- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Fox high speed?
by Ed K9EK 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

About mid-pass on the ~9:42AM pass this morning, FOX appeared to switch from the DUV mode to what I believe was high speed. The screen pattern changed from the usual 2 parallel line pattern (good eye pattern and decoding) to a multi-parallel-line pattern with brief stops. My tlm program 1.03f was set on auto. Nothing decoded; no eye pattern. I manually switched to high speed; same results. What did I do wrong? Thanks, Ed K9EK EL98

6 6

ISS operation
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

Do any of the "hams" in orbit just like to play radio in their spare time? You know that "drive" to work WAS, VUCC, DXCC. etc. Obviously they would be classified as a "rover". The school contacts are a good demonstration for the non ham public. Then there's the rest of us. They all have at least tech license, but appear not to be "real hams". Shields up. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

7 6

Mast - non-conductive
by Dale Kubichek 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

This method works well and many of us making VHF Quads/Quagis have been doing this since the 80's. But why go to the expense of Fiberglass tubes - we use thick wall UV-PVC with a wooden down inside to stiffen giving it much strength. I use PVC w/wood for the Quad boom and vehicle Mast for "T" hunting. Trust me, high vehicle speeds and low tree limb grabbers we find during a southern California T-Hunt is very stressful to any vehicle antenna/mast above the hole in our vehicle roof. Some of us use Gorilla-Glue as a filler between the dowel and PVC (as Gorilla-glue expands making a solid fit). I use 1.25" PVC sched-80 w/wood for my SAT antenna cross-member boom - keeping it non-conduction/metal free to insure no skewing of the directional lobes within the field pattern. Best regards, Dale Kubichek, MS-EET, N6JSX Sidney, OH 45365 EN70vh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HAM-SATs http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDF-USA Message: 3 Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2016 06:04:55 -0500 From: Alan <wa4sca(a)gmail.com> To: "'AMSAT -BB'" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Fiberglass Poles for Antenna Mounting? Message-ID: <000301d18686$29ef18d0$7dcd4a70$(a)GMAIL.COM> Another trick for strengthening fiberglass tubing is to get wood round stock at Lowes or Home Depot that will just fit inside the tubing. Years ago I found something which was a perfect friction fit, though obviously it depends on the tubing. Cut the wood about 2" shorter than the tubing, and center it leaving a 1" space at each end. I stood the tubing on end, and filled the top with RTV. After it hardened, I reversed the tubing and repeated the process. The result was lighter than a solid fiberglass rod, waterproof, and lasted for 15 years until the whole thing came down in a windstorm. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

1 0

EO-79 transponder ACTIVE
by Nicholas Mahr KE8AKW 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

Just worked the 16:15 UTC overhead Pass of EO-79, Working 3 Stations N8HM NS3L W5PFG down to AOS. The bird faded alot so alot of polarity switching was required on the downlink and uplink but signal strength wise it sounds like AO-73. Was a rush working that pass, alot of stations were on! KE8AKW, Nick

2 1

GEO sats and the future
by Jeff Moore 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

I have been in the hobby for over 12 years now and I've played around a bit with working the sats, but I haven't been following the geosynchronous satellite activity very closely since I've seen how difficult it is to get launches of any kind. Now that it appears that we are going to get to launch a satellite into geosynchronous orbit, I'm curious what the future may hold for that particular activity. For example, I think it's fantastic that we will soon have a sat in geo orbit, but I'm curious what if any plans are there to potentially put up 2 or 3 more geo sats with full time linking between them? That has the potential to give the ham radio community global communications via satellite. Any thoughts or news on that front?? Or am I just not informed enough on existing plans? Thanks and 7 3, Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY Bend, Oregon

4 4

Ground Station Customized Softwares/ Software Development Kit
by shakeel -ur-rehman 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

We are in process of development of Student Satellite Ground station for amateur satellite. we are using Satpc32 software for receiving satellite passes/telemtry for funcube. Satellite Ground station software are mainly two types 1. Satellite Control related s/w 2. Satellite Mission related s/w 3. Satellite data archiver and ground station operation management We need to know any customized SDK for our Satellite Ground Station which can further tailored for our customized need. I mean is there any Software Development Kit Free in part or whatever which can be used further and further developed or customized to support our specific need. We donot know how to make any integrated IDE which includes drivers of our equipment. Is there any Telemtry software which can be used to archive all the telemtry /satellite passes daily. What professional software available in market specfic to H/W mention below. we have the following main Hard Ware/Equipment. 1. ICOM Transceiver 9100 2. SPID RAS Azimuth/elev Rotor 3. Satpc32 software 4. UHF/VHF antennas and Amplifiers any help to find software tools/SDK for our ground station.I shall be very grateful . Thanks and Kind regards shakeel

2 1

WD9EWK @ DM52/62 line in New Mexico, Saturday (26 March) afternoon
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

Hi! After Saturday morning's hamfest in Tucson AZ, I plan on making a long drive east to a point along I-10 on the DM52xf/DM62af grid boundary, west of Deming in New Mexico. I hope to work a few passes from there in the mid- to late-afternoon, and possibly into the evening. If I am not at the grid boundary in time for FO-29 and/or AO-7 passes, I may stop to work those passes wherever I might be - probably somewhere in grid DM52, in either Arizona or New Mexico. I definitely plan on being at this grid boundary in time for SO-50 passes starting just after 2200 UTC Saturday afternoon. Weather permitting, and law enforcement permitting (this area is near the USA/Mexico border), I might try to stick around into the early evening before making the 300-mile/500km drive home from that area. While on the road, my location should be visible via APRS. There is good APRS coverage in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. I will use WD9EWK-9 as my call sign for APRS, which should show up online at (among other sites): http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 I will use my @WD9EWK Twitter feed to post updates during the afternoon and early evening while I am out in New Mexico. For those who don't use Twitter and want to see my updates, please feel free to use the following link in a web browser: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK Once I'm back home, I will upload my log to Logbook of the World, and will ensure QSOs from the grid boundary carry both grids. If you would like a QSL card for a QSO with WD9EWK, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. If you're in the log, I will be happy to mail you a card, and you won't have to first send me a QSL card or SASE. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

AMSAT at Radio Society of Tucson (AZ) Hamfest, 26 March 2016
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Radio Society of Tucson's annual hamfest on Saturday morning, 26 March 2016. The hamfest will be at the Target store on Old Spanish Trail, near the intersection of 22nd Street and Harrison, in Tucson AZ. The hamfest is scheduled to run from 6am to 11am (1300 to 1800 UTC). More information about the hamfest is available at the club's web site at: http://www.k7rst.org/ I will be on various satellite passes during the morning from the hamfest. If you hear WD9EWK, please call and be a part of the demonstrations of amateur satellite operating. Depending on the satellites and how bright it is at the hamfest, I hope to be using my SDRplay SDR receiver and an 8-inch Windows10 tablet to receive the satellite downlinks. If you work WD9EWK during the hamfest and would like a QSL card, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. If you're in the log, I will be happy to send you a card. No need to first send me a QSL card and SASE. I will also upload my log to Logbook of the World. I will use my @WD9EWK Twitter feed for updates during the hamfest, and I will use that for photos from the hamfest. If you want to see my Twitter activity without signing up for Twitter, please visit this link: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK Thanks, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

Colorado Amateur Satellite net Begins in 1 hour
by Skyler F 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

This is a reminder that the Colorado Amateur Satellite net will begin in 1 hour from now (7PM mountain time Thursday). 6PM Pacific 7PM Mountain 8PM Central 9PM Eastern Please visit us on *AMSATNET.INFO <http://amsatnet.info/>* *IRLP* 9870, the Denver Reflector *ALLSTAR LINK* 40764, direct hookup to the repeater here. 41715, KC9ZHV hub at a data center if I am out of bandwidth. More info on AllStar - amsatnet.info/#node *ECHOLINK* *AMSAT* unless there is an ARISS contact, then go direct to KD0WHB-L *LOCAL RF* 449.625 (-) 141.3 ( WØKU Lookout Mountain) 447.225 (-) 141.3 (The STEM school repeater we set up) 447.850 (-) 141.3 (ACØKQ's repeater where he lives on TOP of saddleback mountain) 147.450 SIMPLEX (Aurora, CO) 446.275 (-) 100.0 Galena St. Local repeater at my house, giving a whopping 5 blocks of great coverage *REMOTE RF* Your Repeater here!, Email me if you want to link in or me to link your echolink or allstar repeater in automatically (no automatic IRLP linking supported) Skyler Fennell amsatnet.info KDØWHB electricity440(a)gmail.com

1 0

AMSAT magazines
by Clifford Appel 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

I have the following magazines AMSAT members might be interested in. They are FREE. Communications Quarterly - Fall 1990 through Winter 1994 AMSAT Newsletter - June 1975 to December 1979 ORBIT Magazine - 1980 to 1984 If I ship, I only ask postage cost reimbursement. Cliff, W7CGA/5, Amsat #2811, W7CGA(a)arrl.net Alamogordo, NM. 575-434-2699

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] GEO sats and the future (+ the OUTERNET)
by Robert Bruninga 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

There is one other GEO (possible AMSAT related) project going on. That is the OUTERNET satellites. These are 6 GEO birds covering the entire globe that anyone can build a downlink-only receiver using a Rasberry-PI, a 1m dish, an LNB and a DSP dongle to receive the free content. Their mission is to deliver WEB content (one way) to anyplace on Earth. Their satellites exist and are working... The news is that the content provider is willing to carry ham radio content too.. We are proposing to make the "system" two-way for hams by having the OUTERNET content provider tap into the APRS-Internet system and look for amateur radio related OUTERNET traffic. This way, any ham radio operator on earth can originate traffic into the APRS-IS system marked-for OUTERNET either by any of the existing APRS digipeater birds, or terrestrial IGates, or HF Igates and that traffic will get into the system and into the OUTERNET downlink. Hence, a 2-way system for hams and ham-wannabees. All the pieces are there... we are just trying to see how it could be used... Again, the remote-user can only originate single packet like content due to the extremely small APRS input pipe. But the remote user can Recceive the entire GLOBAL feed of APRS internet traffic... SO how to use that very unbalanced 2-way pipe is the area that is ripe for exploration. Here are the thoughts so far.. http://aprs.org/outnet.html Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Stoetzer Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] GEO sats and the future Just to summarize - right now, there are three serious HEO/GEO projects in progress: 1. Phase 4A is the S/X linear transponder payload on the Qatari Es'HailSat-2 scheduled to launch late this year. AMSAT-DL has done the work on the amateur payload. It will be in a geostationary orbit that is not visible to North America (26 degrees east). 2. Phase 4B is a planned C/X digital payload on a U. S. government satellite launching in the next few years. AMSAT-NA and Virginia Tech are involved with this. It will be in a geosynchronous, but not geostationary orbit over the Western Hemisphere. 3. Phase 3E in a Molniya HEO orbit. AMSAT-NA and Virginia Tech are involved with this. Transponder payloads TBD. A global network of 3 linked geostationary satellites covering the whole world would be pretty neat, but I think we'll need people to see what we as a community can do with each of the two Phase 4 transponders planned right now before the support (read $$$$$) for such a thing would be available. 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

FO-29 inteference - help needed @ 1914z
by Kevin M 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

UPDATE: Boy that was quick... just got a call from the fellow I am working with in Houston. He has found the actual signal ON THE AIR on 145.930 MHz in the Houston area and it is currently transmitting with the content coming from the very UHF repeater I identified. Coincidentally he is the person responsible for that very same repeater. SO, the interfering signal has been generally located, now it is a matter of narrowing it down and figuring out where it is coming from. Possibly a ham has his dual band radio set to cross band repeat, etc. Thanks everyone... I guess there is a line on it and hopefully it will be found. 73, Kevin N4UFO

2 1

FO-29 inteference - help needed @ 1914z
by Kevin M 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Hello all, I just heard the FM interference in the upper part of the FO-29 passband. I wasn't expecting it and did not have a recorder running. If anyone that can record the pass is free, can you please try to capture as much audio as possible. I copied a partial callsign from a CW ID that pegs the possible source as being somehow involved with an internet linked UHF repeater in the Houston area. This next FO-29 pass is going DIRECTLY OVER Houston @ 1914Z If there is any chance of grabbing a for sure identification (CW ID) that would be great. Working also with someone in Houston to figure things out. thanks & 73! kevin n4UFO

1 0

Station decisions re. upcoming Geosync bird
by Peter Klein 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

I've been casually following the discussion of the upcoming geosynchronous satellite. I currently have a Mode B , J and A analog setup that I've used on Oscar 10 and 13, and on some LEOs. This includes crossed Yagis on 2m and 70cm, and an all-mode radio for those bands. LEOs and flying mailboxes no longer interest me, so in recent years that setup has only been used for occasional terrestrial VHF SSB/CW, plus local repeater activity. I will need to make some decisions on my general station setup soon. Antenna space is limited, and I want to take the possibility of the geosync bird into consideration. From what I've read and seen on video, the uplinks and downlinks to the satellite will be microwave. The satellite track will make a figure-8 pattern in the sky, but I don't know how large that pattern will be at my location. My 144 and 440 MHz antennas will not be compatible with the new bird. But will the 144/440 radios be useful, perhaps as an IF after the digital gymnastics happen in a converter? So, my questions: - Are any "dummy" Keplarian elements available for the geosynch bird's planned (or likely) orbit? That would let me do some "what-iffing." - If the above are not available, could someone tell me the approximate range of azimuth and elevation I might expect from CN87 (Seattle area)? - What is the physical size of the required dishes? - Will the radio for the new bird be self-contained, or require another radio as an IF? If the latter, what frequency band or bands are being contemplated for the IF? If I've asked things that are too sensitive to discuss right now, let me know and I'll shut up. :-) 73, --Peter, KD7MW

7 8

Optical shaft encoders
by Robert McGwier 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

I would like to consider adding optical shaft encoders to augment or replace the hall effect sensors in use on an Alfa Spid az/el installation. We have the high resolution sensors and are experiencing some annoying anomalies that have been very difficult to trace and are detrimental to autonomous operation at our ground station at Virginia Tech. Any information or help would be appreciated. 73s Bob N4HY

7 8

Re: [amsat-bb] Ceuta & Melilla and Gibraltar this summer
by Félix Páez 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Hi all, I am very sorry to inform you that after requesting formal permission to use VHF/UHF HAM satellite band from Gibraltar (by using the avaliable Gibraltar Regulatory Autorithy form they have send me by email to fill), they have denied me the permission to broadcast from its territory. They have told me that Spain licenses are not recognized by the colony. This may not affect other nationalities, so if you have a license from another country You can try if you visit the colony. Anyway, my main goal is to activate the autonomous city of Ceuta (DXCC entity Ceuta & Melilla) and all seems to be fine for this. I still can not specify the exact date but It will be in mid-August (probably between days 12-21). It is very possible that I will only be able to be in the city one or two days, but because this visit if flexible to me I will try to do it one day with a good pass of SO-50 and Fox 1A (and maybe Lilacsat if it is active). 73s, Felix De: amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Enviado: martes, 22 de marzo de 2016 22:34 Para: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Asunto: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 11, Issue 88 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. Coax jumper lenths -- Math help please. (Tom Schuessler) 2. FT-847 Problems (Richard Lawn) 3. AMSAT @ Scottsdale AZ hamfest, 19 March 2016 - report (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)) 4. inline Dynamic Compressor for FT-817 (Kevin M) 5. SatPC32 & MDS RC1-Y Rotor Interface? (Dennis Pitts) 6. Security Survey - Reminder (Brandon Shirley) 7. Re: inline Dynamic Compressor for FT-817 (EC4TR Luis) 8. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-21 17:00 UTC (AJ9N(a)aol.com) 9. Re; rover trips to nevada (Kevin M) 10. UX 910 1.2 GHZ MODULE FOR IC 910H (jeffory broughton) 11. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-22 16:00 UTC (AJ9N(a)aol.com) 12. IRLP node interference to FO-29 (Kevin M) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 17:33:35 -0500 From: "Tom Schuessler" <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Coax jumper lenths -- Math help please. Message-ID: <002101d182f8$8b020240$a10606c0$@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello all, I have a question for those of you much more experienced than I. It relates to a satellite antenna installation I am working to accomplish this Spring. I have two cross polarity yagis, one for 145 and the other for 435. Each of these antennas has two separate feeds for the H and V polarities. The two meter antenna has two feeds, both at about 14 inches from the end of the antenna boom. Jumpers from the connectors will be secured to the very end of the boom and trail off to main feed line connectors below the AZ rotor. The mount point of this boom is 5' 2" from the end of the boom with the driven element. The 70CM yagi is an end mount but the two connection points are offset from each other. One is 17 inches from the back end of the boom and the other is 24. Coax jumpers will again be attached to the boom and will trail off to connections below my AZ rotor. I will be using two separate rotors, (A G5400 or G5500 is not in the paycheck right now), an elevation rotor with a 4'2" boom to mount the two antennas and an azimuth rotor which will have a probably 2' maximum mast from there to the EL rotor mount. All this will mount to an only half extended push-up-pole, which is ground mounted but attached to the apex of my single story house. Total height off the ground will probably be 20 feet when all is said and done. I will be running 4 runs of not that flexible 9913 up to just below the AZ rotor and from there want to attach jumpers of more flexible LMR 400 Flex to make the runs out to the antennas mentioned above. My question is for your more math savvy or just plain experienced folks, is how long should the jumpers be in total for each antenna to allow for a 360 degree rotation and 180 degree elevation shift based on the parameters I described above??? I was guessing 10 to 11 foot jumpers from antennas to the barrel connectors just below the AZ rotor but wanted to make sure that that was long enough, or if they could be shorter, say maybe 9 feet. Of course the 70 CM antenna with it's one feed point 7 inches further up the antenna would need to be that much longer I guess. I also understand that the 2 meter swing will be greater because of the more center mount rather than the end mount on the 70 cm antenna. Clear as mud??? This is new territory for me so I am wanting to make sure that all the decisions are right before I need to do things over, and over, and over to get it right. I can take some pictures if someone needs to see what I described. Email me and I will give you my cell if you would rather talk or ask questions verbally. Thank you to the group in advance for your help and thoughts. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP n5hyp(a)arrl.net ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 19:52:17 -0400 From: Richard Lawn <rjlawn(a)gmail.com> To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] FT-847 Problems Message-ID: <CADQmrTGqvy6GkkR_BWWob--6CA0phgD-wEwB5qZ8wRGLqM85+w(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Make sure you are using a Null modem serial cable not a straight through cable. 9600 baud and it should work. If you still have problems try a USB to serial adapter that uses the FTDI chip set. Rick, W2JAZ ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 03:31:55 +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] AMSAT @ Scottsdale AZ hamfest, 19 March 2016 - report Message-ID: <CAN6TEUcn4Uiuaa6ziKdYK3Pq10rGJpckmi8qgi-H5_t4ZJuT6g(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi! I had an AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's "Springfest" hamfest, held in a church parking lot yesterday (Saturday, 19 March) morning. This hamfest is one of the 3 major hamfests for the Phoenix area in the non-summer season, and the good weather helped to bring the crowds out. Lots of buyers and sellers, and lots of interest in AMSAT and amateur satellites. With the launches of AO-85 and the 9 Chinese amateur satellites in the past 6 months, many hams are taking a closer look at this part of the hobby. For some, the recent launches and projects currently in the pipeline are bringing some back to the satellites. Along with talking about satellites, many copies of AMSAT's "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" flew off my AMSAT table. Demonstrations, whether at 6am (1300 UTC) or 11am (1800 UTC), had nice crowds. It was nice to have AO-85 available during the morning, as SO-50 was not passing by during the morning. I also had 4 other satellites that were used for demonstrations - AO-73, XW-2A, XW-2C, and XW-2F. The three XW-2 satellites were passing by in the first couple of hours, and AO-73 and AO-85 came by later in the morning. For all of these passes, I used my SDRplay SDR receiver for the downlinks, connected to an 8-inch Windows10 tablet and HDSDR software running on the tablet. As I have seen at other recent events, using an SDR receiver makes for more conversations - and not just in the context of working satellites. With all of these satellites employing a 70cm uplink and 2m downlink, I didn't have to worry so much about the sunlight making the tablet's LCD panel unreadable. Once I set my downlink frequency on the tablet, and for AO-85 activate AFC in HDSDR to track the downlink, I only had to worry about using the wheel on a Bluetooth mouse for fine-tuning. Despite some QRM in the area of the hamfest site, northeast of a nearby airport, the SDRplay did a decent job hearing all of these downlinks. For AO-73 and AO-85, I was able to play back the RF recordings I made with HDSDR later at home, so I could upload telemetry to each satellite's telemetry server from those passes. By the way, HDSDR's recordings do a much better job picking up AO-73 telemetry than I ever saw when I used the FUNcube Dashboard to directly receive the telemetry and then upload the data to the FUNcube data warehouse server. Same thing for copying AO-85 telemetry - HDSDR's RF recordings do better for capturing the data than I saw when using the FoxTelem software to directly control my FUNcube Dongle Pro+. For those who worked WD9EWK during those demonstrations - THANK YOU! The demonstrations make a positive impression on this part of the hobby for the crowds. My mockup of the AO-85 satellite - a 4-inch cube of wood, with two whips representing the antennas coming out of two sides - also helps to reinforce that small satellites can do more than "beep" in orbit. AO-73 and AO-85, in particular, are great examples of what we can do with small satellites. I have uploaded my log to Logbook of the World from these demonstrations, and am happy to send QSL cards to anyone who would like one for QSOs during the hamfest (just e-mail me with the QSO details - no need to send me a card and self-addressed stamped envelope). Thanks again, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:48:16 +0000 (UTC) From: Kevin M <n4ufo(a)yahoo.com> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] inline Dynamic Compressor for FT-817 Message-ID: <1526990753.2214039.1458560896259.JavaMail.yahoo(a)mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi all. I am curious about the little dynamic compressor kits sold out of Germany to go inline with the hand mic of an FT-817 or similar style Yaesu radios. http://www.box73.com/product/4? I know that compressors are generally not used when operating on satellite transponders, but I was wondering if given only 5 watts output (or less) it might not be useful. If anyone has any experience using one on these on the linear birds, I would like to hear about your experience. Did you use a stock Yaesu hand mic with it, headset or what? How did it perform, etc.? Replies on or off list welcome. If anyone has one that would like to part with, I would be interested as well! =^) 73, Kevin N4UFO ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 20:09:05 -0500 From: Dennis Pitts <drsurfacert(a)hotmail.com> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 & MDS RC1-Y Rotor Interface? Message-ID: <BLU408-EAS147D135ACC198DF53C6F2C6AA8F0(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Just returned back to the Sats in November (have not been on the since the Oscar 13 days). I see things have changed a lot. Seems like I am now trying to catch up. At the moment I am using fixed elevation antennas, but would like to have computer control of the azimuth to help out and/or see if that is better than me trying to control manually. I would like to know if SatPC32 will work with the MDS RC1-Y (DCU-1 protocol) to accomplish control of the azimuth rotor (Yaesu G-800SA)? Thanks for any info or help, Dennis KK4CF ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 15:38:32 +0000 From: Brandon Shirley <Brandon.Shirley(a)sdl.usu.edu> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Security Survey - Reminder Message-ID: <3c4115d6b23b421f93e66f50194dd764(a)Ek.usurf.usu.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To whom it may concern, To whom it may concern, This is a reminder email for a Security Survey. I sent you this email because I thought you might have relevant experience in developing space software and hardware systems. I really need your participation. There is a chance to win some gift cards. Please see below for more information and the link to take the survey. The survey should only take about 10 minutes. Thanks. Please note that the link is anonymous, so you are getting this reminder even if you have already taken the survey. 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. You can you use the link below to access the Security Survey. https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cwoPwnnqVbUG1hz 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 4th survey, Security. 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: (participate as you see fit) Core Concepts Development Preferences Open Systems Architecture and Modularity Security <========= We are here ========= Reuse, Interoperability, Portability, Code Complexity Network V/R, Brandon Shirley b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu See http://brandon.bluezone.usu.edu/Files/LOISpaceSoftwareAttitudes_Final.pdf for the Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu, or contact Utah State University's Internal Review Board administrator at (435) 797 - 0567 or email irb(a)usu.edu. ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 17:21:18 +0100 From: EC4TR Luis <ec4tr.luis(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] inline Dynamic Compressor for FT-817 Message-ID: <56F01F7E.4010909(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Hi Kevin I?m using this similar one with FT-817 http://www.box73.com/product/1 it works great, the adio improves and get better punch, also have voice keyer. Very useful for me when I make SOTA. 73 Luis EC4TR El 21/03/2016 a las 12:48, Kevin M via AMSAT-BB escribi?: > Hi all. I am curious about the little dynamic compressor kits sold out of Germany to go inline with the hand mic of an FT-817 or similar style Yaesu radios. http://www.box73.com/product/4 I know that compressors are generally not used when operating on satellite transponders, but I was wondering if given only 5 watts output (or less) it might not be useful. If anyone has any experience using one on these on the linear birds, I would like to hear about your experience. Did you use a stock Yaesu hand mic with it, headset or what? How did it perform, etc.? Replies on or off list welcome. > > If anyone has one that would like to part with, I would be interested as well! =^) > > 73, Kevin N4UFO > _______________________________________________ > 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: 8 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:01:28 -0400 From: AJ9N(a)aol.com To: amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-21 17:00 UTC Message-ID: <1b80a6.eaace35.442182e8(a)aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-21 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Hirano Junior High School, Kobe, Japan, direct via 8N370H The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-28 11:07:49 UTC 56 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 Francesco IK?WGF 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 2016-03-21 17:00 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 1037. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1002. 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, Rhode Island, 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: DP?ISS, IR?ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS?ISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 19:16:00 +0000 (UTC) From: Kevin M <n4ufo(a)yahoo.com> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re; rover trips to nevada Message-ID: <954460338.2583591.1458587760125.JavaMail.yahoo(a)mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Thank you to those that sent me tips on who the 'other Nevada rover' might be. I have in fact found out who it is and we have had a very lengthy and productive chat. He lives in Nevada, has a motor home and has plans to take a weekend to go operate from a rare grid not terribly far from his home. He is not a new sat op, but 'grid roving' is a new aspect he is in the process figuring out. He has asked for my help on working out a few details as to gear, logging, etc. I am only too happy to assist. I will let him announce his own plans, as that is only polite, but I will say that if everything goes as planned, our schedules will not conflict. He should be operating the weekend BEFORE I arrive in Nevada, with him wrapping up the same day I cross the state line. =^) Hopefully between the two of us, we can work everyone that needs that grid (DM19). And hey, if he works everyone who presently needs it, I already have another spot I can go. =^D My only regret may be that I won't be home to work him myself... but I'm really glad he is going! Also, I will be operating with my portable gear as much as possible during April, in order to get well acquainted with my new gear and work out any bugs. If you hear me on, feel free to give me a holler. I might even work from a few nearby grids for anyone that needs them. Again, I will be posting info about my trip to a special QRZ page as well as sending out last minute updates on a special twitter account. Use the link: https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO/P or look up N4UFO/P on QRZ (must add the /P). The link to my twitter is there and you do not have to have a twitter account to watch it. I also plan to have APRS going during my trip and links will be on that page when ready to go. 73 to all and will be looking for all you grid chasers on the birds!? Kevin N4UFO ? ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:19:23 -0400 From: jeffory broughton <jefforybroughton(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] UX 910 1.2 GHZ MODULE FOR IC 910H Message-ID: <CACm2je14UjYmTaUg435aCPt44tm7087+=Q=Ad9M7ma65N=RFeA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 A while back I was looking for a ux 910 1.2 ghz module for my ic 910h to get ready for 3 new L band sats this year. I ended up with an extra one in its original box. Installed it in my 910 and it tested to factory specs. I decided I don't need an extra one sitting on the shelf.i am selling it for what I paid for it.It was not cheap,but close to what it sold for originally. $499 free ship. WB8RJY.JEFF 517 202 7862 cell jeff broughton ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 12:19:23 -0400 From: AJ9N(a)aol.com To: amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-22 16:00 UTC Message-ID: <242cb1.466f1988.4422ca8b(a)aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Hirano Junior High School, Kobe, Japan, direct via 8N370H The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-28 11:07:49 UTC 56 deg National Soaring Museum, Elmira, New York, telebridge via IK1SLD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI (***) Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-04-01 18:34:03 UTC 34 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 Francesco IK?WGF 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 2016-03-22 16:00 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 1037. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1002. 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, Rhode Island, 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: DP?ISS, IR?ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS?ISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 21:33:54 +0000 (UTC) From: Kevin M <n4ufo(a)yahoo.com> To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] IRLP node interference to FO-29 Message-ID: <1893781611.3468810.1458682434145.JavaMail.yahoo(a)mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 On today's 1915-1930z pass of FO-29, there was an FM signal coming over the transponder... really loud, S9 at times. I was able to tune in and listen to a net and caught the callsign of the station conducting the net who was in Houston. It was not necessarily his station and/or node that was the problem, the signal could have been coming from any number of nodes across the US that might have been connected. I am having limited success communicating with the individual who's callsign I heard. I got one reply from his phone in response to a message I sent through the IRLP website. He is apparently not getting any e-mails from me directly despite being the same e-mail address. I'm trying to confirm what reflector & channel(?) he was connected to and then see if there is any way to research with IRLP to find out what other nodes may have been connected at the time. You know, detective work. Does anyone have experience with this? with IRLP? Anyone know how to research the stations on the IRLP side of things or who to contact? Has anyone there been receptive in the past regarding resolution of interference with the sats? It's all very frustrating as I don't see any central point of contact on their website and not getting any more communication from the one guy I heard in Houston doesn't help either. I made every effort to be polite and respectful in my communications (honey versus vinegar), but with some people that just equates to a license to 'blow you off'. =^) Thanks in advance for any help... prefer replies off list. 73!? Kevin N4UFO ------------------------------ 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 88 ****************************************

4 3

A5 Kingdom of Bhutan on Satellite
by Clayton Coleman 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Has anyone ever made contact with an amateur satellite ground station in Bhutan? Are you aware of any amateur radio operators who have made contact from Bhutan via satellite? I would be interested in this information. Thank you, Clayton W5PFG

2 1

DCC Call for Papers
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 35th Annual ARRL/TAPR<http://www.tapr.org/> Digital Communications Conference (DCC<http://www.tapr.org/dcc.html>), 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<mailto:[email protected]> or via post to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 data mode
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

Unfortunately, high speed data mode only runs for 15 minutes, then back to transponder mode. Europe and South America get the ends of Ascending and Descending passes where we enable it, but JA is just too far from a command station. Sorry! 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff A. Boyd Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 10:41 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 data mode On Wed, 23 Mar 2016 10:09:51 -0400, "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> wrote: > All, > > This morning and yesterday morning I switched AO-85 into high-speed > data mode over the SE USA. This was necessary for some testing of > ground station components prior to the launch of Fox-1Cliff and -1D > coming up. I apologize for any interruption in doing so. I hope > everyone had their telemetry program on "auto" and caught a few high speed frames! Any chance of leaving it in high-speed mode for a full orbit sometime in the future so us non-Unitedstatesians can have a crack at those decodes? :) -- 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 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

2 1

AO-85 data mode
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

All, This morning and yesterday morning I switched AO-85 into high-speed data mode over the SE USA. This was necessary for some testing of ground station components prior to the launch of Fox-1Cliff and -1D coming up. I apologize for any interruption in doing so. I hope everyone had their telemetry program on "auto" and caught a few high speed frames! 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

2 1

[Video] Walter Jackson Elementary Reception from Raleigh, North Carolina
by John Brier 23 Mar '16

23 Mar '16

Frank's First ISS Reception - Walter Jackson Elementary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxrOhKytmbU I met Frank, NF2O on Facebook. I shared my last video of the Miami Florida school ISS contact reception on the Ham Radio Operators Facebook group, of which Frank was a member. He saw the video and recognized the landfill park I filmed the video at. He commented on my video saying that, and that it was his favorite place to work satellites from. After chatting we agreed to meetup for the next ISS reception. This video is a result of that. Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53:49 UTC 69 deg Time Satellite Azm Elv Mag Range S.Azm S.Elv -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decatur 2016-03-18 09:52:34 ISS 310.6 0.0 2.5 2385 108.1 23.3 2016-03-18 09:58:04 ISS 224.5 71.8 -0.8 428 109.1 24.4 2016-03-18 10:03:32 ISS 138.2 0.0 3.6 2371 110.0 25.5 Raleigh 2016-03-18 09:53:53 ISS 299.4 0.0 2.6 2388 115.1 29.4 2016-03-18 09:55:19 ISS 292.7 5.1 2.1 1839 115.4 29.7 2016-03-18 09:59:03 ISS 229.6 23.2 1.0 905 116.1 30.4 2016-03-18 10:02:47 ISS 166.0 5.0 3.0 1832 116.8 31.1 2016-03-18 10:04:11 ISS 159.3 0.0 3.7 2366 117.1 31.3 73, John KG4AKV in Raleigh, NC FM05

1 0

sad to hear the malicious qrm on so50
by jeffory broughton 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

Very sad to hear this on so50 on the 22:30 pass today. jeff broughton

2 1

IRLP node interference to FO-29
by Kevin M 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

UPDATE: I got another reply from the individual who's callsign I heard... he is forwarding information to a couple folks with IRLP. Fingers crossed. If any AMSAT gurus, hear from some IRLP gurus, there you go... ball is hopefully rolling. Time for my daily walk. =^) 73,Kevin N4UFO

2 1

J8 on SO-50
by W2JV 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

Good Afternoon: Sorry for the short notice: N2IEN, Pat will be on the 22:29 U pass of SO-50, FN 30 time, as J8/WW2DX- FK-93, he will be on the island to the 26th, have fun! 73 Peter W2JV

1 0

IRLP node interference to FO-29
by Kevin M 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

On today's 1915-1930z pass of FO-29, there was an FM signal coming over the transponder... really loud, S9 at times. I was able to tune in and listen to a net and caught the callsign of the station conducting the net who was in Houston. It was not necessarily his station and/or node that was the problem, the signal could have been coming from any number of nodes across the US that might have been connected. I am having limited success communicating with the individual who's callsign I heard. I got one reply from his phone in response to a message I sent through the IRLP website. He is apparently not getting any e-mails from me directly despite being the same e-mail address. I'm trying to confirm what reflector & channel(?) he was connected to and then see if there is any way to research with IRLP to find out what other nodes may have been connected at the time. You know, detective work. Does anyone have experience with this? with IRLP? Anyone know how to research the stations on the IRLP side of things or who to contact? Has anyone there been receptive in the past regarding resolution of interference with the sats? It's all very frustrating as I don't see any central point of contact on their website and not getting any more communication from the one guy I heard in Houston doesn't help either. I made every effort to be polite and respectful in my communications (honey versus vinegar), but with some people that just equates to a license to 'blow you off'. =^) Thanks in advance for any help... prefer replies off list. 73! Kevin N4UFO

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-22 16:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Hirano Junior High School, Kobe, Japan, direct via 8N370H The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-28 11:07:49 UTC 56 deg National Soaring Museum, Elmira, New York, telebridge via IK1SLD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI (***) Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-04-01 18:34:03 UTC 34 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-22 16:00 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 1037. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1002. 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, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

UX 910 1.2 GHZ MODULE FOR IC 910H
by jeffory broughton 22 Mar '16

22 Mar '16

A while back I was looking for a ux 910 1.2 ghz module for my ic 910h to get ready for 3 new L band sats this year. I ended up with an extra one in its original box. Installed it in my 910 and it tested to factory specs. I decided I don't need an extra one sitting on the shelf.i am selling it for what I paid for it.It was not cheap,but close to what it sold for originally. $499 free ship. WB8RJY.JEFF 517 202 7862 cell jeff broughton

1 0

Re; rover trips to nevada
by Kevin M 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

Thank you to those that sent me tips on who the 'other Nevada rover' might be. I have in fact found out who it is and we have had a very lengthy and productive chat. He lives in Nevada, has a motor home and has plans to take a weekend to go operate from a rare grid not terribly far from his home. He is not a new sat op, but 'grid roving' is a new aspect he is in the process figuring out. He has asked for my help on working out a few details as to gear, logging, etc. I am only too happy to assist. I will let him announce his own plans, as that is only polite, but I will say that if everything goes as planned, our schedules will not conflict. He should be operating the weekend BEFORE I arrive in Nevada, with him wrapping up the same day I cross the state line. =^) Hopefully between the two of us, we can work everyone that needs that grid (DM19). And hey, if he works everyone who presently needs it, I already have another spot I can go. =^D My only regret may be that I won't be home to work him myself... but I'm really glad he is going! Also, I will be operating with my portable gear as much as possible during April, in order to get well acquainted with my new gear and work out any bugs. If you hear me on, feel free to give me a holler. I might even work from a few nearby grids for anyone that needs them. Again, I will be posting info about my trip to a special QRZ page as well as sending out last minute updates on a special twitter account. Use the link: https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO/P or look up N4UFO/P on QRZ (must add the /P). The link to my twitter is there and you do not have to have a twitter account to watch it. I also plan to have APRS going during my trip and links will be on that page when ready to go. 73 to all and will be looking for all you grid chasers on the birds! Kevin N4UFO

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-21 17:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-21 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Hirano Junior High School, Kobe, Japan, direct via 8N370H The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-28 11:07:49 UTC 56 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-21 17:00 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 1037. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1002. 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, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

inline Dynamic Compressor for FT-817
by Kevin M 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

Hi all. I am curious about the little dynamic compressor kits sold out of Germany to go inline with the hand mic of an FT-817 or similar style Yaesu radios. http://www.box73.com/product/4 I know that compressors are generally not used when operating on satellite transponders, but I was wondering if given only 5 watts output (or less) it might not be useful. If anyone has any experience using one on these on the linear birds, I would like to hear about your experience. Did you use a stock Yaesu hand mic with it, headset or what? How did it perform, etc.? Replies on or off list welcome. If anyone has one that would like to part with, I would be interested as well! =^) 73, Kevin N4UFO

2 1

Security Survey - Reminder
by Brandon Shirley 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

To whom it may concern, To whom it may concern, This is a reminder email for a Security Survey. I sent you this email because I thought you might have relevant experience in developing space software and hardware systems. I really need your participation. There is a chance to win some gift cards. Please see below for more information and the link to take the survey. The survey should only take about 10 minutes. Thanks. Please note that the link is anonymous, so you are getting this reminder even if you have already taken the survey. 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. You can you use the link below to access the Security Survey. https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cwoPwnnqVbUG1hz 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 4th survey, Security. 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: (participate as you see fit) Core Concepts Development Preferences Open Systems Architecture and Modularity Security <========= We are here ========= Reuse, Interoperability, Portability, Code Complexity Network V/R, Brandon Shirley b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu See http://brandon.bluezone.usu.edu/Files/LOISpaceSoftwareAttitudes_Final.pdf for the Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu, or contact Utah State University's Internal Review Board administrator at (435) 797 - 0567 or email irb(a)usu.edu.

1 0

AMSAT @ Scottsdale AZ hamfest, 19 March 2016 - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

Hi! I had an AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's "Springfest" hamfest, held in a church parking lot yesterday (Saturday, 19 March) morning. This hamfest is one of the 3 major hamfests for the Phoenix area in the non-summer season, and the good weather helped to bring the crowds out. Lots of buyers and sellers, and lots of interest in AMSAT and amateur satellites. With the launches of AO-85 and the 9 Chinese amateur satellites in the past 6 months, many hams are taking a closer look at this part of the hobby. For some, the recent launches and projects currently in the pipeline are bringing some back to the satellites. Along with talking about satellites, many copies of AMSAT's "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" flew off my AMSAT table. Demonstrations, whether at 6am (1300 UTC) or 11am (1800 UTC), had nice crowds. It was nice to have AO-85 available during the morning, as SO-50 was not passing by during the morning. I also had 4 other satellites that were used for demonstrations - AO-73, XW-2A, XW-2C, and XW-2F. The three XW-2 satellites were passing by in the first couple of hours, and AO-73 and AO-85 came by later in the morning. For all of these passes, I used my SDRplay SDR receiver for the downlinks, connected to an 8-inch Windows10 tablet and HDSDR software running on the tablet. As I have seen at other recent events, using an SDR receiver makes for more conversations - and not just in the context of working satellites. With all of these satellites employing a 70cm uplink and 2m downlink, I didn't have to worry so much about the sunlight making the tablet's LCD panel unreadable. Once I set my downlink frequency on the tablet, and for AO-85 activate AFC in HDSDR to track the downlink, I only had to worry about using the wheel on a Bluetooth mouse for fine-tuning. Despite some QRM in the area of the hamfest site, northeast of a nearby airport, the SDRplay did a decent job hearing all of these downlinks. For AO-73 and AO-85, I was able to play back the RF recordings I made with HDSDR later at home, so I could upload telemetry to each satellite's telemetry server from those passes. By the way, HDSDR's recordings do a much better job picking up AO-73 telemetry than I ever saw when I used the FUNcube Dashboard to directly receive the telemetry and then upload the data to the FUNcube data warehouse server. Same thing for copying AO-85 telemetry - HDSDR's RF recordings do better for capturing the data than I saw when using the FoxTelem software to directly control my FUNcube Dongle Pro+. For those who worked WD9EWK during those demonstrations - THANK YOU! The demonstrations make a positive impression on this part of the hobby for the crowds. My mockup of the AO-85 satellite - a 4-inch cube of wood, with two whips representing the antennas coming out of two sides - also helps to reinforce that small satellites can do more than "beep" in orbit. AO-73 and AO-85, in particular, are great examples of what we can do with small satellites. I have uploaded my log to Logbook of the World from these demonstrations, and am happy to send QSL cards to anyone who would like one for QSOs during the hamfest (just e-mail me with the QSO details - no need to send me a card and self-addressed stamped envelope). Thanks again, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

SatPC32 & MDS RC1-Y Rotor Interface?
by Dennis Pitts 21 Mar '16

21 Mar '16

Just returned back to the Sats in November (have not been on the since the Oscar 13 days). I see things have changed a lot. Seems like I am now trying to catch up. At the moment I am using fixed elevation antennas, but would like to have computer control of the azimuth to help out and/or see if that is better than me trying to control manually. I would like to know if SatPC32 will work with the MDS RC1-Y (DCU-1 protocol) to accomplish control of the azimuth rotor (Yaesu G-800SA)? Thanks for any info or help, Dennis KK4CF

1 0

FT-847 Problems
by Richard Lawn 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

Make sure you are using a Null modem serial cable not a straight through cable. 9600 baud and it should work. If you still have problems try a USB to serial adapter that uses the FTDI chip set. Rick, W2JAZ

1 0

Coax jumper lenths -- Math help please.
by Tom Schuessler 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

Hello all, I have a question for those of you much more experienced than I. It relates to a satellite antenna installation I am working to accomplish this Spring. I have two cross polarity yagis, one for 145 and the other for 435. Each of these antennas has two separate feeds for the H and V polarities. The two meter antenna has two feeds, both at about 14 inches from the end of the antenna boom. Jumpers from the connectors will be secured to the very end of the boom and trail off to main feed line connectors below the AZ rotor. The mount point of this boom is 5' 2" from the end of the boom with the driven element. The 70CM yagi is an end mount but the two connection points are offset from each other. One is 17 inches from the back end of the boom and the other is 24. Coax jumpers will again be attached to the boom and will trail off to connections below my AZ rotor. I will be using two separate rotors, (A G5400 or G5500 is not in the paycheck right now), an elevation rotor with a 4'2" boom to mount the two antennas and an azimuth rotor which will have a probably 2' maximum mast from there to the EL rotor mount. All this will mount to an only half extended push-up-pole, which is ground mounted but attached to the apex of my single story house. Total height off the ground will probably be 20 feet when all is said and done. I will be running 4 runs of not that flexible 9913 up to just below the AZ rotor and from there want to attach jumpers of more flexible LMR 400 Flex to make the runs out to the antennas mentioned above. My question is for your more math savvy or just plain experienced folks, is how long should the jumpers be in total for each antenna to allow for a 360 degree rotation and 180 degree elevation shift based on the parameters I described above??? I was guessing 10 to 11 foot jumpers from antennas to the barrel connectors just below the AZ rotor but wanted to make sure that that was long enough, or if they could be shorter, say maybe 9 feet. Of course the 70 CM antenna with it's one feed point 7 inches further up the antenna would need to be that much longer I guess. I also understand that the 2 meter swing will be greater because of the more center mount rather than the end mount on the 70 cm antenna. Clear as mud??? This is new territory for me so I am wanting to make sure that all the decisions are right before I need to do things over, and over, and over to get it right. I can take some pictures if someone needs to see what I described. Email me and I will give you my cell if you would rather talk or ask questions verbally. Thank you to the group in advance for your help and thoughts. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP n5hyp(a)arrl.net

1 0

Arcing noise on VHF sat sub band
by jeffory broughton 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

I have been experiencing an arcing noise all over the vhf sat sub band and the 17m band for months.Finally decided to look for it.As soon as I walked out the door with H.T. in hand, it disappeared. Searching the house found it to be both Verizon phone chargers.Unplugged them,problem gone on vhf and 17m. They must be mini switchers. jeff broughton

2 1

rover trips to nevada
by Kevin M 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

Hello all, I've been planning a trip out west for about 6 months now and have plans to go through Nevada and take a whole week to operate from rare grids there. My plans have been firming up and I am looking at being there during the first half of May. Someone just told me that there is another ham, they did not know who, that is ALSO planning a trip to Nevada in May. I would like to find out who and where so that we can coordinate and not cause each other any problems, not to mention any chaos and confusion on the birds. I welcome someone else going... it will take pressure off of me as some of those grids are very rare and I would like a little time to sight see. It would just be nice if we could go at different times so that everyone has maximum chance to work those grids and the two of us not duplicate efforts. - Not to mention it would be nice if they went before or after me, so I'd get a chance to work them and vice versa. =^D If anyone can foreward me any information, i would certainly appreciate it! Also, I will be posting info about my trip so a special QRZ page as well as a special twitter account. https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO/P https://twitter.com/UFOrover Thanks & 73! Kevin N4UFO

1 0

ADS-B
by Thomas Doyle 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

Anyone have any experience receiving and decoding ADS-B signals from their ground station. If so please give me a shout. tnx & 73 W9KE Tom Doyle -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

4 3

SAT PC 32 AND YAESU FT-847
by jeffory broughton 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

If I turn the vfo knob on the ft847 too fast , it will change modes from lsb to usb on the radio.if I turn off cat cotrol And turn it on again it cures the problem. I have two ft 847 radios,it have tried both of them with the same results. What am I doing wrong ? Jeff WB8RJY

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] ADS-B
by Luc Leblanc 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

I'm a tracking station for flighttracker24 https://www.flightradar24.com/45.45,-75.25/7 > Anyone have any experience receiving and decoding ADS-B signals from their > ground station. If so please give me a shout. > > tnx & 73 W9KE Tom Doyle > > -- > > Sent from my computer. > > tom ... > _______________________________________________ > 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 Luc Leblanc VE2DWE

3 2

Dayton Youth Forum
by Rich/wa4bue 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

Hope KM4IPF will be speaking at the the forum “Having Fun with SATs. Also Hope spoke at a Luncheon for an open house sponsored by the Engineering Department at Old Dominion University to about 200 local middle and high school students from local schools touring the campus. Event coordinated by K4AMG Club, K4AMG.org. God Bless R

1 0

Alaskan Arrow sold, thanks all.
by jeffory broughton 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

jeff broughton

1 0

Two arrow antennas & tripod for sale
by jeffory broughton 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

146/437-10 arrow with duplexer. 146/437 Alaskan arrow ,no duplexer Almost no use, in Excellent condition. $100 ea.$7 ship ea. Also Argus ALL ALUMINUM camera Tripod.No CHINESE junk. $25. $10 SHIP .WB8RJY jeff broughton

1 0

ANS-080 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-080 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * AMSAT Forum Speakers at Dayton * Just-Launched ISS Expedition 47/48 Crew Increment Includes Two Radio Amateurs * UK Student Balloon Crosses Pacific SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.01 ANS-080 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.01 From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD. March 20, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-080.01 AMSAT Forum Speakers at Dayton The AMSAT forum will be Saturday morning from 11:15 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. in Forum Room 5. See the commercial vendor layout map in the Hamvention program or the Hamvention website for the location of Forum Room 5 (same as the last few years). The following speakers will be presenting at the AMSAT Forum: Moderator: Mark Hammond, N8MH "AMSAT Status Report" Barry Baines, WD4ASW, AMSAT-NA President, will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news. "AMSAT-NA Satellite Program" Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Engineering Vice President, will review the upcoming launches of four Fox spacecraft and exciting new engineering developments. "AMSAT's HEO and GSO Plans" Bob McGwier, N4HY, AMSAT-NA Director, will discuss AMSAT-NA opportunities for High Earth Orbit and Geo-Synchronous Orbit satellites. "AMSAT Satellite Operations" Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT-NA Operations Vice President, will survey the current operational amateur satellites, as well as those planned for launch in the next year. "ARISS Report 2016" Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight, will discuss ARISS developments & operation on the International Space Station. "Teaching STEM Using the Fox Satellites” Joe Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA Educational Relations Vice President, will explain how the Fox MEMS gyroscopes, radiation experiments, and cameras will be used to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). [ANS thanks Steve, N9IP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Just-Launched ISS Expedition 47/48 Crew Increment Includes Two Radio Amateurs The Expedition 47/48 crew increment of Astronaut Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, and Cosmonauts Oleg Skripochka, RN3FU, and Alexey Ovchinin, is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). Their Soyuz TMA-20M launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 18 at 2126 UTC. The trio now is safely in orbit. “During their 6-month mission, the expedition crew members will facilitate approximately 250 research investigations and technology demonstrations not possible on Earth,” NASA said. “Science conducted also will enable future long- duration human and robotic exploration into deep space and on the agency’s journey to Mars.” Williams, Skripochka, and Ovchinin will join Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra, KE5UDN, European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS, and cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP. Williams will take command of the station on June 4 for Expedition 48. The three will return to Earth in early September. This mission marks Williams’ fourth spaceflight and will be his third long- duration stay on the orbiting laboratory — a first for an American. It’s also his first time back to the ISS since its completion in 2011. By the time his duty tour ends in September, Williams will become the new American record holder for cumulative days in space — 534 — surpassing Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly, who wrapped up his 1-year mission on March 1. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Student Balloon Crosses Pacific On Thursday, March 17 the UBSEDS14 balloon, launched by University of Bristol students, had successfully crossed the Pacific and was above Arizona, having traveled over 24,500 km since launch. By March 19 the balloon had crossed the United States and was headed out across the Atlantic Ocean. The University of Bristol Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UBSEDS) launched their balloon on Monday, March 8. Powered by a single AA Lithium Energiser Battery (LR91) the balloon has been transmitting about 5dBm of Contestia 16/1000 on 434.600 MHz USB at 4 minute intervals as well as APRS during its flight at an altitude of about 11,000m. The balloon uses the error-correcting Contestia 16/1000 mode on 434.6MHz USB. The transmission power on this band was measured to be +5dBm on a similar board, which is well below the +10dBm limit for ISM band operation. Each packet was preceded by 10 seconds of 1Hz pips for manual alignment and a RSID tone for automatic alignment with suitable software (dl-fldigi for example). For many countries the balloon transmits APRS packets on local frequencies. In particular this is 144.8MHz in Europe, 144.66MHz in Japan and 144.39MHz in North America. The balloon has a diameter of 1.5m and the payload weighs just 21.3 grams. Despite the weight constraints the team have managed to employ sophisticated Geofencing technology to prevent the balloon transmitting when over certain countries and also to select different APRS frequencies depending on the territory being overflown. UBSEDS14 information is available at http://www.bristol-seds.co.uk/hab/flight/2016/03/07/ubseds14.html UBSEDS14 balloon launch http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/march/ubseds14_balloon_launches_today… One of the students involved in the project is Richard Meadows M0SBU. He took the amateur radio courses run by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) at Danbury in Essex. Further information on the courses is available from the CARS Training Manager Email: training2016 at g0mwt.org.uk Web: http://g0mwt.org.uk/training [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

1 0

cheap radio
by Bob- W7LRD 20 Mar '16

20 Mar '16

found this on Ebay-Patrick will know if it works well on satellites. I got one just because it's so cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111917016904?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageNam… 73 Bob w7LRD

4 3

Alinco 440 FM - FS, 10% to AMSAT
by Chris Spacone 19 Mar '16

19 Mar '16

All, Hopefully I'm not violating any rules regarding posting items for sale. I'm cleaning out the garage and have an Alinco 435 for sale. The link points to pictures on dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0j8r3xe5zlekrdr/AADbEZkWB3-r9VvjduFe1qJva?dl=0) If you are interested please contact me off-list. 10% of sale goes to AMSAT! Asking $200.00 plus shipping of your choice (example, USPS Priority, first class, UPS Fedex) with payment via PayPal. 73, Chris Spacone, KD6OUB 2516 Maricopa St. Torrance, CA 90503 cspacone(a)socal.rr.com <mailto:[email protected]>

1 0

Terms
by Arthur Feller, W4ART 19 Mar '16

19 Mar '16

Hi!! Seems that many folks need clarification of some common operational terms. Here are definitions from the radio regulations (2012 edition). RR 1.125 simplex operation: Operating method in which transmission is made possible alternately in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example, by means of manual control2. RR 1.126 duplex operation: Operating method in which transmission is possible simultaneously in both directions of a telecommunication channel2. RR 1.127 semi-duplex operation: A method which is simplex operation at one end of the circuit and duplex operation at the other.2 2 1.125.1, 1.126.1 and 1.127.1 In general, duplex operation and semi-duplex operation require two frequencies in radiocommunication; simplex operation may use either one or two. I hope this helps. 73, art….. W4ART Arlington VA To thrive in life, you need three bones: a wish bone, a back bone, and a funny bone. - Reba McEntire http://afeller.us <http://afeller.us/>

2 1

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 19 Mar '16

19 Mar '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact was successful: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53:49 UTC 69 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1037. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1002. (***) 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, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-19 05:30 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] cheap radio
by Rick Tejera 18 Mar '16

18 Mar '16

Steve, if you're using two radios, you're working Full Duplex.... Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of skristof(a)etczone.com Sent: Friday, March 18, 2016 11:25 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] cheap radio You can use two of them and work semi-duplex. I use two Baofeng UV82 radios and an Arrow antenna on SO-50 and LilacSat. (I know, the ideal is to work full-duplex. I apologize if I have ever stepped on anyone by working semi-duplex.) By the way, does anyone know China's email address? I want to ask them to turn the LilacSat transponder back on. Steve AI9IN On 2016-03-18 13:42, Bob- W7LRD wrote: > found this on Ebay-Patrick will know if it works well on satellites. I got one just because it's so cheap. > http://www.ebay.com/itm/111917016904?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName =STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT [1] > 73 Bob w7LRD > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb [2] Links: ------ [1] http://www.ebay.com/itm/111917016904?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPage Name=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT [2] http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Trouble programming a TS-2000
by Rick Tejera 18 Mar '16

18 Mar '16

Tom, Craig, N6RSX has been corresponding with me off list and mentioned that the radio in sat mode is cross band. That turned on the light. Exactly what you noted. When i was trying to enter the 2m downlink into VFO A, VFO B was already in 2m. So i set VFO B to 6m and bingo, VFO A was able to go into 2m. Once I put in the downlink, I was able to switch VFO B to 70cmnd program that in. Thanks to Craig for a lot of other good advice and You as well Tom for confirming the problem for others. Now to see if I can get on the air....... 73 Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net From: Tom Moretto [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 18, 2016 7:59 AM To: Rick Tejera Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Trouble programming a TS-2000 Hi Rick, just a tip, because it happened to me ;-) When you're going to program one vfo, make sure the other is not on the same band or you won't be abble to enter the qrg. 73, Tom F8COD 2016-03-16 5:22 GMT+01:00 Rick Tejera <saguaroastro(a)cox.net>: All, Cross posting from the amsat-na fb page: OK TS-2000 users, I finally have some time and decided to program the sat memories in my TS-2000. Now according to the manual you put the downlink into VFO-A and the uplink into VFO-B. Straight forward enough, problem is when I select VFO-A on the sub receiver to add it, I can't seem to make it find the 2m band. It goes from 70cm to 6m. I have no idea why it's doing this. Anyone else have this problem? Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Colorado Amateur Satellite net Begins in 1 hour
by Skyler F 18 Mar '16

18 Mar '16

This is a reminder that the Colorado Amateur Satellite net will begin in 1 hour from now (7PM mountain time Thursday). 6PM Pacific 7PM Mountain 8PM Central 9PM Eastern Please visit us on *AMSATNET.INFO <http://amsatnet.info/>* *IRLP* 9870, the Denver Reflector *ALLSTAR LINK* 40764, direct hookup to the repeater here. 41715, KC9ZHV hub at a data center if I am out of bandwidth. More info on AllStar - amsatnet.info/#node *ECHOLINK* *AMSAT* unless there is an ARISS contact, then go direct to KD0WHB-L *LOCAL RF* 449.625 (-) 141.3 ( WØKU Lookout Mountain) 447.225 (-) 141.3 (The STEM school repeater we set up) 447.850 (-) 141.3 (ACØKQ's repeater where he lives on TOP of saddleback mountain) 147.450 SIMPLEX (Aurora, CO) 446.275 (-) 100.0 Galena St. Local repeater at my house, giving a whopping 5 blocks of great coverage *REMOTE RF* Your Repeater here!, Email me if you want to link in or me to link your echolink or allstar repeater in automatically (no automatic IRLP linking supported) Skyler Fennell amsatnet.info KDØWHB electricity440(a)gmail.com

1 0

Menu for Dayton AMSAT/TAPR Banquet
by Bruce 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

I have just updated the menu at the AMSAT online store for the festivities this year. 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

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] Squelch setting on TH-D72a for FM birds - newbie question
by Rick Tejera 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Sounds like you're ready to transmit. Two things to add. First, And I presume you've already done this, but make sure you a 67.0hz PL tone programmed on the uplink frequencies and on with a 74.4hz tone, so you can turn it on if needed. Next, I set the Audio balance (menu 120) to A band, mute the Tx band. A headset is a good idea for the reason you state. You can use a set of ear buds and still use the Mic. I use a Heil traveler head set with boom mike. I like it since it has interchangeable interfaces for different radios. I've got the adaptors for all my radios. Unfortunately Heil realized they can sell more headsets by discontinuing this model rather than just selling $10.00 adapters. I fashioned a Y cord for mine so i can plug a digital recorder into the downlink side of the headset. Fits between the headset and the radio. Enjoy yourself, trust me, the only thing better than the first time you hear your signal on the downlink. is making your first QSO. Still remember mine like it was yesterday. Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Walls Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 7:19 AM To: kevino z; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Squelch setting on TH-D72a for FM birds - newbie question Short answer is yes. Jim - K6CCC ---------------------------------------- From: "kevino z" <z_kevino(a)hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 4:17 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Squelch setting on TH-D72a for FM birds - newbie question Pretty excited I heard my first satellite tonight, but not without beginner's mistakes. I was not trying to hit the satellite with TX tonight, just listening to learn the proper exchange. I think I did my homework and have programmed SO-50 frequencies in my TH-D72a correctly. I put the radio TX in the VFO "B" position, and all of the RX in the "A" and turned on full duplex. I left the squelch one up from open. I hooked my arrow antenna up, and held the antenna right at the satellite. Nothing. Then I switched to VFO A (RX) and held the monitor (squelch open) and heard some folks. While still in VFO A, I switched memory locations while holding the monitor on, to make sure I was on frequency (these RX memories account for doppler). When I heard a QSO, I let go of the monitor and the signal did not break squelch. So my question: Must I leave squelch all the way wide open when working FM satellites? If so, I guess that I need to buy some headphones so I do not introduce feedback into the TX side while in full duplex. Could some of you seasoned satellite folks help a new guy out? thank you Kevin (KK4YEL) No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced ! _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Squelch setting on TH-D72a for FM birds - newbie question
by kevino z 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Pretty excited I heard my first satellite tonight, but not without beginner's mistakes. I was not trying to hit the satellite with TX tonight, just listening to learn the proper exchange. I think I did my homework and have programmed SO-50 frequencies in my TH-D72a correctly. I put the radio TX in the VFO "B" position, and all of the RX in the "A" and turned on full duplex. I left the squelch one up from open. I hooked my arrow antenna up, and held the antenna right at the satellite. Nothing. Then I switched to VFO A (RX) and held the monitor (squelch open) and heard some folks. While still in VFO A, I switched memory locations while holding the monitor on, to make sure I was on frequency (these RX memories account for doppler). When I heard a QSO, I let go of the monitor and the signal did not break squelch. So my question: Must I leave squelch all the way wide open when working FM satellites? If so, I guess that I need to buy some headphones so I do not introduce feedback into the TX side while in full duplex. Could some of you seasoned satellite folks help a new guy out? thank you Kevin (KK4YEL) No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced !

3 2

4 omni antennas plots (nulls)
by Roland Zurmely 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Hi Bob WB4APR, ANY antenna above ground, has multiple lobes.You can simulate this with any program like MMANA or EZNEC... <http://www.qrz.ru/schemes/contribute/arrl/chap3.pdf> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

2 1

AMSAT @ "Springfest" hamfest (Scottsdale AZ) - Saturday, 19 March 2016
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's annual "Springfest" hamfest on Saturday morning, 19 March 2016. The hamfest will be at the Scottsdale Bible Church's Mountain Valley Campus on 17800 N. Perimeter Drive in Scottsdale AZ. The hamfest site is next to the AZ-101 Pima Freeway, near exit 36 for Princess Drive. More information about the hamfest, including a map, is available from the club's web site: http://scottsdalearc.org/ WD9EWK will be on various satellite passes during the hamfest, which is scheduled to run from 6am until 12 noon (1300-1900 UTC). If you hear me on the satellites Saturday morning, please call WD9EWK and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest site is in grid DM43, a few miles/km north of my house - a much shorter drive than last weekend's trip to Tucson for the ScienceCity event. :-) I will upload my log from the demonstrations to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and I will be happy to send QSL cards to anyone who works WD9EWK at the hamfest. Just e-mail me with the QSO details - if you're in the log, I'll send a card. No need to send me a QSL card or SASE. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

AMSAT @ ScienceCity (Tucson AZ) on 12-13 March 2016 - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Hi! Last weekend's (12-13 March 2016) ScienceCity science fair on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson was a great opportunity to show off amateur radio, and amateur satellites in particular, to a crowd much larger than a typical ham-related event. With good weather at the start of the spring break week for the university, and a book fair (Tucson Festival of Books) also taking place on the campus, well over 130000 people visited the campus during the weekend according to local media reports. This was a great crowd, knowing that the US Air Force's Thunderbirds demonstration team flew for crowds on both Saturday and Sunday at the nearby Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, a few miles/km southeast of the university. The aerial demonstrations were visible to the crowds at the university, a bonus for those of us who didn't go to the air base. :-) The University of Arizona's radio club, K7UAZ, had a booth on the campus mall complete with an HF station, a demonstration of software-defined radio using an "RTL-SDR" dongle to copy ADS-B aircraft transponders along with a HackRF One, and my portable gear for amateur satellites. The club also had a small 2.4 GHz dish above its tent, used to connect to the amateur mesh network that covers the UA campus and the surrounding Tucson area for access to high-speed data without relying on commercial Internet services. Even though SO-50's pass times didn't line up with the science fair, I still had AO-85 for an FM satellite, along with 3 other satellites I used for the satellite demonstrations (AO-7, AO-73, FO-29). Unlike when I was in Tucson for this event in 2015, I used the club's K7UAZ call sign for my operating during the weekend. Thanks to everyone who called K7UAZ over the weekend, as these calls led to a total of 41 contacts logged over 11 passes on these 4 satellites. I used a variety of equipment on the different passes - from an IC-2730A for AO-85, to a single FT-817ND for FO-29, to a pair of FT-817NDs for AO-7 and one AO-73 pass Saturday morning, and my FT-817ND/SDRplay combination on one AO-73 pass Sunday morning. Contacts were made with stations across the continental USA, along with Canada and Mexico. With the SDR display at the K7UAZ booth, there was a lot of interest from the club when I used my SDRplay receiver and 8-inch Windows 10 tablet as the downlink receiver on the AO-73 pass I worked Sunday morning. Dave KB5WIA, in northern California, was my only contact on that pass. This was no problem, as Dave was able to talk about his station, which was similar to what I was using. We chatted for a few minutes, and after the pass I answered more questions about my SDR setup. If you followed my @WD9EWK Twitter feed over the weekend, I tweeted a steady stream of photos from ScienceCity, along with other tweets related to my operations as K7UAZ. If you want to see those photos but don't use Twitter, you can view them at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK/media And for all of my tweets, those can be seen at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK If you worked K7UAZ over the weekend and want a QSL card, whether on HF or satellites, please send your QSL card with SASE to the K7UAZ club. The club has the log of satellite contacts, and will be happy to answer your QSL requests. Thanks to Mathias Gibbens K0WBG, the K7UAZ club president, and the K7UAZ club for inviting AMSAT back to their effort at the 2016 ScienceCity. The K7UAZ club, which is the campus radio club, also welcomes membership from the Tucson area. There was a nice mix of students and non-students, along with support from other local radio clubs (Radio Society of Tucson, Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club), at the K7UAZ booth. All in all, a fun way to spend a weekend... 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama on 18 March. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:53 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and N8DEU. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Walter Jackson Elementary School is located in Decatur, AL. Decatur lies in Morgan County which borders Madison County, home of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. United Launch Alliance (ULA) also builds rockets in Decatur. Because of our proximity to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and ULA, space, aeronautics, and robotics are a part of our school's curriculum. Approximately 300 students attend, from kindergarteners to fifth graders.Our teachers have high expectations for students and we are known for excellence in math, science, technology, and reading. Students here excel on math teams, participate in hands-on science demonstrations, utilize up-to-date technology, and engage in reading across all subjects. Besides being known for our innovative use of technology, our school has an international outlook. Our 34 North program allows students in each grade to learn about a city or country that lies along the 34 North line of latitude, the same latitude of our school. For students that attend all six years at our school, they leave with an appreciation and understanding of many cultures that shape our world. In summary, Walter Jackson is a growing school in a tight-knit Southern town. We enjoy the small-town benefits of teachers really getting to know students and families while simultaneously having access to cutting-edge resources. We look forward to adding the International Space Station to our ever- expanding global network! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Please describe how you communicate with your family. How did you feel about leaving them? 2. Are common illnesses like colds and headaches common? How do you treat them? 3. What training and education are involved in becoming an astronaut? 4. Please describe your daily jobs on the ISS. 5. How are animals used in experiments on the ISS? What have you learned from them? 6. Have you had any frightening moments or emergencies while on the ISS? 7. How do you celebrate holidays on the ISS? 8. We learned that astronauts get weekends off. How do you spend your weekends? 9. Please describe a spacewalk. What are they for and have you had a memorable one? 10. How do you find your way around the ISS? Did you have to memorize the layout or is there a map? 11. Please describe some of the experiments on which you have worked. What kind of experiments do you find most interesting? 12. What is your biggest challenge in space: microgravity, separation from Earth, fatigue, or something else? 13. Did you take any items from Earth with you to the ISS? 14. Is breaking a bone in space any different than on Earth? How would it be treated? 15. Does microgravity affect snoring? 16. Do you grow plants or food on the ISS? If so, how is that done? 17. What are some of your favorite sights from the ISS? 18. Does the ISS search for alien life? If so, have you discovered any signs of it? 19. What is it like living with astronauts from different countries? Do you have anything in common? 20. Do you use robots on the ISS? If so, how? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

SatPC32 and TAPR TrakBox?
by Alan 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Another question, same source. IIRC, the TAPR TrakBox has a command mode which is almost but not quite EasyCom compatible. Anyone know whether any of the various tracking interfaces supported by SatPC32 will work with the command mode? It has its own tracking capability of course, but it would be nice to be able to switch it by SatPC32. 73s, Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- Keep Calm and Carry On

1 0

SatPC32 and FT-100?
by Alan 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Got a question from someone asking about using a Yaesu FT-100 with SatPC32. It does have CAT capability, but does anyone know whether it is compatible with the other non-satellite rigs SatPC32 supports? 73s, Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- Keep Calm and Carry On

1 0

4 omni antennas
by Roland Zurmely 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Hi all, Please use Google translate (from portuguese). The 4 first plots are in FREE SPACE (espaço livre). The 5 next plots are for 7 meter above REAL GROUND (as indicated in english in the plots...) The other plots are in free space (as indicated in english...) only to show the componentsof circular polarization (V and H pol.) 73 de Roland

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] 4 omni antennas plots (nulls)
by Robert Bruninga 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

> Comparing DCA, QFH, Lindenblad and turnstile (eggbeater) antennas : > http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/4ant.htm All but the QFH show significant (10 dB) nulls all over the place. I'm sorry, I cannot read the language, but does he say anything about these nulls and the height of the antenna over ground? And what kind of ground was used in the model? Perfect or real... or free-space Since all of the antnnas are multi-element, those lobes could all simply come from the multi elements more or less independent of the ground reflection... Bob, WB4aPR

2 1

4 omni antennas
by Roland Zurmely 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

<http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/4ant.htm>

1 0

4 omni antennas
by Roland Zurmely 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Comparing DCA, QFH, Lindenblad and turnstile (eggbeater) antennas : < http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/4ant.htm > 73 de Roland.

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna (correction)
by Robert Bruninga 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Although my comments are true, I had not looked at the "updated" web page: http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html It appears he addressed all those issues and has an eggbeater design that does address those same issues. If that works, then that is the same thing I was talking about and seems to be a good approach. I'd love to see a cookoff between the two antennas. Bob... -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:32 PM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna My 2 cents: The problem with Eggbeaters is that their design goal (omni coverage) sounds good but also means, by definition, equally poor in all directions. There is no such thing as "gain" for an omni. The closer its gain approaches 3D omni, in all directions, then the closer its gain approaches 0 dBi. Of course, placed over a ground plane, then they can achieve 3 dBi... Now, on the other hand, satellites are nowhere near omni located. They are 10dB or more farther away on the horizon than when they are overhead. So you don't need as much gain at all overhead as you need on the horizon. Further, satellites spend more than 70% of all pass times below 22 degrees! (where they are weak) and only 5% of their time above 45 degrees where they are 10 dB stronger. The last thing then that you need for "omni" coverage for a non-pointing antenna, then, is gain that is UP (where the satellite is 10 times stronger). See the scale drawings of a LEO pass: http://aprs.org/LEO-tracking.html BUT on the other hand, most cubesats simply do not have the power to close the link to an OMNI antenna when it is on the horizon. It just cannot happen due to the distance and the omni only being at best 3 dB gain. So the BEST "omni" in my opinion is a 19" whip over a large metal ground plane. Not only does it provide 5 dBi gain above 15 degrees or so on VHF, it also provides almost 7 dBi gain on UHF above about 30 degrees where it acts as a 3/4 wave vertical.. Yes, it has a null overhead, but the satellite is 10 times stronger then. And the satleilte is only in that null less than 2% of all pass times. So the 19" vertical gives good gain from above the horizon in all directions and sacrificaes some gain overhead wehre it is not needed. And no omni antenna is going to hear these weak satellites all the way down on the horizon where they are 10 times weaker. And a 19.25" vertical piece of wire over some chicken wire is pretty easy to construct, AND it does not need to be on the top of a tower, since it cannot hear to the horizon anyway. So jjust put it where it can see most of the sky above abouit 15 degrees and you will hear about all you can on an Omni. And it is not bad... The value of a true circular hemispherical antenna is only when the satelile is strong (ISS) and it can be heard even on the horizon. Then the circula hemispherical antenna has the advantage of fewer nulls in its pattern. But you give up gain where it is most needed to get that. And a low noise preamp is essential... Just my 2 cents... Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Stoetzer Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:12 PM To: jim(a)k6ccc.org Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna Jim, The key words here are "noise floor." Omnidirectional antennas can work for satellites when you have a low noise floor and short runs of very good coax (and/or a preamp). As an example, I've listened for SO-50 a couple of times from here in Washington, DC with my Baofeng UV-3R+ and Nagoya NA-774 telescopic whip. I can hear the satellite a bit, but still quite nosily, above 45 degrees. Back in August, I was in a field in the middle of nowhere and heard it very well from 5-7 degrees above the horizon. Another example is that some people report decent telemetry success from AO-73 (when in high power mode) using nothing more than 1/4 wave whip. I've never been able to decode a single packet with that type of setup here in the city. Most people live somewhere between the two extremes I've presented here of "field in the middle of nowhere" and "apartment building in a major urban center" so your mileage may vary. Just keep in mind that in any receiving system, you are looking for an optimal signal to noise ratio. If you have no noise, you don't need much signal and omnidirectional antennas might work fine. If you have a ton of noise, you are going to need a lot of signal from the satellite, which means a beam with decent gain. 73, Paul, N8HM On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 12:46 PM, Jim Walls <jim(a)k6ccc.org> wrote: > I built one about a decade or so ago and was grossly underwhelmed with it. > I built it to use for a sat igate. I was able to decode maybe one or > two packets per day. Everything else was lost in the noise floor.. > Only had about 20 feet of RG-214 cable to the receiver. > > Jim - K6CCC > > > > > > ---------------------------------------- > From: "Joe" <nss(a)mwt.net> > Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 9:37 AM > To: "amsat-bb@amsat org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna Has anyone > built this antenna, and what are your opinions? Meet all the claims > being made? > > http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html > > Joe WB9SBD > -- > Sig > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect > the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > _______________________________________________ > 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

6 6

Egg beater antenna
by Dick Illman 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

I have successfully used UHF and VHF Egg Beaters in my attic for years. I used a TS2000 and ARR transceiver preamps (TS2000 is pretty deaf). I had 100 feet of 9913 cable. 73 Dick Illman AH6EZ/W7

2 1

Eggbeater
by on4cjq＠telenet.be 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Hello A nice article about eggbeaters. Never build one myself yet. http://on6wg.pagesperso-orange.fr/Page%201.html 73's Jerry,ON4CJQ

1 0

Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna
by Joe 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Has anyone built this antenna, and what are your opinions? Meet all the claims being made? http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

5 6

Trouble programming a TS-2000
by Rick Tejera 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

All, Cross posting from the amsat-na fb page: OK TS-2000 users, I finally have some time and decided to program the sat memories in my TS-2000. Now according to the manual you put the downlink into VFO-A and the uplink into VFO-B. Straight forward enough, problem is when I select VFO-A on the sub receiver to add it, I can't seem to make it find the 2m band. It goes from 70cm to 6m. I have no idea why it's doing this. Anyone else have this problem? Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Radio Club www.w7tbc.org 623-572-0713 623-203-4121 (cell) SaguaroAstro(a)cox.net

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna (make 100 ohm line)
by Robert Bruninga 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

> Main problem seems to be the 93 ohm coax,,, But one only needs 13" of the 100 ohm line at VHF and only 4.5" at UHF so just make it. Cut a piece of RG59 say 40% longer than the right length. Strip off the outer jacket and also slide off the shield. Now cut the dialectric and center conductor to the right length. NoW, then slide on enough heatshrink or wrap the dialectric with enough electrical tape to build up the diameter of the dialectric with something to bulk up the diameter until you get the right center to outer ratio to be 100 ohms. Then slide the shield back over it, heat shrink the whole thing, and you just made yourself a piece of 100 ohm coax, or any other impedance you want. Have I ever done this? No. But it should work if you can get the expanded diameter right, and what you stuff it with has a reasonable diaelectric constant. At least it would be fun to take the challenge. Or if you are very lucky, there may be a piece of larger 50 ohm line that if you could slide out the center conductor and slide in a smaller one of the right diameter you could do it that way too. Hey, it’s a hobby... of course you would need a dipper or antenna analyzer to test it. Just put a 200 ohm resistor on the end and see how close you get to 1.0 SWR. The more I think about it the more likely it would be to find some cheap RG59 that the center conductor slides out of. It has happened to me enough times when I try to strip some cheap junk that the center conductor pulls right out of short coax pieces... Then just stuff back in a smaller center conductor. Maybe? Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Douglas Phelps Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 8:33 PM To: Joe; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna (correction) This may not be a lot of help but you want RG-62. You can buy it by the foot but I do not have any, I used mine up working on the WRAPS rotor. RG-62 uses an RG-59 connector. DougK9DLP From: Joe <nss(a)mwt.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 3:45 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna (correction) Main problem seems to be the 93 ohm coax,,, anyone got a short piece? Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 3/15/2016 3:11 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote: > Although my comments are true, I had not looked at the "updated" web page: > http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html > > It appears he addressed all those issues and has an eggbeater design > that does address those same issues. If that works, then that is the > same thing I was talking about and seems to be a good approach. I'd > love to see a cookoff between the two antennas. Bob... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Robert Bruninga [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:32 PM > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna > > My 2 cents: > > The problem with Eggbeaters is that their design goal (omni coverage) > sounds good but also means, by definition, equally poor in all directions. > There is no such thing as "gain" for an omni. The closer its gain > approaches 3D omni, in all directions, then the closer its gain > approaches > 0 dBi. Of course, placed over a ground plane, then they can achieve 3 > dBi... > > Now, on the other hand, satellites are nowhere near omni located. > They are 10dB or more farther away on the horizon than when they are > overhead. > So you don't need as much gain at all overhead as you need on the horizon. > > Further, satellites spend more than 70% of all pass times below 22 > degrees! > (where they are weak) and only 5% of their time above 45 degrees where > they are 10 dB stronger. > > The last thing then that you need for "omni" coverage for a > non-pointing antenna, then, is gain that is UP (where the satellite is > 10 times stronger). > > See the scale drawings of a LEO pass: > http://aprs.org/LEO-tracking.html > > BUT on the other hand, most cubesats simply do not have the power to > close the link to an OMNI antenna when it is on the horizon. It just > cannot happen due to the distance and the omni only being at best 3 dB > gain. > > So the BEST "omni" in my opinion is a 19" whip over a large metal > ground plane. Not only does it provide 5 dBi gain above 15 degrees or > so on VHF, it also provides almost 7 dBi gain on UHF above about 30 > degrees where it acts as a 3/4 wave vertical.. > > Yes, it has a null overhead, but the satellite is 10 times stronger then. > And the satleilte is only in that null less than 2% of all pass times. > > So the 19" vertical gives good gain from above the horizon in all > directions and sacrificaes some gain overhead wehre it is not needed. > And no omni antenna is going to hear these weak satellites all the > way down on the horizon where they are 10 times weaker. > > And a 19.25" vertical piece of wire over some chicken wire is pretty > easy to construct, AND it does not need to be on the top of a tower, > since it cannot hear to the horizon anyway. So jjust put it where it > can see most of the sky above abouit 15 degrees and you will hear about > all you can on an Omni. > And it is not bad... > > The value of a true circular hemispherical antenna is only when the > satelile is strong (ISS) and it can be heard even on the horizon. > Then the circula hemispherical antenna has the advantage of fewer > nulls in its pattern. But you give up gain where it is most needed to get > that. > > And a low noise preamp is essential... > > Just my 2 cents... > Bob, WB4APR > > -----Original Message----- > From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul > Stoetzer > Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:12 PM > To: jim(a)k6ccc.org > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna > > Jim, > > The key words here are "noise floor." Omnidirectional antennas can > work for satellites when you have a low noise floor and short runs of > very good coax (and/or a preamp). > > As an example, I've listened for SO-50 a couple of times from here in > Washington, DC with my Baofeng UV-3R+ and Nagoya NA-774 telescopic > whip. I can hear the satellite a bit, but still quite nosily, above 45 > degrees. > Back in August, I was in a field in the middle of nowhere and heard it > very well from 5-7 degrees above the horizon. > > Another example is that some people report decent telemetry success > from > AO-73 (when in high power mode) using nothing more than 1/4 wave whip. > I've never been able to decode a single packet with that type of setup > here in the city. > > Most people live somewhere between the two extremes I've presented > here of "field in the middle of nowhere" and "apartment building in a > major urban center" so your mileage may vary. Just keep in mind that > in any receiving system, you are looking for an optimal signal to > noise ratio. If you have no noise, you don't need much signal and > omnidirectional antennas might work fine. If you have a ton of noise, > you are going to need a lot of signal from the satellite, which means a > beam with decent gain. > > 73, > > Paul, N8HM > > On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 12:46 PM, Jim Walls <jim(a)k6ccc.org> wrote: >> I built one about a decade or so ago and was grossly underwhelmed >> with > it. >> I built it to use for a sat igate. I was able to decode maybe one or >> two packets per day. Everything else was lost in the noise floor.. >> Only had about 20 feet of RG-214 cable to the receiver. >> >> Jim - K6CCC >> >> >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------- >> From: "Joe" <nss(a)mwt.net> >> Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 9:37 AM >> To: "amsat-bb@amsat org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Homebrew Up-Dated Eggbeater Antenna Has anyone >>built this antenna, and what are your opinions? Meet all the claims >>being made? >> >> http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html >> >> Joe WB9SBD >> -- >> Sig >> The Original Rolling Ball Clock >> Idle Tyme >> Idle-Tyme.com >> http://www.idle-tyme.com >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect >> the official views of AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Ceuta & Melilla and Gibraltar this summer
by Felix Paez EA4GQS 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Hi everybody, I want to share with you all that this August I will try to activate Gibraltar (ZB) the EA9 zone from Ceuta on portable on any avaliable FM satellite in the time I will be there. Also I will try to activate all the no frequent grids from Madrid to the South of Spain in my way. I don't know how many passes and which satellites I will be able to use until I know the exact date of the trip but I will try to plan it so I can work at least one pass from Gibraltar and another one from Ceuta. I will share the details on June or July in this list. All QSOs will be confirmed by LOTW. I am really sorry that I don't have at the moment any SSB portable transceiver. I know it would be great for our not European friends. We will see if something can be done about it these months.. Thanks Félix - EA4GQS

5 6

Video of my reception of Booker T. Washington Miami ARISS contact
by John Brier 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

https://youtu.be/Bs2hqQlUaLA This was an excellent reception for me in Raleigh, North Carolina with just a 15 degree pass. My pass started about one minute before Miami's pass started and ended about two minutes before Miami's pass ended. I picked up Tim Peake establishing the contact full quieting (no noise) with a signal strength of S7 to S9 on the S-meter (where 9 is the highest) and held that quality and signal strength through the answer to question 15. I heard nothing after that but my pass was about over by then. The school reported they got through question 16 but couldn't get more due to buildings blocking the signal, so I got all but one of the answers on a relatively low height/elevation pass of only 15 degrees. Not bad. My satellite setup: http://imgur.com/a/Ez7dL This is my reception of the International Space Station talking to Booker T. Washington Senior High in Miami, Florida on Monday March 14th, 2016 at 15:48 UTC. The school was using callsign W4SVI and British astronaut Tim Peake was using callsign NA1SS. My callsign is KG4AKV. Time Satellite Azm Elv Mag Range S.Azm S.Elv -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miami 2016-03-14 11:47:29 ISS 310.0 0.0 3.2 2383 136.4 51.3 2016-03-14 11:52:53 ISS 231.1 41.7 1.0 590 138.2 52.1 2016-03-14 11:58:16 ISS 151.2 0.0 5.7 2369 140.0 52.8 Raleigh 2016-03-14 11:46:36 ISS 293.5 0.0 3.1 2385 144.1 45.7 2016-03-14 11:48:10 ISS 283.1 5.0 2.7 1842 144.6 45.9 2016-03-14 11:51:25 ISS 232.1 14.8 2.3 1204 145.6 46.3 2016-03-14 11:54:39 ISS 180.9 5.1 3.9 1828 146.7 46.7 2016-03-14 11:56:13 ISS 170.2 0.0 4.9 2368 147.2 46.8 73, John KG4AKV

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-15 05:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-15 05:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida, direct via W4SVI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact was successful: Mon 2016-03-14 15:48:48 UTC 52 deg (***) Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53:49 UTC 69 deg **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-15 05:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1036. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1001. (***) 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, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-15 05:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 46 on orbit Tim Kopra KE5UDN Timothy Peake KG5BVI Yuri Malenchenko RK3DUP **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

4A1DX on SAT
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

*To celebrate 11 years of existence Grupo DXXE, Mexico’s top contest and DX radio club, will operate the special event callsign 4A1DX between March to June 14th 2016.* *This will be an SAT. now only FM (**SO-50, AO-85 y Lilacsat-2)* *The QSL manager is Dick N7RO. Don´t send your QSL cards to the Mexican bureau since we will not have QSLs to answer. Make sure you bureau QSL card is clear marked via N7RO.* *We will be uploading the log to LoTW at the end of our operation (June 2016), and all the Log will be on CLUBLOG too.* *QSOs with this station are good for the DXXE Award. You don’t need to physically send the QSL cards to obtain it.* *Operators via SAT are:* *Ismael XE1AYDavid XE3DX* *DK79, **EK36, **EK08, **EK09.* David Maciel XE3DX *http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ <http://www.qsl.net/xe3dx/>* *david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com <david.xe3dx(a)gmail.com>*

1 0

KC4YLD
by Rich/wa4bue 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

Hi All For several weeks I have been looking for KC4YLD Mike. Can anyone locate him. I have the Cube Sat Simulator to return and I need his new address. God Bless R W4BUE K4AMG Club

2 1

Yaesu G5500 Rotator
by Michael 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

I want to mount a small HF beam on a mast and rotate it using the azimuth portion of the G5500 to point it. Then I'd like to install sat antenna's up above the HF beam using the elevation rotator. Is this where using the "separation kit" comes into play? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the installation parameters. Thanks and 73, Michael W4HIJ

4 3

Security - New Survey
by Brandon Shirley 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

Dear AMSAT community members, I'm Brandon Shirley, I am conducting a set of surveys about space systems and software development for my PhD research at Utah State University. I really need your participation. There is a chance to win some gift cards. Please see below for more information and the link to take the survey. The survey should only take about 10 minutes. Reading this wordy email will probably take more time than actually taking the survey. Thanks. I sent you this email because I thought you might have relevant experience and greatly need your participation. 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. You can you use the link below to access the Security Survey. https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cwoPwnnqVbUG1hz 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 4th survey, Security. 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: (participate as you see fit) SISDPA : Core Concepts SISDPA : Development Preferences SISDPA : Open Systems Architecture and Modularity SISDPA : Security <========= We are here ========= SISDPA : Reuse, Interoperability, Portability, Code Complexity SISDPA : Network V/R, Brandon Shirley b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu See http://brandon.bluezone.usu.edu/Files/LOISpaceSoftwareAttitudes_Final.pdf for the Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 b.l.s(a)aggiemail.usu.edu, or contact Utah State University's Internal Review Board administrator at (435) 797 - 0567 or email irb(a)usu.edu

1 0

ARISS Miami Booker T. Washington contact sounded great in North Carolina
by John Brier 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

Sounded great in Raleigh, NC FM05 with a 15 degree pass. My pass started about one minute before and ended about two minutes before Miami's pass. Picked up establishment of contact within seconds of the beginning Miami's pass full quieting S7-S9 and held that quality and signal strength through the answer to question 15. I heard almost nothing after that but my pass was about over by then. Congrats to all involved. 73, KG4AKV

1 0

more on attic antennas
by Pete Parisetti 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

I am truly amazed. My "wire hanger" 2m GP in the attic (which works perfectly on 70cm as well) gave me 2 qsos on FO29, certainly not the loudest of birds, and I was still going through at 5 deg elevation, with the satellite at over 2,200 km from me. Nothing new or eart-shattering, for sure, but amazing nevertheless. Pete MM0TWX

1 0

FUNcube-1 operations
by Graham Shirville 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

Hi All, Just to report that FC1 is now operating in its autonmous switching mode and should remain so until Friday even (UTC time) 73 Graham G3VZV

1 0

N8RO/P Ops
by Ronald Oldham 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

My recent road trip to West Texas has been completed. I was able to activate six grids that included DM70, DM80, DM81, DM91, DL79 and DL89. A total of 61 contacts were made on three SO-50 and four FO-29 passes. This operation completes my 90th unique grid while operating portable. Many thanks to all for the contacts made along the way. I will soon upload all contacts to LOTW. I will use my call, N8RO, without any portable designation. Cards will also be mailed for all contacts. 73, Ron – N8RO

1 0

one on one satpc32
by Bob- W7LRD 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

I could use some 1 on 1 satpc32 help setting up on a newer win7 computer. I got the computer talking to the LVB tracker but can not get the computer to talk to my IC-910. Volunteers? 73 the digitally challenged Bob W7LRD

2 1

Congrats to ARISS!
by Clint Bradford 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

Congratulations on 1,000 successful ARISS projects! Clint K6LCS School Coordinator, ARISS Contact 721

1 0

ANS-073 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-073 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * ARISS Celebrates School Contact #1000! * AMSAT/TAPR Banquet at the Dayton Hamvention * Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D Waiting for delivery to Spaceflight Industries * The CBS "This Morning" show reportsa on STMSat-1 * Supporting Disaster Communications from Space * Proposal Window for Scheduled US Contacts is Open * Application Window Open for ARISS Europe Region * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-073.01 ANS-073 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 073.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 13, 2016 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-073.01 ARISS Celebrates School Contact #1000! March 10, 2016: Today the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station team (ARISS team) proudly celebrated its 1000th school radio contact! The very first ARISS contact took place in 2000, and Astronaut Tim Kopra, amateur call sign KE5UDN, on the International Space Station (ISS) did the honors for today’s 1000th link-up to the University of North Dakota. Kopra spoke in real time to excited scholars in Grand Forks at the event organized by the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC). An additional program milestone—this was the first amateur radio contact with the ISS that has been hosted in North Dakota. During the 10-minute ARISS contact Astronaut Kopra answered questions formulated by 20 different pupils in kindergarten all the way up to graduate school. A member of the winning 10th grade team from the Space Grant’s high altitude balloon competition last fall was awarded one of the slots to interview Kopra. An ARISS event is more than the amateur radio contact, and in this case the NDSGC team that included college student volunteers made multiple visits to pupils in the second through fifth grades at Emerado Elementary (Emerado, ND); Highland Elementary (Crookston, MN); Century Elementary (Grafton, ND); Century Elementary (Grand Forks, ND); and Discover Elementary (Grand Forks, ND). The university teams led the young students in hands-on activities and learning about aerospace, priming the youth for the interview with Kopra. The students, many from smaller rural communities, built and launched rockets, crafted and tested parachutes similar to those on NASA’s Orion capsule, and designed and tested neutral buoyant objects. Students in today’s audience for the 1000th contact numbered 500. TV and newspaper reporters captured the action; the university media team filmed it, and live-streaming was handled by John Spasojevich, amateur radio call sign AG9D. One student asked Tim, “What advice would you give to students, such as myself, who wish to work for NASA one day?” Tim advised: “Study very hard and work hard in school because if you do well in school you'll learn a lot and it's like money in the bank for you and your future career.” A UND staff member said, “Experiential learning has proven to be the most effective method of knowledge retention, so this [ARISS] experience would grant them [students] the skills necessary to be successful individuals in their future careers. The problem-solving, creativity, and perseverance required by radio communications are cross-disciplinary skills that students can utilize as they enter STEM fields and careers, enhancing the NASA- relevant workforce of North Dakota.” Frank Bauer, International Chairman for ARISS congratulated the ARISS team on this noteworthy accomplishment: “With the outstanding support of NASA and the International Space Agencies participating in ISS, the ISS on-orbit crew members encompassing all 48 expeditions and the hundreds of ARISS volunteers world-wide, the ARISS team has reached a tremendous milestone: 1000 ARISS contacts between schools on the ground and the ISS crews on- orbit. Since our first contact in December 2000 to today’s contact in North Dakota, hundreds of thousands of students have participated in hands-on STEM learning that ARISS affords and many millions from the general public have witnessed Human Spaceflight in action through an ARISS contact. My congratulations to the ARISS international team and our ARISS stakeholders and sponsors on this phenomenal accomplishment!” The NASA ISS Program Office produced several videos to celebrate the achievement of ARISS contact #1000, and the first three are online at: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTOiiBd2dCo&feature=em-uploademail ARISS: 1,000 Calls and Counting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwtLkTpgNMM&feature=em-uploademail ARISS: Talking to Astronauts https://youtu.be/Z-yHD9lVbH8 ARISS telebridge station W6SRJ operators Tim Bosma, W6MU, and Don Dalby, KE6UAY, in Santa Rosa, California, skillfully supported the North Dakota ham radio linkup as the ISS passed overhead, relaying astronaut Tim Kopra’s radio signal to the students. Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, the ARISS Mentor from the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and the lead operator for ARISS Contact #1, guided the UND Dakota Student Amateur Radio Association and the FORX Amateur Radio Club in all aspects of the ARISS contact. Congratulations go to the entire ARISS team on its #1000 successful amateur radio contact with ISS astronauts and cosmonauts! About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and 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. Join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT/TAPR Banquet at the Dayton Hamvention The tenth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday evening, May 20th. This dinner is one of the main AMSAT activities during the Hamvention. Tickets ($35 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store at www.amsat.org. The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 17th. The Banquet will take place at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 p.m. AMSAT and TAPR alternate the task of providing a speaker for the banquet. It is AMSAT¹s responsibility this year. Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, will present "It¹s just software, right?" She will survey the AMSAT Ground Terminal: Who, what, when, where, why, and how we¹re designing open source radio solutions for the next generation of AMSAT payloads. Michelle is AMSAT¹s Team Leader for the design and execution of the AMSAT Ground Terminal. The goal is to create a ³5 and Dime² (5 and 10 GHz) digital SDR transceiver that will support both voice and data modes, for both general QSOs and emergency communication, for the Phase 4B satellite and for future AMSAT projects. This is an effort to design an inexpensive ground terminal for amateurs that would cost tens of thousands of dollars commercially, for as much under $1,000 as we can get it. A true renaissance woman, in addition to being an engineer and a licensed amateur radio operator, Michelle has worked for Qualcomm, attends Burning Man, and is a longtime DEFCON participant. She is also the lead for Organ Donor (an AI pipe organ). Her Phase 4B Weekly Ground Engineering Reports are fascinating reading. Seating is limited to the number of meals we reserve with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets purchased online may be collected at the Books, Shirts & Memberships corner of the AMSAT booth (445-446). [ANS thanks Steve N9IP and the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D Waiting for delivery to Spaceflight Industries Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D successfully finished environmental testing on February 8 and are now ready and waiting for delivery to Spaceflight Industries for integration into their Sherpa payload dispenser which will be making its maiden flight. Launch is on target to occur in in the first half of 2016 on a SpaceX Falcon 9. The CubeSats will be kept in a clean condition sealed in anti-static bags, opened occasionally to charge the batteries so that they are fully topped off for delivery. Launched into a sun synchronous orbit, Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will both carry an FM repeater as Fox-1A (AO-85) has, as well as a camera experiment built by students at Virginia Tech which will take images of Earth for downlink in the high speed Data Mode. Fox-1Cliff will also contain a radiation experiment from Vanderbilt University ISDE like that in AO-85, and Fox-1D will host the University of Iowa HERCI (High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument) experiment to map the Van Allen radiation belts. With Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D completed, the Fox Engineering Team is focusing on RadFxSat/Fox-1B which is currently set to launch in January, 2017. [ANS thanks Jerry N0JY for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- The CBS "This Morning" show reports on STMSat-1 The CBS This Morning show reports on an amateur radio SSTV satellite built by elementary students which is to be deployed in space in the coming days Astronauts on the International Space Station have conducted hundreds of experiments and launched many satellites, but now they are set to deploy a satellite that elementary age students at a school in Virginia built. Their satellite hitched a ride on a NASA rocket late last year, and it will be released into space in the next few days. Mark Albert reports. Watch the CBS report at http://tinyurl.com/ANS073-STMSat-on-CBS For the latest deployment date check the STMSat-1 Twitter account https://twitter.com/STMSAT11 Deployment Update In a tweet from STMSAT-1 on Saturday: "Looks like I will be a houseguest just a bit longer. With 4 launches in the next 20 days. astronauts are quite busy! Try again. 3 weeks." [ANS thanks CBS and Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Supporting Disaster Communications from Space Conventional lines of communication can be impacted after a disaster. This we know. Phone lines can go down, cell service can be overrun with calls, texts, and emails and it can be difficult for survivors as well as first responders to get in touch. This isn’t a far-fetched scenario or intellectual exercise. It’s a reality we’ve seen happen over and over during disasters small and large. Enter Amateur Radio—or what those involved in the hobby refer to as "ham radio." Amateur radio enthusiasts—or “hams” as they’re often called—often step in during emergencies to help bridge communication gaps between first responders to keep people safe when smartphones, cell towers, and internet technologies we rely on every day go down. Volunteer hams also serve as a valuable source of information during the initial states of an emergency. Often, hams provide this public service in association with volunteer groups like Community Emergency Response Teams, who are always ready to spring into action quickly and effectively.1 We owe it to these volunteers to do everything we can to support their work to help communities bounce back when disaster strikes. That’s why we’ve partnered with the American Radio Relay League and researchers from Virginia Tech’s Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology in Blacksburg, Virginia—one of the leaders in amateur radio technology—to develop a new communications satellite that will help amateur radio operators transmit radio signals across the United States 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After all, disasters can happen any place and any time. With this new satellite, scheduled to launch in 2017, Hams involved in supporting disaster communications will have a more reliable connection and a new level of capability in their communications.2 Right now, radio signals used by amateurs must often be bounced off the ionosphere to accommodate communication over long distances. Unfortunately, this type of radio propagation isn’t reliable because signal reach and quality can be impacted or even halted by space weather events like solar flares and geomagnetic storms.2 This satellite is unique because it will provide another layer of support for emergency services by providing a dedicated communications hub for hams orbiting above the U.S. in geosynchronous orbit every day. It will help emergency managers deployed to disasters support long- term communications for first responders on the ground—and become another invaluable tool at their disposal.2 Amateur radio operators have come to the rescue on more than one occasion—like during Hurricane Sandy—when landlines and cell phones were left out of commission throughout New York and New Jersey. Hams also made a difference in 2013, when Colorado was hit with historic flooding. As floodwaters ravaged areas across the state, they threatened a wastewater plant that served over 80,000 people. Volunteers from the Amateur Radio Emergency Service—the American Radio Relay League’s disaster communications arm—leapt into action, creating a network to monitor the situation and collect data. As a result, they were able to take remote control of the facility and helped prevent any wastewater from spilling out with the floods.3 This new partnership with hams will help make our communities more resilient, and we look forward to a successful launch. FEMA Editor’s Note: Jessica Stapf contributed research to this post. Sources: Amateur Radio Relay League Page: Amateur Radio Emergency Communication http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-emergency-communication Virginia Tech Press Release: "First amateur radio in geosynchronous orbit will aid disaster communications." http://tinyurl.com/ANS073-VTGeo Case Study: Amateur Radio Volunteers Protect Community Water Supply http://tinyurl.com/ANS073-CaseStudy [ANS thanks Rafael Lemaitre and FEMA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposal Window for Scheduled US Contacts is Open Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals Proposal Window February 15 – April 15, 2016 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2016. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students and educators to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in contact dates and times. Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via Amateur Radio. In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with NASA. More Information Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS. For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Sessions go to http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact. Please direct any questions to ariss(a)arrl.org. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Application Window Open for ARISS Europe Region Schools and Youth organizations in the ARISS-Europe Region (Europe, Africa and Middle East) interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut onboard the International Space Station are invited to submit an application and an educational project. The application submission window will be open February 1 to April 30, 2016, for space conversations that will tentatively be scheduled in the period extending from February to June 2017. Please see http://www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts for details and an application. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between Slovanské Gymnázium Olomouc, Olomouc, Moravia, Czech Republic and Astronaut Timothy Peake KG5BVI using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2016-03-08 08:22 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via OK2KYJ. ARISS Mentor was Armand SP3QFE. This was the 998th ARISS contact. + A Successful contact was made between Atlanta Science Festival, Atlanta, Georgia and Astronaut Tim Kopra KE5UDN using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2016-03-08 16:11 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was telebridge] via K6DUE. ARISS Mentor was John K4SQC. This was the 999th ARISS contact. + A Successful contact was made between North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC), Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA and Astronaut Tim Kopra KE5UDN using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2016-03-10 19:07:08 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was telebridge via W6SRJ. ARISS Mentor was Charlie AJ9N. This was the 1000th ARISS contact. Editor's Note: Last week the Mentors for the successful ARISS contacts were misreported. AA8EM assumes full responsibility for the error. Below are the correct mentors for contacts #995, #996 and #997. The mentor for contact #995 on 2/29/2016 between Tim Kopra KE5UDN and Gesamtschule Leverkusen Schlebusch, Leverkusen, Germany, was Peter IN3GHZ. The Mentor for contact #996 on 3/1/2016 between Tim Kopra KE5UDN and National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (NUA), Syosset, New York, was Dave AA4KN. The mentor for contact #997 on 3/5/2016 between Timothy Peake KG5BVI and Powys Secondary Schools, Mid Wales, UK was Ciaran MØXTD. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida, direct via W4SVI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-14 15:48:48 UTC Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN Contact is a go for: Thu 2016-03-17 14:46:07 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Patrick Stoodard WD9EWK will be part of the booth for the University of Arizona's radio club (K7UAZ) for this weekend's ScienceCity science fair, on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson AZ. This is a two-day event, on Saturday and Sunday (12 and 13 March 2016). The event will be open from 9.30am to 5.30pm (1630 to 0030 UTC) each day. More information about the ScienceCity event is available at: http://sciencecity.arizona.edu/ [ANS thanks Patrick WD6EWK for the above information] + Space Station 360: Zarya Explore the Space Station’s first module with your mobile phone or virtual-reality headset. http://tinyurl.com/ANS073-SpaceStationTour [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, AA8EM (Former KC8YLD) kc8yld at amsat dot org

1 0

Run as administrator
by David Pykett 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Hi Bob Did you have any success installing Satpc32? 73 Dave G0IIQ

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-12 20:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-12 20:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida, direct via W4SVI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-14 15:48:48 UTC 52 deg Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53:49 UTC 69 deg **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-12 20:00 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 1035. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1000. 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, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-10 21:00 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 **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

JN09 SQUARE on AO-7 at 5:30PM.
by F1RRJ 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Hello all, I'll be on AO-7 from JN09 SQUARE for North American stations, at 5:30pm near of the satellite frequency 145.945. 73s. Francis, F1RRJ.

1 0

LVB with Orbitron
by David Maciel (XE3DX) 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Hello Group, who works the LVB Tracker AMSAT with Orbitron ..? I have some trouble setting with WispDDE, I would like some help screens to configure .. -- Saludos David Maciel XE3DX Enviado desde mi IPHONE

1 0

Tim Peake talks about Amateur Radio on the ISS
by M5AKA 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Tim Peake talks about Amateur Radio on the ISS http://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/11/tim-peake-talks-about-amateur-radio-on-the-i… Get press publicity by receiving ISS school contacts http://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/10/press-publicity-receiving-iss/ Video of Tim Peake and Powys Combined Schools contact http://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/07/tim-peake-powys-schools-video/ Deployment of STMSat-1 SSTV CubeSat postponed http://amsat-uk.org/2016/03/03/school-sstv-cubesat-to-deploy-from-iss/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

2 1

Upcoming ARISS contact with Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida on 14 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:48 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and W4SVI. The contact should be audible over Florida and portions of the eastern U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Booker T. Washington Senior School is a grade 9-12 public school within the urban school district of Miami Dade County Public Schools. It is a tuition free school, with an open admission policy. It is located in an historical area in the town of Miami, Florida. The school is a school with two magnet programs and career and technical education academies. The school is the only high school in South Florida with a state of the art planetarium, in which astronomy themed STEM education is taught. This planetarium is the centerpiece for the new advanced level astronomy magnet program at the school, developed by the Department of Mathematics and Science. The astronomy magnet is the host program for this 2016 ISS Contact. There is a strong emphasis on STEM education at the school site as of the past few years, which is a part of a reform effort to make the high school a STEM high school. The student body is made up of about 980 students from all over the Miami-Dade County area (Students outside of the general feeder pattern are can attend the high school via one of its magnet programs). The school has about 45 classroom teachers, 24 special area teachers, five interventionist and many agencies on campus who all offer academic assistance such as tutoring and standardized testing preparation. Being one of the oldest high schools in the county and state, the school's mission is to envision the future while recapturing the past, which creates a formula for success. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What was the biggest issue you've encountered during a mission on the ISS? 2. How do you maintain the ISS in terms of new technology? 3. If someone wanted to travel to space how would they prepare? 4. How is your breathable oxygen maintained on the ISS? 5. After being in space for so long, what is it like when you get back to Earth? 6. Have you considered the possibility that you could die in space or 'enroute' to space? 7. Do humans age differently in space compared to on Earth? 8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being in space? 9. How would you respond to an incident like a fire aboard the ISS (beyond using a standard fire extinguisher)? 10. Are there any technical routines you need to adhere to every morning when you wake up? 11. While exercising in space does your muscle mass develop differently? 12. Is there a particular area of the planet you always see when you pass/cross the ascending node or descending node within your orbit around the Earth? 13. Did you take into consideration your family's feelings before going on your mission to space? 14. What is your hygiene routine on the ISS? 15. Since there are no hospitals in space is the crew medically trained if someone gets sick? 16. How often do you conduct space walks? 17. When conducting a spacewalk how do you get back into the ISS? 18. How to you prevent yourself from moving too far out during a spacewalk? 19. Does the ISS have probes to collect telemetry such as space gas composition and concentration? 20. How do you slow down enough to dock the Soyuz on the ISS? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53 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

1 0

Geosync Ham Sat Posting on the FEMA Website
by Douglas Phelps 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Is FEMA jumping the gun or is the ride share opportunity approved? The full Artical, from FEMA, is posted below. NavigationSearchLanguages - Blog - Blog Disclaimers & Policies Main Content Supporting Disaster Communications from Space Author: Rafael LemaitreHume Center Director of Research Robert McGwier (right) and research associate Zachary Lefke are building radio antennas that will be used in the Virginia Tech Ground Station. Photo Credit: Virginia TechConventional lines of communication can be impacted after a disaster. This we know. Phone lines can go down, cell service can be overrun with calls, texts, and emails and it can be difficult for survivors as well as first responders to get in touch. This isn’t a far-fetched scenario or intellectual exercise. It’s a reality we’ve seen happen over and over during disasters small and large. Enter Amateur Radio—or what those involved in the hobby refer to as "ham radio."Amateur radio enthusiasts—or “hams” as they’re often called—often step in during emergencies to help bridge communication gaps between first responders to keep people safe when smartphones, cell towers, and internet technologies we rely on every day go down. Volunteer hams also serve as a valuable source of information during the initial states of an emergency. Often, hams provide this public service in association with volunteer groups like Community Emergency Response Teams, who are always ready to spring into action quickly and effectively.1We owe it to these volunteers to do everything we can to support their work to help communities bounce back when disaster strikes. That’s why we’ve partnered with the American Radio Relay League and researchers from Virginia Tech’s Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology in Blacksburg, Virginia—one of the leaders in amateur radio technology—to develop a new communications satellite that will help amateur radio operators transmit radio signals across the United States 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After all, disasters can happen any place and any time.With this new satellite, scheduled to launch in 2017, Hams involved in supporting disaster communications will have a more reliable connection and a new level of capability in their communications.2 Right now, radio signals used by amateurs must often be bounced off the ionosphere to accommodate communication over long distances. Unfortunately, this type of radio propagation isn’t reliable because signal reach and quality can be impacted or even halted by space weather events like solar flares and geomagnetic storms.2 This satellite is unique because it will provide another layer of support for emergency services by providing a dedicated communications hub for hams orbiting above the U.S. in geosynchronous orbit every day. It will help emergency managers deployed to disasters support long-term communications for first responders on the ground—and become another invaluable tool at their disposal.2Amateur radio operators have come to the rescue on more than one occasion—like during Hurricane Sandy—when landlines and cell phones were left out of commission throughout New York and New Jersey.Hams also made a difference in 2013, when Colorado was hit with historic flooding. As floodwaters ravaged areas across the state, they threatened a wastewater plant that served over 80,000 people. Volunteers from the Amateur Radio Emergency Service—the American Radio Relay League’s disaster communications arm—leapt into action, creating a network to monitor the situation and collect data. As a result, they were able to take remote control of the facility and helped prevent any wastewater from spilling out with the floods.3This new partnership with hams will help make our communities more resilient, and we look forward to a successful launch. Editor’s Note: Jessica Stapf contributed research to this post.Sources: - Amateur Radio Relay League Page: Amateur Radio Emergency Communication - Virginia Tech Press Release: "First amateur radio in geosynchronous orbit will aid disaster communications." - Case Study: Amateur Radio Volunteers Protect Community Water Supply

3 3

FoxTelem patch version 1.03h
by Chris Thompson 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

I have released a patch to Version 1.03 of FoxTelem. This fixes two minor issues that have been reported to me: 1. The measurements were being displayed incorrectly, so it appeared that they were not being collected. 2. Sometimes a small number of frames were not sent to the sever. If you are not experiencing these issues, then you don't need to upgrade. You can find the patch here: http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/windows/foxtelem_1.03h_patch.zip http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/mac/foxtelem_1.03h_patch.zip http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/linux/foxtelem_1.03h_patch.zip It is only 1 file and you just copy it into the installation directory and overwrite the file that is there. You know it has worked if the version number is now 1.03h. 73 Chris g0kla / ac2cz -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

3 3

ARISS Contact #1000!!
by KA3HDO 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

Phenomenal ARISS contact today with Astronaut Tim Kopra and the students participating in the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium contact-ARISS contact #1000! Our telebridge team at W6SRJ Santa Rosa, CA, USA, led by Tim Bosma, W6MU, picked up Tim Kopra a few seconds into the pass with 20 questions answered. Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, who was station operator for Contact #1 in December 2000 was the moderator for this 1000th contact. Thanks to all for making this astounding achievement possible!! 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chair AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs

2 1

Colorado Amateur Satellite net Begins in 1 hour
by Skyler F 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

This is a reminder that the Colorado Amateur Satellite net will begin in 1 hour from now (7PM mountain time Thursday). 6PM Pacific 7PM Mountain 8PM Central 9PM Eastern Please visit us on *AMSATNET.INFO <http://amsatnet.info/>* *IRLP* 9870, the Denver Reflector *ALLSTAR LINK* 40764, direct hookup to the repeater here. 41715, KC9ZHV hub at a data center if I am out of bandwidth. More info on AllStar - amsatnet.info/#node *ECHOLINK* *AMSAT* unless there is an ARISS contact, then go direct to KD0WHB-L *LOCAL RF* 449.625 (-) 141.3 ( WØKU Lookout Mountain) 447.225 (-) 141.3 (The STEM school repeater we set up) 447.850 (-) 141.3 (ACØKQ's repeater where he lives on TOP of saddleback mountain) 147.450 SIMPLEX (Aurora, CO) 446.275 (-) 100.0 Galena St. Local repeater at my house, giving a whopping 5 blocks of great coverage *REMOTE RF* Your Repeater here!, Email me if you want to link in or me to link your echolink or allstar repeater in automatically (no automatic IRLP linking supported) Skyler Fennell amsatnet.info KDØWHB electricity440(a)gmail.com

1 0

ARISS News Release no. 16-02
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

Please find attached ARISS News Release no. 16-02 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-10 21:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-03-10 21:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC), Grand Forks, North Dakota, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN Contact was successful: Thu 2016-03-10 19:07:08 UTC 58 deg (***) Live stream video for the event can be accessed at: http://realmedia.aero.und.edu/ndsgc.html This was ARISS contact number 1000 and the 84th ARISS contact for W6SRJ. Congrats to all! (***) **************************************************************************** ** Yes, indeed, this was ARISS contact #1000. I had the luck of the draw to be the control operator for ARISS contact #1 in Burbank, IL back on December 21, 2000. Now once again, the luck of the draw has allowed me to be the mentor and moderator for this 1000th contact. Here is to the second 1000 contacts. 73, Charlie AJ9N One of the ARISS Operation Team Mentors **************************************************************************** ** Booker T. Washington Senior High, Miami, Florida, direct via W4SVI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Mon 2016-03-14 15:48:48 UTC 52 deg Walter Jackson Elementary, Decatur, Alabama, direct via N8DEU The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI (***) Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-03-18 13:53:49 UTC 69 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** The next window to submit a proposal for an upcoming contact is now open. The window is open from 2016-02-15 to 2016-04-15 and would be for contacts between 2017-01-01 and 2017-06-30. Check out the ARISS website http://www.ariss.org/ or the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact for full details. **************************************************************************** ** 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 116 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 2016-03-10 21:00 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 1035. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1000. (***) 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, North Dakota, Rhode Island, 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 2016-03-10 21:00 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 **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

AMSAT @ ScienceCity in Tucson AZ (12-13 March 2016)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Hi! I will be part of the booth for the University of Arizona's radio club (K7UAZ) for this weekend's ScienceCity science fair, on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson AZ. This is a two-day event, on Saturday and Sunday (12 and 13 March 2016). The event will be open from 9.30am to 5.30pm (1630 to 0030 UTC) each day. More information about the ScienceCity event is available at: http://sciencecity.arizona.edu/ I was part of the K7UAZ booth for the Saturday of last year's ScienceCity event, where over 60000 people came through the campus. This year, I wanted to attend for both days, since last year's event saw an estimated total of over 130000 people attending both days. As part of the K7UAZ activity, I will demonstrate satellite operating during each day. For these demonstrations, I will use the radio club's K7UAZ call sign. The University of Arizona campus, in the center of Tucson, in grid DM42. K7UAZ will also be on the HF bands each day. If anyone works K7UAZ and wishes to receive a QSL card, please look up K7UAZ on QRZ.com for the mailing address to send your QSL request with SASE. K7UAZ isn't currently participating in online QSL services like LOTW or eQSL. For up-to-the-minute news of my plans to work different passes, and photos from ScienceCity and the K7UAZ booth, please follow my @WD9EWK Twitter feed. For those who don't use Twitter and want to see my tweets, you can visit http://twitter.com/WD9EWK using a web browser. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

1 0

FW: run as administrator
by David Pykett 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

HI Bob Right click on the setup.exe file once you have unzipped it into a folder and select run as Administrator, this resolved it for me on Win 10 PC and also on Windows Vista so hopefully it will work for you. I read through the instructions on using SatPC32 a number of times before I had it configured correctly, but now its so easy your virtually right on frequency every time on every Satellite, it takes time and effort to set up but well worth it in the end. 73 Dave G0IIQ From: Bob- W7LRD<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: 09 March 2016 22:43 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [amsat-bb] run as administrator trying to set up Satpc32 on a win7 computer-can not get passed the "must run as administrator" part. Being "digitally challenged" how do I get it to run? 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

run as administrator
by David Pykett 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

HI Bob Nit quite sure what happened to my email I think it may have gone direct to you? Right click on the setup.exe file once you have unzipped it into a folder and select run as Administrator, this resolved it for me on Win 10 PC and also on Windows Vista so hopefully it will work for you. I read through the instructions on using SatPC32 a number of times before I had it configured correctly, but now its so easy your virtually right on frequency every time on every Satellite, it takes time and effort to set up but well worth it in the end. 73 Dave G0IIQ From: Bob- W7LRD Sent: 09 March 2016 22:43 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] run as administrator trying to set up Satpc32 on a win7 computer-can not get passed the "must run as administrator" part. Being "digitally challenged" how do I get it to run? 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

run as administrator
by Bob- W7LRD 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

trying to set up Satpc32 on a win7 computer-can not get passed the "must run as administrator" part. Being "digitally challenged" how do I get it to run? 73 Bob W7LRD

2 1