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

ANS-157 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for June 6
by Mark Johns, K0JM 06 Jun '21

06 Jun '21

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-157 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information 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 communicating 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(a)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: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * Call for Nominations – 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors Election * EASAT-2 and Hades Launch Delayed Again * Satellite Controllers Announce Schedule Changes * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 1, 2021 * The AMSAT SA Dual Band 70cm/2M Yagi Mark II Now Available * No Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 3 * Amicalsat 6 June S-band Transmission * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-157 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 157 To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2021 June 6 Call for Nominations – 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors Election AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following four incumbent Directors expire in 2021 and will be filled by this year’s election: Jerry Buxton N0JY Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK Michelle Thompson W5NYV Further, up to two Alternate Directors may be elected for one-year terms. A valid nomination for Director must be written and requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT member. Written nominations, with the nominee’s name, call sign, and contact information, as well as the nominators’ names, call signs, and contact information, should be sent to the AMSAT Secretary: Jeff Davis, KE9V 1909 S. Batavia Avenue Muncie, IN 47302-2044 ke9v at amsat.org A copy should be sent to Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, at n8hm at amsat.org. The AMSAT bylaws require that the nomination be written and in the form specified by the Secretary. The Secretary has elected to accept written nomination materials via mail or in electronic form, including e-mail or electronic image of a paper document. Fax transmissions cannot be accepted. No matter what means are used, petitions MUST be received by the Secretary no later than June 15th. The Secretary will verify the qualifications of candidates and nominating members or Member Societies as petitions are received, and will notify candidates whether their nominations are in order by the end of June. [ANS thanks Jeff Davis, KE9V, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Join the 2021 President's Club! Score your 2" 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin. This gold finished coin comes with Full Color Certificate and Embroidered "Remove Before Flight" Key Tag Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ You won't want to miss it! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ EASAT-2 and Hades Launch Delayed Again Spain's URE reports the launch of EASAT-2 and Hades satellites have suffered another delay A translation of the URE post reads: EASAT-2 and Hades, the communications satellites for radio amateurs built by AMSAT-EA, will not be able to be launched in June with SpaceX as planned, as the FAA (the American Aviation Administration) has rejected the license to the integrator Momentus Space, on whose orbital transfer vehicle Vigoride was to be mounted the AlbaPOD ejector from Alba Orbital, within which are the satellites of AMSAT EA, as well as other organizations and universities. The reasons for the FAA's rejection stem from the company's capital structure, which, according to the American agency, could endanger the national security of the United States. The next launch opportunity could come in December. EASAT-2 and Hades were to have been launched in January this year aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket, but the Momentus license was also rejected by the FAA at the time. Both satellites are FM and FSK voice repeaters, also having digitized voice recordings. Hades also incorporates an SSTV camera developed by the University of Brno in the Czech Republic and EASAT-2 incorporates as an experimental load a basaltic material from Lanzarote, similar to lunar basalts, provided by the research group on meteorites and planetary geosciences of the CSIC in the Institute of Geosciences, IGEO (CSIC-UCM) and that it could be used as a construction material on the Moon. This project was promoted and has the collaboration of the ETSICCP (UPM). The frequencies coordinated with the IARU for both satellites are the following: EASAT-2 • 145.875 MHz uplink, Modes: FM voice (without sub-tone) and FSK 50 bps • 436.666 MHz downlink, Modes: FM voice, CW, FSK 50 bps, FM voice beacon with AM5SAT callsign HADES • 145.925 MHz uplink, Modes: FM voice (without sub-tone) and FSK 50 bps • 436.888 MHz downlink, Modes: FM voice, CW FSK 50 bps, SSTV Robot 36, FM voice beacon with callsign AM6SAT Source URE https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Spain Read the May 2021 AMSAT-EA newsletter in English at https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/12773993/AMSAT-EA-Boletin_05-2021.pdf [ANS thanks Southgate ARC 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Controllers Announce Schedule Changes AO-73 After several months of being in full Sunlight, AO-73 has now entered a period of eclipses. The transponder was commanded "on" on May 30, and the team will evaluate performance over the coming days. An initial check of telemetry suggests the Lithium Ion cells are functioning well and satellite power budget is nominal. [ANS thanks David Bowman, G0MRF for the above information] IO-86 Effective immediately the activation of FM voice repeater on IO-86 (the amateur payload on LAPAN-A2/ORARI satellite) will be reduced, to preserve the life of the repeater (already more than 5 years old) while waiting for the successor , the LAPAN-A5. If required for emergency communication, we will activate the repeater full as usual. [ANS thanks Yono Adisoemarta, YD0NXX of the AMSAT Indonesia Technical Team for the above information] NO-104 and NO-84 PSAT2(NO-104) will enter about 2 weeks of good USA coverage between about 10 to 22 June. Normally its low inclination orbit favors the southern USA. But the orbit is also elliptical and so there are times when the elevation angle to more northern stations rises as much as 20 degrees, bringing higher latitude stations into the footprint. Currently it's VHF Xponder has been in DTMF & APRS-to-Voice (A2V) mode but with the ISS digipeater being inactive, we will enable PSAT2 for normal APRS operations plus the A2V feature. Its HF/UHF transponder will remain in linear operation for PSK31 SSTV and Voice. See http://aprs.org/psat2.html for how to use the A2V feature. We also note that PSAT(NO-84) has awakened from poor sun angles and we will try to activate its digipeater. [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR for the above information] FO-99 JAMSAT has published an updated operating schedule for NEXUS, FO-99, at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/ [ANS thanks JAMSAT for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 1, 2021 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period May 1, 2021 through June 1, 2021. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL May June WC7V 1232 1250 AA5PK 1074 1115 N8RO 1080 1096 N3GS 687 705 NS3L 681 695 K7TAB 627 656 WD9EWK (DM43) 640 650 N5BO 525 580 AC9O 475 549 AF5CC 477 525 K5IX 450 489 KS1G 413 427 W8LR 400 425 KJ4M 171 357 IK0WGF 258 324 DF2ET 250 300 N7ZO 250 275 N8URE (FM19) 243 263 KN2K 200 253 EA2AA 153 251 N3CAL 181 204 RA3DNC 110 142 AC9DX 100 141 N2ZN 120 135 VE3KY 103 128 DG9MA New 125 KP4RV 105 125 SQ5NRY New 105 NR1Z New 104 KC1MEB New 102 W4IPA New 101 NU1U New 100 XE1MYO New 100 If you find errors or omissions. Please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing a lot of the work! [ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar panels, propulsion, and attitude control. Come along for the ride. The journey will be worth it! https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The AMSAT SA Dual Band 70cm/2M Yagi Mark II Now Available AMSAT SA has launched Mark II of its dual band 70 cm/2 m handheld beam antenna with a new, easier to hold handle and improved coaxial terminations. The Yagi has been retuned for maximum performance in the amateur radio 2 m and 70 cm satellite bands. The coax cable is terminated crimped brass lugs instead of being soldered making it environmentally more robust. The driven element has been adjusted to accommodate the change in the connection. More about the Yagi. The antenna has a 50-ohm designed driver. The Yagi has a unique element called an 'Open Sleeve' which is a director very close to the driven element. The driven element is sized for 2 m. When operating on 70 cm the 'Open Sleeve' acts as part of the driven element on 70 cm (the third harmonic of 2 m). The original concept was developed in 1946 by Dr J T Bolljahn of the Stanford Research institute but was not introduced into amateur radio until the 1950s. The AMSAT SA version is based on a design by DK7ZB with modifications by WB5CXC. The first South African version was a collaboration between Guy Eales, ZS6GUY and Gary Immelman, ZS6YI. It was developed for YOTA 2018 where young people successfully used the antenna operating satellites using hand-held transceivers. The mechanical structure was redesigned by Gary Immelmann ZS6YI. A choke around the boom was added to isolate the antenna from the coax and reduce the effect human contact has on the antenna. A handle was added on the boom end which makes it more comfortable to hold and further isolates the antenna from the handler. The AMSAT SA Yagi is manufactured in one of Gary Immelmann's factories in Vereeniging. It has two elements on 145 MHz and 3 elements on 435 MHz. For its size, the antenna has excellent gain: 145 MHZ: 4.12 dBd or 6.3 dBi and 435 MHz: 6.23 dBd or 8.4 dBi. The Yagi is broadband with measured SWR being almost flat over the entire bands. The antenna is plug and play, no tools are needed except for soldering on a connector to suit the application. It comes complete in a carry bag with full instructions. This antenna can be assembled and dissembled in minutes. The price of the MKII Yagi is R400 for AMSAT SA and SARL members. Non-members pay R500 (approximately $36.75 US). The courier charge is R120 (approximately $9 US, Postnet to Postnet). Ask for a quote for other courier options. Find more details and order forms on http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ [ANS thanks AMSAT SA for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ No Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 3 No amateur satellite additions or deletions have occurred in this week's distribution. However, TLE (KEPS) have been updated and are available on the AMSAT-NA website at: https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ or to receive a weekly TLE (KEPS) email, subscribe to the Keplerian Elements Mailing list (page 2) by clicking on "Keps" at: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/?page=2 [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amicalsat 6 June S-band Transmission The 6 June amicalsat will transmit a picture above Europe, US and Asia. Here is when a transmission will start : 09:35 UTC 05:58 UTC 3:18 UTC First CW is transmitted during one second, and then the frames follow. The RTC onboard is not very accurate due to high temperature change, allow up to two minutes drift on the time given. (because this is a planned task in the satellite) The transmission will occur on the S-band coordinated frequency: 2415.300 MHz. Due to temperature and hardware limitation the frequency might be a little lower. The modulation of the S-band downlink is GFSK 1Mbps. The downlink signal is RHCP. A picture transmission is about 3-5 minutes long. [ANS thanks Christophe Mercier and Julien Nicolas, F4HVX, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide, unless otherwise noted. The Father's House Christian School (Home Education Provider: Roots), Morinville, Alberta, Canada, multi-point telebridge via VK4KHZ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut is Akihiko Hoshide KE5DNI Contact was successful: Wed 2021-06-02 14:28:53 UTC 44 deg Congratulations to the he Father's House Christian School students and Akihiko Watch livestream at https://youtu.be/S0_-QFkXdi4 About Gagarin From Space. Conducting an amateur radio session with school children of Mordovia, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sun 2021-06-06 12:25 UTC College Maurice Genevoix, Couzeix, France, multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is go for: Mon 2021-06-07 13:07:41 UTC 70 deg MAI-75 SSTV Events: MAI-75 will be conducting their experiment of transmitting SSTV images over specific orbits that overfly Moscow on June 9 and 10. Amateurs along the ground track of these orbits should have the opportunity to receive these images as well. Modes and targeted transmission periods are listed below. SSTV images will be transmitted at 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format. Wed 2021-06-09: 09:35 to 13:50 UTC Thu 2021-06-10: 08:55 to 15:50 UTC St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bombala, NSW, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is go for: Thu 2021-06-10 10:45:26 UTC 80 deg Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for: Fri 2021-06-11 11:40 UTC Velikiy Ustyug, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sat 2021-06-12 09:15 UTC Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for Sat 2021-06-12 10:55 UTC The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Upcoming Roves: Quick Hits: WY7AA: FI will be in FN02 starting 6/6 for a few weeks. Operating Sats. holiday style. If you need FN01, FN02, FN03, FN12 please let me know and we can try to set something up. FN01,03, and 12 will likely each be one day roves. FM and SSB EA4M: : Hi guys later in June I’ll be in IN73 on holidays, probably for a week or so, I will try some birds stay tuned on tweeter for schedules. VE6WK: DN49: – I’m planning a SOTA rove to DN49 on June 12 and may hit some other grids on the way there/back. ND0C and KE0WPA: In June @kylee_ke0wpa and I, along with our resident photojournalist (Mom/Amy), will be taking a family excursion to the southwest and working some sats as time permits. Here are the less commonly worked grids from which we plan to operate. We will hit other grids too. DM67 6/15 – 6/17, DM56 6/18, DM45 6/19, DN63 7/2, DN64 7/2 & 7/3 AD0DX (VA3IIR) :Long Range Rover plans: VA3IIR in FN15/25 June 18 FM and SSB WA5RR: I’m looking at doing a rove in DL98 with an overnight stay in Eagle Pass, TX around the last week in June. Details to follow. VP2V/K3TRM: I will be operating from Tortola, BVI as VP2V/K3TRM on July 4-17, 2021. Activity will be on 40-6M SSB & digital, and satellite. N5LEX: CN98 last week of June. DM62: K5TA, I’m tentatively planning for DM62 ~9-July, when there are are several good passes mid-day, making it a doable day-trip for me…. EN57/67: @SeanKutzko KX9X and @Nancy_N9NCY will celebrate Sean’s birthday in the Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula July 15-19. Look for them on FM and SSB satellites, with the possibility of some Parks On The Air activity as well. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassador and ARRL registered instructor Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has a presentation scheduled for 06/15 in East Massachusetts. See http://www.work-sat.com for details. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The International Space Station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, was struck by a piece of space debris. But luckily, it appears to be only a flesh wound, and the arm has been cleared for nominal operations while analysis on the strike continues. NASA and Canadian Space Agency officials don’t know exactly when the arm was hit – or what hit it — but the damage was noticed on May 12 during a routine inspection. The hole is quite small, approximately 5 mm (.2 inches) in diameter. (ANS thanks Universe Today for the above information) + An absolutely mesmerizing and very instructional video graphic on the problem of orbital debris (ie. space junk), created by the European Space Agency, may be viewed at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2019/02/Distribution_of_space_deb… (ANS thanks Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO for the above information) + A Cargo Dragon capsule took off at 1729z Thursday, June 3, on top of a Falcon 9 rocket to begin a two-day trip to the space station. This was the: • 120th Falcon 9 flight • 17th SpaceX launch of 2021 • 22nd SpaceX cargo flight to ISS • 130th launch from pad 39A This mission is set to deliver experiments, food, spare parts, a NASA-sponsored CubeSat built by middle school students in Tennessee, and other equipment to the space station’s seven-person crew. The Dragon’s entire cargo load, including pressurized and unpressurized sections, weighs in at 7,337 pounds (3,328 kilograms). That makes it the heaviest supply shipment SpaceX has ever sent to the space station. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information) + Among the equipment sent to ISS on the Cargo Dragon launch, above, was the first satellite to be built by the island nation of Mauritius. It will be deployed in June by the KIBO robotic arm. The callsign is 3B8MIR (MIR-1 meaning Mauritius Imagery & Radio-communication Satellite 1). Payloads are a camera and a digipeater (bent tube) which will be made available to the HAM community worldwide when satellite is not downloading images or used for experimental purposes, the uplink will be on 145.9875 MHz and the downlink on 436.925 MHz, 9K2 GMSK, as coordinated with IARU. More information will be available on (https://spacemauritius.com) soon. (ANS thanks Jean Marc Momple, 3B8DU, for the above information) + China’s robotic Tianzhou 2 cargo ship launched Saturday on top of a Long March 7 rocket and docked with the core module of the country’s space station eight hours later, delivering fuel, crew supplies, extravehicular spacesuits, and other gear in preparation for the arrival of three astronauts in June. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information) + American intelligence officials have found no evidence that aerial phenomena witnessed by Navy pilots in recent years are alien spacecraft, but they still cannot explain the unusual movements that have mystified scientists and the military, according to senior administration officials briefed on the findings of a highly anticipated government report. While a forthcoming unclassified version, expected to be released to Congress by June 25, will present few other firm conclusions, senior officials briefed on the intelligence conceded that the very ambiguity of the findings meant the government could not definitively rule out theories that the phenomena observed by military pilots might be alien spacecraft. (ANS thanks The New York Times for the above information) + The team behind NASA's InSight Mars lander has come up with an innovative way to boost the spacecraft's energy at a time when its power levels have been falling. The lander's robotic arm trickled sand near one solar panel, helping the wind to carry off some of the panel's dust. The result was a gain of about 30 watt-hours of energy per sol, or Martian day. (ANS thanks Mars Daily 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 additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Store. 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional student membership information. 73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, Mark Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org

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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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ARISS News Release No. 21-35
by David Jordan 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

ARISS News Release No.21-35 ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE ARISSContact is Scheduled with Students at The Father's House Christian School (HomeEducation Provider: Roots), Morinville, Alberta, Canada May31, 2021—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has receivedschedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is thegroup that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students aroundthe globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS). This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students fromThe Father's House Christian School. Students will take turns asking theirquestions of ISS Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, amateur radio call sign KE5DNI.English is the language that will be used during the contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners who are within the ISS footprint thatalso encompasses the ARISS radio telebridge station. ARISS team member Shane Lynd, using call signVK4KHZ from an amateur radio club station in Glenden, Queensland, Australiawill serve as the relay amateur radio station. Each student asking a question on the ARISS radio will beconferenced in from home or social-distanced at school. TheARISS radio contact is scheduled for June 2, 2021 at 8:28:53 am MDT (Morinville,Alberta, Canada) (14:28:53 UTC, 10:28:53 am EDT,9:28:53 am CDT, 7:28:53 am PDT). TheFather's House Christian School is a Home Education Provider (Roots). Roots has257 families, 550 students and 14 facilitators in its homeschooling program.In preparation forthe ARISS contact, students and parents were involved in activities /discussions about space travel and living on the ISS. Students also built a modelof the ISS using recycled materials. Home-school teaching material sourcesincluded studies on space exploration, life on the ISS and primary sciencetopics, drawn from the websites: European Space Agency (Space and Exploration),NASA (ISS KidZone), and Primary Science Teacher College. Viewthe live stream of the upcoming ARISS radio contact at https://youtu.be/S0_-QFkXdi4 . _______________________________ Astime allows, students will ask these questions: 1. How do you sleep when there is nogravity? 2.What do you eat in space, and how do you bring the food to space? 3.How do you not crash into space debris? 4.Is it hard to learn how to walk again on earth after being in the spacestation? 5.What is the Canadarm used for? 6.How does a candle react when it is lit in space in a zero gravity and oxygensupplied environment? 7.Why is going to Mars a one-way trip for humans? 8.I am interested in Astrophotography. I recently saw a picture that ChrisCassidy captured of Hurricane Laura on August 25, 2020. Can you manuallycontrol the exterior cameras or are they are in a fixed position? 9.How long do you stay up in the ISS at a time? 10.Would a body decompose in space and if so, how long would it take? 11.What does it feel like to float in space? 12.How fast do you go? How many times do you orbit earth each day? 13.What happens if your radio breaks and you can't talk to earth? 14.What are some experiments you are working on? 15.How do you know where to land when you leave space and come back to earth? 16.Do you do anything special on birthdays and holidays in space? 17.What did it feel like looking back at earth the first time you saw it fromspace? 18.What does launching from earth feel like? 19.Is there anything flammable on the International Space Station, and if thereis, what do you do if there is a fire? 20.Does hair grow faster or slower in space? ARISS– Celebrating 20 Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS About ARISS: AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture ofinternational amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support theInternational Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the RadioAmateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL),the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space communicationsand Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration ofscience, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS doesthis by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew membersaboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students,educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activitiestied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, seewww.ariss.org MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status.

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Portable Sat Tracker for Field Day
by crohtun＠aol.com 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

I'm running into a brick wall with getting the Autonomous Satellite Tracker, homebrewed from WB0OEW's design, to work with an iPhone hotspot for Field Day. Does anyone know of a portable tracker that would handle the Elk that I plan to use on FD? A homebrew project is OK, but the SatNOGS thing is out due to time limitations. Off the shelf is preferable. BTW, I'll be running SatPC32 on a laptop to control the IC9700, so it would be ideal if the portable tracker worked with the program's rotor control. I can dream, can't I? 73, Ray KN2K

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Cheap Broadband Preamp Boards
by James Hickox 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the cheap broadband preamplifier boards that are being offered for use with the RTL-SDR dongles. I'm thinking they may be an inexpensive option. Thanks. De James, AA5AO

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CubeSatSim Construction Questions?
by talleyt＠msn.com 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Is there someone who I could pose some questions off-line related to building the CubeSatSim? Tnx and 73 Tom Talley

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ARISS News Release No. 21-36
by David Jordan 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

ARISS News Release No.21-36 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE ARISSContact is Scheduled with Students at Collège Maurice Genevoix, Couzeix, France June7, 2021—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has receivedschedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is thegroup that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students aroundthe globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS). This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students fromCollège Maurice Genevoix. Students willtake turns asking their questions of ISS Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, amateurradio call sign KG5FYG, during the ARISS radio contact. French is thelanguage expected to be used during the contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ andmay be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that alsoencompasses the ARISS radio telebridge station. ARISS team member Jan Poppeliers, in Aartselaar,Belgium using radio call sign ON4ISS, will serve as the ARISS relay amateurradio station. Each student asking a question on the ARISS radio will be conferenced in from home or social-distanced at school. TheARISS radio contact is scheduled for June 7, 2021 at 3:07 pm CEST (Couzeix,France) (13:07 UTC, 9:07 am EDT, 8:07 am CDT,7:07 am MDT, 6:07 am PDT). Collège MauriceGenevoix (699 students in grades 6 to 13) is located near the city of Limoges,in central western France. Inpreparation of this ARISS contact, course curricula were supplemented to linkaspects of space habitation and space exploration with the existing courses.The school has partnered with members of the Amateur Radio Club of theUniversity of Limoges who have helped the students prepare (and becomelicensed) for the contact and will support them during the contact. Viewthe livestream of the upcoming ARISS radio contact at: https://live.recreasciences.com/. _______________________________ Astime allows, students will ask these questions: 1.Comment gérez-vous le stress pendant une sortie dans l'espace? 2.Pourquoi as-tu voulu être astronaute? Qu'est-ce qui t’attirait le plus? 3.Qu'est-ce que vous aimez dans votre aventure dans l'espace en particulier? 4.Avez-vous déjà rencontré de graves disfonctionnements lors d'une de vosexpéditions? 5.La préparation des missions est-elle compliquée et éprouvante? 6.Quelle est la place de la femme dans l'aventure spatiale? 7.Est-ce gênant de dormir debout dans l'ISS? 8.Quelles sont les expériences que vous allez faire dans la Station SpatialeInternationale? 9.Comment faites-vous pour manger et boire? 10.Qu’est-ce que ça fait de partir dans l'espace pendant longtemps? 11.Quelles sensations ressens-tu au niveau du décollage et dans l'espace? 12.Est-ce facile de s'adapter à l'apesanteur? 13.Est-ce que la pratique du judo vous a aidé dans la préparation de la 1èremission? l4.Comment fait-on à manger dans l’espace? À quelles nourritures avez vous droit? 15.Sous quelle forme est conditionnée la nourriture? 16.Quand vous êtes allé pour la première fois dans l'espace, aviez-vous eu levertige, quels étaient vos sensations/vos sentiments? 17.J'imagine que cela n'a pas été facile de s’entraîner chaque jour sans relâche,est-ce que vous aviez déjà eu envie d'arrêter? 18.Est ce que ton goût est-il affecté par l'apesanteur? l9.Pouvez-vous respirer sans casque dans une fusée? 20.Est-ce que la terre ferme vous manque? 21.Comment fais-tu pour revenir sur terre? 22.Combien de temps allez-vous passer dans l'espace? 23.Comment faites vous pour manger et boire? Translation 1.How do you deal with stress during a spacewalk? 2.Why did you want to be an astronaut? What attracted you the most? 3.What do you like about your adventure in space in particular? 4.Have you ever encountered serious malfunctions during one of your expeditions? 5.Is the preparation of missions complicated and stressful? 6.What is the place of women in the space adventure? 7.Is it embarrassing to sleep standing up in the ISS? 8.What are the experiments you are going to do in the International SpaceStation? 9.How do you eat and drink? 10.How does it feel to be in space for a long time? 11.What sensations do you feel during take-off and in space? 12.Is it easy to adapt to weightlessness? 13.Did the practice of Judo help you in the preparation of the 1st mission? l4.How do you eat in space? What foods are you entitled to? 15.How is the food packaged? 16.When you first went to space, were you dizzy? What were your sensations /feelings? 17.I guess it wasn't easy to train tirelessly every day: have you ever wanted togive up? 18.Is your taste affected by weightlessness? l9.Can you breathe without a helmet in a rocket? 20.Do you miss dry land (the earth)? 21.How do you get back to earth? 22.How long will you spend in space? 23.How do you eat and drink? ARISS– Celebrating 20 Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS About ARISS: AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture ofinternational amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support theInternational Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the RadioAmateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL),the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space communicationsand Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration ofscience, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS doesthis by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew membersaboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students,educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activitiestied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, seewww.ariss.org MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-06-04 16:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-06-04 16:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: About Gagarin From Space. Conducting an amateur radio session with schoolchildren of Mordovia, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sun 2021-06-06 12:25 UTC College Maurice Genevoix, Couzeix, France, multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS 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 Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is go for: Mon 2021-06-07 13:07:41 UTC 70 deg Watch for livestream at https://live.recreasciences.com/ (***) MAI-75 SSTV Events: MAI-75 will be conducting their experiment of transmitting SSTV images over specific orbits that overfly Moscow on June 9 and 10. Amateurs along the ground track of these orbits should have the opportunity to receive these images as well. Modes and targeted transmission periods are listed below. SSTV images will be transmitted at 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format. Wed 2021-06-09: 09:35 to 13:50 UTC Thu 2021-06-10: 08:55 to 15:50 UTC St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bombala, NSW, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 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 Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is go for: Thu 2021-06-10 10:45:26 UTC 80 deg Watch for livestream at http://www.ariotti.com/ Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for: Fri 2021-06-11 11:40 UTC Velikiy Ustyug, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sat 2021-06-12 09:15 UTC Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for Sat 2021-06-12 10:55 UTC ************************************************************************************************************* The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2021-06-04 16:30 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 2021-06-02 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) 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 151 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 1450. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1383. 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. 64 on orbit Oleg Novitskiy Pyotr Dubrov Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP SpaceX-Crew 2 on orbit Meghan McArthur (Behnken) Akihiko Hoshide KE5DNI Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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W5ACM SK
by Ray Soifer 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

To say that I was shocked to learn of Andy's passing would be an understatement. He was a good friend of at least 40 years standing. He will be sorely missed by the entire amateur satellite community. Andy was an enthusiastic participant in AMSAT's CW Activity Day and its predecessor, Straight Key Night on OSCAR. The 2022 edition of this event will be held in his memory. 73 Ray W2RS

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Hawkeye 360 next three satellites this summer
by Robert McGwier 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

HawkEye 360’s Cluster 3: The Cluster 3 launch further expands HawkEye 360’s next-generation satellite constellation, which detects and geolocates radio frequency signals. The Cluster 3 satellites are able to collect a greater quantity of data across a wider portion of the RF spectrum, creating valuable, actionable insights for maritime domain awareness, national security, environmental protection and more. https://spaceflight.com/whos-onboard-sxrs-5-spacex-transporter-2/ 73s Bob N4HY Dr. Robert W McGwier, Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Tech ARDC Member of Board N4HY: ARRL, TAPR, AMSAT, EARC Sky: AAVSO, SkyHub, Auburn AS, Skyscrapers

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