- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AO-73 DX?
by David G0MRF 11 Jan '15

11 Jan '15

Hi all. Nice to hear CU2JX on the last pass of AO-73 in HM77 This must be one of the few stations that could easily make transatlantic QSOs via AO-73 Thanks David

2 1

FO-29 Passband
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Jan '15

11 Jan '15

Great to hear some good use of the 100 kHz we have available on FO-29. I worked WD9EWK on the DM33/DM43 line around 435.875 and then W5PFG/1 on the FN65/FN66 line around 435.880. Didn't have to fight QRM to get them into the log. 73, Paul, N8HM

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] weak signal ISS packet
by Wayne Estes 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

Bob WB4APR wrote: > The use of speaker/mic connections(with pre- and de-emphasis) and direct > modulation and discriminator demodulation can each have optimum performance. > But there are always problems when crossing between the two. BUT, it IS > possible to adjust on the transmit side for a compromise between the two and > then receivers of each type can decode pretty good. > > Though maybe 1% of hams go to this trouble. Packet radio is NOT > Plug-N-play. The transmitter must be adjusted for optimum waveform! Wayne W9AE replies: Nearly every mobile/base ham transceiver manufactured in the last 30 years has a "packet data" port on the rear. I doubt that very many hams use microphone and speaker ports for packet data. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

1 0

TYT TH-9000 70cm rig on SO50
by John Geiger 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

The TYT TH-9000 is a nice priced, 45 watt UHF rig. Has anyone tried using them on SO50 yet? It would be nice to have them for the local repeaters as well. I would be using it with a yagi on 70cm. 73 John AF5CC

1 0

test
by Ted 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

test

1 0

email blocked
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

I have been unable to receive any email from the amsat bb. I found this Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: amsat-bb(a)amsat.com Technical details of permanent failure: Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the server for the recipient domain amsat.com by mx2.daemonmail.net. [216.104.161.5]. The error that the other server returned was: 554 5.7.1 <amsat-bb(a)amsat.com>: Relay access denied Why has amsat blocked me? I have done nothing to cause this . This is the second time this has happened, is it a glich or is someone doing it WA4HFN Damon em55 www.starcommgroup.org

2 1

test email
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

this email sent from wa4hfn(a)comcast.net to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org still not seeing any emails from anyone on the amsat bb email

2 1

test email
by damon runion 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

test only

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Fwd: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

At 02:43 PM 1/10/2015 +0000, you wrote: >I am not receiving any email from the amsat bb again.I have checked all the >other locations email could go. If I have been blocked or dropped WHY? >Damon WA4HFN em55 >www.starcommgroup.org I'm seeing all the messages you sent. Not sure why it's telling you they're not going through. KB7ADL

1 0

Fwd: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 10 Jan '15

10 Jan '15

----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "damon runion" <damonwa4hfn(a)gmail.com> To: "Damon Runion" <wa4hfn(a)comcast.net> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 8:41:03 AM Subject: Fwd: Delivery Status Notification (Failure) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: damon runion <damonwa4hfn(a)gmail.com> Date: Sat, Jan 10, 2015 at 8:31 AM Subject: Fwd: Delivery Status Notification (Failure) To: wa4nvm(a)comcast.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mail Delivery Subsystem <mailer-daemon(a)googlemail.com> Date: Sat, Jan 10, 2015 at 8:28 AM Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure) To: damonwa4hfn(a)gmail.com Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently: amsat-bb(a)amsat.com Technical details of permanent failure: Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the server for the recipient domain amsat.com by mx2.daemonmail.net. [216.104.161.5]. The error that the other server returned was: 554 5.7.1 <amsat-bb(a)amsat.com>: Relay access denied ----- Original message ----- DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=20120113; h=mime-version:date:message-id:subject:from:to:content-type; bh=odcizdBh3Eq/OR/s5L6lPJ9FaIpZwMcnO0/eJeqln4g=; b=ffYWFAlYRcMVyJnnyrOqPysaD6tVP9/qLPP/dlmAY8v9aWsO3001kBgpMH9/A38gqz kBp2hbKVdYDPeJdu+EAkqC5AIXj1lwXJAG4RzdhSStUqrxmqtY3jg3oEszNaUJXngX7K 3/ieAkgR87vznw8TYQ42BaxNYSdWTvXhHRfYNVoDh7xLZcgbnWJezSBzxRMjOmKC/3n/ ielICoJw2m06XBos/18FITtjlA81x2CbWtYIkfSOF2Yos9w+TZamgl+1DtvU+gw+vmkx p/aXNH8hxnCvn32XrEvk1906iwtJT8FxarYhzK23ALH6O75K9u+8wR77CDPLLlYr17pG Zc/g== MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Received: by 10.152.1.2 with SMTP id 2mr27255257lai.89.1420900104131; Sat, 10 Jan 2015 06:28:24 -0800 (PST) Received: by 10.25.30.82 with HTTP; Sat, 10 Jan 2015 06:28:24 -0800 (PST) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:28:24 -0600 Message-ID: <CACNBj2p= 37S6hhQsr8XohbZG11FjzyQL4AmCiyo6RydNftc0cg(a)mail.gmail.com> Subject: email From: damon runion <damonwa4hfn(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.com> Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=089e013c6672f7d868050c4d152a I am not receiving any email from the amsat bb again.I have checked all the other locations email could go. If I have been blocked or dropped WHY? Damon WA4HFN em55 www.starcommgroup.org

1 0

logging software
by ted 09 Jan '15

09 Jan '15

I use Bob Furzer's Logger 32. It handles all of my logging needs including satellite QSOs from home, and from over 40 portable grids, many on gridlines. The program allows you to use different operators and to keep track of each within the main log. For example; aa5ck, aa5ck/5, aa5ck/6mtr, aa5ck/EM06, aa5ck/DM71/DM72, etc. Freeware that has evolved over the years from it's early DOS days to what it is today due to the efforts of many great volunteers who recognized it's potential. Almost instant help from the Hamlogger Yahoo Group if needed. The latest version of Logger32 features automatic updates. 73......ted....aa5ck --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] weak signal ISS packet
by Robert Bruninga 09 Jan '15

09 Jan '15

Yes, again, "best packet" all depends on the settings of the transmitting station (and matching it on receive). When the ISS used a kenwood, then another kenwood would always work the best. Because both are built at the factory for optimum performance (to each other) and they use direct modulation and demodulation to the same levels. My kenwoods can decode another kenwood (direct) with only 3 bars. BUT similarly, I can see many signals that appear to have full scale signals and then barely deocde because so many signals on the air were never adjusted properly. AND there are two standards. Do the sending and receiving radios use pre- and de-emphasis (speaker and Mic connections)? Or do they operate flat with direct modulation and demodulation. Is the receiver an FM demodulator or Phase demodulator? BUT on ISS, I believe they are currently using another radio, not a kenwood. SO now you need a receiving system best matched to this radios transmitted waveform. Maybe someone on the AMSAT-BB has captured the existing ISS waveform and we can see what kind of receiver is best. But then again, the captured waveform MUST indicate exactly what kind of receiver (with or without de-emphasis) was used in capturing the waveform! Two manufactured APRS radios work BEST between them because they were factory adjusted for BALANCED tone levels and NO preemphasis or de-emphasis. But other stations may just use the Mic connections and speaker connections and get over 6 dB of performance loss if they are not accounted for. The use of speaker/mic connections(with pre- and de-emphasis) and direct modulation and discriminator demodulation can each have optimum performance. But there are always problems when crossing between the two. BUT, it IS possible to adjust on the transmit side for a compromise between the two and then receivers of each type can decode pretty good. Though maybe 1% of hams go to this trouble. Packet radio is NOT Plug-N-play. The transmitter must be adjusted for optimum waveform! I should be able to tell everyone what the RIGHT way to do it is, but I never trust my memory anymore, and don’t have time today to go do all the research again... But I'm going to recall from memory, that I think the WORST situation of most TNC's is if the LOW tone is higher than the HIGH tone, that decoding always suffers. And suffers FAR WORSE than the other way around. So that is why the compromise is to make the high tone about 3 dB higher (30% on an OO scope) so that it doesn’t get completely lost when it goes through a speaker connected receiver and gets de-emphasized. OR, If I remember wrong and it is the other way around! Good luck. Bob -----Original Message----- I was hoping for some ideas to better my station and am very pleased you have responded. I want to better utilize my station and increase my throughput with the ISS in particular. I have available 10 element crossed Yagi antennas and Yaesu az el rotor and several radios with TNC's built in including Yaesu FTM-350 and FTM-400 and Kenwood TM-D700 and TS-2000. MFJ and Kantronics TNC's as well as products from Byonics and Argent Data are found on my bench. I am currently running a Kenwood TM-D700 to a M2 Eggbeater as a 24/7 ISS station with UISS software and modules to upload to the internet. I want to increase my capabilities with respect to the ISS and APRS. I have found that the Kenwood TM-D700 requires that you get about almost a half scale reading to effect good packet reception. I don't want to use the fully automated station (FT-847) that I have when I'm not home because in the past a failure caused my rotor to jam and I had to lower my tower to remove and repair the az-el rotor. I suspect that the best way might be to use a sound card software and computer to give the best decoding. Thanks for the response Steve KB1CHU

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Logging software and multi grid QSO's
by David W0DHB 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

Thanks to all who provided feedback, this all came about when I found a bug in Log4OM and the Log4OM folks asked about how other Logging software handled it. Here’s what I discovered. DXKeeper did the best job, it allows up to 4 grids to be entered and tracks VUCC awards correctly N3FJP with some tricks allows up 4 grids to be entered, but I believe it will not track VUCC awards correctly HRD Logger allows 2 grids to be entered and does not track VUCC awards correctly Log4OM allows 2 grids to be entered, does not track VUCC awards correctly and the grid field is overwritten with one grid after LoTW download (trying to get fixed) What I mean does not track VUCC awards correctly is that in most cases the logging software VUCC tracking only uses the first grid in the list of 2 or 4 (ie. DM62,DM63,DM72,DM73) only gives you credit for DM62 Notes about LoTW LoTW basically ignores the stations Grid from your log when it does QSO matching, the grid is only used for determining VUCC. LoTW doesn’t care what grid(s) you give for the station you contacted. The download file from LoTW does include multiple grid information. Still looking into eQSL On January 8, 2015 10:38:18 AM CST, David W0DHB <dave(a)w0dhb.net <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: I'm currently using Log4OM software and discovered that in the case where a multigrid QSO is logged (Station is on a grid boundary) the software has some issues. - Seems to upload to LoTW ok, but downloads from LoTW only one grid is marked as confirmed. - The internal award tracking only recognizes one Grid. HRD Logger has similar issues. Does anyone have logging software (N3JFP, DXKeeper, etc.) that handles multi-grid QSO's correctly , especially LoTW/eqsl upload download Thanks Dave W0DHB _____ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]> . 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

1 0

Useful New Tool for Satellite Operations
by Paul Stoetzer 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

Here's something that lots of hams on the satellites could use, especially those with large beams and transceivers that can't be set lower than 5 watts output. http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/boxa-mwextreme/ 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

Logging software and multi grid QSO's
by David W0DHB 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

I'm currently using Log4OM software and discovered that in the case where a multigrid QSO is logged (Station is on a grid boundary) the software has some issues. - Seems to upload to LoTW ok, but downloads from LoTW only one grid is marked as confirmed. - The internal award tracking only recognizes one Grid. HRD Logger has similar issues. Does anyone have logging software (N3JFP, DXKeeper, etc.) that handles multi-grid QSO's correctly , especially LoTW/eqsl upload download Thanks Dave W0DHB

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] K1N Navassa DXpedition will be on SO-50
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

I'm happy they will at least be trying SO-50, but I wish they would have taken AMSAT up on our offer of equipment and training for operations on the transponder satellites. For the K5D expedition we had multiple FM sats, and we designated a 2nd repeater on AO-51 for just K5D and it was still an awful mess. Even an 817 with the same arrow would allow them to run half duplex, split freq ops on FO-29 and would result in many easier QSOs. Sean, if you have any influence with Gregg, please ask him to consider taking along a 817 to make use of the SSB birds, in particular FO-29. I will go to Georgia to train him in it's use. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "Sean K." <kx9x(a)yahoo.com> >Sent: Jan 8, 2015 8:52 AM >To: Amsat-bb Mailing List <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] K1N Navassa DXpedition will be on SO-50 > >Hi all- >I just heard from K1N Navassa DXpedition member Gregg Marco, W6IZT. He writes: >"We will be bringing an HT and an Arrow antenna in hopes ofmaking some Qs on SO-50. Dates and times of operation will be dependent uponoperator availability at the time of a viable pass. CU in the pile-upsGreggW6IZT" >Operation will only be on SO-50; no other satellites are being considered. > >The K1N Navassa DXpedition is the number one most-needed country in the world by HF DX'ers. Exact dates are still being determined, but the operation is slated for the first two weeks of February. Complete info can be found at http://www.navassadx.com >This will be an extremely rare opportunity to work KP1 on satellite, possibly once in a lifetime. Please consider sending them a donation to cover expenses. > > Sean Kutzko >Amateur Radio KX9X >_______________________________________________ >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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

K1N Navassa DXpedition will be on SO-50
by Sean K. 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

Hi all- I just heard from K1N Navassa DXpedition member Gregg Marco, W6IZT. He writes: "We will be bringing an HT and an Arrow antenna in hopes ofmaking some Qs on SO-50. Dates and times of operation will be dependent uponoperator availability at the time of a viable pass. CU in the pile-upsGreggW6IZT" Operation will only be on SO-50; no other satellites are being considered. The K1N Navassa DXpedition is the number one most-needed country in the world by HF DX'ers. Exact dates are still being determined, but the operation is slated for the first two weeks of February. Complete info can be found at http://www.navassadx.com This will be an extremely rare opportunity to work KP1 on satellite, possibly once in a lifetime. Please consider sending them a donation to cover expenses. Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

1 0

73 on 73 Award #6 - SP9TTX
by Paul Stoetzer 07 Jan '15

07 Jan '15

Congratulations to Dariusz Dabek, SP9TTX, for becoming the sixth recipient of the 73 on 73 Award. He submitted a list of 78 stations worked via AO-73 between September 1, 2014 and January 3, 2015. Reviewing the recent log submissions for the award, it appears that the full time transponder activation over the holiday season attracted several new users to the satellite. For more information on the award see http://amsat-uk.org/funcube/73-on-73-award/ 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

1 0

DM33/DM43 activity on Saturday (10 January) afternoon
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 07 Jan '15

07 Jan '15

Hi! After the Thunderbird Hamfest wraps up on Saturday morning, I'm planning to work at least 3 passes from a city park in north Phoenix on the DM33xp/DM43ap boundary (112 degrees West longitude). I am planning to work passes between 2130 and 2330 UTC, which would include two SO-50 passes and one FO-29 pass covering most of the continental USA. Neither of these grids are rare, but DM33 isn't on the satellites as much as DM43. I'll work from the same spot I used for many years, logging almost 6000 QSOs between late 2007 and 2011. As I usually do, all QSOs made from this location will be uploaded to ARRL's Logbook of the World. QSL cards will be available, which will show the display from my GPS receiver and indicate both grids as part of the QTH listed on the card. If you would like a card for a QSO from this location, please e-mail me with QSO details. No need to first send me a card or SASE. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

AMSAT @ Thunderbird Hamfest (Phoenix AZ) on Saturday, 10 January 2015
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's hamfest on Saturday, 10 January 2015, in Phoenix AZ. The hamfest will be at the Northwest Community Church, on 43rd Avenue between Greenway and Bell Roads in north Phoenix. Not too far from either the I-17 or AZ-101 freeways. More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.w7tbc.org/content.php?348-hamfest During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on various passes for on-air demonstrations of satellite operating. I also plan on trying ISS and/or NO-44 passes using my TH-D72A HT, along with FO-29 and (hopefully!!!) AO-73 around 1300-1900 UTC. If you hear me on a pass, please call and be a part of the demonstration. If you see me on the ISS digipeater or NO-44 in packet, please note that I will only be able to see APRS messages from similar radios or software like UISS. I will try to use those messages to complete QSOs with anyone on those passes. All QSOs made at the hamfest will be confirmed via ARRL's Logbook of the World. QSL cards will also be available - please e-mail me with QSO details, and I will send a card if you're in my log. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Other upcoming events with AMSAT presence: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=218

1 0

Office
by Martha 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

I returned yesterday from 2 weeks of leave. It will take me some time to catch up on everything so I thank you for your patience. -- > 73- Martha (AMSAT's only employee)

1 0

Containerized Satellite Survey
by Bungo Shiotani 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

Dear AMSAT community, My name is Bungo Shiotani and I am a PhD student working with Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy at the University of Florida. As part of my PhD research I have put together a survey to assess the potential impacts that containerized satellites have on the debris population in low Earth orbit. I would like you to participate and to forward this survey to others that you know. Thank you for your help in advance! 73, Bungo KK4LXH ------------------------------------------ Bungo Shiotani, KK4LXH Graduate Researcher Space Systems Group University of Florida (352) 846 3020 bshiota(a)ufl.edu Dear Fellow Member of the Space Community, My name is Bungo Shiotani and I am a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy at the University of Florida. I am requesting your assistance with this survey to assess the potential impact that containerized satellite have on the debris population in low Earth orbit. The results will be used as part of my Ph.D. dissertation to create a statistical database and to quantify the growth of debris population. We hope the outcome will increase the awareness to the community regarding the potential growth of debris population due to containerized satellites. Your identify will not be collected unless you choose to disclose it in the survey. Additionally, if you would like the results sent directly to you, please disclose your contact information when requested in the survey. Please respond to this survey by Friday, February 27th 2015. The survey should take less than 30 minutes to complete. Survey link: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8CYyyDTFUGKHFbL Please forward this information to other members of the space community. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact us: Bungo Shiotani Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy Graduate Researcher Research Advisor bshiota(a)ufl.edu nfc(a)ufl.edu We would like to thank you in advance for your participation in completing this survey. Thank you and best regards, Bungo Shiotani Graduate Researcher Space Systems Group University of Florida (352) 846 3020 bshiota(a)ufl.edu

1 0

SpaceX CRS-5 Launch Scrubbed
by Eric Rosenberg 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

From SpaceX: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were set to liftoff from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, for their fifth official Commercial Resupply (CRS) mission to the orbiting lab. --------------------------- Launch Update: During the terminal count engineers observed drift on one of the two thrust vector actuators on the second stage that would likely have caused an automatic abort. Engineers called a hold in order to take a closer look. SpaceX is scrubbed for today and we are now targeting launch on Jan. 9th at 5:09am ET. ----------------------- The SpaceX launches are streamed live on Livestream. Very cool! 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC

1 0

2 meter downconverter
by Richard Lawn 06 Jan '15

06 Jan '15

I'm looking for a 2 meter downconverter to use with my Flex1500. A transverter would also work like the Ten Tec. Drop me a note if you've got one collecting dust. Tnx 73 Rick W2JAZ

1 0

W100AW ISS Digi 1558Z-1609Z
by Sean K. 05 Jan '15

05 Jan '15

Let's give it a try, shall we? Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

3 2

HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY- 2015
by W2JV 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

Good Evening, Ham Radio University www.hamradiouniversity.org, in it’s 16th year, will take place tomorrow from 9 AM to 4 PM, at Briarcliff College in NY. I will be doing a forum on Amateur Satellites at 11 AM, EST, we will have live streaming of my talk, http://hamradiouniversity.org/live-streaming/ visit the HRU site for the details. 73’s Pete W2JV

2 1

Notice for Operation Conclusion of DESPATCH
by Akihiro Kubota 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

Dear All, Happy New Year 2015! One month has past since Deep Space Sculpture "ARTSAT2:DESPATCH(FO-81)" was put into an Earth-escape orbit as a piggyback payload of H-IIA F26 launched at December 3, 2014 from Tanegashima Space Center, JAXA. It is estimated to have stopped sending radio waves since the battery of DESPATCH already ran out (We predicted that the battery will work for 27 days according to the running time of the transmitter). Today January 3, the main control station, Tama Art University Ground Station, decided to conclude the operation of DESPATCH. Many people supported and cooperated us throughout the design and development of DESPATCH. In addition, many excellent many ham radio operator received and reported super weak radio waves of DESPATCH from deep space. To have this opportunity, I would like once again to thank all of them very much. Reception reports of DESPATCH are summarized on the following page. Reception Reports https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WP-FzXHe8axAzNy44SGbKpJqIRKWHAcIP9v… Finally, we had two reception reports at 4.7 million kilo-meters from the Earth (more than 12 times of the distance to the Moon). They were far beyond what we expected. They are the the longest communication distance in the world between two amateur radio stations. Orbital elements of DESPATCH is as follows (J2000 heliocentric ecliptic coordinates). - Semi-major axis a : 1.003881127 [AU] - Eccentricity e : 0.08741828512 - Inclination i : 6.796995362 [deg] - Argument of perihelion w : 96.90057903 [deg] - Longitude of the ascending node W : 250.5520871 [deg] - Mean anomaly at epoch M : 101.6280436 [deg] - Epoch : 2457023.50000 [JD] (Time of perihelion : 2456919.7870655278675 [JD]) cf. Orbital elements of EARTH : http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/earthfact.html Celestial sphere position and orbital trajectory of DESPATCH can be checked anytime on the following web pages. - Celestial Sphere http://artsat.jp/project/despatch/celestial - Orbital Position http://artsat.jp/project/despatch/orbit Transmission of the radio wave from DESPATCH has ended. However, the life of DESPATCH as a sculpture around the sun is almost eternal. We calculated the orbit (the distance from the Earth) of DESPATCH for 500 years from now. http://artsat.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/500years.png http://artsat.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/500years_large.png DESPATCH will continue to orbit around the sun as an artificial asteroid. By examining the calculated results for the local minimum value of the distance between the Earth, DESPATCH will approaches to less than 1 million km from Earth after about 350 years. Possibly it will approach more closer to the Earth due to the interaction with unpredictable other celestial bodies. We are glad if you think of DESPATCH as the most distant artwork in the world sometimes in the future. ARTSAT project will continue to the future. We already started the conceptual design of next ARTSAT3. We kindly ask for your continuous support and cooperation for the project. January 3, 2014 ARTSAT Project

3 2

ANS-004 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-004 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: * W5PFG/P Northern Maine Grid Expedition * Opportunities to Help at AMSAT User Services * Design The Next AMSAT Satellite! * 73 on 73 Award #5 - EC4TR * Geosynchronous Es'hail-2 with Amateur Payload Contracted for 2016 Launch * DESPATCH FO-81 Concludes Operations SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-004.01 ANS-004 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 004.01 From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD. January 4, 2015 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-004.01 W5PFG/P Northern Maine Grid Expedition Weather permitting, a grid expedition to northern Maine will begin Saturday, January 10, 2015. Planned grids will be: FN53-54, FN57, FN65-67. The plan is to try to operate as many satellite passes and gridlines as possible in the same fashion as AC0RA's March 2014 trip. The trip will end up in FN42 by Sunday, January 11 evening. Twitter via @w5pfg will be the primary form of communications with follow-up afterwards with some pictures at www.w5pfg.us. [ANS thanks Clayton, W5PFG, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Opportunities to Help at AMSAT User Services AMSAT's User Services Department is recruiting for several volunteer positions to augment our dedicated and elite staff! The User Services Department provides support in several areas including: + AMSAT News Service + The AMSAT Journal magazine + AMSAT's web presence at www.amsat.org The AMSAT News Service ----------------------- We need two or more volunteers to step forward who can dedicate time on a rotating shift of news editors. The AMSAT News Service (ANS) sends out a weekly news bulletin of everything of interest to amateur radio in space. The entire ANS crew (currently 3 editors) helps round up the news and each ANS editor takes a week as editor to compile the week's ANS bulletins. We'll get you into the bulletin rotation and you'll take your turn as the ANS editor this week. The AMSAT Journal Magazine -------------------------- We need two or more volunteers who can help compile one of AMSAT's key membership benefits ... The AMSAT Journal Magazine. An assistant editor is needed to help our existing team of editors (currently 3) to locate articles and establish contact with potential authors. All you need is an eye for articles of interest to amateur radio in space. You'll compile input from AMSAT HQ, volunteer authors, and amateur radio news sources into articles for publication in our bi-monthly magazine. We also need one volunteer who is capable of assuming the position of editor-in-chief of the AMSAT Journal. You'll help develop article sources and using AMSAT provided software and templates compile the 32-page magazine for six issues per year. Our publishing system is the Adobe InDesign CS6 package. This can be learned quickly by any computer literate ham. InDesign is MS-Word on steroids. AMSAT's Web Presence -------------------- Help is needed on the front to locate and publish up to date content for the AMSAT web. We publish late breaking news of amateur radio in space. We also publish reference information to help operate on the satellites ... software, radios, antennas, operating techniques. Web content containing late-breaking operating news and reliable operator tips currently has several gaps needing to be filled. Our WordPress environment makes the web display easy but you'll be spending your volunteer time on the content. This is a job for 5 or more volunteers and needs to be filled immediately! AMSAT also is looking for a webmaster who will assume responsibility for the display of all content in a WordPress environment. The basic framework is in place but can definitely stand to be fine tuned and made into a world class display of amateur radio in space. For most hams on-line www.amsat.org is our "front door" and we are looking for the most capable help on this important user interface! Our team is the "voice of AMSAT". News, operator tips, and membership benefits are important products for AMSAT User Services. For questions or to volunteer please contact AMSAT's Vice President of User Services, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM at k9jkm(a)amsat.org [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice President of User Services, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Design The Next AMSAT Satellite! At the 2014 AMSAT Space Symposium AMSAT Vice President - Engineering Jerry Buxton announced the plan for the next generation of AMSAT satellites. "The door is open for everyone, to submit their ideas. AMSAT Engineering has a long term strategy and this is the first step." The Engineering long term strategy includes the following goals: - Advancement of amateur radio satellite technical and communications skills - Enhance international goodwill - Grow and sustain a skilled pool of amateur radio satellite engineers - Establish and maintain partnerships with educational institutions - Develop a means to use hardware common to all opportunities With respect to the last goal Jerry said "Within the bounds of the type of satellite it takes to achieve any of the various orbit opportunities, let's consider in those plans the possibility of developing a platform that can suit any and all orbits. Perhaps a modular CubeSat, using a common bus as we did in Fox-1, which gives great flexibility in building and flying different sizes and configurations of CubeSats with simple common-design hardware changes." Submissions should be thorough and contain the following information. The purpose of the proposal is not just in suggesting an idea; being an all-volunteer team AMSAT needs your help in carrying out the idea. Design Implementation - CubeSat platform Estimated timeline Cost - volunteer resources, commercial (COTS) units Launch - how does it get to orbit Strategy - how it fits into AMSAT's Engineering long term strategy As mentioned above the idea should be based on the CubeSat platform. This is the standard through which we will look for launches in the foreseeable future. In considering your proposal, Jerry encourages you to contact him for more details on the criteria. A guidebook to the criteria is now available for download here. In particular, if you plan to include a university as a partner to provide experiments or other support and you are not representing that university, please contact Jerry for assistance in working with our existing partners or establishing a new partnership. "Being amateur radio operators, it is easy for us to fall into a particular trap because of our history of communicating with other amateurs throughout the world" says Jerry. "Specifically, most people who are not already involved in the world of satellite technology are unaware of or simply overlook the provisions of the current ITAR and soon to be EAR export rules particularly with regard to deemed exports which requires governmental permission to discuss satellite projects with foreign nationals." While all amateurs are invited to submit ideas, U.S. amateurs must take particular care of they choose to become involved in a collaboration which includes individuals from other countries. It is permissible to receive ideas and proposals from outside the U.S., but it is not permitted for U.S. Persons to export or share design ideas with other countries unless they have taken the proper steps to insure compliance with ITAR and deemed export rules. Additionally, those wishing to work on proposals should use care in presenting themselves in their contacts. While the goal is for AMSAT to build and launch the satellite, it is not an AMSAT project until it is accepted by the AMSAT Board of Directors. It is acceptable to represent yourself as members of a project team that plans to submit a proposal to AMSAT for a future satellite project, as the AMSAT name is well known. "It is not our intention that ideas be submitted to AMSAT-NA which would be more appropriately handled by an AMSAT organization in a country where AMSAT is established. AMSAT-NA is seeking ideas from amateurs in North America and will certainly consider ideas from amateurs in countries which do not have an established AMSAT organization or relationships with an existing AMSAT organization." The deadline for submissions is May 30, 2015. After the submission date the ideas will be screened for completeness and then reviewed by a board consisting of the AMSAT Engineering Team, AMSAT Senior Officer and Board of Directors representatives, and aerospace industry members. The review board may modify or consolidate ideas and will consider which meet the criteria to become a project based on feasibility, cost, and the ability to bring value to the amateur satellite community. The review process is expected to be completed in September 2015. For those ideas selected to become a project which satisfy the requirements for an ELaNa launch, the idea authors will be asked to work with the AMSAT Engineering Team on an ELaNa proposal. The Engineering Team will then work on the details of execution for the selected project(s) and present a proposal to the AMSAT Board of Directors in October 2015 for final approval to begin work. Once approved, any ELaNa proposals will be submitted in November 2015 and the project(s) will move forward. Now is the time for YOU to begin working on the next AMSAT satellite! [ANS thanks Jerry, N0JY, for the above information --------------------------------------------------------------------- 73 on 73 Award #5 - EC4TR Congratulations to Jose Luis Peña Sanchez, EC4TR, for becoming the fifth recipient of the 73 on 73 Award. He submitted a list of 73 stations worked via AO-73 between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. For more information on the award see http://amsat-uk.org/funcube/73-on-73-award/ [ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Geosynchronous Es'hail-2 with Amateur Payload Contracted for 2016 Launch The new satellite will be positioned at 26° East. In September 2014, a contract with MELCO was signed to build the satellite based on the DS-2000 bus. In December 2014, a launch contract was signed with SpaceX to launch the satellite on a Falcon-9 v1.1 booster in late 2016. Es'hail 2 will also provide the first Amateur Radio geostationary communication capability linking Brazil and India. It will carry two "Phase 4" Amateur Radio transponders. The payload will consist of a 250 kHz linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations in addition to another transponder which will have an 8 MHz bandwidth. The latter transponder is intended for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television. The uplinks will be in the 2.400-2.450 GHz and the downlinks in the 10.450-10.500 GHz amateur satellite service allocations. Both transponders will have broad beam antennas to provide full coverage over about third of the earth’s surface. The Qatar Amateur Radio Society and Qatar Satellite Company are cooperating on the amateur radio project. AMSAT-DL is providing technical support to the project. [ANS thanks Gunter Krebs for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- DESPATCH FO-81 Concludes Operations The following update was provided by Akihiro Kubota. One month has past since Deep Space Sculpture "ARTSAT2:DESPATCH(FO-81)" was put into an Earth-escape orbit as a piggyback payload of H-IIA F26 launched at December 3, 2014 from Tanegashima Space Center, JAXA. It is estimated to have stopped sending radio waves since the battery of DESPATCH already ran out (We predicted that the battery will work for 27 days according to the running time of the transmitter). Today January 3, the main control station, Tama Art University Ground Station, decided to conclude the operation of DESPATCH. Many people supported and cooperated us throughout the design and development of DESPATCH. In addition, many excellent many ham radio operator received and reported super weak radio waves of DESPATCH from deep space. To have this opportunity, I would like once again to thank all of them very much. Reception reports of DESPATCH are summarized on the following page. Reception Reports https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WP- FzXHe8axAzNy44SGbKpJqIRKWHAcIP9vXnaHMb6g/edit#gid=0 Finally, we had two reception reports at 4.7 million kilo-meters from the Earth (more than 12 times of the distance to the Moon). They were far beyond what we expected. They are the the longest communication distance in the world between two amateur radio stations. Orbital elements of DESPATCH is as follows (J2000 heliocentric ecliptic coordinates). - Semi-major axis a : 1.003881127 [AU] - Eccentricity e : 0.08741828512 - Inclination i : 6.796995362 [deg] - Argument of perihelion w : 96.90057903 [deg] - Longitude of the ascending node W : 250.5520871 [deg] - Mean anomaly at epoch M : 101.6280436 [deg] - Epoch : 2457023.50000 [JD] (Time of perihelion : 2456919.7870655278675 [JD]) cf. Orbital elements of EARTH : http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/earthfact.html Celestial sphere position and orbital trajectory of DESPATCH can be checked anytime on the following web pages. - Celestial Sphere http://artsat.jp/project/despatch/celestial - Orbital Position http://artsat.jp/project/despatch/orbit Transmission of the radio wave from DESPATCH has ended. However, the life of DESPATCH as a sculpture around the sun is almost eternal. We calculated the orbit (the distance from the Earth) of DESPATCH for 500 years from now. http://artsat.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/500years.png http://artsat.jp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/500years_large.png DESPATCH will continue to orbit around the sun as an artificial asteroid. By examining the calculated results for the local minimum value of the distance between the Earth, DESPATCH will approaches to less than 1 million km from Earth after about 350 years. Possibly it will approach more closer to the Earth due to the interaction with unpredictable other celestial bodies. We are glad if you think of DESPATCH as the most distant artwork in the world sometimes in the future. ARTSAT project will continue to the future. We already started the conceptual design of next ARTSAT3. We kindly ask for your continuous support and cooperation for the project. [ANS thanks Akihiro Kubota 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

Anyone want to try for NO-44 QSOs Sunday @ 1557 or 1738 UTC?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 04 Jan '15

04 Jan '15

Hi! In the past week or so, I have been trying to send packets through the NO-44 satellite, after seeing its beacon while trying to work the ISS digipeater. Thanks to Mike KC9ELU, I was able to complete a packet QSO via NO-44 on Thursday @ 1731 UTC. I'm going to try again tomorrow (Sunday) morning, on the passes around 1557 and 1738 UTC. If anyone is on and able to try to work me, that would be great. NO-44 is on the same 145.825 MHz frequency as the ISS digipeater, but using VIA W3ADO-1 as the UNPROTO path instead of VIA ARISS as we would use with the ISS digipeater. I have found that my TH-D72A works better when I start out on 145.830 MHz simplex for the first few minutes of a pass, and then tuning down to the nominal 145.825 MHz frequency for the remainder of the pass. This may not be the case with your radio, so you may want to switch between 145.825 and 145.830 MHz early in the pass, to see which sounds better at your radio. I am not using a computer with my HT, so my transmissions will be in the form of APRS messages. If you are using a similar radio, or software like UISS, you can also use APRS messages to make QSOs. NO-44 has lots of issues, but it can work well on daylight passes - especially when the ISS is not in view of the satellite. If you are able to work either of these passes, I hope to hear you - and complete another QSO on this satellite. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Expectations...
by PA3GUO 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Hi Kelly, Regarding APRS via the ISS; A busy channel ... When I use 100W into my 2x6 elements antenna (with doppler correction) I can always get over the ISS APRS station. When lowering to 5W I get a problem, likely due to many many stations in Europe all transmitting at the same time. Note: I don't run often with 100W, in fact I rarely use APRS at all. So, it's a busy channel, see also here: http://www.ariss.net/index2.cgi 00:00:57:07 : WB3FKP]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::K8OE :35F here in Alden , PA - UR 599 today via ISS ! 00:00:57:10 : W3MAT]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::WB3FKP :QSL Good Copy 00:00:57:12 : WB3FKP]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::Heard :K0HCV-9,NX9G,WB8JAY,W3MAT,K8OE,KB1CHU That is 3 transmissions in 5 seconds (up and downlink means 6 transmissions in 5 seconds I believe). But it does show the satellite (ISS) hears MANY stations at the same time. Watch the footprint, pick your time, eg when it is over a more quiet area but still in range for you. Antennas: The ISS turns and its construction sometimes blocks/shield the antenna's. You can see that during school contacts, when APRS and Voice run simultanious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNM3bzRW_E Signal strengths varies independently on the 2 stations (watch the waterfall). In fact I believe that compared to ~8 years ago, the fading due to the ISS construction itself has increased enormous. A lot of fun though! Even if nobody responds, if you hear your packet re-transmitted by ISS, you 'have been in space' already !! Success & have fun! Henk, PA3GUO

2 1

73 on 73 Award #5 - EC4TR
by Paul Stoetzer 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Congratulations to Jose Luis Peña Sanchez, EC4TR, for becoming the fifth recipient of the 73 on 73 Award. He submitted a list of 73 stations worked via AO-73 between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. For more information on the award see http://amsat-uk.org/funcube/73-on-73-award/ 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

3 2

ALogger still available ?
by PA3GUO 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Hi all, While in the progress of updating the computers of my radiostation, I noticed I could not find Alogger anymore downloadable on the internet, nor any trace of Bill Diaz over the past few years. Alogger is the SW I use for all my TNC work. While I still have some local copies, I got really curious by now. Does anyone know more? Bill - are you still reading this BB? Best regards, Henk, PA3GUO

1 0

FJ93 Grid expedition by PV8DX Jan 3-4, 2015
by John Papay 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Paulo PV8DX and Abilio PV8AZ are planning a grid expedition to FJ93wf, 1600utc 03 January to 1200utc 04 January 2015. Operation will be from a 400m high mountain. They will operate with a battery/generator on the satellites. It will be a difficult trip up the mountain. They will also be able to monitor 28.390 thanks to a 10m to 2 meter repeater operated by their club LABRE. They will be able to transmit as well as receive using this system. Paulo asks that everyone be patient as they will be operating under very difficult conditions. Although not specified, Paulo usually operates on the linear birds but don't rule out SO-50 if in range. Paulo has a very nice portable station and everyone should be able to hear him and make a contact. This is likely a new grid for everyone. Good luck. 73, John K8YSE

2 1

EN84/EN85 Line - AO-73 at 1747Z, AO-7B at 1811Z
by Paul Stoetzer 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Good morning, I am about to depart for the EN84/EN85 grid line in Northern Michigan. I will be able to operate two passes: AO-73 at 1747Z for the midwest and west and AO-7B at 1811Z for the east coast and Europe. These are both low passes and I only have 5 watts and an Arrow for the uplink, so please QRP so I can get into the transponder and work as many who need these grids as possible! 73, Paul, N8HM

2 1

EN75 on SO-50 at 2338Z
by Paul Stoetzer 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Good afternoon, Thanks for the QSOs from the EN84/EN85 line. I made 8 QSOs on AO-73 and 4 on AO-7. I will make one more trip to EN75 for the 2338Z pass of SO-50. That will likely conclude my operations for the trip, but please email me if you still need EN74 and I can do passes tonight or tomorrow morning before I fly back to DC. 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

Expectations...
by Kelley 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I put up a new antenna for ISS work today. It's a home-built 2m turnstile with reflectors. Numbers wise (SWR, etc., as read on a MFJ analyzer) the antenna is working. I used the antenna a bit on APRS and was able to hear stations and be heard by stations. I listened to the ISS for 3 passes earlier today. On the first 2 passes I heard a number of stations, but was unable to digi via the ISS. On the third pass (about 40 degrees elevation at max and to the south), I was able to digi via the ISS (sorry if I have the terminology wrong here, I'm somewhat new at this). My question is, how often should I be able to digi via the ISS? Is it unusual to not be able to on a given pass (all 3 passes were higher elevation passes)? I know there are collisions and QRM involved and someone wins out. I don't have the best station (IC-706MKIIG and a turnstile antenna), I'm sure this plays a part. Curious what others have experienced. Thanks, -- Kelley - WØRK

4 8

Re: [amsat-bb] freeze up problem
by Richard Lawn 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

villas, I'd like to know specifically what you disabled in windows 7. Thank you. 73 Rick W2JAZ

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] logging program
by Richard Lawn 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I'm sure you will get lots of input on this topic. I changed over to Log4OM almost a year ago as it accommodates sats nicely and integrates very nicely with my entire station handling automatic uploads to LoTW and eQSL. Its free too :) 73 Rick W2JAZ

1 0

logging program new yrs resolution
by Bob- W7LRD 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I have about 54 years of paper logs-I am going to "attempt" to put in a program. What is "the" best one you guys use? That is satellite by name friendly grid squares etc as well as HF. If I do about 10 entries a day it will take a few years hihi 73 Bob W7LRD

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] logging program new yrs resolution
by Kevin M 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I have about 54 years of paper logs-I am going to "attempt" to put in a program. What is "the" best one you guys use? That is satellite by name friendly grid squares etc as well as HF. If I do about 10 entries a day it will take a few years hihi 73 Bob W7LRD Since my logging program is NOT sat friendly, I use the free TQSL utility from LotW to log my contacts. I have a file set up for each satellite. That way, when I work a pass, I open that file and I enter the Callsign, change date if needed, enter the time and change mode CW/SSB if needed, then hit next. All the other info will stay the same unless you change it. So no need to enter bands and frequencies each time and no need to satellite mode and sat name. (Or the date if it's the same) Once I started to do this, I found it much quicker than my regular logging program anyway. Then when you are done entering all the data, you can take all those files and import them into another logging program then create one master file if you wish. Or just upload to lotW (and eQSL if you want), save them and be done. My point is, TQSL, entering QSOs one sat at a time, is the quickest, most efficient way to ENTER the minimal data required for LotW uploading, if that is your goal. If you want to enter names, grids, states, notes, etc., then no... get a regular logging program. But cross Winlog32 off the list. =^) 73, Kevin N4UFO

1 0

FO29 with an Arrow
by Jim White 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked FO29 portable. We are working with a group of guys on an expedition to a small island and I'm hoping to take only an IC910H and an Arrow hand held Yagi mounted on a light camera tripod. Clearly I can work SO50 with that, but how about FO29? Will I be able to hear it with that small antenna and no preamp? Jim jim(a)coloradosatellite.com wd0e(a)amsat.org

11 11

EN84/EN85 on AO-73 - 1747Z 03-Jan-2014
by Paul Stoetzer 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Good evening, I will be able to make it to the EN84/EN85 line for one pass of AO-73 tomorrow afternoon at 1747Z. Sorry I can't make it there for more passes. 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

FO-29 with an Arrow
by Jim White 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Many thanks to all who responded to my question about working FO-29 with an Arrow. Given the positive feedback we will plan on that simple setup, although we may take a preamp to improve the NF. We will run separate feed lines which will hopefully be short if we are able to operate outside - weather permitting. I'll probably coopt another operator to point the antenna. The trip is still tentative so I'm not at liberty to disclose the location. But I'll let this BB know when we firm it up. 73 and Happy New Year, Jim

1 0

KG5CCI Midwest Trip Thanks & Mississippi 1/6-1/10
by Dave Swanson 03 Jan '15

03 Jan '15

Good Evening All, I wanted to take a moment and thank the Amsat community for the fun I had during my recent road trip thru the Midwest. While I've done some local roving, and one SO50 only trip to commonly heard grids in Ohio, this was my first big attempt at scheduling passes with people, operating from actual rare grids, and utilizing the linear sats while portable. This trip was further complicated by some really cold weather during my remote stages of travel. I made 4 AO73 QSOs, 31 FO29 QSOs and 100 SO50 QSOs for a grand total of 135 contacts on 14 passes. I operated from 10 grids and 3 states. The highest temperature I saw during my trip was 52°F on 12/25/14 in Southern Iowa, and the coldest temperature I saw was -3°F on 12/30/14 in Western Iowa. The most worked called during my trip was John, K8YSE, with 8 QSOs. I also wanted to thank John-K8YSE, Frank-K4FEG, and Kevin-N4UFO for following me and always having encouraging words on all the passes we worked, and a special thanks to Wyatt-AC0RA and Clayton-W5PFG for giving me tips and pointers leading up to, and during my trip that definitely contributed to my success. All logs have been uploaded to LOTW, and I had a few cards already waiting for me when I returned home. If you need a card for a grid I operated from during my trip, either send me a card of your own, or, if we've worked before, just send me an email and I'll get one out to you. Finally, as a bonus round to the Midwest Holiday trip, I'll be in Yazoo City, MS next week Tuesday-Saturday and will likely be activating several grids on the way, and around the area. My main point of operation will be EM42, but I'll be traveling via EM44, EM54, EM53, and while I'm there I will try and get out and make several mid-day excursions the grids around the area, including EM43, EM52 & EM41 as well. As I did during this last trip, I will try my best to keep my Twitter account (@KG5CCI - https://www.twitter.com/KG5CCI) up to date as I go, and attempt to announce passes and where I'll be as early as I can. Thanks everyone, and 73. -Dave, KG5CCI

1 0

W5PFG/P Northern Maine Grid Expedition
by Clayton Coleman 01 Jan '15

01 Jan '15

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Weather permitting, I will depart for a grid expedtion to northern Maine starting Saturday, January 10, 2015. Planned grids will be: FN53-54, FN57, FN65-67. I'll try to operate as many satellite passes and gridlines as possible in the same fashion as AC0RA's March 2014 trip. I need to conclude the trip and end up in FN42 by Sunday, January 11 evening. Twitter via @w5pfg will be my primary form of communications and I'll follow-up afterwards with some pictures on my blog at www.w5pfg.us. If you have interest in specific grids from the above list, please email me directly. 73 Clayton W5PFG

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Non-receipt of the Journal .....now received
by B J 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

On 12/31/14, Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Tell me about it. > > It takes "eons" to reach the great cold north. Still always get it :-) <snip> My issue often arrives here in DO33 about a week or two after those south of the border get theirs. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

3 2

CW satellite beacon on 145.865?
by Pedro Converso 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Hi Dani, Agree with previous comments, should be NCBR-1 brazilian CubeSat. Next time try http://amsat.org.ar/sat.htm should show satellites at reach. 73, lu7abf, Pedro

1 0

Question
by Dave Marthouse 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

What is the proposed power out for the Fox satellite? How does this compare to AO-51? -- Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

2 1

CW satellite beacon on 145.865?
by Daniel Estévez 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Hi, I was listening to the AO-73 pass this morning when I heard a CW beacon from a satellite that I have been unable to identify. The signal has the characteristic Doppler shift, so it's definitely from a satellite. The beacon repeats every 30 seconds. My antenna setup is far from optimal, so only three beacon intervals can be copied (but the signal was strong) on the recording. The CW reads: B1IBEJZD05 B1IBRJZD05 B1IBEJZD05 My QTH is in IN80DO, near Madrid, Spain, and the time was 10:18 UTC 31/12/2014. The frequency was around 145.866. I have tried to Google for this CW sequence or the frequency trying to identify the satellite, but I have had no luck. Could anyone help me? I attach a small audio recording of the CW. The time was 10:18:33 UTC. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pPGQkeEAfdU3UzRmV4bDhzTHc/view?usp=shari… 73 and Happy New Year, Dani EA4GPZ.

3 2

Non-receipt of the Journal .....now received
by Tom Warren 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Well, after my posting of non-receipt and my additional reply which must have been blocked, I’ve received the latest journal. Happy New Year to all, 73…Tom...W4TMW …………………………………………………………… Until we can get your post office problem worked out, I'd be happy to send you mine that arrived yesterday. Email me your address and I'll mail it Friday. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>] On Behalf Of Tom Warren Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 9:35 AM To: amsat-bb at amsat.org <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 428 I’ve had “non receipt” problems ever since I started my membership this past summer. I’ve received 1 issue without calling Martha at the Amsat office and again I’m not receiving issues. I’m giving up my membership. 73 Tom W4TMW

1 0

Cross-satellite test
by Roland Zurmely 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

PY5LF -> AO-7 B -> FO-29 -> PY4ZBZ Please see here: < http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/cross.htm > 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

1 0

Cross-satellite test !
by Roland Zurmely 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

PY5LF -> AO-7 B -> FO-29 -> PY4ZBZ Please see here: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/cross.htm 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

1 0

New Year Greetings
by Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Dear All, Warm Wishes and Greetings for 'A Happy New Year 2015' from all of us here at Upagrah Amateur Radio Club [VU2URC], ISRO satellite Centre, Bangalore. May this New Year shower all of us with happiness, peace, prosperity and good health. 73 de Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(Office)91-80-25082598/25082054/25082192 Mobile: 91-9880 341 456 E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com isrohams(a)yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

Amsat Journal
by Lee Ernstrom 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Has anyone received the November/December AMSAT Journal yet? WA7HQD Lee (Doc) Ernstrom Sent from my iPad

6 5

W100AW SO December 30
by Sean K. 31 Dec '14

31 Dec '14

Will activate W100AW on SO50 this afternoon/evening. 2154-2206z (14 degrees)2334-2347z (61 degrees) Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

2 1

W100AW FO-29 2009-2027z
by Sean K. 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

Sorry for the short notice but I'll give it a try. Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

1 0

EN74/EN75 Line - AO-7B for EU - 1824Z
by Paul Stoetzer 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

Good afternoon, Sorry for the late notice, but I'm heading to the EN74/EN75 line for the AO-7 pass at 1824Z. 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

AO-7 Mode A
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

I was on the most recent pass of AO-7 (2113-2130Z). The satellite was in Mode A, and while within range of southern Arizona there were exactly two stations on it: W1AW/0 on SSB and myself on CW. Why so few? Although the 10m downlink is not as strong as when the bird was new, signal strength on my Elecraft KX3 and multi-band vertical was more than adequate. I suspect that, for many, the problem is a poor receiving antenna. If you have a 10m beam, so much the better, but you don't really need one. A good ground plane or vertical antenna, or a 10m dipole at a reasonable height (say, 30 feet or more) iwill produce good results. Elevation controll is not required -- AO-7 will be above 30 degrees elevation less than 10% of the time it is within range of your station. SKN on OSCAR is coming up on January 1st, UTC. See you on all satellite modes! 73 Ray W2RS

2 1

France on AO-07 (IN94)
by Michel F6GLJ 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

Hello I ll be on AO-07 ext pass 18:22 18:33 UT very good pass for qso France NA. Happy new year. 73 qro de Michel F6GLJ

1 0

Happy New Year
by Rich/wa4bue 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

>From Rich W4BUE and the K4AMG Memorial Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Happy New Year. Look for all of you on SKN.

1 0

W100AW QRV sats through 12/31/14
by Sean K. 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

Hi all- I'll make an effort to activate W100AW on as many satellite passes as possible until the call sign expires at 0000 UTC on 1/1/2015. Will start on the AO-73 pass beginning for us at 1447z today. I'm still somewhat new to the linear birds but I'll do my best. Hope to get you in the log. Sean Kutzko Amateur Radio KX9X

1 0

Boon doggerel
by tom.wz9u＠gmail.com 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

It came to me in a dream: I’d gladly “work the birds,” If only I were heard! My beam is pointing high, Directly at the sky, But when I key the mic My neighbor’s wife goes white And o’er he comes To use his thumbs And squeeze my windpipe tight! Sent from Windows Mail

1 0

Cuba Active in ISS APRS in FL11
by Pavel Milanes Costa 30 Dec '14

30 Dec '14

Hi to all & HNY !!!! Since a few days now, a cuban station is active on the ISS packet, he is CM7BLC and he is getting addicted to APRS... He will try to be on every ISS pass until January 5, he is new to that mode... He is using AGWPE+UISS and in the rig section a commercial kenwood radio (TK-760G) with 25W and a 4 element yagui with a manual rotator... Despite the low power of the ISS packet tx, he has a very good copy of the station... He can be reached at: cm7blc at frcuba dot co dot cu I'm coaching him to get into LoTW, so any QSL from a contact will be confirmed that way in the future when he receive his LoTW credentials... 73 and again happy holidays and HNY!!!

8 10

EN74/EN75 Line - FO-29 2105Z
by Paul Stoetzer 29 Dec '14

29 Dec '14

Good afternoon, I will be on FO-29 from the EN74/EN75 line (the 45th parallel) near Gaylord, MI on the 2105Z pass this afternoon. I'll be on other passes from that line this week as well. Other passes today will be from EN74. I also plan to go to EN84/EN85 later this week. Unfortunately, I don't think I will make it to EN76 or EN86. 73, Paul, N8HM

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] ISS APRS
by Cor PDØRKC 29 Dec '14

29 Dec '14

Hello John KC0BMF, In the past I have used long time a tnc2multi packet modem with UISS and AGWE software. I also have tried AGWE soundcard mode. But last period I use soundmodem to decode ISS packet. With soundmodem I decode much more weak packet signals even with a bit noise. Soundmodem has good software filters. 73s Cor PD0RKC

1 0

APRS on 145.850
by Nitin Muttin 29 Dec '14

29 Dec '14

I have been hearing 1200 baud APRS signal on 145.850 Mhz for some days now but was unable to decode. Anyone knows which could be this satellite having APRS downlink on 145.850. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

1 0

Fwd: Icom 7100
by Hilary Bridel 28 Dec '14

28 Dec '14

Hi Richard, There was an issue with the IC-7100 and SatPC32. I contacted the developer. Erich, in March this year. It was an issue with the routine that checks the RX/TX status, and Erich sent me an updated version of SatPC32. I am not sure if the current version has this fix for the 7100. Erich follows this list, so hopefully he can give you further information. Hilary VK2IUW On Sat, Dec 27, 2014 at 11:33 AM, Richard Lawn <rjlawn(a)gmail.com> wrote: > just curious if anyone has tried the 7100 on sats and if it's compatible > with SatPC32. > > Happy Holidays > Rick > W2JAZ > _______________________________________________ > 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Hilary -- -- Hilary --

2 1

Satrack
by Robert C. Campbell 28 Dec '14

28 Dec '14

Has anyone assessed or compared Satrack with SatPc32 I would be interested in your results before I change to Satrack. Bob kb3pmr

1 0

ANS-215 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joseph Spier 28 Dec '14

28 Dec '14

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-215 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: * July/August 2014 AMSAT Journal is Ready and at the Print Shop * AMSAT ARRL Centennial Videos Added to www.AMSAT.org * AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium Videos Now Available * Enhanced FUNcube-1 Dashboard App now available * AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-215.01 ANS-215 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 215.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE August 3, 2014 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-215.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- July/August 2014 AMSAT Journal is Ready and at the Print Shop JoAnne, K9JKM reports that the July/August 2014 AMSAT Journal has been sent to the print shop. Look for your copy in your mailbox in a couple of weeks depending on the post office. Thanks to all of our contributors and Editors: Bernhard, VA6BMJ; Douglas, KA2UPW/5; James, K3JPH for their help getting this issue ready. In this issue you will find ... + AMSAT Announcements: Call for 2014 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers + Apogee View by Barry Baines - WD4ASW + Fox-1C to Launch on Spaceflight's SHERPA in 3Q 2015 + Get Ready for Fox-1 Hamfest Handout + AMSAT at ARRL Centennial Celebration in Hartford + Board of Directors Meeting Minutes and 2014 AMSAT BOD Election Notice by Alan Biddle - WA4SCA + AMSAT at Dayton 2014 by Keith Baker - KB1SF/VA3KSF + AMSAT Engineering 2014 - Virtual Teamwork by Jerry Buxton - N0JY + AMSAT at Ham-Com 2014 + New President's Club Donor Drive Announcement + Star Comm Group Satellite Operating Awards by Damon Runion - WA4HFN + June 19 DNEPR Launch Lofts 37 Satellites + AMSAT Field Day 2014 by Bruce Paige - KK5DO + UKube-1 With FUNcube-2 Transponder Aboard Launched on July 8 by Graham Shirville - G3VZV A color preview of the cover page has been posted to the AMSAT North America Facebook page. The AMSAT Journal welcomes all your input about Amateur Radio in space. We'll do all the final formatting and layout for you. All we need are your article in text, MS-Word, or OpenOffice format. Please send photos separately as JPG or BMP files in as high resolution as possible. We have a writer's guide posted at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1709 -and-feel free to contact the editor directly with your questions. Sample articles from previous issues are posted at: http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=2074 The AMSAT Journal is sent to all members bi-monthly. We report on all aspects of Amateur Radio in space including launches, equipment, operating techniques, antennas, activities, and membership news. Not yet a member? You can find out how to join at: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1095 Please send your articles, photos, and news to journal(a)amsat.org or k9jkm(a)amsat.org. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Journal Editor Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT ARRL Centennial Videos Added to www.AMSAT.org The following are videos of Patrick WD9EWK demonstrating working satellites during the ARRL Centennial. Two of the 3 use audio Patrick recorded, with a slideshow complete with pictures and descriptions of the audio and other stuff related to AMSAT at Hartford. This is a slideshow from the AO-7 demonstration Patrick gave, after our training seminar wrapped up on the Thursday of that weekend (17 July): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5TjXbuLv5s This is a slideshow from the NA1SS contact on Saturday (19 July) morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoFbhPXsUx0 This is an actual video from the AO-7 demonstration at the end of the convention on Saturday (19 July). Thanks Peter W2JV for running the camera for this video!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHd91H_t88o See the AMSAT Presentations at the 2014 ARRL Centennial webpage: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2914 [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium Videos Now Available Thanks to the hard work of volunteers from the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) videos of the presentations given to the AMSAT- UK International Space Colloquium held in Guildford on July 26-27, 2014 are now available to view online or download to your PC. Links to the presentation videos, PDF’s of the slides and the schedule are at http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2014/presentation-videos/ You can also access them by following these steps: • Go to http://www.batc.tv/ • Click on the ‘Film Archive’ icon • Select ‘AMSATUK 2014? from the Category drop down menu • Click on ‘Select Category’ • Select the video you wish to watch from the Stream drop down menu • Click on ‘Select Stream’ • Click the play icon ‘>’ on the player • Clicking on the icon to the left of the player volume control will give you full screen display. • To download the video file to your PC right-click on the ‘Click Here’ link under the player. AMSAT-UK publishes an newsletter, OSCAR News, that is full of Amateur Satellite information. A sample issue of OSCAR News can be downloaded here. Join AMSAT-UK online at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Enhanced FUNcube-1 Dashboard App now available AThis weekend saw the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium take place and Jim Heck G3WGM and Ciaran Morgan M0XTD together gave a presentation on the FUNcube-1 CubeSat mission. The presentation included the announcement of a new version of the FUNcube-1 Dashboard. This has greatly improved decoding performance for weak signals – especially for Dongle users. Additionally the Dashboard can now activate the Bias-T pre-amp power from the Dongle. The new version can now be downloaded and the guidance notes have been updated to provide full information about it. All users are encouraged to install this new version to improve their system performance and further increase the amount of data being captured in the Warehouse. Reports will be very welcome on the FUNcube forum http://forum.funcube.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=195 Dashboard App – Telemetry Decoder http://funcube.org.uk/working-documents/funcube-telemetry-dashboard/ Data Warehouse – Telemetry Archive http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Events Iformation about AMSAT activities at other important events around the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations, forums, and/or demonstrations). * Saturday, 2 August 2014 – Fairbanks Hamfest in Fairbanks AK * Friday through Sunday, 12-14 September 2014 – ARRL Southwestern Division Convention 2014 in San Diego CA (near Montgomery Field and I- 805/CA-163 interchange) * Saturday, 8 November 2014 – Tucson Hamfest 2014 in Marana AZ (along I-10 west frontage road, east of exit 236) * Saturday, 6 December 2014 – Superstition Superfest 2014 in Mesa AZ (Mesa Community College, Dobson Road between Southern Avenue & US- 60 exit 177) * Saturday, 10 January 2015 – Thunderbird Hamfest in Phoenix AZ (43rd Avenue, between Greenway and Bell Roads) * Friday and Saturday, 20-21 February 2015 – Yuma Hamfest in Yuma AZ (Yuma County Fairgrounds, 32nd Street between Pacific Avenue & Avenue 3E, south of I-8 exit 3) [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Upcoming Contacts * A direct contact via 8J3AK with students at Amino Kita Elementary School, Kyotango, Japan is scheduled for Wed 2014-08-06 10:25:43 UTC 68 deg. Amino Kita Elementary School was opened on April 1, 1983. Our school is located at the northernmost tip of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. We have 244 students now, who all study hard and pursue sports actively. Our school is surrounded by a rich, natural environment. The location of our school is recognized as a part of Quasi-National Park and the National Geo Park. It is also only 100 meters away from the beach. Students in the 6th grade swim one kilometer in the sea every year. During the current season, summer, a lot of lights from squid fishing boats can be seen in the sea at night. Maybe you can see them from the ISS? Our school has beautiful grounds covered with green grass. At recess, our students play in the grounds full of energy. There are straight hallways more than 100 meters long in our school. They are sometimes used in our arithmetic classes to learn how to measure distance. The members of our space club will ask you some questions today. These questions were thought of by all of the students. It is a new club that began this year. They are studying the stars and moon, and practicing English hard so that they can make contact with you. All of the people in our school are really looking forward to getting in touch with the astronauts in the ISS. Latest News * A telebridge contact with Scouts at Space Jam 8, Rantoul Airport & Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul IL, USA was successfu on Sat 2014-08-02 12:23:19 UTC 60 deg via W6SRJ in Santa Rosa, CA, USA. ARISS reports "The contact Space Jam 8 just had a very successful contact with Greg. We had 24 questions answered that were on the list plus 2 extra ones for a total of 26. I only heard one very very very brief change in signal strength but Greg was rock solid through the entire pass. He actually called W6SRJ first. The Space Jam 8 group was heading off to their next project of the day, launching a balloon with ham radio on board. They also reported that there was at least 1 TV station there." SpaceJam 8 provided the following information - Greetings to all stations from the participants and volunteers of Space Jam 8 in Rantoul, Illinois. Though primarily a weekend Scouting and STEM education event, we are open to all interested youth. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Venturing Crews from 22 states and this year Canada have come together in an educational and fun format to learn more about the life skills that will prepare them for the increasingly complex technological future. While it is well known that Scouting teaches pioneering skills like camping and wilderness survival, the new pioneers and wilderness are in outer space and we are working hard at 44 technology oriented Merit Badges and activities, plus some fun things like the Duct Tape Merit Badge and experiencing 1/3 gravity. Talking to the astronauts on the ISS is an unforgettable part of the experience at Space Jam and that's next on our list. We will not know for many years whether one of these youths becomes an astronaut themselves but it is certain that they are all part of tomorrow's leaders. Find more information about Space Jam at http://spacejamboree.com/pages/about. * A telebridge contact with students participating in the ESA 2014 Space Camp, Rossall School, Fleetwood, United Kingdom was successful Tue 2014-07-29 14:01:13 UTC 53 deg via W6SRJ. Audio on Echolink and Web stream was transmitted. This annual camp is organized by the ESA Space Camp Committee takes place in a different European country each summer for 2 weeks. This year the camp takes place between 27 July and 10 August where 185 young space explorers aged 8 to 17 will meet each other in the UK at Rossall School. The children come from the following ESA establishments (UK, France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands and Germany). This will be the 20th Space Camp organized by ESA. This year the children will also be involved in celebrating this milestone with marking 50 years of ESA. Children, their parents and educators from the area will join the ESA campers on this special celebration day. Rossall is a boarding school situated on a beautiful 160-acre site, there is plenty of room for extensive sports and cultural facilities, including a swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, as well as a fitness room and a climbing wall. The ESC 2014 program will feature a balanced mix of sports such as flag rugby, life-guarding, kayaking and martial arts. The theme for camp will be ‘Reach for the Stars!’ Well-equipped IT labs, classrooms and an on-site planetarium will be instrumental in setting up a space education program that will keep the children motivated with new and exciting hands-on activities and educational tasks involving space- related themes, as well as learning about the culture of the host country. As with all ESA Space Camps, there will be specific emphasis placed on socialization and respect among the participants. We hope to make the camp a really unique experience for juniors and teenagers who are in the process of becoming citizens of a multicultural society. * On July 25, 2014, A direct contact via RZ9WWB with students participating in Gagarin From Space at Vii Youth Rally Of Radio Amateurs In Bashkiria, Ufa,Russia was successful 2014-07-25 21:38 UTC. [ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over * $248 Billion for Manufacture and Launch of 1,155 Satellites Over Next Decade According to Euroconsult's newly released research report, Satellites to be Built and Launched, 115 satellites will be launched on average yearly over the next decade (2014-2023). In comparison with last year's forecast, the number of satellites is stable while market value is growing, thus translating the growing economic importance of the sector, for both governments and commercial satellite companies. Governments all over the world will be responsible for more than 75% of the $248 billion in revenues expected from the manufacturing and launch of these 1,155 satellites. Governments' dominance of the space industry continues to increase as established space countries replace and expand their in-orbit satellite systems and more countries acquire their first operational satellite systems, usually for communications and broadcasting or for Earth observation and imagery intelligence. Nearly 90% of the government market value will remain concentrated in the 10 countries with an established space industry, but growth in the government market will derive from new satellite systems in 35 nascent space countries, creating a market of $2 billion on average per year to be provided principally by foreign suppliers as local industry capabilities develop simultaneously. According to Rachel Villain, Principal Advisor at Euroconsult and editor of the report, "governments in established space countries continue to drive innovation for satellite systems with benefits to local industries and the foreign governments to which they export." In the commercial space sector, Euroconsult anticipates a total of 350 satellites to be launched over the decade, most of which will be for the replacement of capacity existing in-orbit. These satellites will be equally divided between the geostationary orbit (GEO) and lower altitude orbits (MEO and LEO); 83% of market value remains concentrated in the geostationary orbit, the destination of 300+ satellites operated by 30 commercial companies for communications and broadcasting services. Still, the constellations to be launched in non-geostationary orbits for communications services and Earth observation imagery should represent a market of $1 billion per year on average over the decade. Technology advances in satellite payloads and higher competition in launch services allow the continuous improvement of CAPEX efficiency of commercial GEO satellites for communications and broadcasting services. Electric propulsion will definitively be part of the economic equation, even if only five all-electric commercial satellites are now under construction. [ANS thanks spacemart.com for the above information] * US aerospace firm outlines New Zealand-based space program A United States aerospace company is aiming to make New Zealand one of the exclusive group of countries with a space program by promising a revolutionary new satellite-carrying rocket for a fraction of the current satellite launch costs. Rocket Lab announced Tuesday that it had developed a light- weight, carbon-composite rocket, named Electron, at its Auckland plant and hoped to offer small satellite launches for less than 5 million U.S. dollars, compared with a current average price of 133 million U.S. dollars. The company, which has received research and development funding from the government, was being backed by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Khosla Ventures, Rocket Lab founder and New Zealander Peter Beck said in a statement. The lead-time for businesses to launch a satellite would be cut from years to just weeks and the company already had commercial commitments for 30 launches, said Beck. At 18 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter and weighing more than 10 tones, Electron would be the first vehicle of its class capable of delivering payloads up to 100 kg into low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 160 km. Businesses faced a severe barrier in launching satellites as rockets had remained prohibitively large and expensive, despite the trend for satellites to become smaller, more capable and more affordable, he said. "Along with benefits for commercial enterprises, cheaper and faster space access has the potential to lead to more accurate weather prediction, global high speed Internet access, as well as real-time monitoring of the impacts of human development," said Beck. New Zealand was in an ideal launch position for a variety of different types of orbits and plans were underway to build a space port at several potential locations. Powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene, Electron would have a lift- off mass of 10,500 kg and a possible top speed of 27,500 km per hour. [ANS thanks space-travel.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Joe Spier, K6WAO k6wao at amsat dot org

6 13

N. Florida, S. Georgia, S. South Carolina trip
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

Starting Sunday or Monday, I'm on a little family trip from Tampa up to Marianna, FL, then just south of Columbus, GA, then across to Savannah, GA, and up to Charleston, SC to see the Yorktown, then back home down I95. There are more than a few rarely heard grids along the route that I can activate. Right now plans definitely include FM02/03. This is a family trip, not a dedicated rover operation, but it's fairly easy to get in passes early in the morning or late at night, or pull over for a few minutes while driving. I prefer FO-29 and SO-50 and will generally operate around 435.875 downlink on FO-29. Spin that VFO and come find me. If you need something along this route, drop me an email before Sunday afternoon. I'll be tweeting my stops and intentions from @glasbrenner on Twitter (twitter.com/glasbrenner). Unless I get overly ambitious, QSLs will be paper only via an SASE to my QRZ address. Please, please, please include the grid I was in on your card. 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

No amateur beacon on Spinsat
by am25544＠gmail.com 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

Hi, When Spinsat was released from the ISS last November, there were reports that a beacon on 437.230 was on board. I listened for it on several passes but never heard anything. I contacted the Spinsat project and they confirm there is no beacon operating in the amateur band. The IARU does have a frequency coordinated for Spinsat but it was not used. 73 Armando N8IGJ

1 0

1. Re: Polarisation Switch
by Mark L. Hammond 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

At the risk of stating something obvious--another way is to put up an extra set of antennas so you have 2 on 2M and 2 on 70cm :) Then you have dedicated antennas for your SDR receivers. I know the price goes up with preamps, coax, etc. but it's a nice solution that gives me all kinds of options for mixing/matching bands! Also, if there is no xmitter connected, you're not going to xmit into the SDR directly. 73, Mark N8MH >Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 08:48:31 -0600 >From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> >To: "Stephen E. Belter" <seb(a)wintek.com> >Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Polarisation Switch >Message-ID: > <CAPovOwc+ZUTkNQ=UF5ygrATCbReQ0nooXfLewsL9tefRo9FBrg(a)mail.gmail.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > >Steve, I have been looking at those same relays. My biggest concern >has been protecting the SDR's & FUNcube Dongle from any RF >transmissions. > >73, >Clayton >W5PFG > >On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 6:47 PM, Stephen E. Belter <seb(a)wintek.com> wrote: >> Simon, >> >> One word of caution using manual coax switches for an SDR/TX application: Most of them *short* the unused ports. This means you can?t parallel two or three switches. It also fouls up feeding preamp power up the coax to the antennas. Unfortunately, this is the voice of experience. :-( >> >> In my next implementation, I?m planning to use the Tohtsu CX-800N coaxial relays. They are expensive, but are non-shorting, come with N connectors, and are DPDT. >> >> If you use a radio with a single VHF/UHF connector, you might consider using a diplexer (or duplexer) instead of a switch. The Comet CF-416 series work well. >> >> Thank you for your on SDR-Radio! Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day. >> >> 73, Steve N9IP >> -- >> Steve Belter, seb(a)wintek.com >> >> >> >>> On Dec 25, 2014, at 3:57 PM, Simon Brown <simon(a)sdr-radio.com> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Clayton, >>> >>> My solution for switching will be three N-Type switches in the shack, one on each antenna cable and one on the SDR. The switches could be relays but good N-Typ3e relays seem to cost a small fortune, so it looks like I'll use switches. >>> >>> If I use a VHF / UHF TX with only one connected such as the FT-819 or FT-991 then I'll need four switches. >>> >>> I'm slowly getting the hang of things, just had my first two QSO's on SO-50 so next item to be 'attacked' is AO-73. >>> >>> Simon Brown G4ELI >>> http://v2.sdr-radio.com >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Clayton Coleman [mailto:[email protected]] >>> >>> Simon, >>> >>> I agree with your assessment. Using SDR on satellites is a wonderful thing. I have been assessing the value of SDR on satellites for several months and my personal conclusion is that it's benefits far outweigh the negatives. I'll be writing up my notes for a short column soon. >>> >>> I'm quite spoiled using my FUNcube Dongle Pro+ to receive. It does a great job, allowing me to see the entire passband of all our current satellite fleet. Not only can I visually see the passband, I am recording it in both AF+RF so that I can go back and look for things I might have missed during a previous satellite pass. >>> >>> My biggest complaint about using the SDR setup is having to switch cables depending on by transmit band. I'm looking for clean solutions to switch between U/V and V/U configurations, giving me the best isolation and protection for my SDR devices from the transmitter. >>> >>> Some folks don't like the short delay effect using SDR. I find it is manageable and can be "tweaked" for optimum performance. >>> >>> 73 >>> Clayton >>> W5PFG

2 1

SKN on OSCAR FM 16
by Rich/wa4bue 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

What passes on AO7 B and FO 29 will you all be operating on. Just a note: The temps here are going to be in the 20s for SKN and the station is in the garage.

1 0

Icom 7100
by Richard Lawn 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

just curious if anyone has tried the 7100 on sats and if it's compatible with SatPC32. Happy Holidays Rick W2JAZ

2 1

Questions
by Dave Marthouse 26 Dec '14

26 Dec '14

Does anyone know the status of EO-79 and EO-80? Are their 2 meter downlinks active? Any information would be appreciated. -- Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

2 1

Polarisation Switch
by Simon Brown 26 Dec '14

26 Dec '14

Hi All, Is there a logical way to know which is the optimal polarization (left, right) for a LEO? Simon Brown G4ELI http://v2.sdr-radio.com

5 10

Merry Christmas
by Bill Greene 25 Dec '14

25 Dec '14

Just to take a second to wish all my friends all over the world a very Merry Christmas. May we all enjoy Peace together. Best of 73 Bill Greene VE7WFG

2 1

TS-2000 birdie question
by Doug - k4gkj 25 Dec '14

25 Dec '14

Due to the difficulty on finding a decent 910H (and then the often high price being asked), I am considering a TS-2000. Is the little UHF birdie present on all models (all years)? Is there not a fix as of yet? I am very much willing to pay up to $1200 right now for a decent 910H, and although I don't mind, I don't need the 1.2Ghz module. Otherwise, I am having to consider other options as this rig is for a classroom environment for the next few months, including an ARISS contact. Looking for advise, thoughts, ideas, etc. A few have helped out here a good bit, of which I am very thankful. (both leading me to the 910H for what I find hands down solid advice, but I am about up against the wall now...)... Those that have 910's listed for sale in my price range won't return emails..... Suppose they are sold. Thank you on advanced for your replies! And Merry Christmas! Doug Bennight K4GKJ

6 5

Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 428
by Tom Warren 24 Dec '14

24 Dec '14

I’ve had “non receipt” problems ever since I started my membership this past summer. I’ve received 1 issue without calling Martha at the Amsat office and again I’m not receiving issues. I’m giving up my membership. 73 Tom W4TMW > On Dec 24, 2014, at 7:00 AM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > > Message: 12 > Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 18:27:15 -0500 > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com <mailto:[email protected]>> > To: "'Lee Ernstrom'" <lee.ernstrom(a)rcwilley.com <mailto:[email protected]>>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Amsat Journal > Message-ID: <05bb01d01f07$fd0a09b0$f71e1d10$@com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > I just did today in fact. Your article was very enjoyable! > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>] On > Behalf Of Lee Ernstrom > Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2014 6:11 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Amsat Journal > > Has anyone received the November/December AMSAT Journal yet? > > WA7HQD > Lee (Doc) Ernstrom

3 2

Office Closed
by Martha 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

The AMSAT office is closed until January 5th. Have a Happy, Healthy New Year! -- 73- Martha

1 0

AO7 pass
by Joe W2KJ 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

OK...I guess AO7 is in Mode A...I heard the beacon (constant tone) and hear a KP4/W3 station on CW....only signal I heard. Haven't been on the sats since the demise of AO40....those were the days. Seasons Greetings to all. 73, Joe W2KJ Amsat 29592

1 0

AO7 mode
by Joe W2KJ 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

Listening to AO7 now and not hearing anything in Mode A on the 29.500Mhz beacon. What mode is AO7 in now, i.e., Mode A or B?? Thanks for any info. 73, Joe W2KJ Amsat 29592

1 0

AMSAT Awards Update
by Bruce 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

As 2014 draws to an end and we look at all the accomplishments hams have made towards satellite operation and those that have entered the satellite community I would like to thank all of those that have made the year what it was. Those that took time off to travel and work satellites from semi-rare and rare grid squares, those that operated for the AO-7 special event, those that helped build, test and launch satellites and especially those that nurture students in elementary through college grades. Here are our latest inductions into some of the AMSAT awards community. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. David Barholomew, AD7DB John Bartholomew, N7JY Walter Dilley, KD7DNY Nicolas Romero, KG5BON To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0200z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes

1 0

QSL Card Received - Delfi n 3Xt & Delfi C3
by Nitin Muttin 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

Received beautiful QSL card and Pin from PC4JB for decoding telemetry from Delfi n3Xt and Delfi C3 (DO 64). Wishing all Happy holidays and Merry Christmas. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

2 1

W1AW/0 Iowa
by Wyatt Dirks 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

Today w1aw ops will mark the last week of operations and will be coming to Iowa. I'll be qrv as much as possible to get w1aw/0 on the sats. I'll work ao73, ao7 mode a and b, fo29 and so50. Also if your in Europe and would like to get w1aw/0 in the log I can work the early passes of ao7 via sked but I don't normally get up at 3am. Just drop me an email. Happy Holidays Wyatt Ac0ra

1 0

I'm dreaming of a Medium Earth Orbit.......
by David G0MRF 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

Hi Did anyone see the Soyuz launch from Arianespace a few days ago and think how nice it would be to have an amateur radio satellite somewhere above LEO ? Interestingly, the launch of 3 communication satellites providing internet services to remote areas, was to an altitude around 8000km. - An unusual destination. Apparently the 'latency' or time delay on signals from 36,000km is too high for an internet service, whereas the number of satellites needed for a constellation at LEO is too many. The company O3B (Other 3 Billion) decided that MEO at 8000km which is between the 2 Van Allen belts answered their needs. http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/18/soyuzo3b-launch-timeline/ For the launch, the satellites were mounted on a cylindrical launch adaptor, (see pics in link) the inner part of which looks an ideal place for a 3U cubesat secondary payload. Wouldn't it be nice to get something up to that altitude with Omni antennas, or a gravity gradient boom with a simple beam and about 4 Watts output ! A leisurely 5 orbits a day with Paris to California routine......... http://g0mrf.com/MEOSAT.htm Oh well, back to dreaming of a white Christmas Seasons greetings David G0MRF

6 5

Receiving FO-29 verses AO-7
by Todd 22 Dec '14

22 Dec '14

Hello: I am new to the Sat world and hope somebody can steer me in the right direction with a issue I have working FO-29. It seems I have no problem most times working AO-7's transponder and the SO-50 fm bird but can't seem to receive well with FO-29. I can hear the beacon (weak) but can't seem to hear my signal come back down. I am using a CW signal and using a Icom 706 and 746 rigs. SatPC32 is controlling both radios. Antenna is a cross polarized modified Cushcraft A6270-13S with the six meter elements left off and the UHF elements rotated 90 degrees. I have a Comet diplexer on the boom. I had problems with desense before rotating the elements. I have gone through everything I can think of using SatPC32 in calibrating but still can't tune the downlink CW signal. Yesterday FO-29 came by and I could hear my cw signal but seemed like I couldn't tune it in correctly (pitch). I don't have that problem at all with AO-7 and can tune the correct cw pitch and voice audio with no problem. I am wondering if the maybe the two radios are interfering with each other on those frequencies or at 435 the antenna still has some desense happening? The only difference is VU for AO-7 and UV for FO-29 and 432MHz verses 435 for FO-29. Anybody? Todd AL7PX BP51

2 1

w1aw/kh6
by Tom Worthington 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

I worked three stations yesterday on the 0147z pass of fo-29: KO6TZ, WD9EWK and KG6NUB I will try the pass this afternoon at about 0100z. It is only 6 degrees for me so I will not hear the satellite until it is quite far north. (I have 10,000 foot mountain to the east). This is about as low as I have any hope of working to the mainland 73 de NH6Y in BL10ts

1 0

ISS audio
by Frank Bauer 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

John, The "new" radio is actually a Kenwood D710 which is located in the Russian Service module. The Service Module is where the ARISS team performed most of its contacts in the past as it was near the table where all the crew had dinner. Since the first contacts with ARISS in 2000, the ISS has significantly expanded, both in size and in crew size. ARISS has expanded too, with an additional station location in the Columbus module, which is on the other end of ISS (about football field in length). This is where the US, Europe, Japan and Canada conducts most of its experiments and where they spend most of their time. Right now we are using a lower power radio, an Ericsson handheld, in the Columbus module, as it was already on-board ISS (launched in 2000). Our near term plans is to upgrade the Columbus station to a higher power radio (mobile radio class). Keep an eye out for these plans to mature. Note that we are unable to move radios from the Russian segment (Service Module) to the US segment (where the Columbus module is located) as the power systems are different (28V vs 120 V) and certification for the Kenwood radios was only performed for the Russian segment. At the last ARISS International meeting, the delegates agreed with a plan to make sure all future equipment is interoperable and certified across the ISS. This will cost more money and take more time, but should provide more equipment flexibility for ARISS. For now, APRS is using the lower power radio in the Columbus module. I hope this helps explain things. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chair & AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 21:32:00 -0600 From: John Fickes <kc0bmf(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ISS audio Message-ID: <CAG-+cOaWcWPnR6uMLwQcf+h6-WNRNexGxQ6Lf=3WDNsoynhBHA(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 So what is to become of the new D 700, Is everything moving back to it or is APRS going to stay with the backup radio? Really like what I hear so far from the new Kenwood. 73 John KC0BMF On Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 2:39 PM, andy thomas <andythomasmail(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > The voice-over from the tracking program is no longer present, and > RS0ISS is transmitted in fast CW in between the pictures. > 73 de andy g0sfj > _______________________________________________ > 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

1 0

ISS audio
by andy thomas 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

The voice-over from the tracking program is no longer present, and RS0ISS is transmitted in fast CW in between the pictures. 73 de andy g0sfj

5 5

ANS-355 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-355 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: * Worked All USA Grids Via Satellite - #488 for Doug Papay, KD8CAO * Opportunities to Help at AMSAT User Services * 73 on 73 Award #4 - EA5TT * Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, Reflects on Her First ARISS Contact * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-355.01 ANS-355 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 355.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE December 21, 2014 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-355.01 Worked All USA Grids Via Satellite - #488 for Doug Papay, KD8CAO Congratulations to Doug Papay, KD8CAO for working grid #488 of the 488 USA grids. Doug worked N2COP/p, in FM13, for his final grid. The contact was via SO-50 and was logged on 15/Dec/2014 @ 1252Z. For his efforts he has been granted GRID MASTER award # 2. In a recent AMSAT-BB email exchange with Damon Runion WA4HFN, Doug said of his accomplishment, "...it certainly would not have been possible without the help of the many individuals that went to extra effort to activate so many rare grids. These include those who recently helped put the last 30 or so girds in the log: my father K8YSE, Tom KA6SIP, Denny WB8K, Bill N2COP, Ron N8RO, Craig KL4E, Ed WA7ETH, Steven KF7SLV, Wyatt AC0RA, and Clayton W5PFG. Special recognition goes to my father K8YSE, Jim ND9M, Patrick WD9EWK, and Ted AA5CK for having been major contributors over the years to this accomplishment. I'm sure there are may more that I have not mentioned, and so I'm thankful for every effort, every contact is appreciated! "I also want to thank Rick WA4NVM for the heads-up via text from my father K8YSE about FM13 on Sunday morning--while I missed Bill N2COP that day, this head's-up gave the motivation to be at the radio on Monday morning, and sure enough Bill was there and the contact was logged. Without these guys watching out for me I would have missed the grid yet again. (Thanks Rick!)." The Star Comm Group sponsors the Grid Master Award. To qualify for this award you must make a satellite contact with all 488 grids in the U.S. and get confirmation. Send your information to Ricky, WA4NVM or Damon, WA4HFN. All Star Comm Group awards are free, they only ask that you make a donation to AMSAT NA. Grid Master Award #1 was awarded to Doug's father, John Papay, K8YSE. More information on the Grid Master and other Star Comm Group awards can be found at: http://www.starcommgroup.org/ [ANS thanks the Star Comm Group and Doug KD8CAO for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Opportunities to Help at AMSAT User Services AMSAT's User Services Department is recruiting for several volunteer positions to augment our dedicated and elite staff! The User Services Department provides support in several areas including: + AMSAT News Service + The AMSAT Journal magazine + AMSAT's web presence at www.amsat.org The AMSAT News Service ----------------------- We need two or more volunteers to step forward who can dedicate time on a rotating shift of news editors. The AMSAT News Service (ANS) sends out a weekly news bulletin of everything of interest to amateur radio in space. The entire ANS crew (currently 3 editors) helps round up the news and each ANS editor takes a week as editor to compile the week's ANS bulletins. We'll get you into the bulletin rotation and you'll take your turn as the ANS editor this week. The AMSAT Journal Magazine -------------------------- We need two or more volunteers who can help compile one of AMSAT's key membership benefits ... The AMSAT Journal Magazine. An assistant editor is needed to help our existing team of editors (currently 3) to locate articles and establish contact with potential authors. All you need is an eye for articles of interest to amateur radio in space. You'll compile input from AMSAT HQ, volunteer authors, and amateur radio news sources into articles for publication in our bi- monthly magazine. We also need one volunteer who is capable of assuming the position of editor-in-chief of the AMSAT Journal. You'll help develop article sources and using AMSAT provided software and templates compile the 32-page magazine for six issues per year. Our publishing system is the Adobe InDesign CS6 package. This can be learned quickly by any computer literate ham. InDesign is MS-Word on steroids. AMSAT's Web Presence -------------------- Help is needed on the front to locate and publish up to date content for the AMSAT web. We publish late breaking news of amateur radio in space. We also publish reference information to help operate on the satellites ... software, radios, antennas, operating techniques. Web content containing late-breaking operating news and reliable operator tips currently has several gaps needing to be filled. Our WordPress environment makes the web display easy but you'll be spending your volunteer time on the content. This is a job for 5 or more volunteers and needs to be filled immediately! AMSAT also is looking for a webmaster who will assume responsibility for the display of all content in a WordPress environment. The basic framework is in place but can definitely stand to be fine tuned and made into a world class display of amateur radio in space. For most hams on-line www.amsat.org is our "front door" and we are looking for the most capable help on this important user interface! Our team is the "voice of AMSAT". News, operator tips, and membership benefits are important products for AMSAT User Services. For questions or to volunteer please contact AMSAT's Vice President of User Services, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM at k9jkm(a)amsat.org [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice President of User Services, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 73 on 73 Award #4 - EA5TT Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, who is sponsoring the award for contacts made via the AO-73 (FUNcube-1) amateur radio satellite, recently recognized Manuel D. Ruiz Carrasco, EA5TT, for becoming the fourth recipient of the 73 on 73 Award. He submitted a list of 73 stations worked via AO-73 between September 1, 2014 and December 8, 2014. The award aims to promote activity on AO-73. The requirements are straight-forward: 1. Work 73 unique stations on AO-73. 2. Contacts must be made on or after September 1, 2014. 3. There are no geographic restrictions on your operating location. There will be no cost for this award (donations to AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NA's Fox program are encouraged though). No QSL cards are required. When you complete the requirements, email your log extract including the callsign of each station worked, time GMT, and date to n8hm(a)arrl.net as well as the address where you'd like the award certificate sent. Congratulations Manuel! [ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, Reflects on Her First ARISS Contact In her blog shared 16 Dec 2014, Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, reflects on her first ever ARISS school contact with twenty students from Elena di Savoia in Bari and "Alessandro Volta" in Bitonto. In her comments she thanks the "army of volunteers in many countires" who make the contacts possible and how impressed she was with the quality of all the questions that "showed a great interest and knowledge in science and technology..." "Yesterday I had my first HAM radio contact with school pupils. A big hello to the students of the schools 'Elena di Savoia' in Bari and 'Alessandro Volta' in Bitonto! It was fun talking to you and thanks for the great questions! Amateur radio contacts between astronauts and school kids have a long tradition on ISS, thanks to a little army of volunteers in many countries who work with the local schools not only on the day of contact, but also in the weeks and months leading up to the event: they teach students about radio technology and about space, to get them ready and hopefully excited about the event. >From my side, I only needed to be ready on the proper channel at the proper time: it is very important, because we need direct line-of- sight with the amateur radio station on the ground and the pass is only about ten minutes long. A couple of minutes before the expected acquisition-of-signal time, I started making calls to check if someone was already picking me up. Eventually I picked up a call from the ground station and sure enough, we started our conversation. I heard them loud and clear, which positively surprised me: somehow I expected signal quality not to be as good. I hope they had the same quality on the other side. On such contacts, there's no time for small talk and formalities: in less than ten minutes, we had to make sure that the 20 students who were lined up to ask their question got their chance. So here I was, ready to go. And here came the first question - are you ready? Here's it is: 'It is known that people become taller when they are in space. What happens to bio-molecules? Is there any alteration in the tertiary structure of proteins?' I almost fell off my chair... well, if I had had a chair. (Wonder what a good equivalent of this expression would be in weightlessness... any suggestions?) Where are the good old question about space food and the space toilet? Jokes apart, I was really impressed with all the questions: they showed a great interest and knowledge in science and technology and gave me great hope for our future generations of scientists and engineers. Keep up the great work, girls and boys!" Cristoforetti's adventures in space can be followed at https://plus.google.com/+SamanthaCristoforetti/posts [ANS thanks Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between ELENA DI SAVOIA, BARI AND ALESSANDRO VOLTA, BITONTO, Italy and Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF using callsign IR0ISS. The contact began Monday 15 December 2014 at 1518 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via IZ7EVR. ARISS Mentor was IKØWGF. The Alessandro Volta school teaches communications, social-history, mathematics, science and technology in different contexts: life, study, job. In addition it fosters useful competence, allowing students to access continuous innovations through 3 specializations: Mechanics and Mechatronics, IT and Telecommunications, Electronics and Electro-technics. ARISS mentor Francesco De Paolis, IK0WGF proposed to Radio Contact Coordinator Mr. Michele Mallardi IZ7EVR to set up a direct contact, with the support by IK1SLD back-up ground station, and this was accepted. The event took place in Elena di Savoia school, where an audience of more than 200 students, visitors (including some Italian Air Force officers) and Media (2 TV, 2 newspapers) participated at contact site, and about 200 at both schools. Total of more than 400 people. Before the contact, Mrs. Rosa Tagliamonte by ASI (Italian Space Agency) presented the Cristoforetti mission and the Italian contribution to the International Space Station. Mr. Michele Mallardi IZ7EVR presented ARISS and explained how a contact with the ISS is performed via Ham Radio. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Yekaterinburg, Russia, direct via TBD Contact is presently scheduled to be with RSØISS Contact is a go for Sun 2014-12-21 11:55 UTC (primary) or Sun 2014- 12-21 13:00 UTC (backup) Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD Contact is presently scheduled to be with RSØISS Contact is a go for Thu 2014-12-24 TBD UTC Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD Contact is presently scheduled to be with RSØISS Contact is a go for Fri 2014-12-25 TBD UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Revised Tracking Utilites for DESAPTCH and Shin-en2 The spacecrafts, DESAPTCH and Shin-en2 are still alive. Masahiro Sanada JI1IZR has recently revised the predict tracking utilites for the extension of the data range. The new versions can be obtained from: http://ji1izr.air-nifty.com/ham_satellite/2014/12/artsat2-desp-11.html [ANS thanks Masahiro,JI1IZR for the above information] + Radio ham helps ESA with tracking widget Thanks to radio amateur Chip Sufitchi N2YO the European Space Agency's new satellite tracking widgets are live The tracking widgets are fed with the latest orbital tracks for ESA missions, or missions with significant ESA participation. The default track shows the ISS. Track ESA missions http://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/track-esa-missions/ ESA tracking widgets are powered by http://www.n2yo.com/ [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] + In Liue of the recent SSTV transmissions from the International Space Station, everyone is reminded that information is available by visiting the ARISS SSTV Blogspot. http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Also, the full set of archived SSTV images are located at: http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php Those that receive images can upload to the above link. The best of the best uploads may make it to the blog. --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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, KC8YLD kc8yld at amsat dot org

1 0

w1aw/kh6
by Tom Worthington 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

I will be on the (for me) 0147z pass of FO-29 12/20/2014 De w1aw/kh6 from NH6Y from BL10ts

4 4

Western Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas - 12/25 thru 1-2
by Dave Swanson 21 Dec '14

21 Dec '14

Good afternoon all, I will be traveling for the holidays away from my QTH in Arkansas to Western Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas to see family, friends, and attend to some business from 12/25/14 thru 1/2/15. Definite grids I'll be operating from include EN20, EN30, EN21, EN11 and EM17. I will most likely try to spend a day out in central and western Nebraska and Kansas operating from some of the rarer grids including EN10, and may even attempt some short trips to the EM18/EM19 lines in KS and EN00/EN01 line in NE. Kansas and Nebraska don't seem to have a whole lot of satellite activity, and the grids I'm shooting for seem to be rarely heard, so I'm hoping that I can help some folks fill in their maps. I will be having family staying at the QTH upload contacts for me into LOTW as I go, but will also send out cards if requested when I return. I will be updating my twitter account (@KG5CCI - https://www.twitter.com/KG5CCI) as I travel, and will provide specifics as to which passes I'll be working on which birds from where. If anyone has any questions, or is just absolutely dying to get a grid near where I'll be, shoot me an email and I'll be happy to answer. 73! -Dave, KG5CCI

1 0

Northern Michigan Grids (EN74/75/84/85/76/86) - 12/29 - 1/3
by Paul Stoetzer 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Good evening, I will be staying south of Gaylord, Michigan in EN74 from Monday. December 29th through Saturday, January 3rd. This is very near the EN74/EN75 line. I will be on many passes from EN74 and make several trips to the EN74/EN75 line. I will have a special QSL card for my operations from this line as it's the 45th parallel north. I also plan to operate at least one pass from EN84 and EN85. I hope to get to the Upper Peninsula to operate from the EN76/EN86 line as well. I don't think I'll get to EN83, but if it is possible and there is demand, I may be able to do so. I will post updates about specific passes on my Twitter account (@PRStoetzer - http://www.twitter.com/PRStoetzer). If anyone really needs EN82, I'll be there from December 21st - December 28th. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

1 0

ISS audio with CW beacon.
by Cor PDØRKC 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Andy wrote he have heard a CW beacon. I also heard a short and fast CW beacon in an empty space of ISS SSTV pictures transmission! So than we can asume it came from above! 73s Cor PD0RKC Andy Thomas wrote: Earlier pass - I timed 5 minutes between end of transmission and then start. Definitely heard the cw but on the last pass only. I suppose a ground station might have set up mmstv wrongly, and accidentaly beaconed? Can't think of any other rcplanation. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

1 0

ISS TX in SSTV over CHILE
by Raul Romero CA3SOC 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Nice and Strong Signal Raul CA3SOC

1 0

ISS TX on SSTV
by Raul Romero 20 Dec '14

20 Dec '14

Over CHILE Strong Signal Raul CA3SOC

1 0

Has anyone heard the 9600 baud signals from Spinsat? Anyone have recordings?
by Douglas Quagliana 19 Dec '14

19 Dec '14

Has anyone heard the 9600 baud signals from Spinsat? If it is transmitting, I would like to get recordings of the 9600 baud signal to test against a new 9600 baud DSP modem that I've written. Thanks and 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5

2 1

DESPATCHtrack and ShinEn2track revised again
by ji1izr/Masahiro Sanada 19 Dec '14

19 Dec '14

Dear all, The spacecrafts, DESAPTCH and Shin-en2 are still alive. I revised the tracking utilites for the extension of the data range. You will get the new versions from: http://ji1izr.air-nifty.com/ham_satellite/2014/12/artsat2-desp-11.html Thank you for your cooperation. ji1izr/Masahiro ********************************** Masahiro Sanada de ji1izr Hiratsuka-city Kanagawa,Japan ji1izr_1975(a)nifty.com ji1izr(a)jarl.com ji1izr(a)jamsat.or.jp web: http://ji1izr.atnifty.com/ blog: http://ji1izr.air-nifty.com/ **********************************

1 0

MMSSTV and images from ISS
by Richard Lawn 19 Dec '14

19 Dec '14

i found out from a friend that there could be one of two related problems if not adjusted properly. Make sure the sound card you are using is set to 48k not 44.1. In the MMSSTV there is a software adjustment screen, sorry I'm not sitting in front of the computer, that allows you to set a parameter to 24000, exactly half of the sound card setting. The MMSSTV default setting is not 24000 and needs to be set to that. You then should get good clean images. I set up both RS-SSTV and MMSSTV and got good images yesterday from both. 73 and happy holidays! Rick W2JAZ

3 3