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pre-amps on amsat store ?
by Robert Coppock 01 Apr '13

01 Apr '13

ahoy, the pre-amps for sale on the web site; are they the mar-7 for sure, or mar-6 amp ? i operate out in the sticks, and also in the RF noisy s.f. bay area. thanks, 73, robert k f Ø g cn81 / cm97-98

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RSGB Centenary Call Satellite Attempt 4th April
by Clive G7SVI 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

Hi All My home club G4RFR are hosting the RSGB Centenary Call G100RSGB on Thursday 4th April from Wimborne, Dorset located on the South Coast of the UK. There are some passes throughout the day high enough to attempt some QSOs. All times here are UTC VO-52 08:32 - 08:42 AO-7 08:58 - 09:13 FO-29 10:03 - 10:21 FO-29 11:48 - 12:05 AO-7 12:37 - 12:51 AO-7 14:25 - 14:44 AO-7 16:16 - 16:37 VO-52 17:54 - 18:06 Hopefully we will get some success. Sorry they will not count for anyone hunting the RSGB Awards but hope to work you on other modes. We will post alerts here: http://www.rsgb.org/aboutrsgb/rsgbcentenary2013/?id=alerts-and-spots 73s Clive - G7SVI

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News Posting on www.amsat.org
by JoAnne Maenpaa 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

Hello Everyone, Our http://www.amsat.org web pages continue their recovery to return the tools and features we enjoyed. The good news is that a new-and-improved web news posting system is proving itself to be quite useful. So, while the remainder of the pages will be restored "soon" we are now able to post news items as soon as possible without waiting for the weekly ANS bulletin news cycle. The two most recent news items posted include: + ARRL Seeks Comments on 5 and 10 GHz National Band Plans + Auckland Technology Convention KiwiSAT Photos Posted If you hear of anything interesting to Amateur Radio in Space please send it to ans-editor(a)amsat.org. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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Spring Issue of OSCAR News
by M5AKA 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the PDF of the Spring Issue of OSCAR News via the website http://www.amsat-uk.org/ This edition has an article on the ISS DATV system - HAM-TV: from theory to real practice by IW4BLG. 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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KiwiSAT at the Technology Convention (Auckland, 2013)
by Jim Tittsler 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

At the Technology Convention hosted by the Auckland VHF Group this weekend, we had a chance to see KiwiSAT in operation. Fred ZL1BYP and Ian ZL1AOX arranged to bring the satellite in its "clean cabinet" to the convention so that the audience would have a chance (hopefully, a first and last chance) to see it. Ian had brought along his station (and dummy loads) and demonstrated commanding the satellite and collecting telemetry across the room. I thought it was pretty exciting that they would go to the amazing effort (and risk, gulp :-) of bringing the satellite and its support equipment to the convention so that the rest of us could see it. The satellite is on the air from a well elevated site just south of Auckland... so hams in the area can try listening for it or even working through it during its final tests. Photo album: http://goo.gl/hY3Yi KiwiSAT: http://www.KiwiSAT.org.nz/ -- Jim Tittsler ZL2IA/AI8A/7J1AJH Te Anau GPG: 0x01159DB6 http://OnNZ.net/ham/ QRP/Satellites/APRS AMSAT-NA/AMSAT-ZL/NZART

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Re: Warning
by Mike Farkas 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

Nope didn't get hijacked I have security software that stopped me from getting near it ! Mike/N8GBU

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Re: fcd and orbitron TLE differences
by Mark L. Hammond 31 Mar '13

31 Mar '13

I've never seen his program be picky about TLEs. How about this one: http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/amateur.txt Mark N8MH At 05:50 PM 3/30/2013 -0400, Lizeth Norman wrote: >Where do I download the TLE that works with the FCD program that Mike dk3wn >wrote?? >I ran into this bug last time down this road. > >It's definitely a bug. Then again with all the software blowhards out >there, it's probably a feature. > >IIRC the bug lies in the fact that no one, anywhere can agree on the format >for the TLE's, let alone what might be in them. It comes down to the hex >whitespaces, I think. >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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fcd and orbitron TLE differences
by Lizeth Norman 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Where do I download the TLE that works with the FCD program that Mike dk3wn wrote?? I ran into this bug last time down this road. It's definitely a bug. Then again with all the software blowhards out there, it's probably a feature. IIRC the bug lies in the fact that no one, anywhere can agree on the format for the TLE's, let alone what might be in them. It comes down to the hex whitespaces, I think.

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Warning
by Mike Farkas 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Do not follow the link from a posting titled found interesting. The link sends you to a Malware Site.

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google earth tracker update
by Joseph Armbruster 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

All, As some of you know, i've been hard at work on my ge-satellite-tracker [http://code.google.com/p/ge-satellite-tracker/]. Here is a brief update on what i've implemented since my last email: - The concept of ground stations was added. Configured ground stations are drawn on the Earth. - Ground stations -> satellite line of sight indicators are rendered - Keps can now be cached and you can work in an "offline" mode (amsat or spacetrack) - Satellite footprints are plotted (using a spherical earth model approximation) I have multiple blog posts with screenshots, you can access them from the project page. Next on my agenda is to add ground station field of view and re-factor all of the ugly kml-template cruft. If you have any special requests or suggestions, let me know. Joseph Armbruster

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Re: cw decoding software
by Nader Omer 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

________________________________ Hi Norm I'm satisfied with Fldigi V 3.21.21 results. example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE0JAWisfLk For sure, for good result you need a Doppler correction . Good luck Nader Omer >Hi all, >My cw is pretty poor. Not up to snuff to copy the hex character groups of >most telemetry streams. >Am looking to use the sound card in a computer to decode cw telemetry. >What are people using? >Thanks, >Norm n3ykf

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DynaCube CubeSat
by M5AKA 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

An article about the DynaCube CubeSat is on the Southern African Amateur Radio Satellite Association (SA AMSAT) site. Note the estimate of how much it could cost to launch the 1U Cubesat - 1,300,000 Rand which is £92,000 or $140,000, see http://www.amsatsa.org.za/DynaCube.htm On the AMSAT-UK site is: New Version of STRaND-1 Telemetry Decoder http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/28/new-version-of-strand-1-telemetry-decoder/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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Re: STRaND 1 and AAUSAT3 TLE (No longer part of tle-new.txt)
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Hi Mark, Thanks for your information and the follow up action. Just to add - Please note Strand-1 has now also been moved to the Cubesat directory from Recent Launches. Regarding AAUSAT -3 if anyone is asking about further action it was originally 39086U. ( 130009B) Thanks also to PE0SAT for his initial observation on the omissions. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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tres cool
by Lizeth Norman 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Gentlemen, With apologies to the local viri going around, I've got a site to point out: http://www.exa.ec/pegaso/PEGASO.swf 14 pages from the beginning, BACKWARDS!!!!!!!!!. there is a page showing a proposed still from their package. Nice to look at and will be looking for it on the air. It's on 910 MHz so the gear needed will be homebrew and an antenna fabricated. IIRC wa5vjb has one of these in his bag of tricks. Have fun and don't break anything. Norm n3ykf

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Yaesu g5400 or g5500 for sale?
by K&R Yoksh 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Hello, Does anyone have a working G5400 or G5500 az/el rotator for sale? I may also be interested in a Yaesu azimuth rotator, as I already have a g500 elevation rotator. I'm not sure which azimuth rotator Yaesu uses for their az/el, might be nice to know if anyone can tell me. Thanks. 73 Kyle K0KN

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Found interesting opportunity
by bpn518＠aol.com 30 Mar '13

30 Mar '13

Hundreds of lovely woman will be glad to get a letter from you.http://www.metaltradecom.com/www.cnnnews.com.newproduct.newlife.forme68…

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STRaND 1 and AAUSAT3 TLE (No longer part of tle-new.txt)
by PE0SAT | Amateur Radio 29 Mar '13

29 Mar '13

Hi, Thanks for reading. The CubeSats STRAND 1 and AAUSAT3 are no longer part of tle-new.txt but I can't find them in any of the other tle file. Does anybody now where they will be part of? -- With regards PE0SAT Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/

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_3/29/2013 1:30:58 PM_
by Peter Ng 29 Mar '13

29 Mar '13

http://www.estudiodutallaz.com/ea/tuvyn.ptji?vke 3/29/2013 1:30:58 PM 3/29/2013 1:30:58 PM

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Pyongyang satellite article
by M5AKA 29 Mar '13

29 Mar '13

The latest issue of the MNASSA newsletter has an interesting article by Greg ZS1BI on the recent launch by Pyongyang of a rocket and satellite. It can be downloaded from http://www.mnassa.org.za/html/Feb2013/2013MNASSA..72..Feb_print.pdf Archive of all MNASSA newsletters at http://www.mnassa.org.za/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Ground station survey
by James Cutler 29 Mar '13

29 Mar '13

Dear AMSAT Community, As we have done in the past, we are surveying the community for ground station capabilities. The goal is to estimate how much capacity the community has and our ability to support a variety of missions. The survey is located online at: http://gs.engin.umich.edu/gs_survey/ Some of our initial results are published there from a few years ago. If you have a ground station, we would love to hear from you! Thanks for your help. --Jamie, KF6RFX -- James W. Cutler, Assistant Professor University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering 1320 Beal Avenue 3013 FXB Building Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140 Ph: 734-615-7238 Fax: 734-763-0578 http://www.umich.edu/~jwcutler/

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inquiry about homebrew az-el systems
by Samudra Haque 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

Hi, about two years ago, I started a design for a robotics class project of a AZ-EL rotator controller system, and a hardware package for the mechanism for rotating an antenna in any direction subject to mechanical stops. The system would have been able to handle regular and flip modes. I didn't do anything more than calculations, and moved on to building a classroom instructional robot then. Lately, as I am setting up (K3GWU, the George Washington University Amateur Radio Club and Research Station) I find that the price of az-el systems such as G5500 + Yaesu AZ-EL rotors are expensive, and are not typically available on an affordable basis on Ebay or eham.net etc. Well, of course, expensive is a relative term, for a student hobby organization, it's a lot, and I guess for small ham operators it is also moderately expensive. This may be a frequently asked topic: does any one have experienced with (tested) kit designs for AZ-EL rotors that can be made with parts from current suppliers ? I know there are a number of controller designs, but I am interested to know if there are any options for suppliers of the required gears/motors etc. I have located several large AC motors / DC motors at my university mechanical engineering workshop, but they are not all guaranteed the same specs. I now realize if I do embark on a actual design process with my model/simulation/hardware, it would be nice to build several of these all at once to share the development cost over the production run, and ensure those who want a cheap AZ-EL system can get one. Otherwise the production cost of one heavy duty system is going to be quite high. I hope some of you may have suggestions for me, both (+) and (-) or perhaps (~) in nature. I thought amsat / amateur radio folks have a common need to encourage homebrew activity to keep their brain cells in working condition? I'm opening this question up to the national US audience, and welcome any discussion on the challenges of making the ever-so-important azimuth-elevation rotor. I've studied some of the alternatives: Alliance U100 and Yaesu G-5500. I think we can do better in 2013. But ideally, to allow the wide adoption of AMSAT ground stations, what price point would the system have to be to make it worth building ? 73 de N3RDX George Washington University

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CQ DX on FO-29
by Hector, CO6CBF 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

Hello to all, FO-29 is getting close to apogee and has a big footprint around the 1400z passes. Please, if you are into the footprint with EL92sd and want to try a contact, just drop me an off list email. I will be happy to try a contact with you! I can operate portable from a tall building where I can work FO-29 until LOS and sometimes below the horizon. Cubans cannot operate on AO-7 mode B due to a 432MHz restriction in our country, so we have only a few chances every five months to try distant contacts on Sat. Please, if you know about someone who want to try but doesn't read AMSAT-BB, I will appreciate the information. Thanks & 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92sd

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AMSAT-UK on Twitter
by Rob styles 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

Just a reminder, you can follow AMSAT-UK on Twitter @amsat_uk and visit our website at http://amsat-uk.org/ 73 Rob M0TFO A-UK

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STRaND-1 Telemetry Spreadsheet Update
by M5AKA 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

New STRaND-1 telemetry spreadsheet http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/27/new-strand-1-telemetry-spreadsheet/ Also see DK3WN magnetic field vector analysis http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=31826 British Interplanetary Society KickSat Sprite programming and planning day http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/25/bis-kicksat-programming-planning-day/ Video - WD9EWK working FO-29 from Scottsdale (Arizona) Hamfest http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/24/wd9ewk-working-fo-29-using-qrp/ Video - Dnepr Launch Animation http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/25/dnepr-launch-animation-video/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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satellite los footprints
by Joseph Armbruster 27 Mar '13

27 Mar '13

I can not decide how to implement ground footprints with my google earth satellite tracker. I figured, since I can't make up my mind, I should get a second (and third, and fourth) opinion. For this thread, I would like to discuss how satellite ground-footprints should be implemented. A quick brainstorm led me to three possible implementations (I am leaning towards 3). For each of these, I assume that a geographic line-of-sight footprint is desired with no RF characteristics taken into consideration: option 1 : assume a spherical earth model and project a polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: this is obviously the easiest approach but will result in the most error option 2 : assume an ellipsoidal earth model and project an irregularly shaped polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: this is arguably more difficult than option 1 and would result in less error option 3 : use a digital elevation model and an ellipsoidal model to cull-out regions that are not visible due to geographic features and project an irregularly shaped polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: In this case, our footprint polygon would have holes cut out for the regions that are culled out by mountain ranges, canyons / etc... Obviously, this would be the most difficult to implement but would likely be the best visual representation. The problem is, I would never dream of distributing DEMs for the entire Earth with my tool, even DTED0 would be absurd in my opinion. I could make the elevation queries accessible using a web-service, but then the user would be tied to the internet. The other option would be to allow the users to download their elevation data into a cache, then the tool would just load / use it. This way the user would only have to obtain the elevation data for their region of interest. Maybe that would be the best approach? I am open to suggestions! If you have any experience visualizing footprints, please let me know. I would be interested in hearing your lessons-learned. These are what the line-of-sight indicators look like right now: Google Earth Satellite Tracker - Line of Sight Update I am open to comments and suggestions, Joseph Armbruster

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6268 km on FO-29
by Bob- W7LRD 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

Just chatted with Boris UA0QJ in PP42 from CN87 (Seattle). Probably not a record (anyone keeping track of these things?), but a fun endeavor. Very low elevations both ways. If this stuff were easy, everyone would be doing it. Thanks Boris! 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa. CN87wk

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Dragon Returns
by B J 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/03/26/dragon-re-entry-updates/ http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/03/spacexs-crs-2-dragon-iss-departure-s… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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gpredict and ft-817 cat control
by Richard Ferryman 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

Does anyone know a way around the problem that gpredict can only control the FT-817 downlink frequency. I suspect there is a limitation in the hamlib control for this rig. The gpredict manual says 'the TX frequency can not be adjusted via the CAT interface (e.g. Yaesu FT-817)' but SatPC32 on windows manages to handle TX and RX so it must be possible. Dick G4BBH

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predict client example in python
by Phil 26 Mar '13

26 Mar '13

I've recently become interested in python and, as an exercise, I thought I might attempt to port my C++ predict client to python. The problem is that I haven't advanced far enough yet to know how to use python sockets. I'd like to know how to connect to the predict server. Can anyone point me towards any predict client code written in python? Surprisingly, a Google search hasn't discovered much at all. -- Regards, Phil

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Hawaii-FO-29
by John Fickes 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

Any Hawaii hams around for FO-29 pass today (3-25) 19:30utc to Iowa EN31 Thanks John KC0BMF

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FT-857D Satellite File Request
by Les Rayburn 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

I'd like to try some very limited satellite operation from my mobile, using an FT-857D. I know this rig is not ideal for satellite ops, because it lacks full duplex capability. But it is all mode, and should allow me to operate several different satellites using portable antennas from the truck. I use RT Systems software to manage the memories on my rig, and wondered if anyone might have already done the programming for satellite operation for this rig--including most of the major birds for CW/SSB and FM. If so, could you possibly e-mail your file to me off-list? It would save me a ton of time figuring it all out, and get me started much faster. I'll be forever in your debt. -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 Grid Bandits #222 Central States VHF Society Life Member Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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satellite tracker update
by Joseph Armbruster 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

All, I've been hacking away at my google earth based satellite tracker. I received several responses to this, so I wanted to send out a brief update to the bb. I cleaned the project page up and added a formal download, this way you do not need git to get started. I added some documentation to the wiki, including installation instructions and inner-workings. This content is subject to change by the hour, so for now take it with a grain of salt. Since the last email, I have implemented the following: - Ground Stations: Google Earth Satellite Tracker - Ground Stations U... - Line of Sight Indicators: Google Earth Satellite Tracker - Line of Sight Upd... If you have any questions, let me know. Joseph Armbruster

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ANS-083 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-083 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * Come See AMSAT at Dayton 2013 * Dayton Hamvention 2013 AMSAT Forum * More 'AMSAT at Dayton' News * ISS Expedition 35 Crew To Include Three Licensed Hams * ARISS News * [QB50] 5th European CubeSat Symposium - ESA sponsorship - Deadline postponed * March/April 2013 AMSAT Journal Heading for the Print Shop * KiwiSAT - All systems are now flight ready * New Swiss Small Satellite Launch System * Raspberry Pi as WSPR transmitter up to 250 MHz * Houston based WebSDR for 2m Ham Band * AMSAT Helps at Monrovia HS Science Expo and ISS Downlink * Music in Space Downlink With the International Space Station * Argentine CubeBug-1 satellite will have amateur radio digipeater SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-083.01 ANS-083 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 083.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 24, 2013 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-083.01 ***************************************************************** * Volunteers are needed to help at the AMSAT booth at Dayton. * * Steve Belter N9IP, is looking for volunteers to help man the * * AMSAT booth during the 2013 Hamvention. If you are willing * * to help at the Hamvention, please send an e-mail by April 30 * * to Steve Belter, n9ip(a)amsat.org. * * * * Monitor the 'AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention 2013' link on the new * * AMSAT Web Site http://www.amsat.org for the latest AMSAT at * * Dayton news and developments * ***************************************************************** Come See AMSAT at Dayton 2013 The 2013 Dayton Hamvention, sponsored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association will be held this year on May 17-19, 2013. "Dayton" is the largest hamfest in the United States, and AMSAT will be there again this year. AMSAT's theme for Dayton will be "AMSAT - A View to the Future." Come see AMSAT in Ball Arena, right across from the ARRL area and just inside the door from the Satellite Demonstration area. The AMSAT booth will feature AMSAT Engineering, new publications, new apparel, amateur satellite hardware and software. The AMSAT Forum will be on Saturday May 18. Plan to visit all of the AMSAT activities! + The booth will feature an engineering model of the 1U Fox Cubesat + AMSAT Publications + AMSAT Apparel + Station Hardware + The latest version SatPC32 tracking software + Renew your AMSAT membership at the AMSAT booth too. [ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dayton Hamvention 2013 AMSAT Forum This year's AMSAT Forum will be held is on Saturday in Room 5, from 1115 to 1330 EDT. There will be an open Q&A session after the talks. Moderator: Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Speakers: "AMSAT Status Report." Barry Baines, WD4ASW, AMSAT-NA President, will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of the challenges, accomplishments, and exciting projects of the organization. "A report on ARISS." Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight, will discuss amateur operations on the International Space Station. "AMSAT Fox Satellite Program," Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, AMSAT-NA Engineering VP, will present the current Status of the AMSAT Fox CubeSat Projects. "The AMSAT-UK FUNcube CubeSat." Howard Long, G6LVB, AMSAT-UK Committee Member, will discuss the FUNcube project which will enable amateurs and students to use and learn about satellites. "Amateur Satellites, Education, and You!" Mark Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT- NA Educational Relations VP, will discuss what satellite operators can do to support the educational goals of AMSAT. [ANS thanks Alan WA4SCA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- More 'AMSAT at Dayton' News + AMSAT Hotel The cutoff date to book a room with the AMSAT group is April 25. If you are interested in staying with AMSAT at Dayton, please call Martha at the AMSAT Office at 301-589-6062. + Thursday Night Dinner and Beverages at Tickets Pub and Eatery Thursday night, May 16, 1830-???? at the Tickets Pub and Eatery in Fairborn, OH. This is a great chance to relax after a hard day's travel or setting up the AMSAT display area. Very informal. Click the 'AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention 2013' button on the new Web Site: http://www.amsat.org. + AMSAT/TAPR Friday Night Banquet AMSAT/TAPR Banquet on Friday night, May 17 is one of the main AMSAT activities during the 2013 Hamvention at Dayton. Banquet tickets will not be sold at the AMSAT booth during the Hamvention so reser- vations must be made through the AMSAT Store. For the latest details about the Banquet go to the 'AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention 2013' button on the new Web Site: http://www.amsat.org. The link to the AMSAT Store to purchase the Banquet tickets will be found there. Tickets are $30 apiece. + Satellite Demonstration Area AMSAT is encouraging everyone attending the 2013 Dayton Hamvention to come by the Satellite Demonstration Area just outside of the Ball Arena entrance for live demonstrations making contacts using the amateur satellites. There will be AMSAT volunteers there to explain how to make the contacts and during actual satellite passes. Lists of satellite pass times will be posted in the satellite demonstration area and at the AMSAT booth. [ANS thanks AMSAT's 2013 Dayton Committee for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ISS Expedition 35 Crew To Include Three Licensed Hams A report posted on Space-Travel.com says Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov, RV3BS and Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy have arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to prepare for the March 29 launch to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz spacecraft is to reach the ISS in a record six hours due to a new fast-track launch trajectory. The ISS will have a crew of six upon arrival of the Soyuz when Vino- gradov, Misurkin and Cassidy join with Russian cosmonaut Roman Roman- enko, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG, and US astro- naut Thomas Marshburn, KE5HOC are already aboard the space station. See http://tinyurl.com/March29-Launch (Space-Travel.com) for their orginal posting. [ANS thanks Space-Travel.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Recent ARISS Contacts + Christ the King School, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia on 20 March 2013 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at Christ the King School, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia on 20 Mar. The contact began at approximately 07:15 UTC, and lasted for about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was a telebridge between OR4ISS and IK1SLD and was audible over Italy and adjacent areas. Established by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Christ the King School, Warradale, is a small, Reception to Year 5 Catholic parish school within the Brighton Parish in Adelaide. The school has approximately 190 students across 7 classes. In the Catholic tradition, they seek to provide a comprehensive Catholic education to children in a caring, faith community. + Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Austin, TX on 20 March 2013 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Austin, TX on 20 Mar. The contact began at approximately 14:20 UTC, and lasted for about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was a telebridge between NA1SS and VK6MJ and was audible over portions of Australia and adjacent areas. The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders is a unique all- girls school founded to educate young women and give them the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in college, in their careers, and in their communities. They are a public school in the Austin Independent School District serving over 700 girls in 6th through 12th grade. The girls partake and excel in engineering design projects and robotics competitions. The demographics of our student body mirror that of our local community. During the 2011 - 2012 school year, 61% percent of our students were Hispanic, 22% are Caucasian, 13% were African-American, 3% were Asian-American and 1% were American Indian/Alaskan Native. Two hundred of the girls were gathered as 10 of their peers asked questions on behalf of all grade levels during the ARISS contact. + UA Huntsville Space Hardware Club, Huntsville, AL, on 21 March 2013 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at UA Huntsville Space Hardware Club, Huntsville, AL, on 21 Mar. The contact began at approximately 15:50 UTC, and lasted for about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was a direct between NA1SS and K4UAH and was audible over portions of the U.S. The Space Hardware Club is a UA Huntsville student organization. The club is student run and is strictly volunteer. Using the capacities of a multi-disciplinary team of engineering to conceptualize, design, build, test and fly flight hardware for orbital spaceflight, high altitude ballooning, competitive mock-satellite design, build, launch competitions, and other space related engineering problems. Involvement in The Space Hardware Club allows students to experience real life time sensitive deadlines, and design payloads to mission specification. The students learn to design mechanical structures, software, and circuit boards while considering thermal forces, shock loads, and other realistic environmental limitations. Upcoming ARISS Contacs For This Week + Thornton Middle School, Katy, TX on 25 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:39 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KF5NZD. The contact should be audible over portions of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. + Des Cardinaux School, Sainte-Rose, Laval, Quebec, Canada on 26 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:13 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in French. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- [QB50] 5th European CubeSat Symposium - ESA sponsorship - Deadline postponed Cem O. Asma, PhD, Aeronautics & Aerospace Dept von Karman Institute, reports, "We have good news regarding the 5th European CubeSat Symposium that will be held on 3-5 June 2013 at Brussels, Belgium. The Education Office of European Space Agency has kindly offered scholarships to selected students to attend the European CubeSat Symposium. More information on the rules and how to apply are given at the Symposium web site: https://cubesatsymposium.eu/ We have therefore decided to postpone the deadline of abstract submission to 29 Mar 2013 so that those who consider an ESA sponsorship can apply as well." [ANS thanks Cem O. Asma, PhD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- March/April 2013 AMSAT Journal Heading for the Print Shop AMSAT Journal Editor, JoAnne K9JKM reports that the March/April 2013 issue is on its way to the print shop this week. It should reach your mailbox in early to mid-April. This issue features two technical projects, operating features, and the latest news from AMSAT's officers. We'll update you on all the content next week when the March/April Issue is completed, packed up, and ready for delivery. Thanks for all the help from our Journal Editorial Team: Douglas Quagliana, KA2UPW/5; Mike Sedlak, K4ERA; Bernhard Jatzeck, VA6BMJ; Bill Hook, W3QBC, and Martha at the AMSAT Office. The AMSAT Journal is pleased to publish your articles and photos of satellite operations and all aspects of amateur radio in space. Send your ideas and questions to journal at amsat.org. [ANS thanks AMSAT Journal Editor JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- KiwiSAT - All systems are now flight ready The KiwiSAT website reports that all hardware is complete and the KiwiSAT micro-satellite is operational. Final integration to launch ready awaits completion of command and control testing. They say software is being developed and launch negotiation is underway in New Zealand. Earlier reports indicated that $1 million was required for a launch to a 700 km orbit. Read the status report dated March 13, 2013 at http://www.kiwisat.org.nz/status.html [ANS thanks Trevor M5AKA and AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Swiss Small Satellite Launch System Swiss Space Systems – S3 a new Swiss aerospace company, was officially inaugurated in Payerne on Thursday, March 14, in the presence of representatives of the national authorities and of prestigious Swiss and international partners such as the ESA, Dassault Aviation, the Von Karman Institute, Sonaca, Meggitt and Stanford University. S3 aims to develop, build, certify and operate suborbital space shuttles dedicated to launching small satellites, enabling space access to be made more democratic thanks to an original system with launching costs reduced to a quarter of the present cost. The first test launches are planned to be carried out by the end of 2017. The Swiss Space Systems launch model uses an Airbus A300, an aircraft already certified for zero gravity flights, to take the shuttle up to 10,000m on its back; the shuttle will then be launched from there. Combining the internal architecture developed by the French company Dassault for Hermes with the external architecture developed by the Belgian companies Sonaca and Space Application Services will develop the shuttle. Discussions are at an advanced stage concerning the engine supplier. The shuttle-drone will take care of the next part of the ascent up to an altitude of 80km, the height at which the upper stage will be launched in order to put the satellites into orbit. Once this operation has been completed, the shuttle will return to earth by gliding towards its launch airport, where it will be taken care of by the maintenance teams who will prepare it for a new launch. S3 say agreements have already been signed for four launches for the Von Karman Institute. How will the in-orbit delivery of small satellites work ? Video at http://tinyurl.com/b27atko Swiss Space Systems – S3 http://www.s-3.ch/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Raspberry Pi as WSPR transmitter up to 250 MHz Guido PE1NNZ has released code that he says enables the Raspberry Pi to operate as a WSPR transmitter at HF and VHF. Guido has modified the WsprryPi code originally developed by Dan Ankers MD1CLV. He says the Raspberry Pi requires just a Low Pass Filter (LPF) and antenna connected to the GPIO4 pin in order to function as a WSPR transmitter. The PE1NNZ code and binary is available at https://github.com/threeme3/WsprryPi Turning the Raspberry Pi into an FM Transmitter http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2013/ turning_the_raspberry_pi_into_an_fm_transmitter.htm Dan Ankers MD1CLV WSPR http://m0xpd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/raspberry-whispers.html WSPR on the Raspberry Pi http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2013/ wspr_on_the_raspberry_pi.htm [ANS thanks Southgate Amateur radio News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Houston based WebSDR for 2m Ham Band Thomas Krahn KT5TK has made available a Houston-based Web Software Defined Radio for the 144-146 MHz amateur radio band. The WebSDR receiver is located in the 8th floor of a Houston office building. The receiver is a simple RTLSDR dongle with an Elonics E4000 tuner. The brand is: Terratec NOXON DAB/DAB+ USB dongle (rev 2). Currently a telescopic antenna is being used but it's planned to change to a bi-quad antenna. Thomas notes that the Houston AMSAT NET can be heard on Tuesdays at 8pm Central Time (Wednesday 0100 UT) 0n 145.470 MHz FM. (Also available on Echolink AMSAT node.) The Houston 2m WebSDR is available at http://websdr.tkrahn.com:8901 [ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Helps at Monrovia HS Science Expo and ISS Downlink On Saturday, March 2, the Pasadena Radio Club participated in the Monrovia High School Science Expo with the help of local AMSAT members.Set up started at 8 am and the display began at 10. Tom Berne gave students the opportunity to talk over amateur radio while Robert and Irene Allen and Kate Hutton transmitted radiograms. Tom Mikkelsen, Tim LaMarca, and Dale Hunzeker demonstrated amateur radio satellite communications with an AMSAT satellite simulator and a satellite receiving station. All spent considerable time answering questions and sharing their ham radio experiences. Other actives at the Science Expo included a FIRST Robotics competition, demonstrations by the Remote Control Aircraft Club, and booths from Sidewalk Astronomers, NASA, Planetary Society, FTC/FRC Robotics, and Miachi/UniTek. Stargazing activities continued into the evening. Science Expo activities continued on Tuesday, March 5, with a NASA sponsored live International Space Station downlink. Over one thousand 5th - 12th grade Monrovian students watched as three astronauts "floated" inside the space station while answering students' questions. Tim LaMarca, Jutti Marsh, and Dale Hunzeker were in the audience. These activities are examples of ways amateur radio can work with schools in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. [ANS thanks Dale L. Hunzeker, KJ6VUC for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Music in Space Downlink With the International Space Station Join NASA's Johnson Space Center, or JSC, Digital Learning Network for a live International Space Station downlink with astronaut Chris Hadfield, space station commander. Commander Hadfield and students from the Pasadena Independent School District's Pearl Hall Elementary will explore the many cultures and music surrounding the International Space Station partners. Students will perform songs at JSC with astronaut Dan Burbank and with space station astronaut Chris Hadfield. Students from Pearl Hall Elementary in Pasadena, Texas, and the Chris Hadfield Public School in Ontario, Canada, will speak to Chris while exploring about the connection between the arts and science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Watch the webcast live on March 27, 2013, from 2:30-3:45 p.m. CDT* by clicking on the link below. http://tinyurl.com/2aufnge Questions about the program may be directed to Patricia Moore at patricia.l.moore(a)nasa.gov. *The webcast time is subject change due to communication with the space station. Please visit http://dln.nasa.gov for the most recent information. [ANS thanks NASA Education Express Message -- March 21, 2013 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Argentine CubeBug-1 satellite will have amateur radio digipeater CubeBug-1 is the first technology demonstration mission for a new CubeSat platform design (mechanics, hardware and software) intended to be released as Open Source and Open Hardware for its use in Amateur projects, University projects and research labs. The project is sponsored by the Argentinian Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation. Payloads on this first mission include: • an ARM based on-board computer • a nano-reaction wheel with its driver circuit • a low resolution camera all based on COTS components CubeBug-1 is a 2U CubeSat and the team are planning to use half duplex communications on 437.445 MHz with 9k6 GMSK data. Telemetry information is at http://1.cubebug.org/coms/telemetry After the technology demonstration part of the mission is over, the satellite will enter a mode that will include services to the Amateur radio community, including a Digipeater, science data downloads from the payload (including images if possible). CubeBug-1 is expected to launch on a Long March CZ-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Space Center on April 28, 2013. Other satellites on the same launch include NEE-01 Pegasus and TURKSAT-3USAT. Watch a CubeBug-1 video at http://vimeo.com/56055215 CubeBug-1 website http://1.cubebug.org/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, KC8YLD kc8yld at amsat dot org

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testing
by Kevin Deane 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

testing on fixed old computer... Kevin KF7MYK

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Hope for the amateur satellite community?
by Robert Kovacs 23 Mar '13

23 Mar '13

An article in this month's, April's SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: "Low Cost Ticket to Space". Bob Kovacs KC2WYH ____________________ Sent via BlackBerry.

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Fw: April/May launch for CubeBug-1 and April launch for SOMP
by M5AKA 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

Argentine CubeBug-1 satellite will have an amateur radio digipeater, launch April/May http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/22/cubebug-1/ SOMP CubeSat launch April http://amsat-uk.org/?p=16017 STRaND-1 Update – Ground Station Improvements Underway http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/22/strand-1-update-ground-station-improvements/ AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 19-21 http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2013/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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April/May launch for CubeBug-1 and April launch for SOMP
by M5AKA 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

Argentine CubeBug-1 satellite will have amateur radio digipeater launch April/May http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/22/cubebug-1/ SOMP CubeSat launch April http://amsat-uk.org/?p=16017 STRaND-1 Update – Ground Station Improvements Underway http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/22/strand-1-update-ground-station-improvements/ AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 19-21 http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2013/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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Dragon's Return Delayed
by B J 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/03/dragon-homecoming-delayed-high-seas-… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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UT1FG/MM QSL Manager UX0FY
by John Papay 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

Eugene UX0FY advises that he has not received logs for UT1FG/MM after November 2012. He hopes to have the December 2012 thru March 2013 logs in a few weeks. Then he will be answering all QSL requests that he has received so far. He asks everyone to be patient. 73, John K8YSE

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UT1FG/MM QSL Manager UX0FY
by John Papay 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

Eugene UX0FY advises that he has not received logs for UT1FG/MM after November 2012. He hopes to have the December 2012 thru March 2013 logs in a few weeks. Then he will be answering all QSL requests that he has received so far. He asks everyone to be patient. 73, John K8YSE

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Upcoming things of interest, some information.
by Robert McGwier 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

Hello AMSAT friends: Some of you that know me, know I have moved to Virginia Tech. I am in my second school year here, working harder than I ever have, and loving it. I've started a company with friends Joe Mitola (revered by many as the father of Software Radio and Cognitive Radio), Charles Clancy (director of my center where I am director of research), Jeff Reed (Wireless @ VT) and we are working on products to help wireless communications systems perform better (4G -> 5G). Virginia Tech encourages this kind of spinoff and has built growing set of tools to help.... It does help to actually be here to get the win! So I am announcing my center is growing very rapidly. We are looking for engineers, scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, and project managers to help our rapidly expanding research portfolio. Please take a look at the listings: http://www.hume.ictas.vt.edu/vacancies I am just about to take control of a 3U Cubesat from the USG government agency, NRO. It is a colony 1 bus. It will look like a Colony 1 when launched, but the insides will undergo transformation. As some of you may have seen, we have signed an MOU with AMSAT to do joint work and when this arrives, we will discuss doing this joint work. We are exploring other, sooner projects now and hope we are successful in find ways to work together... I have a great team of budding spacecraft building participants and an active member in Space@VT: http://www.space.vt.edu/ and the AMSAT announcement (which we used for our announcement for cooperation with Space@VT) http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2013/amsat_and_virginia_tech_sign_… In Space @ VT we are working on a 1U and a 6U for a NASA Elana and hope to use the Colony for our 3U opportunity with students here and at the USNA. It is very exciting to be involved in all of this.. I'm also a member of the Wireless Center here; Wireless @ VT and we run a conference here at the end of the school year: http://www.wireless.vt.edu/symposium/2013/ This year we are delighted to announcement that all my rowdy friends are coming over tonight.... GnuRadio Hackfest will be hosted by the Hume Center (my center) immediately following the Wireless Symposium. -- Bob McGwier Owner and Technical Director, Allied Communication, LLC Senior Member IEEE Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY Faculty Advisor Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Assn. (K4KDJ)

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Fwd: NASA Voyager Status Update on Voyager 1 Location
by Bryce Salmi 22 Mar '13

22 Mar '13

I figured some of you would enjoy this! Bryce KB1LQC ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory <JPLNewsroom(a)jpl.nasa.gov> Date: Wed, Mar 20, 2013 at 2:21 PM Subject: NASA Voyager Status Update on Voyager 1 Location To: Bryce Salmi <bstguitarist(a)gmail.com> MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 PHONE 818-354-5011 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov Jia-Rui C. Cook 818-354-0850 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. jccook(a)jpl.nasa.gov News release: 2013-107 March 20, 2013 NASA Voyager Status Update on Voyager 1 Location The full version of this story with accompanying images is at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-107&cid=release_2013-107 "The Voyager team is aware of reports today that NASA's Voyager 1 has left the solar system," said Edward Stone, Voyager project scientist based at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. "It is the consensus of the Voyager science team that Voyager 1 has not yet left the solar system or reached interstellar space. In December 2012, the Voyager science team reported that Voyager 1 is within a new region called 'the magnetic highway' where energetic particles changed dramatically. A change in the direction of the magnetic field is the last critical indicator of reaching interstellar space and that change of direction has not yet been observed." To learn more about the current status of the Voyager mission: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2012-381 - end - -end- To remove yourself from this mailing, please go to http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=arJLJ3PGK9JOLZOLH&s=lvKYI6PUJjIYJjMYKvF&m=e… To remove yourself from all mailings from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, please go to http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=elKTKfNWIdIWJcN2F&s=lvKYI6PUJjIYJjMYKvF&m=e…

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KiwiSAT - All systems are now flight ready
by M5AKA 20 Mar '13

20 Mar '13

KiwiSAT - All systems are now flight ready http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/20/kiwisat-all-systems-are-now-fight-ready/ KiwiSAT status - http://www.kiwisat.org.nz/status.html Recent posts on the AMSAT-UK site: Radio Amateur G3YJO in ADS Advance Magazine http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/18/radio-amateur-g3yjo-in-ads-advance-magazine/ BBC: ESA seeks help to control robot spacecraft http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/18/bbc-esa-seeks-help-to-control-robot-spacecra… Nanosatellite Separation Experiment Using a P-POD Deployment Mechanism http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/17/nanosatellite-separation-experiment-using-a-… LOHAN hooks up with radio ham and top-flight rocketeer G7ALW http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/17/lohan-hooks-up-with-radio-ham-and-top-flight… ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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GRAIL's Impact Photographed
by B J 19 Mar '13

19 Mar '13

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-103 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Sked with NA East coast to try FO-29 QSO tomorrow 20th-3-2013
by David 19 Mar '13

19 Mar '13

Hello all: Looking for stations located in the east coast of NorthAmerica to try a QSO via FO-29 tomorrow 20th-March-2013. There is a nice usable 5 minutes window between 13:25 UTC to 13:30 UTC . My location is Madrid, grid locator IN80CP Please send me an email to arrange the sked. Thanks David EA4SG.

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Sked with NA East coast to try FO-29 QSO tomorrow 20th-3-2013
by David 19 Mar '13

19 Mar '13

Hello all: Looking for stations located in the east coast of NorthAmerica to try a QSO via FO-29 tomorrow 20th-March-2013. There is a nice usable 5 minutes window between 13:25 UTC to 13:30 UTC . Please send me an email to arrange the sked. Thanks David EA4SG.

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Request: VO-52 [Hamsat] user report & feed backs
by Mani VU2WMY 19 Mar '13

19 Mar '13

Dear VO-52 [Hamsat] users, We are in need of the latest user feed backs and reports on the performance of the current transponder on-board VO-52 [Hamsat] for routine official documentation purposes. Hence, We request VO-52 users to kindly send in their latest reports and valuable feed backs, so as to enable us to complete the procedures at the earliest. Gentle request: kindly copy the same to:[email protected] 73 es thanks in advance. Mani [VU2WMY] Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Re: Working from FK97
by Nikolai Ozerov 18 Mar '13

18 Mar '13

I am back and I will be preparing and sending out QSL cards. Please, drop me an email with a record from your log if you need one, no QSL card required. I already have email requests from AC0RA, K4FEG, CO6CBF and KD8CAO. Filing my contacts with LOTW will be the next step... I will keep you updated on the progress on my QRZ page (VE3NKL). 73, Nikolai / V26NK

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ESA's Ops-Sat To Be Used For Software Experimentation
by B J 17 Mar '13

17 Mar '13

http://www.esa.int/About_Us/GSP/ESA_seeks_software_innovators_for_superchar… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 8, Issue 86
by ray gaschk 17 Mar '13

17 Mar '13

Have you tried buying mini-circuits through Digi_Key or Mouser? Best wishes de ray AG6SI 3/16/2013 12:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Trevor M5AKA) > 2. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Dale Hershberger) > 3. JAXA SmallSats with GPM and ALOS-2 (Mineo Wakita) > 4. SOMP Cubesat etc. (Mineo Wakita) > 5. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Gus) > 6. Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or MAR-7 > devices? (Michael) > 7. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Adrian Engele) > 8. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Rick Tejera) > 9. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (B J) > 10. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (Gus) > 11. Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space (B J) > 12. google earth satellite tracker (Joseph Armbruster) > 13. Re: Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or MAR-7 > devices? (Zach Leffke) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:15:42 +0000 (GMT) > From: Trevor M5AKA <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: > <1363389342.37988.YahooMailClassic(a)web172306.mail.ir2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold growth from space using amateur radio. > > Wiki lists their satellite TeikyoSat-3 as launching with several other satellites carrying amateur radio payloads in June 2014. > > See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/15/teikyosat-3-slime-mold-from-space/ > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:31:58 -0800 > From: Dale Hershberger <daleh(a)alaska.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: <5143AF6E.9030306(a)alaska.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Thanks for all the info you post Trevor. I enjoy following it. > Dale kl7xj > On 3/15/2013 3:15 PM, Trevor M5AKA wrote: >> Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold growth from space using amateur radio. >> >> Wiki lists their satellite TeikyoSat-3 as launching with several other satellites carrying amateur radio payloads in June 2014. >> >> See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/15/teikyosat-3-slime-mold-from-space/ >> >> 73 Trevor M5AKA >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> >> ----- >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6177 - Release Date: 03/15/13 >> >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:17:13 +0900 > From: "Mineo Wakita" <ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] JAXA SmallSats with GPM and ALOS-2 > Message-ID: <63C35DD1BD9644108F6C32B998E04231@FM4D8C73527130> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-2022-jp"; > reply-type=original > > > http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxa_gpm.htm > http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxalos2.htm > > JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:18:25 +0900 > From: "Mineo Wakita" <ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] SOMP Cubesat etc. > Message-ID: <D7F5D3A942CD48028953CF97FC63C657@FM4D8C73527130> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-2022-jp"; > reply-type=original > > > http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ossisomp.htm > > JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:19:29 -0400 > From: Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: <5143E4C1.9070408(a)anjo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > On 03/15/2013 07:15 PM, Trevor M5AKA wrote: >> Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold growth from space using amateur radio. > Wait! I've seen this movie! > > http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066769/ > > -- 73, de Gus 8P6SM > Barbados, the easternmost isle. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:46:34 -0400 > From: Michael <Mat_62(a)charter.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or > MAR-7 devices? > Message-ID: <5143EB1A.1040900(a)charter.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > I was going to try and roll my own version of the preamp circuit shown > in the AMSAT store. I wish I had a spare 50 bucks to just buy one > because I know it would go to help FOX but my money is extremely tight > right now. Unfortunately when I go to the mini circuits site, I find > that their minimum order is twenty and I'd be spending close to 25 or 30 > bucks anyway. At that point, I would be better off buying the prebuilt > amp if I could afford it! I'm trying to get back ito sats on a budget. I > have a DVB-T stick and an omnidirectional scanner antenna that I'm > experimenting with as a poor mans RX solution. I've been able to > definitely hear transmissions but not make out anything legible from > V0-52 and I've had no luck hearing S0-50 at all. Considering that I have > about a 30 foot run of RG-6 quad shield from the antenna to the shack, > I imagine that a preamp at the antenna would help and give me a definite > yes or no if my RX experiment is even feasible. I am using SDR# right > now because I find it easier but my eventual plan is to try and use > HDSDR with the doppler being controlled by SatPC-32. I could go cheap > handhelds and may eventually when I can afford them but given that I > like to operate from my shack and not outdoors with handheld beams, I'll > still need the preamp. > 73, > Michael, W4HIJ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:58:57 -0700 (PDT) > From: Adrian Engele <aa5uk(a)yahoo.com> > To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "8p6sm(a)anjo.com" <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: > <1363406337.8478.androidMobile(a)web121004.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > One of my favorite movies! > > How about:? > http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0064393/ > > 73, Adrian AA5UK > > from Yahoo! Mail on Android > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:09:00 -0700 > From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro(a)cox.net> > To: "'Adrian Engele'" <aa5uk(a)yahoo.com>, "'Amsat BB'" > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: <000501ce21fb$fd296720$f77c3560$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > My Sister took me to see that when I was 8, I couldn?t sleep without cocooning myself under the covers for weeks, I rented it a few years back and just laughed.. > > Rick Tejera (K7TEJ) > Sagauro Astronomy Club > www.saguaroastro.org > Thunderbird Amatuer Radio Club > www.w7tbc.org > 30 Meter Digital Group # 5794 > Feld Hell Club #3994 > OMISS #8629 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adrian Engele > Sent: Friday, 15 March, 2013 20:59 > To: Amsat BB; 8p6sm(a)anjo.com > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > > One of my favorite movies! > > How about: > http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0064393/ > > 73, Adrian AA5UK > > from Yahoo! Mail on Android > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:15:18 +0000 > From: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > To: Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: > <CAP7QzkO8ZmWSRwf2b05GPkqah71PfnUhaj96X97LbCExtaYXZg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On 3/16/13, Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> wrote: >> On 03/15/2013 07:15 PM, Trevor M5AKA wrote: >>> Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold >>> growth from space using amateur radio. >> Wait! I've seen this movie! >> >> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066769/ >> > I watched my DVD copy of it a few days ago. It's one of the best > science fiction movies ever made. > > 73s > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > <snip> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:29:55 -0400 > From: Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > To: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: <51441163.6000303(a)anjo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > On 03/16/2013 01:15 AM, B J wrote: >> On 3/16/13, Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> wrote: >>> On 03/15/2013 07:15 PM, Trevor M5AKA wrote: >>>> Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold >>>> growth from space using amateur radio. >>> Wait! I've seen this movie! >>> >>> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066769/ >>> >> I watched my DVD copy of it a few days ago. It's one of the best >> science fiction movies ever made. >> >> 73s >> >> Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > Right after my last post, I put it on. Just finished watching. > > Yes, it's a real classic. > > -- > 73, de Gus 8P6SM > Barbados, the easternmost isle. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:29:11 +0000 > From: B J <va6bmj(a)gmail.com> > To: Gus <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: TeikyoSat-3 ? Slime Mold from Space > Message-ID: > <CAP7QzkNGPg21=wGovECtU7q8GMEk3pgYkUSU9+es8WLADZhdsQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > <snip> > >> Right after my last post, I put it on. Just finished watching. >> >> Yes, it's a real classic. > It's certainly much better than the made-for-TV remake of a few years > ago. That version was absolutely dreadful. > > 73s > > Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL > > <snip> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:58:01 -0400 > From: Joseph Armbruster <josepharmbruster(a)gmail.com> > To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] google earth satellite tracker > Message-ID: <E9FF72AD-80F6-4929-BBF5-4582006D4B18(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > All, > > I decided to buckle down and make an open source Google Earth based satellite tracker. See: https://code.google.com/p/ge-satellite-tracker/ > > It is designed to pull it's ephemerides directly from space-track.org, so you will need an account to use it (for now). Eventually, I will get around to implementing all the fancies I rendered for arissat-1. > > The code is currently in its infancy, so I am open to questions, comments and suggestions. > > Joseph Armbruster > http://libjoe.blogspot.com/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:24:33 -0400 > From: "Zach Leffke" <zleffke(a)vt.edu> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 > or MAR-7 devices? > Message-ID: <000001ce2251$fbbb6220$f3322660$(a)vt.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi Michael, > Check out Down East Microwave at www.downeastmicrowave.com. From > the main page scroll down and click on catalog/Price List on the left. On > the next page click on Our Online Catalog. On the left side of the page > click on Components. Scroll down a bit to the MMIC section. They are > selling MAR-6s for $2.20 a piece with no minimum. There are probably a few > other components you can use in your project as well on their site. Their > order process is a bit different than usual, but follow the instructions on > their online order form and you'll be fine. > > Hope this helps, > -Zach, KJ4QLP > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Michael > Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 11:47 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or MAR-7 > devices? > > I was going to try and roll my own version of the preamp circuit shown in > the AMSAT store. I wish I had a spare 50 bucks to just buy one because I > know it would go to help FOX but my money is extremely tight right now. > Unfortunately when I go to the mini circuits site, I find that their minimum > order is twenty and I'd be spending close to 25 or 30 bucks anyway. At that > point, I would be better off buying the prebuilt amp if I could afford it! > I'm trying to get back ito sats on a budget. I have a DVB-T stick and an > omnidirectional scanner antenna that I'm experimenting with as a poor mans > RX solution. I've been able to definitely hear transmissions but not make > out anything legible from > V0-52 and I've had no luck hearing S0-50 at all. Considering that I have > about a 30 foot run of RG-6 quad shield from the antenna to the shack, I > imagine that a preamp at the antenna would help and give me a definite yes > or no if my RX experiment is even feasible. I am using SDR# right now > because I find it easier but my eventual plan is to try and use HDSDR with > the doppler being controlled by SatPC-32. I could go cheap handhelds and > may eventually when I can afford them but given that I like to operate from > my shack and not outdoors with handheld beams, I'll still need the preamp. > 73, > Michael, W4HIJ > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 8, Issue 86 > *************************************** >

1 0

ESTCube-1 Tether CubeSat hopes for April launch
by Trevor M5AKA 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

ESTCube-1, 437.250 / 437.505 MHz, is planned to fly on a VEGA launcher on April 19, 2013. See http://amsat-uk.org/?p=14774 Also on the AMSAT-UK site: NASA EDGE Video – CubeSat Launch Initiative http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/16/nasa-edge-cubesat-launch-initiative/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

US Towers TMM-433HD for sale
by David Reinhart 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

On the ground, heavy duty 33 ft. crank up tower with fold-down fixture. Ten ft. mast, four coax arms, inverted vee arm. Everything except anchor bolts. Pick up only in Holden, MA. Originally $2,500. Asking $1,500. Contact Dave at wa6ilt(a)amsat.org.

1 0

TeikyoSat-3 – Slime Mold from Space
by Trevor M5AKA 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

Students from Teikyo University plan to transmit images of Slime Mold growth from space using amateur radio. Wiki lists their satellite TeikyoSat-3 as launching with several other satellites carrying amateur radio payloads in June 2014. See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/15/teikyosat-3-slime-mold-from-space/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

5 6

Anyone know a way to get a small qty. of MAR-6 or MAR-7 devices?
by Michael 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

I was going to try and roll my own version of the preamp circuit shown in the AMSAT store. I wish I had a spare 50 bucks to just buy one because I know it would go to help FOX but my money is extremely tight right now. Unfortunately when I go to the mini circuits site, I find that their minimum order is twenty and I'd be spending close to 25 or 30 bucks anyway. At that point, I would be better off buying the prebuilt amp if I could afford it! I'm trying to get back ito sats on a budget. I have a DVB-T stick and an omnidirectional scanner antenna that I'm experimenting with as a poor mans RX solution. I've been able to definitely hear transmissions but not make out anything legible from V0-52 and I've had no luck hearing S0-50 at all. Considering that I have about a 30 foot run of RG-6 quad shield from the antenna to the shack, I imagine that a preamp at the antenna would help and give me a definite yes or no if my RX experiment is even feasible. I am using SDR# right now because I find it easier but my eventual plan is to try and use HDSDR with the doppler being controlled by SatPC-32. I could go cheap handhelds and may eventually when I can afford them but given that I like to operate from my shack and not outdoors with handheld beams, I'll still need the preamp. 73, Michael, W4HIJ

2 1

Re: TeikyoSat-3 – Slime Mold from Space
by Adrian Engele 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

One of my favorite movies! How about: http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0064393/ 73, Adrian AA5UK from Yahoo! Mail on Android

2 1

SOMP Cubesat etc.
by Mineo Wakita 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ossisomp.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

JAXA SmallSats with GPM and ALOS-2
by Mineo Wakita 16 Mar '13

16 Mar '13

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxa_gpm.htm http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxalos2.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

SOMP Cubesat TU Dresden
by FS 15 Mar '13

15 Mar '13

SOMP Cubesat will be soon ready for flight. More details here: http://dl0tud.tu-dresden.de/wordpress/?p=705 73 Fred

1 0

March 23 free balloon UV repeater from La Pampa, Argentina
by Amsat Argentina 15 Mar '13

15 Mar '13

Amsat Argentina is pleased to announce that on Saturday March 23, 2013 from 14hs GMT climate permits, launch of free balloon repeater ‘Betty’ is planned from near Castex, La Pampa, 660 Km. west of Buenos Aires. Details and photos of the announcement and prior experience in http://www.amsat.org.ar/globo23.htm Approval of ANAC (Civil Aviation National Administration (Argentina FAA)) had been granted by NOTAM (NOtice To AirMen) http://amsat.org.ar/images/anacfax.jpg . For these experiments members of AMSAT-LU, LUSEX, project development group http://lusex.org.ar , are working together with Pampeano amateur Radio Club, RC QRM Belgrano, APRS Group, etc. The electronics is comprised of a voice UHF to VHF FM repeater with CW TLM, APRS, DTMF and SSTV. According to estimates balloon could reach over 30,000 meters high, traveling for 3 hours, 100 km to the east of the launch site. This would allow contacts between stations located in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Entre Rios, Cordoba, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero, La Pampa, San Luis, Mendoza, San Juan, Rio Negro, Neuquen, Uruguay and Chile. (It is launched from the center of the country to facilitate greater participation). Details http://www.amsat.org.ar/picocubr.jpg To receive the payload, if less than 750 km from the launch site, only need is a handy or base FM receiver on 145,950 KHz for voice, 144,930 for APRS or 145,850 for SSTV. The repeater which is enabled via 123 Hz CTCSS subtone, receives 435,950 KHz FM voice (-112dBm, 0.56 uV) emitting 2W output simultaneously on 145 950 KHz. To enable better utilization, it is suggested short QSOs (license, own locality, grid locator, received signal and short comments). Simultaneous emits APRS 1200 baud at 144,930, and also in 145,950. The DTI symbol on APRS will change from a balloon ( /O ) during ascent to a slider ( /g ) during the parachute descent. Will operate for 90 seconds voice, then a beep alerting the end of that time will make way for the issuance of APRS at different frequencies. Every five minutes CW TLM via telegraphy audio tones sends callsign LU7AA and height in meters, then repeat the cycle. On 145,850 KHz SSTV images ROBOT-36 mode (36 seconds) will be emitted in real time continuously showing what the balloon sees (Can be received, with either MIXW or RX-SSTV (recommended)). Given 145.850 KHz could be received by SO-50, part of experiment will be crosslink between balloon and SO-50 during his three timeframe passes, thus allowing SSTV from Balloon -> 145.850 -> SO-50 -> 432.795 -> user, providing a wider footprint. Balloon will carry two TV cameras (one to ground and another to the horizon) that will record images and sound during flight and can be retrieved with the payload. It can be received in APRS on http://aprs.fi/?call=lu7aa-11 every minute, including speed, height, internal and external temperatures and battery voltage. Georeferenced maps are available for UI-View in http://www.amsat.org.ar/pico.jpg, http://www.amsat.org.ar/pico.txt. The experiment on 435.950 KHz voice also receives and accepts DTMF user issued commands i.e. B * (DTMF keypad UHF handy) will return S5 ... ..... on VHF CW 145.950, your signal strength received at balloon, if P10 that states S9 +10. There are more commands that enable issuance of TLM in CW or APRS beacon and remote commands to drop payload, mode changes, control of time, energy, power, etc.. Additionally and in coordination with ANAC, a VAISALA RS92SGP radiosonde emitting FM wide on 402-403 Mhz has been added, which provides GPS location, pressure, winds, height, course, dwt point, temperatures, etc. Same data as daily collected by the National Meteorological Service. Data can be received with sondemonitor program available as test for 21 days from internet. On launch day/time Amsat-LU will have one of his members on the Ezeiza Airport Traffic Tower, acting as a contact between ANAC and Amsat, using VOR locations application gently configured by EOSS, adapted and available on http://amsat.org.ar/vor.asp . Local frequencies coordination and announcements before and during flights will be 7095 kHz LSB + / -10 kHz and VHF frequencies of local repeaters in the area. During flight will be active in 430.930 and 144.930 the AMSAT-LU APRS wide coverage Igate LU7AA-0, operating from the Investigation Center, besides a portable Igate close to launch site. Any area stations that can receive and provide bridge to the APRS network are welcome. Being an experiment aimed at a next satellite, contacts made between stations thru this UV repeater will be considered valid and awarded upon request by Amsat-LU Permanent Satellite Certificate, free and also applicable for license upgrades, see http://www.amsat.org.ar/certsat.html, http://www.lu4ao.org.ar, http://www.amsat.org.ar/lu4aao. During the balloon flight, chase hunt groups will try to locate and recover the payload estimated to land next to General Pico, La Pampa. The 10 participants with the highest two-way contacts numbers and sum of distances thru repeater will be recognized with a special certificate. Send email with data filled on form http://www.amsat.org.ar/lu4aao/Globo_23mar2013.xls QSO with stations via the balloon including QRA Locators, QTR to RC QRM Belgrano before April 23. All reports welcome. If you want or can organize or be part of launch teams, control, monitoring and recovery, operating as an independent station and capturing data, and / or want to join us in this adventure from the launch site can do it through an email to parapente arroba amsat.org.ar. We appreciate having read this information and forward if possible. 73, LU7AA, AMSAT-LU, aiming to the future by making present fun. www.amsat.org.ar info at amsat.org.ar

1 0

33cm Band Ecuadorian TV CubeSats pass qualification tests
by Trevor M5AKA 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

EXA's website is currently quoting launch dates of May for the Jiuquan Space Center CZ-2D Long March rocket and late July for the Yasny Dnepr. See http://amsat-uk.org/?p=14689 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

DIY Rockets and space stuff
by Waldo, Ethan 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

I am fairly new to this list so I hope I am not posting redundant information, though I have roughly searched the last year of archives to avoid doing so. I recently discovered a very interesting website which might be of collaborative use to some AMSAT members. http://www.openspaceuniversity.org, a.k.a. DIYRockets appears to be focused on maintaining space related education material and sharing open designs for satellite and rocketry (disclaimer: I am not affiliated with DIYRockets). 73, Ethan KF5UFH

1 0

Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach
by Guy Harris 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

Dear Alan Space Tech Expo 2013: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} is fast approaching and available booths are now extremely limited. Make sure you do not miss out on the opportunity to join peers from over 150 companies: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/exhibitor-list-2013?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} including the National Reconnaissance Office, Boeing Technology Services, ATK and many others presenting to the industry. Secure your exhibit space today: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/book-a-booth?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} and meet qualified buyers, decision makers, engineers and purchasers engaged in the design, manufacture and testing of spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicles and space-related technologies. Join over 150 exhibiting companies at Space Tech Expo and access: More than 2,000 professionals from the civil and commercial space industry Source new clients and increase your sales circle Complimentary pre- and post- event marketing opportunities Special rates for exhibitors to attend the Space Tech Conference: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/conference-program-2013?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} 'The Business Case for Space' Free sessions: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/free-open-tech-forum,?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} workshops and the Satellite & Space Summit: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/satellite-and-space-summit-2013?utm_campaign=J… the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} on the show floor Abundant networking opportunities Meet with industry leaders and decision makers Be part of Space Tech Expo 2013 – secure your place today!: http://www.spacetechexpo.com/book-a-booth?utm_campaign=Join the National Reconnaissance Office, ATK + more in Long Beach&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content={~mailVariationId~} Kind regards, Guy Harris Exhibition Director {~C9153898699829663095420686584016~}

1 0

New Swiss Small Satellite Launch System
by Trevor M5AKA 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

Good to see another new company hoping to provide small satellite launches, this one is aiming at the 2017+ timeframe. See http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=14680 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Unix command line Kepler manager
by PE0SAT | Amateur Radio 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

Hi, Thanks for reading this message. Can somebody help me with a command line Kepler manager for Unix? The idea is to create my own TLE files where source files come from Celes-track and Space-track. I thought to give the list a try before if go the script way ;) 73 Jan PE0SAT -- With regards PE0SAT Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/

2 4

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 8, Issue 83
by Thomas Frey 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org schrieb: > Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:29:05 +0100 > From: PE0SAT | Amateur Radio<pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl> > To: Amsat bb<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Unix command line Kepler manager > Message-ID:<7602b403b94b77259610495fa72177ac(a)vgnet.nl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > > Hi, > > Thanks for reading this message. > > Can somebody help me with a command line Kepler manager for Unix? > > The idea is to create my own TLE files where source files come from > Celes-track and > Space-track. > > I thought to give the list a try before if go the script way;) > > 73 Jan PE0SAT > > Hello Jan This is my script running under OS/2-eComStation: /* begin of CMD file */ /* access with WGet */ 'wget -i oscarkep.url -O kepler-w.txt' /* file with URL's */ /* access with Curl */ 'curl -c cookies.txt -b cookies.txt -k https://www.space-track.org/ajaxauth/login -d "identity=USER&password=Pa$$w0rd"' /* login via cookie */ 'curl --cookie cookies.txt -k https://www.space-track.org/basicspacedata/query/class/tle_latest/favorites… -o kepler-c.txt' 'copy kepler-w.txt + kepler-c.txt kepler.txt' /* end of CMD file */ May it help. -- Mit freundlichen Grüssen, Regards, 73 Thomas Frey, HB9SKA ______________________________________________________________________ Thomas Frey, Holzgasse 2, CH-5242 Birr, Tel. + Fax: 056 444 93 41 http://home.datacomm.ch/th.frey/

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SatPC32 Update for Tone Control of Yaesu FT-857/897
by Tom Deeble - KA6SIP 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

Recently I bought a new Yaesu FT-897D to replace a FT-817ND to give me a little more xmit power when operating portable, but still using internal batteries. When I tried to use SO-50 I found that I couldn't get thru the sat. Back home I traced the problem to the CTCSS tone not being set in the FT-897D via SatPC32 "T1" & "T2". My FT-817 worked without a problem. I contacted Erich Eichmann who quickly sent me a modified version to test. It worked! Erich will be putting a patch version on his website shortly: www.dk1tb.de See the English page and then Download page. I thank Erich for making the change & so quickly - much quicker than me in sending this to the AMSAT BB! Detailed Description - for those interested: The set CTCSS tone frequency is apparently the only CAT command that is different for the FT-857/897 from the FT-817. The 5-byte command for the FT-817 contains the tone frequency in bytes #1 & 2, and the command Opcode "0B" in byte five. Bytes #3 & 4 are only place holders and are set to ASCII code zero by the SatPC32 program. For the FT-857/897 bytes #3 & 4 are used to set the receive CTCSS tone frequency. Apparently even if the receive tone is not being used, bytes #3 & 4 must contain a valid tone frequency. It looked like with ASCII code zero in bytes #3 & 4 that the radio would interpret the command as invalid and never set the Tx tone. There is no clarification of this in the user manual. Erich has now sent the Tx tone in both the Tx tone bytes and the Rx tone bytes (byte 1 = byte 3, byte 2 = byte 4). This appears to correct the problem of tone not being set. Now in SatPC32, for SO-50, when "T0" is clicked to get "T1", the CTCSS tone of 67.0 is set in the FT-897 (as seen in Menu Mode 083). When "T1" is clicked to get "T2" to enable SO-50, the CTCSS tone of 74.4 is set in the radio (as seen in Menu Mode 083). When "T2" is clicked to get "T0" for tone OFF, the CTCSS tone encoder is turned off but the tone of 74.4 still remains in Menu Mode 083 even though it is not being used. So now the CTCSS tone control function in SatPC32 works on the FT-897 (and should on the FT-857) just like it worked on the FT-817. The CAT commands on all three radios to turn ON CTCSS encoding is (4A xx xx xx xx 0A) and to turn OFF is (8A xx xx xx xx 0A). The tone ON/OFF function always has worked for all three radios. On the FT-897 I could see "TEN" on the display when the CTCSS tone encoder was ON either "T1" & "T2" in SatPC32), and then "TEN" would disappear from the display when the tone encoder was OFF ("T0" in SatPC32). For testing the transmitted CTCSS tone I found that the "Tone Search Scanning" function (tone decoder) built into the Yaesu VX-6R HT, the FT-817ND and the FT-897D, worked well and was just what I needed! Thanks again to Erich for a great program, his program support & support of AMSAT! 73's - Tom, KA6SIP Tom Deeble - KA6SIP Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Membership Chairman ka6sip(a)aol.com PACIFICON - Oct 11-13, 2013

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Disregard my ISS packet question. I MADE IT IN!
by transbets＠gmail.com 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

Hi all Well, I made it onto the ISS this morning using my Elk on a 60+ degree pass. It's all good, and thanks for reading my question. I shall now go back to jumping around my living room in joy! 73, Elizabeth (Betsy) WB3U

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ISS digital packets
by transbets＠gmail.com 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

Hello all I have recently been unsuccessful in sending digital packets to the ISS since the change in radios on the station. I use an Elk with my Yaesu VX8DR and the path I use is ARISS. I have recently tried adding a WIDE to that path to see if I could get gated, but have been largely unsuccessful except for one day, but haven't been able to get back on, even with a relatively high pass. Does anybody know if the path has changed since they are now using the Ericsson instead of the Kenwood, or if there are any significant changes I can make?. It could possibly be just the 5 watt HT can't do the job with the Ericsson. Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance. 73, Elizabeth WB3U

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We-Wish decay
by Nico Janssen 12 Mar '13

12 Mar '13

All, Cubesat We-Wish (38856, 1998-067CS) will soon burn up in the atmosphere. Probably the decay will occur on March 13. Of course this depends on how solar activity develops. 73, Nico PA0DLO

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Satellite hit by debris from weapon test
by Trevor M5AKA 12 Mar '13

12 Mar '13

CNN are reporting the BLITS satellite was rendered inoperable after being impacted by debris from a 2007 weapon test. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/09/tech/satellite-hit/index.html Wiki says the weapon test created 2,317 pieces of trackable size (golf ball size and larger) and an estimated 150,000 debris particles so there's clearly potential for more impacts. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: Satellite hit by debris from weapon test
by Nitin Muttin 12 Mar '13

12 Mar '13

I have always found the informaton shared by Trevor interesting and informative and I waterfall such information on the amsatindia group and many have appreciated the content shared. Thanks Trevor for taking the time and effort to bring such information to us. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

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Re: Satellite hit by debris from weapon test
by Robert Coppock 11 Mar '13

11 Mar '13

i heard on the medford,OR news that a guy waskilled on I-5 by a wrong way, drunk driver. theunfortunate driver was from oakland, OR. i recallan amsat guy from there, cannot remember his nameor call. anyone know if he is ok ? are you out there ? k f 0 g cn81 73 ~too bz for ham radio lately, sorry.

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Re: WiSP under Windows 7
by Mineo Wakita 11 Mar '13

11 Mar '13

I wrote an article called "How to setup WiSP32 in Vista" in my HP several years ago. I think this method is similar in "WiSP under Windows 7". http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/wispvist.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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WiSP under Windows 7
by tokens＠myranch.com 10 Mar '13

10 Mar '13

Can WiSP be run under Windows7 and if so how? Many thanks, Al W8KHP

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Video of ISS contact with Lycee Polyvalent Anatole France
by Trevor M5AKA 10 Mar '13

10 Mar '13

The video of the ISS school contact that took place on Saturday, March 9 can be seen at http://ww.amsat-uk.org/?p=14602 Other posts on the AMSAT-UK site: A Decade of CubeSats http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=14595 Interplanetary CubeSats http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=14592 ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems
by PA3GUO 10 Mar '13

10 Mar '13

>Just think -- with TWO of them, you could compensate for the motion of the station, when operating from, say, a boat or a vehicle under way. (Nobody say "GPS" please!) Hi Gus, you asked for it :-) http://www.g6lvb.com/ao40mobile.htm So also here Howard sets the standard, nobody beats him - respect! Btw: here is my 18 year old project, it still works fine after so many years: http://pa3guo.com/zb_rtr_ctrl.html Things I learned and included in my software: - thresholds are needed to avoid the system oscillating around a target position - corrections need to be made due to overshoot (after a stop command the rotor takes time to actually stop -- Henk, PA3GUO

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ANS-069 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 10 Mar '13

10 Mar '13

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-069 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicat- ing through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Now Preparing for Two Launch Opportunities * AMSAT.ORG Web Site Testing On-Line Now * SpaceTrack Approves AMSAT Request for Redistribution of KEPS * Help Wanted: AMSAT News Service Rotating Editor Positions Available * Rare Grid Square Opportunities * SARL National Convention Includes SumbandilaSat Ground Station Visit * NASA-TV Coverage Schedule for ISS Expedition 34 Departure/Landing * 2013 Amateur Transponder Launch Opportunity Summary * ARISS School Contacts Nearing 800 Mark * NASA Summer 2013 Internship Applications Close on March 15 * Microsoft Blocking arrl.net and arrl.org E-mail Addresses * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-069.01 ANS-069 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 069.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 10, 2013 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-069.01 ******************************************************************** * Reminder! AMSAT-DC Spring Workshop on Portable Satellite Ground * * Stations - Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the NASA Goddard Space * * Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD beginning at 9:00AM EDT. Pre- * * registration is required. To register call Martha at the AMSAT * * Office 301-589-6062 no later than Thursday, March 21. Sorry, * * no late registration at the door! See full details at: * * http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ * * * * The suggested donation for advanced registration and admission * * for non-AMSAT members is $25. Registration for AMSAT members * * registering in advance is free. * ******************************************************************** --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Now Preparing for Two Launch Opportunities AMSAT's focus on STEM education and development of a cubesat platform capable of flying a science mission with a reliable communications link resulted in our previous selection of Fox-1 in the third round and RadFxSat (Fox-1B) in the recent fourth round of NASA's Cubesat Launch Initiative. Actual launch vehicle select- ions are dependent on the availability of auxiliary payload space and on what orbits are required. AMSAT VP Engineering Tony Monteiro reports that he has been in conversation with NASA about our orbital preferences/priorities and we're awaiting a response from NASA as to a specific launch selection. In the meantime, the engineering team expects to complete Fox-1 in 2013 and have RadFxSat ready in the 2nd half of 2014 in order to take advantage of launch opportunities that may be offered by NASA. Fox-1 and the RadFxSat missions are based on similar system architecture. Both satellites: + Include a U/V (mode B) FM analog transponder. Its 2 meter down link should be even easier to hear than AO-51. + Are designed so you can work it with just a dual-band HT and an "arrow" hand-held antenna. + Will send telemetry on the voice downlink in the frequencies below the audible band as low-speed FSK with forward error correction. + Will support a high speed digital data mode. + A free telemetry decode program, FoxTLM, will be available to decode and display the low-speed telemetry and the high speed data downlink on Fox-1. An update will be provided for RadFxSat. + All Fox cubesats are designed to host advanced science pay- loads to support future science missions that help us to continue qualify for NASA ELaNa (free) launches. AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW summarized the Fox cubesat program, "Although we are subject to the same launch constraints as every other satellite builder accepted in the Cubesat Launch Initiative, we will be ready for a launch opportunity when it is offered. As soon as we know when we're manifested that information will be shared with our members." [ANS thanks the Fox Engineering Team and AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT.ORG Web Site Testing On-Line Now The web development team, working on the recovery of the AMSAT-NA web at http://www.amsat.org, reports the site is becoming active with testing of the system. As testing proceeds visitors to AMSAT's site will begin to see restoration of prior functionality and in- troduction of new features where appropriate. AMSAT VP User Services Gould Smith, WA4SXM said, "Our web team is making good progress in the restoration of popular features our users counted on in the past. This also gives us an opportunity to review some of the older content to prioritize in what order the system is brought back up." Although the pages seem sparsely populated at present, soon the entire web presence will assume a new look-and-feel with additional functionality, restored features, background graphics templates and overall look-and-feel. A site map feature is planned for development allowing quick navigation of the site's future multiple features. Clicking on "SAT STATUS" on the top of the new page will bring you to the Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page which currently resides at http://oscar.dcarr.org/. The roll-out of the Fox Project web pages can be accessed with a click on the menu bar at the top of the home page. Gould noted, "With the introduction of AMSAT's new web technology we plan to use a new content management system to roll out import- ant and and breaking satellite news via the web page as soon as our volunteers have the chance to post them." Continuing, Gould said, "We will still maintain our existing distribution via the AMSAT News Service so e-mail subscribers will not need to change anything. The ANS bulletins will still arrive in your in-box once a week." You are invited to view the prototyping work in-progress on the new AMSAT-NA web. Use the URL http://www.amsat.org. If you have prior cache entries or bookmarks set to www.amsat.org/amsat-new those will no longer work. [ANS thanks AMSAT VP User Services Gould Smith, WA4SXM and Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- SpaceTrack Approves AMSAT Request for Redistribution of KEPS AMSAT-NA Orbital Data Manager Ray Hoad, WA5QGD announced this week that AMSAT's request to re-distribute Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved on March 7 for the period April 1, 2013 to April 1, 2014. Ray wrote, "Thanks to AFSPC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Paul Williamson, KB5MU for their help in this process. Once again, we are 'good to go"' for another year." [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Help Wanted: AMSAT News Service Rotating Editor Positions Available The AMSAT News Service (ANS) is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing the weekly amateur satellite news bulletins. With the addition of a couple of volunteers this would generally involve taking a turn about every 3 to 4 weeks. At present we a looking for interested satellite enthusiasts to join the ANS editorial team. Professional writing/editing experience is NOT a requirement. Your interest and enthusiasm in following and reporting on amateur radio in space will get you started! The ANS Editor team helps each other by rounding up items of interest. Plus we receive submitted items for publication ... so you won't be left all alone! If you can commit to working on the bulletins for a week on a rotat- ing basis please reply via e-mail to AMSAT News Service Editor Lee McLamb, KU4OS via ku4os at amsat.org. [ANS thanks AMSAT Vice-President User Services, Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rare Grid Square Opportunities Antigua and Barbuda ------------------- Nikolai Ozerov, VE3NKL plans to operate as V26NK from grid square FK97 in Aruba on daytime SO-50 passes between March 11-16. He will be looking for contacts with North American, Caribbean, Central American, and South American stations depending on the pass. Mawson Station, Antarctic ------------------------- Craig Hayhow signing VK0JJJ from Australia's Mawson Base in the Antarctic, 67°36' S 62°52' E, grid MC12kj is reportedly equipped with an Arrow antenna for operating satellites. Craig has also activated the VK0RTM/B 6 meter beacon on 50.300 MHz running at 50 watts. He will also be on the air on HF phone and digital modes. (via Austraila WIA News, March 3) [ANS thanks Nikolai Ozerov, VE3NKL, and Australia WIA News for the above information] Plan Ahead for KV1J on Satellites from Island of Miquelon --------------------------------------------------------- Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between July 6-16th. Activity will include HF and 6M and look for him on the satellites, weather permitting. [ANS thanks OPDX Bulletin, ARRL DX News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA-TV Coverage Schedule for ISS Expedition 34 Departure/Landing Expedition 34 will handover command of the International Space Sta- on Wednesday, March 13 as Commander Kevin Ford KF5GPP of NASA, Rus- sian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin prepare for their return to Earth aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. Landing in Kazakhstan is planned to occur on March 14 at 11:57 PM EDT (UTC-4). Expedition 35 will begin aboard the station under the command of Chris Hadfield KC5RNJ/VA3OOG of the Canadian Space Agency. Hadfield will be the first Canadian commander. Expedition 35 also includes NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn KE5HOC and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko. In two weeks they will be joined by three additional crew members: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov RV3BS and Alexander Misurkin. NASA TV has posted the following schedule of events which will be streamed on-line at http:www.nasa.gov/ntv: (all times are US Eastern Daylight Time EDT or UTC-4) March 13, Wednesday 5:10 p.m. - ISS Expedition 34/35 Change of Command Ceremony Ford hands over ISS command to Hadfield March 14, Thursday 4:45 p.m. - ISS Expedition 34 Farewells and Hatch Closure Coverage with hatch closure scheduled at 5:15 p.m. 8:15 p.m. - ISS Expedition 34/Soyuz TMA-06M Undocking Coverage with undocking scheduled at 8:30 p.m. 10:45 p.m. - ISS Expedition 34/Soyuz TMA-06M Deorbit Burn and Landing Coverage with Deorbit burn scheduled at 11:04 p.m.; landing near Arkalyk, Kazakhstan scheduled at 11:57 p.m. March 15, Friday 2 a.m. - Video File of the ISS Expedition 34/Soyuz TMA-06M Landing and Post-Landing Activities 1:40 p.m. - ISS Expedition 35 VIP Event for the Canadian Space Agency 2 p.m. - Video File of the ISS Expedition 34/Soyuz TMA-06M Landing and Post-Landing Activities; scheduled to include post-landing interview with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA and the return of Cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin to Chkalovsky Airfield near Star City, Russia. [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- SARL National Convention Includes SumbandilaSat Ground Station Visit The South African Radio League (SARL) 2013 National Convention will open on April 26 with a welcoming function at the West Rand Amateur Radio Club. The SARL Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday morning April 27. Beginning on March 4, registration forms and pro- gram details will be available on http://www.sarl.org.za. On Saturday afternoon there is a visit to the Hartbeeshoek satellite tracking station where many international satellites are tracked and managed. This also includes a visit to see the SumbandilaSat ground station. [ANS thanks SARL News, March 3 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 Amateur Transponder Launch Opportunity Summary In addition to the AMSAT-NA Fox cubesat launch opportunity announce- ments several other satellites with amateur radio transponders are expected to launch during 2013. Here is a summary of the upcoming launch plans: + A 2013 Yasny Dnepr Launch should have: o AMSAT-UK FUNcube-1 435/145 MHz 500mW PEP linear transponder and 1200 bps BPSK beacon for educational outreach for a planned 600-700km orbit. o Delfi n3xT 435/145 MHz linear transponder o Triton-1 435/145 MHz single channel FM to DSB transponder o Triton-2 435/2408 MHz FM transponder + 435/145 MHz FM to DSB transponder o CPUT ZACube-1 435/145 MHz FM transponder + In 2nd quarter 2013 TURKSAT-3USAT with a 145/435 MHz linear transponder (see ANS-069: "May 2013 Launch for TURKSAT-3USAT Linear Transponder Cubesat", http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2013/000694.html) + June 2013 Ukube-1 with AMSAT-UK FUNcube boards to provide an amateur radio 435/145 MHz linear transponder and a 1200 bps BPSK beacon for educational outreach. [ANS thanks the satellite teams for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS School Contacts Nearing 800 Mark This week the total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events (each school counts as one event) is 797. Prince Edward Island, Canada ---------------------------- A successful ARISS contact was completed with the Stonepark Inter- mediate School, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, on Thursday, March 7. The contact was be direct between NA1SS and VY2PEI. Grade 9 students at Stonepark Intermediate, Charlottetown, PEI preparing for their contact with the International Space Station through a number of in class activities, research and guest speak- ers. In the past three months they researched life on the ISS and watched YouTube segments of various facets of the ISS. Any news stories featuring Chris Hadfield and the ISS were read and discus- sed. The students attended sessions by a local university professor of engineering who worked for NASA and local amateur radio oper- ators. Both sessions gave students insight into the workings ISS, NASA and the ham radio. France ------ A successful ARISS contact was completed with the Lycée Polyvalent Anatole France, Cedex, France on March 9. The contact was direct between OR4ISS and F4KIS. Anatole France is a French high school located in Lillers, a small town in the center of the Pas-de-Calais department. There are about 850 students aged between 15 and 20 years old. The science teachers and the local amateur radio club F6KIS, which became in 2010 the "Artois Lys Radio Club", have developed a partnership since 2007 collaborating on projects to send sounding balloons into the strat- osphere. This year, they are working with a group of students to contact the ISS. The students are preparing the TPE project for their final exam. They need to define the subject of their research, find information about it and run experiments over a period of six months in order to give an oral presentation of their work in front of a jury. ARISS Contacts Planned for Coming Week -------------------------------------- Monday, March 9: Valley Manor School, Martensville, SK, Canada, direct via VE5RAC at 19:23:56 UTC 34 deg. Tuesday, March 12: Mt. Ousley Public School, Fairy Meadow, NSW, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD at 07:35:42 UTC 44 deg. For listeners in the Wollongong and Sydney area, the historic event will be relayed onto the VK 2 RMP repeater on 6850 at Maddens Plains. For interstate or overseas listeners, the event will be relayed onto IRLP Node 9010 and on Echolink via the AMSAT Con- ference Bridge. ARISS is requesting listener reports for this contact. Due to issues with the Kenwood radio that are not fully understood at present, the Ericsson radio is going to be used for this contact. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Due to continuing Space X operations, the above times are subject to last minute changes or cancellations. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Summer 2013 Internship Applications Close on March 15 The NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative, or OSSI, strives to provide students at all institutions of higher education access to a port- folio of internship, fellowship and scholarship opportunities offer- ed by NASA mission directorates and centers. Visit the Office of Education Infrastructure Division LaunchPad to find information on internship, fellowship and scholarship oppor- tunities. The site features the OSSI online application for recruit- ing NASA Interns, Fellows and Scholars, or NIFS. This innovative system allows students to search and apply for all types of higher- education NASA internship, fellowship and scholarship opportunities in one location. A single application places the student in the applicant pool for consideration by all NASA mentors. Applications for summer 2013 opportunities are due March 15, 2013. To find available opportunities and to fill out an OSSI online application for recruiting NIFS, visit https://intern.nasa.gov/index.html. Inquiries about the OSSI should be submitted via https://intern.nasa.gov/oic/. [ANS thanks NASA Education Express Message, March 7, 2013 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Blocking arrl.net and arrl.org E-mail Addresses The ARRL IT staff has been notified that Microsoft is blocking e-mail to the more than 20,000 members who use the arrl.net e-mail forwarding service to forward e-mail to Microsoft domains (hot- mail.com, msn.com, live.com and outlook.com). In addition, the blockage is also affecting those members of the ARRL's Field Organization and other ARRL volunteers who use an arrl.org alias e-mail address to have e-mail delivered to an address with a Micro- soft domain. According to ARRL Information Technology Manager Michael Keane, K1MK, the IT staff is working to have these blocks lifted and e-mail delivery restored to normal operation as quickly as possible. [ANS thanks the ARRL Letter March 7, 2013 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Mike Rupprecht DK3WN has produced a summary of all active amateur radio satellites with frequencies and links to more detailed information. See: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?page_id=29535 + Here is another one of the outstandingly cool time-lapse photo- graphy-videos from the ISS: http://tinyurl.com/cool-ISS-video (youtube) + SpaceRef.com posted video of the March 4 SpaceX Dragon docking with the International Space Station: http://tinyurl.com/SpaceRef-Dragon-Docking (SpaceRef.com) + AMSAT-UK gets nice recognition in this article about STRaND-1: http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=40267 + The on-line CQ Newsroom posted news of amateur radio participation during the recent Plasma Shadowing Experiment aboard the ISS. This story and other amateur radio news can be read at: http://cqnewsroom.blogspot.com/ + The VHF Plus column by Joe Lynch, N6CL in the March 2013 CQ Maga- zine discusses the Fox-1 satellite (pages 78-79). + This coming week is the best time to watch for the Comet PanSTARRS. Viewing information and diagrams are posted at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/letsgo/whatsuptonight/194257261.html + HAM RADIO 2013 Convention, organized by Deutscher Amateur Radio Club will take place from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30, 2013 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. [ANS thanks everyone 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. And with that please keep in mind when in 1987 Ivan Sutherland, when asked "How could you possibly have done the first interactive graphics program, the first non-procedural programming language, the first object-oriented software system, all in one year?" ... replied, "Well, I didn't know it was hard." 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems
by Robert C. Campbell 08 Mar '13

08 Mar '13

Unless we want lightning fast antenna rotation, we're going to need some sort of gearbox with virtually any motor we're likely to find. We could gear the drive to a simpler pot as well. Gus, I used a pulse width modulator to slow my DC motor down with out having to loose a lot of power. This eliminated the resistor and the motor ran cooler. Mine cost $80.00 usd out of Canada but I understand that they are nothing more then modified fluorescent light dimmers. My thought would be to count the pulses instead of a pot. I think we will be stuck with gear motors if the goal is to go small and have lots of torque. Even with the PWM mine was a gear motor but it beats a big restive load hands down. I would like to move away from stops and find another way to establish 0~360az and 0~90/180ex indication so as to enable continuous rotation to do continuous sky scan or search and rescue with out having to wind up and damage my coax. I am not sure what battle ship radar uses for constant rotation but that would be the ticket. Bob Campbell KB3PMR

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In 1618...
by Bruce 08 Mar '13

08 Mar '13

I found this whilest trolling the internet today... On this day in history.... * 1618 – German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler discovered the third law of planetary motion. 73...bruce

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Alternate web site for pass predictions
by Dobarrows 08 Mar '13

08 Mar '13

I too found the pass prediction page was missing from the amsat web site. I did find www.heavens-above.com provides the ability to predict passes, although it is a little complicated. I registered with a userid and password so the site would remember the location info and time zone when I returned to heavens-above. I found that the predictions generated by satscape (the predictor program on my macbook) matched heavens-above. Then I found out why I wasn't hearing satellites at the appropriate time on 70cm was because something is wrong with my 70cm antenna. Due to health issues, I can no longer go up on the roof to do antenna work so I will have to find someone to help me fix it. Dave W8IJ

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W5PFG / P grid expedition to DM70,71,80,81
by Clayton Coleman 07 Mar '13

07 Mar '13

Soon I will be visiting DM70-71 and DM80-81. If you need these grids confirmed, I would be glad to work with you. I will likely work FO-29 and SO-50 only this time. Please email me off-list. 73, Clayton W5PFG

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STRaND1 polarity shift observation
by Ken Swaggart 07 Mar '13

07 Mar '13

During my last pass at 0332Z, max elevation 45 degrees out over the Pacific, I noticed that STRaND1 was stronger when I selected LHCP while approaching TCA. After TCA, RHCP was stronger while it was receding. I believe this cubesat uses a whip, so not sure what is causing this. Anyone have an idea why? Tnx, Ken, W7KKE CN75xa

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AMSAT @ Scottsdale (AZ) Hamfest - Saturday, 9 March
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 07 Mar '13

07 Mar '13

Hi! Weather permitting, I will have an AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's hamfest on Saturday morning, 9 March 2003. This hamfest is at a new location, the PERA club on Continental Drive (Roosevelt Street), west of Scottsdale Road in Tempe. More information, including a map of the hamfest location, is available from the club's web site: http://scottsdalearc.org/ If it isn't raining, WD9EWK will be on various satellite passes during the morning. Please call if you hear me on, and be a part of the on-air demonstrations. After the hamfest, QSOs will be uploaded to the Logbook of the World. If you work WD9EWK during the hamfest and would like a QSL card, please e-mail me with the QSO details. No need to first send me a card or SASE. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Interview with Interorbital Systems CEO Randa Relich Milliron
by Trevor . 07 Mar '13

07 Mar '13

Looks like the first flights will be sub-orbital. See http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=14562 ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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Arrow antenna sold
by John Price 05 Mar '13

05 Mar '13

Thanks for all the emails and interest. I had no idea they were that popular. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Arrow antenna for sale
by John Price 04 Mar '13

04 Mar '13

I have a arrow antenna in excellent condition for sale. It has the duplexer built into the foam handle. It also has the very nice blue roll up storage bag with it. This is an estate item and it appears to have been used very little if ever. Anyone interested before it goes to eBay please email me off list. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Fw: Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker
by Matty Cunningham 04 Mar '13

04 Mar '13

Hi Kyle, I have an ST2 myself and use an old Cornell Doublier for azimuth, and an Alliance type U100 for elevation. I put the control interface with a seperate PSU into a 2U cabinet that was used for other equipment, along with the transformers/phasing capacitors for each rotator - I used relays for switching the motors/directions with some diodes to stop reverse spikes from the relays getting back to the interface transistors. I had no problems at all using this with a small dual band 2m/70cm yagi from Sandpiper, last year I upgraded my antennas and found a few issues with the controller not wanting to play. I found if I disconnected my radio from the antennas, I had control of the rotators - re-installed the original antenna, and finding everything working again, I worked out I had some sort of earth loop weirdness going on. My Sandpiper dual bander has a dipole feed for each band, isolated from the antenna boom, the new larger yagis for each band both have a gamma match, and grounded booms - this was what caused my issue with my controller. Switching from an aluminium pole, to fiberglass for the elevation boom fixed my problem - not sure if this would possibly help with your scenario, it may be worth looking at. I would also check to make sure you have run through the calibration procedure for the interface. I've successfully used the tracker with various bits of software (HRD rotator software, SDR V.1 console and others). If I was to buy another, I would go for Howards LVB version from Amsat. Good luck with getting it up and running. Matty MD0MAN Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 12:19:01 -0600 From: "K&R Yoksh" <yokshs(a)gmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Fw: Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker Message-ID: <156EAB2B86C041DE8991016DDFEFDEE0@main2> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=response Hello Howard, Thanks for the reply. I have posted on the FoxDelta email group, but haven't received a reply. I should mention that I don't think that the ST-2 is malfunctioning, nor do I think that your code has a problem. I just have a different type of rotator than the typical Yaesu. It would certainly make things easier if I did, but it would be quite an ordeal to change the rotator in my situation. I did not know the background of the Foxdelta vs. the LVB. I do understand that Amsat gets a donation with every LVB, and my intention was / is to donate again to Amsat when I can. I can certainly see where you're coming from re: the IP. I guess if nothing else, the ham satellite community as a whole benefits from your public domain IP, which helps generate more interest in satellites and satellite operation. As far as the hardware and software goes, I'll look at the grounding, but I am thinking that the issue lies in the fact that CDE uses a 12 volt feedback POT.. I built a simple resistor voltage divider back when I first got my Kansas City Tracker, so that the KCT would see 0-5v instead. This approach gives the KCT (or LVB) the correct voltage range, but I believe it may lower the resolution of the feedback system? I'll also try some ferrites on the leads from the CDE rotator box, in case transients are to blame. I'm certainly no programmer, but the software seems to stop the rotator immediately when the ADC sample value equals the target azimuth value. Once the antennas stop moving, the final location is different by 20 degrees or so. Once the rotator stops moving, however, the software doesn't recheck to see if the rotator is actually where it needs to be. My idea was to either change the ADC sample rate, or perhaps add a pause after the rotator stops, and repeat the routine to "fine tune" position. This is why I have been trying to recompile your source.. I've already got PICs programmed with your 0.7 and 0.9 HEX files.. 73, many thanks. Kyle K0KN

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Re: current operational amateur satellite list
by jim＠beeson.cc 04 Mar '13

04 Mar '13

Is AO-51 still operational?? Are their any FM sats that can be worked with just a whip antenna ?? I have listened for SO-51 and can hear the becon @ 145.860 sometimes but no QSOs on 145.925 145.875. Thanks ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] current operational amateur satellite list From: "Dave Webb KB1PVH" <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, February 22, 2013 5:06 pm To: jim(a)beeson.cc -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > If you want voice satellites, here are your options. > > FM > SO-50 > ISS, not voice but you can do packet > > SSB/CW > VO-52 > AO-7 > FO-29 > > That's it for now, but later this year there are a few more getting > launched. Let me know if you need more info. > > Dave-KB1PVH > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid RAZR >

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WispDDE and AOT rotor HW
by Andy Brian 03 Mar '13

03 Mar '13

HI, I'm looking for anyone who using DL7AOT rotor hardware and WispDDE. I have problem with WispDDE when the DDE sending Az or El to DL7AOT HW number without decimal point like AZ 15 the FW on PIC16f84 read the azimuth like 150 degree (look like the FW need to see dot "." for correct decode) Is possible to tell the Wisp DDE programme to send the number like AZ 15.0 instead of AZ 15? thanks for answer 73 Andy

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Working from FK97
by Nikolai Ozerov 03 Mar '13

03 Mar '13

Hello everybody, I am planning to attempt activating FK97 on the SO-50 passes from March 11 through 16, 2013. Only day-time passes will be attempted. Unfortunately, some of them are not very suitable for making contacts with North America ... Are there any South American stations active on the FM birds ? Anyway, watch me on these days if you are interested in the new grid square. Nikolai / V26NK.

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ANS-062 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 03 Mar '13

03 Mar '13

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-062 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * Vanderbilt-AMSAT RadFxSat Cubesat Selected for NASA ELaNa Program * AMSAT Shows New President’s Club Pin * 5th European CubeSat Symposium, 3-5 June 2013, Brussels - Belgium * American satellite starts transmitting after being abandoned in 1967 * STRaND-1 Information and Telemetry * ARISS NEWS * AMSAT-DC Workshop on Portable Satellite Ground Stations * AMSAT Forum at ACADIANA ARA Hamfest - Free Admission Coupons for Youth * Korean OSSI-1 Ham Radio CubeSat Frequency Coordinated * ARRL Offers Two Sessions of their Teachers Institute SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.01 ANS-062 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. DATE, 2013 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-062.01 Vanderbilt-AMSAT RadFxSat Cubesat Selected for NASA ELaNa Program On February 26th, NASA announced the winning projects for the fourth round of their CubeSat Launch Initiative. Project Selection was based on technical feasability and the assessed merit for conducting technology demonstrations, STEM education, and science research. These selected projects are eligible for a free launch on NASA Educational Launch of Nanosatellite (ELaNa) missions as auxiliary payloads on launches planned for 2014, 2015 and 2016. The 24 winning cubeSat proposals came from universities, a Florida high school, non-profit organizations and NASA field centers. AMSAT partnered with the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) at Vanderbilt University to develop our winning proposal. The official name of the project is RadFxSat and we were selected at priority 15 out of the 24 winners. AMSAT and ISDE plan to fly a Fox-1 type satellite with a sophisticated space radiation effects experiment to be developed by ISDE. This experiment is intended to improve computer modeling of radiation effects and help improve the survivability of modern semiconductor devices in the harsh radiation environment of earth orbit. AMSAT is especially interested in this area of science research since it affects our ham radio satellites. This project also represents an exciting "first" for AMSAT with the satellite's primary mission being science research. We believe that partnering on science and education missions will open up new launch opportunities for AMSAT satellites in the future. Of course, RadFxSat also carries the same ham radio FM transponder as Fox-1 but on a different frequency pair. We believe we will have enough power to run the FM transponder simultaneously with the science mission most of the time. The transponder capability was an important component of our NASA ELaNa proposal since it enhances the opportunities for formal science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education via "hands-on" school activites using an actual communications satellite. It also allows informal groups such as the boy scouts, girl scouts and ham radio clubs to introduce radio and satellite communications to our young people. AMSAT aims to show that STEM education can be exciting and fun! The full text of the NASA announcement can be accessed on-line at: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2013/feb/HQ_13-064_CubeSat_4.html [ANS thanks AMSAT VP Engineering Tony Monteiro, AA2TX and Joshua Buck at NASA Headquarters, Washington for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Shows New President’s Club Pin You can join the AMSAT President’s Club with your contribution directly through easy, automatic charges to your credit card. Since AMSAT is a 501(C)(3) organization donations may be USA tax deductible. (Check with your tax advisor.) Titanium Donors contribute at least US $400 per month or $4800 one time payment. Platinum Donors contribute at least US $200 per month or $2400 one time payment. Gold Donors contribute at least US $100 per month or $1200 one time payment. Silver Donors contribute at least US $50 per month or $600 one time payment. Bronze Donors contribute at least US $25 per month or $300 one time payment. Core Donors contribute at least US $10 per month or $120 one time payment. Every donor will receive the specially designed pin and the unique AMSAT President’s Club Certificate. Starting at the Gold Donor level and higher you will also receive a personal invitation to the AMSAT Dayton Dinner as our guest. You choose where your contribution should go: AMSAT-Fox ARISS Future Projects General Fund To join you can go to the AMSAT On-Line Store or contact Martha at the AMSAT office! Phone: US Toll Free 888-322-6728 or 301-589-6062 E-mail: martha(a)amsat.org The link to the AMSAT On-Line Store is http://store.amsat.org/catalog/ [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5th European CubeSat Symposium, 3-5 June 2013, Brussels - Belgium It is with great pleasure to remind you about the 5th European CubeSat Symposium that will take place on 3-5 June 2013 at the premises of Royal Military Academy in Brussels, Belgium. This is the biggest CubeSat related event in Europe and last year it attracted more than 250 participants and industrial exhibits of 7 specialized companies. This year, we are expecting more participation. Applicants from all around the world are welcome. The call for proposals and the online abstract submission system is available at www.CubeSatSymposium.eu The important dates are: 15 Mar 2013: Deadline for the submission of abstracts 15 April 2013: Notification of acceptance 15 May 2013: Publication of the programme and the abstracts 24 May 2013: Deadline for online registration 3-5 June 2013: 5th European CubeSat Symposium at ERM, Brussels (3 full days) 6 June 2013: 6th QB50 Workshop at VKI, Brussels (by invitation only) The session topics are: CubeSat networks/constellations/swarms Scientific instruments/sensors on CubeSats Biology and microgravity experiments on CubeSats Technology demonstration on CubeSats Micropropulsion subsystems, formation flying Attitude determination and control subsystem Telecommunications, ground stations, ground station networks Orbital dynamics for CubeSats, lifetimes of CubeSats in orbit CubeSat flight experience, lessons learned Other topics (e.g. expandable solar arrays, atmospheric re- entry, CubeSats as free-flying payloads for the exploration of the Solar System) Future technologies on CubeSats Deployment systems for CubeSats [ANS thanks Cem Ozan Asma, PhD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- American satellite starts transmitting after being abandoned in 1967 An American satellite, abandoned in 1967 as a piece of Space Junk has begun transmitting again after 46 years. An Amateur Radio Astronomer in North Cornwall accidentally picked up the signal and after cross checking with various lists, has identified it as LES1 built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and launched in 1965. The satellite failed to reach its intended orbit owing to a wiring error and has been drifting out of control ever since. Phil Williams G3YPQ from near Bude noticed its peculiar signal drift caused by its tumbling end over end every 4 seconds as the solar panels become shadowed by the engine. ‘This gives the signal a particularly ghostly sound as the voltage from the solar panels fluctuates’ Phil says. It is likely that the on board batteries have now disintegrated and some other component failure has caused the transmitter on 237Mhz, to start up when its in sunlight. LES1 is about the size of a small car, It is not likely to re-enter the atmosphere for a long time as the orbit is still relatively high. It poses no threat other than that caused by the thousands of other pieces of space junk in orbit. Phil says its remarkable to think that electronics built nearly 50 years ago, 12 years before Voyager 1, and long before microprocessors and integrated circuits, is still capable of working in the hostile environs of space. Listening to the signal you can easily imagine the craft tumbling over and over every 4 seconds and the transmitter starting up as the sun rises. He refers to the hobby as ‘Radio-Archeology’! [ANS thanks Phil Williams G3YPQ and Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- STRaND-1 Information and Telemetry STRaND-1 carries an amateur radio AX.25 packet radio downlink on 437.568 MHz using 9600 bps FSK modulated data with HDLC frame, NRZI encoding. Free satellite tracking software: • SimpleSat Look Down http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=8217 • Gpredict http://gpredict.oz9aec.net/ • Orbitron http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=9051 Dr Chris Bridges would be delighted to receive all available telemetry files by email to C.P.Bridges(a)surrey.ac.uk Mark Hammond N8MH has provided these tips to decode STRaND-1: (1) Sprint-2 TNC set at 9600 baud in KISS mode (or any 9600 TNC in KISS mode probably) (2) Using this software to capture http://www.dk3wn.info/files/online_kiss_plus.zip (3) And using this software to decode the captured KISS files http://www.dk3wn.info/files/kissdump.zip Thanks to Mike Rupprecht DK3WN for the excellent software. Jan PE0SAT describes how he used the free TNC emulator software AGWPE and SDR# to decode the telemetry. This approach means you don’t have to buy a dedicated hardware TNC it simply uses your existing PC and radio that supports 9600 bps data: (1) Record a pass using SDR# and a FUNcube Dongle Pro+ and save the IQ wav file so you can work with it after the pass. (2) Configure AGW Packet Engine (AGWPE) as a 9600 baud modem using your audio mixer as input. If you don’t have an audio mixer, use audio VAC to route the received audio to the AGW audio input. (3) When the AGW packet engine is running use AGW-Online-KISS from DK3WN to connect to the packet engine and decode the telemetry. (4) Open the IQ wav file within SDR# and playback the recorded file and tune to the correct receive frequency, now you can see decoded data within Online-Kiss. (5) Feed the files captured to KISS-Dump Descriptions of ONLINE KISS +, AGW ONLINE KISS and KISS Dump + are at http://tinyurl.com/SatSoftwareDK3WN/ The free AGWPE soundcard packet software AGWPE.zip is available at http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/ Guide on how to use AGWPE http://www.soundcardpacket.org/ Latest Keps for the objects from the PSLV-C20 launch. Note: At the current time the object to satellite mapping is not known: 2013-009A 1 39086U 13009A 13057.07723200 -.00000047 00000-0 00000+0 0 66 2 39086 98.6489 247.4456 0046840 48.7060 103.7711 14.45874186 76 2013-009B 1 39087U 13009B 13057.12205894 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 65 2 39087 98.6295 247.4478 0010362 263.0055 96.9849 14.33603731 70 2013-009C 1 39088U 13009C 13057.12202184 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 54 2 39088 98.6260 247.4462 0010229 264.9844 95.0146 14.33699090 77 2013-009D 1 39089U 13009D 13057.12196648 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 52 2 39089 98.6302 247.4430 0009913 269.8258 90.1934 14.33842702 72 2013-009E 1 39090U 13009E 13057.12180062 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 57 2 39090 98.6314 247.4520 0008151 271.9062 88.1247 14.34269067 79 2013-009F 1 39091U 13009F 13057.12171611 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 69 2 39091 98.6289 247.4453 0009293 286.2139 73.7956 14.34449938 72 2013-009G 1 39092U 13009G 13057.12216226 -.00000045 00000-0 00000+0 0 62 2 39092 98.6325 247.4484 0010738 258.3712 101.6263 14.33353747 74 For more information visit http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/strand-1/strand-1-telemetry/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Succesful ARISS Contacts Uplands Elementary School Penticton, British Columbia, Canada - 2013- 02-22 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at Uplands Elementary School, Penticton, BC, Canada on 22 Feb. The contact began at approximately 19:36 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was a telebridge between OR4ISS and IK1SLD. Astronaut Chris Hadfield talked to students (K-6) throughout the South Okanagan & Similkameen Valleys in beautiful BC. They had students & home school students from Penticton, West Bench, Oliver & Keremeos. The event was hosted at Uplands Elementary, a school located in Penticton. Lisa Edwards, Principal, believes that students can "SOAR with a view to excellence" in the right environment. There has been a team of people in the community whose goal is to make the Ham Radio contact as part of a wider educational experience that inspired students & educators to continue to explore STEM & space exploration for years to come. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Soleado Elementary School Ranchos Palos, California, USA - 2013-02-25 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at Uplands Elementary School, Penticton, BC, Canada on 22 Feb. Soleado Elementary School, Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA on 25 Feb. The event began at approximately 19:53 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was direct between NA1SS and KE6JPM. Astronaut Chris Hadfield talked to students. Soleado Elementary School's mission is to educate each and every one of its students to their fullest potential while cultivating a lifelong love of learning. Named for its beautiful location in the hills of Rancho Palos Verdes, our school is proud of its rich cultural background, academic achievement, and involvement in extra- curricular activities. Our mascot, a rosy-cheeked sun, is an exceptionally fitting characterization of our school, which wraps our students in the arms of a caring and supportive community that nurtures development of the whole child. Founded in 1968, even Soleado's physical design embodies community and cooperation, with each core educational building housing five classrooms with one wall "open" to a shared "big room" in the center. The open classroom environment facilitates daily teacher collaboration and student interaction within and among grade levels, while "big rooms" allow for large group activities and foster a positive feeling of family among our students and staff. In addition to our strong sense of community and our open classroom model, another distinguishing characteristic of our school is its cultural and linguistic diversity. With 420 "Soleado Suns" this year in grades DK through 5, our student body encompasses families who come directly from 30 different countries speaking 21 languages. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4th Dimotiko Scholeio Chaidariou, Chaidari, Greece - 2013-02-28 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at 4th Dimotiko Scholeio Chaidariou, Chaidari, Greece on 28 Feb. The event began at approximately 09:42 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was direct between OR4ISS and J41ISS. 4th Dimotiko Scholeio Chaidariou is located in Chaidari, a suburb in the north-west of Athens. It was constructed in 1978, but it is now being renovated so as to be more energy efficient. It is a two-storey building with 16 classrooms, a Head office and a stuff room. The school serves 256 pupils, aged between 6 and 12 years old, from 1st Grade through 6th Grade. It is staffed by a headmistress and 24 teachers, 12 of whom teach all subjects required in the curriculum (that is: Greek Language, Mathematics, Geography, History, Science, Religious Education) plus two Physical Education teachers, a Music lessons teacher, two English language teachers, a French language teacher, a German language teacher, a teacher of Art, a teacher for Theatre, an Information & Technology teacher and a teacher responsible for the afternoon zone study. There is also a teacher who helps those pupils with special educational problems. The official lessons are in the morning (Monday - Friday) start at 8:10a.m. and finish at 2:00p.m. All pupils attend morning lessons, but those pupils whose both parents work, stay on at school and they study and prepare their homework for the next day starting at 12:30 p.m. and finish at 4:15p.m. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy, Avon, Connecticut, USA - 2013-02-28 A successful ARISS Contact was made with with participants at Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy, Avon, Connecticut, USA on 28 Feb. The event began at approximately 15:53 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was direct between NA1SS and W1TMS. Talcott Mountain Science Center is one of Connecticut's premier informal science education institutions. The Center has been an initiator and catalyst in providing enrichment science education to students throughout the Northeast and a leader in teacher in-service education, including special programs for girls in science. TMSC is recognized for its innovations in gifted and talented programs, for its earth and space, alternative energy, atmospheric and environmental science activities for students, with ongoing science and technology in-service education for teachers as well as its one- of-a-kind k-8 model school for intellectually excited students, Talcott Mountain Academy for Mathematics, Science and Technology. Since 1985, Talcott Mountain Science Center has been nationally recognized as a pioneer in the development of interactive video programming in math and science education. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contacts hopeful for the coming week ARISS is requesting listener reports for these contacts. Due to issues with the Kenwood radio that are not fully understood at present, the Ericsson radio is going to be used for these contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Lycée Polyvalent Anatole France, Cedex, France, direct via F4KIS/P Contact is a go for: Mon 2013-03-04 11:06:27 UTC 67 deg (If Space X launches on time) Canyon Owyhee School Services Agency (COSSA), Wilder, ID, direct via W7VOI Contact is a go for: Mon 2013-03-04 18:49:04 UTC 37 deg (If Space X launches on time) Stonepark Intermediate School, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, direct via VY2PEI Contact is a go for: Thu 2013-03-07 16:26:42 UTC 33 deg (If Space X launches on time). ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crew members on- board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-DC Workshop on Portable Satellite Ground Stations [This originally appeared in ANS-020, see ANS-055 for details on registration] The AMSAT-DC Group is planning for a Spring Workshop 2013, to take place on Saturday, March 23, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. It will be a nearly all-day event. This is a workshop for those who wish to learn more about satellite operations and develop their own portable ground station. Partici- pants will bring their wares to assemble, show, and explain to others that which will feature one or more of the following: + One's own laptop computer, with appropriate software installed, such as for satellite tracking, SDR receiver control, antenna control (optional), audio recording, time stamp track, and any of many other apps. + The FUNcube Dongle Pro receiver or equivalent. We will emphasize receiving only, and not the transmit side at this particular time. + One or more antennas for 146 MHz and 436 MHz, Arrow, Elk, or homebrew on a camera tripod, small mast, homebrew PVC, or hand- held. + Everything, or almost everything, ought to be designed to be powered from a regulated 12-volt DC source of your choosing. A table will be provided with a shared 120VAC wall outlet with- in about 50 feet. Volunteers are invited to join the planning committee (contact Pat at n8pk at amsat.org.) Registration information will be announced by February 15 via the AMSAT News Service (ANS), and on the AMSAT Cal- endar of Events under http://www.amsat.org The workshop cost is expected to be low (for incidental items) or free to AMSAT members. Any non-US citizen who would like to attend must contact Pat by February 15 at the latest. To volunteer or ask questions contact Pat at n8pk at amsat.org. Links for antenna ideas: http://arrowantennas.com/ http://www.elkantennas.com/ http://www.g6lvb.com/homebrewarrow.htm http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/crow/index.php http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/Az_El_Pos.pdf http://www.wa5vjb.com/references/Cheap%20Antennas-LEOs.pdf http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/downloads/iROTOR.pdf http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Satellite-Handbook/ http://ac6v.com/antprojects.htm Links for software ideas: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/software.php http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/ http://www.moetronix.com/spectravue.htm http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/resguide.pdf http://sdrsharp.com/ Links for receiver ideas: http://www.funcubedongle.com/ http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/sats_faq.html http://tinyurl.com/cdo9tyo (Spectravue Configuration) http://sdrsharp.com/ AMSAT-DC http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ [ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, N8PK, AMSAT Area Coordinator, Maryland-DC for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Forum at ACADIANA ARA Hamfest - Free Admission Coupons for Youth ACADIANA ARA would like to invite you to our 2013 Hamfest, March 8 and 9 at the Rayne Civic Center, Rayne Louisiana . Attached is our Hamfest flyer with all the information and a FREE admission coupon for you and your parents to attend our hamfest. Come out to the hamfest to meet other hams, see new and used radio equipment, attend forums, operate the radios set up for demonstration, or watch AARL movies. This is a once a year opportunity to enjoy this segment of the hobby, I hope you can join us. Note that Nick Pugh, K5QXJ, will be sponsoring an AMSAT Forum Saturday March 9 at 9am, during the Hamfest. For more information visit http://www.w5ddl.org/hamfest/Files/AARA%20Hamfest%20Flyer.pdf [ANS thanks Nick Pugh for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Korean OSSI-1 Ham Radio CubeSat Frequency Coordinated The IARU amateur radio satellite frequency coordination panel has announced the frequencies for the OSSI-1 CubeSat developed by Hojun Song DS1SBO. Artist and radio amateur Hojun Song DS1SBO has spent 7 years developing his Open Source Satellite Initiative satellite OSSI-1. He has designed and developed it from scratch using readily available components rather than expensive space qualified hardware. It has a beacon in the 145 MHz band, a data communications transceiver in the 435 MHz band and carries a 44 watt LED optical beacon to flash Morse Code messages to observers on Earth. OSSI-1 is planned to launch on April 19, 2013 into a 575 km 64.9° inclination orbit on a Soyuz-2-1b rocket from the Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan along with the Bion-M1, SOMP, BEESAT 2, BEESAT 3 and Dove-2 satellites. The IARU amateur satellite frequency coordination panel has announced frequencies for a downlink on 145.980 MHz and an uplink/downlink on 437.525 MHz. Video – How the Amateur Radio Satellite OSSI-1 Works http://tinyurl.com/bdckaqb Watch the BBC TV report: Korean artist has high hopes for his homemade satellite http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19007475 OSSI CubeSat in New Scientist Magazine http://amsat-uk.org/2012/11/06/ossi-cubesat-in-new-scientist-magazine/ Hojun Song DS1SBO visited London to give a well received presentation on his CubeSat to WIRED 2012 http://tinyurl.com/bcjw83z Data Format for Korean OSSI CubeSat http://amsat-uk.org/2013/01/23/data-format-for-korean-ossi-cubesat/ More background on OSSI Cubesate can be found in ANS-027: Open Source Satellite OSSI CubeSat Launch in April 201 Open Source Satellite Initiative (OSSI) http://opensat.cc/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Offers Two Sessions of their Teachers Institute The ARRL Education & Technology Program has announced the schedule for two sessions of our professional development workshop, the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI-1) being offered during July 2013. "We are also pleased to announce that Dayton Amateur Radio Association will be supporting and hosting a new professional development opportunity, an advanced Teachers Institute (TI-2) on Remote Sensing and Data Gathering, at their new educational facility. A March QST article includes a description of this new workshop. Please visit the ARRL website at: http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology for more information about Teachers Institute curriculum content, participant requirements, dates and locations and other details. Go to www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-application to download an application." Tuition, resources and most expenses to attend the Teachers Institute are paid by donations to the ARRL Education & Technology Fund. Donate to support Wireless Technology Literacy today! [ANS thanks Debra Johnson and the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, KC8YLD kc8yld at amsat dot org

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Re: kpc-9612 plus and online_kiss.exe
by Nader Omer 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

OnlineKiss v.8.4.0 (the latest version ) works fine with Kantronics 9612 plus -Many thanks Mike , DK3WN .Also many thanks to OM Ken and James. My 1st test result @ http://st2nh-blogger.blogspot.com/2013/03/strand-1-received-with-kantronic-… 73'sNader Omer

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Re: Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker
by Joe Leikhim 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

Does the controller have motor protection logic/timers to detect if the motor is stalled? This sounds like normal behavior I discovered with the TAPR TakBox. There is a timer that detects if the ADC disagrees with where the controller thinks the rotor should be pointed and stops the motor. It takes a number of seconds (in the timer) to reset the controller. What I found was that the ADC always lagged where the controller thought the antenna should be pointed. The timer had to be long enough to allow the rotor to catch up. "The trouble is, no matter what software I use, or even if I manually issue pointing commands via serial terminal, the ST2 will stop my rotator too early, resulting in offpointing by about 20 degrees. I am using the same voltage divider that I used on my KCT, so the ST2 is seeing a 0-5v reading from the azimuth rotor POT. The LCD display matches the analog display within a degree, so the ST2 knows correctly where the azimuth rotator is aimed." -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

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Dragon Might Dock With ISS Tomorrow
by B J 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

http://www.americaspace.com/?p=32139 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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re-homebrew az-el systems
by Mike Hoblinski 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

What about useing simple timing belts and pulleys that are off the shelf parts for the gear box. I have seen off the shelf bearing mounts that could be used. Maybe a frame for the rotor could be made out of simple aluminum plate or out of something like aluminum extrusion stock and use the slots to mount the bearing holders. You could use multiple large and small pulleys to build the gear reduction up to a sizeable ammount to turn the axixes. You could also look at sprokets and chain drive. Right now their is not a lot of AZ and EL rotors to choose from and they are expensive. The other problem is that when they break parts are hard to come by and expensive and for most people its too complicated for them to repair them self. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

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Fw: Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker
by K&R Yoksh 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

Hello Howard, Thanks for the reply. I have posted on the FoxDelta email group, but haven't received a reply. I should mention that I don't think that the ST-2 is malfunctioning, nor do I think that your code has a problem. I just have a different type of rotator than the typical Yaesu. It would certainly make things easier if I did, but it would be quite an ordeal to change the rotator in my situation. I did not know the background of the Foxdelta vs. the LVB. I do understand that Amsat gets a donation with every LVB, and my intention was / is to donate again to Amsat when I can. I can certainly see where you're coming from re: the IP. I guess if nothing else, the ham satellite community as a whole benefits from your public domain IP, which helps generate more interest in satellites and satellite operation. As far as the hardware and software goes, I'll look at the grounding, but I am thinking that the issue lies in the fact that CDE uses a 12 volt feedback POT.. I built a simple resistor voltage divider back when I first got my Kansas City Tracker, so that the KCT would see 0-5v instead. This approach gives the KCT (or LVB) the correct voltage range, but I believe it may lower the resolution of the feedback system? I'll also try some ferrites on the leads from the CDE rotator box, in case transients are to blame. I'm certainly no programmer, but the software seems to stop the rotator immediately when the ADC sample value equals the target azimuth value. Once the antennas stop moving, the final location is different by 20 degrees or so. Once the rotator stops moving, however, the software doesn't recheck to see if the rotator is actually where it needs to be. My idea was to either change the ADC sample rate, or perhaps add a pause after the rotator stops, and repeat the routine to "fine tune" position. This is why I have been trying to recompile your source.. I've already got PICs programmed with your 0.7 and 0.9 HEX files.. 73, many thanks. Kyle K0KN > ----- Original Message ----- > >> Hello Kyle. >> >> Have you tried talking to Foxdelta themselves? >> >> Sadly, Foxdelta chose to take the LVB Tracker and make it their own >> without >> the decency of asking either AMSAT or me first, and therefore AMSAT does >> not >> benefit one iota from that. >> >> I donated the IP for the LVB Tracker to AMSAT some years ago. Indeed, if >> you >> really want to save money, you are welecome purchase the parts yourself >> and >> build it up the information has always been in the public domain. However >> it >> was never intended for a third party such as Foxdelta to pinch the IP for >> their own personal or commercial gain. >> >> The 0.9 firmware is on my website together with a programming tool, you >> do >> not need any Microchip development tools. That firmware has been working >> for >> many years now in certainly hundreds if not thousands of LVB Trackers. >> However I don't think that's your problem. Much more likely is that you >> have >> a grounding problem. There needs to be a _very_ low impedance ground >> return >> from the rotator to the PIC's ground or else the ADC will provide >> erroneous >> values. Typically this should be the screen of the cable. >> >> If you're sure it's my firmware doesn't work with your Foxdelta hardware, >> again I really do suggest that you should be discussing that with >> Foxdelta. >> >> 73, Howard G6LVB >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >> Behalf Of K&R Yoksh >> Sent: 02 March 2013 04:20 >> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker >> >> >> Hello, >> >> I have a ST2 interface, and am wondering if anyone else is using a >> non-Yaesu rotator? I have a Yaesu G500a for elevation, and a CDE/Hygain >> Ham >> II for azimuth. This setup worked well with my Kansas City Tracker >> board, >> and the Yaesu G500a part of the system works PERFECT. >> >> The trouble is, no matter what software I use, or even if I manually >> issue >> pointing commands via serial terminal, the ST2 will stop my rotator too >> early, resulting in offpointing by about 20 degrees. I am using the same >> voltage divider that I used on my KCT, so the ST2 is seeing a 0-5v >> reading >> from the azimuth rotor POT. The LCD display matches the analog display >> within a degree, so the ST2 knows correctly where the azimuth rotator is >> aimed. >> >> My PC is communicating with the ST2 perfectly, I can see the display on >> the >> LCD of where the rotator should stop (say 300 degrees) but it will >> actually >> stop at 280 or 320 for example. Unlike my KCT, the ST2 will only make >> one >> attempt to aim. The KCT would stop the rotation, let the rotators and >> antennas settle for a second, then fine tune again if neccessary. >> >> I believe that this can be resolved by changing the sample rate or >> something else very minor. I've found the source code, and even tried >> twice >> to contact the author. I guess that because I didn't buy his LVB >> Tracker, >> he refuses to answer my emails? Not everyone has a pile of extra money >> laying around to donate to Amsat. I've donated in the past (back when the >> economy was in much better shape), but I cannot afford to right now, so I >> bought the Foxdelta ST-2 rather than the "genuine" LVB Tracker. >> >> I have tried many nights to compile the source, even without making any >> changes. MPLAB says I need a C compiler, etc, and I've tried everything >> I >> can think of to add one. >> >> I even bought an extra PIC for testing, etc, and put the .09 firmware on >> it, so now I have two PICs, one with 0.7 and one with 0.9. Both versions >> do >> the very same thing. >> >> Can anyone help? I'd like to be able to release a new version of the HEX >> file for the next guy in this situation. I really don't think it's >> necessary for me to sell my Ham II and buy a Yaesu rotator for this to >> work. >> >> 73 and thanks for any suggestions. >> >> Kyle >> K0KN >> Olathe, KS

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ISS Packet Radio
by Kelley Shaddrick 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

I've been working on a packet setup for ISS and other satellites. During the most recent pass of ISS, just a few moments ago, I heard a number of stations calling. Receive seems to be working. What's the appropriate way to contact others via ISS? I'm using a Kam Plus, are there certain settings I should be using or not using? I've looked at a number of websites and they seem to differ in the methods used or are discussing APRS. Thanks, -- Kelley - WØRK

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Re: kpc-9612 plus and online_kiss.exe
by James French 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

Hello Nadar, Ken, and Kevin. If you cold send me a text file of your settings, I could take a look to see what is happening. There is a command that you need to set from 'newbie' mode to 'expert' for the KPC-9612 to accept and keep the settings that you change. I am not near my KPC-9612 manual, so I can not give you the exact command to check to make sure. Email direct please. James W8ISS

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Wanted: STRaND-1 9600 baud recording ( either I/Q recording or WAV file recording )
by Douglas Quagliana 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

Does anyone have a recording of STRaND-1 transmitting at 9600 baud? I am looking for either an IQ recording of the signal or a WAV file recording. Thanks, Douglas KA2UPW/5

3 2

Foxdelta ST-2 / LVB Tracker
by K&R Yoksh 02 Mar '13

02 Mar '13

Hello, I have a ST2 interface, and am wondering if anyone else is using a non-Yaesu rotator? I have a Yaesu G500a for elevation, and a CDE/Hygain Ham II for azimuth. This setup worked well with my Kansas City Tracker board, and the Yaesu G500a part of the system works PERFECT. The trouble is, no matter what software I use, or even if I manually issue pointing commands via serial terminal, the ST2 will stop my rotator too early, resulting in offpointing by about 20 degrees. I am using the same voltage divider that I used on my KCT, so the ST2 is seeing a 0-5v reading from the azimuth rotor POT. The LCD display matches the analog display within a degree, so the ST2 knows correctly where the azimuth rotator is aimed. My PC is communicating with the ST2 perfectly, I can see the display on the LCD of where the rotator should stop (say 300 degrees) but it will actually stop at 280 or 320 for example. Unlike my KCT, the ST2 will only make one attempt to aim. The KCT would stop the rotation, let the rotators and antennas settle for a second, then fine tune again if neccessary. I believe that this can be resolved by changing the sample rate or something else very minor. I've found the source code, and even tried twice to contact the author. I guess that because I didn't buy his LVB Tracker, he refuses to answer my emails? Not everyone has a pile of extra money laying around to donate to Amsat. I've donated in the past (back when the economy was in much better shape), but I cannot afford to right now, so I bought the Foxdelta ST-2 rather than the "genuine" LVB Tracker. I have tried many nights to compile the source, even without making any changes. MPLAB says I need a C compiler, etc, and I've tried everything I can think of to add one. I even bought an extra PIC for testing, etc, and put the .09 firmware on it, so now I have two PICs, one with 0.7 and one with 0.9. Both versions do the very same thing. Can anyone help? I'd like to be able to release a new version of the HEX file for the next guy in this situation. I really don't think it's necessary for me to sell my Ham II and buy a Yaesu rotator for this to work. 73 and thanks for any suggestions. Kyle K0KN Olathe, KS

2 1