 using CW has been great. R/Jim Clary, EO USNS Sgt William R Button Tel: 850-549-0275, ext 4 E-mail: james.t.clary.ctr(a)button.navy.mil<mailto:[email protected]> E-mail: reo(a)button.navy.mil E-mail: button.comm(a)ashore.msc.navy.smil.mil<mailto:[email protected]> E-mail: james.t.clary.ctr(a)button.navy.smil.mil<mailto:[email protected]>

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QSO Today Ham Expo Extravaganza Workshops Still Available
by Clint Bradford 14 Apr '21

14 Apr '21

Hey, groovy guys and groovy gals! Wasn’t the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 2021 a FABULOUS EXPERIENCE for us? All from the comfort of our ham shacks, flannel jammies and fuzzy slippers ... If you haven't already, send thanks to Eric Guth and his team for their time, effort, expense and hair-pulling he and his tekkies went through to provide that! And, WOW!!!! For the 300 live and almost 750 viewers since, you made me feel like a rock start for creating my segment on how to "Work the Easy Satellites." For those viewers new to satellites: I’m delighted to think that when you go outside, you now have new appreciation when you look up into the sky and think about your opportunities to “work those birds!” The Expo presentations are still available after April 16th, here: https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/vod-list.html <https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/vod-list.html> Clint Bradford K6LCS https://www.work-sat.com <https://www.work-sat.com/>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-04-14 22:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 14 Apr '21

14 Apr '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-04-14 22:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Winmalee Public School, Blue Mountains, 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: Tue 2021-04-20 08:28:39 UTC 81 deg ************************************************************************************************************* 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 2021-04-14 22:00 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 2021-04-07 16:30 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 1436. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1369. 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 **************************************************************************** Exp. 63 now on orbit Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Sergey Ryzhikov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov SpaceX-Crew 1 on orbit Victor Glover KI5BKC Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP Shannon Walker KD5DXB 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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Free Cubesat Ride to Space
by Roy Dean 14 Apr '21

14 Apr '21

https://spacenews.com/arianespace-offers-free-launch-to-deserving-cubesat/ --Roy K3RLD

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ND9M/MM - FL16 and/or FL25
by Clary, James T (Jim) 13 Apr '21

13 Apr '21

We've got great sailing weather although it's a bit windy on the flight deck where I operate. The ship's forward speed coupled with a tough crosswind made tonight's operating real tricky because I had to hold everything down and still manage the key! But RS-44 was a success by using CW. I couldn't hear the bird for beans on SSB, so tonight's CW run was encouraging. I'm hearing the U/V satellites a bit better than RS-44, but am still not doing well on those, so I may bring CW on the XW sats at some point. I was in a bunch of these grids a while back, and I know UT1FG has done a bunch of them too, so the next few days before the Canal will tell the story. The rarer ones are on the Pacific side, and I'd rather get these wet grids into several logs using CW instead of no logs at all on SSB. Tomorrow's route is a southeast diagonal that will take us through FL16 and into FL25. (We'll hit the quad corner with FL15 and FL26, but unfortunately we can't stop for important stuff like grid squares!) I should be on XW-2A/D/F, AO-27, and RS-44/CW. R/Jim Clary, EO USNS Sgt William R Button Tel: 850-549-0275, ext 4 E-mail: james.t.clary.ctr(a)button.navy.mil<mailto:[email protected]> E-mail: reo(a)button.navy.mil E-mail: button.comm(a)ashore.msc.navy.smil.mil<mailto:[email protected]> E-mail: james.t.clary.ctr(a)button.navy.smil.mil<mailto:[email protected]>

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DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
by BeetleJerald Oliver 13 Apr '21

13 Apr '21

Just wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower? would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings...... Any thoughts ? 73 Jerry KJ4EU

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