- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

LVB Tracker/G5500 help
by myles landstein 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

Would greatly appreciate some help trying to set up my LVB and Yaesu G5500 Had just a few questions as to the set up types I should use for the LVB settings: >> is this rotor considered >> >> a 360 degree max az rotor or 450 South CCW = FEN >> >> or >> >> 450North CCW = FEE >> >> second question: >> >> is this considered >> >> a South CCW stopping rotator, ‘F’, ‘S’, . or >> For a North CCW stopping rotator (default), ‘F’, ‘N’, . >> >> thanks cc amsat-bb(a)amsat.org date Sat, Nov 26, 2011 at 9:18 PM subject Re: [amsat-bb] Re: quick LVB cal question mailed-by gmail.com Important mainly because of the people in the conversati thanks very much for trying to help unfortunately it really wasn't what I asked. hope someone out there might be able to help a newbie out thanks N2EHG Myles - Show quoted text -

2 1

AMSAT-DL Bochum on The Register
by Trevor . 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

The reception of the Mars Science Laboratory at Bochum is covered in an article on The Register http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/28/radio_hams_curiosity_signals/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

yaesu g-5500
by N. Mahdinejad 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

DEAR AMSAT MEMBERS. Please help me. I have yaesu g-5500 rotator. for 1 year. it works good but now it doesnt rotate in elevation axes. I press the up and down switches in controller but there is no change in meter indication and also no change in antenna position in elevtaion axes. in azimuth it rotate true. but the calibration is not true. i mean that when antenna position on the roof change 180 degree the azimuth indicator in the controller showes 360 degree change. I really confuesed. I dont know what is problem . it works good from last year to now. I chech all cables and there is not any problem. any help would be gratefullu appreciated. Im looking forward to hearing from you. Best Regards.

1 0

Publicity
by JoAnne Maenpaa 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

Hello everyone, I think most will enjoy this news coverage of amateur radio: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/28/radio_hams_curiosity_signals/ (from AMSAT-DL post in facebook) -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

1 0

2011 AMSAT President's Annual Report Slides Posted
by JoAnne Maenpaa 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

Hello everyone, A link to the annual President's Report from the 2011 AMSAT Symposium and General Meeting has been added to the front page news items at: http://www.amsat.org. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

1 0

Fw: ARRISat-1/RADIOSKAF-V/KEDR
by Farrell Winder 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

No success today Nov 28. Will set up again tomorrow Tuesday Nov 29 for the AOS 15: 04 Z Cincinnati pass. From: Farrell Winder Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:31 PM To: AMSAT Subject: ARRISat-1/RADIOSKAF-V/KEDR All, With the research and recent "heads up" by Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, Allan Biddle, WA4SCA and Clint Bradford, KCLCS it appears there may be only a few weeks left to receive and experiment with ARISSat-1/RADIOSKAF-V. On Monday Nov 28 I will be set up to receive voice, CW and SSTV via the transponder on 145.930 MHz +/- doppler. This will be on the AOS starting at 14:47 Z pass over Cincinnati. This pass may be too soon after the eclipse so the sat may not be activated. If it is active, I will try to send a couple of SSTV R36 transmissions. I will be listening and looking for others to send also. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio.

1 0

AO-51 S band test this afternoon
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

I plan on testing the S band transmitter on AO-51 on the 2010Z AO-51 pass over the east coast today, and would like some volunteers to help listen for the transmitter. SDR receive capable stations would be even better since it may be considerably off frequency. I'll be commanding remotely, so will have limited receive capabilities, and do not expect to hear the UHF at all. If you could provide feedback via Skype, all the better. Please contact me directly if you can help listen. 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

Elana-3 objects
by g.shirville＠btinternet.com 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

I am intrigued that the six objects from this launch seem not to be separating as far/fast as I would have expected. After 4 weeks from launch they all seem to be still close together. Do we know if the separation springs were deliberately low power or what the separation speeds were intended to be? many thanks Graham G3VZV

2 1

Photos of Lance Ginner
by Clint Bradford 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

Did anyone happen to "re-create" the photo of Lance Ginner holding OSCAT 1 under his arm at the AMSAT Symposium? What a great "then and now" opportunity! Clint Bradford

1 0

Fw: Fw: AMSAT-DL Hears Mars Science Laboratory X-Band Downlink
by i8cvs 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

----- Original Message ----- From: "James R Miller" <g3ruh(a)jrmiller.demon.co.uk> To: <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Cc: <peter.guelzow(a)kourou.de> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 1:57 AM Subject: Re: Fw: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-DL Hears Mars Science Laboratory X-Band Downlink > Dear Domenico, > > > I was really impressed reading your report about receiving the > > MSL beacon of MSL on the following page: > > Thank you! > > It is not difficult; we receive lots of the NASA spacecraft all the time. > Stereo-A/B every day, and when they have gone LOS, we (I) check Grail-A > and Grail-B and also Juno. When Juno was new, the signal was huge, and > enabled the beam shape to be determined with greater depth than before. > > Grail-A/B have very high performance Ultra Stable Oscillators (USO) and > they are free running. A daily check allows us to check independently > that our own station oscillators remain in accurately lock. > > Reception of MSL required adding its trajectory data to the spacecraft > database, and the frequency to the radio control computer. Provided the > given frequency is with +/- 40 kHz of the actual frequency, we can lock > onto it in 1 sec via an FFT acquisition process. As it happens, the > actual frequency was within 8 kHz of the DSN channel centre, so finding it > was immediate. > > The station computers can be remotely accessed from home to do software > maintenance jobs. Hardware requires people to go to the site, of course. > Remote software management is probably the most important part of this > story. > > Article about telescope systems: > http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/g3ruh/126.html > > Article about Stereo A/B reception: > http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/g3ruh/127.html > > Hoping you are in good health. Wish I was in Italy for the winter! > > 73 de James G3RUH > > -- > ========================================================================== > James R Miller WWW/PGP: http://www.jrmiller.demon.co.uk/ > Cambridge, England Stardate: 2011 Nov 28 [Mon] 0053 utc > ========================================================================== HI Peter, DB2OS and James, G3RUH I was really impressed reading your report about receiving the MSL beacon of MSL on the following page: http://tinyurl.com/7t5xjwk Congrats to you Peter and James , I am sure that in the future AMSAT-DL will be able to launch P3-E and P5-A Thanks also to JoAnne K9JKM for providing us with the above information. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

1 0

ARRISat-1/RADIOSKAF-V/KEDR
by Farrell Winder 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

All, With the research and recent "heads up" by Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, Allan Biddle, WA4SCA and Clint Bradford, KCLCS it appears there may be only a few weeks left to receive and experiment with ARISSat-1/RADIOSKAF-V. On Monday Nov 28 I will be set up to receive voice, CW and SSTV via the transponder on 145.930 MHz +/- doppler. This will be on the AOS starting at 14:47 Z pass over Cincinnati. This pass may be too soon after the eclipse so the sat may not be activated. If it is active, I will try to send a couple of SSTV R36 transmissions. I will be listening and looking for others to send also. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio.

1 0

Fw: AMSAT-DL Hears Mars Science Laboratory X-Band Downlink
by i8cvs 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

HI Peter, DB2OS and James, G3RUH I was really impressed reading your report about receiving the MSL beacon of MSL on the following page: http://tinyurl.com/7t5xjwk Congrats to you Peter and James , I am sure that in the future AMSAT-DL will be able to launch P3-E and P5-A Thanks also to JoAnne K9JKM for providing us with the above information. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm(a)comcast.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 2:58 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-DL Hears Mars Science Laboratory X-Band Downlink > Hello everyone, > > Here is an additional news item that I'll send out immediately instead of > waiting for the next weekend ANS news cycle ... > > AMSAT-DL has copied X-band from MSL: http://tinyurl.com/7t5xjwk (google > English version) > > -- > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM > k9jkm(a)amsat.org > Editor, AMSAT News Service >

1 0

Re: Some People ...
by Clint Bradford 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

>> ... Some peoples kids I swear ... I guess you've never lost a "friend" after a seven-years-or-more relationship ... Yes, those who pay attention "knew" this day was coming. Shame on you, though, for demeaning the passing of what has been a brilliant marketing and public relations and educational tool for the benefit of amateur radio across the planet. Clint Bradford K6LCS 909-241-7666

2 2

AO-51 frequency
by Ollie Eisman 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

Given the current problems with AO-51, should we be listening for a signal on 435.150 Mhz? Could another downlink, such as 435.300 MHz, get switched on randomly? 73, Ollie AJ1O

3 3

Re: AO-51 2:31PM PST 11/27/11
by Clint Bradford 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

>> ... nothing heard here - Kevin KF7MYK Thanks to the three folks in my Skype conference ... and another three texting me on my phone, and to Kevin and others with email messages ... Nope - darn it - nothing heard on what has - for the past 6+ years - been a great pass of AO-51. Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Visitors to the 2011 AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting???
by Alan P. Biddle 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

We try to include guests to the Board meeting in the minutes. Below is my current list, though not everyone signs in, or gets noticed. Anybody who was there, or knows somebody who was there, and was inadvertently missed? 73s, Alan WA4SCA Alex Harvilchuck, N3NP Bill Reed, NX5R Bill Tynan, W3XO Bob Davis, KF4KSS Bryan Klofas, KF6ZEO Dale Hershberger, KL7XJ Dan Schultz, N8FGV Dave Taylor, W8AAS Dee Interdonato, NB2F Douglas Quagliana, KA2UPW/5 Gilbert Mackall, N3RZN Jennifer Rojowski, N8GZL Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P John Shew, N4QQ Keith Pugh, W5IU Larry Brown, W7LB Nick Pugh, K5QXJ Phil Karn, KA9Q Steve Culp, K8GKY

1 0

AO-51 2:31PM PST 11/27/11
by Clint Bradford 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

A great pass of AO-51 at 2:31PM PST over Southern California - and the West Coast of the U.S. ... Anyone else going to monitor/work it? I'll be online on Skype - Skype name is ... clintbradford And I'll have my cell phone outside - 909-241-7666. It is a great, middle-of-the-day pass ... If being illuminated by the Sun "makes" it happen, this is an ideal orbit ... Fingers crossed, Clint

1 0

Last chances to hear ARISSat-1 are rapidly approaching.
by Alan P. Biddle 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

All, A reminder that if you have been putting off working through the ARISSat-1 repeater, receiving SSTV pictures, or submitting telemetry, the next few weeks will be your last opportunity to be a part of this satellite's history. Since deployment in August, ARISSat-1 has descended about 60 km, and is currently losing more than 1.5 km per day. The rapid rate is partially the result of the recent solar activity on the atmosphere, significantly increasing the drag. The predictions by several individuals and groups are all converging toward a reentry in January or February, 2012. Heating will become significant before then. Remember, good telemetry in this period provides invaluable information to the engineering team, to be used in future projects. The orbit period changes about 30 seconds per day, and that will increase steadily. Be certain to update your tracking program Keps from Space-Track or CelesTrak before each pass. They issue revised versions 3-5 times daily. As the descent continues, this will become even more critical to copying the telemetry beacon, especially unattended. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

3 2

AMSAT-DL Hears Mars Science Laboratory X-Band Downlink
by JoAnne Maenpaa 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

Hello everyone, Here is an additional news item that I'll send out immediately instead of waiting for the next weekend ANS news cycle ... AMSAT-DL has copied X-band from MSL: http://tinyurl.com/7t5xjwk (google English version) -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

1 0

AO-51 now shutting off tx soon after eclipse
by Richard Grabotin 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

Re-post from Amsat's twitter: "AO-51 now shutting off tx soon after eclipse, due to batt voltage dropping below regulator threshold. Recovers to 1w in sun." Were people still using this bird in eclipse with only 2 out of 6 usable cells? Perhaps this bird needs to be put on a schedule like AO-27. Can that be done? Richard K7LWV

2 2

NASA Video - Coming Back Down to our Fragile Oasis
by Trevor . 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

I liked this NASA video. The journey home from the International Space Station, Ron Garan KF5GPO, Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrey Borisenko Expedition 27 an 28. http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/Peter_Gabriel_Oasis.html A time-lapse video is about as close as we can come to show what astronauts see in space. This time-lapse video is a collaboration between images taken by Ron Garan KF5GPO and Mike Fossum KF5AQG from the International Space Station and music from Peter Gabriel. The music featured in the video is Peter Gabriel's "Down to Earth". 73 Trevor M5AKA

3 4

ISS Packet
by jerry keeton 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

The active ISS Packet is on 437.550 MHZ. Not much activity as yet . I copied it on a couple passes. Jerry WB5LHD

4 4

ANS-331 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-331 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * Longer Eclipse Periods Affecting AO-51 Operation * Latest AMSAT Project Fox Information Posted * Watch On-Line: Interviews Recorded at AMSAT 2011 Space Symposium * This Week 50 Years Ago: OSCAR 1 Announcement for December 1, 1961 * Arizona Centennial K7UGA Announces Expanded Satellite Operation * Next Proposal Cycle for US Based ARISS School Contacts Opens * 14 Year-old Co-ordinates ARISS Contact for Her School * ISS Expedition 29 Astronaut Hams Land Safely * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.01 Longer Eclipse Periods Affecting AO-51 Operation AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.01 AO-51 Command Stations report that the seven year old spacecraft is now shutting down its transmitter after losing sunlight on its solar panels during eclipse periods. Two of the six battery cells are now dead. Since July 31, 2010 AO-51 has maintained continuous and stable operations due to careful tuning of its power settings. The AO-51 Operations Team reported on November 25 that the on-board computer (IHU) crashed between 1815 and 1945Z due to low voltage. This happened after a few days of intermittent and unpredictable operation. AO-51 Control Operators Mark Hammond, N8MH and Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA reset the satellite and started the repeater back up around ~2030Z. Satellite operation was set to the following: Uplink: 145.880, no PL tone required Downlink: 435.150 at about 300 milliwatts Drew reported that telemetry data showed the battery voltage was low, around 4.9v, with cell 1 less than 1 volt. The impending third cell failure will likely end continuing operations, particularly if it fails shorted as the others have. At present there remains little margin as the operations team has observed the transmitters cutting off around 4.7 to 4.6 volts prior to the last reset, in eclipse. Please submit your AO-51 reports to the OSCAR Status Web Page: http://oscar.dcarr.org. The command stations monitor this for changes in the operation. While worldwide participation is good, more reports from US operators are appreciated. Eclipse periods, which are expected to reach 30 minutes by the end of 2011, are causing AO-51 to shut itself OFF due to low voltage. Please support AMSAT-NA and the other AMSAT groups around the world, and help us get new satellites into orbit. Projects like Fox, FunCube, P3E, and Kiwisat need your financial support to keep our amateur sat- ellite fleet flying. You can keep up with the latest AO-51 Command Team news at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php [ANS thanks the AO-51 Command Team for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.02 Latest AMSAT Project Fox Information Posted AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.02 AMSAT-NA's next generation of satellites, Fox-1 and Fox-2 are under development by the Engineering Team. Fox-1 will replace the aging AO-51 satellite which has performed as the most popular EasySat, attracting new satellite operators since it can be worked with simple equipment. However, after more than 7 years of service, AO-51 is starting to show its age and needs an affordable replacement. Why two satellites? The original Fox Engineering Team Study was for a baseline satellite, with several options for enhancements. At that time, AO-51 was functioning well, with no indication that its life- time would be short enough to impact the Fox Project. With the im- pending loss of AO-51, it was decided to break the Fox Project up into a quickly deployable baseline FM satellite, Fox-1, and a second more flexible satellite, Fox-2. Fox-2 will benefit from the development work of the baseline Fox-1, with the additional time being applied to developing its more sophis- ticated power and Software Defined Transponder (SDX) communications systems. The Powerpoint presentations on AMSAT's Fox web site provide a good view of the technical progress: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/ Project milestones completed this year: + Fox-1 project defined - July 2011 + Concept of Operations (ConOps) - September 2011 + System Requirements Spec (SRS) - October 2011 + Experiment Payload Specification - November 2011 + NASA ELaNa Proposal Submitted - November 2011 Preliminary milestones for 2012 and 2013 are: + Baselined Project Plan - January 2012 + Preliminary Design Review (PDR) - March 2012 + Engineering prototype - July 2012 + Critical Design Review (CDR) - August 2012 + Flight model ready for test - November 2012 + Launch Readiness Review - January 2013 + Launch Target - 2nd half of 2013 Also available for download from the AMSAT Project Fox web page are the Powerpoint presentations by members of the AMSAT Engineering Team at the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium in San Jose: + Fox-1 Project Overview + Fox-1 Mechanical Design + Fox-1 Thermal Design + Fox-1 Radiation Environment If you are interested in more details you may wish to see the papers in the yearly Proceedings of the AMSAT-NA Space Symposium, available from the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/item.php?id=100190 [ANS thanks the AMSAT Engineering Team for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.03 Watch On-Line: Interviews Recorded at AMSAT 2011 Space Symposium AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.03 During the 2011 AMSAT Symposium in San Jose a few weeks ago, ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM interviewed an number of AMSAT Officers and Lance Ginner of Project OSCAR. These interviews are now available on You Tube. + Barry Baines, WD4ASW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLLBB4imXGk&feature=related + Gould Smith, WA4SXM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ_-2wNmFqc + Jan King, VK4GEY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyxe76LEK9Y&feature=related + Keith Baker, KB1SF http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pto6U7CPvvo&feature=related + Lance Ginner, K6GSJ - Project OSCAR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgKc2ZY3LCA&feature=related [ANS thanks Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.04 This Week 50 Years Ago: OSCAR 1 Announcement for December 1, 1961 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.04 The AMSAT News Service is re-running the Project OSCAR Newsletters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of OSCAR 1. During the November/ December 2011 time frame you will be able to share the excitement of the launch campaign that started it all 50 years ago. The Newsletters were hand-typed back in 1961. Thanks to Don Ferguson, KD6IRE for scanning the original documents announcing OSCAR 1. ----- <Begin Commemorative Message> O S C A R N E W S L E T T E R December 1, 1961 Good News! The following is quoted from the Department of Defense News Release dated November 15, 1961: AIR FORCE TO ORBIT SMALL SATELLITE FOR "HAM" OPERATORS' USE "The Air Force is planning to boost into orbit a small amateur radio satellite so that "ham" operators around the world can contribute to the world's knowledge on the development and operation of space com- munications systems." "Known as Project OSCAR - Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio - the program is the result of extensive thought and planning on the part of several California amateur operators. They have formed the OSCAR Association to follow through on the project. "The Air Force Space Systems Division in Los Angeles has agreed to orbit the OSCAR satellite on a space available basis on board a DISCOVERER satellite which will be launched from Vandenberg AFB next month. "The OSCAR satellite will weigh approximately ten pounds and will be lifted into orbit on the external aft portion of the AGENA Satellite. Sometime after the AGENA has attained orbit the OSCAR satellite will separate from the mother vehicle. Antennae will extend and the trans- mitter will commence operation. The OSCAR satellite will contain its own battery power system and is anticipated to have a 30-day life in orbit. "The OSCAR satellite is designed to investigate radio propaga- tion phenomena in the two meter (144-146) portion of the radio freq- uency spectrum." Simultaneously, a letter from Dr. J. V. Charyk, Under Secretary of the Air Force to the American Radio Relay League, says (in part): "I am pleased to advise that the Air Force will undertake to place into orbit an Oscar package.....Our Space Systems Division has been instructed to accomplish the Oscar package launching at the earliest feasible date (italics ours) on a non-interference basis to the per- formance or mission of the launch carrier vehic1e..... Please be assured of the complete cooperation by the Air Force toward success- ful accomplishment of this amateur experiment." THIS MEANS THAT THE LAUNCH INTO SPACE OF OSCAR I, THE WORLD'S FIRST AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITE IS IMINENT -- PROBABLY WELL WITHIN THE MONTH! ACTUAL LAUNCH DATE CANNOT BE YET RELEASED FOR SECURITY REASONS. LIS- TEN TO THE VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTS AND THE OFFICIAL ARRL BROAD- CAST FROM WIAW FOR LAUNCH DATE! ALSO WATCH YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER FOR LAUNCH INFORMATION! RECENT "UP" AND "AP" OSCAR NEWS DESPATCHES HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN MAJOR NEWSPAPERS, AND IN ADDITION, W6SAI AND K6LFH WERE INTERVIEW- ED BY VOICE OF AMERICA ON THE NOVEMBER 27TH AMATEUR RADIO PROGRAM WHICH FEATURED THE OSCAR STORY. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS IMPORTANT, WORLD-WIDE AMATEUR SPACE EXPERIMENT IS URGENTLY REQUIRED. SEE RE- CENT ISSUES OF QST AND CQ MAGAZINES FOR ARTICLES ON RECEPTION AND TRACKING OF THE OSCAR 145 MC RADIO BEACON. AS THE BEACON HAS NO RECEPTION PACILITIES, QQ NQT MAKE CALLS TO THE BEACON. KEEP YOUR TRANSMITTER CLEAR OF 145 MC! OSCAR I WILL BE IN POLAR ORBIT, THUS PASSING OVER EACH POINT ON EARTH APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES PER DAY ON NORTH-TO-SOUTH AND SOUTH-TO-NORTH ORBITS. THE TIME IS NOW! ARE YOU READY? NOW THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED ALL NECESSARY PERMISSION AND ASSISTANCE, OSCAR 1 WILL BE ON ITS OWN WHEN IT IS EJECTED FROM THE PARENT VE- HICLE. THE OSCAR ASSOCIATION AND THE U. S. AIR FORCE HAVE AT THIS POINT DONE ALL THEY CAN DO TO MAKE THE EXPERIMENT A SUCCESSFUL ONE. THE RESULTS OF THIS EXPERIMENT WILL DEPEND UPON YOU - THE RADIO AMA- TEUR. YOU MUST CARRY ON FROM THIS POINT! YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS NON-COMMERCIAL, NON-MILITARY SPACE EFFORT WILL BE IN THE BEST TRA- DITIONS OF AMATEUR RADIO! GOOD LUCK! A11 reception reports of Oscar I should be directed to: Oscar Association, P. O. Box ---, Sunnyvale, California, USA. A11 correct reports will receive a special OSCAR I QSL card, veri- fying reception of the world's first amateur radio satellite. <End of Commemorative Message> [ANS thanks Don Ferguson, KD6IRE and Project OSCAR for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.05 Arizona Centennial K7UGA Announces Expanded Satellite Operation AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.05 The November 20 ANS-324 Bulletins carried the announcement of the Central Arizona DX Association (CADXA) special event operation in celebration of the Arizona Centennial during the week of February 13-19th, 2012. They will be using the callsign of the late Senior Senator, and Arizona native son, Barry M. Goldwater, K7UGA. Operations will be on all amateur bands (160-2 meters); and will be using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and Satellite modes. This week Arizona's AMSAT Field Ops coordinator Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK announced expanded satellite operations using the K7UGA callsign: + Watch for Patrick's announcements on amsat-bb for the specific passes he plans to operate using the K7UGA callsign on February 14. + Patrick plans to use the K7UGA call sign for his on-air satel- lite demonstrations from the Yuma, Arizona Hamfest on February 17-18, 2012. + Patrick posted information about this on AMSAT's online calendar of events: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fieldops/eventDetail.php?eID=629 + Also refer to http://www.qrz.com/db/k7uga for additional info. Rick Tejera, K7TEJ says the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club will be operating a special event station for the Arizona Centennial as well the weekend of Feb 11-12, 2012. Rick plans to operating on as many FM satellite passes as possible during the event using the W7A call. [ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK and Rick Tejera, K7TEJ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.06 Next Proposal Cycle for US Based ARISS School Contacts Opens AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.06 NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, contact between July 15, 2012, and Jan. 15, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well- developed education plan. Proposals are due Jan. 30, 2012. Using amateur radio, students can ask astronauts questions about life in space and other space-related topics. Students fully engage in the ARISS contact by helping set up an amateur radio ground sta- tion at the school and then using that station to talk directly with a crew member on the International Space Station for approximately 10 minutes. The technology is easier to acquire than ever before. ARISS has a network of mentors to help you obtain the technology required to host this once in a lifetime opportunity for your students. Interested parties should contact Teaching From Space, a NASA Educa- tion office, to obtain complete information including how the tech- nology works, what is expected of the host organization and how to obtain the proposal/application form by sending an email to J SC-TFS-ARISS(a)mail.nasa.gov or by calling 281-244-1919. Additional information can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/6fc2lzn (NASA Teaching From Space) [ANS thanks the NASA Teaching From Space Office for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.07 14 Year-old Co-ordinates ARISS Contact for Her School AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.07 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report for the Week of November 21, 2011 noted that the November 14 A.S.J. Memorial High School in Thetford Mines, Québec, Canada ARISS contact with Astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG on the ISS was a success. A 14 year-old girl co-ordinated the contact with some help from her father and support from her math teacher. She also acted as radio operator during the event, which was attended by approximately 350 people, including local and regional media. After the contact, she received a standing ovation from her fellow students and senior provincial members of parliament have asked her, along with her team, to attend the provincial legislature to be recognized for her efforts. CBC Radio Canada conducted an interview with the student and her teacher. The audio is available at: http://tinyurl.com/cbvqopv (CBC.ca) [ANS thanks [ANS thanks Carol Jackson, KB3LKI, and the ARISS Status Report for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.08 ISS Expedition 29 Astronaut Hams Land Safely AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.08 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.08 Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum KF5AQG, Flight Engineers Satoshi Furukawa KE5DAW of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Sergei Volkov U4MIR of the Russian Federal Space Agency landed their Soyuz spacecraft in Kazakhstan on November 22. Video cameras on the space station captured the dramatic re-entry of the Soyuz capsule: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fORo5XeK4DU Video footage of the change over ceremony to Expedition 30 and the Soyuz undocking have been posted by UniverseToday.com at: http://tinyurl.com/7c3ucxw Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX now leads Expedition 30. Burbank and Flight Engineers Anatoly Ivanishin and Anton Shkaplerov of Russia will continue research and maintenance aboard the station. The remaining Expedition 30 crew members, NASA astronaut Don Pettit KD5MDT, European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers PI9ISS, and cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko RN3DX, are scheduled to launch Dec. 21 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and dock with the station on Dec. 23. [ANS thanks NASA and UniverseToday.com for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.09 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.09 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.09 + Yuri, UT1FG, will once again be traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and will be active from some "Wet grids" as UT1FG/MM be- tween November 25, 2011, through the end of May 2012. His first trip will be from the Panama Cannal to Huelva, Spain. Yuri is reportedly a crew member on the ship, so activity will be dur- ing his free time. Operations are expected on all amateur radio bands, 160-2 meters, 70 cm, and also including the satellite. His activities will be mainly through the satellite, but also look for him on the HF bands. He will also be active on 6 meters, conditions permitting. QSL via his home callsign, direct (see QRZ.com), by the Bureau or to his QSL Manager UX0FY. SOURCE: Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1037 + If you are interested in a certificate for ARISSat reception, the directions are at: http://www.arissat1.org. This link will take you directly to the Reception Certificate page: http://tinyurl.com/42nqk55 + Don't forget to keep forwarding your received telemetry to be auto- matically entered into the "Who Will Catch the Last Telemetry From ARISSat-1/KEDR" Contest. Just submit ARISSat-1 telemetry over the Internet using either ARISSatTLM telemetry program. You can use the PC version or the MAC version of ARISSatTLM and you are automatic- ally eligible. Download ARISSatTLM for PC or MAC from the software link on the main ARISSat-1 web page: http://www.arissat1.org/v3/ if you don't already have it. + On Tuesday, November 15, the ARISS International Team held its monthly teleconference. A recap was given on the ARISS face-to- face meeting held in October, and status updates were given on HamTV and ARISSat-1. Minutes have been posted. See: http://ariss.rac.ca/arisstel2011-11-15.htm + This video was put together by Astronaut Ron Garan, who returned home on September 16, 2011 after spending about six months in space. He set up a Nikon D3S camera in the Cupola on the space station, took some practice shots, and worked on getting the right settings, then set up the camera to take about 500 pictures at 3-second inter- vals. Ron posted the results on his blog, "Time Lapse From Space - Literally - The Journey Home at: http://vimeo.com/32430473 (via UniverseToday.com) + Martin Bruchanov OK2MNM has made his new book "Image Communication on Short Waves" available free on the web. You can either read it online or download the chapters in PDF format. Image Communication on Short Waves can be found at http://www.sstv-handbook.com/ (via Southgate) + The next time you find your QSO on 75 meters stuck on the weather or the state of the other guy's gallbladder try steering the con- versation to the design and construction of your own homebrew GPS receiver. Bone up at: http://www.holmea.demon.co.uk/GPS/Main.htm (via Dan, N8FGV) [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 sus- taining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to re- ceive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. And, with that, please keep in mind the ham who learned many words in mathematics and geometry have their root in ancient languages. A contemporary of Pythagoras was watching a parrot playing with some twigs. Although birds often play with twigs, leaves and branches, this parrot, to the mathe- matician's amazement, actually arranged the pieces of wood into a pattern with multiple sides. Then, unfortunately, the bird keeled over, dead. The mathematician was so moved that he named the shape, "Dead parrot." Although - of course - this is why, to this day, we call that shape a polygon. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

1 0

ARRL Surfin' Column - Tracking the Dead Zone
by Trevor . 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

Just spotted that Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, covers this weekends ISS experiment in his column, see http://www.arrl.org/news/surfin-tracking-the-dead-zone 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

How to build a Satellite.
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

Over the past few weeks over here in the UK, the BBC has been running a series on "How to Build" Tomorrow evening (Sunday 27th November ) on BBC2 at 2100 hrs, the final programme in the series will be shown. It should prove of interest as the title is " How to Build a Satellite" and it looks at the construction, testing and launch of a communication satellite built by "Astrium" Whilst I appreciate it cannot be seen live perhaps outside of the UK , the BBC also provides a service for download of recent programmes shown and using its player software that can also be downloaded. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat UK Amsat NA

3 2

Mars Science Laboratory On Its Way To Mars
by B J 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

The spacecraft has just separated from the booster after a successful launch and spin-up. Go MSL! 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Re: ARISSat-1 Telemetry
by Guy Mallery 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

> Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:48:11 -0500 > From: Carl Rimmer W8KRF <w8krf(a)w8krf.net> > > How do I know whether or not the data I have been submitting has in fact > been received? I noticed my call sign does not appear in the list on > DK3WN SatBlog and I am sure I have submitted more frames than some of > those listed. Up until now, I was not interested in a certificate but > after seeing a copy of one, I would now like to get one. I have all my > CSV files so I can send them in, if necessary. I also have several wav > files of the Voice transmissions. I have SSTV images and wav files > posted on my website at www.w8krf.net. Is there something else I need > to do to get the certificate? > > 73, > > <http://www.dk3wn.info/p/> > *Carl W8KRF* Hi Carl, Sure, You're in there (along with the 250 others...): http://www.dk3wn.info/files/arissat/submitters.txt GL 73, Guy - W6MSU http://www.twitter.com/w6msu

2 1

AO-51 current status
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

Sometime between 1815 and 1945Z today, AO-51's IHU crashed. This happened after a few days of intermittent and unpredictable operation. Mark N8MH and I reset the satellite and started the repeater back up around ~2030Z, and lowered the output power to about 300 milliwatts. Battery voltage was low, around 4.9v, with cell 1 less than 1 volt. This is very troublesome, as the impending third cell failure will likely end our continuing operations, particularly if it fails shorted as the others have. We've also observed the transmitters cutting off around 4.7 to 4.6 volts prior to the last reset, in eclipse. We'll do what we can, but her days are short. Let me ask once again for more reports, especially from the US operators, to the oscar.dcarr.org webpage. The command stations monitor this for changes in the operation of AO-51, and while worldwide participation is good, few US operators post to it. Please support the several satellite programs worldwide, such as AMSAT-Fox, AMSAT-UK FunCube and UKCube, AMSAT-ZL Kiwisat, AMSAT-DL P3E, and others. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

2 2

For Sale: KANSAS-CITY-TRACKER-TUNER
by Joe Leikhim 26 Nov '11

26 Nov '11

For sale on E-bay now. Thanks http://www.ebay.com/itm/L-L-GRACE-KANSAS-CITY-TRACKER-TUNER-AUTOMATIC-SATEL… -- Joe K4SAT

1 0

CE0ZZZ SAT LoTW QSL blast from the past!
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

I just received a LoTW confirmation for AO-13 14 NOV 1990 mode B QSO with CE0ZZZ. Brings back memories. I sure missed the high orbit birds. I have been active on AO-07 and VO-52 mode B lately and enjoy, but I hope I live to see another high orbit bird. I have been using my Flex-5000 software defined radio with 70 CM transverter and 2M down converter lately. Pretty cool to see whole satellite down link and search for other signals while calling CQ using SDR multiple receive capability. BTW , I have all 1822 of my satellite QSOs uploaded to LoTW and only 27 confirmed. 7 of the confirmed are for QSOs before 2009. I had 1609 QSOs before 2009. If you haven't uploaded your old or new SAT QSOs, please do. 73, Bill NJ1H

1 0

ARISSat-1 Telemetry
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

How do I know whether or not the data I have been submitting has in fact been received? I noticed my call sign does not appear in the list on DK3WN SatBlog and I am sure I have submitted more frames than some of those listed. Up until now, I was not interested in a certificate but after seeing a copy of one, I would now like to get one. I have all my CSV files so I can send them in, if necessary. I also have several wav files of the Voice transmissions. I have SSTV images and wav files posted on my website at www.w8krf.net. Is there something else I need to do to get the certificate? 73, <http://www.dk3wn.info/p/> *Carl W8KRF*

3 2

WA4SXM Interview
by Trevor . 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

WA4SXM Interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ_-2wNmFqc 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 1

Re: EM48/EM49
by Gail A Mcdaniel 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

I am working from a wireless connection that keeps dropping me.... I will also try to be on the SO-50 pass at 1529z.... I didn't hear AO-51 on the first pass - I will try the second one. 73 Gail --- On Thu, 11/24/11, Gail A Mcdaniel <gmcdanl(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: From: Gail A Mcdaniel <gmcdanl(a)sbcglobal.net> Subject: EM48/EM49 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Thursday, November 24, 2011, 8:37 PM I drove to Columbia MO early this evening... planning on hanging out with some friends tomorrow morning for a while.... I am planning on making the AO-51 passes early tomorrow at 0921z and 1100z the eastern and western pass. I will make the quick drive over to EM48bx / EM49ba and then back to Columbia.... I will probably head back to KC before the first AO-27 pass.... I worked from this location a couple years ago - just off US-54 south of Auxvasse, MO 73 from KC Gail

1 1

Very Simple USB rotor controller
by Thomas Doyle 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

This is a very simple USB rotor controller you might enjoy building. http://www.tomdoyle.org/SimpleSatRotorController - Sent from my computer. 73 W9KE tom ...

1 0

Antenna
by Craig Gagner 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

Anyone interested in a Gulf Alpha Dual Band Easy SAT Antenna. I just upgraded to a pair of cross polarized beams and cant see keeping this thing around. 1 yr old and in perfect shape. $175 paypal shipped. On another note seems as though AO-51 is on its last legs, really weak last couple of days .. Craig W1MSG

1 0

ISS APRS
by Jeff Welsh 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

Happy Turkey-Day everyone, Did anyone hear what appears to be a dead carrier on the ISS APRS frequency on this mornings pass over the US? I moved the antenna off of it and static returned. It didn't appear to be local to me. --jeff N3QO

2 1

AO-51 Signal Strength
by John Papay 25 Nov '11

25 Nov '11

AO-51 is extremely weak now. Normally AO-51 would produce a signal in excess of .6 uV at the receiver in the shack. This is from a 40el KLM with a 20' 9913 pigtail and 50' of 7/8" Heliax. The maximum signal strength on the 2113z 24Nov pass (38 degree elevation) was only .22uV. It is down about 7 or 8 db from just a few days ago. As a comparison, a SO-50 pass at 2151z (6 degree max) produced .25 uV. SO-50 continues to fade severely whereas AO-51 does not exhibit that fading on Left Hand Circular. AO51 was in the sun for about 40 minutes before my AOS. The angle might not have been that great but it wasn't that close to darkness. It's getting harder to hear AO-51 now. Many stations are heard but don't respond when called. Let's hope it stays on the air. The data buzz is now heard all the time where a week ago it only appeared a minute or two before eclipse on the morning passes and was never apparent on the afternoon passes. Even with the low power it's still a great satellite. Use it while it is still working. 73, John K8YSE

2 1

EM48/EM49
by Gail A Mcdaniel 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

I drove to Columbia MO early this evening... planning on hanging out with some friends tomorrow morning for a while.... I am planning on making the AO-51 passes early tomorrow at 0921z and 1100z the eastern and western pass. I will make the quick drive over to EM48bx / EM49ba and then back to Columbia.... I will probably head back to KC before the first AO-27 pass.... I worked from this location a couple years ago - just off US-54 south of Auxvasse, MO 73 from KC Gail

1 0

Mars Science Laboratory Go For Launch
by B J 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/preview/ Liftoff is scheduled for Saturday. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Satellite EL/AZ slide rule for sale. For collectors.
by Joe Leikhim 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

This is not one of my satellite auctions on E-Bay, but I thought this apparently handmade military orbit calculator might be of interest to a collector. The seller is entertaining offers. Maybe a good item to have in the "bomb shelter". http://www.ebay.com/itm/Satellite-Elevation-Azimuth-Military-Canadian-Navy-… -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 Note to GMail Account users. Due to an abnormally high volume of spam originating from bogus GMail accounts, I have found it necessary to block certain GMail traffic. Please phone me if you believe your message was not received.

1 0

Re: NASA Video - Coming Back Down to our Fragile Oasis
by Tony Langdon 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

At 09:18 AM 11/24/2011, Trevor . wrote: >--- On Wed, 23/11/11, Gregg Wonderly <w5ggw(a)cox.net> wrote: > > It's really sad that this is not a > > downloadable video that could be played on my > > mobile device for people regardless of being on the network > > or not. > >Unfortunately it's not on the YouTube NASA Television channel >http://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision > >if it where you could use Free Studio or other YouTube grabber to >dowbload it. > >Perhaps someone on this list knows of a good video capture utility >that'll work on the NASA website. Video Downloader, which is a Firefox extension works fine. 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

1 0

W5PFG/P 18-22 November - QSL's
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

I have uploaded all contacts from my most recent grid trip to Logbook of the World. If you emailed me QSL requests, you have top priority and should receive cards within a week -- NO SASE required. 73, Clayton W5PFG

1 0

DM04 T-Day Passes
by Bryan Herbert 24 Nov '11

24 Nov '11

It appears I have three sweet passes tomorrow SO-50 @ 1816 UTC AO-27 @ 2100 UTC AO-51 @ 2252 UTC I don't know how busy the birds are on holidays but if anyone needs DM04 or just wants to chat I'm going to try for those passes. Hope to work a few of you. *~*Happy Holidays*~* -- Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA http://bryanherbert.com http://twitter.com/ke6zgp

1 0

Tracking satellites with an Arduino
by ka2pbt 23 Nov '11

23 Nov '11

The guys over at brainwagon just finished up ANGST, the Arduino n’ Gameduinio Satellite Tracker<http://brainwagon.org/the-arduino-n-gameduino-satellite-tracker/>, a build that displays 160 different satellites in Earth orbit on any SVGA monitor. http://hackaday.com/2011/11/21/tracking-satellites-with-an-arduino/

1 0

Work AO-51, ARISSat-1, NOW!
by Clint Bradford 23 Nov '11

23 Nov '11

Eclipse times for '51 will more than double in the next few weeks - and no one knows why it is even working NOW. So work it NOW when it is illuminated! It has lasted beyond what it "should" have, considering one dead cell and another that drops to 0.0V when in eclipse. And ARISSat-1's orbit is, as expected, deteriorating ... as well as its battery. BOTTOM LINE: If you haven't worked either of these two historic satellites, do it NOW! They will not be available much longer! Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

1 0

Signal Received From Phobos-Grunt
by B J 23 Nov '11

23 Nov '11

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1111/23phobosgrunt/ http://www.universetoday.com/91239/contact-established-with-phobos-grunt-sp… The spacecraft is operating but whether the mission can proceed remains to be seen. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Build a GPS receiver
by Daniel Schultz 22 Nov '11

22 Nov '11

If you ever wondered what goes on inside your GPS receiver, there is no better way to learn than to build one: http://www.holmea.demon.co.uk/GPS/Main.htm Dan Schultz, N8FGV

1 0

Office Closed
by Martha 22 Nov '11

22 Nov '11

The AMSAT Office will be closed from Wednesday, November 23rd thru Monday, November 28th. For those who celebrate Thanksgiving, have a happy holiday. -- 73- Martha

1 0

NX9B/p from EM67 this Saturday...
by Jeff Lamb 22 Nov '11

22 Nov '11

I will be operating from EM67 (just south of Brandenburg, KY) on Saturday, November 26 for the following passes: AO-27 at 1822Z AO-51 at 1953Z (may leave this one early to catch the AO-27 western pass, overlap of a few minutes) AO-27 at 2002Z I will qsl by card (drop me an email at the QRZ address), eQSL (100% when I get home) and LoTW. (I'm a little behind on the LoTW as are they:)) I will also be thru EM68, EM78 and EM77 so you may hear me in one or more of those as well. I don't know how rare this grid is, but I've never heard it in the past 2 1/2 years so look for me if you need it. 73, Jeff, NX9B Notice: This email message, including any attachments, contains information belonging to Trinity Industries, Inc. and its business units. It has been sent solely for the use of the intended recipients and may be confidential, proprietary, copyrighted, and legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, please advise the sender of the error and permanently delete all copies of this email, including any copies that may reside in your deleted box. The unauthorized review, use, disclosure, distribution, or copying of this email or its contents is strictly prohibited.

1 0

Mars Science Laboratory Launch on NASA TV - November 26
by JoAnne Maenpaa 22 Nov '11

22 Nov '11

Here is another news item which be too late if we waited for the weekend ANS news cycle. If you enjoy watching big rockets light up and blast off you may be interested in this: The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) has been rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The one hour and 43 minute launch window opens at 10:02 a.m. EST. NASA TV is listing coverage of this launch on their viewing schedule. Tune in at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

1 0

ISS Astronauts Land
by B J 22 Nov '11

22 Nov '11

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/nov/HQ_11-394_Expedition_29_Landing.ht… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

SSTV Pictire Successful via ARISSat-1/RadioSKAF-V TRANSPONDER
by Farrell Winder 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

On November 12, 2011 at 1908 Z my son Jeff, KB8VCO and I were successful in transmitting a picture and receiving back an image via the ARISSat-1/RADIOSKAF-V transponder. Separate MMSSTV software setups on 2 computers with mode Robot 36 were used to Tx 435.750 LSB up and Rx 145.930 MHz down. It was a challenge, over several days of trying , to find the satellite in a favorable position with its (inadvertently) shortened antenna. Doppler along with Tx and Rx antennas were manually controlled. A picture of the original (my auto license plate) and the received picture from the satellite has been submitted to the ARISS SSTV Gallery. It is hoped others will try a similar experiment via the transponder and perhaps pictures could be exchanged. It is noted that Henk, PA3GUO also sent and received an SSTV picture as may be seen in the Gallery. Respectively submitted, with much thanks to Lou McFadin, W5DID, ARISS Hardware Engineering Manager and his team along with Sergej Samburov, RV3DR, Chief of Cosmonaut Amateur Radio Department for his engineering and testing contributions in Korolev, Russia. A very exciting and challenging satellite for Amateur Radio has been provided. Launch was August 5, 2011 but Re-entry according to recent reports may occur within the next few months. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio

6 7

Re: In School ARSSat Demos / lessons
by Clint Bradford 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

>> ... With ARISSat-1's main mission being Educational I would like to hear about people's experiences with schools in using ARISSat-1 as a teaching tool ... What do you need? Classroom lessons abound for all aspects of amateur radio as it applies to the satellites - from elementary school to college classrooms. Each ARISS contact has a lot of work "behind the scenes" at the campuses. There are phenomenal teachers and school administrations who really get behinds their ARISS projects. Be a little more specific with what you need - and I can either assist you, or point you towards excellent resources. Clint Bradford, K6LCS NASA / ARISS school technical support http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666

8 13

Re: SSTV Pictire Successful via ARISSat-1/RadioSKAF-V TRANSPONDER
by k6yk 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

I have copied and worked LOTS of SSTV stations on 20 meters. And some were not all that strong. There is a lot of QRM, doubling, people talking on SSB, etc etc on 14.230. We also did some SSTV on AO-51 a while back and I got some good pictures there, too. Here are a couple of 20M ones attached. 73, John, K6YK On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:47:40 -0500 (EST) "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga(a)usna.edu> writes: > > Jeff, KB8VCO and I were successful in transmitting > > a picture and receiving back an image via the > > ARISSat-1/RADIOSKAF-V transponder. > > By the way, once I got MMSTV loaded I decided to just park it on > 14.230 MHz all day long and watch the SSTV images come rolling in. > I have been watching them in my office (when I walk by that PC) and > although hear SSTV all day long, and some signals very strong..... > I must admit, only ONE in 2 weeks has been discernable as to what > the picture actually is.. > > ALl the rest you can tell MAYBE that it is some kind of picutre with > maybe some text at the top and the bottom, but NONE of them have > been readable. Yet, the signals sound like they would make a Q5 599 > SSB signal. Is it just me, or does HF multipath slur the imgaes > beyone all recognition.? > > 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 > ____________________________________________________________ Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat! http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210

1 0

Re: In School ARSSat Demos / lessons
by E. Michael McCardel 20 Nov '11

20 Nov '11

Clint, Thank you for your response. Let me clarify. At least for now, I am NOT looking for information is ARISS contacts, but rather with how educators have used ARISSat-1 in the classroom. That said I would be be glad to here from or about teachers and principals who got behind the ARRISSat-1 project. Specifically I would like to hear and see how schools may have listened to the voice telemetry or captured the BPSK -1000 telemetry or or the CW telemetry and how they may have fit a lesson around it. Also would be any classes who may have even ventured to make a transponder contact. I judge ARRISSat-1 and educational and OSCAR satellites could be better utilized in the classroom, even if they are only beacon sats. ARRIS contacts grab a lot of attention but with a couple hundred thousand schools in the country, their odds of ever making an ARISS contact is very slim. Yet, there are a lot of opportunities with the number of satellites that are active now and will be in the future to use them as a means to motivate and interest students in science, ham radio and AMSAT. I suggest that we as AMSAT should be leaders in establishing curriculum plans that might include our hobby. I am not alone here. Expect to hear more about this initiative in the coming weeks. Expect to see the AMSAT-EDU bb-list become active soon, as well, to become a forum for this discussion. So, Clint and all, point us toward those phenomenal educators and administrators, share with us your experiences. We don't need to recreate the wheel we just need to keep it rolling.. EMike, KC8YLD Message: 2 Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:39:09 -0800 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: In School ARSSat Demos / lessons Message-ID: <0D6B2D46-99CE-420E-9FE9-34C08DB50CD9(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> ... With ARISSat-1's main mission being Educational I would like to hear about people's experiences with schools in using ARISSat-1 as a teaching tool ... What do you need? Classroom lessons abound for all aspects of amateur radio as it applies to the satellites - from elementary school to college classrooms. Each ARISS contact has a lot of work "behind the scenes" at the campuses. There are phenomenal teachers and school administrations who really get behinds their ARISS projects. Be a little more specific with what you need - and I can either assist you, or point you towards excellent resources. Clint Bradford, K6LCS NASA / ARISS school technical support http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666 Sent from my iPad

1 0

Follow-up on K7UGA satellite activity in mid-February 2012
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 20 Nov '11

20 Nov '11

Hi! Following up on this announcement that showed up in this weekend's ANS bulletin... > The Central Arizona DX Association (CADXA) is very pleased > to > announce their special event operation in celebration of > the > Arizona Centennial during the week of February 13-19th, > 2012. > > They will be using the callsign of the late Senior > Senator, > and Arizona native son, Barry M. Goldwater, K7UGA. > > Individual CADXA members will be operating from their home > sta- > tions located throughout Arizona during that week using the > call- > sign K7UGA. > > However, only special operating locations from Tucson, > Prescott > and Phoenix will be on the air celebrating the 100th > anniversary > on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012. > > Operations will be on all amateur bands (160-2 meters); and > will > be using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and Satellite modes. I hope to make time to be on some satellite passes from a location in Phoenix on 14 February using the K7UGA call sign. I received the OK from the CADXA to use K7UGA on the satellites during this week-long celebration. I will post more about specific passes I hope to work on this day, and the first part of the week of 13-19 February 2012, when we are closer to mid-February. At the end of that week (Friday and Saturday, 17-18 February 2012), I will use the K7UGA call sign for my on-air satellite demonstrations from the Yuma (Arizona) Hamfest, which is also serving as the 2012 ARRL Southwestern Division Convention. The hamfest site is the Yuma County Fairgrounds, along 32nd Street across the street from Yuma International Airport and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and south of the I-8 freeway (grid DM22qq). I posted some information about this on AMSAT's online calendar of events: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fieldops/eventDetail.php?eID=629 and the hamfest's web site has more details: http://www.yumahamfest.org/ As mentioned in the ANS bulletin, QSL requests for K7UGA QSOs during that week - including the satellite activity - will be handled by the designated QSL manager, Bob K7BHM: http://www.qrz.com/db/k7uga A picture of the K7UGA QSL card that stations will receive is on the QRZ.com link above. Thanks in advance go to the Yuma Amateur Radio Hamfest Organization (yes, a group whose sole purpose is to run this hamfest!) for providing AMSAT an indoor space at the hamfest for the 4th consecutive year, along with letting me run outside for the demonstrations with my portable gear. Demonstrations will be on FM and SSB satellites both days, weather permitting. I plan to give a satellite-related presentation at some point during the two-day event, but the date/time and location on the fairgrounds site will be posted on the hamfest's web site sometime between now and mid-February. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

2 1

A single ft-817 hooked up to satpc32 for linear satellite?
by ryan woods 20 Nov '11

20 Nov '11

I was wondering if you can use a single ft-817 with satpc32 for sats like ao-7? I have a 2meter all mode that i have use before but it sorta works when it wants lol but just was curious. 73 KD8ATF Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

1 0

USB Rotore Controllore
by Thomas Doyle 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

Just wanted to see if anyone is interested in using the little slice of heaven from Italy known as the Arduino as a rotor controller. The Mega2560 board is ideal as it has hardware uarts and a/d converters. Even Radio Shack is carrying the Arduino stuff. It is very easy to use. If Radio Shack is carrying the stuff how hard can it be. I have my SatPC32 - Yaesu GS-5500 compatible rotor controller running on the Arduino Mega2560 and will share the source code if anyone is seriously interested. Send me a direct email if this interests you. Sent from my computer. 73 W9KE tom ...

1 0

ARISS-1
by Marco 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

HI all , the ARISS-1 pass at 10:50 utc is open transponder ,I calling cq during orbit but not HRD station , thery strong signal 5/7 5/8 ,little setup and 35 watt power ,any station in QRV ? Thank in advance for replay Mark ik1ran

1 0

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 631
by Wilhelm Hartinger 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

----- Original Message ----- From: <amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 9:00 PM Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 631 > 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: simplest USB rotor interface (H. Vordenbaum) > 2. Ao-51 at 2100z today (ryan woods) > 3. Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today (Clint Bradford) > 4. Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today (Rick Tejera) > 5. Re: simplest USB rotor interface (Thomas Doyle) > 6. Re: simplest USB rotor interface (Stefan Wagener) > 7. AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. (Tom Schuessler) > 8. Re: ARISSat-1 (37772) decay (Nico Janssen) > 9. Re: AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. (Andrew Glasbrenner) > 10. Re: Fwd: Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere (Tony Langdon) > 11. HR3288 Bill to Reduce ITAR Restrictions on Commercial > Satellites (JoAnne Maenpaa) > 12. ChubuSat-1 (Trevor .) > 13. Re: ChubuSat-1 (Andrew Glasbrenner) > 14. Grid Squares (n0jy(a)lavabit.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:51:46 -0600 > From: "H. Vordenbaum" <tower2(a)stx.rr.com> > To: "Wayne Estes" <w9ae(a)charter.net>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: simplest USB rotor interface > Message-ID: <D64209A8073846A0B44B0C2749E81912@MRHARVEY> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=response > > The LVB Tracker is small. The switch buttons are for calibration mainly. > The switches on the G-5400/G-5500 can be used for manual control. With > the > USB interface you don't need to fool with another serial port. > 73, Harvey > K5HV > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Wayne Estes" <w9ae(a)charter.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:27 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] simplest USB rotor interface > > >> As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor >> interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface >> options. >> >> I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for >> the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a >> big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs >> to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be >> implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen. >> >> Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something >> small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? >> I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it. >> >> Wayne Estes W9AE >> Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik >> _______________________________________________ >> 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: 2 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:19:47 -0800 (PST) > From: ryan woods <kd8atf(a)yahoo.com> > To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Ao-51 at 2100z today > Message-ID: > <1321564787.33812.androidMobile(a)web125517.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Well this was the first time for me to work any satellites in a really > long time just wanted to day AO-51 still sounds great and i hope it stays > that way for a long time. Im running a wouxon ht to an arrow on a tripod > it works good but not as well at my th-d7a. Anyway just want to get some > input while im writing this....... I am always portable when im on the > birds and can never really get my logging down so just wanted to know > How everyone else goes about it?......... Thanks in advance > > 73 de KD8ATF > > Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:01:46 -0800 > From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> > To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today > Message-ID: <60C03798-0F06-4474-A18D-DD3E6B2776A3(a)earthlink.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > >>> ... how do you all write down callsigns? > > I am not sure what your problem is. I mean ... > > -one hand for the Yagi > -one hand for the radio > -one hand for the speaker-mic > -one hand for the clipboard > -one hand for the pencil > -one hand for the tall glass of iced tea > -one hand for your smartphone with its satellite tracking program running > > (grin) > > I will sometimes use a smartphone voice recorder app to record passes, for > later review. In a shirt pocket, > to free up my other six hands. > > Additionally, I have built a little tray wide enough to accommodate my HT > on the boom of my Yagi. Helps > free another hand, as well as "counter-balancing" the front-heavy antenna. > Photos at ... > > http://web.me.com/clintbradford/k6lcs/Photos/Photos.html > > ... and ... > > http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/My_Gear.html > > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS > http://www.work-sat.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:37:46 -0700 > From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro(a)cox.net> > To: "'Clint Bradford'" <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net>, "'AMSAT BB'" > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today > Message-ID: > <20111117224144.FERK3766.fed1rmfepo202.cox.net(a)fed1rmimpo109.cox.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Not having as many hands as Clint, I use a y chord on the receive Cable > from > my headset to a small digital voice recorder. I still write the calls down > on a log I created, since I'll forget at least half of it by the time I'm > ready to key up :) > > After the pass I play the recording and get the time of the QSO by adding > the elapsed time to the start of the pass. > > Clear Skies > > Rick Tejera > Saguaro Astronomy Club > Phoenix, Arizona > www.saguaroastro.org > saguaroastro(a)cox.net > K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Clint Bradford > Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 15:02 > To: AMSAT BB > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today > >>> ... how do you all write down callsigns? > > I am not sure what your problem is. I mean ... > > -one hand for the Yagi > -one hand for the radio > -one hand for the speaker-mic > -one hand for the clipboard > -one hand for the pencil > -one hand for the tall glass of iced tea > -one hand for your smartphone with its satellite tracking program running > > (grin) > > I will sometimes use a smartphone voice recorder app to record passes, for > later review. In a shirt pocket, > to free up my other six hands. > > Additionally, I have built a little tray wide enough to accommodate my HT > on > the boom of my Yagi. Helps > free another hand, as well as "counter-balancing" the front-heavy antenna. > Photos at ... > > http://web.me.com/clintbradford/k6lcs/Photos/Photos.html > > ... and ... > > http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/My_Gear.html > > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS > http://www.work-sat.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 > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:59:56 -0600 > From: Thomas Doyle <tomdoyle1948(a)gmail.com> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: simplest USB rotor interface > Message-ID: > <CAHnRQRLnU26Qwpn10BWONRHGvJ3UagTQy97WcR4OnTSveBuUVA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > The saebrtrack from AMSATs own Mark Hammond is probably the best > documented DIY board. The processor is a bit expensive and slow but the > one > I built does work. > I had a FoxDelta ST3 for a while but had problems with it right from the > start. I was able to return it without any trouble. It is probably the > best > deal out there. The easiest part of building your own is the software. The > program does not do much so it is straightforward and easy to write. An > lcd > display of some type is invaluable in troubleshooting but you can use a > terminal emulation program on a computer for set up. The buttons are not > needed if you have a G5500. The case and cables are the most work. > > http://sites.google.com/site/marklhammond/saebrtrack > > The LVB Tracker from AMSAT is great in that you can "have it your way". > Buy > only what you need from a bare board to a completed unit. It is also a > nice > way to help out AMSAT. > > http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=Hardware > > Sent from my computer. > > 73 W9KE tom ... > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:26:14 -0600 > From: Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com> > To: Wayne Estes <w9ae(a)charter.net> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: simplest USB rotor interface > Message-ID: > <CAKu8kHAse8Q=S0QOPaaeE8e4=gWYq9YgNQZxoOAhD5AVxFLxGw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Take a look at: > > http://easy-rotor-control.com/ > > Something for every taste and budget. > > > Stefan, VE4NSA > > > > > > > On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM, Wayne Estes <w9ae(a)charter.net> wrote: >> As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor >> interfaces. ?So I need to become better informed about the interface >> options. >> >> I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for >> the >> intended purpose. ?It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big >> box, display, and control switches. ?The interface really only needs to >> contain A/D and D/A converters. ?All displays and controls can be >> implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen. >> >> Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something >> small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? >> I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it. >> >> Wayne Estes W9AE >> Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik >> _______________________________________________ >> 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: 7 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:48:16 -0600 > From: "Tom Schuessler" <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. > Message-ID: <008601cca5f8$b9362e70$2ba28b50$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII > > Several weeks ago I posted a question about the status of the AO-27 web > site > and the TOPR scheduling for that satellite. Recently Clint Bradford K6LCS > posed a similar question and got really no relevant response. Can someone > from AMSAT (or AMRAD) leadership give some insight into the state of that > program and whether the turn on schedule is still running on times > predicted > via the AO-27 Scheduler program which cannot receive updates because of > the > lack of the ao27.org site. > > Please, no crickets chirping. Be nice to have an explanation or guidance. > > Thanks, 73 and see you on the birds. > > Tom Schuessler N5HYP > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:05:57 +0100 > From: Nico Janssen <hamsat(a)xs4all.nl> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ARISSat-1 (37772) decay > Message-ID: <4EC66645.9080808(a)xs4all.nl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Hi, > > So far all my analyses of the evolution of the orbit of ARISSat 1 > have resulted in a predicted decay date sometime in December 2011. > Actually my current predicted decay date for this satellite is > December 17. Obviously it depends very much on how solar activity > develops in the coming weeks. > > So now we have seen decay predictions ranging from December 2011 > to April 2012. Let's see how we converge to the actual decay date. > > 73, > Nico PA0DLO > > > On 2011-11-16 20:28, Fabio Azzarello wrote: >> 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 >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:31:27 -0500 (GMT-05:00) > From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: Tom Schuessler <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. > Message-ID: > <8046624.1321626687665.JavaMail.root(a)mswamui-billy.atl.sa.earthlink.net> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > > Hi Tom, > > Just for the record, AO-27 is not an AMSAT bird, and AMSAT has no input or > inside track into what goes on with the satellite. I know who the command > stations are, but as long as the birds running, there really isn't IMO > much reason to bug them. > >>From my observations and experience, you really don't need a scheduler to >>work AO-27. It's neat, but superfluous. Right now the satellite is turning >>on a little further south than normal, somewhere around 25 degrees >>latitude. This drifts just a tad earlier/further south each day, until one >>of the command stations resets it. So, if you listen to a pass, note when >>and where it turns on, and now you know where and when to look tomorrow >>and even next week. > > Keeping a satellite running is a lot of work, and I can only imagine it's > tedious after 18 years. Webpages and widgets come second after that. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > > -----Original Message----- >>From: Tom Schuessler <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> >>Sent: Nov 18, 2011 8:48 AM >>To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >>Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. >> >>Several weeks ago I posted a question about the status of the AO-27 web >>site >>and the TOPR scheduling for that satellite. Recently Clint Bradford K6LCS >>posed a similar question and got really no relevant response. Can someone >>from AMSAT (or AMRAD) leadership give some insight into the state of that >>program and whether the turn on schedule is still running on times >>predicted >>via the AO-27 Scheduler program which cannot receive updates because of >>the >>lack of the ao27.org site. >> >>Please, no crickets chirping. Be nice to have an explanation or guidance. >> >>Thanks, 73 and see you on the birds. >> >>Tom Schuessler N5HYP >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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: 10 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:23:23 +1100 > From: Tony Langdon <vk3jed(a)gmail.com> > To: Luc Leblanc <lucleblanc6(a)videotron.ca>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Cc: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Fwd: Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere > Message-ID: <4ec57b57.09b5e00a.192e.ffffa865(a)mx.google.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > > At 07:59 PM 11/17/2011, Luc Leblanc wrote:\ > >>I just got a flash is it possible the moon bounce signal where >>reflected on this "ionosphere" instead of the moon surface or both or is >>it >>the moon libration signal often reported by moon bouncer a kind of >>signal mix the one reflected over the surface and the one reflected by >>the ionosphere back to the moon surface working against each other? > > This could be one of many interesting questions to try and answer. :) > > 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL > http://vkradio.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:03:36 -0600 > From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm(a)comcast.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] HR3288 Bill to Reduce ITAR Restrictions on > Commercial Satellites > Message-ID: <001d01cca614$03cb3eb0$0b61bc10$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hello everyone, > > I found out about H.R. 3288: Safeguarding United States Satellite > Leadership > and Security Act of 2011 via an article posted at UniverseToday.com > (http://tinyurl.com/6r3nb4m). > > HR3288 proposes to reduce ITAR restrictions on commercial satellite > development. I found additional information, including a link to the text > of > the bill, list of the co-sponsors, and a progress-tracking overview posted > at: > http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3288 > > Perhaps something good will come out of congress. I now have something > constructive to write to my congresscritters about instead of messages > counting the days to the next election. > > Hopefully it bodes well for amateur satellite projects worldwide. > > -- > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM > k9jkm(a)amsat.org > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:11:50 +0000 (GMT) > From: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] ChubuSat-1 > Message-ID: > <1321643510.46353.YahooMailClassic(a)web27204.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Google English article on ChubuSat-1, launch 2012-13, carries a V/U > configuration using AX25, see > > http://tinyurl.com/CubuSat1Article > > See also ChubuSat-1 on IARU satellite pages at > http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=199 > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:37:52 -0500 (GMT-05:00) > From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ChubuSat-1 > Message-ID: > <7790483.1321645073377.JavaMail.root(a)mswamui-billy.atl.sa.earthlink.net> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > 50kg! to SSO? I hope they manage to get a repeater or transponder on there > along with whatever digital relay it looks like they are planning. It > might be a good opportunity for a PE1RAH transponder, or the L/U repeater > AMSAT-OZ was developing! > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > > -----Original Message----- >>From: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> >>Sent: Nov 18, 2011 2:11 PM >>To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >>Subject: [amsat-bb] ChubuSat-1 >> >>Google English article on ChubuSat-1, launch 2012-13, carries a V/U >>configuration using AX25, see >> >>http://tinyurl.com/CubuSat1Article >> >>See also ChubuSat-1 on IARU satellite pages at >>http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=199 >> >>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 > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:57:56 -0600 (CST) > From: n0jy(a)lavabit.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Grid Squares > Message-ID: <17004.170.49.217.220.1321646276.squirrel(a)lavabit.com> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > Does anyone know of an application for a Blackberry phone that will take > the Blackberry GPS location and convert it to the grid square? > > Thanks > Jerry > N?JY > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > 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 6, Issue 631 > **************************************** >

1 0

In School ARSSat Demos / lessons
by E. Michael McCardel 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

With ARISSat-1's main mission being Educational I would like to hear about people's experiences with schools in using ARISSat-1 as a teaching tool, in class demonstration, data collection, etc. I am especially interested in hearing from educators, but anybody's experience is welcome. So as to not overwhelm the BB please respond off list. If you know anyone off list who has used the ARISSat-1 experience in schools, please pass this request on to them. I would like to hear from them as well. AMSAT recognizes we didn't have enough material prepared in advance for ARISSat-1 and we hope to rectify this now and in the future. I am currently working with other AMSAT members in developing an educational plan that can port over to future satellite launches and perhaps even be useful before ARISSat-1 decays. Thank you, EMike McCardel, KC8YLD Sent from my iPad

1 0

Re: NASA FLight Opportunities Program
by Andrew Glasbrenner 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

>Satellite launch opportunity????: Parabolic Flights ........................................................................................................................ 3 High Altitude Balloon Flights .................................................................................................... 4 Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicle Flights ........................................................................... 4 Doesn't look like anything we'd be interested in.... 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

NASA FLight Opportunities Program
by Jeff Moore 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Satellite launch opportunity????: Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY NASA has just released an "Announcement of Flight Opportunities" with a due date of 12/16/11. This program is looking for payloads: For Payloads Requiring a Near-Zero or Reduced Gravity Environment: Maturing Crosscutting Technologies that Advance Multiple Future Space Missions to Flight Readiness Status Announcement NOCT110 (February 2011 - December 2014) Call #3 for Proposals NASA is providing access to certain flight opportunities available to the Agency, on a no-exchange-of funds basis, to entities that have technology payloads meeting specified criteria. III. Eligibility: All individuals and organizations, U.S. and non-U.S, are eligible to submit a response to this Announcement. Such organizations may include educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), other Government agencies, and partnerships between such entities. Find more information here: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=296… https://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/

1 0

Re: ChubuSat-1
by Burns Fisher 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

> Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:11:50 +0000 (GMT) > From: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] ChubuSat-1 > Message-ID: > <1321643510.46353.YahooMailClassic(a)web27204.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Google English article on ChubuSat-1, launch 2012-13, carries a V/U > configuration using AX25, see > > http://tinyurl.com/CubuSat1Article > > See also ChubuSat-1 on IARU satellite pages at > http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=199 > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:37:52 -0500 (GMT-05:00) > From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ChubuSat-1 > Message-ID: > < > 7790483.1321645073377.JavaMail.root(a)mswamui-billy.atl.sa.earthlink.net> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > 50kg! to SSO? I hope they manage to get a repeater or transponder on there > along with whatever digital relay it looks like they are planning. It might > be a good opportunity for a PE1RAH transponder, or the L/U repeater > AMSAT-OZ was developing! > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > Wow! 50kg, and 3-axis stabilized! I'm guessing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is funding and building the bus and the universities are providing the payload. I wonder why the life ("lifetime in orbit") is only predicted to be 6 months? Aren't most SSO orbits somewhat higher than LEO? I'd think that with that much mass and higher it would last longer. Or maybe it is a poor translation and the limitation is consumables (like fuel)... Anyway, it will be interesting to see if there are some cool pictures if nothing else! Burns, W2BFJ

1 0

Grid Squares
by n0jy＠lavabit.com 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Does anyone know of an application for a Blackberry phone that will take the Blackberry GPS location and convert it to the grid square? Thanks Jerry NØJY

1 0

Re: ChubuSat-1
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

50kg! to SSO? I hope they manage to get a repeater or transponder on there along with whatever digital relay it looks like they are planning. It might be a good opportunity for a PE1RAH transponder, or the L/U repeater AMSAT-OZ was developing! 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> >Sent: Nov 18, 2011 2:11 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] ChubuSat-1 > >Google English article on ChubuSat-1, launch 2012-13, carries a V/U configuration using AX25, see > >http://tinyurl.com/CubuSat1Article > >See also ChubuSat-1 on IARU satellite pages at >http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=199 > >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

1 0

ChubuSat-1
by Trevor . 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Google English article on ChubuSat-1, launch 2012-13, carries a V/U configuration using AX25, see http://tinyurl.com/CubuSat1Article See also ChubuSat-1 on IARU satellite pages at http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=199 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

HR3288 Bill to Reduce ITAR Restrictions on Commercial Satellites
by JoAnne Maenpaa 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Hello everyone, I found out about H.R. 3288: Safeguarding United States Satellite Leadership and Security Act of 2011 via an article posted at UniverseToday.com (http://tinyurl.com/6r3nb4m). HR3288 proposes to reduce ITAR restrictions on commercial satellite development. I found additional information, including a link to the text of the bill, list of the co-sponsors, and a progress-tracking overview posted at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3288 Perhaps something good will come out of congress. I now have something constructive to write to my congresscritters about instead of messages counting the days to the next election. Hopefully it bodes well for amateur satellite projects worldwide. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

1 0

Re: AO-27 questions -- so why the silence.
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Hi Tom, Just for the record, AO-27 is not an AMSAT bird, and AMSAT has no input or inside track into what goes on with the satellite. I know who the command stations are, but as long as the birds running, there really isn't IMO much reason to bug them. >From my observations and experience, you really don't need a scheduler to work AO-27. It's neat, but superfluous. Right now the satellite is turning on a little further south than normal, somewhere around 25 degrees latitude. This drifts just a tad earlier/further south each day, until one of the command stations resets it. So, if you listen to a pass, note when and where it turns on, and now you know where and when to look tomorrow and even next week. Keeping a satellite running is a lot of work, and I can only imagine it's tedious after 18 years. Webpages and widgets come second after that. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Tom Schuessler <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> >Sent: Nov 18, 2011 8:48 AM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-27 questions -- so why the silence. > >Several weeks ago I posted a question about the status of the AO-27 web site >and the TOPR scheduling for that satellite. Recently Clint Bradford K6LCS >posed a similar question and got really no relevant response. Can someone >from AMSAT (or AMRAD) leadership give some insight into the state of that >program and whether the turn on schedule is still running on times predicted >via the AO-27 Scheduler program which cannot receive updates because of the >lack of the ao27.org site. > >Please, no crickets chirping. Be nice to have an explanation or guidance. > >Thanks, 73 and see you on the birds. > >Tom Schuessler N5HYP > > >_______________________________________________ >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

1 0

AO-27 questions -- so why the silence.
by Tom Schuessler 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Several weeks ago I posted a question about the status of the AO-27 web site and the TOPR scheduling for that satellite. Recently Clint Bradford K6LCS posed a similar question and got really no relevant response. Can someone from AMSAT (or AMRAD) leadership give some insight into the state of that program and whether the turn on schedule is still running on times predicted via the AO-27 Scheduler program which cannot receive updates because of the lack of the ao27.org site. Please, no crickets chirping. Be nice to have an explanation or guidance. Thanks, 73 and see you on the birds. Tom Schuessler N5HYP

1 0

simplest USB rotor interface
by Wayne Estes 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface options. I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen. Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor? Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port? I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

7 6

Re: simplest USB rotor interface
by Thomas Doyle 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

The saebrtrack from AMSATs own Mark Hammond is probably the best documented DIY board. The processor is a bit expensive and slow but the one I built does work. I had a FoxDelta ST3 for a while but had problems with it right from the start. I was able to return it without any trouble. It is probably the best deal out there. The easiest part of building your own is the software. The program does not do much so it is straightforward and easy to write. An lcd display of some type is invaluable in troubleshooting but you can use a terminal emulation program on a computer for set up. The buttons are not needed if you have a G5500. The case and cables are the most work. http://sites.google.com/site/marklhammond/saebrtrack The LVB Tracker from AMSAT is great in that you can "have it your way". Buy only what you need from a bare board to a completed unit. It is also a nice way to help out AMSAT. http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=Hardware Sent from my computer. 73 W9KE tom ...

1 0

Re: Ao-51 at 2100z today
by Clint Bradford 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

>> ... how do you all write down callsigns? I am not sure what your problem is. I mean ... -one hand for the Yagi -one hand for the radio -one hand for the speaker-mic -one hand for the clipboard -one hand for the pencil -one hand for the tall glass of iced tea -one hand for your smartphone with its satellite tracking program running (grin) I will sometimes use a smartphone voice recorder app to record passes, for later review. In a shirt pocket, to free up my other six hands. Additionally, I have built a little tray wide enough to accommodate my HT on the boom of my Yagi. Helps free another hand, as well as "counter-balancing" the front-heavy antenna. Photos at ... http://web.me.com/clintbradford/k6lcs/Photos/Photos.html ... and ... http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/My_Gear.html Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

2 1

Fwd: Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Hi, While we are on the subject of the Moon and looking back at missions - take a look at the web pages I have forwarded. Should prove quite a talking point in terms of our hobby - ionosphere and radio communications on and around the Moon. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY

3 3

Ao-51 at 2100z today
by ryan woods 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Well this was the first time for me to work any satellites in a really long time just wanted to day AO-51 still sounds great and i hope it stays that way for a long time. Im running a wouxon ht to an arrow on a tripod it works good but not as well at my th-d7a. Anyway just want to get some input while im writing this....... I am always portable when im on the birds and can never really get my logging down so just wanted to know How everyone else goes about it?......... Thanks in advance 73 de KD8ATF Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

1 0

FUNcube-1 Forum + ISS Columbus UHF Station
by Trevor . 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

See FUNcube-1 Satellite Forums http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/11/16/funcube-1-satellite-forums/ and UHF Station on ISS Columbus module http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/11/17/uhf-station-on-iss-columbus-module/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

AO-10?
by KG0MW-Chad Phillips 17 Nov '11

17 Nov '11

Just wondering if anyone has tried listening for old ao-10. Alway's hoping she will spring back to life... chad kg0mw

2 1

ARISSat-1 (37772) decay
by DeYoung James 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

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

2 1

NASA Twitting Mars Rover Launch
by Clint Bradford 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

RELEASE: 11-387 NASA INVITES 150 LUCKY TWITTER FOLLOWERS TO LAUNCH OF MARS ROVER WASHINGTON -- NASA has invited 150 followers of the agency's Twitter account to a two-day launch Tweetup on Nov. 23 and 25 at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Tweetup is expected to culminate in the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover aboard an Atlas V rocket from nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch window is scheduled to open at 10:25 a.m. EST on Nov. 25. Curiosity's arrival at Mars is anticipated in August 2012 near Gale Crater. During the nearly two-year prime mission, the rover will investigate whether a selected area of Mars offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life and preserved that evidence, if it existed. Tweetup participants were selected from more than 1,050 people who registered online. They will share their Tweetup experiences with their followers through the social networking site Twitter. Participants represent the United States, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. Attendees from the U.S. come from the District of Columbia and 37 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, NASA will broadcast a portion of the Tweetup when attendees talk with Jim Green, Planetary Science division director, and Doug McCuistion, Mars Exploration program director, both at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., where the rover was designed and built will speak, as will mission scientists. To watch the broadcast, visit: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tweetup Participants also will tour Kennedy and Cape Canaveral, including a close-up visit to the launch pad. On launch day, they will speak with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Leland Melvin, NASA's assistant administrator for education; astronaut Doug Wheelock and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Reporters credentialed to cover the launch also may cover the NASA Tweetup at Kennedy's press site. Reporters interested in interviewing Tweetup attendees in advance should contact Stephanie Schierholz at 202-358-1100 or stephanie.schierholz(a)nasa.gov. NASA has invited its Twitter followers to attend eight previous launches: NASA's newest Earth-observing satellite, NPP; the twin GRAIL spacecraft bound for the moon; the Juno spacecraft on its way to Jupiter; and five space shuttle missions. To follow participants on Twitter as they experience the prelaunch events and Curiosity's liftoff, follow the #NASATweetup hashtag and the list of attendees at: https://twitter.com/NASATweetup/mars-curiosity JPL manages the mission. NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy is managing the launch. For more information about the Mars Curiosity rover, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/msl Interact with the mission via Twitter and Facebook accounts at: http://Twitter.com/MarsCuriosity http://Facebook.com/MarsCuriosity To connect with NASA on Twitter and other social networking sites, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

1 0

5 in EM55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

Congrats to Tom KA6SIP for award #42 5 in em55 WA4HFN Damon For info about this award look me up on qrz.com

1 0

AO-51 Pass@10:30 UTC
by Kevin Deane 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

I swear I just heard some strange talking on the bird and something that sounded like a submarine pinging underwater. I thought I had Hunt for Red October on the boob tube or somethin. I heard myself on the downlink clear as day, really strong signal. I double checked my freqs and well there is no mistaking hearing yourself talk on the downlink of a satellite. Usually somebody is on these passes, but I got no response from several calls. Anyone ever experience anything like this? No I was not drinking or on anything. Kevin KF7MYK

2 1

Re: ARISSat-1 (37772) decay
by Mineo Wakita 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

Hello Jim, N8OQ. Thanks for your very valuable reply. Because it has the effect of the atmosphere density, I think that the re-entry into the earth's atmosphere of ARISSat-1 becomes really earlier than April 9, 2011. I added your this reply under the following my URL, http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm Thank you. JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

Status on re-activating Prospero
by Frank Woolfe 16 Nov '11

16 Nov '11

As a WOOMERA Vet that was on site for 13 years and been witness and supported in one way or another many Rocket Launches, I am also interested on the PROSPERO situation.. Regards, Frank H Woolfe; Dip EE,VK5KV. Radio Officer Coast Guard Port Augusta 7 Leahy Street Port Augusta, SA 5700 Ph; Hm (618) 8641 2883 Mb; 0407 873 411 Email; frankwoolfe(a)bigpond.com

1 0

p/ from Dm67
by Jim Adams 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Had 24 qso's from DM67 today, Ouray County Colorado about 12,000 feet. It was sunny and a balmy 18 degrees. One of the AO-27 passes was so low I was pointing the Arrow antenna straight down to the ground. QSO's with: AC0RA; N8RO; CO6CBF; XE1AO; W5PFG; KF7MYK; AJ5C; K7TEJ; KG7EZ; K4MOA; KB1RVT; WA3SWJ; NS7Q; KA6SIP; W0DHB; W0PTI; KL7XK; AND AC2GK/VE5. As always, if you need a QSL card for DM67, send me an email and I'll get you one in the mail. SASE not necessary. LoTW logs uploaded showing the correct grid. Jim Adams - K0BAM Delta Colorado Dm68

1 0

5 in EM55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Congrats to Leo W7JPI award #41 5 in EM55 WA4HFN Damon em55 for info on this award look me up on qrz.com

1 0

CO6CBF/p EL91
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Hi guys This afternoon (15 Nov) I will do a work travel to EL91. If anyone needs this grid, please drop me an email for a schedule and I will carry my homebrew portable setup. 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92 *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Free the Cuban Five! http://www.injusticia.cubaweb.cu/, http://www.antiterroristas.cu/ Participe en Universidad 2012, del 13 al 17 de febrero de 2012. Habana, Cuba. http://www.congresouniversidad.cu/ Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana: http://www.ecured.cu/

1 0

Re: [Re: Prospero] Commanding Error
by Roger Duthie 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Tony - We heard something intriguing after about 14:43:40 UT as the tracking said the satellite was on it's way off to the north pole. The 'chuff-chuff' description reminds me of a sound we seem to hear quite a lot. Quite often it coincides with a pass, though I think we hear the same (or very similar) during times when Prospero is over the horizon. We are going to try the next pass at ~16:00UT if you want to listen in again. Our new ploy is to wait for the last most opportune moment to command, as the power _may_ be at it highest (longest charging of batteries, potentially). So, we'll do short commanding at above 30o el, and listen. -Rr. Tony Abbey wrote: > Hi Roger > > I could hear some "chuff-chuff" noises on the last pass and they show > a related doppler shift (although I am not correcting sufficiently) as > you can see in the attached plot. Maybe its some other noise but you > never know. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > On 26 Oct 2011, at 13:39, Roger Duthie wrote: >> Commanding went well, from as far as we could make out. We're not >> sure if we're getting anything back, however. >> >> We'll be doing this pass today, hopefully: >> >> 26 Oct >> <http://www.heavens-above.com/Gtrack.aspx?Session=kebgfdallleggankjgmmlbel&s…> >> 7.3 15:31:43 10 S 15:38:26 60 E 15:46:11 10 NNE >> >> [Times in BST = UTC + 1] >> >> -Roger

4 16

Re: ARISSat-1 Re-entry Prediction
by Fabio Azzarello 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Hello everybody, I did my guess before the end of the "Chicken Little Competition"... maybe a little too early to catch the correct date of re-entry. Anyway, I've noticed that your prediction, Mineo, seems to be optimistic towards the date of re-entry. I think that, close to that date, sat's height will decrease much faster than you've predicted thus the re-entry could be sooner than April 9th. I will be pleased to share my prediction with anybody is interested. 73s Fabio IW8QKU/5 >Thanks, Mineo. Your work is interesting. > >If my memory is correct, the prediction shared at the AMSAT Symposium is for >April 2012. Your results agree! > >73, > >Mark N8MH > >At 11:13 AM 11/12/2011 +0900, Mineo Wakita wrote: >>I calculated and predicted the time of ARISSat-1 Re-entry. >> >>http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm >> >>JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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

1 0

DO and DO NOT with your RF connectors
by i8cvs 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Hi All, The following is a very interesting paper coming from GORE-TEX microwave test cables : DO HANDLING & STORAGE 1) Keep connectors clean 2) Extend sleeve or connector nut 3) Cap when not in use 4) Store in provided box 5) Unroll any cable loops VISUAL INSPECTION 1) Inspect all connectors-including mates-carefully before every connection 2) Look for metal particles, debris, scratches, dents, loose pins, jammed collects, worn plating, damaged nuts CLEANING 1) First try compressed air only 2) Use pure isopropanol with cotton swabs 3) Clean connector threads 4) Dry with compressed air GAGING 1) Gage all connectors before first use and periodically thereafter 2) Clean and zero the gage before using MAKING CONNECTIONS 1) Align connectors carefully 2) Make preliminary connection lightly 3) Turn connector nut only to tighten 4) If possible, use a torque wrench for final connection 5) Use proper torque 6) Loosen and re-torque periodically 7) Prevent rotation of connector bodies ------------------------------------------------------ DO NOT HANDLING & STORAGE 1) Touch mating plane surfaces 2) Set connectors contact-end down 3) Allow free cable end to drop 4) Store loose in drawer 5) Pull out cable loops 6) Use cables to reposition equipment VISUAL INSPECTION 1) Use or connect to a damaged or dirty connector-ever CLEANING 1) Use any abrasives, chlorinated solvents, or lubricants 2) Get isopropanol onto plastic support beads 3) Blow into connectors 4) Tap connectors to remove debris GAGING 1) Use an out-of-spec connector 2) Hold gage by housing-use plunger barrel only MAKING CONNECTIONS 1) Apply bending force to connection 2) Overtighten preliminary connection 3) Connect by rotating the famale 4) Tighten past "break" point of torque wrench 5) Snap wrench more than once 6) Approach break point rapidly 7) Use an end wrench to tighten 73" de i8CVS Domenico

1 0

Apologies: Re my Posting -Mystery of Lunar Ionosphere
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

Apologies, My posting on the subject should have included details of the address, but as it was forwarded it will perhaps have been filtered. Details are as follows. Ken Eaton GW1FKY NASA Science News for Nov. 14, 2011 How can a world without air have an ionosphere? Somehow the Moon has done it. Lunar researchers have been struggling with the mystery for years, and they may have finally found a solution. FULL STORY at _http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14nov_lunarionos… (http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/14nov_lunarionosp…) A video version of this story is available at _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSrP4MacFE_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSrP4MacFE) You are currently subscribed to snglist as: _gw1fky(a)amsat.org_ (mailto:[email protected]) . This is a free service.

1 0

AO-27 Status
by Clint Bradford 15 Nov '11

15 Nov '11

What set of Keplerian data is the most reliable for AO-27? And it seems that the West Coast US south-to-north passes are still up and running ... But is there any "better" info available - with the http://www.ao27.org/AO27/index.shtml site down? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

2 1

/p from DM58
by Jim Adams 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

I forget at times that DM58 is only a short distance from my QTH. Today I had 21 QSO's from DM58: K8YSE, WC0X, KC7MG, KA6SIP, WA5KBH, KF7MYK, W0DHB, KJ6SON, CO6CBF, N5JF, AC8HQ, WB0IEL, K4FEG, W5PFG, AJ1O, NX9B, N8RO, KL4E, VE8EV, AC2GK/VE5, KL7XJ. I think just about everyone has this grid, but if any of you need a QSL card from DM58 let me know and I'll get one out to you. ALSO, if anyone needs DM58, let me know and I can walk down there for you. Where will I be tomorrow? Stay tuned. (Trying to make amends for my stupid Amsat Bulliten comment) Jim Adams - K0BAM Delta Colorado

1 0

Apollo 12
by Burns Fisher 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

> > >> ... Remember Apollo 12? > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:03:01 -0700 > From: Rick Tejera <saguaroastro(a)cox.net> > To: Clint Bradford <clintbradford(a)mac.com> > Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Would NASA Ever Launch in this Weather? > Message-ID: <144F3CBB-6919-421B-8FDA-45F230C17E48(a)cox.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > And mission saved because EECOM controller remembered a test that had the > same garbled pattern on his screen. He told the crew (through the Capcom) > to "Try SCE to Aux". The NY other person who knew what he meant was LMP > Alan Bean. Fortunately the switch was by his head. He flipped it and > telemetry was restored. > > Among flight controllers the term SCE to Aux is considered legendary. > > Btw, SCE stands go Signal Conditioning Equipment. The SCE converts raw > signals from instrumentation to standard voltages for the spacecraft > instrument displays and telemetry encoders. > > Sent from my iPod > Rick Tejera > Editor, SACnews > Saguaro Astronomy Club > www.saguaroastro.org > K7TEJ > > On Nov 13, 2011, at 21:51, Clint Bradford <clintbradford(a)mac.com> wrote: > > > Touche, Rick. Two lightning strikes ... ABORT handle grasped for minutes > ... > > > > http://youtu.be/ajOsHVK11Lw > > > > Clint > > > >>> ... Remember Apollo 12? > > > Check out this transcript. Notice that PA makes no mention whatever of the problem? I remember (and actually heard in real time) the "Program Alarm 1201" calls (and was worried before Walter and Wally noticed, as I recall) on Apollo 11, but I don't remember the SCE to Aux call at all. They must have switched it back before TLI, right? Surely they would not head off to the moon with no backup... Burns, W2BFJ (who also knew they had landed before Walter..."Contact light...engines stop." Wait several seconds, they are still talking. They must have landed!) http://history.nasa.gov/ap12fj/01launch_to_earth_orbit.htm

2 1

Trifecta Plus One - No, Perfecta!
by Clint Bradford 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

Yesterday (Sunday) at a little after 1PM PST time, I had four FM sats within range - ARISSat-1, AO-27, SO-50, and the ISS were all monitor-able from Southern CA within minutes of each other. I mean, you'd snag one, tune to another and re-orient the antenna, and there another sat was ... and then another ... and another ... Way too exciting for this aging ham. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

1 0

This weekends ISS Shadow-Beacon Plasma Experiment
by Trevor . 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

Only just seen this, hadn't realised there was a Space Plasma experiment using the 145.825 MHz packet system Space plasma experiment "Shadow" onboard International Space Station (ISS) with participation of radio amateurs http://knts.tsniimash.ru/Shadow/en/Overview.aspx Schedule http://knts.tsniimash.ru/Shadow/en/NewView.aspx?NewId=6ad52670-4421-4860-93… 73 Trevor M5AKA

6 5

ARISSat-1 Re-entry Prediction
by Mineo Wakita 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

I calculated and predicted the time of ARISSat-1 Re-entry. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

2 1

Next Dragon Flight Delayed
by B J 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/111113nextyear/ 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Would NASA Ever Launch in this Weather?
by Clint Bradford 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

At T minus 15 minutes, a camera a kilometer away from the pad cannot see the Soyuz ... Would NASA ever launch in this type of weather??? Clint Bradford

2 3

Re: ANS-317 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Jim Adams 13 Nov '11

13 Nov '11

Well now don't I just feel stupid. Jim Adams - K0BAM Delta Colorado

1 0

Re: ANS-317 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Jim Adams 13 Nov '11

13 Nov '11

Who writes this stuff? There's 700,000 licensed Amateur Radio Operators in the United States alone! *"There are an estimated 300,000 licensed radio amateurs in the world, and the American Radio Relay League hopes a large number of these hobbyists will participate in the forthcoming experiments."* Jim Adams - K0BAM Delta Colorado * *

3 2