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AMSAT Store
by Martha 12 Jan '12

12 Jan '12

The AMSAT store is now up and running! -- 73- Martha

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SatPC key?
by Ted 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

I need to purchase a key for PCSat The link to the AMSAT Store is not working.. Where else can I go, pse? TK, K7TRK

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Re: Question of the Day - Portable Power
by Clint Bradford 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Many chapters of the indispensable guide to everything you need to know about portable power - the book, "Batteries in a Portable World" - are available absolutely free online from ... http://www.cadex.com I don't leave home without it. Literally: I bought a Kindle version ... (grin) Clint K6LCS

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HI4/AJ5C Operations
by Bob Herrell 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Thanks for all the contacts. Today I was able to confirm the following stations during the pass: N3YKF, WA5KBH, KF5LOQ, W1PA, KB1RVT, WB3CSY, N2BX, W3KXR, WB8TGY, KD8QBA, N2HVR, K8YSE/P and WC7V. To see where I am, go to this link. I operate in a pasture next to a baseball field on the east side of town. http://aprs.fi/?_s=os&call=a%2FAJ5C-12 73, Bob - HI4/AJ5C

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AO-27 11/1801z pass
by Bob Herrell 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Thanks for all the contacts. Today I was able to confirm the following stations during the pass: N3YKF, WA5KBH, KF5LOQ, W1PA, KB1RVT, WB3CSY, N2BX, W3KXR, WB8TGY, KD8QBA, N2HVR, K8YSE/P and WC7V. To see where I am, go to this link. I operate in a pasture next to a baseball field on the east side of town. http://aprs.fi/?_s=os&call=a%2FAJ5C-12 73, Bob - HI4/AJ5C

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Re: Palm Springs HamFest 01/28/12
by Mike and Paula Herr 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Yep, Looks like myself and XYL Paula, N6VGW, will be making it. Hope to see you all there. 73 Mike WA6ARA On 1/10/2012 12:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > > Hi! > > Besides Clint, is anyone else considering a trip to the hamfest > in Palm Springs?

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Re: Vega to launch in February
by Andrew Glasbrenner 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

>Why not take the awaiting ARISSAT engineering units already built and put >a known battery in one of them? Uh Oh, Gould's stomach is growling--HA! >Dee > I know some of you are just having fun, but some really think it's just this easy. Let me sprinkle a little reality here. Vega offered a free launch to EUROPEAN educational CUBESAT projects. Since some of the ones chosen failed to meet the deadline for delivery, had a EUROPEAN group had a 1U cubesat ready to fly, it might have had a chance. The remaining ARISSats have no deployment system, meaning no way to hold it to the rocket, and no way to turn it on, unless someone wants to ride along to flip the three switches and sling it out upon command. Furthermore, ARISSat is volume-wise as large as the two primary payloads, LARES and ALMAsat, and has roughly 50 times the mass of either of the missing cubesats. Fox-1 (and presumably FunCube?) will have more than one flight-capable model built. Fox-1 plans four total, at least two ready to fly, and the other two needing only panels (the expensive part). Had the timing been different, we might have had a spare we could have offered to be flown, but Fox is not that far along yet. BUT! This is the beauty of the cubesat standard. Even if the vehicle changes, the requirements remain the same (or close enough), and late substitutions can be made, possibly. My point is, support Fox-1 and -2 (and FunCube) -now-, so that when the next empty slot turns up, we might be at the point we can respond with a flight ready spacecraft. My version of reality....yours may differ :-) 73, Drew KO4MA

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Vega to launch in February
by g0mrf＠aol.com 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

FYI 300 x 1450km http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16480111 "Europe has named Thursday 9 February as the day it intends to launch its new Vega rocket for the very first time. The 30m-tall vehicle has been developed to take payloads up to 1.5 tonnes into a polar orbit, and will fly from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. The project has been led by Italian industry and is years behind on its original schedule......... David G0MRF

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Question of the day!
by g.shirville＠btinternet.com 11 Jan '12

11 Jan '12

Hi All, It is "said that" NiCad battery cells usually fail to "short circuit" and that Lithium Ion ones usually fail by just loosing their ability to hold a charge viz they go "open circuit" Is this true or....? many thanks Graham G3VZV

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Re: Vega to launch in February
by n0jy＠lavabit.com 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

I think that the hardware, whether sitting on a shelf or being built, is rather expensive go around blowing up. Not to mention the work put into designing and building the things. Jerry N0JY > Don't > we have some hardware "sitting on the shelf" that we could offer up to the > gods of maiden launches??? Like a linear transponder instead of a > single-channel FM transponder? > > John, Amsat-NA LM #2292 > W0JT >

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Re: AO-27 pass 10 Jan 1840z
by Bill Acito W1PA 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

...and to Bob, the pass was well-handled on your end, btw (on _both_ ends of the Q's, actually). A credit to everyone; I was expecting total chaos. Patiently waiting as the "big" stations get their grid/entity, hopefully we "handhelds" will get the Q. I made a lot of Q's after you left my foot-print on that pass. :-) Does your schedule allow you to work the earlier passes as well (e.g. the 16:55 - 1710 pass today, along the east coast) Bill W1PA (FT-530 and Arrow)

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NUTS Norwegian CubeSat Project
by Trevor . 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

A 2U CubeSat aiming for a launch in 2014, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/3637 The specification document says "145 MHz and 347 MHz tranceivers. VHF is primary downlink, UHF is primary uplink" I presume the 347 MHz is a typo and should be 437 MHz. 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ----

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AO-27 pass 10 Jan 1840z
by Bob Herrell 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

Hi all, Good contacts for AO-27 10/1840z de HI4/AJ5C: K8YSE, N5UXT, N1HOQ, NX9B, XE2AT, WA8SME, KD8CAO and KE3LB That was a really fast 2.5 minutes. Hope to be on the eastern pass tomorrow @1810z. 73, Bob - HI4/AJ5C

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Palm Springs HamFest 01/28/12
by Clint Bradford 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

AMSAT area coordination Clint Bradford K6LCS will again be attending and demonstrating working ham satellites with minimal equipment at the third annual Desert Radio Amateur Transmitting Society's HamFest on Saturday, January 28, 2012. "Although we have recently lost two FM ham satellites - AO-51 and ARISSat-1 - we still have "easy birds" of AO-27, SO-50, and the ISS to work with minimal equipment," Clint reports. "We have tentative passes of AO-27 and SO-50 in the afternoon to work during the Hamfest." If you are interested in working one of these passes with Clint, download his four-page tutorial with frequency tables at ... http://www.work-sat.com Clint will have info at his table on working the satellites with just your handheld radio, as well as info about the upcoming ARISS project in April: students at Riverside's Flabob Airport are gearing up to speak with an astronaut aboard the ISS. Hamfest Web site: http://desertrats.am /end/

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Video of ISS Descartes High School Contact
by Trevor . 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

A video of Monday's ISS Descartes High School contact can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/3622 AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Trevor M5AKA ----

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I: [CubeSat] Nanosat frequency spectrum issues & the World Radio Conference 2012
by Gi. (Ab2vy) 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device -----Original Message----- From: Wouter Jan Ubbels <w.j.ubbels(a)isispace.nl> Sender: cubesat-bounces(a)cubesat.org Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 15:53:32 To: <cubesat(a)cubesat.org> Subject: [CubeSat] Nanosat frequency spectrum issues & the World Radio Conference 2012 Dear smallsat / nanosatellite / CubeSat developers, as you may be aware, obtaining frequency spectrum for nanosatellites is not always easy. Especially, experimental / technology proof-of-concept demonstration missions find it increasingly more difficult to find spectrum in todays crowded bands. Whilst for some missions, amateur radio spectrum might fit the bill, for others this is less suitable since the mission does not fully meet the criteria in order to operate in the bands allocated to the amateur satellite service. On the other hand, "commercial" or research space allocations often are not feasible from a budget point of view because of the large fees involved, and the associated long coordination times may far exceed the time to design, develop and build a small / nanosatellite. Through experience from our customers, and also through our own, ISIS has identified this problem as a potential long term showstopper for the emerging nanosatellite market. We will attend the World Radio Conference later this month as part of the Dutch national delegation. Although nanosatellite spectrum is not on the agenda of this WRC, we plan to make use of the opportunity to informally sound the various opinions on this matter and investigate potential possibilities for creating a future proof solution ensuring the spectral needs of the community are met. This is potentially in line with discussions already going on in for example ITU study group WP7B. If you have any input on this matter, we would love to hear from you so we can take this into account during our informal discussions with the various attendants at the WRC. Also, if you are present at the WRC yourself, this might be an excellent opportunity to discuss the topic in person. We might be able to share some preliminary observations during our presentation at the European CubeSat Workshop in Brussels later this month. kind regards, Wouter Jan Ubbels -- Wouter Jan Ubbels, MSc ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space B.V. Email: Info(a)ISISpace.nl Website: www.ISISpace.nl Address: Molengraaffsingel 12-14 2629 JD DELFT, The Netherlands phone: +31(0)15 256 9018 fax: +31 (0)15 257 39 69 e-mail: w.j.ubbels(a)isispace.nl _______________________________________________ CubeSat mailing list CubeSat(a)cubesat.org http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/cubesat

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Humor
by Kevin Deane 10 Jan '12

10 Jan '12

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent. Since they were a perfect match, soon they generated harmonics. They wrapped the harmonics in dipoles. But later the harmonics turned out to be parasitic elements. The true story -- she was a tri-bander and he felt trapped, so they went on separate beam headings Kevin KF7MYK

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HI4/AJ5C Operations
by Bob Herrell 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

I will QSL direct to all contacts that are in my log. I will also upload to LoTW (as soon as I figure out how to make a new account) and to Eqsl. No SASE needed. This will take place once I return home in mid February. Hope to work you on AO-27 and maybe SO-50. 73, Bob - HI4/AJ5C

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Re: CHIBIS-M satellite to launch to ISS
by Andrew Glasbrenner 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

> >The payload is a scientific satellite to be deployed from the ISS/MKC to study the magnetic field in the auroral zone. Interesting: "This experiment provides a comprehensive study of physical processes in atmospheric lightning discharges. Delivery of the microsatellite in its working orbit at an altitude of 500 km will be done with a THC "Progress M-13M" after the completion of the flight of the truck in the station. According to the developers of the term of active existence of the spacecraft, "Chibis-M" will be at least one year." It looks like they plan on raising the Progress after undocking, then deploying the satellite. This sounds like a new capability for Progress, and similar to what I've seen discussed for Dragon by SPaceX. 73, Drew KO4MA

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tone on ao27?
by Ted 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

Its been awhile.is there a 67 pl on ao27? Tnx, K7TRK

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CHIBIS-M satellite to launch to ISS
by andy thomas 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

The CHIBIS-M research satellite is to launch to the ISS/MKC on the Progress cargo mission of 25/26 January. The payload is a scientific satellite to be deployed from the ISS/MKC to study the magnetic field in the auroral zone. It follows a long tradition of magnetosphere studies dating back to Sputnik-3, which (you will recall) nearly beat Van Allen to the detection of the eponymous Belts. There will be a CW telemetry downlink of control/housekeeping data to the Kolibri-2000 standard on a frequency around 435 MHz. I'll post further info if/when I get it. Meanwhile there's a ton of info in Russian at: http://chibis.cosmos.ru/index.php?id=1674 73 de andy G0SFJ

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AMSAT Store
by Martha 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

The server that hosts the AMSAT store is down. We are working on the problem and hope to have the problem fixed by later this evening or early tomorrow. -- 73- Martha

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FO29 Welcome back
by Eugenio Piluso 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

Hi Folks. in the last pass over the Europe and Africa FO29 work great! I copy S7-8 the downlink signals with my modest RX setup (2x6 elements RHCP yagi and MGF1302 GasFet) from my QTH, JM89. Welcome back FO29 SSB-CW satellite. Thank you to the FO29 Team! 73's de iz8jhd Eugenio

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Re: Jamesburg Earth Station for sale
by Mark L. Hammond 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Roger <Rogerkola(a)aol.com> wrote: > But can we fit 4000 hams in during a nuclear crisis? AFTER, yes--will all be ashes ;) And who gets operating > privileges? > ME, since it's my idea ;) Worst case...we each get about 131.4 minutes per year...hehe. 73, Mark N8MH > Roger > WA1KAT > > > On 1/9/2012 9:45 AM, Mark L. Hammond wrote: >> >> I'm in for a 1/4000th share! All we need are 3,999 others with about >> $1,000 each. >> >> Sounds insane. But--seriously....?? >> >> Mark N8MH >> >> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 9:31 AM, Trevor .<m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>> >>> The dish was used by Amateurs in 2007 for Moonbounce. >>> >>> The owners is reportedly willing to drop the original asking price of >>> $4.2 mil by $1m. See >>> >>> >>> http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/for-sale-nuclear-bomb-pr… >>> >>> 73 Trevor M5AKA >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>> program! >>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> >> > -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Jamesburg Earth Station for sale
by Trevor . 09 Jan '12

09 Jan '12

The dish was used by Amateurs in 2007 for Moonbounce. The owners is reportedly willing to drop the original asking price of $4.2 mil by $1m. See http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2012/01/for-sale-nuclear-bomb-pr… 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: Need East Coast
by Mervyn Hecht 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

let me know when. merv

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Re: Need East Coast
by Mervyn Hecht 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

I think I need every New England state bordering on the Atlantic ocean except NY which I got last week. Merv

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WTB: Icom 490
by John Geiger 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

I am looking for an Icom 490 70cm all mode radio to use for weak signal and satellite work. Anyone have one available? Let me know your price shipped to Lawton, OK-zip 73507 73s John AA5JG

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W6NBC's Dual-band Tape Measure Beam
by Clint Bradford 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

For those of you who aren't yet ARRL members (or who have lent their January, 2012 issue of QST magazine to someone else), John Portune W6NBC's construction article, "A 2 Meter and 70 CM Portable Tape Measure Beam" is available on the ANTENNAS page at ... http://www.work-sat.com A "cut above" just using the 2M tape measure beam projects for the 2M/70CM FM birds. A well-researched and clean construction project. Thanks to John for the permission to reprint. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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LOTW Satellites from the Old Days
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

One of my winter projects is to get all of my OSCAR contacts back to 1989 in LOTW. Unfortunately, my older logs are not available. What are folks doing about contacts made on RS-10/11? My log book says RS-10/11 and LOTW wants either RS-10 or RS-11 and I really don't have a way to tell which? The same conundrum applies to RS-12/13, but it appears I logged most of them as RS-13 for some reason. Thanks and 73, Joe kk0sd

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Thunderbird Hamfest (Phoenix AZ) report, from yesterday
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

Hi! Ysterday's Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club hamfest in Phoenix AZ was a great event. A new outdoor location (it had been indoors for the past few years), along with great weather, brought out a good crowd for the morning. I was out there with an AMSAT table, and gave demonstrations using two SO-50 passes and a VO-52 pass. There were good crowds for the demonstrations, as usual. Around 1415 UTC, I had overlapping passes on SO-50 and VO-52. Since the VO-52 pass had a maximum elevation of only 7 degrees, I opted to work the SO-50 pass with maximum elevation of 21 degrees. This was a good choice, as it allowed 8 stations from across the central and eastern USA along with Canada and Cuba to say "hello" to the hamfest crowd at that hour. Just before 1600 UTC, I had passes on VO-52 and SO-50 that did not overlap as much. This allowed me to work VO-52 at 1550-1603 UTC, then switch over to SO-50 for the remainder of that pass. For these two passes, I used an FT-817ND as my transmit radio and a Kenwood TH-F6A for the receiver. I was able to work 4 stations on the VO-52 pass, and 3 of those 4 stations moved over to SO-50 where I was able to work them again. When working SSB via satellite, I try to show that it can be done with equipment that is not terribly expensive. Both the FT-817 and TH-F6A have been manufactured for over a decade, and are plentiful on the resale market. The FT-817 and FT-817ND can be computer controlled, where the TH-F6A can't. In the field, this combination is one option to work more than just the FM satellites. When I switched from VO-52 to SO-50, I changed the frequencies on the two radios, and swapped the coax connected to the 2m and 70cm ports on my diplexer, so I was not transmitting into the wrong port on the diplexer. I was recorded working part of the 1603 UTC SO-50 pass yesterday. Thanks to Chris N7ICE, that video is on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5CaLvpAcJQ AMSAT did very well at the hamfest as well. Lots of the WA4SXM Getting Started with Amateur Satellites books flew off the table, along with one new member. Thanks to the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club for providing AMSAT with a space at the hamfest, as they have done for the past several years. And, as always, thanks to everyone who called WD9EWK during those demonstrations. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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RS-22 vs UO-22
by Tom Schuessler 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

I am just full of questions tonight. The AMSAT Sat status page has an RS-22 and the Celestrak keps in SatPC32 has UO-22. Are they the same satellite? Tom Schuessler N5HYP

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Re: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days
by i8cvs 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

Hi Bob, W7LRD Yes ! I remember, we worked on AO40 I belive in Mode-U/S particularly when the satellite was very low over the horizon for both of us. I will check on my tape recorder and as soon i will find a QSO with you I will made for you a WAV file I send this email to you as well via AMSAT-BB because your provider @comcast.net very often rejects all emails coming from my provider @tin.it and so probably it will be a problem to send you a WAV flle ! If you have another email address please let me know. Best 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob- W7LRD To: i8cvs Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 7:51 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days Hi Domenico..Just wondering...did we every work on AO-40? 73 Bob W7LRD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> To: "Gary \"Joe\" Mayfield" <gary_mayfield(a)hotmail.com>, "AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:34:32 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary "Joe" Mayfield" <gary_mayfield(a)hotmail.com> To: "'AMSAT'" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 9:36 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] LOTW Satellites from the Old Days > One of my winter projects is to get all of my OSCAR contacts back to 1989 > in LOTW. Unfortunately, my older logs are not available. > > What are folks doing about contacts made on RS-10/11? My log book says > RS-10/11 and LOTW wants either RS-10 or RS-11 and I really don't have a > way to tell which? The same conundrum applies to RS-12/13, but it appears > I logged most of them as RS-13 for some reason. > > Thanks and 73, > > Joe kk0sd Hi Joe, Beginning from OSCAR-6 up to AO40 I have all my QSO recorded on a professional tape recorder REVOX A77 using 1/4" tape winded in many and many big coils each 10.63 " in diameter and so I can enjoy to hear time to time the voice of my old satellite friends and as well the CW ROBOT of the RS satellites.Before to start any QSO I mention on tape the name of the satellite the orbit numbar and the date, just for record along with the log on paper. 73" de i8CVS Domenico _______________________________________________ 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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K2BSA/5 at Nat. Scouting Museum for ARRL Kids Day.
by Tom Schuessler 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

Again a reminder that K2BSA/5 will be active on 1937Z and 2117Z AO-27 passes January 8th from the National Scouting Museum in Irving, TX, EM12. ARRL Kids Day is Sunday afternoon. Give us a call. Tom Schuessler N5HYP

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Update the AMSAT available sats list on "Passes" page./Celestrak Keps "Amateur"
by Tom Schuessler 08 Jan '12

08 Jan '12

A suggestion for the AMSAT.ORG web site pass prediction page. Please add some of the newer cubesats. It would be helpful if the sats that are listed as active on the status page were also reflected on the passes page. Additional interesting note. ARISSAT-1 (Radioscaf-B) still shows on the "amateur" Keps that download to SatPC32. I know they come from Celestrak, but who sets up the list and order? Here is another place those new cubesats should be listed as well. This especially since some of them have OSCAR numbers. Thanks much. 73, Tom, N5HYP

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EL97 Operation Wrap up 7Jan2012
by John Papay 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

The trip down to EL97 was uneventful. The location chosen was on US1 in Sebastian Florida, Indian River County. 21 stations were worked on the AO-27 1825z pass and 6 more were worked on the low elevation western pass at 2005z. It was sunny with temps in the low 70's, a very nice day for a grid expedition. All contacts have been uploaded to LOTW (using K8YSE) for those who collect grids electrically. Anyone who needs a qsl card should send me an email; no qsl card or sase needed. Equipment used for this operation is what I started with back in 2006. The radio was a Kenwood V7A mobile (full duplex) with a strap around my neck, a 7AH UPS battery sitting on the ground, headphones along with a digital recorder, mic in one hand and the Arrow Antenna with a MFJ duplexer in the other hand. Pass recordings (as heard from EN91) are on my website. Thanks to everyone who worked me and then stood by when others were calling me. You can't make 21 q's in 7 minutes without a lot of cooperation from everyone on the bird. 73, John K8YSE

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Triton-1 and Triton-2 to launch late 2012
by Trevor . 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

Triton-1 and Triton 2 will launch with UKube-1 and Delfi n3Xt later this year. Full Story at http://www.uk.amsat.org/3434 AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: ARISSat-1 Die Hards
by Andrew Glasbrenner 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

-----Original Message----- >From: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> > We have some very smart people who are involved with Universities, launch vendors and the like. A bird could have a "gizzmo" that would have > what a univ ersity wants to accomplish (with added transponder) . You just described Fox-1, and we are building four of them. So far we have an experiment for one, and have applied for a free launch from NASA. We find out January 30th if we get it, then it's a race to finish and test the satellite in time (and pay for it). Rides to orbit are much easier to find for 1kg cubes, than for 50kg ones. 73, Drew KO4MA

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ARISSat-1 Die Hards
by John Spasojevich 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

If you go to www.n9xh.org you will find some shots of a young man, new to the hobby, with his freshly delivered by Santa HT and a home brew antenna catching the last few SSTV images from ARISSat. I think he's been a ham for just a couple of months. Great to see. 73, John - AG9D

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HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY- JANUARY 8TH
by Peter Portanova 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

Hello, Once again I will have the pleasure to be involved with one of the major events on the East Coast for Amateur Radio. Ham Radio University, http://hamradiouniversity.org/, billed as "A Day of education to share ideas, experience, knowledge and fellowship among Amateur Radio operators". I will lead the Satellite Forum, "How you can have your own Amateur Satellite Space Station", in addition I will be a moderator on Political Advocacy, discussing my work with H.R. 607 and H.R. 3288. I would like to appeal to anyone who lives in Rep. Berman's 28th CD in California to contact me for assistance on H.R. 3288. I will be on the 12:52 EST pass of AO-27 as special event station W2V, I hope we can work many stations to spread the word that Amateur Satellites are a thrill. N2MUN, will be the QSL manager for the event, his contact information is on www.QRZ.com, thank you 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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ARRL and TAPR 2011 DCC videos are available
by David Bern 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

All: ARRL and TAPR 2011 Digital Communications Conference videos are available to view for free at http://arvideonews.com/dcc2011/index.html Of particular note, take a look at the open source codec2 speech codec presentation by David Rowe, VK5DGR at http://arvideonews.com/dcc2011/2011_DCC_CODEC_2.html Thank you, David, W2LNX

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Sat Magazine -CubeSat's and AMSAT-India Transponder
by Trevor . 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

Lot's of Cubesat coverage in the January issue of Sat Magazine. RAIKO, FITSAT-1, WE WISH, PRIME, the Vega CubeSats, QB50 and the AMSAT-India 435/145MHz Linear Transponder all get mentions. Download your copy of Sat Magazine at http://www.satmagazine.com/2012/SM_Jan_2012.pdf 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ARISSat-1 Certificate Team
by Kevin Deane 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

I received a certificate today and a friend of mine was wondering if they where still giving them out. I forgot where I sent my pics and stuff from ARISSat-1 to. Does anyone have info on that? Thanks. Kevin KF7MYK

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Re: Enhancements ...
by Clint Bradford 07 Jan '12

07 Jan '12

>> ... The only addition to your list is a receive preamp ... Gawd, I don't know what for ... (grin) I mean, ARISSat-1 was a measly 250mW on its 2M broadcast, and I couldn't ask for a stronger, cleaner signal from it that I had while receiving it with my HT and an Arrow antenna. Same with SO-50 and AO-27. Keep it simple! If you are NOT clearly hearing decent passes of '50 and/or '27 with small beams/Yagis on your HT - then there is something wrong elsewhere in your setup. Clint Bradford K6LCS

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5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

Congrats to Randy WB4LHD for 5 in em55 award #43

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Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

Have you thought about upgrading your station to full-duplex capability? I realize that many amateurs jump into the satellite fray by utilizing an existing handheld radio and an antenna like the Arrow, Elk, or tape-measure beam. It's a great way to get your feet wet and make that "first" contact via the birds. Now, let's look at how we can do BETTER. Full-duplex has a very important purpose in the satellite world. It allows you, the ground station, to know that your signal is being received and retransmitted by the satellite. I’m not saying it is a mandatory but once you see its benefit, you may never want to go “semi” again. How do you really know you are being heard by the bird if you can't hear yourself? Answer: You don't. How do you know another station wasn't already being captured by the bird and in the middle of a QSO when you transmit? Answer: You don't. Let's talk about HOW to do full-duplex. First of all, you don't need base-station radios like the Icom IC-9100, IC-910, Kenwood TS-2000, or Yaesu FT-847. If you own two handhelds, chances are you have what you need! What you need is at least one radio capable of transmitting on the uplink and one radio capable of receiving on the downlink. For example using AO-27: 1. A 2m-only HT, set to the satellite's uplink, ~145.85 MHz. 2. A 70cm-only HT, set to the satellite's downlink, ~436.795 MHz. One added benefit is that while hearing the downlink, you can twist your handheld antennas (like the Arrow) to match polarity and peak your uplink. Technically you do not even need a radio capable of transmitting to hear yourself on the downlink. A scanner or pocket receiver works dandy! To get into full-duplex inexpensively, there are numerous options. You can buy a NEW Baeofeng UV-3R for about $50-60 USD, shipped. This radio could serve as an uplink or downlink radio, depending on your need. I’m not peddling these radios but using them as an example. If you have the Arrow with the built-in diplexer, simply bypass it by running a patch cord from each radio to the respective UHF and VHF beams. If you are running an Elk or tape-measure 2m beam, you will need an inexpensive diplexer to give you both 2m and 70cm feed points. One can be constructed easily or purchased from numerous vendors for $30-80. Give full-duplex a try. You will not only help the satellite community by eliminating unnecessary hetero-dyning tug-of-war, it will generally make you sound better on the birds! Oh, and use a pair of earphones or a headset when you give it a try to avoid feedback. 73, Clayton W5PFG Here are some more example full-duplex combinations: Wouxon HT - Downlink 2m only-HT - Uplink FT-60R - Uplink Baofeng - Downlink Handheld scanner - Downlink Dual-band HT - Uplink

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Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
by K5OE 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

Yes, Bob, I see those old D700 at hamfests regularly. Add to the list of full-duplex HTs the Yaesu FT-51R. I bought mine on ebay years ago for way less than it costs to go to a Texans game. I did a quick check and found one for sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAESU-FT-51R-2M-440MHZ-PAGING-TRANCEIVER-PORTABLE-4… An old HT almost always needs a new aftermarket battery (or two) if you plan on actually using it handheld. 73, Jerry, K5OE > You omitted all of the other full duplex radios: The D7 and D72 HT's and > D700 and D710 mobiles. > >> Full-duplex has a very important purpose in the satellite world. >> you don't need base-station radios like the Icom IC-9100, IC-910, >> Kenwood TS-2000, or Yaesu FT-847. If you own two handhelds, >> chances are you have what you need! > > There are 10's of thousands of these Kenwood radios out there, and many > people upgraded from the D7 and D700 to the D72 and D710 for the enhanced > APRS functions. But the full duplex dual band radios remain the best there > is for full duplex FM satellite AND APRS satellite work. > > Bob, WB4APR

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Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
by Bill Acito W1PA 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

>> The only addition to your list is a receive preamp if you're running full duplex. Norm, I completely agree. I hang a ARR 432 pre-amp with it's own small 12v pack between the diplexor and the 432 side of the Arrow. I have an RF switched version just in case I do something stupid with the FT-530. I use a headset so there is no audio feedback/echo. Makes all the difference on low passes (<5) and less than optimal locations. Bill W1PA

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satpc32 problems
by Bob- W7LRD 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

I had to reinstall satpc32. first problem ..could not open com port 3 then no source file found for group standard still getting the error 105 marching across the screen thanks from the digitally challanged 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
by Tony Langdon 06 Jan '12

06 Jan '12

At 02:42 PM 1/6/2012, Clayton Coleman W5PFG wrote: >Have you thought about upgrading your station to full-duplex capability? I started out using full duplex, and it's a much nicer experience. I'd recommend it for every satellite operator. 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

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Email via ISS/APRS
by Kevin Deane 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Ok so I think that this all fine and dandy and even more so if it keeps people from logging into the BBS and ruining the pass for everyone else. I dont think that an email sent via ISS would be considered a Qso but still pretty neat. In between the beacons there are Two Way Communications made on the ISS Digi. What I do not understand is the Beaconing. What is the point? So that while you are at work, or sleeping, your callsign shows up on arris.net? In doing so you Beaconers not only clog up the passes but have basicly killed NO-44. If you are going to use the ISS or a satellite you should be there at your station and not be like the very annoying automated menu you get when trying to get through to a human being on the phone. By the way Unproto CQ via WIDE2-2 or RS0ISS-4 then k or CONVERSE :EMAIL :[email protected] Type mess here works great there is no need for the Beacon... Just my opinion. Kevin KF7MYK

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Repository for all Doppler.SQF data
by Wayne Estes 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

I'm surprised that nobody has made an online repository for the Doppler.SQF files for ALL amateur satellites. What would be the best place to keep one? AMSAT-NA web site? On the DK1TB's web site, where people go to download SATPC32? Maintaining a Doppler.SQF repository would be relatively easy. The list isn't that huge, and new satellites don't come along very often. The repository would also logically include SubTone.SQF and AmsatNames.txt information. Wayne Estes W9AE

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Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish
by Bill Acito W1PA 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

re: Teksharp I used the 1.2m version of their dish during the AO-40 days and was very pleased. Bill W1PA

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satpc32 problem
by Bob- W7LRD 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Hello I am getting a box that says E/A Fhler 105. marching across the screen and I must restart the computer to stop it. I think I had this before, of course having senior moments I can recall how to fix it. 73 Bob W7LRD

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EL97 on 7January AO-27 update
by John Papay 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Plans are to activate EL97 on both AO-27 passes on Saturday, 7 January 2012 at 1824z and 2005z. Equipment checked out ok on today's AO-27 eastern Atlantic pass. Please do not send qsl card requests. Simply send an email with the qso data and I will send a card direct. I do not plan to make a LOTW filing for all contacts, but if you need one, just make a note of it in your email. Weather here in Central Florida should be sunny and in the 70's. 73, John K8YSE/4

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Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish
by K5OE 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Bob, Regarding your Cu wire dish... you might look at the Tek Sharp dishes as an easier alternative to "rolling your own." I picked one up on ebay about a year ago and put it in my attic... waiting for amsat-dl :-) http://www.plumdragon.com/teksharp/hr_AO-40_products.htm Drew, I have a spare PF dish about 60 cm, but it is steel, not aluminum like the G3RUH. I used it on AO-40 for 24 GHz. Let me know off-list if you want it. 73, Jerry, K5OE ---- previous message ---- You probably have one of the K5GNA "BBQ" dishes. The G3RUH is a solid round spun dish. 73, Drew -----Original Message----- >From: Bob Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> >Sent: Jan 3, 2012 2:19 PM >To: 'Andrew Glasbrenner' <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com>, 'amsat-bb' ><amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Looking for a G3RUH dish > >> I'm looking for one of the 60cm G3RUH dishes > >Got one, (but not available). > >Questions: I measured reflector grid separation as .88 inches which works >out to be about 0.18 wavelength. I always thought the grid had to be >tighter than 0.1 inches to be an effective "surface". > >Maybe the difference with almost double the spacing is not that significant? >(especially for a steel one which would be quite heavy. > >Reason I am asking is that I also need another S band dish (at 70 MPH on the >roof of a tracking van) and we are thinking about building one by using an >old solid 6' TVRO dish as a form and laying in copper wire and soldering it >to copper straps. With all that labor, I'd not want to get the spacing >wrong. > >Bob, Wb4APR >

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Re: Email via The ISS
by Chris Maness 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 5:30 PM, Andre <pe1rdw(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Op 5-1-2012 2:05, Chris Maness schreef: > >> On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 4:56 PM, Andre<pe1rdw(a)amsat.org> wrote: >>> >>> Op 5-1-2012 1:45, Chris Maness schreef: >>> >>>>> Short emails are posible trough iss >>>>> http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/aprs/sset-email.GIF >>>>> >>>>> it's one way only but good enough for checkin messages, there are >>>>> enough >>>>> monitoring stations to cover most needs, africa might be a bit hard at >>>>> places but even there, there should be posibileties. >>>>> >>>>> 73 Andre PE1RDW >>>>> >>>> I had a low pass right now and I did not get a repeat of what I sent >>>> up. I am beaconing: >>>> >>>> KQ6UP>BEACON,ARISS:<UI>: :EMAIL :[email protected] This is a >>>> test of ISS mail. >>>> >>>> This did not echo back, but this is what I did decode: >>>> >>>> ISS Crew Keyboard. Crew may not be available. For BBS/PMS use >>>> RS0ISS-11 >>>> >>>> RS0ISS-4>N7HQB:<<UA>>: >>>> and three more very similar lines. >>>> >>>> Should I be using RS0ISS for the via? Has the call sign changed? >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Chris Maness >>>> KQ6UP >>>> >>> iss should digi both trough ariss and rs0iss-4, if someone is using the >>> bbs >>> there will be a lot of colisions so you will have to give it several >>> tries, >>> especialy on low power, you can always test the email system on 144.390. >>> you can also look at http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi for >>> successfull repeats. >>> >>> 73 Andre PE1RDW >> >> How do I send email on 144.390? Is the same way as I would send via the >> ISS? >> >> Thanks, >> Chris >> >> > yes, you could replace the via path with wide2-1, that should show if you > are getting recieved as wel. > > 73 Andre PE1RDW Does this system limit my emails to one a day or something? My last terrestrial test did not seem to work via wide2-1. Thanks, Chris Maness

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Leap second on June 30, 2012
by Tarsala, Jan A (337C) 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

>-----Original Message----- >From: bulc.iers-bounces(a)syrte4.obspm.fr >[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of IERS EOP Product >Center >Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 6:17 AM >To: bulc.iers(a)obspm.fr >Subject: Bulletin C number 43 > > > > > INTERNATIONAL EARTH ROTATION AND REFERENCE SYSTEMS SERVICE (IERS) > >SERVICE INTERNATIONAL DE LA ROTATION TERRESTRE ET DES SYSTEMES DE >REFERENCE > >SERVICE DE LA ROTATION TERRESTRE >OBSERVATOIRE DE PARIS >61, Av. de l'Observatoire 75014 PARIS (France) >Tel. : 33 (0) 1 40 51 22 26 >FAX : 33 (0) 1 40 51 22 91 >e-mail : services.iers(a)obspm.fr >http://hpiers.obspm.fr/eop-pc > > Paris, 5 January 2012 > > Bulletin C 43 > > To authorities responsible > for the measurement and > distribution of time > > > UTC TIME STEP > on the 1st of July 2012 > > > A positive leap second will be introduced at the end of June 2012. > The sequence of dates of the UTC second markers will be: > > 2012 June 30, 23h 59m 59s > 2012 June 30, 23h 59m 60s > 2012 July 1, 0h 0m 0s > > The difference between UTC and the International Atomic Time TAI is: > > from 2009 January 1, 0h UTC, to 2012 July 1 0h UTC : UTC-TAI = - 34s > from 2012 July 1, 0h UTC, until further notice : UTC-TAI = - 35s > > Leap seconds can be introduced in UTC at the end of the months of >December or June, depending on the evolution of UT1-TAI. Bulletin C is >mailed every six months, either to announce a time step in UTC or to >confirm that there will be no time step at the next possible date. > > > > Daniel GAMBIS > Head > Earth Orientation Center of >IERS > Observatoire de Paris, France > >__________________________________________ >

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5 in EM 55 is still alive
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

In an effort to help increase interest in satellites, we have created a new award for working five (5) different hams in the EM55 grid. You do not have to be in your home grid to count the stations worked. There are several satellite ready hams in EM55. Here is the current list that we know of: WA4NVM, WA4HFN, WB4LHD, WA4OVO, KI4OTG, KD4NOQ, KJ4BIX, AJ4KF, W5KUB, N4MGT, AA4HV and K4FEG Send your log to WA4NVM or WA4HFN for checking, along with your current mailing address. The award is free and should any donations be sent, they will be forwarded to AMSAT along with your call and name. This award will be effective 1 June 2011, therefore, all contacts must be on or after this date. http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/contact

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Re: Need East Coast
by k6yk 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

There were actually a lot of easterners on AO-27 this day on the first pass for me, about 3.5 degree elevation max. I heard no Maine, though. But I have worked almost every grid in Maine and most of the counties. Actually all the grids in W1, 2, 3, 4 lands except one in Maine, but not lately! Keep trying! It doesn't happen overnight. Took me several years of waiting for Vermont and Delaware to finish WAS. 73, John, K6YK On Mon, 2 Jan 2012 17:05:17 -0800 Mervyn Hecht <mervynhecht(a)gmail.com> writes: > my direct email is <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com> > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ____________________________________________________________ 53 Year Old Mom Looks 33 The Stunning Results of Her Wrinkle Trick Has Botox Doctors Worried http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f026931a33c010cc44dst03vuc

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Re: Need East Coast
by Bill Acito W1PA 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Odd... I am surprised at the number of folks who need NH... there are actually a large number of hams in southern NH. And I work less than 15 minutes from the MA/NH border. HRO Salem, NH is 20 (and no one there will question what I am doing in the parking lot) There is a large regional hamfest in Deerfield, NH (NEARFEST, formally known as Hosstraders) twice a year ---spring and fall; an excellent opportunity for portable/handheld operation. And this past summer I did spend a few weekends up in ME (Old Orchard Beach). If you really do need NH or ME (or MA, for that matter), please send an email to <my call> at hotmail dot com. Put the state abbreviations you need (only) in the subject line e.g. ME or ME NH I'll build a quick dis list and email when I am going to be on from those locations. I'd rather not "open post" because I think it swamps the birds. I can do AO-27 now, and I'm figuring out a good way to program the FT-530 for SO-50. Bill W1PA

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Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish
by Angelo Glorioso 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

Doug and Alan, The LVB Tracker II will do the same as well. From what I read, to convert a LVB tracker 1 to a LVB tracker II, it requires a Eprom change and new software load. http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/LVBTracker2/index.htm 73, Angelo --------------------------------------------------------- If you don't ask, you will never know!! > From: APBIDDLE(a)UNITED.NET > To: faunt(a)panix.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 06:14:47 -0600 > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish > > Doug, > > FODTRACK does have a GPS input for the location. > > http://ludens.cl/Electron/fodtrack/fodtrack.html > > Note that it is a VERY old, DOS program, but according to the web page, with > some effort will work with Vista and presumably WIN7. FWIW > > Alan > WA4SCA > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 > Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 12:39 AM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish > > Speaking of which, can any of the available amateur software packages > handle a moving ground station? I'd like to be able to automate the > antenna tracking on a boat. > > 73, doug > > > On 05-Jan-12 05:55, Greg D. wrote: > > > > Hi Bob, > > > > I'm trying to visualize you driving (bouncing) down the freeway at 70 mph > with a square yard of curved (airfoil!) metal sitting at odd angles to the > air flow, trying to aim it at a target you may not be able to see clearly, > which is also moving at some rate in another direction, with an accuracy of > +/- a half dozen degrees (which is what you get with a dish that size). I > had a hard enough time aiming my 30 inch BBQ grill at AO-40, from my nearly > stationary house (this is California, after all), with up to date KEPS, a > rotor system calibrated earlier against the position of the Sun, NBS-sync'd > clock on a Linux PC, and so forth. > > > > Even if you mount the dish inside a camper minivan with a fiberglass roof > (think mobile Radome), I don't see how this is going to work. I've seen you > do amazing things, but what are you thinking? > > > > The best use of the dish would probably be to catch the balloon payload as > it falls from the sky... > > > > Greg KO6TH > > > > > >> From: bruninga(a)usna.edu > >> To: k5oe(a)aol.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > >> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 17:54:02 -0500 > >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish > >> > >>> Regarding your Cu wire dish... you might look at > >>> the Tek Sharp dishes as an easier alternative to "rolling your own." > >> > >> We are after absolute minimum wind drag. I don't think the Tek dish > would > >> survive accurate tracking while driving along the interstate at 70 PMPH > to > >> catch a balloon. And we want it to be a good 3' by 4' dish... Need the > >> gain for the tiny wifi video link... > >> > >> Bob > >> > >> > >> > >> I picked one up on ebay about a year ago and put it in my attic... > waiting > >> for amsat-dl :-) > >> > >> http://www.plumdragon.com/teksharp/hr_AO-40_products.htm > >> > >> Drew, > >> I have a spare PF dish about 60 cm, but it is steel, not aluminum like > the > >> G3RUH. I used it on AO-40 for 24 GHz. Let me know off-list if you want > it. > >> > >> 73, > >> Jerry, K5OE > >> > >> ---- previous message ---- > >> You probably have one of the K5GNA "BBQ" dishes. The G3RUH is a solid > round > >> spun dish. > >> > >> 73, Drew > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >>> From: Bob Bruninga<bruninga(a)usna.edu> > >>> Sent: Jan 3, 2012 2:19 PM > >>> To: 'Andrew Glasbrenner'<glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com>, 'amsat-bb' > >>> <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > >>> Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Looking for a G3RUH dish > >>> > >>>> I'm looking for one of the 60cm G3RUH dishes > >>> > >>> Got one, (but not available). > >>> > >>> Questions: I measured reflector grid separation as .88 inches which > works > >>> out to be about 0.18 wavelength. I always thought the grid had to be > >>> tighter than 0.1 inches to be an effective "surface". > >>> > >>> Maybe the difference with almost double the spacing is not that > >> significant? > >>> (especially for a steel one which would be quite heavy. > >>> > >>> Reason I am asking is that I also need another S band dish (at 70 MPH on > >> the > >>> roof of a tracking van) and we are thinking about building one by using > an > >>> old solid 6' TVRO dish as a form and laying in copper wire and soldering > it > >>> to copper straps. With all that labor, I'd not want to get the spacing > >>> wrong. > >>> > >>> Bob, Wb4APR > >>> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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AMSAT-UK now at Association of Science Education Conference
by Trevor . 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/2012/01/05/3362/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Thank You
by JoAnne Maenpaa 05 Jan '12

05 Jan '12

This is a quick note to thank Paul, KB5MU, the gentleman behind the listmaint(a)amsat.org curtain for all the hard work to get the AMSAT e-mail lists operational. Today was a day of headlines for AMSAT. Paul got things moving. Thank you for what you do for AMSAT! -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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K2BSA/5 on the air for ARRL Kids Day, January 8.
by Tom Schuessler 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

K2BSA/5 will be on the air this Sunday for ARRL Kids Day from the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas, EM12. Although satellite pass opportunities will be limited, we should be able to hit the 1936Z and 2117Z AO27 passes. 1936 will be almost 66 degrees but the later pass will be only 10 or so. My hope is to have multiple radios and antennas in the hands of Scouts tracking and listening to the downlinks while I get a few on the mic. Take it patient and slow but please call K2BSA/5 and get some Scouts and adults excited about Ham Radio Next K2BSA/5 opportunity from the Museum will be February 11 for a Radio Merit Badge class. Hope to meet you on the birds. Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Drive Irving, Texas 75060 972-986-7456 214-403-1464 (Cell) tjschuessler(a)verizon.net

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Re: Email via The ISS
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 5:30 PM, Andre <pe1rdw(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Op 5-1-2012 2:05, Chris Maness schreef: > >> On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 4:56 PM, Andre<pe1rdw(a)amsat.org> wrote: >>> >>> Op 5-1-2012 1:45, Chris Maness schreef: >>> >>>>> Short emails are posible trough iss >>>>> http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/aprs/sset-email.GIF >>>>> >>>>> it's one way only but good enough for checkin messages, there are >>>>> enough >>>>> monitoring stations to cover most needs, africa might be a bit hard at >>>>> places but even there, there should be posibileties. >>>>> >>>>> 73 Andre PE1RDW >>>>> >>>> I had a low pass right now and I did not get a repeat of what I sent >>>> up. I am beaconing: >>>> >>>> KQ6UP>BEACON,ARISS:<UI>: :EMAIL :[email protected] This is a >>>> test of ISS mail. >>>> >>>> This did not echo back, but this is what I did decode: >>>> >>>> ISS Crew Keyboard. Crew may not be available. For BBS/PMS use >>>> RS0ISS-11 >>>> >>>> RS0ISS-4>N7HQB:<<UA>>: >>>> and three more very similar lines. >>>> >>>> Should I be using RS0ISS for the via? Has the call sign changed? >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Chris Maness >>>> KQ6UP >>>> >>> iss should digi both trough ariss and rs0iss-4, if someone is using the >>> bbs >>> there will be a lot of colisions so you will have to give it several >>> tries, >>> especialy on low power, you can always test the email system on 144.390. >>> you can also look at http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi for >>> successfull repeats. >>> >>> 73 Andre PE1RDW >> >> How do I send email on 144.390? Is the same way as I would send via the >> ISS? >> >> Thanks, >> Chris >> >> > yes, you could replace the via path with wide2-1, that should show if you > are getting recieved as wel. > > 73 Andre PE1RDW Thanks, Andre. I used: cq via keller Keller peak is a high level digipeater. I will try wide2-1 also. Chris KQ6UP

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Email via The ISS
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Bob Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: >> KQ6UP>BEACON,ARISS: <UI>: :EMAIL :[email protected] > > This is a test of ISS mail. > > That is a good APRS email packet. But the3 next lines indicate > that you were CONNECTING to RS0ISS and not remaining in UI mode. If y ou are connected, then you get the "crew not available" text, and you will not be able to see any digipeates for your APRS beacon while you are connected. > > APRS and the ISS digipeater have nothing to do with connections. CONNECTIONS to or via satellties are VERY inefficient and should never be used (normally). > > Bob, Wb4APR > The person connected was not me, it was N7HQB: RS0ISS-4>N7HQB: <<UA>>: Thanks for checking over my work. I see that my terrestrial email test worked. I got: This is a test of email via APRS. ---------------------------------------- Date : 2012-01-05 01:12:39 UTC From : KQ6UP To : KQ6UP(a)KQ6UP.ORG IGATE : N6EX-3 ---------------------------------------- --- OpenAPRS.Net Message to Email Gateway Looks Iike I am good to go. I just need to keep trying :o) Thanks, Chris Maness KQ6UP

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Email via The ISS Was: What Happened to the PacSats?
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

> Short emails are posible trough iss > http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/aprs/sset-email.GIF > > it's one way only but good enough for checkin messages, there are enough > monitoring stations to cover most needs, africa might be a bit hard at > places but even there, there should be posibileties. > > 73 Andre PE1RDW > I had a low pass right now and I did not get a repeat of what I sent up. I am beaconing: KQ6UP>BEACON,ARISS: <UI>: :EMAIL :[email protected] This is a test of ISS mail. This did not echo back, but this is what I did decode: ISS Crew Keyboard. Crew may not be available. For BBS/PMS use RS0ISS-11 RS0ISS-4>N7HQB: <<UA>>: and three more very similar lines. Should I be using RS0ISS for the via? Has the call sign changed? Thanks, Chris Maness KQ6UP

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Re: Email via The ISS Was: What Happened to the PacSats?
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 4:56 PM, Andre <pe1rdw(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Op 5-1-2012 1:45, Chris Maness schreef: > >>> Short emails are posible trough iss >>> http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/aprs/sset-email.GIF >>> >>> it's one way only but good enough for checkin messages, there are enough >>> monitoring stations to cover most needs, africa might be a bit hard at >>> places but even there, there should be posibileties. >>> >>> 73 Andre PE1RDW >>> >> I had a low pass right now and I did not get a repeat of what I sent >> up. I am beaconing: >> >> KQ6UP>BEACON,ARISS:<UI>: :EMAIL :[email protected] This is a >> test of ISS mail. >> >> This did not echo back, but this is what I did decode: >> >> ISS Crew Keyboard. Crew may not be available. For BBS/PMS use RS0ISS-11 >> >> RS0ISS-4>N7HQB:<<UA>>: >> and three more very similar lines. >> >> Should I be using RS0ISS for the via? Has the call sign changed? >> >> Thanks, >> Chris Maness >> KQ6UP >> > iss should digi both trough ariss and rs0iss-4, if someone is using the bbs > there will be a lot of colisions so you will have to give it several tries, > especialy on low power, you can always test the email system on 144.390. > you can also look at http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi for > successfull repeats. > > 73 Andre PE1RDW How do I send email on 144.390? Is the same way as I would send via the ISS? Thanks, Chris

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[amsat-bb] HudsonValleySatcomGroupNetThursdayJan05@8PMEasternOnEcholink N2EYH-L
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hello all. It is time again for our HVSG net tomorrow Jan.05 @ 8 PM Eastern. You can find us on Echolink @ N2EYH-L or on the Mt. Beacon Repeater 146.970 pl 100. We usually have an Amsat area Coordinator,Dee NB2F,check into the Net. So if you have any questions about Amsat Dee is the man to ask. So please join us for the Net and share your satellite experience with us all. Hope to hear you there. 73 GaryWA2AQH/TomKC2DTQ

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What Happened to the PacSats?
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

About 12 years ago, I was really into amateur radio satellites (the analog birds). I always wanted to try the PacSats, but I was a college student, and could not afford all of the necessary hardware. I tried to do it in software (and ended up falling in love with Linux). Now I have a good source of income, and was looking into dabbling in the PacSats, but looking at the Amsat website, it looks like none of the old birds are up. So are there any plans to restore store and forward messaging capability in future ham radio birds? Is this currently still possible and I am just missing something? Thanks, Chris Maness KQ6UP

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HO-68
by John Mac 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hi all... I am wondering with the lack of Operational Satellites up at the moment.....what is actually wrong with HO-68... All I could find out is that it had a scheduling problem, so what does this mean...its hardware or software...? With the limited life of these birds I would think they would implement something to at least get part of it working...if at all possible. John

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Re: What Happened to the PacSats?
by G0MRF＠aol.com 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hi Clayton / Alan Since the original launch of the store and forward satellites - Was it the mid 1980s? -we've had all sorts of terrestrial methods of doing the same thing. E-mail, texting, social media etc. All have depleted interest. Arissat has (sorry...had...sob..) some very innovative technologies and the digital voice announcements were particularly effective. Personally, in an era of limited communication range from LEOs, I would really like to see some experimental stored and forwarded voice messages. For example, Imagine a 'transponder' that would allow 30 seconds of voice recording over the mid-west USA combined with a command to allow the satellite to transmit that message in 20 minutes time when it's over Europe. Sounds difficult, but a CTCSS tone or DTMF could be used to tell the satellite what delay was required before retransmission. I'm not sure the ARRL would like the idea issuing worked all continents awards for a QSO that takes 3 hours to complete, but it would be fun. 73 David G0MRF In a message dated 04/01/2012 21:08:55 GMT Standard Time, kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com writes: I've been wondering if the issue is not lack of interest but lack of education and marketing. If newer hams were to see and understand the benefits of a store-and-forward PacSat, I believe you'd see a level of support as strong as days passed. I have been playing with terrestrial packet and digital modes for 20 years and the thought of exchanging messages via satellite excites me. Unfortunately I did not partake in the PacSats' capabilities when they were functional. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 1:24 PM, Alan P. Biddle <APBIDDLE(a)united.net> wrote: > Chris, > > Like you, I really enjoyed the old digital birds. However, the interest in > that has fallen off. AO-51 did have a very nice system, and a few other > satellites have had more traditional Packet BBS capabilities. The interest > just does not seem to be there, when the old satellites died, there were not > replaced. > > 73s, > > Alan > WA4SCA > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Chris Maness > Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:56 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] What Happened to the PacSats? > > About 12 years ago, I was really into amateur radio satellites (the > analog birds). I always wanted to try the PacSats, but I was a > college student, and could not afford all of the necessary hardware. > I tried to do it in software (and ended up falling in love with > Linux). Now I have a good source of income, and was looking into > dabbling in the PacSats, but looking at the Amsat website, it looks > like none of the old birds are up. So are there any plans to restore > store and forward messaging capability in future ham radio birds? Is > this currently still possible and I am just missing something? > > Thanks, > Chris Maness > KQ6UP > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Re: Need East Coast
by Mervyn Hecht 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Steve, maybe you could email me the calls of the people you worked and I could contact them? Merv mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com

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Re: What Happened to the PacSats?
by Andrew Glasbrenner 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Warning! My opinion follows: Many of the pacsats were university sats built for missions similar to today's cubesats. GO-32, the Korean ones, the University of Surrey ones, Tiuansat, etc. They operated in the amateur bands, and were generally open access to the store and forward parts, while also carrying out experiments, imaging, and training. Somewhere along the line, things went closed. While cubes have drawn down the pool of these size and type sats being launched, they are still happening, and without amateur two-way missions. Without malice, I'm going to point to Edusat, and the Unisat series as the most visible of these in recent memory. There are others also, including from the US and Japan. The question we should be asking ourselves is what caused this? Is it something hams did to put off the unis? Is it lack of involvement in the early phases, or just lack of interest or understanding of what we might provide such a program in return? How did we get to a point where a 25 or 50 kg satellite, using amateur frequencies, has no two way package in it? More importantly, how do we get back to the way it was before? Note I'm not disputing these programs right to exist, just that something has changed, and it's in our self-interest to figure it out. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE(a)UNITED.NET> >Sent: Jan 4, 2012 2:24 PM >To: 'Chris Maness' <chris(a)chrismaness.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: What Happened to the PacSats? > >Chris, > >Like you, I really enjoyed the old digital birds. However, the interest in >that has fallen off. AO-51 did have a very nice system, and a few other >satellites have had more traditional Packet BBS capabilities. The interest >just does not seem to be there, when the old satellites died, there were not >replaced. > >73s, > >Alan >WA4SCA > > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >Behalf Of Chris Maness >Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:56 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] What Happened to the PacSats? > >About 12 years ago, I was really into amateur radio satellites (the >analog birds). I always wanted to try the PacSats, but I was a >college student, and could not afford all of the necessary hardware. >I tried to do it in software (and ended up falling in love with >Linux). Now I have a good source of income, and was looking into >dabbling in the PacSats, but looking at the Amsat website, it looks >like none of the old birds are up. So are there any plans to restore >store and forward messaging capability in future ham radio birds? Is >this currently still possible and I am just missing something? > >Thanks, >Chris Maness >KQ6UP >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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NEW ENGLAND
by Mervyn Hecht 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

OK, maybe my last post was too general in asking about East Coast contacts. If anyone is New York or New Jersey sees this message please contact me to set up a schedule. Merv K)6E

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Re: ARISSat-1 Last Known 2-way Contact
by Rob Styles 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Sorry had a sticky RRR On 4 Jan 2012, at 21:20, Rob Styles wrote: > Maybe this the last confirmed Two-way contact via ARISSat-1? > 03/01/2012 15:20 2E0SQL-GW1FKY sent 55 rx 58-9 > > 73 > Rob M0TFO

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ARRISAT-1 Last Known 2-way Contact
by Rob Styles 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Maybe this the last confirmed Two-way contact via Arrisat-1 ? 03/01/2012 15:20 2E0SQL-GW1FKY sent 55 rx 58-9 73 Rob M0TFO

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Re: What Happened to the PacSats?
by Andre 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Op 4-1-2012 21:29, Chris Maness schreef: > I have been looking into using the APRS digipeater on the ISS to send > txt messages. Is this possible? I go hiking and camping a lot, and > it would be cool to at least digipeat through the ISS. What would be > even better is an email sat. Store and forward to gatway stations > that relay emails like winlink does. This would be great for > outbackers and people in developing areas that don't have this > ability. The gateway station could approve and foreward inbound email > too so that way the messages are sent like 3rd party traffic. No spam > and junk like that. > > Just a Thought, > Chris Maness > KQ6UP Short emails are posible trough iss http://wa8lmf.net/bruninga/aprs/sset-email.GIF it's one way only but good enough for checkin messages, there are enough monitoring stations to cover most needs, africa might be a bit hard at places but even there, there should be posibileties. 73 Andre PE1RDW 73 Andre PE1RDW

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EL97 on 7January AO-27
by John Papay 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

I've had several requests for EL97. I will plan to be on the AO-27 pass at 1824z or so on Saturday, 7 January 2012. This pass should work well for the eastern half of the US. If there are any west coast stations that need it, I will stay for the next AO-27 pass at 2005z. If you can't make the 1824z pass but want to try the next pass please email me. Otherwise I'll just operate on the 1824z pass. 73, John K8YSE/4

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Preliminary Keplerarian elements for Vega launch
by Andrew Glasbrenner 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Does anyone have any preliminary keps for this one? I'm not so worried about whether they are correct with respect to launch/pass times, but just for a generic orbit of the same dimensions. I think it's supposed to be 350x1500km, 71 degree inclination, or thereabouts? 73, Drew KO4MA

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ARRISAT-1
by Pat McGrath 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Can someone send me the Doppler SQF information for for ARRISAT-1? Thanks Pat McGrath Ka6tya

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arissat-1 reception with video.
by Malcolm Scrimger 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

As an avid Hamsat operator with limited equipment I was able to listen and record a pass of arissat-1 two days ago. My goal was to make a memento of sorts for my log of new acheivements for 2012. I thought some readers might like to see it. 73, VE7DAO / VA7ISS http://ve7dao.blogspot.com/2012/01/listening-to-arissat-1-with-arrow.html

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Moderation?
by Chris Maness 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Is this list now moderated? I have joined with a new email address, and my messages from the new email have not come through yet. I am just wondering what is new with this reflector as it has been a very long time since I have posted here. Thanks, Chris Maness KQ6UP DM13

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Re: ARISSat-1 (37772) decay
by Fabio Azzarello 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hello Everybody, I totally agree with you James... the process is a continuous evolution. I did my prediction on October 6th for the "Chicken Little Competition" and my date was January 23rd 2012. It surprisingly agrees with your prediction done almost one month later, this make me think that my assumptions were right, up to now at least. 73s Fabio IW8QKU/5 Hi Jim, Thanks for the update on your AMSAT Journal article. There are several people on the bb who are following this topic and are busy plotting data. Any futher thoughts you have, as we move towards January would, I am sure be of interest. 73 John G7HIA ________________________________ From: DeYoung James <deyoung_james(a)yahoo.com> To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Tuesday, 15 November, 2011 17:29:31 Subject: [amsat-bb] ARISSat-1 (37772) decay Greetings, First, thank you Mineo for reading the AMSAT Journal and making several of my papers available on your web site. My AMSAT Journal paper published in the March/April 2011 issue is actually still fairly valid for the scenarios shown in the paper. The solar flux has turned out to be somewhat higher than was used/predicted in the paper. This has caused the atmospheric densities to be higher which results in higher decay rates. When I wrote the paper I had this nagging feeling that stopping the release height scenarios at 370-km was not going to be high enough. We are very fortunate that the ISS was boosted to such a height before release of ARISSat-1 and not after release! There is a valuable lesson, I think, to be made with respect to predicting satellite decay dates far into the future. The future state of the atmosphere, i.e. the atmospheric density that the satellite will pass through is poorly predictable in the long-term, say starting greater than a week or two into the future. Predictions of satellite decay dates months in the future should be evaluated with the understanding that your date of prediction errors may be large. The errors are due to the future uncertainties of the orbital path which grow quickly with time in a prediction. The atmospheric density is not the only source of error. Your orbit model, the integrator, and the accounting of the gravitational and drag forces among others will affect your results. Predictions of satellite decay dates are not do-and-forget. The general process is to make a prediction, get new measured observations of the height in the future, and at some point re-do your prediction when the errors become significant to you. With that all said here is my current prediction using the same tools used in the AMSAT J. paper and produced as of 2011 November 13th. The decay of ARISSat-1 (37772) will happen nominally on 2012 January 30th with a 10% rule-of-thumb error allowance of 18 days around this date. The errors may be larger than the rule-of-thumb indicates! Jim, N8OQ _______________________________________________ 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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ARISSat-1 and Japan
by Clint Bradford 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hmmm ... One of the first reception reports of ARISSat-1 after deployment comes from JN1GKZ in Japan. And the satellite re-enters Earth's atmosphere - over Japan. Just wonderin' out loud ... (grin) Clint Bradford K6LCS

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Last Voice Heard from ARISSat-1
by Clint Bradford 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

The last pre-recorded voice message heard from ARISSat-1 today? That of Yuri Gagarin speaking to his ground crew. How appropriate. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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WD9EWK at ThunderBird hamfest on Saturday (7 January) in Phoenix AZ
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Hi! On Saturday (7 January) morning, I will be at the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club's hamfest in Phoenix AZ with an AMSAT table. The hamfest is in a new location, and is back to being an outdoor event (it had been indoors for the last 3 years). More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.w7tbc.org/hamfest.html During the hamfest, I will have satellite demonstrations using SO-50 and VO-52. Since I won't have to walk outside to do the demonstrations, I expect to be on all workable passes for these satellites. If you are on those passes, please call WD9EWK and say "hello" to the crowds. The hamfest site is in grid DM33. If anyone working WD9EWK during those demonstration passes wants a QSL card, please e-mail me with the QSO details. I will be happy to send you a card, without first receiving a card or SASE. All QSOs will be uploaded to the Logbook of the World as well. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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ANS-004 ANS Special Bulletin: ARISSat-1/KEDR Goes Silent
by JoAnne Maenpaa 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-004 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-004.01 ANS-004 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin: ARISSat-1/KEDR Goes Silent AMSAT News Service Bulletin 004.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 4, 2012 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-004.01 Reception reports indicate that ARISSat-1/KEDR has stopped trans- mitting on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. The last full telemetry captured and reported to the ARISSatTLM web site at 06:02:14 UTC on January 4 were received from ground stations as the satellite passed over Japan. See: http://www.arissattlm.org/live (full telemetry display) See: http://www.arissattlm.org/mobile (condensed telemetry) Telemetry reports showed that the temperature aboard ARISSat-1/KEDR had been rising as atmospheric drag began to affect the satellite. Final temperatures received via ARISSatTLM reported this data: IHU 75 ° C / 167.0 ° F PSU 76 ° C / 168.8 ° F RF 88 ° C / 190.4 ° F Control Panel 61 ° C / 141.8 ° F Experiment 64 ° C / 147.2 ° F Stations receiving telemetry from ARISSat-1 at any time over the last few months, please forward all of your .CSV telemetry files to telemetry AT arissattlm.org. Konstantin, RN3ZF sent a reception report of his copy of the 0842 UTC pass that, "the telemetry was absent, voice messages were not legible, very silent and interrupted. Most likely, I saw last minutes in the life of the satellite." Dee, NB2F reported, "Nothing heard from ARISSat-1/KEDR on any fre- quency during the first USA pass at 16:00 UTC, January 4." ARISSat-1/KEDR was deployed from the International Space Station on August 3, 2011 during during EVA-29 on by Cosmonaut/Flight Engineers Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev. The satellite carried a student experiment from Kursk State University in Russia which measured atmospheric density. Students from around the world provided the voices for the FM voice announcements. The amateur radio payload aboard ARISSat-1/KEDR achieved many "firsts" for amateur radio in space: + First flight test of AMSAT Software Defined Transponder which trans- mitted simultaneous: - FM voice downlink cycling between student messages, spoken telemetry and SSTV from cameras on the spaceframe. - 16KHz bandwith linear transponder, - CW beacon with telemetry and callsigns of radio amateurs noting their significant contributions to amateur radio in space. - Robust, forward error corrected 1K rate BPSK downlink with sat- ellite telemetry and Kursk experiment telemetry. + Development and release of the ARISSatTLM software for PC and Mac platforms enabled amateur stations worldwide with reliable reception of the BPSK telemetry, CW telemetry, display on the station's com- puter, and automatic upload of received data via the internet to the ARISSat engineering team. + A new Integrated Housekeeping Unit was developed and successfully flown. + A new Power Management System was developed and successfully flown. AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW noted, ARISSat-1/KEDR marked a new type of satellite which has captured the attention of the national space agencies around the world for the unique educational opportunity we have been able to design, launch, and operate. By designing an edu- cational mission aligned with NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics goals amateur radio operators around the world have been able enjoy a new satellite in orbit." ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager, Gould Smith, WA4SXM said, "Dozens of amateur radio volunteers, AMSAT, ARRL, NASA, and Energia teamed up for this successful mission to bring you the most unique and innovative amateur radio satellite mission. Congratulations to all who made ARISSat-1 successful!" [ANS thanks the ARISSat-1/KEDR Team for the above information] /EX

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ARISSat-1 RADIOSKAF KEDR Reception Status
by Farrell Winder 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

ALL, No detectable signals from ARISSat on 145.950 or 145.950 MHz for the January 4, 2012 15:35 pass over Cincinnati. Will there be confirmation that ARISSat may have re-entered the Earth's atmosphere? If so, longitude and latitude? Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio

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Farewell ARISSat-1
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

I have not heard anything from ARISSat-1 this morning during the past two calculated passes. I notice the last Telemetry entry was at 0602 UTC, so it is safe to say she has died. It is like losing a friend. It was a lot of fun and I certainly hope the community has learned much from it. Thanks to all who were instrumental during the entire process. 73, -- *Carl W8KRF*

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FUNcube-1 Launch details
by Trevor . 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

An agreement has now been reached with ISIS Launch Services BV, who are based in Delft in the Netherlands, for them to provide a launch of the FUNcube-1 CubeSat. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/2012/01/03/funcube-launch-details/ 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ----

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FUNcube-1 ZDNET Article
by Trevor . 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Journalist David Meyer interviewed Jim Heck G3WGM for his article on FUNcube-1. Read the article at http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/emerging-tech/2012/01/04/radio-amateurs-prep-la… 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ----

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ARISSat-1 RADIOSKAF-V KEDR Signal Status
by Farrell Winder 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

ALL, I very much regret to report that on the pass over Cincinnati this Morning using Dr. Kelso's Keps for January 4, 2011 with the AOS predicted at 14:24Z, there was no evidence of any signal on 145.950 or 145.930 MHz. It may be that this very enjoyable, interesting and challenging satellite is now history. What have others determined as to signal status? Excellent signals were last heard in this area of the USA from ARISSat on the January 3, 2012 pass at 22:43 Z by W4HTB, Bowling Green, KY, WB8LGA, Marengo, Ohio and W8ZCF, Cincinnati. Farrell Winder,W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio

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ARISSat-1: Goodbye little guy...
by Burns Fisher 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

No reception over NH at the predicted time of around 14:25. I kept the receiver on for a while before and after, but nothing. One of my programs said it was at 147Km; the other said 127. If 127 is right, then it's probably down. Otherwise, maybe it overheated. Also the last telemetry on the web site is for 6:02z 4Jan. Apparently no one else over a swarth from Mexico and Texas up through New Englad received it either. On the last telemetry frame, the RF temp was 88C. Not quite enought to fry eggs, but not good for semiconductors. It's been a lot of fun.... Burns, W2BFJ

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No More ARISSat-1 ?
by Larry Phelps 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Nothing heard on this morning's pass, AOS 1422UTC, Orbit 2415, EL89. SatPC32 had the altitude at 121km. 73-Larry. K4OZS

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KEDR/ARISSat-1 SK, last call for reports
by Alan P. Biddle 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

All, Our busy satellite reentered sometime early on 4 January, 2012. The last telemetry was received at 06:02:14 UTC with the temperatures showing very high: http://www.arissattlm.org/live It was not expected that Space Command would do a TIP, but they did, so we have relatively good information on where it ended. Note the impact window is still 6 hours, but that the telemetry report narrows that to about 4. Report Date/Time 2012-01-04 04:28:00 GMT Predicted Decay Time 2012-01-04 07:00:00 GMT +/- 3 Hours Predicted Decay Location 12.7° S, 354.3° E Direction ascending Inclination 51.6° Revolution Number 2411 High Interest Object N Final Report The predicted impact point is an open part of the South Atlantic, well west of Angola. If you heard the satellite, even briefly, after 0600 UTC, or you did not hear it after that date and you have been regularly hearing it, please let me know. This will help confirm the actual impact point. For those who have been involved with telemetry collection, and the Chicken Little Contest, please give us a couple of days to get things together before we make formal announcements. Thank your all for your efforts! Alan WA4SCA

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ARISSat-1 R.I.P.
by n0jy＠lavabit.com 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Applause and accolades to the ARISSat-1 Team, for the tremendous amount of fun, excitement, opportunities and activity that ARISSat-1 provided! I got hooked at launch, listening/watching on the internet even as I was also on HF that day conducting an exercise with the local and state R.A.C.E.S. teams and the local nuclear power plant during the launch. I started tracking and gathering telemetry a few days later and dedicated a PC and my sat station to automated telemetry gathering 24/7. I split off the 2M signal to my FT-817 and captured hundreds of amazing SSTV pictures. I enjoyed watching the telemetry decoding program on my PC showing the live readings. I followed especially in the last days, on the arissattlm.org web site. Much of this excitement I shared with my local ham radio groups in meetings and on the air, with local children and non-hams, and even in Colombia over Christmas I engaged some of the family with listening for the "secret word" in Spanish. A few attempts were made when I had time, to make contacts through the transponder. I heard myself and others, and had a part of a QSO... but never got that complete QSO. I became so engaged with the telemetry that near the end, I wrestled with the decision to try a transponder contact or to keep copying telemetry in hopes of the "last telemetry" award! Thank you very much, all who made ARISSat-1 possible. Your work was very fruitful indeed. I look forward to the Fox family and hope that we can keep up the enthusiasm and support necessary to stay on the air in space! 73, Jerry N0JY

1 0

FO29
by K4FEG 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Good to hear FO29 back operating over the US! Lets not forget that our flying friends are fragile and we need to keep looking to the future and the need for replacements. We may get another miracle and have one of the crippled birds come back to life in the future, but do we really want to depend on chance? This is a hobby and we will always be considered "second banana" when it comes to getting help to fund a launch. Write someone, call someone, offer to help or heaven forbid try and find an extra dollar or two to donate. I don't know where best to use anyone's talents or their monies but I do know this, if we do nothing there won't be someone come along and say, " we need an amateur satellite, lets launch one!" We need to take the initiative and get another satellite on the launch pad and then beg, borrow or steal a ride into space. A very Happy New Year to everyone and lets get behind some of these satellites and find a way to get them launched! 73's Frank K4FEG

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Re: ARISSat-1 heard
by Vu Trong Thu 04 Jan '12

04 Jan '12

Looks like that the satellite reentered at 0602z today and JA0CAW caught the last signal http://ja0caw-je0mzi.mo-blog.jp/syumi/2012/01/arissat1_950f.html It's sad to see it went away :( -----Original Message----- From: Vu Trong Thu [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 10:01 AM To: 'amsat-bb(a)amsat.org' Subject: ARISSat-1 heard The bird is still operating up to 0120z today (Jan 4), however its orbit must has deviated much from the latest TLE on AMSAT website (just one day old?). I suddenly heard its CW beacon while it's still 10 degree under the horizon according to Orbitron's calculation. It was quite a challenge to track the satellite however signal was good, I could decode some telemetry, got a SSTV image and the historical conversation between Korolev and Gagarin :) 73, Thu XV9AA

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