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Switching Polarity articles
by Rick Tejera 14 Apr '17

14 Apr '17

All, I offered Brady to share two articles by Domenico I8CVS (SK) on the topic of 4 way polarity switching. Well more than a few folks requested copies as well. I've sent them the pdf's, but if anyone else is interested< I've uploaded them to my dropbox. You can get them here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5oajmrvynfz2y7n/AAA6GewegaDNoJlydsGVaBH5a?dl=0 73 Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org <http://www.saguaroastro.org> Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.W7TBC.org <http://www.W7TBC.org>

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AMSAT dinner?
by Ed Krome 14 Apr '17

14 Apr '17

AMSAT diner at Dayton this year? Have not seen announcements. Ed Krome K9EK Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [amsat-bb] Linear vs Circular Polarization
by Brady Gordon 13 Apr '17

13 Apr '17

Thanks everyone for the replies! It is very helpful, and I do appreciate it. The SV1BSX site is great, and the visualizations really helped me understand how circular polarization works. Thanks especially Zach for letting me know about M2 Antennas using the relay at the feedpoint. That's also a good point about having to cut impedance transformation lines, even if I did use a physical 1/4 wave offset. I may build something to switch between both linear and circular polarizations. I'm hoping to build the antennas in time for Field Day, so I can do a satellite demo for my club. Thanks again, and I hope to be able to work you on the sats soon! 73, Brady AC0XR

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W5PFG/P FM02 South Carolina
by Clayton Coleman 13 Apr '17

13 Apr '17

I will be operating satellites from the Charleston, South Carolina area in gridsquare FM02 between April 23-28. During my FM02 stay, I plan to activate nearby FM03, EM92, and EM93 grids. Follow me on Twitter for pass updates: @w5pfg http://www.twitter.com/w5pfg I am available to make limited schedules with European and South American stations interested in confirming the grid FM02. Contact me via direct reply to this email. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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funcube dongle
by willmarbrowns＠charter.net 13 Apr '17

13 Apr '17

looking to buy a funcube pro+...any one willing to part with?bruce ke0lx

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Orbitron Question
by Paul Ecker 13 Apr '17

13 Apr '17

I read about Orbitron on this list, never have used but just downloaded. Is there a way to have it just list the amateur satellites? Paul kc2nyu

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Re: [amsat-bb] Linear vs Circular Polarization
by Richard Tejera 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

Brady, Domenici, I8cvs SK had published a pair of articles on making a switching relay between vertical, Horizontal, LHCP & RHCP. he sent me PDF's, which are in my to do someday folder. Contact me off list (email is good on QRZ), and I will send them to you. They are for 70cm, but certainly can be adapted for 2m easily enough. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On April 12, 2017, at 14:11, Brady Gordon <ac0xr(a)lowswr.com> wrote: Hi Everyone, I'm working on building a pair of crossed yagis for 2m and 70cm, and I have some questions. I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find answers online so I was hoping you all could help me out. First, it seems easiest to me to build an antenna system that can either switch between vertical and horizontal linear polarizations, or between right hand and left hand circular polarization. Which would be more useful? And is it worth the extra effort to build an antenna system that can switch between all four polarizations? Also, I've been looking at the different ways of achieving circular polarization. I like the idea of using mechanical 1/4 wave separation between the two yagis so I don't have to cut phasing lines. Would it be possible to switch polarizations by putting a relay at the feedpoint of one of the yagis and switching which side of the driven element the center conductor and shield of the coax goes to? I've never seen this done before, but it seems to me it would work. Any thoughts? Thanks and 73, Brady AC0XR _______________________________________________ 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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Linear vs Circular Polarization
by Brady Gordon 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

Hi Everyone, I'm working on building a pair of crossed yagis for 2m and 70cm, and I have some questions. I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find answers online so I was hoping you all could help me out. First, it seems easiest to me to build an antenna system that can either switch between vertical and horizontal linear polarizations, or between right hand and left hand circular polarization. Which would be more useful? And is it worth the extra effort to build an antenna system that can switch between all four polarizations? Also, I've been looking at the different ways of achieving circular polarization. I like the idea of using mechanical 1/4 wave separation between the two yagis so I don't have to cut phasing lines. Would it be possible to switch polarizations by putting a relay at the feedpoint of one of the yagis and switching which side of the driven element the center conductor and shield of the coax goes to? I've never seen this done before, but it seems to me it would work. Any thoughts? Thanks and 73, Brady AC0XR

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Vhf sat ants for sale
by jeffory broughton 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

One has the phasing Harness for rhcp, The other does not,is is set up for two feedlines,one for horiz,one for vert. Both Cushcraft A144-20T.ONE LIKE BRAND NEW $100 ,ONE NOT SO NEW $80 .BOTH PLUS SHIPPING. jeff broughton

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Yaesu FT-847 forsale
by n4qwf . 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

I am selling my FT-847 satellite radio. I offer it here before it goes to Raleigh Hamfest this weekend. I am asking $895.00 plus shipping. It has the power cable and hand mic and original manual. It ships in the original box. It is in excellent condition from a non-smoking home. First response gets it. Thanks and 73<<John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ 8BDXCC DXCC mixed 327 WAS HF #57,114 WAS Triple Play #1270 WAZ HF #9073 AAA All Africa Award #1734 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 OSCAR-11 20th birthday #1 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-11 05:00 UTC
by charles sikes 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

You might try contacting Darryl Paule KI6MSP. I believe he is coordinating the event for Brookhaven. Darryl's email is ki6msp(a)gmail.com Charlie, KZ6T

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KB1RVT on the sats
by Daniel "Nick" Kucij 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

Fellow satellite ops, I have moved and left my shack location, where I operated since I got my license in 2009. The move is due to down-sizing, necessitated by aging. As some may know, I operated from a second floor room in the northeast corner of our Vermont home, using an Arrow antenna indoors. It worked remarkably well, especially on the linear transponders in directions from north to south. West was a challenge due to the building, but Europe was a sweet spot. It was a great run, I now have over 1500 grids confirmed. Thanks to everyone on the birds, especially the rovers! Unfortunately, my new location in a condo, appears to be not so conducive for working the birds. I may try some occasional outdoor ops from portable locations this summer, but will miss the regular comradery of our small fraternity, it has been a lot of fun! Enjoy the hobby and be good to each other! 73 and gud DX! Nick, KB1RVT Sent from my iPad

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Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-11 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 12 Apr '17

12 Apr '17

If they do, then I will certainly be posting the address. 73, Charlie AJ9N In a message dated 4/11/2017 12:49:32 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com writes: Does anyone know if the Brook Haven School contact will be streamed live? Thanks, Greg KO6TH AJ9N--- via AMSAT-BB wrote: > Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-11 05:00 UTC > > Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: > > College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO > The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS > The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG > Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 deg > > Brook Haven School, Sebastopol, CA, direct via W6SRJ > The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS > The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG > Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-04-19 18:40:43 UTC 82 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. > **************************************************************************** > *** > > Message to US Educators > Amateur Radio on the International Space Station > Contact Opportunity > > Call for Proposals > Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 > > The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is > seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, > individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew > member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held > between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will > determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact > opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of > participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education > plan. > > The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information > and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. > > The Opportunity > Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in > scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 > minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through > a question-and-answer session. > > An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur > Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and > classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the > opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in > space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also > will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless > technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and > the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must > demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the > radio contact. > > Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in > Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by > providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct > communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. > In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite > Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and > CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). > > > More Information > Interested parties can find more information about the program at > www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. > > For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal > guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go > to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. > Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. > > > **************************************************************************** > *** > > 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: > > Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 > Gaston ON4WF with 123 > Francesco IKØWGF with 119 > > **************************************************************************** > 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 2017-04-11 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 1129. > Each school counts as 1 event. > Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1090. > 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 2017-04-04 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. 49 on orbit > Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD > Andrei Borisenko > Sergey Ryzhikov > > Exp. 50 on orbit > Peggy Whitson > Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG > Oleg Novitskiy > > **************************************************************************** > > 73, > Charlie Sufana AJ9N > One of the ARISS operation team mentors > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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KB1RVT on the sats
by Bill Acito 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

Nick, I must be missing something. Are the covenants strict enough that you can 't walk outside with an Arrow and HT, work a pass, and then walk back in again? (pretty much my modus operandi) Bill W1PA

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Orbitron Question
by Paul Ecker 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

Thanks to the help of a couple of List members, especially Dave, KB1PVH, got it all figured out. Thank you. 73 Paul kc2nyu

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-11 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-11 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 deg Brook Haven School, Sebastopol, CA, direct via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-04-19 18:40:43 UTC 82 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-04-11 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 1129. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1090. 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 2017-04-04 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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DCC Call for Papers
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 36th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, to be held September 15-17 in St Louis, Missouri at the Holiday Inn Airport West in Earth City. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is July 31, 2017. Submit papers to via e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org<mailto:[email protected]>, or via post to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.

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Upcoming ARISS contact with College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France on 14 April. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:20 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F6KCO. The contact should be audible over France and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in French. Roger Martin du Gard is a middle school in Bellême, France. Located in Normandy, in the heart of the regional natural park of le Perche, this village of approximately two thousand inhabitants sits on a hill dominating the Perche area. Roger Martin du Gard was constructed in the 1970s and was totally rebuilt on the same location in 1994. It got its name from Literature Nobel Prize, Roger Martin du Gard, a writer who lived the last part of his life nearby, in Le Château du Tertre. The number of students has been stable for the past four years, with about three hundred children in twelve different classes (3 in each level, from grades 7 through 10). It welcomes students from age 11 to 15. This school project, ARISS, aims at having the students succeed in their different education paths. The ARISS project is the one opportunity to show the students that being in a rural area does not limit their possibilities and their capacities to do things. It is a way to help them find a possible future in such an important field. Complementing their physics program, it also offers a magical moment to all the students in the school, while showing that working serves a real motivation. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Qu'est-ce-qui vous a donné envie de devenir astronaute? 2. Quel régime alimentaire devez-vous adopter dans l'espace? 3. Quel fuseau horaire suivez-vous dans l'espace? 4. Dans les expériences de culture que vous menez, où en êtes-vous? 5. Avez-vous rencontré des débris spatiaux durant votre voyage jusqu'à l'ISS? 6. Comment faites-vous pour vous approvisionner en eau potable? 7. Qu'avez-vous ressenti lors de votre sortie extra-véhiculaire? 8. Quel est l'inconvénient majeur à vivre dans l'espace? 9. Comment envisagez-vous votre futur une fois rentré sur Terre? 10. Avez-vous réussi à jouer aux dés dans l'espace? 11. Combien d'heures de sport pratiquez-vous quotidiennement? 12. Comment faites-vous votre toilette dans l'espace? 13. Comment organisez-vous vos journées? 14. Comment faites-vous pour vous déplacer dans la station spatiale? 15. Quelles sont les qualités requises pour devenir astronaute? 16. Le réchauffement climatique est-il visible depuis la station? 17. Quel est le plus bel endroit que vous ayez photographié depuis la station? 18. Quel est, jusqu'à aujourd'hui, votre plus beau souvenir à bord de la station? 19. Parmi les expériences réalisées, quelles sont celles qui vous ont amusées? 20. Entre Normands, vous souviendrez-vous de nous? Translated: 1. Why did you choose to become an astronaut? 2. What diet do you have to follow when you are in space? 3. What time zone do you have to follow in space? 4. How is it going with your microbial experimentations? 5. Have you met some space debris/junks on your way to the ISS? 6. How do you get your supply of drinkable water? 7. What did you feel when you went in space, outside the spaceship? 8. What is the worst thing about living in space? 9. About your career, what are your plans once back on earth? 10. Did you manage to shoot dices in space? 11. How much do you exercise daily? 12. How do you wash yourself in space? 13. How are your days organized? 14. How do you move between compartments in the space station? 15. What are the required qualities to become an astronaut? 16. Is global warming visible from the station? 17. From the station, what is the nicest place you have taken picture of? 18. What is your favorite memory aboard the station? 19. Among your experiments, which ones did you find the most interesting? 20. Between you and us, Fellow Normans, will you remember us? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. Brook Haven School, Sebastopol, CA, direct via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-04-19 18:40 UTC About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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IC-2730A: Full-Duplex, Odd-Splits, SatPC32?
by Ken M 11 Apr '17

11 Apr '17

Hello all, I'm looking for a mobile radio that, among other things, will work well for FM satellites. I'm familiar with the Kenwood and Yaesu products, but I'm interested in the ICOM IC-2730A. I've found it difficult to get definitive opinions on these points: 1. Does it support true full-duplex operation? (It supports "simultaneous receive", but is it full-duplex?) 2. Can you program memory locations with odd-splits? (It looks to me like it doesn't.) 3. Can it be controlled by SatPC32? (It does support ICOM's CI-V protocol, so I think a basic level of control might be possible.) As an aside, if I don't end up with the IC-2730A, I will likely get the Yaesu FT-8900R - a much older design - but for sure does full-duplex and odd-splits (although no control protocol). Thanks & 73, Ken VA7KBM

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO 85 Frequencies.
by John KI4RO 10 Apr '17

10 Apr '17

I don't have a lot of success on it because I don't have enough power, but here is where I got my info: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=4690 73 John On Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 6:34 PM <amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Orbitron, (Joe) > 2. Re: Orbitron, (Pedro Converso) > 3. Re: Orbitron, (Joe) > 4. Re: Orbitron, (Armand SP3QFE) > 5. Re: Orbitron, (Norm n3ykf) > 6. Re: AO-07 Mode B switched off at 20170404 19:28 UTC > (Gabriel Zeifman) > 7. AO-85 Question (R.T.Liddy) > 8. Re: AO-85 Question (Matthew Stevens) > 9. Re: AO-85 Question (R.T.Liddy) > 10. Re: AO-85 Question (JoAnne K9JKM) > 11. IC-2730A: Full-Duplex, Odd-Splits, SatPC32? (Ken M) > 12. Re: IC-2730A: Full-Duplex, Odd-Splits, SatPC32? > (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 09:42:59 -0500 > From: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> > To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Orbitron, > Message-ID: <932ef997-7546-d657-99b7-c80cb7dc2356(a)mwt.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes is > cool BUT... > I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's been > a while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. > > Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into the area > that you download at, there was no longer this list of like 30 that it > would download, only one was there, for a nasabare file just that one > file only. > > I grabbed it anyway, > > But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other > software's, and or web pages for the up-coming pass. > > Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of like > it did before of like 20+ files? > > Joe WB9SBD > -- > Sig > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 12:32:18 -0300 > From: Pedro Converso <pconver(a)gmail.com> > To: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> > Cc: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Orbitron, > Message-ID: > < > CANTZqKnyxFPt5JaCWgO4b3cV4RjNXvU75XmhOD4YMqk2ejoD7Q(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hello Joe, > > I have same situation with Orbitron. > > You can try http://amsat.org.ar/pass as alternative, as it renew > automatically keps several times a day. > > These updated keps can be downloaded/seen at http://amsat.org.ar/keps.txt > > 73, lu7abf, Pedro > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 11:42 AM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> wrote: > > > UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes is > cool > > BUT... > > I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's been a > > while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. > > > > Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into the area > > that you download at, there was no longer this list of like 30 that it > > would download, only one was there, for a nasabare file just that one > file > > only. > > > > I grabbed it anyway, > > > > But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other > software's, > > and or web pages for the up-coming pass. > > > > Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of like > it > > did before of like 20+ files? > > > > Joe WB9SBD > > -- > > Sig > > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > > Idle Tyme > > Idle-Tyme.com > > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 10:44:57 -0500 > From: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> > To: Pedro Converso <pconver(a)gmail.com> > Cc: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Orbitron, > Message-ID: <dcbc578d-c40c-df1c-b417-879a63397bbc(a)mwt.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Thanks Pedro, > > And I fixed it, or at least I remembered how to make it work right at > least on a Windows 10 machine here. > > If I right click on the ICON, and choose "Run as administrator" Then the > whole BIG list appears, I download, and now orbitron matches the other > programs and web pages again. > > Try that. > > Joe WB9SBD > Sig > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > On 4/9/2017 10:32 AM, Pedro Converso wrote: > > Hello Joe, > > > > I have same situation with Orbitron. > > > > You can try http://amsat.org.ar/pass as alternative, as it renew > > automatically keps several times a day. > > > > These updated keps can be downloaded/seen at > http://amsat.org.ar/keps.txt > > > > 73, lu7abf, Pedro > > > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 11:42 AM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net > > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > > > UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes > > is cool BUT... > > I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's > > been a while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. > > > > Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into > > the area that you download at, there was no longer this list of > > like 30 that it would download, only one was there, for a nasabare > > file just that one file only. > > > > I grabbed it anyway, > > > > But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other > > software's, and or web pages for the up-coming pass. > > > > Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of > > like it did before of like 20+ files? > > > > Joe WB9SBD > > -- > > Sig > > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > > Idle Tyme > > Idle-Tyme.com > > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA > > makes this open forum available > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > > Opinions expressed > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official > > views of AMSAT-NA. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > > program! > > Subscription settings: > > http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2017 20:48:53 +0200 > From: Armand SP3QFE <kontakt(a)sp3qfe.net> > To: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> > Cc: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Orbitron, > Message-ID: <44fba393f66bb3782f35d4d51c02f55f(a)sp3qfe.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > > Hello Everybody, > > Here you are you can download the Orbitron: > http://www.stoff.pl/ > > a) Update process: > Left Alt + F5 > Chose Tab TLE updater (Left Alt + L). > Then select right Group, eg.: www.celestrak.com - I have done it many > times since a few month. There are only four files: amateur.txt, > iridium.txt, tle-new.txt and visual.txt. > After that, press button on the top of this tab - the first from the > right (Earth with the thunder). > Update process should start. > At the end click OK. And close setup window (OK). > > b) Now check the date of update. > Select some satellite (eg. the ISS). > Then select tab: "Sat/Orbit info" and check line with Epoch (UTC). > There should be date from today or yesterday eg. for ISS from today is > (right now): > 2017-04-08 20:39:01 > > c) if the update is wrong, you should start Orbitron with administrator > permission, or select another location of the TLE data (in the user > folder). You can do it in Setup widnow (Left Alt + F5) and tab > Miscellaneous (Left Alt + M) area Personalization. > > Good luck! > > 73, Armand SP3QFE > > > On 2017-04-09 17:44, Joe wrote: > > Thanks Pedro, > > > > And I fixed it, or at least I remembered how to make it work right at > > least on a Windows 10 machine here. > > > > If I right click on the ICON, and choose "Run as administrator" Then > > the whole BIG list appears, I download, and now orbitron matches the > > other programs and web pages again. > > > > Try that. > > > > Joe WB9SBD > > Sig > > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > > Idle Tyme > > Idle-Tyme.com > > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > On 4/9/2017 10:32 AM, Pedro Converso wrote: > >> Hello Joe, > >> > >> I have same situation with Orbitron. > >> > >> You can try http://amsat.org.ar/pass as alternative, as it renew > >> automatically keps several times a day. > >> > >> These updated keps can be downloaded/seen at > >> http://amsat.org.ar/keps.txt > >> > >> 73, lu7abf, Pedro > >> > >> On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 11:42 AM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net > >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > >> > >> UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes > >> is cool BUT... > >> I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's > >> been a while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. > >> > >> Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into > >> the area that you download at, there was no longer this list of > >> like 30 that it would download, only one was there, for a nasabare > >> file just that one file only. > >> > >> I grabbed it anyway, > >> > >> But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other > >> software's, and or web pages for the up-coming pass. > >> > >> Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of > >> like it did before of like 20+ files? > >> > >> Joe WB9SBD > >> -- Sig > >> The Original Rolling Ball Clock > >> Idle Tyme > >> Idle-Tyme.com > >> http://www.idle-tyme.com > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA > >> makes this open forum available > >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > >> Opinions expressed > >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official > >> views of AMSAT-NA. > >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > >> program! > >> Subscription settings: > >> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >> <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> > >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 15:23:49 -0400 > From: Norm n3ykf <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> > To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Orbitron, > Message-ID: > <CAJUhCTPS9OsVwo97D7= > oFsjTShvLQP-G7rEV_DBNasGsiXMPAQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I use W9KE's tle tools. It will store a copy of the TLE's returned to > locations specified in the setup. I.E. Satpc32, Orbitron, PSTrotator, > etc.. > > Keeps all the TLE's updated. One click, no mess... > > Norm n3ykf > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 2:48 PM, Armand SP3QFE <kontakt(a)sp3qfe.net> wrote: > > Hello Everybody, > > > > Here you are you can download the Orbitron: > > http://www.stoff.pl/ > > > > a) Update process: > > Left Alt + F5 > > Chose Tab TLE updater (Left Alt + L). > > Then select right Group, eg.: www.celestrak.com - I have done it many > times > > since a few month. There are only four files: amateur.txt, iridium.txt, > > tle-new.txt and visual.txt. > > After that, press button on the top of this tab - the first from the > right > > (Earth with the thunder). > > Update process should start. > > At the end click OK. And close setup window (OK). > > > > b) Now check the date of update. > > Select some satellite (eg. the ISS). > > Then select tab: "Sat/Orbit info" and check line with Epoch (UTC). > > There should be date from today or yesterday eg. for ISS from today is > > (right now): > > 2017-04-08 20:39:01 > > > > c) if the update is wrong, you should start Orbitron with administrator > > permission, or select another location of the TLE data (in the user > folder). > > You can do it in Setup widnow (Left Alt + F5) and tab Miscellaneous (Left > > Alt + M) area Personalization. > > > > Good luck! > > > > 73, Armand SP3QFE > > > > > > > > On 2017-04-09 17:44, Joe wrote: > >> > >> Thanks Pedro, > >> > >> And I fixed it, or at least I remembered how to make it work right at > >> least on a Windows 10 machine here. > >> > >> If I right click on the ICON, and choose "Run as administrator" Then > >> the whole BIG list appears, I download, and now orbitron matches the > >> other programs and web pages again. > >> > >> Try that. > >> > >> Joe WB9SBD > >> Sig > >> The Original Rolling Ball Clock > >> Idle Tyme > >> Idle-Tyme.com > >> http://www.idle-tyme.com > >> On 4/9/2017 10:32 AM, Pedro Converso wrote: > >>> > >>> Hello Joe, > >>> > >>> I have same situation with Orbitron. > >>> > >>> You can try http://amsat.org.ar/pass as alternative, as it renew > >>> automatically keps several times a day. > >>> > >>> These updated keps can be downloaded/seen at > http://amsat.org.ar/keps.txt > >>> > >>> 73, lu7abf, Pedro > >>> > >>> On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 11:42 AM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net <mailto:[email protected] > >> > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>> UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes > >>> is cool BUT... > >>> I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's > >>> been a while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. > >>> > >>> Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into > >>> the area that you download at, there was no longer this list of > >>> like 30 that it would download, only one was there, for a nasabare > >>> file just that one file only. > >>> > >>> I grabbed it anyway, > >>> > >>> But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other > >>> software's, and or web pages for the up-coming pass. > >>> > >>> Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of > >>> like it did before of like 20+ files? > >>> > >>> Joe WB9SBD > >>> -- Sig > >>> The Original Rolling Ball Clock > >>> Idle Tyme > >>> Idle-Tyme.com > >>> http://www.idle-tyme.com > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA > >>> makes this open forum available > >>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > >>> Opinions expressed > >>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official > >>> views of AMSAT-NA. > >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > >>> program! > >>> Subscription settings: > >>> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >>> <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> > >>> > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 16:18:29 -0500 > From: Gabriel Zeifman <gabrielzeifman(a)gmail.com> > To: "Bill Bordy, NJ1H" <nj1h(a)comcast.net> > Cc: AMSAT Mailing List <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-07 Mode B switched off at 20170404 19:28 > UTC > Message-ID: <2F6A794A-1974-49FD-BF48-C9276D7CB350(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Several QRO stations using extremely excessive power were heard on the > previous pass of AO-7 causing it to flip to mode A. God bless AMSAT-UK for > launching UKube-1 which allowed me to still give out the ultra-rare grid > line DO92/93 to many stations as CG6NJH. > > If you're running more than 5W, you're probably doing it wrong, 73 > > Gabe > NJ7H/VE6NJH > > > > On Apr 4, 2017, at 2:57 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H <nj1h(a)comcast.net> wrote: > > > > As has been reported before, excess power to AO-07 can cause a reset of > the transponder. While monitoring AO-07 today, I heard it switch off during > a QSO in process. Power should be reduced to the minimum required to hear > your downlink. > > > > On the previous pass of the satellite while it was out over the > Atlantic, I called CQ on SSB throughout the pass without resetting the > transponder. Unfortunately, no other stations were heard on the satellite. > I was using a panadapter to monitor the full pass band. > > > > 73, > > Bill > > NJ1H > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 02:20:26 +0000 (UTC) > From: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> > To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, Starcom <starcom-bb(a)star-com.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > Message-ID: <702420989.4508588.1491790826795(a)mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I've seen some commentary about the best freqs to use > for AO-85. What should I program for UP & Down for that > Satellite? > > TNX, Bob K8BL > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 22:31:18 -0400 > From: Matthew Stevens <matthew(a)mrstevens.net> > To: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl(a)ameritech.net>, "Keith O'Brien via AMSAT-BB" > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > Message-ID: > <CAN8zKtSM8rNpD+dQ4x3MOc_FLep+Hz9O-u4e1d0j= > FO8AtSmpg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > At TCA up is 435.170, down 145.980. > > So accounting for doppler with 5khz steps, 435.160 at AOS, 435.165 halfway > to TCA, 435.170 at TCA, 435.175 halfway to LOS, and 435.180 approaching > LOS. > > I also find it necessary at times to tune the downlink to 145.975 after > TCA, although not always. Just depends on the pass. > > 73, > > > - Matthew > ? kk4fem? > > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:20 PM, R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> wrote: > > > I've seen some commentary about the best freqs to use > > for AO-85. What should I program for UP & Down for that > > Satellite? > > > > TNX, Bob K8BL > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 03:16:31 +0000 (UTC) > From: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> > To: Matthew Stevens <matthew(a)mrstevens.net>, Keith O'Brien via > AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > Message-ID: <1752519554.4591264.1491794191514(a)mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Matthew, > OK, thanks for the info. > I'll set my Memories for 435.160 up and 145.980 down. They aretunable on > my IC-820, so I can adjust each on the fly to accountfor Doppler. > TNX/73, ? ? Bob ?K8BL > > From: Matthew Stevens <matthew(a)mrstevens.net> > To: R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net>; Keith O'Brien via AMSAT-BB < > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, April 9, 2017 10:31 PM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > > At TCA up is 435.170, down 145.980. > > So accounting for doppler with 5khz steps, 435.160 at AOS, 435.165 halfway > to TCA, 435.170 at TCA, 435.175 halfway to LOS, and 435.180 approaching LOS. > > I also find it necessary at times to tune the downlink to 145.975 after > TCA, although not always. Just depends on the pass. > > 73, > > > - Matthew? kk4fem? > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:20 PM, R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> wrote: > > I've seen some commentary about the best freqs to use > for AO-85. What should I program for UP & Down for that > Satellite? > > TNX,? ? Bob? K8BL > ______________________________ _________________ > 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 > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 07:43:03 -0500 > From: JoAnne K9JKM <k9jkm(a)comcast.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > Message-ID: <cef8c5bd-64ac-cd29-63ff-e56f0f1172bc(a)comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > The Fox-1A /AO-85 operating guide at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2144 > includes the frequencies in a table with five steps for Doppler > correction from AOS to TCA to LOS. It is a PDF file. > > > On 4/9/2017 10:16 PM, R.T.Liddy wrote: > > Matthew, > > OK, thanks for the info. > > I'll set my Memories for 435.160 up and 145.980 down. They aretunable on > my IC-820, so I can adjust each on the fly to accountfor Doppler. > > TNX/73, Bob K8BL > > > > From: Matthew Stevens <matthew(a)mrstevens.net> > > To: R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net>; Keith O'Brien via AMSAT-BB < > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Sunday, April 9, 2017 10:31 PM > > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Question > > > > At TCA up is 435.170, down 145.980. > > > > So accounting for doppler with 5khz steps, 435.160 at AOS, 435.165 > halfway to TCA, 435.170 at TCA, 435.175 halfway to LOS, and 435.180 > approaching LOS. > > > > I also find it necessary at times to tune the downlink to 145.975 after > TCA, although not always. Just depends on the pass. > > > > 73, > > > > > > - Matthew? kk4fem? > > > > On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:20 PM, R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> wrote: > > > > I've seen some commentary about the best freqs to use > > for AO-85. What should I program for UP & Down for that > > Satellite? > > > > TNX, Bob K8BL > > ______________________________ _________________ > > 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 > > -- > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM > k9jkm(a)amsat.org > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:32:53 +0000 > From: Ken M <va7kbm(a)outlook.com> > To: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] IC-2730A: Full-Duplex, Odd-Splits, SatPC32? > Message-ID: > < > CY1PR0101MB10507113B2D650BD030DD2CA98010(a)CY1PR0101MB1050.prod.exchangelabs.com > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hello all, > > I'm looking for a mobile radio that, among other things, will work well > for FM satellites. I'm familiar with the Kenwood and Yaesu products, but > I'm interested in the ICOM IC-2730A. I've found it difficult to get > definitive opinions on these points: > > 1. Does it support true full-duplex operation? (It supports > "simultaneous receive", but is it full-duplex?) > > 2. Can you program memory locations with odd-splits? (It looks to me > like it doesn't.) > > 3. Can it be controlled by SatPC32? (It does support ICOM's CI-V > protocol, so I think a basic level of control might be possible.) > > As an aside, if I don't end up with the IC-2730A, I will likely get the > Yaesu FT-8900R - a much older design - but for sure does full-duplex and > odd-splits (although no control protocol). > > Thanks & 73, > Ken VA7KBM > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:33:27 -0700 > From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> > To: Ken M <va7kbm(a)outlook.com>, "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] IC-2730A: Full-Duplex, Odd-Splits, SatPC32? > Message-ID: > < > CAN6TEUe11QSAv0E7bGA2a1w-GjSO2YSedciUV3sfOkoYRmCA8A(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > ?Ken, > > I have had an IC-2730A for almost a year. Nice radio for > FM satellite work. Answering your questions... > > 1. Yes, it supports true full-duplex operation. Put the > uplink and downlink in the two VFOs, and adjust the squelch > and volume so you only hear the downlink VFO. Set PL tones > as needed in the uplink VFO, and - if not using memory > channels - confirm the tuning step is 5 kHz. You can also > use narrow FM, should you decide to use that in either > VFO (or both VFOs) when working AO-85. > > 2. No, you cannot program memory channels to handle odd > splits where the transmit and receive frequencies are in > different bands. You can program a receive frequency and > the size/direction of an offset for a memory, but this > requires both frequencies to fall within the same band. > This is, unfortunately, a common "feature" with Icom radios > made in at least the past 15 to 20 years. With access to > both VFOs, including the separate knobs for each VFO, you > don't have to flip-flop which VFO is the "main" VFO, or > use function keys to go between the VFOs whenever you want > to change something. > > 3. Other than a quick scan through the PDF manual, I have > never looked into any CI-V functionality with this radio. > I see CI-V settings listed for the radio, but that's probably > as far as I will go with that. Manually adjusting the VFOs > isn't difficult with this radio, given the separate controls > for each VFO. I don't see any accessories listed that relate > to CI-V in the manual; just the cloning cables and extension > cables for the faceplate and microphone. > > The IC-2730A does not include a DATA port for 9600bps data. > I think Icom was trying to keep this radio as a lower-cost > 2m/70cm FM mobile, yet offering that and other options in the > more expensive D-Star capable mobiles. Other than how Icom > chose not to include a mobile mounting bracket and the kit > to mount the faceplate directly to the radio "box", I like > this radio. > > Good luck, and 73! > > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > > > > On Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 1:32 PM, Ken M <va7kbm(a)outlook.com> wrote: > > > Hello all, > > > > I'm looking for a mobile radio that, among other things, will work well > > for FM satellites. I'm familiar with the Kenwood and Yaesu products, but > > I'm interested in the ICOM IC-2730A. I've found it difficult to get > > definitive opinions on these points: > > > > 1. Does it support true full-duplex operation? (It supports > > "simultaneous receive", but is it full-duplex?) > > > > 2. Can you program memory locations with odd-splits? (It looks to me > > like it doesn't.) > > > > 3. Can it be controlled by SatPC32? (It does support ICOM's CI-V > > protocol, so I think a basic level of control might be possible.) > > > > As an aside, if I don't end up with the IC-2730A, I will likely get the > > Yaesu FT-8900R - a much older design - but for sure does full-duplex and > > odd-splits (although no control protocol). > > > > Thanks & 73, > > Ken VA7KBM > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > 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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > ------------------------------ > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 12, Issue 93 > **************************************** >

1 0

AO-07 Mode B switched off at 20170404 19:28 UTC
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 09 Apr '17

09 Apr '17

As has been reported before, excess power to AO-07 can cause a reset of the transponder. While monitoring AO-07 today, I heard it switch off during a QSO in process. Power should be reduced to the minimum required to hear your downlink. On the previous pass of the satellite while it was out over the Atlantic, I called CQ on SSB throughout the pass without resetting the transponder. Unfortunately, no other stations were heard on the satellite. I was using a panadapter to monitor the full pass band. 73, Bill NJ1H

2 1

Orbitron,
by Joe 09 Apr '17

09 Apr '17

UG I Like this program a lot. the ability to predict future passes is cool BUT... I started it today to do a NO-84 pass that was coming up, and it's been a while so it said to Up-Date the TLE's. Sure I did it as someone told me How to do. But when i got into the area that you download at, there was no longer this list of like 30 that it would download, only one was there, for a nasabare file just that one file only. I grabbed it anyway, But it's not any good, because it did not agree with any other software's, and or web pages for the up-coming pass. Is there a way to do a like return to factory default downloads of like it did before of like 20+ files? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

4 4

ANS-099 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joe Spier 09 Apr '17

09 Apr '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-099 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: * AMSAT March/April 2017 Apogee View Published on AMSAT.org * AMSAT Orbital Data Request to Re-Distribute KEPs Approved 2017-2018 * March/April AMSAT Journal Sent to Printer * Satellite DX Opportunity 09 April Yuru Gagarin Cup Contest * New Hardware and Software Release for HamTV Reception from ISS * K6G in DM02 * Announcement of the 9th European CubeSat Symposium, 11/29-12/01, 2017 * VUCC Awards/Endorsements for March 2017 * Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Closes April 15 * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-099.01 ANS-099 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 099.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 9, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-099.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT March/April 2017 Apogee View Published on AMSAT.org The March/April 2017 edition of Apogee View, a comprehensive bimonthly update of AMSAT's activities written by AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, is now available on the AMSAT website at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5850 Topics covered in this edition include: -Fox-1Cliff/Fox-1D News -Hamvention -Strategic Planning [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Secretary for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Orbital Data Request to Re-Distribute KEPs Approved 2017-2018 I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's request to re-distribute AFSPC Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved for the period April 1, 2017 to April 1, 2018. Our USSTRATCOM ODR (Orbital Data Request) to distribute the KEPs was approved on April 4, 2017. Thanks to AFSPC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P for their help in this process. AMSAT Keps updates are "good to go" for another year. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- March/April AMSAT Journal Sent to Printer The March/April 2017 issue of The AMSAT Journal has been sent to the printer and should begin arriving in members' mailboxes shortly. In this issue: *AMSAT Announcement *Apogee View Barry Baines, WD4ASW *Engineering Update Jerry Buxton, N0JY *Designing and Operating a Portable Satellite Station in an Urban Environment Paul Stoetzer, N8HM *Adaptive Coding and Modulation for Phase 4 Ground Michelle Thompson, W5NYV *Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, Named 2017 Dayton Hamvention Amateur of the Year *Field Day 2017 Bruce Paige, KK5DO *Designing a Ground Station for P4 and P5 Satellites John P. Toscano, W0JT/5 *Building a Microwave Transceiver: The Path to My Own Five-and-Dime Ground Station Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY *QSL Delta Mike Three Four Faith Hannah Lea, PJ6/AE4FH *DIY Arduino Based Satellite Tracking Pointer Jonathan Stockman, KC2THY *On the Grids: Churchill MB EO23 Melvin C. Vye, W8MV [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Secretary for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite DX Oportunity 09 April Yuru Gagarin Cup Contest The contest is dedicated to the memory of Yuri Gagarin, who realized the first human flight to space, on April 12, 1961. RULES 1. Date: from 21.00 UTC on April 08th till 21.00 UTC on April 09th, 2017. Stations of categories A, B, D, E and F may operate 20 of the 24 hours. Off times must be a minimum of 60 minutes during which no QSO is logged. 2. Bands: 1.8, 3.5, 7.0, 14, 21, 28 MHz and radio amateur satellites. 3. Modes: CW only. 4. Contest Call: <CQ GC> (CQ Gagarin Cup). 5. Categories: A Single operator - Single band. B Single operator - Multi bands. C Multi operators - Multi bands, single transmitter. D SWL - Multi bands. E Single operator - Multi bands, Low power. F Single operator - Single band, Low power. SAT Single operator - satellite QSOs. S Special stations: callsign with ..56GC. During the contest: All multi-band categories may also utilize radio amateur satellites. These QSOs are counted as an additional band. Categorie C must remain on the same band for at least 5 minutes after the first QSO has been made. Categories A, B, C, E and F can make only one QSO with the same station on that band. The participants of A and F groups can make QSO outside of offset on other bands. Radiostations of group C and S are authorized simultaneous QSO through satellites. 6. Exchange: RST and ITU zone number. 7. QSO points: QSO with own <P-150-C> country count 2 points. QSO with a different <P-150-C> country in the same continent - 3 points. QSO with a different continent - 4 points. Satellite`s QSO - 100 poins. QSO points on: 1.8 MHz and 3.5MHz multiplied by 3; 7 MHz - 2; 14, 21 and 28 MHz - 1. For SWL: Complete logging of one station only the callsign of the second station count 1 point. Complete logging of both sides of a QSO - 3 points. The same callsign may be logged only 1 time on each band. 8. Multipliers: each different ITU zone, QSO with special stations (..55GC) worked on each band gives 1 point for multiplier. SWLs have no multipliers. 9. Final score: The total number of QSO points on all bands times the total number of multipliers worked on all bands. 10. Awards: The Special trophy will be awarded to the winner in the B, C, E & S categories. Different kind of medals will be awarded to the world's top three scoring stations in the A, B, C, E, SAT and S categories. Certificates will be awarded to top three and each country's winner in each category. Certificates will be awarded to all the Contest participants who log not less than 250 QSOs or 250 SWLs. 11. Logs: Electronic logs are to be sent via e-mail as the enclosure to the letter. File format - text of the operator's contest program but Cabrillo format will be much appreciated. In the field "subject" of your e-mail letter it is necessary to mention your callsign and category (for example - ra3aaa B). In the text of the letter it is necessary to show your final score calculation, rig and antennas data, as well as your comments and wishes. E-mail address: gc17(at)bk(dot)ru Upload contest log: http://ua9qcq.com/en/submit_log.php?lang=en The final date of logs sending - May 09, 2017. The results of <Gagarin Cup> are to the http://gc.qst.ru and http://www.qrz.ru/contest/ **** ***** ** ********** **** ************* *** ****** ************* QSO: 21010 CW 2004-03-20 1200 UA8AA 599 33 RL3A 599 29 QSO: 144 CW 2004-03-20 1210 UA8AA 599 33 RL3A 599 29 A. Single Op - Single Band START-OF-LOG: 3.0 CONTEST: GC CALLSIGN: UA8AA (???????? ???????) CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP CATEGORY-BAND: 15M CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH LOCATION: 29 CLUB: ABCC CREATED-BY: Soft v1.0 EMAIL: ua8aa(a)mail.ru NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: OPERATORS: UA8AA OFFTIME: 2013-04-13 2100 2013-04-13 2159 OFFTIME: 2013-04-14 1800 2013-04-14 2059 SOAPBOX: TNX 73 QSO: 21010 CW 2004-03-20 1200 UA8AA 599 33 RL3A 599 29 END-OF-LOG: B. Single Op - Multi Band START-OF-LOG: 3.0 CONTEST: GC CALLSIGN: UA8AA CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP CATEGORY-BAND: ALL CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH LOCATION: 29 CLUB: ABCC CREATED-BY: Soft v1.0 EMAIL: ua8aa(a)mail.ru NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: OPERATORS: UA8AA OFFTIME: 2013-04-13 2100 2013-04-13 2159 OFFTIME: 2013-04-14 1800 2013-04-14 2059 SOAPBOX: TNX 73 QSO: 21010 CW 2004-03-20 1200 UA8AA 599 33 RL3A 599 29 END-OF-LOG: C. Multi Op - Multi Band START-OF-LOG: 3.0 CONTEST: GC CALLSIGN: UA8XYZ CATEGORY-OPERATOR: MULTI-OP CATEGORY-BAND: ALL CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH LOCATION: 29 CLUB: ABCC CREATED-BY: Soft v1.0 EMAIL: ua8aa(a)mail.ru NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: OPERATORS: UA8AA OPERATORS: UA8BA OPERATORS: UA8CA SOAPBOX: TNX 73 QSO: 21010 CW 2004-03-20 1200 UA8XYZ 599 33 RL3A 599 29 END-OF-LOG: Satelites QSO VO-52 - 432, FO-29 - 144. QSO: 144 CW 2012-04-15 1045 XX9X 599 31 YY9Y 599 34 QSO: 432 CW 2012-04-15 1045 XX9X 599 31 YY9Y 599 34 See http://gc.qst.ru/en/section/32 [ANS thanks Kerry LaDuke, and the GC Committee for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Hardware and Software Release for HamTV Reception from ISS On board the ISS Columbus module, the HamVideo transmitter is fully operational and provides permanent DATV signals, allowing ground stations to fine tune their receiving equipment. When possible, ARISS school contacts are enhanced by crew operated HamTV. The demand for a dedicated HamTV receiver is growing. Jean-Pierre Courjaud F6DZP developed an up-to-date receiver and wrote special software for HamTV. He dubbed the receiver TuTiouner and the software. Tutioune (phonetic French transcript for “You tune”). Components for the TuTioune receiver are for sale at the BATC shop (British Amateur Television Club). See: https://batc.org.uk/shop/dtx1 The software is available for free at: http://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/minitiouner-software/ Full details, including schematics, are provided on the HamTV home page: http://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ Occasionally, the HamVideo transmitter must be powered down, for several reasons. The status of the transmitter is published on the amasat-on.be webpage. [ANS thanks Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, and ARISS-Europe for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- K6G in DM02 It is a pleasure to announce a real activation of the much sought after Delta Mike Zero Two. There seems to have been only two passes worked from here in the last 11 years, that is about to change. Activations of rare grids should be done with enough preparation to avoid missed passes. That said, I've invited two other ops to help assure our success and maximize linear transponder passes. Our special guests will be none other than Wyatt AC0RA and Gabe NJ7H. I am more than confident in their rover skill levels and ability to maintain a functional station. They have also proven to be capable of working through unforeseen equipment troubles. Typical precautions apply. If you have linear capabilities please work us on the transponders. Our FM only friends deserve a chance at scoring a rare grid and tying up the bird helps nobody. On linear please be cognizant of your power level. I know at least two of us will be using our regular portable stations that are 5 watts max, QRO stations on the transponder will make us difficult to hear. Also, please be aware of the footprint for other ops. Nothing good comes from a left coast station getting in the middle of us trying to work the right coast. All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW as promptly as possible and paper will be sent to shore via torpedo. Last but not least, when is it going to happen? Due to various environmental aspects, firm departure and arrival times are not set in stone. However, we can say that it will be the weekend of April 28th. When you hear K6G you will know that 02 will be on. We will have plenty of time to work many passes and none of us are afraid to work any pass no matter how shallow it may be. I may continue normal ops leading up to departure to ensure my station performs as expected. [ANS thanks Mike Diehl, AI6GS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement of the 9th European CubeSat Symposium, 11/29-12/01, 2017 This year the 9th European CubeSat Symposium will take place in Belgium on November 29th-December 1st 2017 in co-location (same time, same place) with the European Space Weather Week. During the European Space Weather Week, the whole Space Weather community gathers to discuss new discoveries on space weather and space climate. This is the perfect occasion to foster the evolution of the CubeSats reality from a "University tool" to a "Science tool". As usual, we have tried to organize this Symposium giving importance to the most relevant topics in the CubeSat world, from Technology Demonstrators and Scientific Missions to the Future Technologies and the Space Exploration with CubeSats. In detail, the Symposium is covering the following topics: - Novel Scientific Instruments/Sensors on CubeSats - Propulsion Subsystems - Attitude Determination and Control Subsystems - Telecommunications, Ground Stations and Ground Station Networks - Orbital Dynamics (e.g. de-orbiting and debris mitigation) - CubeSat Constellations - Scientific Missions - Technology Demonstration on CubeSats (e.g. formation flying, intersatellite link, sails, tethers, etc) - Space Exploration Missions with CubeSat (i.e. beyond Earth orbit) - Launchers and Deployers for CubeSats - Future Technologies on CubeSats - CubeSat Flight Experience and Lessons Learned Renowned speakers from NASA and ESA will give talks on their perspectives on past and future development of CubeSats. Moreover, a special session of the Symposium is dedicated to the outcome of the QB50 mission (lessons learned and first scientific results). If you are interested in contributing to this event, please submit your abstract before June 26th 2017. Registrations and abstract submission are open. For more information on the venue, registration, deadlines, abstract guidelines, sponsorship and exhibitors, please visit the symposium website www.cubesatsymposium.eu As in the previous years the Symposium is open to the entire CubeSat community, so please feel free to disseminate this information further. [ANS thanks Dr. David Masutti and the Organizing Committee for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards/Endorsements for March 2017 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2017 through March 30, 2017. There was no update on March 31st. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL GRIDS KO4MA 1510 W5PFG 990 N8HM 862 NP4JV 552 N6UK 372 KK4FEM 327 K5ND 225 AI6GS 175 NS3L 175 NJ7H 125 VE7CEW 103 (New VUCC) This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1st and March 30th. 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 John, K8YSE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Closes April 15 Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window Closes April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. [ANS thanks ARISS-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Events Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations, forums, and/or demonstrations). *Saturday, 6 May 2017 – Cochise Amateur Radio Association hamfest in Sierra Vista AZ *19-21 May 2017, HamVention in the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, Dayton, Ohio *Friday and Saturday, 9-10 June 2017, HAM-COM in Irving TX *Saturday, 10 June 2017 – Prescott Hamfest in Prescott AZ [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Successful Contacts * A telebridge contact via LU1CGB with students from the Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India was unsuccessful Mon. 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 deg. ARISS is rescheduling the contact. * A direct contact with students at Tolyatti, Russia School was successful 2017-04-01 17:09 UTC with astronaut Sergey Ryzhikov. * A telebridge contact via IK1SLD with individuals from the Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, was successful Wed. 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg. with Astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD. * A telebridge contact via W6SRJ with students at “School of Trois Paletuviers”, Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, French Guyana, was successful Thu 2017-03-23 12:42:26 UTC 61 deg. Upcoming Contacts * College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 deg Roger Martin du Gard is a middle school in Bellême, France. Located in Normandy, in the heart of the regional natural park of le Perche, this village of approximately two thousand inhabitants sits on a hill dominating the Perche area. Roger Martin du Gard was constructed in the 1970s and was totally rebuilt on the same location in 1994. It got its name from Literature Nobel Prize, Roger Martin du Gard, a writer who lived the last part of his life nearby, in Le Château du Tertre. The number of students has been stable for the past four years, with about three hundred children in twelve different classes (3 in each level, from grades 7 through 10). It welcomes students from age 11 to 15. This school project, ARISS, aims at having the students succeed in their different education paths. The ARISS project is the one opportunity to show the students that being in a rural area does not limit their possibilities and their capacities to do things. It is a way to help them find a possible future in such an important field. Complementing their physics program, it also offers a magical moment to all the students in the school, while showing that working serves a real motivation. * A direct contact via W6SRJ with students at Brook Haven School in Sebastipol, CA is being planned for the week of April 17. More details will follow. ********************************************************************** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 ********************************************************************** 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 2017-04-06 07:00 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 1129. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1090. 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 2017-04-04 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy ********************************************************************** Watch http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled. [ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts from All Over amsat.org.ar online again Site amsat.org.ar had been recovered and is online again. Web available at http://amsat.org.ar Satellite Passes at http://amsat.org.ar/pass SAm Satellite logs http://lu7aa.org.ar/log.html Lusex Logs at http://lusex.org.ar Latest Keplerians http://lu7aa.org.ar/text/keps.txt WSPR PicoBalloon http://lu7aa.org.ar/wspr.asp Calculations at http://amsat.org.ar/calcule.html QSL Factory at http://lu7aa.org.ar/qsl.asp In Spanish: ENACOM Ham exams http://amsat.org.ar/examen/examen?p=n Amsat-LU Balloons http://amsat.org.ar/globo12.htm Balloon tracking http://lu7aa.org.ar/vor.asp LUSAT web site http://lusat.org.ar Local Weather Sats http://amsat.org.ar/wx South Am. Sat Award http://amsat.org.ar/certsat.html Users upload area http://amsat.org.ar/index.php [ANS thanks LU7AA, AMSAT Argentina for the above information] VP2E Anguilla Island Satellite Activation VP2E, ANGUILLA. Ira, KD4SLM, is now active as VP2EIH from "The Valley". The length of his stay is not known at this time. He was heard on the satellites which is rare from VP2E-land. Ira informed OPDX that he is "currently working on getting the Satellite station up and running" and "has been testing using a dis-cone omni-directional for both uplink & downlink". He states, "This isn't the best setup." Ira adds, "I'm also on HF and not a big DX or Contester . I'm available as Net control Fri 0600-0700 on 7.188 -- 'The friendly Net'. Sometimes I take up the 1830-1900 Thursday, Caribbean Wx net 3.815 MHz." His rig is a Yaesu FT-857 with 100 watts using a Off Center Fed home brewed wire antenna. The N.E leg is 40 ft. sloping down to center 30 ft. and S. Leg is 15 ft. into a nearby tree. He is also using MFJ tuner. QSL via his home callsign. [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1311 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT 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, Joe Spier, K6WAO k6wao at amsat dot org

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Aluminum antenna repair
by jeffory broughton 09 Apr '17

09 Apr '17

It's called ,Miricle Rod.You get it on ebay. The secrete is using a Stainless Steele brush to prep your very clean work . Also using a propane torch with Mapp Gas.Heat the work until the rod melts and flows.Just sweating copper pipes. jeff broughton

1 0

Aluminum Welding Rods ?
by Marcus Sutliff 08 Apr '17

08 Apr '17

So if I buy a pack of Aluminum welding rods to make a 2m antenna, how do you bond them together for the correct length? Put a torch to them and melt them together? Long ago I made a few WA5VJB antennas.. but I used soft drawn copper and I want to make one that's more rugged and can be outside without fear of corrosion.. Thanks! Sincerely, Marcus Sutliff/N5ZY Edmond Amateur Radio Society License Class Coordinator, VP. ARRL Volunteer Examiner http://www.k5eok.org http://www.qrz.com/db/N5ZY

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K8BL Expedition Log
by R.T.Liddy 08 Apr '17

08 Apr '17

SAT Gridders, Whatever SAT Grid Expedition Logs I could find have now been uploaded to LoTW. If you do not see a QSO that you need in that database, send me the info and I'll research and correct/input as needed. I've already corrected several glitches from various queries, including a number of typos on my part. Also, my QRZ.com Page has been updated with new info and pix. GL/73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT #6593, since 1979)

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EK34 or Only Request or SKED.
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 08 Apr '17

08 Apr '17

I'm going to stay all Saturday and part of Sunday in EK34, I'm only going to work to the stations that need this rare grid, they can send me a message and have a SKED. Thanks to all the stations I always follow in my travels as Rover station, tomorrow I will do a little DX, not go out on any satellite, open to EK34 requests. I accept sked on EK35 on Sunday David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

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FT991a
by James Brown 08 Apr '17

08 Apr '17

Would like to chat with anyone using the yaesu FT-991a on sat's! Jim KI6WJ

2 1

K8BL Grids In LoTW
by R.T.Liddy 08 Apr '17

08 Apr '17

SAT Gridders, I've finished all the LoTW entries for my Grid Expeditions that I could find. If you come across any of our QSOs that are missing, send me the data and I'll look into it. Remember, all my US are entered as merely K8BL (no /p, /m, /#, etc.). The VEs are entered as K8BL/VE#, as appropriate. TNX/73, Bob K8BL

1 0

ICOM IC-9100
by Frank Westphal 07 Apr '17

07 Apr '17

Does anyone have any experience modifying an ICOM IC-9100 to be able to interface a panadapter to view the VHF and UHF SSB passbands? The radio does not have an RF out so internal modification would be required. What panadapter would work best? Any experience would be greatly appreciated. 73, Frank K6FW

3 2

AO73 Mode change
by Graham Shirville 07 Apr '17

07 Apr '17

Hi folks, AO73/FUNcube is now in amateur mode for the weekend with the transponder on! Please see below for all FUNcube mission info 73s Graham G3VZV and the FUNcube team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FUNcube frequencies and other details ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Lower temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 (aka FUNcube on UKube) The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… EO88/Nayif-1/FUNcube-5 EO88 is presently operating in autonomous mode. The transponder is operational when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. The transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.045 – 435.015 MHz LSB (inverting) Downlink: 145.960-145.990 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.940MHz All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands. _______________________________________________ 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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Univ. of FL, W4DFU this Saturday
by Jay Garlitz 07 Apr '17

07 Apr '17

Look for W4DFU at the University of Florida to be on many of the satellite passes between 12:00 and 20:00 UTC on Saturday April 8. We will promptly confirm contacts via LOTW. Our grid is EL89tp. For QSL cards send a SASE. 73, Jay AA4FL W4DFU trustee

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Weekend activation EK34
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 07 Apr '17

07 Apr '17

Hello guys, tomorrow I'm going to travel to EK34, there are no exact plans until today, I plan to operate some FM and SSB satellites, I'll try to do it in spare time, if anyone interested in EK35 can send a message and ask for it, I hope I can help . David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

1 0

Wondering!
by Marty Bluhm 06 Apr '17

06 Apr '17

After an absence of 16 years, I'm back on the birds. A lot has changed but trying to catch up. Here is my setup FT847 Cushcraft A270-6 (3&3) mounted on a 10 ft sked 40 pvc on my back deck. Tilted to approx 20 deg el. When i first got the 847 a couplemonths ago, i copied stations on FO29 on (believe it or not) a dual band rubber duck antenna. Oh, forgot, i have diplexer on the 847 also. Back to the original, since then I have not heard one single peep. I just finished the 1700 AO7 pass, nothing heard. This was a 49 deg el pass for me in WV. Post checking the status on Amsat page shows the transponders active on the monitored birds. I have a RSPlay2 connected to a 2m mag mount outside but polorization is all wrong for it to work properly. Any ideas of what i could be doing or have setupwrong? Thanks & 73 CU on the birds , maybe someday, lol Marty W8AKS

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Decoding 9600 Baud Satellites With Yaesu 991a
by Tony 06 Apr '17

06 Apr '17

All: My Yaesu FT-991a seems to have difficulty decoding certain 9600 baud satellites. I've been able to decode GO-32 KISS frames, but have not been able to decode other birds such as LO-74 which tend to transmit shorter bursts compared to GO-32. I'm not sure if this can be attributed to the course Doppler tuning that occurs when using HRD's Satellite Tracking program or possibly a modem parameter that needs to be set. I've used UZ7HO's Soundmodem as well as an SCS PTC-III and oddly enough, the SCS modem decodes GO-32 without a problem, but I haven't been able to do so with the Soundmodem. Any ideas? Thanks Tony -K2MO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-06 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 06 Apr '17

06 Apr '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-06 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contract was unsuccessful: Mon 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 deg ARISS is rescheduling the contact. Watch for live stream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/zL3AJKSYX6D (***) College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-04-06 07:00 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 1129. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1090. 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 2017-04-04 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

Satellite DX oportunity 09 April Yuru Gagarin Cup contest
by KERRY LA*DUKE 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

http://www.qrz.ru/contest/detail/82.html

2 1

Help needed with UISS and APRS
by Mark Lunday 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

I gave up on AGWPE in frustration. It worked great with my IC-910H, I could not get it to trigger the PTT switch on my Flex 5000, so I switched to the UZ7HO modem included with UISS. I am able to decode packets and I can trigger the PTT, but it is not being received by any stations. 1. What mode should I be using on my Flex? FM simplex with 5 kHz deviation is what I have selected. 2. What about the antenna? I am using an antenna with significant gain, and this antenna was able to send packets with my IC-910H with ease. 3. Is there power out? Yes, measuring 60 watts. It's something simple...any ideas? Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4elg(a)arrl.net<mailto:[email protected]> http://wd4elg.blogspot.com SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972

2 1

Activacion EK27 and otherstoday
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

Next Activation: AO7 2012z, AO85 2155z, AO7 2205z and AO85 2335z, possible Line EK28/2, EK27, Linea EK27/37, I hope to hear them. David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

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Re: [amsat-bb] Invasion of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
by Ken Alexander 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

AWESOME!! Don't forget to reload your Passport...er, I mean...your Tim's Card! 73, Ken VE3HLS -------------------------------------------- On Wed, 4/5/17, Gabriel Zeifman <gabrielzeifman(a)gmail.com> wrote: Subject: [amsat-bb] Invasion of Manitoba and Saskatchewan To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 12:41 PM Good day to my fellow chasers of space birds, This Friday I will commence a great invasion of central Canada in an effort to put rare grids on the satellites. This most glorious of trips will take me as far as Flin Flon, MB in some rare (dare I say, never before activated) DO grids (DO84/94 looks like about as far as it's gonna get this trip, potentially DO85). After reaching Flin Flon I will be descending back to reality via Saskatchewan. No exact plans as far as grids, all I can say is that many rare ones will be along the path regardless of the actual path. After re-entering the homeland, I hope to activate some rare DN land stuff in the US. Again, no exact plan. This will be the first use of my new call VE6NJH. Will probably using CG6NJH a lot of the time. QSL on LoTW, if you need a paper card I'll be getting some printed relatively soon. Tracking as always on APRS NJ7H-9 and iridium share.garmin.com/gz. 73 and keep the power down, Gabe VE6NJH/NJ7H _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

Invasion of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
by Gabriel Zeifman 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

Good day to my fellow chasers of space birds, This Friday I will commence a great invasion of central Canada in an effort to put rare grids on the satellites. This most glorious of trips will take me as far as Flin Flon, MB in some rare (dare I say, never before activated) DO grids (DO84/94 looks like about as far as it's gonna get this trip, potentially DO85). After reaching Flin Flon I will be descending back to reality via Saskatchewan. No exact plans as far as grids, all I can say is that many rare ones will be along the path regardless of the actual path. After re-entering the homeland, I hope to activate some rare DN land stuff in the US. Again, no exact plan. This will be the first use of my new call VE6NJH. Will probably using CG6NJH a lot of the time. QSL on LoTW, if you need a paper card I'll be getting some printed relatively soon. Tracking as always on APRS NJ7H-9 and iridium share.garmin.com/gz. 73 and keep the power down, Gabe VE6NJH/NJ7H

1 0

Kansas City Tracker Data Request Thanks !!
by Jack Strother 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

A note of THANKS to all who responded. The unit That I inherited, certainly still works, After finding out that there are a few LVB Trackers just available, I went ahead and ordered one as a backup / replacement. Thanks again to all. 73 Jack KD9ERA B.J. Strother Granger, IN

1 0

Actívate EK27
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 05 Apr '17

05 Apr '17

Hi guys. Tomorrow I will activate EK27 back home, if someone needs another grid like EK37 I can activate in my step, they can write to my email. There is no work plan for EK27 en route I will be able to notify Twitter when possible .. -- Saludos David Maciel XE3DX Enviado desde mi IPHONE

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RESOLVED: Help needed with UISS and APRS
by Mark Lunday 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Got the CAT working on AGWPE, and I am able to send packets. 1. Packet Engine has two radioports and uses RTS for first and DTR for second radioport. Check which goes where and will work. 2. Go to AGWPE Edit Radio Port, click on TNC COMMANDS tab, pick "LET ME CONTROL" and adjust TX DELAY to 50 and TX TAIL to 25 Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.blogspot.com SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972

1 0

K6G in DM02
by Mike Diehl 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Grid chasers, It is a pleasure to announce a real activation of the much sought after Delta Mike Zero Two. There seems to have been only two passes worked from here in the last 11 years, that is about to change. Activations of rare grids should be done with enough preparation to avoid missed passes. That said, I've invited two other ops to help assure our success and maximize linear transponder passes. Our special guests will be none other than Wyatt AC0RA and Gabe NJ7H. I am more than confident in their rover skill levels and ability to maintain a functional station. They have also proven to be capable of working through unforeseen equipment troubles. Typical precautions apply. If you have linear capabilities please work us on the transponders. Our FM only friends deserve a chance at scoring a rare grid and tying up the bird helps nobody. On linear please be cognizant of your power level. I know at least two of us will be using our regular portable stations that are 5 watts max, QRO stations on the transponder will make us difficult to hear. Also, please be aware of the footprint for other ops. Nothing good comes from a left coast station getting in the middle of us trying to work the right coast. All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW as promptly as possible and paper will be sent to shore via torpedo. Last but not least, when is it going to happen? Due to various environmental aspects, firm departure and arrival times are not set in stone. However, we can say that it will be the weekend of April 28th. When you hear K6G you will know that 02 will be on. We will have plenty of time to work many passes and none of us are afraid to work any pass no matter how shallow it may be. I may continue normal ops leading up to departure to ensure my station performs as expected. 73 and good luck, Mike Diehl AI6GS

1 0

Problems with my Arrow - Thank You!
by Ken Alexander 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Hi folks, The grid expedition to FO00 is over, and it was a success despite the technical problems I was experiencing. Many months ago, in my satellite infancy, I removed the stock diplexer from my Arrow antenna and replaced it with a Comet (or Diamond?) diplexer. The commercial diplexer was built in a heavy cast cabinet and used SO-239 connectors. It was big and heavy, so I took it apart and installed it in a small Hammond diecast aluminum cabinet with BNC connectors. Much smaller and lighter. I attached it to the Arrow's boom it worked like a charm up until last weekend. Late Saturday night, while struggling in the dark to connect a cable to the diplexer I noticed that one of the female BNCs on the cabinet kept spinning as I attempted to lock the cable into place. Eureka! I opened up the diplexer cabinet later that night and found that while the center conductor connection was still solid, the ground/shield connection was shaky at best. I tightened it as best as I could and the problem went away! I want to thank you all for the many helpful responses. I read all of them carefully and followed all of the suggestions, to the extent that I could...800 km from home and with only a Swiss Army knife and needlenose pliers with me. 73 and thank you again! Ken Alexander VE3HLS -------------------------------------------- On Fri, 3/31/17, Ken Alexander <k.alexander(a)rogers.com> wrote: Subject: [amsat-bb] Problems with my Arrow To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Friday, March 31, 2017, 8:24 PM I just checked the SWR using my FT-817ND's built in meter. I connected directly from the 817 to the appropriate connector on the Arrow. At 435 MHz the SWR meter shows 5 bars, which doesn't sound good to me. At 145 MHz I get a very brief indication of 6(?) bars and then the the bars immediately disappear. This sounds to me like a protection circuit engaging, and subsequent presses of the mic button produces no output. It also explains why I practically never get into SO-50. The FT-817 manual is silent on the meaning of the bars on the SWR meter. Does anybody have an knowledge of the 817's SWR meter that they could pass along to me? Any assistance would be very gratefully received! Many thanks in advance, Ken VE3HLS _______________________________________________ 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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Last Day EK28.Available for SKED
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Hi guys, last day at EK28, I'm only going to work stations that need this grid, work for many, last few seasons. You can send me a message for SKED on my twitter or my email david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

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Trackbox - do not miss out
by Bruce 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

There is a limited supply of LVB Trackboxes on the shelf at the AMSAT online store. Hurry, Hurry, Get'em while they last. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Using AR Preamps with Icom IC-9100 in Satellite mode
by hdskullfire2 . 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

I have two Advance Research Pre-amps on order. Both a MSP144VDG-160 & MSP432VDG-160 which are going to be installed local in the shack. The reason being is that I have 2 switchable array's. One is my M2 2M/70cm satellite array and the other is my 2M/70cm LFA array. I generally only use one array or the other. My coax runs are short and I want to keep the pre-amp inside out of the weather. Here is my question. I can either feed 12V to each preamp and have a on-off switch to manually select the one I want, or I can feed power to them via coax that the 9100 supplies by turning on the 144 and 432 pre-amp On-Off selections in the 9100 menu. I would rather go with the 9100 supplying the pre-amp relay power instead manually supplying separate power. Here is what I need to know, in single band operation I know that each pre-amp relay would activate when on a particular band either 144 or 432. But what happens in satellite mode? Are they both active at the same time? I'm concerned about relay activations. I keep hearing about sequencers, is this required? Let me know. Steve NS3L Nazareth, Pa.

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Re: [amsat-bb] Using AR Preamps with Icom IC-9100 in Satellite mode
by Andrew Glasbrenner 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Those preamps have RF switching. If they have the RF choke in them to feed DC up the coax (see last paragraph at http://www.advancedreceiver.com/page10.html), turn the preamp power on for both bands in the 9100 and forget about them. When you transmit, the corresponding preamp will bypass as designed. If they don't have the coax power option, feed 12v to the power connector and carry on. No need for sequencers. You will need to be careful of anything that introduces a short in the feedline between preamp and transceiver, like grounded coax switches. If you short the coax, the 9100 will sense an overload and shut off preamp power. I'm not sure how many times this will work, so I try to not let it happen with mine. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that they will work -much- better mounted at the antenna instead of inside, especially on UHF. Put them in a 2nd enclosure of some sort, like a plastic NEMA box, if you worry about weatherproofing. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "hdskullfire2 ." <hdskullfire2(a)gmail.com> >Sent: Apr 4, 2017 10:22 AM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Using AR Preamps with Icom IC-9100 in Satellite mode > >I have two Advance Research Pre-amps on order. Both a MSP144VDG-160 & >MSP432VDG-160 which are going to be installed local in the shack. The >reason being is that I have 2 switchable array's. One is my M2 2M/70cm >satellite array and the other is my 2M/70cm LFA array. I generally only use >one array or the other. > >My coax runs are short and I want to keep the pre-amp inside out of the >weather. > >Here is my question. I can either feed 12V to each preamp and have a on-off >switch to manually select the one I want, or I can feed power to them via >coax that the 9100 supplies by turning on the 144 and 432 pre-amp On-Off >selections in the 9100 menu. I would rather go with the 9100 supplying the >pre-amp relay power instead manually supplying separate power. > >Here is what I need to know, in single band operation I know that each >pre-amp relay would activate when on a particular band either 144 or 432. >But what happens in satellite mode? Are they both active at the same time? >I'm concerned about relay activations. I keep hearing about sequencers, is >this required? > >Let me know. > >Steve NS3L >Nazareth, Pa. >_______________________________________________ >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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Kanas City Tracker Data Request
by Jack Strother 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Hello all, I have recently purchased a satellite station, form a fella. The station included a pc and a Kansas City tracker. I am looking for documentation, on this board, of any and all kinds. Thanks for your help in advance, and please reply to: strotherbj(a)comcast.net<mailto:[email protected]> Best Regards !! Jack KD9ERA ________________________________________________________________________ If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply e-mail. Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of Ascensia Diabetes Care shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. Neither this information block, the typed name of the sender, nor anything else in this message is intended to constitute an electronic signature unless a specific statement to the contrary is included in this message. ________________________________________________________________________

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-04 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-04-04 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Gagarin from space, Tolyatti, Russia School, direct via R4HDR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronauts are Sergey Ryzhikov Contact was successful for 2017-04-01 17:09 UTC (***) Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contract was unsuccessful: Mon 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 deg (***) ARISS is rescheduling the contact. (***) College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-04-04 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 1129. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1090. (***) 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 2017-04-04 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. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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W5PFG/p DM83/93 line tonight April 3, 2017
by Clayton Coleman 04 Apr '17

04 Apr '17

I'll work the following passes tonight from the DM83/93 line in West Texas: 0243 AO-73 0253 EO-88 0319 SO-50 All times UTC. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Community Survey Request -- crosslinks, multi-hop packet, and satellite DX
by Zach Leffke 03 Apr '17

03 Apr '17

Hello fellow satellite nuts! This email is to humbly request the opinions of those in the Amateur Satellite Community about the idea of setting new satellite DX records. Nothing formal, you can email on list or off list as you think appropriate. So here is the idea: What if there were a constellation of three satellites (3 1Us), built by students (undergrads) at three different universities, but launched together and deployed from the same deployer that had crosslink packet communications built into the design. Then, what if those birds were licensed via the Amateur Radio route (instead of Experimental as is the norm for most University birds, with some notable exceptions of course) allowing the entire global amateur satellite community to use the crosslink capability in an attempt to set new satellite DX records? Now, there is a primary science mission (pseudo-range determination as the constellation separates, different mass and drag profiles for each bird) so during the work week, science happens, but on the weekends, the constellation is made available to the community for crosslink packet comms. Additionally, if your setup has enough G/T to monitor the lower power crosslink comms, and with a little bit of technical tweaking to your ground station (you would need GPS based PPS to measure propagation time, maybe ~$100 invested), you could participate in Space to Earth pseudo-range measurements that would contribute to a secondary orbit determination goal. To be clear, the up and down linking for the satellite DX attempts would be standard FSK9600, AX.25, so as long as your station can do that, you can use the crosslink path for multi-hop comms. Its only the S-to-E pseudo range measurement that would require a bit of additional HW. Does this sound interesting? Would you as an operator be interested in multi-hop satellite packet comms? Do you think this type of operating schedule is acceptable (weekends) to justify Amateur Radio licensing instead of Experimental? Would you be interested in contributing to the science mission (S-to-E pseudo-range measurement)? Would you track the telemetry downlinks and forward that data on to the mission data warehouse? Any and all opinions, good or bad, are welcome. Again, on or off list as you see appropriate is fine with me. My goal with this is to get a sense of what the community's opinion on this topic is and if the constellation were available for use, how much interest there would be in this type of operation. Thanks in Advance! Sincerely, Zach, KJ4QLP -- Research Associate Aerospace Systems Lab Ted & Karyn Hume Center for National Security & Technology Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Work Phone: 540-231-4174 Cell Phone: 540-808-6305

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amsat.org.ar online again
by Pedro Converso 03 Apr '17

03 Apr '17

Site amsat.org.ar had been recovered and is online again. Web available at http://amsat.org.ar Satellite Passes at http://amsat.org.ar/pass SAm Satellite logs http://lu7aa.org.ar/log.html Lusex Logs at http://lusex.org.ar Latest Keplerians http://lu7aa.org.ar/text/keps.txt WSPR PicoBalloon http://lu7aa.org.ar/wspr.asp Calculations at http://amsat.org.ar/calcule.html QSL Factory at http://lu7aa.org.ar/qsl.asp In Spanish: ENACOM Ham exams http://amsat.org.ar/examen/examen?p=n Amsat-LU Balloons http://amsat.org.ar/globo12.htm Balloon tracking http://lu7aa.org.ar/vor.asp LUSAT web site http://lusat.org.ar Local Weather Sats http://amsat.org.ar/wx South Am. Sat Award http://amsat.org.ar/certsat.html Users upload area http://amsat.org.ar/index.php 73, LU7AA, Amsat Argentina http://amsat.org.ar info at amsat.org.ar https://facebook.com/Amsat.LU

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Working from EK28.
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 03 Apr '17

03 Apr '17

Hi guys, I am now in EK28, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. I'm going to work on FM and SSB satellites in my free time, I think they're going to be few passes, the office work to occupy all day, maybe be here Monday and Tuesday only. I will be in touch via twitter @ xe3dx, contacts are confirmed via direct or LoTW preference. I hope to listen to them in the birds and to be able to give this rare grid on the Gulf of Mexico. PS.- Please be very patient on the FM satellites, I am getting very noisy on my Arrow antenna, sometimes I do not hear everyone's calls. You can help a good QSO by using the "International Phonetic Code". David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

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Amsat live Oscar satellite status page
by jeffory broughton 03 Apr '17

03 Apr '17

Is it not working today ? I can't enter anything.thanks. jeff broughton

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VUCC Awards/Endorsements for March 2017
by John Papay 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2017 through March 30, 2017. There was no update on March 31st. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL GRIDS KO4MA 1510 W5PFG 990 N8HM 862 NP4JV 552 N6UK 372 KK4FEM 327 K5ND 225 AI6GS 175 NS3L 175 NJ7H 125 VE7CEW 103 (New VUCC) This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1st and March 30th. 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, John K8YSE --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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satpc error
by Bob- W7LRD 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

should have added win 10 computer On startup I get OLE-fehler 8004503A class ID: A55849567-FF07-419C-BACD-9931 F1256D92 What do I have going on?? program does not connect to radio, turns antennas, not reading doppler sqf files from the digitally challenged 73 Bob W7LRD

1 1

EO73 Mode change
by Graham Shirville 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

Hi folks, FUNcube/AO73 is now in full time amateur mode with the transponder ON. The plan is for it to switch back to auto mode on Sunday pm UTC as usual but, for operational reasons, this may be delayed until Monday pm UTC. Please see below for other FUNcube transponder info Have FUN with the transponder. 73s Graham G3VZV and the FUNcube team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FUNcube frequencies and other details ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Lower temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 (aka FUNcube on UKube) The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… EO88/Nayif-1/FUNcube-5 EO88 is presently operating in autonomous mode. The transponder is operational when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. The transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.045 – 435.015 MHz LSB (inverting) Downlink: 145.960-145.990 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.940MHz All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands.

2 2

OLE-fehler ?
by Bob- W7LRD 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

What does this mean? Constant on my SATpc-32 73 Bob W7LRD

7 7

satpc-32 error
by Bob- W7LRD 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

On startup I get OLE-fehler 8004503A class ID: A55849567-FF07-419C-BACD-9931 F1256D92 What do I have going on?? program does not connect to radio, turns antennas, not reading doppler sqf files from the digitally challenged 73 Bob W7LRD

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When will "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites 2017" Edition be Published?
by Les Rayburn 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

I’m a big fan of this book by G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM. And with all the new bird in the sky, I feel very much in need of it. Any idea when it will be available through the AMSAT store? 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL EM63nf Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA. Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip.

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ANS-092 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 02 Apr '17

02 Apr '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-092 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: * ITF-2 Team Begins Normal Operations and Offers Awards * TAPR Announces SDR Presentations at Hamvention * California Students to Speak to NASA Astronauts on ISS * NASA Releases Searchable Image, Video, Audio Library * Free Tours of Facilities at NASA's Glenn Research Center SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-092.01 ANS-092 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 092.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 2, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-092.01 ITF-2 Team Begins Normal Operations and Offers Awards ITF-2 (YUI-2) entered normal operation phase on Mar 25th JST. Telemetry information and messages will be transmitted in this phase for the achievement of main mission. The details of the AWARD and SWL cards are as below, AWARD: With reference to the message on Jan 15th UTC, the First 100 Reports from overseas stations are qualified for this award. Only ten overseas stations sent report so far. Still enough award can be issued. Additionally, a souvenir, a sticky screen cleaner, will be given with this award. The design motif is the small antenna of ITF-2. Design of the cleaner: https://twitter.com/yui_tsukuba/status/841096655046758400 SWL cards: Five designs are prepared. The stations which report more than five times can receive all designs. Also, the specially designed card will be presented to the stations which received a signal from the small antenna, because the reports are valuable to demonstrate the antenna in space. So far, two stations succeeded in the reception. Designs of SWL cards: https://twitter.com/yui_tsukuba/status/846219342190555136 Further special events are planned for the promotion of receptions by more stations. There were some reception reports by very simple equipment, for example, Dipole or 5/8 wave length whip with USB tuner dongle (RTL2832). Reception reports can be submitted at: https://operationitf-2.blogspot.jp/p/blog-page_58.html Operation information of ITF-2: http://operationitf-2.blogspot.jp/ [ ANS thanks Atsushi, JI1OEH, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- TAPR Announces SDR Presentations at Hamvention TAPR Announces SDR Presentations at the Dayton Hamvention by Carl Laufer who is an electronics, software & radio enthusiast from New Zealand and operates the RTL-SDR.com blog specializing in news, projects & products related to ultra low cost software defined radio & the RTL-SDR dongle. TAPR Digital Forum - Introduction to RTL-SDR: Ultra cheap software defined radio Digital Modes Now and in the Future Forum - Introduction to low cost HF monitoring with RTL-SDR AMSAT/TAPR Joint Banquet - The world of low cost software defined radio http://www.tapr.org/dayton.html [ANS thanks TAPR for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- California Students to Speak to NASA Astronauts on ISS Students from Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim, California, will speak with NASA astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station at 11:40 a.m. EDT Monday, April 3. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website. (n.b. - this is not an ARISS contact via amateur radio) Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough and Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson, both of NASA, will answer questions from students in several grades. Students at Betsy Ross Elementary School have been hard at work exploring the space program, NASA and the space station leading up to the downlink. They have conducted research through virtual field trips while also designing realistic models of the space station. With each engaging activity, the students' knowledge of NASA and the space program has been greatly enhanced. Kimbrough launched to the space station Oct. 19, 2016, and will return April 10. Whitson launched to the space station Nov. 17, 2016, and is scheduled to return to Earth later this spring. Media interested in covering the event should contact Keith Sterling, director of communications & public information, Anaheim Elementary School District, at 714-600-0952 or ksterling(a)anaheimelementary.org. Ross Elementary is at 535 S. Walnut Street in Anaheim. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This in-flight education downlink is an integral component of NASA Education's STEM on Station activity, which provides a variety of space station resources and opportunities to students and educators. Get NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information at: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv Learn about videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at: http://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Releases Searchable Image, Video, Audio Library NASA officially has launched a new resource to help the public search and download out-of-this-world images, videos and audio files by keyword and metadata searches from NASA.gov. The NASA Image and Video Library website consolidates imagery spread across more than 60 collections into one searchable location. https://images.nasa.gov NASA Image and Video Library allows users to search, discover and download a treasure trove of more than 140,000 NASA images, videos and audio files from across the agency’s many missions in aeronautics, astrophysics, Earth science, human spaceflight, and more. Users now can embed content in their own sites and choose from multiple resolutions to download. The website also displays the metadata associated with images. Users can browse the agency’s most recently uploaded files, as well as discover historic and the most popularly searched images, audio files and videos. Other features include: + Automatically scales the interface for mobile phones and tablets + Displays the EXIF/camera data that includes exposure, lens used, and other information, when available from the original image + Allows for easy public access to high resolution files + All video includes a downloadable caption file NASA Image and Video Library’s Application Programmers Interface (API) allows automation of imagery uploads for NASA, and gives members of the public the ability to embed content in their own sites and applications. This public site runs on NASA’s cloud native “infrastructure-as-a-code” technology enabling on-demand use in the cloud. The library is not comprehensive, but rather provides the best of what NASA makes publicly available from a single point of presence on the web. Additionally, it is a living website, where new and archival images, video and audio files continually will be added. For more information about NASA’s activities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov [ANS thank NASA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Tours of Facilities at NASA's Glenn Research Center NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is offering tours that take visitors behind the scenes and inside certain research facilities. Glenn scientists and engineers serve as guides. Tours and open house events will be held each month through October 2017. Tours are free for groups and individuals, but to guarantee admission, reservations are required. Visitor parking is also free. On the days of the tours, a bus departs from Glenn's main gate every hour, beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour departs at 1 p.m. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a stop at Glenn's Gift Shop. (The historic district tours follow a different schedule. See tour schedule for details.) Glenn's 2017 Tour Schedule May 6, 2017 -- Historic District Tour Featuring the 10- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel: Join us on a free tour of Glenn's recently established historic district. The tours feature the 10- by 10-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. For over 60 years, the wind tunnel has been used to conduct propulsion testing, including research for the Apollo program. June 3, 2017 -- NASA Glenn Hangar: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the NASA Glenn Hangar. See how aircraft at NASA Glenn are used to monitor algae blooms on Lake Erie and other waterways. July 8, 2017: SLOPE Laboratory: Explore locomotion on planets with a visit to the Simulated Lunar Operations, or SLOPE, Lab. See how rover components are tested for their ability to navigate and investigate planetary surfaces. Aug. 5, 2017 -- Photovoltaic Laboratory: See the light of solar cells with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Photovoltaic Laboratory. See how researchers are exploring ways to create energy from light in order to power everything from homes to spacecraft. Sept. 9, 2017 -- Zero-G Facility: Explore microgravity research of yesterday, today and tomorrow with a tour of Glenn's Zero-G Facility. Learn how dropping payloads over 400 feet can give researchers a glimpse into microgravity conditions. Oct. 7, 2017 -- Historic District Tour Featuring the 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel: Join us on a free tour of Glenn's recently established historic district. The tours feature the 8- by 6-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Built in 1946, the wind tunnel has contributed to decades of aeronautics research. Tours are open to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. To guarantee admission, reservations are required. For more information on tours and to make reservations, visit https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/events/tours.html. Please direct questions about the tours to grc-dl-tours(a)mail.nasa.gov [ANS thanks NASA Education Express Message -- March 30, 2017 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, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Re: [amsat-bb] When are the linear transponders turned on?
by Rick Tejera 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

In win list, there will be a column for eclipse status, of course winless only work for one bird at a time. Also, On THE Main screen, THE Status Is IN THE Upper Left, Look for an"E" or "S" Rick Tejera K7TEJSaguaroAstro(a)cox.net623-203-4121 -------- Original message -------- From: Mike Lemons <becalmed9(a)gmail.com> Date: 01/04/2017 10:31 (GMT-07:00) To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] When are the linear transponders turned on? Thanks Paul! You answered most of my questions. The only way that I have found to do pass predictions with SatPC32 is using WinAos. I don not see a column for illuminated or not illuminated. 73! On Sat, Apr 1, 2017 at 8:44 AM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> wrote: > Except for AO-7, AO-73, EO-88, LO-87, and EO-79, all of the active linear > transponder satellites, including FO-29. are available around the clock. > > SatPC32 will tell you if a satellite is eclipsed or not. Most other pass > prediction software can tell you as well. > > The XW-2 satellites are all easy to work, though XW-2D has some digital > noise in the center of the transponder that seems to make it more difficult > than the others to work. > > 73, > > Paul, N8HM > > On Sat, Apr 1, 2017 at 10:33 AM, Mike Lemons <becalmed9(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> I know that AO-73 and EO-88 are on while in eclipse and AO-73 is usually >> on >> for the full weekend, UTC. >> >> I often can't hear the transponders 90 minutes after sunset, though. Is >> there some kind of delay or are they still illuminated? Is there a pass >> predictor software that tells you when they are illuminated? >> >> When is FO-29 on? >> >> What about the XW-2 series? (Nobody ever seems to talk about those >> satellites. Are they difficult to work?) >> >> KI6ADN >> 73 >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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April Ops
by Mike Diehl 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

It's officially April on the left coast. I'm thinking that I'm going to activate DM02 for some passes. Details to follow. ;-) 73 Mike Diehl AI6GS

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When are the linear transponders turned on?
by Mike Lemons 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

I know that AO-73 and EO-88 are on while in eclipse and AO-73 is usually on for the full weekend, UTC. I often can't hear the transponders 90 minutes after sunset, though. Is there some kind of delay or are they still illuminated? Is there a pass predictor software that tells you when they are illuminated? When is FO-29 on? What about the XW-2 series? (Nobody ever seems to talk about those satellites. Are they difficult to work?) KI6ADN 73

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EO79 Beacon
by ingejack＠cox.net 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

I believe Heard EO79 beacon on FO29 at 1845 utc 435865 Mhz switched over 70 EO79 15 145812 MHz and it was definitely the beacon...JACK-KC7MG

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Problems with my Arrow
by Dale Kubichek 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

After you try all of the suggestions, go to fundamentals using a ruler. I bought an ARROW 146437-10WBP in 2011, never used it until 2012, when I found a serious VSWR workmanship flaw in the 2011 ARROW products. 2m VSWR sucked and I could not adjust it in no matter what I did. See my files in: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/HAM-SATs/files/Antenna%20-%20Commercial… What I discovered is the 2m Driver gamma-match wire was 1.00" too short (per ARROW actual documentation). Upon verifying this with ARROW they sent me a new 2m driver element since we cannot unpress the pressed in BNC connector to change the wire. My advice it to measure ALL per ARROW documentation especially the gamma-match wires - who knows maybe ARROW messed up, again! Also the ARROW Diplexer is max 10W, be carefull not to go much higher in FM! ********************************Message: 6 Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:45:36 -0400 From: John Brier <johnbrier(a)gmail.com> To: Ken Alexander <k.alexander(a)rogers.com> Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Problems with my Arrow******************************** Best regards, Dale Kubichek, MS-EET, N6JSX Master Mason, 32°, Shriner NRA Life/Cert Instr, USN Vietnam Vet Sidney, OH 45365 EN70vh 937-726-6677 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HAM-SATs http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDF-USA

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A Saturday drive to EN37/38
by Søren Straarup 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

Hi all, First off I usually don't announce when I'm going on my Saturday drives. Just turn on aprs. Though wanna try this one. My plan is to be at the EN37/38 by 1700z tomorrow Saturday the 1st of April. There is a 5° AO-7 pass. I might try it, but switch to FO-29 as early as possible. After that, I might go to EN48. Though no real plans. I plan to be on aprs and Twitter (@xride) Vy 73 de AK4WQ/OZ2DAK, Soren Straarup

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Problems with my Arrow
by Ken Alexander 01 Apr '17

01 Apr '17

I just checked the SWR using my FT-817ND's built in meter. I connected directly from the 817 to the appropriate connector on the Arrow. At 435 MHz the SWR meter shows 5 bars, which doesn't sound good to me. At 145 MHz I get a very brief indication of 6(?) bars and then the the bars immediately disappear. This sounds to me like a protection circuit engaging, and subsequent presses of the mic button produces no output. It also explains why I practically never get into SO-50. The FT-817 manual is silent on the meaning of the bars on the SWR meter. Does anybody have an knowledge of the 817's SWR meter that they could pass along to me? Any assistance would be very gratefully received! Many thanks in advance, Ken VE3HLS

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Busy FO-29 at 1608z
by Clayton Coleman 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

I was glad to see some of the rover stations spreading out and avoiding the busy center on the FO-29 pass around 16:08 UTC today. So many QSO's squeezed in the middle 20 kHz is a shame on a 100 kHz wide transponder. Hats off to those guys breaking convention... 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India on 03 Apr. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:19 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 NA1SS and LU1CGB. The contact should be audible over Argentina 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. Brahma Kumaris Educational Society is a Socio-Spiritual Organization focuses on Ethics & Values, Disaster Relief, Peace & Security and is headquartered in Mt.Abu, Rajasthan, India. Brahma Kumaris comprises a worldwide network of centers in 110 countries and is an international non-governmental organization of the United Nations accredited with General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Mount Abu International Ham Radio Club (MHRC) VU2BK is located within Brahma Kumaris Campus with an aim to promote Amateur radio as an instrument for spreading universal brotherhood and to provide emergency communications. It also organizes technical lectures on latest topics like satellite communication, software defined radios, antennas, etc. and conducts demonstrations of Amateur Radio. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What's the most fun or interesting part about being on the International Space Station? 2. What does a launch feel like? 3. Where do you go in the Space Shuttle? Do you go to the moon? 4. What do you do when you aren't on a mission? 5. Can you call your family? Do you have email? 6. What should I study in school if I want to be an astronaut? 7. What was your job as an astronaut on the ISS? 8. What advice would you give someone wishing to follow in your footsteps? 9. What was the scariest part of being in space? 10. Have you seen space junk? How bad is the problem? 11. Did you have much fear going into space your first time or on subsequent trips? 12. Did you ever see anything you couldn't explain while in space? 13. What are your three favorite things about being in a spaceship? 14. How has your understanding of the universe changed since seeing it from space? 15. If you could go back into space now, what's one thing you would make sure to do? 16. What will be the basic health standards for people to partake in space travel as tourists? 17. What is the most beautiful sight you have seen from space? 18. I'd like to know how hard it is to land on Mars. 19. I wanted to know how it feels to be in Space. 20. What does astronaut food taste like? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20 UTC About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Beginners Guides + Spring OSCAR News
by M5AKA 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

Spring issue of AMSAT-UK publication OSCAR News is now available for e-members to download https://amsat-uk.org/2017/03/31/spring-2017-oscar-news/ Chertsey Radio Club issue new Beginners Guides to Satellite Operating https://amsat-uk.org/2017/03/30/beginners-guides-to-satellite-operating/ Video of Jo Hinchliffe MW6CYK @concreted0g presentation at PocketQube Workshop in Delft, Netherlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D2y65d634s On May 9, 2016 students at the Kings School, Ottery St Mary had an ARISS contact with ISS astronaut Tim Peake GB1SS. Following a recent training course, 5 students and 2 staff from the school have successfully passed their Amateur Radio Foundation exam https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk/posts/1344400575602988 The Kings School ARISS contact featured in the TX Factor Show https://amsat-uk.org/2016/06/07/tx-factor-kings-school-iss/ ITF-2 (YUI-2) Satellite Update https://amsat-uk.org/2017/03/28/itf-2-yui-2-update/ IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination status pages http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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Shadow- beacon experiment certificate - thanks
by andy thomas 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

Just to thank Tsniimash and the sponsors of the Shadow-beacon experiment on the ISS for the handsome cerificate signed by Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, Head of the Center for manned programs of Tsniimash, which I have just received today. I think that everyone who registered and posted reports will get theirs in due course. 73 de Andy G0SFJ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-31 06:00 UTC Quick list of schedu
by AJ9N＠aol.com 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-31 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Gagarin from space, Tolyatti, Russia School, direct via R4HDR (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronauts are Sergey Ryzhikov (***) Contact is a go for 2017-04-01 17:09 UTC (***) Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contract is a go for: Mon 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 deg College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France, direct via F6KCO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. **************************************************************************** *** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-03-31 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 1128. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1089. (***) 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 2017-03-24 04:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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updated WD9EWK travel plans (31 March-2 April 2017)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

Hi! I have updated my plan for the next 3 days, driving up to Las Vegas for the NVCON convention and other non-convention radio operating in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. The plan is... Friday, 31 March - from 1600 or 1730 UTC until 1930 UTC, working from DM25xg/DM35ag grid boundary, north of I-40 in Kingman AZ. Friday night (1 April, UTC time) - from around 0230-0330 UTC until at least 0530 UTC, working from DM26xt/DM36at grid boundary, east of I-15 freeway in NW Arizona and east of Mesquite NV. Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 April - during the daytime, demonstrations from the NVCON convention in Las Vegas NV in grid DM26. Sunday, 2 April - from sometime around 2000-2200 UTC into the evening, working from the DM24wx/DM25wa grid boundary, along the I-40 freeway frontage road, about 15 miles/25km south of Kingman AZ. There may be a chance on Saturday evening (2 April, on the UTC clock) or Sunday (2 April) morning from the DM25/DM26 grid boundary, south of the NVCON convention in the Las Vegas area. I will try to post those plans here on the -BB, and will definitely post that to my @WD9EWK Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK Although I try to update my log in Logbook of the World quickly, please be patient. Some of the spots I will visit may not have good coverage for my mobile phone, and I will be looking to drive a lot in the next 72 hours or so. I will hit the road Friday morning, and my TH-D72A will squawk WD9EWK-9 on the APRS network: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 APRS coverage for most of my drive to Las Vegas should be decent. I'm not sure how well it will cover me tomorrow night near the DM26/DM36 grid boundary, so looking at my Twitter feed may be the best way to know when I reach these spots. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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Schedule for Sunday April 2nd: FO00, EO90, EN98/99
by Ken Alexander 31 Mar '17

31 Mar '17

Hi All, Following is my tentative schedule for Sunday April 2nd, morning in FO00, afternoon in EO90 and evening in EN98/99. Once again, please get in touch with me if my schedule hasn't given your area the coverage you were hoping for. Let me know your AOS and the proposed satellite and I'll see if I it will work from here. Sunday Morning in FO00 02.04.2017 AO-73 13:52 02.04.2017 AO-07 14:06 02.04.2017 FO-29 14:20 02.04.2017 AO-73 15:29 02.04.2017 AO-07 15:54 02.04.2017 FO-29 16:06 Sunday Afternoon in EO90 02.04.2017 SO-50 18:25 02.04.2017 AO-07 19:32 02.04.2017 SO-50 20:07 02.04.2017 AO-07 21:27 Sunday Night in EN98/99 03.04.2017 AO-73 02:29 03.04.2017 SO-50 02:53 03.04.2017 FO-29 03:10 03.04.2017 FO-29 04:55 73, Ken VE3HLS

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SpaceX Is 2 For 2
by B J 30 Mar '17

30 Mar '17

Today's launch was good. The first stage has successfully landed on the recovery barge, making the first time that a refurbished SpaceX booster has been flown and returned. Unfortunately, the video feed of when it happened was lost. Meanwhile, the second stage is well on its way. Well done! 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Schedule for Saturday April 1 - FO00 and EN98/99
by Ken Alexander 30 Mar '17

30 Mar '17

Hi All, Following is my tentative schedule for Saturday April 1st. Once again, please get in touch with me if my schedule hasn't given your area the coverage you were hoping for. Let me know your AOS and the proposed satellite and I'll see if I it will work from here. Note: 1. [Overlap] means the next satellite pass begins before the current pass ends. The plan is to drop AO-73 in time to make AOS for FO-29. Likewise with FO-29 and EO-79. 2. [CQ Europe!] means I hope you guys in Europe are reading this! :-) Saturday in FO00 01.04.2017 AO-73 15:10 [Overlap] 01.04.2017 FO-29 15:15 [Overlap] 01.04.2017 EO-79 15:30 01.04.2017 AO-07 16:51 [CQ Europe!] 01.04.2017 EO-79 17:06 01.04.2017 SO-50 18:00 01.04.2017 AO-07 18:40 01.04.2017 SO-50 19:41 01.04.2017 AO-07 20:32 Saturday Night in EN98/99 02.04.2017 SO-50 00:47 [might not get back in time for this] 02.04.2017 AO-85 01:22 02.04.2017 AO-73 02:09 02.04.2017 SO-50 02:27 02.04.2017 FO-29 04:06 [will try to stay up for this one!] 73, Ken VE3HLS

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SO-50 EL79 April 1st favor please
by Greg Lane 30 Mar '17

30 Mar '17

I have changed my location for the April 1st Radar Challenge to EL79 St George Island, Florida. The SO 50 pass at that location starts at 1754 UTC Your contacts appreciated! Greg N4KGL Panama City, Florida >

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-30 04:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 30 Mar '17

30 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-30 04:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Wed 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg (***) Tolyatti, Russia School TBD, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronauts are Andrei Borisenko, Sergey Ryzhikov, Oleg Novitskiy Contact is a go for 2017-04-01 21:10 UTC Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contract is a go for: Mon 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. ******************** *********************************************************** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-03-29 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 1127. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1088. 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 2017-03-24 04:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Friday March 31st Schedule (EN97, FN08, EN98/99)
by Ken Alexander 30 Mar '17

30 Mar '17

Hi All, Following is my tentative schedule for this Friday. I am making brief stops in EN97 and FN08 to hand those grids out to a few who didn't get them previously. It takes 6+ hours to get there and then several more hours after that to get to my hotel. If we don't connect on this stopover then let me know and we'll try to work something out for my return trip on Monday morning. I'll be worn out when I arrive in Cochrane (EN99) Friday evening, so don't be too disappointed if I don't make all of the Friday night passes. Catch me early because I might turn in early. I will be staying in Cochrane for three nights, so you can catch me on Saturday or Sunday night if you miss me on Friday. EN98 is only a few minutes' drive away. The aptly named 49th Parallel Road runs along the boundary so I might head down there for the evenings and hand out two grids! Please get in touch with me if you see that my schedule hasn't given your area the coverage you were hoping for. Let me know your AOS and the satellite and I'll see if I can do it from here. The weather forecast still looks decent. It should be a fun weekend! Friday Afternoon in EN97 and FN08 31.03.2017 SO-50 19:15 31.03.2017 AO-07 19:38 31.03.2017 SO-50 20:57 31.03.2017 AO-07 21:33 Friday Evening in EN99 31.03.2017 XW-2F 23:24 31.03.2017 XW-2A 23:46 01.04.2017 SO-50 00:21 01.04.2017 AO-85 00:56 01.04.2017 AO-73 01:50 01.04.2017 SO-50 02:02 01.04.2017 AO-85 02:38 01.04.2017 FO-29 03:16 More schedules as I work them out. 73, Ken VE3HLS

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ARISS Contact today
by claudio 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Hello, during today contact: Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg we will stream operation, from our telebridge station, on www.ariotti.com at 17:30 UTC. 73' Claudio IK1SLD

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-29 04:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-29 04:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg Tolyatti, Russia School TBD, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronauts are Andrei Borisenko, Sergey Ryzhikov, Oleg Novitskiy Contact is a go for 2017-04-01 21:10 UTC Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India, telebridge via LU1CGB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contract is a go for: Mon 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 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. **************************************************************************** *** Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space). More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. ********************* ********************************************************** 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** 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 2017-03-29 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 1127. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1088. 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 2017-03-24 04:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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WD9EWK road trip to/from Las Vegas on 31 March & 2 April
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Hi! I am driving to Las Vegas for this weekend's NVCON convention, and I already posted a message to the -BB about that event. Before I reach Las Vegas on Friday (31 March), I am planning on a stop in Kingman, Arizona, on the DM25/DM35 grid boundary. I'm hoping to make it to Kingman around 1600 UTC to work some passes, before driving the last 100 miles/160km from Kingman to Las Vegas and the NVCON convention. After the convention wraps up on Sunday (2 April), I plan on heading back to Phoenix, but not directly to Phoenix. I can make stops on one of 3 different grid boundaries: 1. DM25/DM35 grid boundary in Kingman AZ (a repeat of the stop I plan to make on Friday morning) 2. DM24/DM25 grid boundary, about 15 miles/25km south of Kingman along the I-40 freeway 3. DM26/DM36 grid boundary in northwestern Arizona, near the I-15 freeway and northeast of Mesquite NV Any preferences on which grid boundary you'd like to hear me operating from? I don't know what time I will depart Las Vegas on Sunday, so I can't post any schedules for operating from any of these locations. As with my other road trips, I will use APRS as WD9EWK-9 as I drive. You can see my APRS track at (among other online places): http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, and QSL cards will be available on request (please e-mail me directly with QSO details, if you want a card). Updates should also appear on my @WD9EWK Twitter account, also visible at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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AMSAT @ NVCON in Las Vegas (31 March-2 April 2017)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Hi! I will be part of the AMSAT presence at the ARRL Nevada State Convention, also known as NVCON, this Friday through Sunday (31 March - 2 April 2017) in Las Vegas. The convention will be at the Eastside Cannery Casino-Hotel along Boulder Highway, east of the Strip and southeast of downtown Las Vegas. More about the convention is available at: http://nvcon.org Frank Kostelac N7ZEV, a long-time AMSAT Area Coordinator in Las Vegas, and I will be around the AMSAT booth at the convention. Weather permitting, I will have some demonstrations of satellite operating from outside the hotel during the convention. If you hear WD9EWK on the satellites from NVCON, please call and be a part of the demonstrations! Last year's NVCON weekend was a wet one, with a lot of rain that washed out any chances to do demonstrations during the convention. This weekend is supposed to be better, and drier. The convention site is in grid DM26. Any QSOs made during the convention will be uploaded to Logbook of the World. If you would like to receive a QSL card for a QSO with WD9EWK during NVCON, please e-mail me directly with QSO details. If you're in the log, I will send a card. During the convention, I will tweet photos and updates on my @WD9EWK Twitter account. These tweets are available for anyone to see, even if you don't have a Twitter account, at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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Re: [amsat-bb] Filter out 3rd harmonic of 145MHz
by dtabor＠estesvalley.net 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Perhaps termination would help on the diplexer ... so far, I've kept it simple and just unplugged the unused antenna on the Arrow. It 'seems' to work OK when using the FT-1634. Doug, N6UA

5 4

Atomic AMSAT Roving
by Gabriel Zeifman 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

Good evening fellow sky talkers and bird trackers, An exciting trip will occur this weekend with Dave KG5CCI and myself venturing to the wastelands of the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. We will be visiting the Trinity Site on Saturday morning (sadly the U.S. Army is not friendly to operating on the missile range from the actual site). However, we may still have an opportunity to activate a nuclear test site, the site of Project Gnome, a 3.1kt underground bomb test. We will be leaving early morning on Friday 3/31 and will return Sunday. Grids that can be expected are EM02/03/04/05 DM61/62/63/71/72/73/82/83/84/92/94/95. Watch our Twitter accounts @KG5CCI and @NJ7H_Radio for updates, one of us will usually be on APRS (I use NJ7H-9), and iridium at share.garmin.com/gz. QSL via LoTW or direct with homing pigeon. Have fun and keep the power down. 73, Gabe NJ7H/lunacy

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Strong digital on FO-29 at 16:21Z, 27-Mar-2017
by Clayton Coleman 28 Mar '17

28 Mar '17

I recorded some data being sent via FO-29 today approximately 16:21 UTC. Very strong signal. If you skip to about 6 minutes, 44 seconds into this recording you will hear it: https://clyp.it/m4lalgl5?token=2c0365f763bcb95a6e42a5d7fe003d6b Afterwards you can listen to a pileup of stations working UT1FG/MM. I can email you the MP3 if you'd like. 73 Clayton W5PFG

5 5

auto switch tracking
by Jim White 27 Mar '17

27 Mar '17

Can anyone suggest software that will automatically switch between two or three sats and do freq, Doppler, and pointing ?

5 4

SO-50 April 1st favor please
by Greg Lane 27 Mar '17

27 Mar '17

I would like to get at least one and up to five contacts on the pass. I am doing the RaDAR challenge from St Andrews State Park at EM70. My first Sat contact will count as a bonus. Eddie ZS6BNE came up with the RaDAR ideal and he loves Sats. In Radar, you make five contacts and move. However, I don't want to interfere with any special operation already scheduled. You can find info on RaDAR on my web site N4KGL.info Just scroll down. Thanks, Greg N4KGL SO-50 will be visible from Upper Grand Lagoon, on Saturday, April 1 12:54:01 PM Starting in the SSW (205°) Ending in the NNE (28°) at 01:07:54 PM Maximum elevation: 87° http://issdetector.com

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ARISS contact with Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 27 Mar '17

27 Mar '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA on 29 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:03 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. The Los Angeles Unified School District: Local District South, Los Angeles, California at The Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California CSSS is the only professional science organization whose members have direct accountability to the state government agencies given the constitutional authority for education. Each of these supervisors plays a key role in directing efforts at improving school science and ensuring excellence and equity in science education in their states. This partnership with ARISS is a way to showcase the importance of space education and create enthusiasm among state leaders that can be shared with teachers across the nation. CSSS partnered with students from the Los Angeles Unified School District, The Jordan-Locke network comprised of 16 elementary schools for this event. Participants in the ARISS contact include 6th grade students from the 92nd, 93rd, and 96th elementary schools. The District demonstrates that all children can achieve their highest potential when the conditions for learning are at an optimum by integrating project based learning into the academic achievement of students in all subjects. All schools are located in Watts or South Central Los Angeles and consist of a predominantly Latino and African American Student population with poverty rates in the 95-100% Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. In Science class we learned that it takes a tremendous amount of energy and speed to escape Earth's gravity. Can you tell us how you felt as you were climbing upward through Earth's Atmosphere? 2. Reentering Earth can be very dangerous for astronauts. Can you please tell me what steps do you follow when reentering the Earth's atmosphere? 3. In Los Angeles, there are many street lights at night that prevent us from seeing many stars in the sky, but when we went camping in the mountains we saw more stars. Now that you are in space, can you see even more stars than we see here on Earth? 4. In Science class we are learning about germs and how fast they can spread. Do germs multiply as fast in space as they do on Earth? 5. Is there something in space that you did, that you will never forget? 6. Were you afraid to go to space? 7. Is there a problem with space junk? If so how severe is it? 8. What is your purpose for being in space today? 9. We know that in space there is zero gravity. What is the proper procedure for eating in space so that your liquids or food does not float away or damage any equipment? 10. What activity do you like doing the most while in space and why? 11. How hard is it for you to settle in space, leave your family, and communicate with them? 12. How long does it take to become a professional astronaut? 13. We recently read your biography and noticed that you accomplished so much here on Earth. Can you tell us how your achievements on Earth help you complete your missions on the International Space Station? 14. Have any of the solar panels on the ISS been damaged by space debris? If so, please tell me how you were able to repair it. 15. If you were stuck in space, what are the 5 most important things you would need to survive? Explain why. 16. I read that you are very athletic. Have you found any new health problem besides, the weakening of muscles, while living on the International Space Station? 17. What was the most important/amazing/beautiful thing in space you ever saw? 18. Have you seen anything in space that scared you or confused you? 19. Which planets (other than Earth) do you see most often as you are orbiting in the ISS? Do you have a favorite planet? Why is it your favorite? 20. What is the longest time you have been in space? 21. What is the most dangerous situation that you have experienced on the International Space Station? 22. What activities do you do while up in space in your free time? 23. Have you thought of teaching anyone about how to be an astronaut? 24. Your biography shows that you have such a great life on Earth. Can you tell us what convinced you to go to 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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ANS-085 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 27 Mar '17

27 Mar '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-085 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: * AMSAT Fox Series Launch Schedule Update * ND9M Satellite Gear in VQ917 Chagos Islands * Ex-Alta-1 Alberta Canadia Cubesat Set to Launch * Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-24 * Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity * 14th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-085.01 ANS-085 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 085.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 26, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-085.01 AMSAT Fox Series Launch Schedule Update The launches of AMSAT satellites Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D have been rebooked from the original Spaceflight Formosat-5/Sherpa mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on to two separate new launches. Fox-1D will now ride to orbit on an Indian PSLV vehicle scheduled to launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India in late 2017. Fox-1Cliff will launch on Spaceflight’s SSO-A dedicated rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in late 2017 or early 2018. These moves will serve to expedite the launch of these two satellites, both of which carry an amateur radio U/v FM repeater and an experimental L/v FM repeater. The satellites also carry scientific experiments, from university partners Penn State, Vanderbilt University ISDE, Virginia Tech, and University of Iowa. In addition to the launch of Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D, AMSAT is awaiting the launches of RadFxSat and RadFxSat-2. RadFxSat is currently manifested for launch on August 29, 2017 aboard the ELaNa XIV mission, as a secondary payload with the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-1 on a Delta II from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. RadFxSat-2 will be launched by Virgin Galactic on their LauncherOne air launch system from Mojave, CA on the ELaNa XX mission no earlier than December 2017. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, and Jerry, N0JY, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ND9M Satellite Gear in VQ917 Chagos Islands VQ917, CHAGOS ISLANDS. Jim, ND9M (VQ96JC), from Diego Garcia Island (AF-006) informs OPDX on March 14th, "Well, the local licensing office came through for me again. The VQ917JC license I asked for just came through here this afternoon." So start looking for Jim to be on the air signing as VQ917JC. Jim told OPDX he will not make an effort on 60m at this time. His operating hours are still limited to 1200-1600z max which doesn't do much good for the NA/SA ops. He states that he will probably focus on 30, 20, and 17 meters just to get VQ9 into some logs. Jim also mentioned he did bring his satellite equipment. QSL via his home call- sign. Look for more details to be forthcoming. HH8, HAITI. Doug, KD8CAO, was active as HH8/KD8CAO from Jacmel, Haiti (FK38rf), on both satellite and the HF bands between March 19-23rd. The primary purpose of Doug's travel to Haiti involved missions work (he and his team installed a solar array to power Radio Lumiere's FM broadcast station in Jacmel. QSL via direct w/SASE and/or LoTW (upload upon return to USA). [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1309 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ex-Alta-1 Alberta Canadia Cubesat Set to Launch Ex-Alta-1, the first CubeSat satellite mission from the University of Alberta’s AlbertaSat team, is set to launch on an Atlas V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch will be streamed via NASA Live and the United Launch Alliance. The cubesat will make a brief pit stop aboard the International Space Station before being deployed into low Earth orbit to begin monitoring space weather. Ex-Alta-1 is part of the international QB50 project, which involves cubesats designed and built at universities around the world, representing 15 countries from five continents. The cubesats carry complementary science payloads that will study space weather and the lower thermosphere for a period of nine to 18 months. After seven years and countless hours contributed by more than 50 team members (including undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty members), measuring roughly the size of a loaf of bread and built with financial support from more than 600 crowd-funded donors as well as the Canadian Space Agency, Ex- Alta-1’s launch marks the beginning of a new era of space exploration for Alberta. Not only did the team build the first ever made-in-Alberta satellite, AlbertaSat is also one of the first Canadian universities to put a satellite into space. The University of Alberta participated in the first Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (CSDC), prior to focusing its efforts on the QB50 mission, and many members from the Ex-Alta-1 team are competing in the current CSDC. On behalf of the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge, and all the teams participating, I would like to send my congratulations to the entire AlbertaSat team, and hope that the launch, deployment, and mission of the Ex-Alta-1 cubesat will be successful. The Ex-Alta 1 Satellite has the following science objectives: 1. Serve as a platform for the In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of a digital fluxgate magnetometer designed at the University of Alberta. 2. Address multi-point space plasma physics with data from the QB50 constellation using the Langmuir probe common payloads and the digital fluxgate magnetometer. 3. Take part in the QB-50 string-of-pearls constellation for in-situ measurements of the lower thermosphere to build an accurate model. A downlink of 436.705 MHz has been coordinated employing 9k6 GMSK using the published Cubesat Space Protocol and the QB50 whole orbit data specifications. [ANS thanks Larry Reeves, CSDC Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-24 Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg Russia School TBD, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronauts are Andrei Borisenko, Sergey Ryzhikov, Oleg Novitskiy (***) Contact is a go for 2017-04-01 21:10 UTC (***) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Proposal Window Deadline April 15, 2017 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss at arrl.org. [ANS thanks Charlie, AJ9N, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop The 14th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop will be held in San Luis Obispo, CA April 26-28 2017. The schedule is now on the workshop website at the link below. http://www.cubesat.org/s/2017-Workshop-Schedule.pdf REGISTRATION Prices are as follows: 3 Day Pass + Banquet Professional - $475 Student - $150 1 Day Pass Early Bird Professional - $160 Professional - $200 [ANS thanks the CubeSat Workshop Team 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, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Your third harmonic
by jeffory broughton 27 Mar '17

27 Mar '17

A mobil diplexer will give you 60 dB of isolation between uhf and vhf.should be more than enough even at 100 w.I have used them with both the Ft847 and IC 910 with zero desense even when using gaasfet preamps at the antennas on both bands. jeff broughton

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EO-79 SAT
by ingejack＠cox.net 25 Mar '17

25 Mar '17

Was on the 18:55 UTC pass of EO-79. Signals very strong however there were no other stations heard during the complete pass. Was wondering why other people are not utilizing this satellite ?? Are they afraid of manual tuning of the Doppler or is it just too difficult for them to keep up with the Bird ?? even though it is hard to track and maintain Doppler it is still a great satellite to work, Nice footprint and strong signals. Was on the satellite many times in the past with same results.. Nobody heard !! JACK-KC7MG DM42

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Path loss Calculations
by Joe 25 Mar '17

25 Mar '17

Can anyone help me with some path loss calculations? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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AO73 weekend operations
by Graham Shirville 24 Mar '17

24 Mar '17

Hi folks, FUNcube/AO73 is now in full time amateur mode with the transponder ON. The plan is for it to switch back to auto mode on Sunday pm UTC as usual. Please see below for other FUNcube transponder info Have FUN with the transponder. 73s Graham G3VZV and the FUNcube team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FUNcube frequencies and other details ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Lower temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 (aka FUNcube on UKube) The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in the future as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… EO88/Nayif-1/FUNcube-5 EO88 is presently operating in autonomous mode. The transponder is operational when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. The transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.045 – 435.015 MHz LSB (inverting) Downlink: 145.960-145.990 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.940MHz All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands.

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YN2/Nicaragua grid EK71 on sats
by Clayton Coleman 24 Mar '17

24 Mar '17

On AO-85 at 12:55 UTC today I managed to contact three members of the Texas DXpedition team in YN2/Nicaragua. They are in country for the upcoming CQWPX Phone contest. The bird was very high on them before they were able to get into the satellite but I managed to work three team members: YN2KW, YN2MG, and YN2MF. They were weak so you will need to have good ears to pick them out on AO-85. I believe they have an HT and Arrow. GL & 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: [amsat-bb] Best HT for satellite operation?
by Edward R Cole 24 Mar '17

24 Mar '17

Clayton, An ICOM-910H is a HT .... Really (ha ha)? I suppose a few of you know that is a 100w desktop/mobile radio and hardly "portable". But it is a pretty good satellite radio for multi-mode use. A nearby friend uses one (actually has two) with az-el mounted yagis and full auto-track. A few months ago I was looking at adding a dual-band FM mobile to my hamshack and kinda groaning at the the $350+ cost for a new mobile, I decided spending just a little more would get me a nice used multi-mode VHF/UHF satellite desktop/mobile radio. Used prices on the Icom-910H and the FT-847 both ran $900-1200 which I could not justify. Then Looked for used FT-736R and bought one for $550 (including ctcss encoder board option) with basic 2m/70cm (no 220 or 1.2G options). I'm quite pleased with the "old" radio and a bit surprised in its Rx sensitivity without preamps, running 144 and 432 SSB with a vertical for contacts out to 70-miles. I have not yet restored use of my satellite antennas as yet (probably be next summer as I want to move the short sat tower which requires new concrete base). You can look on my website for some info: http://www.kl7uw.com/sat.htm Two Baefong with appropriate filters should make an inexpensive portable sat setup with full duplex (not computer controlled). A single Baefong plus a Funcube Rx would also work pretty good though you would need a notepad or equivalent. I did some simplex FM-sat ops with a FT-817 in early 2000's with an Arrow but missed having duplex. I also had a 1998 FT-847 but sold both in 2012. Now have K3 and KX3, a Baefong UV5-RA, plus the venerable FT-736R. 73, Ed - KL7UW Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:15:31 -0600 From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Best HT for satellite operation? Message-ID: <CAPovOwfU3hBafuauUyykDMmh49xdeTS1VjV_DK5iwf1yBED16Q(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I've seen a lot of great recommendations for satellite HT's. I really prefer the Icom IC-910h. Since it is a little heavy for neck straps, and the belt clip is made of 3/8" steel plate, I'd probably recommend the BABYBJ?RN carrier approach. You can buy a 15 year old one at a bargain price of $1000-1500 at most hamfests. TGIF Clayton W5PFG 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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