February 2022 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

ARISS News Release No. 22-07
by David Jordan 12 Feb '22

12 Feb '22

ARISS News Release No. 22-07 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE ARISSContact is Scheduled for Students at FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany February12, 2022—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 direct contact via amateur radio between students at the FH AachenUniversity, Aachen, Germany, and Astronaut Matthias Maurer, amateur radio callsign KI5KFH. Students will take turns asking theirquestions. LocalCovid-19 protocols are adhered to as applicable for each ARISS contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heardby listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the radio relayground station. Amateur radio operators, using the call sign DLØFHA,will operate the ham radio ground station for this contact. The ARISS radio contact isscheduled for February 14, 2022 at 12:40 pm CET (Aachen, DE), (11:40 UTC, 6:40am EST, 5:40 am CST, 4:40 am MST and 3:40 am PST). FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences (FHAUAS), offer a bachelor’s and master’s education inSTEM subjects that include: aerospace engineering, civil engineering,electrical engineering, power engineering, bioengineering, and computerengineering. Their aerospace engineering program focus on areas of studythat include: aircraft engineering, aircraft operations engineering, propulsionengineering, and astronautical engineering. FHAUAS’s Space Operations Facility is a permanent institutionthat teaches students the fundamentals of satellite operations by operating anamateur-radio-based spaceflight operations facility. This facility offersstudents the opportunity to gain insight into various aspects of a groundstation and mission control center with most of the equipment built andprogrammed by students. Students at the Space Operations Facility also performmission operations for other radio satellite missions such as capturing/decodingsatellite data of weather satellites, CubeSats and amateur radio satellites. ThisARISS contact is a project that has been organized by students in the SpaceOperations Facility. For this ARISS event, FHAUAS has partnered with the Yuri´sNight Deutschland e.V., Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. (DARC), and DeutschesZentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR). The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngrV2DzZAQ _____________________________ Astime allows, students will ask these questions: Fortranslations of these questions in German, please contact Rita DeHart, Directorof Public Engagement at rmdehart(a)ariss-usa.org. Translation 1. Do you have to prick yourself duringthe physical experiments or do your colleagues do it? 2. How did it feel when the rocket waslaunched? 3. How did you feel the first time onthe ISS in microgravity? 4. How did you feel the first time whenyou slept on the ISS? 5. On which former space mission wouldyou have liked to work? 6. What three things do you miss mostaboard the ISS? 7. Is there something special forChristmas or some kind of flat share evening with the crew? 8. What is the most difficult activityyou have performed in microgravity? 9. How do you keep track of time on theISS when you see a sunrise 16 times a day? 10. In what way does CIMON ease yourwork on the ISS? 11. What is the background noise on theISS, in the space capsule and during a spacewalk? 12. What tips can you give to a personwho wants to become an astronaut? 13. How did the post-nomination come upin 2015 and how did you feel about it? 14. Are Thomas Pesquet's slime moldblobs still on the ISS and if so, who is taking care of them? 15. What has been the biggest challengein space so far? 16. If you had a choice, which planetwould you most like to fly to? 17. Is the food on the ISS as deliciousas on Earth? 18. Is there a special moment thathappened to you in space? 19. What training session helped youthe most regarding life on the ISS? 20. What are you most looking forwardto on the ISS? _____________________________ About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the InternationalSpace Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radiosocieties and the space agencies that support the International Space Station(ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur SatelliteCorporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS NationalLab-Space Station Explorers, Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) andNASA’s Space communications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISSis to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, andmathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts viaamateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before andduring these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities takepart in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, andamateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org . MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status. Checkout ARISS on Youtube.com.

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EM05/EM06/EM16 log
by John Geiger 12 Feb '22

12 Feb '22

Here is my log from today's rove, let me know if there are any problems with your call or what is logged: EM05 K0JM KJ7DZ AA2IL N0GVK XE2AHN K8YSE/7 XE2RV EM05/EM06 LINE N0GVK KJ5Z N5EKO W8MTB KE8RJU W8LR K4NHW KQ4DO KN2K N8RO VE6WQ KC1MEB KC1MMC KK4CF WA2NDV AA0MZ VE4MM K4RGK KF2T WB7QXU AC9DX KJ7DZ N3GS N6NUG AA2IL EM06 XE1MYO M0GVK W5HRH K4NHW KF2T EM16 K0JM KJ7DZ VE4MM N6UTC XE1MYO K4NHW AA2IL N6CKC VE6WQ N0GVK KF0QS K4RGK WA2NDV KC3KOP N8HI AA5VZ W8MTB WA4VOC N8AJM XE1GK XE1MYO XE2AHN XE1YDK WB9YIG AC9DX WX4TVS K8YSE/7 WA2ZQX AA2IL AA5KD EM15 KJ7DZ Thanks for all of the QSOs today. They have all been uploaded to LOTW. This was the first time I have used the ISS and AO73 while roving, both did very well! 73 John AF5CC

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ANS-044 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin for February 13, 2022
by f.karnauskas＠amsat.org 12 Feb '22

12 Feb '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-044 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: * AMSAT Volunteer RF and Mechanical Engineers Needed * APRS Developer Bob Bruninga, WB4APR (SK) * IARU Region 1 Working to Resolve Potential Amateur Interference to Satellite Navigation System * Geomagnetic Storm Dooms 40 Starlink Satellites * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-044 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2022 Feb 13 AMSAT Volunteer RF and Mechanical Engineers Needed AMSAT Engineering is currently recruiting RF and mechanical engineers for its FOX-Plus and GOLF satellite programs. AMSAT is looking for an EE with RF experience for its FOX-Plus program. You will have the opportunity to design and build the RF communications subsystems for a series of low earth orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT's educational and engineering objectives. You should have a working knowledge of analog and digital communications protocols (e.g., FM, PSK, FSK) to provide digitally synthesized audio for FM modulated VHF/UHF/SHF voice and telemetry channels. Development opportunities can begin with modification of previous FOX designs and/or by starting with a blank sheet for an original design. AMSAT is looking for Mechanical Engineers to join its FOX-Plus and GOLF CubeSat teams. You will have the opportunity to use your structural design and analysis skills in the development of a series of low earth orbit and highly elliptical orbit, 1U-3U CubeSats to support AMSAT's educational and engineering objectives. Your contribution may include a) the development of the spaceframe and deployable solar panel subsystem, b) the analysis of the thermal characteristics of the CubeSat and the design of the thermal management system, c) preparation and oversight of the environmental testing procedure, and/or d) management of documentation of the CubeSats adherence to the launch provider's and space vehicle owner's specifications. You will collaborate with AMSAT's all-volunteer teams of up to 12 electrical, mechanical, software and systems engineers. Our volunteers typically spend five hours per week on their project and attend a weekly online update meeting. An Amateur Radio license and CubeSat experience is helpful but not necessary. U.S. citizenship or proof of permanent residency is required. Interested persons should send an email with their resume/curriculum vitae to: volunteer (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, N0JY, VP Engineering and Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, Assistant VP Engineering for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Join the 2022 President's Club! Score your 2" 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin. This gold finished coin comes with Full Color Certificate and Embroidered Iron-on AMSAT Logo Patch Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ You won't want to miss it! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ APRS Developer Bob Bruninga, WB4APR (SK) The creator of the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, died on February 7. An ARRL Life Member, Bruninga was 73. According to his daughter, Bruninga succumbed to cancer and the effects of COVID-19. Bruninga had announced his cancer diagnosis in 2020. Over the years, he readily shared his broad knowledge of and experience with APRS, among other topics in the amateur radio and electronics fields. While best known for APRS, Bruninga was also a retired US Naval Academy (USNA) senior research engineer who had an abiding interest in alternative power sources, such as solar power. In 2018, he authored Energy Choices for the Radio Amateur, published by ARRL, which explores developing changes in the area of power and energy, and examines the choices radio amateurs and others can make regarding home solar power, heat pumps, and hybrid and electric vehicles. Bruninga drove an all-electric car and had experimented with a variety of electric-powered vehicles over the years. APRS originated in 1982, when Bruninga wrote his first data map program that plotted the positions of US Navy ships for the Apple II platform. A couple of years later, he developed what he called the Connectionless Emergency Traffic System (CETS) on the VIC-20 and C64 platforms for digital packet communications to support an endurance race. The program was ported to the IBM PC platform in 1988, and was renamed APRS in 1992. The recognized North American APRS frequency is 144.39 MHz, and APRS is globally linked via the internet. Bruninga founded the Appalachian Trail Golden Packet (ATPG) event, which fields APRS nodes from Stone Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine each July. ARRL Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, remembered Bruninga this way: "Bob kept pushing APRS beyond its origins as a position reporting system. He developed and helped implement numerous other uses of APRS in support of what has become the 'Ham Radio of Things,' with great potential for future amateur radio applications. Bob's far-reaching vision and imagination were as good as it gets." Bruninga mentored USNA midshipmen in building and launching amateur radio satellites and CubeSats, beginning with PCsat in 2001. PCsat was the first satellite to directly report its precise position to users via its onboard GPS module. Subsequent USNA spacecraft included PSK31 capability (HF to UHF) and other innovations. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) ARRL liaison Rosalie White, K1STO, recalled that Bruninga attended many ARISS-International meetings and contributed “enormously” to ARISS APRS activities, leading a team in developing protocols and software for rapid message exchange via a packet “robot.” White said APRS remains a key staple in the new ARISS InterOperable Radio System (IORS) that’s now on board the ISS. She added that Bruninga offered input for future NASA Lunar and Gateway opportunities in which ARISS hopes to take part. Last year, ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, on behalf of ARRL, honored Bruninga with a brick in the ARRL Diamond Club Terrace at ARRL Headquarters. ARRL sent him a letter of appreciation along with a replica of the brick. Bruninga held a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Bruninga was a 20-year US Navy veteran. Dayton Hamvention® honored him in 1998 with its Technical Excellence Award. Bruninga authored and co-authored numerous academic papers over the years, and was frequently in demand as a speaker and presenter at amateur radio gatherings. Survivors include his wife, Elise Albert; daughter, Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar, WE4APR, and son A.J. Bruninga, WA4APR. Arrangements are pending, although his daughter said that a celebratory memorial service will be held this summer in Annapolis, Maryland. [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- IARU Region 1 Working to Resolve Potential Amateur Interference to Satellite Navigation System IARU Region 1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia) continues wrangling with the issue of interference potential to GALILEO global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sites in Europe from amateur radio operation in the 1240 - 1300 MHz (23-centimeter) band. Considerable work has gone into documenting an interference case on a single GALILEO channel between a "very local" Italian 23-centimeter repeater and receivers at the nearby European Commission Joint Research Centre in Ispra, where GALILEO applications are developed and tested. "This one case is often cited as the 'proof' that interference can occur," said Barry Lewis, G4SJH, the chair of IARU Region 1 Spectrum Affairs. As a consequence of this single instance of interference, the IARU has been engaged for several years in defending amateur interests on 23 centimeters. Considerable computer modeling has gone into the effort, in advance of World Radiocommunication Conference 23 (WRC-23). In 2018, the FCC granted, in part, the European Commission's request for a rules waiver so that non-federal devices in the US may access specific GALILEO signals to augment the US Global Positioning System. The two systems are interoperable and RF compatible. That Order permits access to two GALILEO satellite signals -- the E1 signal in the 1559 - 1591 MHz portion of the 1559 - 1610 MHz Radionavigation-Satellite Service (RNSS) band, and the E5 signal in the 1164 - 1219 MHz portion of the 1164 - 1215 MHz and 1215 - 1240 MHz RNSS bands. The Order does not grant access to the Galileo E6 signal on 1278.750 MHz in the 1260 - 1300 MHz band, which is not allocated for such services in the US. Omitting that channel eliminates any need for US radio amateurs to protect GALILEO receivers from interference. "The impact of traffic through this very local repeater (12.5 kilometers distant) on three different GALILEO receivers has been documented," Lewis said. "This work suggests that while RNSS receiver bandwidth can have a part to play in enabling coexistence, beyond that nothing has been reported that could help develop any coexistence criteria." IARU Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ, stated last year that IARU does not want the Amateur Service to affect GALILEO system operation in any way. Lewis said the IARU has provided extensive information regarding amateur applications in the 1240 - 1300 MHz band as well as operational characteristics and data indicating the density of active transmitting stations and the busiest periods when these are most likely to be operational. "Amateur transmissions virtually anywhere in the band will be co-frequency with the RNSS receivers from one system or another," Lewis said. "It is therefore obvious that any RNSS receiver will be open to any co-frequency amateur transmission, and amateur operators have no way of knowing where or when a RNSS service user is active." Lewis suggests that "some compromises will need be necessary" to develop a co-existence model. [ANS thanks The ARRL Letter 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Geomagnetic Storm Dooms 40 Starlink Satellites SpaceX is in the process of losing up to 40 brand-new Starlink internet satellites due to a geomagnetic storm that struck just a day after the fleet's launch last week. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 49 Starlink satellites on Thursday (Feb. 3) from NASA's historic Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A day later, a geomagnetic storm above Earth increased the density of the atmosphere slightly, increasing drag on the satellites and dooming most of them. "Preliminary analysis show the increased drag at the low altitudes prevented the satellites from leaving safe mode to begin orbit-raising maneuvers, and up to 40 of the satellites will reenter or already have reentered the Earth’s atmosphere," SpaceX wrote in an update Tuesday (Feb. 8). The 49 satellites SpaceX launched last week were deployed in an initial orbit that skimmed as low as 130 miles (210 kilometers) above Earth at its lowest point. SpaceX has said it intentionally releases Starlink batches in a low orbit so that they can be disposed of swiftly in case of a failure just after launch. That orbit design, it turned out, left the fleet vulnerable to Friday's geomagnetic storm. "In fact, onboard GPS suggests the escalation speed and severity of the storm caused atmospheric drag to increase up to 50 percent higher than during previous launches," SpaceX wrote in its update. The satellites were then placed in a protective "safe mode" and commanded to fly edge-on "like a sheet of paper" to minimize drag effects as the company worked with the U.S. Space Force and the company LeoLabs to track them with ground-based radar, it added. But for most of the new Starlink satellites, the drag was too much. Locked in their safe mode, up to 40 of them were expected to fall out of orbit like space debris just days after their launch. "The deorbiting satellites pose zero collision risk with other satellites and by design demise upon atmospheric reentry — meaning no orbital debris is created and no satellite parts hit the ground," SpaceX wrote of the satellites' reentry. "This unique situation demonstrates the great lengths the Starlink team has gone to ensure the system is on the leading edge of on-orbit debris mitigation." [ANS thanks Space.com 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. + Upcoming Contacts FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany, direct via DLÃ˜FHA. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer, KI5KFH. Contact is go for Monday, February 14, 2022 at 11:40:36 UTC. + Completed Contacts Gewerbliche Schulen Donaueschingen, Donaueschingen, Germany, direct via DN2FIS. The ISS callsign was DPØISS. The downlink frequency was 145.800 MHz. The crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH. Contact was successful on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:00 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 4A90, MEXICO (Special Event). Members of the Federacion Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE)[Mexican Society]are celebrating their 90th anniversary during January, February and March 2022 promoting each of the 31 States and Mexico City with the following 32 different special event callsigns and 4A90FMRE: February 15-March 1: 4A90NLE, 4A90SLP, 4A90SIN, 4A90SON, 4A90TAM March 2-16: 4A90CAM, 4A90CHI, 4A90GRO, 4A90OAX, 4A90QUI, 4A90TAB and 4A90YUC Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8/FT4 and the satellites. Awards are available (see QRZ.com for details). For more details on the event, see: http://fmre90.puebladx.org [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events + CubeSat Developers Workshop April 26-28, 2022 San Luis Obispo, CA + Hamvention 2022 May 20, 2022 to May 22, 2022 Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center 210 Fairground Road Xenia, Ohio 45385 https://www.hamvention.org + 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention October 7, 2022 - October 9, 2022 Event Center at Archer 3921 Archer Pkwy Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007 https://wyhamcon.org/site [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Astra failed to deliver four satellites to orbit as planned today (Feb. 10) in the company's first-ever orbital launch from the contiguous United States. The California startup's 43-foot-tall (13 meters) Launch Vehicle 0008 (LV0008) launched the ELaNa 41 mission from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today, rising off the pad at 2000 GMT. The two-stage LV0008 performed well initially, soaring high into the Florida skies. But something appeared to go wrong about 3 minutes into flight, just after the rocket's first and second stages separated. Footage from a camera onboard the second stage showed the rocket body spinning rather than cruising smoothly toward its intended destination, an orbit with an altitude of 310 miles. Read the full story at https://www.space.com/astra-first-florida-launch-failure-february-2022. [ANS thanks Space.com for the above information. + The International Astronomical Union is establishing a new centre to focus the astronomy's response to huge networks of spacecraft being launched into LEO to deliver broadband internet connections from space. Its work will be led by the U.S. National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) in Tucson, Arizona; and by the Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) in Manchester, UK. It will engage with, and encourage, satellite companies to make every effort to minimise the light pollution they are creating. But it will also pursue policy makers around the world to tighten the regulations on what is acceptable behavior in orbit. [ANS thanks BBC.com for the above information.] + A video of the Voyager 1 presentation given by radio amateur Daniel Estevez M0HXM/EA4GPZ at the Fosdem 2022 event is now available. Voyager 1 is the furthest spacecraft and the first ever to exit the solar system. Fueled by its radioisotope generators, after more than 40 years of flight it is still sending data about the interstellar medium using its 3.7 metre dish antenna and 8.4 GHz transmitter. In this talk, Daniel reports two adventures regarding the reception of the Voyager 1 signal. Watch the video at https://fosdem.org/2022/schedule/event/radio_voyager1/. [ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information.] + NASA raised concerns about SpaceX's new Starlink satellites, including an increase of the risk of collision in orbit, in a letter to the FCC. The five-page letter was submitted to the FCC Tuesday, February 8, 2022. SpaceX submitted a proposal to the FCC to put 30,000 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit as part of a "Gen 2" Starlink system. There are currently about 1,800 operational Starlink satellites in orbit and there have already been several near-misses in orbit; one study has suggested Starlinks are responsible for half of all close encounters in low-Earth orbit. NASA has "concerns with the potential for a significant increase in the frequency of conjunction events and possible impacts to NASA's science and human spaceflight missions, Read the full story at https://www.space.com/nasa-collision-risk-starlink. {ANS thanks Space.com for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org

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Operating Practices
by Wes Baden 12 Feb '22

12 Feb '22

I second the recent posting regarding CW activity in satellite bandpasses. Absent compelling reasons otherwise (for example, that rare DX entity operating CW high up), band management works much better when CW stations operate in the lower half of bandpasses. Along the same lines, I'll say that, when operating CW, especially working weak stations, it can be very frustrating to be QRM'd by one or more S9 SSB stations in the bottom half of bandpasses. This is particularly true when they're calling CQ after CQ, either not hearing or ignoring CW signals nearby. At the risk of appearing grumpy (my apologies), there lately seems to be a number of CW stations looking for their downlink signal by keeping RX on one frequency, then tuning TX and simultaneously sending dits at high speed. When they are S9 they create quite a bit of QRM as well, to both SSB and CW ops. I understand, of course, the need to match RX and TX freqs--I tune manually myself, without software that helps automatically. But isn't the better procedure to briefly key down on one freq, away from the center of the bandpass, and then tune your RX and find your downlink as quickly as possible? This minimizes QRMing others. I've also found that doing this regularly makes it possible to guess pretty accurately where TX and RX freqs need to be. For instance, on RS-44, when it comes over the north to my QTH, I'm within 1-2 KHz of matching up TX and RX by setting tuning at 145.960 MHz and 435.648 MHz respectively. All this said, I confess that I was a Mad Ditter myself when I first got on satellites two years ago. I received a couple of emails--always friendly, always helpful--from old timers about the above. This general email is sent out in the same spirit. Satellite operation is different from HF, and there definitely is a learning curve involved. 73 from FN54, Wes NA1ME

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French Lessons
by Clint Bradford 11 Feb '22

11 Feb '22

Does AMSAT have any kind of tuition reimbursement policy for their Ambassadors? I have three satellite presentations to Canadian clubs ... and need to brush up on my French. (All in jest ... just interesting having three Canadian clubs in a row ... ) Clint K6LCS Sent from my iPhone

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WB4APR
by Gary HENDRICKSON 11 Feb '22

11 Feb '22

Bob was very active in the local area, and as many of you know, a long-time professor at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. His health had been deteriorating for a couple of years, and during that time he donated much of his ham gear to MMARSI (Maryland MARS, Inc.), a 501(c)3 non-profit, which was sold on the MMARSI Internet auction site - MMARSI.org. I don't know if there is still some equipment/parts at his house, but keep any eye out on the auction site - there might be more coming. 73 and RIP, Bob. Gary W3DTN

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-02-11 17:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 11 Feb '22

11 Feb '22

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-02-11 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Gewerbliche Schulen Donaueschingen, Donaueschingen, Germany, direct via DN2FIS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be DPØISS 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 crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Contact was successful: Thu 2022-02-10 10:00:59 UTC 71 deg (***) Congratulations to the Gewerbliche Schulen Donaueschingen students and Matthias! (***) Watch for Livestream at: Livestream – Kreismedienzentrum Schwarzwald-Baar (kmz-sbk.de) FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany, direct via DLØFHA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS 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 crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Contact is go for: Mon 2022-02-14 11:40:36 UTC 85 deg Watch for Livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngrV2DzZAQ The next mode change to voice cross band repeater is expected to occur in late January/early February 2022. 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 2022-02-11 17:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2022-02-11 17:00 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) 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 congratulates the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 161 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 144 Francesco IKØWGF with 141 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 109 (***) **************************************************************************** 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 1497. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1423. (***) 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, FXØISS, GB1SS, 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 Pyotr Dubrov Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Exp. 65 on orbit Anton Shkaplerov SpaceX Crew-3 on orbit Raja Chari KI5LIU Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Kayla Barron KI5LAL **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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EM05-EM06-EM16 TOMORROW 2/12
by John Geiger 11 Feb '22

11 Feb '22

Planning a rove to grids north of me tomorrow. Here is the planned pass schedule: EM05 1522Z FO29 1605Z JO97 1614Z XW2A EM06 1644Z AO92 1658Z AO91 1708Z FO29 1723Z RS44 1740Z JO97 1817Z AO92 1823Z CAS4A EM16 1857Z CAS4B 1908Z SO50 1917Z RS44 2002Z CAS4A 2011Z AO7 2036Z CAS4B 2049Z PO-101 2104Z ISS Might catch another EM05 pass or 2 on the way home if I know a few need that. Hope to see some of you tomorrow on the sats! 73 John AF5CC

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-02-11 04:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 10 Feb '22

10 Feb '22

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-02-11 04:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Gewerbliche Schulen Donaueschingen, Donaueschingen, Germany, direct via DN2FIS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be DPØISS 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 crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Contact is go for: Thu 2022-02-10 10:00:59 UTC 71 deg Watch for Livestream at: Livestream – Kreismedienzentrum Schwarzwald-Baar (kmz-sbk.de) FH Aachen, University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany, direct via DLØFHA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS 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 crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Contact is go for: Mon 2022-02-14 11:40:36 UTC 85 deg Watch for Livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngrV2DzZAQ (***) The next mode change to voice cross band repeater is expected to occur in late January/early February 2022. 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 2022-02-11 04:30 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 2022-02-04 17:00 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) 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 congratulates the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 161 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 144 Francesco IKØWGF with 141 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 108 **************************************************************************** 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 1496. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1422. 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, FXØISS, GB1SS, 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 Pyotr Dubrov Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Exp. 65 on orbit Anton Shkaplerov SpaceX Crew-3 on orbit Raja Chari KI5LIU Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC Matthias Maurer KI5KFH Kayla Barron KI5LAL **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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FT4 woes
by Richard Lawn 10 Feb '22

10 Feb '22

I’ve been breaking in a new S.A.T controller, gradually learning my way around it. I couldn’t help but notice that especially on the CAS twins there are FT4 signals all over the pass band throwing QRM in the middle of the passband and even above it. I thought we had a gentleman’s agreement to keep FT4 and cw below the middle of the passband and toward the bottom end? I guess not everyone got the memo 🤫 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

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