- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Fwd: MaxRad diplexer...retuning?
by K4IDC 08 Oct '23

08 Oct '23

Wondering if anyone on the list has tried to improve the tuning on the old MaxRad MDF-15/450 diplexer. I have two of them that give acceptable results when viewed with a NanoVNA & a trusted 50 ohm load, but the results could clearly be better. I want to put one at the tower for my VHF/UHF satellite array, run one feedline to the shack & use the second one to split the 2m & 70cm signals back out to go into the radio. Inserting two of them into the chain only makes the overall response worse, so the desire to improve the tuning is greater. These things are seemingly well built; all metal enclosure with the lid soldered in place, so accessing the internals will be a bit of a chore. It occurs to me that having the lid off may influence the results. I thought I'd ask here before attempting surgery. Sweeps attached... Anyone? Thanks, Robin Midgett K4IDC

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ANS-281 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Oct. 8
by Mark Johns, K0JM 08 Oct '23

08 Oct '23

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-281 In this edition: * Symposium Registration Deadlines Drawing Near * ARISS SSTV Event Rescheduled to October 16-20, 2023 * Amateurs Participate in Annular Solar Eclipse Event on October 14 * NEXUS (FO-99) Operation Schedule and JAMSAT DXpedition * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * VUCC Satellite Standing October 2023 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-281 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2023 Oct 08 Symposium Registration Deadlines Drawing Near Persons planning to attend the 41st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting, October 20-21, 2023 – Dallas, TX should be aware of the upcoming deadlines. + The deadline for Symposium registrations with tickets to the Saturday evening banquet or the Sunday morning members breakfast is Friday, October 13th. MEALS CANNOT BE ORDERED AFTER THAT DATE. + The deadline for the guaranteed group rate has passed but you can call the hotel at 972-929-8400 then press #1. Request “Rodriguez” Reservation Coordinator and ask for rate RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE. A room at that rate might still be available depending on availability. The rate for a standard room with two Queen beds is $137.00 plus state and local taxes of 15%. Rooms may be available for check-in on Wednesday, October 18 and check out Sunday, October 22. The Sheraton DFW Airport is located adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and provides complimentary, scheduled shuttle to and from the airport. Complimentary parking is available for those who drive to the Symposium. The hotel address and phone number is: Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel 4440 W John Carpenter Fwy. Irving, TX 75063 972-929-8400 + The deadline for submitting proposals for presentations at the Symposium is NOW. If you have been entertaining submitting a paper at the Symposium, contact Dan Schultz, N8FGV, AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Editor, immediately at n8fgv [at] amsat [dot] org. We, at AMSAT, are excited to be able to host our 41st annual Symposium this year. We hope that you can join us in celebrating Amateur Radio in Space. Schedule Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM AMSAT Board Meeting 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pre-Registration Check-in Friday, October 20, 2023 8:00 – 12:00 Noon AMSAT Board Meeting (Closed Session) 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Registration 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM AMSAT Symposium Kickoff, President’s Welcome 1:15 PM – 5:00 PM Paper Sessions 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Informal Dinner on your own 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM AMSAT Reception and Auction, Cash Bar Available Saturday October 21, 2023 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM Registration 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM AMSAT Symposium Welcome 8:15 AM – 12:00 Noon Paper Sessions 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM Paper Sessions 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM AMSAT Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Attitude Adjustment (Social), Cash Bar 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM AMSAT Banquet, Cash Bar Sunday October 22, 2023 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM AMSAT Member Breakfast [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hungary Lil' Buckaroo? Make Your Reservation for the Symposium Banquet Today! (Deadline is is Friday, October 14) It's a Belt Bustin' Texas Style Barbecue with Smoked BBQ Sliced Brisket and Roasted BBQ Chicken BBQ Baked Beans, Southern Style Potato Salad, Roasted Corn Salad Greens, Corn Bread, Pecan Pie and all the fixin's! More Info At: https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT2023 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS SSTV Event Rescheduled to October 16-20, 2023 The transmission of images via the SSTV protocol as part of the experiment “About Gagarin from Space” from the International Space Station is postponed to October 16-20, 2023 due to technical problems. Images will be transmitted from the International Space Station via the SSTV protocol as part of the “About Gagarin from Space” experiment. The topic of the program is the first artificial Earth satellite, amateur radio satellites, school satellites. SSTV images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format. The “Russia ISS SSTV” diploma is awarded to radio amateurs (observers) for receiving SSTV (slow-scan television) broadcasts from aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the space experiment (SE) “About Gagarin from Space.” To receive the “Russia ISS SSTV” Diploma, one must receive and decode three images transmitted over a radio channel from on board the ISS using the SSTV protocol only on the days of the experiment. Each image must be at least 90% complete and of acceptable quality. Information on earning the certificate is available at https://r4uab.ru/diplom-iss-sstv/. AMSAT Argentina is also offering a diploma for reception of ISS SSTV images. Learn more at http://amsat.org.ar/?f=9. [ANS thanks Ignacio Granados Vega, TI3IES, and R4UAB.ru for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2023 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch on June 16, 1983, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Amateurs Participate in Annular Solar Eclipse Event on October 14 An annular solar eclipse will make its appearance in the skies over parts of North America on October 14, creating a singular spectacle for those in its path — and a rare opportunity for amateurs to contribute to scientific research. The dazzling celestial event will allow millions of people to witness “the awe and the wonder of seeing a beautiful ring of fire eclipse,” said Peg Luce, acting director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA headquarters. The “ring of fire” nickname comes from the appearance of annular solar eclipses, which are like total solar eclipses, except the moon is at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, so it can’t completely block the sun. Instead, the sun’s fiery light surrounds the moon’s shadow, creating the so-called ring of fire. The annular solar eclipse will begin in the United States at 16:13 UTC (9:13 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time) and pass from the Oregon coast to Texas’ Gulf Coast, appearing in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. The lunar shadow will also be visible in parts of California, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona. After leaving the U.S., the eclipse will cross Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Panama and Colombia before ending off South America’s Atlantic coast at Natal, Brazil. Weather permitting, a cresecent-shaped partial solar eclipse, where only part of the sun is covered by the moon, will be visible October 14 in all 49 continental US states, including Alaska, according to NASA. Use the agency’s interactive eclipse map to check when the eclipse will pass over your area: https://bit.ly/3rCbSz1 For those unable to see the eclipse, NASA will share a live stream beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on eclipse day, sharing views from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kirbyville, Texas, and White Sands, New Mexico, according to Kelly Korreck, eclipse program manager at NASA. “The next annular eclipse seen in this part of the country is actually going to be in 2046,” Korreck said. “It’s going to be a long stretch before we will see this phenomenon again, so we’re really encouraging folks to go out there and observe safely.” It’s never safe to look directly at the sun without using specialized protection, and there is no phase of an annular eclipse that is safe to view with the naked eye because the sun’s light is never completely blocked. To view the annular eclipse, wear certified eclipse glasses or use a handheld solar viewer. Sunglasses won’t work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers, which are thousands of times darker and held to an international standard, ISO 12312-2. A Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) will be held from 1200 - 2200 UTC, and participants may use any band or mode (except WARC bands). Researchers will take the submitted logs and work to derive meaningful observations from the data. All radio amateurs need to do is operate using any mode and any band for all or part of the day, then upload their logs. Participation can be from anywhere; you don't need to be near the path of the eclipse to contribute valuable data. For SEQP contest and rules, visit www.hamsci.org/contest-info. For information on the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge using CW, WSPR, and FST4W, go to https://www.hamsci.org/contest-info. ARRL members can find out more about the SEQP by reading "The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way to Support Radio Science" in the September/October 2023 issue of On the Air magazine. [ANS thanks CNN.com and ARRL for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ NEXUS (FO-99) Operation Schedule and JAMSAT DXpedition The October operating schedule for JAMSAT FO-99 is available at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=2341. However, There is an error in the values shown in the table due to the altitude drop of the satellite. Please use the displayed time as a guide and check “Satellite Tracking” on the JAMSAT website for exact transit times. [ANS thanks Y.Ohtani, JH4DHX/3, of the JAMSAT NEXUS operations team for the above information] JAMSAT also reports that the VK9QO Cocos (Keeling) Island DXpedition coming up in November will include satellite operation on QO-100, IO-117, and RS-44. Unfortunately, there are not likely to be mutual windows when any satellite footprints include the island and North America. However, some amateurs in Hawaii may enjoy brief opportunities for this DX on IO-117. [ANS thanks Mikio Mouri, JA3GEP/VK9QO, and JAMSAT for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Oct. 6 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. Elements in the TLE bulletin files are updated daily. TLE bulletin files are updated to add or remove satellites as necessary Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellites have been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: Grizu 263a NORAD Cat ID 51025 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 October 2023 PICSAT NORAD Cat ID 43132 Decayed from orbit on or about 01 October 2023 NUSAT-2 Norad Cat ID 41588 Decayed fromorbit on or about 02 October 2023 Suchai 1 NORAD Cat ID 42788 Decayed from orbit on or about 05 October 2023 [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements page for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Satellite Standing October 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------ VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for September 01, 2023 to October 01, 2023. ------------------------------------------------------------ AA5PK 1350 1382 N8RO 1342 1356 W5CBF 841 1201 KF7R 1027 1050 N0JE 1000 1025 DF2ET 950 1000 N3GS 932 980 K6FW 825 951 CO6CBF 841 900 XE1L 639 860 EA2AA 800 825 W8LR 783 801 OZ9AAR 700 800 N6UK 707 777 K0JM 601 702 KE8FZT 625 700 N9FN 569 700 KB1HY 521 604 VA7LM 400 600 N8MR 557 581 NM3B 566 572 JL1SAM 410 511 A65BR 455 477 IW7DOL 101 474 HB9GWJ 412 450 KO9A 423 424 N3CAL 352 412 AB1OC 400 407 AG7NR 300 350 F6EQD 130 311 M0SKM 118 300 W1LE New 300 N6PAZ 262 290 CT1ETE New 283 AD2DD 175 261 N9XG 151 252 JR0GAS 140 250 ZS2BK 213 244 JA6SZV 205 207 KH6WI 155 203 JQ1TIV New 201 W6AER 126 201 IK7EOT New 171 K6VHF New 151 JF3MKC 103 150 N7GR 113 141 DJ7NT 100 133 W8XCT New 127 VU2YQ New 125 K9JKM New 114 K2HAT New 103 K2PLL New 102 N6UTC (DM05) New 101 XE1BRX New 100 ------------------------------------------------------------ Congratulations to the new VUCC holders. XE1BRX is first VUCC Satellite holder from DL90 CT1ETE is first VUCC Satellite holder from IN51 IK7EOT is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN80 VU2YQ is first VUCC Satellite holder from MK65 [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. RECENTLY COMPLETED CONTACTS: 149 Secondary School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH The ISS callsign was OR4ISS The rewmember was Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ The ARISS mentor was SP3QFE Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 08:29:20 UTC 32 degrees elevation Congratulations to the 149 Secondary School students, Andreas, and mentor SP3QFE! Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, direct via EI1ISS The ISS callsign was OR4ISS The crewmember was Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL The ARISS mentor was EI8BP Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 13:11:32 UTC 49 deg Congratulations to the Technological University Dublin students, Jasmin, and mentor EI8BP! Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8wZd2gBoo or https://www.youtube.com/@tudublin/ UPCOMING CONTACTS: Belgian Defence (KSOO), Koninklijke School voor Onderofficieren, Sint-Truiden, Belgium, direct via ON4BAF AND telebridge to IEPSCF Colfontaine, Colfontaine, Belgium The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL The ARISS mentor is ON6TI Contact is go for: Tue 2023-10-10 11:36:29 UTC 78 deg Sekolah Kebangsaan Wangsa Maju Seksyen 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ Contact is go for: Wed 2023-10-11 11:12:42 UTC 78 deg Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, MA, direct via N1DQF The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled crewmember is Loral O’Hara KI5TOM The ARISS mentor is AB1OC Contact is go for: Fri 2023-10-13 13:51:42 UTC 39 deg (***) Watch for Livestream at https://vimeo.com/event/3761617 (***) The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down). As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. 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. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations JW7XK (Svalbard Island) will be activated around October 11th to 16th by Halvard Eriksen, LA7XK, on RS-44 and Greencube IO-117 packet satellite. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and DX News for the above information) ****** Jonathan, N4AKV, will be QRV ‘from the EM93/EM94 line and the FM03/FM04 line’ on the afternoon of 13th October and all day on the 14th. This will be a LEO/MEO operation. Check hams.at for passes/times. ****** Alex, N7AGF, says he’ll be in DN02 for the solar eclipse on 14th October. -Ed: this is really all I know at the moment. Best suggestion is to watch his X account or keep an eye on hams.at for additional info. ****** Adrian, N8AJM, will be QRV from EM85 (TN) 16th – 20th October. This will be LEO/MEO. Details are available at hams.at A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location. [ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. + ARRL Minnesota State Convention Saturday, October 14 Hennepin Technical College 9000 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota http://mnconvention.org + 41st AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting October 20-21, 2023 Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel 4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, TX 75063 https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT2023 + ARRL Pacific Division Convention Friday, October 20 - Sunday, October 22 San Ramon Marriott 2600 Bishop Drive San Ramon, CA 94583 https://www.pacificon.org AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, has spoken to these clubs recently … + Gallatin Ham Radio Club, Montana + London Bridge ARC, Arizona + Sevir Amateur Radio Society, Tennessee + GOTA HAMS, Southern California + Daytona Beach ARA, Florida This month, he'll be informally visiting with hams in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands during a personal trip. Think a 75-minute presentation on "working the easy satellites" would be appropriate for your club or event in November or December? Send email to Clint at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com [ANS thanks the AMSAT Events page and Clint Bradford, K6LCS, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The International Telecommunications Union has released a 'Handbook on Small Satellites.' The guide was developed in response to the United Nations agency's Resolution ITU-R 68 on “Improving the dissemination of knowledge concerning the applicable regulatory procedures for small satellites, including nanosatellites and picosatellites.” It includes a section (5.4) on what types of satellites should qualify for use of amateur radio frequencies. See https://www.itu.int/hub/publication/r-hdb-65-2023/ (ANS thanks the ITU for the above information) + The Federal Communications Commission has fined Dish Network $150,000 for failing to properly remove a satellite from geostationary orbit, the U.S. regulator said Oct. 2 in a first for its space debris enforcement action. The settlement includes an admission of liability from Dish for leaving EchoStar-7 at 122 kilometers above its operational geostationary arc, less than halfway to where the satellite broadcaster had agreed. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information) + NASA announced on Friday (Sept. 29) that it will extend operations for New Horizons until the spacecraft exits the Kuiper Belt, which is expected in 2028 or 2029. New Horizons launched in January 2006, on a mission to provide the first-ever up-close looks at Pluto, the Kuiper Belt's most famous resident. NASA extended the mission to include a flyby of another Kuiper Belt object (KBO) — the 21-mile-wide (34 kilometers) Arrokoth. Additional extensions are possible. New Horizons has enough nuclear fuel remaining to continue flying through at least 2040, mission team members have said. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information) + NASA delayed the launch of the Psyche asteroid mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy by a week to October 12. The spacecraft will explore the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche that orbits between Mars and Jupiter. (ANS thanks The Parabolic Arc for the above information) + Amazon has officially joined the race to build massive constellations of satellites that can blanket the globe in internet connectivity — a move that puts the tech company in direct competition with SpaceX and its Starlink system. The first two prototype satellites for Amazon’s network, called Project Kuiper, launched aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 6. + It was a bad week for small satellite launchers with multiple failures: Galactic Energy’s Ceres-1 suffered its first failure in 10 launches on September 21. The failure lowered the solid-fuel booster’s reliability to 90 percent. Galactic Energy has not revealed the cause of the failure. The failure came two days after a Rocket Lab Electron booster fell back to Earth after its second stage failed to ignite properly. It was the fourth failure in 40 launches for the orbital rocket, whose reliability fell to 90 percent as a result. (ANS thanks The Parabolic Arc for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM k0jm [at] amsat.org

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Re: AMSAT Ambassador News
by Clint Bradford 07 Oct '23

07 Oct '23

Interesting coincidence - Just read a social media post from a fellow ham who recently contacted those SAME countries I listed that I will be visiting this month ... Of the billions of posts sent through the 'Net this week - these are the only two with those four written ... Clint K6LCS Sent from my iPhone

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Re: AO-91 and Max Valier Sat
by Clint Bradford 07 Oct '23

07 Oct '23

Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 6, 2023, at 08:42, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > Hello all, > > While listening to this morning's AO-91 pass, I noticed CW-modulated noise in the background. So did one or more operators on AO-91, who thought that the station was trying to send CW through AO-91. > > Switching over to CW mode, I copied: "manfred es christ fuchs 73 de ii3mv max valier sat manfred es christa fuchs 73 de ii3mv max" > > This turns out to be the Max Valier satellite, launched in 2017, which (unfortunately) uses Amateur Radio spectrum for a scientific downlink and does not provide any communication resources in return. > > AO-91's downlink is close enough to Max Valier's that, with Doppler correction, may make it into your receiver's FM discriminator and show up as CW-modulated noise when AO-91's signal fades. > > Hopefully, this note will inform other stations that one should not assume intentional or unintentional interference without verifying the origin of the signal received. > > 73, > > --- Zach > N0ZGO > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org

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Oct 20-22 AMSAT at Pacificon.org in San Ramon, CA?
by Grant Bowman 07 Oct '23

07 Oct '23

Greetings, though we realize this conflicts with your https://www.amsat.org Dallas, TX event Oct 20-21, we are looking for someone to host a nonprofit booth or possibly do an AMSAT presentation during the annual ARRL Pacific Division Convention. https://www.pacificon.org We have extensive activities taking place all weekend as detailed on our website including operating W1AW/6 with an antenna tower, licensing, forums, vendors, etc. AMSAT has attended in the past. PACIFICON℠ 2023 October 20-22, 2023 San Ramon Marriott 2600 Bishop Drive San Ramon, CA 94583 Is someone in the area willing to participate? This would mean a lot to me since my grandfather, Stanley Benson (K6CBK), was on the founding board of directors of the 1961 OSCAR-I project, a predecessor project to AMSAT, launched from California lasting 22 days in orbit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSCAR_1 73, Grant K6CBK

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2023-10-07 01:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 07 Oct '23

07 Oct '23

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2023-10-07 01:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 149 Secondary School, Baku, Azerbaijan, direct via 4K6EH The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 08:29:20 UTC 32 deg (***) Congratulations to the 149 Secondary School students, Andreas, and mentor SP3QFE! (***) Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, direct via EI1ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL The ARISS mentor is EI8BP Contact was successful: Fri 2023-10-06 13:11:32 UTC 49 deg (***) Congratulations to the Technological University Dublin students, Jasmin, and mentor EI8BP! (***) Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8wZd2gBoo or https://www.youtube.com/@tudublin/ Belgian Defence (KSOO), Koninklijke School voor Onderofficieren, Sint-Truiden, Belgium, direct via ON4BAF AND telebridge to IEPSCF Colfontaine, Colfontaine, Belgium The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled crewmember is Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL The ARISS mentor is ON6TI Contact is go for: Tue 2023-10-10 11:36:29 UTC 78 deg Sekolah Kebangsaan Wangsa Maju Seksyen 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, direct via 9M2RPN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled crewmember is Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ Contact is go for: Wed 2023-10-11 11:12:42 UTC 78 deg Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, MA, direct via N1DQF The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled crewmember is Loral O’Hara KI5TOM The ARISS mentor is AB1OC Contact is go for: Fri 2023-10-13 13:47:58 UTC 41 deg Watch for Livestream at https://vimeo.com/event/3761617 The ISS Fan Club has announced that there is an upcoming SSTV event from 2023-10-03 14:40 UTC to 2023-10-05 18:15 UTC. Check out this webpage for full details: https://issfanclub.eu/2023/09/29/about-gagarin-from-space-ariss-sstv-3-5-oc… The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never 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 2023-10-07 01:00 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. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2023-10-07 01:00 UTC. (***) https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf ####################################################################################################################################### Comments on making general contacts I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities. Typical daily schedule Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements. And don’t forget that the packet system is active. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (United States) Call for Proposals The next proposal window for US schools and educational organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS opens October 1, 2023 for contacts to be scheduled for July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. This proposal is due to ARISS by November 10, 2023 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. (***) Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 5 2023 at 7 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2023.eventbrite.com (***) Find more information and proposal instructions, visit the ARISS-USA website at: https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/ Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. 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 ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) 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. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* 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 https://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? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. 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 The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulates the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 216 Francesco IKØWGF with 150 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 149 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 115 Steve VE3TBD with 105 **************************************************************************** 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. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1664. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1572. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, FXØISS, GB1SS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correcti… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** SpaceX Crew-7 on orbit Jasmin Moghbeli KI5WSL Andreas Mogensen KG5GCZ Satoshi Furukawa Konstantin Borisov Exp. 70 on orbit Oleg Kononenko Nikolay Chub Loral O’Hara KI5TOM **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ESTCube-2 launch
by Tõnis Eenmäe 06 Oct '23

06 Oct '23

Hello AMSAT-BB readers, in few hours, ESA launcher rocket Vega will send to space several satellites, ESTCube-2 among them. ESTCube-2 is a three-unit cubesat built by students of Estonian universities with international partners, coordinator of the project is been Tartu Observatory of Tartu University. The satellite is a successor of ESTCube-1 satellite and has similar primary mission - to test electric solar sail technology in the space. This time, main focus is devoted to using a charged tether to act as a plasma brake, to bring satellite back to the atmosphere much faster than it would happen naturally. ESTCube-2 has also few payloads for amateur radio community. It has functionality as an AX.25 digipeater, from time to time sending audio greetings to all of the listeners (main auditorium: schoolkids), measuring RF noise in orbit and taking images of Earth and sending full-size image data over 2.4 GHz radio. However, most of HAM-related payloads are to be expected to work not before commissioning period. Till that, satellite is sending periodically housekeeping telemetry data about it's subsystems with interval of one minute. Few days after the launch, transmission period will be set a bit longer. Over the Europe it is also possible to receive more regular responses for telecommands. That satellite will separate from launcher at 01:36:25Z on October 7, 2023 and after waiting for 45 minutes, should start sending it's beacon data. RF transmissions will occur on the frequency of 435800 kHz +- Doppler shift, transmitted signal has 9600 bps GFSK (G3RUH) modulation to send AX.25 UI packets. A bit more data together with description of housekeeping beacon data formats and preliminary (as of October 6, 2023) TLE-s can be found at: https://www.estcube.eu/blogi/Raadio There will be a small award for first radio amateur receiving ESTCube-2 data and sending it to us to address (please add your callsign/name and coordinates/WWL, too): es5ec(a)estcube.eu. With best wishes, Tõnis Eenmäe, ES5TF

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TEVEL-5
by david.greenberg 06 Oct '23

06 Oct '23

Hello All, TEVEL-5 FM transponder has been activated, starting from today, 06.10.23 19:37U for 72 hours.73,David 4X1DGנשלח מה-Galaxy שלי

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TEVEL-2
by david.greenberg 06 Oct '23

06 Oct '23

Hello All, TEVEL-2 FM transponder has been activated, starting from today, 06.10.23 19:34U for 72 hours.73,David 4X1DGנשלח מה-Galaxy שלי

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Re: AO-91 and Max Valier Sat
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 06 Oct '23

06 Oct '23

At 03:42 PM 10/6/2023 +0000, Zach Metzinger wrote: >Hello all, > >While listening to this morning's AO-91 pass, I noticed CW-modulated noise >in the background. So did one or more operators on AO-91, who thought that >the station was trying to send CW through AO-91. > >Switching over to CW mode, I copied: "manfred es christ fuchs 73 de ii3mv >max valier sat manfred es christa fuchs 73 de ii3mv max" > >This turns out to be the Max Valier satellite, launched in 2017, which >(unfortunately) uses Amateur Radio spectrum for a scientific downlink and >does not provide any communication resources in return. > >AO-91's downlink is close enough to Max Valier's that, with Doppler >correction, may make it into your receiver's FM discriminator and show up >as CW-modulated noise when AO-91's signal fades. > >Hopefully, this note will inform other stations that one should not assume >intentional or unintentional interference without verifying the origin of >the signal received. > >73, > >--- Zach This happens more than you think. One neat feature of InstantTrack you can see what satellites are co-visible to each other. It was always fun do try and make cross satellite contacts. Easiest to do on linear satellites where the downlink of one is in the uplink of another. KB7ADL

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