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Fwd: [VHF] FS: Kenwood TS-790A w/1.2 GHz Module -- also a Dentron MLA 2500 using two 3cx800A7s.
by Angelo Glorioso 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

Just in case someone is looking for a good radio for sat work. Angelo -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [VHF] FS: Kenwood TS-790A w/1.2 GHz Module -- also a Dentron MLA 2500 using two 3cx800A7s. Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2018 21:27:01 -0500 From: Bart Jahnke via VHF <vhf(a)w6yx.stanford.edu><mailto:[email protected]> Reply-To: Bart Jahnke <bjahnke(a)gmail.com><mailto:[email protected]> To: VHF Reflector <vhf(a)w6yx.stanford.edu><mailto:[email protected]>, VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting(a)contesting.com><mailto:[email protected]> Folks, I have a Kenwood TS 790 a with 1296 module for sale. Also for sale is a Dentron MLA-2500 modified with two 3cx800A7s. See details on QTH.COM at: https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fswap.qth.… 73 Bart W9JJ _______________________________________________ VHF mailing list VHF(a)w6yx.stanford.edu<mailto:[email protected]> https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fw6yx.stan…

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Tracking errors with HRD Sat tracking
by Francis Geraci 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

I have noticed mention about issues with HRD Sat tracking. No "specific" problems were mentioned I have used HRD for may years, and know it pretty well. After the last few "updates", an upcoming sat pass in HRD, the pass over my QTH, is about 5 - 10 minutes later. I, also run SatPC32 at the same time, along with pass predictions from other Web sites. All of the predictions agree, except for HRD, reporting the pass later. I have missed many passes using HRD. When I switched to SatPC32, I started hearing passes. My "keps" are current, QTH is correct, time is correct, and all the "personal" information is correct in the HRD Logbook. I am "totally" stumped. Best toAll WB1FXX

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8 February 2018, report welcome for Spacecube & X-Cubesat :
by christophe.mcr 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

Hi Some test should be performed on Spacecube & X-Cubesat the 8 February 2018. - *Spacecube :* try to swich modulation from AFSK 1200 bps to GMSK 9600 bauds - *X-Cubesat* : keeps additional data ( AFSK 1200 bps ) The test should start at 12h30 UTC. Frequency : - *X-Cubesat : *ON01FR : 437.020 MHz - *Spacecube : *ON05FR : 436.880 MHz you can send your report to : *contact at amsat-f.org <http://amsat-f.org>* Additional information on http://site.amsat-f.org/2018/02/07/spacecube-x-cubesat-rapport-decoute-dema… Thanks for your help. Christophe

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skCUBE telemetry definitions
by Jim White 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

Can anyone point us to the telemetry decode coefficients/formulas for skCUBE? We are trying to help a high school intern at LASP figure out the values in the COMM packets which are sent every 30 seconds. He started out using those beacons to characterize the performance of the CU ground station in Fairbanks, AK, but now has moved on to trying to make sense of the data. The file he found online defines the source of the values in the packet but not how to turn the values into engineering values. Emails to the owners have not been answered. Any help appreciated. Jim, WD0E

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Falcon Heavy Launch Time
by B J 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

https://twitter.com/spacex Due to upper level wind conditions, estimated lift-off is now for 1920 UTC. Go Falcon Heavy! Go SpaceX! 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Where is my Roadster?
by Greg D 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

Hi folks, I understand one can't use traditional "Keps" for objects in a Solar orbit. How does one track the trans-asteroid belt Tesla Roadster, just launched by SpaceX? Anybody know what they are using for a downlink? Thanks, Greg KO6TH

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HRD Sat portion of HRD program
by Ted Krempa 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

Hi Mike, since I literally dragged you to this board, there are some things you will learn about this group. First, there is a lot of embedded (and IMHO, irrational) bias about the HRD Sat program that, as happens in human nature, just goes back to the urban legend status. Some folks are entrenched and there is no hope of changing that bias. There are new users that will take you at your word that you are working on the program and will be patient. Another category are folks that tried the program 6-7 years ago and have made the call that 'it just does not 'work'"...they can't tell you why or provide much useful input, "it just don't work because someone told me that 3 years ago". Another related category are the folks Rick pissed off. (enough said about the departed) So you challenge will be to find that new developer and as far as this resource, elicit some useful input from folks that are willing to use the program and provide some objective information to correct the issues. With that said, my view is that the issue primarily applies to the use of linear sats. I believe the program tracks the LEOS and the doppler correction makes the program useful. Whether or not it is spot on, is over my paygrade. I just know that I got my VUCC using HRD about 95% of the time and on LEO sats. As I have said before, run the HRD sat program side by side. The glaring diff I have seen is in altitude, not el or az. But, again above my no-code paygrade. So, bottom line with this Group...be patient. Most of them have forgotten your post of a couple of days ago outlining your commitment to resolve the software issues. I believe in your commitment. Some will complain if they were hung with a new rope... So, hang in there and keep asking specifics from the Group. I'm confident you can get it handled. 73, Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Carper, Ph.D. via AMSAT-BB Sent: Monday, February 5, 2018 6:12 PM To: Frank Cc: Suryono Adisoemarta via AMSAT-BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tracking errors with HRD Sat tracking Hmmm... is everyone else just on an old version or something? Mike, WA9PIE On Mon, Feb 5, 2018 at 4:34 PM, Frank <k6fw1(a)verizon.net> wrote: > That is correct. > > Frank, K6FW > > > On 2/5/18 12:34 PM, Michael Carper, Ph.D. wrote: > > You're on the 787 release then? > > Mike, WA9PIE > > On Mon, Feb 5, 2018 at 12:56 PM, Frank <k6fw1(a)verizon.net> wrote: > >> I run HRD Sat, SatPC32 and MacDoppler on my computer and all the AOS >> times match. I am running the latest release from September 2017 of >> HRD Sat. >> >> Frank >> K6FW >> >> >> On 2/5/18 9:16 AM, Michael Carper, Ph.D. via AMSAT-BB wrote: >> >>> As someone said previously, it's probably a math problem that got >>> buggered up somewhere along the way. >>> >>> We will get this fixed. >>> >>> Mike, WA9PIE >>> >>> On Mon, Feb 5, 2018 at 11:05 AM, Francis Geraci >>> <fgeraci14(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>> I have noticed mention about issues with HRD Sat tracking. No "specific" >>>> problems were mentioned I have used HRD for may years, and know it >>>> pretty well. >>>> After the last few "updates", an upcoming sat pass in HRD, the pass >>>> over my QTH, is about 5 - 10 minutes later. >>>> I, also run SatPC32 at the same time, along with pass predictions >>>> from other Web sites. All of the predictions agree, except for HRD, >>>> reporting the pass later. I have missed many passes using HRD. >>>> When I switched to SatPC32, I started hearing passes. >>>> My "keps" are current, QTH is correct, time is correct, and all the >>>> "personal" information is correct in the HRD Logbook. I am "totally" >>>> stumped. >>>> Best toAll >>>> WB1FXX >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > > > _______________________________________________ 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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Unknown new satellite MXSAT
by Nico Janssen 07 Feb '18

07 Feb '18

All, A new unknown satellite has appeared which has a downlink near 436.370 MHz with 9600 bps telemetry. In its telemetry transmissions it identifies itself as MXSAT. Doppler measurements show that this MXSAT is object 43199, 2018-015H. 73, Nico PA0DLO

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Falcon 9 Computer
by Mike Hoblinski 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

As I watched the Falcon 9 Heavy launch today just before liftoff I heard the usual words...... And now the onboard computer has taken control of the rocket. It got me wondering about the type of computer being used. What type of bus, how many boards being used, all the connections for sensors, valves, monitoring. What are they using as a main processor. Did they design it from the ground up or use a model from earlier rocket launches and modify it. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

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SatPC32 up and running
by radiomb 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Thanks again everyone. Eric your simple instructions worked fine. And now I have an automated antenna system. I understand your program is used by serious satellite users and look forward to using it.73 Mike K4MIA

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FW: kiron satTrak IV
by James Barron 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Subject: kiron satTrak IV I have this SATTRAK IV On the shelve and just wanted to know if it is still useful ? 73 de jim wb5aaa

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SatPC32 setup questions
by radiomb 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

I have a few more SatPC32 questions. I have LVB tracker working with my G-5500 rotor using HyperTerminal and USB port 13. In setup rotor it only talks about LPT ports 1-4. Since I do not have any parallel ports I entered 0. If I understand right I need to update the ParPort.SQF file? Manual says how to find in window 98, 2000,XP. I have windows 7, I cannot find a way to find these values. On the rotor setup I have Yaesu_GS-232. The manual said not all the next fields are used in every tracker but here is what I came up with (0 70 n -3). In port address it has $0000 and I cannot find the address to enter. And lastly how do you turn rotor tracking on or off? I see in options to how to start tracking at start up but I would like to track only when I am planning on working the birds. And turn off when I am just watching all the sats. Is there anyone out there that would not mind me asking some of these questions off group so I am not filling up the BB with basic questions?Tnx 73 Mike K4MIA

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Re: [amsat-bb] Programming software for FT-847?
by Burns Fisher 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Yes, I just discovered. Sorry about that. I hardly imagined it would work for the 817 and the 857, but not the 847! BTW, it also does not work for an ICOM 910H, as I just discovered with my new rig :-) No big deal since the memories on the 910H are only semi-useful anyway without labels! On Tue, Feb 6, 2018 at 1:45 PM, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Thanks, Burns, but the list of supported radios for CHIRP does not list > the 847. Apparently, this rig is a bit of an odd bird... > > Greg KO6TH > > > > Burns Fisher wrote: > > If you mainly want to load memories with freq/mode/tone/name etc, then > CHIRP works nicely on my FT-817, so I assume it would also work for an > 847. It also works on several Kenwood radios that I have tried! > > https://chirp.danplanet.com > > On Tue, Feb 6, 2018 at 1:45 AM, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi folks, >> >> Any recommendations for configuration programming software for the Yeasu >> FT-847? Something similar to what Kenwood provides for their rigs - >> basic configs (memory frequency, mode, etc.), and preferably free, but >> nothing shows up on their site. >> >> I see that RT Systems has something, but my frustration level isn't high >> enough to warrant buying both software and a special cable to do it. I >> was just trying to enter memory settings for AO-91 and AO-92, and >> managed to overwrite the wrong memory channel... >> >> There's a bit of "shareware" by WB8NUT, but I can't verify that it >> actually works because until you buy it, it won't talk to the radio. >> Cheaper than the RT product, but I'm rather put off by its evaluation >> terms. No sale. >> >> Nothing else comes up that seems viable (e.g. a website that still >> exists). >> >> Any thoughts? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Greg KO6TH >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Programming software for FT-847?
by Greg D 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Hi folks, Any recommendations for configuration programming software for the Yeasu FT-847? Something similar to what Kenwood provides for their rigs - basic configs (memory frequency, mode, etc.), and preferably free, but nothing shows up on their site. I see that RT Systems has something, but my frustration level isn't high enough to warrant buying both software and a special cable to do it. I was just trying to enter memory settings for AO-91 and AO-92, and managed to overwrite the wrong memory channel... There's a bit of "shareware" by WB8NUT, but I can't verify that it actually works because until you buy it, it won't talk to the radio. Cheaper than the RT product, but I'm rather put off by its evaluation terms. No sale. Nothing else comes up that seems viable (e.g. a website that still exists). Any thoughts? Thanks, Greg KO6TH

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Satellite Es'hail 2 Launch date:?!!!
by iw5bsf＠alice.it 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

link https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?id=2683 73 de iw5bsf Roberto

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-06 05:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 06 Feb '18

06 Feb '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-06 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC, direct via KG4AKV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Mon 2018-02-05 18:32:06 UTC 25 deg (***) Vilniaus Jono Basanaviciaus Gymnasium together with Vilniaus Jono Basanaviciaus Progymnasium, Vilnius, Lithuania, direct via LY1BWB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-12 12:45:49 UTC 46 deg (***) Los Angeles Academy Middle School, Los Angeles, CA, direct via W6RVD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Fri 2018-02-16 16:53:20 UTC 34 deg (***) University of the Philippines Integrated School, Quezon City, Philippines, direct via DX1ISS (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP (***) Contact is a go for: Sat 2018-02-17 10:23:00 UTC 70 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 100 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-02-06 05:00 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 1206. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1155. (***) 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 2018-02-06 05:00 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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TS-2000 Vintage Question
by Richard Lawn 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

I'm contemplating trading a IC-7300 for a TS-2000. I need a backup radio for satellites and EME. Are there any issues you users know about the 2000 vintage 2002? Was it plagued with birdies in the sat passband? Rick, W2JAZ

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Re: [amsat-bb] SatPc32 SQF file
by radiomb 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Mike and Dimitry your two posts are exactly what I was looking for 1) The Amsat-UK.org website that has most SQF files 2) SatPC32 users W9KE doppler.sqf editor. These really help a new guy. The SatPC32 manual is ok but seeing the table and knowing what they are helps to understand the program.TNX AGN 73 Mike K4MIA

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Livestream of ARISS contact 2018-02-05 1832 UTC
by John Brier 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

A YouTube video and Google Hangout will be embedded at the following website before the contact: http://mrhunterscience6.weebly.com/ The contact is at 1832 UTC February 5th 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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AO-92 L Band
by Mike Seguin 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

I just had a very noisy 6 degree max pass here in VT. There was nobody in the footprint on L Band so I tested nominal frequency for the uplink. This time the nominal was ~ 8.5 kHz high. 1267.3585 More testing is needed, especially with lower power to fine tune. Mike -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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Livestream direct link - Moore Square Middle ARISS contact
by John Brier 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtngAHGKzpY Pass is at 1832 UTC 2018-02-05 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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EN-24 Activation
by Paul Overn 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

I should be able to activate EN-24 This coming Wednesday (2/7/18) for the 22:00z pass of AO-85 @AMSAT KE0PRB Paul Overn `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

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Tracker software for iOS
by Devin L. Ganger 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Greetings, programs! A little while back there was a good thread about tracker software recommendations for Android. I have just moved to iOS from Windows phones, and was wondering what other iPhone owners are using for sat and ham radio software on iOS devices? Thanks in advance, Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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Sirius satellites 2320.190 MHz carriers ?
by f6htj＠aol.com 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Hello all; last year I could still receive the Sirius sat carriers around 2320.190 MHz but now nothing. It was very usefull as beacon everywhere as elevation at apogee was around 40°. Any news ? 73 de Michel F6HTJ

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Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G5500 + LVB tracker for sale
by Wayne ＠ Gmail 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Please disregard the message titled "Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G5500 + LVB tracker for sale" I do not have these items for sale, it was mistakenly sent to the lisr. Sorry about that. 73 Wayne N5WD

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SatPc32 SQF file
by Mike Hoblinski 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

On the Amsat-UK.org website under satellites they have a SQF file that you can download or do a cut and paste. But unfortunately it too needs to be updated with AO-91 and AO-92. I do like they way they have the option to download their news letter for members. Its similar to the Amsat-NA journal but is only published four times a year. Its nice to save the downloads and build a library. I like having it on the e-reader and be able to take several with me to read on the bus and also have the hyper links in the articles. It would be nice if SatPC32 was a little more automated and customizable with some of the files and keps updates. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

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Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G5500 + LVB tracker for sale
by Wayne ＠ Gmail 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

R. Wayne Day Day and Associates Training P.O.Box 102 Ponder TX 76259

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Just bit the bullet and joined AMSAT with the QRO 80 membership. Silly question...
by Nick Hart 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Good afternoon! I just bit the bullet and joined AMSAT with the QRO 80 membership. I'm delighted to be able to download the Getting Started...guide. It looks like a really tremendous resource. One of the reasons I chose the membership at that level was the copy of SATPC32 that comes with it. I'm not quite clear on how the software is delivered with the membership. Can anyone tell me whether it's the downloadable version, or if I'll be receiving CD? I'm not seeing how I'm supposed to receive it. Thank you! 73! Nick KK6ZLF

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Ham Radio Deluxe Satellite app
by Michael Carper, Ph.D. 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

Greetings all... I'm glad to accept the invitation to participate in this email reflector. I want to say a few words about our intentions regarding the Satellite tracking app in Ham Radio Deluxe. To recap, in brief, for those who haven't followed the path of Ham Radio Deluxe... Ham Radio Deluxe was developed by Simon Brown in the early 2000's... pretty much as an experiment or hobby. By 2010, there were over 100,000 registered users using the software for free... but Simon wanted to move on to other interests. By the end of 2011, Internet posts were full of "R.I.P" postings and no real development had been done for more than a year. I was looking to move off of an old logging program (Log Windows) and Ham Radio Deluxe looked interesting, but it lacked serious capabilities that DXers need. After contacting Simon and much convincing, I talked him into selling me the source code and the rights to Ham Radio Deluxe (past, present, and future). But I'm not a developer... and I needed one. I partnered with two other people (Rick and Randy). Rick and Erik did the development through the end of 2016. And while Randy and I continued with our "day jobs", Rick was appointed "managing partner" and ran the company until 1/1/2017 when he left and Randy and I assumed full and equal control of the company. The reason I point this out is this: Since Randy and I took control of the company on 1/1/2017, we brought in a fantastic developer who whipped through 150 items in the product backlog and we had 10 releases in 2017. Much progress was made. However, this developer decided to move on to other things. At the end of last fall, we added a new developer and he's doing a fine job (though he's not a ham). To the present... It's clear that Ham Radio Deluxe has become too large for a single developer. It's not fair to expect a single developer to tend five applications. And while Rig Control, Logbook, and DM-780 account for about 80% of the requested fixes and features... it tends to "drown-out" the other applications - Satellite Tracking, Rotor Control, and Mapper. Make no mistake - I'm committed to ALL the applications in the Ham Radio Deluxe suite. In the past few weeks, I have begun on-boarding two additional developers. It's my intention to on-board one or two more over the next few weeks. My plan is to have a primary developer for each of the applications. Given that there's no better time to focus on satellite work than during a sunspot low (me included)... we will absolutely give the Satellite app the time it deserves. I'm actually feeling pretty good about the progress we made in 2017. But there's a whole lot more to do. If there's a developer among you who would like to jump in (and get paid) to work on the Satellite app... by all means, contact me directly and I'll give you the keys. I absolutely want this app to be the very best satellite app available for hams. (Significant and demonstrated experience with Visual Studio, C++, MFC is required. Able to work and make progress independently - because I've got a day-job that still requires 60 hrs a week.) But yes - I'm aware that we've got work to do here and I'm absolutely committed to getting it done. We'll be at the Orlando Hamcation this weekend... come see us if you're in the area! Mike, WA9PIE

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SatPC32 Issues
by Les Rayburn 05 Feb '18

05 Feb '18

In no way are my remarks meant to disparage Erich DK1TB for his efforts. We’re all grateful for his work, and that he donates the proceeds to AMSAT to support our hobby. And yes, I can see the advantage of tweaking the Doppler files for individual radios, and their quirks. However, it should be a simple matter to update Kep files, and add new satellites. That process should be automated, and easy to do. It’s possible to have both—and considering that we literally have rocket scientists working on this phase of the hobby, it’s almost inconceivable that we don’t have better software for this critical task. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA. Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, SDRPlay RSP-2 Pro, Sony XDR-F1HD, Dennon TU-1500RD, Sangean HDT-1, Ray Dees RDS Decoders, Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip. “Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”

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Re: [amsat-bb] CP antennas VS non CP antennas
by Joe Werth 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Jim, Scott, KA9P has done some linear vs circular comparisons. You might email him and get his perspective. 73, Joe KE9AJ Sent from my iPhone > On Feb 4, 2018, at 5:08 PM, jim(a)beeson.cc wrote: > > > > > > > > I have been licensed since 1966. I have fond memories of working LEO satellites like RS12/13, RS15, etc. but have not done any satellite work since the failure of AO40. The number of new LEO sats has > encouraged me to get back in the game so I pulled out some equipment & checked it out and am ready for the antenna. Sorry for being so long-winded but I thought a little history was in order so you would understand what I am about to ask. I know what circular polarization is and why it is used. > My question is, has there been any study or article or some real life actual experiences comparing CP antennas VS non CP antennas on the birds we currently have available? I have small antennas that have 70 cm & 144 Mhz in the same plane on one boom. Do you think it is necessary to go to the > time and expense to get a CP antenna (70 CM/144 Mhz) of either on the same boom or even more expense of a separate 70 CM CP antenna and a 144 Mhz CP separated on a longer boom? Thanks in advance…. > 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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SatPC32 Auxiliary Files
by Les Rayburn 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Actually Paul, I have to disagree with your comments. It would be best if either SatPC32 was reprogrammed to allow for seamless and automatic updates when new satellites are launch, or if someone would write a completely new piece of software with this capability. SatPC32 may be the best available (I think it is after trying them all) but it’s hardly a user-friendly piece of software. Amateur satellite communications offers one of the most cutting edge areas of our hobby, but the premiere software package available doesn’t begin to compare to things like WSJT, CWSkimmer, or other software tools that we have available. I’d rather have AMSAT fund one less satellite and instead funnel those resources towards the development of a satellite tracking and rig control software that performs better. Maybe we should start a crowd-sourcing project. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA. Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, SDRPlay RSP-2 Pro, Sony XDR-F1HD, Dennon TU-1500RD, Sangean HDT-1, Ray Dees RDS Decoders, Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip. “Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”

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Frequently Asked Questions about Satellite Tracking
by E.Mike McCardel 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I thought some here would enjoy this information. This is from the SeeSat-L mailing list. It is one of those groups that has a lot in common with us. The author is Scott Tilley, Amateur visual and radio astronomer, radio amateur VE7TIL. https://skyriddles.wordpress.com/2018/02/03/frequently-asked-questions-abou… EMike McCardel, AA8EM Rotating Editor AMSAT News Service Sent from my iPhone

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L band egg beater
by Jim White 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Can anyone suggest a source for an L band eggbeater antenna? I want to try one stuck on a short pole and 40W to it for the 92 uplink. I'm not having much luck finding one to purchase. Jim, WD0E

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AO-92 L Band
by Mike Seguin 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I'm wondering what other ops are seeing for Doppler settings on their L-Band uplink. Here in VT - last pass - It was pretty consistently +10 kHz on my FT-736R. I plan to change SATPC32 to use 1267.360 and give that a try. I was using manual VFO mode on the rig, so I had full range tuning - not steps - and could adjust for best quieting. L band system here: FT-736R - 1.2 GHz module DL2AM 60 watt amp (power is fully adjustable) D/S 55 el 1269 loop yagi G5400 rotors -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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AO-92 L Band
by PA3GUO 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

19:30 UTC pass over Europe.... to say it in a positive way: Wow - impressive amount of people trying to get over the satellite at the same time ! Ollah :-( PA3GUO

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 Uplink Question
by Mark L. Hammond 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Hi Brian, We try to get the word out, best we can. Hopefully Drew KO4MA and the Operations Team will be able to set a weekly schedule that can be followed as frequently as possible. Some exceptions will occur, but a routine schedule will help all users (and the command team). I posted an email this morning to this list right after commanding into L-band mode. The subject of my email eluded to being in L-band for 24 hours. I didn't make clear it would be back in U/v after that...but that's likely to be the default Also, The Amsat New Service had the information about the schedule, in advance. You should subscribe, if you don't already. Check our webpage on how to do that. Also, the schedule is on the webpage as well, posted in advance. So the info is there, just have to keep your eyes open and look a bit. It'll get easier as we go...and we'll continue to try to make it known. Mark N8MH At 12:42 PM 2/4/2018 -0500, Brian wrote: >I was able to hear the past 2 passes of AO-92 this morning. > >Per the the past couple of posts, it looks like AO-92 is using the 1.2 >uplink freq. > >How can I find out when it will be using the 435 uplink freq ? > >Thank you > > >Brian, KG8CO >_______________________________________________ >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

2 1

XW2D digital uplink interference?
by Robert Bruninga 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

One of the XW-2 birds seems to have a steady digitial signal in the center of the passband. Is this from the bird, or something it is hearing on the uplink? If it is on the 435.21 to 435.23 uplink it should be nice challenge to try to derive its position from Doppler observations, and then start searching on the ground. Both are lots of fun and a nice ham challenge. Again, I have not listend to these birds enough to get the big picture, so if I am confused, ignore me. Its just that this week is our classes annual week to tune in some satellites and I have heard this signal multiple passes. Bob, WB4APR

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FUNcube-1/AO73 operations
by Graham Shirville 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Hi All, AO73 is now in continuous educational mode. Please expect the next mode change to take place on Thursday. Predictions indicate that AO73 will enter continuous sunlight for a period of approx six weeks on Tuesday! 73 Graham G3VZV

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SatPC32 auxiliary files
by radiomb 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

What would be nice if one location had all the files (even Amsat). A newbie like me just starting out using SatPC32 has a big learning curve. Making these available would be a big help. Is there such a place? Or someone that could send the files?TNX 73 Mike K4MIA

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AO-92 Uplink Question
by Brian 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I was able to hear the past 2 passes of AO-92 this morning. Per the the past couple of posts, it looks like AO-92 is using the 1.2 uplink freq. How can I find out when it will be using the 435 uplink freq ? Thank you Brian, KG8CO

2 1

Question about PL/CTCSS on uplink
by Philip Jenkins 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I understand why FM satellites need an PL tone on uplink (to keep out land-mobile services, like taxi-cabs, etc), but why is a PL not required for the linear sats utilizing the same frequencies? A linear transponder is certainly capable of receiving/transmitting an FM signal (albeit not successfully demodulating that signal). This question came up at a satellite presentation I did, and I had never thought about it. ( Moreover, will radios even transmit a PL on SSB/CW transmissions?) Philip N4HF

7 7

El over Az antenna project
by Todd W Deckard 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

The new FM sats have inspired me to work on the antenna project ... ... thanks to everyone who suffered my QRM last winter, see you in the air when it warms up ... https://youtu.be/VG5L5oP2uNk Todd KE0CMD Sent from my iPhone

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AO-92 in L-band 1510utc 4 Feb 2018 for 24 hours
by Mark L. Hammond 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Subject says it all, per schedule. Thanks users for your cooperation! Enjoy...hearing folks get in at 1 deg elevation. Wow...nice! Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Mysterious Chinese satellite
by Roland Zurmely 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I heard a mysterious Chinese satellite at 9k6 BPSK on 435,325 MHz: from BUAABJ to BUAAGS (UI, payload: 31 byte) 000 > 00 84 AA 82 82 8E A6 E0 84 AA 82 82 84 94 61 03 F0 7A 65 72 020 > 6F 47 20 4C 61 62 20 43 6F 2E 20 4C 74 64 20 42 65 69 6A 69 040 > 6E 67 20 43 68 69 6E 61 .„ª‚‚Ž¦à„ª‚‚„”a.ð zeroG Lab Co. Ltd Beijing China What is it? 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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FengMaNiu 1 (FMN 1) identified
by Nico Janssen 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

All, Detailed doppler measurements show that FengMaNiu 1 (FMN 1) is object 43192, 2018-015A. Downlink: 435.350 MHz. 73, Nico PA0DLO

1 1

Re: [amsat-bb] S BAND USE
by Edward R Cole 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Likewise I still have my 33-inch offset dish with 6 turn RHCP helix feed with MKU LNA and two Drake converters: one unmodified with 123-MHz out and other modified for 435-MHz out. Worked very well on AO-40 mode-US and mode-LS. 73, Ed - KL7UW From: Jerry Buxton <n0jy(a)amsat.org> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] S BAND USE Hi Bob, No immediate plans for AMSAT-NA but GOLF will give us opportunities to play with a variety of bands over time so I won't rule it out.? Anyway, I still have my K5GNA downconverter and BBQ dish on my array so I'm in a reasonable position to influence a way to put them back into use if I get a hankerin'!?? :-D Jerry Buxton, N?JY On 1/29/2018 14:19, Bob- W7LRD wrote: > Hello-Is there any chance of using S Band (2.4 Ghz) being used on any future satellites? I know there are several of us who have a box of down converters and associated equipment, waiting for "something". I know the five & dime is being planed. > > 73 Bob W7LRD 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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TNX for LVB tracker
by radiomb 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Mike WB8CXO thanks for building my LVB tracker. I got it interfacing with SatPC32. Now I just need to get the beams, maybe Orlando. And thanks to everyone that has helped get started in this neat part of the hobby.73 Mike K4MIA

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Re: [amsat-bb] FT726R parts available?
by Gregory Beat 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

Yes, Consolidated Electronics in Dayton, OH area has that NEC 7-pin SIP part. Look for eBay reseller: ceitron Here is the NEC uPC1037H data sheet http://www.datasheetarchive.com/dlmain/Datasheets-16/DSA-317957.pdf w9gb > Can replacement uPC1037H's be found.

1 2

FT726R parts available?
by Ron VE8RT 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

I was given a FT726R with the 6 2 and 70cm modules, the maintenance manual, and a few spares. As I was adding a CTCSS tone board it seemed like a good idea to check the adjustments and alignment. Unfortunately I've found that the TX balanced modulator doesn't balance. Checks were made for noise on the 13.8 VDC and regulated 8V (which powers the uPC1037H modulator) and these lines are quiet. The maximum carrier suppresion I could get from adjusting VR05 was 25dB, far short of the specified >40 dB. There is a good voltage swing on VR05, but the voltage on pin 6 of the modulator changes very little. I suspect it's failed. Can replacement uPC1037H's be found. If I get this sorted then I'll ask about how to run it duplex and do the Doppler correction on SSB or CW. Thanks, Ron VE8RT -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

2 1

ANS-035 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 04 Feb '18

04 Feb '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-035 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: * AO-92 to Initiate Operational Scheduling * Soyuz Rocket Launches 11 Satellites Including D-Star One Phoenix * Upcoming ARISS contact with Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for January 2018 * AMSATDroidFree Source Code Released on GitHub SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-035.01 ANS-035 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 035.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE FEBRUARY 4, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-035.01 AO-92 to Initiate Operational Scheduling Since its commissioning the AO-92 U/v FM repeater has been open continuously. Beginning the first full week of February operations will be 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). For the week of 4-10 Feb 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 1510 UTC 4 Feb the L band uplink will be activated for approximately 24 hours. Approximately 0250 UTC 6 Feb the high speed data will be activated for 40 minutes to enable data download from the HERCI experiment. Approximately 1520 UTC 8 Feb the high speed data will be activated for 40 minutes to enable data download from the HERCI experiment. The U/v repeater will be open continuously at all other times outside those listed above. [ANS thank Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Soyuz Rocket Launches 11 Satellites Including D-Star One Phoenix A Soyuz rocket crowned by a Fregat upper stage carrying 11 Russian, German and U.S. satellites into orbit lifted off Thursday from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East, the first flight from the country’s newest spaceport since a failure in November. The Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off at 0207:18 GMT Thursday (9:07:18 p.m. EST Wednesday) from Vostochny, a cosmodrome carved from the forests of Russia’s Amur region near the country’s border with China. A CubeSat with an amateur radio relay payload named D-Star One Phoenix, developed by German Orbital Systems in Berlin in cooperation with the Czech company iSky Technology, was also launched Thursday. It replaces the D-Star One nanosatellite lost on the last launch from Vostochny on Nov. 28. Downlink frequencies are 435.700 MHz for telemetry and 435.525 MHz for D-Star. The uplink for D-STAR will be 437.325 MHz. [ANS thanks SpaceFlightNow and IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS contact with Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC on 05 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:32 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KG4AKV. The contact should be audible over the U.S. state of North Carolina and portions of the eastern U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Students have also participated in a mock astronaut training session at Marbles Kids Museum after viewing the Hubble 3D IMAX movie. Students conducted research and composed questions based on the research they conducted. The school voted on the best 20 questions. John Brier, KG4AKV, and Jim Scarborough, KE4ROH, have worked closely by providing our students with background information and serving as guest speakers and facilitators for the event. Joshua Tate, KF4EAG, and Mark Hammond, N8MH, have also been integral to helping our school with the contact. 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 [ANS thanks David, AA4KN, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for January 2018 Here are the changed endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL 1Jan18 1Feb18 N8RO 1020 1030 N8HM 1005 1025 WN9Q 416 710 K5ND 439 502 WD9EWK 384 400 N9EAT 336 410 NS3L 251 275 KE4AL 177 252 VE7CEW 200 251 PT9BM 126 151 PS8ET 101 127 WB7VUF 107 (NEW VUCC) AA8CH 104 (NEW VUCC) AL6D/W4 101 (NEW VUCC) N3GS 101 (NEW VUCC) NK1N 101 (NEW VUCC) KE8FZT 100 (NEW VUCC) W5PFG (DM95) 100 (NEW VUCC) W5PFG (EM12) 100 (NEW VUCC) This is my first month creating this list. 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 January 1, 2018. and February 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSATDroidFree Source Code Released on GitHub Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, author of the AMSATDroidFree app, has made the source code to AMSATDroidFree available on a public repository on GitHub for those of you who like to tinker: https://github.com/g4dpz/AmsatDroidFree Dave thanks all the people who have given him suggestions and have downloaded it over the years and are still using the application. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive 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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February 25, 2018 Rover trip to FM28 in Delaware
by Steve Nordahl 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

Hi all, Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be activating FM28(FX) from Killens State Park near Felton, Delaware on Sunday February 25, 2018 for 2-1/2 hour roving stint. I plan to work the following birds between 1700Z to 1935Z.AO-91 1707Z-1720Z 44 degree passAO-95 1749Z-1801Z 15 degree passAO-7 1815Z-1834Z 32 degree passAO-91 1945Z-1856Z 19 degree passCAS-4B 1924Z-1935Z 28 degree pass This trip will be weather dependent so if snow, ice, or heavy rain is forecast for that area on that day I may be forced to reschedule. I will update if there is any changes. Steve NS3L

1 1

Upcoming ARISS contact with Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC on 05 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:32 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KG4AKV. The contact should be audible over the U.S. state of North Carolina and portions of the eastern U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Moore Square GT/AIG Basics Magnet Middle School is a Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) magnet school located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. At our school, we afford our students with a variety of unique learning opportunities that allow students and teachers to amplify individual gifts and talents. We have heightened student engagement through collaboration and exploration in the classroom and through interconnected, downtown partnerships. At our school, students are able to participate in a wide range of electives with topics from Chinese, Orchestra, Modern Dance, or Space Adventures! By the end of their middle school experience, students have not only gained confidence in themselves, but have also had a robust and diverse learning experience creating well-rounded students who are poised to succeed in high school. Our school has done many things to prepare our students for the contact. Students have had the opportunity to research and participate in the Tomatosphere Citizen Science project. This project is a blind study in which students germinated two groups of tomato seeds- one group that experienced microgravity conditions on the ISS and one group of seeds that did not. We are anxiously awaiting the results of the larger experiment to see how our results compared to others! Students have also participated in a mock astronaut training session at Marbles Kids Museum after viewing the Hubble 3D IMAX movie. Students conducted research and composed questions based on the research they conducted. The school voted on the best 20 questions. John Brier, KG4AKV, and Jim Scarborough, KE4ROH, have worked closely by providing our students with background information and serving as guest speakers and facilitators for the event. Joshua Tate, KF4EAG, and Mark Hammond, N8MH, have also been integral to helping our school with the contact. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What is the biggest challenge that you have faced during your time in space? 2. How are everyday tasks in space different from everyday tasks on Earth? 3. What is your favorite thing about seeing Earth from space? 4. If you had to give advice to a future astronaut about something they should know that training did not prepare them for, what would you tell them? 5. What type of foods do you miss the most and how can you be sure that you are receiving adequate nutrition with the foods you are limited to eating on ISS? 6. What is your daily routine in space like and how is it different from your routine on Earth? 7. What inspired you to become an astronaut? What has been the most challenging part of that journey? 8. How would you describe what launching feels like? 9. How will the experiments you have conducted on this mission impact humanity? 10. How do you know when to go to sleep and when to wake up? How has this experience impacted your Circadian rhythm? 11. Describe your exercise routine and the equipment that you use. 12. How does your research related to the colonization of Mars? 13. How is gravitropism in plants different in space? 14. How do you entertain yourself in your spare time? 15. Describe what it feels like to wear your astronaut suit. 16. What kind of medical tests have you gone through to prepare for your mission and what kinds of tests will you have to go through when you return to Earth? 17. How has microgravity impacted your body and how does it feel different from Earth?s gravity? 18. Describe some common types of technology on the International Space Station that are essential for astronauts to survive in space. 19. What is one thing that you look forward to doing when you return to Earth? 20. What is the scariest thing that has happened to you when you were 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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S BAND USE
by Bob- W7LRD 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

Hello-Is there any chance of using S Band (2.4 Ghz) being used on any future satellites? I know there are several of us who have a box of down converters and associated equipment, waiting for "something". I know the five & dime is being planed. 73 Bob W7LRD

3 2

SatPC32 auxiliary files
by Jerald 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

Can anyone provide me with the SatPC32 doppler and tone auxiliary file numbers for the CAS 4B satellite? KJ4EU….Jerry Sent from Mail for Windows 10

2 1

D-Star ONE PHOENIX
by Sean Waite 03 Feb '18

03 Feb '18

Looks like the group behind the burned up D-Star ONE project somehow managed to get a second satellite built and launched in a little over a month. They're getting data from it, and are awaiting the TLE. Pretty crazy how fast they got that up there. http://www.d-star.one/ I don't have a second D-Star radio, but maybe it'll be workable without being able to hear myself. 73, Sean WA1TE

4 8

Mysterious Chinese satellite
by Roland Zurmely 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

I also listened at the same time of 17:40 UTC the FMN-1 or ??? on 435,350 MHz, but weaker and I did not decode. In GH70un using TLE from object 2018-015A. "zeroG" was on 435,325 MHz. 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

1 0

SatPC32 Doppler and Tone Files
by Jerald 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Can anyone provide me with the SatPC32 doppler and tone auxiliary files for the CAS4B satellite….Like to try to work it sometime… Tnx KJ4EU…Jerry Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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From under my rock... CAS-4B!
by Robert Bruninga 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

Crawling from under my rock today to help a student find a satellite to tune in, I saw CAS-4B. And it was a 36 degree pass. Tuned it in and heard lots of SSB contacts and 2 CW contacts! Nice! Being under my packet radio rock, I had not realized such a good linear bird was at our latitudes. I guess I confused it with the packet ones only workable from Florida. Anyway, nice linear bird! Back under my rock. Have to deliver PSAT2 in 2 weeks. Bob, WB4APR

2 1

[Video] Our ARISS Contact Part 1
by John Brier 02 Feb '18

02 Feb '18

https://youtu.be/Px4aM6YVtmc This is the story about how I got involved with a helping a school talk to an astronaut on the ISS. The contact has officially been scheduled: Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC, direct via KG4AKV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-05 18:32:06 UTC 25 deg 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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new to list
by Ron VE8RT 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

I've recently joined AMSAT and would like to try the cubesats. About 30 years ago I was active (FP/VE1KM, FP4EK, FP5EK) on the linear satellites available at the time but wouldn't consider myself up to speed. So I downloaded the guide on getting started on satellites. Along with my membership I ordered and received the WRAPS project board. And I was recently given a FT726R, but I'll get to that later. I'm looking for some advice with a couple of items, starting with the WRAPS project. Before ordering the parts (for the tricked-out WRAPS) I wanted to ask if there have been any changes to the design, should I go ahead with the parts list as published? I'll bring up the FT726R later, it may need a little work. TKS, 73 Ron VE8RT, VE8TEA in DP22 -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

1 0

SatPC32 auxiliary files
by BeetleJerald Oliver 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

Can anyone give me the SATPC32 doppler and tone auxiliary file numbers for AO-91 & AO-92? Jerry Sent from Mail for Windows 10

1 0

SatPC32 password problem found
by radiomb 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

Alan you found my problem. That password was registered to my Old call sign. Many thanks to you and everyone that replied. 73 Mike K4MIA

1 0

Still have SatPC32 password problem
by radiomb 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

I tried the serial number on the front of the disk case. Like Ryan it did not accept it as the password. My code is GI followed by 9 numeric (11 character code). I see SatPC32 default password is 8 asterisks. I tried with and without the GI but that still leaves 9 numeric. SatPC32 was on my old PC and never removed. To keep someone from buying it and giving it to the world is the password stored somewhere. And you cannot use it again until you uninstall from the other machine? Any ideas? And thanks for your replies to all my questions. 73 Mike K4MIA

2 1

Potential 23cm FM transmitter
by Brad Brooks 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

For those who receive the DKARS magazine, there is a very interesting article. The transceiver described is for ATV, but it looks like like it will tune to the AO-92 uplink frequency. Seems to put out 400mw FM out. I am not able to take time now to review deeper (stealing away from work) but I look forward to parsing through the schematic/links this weekend. I am forwarding this notice for anyone who will be able to get there sooner. I think there is some potential here, and I would like to know other’ opinions. Www.dkars.nl 73 Brad WF7T Nashville TN EM66

7 12

VUCC Awards-Endorsements for January 2018
by Ronald G. Parsons 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

Here are the changed endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL 1Jan18 1Feb18 N8RO 1020 1030 N8HM 1005 1025 WN9Q 416 710 K5ND 439 502 WD9EWK 384 400 N9EAT 336 410 NS3L 251 275 KE4AL 177 252 VE7CEW 200 251 PT9BM 126 151 PS8ET 101 127 WB7VUF 107 (NEW VUCC) AA8CH 104 (NEW VUCC) AL6D/W4 101 (NEW VUCC) N3GS 101 (NEW VUCC) NK1N 101 (NEW VUCC) KE8FZT 100 (NEW VUCC) W5PFG (DM95) 100 (NEW VUCC) W5PFG (EM12) 100 (NEW VUCC) This is my first month creating this list. 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 January 1, 2018. and February 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

1 0

pc32 help
by Nick Pugh 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

When I engage satpc 32 with radio control It load the vhf frequency and loads the uhf frequency and continue this cycle. Help? nick Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School Disagree I Learn

1 0

Old Version of Satpc32
by radiomb 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

I have an old version of SatPC32 pre windows 10. I think I bought it about 4 years ago. Can I upgrade or do I need to buy a new Version? I down loaded the current demo program and I though I might be able to use it. I have the serial number (not sure if that is password) GI10******* on the disk cover.Tnx 73 Mike K4MIA

3 2

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-01 06:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-02-01 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District, Batesville, AR, telebridge, via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Joe Acaba KE5DAR (***) Contact was successful: Wed 2018-01-31 16:42:05 UTC 89 deg (***) Congratulations to the Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District students and Joe! (***) Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC, direct via KG4AKV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-05 18:32:06 UTC 25 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 100 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-02-01 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 1205. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1154. (***) 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 2018-02-01 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

1 0

Old Version of Satpc32
by radiomb 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

I have an old version of SatPC32 pre windows 10. I think I bought it about 4 years ago. Can I upgrade or do I need to buy a new Version? I down loaded the current demo program and I though I might be able to use it. I have the serial number (not sure if that is password) GI10******* on the disk cover.Tnx 73 Mike K4MIA

1 0

Schedule for This Weekend's Rove to FN17/18
by Ken Alexander 01 Feb '18

01 Feb '18

Hi Everyone! I'll be activating FN17/18 this weekend, with stops in FN05/07/08 along the way. No stop in FN06 on the outbound trip because the timing didn't work out. I'll look into stopping there on my return trip on Sunday. Please let me know if none of the passes favour your location and kindly suggest an alternative. As always:1. Times are UTC and are my AOS2. Weather permitting3. Follow me on Twitter @ve3hls for updates 73, Ken Friday, FN05 Huntsville 02.02.2018 AO-85 16:29 CA 02.02.2018 AO-91 16:43 02.02.2018 AO-07 16:52 EU Friday, FN07 Temiskaming Shores 02.02.2018 AO-07 20:33 CA 02.02.2018 AO-85 21:34 02.02.2018 AO-73 22:18 SC 02.02.2018 AO-07 22:32 CA Saturday Morning, FN08 03.02.2018 AO-73 14:47 CA 03.02.2018 AO-85 15:13 CA 03.02.2018 AO-07 15:55 EU Saturday Afternoon, FN17 03.02.2018 AO-91 18:42 03.02.2018 AO-07 19:33 CA 03.02.2018 AO-85 20:19 03.02.2018 AO-07 21:28 CA 03.02.2018 AO-85 21:59 Saturday Afternoon/Evening, FN18 03.02.2018 AO-85 23:40 CA 03.02.2018 XW-2F 23:53 CA 04.02.2018 FO-29 00:06 UK 04.02.2018 AO-73 01:46 CA CA - Reaches to U.S. west coastEU - Reaches parts of EuropeSC - Reaches Scotland, CQ 2M0SQL!UK - Reaches most/all of U.K.

1 1

Icom UX-9100 output
by kb2mjeff＠att.net 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

I recently installed a UX-9100 1.2 gig module in my IC-9100. I was looking for the advertised 1 to 10 watt output, but am only seeing 2 watts out max. What are other IC-9100 users seeing for watts out? 73 Jeff kb2m --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

1 0

Please record our ARISS contact Monday February 5th!
by John Brier 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

Hi amsat-bb! I am leading the ham team for an ARISS contact here in Raleigh and we are using my callsign for the contact. I would appreciate any audio recordings you can make of the pass, especially the part where Astronaut Scott Tingle hopefully says my callsign :-) I will be recording on both our primary and backup stations but you never know if we'll get a fade in the beginning. They will be on the Kenwood D710E in the service module with 50 watts so it should be a good signal. Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC, direct via KG4AKV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-05 18:32:06 UTC 25 deg (***) FWIW, AFAIK there is no livestreaming planned. If there is I'll let people know. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

3 4

AO73 mode change
by Graham Shirville 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

Hi All, Due to operational constraints, AO73 is now in amateur mode, with the transponder active and low power telemetry until Sunday evening! Have FUN 73 Graham G3VZV

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-01-31 04:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-01-31 04:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District, Batesville, AR, telebridge, via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-01-31 16:42:05 UTC 89 deg Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School, Raleigh, NC, direct via KG4AKV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-05 18:32:06 UTC 25 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 100 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-01-31 04:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. 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 1204. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1153. 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 2018-01-25 08:00 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

Hand-held vhf/uhf radios. .
by William Herzberg 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

I have a yaesu ft-530 hts. They seem to be ideal as vhf/uhf radios... It can operate separately... And the radio can operate in full duplex mode... I also have a kenwood 700 that I've programmed for all the fm birds... Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

1 0

Fox Delta ST3 Trackbox
by John Brodie 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

I'm new to this list and new to satellites also, so I would appreciate some help. Is there anyone out there who uses a Fox Delta ST3 trackbox and would be able to give me advice on a problem I am having with it? John VA7XB

2 1

Pine64 board
by Mike Hoblinski 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

While looking at boards for sdr and remote receiver I ran across a board and thought it might be of some interest. Its a competitor for the raspberry pi with several variations. In their store one of the accessories is a nice weather proof houseng. https://www.pine64.org/ Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

2 1

Android - apps similar to Heavens-Above?
by Philip Jenkins 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

Hi all I bought a new Android tablet on Saturday - Version 7.0, Nougat. AMSATDroid seems to work fine on it, other than displaying the date as "000001 29, 2018" On the tablet, I did a Google Play Store search for Heavens-Above (which runs great on my smartphone, which is running some flavor of Android 4.x) and Heavens-Above didn't show up in the store...which I thought "okay, that's strange". So tonight I went to the Heavens-Above website, thinking I would download the Android app from there. Google Play Store pops up with Heavens-Above app but I'm getting the message "Your device is not compatible with this version". So, what I'm looking for - assuming that the Heavens-Above app won't be updated - is a similar app which will run under 7.0. How about Satellite Tracker from Tythatguy. or Satellite Tracker by Vito Technology (reading the reviews, the latter doesn't seem to be as useful as Heavens-Above or Tythatguy's version). Any others you might recommend? Comments? Suggestions? Any way to make 7.0 backwardly compatible? <grin> Philip N4HF

7 8

XW2A satellite?
by christy hunter 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

there is a regular group that uses these XW sats, including 2A, in the early am on the western passes. The evening passes I have noticed minimal use. 73 Christy, KB6LTY ---------------- I've been on a few times by myself. I think sat ops forget about it at times. Rob KA2CZU On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 9:57:47 AM EST, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm at arrl.net <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>> wrote: It's generally been on full-time. The CW beacon on 145.660 MHz or the 9k6 GMSK telemetry on 145.640 MHz should always be heard if there's no activity on the transponder. 73, Paul, N8HM On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 9:48 AM, Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>> wrote: >/I should know this, but don’t. />/My students tried to tune in XW2A but it was not on Heavens-above but it />/was />/shown as having been heard by someone else today on the AMSAT Status page. />//>/But its downlink is outside of the AMSAT subband, so do they not turn it on />/except over China, or is the downlink on 145.675 operational? We did not />/hear anything. />//>/Bob, WB4APR />/_______________________________________________ />/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 /> --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] EO-88
by W M WILLOUGHBY 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

I’ll also try to do a better job listening for it. It is one of only a couple of birds that I haven’t made a QSO. Seems like the good passes only come over pretty late at night. FS-3 is the other bird, but I am now prepared to work it when the orbits cycle back around here in a week or so. Red KC4LE

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] S BAND USE
by RESPAUT Michel 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

Thanks for this information. CW beacon reception of DTUSat-2 around 11:50 utc. Of course huge doppler around 2401.825 MHz. My rx conditions: 52el DEMI horiz loop-yagi + 13cm DEMI old version transverter and 15m H100 coax (preamp at the shack...) 73 de Michel F6HTJ

1 0

XW2A satellite?
by Robert Bruninga 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

I should know this, but don’t. My students tried to tune in XW2A but it was not on Heavens-above but it was shown as having been heard by someone else today on the AMSAT Status page. But its downlink is outside of the AMSAT subband, so do they not turn it on except over China, or is the downlink on 145.675 operational? We did not hear anything. Bob, WB4APR

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] S BAND USE
by MICHAEL WILLIAMS 30 Jan '18

30 Jan '18

I routinely copy DTUSat-2 on 2401.835. It only transmits a beacon every 30 seconds in ellipse only as the batteries never functioned. Since the Doppler is 100 kHz during the pass, it's a challenge to track it.

1 0

2.4 ghz signal
by Perry Yantis 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

I have listen to DTUSAT-2 with a downlink of 2401.868.It sends a cw signal every 15 seconds with an ID followed by some numbers telling ground stations of its health.The keps for DTUSAT-2 is in the Amsat keps file.Also go to the DTUSAT webpage for more details.The satellites mission is over but the beacon still works. I found information about this satellite because I wanted to see if my 1.2 downconvter and cabling was still working.I have heard it and listen to it regularly to get some use out of my 1.2 ghz receiver and knowing that if a new satellite goes up with this kind of downlink, I will be ready. Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple Macbook Pro

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-01-29 21:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-01-29 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District, Batesville, AR, telebridge, via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-01-31 16:42:05 UTC 89 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 100 **************************************************************************** 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 2018-01-29 21:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. 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 1204. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1153. 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 2018-01-25 08:00 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

Upcoming ARISS contact with Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District, Batesville, AR
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Central Magnet Math & Science ES/Batesville School District, Batesville, AR on 31 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:42 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between OR4ISS and IK1SLD. The contact should be audible over Italy 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 Magnet Elementary is located in Batesville, Ark. The school's magnet theme is math and science. We are a grade K through 6 school with about 359 students. In addition to classroom learning, students explore math and science in the school's computer lab and STEM lab. Students in our school have recently won competitions in robotics. We also host a science fair. Every fall, our 5th grade class attends a field trip to Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. This field trip is very inspiring to our students. In leading up to the school's ISS contact, classroom lesson plans are including topics about the ISS and space. The students have also been given assignments to watch for the ISS when it passes overhead in the evening. The team of students who will ask the questions are: All local TV, radio, and print media will be invited to the ARISS event. Central Magnet is looking forward to speaking to an astronaut aboard the ISS. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How do astronauts travel to and from the space station? 2. Is your sense of time distorted because you are orbiting the earth every 90 minutes? 3. What is it like to perform an EVA? 4. How do you keep in contact with your family? 5. How do the stars look from the space station? 6. What is it like to transition to micro gravity when you arrive at the space station? 7. What plants are grown on the space station? 8. What inspired you to become an astronaut? 9. What are the experiments you work on aboard the space station? 10. How does the space station get oxygen? 11. Do you crave certain foods while you are in space? 12. How do you spend your free time on the space station? 13. Do you play any games, sports or exercise while in space? 14. What is your perspective of seeing the Earth's weather from space? 15. Are you hopeful astronauts will return to the moon? 16. How long will you be staying on the ISS? 17. What happens to the trash you produce on the ISS? 18. Is it comfortable sleeping in a weightless environment? 19. How do astronauts take care of medical problems while in space? 20. What advice can you give for students wishing to become an astronaut? 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

1 0

First to decode PicSat secret message
by Roland Zurmely 29 Jan '18

29 Jan '18

Please see here: <<http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/picsat.htm#b>> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

1 0

EN-35 Activation
by Paul Overn 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

I will be activating EN-35, on so-85 on Tuesday at 23:40. Sent from my iPad

1 1

Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming Falcon Heavy Launch (APRS digipeater for MARS)
by Robert Bruninga 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

DRATS! It should have had an APRS mobile and we could use the Digipeater! > On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD > we should have a transponder in the back seat.

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Upcoming Falcon Heavy Launch
by B J 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

http://spacenews.com/spacex-sets-first-falcon-heavy-launch-for-feb-6/ If the launch is successful, there'll be a Tesla in space next week. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: [amsat-bb] FT-726R lithium battery replacement
by Gregory Beat 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

Yaesu FT-726R Technical Supplement (Service Manual) http://www.radiomanual.info/schemi/FT726R_serv.pdf TURN to Pages 55 and 87 of the Yaesu FT-726 Service Manual. The Lithium Coin Cell can be found on the FT-726 Control Board, BAT3001, Yaesu Part #: Q9000106 , CR-2025 This is a solder tab lithium coin cell battery. These batteries are used in millions of automotive and truck transponders (security parking, toll road collectors) and typically ~ $1 each. Digi-Key and Mouser both stock Panasonic coin cells (w/solder tab) replacements, such as the BR2032 and CR2032 models. The Suffix determines solder tab configuration. The Panasonic CR-2032/HSN appears to be modern replacement, horizontally mounted the vertical pins have 15.2mm spacing. Drawing here: https://www.mouser.com/catalog/additional/panasonic_C_PMHJ1Z%20CR-2032%EF%B… DIGI-KEY P659-ND ; CR-2032/HSN https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/panasonic-bsg/CR-2032-HSN/P659-ND… Mouser 658-CR-2032/HSN ; CR-2032/HSN https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Panasonic-Battery/CR-2032-HSN/?qs=sGAE… NOTE: Lithium Batteries are prohibited from cargo transportation in passenger airplanes. So USPS Priority Mail, which often uses that cargo space, will not be allowed. Both Mouser and Digi-Key flag this during the order/shipping selection process. greg, w9gb == Has anyone ever replaced the lithium battery (to keep memory in tact with power off) in the Yeasu FT-726R transceiver? If so was it difficult and do you remember the battery number? 73's Jim WA5QAP

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Message from PicSat
by Roland Zurmely 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

Software for PicSat: <<http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/picsat.htm>> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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Message from PicSat
by Roland Zurmely 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

Today I got the following message from PicSat: R.F. ..All things are made of atoms; little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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Keps Question from Rocket Lab launch
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

Hi Folks, I have found a set of Keps from yesterday’s Rocket Lab launch. 2018-010A 1 43163U 18010A 18021.87397025 .00000319 -10052-5 00000+0 0 9996 2 43163 82.9164 138.6720 0176456 219.4667 139.3657 15.51933178 120 2018-010B 1 43164U 18010B 18021.89134907 .00000035 00000-0 00000+0 0 9998 2 43164 82.9271 138.6991 0029255 248.8502 110.7671 15.17838339 122 2018-010C 1 43165U 18010C 18021.95720165 .00000036 00000-0 00000+0 0 9994 2 43165 82.9208 138.6356 0031890 240.7480 118.8502 15.17897039 137 2018-010D 1 43166U 18010D 18021.93802473 .00000320 -10083-5 00000+0 0 9990 2 43166 82.9232 138.6174 0172791 220.0084 138.7693 15.52599809 135 2018-010E 1 43167U 18010E 18021.89220116 .00000035 00000-0 00000+0 0 9999 2 43167 82.9254 138.6995 0024458 245.8147 114.0537 15.16199901 124 2018-010F 1 43168U 18010F 18021.87420109 .00000318 -10038-5 00000+0 0 9994 2 43168 82.9247 138.6716 0176956 220.2187 138.6723 15.51608672 128 They appear to be in 2 groups. 2018-010A, 2018-010D and 2018-010F are close together. Similarly 2018-010B, 2018-010C and 2018-010E are close together. I suspect that A,D and F are the satellites and B,C and E are the Rocket body and debris. Is there any way of confirming which is which? Or does anyone have the downlink frequencies for Dove Pioneer or Lemur-2? 73, Terry ZL2BAC

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ANS-028 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne K9JKM 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-028 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 Commissioned, Open for Amateur Use * AMSAT Membership Deal and Getting Started * FoxTelem Version 1.06 Software Released * GOLF-TEE $15,000 Matching Funds President’s Challenge * AMSAT Rover Award Up and Running - Already Up to #7 Awarded * D-Star ONE v.1.1 Phoenix Satellite Planned for Launch February 1 * AO-91 QSO Two YLs Meet on the Air * Two More US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections * ARISS APRS Packet Currently Non-Operational * ARISS School Contact First for Cyprus * PicSat Requests Amateur Radio Assistance to Capture/Upload Telemetry * AO-73 Operating Schedule Changes Announced * Volunteer Opportunity - Openings for News Service Rotating Editor * AMSAT Argentina LU1ESY-3 WSPR Balloon Flight Heading Out of Africa * OR4ESA Redu Ground Station Belgium on the Air Until February 6 * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-028.01 ANS-028 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 028.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 28, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-028.01 AO-92 Commissioned, Open for Amateur Use On the 03:25 UTC pass on January 26, 2018, AMSAT Vice President – Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, announced that AO-92 had been commissioned and formally turned the satellite over to AMSAT Operations. AMSAT Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, then declared that AO-92 was now open for amateur use. Initially, the U/v FM transponder will be open continuously for a period of one week. After the first week, operations will be scheduled between the U/v FM transponder, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Schedule updates will appear in the AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins and will also be posted to the AMSAT-BB, AMSAT’s Twitter account (@AMSAT), the AMSAT North America Facebook group, and the AMSAT website at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ AO-92 was launched on the PSLV-C40 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on January 12, 2018. For the past two weeks, the AMSAT Engineering and Operations teams have been testing the various modes and experiments on board. Testing has shown that both the U/v FM transponder and L-Band Downshifter work very well. The Virginia Tech camera has returned stunning photos and data from HERCI has been successfully downlinked. AMSAT thanks the 178 stations worldwide that have used FoxTelem to collect telemetry and experiment data from AO-92 during the commissioning process. The collection of this data is crucial to the missions of AMSAT’s Fox-1 satellites. Please continue to collect data from AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92. RADIO PROGRAMMING CHART Fox-1D Doppler Shift Correction Memory 1 (AOS) - TX 435.340 MHz (67.0 Hz Tone), RX 145.880 MHz Memory 2 (Rise) - TX 435.345 MHz (67.0 Hz Tone), RX 145.880 MHz Memory 3 (TCA) - TX 435.350 MHz (67.0 Hz Tone), RX 145.880 MHz Memory 4 (Descend) - TX 435.355 MHz (67.0 Hz Tone), RX 145.880 MHz Memory 5 (LOS) - TX 435.360 MHz (67.0 Hz Tone), RX 145.880 MHz The L-band experiment will use 1267.350 MHz uplink with 145.880 MHz downlink. UHF and L-band uplink operation are set by the command stations; the operating schedule will be posted. [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice-President Engineering, Jerry Buxton, NØJY, AMSAT Vice President Operatings Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, and AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Membership Deal and Getting Started AMSAT membership supports the organization and construction of new satellites. Right now, we are offering a free PDF copy of our Getting Started with Amateur Satellites with every new on-line membership. This is -the- primer for getting on the sats, and is updated every year. See https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ AMSAT also sells both the popular Arrow Antenna satellite models and the M2 LEOpack antennas. Sales also benefit AMSAT projects. https://www.amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ [ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FoxTelem Version 1.06 Software Released Chris, G0KLA, has released version 1.06 of FoxTelem on January 27. This release addresses several defects and instabilities in FoxTelem version 1.05 and earlier. It also introduces a new Earth Plot that allows any telemetry value to be plotted as a heat map against a map of the earth. For more details about the Earth Plot and some example plots, you can read a quick tutorial posted at: http://www.g0kla.com/workbench/2018-01-26.php As always, let Chris know if you see any issues or log them on github at https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/issues KEY CHANGES ~~~~~~~~~~~ * EARTH PLOTS allow you to plot any telemetry value as a heat map on a map of the earth * Allow graphs and telemetry results to be searched with UTC dates and for ranges of uptime/dates * Allow stepping through the telemetry with up/down arrows * Prevent hang when decoder starts if FCD returns an error * Fixed bug where TLEs were not updated in the name is changed in the spacecraft settings window * Fixed crashes introduced in 1.05 release * Display all HERCI High Speed payloads when Raw Byte Payloads shown * Fix bug where missing TLE disables spacecraft from being tracked at all * Fixes bug where DDE connection to SatPC32 fails with European decimal point format * Add MPPT calibration values for Fox-1D * Improved the RF signal measurements * Improved the Find Signal algorithm * Space graph labels more evenly * Put the spacecraft tabs in FoxId order And many other bug fixes. Full list of changes here: https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/milestone/3?closed=1 [ANS thanks FoxTelem author Chris, G0KLA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- GOLF-TEE $15,000 Matching Funds President’s Challenge In October 2017 AMSAT announced the GOLF (Greater Orbit, Larger Foot- print) program. The first project of the GOLF program is a technology demonstrator named GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment). The design is a 3U CubeSat with deployable solar panels, ADAC (attitude determination and control), Software Defined Radio (SDR) Transponder, and a Vanderbilt University Low Energy Proton (LEP) experiment. Now is the time to begin work on the GOLF-TEE Project. At the end of 2017, AMSAT has generous offers from two AMSAT Past Presidents for matching funds up to $15,000 for those that contribute to the GOLF-TEE campaign at: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=STK27W… (Shortened URL without linewrap: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-PayPal-GOLF-Donation ) between now and Feb- ruary 15th. Make your donation twice as valuable by taking advantage of this opportunity and contributing, and help AMSAT fund the launch of the next series of satellites of the GOLF program. There are also donate buttons for GOLF-TEE on the AMSAT website. Planning is for a launch in 2019. Donations of $100 and $1,000 or more will be eligible for a special AMSAT GOLF premium. (Both premiums are currently being designed, so please be patient awaiting delivery.) AMSAT is a 501-(c)-(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization of amateur radio operators whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to AMSAT to help under- write the development and launch expenses of our GOLF satellite program. Donors wishing to provide additional matching funds please contact Joe Spier, K6WAO at k6wao(a)amsat.org. (ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Rover Award Up and Running - Already Up to #7 Awarded On January 1, 2018, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards announced the Rover Award. This award is granted to stations who achieve a combined 25 points using any combination of the defined criteria posted at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/ Bruce says the AMSAT Rover Award is up to #7 - Congrats to Jose, N7AGF, Rover Award #007. Points can be earned for each grid square activated outside of your home grid square using the FM, linear, and digital satellites. While FM contacts count for 1 point each multiplier points are available for contacts via the linear and digital satellites. Additional points are available for photographs, publicity, social media promotion, and AMSAT Journal articles. The options are numerous so please refer to the Rover Award Website for all of the details. Keep on roving! [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- D-Star ONE v.1.1 Phoenix Satellite Planned for Launch February 1 German Orbital Systems GmbH (GOS) and iSky Technology s.r.o. (iSky) have announced a revival of the D-Star ONE satellite project to replace their satellite lost as a result of a failed launch of the Roscosmos Meteor-M No.2-1 meteorological mission on November 28, 2017. GOS and iSky said their teams were actively working together during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and are now happy to announce that they we have completed the assembly and final checks of a replacement satellite named D-Star ONE v.1.1 Phoenix satellite. The project is Phoenix as symbol of the rebirth and revival of the project. The launch of D-Star ONE v.1.1 Phoenix plans to launch on a Soyuz-2/Fregat rocket for the launch from the Vostochny launch site on February 1, 2018. D-Star repeater & beacon frequencies: Uplink: 437.325MHz Downlink: 435.525MHz RF-Power: 800mW Additional information will be posted at: http://www.d-star.one/ -and- http://www.orbitalsystems.de/d-star-one-second-birth/?lang=en Spaceflightinsider.com published an article about successful final testing on D-Star ONE: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-316-Spaceflightinsider www.spaceflightinsider.com) [ANS thanks the D-Star ONE Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-91 QSO Two YLs Meet on the Air Jeff Johns, WE4B, tweeted about the satellite contact via AO-91 his daughter Marissa, W4AQT, completed with Alyssa and her dad Charlie Azofeifa, TI2CDA. Jeff said Alyssa had seen Marissa's QRZ page and it turns out they are both Harry Potter, Pete the Cat and Minecraft fans and she wanted to get Marissa's QSL card. Charlie and I looked for favorable passes and decided the 18:16z pass of AO-91 on 1/20/2018 would be our first attempt to have the girls make contact. Marissa and dad Jeff went outside with radios and our Arrow antenna and waited for AO-91 to crest the horizon. As soon as they could hear the bird, W4AQT started calling TI2CDA. After a few calls, there was Alyssa with Charlie serving as the control op. The girls had a very sweet, quick QSO. Jeff wrote, "Ham radio is supposed to be about learning and progressing the radio art but it's also about forming friendships, even if they are long distance friendships. I have no doubt that this will not be the last time that Marissa and Alyssa have a QSO and I am confident that Alyssa will soon get her own license as Marissa is almost ready to take her General exam. I was fortunate that my daughter became inter- ested in amateur radio when she would go outside with me and listen to me talking to other hams with my Arrow antenna pointed at the sky. Now that she's licensed, it's allowed us to have some great father and daughter time together, as well as, providing her some excellent STEM education." Jeff's post on the QRZ.com satellite forum and photos can be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-AO91-YL-QSO [ANS thanks Jeff Johns, WE4B for the above information and congratulates Marissa, W4AQT on her satellite QSO] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two More US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections January 13, 2018 — The ARISS-US team (Amateur Radio on the Inte national Space Station) is pleased to announce that two more US schools or organizations have had their ARISS proposals selected for advancement to the next stage of planning for amateur radio contacts in 2018. These schools will take advantage of new scheduling opportunities to speak with International Space Station (ISS) crew members using the ARISS equipment. The selected schools submitted proposals before the proposal window closed last November and join the 13 schools and groups chosen a few weeks ago. The two extra scheduling opportunities are special events thanks to ARISS’s two major sponsors, the NASA Space Communications and Navigation group and the Center for the Advance- ment of Science in Space. The events that the schools’ students will travel to are aerospace conferences where their ARISS radio contacts will be a highlight open to conference attendees. The schools and venues are: + Quest for Space/Quest Institute for Quality Education in San Jose, California, whose ARISS contact will be featured at the ISS R&D Conference, July 23-26 in San Francisco, California + Burns Science & Technical Charter School in Oak Hill, Florida, whose ARISS contact will be featured at the S.P.A.C.E. Conference, July 11-13 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. ARISS’s primary goal is to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, and to involve them in activi- ties related to space exploration, amateur radio, communications, and areas of associated study and career possibilities. ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a coop- erative venture of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States, and other international space agencies and international amateur radio organizations around the world. 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 from amateur radio clubs and coordination from the ARISS team, the ISS crew members speak directly with large group audiences in a variety of public forums such as school assemblies, science centers and museums, Scout camporees, jamborees and space camps, where students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technol- ogies and Amateur Radio. Find more information at www.ariss.org, www.amsat.organd www.arrl.org. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS APRS Packet Currently Non-Operational ARISS NEWS RELEASE no. 18-02 January 26, 2018 David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS PR An unidentified anomaly involving the radio serving the ARISS APRS Packet System on board the ISS has led to the system not functioning. A similar problem has occurred on other occasions and solutions that resolved the problem proved to be only temporary fixes. The system may return to service as it has in the past or it may have finally failed completely. ARISS sees the delivery of the interoperable radio system as the true solution to securing our ARISS packet operation. Current target period for delivery and installation of the replacement system is Fall 2018. In the meantime, ARISS continues to investigate the problem and seek opportunities to resolve the issue. The ARISS team knows many amateur radio operators really enjoy using the ARISS APRS packet system, and thanks everyone for understanding the issues involved with not having it available. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS School Contact First for Cyprus For the first time, students in Cyprus spoke live with an astronaut on the International Space Station orbiting the Earth on January 24. A video of this historic event can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/RJvDskycyj4?t=52m The English School has established significant partnerships with the Cyprus Amateur Radio Society and the Kition Planetarium & Observatory who have been assisting throughout the long preparation period, while Cyta, PM-ICT Solutions with Polycom and Delta Electronics will offer their specialised technical assistance. Also, Alpha Cyprus is the media sponsor for the event. The English School thanks them all on behalf of the student “adventurers” who are thrilled by this great opportunity! [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- PicSat Requests Amateur Radio Assistance to Capture/Upload Telemetry Cubesat PicSat was launched on the same PSLV-C40 flight from India that delivered AO-92 to orbit. PicSat is a nano-satellite aimed at observing the transit of the young exoplanet Beta Pictoris b in front of its bright and equally young star Beta Pictoris, and at demonstrating an innovative technological concept to use optical fibres for astronomical observations from Space. The cubesat contains an embedded FM transponder. It will be avail- able when possible during the mission. Frequency information: Uplink FM 145.910 MHz 1750 Hz tone when in amateur mode Downlink FM 435.525 MHz 9k6 BPSK AX25 Data and FM voice when in amateur mode (Despite the documentation, PicSat beacons so far have been 1k2 BPSK.) There is a 1k2 BPSK software modem in: http://uz7.ho.ua/modem_beta/other-versions.zip A report posted by K4KDR advises to receive using upper sideband with the audio output centered on the middle of the passband. A description of the telemetry and related information are available on https://picsat.obspm.fr/data/telemetries?locale=en. This week the PicSat team requested amateur radio assistance to capture and upload telemetry packets from the satellite. Beacons received from all over the world are especially useful to monitor the status of satellite along its orbit (and not just when it is above our own station). Science data are obviously useful for the science mission. And all other packets, even when they do not look like much, can be of great importance! For example, we often receive satellite acknowledgements to our commands from ground station in France or Europe which are listening at the same time as us. It may look useless, but it is not. We regularly miss those packets our- selves, so it is good to have other people receiving them and sending them to us. There are three ways to send your data. The options for your upload will become available on your profile tab after registration at their website: https://picsat.obspm.fr/connexion?locale=en. Full details of the packet uploading procedure are posted at: https://picsat.obspm.fr/contributing/send-packets?locale=en + Fast upload beacon: mainly intended as a way to directly upload a beacon by copy/paste when you receive, and to get an immediate overview of the satellite status. When you are a new user, this is also the only way you can upload a packet. Upload one beacon successfully, and you will have access to the other methods! This page accepts a hexadecimal string, like "0123456789ABCDEF" in which whitespaces and upper/lower case are ignored ("01 23 45 67 89 ab cd ef", or even something like "0 1 234 56789 aBc dEf" will be accepted). The hexadecimal string must represent the AX.25 packet (without flags), possibly KISS encapsulated (starting with "C0 00" and ending with "C0") + Upload data: this can be used to upload files containing multiple packets at once. The files are stored on our servers, and processed daily. + SiDS requests: This will be implemented in the near future. PicSat shares a similar orbit with AO-91 since they were both deployed at approximately the same time. PicSat has been included in the 2 line Keplerian Elements distributions. On-line orbit predications for PicSat can be found at: https://picsat.obspm.fr/operations/orbital-map?locale=en. PicSat news and information is presented in their on-line video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BadAt92qHdU [ANS thanks the PicSat Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-73 Operating Schedule Changes Announced The FUNcube Operations Team says that AO73 will shortly be entering full sun light. Already the eclipse periods are only 11/12 minutes every orbit.Current predictions indicate that full sun will commence on February 6 and last through until March 14. The FUNcube autonomous, on-board, scheduling system is based upons witching modes when entering and leaving eclipses, was not designed for this situation. The scheduling system will therefore not be suit able for operations over the next few months. In line with the recently published plan, AO73 was switched to continuous amateur mode earlier commencing Thursday morning and will stay in this mode until Sunday night or Monday morning. We expect that this schedule will continue until mid April. The next full sun periods are then expected to return again in late August. Further info is available at https://funcube.org.uk/news/ [ANS thanks Graham G3VZV and the FUNcube Operations Team 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Argentina LU1ESY-3 WSPR Balloon Flight Heading Out of Africa AMSAT-LU (Argentina) advises that as part of LUSAT's 28th aniversary celebrations, Ignacio, LU1ESY, launched a PicoBalloon on January 19 from Villa Gessell, Argentina. Floating at 12 KM height, it crossed the South Atlantic Ocean, left South Africa, and last reports show it some 500 km SSE from Madagascar, hopefully heading to Australia and New Zealand. It is transmitting as LU1ESY-3 on 14075.6 KHz WSPR, 25 mW, 25 gram payload using a WB8ELK tracker. As of January 27, LU7AA reports that the balloon has completed one orbit around the world. The APRS track can be followed on aprs.fi: https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FLU1ESY-3&timerange=604800&tail=604800 and also at http://lu7aa.org/wspr.asp Pictures on http://amsat.org.ar/globo09.htm and http://amsat.org.ar Thanks to hams in Antartica, South Africa and Namibia for their WSPR captures & upload to http://wsprnet.org . [ANS thanks AMSAT Argentina for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- OR4ESA Redu Ground Station Belgium on the Air Until February 6 Javier Roldan, EA1HEO, will be activating OR4ESA from the ESA Redu Ground Station in Belgium from the 16th of January until the 6th of February 2018. He is taking advantage of a visit to the site during refurbishment of the 15m dish S-Band antenna. OR4ESA is the temporary special callsign for the activation at the European Space Agency (ESA) - Redu Site and Satellite Tracking Station in Redu, Belgium. (Grid locator: JO20na) Javier will try to be on the air daily (Monday to Friday) in the evening after work approximately 18:00 - 21:00 UTC both in SSB and in digital modes. Digital modes will be mainly PSK31 and RTTY as QRP. The contacts are valid for the ESA Amateur Radio Award (2 points per first QSO per mode and band). All the QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, eQSL, Clublog, HRDLog and QRZ.com. He prefers electronic QSLs as they are faster, cheaper, easier to archive and they are more friendly to the environment. Paper QSLs should be sent via bureau or direct to DL0ESA. Please include SASE and $1 USD Europe, $2 USD outside Europe. Paper QSLs will only be sent in reply to the ones received. All details of the activation can be found in www.qrz.com/db/OR4ESA [ANS thanks Javier Roldan, EA1HEO and OR4ESA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ESA Announces Winners Cubesat to the Moon Competition The European Space Agency has announced two cubesat project teams as winners of a competition to send cubesats to the moon. + The Lunar Meteoroid Impact Orbiter, or Lumio for short, would circle over the far side of the Moon to detect bright impact flashes during the lunar night, mapping meteoroid bombardments as they occur. + The other, the Lunar Volatile and Mineralogy Mapping Orbiter, or VMMO, would focus on a permanently shadowed crater near the lunar south pole, searching out deposits of water ice and other volatiles of interest to future colonists, while also measuring lunar radiation. The impact-tracking Lumio is a single 12-unit CubeSat, conceived by a consortium including Politecnico di Milano; TU Delft, EPFL, S[&]T Norway, Leonardo-Finnmeccanica and the University of Arizona. VMMO, developed by MPB Communications Inc, Surrey Space Centre, Univer- sity of Winnipeg and Lens R&D, also adopts a 12-unit CubeSat design. Its miniaturised laser would probe its primary target of Shackleton Crater, adjacent to the South Pole, for measuring the abundance of water ice. The region inside the crater is in permanent darkness, allowing water molecules to condense and freeze there in the very cold conditions. No amateur radio content has been announced for these missions. The ESA said the idea behind our lunar CubeSat competition was challenging - up until now CubeSats have operated solely within Earth orbit. However, opportunities should open up to piggyback to the Moon in the coming decade, with circumlunar flights of the NASA-ESA Orion spacecraft and planned commercial flights. The ESA announcement can be accessed on-line at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-ESA-CubesatMoon (www.esa.int) [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + On Jan. 31, the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse will be visible before sunrise in North America, Alaska and Hawaii. http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-LunarEclipse (space.com) + Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, posted the January 19 video Phase 4 Ground Weekly Status report at: Part 1 - https://youtu.be/eD5P4tHIb9w Part 2 - https://youtu.be/gY0IQsppSI4 Her reports cover the IEEE Radio and Wireless Week, held in Anaheim, California from 14 - 17 January 2017. RWW is an annual technical conference from IEEE, and is sponsored primarily by Microwave Theory and Techniques Society. It consists of five different co-located topical conferences. One of those conferences was the Topical Work- shop on The Internet of Space or TWIoS, with two sessions. There was also a CubeSat workshop! + The Humanity Star was carried to orbit on-board the Rocket Lab launch from New Zealand. Their website advises, "Visible from space with the naked eye, the Humanity Star is a highly reflective satellite that blinks brightly across the night sky to create a shared experience for everyone on the planet. Created by Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck, the Humanity Star is a geodesic sphere made from carbon fibre with 65 highly reflective panels. It spins rapidly, reflecting the sun’s rays back to Earth, creating a flashing light that can be seen against a backdrop of stars." More information and a tracking map (showing when it is visible and when it is in eclipse) is posted on the project's website: http://www.thehumanitystar.com/ + Watch this video as KD2AVU worked KC8QDQ in EM89 on FO29. He doesn't have elevation rotor so best chance for him to work the bird is when it's on the low angle. Antenna: 2m beam (TX) homebrew DK7ZB 5 element 70cm beam (RX) stacked homebrew 10 element. Transceiver: Yaesu FT-847 TX power: 25W. Both antennas are in the attic! Watch on-line at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifpZMkACNNw + A frequently asked question during these good times of new satellite launches involves how to update the Keplerian Elements as orbits are identified or new satellites are launched. AMSAT-UK has a nice resource, "Adding new satellites to #SatPC32, Gpredict and Nova", see: https://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/23/adding-new-satellites-to-satpc32/ + On January 18, Thursday night at 9 pm Eastern time, Jerry Buxton, N0JY the vice president for engineering at AMSAT was interview on the HamTalkLive webcast to talk about the process of building amateur radio satellites, and the latest on the newest bird, Fox-1D. You can listen on demand 24/7/365.25 at: https://www.spreaker.com/show/ham-talk-live - select episode #98. + Enjoy the satellite presentation by Doug Tabor, N6UA, during his talk at the 2018 Winter Hamfest hosted by Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJoh7g8BWok&feature=youtu.be + Are any of you interested in pursuing a PhD-degree, within space radio systems (software defined radio) or integrated operations involving small satellites and other autonomous vehicles? We are seeking two new PhD-candidates to join our small satellite team, at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway. Full text and how to apply: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-UnivNorwaySmallSat More information about our team and on-going missions can be found here: https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/smallsat (via cubesat e-mail list) + Rocket Lab conducted its second Electron launch on January 21 placing three cubesats into orbit. The launch occurred from the remote Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. Mission control is located in Auckland, New Zealand. On board was a Planetlab cubesat named Dove Pioneer which will conduct Earth resource imaging and two Lemur-2 cubesats for Spire which will be used for weather and ship tracking. Full report and video posted at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-028-RocketLabsLaunch + NASA released this new video on January 11, 2018, which was created by astronomers and visualization specialists from its Universe of Learning program. These experts have combined visible and infrared images from the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes to create a three-dimensional, fly-through view of the Orion Nebula, a fuzzy patch in your sky tonight, really a place where new stars are forming: http://earthsky.org/space/video-visualization-3d-orion-nebula-nasa --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 and Happy New Year, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org g

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Argentina PicoBalloon 1st Orbit
by Pedro Converso 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

LU1ESY 25mW/25gr WSPR PicoBalloon launched on 01/19 is completing its first orbit. This PicoBalloon is celebrating LUSAT 28th aniversary, pictures at http://amsat.org.ar/globo09.htm Can be tracket from: https://tracker.habhub.org/#!mt=roadmap&mz=3&qm=All&mc=-48.39023,-140.21&q=… https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FLU1ESY-3&timerange=604800&tail=6… http://lu7aa.org.ar/wspr.asp 73, LU7AA, Amsat Argentina www.amsat.org.ar

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Re: [amsat-bb] 3D-print L-band Helical feed support
by Gregory Beat 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

Here are the 3D print files, at Thingverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2627680/#files Sent from iPad Air

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3D-print L-band Helical feed support
by Gregory Beat 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

Hack-A-Day featured this project two months ago. 3D PRINTED HELICAL SATCOM FEED Tom Nardi was targeting 1.5 GHz satcom usage with his RTL-SDR https://hackaday.com/2017/11/09/3d-printed-helical-satcom-feed/ greg, w9gb Sent from iPad Air

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Yaesu G5500 + LVB tracker for sale
by Matthew Stevens 27 Jan '18

27 Jan '18

I have a like-new G5500 and LVB tracker for sale. I bought it last year with intentions to install an automated station, but it has sat in the garage and taken up space long enough. Everything is in excellent shape and works as it is supposed to, I only used it once during field day 2017. Included is the LVB tracker, alt-az rotor, and control box for the G5500. I’m asking $650 + real shipping cost (local pickup would obviously be easiest). If you can pick up locally, I also have rotor control cables made up and 2 M2 fiberglass arms for the antennas for $50 more. I’ll be at Hamcation in Orlando on Saturday, Feb 10 and can bring everything with me if anyone would like to pick it up there. Email me direct for photos and more info. - Matthew nj4y Sent from my iPhone

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