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VP5/KL7CN QRV today
by Bryan Green 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

VP5/KL7CN QRV FL41 most passes today only 2018-04-11 approx 17:00z to 21:00z. AO-7 145.935 Tx. AO-85 included. 21:10 SO-50 likely. -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6 bryan(a)kl7cn.net

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March/April 2018 Edition of Apogee View Posted
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

The March/April 2018 edition of Apogee View, an update on AMSAT's activities from AMSAT President Joe Spier, K6WAO, has been posted to the AMSAT website. https://www.amsat.org/apogeeview/ 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Executive Vice President Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-11 05:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-11 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: About Gagarin from space, Vologda branch of PJSC "Rostelecom ", Vologda, Russia, direct via RN1QC (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact was successful 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC (***) Watch for SSTV 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg Salado Intermediate School, Salado, TX, direct via K5LBJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-17 16:44:23 UTC 24 deg Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, NY, direct via KD2IFR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-04-18 15:57:46 UTC 28 deg King’s High School, Warwick, UK, direct via GB4KHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-04-19 12:05:19 UTC 72 deg ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-04-11 05:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1219. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1168. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-04-11 05:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Intercosmos - 40th year of international human flights - SSTV Award
by JoAnne K9JKM 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

Here is an item which may be helpful relaying earlier than waiting for the weekend ANS news release cycle ... Intercosmos - 40th year of international human flights - SSTV Award SSTV from the International Space Station is expected to be active April 11-14 worldwide as part of Cosmonautics Day, which takes place on April 12. Images will be related to the Interkosmos project (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). This activity will cover most of the world during the operational period. The images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz and the mode is planned to be PD120. A special Award will be made available to those posting reception reports. To obtain the Award one should receive and decode at least one picture during the activity period. The quality of the received image does not have to be perfect, but good enough to identify the picture. Partial images are acceptable. The award is in electronic format (JPG). It will be sent by e-mail. The criteria as follows must be met to obtain the Award: Load your decoded images on the page: www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php Fill in the application form on https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ Deadline is May 15th, 2018. Details and a list of ARISS SSTV Award winning stations are available at: https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ Thanks to Southgate and Armand, SP3QFE, for the above information. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-10 08:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-10 08:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC About Gagarin from space, Vologda branch of PJSC "Rostelecom ", Vologda, Russia, direct via RN1QC (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg Salado Intermediate School, Salado, TX, direct via K5LBJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-17 16:44:23 UTC 24 deg (***) Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, NY, direct via KD2IFR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU (***) Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-04-18 15:57:46 UTC 28 deg (***) King’s High School, Warwick, UK, direct via GB4KHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU (***) Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-04-19 12:05:19 UTC 72 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-04-05 18:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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25 watt UHF HT for AO-85 uplink
by John Brier 09 Apr '18

09 Apr '18

Selectable 5, 10, or 25 watts. LOL. AO-85 would be easy though! http://www.miklor.com/COM/Review_NOTE.php 73, John Brier KG4AKV

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SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink)
by Robert Bruninga 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

Can someone post a nice concise summary of SSTV aps available for smart phones and tablets that would let people see the SSTV from the ISS this coming week with nothing more than an HT and a phone? This can be the seed for all hams to have such an AP so that when they witness something and are beyond cell service, they can snap a pix, and send if via their HT o r mobile, and similarly receive such remote area images too over Ham radio. The technology is here. Kenwood did the VCH1 Handheld SSTV system back in the 90's but it was hardware specific and before its time. Now, EVERYONE has the SSTV processing power in their pocket to make ham radio imaging possible anytime anywhere. Let's start practicing our ability to use it. Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- Subject: [ans] ANS-105 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETINS ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the ISS in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. Transmissions begin April 11 at 11:30 UTC through April 14 at 18:20 UTC on 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. A Russian computer on the ISS, stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .

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AMSAT Rover Award Certificate
by Bruce 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

It has been awhile, the voting was in and the certificate has been created. For those that have earned the award, the certificates will be going out to the address in your AMSAT online store order soon. If you would like to see what the certificate looks like, it is on the AMSAT Rover Award web page. https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover Thanks to everyone that submitted a picture to use on the award. 73...bruce <https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/><https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/> -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Re: [amsat-bb] 7X3WPL qrv from Algeria JM13KT
by Abdel Mesbah 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

7X3WPL is now qrv permanently from Sahara DX club in Laghouat. Using a ts2000. G5500 and Wimo X-Quad for 2m and 70cm. Best 73 Abdel M0NPT /7X2TT Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36> ________________________________ From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> on behalf of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2018 5:58:31 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 13, Issue 131 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.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: AO73/FUNcube-1 mode change (Graham Shirville) 2. ARISS News Release (ANR) no. 18-05 (David H Jordan) 3. Opening a G-5500 cable connector (JOEL KANDEL) 4. Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL (n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net) 5. SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) (Robert Bruninga) 6. ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (Chris Bradley (AA0CB)) 7. Re: SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) (Rick Tejera) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2018 17:15:17 +0100 From: Graham Shirville <g.shirville(a)btinternet.com> To: Jean Marc Momple <jean.marc.momple(a)gmail.com> Cc: AMSAT <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "funcube(a)yahoogroups.co.uk" <funcube(a)yahoogroups.co.uk> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO73/FUNcube-1 mode change Message-ID: <84d2527a-80b6-3ffc-7e3a-0ebcd4349813(a)btinternet.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Hi Jean Marc, Many thanks for your kind report and also for the valuable telemetry as always. Especially appreciated from small islands! 73 Graham On 06/04/2018 16:55, Jean Marc Momple wrote: > Graham, > > Confirm it is and working fine, just heard myself very well through the bird in the middle of Indian Ocean. > > Also the telemetry was captured fine and uploaded. > > Thanks for keeping us informed of the schedule. > > 73 > > > Jean Marc (3B8DU) > > > >> On Apr 6, 2018, at 1:17 PM, Graham Shirville via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >> >> Hi All, >> >> AO73 is now in amateur mode, with the transponder on continuously, for the weekend. >> >> 73 >> >> Graham >> >> G3VZV >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2018 13:47:01 -0400 From: David H Jordan <aa4kndhj(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] ARISS News Release (ANR) no. 18-05 Message-ID: <CAHqrOLZs40KuL6kw+X-+nsvpdc=GfXFN0SbTHHUqesWV5N47wQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" *ARISS News Release No. 18-05* *Dave Jordan, AA4KN * *ARISS PR* *aa4kn(a)amsat.org <aa4kn(a)amsat.org>* *Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * April 7, 2018: ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. *About ARISS* Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org<http://www.ariss.org>. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status *Media Contact:* Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2018 16:22:22 -0400 From: JOEL KANDEL <kandelj(a)bellsouth.net> To: AMSAT <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Opening a G-5500 cable connector Message-ID: <1AA7FB2F-4F34-4DC7-A7B7-D9134692B77E(a)bellsouth.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Having an intermittent connection in the elevation rotor cable connector. I am trying to open it to resolder. I?ve removed the set screw and pushed down on the innards. Still can?t budge the plastic out of the metal housing. Any ideas? Thanks, Joel, KI4T Traveling at 300,000,000 meters per second ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2018 23:16:33 -0400 From: <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> To: "Bill Merino" <n2cop(a)ec.rr.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "amsat-edu" <amsat-edu(a)amsat.org>, <ariss-press(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL Message-ID: <F7F93983EDA54EC0947075869375220B@DHJ> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more informa tion, see www.ariss.org<http://www.ariss.org>, www.amsat.org<http://www.amsat.org>, and www.arrl.org<http://www.arrl.org>. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2018 11:37:57 -0400 From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) Message-ID: <c0ab21584977adae0bc6dabbbce5da2e(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Can someone post a nice concise summary of SSTV aps available for smart phones and tablets that would let people see the SSTV from the ISS this coming week with nothing more than an HT and a phone? This can be the seed for all hams to have such an AP so that when they witness something and are beyond cell service, they can snap a pix, and send if via their HT o r mobile, and similarly receive such remote area images too over Ham radio. The technology is here. Kenwood did the VCH1 Handheld SSTV system back in the 90's but it was hardware specific and before its time. Now, EVERYONE has the SSTV processing power in their pocket to make ham radio imaging possible anytime anywhere. Let's start practicing our ability to use it. Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- Subject: [ans] ANS-105 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETINS ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the ISS in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. Transmissions begin April 11 at 11:30 UTC through April 14 at 18:20 UTC on 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. A Russian computer on the ISS, stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php . ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2018 10:42:43 -0500 From: "Chris Bradley (AA0CB)" <kg5jup(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: <CANk-AFu5KmNMx237q5zCvwMeDJ9u1is-2d0r6TazLgdohPr7Yw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-105.01 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 * Balloons launched BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida * Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL * Major Rove Announcement * JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements * ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ?s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World * Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference * AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up * AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org<http://www.ariss.org>. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information} -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK The twelfth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday, May 18 at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 PM for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 PM. Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK, will present on her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Jeri is an American entrepreneur, self-taught engineer, and an autodidact computer chip designer and inventor. She gained notoriety in 2004 for creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. That "computer in a joystick" could run 30 video games from the early 1980's, and at peak, sold over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel. Ellsworth co-founded CastAR (formerly Technical Illusions) in 2013 and stayed with the company until its closure on June 26, 2017. In 2016, she passed all three amateur radio exams, earned her Amateur Extra license, and received the AI6TK callsign. This has now launched new adventures into Amateur Radio. She has been featured in January 2017 QST and in YouTube videos from Quartzfest earlier this year. Jeri has been given a free hand to speak on whatever topic she wishes (as long as it's amateur radio, somewhat). [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There were several calls which decreased by one this month. These are not listed below. CALL 1Mar18 1Apr18 KK5DO 780 781 WA5KBH 659 728 N4UFO 715 724 N9IP 574 589 W5RKN 554 575 N9EAT 410 428 WD9EWK 400 425 KE4AL 252 317 K7TAB 274 306 W7QL 275 300 AA8CH 104 175 PT2AP 102 172 PS8ET 127 157 N3GS 101 130 N7AGF 101 126 G0ABI 116 122 AL6D 112 (NEW VUCC) W1AT 102 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1, 2018. and April 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! [ANS thanks for Ron Parsons for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balloons launched March 17 - BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida Ballons were launched 17 March from the Houston Hamfest, we had a great balloon launch talk byAndy MacAllister, W5ACM, followed by two successful balloon launches. The first launch at 9:05am was BLT-49.2 and was a 300g 'popper' latex balloon carrying a digital Fireball smart beacon sending the temperature in CW on 14.318 MHz & 28.322 MHz. We copied the weak CW beacon until 11:45am and believe it burst at well over 110,000 feet based on the time aloft and temperatures we were receiving. Very successful flight! The second launch of BLT-49.1 occurred about 9:06am and was a 'floater' balloon (1m Qualatex Mylar) carrying a PecanPico 5 APRS tracker. It rose very slowly into the sky, escorted by several drones videoing the event, headed north then shot off to the east passing over Houston, Beaumont and New Orleans. After avoiding a few thunderstorms along the way, it is currently just below Panama City, FL at ~30,000 feet heading for Orlando & KSC! It can be tracked on aprs.fi or tracker.habhub.org (see links below). After crossing Florida, we're hoping to hear from it again on the other side of the Atlantic https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FAB5SS-11 https://tracker.habhub.org/#!mt=roadmap&mz=6&qm=1_day&mc=29.97358,- 84.9113&f =AB5SS-11 [ANS thanks John, AB5SS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? [ANS thanks AMSAT EDU News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Rove Announcement Announcing a major rove for satellite operators; the Springtime Rove to The Great White North! Doug Tabor, N6UA and Ken Alexander, VE3HLS will be teaming up to travel north to the James Bay area of Quebec to activate as many FO grids as are accessible by road, in the time we have. Our plan is to leave Toronto on May 5th, entering FO the next day, and spending 7 to 8 days activating rare grids. This area is extremely remote. The James Bay Road is the main corridor through the area and was built by Quebec Hydro to support construction of a province-wide network of hydroelectric projects. It's 610 km long. There are gas stations at each end and another somewhere in the middle. Likewise, the Route du Nord is a 406 km gravel road with no services. There is no cellphone service once you leave Matagami, QC, the southern terminus of the James Bay Road. We will only have internet access when we get to a town. The road will take us through, and give us access to FO01/02/03/10/11/12/13/20/21/22/23. With so many satellites currently available, having two operators will insure that everyone will have a chance to work one of us. If two satellites are in view at the same time, we'll be on both of them! We will also allocate ourselves so as to be present on as many FM satellites as are available to us. Our plans aren't complete yet. We may activate other grids, or be forced to rein in our expectations depending on available time and the conditions we encounter. We will provide updates in the coming weeks. [ANS thanks Ken, VE3HL & SDoug, N6UA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, says, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's request to re-distribute JSpOC Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved for the period April 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. Our USSTRATCOM ODR (Orbital Data Request) to distribute the AMSAT-NA TLEs was approved on March 27, 2018." Thanks to JSpOC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Paul Williamson, KB5MU for their help in this process. We are "good to go" for another year. On another note, sadly, the PICSAT team has announced today that PICSAT is no longer operational. But, Ray will continue to carry PICSAT TLEs for now.(Remember AO-07?) [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ?s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World Newington, CT and Hicksville, NY ? April 2, 2018 Officials from CQ magazine and ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio?, are excited to announce the launch of support for CQ magazine?s Worked All Zones (WAZ) award program on ARRL?s Logbook of the World (LoTW) system, effective Monday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 UTC). The goal of the project was to create the proper technical support system to enable amateur radio operators to submit LoTW confirmations for WAZ credit and that has been accomplished, say CQ and ARRL officials. ?We are very pleased that participants in CQ's WAZ award program will now be able to use their LoTW confirmations for award credit,? said CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU. ?CQ WPX Award participants have found it very helpful and we are sure it will be equally helpful for those pursuing WAZ and its many variations.? ARRL First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, concurred. ?Users of LoTW have been telling us for some time that they would like to use QSLs from LoTW to apply for the WAZ award. They will now be able to select confirmations to be used for WAZ credit.? Beta testing for bringing CQ magazine's WAZ award program into ARRL?s LoTW system had been underway since mid-December. Any problems in the implementation discovered by testers were corrected by the technical support team. Also, the documentation has been improved by feedback from the testers. At the same time, each LoTW user was given an additional WAZ account. Standard LoTW credit fees and separate CQ award fees will apply. Logbook of the World is ARRL's electronic confirmation system for amateur radio contacts. It provides a confirmation when both stations in a contact submit their logs to the system and a match between the logs is confirmed. LoTW has supported the CQ WPX Award program since 2012. CQ Communications, Inc. is publisher of CQ Amateur Radio magazine and is the world's largest independent publisher of amateur radio magazines, books and videos. Worked All Zones is the second-oldest active award program in amateur radio, behind only the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents award. ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio?, represents the interests of Amateur (or ?ham?) Radio operators across the country. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL has a proud history of achievement as the standard- bearer in amateur affairs. Now in its second century, the organization remains focused on ?advancing the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.? [ANS thanks CQ Communications, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference The Central States VHF Society, Inc. is soliciting both authors for the "Proceedings of the Central States VHF Society" and presenters for the technical sessions at its 2018 Conference to be held in Wichita, KS July 26-29, 2018. Further information for both authors and presenters may be found on the 2018 Conference website <<http://>www.2018.CSVHFS.org under "Guidance Documents." Topics for both papers and presentations include all topics related to weak-signal VHF and above amateur radio activities, including: * Antennas: including Modeling, Design, Arrays, and Control * Test Equipment: including Homebrew, Commercial, and Measurement Techniques & Tips * Construction of equipment: such as Transmitters, Receivers, and Transverters * Operating: including Contesting, Roving, and DXpeditions * RF power amps: including Single and Multi-band Vacuum Tube, Solid-state, and TWTAs * Propagation: including Ducting, Sporadic E, Tropospheric, Meteor Scatter, etc. * Pre-amplifiers (low noise) * Digital Modes : such as WSJT, JT65, FT8, JT6M, ISCAT, etc. * Regulatory topics * Moon Bounce (EME) * Software-defined Radio (SDR) * Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Topics such as FM, repeaters, packet radio, etc., are generally considered outside of the scope of papers being sought. However, there are always exceptions. Please contact either Kent Britain, WA5VJB (wa5vjb (at) wa5vjb.com) or Donn Baker, WA2VOI (wa2voi (at) mninter.net) if you have any questions about the suitability of a particular topic. For presenters, we would appreciate a brief abstract of your presentation topic on or before Tuesday, May 15th to help us with the program schedule. The final presentation materials (i.e., PowerPoint, etc. files) are due at the Conference on Friday morning (July 27th). However, for supporting material (NOT the presentation itself) to be published in the Proceedings, it must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. For papers to be published in the Proceedings, final copies must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. Note that you do not have to attend the Conference nor present your paper to have it published in the Proceedings. [ANS thanks Donn, WA2VOI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. The speaker and topic line up includes: + Moderator: Keith Baker, KB1SF / VA3KSF + "AMSAT Status Report" by Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA President, who will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news. + "AMSAT Engineering Program" by Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint) Projects. + "ARISS Report 2018" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight will discus ARISS' "Next Generation ARISS Radio System" on the International Space Station. [ANS thanks Forum Moderator Keith baker, Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 AMSAT Booth ----------- Stop by the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 & 1107-1110) Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm to meet board members, officers, and active satellite operators. You'll be able to ask questions and see demonstrations of AMSAT's current and upcoming technologies. Well dressed satellite operators will look forward to picking up the latest AMSAT "swag" and fashions for 2018. Gould Smith's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites", has been updated for 2018 and will be on sale during the Hamvention. AMSAT Forum ----------- The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. Amateur Satellite Demonstrations -------------------------------- Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held every day outside the main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. AMSAT will be be demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites. We especially invite youth to make a contact via an amateur satellite. All are invited to observe, participate and ask questions. Satellite pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth and in the demo area. Annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" Party -------------------------------------- The annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held Thursday at 1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Feast on a great selection of Greek and American food and great company! No program or speaker, just good conversation. Food can be ordered from the menu, drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are available at the bar. Leave room for dessert, there's an in-house ice cream shop! Come as you are. Bring some friends and have a great time the night before Hamvention. AMSAT/TAPR Banquet ------------------ The twelfth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Center on Friday at 1830 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the AMSAT and TAPR activities during the Dayton Hamven- tion. We are pleased to announce that Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK will be our speaker. Jeri will present her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Banquet seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets ($37 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store: https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/ The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 15. Banquet tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in at the door of the banquet center. [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-042.01 ANS-105.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 8. 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-105.01 Satellite Shorts From All Over + Karhu Koti has created a mutual window calculator for satellites between two locations. See: https://www.karhukoti.com/webtracker + An interesting twitter post about the 'live' on-line tracking sites interesting:https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/980549243701268 482 + Not your typical space junk article. It leads with the release of 100+ sats by the same Indian rocket that launched AO- 92.https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of- space-junk-puts-them-at-risk-1505226427 + Here's something to think about. L band is a lot of fun. We do get 24 hours once a week (not complaining). With several ISS passes every day. It is a good reflector. Plus we can use CW, SSB, many digi modes. Just google it. + Next Rocket Lab launch window is starting 20th April 00:30 UTC for 4 hours. This window repeats for the following 14 days. See: http://rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-first- commercial-mission-this-month/ It will be probably be watchable live from their web site. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC + AMSAT's plans for Hamvention 2018 for the dates May 17-20 have been posted: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention- 2018/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Chris Bradley, AA0CB aa0cb at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2018 09:49:00 -0700 From: Rick Tejera <saguaroastro(a)cox.net> To: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu>, AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) Message-ID: <gn7vm49w1taoejfnwg2hilw9.1523205565243(a)email.android.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 I'm sure there are others, but I use Robot 36 for droid. Works great. Just put the phone near the speaker and let the decoding begin. Rick Tejera K7TEJSaguaroAstro(a)cox.net623-203-4121 -------- Original message -------- From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Date: 4/8/18 08:37 (GMT-07:00) To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) Can someone post a nice concise summary of SSTV aps available for smart phones and tablets that would let people see the SSTV from the ISS this coming week with nothing more than an HT and a phone? This can be the seed for all hams to have such an AP so that when they witness something and are beyond cell service, they can snap a pix, and send if via their HT o r mobile, and similarly receive such remote area images too over Ham radio. The technology is here.? Kenwood did the VCH1 Handheld SSTV system back in the 90's but it was hardware specific and before its time.? Now, EVERYONE has the SSTV processing power in their pocket to make ham radio imaging possible anytime anywhere.? Let's start practicing our ability to use it. Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- Subject: [ans] ANS-105 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETINS ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the ISS in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. Transmissions begin April 11 at 11:30 UTC through April 14 at 18:20 UTC on 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. A Russian computer on the ISS, stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver.? Images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php . _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 13, Issue 131 *****************************************

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sstv robot36 app
by Mr B r a d 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

I have also used Robot36 app for android , it works okay and is easy.there is also a app to send from the smart phone called sstv encoderI have used both from the bed-breakfast-ham shack on the big Island ofhawaii for work back to the states and help some friends complete W.A.S. if you take the time to install mmsstv and the ftp widget you will be able todecode the sstv and automatically upload the pics ( via ftp ) to your website.and while I have your eyeballs , can some one point me to a URL with infoon running sstv on the ssb sats ?? I would love to try this. can anyone say what sstv mode works best with the shifting tones of doppler?I would guess BW12 would work best.73 brad Ko6kLSSTV Webcam View Slow Scan TV shortwave bands LIVE | | | | | | | | | | | SSTV Webcam View Slow Scan TV shortwave bands LIVE | | | | please remember to delete the stuff at the bottom of your message ....

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Re: [amsat-bb] SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink)
by Rick Tejera 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

I'm sure there are others, but I use Robot 36 for droid. Works great. Just put the phone near the speaker and let the decoding begin. Rick Tejera K7TEJSaguaroAstro(a)cox.net623-203-4121 -------- Original message -------- From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Date: 4/8/18 08:37 (GMT-07:00) To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] SSTV aps for Phones and Tablets (& ISS downlink) Can someone post a nice concise summary of SSTV aps available for smart phones and tablets that would let people see the SSTV from the ISS this coming week with nothing more than an HT and a phone? This can be the seed for all hams to have such an AP so that when they witness something and are beyond cell service, they can snap a pix, and send if via their HT o r mobile, and similarly receive such remote area images too over Ham radio. The technology is here. Kenwood did the VCH1 Handheld SSTV system back in the 90's but it was hardware specific and before its time. Now, EVERYONE has the SSTV processing power in their pocket to make ham radio imaging possible anytime anywhere. Let's start practicing our ability to use it. Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- Subject: [ans] ANS-105 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETINS ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the ISS in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. Transmissions begin April 11 at 11:30 UTC through April 14 at 18:20 UTC on 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. A Russian computer on the ISS, stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php . _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Chris Bradley (AA0CB) 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-105.01 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 * Balloons launched BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida * Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL * Major Rove Announcement * JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements * ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World * Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference * AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up * AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information} -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK The twelfth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday, May 18 at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 PM for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 PM. Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK, will present on her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Jeri is an American entrepreneur, self-taught engineer, and an autodidact computer chip designer and inventor. She gained notoriety in 2004 for creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. That "computer in a joystick" could run 30 video games from the early 1980's, and at peak, sold over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel. Ellsworth co-founded CastAR (formerly Technical Illusions) in 2013 and stayed with the company until its closure on June 26, 2017. In 2016, she passed all three amateur radio exams, earned her Amateur Extra license, and received the AI6TK callsign. This has now launched new adventures into Amateur Radio. She has been featured in January 2017 QST and in YouTube videos from Quartzfest earlier this year. Jeri has been given a free hand to speak on whatever topic she wishes (as long as it's amateur radio, somewhat). [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There were several calls which decreased by one this month. These are not listed below. CALL 1Mar18 1Apr18 KK5DO 780 781 WA5KBH 659 728 N4UFO 715 724 N9IP 574 589 W5RKN 554 575 N9EAT 410 428 WD9EWK 400 425 KE4AL 252 317 K7TAB 274 306 W7QL 275 300 AA8CH 104 175 PT2AP 102 172 PS8ET 127 157 N3GS 101 130 N7AGF 101 126 G0ABI 116 122 AL6D 112 (NEW VUCC) W1AT 102 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1, 2018. and April 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! [ANS thanks for Ron Parsons for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balloons launched March 17 - BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida Ballons were launched 17 March from the Houston Hamfest, we had a great balloon launch talk byAndy MacAllister, W5ACM, followed by two successful balloon launches. The first launch at 9:05am was BLT-49.2 and was a 300g 'popper' latex balloon carrying a digital Fireball smart beacon sending the temperature in CW on 14.318 MHz & 28.322 MHz. We copied the weak CW beacon until 11:45am and believe it burst at well over 110,000 feet based on the time aloft and temperatures we were receiving. Very successful flight! The second launch of BLT-49.1 occurred about 9:06am and was a 'floater' balloon (1m Qualatex Mylar) carrying a PecanPico 5 APRS tracker. It rose very slowly into the sky, escorted by several drones videoing the event, headed north then shot off to the east passing over Houston, Beaumont and New Orleans. After avoiding a few thunderstorms along the way, it is currently just below Panama City, FL at ~30,000 feet heading for Orlando & KSC! It can be tracked on aprs.fi or tracker.habhub.org (see links below). After crossing Florida, we're hoping to hear from it again on the other side of the Atlantic https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FAB5SS-11 https://tracker.habhub.org/#!mt=roadmap&mz=6&qm=1_day&mc=29.97358,- 84.9113&f =AB5SS-11 [ANS thanks John, AB5SS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? [ANS thanks AMSAT EDU News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Rove Announcement Announcing a major rove for satellite operators; the Springtime Rove to The Great White North! Doug Tabor, N6UA and Ken Alexander, VE3HLS will be teaming up to travel north to the James Bay area of Quebec to activate as many FO grids as are accessible by road, in the time we have. Our plan is to leave Toronto on May 5th, entering FO the next day, and spending 7 to 8 days activating rare grids. This area is extremely remote. The James Bay Road is the main corridor through the area and was built by Quebec Hydro to support construction of a province-wide network of hydroelectric projects. It's 610 km long. There are gas stations at each end and another somewhere in the middle. Likewise, the Route du Nord is a 406 km gravel road with no services. There is no cellphone service once you leave Matagami, QC, the southern terminus of the James Bay Road. We will only have internet access when we get to a town. The road will take us through, and give us access to FO01/02/03/10/11/12/13/20/21/22/23. With so many satellites currently available, having two operators will insure that everyone will have a chance to work one of us. If two satellites are in view at the same time, we'll be on both of them! We will also allocate ourselves so as to be present on as many FM satellites as are available to us. Our plans aren't complete yet. We may activate other grids, or be forced to rein in our expectations depending on available time and the conditions we encounter. We will provide updates in the coming weeks. [ANS thanks Ken, VE3HL & SDoug, N6UA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, says, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's request to re-distribute JSpOC Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved for the period April 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. Our USSTRATCOM ODR (Orbital Data Request) to distribute the AMSAT-NA TLEs was approved on March 27, 2018." Thanks to JSpOC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Paul Williamson, KB5MU for their help in this process. We are "good to go" for another year. On another note, sadly, the PICSAT team has announced today that PICSAT is no longer operational. But, Ray will continue to carry PICSAT TLEs for now.(Remember AO-07?) [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World Newington, CT and Hicksville, NY – April 2, 2018 Officials from CQ magazine and ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio®, are excited to announce the launch of support for CQ magazine’s Worked All Zones (WAZ) award program on ARRL’s Logbook of the World (LoTW) system, effective Monday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 UTC). The goal of the project was to create the proper technical support system to enable amateur radio operators to submit LoTW confirmations for WAZ credit and that has been accomplished, say CQ and ARRL officials. “We are very pleased that participants in CQ's WAZ award program will now be able to use their LoTW confirmations for award credit,” said CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU. “CQ WPX Award participants have found it very helpful and we are sure it will be equally helpful for those pursuing WAZ and its many variations.” ARRL First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, concurred. “Users of LoTW have been telling us for some time that they would like to use QSLs from LoTW to apply for the WAZ award. They will now be able to select confirmations to be used for WAZ credit.” Beta testing for bringing CQ magazine's WAZ award program into ARRL’s LoTW system had been underway since mid-December. Any problems in the implementation discovered by testers were corrected by the technical support team. Also, the documentation has been improved by feedback from the testers. At the same time, each LoTW user was given an additional WAZ account. Standard LoTW credit fees and separate CQ award fees will apply. Logbook of the World is ARRL's electronic confirmation system for amateur radio contacts. It provides a confirmation when both stations in a contact submit their logs to the system and a match between the logs is confirmed. LoTW has supported the CQ WPX Award program since 2012. CQ Communications, Inc. is publisher of CQ Amateur Radio magazine and is the world's largest independent publisher of amateur radio magazines, books and videos. Worked All Zones is the second-oldest active award program in amateur radio, behind only the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents award. ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio®, represents the interests of Amateur (or “ham”) Radio operators across the country. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL has a proud history of achievement as the standard- bearer in amateur affairs. Now in its second century, the organization remains focused on “advancing the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.” [ANS thanks CQ Communications, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference The Central States VHF Society, Inc. is soliciting both authors for the "Proceedings of the Central States VHF Society" and presenters for the technical sessions at its 2018 Conference to be held in Wichita, KS July 26-29, 2018. Further information for both authors and presenters may be found on the 2018 Conference website <www.2018.CSVHFS.org under "Guidance Documents." Topics for both papers and presentations include all topics related to weak-signal VHF and above amateur radio activities, including: * Antennas: including Modeling, Design, Arrays, and Control * Test Equipment: including Homebrew, Commercial, and Measurement Techniques & Tips * Construction of equipment: such as Transmitters, Receivers, and Transverters * Operating: including Contesting, Roving, and DXpeditions * RF power amps: including Single and Multi-band Vacuum Tube, Solid-state, and TWTAs * Propagation: including Ducting, Sporadic E, Tropospheric, Meteor Scatter, etc. * Pre-amplifiers (low noise) * Digital Modes : such as WSJT, JT65, FT8, JT6M, ISCAT, etc. * Regulatory topics * Moon Bounce (EME) * Software-defined Radio (SDR) * Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Topics such as FM, repeaters, packet radio, etc., are generally considered outside of the scope of papers being sought. However, there are always exceptions. Please contact either Kent Britain, WA5VJB (wa5vjb (at) wa5vjb.com) or Donn Baker, WA2VOI (wa2voi (at) mninter.net) if you have any questions about the suitability of a particular topic. For presenters, we would appreciate a brief abstract of your presentation topic on or before Tuesday, May 15th to help us with the program schedule. The final presentation materials (i.e., PowerPoint, etc. files) are due at the Conference on Friday morning (July 27th). However, for supporting material (NOT the presentation itself) to be published in the Proceedings, it must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. For papers to be published in the Proceedings, final copies must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. Note that you do not have to attend the Conference nor present your paper to have it published in the Proceedings. [ANS thanks Donn, WA2VOI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. The speaker and topic line up includes: + Moderator: Keith Baker, KB1SF / VA3KSF + "AMSAT Status Report" by Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA President, who will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news. + "AMSAT Engineering Program" by Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint) Projects. + "ARISS Report 2018" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight will discus ARISS' "Next Generation ARISS Radio System" on the International Space Station. [ANS thanks Forum Moderator Keith baker, Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 AMSAT Booth ----------- Stop by the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 & 1107-1110) Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm to meet board members, officers, and active satellite operators. You'll be able to ask questions and see demonstrations of AMSAT's current and upcoming technologies. Well dressed satellite operators will look forward to picking up the latest AMSAT "swag" and fashions for 2018. Gould Smith's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites", has been updated for 2018 and will be on sale during the Hamvention. AMSAT Forum ----------- The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. Amateur Satellite Demonstrations -------------------------------- Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held every day outside the main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. AMSAT will be be demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites. We especially invite youth to make a contact via an amateur satellite. All are invited to observe, participate and ask questions. Satellite pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth and in the demo area. Annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" Party -------------------------------------- The annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held Thursday at 1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Feast on a great selection of Greek and American food and great company! No program or speaker, just good conversation. Food can be ordered from the menu, drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are available at the bar. Leave room for dessert, there's an in-house ice cream shop! Come as you are. Bring some friends and have a great time the night before Hamvention. AMSAT/TAPR Banquet ------------------ The twelfth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Center on Friday at 1830 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the AMSAT and TAPR activities during the Dayton Hamven- tion. We are pleased to announce that Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK will be our speaker. Jeri will present her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Banquet seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets ($37 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store: https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/ The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 15. Banquet tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in at the door of the banquet center. [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-042.01 ANS-105.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 8. 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-105.01 Satellite Shorts From All Over + Karhu Koti has created a mutual window calculator for satellites between two locations. See: https://www.karhukoti.com/webtracker + An interesting twitter post about the 'live' on-line tracking sites interesting:https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/980549243701268 482 + Not your typical space junk article. It leads with the release of 100+ sats by the same Indian rocket that launched AO- 92.https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of- space-junk-puts-them-at-risk-1505226427 + Here's something to think about. L band is a lot of fun. We do get 24 hours once a week (not complaining). With several ISS passes every day. It is a good reflector. Plus we can use CW, SSB, many digi modes. Just google it. + Next Rocket Lab launch window is starting 20th April 00:30 UTC for 4 hours. This window repeats for the following 14 days. See: http://rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-first- commercial-mission-this-month/ It will be probably be watchable live from their web site. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC + AMSAT's plans for Hamvention 2018 for the dates May 17-20 have been posted: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention- 2018/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Chris Bradley, AA0CB aa0cb at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Opening a G-5500 cable connector
by JOEL KANDEL 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

Having an intermittent connection in the elevation rotor cable connector. I am trying to open it to resolder. I’ve removed the set screw and pushed down on the innards. Still can’t budge the plastic out of the metal housing. Any ideas? Thanks, Joel, KI4T Traveling at 300,000,000 meters per second

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ARISS News Release (ANR) no. 18-05
by David H Jordan 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

*ARISS News Release No. 18-05* *Dave Jordan, AA4KN * *ARISS PR* *aa4kn(a)amsat.org <aa4kn(a)amsat.org>* *Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * April 7, 2018: ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. *About ARISS* Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status *Media Contact:* Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org

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AO73/FUNcube-1 mode change
by Graham Shirville 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

Hi All, AO73 is now in amateur mode, with the transponder on continuously, for the weekend. 73 Graham G3VZV

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Re: [amsat-bb] Heil Traveler + FT-817
by Kevin M 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

> it would send CW when in SSB mode using the up/down buttons on the Heil. Menu item 36 must be set to ON on the 817 TX rig AND the Keyer must be turned on... to do that, hit 'F', then spin the SEL knob to [VOX, BK, KYR] and make sure a black Arrow icon to the right of 'KYR' is there. If not, press the 'C' button to activate the Keyer. - If these are set correctly and the +/- buttons still do not activate the CW keyer... it sounds like a sign of a ground problem between the headset and the RJ-45 jack, which is what I think is going on with the lack of PTT when the speaker audio is not plugged in. (See below.) > It will not key the transmitter of either FT-817 unless the headset speakers are also connected to the same FT-817. My Heil Traveler Dual will key my 817 without the headset speaker audio plug connected. I would suspect a ground problem going to the RJ-45 mic plug. Check continuity of the ground line between the 8 pin round plug and the RJ-45 plug... there are TWO Grounds and they are SEPARATE in the Heil adapter cable! Mic Ground is for the mic only and Ground is for the switches. - You will likely need to find a piece of very small gauge wire to make contact with the RJ45 contacts as a typical VOM probe will not fit in those small grooves. Unless you have a spare, unconnected RJ-45 jack handy... even better! Heil Traveler Pinout: 1 Mic, 2 NC, 3 + Switch, 4 – Switch, 5 PTT Switch, 6 Ground, 7 Mic GND, 8 Earphone -- The outer metal shell of the 8 pin plug is not connected to ground, and should not show a connection to any of the pins. The +, - and PTT switches will make connection between their respective pins and ground (pin 6) when closed. The pin numbers should be visible on the female side of the 8 pin connection, visually transpose those locations for the male side. For the 817 mic jack pinout, you can consult the 817 manual (page 5 in my 817ND manual). If you don't have one, the order is: Fast, GND, PTT, Mic, Mic GND, +5v, Up(+ switch), Down(- switch) However the direction that order goes depends on which way you are looking at the jack/plug... if I have the plug laying contacts up & clip down with the end facing me (cable running away) that would be the L-R order. If turned around, it would be R-L... you should be able to figure it out. =^) You might check them all, but you want to make sure that the Heil Pin 6 goes to the RJ45 ground and should also show continuity to the speaker plug ground. (Also check that Heil pin 7 goes to mic ground on the RJ45 and that pin ONLY... it should not have continuity with the other ground connections; while unplugged, of course.) If these are not all correct, you have likely found your problem... Because it sounds like to me, you get PTT return through the ground connection of the speaker audio plug. When you disconnect that and there is no connection between Pin 6 and the appropriate RJ45 contact, no ground for either the PTT OR for the up/down buttons! (as referenced above) If the above still doesn't locate the 'lack of PTT' then the next step would be to check the mic jack contacts in the radios. But if you DO determine that the cable is missing a proper Pin 6 ground, then it means a new adapter, a new RJ45 plug, or in a pinch, you might just ground the two radios together. (not the best practice, but it'll do in a pinch) - Which this all gets me thinking... quick short cuts... do you have another Heil Traveler adapter for RJ45 yaesu? try swapping them. Also, might plug up just the RJ45 part of the adapter and check pin 6 to radio case ground (BNC jack shield on front). If that's good, it's something else. If you need any more help or clarification, include my offlist e-mail address to be sure and get my attention quicker. 73, Kevin N4UFO

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Heil Traveler + FT-817
by Bryan Green 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

Hello, AMSAT People! Previously I have used an FT-897 and FT-817 with an Arrow to get on the birds. I also used a Heil Traveler with this combination: the RJ-45 plugged into the FT-897, and the RCA plug in the FT-817. The FT-897 was always for transmitting, and the FT-817 was always for receiving. This has worked very well! Recently I wanted to carry lighter equipment. So, I obtained a second FT-817. The idea is for it to replace the FT-897. However! Despite my best efforts, I cannot make the Heil work. It will not key the transmitter of either FT-817 unless the headset speakers are also connected to the same FT-817. As well, one of my favorite features of the FT-897 was that it would send CW when in SSB mode using the up/down buttons on the Heil. This does not work with the FT-817. The stock Yaesu mic keys everything fine. It does not plug anything into the audio out jack. Any experts have an idea what I mean ssed? Many thanks! -- bag Bryan KL7CN/W6 bryan(a)kl7cn.net

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Kenwood TR-9500 Sat Radio
by CEE 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

I am selling my Kenwood TR 9500 all mode satellite transceiver, 930 MHz to 940 MHz, on QRZ.com if you are interested. Chuck N7BFO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-05 18:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-05 18:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-04-05 18:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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FM25/26
by WX4TV - James Lea 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Last Minute River Alert FM25/26 I’m passing through the Outer Banks of NC and am on the FM25/26 line. I made an unannounced pass of AO-91 on the last pass and will be on the 18:14Z AO-91 pass from the line. This is the only other pass I can do from these grids on this trip. Sorry for the late notice—I didn’t know I would be free to do the passes! DE WX4TV Sent from my iPhone

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ATHENOXAT-1 IMAGE PUZZLES
by Roland Zurmely 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

ROUND 2 - COMPLETED ! : <<http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/athenoxat.htm#m>> 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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SDRPlay2 setup on Linux?
by Greg D 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Hi folks, Anybody gotten the SDRPlay2 (RSP2) to be recognized under Linux? I'm following the various setup instructions on their site, but the device isn't being recognized as anything but a random USB thingy. No device name assigned, and none of the software seems to be able to find it. My system is running OpenSuSE LEAP 42.1 on an Intel Core2 i5 x86 system. Hoping to use the device for FunCube telemetry reception, but just starting with gqrx as proof of it working. Which it's not. Thanks, Greg KO6TH

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Major Rove Announcement!
by Ken Alexander 05 Apr '18

05 Apr '18

Announcing a major rove for satellite operators; the Springtime Rove to The Great White North! Doug Tabor, N6UA and Ken Alexander, VE3HLS will be teaming up to travel north to the James Bay area of Quebec to activate as many FO grids as are accessible by road, in the time we have. Our plan is to leave Toronto on May 5th, entering FO the next day, and spending 7 to 8 days activating rare grids. This area is extremely remote. The James Bay Road is the main corridor through the area and was built by Quebec Hydro to support construction of a province-wide network of hydroelectric projects. It's 610 km long. There are gas stations at each end and another somewhere in the middle. Likewise, the Route du Nord is a 406 km gravel road with no services. There is no cellphone service once you leave Matagami, QC, the southern terminus of the James Bay Road. We will only have internet access when we get to a town. The road will take us through, and give us access to FO01/02/03/10/11/12/13/20/21/22/23. With so many satellites currently available, having two operators will insure that everyone will have a chance to work one of us. If two satellites are in view at the same time, we'll be on both of them! We will also allocate ourselves so as to be present on as many FM satellites as are available to us. Our plans aren't complete yet. We may activate other grids, or be forced to rein in our expectations depending on available time and the conditions we encounter. We will provide updates in the coming weeks. 73, Ken, VE3HLSDoug, N6UA

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Web Page Updated - AMSAT at Hamvention
by JoAnne K9JKM 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

AMSAT's plans for Hamvention 2018 for the dates May 17-20 have been posted: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention-2018/ You can also reach this page from the main page https://www.amsat.org/ then click on the 'Events' menu button then select 'AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2018'. If you can volunteer to help staff the booth at Hamvention send an e-mail to Phil, W1EME at w1eme(a)amsat.org -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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Re: [amsat-bb] W32A HT for sale
by Scott Medbury 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

I can vouch for the W32a. Probably one of the very best dual band radios ever made by ICOM or anyone else. I've had one for over 18 years and made more than 3000 satellite QSOs with mine. Scott KD5FBA Sent from my Verizon Motorola Droid On Apr 4, 2018 10:34 AM, Glenn Miller - AA5PK <aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net> wrote: > > Posting for a friend. > > Lightly used Icom IC-W32A that looks new and works perfectly. > > This full-duplex capable radio was purchased second hand in 2017 and has been used very little by the current owner. > > This offering includes the following: > • IC-W32A Dual Band HT > • HM-46 Speaker/Microphone > • CP-12L Car Charger > • LC-128 Soft Carry Case > • BC-110A NiCad Battery Charger > • EMS 173-180 Drop-In Rapid Charger (NiCad/NiMH) > • BP-173h NiMH Battery > • BP-173 NiCad Battery > > $120 plus shipping. > > Contact me off the BB if interested. > > Glenn AA5PK > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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W32A HT is SOLD
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

It went fast. Thanks. Glenn AA5PK

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Using 1.2Ghz
by Todd 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Thinking about adding the 1.2Ghz module for my 9100. Prices have dropped a little and units will start become harder to find once production ends. Anybody using this band? I read it's used as a uplink frequency for some satellites. Any input appreciated.ToddAL7PX

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W32A HT for sale
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Posting for a friend. Lightly used Icom IC-W32A that looks new and works perfectly. This full-duplex capable radio was purchased second hand in 2017 and has been used very little by the current owner. This offering includes the following: • IC-W32A Dual Band HT • HM-46 Speaker/Microphone • CP-12L Car Charger • LC-128 Soft Carry Case • BC-110A NiCad Battery Charger • EMS 173-180 Drop-In Rapid Charger (NiCad/NiMH) • BP-173h NiMH Battery • BP-173 NiCad Battery $120 plus shipping. Contact me off the BB if interested. Glenn AA5PK

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Next Rocket Lab Launch
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Hi Folks, Next Rocket Lab launch window is starting 20th April 00:30 UTC for 4 hours. This window repeats for the following 14 days. See: http://rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-first-commercial-… It will be probably be watchable live from their web site. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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rasberry and amsat
by James Brown 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

I am interested in using a raspberry pi 3 computer to do rotor tracking thru sat32pc and possibly a sdr receiver afterwards.has anyone done this with sat32? What data shouls I refer too? ThanksJim KI6WJ

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Nova on Windows
by Gordon Shephard 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

Thanks to all who responded. I logged in as Administrator, right clicked setup and selected "Run as Administrator," same for patch. After installation, changed advanced properties to "Run as Administrator." Switched back to user, and everything works. One quibble: every time I start up Nova as a user, I get the Windows 10 "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?" window. Any clues how to get rid of it?

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Re: [amsat-bb] Nova for Windows
by Graham Shirville 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

Also you may find selecting “ run as administrator” will help.. 73 Graham G3VZV -------------------------------------------- On Tue, 3/4/18, Francisco Diaz via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Nova for Windows To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Tuesday, 3 April, 2018, 2:15 Hi, Did you also installed the patch (also provided by Nova)...??? Also, I have found that besides using the patch, running it in compatibility mode of windows XP helps. Francisco Diaz NP3OD For weather in the San Juan, PR area http://www.np3od.tk/cumulus/ On Monday, April 2, 2018, 8:47:58 PM GMT-4, Gordon Shephard via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Installed Nova under Windows 10. On startup I get "Application Error Exception ERegistryException in module NfW32.exe at 0007B3EA. Failed to set data for ''. Anyone found a fix for this? Jim Sanford, wb4gcs, asked the same question in 2014 without result. _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

2 1

Nova for Windows
by Gordon Shephard 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Installed Nova under Windows 10. On startup I get "Application Error Exception ERegistryException in module NfW32.exe at 0007B3EA. Failed to set data for ''. Anyone found a fix for this? Jim Sanford, wb4gcs, asked the same question in 2014 without result.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-02 23:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-02 23:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, direct via KN4BBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU (***) Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-10 18:02:44 UTC 70 deg (***) ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-04-02 23:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Welcome aboard! Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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satpc32
by Bob- W7LRD 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

how does one stop gleitkommadivision durch null from marching across the screen. 73 Bob W7LRD

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SatPC32 Rig Tracking Question
by Brian 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

I have SatPC32 working with the Yaesu G-5500 and FT-847, and just about everything seems to be working. (great) Working the FM satellites are pretty easy, however, I am having a tough time with the SSB satellites. My issue is with the frequency tracking on the FT-847. The frequencies change (on the 847), however, the changing of the frequencies doesn't seem to keep up the satellite. I get the satellite dialed it and sounding good and within a few seconds the signal is way off frequency and I cannot understand the station. So far I have been having better luck tuning the radio manually, though I would like to use the computer CAT tuning. Has anyone did a YouTube video on how to set up SatPC32 and how to correct this issue? Thank you Brian, KG8CO

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Re: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 Rig Tracking Question
by Mark L. Hammond 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Hi Brian, What is your setting under "CAT" menu and CAT tuning for "Interval"? I use something like 20 for SSB/CW and 50-200 for FM/PKT. That sets how much freq. change must occur before a new value is sent to the rig. You could try using "Speed x5" but usually I don't find that necessary. Just have the VFOs updated more often. Might fix what you're seeing. You can actually set the Interval values as low as 0 :) It updates constantly.... Mark N8MH At 05:46 PM 4/2/2018 -0400, Brian wrote: >I have SatPC32 working with the Yaesu G-5500 and FT-847, and just about >everything seems to be working. (great) > >Working the FM satellites are pretty easy, however, I am having a tough >time with the SSB satellites. > >My issue is with the frequency tracking on the FT-847. The frequencies >change (on the 847), however, the changing of the frequencies doesn't seem >to keep up the satellite. I get the satellite dialed it and sounding good >and within a few seconds the signal is way off frequency and I cannot >understand the station. > >So far I have been having better luck tuning the radio manually, though I >would like to use the computer CAT tuning. > >Has anyone did a YouTube video on how to set up SatPC32 and how to correct >this issue? > > >Thank you > > >Brian, KG8CO >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed >are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Lindenblad or DCA???
by Roland Zurmely 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

See here comparison of 4 omnidirectional antennas: DCA, Lindenblad, turnstile and QFH: <http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/4ant.htm> 73 de Roland PY4ZBX

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Re: [amsat-bb] Lindenblad or DCA???
by Roy Dean 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

I used Bob's "satgate antenna" page for my 145.825 igate. http://www.aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html Not sure if that's what you're looking for, though. --Roy K3RLD Bob, when you say "big ground plane", how big is "big"? If you have a > link to the appropriate webpage on your APRS site, that would be great. > Thanks! Steve AI9IN

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FoxTelem Java question
by Peter Green 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

I’m new to receiving FoxTelem. I have it running on a Mac with a Funcube dongle. The Mac is running High Sierra 10.13.3 and Java 8 update 161. I have had some success with AO-85 and AO-91 but none with AO-92. The instruction manual says that I should use Java 6, however this is no longer available and not supported. Is it that the instructions are out of date, or can I acquire Java 6 form somewhere or is Java 8 OK? Every thing seems to work with the FoxTelem application (Ver 1.06q_m) Any hints or tips greatly appreciated. Many thanks Pete G0ABI

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Project for a Radio/Internet linked APRS node/network in Cuba, starting with a SAT-GATE...
by Pavel Milanes Costa 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Hi to all. This is half OT, sorry for that. As you may know Cuba has (now) a growing network infrastructure for the National Ham Radio Association with at least a node with ADSL in each province and a internet connected central link in Havana; I have managed to make strong links with the Senior System Administrator (I'm a sysadmin also) and we are willing to put more ham related services in the net mostly for local users that connect to it via dialup connections (almost 30% of the hams are registered) and why not for international users. We tested and setup a DXcluster (Linked DXSpider node) that was a big success among our users. We are now thinking on kind of internet connected APRS server that acts as a gate (kind of proxy) for the internal network and then a first node on my city (Camagüey, 500 Km east of Havana, FL11BJ) to test a on-air APRS and link it to the internal APRS server and I was thinking on setting a VHF packet on 145.825 Mhz as a bi-directional Sat-gate. The main questions are this: (Any advice, critics, links, help is appreciated) * There are any real interest in a VHF APRS SAT GATE in my location (FL11BJ) ? or it will be more noise in the net... * Any lead in how to mount a internet only aprs server and how to link it to the global APRS internet network? * Any other suggestion on what network-ham-related project we can setup on the national network described on the first paragraph? * Any other list/reflector where this can be interesting... ? The OS by choice will be Linux (Debian 9 or Ubuntu LTS), we plan to use direwolf as software modem on linux, we are seeking for a rbpi to test as we have no real hardware right now but a trusty Yaesu FTL-2011 VHF radio, we are on the plan stage and seeking for advice. I'm all ears, Pavel Milanes, CO7WT, 73

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Re: [amsat-bb] Lindenblad or DCA??? (neither?)
by Robert Bruninga 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Neither are going to hear much on the horizon for typical weak amateur satellites where they spend most of their time. These antennas have gain that is at best 3 dBi It is very important to understand that all Low Earth Orbit sateliltes spend more than 70% of their in-view time below about 22 degrees. And satellites that low are 6 to 10dB farther away than when they are high up above 45 degreees. See the scale drawing of an orbit on the right side of this page: http://aprs.org/LEO-tracking.html The DCA and Lindenblad and Eggbeaters and all other such omni antennas are designed to give good performance over all elevation angles for sateliltes. But to do this, they are equally poor in all directions. This is wasteful since you need less gain at high elevations and much more gain at lower elevations for LEOS (98% of all amateur sateliltes?). So you have two choices. Use an omni and only get high passes (less than 30% of all time-in-view), and hear only strong satelites down on the horizon... Or, use a terrestrial style antenna with gain on the horizon... but by definition, these will have a null higher up, and for a typical mobile whip, that null might be at 15 or 20 degrees which is right where satellites spend their most time. Best option is to switch back and forth... but then if you are going to be sitting there, y ou may as well control a beam... (I still have not found such an ideal antenna (though lots of claims are made)... On the other hand, if I am going to simply want OMNI coverage for satellites above about 30 degree, then I prefer the simple 19.25" quarterwave whip over a big ground plane. Because this gives 5 dBi on 2 meters and about 7 dBi on UHF and is nothing more than a 19.25" piece of wire sticking up from a large ground plane. Much easier than all those other omnis that provide less gain everywhere. Though I have never done rigorous studies to prove its performance. But what could be simpler to test. If I had any of those complex omni's., I'd love to do such a comparison some day... after I retire... Bob -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Hans (BX2ABT) Sent: Monday, April 02, 2018 10:16 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Lindenblad or DCA??? Hello Joe, Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Yes, the phasing harness is different, but my guess was that this shouldn't make a lot of difference as long as you get the 90 degree phase and the impedance right. If you look at the radiation patterns for both then they are nearly identical, hence my question if they are not one and the same thing. It came up here because I have two DCAs right now, one for 2m, one for 70cm, both RHCP, no pre-amps. I do hear some birds, but signals are very weak. The 2m one works fine when receiving the NOAA wx sats, so I was wondering if the 30 degree angle of the Lindenblad would be better for amateur sats. I lack the knowledge to understand the difference between, what you say, the geosynchronous orbit of NOAA sats and the LEO orbits of our sats. NOAA wx sats are also LEO sats, not? I'll see if Google turns up something there. It's easy for me to change the tilt of my DCAs to 30 degrees, so I'll try that this week. Should be a nice experiment. 73 de Hans BX2ABT > Hans, > > Here are links with antenna patterns for the DCA: > > https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Dkk87YYl-xX2gzLXk5MHZKVU0/view > > and the EZ-Lindenblad: > > http://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/An-EZ-Linden > blad-Antenna-for-2-Meters2.pdf > > The difference is in the lengths of the "RG-59 (75ohm) phasing harness" > and dipoles to achieve a 50 ohm impedance at the required frequency. > > The angle of the crossbooms affects the directivity of the antenna, in > the examples given, 60 degrees for a NOAA satellite in a > geosynchronous orbit and 30 degrees for a LEO orbit. > > The only differences I see are the 50 ohm load feedpoint and the > Lindenblad dipoles are not exactly in the same plane as the DCA. > > -73, Joe Spier, K6WAO > President, AMSAT _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Lindenblad or DCA???
by Hans (BX2ABT) 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Hello Joe, Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Yes, the phasing harness is different, but my guess was that this shouldn't make a lot of difference as long as you get the 90 degree phase and the impedance right. If you look at the radiation patterns for both then they are nearly identical, hence my question if they are not one and the same thing. It came up here because I have two DCAs right now, one for 2m, one for 70cm, both RHCP, no pre-amps. I do hear some birds, but signals are very weak. The 2m one works fine when receiving the NOAA wx sats, so I was wondering if the 30 degree angle of the Lindenblad would be better for amateur sats. I lack the knowledge to understand the difference between, what you say, the geosynchronous orbit of NOAA sats and the LEO orbits of our sats. NOAA wx sats are also LEO sats, not? I'll see if Google turns up something there. It's easy for me to change the tilt of my DCAs to 30 degrees, so I'll try that this week. Should be a nice experiment. 73 de Hans BX2ABT > Hans, > > Here are links with antenna patterns for the DCA: > > https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Dkk87YYl-xX2gzLXk5MHZKVU0/view > > and the EZ-Lindenblad: > > http://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/An-EZ-Lindenblad-… > > The difference is in the lengths of the "RG-59 (75ohm) phasing harness" > and dipoles to achieve a 50 ohm impedance at the required frequency. > > The angle of the crossbooms affects the directivity of the antenna, in > the examples given, 60 degrees for a NOAA satellite in a geosynchronous > orbit and 30 degrees for a LEO orbit. > > The only differences I see are the 50 ohm load feedpoint and the > Lindenblad dipoles are not exactly in the same plane as the DCA. > > -73, Joe Spier, K6WAO > President, AMSAT

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Re: [amsat-bb] "CHORDS" and "Tiangong-1 " Predictions.
by gw1fky＠aol.com 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Hi all, I have been following on the "Amsat-bbs" the various messages and information regarding the predictions on the Re- entry of "Tiangong -1" Of course the re-entry transpired in the ball part as predicted at approx. 00.15 hrs GMT. Many will be aware of the work carried out by " CHORDS " but perhaps many have never even heard of the organisation and its work. They are greatly involved with the work and tracking of "Space Debri" and the concerns. Tiangong -1 with co-ordination from a number of parties was fitted with an "REBR Probe" - It logged an sent various data from the spacecraft to enhance its locations for predictions. I understand that further work and developments of the probe have also been made recently so many may find this topic of interest. Ken Eaton GW1FKY

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1296 ISS bounce
by Bob- W7LRD 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Here's something to think about. L band is a lot of fun. We do get 24 hours once a week (not complaining). With several ISS passes every day. It is a good reflector. Plus we can use CW, SSB, many digi modes. Just google it. 73 Bob W7LRD

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DM07 Yosemite QSOs
by Bob Keating 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

BTW, All of my QSOs from DM07 in Yosemite were uploaded to LoTW under my N6REK/P call sign. Hope this didn't cause any extra hassle, I am a bit new to this... my apologies!!! 73, Bob N6REK

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Tiangong1 reentry - "live tracking"
by John Mitchell 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

You may find this twitter post about the 'live' on-line tracking sites interesting: https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/980549243701268482 john mitchell KK4VUR

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Grid DM07 Yosemite QSOs
by Bob Keating 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Thanks to everyone that contacted me while we were enjoying our "mini dxpedtion" to Yosemite. I had a total of 43 QSOs on all four FM satellites over a span of 4 days. I have uploaded my QSOs to LoTW and QRZ.com and will upload to eQSL this evening. There were a couple of call signs that I apparently did no get correct. I had them listed in my log as KA7FBP QSOed on 3/29 and KK6DDT and K7ULF both QSOs on 3/28. If this looks like your call, please let me know so that I can correct my log. Thank you! 73, Bob, N6REK

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FW: entry time
by Andy 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

FYI From: Gil Carman Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2018 8:56 PM To: Andy <w5acm(a)swbell.net> Subject: Re: entry time StratCom has confirmed that it entered at 7:16 pm CDT, a southbound pass into the south Pacific.

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Fwd: Polluted time server causing issues with digital modes
by Brad WF7T 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

I am forwarding this for anyone interested. I think my discovery is correct and invite additional review/scrutiny. 73 Brad WF7T On Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 12:21:36 AM UTC-5, Brad WF7T wrote: > > *I have discovered a polluted time server that is wreaking havoc with > time-synced digital modes, and worse. For everyone using round-robin style > time synchronization like Dimension 4, please remove the following time > server: rackety.udel.edu <http://rackety.udel.edu>.* It is consistently > sending time sync corrections that are between 10 and 41 seconds different > than every other SNTP server in the world. This will cause your PC clocks > to skip this amount and stay that way until another time sync occurs, e.g. > 5 to 15 minutes later, causing another massive time correction by another > accurate time NTP server. Please pass this information along to all > digital-active hams. > > While this amount of time is not of any consequence for RTTY, PSK and the > like, this behavior is detrimental to WSJT and QRSS modes. Terrestrial WSJT > modes like FT8, WSPR, Meteor scatter MSK144, and EME modes fail to decode > and will cause out of sequence transmissions. > > I also noticed a number of out-of-sequence FT8 tranmissions on 40M this > afternoon (BTW, open early to EU), which clued me into the situation. This > messed up time server could have been a contributor. > > *Remove or disable the following server: rackety.udel.edu > <http://rackety.udel.edu>.* Apparently it has been getting increasingly > worse since 3/8/2018 or so. I only discovered this tonight while I was > decoding WSPR on 474.2KHz (630M) and saw a huge time jump and lack of > decodes of some fairly strong signals. > > And yes, this is also an InfoSec problem. Time bases are important for > MANY Information Security purposes, but beyond the scope of this discussion. > > Excerpts of my Dimension4 time-base logs below. Please contact me with > questions/comments. > > 73 Brad WF7T > Nashville, TN > > --- > > ... First noted occurrence in my time-base logs > > 2018-03-07 10:36:44.461 -7.962988e+000 rackety.udel.edu SNTP <-- 7 second > correction > 2018-03-07 10:39:52.480 7.980464e+000 clock-1.cs.cmu.edu SNTP <-- fixed > on next round-robin sync > > ... Persists for a second day, appearing to get worse > > 2018-03-08 09:17:25.217 -1.015543e+001 rackety.udel.edu SNTP <-- 10 > second correction > 2018-03-08 09:20:35.240 9.963055e+000 clock-1.cs.cmu.edu SNTP <-- Fixed > on next round-robin sync > > ... Jump ahead a week; yup, getting worse > > 2018-03-15 05:34:10.880 -1.761963e+001 rackety.udel.edu SNTP <-- 17 > second correction > 2018-03-15 05:37:29.176 1.812267e+001 ntp.cais.rnp.br SNTP <-- > Fixed on next round-robin sync > > ... Skipping ahead to tonight; SNAFU > > 2018-03-31 23:29:34.849 -4.165045e+001 rackety.udel.edu SNTP <-- 41.6 > second correction! > 2018-03-31 23:33:35.421 4.192192e+001 ntp2.kansas.net SNTP <-- fixed on > next round-robin sync > >

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Article about cubesat space junk
by John Brier 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Not your typical space junk article. It leads with the release of 100+ sats by the same Indian rocket that launched AO-92. https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of-space-jun…

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Re: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry (0000 UTC +/- 2.5 hrs)
by Roger 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

You have to manually refresh, F5. 73, Roger W7TZ CN83ia Grid Busters w7tz.webs.com On Sun, Apr 1, 2018 at 5:15 PM, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Ah, interesting site. Wouldn't it be fitting if it returned to the launch > site. Looks like it might pass just under... > > For a change, Australia isn't a target this time :). > > Greg KO6TH > > > > Roger wrote: > > http://www.aerospace.org/CORDSuploads/TiangongStoryboard.png > > Shows it on what's expected to be it's last orbit. > > > 73, Roger > W7TZ > CN83ia > Grid Busters > w7tz.webs.com > > On Sun, Apr 1, 2018 at 5:03 PM, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> I just updated the keps on gPredict, and Tiangong-1 disappeared from the >> list. Where'd it come down, or are rumors of its demise ever so >> slightly exaggerated? Heavens-above still thinks it's up there. >> >> Greg KO6TH >> >> >> Robert Bruninga wrote: >> > Since this is journalism, I think you and some others are right. If one >> > simply looks at latitude as a number, then the latitude near the >> > inclination will have a higher probability of appearing. But the best >> > feedback came from Ralph W0RPK who pointed out this page which is >> tracking >> > the orbit with updated predictions: >> > http://www.aerospace.org/CORDSuploads/TiangongStoryboard.png >> > >> > And the USA is about as far as you can get from the predicted impact. >> The >> > USA is 12 hours out of cycle with the orbit. >> > >> > The prediction there is currently showing about 0000 UTC which is 8 PM >> EDT >> > plus or minus 2.5 hours. (which is about 3 orbits worth). And although >> > those orbits cover a vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans, a good portion of >> > them cross the middle east through Russia and china. >> > >> > Bob, WB4APR >> > >> > On Sun, Apr 1, 2018 at 11:26 AM, Gary Bender, WS5N <ws5n(a)wildblue.net> >> > wrote: >> > >> >> I was thinking the favoring of higher latitudes for reentry was because >> >> the apparent sine wave of the ground track naturally slows down in >> >> "latitude velocity" as it peaks at 43 degrees and reverses. Add in the >> >> rotation of the earth under it and you end up with a bit more dwell >> time >> >> above 38 degrees. It is changing latitude much faster between the >> >> extremes. (Or maybe I am over thinking it.) >> >> -- >> >> Gary, WS5N >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga(a)usna.edu> >> >> To: "amsat bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> >> Cc: "TAPR APRS Mailing List" <aprssig(a)tapr.org> >> >> Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 5:55:17 PM >> >> Subject: Re: [aprssig] [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry on Heavens bove >> >> >> >>> Hi Bob, do you know the object number by chance? >> >> No, but this link shows that the higher probabilities or re-entry are >> >> between about 38 to 43 degree latitudes north and south. >> >> >> >> https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/30/chinas-tiang >> ong-1-space-st >> >> ation-will-crash-to-earth-this-weekend >> >> <https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/30/chinas-tian >> gong-1-space-st%0Aation-will-crash-to-earth-this-weekend> >> >> >> >> Im not sure why those would be slightly higher. 43 degrees is its >> maximum >> >> excursion (matches its inclination)... Maybe its because as it passes >> >> over the equatorial bulge, it sees the higher drag and that will start >> the >> >> demise which will occur then 20 minutes later? >> >> >> >> Bob >> >> -----Original Message----- >> >> From: Robert Bruninga >> >> Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 9:16 AM >> >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-enetry on Heavens bove >> >> >> >> You can see the live track of Taengong to re-enter in the next 24 >> hours on >> >> http://www.heavens-above.com/ >> >> >> >> Just remember, as it suffers increased drag, it will speed up and be >> ahead >> >> of classic predictions. >> >> >> >> But at least you can see when you are under the orbit as to whether it >> is >> >> worth going outside. I 'd go out several minutes before the prediction >> >> since we dont know how quickly they are updating the elements as it >> speeds >> >> up. >> >> >> >> and even if it is daytime, you will see it if it comes in in your >> area... >> >> >> >> Bob >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to >> >> all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions >> >> expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the >> official >> >> views of AMSAT-NA. >> >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> aprssig mailing list >> >> aprssig(a)tapr.org >> >> http://www.tapr.org/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed >> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views >> of AMSAT-NA. >> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of >> AMSAT-NA. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > >

1 0

Tiangong Re-entry (0000 UTC +/- 2.5 hrs)
by Robert Bruninga 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Since this is journalism, I think you and some others are right. If one simply looks at latitude as a number, then the latitude near the inclination will have a higher probability of appearing. But the best feedback came from Ralph W0RPK who pointed out this page which is tracking the orbit with updated predictions: http://www.aerospace.org/CORDSuploads/TiangongStoryboard.png And the USA is about as far as you can get from the predicted impact. The USA is 12 hours out of cycle with the orbit. The prediction there is currently showing about 0000 UTC which is 8 PM EDT plus or minus 2.5 hours. (which is about 3 orbits worth). And although those orbits cover a vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans, a good portion of them cross the middle east through Russia and china. Bob, WB4APR On Sun, Apr 1, 2018 at 11:26 AM, Gary Bender, WS5N <ws5n(a)wildblue.net> wrote: > > I was thinking the favoring of higher latitudes for reentry was because > the apparent sine wave of the ground track naturally slows down in > "latitude velocity" as it peaks at 43 degrees and reverses. Add in the > rotation of the earth under it and you end up with a bit more dwell time > above 38 degrees. It is changing latitude much faster between the > extremes. (Or maybe I am over thinking it.) > -- > Gary, WS5N > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga(a)usna.edu> > To: "amsat bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Cc: "TAPR APRS Mailing List" <aprssig(a)tapr.org> > Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 5:55:17 PM > Subject: Re: [aprssig] [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry on Heavens bove > > > Hi Bob, do you know the object number by chance? > > No, but this link shows that the higher probabilities or re-entry are > between about 38 to 43 degree latitudes north and south. > > https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/30/chinas-tiangong-1-space-st > ation-will-crash-to-earth-this-weekend > <https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/30/chinas-tiangong-1-space-st%…> > > Im not sure why those would be slightly higher. 43 degrees is its maximum > excursion (matches its inclination)... Maybe its because as it passes > over the equatorial bulge, it sees the higher drag and that will start the > demise which will occur then 20 minutes later? > > Bob > -----Original Message----- > From: Robert Bruninga > Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 9:16 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-enetry on Heavens bove > > You can see the live track of Taengong to re-enter in the next 24 hours on > http://www.heavens-above.com/ > > Just remember, as it suffers increased drag, it will speed up and be ahead > of classic predictions. > > But at least you can see when you are under the orbit as to whether it is > worth going outside. I 'd go out several minutes before the prediction > since we dont know how quickly they are updating the elements as it speeds > up. > > and even if it is daytime, you will see it if it comes in in your area... > > Bob > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to > all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions > expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official > views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)tapr.org > http://www.tapr.org/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >

3 2

L band
by Bob- W7LRD 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Hello everyone -I finally got my 1.2ghz working! Running a IC-910/ 10W, to a 24 element looper through 70 feet of LMR600. Thanks for the QSO with K7ULS and N7AGF, several more heard. Unfortunately I had to run everything manually, az/el, doppler etc. I forget but what does that gleitkommadivision durch null mean. I know it's divide by zero, but not sure why my satpc32 does not like it with AO-92 running. I have a 16 turn RHCP helix I want to try. Could use more than 24 hours per week. Next we need a linear satellite with L band. 73 Bob W7LRD

2 1

VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018
by Ronald G. Parsons 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There were several calls which decreased by one this month. These are not listed below. CALL 1Mar18 1Apr18 KK5DO 780 781 WA5KBH 659 728 N4UFO 715 724 N9IP 574 589 W5RKN 554 575 N9EAT 410 428 WD9EWK 400 425 KE4AL 252 317 K7TAB 274 306 W7QL 275 300 AA8CH 104 175 PT2AP 102 172 PS8ET 127 157 N3GS 101 130 N7AGF 101 126 G0ABI 116 122 AL6D 112 (NEW VUCC) W1AT 102 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1, 2018. and April 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! 73, Ron W5RKN

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Lindenblad or DCA???
by Hans (BX2ABT) 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Hello all, Been reading up on satellite antennas and something is not clear to me: are the Lindenblad and Double Cross Antenna (DCA) one and the same beast, or not? They look the same and the only difference I can find is that the Lindenblad seems to be slanted 30 degrees towards the horizon and the DCA 60 degrees. Any old timer here who can enlighten me on this? 73 from a sat newbie. Hans BX2ABT

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Funcube 1 (AO-73) vs NAYIF-1 (EO-88) Beacon Power ?
by Iain Young, G7III 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Hi All, I have been trying to find out what the Beacon Power Output of NAYIF-1 is, but have come up blank with my google searches. Is it just part of the 500mW transponder ? Or is there a separate dedicated amount as in AO-73 [Which is 300mW beacon mode, 30mW transponder mode] ? Essentially, I can decode NAYIF-1 Telemetry. I can also decode AO-73 telemetry when the beacon is in high power (300mW), but not when AO-73 is in Transponder mode, where the beacon is only 30mw (-10dB). Depending on the power output of NAYIF-1, I may be able to determine if I really need a 10dB improvement in order to receive AO-73 telemetry while in transponder mode, or if I am in fact, only need 3 or 6db improvement, which could change my strategy (This is a very small station in an urban environment running off a Raspberry Pi 3, with non steerable antennas, and I'm seeing it as an engineering experiment) 73s Iain PS, *grumble* They are too close together frequency wise. Due to AO-73's frequency issues when coming out of eclipse, I need a wider (software) BPF. This means NAYIF-1 manages to not only hit it's own decoder, but AO-73s as well! Great Fun checking if both were visible at the same time here, and then going, "Has to be NAYIF-1!"

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Required- Tone module
by Nitin Muttin 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

Friends, I am in need of a ICOM UT-84 Tone module. If anyone willing to sell please contact me direct. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

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cube sat question
by Nick Pugh 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

We are flying Trisol solar cells and have been recommended to use CV10-2500 by NUSEL for UV protection. The cost is $850 for 50grams. Question is the a less expensive alternative or does some on the list has a small quantity they would sell to the team nick Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School Disagree I Learn

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Re: [amsat-bb] CTCSS Sat Tone Operation
by Kevin M 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

> I have recently resurrected, for Easter, an ancient Kenwood TS-9500, a 435 MHz Sat radio. DOH! DOH! Okay... you would have been RECEIVING SO-50 with that radio, so not a problem... CTCSS won't matter a bit. BUT, what I said holds true for CTCSS tones on a 2m transmit radio for SO-50. It's late, my apologies. 73, Kevin N4UFO ------------------------------------------------------------------ > I suddenly realized that there was no CTCSS technology in this radio, but I could never tell while on air, on SO-50, AO-91, or AO-92, today! Hi Cee, I'm afraid despite your observation, it DOES matter on SO-50... it will not retransmit your signal without the tone. (unless it's while you are overriding someone else's signal) Please DO NOT transmit to SO-50 without a CTCSS tone of 67.0 Hz as you can and likely will CAUSE QRM. There are a number of terrestrial stations now (cross band repeaters, remote bases, etc.) that transmit on the SO-50 2m uplink without a tone and cause considerable QRM problems. Their strong signals 'collide' with stations trying to talk through SO-50 and it results in at most a squealing crash of signals, but more than likely nothing getting repeated at all. (Sometimes the 'dead air' on SO-50 is because of either this or because too many ops are trying to transmit at once... no one clearly gets through and the tone is not heard by the receiver; SO, it doesn't key up the downlink.) Without the tone, we cannot hear these QRMing stations when they 'transmit in the clear' in order to catch a callsign or a location. Just to be clear... this is the case with SO-50... AO-85, AO-91 and AO-92 are different. Thanks & 73, Kevin N4UFO

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Re: [amsat-bb] CTCSS Sat Tone Operation
by Kevin M 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

> I suddenly realized that there was no CTCSS technology in this radio, but I could never tell while on air, on SO-50, AO-91, or AO-92, today! Hi Cee, I'm afraid despite your observation, it DOES matter on SO-50... it will not retransmit your signal without the tone. (unless it's while you are overriding someone else's signal) Please DO NOT transmit to SO-50 without a CTCSS tone of 67.0 Hz as you can and likely will CAUSE QRM. There are a number of terrestrial stations now (cross band repeaters, remote bases, etc.) that transmit on the SO-50 2m uplink without a tone and cause considerable QRM problems. Their strong signals 'collide' with stations trying to talk through SO-50 and it results in at most a squealing crash of signals, but more than likely nothing getting repeated at all. (Sometimes the 'dead air' on SO-50 is because of either this or because too many ops are trying to transmit at once... no one clearly gets through and the tone is not heard by the receiver; SO, it doesn't key up the downlink.) Without the tone, we cannot hear these QRMing stations when they 'transmit in the clear' in order to catch a callsign or a location. Just to be clear... this is the case with SO-50... AO-85, AO-91 and AO-92 are different. Thanks & 73, Kevin N4UFO

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ANS-091 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-091 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * AO-92 Operations Schedule * Russian SSTV Transmission Events Planned * AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers * AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 * Upcoming ARISS Contact and Event Schedule * Athenoxat-1 QSL Card Challenge SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-091.01 ANS-091 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 091.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 1, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-091.01 AO-92 Operations Schedule AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 31Mar-6Apr 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0155UTC 1Apr we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1650UTC 5Apr we will enable the VT camera and high-speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1650UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Russian SSTV Transmission Events Planned ARISS Russia is planning Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions from the International Space Station. The transmissions are scheduled to occur over Moscow on April 2, 2018 from 15:05 through 18:30 UTC and on April 3, 2018 from 14:15 through 18:40 UTC. The MAI-75 experiment uses a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710E transceiver. Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks Dave, AA4KN, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers The 2018 Hamvention will be held on May 18-20, 2018 at Greene County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation! Phil, W1EME, AMSAT's Hamvention Team Leader is looking for team leaders to assist him. If you can help please consider leading in one of the unfilled positions atw1eme at amsat.org < http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans> + Volunteer Assistant + Publicity Assistant - JoAnne K9JKM + Forum Assistant - Keith KB1SF + Sales Assistant + Outdoor Demo Assistant - Paul N8HM + Facilities and Setup Assistant We need as many volunteers as possible to help staff the AMSAT booth during the Hamvention Last year, we had about 40 people assist with the AMSAT booth at the Hamvention. It was the efforts of those volunteers that made the 2017 Hamvention a success for AMSAT. 1. May 17 - Booth setup on Thursday. 2. May 18, 19, 20 - Staff the booth during Hamvention hours to answer questions, enroll members, indoor demos, merchandise and book sales. (We will train you!) 3. May 20 - Booth teardown on Sunday The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun. Whether you're available for only a couple of hours or if you can spend the entire weekend with us, your help would be greatly appreciated. Interested hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at: w1eme at amsat.org <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans> for information. [ANS thanks AMSAT Hamvention Publicity Assistant JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 This is a call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2018 which, will be held this year on 13-14 October, in conjunction with the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom . AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about Amateur satellites, CubeSats, Nanosats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site or in Oscar News. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to: dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact and Event Schedule Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ [ANS thanks Charlie, AJ9N, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Athenoxat-1 QSL Card Challenge The Athenoxat-1 project team has implemented an interesting experiment (puzzle) where frames containing fragments of images of QSL cards are periodically transmitted by the satellite. Amateurs can participate in the experiment by receiving the fragments and sending KISS files via email to the Athenoxsat-1 project team. The frames will then be processed and the results will posted in their web site with acknowledgements to the participating stations. AMSAT-BR would like to encourage amateurs to participate. Due to the satellite orbit inclination (15 degrees), only locations with latitudes below the tropics will be able to receive signals from the satellite on 437.485 MHz. Signals can be demodulated using UZ7HO’s high speed soundmodem software (using the GOMX-1 4800 bps demodulator). The project website is: http://www.micro-space.org/ham.html [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and Yesie, 9V1SQ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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:Re: Any amateur satellites above 70cm band (microwave bands) ?
by MICHAEL WILLIAMS 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

DTUSat-2 (object 40030) is operating at 2401.835 MHz sending a full or partial beacon every 30 seconds. Since the Doppler is 100 KHz over the entire pass, it's tricky copying it with a traditional receiver such as an FT-847 (Doppler correction has to be right on). It's best seen with a SDR. Since its batteries are dead, it signals cannot be heard in eclipse. Its in an almost perfect polar orbit and can be copied around noon daily everywhere on earth. It is listed in the AMSAT keps and pass predictions. Also see http://wakky.asablo.jp/blog/ Also, I've heard that the ISS sends out a very strong video carrier at 2395 MHz (my converter will not tune that low). I asked a ham in Italy to check it out and he indicated it is always on. I hope this helps. Mike (K9QHO)

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Re: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry on Heavens bove
by Ted Krempa 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Hi Bob, do you know the object number by chance? Thanks Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 9:16 AM To: amsat bb Cc: TAPR APRS Mailing List Subject: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-enetry on Heavens bove You can see the live track of Taengong to re-enter in the next 24 hours on http://www.heavens-above.com/ Just remember, as it suffers increased drag, it will speed up and be ahead of classic predictions. But at least you can see when you are under the orbit as to whether it is worth going outside. I 'd go out several minutes before the prediction since we dont know how quickly they are updating the elements as it speeds up. and even if it is daytime, you will see it if it comes in in your area... Bob _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

6 5

AO-92 L-band ON 0157utc 31 March 2018
by Mark L. Hammond 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

We're in L-band for about 24 hours. Enjoy! 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry on Heavens above
by Ted Krempa 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

A much better representation of the object, IMHO, is found here: http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37820#results and the object number is 37820 according to this site 73, Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 5:55 PM To: amsat bb Cc: TAPR APRS Mailing List Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-entry on Heavens bove > Hi Bob, do you know the object number by chance? No, but this link shows that the higher probabilities or re-entry are between about 38 to 43 degree latitudes north and south. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/30/chinas-tiangong-1-space-st ation-will-crash-to-earth-this-weekend Im not sure why those would be slightly higher. 43 degrees is its maximum excursion (matches its inclination)... Maybe its because as it passes over the equatorial bulge, it sees the higher drag and that will start the demise which will occur then 20 minutes later? Bob -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 9:16 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Tiangong Re-enetry on Heavens bove You can see the live track of Taengong to re-enter in the next 24 hours on http://www.heavens-above.com/ Just remember, as it suffers increased drag, it will speed up and be ahead of classic predictions. But at least you can see when you are under the orbit as to whether it is worth going outside. I 'd go out several minutes before the prediction since we dont know how quickly they are updating the elements as it speeds up. and even if it is daytime, you will see it if it comes in in your area... Bob _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

CTCSS Sat Tone Operation
by CEE 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

/ /As noted in a previous e-mail, there is usually enough people operating these birds to keep the transmit window open. I have recently resurrected, for Easter, an ancient Kenwood TS-9500, a 435 MHz Sat radio. While reading this topic, I suddenly realized that there was no CTCSS technology in this radio, but I could never tell while on air, on SO-50, AO-91, or AO-92, today! This is not meant to discourage people adding the tiny and affordable CTCSS generator to an older radio. This reflector is a great source of information to learn and accomplish this .....it's all for fun? Chuck - N7BFO //

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Hamfest sat demos tomorrow 2018-03-31 on FO-29, AO-91, AO-92
by John Brier 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Hi friends, Philip Jenkins N4HF, and I will be representing AMSAT tomorrow at the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society Hamfest (RARSfest). We will have a booth with AMSAT merchandise and I will be doing satellite demos outside. I am planning on working these passes from grid square FM05: FO-29 @ 1220 UTC AO-92 @ 1519 UTC AO-91 @ 1648 UTC FO-29 is an experiment as I've only worked it once making two contacts so far, but I plan to use my Portable Rotation Az/El rotator so I can focus on tuning the frequency. I only committed to RARS, and they only put on the schedule, the AO-91 and AO-92 passes, so if I can't get things working for some reason on FO-29, it's no big deal, but I am personally excited about the opportunity to make it work so would appreciate any operators who will try to work me. I will probably try to stay in the center of the passband to make it easy for me. One thing to mention is that in order for us to be easily findable/seen by the attendees we will be doing the demos close to the building the hamfest is inside, so for certain parts of the pass we may not be able to get in at all as the bird is behind the building, so hang in there if you don't hear us (really me) immediately. I will be using my callsign for the demos. I may send out updates on any additional passes I might try to do or other changes on my Twitter account: https://twitter.com/SpaceComms1 73, John Brier KG4AKV

3 4

Accessory to add CTCSS tone?
by Todd W Deckard 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Greetings! Can a simple circuit or OTS accessory add the 67hz PL tone to a radio mixing w/ microphone in? I purchased an ICOM IC-X2 from ebay to get access to the L-band and my Japanese was pretty rusty and so I didn’t realize it appears the PL tone squelch was optional on non-US variants of the radio. (At least I cannot seem to invoke it thru the menu navigation) It’s an awesome little radio and was a great deal. Is there any way I can build something to inject the 67hz myself? Best Todd Sent from my iPhone

4 3

Windy
by Pedro Converso 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lm3acxlKZI&feature=youtu.be Path: http://lu7aa.org.ar/vor.asp Charts: http://lu7aa.org.ar/balloonchart.asp?callsign=LU7AA-11 Repeater Voice Contacts: http://amsat.org.ar/glo241.mp4 RepSat-1 UV FM Rptr Test on Balloon Launch 03/24/2018, La Pampa, Argentina. 73, lu7abf, Pedro

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SatPC32
by Mike Seguin 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

I'm working on a weird issue here. Using SATPC32 vers 12.8d with Win 10 here. Radio is an FT-847. The program no longer sees a change of the main VFO tuning knob and adjusts my uplink. The uplink up/dwn buttons on the main screen work fine. My radio is an early model, but the serial # is 8Lxxxx so it has the bi-directional CAT port. Also, the rig works fine with OmniRig and HDSDR. HDSDR follows the rig main VFO flawlessly. I had experimented setting the program up to use my FT-736R for 1.2 G as the second radio, but have turned that off. (Radio #2 set to NONE) I have to be doing something incredibly foolish. Any ideas? Tnx, Mike -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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Tiangong Re-enetry on Heavens bove
by Robert Bruninga 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

You can see the live track of Taengong to re-enter in the next 24 hours on http://www.heavens-above.com/ Just remember, as it suffers increased drag, it will speed up and be ahead of classic predictions. But at least you can see when you are under the orbit as to whether it is worth going outside. I 'd go out several minutes before the prediction since we dont know how quickly they are updating the elements as it speeds up. and even if it is daytime, you will see it if it comes in in your area... Bob

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Recent Roving QSOs In LoTW
by R.T.Liddy 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Gridders, etc., All of my EM Grid roving QSOs from 2/20-3/27/18 are now uploaded to LoTW. Direct QSLs with SASE are A-OK, also. Sorry, but no eQSL since registering over 100 different Grids on their system is too much of a PITA. Hopefully, some of you got new ones since that's the primary reason I rove. Personally, I'm not in the chase for U.S. 488, but I endeavor to help those who are. If there are errors or missing Qs, let me know in an e-mail with the details. It's easily possible since folks often do not use phonetics or the proper ones and/or they do not speak numbers individually. Plus, we all know the QRM and lack of courtesy that happens all too often on the FM SATs. See www.qrz.com/db/K8BL for more of my info. GL/73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT # 6593 since 1979) P.S. Hamvention 2018 Fleamarket Space 7640 and volunteering at AMSAT Booth Saturday Noon.

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Any amateur satellires above 70cm band (microwave bands) ?
by Richard Ferryman 30 Mar '18

30 Mar '18

I'm curious to know if there are any amateur satellites active above the 70cm band. I believe 23cm has been stopped but not sure if anything higher up. Dick G4BBH --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. http://www.avg.com

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AO-92 schedule
by Andrew Glasbrenner 30 Mar '18

30 Mar '18

All, I just updated the AO-92 schedule at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa's High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 31Mar-6Apr 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0155UTC 1Apr we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1650UTC 5Apr we will enable the VT camera and high-speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1650UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-30 17:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 30 Mar '18

30 Mar '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-30 17:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-03-30 17:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Welcome aboard! Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Grand Slam from DM07
by Bob Keating 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

With help from many of you, my brother John, AI6LY, and I completed a “Grand Slam” as it were on all four FM satellites today. I was operating from Yosemite National Park on my ht and Arrow antenna. Thank you KB6LTY, last pass of the day on AO-85 was tough, contacted only you and John. 73, Bob N6REK Sent from my iPhone

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VE3HLS Easter Rove
by Ken Alexander 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

I'll be roving to FN09/FO00 this weekend! Driving up on Friday, operating on Saturday and then driving home on Sunday. There are plenty of good passes, covering all parts of North America, into Europe and the northern half of South America. Please have a look at the schedule below and get back to me if I haven't covered your QTH. We'll try and work something out! As always, the schedule depends on the weather and local road conditions, but the forecasts do look promising. Follow me on Twitter @ve3hls for updates! VE3HLS Easter Rove Saturday March 31 ++ FN09/FO00 ++ 31.03.2018 FO-29 14:14 CA 31.03.2018 AO-73 14:26 CA 31.03.2018 AO-07 14:36 EU 31.03.2018 AO-91 15:20 EU 31.03.2018 AO-07 16:24 EU+ 31.03.2018 AO-91 16:53 31.03.2018 SO-50 17:58 31.03.2018 AO-91 18:29 31.03.2018 SO-50 19:40 CA/EU 31.03.2018 AO-07 20:04 SA Times are my AOS (UTC) CA - pass covers west to California EU - pass covers east to Europe EU+ - pass covers deep into Europe! SA - pass covers well into South America 73, and Happy Easter! KenVE3HLS

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ARISS News Release no. 18-04
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

ARISS News Release No. 18-04 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org Russian SSTV Transmission Events Planned March 29, 2018: ARISS Russia is planning Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions from the International Space Station. The transmissions are scheduled to occur over Moscow on April 2, 2018 from 15:05 through 18:30 UTC and on April 3, 2018 from 14:15 through 18:40 UTC. The MAI-75 experiment uses a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710E transceiver. Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status Media Contact: Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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AO73/FUNcube-1 Mode change
by Graham Shirville 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

Hi all,AO73 is now in continuous amateur mode for the holiday weekend. Probably changing back to autonomous mode on Tuesday.73GrahamG3VZV

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-29 01:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-29 01:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV (***) 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-03-29 01:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit Welcome aboard! Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading
by tjschuessler＠verizon.net 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Remind me as to whether the satellite's TX and RX antennas are in the same plane or 90 degrees offset? I thought the 90 degree offset was the case but maybe I am wrong A 50/50 guess here. In a 90 degree offset mode, you would always have a different antenna to antenna orientation as related to the ground station antenna orientation, if polarity on the ground antennas was the same. And since the Arrow is by design using perpendicular polarization between the two bands, you might be either in proper polarity or not, depending on satellite orientation at the instant of observation. As was pointed out by someone else, the satellite is not spinning in a constant direction but flips and spins differently by illumination, so the fun challenge to operations. Makes it fun. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP EM12ms Message: 1 Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:38:51 -0500 From: Stefan Wagener <mailto:[email protected]> To: "Stephen E. Belter" <mailto:[email protected]> Cc: Burns Fisher <mailto:[email protected]>, amsat-bb <mailto:[email protected]>, Paul Stoetzer <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading Message-ID: <mailto:CAKu8kHDabVSxHSBAj4_C0HJqNDP6cJ=a2rzwpeg9yeipf=XTTA@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Thanks Steve, Great point and well thought out. Now, let me ask you a question: After you matched the downlink signal and position of your Arrow for maximum quieting and best signal, what happens when you now change the position of your arrow to look for best "uplink"? unless yo can keep the downlink position steady you will not be able to check for the uplink.. as science tells me one thing has to be constant for the other to be assessed... All the best, Stefan, VE4NSA

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

>2) One cannot determine if the fading is on the uplink or downlink with a portables and an Arrow type antenna, and one >receiver only. I find the S meter is an excellent indicator of whether a fade is on the uplink or downlink, beyond that of just hearing whether the DUV rumble goes away or not. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading
by Roy Dean 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

If you have separate uplink and downlink antennas, both with independently switched polarity, couldn't you tune the polarity on the downlink to best reception, and then transmit while listening and simultaneously flipping polarity on the uplink? You'd have to switch a couple of times quickly to be sure you weren't experiencing a downlink fade. Just a thought. -Roy K3RLD Again, even in full duplex how do you distinguish between a > non-matchinguplink vs non-matching downlink? You only "hear" the downlink!

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AO-92 fading
by Kevin M 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Again, even in full duplex how do you distinguish between a non-matchinguplink vs non-matching downlink? You only "hear" the downlink! 73, Stefan VE4NSA----------------- Maybe it's just because I maintained repeaters for years and have a 'trained ear', but for me the difference is easy to hear. The downlink is a carrier and has it's own quality of fading that is very different than the 'repeated' audio that is ON the carrier which will have a slightly 'processed' sound. In other words... if the carrier is loud and strong, full quieting and steady strength on RX meter, then any white noise fade 'swooshes' that would occur on an individual repeated signal (but not the subaudible telemetry, which is easily detectable to my ear) would be on the uplink signal. Put another way, if the fading happens to both the carrier & telemetry as well as the voice audio, it's the downlink... if the carrier and telemetry are constant and only the 'carried audio' fades, it's on the uplink. Just another comment on things discussed... I have only worked a single pass of AO-91 with an Arrow, never AO-85 or AO-92. I have mostly worked these birds from home where my yagis are both same polarity. During my trip I had very good success with an Elk using 5 watts on all the birds. I've read in the past that Elks can have an advantage since the uplink and downlink antennas on the sats are in the same polarity. My observations would seem to bear that out, because I had to make no 'TX/RX twists' with the Elk, even on AO-85. Combined with the ease of carrying and accessing the Elk while fully assembled, it may well become my primary 'roving' antenna. At least for those 'quick stops' while traveling. That said, the Arrow doesn't get left home, either. But it may be reserved for those 'special passes' and 'destination' grids. 73 all, Kevin N4UFO

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading
by Stephen E. Belter 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Stefan, My observations, not backed by science or a good understanding of antenna theory, is that the polarity peaks (best reception) are fairly broad, while the nulls are pretty sharp. (I studied electrical engineering, but I was never good at field theory.) As a result, I can twist the Arrow a little off of the best reception point without taking too much of a received signal strength hit, while allowing me to move the transmit polarity away from a null. At least that is what seems happen when I’m operating portable. 73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, seb(a)wintek.com From: Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com> Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 10:39 PM To: "Stephen E. Belter" <seb(a)wintek.com> Cc: Sterling Coffey <kawfey(a)gmail.com>, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, Burns Fisher <burns(a)fisher.cc> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-92 fading Thanks Steve, Great point and well thought out. Now, let me ask you a question: After you matched the downlink signal and position of your Arrow for maximum quieting and best signal, what happens when you now change the position of your arrow to look for best "uplink"? unless yo can keep the downlink position steady you will not be able to check for the uplink.. as science tells me one thing has to be constant for the other to be assessed... All the best, Stefan, VE4NSA On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 9:27 PM, Stephen E. Belter <seb(a)wintek.com<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Stefan, You are correct that you only hear the downlink, but... From personal experience, including operating AO-85 and AO-91 today using a standard Arrow and an IC-821 (from a campground in EM87), I'm convinced that I can hear my uplink polarity mismatch. I first adjust the polarity of my antenna (by twisting my wrist) while searching for the strongest (maximum quieting) received signal. Then while pressing the PTT, I tweak the Arrow polarity while going for maximum quieting while listening to myself. The best sounding full-duplex signal is typically not at the same polarity as the best received signal from someone else on the satellite, but I've been able to get full quieting full-duplex. When operating full-duplex, I think I'm hearing the results of *both* the uplink and downlink polarity match. And that's how I 'differentiate between uplink "weakness" from downlink' weakness. 73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, seb(a)wintek.com<mailto:[email protected]> On 3/27/18, 10:06 PM, "AMSAT-BB on behalf of Stefan Wagener" <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]> on behalf of wageners(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hi Sterling, That would assume you have the ability to switch between linear uplink polarization (vertical and horizontal) and circular polarisation for uplink (right and left) and keep you downlink polarization on the same optimized path all the time, meaning you know in advance which way the downlink signal is the best to compensate for any uplink discrepancies. Good luck :-) But hanks, good thought! Stefan, VE4NSA On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 8:47 PM, Sterling Coffey <kawfey(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > If linear polarized, if you can keep your RX/downlink antenna still and > you can at least hear the satellite, and rotating your TX/uplink antenna > results in correlated signal level changes on the RX/downlink, then you've > isolated it to the uplink polarization variable. > > On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 8:44 PM, Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> > wrote: > >> Thanks, >> >> Again, even in full duplex how do you distinguish between a non-matching >> uplink vs non-matching downlink? You only "hear" the downlink! >> >> 73, Stefan VE4NSA >> >> On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 8:38 PM, Sterling Coffey <kawfey(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> >> wrote: >> >>> You can hear your own signal if you have a full duplex (two radio) >>> setup. However, it's still pretty hard to tell if you use a single antenna >>> (arrow, elk, etc) since you're changing the RX polarity while you're >>> changing the TX polarity too. >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 7:22 PM, Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> One of the questions I have is why one would think that the uplink >>>> (polarization) is a problem since you only have the downlink to assess >>>> and >>>> how would you differentiate between uplink "weakness" from downlink >>>> since >>>> that is the only thing you hear. In addition, at least for uplink, you >>>> could "in principle" very quickly adjust with higher power... and no, I >>>> am >>>> NOT promoting crocodile behavior (big mouth little ears) >>>> >>>> Stefan, VE4NSA >>>> >>>> On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 2:26 PM, Burns Fisher <burns(a)fisher.cc> wrote: >>>> >>>> > If you have seen a model or picture of the Fox satellites, you may >>>> have >>>> > noticed that some of the solar panels seem to be mounted off-center. >>>> This >>>> > is intentional so that photons that reflect off the shiny side give >>>> it a >>>> > tiny off-center push that spins the bird to distribute the heat more >>>> > evenly. Thus it spins faster the more time it spends in the sun. In >>>> > addition, when it crosses the equator, it should flip over (-Z and +Z >>>> > reverse sides). This is because of the passive magnetic >>>> stabilization. >>>> > But I'm guessing that since it is spinning, that causes it to wobble. >>>> > >>>> > Why 92 seems worse I don't know--I can only assume it has something >>>> to do >>>> > with the orbit. That graph that Paul posted looks very different from >>>> > AO-85, for example. >>>> > >>>> > Some RF person can correct me, but I believe that the 70cm antenna >>>> only >>>> > uses the antenna that sticks out one side, while the 2m antenna >>>> actually >>>> > uses the antennas on both sides. Could that explain why the uplink >>>> has >>>> > more fading than the downlink? I don't know. Something to think >>>> about. >>>> > >>>> > 73, >>>> > >>>> > Burns WB1FJ >>>> > Fox-1 Flight Software >>>> > >>>> > On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 2:12 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> > >>>> > > All of the Fox-1 satellites seem to spin faster or slower depending >>>> on >>>> > > orbit illumination or other factors. >>>> > > >>>> > > For example, this is the +Z panel rotation on AO-92 since launch. >>>> > > >>>> > > https://imgur.com/a/uS8TB >>>> > > >>>> > > Someone more well-versed in these matters can comment further on >>>> what >>>> > > causes this, but it is definitely not an indication of the health >>>> > > status of the satellite. >>>> > > >>>> > > 73, >>>> > > >>>> > > Paul, N8HM >>>> > > >>>> > > On Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 1:59 PM, Jean Marc Momple >>>> > > <jean.marc.momple(a)gmail.com<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> > > > Dear All, >>>> > > > >>>> > > > I have been experimenting with AO-92 as from its launch. Some >>>> > > observations: >>>> > > > >>>> > > > 1) The fading on this bird seems to be high and quite >>>> unpredictable, >>>> > > requires a lot of changes of polarization to keep the Rx signal to >>>> an >>>> > > adequate level. >>>> > > > >>>> > > > 2) Seems that the fading is both on the U/V and L-mode, more >>>> seems to >>>> > me >>>> > > that the uplink is more affected. >>>> > > > >>>> > > > 3) Telemetry seems to be quite reliable with FoxTelem in all >>>> modes. >>>> > > > >>>> > > > Today, it was even worse losing the bird many times during the >>>> pass, it >>>> > > seems that it is degrading quite quickly, hope that this is not the >>>> case. >>>> > > > >>>> > > > Just to share my observation. >>>> > > > >>>> > > > 73 >>>> > > > >>>> > > > >>>> > > > Jean Marc (3B8du) >>>> > > > >>>> > > > >>>> > > > _______________________________________________ >>>> > > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum >>>> available >>>> > > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >>>> > > Opinions expressed >>>> > > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official >>>> views >>>> > of >>>> > > AMSAT-NA. >>>> > > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> > > program! >>>> > > > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/l >>>> istinfo/amsat-bb >>>> > > _______________________________________________ >>>> > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum >>>> available >>>> > > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >>>> > Opinions >>>> > > expressed >>>> > > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official >>>> views of >>>> > > AMSAT-NA. >>>> > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> > program! >>>> > > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/l >>>> istinfo/amsat-bb >>>> > > >>>> > _______________________________________________ >>>> > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >>>> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >>>> Opinions >>>> > expressed >>>> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views >>>> of >>>> > AMSAT-NA. >>>> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> program! >>>> > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >>>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >>>> Opinions expressed >>>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views >>>> of AMSAT-NA. >>>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>> program! >>>> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >>>> >>> >>> >> > _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 28 Mar '18

28 Mar '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Freeport Public Schools, Freeport, NY, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Tue 2018-03-27 17:41:04 UTC 24 deg (***) Valday, Russia, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev (***) Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC (***) Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev (***) Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC (***) Exp. 55 on orbit (***) Welcome aboard! (***) Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU ****************************************************************************** International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students (corrected) (***) ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018 March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 102 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1217. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1166. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2018-03-28 08:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Alexander Skvortsov Exp. 55 on orbit (***) Welcome aboard! (***) Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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AO-92 fading
by Jean Marc Momple 27 Mar '18

27 Mar '18

Dear All, I have been experimenting with AO-92 as from its launch. Some observations: 1) The fading on this bird seems to be high and quite unpredictable, requires a lot of changes of polarization to keep the Rx signal to an adequate level. 2) Seems that the fading is both on the U/V and L-mode, more seems to me that the uplink is more affected. 3) Telemetry seems to be quite reliable with FoxTelem in all modes. Today, it was even worse losing the bird many times during the pass, it seems that it is degrading quite quickly, hope that this is not the case. Just to share my observation. 73 Jean Marc (3B8du)

10 15

another rotator question
by Rolf Krogstad 27 Mar '18

27 Mar '18

Question: My elevation rotator (Yaesu G-5400) works fine, but to raise the elevation I have to press the down button and to lower it, I press the Up button. How do I reverse this so it works as intended? Background: I had been the traditional HF ham for years. I had a tower with a TH7 and a Yaesu G-1000-DXA rotator. I then got into working satellites. I purchased a used Yaesu G-5400 rotator and controller. For the five years since installing the elevation rotator I have been manually controlling my rotators. I relabeled the up and down buttons on the controller and all was good. A few years ago I purchased a new LVB Tracker from AMSAT-NA but it sat on the shelf. I am now automating my rotators. I have the azimuth rotator working fine and have connected the LVB Tracker to control the elevation rotator and done the configuration routine. I can control the elevation using the LVB buttons, but must press up for down and down for up. I looked at the controller schematic and it appears that pins 1, 2, 3 of the rotator cable connector are connected to the potentiometer: pins 1 and 3 are on either end of the pot windings and pin 2 is the wiper. I set the antenna to 0 degrees elevation (0 on far left). I tried reversing the wires for 1 and 3, 1 and 2, 2 and 3. I don't think any of these will help me here, but am not sure. Any suggestions on how to reverse the buttons so that up is up and down is down? Thanks Rolf NR0T Grid EN34

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Raleigh NC hamfest, March 31
by Philip Jenkins 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

At the Raleigh NC hamfest this Saturday, March 31, John KG4AKV and I - N4HF - will be manning an AMSAT info table; John will be doing demos as well. As of right now, John is planning for the AO-92 pass which starts at 1519Z, and AO-91 at 1648Z. (And possibly another pass - TBD) Philip N4HF

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M2 432 polarity switch
by mikflathead＠aol.com 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

M2 sells a driven element assembly that allows polarity switching for there 435 antennas. Has any one used this product and can comment? Is there a cheaper way to do this? Thanks Mike

4 4

AMSAT-UK Colloquium Call for Speakers
by David Johnson 26 Mar '18

26 Mar '18

This is a call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2018 which, will be held this year on 13-14 October, in conjunction with the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom . AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about Amateur satellites, CubeSats, Nanosats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site or in Oscar News. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to: dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. 73 Dave, G4DPZ On behalf of the AMSAT-UK Committee

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Roving Announcement: 20-23 Apr East Coast U.S.
by Robert Bankston 25 Mar '18

25 Mar '18

I have a BIG roving trip planned April 20-23, to hand out some infrequently activated grids along the East Coast and operate from some cool places along the way. In addition, I will take advantage of upping my VUCC/r count by working at least one pass in every grid along my planned route on whatever satellite is available. This will include a total of 22 grid activations over a 4-day sprint. My route will take me from EM71 to FM27, down the coast to EM90, then back to EM71, for a total of 1,922 miles I have tried to include satellite passes that provide coverage to North/Central/South Americas, Europe, and all points in between. Unfortunately, location, a tight schedule, and pass availability does not allow that at every grid. It is going to be a very tight schedule, so hopefully there are no hiccups. Here is the schedule: (Grid/AOS/LOS/Satellite/my az-el) - all times UTC Friday, 20 Apr 2018 EM73|EM74 13:08 13:19 xw2f 36w EM84|EM94 15:49 16:00 ao92 30e EM95|FM05 18:40 18:53 ao85 35nw FM06 20:47 21:01 so50 62sw FM16 23:49 00:01 cas4b 36n Saturday, 21 Apr 2018 FM16 07:54 08:11 ao7 14e FM17 09:45 10:08 ao7 85e 10:59 11:12 so50 89nw 11:36 11:55 fo29 32ne 12:41 12:52 so50 12nw 13:20 13:40 fo29 51w FM27 15:11 15:22 fo29 6w 15:29 15:40 ao92 30e 15:49 15:55 ao85 3e 17:03 17:13 ao92 15w FM26 19:32 19:46 so50 43ne 20:19 20:31 cas4b 28se 20:42 21:03 ao7 86w 21:12 21:25 so50 20w 21:58 22:11 cas4b 62n Sunday, 22 Apr 2018 FM15|FM25 09:44 09:56 so50 24e 10:43 10:58 fo29 12ne 11:24 11:37 so50 30nw FM13|FM14 16:10 16:21 ao85 15e 17:49 18:02 ao85 38nw FM03|FM04 19:29 19:40 ao91 24w FM02 23:42 23:53 fo29 6e 00:44 00:54 ao85 7ne 01:24 01:43 fo29 64e 02:23 02:38 ao85 50ne 03:10 03:26 fo29 21nw 04:04 04:17 ao85 19w Monday, 23 Apr 2018 EM92 14:37 14:47 xw2a 52w EM91 16:23 16:35 ao92 70w EM90 18:14 18:25 ao85 17nw Updates will be posted on Twitter @KE4ALabama and on my website https://ke4al.wordpress.com/ Hope to get you in the log - 73, Robert KE4AL

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ANS-084 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 25 Mar '18

25 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-084 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * AO-92 Operation Schedule * EQUiSat to launch into space May 9 * Pearl Technology STEM Camp, June 18-22, 2018 in Illinois * Software-Defined Radio Using MATLAB & Simulink and the RTL-SDR * AMSAT-LU Balloon Flight Carries RepSat-1 Cubesat Transponder * AMSAT Rover Awards Issued * New HackSpace Magazine Available For Download * Introducing CATSync - The new CAT tool for WebSDRs * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-084.01 ANS-084 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 084.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 25, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-084.01 AO-92 Operation Schedule AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 25-31 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0242UTC 25Mar we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours. Approximately 1645UTC 27Mar we will enable the VT camera and high- speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1645UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. The schedule can be viewed anytime at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ [ANS thanks Drew KO4MA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUiSat to launch into space May 9 NASA-funded student group constructs satellite, hopes to inspire interest in space among youth. Since its conception nearly seven years ago, a continuously revolving group of University undergraduates has been diligently working to send a satellite into space. Now, as May 9 draws closer, the group of over 200 past and current students and faculty can find catharsis as the EQUiSat will finally launch into orbit. The project, funded by NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative, will send a small cube satellite to the International Space Station to then launch into orbit. The EQUiSat will test lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are used in machines such as lawn mowers, but find limited applications in spacecrafts. Due to its low cost and the fact that its latitude will coincide with that of Providence, which allows its LED flashes to be seen from the ground, the satellite will also serve as a symbol for the accessibility of space. “A big part of the goal is proving the accessibility of space. … We kind of want to show people that space is right there,” said Hunter Ray ’18, the project’s co-leader and team manager. The project could have cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, but the team has kept its cost to just $3,776.61, Ray added. The project’s relatively low cost and mantra to “build it from the ground up” speak to the feasibility and accessibility of space. The EQUiSat will be equipped with powerful LED lights, a small radio and multiple sensors to keep track of its trajectory and control steering. “Anyone with a hand radio can pick up its frequency. … We will be relying on the community of amateur radio (groups) around the world to help collect EQUiSat’s data,” Ray said. He described the construction process as his favorite part of the project. “It’s like a Lego set. You build it and you’re like ‘great, now what do I do,’ … but the mission will keep going.” Ray has been a part of the project since he arrived on campus. “I started freshman year, first week … (I decided that) I want to build a spacecraft,” he said. “I ended up taking over for the power system development, … (and then) I was elected as part of the project’s manager and co-leader of the team,” he added. He hopes to see similar projections come together in the future following the EQUiSat’s launch. “The fact that as undergraduates we have been able to build an entire spacecraft from scratch … (it shows where) we are going with the space program, as humanity is progressing into the final frontier,” he said. Ray will be delivering the EQUiSat to Houston this week in order to facilitate preparations for the launch. Anand Lalwani ’18 leads the power team, the group of 17 team members in charge of the EQUiSat’s solar power and battery construction. “We are a group of incredibly motivated, but incredibly fun people. Yes, we have had our arguments and fights, but we still work very well with each other,” he said. The power team not only constructed solar panels from scratch, but also ensured that they would survive a launch. Eventually finding a coating and the means to apply it to protect the delicate panels was a grueling process, Lalwani said. “We tried (different protocols) for about 12 months, … and we failed consistently,” he said. Finding a solution “was probably (Brown Space Engineering’s) biggest achievement,” as no other satellite group in the country had done this, he said. The project also serves as an outreach symbol, Lalwani said. By talking to both middle school and high school students and teaching them about different aspects of engineering, the team hopes to show children that space is not as far-fetched as it may seem. “What we had pitched to NASA in our original mission was that ‘We are going to make space cool again,’” Lalwani said. He hopes to see BSE continue its work with new satellites being constructed in under two years. “For BSE, our future is very bright. … All our future applications for launches such as this will be very likely granted. … We expect all the sophomores in our team to have a satellite they would have designed and built and launched before they graduate from Brown,” he added. Max Monn GS, one of founders of the initial project, worked on the project from its initial creation in 2011 to 2013. “Since the manned space missions to the moon … (the public) had a declining interest for space” due to the lack of human connection, Monn said. The origin for the project began as a means for creating an idea in Adjunct Associate Professor of Engineering Rick Fleeter’s class, which has since evolved into ENGN1760: “Design of Space Systems,” Monn described. While other projects leaned toward theoretical concepts or plans such as the colonization of Mars, Monn and the other founders decided to plan something which was “down to Earth” and did not need a large corporation to complete, Monn said. The EQUiSat’s LED lights flashing down toward Earth show the accessibility of space, one of the project’s main purposes. This element was inspired by Monn’s interest in photography. Following the initial work, the project expanded from a four-person class project to a student group. “We weren’t really sure how it would be received,” he said. At the first information session, 15 to 20 people showed up. Seeing the growth of the group has been one of Monn’s favorite memories of the project. “It feels like a legacy,” he said. Serving as founder, member and mentor, Monn has seen the project evolve from “wires spread out on a table” to its eventual launch. “We had these visions of what it could be and to have left the project in such shambles … (and) having it become more and more real… (it’s) a pleasant surprise,” he said. “You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire, you do not have to be a rocket scientist, and space is not that far,” Lalwani said. The satellite will serve as a realization that the final frontier is truly not as far as it seems, he added. “EQUiSat is reaching down to everyone on the Earth and showing them that space is right there, and I hope that, in a sense, it helps unite everyone together,” Ray said. [ANS thanks Chris Schutte and The Brown Daily Herald for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Pearl Technology STEM Camp, June 18-22, 2018 in Illinois The STEM Academy is sponsored and put on by Pearl Technology, with the assistance of the University of Illinois Extension, Richwoods Township, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Peoria Area Ama- teur Radio Club, Peoria Heights High School, volunteer Caterpillar engineers, and ISS Above Software. Twenty-five middle school students will spend June 18-22 attending the STEM Academy held at Goodwill Commons, where they will learn about space and radio communications. The students will build Rasp- berry Pi computers that stream live video from the ISS. Students will also participate in a high-altitude balloon launch by building the payload with student experiments and then, use radio telemetry to track the balloon to near-space. The highlight of the academy will be when students communicate directly with astronauts on the International Space Station. The ISS contact will be open to students of all ages in the local area. [ANS thanks Fritz Bock, WD9FMB for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Software-Defined Radio Using MATLAB & Simulink and the RTL-SDR Learn how to receive and analyze wireless signals using RTL-SDR, MATLAB, and Simulink. RTL-SDR is a popular, low-cost hardware that can receive wireless signals. The RTL-SDR dongle features the Realtek RTL2832U chip, which can be used to acquire and sample RF signals transmitted in the frequency range 25MHz to 1.75GHz. A FREE ebook that teaches users how to receive and analyze wireless radio signals using MATLAB, Simulink, and RTL-SDR Key features of this free ebook include: + Illustrating how to receive wireless RF signals using RTL-SDR and analyze the signals in time and frequency domains + Showing how to use RTL-SDR in conjunction with SDR transmitters to develop a complete communication system + Providing an extensive set of DSP-enabled SDR examples to help you get started Find out more or download from: https://tinyurl.com/ANS084-Mathwoks This news provided by http://www.nooelec.com/store/ [ANS thanks NooElec.com and mathworks.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-LU Balloon Flight Carries RepSat-1 Cubesat Transponder AMSAT-LU reports they flew RepSat-1, a repeater designed for cubesat operation, aboard a balloon launched from Victorica, La Pampa, Argentina on March 24. The uplink was on 435.950 MHz with a downlink on 145.950 MHz. RepSat-1 is an 8 cm square board capable of being integrated into a cubesat. The FM module transmits at 1 watt. It is also capable of transmitting voice, SSTV in Robot 36, telemetry and APRS location data identifying as LU7AA-11. Telemetry and location were transmitted every 90 seconds via 1200 baud AX.25 APRS data. A separate module on the flight transmitted tracker data for balloon recovery on 145.930 MHz with the LU7AA-12 callsign. It included a camera capable of filming with a 360 degree view. The AMSAT Argentina web aite can be found at: http://www.amsat.org.ar [ANS thanks AMSAT-LU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Rover Awards Issued On January 1, 2018, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards announced the Rover Award. This award is granted to stations who achieve a combined 25 points using any combination of the defined criteria posted at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/ Points can be earned for each grid square activated outside of your home grid square using the FM, linear, and digital satellites. While FM contacts count for 1 point each multiplier points are available for contacts via the linear and digital satellites. Additional points are available for photographs, publicity, social media promotion, and AMSAT Journal articles. The options are numerous so please refer to the Rover Award Website for all of the details. To date, 16 rovers have earned the award: Rover Call Date Issued ===== ============ =========== 001 AC0RA 02 Jan 2018 002 WD9EWK 05 Jan 2018 003 NJ4Y 08 Jan 2018 004 M0IDA 09 Jan 2018 005 KG5GJT 12 Jan 2018 006 EB1AO 18 Jan 2018 007 N7AGF 22 Jan 2018 008 N4YHC 29 Jan 2018 009 W0S 07 Feb 2018 010 KE0PBR 08 Feb 2018 011 K5IX 18 Feb 2018 012 AK4WQ 23 Feb 2018 013 WI7P 25 Feb 2018 014 K5ND 09 Mar 2018 015 N6UA 12 Mar 2018 016 N9IP 16 Mar 2018 [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New HackSpace Magazine Available For Download Issue 5 of the free magazine HackSpace has an article about Limor Fried AC2SN (aka LadyAda) of electronics company Ada Fruit as well as a Dr Lucy Rogers M6CME article "Share the knowledge" Also in this issue - Tutorial Slack-powered On-Air sign - Direct from Shenzhen: Stirling engine buggy - Can I Hack It? Every home needs a hacked wireless doorbell - Raspberry Pi 3B+ Download the free PDF of issue 5 April 2018 from https://hackspace.raspberrypi.org/issues [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Introducing CATSync - The new CAT tool for WebSDRs Oscar, DJ0MY, has developed a new software tool for radio amateurs and SWLs. CATSync allows the user to control public WebSDR receivers with a real rig connected via CAT. It supports the classical Web-SDR servers as well as the newer Kiwi SDR servers publically available on the internet. This gives you access to dozens of web based receivers with the comfort of tuning your rig at home. This software helps you to bring you back into the fun of ham radio when you are suffering from local temporary or permanent high noise levels in an urban QTH location. The software has the following features: - Syncronizes any public WebSDR server with your real RIG… - Supports a wide number of RIG’s (it uses the popular OmniRig engine) - Supports WebSDR and KiwiSDR browser based SDR receivers - Tune the VFO of your radio and see the web SDR follow in realtime! - Switch modes (SSB, CW, etc.) on your radio and see the web SDR switch mode in realtime. - Listen to the same frequency as your rig via web SDR - Ideally suited e.g. for people suffering from local QRM - Can track RX or TX VFO (e.g. to find that split of a DX station) if radio CAT supports both simultanously - Can be interfaced with popular logging software using OminRig or via VSPE port splitter For more information visit the author’s website: https://catsyncsdr.wordpress.com/ See a YouTube video of CATSync under: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbSHfkjhx0c [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News The following contacts were successful since February 18, 2018: On The Gagarin from Space, "Galaxy - Children and Youth Center for Space Education", Kaluga, Russia, direct via RK3X with Alexander Misurkin on 2018-02-18 10:45 UTC Agrupamento de Escolas do Fundão, Fundão, Portugal, direct via CS5DBB with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-02-21 09:38 UTC Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY, direct via K2MST with Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP on 2018-02-24 08:45 UTC On The Gagarin from Space Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Southwest State University", Kursk, Russia, direct via RV3DR on 2018-02-26 17:59 UTC Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA, direct via K6PVJ Scott Tingle KG5NZA 2018-03-07 18:05 UTC Gymnasium Räddningsgymnasiet Sando, Sandöverken, Sweden, telebridge via K6DUE with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-03-15 11:12 UTC Templestowe Valley Primary School, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via VK4KHZ with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-03-19 08:43 UTC Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Templestowe Valley Primary School, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Mon 2018-03-19 08:43:46 UTC Watch for live stream on the EchoLink AMSAT conference server live. Freeport Public Schools, Freeport, NY, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-03-27 17:41:04 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + AO-91 Distance Record The footprint on AO-91 has been stretched yet again to 6,123 km with a QSO between @eb1ao and PU8MRS on 17-Mar-2018 at 14:51 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ . + PicSat Goes Silent PicSat @IamPicSat Tweeted: I am feeling somewhat confused up here. My communication has fallen silent (sorry faithful listeners, I did not see that coming. My team is trying to find out what happened. More to follow, when I pass over Paris @amsatf #amsat @AmsatUK @amsat_sm @SatNOGS PicSat @IamPicSat Tweeted: Passed over Paris, couldn't not talk. Don't know why, neither does my team. They tried! Fortunately, I have a so-called watch-dog onboard, a piece of hardware that will kickstart me if I have not received anything from nobody for 72h PicSat team tweeted Friday morning: Nothing, nix. I still cannot communicate. Hard for me to tell if my Watch Dog initiated the kick start. If it did, and it did not work for some reason, it will try again in 72h from now. In the mean time, pls stay tuned! Monday March 26 will be the next time the 72 hour watchdog fires. Now we wait: pic.twitter.com/OBdsOLiK67 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, AA8EM aa8em at amsat dot org

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1st satellite QSO
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 24 Mar '18

24 Mar '18

This morning I heard a fun QSO on AO-92. It was AE0BB's first satellite contact with K9EI. A couple of things I want to point out: 1. Even though there were multiple users on the bird, everyone patiently stood by to allow the contact to go through. Normally timing is very fast on FM birds. This was a nice break! 2. Michael K9EI was patient and courteous with the new operator. It was a great model of how to welcome and encourage others. Here's a short recording of the QSO: https://clyp.it/z0xoibpj 73, Clayton W5PFG

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FS: Yaesu FT-847, FC-20, MD100
by Bennett Norell 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

For sale: Yaesu FT-847 HF, 6m, 2m, 70cm all-mode transceiver from estate. 100W on HF-6m, 50w on 2m and 70cm. Regular and Sat modes. Looks and works perfect. With optional FC-20 auto tuner, and Yaesu MD-100A desk mic, original hand mic, DC power cord and original manual. MD-100A has crack in top of base holder but prior owner glued back together (looks ok, works perfect). All for $1000 local pickup, or plus shipping. Sold as-is due to parts swappers, but can demo if local pickup.

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AO-92 schedule updated
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ AMSAT-OSCAR 92 AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa's High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 25-31 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0242UTC 25Mar we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1645UTC 27Mar we will enable the VT camera and high-speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1645UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

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For Sale: Kenwood TS-711A and TS811A all mode radios
by Bennett Norell 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

For Sale - Kenwood TS-711A 2m and TS-811A 70cm all mode radios. From an estate, simple testing shows works as they should. TS-711A has voice option, both have the tone board TSU-5 option installed and both have built-in AC power supply. The 711A is in very good condition (face perfect), with a small chip/crack in top right back surface of the bezel, other wise very good condition. The 811A is also in very good condition, with wear marks on the left and right sides of bezel (don't see head-on). The 811A backlight for the meter is a little flaky, but tap the case and it comes back on. Both come with Kenwood hand mic, AC power cord, original manual. $300 plus shipping for the 711A, $350 for the 811A, plus shipping, unless picked up NNJ. Sold as-is due to parts swappers, but can demo if picked up.

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Yaesu rotator connections
by Rolf Krogstad 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

I have a Yaesu G-1000-DXA rotator and controller for azimuth. After I got into working satellites I purchased a used Yaesu G-5500 elevation rotator and the dual Az/El controller. (Thanks AA5PK it has been working great!) I would like to hook the G-1000-DXA cable to the G-5500 controller but can't figure out how the pins correspond. Both are 6 wire cables. I found a better schematic for the G-5500 on the Yaesu site than was in my manual - it appears pins 4-5-6 have to do with power for the G-5500. On the G-1000-DXA pins 4-5 are power, so in a wild guess I tried hooking 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, but nothing happens. Does anyone know how I need to hook this up? Thanks Rolf NR0T in EN34

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