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Re: [amsat-bb] Nayif-1
by Richard Tejera 03 Mar '17

03 Mar '17

When will it show as EO-88 the keps? I'm still seeing Nayif-1.. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On March 2, 2017, at 08:00, Alan <wa4sca(a)gmail.com> wrote: The satellite formerly known as Nayif-1 is now EO-88. 73s, Alan WA4SCA <-----Original Message----- <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Red <Willoughby <Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2017 08:48 AM <To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <Subject: [amsat-bb] Nayif-1 < <I see it listed at the top of the colorful matrix on amsat.org/status, <but it does not seem to appear in the Select Satellite dropdown box for <posting reports. Am I just missing it or does it have another name? <_______________________________________________ <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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EL89 tomorrow
by Matthew Stevens 03 Mar '17

03 Mar '17

I'll be in EL89 tomorrow morning on the ~1700z FO29 pass if anyone needs it, fixed uplink around 145.930. Afterwards, I'll try the 1° AO-7 pass towards EU, at 145.938. 73, - Matthew KK4FEM Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [amsat-bb] Nayif-1
by Rick Tejera 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

OK, thanks, now for the next question. I have added the Doppler file, which I know is correct, I'm try to add the Sat to the AMSATNAMEs file. I tried to add the info from that Since I use the Nasabare element set, but it's not working and the frequency is not showing. Can someone post the proper edit for both names? Thanks in advance Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org <http://www.saguaroastro.org> Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.W7TBC.org <http://www.W7TBC.org> -----Original Message----- From: prstoetzer(a)gmail.com [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Stoetzer Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2017 4:16 PM To: Richard Tejera <Saguaroastro(a)cox.net> Cc: APBIDDLE(a)mailaps.org; Red Willoughby <red(a)redwilloughby.com>; AMSAT <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Nayif-1 Celestrak has it as Nayif-1 (EO-88) now. AMSAT should have as EO-88 with tonight's release. 73, Paul, N8HM On Thu, Mar 2, 2017 at 6:10 PM, Richard Tejera < <mailto:[email protected]> Saguaroastro(a)cox.net> wrote: > When will it show as EO-88 the keps? I'm still seeing Nayif-1.. > > Rick Tejera K7TEJ > Saguaro Astronomy Club > <http://www.SaguaroAstro.org> www.SaguaroAstro.org > Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club > andwww.w7tbc.orgle <http://www.w7tbc.orgle> > > On March 2, 2017, at 08:00, Alan < <mailto:[email protected]> wa4sca(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > The satellite formerly known as Nayif-1 is now EO-88. > > 73s, > > Alan > WA4SCA > > > <-----Original Message----- > <From: AMSAT-BB [ <mailto:[email protected]> mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Red > <Willoughby > <Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2017 08:48 AM > <To: <mailto:[email protected]> amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > <Subject: [amsat-bb] Nayif-1 > < > <I see it listed at the top of the colorful matrix on > amsat.org/status, <but it does not seem to appear in the Select > Satellite dropdown box for <posting reports. Am I just missing it or does it have another name? > <_______________________________________________ > <Sent via <mailto:[email protected]> 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> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via <mailto:[email protected]> 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> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ > Sent via <mailto:[email protected]> 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> http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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EO-88 keps now on Celestrak
by Perry Yantis 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

The keps for Nayif-1 (EO-88) are now on Celestrak bbs in amateur.txt, cubesat.txt, and last 30 day launches. Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple Macbook Pro

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Office Closed
by Martha 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

The AMSAT office will be closed on Friday, March 3rd and Monday, March 6th. I will be back on Tuesday. -- 73- Martha

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APRStk ? Or other?
by Dave 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

Hi All I'm setting up an autonomous sat gate using a spare Kenwood TMD700. I seem to remember that once upon a time there was a DOS program called APRStk that could Doppler correct the TMD700. Does anyone know of a more up to date alternative that would run on a Pi or Pi Zero? Regards Dave EI4HT / M0GIW Sent from my iPhone

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Nayif-1
by Red Willoughby 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

I see it listed at the top of the colorful matrix on amsat.org/status, but it does not seem to appear in the Select Satellite dropdown box for posting reports. Am I just missing it or does it have another name?

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-02 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-03-02 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg (***) Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact postponed (***) Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, Peru, IN, direct via WD9GIU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-03-09 15:21:33 UTC 80 deg 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC 28 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 2017-03-02 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 1123. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1084. (***) 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 2017-03-02 07:00 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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TS-2000 Strange behavior
by Kevin M 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

Hi Mike, I don't believe there is anything wrong with your receive... the 'static' you hear IS the AO-85 downlink. The transmitter is on and transmitting and the signal strength is going up and down due to 'tumbling', ploarity shifting, etc. The reason you hear static is that it's not like SO-50; instead of squelching when there is no signal, AO-85 simply rebroadcasts what it hears... which at the moment is 'nothing', SO it is passing the white noise from it's UHF receiver straight to the 2m transmitter. Eventually you heard a voice there at the end, so yes, you ARE hearing it. If I read the TS-2000 manual correctly, your problem is that you have the PL tone set on the receive band... not the transmit band. The 'T' should be above the sub band display in other words. So since you are not transmitting the proper PL tone of 67.0 Hz, you are not able to hear yourself come through the transponder. See about fixing that and give it another try. And from experience, I'll suggest to double check that even after you get the 'T' on the correct band, verify that it's 67.0 Hz. =^) 73, Kevin N4UFO

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EL39 3/2
by R.T.Liddy 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

I've had several requests for EL39 before I skiptown. So, it'll be tomorrow on FO29 1600Z pass.Look 10-15 KHz above center.CUL, Bob K8BL

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AO-73 is ROCKING
by Mark Lunday 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

Wow, 0200 UTC pass over east central US. I heard my downlink CW CQ throughout the pass, very strong! Too bad no one else was on that I could hear. Right on alignment: center of passband up = center of passband down. Fabulous. Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.blogspot.com SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972

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Re: [amsat-bb] Solid State conversion (tube equivalents)? END
by Robert Bruninga 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Here is the conclusion to this thread with great feedback from James Duffey and Diane Bruce... > I picked up an old boatanchor LM-21 Frequency Meter at a Hamfest over the weekend. I original asked people here about converting the 3 tubes to solid state. But they said, why bother. Just use it with the tubes... and were curious how well it was calibrated now compared to its 85 year old design age (1930's)? So today I just powered it up with the tubes and it was within 150 Hz at 2 MHz after not being used since 1976. Not bad. In fact when I first compared it to the modern sig gen, I thought it wasn't even working because the 150 Hz was so close to zero beat I didn't hear it at first until I dithered the dial! I have no idea why I am doing this, but it sure brings back the good ole days... Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: James Duffey [mailto:[email protected]] ... why bother converting to solid state? The LM/BC-221 frequency meters are, as you note, very nice frequency meters/sources. They don't drift when warmed up and are very solid mechanically. They age well and you are likely to have performance now very close to what they were new. If you insist on converting it to solid state, here is one article describing how: < http://www.hanssummers.com/images/stories/bc221t/bc221.pdf > < http://hanssummers.com/bc221t.html > including schematics and the manual. But I doubt performance will be substantially better, if any, than the tube unit you start out with. Enjoy it. Technologically it is a wonderful thing to have just the way it is. It is still a very useful laboratory quality instrument. - Duffey KK6MC

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BY70-1
by PY5LF 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Hi We had a low pass over here minutes ago and i felt the keps BY70-1 are wrong . I start to hear 25 seconds before . Does anyone feels the same ? 73

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ISS Boosting It's Orbit
by JoAnne K9JKM 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Update your ISS keps: The International Space Station will boost its orbit Wednesday night to get ready for a crew swap next month. Three Expedition 50 crew members will complete their mission and a new two-person crew will launch to the station in April. https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2017/03/01/station-boosting-orbit-for-a… Watch the line wrap ... the -bb kills long URLs. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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VUCC Awards for February 2017
by John Papay 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Congratulations to the following satellite operators who were awarded endorsements for Satellite VUCC by the ARRL during the period 1Feb2017 thru 1Mar2017: WA4NVM-1413 KD8CAO-1200 W5PFG-982 N8RO-918 N7SFI-829 K4FEG-711 N8HM-608 N4UFO-601 KG5CCI-452 N9IP-417 K5ND-200 W7QL-180 W4DTA-151 AI6GS-136 N6RFM-107 There were 2 new VUCC awards: WI7P - 829 AK4WQ (EN34) - 106 The ARRL VUCC Award is the most prestigious and sought after award for satellite operators. The award is what inspires all of the roving activity here in the United States and around the world. A special thanks to all rovers who make the effort to operate away from home. The Central States VHF Society sponsors the reverse VUCC award for rovers who operate in 100 or more grids away from home. Some of our current rovers are already eligible or close to being eligible for this award. Recipients so far include N7SFI, N5AFV, ND9M and KD4ZGW. (as of 5July2016 www.csvhfs.org) 73, John K8YSE --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Grid Activation Report
by R.T.Liddy 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

SAT Grid Chasers, I've pretty much finished the Winter visit with my Daughter & Family in SE TX. The SAT Eqpt is mostly packed up for the next leg of the trip to visit my Brother in FL. >From 2/12-2/25, the results of my activity are as follows: - Operations = 22 - Sat's = 5 FO29-SO50-XW2F-XW2C-AO7 - Grids = 7 EL28/29/39 EM20/21/30/31 - QSO's = 171 - Unique Calls = 67 - DX Countries = 6 (+ 3 Water Grids) I'll be here in EM20vg through 3/4 in case someone has a desperate need for EL39 or EM20 (!) before I leave, i.e. NEW ONE! Otherwise, my next stop will be overnight in Biloxi, MS, EM50 on 3/5, then Live Oak, FL, EM80 on 3/6. We get to Venice, FL, EL87 for a couple weeks starting 3/7. For QSL info, see my page on QRZ.com. TNX/73/CUL, Bob K8BL

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I'm seking ISS digi contacts today on 1908 UTC pass for a video I'm making
by John Brier 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

$subject 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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Streaming Video Today Atlas 5 Launch
by JoAnne K9JKM 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

If you enjoy the roar of a rocket in the morning there will be streaming video of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket flight to deploy the NROL-79 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Coverage begins at 1730 UTC on http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/27/av068_journal/ Launch is planned for 1750 UTC. No amateur radio payload on this flight ... just smoke and flames. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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SatPC32 Fodtrack.exe driver with Windows 10
by vk1kw＠amsat.org 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Hello All, Has anybody successfully used the SatPC32 Fodtrack.exe driver with Windows 10 32bit yet please? Regards Rob

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TS-2000 Strange behavior
by Kevin M 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

I stand corrected on that... and better educated. (Also helps me understand the way the transponder has acted at various times that didn't previously make sense to me.) I supposed it could be desense or some other reason that you don't hear yourself then, but hopefully understanding that you are HEARING it will move you down the road to figuring it out and making contacts. =^) Actually the PL tone on AO-85 just turns the repeater on. Once it's on, there's no tone required until it times out...that's why you hear the noise on the uplink. 73, Drew KO4MA > On Feb 28, 2017, at 5:11 PM, Kevin M via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote: > > Hi Mike, > I don't believe there is anything wrong with your receive... the 'static' you hear IS the AO-85 downlink. The transmitter is on and transmitting and the signal strength is going up and down due to 'tumbling', ploarity shifting, etc. The reason you hear static is that it's not like SO-50; instead of squelching when there is no signal, AO-85 simply rebroadcasts what it hears... which at the moment is 'nothing', SO it is passing the white noise from it's UHF receiver straight to the 2m transmitter. Eventually you heard a voice there at the end, so yes, you ARE hearing it. > If I read the TS-2000 manual correctly, your problem is that you have the PL tone set on the receive band... not the transmit band. The 'T' should be above the sub band display in other words. So since you are not transmitting the proper PL tone of 67.0 Hz, you are not able to hear yourself come through the transponder. See about fixing that and give it another try. And from experience, I'll suggest to double check that even after you get the 'T' on the correct band, verify that it's 67.0 Hz. =^) > 73, Kevin N4UFO

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Re: [amsat-bb] Baofeng Bf-f8
by Roy Dean 01 Mar '17

01 Mar '17

Phil, I started out last year using a BF-F8HP and UV-5R for full duplex operation, and sadly experienced desense every single time. Tried the BF as both Tx and Rx radio, desense occured in both. Even stuck band pass filters in the Rx radio feedline... no go. --Roy

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Re: [amsat-bb] ARISS Packet
by Alan 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

Rick, In your original post, you said " I have no decoding packets whatsoever either from ARISS or terrestrial on 144.390." Since RX is in fact working, the most likely transmission problem with the Flex is that compared with traditional rigs, there is considerable latency, or delay, between the audio input and transmission. The result is that the transmitter cuts off before the full packet is sent. Fortunately there is a parameter, TXtail, which will keep the transmitter keyed for a period after the audio is sent. Somewhere in Soundmodem, probably the Modem tab, IIRC. Try setting it for 500 ms or so, and see if that helps. It solved my problem. After you get it working, you can cut that back a bit, if desired. How much is a complicated function of sampling rates, buffer sizes, etc. Another issue is deviation. Too much is much worse than too little. I find that setting VAC at -14 gives me 3 KHz deviation. 73s, Alan WA4SCA <-----Original Message----- <From: Richard Lawn [mailto:[email protected]] <Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 17:01 PM <To: Alan Biddle <wa4sca(a)gmail.com> <Subject: RE:ARISS Packet < <Decoding for me either at ARISS downlink freq or 144.390 isn't the problem. I <seem to have no luck getting any confirmation packets back at 144.390 and I <should think using WIDE I should at least see my own packets echoed back. <Nothing..... < < <Rick, W2JAZ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-28 21:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-28 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Space Odyssey Project, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, direct via RVØADW The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Andrei Borisenko Contact was successful Sat 2017-02-25 08:36 UTC (***) Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 deg Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, Peru, IN, direct via WD9GIU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-03-09 15:21:33 UTC 80 deg 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC 28 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 2017-02-28 21:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1120. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1083. (***) 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 2017-02-28 21:30 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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Sat or vhf
by n4qwf . 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

I have seen the question arise as to why some satellite contacts uploaded to LOTW show up as 2m, 70cm etc rather than satellite. I have one contact with Venezuela that is like this. In It appears that I uploaded using "prop_mode sat" like it should be. It also appears that the other station must have uploaded it as a 2m contact. Thus it is credited as 2m's. Am I thinking right here? Has anyone found this to be the reason for this type error? 73<<John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ 8BDXCC DXCC mixed 326 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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Final passes ZF2SC
by Scott McDonald 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

In case anyone is still looking, our final passes will be tonight, all times EST. XW2F 1722 XW2B 1733 XW2C. 1742 FO29. 2248 Thanks, Scott ZF2SC and Ron ZF2FB Sent from my iPad

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Nayif-1 spin graph
by Roland Zurmely 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

An interesting assembly of graphs Z + and Z- shows the rotation of the satellite.Please see here: <http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/nayif.htm#e> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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ARISS packet
by Richard Lawn 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

I read JoAnne's article in the recent AMSAT journal issue with great interest as it was somethingnive never done. I set up UISS with SoundModem to work with my Flex5000A. I have no decoding packets whatsoever either from ARISS or terrestrial on 144.390. But I've not gotten any feedback to suggest I'm being heard. I've tried 144.390 but do not see my location coming up on any APRS map. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? I can verify that I am transmitting a packet signal. I used packet for a short time years ago with a hardware TNC but quickly lost interest and never got into APRS. advice would be appreciated. 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

3 2

TS-2000 Strange behavior
by W5SAT 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

Mike, The YouTube video wouldn't open so I can't be entirely sure of what your issue is but it sounds like your RF gain is turned all the way down. This would give full scale RX reading and allow almost nothing to be heard. Thanks, Brad Schumacher W5SAT

2 1

TS-2000 Strange behavior
by Perry Yantis 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

sounds like you need to turn the "main rf gain" knob in the other direction. Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple Macbook Pro

1 0

Baofeng Bf-f8
by Phil 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

I wonder if anyone has any experience with the Baofeng BF-F8? Has the overloading of the receiver been overcome compared to the earlier UV-5R model? -- Regards, Phil

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-28 07:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-28 07:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Space Odyssey Project, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, direct via RVØADW The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Andrei Borisenko Contact is a go for Sat 2017-02-25 08:36 UTC Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful: Sat 2017-02-25 13:14:15 UTC 58 deg (***) ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Raduga Space Communication Center of St. Petersburg, Russia, direct via RA1AJN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergey Ryzhikov Contact wss successful: Sun 2017-02-26 09:15 UTC (***) Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 deg Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, Peru, IN, direct via WD9GIU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD (***) Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-03-09 15:21:33 UTC 80 deg (***) 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-03-10 08:20:46 UTC 28 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 2017-02-28 07:30 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 1119. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1082. (***) 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 2017-02-28 07:30 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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UT1FG/MM Update
by John Papay 28 Feb '17

28 Feb '17

Yuri, UT1FG/MM, is at Anchorage now, cleaning the hold in preparation for a cargo of sugar. He will go back into Coatzacoalcos Mexico for loading. After that he will proceed to Montreal Canada. Yuri does not anticipate mailing confirmations until he arrives in Montreal. That could change depending on delays. All confirmation requests have been sent to him. If you send more, do not duplicate what you have already sent. Send only new contacts. He will mail all of your logsheets together. I will always email a confirmation back to you when I receive your logsheet. Please email me if you don't hear from me. 73, John K8YSE/7 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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TS-2000 Strange behavior
by Mike Thompson 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

Good morning Gent's. Thank you everyone for the help this past weekend getting me back on the birds. One step at a time. Eggbeater's are in process, and with any luck, that will do the trick for now. I come to you guys with a little bit of an unexplained situation I am having with my TS-2000. For whatever reason, it seems to be showing full scale RF input, but it doesn't seem to hear anything. The current antenna is a Comet GP-15 Tri-band vertical on my roof. It's common coax is connected to the common port of a Comet CFX-514 Tri-plexer. I had this triplexer on a VNA at work for giggles, and I found it to have about 50dB of isolation between the port's. Does this seem like I am overloading the front end of the 2m side with the 70cm transmit through the triplexer? https://youtu.be/eV_HGuw60_4 Thank you for your help and suggestions.

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN on 01 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 19:08 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and AA4UT. The contact should be audible over the middle and eastern U.S 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 University of Tennessee Knoxville is an amazing school located in the hills of Tennessee. It is the largest campus in the state, hosting more than 30,000 students. This school is known for its engineering and science heritage, having close ties with research facilities such as Oak Ridge National Lab and companies like Alcoa. Also, included in our alumni are 9 astronauts including the recent ISS inhabitant Scott Kelly. Our school is filled with thousands of eager students seeking to pursue careers in the space industry. With our vision of becoming a top-tier research school, our students are set to become the next leaders in STEM industries. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Is it difficult to remain up to date on recent events on Earth? 2. Have there been any recent advancements made in ISS biological research that could be applied on Earth? 3. How do you feel about riding on a commercial spacecraft like SpaceX's Dragon Capsule as opposed to a government agency's craft? 4. When doing research, or any other investigation, what kind of cleaning processes do you use on your equipment, or even yourself, to avoid contamination of material and equipment? 5. Has there been any research that has been done with the possible application of zero g therapy to joint diseases such as arthritis. 6. Having used current NASA spacesuits, are you excited about the new space clothing developments being made like the Skinsuit? 7. Why does the vegetable growth experiment chamber have a pink-looking light rather than a white light? 8. Are there any items/tools that are "lost" inside ISS? 9. Can you tell us about the recent software updates to the ISS computers? 10. Are there any experiments related to additive manufacturing going on at the moment? 11. Using the Haptics-2, how close do you think the technology is to application on Mars? What kind of applications could you see the technology being used for? Anything memorable from the experiment? 12. How often, and how, do you launch satellites from the ISS? 13. Are there plans to test means of producing artificial gravity in the near future? 14. Can you talk about the inflatable module that was delivered to the ISS in April of 2016? 15. Would there be any foreseeable benefits in performing complex medical operations (such as open heart surgery) in a zero g environment. PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France on 01 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:04 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F6KFA. 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. RUEIL-MALMAISON is a lovely city surrounded by a large forest, parks and gardens, for the happiness of its 80,000 inhabitants. In the 17th century, the Cardinal of Richelieu, minister of King Louis the 13th, was the lord of RUEIL. In 1799, Napoleon the 1st and his wife Josephine lived in the nice castle of MALMAISON. At the end of the 19th century, famous impressionist painters like Renoir, Manet and Monet used to find scenery inspiration at the banks of the river Seine nearby. 3 schools of Rueil-Malmaison are involved in this ARISS contact: The "Robespierre-B" Elementary school is named after Maximilien Robespierre, a famous character of the French revolution in 1789. This entity includes 10 classrooms, ranging from 1st grade to 5th grade, with a total of 256 children's, aged from 6 to 11. The Albert Camus Elementary School is named after famous French philosopher, author, and journalist in early 20th century. The school presents 4 classrooms from 5th to 6th grade. The Marcel Pagnol College is named after famous French novelist, playwright, and filmmaker of the mid 20th century. One classroom (7th Grade) is involved in this ARISS contact. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Quand vous sortez de l'ISS, est-ce que vous ressentez la vitesse? 2. Est-ce que vous sentez la même sensation dans l'espace que dans l'eau? 3. Vous postez beaucoup de photos sur les réseaux sociaux, laquelle est votre préférée? 4. Avez-vous repéré un endroit de là-haut que vous voulez visiter en rentrant sur Terre? 5. Peut-on vite avoir le vertige dans l'espace? 6. Êtes vous tombé malade et si vous tombez gravement malade que se passe-t- il? 7. Pourquoi avez-vous emporté un volant de badminton? 8. Depuis l'espace est-ce que vous voyez les rayons du soleil comme sur la terre? 9. Est ce que l'on voit depuis l'espace les signes du changement climatique? 10. Quand vous rentrerez sur terre, quelle sera la première chose que vous ferez? 11. En cas d'alerte astéroïdes, comment réagissez-vous? 12. Avez vous déjà fait un cauchemar à bord de l'ISS? 13. Que manque-t-il aux hommes pour aller sur Mars dès maintenant? 14. Qu'est ce qui vous manque le plus, que vous aviez sur Terre? 15. Est-ce que vous prévoyez d'aller sur la Lune? 16. Quel est le plus gros danger dans l'espace et avez vous fait un entraînement en cas d'évacuation? 17. Qu'auriez-vous emporté en plus dans l'ISS si cela avait été possible? 18. Nous avons lu que lors de la sortie extravéhiculaire, le cerveau marchait au ralenti, est ce que vous l'avez ressenti lors de votre sortie? 19. Avez-vous fait des bêtises depuis que vous êtes sur l'ISS? 20. Pouvez vous être attiré par un astéroïde lors des sorties comme le capitaine Haddock à été attire par Adonis dans "Objectif lune "? translation: 1. When you went out on spacewalk, did you feel the speed of the aircraft? 2. Do you feel the same things in space and weightlessness as in water? 3. We know you post a lot of pictures on social media. Which one is your favorite? 4. Have you noticed a place from up there that you absolutely want to visit once you are back to earth? 5. Is it possible to feel dizzy and experience vertigo in space? 6. Have you been sick in the ISS? If you are in a serious condition in the ISS, what are the plans? Who takes care of you? 7. Why did you take a shuttlecock with you onboard? 8. From the ISS, can you see sun rays the same way we can see them from the earth? 9. Can we see the negative impact of global warming on earth, from space? 10. In case of asteroid alert, what are you supposed to do? 11. In case of asteroid alert, what are you supposed to do? 12. Have you ever had a nightmare onboard the ISS? 13. What is lacking to astronauts to be able to go to Mars nowadays? 14. What do you miss most? What's the biggest thing you miss from earth? 15. Do you plan on going to the moon? 16. What's the biggest danger in space? Have you been trained to evacuate the ISS in case of emergency? 17. What would you have taken with you in the ISS if it would have been possible? 18. We have read that when you exit the ISS, the human brain slows down. Have you felt that when you walked outside the spacecraft on January 13th? 19. Have you made mistakes/ taken bad decisions onboard the ISS since your departure? 20. Can you be attracted to asteroids when you exit the ISS, as it happened to Captain Haddock with Adonis in Tintin ' Destination Moon'? 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. Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08 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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LUSAT calls home
by Pedro Converso 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

Proud to inform that on Feb-20 15:45z LUSAT LO-19 on Orbit 141493 had been heard with strong carrier on 437.125 +/- Doppler. LUSAT had been in space last 27 years and still emits his CW carrier un-modulated with 900 mW. Now and then comes alive, it is useful to test reception and demonstrate Doppler, check antennas, etc. Try to listen, on http://amsat.innova-red.net/pass you will find easy way to locate, receive and thanks if reported. 73, lu7abf, Pedro

3 2

Belize on Satellite
by Gabriel Zeifman 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Good evening to my fellow people of the birds, The time has come. I will be venturing to the land of Belize March 11-19 and will be on the satellites with the call V31NJ. I will operate from various grids and possibly some islands (a side trip to Roatan, Honduras is possible with operations from there, not positive yet). This is gonna be a vacation style op (going with my little brother for his spring break), so don't expect me on every pass. If I can get a permit for Guatemala TG/NJ7H may also be on a few passes, though I'm not sure if from any grids different than in Belize. QSLing will be via LoTW. If there is a demand, I can get some cards printed when I'm back. 73, Gabe V31NJ/NJ7H

1 0

LUSAT calls home
by Pedro Converso 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Thanks Tony !! Excellent video and audio, you copied up to 0 degrees !! Wow! 73, LU7ABF, Pedro >Pedro: > >Good signal (carrier) from LO-19 today. > >See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFjLTtVyGR8 > >Tony -K2MO > On 2/20/2017 12:10 PM, Pedro Converso wrote: > Proud to inform that on Feb-20 15:45z LUSAT LO-19 on Orbit 141493 had > been heard with strong carrier on 437.125 +/- Doppler. > > LUSAT had been in space last 27 years and still emits his CW carrier > un-modulated with 900 mW. > > Now and then comes alive, it is useful to test reception and > demonstrate Doppler, check antennas, etc. > > Try to listen, on http://amsat.innova-red.net/pass you will find easy > way to locate, receive and thanks if reported. > > 73, lu7abf, Pedro >

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Re: [amsat-bb] Solid State conversion (tube equivalents)?
by Robert Bruninga 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

You know, you are right. The three tubes would need 6.3v at 1 amp. I could get the plate voltage from a simple voltage doubler from 60 Hz.. Since 5v 1A switching wall-warts are throwaways, they would be a great filament supply except that 5v on the filament vs 6.3 is like a 37% reduction in filament power. Humm... Ill have to look for a 6v DC/DC supply... Our use two 5v's in series and use a series regulator down from that. Bob On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:57 PM, James Duffey <jamesduffey(a)comcast.net> wrote: > This is probably not the answer you are looking for, but why bother > converting to solid state? The LM/BC-221 frequency meters are, as you > note, very nice frequency meters/sources. They don’t drift when warmed up > and are very solid mechanically. They age well and you are likely to have > performance now very close to what they were new. The cal books are usually > only off by a small amount these days. The tubes are available and although > not cheap, are not outrageous either. I do not think that the tubes are > highly stressed and should last a long time. The picture you linked to > shows a cal sticker from 1976, which demonstrates the commercial/military > utility of the unit well into the solid state age. It would probably make > sense to put a digital readout on it though. That would take care of the > cal book being off a bit, if it is in fact off, and make reading the > frequency a simple project. > > If you insist on converting it to solid state, here is one article > describing how: > > < http://www.hanssummers.com/images/stories/bc221t/bc221.pdf > > > with more information here: > > < http://hanssummers.com/bc221t.html > > > including schematics and the manual. > > But I doubt performance will be substantially better, if any, than the > tube unit you start out with. The original was designed for thermal > performance assuming the thermal mass of the tubes and the heat that each > produces. I think switching to something that does not dissipate the same > amount of power would alter the thermal performance substantially and it > may be that thermal equilibrium may never be reached and drift performance > may be worse. > > Now if you really want to talk sacrilege, that unit has one of the nicest > variable capacitor/vernier units you will ever see which will make a jim > dandy VFO or tuning cap for a home-brew transceiver. Somewhere on the web > are plans for making a regenerative receiver out of an LM/BC-221. But you > really shouldn’t do either unless the unit has already been butchered or > hacked. There is a nice High Q 1MHz crystal in there too. Several would > make a nice crystal IF filter, but you don’t want to do that either. > > Enjoy it. Technologically it is a wonderful thing to have just the way it > is. It is still a very useful laboratory quality instrument. - Duffey KK6MC > > > On Feb 25, 2017, at 2:07 PM, Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: > > > About 40 years ago, the topic of tube-to-FET conversions was popular for > > making 1-for-1 conversions of old tube stuff to solid state. > > > > Anyone feel good at doing this these days? Or am I just wallowing in > > nostalgia...? > > > > Today at a small hamfest, (40 tables only) there were at least 4 of the > old > > high quality FREQ meters (9" cube boxes) that could give frequency > accuracy > > to 0.01% anywhere from 125 KHz to 20 MHz. > > https://www.pa3esy.nl/military/us/meet/LM20/pics/LM20-front.jpg > > > > Going rate was about $10. What an absolutely astonishing piece of 1930 > > engineering when you open it up. , with 3 tubes. (6A7, 76 and a 77) > > > > I can do just about anything with bi-polar transistors... (my coming of > > age...) but I PRE-dated FET's which are good direct substitutes for tubes > > since they are both transconductance devices . > > > > There is an excellent 1969 QST article on doing tube conversions, but it > > assumes one already knows more about it than I do. And one of the tubes > is > > a penta-grid tube which does oscillator and mixer all in one... > > http://www.qsl.net/kh6grt/page4/tubesters/MOSFETs%20for%20Tubes.pdf > > > > I would have thought that a solid state conversion of this simple 3 tube > > but very useful device would be out there somewhere... But haven't even > > found a schematic on line... > > > > Thought I'd ask before all the old fuds are gone... > > > > Bob, Wb4APR > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > -- > KK6MC > James Duffey > Cedar Crest NM > > > > > >

1 0

Finding my uplink on SSB birds
by Mike Thompson 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Good morning all. as some of you may remember, I am recently returning to satellites, and I want to make sure I am doing this properly. I will eventually have a pair of eggbeater antennas on the roof, (no room for yagi's on this rental property) but for now, I am operating only with a collinear vertical. I have a TS-2000, and SatPC32. Thanks to other ham's, I have the satellite's "nominal" transponder frequencies in my doppler.sqf file, but I have found that I have a hard time hearing myself on the downlink. SatPC32 control's both the uplink and downlink frequencies, and it seems to track perfectly fine with VFO changes on the downlink, and set's the uplink to the appropriate match, but when I use my RIT knob on the TS-2000 to change the uplink frequency offset, SatPC32 overwrites it. What do you guys find is the quickest and easiest method for finding your uplink? Thank you! Mike, AE0MT.

2 1

SatPC32 V12.8C Win10 Fodtrack
by vk1kw＠amsat.org 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Dear All, Wonder if you have heard anything about the problem that occurs with 32bit Windows 10 and the Fodtrack interface with SatPC32. My SatPC32 registered copy works fine with Fodtrack on XP but gives an error when SatPC32 accesses the fodtrack.exe file using Win10. The error is "Exception EOLISysError in Module ServerFODTrack.exe bei 0005E909. Class not registered." The new motherboard I am using does not have a parallel port on board so I have been trying both PCI and a PCIe cards without success. I also have changed the required bits in SatPC32 config ParPort.SQF file to suit but no luck. Tried calling other rotator interfaces and they seem to run ok given I don't have that hardware. Also tried running SatPC32 in compatibility modes but no luck there either. It does not drive the fodtrack box but otherwise runs ok. I would rather ask before playing around with the PC's REGEDIT stuff which could be terminal. Regards Rob VK1KW

1 0

Nayif-1 Doppler.sqf
by ingejack＠cox.net 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Bob the Beacon freq. is 145938.5,0,usb,0,1.2K BPSK JACK KC7MG

8 12

Nayif - 1
by jeffory broughton 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

Sorry I was not on ! We should try for Sunday sometime.it is a super duper super bird.stable as heck and man does it work !love it ! jeff broughton

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ANS-057 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joseph Spier 26 Feb '17

26 Feb '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-057 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: * OSCAR Number EO-88 for Nayif-1 * Two projects with AMSAT ties selected for NASA launches * ARISS Equipment on SpaceX Launch * VEGA Flight Opportunity for Multiple Small Satellites * Satellite Changes in AMSAT Keplerian Element Distribution * LUSAT LO-19 Calls Home * Expect More from Amateur BY70-1 Youth Space Program * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-057.01 ANS-057 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 057.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE Febuary 26, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-057.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- OSCAR Number EO-88 for Nayif-1 In accordance with the request sent to the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors for an OSCAR number for the UAE CubeSat, Nayif-1, and the statement that all of the conditions for an OSCAR number have been met, I hereby by the authority vested in me by the AMSAT-NA president, do convey on Nayif-1 the designation Emirates Oscar 88 or EO-88. Along with the rest of the Amateur Radio satellite community, I hope that EO- 88 will meet all of its objectives. I wish you and your group the best of luck in this and future endeavors to keep Amateur Radio in space. [ANS thanks William A. (Bill) Tynan, W3XO, OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two projects with AMSAT ties selected for NASA launches Two cubesat missions with ties to AMSAT have been selected as part of the eighth round of the NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative. These spacecraft are eligible for placement on a launch manifest after final negotiations, depending on the availability of a flight opportunity. TJREVERB is a CubeSat from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, in Alexandria, Virginia. This satellite will include an AMSAT Fox mode U/v FM radio system, and will be capable of serving as an analog FM repeater. HuskySat-1 from the University of Washington in Seattle will carry a mode V/u linear transponder and 1200 baud BPSK beacon similar to RadFXsat-2. The satellite will demonstrate plasma propulsion and high gain telemetry in advance of a larger CubeSat lunar mission. The complete list of satellites selected may be found at on the NASA web page. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-announces-eighth-class-of-candidates-for- launch-of-cubesat-space-missions http://www.amsat.org/?p=5795 [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice-President for Operations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Equipment on SpaceX Launch Included as part of the successful launch of the SpaceX Dragon vehicle to ISS is an ARISS Ericsson 2 meter VHF radio. This radio will replace the Ericsson radio that failed a few months ago. The VHF radio is used for school group contacts and amateur packet radio in the Columbus module. Once the Dragon vehicle is berthed to ISS, the Ericsson will be unstowed and, at some point, installed in Columbus, replacing the UHF radio that is now supporting APRS packet and some school contacts. The unmanned cargo ship packed with food and supplies for astronauts arrived safely at the International Space Station Thursday, 2/23/2017. The Dragon cargo ship was grabbed by the station's robotic arm at 5:44 am (1044 GMT). Our thanks to SpaceX on an outstanding and historic flight from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, where many Space Shuttle missions and nearly all the Apollo moon missions were launched. We also would like to thank our ARISS benefactors-NASA and CASIS, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. And, of course, our amateur radio long-time sponsors-our national amateur radio organizations around the world, including the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) in the US, and our international AMSAT organizations, including AMSAT-NA. ARISS is also making great progress on the development of the new interoperable radio system that we hope to use to replace our aging radio infrastructure in the Columbus module and the Service module. The hard (and expensive) part of this effort is just beginning, with testing and human certification on the horizon. We thank all that have donated to the cause thus far. We hope you continue to help ARISS move forward through your support, including your volunteer time and talent and, of course, financial contributions through the AMSAT web site donate button. [ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair, AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VEGA Flight Opportunity for Multiple Small Satellites Europe’s Vega small launcher is set to demonstrate its extended capability to deploy multiple light satellites using its new versatile Small Satellites Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser, in the second half of 2018. This demonstration provides the first of the launch opportunities under the new Light satellite, Low-cost Launch opportunity (LLLor L3) Initiative initiated at the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in December 2016 with the aim to provide low-cost and regular launch services for European Institutional light satellites through full exploitation of the Ariane 6 and Vega C launch systems’ capabilities. This first proof-of-concept flight using the current Vega launch system will demonstrate and validate standard innovative services for light satellites. The SSMS dispenser with its modular design enables Vega to provide launch opportunities for light satellites with an overall mass ranging from 1 kg CubeSats up to 400 kg minisats with different alternative configurations and relevant combinations under a ‘rideshare’ concept. Potential customers, be they European public-sector organizations or other entities, are invited to respond to the joint ESA and European Commission Announcement of Opportunity, which can be downloaded together with its questionnaire, by 31 March. http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Vega_flight_opportunity_for_ multiple_small_satellites (including links for the application process due by March 31) [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Changes in AMSAT Keplerian Element Distribution The following five satellites/object numbers have been deleted: SATELLITE NORAD CAT ID REASON BY70-1 41909 Deorbit 2-18-2017 OBJECT 41930 41930 Not Amateur Sat-ISS Launch EGG 41933 Not Amateur Sat-ISS Launch OBJECT 41934 41934 Not Amateur Sat-ISS Launch TuPOD 41936 41936 Batteries Dead-ISS Launch Thanks to Nico Janssen for his work in predicting BY70-1's deorbit. As noted last week, Nayif-1 was launched with 103 other satellites on 2-15-2017. The cloud of satellites is beginning to spread and Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, has developed a TLE set that many on AMSAT-BB say is very accurate. I have included it in this week's distribution. Thanks again to a very busy Nico for his excellent work. Detailed doppler measurements show that Nayif 1 is object 42017, 2017-008BX. Keith Pugh, W5IU, suggested that I include Nayif-1 in the regular distribution so those using apps like PocketSat would be able to track it. Good idea Keith. (I have PocketSat myself!) [ANS thanks AMSAT's Keeper of the Keps Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- LUSAT LO-19 Calls Home On Feb-20 15:45z LUSAT LO-19 on Orbit 141493 had been heard with strong carrier on 437.125 ± Doppler. LUSAT had been in space last 27 years and still emits it's CW carrier un-modulated with 900 mW. Now and then the satellite comes alive, it is useful to test reception and demonstrate Doppler, check antennas, etc. Please try to listen, on http://amsat.innova-red.net/pass you will find an easy way to locate, receive, and thank you if reported. [ANS thanks Pedro, LU7ABF for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Expect More from Amateur BY70-1 Youth Space Program In announcing the end of a successful mission the students who built the amateur radio FM transponder satellite BY70-1 say “We hope more Amateur youth space program will be brought to you in the near future!” The 2U CubeSat BY70-1 was built by students from the Beijing Bayi High School and carried into a 524 x 212 km orbit on a CZ-2D rocket launched from the Taiyuan Space Launch Center on December 28, 2016. On February 17, 2017, as the satellite was about to burn up on its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, this end of mission statement was posted on the school’s website. Dear friends of BY70-1: Satellite BY70-1 has completed all designed missions. For the amateurs who completed 2-way QSO using the repeater onboard, received effective satellite telemetry, or obtained satellite camera photos, we would like to invite you sending connection data package (audio or video evidence), satellite telemetry data or photos received to Email: 6015(a)bayims.cn. So that we can keep statistics records and deliver our appreciation toward you in public. We would be pleased to exchange QSL card for QSO users, and some souvenirs for the telemetry or camera photos users. We hope more Amateur youth space program will be brought to you in the near future! E-mail Address: 6015 @bayims.cn Post Address: Mr Xiangming TAOBeijing Bayi School, 29# Suzhou Street, Haidian Dist, Beijing, China P.O. 100080 http://www.bayims.cn/article-16881.html BY70-1 FM transponder satellite https://amsat-uk.org/2016/12/27/by70-1-fm-transponder-satellite/ BY70-1 FM contact video https://amsat-uk.org/2016/12/30/by70-1-fm-transponder-contact/ See BY70-1 page on Roland PY4ZBZ website http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/by70.htm [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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 and Sunday, 11-12 March 2017 – ScienceCity in Tucson AZ *Saturday, 18 March 2017 – Scottsdale SpringFest in Scottsdale AZ *Friday through Sunday, 31 March–2 April 2017, NVCON in Las Vegas NV *Wednesday, 5 April 2007 – presentation for Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club in Scottsdale AZ *Friday and Saturday, 7-8 April 2017, Green Country Hamfest in Claremore OK *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 * Collège André Malraux, Chatelaillon-Plage, France, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign was scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut was Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful Mon 2017-02-13 14:00:35 UTC 67 deg. Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG answered 19 questions prepared by students for an audience 190 students and guests. HamTV downlinked Pesquet live throughout the entire contact thanks to British Amateur TV Club merging 2 HamTV ground stations’ received signals. The live-stream was seen by 230 of the general public via BATC connections. Watch a recording of the live-streamed HamTV downlink: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byp8JadKjPOmOUFCeDdZMFhSMm8/view?usp=shari… Watch France's national television's report at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7amhLMgA8&feature=em-upload_owner * John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN, direct via KØJDD The ISS callsign was scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut was Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Wed 2017-02-22 18:47:59 UTC 25 deg All 16 questions answered with a 73 round. Students, teachers and parents came to 900 individuals. One television station and four print media outlets were also in attendance. They reported full quieting for the entire pass. * Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign was scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut was Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful: Sat 2017-02-25 13:14:15 UTC 58 deg Successful contact between the 2 schools of Boissieres and Saint Dionisy with Thomas Pesquet. All 20 questions answered, clear audio all the way long (Normal and acceptable UHF noise at the beginning and at the end) Reported 350 people present in the gymnasium. Also success for the Ham video transmission through BATC, but also through the local Ham-Video Ground Station. Press and media presence: 1 national TV (BFM) -> scheduled broadcasted 2/25 2 Regional TVs (France 3), TV TV-Sud 1 Regional radio (France Bleu) Several Regional newspapers including Le Midi Libre Upcoming Contacts * 3rd Junior High School, Komotini, Greece, direct via SV7APQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD The contact will be rescheduled for a later date. * ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Space Odyssey Project, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, direct via RVØADW The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Andrei Borisenko Contact is a go for Sat 2017-02-25 08:36 UTC * ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Raduga Space Communication Center of St. Petersburg, Russia, direct via RA1AJN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Sergey Ryzhikov Contact is a go for Sun 2017-02-26 09:15 UTC * Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 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 2017-02-23 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 1116. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1080. 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 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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, Joe Spier, K6WAO k6wao at amsat dot org

1 0

Solid State conversion (tube equivalents)?
by Robert Bruninga 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

About 40 years ago, the topic of tube-to-FET conversions was popular for making 1-for-1 conversions of old tube stuff to solid state. Anyone feel good at doing this these days? Or am I just wallowing in nostalgia...? Today at a small hamfest, (40 tables only) there were at least 4 of the old high quality FREQ meters (9" cube boxes) that could give frequency accuracy to 0.01% anywhere from 125 KHz to 20 MHz. https://www.pa3esy.nl/military/us/meet/LM20/pics/LM20-front.jpg Going rate was about $10. What an absolutely astonishing piece of 1930 engineering when you open it up. , with 3 tubes. (6A7, 76 and a 77) I can do just about anything with bi-polar transistors... (my coming of age...) but I PRE-dated FET's which are good direct substitutes for tubes since they are both transconductance devices . There is an excellent 1969 QST article on doing tube conversions, but it assumes one already knows more about it than I do. And one of the tubes is a penta-grid tube which does oscillator and mixer all in one... http://www.qsl.net/kh6grt/page4/tubesters/MOSFETs%20for%20Tubes.pdf I would have thought that a solid state conversion of this simple 3 tube but very useful device would be out there somewhere... But haven't even found a schematic on line... Thought I'd ask before all the old fuds are gone... Bob, Wb4APR

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] Inmarsat & AVI's Satellite Data-Relay Service (and APRS)
by Robert Bruninga 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

> Interesting concept of GEO and LEO integration. > http://www.space.com/35801-satellite-data-relay-service-exit s-stealth-mode.html <http://www.space.com/35801-satellite-data-relay-service-exits-stealth-mode.…> For what it is worth, APRS is doing something somewhat similar (but the reverse) on Ham radio (and of course, free).... We have a Ham APRS channel on 3 GEO Inmarsat birds giving us outbound delivery everywhere on Earth with a simple raspberry pi receiver (except upper alaska) Then we use the 3 APRS LEO satellites to give the return channel to any ham anwyere on earth with his APRS handheld radio. A neat system, ... though, looking for an application .... as usuall ;-) See http://aprs.org/outnet.html Bob, WB4APR

1 0

Inmarsat & AVI's Satellite Data-Relay Service
by Joe Leikhim 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

Interesting concept of GEO and LEO integration. http://www.space.com/35801-satellite-data-relay-service-exits-stealth-mode.… -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

1 0

NAYIF-1 doppler.sqf file?
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

I need the doppler.sqf file for NAYIF-1 73 Bob W7LRD

2 1

Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

IMPORTANT UPDATE: THIS ARISS PRESS RELEASE SUPERSEDES THE INITIAL ONE SENT ON 2-24-2017 AT 03:48 UTC CORRECTION: THE DOWNLINK FREQUENCY WILL BE 437.525 MHZ INSTEAD OF 145.800 MHZ. An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France on 23 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:31 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F4HHV. The contact should be audible over France and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 437.525 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in French. We are two small schools in pretty twin villages in the South of France, Boissières and Saint-Dionisy. Enjoying very beautiful surroundings, we are located just 15 km from Nîmes and 40 km from Montpellier, in the Occitanie region, on the threshold of the Camargue wetlands and the Cevennes mountain range. Our villages are nestled at the foot of a hillside covered with evergreen oak trees, juniper bushes, thyme, "capitelles" (dry-stone cabins) and with a well-preserved "oppidum" (iron-age settlement) at its summit. >From the top, one can marvel at the splendid view over the plain of Vaunage (stretching between Caveirac and Calvisson), the Pic Saint Loup and the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon, and to the recognisable architecture of the Grande Motte (seaside town). On a clear day, one can even discern the peaks of Mont Lozère, Mont Aigoual and Mont Ventoux. Our two little schools, served by a single school-bus-run, work closely together within an inter-town educational grouping ("Regroupement Pédagogique Intercommunal") and maintain a privileged relationship with all of the children. The Boissières school welcomes 61 pupils from infants ("maternelle") to first grade ("Cours Préparatoire") - in three classes and the Saint-Dionisy school receives daily 73 children from second grade ("Cours Elémentaire 1re Année") up to fifth grade ("Cours Moyen 2e Année") - also in three classes. The pupils are delighted to work together on a common theme between the two schools. They are charmed by this wonderful project of being able to communicate with Thomas Pesquet from space. They have been carrying out lots of learning work and are making discoveries about astronomy, the International Space Station and communication. We can be sure that many are already dreaming of becoming the next Thomas Pesquet! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Est-ce qu'il fait nuit dans l'espace? 2. Qu'est-ce qui a été le plus difficile dans ta préparation? 3. Est-ce que la Terre est belle vue de l'espace? 4. A quoi as-tu pensé juste avant le décollage? 5. Est-ce que tu manges bien? 6. Tu réalises ton rêve. alors à quoi rêves-tu là-haut? 7. Est-ce que c'est bien d'être dans l'espace? 8. Un des plus beaux cadeaux de notre enfance serait que tu viennes nous voir : penses-tu pouvoir réaliser notre rêve? 9. Qu'as-tu fait pendant le trajet jusqu'à la station spatiale? 10. Est-ce difficile de vivre en apesanteur? 11. Est-ce qu'il pleut parfois? 12. Quelles émotions ressens-tu lorsque tu travailles à l'extérieur de l'ISS? 13. Avais-tu un sapin de Noël dans l'ISS? 14. Pourquoi fais-tu des expériences sur les végétaux dans l'ISS? 15. Y a-t-il des radiateurs dans l'ISS? 16. Est-ce qu'il y a de la vie dans l'espace? 17. Est-ce que tu peux manger glacé ou chaud? 18. Es-tu pressé de revenir sur Terre? 19. Comment es-tu habillé dans la station? 20. As-tu déjà vu passer une météorite par une fenêtre de l'ISS? Translated: 1. Is it dark in space? 2. What was the hardest thing in your training? 3. Is the Earth beautiful from space? 4. What did you think just before liftoff? 5. Do you eat well? 6. You fulfilled your dream...so what do you dream about up there? 7. Is it good to be in space? 8. The greatest gift of our childhood would be to have you visit us: do you think our dream might come true? 9. What did you do during the trip to the Space Station? 10. Is it difficult to live without gravity? 11. Does it rain sometimes? 12. What emotions do you feel when you work outside the ISS? 13. Did you have a Christmas tree in the ISS? 14. Why do you do experiments on plants in the ISS? 15. Are there heaters on the ISS? 16. Is there life out in space? 17. Can you eat cold or hot things? 18. Are you in a hurry to come back to Earth? 19. What do you wear in the station? 20. Have you already seen a meteorite from through the window of the ISS? 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

2 1

Accurate Nayif 1 TLE set
by Nico Janssen 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

All, While waiting for a TLE set for Nayif 1 from the JSpOC, I constructed a TLE set based on measurements on a number of passes since launch. This set is accurate to within 2 seconds and should remain accurate in the coming days. NAYIF 1 1 60000U 17008XX 17051.92295152 .00001762 00000-0 80428-4 0 9993 2 60000 97.5107 113.5513 0006476 260.5747 99.4743 15.22401676 842 This TLE set can also be downloaded here: http://hamsat1.home.xs4all.nl/NAYIF1.txt The actual frequency of the telemetry beacon of Nayif 1 is 145.9385 MHz. There is virtually no temperature drift on the beacon frequency. 73, Nico PA0DLO

5 5

NAYIF-1 TLE
by Wouter Weggelaar 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

Hi All, JSpOC has released a new set of TLEs, which now contains additional objects. Doppler and TCA measurements on several ground stations indicate the best fitting object is 2017-008-BX, catalog number 42017 Over the coming days, we will be checking the performance of this object, and we will be in touch with the other teams on this launch that have satellites that are close to this object. Happy tracking and thanks for all observations! Wouter PA3WEG

1 0

Nayif-1 Orbit Predictions on Data Warehouse
by David Johnson 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

Hi, With thanks to Chip, N2YO, we now have graphical orbit predictions for Nayif-1: http://data.amsat-uk.org/nayif1/satpos.html <http://data.amsat-uk.org/nayif1/satpos.html> 73 Dave, G4DPZ

1 0

K8BL --> EL28
by R.T.Liddy 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

SAT OPs, I'm attending an event south of Houston this weekendand am close enough to venture to EL28 for an activation. Not knowing the exact schedule for the event activities, I can't specify which passes I would be on. The best times appear to be for FO29 and SO50 early & late Saturday. 73/GL, Bob K8BL

1 0

Nayif-1 contact using 5 watts with eggbeaters
by Rick Walter 25 Feb '17

25 Feb '17

Thanks to Jeff, WB8RJY for providing the correct Doppler.SQF file for NAYIF-1 to me via email last night. Was hoping to work Jeff tonight. Worked Perry, WB8OTH instead. I am running a Kenwood TS-2000 X into a pair of eggbeaters with a pre-amp on the 70 cm side. Perry and I played with our output power and could work each other at 5 watts when the bird was near 10 degrees for me and below that for Perry. As reported already, a very strong signal with NO drift. I set the dial once with SatPC32 and did not touch it the rest of the pass. Sorry you were not on the bird Jeff. Hope to work you soon. Congrats to all on the Nayif-1 team. A great new satellite. #42017 is the correct keplerian elements for this bird. Thank you Nico. Rick - WB3CSY in FN10 -- Sent from Rick's gmail account

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Helical Antenna for 2-meters
by Edward R Cole 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

Dave, I've built helical beams, before. Latest was 6-turn feed for an offset feed dish to receive AO-40 on 2401 MHz. But back in 1996 I built a 14-turn 437 MHz helical beam to try to hear MGS at 10M km from Earth. Did not finish the 437 converter in time but did try out the helical beam on uplink and found it not near as good as my M2 436CP42UG (not surprisingly). I used flat brass strip to match 140 natural impedance of a helix to 50-ohms. The length was 1/4 wavelength and spacing from the ground plane reflector varied from direct connection to the flange-mount N-connector to about 3 times further at the connection to the starting turn of the helix. Easy to tune by varying that distance for best match. I think 2m is the lowest frequency I would make a helical beam. That 20-MHz monster that MIchael links to - well I think I would rather make a x-yagi (which would permit using either RHCP or LHCP). Most amateur Jupiter radio astronomers only use a crossed dipole antenna. 73, Ed - KL7UW Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:21:32 +0200 From: Michael Fletcher <oh2aue(a)kolumbus.fi> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Helical Antenna for 2-meters > I just did some calculations from the ARRL Antenna Handbook. > I came up with a 6-turn helical with a diameter of 25.826" and > a length of 121.65". My first thought was "whoa, dude, like OMG!" > (I'm a high school teacher, ok?) I rechecked my calculations and > came up with same, plus an impedance of 150 ohms. > > Years ago I used a Fritzel Helical for 2m when I was DA1BB and VP2EHF > (during Hurricane Luis in 1994 it ended up someplace out in the > Anagada Straights between Anguilla and Sombrero Island). > > What say, you all? Advice, comments welcomed > > 73 > Dave, N4CVX Nah Dave, that's not big, just a scaled down version of e.g. this one (for ~22 MHz, reception of Jovian storms, built by OH8PX, SK): http://www.rfshamaanit.fi/hf_helix_1.jpg Your impedance is about right too, but there are several neat ways of getting this matched to 50 ohms in a fairly broadband manner, easily googled. 73 Michael OH2AUE 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubususa(a)gmail.com

1 0

ARISS packet not head
by Richard Lawn 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

Just tried to digipeat with the ARISS station on a good pass here and nothing was heard. Are they possibly working on something and tool the station off line? Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

5 4

Nayif1 Warehouse Update
by David Johnson 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

Hi, For those that have been following the WOD you may have noticed that the PA Temperature has been displaying some strange numbers. These were an artefact of the data handling in the warehouse. Now fixed and were getting sensible data displayed. Many thanks as always to people who have been sending us data. It has been a great help in finding the problem. My apologies for some short outages over the past few days as I've been applying fixes. Now that we are storing sensible data I'll move on to generating csv files for download. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

1 0

TLE UP-Dater In Orbitron
by Joe 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

I have a question, In Orbiitron, I get when I start the program the pop-up that tells me to UP-Date the TLE's With a YES / NO set of buttons. Now someone a few weeks ago showed me with Teamviewer How to do this manually, and it has worked greatly ever since. But to do that I have to tell this pop-up "NO" and then do it manually. Thing is if I say "YES" it messes up the whole program, and takes a while to get the TLE's working correctly again. Any idea why this should be? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

2 2

KX9X/1 in FN34 - Vermont
by Sean K. 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

Hi all- Listen for KX9X/1 between 1800z today and 2200z tomorrow, as I am QRV on various sats from FN32, 33 and 34. Weather permitting, I'll be on FO29 Saturday on the 1400z and 1540z passes from FN34 in Vermont, giving a satellite demo from the HAM-CON convention. Listen for me around 435.830. FN34 is a new grid for me on the slow path to reverse VUCC, too. Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Helical Antenna for 2-meters
by Michael Fletcher 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

> I just did some calculations from the ARRL Antenna Handbook. > I came up with a 6-turn helical with a diameter of 25.826" and > a length of 121.65". My first thought was "whoa, dude, like OMG!" > (I'm a high school teacher, ok?) I rechecked my calculations and > came up with same, plus an impedance of 150 ohms. > > Years ago I used a Fritzel Helical for 2m when I was DA1BB and VP2EHF > (during Hurricane Luis in 1994 it ended up someplace out in the > Anagada Straights between Anguilla and Sombrero Island). > > What say, you all? Advice, comments welcomed > > 73 > Dave, N4CVX Nah Dave, that's not big, just a scaled down version of e.g. this one (for ~22 MHz, reception of Jovian storms, built by OH8PX, SK): http://www.rfshamaanit.fi/hf_helix_1.jpg Your impedance is about right too, but there are several neat ways of getting this matched to 50 ohms in a fairly broadband manner, easily googled. 73 Michael OH2AUE

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-24 09:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-24 09:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Space Odyssey Project, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, direct via RVØADW (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Andrei Borisenko (***) Contact is a go for Sat 2017-02-25 08:36 UTC (***) Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Sat 2017-02-25 13:14:15 UTC 58 deg (***) ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE, Raduga Space Communication Center of St. Petersburg, Russia, direct via RA1AJN (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Sergey Ryzhikov (***) Contact is a go for Sun 2017-02-26 09:15 UTC (***) Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 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 2017-02-24 09:00 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 1116. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1080. 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 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 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

spam to [email protected]
by Phil Karn 24 Feb '17

24 Feb '17

I've deleted my ka9q(a)amsat.org alias. It accounted for much of my incoming spam, and after I re-subscribed my AMSAT mailing lists to use my primary address karn(a)ka9q.net a few years ago, hardly anybody used it for legit non-spam emails. So if anyone wants to reach me, please use my primary address karn(a)ka9q.net. ka9q(a)amsat.org no longer works. A lot of us have accumulated many of these convenience aliases over the years. Many membership organizations (e.g., AMSAT, ARRL) provide them, as do universities to their alumni. You might look to see how much spam you get on the ones you're not using. (See amsat-bb discussion back in 2014 on this same topic.) 73, Phil

1 0

NO-84
by KO6TZ Bob 23 Feb '17

23 Feb '17

I have noticed that with "beacon B" it takes from 3-10 seconds of PSK31 on the up-link for the for the FM transmitter to turn on. It does not turn on immediately. That is why I always suggest never stop transmitting during the pass. Just select a different macro button as needed for the contact. KO6TZ Bob

1 0

Please Post To The BB
by Tom Jones 23 Feb '17

23 Feb '17

Folks Boy Scout Merit Badge. We will be working So50, Ao85 passes Saturday Feb 25 Morning. Please QSO with the boys. Regards Tom KC2DTQ@FN31, New York

2 1

NO-84
by skristof＠etczone.com 23 Feb '17

23 Feb '17

NO-84 seems to have its ears turned off for the few days. Anyone know what's happening there? Steve AI9IN

4 5

solar panels
by Nick Pugh 23 Feb '17

23 Feb '17

Hello List Spectra Labs discontinued producing the TASC solar cells. We are looking for alternative or teams that might have surplus cells. I have heard about company that sells left over cutting of cells. We appreciate any information you have regarding small cells. nick k5qxj

3 2

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 23 Feb '17

23 Feb '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN, direct via KØJDD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Wed 2017-02-22 18:47:59 UTC 25 deg (***) Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-02-23 08:31:45 UTC 48 deg Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 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 2017-02-23 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 1116. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1080. (***) 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 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 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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ARISS Contact Update
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

IMPORTANT ARISS UPDATE: Tomorrow's ARISS contact with Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissieres, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France for 08:31 UTC has been cancelled. The contact will be rescheduled for a later date. Dave, AA4KN ARISS PR --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Hackaday Article On Antennas For Martian Cubesats
by B J 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

http://hackaday.com/2017/02/22/interview-nacer-chahat-designs-antennae-for-… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Yagi Stacking,
by Joe 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

OK using this image as a reference, http://i67.tinypic.com/28mpzkh.jpg Ok the yagis are 8 elements on 2 meters and 21 elements on 70 cm. Similar boom lengths. Now when vertically polarized and stacked side by side as in the top picture how close can they get to each other before starting to mess with each other. Same thing in next image but horizontally polarized so above and below each other. Now if they are 90 deg in rotation IE: one is vertically polarized and the other horizontal, I'm thinking they could even be on the same boom correct? So that brings in the third drawing same antennas but at 45 deg to the horizon but 90 to each other, How close can they get without bugging the other? Now with the 45 deg angle thing, how much will a metal cross boom mess with them? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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Automated station
by Vincenzo Mone 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

Hi all, Is there anybody that does satellites in automatic with a Kenwood TS-2000X? I mean as all in unattended. Before I have used a Kenwood TS-790E with the Trakbox and the TS-790 was attached via the ACC1 port. Now the new TS-790 does not have anymore that port and do not know how to attach it or how to do to make all automated again. Any help will be really appreciated 73's de Enzo IK8OZV ************************************ ****** GSM +39 328 7244294 ***** ***** SMS +39 328 7244294 ***** ************************************

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-22 08:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-02-22 08:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN, direct via KØJDD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-02-22 18:47:59 UTC 25 deg Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-02-23 08:31:45 UTC 48 deg Ecole Albert Camus, Rueil-Malmaison, France, College Marcel Pagnol, Rueil-Malmaison, France, and Ecole “Robespierre B.”, Rueil-Malmaison, France, direct via F6KFA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 08:04:44 UTC 77 deg (***) Student Space Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, direct via AA4UT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-03-01 19:08:03 UTC 49 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 2017-02-22 08:00 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 1115. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1079. 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 2017-02-15 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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New nayif keps from Nico
by jeffory broughton 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

The set of keps posted by Nico are As perfect as perfect can be .did not Have to adjust my uplink frequency at all during the entire pass.The. bird is extremely stable on frequency. The Aos and Los Times were exactly when Satpc32 said they would be.The receiver is very sensitive ,and the transmitter is strong ! Tonight the footprint covered the entire continental U.S. jeff broughton

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France on 23 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:31 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F4HHV. 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. We are two small schools in pretty twin villages in the South of France, Boissières and Saint-Dionisy. Enjoying very beautiful surroundings, we are located just 15 km from Nîmes and 40 km from Montpellier, in the Occitanie region, on the threshold of the Camargue wetlands and the Cevennes mountain range. Our villages are nestled at the foot of a hillside covered with evergreen oak trees, juniper bushes, thyme, "capitelles" (dry-stone cabins) and with a well-preserved "oppidum" (iron-age settlement) at its summit. >From the top, one can marvel at the splendid view over the plain of Vaunage (stretching between Caveirac and Calvisson), the Pic Saint Loup and the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon, and to the recognisable architecture of the Grande Motte (seaside town). On a clear day, one can even discern the peaks of Mont Lozère, Mont Aigoual and Mont Ventoux. Our two little schools, served by a single school-bus-run, work closely together within an inter-town educational grouping ("Regroupement Pédagogique Intercommunal") and maintain a privileged relationship with all of the children. The Boissières school welcomes 61 pupils from infants ("maternelle") to first grade ("Cours Préparatoire") - in three classes and the Saint-Dionisy school receives daily 73 children from second grade ("Cours Elémentaire 1re Année") up to fifth grade ("Cours Moyen 2e Année") - also in three classes. The pupils are delighted to work together on a common theme between the two schools. They are charmed by this wonderful project of being able to communicate with Thomas Pesquet from space. They have been carrying out lots of learning work and are making discoveries about astronomy, the International Space Station and communication. We can be sure that many are already dreaming of becoming the next Thomas Pesquet! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Est-ce qu'il fait nuit dans l'espace? 2. Qu'est-ce qui a été le plus difficile dans ta préparation? 3. Est-ce que la Terre est belle vue de l'espace? 4. A quoi as-tu pensé juste avant le décollage? 5. Est-ce que tu manges bien? 6. Tu réalises ton rêve. alors à quoi rêves-tu là-haut? 7. Est-ce que c'est bien d'être dans l'espace? 8. Un des plus beaux cadeaux de notre enfance serait que tu viennes nous voir : penses-tu pouvoir réaliser notre rêve? 9. Qu'as-tu fait pendant le trajet jusqu'à la station spatiale? 10. Est-ce difficile de vivre en apesanteur? 11. Est-ce qu'il pleut parfois? 12. Quelles émotions ressens-tu lorsque tu travailles à l'extérieur de l'ISS? 13. Avais-tu un sapin de Noël dans l'ISS? 14. Pourquoi fais-tu des expériences sur les végétaux dans l'ISS? 15. Y a-t-il des radiateurs dans l'ISS? 16. Est-ce qu'il y a de la vie dans l'espace? 17. Est-ce que tu peux manger glacé ou chaud? 18. Es-tu pressé de revenir sur Terre? 19. Comment es-tu habillé dans la station? 20. As-tu déjà vu passer une météorite par une fenêtre de l'ISS? Translated: 1. Is it dark in space? 2. What was the hardest thing in your training? 3. Is the Earth beautiful from space? 4. What did you think just before liftoff? 5. Do you eat well? 6. You fulfilled your dream...so what do you dream about up there? 7. Is it good to be in space? 8. The greatest gift of our childhood would be to have you visit us: do you think our dream might come true? 9. What did you do during the trip to the Space Station? 10. Is it difficult to live without gravity? 11. Does it rain sometimes? 12. What emotions do you feel when you work outside the ISS? 13. Did you have a Christmas tree in the ISS? 14. Why do you do experiments on plants in the ISS? 15. Are there heaters on the ISS? 16. Is there life out in space? 17. Can you eat cold or hot things? 18. Are you in a hurry to come back to Earth? 19. What do you wear in the station? 20. Have you already seen a meteorite from through the window of the ISS? 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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Returning to the Birds, need SatPC32 Files [ ANOTHER REQUEST ]
by Les Rayburn 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

I need to second Mike Thompson’s request. After an absence of over a year from the birds, I’d love to get back on but time is at a minimum. I’d love to simply be able to update SatPC32 and be ready to go with the new crop of satellites. I’m running an Icom IC-910 and SatPC32. Fixed elevation, so just a simple azimuth rotor on this end. Pre-amps on the antennas, switched from the rig. It worked well before, hopefully it will again. If someone can help, I know I’d appreciate (and so would Mike!) 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL EM63nf From: Mike Thompson <zryder94(a)gmail.com <mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Returning to the Birds, need SatPC32 files Date: February 21, 2017 at 6:18:27 PM CST To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]> A while back when I was somewhat active on satellites, I found a few of the frequencies in SatPC32 were slightly off, needing a little adjustment here and there. In an effort to get up and running as smoothly as possible, I would like to know if anyone can share their files to enable me to get up and running with the most recent crop of birds. Specifically looking for Doppler, satfiles, subtone, amsatnames, and celestrak files. Thanks everyone!

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Fwd: NO-84 spin rate
by mbdittmar＠comcast.net 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

Hi Bob- I've been watching many of the passes of NO-84 this last month. I didn't realize that its high spin rate may be some of the issues I'm having with it. I basically can't get reasonably consistent reception long enough to possibly complete a QSO ! I've been able to copy my own downlink OK at times and using DopplerPSK with no issue. And I have copied your call a number of times. Does NO-84 go into a "low-power" mode when it is in eclipse ? My antenna is limited to an "Alaskan Arrow" which is rotor mounted on my roof and tracks the satellite. Using an IC9100 and an inverted L for the uplink antenna. Hopefully condx will improve, as this is a very interesting satellite ! Someday perhaps we can have a regular QSO on NO-84 - 73 Mark AB0CW ----- Original Message ----- From: "KO6TZ Bob" <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 6:58:21 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] NO-84 spin rate It looks like the spin rate of NO-84 has slowed down to where it is somewhat easier to copy the PSK-31 signals. Now only if 10 meters conditions improved a bit more, things could return to the "good ol'e days". Recently I have seen / worked a couple of new calls on the satellite. I would like to welcome WB9SBD and AB0CW to my NO-84 PSAT log book, joining the regulars, WN9M and KC9ELU. KO6TZ BOB _______________________________________________ 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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NO-84 spin rate
by KO6TZ Bob 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

It looks like the spin rate of NO-84 has slowed down to where it is somewhat easier to copy the PSK-31 signals. Now only if 10 meters conditions improved a bit more, things could return to the "good ol'e days". Recently I have seen / worked a couple of new calls on the satellite. I would like to welcome WB9SBD and AB0CW to my NO-84 PSAT log book, joining the regulars, WN9M and KC9ELU. KO6TZ BOB

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Returning to the Birds, need SatPC32 files
by Mike Thompson 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

A while back when I was somewhat active on satellites, I found a few of the frequencies in SatPC32 were slightly off, needing a little adjustment here and there. In an effort to get up and running as smoothly as possible, I would like to know if anyone can share their files to enable me to get up and running with the most recent crop of birds. Specifically looking for Doppler, satfiles, subtone, amsatnames, and celestrak files. Thanks everyone!

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Re: [amsat-bb] HRD Track Error
by Joe 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Here is the error, http://i68.tinypic.com/t9fode.jpg Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 2/21/2017 10:56 AM, Daniel Cussen wrote: > I know nothing about HRD. Send it to everyone! > > On 21/02/2017, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> wrote: >> Ok, here is the image of the error, >> >> http://i68.tinypic.com/t9fode.jpg >> >> Joe WB9SBD >> Sig >> The Original Rolling Ball Clock >> Idle Tyme >> Idle-Tyme.com >> http://www.idle-tyme.com >> On 2/21/2017 6:20 AM, Daniel Cussen wrote: >>> attachments are automatically removed from amsat bb. Describe the >>> error better or link to an image stored on a website or dropbox etc. >>> >>> On 20/02/2017, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> wrote: >>>> Greetings. >>>> >>>> I have a question I'm using as one of my prediction programs HRD Sat >>>> rack. t has worked flawlessly every time I run it. BUT.... And there >>>> always seems to be a BUT isn't there? >>>> >>>> When starting it gives this error box popup every time. I tell it "OK", >>>> it goes away and all is fine. Just wondering what the error is about >>>> and what can be done o fix it, >>>> >>>> Here is the error >>>> >>>> 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 >>>> >>> >> > >

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] Automated reception of AO-73, UKUBE-1 & Nayif-1?
by Graham Shirville 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Hi Dave, The situation is as follows: All Dashboards will track and decode tlm from any of FUNcube-1, UKube and Nayif1. They will also, without the operator having to take any particular action, upload that data correctly to the data warehouses and these uploads will be correctly recorded on the "Upload Ranking" tab. The use of the "wrong" Dashboard when uploading data to the Warehouse causes the no problems:) Although the FUNcube dashboard will display data from the other two spacecraft, and vice versa, much of the data is invalid as the tlm sequences and some of the formats are different between the various spacecraft. We are presently working on two Dashboard upgrades: A) creating a "Display the tlm ONLY from the satellite specific to the particular Dashboard in use" tickbox to select. This will mean that, for instance, the FUNcube-1 dashboard will not display or store Nayif-1 data. This will ensure that all the graphs etc only relate to FUNcube-1. Again thsi would not stop the software decoding tlm from one of the other spacecraft and forwarding it to the Data Warehouse. B) creating a single Dashboard which combines all the existing ones into one "unified" version. We cannot at this time confirm when either of these "upgrades" will be available but we appreciate their importance..... Thanks for all your support 73 Graham G3VZV -----Original Message----- From: Dave Remnant Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 10:57 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Automated reception of AO-73, UKUBE-1 & Nayif-1? Did I read somewhere that all 3 birds, AO-73, UKUBE-1 & Nayif-1 can be decoded on the same dashboard software and the uploads will route themselves correctly? I have to leave my station automated & at present it's either AO-73 & UKUBE-1 (using the same dashboard) or Nayif-1 on its own dashboard. I want to support all 3 birds with telemetry reception & upload but don't want to "dump" incorrect data on the wrong server. Can anyone please clarify the situation & if there is any workaround if a common dashboard can't be used. I use a FCD & SatPC32. Thanks Dave (M0SAT) _______________________________________________ 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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Automated reception of AO-73, UKUBE-1 & Nayif-1?
by Dave Remnant 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Did I read somewhere that all 3 birds, AO-73, UKUBE-1 & Nayif-1 can be decoded on the same dashboard software and the uploads will route themselves correctly? I have to leave my station automated & at present it's either AO-73 & UKUBE-1 (using the same dashboard) or Nayif-1 on its own dashboard. I want to support all 3 birds with telemetry reception & upload but don't want to "dump" incorrect data on the wrong server. Can anyone please clarify the situation & if there is any workaround if a common dashboard can't be used. I use a FCD & SatPC32. Thanks Dave (M0SAT)

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Nayif-1 Keps
by Graham Shirville 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Hi All, Whilst we still do not have any keps for Nayif-1, the Celestrak database is showing numbers for object 2017-008F. These are being updated regularly by JPsOC and checks using the doppler facility in the Dashboard suggest that Nayif-1 is currently approximately 90 secs AHEAD of this tracked object. Nayif-1 is currently still operating nominally and switches between amateur/educational modes when entering/leaving eclipse. The ADCS/iMTQ system is not presently active. The telemetry indicates that all is well on board. The Data Warehouse has the latest telemetry and also shows Whole Orbit and High Res data. http://data.amsat-uk.org/nayif1/index Thanks for all the contributions. 73 Graham G3VZV

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Rotor wire
by Keith McDonnell 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

I too use sprinkler wire. I've had the same wire outside for 12 years now and it's in great condition. And it cost me about 75% less than rotor wire.

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Re: [amsat-bb] Antennas
by Joe 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Any good suggestions for cheap 8 conductor rotor cable? I'm gonna use two of the alliance U-110 rotors, and they are 4 conductor rotors. soooo, need 8. Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 2/19/2017 6:34 PM, Wendy and Terry Osborne wrote: > Hi Joe, > > Vertical works fine but man made noise is mostly vertically polarised > so you will get a bit more of that. > With horizontal, you have more problems with ground reflection so you > get more fading. > > Depending on how big your metal cross boom is you will have no > problems on 2M. > On 70CMs the metal boom upsets the gain/radiation pattern. I tried > this with a 2"" cross boom and it didn't > work well at all. A shorter yagi, end mounted worked much better. > > 73, > Terry ZL2BAC > > -----Original Message----- From: Joe > Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 6:05 AM > To: amsat-bb > Subject: [amsat-bb] Antennas > > Weather is nice, > Time to put up antennas. > > Now I know most like to go CP, But I'm on a limited budget. So it will > need to be a traditional linearly polarity yagi, > > Of course I can mount them vertically or horizontally polarized. > And if it was just one band, is there ny preference to vert or horiz? > > I don't see any, except from the man made noise issue when on low > elevations. > > is there any best polarity? > > I'm planning on a side by side 2 meter and 70 cm set up > 2 meter vertically polarized on one end of a cros boom, and the same on > the other side but 70 cm. > > This way I can get away with using a metal cross boom. > > Thoughts? > > Joe WB9SBD

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Heil Traveler Dual Headset
by Clayton Coleman 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

I'm selling a Heil Traveler (Dual) Headset excess to my needsl. The PTT button's letters are worn off but the unit is otherwise functional with up/down buttons. Included is the Yaesu RG-45 modular adapter (817/857) and a Kenwood HT adapter. $65 shipped continental US via Priority Mail. Payment method PayPal. Reply off-list if interested. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT.org Down
by Richard Tejera 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

Thanks for the update, that explains why I can't update my keps. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On February 20, 2017, at 17:37, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)amsat.org> wrote: The AMSAT website and all services hosted at amsat.org appear to be down at the moment. Services will be restored as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Secretary Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT-NA) _______________________________________________ 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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AMSAT.org Down
by Paul Stoetzer 21 Feb '17

21 Feb '17

The AMSAT website and all services hosted at amsat.org appear to be down at the moment. Services will be restored as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Secretary Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT-NA)

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(no subject)
by Frank Staffa Jr. 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Well, after careful consideration I went with the Advanced Ar2 High Performance 160w mast mount 70cm preamp. Maybe down the road I can get the sister 2m preamp, but for now hopefully Ill be able to hear FO29 and other sats with a 70cm downlink. Thanks everyone for all your emails and advice! De KB2CWN Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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RigExpert AA-600
by Paul Andrews 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Before I list my RigExpert AA-600 Antenna Analyzer on eBay, I can offer it to my Amatuer Satellite friends. This is a really nice analyzer for 2M / 70cm antennas. Available for next day shipping. Please contact me off list. 73 - Paul - W2HRO

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Berry Islands Bahamas Satellite Activation + Geo Es'hail-2
by M5AKA 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

SpaceX launch ham radio transceiver to ISS https://amsat-uk.org/2017/02/20/spacex-launch-ham-radio-transceiver-to-iss/ NASA to launch two more CubeSats with transponders https://amsat-uk.org/2017/02/20/nasa-more-transponder-cubesats/ Ham radio satellite activation of Berry Islands, Bahamas https://amsat-uk.org/2017/02/18/berry-islands-bahamas/ Expect more from Amateur Youth Space Program https://amsat-uk.org/2017/02/17/amateur-youth-space-program/ Es'hail-2 geostationary satellite carrying Amateur Radio transponders expected to launch 2018 https://www.eshailsat.qa/en/satellites/index/#tab-16 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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HRD Track Error
by Joe 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Greetings. I have a question I'm using as one of my prediction programs HRD Sat rack. t has worked flawlessly every time I run it. BUT.... And there always seems to be a BUT isn't there? When starting it gives this error box popup every time. I tell it "OK", it goes away and all is fine. Just wondering what the error is about and what can be done o fix it, Here is the error Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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Upcoming ARISS contact with John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN on 22 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:48 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and K0JDD. The contact should be audible over the middle U.S. 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. An astronaut on the International Space Station looks back at Earth and sees the beauty and diversity of life. They imagine humans of all colors and creeds finding common ground and getting ready for tomorrow. Our school mirrors that ideal in microcosm. Our school is in North America, in the United States, with latitude of 44° N. John Glenn Middle School is proud to stand in Maplewood, Minnesota ever since it opened in 1962. Generations of citizens have been educated within our walls. Today, parents and grandparents come to conferences to support their student and fondly say, "I remember this classroom." The neighborhoods have grown but the family ties remain the same. Our students have come together from different nations, cultures, and personal histories. They speak approximately 35 different languages. They find faith in many different religions. Some of us are temporarily out of our homes. Some of our families are hurting financially. Thankfully, all of us have the chance for a bright future. Our principal, Jill Miklausich, guides us to collaborate in learning and problem solving. She encourages us to band together and reach for the stars. Together our students of all colors and creeds, face adversity, and get ready for tomorrow. Our school embraces the fearless sense of adventure made famous by our namesake, Colonel John Glenn. When we make the call to the International Space Station please know that our hearts and minds are filled with excitement and infinite possibilities. At John Glenn, we celebrate life! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How do you handle an acute illness like one that needs an operation or immediate help? 2. What do you do in your free time if you have any? 3. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally fit for duty? 4. What are the difficulties when it comes to being clean, eating food, and engineering in space? 5. How important is team work to the mission of the ISS crew? 6. What is your favorite piece of research you have done and how is it impacting our future? 7. When you go up in space, do you feel the loss of home or when you come back, do you miss sleeping under the thousand stars? 8. How does the International Space Station benefit humanity? 9. Can people with disabilities go in space? 10. What happens if the space station breaks down? 11. Do you have any games or electronics you use? 12. Where could WiFi be in space and cellular connection for phones? 13. What is the best thing you've seen in space? 14. What was going through your mind during your first orbit? 15. Have you made any cool or new discoveries on the ISS? 16. How do you send written messages from Earth to the ISS? 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. Ecole primaire Elie Desplan, Boissières, France and Marie Castang, Saint Dionisy, France, direct via F4HHV The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-02-23 08:31 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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M2 - 2MCP22 and 436CP42UG - Available
by Paul Andrews 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Satellite Antennas for Sale - New and Assembled or Disassembled. Ready for local pickup or I can deliver within 100 miles. M2 - 2MCP22, 144-148 MHz, Circular Polarization M2 - 436CP42UG, 420-440 MHz, Circular Polarization 73 - Paul - W2HRO

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LO-87
by LU2DPW Juan Carlos 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Luciano muy bien escuchado, pero no escucho mi portadora, lo lamento tengo que mejorar mi antena!!!! Te paso el audio. 73 de JC

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NAYIF-1 TLEs
by Wouter Weggelaar 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

Hi All, The post-launch TLEs for NAYIF-1 are starting to become out-of date. We have produced a new set of unofficial TLEs that take into account the new AOS / TCA / LOS timings. Please however note that the post-launch TLEs do not contain the correct constants to make this TLE reliable in the long run. The only object that comes close in the recent TLEs from JSpOC is the 2017-008F object, but note that we are still missing a lot of objects. They are working round the clock to map and catalog all remaining objects, but 104 satellites presents a challenge. We are in contact with JSpOC about this and are doing our best to help them match up objects. For now, the unofficial ones are: NAYIF-corrected 1 17003U 17002A 17046.17714120 0.00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994 2 17003 97.5521 107.5843 0004848 278.6481 296.8511 15.21991390 02 and 2017-008F-corrected 1 17004U 17008F 17050.08273148 .00155491 00000-0 65272-2 0 9998 2 17004 97.5078 111.7095 0000538 25.3680 334.7132 15.22769132 566 And we welcome any observations with regard to which one you used and how much it was off. I would think the 2017-008F variant will work better in the long run, but we will have to see. 73 Wouter PA3WEG

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(no subject)
by Dale Kubichek 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

These are very good devices (lil pricey), but an issue I found is they do not sell the shack-coax-end 'voltage input/isolation' box/device to power these via coax. Just like I'd like to find a solid low-loss on-mast two-position-coax-switch to be controlled via ~12VDC from the shack coax. Making changing CP or Vet/Horz easy with only one coax feed. I want them for 2m/70cm/1.2G. MFJ has one but it's not rated for >150MHz. Best regards, Dale Kubichek, MS-EET, N6JSX Sidney, OH 45365 EN70vh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HAM-SATs http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDF-USA Message: 2 Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2017 20:34:38 -0500 From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> To: "kb2cwn(a)yahoo.com" <kb2cwn(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Advanced Receiver Research has the most cost effective mast-mounted RF switched preamps. http://advancedreceiver.com/page10.html SSB Electronics' line of preamps might be better, but are more expensive. http://www.ssbusa.com/NEWSSBPREAMPS.html 73, Paul, N8HM

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Preamps
by Fred Castello 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

Message: 1 Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2017 01:29:59 +0000 (UTC) From: "Frank Staffa Jr." <kb2cwn(a)yahoo.com <mailto:[email protected]>> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] (no subject) Message-ID: <481922136.333610.1487467799948(a)mail.yahoo.com <mailto:[email protected]>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Well, I have spent a good portion of the day trying to find preamps for my M2 leopack. I read that at the very least putting one on the 70cm antenna will help a lot with the receive. But, I just can not find any. Most of the names I came across must have went out of business because their website are no longer in existence. ?Any suggestions out their from you season operators out there? The ones that I got last post I couldn't find.?Thanks Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Feb 17, 2017 at 3:17 PM, Frank Staffa Jr.<kb2cwn(a)yahoo.com <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hello everyone. I just purchased a M2 leopack antenna system and I was reading about different coax cables to use for low loss. Since I am mounting the antenna only about 10 feet off the ground, 50 foot will be enough to go into the shack. I wanted to purchase RG8x but read that the best way to go is with LMR400. What I dislike about it is that its much wider and very stiff, and will make it difficult around bends. I also have the Az/alt rotator which I will have to loop each antenna to have enough for turns. Any other suggestions out there for an alternative to LMR-400?Thanks?Frank KB2CWN? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android Frank, I went through the same thing you did. I am running a Kenwood TS-790 (so about 30 watts max) and have about 100 feet of feedline so I need preamps on both 2 meters and 70 cms. I looked and the recommendations you have already received are great but I ended up going with these: http://vhfdesign.com/en/category/lna <http://vhfdesign.com/en/category/lna> I found that they were less expensive that some of the others and they would handle my power requirements. They have RF protection but I think most folks would say that you still might need to use a sequencer or just an on/off switch depending on the band you are receiving on (that is the mechanism I went with- I just switch the transmit band preamp off (thus it is bypassed) using a simple switch in the shack). They would probably be fine for FM but for SSB it is not worth taking the chance (I switch them religiously). You could also use the simple sequencer they sell. That is my next project. I have been very pleased with them but have only had them in place for a few days. The company was very responsive to my questions via email and I was a bit of a pain when I bought them because they appear to be a new(ish) company. Good luck and have fun! Fred - KF4FC

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Antennas
by Joe 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

Weather is nice, Time to put up antennas. Now I know most like to go CP, But I'm on a limited budget. So it will need to be a traditional linearly polarity yagi, Of course I can mount them vertically or horizontally polarized. And if it was just one band, is there ny preference to vert or horiz? I don't see any, except from the man made noise issue when on low elevations. is there any best polarity? I'm planning on a side by side 2 meter and 70 cm set up 2 meter vertically polarized on one end of a cros boom, and the same on the other side but 70 cm. This way I can get away with using a metal cross boom. Thoughts? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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ARISS Equipment on SpaceX Launch
by KA3HDO 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

All, Included as part of today's successful launch of the SpaceX Dragon vehicle to ISS is an ARISS Ericsson 2 meter VHF radio. This radio will replace the Ericsson radio that failed a few months ago. The VHF radio is used for school group contacts and amateur packet radio in the Columbus module. Once the Dragon vehicle is berthed to ISS, the Ericsson will be unstowed and, at some point, installed in Columbus, replacing the UHF radio that is now supporting APRS packet and some school contacts. Our thanks to SpaceX on an outstanding and historic flight from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, where many Space Shuttle missions and nearly all the Apollo moon missions were launched. We also would like to thank our ARISS benefactors-NASA and CASIS, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. And, of course, our amateur radio long-time sponsors-our national amateur radio organizations around the world, including the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) in the US, and our international AMSAT organizations, including AMSAT-NA. Before closing, I want to let you know that ARISS is making great progress on the development of the new interoperable radio system that we hope to use to replace our aging radio infrastructure in the Columbus module and the Service module. The hard (and expensive) part of this effort is just beginning, with testing and human certification on the horizon. We thank all that have donated to the cause thus far. We hope you continue to help ARISS move forward through your support, including your volunteer time and talent and, of course, financial contributions through the AMSAT web site donate button. 73 es Ad Astra! Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chair AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs

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FUNcube and Nayif Data Warehouse Integration
by David Johnson 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

Hi, We are doing some work to integrate the registration on the FC warehouse with the Nayif database, please bear with if you find that the FC warehouse in unavailable for short periods. The Dashboards will back off until they get the connection again and no data updates will be lost. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

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