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AO-73/FUNcube mode change
by Jim Heck 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

Hi Folks, I have just set AO-73/FUNcube into permanent transponder mode. Plan, as usual, is to switch it back to education mode on Sunday PM UTC. Enjoy the transponder and have a FUN weekend. 73s Jim G3WGM

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2400???
by Perry Yantis 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

I haven't used my 2.4 downlink equipment for a while and was wondering if any satellites are operating that have a 2.4 downlink that is on so I can test my 2.4 receive station????? Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple Macbook Pro

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EsHail Microwave transponder satellit
by Remco 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

Zilvis, I made almost exactly the same construction. Within 1.5 hour I fetch my camera with the pictures and post a link to my prototype feed arrangement when I'm home. Remco PA3FYM >I see L/Ku band implementation here: >http://www.prutchi.com/2012/03/11/d-i-y-combined-l-band-23-cm-helical-feed-… >I wonder if this technique could be still valid for S band... I'm afraid >that helix will be to small to fit LNB ?

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-06-03 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-06-03 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 UTC 74 deg Glenmore State High School, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-06-06 08:39:31 UTC 31 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-06-03 06:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1060. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1025. 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 2016-05-31 07:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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[Video] Rare MAI-75 USA ISS SSTV Reception - April 2016 Video #3
by John Brier 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

https://youtu.be/cUnkrlRJJuw MAI-75 ISS SSTV was mostly only available outside of North America, but there were two passes where it did cover NA on Friday April 15th, 2016. This is one of those passes. Video #1 - Monday Failure and Tuesday Success https://youtu.be/ieR-nmkjeSc Video #2 - Perfect ISS SSTV Images... Almost! https://youtu.be/JoFrVRfc4Ks 73, John KG4AKV

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Re: [amsat-bb] Polarization
by Doug Andrews 03 Jun '16

03 Jun '16

I too have wondered about this. I have not had much trouble hitting SO-50 and some success on AO-85 with a 5 watt handheld and arrow antenna without turning it. Worth a try. DougKG7UNU Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy® Note 4. -------- Original message -------- From: Ken Alexander <k.alexander(a)rogers.com> Date: 5/30/16 4:41 PM (GMT-08:00) To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Polarization I clipped this from another message because I didn't want to drag the discussion off course. It's a question I've been wondering about since getting into this a few short weeks ago. I've also read (but haven't tried yet) about the trick of rotating the antenna 90 degrees on transmit, once you've established the best receive orientation. 73 de Bill, KG5FQX So far, with SO-20 I have rotated my Arrow antenna for best reception of the downlink and don't think I've had too much trouble being heard. At the same time I have wondered whether I should twist the antenna when transmitting to orient the 2m elements to give the same polarization as in receive. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, and frankly I have enough trouble remembering calls and grids, tracking the satellite, adjusting frequency and switching back to the correct VFO to worry about one more thing. I've seen that some commercial OSCAR antennas use circular polarization. The antennas I see in the photos of satellites we work are whips. Is the polarization becoming "circularized" as it re-enters earth's atmosphere or something? Comments and observations would be most welcome! 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS, FN03 _______________________________________________ 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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KISS-RX AA2TX info
by Joel Caulkins 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Hi, Can anybody point me in the direction of any information on Anthony, AA2TX's Space Radio SDR receiver. I have bought a PCB from Amateurradiokits.in. I need the KISS-RX driver and the WAVE I/O driver for Windows. Any help would be appreciated. -- Joel, KB6QVI

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Re: [amsat-bb] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Edward R Cole 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Comments *** inserted, below: --------------- Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2016 12:05:13 +0200 From: Remco <pa3fym(a)amsat.org> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite Message-ID: <201606021205.13732.pa3fym(a)amsat.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Having posted my setup at the end of last month and seeing that my mail program wrapped line feeds, decreasing readibility, here again my description and perspective. Es'hail2 will not differ from any other geostationary broadcast satellite in a sense that it's a 'full duplex' repeater with some time delay. I reckon this time delay inhibits actual full duplex operation, just like the TV reporter for a 'live stand up' in the TV news via a satellite link having an earplug with all audio except himself ('N-1'). ***Why? Duplex is totally possible - just listening to your own retransmitted voice might mess up your mind too much. I suggest probably muting the receiver when you talk (simple VOX controlling Rx audio). Rx resumes immediately upon cease of talking. Disable to tune in your signal using carrier. ====snipped Feed: From my perspective the only challenge lies in the 2.4 GHz uplink. That is, to make an S-band feed which phase center coincides with the 10.5 GHz LNB (which has its own 'feed' ;-) ***LNB "is" a feed with block down-conversion (e.g. Low Noise Block-down-converter) I've no fear for isolation issues due to the large frequency difference. ***Probably true as wg for 10-GHz LNB cuts off way above the uplink frequency. I am told that circular polarization (CP) is 'mandatory' for S-band uplink's in general but can't find a verification for this, perhaps somebody else? ***Generally, I am hearing that the s/c will have linear antennas whose orientation will change depending on your lat-long on earth. Common issue for eme'rs separated by large differences in coordinates (term is called spacial loss but refers to polarization angle shift with apparent location in respect to the other station). ***CP should solve this for the ground station; but designing and building a mw CP feed is not easy. Anyway, we're amateurs and creative. So when RHCP uplink is too difficult we make a linear antenna and increase uplink power with 3 dB ;-) ***Huh? That would only be true if s/c is circular pol. If it is linear you could have a loss all the way to 20-dB depending on polarity mismatch (see spacial loss referred to above) But, I follow the published receiver specifications . . . Last week I made a 6 turn LHCP 2.4 GHz helix. (Rule of thumb seems to be 1 turn per 0.1 f/D) Phase center of such a helix is a bit 'foggy' but from what I read lies somewhere between the first and second turn. I've some issues with matching it due to some mechanical boundary conditions of the helix feed point in conjunction with the mounted downlink LNB and relative position of the helix. There is an additional 'transmission line' involved and a 'normal' 1/4-wave stub doesn't give me the desired return loss. So, this needs some fiddling, perhaps with a gamma match or so. ***I used a 33-inch offset fed dish on 2.4-GHz with a 6-1/4 turn helical feed for AO-40. I used brass strap for the first 1/4 WL to match the feed to coax. Matching is done by adjusting the height of the matching section from the ground plane. I ended up with 3/16 inch separation at helix end of matching line. My approach is, the downlink LNB is mounted in the dish 'as usual' and looks through the centre of the uplink helix. ***If the 10-GHz feed is generally cylindrical and smaller diameter than the Helix this will work fine. I used a metal tube with heat sink covering as center support for my helix. 0.7-inch ID tubing is proper diameter for 10-GHz wg. But not sure how well the typical 12-GHz LNB will work inside a helix. ***Other geosat designs are for 5-GHz/10-GHz so not sure how well a Helix will work there. Perhaps the 10-GHz cylindrical wg could serve as center conductor of air-insulated coaxial feed with a simple dipole feed on 5-GHz and 10-GHz horn extending a small way beyond the dipole. This would work better with center-fed dishes of f/d ~ 0.35. Pictures of the prototype feed arrangement can be provided soon. They are on a camera not present here at this moment of writing. ***Attachments to Amsat-BB probably will not go thru; post http link to the photos, instead - please. Remco PA3FYM 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] NO-84 APRStt? (and darned beacons)
by Robert Bruninga 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

> It was Qikcom-2 I was reading about... > Maybe WB4APR can update us on the status of the former... > http://aprs.org/qikcom-2.html It is fully integrated and will launch on the same launcher as the two AMSAT FOX satellites no sooner than August. Other than that, I know practically nothing since it was impossible to get a non-disclosure-agreement through the Naval Academy's bureaucracy in under a year. We developed and delieverd the flight unit long before there was any progress on the paperwork. Got my fingers crossed. If it works, it will be the usual PSAT digipeater but will also have a DTMF uplink for Grids and Messages and a Voice downlink of same while also converting them to APRS packets too. We will probably leave the DIGI off and leave it in DTMF and Voice mode due to so many unattended worthless beacons on the uplink that would cut into useful live human contact time... Bob, WB4APR

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Purchased LVB tracker
by Edward R Cole 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

I decided to backup my plans to use a very old Unitrac-2000 by purchasing a LVB tracker while in stock at Amsat. If I have problems getting the Unitrac working I can then just use the LVB in its place. Only difference is LVB does not support auto-tuning which the Unitrac handles along with auto-track. If successful with the Unitrac, then I will offer the LVB for sale. 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] AMSAT @ White Mountain Hamfest (Show Low AZ), this Saturday
by Richard Tejera 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Are there any good SURpasses during the hamfest? I thought the favorable passes are still in the evening? It's a busy day for me but I may be able to work an early pass. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On June 1, 2016, at 12:14, "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> wrote: Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low, Arizona, this Saturday, 4 June 2016. The hamfest will be at the Show Low City Hall parking lot, south of US-60 and west of AZ-260 in the center of Show Low. This is a half-day hamfest, scheduled to end "noonish" (around 1900 UTC). During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on various satellite passes for on-air demonstrations of satellite operating. Please call WD9EWK if you hear me, and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest site is in grid DM44. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and I am happy to send QSL cards to anyone who wishes to receive a card. Please e-mail me the QSO details to get a card. If you're in the log, I will send a card. No need to first mail a card and/or SASE to get my card in return. I should be able to post pictures and other updates during the morning to my @WD9EWK Twitter feed. This is an open feed, which can be viewed in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK if you don't use Twitter. Also, my location should be visible via APRS. I use WD9EWK-9 as my call sign for APRS, and - among other sites - it should be visible at: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 during my drive to Show Low on Friday evening, as well as at the hamfest Saturday morning. Other than on ISS passes, I won't leave my APRS radio squawking once I have parked at the hamfest. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK _______________________________________________ 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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EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Remco 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Having posted my setup at the end of last month and seeing that my mail program wrapped line feeds, decreasing readibility, here again my description and perspective. Es'hail2 will not differ from any other geostationary broadcast satellite in a sense that it's a 'full duplex' repeater with some time delay. I reckon this time delay inhibits actual full duplex operation, just like the TV reporter for a 'live stand up' in the TV news via a satellite link having an earplug with all audio except himself ('N-1'). For us amateurs this means no (significant) Doppler shift, no LSB/USB issues etc. Just point your dish once to 25.5E like (more than) thousands of broadcast satellite viewers do (without technical knowledge at all ;-) Downlink (10.5 GHz): For narrow band usage frequency and stability is paramount. For 10.5 GHz we're helped by the BC satellite industry, offering cheap PLL LNB's with 'HDTV precision'. Imho this precision needs to be increased by injection locking the LNB PLL with e.g. a GPSDO due to the large multiplification factor inside the LNB (e.g. for Octagon 361.111111). Noise figures (NF) of these LNB's are somewhat higher on 10.5 GHz due to (steep) wave guide cut off, but still usable, compared to the ease and price. Uplink (2.4 GHz): A 10W BUC (block up converter) suffices with published specs of the 2.4 GHz receiver above in conjunction with a ca. 75cm dish here. I'm currenly developing a simple 2.4 GHz BUC and will use old UMTS pallets to amplify the desired 2400 MHz output. Picture of my UMTS pallets: http://remco.org/umts.jpg Bear in mind, S-band power is cheap :-) Antenna: One dish, the larger the better. Not for the uplink, but for improving dynamic range at the receiver (downlink) side. I will use a surplus Triax 88cm dish (for portable / 'umbrella' use ;-), f/D is around 0.6 (like most consumer BC satellite dishes). Feed: From my perspective the only challenge lies in the 2.4 GHz uplink. That is, to make an S-band feed which phase center coincides with the 10.5 GHz LNB (which has its own 'feed' ;-) I've no fear for isolation issues due to the large frequency difference. I am told that circular polarisation (CP) is 'mandatory' for S-band uplinks in general but can't find a verification for this, perhaps somebody else? Anyway, we're amateurs and creative. So when RHCP uplink is too difficult we make a linear antenna and increase uplink power with 3 dB ;-) But, I follow the published receiver specifications . . . Last week I made a 6 turn LHCP 2.4 GHz helix. (Rule of thumb seems to be 1 turn per 0.1 f/D) Phase center of such a helix is a bit 'foggy' but from what I read lies somewhere between the first and second turn. I've some issues with matching it due to some mechanical boundary conditions of the helix feed point in conjunction with the mounted downlink LNB and relative position of the helix. There is an additional 'transmission line' involved and a 'normal' 1/4-wave stub doesn't give me the desired return loss. So, this needs some fiddling, perhaps with a gamma match or so. My approach is, the downlink LNB is mounted in the dish 'as usual' and looks through the centre of the uplink helix. Pictures of the prototype feed arrangement can be provided soon. They are on a camera not present here at this moment of writing. Remco PA3FYM

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Re: [amsat-bb] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Edward R Cole 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

Dual-band feed arrangements have been done on dishes used for eme. A classic is 432/1296 feed of VK3UM or similar arrangement 432/2304: crossed dipole feed on 432 with cyl 1296 horn in the center of a large circular reflector plane. But higher in mw wg horn feeds are normal. Hard to get two horns in the same spot (focus). However, I have a cylindrical wg horn made by W1GHZ which feeds 24-GHz via wg into a smaller diameter wg section opening into a larger section which is fed 10-GHz via wg coax probe. But this is not designed for dual-band duplex operation. At NASA duplex operation was accomplished using wg diplexers which cut-off RF at a higher frequency thru phasing techniques. 2.115-GHz Tx/2.295-GHz Rx. Another famous NASA operation used something called a dichroic plate. The plate was put across the mouth of a feehorn so that only 8.4 GHz signals would penetrate the fine holes in the plate but reflect 2.2 GHz. The Plate was angled to reflect the lower frequency to another horn positioned to look at the plate. Of course the dish was 64m in diameter so the subreflector did not have to be small (about 3m to memory). That was used in 1974 for an experiment on MA-10 encounter at Venus. I believe the 5G/10G sats are being designed with a 1m ground dish as standard. 1m offset dishes are common to the current Direct-TV/Dish Net market. Here in AK 1m to 1.2m dish is std on houses (I have a 1.2m). I also have our old Dish-Net dish which is 1.8m sitting on a pole with nothing hooked up. Unfortunately, ExHail will not be above horizon in Alaska. 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] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Luc Leblanc 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

In the AO-40 era i was using this setup to mount one dish and one BBQ grill antenna on the same mount. I could also mount another smaller dish on this mounting. See pictures on http://www.qsl.net/ve2dwe/ Luc Leblanc VE2DWE > > I asked a manufacturer of feeds (...) and they said > > a dual feed was not possible. Uplink is circular and > > downlink is linear using a normal LNB. > > But linear is a subset of "circular", so, couldn´t we use a dish that is 40% > larger (to make up the 3 dB loss of going linear) and use a linear feed on > the uplink so it can be cross polarized with the downlink and thus get maybe > 20 dB of isolation? Maybe that 20 dB of isolation is still not enough? > > Bob, WB4aPR > > However many Europeans may have one dish for TV anyway. It is relatively > easy to mount two LNBs on one dish for 2 different satellite positions, so > one dish for household TV with a second LNB for Eshail sat, The LNB that is > offset from prime focus will see a smaller gain than prime focus so a > slightly larger dish may be needed and a separate dedicated dish for > circular uplink. That is not to say it could not be done, but to have both > at the same focal point is not a good idea. > > A rotator is not needed for EsHail as it is proper geostationary. > > Zilvinas > So do you currently have satellite TV, how big, and what satellite is it > pointing at? > Also what is your location? > > On 01/06/2016, Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: > > Im not following this closely, but if the bands were cross polarized, > > it should be possible...? > > Bob, WB4APR > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John > > Toscano > > Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 1:23 PM > > To: Zilvinas Atkociunas > > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite > > > > I don't think it is possible to create a dual-band dish feed that > > covers > > 2.4 and 10.5 GHz. AMSAT folks are working hard on a 5G/10G dual-band > > feed, and that is difficult. Even more complicated is your desire to > > use a commercial 10G satellite TV LNB as one of the two feeds. I think > > you are going to have to use two antennas for those 2 bands. The 10G > > dish with satellite TV LNB for one of them, and either a separate dish > > or a loop yagi or something else for the uplink. A Yaesu Az/El rotor > > can handle a pair of antennas, in fact it is almost a re > > > > On Wed, Jun 1, 2016 at 6:19 AM, Zilvinas Atkociunas < > > zilvinas.atkociunas(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> Hi all, > >> > >> Any ideas how to use two antennas with single dish ? (one of them SAT > >> LNB) > >> > >> LY2SS >

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NO-84 APRStt?
by Peter Laws N5UWY 02 Jun '16

02 Jun '16

How often is that mode enabled? Just passed over EM15 and I could hear occasional AX.25 on 145.825 but no answer from a DTMF burst ... -- Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT @ White Mountain Hamfest (Show Low AZ), this Saturday
by Richard Tejera 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Stupid auto correct, ISS passes. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On June 1, 2016, at 15:51, Richard Tejera <Saguaroastro(a)cox.net> wrote: Are there any good SURpasses during the hamfest? I thought the favorable passes are still in the evening? It's a busy day for me but I may be able to work an early pass. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On June 1, 2016, at 12:14, "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> wrote: Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low, Arizona, this Saturday, 4 June 2016. The hamfest will be at the Show Low City Hall parking lot, south of US-60 and west of AZ-260 in the center of Show Low. This is a half-day hamfest, scheduled to end "noonish" (around 1900 UTC). During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on various satellite passes for on-air demonstrations of satellite operating. Please call WD9EWK if you hear me, and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest site is in grid DM44. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and I am happy to send QSL cards to anyone who wishes to receive a card. Please e-mail me the QSO details to get a card. If you're in the log, I will send a card. No need to first mail a card and/or SASE to get my card in return. I should be able to post pictures and other updates during the morning to my @WD9EWK Twitter feed. This is an open feed, which can be viewed in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK if you don't use Twitter. Also, my location should be visible via APRS. I use WD9EWK-9 as my call sign for APRS, and - among other sites - it should be visible at: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 during my drive to Show Low on Friday evening, as well as at the hamfest Saturday morning. Other than on ISS passes, I won't leave my APRS radio squawking once I have parked at the hamfest. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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WA4SXM
by Mike Miller 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Does anyone know how Gould Smith, WA4SXM is doing? Mike Miller KA5SMA --

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Re: [amsat-bb] Polarization (attitude mostly)
by Robert Bruninga 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Actually, I would tend to suggest the majority of polarization shift is simply due to the always changing attitude of the spacecraft with respect to the user. The fact that all TVRO Satellite dishes worked perfectly well when switching back and forth from horizontal to vertical polarization when changing channels and once the dish was initially aligned then those vertical and horizontal polarizations remained accurate across the entire sky and across the many dozens of satellites, then would suggest th contribution due to faraday rotation was small (at C band anyway)... Yes, there is some faraday rotations at HF and at extremely low elevations, but I think for one using an ARROW antenna, all of the polarity issues are simply due to the instantaneous orientation of the satellite. Not the ionosphere... But, just my humble opinion... Bob WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2016 1:52 PM To: Doug Andrews Cc: AMSAT-BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Polarization "The antennas I see in the photos of satellites we work are whips. Is the polarization becoming "circularized" as it re-enters earth's atmosphere or something?" Yep, that is exactly what is happening. It is called Faraday Rotation, and as the signal from the satellite passes through the ionosphere, all sorts of polarity changes can and do happen. A linear polarized satellite antenna (horizontal or vertical) can appear to be the opposite or somewhere in between. That's why folks rotate their Arrow or Elk antennas -- trying to match the polarity. Using a circular polarized antenna helps a bunch -- it doesn't matter what the polarity of the linear satellite antenna happens to be at any moment in time. But there is no free lunch -- Even a circular polarized antenna might need to be switched from Right Hand Circular Polarization (the default) to LHCP from time to time depending on what nasty thing the ionosphere is doing at any given moment. Changing the polarity switch might bring a S0 signal up to S5, a 30 dB improvement. I had that happen to me during a recent ARISS contact. 73, Bob, WB4SON On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 8:25 PM, Doug Andrews <dougg27(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > > I too have wondered about this. > I have not had much trouble hitting SO-50 and some success on AO-85 > with a > 5 watt handheld and arrow antenna without turning it. Worth a try. > DougKG7UNU > > > > Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy® Note 4. > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Ken Alexander <k.alexander(a)rogers.com> > Date: 5/30/16 4:41 PM (GMT-08:00) > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Polarization > > I clipped this from another message because I didn't want to drag the > discussion off course. It's a question I've been wondering about > since getting into this a few short weeks ago. > > I've also read (but haven't tried yet) about the trick of rotating the > antenna 90 degrees on transmit, once you've established the best > receive orientation. > > 73 de Bill, KG5FQX > > So far, with SO-20 I have rotated my Arrow antenna for best reception > of the downlink and don't think I've had too much trouble being heard. > At the same time I have wondered whether I should twist the antenna > when transmitting to orient the 2m elements to give the same > polarization as in receive. I don't know if this is a good idea or > not, and frankly I have enough trouble remembering calls and grids, > tracking the satellite, adjusting frequency and switching back to the > correct VFO to worry about one more thing. > > I've seen that some commercial OSCAR antennas use circular polarization. > The antennas I see in the photos of satellites we work are whips. Is > the polarization becoming "circularized" as it re-enters earth's > atmosphere or something? > > Comments and observations would be most welcome! > > 73, > > Ken Alexander > VE3HLS, FN03 > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect > the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect > the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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New Items in Store
by Bruce 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Martha is back from vacation and Dayton. The store has been updated. There are very limited quantities of the new Golf Shirt, T-Shirt and Hats. There are 18 LVB Trackers available. If you were looking for one, this is your opportunity. We also put 30 copies of the newest 2016 Getting Started in Satellites on the shelf ready for you to order. This new edition has more pages, printed in color and spiral bound for easier reading and leaving a page open while you do something. 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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WD9EWK road trip, Saturday (4 June) PM & Sunday (5 June)...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Hi! After the White Mountain Hamfest wraps up on Saturday in Show Low, Arizona, I plan on making a long drive around northern Arizona before returning home on Sunday afternoon or evening. I have some of the trip planned out, and had asked for some suggestions or comments from those who follow my @WD9EWK Twitter feed. Looking for more suggestions/comments, I'm also posting here. In the early afternoon, I am planning to drive from Show Low to Petrified Forest National Park, along the I-40 freeway in eastern Arizona. This is in grid DM55. I hope to make contacts from here with at least 10 different stations to have this visit considered an official activation for the ARRL's National Parks on the Air activity. Depending on how long I spend at Petrified Forest, I might drive through the park to the south end of the park in grid DM54, or possibly try to park on the DM54/DM55 grid boundary inside the park. After Petrified Forest, if there is still daylight, I hope to make a stop at a different point on the DM54/DM55 grid boundary, a few miles/km west of Petrified Forest along I-40 and old US-66. Then to Flagstaff for the night. Again, depending on the time and available satellite passes, I may try to get on from Flagstaff, which is in grid DM45. Sunday morning and early afternoon is, so far, open. I have a few options for that time... 1. Drive west of Flagstaff approximately 25 miles/40km to the DM35/DM45 grid boundary. This would be along old US-66, north of I-40 in the Kaibab National Forest. Keep in mind that national forests are not part of the National Parks on the Air activity, but this could be a chance for these two grids to be put on the air. 2. Work from various NPOTA sites around Flagstaff. These sites are in grid DM45, and include the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument north of Flagstaff, and the Walnut Canyon National Monument east of Flagstaff. The two sites north of Flagstaff are close enough where I could operate from both of them, and possibly make enough QSOs to have two official NPOTA activations. 3. Work from Grand Canyon National Park, about 90 minutes northwest of Flagstaff. The main park entrance from the south straddles the DM35/DM36 grid boundary, but is not a good place to park and operate. I could park at different locations to put DM36 and DM46 on the air, but probably not from the DM36/DM46 grid boundary which starts just inside the canyon - not a safe place to go at that point. Between locations in DM36 and DM46, I think I would be able to make enough QSOs with different stations to make this an official NPOTA activation, as well as hand out QSOs with each of these two grids. I have not operated from the Grand Canyon in many years, but I know KL7R operated from the Grand Canyon earlier this year. Depending on the time spent in northern Arizona on Sunday, I could also stop at the Montezuma Castle National Monument, along the I-17 freeway between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This site is in grid DM44, the same grid I will operate from during the White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low on Saturday morning, except I will be on the western edge of DM44 compared to Show Low being on the eastern edge of the same grid. Since I will be at a hamfest in Prescott AZ on 11 June, located in grid DM34, I'm not worrying about trying to operate from that grid this weekend. I will have a whole day for that coming up. I'll post more about that hamfest next week. Comments? I suppose this can be discussed here on the AMSAT-BB, or feel free to e-mail me directly with any thoughts on these plans for Sunday. You could also tweet at my @WD9EWK Twitter handle, if you use Twitter. I will use Twitter to post updates on Saturday afternoon and Sunday while I am on the road. If you don't use Twitter, you can follow my postings at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK I will also use my TH-D72A on APRS as I drive around, with the call sign WD9EWK-9. This should be visible at (among other sites): http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 Other than possibly parts of I-40 between Flagstaff and Petrified Forest National Park on the high desert of northern Arizona, APRS coverage is generally pretty good. In the absence of APRS coverage, I may periodically tweet photos of a GPS receiver's display to show my location. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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Gould Smith
by Mike Miller 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Anyone know how Gould Smith WA4SXM is doing? Mike Miller KA5SMA --

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AMSAT @ White Mountain Hamfest (Show Low AZ), this Saturday
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Jun '16

01 Jun '16

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low, Arizona, this Saturday, 4 June 2016. The hamfest will be at the Show Low City Hall parking lot, south of US-60 and west of AZ-260 in the center of Show Low. This is a half-day hamfest, scheduled to end "noonish" (around 1900 UTC). During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on various satellite passes for on-air demonstrations of satellite operating. Please call WD9EWK if you hear me, and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest site is in grid DM44. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and I am happy to send QSL cards to anyone who wishes to receive a card. Please e-mail me the QSO details to get a card. If you're in the log, I will send a card. No need to first mail a card and/or SASE to get my card in return. I should be able to post pictures and other updates during the morning to my @WD9EWK Twitter feed. This is an open feed, which can be viewed in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK if you don't use Twitter. Also, my location should be visible via APRS. I use WD9EWK-9 as my call sign for APRS, and - among other sites - it should be visible at: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 during my drive to Show Low on Friday evening, as well as at the hamfest Saturday morning. Other than on ISS passes, I won't leave my APRS radio squawking once I have parked at the hamfest. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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Nusat 1/2
by PY5LF 31 May '16

31 May '16

Hi Telemetry signal of NUSAT over here ; https://youtu.be/m8I51eJTkg8 73 PY5LF

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Network Survey - Reminder and Thank You
by Brandon Shirley 31 May '16

31 May '16

Dear AMSAT community members, This is the final reminder email for the Network Survey. I will close the survey tomorrow night (23:59 MST on Wednesday). If you were planning on participating, but have not, then please try to get it done before then. I am very grateful to all those who have participated in this survey and all the surveys to this point. Thank you. I will notify the winners of this survey's $25 gift card and the overall survey set's $200 gift cards in the next couple of days, so please watch your email if you are interested in the gift cards. The gift cards for the other surveys have already been awarded. You can still take it in stages if you want. To do this you must resume or visit the link in the same browser on the same computer and have cookies turned on as this survey tracks your session: no other identifying information is collected or stored. You can you use the link below to access the Network Survey. https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3jAwt3PdKrcSEx7 What follows is more information about the survey and is largely the same as what you have seen before. There is a chance to win some gift cards. Please see below for more information. The survey should take about 15 minutes. Thanks. Please note that the link is anonymous, so you are getting this reminder even if you have already taken the survey. I would like to thank everyone that has participated thus far, I really appreciate it, I know it is an inconvenience and that everyone is really busy. The second part of the survey has background questions that will give context to your answers. Try to fill the background out the same way if you take more than one of the surveys. Answer as many of the questions as you want and as much of each question as you want, partial surveys may still be very helpful. At the end of this survey, you will be redirected to a webpage that asks for an email address. You must enter a valid email address to be considered for survey drawings or the overall survey set drawing. We are currently on the last survey, Network Survey. V/R, Brandon Shirley mailto:[email protected] Please see the http://brandon.bluezone.usu.edu/Files/LOISpaceSoftwareAttitudes_Final.pdf that explains your role as a participant should you choose to participate. This is a legitimate request for you participation, if you have any questions about the validity of this email you may refer to the Letter of Intent, contact Brandon Shirley via email at mailto:[email protected], or contact Utah State University's Internal Review Board administrator at (435) 797 - 0567 or email mailto:[email protected].

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Re: [amsat-bb] Gesamtschule Leverkusen Schlebusch, Leverkusen, Germany,
by Daniel Cussen 31 May '16

31 May '16

I found an additional video(s) online from this contact last February. It shows hamtv also. https://youtu.be/u9QPr6bsiSM Translation of the additional information: On 29.02.2016, the students of the Secondary School Schlebusch could successfully produce a ISS school contact together with a team from the German Amateur Radio Club, Ortsverband Leverkusen G11. It all 20 questions have been answered, which is certainly not self-evident. We also had a live picture of the astronauts Timothy Peake (HamTV Streamed through the Internet from Cork in Ireland). Our thanks to the school is who has supported us actively and promptly, the numerous media representatives, the YL and OM have sacrificed much free time and of course the students who have made contact with a very successful event. The video is very improvised, actually it should be only an audio replay ;-) We still look forward to your comments, so skin in the keys! Media coverage: Newspaper articles: http://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/rheinland/schueler-funken-zur-iss100.html http://www.koelner-wochenspiegel.de/rag-kws/docs/1277884/nrwaktuell http://www.lokale-informationen.de/rag-lag/docs/1277881/leverkusen http://www.ksta.de/region/leverkusen/stadt-leverkusen/liveuebertragung-in-d… http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/leverkusen/leverkusen-ruft-iss-gesamtsc… http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/february/ariss_event_2902.htm#.VtWFk_… http://www.leverkusen.com/presse/db/presse.php?view=00033909&stadtteil=&kat= TV: RTL West: http://www.rtl-west.de/livestream/sendung/2016-02-29/PGM2902/ WDR: http://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/video/sendungen/lokalzeit-koeln/video-schueler… Radio: http://www1.wdr.de/mediathek/audio/wdr5/wdr5-westblick/audio-wdr--westblick… Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9QPr6bsiSM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbAqrpEFM5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkPbHo8mrwk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWKXP64VIy4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1704760526434985&id=16856… On 29/02/2016, Daniel Cussen <dan(a)post.com> wrote: > Gesamtschule Leverkusen Schlebusch, Leverkusen, Germany, direct via DLØIL > The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS > The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI > Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-02-29 12:05:58 UTC 78 deg

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-31 18:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 31 May '16

31 May '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-31 18:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 UTC 74 deg Glenmore State High School, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-06-06 08:39:31 UTC 31 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-05-31 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 1060. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1025. 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 2016-05-31 07:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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JE9PEL/1 Satellite Listing
by Chuck 31 May '16

31 May '16

Greetings AMSAT-BB, Reviewing JE9PEL/1 satellite listing (http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/satslist.htm) there are a good number of satellites listed as FM such as AO-85 and others. Being somewhat new to AMSAT I have to ask are all FM satellites noted on JE9PEL/1 list available to amateur radio operators unless noted otherwise? Or are just the communications FM satellites listed on AMSAT Communications Satellites web page the only available FM satellites for amateur radio operators use? Thanks & Cheers Beers Chuck AI6OZ

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EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Remco 31 May '16

31 May '16

Hi Rico, I'm fiddling with it and when the setup works I will publish it. Frequency purity (phase noise etc) and stability is of paramount importance. A famous Dutch saying states: "Don't sell the skin before you shot the bear." ;-) I made a picture of my UMTS pallets, see: http://remco.org/umts.jpg These are (unfortunately) 26 - 28V modules, obtained from a flea market for . . . 10 Euro each. Remco PA3FYM >Hi Remco, > >Sounds like you made a lot of progress on your Es'HailSat2 groundstation >already. I would be interested to learn more about your transverter design >and where you got the UMTS PA, and I'm sure some other people on this list >too. :) > >Rico PA3RVG

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School CubeSat Project + ESA announce winning amateurs
by M5AKA 31 May '16

31 May '16

Issue 214 of AMSAT-UK amateur radio satellite publication OSCAR News is now available for members to download https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/31/oscar-news-issue-214/ ARISS school contacts explained on radio show https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/30/ariss-local-radio/ ARISS contact in The Observer newspaper https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/30/ariss-contact-observer/ Robertsville Middle School CubeSat Project https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/29/robertsville-middle-school-cubesat/ Successful launch for SSB/CW transponder satellite ÑUSAT-1 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/17/nusat-1-ssb-cubesat/ ESA Announces Winning Radio Amateurs https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/27/esa-radio-ham-winners/ 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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EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Remco 31 May '16

31 May '16

>What are other folks planning to use on the uplink 2400 MHz and the down >link at 10,489 MHz, for the narrowband linear transponder ? I will use a cheap injection locked X-band PLL LNB with dielectric rod and additional converter to let the NB transponder land inside one of the bands my transceivers accomodate. For the S-band uplink a dedicated (simple!) TX converter is now prototyped. Output of the converter will be around 5 dBm to be inserted in an old UMTS (2.1 GHz) module, capable of delivering around 20 - 30W at 2400 MHz on the bench with this drive. Of course uplink output can be tweaked. I am also busy with the dual band feed, of which the downlink of course is inside the LNB. For the uplink I made a 6 turn LHCP helix but am now fiddling with the matching due to mechanical boundary conditions. At this moment of writing I (still) haven't a good match but I reckon this mechanical issue will be solved soon. Secondly I need to experiment with the phase centers of both up- and downlink to maximise overall efficiency. Even when I'm not able to equalise both phase centers I have some room in my uplink budget to compensate for suboptimal illumination. In my prototype the LNB looks 'through' the helix. Antenna will be a Triax 88cm broadcast satellite dish with f/D of around 0.6. All internal frequencies will be/are locked to GPS which allows my idea of building a SUT (satellite user terminal) [for portable use] in conjunction with one (1) transceiver. In other words, my concept will be that Es'hail2 behaves like a normal amateur band, albeit with some delay ;-) Remco PA3FYM

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EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Stan, W1LE 31 May '16

31 May '16

Hello The Net, What are other folks planning to use on the uplink 2400 MHz and the down link at 10,489 MHz, for the narrowband linear transponder ? Stab, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-31 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 31 May '16

31 May '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-31 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Mon 2016-05-30 19:01:25 UTC 32 deg (***) Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 UTC 74 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-05-31 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 1060. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1025. (***) 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 2016-05-31 07:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] EsHail Microwave transponder satellite
by Gregory Beat 31 May '16

31 May '16

The Es’Hail-2 satellite (Es’hailSat – the Qatar Satellite Company) will be in geostationary orbit at 25.5 degrees East, planned launch for December 2016 (SpaceX Falcon 9). The coverage area of the amateur radio Narrowband (NB) and Wideband (WB) transponders should extend from Brazil to Thailand (~ 50° West to 100° East longitude). Presentation on Es’hail by Peter Guelzow DB2OS, President of AMSAT-DL, at the 2013 AMSAT-UK Colloquium http://www.batc.tv/streams/amsat1306 Updated Information posted by AMSAT-UK on their web site: May 21, 2016 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/21/eshail-2-geo-p4a-transponder-freqs/ Expected hardware requirements: X-Band 10 GHz Downlink: – 89 cm dishes in rainy areas at EOC like Brazil or Thailand – 60 cm around coverage peak – 75 cm dishes at peak -2dB – NB: linear vertical polarisation – WB: linear horizontal polarisation S-Band 2.4 GHz NB-Uplink: – narrow band modes like SSB, CW – 5W nominal Uplink power (22.5 dBi antenna gain, 75cm dish) – RHCP polarisation S-Band 2.4 GHz WB-Uplink (DATV): – wide band modes, DVB-S2 – peak EIRP of 53 dBW (2.4m dish and 100W) required – RHCP polarisation === greg, w9gb Sent from iPad Air

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Fwd: HamRadioNow: TAPR & APRS Forum Videos at 2016 Hamvention
by Mark Thompson 31 May '16

31 May '16

2016 ARRL/TAPR DCC (Digital Communications Conference) Setember 16 - 18, 2016 St. Petersburg, FLhttp://www.tapr.org/dcc More Information about TAPR at: http://www.tapr.org/ #yiv8144038305 -- .yiv8144038305ygrp-photo-title{clear:both;font-size:smaller;height:15px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;width:75px;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305ygrp-photo{background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:white;border:1px solid black;height:62px;width:62px;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305photo-title a, #yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305photo-title a:active, #yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305photo-title a:hover, #yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305photo-title a:visited {text-decoration:none;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305attach-table div.yiv8144038305attach-row {clear:both;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305attach-table div.yiv8144038305attach-row div {float:left;}#yiv8144038305 p {clear:both;padding:15px 0 3px 0;overflow:hidden;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305ygrp-file {width:30px;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305attach-table div.yiv8144038305attach-row div div a {text-decoration:none;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305attach-table div.yiv8144038305attach-row div div span {font-weight:normal;}#yiv8144038305 div.yiv8144038305ygrp-file-title {font-weight:bold;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305 -- #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp #yiv8144038305hd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp #yiv8144038305ads {margin-bottom:10px;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp .yiv8144038305ad {padding:0 0;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp .yiv8144038305ad p {margin:0;}#yiv8144038305 #yiv8144038305ygrp-mkp .yiv8144038305ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#yiv8144038305 ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "kn4aqgary(a)gmail.com [HamRadioNow]" <HamRadioNow(a)yahoogroups.com> To: HamRadioNow(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 30, 2016 5:46 PM Subject: [HamRadioNow] HamRadioNow: TAPR, APRS Forums from the Hamvention The TAPR forum and APRS forum videos are both up now on HamRadioNow! 73, Gary KN4AQ Agenda (Presentation Start Time) 1:10 Steve Bible N7HPR Intro/Welcome/DCC Announcement15:00 Kai Siwiak KE4PT, QEX Editor18:45 SatNOTS: Corey Shields KB9JHU42:00 HamWAN: Bryan Fields W9CR1:14:00 SDR Disrupt: Chris Testa KD2BMH1:34:50 HackRF Update: Mike Ossmann AD0NR __._,_.___ Posted by: kn4aqgary(a)gmail.com Visit Your Group • Privacy • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use __,_._,___

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Polarization
by Ken Alexander 30 May '16

30 May '16

I clipped this from another message because I didn't want to drag the discussion off course. It's a question I've been wondering about since getting into this a few short weeks ago. I've also read (but haven't tried yet) about the trick of rotating the antenna 90 degrees on transmit, once you've established the best receive orientation. 73 de Bill, KG5FQX So far, with SO-20 I have rotated my Arrow antenna for best reception of the downlink and don't think I've had too much trouble being heard. At the same time I have wondered whether I should twist the antenna when transmitting to orient the 2m elements to give the same polarization as in receive. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, and frankly I have enough trouble remembering calls and grids, tracking the satellite, adjusting frequency and switching back to the correct VFO to worry about one more thing. I've seen that some commercial OSCAR antennas use circular polarization. The antennas I see in the photos of satellites we work are whips. Is the polarization becoming "circularized" as it re-enters earth's atmosphere or something? Comments and observations would be most welcome! 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS, FN03

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AO-85 & HT
by Kevin Ehm 30 May '16

30 May '16

I’m having great difficulty hitting and receiving AO-85 with my Yaesu VX 6r. I have read about the frequencies, and that I’m not alone in the boat with HT’s and only 5 watts. I’m in BP51, and used to hit the easy ones when they were working. Am I simply wasting my time with AO-85? Thanks, Kevin KL2RQ

7 7

HT vs ??? (Fwd: [VHFcontesting] FS: Icom IC-9100 with options
by Peter Laws 30 May '16

30 May '16

Here is another reason why some ops use HTs. How many Baofengs can you buy for $2000? 50? 60? That said, this is a pretty good price for a 9100. Note that it has the D-STAR board and roofing filters. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dave Whaley <nt9e(a)comcast.net> Date: Sun, May 29, 2016 at 5:28 PM Subject: [VHFcontesting] FS: Icom IC-9100 with options To: VHFcontesting(a)contesting.com For Sale: Icom IC-9100 $2000 FIRM. 160m-10/6/2/70cm (1.2g option NOT included) AM/CW/DV/FM/SSB Installed options include DV board, 3khz and 6khz Roofing Filters Purchased used in 2013. Installed options later. Works great on all bands. The display is getting dim when turned on but brightness increases within a few seconds and full brightness within in a minute or two. Pick up preferable but will ship at your cost. -- Signiture * * _______________________________________________ VHFcontesting mailing list VHFcontesting(a)contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting -- Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!

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AO-85 & HT
by Clayton Coleman 30 May '16

30 May '16

Because an FT-847 is hard to hold in one hand with an Arrow pointed at the sky in your other hand. 73 Clayton W5PFG > Is there a reason for using a HT and not a desk top rig such as FT847? > > John >

2 1

HF-HF satellite
by Richard Lawn 30 May '16

30 May '16

I would add that I too got my start with the Russian RS satellites and would cast my preference for 15 and 10 meters as there is plenty of band width even if propagation on HF improves. I had good fun working the RS satellites with mnimal antennas and other equipment. I have no doubt that if we had a new bird on the HF bands it would be very active and get a lot of new comers hooked. Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

16 23

Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 11, Issue 172
by ingejack＠cox.net 29 May '16

29 May '16

I'll be there as usual !! Nice group last night 1! JACK-KC7MG DM42 ---- amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Recommended Power for FO-29? (B J) > 2. No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)) > 3. Re: No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour (KO6TZ Bob) > 4. Re: No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour (Paul Stoetzer) > 5. Re: Anyone for ISS packet QSO, 0248-0258 UTC tonight? (KO6TZ Bob) > 6. Upcoming ARISS contact with Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada > (n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net) > 7. Re: Recommended Power for FO-29? (S?ren Straarup) > 8. Re: Recommended Power for FO-29? (S?ren Straarup) > 9. Re: No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour (Robert Bruninga) > 10. Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box > (Stan, W1LE) > 11. Re: Recommended Power for FO-29? (B J) > 12. N5AFV 57,0000 contacts (gkcarr(a)go-express.net) > 13. W5PFG/p EL09, May 30 - June 3. (Clayton Coleman) > 14. Re: No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour (Mike Rupprecht) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 00:37:48 +0000 > From: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > To: Christopher Maness <christopher.maness(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recommended Power for FO-29? > Message-ID: > <CAP7QzkO_wL=7+=8+s38TbZwYgwerSuq8nEtFi=DC4y0iTBhFZw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > On 5/28/16, Christopher Maness <christopher.maness(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > It has been a while since I have been on FO-29, and I was also limited with > > power. However, I now have my TS-2000X running, I am going to give the old > > bird a shot. I have at my disposal 100W of uplink with my arrow antenna, I > > am going to assume this is too much. Is 25W or 50W more appropriate? > > Opinions? > > <snip> > > I set up my station outside and have to hold my Arrow. Because of > that, I've restricted myself to 5 W and that's usually adequate. > > 73s > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 02:03:19 +0000 > From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> > To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > Message-ID: > <CAN6TEUd+vOVN1WFqm1UVPsN9Hx7+bgrS12GAb+ukU0uuFeuSLQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi! > > Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater > is not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around > 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. > > 73! > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 28 May 2016 19:21:59 -0700 > From: KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > Message-ID: <5062c608-f249-d91c-9016-e276705bf829(a)verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Patrick, > > I see the APOFF in the <UI> path. I can't remember what causes that. I > will have to read the WEB site, unless Bob B. bails me out. > > BOB > KO6TZ > > > 02:10 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > T#349,807,073,850,496,683,00011100 > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > s#000366,0z001 > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > T#350,812,106,854,495,682,00011100 > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > s#000367,0z001 > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > T#351,792,087,858,494,682,00011100 > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > s#000368,0z001 > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > T#352,802,069,862,494,682,00011100 > 02:14 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > s#000369,0z001 > > 02:16 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > s#000371,0z001 > > Hi! > > Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater > is not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around > 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. > > 73! > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 28 May 2016 22:26:41 -0400 > From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> > To: KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > Message-ID: > <CABzOSOruz7uMdZJWXy8z=q2Q19FBhi8yEyNiC5nhmzSXh+jzrg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > They likely shut it off for power budget purposes. The PSK transponder > is the primary mission and the digipeater is only on when the power > budget permits. > > 73, > > Paul, N8HM > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:21 PM, KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> wrote: > > Patrick, > > > > I see the APOFF in the <UI> path. I can't remember what causes that. I > > will have to read the WEB site, unless Bob B. bails me out. > > > > BOB > > KO6TZ > > > > > > 02:10 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#349,807,073,850,496,683,00011100 > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000366,0z001 > > > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#350,812,106,854,495,682,00011100 > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000367,0z001 > > > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#351,792,087,858,494,682,00011100 > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000368,0z001 > > > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#352,802,069,862,494,682,00011100 > > 02:14 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000369,0z001 > > > > 02:16 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000371,0z001 > > > > > > Hi! > > > > Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater > > is not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around > > 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. > > > > 73! > > > > > > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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: 5 > Date: Sat, 28 May 2016 20:00:52 -0700 > From: KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Anyone for ISS packet QSO, 0248-0258 UTC > tonight? > Message-ID: <0b2216dc-ad7a-0d48-af21-309c7209177e(a)verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > That was a GOOD pass. A lot of stations on the ISS. > > Here is my MHeard List: > > KO6TZ,KB6LTY-5,KC7MG-9,RS0ISS,XE2OCM,N0VWX,KG6FIY, > AA5PK-7,K5UBQ,KD0JCP,AJ5C-3, > > > BOB > KO6TZ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 00:06:55 -0400 > From: <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> > To: <ariss-press(a)amsat.org>, "amsat-edu" <amsat-edu(a)amsat.org>, > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS contact with Venta School, Carp, > ON, Canada > Message-ID: <91E16C7DE3FD40B9B502138F5CD0167E@DHJ> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada on 30 May. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 19:01 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 OA4ISS and IK1SLD. The contact should be audible over Italy and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. > > > > > > Venta Preparatory School is a small co-ed day and boarding school from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 10, located just outside of Ottawa in Carp, Ontario. We foster and continually enhance an environment where each student can grow and achieve their highest potential. > > > > > > Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: > > > > 1) How do different cultural backgrounds of the astronauts impact space > > station life? > > 2) What are the topics of conversation between the different astronauts > > given they are from different countries? > > 3) What is the common language on board the space station? Is there a common > > language that all must speak? > > 4) Do you use personal tablets or electronic devices on board - can an > > IPhone work in space? > > 5) How do you feel both emotionally and physically on the space station? > > 6) Are your meals decided for you or do you have a choice - can you bring > > favorite items with you from earth? > > 7) Do you envision a future space station with hundreds of people on board? > > 8) What specific work or research are you doing during your mission on the > > space station? > > 9) How does the line of authority work on the space station - does the > > commanding officer have final say on all decisions? > > 10) What are your favorite views of earth? > > 11) With fans/equipment running, is it noisy or quiet on board? > > 12) What are the temperatures and climate settings like.is it cool and who > > controls this? > > > > > > > > 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. Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct > > via 8N3B. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS > > The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI > > Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 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.a > rrl.org. > > > > Thank you & 73, > > David - AA4KN > > > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 00:32:16 -0500 > From: S?ren Straarup <straarup(a)gmail.com> > To: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recommended Power for FO-29? > Message-ID: > <CAPq=p5HbMaUBrjf9LbYJ-V5MEo8YD5yEm5_TO9oFrNioEVvQcg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi all, > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 7:37 PM, B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > On 5/28/16, Christopher Maness <christopher.maness(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> It has been a while since I have been on FO-29, and I was also limited with > >> power. However, I now have my TS-2000X running, I am going to give the old > >> bird a shot. I have at my disposal 100W of uplink with my arrow antenna, I > >> am going to assume this is too much. Is 25W or 50W more appropriate? > >> Opinions? > > > > <snip> > > > > I set up my station outside and have to hold my Arrow. Because of > > that, I've restricted myself to 5 W and that's usually adequate. > > > > 73s > > > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > I once was told that one should on linear birds not ha > > > -- > Soren Straarup | AK4WQ | OZ2DAK | Xride > FreeBSD committer | FreeBSD since 2.2.6-R > If a program is not working right, then send a patch > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 01:04:35 -0500 > From: S?ren Straarup <straarup(a)gmail.com> > To: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recommended Power for FO-29? > Message-ID: > <CAPq=p5GEG6_aEEHjRcQUjFueGhn4MwS4iiK3eJTVQPstwDCYwA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi all, > > Sorry touchpad malfunction. > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 7:37 PM, B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > On 5/28/16, Christopher Maness <christopher.maness(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> It has been a while since I have been on FO-29, and I was also limited with > >> power. However, I now have my TS-2000X running, I am going to give the old > >> bird a shot. I have at my disposal 100W of uplink with my arrow antenna, I > >> am going to assume this is too much. Is 25W or 50W more appropriate? > >> Opinions? > > > > <snip> > > > > I set up my station outside and have to hold my Arrow. Because of > > that, I've restricted myself to 5 W and that's usually adequate. > > > > 73s > > > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > I once was told that on linear birds one should not have a downlink > signal that is stronger than the beacon of the bird. > Beware I'm new to birds, only been listening so far to both fm and ssb birds. > > I need to either invest in another ft-817 or drag my ft-857 out side > to use with my elk antenna. > > I'm currently waiting on a pair of heil pro7, after that I should not > have to many excuses for not trying to tx (8 > > Hope to hear you catching some waves. > > Vy 73 de AK4WQ (@EL18lv) / OZ2DAK, Soren Straarup > > > > -- > Soren Straarup | AK4WQ | OZ2DAK | Xride > FreeBSD committer | FreeBSD since 2.2.6-R > If a program is not working right, then send a patch > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 09:19:17 -0400 > From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> > To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, KO6TZ Bob > <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > Message-ID: > <CALdCfN+GG9j-+qX+pLB7KuvCo2ABzo4uAfxYDn+s_e4UGZsnTw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Yep, > > It must be in a bad sun angle phase and has reset to digi off. > We can see about turning the digi back on. Though we would rather hear of > more people using the PSK31 transponder. > > bob > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:26 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> wrote: > > > They likely shut it off for power budget purposes. The PSK transponder > > is the primary mission and the digipeater is only on when the power > > budget permits. > > > > 73, > > > > Paul, N8HM > > > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:21 PM, KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> > > wrote: > > > Patrick, > > > > > > I see the APOFF in the <UI> path. I can't remember what causes that. I > > > will have to read the WEB site, unless Bob B. bails me out. > > > > > > BOB > > > KO6TZ > > > > > > > > > 02:10 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > T#349,807,073,850,496,683,00011100 > > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > s#000366,0z001 > > > > > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > T#350,812,106,854,495,682,00011100 > > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > s#000367,0z001 > > > > > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > T#351,792,087,858,494,682,00011100 > > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > s#000368,0z001 > > > > > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > T#352,802,069,862,494,682,00011100 > > > 02:14 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > s#000369,0z001 > > > > > > 02:16 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > > s#000371,0z001 > > > > > > > > > Hi! > > > > > > Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater > > > is not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around > > > 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. > > > > > > 73! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > > > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > > Opinions > > > expressed > > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > > > AMSAT-NA. > > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > > program! > > > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > > expressed > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > > AMSAT-NA. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 09:21:22 -0400 > From: "Stan, W1LE" <stanw1le(a)verizon.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside > the Box > Message-ID: <1e435a8e-488b-7160-7b01-43d7bb359bd0(a)verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Hello The Net: > > Recently highlighted in the ANS Weekly Bulletin: > > *Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box* > > A free download, as a .PDF, is available from the National Academies Press. > > http://www.nap.edu/23503 > > Check in as a guest and download. Should be an interesting read. > > Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr > > > ZZZZz > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 14:40:10 +0000 > From: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > To: S?ren Straarup <straarup(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recommended Power for FO-29? > Message-ID: > <CAP7QzkMpY0W5CoqPVk+yq2SBKukfB1DQoGwZamXNWV3SAEUHhg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > <snip> > > > I once was told that on linear birds one should not have a downlink > > signal that is stronger than the beacon of the bird. > > Beware I'm new to birds, only been listening so far to both fm and ssb > > birds. > > > > I need to either invest in another ft-817 or drag my ft-857 out side > > to use with my elk antenna. > > > > I'm currently waiting on a pair of heil pro7, after that I should not > > have to many excuses for not trying to tx (8 > > > > Hope to hear you catching some waves. > > <snip> > > For me, there were 2 things to consider. One is that more than 5 W > isn't recommended for safety reasons since I'm holding my antenna. > The other one is that my IC-910 can't go lower than 5 W. > > 73s > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 14:14:21 -0500 (CDT) > From: gkcarr(a)go-express.net > To: "N5AFV-Allen Mattis" <afmattis(a)comcast.net> > Cc: amsat bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] N5AFV 57,0000 contacts > Message-ID: <1464549261.318625256(a)webmail.goexpress.us> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=UTF-8 > > On the FO29 west pass today I had the privilege of being Allen's (N5AFV) 57,000th contact! > Well done, My Good friend!!! > And Hector (W5CBF) was his 57,001th! > 73 > George > WA5KBH > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 14:26:14 -0500 > From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> > To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] W5PFG/p EL09, May 30 - June 3. > Message-ID: > <CAPovOwfow_2mtXqrQK89V=u+aVLr9Vxq7F62HRiy4w=nf2_Z6w(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I'll be hiding out in EL09dm for a few days and as always will bring > along portable satellite equipment. Listen for me on daytime SO-50 or > FO-29 passes. I'll be down by a river, surrounded by bluffs, so don't > expect to find me on any low elevation passes. > > Please do not make schedule requests. If I do happen to wander to an > adjacent grid (unlikely,) I will post it on Twitter: @w5pfg > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 21:44:33 +0200 > From: "Mike Rupprecht" <mail(a)mike-rupprecht.de> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > Message-ID: <000001d1b9e2$864129e0$92c37da0$@de> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi all, > > just reactivated the APRS transponder. Let's see how long it works. Good > luck! > > 73 Mike > DK3WN > > 20160529193814,PSAT>APRSON,ARISS,qAR,DK3WN-1:T#088,782,083,881,494,368,00011 > 000 > 20160529193915,PSAT>APRSON,ARISS,qAR,DK3WN-1:!24 . S\168 . WS040/999/W3ADO > S#000089,0z290 > 20160529193919,PSAT>APRSON,ARISS,qAR,HG8GL-5:T#089,702,585,883,495,367,00011 > 000 > > > > > > -----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht----- > Von: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von Paul > Stoetzer > Gesendet: 29 May 2016 04:27 > An: KO6TZ Bob > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Betreff: Re: [amsat-bb] No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour > > They likely shut it off for power budget purposes. The PSK transponder is > the primary mission and the digipeater is only on when the power budget > permits. > > 73, > > Paul, N8HM > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 10:21 PM, KO6TZ Bob <my.callsign(a)verizon.net> wrote: > > Patrick, > > > > I see the APOFF in the <UI> path. I can't remember what causes that. > > I will have to read the WEB site, unless Bob B. bails me out. > > > > BOB > > KO6TZ > > > > > > 02:10 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#349,807,073,850,496,683,00011100 > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000366,0z001 > > > > 02:11 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#350,812,106,854,495,682,00011100 > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000367,0z001 > > > > 02:12 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#351,792,087,858,494,682,00011100 > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000368,0z001 > > > > 02:13 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > T#352,802,069,862,494,682,00011100 > > 02:14 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000369,0z001 > > > > 02:16 PSAT-1/ARISS>APOFF>UI,?,F0 (1201 baud): > > s#000371,0z001 > > > > > > Hi! > > > > Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater is > > not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around > > 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. > > > > 73! > > > > > > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > Twitter: @WD9EWK > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect > > the official views of AMSAT-NA. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all > interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official > views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. > AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > ------------------------------ > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 11, Issue 172 > *****************************************

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Dayton Hamvention Comments by K8YSE
by John Papay 29 May '16

29 May '16

The AMSAT presence at Dayton was, in my opinion, the best ever. This was largely due to the efforts of all of the volunteers who gave up part of their Dayton experience to represent AMSAT and grow the organization. The leader of this effort, Steve, N9IP, deserves special recognition because he made sure that attention was given to every detail. Lessons were learned from last year and the result was the best display and group of representatives ever. Years ago there weren't many active satellite operators at the booth and that has changed for the better every year. Those not familiar with satellites need practical and current information and those that are on the birds every week were there to provide it. One of the most popular books that AMSAT sells is "Getting Started with Satellites." Gould Smith, WA4SXM, and "Friends" put out a completely revised edition this year. It is spiral bound with heavy, glossy paper and contains everything you need to know about satellites in 2016. It doesn't matter if you got into satellites in the 1970's, you will want a copy of this book. There are lots of pictures; there is nothing boring about it. I'm sure that even Ricky Tillman will agree with me on this. You can get a copy at the AMSAT store. It's a great publication to share with your friends that know nothing about what you do for a hobby. Show and tell is a big part of the Dayton event. The AMSAT demo station plays a big role in showing others what is needed to work a satellite. This year Paul, N8HM, took over the responsibility of this important activity. He had his two FT-817's, an SDR, computer and an Arrow antenna. We also had my IC-910H, computer and Arrow antenna on my custom mount tripod. In past years we had multiple antennas including the M2 Leo Pack. But I can say that the little Arrow antennas did a great job and we were making qso's when the building and vehicles were not blocking the signal. The only problem with Dayton is that the demo station is in the vendor parking lot and there is no regular flow of traffic going by the station as there was in Orlando. People would find out about the demo station at the AMSAT booth and come outside to see it. Some of our visitors included PY2DM, PY5LF, XE1SEW, HP1CQ and many others. We made contacts with Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe as well as many stateside stations. Congratulations Paul! Our future rests in the hands of the young hams that are taking an interest in satellites and space technology. 9 year old Hope, KM4IPF, took over on one of our longer satellite passes and worked station after station like a pro. Those of us that have been active over the last several years have watched as these young operators start with no experience and progress month after month. I listened to Hope operate at Orlando and then heard her operate at Dayton. I was impressed with the improvement. She was focused and wasn't relying on any coaching to complete the contacts. No mater what happened she knew what to do. Congratulations Hope. I also met Nick, KE8AKW, along with his Dad, N8XQM, at the demo station. Nick started operating with his Dad several years ago. This was the same way I started although it was my older cousin Paul, xW8BUS (SK) who would let me call CQ on 20m with his AM KW. He would control the emissions and flip the switch to transmit. According to my cousin I was only 2 years old when I made the first contact. We didn't hear Nick for a while but when he appeared again he had a callsign. Nick has become a great operator. Practice and patience makes it happen. Congratulations Nick. There were many other things that went on with AMSAT including the forums, technical assistance, merchandising etc. I am sure others will write about that. This is just a small piece of it that I thought was worth mentioning. AMSAT is about to launch 2 new FM satellites in the next few months. FM birds are the gateway for those just getting started. So now we have an even better opportunity to attract both young and old to our part of ham radio. The best way to attract hams to the world of satellites is to show them how it's done. Construct a portable station. You only need an FM handheld or mobile and a simple antenna like the Arrow on a tripod. Use a small sealed lead acid battery if needed. Set up wherever hams get together. You will be the center of attention and you will generate the interest that we need to keep the momentum going. And I apologize for the rambling. 73, John K8YSE

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No NO-84, just ISS in the next hour
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 May '16

29 May '16

Hi! Based on what I see at pcsat.aprs.org, the 145.825 APRS digipeater is not operational. I still plan on working the next ISS pass around 0248 UTC, using APRS mesaages to make QSOs.. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

5 4

W5PFG/p EL09, May 30 - June 3.
by Clayton Coleman 29 May '16

29 May '16

I'll be hiding out in EL09dm for a few days and as always will bring along portable satellite equipment. Listen for me on daytime SO-50 or FO-29 passes. I'll be down by a river, surrounded by bluffs, so don't expect to find me on any low elevation passes. Please do not make schedule requests. If I do happen to wander to an adjacent grid (unlikely,) I will post it on Twitter: @w5pfg 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: [amsat-bb] Fw: HF-HF satellite (OSCAR LOCATOR?)
by Robert Bruninga 29 May '16

29 May '16

> Sat tracking in the early days was with an AMSAT > OSCAR-LOCATOR (Rotating mylar discs over a global map!!). I just googled and there is only one image of an OSCARLOCATOR I can find. I remember it well, but am confused by this image: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg I understand the curved trace. It crosses near the pole at the latitude of the inclination of the orbit. And I understand the circular plot which is angle and elevation from your QTH when placed over your house. But I do not understand the straight line scale going nearly vertical and labeled RS? WHy is there no curve to it? And the only other one I found was this: http://www.studiorite.com/oldindex/images/OscarLocator1sm.jpg Which looks like it has the orbits of three different satellites, one of them added on in green marker. But this one is lacking the AZ/EL circle for the station. Is there a better image anywhere that I can use to justify this "minimum satcom" experiment? And is this how it worked? You got the daily zero crossing of the equator. Then for the next 24 hours you could just rotate the plastic overlay by the longitude increment? ANd increment the time by the orbital period? On a trip and without a smart phone, I'd rather do an OSCAR locator then fuss with a PC... Bob, WB4APR

7 7

Recommended Power for FO-29?
by Christopher Maness 29 May '16

29 May '16

It has been a while since I have been on FO-29, and I was also limited with power. However, I now have my TS-2000X running, I am going to give the old bird a shot. I have at my disposal 100W of uplink with my arrow antenna, I am going to assume this is too much. Is 25W or 50W more appropriate? Opinions? Thanks, Chris KQ6UP

5 6

Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box
by Stan, W1LE 29 May '16

29 May '16

Hello The Net: Recently highlighted in the ANS Weekly Bulletin: *Achieving Science with CubeSats: Thinking Inside the Box* A free download, as a .PDF, is available from the National Academies Press. http://www.nap.edu/23503 Check in as a guest and download. Should be an interesting read. Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr ZZZZz

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 29 May '16

29 May '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada on 30 May. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 19:01 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 OA4ISS and IK1SLD. The contact should be audible over Italy and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Venta Preparatory School is a small co-ed day and boarding school from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 10, located just outside of Ottawa in Carp, Ontario. We foster and continually enhance an environment where each student can grow and achieve their highest potential. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1) How do different cultural backgrounds of the astronauts impact space station life? 2) What are the topics of conversation between the different astronauts given they are from different countries? 3) What is the common language on board the space station? Is there a common language that all must speak? 4) Do you use personal tablets or electronic devices on board - can an IPhone work in space? 5) How do you feel both emotionally and physically on the space station? 6) Are your meals decided for you or do you have a choice - can you bring favorite items with you from earth? 7) Do you envision a future space station with hundreds of people on board? 8) What specific work or research are you doing during your mission on the space station? 9) How does the line of authority work on the space station - does the commanding officer have final say on all decisions? 10) What are your favorite views of earth? 11) With fans/equipment running, is it noisy or quiet on board? 12) What are the temperatures and climate settings like.is it cool and who controls this? 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. Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 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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Re: [amsat-bb] Anyone for ISS packet QSO, 0248-0258 UTC tonight?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 May '16

29 May '16

Hi Glenn! Not sure what this means, if all of us are going to be on the radio on a Saturday evening. :-) Regardless, the ISS pass should be a really good pass for you, and NO-84 pretty good as well. Do you use software like UISS, or just a simple terminal program, for packet? 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 11:43 PM, Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net > wrote: > Patrick, > > I'll give it a try on that pass. I'll have decent elevation. > Perhaps Jack can join in also. > > Glenn AA5PK > > -----Original Message----- From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) Sent: > Saturday, May 28, 2016 5:57 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] > Anyone for ISS packet QSO, 0248-0258 UTC tonight? > Hi! > > I will be lurking on the ISS pass over the continental USA and northern > Mexico this evening at 0248-0258 UTC. This pass will be at a maximum > elevation of 42 degrees here in central Arizona, and I'm hoping to find > other operators at the keyboard to possibly make a QSO or three. I use > my Kenwood TH-D72A and Elk log periodic, and I can make QSOs using APRS > messages. >

2 1

ANS-150 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joseph Spier 29 May '16

29 May '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-150 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: * Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D Launch No Earlier Than July 28, 2016 * 2016 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Notice * AMSAT's Bob Carpenter W3OTC Inducted into CQ Hall of Fame * AMSAT Demonstration Station at the Dayton Hamvention Recap * A Tiny Satellite of Your Very Own * New VHF, UHF, uW Handbook Available for Download * Amateur Satellite Launch from India * UWE-3 Status Report * Tomsk-TPU-120 CubeSat Video * Es’Hail-2 Geostationary P4-A Transponder Frequencies * ÑUSAT-1 SSB/CW Transponder Satellite * ESA Announces Winning Radio Amateurs * Symposium to Address Interference-free Satellite Services * DCC Call for Papers * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-150.01 ANS-150 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 150.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE May 29, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-150.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D Launch No Earlier Than July 28, 2016 This week AMSAT Vice-President Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, announced at the Dayton Hamvention AMSAT Forum on Saturday that the launch for Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D is now NET (No Earlier Than) July 28, 2016. Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be integrated onto the Spaceflight Sherpa platform for its maiden flight aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base. http://www.amsat.org/?p=5219 Not a member of AMSAT yet? You're invited to join on-line at: http://store.amsat.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=32 Please consider making a donation to support the Fox-1 series of cubesats using the links on the front page http://www.amsat.org. [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice-President Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Notice It's time to submit nominations for the upcoming AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election. Three director's terms expire this year: Tom Clark, K3IO, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, and Lou McFadin, W5DID. In addition, up to two Alternates may be elected for one year terms. A valid nomination requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT-NA member for Director. Written nominations, consisting of the nominee's name and call, and the nominating individual's names, calls and individual signatures should be mailed to: AMSAT-NA, 10605 Concord St, #304 Kensington, MD 20895-2526. In addition to traditional submissions of written nominations, which is the preferred method, the intent to nominate someone may be made by electronic means. These include e-mail, Fax, or electronic image of a petition. Electronic petitions should be sent to MARTHA at AMSAT.ORG or Faxed to (301)822-4371. No matter what means is used, petitions MUST arrive no later than June 15th at the AMSAT-NA office. If the nomination is a traditional written nomination, no other action is required. If it is other than this, i.e. electronic, a verifying traditional written petition MUST be received at the AMSAT-NA office at the above address within 7 days following the close of nominations on June 15th. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THIS SECOND, WRITTEN VERIFICATION ARE NOT VALID UNDER THE EXISTING AMSAT-NA BYLAWS. [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA Secretary, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT's Bob Carpenter W3OTC Inducted into CQ Hall of Fame Bob Carpenter, W3OTC, a longtime devoted AMAST volunteer became a Silent Key Friday, January 8th. Bill Tynan, W3XO, wrote a memorial item in ANS-024 http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2016/000893.html AMSAT has received the news that Bob has been inducted into the CQ Hall of Fame. CQ ANNOUNCES 2016 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES (Press Release, Date May 20th): CQ magazine today announced its 2016 Hall of Fame inductees, including only the second non-amateurs elected to the CQ DX Hall of Fame, two new inductees to the CQ Contest Hall of Fame and 21 new members of the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame honors those individuals, whether licensed hams or not, who have made significant contributions to amateur radio; and those amateurs who have made significant contributions either to amateur radio, to their professional careers or to some other aspect of life on our planet. The 2016 inductees (listed alphabetically) are: Bob Arnold, N2JEU (SK) - Co-developer (with Keith Lamonica, W7DXX, see below) of the first internet-controlled remote base Grant Bingeman, KM5RG (SK) - Developed "method of moments" antenna modeling software for AM broadcast stations and 160-meter amateur antennas Bob Carpenter, W3OTC (SK) - Pioneer of meteor scatter and FM stereo broadcast technology; longtime AMSAT volunteer David Dary, W5ZAX - Journalist, author, journalism educator - former correspondent for CBS and NBC News, journalism professor at University of Kansas and University of Oklahoma, author of over 20 books on the American West Matt Ettus, N2MJI - Software defined radio pioneer; developed first Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) with GNU radio software support Terry Fox, WB4FJI - Packet radio pioneer; primary developer of AX.25 amateur packet protocol Elmer "Bud" Frohardt, Jr., W9DY (SK) -- The original "Elmer" for whom ham radio mentors are named (courtesy of a 1971 QST "How's DX?" column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD/VA3ZBB) Fred Gissoni, K4JLX (SK) - Adaptive technology pioneer; co-developer of the Porta-Braille and Pocket-Braille note-taking devices for the visually impaired, as well as many other devices Ken Kellerman, K2AOE - Radioastronomer; pioneer of radio interferometry; co-developer of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), which permits multiple telescopes to function as a single instrument Keith Lamonica, W7DXX - Co-developer (with the late Bob Arnold, N2JEU) of the first internet-controlled remote base George Mitchell, K6ZE (SK) - Member of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II and 2007 recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal for his wartime service Les Mitchell, G3BHK (SK) - Founder of Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), annual event to introduce amateur radio to scouts and guides around the world William Moerner, WN6I - Co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work in high-resolution microscopy Leigh Orf, KG4ULP - Co-developer of tornado simulator using computer modeling to simulate conditions under which tornadoes form Joe Rudi, NK7U - Former Major League baseball player; 3-time All-Star Wes Schum, W9DYV (SK) - Co-founder of Central Electronics, developed first commercially-manufactured amateur radio SSB transmitter Garry Shandling, ex-KQ6KA/KD6OY (SK) - Well-known comedian, actor, writer and television personality Mason Southwirth, ex-W1VLH (SK) - Head of ARRL International Geophysical Year (IGY) Propagation Research Project in 1958-59; conducted additional propagation research at Stanford University Boris Stepanov, RU3AX (ex-UW3AX) - Leading Russian amateur, deputy editor of Russian Radio magazine; pioneer of computerized contest logging and log-checking; developed prototype for World Radiosport Team Championships (WRTC); first to propose "glass cockpit" for ham transceiver, combining frequency readout and spectrum scope on front panel display Rufus Turner, W3LF (SK) - Believed to be the first African-American radio amateur in the U.S.; helped develop 1N34A diode; wrote 1949 article in Radio-Electronics magazine on how to "Build a Transistor" Perry Williams, W1UED (SK) - Longtime ARRL Washington Coordinator and League archivist; convinced Congress to approve vanity call- sign program and not to impose a license application fee on amateurs; persuaded FCC to retain large amateur microwave al- locations and to create primary amateur allocation at 2.4 GHz [ANS thanks CQ Magazine for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Demonstration Station at the Dayton Hamvention Recap This was my first year running the AMSAT demonstration station at the Dayton Hamvention after Keith Pugh, W5IU, had run it for many years. After volunteering at the demo station the past couple of years, I knew what to expect: a poor horizon to the north (due to the arena), high levels of RF (including lids running FM simplex inside the satellite subband on 2m), and lots of fun demoing satellite operation to curious newcomers as well as meeting many satellite operators I've worked on the satellites in person. The core of the demo station was similar to past years. I brought my pair of Yaesu FT-817s (known fondly among many satellite operators as a Yaesu FT-1634) as well as a Windows 10 tablet and a FUNcube Dongle Pro+. The antenna was an Arrow II 146/437-10BP and I also brought a cheap Optera camera tripod. In addition, John Papay, K8YSE, brought his Icom IC-910H, laptop, and Arrow antenna on a speaker stand with a mount that allowed a smooth way to change polarity throughout the pass. With this mix of equipment, we were able to demonstrate several methods of satellite operating: computer controlled Doppler tuning of a transceiver designed for satellite operating, manual Doppler tuning with a pair of VHF/UHF all-mode transceivers, and use of an SDR receiver with a VHF/UHF all-mode receiver for full-duplex operating on linear transponders. The demo area was up and running by the time the outdoor areas of the Hamvention opened at 8:00am on Friday morning. Our first pass was an XW-2A pass at 8:17am, with K8YSE operating his IC-910H and KD8CAO running the antenna. The demos were generally a two man operation with one operator at the radio and one serving as the antenna rotor. After this pass, we listened to the 70cm PSK31 signal from NO-84 and a few packet bursts from the ISS using the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and Windows 10 tablet before a pair of AO-85 passes and an XW-2F pass operated by K8YSE. By special request, the AO-73 transponder was activated a day area and was available for Friday morning's demos. I operated the 10:51am pass with my pair of Yaesu FT-817s. A video of this pass is available on the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/permalink/10154235785829516/ Later, I operated an SO-50 and FO-29 pass with that pair of FT-817s as well, but had to fight strong desense. After those two passes, I grabbed a diplexer I had brought and placed it on the 2m transmit side (to filter out the third harmonic from the transmitter) and experienced no further desense problems with my setup. PY5LF captured part of the SO-50 pass on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPb1a9NqxQ K8YSE then operated the rest of the FO-29, AO-7, and SO-50 passes that afternoon. On Saturday morning, we opened with listening (and decoding a bit) to the PSK31 beacon on NO-84. Unfortunately, we did not have HF transmit capability. The signal from NO-84's PSK31 transponder is very good and I highly recommend anyone who can transmit on 10m at 25-50 watts and receive a 70cm FM signal give it a try. After working an XW-2F pass with the pair of FT-817s, I decided to give the SDR receiver a try and made one QSO each on XW-2C and XW-2A using the SDR as a downlink receiver. This was the first time I had tried doing this and it was fun, though I definitely need some more practice with it! I also tried the SDR receiver on AO-73 and FO-29 and made a couple of QSOs. Shortly after the ARRL Youth Forum ended around noon, a large crowd began to arrive at the demo area. Nine-year old Hope Lea, KM4IPF, who had given a talk at the Youth Forum operated a pass of SO-50 around 12:19pm and made many QSOs from coast-to-coast. A video of this pass is available from the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/james.g.lea/videos/10154297928734363/ After the SO-50 pass, we made several QSOs on FO-29 and then listened to the SPROUT digitalker. The SPROUT digitalker is generally active on Saturday passes. A video of this pass is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FRNZkMb5yM K8YSE then operated the Saturday afternoon passes of FO-29, AO-7, and AO-85 with his Icom IC-910H setup. Highlights included several of us passing around the microphone to work Paulo, PV8DX, in Brazil. We got an early start on Sunday morning, operating a pass of AO-85 to the northeast using my dual FT-817 setup just prior to 8:00am. Although I was the only person in the demo area, I made three QSOs on AO-85, holding the antenna myself and leaning over the table to operate the radio. After this, I operated a pass of XW-2F around 8:30am. For the 8:44am XW-2A pass, ARRL Media & Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, took the microphone and made several QSOs on that pass while I pointed the antenna. Although I did have a tripod for the antenna, I was simply using the stock camera tripod mount and had no way to adjust polarity. Since polarity is so critical while operating satellites, the operators who pointed the antenna while using my Arrow generally took the antenna off the tripod and held it in their hand for quick polarity adjustments. K8YSE's speaker stand mount demonstrated a good way to mount an Arrow antenna on a tripod while retaining adequate control over polarity. The next pass after this was a low western pass of XW-2C where I made several QSOs. At 9:37am, we operated a pass of AO-85 and made QSOs from coast-to-coast. A video of AMSAT VP of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, at the microphone is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrmzym39X5E I would note that we were using a pair of FT-817s, barefoot, on that pass and were able to make several QSOs with just 5 watts, mostly full quieting. Though AO-85 can often take a bit more power to get in to, QSOs using 5 watts and an Arrow antenna are very possible. Passes of SO-50, AO-73, and FO-29 rounded out the demos for the Hamvention and we were QRT at 12:12pm on Sunday, but not before working MI6GTY in Northern Ireland on FO-29. It was nice to get Europe in the log from the Dayton Hamvention demo station and it was our last QSO of the 2016 Hamvention. The AMSAT demo station has been a fun place to spend a majority of the last three Dayton Hamventions and I would encourage all satellite operators and those curious about satellite operation to visit the station outside of Ball Arena (near the ARRL and AMSAT booth areas) next May. Volunteers and guest operators are always sought! A few pictures are posted on the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/permalink/10154235785829516/ (The AMSAT North America Facebook group is very active - in fact, traffic has likely surpassed the traffic on the AMSAT-BB. If you are not a member, I would encourage you to check it out https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/?qsefr=1) Thanks to the following for volunteering at the demo station (and apologies if I missed anyone): Mark Hammond, N8MH Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA John Papay, K8YSE Doug Papay, KD8CAO Art Payne, VE3GNF Wyatt Dirks, AC0RA Michael Kirkhart, KD8QBA John Brier, KG4AKV Jeff Griffin, KB2M Hope Lea, KM4IPF Sean Kutzko, KX9X Thanks to the following for providing equipment for the demo station: Mike Young, WB8CXO (Batteries) Keith Pugh, W5IU (DC power distribution) Washington, DC P. S. I did not keep logs at the demo station, though I will remember if I worked you! If you need a card or LoTW upload for EM79, please let me know. -Paul, N8HM [ANS thanks to AMSAT-NA Secretary, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM and his team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- A Tiny Satellite of Your Very Own They're not just for rocket scientists anymore Satellites used to be the exclusive playthings of rich governments and wealthy corporations. But increasingly, as space becomes more democratized, these sophisticated technologies are coming within reach of ordinary people. Just like drones before them, miniature satellites are beginning to fundamentally transform our conceptions of who gets to do what up above our heads. As a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences highlights, these satellites hold tremendous potential for making satellite-based science more accessible than ever before. However, as the cost of getting your own satellite in orbit plummets, the risks of irresponsible use grow. The question here is no longer “Can we?” but “Should we?” What are the potential downsides of having a slice of space densely populated by equipment built by people not traditionally labeled as “professionals”? And what would the responsible and beneficial development and use of this technology actually look like? Some of the answers may come from a nonprofit organization that has been building and launching amateur satellites for nearly 50 years. Just a few inches across and ready for orbit. The technology we’re talking about Having your own personal satellite launched into orbit might sound like an idea straight out of science fiction. But over the past few decades a unique class of satellites has been created that fits the bill: CubeSats. The “Cube” here simply refers to the satellite’s shape. The most common CubeSat (the so-called “1U” satellite) is a 10 cm (roughly 4 inches) cube, so small that a single CubeSat could easily be mistaken for a paperweight on your desk. These mini, modular satellites can fit in a launch vehicle’s formerly “wasted space.” Multiples can be deployed in combination for more complex missions than could be achieved by one CubeSat alone. Within their compact bodies these minute satellites are able to house sensors and communications receivers/transmitters that enable operators to study the Earth from space, as well as space around the Earth. They’re primarily designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – an easily accessible region of space from around 200 to 800 miles above the Earth, where human- tended missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station (ISS) hang out. But they can attain more distant orbits; NASA plans for most of its future Earth-escaping payloads (to the moon and Mars especially) to carry CubeSats. Because they’re so small and light, it costs much less to get a CubeSat into Earth orbit than a traditional communication or GPS satellite. For instance, a research group here at Arizona State University recently claimed their developmental “femtosats” (especially small CubeSats) could cost as little as US$3,000 to put in orbit. This decrease in cost is allowing researchers, hobbyists and even elementary school groups to put simple instruments into LEO, by piggybacking onto rocket launches, or even having them deployed from the ISS. The first CubeSat was created in the early 2000s, as a way of enabling CalPoly and Stanford graduate students to design, build, test and operate a spacecraft with similar capabilities to the USSR’s Sputnik. Since then, NASA, the National Reconnaissance Office and even Boeing have all launched and operated CubeSats. There are more than 130 currently operational in orbit. The NASA Educational Launch of Nano Satellite (ELaNa) program, which offers free launches for educational groups and science missions, is now open to U.S. nonprofit corporations as well. Clearly, satellites are not just for rocket scientists anymore. Thinking inside the box The National Academy of Sciences report emphasizes CubeSats' importance in scientific discovery and the training of future space scientists and engineers. Yet it also acknowledges that widespread deployment of LEO CubeSats isn’t risk- free. The greatest concern the authors raise is space debris – pieces of “junk” that orbit the earth, with the potential to cause serious damage if they collide with operational units, including the ISS. Currently, there aren’t many CubeSats and they’re tracked closely. Yet as LEO opens up to more amateur satellites, they may pose an increasing threat. As the report authors point out, even near-misses might lead to the “creation of an onerous regulatory framework and affect the future disposition of science CubeSats.” More broadly, the report authors focus on factors that might impede greater use of CubeSat technologies. These include regulations around earth-space radio communications, possible impacts of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (which govern import and export of defense-related articles and services in the U.S.), and potential issues around extra-terrestrial contamination. But what about the rest of us? How can we be sure that hobbyists and others aren’t launching their own “spy” satellites, or (intentionally or not) placing polluting technologies into LEO, or even deploying low-cost CubeSat networks that could be hijacked and used nefariously? As CubeSat researchers are quick to point out, these are far-fetched scenarios. But they suggest that now’s the time to ponder unexpected and unintended possible consequences of more people than ever having access to their own small slice of space. In an era when you can simply buy a CubeSat kit off the shelf, how can we trust the satellites over our heads were developed with good intentions by people who knew what they were doing? Some “expert amateurs” in the satellite game could provide some inspiration for how to proceed responsibly. Guidance from experienced amateurs In 1969, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) was created in order to foster ham radio enthusiasts' participation in space research and communication. It continued the efforts, begun in 1961, by Project OSCAR – a U.S.-based group that built and launched the very first nongovernmental satellite just four years after Sputnik. As an organization of volunteers, AMSAT was putting “amateur” satellites in orbit decades before the current CubeSat craze. And over time, its members have learned a thing or two about responsibility. Here, open-source development has been a central principle. Within the organization, AMSAT has a philosophy of open sourcing everything – making technical data on all aspects of their satellites fully available to everyone in the organization, and when possible, the public. According to a member of the team responsible for FOX 1-A, AMSAT’s first CubeSat: This means that it would be incredibly difficult to sneak something by us … there’s no way to smuggle explosives or an energy emitter into an amateur satellite when everyone has access to the designs and implementation. However, they’re more cautious about sharing info with nonmembers, as the organization guards against others developing the ability to hijack and take control of their satellites. This form of “self-governance” is possible within long-standing amateur organizations that, over time, are able to build a sense of responsibility to community members, as well as society more generally. How does responsible development evolve? But what happens when new players emerge, who don’t have deep roots within the existing culture? Hobbyist and student “new kids on the block” are gaining access to technologies without being part of a longstanding amateur establishment. They are still constrained by funders, launch providers and a tapestry of regulations – all of which rein in what CubeSat developers can and cannot do. But there is a danger they’re ill-equipped to think through potential unintended consequences. What these unintended consequences might be is admittedly far from clear. Certainly, CubeSat developers would argue it’s hard to imagine these tiny satellites causing substantial physical harm. Yet we know innovators can be remarkably creative with taking technologies in unexpected directions. Think of something as seemingly benign as the cellphone – we have microfinance and text- based social networking at one end of the spectrum, improvised explosive devices at the other. This is where a culture of social responsibility around CubeSats becomes important – not simply for ensuring that physical risks are minimized (and good practices are adhered to), but also to engage with a much larger community in anticipating and managing less obvious consequences of the technology. This is not an easy task. Yet the evidence from AMSAT and other areas of technology development suggest that responsible amateur communities can and do emerge around novel technologies. For instance, see the diy-bio community, where hobbyists work in advanced community biotech labs. Their growing community commitment to safety and responsibility is highlighting how amateurs can embrace responsibility in research and innovation. A similar commitment is seen within open-source software and hardware communities, such as the members of the Linux Foundation. The challenge here, of course, is ensuring that what an amateur community considers to be responsible, actually is. Here’s where there needs to be a much wider public conversation that extends beyond government agencies and scientific communities to include students, hobbyists, and anyone who may potentially stand to be affected by the use of CubeSat technology. See the Houston Chronicle website for further readings: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/Your-own-persona… satellite-7947152.php?t=756e94597b438d9cbb [ANS thanks Elizabeth Garbee and Andrew Maynard from Arizona State University for the above information --------------------------------------------------------------------- New VHF, UHF, uW Handbook Available for Download Version 7.5 of the IARU Region 1 VHF Handbook is now available for download. The key Amateur Satellite section is on pages 123-131. There are also chapters on Band Planning, Contests, Propagation Research, Operating Procedures. Page 116 defines which way to thread a helical beam antenna. http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/documents/Documents/VHF/Handbook-7.50.pdf/ [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Satellite Launch from India Mineo Wakita JE9PEL reports on the Indian ISRO PSLV-C34 amateur radio satellite launch planned for June 10, 2016 at 0355 UT into a 500 km 98 degree inclination orbit. Main Payload, Cartosat-2C, Earth Observing PSLV-XL(C-34), Satish Dharwan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India Satellite Uplink Downlink Beacon Mode ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- BEESAT-4 . 435.950 435.950 4800bps GMSK,CW BIROS . 437.525 . 4800bps GMSK LAPAN-A3 . . . Non-Amateur Max Valier . 145.860 145.960 CW Sathyabamasat . 145.980 . 2400bps BPSK Swayam COEP . 437.025 437.025 1200bps BPSK,CW Venta-1 . . 437.325 CW ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/be4lapan.htm Among the satellites being launched is Swayam-1 developed by students at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP). It will provide a text messaging facility using the COEPSAT protocol. see http://amsatindia.org/coep-satellite-swayam-project/ http://www.coep.org.in/csat/track-swayam/ UPDATE: Yono YD0NXX reports the Indonesian built LAPAN-A3 does not have an amateur radio payload. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- UWE-3 Status Report On May 21, 2016 the CubeSat UWE-3 celebrated 2.5 years in space without any significant failures. Batteries, EPS, OBC and ADCS are fine, nevertheless we were confronted with a minor problem with one of the radios UWE-3 autonomously recovered from. Since then UWE-3 is in a very stable condition again. Some weeks ago we have re-initiated operations with UWE-3 on an interim basis. The goal is to test new magnetic control algorithms in space. Therefore we operate the satellite on the 436.395200 MHz frequency and perform data downloads from time to time. In the figure below the satellite’s rotation rate w is shown for one of the experiments. The goal was to establish a rotation about the satellite’s X-axis at 10 deg/s while the Y/Z-axes should be at 0 deg/s. In general the desired rotation rate could be achieved but with major deviations from the setpoint. With the intention of optimizing the relevant control laws we will continue with these experiments within the next days and weeks. During our experiments we received an outstanding support from the radio community from all over the world we are very thankful for. The received packets were instantaneous injected into our algorithms and delivered an important contribution to our research work. We would like to express our special thanks to DK3WN, PE0SAT, DL8MCO, EU1XX, ON4HF, Rainer, JA5BLZ, JA6PL, CU2JX, LU4EOU, JA1GDE, SP7THR, G7GQW, YC3BVG, JF1EUY, JE9PEL, JE1CVL, JO1PTD, ZL4JL, EA7ADI, K4KDR, JA0CAW, JH4XSY, PA2EON, SM0TGU. THANK YOU! Yours sincerely, UWE-3 Team UWE-3 was launched with FUNcube-1 on November 21, 2013. Latest UWE-3 news at http://www7.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/forschung/space_exploration/projects /uwe_3/uwe_3_news/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomsk-TPU-120 CubeSat Video The Russian space agency Roscosmos has released a video of the Tomsk-TPU-120 CubeSat commemorative transmission from the International Space Station. The satellite was developed by students at the Tomsk Polytechnic University to test new space materials technology and is the world’s first space vehicle with a 3D-printed structure. It was launched from Baikonur to the ISS on March 31, 2016 in a Progress-MS-2 cargo vessel. It will be deployed by hand during a future Russian spacewalk (EVA), which is why unlike other CubeSats this one has a handle. The call sign of the satellite is RS4S. Tomsk-TPU-120 CubeSat Callsign RS4SIn May 2016 the Tomsk Polytechnic University celebrated its 120th anniversary. As part of the celebrations on May 10/11 the Tomsk-TPU-120 was activated in the ISS and transmitted a greeting to Earth inhabitants, recorded by students of the university in 10 languages: Russian, English, German, French, Chinese, Arabic, Tatar, Indian, Kazakh and Portuguese. The greeting message was transmitted once a minute on 437.025 MHz FM. One of the Kenwood transceivers on the ISS provided a cross-band relay, re- transmitting the signal on 145.800 MHz FM. The video, recorded in the Russian ISS Service Module, shows the CubeSat and the amateur radio station. The video is in Russian. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnYIjgGU4vQ The next Russian spacewalk appears to be EVA-43 which is expected to take place in early 2017 http://spaceflight101.com/iss/iss-calendar/ World’s First 3D-printed Satellite http://tpu.ru/en/news-events/760/ Dmitry R4UAB operates a WebSDR which you can use to receive the transmissions when the ISS is over Russia http://websdr.r4uab.ru/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Es’Hail-2 Geostationary P4-A Transponder Frequencies The launch of the Es’Hail-2 satellite into a geostationary orbit at 25.5 degrees East is planned for December 2016. The coverage area of the amateur radio Narrowband (NB) and Wideband (WB) transponders should extend from Brazil to Thailand. Es’hail 2 will carry two “Phase 4” amateur radio non-inverting transponders operating in the 2400 MHz and 10450 MHz bands. A 250 kHz bandwidth linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations and an 8 MHz bandwidth transponder for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television. Narrowband Linear transponder 2400.050 - 2400.300 MHz Uplink 10489.550 - 10489.800 MHz Downlink Wideband digital transponder 2401.500 - 2409.500 MHz Uplink 10491.000 - 10499.000 MHz Downlink Equipment requirements: X-Band 10 GHz Downlink: – 89 cm dishes in rainy areas at EOC like Brazil or Thailand – 60 cm around coverage peak – 75 cm dishes at peak -2dB – NB: linear vertical polarisation – WB: linear horizontal polarisation S-Band 2.4 GHz NB-Uplink: – narrow band modes like SSB, CW – 5W nominal Uplink power (22.5 dBi antenna gain, 75cm dish) – RHCP polarisation S-Band 2.4 GHz WB-Uplink (DATV): – wide band modes, DVB-S2 – peak EIRP of 53 dBW (2.4m dish and 100W) required – RHCP polarisation Presentation on Es’hail by Peter Guelzow DB2OS, President of AMSAT-DL, at the 2013 AMSAT-UK Colloquium http://www.batc.tv/streams/amsat1306 [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-DL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ÑUSAT-1 SSB/CW Transponder Satellite The launch of ÑUSAT-1, the second AMSAT ARGENTINA amateur satellite on May 30, will mark an extraordinary event for our Institution and fostering of hope for satellite community. As we quoted when the announcement of the launching of this experiment, Amsat Argentina has been working for several years to keep alive the dream of many Argentine amateurs to get back into Space with their own satellite as a follow- on of the legendary 1990’s LUSAT-1, reaping the benefits of Technological advancement of our days. We believe technical activities and developments of experiments in near space share the same goals: preserving the human group, enhancing their capabilities as well as disseminate and guiding the education and development of the activity, meanwhile contributing to Space available resources. Our agreement with Satellogic Enterprises, which already launched three low orbit satellites: Captain Beto, Manolito y Tita, two of which transmit telemetry and data currently in UHF identifying themselves with callsign LU7AA, allowed us to ride a linear analog amateur radio transponder and corresponding antenna aboard one of their next satellite, ÑUSAT-1 AMSAT-LU provides simultaneously, support for this mission and the ÑUSAT-2 mission, by operating one of the control stations at Tortuguitas, Prov. Of Bs.As. The experiment Amsat-LU developed, evolved from original design of our colleague and partner William, PE1RAH, while electronic adaptation, mechanical and software was made by the LU Satellite Experiment group, mounted on a 10 x 10 centimeters radiating plate, in which components of the power supply as well as a duplexer and dual band antenna where also incorporated. This set was installed on the Ñusat-1 bus, which supplies power and becomes part of several other experiments this satellite will make. The transponder receives UHF which is broadcasted in VHF, has a bandwidth of 30 kHz. with an output power of 250 mW. 435.935 ~ 435.965 are LSB/CW uplink passband 145.965 ~ 145.935 are USB/CW downlink passband 145.900 Basic CW Telemetry The launch will be from a Chinese launcher in a polar orbit at 500 km. height, with inclination of 97 degrees from Equator. see http://www.amsat.org.ar https://www.facebook.com/Amsat.LU http://lusex.org.ar http://amsat.org.ar/pass.htm [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-Argentia for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ESA Announces Winning Radio Amateurs On April 21, 2016, ESA’s Education Office set a challenge for the worldwide radio amateur community to start listening out for three new orbiting CubeSats. The results have now been released. ESA’s Education Office published the transmission frequencies of the student- built satellites that were about to be launched as part of the Fly Your Satellite! Program, and invited the radio amateur community to listen out for them. The first three radio amateurs to send a recorded signal from AAUSAT4, e-st@r- II or OUFTI-1 would receive a prize from ESA’s Education Office. Hundreds of radio amateurs from around the world joined in the friendly competition. The CubeSats started sending signals after their release from the Soyuz VS-14 rocket and the triggering of their automatic activation sequence. Participants from Russia, USA, Poland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, and more tuned their receivers and listened. Thanks to skill and patience on the ground, the winners come from Russia, the United States of America, Germany, and the Netherlands. Contact with the first CubeSat came at 00:53:51 UT on April 26, 2016, within an hour of its separation from the launcher. Dmitri Paschkow R4UAB, Russia, heard the signal from OUFTI-1 using two receiving stations, in Kemerovo and Ruzaevka. Upon hearing OUFTI-1, he communicated the news immediately. “I understand that the students are worried [to hear from their satellite] and decided to please them!” says Paschkow. Just over an hour after the first signal from OUFTI-1 was recorded, the next CubeSat checked in. AAUSAT-4 was heard over California, US, by Justin Foley KI6EPH of California Polytechnic State University. He had a personal interest in the mission because some of his colleagues had developed the P-POD deployer that was used to eject the CubeSats into orbit. He was ready at the receiver from the moment of deployment but heard nothing on that first pass, probably because the activation sequence had not yet completed. The signal came through on the second pass, arriving at 02:02 UT. “It was extremely exciting to see signals from the newly launched satellite, and witness the beginning of a space mission”, says Foley. Then the wait began for e-st@r-II. At 05:40:58 UT, something dimly lit the screen of Mike Rupprecht DK3WN in Germany. But something was not quite right. It certainly looked like a signal from the last remaining CubeSat, but why was the message so faint? It galvanized the amateur radio community to look harder. Jan van Gils PE0SAT had to wait until May 2 at 16:38:05 UT to receive a signal from e-st@r-II that was strong enough to be decoded. Why e-st@r-II was only transmitting weak signals is under investigation, but the most important news is that all three CubeSats are functioning and transmitting, and their signals can be decoded. A special mention goes to a young radio amateur who scored a personal best. Twelve year-old space enthusiast Matteo Micheletti from Belgium caught the OUFTI-1 signal with a portable log periodic antenna and a portable receiver. His triumph occurred on May 1, 2016 between 17:34 and 17:39 UT. To mark their success, the radio amateur winners will each receive a Fly Your Satellite! Poster, a goodie bag and a scale 1:1 3D printed model of a CubeSat from ESA’s Education Office. Read the full ESA story at http://www.esa.int/Education/CubeSats_- _Fly_Your_Satellite/CubeSats_competition_winners [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and ESA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Symposium to Address Interference-free Satellite Services Experts are planning to meet in Geneva, 13-14 June for a Symposium to address interference-free satellite services. Geneva, 4 May 2016 - The ITU International Satellite Communication Symposium to be held in Geneva, 13-14 June, will explore measures to prevent and combat interference in satellite communications. International experts will examine the current situation and the latest technologies to detect, identify, locate and mitigate harmful interference, which may severely impact satellite services, including safety operations. Discussions will also focus on International space law, protecting space science services, radio astronomy, global navigation satellite services, and cybersecurity as well as ensuring interference-free satellite broadcast services. A special session will be dedicated to innovation in satellite systems, focusing on technical characteristics and benefits arising from new generations of non-geostationary satellite orbit (non-GSO) constellations and High Throughput Satellites (HTS). What: ITU International Satellite Communication Symposium 2016 When: 13-14 June 2016 Where: ITU Tower Building, Popov Room Why: To provide an overview of ongoing progress on regulations, technologies and measures to prevent and combat interference in satellite communications and to share experiences on the latest developments and innovations. Who: Experts from the satellite industry, operators, regulators and broadcasters from around the world. For more information, please contact: Sanjay Acharya Chief, Media Relations & Public Information, ITU telephone +41 22 730 5046 tel +41 79 249 4861 email sanjay.acharya(a)itu.int Grace Petrin Communication Officer ITU Radio Communication Bureau telephone +41 22 730 5810 tel +41 79 599 1428 email brpromo(a)itu.int see http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2016/Advisory-06.aspx [ANS thanks the ITU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- DCC Call for Papers Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 35th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, to be held September 16-18 in St Petersburg, Florida. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is July 31, 2016. The ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference is an international forum for technically minded radio amateurs to meet and present new ideas and techniques. Paper/presentation topic areas include -- but are not limited to -- software defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite communication, digital signal processing (DSP), HF digital modes, adapting IEEE 802.11 systems for Amateur Radio, Global Positioning System (GPS), Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), Linux in Amateur Radio, AX.25 updates and Internet operability with Amateur Radio networks. Submit papers to via e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org<mailto:[email protected]>, or via postal mail to: Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights. Please do not email zip files as these will be rejected by our servers. 73 . . . Steve Ford, WB8IMY QST Editor in Chief and Publications Manager ARRL -- the National Association for Amateur Radio tel 860-594-0287 sford(a)arrl.org<mailto:[email protected]> [ANS thanks the ARRL, TAPR, and Steve Ford, WB8IMY 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, 4 June 2016 – White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low AZ *Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10-12 June 2016 – Ham-Com in Irving, TX *Saturday, 11 June 2016 – Prescott Hamfest in Prescott AZ *Wednesday, 6 July 2016 – Chehalis Valley Amateur Radio Society meeting in Chehalis WA *Saturday, 13 August 2016 – KL7KC Hamfest in Fairbanks AK [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Successful Contacts Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Mon 2016-05-23 12:57:05 UTC 43 deg The ARISS contact with Jeff Williams by the students at Westbury Magnet Academy at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York was successful. Jeff answered 19 questions before loss of signal. Dan Dalby did a great job of operating at W6SR. The telebridge contact with students at Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York, USA was successful Mon 2016-05-23 12:57:05 UTC 43 deg. Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ answered 19 questions for the students at Westbury Magnet Academy who were on site at the Museum. A local news channel filed this report: Students Take Call from Astronaut on ISS see NBC New York http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Students-Take-Call-from-Astrona… -on-ISS_New-York-380581991.html?_osource=mobilesharebar The Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, located in Garden City, New York, opened in 2002. The mission of the museum is to inspire students with the spirit of discovery through the exploration of air and space technologies, and to encourage them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The museum is home to the Westbury Magnet Academy at the Cradle of Aviation, the first magnet school to open on Long Island. The Museum and Academy offer two summer STEM enrichment programs for students entering the seventh and ninth grades. The ARISS event will be an invaluable tool to supplement classroom instruction and research. Upcoming Contacts * Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-05-30 19:01:25 UTC 32 deg Venta Preparatory School is a small co-ed day and boarding school from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 10, located just outside of Ottawa in Carp, Ontario. We foster and continually enhance an environment where each student can grow and achieve their highest potential. * Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 UTC 74 deg Bouze Island is one of the Ieshima small Islands which are located in the Seto Inland sea of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. There are about 1400 people on the island and are part of the marine products industry. They live with simplicity and are friendly. But the students of this Island have not had a chance for scientific experience as part of their school education because of their remote location. There are 140 persons in the elementary school and 100 persons in the junior high school. 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 St. Paul Island Satellite Ops Word Getting Around The DXer pages are picking up on the news of satellite operation from CY9C St. Paul Island. This something of a blog and the May 23 update mentions AMSAT often: http://www.dxcoffee.com/eng/2016/cy9c-st-paul-island/ [ANS thanks JoAnne, K9JKM for the above information] GK4LOH Received Over 3467km on 144 MHz by Reflection off ISS A reflection from the structure of the International Space Station enabled a 144.175 MHz signal from Tim GK4LOH in Cornwall to cross the Atlantic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vii8DmG3ftc The YouTube description reads: 02:40 UTC May 24th 2016 ISS Flypast. Signal heard 2 minutes 45 into the recording and continues for over a minute. The CW transmitted message was “GK4LOH GK4LOH T T T T T T T T T T” As soon as ISS set in GN37 I stepped outside the shack and watched as the ISS fly right over here:-) Recorded by Frank VO1HP using the remote receiver beacon VO1FN. GK4LOH Blog http://www.g4loh.com/ The RSGB VHF Manager John Regnault G4SWX has received a Canadian station on 144 MHz which on investigation was also found to be by ISS reflection, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/july/uk_radio_ham_copies_canadian_144… _signal.htm [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, Joe Spier, K6WAO k6wao at amsat dot org

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Anyone for ISS packet QSO, 0248-0258 UTC tonight?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 May '16

28 May '16

Hi! I will be lurking on the ISS pass over the continental USA and northern Mexico this evening at 0248-0258 UTC. This pass will be at a maximum elevation of 42 degrees here in central Arizona, and I'm hoping to find other operators at the keyboard to possibly make a QSO or three. I use my Kenwood TH-D72A and Elk log periodic, and I can make QSOs using APRS messages. If you don't use a similar radio or software like UISS, you can still send an APRS message from a simple terminal program. To do this for a message to the WD9EWK-9 call I normally use for packet/APRS, type: :WD9EWK-9 :Here is a message A colon goes before my call, a space followed by a colon goes after my call, and then the short message goes after the space and colon. That is all you need to do. The Kenwood APRS-ready radios won't display free-form text typed in a terminal program, but can handle APRS messages from other stations with no problems. I will respond with an APRS message, typed on the HT's keypad. Last night during an overhead ISS pass, I worked 3 different stations - KG6FIY and KK6QMS in southern California early in the pass, followed by KE8AKW in Ohio later in the pass. The QSO with KE8AKW was the furthest I have ever worked a station using the ISS (digipeater, or cross-band voice repeater), at 2755km. I posted a longer writeup about this, complete with screenshots, in a thread on the QRZ.com satellite forum at: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/making-long-distance-iss-packet-qs… Nick was ready for me when the ISS came up for him, and we wasted no time in completing a QSO. Since it appears that the theoretical maximum distance for a QSO through the ISS digipeater is in the neighborhood of 4400km, there is still some room to stretch the footprint. Both operators would need to be ready to do this, of course, given the limited amount of time there would be if the QSO distance approaches that theoretical maximum. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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LUSEX Launch May-30
by Amsat Argentina 28 May '16

28 May '16

LUSEX, AMSAT Argentina Satellite, planned launch next May-30. Details, frequencies and Preliminary Keps at http://lusex.org.ar . 73, Amsat Argentina

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SATPC32 error
by Jim White 28 May '16

28 May '16

What does the error message "E/A-Fehler 32" mean when trying to store Radio Setup info? Model, baud rate, address (it's an IC 910), usb port have been set. The USB port is valid - it shows up in Device manager. CI-V is connected to the PC and radio.

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Shuttle Challenger / USPS Commemorative
by Clint Bradford 28 May '16

28 May '16

This set of items that flew aboard the Challenger shuttle are up for auction at … https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/24686/auctions/30515/auction_items… <https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/24686/auctions/30515/auction_items…> Proceeds go to charity - a locally owned “Pet Rescue & Thrift Store” in Riverside, CA. Clint Bradford 909-999-SATS (7287)

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HF-HF satellite (horizon?)
by Kevin M 28 May '16

28 May '16

With RS-12, when 10m was open, the satellite could be hard to hear at lower elevations. However, you could sometimes hear it (and use it) while it was on the other side of the planet. Here's a good write-up from DXCC #1 on RS-12: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200202/msg00707.html 73, Drew KO4MA -------------------------------- For anyone with access to QST archives (online for ARRL members), this article and a good sidebar are available in PDF ofrmat from the August 1995 QST pp 85-86 as well as another article he references therein on a 'how to primer' for RS-12/13 from the February 1994 QST p 58. Go here and search 'RS-12' in the given months and years: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-periodicals-archive-search 73 Kevin N4UFO

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HF-HF satellite (horizon?)
by Kevin M 28 May '16

28 May '16

With RS-12, when 10m was open, the satellite could be hard to hear at lower elevations. However, you could sometimes hear it (and use it) while it was on the other side of the planet. RS-12 was my first satellite... I whooped and hollered far more after my first Mode K sat QSO than I did as a Novice and my very first contact. I was able to manage 48 states worked (47 confirmed) and 150 grids confirmed (under my old call AC5DK) to give me an RS-12/13 only VUCC-Sat award. But probably my second biggest thrill was having my CQ answered by OK1DIG while the bird was over North America. I would not call is 'commonplace', but yes, OTH contacts were possible through RS-12/13 in Mode K anytime both 15m & 10m were open between you and the bird. I believe that is what was alluded to when referring to 'stretching the footprint'... HF propagation enhanced, not direct path. Addressing other comments, no, full duplex was not only not required, but pretty much unheard of on that bird. You found a clear spot on 15m, left your transmit alone and tuned your receive. This meant you had to tune on 'the other guy' and you didn't hear yourself after the QSO began. The primary reason was if you changed your transmit, you could wander on top of an ongoing terrestrial QSO, which was a no-no. And also brings up another big caveat to considering such a bird today, many DX stations on 15m would come through the passband and 'eat up' the transponder power, having no idea that they were, nor should they... it was/is not an exclusive satellite band. I did acquire a 25 watt 2m transceiver and try mode A for a while, but to be honest Mode K was much easier and I sold the 2m in short order. In my opinion, RS-12/13 was sort of considered like a step child by a lot of satellite purists, in that it was not a 'real' satellite because it utilized HF bands. (Not unlike the 'linear vs FM' or 'HEO vs LEO' debates of more recent times...) And yes, some have pointed out that back then HF was the entry pathway to ham radio, but it was not the radio availability that was the issue as much as the lack of need for directional antennas!!! RS-12/13 was loud enough and heard well enough that I worked it the vast majority of the time with my 100 watt HF rig and a Hustler BTV vertical! (Although I did eventually pick up a used 10m preamp from K5OE that helped a lot with lower elevations... thanks, Jerry!) And by the way, not only did my rig not do full duplex... it didn't even do split band. I turned a manual band switch knob on EVERY OVER.... for YEARS. (luckily my Heathkit HW-5400 was tough enough to take it) It's also worth mentioning that CW was much more prevalent then and I would dare say the primary mode for that bird... As a matter of fact, the bird even had a 'Robot' that would answer you in CW. You would tune just outside the normal transponder and listen somewhere near the beacon (if memory serves) and give your callsign in CW. If it copied you, it would respond with your callsign and issue you a unique QSO number. (It was not the easiest thing to do, but I know I managed it at least once or twice.) The idea was that you could then submit for a special QSL card. Since I hosted a website and forum for RS-12/13 ops and reported regular news updates on RS-12/13 to AMSAT News Service, I used to get a lot of requests in the mail for those QSLs. (Some even from outside the US!) Unfortunately, the correct QSL address was the infamous 'Box 88 Moscow', and I had to send them all back marked, 'sorry, not the QSL manager'. Would I enjoy another Mode K satellite? You bet your sweet bippy!!! Would it make for a good entry level bird like RS-12/13 did? Given today's situation (both HF and satellite) and the likely restrictions on a cubesat form, highly doubtful. Do I think it's the best use of resources in today's satellite climate? Probably not. If one wants a beginner satellite these days, it should be something worked with simple antennas and cheap (low power) gear. But looking at an HF only opportunity with limited power budget (and therefore limited bandwidth), I might suggest something along the line of a simple single channel experiment... like the ROBOT, but a voice response instead of CW or a parrot talker maybe. (I can see school kids getting excited that a robot voice talked back to them.) Again, maybe not the best idea, as something digital might be far easier to implement, but just throwing a spit ball here. Just my opinion and you know what 'they' say about those things... treat accordingly. And while I'm at it, your mileage may vary, batteries not included, no animals were harmed during the forming of this opinion. And thanks for asking the group, Bob... nice walk down memory lane. =^) 73, Kevin N4UFO

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Re: [amsat-bb] HF-HF satellite (horizon?)
by Robert Bruninga 28 May '16

28 May '16

> As noted, the entry to Ham radio is not via HF these days, but with no > HEO sats, one can stretch the footprint pretty well with an HF bird, Is this true? On one hand, it makes sense, but on the other hand, the closer to the horizon the smaller the angle of incidence and the thicker the ionosphere becomes. It woiuld seem to me maybe that this would bend the user's horizon waves downward and therefore miss the satellite. In other words, I'm thinking that an HF satellite with a footprint that is 2000 miles in diameter would in fact only have an operational range that is less than that due to bending at those low angles. On the other hand, some could argue that some ionospheric bending coiuld do the opposite and enhance somewhat beyond the line of sight horizon... Which is it? Bob, WB4APR

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AO-73/FUNcube
by Jim Heck G3WGM 27 May '16

27 May '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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Oscar Locator
by Roland Zurmely 27 May '16

27 May '16

I used " Oscar Locator " in 1985 and 1986 to calculate the position of Oscar 10.See here (use Google translator for portuguese):<http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite.htm#10> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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Re: [amsat-bb] Fw: HF-HF satellite (OSCAR LOCATOR?)
by John Magliacane 27 May '16

27 May '16

On Fri, 5/27/16, Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: > I understand the curved trace. It crosses near the pole at the latitude of the inclination of the orbit. And I understand the circular plot which is > angle and elevation from your QTH when placed over your house. But I do not understand the straight line scale going nearly vertical and labeled > RS? WHy is there no curve to it? Bob, If I remember correctly, the RS satellites of that era had orbital inclinations a bit over 90 degrees, thereby causing the ground tracks to appear straighter than satellites having inclinations less than 90 degrees. The "Satellite Experimenter's Handbook" included an Oscar Locator that when used in conjunction with reference orbit and equator crossing (EQX) data transmitted in CW by W1AW, provided my first exposure to making orbital predictions. Later on, I wrote some code in BASIC for my Commodore 64 that propagated the EQX reference orbits ahead in time, and eventually added additional code (mostly based on equations in the "Satellite Experimenter's Handbook") that eventually eliminated the need for the Oscar Locator, altogether. Incidentally, NASA once published a book for educators on the subject of Weather Satellite reception that included a map and overlays very similar to those included with the Oscar Locator. I seem to remember there were versions of the RSGB's "VHF-UHF Manual" that also carried a similar map. Out of this work, PREDICT was eventually born, which led to the on-line pass predictions provided on the AMSAT-NA website, not to mention gpredict, and other derivatives that live on to this day. 73 de John, KD2BD

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K5L operation from EL58 on satellites QRT
by Clayton Coleman 27 May '16

27 May '16

I want to thank all of you for your kind words and encouragement during my operation from EL58hx yesterday. I've not had a chance to tally all the contacts but I made contact with a lot of unique stations. There is both high-resolution video and drone footage of the K5L operation. Give me some time to get that put together in a presentable format. As for confirmations, I kindly request you send paper QSL with SASE and be patient. Paper cards may take a couple of months. I will be ordering customized, full-color cards. I will do LoTW eventually but not until paper cards are ready to go out. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 7:28 AM, Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Thursday, May 26, gridsquare EL58 will be activated on satellites > SO-50 and FO-29 with the 1x1 callsign K5L. This will be a /MM > operation launched from Venice, Louisiana. > > The satellite pass schedule is online: http://www.qrz.com/db/k5l > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG

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ESA announce competition winers
by M5AKA 27 May '16

27 May '16

ESA has announced the winners of the competition to receive the CubeSats launched April 25 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/27/esa-radio-ham-winners/ 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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LVB Trackers Available
by Paul Stoetzer 27 May '16

27 May '16

A limited number of fully tested and assembled LVB Trackers are now available on the AMSAT store. Please remember that the AMSAT office is a one person office and that the office is currently closed for the holiday weekend until Wednesday. The price is $200 + shipping. http://store.amsat.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_25&products_id=62 73, Paul, N8HM

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New VHF, UHF, uW Handbook available for download
by M5AKA 27 May '16

27 May '16

Version 7.5 of the IARU Region 1 VHF Handbook is now available for download. The key Amateur Satellite section is on pages 123-131. There are also chapters on Band Planning, Contests, Propagation Research, Operating Procedures. Page 116 defines which way to thread a helical beam antenna. http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/documents/Documents/VHF/Handbook-7.50.pdf/ 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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Fw: HF-HF satellite
by R.T.Liddy 27 May '16

27 May '16

The RS Birds were fantastic! I worked a lot of Mode A with a 2M all-mode to a Ringo Ranger and an HF XCVR to a Tribander. Sat tracking in the early days was with an AMSAT OSCAR-LOCATOR (Rotating mylar discs over a global map!!). Once computerized, I used a Radio Shack TRS-80 with a program I think was called Sat-Tracker(??). Ah, the Good Ol' Days!! 73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT since 1979) From: Alan <wa4sca(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Friday, May 27, 2016 5:10 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HF-HF satellite Joe, Some of the new dongles cover 10 meters, and the price is down below $100 for at least one, the Airspy. While not technically a receiver, I have a radio shack HTX-100, still seen at larger hamfests for $40-75, which would work well. I used it as part of my AO-40 telemetry system. Don't recall I have ever used it for TX. 73s, Alan WA4SCA <-----Original Message----- <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joe <Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 10:32 PM <To: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> <Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HF-HF satellite < <example please? < <Joe WB9SBD <Sig <The Original Rolling Ball Clock <Idle Tyme <Idle-Tyme.com <http://www.idle-tyme.com <On 5/26/2016 10:26 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: <> 10m all modes receivers are cheap. <> <> 73, Drew KO4MA <> <>> On May 26, 2016, at 11:09 PM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> wrote: <>> <>> I would just miss the full duplex possibility mode "A" gives you. <>> <>> Joe WB9SBD <>> Sig <>> The Original Rolling Ball Clock <>> Idle Tyme <>> Idle-Tyme.com <>> http://www.idle-tyme.com <>>> On 5/26/2016 9:20 PM, Greg D wrote: <>>> Got my vote for 15 up and 10 down. RS-12 was my second satellite (RS-10 <>>> was the first). <>>> <>>> As noted, the entry to Ham radio is not via HF these days, but with no <>>> HEO sats, one can stretch the footprint pretty well with an HF bird, <>>> working it well below the horizon. That might attract more usage of the <>>> HF bands, and revitalize a lost mode of communication with some really <>>> bizarre propagation. <>>> <>>> Greg KO6TH <>>> <>>> <>>> _______________________________________________ <>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed <>>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. <>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <>>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <>> _______________________________________________ <>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed <>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. <>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <> <> <> < <_______________________________________________ <Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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AMSAT Demonstration Station at the Dayton Hamvention Recap
by Paul Stoetzer 27 May '16

27 May '16

Good evening, This was my first year running the AMSAT demonstration station at the Dayton Hamvention after Keith Pugh, W5IU, had run it for many years. After volunteering at the demo station the past couple of years, I knew what to expect: a poor horizon to the north (due to the arena), high levels of RF (including lids running FM simplex inside the satellite subband on 2m), and lots of fun demoing satellite operation to curious newcomers as well as meeting many satellite operators I've worked on the satellites in person. The core of the demo station was similar to past years. I brought my pair of Yaesu FT-817s (known fondly among many satellite operators as a Yaesu FT-1634) as well as a Windows 10 tablet and a FUNcube Dongle Pro+. The antenna was an Arrow II 146/437-10BP and I also brought a cheap Optera camera tripod. In addition, John Papay, K8YSE, brought his Icom IC-910H, laptop, and Arrow antenna on a speaker stand with a mount that allowed a smooth way to change polarity throughout the pass. With this mix of equipment, we were able to demonstrate several methods of satellite operating: computer controlled Doppler tuning of a transceiver designed for satellite operating, manual Doppler tuning with a pair of VHF/UHF all-mode transceivers, and use of an SDR receiver with a VHF/UHF all-mode receiver for full-duplex operating on linear transponders. The demo area was up and running by the time the outdoor areas of the Hamvention opened at 8:00am on Friday morning. Our first pass was an XW-2A pass at 8:17am, with K8YSE operating his IC-910H and KD8CAO running the antenna. The demos were generally a two man operation with one operator at the radio and one serving as the antenna rotor. After this pass, we listened to the 70cm PSK31 signal from NO-84 and a few packet bursts from the ISS using the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and Windows 10 tablet before a pair of AO-85 passes and an XW-2F pass operated by K8YSE. By special request, the AO-73 transponder was activated a day area and was available for Friday morning's demos. I operated the 10:51am pass with my pair of Yaesu FT-817s. A video of this pass is available on the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/permalink/10154235785829516/ Later, I operated an SO-50 and FO-29 pass with that pair of FT-817s as well, but had to fight strong desense. After those two passes, I grabbed a diplexer I had brought and placed it on the 2m transmit side (to filter out the third harmonic from the transmitter) and experienced no further desense problems with my setup. PY5LF captured part of the SO-50 pass on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPb1a9NqxQ K8YSE then operated the rest of the FO-29, AO-7, and SO-50 passes that afternoon. On Saturday morning, we opened with listening (and decoding a bit) to the PSK31 beacon on NO-84. Unfortunately, we did not have HF transmit capability. The signal from NO-84's PSK31 transponder is very good and I highly recommend anyone who can transmit on 10m at 25-50 watts and receive a 70cm FM signal give it a try. After working an XW-2F pass with the pair of FT-817s, I decided to give the SDR receiver a try and made one QSO each on XW-2C and XW-2A using the SDR as a downlink receiver. This was the first time I had tried doing this and it was fun, though I definitely need some more practice with it! I also tried the SDR receiver on AO-73 and FO-29 and made a couple of QSOs. Shortly after the ARRL Youth Forum ended around noon, a large crowd began to arrive at the demo area. Nine-year old Hope Lea, KM4IPF, who had given a talk at the Youth Forum operated a pass of SO-50 around 12:19pm and made many QSOs from coast-to-coast. A video of this pass is available from the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/james.g.lea/videos/10154297928734363/ After the SO-50 pass, we made several QSOs on FO-29 and then listened to the SPROUT digitalker. The SPROUT digitalker is generally active on Saturday passes. A video of this pass is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FRNZkMb5yM K8YSE then operated the Saturday afternoon passes of FO-29, AO-7, and AO-85 with his Icom IC-910H setup. Highlights included several of us passing around the microphone to work Paulo, PV8DX, in Brazil. We got an early start on Sunday morning, operating a pass of AO-85 to the northeast using my dual FT-817 setup just prior to 8:00am. Although I was the only person in the demo area, I made three QSOs on AO-85, holding the antenna myself and leaning over the table to operate the radio. After this, I operated a pass of XW-2F around 8:30am. For the 8:44am XW-2A pass, ARRL Media & Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, took the microphone and made several QSOs on that pass while I pointed the antenna. Although I did have a tripod for the antenna, I was simply using the stock camera tripod mount and had no way to adjust polarity. Since polarity is so critical while operating satellites, the operators who pointed the antenna while using my Arrow generally took the antenna off the tripod and held it in their hand for quick polarity adjustments. K8YSE's speaker stand mount demonstrated a good way to mount an Arrow antenna on a tripod while retaining adequate control over polarity. The next pass after this was a low western pass of XW-2C where I made several QSOs. At 9:37am, we operated a pass of AO-85 and made QSOs from coast-to-coast. A video of AMSAT VP of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, at the microphone is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrmzym39X5E I would note that we were using a pair of FT-817s, barefoot, on that pass and were able to make several QSOs with just 5 watts, mostly full quieting. Though AO-85 can often take a bit more power to get in to, QSOs using 5 watts and an Arrow antenna are very possible. Passes of SO-50, AO-73, and FO-29 rounded out the demos for the Hamvention and we were QRT at 12:12pm on Sunday, but not before working MI6GTY in Northern Ireland on FO-29. It was nice to get Europe in the log from the Dayton Hamvention demo station and it was our last QSO of the 2016 Hamvention. The AMSAT demo station has been a fun place to spend a majority of the last three Dayton Hamventions and I would encourage all satellite operators and those curious about satellite operation to visit the station outside of Ball Arena (near the ARRL and AMSAT booth areas) next May. Volunteers and guest operators are always sought! A few pictures are posted on the AMSAT North America Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/permalink/10154235785829516/ (The AMSAT North America Facebook group is very active - in fact, traffic has likely surpassed the traffic on the AMSAT-BB. If you are not a member, I would encourage you to check it out https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/?qsefr=1) Thanks to the following for volunteering at the demo station (and apologies if I missed anyone): Mark Hammond, N8MH Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA John Papay, K8YSE Doug Papay, KD8CAO Art Payne, VE3GNF Wyatt Dirks, AC0RA Michael Kirkhart, KD8QBA John Brier, KG4AKV Jeff Griffin, KB2M Hope Lea, KM4IPF Sean Kutzko, KX9X Thanks to the following for providing equipment for the demo station: Mike Young, WB8CXO (Batteries) Keith Pugh, W5IU (DC power distribution) 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Secretary, AMSAT-NA Washington, DC P. S. I did not keep logs at the demo station, though I will remember if I worked you! If you need a card or LoTW upload for EM79, please let me know.

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Re: [amsat-bb] HF Satellite Transponder
by M5AKA 27 May '16

27 May '16

The 50 MHz band is right on the boundary between HF and VHF. Now it can't be allocated as a Downlink since it isn't allocated to the Amateur Satellite Service but what about an Uplink in that band ? It would operate in a similar manner to OSCAR-7 Mode B which has a receiver outside the ITU allocated Amateur Satellite segment. A 50 to 29 MHz transponder would be good. ITU WRC-19 will have an Agenda Item for a global Primary Amateur Allocation at 50 MHz. Unfortunately that is for Terrestrial only not Satellite but arguably that wouldn't prevent an uplink receiver being flown. Clearly worth lobbying ARRL and IARU to work towards getting a Satellite Downlink allocation at 50 MHz for future sats. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: [amsat-bb] HF Satellite Transponder
by Edward R Cole 27 May '16

27 May '16

I bought a MOT spectra 20w 900-MHz FM rig for about $50 on e-bay. The seller programmed it for my desired ham frequencies (about 8 channels) for free. Mainly use 927.5 MHz simplex. If you want to operate CW/SSB on 902 or 903 MHz call DEMI with credit card in hand. What is hard is to find very many station on these bands. I have my 900 station driving a MOT amp outputting 60w to 18-element loop-yagi (google Directive Systems). So the hardest part of mw is convincing anyone to move up here. I am QRV from 500-KHz to 10-GHz. hint - using a solder iron helps 73, Ed - KL7uW Date: Thu, 26 May 2016 16:43:45 -0500 From: Peter Laws <plaws0(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HF Satellite Transponder ==snip Getting above 1 GHz isn't easy. Actually, 900 isn't that easy, either. In fact, I'm looking for a clean IC910H with the L-band module so I can do just as you suggest. :-) 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: [PNWVHFS] Re: For Sale: Icom VHF and UHF all-mode rigs, IC-271A, IC-471H, IC-1271A, misc
by Bob- W7LRD 27 May '16

27 May '16

This came from a local group. The 1271 may of particular interest. 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Jeffrey Benedict" <raoul(a)olympus.net> To: "darin arrick" <darin.arrick(a)gmail.com> Cc: "pnwvhfs" <pnwvhfs(a)googlegroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 9:41:03 PM Subject: Re: [PNWVHFS] Re: For Sale: Icom VHF and UHF all-mode rigs, IC-271A, IC-471H, IC-1271A, misc What kind of price are you looking for each of these? It’s nice to know where to start with an offer. Jeff KB7AIL > On May 26, 2016, at 9:15 PM, Darin Arrick <darin.arrick(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > I should have also added that the 271A and 1271A both have 110V internal power supplies; that's how they are both powered right now. The 471H takes an external 12VDC supply (I have a couple of Astron RS-20 power supplies I could sell, as well). > > On Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 4:54:21 PM UTC-7, Darin Arrick wrote: > I'm between jobs at the moment and I may need to drum up some funds. So some of my radios may have to go. All are in clean, working condition unless otherwise specified. All are currently connected to an antenna and can be demoed or we can set up a QSO. I've talked with a few of you using these rigs already. :) These are older radios (mid-'80s), but are well-known for being very good rigs. > > 1) IC-271A - 2m all-mode. All functions work fine. I've made SSB, FM, and digital contacts with this rig. So far as I can tell, it has no problems. It does have its original RAM board, and the battery voltage tested fine; I'd suggest replacing it as a matter of course, though, whenever you get around to it. > > 2) IC-471H - 440 all-mode. Everything works fine, with two exceptions. First, it seems to put out half power (about 35W); maybe one of the two final transistors is blown. Two, I think it has a loose wire going to the internal speaker; headphones work perfectly (looking at the schematic, I can see which connection may be loose, but I've not tried to fix it yet). I've upgraded this unit with a new RAM board (cost: $60). > > 3) IC-1271A - 1.2GHz all-mode. I don't have an antenna up for 23cm, but I've used my 440 horizontal loop for low-power testing. I was able to have a QSO on a local repeater with no problems. I do not have an SWR/power meter for this band, either, so I can't verify output. It seems to work fine based on the little use I've given it. > --- Jeffrey Benedict - raoul(a)olympus.net - Port Ludlow, WA USA 1976 R90/6 — 1977 Yamadog XS650 — KB7AIL -- ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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FW: [FlexRadio] FS/TRADE: 5000A WITH TUNER, 2ND RECEIVER AND VU5K MODULE
by kb2m＠arrl.net 27 May '16

27 May '16

Here’s a FlexRadio 5000 with the VU5k module. As most of us know it’s the best sat radio made… 73 Jeff kb2m From: FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 19:18 PM To: FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [FlexRadio] FS/TRADE: 5000A WITH TUNER,2ND RECEIVER AND VU5K MODULE Jim the radio was bought new on 3/20/2012, total cost was 5,123.00 ,hard to believe. SN#1312-3668. The radio is the same as the last 5000a produced. 73 dale wt4t 239 283 2665 -----Original Message----- From: "ab4d(a)aol.com [FlexRadio] <mailto:[email protected]%20[FlexRadio]> " <FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 4:27pm To: FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [FlexRadio] FS/TRADE: 5000A WITH TUNER,2ND RECEIVER AND VU5K MODULE Dale, What is the serial number of your Flex, so we can get an idea of the age of the unit? Jim AB4D -----Original Message----- From: wt4t(a)reagan.com [FlexRadio] <FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com> To: FlexRadio <FlexRadio(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thu, May 26, 2016 2:50 pm Subject: [FlexRadio] FS/TRADE: 5000A WITH TUNER,2ND RECEIVER AND VU5K MODULE I just do not use the 2nd receiver or the VU5K module. Want to find a 5000a,with or without the tuner. Will work a trade or sell my 5000a, out rite .The trade 5000a must be up to date with current boards etc.clean and NO SMOKE. Radio was back to flex about 1 month ago, service check out. The 5000a has the 2nd receiver, the auto tuner and the vu5k module. Cosmetic and operational condition, 10/10. the radio comes with full color manuals for the 5000a and the vu5k, factory box/packing. Full power cable,upgraded firewire cable.Will either sell the radio for 1975.00 or work a trade for a lesser 5000a.Open to all offers. 73 dale wt4t __._,_.___ _____ Posted by: wt4t(a)reagan.com _____ <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FlexRadio/conversations/messages/22085;…> Reply via web post • <mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BFlexRadio%5D%20FS%2FTRADE%3A%205000A%20WITH%20TUNER%2C2ND%20RECEIVER%20AND%20VU5K%20MODULE> Reply to sender • <mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20%5BFlexRadio%5D%20FS%2FTRADE%3A%205000A%20WITH%20TUNER%2C2ND%20RECEIVER%20AND%20VU5K%20MODULE> Reply to group • <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FlexRadio/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=X…> Start a New Topic • <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FlexRadio/conversations/topics/22083;_y…> Messages in this topic (3) _____ <https://s.yimg.com/ru/static/images/yg/img/megaphone/1464031581_phpFA8bON> <https://yho.com/1wwmgg> Have you tried the highest rated email app? With 4.5 stars in iTunes, the Yahoo Mail app is the highest rated email app on the market. What are you waiting for? Now you can access all your inboxes (Gmail, Outlook, AOL and more) in one place. Never delete an email again with 1000GB of free cloud storage. _____ -------- Any and all comments and opinions stated here are those of the individual user and not FlexRadio Systems <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FlexRadio/info;_ylc=X3oDMTJmb2toM2YzBF9…> Visit Your Group · <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FlexRadio/members/all;_ylc=X3oDMTJnbmlv…> New Members 8 <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlaDBmMDJuBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkA…> Yahoo! Groups • <https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/groups/details.html> Privacy • <mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe> Unsubscribe • <https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/> Terms of Use . <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=17423562/grpspId=1705063108/msgI…> <http://y.analytics.yahoo.com/fpc.pl?ywarid=515FB27823A7407E&a=1000131032227…> __,_._,___

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K5L rocking the bayou on SO-50
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 May '16

26 May '16

Great work this AM from Clayton, W5PFG, out in a fishing boat in EL58. I posted audio of the pass at https://www.dropbox.com/s/50oiuitjarjws0v/K5L%20SO-50%201508Z%2026May2016.mp 3?dl=0 73, Drew KO4MA

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EL58 on satellites this upcoming Thursday, May 26
by Clayton Coleman 26 May '16

26 May '16

Thursday, May 26, gridsquare EL58 will be activated on satellites SO-50 and FO-29 with the 1x1 callsign K5L. This will be a /MM operation launched from Venice, Louisiana. The satellite pass schedule is online: http://www.qrz.com/db/k5l 73 Clayton W5PFG

2 2

HF Satellite Transponder
by Robert Bruninga 26 May '16

26 May '16

I may have a launch opportunity for an HF=HF transponder for a possible cubesat idea. Probably something like 12m up and 10m down? Is this worth doing (re-doing) at this point of technology? Enough bandwidth to support a few voice channels? Any volunteers to build the translator board? How is 24 MHz band used? The entire SSB portion of the band is only 60 kHz, so using say 15 kHz for a linear translator to 10m would be quite a slice. But then the downlink at 10m would be OK since it does have an exclusive satellite band and so any inadvertent QSO's would be coming down in a non-competing downlink Just some open ended thinking after Dayton. Bob, WB4aPR

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Re: [amsat-bb] HF Satellite Transponder
by randyw4412 26 May '16

26 May '16

Mode A for me WB4LHD Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S® 6.-------- Original message --------From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> Date: 5/26/2016 1:35 PM (GMT-06:00) To: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HF Satellite Transponder Yes, the Amateur Satellite Service has allocations in 40m (7.000 - 7.100 only), 20m (14.000 - 14.250 only), 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m (entire band for the last four). 73, Paul, N8HM On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 2:21 PM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> wrote: > is sat operations even legal on that band? 12M? > > The old Russian 15 & 10 meters were cool, > > I'd like to see a good old mode "A" myself. It has to be the easiest ( > except for the FM Channel repeater on a very tall tower equivalent birds) > > Extreme simple gear can get you on Mode "A" > > Ive done it with a dipole on 10 and a coathanger GP on 2 and the 2 > transmitter was a FM rig with the mic disconnected and a straight key on > the PTT. it was a little chirpy but hey worked like 30 states with that > simple thing. > > Joe WB9SBD > Sig > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > On 5/26/2016 12:45 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote: > >> I may have a launch opportunity for an HF=HF transponder for a possible >> cubesat idea. Probably something like 12m up and 10m down? >> >> Is this worth doing (re-doing) at this point of technology? Enough >> bandwidth to support a few voice channels? >> >> Any volunteers to build the translator board? >> >> How is 24 MHz band used? The entire SSB portion of the band is only 60 >> kHz, so using say 15 kHz for a linear translator to 10m would be quite a >> slice. But then the downlink at 10m would be OK since it does have an >> exclusive satellite band and so any inadvertent QSO's would be coming down >> in a non-competing downlink >> >> Just some open ended thinking after Dayton. >> >> Bob, WB4aPR >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of >> AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of > AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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HF Satellite Transponder
by andy thomas 26 May '16

26 May '16

I agree with Drew. RS 12/13 was my first too. 15 up and 10 down -- lots of fun! 73 de andy g0sfj

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Arduino Interface for CNCTRK/RAZEL Positioner Developed For Use With SATPC32
by Bob Freeman 26 May '16

26 May '16

Hello, Am relaying the latest developments on the CNCTRK system hardware. UPDATE: 2016-05-25 Arduino Interface for CNCTRK/RAZEL Positioner Developed For Use With SATPC32 An Arduino SKETCH has been developed to allow interfacing the RAZEL hardware to any tracking software using the Yaesu GS-232 protocol. This enables the AZ/EL stepper motor based positioner to be used from SATPC32, GPredict, and others *without using the CNC-based system* on the Raspberry Pi or laptop. The interface has only been tested with SatPC32, so far. Arduino connections (pinouts) and detailed descriptions can be found here: http://ki4sbl.dodropin.org/CNCTRK The Arduino Sketch is found here: http://ki4sbl.dodropin.org/CNCTRK/Arduino/RAZEL-duino_cmd-no-display.ino Thanks to Tom, W9KE, for a nice start on the GS-232 interface code, though any errors are all mine! Comments, corrections, and feedback are welcomed. Have fun! 73 Bob KI4SBL

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Re: [amsat-bb] Correction: Launch planned on 10 Jun 2016
by Mineo Wakita 26 May '16

26 May '16

Thanks for all information about LAPAN-A3/IPB. I corrected it about LAPAN-A3/IPB as follows. > Correction on LAPAN-A3/IPB: > There will be no amateur payload on that satellite. > Lapan-A3 /IPB it is non amateur satellite, > coordinate maybe to ITU and regulation. > That was another project in the Lapan series... > the IARU has not coordinated Lapan A3 because, > as you state, it is not operating in our bands. LAPAN-A3/IPB Indonesia Institute of Aeronautics and Space Communication, Earth observation (C)LAPAN http://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/l/lapan-a3 http://directory.eoportal.org/documents/163813/2129301/LapanA3_Auto4.jpeg Satellite Uplink Downlink Beacon Mode ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- BEESAT-4 . 435.950 435.950 4800bps GMSK,CW BIROS . 437.525 . 4800bps GMSK LAPAN-A3/IPB . . . (non-amateur) Max Valier . 145.860 145.960 CW Sathyabamasat . 145.980 . 2400bps BPSK Swayam COEP . 437.025 437.025 1200bps BPSK,CW Venta-1 . . 437.325 CW ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- Update http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/be4lapan.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Correction: Launch planned on 10 Jun 2016
by Mineo Wakita 25 May '16

25 May '16

I correct it about LAPAN-A3 as follows. > Correction on LAPAN-A3. > There will be no amateur payload on that satellite. However, there is the following description in 'IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination'. http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=152 Thank you. JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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DCC Call for Papers
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 25 May '16

25 May '16

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 35th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, to be held September 16-18 in St Petersburg, Florida. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is July 31, 2016. The ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference is an international forum for technically minded radio amateurs to meet and present new ideas and techniques. Paper/presentation topic areas include -- but are not limited to -- software defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite communication, digital signal processing (DSP), HF digital modes, adapting IEEE 802.11 systems for Amateur Radio, Global Positioning System (GPS), Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), Linux in Amateur Radio, AX.25 updates and Internet operability with Amateur Radio networks. Submit papers to via e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org<mailto:[email protected]>, or via postal mail to: Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights. Please do not email zip files as these will be rejected by our servers. 73 . . . Steve Ford, WB8IMY QST Editor in Chief and Publications Manager ARRL -- the National Association for Amateur Radio tel 860-594-0287 sford(a)arrl.org<mailto:[email protected]>

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Office Closed
by Martha 25 May '16

25 May '16

The AMSAT Office will be closed from Thursday, May 26 through Tuesday, May 31st. -- 73- Martha

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[Video] Perfect ISS SSTV Image... Almost!
by John Brier 25 May '16

25 May '16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoFrVRfc4Ks This was my second successful #ISS #SSTV reception from the April 2016 ISS SSTV event. My first reception is documented in last week's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieR-nmkjeSc This was also my first reception during this event with my friend Sammy, KK4TJH. We ended up receiving a few more images on later passes this day. The April 2016 event took place during Tuesday and Wednesday, April 12th and 13th and it included a series of 12 images commemorating the 15th anniversary of the first ham radio QSO from the International Space Station. There was a second special event on Thursday and Friday of the same week to recognize the achievements of the Moscow Aviation Institute. The event was titled MAI-75 and included a different series of images. Most of the passes during this event were not over North America, but there were TWO passes that were, and my next video will document this rare reception I made of these two passes. These ISS SSTV events happen a few times a year, and as you can see, they're a ton of fun. To get ready for the next one, checkout my ISS SSTV Reception Hints webpage: https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/iss-sstv-reception-hints/ 73, John KG4AKV

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SO50 Hamvention
by PY5LF 25 May '16

25 May '16

Hi Paul at SO50 in Dayton 2016. https://youtu.be/wVPb1a9NqxQ 73

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Network Survey - Reminder
by Brandon Shirley 25 May '16

25 May '16

Dear AMSAT community members, This is a reminder email for the Network Survey, this is that last survey. So far about 45 people have completed the survey, and if you have I am very grateful. I will keep the survey open till Tuesday, just in case you were looking for a special way to celebrate Memorial Day. I am hoping to get over 50 responses, so we are about just a little bit shy. 100-200 would be ideal. This survey is one of the shorter ones, but you can still take it in stages if you want. To do this you must resume or visit the link in the same browser on the same computer and have cookies turned on as this survey tracks your session: no other identifying information is collected or stored. You can you use the link below to access the Network Survey. https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3jAwt3PdKrcSEx7 What follows is more information about the survey and is largely the same as what you have seen before. There is a chance to win some gift cards. Please see below for more information. The survey should take about 15 minutes. Thanks. Please note that the link is anonymous, so you are getting this reminder even if you have already taken the survey. I would like to thank everyone that has participated thus far, I really appreciate it, I know it is an inconvenience and that everyone is really busy. The second part of the survey has background questions that will give context to your answers. Try to fill the background out the same way if you take more than one of the surveys. Answer as many of the questions as you want and as much of each question as you want, partial surveys may still be very helpful. At the end of this survey, you will be redirected to a webpage that asks for an email address. You must enter a valid email address to be considered for survey drawings or the overall survey set drawing. We are currently on the last survey, Network Survey. You have a chance at receiving a gift card for participating in this survey as well as a chance at receiving a gift card for your overall participation in the entire survey set. There will be 2 winners of $25 gift cards for each survey and 2 winners of $200 gift cards for the survey set. The surveys are as follows and will be distributed in the following order: 1. Core Concepts 2. Development Preferences 3. Open Systems Architecture and Modularity 4. Security 5. Reuse, Interoperability, Portability, Code Complexity 6. Network V/R, Brandon Shirley mailto:[email protected] Please see the http://brandon.bluezone.usu.edu/Files/LOISpaceSoftwareAttitudes_Final.pdf that explains your role as a participant should you choose to participate. This is a legitimate request for you participation, if you have any questions about the validity of this email you may refer to the Letter of Intent, contact Brandon Shirley via email at mailto:[email protected], or contact Utah State University's Internal Review Board administrator at (435) 797 - 0567 or email mailto:[email protected].

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Launch planned on 10 Jun 2016
by Mineo Wakita 25 May '16

25 May '16

Launch: 10 Jun 2016, 03:55 UTC Main Payload, Cartosat-2C, Earth Observing PSLV-XL(C-34), Satish Dharwan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India Satellite Uplink Downlink Beacon Mode ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- BEESAT-4 . 435.950 435.950 4800bps GMSK,CW BIROS . 437.525 . 4800bps GMSK LAPAN-A3 435.880 145.880 145.825 FM,APRS Max Valier . 145.860 145.960 CW Sathyabamasat . 145.980 . 2400bps BPSK Swayam COEP . 437.025 437.025 1200bps BPSK,CW Venta-1 . . 437.325 CW ------------ ------- -------- ------- --------------- http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/be4lapan.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Trans-Atlantic ISS Reflection + Tomsk ISS Video + Linear Transponder
by M5AKA 25 May '16

25 May '16

Amateur FM transponder satellite and text messaging satellite launch from India June 10 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/25/amateur-satellite-launch-from-india/ ISS Reflection - GK4LOH received over 3467 km on 144 MHz https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/25/gk4loh-iss-3467km-144mhz/ UWE-3 Status Report https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/23/uwe-3-status-report-2/ Tomsk-TPU-120 CubeSat - ISS Video https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/23/tomsk-tpu-120-cubesat-video/ Es’Hail-2 Geostationary P4-A Transponder Frequencies https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/21/eshail-2-geo-p4a-transponder-freqs/ 25th anniversary of first UK astronaut https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/19/25th-anniversary-of-first-uk-astronaut/ ÑUSAT-1 SSB/CW Transponder Satellite - May 30 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/05/17/nusat-1-ssb-cubesat/ 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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My Rookie Expedition to GN05/06
by Ken Alexander 25 May '16

25 May '16

What a thrill it was to make my first ever contacts via satellite this past weekend! This is something I've wanted to do since first hearing the 10m downlink from OSCARs 6 and 7 on my HW-101 when I got my license in 1974. It only took me 42 years to finally do it (that's about average for me!). I'm a mediumwave DXer and once or twice a year a few of my friends and I head to the east coast to listen for trans-Atlantic DX on the AM broadcast band. Conditions are spectacular from the coast; this past weekend we heard multiple AM stations from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and throughout Europe. We use an SDR receiver, which allows us to record every station on the entire mediumwave band simultaneously to a hard disk on a notebook computer. We do that several times an evening. Afterwards, we can play back the recordings and "tune" through the band, use filters and other aids just as if we were listening live. It literally takes weeks to go through all the recordings. Anyway, I am also a sometimes VHF contester and when I had a look at the grid we would be in, and the ones nearby, I knew it was time to get geared up and try and make a small contribution. I received many generous offers of assistance when I posted my message to this reflector last week. I'm grateful for all of them; most notably from Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA and Patrick Stoddard , WD9EWK. Patrick walked me through the critical setup of my TH-D72A, which was only 3 days old when we left for Nova Scotia. Patrick was only an e-mail away for the rest of the weekend, offering valuable advice. Without him there would have been no expedition. I think I already mentioned how much time I spent calling on the downlink frequency. That was finally overcome sometime on Sunday morning. My technique improved to the point where I could use the tip of the 70cm reflector to hit the VFO A/B button on the radio instead of putting the antenna down to use my fingers. I went from zero QSOs on Saturday, to two on Sunday to nine QSOs on Monday! Logs follow: 2016-05-22 1324 UTC W1PA FN42 SO-50 from GN05 Satellite QSO #1!! 2016-05-22 1505 UTC KI4RO EM88 SO-50 from GN06 2016-05-23 0521 UTC N8HM FM18 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 0522 UTC N4UFO EM95 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1210 UTC VY2HF FN86 SO-50 from GN06 2016-05-23 1349 UTC N1AIA FN43 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC WN9Q EN64 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC KD8ATF FM09 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC KC1EXK FN41 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC W1PA FN42 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC VY2HF FN86 SO-50 from GN05 2016-05-23 1349 UTC NS3L Only partial information received My home grid is FN03. I think that must be pretty common by now, but there are many that I suspect aren't so common that are only a few hours away. After my first taste of satellite work I can tell you that you will hopefully be hearing a lot more from VE3HLS! Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and patience! 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS

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HAMSCI web site opens up
by Robert McGwier 24 May '16

24 May '16

Let's study propagation during the upcoming solar eclipse in the US! http://hamsci.org/article/hamsci-eclipse-team-meets-dayton 73s N4HY -- Bob McGwier Founder, Federated Wireless, Inc Founder and Technical Advisor, HawkEye 360, Inc Research Professor Virginia Tech Chief Scientist: The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology Senior Member IEEE, Facebook: N4HYBob, ARS: N4HY Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn. (K4KDJ) Director of AMSAT

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Re: [amsat-bb] Cuscraft 416-TB and 22XB phasing harneses???
by Richard Tejera 24 May '16

24 May '16

Tom, I have a copy of the manual for this antenna. I'd be happy to scan it and send it to you. It may be of some help. Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org On May 23, 2016, at 20:32, Tom Schuessler <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> wrote: Hello all, I recently acquired a pair of Cushcraft Satellite antennas, the 22XB and the 416-TB. Both are Cross fed dual polarity Yagis. What did not come with either of these antennas was the phasing harnesses that were a part of the original contents. The two meter 22XB is fed with crossed driven elements in the same location on the boom and SO239 connectors in place on the antenna. The 416-TB has direct connections from coax to the driven elements and also to the coax balun on each of the driven elements. The driven elements are offset fed so as to provide the natural delay in the one direction. Cushcraft did sell a PS-4 which I believe was a relay controlled switch for the 435Mhz 416-TB but if they sold a 2 meter version, I cannot tell. I do have a contact at Cushcraft I was given that I will be reaching out to for more information The "Satellite handbook" does have some description on how to configure a fixed harness for the two types of feed orientations. I am though confused to understand how to understand the direction of rotation but that is for another post. Anyway, does anyone who used to have these antennas or something similar have phasing harnesses, either fixed or switchable that would work with them lying around? I would be interested in acquiring them from you. Thanks and 73. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP N5HYP(a)arrl.net PS. I just picked up a used FT-847 so am looking forward to getting these antennas up in the air and seeing how they perform. _______________________________________________ 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 2016-05-24 03:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 24 May '16

24 May '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-24 03:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Mon 2016-05-23 12:57:05 UTC 43 deg (***) Venta School, Carp, ON, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-05-30 19:01:25 UTC 32 deg(***) Bouze Island Elementary and Junior High School, Homeji, Japan, direct via 8N3B The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-06-04 08:31:09 UTC 74 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-05-24 03:30 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 1059. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1024. (***) 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 2016-05-24 03:30 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. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Cuscraft 416-TB and 22XB phasing harneses???
by Tom Schuessler 24 May '16

24 May '16

Hello all, I recently acquired a pair of Cushcraft Satellite antennas, the 22XB and the 416-TB. Both are Cross fed dual polarity Yagis. What did not come with either of these antennas was the phasing harnesses that were a part of the original contents. The two meter 22XB is fed with crossed driven elements in the same location on the boom and SO239 connectors in place on the antenna. The 416-TB has direct connections from coax to the driven elements and also to the coax balun on each of the driven elements. The driven elements are offset fed so as to provide the natural delay in the one direction. Cushcraft did sell a PS-4 which I believe was a relay controlled switch for the 435Mhz 416-TB but if they sold a 2 meter version, I cannot tell. I do have a contact at Cushcraft I was given that I will be reaching out to for more information The "Satellite handbook" does have some description on how to configure a fixed harness for the two types of feed orientations. I am though confused to understand how to understand the direction of rotation but that is for another post. Anyway, does anyone who used to have these antennas or something similar have phasing harnesses, either fixed or switchable that would work with them lying around? I would be interested in acquiring them from you. Thanks and 73. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP N5HYP(a)arrl.net PS. I just picked up a used FT-847 so am looking forward to getting these antennas up in the air and seeing how they perform.

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Which rotor to buy?
by PA3GUO 24 May '16

24 May '16

This is my current antenna setup: http://www.pa3guo.com/a7.jpg Basically, 6 ele for 145, 17 ele for 440, 23 ele for 1200, small quad for 23, and a multiband vertical. I am planning revise and clean this. AZI rotor kr400, 30 years old, 20 years by me, and 20 years in use. ELE rotor kr500, also 20 years in service. I know how to clean these rotors, but consider to replace the AZI rotor with a new one. Any advice? G450, seems less strong as the kr400. G650? G1000sdx or dxc? G5500? I do control these for sat tracking. Is variable speed in that case a disadvantage? Other thoughts? Here is a comparison table: http://kur02.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=… I tend towards a G650 which costs around 425 dollar here, the G1000 dxc is 600 dollar. -- Henk, PA3GUO

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Fwd: Solar Impulse Flight (shaggy dog story)(amsat)
by Robert Bruninga 24 May '16

24 May '16

Solar Impulse 'round-the-world flight shaggy dog story... Having stayed through Sunday here in Dayton for the first time in decades, I was soon bored! Having not bought ANYthing the whole weekend, the piles of bricks and abandoned gear by the trash piles by noon Sunday were just too tempting, and by the time I left at 1 PM, every nook and cranny of the solar prius was crammed with old commercial gear thinking they will come in handy with our plan for an East Coast 9600 baud backbone ( http://www.aprs.org/ec9600net.html). The real deal was a stack of 25 rock solid "UHF" 45W data radios with built in GPS. Clearly designed for dispatch vehicles that I got for $2 each. The great news is that they had 3 serial ports combined into a 14.4 kbps stream. Spent the evening getting the covers off to reveal the bad news. They are 800 MHz! totally useless unless they can be pulled a whole 100 MHz (not likely). Photos and details later... Anyway, After 3 days in the Prius Inn (http://aprs.org/APRS-SPHEV.html) I was ready for a real shower and with all you guys gone, I finally got a room downtown. Then I heard someone say that the Solar Impulse was landing in Dayton that night, and rushed to the TV to find some local news as to when it would land. Not having cable at home and being clueless, I searched all 250 channels on the hotel TV and the only thing I found was FOX. And they had a panel of experts probably claiming something about Obama causing the rain in the flea market this weekend. Nothing on CNN, NBC, HLN, MSNBC about the Solar Impulse either. Not even news! Just fluff pieces on feel-good stuff. I finally realized I could google it. Found the Solar Impulse web page and the last post was "landing in 45 minutes" and it was posted 20 minutes ago! Grabbed the keys and made a beeline to the airport only to see a crowd of about 6 people near a police car. I stopped in the red zone and the policeman was explaining that it landed 5 minutes ago. He then turned on his flashing lights and drove use into a restricted area where he pointed to some tiny dim lights all the way across the tarmac where it was parked (if you could see it at all).. Stuck in Dayton till a Tuesday meeting on cubesats at WrightPat AFB, I just had zero motivation to go do anything Monday other than catch up on email. No one anywhere knew anything about the Solar Impulse so I finally forgot about it. Forced myself to get out of the room and decided to just go over to the WP aviation museum to grab lunch. Nice museum if you ever have the time. Its Monday and the place was virtually empty. Wandering through alone I did stumble into two guys in flight suits discussing one of the early flight exhibits. It sounded like they were speaking French so I took a stab... "You guys know anything about the Solar Impulse?" The tall one answered, "yes, it landed last night". I ask, "Well are they going to have any tours or open house? I cant find out anything". He said, "Not really, its leaving at 5 AM tomorrow"... Now having gained some info I needed, I wandered away... Then I began to wonder... and wandered back. "You guys aren't the pilots are you?" and one said, "yes, I'm Andre." After picking myself up off the floor, I stumbled through something about how admiring I am of their solar initiative and how great their mission is, etc. Gushing along I said something about being 100% solar myself at home and driving an EV. He lit up and asked "That's not your red Tesla in the parking lot is it?" I said, no, mine is the beat-up Solar Prius about 10 cars down. He responded "Wow, I saw that one and we took pictures of it!" I gushed some more and then slinked away so as to not sound like too much of a solar groupie... Floating on air, I decided I'd had the highlight of my day and could not stay focused to finish the museum. Headed out to the car, and ran into a couple in the 3rd EV in the parking lot sitting there in the hot sun with the AC running and enjoying the silent coolness of EV AC while studying the Dayton tourist guide as to where to go next. Then I began to realize that if Andre saw my car on the way in, then he would be passing it on the way out. I moved it around and parked right next to the copper colored I3, and second red Tesla (N7TES tags) and both still charging. (1st red Tesla I had seen was N4HHE back at Hara)... Then waited... and waited.... then went back inside the museum and staying out of sight, stalked them until they finally met up with the astonished Museum Director who did not know they were coming. After another hour or so of touring the museum they headed out and I was able to sneak around and get back to the EV's first. I asked Andre for a photo, and he was happy to oblige saying something like "solar Impulse... solar car... good idea"... His camera man asked me some details about my car and as he and Andre walked off to their van, I could see the camera man passing along the details to him. And that's the rest of the story. Photo and web page to follow when I get back to the office at the end of the week! Another day in the bumbling bubble... Bob, WB4APR

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Re: [amsat-bb] Which rotor to buy?
by J. Boyd (JR2TTS) 24 May '16

24 May '16

On Mon, 23 May 2016 21:26:47 -0400, Mvivona via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > I have a little USB to 232 cable from my laptop to my LVB tracker. No > extra programs running, just SatPC32. Works like a champ. Took me about > 10 minutes to make it go. Related question: where does one purchase an LVB tracker box nowadays? It is not listed on the AMSAT site ("There are no products available in this category.") and I cannot seem to find another location that carries information on it. -- J. Boyd, JR2TTS/NI3B the2belo(a)msd.biglobe.ne.jp http://www.flickr.com/photos/the2belo/ http://www.qrz.com/db/JR2TTS Twitter: @Minus2_C

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Re: [amsat-bb] FT-736R
by Gregory Beat 23 May '16

23 May '16

Ed - You could use the FTDI 5V TTL/UART to USB cable (FT232RQ chip). Sparkfun sells a version of this cable ($17.95) that has RTS and CTS brought out. When Sparkfun has "sales" this cable is often discounted further ($11.95). https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9718 I use this cable for interfacing computers with the Kenwood 6-pin DIN UART (inverted serial TTL) for remote computer control (CAT) of frequency, etc. This specific FTDI chipset (FT232L and FT232Q) and its Utility software (FT_PROG) permits INVERTING the serial lines (required for Kenwood usage). http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Utilities.htm#FT_Prog ===== The "other approach" was posted here on amsat-bb back in 2010/2011. That is a hardware emulation solution by Dave Dowler, KA6BFB (2010) and Chuck Jones, N6BIL for using the Yaesu FT-736R with Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD). DIY Project write-up. http://tinkyr.altervista.org/radio/projects/736/N6BIL%20Hardware%20Emulator… An OSH-Park PCB board was developed for this solution (above). https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/Ae6IJiqx greg w9gb Sent from iPad Air

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-23 04:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 23 May '16

23 May '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-23 04:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-05-23 12:57:05 UTC 43 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-05-23 04:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1058. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1023. 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 2016-05-22 06:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Last passes for GN05/06
by Ken Alexander 22 May '16

22 May '16

Hi All, Tomorrow is my last day in the area, and unfortunately I have to make a change to my schedule as follows - the 13:50 pass will be done from GN05 instead of GN06. I can't drive to GN06, operate and get to the airport in time to catch my return flight to Toronto. Therefore, I'll be on from GN05 instead. It's been an interesting few days. I have only completed 2 QSOs, one from each grid. I had hoped to do many more, but my beginner status has gotten in the way, and I'm embarrassed to say I spent way too much time calling on the downlink frequency! Schedule for Monday (times in UTC) 23.05.2016 SO-50 05:21 05:34 13 70 208 - 039 *GN05* 23.05.2016 SO-50 07:02 07:14 12 23 258 - 033 *GN05* 23.05.2016 SO-50 12:10 12:21 11 24 332 - 106 *GN06* 23.05.2016 SO-50 13:50 14:03 13 63 320 - 154 _*GN05*_ 73 and thanks for your patience! Ken Alexander VE3HLS

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Re: [amsat-bb] FT 736R
by Edward R Cole 22 May '16

22 May '16

As I reported, yesterday I have a FT-736R on its way to me and been reading the manual and looking into computer control. I already have several USB/RS-232 conversion cables so I am disposed to build the ckt shown in http://www.mindspring.com/~n2wwd/html/body_doppler_compensation.html on a breadboard for a test. I have SatPC2 installed. I also have a Unitrac-2000 which uses a parallel port I/F and a computer I was going to recycle that has a 25-pin parallel port. It is set up to I/F the B5400 rotator. I will have to research it to see if it will interface the radio CAT interface. Looking forward to getting back on the sats. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Grid IN81 this Sunday 22, 10.10 UTC pass on SO-50
by Felix Paez EA4GQS 22 May '16

22 May '16

Hi all, I will activate the IN81 grid this Sunday 22 on the 10.10 UTC pass on SO-50. Callsign will be EA4GQS/P. If you are very interested in that grid just tell me.. I am not sure if it is better to have a list or just answering people.. I'll try to do my best anyway! Regards, Félix

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ANS-143 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 22 May '16

22 May '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-143 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: * Island on the Air Satellite Activation - Isle of Arran * FoxTelem Release 1.04: New Graphs, Better Performance, and Upcoming Launches * Upcoming ARISS Contact with Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center * CubeSats with Amateur Radio payloads deploy from ISS * ULA Cubesat Launch Application Deadline Approaching SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-143.01 ANS-143 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 143.01 From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD. May 22, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-143.01 Island on the Air Satellite Activation - Isle of Arran EU-123. Members of the Camb-Hams will be active as GS3PYE/P from the Isle of Arran on the west part of the island near Balliekine (IO75HO) between May 22-29th. Activity will be on the HF bands, 6/4/2m, and the satellites. The location on the island favors the South/West/North as there's a hill to the east, but hopefully that will not limit them. Peter, 2E0SQL, reports: "We'll be taking along an ICOM IC-910, Wimo X-Quads, Preamps and Yaesu G-5500 rotator all controlled by our favorite bit of software SatPC32 for backup. I'll have my FT-817 and Arrow, but this kit hasn't let us down yet for the last few trips." They plan to operate on all satellites both FM/SSB/CW, if you want a CW QSO you'll need to contact them as Peter will need to find a suitable CW operator. Peter will try to post regular updates on Twitter either using his own account @2e0sql or the groups account @g3pye and also posting updates on their Web site at: http://dx.camb-hams.com [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1266 for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- FoxTelem Release 1.04: New Graphs, Better Performance, and Upcoming Launches From FoxTelem developer Chris Thompson, G0KLA / AC2CZ: This is a quick note to say that FoxTelem Version 1.04 is being released. There is a lot in this version so I have written some blog posts to summarize new features. See below. You can download FoxTelem for your platform from one of these links: http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/windows/foxtelem_1.04f_windows.zip http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/linux/foxtelem_1.04f_linux.tar.gz http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/mac/FoxTelem_1.04f_mac.zip Broadly speaking the changes fit into the following categories: 1. Full support for Fox-1Cliff, Fox-1D and RadFXSat including better High Speed decoding and a better find signal algorithm. 2. Additional analytical capabilities so you can plot one telemetry variable against another. I hope this will inspire more people to analyze the telemetry from the spacecraft and post comments on what they see. I have put some of my own thoughts online here: http://www.g0kla.com/workbench/2016-05-07.php 3. Enhanced tools to analyze your ground station with SkyPlots for satellite measurements like Signal to Noise ratio and graphs for pass measurements. Skyplots in particular need a bit of explanation, so I have written more details here: http://www.g0kla.com/foxtelem/skyplot.php You can read a full list of the changes here on github: https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/issues?q= is%3Aissue+milestone%3A%22Release+1.04%22+is%3Aclosed [ANS thanks Chris G0KLA/AC2CZ for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact with Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York on 23 May. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 12:57 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 state of California 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 Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, located in Garden City, New York, opened in 2002. The mission of the museum is to inspire students with the spirit of discovery through the exploration of air and space technologies, and to encourage them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The museum is home to the Westbury Magnet Academy at the Cradle of Aviation, the first magnet school to open on Long Island. The Museum and Academy offer two summer STEM enrichment programs for students entering the seventh and ninth grades. The ARISS event will be an invaluable tool to supplement classroom instruction and research. [ANS thanks Dave, AA4KN, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- CubeSats with Amateur Radio payloads deploy from ISS Monday, May 16, 2016 saw the deployment of five CubeSats carrying amateur radio payloads. UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS deployed the first two satellites MinXSS-1 and CADRE from the Japanese ISS Kibo module at 1005 UT. The Slow Scan Television (SSTV) satellite STMSat-1, built by Elementary students at Saint Thomas More Cathedral School (STM), was deployed along with the pair of NODES CubeSats built by students at Santa Clara University at 1440 UT. STM is thought to be the first Elementary school to build their own satellite, even Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade students were involved in the project. It is designed to transmit a Robot36 SSTV signal. IARU Coordinated Frequencies: http://amsat.org.uk/iaru • STMSat-1 437.800 MHz FM SSTV Robot36 UPDATE May 18: STMSat-1 Twitter feed suggests listening 437.000 MHz FM • MinXSS-1 437.345 MHz 9600 bps FSK • CADRE 437.485 MHz 9600 bps FSK and 3.404 GHz • NODES 437.100 MHz 1200 bps AX.25 and 2401.2-2431.2 MHz 115.2 kbps spread spectrum FSK STMSat-1 https://twitter.com/STMSAT11 https://www.facebook.com/stmsat1/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/491135804399695/ http://www.stmsat-1.org/ MinXSS CubeSat http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/minxss/ CADRE CubeSat http://exploration.engin.umich.edu/blog/?page_id=961 NODES mission dashboard http://nodes.engr.scu.edu/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ULA Cubesat Launch Application Deadline Approaching If you are a U.S. College or University, please don't forget to submit an application for a FREE LAUNCH opportunity to the ULA CubeSat Launch Program! Applications are due no later than June 1st, 2016 by 5pm PST, which is only a week and a half away. Information about how to apply can be found at http://www.ulalaunch.com/cubesats.aspx [ANS thanks the Ryan Nugent 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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Sat Track for iPad?
by Dave Mann 22 May '16

22 May '16

May I have recommendations for a good ap for my iPad? 73 Dave N4CVX Sent from my iPad

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-22 06:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 May '16

22 May '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-05-22 06:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Essex Heights Primary School, Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via VK5ZAI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact was successful: Fri 2016-05-20 08:35:16 UTC 30 deg (***) Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center, Garden City, New York, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-05-23 12:57:05 UTC 43 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. **************************************************************************** *** 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 118 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 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2016-05-22 06:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1058. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1023. (***) 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 2016-05-22 06:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP Exp. 47 on orbit Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Oleg Skripochka RN3FU Aleksey Ovchinin **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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