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2016 AMSAT Symposium at Sea Update
by Clayton Coleman 22 Jul '16

22 Jul '16

Get ready to set sail for the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting – at sea! With only a few months between now and our sailing date of November 10, cabins are starting to fill up quickly. If you have not made reservations, please consider doing so to ensure your cabin preference may be accommodated. While our AMSAT group reservation has a negotiated rate for category 4B inside cabins, many group members have opted to reserve ocean view and balcony cabins. IMPORTANT NOTES: - Booking your Carnival Cruise does not register you for the AMSAT Symposium. There is a charge for each Symposium attendee of $40. This fee applies to those who will attend the technical presentations only and includes a copy of the printed Proceedings. Additional guests are entitled to attend all other events. The registration form is available from the AMSAT office or store website. - The AMSAT 2016 Space Symposium Cruise flyer included in the 2016 Board of Directors ballot mailing lists an incorrect group booking code. The correct AMSAT group code is 8Z0RF5. - Ground transportation options have been added to the FAQ page on the AMSAT Symposium web page. Carnival offers round-trip transportation from HOU airport to the cruise terminal at approximately $74 per person, IAH airport $94 per person. CONTACT INFORMATION AND LINKS: - Symposium registration: http://store.amsat.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=130 - Cruise registration: 1-800-438-6744 extension number 70005. Our group name is AMSAT and the group code is 8Z0FR5. Outside of the USA, the number to call is +1 305-599-2600 extension number 70005 (not available on weekends.) DATES AND LOCATION: - 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting November 10-14 aboard the Carnival Liberty departing from Galveston, Texas. - 2016 AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting November 9-10 at the DoubleTree Galveston Beach Hotel, Galveston, Texas.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-22 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Jul '16

22 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-22 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Sat 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC (***) ESA Space Camp 2016, Lenk, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-25 12:46:35 UTC 49 deg Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria IL, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-07-27 19:59:27 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 Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-22 07:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1071. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1036. 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 2016-07-20 02:00 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Upcoming ARISS contact with ESA Space Camp 2016, Lenk, Switzerland
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Jul '16

22 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at ESA Space Camp 2016, Lenk, Switzerland on 25 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 12:46 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 W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west 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. The ESA Space Camp is a summer camp organized by the European Space Agency at KUSPO, "Kurs und Sportzentrum" in Lenk, Switzerland. The activity is part of an educational program. Children at the camp will have 2 weeks of space education and this event will be a highlight for making ARISS contact with an astronaut in space. The education program will cover the themes of space and exploration in particular looking at Rosetta final operations as well as planet Earth and its uniqueness in the universe. Children will receive a lesson based around how we communicate with the crew on the ISS from a ham radio expert. Local media and authorities are involved, also with the support of the camp provider. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. If one astronaut is very ill, can a "space-ambulance" be sent to bring the astronaut back to earth? 2. How do you clean the air of the ISS 3. I would like to know if a person with severe hearing problem who is equipped with the cochlear implant, like me, is able to become astronaut. Thank you. 4. Once you are in the ISS, which part of the Earth you like the most to fly over and why? 5. What physical changes do you notice with your body whilst you are in space? 6. Is it necessary to have medical knowledge to become Astronaut? Because you shall give yourself an injection! 7. Since the astronauts on board of ISS see many sunrises and sunsets every day, how do they cope with sleeping and day/night cycles? 8. What is the most interesting thing on Earth that you have seen from space? 9. What is going through your mind during launch? 10. For how long do the supplies in food and oxygen last on board the ISS? 11. In case of a vital emergency issue inside the ISS that requires the evacuation of the ISS, which are your escape options? Was it ever used for real in the past? 12. How do you feel when you go to work outside the space station? 13. If you knew that going to space was dangerous, why did you decide to go? 14. What is the first thing you want to do when you arrive back to Earth? 15. When you go out of the station to repair something for instance, what would happen if the cable connecting to the ISS break? What does the crew in the station have to do to avoid that you go in deep space? 16. Have you ever thought of the dangers that can happen in your space missions? 17. What is the most exciting part of the travel to the ISS? 18. What do you typically do during your free time at ISS? And do you ever get bored? 19. How much sport do you have to practice to keep muscle toned and avoid bones degradation? 20. Do the astronauts onboard the ISS have the meals together? 21. Have you ever felt loneliness or have you ever been afraid of staying outside in the space? 22. What happens if an astronaut gets a cavity (toothache) when at the Station? 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. Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria IL, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-07-27 19:59:27 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), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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New to satellites or seasoned operator
by Bruce 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

If you are new to satellites or even a seasoned operator, AMSAT has a variety of awards for you. The first is the Satellite Communicator's Club - This award is for making your very first satellite contact. No QSL card is required. Simply apply for it at the AMSAT online store and then drop an email to me that you purchased the award. In the comments of the award, enter the station you worked and date/time. The next award is the Satellite Communication Achievement Award - This award is for making 20 contacts with different states/ve call areas/dxcc entities. Sorry, you cannot use Hawaii and Alaska for a DXCC entity and a state. We will count them both as states. This award does require you to send copies of your QSL cards or screen shots of your LoTW contact. Add another 40 states/ve call areas/dxcc entities to your original 20 above and you earn the Sexagesimal Award for 60 contacts. Then add another 40 states/ve call areas/dxcc entities and you get the Century Award for 100 contacts. AMSAT also has the South Africa Satellite Communication Achievement Award - This is for 25 contacts with any station, any where (all can be from your same city, state or country if you like). These contacts must be made on phase 2 LEO satellites. The final AMSAT Award is the Robert W. Barbee Jr. (W4AMI) Satellite Operator Achievement Award - To earn this award you must have made 1,000 contacts with any station on any satellite (multiple contacts with the same station is allowed if on different days or different satellites). Endorsements are provided for each 1,000 contacts and a special certificate is issued for your 5,000th contact. To see all the awards and see who has earned each visit http://www.amsat.org click on Services and then Awards Do not forget awards issued by other groups such as the ARRL VUCC, ARRL DXCC, and ARRL WAS. Then there is the Central States VHF Society Reverse Grid award. Finally the Got Grids award issued by starcommgroup.org 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Alternate 2015-2016 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Spectacular views: Dragon and ISS clearly visible over The Netherlands !
by PA3GUO 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Last 2 nights both the ISS and SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule were clearly visible over my location (Waalre, The Netherlands). I got great help of two friends setting up the camera & tracking the spaceships. In the night of July 19th they were still separated 4 minutes. ISS already passed when Dragon showed up. However, in the night (early morning 03:35 local time...) of July 20th they were separated only 15 seconds / 115km. One really sees the two 'following' (trailing) each other (ISS is followed by Dragon). We had a bit of a challenge with the full moon. Fortunately, the basketball field helped out a bit as you can see on this picture: http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7644.JPG ISS is the bright stripe, the more dimmed stripe (below) is Dragon. Exposure (lens open): 10 seconds. ISS was approaching. Subsequent pictures are here: http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7645.JPG http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7646.JPG http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7647.JPG http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7648.JPG (here you see Dragon best) http://www.pa3guo.com/DSC_7649.JPG Then my two friends noticed during the final period of the pass that the Pleiades ("Seven Sisters") were accompanying them: http://www.pa3guo.com/iss_dragon_waalre_20jul2016.jpg Well, I finally saw a cargo ship and the ISS passing by together, it was truly a spectacular view !! Best regards, Henk - PA3GUO

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1976-07-20: Viking 1 Lands On Mars
by B J 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/viking-1/ It was originally scheduled to touch down on July 4, in observance of the American bicentennial, but a sandstorm obscured the landing site. July 20 was chosen instead because it was the 7th anniversary of Armstrong and Aldrin landing, and later walking, on the moon. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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NP4JV in July ARRL NPOTA newsletter
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Hi! The ARRL just released the July issue of their National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) newsletter for National Park Service staff and volunteers. These newsletters are at: http://www.arrl.org/npota-for-nps and the July issue is available at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/NPOTA-News/NPOTA-July2016.pdf On the last page of this month's newsletter is a short mention of one way to deal with an "uncooperative ionosphere" - work satellites. It shows Fernando NP4JV working a satellite from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. If you follow Fernando on Twitter - he's @NP4JV, or visit http://twitter.com/NP4JV to see his Twitter activity - you would have seen the photo that appear in this newsletter on 1 July, when he went up there and worked some passes. Congratulations, Fernando! 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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[Video] Sexism in Space? - ISS SSTV Image of Pioneering Cosmonaut
by John Brier 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

https://youtu.be/ayn3rHPKE40 I received this image of cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya from the ham radio on board the International Space Station on June 19th 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Videos shown at the end: "Failed ISS Slow Scan TV!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0st4GzyZb8 "Coolest ISS Slow Scan TV Image! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSFAlGfvPPc "My First Perfect ISS SSTV Image!" https://youtu.be/7to9uX1sWC4 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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Maine grid trip
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

I'm going to head to Maine within the next few weeks to work from a few needed grids. Who needs what so I can figure out a game plan. Not sure if I'll drag the 9100 up with me or an 857/817 combo. Dave-KB1PVH

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Re: [amsat-bb] Maine grid trip
by Douglas Tabor 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

From here, anything in Maine or NH would be great. Doug, N6UA DN70 Douglas Tabor dtabor(a)estesvalley.net

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ISS Project Announcements
by Clint Bradford 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

>> ... maybe premature ... BUT - a great reminder to us all to keep all those frequencies programmed in our rigs - just in case! A quickie chart of the voice and data channels is posted at ... http://www.work-sat.com ... on the right column: "CLICK HERE for just the Freq Charts" .pdf file. And go ahead and program BOTH ITU regions' FM voice freqs ... in case an astronaut might be available, but accidentally chose the "wrong" channel (grin). Clint Bradford 1-909-999-SATS

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-20 02:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-20 02:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC 74 deg (***) Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC ESA Space Camp 2016, Lenk, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-25 12:46:35 UTC 49 deg Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria IL, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-07-27 19:59:27 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 Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-20 02:00 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 Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1071. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1036. (***) 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 2016-07-20 02:00 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] Maine grid trip
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

I'll be doing FN64 for sure. Dave-KB1PVH

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ISS SSTV EVENT THIS WEEKEND! (with possible "voice communication with Earth" ?)
by John Brier 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

http://bit.ly/2a5nBMM It looks like the next event will be Saturday July 23rd 2016, probably going all weekend. This is based on a post on the Russian blog by R4UAB. According to Google Translate the event will be “dedicated to the life and work of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.” Google Translate also mentions “voice communication with the Earth,” which is very intriguing. Can anyone who reads Cyrillic/knows Russian tell me exactly what the part about "voice communication with Earth" means? I want to know if the cosmonauts will be talking to amateur radio operators on the ground. The link to the original blog post is here: http://r4uab.ru/?p=12122 My "ISS SSTV Reception Hints" page is here: https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/iss-sstv-reception-hints/ AMSAT-UK has a similar page here: https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/ 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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ISS + cargoship naked eye visible?
by PA3GUO 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

Wednesday the new cargoship is expected to arrive at the ISS. I can see the ISS with the naked eye. What about the soyouz etc, prior to docking? Would love to see 2 moving stars, one following the other. Henk, PA3GUO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-19 05:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-19 05:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Mon 2016-07-18 10:25:53 UTC 72 deg (***) United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC 74 deg Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC ESA Space Camp 2016, Lenk, Switzerland, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Takuya Onishi KF5LKS (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-25 12:46:35 UTC 49 deg (***) Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria IL, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-07-27 19:59:27 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 Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-19 05:30 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 Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1070. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1035. (***) 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 2016-07-19 05:30 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ARISS: Radio amateurs invited to UK Prime Minister's official residence
by M5AKA 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

ARISS School Contacts: Radio amateurs invited to UK Prime Minister's official residence 10 Downing Street https://amsat-uk.org/2016/07/18/radio-amateurs-10-downing-street/ Ofcom propose using Ham Radio band for Wi-Fi - consultation deadline July 22 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/13/ofcom-propose-using-ham-radio-band-for-wi-f… RSGB Board Chair to address AMSAT-UK Colloquium https://amsat-uk.org/2016/07/13/rsgb-chair-to-address-amsat-uk-colloquium/ AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Guildford July 29-31, 2016 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/06/30/amsat-uk-international-space-colloquium-201… 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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Trying to find my downlink
by Philip Chimento 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

I have an IC-9100 using MacDoppler and hooked up to two home-brew Eggbeater II antennas. I have had a lot of trouble finding my downlink on pretty much all of the SSB satellites that I have tried; AO-7, FO-29, AO-73 and the XWs (2A, 2C and 2F). Does anyone have suggestions, strategies for finding the downlink (so I don’t wind up annoying everyone else by uselessly transmitting). Thanks. Phil Chimento kc3cnx(a)arrl.net

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Re: [amsat-bb] ISS + cargoship naked eye visible?
by Rick Tejera 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

Henk, In the past, I have visually seen the space Shuttle & ISS in trail after undocking. The cargo vessel is not a Soyuz, but rather a Dragon, bother of which are considerby smaller than the Shuttle. It could be possible if the conditions are right. Good luck Rick Tejera K7TEJSaguaroAstro(a)cox.net623-203-4121 -------- Original message -------- From: PA3GUO <pa3guo(a)upcmail.nl> Date: 18/07/2016 10:36 (GMT-07:00) To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS + cargoship naked eye visible? Wednesday the new cargoship is expected to arrive at the ISS. I can see the ISS with the naked eye. What about the soyouz etc, prior to docking? Would love to see 2 moving stars, one following the other. Henk, PA3GUO _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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SatPc32 phantom satellites
by Jim White 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

When I switch to a satellite in a different keps list and select just one sat to be visible and be the active satellite one or more sats from the previous list continue to show up in the display. I have to select the new sat twice before the old ones disappear. Example: I had 6 sats in the display from the 'amateur' list. Using the satellites menu I switched to the 'cubesat' list, selected just one sat, made it visible and made it the active sat. Clicked OK and one of the sats from the 'amateur' list continues to be visible in the display along with the cubesat I just selected. Back into the satellites menu and my selection of the cubesat list and the one cubesat has disappeared. Selected the cubesat list and the one satellite again, back into display and the one from the amateur list is still visible along with the cubesat. Into the satellites menu and now cubesat is selected and my one cubesast is shown in the selected box, and when I OK that back to the display the phantom one from the amateur list is finally gone. How can get the program to take the changes I make to what is displayed and tracked the first time?

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NPOTA activation on 1613 UTC SO-50 pass from Blue Ridge Parkway again today
by John Brier 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Doing NPOTA activation on 1613 UTC SO-50 pass from Blue Ridge Parkway again today. Sorry for late notice. I wasn't sure until now if I'd be able to do it. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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Upcoming ARISS contact with United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX on 19 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 14:52 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 W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west 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. The United Space School is a premier educational program hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE). For two weeks each summer, FISE invites approximately 50 students from 23 different countries to the Clear Lake, Texas area to introduce them to aspects of working in the space sciences. During their stay, the students work together in teams to assemble a manned mission to Mars, utilizing knowledge gained from guest lecturers and interactive field trips. The Foundation for International Space Education Board of Directors has two head teachers and five team mentors to assist the students in their day-to-day activities. United Space School culminates in a project presentation, in which the students present their final project to a panel of industry experts and the public. Upon successful completion of their final project presentation, the students are awarded a graduation certificate. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. The ISS attracts astronauts from all over the world, bringing in many different cultures, languages and personalities. Do these cultural differences ever conflict in the confined spaces of the space station or do the differences ever prevent the crew from achieving the work that they set out to do? 2. How would microgravity affect an astronaut that has acid reflux? 3. Can you cry in space, and if so, how do teardrops behave? 4. What do you hope to achieve during your career as an astronaut, and what is your ultimate hope for mankind? 5. What is the biggest misconception about space/space travel that society has? 6. What is your favorite experiment you are involved with? What benefits can its result bring about? 7. What is the most astonishing and surprising thing you have ever experienced during your mission? 8. Despite the hours of rigorous training, was there any situation you didn't feel prepared for? 9. Would you go on a lifelong mission? Why? 10. Does the ISS have issues with the Kessler effect of space debris, or is space debris a problem at all? 11. Do you think astronauts of the future will require new or different traits or skill sets than today's ISS astronauts, and if so, what might they be? 12. When you aren't working or exercising, what do you do to occupy yourself in your free time for fun or entertainment? 13. What is the most difficult thing to do on the ISS that we take for granted here on Earth? 14. What motivated you to want to go into space, considering the risks? 15. What was your least favorite part of training? 16. Have astronauts ever dealt with any psychological effects of living so far away from Earth, or have they ever felt physically ill because of it? How is it managed? 17. Has your perspective of space changed since you've been directly in touch with it, and if so, how? 18. What will you miss most about space or the ISS when you return? 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), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Worked All States over satellites!
by Fernando Ramirez 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Good evening fellow satelliteers! I would like to share the news and publicly thanks the people that help me make it happen. Today, during the SO-50 pass at 15:46, I made contact with KB1PVH in New Hampshire and completed my Work All States Award requirement. The pass was very challenging since it was only 6 degrees for Arizona and KG4AKV was going to activate Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. I waited for a break, called him and heard his call back a coupe of seconds later. The QSO took place when the satellite was 3 degrees above the horizon and almost setting behind the Patagonia Mountains in southern Arizona. The WAS application has been submitted to the American Radio Relay League. I used 49 LoTW confirmations and will send a paper QSL from a contact with WH6XM in Hawaii. *Time it took me to work ‘em all: 9 months, 16 days. *The hardest states to get: the ones in New England, Hawaii and Alaska. *The majority were worked over FM satellites, with only HI, AK and FL worked over FO-29. The list at the bottom shows the stations I worked from each state. To all of them, thank you! Also grateful for the support from colleagues like W1PA, KG5CCI, W5PFG, AC0RA, N6UA, N4UFO, N8HM, KI4RO. A special thank you to WD9EWK for his technical and moral support and encouragement! Now, to keep looking for a FM QSO with my homeland, Puerto Rico! 73! Fernando, NP4JV --------------------------------- Alabama, KC4LE Alaska, KL7R Arizona, WD9EWK Arkansas, KG5CCI California, K6FW Colorado, W0DHB Connecticut, W1AW Delaware, N6UA Florida, W4UOO Georgia, K4RGK Hawaii, WH6XM Idaho, KG7EZ Illinois, AA9LC Indiana, WB9YIG Iowa, W5PFG Kansas, KG5CCI Kentucky, KJ4EU Louisiana, KG5FQT Maine, N1AIA Maryland, N8HM Massachusetts, KB1PVH Michigan, KD8CAO Minnesota, NR0T Mississippi, KX9X/5 Missouri, KG5CCI Montana, WC7V Nebraska, KE0FJI Nevada, N6UA New Hampshire, KB1PVH New Jersey, W2HRO New Mexico, W5PFG New York, WU2M North Carolina, N4UFO North Dakota, W0N Ohio, K8YSE Oklahoma, AF5CC Oregon, KL7CN/W7 Pennsylvania, NS3L Rhode Island, KC1EXK South Carolina, KO4MA South Dakota, W0LSB Tennessee, W4DTA Texas, N8RO Utah, N6UA Vermont, N0VVV Virginia, KA4H Washington, KE7JIM West Virginia, KI4RO Wisconsin, W0N Wyoming, N6UA

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-17 00:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-17 00:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Frontiers of Flight Museum's “Moon Day 2016”, Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg (***) YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-18 10:25:53 UTC 72 deg United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC 74 deg Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 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 145.8Ø MHz. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-17 00:30 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 Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1069. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1034. (***) 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 2016-07-17 00:30 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-199 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: * ARISS Well Represented at ISS R&D Conference * LUSEX Transponder Test Successful * Home of Australia's First Satellite is at it Again * Cubesat Launch Opportunity for December | Are You Ready To Go? * LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder Tested * AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Ballots in the Mail * Satellite Activation of NPOTA Blue Ridge Pkwy PK01 * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-199.01 ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 199.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. July 17, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-199.01 ARISS Well Represented at ISS R&D Conference ARISS was well represented at the ISS R&D Conference, held this past week in San Diego. An ARISS Team led by ARISS International Chairman and AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Frank H. Bauer KA3HDO, had the opportunity to meet with others that have a vested interest in or support to the ISS-including those responsible for ISS payloads, scientists/researchers, contractors, aerospace developers and NASA employees. The team including Bauer, Rosalie White K1STO, Kerry Banke N6IZW, Tim Bosma W6MU, and Dave Taylor W8AAS, staffed a display and helped with an ARISS contact during the conference. The ARISS contact was conducted among a consortium of schools attending the ISS R&D conference as part of STEM day and telebridged via W6SRJ. Descriptions of the schools participating in the contact are shown below: Lake Elementary School, Oceanside, CA Lake Elementary School opened in 1989 in southeastern Oceanside. A top priority continues to be the use of technology by students and staff to prepare children for 21st Century College and Career readiness. Community Montessori Charter School, Escondido , CA CMCS currently serves approximately 375 students in grades K-8. Students attend one of five resource centers located throughout San Diego county, and are on a Montessori home study program. Vista Magnet Middle School, Vista, CA Students will be literate, reflective and critical thinkers in all areas of interaction who transfer knowledge and embrace diversity within a global society. Monte Vista Elementary School, Vista, CA Our vision at Monte Vista Elementary is to ignite a love of learning and a sense of curiosity in all students. We will promote academic achievement through high expectations and develop problem solvers who are technologically proficient. Lilac School, Valley Center, CA The Lilac Learning Community shares a commitment to exploring, developing and differentiating deliberate, effective strategies and practices for learning in a dynamic environment of collaboration, inquiry and diversity. STAR Prep Academy, Los Angeles, CA The STAR PREP ACADEMY is an extraordinary private middle & high school for students who seek an individualized approach to learning, based on their desired areas of specialization. Westminster Christian School, Miami, FL Founded in 1961, Westminster is an independent, college-preparatory, coeducational Christian school serving 1,241 students from preschool through 12th grade. There were 210 in attendance near CASIS Space Station Explorers booth. Astronauts Carl Walz and Josh Cassada attended and talked with audience pre and post contact. All 16 students asked and had their questions answered with a total of 21 questions being answered. The event was covered by San Diego TV station Channel 8 (CBS). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- LUSEX Transponder Test Successful On the night of Wednesday 13 July, the scheduler loaded into the computers of fresh, the satellite ñusat1 that houses the lusex, active the experiment of Amsat-Lu. The breath of the transponder could be received between 145.950 and 145.955 with more intensity and heard the call of lu1esy and the issuance of lu9do CW. These first tests will continue during the next weekend conducted by lu1cgb, to try to improve the living conditions of the operational lusex. Those who live in the ignition of the lussat-1 we could feel the same way this "birth" of lusex and feel the same way. Friends, it's an honor to join the group of lusex development, which is proposed and I reach the goal and congratulations... We by the commitment to achieve it. In a follow-up it was reported "...07/14 LUSEX transponder was activated. We heard noise from space @145.950 and then a call from LU1ESY. Transponder is under test, enabled occasionally. We are very excited. More news soon. http://lusex.org.ar https://facebook.com/Amsat.LU http://amsat.org.ar [ANS thanks Nacho LU1ESY for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Home of Australia's First Satellite is at it Again The Melbourne University is now designing a CubeSat, and hopefully will have it ready for launch in 2018. The same university built Australia's first Amateur Radio satellite Australis-OSCAR-5, that was launched on 23 January 23, 1970. It was then the first Amateur Radio satellite built outside of the United States. Australis-OSCAR-5 was a beacon on 29.450 MHz and 144.050 MHz with telemetry starting with HI sent in Morse code, with sensors giving the battery voltage, temperature and the satellite's orientation. Passive magnetic attitude stabilisation was achieved by two bar magnets to align with the Earth's magnetic field to provide a favourable antenna footprint. Built on a small budget, it had bed springs for deploying the bird, and a cut down metallic measuring tape for antennas that extended from the sides of the satellite. At least 200 observers heard it reporting from 27 countries up to 46 days before going silent when its batteries failed. Today, Melbourne University Engineering Department students are working on the CubeSat project and restoring the Melbourne University old dish tracking antenna getting it ready for launch day. Despite its small size the satellite's state-of-the-art communications system can send more data than other satellites, because of a world- first antenna that uses a special acid for inflation in space. The new CubeSat could potentially find applications in agriculture, weather monitoring or even as a telescope in space. [ANS thank Jim Linton, VK3PC and the VK1WIA News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cubesat Launch opportunity for December | are you ready to go? In an email to the Cubesat,org mailing list, Abe Bonnema Marketing Director, ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space wrote, "Dear CubeSat (and nanosat) developers, "We normally present launch opportunities well in advance and primarily through our website, at conferences and in direct communication with you, yet given the very short time available, we opted for using the great medium of the CubeSat mailing list to make you aware of a very interesting, short-term launch opportunity; Launch Vehicle: Indian PSLV Launch Period: Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 Orbit: 580 km SSO Launch Interface: ISISpace QuadPack or DuoPack family deployers (or ISIPOD on request) (www.isispace.nl/cubesats/#supported-sizes) "We have a few 1U/2U/3U or 6U slots available still. "We'll have to close the manifest and configuration in the coming weeks. So if you're still looking for a launch from end of this year, and the abovementioned orbit is suitable, please contact us through launches(a)isispace.nl. We'll be at the CubeSat Workshop and SmallSat as well for possible final additions to the manifest. Looking forward to placing your satellites on this (or another, future) launch." [ANS thanks Abe Bonnema for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder Tested On July 10, 2016 the SSB/CW linear transponder on the student built satellite LilacSat-2 was successfully tested LilacSat-2, call sign BJ1SI, was built by students at the Harbin Institute of Technology and launched on September 19, 2015. The 40 kHz wide SSB/CW transponder is Non-Inverting which means the Doppler shift of a signal going through the transponder will be twice that seen on other Low Earth Orbit inverting linear transponder satellites. Clayton Coleman W5PFG reported that he and Glenn Miller AA5PK had a contact through the transponder, a recording can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/w5pfg/lilacsat-2-2016-07-11-1315z-ssb- transponder The transponder frequencies are: • 144.3425-144.3825 MHz Uplink • 437.180-437.220 MHz Downlink It is not yet known when the transponder will be activated again. LilacSat-2 https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/communications/lilacsat-2/ [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Ballots in the Mail Ballots have been mailed to AMSAT-NA members in good standing, and must be returned to the AMSAT-NA office by September 15, 2016 in order to be counted. Those sent outside North America were sent by air mail. If you have not received your ballot package in a reasonable time for your QTH, please contact the AMSAT-NA office. Your completed ballot should be sent as promptly as possible, and those from outside North American preferably by air mail or other expedited means. This year there are five candidates: Tom Clark, K3IO Clayton Coleman, W5PFG Mark Hammond, N8MH Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be seated as voting Board Members with two year terms. The two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes will be non-voting Alternate Board Members with terms of one year. Please vote for no more than three candidates. Please take the time to review the candidate statements that accompany the ballot and determine who you wish to see on the Board. Election of Board members is both an obligation as well as an opportunity by our membership to help shape the future direction of AMSAT-NA. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Activation of NPOTA Blue Ridge Pkwy PK01 John Brier's KG4AKV first National Parks on The Air activation from Blue Ridge Parkway PK01 EM85 at Craggy Gardens in North Carolina was a big success and very fun. On the July 16th 1546 UTC SO-50 pass he made fourteen contacts with the following stations, in order of contact: K8YSE, N8HM, K4FEG, KM4ULB, W2JV, KI4RO, WI9I, WA5KBH, W4DTA, N4UFO, AA5PK, WU2M, K5ND, W1PA. John thanks all the above stations. To those he couldn't get back to, like NP4JV, he suggests "we'll have to do it next time." John stated he really enjoyed the spot he found, it had a very wide open view to the west and was mostly clear in the other directions except for some small brush in the immediate vicinity. It was also out of the way from most of the park attendees, so he didn't have to annoy anyone expecting a tranquil nature hike. After the pass he wasn't sure he made the ten contacts he needed to get credit to be an activator, so he made several more contacts on 146.520 simplex, talking to stations in South Carolina, Charlotte, Hickory, Hendersonville, and a few more nearby towns. He was also able to connect with one of the Golden Packet [1] stations in Roan Mountain and communicated with him over the UHF coordination frequency. He helped John configure his Kenwood TH-D72a to communicate on their APRS network and they shared several packets. John wasn't digipeated along the whole length of the Appalachian Trail, nor did he stick around for the golden packet attempt, but he did communicate directly with one of the stations using the official frequency, and states "that was very cool." John hopes to take part more seriously next year. John further thanks Bob, WB4APR, for responding to his NPOTA activation announcement email to let him know about the event. A picture of the video of the beautiful view where he recorded the SO-50 pass is on his Twitter profile. He plans to make a video of the pass for his "Space Comms" YouTube channel. New videos are released there every Wednesday. This coming Wednesday, July 20th, won't be a video of this NPOTA activation as he has already started work on an ISS SSTV video, but look for the NPOTA video in two weeks. http://aprs.org/at-golden-packet.html https://twitter.com/johnbrier/status/754349709104480256 https://www.youtube.com/c/Spacecomms1 [ANS thanks John KG4AKV for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between Frontiers of Flight Museum's "Moon Day 2016", Dallas TX USA and Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was telebridge via W6SRJ. ARISS Mentor was Keith W5IU. + A Successful contact was made ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA, USA and Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began Thu 2016-07-14 16:03:33 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was telebridge via W6SRJ. ARISS Mentor was Frank KA3HDO. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The world's largest radio telescope has just been completed China's 30-soccer-field-wide radio telescope will start the hunt for extraterrestrials. For the full story visit http://tinyurl.com/ANS199-RadioTelescope [ANS thanks Astronomy Magazine 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 (former KC8YLD) kc8yld at amsat dot org

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Report of NPOTA activation at Blue Ridge Pkwy on July 16th 1546 UTC SO-50 pass
by John Brier 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

My first National Parks on The Air activation from Blue Ridge Parkway PK01 EM85 at Craggy Gardens in North Carolina was a big success and very fun. On the July 16th 1546 UTC SO-50 pass I made fourteen contacts with the following stations, in order of contact: 01) K8YSE 02) N8HM 03) K4FEG 04) KM4ULB 05) W2JV 06) KI4RO 07) WI9I 08) WA5KBH 09) W4DTA 10) N4UFO 11) AA5PK 12) WU2M 13) K5ND 14) W1PA Thank you to all the above stations. To those I couldn’t get back to, like NP4JV, we’ll have to do it next time. I really enjoyed the spot I found, it had a very wide open view to the west and was mostly clear in the other directions except for some small brush in the immediate vicinity. It was also out of the way from most of the park attendees, so I didn’t have to annoy anyone expecting a tranquil nature hike. After the pass I wasn’t sure I made the ten contacts I needed to get credit to be an activator, so I made several more contacts on 146.520 simplex, talking to stations in South Carolina, Charlotte, Hickory, Hendersonville, and a few more nearby towns. Even cooler, I connected with one of the Golden Packet [1] stations in Roan Mountain and communicated with him over the UHF coordination frequency. He helped me configure my Kenwood TH-D72a to communicate on their APRS network and we shared several packets. I wasn’t digipeated along the whole length of the Appalachian Trail, nor did I stick around for the golden packet attempt, but I did communicate directly with one of the stations using the official frequency, and that was very cool. I may have to take part more seriously next year. Thanks to Bob, WB4APR, for responding to my NPOTA activation announcement email to let me know about the event. You can see a picture of the video of the beautiful view where I recorded the SO-50 pass on my Twitter profile [2]. I plan to make a video of the pass for my “Space Comms” YouTube channel [3], where I release new videos every Wednesday. This coming Wednesday, July 20th, won’t be a video of this NPOTA activation as I’ve already started work on an ISS SSTV video, but look for the NPOTA video in two weeks. Thanks again for all the contacts! This was more than I’ve ever made on a single pass! The pass just flew by. 73, John Brier KG4AKV 1) http://aprs.org/at-golden-packet.html 2) https://twitter.com/johnbrier/status/754349709104480256 3) https://www.youtube.com/c/Spacecomms1

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Using SATPC32 with FT 847 cabling Com port to USB
by Cruzio Email 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

I am setting up my registered Satpc32 Ver. 12.8a with a desktop with Win 10, with only USB ports. My radio is an FT 847 with a DB9 com port. I have a Shaxon RS232 Serial to USB adapter cable. The FT 847 CAT and the adapter both have male DB9 connectors. Therefore I need a gender changer. I was confronted with Null Modem gender changers which got me to thinking. I believe the communication to the FT 847 CAT port is one way, but since it is a serial Com port, I need a null modem interface somewhere in the computer to FT 847 CAT port cable. So would someone confirm my thinking, should I use a Null Modem gender changer? Another thought while I have such a great panel of experts, since my Satpc32 program version is 12.8a should I upgrade to 12.8c? By the way, I am also using a LVB Tracker box. I have removed the MAX232CPE IC and I am connecting to the USB input without any consideration as to Rx to Tx wiring changes. I could figure all of this out with trial and error, plus some expense, but I'm sure others have had these same questions. Thanks, Allen WB6RWU

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Activating NPOTA Blue Ridge Pkwy PK01 on July 16th 1546 UTC SO-50 pass
by John Brier 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

I’ll be activating National Parks on The Air Blue Ridge Parkway PK01 from the Craggy Dome overlook on the July 16th 1546 UTC SO-50 pass The pass is 86 degrees elevation for me and I will be filming to hopefully make a video for my YouTube channel. I hope to make at least 10 contacts so I can get credit as an activator. I have never activated for NPOTA before nor have I been at the receiving end of a pileup on a satellite. Not sure that I will be, but I kinda want to be, and if so I will appreciate your patience. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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OSCAR_Satellite_Status_NO-84
by KO6TZ Bob 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

I see that there are now separate "satellite selections" for the NO-84 Packet (Digi) and NO-84 PSK-31 transponders on the OSCAR Satellite Status page. This is a welcome addition. Great idea since there are times when the Packet is APOFF, or the PSK-31 is unusable due to noisy or poor 10 meter band conditions. Thanks.. BOB KO6TZ

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AO-73/FUNcube
by Jim Heck G3WGM 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

Hi Folks I have just switched AO-73/FUNcube into full time transponder mode (Amateur Mode). As normal, plan to switch back to education mode on Sunday PM UTC Have FUN! 73s Jim G3WGM

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Satellite operation in NOA
by Miguel Angel Baldonado 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

Hi guys! in the coming days I will be SSB satellites operating in the northwestern region of Argentina (NOA) in the Puna and the Andes in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy with close to 5000 meters (16.000 feet ) above sea level heights. I'll be very close to the border with Bolivia so I hope to contact any station Central America or USA! 73! Mike LU3EMB El 13 de julio de 2016 14:46:52 GMT-03:00, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org escribió: Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT (n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net) 2. Re: Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT (E.Mike McCardel) 3. AO-85 (skristof(a)etczone.com) 4. LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder over North America 13-Jul (Paul Stoetzer) 5. Re: LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder over North America 13-Jul (Peter Laws) 6. RM Italy ULA-100 UHF (70 cm) linear amplifier (n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net) 7. RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Jerry Buxton) 8. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Peter Laws) 9. Re: AO-85 (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)) 10. Re: AO-85 (Jerry Buxton) 11. Re: AO-85 (Clayton W5PFG) 12. Re: AO-85 (skristof(a)etczone.com) 13. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Jerry Buxton) 14. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Peter Laws) 15. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Jerry Buxton) 16. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Jim Walls) 17. Re: RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly (Peter Laws) ________________________________ Message: 1 Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:04:27 -0400 From: <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT Message-ID: <93A661D3C20846D1AA8CBEC52252BA25@DHJ> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Does anyone know if there is a 2-ear headset w/mic that will play well with a Kenwood TH-D7A handheld? My old Kenwood HMC-3 (single ear) set that was made for the D7A finally broke and I'd like to replace it with a full 2-ear headset. Dave, AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ________________________________ Message: 2 Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:58:56 -0400 From: "E.Mike McCardel" <mccardelm(a)gmail.com> To: n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT Message-ID: <D0949C2E-8B0E-4C46-A33F-5FBFE51CB297(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Dave, I shared an eBay link in a separate email, But search Amazon or eBay for Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT In believe Wouxan boufang and others use the same pin out. EMike EMike McCardel, AA8EM Rotating Editor AMSAT News Service Sent from my iPhone On Jul 12, 2016, at 4:04 PM, <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: Does anyone know if there is a 2-ear headset w/mic that will play well with a Kenwood TH-D7A handheld? My old Kenwood HMC-3 (single ear) set that was made for the D7A finally broke and I'd like to replace it with a full 2-ear headset. Dave, AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ________________________________ Message: 3 Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 19:51:31 -0400 From: skristof(a)etczone.com To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-85 Message-ID: <5aa40ffc2051aee02fa5e7eb839f10a6(a)etczone.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII So, what's the most common reason that the FoxTelem program won't decode? I'm running HDSDR software with an RTL-SDR dongle. It has worked in the past, but hasn't been decoding for about two weeks now. I can see the peak of the AO-85 on the HDSDR screen and manually track the doppler shift. Everybody is set to 48000 sample rate. I get perfect "eyes" on the FoxTelem screen. But zero decoding. Anybody got any hints or tips? Steve AI9IN ________________________________ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2016 09:12:18 -0400 From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder over North America 13-Jul Message-ID: <CABzOSOo38gpHWTV7QAgnbmKEviA5eLEWRE1mMW=S-DQWZoBZ7Q(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I made my first QSOs via LilacSat-2's SDR linear transponder on two passes this morning - both with W5PFG - on the 1112Z and 1248Z passes. The transponder sounds quite good, though it seems somewhat less sensitive than other linear transponders. Running 25 watts to an Alaskan Arrow (with the top section removed - 8 elements on 70 cm and 3 elements on 2 m), my signal was weaker than on FO-29, AO-73, or any of the XW-2s. Telemetry bursts also occasionally interrupt transmissions on the transponder, but they are very short and not of much consequence. I was manually tuning since I operate portable without a computer. Keeping up with the nearly doubled Doppler shift compared to a inverting transponder is a challenge. I was leaving my uplink frequency fixed and tuning the receive as per convention for manual tuning and had to continuously tune to keep my downlink within the receiver's passband near TCA. On the first pass, W5PFG answered my CQ, though on the second pass, I tuned around to answer his CQ after receiving no responses to my own. Tuning around the passband manually reminds me of playing Halo back in the dorms at Michigan State and subbing in for another player who used the non-inverted controls (I have always played video games using the flight simulator style of down=up). Other stations were heard on the pass using LSB up and LSB down. That will work, of course, but goes against convention, which is to always receive in USB. If you choose LSB/LSB, you'll likely receive fewer responses to your CQs. 73, Paul, N8HM ________________________________ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2016 10:11:28 -0500 From: Peter Laws <plaws0(a)gmail.com> To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder over North America 13-Jul Message-ID: <CANVAiQ-vPD_Z0AnF1RAG_1unVe5y-TSWE=VJi5qBC_t+i1fkPw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 On Wed, Jul 13, 2016 at 8:12 AM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> wrote: Tuning around the passband manually reminds me of playing Halo back in the dorms at Michigan State and subbing in for another player who used the non-inverted controls (I have always played video games using the flight simulator style of down=up). Nerd. :-) Other stations were heard on the pass using LSB up and LSB down. That will work, of course, but goes against convention, which is to always receive in USB. If you choose LSB/LSB, you'll likely receive fewer responses to your CQs. Next time I am involved in a ham class I plan to make it a point to mention that it's "USB everywhere". The only place where the convention is to use LSB is 160/80/40 m (because reasons) and on the uplink of inverting transponders (because that's how they work). Everything else, unless a station is being operated by a contrarian, is USB.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-15 07:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-15 07:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Thu 2016-07-14 16:03:33 UTC 37 deg (***) Frontiers of Flight Museum's “Moon Day 2016”, Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-18 10:25:53 UTC 72 deg United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC 74 deg Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 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. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-15 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 Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1068. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1033. (***) 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 2016-07-15 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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LUSEX UV Transponder initial test
by Amsat Argentina 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

Yesterday 07/14 LUSEX transponder was activated. We hear noise from space @145.950 and then a call from LU1ESY. Transponder is under test, enabled occasionally. We are very excited. More news soon. http://lusex.org.ar https://facebook.com/Amsat.LU http://amsat.org.ar

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Upcoming ARISS contact with YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria on 18 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:25 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 VK4KHZ. The contact should be audible over Australia 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. Youngsters On The Air is a youth camp which is held every summer since 2011. This year more than 25 teams from different countries of IARU (International Amateur Radio Union) Region 1 will travel to take part in YOTA, which will be organized by OeVSV in Wagrain Austria. Young Ham's will participate in activities as presentations, competitions, ARDF, kit building and much more. A main part of the program this year will be satellites, space, AMSAT and a contact with ISS. This will be a great chance and unforgettable moment for all youngsters. Throughout the year several activities are being held. One of them is YOTA December month. Special call signs with YOTA in suffix are on the air to give youth a change to grab the mic. In YCP (Youth Contesting Program) youngsters are invited to travel to a big-gun contest station and take part with a youth team in a contest. The goal of YOTA is to welcome new and young amateur radio operators to our hobby. To organize activities for the existing young radio amateurs and invite new youth to take part. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How will the ISS contribute to future Space exploration? 2. Is there daily maintenance onboard the ISS? 3. Will there be future expansions of the ISS? 4. What is it like to do Amateur Radio from the ISS? 5. What's your favourite thing to do on the ISS? 6. Can you access the internet in your free time? 7. Do you never get scared of the distance between you and Earth? 8. How do the astronauts communicate with each other on the ISS, via intercom? 9. How do you do the laundry in Space? 10. Is everybody ham radio licensed onboard the ISS? 11. Is there any backup power supply on the ISS or is it only working on solar power? 12. When you communicate with a ground station your signal will suffer from Doppler shift. Who does take care of frequency correction? 13. When you travel so fast onboard the ISS, time should pass slower than on Earth. Can you measure it? 14. Do you encounter interference from other electrical devices with your radio onboard? 15. Why do you lose radio contact during reentry into the atmosphere? 16. Do you have a smartphone onboard? 17. Can you detect pollution of radio frequency spectrum from above? 18. Is there a difference in air pollution above different continents of earth? 19. Do you use software defined radio technology onboard? 20. Do you have animals onboard the ISS? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Frontiers of Flight Museum's "Moon Day 2016", Dallas TX
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Frontiers of Flight Museum's "Moon Day 2016", Dallas TX on 16 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:54 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 W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west 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. The Frontiers of Flight Museum is committed to an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact for our Moon Day event on July 16, 2016. Our previous experience was one of the most successful events in our Museum's 25-year history. As a result of the ARISS uplink during our last Moon Day in July 2015, we have reached a whole new audience of families-not only from the students who were selected to ask their questions, but also from the 200+ members of the audience who witnessed their direct communication with Commander Gennady Padalka on Expedition 44. These new audiences have given us an even larger "family" to educate, motivate, and inspire with our stories of space flight history and innovation, including the importance of International Space Station research to life on Earth. We look forward to an even larger audience for 2016. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How do you recycle, clean, and reuse water so that the water is drinkable on the ISS? 2. Do you have more than one space suit? 3. What is your daily schedule like on the ISS? 4. How do you fix the International Space Station and keep it on track? 5. When is the next spacewalk and what is its mission? 6. What was the worst problem on the ISS recently and how did you fix it? 7. What happens when you release a helium balloon in the Space Station? 8. How does the atmosphere on the ISS differ from that on Earth? 9. What kinds of experiments are you doing to learn more about how people can spend longer periods of time away from the earth, on the space station, or on another planet? 10. What is the most important work you do on the International Space Station? 11. Is it possible for an astronaut or cosmonaut to get stuck floating in the middle of a space station module? 12. Does the space station experience time zone changes like we do across America and the world? 13. What food do you miss the most when you are in space? 14. What are some fun things you get to do on the International Space Station? 15. If you ever lost contact with Earth, what would you do? 16. What inspired you to be an astronaut? 17. What do you need to study to become an Astronaut? 18. What does it feel like when you blast off? 19. What is the most amazing thing you have ever seen in space? 20. What does earth look like from space? 21. What requirements are needed to be an astronaut? 22. How was your experience in space compared to your training? 23. How did becoming an astronaut affect your life? 24. What was your biggest surprise when you first went to space? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-18 10:25:53 UTC 2. United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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AO-85
by skristof＠etczone.com 14 Jul '16

14 Jul '16

So, what's the most common reason that the FoxTelem program won't decode? I'm running HDSDR software with an RTL-SDR dongle. It has worked in the past, but hasn't been decoding for about two weeks now. I can see the peak of the AO-85 on the HDSDR screen and manually track the doppler shift. Everybody is set to 48000 sample rate. I get perfect "eyes" on the FoxTelem screen. But zero decoding. Anybody got any hints or tips? Steve AI9IN

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[Video] Failed ISS Slow Scan TV!
by John Brier 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

https://youtu.be/g0st4GzyZb8 This is why you should always record the audio of the ISS SSTV transmission! This is from the July 2015 International Space Station (ISS) Slow Scan TV (SSTV) event, recorded in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Please Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpaceComms1?sub_confirmation=1 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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RadFxSat Launch Vehicle Assembly
by Jerry Buxton 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/12/delta-2-rocket-being-assembled-at-vand… This is the ride for RadFxSat, scheduled for January 20, 2017. -- Jerry Buxton, NØJY

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RM Italy ULA-100 UHF (70 cm) linear amplifier
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Has anyone used this 70 cm PW amplifier? I'm looking at purchasing one, but would like an opinion on how good it works. Thanks, Dave, AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder over North America 13-Jul
by Paul Stoetzer 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

I made my first QSOs via LilacSat-2's SDR linear transponder on two passes this morning - both with W5PFG - on the 1112Z and 1248Z passes. The transponder sounds quite good, though it seems somewhat less sensitive than other linear transponders. Running 25 watts to an Alaskan Arrow (with the top section removed - 8 elements on 70 cm and 3 elements on 2 m), my signal was weaker than on FO-29, AO-73, or any of the XW-2s. Telemetry bursts also occasionally interrupt transmissions on the transponder, but they are very short and not of much consequence. I was manually tuning since I operate portable without a computer. Keeping up with the nearly doubled Doppler shift compared to a inverting transponder is a challenge. I was leaving my uplink frequency fixed and tuning the receive as per convention for manual tuning and had to continuously tune to keep my downlink within the receiver's passband near TCA. On the first pass, W5PFG answered my CQ, though on the second pass, I tuned around to answer his CQ after receiving no responses to my own. Tuning around the passband manually reminds me of playing Halo back in the dorms at Michigan State and subbing in for another player who used the non-inverted controls (I have always played video games using the flight simulator style of down=up). Other stations were heard on the pass using LSB up and LSB down. That will work, of course, but goes against convention, which is to always receive in USB. If you choose LSB/LSB, you'll likely receive fewer responses to your CQs. 73, Paul, N8HM

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Headset for a Kenwood TH-D7A HT
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Does anyone know if there is a 2-ear headset w/mic that will play well with a Kenwood TH-D7A handheld? My old Kenwood HMC-3 (single ear) set that was made for the D7A finally broke and I'd like to replace it with a full 2-ear headset. Dave, AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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LilacSat-2 Transponder active over N America 13:15 UTC
by Clayton Coleman 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

This morning, Glenn AA5PK, and I had a QSO via the experimental transponder activated on LilacSat-2. It was very interesting and fun. A non-inverting mode J transponder was new to me. Using manual tuning to adjust for Doppler shift proved to be a small challenge as I am more accustomed to operating on a transponder like FO-29. Running SDR in parallel to my Icom IC-9100 gave me a good visual representation of the transponder pass band. You can listen to a brief clip of our QSO here: https://soundcloud.com/w5pfg/lilacsat-2-2016-07-11-1315z-ssb-transponder 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Attention A07 MODE A/B 2M1EUB/P I087NC
by paul robinson 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

2M1EUB AO7 MODE A/B QRV THIS WEEK.From new qth in Aberdeenshire Scotland.73 de paul

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Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G-5500 Rotor Control
by Edward R Cole 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Although I have an old Unitrack-2000 radio/rotor interface, I decided to go KISS and bought a LVB Tracker from Amsat; arrived on Saturday. Time is sometimes more important than money. The LVB tracker just plugs into my B5400 and connects to my computer via a USB/RS-232 conversion cable. Sits very nicely on top of my B5400 control box. Its plug-n-play with SatPC32. I may "dink" with the Unitrack someday as it does connect for auto-tuning the radio, but it requires a parallel port for connecting to the computer (not many of them still running). I've only had the unitrack for 16-years sitting in a drawer. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 Transponder active over N America 13:15 UTC
by Rick Tejera 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Clayton, I thought i saw on a link ona tweet from BG2BHC shows the uplink to be 144362.5? not that it would matter much, but i do tend to be a tad anal that way hi hi. Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Clayton Coleman Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 1:15 PM To: AMSAT-BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 Transponder active over N America 13:15 UTC I should have been a little more clear in my email earlier. The transponder on LilacSat-2 active today was not the normal FM one but rather a SSB transponder. It is experimental and has no AGC according to the reports from Twitter. I'd suggest paying attention to the AMSAT OSCAR status page (http://www.amsat.org/status) and following BG2BHC on Twitter for operational updates. I was using manual control but you can add this line to your DOPPLER.SQF. It will need some minor calibration: LILACSAT-2,437200.0,144362.0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,SSB Transponder 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, Jul 11, 2016 at 9:26 AM, Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > This morning, Glenn AA5PK, and I had a QSO via the experimental > transponder activated on LilacSat-2. It was very interesting and fun. > A non-inverting mode J transponder was new to me. > > Using manual tuning to adjust for Doppler shift proved to be a small > challenge as I am more accustomed to operating on a transponder like > FO-29. Running SDR in parallel to my Icom IC-9100 gave me a good > visual representation of the transponder pass band. > > You can listen to a brief clip of our QSO here: > > https://soundcloud.com/w5pfg/lilacsat-2-2016-07-11-1315z-ssb-transponder > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-12 00:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-12 00:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Thu 2016-07-14 16:03:33 UTC 37 deg Frontiers of Flight Museum's “Moon Day 2016”, Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg YOTA Camp 2016 IARU-R1, Salzburg, Austria, telebridge via VK4KHZ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-07-18 10:25:53 UTC 72 deg (***) United Space School hosted by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), Seabrook TX, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ (***) Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-07-19 14:52:20 UTC 74 deg (***) Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Welcome aboard! **************************************************************************** ** 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. ***************************************************** ************************** All ARISS contacts are made via the Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-12 00:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1067. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1032. 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 2016-07-08 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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unknown amp
by Bob- W7LRD 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

I have a couple of these, tower mounted amplifiers. The label on the amp says," Ericsson TMA DDFX 1850-1880mhz". It is about a foot long and six inches on the sides, weighs about 12 Lbs. Does this have any use for our efforts? If you want any pictures of the innards just ask. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa.

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Re: [amsat-bb] LilacSat-2 Transponder active over N America 13:15 UTC
by Rolf Krogstad 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

I was on LilacSat-2 yesterday around 23.30z. My signal was strong on the downlink but there was no one else on that pass. Worth checking it out! Rolf. NR0T On Jul 11, 2016 2:30 PM, "Clayton Coleman" <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> wrote: This morning, Glenn AA5PK, and I had a QSO via the experimental transponder activated on LilacSat-2. It was very interesting and fun. A non-inverting mode J transponder was new to me. Using manual tuning to adjust for Doppler shift proved to be a small challenge as I am more accustomed to operating on a transponder like FO-29. Running SDR in parallel to my Icom IC-9100 gave me a good visual representation of the transponder pass band. You can listen to a brief clip of our QSO here: https://soundcloud.com/w5pfg/lilacsat-2-2016-07-11-1315z-ssb-transponder 73 Clayton W5PFG _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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unknown amp
by Bob- W7LRD 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

I have a couple of these, tower mounted amplifiers. The label on the amp says," Ericsson TMA DDFX 1850-1880mhz". It is about a foot long and six inches on the sides, weighs about 12 Lbs. Does this have any use for our efforts? If you want any pictures of the innards just ask. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa.

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Yaesu G-5500 Rotor Control
by Fred Castello 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

Folks, I have been doing some research but am having a hard time trying to figure out what some of the most effective and cost efficient solutions to connecting the Yaesu G-5500 to the computer for SatPC32 to control the rotor. Can I ask your opinions please? Thanks, Fred KF4FC

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-11 18:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-07-11 18:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Thu 2016-07-14 16:03:33 UTC 37 deg Frontiers of Flight Museum's “Moon Day 2016”, Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC Exp. 48 on orbit (***) Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS Welcome aboard! (***) **************************************************************************** ** 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. **************************************************************************** *** All ARISS contacts are made via the Ericsson 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: Gaston ON4WF with 121 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 119 Francesco IKØWGF with 116 **************************************************************************** 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 2016-07-11 18:00 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 Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1067. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1032. 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 2016-07-08 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. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin Exp. 48 on orbit (***) Anatoly Ivanishin Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Takuya Onishi KF5LKS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Satellite Mobile Ops (EV)
by Robert Bruninga 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

If you want a week of portable battery satellite OPS, don’t overlook an Electric Vehicle (EV) with a 16kWh battery pack. With over 40 new full size EV’s now on the market from almost every car MFR, and 6 years now of used ones, you can get a huge battery with car attached for under $6k. I just counted ten EV’s for $9k or less and another 15 for under $15k on http://autotrader.com within 200 miles of my zip code. Do a search for “fuel type – electric” to find them. I saw lots of LEAFs, some VOLTS, and several iMiEV’s and Smarts-4-2. Bob, WB4APR

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Moon Day at Frontiers of Flight, Dallas July 16
by Tom Schuessler 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

Still looking for AMSAT interested folks to volunteer to help with satellite demos to lots of prospective hams at the large STEM event in Dallas, TX this weekend called "Moon Day" held at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field. We will be using special event call sign K5M for all contacts so if you hear us, please try to work us. Last year 1500 people attended including many Boy and Girl Scouts, families and space buffs. AMSAT fits in perfectly here. I am loaning the Fox 1B engineering model and my HT/Elk to the Museum event coordinator to hopefully have him use as part of pre-show TV interview show and tell. Contact me at tjschuessler(a)verizon.net to learn more. Also catch the downlink of the ARISS contact which should start at about 1554Z on Saturday the 16th which will be a telebridge from Santa Rosa, CA. For demonstration purposes, I am also looking for some good SDR recordings that I could play back on a laptop during down times. I have some but would like some more. Send me Dropbox links as the files are large I know. I will most certainly use them. Looking forward to a fun event. Please, if you can, make the trip to Dallas and help out. Tom Schuessler n5hyp(a)arrl.net

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AO-85 decoding
by skristof＠etczone.com 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

My Fox Telemetry program is not decoding AO-85 anymore. I'm looking for suggestions on where to start looking for a fix. In the past it would sometimes stop working. At those times, I would Uninstall, then Install a freshly downloaded version, and that seemed to work fine. It would always work up until I get to around 100 data packets downloaded, then it would quit, so I would uninstall, then reinstall and I'm back in business. This last time, the new Install is not decoding, even on beautiful "eye forms" with SNR >4 and 5. Very frustrating. I know I'm not doing something right as I assume I shouldn't have to reinstall after every 100 or so downloads and I definitely did something wrong this time since it is not decoding at all. I using an RTL-SDR and HDSDR software. I know that the RTL-SDR is not the recommended hardware but it's what I can afford and it worked in the past. If someone can offer constructive suggestions, I would appreciate it. (I was climbing the telemetry board pretty quick and now I have come to a halt. I'd like to get back at it.) Thanks!! Steve AI9IN

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Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G-5500 Rotor Control
by Jim Jerzycke 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

On 07/10/2016 05:17 PM, Jim Jerzycke wrote: > A Fox Delta kit. > > They're clones of the LVB Tracker. > > The ST1 is $39. http://foxdelta.com/products/st1.htm > > The ST2 is $65. http://foxdelta.com/products/st2.htm > > The ST1 is very "bare bones", it only has up/down/left/right LED > indicators, but works perfectly. > > The ST2 includes a 2-line LCD display and 4 buttons for manual > up/down/left/right control. > > I've used them both, and they're easy to build, work perfectly with > SatPC32, and cost a lot less than other products out there. > > 73, Jim KQ6EA > > > > > On 07/10/2016 04:10 PM, Fred Castello wrote: >> Folks, >> >> I have been doing some research but am having a hard time trying to >> figure >> out what some of the most effective and cost efficient solutions to >> connecting the Yaesu G-5500 to the computer for SatPC32 to control the >> rotor. Can I ask your opinions please? >> Thanks, >> Fred KF4FC >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views >> of AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >

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LilacSat-2 Linear Transponder
by M5AKA 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

BG2BHC @bg2bhc Tweeted that the 40 kHz wide Linear Transponder on LilacSat-2 is now active. Centre freqs 144.3625 to 437.200 MHz +/- 20 kHz https://twitter.com/bg2bhc/status/752082736798588928 SmallSats and the UK satellite company Clyde Space features in July issue of SatMagazine. Download PDF from http://www.satmagazine.com/ UK Space Agency's Libby Jackson will be after-dinner speaker at AMSAT-UK Colloquium, Guildford https://amsat-uk.org/2016/06/30/amsat-uk-international-space-colloquium-201… Registration required for tour of SSTL Satellite Facilities https://amsat-uk.org/2016/07/03/registration-sstl-kepler-visit/ This year's AMSAT-UK Colloquium takes place July 29-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford and is open to all https://amsat-uk.org/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 ----

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ANS-192 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joseph Spier 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-192 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * AMSAT Field Day Submissions Due July 11 * AMSAT Awards Update * Two Radio Amateurs Set to Head for the International Space Station * Australia CubeSat Testing Begins * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-192.01 ANS-192 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 192.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE July 10, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-192.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Field Day Submissions Due July 11 If you participated in Field Day and you plan on submitting your group's score, you have until 23:59 PM on Monday, July 11th to get those submission sheets in to AMSAT. AMSAT's deadline is sooner than the ARRL deadline for Field Day. Bruce Paige, KK5DO, will then prepare the story and send it off to the editor of the AMSAT Journal who will have it in the upcoming issue that goes to press shortly thereafter. Please send your score sheet and photos to Bruce kk5do(a)arrl.net or kk5do(a)amsat.org You will receive an email back that day or the next day when Bruce has received your submission. If you do not receive the email, he did not get it. Don't assume that because you sent it,it was received. Make sure you get the confirmation email. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Awards Update Congrats to all who have earned an AMSAT Award since the last posting. AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO Vinícius Leite, PU4VLT Marcos Kazan, PU2MXU Cleber Rodrigues PU3IBD Pitor Gorecki, SP9RXP Malcolm Harper, VE2DDZ Italo Adriano B.C. Marcelino, PU7ASP Marc-Andre Gingras, VA2EI ------ AMSAT Century Club Award Carl Noll, KA4H #46 ------ AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award Ramirez-Ferrer, NP4JV #86 1000+ To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two Radio Amateurs Set to Head for the International Space Station Two Amateur Radio licensees are part of the International Space Station (ISS) crew increment bound for the orbiting outpost this week. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ, astronaut Takuya Onishi, KF5LKS, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos will launch early on July 7 (0136 UTC) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio will spend approximately 4 months on station and will return to Earth in October. An upgraded Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft will carry Rubins, Onishi, and Ivanishin into space. They will test modified systems for 2 days - 34 Earth orbits - before docking with the ISS on July 9. According to NASA, the modified Soyuz is equipped with upgraded thrusters that are fully redundant, additional micrometeoroid debris shielding, redundant electrical motors for the Soyuz docking probe, and increased power with more photovoltaic cells on the spacecraft's solar arrays. This week's launch will mark the first of at least two missions in which enhanced Soyuz hardware will be tested and verified. Once the hatches between the Soyuz and the ISS have been opened, Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, of NASA, and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka, RN3FU, and Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos will greet their new crewmates. The Expedition 48 crew members will continue experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science. Rubins, Onishi, and cosmonaut Ivanishin will replace Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra, KE5UDN; Flight Engineer Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS, and Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, who returned to Earth in mid-June after a little more than 6 months in space. NASA TV will cover the launch and the arrival online at, http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public . 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), and the 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, go to: www.ariss.org www.amsat.org www.arrl.org Also, join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks the ARRL and ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia CubeSat Testing Begins Satellites are being tested at the Australian National University Mount Stromlo space facility in Canberra ahead of a mass satellite launch from the International Space Station later this year. The three CubeSats to be rigorously proven as space-ready have been developed by researchers at ANU, the University of Sydney, University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. In one Australian experiment, space weather and solar activity will be looked at as they are important to GPS navigation, financial systems and electricity grids. A second CubeSat will carry new instruments to measure atmospheric water and carbon dioxide. The third will carry four separate experiments including a specially designed receiver and electronics with the ability to self-repair if hit by radiation and something breaks. The Australian CubeSats will be launched as part of the European Union’s QB50 program of 50 satellites from 27 countries including Brazil, China, Europe, Russia and the USA. [ANS thanks WIA News and Jim Linton VK3PC for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Events Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations, forums, and/or demonstrations). *Saturday, 6 August 2016 – Austin Summerfest in Austin TX *Saturday, 13 August 2016 – KL7KC Hamfest in Fairbanks AK *Saturday, 20 August 2016 – Spark in the Park in Wyoming MI *Saturday, 3 September 2016 - Shelby Hamfest in Shelby, NC (ARRL North Carolina State Convention) - AMSAT Forum Only *Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 September 2016 Boxboro Hamfest in Boxborough, MA (ARRL New England Division Convention) *Friday, 23 September 2016 – presentation at Jet Propulsion Laboratory Amateur Radio Club in Pasadena CA *Friday and Saturday, 21-22 October 2016 – CopaFest 2016, south of Maricopa AZ *Saturday, 12 November 2016 – Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest in Marana AZ *Saturday, 3 December 2016 – Superstition Superfest in Mesa AZ *Saturday, 14 January 2017 – Thunderbird Hamfest 2017 in Phoenix 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 [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Sucessful Contacts * Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, telebridge via VK5ZAI The ISS callsign was scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut was Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Wed 2016-07-06 14:28:20 UTC 77 degx A successful telebridge contact this morning. All 20 questions were answered, with time to spare for a round of thanks from the audience and a farewell from Jeff. * A direct contact via DN1JKG with students at Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium, Bruchsal, Germany was successful Fri 2016-07-01. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium is one of the biggest schools of general education in the administrative district of Karlsruhe in Baden-Wurttemberg. More than 1,300 students are taught by over one hundred teachers. Our focus is on a scientific profile with the succession of languages being English-French or English-Latin. Furthermore, science and technology is a major subject starting in year 8. About 85% of our students opt for this profile. For four years now the Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium has been one of 44 model schools in Baden-Wurttemberg which allow students to take their A-levels at different speeds - either after eight or nine years of secondary education. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium is also participating in three different educational pilot projects. In the last two years leading up to their A-levels, students may take up Mathematics "plus" (an enhanced version of the subject Mathematics, six lessons a week) or computer science as a major subject as well as science and technology as a minor subject. Additionally, there are optional subjects for senior students, such as for example psychology, philosophy, drama, and especially natural sciences like geology, computer algebra, computer science, and astronomy. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium cooperates with partners in various fields, especially the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). In 2015 the town of Bruchsal organized the "Heimattage Baden-Württemberg" (Homeland Days of Baden-Württemberg). The Justus Knecht-Gymnasium took part in different projects, e.g. "Heimat Erde" (Homeland Earth). Students of different years worked on the topic. Moreover there's a study team working together with the amateur radio operators of Bruchsal. They established radio communication, built a stratosphere balloon and prepared the radio link to the ISS. see: http://www.jkg.ka.schule-bw.de/ (Note: above link is in German) BadenTV video link (Also in German) http://www.baden-tv.com/mediathek/video/iss-funkkontakt-date-mit-einem- raumfahrer/ * A direct contact vie RZ9WWB with The All-Russian Public Organization Radio And Radiolûbitel 'Stva" The Russian Amateur Radio Union", in Ufa, Russia, was successful Thu 2016-06-30. Upcoming Contacts * ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Thu 2016-07-14 16:03:33 UTC 37 deg Descriptions of the schools participating in the contact are shown below. Lake Elementary School, Oceanside, CA Lake Elementary School opened in 1989 in southeastern Oceanside. A top priority continues to be the use of technology by students and staff to prepare children for 21st Century College and Career readiness. Community Montessori Charter School, Escondido , CA CMCS currently serves approximately 375 students in grades K-8. Students attend one of five resource centers located throughout San Diego county, and are on a Montessori home study program. Vista Magnet Middle School, Vista, CA Students will be literate, reflective and critical thinkers in all areas of interaction who transfer knowledge and embrace diversity within a global society. Monte Vista Elementary School, Vista, CA Our vision at Monte Vista Elementary is to ignite a love of learning and a sense of curiosity in all students. We will promote academic achievement through high expectations and develop problem solvers who are technologically proficient. Lilac School, Valley Center, CA The Lilac Learning Community shares a commitment to exploring, developing and differentiating deliberate, effective strategies and practices for learning in a dynamic environment of collaboration, inquiry and diversity. STAR Prep Academy, Los Angeles, CA The STAR PREP ACADEMY is an extraordinary private middle & high school for students who seek an individualized approach to learning, based on their desired areas of specialization. Westminster Christian School, Miami, FL Founded in 1961, Westminster is an independent, college-preparatory, coeducational Christian school serving 1,241 students from preschool through 12th grade. * Frontiers of Flight Museum's “Moon Day 2016”, Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for : Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg * Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Contact is a go for Thu 2016-07-23 18:50 UTC Watch http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled. [ANS thanks ARISS, Dave, AA4KN, and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over Upcoming High Altitude Balloon Flights Include Amateur Radio The Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning e-mail list (BALLOON_SKED(a)yahoogroups.com) reports that two upcoming flights will include amateur radio payloads beyond the usual APRS downlinks used for tracking. ----- 2016-07-23 @ 09:00 MST Arizona Near Space Research to launch: ANSR-101 from the Williams Ham Fest, Williams, Arizona (35.2587, -112.185 Grid: DM35VG) Website: http://www.ansr.org, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ballooning/ Tracking via APRS.FI: KA7NSR-6, KA7NSR-7 Telemetry: APRS: 144.340 MHz, Also 445.925, both digipeated to 144.39 2 crossband repeaters: Uplink #1: 146.560 MHz CTCSS 162.2 Downlink #1: 445.925 MHz Uplink #2: 147.560 MHz CTCSS 89.1 Downlink #2: 446.025 MHz Live video streaming on 440 MHz and 2.4 GHz to ground station at Ham Fest. Contact: Bill McLean bmclean1(a)gmail.com QRZ: KA7NSR ----- 2016-08-06 @ 07:45 CDT Balloon Assisted Stratospheric Experiments (DePauw University) to launch BASE 90 from Rantoul National Aviation Center Airport-Frank Elliott Field Rantoul, IL (100 miles south of Chicago; 40.294, -88.142 Grid: EN50WH) during the Space Jam 10 Boy Scout Jamboree Website: http://www.depauw.edu/academics/departments-programs/physics-astronomy/ department-research/base/ Tracking via APRS.FI: WB9SA-11 Telemetry: APRS: 144.390MHz Contact: Howard Brooks hlbrooks(a)depauw.edu QRZ: WB9SA Crossband repeater and SSTV downlink frequencies will be announced. [ANS thanks the BALLOON_SKED(a)yahoogroups.com list 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

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Re: [amsat-bb] OSCAR status page
by Joe Fitzgerald 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

On 7/9/2016 1:39 PM, Joe Fitzgerald wrote: > I'll see about picking up the metaphorical trash as soon as I get my > real life dishwasher fixed. > > Dishwasher fixed, flowers replanted and trash picked up. Thanks for your reports. 73 de KM1P Joe --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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YN2RP Ops
by Paul Stoetzer 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

Rafael, YN2RP, worked several stations last night on the SO-50 pass around 0345Z from Somoto, Nicaragua (EK63). He also listened on an earlier AO-85 pass, but could not get in half duplex with his Yaesu VX-7R HT. I do not know what his plans for further ops are. He only has limited email access at his current location, but he has told me that evening passes are best for him. In addition to his HT, he also has a Yaesu FT-857 and may try to work FO-29 half duplex. If I get any further word on specific passes he plans to operate, I will pass it along to the BB. He will be in Nicaragua until July 22nd. 73, Paul, N8HM

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OSCAR status page
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

I notice this morning that hovering over status reports on the table does nothing. Some change in the past day that caused that glitch? I tried both Firefox and ah... MS Edge. Same result. Glenn AA5PK

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New member with much to learn.
by Roger 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

Hello to all, name here is Roger. I'm new to the BB with much to learn and often times many questions. I'm near retirement and continuing to assemble my station / shack, as I attempt to dabble in nearly every aspect of amateur radio on a shoestring budget, and so, at present, it's satellites. I'm fascinated with Rx more than Tx though I have the capability. I've put together an array of homebrew optimized 2m 6el and 70cm 5el (soon to be 12el) xpol yagis with tracking. I'm using the digital modded Orbit360 rotors with InstantTrack software. Also using SatPC32 for Cat control and Spectrum Lab to see what I can't otherwise hear. I'd really like to eliminate InstantTrack if I could find a software solution to drive the Obit360's using SatPC32 without building an additional interface. I am not a programmer by any means but I'm not computer illiterate either. One of the first questions I have has to do with antenna polarity. I designed my yagi's for what should be circular polarization, but I read a lot about polarity switches or relays, and then there's RH and LH circularity. It gets a bit confusing. Can someone either explain or point me to a good reference to help in my understanding of this? I want to make the best of what I have or make the changes necessary to do so. Thanks for your time and the BB. 73, Roger W7TZ CN83ia

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SO-50 demos from Nevada (DM16) today
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

Hi! Craig KL4E e-mailed me this morning, saying he will demonstrate satellite operating on a couple of SO-50 passes this afternoon at the emergency operations center in Pahrump, Nevada, in grid DM16. Look for KL4E on the SO-50 passes at 1929 and 2111 UTC today. There us a license test session going on there today, and there should be some new hams watching the demonstrations. If you hear KL4E, please give him a call. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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Upcoming ARISS contact with ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 09 Jul '16

09 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at ISS R&D Conference, San Diego, CA on 14 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:03 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west 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. This ARISS contact will be conducted with a consortium of schools attending the ISS R&D conference as part of STEM day. Descriptions of the schools participating in the contact are shown below. School: Lake Elementary School, Oceanside, CA Lake Elementary School opened in 1989 in southeastern Oceanside. A top priority continues to be the use of technology by students and staff to prepare children for 21st Century College and Career readiness. School: Community Montessori Charter School, Escondido , CA CMCS currently serves approximately 375 students in grades K-8. Students attend one of five resource centers located throughout San Diego county, and are on a Montessori home study program. School: Vista Magnet Middle School, Vista, CA Students will be literate, reflective and critical thinkers in all areas of interaction who transfer knowledge and embrace diversity within a global society. School: Monte Vista Elementary School, Vista, CA Our vision at Monte Vista Elementary is to ignite a love of learning and a sense of curiosity in all students. We will promote academic achievement through high expectations and develop problem solvers who are technologically proficient. School: Lilac School, Valley Center, CA The Lilac Learning Community shares a commitment to exploring, developing and differentiating deliberate, effective strategies and practices for learning in a dynamic environment of collaboration, inquiry and diversity. School: STAR Prep Academy, Los Angeles, CA The STAR PREP ACADEMY is an extraordinary private middle & high school for students who seek an individualized approach to learning, based on their desired areas of specialization. School: Westminster Christian School, Miami, FL Founded in 1961, Westminster is an independent, college-preparatory, coeducational Christian school serving 1,241 students from preschool through 12th grade. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What do astronauts dream about in space? 2. When you first landed on the ISS was it what you expected? 3. What is the most interesting thing that you have seen up in space that you wouldn't find here on Earth? 4. How do you feel in zero gravity? 5. What personal item did you bring with you when you left for the space station? 6. I've heard the view of Earth is amazing; can you describe some of the things you've seen? 7. I like astronaut ice cream. Do you actually eat food like that or do you have regular food? 8. When you get back what's the first food you would like to eat? 9. What do the other planets look like from the ISS?" 10. Some people feel small and insignificant when thinking about the vastness of space. How does it make you feel? 11. What is the protocol in case of a medical emergency? 12. What do you miss most on Earth (besides your family)? 13. What is your favorite way to exercise on the International Space Station? 14. What is the maximum capacity of people on the space station at any given time? 15. If mechanical problems happen aboard the International Space Station (ISS) what is your plan to fix it, or if so, abandon the Station. 16. Since you are in space for a long time, do you have any hobbies to pass the day? 17. Have any of the experimental insects on board ever escaped, and if so, how did you retrieve them? 18. Is there ever conflict between the astronauts since you're all in one place together? 19. Do you have Wifi? Internet? Netflix? 20. How different would it feel to be on the moon? 21. What is the most important part of the station in your opinion? 22. Is there anything you wish you would have known before you went to space? 23. I see astronauts wearing space suits only half the time. Why do you only wear them some of the time in space? 24. Do you ever take animals to space with you? 25. Do you ever get scared or miss your home? 26. What made you want to become an astronaut? 27. Does a "day" feel shorter without the visual reassurance of daylight and its absence? 28. What was your favorite science project that you have worked on during your time on the ISS? 29. Do you believe that there is life on another planet other than Earth? 30. Do all astronauts sleep at the same time or do you sleep on rotation? 31. What are the odds of mechanical or electrical problems happening to your equipment aboard the ISS? 32. Were you allowed to take any personal items on the spacecraft? 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. Frontiers of Flight Museum's "Moon Day 2016", Dallas TX, telebridge via W6SRJ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is go for: Sat 2016-07-16 15:54:09 UTC 88 deg 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), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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AO7
by PY5LF 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

Hi AO7 are passing over here now with a strange noise in 3 frequencies and a carrier in 145570. Never heard it before ... 73

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FUNcube-1 weekend mode
by Graham Shirville 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

Hi All, The FUNcube-1 transponder is now ON for the weekend 73 Graham G3VZV

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KO4MA in NPOTA NP26 on SO-50 at 1726 UTC
by Paul Stoetzer 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

KO4MA was just on FO-29 from NPOTA NP26 (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). He has not had cell service this morning, so was not able to notify anyone, but he will also try to be on the 1726 UTC SO-50 pass. 73, Paul, N8HM

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Terry Sterman and AES
by Jeff Griffin 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

As you probably heard by now AES is closing their doors end of this month. I will miss AES, not that I buy much stuff from them anymore, but in my travels over the years I visited all 5 of their locations, and have some fond memories of those visits. I had some time to read some of the nostalgic information posted today and ran into this.. https://www.aesham.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/terrysterman.pdf What's cool about this article is that in the last paragraphs satellite communications was mentioned in 1958! This blew me away.. 73 Jeff kb2m

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XW-2C status
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 08 Jul '16

08 Jul '16

It appears XW-2C is experiencing "issues." The CW beacon, the transponder and the telemetry are very erratic. The transponder is on very briefly during breaks in the telemetry transmissions. The CW beacon hardly gets a single dit out. May have battery problems. Glenn / AA5PK

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LL Grace - Kansas City Tracker/Tuner Satellite Antenna Controller/Doppler CI-V
by Joe Leikhim 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

Now cleaning my closets out. I have this Kansas City Tracker /Tuner controller for auction now $59.97 plus shipping US and international. Like New, Complete and ready to use. See details http://www.ebay.com/itm/162121167759?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… Thanks K4SAT -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

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FCC License Question
by Thomas Doyle 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

Has anyone renewed their ham license recently. I renewed mine online and it appeared to work. I received two very official looking letters from the FCC within a week of submitting the application. First one was "Ref: CORES Registration Update". Second one was "Ref: PSQ Request for your CORES FRN:xxxxxxxxx". This letter indicates "Entity Type: INDIVIDUAL ENTITY" which is reassuring. Neither letter indicates anything is wrong nor does it mention anything about a license. I realize that the federal government is drowning in the paper work mess they have created to give them something to do but this is a bit much. Do they ever send you an actual paper license ? I need to send a copy to the DMV to renew my ham plates. It has been almost 4 weeks. I sent in a request for duplicate license after three weeks. TNX W9KE Tom Doyle

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time is running out - field day submissions
by Bruce 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

If you participated in Field Day and you plan on submitting your group's score, you have until 23:59 PM on Monday, July 11th to get those submission sheets in to me. AMSAT's deadline is sooner than the ARRL deadline for Field Day. Send them to kk5do(a)amsat.org or kk5do(a)arrl.net. I will send a reply email when I have received them (usually that day or the next day). If you do not receive an email that I have received your submission, try again. Sometimes electrons in free space are lost for no apparent reason. I will be at a conference all day Monday and might not have a chance to send your confirmation email until the evening. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Alternate 2015-2016 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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W5PFG/p mode J VU V/U V/u 144/435 2/70 today
by Clayton Coleman 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

I'll work two more satellite passes from the DM66/67 grid line today, July 7, concluding operations from the mountains of Southern Colorado. FO-29 at 17:32 UTC SO-50 at 20:17 UTC I will QSL regardless of the designator you use for these satellites. :-) 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Email/Text miscommunications
by Robert Bruninga 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

[EMAIL] I’m beginning to realize the problems we have in AMSAT-BB and other reflectors communication is caused by the bifurcation of email into two categories. Email and Texts. We see the problem crop up daily… One liner posts that make no sense and have no context, and long emails that few take the time to digest before fat-fingering a one line response. It is frustrating to have a complex problem being addressed by a multi-paragraph email discussing all the options and permutations and considerations and background on a problem and then having spent an hour presenting a well laid out treatise on the issues, to have the response come back as a fat finger “yes” or “no”. You can see it in the emails. The one-line TEXTS which have given the issue about as much thought as an eye blink. Or that was digested on a smart phone while walking across the street. I’m not complaining, just observing. Hence the first line of my email above. Giving the recipient a heads up that this email is not a knee jerk shot from the hip TEXT. Wouldn’t it be nice if EMAILS could generally only be read on full screen PC’s and all concise TEXTs are displayed only on tiny 2” screens. That would force the sender and receiver into the same “communications environment” to better understand the context. Just a thought. Bob, WB4APR

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[Video] Coolest ISS SSTV Image!
by John Brier 07 Jul '16

07 Jul '16

https://youtu.be/VSFAlGfvPPc If you liked this video please subscribe to me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpaceComms1?sub_confirmation=1 This is my favorite image from the July 2015 International Space Station (ISS) Slow Scan TV (SSTV) event, at least of the images I received. I love how each cosmonaut and astronaut is smiling and holding their nation's respective flag, and that they are doing it together. This Slow Scan TV event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo and Soyuz docking together, and I think this image symbolizes that the best. First video from this series: https://youtu.be/5PJJixog12A For more info on ISS SSTV see my "ISS SSTV Reception Hints" article: https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/iss-sstv-reception-hints/ Links to videos featured at the end: TOMSK Bandit ISS Repeater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svnB7h_k7_M My First Perfect ISS SSTV Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7to9uX1sWC4 Equipment I use for ISS Reception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3JwOwjYIkM ISS Reception (Kopernik Observatory): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGFEanljOG8 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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Re: [amsat-bb] Band designators, Modes (age and stubborn)
by Robert Bruninga 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

> It takes approximately 20 seconds to memorize a table > of both the old and new designations and the frequencies > they represent. Just learn them and move on. Easy for you to say. I've been in AMSAT and worked lots of the birds for 40 years and still would have to look up any of them to be sure. I know A is 29 MHz down, but what uplink? I know mode J is 435 down and 2m up. And I think mode B is the opposite. But even those I have to look up TO MAKE SURE. Then there is K, KN, KS, X, C, Ka, Ku, L, S (which S?) Why should I have to look anything up, if we would just ID the frequency band in the first place. > A few letters to represent frequencies isn't a big deal. Depends on how old you are and how stubborn. Im' at the end of the scale on both. Bob, WB4APR

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Band designators, Modes
by Peter Laws 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

I thought AMSAT was moving away from Modes A, B, J, etc, but they seem too entrenched and still appear in current pubs. Regardless, the band designations, loosely based on microwave band designators (later "codified" by IEEE), were for whatever reason interesting to me so I made a chart. It started out as just the microwaves ... then I added the satellite stuff ... then I added the stuff that is microwave, but non-amateur/non-satellite but in the same neighborhood. It's mostly microwave-centric but I put all the FCC bands designated for space station use in there, too, and as some of you know, that goes down as low as 40 m (which is *not* microwave :-) ). Anyway, the only "name space collision" between AMSAT designators and IEEE designators is the AMSAT R band (47000 - 47200 MHz), which is part of the IEEE V band (40000 - 75000 MHz). That happens because AMSAT's V band is 144 - 146 MHz. The only other anomaly is that we amateurs have two allocations within the what the IEEE calls the S-band (2000 - 4000 MHz), which are 2400 - 2450 MHz (13 cm) and 3400 - 3410 MHz (9 cm) -- both ham bands are wider but these are the FCC space station allocations. I've seen the amateur allocation at 9 cm referred to as "S2" but I don't know how official that is. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oJV0Bv24mHhq_eICUp3L6g4pTy-wItUWfky… Anyway, I keep stumbling on allocations that seem relevant so I keep adding them. I need to add the historical notes, too, like where the K and X letters came from as well as the "hopefully-but-not-quite-yet-obsolete" satellite mode designators. Some of that info is linked to the page. Looking forward to the Mode CX satellites ... -- Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!

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Re: [amsat-bb] Band designators, Modes
by Rick 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

>Count me in STRONGLY for FREQUENCY, not even meters and centimeters. My > radio front panel reads in MHZ, not meters or centimeters. And absolutely > none of the alphabet soup. > > IMHO > Bob, WB4APR > Getting older and more forgetful every day... I agree with Bob, especially the part about getting older and more forgetful! Rick, KE6LL

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AMSAT demo tonight on SO-50 @ 0424 UTC (& possibly other passes)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Hi! Craig KL4E e-mailed me (and a few others), mentioning that he will give an AMSAT presentation to the Chehalis Valley Amateur Radio Society in Chehalis, Washington, this evening. Chehalis is between Seattle and Portland. More information about the club, and tonight's meeting, is available at: http://www.cvars.org/ Along with the presentation, Craig plans to give a demonstration on SO-50 during the 0424 UTC (9.24pm PDT) pass. Craig mentioned he may be able to work the passes before and after this particular pass, depending on if people show up early or stay late after the meeting. If you hear KL4E on, please give Craig a call and be a part of his demonstration(s). Good luck, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK (You may resume the discussion about band designators and modes, already in progress...)

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Arduino GPS Corrected VFO - update
by Gregory Beat 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

May/June 2016 AMSAT Journal article "An Arduino GPS Corrected VFO" by Gene Marcus, W3PM/GM4YRE The Panasonic 12mm Rotary Encoder (EVE-GA1F1724M; DigiKey P10859-ND) referenced in Figure 4, page 24 http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?keywords=%20P10859-ND has been discontinued by Panasonic in 2015. http://media.digikey.com/pdf/PCNs/Panasonic/PDN.PG13.08.08.2014%20Discontin… Direct Part Substitute (per DigiKey) is the Bourns 12mm rotary encoder (PEC12R-4217F-N0024) DigiKey PEC12R-4217F-N0024-ND http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/bourns-inc/PEC12R-4217F-N0024/PEC1… == greg w9gb Sent from iPad Air

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IN72 GRID
by Antonio Fernandez Sanchez 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Will activate IN72 Grid next friday, July 8th. Will try to be present at most satellite passes between 0900-100UTC until 18-1900 UTC. Will be present in FO-29, XW series, and SO-50 & AO-85 Even will try AO7 pass for USA stations (just cross fingers for AO7 be active in “B” mode that day ).. 73,s Antonio (EA1IW)

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Activating IN72 locator
by afesan＠gmail.com 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

For those interested ..: Will activate IN72 grid on next friday, July 8th. Will try to be active at most satellite passes as possible. FM&linear sats. Even I will try AO7 (if we are lucky enough it be in “B” mode active that pass) looking only for USA stations. Cross fingers. Will be present in FO-29, XW sats, SO-50,AO-85...Opertaion will begin at 0900-1000 UTC until 1900 UTC 73,s Antonio (EA1IW)

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Re: [amsat-bb] Band designators, Modes
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Professionals in most fields love to use, and perpetuate, jargon instead of plain language. I guess it makes them feel important 73 (er, that's jargon too), Ray W2RS

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XW sats
by D. Craig Fox 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Wow so under used Was on the last passes of XW2C and XW2F Very loud, very quiet - too bad Will be on XW2A in one minute- high pass again for SoCal 73s Craig N6RSX

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Re: [amsat-bb] W5PFG from DM77 today on FO-29 and SO-50
by Clayton Coleman 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

Thanks for N8HM for posting my DM77 operation announcement yesterday. It was a very last-minute trip but went over very well. I made 25 contacts on FO-29 and 14 on SO-50. I attribute that number of contacts to it being a U.S. Holiday (Independence Day.) Both satellite passes were very orderly and it was nice to get a few new stations in my log. We had been in very mountainous terrain during the trip to the destination grid. Fortunately DM77ab was just east of Antonito, Colorado in a high valley. My GPS was reading an elevation of 7,864' at my operating location. Using 4 elements on 70cm and 2 elements on 2m, I was able to work both satellites down to the horizon. All of the contacts have been uploaded to Logbook of the World. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: [amsat-bb] Band designators, Modes
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

We have been using the term "Mode K" to describe 21 MHz uplink/29 MHz downlink because that is what AMSAT called it when it first came into use in 1987. Similarly, the terms "Mode A" and "Mode B" came into use in 1974 because that is what the engineers who designed AMSAT-OSCAR 7 called them. AO-7 actually has four modes: Mode C is a low-power version of Mode B, and Mode D is "transponder off." Then came Fuji-OSCAR 12 with Modes JA (analogue) and JD (digital), where "J" stood for "Japan." FCC even included the definitions of Modes A and B in the written tests of that era. This "ancient history" has probably served its purpose. Art is right: we'd do better to stick with the numbers. 73 Ray W2RS

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Lunar Module Source Code
by Bryan KL7CN 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

Thought our community would enjoy this article about the Lunar Module source code: DON EYLES WALKS US THROUGH THE LUNAR MODULE SOURCE CODE http://hackaday.com/2016/07/05/don-eyles-walks-us-through-the-lunar-module-… Interesting video here: https://youtu.be/H0ITFbDuJz0 Source Code here: https://github.com/chrislgarry/Apollo-11 73! -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6

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Re: [amsat-bb] Mode K (fact and fiction?)
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

Bob, John wrote up many of his findings in his Space Radio Handbook, published by RSGB in 1991. If you can't locate a copy, let me know and I can send you mine. 73 Ray

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Garrison Keillor's callsign?
by Robert Bruninga 05 Jul '16

05 Jul '16

On his last radio show, during his Lake Woebegon segment, Garrison made reference to his early days in radio when for fun they used Morse Code... So the question becomes, who has a QSL card from Garisson Keillor? He is not currently in QRZ.com but if he was like many of my friends back in the 60's, they did not renew heir licenses... So, who has a paper callbook say from 1956 to 66 and can look him up? Bob, WB4APR

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Any egg beater, K5OE sq egg beater or Texas Potato Masher antennas for sale?
by Tom J. Gentry 04 Jul '16

04 Jul '16

Any egg beater, K5OE sq egg beater or Texas Potato Masher antennas for sale? Please notify K5VOU(a)arrl.net. 73, Tom

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium, Bruchsal, Germany
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 04 Jul '16

04 Jul '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium, Bruchsal, Germany on 01 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:31 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between OR4ISS and DN1JKG. The contact should be audible over Germany and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium is one of the biggest schools of general education in the administrative district of Karlsruhe in Baden-Wurttemberg. More than 1,300 students are taught by over one hundred teachers. Our focus is on a scientific profile with the succession of languages being English-French or English-Latin. Furthermore, science and technology is a major subject starting in year 8. About 85% of our students opt for this profile. For four years now the Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium has been one of 44 model schools in Baden-Wurttemberg which allow students to take their A-levels at different speeds - either after eight or nine years of secondary education. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium is also participating in three different educational pilot projects. In the last two years leading up to their A-levels, students may take up Mathematics "plus" (an enhanced version of the subject Mathematics, six lessons a week) or computer science as a major subject as well as science and technology as a minor subject. Additionally, there are optional subjects for senior students, such as for example psychology, philosophy, drama, and especially natural sciences like geology, computer algebra, computer science, and astronomy. The Justus-Knecht-Gymnasium cooperates with partners in various fields, especially the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). In 2015 the town of Bruchsal organized the "Heimattage Baden-Württemberg" (Homeland Days of Baden-Württemberg). The Justus Knecht-Gymnasium took part in different projects, e.g. "Heimat Erde" (Homeland Earth). Students of different years worked on the topic. Moreover there's a study team working together with the amateur radio operators of Bruchsal. They established radio communication, built a stratosphere balloon and prepared the radio link to the ISS. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Welcoming speech in English and Russian) Is the space debris a threat for the ISS? 2. How long does it take to return to earth in case of emergency? 3. What do you do with the time saved due to time dilatation? 4. Do you feel the temperature differences between inside and outside during a spacewalk? 5. When will it be possible to realize a mission to Mars in your opinion? 6. How do you lubricate mechanical parts against friction in space? 7. How many calories do you need per day? 8. Do you play dart in space? 9. Have you ever realized experiments with flying animals like birds on the ISS? 10. In which way does the 90 minute-day-night-change influence your life on board? 11. Are you floating in your dreams, too? 12. How do you recycle your water on board? 13. Which buildings can you see from above? 14. Are you able to see polar lights from above? 15. Which animals are living currently on board? 16. Do you miss the weather on the ISS? 17. What do you think about planet earth from high above? 18. Did you wear a life vest or parachute during your flight to the ISS? 19. What do you do in your spare time? 20. Did you get medical training during your preparation 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): Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, telebridge via VK5ZAI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-07-06 14:28:20 UTC ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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W5PFG from DM77 today on FO-29 and SO-50
by Paul Stoetzer 04 Jul '16

04 Jul '16

W5PFG will operate from DM77 at 18:30 UTC today on FO-29 and SO-50 at 19:00 UTC. Note that the terrain is mountainous and the SO-50 pass is only 10 degrees, but he will give it a try. 73, Paul, N8HM

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AMSAT Awards Update
by Bruce 03 Jul '16

03 Jul '16

Congrats to all who have earned an AMSAT Award since the last posting. AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO Vinícius Leite, PU4VLT Marcos Kazan, PU2MXU Cleber Rodrigues PU3IBD Pitor Gorecki, SP9RXP Malcolm Harper, VE2DDZ Italo Adriano B.C. Marcelino, PU7ASP Marc-Andre Gingras, VA2EI ------ AMSAT Century Club Award Carl Noll, KA4H #46 ------ AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award Ramirez-Ferrer, NP4JV #86 1000+ 73...bruce To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0200z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes

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AMSAT Awards Update - End of the Year
by Bruce 03 Jul '16

03 Jul '16

Congrats to all who have earned an AMSAT Award since the last posting. AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO Vinícius Leite, PU4VLT Marcos Kazan, PU2MXU Cleber Rodrigues PU3IBD Pitor Gorecki, SP9RXP Malcolm Harper, VE2DDZ Italo Adriano B.C. Marcelino, PU7ASP Marc-Andre Gingras, VA2EI ------ AMSAT Century Club Award Carl Noll, KA4H #46 ------ AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award Ramirez-Ferrer, NP4JV #86 1000+ 73...bruce To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0200z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes

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ANS-185 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 03 Jul '16

03 Jul '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-185 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * AMSAT Field Day Submissions * AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2016 * North Texas "Moon Day" for AMSAT, ARISS and Amateur Radio * South Africa Satellite Day * UAE Satellite Will Have Amateur Radio Transponder SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-185.01 ANS-185 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 185.01 From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD. July 3, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-185.01 AMSAT Field Day Submissions Now that Field Day is only a blur, it is time to prepare your score and submit it for the AMSAT Field Day results. All submissions are due by 11:59PM Central Time on Monday, July 11, 2016. Bruce Paige, KK5DO, will then prepare the story and send it off to the editor of the AMSAT Journal who will have it in the upcoming issue that goes to press shortly thereafter. Please send your score sheet and photos to Bruce kk5do(a)arrl.net or kk5do(a)amsat.org You will receive an email back that day or the next day when Bruce has received your submission. If you do not receive the email, he did not get it. Don't assume that because you sent it,it was received. Make sure you get the confirmation email. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2016 This year’s Colloquium is now only a few weeks away. The event, taking place as usual at the Holiday Inn in Guildford, will be held over the weekend of the 29/31st July. A full programme of presentations, covering all aspects of the amateur satellite world, has been developed for the Saturday and Sunday and a “Beginners Session” is scheduled for the Friday afternoon. Sessions will include updates on the many new satellites that are expected to be launched over the next few months. This includes Eshail-2 which will carry the first ever geostationary amateur radio transponder and provide more than 8MHz of new intercontinental spectrum - it will provide coverage to five continents. Additionally we will have a session on how to develop software receivers using GNU radio, reviews of the Tim Peake ARISS contacts and the STEM results achieved, information about a new 76GHz satellite project, a review of how to operate “in the field” and lots more. As well as the presentations during the day, Libby Jackson, from the UK Space Agency, with whom the ARISS UK team worked closely during the Tim Peake mission, will be speaking during the Gala Dinner on the Saturday evening. Other highlights will include visits to the SSTL facilities (Friday evening and Saturday morning) and the opportunity to see the special ground station equipment that was used for all the ARISS contacts. This will be available for use for contacts during passes of all the available satellite transponders. Visitors can either turn up on the day, book day passes on the website or, if planning an overnight stay, now is the last week to make their hotel bookings at the preferential rate and which have been block-booked by AMSAT-UK. The URL for the AMSAT-UK shop to book day passes is http://shop.amsat-uk.org. If you wish to book overnight accommodation, please contact the hotel direct on 01483 784413. Please note that due to problems with their booking system THE HOTEL WILL KEEP OUR RESERVED ROOMS UNTIL 6 JUL. Day passes cost £10 per day (incl tea/coffee, etc) , please pay at the AMSAT-UK shop (not hotel reception). If you wish to attend the Gala dinner on Saturday, please book at least 7 days in advance, either with the hotel (by booking dinner, bed, and breakfast), or at the AMSAT-UK shop. As well at the AMSAT-UK shop, there will be a number of specialist suppliers present, and we are hoping that the RSGB bookshop will also be present Members and non-members will be made very welcome and booking info can be found here https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/ The Colloquium team are looking forward to meeting many old friends and making many new acquaintances during the event. [ANS thanks Jim, G3WGM, Hon Sec AMSAT-UK, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- North Texas "Moon Day" for AMSAT, ARISS and Amateur Radio July 16th, 2016 will be the date for the annual "Moon Day" at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field in Dallas, TX, STEM event. Check out http://www.flightmuseum.com/moon-day-2016/ for more information. Moon Day is a large space exploration and science themed STEM event from 10a-5P that features numerous exhibitors, technology demonstrations, an ARISS contact with the ISS and AMSAT/Amateur Radio as key elements. Over 1500 attended last year's event including many Boy/Girl Scouts and other young people and families. This year's event might be even bigger. As last year, AMSAT members from North Texas, along with the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, will have a shared display space with STEM activities for people to learn about satellites, orbital mechanics and the exciting possibilities of personal communications through Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio satellites. Aside from the indoor space, we want to be able to offer multiple opportunities for satellite pass demos on the outside of the building as well. Keith Pugh, W5IU, will be the ARISS Mentor/coordinator for the scheduled ARISS contact and has a support team for that but we need other Amateur Satellite enthusiasts to help man the display space and also to run the pass demos outside the facility. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, has communicated with the event coordinator asking them to provide an approved outside space and published promotion and "Carrots" to get people out there. Being summer and most likely hot. Tom also asked if there could have some sort of tent or easy-up to block the sun from the operating point. What is needed are people to man the inside display table, where you will get to explain some of the basics of Amateur Radio satellites, orbits, footprints and cubesat to hundreds of inquisitive young people. Also needed are some experienced satellite and Amateur Radio operators who will be willing to handle the heat outside and get people involved with this fun aspect of our hobby. (With enough of us we can do shifts). There is quite a good list of pass opportunities between 10a and 5p so you would not be bored. Please let Tom, N5HYP, or Keith, W5IU, know if you can join us and help with a great public outreach for Amateur Radio and AMSAT. [ANS thanks Tom, N5HYP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- South Africa Satellite Day AMSAT SA is planning to arrange a weekly satellite day to encourage radio amateurs to operate satellites. The proposal is to dedicate preferred slots for satellite operation, for example Tuesday between 18:00 and 23:00. There are a number of relatively easy to operate satellites. These will be identified and operating slots with details about the orbit and time over South Africa and neighboring countries will be published in advance. AMSAT SA is seeking input from radio amateurs who would be interested in participating. Please send your proposals and ideas to saamsat(a)intekom.co.za [ANS thanks the SARL weekly news in English 2016-7-2 for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- UAE Satellite Will Have Amateur Radio Transponder The United Arab Emirates newspaper The National reports on the Nayif-1 spacecraft developed by Emirati students from the American University of Sharjah in partnership with The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Nayif-1 carries a 435/145 MHz transponder (FUNcube-5) for amateur radio SSB/CW communications. It is expected to launch along with other amateur radio satellites such as Fox-1C and Fox-1D on a SpaceX rocket between September and November 2016. The National says: Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said the satellite’s development was a testament to its commitment to develop Emirati talent. “There is no doubt that the field of satellite design and manufacturing is a new industry to UAE universities and students,” Mr Al Shaibani said. “The Emirati students possess the skills and capabilities to design and build a CubeSat as a result of a knowledge-transfer strategy and cooperation between academic and professional institutions that are launching real space projects, enabling students to see the product of their work as a reality in space.” The satellite is about 10 cubic centimetres and weighs about 1 kilogram. One of its most notable features is that it is programmed to transfer messages in Arabic. “This is a great achievement and a source of pride for all of us,” said Dr Bjorn Kjerfve, chancellor of American University of Sharjah. Nayif-1 CubeSat https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/communications/nayif-1/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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ISS?
by skristof＠etczone.com 02 Jul '16

02 Jul '16

Anybody hear from ISS this last pass (~1845 UTC)? I checked both 145.825 and 145.800. I like to know if they've turned things off or if there is an equipment issue on my end. Thanks! Steve AI9IN

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UKUBE-1 Transponder off?
by Bob 02 Jul '16

02 Jul '16

There was a 16:25 to 16:35 UTC pass off the east coast of North America this afternoon. I didn't hear telemetry nor could I spot myself. I wonder if the transponder is off the air? 73, Bob, WB4SON

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Re: [amsat-bb] Preamps and Polarization Switches
by Edward R Cole 02 Jul '16

02 Jul '16

Fred, Good comments from both Bob-WB4SON and Jim-KQ6EA. I might add that starting simple is a good approach as you will learn the effect that each improvement makes as you go. But saying that, if you can afford simple preamps like the ARR P144VDG and P432VDG ($79/ea.) and add a coax TR relay ahead of them it will work as well as more expensive switched preamps (depending on cost of relays). If you are only running up to 50w relays can be cheap (check e-bay, Fair Radio, Nebraska Surplus Sales). I would not trust a diplexer to have sufficient isolation to protect preamps. I am re-installing my satellite antenna system and using this type of system for modes UV & VU. I have an equipment box for the preamps and switches mounted just below the Yaesu B5400 az-el rotator so only antenna cables run to antennas; I do have separate Rx and Tx coax lines to my equipment (which require modification to break out the Rx separate from Tx connector). Using a switched preamp avoids the extra coax lines and mods so probably easier to implement with most radios. I have one mounted on another 2m antenna where I run 150w, but run a separate dc keying line and do not utilized the internal RF switching detector. This avoids hot switching the preamp. I am involved in eme so have a station sequencer to control TR switching in my station. This considered a "frill" for most satellite stations. I decided to go simple with a M2 2M7 linear antenna and using part of my original M2 436CP42 (RHCP only - not switched). I'm installing 26 elements of that antenna. If I later feel need for CP on 144 then I may add 7 elements to the 2M7 and add RHCP phasing cable (again no switch). I have not found need for filters using high gain yagis for desense. Radio is old but good FT-736R running 30w barefoot. I have equipment for 1268 and 2401 MHz but not installed for the present (used for AO-10/AO-40). I have an 8-dBic patch antenna for 2400 mounted but not connected. I have old preamp and drake converters for that band (stored). 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Re: [amsat-bb] Mode K (fact and fiction?)
by Robert Bruninga 02 Jul '16

02 Jul '16

> The late John Branegan, GM4IHJ (CDR, Royal Navy) > did a lot of good research on Mode K using the RS birds. > ... an effective way of... satellite DX despite today's low orbits. Thanks! Ill research it. The over the horizon DX aspect is what everyone remembers. And that is what I want to study. My theory is that with the variability of the ionosphere, that just as much as there is enhanced beyond-the-horizon relay some times, there is also times of no-path because the ionosphere at low elevations is bending the path away from the bird. My theory is that hams like DX and remember the GOOD DX, but then conveniently forget all the times when the link was dead. So I think what I hear from "the good ole days" has to be taken with a grain of salt since the dead band days are not as memorable as that rare double bounce hop to timbuktoo. So far, no one has described how often they could not even hear the bird or get into it even though it was in range. I think that is the data that is missing? Bob, WB4APR HFSAT in 2018?

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MY struggles with AO-85
by Ken Alexander 02 Jul '16

02 Jul '16

In several attempts I have yet to hear myself on the AO-85 downlink. finally, after playing with SatPC32 this evening I realized it tells me pretty well exactly where I should be. I ran through an upcoming pass to see what it tells me and the result is tabulated in the following table. First column is time (UTC), second column is the fine freq to 4 decimals and the third column are frequencies I can actually enter in my TH-D72 with its 5 kHz frequency step. 435.170 at AOS confirms what many ops have told me in the last few days. What I forgot was how fast the frequency changes as AO-85 passes through its maximum elevation; the middle 3 minutes will be busy! Anyway, I was pleased to "discover" this and hope the information will give me what I need to finally make a QSO or two. Now I just hope I don't get rained out! 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS

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Preamps and Polarization Switches
by Fred Castello 01 Jul '16

01 Jul '16

Newbie here and I am trying to put together a station. I have a question about preamps. I am making the following assumptions but please correct me or outline your station feeds if I am incorrect in my assumptions: Most experienced operators are using moderate to high gain yagi antennas, circular polarized. I am thinking of purchasing the M2 LEO pack. I am assuming that most folks are using RF protected preamps to keep from blowing them up on transmit. It would be easier if one knew that they were always going to transmit on 2 meters (for instance) and one could place the NON RF protected preamp on 70 cms. However, since there is a mix of V/U and U/V birds, it would seem the only way to get preamps up at the antenna where they belong is to use RF protected preamps ( with weather and RF protection, significantly more expensive). Is there a role for diplexers here rather than running expensive RF protected switching? Also, I know from my listening on my Elk Antenna that change in polarization can make a pretty significant difference in adequate reception. So, it would also seem that there is a need with these type of antennas (M2 LEO) to have a polarization switching (cost for both antennas almost matches the original cost of the antennas). Do most operators have these switchable polarization switches. My shack is about 60 feet from the top of the roof, so I will have to deal with those losses in spite of using good cable. I was thinking of just starting with the antennas (no preamps, no polarization switching) and see how things go. Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Best Fred Castello, KF4FC

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