- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

V2, Antigua and Barbuda on Satellite
by JoAnne Maenpaa 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

Spotted this in the DXNL 2083 (Mar 7, 2018) bulletin from DARC. Sending it via the -bb since waiting for the weekend ANS news cycle would be too late: NA-100; V2, Antigua and Barbuda: Patrick/N2IEN, Lee/WW2DX, Raymond/W2RE, and Lori/KB2HZI will be active as V26PD from the 8th to 11th on CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. They are also planning 2m via EME and satellite. QSL via NR6M. DXNL - DX Newsletter, a free and weekly service of DARC Committee "DX" (http://www.darcdxhf.de) -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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AO-92 L/v Activation Schedule ( 23cm up)
by Mr B r a d 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

I think I heard the Ao-92 YL voice beacon very well and one guy working AO-92L/v with the 23cm/1.2g uplink over the weekend , ( no one else to talk to ) .... what ERP is needed for this mode? Could my ts2000x with 10 watts into a helix work for this ? please delete original messages in your reply...Brad / ko6kL

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Demo for students AO-91 pass 8 march 13.05 UTC
by Felix Paez EA4GQS 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

Dear friends, tomorrow march 8, we are going to make a demo QSO from Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (where I will be with the teachers and the students) to Vigo in north-west of Spain, where Jose EB1AO will try to contact us using AO-91 at 13:05 UTC. I will please ask you to give us priority in the pass, since we only have this one to try the contact. I also apologize in advance if we monopolize a bit the satellite. Thanks for the understanding. This is a good opportunity to get future satellite operators. Felix EA4GQS

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Southern Hemisphere Command Station?
by Robert Bruninga 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

We need to establish contact with a good reliable AMSAT command station in the Southern Hemisphere. Back when we had PCSAT, PCSAT2, ANDE and RAFT satellites in orbit we did have a relationship with some southern hemisphere command stations but that was a decade ago... We would like to re-establish some contact. Thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

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Re: [amsat-bb] Fw: FT-847, uni-directional or be-directional version?
by Erich Eichmann 07 Mar '18

07 Mar '18

Many thanks to all who replied, very helpful answers. 73s, Erich, DK1tB Am 06.03.2018 um 18:42 schrieb Kevin M: > <link fix> > > > > Hello,Does somebody know whether one can recognize by the serial number of the FT-847 whether it is an old, uni-directional or a newer, bi-directional vrsion? A user here in Germany has two FT-847 with serial > numbers 3M840064 and OE320084. > > 73s, Erich, DK1TB > > serial number info link:http://www.supercontrol.de/cat/ft847faq/page1.htm#serialnum > > > The FT-847 was first made in 1998 and the bi-directional problem was fixed that first year... only serial numbers starting with 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F would be uni-directional. > > 73, Kevin N4UFO > > > > >

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N8FQ Sat sked page
by Joe N3XLS 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

http://n8fq.org/sked/mobile.php?board=sat Anyone use this page? Or is there another one?

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FT-847, uni-directional or be-directional version?
by christy hunter 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

this link may be helpful also. http://www.supercontrol.de/cat/ft847faq/page1.htm#serialnum 73 christy KB6LTY --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

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Roving Time
by R.T.Liddy 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Gridders.... I'll be staying in EM32 for the next couple weeks and operating "holiday style" while visiting Family. I can probably work out going to adjacent Grids upon request. Besides LA, TX and AR and OK are possibilities. QSOs will be in LoTW when I return home the end of March. 73, Bob K8BL P.S. I've been operating HF QRP FT8 for the past 2 weeks and it has all the excitement of watching a turtle race. Just sayin'.

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Re: [amsat-bb] Dedication to the hobby
by alex weimer 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Ok now we need him to work the sats aeronautical mobile !! NO Auto pilot !! > On March 6, 2018 at 1:18 PM Joe N3XLS <n3xls(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Thank you to Doug as well he called me yesterday on CAS-4B. > > -------- Original message -------- > From: alex weimer <ingejack(a)cox.net> > Date: 3/6/18 11:27 AM (GMT-05:00) > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Cc: n6ua(a)arrl.net > Subject: [amsat-bb] Dedication to the hobby > > I just wanted to thank Doug N6UA for his dedication to the hobby of Ham radio... Doug made an out of the way trip to nebraska to confirm the state for several of us who needed it for WAS LOTW. Doug fought 65 mph winds on the way and during the qso on Cas-4B . At times the howling was so bad that the audio was distorted , however Doug endured the elements and continued confirming the Grid/state for many of us. On the return home Doug encountered several semi accidents on I-25 . Thanks Doug for being so dedicated as to go out of your in bad weather to give a new grid or state to your fellow hams JACK KC7MG > _______________________________________________ > 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

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Dedication to the hobby
by alex weimer 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

I just wanted to thank Doug N6UA for his dedication to the hobby of Ham radio... Doug made an out of the way trip to nebraska to confirm the state for several of us who needed it for WAS LOTW. Doug fought 65 mph winds on the way and during the qso on Cas-4B . At times the howling was so bad that the audio was distorted , however Doug endured the elements and continued confirming the Grid/state for many of us. On the return home Doug encountered several semi accidents on I-25 . Thanks Doug for being so dedicated as to go out of your in bad weather to give a new grid or state to your fellow hams JACK KC7MG

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Reception of RS15 beacon 29.351 MHz
by f6htj＠aol.com 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Hello all; for information still reception of RS15 beacon when satellite is in sunlight. Signal peaking 529 on 28 MHz dipole antenna and GP vertical at low angle. 73 de Michel F6HTJ (JN12kq)

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AO-92 L/v Activation Schedule?
by CEE 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

does anyone know the schedule for next AO-92 L/v activation? Chuck N7BFO - DM04

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 L/v Activation Schedule?
by John KI4RO 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Have a look here: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ 73 John KI4RO

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FT-847, uni-directional or be-directional version?
by Kevin M 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Hello, Does somebody know whether one can recognize by the serial number of the FT-847 whether it is an old, uni-directional or a newer, bi-directional vrsion? A user here in Germany has two FT-847 with serial numbers 3M840064 and OE320084. 73s, Erich, DK1TB serial number info link: http://www.supercontrol.de/cat/ft847faq/page1.htm#serialnumThe FT-847 was first made in 1998 and the bi-directional problem was fixed that first year... only serial numbers starting with 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F would be uni-directional. 73, Kevin N4UFO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-06 06:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-06 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA, direct via K6PVJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-03-07 18:05:06 UTC 36 deg Gymnasium Räddningsgymnasiet Sando, Sandöverken, Sweden, telebridge via K6DUE (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-03-15 11:12:55 UTC 86 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 http://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? 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 **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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. 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 2018-03-06 06:00 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. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1213. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1162. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-02-27 06:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 53 on orbit Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Alexander Misurkin Joe Acaba KE5DAR Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Vhf Mast head Preamp
by VU2POP 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDkRRtWTk8

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SatPC32 and AlfaSpid RAS-1 rotor
by kb2mjeff＠att.net 05 Mar '18

05 Mar '18

I received my RAS-1 from the UK this afternoon. Cables are build, powering up the rotor on the bench tomorrow morning. I’m a little confused about SatPC32 control. I found this in the SatPC32 DOC’s... The latest release of SatPC32 V. 12.8c (April 24th 2014) comes with driver files for the Spid Mod2 and the Spid MD mode (ServerSpid.exe and ServerSpidMD.exe). If you use such controllers choose the item Spid or Spid MD from the list of supported controllers in menu "Rotor Setup". For detailed instructions click the "Help" button of ServerSpid or ServerSpidMD. The following hints are important if you run the Yaesu mode of the controller.. To steer AlfaSpid rotors with SatPC32 choose the option „Yaesu_GS-232“ (menu “Rotor-Setup”). LX1BB sent me the following description of his rotor setup. He is using a combi control box for azimut and elevation. SatPC32 setup: Max. Elevation: 90 (menu Rotor Setup) Park Position: Az=0, El=0 (Menu Rotor) ServerSDX-Setup: Com = x? Baudrate: 600 AlfaSpid Setup: P = 1.00 1.00 PH = 359 90 PL = 340 -1 PS = 4A PP = 0.00 0.00 Press the F key until „A“ appears. The PL setting is very important. I set the “Overtravel” 19 degs. With this setting I have no problems with my cables. A few degs. more or less would also be sufficient. I had to set the elevation to –1 deg. to allow parking at 0,0. Is this still valid? Any suggestions on SatPC32 with the RAS-1 from current users. What rotor interface are you selecting Yaesu GS-232, AlfaSpid, or AlfaSpidMD? I have the USB AlfaSpid control box... 73 Jeff kb2m --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

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Late notice FO-29 0227Z and perhaps AO-92
by Adrian Engele 05 Mar '18

05 Mar '18

Folks, Made it to Little Cayman and had to contend with a Windows update at DSL speed (like watching paint dry) which corrupted my Wi-Fi adapter. Got that fixed now. I will try to get on the FO-29 pass at 0227Z. Please note I am inland I have some trees at AOS and LOS on my end. Against my better judgement I will try to jump into AO-92 fray after the FO-29 pass. I will be signing ZF2AE/ZF8, please use this call for LOTW from Little Cayman. I will try to get on tomorrow afternoon and evening after diving in the morning. 73, Adrian AA5UK ZF2AE/ZF8

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St Barts expedition April 18
by Jim White 05 Mar '18

05 Mar '18

FJ, St. Barthelemy AI5P, N0KV, W0ZA and WD0E plan to operate from Pointe Milou, St. Barthelemy Island (IOTA NA-146/Grid Square FK87) from April 19-27. Operation will be on 80-10 meters (SSB/CW/RTTY) with satellite operation by WD0E. Conditions may largely limit most activity to 20 meters and down. Operating 160 meters is being considered; however, no antenna option is yet finalized. Satellite operation will take place on several satellites. A satellite and pass schedule will be announced on the AMSAT-bb in advance. Equipment includes three Elecraft K3's and two 500 watt Elecraft amps. Antennas include a SteppIR crank IR vertical for 80-10 meters, a folding hexbeam by Folding Antennas (Germany) on 20-10 meters, LPDA's on 20 and 17 meters and verticals on 30 and 40 meters. Operation will be as continuous as conditions warrant. The Colorado operators have decided to use FJ/N0KV as their callsign while AI5P will be active as FJ/AI5P. FJ/N0KV logs will be updated to LOTW while Rick's logs (FJ/AI5P) will not since he continues to be an analog guy with an actual key and pen/paper log. Paper QSLs will be available from both N0KV and AI5P direct and via the bureau. Further: For satellite operation we plan to be on as many passes of as many satellites as possible focusing on the evening hours. Equipment will be an IC 910 and Arrow. On Montserrat in 2015 we were on FO-29 only. For St. Barts we will also operate some FM satellites. We will assemble a pass plan before we go and post it to this -bb. We will stick to that plan as much as possible but of course conditions may cause us adjust on the fly. The operating location has good visibility to the horizon from about the NW through N and E to the SE. Other directions are somewhat obscured. QSLs handled as written above.

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 05 Mar '18

05 Mar '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA on 07 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:05 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and K6PVJ The contact should be audible over the state of California and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Parkside Middle School has a diverse student population of almost 900 students, grades 6 through 8 with more than 20 languages spoken, including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Pacific Islanders. Ours is an economically disadvantaged district in an otherwise affluent area. 4 out of Every 10 Students Receive Free or Reduced Lunch. Our science and math teachers and students are very excited about hosting an ARISS contact. One special characteristic of our school district is a STEM magnet program in one of our grade schools. The students from that school help carry a great enthusiasm for STEM and the maker movement into the middle school and share it with the student population at large. Our science curricula include atmosphere, include layers, and weather, biology including the effects of gravity versus micro-gravity, climate, coding and robotics in an after school program, history with how the constellations and planets got their names, geography including land forms and tectonics, soil and erosion, making model lunar rovers, exploring re-entry for orbital launch vehicles, making and launching rockets, and a number of activities around waves, including sound and radio. We have established contacts with the local print, radio and televisions stations, as well as a social media community of more than 1,000 active participants. We'll have a sequence of events, with press releases and online reminders building up to the event. We will also engage our local cable channel and our very active Next-door communities. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How does being in space affect your body's overall health? 2. What is it like when you see spacecraft launch from earth and how does the spacecraft attach to the space station? Is it like a jet way for a plane? 3. What does it feel like after you've been in space with no gravity and you are back on earth? 4. Do you become light headed in space? 5. Is it common to have to fix things on the space station, either on the inside or the outside of the station. 6. Do you have to wear special shoes inside the space station? What are they like? 7. When the falcon heavy launch carrying the Tesla that SpaceX launched into space have you seen the Tesla yet? 8. What is it like to live without gravity? What is the worst part? What is the best part? 9. Is space food good or bad? Is drinking water like blowing then eating bubbles? 10. Do you get TV and internet in space? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD 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 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Az-El rotator needed
by Butch 05 Mar '18

05 Mar '18

Our middle school has received approval from NASA to proceed with a cube sat launch. In preparation for that, I would like to set up a ground station for tracking satellites. I have everything but an Az-El rotator and would like to have one that would interface with SatPC32. If you have any rotators (dead or alive) that you no longer need, we will gladly accept donations or ?? Thanks, Butch Alline K8KO

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CQ from Grand Cayman FO-29 03/05 @ 0136UTC pass
by Adrian Engele 04 Mar '18

04 Mar '18

Hi OM's Busy day here exploring the islands and consuming way too much food at brunch. I saw an earlier FO-29 pass at 23:52Z that would have been great to South America and I am sorry I won't be available for that pass due to prior commitments. I will try to make the FO-29 pass at 0136UTC. I have noticed I have trouble with the first 1/3 of the pass getting in due to heavy load on the bird. So please be patient. We had a nice pile up going last night and I think I was able to catch most folks. If you missed me don't worry more opportunities from Little Cayman starting the 6th through 10th. Not sure yet about the 5th. I have not had time yet to transcribe the recordings yet to load to LOTW. Please be patient, remember I am on vacation!! Satellite operations comes second. 73, Adrian AA5UK - ZF2AE

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ANS-063 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 04 Mar '18

04 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-063 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, 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.org. In this edition: * VP9, BERMUDA on Satellites * GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative * Rare Grid Rover Activation Planned on Pacific Coast * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2018 * Satellite 101 Wiki Released by IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project * Rules for AMSAT Awards updated * BIRDS-2 CubeSat Constellation Includes 145.825 MHz Digipeater * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-063.01 ANS-063 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 063.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE MARCH 4, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-063.01 VP9, BERMUDA on Satellites VP9, BERMUDA. Chris, KG6CIH, will be active as KG6CIH/VP9 from Bermuda (NA-005) between March 8-12th. Activity will be holiday style in addition to also checking out the island. He will be splitting radio time with a friend (David/WH6DSN was mentioned by another source). They will be focused on SSB operations on the main bands (80/40/20 meters, 15 meters if pro- pagation is good, 160m if antenna works), and maybe some satellite contacts too. QSL will primarily be via LoTW, but if they get enough contacts, they will consider printing up special cards. [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1353 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative On March 2, 2018, NASA announced the ninth round of selections for the CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). The first two AMSAT GOLF CubeSats, GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1, were among the 21 missions recommended for selection. AMSAT must negotiate and execute a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NASA for each project to finalize selection. NASA anticipates a sufficient number of launch opportunities but does not guarantee that all recommended payloads will be launched. GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment) will serve as a rapidly deployable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits. AMSAT Vice-President Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, said “The GOLF-TEE project tees off the next phase of our CubeSat program. GOLF-TEE provides AMSAT hardware and knowledge for Attitude Determination and Control (ADAC) capability and the opportunity to develop a 3U spaceframe with deployable solar panels that can be used in LEO or HEO missions, two of the major systems required in future GOLF and HEO missions.” Ragnarok Industries developed the attitude control system for the Lunar Heimdallr 6U CubeSat, a NASA Cube Quest Challenge finalist. GOLF-TEE provides the opportunity for rapid deployment and on orbit testing of the AMSAT’s Advanced Satellite Communications and Exploration of New Technology (ASCENT) program’s technology, including radiation tolerant transponder and Integrated Housekeeping Unit (IHU) technologies that will lead the way for low cost commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems that can function in the MEO and HEO radiation environments. GOLF-TEE will also carry a Fox-1E design V/u linear transponder and RadFx (Radiation Effects) experiment for Vanderbilt University. GOLF-TEE and the GOLF program will provide for the development of “Five and Dime” Field-Programmable Gate Array Software Defined Radio (FPGA SDR) transponders for use on a variety of missions and orbits. The target date for launch of GOLF-TEE is 4Q 2019. GOLF-1 will serve as a follow-on mission, also to LEO. Launch is targeted for 2020-2021. GOLF-1 will require a de-orbiting plan that is in compliance with NASA's NPR 8715.6 NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris in order to be manifested on a launch, due to the high altitude AMSAT has requested. Please consider a donation to the AMSAT GOLF program for development, construction, and testing of the GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 CubeSats. Donate at https://goo.gl/GJ2Utb Checks may be mailed to AMSAT, 10605 Concord St. #304, Kensington, MD 20895-2526. [ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rare Grid Rover Activation Planned on Pacific Coast Heads up AMSAT enthusiasts. Billy Blue, KM6NJL, plans to head to Humboldt County, California March 16-19. Billy says, "Depending on schedule and terrain and activities I'm going to try to work from CM89, CN70, CN80, CN71 and CN81 or the borders of these grids. Unfortunately I won't be heading further east." [ANS thanks Billy Blue, KM6NJL, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! February: Short Month -- Fewer endorsements CALL 1Feb18 1Mar18 WA4NVM 1450 1488 WC7V 1158 1159 AA5PK 996 1012 K4FEG 841 878 N4UFO 700 715 K6FW 661 703 K0FFY 173 260 VE6SWC 173 173 K5IX 100 125 G0ABI 115 116 AB1OC 115 (NEW VUCC) PU8RFL 101 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for February 1, 2018. and March 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! [ANS thanks Ron, W5RKN, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite 101 Wiki Released by IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project Members of the Pratham satellite team, the first student satellite of IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project (IITBSSP), have created the Satellite 101 Wiki as a part of a social goal of spreading knowledge and enthusiasm related to satellite and space technology among various aspiring students and universities across the globe. The Wiki discusses: + Starting a Student Satellite Project - Building the Team - Planning the mission and finalizing the Payload - Obtaining the required Infrastructure + Subsystems within a Satellite - Payload Subsystem - Communications Subsystem - Electrical Subsystem - Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem - Mechanical Subsystem Access the Satellite 101 Wiki at: http://www.aero.iitb.ac.in/satelliteWiki/index.php/Satellite_101 [ANS thanks the IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rules for AMSAT Awards updated A few months ago we added Washington, DC counting the same as a state. Today, we continued to align our awards with the ARRL. Our rules stated contacts had to be made within 25 miles or 40 kilometers from your home location. We have now amended the rules to read within 50 miles or 80 kilometers. This should be more beneficial for those that have moved to a new QTH. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- BIRDS-2 CubeSat Constellation Includes 145.825 MHz Digipeater The BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation developed at Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology includes three 1U CubeSats: + BHUTAN-1 + MAYA-1 + UiTMSAT-1 All CubeSats in BIRDS-2 constellation have identical designs and utilize the same radio frequencies. They are planned for release from the ISS together in 2018. The primary mission of BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation is to provide digital message relay service to the amateur radio community by means of an APRS digipeater onboard. The APRS digipeater onboard BIRDS-2 CubeSats will use 145.825 MHz for both receive and transmit. 145.825MHz is a standard frequency used by other satellites such as ARISS and LAPAN-A2. Another mission of the BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation is to demon- strate a store-and-forward (S&F) system. In this mission, a goal is to investigate technical challenges through experiments on appropriate data format, multiple access scheme, file-handling protocol while complying with limited operational time and power constraints. Another interesting application of BIRDS-2 CubeSat S&F system is for the satellites to collect data from remote ground sensors, store them onboard and download them to the different BIRDS-2 ground stations network. Further, students of Kyushu Institute of Technology will use BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation to enhance research and experiment in the fields of single latch-up event detection, magnetic field measurements using a COTS anisotropic magnetometer, and flight testing of a COTS GPS chip which can be used for future CubeSat missions if proven effective. Students will also explore a passive attitude stabilization mechanism consisting of magnets and hysteresis dampers for proper orientation of camera on a CubeSat. All measurements and image data will be shared with the public on BIRDS-2 project website. Moveover, BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation will expand amateur radio communication experiment on the operation of CubeSat constellation via a network of UHF/VHF amateur radio ground stations (started in BIRDS-1 CubeSat constellation project). All the above missions are envisioned to promote awareness of amateur radio communication and amateur satellites among the general public and students, especially in the participating nations of BIRDS-2 Project: Bhutan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Japan. Planning a deployment from the ISS in 2018. The IARU has coordinated a downlink frequency of 437.375 MHz and for APRS uplink/downlink 145.825 MHz. The IARU detailed pages are as noted: BHUTAN-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=562 MAYA-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=563 UiTMSAT-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=564 An article in the Bhutan press is posted at: http://www.kuenselonline.com/bhutan-1-expected-to-be-in-space-by-may/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK, kuenselonline.com, and the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Congratulations on achieving a distance of 7649 km via AO-7 QSO by F6HTJ (JN12) and K4FEG (EM55) near Memphis, Tennessee. The frequency was 145930.0. (Via F6HJT) + The Eureka Amateur Radio Club, VY0ERC, is located at 79 degrees 59 min North, 85 degrees 56 min West on Ellesmere Island (IOTA NA-008). M0NPT recorded a video of G0ABI and G7SVF working VY0ERC via AO-91: https://youtu.be/oOiV-iEZhX4 (AMSAT-UK on Twitter) + 2017 Space Symposium - Corey Shields KB9JHU - Intro to SATNOGS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsKJX4WgCn0 (via AMSAT Twitter) + Congratulations on achieving a distance of 5,479 km via AO-91 QSO by Sam, N3ROY (FM29) and Jose, EB1AO (IN52) in Spain at 1530 Z on March 1. (via N3ROY) + A group of Ham Radio operators from Southern Mexico will be operating the special event "Spring Equinox" with the call 6E3MAYA from March 17th. to 21th. The activity will be 80 to 6 meters in SSB, CW, Satellite and Digital Modes. QSL via XE3N. (Twitter via Daily DX and XE3N) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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Cayman Calling: FO29 at 0238Z tonight
by Adrian Engele 03 Mar '18

03 Mar '18

Folks, I have had a very busy schedule. I was operating HF dall day yesterday. I will try to get on the 0238Z FO29 pass this evening. EK99hi.Sorry if I am weak, hard to compete when many other stations are QRO, only running 5W on this end. Not sure yet about Sunday schedule as of yet, YL comes first. Again very busy schedule. FM satellite passes are not lining up with my vacation schedule so far. Stay tuned, perhaps next week. 73, Adrian AA5UK ZF2AETwitter @ZF2AE Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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ANS-061 ANS Special Bulletin GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative
by Lee McLamb 03 Mar '18

03 Mar '18

AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.01 ANS-061 GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative AMSAT News Service Bulletin 061.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE MAARCH 2, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-061.01 On March 2, 2018, NASA announced the ninth round of selections for the CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). The first two AMSAT GOLF CubeSats, GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1, were among the 21 missions recommended for selection. AMSAT must negotiate and execute a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NASA for each project to finalize selection. NASA anticipates a sufficient number of launch opportunities but does not guarantee that all recommended payloads will be launched. GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment) will serve as a rapidly deployable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits. AMSAT Vice-President Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, said “The GOLF-TEE project tees off the next phase of our CubeSat program. GOLF-TEE provides AMSAT hardware and knowledge for Attitude Determination and Control (ADAC) capability and the opportunity to develop a 3U spaceframe with deployable solar panels that can be used in LEO or HEO missions, two of the major systems required in future GOLF and HEO missions.” Ragnarok Industries developed the attitude control system for the Lunar Heimdallr 6U CubeSat, a NASA Cube Quest Challenge finalist. GOLF-TEE provides the opportunity for rapid deployment and on orbit testing of the AMSAT’s Advanced Satellite Communications and Exploration of New Technology (ASCENT) program’s technology, including radiation tolerant transponder and Integrated Housekeeping Unit (IHU) technologies that will lead the way for low cost commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems that can function in the MEO and HEO radiation environments. GOLF-TEE will also carry a Fox-1E design V/u linear transponder and RadFx (Radiation Effects) experiment for Vanderbilt University. GOLF-TEE and the GOLF program will provide for the development of “Five and Dime” Field-Programmable Gate Array Software Defined Radio (FPGA SDR) transponders for use on a variety of missions and orbits. The target date for launch of GOLF-TEE is 4Q 2019. GOLF-1 will serve as a follow-on mission, also to LEO. Launch is targeted for 2020-2021. GOLF-1 will require a de-orbiting plan that is in compliance with NASA's NPR 8715.6 NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris in order to be manifested on a launch, due to the high altitude AMSAT has requested. Please consider a donation to the AMSAT GOLF program for development, construction, and testing of the GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 CubeSats. Donate at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id= STK27W4G9RMLC. Checks may be mailed to AMSAT, 10605 Concord St. #304, Kensington, MD 20895-2526. [ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information] /EX

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AO73 mode change
by Graham Shirville 02 Mar '18

02 Mar '18

Hi All, Just to advise that AO73/FUNcube-1 is now in amateur mode with the transponder active for the weekend. Have fun... 73 Graham G3VZV

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K2BSA/5 on AO-91 this Saturday
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 02 Mar '18

02 Mar '18

I will be holding a Radio Merit Badge class for our local Scout district this coming Saturday, March 3rd and will activate K2BSA/5 in EM12 for the AO-91 pass starting at 19:18Z. These satellite contacts prove to be quite exciting and enlightening for the Scouts. Please help me crack the satellite traffic and give K2BSA/5 a call. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-02 00:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-02 00:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA, direct via K6PVJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-03-07 18:05:06 UTC 36 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 http://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? 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 **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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. 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 2018-03-02 00:00 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. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1213. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1162. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-02-27 06:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 53 on orbit Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Alexander Misurkin Joe Acaba KE5DAR Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ZF2AE FO-29 3/02 02:38Z Pass
by Adrian Engele 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

If the evening goes well. I plan to be on the 3/02 @ 02:38Z FO-29 Pass.I plan to transmit on 145.940 Fixed. If there is QRM I will move down to 935 or lower. Should be a lovely pass covering all of Lower 48, Canada and Mexico! See you on the bird. 73, Adrian AA5UK - ZF2AE Twitter @ZF2AE

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Satpc32 download
by Bob- W7LRD 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Hi All- When downloading a new copy of Satpc32 should all traces of the prior install be deleted? 73 Bob-W7LRD Seattle

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VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2018
by Ronald G. Parsons 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! February: Short Month -- Fewer endorsements CALL 1Feb18 1Mar18 WA4NVM 1450 1488 WC7V 1158 1159 AA5PK 996 1012 K4FEG 841 878 N4UFO 700 715 K6FW 661 703 K0FFY 173 260 VE6SWC 173 173 K5IX 100 125 G0ABI 115 116 AB1OC 115 (NEW VUCC) PU8RFL 101 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for February 1, 2018. and March 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! 73, Ron W5RKN

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Linux, K2 & transverters, SDR Play
by Ron VE8RT 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

As I have a K2 and DEM 432-28 transverter, it might not take much more to get on mode B. My preference is to use Linux OS, but how well does G Predict work with a K2 and transverter combination? Is anyone doing it? On the receive side, for duplex, a SDR Play 1A receiver is what I'd like to use. There again I'm unfamiliar with SDR receiver control, it wasn't apparent in the rig control library of Gpredict, but I'm getting the idea that rig control works with the SDR software I use on the SDR Play not directly with the hardware. Anyone using this or a similar combination? Ron VE8RT -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

2 1

RS1 satellite converter
by Andy Brian 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Hi, I received nice schematic of RS1 satellite 29MHz/145MHz converters few years ago here. But I lost my data on PC and can't find it anymore... Anyone still have the schematic of nice RS birds. Please if any can send it to me? thanks for help Best tegards Andy

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Build progress on WB0OEW autonomous sat tracker
by Devin L. Ganger 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Greetings, all; I hit a really nice milestone on my first major electronics project, building my owner version of Elwood Downey (WB0OEW)'s Arduino-driven sat tracker for handheld antennas. I started this 1.5 years ago and have had a long learning curve, but it's all paid off as I watched the tracker work on an entire AO-92 pass. I still have a lot of work to do -- switch it off the tripod mount to a music stand and make the attachment more secure and robust, get the components into a case, fix some of the temporary wiring I put in to make modular build and testing easier -- but the goal is in sight! Picture is here: https://twitter.com/devinganger/status/969131009634480128 I'll post an update to my blog in another couple of days. -- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin(a)thecabal.org<mailto:[email protected]> web: Devin on Earth<http://www.devinonearth.com/> cell: +1 425.239.2575

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need Elmer'ing Satpc32 & deaf ts2000
by Mr B r a d 01 Mar '18

01 Mar '18

Hello ListI have been having trouble getting going with full doppler tuning with satpc32 and the ts2000 , I have the port and baud set.the most I have got it the radio to do is make a chirp-beep sound and sometimes the incorrect bands will load into the vfo'swhen I click on the birds A,B,C,D etc , but I can not seem to get it to tune the correct frequency's or start to tunethe vfo as the sat flys over... perhaps i need something more in the *.sql data files ??All the signals I have heard so far are very weak , Im guessing I going to need a good preamp and would also like feedbackon ready to install preamps and antenna's you like.please delete the original messages in your reply or go direct off list...jhill_81(a)yahoo.com Brad Ko6kL

2 1

New message from PicSat
by Roland Zurmely 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Received 28-02-2018 23:45 UTC : Enjoy your weekend with lots of good apple pie! If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the Universe (CS) ..... 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

2 1

AMSAT Website Password Reset Message
by Joe Fitzgerald 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Blame for this one falls squarely on my shoulders ... no telemetry gremlins this time. de KM1P Joe

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Yoshihide Kozai
by Joe Fitzgerald 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Bob N4HY wrote: > We were all ignorant so I am happy to share >blame with anyone who wants to step up. Don't be too hard on yourself, Bob. This orbital lifetime estimation stuff is difficult. Some researchers think our friend Elon Musk may have overestimated the lifetime of his Roadster by several orders of magnitude: https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.04718 de KM1P Joe

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Amsat Journal - South Atlantic Anomoly
by Roy Dean 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Just FYI: In the latest Amsat Journal there is a story about Fox Telemetry that includes an interesting analysis of restarts in relation to the SAA. (apologies, I can't remember the name of the author or the title) By coincidence, one of the YouTube channels I watch is "Curious Droid", which recently released a video on this exact topic. Serendipitous timing: https://youtu.be/ErmEiAJG22A Interested to hear if it's accurate, or just blather - I'm not smart enough on this topic to distinguish between the two. ---Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] Looking for someone from AMSAT/sat expert
by Roy Dean 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

QRZ lists address of Abington PA area (3 land caught my eye). I'm more interested in what repeater it is, so I can listen in! -Roy K3RLD > Where is "here"? Jerry Buxton, NØJY On 2/27/2018 19:37, Joe N3XLS via AMSAT-BB wrote: > >* Local club here is looking for someone that can speak about the AMSAT > mission and/or workig satellites. Something similar to what AMSAT > President Joe Spier K6WAO did with hamradionow at hamcation. The > presentation will be over the air on the local repeater. *>* Please > contact me directly and i will send your information along to the > coordinator. *>* _______________________________________________ *>* Sent > via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> > 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. *>* > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! * > >* Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>*

5 4

AMSAT Website Password Reset Message
by Paul Stoetzer 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Good afternoon, Earlier this afternoon, many members received a notice that their password had changed on the AMSAT website. These messages were sent in error due to ongoing database migration work. There is no need to take any action. We apologize for any inconvenience. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice President Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

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Yoshihide Kozai
by Robert McGwier 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

The long scientific life of Kozai ended recently with his death at ~90 years old Kozai and Lidov proposed a mechanism for why the Luna 3 probe decayed into the Earth's atmosphere when everyone believed it would last "forever". This same mechanism describes the death of which amateur spacecraft? Bob N4HY

2 2

L/v operation on AO-92
by CEE 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

with completion of a home brew "cheap yagi" on 1296, would attempt to work AO-92 on the L/v band. Can anyone suggest how I switch from the U/v configuration to L/v on SATPC-32 and other related info? Thanks - Chuck N7BFO

2 1

Victor Kudielka and AO-13
by Martin Davidoff 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

The recent mention of the work by Kozai and Lidov and it's relation to AO-13 stimulated a number of long dormant memories. I've always been in awe of Dr. Victor Kudielka, OE1VKW who, using 80286 (?) technology, was able to apply their work to predict the demise of AO-13. Prior to launch I don't think any of us had considered the possibility that asymmetries in the shape of the earth could cause fluctuations in the eccentricity of AO-13's final orbit that would, without affecting the spacecraft's total energy, lower the perigee to the point where re-entry would occur. Which leads me to wonder about Victor's status these days. I can't find any reference to him post 2013. Any info would be appreciated. 73, Martin, k2ubc On Wed, Feb 28, 2018 at 8:00 AM, Robert McGwier <rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Yes, AO 13. > > On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 1:09 PM Gregory Beat <w9gb(a)icloud.com> wrote: > > > Jeopardy question? > > > > Oscar 13, AO-13 > > > > greg, w9gb > > > > === > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Yoshihide Kozai > > > > The long scientific life of Kozai ended recently with his death at ~90 > > years old > > > > Kozai and Lidov proposed a mechanism for why the Luna 3 probe decayed > into > > the Earth's atmosphere when everyone believed it would last "forever". > > > > This same mechanism describes the death of which amateur spacecraft? > > > > Bob > > N4HY > > > > Sent from iPad Air > > > -- > Bob McGwier > Founder, Federated Wireless, Inc > Founder and Technical Advisor, HawkEye 360, Inc > Research Professor Virginia Tech > Chief Scientist: The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and > Technology > Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY > Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn, Trustee K4KDJ > Member of PVRC (Roanoke-Blacksburg), TAPR, life member of ARRL and AMSAT, > NRVR.ORG (Rocketry) > _______________________________________________ > 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

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Re: [amsat-bb] Yoshihide Kozai
by Robert McGwier 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Yes, AO 13. On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 1:09 PM Gregory Beat <w9gb(a)icloud.com> wrote: > Jeopardy question? > > Oscar 13, AO-13 > > greg, w9gb > > === > Subject: [amsat-bb] Yoshihide Kozai > > The long scientific life of Kozai ended recently with his death at ~90 > years old > > Kozai and Lidov proposed a mechanism for why the Luna 3 probe decayed into > the Earth's atmosphere when everyone believed it would last "forever". > > This same mechanism describes the death of which amateur spacecraft? > > Bob > N4HY > > Sent from iPad Air > -- Bob McGwier Founder, Federated Wireless, Inc Founder and Technical Advisor, HawkEye 360, Inc Research Professor Virginia Tech Chief Scientist: The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn, Trustee K4KDJ Member of PVRC (Roanoke-Blacksburg), TAPR, life member of ARRL and AMSAT, NRVR.ORG (Rocketry)

1 0

Looking for someone from AMSAT/sat expert
by Joe N3XLS 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Local club here is looking for someone that can speak about the AMSAT mission and/or workig satellites. Something similar to what AMSAT President Joe Spier K6WAO did with hamradionow at hamcation. The presentation will be over the air on the local repeater. Please contact me directly and i will send your information along to the coordinator.

2 1

Rules for AMSAT Awards updated
by Bruce 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

A few months ago we added Washington, DC counting the same as a state. Today, we continued to align our awards with the ARRL. Our rules stated contacts had to be made within 25 miles or 40 kilometers from your home location. We have now amended the rules to read within 50 miles or 80 kilometers. This should be more beneficial for those that have moved to a new QTH. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Diamond MX-72N Duplexer sold
by Tucker McGuire 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

The Duplexer is sold. Thanks for the interest. Cheers & 73, Tucker W4FS

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Arrow ll to camera tripod adapter
by Roy Dean 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

I believe it comes pre-tapped with a 1/4-20 hole. I didn't like the positioning, so I machined an aluminum "saddle" that bolts to boom, and that in turn is threaded onto the tripod mount. I also machined an extension and counterweight that makes manipulating the antenna much easier. > I have had my Arrow ll antenna for a number of years now. I have seen > probably hundreds of these mounted to a camera tripod using different > methods. Does anybody have an easy design they might share? > 73's > Jim > WA5QAP

6 5

Es'hail-2
by Peter Guelzow 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Hello together, Indeed we are all very excited about the upcoming Es’hail-2 satellite, which includes the first geostationary AMSAT P4-A transponder ! I would like to remind that we should be more patient regarding the launch date and in particular we should only refer to official and original sources. Recent citation from unknown sources are creating more confusion in our community and are also not really helpful. Be assured that the Qatar Satellite Company will announce the launch date as soon as possible when confirmed by SpaceX. I have been asked and would also like to advise the correct brand name and the way it's written whenever articles are written and published about *Es’hailSat.* The owner of the satellite and it's*company name* is *Qatar Satellite Company* *Brand name* is *Es’hailSat* Satellite names are*Es’hail-1* and soon to be launched *Es’hail-2 *The brand and satellites names are to be written the way it is written above, i.e. - brand name - capital E, apostrophe after the first ‘s’ and second ‘S’ in capital - satellite name - capital E, apostrophe after ‘s’ and hyphen before the number (no other alphabet in caps, no gaps between alphabets and/or punctuation and definitely not in all caps) Thanks to everyone for your support and understanding... Exciting times are ahead! best wishes Peter Guelzow, DB2OS President AMSAT-DL

1 0

For Sale: Diamond Duplexer MX-72N
by Tucker McGuire 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

I have for sale, a Diamond MX-72N duplexer. Brand new never used, I never ended up needing it. Asking $45 shipped CONUS. Cheers & 73, Tucker W4FS

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Yoshihide Kozai
by Joe Fitzgerald 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Bob N4HY wrote: > This same mechanism describes the death of which amateur spacecraft? That would be AO-13. The curious can see James Miller's article at: http://www.amsat.org/articles/g3ruh/114.html Very sad to hear of Kozai's death. It is certainly a familiar name to students of orbital dynamics. de KM1P Joe

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Re: [amsat-bb] Fox Telemetry Server Outage
by Joe Fitzgerald 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Mark N8MH wrote: >>Thanks Chris, Joe, whomever...for making it go again. It was a team effort. While there is never a "good" time for an outage, both Chris and I were occupied with paying gigs during the day so it was particularly bad. I was able to free up some disk space and get some services running during the few minutes I was able to carve out of my day, but in my haste to free up space I broke the database. Thanks to everyone for your patience. Given concurrent server failures on both sides of the Atlantic, the blame clearly falls on telemetry gremlins. 73 de KM1P Joe

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Arrow ll to camera tripod adapter
by Bill Acito 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

I don't use a tripod (hand hold), but I like having a counter-weight "pommel" on the end of the Arrow. I found these at a local flea: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HCMNT226/intellivue-mp2x2-ph… ...used to mount things on medical equipment and hospital beds. I have a 1.5' piece of 1" black sprinkler pipe on the base of the arrow (removed grip), and one of these clamped on the end. Besides the weight, it is the platform that I mount a pre-amp/battery on. Bill W1PA

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Fox Telemetry Server Outage
by Chris Thompson 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Many may have noticed that amsat.org was offline for about 20 hours yesterday. We are investigating the root cause. Something impacted the TCP stack on the server. That caused the telemetry server to spin out of control. In that state it did two things, neither of them good and neither of them in the design spec. Firstly, the telemetry server spewed error messages to the log at such a rate that it impacted the website and other systems on amsat.org. A fix will be implemented so this does not happen again. Secondly, the telemetry server accepted connections from FoxTelem, confirmed it had received the data and then failed to process it. This should not be possible given the error handling logic, so we are trying to work out how to prevent in the future. Those of you who keep track of your uploads, will notice that some records were not updated yesterday, even though they were sent. I'm going to release a tool to allow re-upload of the missing day. Please don't purge your FOXDB files if you have data. Let me know if you have questions or suggestions 73 Chris -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

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Message from PicSat
by Roland Zurmely 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Copied 27 feb 2018 at 00:22 UTC : Allo Allo ham radio! PicSat here passing over your station. Wanting to thank you in person for all your efforts, contributions & feedback :-) 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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FUNcube Warehouse back to normal service
by David Johnson 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Hi, warehouse UI and data service now running again. 73 - Dave, G4DPZ

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FUNcube Warehouse update
by David Johnson 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Hi, The data service has stated to collect data but the web page has not started up, so am investigating. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

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FUNcube Warehouse down again!
by David Johnson 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Hi, I've just been informed by the hosting company that they have diagnosed the fault to being a problem with a bank of memory and they have taken the decision to swap us to new hardware. Will let you know when we are back online again. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-27 06:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-27 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA, direct via W3YA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Mon 2018-02-26 17:59:16 UTC 63 deg (***) The event will be livestreaming on youtube at this location: BAMS in Space Livestream. The livestream event begins tomorrow at 17:00 UTC. Please feel free to offer the web link to others as you feel appropriate. Also, There is a chat session that will accompany the live stream so feel free to join in the chat and help guide the discussion as needed. The more hams the better \uD83D\uDE0A Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA, direct via K6PVJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-03-05 18:12:55 UTC 79 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 http://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? 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 **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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. 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 2018-02-27 06:00 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. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1213. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1162. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-02-27 06:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 53 on orbit Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Alexander Misurkin Joe Acaba KE5DAR Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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HRD Satellite Tracking
by Michael Carper, Ph.D. 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Greetings all! Recently, I announced that I was bringing on a total of five developers to help us with our development backlog. In fact, I've got six developers on-boarded now. I'm going to assign one of these developers to the Satellite application. After the last go 'round on this reflector, I had some volunteers. I need a couple volunteers - who understand how to demonstrate and test the Doppler problem - that I can introduce to the developer. The developer should work directly with these people. A few things to keep in mind: - The focus will be entirely on correction of previously recorded defects (not enhancement requests at this point). If new defects are identified during the process, the developer will discuss them with me (so I can determine if it's really a defect or an enhancement; we'll get to the FOUR existing enhancement requests after we get the defects corrected). - There are exactly 19 defects associated with the Satellite application. - The developer assigned probably won't be a ham. That's fine. They don't really need to be a ham to resolve these defects. (Point I'm making here is this. These guys are "hired guns" that I'm bringing in as part of this "troop surge" to get rid of the backlog. They're good developers, rather than experienced hams. So take it easy on them.) Interested volunteers, please contact me directly (outside the reflector) at mike(a)hrdsoftwarellc.com 73 de Mike, WA9PIE

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AMSAT website?
by anderson9000 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Hi Steve, I believe it was down last night and partially still is (?). The home page comes up for me today, but the search returns a database error for me. Mark W9AT ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:46:15 -0500 From: skristof(a)etczone.com To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT website? Message-ID: <9d7ab6bffaac5e26c66b60e162b667cd(a)etczone.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Is the AMSAT website down? My browser and internet are working but trying to connect to amsat.org times out. Steve AI9IN

2 2

AO-92 schedule for next week
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

I've updated https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ for the coming week. AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa's High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 25 Feb to 3 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 1420UTC 25Feb we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1515UTC 27Feb we will enable high speed data in order to download from the HERCI experiment for 40 minutes Approximately 1545UTC 2Mar we will enable high speed data in order to download from the VT camera for 40 minutes in support of a demonstration at a Virginia high school All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

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camera tripod
by James Brown 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

forgot to add pictureJim KI6WJ

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tripod mount
by James Brown 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

here is my Arrow portable mount. The antenna and the counterweight is attached with lock pins for easy assembly. The center piece is secured with the camera pods 1/4x20. I added a l bracket to the camera mount as a stop to prevent any rotation of the antenna.inside the pvc counter balance is the actual weight. It works nice and the balance and handling is perfect.I should use it more! Jim KI6WJ

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Es’hail-2 geostationary satellite discussed in Doha
by M5AKA 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Es’hail-2 geostationary satellite discussed in Doha in January https://amsat-uk.org/2018/02/26/eshail-2-geostationary-satellite-discussed-… On February 25, 2018 Es'hailSat @eshailsat tweeted that Es'hail-2 reached a major milestone in spacecraft and ground compatibility, with successful completion of TT&C RF and baseband compatibility tests. https://twitter.com/eshailsat/status/967678982404689920 Radio amateur brings her hobby to university https://amsat-uk.org/2018/02/12/radio-amateur-brings-her-hobby-to-universit… Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-26 04:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-26 04:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: On The Gagarin from Space, "Galaxy - Children and Youth Center for Space Education", Kaluga, Russia, direct via RK3X (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Misurkin Contact was successful 2018-02-18 10:45 UTC (***) Agrupamento de Escolas do Fundão, Fundão, Portugal, direct via CS5DBB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Wed 2018-02-21 09:38:11 UTC 33 deg (***) Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY, direct via K2MST The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Contact was successful: Fri 2018-02-23 14:08:52 UTC 28 deg (***) On The Gagarin from Space Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Southwest State University", Kursk, Russia, direct via RV3DR (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is TBD Contact was successful Sat 2018-02-24 08:45 UTC (***) Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA, direct via W3YA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-26 17:59:16 UTC 63 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 http://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? 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 **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 (***) **************************************************************************** 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. 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 2018-02-26 04:00 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. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1212. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1161. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-02-26 04:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 53 on orbit Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Alexander Misurkin Joe Acaba KE5DAR Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-26 17:15 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 26 Feb '18

26 Feb '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-26 17:15 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA, direct via W3YA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-26 17:59:16 UTC 63 deg The event will be livestreaming on youtube at this location: (***) BAMS in Space Livestream. The livestream event begins tomorrow at 17:00 UTC. Please feel free to offer the web link to others as you feel appropriate. Also, There is a chat session that will accompany the live stream so feel free to join in the chat and help guide the discussion as needed. The more hams the better \uD83D\uDE0A ****************************************************************************** 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. ******************************************************************************* 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 http://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? 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 **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** 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. 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 2018-02-26 17:15 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. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1212. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1161. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-02-26 04:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 53 on orbit Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP Alexander Misurkin Joe Acaba KE5DAR Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

satpc32
by davekn4ok＠aol.com 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

Hi All, I have an old licensed satpc32 software that will not use on my new pc. Can I download the new updated version using my old license or what options do I have? Dave KN4OK

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SatPC32
by Mark Lunday 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

Questions: I can do groups, but why am I limited to 12 satellites per group? Why does amateur.txt not have CAS-4A and CAS-4B? Why, when I switch to nasa.all which does have CAS-4A and CAS-4B, do my list of satellites change? When I switch back to amateur.txt, my previous edit is not saved? The only reason I use SatPC32 is the ability to download Doppler.sqf files. If not for that, I would jump to HR Deluxe (free version v5). Not complaining, just saying... Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.blogspot.com SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972

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Re: [amsat-bb] Arrow ll to camera tripod adapter
by John Brier 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

All the Arrow antennas have the standard tripod 1/4-20 screw thread tapped into them at the end of the boom. I have found it not always sufficient to hold it, but it seems to work for a lot of people. 73, John Brier KG4AKV On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 4:00 PM, <jim(a)beeson.cc> wrote: > > > > > > > > I have had my Arrow ll antenna for a number of years now. I have seen probably hundreds of these mounted to a camera tripod using different methods. Does anybody have an easy design they might share? > 73's > Jim > WA5QAP > _______________________________________________ > 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

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Re: [amsat-bb] Arrow ll to camera tripod adapter
by Don KB2YSI 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

I am not sure when it may have started, but there is a 1/4-20 threaded "hole" (actually 2) underneath the foam handle on my Arrow. I was able to screw in a bolt from one side through to the other. So if you have a tripod, you could replace the stock bolt on the quick release part with a longer one and screw it in through both sides. I would think you *could* get away with doing only one side, but I would attempt to get both sides. On Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 4:00 PM, <jim(a)beeson.cc> wrote: > > > > > > > > I have had my Arrow ll antenna for a number of years now. I have seen > probably hundreds of these mounted to a camera tripod using different > methods. Does anybody have an easy design they might share? > 73's > Jim > WA5QAP > _______________________________________________ > 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > -- 73, Don KB2YSI

1 0

BP41/51/50 on Satellite
by Gabriel Zeifman 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

Hello fellow Bird Folk, Tomorrow I venture above the 60th Parallel to the land of Anchorage. I will be active from BP41/51/50. The base of activity will be BP51, but 41 is very easy (line is on the airport, and I will be working at the airport) and 50 will be about a 25min drive. Should be good opportunities for all of NA, a good portion of Europe, and most of Japan/Eastern Siberia. This is a work trip so time will revolve around that, most activity will be evenings. I’ll be back to Juneau on a Friday afternoon so it’s only a Monday-Friday gig. I’ll warn specific passes on Twitter and open for skeds if anyone has a particular request. 73, Gabe AL6D/VE6NJH

1 0

Spectra Lab UTJ cell testing???
by Robert Bruninga 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

When you feed voltage into a UTJ Multi junction solar cell it emits RED light all across the solar cell. This is a good test to see if the cell is 100% involved or there are low performing sections. But I need to fully understand what is going on!! Does this damage the cell? How bright can it get? My problem is that when I feed current into the solar panel to simulate sun on the panel, the solar cells all light up and so some current is being bypassed into the cells and not getting to the spacecraft. Is this damaging to the cells? I have not been able to find any links to a description of this kind of cell testing and limits. Bob

3 3

New FT-818
by Mike Hoblinski 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

I ran across the FT-817ND replacement. At first I thought the FT-818 was fake news. After seeing it offered on the HRO and Gigaparts web site for pre sale I guess its real. Some improvements in battery size and the TCXO is now built in. The TX power was increased to 6W and I think aircraft and FM broadcast band added. I was wondering if anybody has seen the offical Yaesu broschure. The specs are on the HRO and Gigaparts site. I was kinda expecting a bit more of an upgrade after all these years. Maybe like Fusion capabilities or USB program and control. Is anybody going to run out and buy it when its supposed to go on sale in March. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

3 2

AO-07 - not working/silent
by Jean Marc Momple 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

Hi all, During a QSO with ZS4A at around 13:13 UTC yesterday AO-07 when suddenly silent in spite the signal both side was very good and still in the middle of the pass. Mid-day today I tried it again on both modes during a overhead pass, still silent. I will trying again on next pass today which is still a daylight one but low ele of 4.8 deg. if bird OK it should work as normally I access as it appears on horizon. Has anyone access AO-07 after 13:13 UTC yesterday 24/02/2018? 73 Jean Marc (3B8DU)

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FS3- Upload Complete
by W2JV 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

Good Morning, With many thanks to Drew, KO4MA and Mark, N8MH Falconsat-3 is again open for amateur use, great work guys. 73’s Peter W2JV --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

G-5500 rotor issues
by kb2mjeff＠att.net 25 Feb '18

25 Feb '18

I’m having an intermittent problem with my G-5500 rotor that is getting worse. Now several times a day when I acquire a satellite the elevation function doesn’t work. But, if I power the control box off and back on several times it starts to work. This is a problem with the Yaesu control box, as the manual elevation control doesn’t work when this happens. Any ideas to troubleshoot before I start to take things apart? 73 Jeff kb2m --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

3 6

ANS-056 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne K9JKM 24 Feb '18

24 Feb '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-056 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, 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.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: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AO-92 Operating Schedule Posted for Week of 25 Feb to 3 Mar 2018 * PicSat Status - Commissioning Continues, FM Transponder Test Success * Falconsat-3 Software Reload * Updates to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for 2-22-2018 * Why is there so much TLE confusion when new Cubesats are launched? * JAMSAT Symposium 2018 at Miraikan in Tokyo March 10 - 11 * AA5UK Announces March 1 Cayman Island Satellite Activation * CabreuvaDX Team Announces ZV1C Activation on Satellite March 17-18 * ESTCube-2 Applies for IARU Frequency Coordination * Shanghai Tech University Proposing Amateur Radio Digipeater Microsat * Canadian University Design Challenge for “Selfie-Sat” * 15th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop at Cal Poly April 30 * First Citizen Science Workshop Measuring Effects of the Solar Eclipse * Volunteer Opportunity - Openings for News Service Rotating Editor * Bittern DX Educational Outreach Project in the UK * Microwave Compendium "Backscatter" available as free PDF * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-056.01 ANS-056 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 056.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE February 25, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-056.01 AO-92 Operating Schedule Posted for Week of 25 Feb to 3 Mar 2018 Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations updated the AO-92 Operating Schedule page for the coming week: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 25 Feb to 3 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: + Approximately 1420UTC 25Feb we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours + Approximately 1515UTC 27Feb we will enable high speed data in order to download from the HERCI experiment for 40 minutes + Approximately 1545UTC 2Mar we will enable high speed data in order to download from the VT camera for 40 minutes in support of a demonstration at a Virginia high school + All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- PicSat Status - Commissioning Continues, FM Transponder Test Success PicSat was successfully launched on 12 January 2018 on the PSLV-C40 mission. It is orbiting Earth at 505km altitude on a Sun synchronous orbit. PicSat, a 3U CubeSat, was developed in a record time of 3 years by a small team of astrophysicists lead by Sylvestre Lacour (CNRS) at the LESIA laboratory / Paris Observatory / PSL in France. The main goal is to observe the southern hemisphere star Beta Pictoris continuously in order to capture any transit phenomena related to its planet that has been predicted to pass in front of the star by the summer of 2018. The commissioning phase is making good progress and the PicSat team is learning how to operate the satellite. The main next step is to fully take control of the attitude and point in the desired direction. Thanks to the involvement and efforts of Sylvain Azarian (F4GKR) and the IARU, PicSat uses amateur bands to communicate: Uplink: 145.910 MHz FM (when transponder is enabled) Downlink: 435.525 MHz FM voice, see web for data format When not in science mode, PicSat has a transponder that will be made available for the amateur community: the timings will be announced. A first transponder surprise test was done on 15 February from the Paris Observatory ground station in Meudon, France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQd0WEcoFgE&t=18s) It was received by amateurs in Europe https://twitter.com/supertrack_it/status/964267817095835648 During past weekend (17-18 February) the PicSat team had programmed downloads of House Keeping data from the payload over targeted areas across the planet. Many amateurs received and send the data to the PicSat data base. This has allowed for the first time to create a 24h monitoring of the temperature sensor readings, which are helpful diagnostics for the team showing the importance of this community effort: https://twitter.com/IamPicSat/status/965982775718436864 Radio amateurs can register on the PicSat website to become involved and upload their data to the PicSat data base, where it will be visible for anyone to see and serve the PicSat team. This will be even more important once observations of Beta Pictoris will start and a large stream of photometric data will be produced to monitor the brightness of the star and create the real time light curve. The PicSat team is most grateful for all the positive collaboration, feedback and help to date and looks forward to continue and strengthen this connection. Please see https://picsat.obspm.fr/ for all details. [ANS thanks Maaten Roos and the PicSat Team at the Paris Observatory for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Falconsat-3 Software Reload AMSAT Vice-President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA reported that Falconsat-3 has had a software crash after ~850 days uptime. The Operations Team will need to reload the softeare. Drew mentioned, "Even though you might hear telemetry, the BBS and digipeater will be off until we are complete. Please attempt no transmissions until AMSAT's Operations Team releases Falconsat-3 back to general use. Your cooperation is appreciated. [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice-President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Updates to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for 2-22-2018 Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, noted that 18th Space Control Squadron has swapped the satellite names associated with object 41845 (was CAS-2T) and another object 41847. Therefore CAS-2T is now object 41847. Nico's detailed doppler measurements confirm that CAS-2T is in fact object 41847. (Note: the payloads CAS-2T and KS-1Q still remain attached to the CZ 11 fourth stage.) Thanks Nico, good catch! The PICSAT team and Albert Van Duersen indicate that a better set of TLEs for PICSAT is now object 43132. Nico Janssen has also noted that the best TLE set for PICSAT has been unstable since November 14th of last year. Nico says that now object 43132 and even object 43133 are better matches for PICSAT than object 43131. Therefore, we will use object 43132 for PICSAT for now. The problem is the closeness of objects 43131, 43132 and 43133. Nico says he will continue to monitor these objects as they slowly separate over time. More later. [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Why is there so much TLE confusion when new Cubesats are launched? AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD provided some answers to frequently asked questions regarding every time a CubeSat gets launched, there is some confusion on what TLEs should be used. This is the result of the process of launching a new amateur CubeSat with other CubeSats, often several dozen at a time. We then start the process of determining which object in a “flock” of CubeSats is associated with a particular spacecraft. Pre-launch TLEs, that is calculation based on the expected orbit, are usually supplied by the launch provider. Pre-launch TLEs are used until post-launch TLEs (for the group of objects that your satellite is in) are released from the US Department of Defense Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) based on observations made with cameras and radars. There is a a 5 to 10 day period of tracking a group of CubeSats until they separate enough to isolate the one of interest. By observing the Doppler shift on transmissions from a particular satellite against the calculated Doppler shift from all candi- date object TLEs, we can positively associate an object with a particular satellite. In the case of AMSAT satellites, we then advise JSpOC which object number is “ours”. Finally, an individual satellite and its associated TLEs are determined and we settle down to an single, accurate, reliable set of TLEs … and all the other “best guesses” go away, although they may be still floating around on the Internet. But, there are so many variables – did you launch on time, did you get released on time, has the group your CubeSat is in separated enough to identify your satellite, etc. that the process that can be both confusing and annoying at the same time. AMSAT strives to minimize confusion when distributing TLEs. Dummy object numbers are used for pre-launch TLEs since final object numbers cannot be assigned yet. Immediately post launch we may post candidate objects with generic names like “OBJECT C”. Finally, when positive association between an object number and a spacecraft is made, we will use the common name of the satellite. We always recommend using TLEs from the Keps mail- ing list or the current bulletin or bare elements from the AMSAT web site. Join the AMSAT Keps Mailing list: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/keps AMSAT Current Keps bulletin: https://www.amsat.org/tle/current/nasa.all AMSAT current bare elements: https://www.amsat.org/tle/current/nasabare.txt [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMSAT Symposium 2018 at Miraikan in Tokyo March 10 - 11 JAMSAT President Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP announced that the JAMSAT Annual General Meeting and Symposium will be held in Tokyo March 10- 11. (Note: all times are noted in Japan Standard Time JST) Annual General Meeting: March 10 (Sat) 11:00~12:30 Symposium 2018 Day 1: March 10 (Sat) 13:25~18:00 Day 2: March 11 (Sun) 9:30~13:00 Dinner: March 10 (Sat) 18:00 Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan / Tel: +81-3-3570-9151 (main) http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/aboutus/ Contact JA3GEP - ja3gep at jamsat dot or dot jp to register Check JAMSAT's web page for the latest information: https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=659 March 10 Saturday Time (JST) 13:25 - 13:30 Greetings Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP 13:30 - 14:10 Receiving Satellite Signals in Amateur Radio Bands Naomi Kurahara, JE6EXN 14:10 - 15:10 NEXUS Progress(1) Kiyoshi Yamaguchi Nihon University MEXUS Progress(2) Hozumi Ueda, JA0FKM 15:10 - 15:20 Coffee Break 15:20 - 16:00 Receiving Signal from OMOTENSHI Moon Probe Wataru Torii JAXA Radio Amateur Club 16:00 ~ 16:40 Introduction to Ryman Sat Project Takafumi Shimamura JI1SYC 16:40 - 17:10 Es'hail-2 (P4-A) and other news from AMSAT-DL (Skype) Peter Guelzow, DB2OS 17:10 - 18:00 Group Photo 18:00 - 20:00 Dinner at the Canteen Restaurant March 11 Sunday 09:30 - 10:20 AMSAT-NA's FOX-1 and GOLF Program (Skype) Paul Stoetzer, N8HM 10:20 - 10:30 Coffee Break 10:30 - 11:10 ISS HamTV receiving Project at Wakaytama University Katsumi Morita, JA3RVS 11:10 - 11:50 New Generation SDR Satellite ground station with 5,000JPY Noritsuna Imamura, JI1SZP 11:50 - 12:00 Coffee Break 12:00 - 12:40 Enjoy Satellite Communication with Dipole Antennna! Eiji Nakamura, JA1CPA 12:40 - Other Topics [ANS thanks JAMSAT President Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AA5UK Announces March 1 Cayman Island Satellite Activation ZF2, CAYMAN ISLAND (Satellites, Grids, HF). Adrian, AA5UK, will once again be operating as ZF2AE from Grand Cayman (between March 1-4th) and ZF2AE/ZF8 from Little Cayman (between March 5-10). Activity will be holiday style (usually) on 40-10 meters using a IC- 7300 and vertical antenna. Operations will be focused on the Digital modes (FT8, RTTY, PSK and other digital modes upon request)with possibly some SSB, and the satellites using 2x FT-817s and Arrow Antenna for satellite. Most of his activity will be in the afternoons and evenings. For the latest operational updates, watch his Twitter links <@AA5UK and @ZF2AE>. QSL direct to AA5UK with a SAE/SASE, LoTW or eQSL. [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1351 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- CabreuvaDX Team Announces ZV1C Activation on Satellite March 17-18 Members of the CabreuvaDX Team will be active as ZV1C from Cedro Island between March 17-18th. Activity will be on 80/ 40/20/15/10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. There will also be activity on 2 meters satellite. QSL via PU2VCP. For more details, see ZV1C on QRZ.com. [ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1349 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ESTCube-2 Applies for IARU Frequency Coordination The IARU Coordination Requests page shows that the Institute of Physics at the University of Tartu in Estonia is planning a 3U cubesat named ESTCube-2 is a 3U Cubesat. The primary transceiver proposes to use the 70 cm amateur radio band for uplink and downlink purposes: + Beacon reporting satellite status once per minute in AX.25 data packet format with 9600 baud data-rate FSK/GFSK modulated signal with experimental changing frequency up-to 38600 baud using 2GFSK (or 4GFSK for testing) modulation schemes. + Digital file and/or analog NBFM signal including low resolution image thumbnail images will be transmitted. + The digipeater mode will be used to allow amateur radio operates to use the satellite for two-way digital communication. 9600 bps GFSK AX.25 data uplink will be in 2m amateur band and transmission of digipeated packet in 70 cm radio amateur band. + A Doppler ranging experiment will be used to determine satellite distance to Earth in order to improve accuracy of satellite orbit determination. 2m amateur band as uplink and 70 cm amateur band as downlink is used for Doppler ranging method. + High-speed communications system data downlink in the 5 GHz amateur radio band, where possible data will be satellite status packets, experiment data and full resolution images from Earth observation camera. Data will be downlinked starting with BPSK modulated 9600 bps data-rate up-to 32APSK modulated 25 Mbps data-rate signal. + An on-board corner reflector is planned for possible optical ranging. More info here https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-TI7NbeuNSuUjcwSUhBTEg5UGc/view No launch opportunity has been identified but planning a 2019 deployment into a SSO. [ANS thanks the the Institute of Physics at the University of Tartu and the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shanghai Tech University Proposing Amateur Radio Digipeater Microsat The Amateur Radio Interest Group of Shanghai Tech University has submitted a frequency coordination request to the IARU for a microsat 50k kg, 25 x 25 50 cms with deployable solar panels including an amateur radio mission. + An amateur radio digipeater payload available for all radio amateurs. Digipeater uplink on 2m amateur band and down link on 70cm amateur band using 4k8 FSK. + TT&C uplink on 2m amateur band and down link on 70cm amateur band for amateur payload using 4k8 FSK. + A non-amateur experimental mission will use a laser link and S-band data links in the Spacecraft Operation Service. Planning a launch from Jiuquan Space Center on June 30, 2018 into a 700km SSO. [ANS thanks the Amateur Radio Interest Group of Shanghai Tech University and the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian University Design Challenge for “Selfie-Sat” On February 19, 2018 the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge announced a competition for a 3U Cubesat “Selfie-Sat” to be designed and built by Canadian university students. A snapshot of the Selfie-Sat mission: 1) amateur radio stations contact the university-built cubesat and send a command for it to take a photo from space. The photo is then down-linked to the station, along with photos and stories from Canada. 2) The Selfie-Sat mission will be designed so that amateur radio operators will be able to contact it as it passes overhead. During the contact, the radio operator will be able to send a command for the satellite to take a “Space-Selfie” photo over the region. 3) The photo will be immediately transmitted to the ground, along with Canadian stories for students of all ages, as well as other scenic photos and descriptions of Canada. “We envision radio amateur operators setting up their equipment at science centres or even schools,” said Larry Reeves, Canadian Satel- lite Design Challenge Management Society President, “and having a public or school event for the pass. We believe this mission will have outstanding educational benefits for students, and for promoting Canadian science, technology, and culture.” Competition details are posted at: http://www.csdcms.ca/ [ANS thanks the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge Management Society for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 15th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop at Cal Poly April 30 The CubeSat Developers Workshop at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo will be held April 30 to May 2, 2018. Registration is now open and can be completed at: http://www.cubesat.org/workshop-information A schedule of presentations can also be found on this link. Early Bird Registration Ends on March 30, 2018 and regular registration begins. Online Registration closes April 27, 2018. Those who wish to purchase passes after this date must buy them at the door. [ANS thanks the CubeSat Developers Workshop for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- First Citizen Science Workshop Measuring Effects of the Solar Eclipse This past August, the United States was witness to one of the most beautiful and significant astronomical events in human history – a total solar eclipse that travelled across the country from Oregon to South Carolina. In addition to its visual beauty, this eclipse also had profound effects on the ionosphere, an electrically charged portion of the upper atmosphere that affects radio communications and navigation systems. These ionospheric effects piqued the interest of scientists and amateur radio operators across the country. They conducted one of the largest citizen science experiments in space science, an international ham radio operating event specifically for studying the eclipse. Many of these scientists and hams will be gathering for the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, http://hamsci.org) workshop. The event will be held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ this Friday and Saturday (February 23-24, 2018) to share their observations and findings. The program begins each day at 9AM at the Campus Center. Presentations by scientists and ham radio operators from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory will highlight the program. All interested are welcome to attend the workshop. For more information and registration, please visit http://hamsci.org/hamsci2018. This HamSCI 2018 workshop is organized by Dr. Nathaniel Frissell and is hosted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research. Originally posted at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-056-Southgate-NJIT (Southgatearc.org) [ANS thanks Southgate for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteer Opportunity - Openings for News Service Rotating Editor If you're open to volunteering to help AMSAT this is your chance! We have openings for a few volunteers willing to help as an AMSAT News Service editor. Our editors work on a rotating schedule with each taking turns as the current week's news editor. Using input received from members, the amateur radio community, officers, plus our other editors your job is to assemble the AMSAT News Service bulletin for your week. (Template is provided to help you format the message.) If you can help contact our Senior News Service Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ via his e-mail: kt4tz(a)amsat.org (Ed. note: the need for at least one, hopefully many volunteer editors, is immediate. K9JKM will be retiring at the end of March with extensive travel plans, often out of reach of the internet.) [ANS thanks the AMSAT News Service for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Bittern DX Educational Outreach Project in the UK AMSAT-UK shared a link from an article posted on England's North Norfolk news reporting on the success of Bittern DX’s educational outreach project with the Girl Guides. http://tinyurl.com/ANS-056-GirlGuides Eight members of a north Norfolk-based amateur radio group have been teaching girl guides how to contact colleagues around the world as part of Thinking on The Air Day. The team from Bittern DX’s educational outreach project made the journey to the village hall in Saham Toney, near Swaffham, to speak to about 60 rainbows, brownies, guides and their adult leaders. Thinking on the Air Day is an opportunity for the members of girlguiding from the youngest rainbow to the oldest trefoil guild member to talk to other members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts via amateur radio. On this day each year members remember the founders of the movement and take part in various activities to think about their sisters throughout the world. The girl guides were given the chance to find a transmitter 50 yards away, shown how the Morse code works, and they all keyed their name correctly, earning a certificate. They were then allowed to talk on air to each other using handsets before being introduced to VHF working with each participant correctly conducting a meaningful conservation with a club member outside on a handheld. One brownie had a short conversation with an amateur in Germany. Next they were shown the principles and techniques behind satellite working with three conversations conducted. Peter Stainton, publicity officer for the Bittern DX, said: “Club members found it very rewarding to see the young people take part in our hobby. “One brownie said it had blown her mind away to see what we could do. But as a counterbalance, when being told how we could talk around the world and beyond, one commented ‘I just use Skype’.” The group’s outreach project is aimed at bringing an amateur radio experience to the general public and was given a boost last year with a grant of almost £10,000 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All fund for new club equipment. The group also received money from the Radio Society of Great Britain Legacy Fund (RSGB) to help buy a trailer and new generator. For more information visit www.bittern-dxers.org.uk/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and North Norfolk News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Microwave Compendium "Backscatter" available as free PDF Backscatter is a compendium of the best technical articles that have been in Scatterpoint, the UK Microwave Group newsletter (and its predecessor) over the period 1999 to 2006 The original publication in 2008 was an A5 size book of 445 pages and is an excellent reference with many articles on all aspects of microwaves. Download from http://www.microwavers.org/?backscatter.htm Membership of UKuG is free to those under 21. Details of UKuG membership can be found at: http://www.microwavers.org/ [ANS thanks Southgate ARC News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Bruce Paige, KK5DO, Director of AMSAT Awards congratulates Soren, AK4WQ, for earning AMSAT Rover Award #012. See: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/ + NASA TV plans coverage of the ISS Expedition 54 return to Earth: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m. EST: Expedition 54 crew farewell and hatch closure. NASA astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos bid farewell to the International Space Station crew and close the hatch of their Soyuz spacecraft in preparation for undocking. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m. EST: Expedition 54 Soyuz undocking. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. EST: Expedition 54 Soyuz deorbit burn and landing in Kazakhstan. Landing is scheduled at 9:31 p.m EST. + At 5:02 p.m. EST, March 1, a two-hour launch window will open, during which GOES-S will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida. Launch coverage will begin at 4:30 p.m EST all on NASA TV. + Photos needed for 2018 edition of AMSAT Getting Started With Amateur Satellites. Steve Belter, N9IP, recently tweeted that the editors of the 2018 edition of "AMSAT Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" are looking for action photos of people in the act of operating the satellites. Submissions with credits should be emailed to Steve n9ip at amsat dot org. + Satellite presentation in Surrey BC - The Surrey (BC) Amateur Radio Club announces that there will be will be an amateur radio satellite presentation during their March 14, 2018 meeting. All are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held at the Emergency Management Center BC South West PREOC, 14292 Green Timbers Way, Surrey BC, at 7:00 PM. For more information visit their Web site at: http://ve7sar.net/index.html The City of Surrey has posted the news on their events page: https://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/26128.aspx [ANS thanks Surrey ARC for the above information] + A blog discussing frequently asked questions about visual and radio satellite tracking resources can be read at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-056-SatTrackerFAQ + In order to understand many of the subtleties regarding launch vehicle design it is useful to understand many of the terms used in the engineering analysis and evaluation of these systems. Follow ths link to read about a few of the most important definitions. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Launch_Vehicle_Lingo_999.html + Scott Tilley made headlines after finding a NASA satellite that had been lost for over a decade. The IMAGE satellite, which was meant to study the magnetosphere, was launched in 2000, and lost contact with Earth back in 2005. Tilley, who uses radio equipment to track objects whose orbits are undis- closed, rediscovered it on January 20. Ever since the first satellites were launched, amateur astronomers have played a vital role in keeping tabs on them. In fact, when the Soviet satellite Sputnik I took the United States by surprise in October of 1957, legions of practiced volunteers were ready to track it, armed only with enthusiasm, low-power telescopes, and a good sense of timing. These volunteers were part of Operation Moonwatch, a massive citizen science project. Find more at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-056-MoonwatchHistory (www.atlasobscura.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org

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Someone is messign up the PSAT feed
by Robert Bruninga 24 Feb '18

24 Feb '18

Someone is generating pseudo packets for PSAT and they are jamming up the PSAT downlink capture site. See http://pcsat.findu.com That site is our main source of telemetry for command and control. We cannot have it cluttered with these false packets. Right now, there is not a single live packet from PSAT. It is all an hour of junk from someone's app acting like PSAT... and pushing all our telemetry off the page. Thanks Bob WB4APR

1 0

antennas
by Dave L 24 Feb '18

24 Feb '18

looking to upgrade ants,would like comments on M2 or Hygain sat ants?

2 1

Logging ?
by James Brown 24 Feb '18

24 Feb '18

Does the new SAT32 program have a way to link to a logging program? What is the set up and procedure to log sat contacts on N3FJP logging? Jim

1 0

Want to buy UHF antenna
by mikflathead＠aol.com 24 Feb '18

24 Feb '18

Looking to purchase 435 beam antenna for satellite operation. Prefer M2 or KLM. Must be able to ship to Cleveland. Thanks Mike

1 0

LVB tracker
by kb2mjeff＠att.net 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Fully functional LVB tracker for sale. Moving from a Yaesu 5500 to a RAS-1 at my winter home. $150.00 shipped CONUS, will ship overseas pre paid, postal cost extra... 73 Jeff kb2m --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

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Re: [amsat-bb] [ARISS-ops] [ARISS-i] Live stream info. for tomorrow's ARISS contact with Museum of Science and Technology - Syracuse, NY
by White, Rosalie, K1STO 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Yes, Bob, big congrats! 73, Rosalie K1STO ________________________________ From: ARISS-ops [ariss-ops-bounces(a)amsat.org] on behalf of John Kludt [johnnykludt(a)earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, February 23, 2018 9:23 AM To: Bob McCown; E.Mike McCardel Cc: ariss-press(a)amsat.org; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; amsat-edu; ARISSops Subject: Re: [ARISS-ops] [ARISS-i] Live stream info. for tomorrow's ARISS contact with Museum of Science and Technology - Syracuse, NY Bob, Congrats - only an 11 deg pass here in ATL but sounded great as long as I could hear. I did copy from my horizon to my horizon. Sure will be nice when we get the big radio's up and running in the Columbus module. John -----Original Message----- >From: Bob McCown >Sent: Feb 22, 2018 3:35 PM >To: "E.Mike McCardel" >Cc: ariss-press(a)amsat.org, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org, amsat-edu , ARISSops >Subject: Re: [ARISS-ops] [ARISS-i] Live stream info. for tomorrow's ARISS contact with Museum of Science and Technology - Syracuse, NY > >Hi Mike et all: > >Correcting the typo: 145.800 MHz (not 245) downlink will work better >to hear the contact. > >Regards, Bob McCown n3iyi(a)amsat.org 15:32 est 2/22/2018 > >On 2/22/18, E.Mike McCardel wrote: >> Also remember that this contact should be audible over most of the Eastern >> USA and Canada on the ARISS downlink, 245.800 MHz. >> >> EMike McCardel, AA8EM >> Rotating Editor AMSAT News Service >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Feb 22, 2018, at 12:31 PM, >>> wrote: >>> >>> Video of the US#417 ARISS Direct Contact with the Syracuse NY Museum of >>> Science & Technology (and Danforth Middle School), US#417, happening >>> Friday, 2018-02-23 14:08 UTC, should be available via live stream tomorrow >>> morning at the following URLs: >>> https://www.facebook.com/MOSTSyracuse/ >>> https://www.youtube.com/user/SyracuseMOST >>> >>> Bob, WB4SON >>> ARISS mentor >>> >>> Virus-free. www.avast.com >>> _______________________________________________ >>> ARISS-i mailing list >>> ARISS-i(a)amsat.org >>> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ariss-i >> >_______________________________________________ >ARISS-ops mailing list >ARISS-ops(a)amsat.org >http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ariss-ops

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AMSAT demo in Tucson AZ on 24 Feb during 2000 UTC AO-91 pass
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Hi! I will give a demonstration of satellite operating for the University of Arizona Amateur Radio Club (K7UAZ) tomorrow afternoon (24 February 2018) during the 2000 UTC AO-91 pass. The demonstration will be near the Kuiper (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory) building along University Blvd., on the east end of the University of Arizona campus in the center of Tucson (DM42, Pima County). If you hear WD9EWK on that pass, please call and be a part of the demonstration. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World tomorrow night or on Sunday, once I return home. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK

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Live stream info. for tomorrow's ARISS contact with Museum of Science and Technology - Syracuse, NY
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Video of the US#417 ARISS Direct Contact with the Syracuse NY Museum of Science & Technology (and Danforth Middle School), US#417, happening Friday, 2018-02-23 14:08 UTC, should be available via live stream tomorrow morning at the following URLs: https://www.facebook.com/MOSTSyracuse/ https://www.youtube.com/user/SyracuseMOST Bob, WB4SON ARISS mentor --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Kenwood TH-D72a, TH-D74a, and CAT
by Devin L. Ganger 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

All, Trying to find the answer online and failing. Do either the TH-D72a or TH-D74a permit CAT? Working out my budget for radios and trying to figure out which feature set I will need more. I read that the D74a has a built-in audio recorder. I would need to be using that as the receiver in order for that feature to be useful, correct? I also read one post from someone who uses an Elk log periodic (the same antenna I have) with a duplexer to allow both his HTs to function in his setup. Is that practical to maintain the "always hear the satellite downlink" as you're transmitting? -- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin(a)thecabal.org<mailto:[email protected]> web: Devin on Earth<http://www.devinonearth.com/> cell: +1 425.239.2575

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DM92 Saturday
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Looks like the weather will be favorable for a run to DM92 on Saturday, 24 February. I plan to work the following passes: AO-85 at 1723Z AO-92 at 1745Z AO-91 at 1821Z AO-85 at 1903Z All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW. Hard copy QSLs available upon email request. 73 Glenn AA5PK

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Rotator options
by Joe N3XLS 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Hi all,I have an arrow antenna mounted to two rotators that are manually controlled. However, as much as i though this would work well, it has not. Im wondering what options are out there for rotators that can be controlled via a tracking program? It seems the most common is the yeasu az el. However Iwas wondering if there is any less expensive options, that could be modified etc. Ive looked at the WRAPS etc im looking for a good all weather setup. JoeN3XLS

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Re: [amsat-bb] satpc ver D ?
by Wayne Estes 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Jim Ki7WJ wrote: Upgraded to the new ver D SAT32 and working ok. I haave the Observer stored and is correct for my QTH(Reno), however the map does not center on the qth or the U.S.? unless I engage a satellite specifically. Am I missing something in the set up? ThanksJim KI6WJ Wayne W9AE replies: Go into the Setup -> Options menu and make sure that "center map on observer" is enabled. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Detecting Es'hail-2 from North America after launch but before parking at 25.5 degrees
by Douglas Quagliana 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Friends, I know that Es'hail-2 will be positioned at 25.5 degrees, which means that once it is parked there it will not be visible from North America. But, it is launching from Cape Canaveral and I would imagine that it has to make at least a couple of orbits, while still in the geosynchronous transfer orbit, before the burn(s) to position it at 25.5 degrees. And, that's a couple of orbits that might take it over some part of North America (exactly where and who might be in the footprint for those few passes depends on where the GTO perigee is, I think). What I would like to know is if there will be any transmissions or any telemetry beacons from Es'hail-2 (probably on a NON-amateur frequency from NON-amateur equipment) that might be heard from North America during those few GTO orbits before the final burn. Perhaps, is there an engineering beacon that might be heard during one of those passes over North America? Anybody know? Bonus points awarded if you know when, where, and how many burns are taking place. Someone with a telescope (or someone with access to a remotely operated telescope) might be able to detect something. 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5 Just trying to earn the absurd but true "I heard Es'hail-2 from North America" T-shirt :-)

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AO73/FC1 operations
by Graham Shirville 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Hi all, Just to advise that AO73/FUNcube-1 is now in amateur mode, with the transponder on, until Monday morning UTC. As a reminder there is also the transponder on EO88/ Nayif-1 which continues to operate when in eclipse and the transponder on UKube-1 which is also available 24/7. 73 Graham

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA on 26 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:59 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and W3YA. The contact should be audible over the state of Pennsylvania and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. The Bellefonte Area Middle School is a rural public school of about 660 students in a district of approximately 2600 students. The middle school is scheduled for an ARISS school contact in late February or early March of 2018 and excitement is building across the district for the event. The school has teamed up with the Nittany Amateur Radio Club for the event. Ellwood Brem (K3YV) and Jon Guizar (K3JEG) are setting up equipment and coordinating the event with help from other club members. Students have been excited to help in fabricating some of the equipment needed. Many teachers and students have been an essential part of the preparation. The student's excitement for the event started with the eighth-grade art class where students participated in a T-shirt design contest. Students have also been learning about the ISS and its crew-members as they entered into the question competition for a chance to speak to an astronaut. Bellefonte has invited many districts across the state to participate as well and 3 of the questions chosen are from other school districts. The live event will be attended by 700+ in the middle school auditorium, another 2200+ in other district buildings, hundreds to thousands more via live streaming to 3 other school districts, and an unknown number via 2-meter simulcast, live radio station coverage, and live streaming from our local TV station. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Is there a specific task that astronauts have to re-learn how to do because the normal way isn?t possible with zero gravity? 2. How many more years will the International Space Station be active to help astronauts find out about space? 3. What is the average age astronauts begin training for space travel? 4. What was the scariest machine malfunction that has happened to you and how did you fix it? 5. What is the most stressful thing you had to deal with while being in space? 6. Which common misconceptions about space bother you the most when people speak of space? 7. Do you notice any significant changes to your mood and stress level? If so, what are some coping mechanisms you utilize? 8. Does the lack of gravity take a toll on your body? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. What type of equipment do you have on the ISS to study different stars and galaxies, or do you only study the Earth? 11. What part of the ACME program conducted on the ISS is the most beneficial, the microgravity combustion engines or the fire proofing technology? 12. Did you have a role model when you were younger? If so, who was it? 13. I know that space travel has to put a lot of stress on the human body. What type of medical preparation do you go through before you can leave for space? 14. What is it like being away from your family for months to years on end? 15. We teach about the importance of eating healthy and exercise in our Health classes. How do you obtain adequate nutrition and fitness while in space? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD 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 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY on 23 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 14:08 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and K2MST. The contact should be audible over the state of New York and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse is an after-school program for children ages five to 12 years old. Each night, Boys & Girls Club members have access to academic tutors, college mentors, as well as a hot meal for dinner. From sports and recreation to the arts, Central Village offers a variety of opportunities for children of all backgrounds to creatively flourish. With one goal in mind, staff works to challenge each member to personally grow every day, and leave the program with the skills to be a productive citizen in their neighborhoods. The MOST and Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse students are prepared for contact with astronauts aboard the ISS. Students experienced a series of training sessions on communication, practiced with a mock ISS contact exercise, and viewed A Beautiful Planet in the MOST's domed IMAX theater, which offers insightful perspective of Earth from astronauts aboard the ISS. Students generated questions based on previous knowledge and experiences during training and while watching A Beautiful Planet. Peter Plumley, MOST Chief Program Officer, Chris Perrine, MOST Senior Director of Facilities & Exhibits, and Jeffrey Eysaman, Unit Director at Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse, have worked diligently to provide students with background information and facilitate training for contact with astronauts aboard the ISS. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How long can you stay outside the station? 2. What is the biggest challenge facing space exploration right now? 3. What inspired you to become an astronaut? 4. Do you think we'll live on the moon? 5. What's the scariest thing about space travel? 6. What is the most fun part about your job? 7. Have you built anything on the space station? 8. What kind of food do you eat in outer space? 9. What food do you miss the most? 10. What are your missions in space, right now? 11. How long will you stay in space? 12. How many years can you stay in the capsule without running out of supplies? 13. What experiments are you working on? 14. What is your favorite part of being on the space station? 15. Do you think we'll live on the moon? 16. What should I do if I want to become an astronaut? 17. How do you go to the bathroom? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. School in Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is TBD Contact is a go for Sat 2018-02-24 08:45 UTC Watch for possible time update 2. Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA, direct via W3YA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-26 17:59 UTC 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 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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EM87
by WX4TV - James Lea 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

As long as they keep the gate to the overlook open long enough, I will be QRV from EM87 in Pikeville, KY on AO-92 tonight at 02:11Z if anyone needs the grid. If you already have the grid confirmed, please make way for those who don’t. Will be portable (not /mobile) with an Elk antenna and logging as WX4TV. If they close the gate, I won’t be there. Sent from my iPhone

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3 Axis air bearing Satellite Attitude Simulator
by Robert Bruninga 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

We have to excess two large 3 axis airbearing simulators. One is about 5' tall and supports a dumbbell shaped satellite simulator that is about 4 feet across. The other is a 4' diameter disk that has all the same attitude control stuff. It is shown here: http://aprs.org/labsats/PLATSAT-210xx.jpg The Dumbell one is similar to this one I found on line, except ours does not have the two rectangular plates on the end. Just the air bearing and the arm and two disks. It is complete since the disks contain large reaction wheels in all three axis and a set of 6 cold gas thrusters from a compressed air tank. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christopher_Hall13/publication/254875 116/figure/fig8/AS:393203330109448@1470758387741/University-of-Michigans-T riaxial-Air-Bearing-Testbed-51-payloads-with-soft-well-damped.jpg The dumbbell one cleary has a larger 3D range of motion since the bulk of the attitude control stuff is away from the bearing and will not run into the support bearing as soon. Consider these have NO working processor on board. We got them surpluss with the idea of using an Arduino controller instead of the huge PC it originally had 2 decades ago. They must go by May 1 by donation to a legitimate academic institution willing to do the paperwork and come get it in the ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND area. They are big and bulky, but are precision instruments. Just a thought. Bob Bruninga US Naval Academy 410-293-6417

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ERP recommendations
by Brad Brooks 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

Does a concise list of practical ERP uplink recommendations exist for each bird in orbit today? I see a general recommendation for U/V as 100w ERP, added to it with the practical ERP uplink experience for L/V; this is useful for me. I also have my own (spotty) experience with the various FM and Linear birds. Just wondering if there is a more comprehensive list. If not, I am soliciting information and I would be glad to compile the list for everyone’s reference. 73 Brad WF7T EM66

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satpc ver D ?
by James Brown 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

Upgraded to the new ver D SAT32 and working ok. I haave the Observer stored and is correct for my QTH(Reno), however the map does not center on the qth or the U.S. unless I engage a satellite specifically. Am I missing something in the set up? ThanksJim KI6WJ

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Any moles at SpaceX or other launchers?
by Robert Bruninga 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

We have a flight-ready APRS/DTMF-to-Voice transponder that needs a ride to space attached to ANYTHING. All it needs is host power. Otherwise, it has its own antennas and deployment mechanism and has passed all flight readiness testing. Keep your eyes and ears open for any junk going to space that this can be attached to. The Tesla from SpaceX would have been nice... Here is the full description: http://aprs.org/qikcom-3.html Bob, WB4APR

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