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NASA.gov Wins Webby Awards
by Clint Bradford 01 May '12

01 May '12

May 1, 2012 Brian Dunbar Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0873 brian.dunbar(a)nasa.gov RELEASE: 12-145 NASA.GOV WINS TWO 2012 WEBBY AWARDS WASHINGTON -- NASA's website, www.nasa.gov, has won awards in two categories as the best government site in the 16th Annual Webby Awards, the leading international honor for the world's best websites. The site received its fourth consecutive People's Voice Award, its fifth overall, in a popular vote and for the first time won the judges' Webby Award in the category. "We are honored to once again be recognized for our online communications efforts," said David Weaver, associate administrator for communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "On a daily basis, our extraordinary web team provides a clear and accessible view into the agency's missions and milestones, to the benefit of American taxpayers and millions who follow us around the world." Since winning the 2011 People's Voice award, the site had its busiest day ever with the launch of the final space shuttle mission in July 2011. More than 560,000 people watched the launch on NASA's webcast. The site had 18 million visits during the two-week mission, during which it distributed 1.2 billion megabytes of data. Previously, that had equaled a year's worth of information sent to the public. NASA also offers a variety of mobile apps and content for social media sites. In February, the agency released Space Race Blastoff, its first social media game, through its Facebook page. "We're always looking for new ways to convey the excitement of exploration and inspire the public the way we're inspired here," said Internet Services Manager Brian Dunbar in the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters. "We're thrilled to again be recognized by the Webby Awards and look forward to new opportunities to engage with our audiences and tell NASA's story this year." Like last year, the agency had two sites nominated for Webbys. PlanetQuest, about the search for Earth-like planets, was nominated for Best Science Site. NASA has had a web presence since the early 1990s, but the popularity of NASA.gov skyrocketed after a 2003 redesign made it more usable and understandable for the general public. Since then, there have been more than 1.5 billion visits to the site, and its customer-satisfaction ratings are among the highest in government and comparable to popular commercial sites. The Office of Communications and the Office of the Chief Information Officer, both at NASA Headquarters, manage the agency's website. PlanetQuest is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Science Mission Directorate. Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Webby Award recognizes excellence in technology and creativity. The academy created the awards in 1996 to help drive the creative, technical, and professional progress of the Internet and evolving forms of interactive media. While members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences select the Webby award winners, the online community determines the winners of the People's Voice Awards. To find all the ways you can connect and collaborate with NASA, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect -end-

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NEBRASKA
by Mervyn Hecht 01 May '12

01 May '12

Can anyone give me info on any active sat station in NEBRASKA? Please reply to Mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com

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NEBRASKA
by Mervyn Hecht 01 May '12

01 May '12

Can anyone give me info on any active sat station in NEBRASKA? Please reply to Mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com

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nebraska
by Mervyn Hecht 01 May '12

01 May '12

Does anyone know an active sat station in Nebraska? Merv--mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com KO6E

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CQ KH6
by K4FEG 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

Hello Hawaii! Anyone going to be around for the next AO7 Pass? I will be in the footprint at 0132utc would love to catch a KH6 station on Mode B! 73 K4FEG EM55aj

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Anyone using a Fox-Delta ST-1 (USB) with MacDoppler?
by Bill Howell 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

I'm thinking of retiring my Endeavour rotor control interface for something newer. Is anyone using a Fox-Delta ST-1 (USB) with MacDoppler on an iMac? I know that MacDoppler and the ST-1 are supposed to support the EasyCom protocol, but I'd like to know if anyone out there is actually using this combination. thanks, Bill N5AB

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SpaceX Test Firing Completed
by B J 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

Two attempts were required today. The first one was stopped at less than T-1 minute and the countdown resumed after about an hour. The test appears to have been successful. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Changes to the IARU Satellite Advisor Region 1, Germany, AMSAT-DL
by Peter Guelzow 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

Changes to the IARU Satellite Advisor Region 1 I have recommended to the IARU Satellite Adviser that Mike Rupprecht takes over membership of the advisory panel form Norbert Nothoff and I'm happy to notify interested parties that he has agreed to appoint Mike, DK3WN as a panel member. He has thanked Norbert, DF5DP for his support as a member of the Advisory panel for many years and said that he is looking forward to work with Mike. Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN will help with the IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination process in Region 1 and in particular here in Germany. Mike is very active and well known on the satellite bands and Internet boards, and he has particularly profound knowledge of all cubesat operations. He is also very well known in the community of cubesat operators, including excellent communication connections to that groups. Mike Ruprecht, DK3WN will support Norbert Nothoff, DF5DP and take over the coordination process of satellite projects from him, which includes correspondence with the coordination group and the satellite operators. Norbert Nothoff, DF5DP will continue to stay in charge of anything which is related to government issues (government and office liaison, laws, bylaws, and regulations of satellite operations) in Germany. Peter Gülzow, DB2OS President, AMSAT-DL

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Looking for "solaria"
by andy thomas 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

I see "solaria" from the NASA spaceflight board http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28732.0 is also going to the ISS symposium in Berlin this week. Anyone have a contact email for her/him? Will look out in Berlin on Wednesday. please forward. g0sfj AT amsat DOT org many thanks 73 de andy g0sfj

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AubieSat-1
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

I've been struggling to hear AubieSat-1. I've heard the antenna didn't deploy. The only previous copy was a very short period on a high pass. However, this AM its signals were strong from 22 down to 5 degrees. Mike (K9QHO)

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WAS--missing Nebraska
by Mervyn Hecht 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

I'm missing a QSL card from Nebraska. Can anyone suggest an active station in Nebraska on any SAT? Please reply to <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com> Merv KO6E

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USNA Party Balloon Success!
by Bob Bruninga 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

Party Balloon success!... Everything possible went wrong! A disaster of monstrous proportions. But finally got it all working and just wanted it gone! We released it about 1545 which means we missed getting off the academy before the afternoon's formal parade and lost 30 minutes going out gate 1 and 3/4 of the way around the yard through Annapolis traffic. But everything worked perfectly after release. The balloon was just about making land over Kent Island 8 miles away before we even got onto Rt 50. With Friday afternoon beach traffic we were chasing the whole time. Thomasson was bragging about his altitude prediction when it reached his 6500' altitude as we crossed the Bay bridge. We were still 16 miles behind it at Easton with Fick making time in all the traffic as the driver. Several minutes later Thomasson ate crow as it passed through 8000' and was speeding up to 45 MPH. Headed south on 50 towards Easton we were still 16 miles behind it as it overflew Easton. Then we noticed the altitude descending. It was down to 6500 feet... Since we were beyond the Choptank (last water body) and descending slowly we decided not to send the cut-loose command and ride it down. When we got in about 4 miles range we began to see the wireless camera again and could see chicken coops below. At 2000' we turned on a farm road and told the other car to go to the next road and turn. It passed over us and we got a solid visual. Radioed to Mids in other car and they got a visual. Ballester and Garcia got to within 100 yards at touchtown. We did send the cut command at about 1000 feet just to see if it worked, and it was acknowledged but the payload remained attached. It landed in a field and the bright red balloons flopping about 10 feet high in the breeze made it a walk in the park to get to. The release had worked, but the parachute had gotten entangled in the one balloon that had burst and so they came down together. Cleary one of the 5 balloons had burst at 8000' and started the descent. With the balloon chards hanging down where the parachute was also hanging down, it is clear that entanglement was certain (bad planning). Next time, we will widely separate the balloons from the payload and chute to avoid this. But all systems worked well and gave great proof of concept for the next one. The payload was about 320 grams (0.6 lb)consisting of two Lithium 9v batteries a complete APRS digipeater and command/control/telemetry plus a 2.4 GHz wireless camera. Mission duration was under 2 hours, distance about 50 miles just slightly within the attention span of a student ;-) You can see the track on the web page http://aprs.fi and enter the callsign W3ADO-11 and then ask for the appropriate number of hours of history. The balloon landed at 2123z or 1723 EDT after a 98 minute flight. Our joy and enthusiasm were destroyed, however, after a parking lot formed on the bay bridge returning. All lanes were blocked for several hours.. doubling the time of the entire mission. Yuk! LESSONS LEARNED: Having now flown two party-balloon missions, I am happy with the results compared to Latex balloons. The missions are very different profiles, but they meet our educational goals quite well. Here are some thoughts. I am not a balloon expert (only my 3rd attempt in 20 years) so take these opinions with your own grains of salt. 1) 3' dia party balloon (unfilled. On line) cost under $2 each. Making a 5 balloon launch about $10 for the balloons. 2) Mylar Balloons have a high mass to lift ratio so these are all LOW ALTITUDE missions. Even with zero payload, the MAX altitude is around 25,000' where the full balloon can only support its own weight no matter how many balloons. 3) OUr first mission was an extremely small 50 gram payload with HF oscillator and some CW telemetry, attemting a 10 day around the world flight. Since it went over the atlantic toward africa, who knows what happened to it. You could only year the milliwatt XMTR within line-of sight (about 100 miles)... 4) Helium loss through Mylar appeared to be around 1% per day compared to higher rates through latex. 5) Mylar balloons are an order of magnitude less vulnerable to UV rays which will almost always burst laytex after several hours exposure at high altitude. 6) Mylar are fixed volume. THey get to a fixed height, where they are over-pressure and remain there (unless they burst). 7) Below 10,000' temperatures are not an issue with electronics compared to the -60C temps for the typical high altitude flights. 8) I use clear plastc bottles for the enclosure and the temp inside remains high (solar heating). Even at 8000' the temp never got below about 40C. We must use water proof containers because of all the bay and waters around. 9) This second mission used a full APRS system, wtih GPS and 2.4 GHz wireless camera using the Byonics MT-TT4 all-in-one APRS circuit board all in under 0.6 lbs including waterproof botttle container and chute. 10) WIth these mylar constant-pressure designs, extreme care must be used in underfilling each balloon exactly the same. Any balloon that is slightly higher than the others will rise to a HIGHER Pressure and will be the first to burst. The jury is still out as to whether a long duration mission is possile. Ours will always go immediately to the Atlantic and at the low altitude, will take days to reach anyone in Europe (Our last went headed for africa where no one was listening). ** A ballast release mechanism is reuired for long duration. We attempted a clever block of Ice (sublimation mass loss), but dont know if it worked, because no one reported hearing it in Africa?) 11) The amount of over pressure at equilibrium altitude is equal to the amount of excess lift. So it is a difficult balance. Too little lift and you need an extremely large launch area. Too much and you are sure to burst. 12) IN fact, with a modest excess-lift on our intentional shout duration mission, maybe there will always be a FIRST TO POP as in our case. This was perfect though. The loss of one balloon gave an almost balanced up and down profile . No need for a chute. 13) The bright red multiple balloons (all full, except the one shreaded one) make for a highly visible descent and recovery. If we had cut the payload loose, the chances of finding a clear plastic bottle with nothing around it but a tiny chute woiuld have been 1% of the success of finding 4 waving balloons! 14) Observing this, we thought about maybe using multiple string cutters for our next mission to control descent by cutting loose balloons. But cutting loose only eliminates about half the mass as letting one burst. When it bursts, it loses lift, but the mass (nearly half the total lift) remains with the payload making descent better. SO, maybe the plan next time will be to slightly overfill one balloon to assure a first-to-pop, and therefore have an automatic descent! Still we will have a payload cutter just to make sure we can release before the Atlantic! FINALLY, The abuse these party balloons can tolerate are an order of magnitude greater than Latex. We launched in a 20 MPH wind! After walking all 5 balloons from the classroom, across a road and through a narrow chain-link fence gate in that 20 MPH wind (3 times!) they survived. Just prior to release, I noticed it was still transmitting all 3 packets at a 10 second rate! We had to bring it all back indoors, cut loose the payload, go reprogram it, and then re-assemble and go do it all again! With multiple balloons, we fill a spare, so that if we busrt one, we can quickly tie in a replacemet in the field. If they all survive getting to the launch point, then we release the spare to see exatly where the winds are going, so we can find the best spot to clear the 100' high light posts surrounding the field. Photos of this last mission will eventyally make it to the http://aprs.org/balloons.html page. But right now, I'm burned out. Bob, Wb4APR

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Ecuadorian TV CubeSat will monitor near-earth objects + We are Makers
by Trevor . 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

Ecuadorian CubeSat will monitor near-earth objects http://www.uk.amsat.org/6932 Also on the AMSAT-UK site: We Are Makers - Video features DIY Satellites and a brief picture of OSCAR-7 http://www.uk.amsat.org/6925 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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[amsat-bb] Student CubeSat First-MOVE – Vacuum Test
by Trevor . 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

First-MOVE carries an ISIS 70cm to 2m transceiver. Student CubeSat First-MOVE – Vacuum Test http://www.uk.amsat.org/6887 Video - TEDxKiruna Presentation – Human Exploration of Space http://www.uk.amsat.org/6850 BBC Report on the UK Skylon Spaceplane http://www.uk.amsat.org/6836 There's also a FUNcube Launch fund raising widget on the site. 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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more "round to it" funds to AMSAT
by Bob- W7LRD 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110871169577?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… http://www.ebay.com/itm/110869656863?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… http://www.ebay.com/itm/110870869395?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… http://www.ebay.com/itm/110869610410?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… 73 Bob W7LRD

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Why do I get notices of cancellation
by Michael J Finn 28 Apr '12

28 Apr '12

____________________________________________________________ 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f9c366f33833ce5eeest02duc

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Amateur Radio in the UK during the Olympics
by Clive G7SVI 28 Apr '12

28 Apr '12

Hi All For any of you in the AMSAT world interested in what the planned restrictions are or visiting during the Olympics, here are links to the details I'm affected as I live close to the sailing but it will be fun listening in J This link contains downloadable pdf files detailing the restrictions. http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/ar_s pectrum_use/ These are useful as they provide maps for each location. It is not just 70cm but also microwave frequencies as well. These are not the final restrictions though. Ofcom (our regulator) have issue a consultation paper on the restrictions which can be found here: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/undueinterference-olympics-20 12/summary 73s and have fun on the birds Clive G7SVI

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SATCHAT NET!
by Vincent, K9TSU 28 Apr '12

28 Apr '12

HI all, I want to take a few minutes and bore you with some changes to the Satchat I host on the *AMSAT* EchoLink server. Changes: Well, it's been a successful idea! A great place for the sat. ops. to talk to eachother. I have began questioning if it being a directed net slows it down. I think it does. So, from now on, it will just be a round table. No net control will be used. Feel free to connect at the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 7PM-8:30PM *CENTRAL*, AS USUAL. I will always be there, but it would be faster and easier to just have a round table wiht no net control station. I will be "net manager" for the chat, though. I will continue to handle the 'logistics' of the net, such as ARISS contact skeds during the times...etc. Thanks, all! Everyone is welcome on the Sat-Chat group!! -- *Vince Waelti, K9TSU* WX9MCS/R Control Operator Midwest SSTRC Spotter # MW314 Green County ARES/SKYWARN Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN

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AO-51-SO-50
by Kevin Deane 28 Apr '12

28 Apr '12

I remember someone saying something about the old earlybird AO-51 passess and that now all we have at night is SO-50... I was thinking of staying up late this weekend to see if there might be some earlybirds on the 50??? I do not have all that great a station and no rotator as of yet but if there is some activity that would be great, considering the time difference I might meet some new grids/people and if not I always enjoy saying hello to those I have worked many times before! :) Kevin KF7MYK

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Updated Coverage for NASA/SpaceX Launch and Mission to Station
by Clint Bradford 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-078 UPDATED COVERAGE FOR NASA/SPACEX LAUNCH AND MISSION TO STATION CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second SpaceX demonstration launch for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) has been rescheduled for a liftoff on Monday, May 7. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule will occur from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. There is a single instantaneous launch opportunity at 9:38 a.m. EDT. NASA Television launch commentary from Cape Canaveral begins at 8 a.m. During the flight, SpaceX's Dragon capsule will conduct a series of check-out procedures to test and prove its systems, including the capability to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station. The primary objectives for the flight include a flyby of the space station at a distance of approximately 1.5 miles to validate the operation of sensors and flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach. The spacecraft also will demonstrate the ability to abort the rendezvous. Once these capabilities are successfully proven, the Dragon will be cleared to berth with the space station. FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Saturday, May 5 (L-2 days): A photo opportunity of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule on the launch pad will be available for the news media. Spokespeople from SpaceX will be available to answer questions. Media will depart from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site by government bus at 9:15 a.m. for Space Launch Complex 40. Media will be returned at approximately 11 a.m. SpaceX security regulations require that media attending this event be U.S. citizens. REMOTE CAMERA SETUPS Sunday, May 6 (L-1 day): Media will be able to establish sound-activated remote cameras at the launch pad. The location is within Space Launch Complex-40 on the east side of the pad outside the perimeter fence. Media who want to participate in remote camera setup will depart from Kennedy's Press Site by government bus at 10:30 a.m. Only photographers establishing remote cameras can participate in this activity. SpaceX security regulations require that media participating in this activity be U.S. citizens. PRELAUNCH AND POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCES Sunday, May 6 (L-1 day): The prelaunch news conference for the NASA/SpaceX launch will be held at the Kennedy Press Site at 1 p.m. NASA Television will provide live and streaming Internet coverage. Monday, May 7, (Launch Day): A postlaunch news conference will be held at Kennedy at approximately noon. Media representative can participate in the news conference in- person at Kennedy or via a phone bridge by calling NASA's Johnson Space Center newsroom at 11:45 a.m. at 281-483-5111. Audio of the prelaunch and postlaunch news conferences also will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, directly accessible by dialing 321-867-1220, 1240, 1260 or 7135. The briefings will be streamed live on the agency's website. NASA TV LAUNCH COVERAGE Monday, April 30 (L-0 day): NASA TV live coverage begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at approximately 10:30 a.m. On launch day, "mission audio," the launch conductor's countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135 starting at 8 a.m. Launch information also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz, heard within Brevard County. NASA TV MISSION COVERAGE Tuesday, May 8 (Flight Day 2): An update on the Dragon's flight during the daily "ISS Update" program from NASA's Johnson Space Center airs at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9 (Flight Day 3): Live coverage from NASA's Johnson Space Center mission control in Houston as the Dragon spacecraft performs its fly-under of ISS to test its systems begins at 2:30 a.m. and will continue until the Dragon passes out of the vicinity of the station. A news briefing will be held following the activities. Thursday, May 10 (Flight Day 4): Live coverage of the rendezvous and berthing of the Dragon spacecraft to the station begins at 2 a.m. and will continue through the capture and berthing of the Dragon to the station's Harmony node. A news briefing will be held once Dragon is secured to the ISS. Friday, May 11: Live coverage of the hatch opening and entry of the Dragon spacecraft includes a ceremony during which the ISS crew will mark the occasion. Thursday, May 24: A news briefing at Johnson will preview the following day's unberthing and splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft. Friday, May 25: Live coverage of the unberthing, re-entry and splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean. Specific times of coverage will be provided at a later date. NEWS MEDIA LAUNCH VIEWING Monday, May 7 (Launch day): News media may view the launch from the Kennedy Press Site. A sign-up sheet will be available in the newsroom for those media representatives wanting to cover the launch from the NASA Causeway or from the roof of the Complex 39 Launch Control Center. These are primarily photo locations as there are no facilities available. Buses will depart from the Press Site parking lot at 8:15 a.m. KENNEDY MEDIA CREDENTIALING Media who want to attend the prelaunch events, including the prelaunch news conference and launch, may request accreditation online at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov The deadline for U.S. media to apply for launch accreditation is May 4. The deadline for international media to apply has passed. Journalists who have already been approved for accreditation do not need to reapply. The Gate 2 Pass and Identification Building on State Road 3, Merritt Island, will be open to pick up press credentials on the following schedule: Friday, May 4: noon - 4 p.m. Saturday, May 5: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday, May 6: 9 a.m. - noon Monday, May 7: 3:30 - 8:30 a.m. News media credentials will be valid for mission activities from launch through splashdown at both the Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. KENNEDY PRESS SITE - HOURS OF OPERATION Friday, May 4: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, May 6: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday, May 7: 4 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Media badges will be valid for access to the Kennedy Press Site through Gate 2 on State Road 3, Merritt Island; Gate 3 on State Road 405, located east of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; and Gate 4 on State Road 3, south of County Road 402 near the entrance to the Canaveral National Seashore. For further information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598. For more information about the NASA/SpaceX launch, contact the Kennedy Press Site at 321-867-2468 or visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy JOHNSON MEDIA ACCREDITATION Media who are credentialed with badges at Kennedy for launch activities will have their badges honored at Johnson for the duration of the SpaceX mission. Please contact the Johnson newsroom for work space information. International media wanting access only to Johnson must submit the required documentation for badging by Monday, April 30. U.S. media wanting access only to Johnson must submit a request for badging by Friday, May 4. Media who have already been approved for accreditation do not need to reapply. For mission information, contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or visit: http://www.nasa.gov/johnson For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For up-to-date SpaceX mission information and a schedule of NASA TV coverage, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacex For further information on NASA's COTS program, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/cots -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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‘Kinect’ STRaND-2 at UK Space Agency Conference + Skylon
by Trevor . 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

STRaND-2 proposes to use the Lidar system, as used in the Kinect games controller, for the docking of nanosats. http://www.uk.amsat.org/6795 #Skylon an unpiloted, reusable spaceplane being developed by the UK company Reaction Engines Limited (REL) should be featured on the BBC 6pm and 10pm News shows this evening. BBC News 24 is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10318089 a proxy server may be needed to view it in ceratin countries. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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WA5KBH
by Jack Wilson 26 Apr '12

26 Apr '12

George is recovering well. The doctor and nurses are at wits end with his constant request to go to the roof to work some passes. They also won't let him drop a wire out the window to try to get on the HF bands. He said to tell everyone thank you for your well wishes. 73, Jack KF5LOQ

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Hudson valley satcom net tonight 4/26 @.8PM Eastern on Echolink N2EYH-L
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 26 Apr '12

26 Apr '12

It is time again for the HVSG Net tonight April26 @ 8 PM Eastern on Echolink N2EYH-L. Please join us for the Net. Hope to hear you there. We can also be found on the MtBeacon repeater 146.970 pl 100 73 Garywa2aqh /Tom kc2dtq

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50th Anniversary of the UK in Space
by Trevor . 26 Apr '12

26 Apr '12

Today saw the 50th anniversary of the United Kingdom in space and to commemorate the anniversary BBC News interviewed Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/6773 Don't know if it's viewable outside the UK but if not a proxy server or Expat Shield may resolve the problem. Also on the site - Videos of 9th Annual CubeSat Developers’ Workshop http://www.uk.amsat.org/6729 and a FUNcube-1 Launch Fund widget. 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Fwd: [PNWVHFS] Ham Gear For Sale
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

I am just fowarding this to the bb 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "k6yk" <k6yk(a)juno.com> To: PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com, wawss(a)mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:45:02 AM Subject: [PNWVHFS] Ham Gear For Sale In case anyone might be interested ! --------- Forwarded message ---------- Joe Rowen, KD6NXL (Manteca), has the following equipment for sale. You can contact Joe at jrowen(a)inreach.com for prices and details. All items are Icom. 1. IC-271A 2 meter all mode XCVR w/internal power supply 2. IC-471A 440MHz all mode XCVR (matches the IC-271A) 3. IC-251A 2 meter all mode XCVR w/internal power supply and HM-7 hand mic 4. Speaker/Phone Patch 745/751 (matching speaker for the IC-251A) 5. SM6 Desk Mic (3 EA) 6. SM8 Desk Mic 7. HM-7 Hand Mic 8. SP3 Speaker (2 EA) 9. PS-15 Power Supply w/rear mounted fan All equipment is in good operating and cosmetic condition. Please forward this to anyone you think would be interested. 73, Gary KF6U ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 57 But Looks 24 Mom releases simple facelift secret that angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f982be475af9769a6st03vuc -- ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PNWVHFS-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS

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"round to it " projects
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

Spring time is time to get to, or get rid of those "round to it" projects. Those are those pesky , I'll get around to it" projects we never seem to get round to it! Put 'em on Ebay and send some of the profits to AMSAT. http://www.ebay.com/itm/110868784580?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… http://www.ebay.com/itm/110868778421?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p398… 73 Bob W7LRD

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XE1FZE ON DL70 / DK79
by Humberto González 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

Hi all, this next week end I will be active from DL70 and DK79 on fm sats as much as my family allowed me. Just in case of anybody needs those grids. See you on the air. Bert / XE1FZE -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: 25 Apr 2012 19:13:14 GMT To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 132 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. Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 131 (Nigel A. Gunn, W8IFF/G8IFF) 2. W5PFG/P EL28 (Clayton Coleman W5PFG) 3. Re: Use of Amateur Satellite Frequencies by Olympic andParalympic Games (Gordon JC Pearc e) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:03:20 +0100 From: "Nigel A. Gunn, W8IFF/G8IFF" <nigel(a)ngunn.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 131 Message-ID: <4F980428.2060206(a)ngunn.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed And your lack of knowledge is just as bad. Gordon is several hundred miles from the games. You might not have noticed but 70cM doesn't go that far and if the games get interfearance from satellite downlinks then there is nothing we can do about it. On 25/04/12 14:32, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Yeah, that's right....one certainly wouldn't take the unselfish high road > and just let the disabled athletes have the air for 10 days or so. Playing > with your ham radio is much more important than that... > > > Your attitude makes me sick > > 73, Ted, K7TRK -- Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937 825 5032 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF 9H3GN), e-mail nigel(a)ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP Club International #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, GCARES, XWARN, EAA382. ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:39:10 -0500 From: Clayton Coleman W5PFG <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] W5PFG/P EL28 Message-ID: <CAPovOwcbi3=dAA4ZGnba61sfMeVBV-M0r9-+M1WpmJaApH9Ynw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 If you need grid EL28 confirmed, please email me off-list. I will have an opportunity to activate it within the next 24 hours. Thanks, Clayton W5PFG ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:06:29 +0100 From: Gordon JC Pearc e <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Use of Amateur Satellite Frequencies by Olympic andParalympic Games Message-ID: <4F982F15.3040706(a)gjcp.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed On 24/04/12 23:31, Ted wrote: > Yeah, that's right....one certainly wouldn't take the unselfish high road > and just let the disabled athletes have the air for 10 days or so. Playing > with your ham radio is much more important than that... You may be missing the point a little. This has been widely trumpeted in the more US-centric mailing lists as "everyone in the UK is banned from 70cm for ever!!111!!!" Maybe *you* should stay off 70cm too, just in case by some chance a freak of propagation causes your signal to scoot across the pond and interfere with the London olympic games. Note that I say *London* olympics. That's because they're (mostly) in London. The exclusion zone is around London, too. Notice where London is? It's in the south of England. Notice my callsign at the end of each email I send? Where is it from? You are closer to San Francisco by a comfortable margin than I am to London. How well do you manage to work into Fresno on 70cm? -- Gordonjcp MM0YEQ ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ 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 7, Issue 132 ****************************************

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Use of Amateur Satellite Frequencies by Olympic and Paralympic Games
by Trevor . 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

The United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom have announced the restrictions on the use of the 430, 2300 and 3400 MHz bands as a result of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The restrictions apply from June 28 until September 23. They impact the Amateur-satellite Service frequencies from 436.25-437.25 MHz. Further information and links are on the AMSAT-UK website at http://www.uk.amsat.org/6574 73 Trevor M5AKA

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W5PFG/P EL28
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

If you need grid EL28 confirmed, please email me off-list. I will have an opportunity to activate it within the next 24 hours. Thanks, Clayton W5PFG

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 131
by Nigel A. Gunn, W8IFF/G8IFF 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

And your lack of knowledge is just as bad. Gordon is several hundred miles from the games. You might not have noticed but 70cM doesn't go that far and if the games get interfearance from satellite downlinks then there is nothing we can do about it. On 25/04/12 14:32, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Yeah, that's right....one certainly wouldn't take the unselfish high road > and just let the disabled athletes have the air for 10 days or so. Playing > with your ham radio is much more important than that... > > > Your attitude makes me sick > > 73, Ted, K7TRK -- Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937 825 5032 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF 9H3GN), e-mail nigel(a)ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP Club International #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, GCARES, XWARN, EAA382.

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Dayton
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

22 days till Dayton .I hope to meet alot of satellite ops there WA4HFN Damon

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satellite antennas
by Carlos Poinho 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

hello all thanks for all the good ideas best 73's and see you on the birds

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FW: Re: Flabob Airport ISS Contact
by Craig Gagner 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

-----Original Message----- From: Craig Gagner [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 5:58 AM To: 'Clint Bradford' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Flabob Airport ISS Contact I made such an ignorant comment because most of us are sick of reading the many e-mails with you patting yourself on the back. Yes its Great that the kids are involved, and I have been involved. I just don't need tennis elbow from patting my self on the back ! -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Clint Bradford Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 8:41 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Flabob Airport ISS Contact FROM PETER >> ... excellent work ... children are our greatest asset ... Now THERE'S someone who "gets it!" Thank you, Peter VE7NGP! FROM CLUELESS >> ... Too bad its happened many times before ... Huh? "Too bad?" Let's get some facts out here. YES - SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY ARISS contacts were completed before ours at Flabob last week. That is 720 groups of students learning more about their respective countries' space programs. That is thousands of classroom hours learning more about space and amateur radio. That is 720 audiences anxiously hearing - at first - no response from the ISS. But then, upon the second or third attempt to contact via amateur radio - a palpable "feeling of awe" from all in attendance when an astronaut first replies. That is 720 audiences wildly applauding after the completion of their contacts. There are about three entities who can schedule radio time with the ISS: the various space programs involved, the various departments of defense involved, and AMATEUR RADIO via these ARISS contacts. There is not a single student nor audience member nor amateur radio volunteer who thinks anything less of their contacts with the ISS - simple because "it has happened many times before." I have 211 attendees who are extremely proud to have been "Number 721" last week. So, to the person who wrote, " ... Too bad its happened many times before ... " - Either you are totally unaware of how wonderful these projects are for all involved, or have never been involved first-hand in such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I cannot think of any other reason one would make such an ignorant comment. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com 909-241-7666 _______________________________________________ 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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New Launch Date For SpaceX
by B J 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

http://www.americaspace.org/?p=18016 http://moonandback.com/2012/04/24/nasa-approves-new-launch-date-of-may-7th-… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: Flabob Airport ISS Contact
by Clint Bradford 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

FROM PETER >> ... excellent work ... children are our greatest asset ... Now THERE'S someone who "gets it!" Thank you, Peter VE7NGP! FROM CLUELESS >> ... Too bad its happened many times before ... Huh? "Too bad?" Let's get some facts out here. YES - SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY ARISS contacts were completed before ours at Flabob last week. That is 720 groups of students learning more about their respective countries' space programs. That is thousands of classroom hours learning more about space and amateur radio. That is 720 audiences anxiously hearing - at first - no response from the ISS. But then, upon the second or third attempt to contact via amateur radio - a palpable "feeling of awe" from all in attendance when an astronaut first replies. That is 720 audiences wildly applauding after the completion of their contacts. There are about three entities who can schedule radio time with the ISS: the various space programs involved, the various departments of defense involved, and AMATEUR RADIO via these ARISS contacts. There is not a single student nor audience member nor amateur radio volunteer who thinks anything less of their contacts with the ISS - simple because "it has happened many times before." I have 211 attendees who are extremely proud to have been "Number 721" last week. So, to the person who wrote, " ... Too bad its happened many times before ... " - Either you are totally unaware of how wonderful these projects are for all involved, or have never been involved first-hand in such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I cannot think of any other reason one would make such an ignorant comment. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com 909-241-7666

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Re: satellite antenna
by K5OE 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

Yanko, I appreciate you plugging the venerable (aka "old") Egg2 design, and while I still consider it a really good LEO omni antenna, it is with limitations. With today's crop of LEO satellites, none are as strong as the ones available when I first designed and built that model--specifically UO-14 and FO-20 as prime examples of an earlier era's "easy sats." For newbies to the birds, especially if you are starting from scratch, Bob's (WB4APR) suggestion to use a 1/4 wave vertical for 70 cm downlink is a good first antenna--simple and effective. That antenna will give you coverage at high elevations--above 30 degrees, but that means your pass times will be short and your range is narrow (in distance). The Egg2 was designed for exactly the opposite, max gain at low elevations, where most people struggled to hear anything (I know I did!). If you want to work LEO's today (what choice do you have right now?), don't consider an omni without a good preamp (NF < 1 dB). Else, you will become frustrated and lose interest in an exciting hobby. For the price of a good preamp, you could consider a small beam (such as Kent's "cheap yagi" and a TV rotor. Trust me, you'll be happier trying to work AO-27, VO-52, SO-50, ISS, etc. 73, Jerry, K5OE --------------------------------------------------------------- Original message: Hello Carlos, You can try to search for a eggbeater antenna like this one http://victrolla.homeip.net/wo5s/junkpile/432/eggbeater2.pdf Thanks Yanko, NX9G ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carlos Poinho" <cu3ftcarlos(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 4:00:26 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] satellite antenna hello all any one have a good idea for a omni directional antenna for the birds?

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satellite antenna
by Carlos Poinho 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

hello all any one have a good idea for a omni directional antenna for the birds?

5 5

satellite antenna
by Carlos Poinho 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

hello all anyone have a good idea for a omni directional antenna for the birds?

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Flabob ARISS Project on Ham Nation 04/24/12
by Clint Bradford 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

I was just advised that a video segment of our successful ARISS contact with the ISS that occurred last week at Flabob Airport will be aired Tuesday, 04/24/12, on the Bob Heil & Gordon West "Ham Nation" show. 6PM PDT - http://www.twit.tv/hn The episode will be available later in the week through its regular channels. Clint K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com 909-241-7666

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Flabob Airport Project
by Clint Bradford 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

>> ... Jeez, Clint, take a xanax or something ... Jeeze, Ted, if you were directly responsible for making such a 13-months-in-the-making project occur - which involved ... - more than 2,900 email messages - teleconferences with NASA - maintaining a great project Web site - handling of the media - resulting in front-page color photographs coverage in a major daily newspaper - radio interviews - obtaining a "Space Week" proclamation from our city ... and MUCH more - I'd wager you'd be excited, too, when you pulled it off, for the benefit of your students ... Clint Bradford http://www.iss-flabob.com

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Maryland/Deleware Balloon Friday 1300
by Bob Bruninga 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

DELMARVA Hams: We are going to launch an APRS balloon at about 1300 on Friday if we get it all together by then. It will drift at about 5000 feet with a radio range of only about 100 miles or so. It has a wireless 2.4 GHz live camera on Channel 1. We will command cut-down somewhere over the eastern shore to assure recovery before the Atlantic... We will probably use the 146.82 (T156) Salsbury repeater during the chase? Info on http://aprs.org/balloons.html You'll probably need some kind of 2.4 GHz dish to see it beyond a mile or so. We have a 4' dish on a van with an AZ/EL tracker that we hope to be able to follow it with. Bob, WB4APR

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WA5KBH
by Jack Wilson 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

Report from EL29 MD Anderson Hospital WA5KBH George made it thru surgery. He is short the left kidney, adrenal glands and a lymphoid cluster. He is awake and doing well. Story is the Doctors and Nurses had to knock him out to get his Arrow and HT out of the OR. 73, Jack KF5LOQ Sent from my iPad On Apr 23, 2012, at 2:00 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. Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H (WILLIAMS MICHAEL) > 2. Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H (Ted) > 3. Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H (Alan P. Biddle) > 4. Re: AC0RA/m (Wyatt Dirks) > 5. Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H (Floyd Rodgers) > 6. First Call for Papers for 2012 Symposium (Daniel Schultz) > 7. Nickname of Japanese Satellites (Mineo Wakita) > 8. Correction (Mineo Wakita) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:15:00 -0700 (PDT) > From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL <k9qho6762(a)sbcglobal.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org, k7trkradio(a)charter.net > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > Message-ID: > <1335125700.5004.YahooMailClassic(a)web82705.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Ted, > > Stephan gives some great comments on all three radios. > > As for the 847 on HF, I think there is a audio clip on the internet comparing the 847 and TenTec Corsair II receivers. I have both of these rigs and the difference is very clear. Listening to my 847 on HF is not a pleasurable experience as the receiver is very noisy. For this reason, my old Corsair II does all HF work at least until I get a new HF rig. Eham reviews on the Corsair attest to its great receiver. > > As for satellite operations, the 847 is a tough and a great rig. Mine has been running since the beginnings of AO-40 with no problems. It has some engineering mistakes like the AF gain not being linear along with other quirks but I've gotten my investment back many times over. > > If you've got the cash, I would read the QST review on the 9100 and make an executive decision. > > GL > > Mike (K9QHO) > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:10:57 -0700 > From: "Ted" <k7trkradio(a)charter.net> > To: "'WILLIAMS MICHAEL'" <k9qho6762(a)sbcglobal.net>, > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > Message-ID: <47A336B34C124F9DA426E8D9D2E7AA62@HamComputer> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Thanks Michael, > > The 9100 is not in the cards unless, after the divorce, my lawyer is better > than my wife's !!! > > 73, Ted > > -----Original Message----- > From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 1:15 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; k7trkradio(a)charter.net > Subject: Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > > Ted, > > Stephan gives some great comments on all three radios. > > As for the 847 on HF, I think there is a audio clip on the internet > comparing the 847 and TenTec Corsair II receivers. I have both of these rigs > and the difference is very clear. Listening to my 847 on HF is not a > pleasurable experience as the receiver is very noisy. For this reason, my > old Corsair II does all HF work at least until I get a new HF rig. Eham > reviews on the Corsair attest to its great receiver. > > As for satellite operations, the 847 is a tough and a great rig. Mine has > been running since the beginnings of AO-40 with no problems. It has some > engineering mistakes like the AF gain not being linear along with other > quirks but I've gotten my investment back many times over. > > If you've got the cash, I would read the QST review on the 9100 and make an > executive decision. > > GL > > Mike (K9QHO) > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:18:59 -0500 > From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE(a)UNITED.NET> > To: "'WILLIAMS MICHAEL'" <k9qho6762(a)sbcglobal.net>, > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, <k7trkradio(a)charter.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > Message-ID: <85EC8F8A1F574F1193BF62CE97B86A0C@WA4SCA> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Mike, > > When I bought my FT-847 in 1998, I got the optional mechanical SSB filters. > I left in the stock filters for a few days, and then switched to the > optional ones. It made a significant difference, both in reception, and > when using the speech processor. The stock filters are still in the box in > the basement. > > 73s, > > Alan > WA4SCA > > PS Just converted completely to the Flex VU-5K, which is truly a whole new > ballgame. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of WILLIAMS MICHAEL > Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 3:15 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; k7trkradio(a)charter.net > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > > Ted, > > Stephan gives some great comments on all three radios. > > As for the 847 on HF, I think there is a audio clip on the internet > comparing the 847 and TenTec Corsair II receivers. I have both of these rigs > and the difference is very clear. Listening to my 847 on HF is not a > pleasurable experience as the receiver is very noisy. For this reason, my > old Corsair II does all HF work at least until I get a new HF rig. Eham > reviews on the Corsair attest to its great receiver. > > As for satellite operations, the 847 is a tough and a great rig. Mine has > been running since the beginnings of AO-40 with no problems. It has some > engineering mistakes like the AF gain not being linear along with other > quirks but I've gotten my investment back many times over. > > If you've got the cash, I would read the QST review on the 9100 and make an > executive decision. > > GL > > Mike (K9QHO) > > _______________________________________________ > 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: 4 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:50:51 -0500 > From: Wyatt Dirks <wyattdirks(a)msn.com> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AC0RA/m > Message-ID: <BAY151-W3632E391117BA18917F2D7CD200(a)phx.gbl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > Thanks to all who worked me yesterday while I was on the EN21/22 gridline. I think I worked everyone that had emailed me and wanted the grids plus a few more. > > I have uploaded all contacts to LOTW using AC0RA but who know how long it may take to show up. If you don't see it in there soon let me know and I can try agn. > > If you want a paper QSL just shoot me an email with qso data and I will send a card your way and no need for sase or return QSL. > > 73 Wyatt > AC0RA > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:19:45 -0500 > From: Floyd Rodgers <kc5qbc(a)swbell.net> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H > Message-ID: <4F94CA51.6000909(a)swbell.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > All I can say is me too. I bought the Collins mechanical filters and the > difference was astounding on both transmit and receive. Had many > comments on the change.Best $300 I ever spent. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:50:14 -0400 > From: "Daniel Schultz" <n8fgv(a)usa.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Cc: qex(a)arrl.org, amsat-fox(a)alum.wpi.edu > Subject: [amsat-bb] First Call for Papers for 2012 Symposium > Message-ID: <528qDwDxo3472S03.1335153014(a)web03.cms.usa.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > This is the first call for papers for the 2012 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space > Symposium to be held in Orlando, Florida on the weekend of October 26-28, > 2012. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations > are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We > request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final > copy to be submitted by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. > Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at n8fgv(a)amsat.org > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:51:39 +0900 > From: "Mineo Wakita" <ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Nickname of Japanese Satellites > Message-ID: <F7A08DF6C7C44AA18C8855101ECFDA0B@FM4D8C73527130> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-2022-jp"; > reply-type=original > > Akari --- Light > Akatsuki --- Dawn > Akebono --- The beginning > Fuji --- Mt. Fuji > Hayabusa --- Falcon > Hitomi --- Eyes > Horyu --- Big bird such as Dragon > Ibuki --- Breath > Kagayaki --- Brightness > Kaguya --- Moon Princess > Kibo --- Hope > Kiku --- Chrysanthemum > Kiseki --- Bright tide > Kodama --- Echo > Komolebi --- Sunshine filtering through foliage > Kounotori --- White stork > Kukai --- Sky and See > Maido --- Always thank you > Negai --- Wish > Raiko --- Drum of the thunder > Rising --- God of the thunder > Shizuku --- Drop of the water > Suzaku --- God of the south > Tsubame --- Swallow > > JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:43:49 +0900 > From: "Mineo Wakita" <ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Correction > Message-ID: <59C0D3E3C86244489CEB9783E5EECF42@FM4D8C73527130> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-2022-jp"; > reply-type=original > > Kukai --- Sky and Sea > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > 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 7, Issue 128 > ****************************************

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Nickname of Japanese Satellites #2
by Mineo Wakita 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

These are Amateur satellites and Earth observing satellites of JAXA. Akari (ASTROF) --- Light Akatsuki (PLANET-C) --- Dawn Akebono (EXOS-D) --- The beginning Cute (CO-55,56,65) --- Cute Fuji (FO-12,20,29) --- Mt. Fuji Hayabusa (MUSES-C2) --- Falcon Hayato (KSAT) --- Hayato Satsuma in Kagoshima Japan Hitomi (PRISM) --- Eyes Horyu (HORYU-2) --- Big bird such as Dragon Ibuki (GOSAT) --- Breath Kagayaki (KAGAYAKI) --- Brightness Kaguya (SELENE) --- Moon Princess Kibo (KIBO) --- Hope Kiku (ETS-VIII) --- Chrysanthemum Kiseki (KKS-1) --- Bright tide Kodama (DRTS) --- Echo Komolebi (KOMOLEBI) --- Sunshine filtering through foliage Kounotori (HTV3) --- White stork Kukai (STARS) --- Sky and Sea Maido (SOHLA-1) --- Always thank you Negai (NEGAI) --- Wish Raiko (RAIKO) --- Drum of the thunder Rising (RAISING-2) --- God of the thunder Seeds (CO-66) --- Space Engineering EDucational Satellite Shin_en (UNITEC-1) --- Deep space Shizuku (GCOM-W1) --- Drop of the water Suzaku (ASTRO-EII) --- God of the south Tsubame (TSUBAME) --- Swallow Xi (CO-57,58) --- X-factor Investigator http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/satslist.htm http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/index_e.html http://www.jarl.or.jp/Japanese/7_Technical/cubesat/cubesat.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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KO6E WAS
by K4FEG 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

If I am not Mistaken, I heard Mr. KO6E work W3FIS this evening om SO50, for his 50th state on the satellites to make all 50 for WAS Satellites! Congratulations Merv. Not an Easy task with only LEO's out there! 73 Frank K4FEG

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W1AW 4-23-1900z
by Mark Spencer 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

For those who I contacted from W1AW during the 1900Z pass today would like a card, send me a note via the e-mail below and I'll make sure you get one. Thanks, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME Education and Technology Program Director ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioTM 43 Pinelock Dr. Gales Ferry, CT 06335 860-381-5335 860-460-1139 (cell) mspencer(a)arrl.org

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Correction
by Mineo Wakita 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Kukai --- Sky and Sea

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Nickname of Japanese Satellites
by Mineo Wakita 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Akari --- Light Akatsuki --- Dawn Akebono --- The beginning Fuji --- Mt. Fuji Hayabusa --- Falcon Hitomi --- Eyes Horyu --- Big bird such as Dragon Ibuki --- Breath Kagayaki --- Brightness Kaguya --- Moon Princess Kibo --- Hope Kiku --- Chrysanthemum Kiseki --- Bright tide Kodama --- Echo Komolebi --- Sunshine filtering through foliage Kounotori --- White stork Kukai --- Sky and See Maido --- Always thank you Negai --- Wish Raiko --- Drum of the thunder Rising --- God of the thunder Shizuku --- Drop of the water Suzaku --- God of the south Tsubame --- Swallow JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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First Call for Papers for 2012 Symposium
by Daniel Schultz 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

This is the first call for papers for the 2012 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium to be held in Orlando, Florida on the weekend of October 26-28, 2012. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy to be submitted by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at n8fgv(a)amsat.org

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Re: FT 847 vs. IC-910H
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 23 Apr '12

23 Apr '12

Ted, Stephan gives some great comments on all three radios. As for the 847 on HF, I think there is a audio clip on the internet comparing the 847 and TenTec Corsair II receivers. I have both of these rigs and the difference is very clear. Listening to my 847 on HF is not a pleasurable experience as the receiver is very noisy. For this reason, my old Corsair II does all HF work at least until I get a new HF rig. Eham reviews on the Corsair attest to its great receiver. As for satellite operations, the 847 is a tough and a great rig. Mine has been running since the beginnings of AO-40 with no problems. It has some engineering mistakes like the AF gain not being linear along with other quirks but I've gotten my investment back many times over. If you've got the cash, I would read the QST review on the 9100 and make an executive decision. GL Mike (K9QHO)

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AC0RA/m
by Wyatt Dirks 22 Apr '12

22 Apr '12

Tomorrow I will be heading to the Des Moines hamfest as planned. After the hamfest tomorrow I am planning on operating from the grid line of EN22/21 on the evening passes of SO-50 and VO-52. I might also catch some bird passes from en31 and en32 through Saturday and Sunday. Catch you on the birds! 73 Wyatt AC0RA

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Student Nanosat VELOX-I
by Trevor . 22 Apr '12

22 Apr '12

A 3U + 1U satellite, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/6691 also on the site: Rubber Chicken Flies into Solar Radiation Storm http://www.uk.amsat.org/6601 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ITAR - 1248 Report Released
by Trevor . 22 Apr '12

22 Apr '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/6623 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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FT 847 vs. IC-910H
by Ted 22 Apr '12

22 Apr '12

I think I'm having some 'buyer's remorse' over my purchase of the 910H I would like to have some input from the sat group as to why one radio is overwhelmingly compelling over the other for sat work. (I am aware of the power diff) FYI, It's not likely that I will ever go to the full on 100+ el ant display with all the bells and whistles, (like that John guy in Ohio hi hi, but ya never know). (and although there is a NIB Kenpro 5400R and a FD-ST3 sitting on the floor in here !) I do a lot of digital HF modes and am thinking maybe that the 847 might be a better use of a combo radio.( I have a TS-2000, but oh those birdies !!) Any thoughts appreciated 73, Ted, K7TRK (VUCC #226)

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JAXA Site about Japanese Satellites
by Mineo Wakita 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Site http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/en/f21/index.html JAXA Special Site http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f21/index_e.html http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/horyu2jp.htm JAXA ISS KIBO http://kibo.jaxa.jp/en/ http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/iss_kibo.htm JAXA GPM/DPR http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/gpm/index_e.html http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxa_gpm.htm JAXA ALOS-2 http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/alos2/index_e.html http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxalos2.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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ANS-113 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-113 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 ********************************************************************** * Volunteers are needed to help at the AMSAT booth at Dayton. Gould * * WA4SXM, is looking for volunteers to help man the AMSAT booth dur- * * ing the 2012 Hamvention. People are needed all 3 days for 2 hour * * shifts. Please send the days and times you are available to help * * as well as how many shifts you are willing to work via e-mail to * * wa4sxm at amsat.org. * * Monitor http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2012/Dayton.php * * for the latest AMSAT at Dayton news and developments * ********************************************************************** In this edition: * Schedule of AMSAT Activities at Dayton Hamvention * May 15 Deadline to Apply for ARRL TI-2 Space in the Classroom Institute * Five CubeSats in Preparation for July Launch to ISS * Naval Postgraduate School Develops Multi-CubeSat Deployment System * Successful ARISS School Contacts with California, Ecuador, and Japan * Two Months to Field Day - AMSAT FD Rules Posted * FAA CARSR Radar May Impose Amateur Operating Restrictions on 23cm * AMSAT-UK on Satellites for World Amateur Radio Day * UK Will Restrict Use of Amateur Satellite Frequencies During Olympics * Silent Key - Greg Butler, KI4OTG * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-113.01 ANS-113 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 113.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 22, 2012 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-113.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Schedule of AMSAT Activities at Dayton Hamvention Here are the daily AMSAT activities at the 2012 Hamvention! Thursday 17 May 2012 -------------------- + 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM AMSAT Booth Setup at Ball Arena (contact Gould Smith, WA4SXM, wa4sxm(a)amsat.org if you can help during this time). + 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM The third Annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held at Tickets Pub & Eatery in Fairborn, OH. Food can be ordered from the menu and drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are avail- able at the bar. Directions and coordinates are on the AMSAT Web site. Bring some friends and have a great time the night before Hamvention. Tasty selection of Greek and American food and great company! Demos Daily on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for All Available Passes -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT is encouraging all students attending the 2012 Dayton Hamvention to come by the Satellite Demonstration Area just outside of the Ball Area entrance and make a contact using the amateur satellites. There will be AMSAT volunteers there to explain how to make the contacts and during actual satellite passes will try to get as many students as pos- sible to complete actual contacts. There are lists of satellite pass times in the satellite demonstration area and at the AMSAT booth. Friday 18 May 2012 ------------------ + 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM at the AMSAT Booth AMSAT Booth open for membership renewals, books, new items and information. Outdoor satellite demonstrations right outide the Ball Arena entrance. Engineering area with Fox and ARISSat-1 satellite prototype displays. + 4:00 PM at the ARRL Stage AMSAT and ARRL are teaming up during the 2012 Hamvention to recruit new ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Technical Mentors and Ground Station Operators. Friday and Saturday (May 18 & 19) at 4pm in the ARRL stage area AMSAT Vice President for Educational Relations Mark Hammond N8MH will explain the need for additional ARISS Technical Mentors and Ground Station Operators and the requirements and responsibilities needed to help provide a reliable conversation between astronauts and selected schools or groups. + 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM AMSAT/TAPR Banquet at Dayton 2012 AMSAT/TAPR Banquet on Friday night, May 18 is one of the main AMSAT activities during the 2012 Hamvention at Dayton. AMSAT is pleased to announce that Howard Long, G6LVB will be the featured speaker for the evening event. Howard will be talking about his FUNcube Dongle, the 64 - 1700 MHz Software Defined Rece- iver. Banquet tickets will not be sold at the AMSAT booth during the Ham- vention so reservations must be made through the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/item.php?id=100158 Tickets are $30 apiece. Saturday 19 May 2012 -------------------- + 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM at the AMSAT Booth AMSAT Booth open for membership renewals, books, new items and information. Outdoor satellite demonstrations right outide the Ball Arena entrance. Engineering area with Fox and ARISSat-1 satellite prototype displays. + 11:15 AM - 1:30 PM The AMSAT Forum Get the latest information about what is going on with AMSAT and its projects. The AMSAT Forum will be held in Forum Room 5. + 4:00 PM at the ARRL Stage AMSAT Vice President for Educational Relations Mark Hammond N8MH will explain the need for additional ARISS Technical Mentors and Ground Station Operators and the requirements and responsibilities needed to help provide a reliable conversation between astronauts and selected schools or groups. Sunday 20 May 2012 ------------------ + 9:00 AM - 1:00PM at the AMSAT Booth AMSAT Booth open for membership renewals, books, new items and information. Outdoor satellite demonstrations right outide the Ball Arena entrance. Engineering area with Fox and ARISSat-1 satellite prototype displays. + 1:00PM - 5:00PM at the AMSAT Booth Take down and storage of the AMSAT Booth. (contact Gould Smith, WA4SXM, wa4sxm(a)amsat.org if you can help during this time). [ANS thanks Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- May 15 Deadline to Apply for ARRL TI-2 Space in the Classroom Institute The ARRL Education & Technology Program (ETP) is offering an advanc- ed Teachers Institute (TI-2) session that focuses on space in the classroom. This four-day professional development workshop is spon- sored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association and is held in their location in Dayton, Ohio (July 9-12). The TI-2 Space curriculum focuses on the nuts and bolts of setting up and operating a satellite ground station. This serves as excellent preparation for a scheduled contact with the ISS through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. But it also provides instruction for continued use of satellites and other man made space assets to explore naturally generated signals, space and a variety of topics. Thanks to generous assistance from Yaesu USA and Ham Radio Outlet, participants will receive a full ground station that is configured for satellite communications, as well as training on how to set it up and use it to make Amateur Radio contacts and download telemetry data. To be considered for a seat in TI-2 Space, participants must possess at least a Technician class license at the time off application. ARRL membership is required. Priority for attending the TI-2 Space session will be given to teachers who have developed an educational proposal accepted for participation in the ARISS Program. This session has a class limit of 8 participants, so apply early! The deadline for the TI-2 Space in the Classroom sessions of the Teachers Institute is May 15. Full details are posted on the ARRL web at: http://www.arrl.org/ti-2-space-in-the-classroom [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Five CubeSats in Preparation for July Launch to ISS Five CubeSat teams continue work on preparations for a launch to the International Space Station in the July 18-21, 2012 time frame. These CubeSats will be launched from Tanegashima, Japan aboard the JAXA HTV-3 ISS resupply mission. The CubeSats will be loaded into the J-SSOD deployer on the Japanese Experiment Module, also known as Kibo. They will be deployed with the Kibo robotic arm planned for September, 2012 timeframe. The five CubeSats include: + Raiko + We Wish + FITSat 1 + F-1 Vietnam Student CubeSat + TechEdSat RAIKO - Wakayama University, Japan ---------------------------------- http://www.astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/RAIKO/ (Japanese) This 2U CubeSat includes experiments for: + Earth photography with a fish-eye lens camera + Photo tracking during deployment from ISS to measure relative motion. + Experimental star sensor + Membrane deployment experiment for de-orbit + High speed data communication experiment by Ku-band communication equipment: o Orbit determination experiment by Doppler frequency measurement of Ku-band beacon. o Mobile ground station and global cooperation for reception FITSAT-1 - Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Japan ------------------------------------------------- http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/fitsat.shtml The main mission of this 1U CubeSat will be a demonstration of high speed data transfer from a satellite. A second experiment aboard the satellite involves an attempt at visual tracking from the ground of the high-output LED flash to investigate the possibility of optical communication with satellites. The light from this flash will be re- ceived by the ground station equipped with a telescope with photo- multiplier linked to a parabolic antenna tracking the 5.8GHz downlink. Frequencies announced for FITSAT-1: CW Beacon 437.250 MHz, FM Data 437.445 MHz, High speed data 5840.00 MHz. WE WISH - Meisei Electric Co., Ltd., Japan ------------------------------------------ http://www.meisei.co.jp/news/2011/0617_622.html The WE WISH mission plans to investigate the monitoring the global environment from space with the use of an upper atmosphere measure- ment experiment. This includes GPS technology, and technical proof of concept of a micro infra-red camera. The team has the additional goal of contributing to local technical education through the use of CubeSat ground data acquisition. F-1 Vietnam Student CubeSat --------------------------- Vietnamese students in Hanoi plan to orbit the country's first sat- ellite, their amateur radio CubeSat F-1 with the callsign XV1VN. The satellite will carry a low resolution C328 camera and two Yaesu VX-3R transceivers using 145.980 and 437.485 MHz. + VX-3R1, 437.485 MHz FM downlink: o Solar cell power only, operates in sunlight only o Output power: max 0.3W, half-wave dipole antenna o Morse code beacon (10 chars) using PWM CW every 30 seconds + VX-3R2, 145.980 MHz FM downlink: o Rechargeable battery, operates in dark and sunlight o Output power: max 1.0W, half-wave dipole antenna o AFSK 1200bps, half duplex, one AX.25 packet every 30 seconds If the The F-1 web page at: http://fspace.edu.vn is not available the latest news and photos have been posted on the AMSAT-UK web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/5025 TechEdSat - San Jose State University ------------------------------------- http://ncasst.org/techedsat.html http://www.uk.amsat.org/5018 TechEdSat is a 1U CubeSat built by San Jose State University in part- nership with NASA Ames Research Center and AAC Microtec. It's mission is to evaluate Space Plug-and-play Avionics (SPA) designed in Sweden by AAC Microtec, and to perform a communications experiment utilizing the Iridium and Orbcomm satellite phone network. Student hands-on learning opportunities were presented during the International Space Apps Challenge on April 21-22. For this challenge, space hackers implemented a fault-tolerant command and control system, utilizing both the OrbComm and Iridium modems as uplink and downlink. Ground segment of the software includes the ability for a laptop, Apple or Android phone to issue commands to the spacecraft over Iridium/Orb- comm. The students will also be challenged with designing the capa- bility for relaying data received from the spacecraft automatically to Twitter. TechEdSat has received IARU frequency coordination for its downlink on 437.465 MHz. [ANS thanks the CubeSat teams, AMSAT-UK, and Mineo Wakita JE9PEL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval Postgraduate School Develops Multi-CubeSat Deployment System The Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG) at the US Naval Postgraduate School has developed the NPS CubeSat Launcher or NPSCuL (pronounced NPS-cool). This is an auxiliary payload platform to allow multiple CubeSats to be launched aboard rockets as secondary payload meaning the rocket would be able to carry satellites in onboard space that would otherwise be unused. NPSCuL can accommodate up to 24 CubeSats in a single ESPA-class [Sec- ondary Payload Adapter] payload volume. Upon reaching the desired orbit spring-loaded doors will release the satellites one-by-one. First flight is planned for August 2012 which will carry 11 CubeSats for the Operationally Unique Technologies Satellite (OUTSat). This will enable NPS researchers to get one of their own CubeSats into space. The NPS STARE CubeSat is part of a collaborative effort be- tween NPS and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on a proof-of-concept mission to observe other satellites and help deter mine threats posed by space debris. The NPS has published a press release available on-line at: http://tinyurl.com/CubeSat-NPSCuL (www.nps.edu). The AMSAT-UK web also provided coverage of this story at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/6375 [ANS thanks the US Naval Postgraduate School for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Successful ARISS School Contacts with California, Ecuador, and Japan Academia Cotopaxi in Quito, Ecuador ----------------------------------- On Friday, April 13, an ARISS) contact was held between students from Academia Cotopaxi in Quito, Ecuador and on-orbit astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT via station IK1SLD in Italy. Cotopaxi, an international Ameri- can school with students in grades pre-K to 12, has a strong relation- ship with Ecuador's astronaut, Ronnie Nader, and the Ecuadorian Civ- ilian Space Agency (EXA). It utilized several NASA resources in its curriculum covering space, technology and radio. Approximately 500 students and visitors were present for the event. Saitama Scout Council Japan --------------------------- Scouts from the Troop 2nd & 3rd Iruma Group, Saitama Scout Council, Scout Association of Japan participated in an ARISS contact on Satur- day, April 14. An audience of 70 people, including one magazine rep- resentative, turned out for the contact and listened as the Scouts had their questions about living on the ISS answered by on-orbit astronaut Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX. The Scouts have their own radio club, JQ1YWJ and many of the Scouts have been attending amateur radio classes to become licensed. Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy California --------------------------------------------- The Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy in Riverside, California had a successful ARISS contact on Thursday, April 19. The telebridge sta tion IK1SLD in Italy provided the radio connection with the ISS. The ARISS contact complemented a comprehensive education plan to pique students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). After the event, ARISS mentor Clint Bradford, K6LCS declared, "SUCCESS at Flabob Airport this morning! Flight engineer Pettit answered all seventeen of our questions - from fifteen students." There were 211 in the audience, including 120 Flabob students, media, city council members, Gordon West and Don Arnold, and other dignitaries, AND a lot of parents, too! Media coverage of the Flabob ARISS contact included California's sixth largest daily newspaper, The Press-Enterprise, sent a reporter, video- grapher, and photographer, the Bob Heil & Gordon West mediacast, Ham Nation, sent a videographer - and the contact will be on an episode of their webcast in the next couple of weeks. Newspaper coverage in- cluded the editor and publisher of The Riverside County Record. Clint was interviewed on PBS radio affiliate KVCR. The Inland Empire Tele- vision Network videotaped the entire event. The Press-Enterprise is the region's major newspaper. Links to their video, article, and photographs are posted on ISS-Flabob site blog at: http://www.iss-flabob.com/ISS-Flabob/Blog/Blog.html Clint invites you to check out http://www.iss-flabob.com since this site created for the ARISS event also offers links and publications on amateur radio, our space programs, ARISS, AMSAT, ARRL, ham radio licensing - and MORE - on the MORE INFO page. [ANS thanks Carol Jackson, KB3LKI and the Amateur Radio on the Inter- national Space Station (ARISS) Status Report for April 16, 2012 and Clint Bradford, K6LCS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Two Months to Field Day - AMSAT FD Rules Posted AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO reminds you that time of year is once again approaching - Field Day! Each year the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors Field Day as an emergency preparedness exercise. The event takes place during a 24-hour period on the fourth weekend of June. For 2012 the event takes place during a 27-hour period between 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 23, 2012 and 2100 UTC on Sunday June 24, 2012. Those who set up prior to 1800 UTC on June 23 can operate only 24 hours. The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) promotes its own ver- sion of Field Day for operation via the amateur satellites, held con- currently with the ARRL event. With the loss of AO-51 and SO-67 field day this year is going to be most challenging. If you are considering ONLY the FM voice satellites like AMRAD-OSCAR-27 or SaudiSat-Oscar-50 for your primary AMSAT Field Day focus: Don't, unless you are simply hoping to make one contact for the ARRL rules bonus points. The congestion on FM LEO satellites was so intense in prior years that we must continue to limit their use to one-QSO-per-FM-satellite. This includes the International Space Station. You will be allowed one QSO if the ISS is operating Voice. You will also be allowed one digital QSO with the ISS or any other digital, non-store-and-forward, packet satellite (if operational). If you have worked the satellites on Field Day in recent years, you may have noticed a lot of good contacts can be made on some of the less-populated, low-earth-orbit satellites like VUSat OSCAR-52,Fuji- OSCAR 29 (may or may not be operational), AMSAT-OSCAR 7. During Field Day the transponders come alive like 20 meters on a weekend. The good news is that the transponders on these satellites will support multi- ple simultaneous contacts. The bad news is that you can't use FM, just low duty cycle modes like SSB and CW. The AMSAT Field Day 2012 event is open to all Amateur Radio operators. Amateurs are to use the exchange as specified in ARRL rules for Field Day. The AMSAT competition is to encourage the use of all amateur sat- ellites, both analog and digital. For the complete listing of the AMSAT Field Day Rules please refer to the documents posted on-line at: http://www.amsatnet.com/fd2012.doc http://www.amsatnet.com/fd2012.pdf Links are also accessible from http://www.amsat.org front page. [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FAA CARSR Radar May Impose Amateur Operating Restrictions on 23cm An ARRL bulletin this week noted that the Federal Aviation Adminis- tration (FAA) is deploying a new generation of Common Air Route Sur- veillance Radar (CARSR) that has some implications for the use of the 1240-1300 MHz (23 cm) band by amateurs. The Amateur Service allocation in this band is on a secondary basis, with aeronautical radionavigation and several other services primary in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations. The FCC rules require that amateur stations operating in the 23 cm band may not cause harmful interference to stations in the radionavigation-satel- lite service, the aeronautical radionavigation service, the Earth exploration-satellite service or the space research service. One case of harmful interference in Southern California has been re- ported. CARSRs are being installed in several dozen locations through- out the country and will use various frequencies in the 1240-1350 MHz range with an occupied bandwidth of about 3 MHz. In the vicinity of the radars, amateur operation may be precluded in a portion of the 23 cm band. The ARRL is in contact with FAA engineers. The ARRL said they anticipate that the constraints on amateur use of the band will be limited to those necessary to protect aviation safety, which of course cannot be compromised. The bulletin is posted on the ARRL web at: http://www.arrl.org/news/amateurs-must-protect-new-radars-in-23-cm-band [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK on Satellites for World Amateur Radio Day Members of AMSAT-UK operated on the amateur radio satellites from the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park to celebrate World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. World Amateur Radio Day commemorates the founding of the Internation- al Amateur Radio Union (IARU) on April 18, 1925. This year's theme was "Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in re- membrance of the launching of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. Those taking part in the event were Jim G3WGM, Dave G4DPZ, Trevor M5AKA, Ciaran M0XTD, Matthew SWL, Clive G3CWV, Carlos G0AKI and Elaine G4LFM. The satellites worked during the day included FO-29 and AO-7 and contacts were made with stations across Europe using the 144 and 430 MHz bands. The equipment used comprised a Kenwood TS-2000 with WiMo X quads for 144 and 430 MHz, with pre amps and polarisation switches. Read the rest of this article, along with links to photos and video on-line on the AMSAT-UK web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/6516 [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- UK Will Restrict Use of Amateur Satellite Frequencies During Olympics Trevor, M5AKA has filed the following notice on the AMSAT-UK web. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be using almost half of the 430 MHz amateur radio allocation as well as segments of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz during the period June 28 to September 23. The impact on the Amateur-satellite Service 435-438 MHz allocation has been restricted to 436.25-437.25 MHz. It is understood that the equipment being used in the 430 MHz band will include handheld FM rigs at the hotels, the routes to the venues and the venues them- selves. The UK communications regulator Ofcom has provided details of the areas that need to be protected from RF within the designated fre- quency ranges. Follow the link to the AMSAT-UK web provided below for the details of the region affected by the restrictions. Ofcom say the use of radio by Amateurs in the designated areas could cause interference to Games applications; it is also possible that higher power transmissions from outside these areas could cause in- terference. Consequently, to avoid the risk of interference to Games applications, Ofcom request that Amateurs do not operate within the frequency ranges identified in the areas defined in Annexes A and B, and that Amateurs ensure that any signals that could be received in these areas are negligible. This indicates that the specified fre- quency ranges should be avoided for a considerable distance outside the designated zones. Clearly a well equipped station on a good site 75 km from the edge of a zone could still put a signal into that area. Full story on AMSAT-UK web at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/6574 [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA and AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Silent Key - Greg Butler, KI4OTG AMSAT has received the sad news of the passing of satellite operator Greg Butler, KI4OTG of Memphis, Tennessee. Greg had a a heart attack on April 18 and did not survive it. He just turned 48 in February. He is survived by his 18 year old son Rick Tillman, WA4NVM noted, "Greg was one of the truly nice guys, always polite and there to help. It's been our great pleasure and privilege to know and work with him in the Memphis ham community. He will truly be missed. God bless your soul faithful servant," John Papay, K8YSE recalled, "Greg was one of the most courteous operators that I've known. He was active on the birds and enjoyed working new grids. Greg was a gentlemen. We will miss hearing his voice on the birds." [ANS thanks Rick Tillman, WA4NVM and John Papay, K8YSE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + It is time to submit nominations for the upcoming open seats on the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors. Three directors and two alternate directors have terms expiring this year. The director seats open for election are held by Tom Clark, K3IO; Lou McFadin, W5DID; and Gould Smith, WA4SXM. The alternate director seats open for election are held by Mark Hammond, N8MH and Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK. The AMSAT front page news at http://www.amsat.org has the instructions to submit your nominations. + The 2012 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Symposium will be held at the Holiday Inn, Orlando (Florida) Airport on October 26-28, 2012. Watch for the Call for Papers and more details as they become available. If you are interested in a Monday Trip (October 29) to the Kennedy Space Center please contact Martha via email: martha at amsat.org. The trip will include a round trip bus from the hotel and entrance to the Space Center. The cost will be about $100. This is a wonderful experience for those that haven't been and for those that have been multiple times. We need to get an idea of how many will participate to select the correct bus. + If you worked KP4FD as members of the Puerto Rico Field Day Group celebrated the IARU "World Amateur Radio Day" on April 18 you can receive an electronic certificate by sending a request via WP3GW. The group will also provide confirmations will be via eQSL and LoTW. + The next Hudson Valley Satcom net date is Thursday, April 26 at 8:00 PM EDT (UTC -4) on the 146.970 MHz repeater, and also on the N2EYH-L Echolink node. More info: http://www.hvsatcom.org/ (via Stu, WA2BSS) + Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 31st Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference on September 21-23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 or via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org. + UniverseToday posted a collection of photos of the Shuttle Discovery final flight aboard NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during its Washington DC overflight and delivery to the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. See: http://www.universetoday.com/94660/discovery-does-dulles-dc/ Video of the event is posted at: http://tinyurl.com/April17-Discovery Photos and a video of Discovery's departure from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida are posted at: http://tinyurl.com/Florida-Discovery NASA Goddard Center photos of the flight over Washington DC are at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/discoverygoddard/ A time-lapse photo panorama of Discovery's take-off from Florida: http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/images/pano_full.jpg + See how the moon appears to the crew aboard the ISS: http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/moon-iss.jpg + Students at Drexel University need mentoring in setting up a ground station. If you can help please contact Nick Pugh, K5QXJ via e-mail at quadpugh(a)bellsouth.net and he will put you in touch with the pro- fessor leading the cubesat program. + Painstakingly assembled from over 150,000 digital photos taken over the course of eight months, this stunning time-lapse video of aurora-filled Arctic skies is the latest creation by photo/ video artist Ole C. Salomonsen. Take a moment, turn up the sound, sit back and enjoy the show! Play this too much and the XYL is go- ing to wonder what you're up to in the shack: http://tinyurl.com/Celestial-Lights (universetoday.com) [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 how fast we are going as the Earth orbits the sun at an average speed close to 30 km per second. The Sun travels at a speed of 250 km per second, but it still takes 230 million years for it to complete a single revolution of the galaxy. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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em43/53 grid trip
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

To all who worked me today in em43 and 53 that need a card,please send me your log info and I will send you the card Thanks to all 73 WA4HFN Damon

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satchat issues
by Vince Waelti 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

Hi all, I have been having issues with Echolink...so I haven't been able to run my own net! Although...feel free to use the net reflector if I am not present. Does anyone know why my mic will not work with Echolink? Vince Waelti, K9TSUWX9MCS Skywarn Control OperatorMidwest SSTRC Spotter: MW-314 Green County ARES/SKYWARN Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN (608)312.0138 www.k9tsu.tk

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New use for APRS
by Jim Wright 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

Battery condition tester? When I got out of my Silverado last weekend with the Kenwood 710 left on in beacon mode and voice alert, the dummy that was driving forgot to turn off the 710. After sitting for a week in this condition while I went in for surgery, the battery was dead when I tried to start the truck today. First I thought the key fob battery was dead, so I entered with a key. Truck would not start, not even the errrrhhhhh or click click of the flywheel trying to engage. I was curious how long it was able to transmit, so I went to APRS.FI and looked for my last 1000 raw packets. It turns out that it died on 04-19 at 0412utc. A search will show the next packet was at22:05:19utc on 4-21, so this makes a good monitor of when the radiio is too weak to speak APRS. I thought you would get a chuckle out of this and maybe even produce an app for our cell phones that will tell us we left the radio on. HI I know the 710 is not wired through a switched connection to the battery (on purpose) so I can work events with the keys in my pocket. 73, and thanks for all the fun I have had since I heard packet racket for the first time on K4UMI's 146.34/94 repeater at the Lunar Lander at NACA Langley and got a GLB PK1 to decode it with. Jim WA4IVM FM17rc

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Re: SK in EM55
by John Papay 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

I was sorry to hear about the passing of Greg, KI4OTG. Greg was one of the most courteous operators that I've known. He was active on the birds and enjoyed working new grids. My log shows that he worked me on my Lake Superior Grid Expedition in 28 out of the 32 grids I operated from. He did that in just 31 contacts! That was quite an accomplishment and speaks volumes as to what kind of operator he was. Greg was a gentlemen. We will miss hearing his voice on the birds. John K8YSE

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SK in EM55
by Rick - WA4NVM 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

Hi fellow AMSAT members, We, in the Memphis area, are sad to report Greg, KI4OTG had a heart attack this past Wednesday afternoon and did not survive it. He just turned 48 in Feb. He was one of the truly nice guys, always polite and there to help. It's been our great pleasure and privilege to know and work with Greg in the Memphis ham community. He will truly be missed. He is survived by his 18 year old son. God bless your soul faithful servant, Rick WA4NVM

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EM43 and 53
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

I will TRY to be in em43 today for the AO27 pass around 18:18 utc and in em53 on AO27 around 19:57 utc. again I said I will TRY my best WA4HFN Damon

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CQ Europe
by K4FEG 21 Apr '12

21 Apr '12

Good Morning Europe! I will be on AO7 Mode B in the morning, trying to work into Europe. I am far enough inland of the US that my "footprint" into Europe will be brief. I am in EM55aj for anyone who wants to look for me, my AOS will be at approximately 10:18:20UTC. I will be calling "CQ Europe" if you might be interested in attempting a contact listen for me and drop me an email. 73' all K4FEG EM55aj

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Cuban special station on Sat (Setback)
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

Hello Guys As regards T40IARU special station on Satellites. We have not received yet the license to operate using the special call sign. The process has been longer than we expected. We hope receive it in the next hours. If we don’t receive it on time for the operation `s schedule, we will evaluate the possibility of use other licensed call sign. We will tell you about it on the next hours. 73! Hector, CO6CBF *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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AMSAT-NA Board Nominations
by Alan P. Biddle 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

All, Our US members have finished their taxes, so I will take this opportunity to remind ALL AMSAT-NA members that we are approaching the time when nominations to the Board of Directors must be submitted. This year, 3 seats will be open. Also, up to two alternates can be elected. The deadline for submission is 15 June. Please see the AMSAT-NA web page for details on the process: WWW.AMSAT.ORG Whether you would like to run yourself, know somebody who you would like to see elected and is willing to serve, or want to see someone returned to office, this is YOUR chance to get involved with the decisions process! Alan WA4SCA AMSAT-NA Corporate Secretary

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MObile AZ/EL driver
by Bob Bruninga 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

Controller maintains AZ/EL of G5500 rotator to Balloon while mobile. Been wanting to do this for over a decade. It used to be in APRSdos, but since few use that anymore, I made it into a stand-alone dongle that goes between the vehicle GPS and the G5500 rotator. Another input goes to a TNC (or D7/700/710) to receive the position and altitude of the balloon. Reason for it is our Balloon next Friday afternoon from Annapolis, MD will have a wireless camera on board 2.4 GHz and so we need a high gain tracking antenna to follow the balloon. It's a low flier at 5000' or so. Then we will cut loose before we hit the Atlantic. It is not yet ready for prime time, so don't ask. When I get it all documented, Ill let you know: http://aprs.org/balloons.html Bob, WB4aPR

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Front Page, Above the Fold
by Clint Bradford 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

Our ARISS project at Flabob Airport coverage by California's sixth largest daily newspaper - The Press-Enterprise - made the FRONT PAGE of the newspaper - ABOVE THE FOLD - with color photo of one of our students at the mic and the slide of Pettit and the question behind him ... with MORE photos on Page 2. You bet I'll scan it and post it on our blog ... Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com

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Polar Field Reversal as observed with Hinode
by Trevor . 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

This may be of interest to some: http://hinode.nao.ac.jp/news/120419PressRelease/index_e.shtml 73 Trevor M5AKA

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28th National Space Symposium
by Trevor . 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

Pictures and videos from the 28th National Space Symposium in Colorado are now available, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/6565 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Flabob - Media Hits
by Clint Bradford 20 Apr '12

20 Apr '12

The Press-Enterprise is our region's major newspaper. Links to their video, article, and some WONDERFUL photographs all on our blog at ... http://www.iss-flabob.com/ISS-Flabob/Blog/Blog.html I just returned home from receiving our Space Week in Jurupa Valley proclamation from our city council. What a day! Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com

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Re: ARISS-Flabob Airport SUCCESSFUL
by Clint Bradford 19 Apr '12

19 Apr '12

YES - Typo was there - and being the first to identify it, you get a prize! Privately send me your email address, and I will send you a copy of the four-page program handed out to guests to our event this morning! Clint 909-241-7666 On Apr 19, 2012, at 5:53 PM, Stephen E. Belter wrote: Clint, dude, calm down - there's a typo in your URL ...

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ITAR in ARRL Executive Committee Minutes
by Trevor . 19 Apr '12

19 Apr '12

It's good to see ITAR getting a mention in the ARRL Executive Committee Minutes. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/6542 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ARISS-Flabob Airport SUCCESSFUL
by Clint Bradford 19 Apr '12

19 Apr '12

SUCCESS at Flabob Airport this morning! Flight engineer Pettit answered all seventeen of our questions - from fifteen students. 211 in the audience, including 120 Flabob students, media, city council members, Gordon West and Don Arnold, and other dignataries. AND a lot of parents, too! California's sixth largest daily newspaper, The Press-Enterprise, sent a reporter, videographer, and photographer. The Bob Heil & Gordon West mediacast, Ham Nation, sent a videographer - and we will be on an episode in the next couple of weeks. The editor and publisher of The Riverside County Record newspaper was there - acting as reporter and photographer. I have received several messages from friends who heard my six-minute interview on our local PBS radio affiliate, KVCR, this morning. The Inland Empire Television Network videotaped the entire event. MORE COMING - Watch our Web site at ... http://www-iss-flabob.com ... as we offer links and publications on amateur radio, our space programs, ARISS, AMSAT, ARRL, ham radio licensing - and MORE - on our MORE INFO page. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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NOAA APT pictures with FUNCube dongle
by Roland Zurmely 19 Apr '12

19 Apr '12

The yellow + is my QTH : Sete Lagoas GH70un in Minas Gerais state, Brasil. http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/apt.htm 73 de Roland.

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help with ground station
by Nick Pugh 19 Apr '12

19 Apr '12

The students at Drexel University need some mentoring in setting up a ground station . If you can help please contact me off list and I will put you in touch with the professor leading the cube sat program. Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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ARISS Project at Flabob Airport
by Clint Bradford 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

Thirteen months in the making ... Here's our hangar setup for tomorrow's ARISS contact with flight engineer Pettit - http://youtu.be/ByOgbWfHKws We will continue to use our project's Web site after tomorrow to promote amateur radio and our space program. I will be creating a "More Info" page in the next few hours. Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.iss-flabob.com

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Possible Asiatic Russia on Satellites
by JoAnne Maenpaa 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

Our satellite operator friends in range of Asiatic Russia may find this news from the DXNL 1776 - Apr 18, 2012 DX Newsletter interesting: UA9, ASIATIC RUSSIA RA9LR, RV9LF, UA9LAC, UA9LAO, UA9LEW, UA9LL, UA9LP, UA9LT and UB9LBS will sign RK9LWA/9 from the Olenyi Ruchyi nature park in CW, SSB and digital modes on 80m-10m (maybe also SSB/FM via satellite on 2m/70cm) from Apr 19-22. QSL via UA9LP, bureau QSLs can be requested via e-mail to ua9lp(a)mail.ru This news would be too late if we waited for the weekend ANS news cycle. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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SatPC32 question..& IC910H
by Ted 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

I'm stumped.. I have CAT control turned on and ISS selected. In CAT control, I have 144.49 and 145.800 selected and that is what shows in the uplink/downlink widow above the map. SATL function is on in the radio. BUT, the top window on the radio shows 145.800, but the bottom window (vfo a) shows 437.800. I can't find a way to change that Any help appreciated. SatPC is v 12.8b registered 73, Ted, K7TRK

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APRS remote WX opportunity
by Bob Bruninga 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

Anyone want to put their APRS or Satellite talents on the air in Mongolia? A Scientist goes there each summer and has the opportunity to put some small solar powered APRS weather trackers on the air (via the ISS). Here is his idea: If anyone... would like to hack together 2 or 3 small solar powered APRS transmitters and 2 meter antennas that are attached to a very small weather station (ONLY humidity, pressure, temperature, sunlight) we can leave them on mountain tops in the GOBI of Mongolia this summer. The transmitter and solar panel (with some lithium re-charge batts.) can be set to squirt data every 5 or 10 minutes. Basically, the signal will go straight up, and this will hit the ARISS space station APRS repeater about 4 times per day. If there is a receiving gateway APRS-internet station in Russia, China, or Japan under the footprint of the repeater, then we can get data on weather in the Gobi for a year or maybe more depending on the robustness of the transmitter, batt, solar panel. What do you think? These would be non-recoverable items. Just a thought that may interest people. This would be a normal HAM "no budget operation" and it has to be very small. Probably not enough time this year, so I can set up a test system this year on our Landcruiser there with my Kenwood HT and we can see if we can repeat data into the Internet with 5 watts and with APRS from the Gobi while I am there. Fun stuff - I think. I would love to set up remote weather stations like that deposited in areas where we did our work to get env. data that way, that would be so cool, until a wild Camelus bactrianus ate one... then maybe we could get gastro-physiol. data on one of them..... --------------

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Last Call
by Martha 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

Tomorrow is the last day you can reserve a room in the AMSAT block for Dayton. I have to turn in the rooming list on Friday. If you are interested, call me at 301-589-6062. -- 73- Martha

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Cuban special station on Sat
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 18 Apr '12

18 Apr '12

Hello Guys After, the three successfully activities made on the last weekend by the Cuba's recently founded "Grupo de Radioaficionados para Operaciones Satelitales"(GROS) commemorating the first human manned spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin, the inaugural launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle and the 87th Anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. We are pleased to inform that we will be activating for very first time a special event stations on satellites. We will continue celebrating the World Amateur Radio Day on the 87th Anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union, IARU. As you know, this year´s theme for the World Amateur Radio Day is Amateur Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space in remembrance the launching of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. We will be on Satellites during April 21. The special call sign is T40IARU and tentative operation is from EL92, EL83 and FL11. Please, QSL via CO2FRC (via direct) 73 & see you on the birds! Hector, CO6CBF GROS`s vice-coordinator *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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array rebuild
by Bob- W7LRD 17 Apr '12

17 Apr '12

My whole satellite UVL&S stuff is down in the shop (sobsob). Has anyone done a rebuild or refurbish of the G5400 az/el rotors? I am looking for some information before I "crack" them open, like what to do etc. I doubt if I'll ever be using my L&S stuff again (sobsob). I'll save it just in case I live long enough! 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: KH2?
by Bill Dzurilla 17 Apr '12

17 Apr '12

Americans don't appreciate the vastness of the Pacific. I remember when a colleague was leaving my firm in New Orleans to move to Guam. She said the flight would take 24 hours. I said, "Why 24 hours? My flight to Hawaii was only 11 hours, and Guam is right next to Hawaii." However, Guam is not "right next" to Hawaii. The distance between Hawaii and Guam is further than the distance between Guam and New Orleans. Steve, hope you can find some folks to work from Guam, should be fun. 73, Bill NZ5N Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: KH2? Message-ID: <7042281.1025930.1334660212913.JavaMail.root@vms170029> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 A couple of people have responded to me, but it's not clear that the geography and geometry is obvious to everyone. >From all I've read, the maximum distance anyone has worked AO-27 is about 3300 miles. This distance is limited by the altitude of the satellite. (My calculation of the AO-27 footprint diameter at apogee is 3775 miles, but that would imply a zero-duration window with a satellite at the exact midpoint. 3300 miles seems reasonable to allow time for a short QSO.) Guam is about 3800 miles WSW of Honolulu, so even that path is not possible, let alone anything on North America. Possibilities within a 3000 mile range appear to be places like Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines, maybe Australia, etc. Steve Melachrinos W3HF/KH2 (for the next 12 days)

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So67
by mm0kjg 17 Apr '12

17 Apr '12

Hi all. Any news on So67 . Will it be returning as an active sat. Cheers Kev

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Re: ANYBODY IN ILLINIOS?
by Mervyn Hecht 17 Apr '12

17 Apr '12

George, sorry I didn't see this until now, Tuesday morning almost 3:00 UTC. My email address is <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com>. Please email me a pass that you think will work for us. I have business meetings today out of the house from 1900 z to 2400z, so today might not work as well as most days. Thursday April 19th I will be home all day so if you suggest a pass that day, or two, it would be great. Please email me direct. Merv KO6E

2 1

Re: KH2?
by Stephen Melachrinos 17 Apr '12

17 Apr '12

A couple of people have responded to me, but it's not clear that the geography and geometry is obvious to everyone. >From all I've read, the maximum distance anyone has worked AO-27 is about 3300 miles. This distance is limited by the altitude of the satellite. (My calculation of the AO-27 footprint diameter at apogee is 3775 miles, but that would imply a zero-duration window with a satellite at the exact midpoint. 3300 miles seems reasonable to allow time for a short QSO.) Guam is about 3800 miles WSW of Honolulu, so even that path is not possible, let alone anything on North America. Possibilities within a 3000 mile range appear to be places like Japan, China, Taiwan, Philippines, maybe Australia, etc. Steve Melachrinos W3HF/KH2 (for the next 12 days)

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GB-5500
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 16 Apr '12

16 Apr '12

I have an extra GB-5500, It has several minor "issues". If you want more info e-mail me k8tl(a)earthlink.net. Tom K8TL

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ANYBODY IN ILLINIOS?
by Mervyn Hecht 16 Apr '12

16 Apr '12

if you are in Illinois and can set up a schedule with me on any sat I would be appreciative. Merv KO6E

2 1

Anyone in Dublin, Ireland or Edinburgh, Scotland?
by Bruce 15 Apr '12

15 Apr '12

Looks like the family vacation this year will be across the pond. Anyone in Dublin, Ireland or Edinburgh, Scotland, please contact me off the list. Have a few questions. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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KH2?
by Stephen J. Melachrinos 15 Apr '12

15 Apr '12

Is there any interest/need for FM satellite contacts from Guam? I have a long business trip starting tomorrow (on the island from 18-28 April), and am willing to make the effort if there are those who need KH2 and the satellites are available. It's been a number of years since I was active on the birds, and I'm not sure of the status of all of them. I know that AO-51 is gone, I think AO-27 and SO-50 are still available, and don't know about any of the newer ones. My equipment consists of a Yaesu VX5R and Arrow, so I'm limited to the FM satellites. Given the coverage of LEOs, I don't even know if there are other operators that could work me while on Guam. But I'm willing to give it a shot. My other limitation is that this is primarily a work trip, so operating times will be limited and controlled by work schedules. So if this is of interest and useful to someone, please let me know, and we'll see if I can make it happen. Steve W3HF (soon to be /KH2)

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NOAA weather picture received with funcube dongle.
by Eric Knaps, ON4HF 14 Apr '12

14 Apr '12

Hello all, Anybody wants to see my received NOAA APT pictures that I receive with my FunCube dongle? Here's the link: https://picasaweb.google.com/ON4HF.Eric/NOAAWeatherPictures Pictures will be added in the future. 73, Eric. -- Amateur Radio Station ON4HF Eric Knaps Satellite manager UBA http://www.on4hf.be

2 1

Fox-1 PayPal widget
by Andrew Glasbrenner 14 Apr '12

14 Apr '12

I just noticed our PayPal widget is one modest donation from breaking $6000! Thank you to all of you who have helped fund the Fox satellite, some of you multiple times. Be sure to stop by the booth at Dayton to see what we have been up to! 73, Drew KO4MA

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TechEdSat – Challenge for Space Hackers – April 21-22
by Trevor . 14 Apr '12

14 Apr '12

The International Space Apps Challenge is a 2 day technology development event, taking place April 21-22. Among the challenges for Space Hackers is one relating to the amateur radio CubeSat TechEdSat. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/6478 ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK news on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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TSUBAME
by Mineo Wakita 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

TSUBAME is the meaning of 'Swallow'. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/tsubame1.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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NB2F/SK
by Vince Waelti 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

We did on the Friday Night Fun net at 2000hrs Central tonight, a one minute all keys down moment of silence for NB2F, Dee. This was held on the WX9MCS/r in Rockford,Il. I have the net recorded. He will be missed. Vince Waelti, K9TSUWX9MCS Skywarn Control Operator Green County ARES/SKYWARN Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN (608)312.0138 www.k9tsu.tk

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UT1FG/MM QSL Manager UX0FY
by John Papay 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

I just received an email from Eugene UX0FY regarding the UT1FG/MM qsl status. Eugene has received a new batch of cards and he also has logs from Yuri. I'm not sure of the last date in the log but I would suppose that Yuri sent that info to his manager within the last week or two. So if you are wanting to confirm some contacts, please send your requests to Eugene at his QRZ.com address. 73, John K8YSE

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The Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest 2012
by kl 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

All, Fedor, RN1NW reports that he and others will be active on satellite this weekend for the Yuri Gagarin DX contest. AO7 offers good windows for contacts. This contest offers a good opportunity to work DX via satellite. Date: from 21.00 UTC on April 14th till 21.00 UTC on April 15th, 2012. See the link for contest details. http://gc.qst.ru/en/section/32 73 WC7V Kerry

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AO-51 wikipedia error
by Andrew Glasbrenner 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

Hi All, Would someone more familiar with wikipedia please edit the photo currently claimed as AO-51 in that entry? I'm not sure what satellite that is, maybe one of the SaudiSats, but it's not 51. The error was carried over to this month's QST even. http://n4hy.smugmug.com/AMSAT/AO-51-ECHO/02-Preparing-ECHO/042-CIMG1769/108… is a good shot of AO-51 just before launch. Thanks, Drew KO4MA

4 3

Japanese Satellites Future
by Mineo Wakita 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

Horyu-2 http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/horyu2jp.htm RAIKO, FITSAT-1, WE WISH http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/kibocube.htm STARS-II, TeikyoSat-3, Komolebi, KSAT2, INVADER, OPUSAT, ITF-1 http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxa_gpm.htm RISING-2, SPROUT, UNIFORM-1, SOCRATES http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxalos2.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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EXP-1 satellite
by David Hopkins 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

Gentlemen, Anyone know where I can download the decoder for this satellite? Every place I try points me to the university that built the satellite and their link does not work for me. Thanks David David G. Hopkins (VK4ZF) CAPALABA QLD AUSTRALIA 27.32.38S 153.12.03E QG62OL Skype :- davhop

2 1

North Korean Launch Failure
by B J 13 Apr '12

13 Apr '12

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17698438 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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