- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

PCSAT32 + LVB tracker.
by Jeff 23 Jan '17

23 Jan '17

Hi Tom. LVB with SatPC32 uses the Yaesu_GS-232 as a rotor interface/controller selection as the LVB uses the Yaesu command format... 73 Jeff kb2m -----Original Message----- From: Tom Lubbers K8TL Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2017 2:29 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] PCSAT32 + LVB tracker. After many successful orbits I'm retiring my Trak Boxes. While looking at PCSATs interface choices I notice the LVB tracker isn't included. Which one should I use? Tom K8TL k8tl(a)earthlink.net _______________________________________________ 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

PCSAT32 + LVB tracker.
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 22 Jan '17

22 Jan '17

After many successful orbits I'm retiring my Trak Boxes. While looking at PCSATs interface choices I notice the LVB tracker isn't included. Which one should I use? Tom K8TL k8tl(a)earthlink.net

2 1

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-22 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Jan '17

22 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-22 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: South Street School, Danbury CT, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-01-27 19:50:18 UTC 72 deg Swiss Space Center – EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-01-26 11:06:29 UTC 53 deg **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. 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 2017-01-22 06:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1109. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1073. 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 2017-01-17 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

1 0

ANS-022 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 22 Jan '17

22 Jan '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-022 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: * Reno, Nevada to Host 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium Oct 27-29 * Diwata 2's payload includes amateur radio * AMSAT News From South Africa * JAMSAT Symposium in Kyoto on 11-12 March, Presenters Requested. * Kenwood features ARISS in February 2017 Two Page QST Ad * AMSAT Phase 4 Weekly Engineering Report * US Naval Academy HFsat Receives IARU Frequency Coordination * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.01 ANS-022 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. January 22, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-022.01 Reno, Nevada to Host 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium Oct 27-29 AMSAT NA announces that the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday through Sunday, Oct 27, 28, 29, 2017 in Reno, Nevada. Location will be at the Silver Legacy Resort , 407 N Virginia Street, in Downtown, Reno. The Silver Legacy is a 4 star Resort/Hotel/Casino which is an iconic 42-story hotel with its massive round dome and spires centered in downtown. The Silver Legacy is typically lit green at night and is referred to by many as the "Emerald City" of Reno. In support of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, the Silver Legacy will sometimes turn blue. Some of the perks include * Free parking for attendees. * Free transportation to and from the airport (10 minutes shuttle ride). * Complimentary WiFi. * The Silver Legacy has 8 restaurants and 8 different retail shops. * Large selection of additional restaurants and casinos (El Dorado, Circus Circus, and the rest of downtown Reno) are in close proximity and within walking distance. * Multiple alternate activities and attractions are in the Reno area. Nevada Museum Of Modern Art National Automobile Museum Fleischmann Planetarium (UNR Campus) National Bowling Stadium * If you are staying longer in the Reno area, there are several other points of interest close by, including Virginia City and Lake Tahoe. 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting The annual AMSAT Space Symposium features: * Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations * Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World * Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members * Opportunities to Meet Board Members and Officers * AMSAT-NA Annual General Membership Meeting * Auction, Annual Banquet, Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes !! Several members from The Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society (SNARS) as well as many other local radio amateurs will be participating in helping with this event. Additional information about the 2017 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the AMSAT web site, www.amsat.org as it becomes available. [ANS thanks Joe Spier, K6WAO, Frank Kostelac, N7ZEV, Linda Kostelac, KC7IIT, and the AMSAT-NA Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Diwata 2's payload includes amateur radio THE whole world is again set to witness come 2018 a third-world country launching into space another microsatellite -- this time with an amateur or ham radio included in the payload. An amateur radio is a communication technology that allows its operators to talk or send messages to other people, especially first responders, planners and government agencies whose own communications have been knocked out, in time of disasters and emergencies. Diwata 2 -- the Philippines' second microsatellite that is currently being developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Hokkaido University, and Tohoku University in Japan -- has this technology, along with a telescope and cameras. Its predecessor, the Diwata 1, was launched into orbit last April 2016 and has been sending pictures to DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Asti); the latest photo posted on PHL-Microsat Program's website shows the swollen Pinacanauan River, as well as agricultural areas damaged by flood after Tropical Cyclone Lawin (Haima) made landfall in Peñablanca, Cagayan on October 19, 2016. The PHL-Microsat said that as of January 13, the "Diwata 1 has circled the world approximately 4,083 times, taking images not just of the Philippines but also of other parts of the Earth." "We will download the images every time the Diwata 1 passes by the Philippines," said Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano Jr., program leader of PHL-Microsat and acting director of DOST-Asti, in an interview with SunStar. As to the amateur radio included in the payload of Diwata 2, Marciano said it is a very important feature of the second microsatellite, especially that the country is prone to natural disasters and calamities. "So when the satellite passes over in time of disaster, you can get a ham radio and send messages to another person in other areas in the country, and even give updates on evacuation using ham radio," he told fellows of the 20th Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop held in UP Diliman last November 2016. The Philippines has more than a thousand amateur radio operators nationwide. Most of them are members of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association. Aside from the amateur radio, Diwata 2 has a Spaceborne Multispectral Imager (SMI) with liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) for environmental monitoring; high precision telescope (HPT) for rapid post-disaster assessment; and enhanced resolution cameras (instead of wide and middle field cameras used in Diwata 1). "Medium and wide cameras will be replaced by enhanced resolution cameras but there will still be the HPT and SMI with LCTF... Three cameras, plus an amateur radio as part of the payload," Marciano told SunStar. He said 11 Filipino scholars are working on the Diwata 2. "Mas dumami pa, because we now have 11 scholars. They are in Japan, working with the two universities (Hokkaido and Tohoku)," said Marciano. There were only nine Filipino scholars who assembled the Diwata 1. "They are considered as scholars because they are under the DOST scholarships, and building the microsatellites is part of their studies," added Marciano. He said that at present, they are working on the engineering model. "We are now in the design phase. We are working on the blocks. They are being done here locally and they will be tested in Japan." The DOST targets to launch the Diwata 2 in the first half of 2018, but Marciano said the launching will also depend on the availability of the launching facility. "The target overall for the completion of the flight model is in December 2017," he said. Except for the amateur radio and enhanced resolution cameras, Diwata 2 will hover 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface just like Diwata 1. It also weighs 50 kilograms, the size of a room air conditioner. "The characteristics are the same. There will be chances na mag-abot sila doon, which is an advantage to us since it will mean that we can generate more images from them... The idea is they should be operated on the same constellation. They have to communicate with other satellites to provide us better images," said Marciano. He explained that the country's microsatellites are not geostationary satellites, which have an altitude of 39,000 kilometers and are more expensive. "Diwata 2 only has 400 to 600 kilometers altitude," he said, adding that because it is a microsatellite, it is only considered a secondary payload. "Parang nakikiangkas lang tayo sa paglaunch (We are just hitching a ride), because it is very expensive to launch big satellites. You have to pay for the rocket," he told the Lopez Jaena journalism workshop fellows. He also said in November that the challenge of Diwata satellites' orbit is they can only take images of a certain location if they passes by it. "Diwata 1 passes every day, but it passes in different places, so there's a challenge of being in the right place at the right time," said Marciano. Asked about the possibility of a launching failure, Dr. Marc Caesar Talampas, project leader in-charge of the microsatellite BUS development, said in a follow-up interview: "They undergo rigorous testing before they will be launched into space. There is vibration test, radiation testing, etc. We have to comply with all the specifications." "The failure is more on not responding, not on the launching. But so far, based on our experience with Diwata 1, the communication has been positive," added Marciano. The government has allotted P2 billion per year for DOST's space technology program. This is on top of the P840 million that was already invested for the PHL-Microsat program. "There's an increase in the availability of funding for research in space technology... In 2018, we will come up with a new (budget) proposal,"Marciano said. [ANS thanks LAUREEN MONDOÑEDO-YNOT and SunStar Philippines for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT News From South Africa ** Turn your laptop into a 24 MHz to 1,7 GHz receiver. AMSAT SA is holding a half-day SDR Workshop in association with the South African Radio League at the NARC on 18 February 2017. This is a hands-on workshop where participants will install a VHF/UHF RTL dongle and programme it to become a VHF/UHF receiver covering 24 MHz to 1,7 GHz. Anton Janovsky, ZR6AIC, and Cor Rademeyer, ZS6CR, will present the Workshop. The Workshop fee includes the RTL dongle and a memory stick with all the required software as well as light refreshments. Register before 11 February 2017, all the details and registration form are available on www.amsatsa.org.za. Book early to avoid disappointment. ** The 2017 AMSAT SA Space Conference will be held on Saturday 20 May 2017 in Pretoria. This is the first call for paper proposals. The theme of the conference is "Conquering Space as an educational pastime." Proposals for papers should include a brief synopsis of the proposed paper. The closing date for proposals is 31 January 2017. Authors will be notified of acceptance of their paper by 15 February 2017. More details on www.amsatsa.org.za [ANS thanks the SARL weekly news in English 2017-1-7 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMSAT Symposium in Kyoto on 11-12 March, Presenters Requested. Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP, JAMSAT announces "We are going to held our AGM and JAMSAT Symposium in Kyoto next March. "I hope to have some attendance from AMSAT-NA, even via Skype. We hope to hear some update of activities in US." The meeting will be held at: http://hotel-binario.jp/en/ The Hotel Binario Saga Arashiyama is located in the beautiful Arashiyama district of Kyoto and is perfect for sightseeing. Date and Time of Symposium: 14:30-17:30JST(05:30-08:30UTC) March 11(Sat) 09:00-13:00JST(00:00-04:00UTC) March 12(Sun) If anyone has an opportunity to join and present, please let Mikio know the appropriate time of your availability. He will keep the time slot for your presentation. Mikio can be contacted via JBH02173 (at) nifty.com] [ANS thanks Mikio JA3GEP for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenwood features ARISS in February 2017 Two Page QST Ad Kenwwood features ARISS donations in its two page ad in the February 2017 QST. Check out the ad on pages 27 and 28. During February the ARRL is running a special slider in their rotating banner, on their website home page, with an appeal for ARISS donations. Also, The QST Cover story for February teases "Texas Students Take Amateur Radio to the Edge of Space" The article "To the Edge of Space and Back with Ham Radio" by Chase Mertz, KG5KKX is featured on page 76. Mertz highlights "Student engineers in the Eldorado Space Program design, build, and program instrument packages, sending them as high as 120,000 feet using a highaltitude weather balloon." [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Phase 4 Weekly Engineering Report AMSAT Phase 4 Ground Radio prototype with Ettus Research B210 by John Petrich W7FU can be viewed at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oyAe21bWR4g&feature=youtu.be [ANS thanks Michelle W5NYV for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- US Naval Academy HFsat Receives IARU Frequency Coordination The US Naval Academy has received IARU satellite frequency coordination for HFsat, a 1.5 U CubeSat with a 15 meter to 10 meter linear transponder with 30kHz bandwidth. The CubeSat will also carry an APRS digipeater on 145.825MHz. HFsat is a project to demonstrate the viability of HF satellite communications as a backup communications system using existing ubiquitous HF radios that are usually a part of the communications suite on all small mobile platforms such has ham radio mobiles and portable operations frequently used by Amateurs in support of disaster and emergency response communications. The HFsat will be gravity gradient stabilized by its long full size 10 meter band halfwave HF dipole antenna with tip masses. A standardized CubSsat VHF communications card based on the popular Byonics MTT4B all-in-one APRS Tiny-Track4 module for telemetry, command and control is under development at the US Naval Academy. Standardizing the communications board makes it easy to add the HF Transponder mission into Naval Academy’s standard CubeSat bus without an all new start. HFsat will continue the long tradition of small amateur satellites designed by Aerospace students at the US naval Academy. The students are working with Bill Ress, N6GHZ on the HF transponder card. HF Uplink: 21.40 MHz, 30 kHz wide multi user bandwidth HF downlink: 29.42 MHz, the 30 kHz wide downlink passband VHF APRS DigiPeater: 145.825 MHz FM 1200 baud AFSK packet Find additional information on-line at: http://aprs.org/HFsat.html (US Naval Academy) http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ (search for HFsat in the list of satellites that have been coordinated) [ANS thanks the US Naval Academy and the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France and Astronaut Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via K6DUE. ARISS Mentor was Joseph F6ICS. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-19 06:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: South Street School, Danbury CT, telebridge via VK4KHZ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD. Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-01-27 19:50:18 UTC Swiss Space Center – EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG. Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-01-26 11:06:29 UTC 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 145.800 MHz. 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 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 [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + APRS Symbol Look Up Table Kenneth Finnegan, W6KWF has created an easy to use lookup table for APRS symbol codes. "I've made a lookup table which has the symbol code, the primary symbol, and the secondary symbol all on top of each other as opposed to the three adjacent tables on the aprs.org page: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-022-APRS-Table [ANS thanks Kenneth K6KWF for the above information.] + Colloquium Videos for 2009-2012 Posted on YouTube AMSAT-UK reports that thanks to Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG and @BATC online videos of talks given at AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2009-2012 are now posted at: https://www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] + June Page of the 2017 ARRL Calendar Features NPOTA Satellite Ops "Fernando Ramirez-Ferrer NP4JV, overlooks the vastness of Grand Canyon National Park (NP22) in Arizona as he makes contacts via the SO-50 Amateur Radio satellite. This was the sixth NPOTA unit he had activated via satellite." (Ruth V Ramirez, photo credit) [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.] + UT1FG/MM is departing Finland ~1900 UTC (21 January) heading to Mexico. Clean your antennas, de-wax your ears and remember to give others a chance to get through.. [ANS thanks Jari OH2FQV, Via Twitter, 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, EMike McCardel, AA8EM aa8em at amsat dot org

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Cubesats launch and IDs
by Mineo Wakita 22 Jan '17

22 Jan '17

Thanks Nico, http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/aobaitf2.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

LotW WAS NH, NY, NJ, CT, GA, MO, MS
by Bryan Green 21 Jan '17

21 Jan '17

Hello, all! I'm closing in on LotW WAS from CM98. I have had great success setting up skeds with helpful ops! After today's sked for RI, I'll need LotW confirmation for NH, NY, NJ, CT, MO, and MS. Are any LotW-capable operators from those 6 states around this weekend? Many thanks for the cosideration! Best 73s! -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6 bryan(a)kl7cn.net

1 0

WINDCAMP BATTERY FOR FT817
by jeffory broughton 21 Jan '17

21 Jan '17

Very disappointed with the performance of the win camp battery in my FT 817. I can't even get thru a full pass of FO 29 before it dies.I had hoped being 3000 MAh,it would be much better than the stock 1700 mah unit.I have gone to a SUPER LITHIUM ION BATTERY for a fraction of the cost.It lasts several passes of making qso after qso after qso. jeff broughton

1 0

AOBA-VELOXIII heard in Brazil
by Roland Zurmely 21 Jan '17

21 Jan '17

AOBA-VELOXIII heard in Brazil in CW only 2h and 20 min after ISS ejection. One of the messages was as follows, at 10:20 am UTC JG6YBW AV3 HKD7ZZZ53ZZZC7FZZZZZ3 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

4 5

Office Closed
by Martha 19 Jan '17

19 Jan '17

The AMSAT Office will be closed on Friday, January 20th. -- 73- Martha

1 0

Has BY70-1 gone 'dark'?
by Mac A. Cody 19 Jan '17

19 Jan '17

I tried to work BY70-1 (repeater) for the last three days without success. Has anyone determined whether it is 'stuck' in data mode or has the repeater stopped working? I've noticed on the AMSAT Satellite Status Page that the last three days of reports are mostly 'No signal'. Has there been any report from the 'mission control' of BY70-1 regarding this? 73, Mac / AE5PH

4 3

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-19 06:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 19 Jan '17

19 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-19 06:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: South Street School, Danbury CT, telebridge via VK4KHZ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-01-27 19:50:18 UTC 72 deg (***) Swiss Space Center – EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-01-26 11:06:29 UTC 53 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. 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 2017-01-19 06:30 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 1109. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1073. 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 2017-01-17 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

1 0

DM87/97 grid activation from Kansas
by Clayton Coleman 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

I'll be operating some passes on Thursday, January 19 from Elkhart, Kansas on the DM87/97 grid line. 19.01.2017 XW-2C 23:17-23:26 19.01.2017 SO-50 23:30-23:43 20.01.2017 XW-2B 00:44-00:54 20.01.2017 SO-50 01:12-01:21 I might work a few other passes in between these. Updates via Twitter @w5pfg 73 Clayton W5PFG

1 0

Tubesat Tancredo-1
by Edson W. R. Pereira 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

Hello everyone, The tubesat Tancredo-1 (http://www.ubatubasat.com/en/), built by middle school students at the Tancredo Neves public school in Ubatuba, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is scheduled to be deployed from the TuPOD, a tubesat deployer developed by Gauss in Italy (https://www.gaussteam.com/tag/tupod/). TuPOD was successfully deployed from the ISS this past Monday, Jan 16th, and should start transmitting a CW beacon on 437.425 MHz for a few days, starting from tomorrow around 22:00 UTC. The Tancredo-1 deployment is also scheduled for tomorrow around 22:00 UTC and right after deployment it should start transmitting telemetry using packet radio (1200 bps AFSK) on 437.200 MHz with the callsign PY0ETA. The telemetry format is described in this document: https://goo.gl/qOK6qM Reports will be much appreciated and can be send online using this web page: http://www.amsat-br.org/tools/srs/ 73, Edson PY2SDR AMSAT-BR --- - We humans have the capability to do amazing things if we work together. - Nós seres humanos temos a capacidade de fazer coisas incríveis se trabalharmos juntos.

1 0

News: Galileo satellites experiencing multiple clock failures
by Zach Metzinger 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

The BBC has an interesting story on the Galileo navigation satellites: > The onboard atomic clocks that drive the satellite-navigation > signals on Europe's Galileo network have been failing at an alarming > rate. > > Across the 18 satellites now in orbit, nine clocks have stopped > operating. > > Three are traditional rubidium devices; six are the more precise > hydrogen maser instruments that were designed to give Galileo > superior performance to the American GPS network. > > Galileo was declared up and running in December. For more on the story, see: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38664225 --- Zach N0ZGO

1 0

Possible DM87/97 grid activation
by Clayton Coleman 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

I'm staying on the far northern edge of DM95 this week and have been operating some passes from DM86/96. I was looking at the map and I could activate DM87/97 easily with an hour and a half drive. If you need these grids, please reply direct to this email. I'm thinking about doing it tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon or evening. 73 Clayton W5PFG

1 0

Recording Software
by Fred Castello 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

I am trying to record my passes on the computer and am using software called “Free Audio Recorder”. I have found that in my opinion it is not as flexible as I need it to be. It seems to record at a relatively low level and I have to play it back full volume and even then can’t pick out some details that I need from a recording. I am using a Windows computer that should be plenty fast. I am curious what you folks use to achieve this function? As usual, thanks for your time. Fred - KF4FC Fishersville, VA

4 3

ITF-2 received
by Roland Zurmely 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

CW message on 437.525 MHz: JQ1ZTK YUI2 ITF2 COMSYSAAAAA S2 31 07 7C 67 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ in GH70un

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] FunCube Dongle Pro+ SOLD
by Stefan Wagener 18 Jan '17

18 Jan '17

Thanks for the interest! 73, Stefan, VE4NSA

1 0

FunCube Dongle Pro+ -For Sale-
by Stefan Wagener 17 Jan '17

17 Jan '17

Selling my FCD Pro+ (like new condition). First $95 takes it (includes shipping to US or Canada!!!). If interested, contact me direct via email (my callsign(a)gmail.com). Thanks, Stefan, VE4NSA

1 0

AOBA-VELOXIII heard in Brazil
by Roland Zurmely 17 Jan '17

17 Jan '17

Hi Greg, Yes, QRG is 437,375. Very strong signal !And TLE from ISS for now... 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-17 07:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 17 Jan '17

17 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-17 07:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful: Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 UTC 60 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: 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 2017-01-17 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 1109. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1073. (***) 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 2017-01-17 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

1 0

Gene Cernan, RIP
by B J 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38641121 Farewell, sir, and thank you. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Small Sat SDR Paper + Outernet + BY70-1
by M5AKA 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

Mamatha R. Maheshwarappa 2E0CZO has released her paper “Improvements in CPU & FPGA Performance for Small Satellite SDR Applications” https://amsat-uk.org/2017/01/10/small-satellite-sdr-paper/ BY70-1 FM transponder contact video https://amsat-uk.org/2016/12/30/by70-1-fm-transponder-contact/ Chertsey Radio Club article - Getting started with FM satellites http://chertseyradioclub.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/getting-started-with-fm-sat… Video of Daniel Estévez EA4GPZ / M0HXM talk - Reverse Engineering the Outernet - at Chaos Communication Congress #33c3 http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/january/reverse-engineering-%20the-ou… Blog update http://destevez.net/2017/01/updated-format-for-outernet-ldp-protocol/ ITF-2 CubeSat 437.525 MHz to deploy from ISS Monday https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk/posts/1269720816404298 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

3 2

Pass Predictions backup & ITF-2
by Pedro Converso 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

We apologize for temporary amsat.org.ar server outage: Pass predictions backup at http://lu7abf.com.ar/pass.htm Besides ITF-2 satellite predictions added for certificate chasers. 73, LU7ABF, Pedro

1 0

Is amsat.org.ar down?
by Todd Deckard 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

I get a DNS error? Best (The pass prediction page from Pedro Converso - LU7ABF is absolutely wonderful)

6 5

IC-9100 and SATPC32
by mbdittmar＠comcast.net 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

Hi, I know this has been asked before on this list, as I have searched the archives, but I have been unable to find a solution to the problem after several hours of messing with it. Specifically, getting SATPC32 to "talk" via USB port with IC-9100. I am referring to the latest version of SATPC32 downloaded from DK1TB's web site as of yesterday afternoon. I am using Windows 7, 64 bit. 1) Correct USB drivers for the Ic9100 have been installed and they do work with other software ( I've used the 9100 with FLDIGI ). The two SiLab USB ports of the 9100 show up as ports 14 and 13. In the radio control menu I have selected IC9100, baud 19200, port 13 ( to correspond with USB1 of the IC9100 ) and all four addresses are $60 ( I changed my 9100s CIV address from $7C to $60, as SATPC32 would not allow me to "store" $7C addresses ( It gives me an error when storing ). $60 comes up as a default in the software, however, so I just switched the radio to that. I verified the radio's baud rate is set to 19200. 2) I closed the software using the "File" and "Quit" menu selection. 3) re-started software. enabled CAT control ( C+). Enabled VFO control ( V+ ). No action whatsoever when using the up/down VFO control in the software. Can't find any evidence that the software sees the radio. 4) Tried closing the software, power cycling the radio, and re-opening software. No change. 5) I verified all of the following from the archives ( except for address of $7C as noted above ), as written by Stefan VE4NSA: A few things: 1. In SatPC32 under Radio Setup you do not need any of the serial port settings like RTS, DTR etc. Don't check them. 2. Make sure radio and software have the same baudrate 3. Make sure all four addresses (Icom) are set to $7C. Use the upper arrow keys to change and set both of the lower windows. Check the box "Addresses OK" to set the upper window. All four addresses need to be $7C. 4. Store the setting and restart the software. 5. Make sure C+ (Cat Control) is enabled). 6. Go to CAT (Cat Tuning) and set the Interval for SSB/CW and FM/PKT to zero and click "Store" for both and select "Continue". 7. Restart the software. Assumptions: 1.You installed the Silabs drivers for the Icom USB driver *BEFORE* you connected the radio and turned it on. 2. You verified in Windows, System Properties, Device Manager that you have 2 com ports (CP210x...) and you use the lower one for SatPC32. Any ideas what I might be missing here ? Thanks for any advice ! 73, Mark AB0CW

2 1

Is It Zero or Lettrt O
by Keith O'Brien 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

I have noticed both a Zero (0) and the Letter O in the callsign of the BY7 satellite. So is it BY70-1 or BY7O-1 ?? Keith N4ZQ

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] ISS
by John Brier 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

Same here. Contact seemed to start a little late and it sounded like they didn't get all the questions answered. I had Thomas answering all the way past LOS, and the pass should have ended for me later than it did for K6DUE. 73, John Brier KG4AKV On Jan 16, 2017 7:07 AM, <skristof(a)etczone.com> wrote: Got a nice recording of the ISS side of the ISS-school contact this morning. I'll need to brush up on my French to make any sense of it, but it's a good recording. Steve AI9IN EM79ji Oldenburg IN USA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

ISS
by skristof＠etczone.com 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

Got a nice recording of the ISS side of the ISS-school contact this morning. I'll need to brush up on my French to make any sense of it, but it's a good recording. Steve AI9IN EM79ji Oldenburg IN USA

1 0

CM98 QRV FO-29 2017-01-16 05:32z
by Bryan KL7CN 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

Howdy, all! I'll be QRV on FO-29 at about 435.855 tonight 2017-01-16 05:32z from CM98 in California. I promise a quick LotW confirmation! I'm looking for night owls in CT, GA, MA, MS, MO, MT, NH, NJ, RI, SC, VT. Thank you! -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6 bryan(a)kl7cn.net CM98, usually

1 0

Office Closed
by Martha 16 Jan '17

16 Jan '17

The AMSAT office will be closed on Monday, January 16th. -- 73- Martha

1 0

Working PSAT with TS-2000/Signalink
by D. Craig Fox 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

Can someone using a TS2000 and soundcard interface like a Signalink USB advise if there are any special menu settings unique to using PSK1 on this satellite? Initiating tx in digipan works fine in simplex but doesn't key the TX in the TS2K when in SAT mode and CAT control ON in SATPC32. If I press the mike, it is active. This has to be something obvious- apparently too obvious for me to see. Suggestions from anyone using this setup would be appreciated. Thank you Craig N6RSX

1 0

ITF-2 First 100 Reports AWARD announced
by Toshihiro Kameda 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

ITF-2 team announces the AWARD for First 100 reports, which includes one paper certificate and a few cool items. The first 100 reports are qualified for this award. Especially top 10 stations are entitled to receive it for free, others with two IRCs. The ranking will be updated on the project website. Reception reports can be submitted at: https://operationitf-2.blogspot.jp/p/blog-page_58.html ITF-2 is a 1U cubesat designed and built by Univesity of Tsukuba, Japan, which soon be released from ISS on Jan 16, 2017 at 0910 UTC. ISS TLE can be used for tracking during early stage. Toshihiro KAMEDA, JJ3GRX (also W3GRX) Director of University of Tsukuba Satellite project

1 0

FUNcube Warehouse may be slower than usual
by David Johnson 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

Hi, Please excuse us while we try out some new ideas in the warehouse. There will be some remote debugging across the network so you might experience a few timeouts. We will keep these to a minimum. 73 Dave, G4DPZ

1 0

Fox1-b and also UO-11 (News)
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

Hi all, Pleased to learn the good news on the success of Space-X and the announcement for the launch date for the Fox1-b payload being slated for 29th August 2017. With thanks to Bob Doran ( G4VRC ) whom has been closely monitoring for activity on UO-1. He posted the following good news this morning. Ken Eaton GW1FKY From: robert.doran28(a)btinternet.com [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 15 January 2017 09:11 To: G3YJO(a)amsat.org; GW1FKY(a)aol.com Subject: UO-11 on Good morning Martin and Ken, UO-11 was switched on on the 8.24 pass this morning. The next pass is 10.00 - 10.12. Bob Doran G4VRC

1 0

ANS-015 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joseph Spier 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-015 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: * RadFxSat (Fox-1B) Launch Date Moved to August 29, 2017 * AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2017 * ITF-2 CubeSat Set to Deploy from ISS * Satellite Logging Updates Requested for ARRL LoTW * College OSCAR Activity, Grow Future Membership * 2017 Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference * Frequency Plan of the PicSAT Project Validated by the IARU * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-015.01 ANS-015 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 015.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 15, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-015.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- RadFxSat (Fox-1B) Launch Date Moved to August 29, 2017 The launch date for RadFxSat (Fox-1B) has been moved to August 29, 2017. RadFxSat is one of four CubeSats making up the NASA ELaNa XIV mission, riding as secondary payloads aboard the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-1 mission. JPSS-1 will launch on a Delta II from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. RadFxSat is a partnership with Vanderbilt University ISDE and hosts four payloads for the study of radiation effects on commercial off the shelf components. RadFxSat features the Fox-1 style FM U/v repeater with an uplink on 435.250 MHz (67.0 Hz CTCSS) and a downlink on 145.960 MHz. Satellite and experiment telemetry will be downlinked via the "DUV" subaudible telemetry stream and can be decoded with the FoxTelem software. RadFxSat construction and testing was completed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the CubeSat is currently in clean storage at Fox Labs, waiting for delivery and integration which is now scheduled for June, 2017. [ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, NØJY, AMSAT Vice President for Engineering for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2017 AMSAT-UK is very happy to announce that the dates of the next AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be 14-15 Oct 2017. This year it will be incorporated into the RSGB Convention at the Kents Hill Park Convention Centre in Milton Keynes. Exact details are currently being finalized with the RSGB and these will be notified when they are known. If you have not been to Kents Hill before, it is very close to the M1 motorway and is near to Bletchley Park, where RSGB members have free entry. For overseas visitors it is convenient for planes to London Luton Airport (30-minute taxi ride) and also London Gatwick and Birmingham airports, both of which have direct train connections to Bletchley and/or Milton Keynes stations. These stations are approximately 10 minutes away by taxi. [ANS thanks Jim Heck, G3WGM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ITF-2 CubeSat Set to Deploy from ISS Toshihiro Kameda, JJ3GRX/W3GRX, of the University of Tsukuba's "Yui" satellite project in Japan, reports that the ITF-2 ("Imagine The Future") CubeSat is set for release from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, January 16, at 0910 UTC. The 1U ITF-2 was designed and built at the university. The Amateur Radio downlink is 437.525 MHz. Updated information will be announced on the AMSAT Bulletin Board at, http://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/ . ITF-2 is the successor to the unsuccessful ITF-1, which launched in 2014 but was never heard. Six CubeSats delivered to ISS by HTV-6 will deploy from ISS with new JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) at 16h Jan. New J-SSOD has four satellite install cases. One satellite install case has 3U space, so new J-SSOD can delploy twelve CubeSat at one time. Six CubeSats are installed as follows, satellite install CubeSats case #1 three 1U CubeSats ITF-2, WASEDA-SAT3, FREEDOM #2 one 3U CubeSat EGG #3 one 2U CubeSat AOBA-VELOX3 #4 one 3U CubeSat TuPOD (including Tancredo1 and OSNSAT) ITF-2, WASEDA-SAT3, AOBA-VELOX3, TuPOD and Tancredo1 operate on the amateur radio bands. #1 and #2 will be deployed at 0900-0930z 16th Jan, #3 and #4 will be 1030-1100z. Live broadcast will start at 0850z on YouTube JAXA channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4xq_rj0QiQ [ANS thanks the ARRL and JAXA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Logging Updates Requested for ARRL LoTW AMSAT has requested that BY70-1 be added as "BY70-1" in the next configuration file for the ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW). AMSAT has also requested that this update be made no later than January 31st due to NPOTA QSOs that were made via the satellite. AMSAT has also requested the addition of IO-86 as well as SAREX and MIREX for previous QSOs that occurred via the digipeater carried on various Space Shuttle missions and the Mir space station. If anyone notices a satellite that was available for amateur operation that is not included in the LoTW configuration file, please let me know: Paul Stoetzer n8hm(a)arrl.net Please also keep in mind that there may be a delay in requests being made for the addition of satellites to the LoTW configuration file while AMSAT awaits word of any potential OSCAR number request. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- College OSCAR Activity, Grow Future Membership In 2008-2009 we used to have regular College Satellite Nights, where clubs active in our area of interest would get on the birds at the same time and give out contacts. Please let me know if there is an interest again in doing this once per month and if the group minds allowing SO-50 to be the venue. It is important to our future that we grow our ranks through attracting younger hams. OSCAR operating at the college level can also be a huge advantage for attractive college students to the hobby. Many of our technician course attendees at UF are there for that reason (we give two licensing courses a year). Please help spread the word to those at your local universities, and to other college clubs. There will be a College Student Amateur Radio Forum at HamCation HamFest in Orlando, Saturday Feb. 11. Please let college student hams know of the event info. The event is ARRL sponsored, part of CARI, the Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative. The forum will take place at 3pm, and there is room for 50 college student attendees. There are more events planned for the day, including an evening social event for college students. We should also have table space for the day for college clubs to distribute club info and to meet, greet, and network with alumni. The table would be a good place for high school student hams to network in preparation for a life of amateur radio during the upcoming college years. Questions can be directed to the moderator of the forum, UF Doctoral student Andy Milluzzi, KK4KWR - andy(a)gatorradio.org For the latest of information see the CARI Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ARRLCARI/ [ANS thanks Dr. Jay H. Garlitz, AA4FL, FCC Trustee, W4DFU at Univ. of Florida, since 2005, www.gatorradio.org. The Club Station of the Gator Amateur Radio Club, at UF since 1934, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference The Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference (ISSC) will be held at San Jose State University on May 1-2, 2017 in San Jose, California. The conference addresses interplanetary small satellites, including mission design, enabling technologies, science applications, and all other technical aspects of these missions. You can find out more details about the conference at http://www.intersmallsatconference.com/ This year we are expecting over 200 people to attend the conference. This year’s keynote speakers will be announced soon. The conference will feature a suite of talks and attendees from JPL, NASA and other space agencies, universities, and companies from around the world to work on developing this important new direction for small spacecraft missions. The Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference also gives an exciting chance for organizations to sponsor an exhibitor table or a booth. A table is $270 (includes one registration) and a booth is $540 (includes two registrations). Prices are guaranteed until January 31, when they may increase. Registration will be available soon on our website, but please email us at exhibitors(a)intercubesat.org for information and to reserve your spot. Tables and booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis when registration payments are received. Please also consider submitting an abstract to represent your organization. Abstracts are due on February 15, 2017. I hope you'll be able to join us in beautiful San Jose. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions. [ANS thanks the ISSC Committee (via the cubesat.org mailing list) for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Frequency Plan of the PicSAT Project Validated by the IARU AMSAT-F (AMSAT Francophone) announced on January 8 the the IARU validated the proposed frequency plan for the PICSAT satellite project of the Paris Observatory. The satellite will offer capabilities for telemetry data transmission: AX25 - 9k6 BPSK, and an FM transponder. Uplink : 145.910 MHz FM Downlink : 435.925 MHz FM AMSAT-F and Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF), the national non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in France, will provide active technical support for this project. For more information : IARU Coordination: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=536 Link budget estimated: https://perso.lesia.obspm.fr/picsat/files/2016/12/PicSat_IARU_Coordination.… Project page: http://lesia.obspm.fr/PICSAT.html REF-Info: http://ref-info.ref.org/projet-picsat-de-lobservatoire-de-paris/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-Francophone 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, 14 January 2017 – Thunderbird Hamfest 2017 in Phoenix AZ *Friday and Saturday, 20-21 January 2017 – Cowtown Hamfest in Forest Hill, TX *Thursday, 26 January 2017 – presentation for Arizona Repeater Association in Tempe AZ *Saturday, 4 February 2017 – Palm Springs Hamfest in Palm Springs CA *Friday-Sunday, 10-12 February 2017 Orlando HamCation in Orlando, FL *Friday and Saturday, 17-18 February 2017 – Yuma Hamfest in Yuma AZ *Friday-Sunday, March 31, April 1 & 2, 2017, NVCON in Las Vegas, NV [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Successful Contacts * A combined telebridge via K6DUE with students at Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium was successful Thu 2017-01-12. * A direct contact via W6FOG with students at the World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear, AZ. & Quartzsite in Motion, Quartzsite, AZ. was successful Wed 2017-01-11. * A direct contact via K4JMC with students at Rainbow Middle School in Rainbow City, AL. was successful Wed 2017-01-04. * A direct contact via F1IMF with students at Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France was successful Wed 2017-01-04. * A direct contact via F4KJV with students at Primary School Georges Wallers, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (59), France was successful Sat 2016-12-31. * A direct contact via IK1SLD with students at Ecole Communale de Saint Sylvestre, Saint Sylvestre, France was successful Wed 2016-12-21. Upcoming Contacts * A telebridge via K6DUE students at the Léon Blum High School, Le Creusot, France, is presently scheduled for Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 UTC 60 deg. The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG. Le Creusot is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. Formerly a mining town, its economy is now dominated by large metallurgical companies such as ArcelorMittal, Schneider Electric, and Alstom. In the 19th century, iron ore mines and forges around Le Creusot generated a business in steel, railways, armaments, and shipbuilding. The lycée Léon Blum (Le Creusot-71) together with the lycée international Charles de Gaulle (Dijon-21) and lycée Pierre Paul Riquet (Saint-Orens-31) were selected after a call for projects in March 2015 by the CNES Youth Education department for the PROXIMA mission. The project is named CERES (after the name of ancient roman goddess of agriculture). Thomas will grow some seeds in space as part of the CERES educational experiment. A special cargo of mustard, lentil and radish seeds was sent to him on the Space Station. He should water them and take pictures at regular intervals to study how the seeds grow in space. Students of the two partner high schools and a local elementary school are also participating to the list of questions. Watch http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled. [ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over South East VHF Society Conference Charlotte NC April 28-29 The SVHF Society will hold their convention in Charlotte, NC this year on April 28 and 29 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Charlotte Airport, 2600 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte, NC 28201. We have arranged rooms at $95; you can call 800-222-TREE and ask for this rate under the name "South East VHF Society". Early registration guest room rate of $89 is offered for reservations made by January 31, 2017. If you plan to attend, please call now to reserve your room at this lower rate before the end of January. Registration information will be posted soon on the web site (http://svhfs.org) so watch for the sign up details. The conference fee for pre-registration is $30, Friday's Luncheon is $15, and Saturday's banquet is $40. [ANS thanks Gary Greene, W2ZV, SVHF Society conference committee member for the above information] AMSAT CW Activity Day reports As of 8 January, only two of the participants in AMSAT CW Activity Day have posted reports to amsat-bb. While there is no requirement to do so, if you participated, please consider posting one while it's still fresh in your mind. You can post a list of stations worked, satellites used, "Soapbox" comments, suggestions for next year's event, or what have you. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] DXpedition Teams Make Satellite Plans FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between July 4-18th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY (but primarily SSB and RTTY). He will generally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m). He will be active in the IARU HF Contest (July 8-9th), NA QSO Party-RTTY (July 15-16th) and the CQ VHF Contest [6M only] (July 15-16th). QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July17.html PLEASE NOTE: Eric mentions, "I will also be on the analog Satellites when the WX is good enough to operate from outside." YN, NICARAGUA. A team of four operators, sponsored by Texas DX Society, will be operating near Granada beginning March 20th and ending March 27th. Operators mentioned are Keith/NM5G (YN2MG), Ken/KD2KW (YN2KW), Bill/K5WL (YN2WL) and Marty/W5MF (YN2MF). The group plans to participate in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 25-26th) as YN2KW and station, as a Multi-Op/Single- Transmitter/All-Bands/Low-Power entry. Outside of the contest, operators will use their own callsigns on CW, SSB, RTTY and other Digital modes. They will also have equipment to make some satellite contacts as time and weather permit. QSL YN2KW via N5ET, all others callsigns listen for instructions, but probably the same route. [ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1299 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

Upcoming ARISS contact with High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France
by David H Jordan 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France on 16 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:53 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Le Creusot is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. Formerly a mining town, its economy is now dominated by large metallurgical companies such as ArcelorMittal, Schneider Electric, and Alstom. In the 19th century, iron ore mines and forges around Le Creusot generated a business in steel, railways, armaments, and shipbuilding. The lycée Léon Blum (Le Creusot-71) together with the lycée international Charles de Gaulle (Dijon-21) and lycée Pierre Paul Riquet (Saint-Orens-31) were selected after a call for projects in March 2015 by the CNES Youth Education department for the PROXIMA mission. The project is named CERES (after the name of ancient roman goddess of agriculture) Thomas will grow some seeds in space as part of the CERES educational experiment. A special cargo of mustard, lentil and radish seeds was sent to him on the Space Station. He should water them and take pictures at regular intervals to study how the seeds grow in space. Students of the two partner high schools and a local elementary school are also participating to the list of questions. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. On imagine la vie dans l'espace très différente de celle sur Terre. Malgré les liaisons radios, vous sentez-vous coupé de la réalité? 2. Qu’avez-vous ressenti pendant votre sortie extravéhiculaire? Avez-vous eu peur du vide? 3. Constatez-vous quelques changements corporels? Par exemple la croissance accélérée des poils, des cheveux ou des ongles, ou à l'inverse une déshydratation de la peau, perte de cheveux, etc...? 4. Y aurait-il une différence de ressenti si la station elle-même n’était plus en chute libre mais en réelle apesanteur, éloignée de toute source de gravité? 5. Avez vous déjà réalisé notre expérience CERES sur la croissance des plantules? sinon quelles hypotheses ou conclusions pouvez vous déjà faire? 6. Serait-il possible d’entretenir des cultures ou développer un jardin dans l’ISS afin de subvenir à une partie des besoins nutritionnels des astronautes? 7. Pensez- vous qu'il soit possible de faire pousser dans l'espace des végétaux dont la plus grande partie est ici enfouie sous terre comme les carottes par exemple? et des végétaux plus grands comme des arbustes? 8. Que pensez-vous de la participation et l'implication de lycéens à des expériences menées dans l'espace? 9. Pensez-vous que des expériences comme CERES pourraient être réalisées sur Mars et permettre dans les années à venir d'éventuelles cultures sur cette planète pour une future colonisation? 10. Le fait de rester plusieurs mois dans une même station avec cinq coéquipiers ne crée-t-il pas parfois des conflits à cause du stress? 11. Sur Terre, l'homme est un géant de la découverte, de la technologie et du progrès. Mais, au milieu de l'univers, comment se sent-on? 12. Les particules dues aux pluies d'étoiles filantes ont-elles des conséquences (même minimes) sur l'ISS ou peut-être même sur vous, astronautes? 13. Quelles différences observez-vous entre les expériences réalisées sur Terre et dans l'Espace? 14. Comment vous organisez vous dans l’ISS avec les autres astronautes? Existe-t-il un roulement pour les différents services, comme la préparation des repas, etc... 15. Pouvez-vous vous vêtir comme vous le souhaitez dans la station spatiale internationale? Avez-vous la possibilité de laver votre linge dans l’ISS? 16. Pensez-vous au retour sur Terre? Si oui, appréhendez-vous cet instant? 17. Les astronautes suivent-ils (ensembles) toutes les traditions et fêtes de leur pays d'origine? (par exemple Noël le 25 décembre pour les Européens et Américains et le 7 janvier pour les Russes) 18. J’ai toujours rêvé d’être astronaute. Quels conseils me donneriez-vous? 19. Allez-vous réaliser des expériences dans l'ISS dans le but d’installer la vie sur Mars? 20. Pensez-vous que votre génération d'astronautes ira sur Mars? Espérez- vous y aller vous-même? Translated: 1. Life in space is thought to be very different from life on Earth. In spite of radio connections, do you ever feel you are cut off from reality? 2. How did you feel during your Extra-Vehicular-Activity? Did you fear the void? 3. What sort of body changes can you notice on you? For instance, did you notice any accelerated growth or loss phenomena concerning your hairs, hair, nails or even any form of dehydration? 4. Would you feel different sensations if the Space Station was not continuously falling around Earth, but really away from any source of gravity? 5. Did you already start our CERES experiment about seed germination? What difficulties did you meet? Otherwise what hypothesis could you make on its potential results? 6. Would it be possible to grow crops or develop a garden on the ISS in order to partially feed astronauts? 7. Do you think it’s realistic to grow vegetables in space, considering that their major parts are buried in the soil here on earth, such as carrots for instance? What about bigger size plants like trees? 8. How do you feel about the fact that high schoolers take part in and get involved into space experiments? 9. Do you think that experiments like CERES could be made on Mars and enable potential cultivation on that planet in the years to come to pave the way for a future colonization? 10. You are living with five other astronauts in the same station for several months: Could it be source of tension because of stress? 11. Here on Earth, human beings are witnessing major scientific discoveries and huge technological progress. However, how do we feel in the middle of the universe? 12. Do the particles triggered by meteor showers have some consequences – even tiny ones – on the ISS or maybe even on you as an astronaut? 13. What differences can you make between experiments that are being carried out on Earth and those in space? 14. How do you schedule activities with the other astronauts? Do you take turns to work on different tasks, like preparing meals? 15. Can you dress as you want on the ISS? Can you wash your clothes there? 16. Do you have in mind the moment you will come back on Earth? If so, do you feel concerned about that moment? 17. Do the astronauts share together all the traditions and celebrations of their own countries? Christmas for instance, which is celebrated on December 25th in Europe and America but on January 7th in Russia? 18. I have always dreamt of being an astronaut. Any helpful piece of advice? 19. Are you going to make experiments in the ISS in order to settle life on Mars? 20. Do you think that your current generation of astronauts will go on Mars? Is that your personal hope? 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

1 0

KLM 2m 14c polarization circuit question (Capacitor Replacement)
by Brian Sarkisian, KG8CO 15 Jan '17

15 Jan '17

I had to replace the RCA connector on the circuit board. I see there is a capacitor that there was a capacitor soldered to the RCA connector. What is the capacitance of that capacitor ? Thank you Brian, KG8CO

1 0

AlSat-1N image + AMSAT-UK Colloquium + Phase 4
by M5AKA 14 Jan '17

14 Jan '17

Six CubeSats to Deploy from ISS Monday, January 16 https://amsat-uk.org/2017/01/14/six-cubesats-to-deploy-from-iss/ AMSAT Phase 4B video report N4HY and KJ4QLP http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/january/amsat-phase-4-video-report.htm Chris Bridges M0IEB @DrChrisBridges reports AlSat-1N CubeSat image received 2 x Groundstations + 210 kB/day throughput over 9K6 G3RUH link = 1.328 MB RGB image https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk/posts/1267028420006871 Sandringham School students High Altitude Balloon project #sandHABflight https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk/photos/a.555434137832973.1073741826.208113… David Crump G8GKQ @davegkq and Noel Matthews @G8GTZ attended the Es'Hail 2 Phase 4A Geostationary Amateur Radio transponder meeting at Bochum https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk/posts/1271327429576970 2017 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium https://amsat-uk.org/2017/01/13/2017-amsat-uk-colloquium/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

1 0

FW: NO084 PSAT Spin Rate over 10 RPM (BRICSAT listening?)
by Robert Bruninga 14 Jan '17

14 Jan '17

Thanks everyone! Here is the question. Did anyone ever happen to hear anything on 435.350 during the last week that did *not* correlate with PSAT? It may have been BRICSAT in full sun! Its PSK31 trasnponder is on the same downlink... and since its only problem was poor power budget, it may have been alive and no one was listening? It all started Friday afternoon, when I happened to tune to PSAT and heard only about 10 seconds at the tail end of a pass and saw about a 5 second swoosh before the transponder dropped out. Giving me a complete guess at maybe 12 RPM. KO6TZ reported: a screen capture from Spectran of the "swoosh" fade lines from the 23:30utc pass of NO-84. The tick marks … are 1 second spacing… [with] just slightly over 5 secs between the fades. That puts the spin at ~11.7 RPM. And of course DK3WN nailed it with this high res plot: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=76608 Showing 5 rotations in 32 seconds or about 9.4 RPM We had to use this signal strength method since the the telemetry spin data is of no practical use since it is undersampled. IE, we are only sampling at once every 5 seconds and so this is HALF the Nyquist rate. To capture a spin of 12 RPM we would need to sample over 24 times a minute. So that is why we needed people to simply listen for it and determine the spin that way. And it looks like today is the last day of full sun. We had gotten excited when we noticed this full sun late Friday afternoon and realized it would be a good time to listen for BRICSAT which also has an HF PSK31 downlink on 435.350. But we noticed that after 20 months in space, that BRICSAT has separated enough that it ended its full sun period the day before. Then we went and looked and noticed this full sun period for both satellites was only 5 days long anyway. We are embarrassed that we have not been watching the orbit and looking for these full sun periods. They may be rare indeed. Bob

1 0

FUNcube Warehouse Maintenance
by David Johnson 14 Jan '17

14 Jan '17

Hi, We are making some changes to allow us to migrate some functions to another server, you may experience some short outages during this period. If you experience any problems, either with the web site or Dashboard uploads, please let me know. 73 Dave G4DPZ

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] PSAT SPin Rate?
by Mike Rupprecht 14 Jan '17

14 Jan '17

See here: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=76608 73 MikeDK3WN -------- Ursprüngliche Nachricht --------Von: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Datum: 13.01.17 22:00 (GMT+01:00) An: AMSAT <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Betreff: [amsat-bb] PSAT SPin Rate? We just noticed that PSAT is in full sun. We want to know its spin rate but seaman Murphy is visiting the shack rignt now… and our UHF seems to have an intermittent… Passes are in the afternoon approaching sunset (and of course in the morning around sunrise… that’s why its in full sun all the time, because its orbit is near the day/night terminator right now…) So, simply tune in 435.350 +/- 10 KHz doppler and listen to the SWISHES of the UHF FM downlink and count SWISHES per minute. SWISHES are the nulls you might hear in the UHF antenna pattern on an FM receiver. Hold your squelch open so you don’t get confused. It might be swishing at above 10 RPM which would be a swish every 6 seconds. Of course, if no one is transmitting PSK31 on 28.121 MHz then the PSK31 transponder might not be up…. So this is a good time to dust off the PSK31 Ten meter transmitter. Just transmit PSK31 in the 28.120 to 28.122 MHz passband and it should bring up the transponder. Send comments to my lastname AT usna DOT edu Bob Bruninga, 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

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-14 04:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 14 Jan '17

14 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-14 04:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful Option #5: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg (***) High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 UTC 60 deg **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: 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 2017-01-14 04:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1108. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1072. (***) 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 2017-01-14 04:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

PSAT SPin Rate?
by Robert Bruninga 13 Jan '17

13 Jan '17

We just noticed that PSAT is in full sun. We want to know its spin rate but seaman Murphy is visiting the shack rignt now… and our UHF seems to have an intermittent… Passes are in the afternoon approaching sunset (and of course in the morning around sunrise… that’s why its in full sun all the time, because its orbit is near the day/night terminator right now…) So, simply tune in 435.350 +/- 10 KHz doppler and listen to the SWISHES of the UHF FM downlink and count SWISHES per minute. SWISHES are the nulls you might hear in the UHF antenna pattern on an FM receiver. Hold your squelch open so you don’t get confused. It might be swishing at above 10 RPM which would be a swish every 6 seconds. Of course, if no one is transmitting PSK31 on 28.121 MHz then the PSK31 transponder might not be up…. So this is a good time to dust off the PSK31 Ten meter transmitter. Just transmit PSK31 in the 28.120 to 28.122 MHz passband and it should bring up the transponder. Send comments to my lastname AT usna DOT edu Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

1 0

AO-73/FUNcube Mode change
by Jim Heck 13 Jan '17

13 Jan '17

Hi folks, I have just changed the sat into continuous transponder mode. Plan is to switch back to auto mode on Sunday 15 Jan 2017 pm UTC as usual. Pls see below for FUNcube transponder info Have FUN with the transponder. 73s Jim G3WGM and the FUNcube team. AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 aka FUNcube on UKube The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands.

1 0

AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2017
by Jim Heck 13 Jan '17

13 Jan '17

Folks AMSAT-UK is very happy to announce that the dates of the next AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be 14-15 Oct 2017. This year it will be incorporated into the RSGB Convention at the Kents Hill Park Convention Centre in Milton Keynes. Exact details are currently being finalised with the RSGB and these will be notified when they are known. If you have not been to Kents Hill before, it is very close to the M1 motorway and is near to Bletchley Park, where RSGB members have free entry. For overseas visitors it is convenient for planes to London Luton Airport (30-minute taxi ride) and also London Gatwick and Birmingham airports, both of which have direct train connections to Bletchley and/or Milton Keynes stations. These stations are approximately 10 minutes away by taxi. 73s Jim G3WGM Hon Sec AMSAT-UK

1 0

VE8 Roving
by Gabriel Zeifman 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Hello fellow bird men, Here is the announcement the grid chasers have been waiting for: VE8 is near! My leave has just been approved and I plan to depart for Yellowknife, NT on Jan 20 returning to Oklahoma City by Feb 5. I will start by hitting some of the rare US grids in DN land on the way for our Grid Masters. After that I will enter Canada somewhere in Alberta and head north towards Yellowknife. The fantastic thing about the winter in the Northwest Territories is the transportation infrastructure. Most towns in the NT are accessible only by air on ludicrously expensive flights, however in winter 2,000km of ice roads are built. I will be doing my best to utilize these ice roads to activate grids that have never before been heard on satellite. I plan to activate numerous grids in the CO, DO, CP, and DP areas. Where and how far I go will depend on time and conditions. With AO-7 eclipsing and FO-29 getting higher, this should be an ideal time for this trip. I will upload to LoTW as cell coverage allows. Outside of normal cell service, I will forward my logs to Paul N8HM, Dave KG5CCI, and Fernando NP4JV via Iridium SBD service for uploading. Due to the harsh conditions, my SBD device will usually stay in the car and may take time to acquire a solid link to an Iridium satellite (although in the polar region, there should be many satellites in view at any given time). Tracking will be available as usual on APRS as NJ7H-9 (as cell service allows) and on Iridium at share.delorme.com/gz. I may also be contacted via the Iridium portal if need be. Please use first name and callsign and include a reply email address in the portal, and use this service sparingly. I have unlimited messaging, but I only plan to use this for important communications and check it periodically. I have the capability to post to twitter (@NJ7H_Radio) via Iridium and will do so as much as practical, although please note that I will be unable to see any replies when using Iridium. All logging will be done using the appropriate Canadian suffix. On any packet satellites, I will use as the callsign NJ7HVE8 or NJ7H-7 and will have the correct callsign NJ7H/VE8 in the position comment or message itself. On the way home I may make a trip down the Pacific Coast through California and through the desert back. One final request: pleas do not work me repeatedly in the same grid or try to with with the DX in a pileup. This has become an apparent issue and has prevented some from working rare grids. As an example, if the XW train is flying over and I'm not moving grids, there is absolutely no reason to work me on 2B and 5 minutes later on 2C in the same grid. The exception to this is if I move grids rapidly, which has happened. Use your ears. Situational awareness is key. Also the same goes to geographic situational awareness, if you're in the northern US and have another 8 minutes of footprint and a QRP op in Florida is calling with a minute of footprint left, let them go first. I am good with callsigns and hearing, if I call you back you will be in the log, no need for insurance. If there is any doubt (as in you don't have a LoTW confirmation within a few days or know others have QSLs for the same pass), send an email and I will fix it. I would rather you send an email than ruin someone else's shot at a virgin grid. Please don't tie up the frequency with non-essential information. I wall call you back, tell you my grid, and say 73 and wait for the next call. If you don't catch the grid the first time, please just wait and listen to the next QSO, I guarantee I'll tell them too. If you still don't catch the grid you still have a few better options that asking me over and over on frequency: 1. wait for your LoTW confirmation, it will be there, 2. ask someone else, 3. send an email. Just use common sense please. This also applies to FM birds, if you are linear capable and know you can work the grid on a linear bird, let the FM bro's have their shot, it may be their only. There may be grids that I only operate FM. Just as always, use situational awareness, good judgement, and courtesy. I hope to give you all many new grids and look forward to the trip! 73! Gabe NJ7H

1 0

ITF-2 will be released from ISS on Jan. 16 at 0910UTC
by Toshihiro Kameda 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Cubesat ITF-2 will be released from ISS soon. Jan 16, 2017 0910 UTC Downlink format is in http://operationitf-2.blogspot.jp/p/blog-page_13.html Downlink frequency is 437.525 MHz. Updated information will be announced here, amsat-bb. ITF-2 is a 1U cubesat designed and built by Univesity of Tsukuba, Japan, which is in ISS now and soon be released. Toshihiro KAMEDA, JJ3GRX (also W3GRX) Director of University of Tsukuba Satellite project

1 0

RX-only Antenna "tee" connector?
by Scott 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Hi everyone. I suppose that any deviation from the ideal setup of a near-perfectly matched antenna & receiver will have SOME negative effect, but for a receive-only antenna, how badly am I hurting myself to split the antenna between two receivers? Since frequency is probably important to answer this, I’m referring to 70cm. Also, if it matters, I have a very good preamp (SP-70 from SSB) at the antenna feeding 25 meters of LMR-400. Both receivers are SDR devices (receive-only). When I tested against a 70cm beacon, there was some small reduction in signal strength but it wasn’t much. With voice, you might not notice but my interest is telemetry data. Thanks for any recommendations or experiences with a similar arrangement! -Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA USA twitter: @scott23192

4 4

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-12 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-12 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ, direct via W6FOG The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Wed 2017-01-11 16:10:15 UTC 46 deg (***) Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for Option #5: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France, telebridge via K6DUE (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 UTC 60 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. *********** ******************************************************************** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 121 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 2017-01-12 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 1106. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1071. (***) 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 2017-01-12 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

AMSAT @ Thunderbird Hamfest in Phoenix AZ, Saturday (14 Jan)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

Hi! AMSAT will have a booth at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's Thunderbird Hamfest 2017 on Saturday, 14 January 2017. The hamfest will be at the Northwest Community Church on 43rd Avenue between Greenway and Bell Roads in Phoenix AZ. The hamfest officially starts at 8am (1500 UTC), but I expect people will be wandering around an hour or even two hours before the official start time. More details about the hamfest are available at the club's web site: http://w7tbc.org WD9EWK will be on the satellites from the hamfest, for demonstrations of satellite operating. There will be passes on FM, SSB, and packet satellites during the morning. If you hear WD9EWK on the satellites, or see WD9EWK-9 on either the ISS or NO-84, please call and be a part of the demonstrations. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest. If you would like to receive a WD9EWK QSL card for a QSO made during the hamfest, please e-mail me with the QSO details. If you are in the log, I will be happy to mail a QSL card. No need to first send me a QSL card or SASE. I will use my @WD9EWK Twitter feed to send updates from the hamfest on Saturday morning. If you do not use Twitter, you can still see these updates in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

College OSCAR Activity, grow future membership
by Jay Garlitz 12 Jan '17

12 Jan '17

In 2008-2009 we used to have regular College Satellite Nights, where clubs active in our area of interest would get on the birds at the same time and give out contacts. Please let me know if there is an interest again in doing this once per month and if the group minds allowing SO-50 to be the venue. It is important to our future that we grow our ranks through attracting younger hams. OSCAR operating at the college level can also be a huge advantage for attractive college students to the hobby. Many of our technician course attendees at UF are there for that reason (we give two licensing courses a year). Please help spread the word to those at your local universities, and to other college clubs. There will be a College Student Amateur Radio Forum at HamCation HamFest in Orlando, Saturday Feb. 11. Please let college student hams know of the event info. The event is ARRL sponsored, part of CARI, the Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative. The forum will take place at 3pm, and there is room for 50 college student attendees. There are more events planned for the day, including an evening social event for college students. We should also have table space for the day for college clubs to distribute club info and to meet, greet, and network with alumni. The table would be a good place for high school student hams to network in preparation for a life of amateur radio during the upcoming college years. Questions can be directed to the moderator of the forum, UF Doctoral student Andy Milluzzi, KK4KWR - andy(a)gatorradio.org For the latest of information see the CARI Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ARRLCARI/ 73, Jay AA4FL Dr. Jay H. Garlitz . -FCC Trustee, W4DFU at Univ. of Florida, since 2005, www.gatorradio.org. The Club Station of the Gator Amateur Radio Club, at UF since 1934

2 1

Is it possible to log BY-701 in LoTW by manually editing the .adif file
by Todd Deckard 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Greetings, I know there was a request to add BY-701, but is it possible to log the contacts now by manually editing the ADIF file to include Satellite Name: <SAT_NAME:4>BY-701 Thanks to everyone on SO-50 for their patience with my deaf QRM and mangled call sign read-backs. Satellites are probably a poor first introduction to amateur radio, too much time pressure and juggling to work out the basics. Todd KE0CMD

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85
by Mark L. Hammond 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Hi Steve, What OS and what virtual audio program are you using? A few months ago, an automatic update to Win10 killed my audio stuff; I had to do a reversion/back and it cleared it up... Too many variables--but give us a few of yours! I've been copying pretty well lately using SDR#, Airspy mini, and VB Audio. Mark N8MH From: skristof(a)etczone.com Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2017 6:01 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-85 I just tried to get telemetry from AO-85. The pass had max elevation of 76 degrees here. In the past I would get lots of data on a pass like this, but lately I've been getting nothing. I can see the signal on the "waterfall" (using SDR#) but the signal is too weak to decode. Is anyone else having this problem? Is the signal normally low when the northern hemisphere is dark? What's happening? I've asked this before and didn't get any responses. Please send a couple of responses so I have some idea if there is some problem in my set up here. Thanks! Steve AI9IN

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS contact with World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Good
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

I listened in on today's ARISS schedule. It was very successful. Congratulations to all involved. 73 Ray W2RS

2 1

Upcoming ARISS contact with Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium
by David H Jordan 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium on 12 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:46 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in French/English. Presentation Saint-Guibert College (Gembloux) Belgium The Saint-Guibert College was founded by the congregation of the Brethren of the Chtistian Schools, following the principles of its founder Jean Baptiste de La Salle. This pedagogy is centered on the youngsters, adapted to their time and devoted to their social insertion, with special care for the most needy. Our College, located at Gembloux in central Belgium, comprises 4 separate schools and 3100 students: - The basic school with kindergarten and primary school 2 - 12, Saint–Guibert square - The secondary school, general, technical and professional, 12 – 18, Orneau square - The small school at the Station, for Dutch immersion tuition, 2 ½ - 12, and French kindergarten - The kindergarten at Ernage. Openness, listening, availability, faith, the place of the pupil are the values of our pedagogic project, summarized by Albert Jacquard’s saying: “ I am the relations I weave “ We want a school that favors: A. The relation to oneself, B. The relation to knowledge, C. The relation to others. Euro Space Center - Belgium Opened in June 1991, Euro Space Center is a discovery center specializing in socio-educational recreation. Our field of specialization is space. Euro Space Center has become a leader in Belgium for the dissemination of knowledge about space sciences and technologies. Euro Space Center is open to the general public all year round and also welcomes trainees from many different countries. The goal is to spark a love for the sciences and innovation. Euro Space Center and its high-tech environment are unique in Europe. They enable young people and adults to learn about astronomy, robotics, space engineering and more. Euro Space Center also lets people (re)discover an exceptional human adventure: mankind’s conquest of space. Kindergarten and Primary school Sainte-Lutgarde «One school, two locations in a green and country side environment» For more than 130 ans, the Sainte-Lutgarde schools are active in the splendid landscape of central Brabant, in the town Lasne. The schools feature two locations: one in the Lasne town center, with some 245 students of the primary cycle; the other at the Chapel site, with 40 students in Kindergarten and the two lower primary. Headteacher Sainte-Lutgarde schools Mrs Dominique Hut states: The Sainte-Lutgarde schools in Lasne aim to help the child build up competence and knowledge, while developing self-confidence, awareness and autonomy. Our schools wish to promote the joy of learning in a serene and positive atmosphere, in line with requirements. To meet these goals, the Child-Parent-Teacher partnership is an indispensable asset. Saint-Laurent school Since several years, the Saint-Laurent school participates to the Space Classes. Every year, the pupils of 3rd primary work on space topics, so we can devote many lessons to this thematic. Twice we had the opportunity to talk to Thomas and we follow his training for his great adventure on the ISS. This year, two classes participate to the project and we are very excited to ask questions to Thomas on his work on the Space Station and his dream as an astronaut. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Gembloux :La nourriture a-t-elle le même goût que sur Terre? 2. Lasnes : Est-ce facile de toujours rester en apesanteur? 3. Gembloux : Dormez-vous bien dans cette position? 4. Sombreffe : Quelle a été votre première sensation lors de votre entrée dans l’ISS? 5. Gembloux : Que faites-vous de votre temps libre? 6. Lasnes : À quoi ressemble l’espace vue de l’ISS, voit-on quelque chose? 7. Gembloux : D’où vient l’oxygène que vous respirez dans la station? 8. Lasnes : Quel est le plus gros danger à bord de l’ISS? 9. Gembloux : Les animaux de compagnie sont-ils autorisés? 10. Sombreffe : Quelles sont les expériences que vous menez dans la station spatiale? 11. Gembloux : Avez-vous besoin d’un casque audio pour communiquer entre vous dans la station? 12. Lasnes : Avez-vous du WiFi? 13. Gembloux : La notion de temps est-elle la même que sur la Terre? 14. Sombreffe: Quelles sont vos différentes tâches dans l’ISS? 15. Gembloux : Comment entretenez-vous vos vêtements (lavage, séchage)? 16. Lasnes : Peut-on voir la pollution autour de la terre? 17. Gembloux : Qui peut être astronaute? 18. Sombreffe : Comment avez-vous vécu le décollage ? 19. Gembloux : Avez-vous des expériences à réaliser dans le domaine de la santé? 20. Lasnes : Aimeriez-vous aller sur Mars? Translated: 1. Does the food taste the same on board as on earth? 2. Is it easy to always remain in zero gravity? 3. Do you sleep well in your position (in space)? 4. What is your first feeling when you arrived in the ISS? 5. What do you do in your free time? 6. How does space look like seen from ISS, can you see anything? 7. Where from comes the oxygen you breathe? 8. What is the biggest danger on board of ISS? 9. Are pets allowed on board? 10. What experiments do you perform on board of ISS? 11. Do you use a headset when you communicate with crew on board of ISS? 12. Do you have WiFi on board? 13. Is the perception of time the same on board as on earth? 14. What are your duties on board of ISS? 15. How do you wash your clothes? 16. Can you see the air pollution around the earth? 17. Who can become an astronaut? 18. How did you experience the lift-off? 19. Do you perform experiments about health? 20. Would you like to go to Mars? 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

1 0

EM00kb
by Bruce 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

I will be in EM00kb Saturday, Jan 14 through Wednesday, Jan 18. Will try to be on SO-50 when I can get in with the HT. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

1 0

Last Grid Expedition
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Hi Guys, thank all your company on the satellites, in my last trip I made 163 contacts, activate grids DK97, DK98, DK87, DK88, EK06, EK07, EK15, EK16, EK25 and EK26. Now I can say that I have worked from 35 grids rare, XE in Mexico as station "Rover". We will look for other new adventures, and return to the previous ones for those who could not work on this trip. Thanks also to Doug N6UA, the donation of a battery for my Handy FT-60R, to be like my sponsor. All records are in Lotw now. Until the next trip ... David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

1 0

Thank you!
by Ken Alexander 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

Many thanks to Bruce KK5DO, Glenn AA5PK and Erich DK1TB for your assistance in getting SatPC32 set up with my two FT-817s. I'm looking forward to continuing and seeing how they work together! 73 and thanks again! Ken VE3HLS

1 0

M2 2MXP20 pair of two antennas for sale
by Clayton Coleman 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

I have two M2 2MXP20 yagi's for sale along with phasing bars to give you 20 elements vertical and 20 elements horizontal total between the two antennas. These are 10x10 element (not circular) 2m yagis. $500 shipped continental USA. 73 Clayton W5PFG

2 1

Mast mount gaasfet preamp for sale
by jeffory broughton 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

Brand new microset PR145A ,bought never used.paid $175 with shipping. 20 db .5 db nf.RF switched. $135 and free shipping !WB8RJY JEFF jeff broughton

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ
by David H Jordan 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ on 11 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:10 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and W6FOG. The contact should be audible over the state of Arizona 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. There are two non-profit organizations based in Quartzsite, Arizona, coordinating this ARISS contact. The World Genesis Foundation operates with a mission to "leave no child without hope for the future." Quartzsite in Motion is a public/private partnership with the town of Quartzsite that operates to "promote health, education and community' in Quartzsite and surrounding towns. Students participating in the event come from six small schools in five town towns in rural western Arizona. The coordinating organizations have provided training and support materials to administrators and teachers at every participating school. The contact is part of a year-long program designed to encourage students to study and pursue work in science, technology, engineering and math. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What is the most unusual thing you have seen in space? 2. Did you want to be an astronaut as a kid? 3. What is it like with no gravity? 4. Can a person be in space too long? 5. What are your favorite science experiments that you have been a part of in space? 6. What do you do when you are not in space? 7. What kinds of hazards are you exposed to in space? 8. How has Robotics played a role with the ISS? 9. Can you share a story that sticks out in your mind since becoming an astronaut? 10. Are you able to grow plants in the ISS? 11. Has your understanding of the universe changed since seeing it from space? 12. What kind of games or things do you do for entertainment there? 13. What are the effects of weightlessness on your body or mental state? 14. What has been one thing you have learned from your studies there that surprised you? 15. Is there one thing that your training has not prepared you for? 16. What have been your missions outside the Space Station? 17. Have you used 3-D printing on the ISS? 18. What's your advice to young people dreaming of becoming involved in NASA's space program? 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. Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 2. High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France, telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 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

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-10 04:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-10 04:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ, direct via W6FOG The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-11 16:10:15 UTC 46 deg Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for Option #5: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg High School "Léon Blum", Le Creusot, France, telebridge via K6DUE (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Mon 2017-01-16 11:53:17 UTC 60 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 121 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 2017-01-10 04:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1105. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1070. 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 2017-01-05 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 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

Friendship 7 details?
by Robert Bruninga 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

After seeing the great movie “hidden figures” last night, I had lots of questions from my faded memory of the time (it was the same year I got my ham license and was 14 years old). This Wiki page has a lot… but the questions lingering in my mind were: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury 1) Was his mission planned at 3 orbits? (I thought it was more and then cut to three). 2) If #1, then they must have had to have recovery ships at a different spot for every potential orbit since he could not maneuver anything other than when to fire the retros. If it was 7 cut to three, then I guess they only needed two ship areas… 3) What frequency was CAPCOM? Was it the 108 MHz? I think the tracking stations all relayed the voice via HF? 4) Also related to #1, if something happened to the pilot, I assume ground control could fire the retros.

6 7

Setting up SatPC32
by Ken Alexander 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

I'm trying to set up SatPC32 to run two FT-817s, one for transmit and one for receive. The instructions say "with the FT-817/857/897 set the CAT delay to 110" How? The Radio Setup dialog box has a small box where the following appears: COM-Port (0 - 99) CAT Delay A box to the right of that has: 10 20 and a box to the right of that simply has 10 What are those? COM Ports or CAT Delay numbers? I tried entering 110 (the CAT Delay for the FT-817) in the right-most box and got an error message. How do you tell it you want to enter the Com-Port, and then the CAT Delay? That's for Radio 1. There doesn't seem to be a way to specify the CAT Delay for Radio 2. What if it's a different radio? Finally, How do I tell SatPC32 I want to transmit on Radio 1 and receive on Radio 2, or vice versa? Any help would be gratefully accepted. Thanks and 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Friendship 7 details?
by Daniel Schultz 10 Jan '17

10 Jan '17

Further research indicates that the "Go for at least seven orbits" line from capcom was to inform Glenn that the Atlas rocket had injected him into an orbit that would be stable for at least seven orbits, not that he was approved to stay up that long. This has led to an often repeated but historically inaccurate notion that Glenn's flight had been cut short by a problem, when in fact he was never intended to stay up for more than three orbits. The fact that Scott Carpenter's flight was also for only three orbits should indicate that the first two manned orbital flights were only intended to fly for three orbits, being our first initial baby steps into the cosmos. see http://www.thespacereview.com/article/550/1 and http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-history/our-spaceflight-heri… Dan Schultz N8FGV ------ Original Message ------ Received: Mon, 09 Jan 2017 06:30:09 PM EST > This leads to the interesting question of why > Glenn was told that he was "Go for at least seven orbits" by his capcom (page > 118) when there was absolutely no possibility of his flight lasting that long.

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Friendship 7 details?
by Richard Tejera 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

IIIRC, it was planned for 6 orbits. But when telemetry showed the landing bag deployed, it was cut to 3. Flight Director Kris Kraft was convinced,, based on report from controllers and the spacecraft that it was a faulty indication and wanted to go the full six. He was overruled by upper management. During t-shirt they told Glenn to keep the retro package on during re-entry, the idea being the straps would keep the heat shield attached and thus the landing bag stowed. After the flight, Kraft lobbied for and got the rule added to tall mission profiles the "The Flight Director shall have the final authority for call decisions pertaining to completion of mission objectives and crew safety", essentially preventing management from interfering again. Also IIRC there were two landing zones. In the event of an abort or, in this case, a shortening of the mission, retro fire would be planned for one of those. Now much after 6orbits, the rotation of earth, put the ground track out of range of groundbreaking station s for extended times. They had tracking stations on the Canadiens, Zanzibar Canberra, Hawaii & Goldstein, can (there may more,but those come to mind right now), so even under optimal conditions they were in direct contact with the spacecraft for about 10 minutes at a time maybe 4 or 5 times per orbit. During Gemini VIII, when the spacecraft almost spun out of control due to a stuck thruster, they had to abort since Armstrong had used their reentry thrusters to recover. All that happened out of communication range. When they came back in range the abort was called at the first opportunity. This put them well away from the recovery area. The crew had to wait several hours before recovery teams got to them not being a boat, the capsule bombed around a lot. armstrong, being a Navy man rode it out, but Scott, who was Air force, spent the time puking his guts out. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On January 9, 2017, at 14:02, B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> wrote: On 1/9/17, Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: > After seeing the great movie “hidden figures” last night, I had lots of > questions from my faded memory of the time (it was the same year I got my > ham license and was 14 years old). This Wiki page has a lot… but the > questions lingering in my mind were: > > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury > > > > 1) Was his mission planned at 3 orbits? (I thought it was more and > then cut to three). The comment by the capcom was that he was "good for 7 orbits", but the plan was for only 3. > > 2) If #1, then they must have had to have recovery ships at a > different spot for every potential orbit since he could not maneuver > anything other than when to fire the retros. If it was 7 cut to three, > then I guess they only needed two ship areas… There were several potential landing sites during a mission in case something went wrong. Gemini VIII, with Neil Armstrong and Dave Scott, had to be cut short after a few orbits because of the problem with one of the spacecraft's manoeuvring thrusters. It splashed down in one of the auxiliary recovery zones in the South China Sea and they were picked up by a USN destroyer. That didn't always work as NASA found out during the next Mercury mission, Aurora 7. Carpenter apparently fired his retro thrusters a bit late and landed some 400 km away from he was supposed to. > > 3) What frequency was CAPCOM? Was it the 108 MHz? I think the > tracking stations all relayed the voice via HF? I don't believe so. I think the ground stations might have connected by telephone lines to Mission Control. The only signal fading would be when the spacecraft was out of range of a tracking station. > > 4) Also related to #1, if something happened to the pilot, I assume > ground control could fire the retros. If I remember correctly, the spacecraft was entirely under control of the pilot. During Shepard's mission, Freedom 7, the retros didn't fire automatically so he had to light them manually. <snip> 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL _______________________________________________ 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] Friendship 7 details?
by Daniel Schultz 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

Bob, According to my coffee table book "The History of Manned Space Flight" by David Baker (1982), the Mercury capsule was initially designed to support only a three orbit mission, and both John Glenn and Scott Carpenter's flights were planned to last only that long. Page 137 of this book describes extensive modifications that were made to Wally Schirra's Sigma-7 spacecraft to allow it to fly a six orbit mission. This leads to the interesting question of why Glenn was told that he was "Go for at least seven orbits" by his capcom (page 118) when there was absolutely no possibility of his flight lasting that long. The Navy had 24 ships including three aircraft carriers spread out across the Atlantic to cover possible launch aborts and reentry after one, two or three orbits (page 113). There was no mention of any recovery plans for more than three orbits. The book also describes the flight of Enos the Chimp (page 105) in which ground control was responsible for firing the retros (since the chimp had not been trained on retrofire procedures). I don't know if that remote firing capability was also carried on the manned flights. During Enos' flight the telephone line between mission control at the Cape and the Point Arguello tracking station was cut when a farmer in Arizona plowed up a telephone cable, but Chis Kraft was able to reestablish voice contact to order Point Arguello to transmit the retrofire command just seconds before the deadline. This very excellent book is marred only by the fact that it describes rocket thrust in kilograms (one of my pet peeves), no doubt caused by English majors in the publisher's editorial department who never took a physics course. Dan Schultz N8FGV -------Original Message------- Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2017 15:24:51 -0500 From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Subject: [amsat-bb] Friendship 7 details? After seeing the great movie ?hidden figures? last night, I had lots of questions from my faded memory of the time (it was the same year I got my ham license and was 14 years old). This Wiki page has a lot? but the questions lingering in my mind were: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Mercury 1) Was his mission planned at 3 orbits? (I thought it was more and then cut to three). 2) If #1, then they must have had to have recovery ships at a different spot for every potential orbit since he could not maneuver anything other than when to fire the retros. If it was 7 cut to three, then I guess they only needed two ship areas? 3) What frequency was CAPCOM? Was it the 108 MHz? I think the tracking stations all relayed the voice via HF? 4) Also related to #1, if something happened to the pilot, I assume ground control could fire the retros.

1 0

Icom AND HAM RADIO DELUXE-Sat Control
by Ted 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

This information was just posted on the IC-9100 Group. I thought it might be useful for anyone here struggling with an ICOM (other than an IC-9100) and HRD. Apparently, the IC-9100 does not have any problem with SatPC32 73, Ted K7TRK From: ic9100(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2017 6:09 AM To: ic9100(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: [ic9100] Re: IC 9100 AND HAM RADIO DELUXE Ron, Last year I had the same problem! Look for the HRD answer: " Dear Julio, With RX and TX checked, the frequencies for uplink and downlink should be adjusted for Doppler effect, however, with the Icom radios there is a major issue which is due to the design of the radio itself. All rigs use a set of commands to control their functions. The command set is usually included in the operating manual for the rig. Any software needs to use these commands to control the various functions of your rig. Icom, has elected NOT to include commands in all their rigs to directly address VFO B or the Sub VFO. This makes it difficult to impossible to display or control VFO B. Some software authors have decided to use a kluge of sorts to work around this issue. They do this by sending the command to swap VFO's - that is, the frequency in VFO A becomes the frequency in VFO B and vice versa. The rig control program then reads the data from VFO A and stores it as VFO B. It then swaps the VFOs back to the initial frequencies. This takes a few microsecond to seconds depending on your Rig/Computer/Link speed and what data is being shared on the control bus (remember Icom CI-V is a shared serial data bus). This is an important consideration as it will interrupt the signal being received on VFO A for that period of time it is swapping back and forth as well as getting the data from the rig. It would make copying data or CW signals impossible as they would be constantly interrupted for an update of the frequency in VFO B. While that update may be a very short period of time, it would not be consistent or predictable. HRD has elected NOT to place this kludge in it's software because of this reason with the exception of the IC-9100. The IC-9100 in Satellite Mode (ONLY) will perform this swapping of VFOs as it is necessary for satellite work and the IC-9100 has individual audio outputs for the two VFOs. It's important to realize this is a shortcoming on the part of Icom by not including these commands. All attempts to work with Icom to address the issue have met with denial of a problem from Icom. The system no longer accepts replies to emails. Please click here <http://mandrillapp.com/track/click/30719821/tickets.hrdsoftwarellc.com?p=ey…> to view or update the status of your ticket. NOTE: Our support staff is available to respond Monday through Friday 6am to 5pm EST. Support Staff HRD Software, LLC

2 1

IC 910H issues
by James Brown 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

Hello All I recently swapped from FT847 to IC910H. I am using SAT 32 with little success. Some of the issues are: It appears that after a bit of idle monitoring( waiting for the next sat pass) the 910 looses communications with SAT 32. When a sat pass is activated the uplink and downlink and associated modes are reversed from what is displayed in SAT 32. can anyone relay their settings for sat 32 and the 910. maybe I can find what is configured incorrectly! ThanksJim KI6WJ DM09

3 2

AO-85
by skristof＠etczone.com 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

I just tried to get telemetry from AO-85. The pass had max elevation of 76 degrees here. In the past I would get lots of data on a pass like this, but lately I've been getting nothing. I can see the signal on the "waterfall" (using SDR#) but the signal is too weak to decode. Is anyone else having this problem? Is the signal normally low when the northern hemisphere is dark? What's happening? I've asked this before and didn't get any responses. Please send a couple of responses so I have some idea if there is some problem in my set up here. Thanks! Steve AI9IN

4 5

: Re: BY70-1 not heard
by N6RFM1 gmail 08 Jan '17

08 Jan '17

Hi Paul and AMSAT friends, It's really great to hear BY70-1 getting lots of use. Lots of familiar calls and some new ones. Perfect. Indeed, Scott K4KDR and I have recently made several coordinated attempts to collect BY70-1 telemetry and camera pictures. This would not have been even possible without the support of Mingchuan BG2BHC (as a project team representative, for GNU radio support and example wav format command files), Dani EA4GPZ (for authoring open source GNU radio blocks, and hosting a fantastic blog which describes how much of this works), and the BY70-1 project team. We have made several attempts over the past few days during favorable passes for us. So far, we have received some good telemetry, been able to command the satellite to take a picture and then download a few pieces of the JPG. Unfortunately, so far we have only fragments of JPG data. If more than a few packets in the JPG file data stream are lost, the JPG image cannot be reconstructed. For reasons we do not understand, either the downlink data stream stops, is disrupted or BY70-1 resets. It may even be our ground station hardware limitations. We don't quite know. We do hope however that some of our experiences will guide future developments. For example, as Dani suggests SSDV which has error detection and correction capability. For those interested and key point, BY70-1 will only accept a camera command after 30 seconds of transponder non-use. Given the popularity of BY70-1, which is great and what we all want, Scott and I have had a few chances to send camera commands during such "quiet times" or > 30 periods on non-use. But again, we are delighted BY70-1 is popular and being used. What you may have heard was the satellite re-transmitting my request to "take and send" a picture. These uplink commands are in FM and last a few seconds. If successful, the satellite switches modes and starts picture transmissions in SSB mode on the downlink. These last for ~10 - 15 seconds. Then we hear the transponder come right back on. You might not even notice between sips of coffee (or whatever!) Once a related camera mode has been activated, there is a 10 minute countdown before another such request will be accepted. As a practical matter, with the 10 minute camera watchdog, those interested in getting a picture really have one shot/pass and only if the transponder is quiet for the >30 second period. It's really great to hear everyone using BY70-1. That's what it's all about. And thanks to Scott K4KDR for being a great partner on this little project! Of course, I've made few Qs myself! I must say the audio quality is amazing to my ears. One last thing Paul. I need to work you on BY70-1! :-) 73, Bob

1 0

AO-73/FUNcube
by Jim Heck G3WGM 08 Jan '17

08 Jan '17

Hi Folks, I have just switched the sat into Educational Mode, ie transponder plus low power beacon when in darkness, transponder off and full power beacon when in daylight. 73s Jim G3WGM AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 aka FUNcube on UKube The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands.

1 0

AMSAT CW Activity Day reports
by Ray Soifer 08 Jan '17

08 Jan '17

As of today, 8 January, only two of the participants in AMSAT CW Activity Day have posted reports to amsat-bb. While there is no requirement to do so, if you participated, please consider posting one while it's still fresh in your mind. You can post a list of stations worked, satellites used, "Soapbox" comments, suggestions for next year's event, or what have you. 73 Ray W2RS

1 0

ANS-008 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 08 Jan '17

08 Jan '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-008 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: * The Hidden World of Space Junk * AMSAT at the Cowtown Hamfest * Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-Jan-05 * Tips for Posting to AMSAT-BB SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-008.01 ANS-008 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 008.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 8, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-008.01 The Hidden World of Space Junk Adrift is a short documentary that explores the hidden world of space junk. The film reveals an issue that is troubling and beautiful, dangerous and fascinating. It begins with the tale of astronaut Piers Sellers, who dropped his spatula in space in 2006, which became the most deadly kitchen instrument soon after, traveling at 27,000 km/h. The film then journeys across the remote deserts of Chile with astronomers of Collowara Observatory, into the skies, where threats to the International Space Station take place, and through to Thailand, where a man watches space debris burn. The film includes a narration by Vanguard, the oldest piece of space junk, voiced by Sally Potter (Dir Orlando). As featured on BBC Arts Online bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3sjd1wnYD47WLzhT9dV02YH/lost-in-space-turning- cosmic-junk-into-art [ANS thanks Stephen, G7VFY, and Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at the Cowtown Hamfest Keith Pugh, W5IU, reports that there will be an AMSAT Forum, a Booth, and Demonstrations at the Cowtown Hamfest, 20-21 January 2017. The Hamfest takes place in Forrest Hills, TX. A suburb of Fort Worth, TX. [ANS thanks Keith, W5IU, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-Jan-05 Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ, direct via W6FOG The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-11 16:10:15 UTC 46 deg Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg [ANS thanks Charlie, AJ9N, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tips for Posting to AMSAT-BB People sometimes post time-sensitive messages to AMSAT-BB. Examples are last minute grid activities, unexpected satellite mode changes, requests for critically important telemetry, etc. These normally go through promptly, but occasionally get held for two primary reasons: While AMSAT-BB is an open list, that means it is open for membership, not posting. In order to post to the list, it normally must be from the same account you originally registered. For instance, if you registered from your home account, and post from your office account, it will normally be held for release by a moderator. Likewise, some people have all their email forwarded to a single account from which they reply. We can create a filter to pass the second address, but that is not automatically done on the first instance, and does require moderator action. AMSAT-BB receives many pieces of spam for each legitimate message. As part of the filtering process, emails larger than 50 kB are blocked. This usually happens to legitimate email when someone attempts to attach a large file. Also, there is a limit to the number of addresses before an email is held as potential spam. I have seen legitimate email sent to 30+ addresses. We have a team of volunteer moderators, but they are not available 24/7. The result is that a message sent in the evening or on a holiday, US time, may well be held for several hours before being released. So, if it absolutely, positively needs to be distributed promptly: 1. Post from the same account you registered, or one which from past experience you know has been flagged as acceptable. 2. Do not use attachments. (Pictures and other files should be included by a link.) They will be blocked to the list, and if the total size of the message plus attachments exceeds 50 kB, the mail will be held. 3. Send it to AMSAT-BB and a few other addresses at most. If you must send to a large distribution list, send to them, and another copy to AMSAT-BB. (A trick which seems to work well is to place most of the addresses in the BCC rather than CC line.) 4. Consider also posting to the AMSAT Twitter and Facebook accounts. There is overlap in membership, though at present it is far from 100%. 5. Do not send large commercial press releases, or things which look like them. They will be caught by heuristic spam filters. A simple posting of an event or activity will normally go through. Note that there are existing exemptions for official channels such as ANS, ARISS, other AMSAT organizations, etc. 6. New accounts are automatically flagged for moderation. This flag will normally be cleared on the first or second posting, but do allow for and expect an initial delay if you establish a dedicated account for your satellite organization. [ANS thanks Alan, WA4SCA, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

1 0

Today's Roving
by Gabriel Zeifman 07 Jan '17

07 Jan '17

Good morning fellow people of the birds, For today's Roving I have planned a run of the eastern Mexico/Texas border. I will be leaving Austin (EM10) shortly and venturing down the I-35 into the EL0x grids to the border, then cutting east into the EL1x grids and turning back north. As usual I will be on APRS (NJ7H-9) and iridium (share.delorme.com/gz). Will try to keep current on twitter @NJ7H_Radio with pass and grid details as I know them. Tomorrow I will be returning to Oklahoma City via EM10-15, so if anyone need anything in there let me know. A jaunt into EM2x is possible as well. 73, Gabe NJ7H

1 0

ICOM 9100 es SatPC32
by Rafael Pena 06 Jan '17

06 Jan '17

Is the Icom 9100 fully supported by SatPC32...I see it as one of the rigs that can be selected. I am planning on a swap from FT847 to Icom. Any input is appreciated. Rafael / NN3RP

3 2

BY70-1 Alive and Well
by CEE 06 Jan '17

06 Jan '17

Good pass and signals over northwestern US from BY70-1

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] YES! BY70-1 heard
by Andy 06 Jan '17

06 Jan '17

Worked John K8YSE/7 on the 0550Z pass out to the west. Nice signals for a max 1-deg el pass! Orbit is falling, but the satellite sounds great. 73 de Andy W5ACM EL29eq -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andy Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 9:37 PM To: 'PY5LF' <py5lf(a)falautomation.com.br>; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] YES! RE: BY70-1 not heard Lighting the filaments now! I will be listening for the next pass that can see HOUSTON. Thanks for the report! Andy W5ACM -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of PY5LF Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 8:50 PM To: Bill Attwood <whattwood(a)gmail.com>; AMSAT-BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 not heard Hi Bill Last pass of BY70-1 at 2:30UTC over here , the repeater was on and signal strong as usual. 73 2017-01-05 21:15 GMT-02:00 Bill Attwood <whattwood(a)gmail.com>: > Maybe has something to do with the "camera mode": > > "For BY70-1, an open telecommand is designed to allow radio amateurs > to send commands to take and download an image. The following article > provides some details about it: http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?p=542" > > Cheers, > Bill VE6WK > > > On 2017-01-05 1:58 PM, PY5LF wrote: > > Hi > Some reports of "not heard' to BY70 on the recent passes at *AMSAT > Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page* ... > So , the bird already burn ? :-( > 73 > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect > the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > [image: Avast logo] > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_ > campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_ > campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > > _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

YES! RE: BY70-1 not heard
by Andy 06 Jan '17

06 Jan '17

Lighting the filaments now! I will be listening for the next pass that can see HOUSTON. Thanks for the report! Andy W5ACM -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of PY5LF Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 8:50 PM To: Bill Attwood <whattwood(a)gmail.com>; AMSAT-BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 not heard Hi Bill Last pass of BY70-1 at 2:30UTC over here , the repeater was on and signal strong as usual. 73 2017-01-05 21:15 GMT-02:00 Bill Attwood <whattwood(a)gmail.com>: > Maybe has something to do with the "camera mode": > > "For BY70-1, an open telecommand is designed to allow radio amateurs > to send commands to take and download an image. The following article > provides some details about it: http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?p=542" > > Cheers, > Bill VE6WK > > > On 2017-01-05 1:58 PM, PY5LF wrote: > > Hi > Some reports of "not heard' to BY70 on the recent passes at *AMSAT > Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page* ... > So , the bird already burn ? :-( > 73 > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > [image: Avast logo] > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_ > campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_ > campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > > _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 not heard
by PY5LF 06 Jan '17

06 Jan '17

Hi Bill Last pass of BY70-1 at 2:30UTC over here , the repeater was on and signal strong as usual. 73 2017-01-05 21:15 GMT-02:00 Bill Attwood <whattwood(a)gmail.com>: > Maybe has something to do with the "camera mode": > > "For BY70-1, an open telecommand is designed to allow radio amateurs to > send commands to take and download an image. The following article provides > some details about it: http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?p=542" > > Cheers, > Bill VE6WK > > > On 2017-01-05 1:58 PM, PY5LF wrote: > > Hi > Some reports of "not heard' to BY70 on the recent passes at *AMSAT Live > OSCAR Satellite Status Page* ... > So , the bird already burn ? :-( > 73 > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > [image: Avast logo] > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> > >

2 1

Kenwood THD-72A
by Bruce 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

Just listed my Kenwood THD-72A on ebay in the event someone is looking for one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/112259930339? 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

1 0

BY70-1 not heard
by PY5LF 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

Hi Some reports of "not heard' to BY70 on the recent passes at *AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page* ... So , the bird already burn ? :-( 73

1 0

BY-70-1 Data Transmissions
by Stewart Todd Morgan 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

For the following BY-70-1 pass (per Orbitron and Celestrack data acquired just before the pass): Location : Boone,NC (81.7083° W, 36.2292° N) Time zone : UTC Search period : 2017-01-05 16:18:00 - 7 days 2017-01-12 16:18:00 Conditions : Maximum sun elevation = None Minimum sat elevation = 0 deg Illumination NOT required Time Satellite Azm Elv Mag Range S.Azm S.Elv -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017-01-05 16:29:09 BY70-1 7.2 0.0 ? 2569 163.2 29.4 2017-01-05 16:34:52 BY70-1 284.4 59.1 ? 565 164.7 29.7 2017-01-05 16:40:40 BY70-1 200.8 0.0 ? 2602 166.2 30.0 Using an Alinco DJ-X11T receiver in SDR mode and a handheld Arrow antenna, Doppler-shifted data transmissions were noted at the following UTC times in the waterfall centered on 436.2 MHz: 16:34:10 16:34:40 16:35:10 16:35:40 16:36:10 Transmissions were approximately 1 second in duration and 10 kHz in bandwidth. I assume these transmissions are the 9600bps BPSK (haven't tried to decode). I saw no evidence of voice or other activity during the pass. Todd AL0I

1 0

BY70-1 last night pass NA/Caribbean.
by Pavel Milanes Costa 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

Hi, I was listening last night in the pass over NA and Caribbean (I'm in FL11/Cuba) and get a great signal of the packet downlink on the repeater output in 70cm but no audio... I tried to get into the sat repeater with no joy, is the repeater turned on full time or it has a schedule or other trick beside the PL tone? Gear here: * 70cm: 1 turn QFHA + LNA + 10m AH LDF4 +Vcc Tap for LNA with HPF + RTL-SDR (CAT controlled via GQRX in linux) * 2m: 1 turn QFHA or J-pole + 20m AH LDF4 + Alinco DR-130 (5W) / Baofeng (2.5 Khz step 5W) Note: with this setup I'm able to work SO-50 successfully (QSO with HP2BWY) just minutes before this pass of BY70-1, so the hardware is working great. -- 73 Pavel CO7WT.

2 2

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-05 08:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-05 08:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France, direct via F1IMF The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact was successful: Wed 2017-01-04 11:16:26 UTC 30 deg (***) Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL, direct via K4JMC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact was successful: Wed 2017-01-04 17:29:40 UTC 80 deg (***) World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ, direct via W6FOG The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-11 16:10:15 UTC 46 deg Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for Option #5: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 121 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 2017-01-05 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 1105. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1070. (***) 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 2017-01-05 08:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 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

Re: [amsat-bb] Rainbow Middle School Successful
by AJ9N＠aol.com 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

Congrats John but I think there were a tad more than 000 students. 73, Charlie In a message dated 1/4/2017 10:01:40 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, johnnykludt(a)earthlink.net writes: All, Rainbow Middle School was successful. Three schools were present for a total of approximately 000 students involved. There were three TV stations in attendance as well as two newspapers. The station operator was a student so a total of 19 students were directly involved with all questions answered. The control operator asked an additional question for a total of 19 questions, A very successful contact indeed. John K4SQC

2 1

BY70-1 Observations
by John Papay 05 Jan '17

05 Jan '17

I had a chance to run some tests on BY70-1 this evening from my Arizona Station since there was no one on the pass. It was only a 15 degree pass for me but the satellite did very well. BY70-1 is much stronger than SO-50. The morning passes are around 500KM and the evening passes are only 250KM. But the signal is quite strong on both. If you are having trouble hearing SO-50, try BY70-1. You should hear it much better. At first I thought the sensitivity might not be very good, but upon further testing it was possible to hold the satellite at 1 watt provided that you were on the right polarity at the moment. I was changing between horizontal and vertical frequently. The wrong polarity produced noise, but a switch to the opposite polarity yielded a full quieting signal consistently. Many have experienced dropout when attempting to talk through the satellite. Sometimes it is due to the many signals present on the input frequency including those that are not coming from satellite users. It's the same situation on SO-50. But there are also dropouts that occur when there is no one else on the input. It seems that if you are fairly wide in deviation, certain speech will cause the satellite to stop transmitting. This may be a receiver bandwidth issue or perhaps the PL decoder responding to voice frequencies etc. At any rate I think the dropouts are due to the PL decoder not decoding the PL tone for the above reasons. BY70-1 seems to be less sensitive to dropouts if you use narrow band FM on the transmit. I found very little difference in the repeated audio level when using wide or narrow. So there is signal processing in play which keeps the audio output level constant. AO-85 audio levels do change quite a bit between wideband and narrow. So do use narrow FM on this bird for best results. The signal processing also apparently causes a significant delay in the repeated audio. It can cause some discomfort but keep the rx level low so you are able to ignore the delay and converse normally. Audio quality is quite good. Some have thought there is some sort of VOX on the bird but a dead carrier seems to hold the transmitter keyed with no audio present. Again, the PL Decoder is likely responsible for the dropouts. Be sure to download the latest keps from Celestrak or apace-track. The keps on the amsat site may not always be current. The orbit is changing daily so get the new keps every 24 hours. The catalog number is 41909. http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt The amsat nasa.all file can be edited with Wordpad and the new keps can replace the ones in the file if different. Set your PL to 67Hz just like SO-50. doppler.sqf: BY70-1,436200,145920,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,FM Voice BY70-1,436200,145920,FM,FMN,NOR,0,0,Narrow FM Voice The coordinated frequencies seen to be close enough. I have asked KX9X to facilitate adding BY70-1 to the list of satellites in LOTW. Don't be reluctant to try this satellite. You will find it much easier to access than SO-50 or AO-85. It does have a short window but you can hear it down low if you don't have any obstructions. 73, John K8YSE/7 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

4 3

Area Coordinators
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 04 Jan '17

04 Jan '17

Greetings, I would like to update my location on the Area Coordinator page as I now live in Blue Springs, MO - who is the best person to contact for this. Thanks and 73, Joe kk0sd

2 1

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-04 08:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 04 Jan '17

04 Jan '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-01-04 08:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France, direct via F1IMF The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-04 11:16:26 UTC 30 deg Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL, direct via K4JMC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-04 17:29:40 UTC 80 deg World Genesis Foundation (WGF), Goodyear AZ, direct via W6FOG The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-11 16:10:15 UTC 46 deg (***) Collège Saint-Guibert, Gembloux, Belgium and Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium; Combined telebridge via K6DUE (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is a go for Option #5: Thu 2017-01-12 13:46:51 UTC 36 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 121 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 2017-01-04 08:30 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 1103. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1068. 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 2017-01-01 04:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 49 on orbit Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Andrei Borisenko Sergey Ryzhikov Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Kenwood D710 firmware ?
by PA3GUO 03 Jan '17

03 Jan '17

Dave (W8AAS) and Arno (PE1RDP) gave some valuable suggestions.... which made me check the procedures again. ... where I found out you actually have to push the READ button twice (!) before the MCP software starts reading from the radio :-) Solved ! Henk - PA3GUO .. I am a bit in trouble :-) For APRS (ISS, PSAT, ..) I have recently put a Kenwood D710 in my car. Worked fine. I used the MCP2 program to program memories & settings. Until I decided today to update the firmware: from 2.01 --> 2.10. After that I could not use the MCP2 software anymore. Doesn't read any data from the radio any longer, it sticks at 0%. Re-did the firmware update, same result, still doesn't read. Doesn't write either btw. ('model / market code does not match') Tried to also update the Panel Firmware (maybe this was a combo ?). Doesn't work either: says cannot find Panel. ..but the panel is connected and works fine ! Cannot find anything on Google reporting the same (apart from G4ILO, but the poor man is SK). Any clue anyone - there must be plenty of D710's installed for satellite operations. Or else: does someone have a previous version of the firmware, such that I can try if a downgrade would work ? Thanks Henk Pa3GUO

1 0

BY70-1 Observation & Question
by Scott 03 Jan '17

03 Jan '17

Happy New Year to everyone. So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question. Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static. As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others? One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV! I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes). Thanks! -Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192

5 5

Kenwood D710 firmware ?
by PA3GUO 03 Jan '17

03 Jan '17

.. I am a bit in trouble :-) For APRS (ISS, PSAT, ..) I have recently put a Kenwood D710 in my car. Worked fine. I used the MCP2 program to program memories & settings. Until I decided today to update the firmware: from 2.01 --> 2.10. After that I could not use the MCP2 software anymore. Doesn't read any data from the radio any longer, it sticks at 0%. Re-did the firmware update, same result, still doesn't read. Doesn't write either btw. ('model / market code does not match') Tried to also update the Panel Firmware (maybe this was a combo ?). Doesn't work either: says cannot find Panel. ..but the panel is connected and works fine ! Cannot find anything on Google reporting the same (apart from G4ILO, but the poor man is SK). Any clue anyone - there must be plenty of D710's installed for satellite operations. Or else: does someone have a previous version of the firmware, such that I can try if a downgrade would work ? Thanks Henk Pa3GUO

2 1

AMSAT CW Activity Day
by Zeljko Ulip 03 Jan '17

03 Jan '17

Hello, During AMSAT CW Activity Day 01.01.2017. I worked: 1. 21.21 UTC EB5YF, Juan Jose on FO-29 2. 21.26 UTC 9A2KI, Ico on FO-29 3. 23.02 UTC EA1BYA, Andoni on FO-29 4. 23.11 UTC HA1SE, Laci on FO-29 Best regards and Happy New Year 73 de Zeljko 9A2EY

1 0

conifer/andrews 2.4 ghz "BBQ" grid dish for sale
by Scott Olitsky 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

This has been sitting in the shed for a number of years. If interested, please email me. Scott AC3A

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL on 04 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:29 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between N4ISS and K4JMC. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama 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. Our school is located in North East Alabama. We are a 6th - 8th grade school of about 700 students. This is an exciting adventure for our students to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of space exploration. We hope to enliven their curiosity and interest through efforts and experiences before, during, and after the ARISS contact. This also provides our students the occasion to learn about amateur radio and how it works. We have completed a variety of activities and lessons which have heightened our anticipation for our contact date. Many of our students did not understand the International Space Station or what it is used for before we started this process. On October 19, and November 18, our 6th grade classes joined to watch a replay of both ISS launches. It was very exciting to watch Expedition Crew 49 and 50 begin their journey into orbit. We have viewed tours of the ISS and have watched recent interviews with crew members aboard the ISS. Many students have downloaded a NASA app to keep up with current news and happenings. We are currently researching the crew members of Expeditions 49 and 50 to understand their background and interests. Half of the 6th grade curriculum focuses on the Sun Earth Moon System and Planetary Systems. Various lab activities are helping us to explore gravity on different planets, construct and utilize scale models of our solar system, simulate different planetary and solar system processes, and expand our student's overall knowledge of the Solar System. After our contact in January we will be continuing activities and research of space exploration, the ISS, and amateur radio. As teachers we have been energized as we have learned more and more about the ISS and NASA. It has been exciting to share with our students in this process of learning and preparation. We are amazed as we study our Earth and beyond. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What made you want to become an astronaut? 2. How does it feel to achieve something as cool as being in space? 3. Who did you look up to when you were young? 4. What was the hardest thing you went through while training to become an astronaut? 5. During blast off, did you feel any physical pain or sickness? 6. Before launch what were you thinking? 7. How does being in space affect blood pressure? 8. Because it takes two days to get to the ISS, how do you eat? 9. What was the hardest challenge for you to overcome knowing that you would be in space for a long period of time? 10. How, and how often, do you communicate with your family while aboard the ISS? 11. Now that you have been in space a while, what simulations on Earth did you find to be most helpful? 12. What's the most fun thing you do for entertainment while aboard the ISS? 13. Does the change in gravity cause your daily chores and work to be easier or harder? 14. What happens if you were to get sick in space? 15. Are the astronauts able to vote while in space? 16. How do you wash your dirty laundry while aboard the ISS? 17. While on ISS, do you miss Earth's ways of doing life? 18. Is there a minimum age limit for space travel? 19. What is one thing that you enjoy doing in space that you can't do on Earth? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France on 04 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:16 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F1IMF. 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. Allassac is a French town in the corrèze department, in the new Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes aera. There are 3.869 inhabitants. It is 20 kilometers north of Brive-la-gaillarde and 200 km north of Toulouse. The Mathilde Marthe FAUCHER public middle school currently hosts 400 of students in 16 classes. It is the students of 6th graduate participating in the ARISS project. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Doit-on avoir la citoyenneté française pour devenir spationaute français? 2. Préférez-vous être chez vous ou dans l'espace? 3. Est-il important de savoir nager pour devenir spationaute? 4. De combien de centimètres avez-vous grandi depuis que vous êtes dans la station? 5. A quelle fréquence les spationautes mènent-ils des expériences scientifiques à bord de l'lSS? 6. Est-il physiquement possible de pleurer en apesanteur? 7. Quelle est la plus belle chose que vous avez-vu dans l'espace? 8. Comment lavez-vous vos vêtements? 9. Quel est le danger que vous redoutez le plus à bord de la station? 10. Les spationautes peuvent-ils entendre des impacts de météorites sur la station? 11. Comment organisez-vous vos soirées? 12. Est-ce que les spationautes éteignent les lumières la nuit? 13. Les spationautes peuvent-ils utiliser leur téléphone mobile dans l'espace? l4. Comment les astronautes peuvent-ils utiliser twitter ou les réseaux sociaux depuis l'espace? 15. Peut-on voir la pollution sur la terre depuis la station? 16. Produisez-vous beaucoup de déchets par jour? 17. Est-ce que les spationautes se sentent seuls à bord de l'lSS? 18. Quel est votre plus grand rêve? l9. Comment l'eau parvient-elle à la station? 20. Souhaitez-vous aller sur une autre planète? 21. Quel est le fuseau horaire adopté dans l'espace? 22. Les spationautes sont-ils plus stressés lors des sorties dans l'espace? Translated: 1. Do you need to be a French citizen to become a French spationaut? 2. Do you prefer being at home or in space? 3. Is it essential skill to know swimming to become an astronaut? 4. How many centimeters did you gain in height since you are in the Station? 5. How frequently do you run experiments in the ISS? 6. Is it physically possible to cry in micro-gravity? 7. What is the most beautiful thing you have seen in space? 8. How do you wash your clothes? 9. What is the hazard you fear the most in the station? 10. Is it possible to hear meteorite impacts on the Station ? 11. How do you spend your evenings after work? 12. Do you switch off the lights during your sleeping time? 13. Is it possible to use your mobile phone in the ISS? l4. How could the astronauts use twitter or other social networks from space? 15. is the earth pollution visible from the ISS? 16. Are you producing a lot of waste per day? 17. Could the astronauts feel alone onboard the ISS? 18. What is your most important dream? l9. : How do you get water in the station? 20. Would you like to travel to another planet? 21. Which Time zone is used in space? 22. Are the spationauts particularly stressed during EVAs? 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. Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL, direct via K4JMC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-04 17:29 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

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Collège Mathilde Marthe Faucher, Allassac, France on 04 Jan. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:16 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between FX0ISS and F1IMF. 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. Allassac is a French town in the corrèze department, in the new Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes aera. There are 3.869 inhabitants. It is 20 kilometers north of Brive-la-gaillarde and 200 km north of Toulouse. The Mathilde Marthe FAUCHER public middle school currently hosts 400 of students in 16 classes. It is the students of 6th graduate participating in the ARISS project. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Doit-on avoir la citoyenneté française pour devenir spationaute français? 2. Préférez-vous être chez vous ou dans l'espace? 3. Est-il important de savoir nager pour devenir spationaute? 4. De combien de centimètres avez-vous grandi depuis que vous êtes dans la station? 5. A quelle fréquence les spationautes mènent-ils des expériences scientifiques à bord de l'lSS? 6. Est-il physiquement possible de pleurer en apesanteur? 7. Quelle est la plus belle chose que vous avez-vu dans l'espace? 8. Comment lavez-vous vos vêtements? 9. Quel est le danger que vous redoutez le plus à bord de la station? 10. Les spationautes peuvent-ils entendre des impacts de météorites sur la station? 11. Comment organisez-vous vos soirées? 12. Est-ce que les spationautes éteignent les lumières la nuit? 13. Les spationautes peuvent-ils utiliser leur téléphone mobile dans l'espace? l4. Comment les astronautes peuvent-ils utiliser twitter ou les réseaux sociaux depuis l'espace? 15. Peut-on voir la pollution sur la terre depuis la station? 16. Produisez-vous beaucoup de déchets par jour? 17. Est-ce que les spationautes se sentent seuls à bord de l'lSS? 18. Quel est votre plus grand rêve? l9. Comment l'eau parvient-elle à la station? 20. Souhaitez-vous aller sur une autre planète? 21. Quel est le fuseau horaire adopté dans l'espace? 22. Les spationautes sont-ils plus stressés lors des sorties dans l'espace? Translated: 1. Do you need to be a French citizen to become a French spationaut? 2. Do you prefer being at home or in space? 3. Is it essential skill to know swimming to become an astronaut? 4. How many centimeters did you gain in height since you are in the Station? 5. How frequently do you run experiments in the ISS? 6. Is it physically possible to cry in micro-gravity? 7. What is the most beautiful thing you have seen in space? 8. How do you wash your clothes? 9. What is the hazard you fear the most in the station? 10. Is it possible to hear meteorite impacts on the Station ? 11. How do you spend your evenings after work? 12. Do you switch off the lights during your sleeping time? 13. Is it possible to use your mobile phone in the ISS? l4. How could the astronauts use twitter or other social networks from space? 15. is the earth pollution visible from the ISS? 16. Are you producing a lot of waste per day? 17. Could the astronauts feel alone onboard the ISS? 18. What is your most important dream? l9. : How do you get water in the station? 20. Would you like to travel to another planet? 21. Which Time zone is used in space? 22. Are the spationauts particularly stressed during EVAs? 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. Rainbow Middle School, Rainbow City, AL, direct via K4JMC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is a go for: Wed 2017-01-04 17:29 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

1 0

CW ACTIVITY DAY REPORT
by rsoifer1＠aol.com 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

I worked Mike, WA6ARA, and Wayne, NM3B, on FO-29. Tnx to both, and Happy New Year to all. 73 Ray W2RS

1 0

BY70-1 keps update
by Matthew Stevens 02 Jan '17

02 Jan '17

I've noticed a lot of people tweeting that they weren't able to hear BY70-1 on recent passes. Most of the issue probably lies with the fact that the low orbit of the sat is causing wide variations in pass times. The TLEs in the Amsat kep file aren't updated often enough to keep up with these variations, so you might try the keps from Celestrak https://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt These are updated several times a day, and should provide better tracking than the Amsat keps. - Matthew KK4FEM Sent from my iPhone

1 0