May 2024 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Bruce Perens 12 May '24

12 May '24

There are a few things you should consider. The Galvanic Series <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_series> runs from the most "noble" metal to the best to use as a sacrificial anode in electrolytic corrosion. You will notice that copper is *above *aluminum and zinc is below aluminum. Thus, I am somewhat dubious about the use of copper-filled anti-seize in protecting aluminum elements in the outdoor environment subject to acid rain and bird guano (part of which becomes nitric and phosphoric acid under the effect of bacterial decomposition). It seems to me that zinc or magnesium would be better and that the copper anti-seize might be a good anti-seize but a bad sacrificial electrode. Zinc is readily available. Steels are above copper on that table, and thus copper anti-seize is appropriate for that. Stainless steel has a potential for galling, so you need anti-seize with it. But you should be using it on _all_ fasteners. I can't over-emphasize what a pleasure it has been disassembling an antenna that spent 10 years in the air when the assembler used anti-seize diligently during its installation. I came with a hacksaw and bolt cutter, and never had to use them. Stainless steel doesn't rust because it forms a protective layer of chromium oxide on its surface. It is this layer that can also form galling and seize the union of a nut and bolt. Aluminum also forms a layer of aluminum oxide very quickly when exposed to atmosphere, it is this that protects it from further corrosion. We use rosin to remove these surface oxide layers from various materials and make them solderable. Rosin is an acid, but is only chemically active when heated, so it does not continue to rot the metal as other fluxes would. Because of the great speed with which these oxides form, welding of stainless steel and aluminum generally requires use of a gas which protects the joint from oxygen during the welding process. On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM Jim S via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Sounds about right. However, I just tested some Permatex anti-seize and it > reads in the few dozen ohms range when meter probes are even only 1/16 inch > apart. So it is pretty conductive. > As you point out when compressed it is certainly "conductive". > > Jim > -----Original Message----- > From: Zach Metzinger <zmetzing(a)pobox.com> > Sent: May 12, 2024 10:00 AM > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Electrically conductive grease > > On 5/10/24 11:16, samuel galet via AMSAT-BB wrote: > > What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. > > The grease itself does not conduct (much). The joint pushes the grease out > of the way and forms gas-tight metal-to-metal contact. The grease fills in > the voids and prevents oxidation. I suspect there is a non-trivial amount > of capacitive coupling going on, as well. > > I use the cheap stuff, and it seems to work just fine. Find it at any big > box store. > > https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound > > 73, > > --- Zach > N0ZGO > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org > -- Bruce Perens K6BP

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Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Grant Hopper 12 May '24

12 May '24

I would assume that my practice of using stuff intended for aluminum wiring (Penetrox, Ox-guard, or Noalox), or Jet-lube copper anti-seize (I think this is the successor to Butternut's "butter-it's-not") would all be fine since I've never had any performance issues. 73, Grant KB7WSD On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 9:14 AM Jim S via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Sounds about right. However, I just tested some Permatex anti-seize and it > reads in the few dozen ohms range when meter probes are even only 1/16 inch > apart. So it is pretty conductive. > As you point out when compressed it is certainly "conductive". > > Jim > -----Original Message----- > From: Zach Metzinger <zmetzing(a)pobox.com> > Sent: May 12, 2024 10:00 AM > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Electrically conductive grease > > On 5/10/24 11:16, samuel galet via AMSAT-BB wrote: > > What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. > > The grease itself does not conduct (much). The joint pushes the grease out > of the way and forms gas-tight metal-to-metal contact. The grease fills in > the voids and prevents oxidation. I suspect there is a non-trivial amount > of capacitive coupling going on, as well. > > I use the cheap stuff, and it seems to work just fine. Find it at any big > box store. > > https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound > > 73, > > --- Zach > N0ZGO > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org >

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Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Jim S 12 May '24

12 May '24

Sounds about right. However, I just tested some Permatex anti-seize and it reads in the few dozen ohms range when meter probes are even only 1/16 inch apart. So it is pretty conductive. As you point out when compressed it is certainly "conductive". Jim -----Original Message----- From: Zach Metzinger <zmetzing(a)pobox.com> Sent: May 12, 2024 10:00 AM To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Electrically conductive grease On 5/10/24 11:16, samuel galet via AMSAT-BB wrote: > What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. The grease itself does not conduct (much). The joint pushes the grease out of the way and forms gas-tight metal-to-metal contact. The grease fills in the voids and prevents oxidation. I suspect there is a non-trivial amount of capacitive coupling going on, as well. I use the cheap stuff, and it seems to work just fine. Find it at any big box store. https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound 73, --- Zach N0ZGO ----------------------------------------------------------- Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org

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Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Zach Metzinger 12 May '24

12 May '24

On 5/10/24 11:16, samuel galet via AMSAT-BB wrote: > What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. The grease itself does not conduct (much). The joint pushes the grease out of the way and forms gas-tight metal-to-metal contact. The grease fills in the voids and prevents oxidation. I suspect there is a non-trivial amount of capacitive coupling going on, as well. I use the cheap stuff, and it seems to work just fine. Find it at any big box store. https://www.gardnerbender.com/en/p/OX-100B/Ox-Gard-Anti-Oxidant-Compound 73, --- Zach N0ZGO

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Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Joseph B. Fitzgerald 11 May '24

11 May '24

Jet Lube available from among other places DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/search/brand/jet-lube/part-type/anti-seize de KM1P Joe ________________________________________ From: samuel galet via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2024 12:17 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Electrically conductive grease What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. Sent from my Galaxy

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ANS-133 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Frank Karnauskas (N1UW) 11 May '24

11 May '24

In this edition: * 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election – Call for Nominations * Last Call for AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Tickets * Hamvention 2024 - Here We Come! * Wanted: Your AO-7 Experiences and Memories * AMSAT Ambassador Program Re-Introduced at Hamvention * AMSAT Francophone & Fédération des Clubs Radioamateurs du Québec (RAQI) Publish Preliminary Geostationary Payload Proposal * A Few Minutes with AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 10, 2024 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over 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 [at] amsat [dot] 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/ ANS-133 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2024 May 12 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors Election – Call for Nominations AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2024 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following three incumbent Directors expire in 2024 and will be filled by this year’s election: – Mark Hammond, N8MH – Bruce Paige, KK5DO – Paul Stoetzer, N8HM 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 PO Box 11 Yorktown, IN 47396 AMSAT bylaws require that the nomination be written and in the form specified by the Secretary who has elected to accept written nomination materials via postal mail or in electronic form, including email or electronic image of a paper document. Fax transmissions cannot be accepted. Email nominations may be sent to jdavis [at] amsat [dot] org. 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.] ________________________________ Last Call for AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Tickets The deadline for purchasing tickets for the 15th annual AMSAT/TAPR banquet is Monday, May 13th at 21:00 Z (5:00 PM EDT). Banquet tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Seating is limited to the number of meals sold by the deadline. Tickets purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in at the door at the banquet center. The banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center on Friday, May 17th at 18:30 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) and AMSAT activities during the Dayton Hamvention. This year’s banquet speaker will be Bill Reed, NX5R, AMSAT PACSAT Project Manager, who will highlight the forthcoming PACSAT digital communications payload. The Kohler Presidential Banquet Center is located at 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio – about 20 minutes away from the Greene County Fairgrounds. Purchase your tickets online at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/ [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP for the above information.] ________________________________ The 2024 AMSAT President’s Club coins are here now! Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus [cid:image001.jpg@01DAA3C4.AB0F8710] Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ ________________________________ Hamvention 2024 - Here We Come! It's that time of the year again with only five days to go before the festivities begin. Starting off is the annual AMSAT “Dinner at Tickets” party that will be held at Tickets Pub & Eatery on Thursday, May 16th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT. There is no program or speaker – just good conversation. Everyone is invited regardless of whether or not they helped with setup or plan to work in the booth. Tickets has a great selection of Greek and American food and great company! Food can be ordered from the menu; drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are available at the bar. Come as you are; no reservations required. Bring some friends and have a great time the night before Hamvention. Tickets Pub & Eatery is located at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH 45324. The 15th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center on Friday, May 17th at 18:30 EDT. This year’s banquet speaker will be Bill Reed, NX5R, AMSAT PACSAT Project Manager, who will highlight the forthcoming PACSAT digital communications payload. Tickets must be purchased no later than Monday, May 13th 5:00 PM EDT. The Kohler Presidential Banquet Center is located at 4548 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio – about 20 minutes away from the Greene County Fairgrounds. The AMSAT Forum will take place in Forum Room 2 on Saturday, May 18th at 1:20 PM – 2:50 PM. This will immediately follow the ARISS Forum in the same room at 12:10 PM, so get there early and see both presentations! It's not too late to volunteer for working the AMSAT booth. Whether you can lend a hand for a few hours or a full day, we can always use help. Contact Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Hamvention Team Leader via email at w1eme [at] amsat [dot] org. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.] ________________________________ Wanted: Your AO-7 Experiences and Memories As we prepare to celebrate AO-7's 50th anniversary since its launch on November 15, 1974, a small team of writers are collecting stories about the history of this record-breaking satellite, now the longest operating satellite of any type - government, military, commercial or private. Mr. Jan King, W3GEY/VK4GEY was a member of the original team of hams that were responsible for the design, build and launch of AO-7. Jan is interested in hearing how hams adapted to AO-7's operating characteristics over the years. He is also especially interested in accounts of how AO-7 was used for operational or scientific experiments. Jan continues to track and monitor the health of AO-7 after all these years. Jan predicts that within a few months AO-7 will enter a period of five years of continuous sunlit operation without eclipse interruptions. Already with 50 years behind it, AO-7 might continue to set new records and host more invaluable scientific studies and practical uses. Working with Jan is Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development. Amateurs with stories they wish to contribute to the project are encouraged to contact Frank via email f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org. [ANS thanks Jan King, W3GEY/VK4GEY and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development for the above information.] ________________________________ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. [cid:image002.png@01DAA3C4.AB0F8710] When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ ________________________________ AMSAT Ambassador Program Re-Introduced at Hamvention Sometimes in the past referred to as Field Operations, other times as Area Coordinators, maintaining a presence at local hamfests and at ARRL conventions has been a long standing AMSAT tradition. Now known as the AMSAT Ambassador Program, our volunteers continue this important activity, stimulating interest in amateur satellites, helping newcomers get on the air and building membership in AMSAT. At this year's Hamvention, AMSAT is pleased to introduce Mr. Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director - AMSAT Ambassador Program. Bo has a solid background in aerospace education and public relations including serving as Director – Space Science and IT for the National Air and Space Education Institute in Louisville, KY and as a NASA / JPL Solar System Ambassador Applicant Review, Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. Under Bo's leadership, the Ambassador Program is being revitalized with new levels of support for volunteers. This included new display banners and presentation folders for local hamfests as well as a special callsign badge and a selection of Ambassador branded apparel. A fresh set of updated PowerPoint scripted presentations are also being made available for in-person and online club presentations. Training will also be made available to help prepare volunteers for making the best possible presence to their audiences. Volunteers will also have access to online technology such as Microsoft Teams to collaborate with fellow Ambassador volunteers. While in past years, AMSAT's presence at local hamfests was largely up to volunteers in the area, Bo plans to be more pro-active in recruiting volunteers to be available for major events such as ARRL Section and Division conventions as well as at major events hosted by special interest groups such as VHF/UHF and microwave societies. AMSAT members who are interested in more information on becoming an AMSAT Ambassador are encouraged to visit the AMSAT booth at Hamvention and meet with Bo. If you are not attending Hamvention, please contact Bo via email blowrey [at] amsat [dot] org. [ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director - AMSAT Ambassador Program for the above information.] ________________________________ AMSAT Francophone & Fédération des Clubs Radioamateurs du Québec (RAQI) Publish Preliminary Geostationary Payload Proposal AMSAT Francophone (AMSAT-F) and Fédération des clubs radioamateurs du Québec (RAQI) are soliciting comments on their draft proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) for an amateur geostationary payload. AMSAT-UK, the British Amateur Television Club (BATC), and AMSAT-NA, with input from the UK Microwave Group, previously submitted a proposal (https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ESA-GEO-proposal…) as has AMSAT-DL (https://amsat-dl.org/en/the-next-generation-of-a-geo-meo-amateur-radio-payl…). These proposals have been submitted in response to an ESA call for proposals for a future amateur geostationary payload with the potential to cover Europe and at least a portion of North America. The English version of the proposal can be found at https://site.amsat-f.org/download/119824/?tmstv=1715353379 and the French version can be found at https://site.amsat-f.org/download/119821/?tmstv=1715353379<https://site.amsat-f.org/download/119824/?tmstv=1715353379%20and%20the%20Fr…>. Comments may be submitted to groupe.travail.geo.esa [at] amsat-f [dot] org by May 24, 2024. [ANS thanks AMSAT-F for the above information.] ________________________________ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? [cid:image003.png@01DAA3C4.AB0F8710] 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 ________________________________ A Few Minutes with AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS ANS writer Mark Blackwood, KI5AXK, was able to catch AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS in between one of his popular club presentations. As of this writing, Clint has presented his introduction to amateur satellites and the AMSAT story over 170 times. ANS: How did you get started in amateur satellites? CLINT: "Mark, it was about 18 years ago that I saw an AMSAT display table at a local ham convention. I initially just passed it by, mistakenly thinking a ham required 100 watts of transmit power, that expensive Yaesu rotator, and dual Yagi antennas on the roof. But, when I was told hams were “working some birds” with low power and handheld stations, well, that’s when I started to search the net for information. "But, there’s a problem. If one Google searches “work amateur satellites”, either today or 18 years ago, up pops old information on some satellites that were easy to access, but whose service ended years before. I had a Boy Scout Scoutmaster call me about five years ago. He was disappointed and irritated. He had an assemblage of 300 Scouts, parents, and community members in an auditorium and was all set up to demonstrate satellite comms via AO-51. He searched for “work amateur satellites” and found info for it, but AO-51’s lifespan was from 2004 to 2011. "So I preface my satellite presentations with a disclaimer: “Folks, what I am going to tell you today about, specific satellites, just might not be accurate next week. We may gain a bird, we may lose a bird. The ISS’ gear may be up and running tonight but it gets turned off when there is a spacewalk and/or when there is a mission heading towards or away from it. Stick with amsat.org, amsat-uk.org, ariss.org or work-sat.com for current information. And, get to know some of the satellites’ official social media accounts." ANS: Which do you enjoy more, introducing satellite ham radio to newcomers, or seasoned amateur radio folks? CLINT: "Just recently had this discussion with ARRL Orange Section Manager Bob Turner, W6RHK. Youth is our future. And it is always exciting to speak and demo at elementary, middle, and high school campuses. But, ham clubs have varied audiences, too. And by using Zoom, I have been able to speak to clubs not only in Southern CA, but also across the US, to Canada, and to Europe. Zoom sessions enable anyone with a smartphone or home computer to attend a session - folks without transportation, those who don't drive, those who may be ill at the time. At the end of each presentation, I ask for a show of hands, 'Now that you’ve seen how easy this can be, is anyone thinking of going outside and maybe just listening for the FM voice repeater on the ISS for their first time?' The satisfaction comes when a couple hands rise!" ANS: What is the most difficult thing for people getting started? CLINT: "Possibly the same problems I had, Mark, almost 20 years ago: mic fright and thinking I had insufficient equipment. As I walk my presentations’ attendees through the timer on the SO-50 satellite that might need to be activated, I see jaws drop. 'Yes, you become the control operator of an orbiting satellite!' I also tell them how tentative I was doing that my first time, “Gawd, if I mess up, SO-50’s going to crash into my Koi pond - the AMSAT handcuffs might be too tight! I also include audio of my 2 meter contact with ISS Commander, Reid Wiseman. There I am - using a non-full-duplex HT that is turned down to 2 watts transmit power, speaking to an ISS astronaut who was about 450 miles downrange when we began. That really shows my show attendees that elaborate, expensive station setups are not mandatory! And, it demonstrates “line-of-sight!” ANS: What do people enjoy the most about amateur satellite radio? CLINT: "I have given my presentation 174 times. Never the same exact show to anyone as each is customized to their club or event. Using a non-cookie-cutter slide show gets folks more interested in what’s coming up. I couple step-by-step instructions with a single, large image per slide. And my mantra, 'You do not need 100 watts - you do not need expensive equipment.' Clubs continue to request my 'Getting Started' presentation and tell me afterwards that they enjoyed themselves. "I'm still finding audiences, well, they find me, who haven’t been exposed to the easy-to-work FM voice satellites. So, getting them to know they don't need a lot of stuff to successfully make contacts seems to turn a lot on to this aspect of our hobby." ANS: What types of groups or people do you usually talk to? CLINT: "The vast majority have been individual amateur radio clubs. I spoke to an astronomy club last month - not a whole lot of hams, but we found plenty of cross interests to have a great time. I have also spoken at several ham conventions. And I was honored to orchestrate one of those contacts between a classroom of students and an astronaut aboard the ISS. These ARISS contacts are a year’s worth of preparation for a 15-minute conversation - but, oh, what a conversation!" [ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS, AMSAT Ambassador and Mark Blackwood, KI5AXK, ANS writer for the above information.] ________________________________ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 10, 2024 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/. The following satellite has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: Changshagaoxin NORAD Cat ID 43669 Decayed from orbit on or about 09 May 2024 [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, 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. * Completed Contacts Wireless Institute of Australia/Bundaberg High School Amateur Radio Club, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, telebridge via VK6MJ The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember is Mike Barratt, KD5MIJ. The ARISS mentor was Shane Lynd, VK4KHZ Contact was successful on Saturday May 5, 2024. The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. 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. 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.] ________________________________ Upcoming Satellite Operations No operations listed. A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT Rover Page Manager, and Alex Ners, K6VHF, for the above information.] ________________________________ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says, “Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!” AMSAT Dinner at Tickets Thursday, May 16, 2024 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH 45324 Dayton Hamvention 2024 Friday May 17 - Sunday May 19, 2024 Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center 120 Fairground Road Xenia, OH 45385 https://hamvention.org [ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page for the above information.] ________________________________ Satellite Shorts From All Over Since April 28, 2019, the Swiss satellite net on QO-100 has been a consistent weekly event, marking its fifth anniversary on the same date in 2024. Hosted by HB9RYZ initially and later by HB9TSI from Italy, the round convenes every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on 10489.740 MHz, typically with 5 to 10 participants, though 15 joined for the anniversary round. Led by Paul, HB9DFQ, the round maintains a familiar format: participants check in, share station updates and radio experiences, delve into topics, and bid farewell. Despite no specific celebration planned, the anniversary drew a hearty attendance. Notable moments include Roman, HB9HCF's reports from Antarctica during the pandemic, while regular attendees like IS0/HB9SJP and supportive listeners add to the camaraderie. The inaugural round was preserved on Soundcloud by HB9WDF, encapsulating the enduring spirit of this community gathering. More information at https://www.amsat-hb.org/willkommen?b=1000278&c=ND1000105&s=03. [ANS thanks AMSAT-BB for the above information for the above information.] In May, there are two planned attempts to establish contacts from Newfoundland using the QO-100 geostationary satellite amateur transponders, despite Newfoundland being just outside the satellite's coverage area. With the elevation at Signal Hill in St. Johns being -0.9°, there's optimism due to successful contacts made from Indonesia at an elevation as low as -1.3°. Gopan VO1/M0XUU (VU3HPF) will be in Newfoundland from May 8-15 for the initial attempt, while David VO1/G0MRF and Graham VO1/G3VZV will be there from May 15-19, planning to utilize various modes including SSB, CW, FT8, FT4, and DATV. Updates on their progress can be found on their respective online platforms, and additional information on making QO-100 contacts is available via a presentation by Graham G3VZV and on the AMSAT-DL forum. More information at https://amsat-uk.org/2024/05/05/newfoundland-on-qo-100/. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK, 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 [dot] 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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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2024-05-11 21:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 11 May '24

11 May '24

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2024-05-11 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Eric Knows CIC, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, telebridge via K6DUE 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 Matthew Dominick KCØTOR The ARISS mentor is MØXTD Contact was successful: Sat 2024-05-11 08:42:32 UTC 48 deg (***) Congratulations to the Eric Knows CIC students, Matthew, mentor MØXTD, and telebridge K6DUE! (***) Watch for Livestream at https://live.ariss.org/ The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. 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 2024-05-11 21:30 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 2024-05-11 21:30 UTC. (***) https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf ####################################################################################################################################### Comments on making general contacts I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities. Typical daily schedule Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours The crew's usual waking period is 07:30 – 19:30 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking up and about an hour before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements. And don’t forget that the packet system is sometimes active. Check the status at https://www.ariss.org/ or http://www.issfanclub.eu to see if the packet system is active or not. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. 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 **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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) Call for Proposals The next proposal window for US schools and educational organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS opens April 8, 2024 for contacts to be scheduled for January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. This proposal window is due to ARISS by May 19, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. Find more information and proposal instructions, visit the ARISS-USA website at: https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/ Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? Please note that the HamTV system is back on board but awaiting re-installation. 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 233 Francesco IKØWGF with 154 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 150 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 118 Steve VE3TBD with 106 **************************************************************************** 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 1722. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1627. (***) 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. 70 on orbit Oleg Kononenko Nikolay Chub Exp. 71 on orbit Tracy E. Caldwell Dyson SpaceX Crew-8 on orbit Matthew Dominick KCØTOR Mike Barratt KD5MIJ Jeanette Epps KF5QNU Aleksandr Grebyonkin RZ3DSE **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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TEVEL-5
by david.greenberg 10 May '24

10 May '24

Hello All, TEVEL-5 FM transponder has been activated, starting from today 10.05.24 20:28U for 72 hours.73,David 4X1DGנשלח מה-Galaxy שלי

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TEVEL-2
by david.greenberg 10 May '24

10 May '24

Hello All, TEVEL-2 FM transponder has been activated, starting from today 10.05.24 20:28U for 72 hours.73,David 4X1DGנשלח מה-Galaxy שלי

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Re: Electrically conductive grease
by Russ Ramirez 10 May '24

10 May '24

Permatex Copper Electrical grease and vaseline on screws Russ On Fri, May 10, 2024 at 11:16 AM samuel galet via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > What is the best grease to use to lubricate aluminum antenna tubes to > prevent corrosion and improve conductance. It also needs to conduct > electricity and protect metal screws from rusting. > > > > Sent from my Galaxy > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org -- Russ Ramirez Cell: 952-905-8100 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-ramirez-4917201/

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