- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Portable Sat Tracker for Field Day
by crohtun＠aol.com 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

I'm running into a brick wall with getting the Autonomous Satellite Tracker, homebrewed from WB0OEW's design, to work with an iPhone hotspot for Field Day. Does anyone know of a portable tracker that would handle the Elk that I plan to use on FD? A homebrew project is OK, but the SatNOGS thing is out due to time limitations. Off the shelf is preferable. BTW, I'll be running SatPC32 on a laptop to control the IC9700, so it would be ideal if the portable tracker worked with the program's rotor control. I can dream, can't I? 73, Ray KN2K

3 2

Cheap Broadband Preamp Boards
by James Hickox 05 Jun '21

05 Jun '21

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the cheap broadband preamplifier boards that are being offered for use with the RTL-SDR dongles. I'm thinking they may be an inexpensive option. Thanks. De James, AA5AO

2 1

CubeSatSim Construction Questions?
by talleyt＠msn.com 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Is there someone who I could pose some questions off-line related to building the CubeSatSim? Tnx and 73 Tom Talley

2 1

ARISS News Release No. 21-36
by David Jordan 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

ARISS News Release No.21-36 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE ARISSContact is Scheduled with Students at Collège Maurice Genevoix, Couzeix, France June7, 2021—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has receivedschedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is thegroup that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students aroundthe globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS). This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students fromCollège Maurice Genevoix. Students willtake turns asking their questions of ISS Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, amateurradio call sign KG5FYG, during the ARISS radio contact. French is thelanguage expected to be used during the contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ andmay be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that alsoencompasses the ARISS radio telebridge station. ARISS team member Jan Poppeliers, in Aartselaar,Belgium using radio call sign ON4ISS, will serve as the ARISS relay amateurradio station. Each student asking a question on the ARISS radio will be conferenced in from home or social-distanced at school. TheARISS radio contact is scheduled for June 7, 2021 at 3:07 pm CEST (Couzeix,France) (13:07 UTC, 9:07 am EDT, 8:07 am CDT,7:07 am MDT, 6:07 am PDT). Collège MauriceGenevoix (699 students in grades 6 to 13) is located near the city of Limoges,in central western France. Inpreparation of this ARISS contact, course curricula were supplemented to linkaspects of space habitation and space exploration with the existing courses.The school has partnered with members of the Amateur Radio Club of theUniversity of Limoges who have helped the students prepare (and becomelicensed) for the contact and will support them during the contact. Viewthe livestream of the upcoming ARISS radio contact at: https://live.recreasciences.com/. _______________________________ Astime allows, students will ask these questions: 1.Comment gérez-vous le stress pendant une sortie dans l'espace? 2.Pourquoi as-tu voulu être astronaute? Qu'est-ce qui t’attirait le plus? 3.Qu'est-ce que vous aimez dans votre aventure dans l'espace en particulier? 4.Avez-vous déjà rencontré de graves disfonctionnements lors d'une de vosexpéditions? 5.La préparation des missions est-elle compliquée et éprouvante? 6.Quelle est la place de la femme dans l'aventure spatiale? 7.Est-ce gênant de dormir debout dans l'ISS? 8.Quelles sont les expériences que vous allez faire dans la Station SpatialeInternationale? 9.Comment faites-vous pour manger et boire? 10.Qu’est-ce que ça fait de partir dans l'espace pendant longtemps? 11.Quelles sensations ressens-tu au niveau du décollage et dans l'espace? 12.Est-ce facile de s'adapter à l'apesanteur? 13.Est-ce que la pratique du judo vous a aidé dans la préparation de la 1èremission? l4.Comment fait-on à manger dans l’espace? À quelles nourritures avez vous droit? 15.Sous quelle forme est conditionnée la nourriture? 16.Quand vous êtes allé pour la première fois dans l'espace, aviez-vous eu levertige, quels étaient vos sensations/vos sentiments? 17.J'imagine que cela n'a pas été facile de s’entraîner chaque jour sans relâche,est-ce que vous aviez déjà eu envie d'arrêter? 18.Est ce que ton goût est-il affecté par l'apesanteur? l9.Pouvez-vous respirer sans casque dans une fusée? 20.Est-ce que la terre ferme vous manque? 21.Comment fais-tu pour revenir sur terre? 22.Combien de temps allez-vous passer dans l'espace? 23.Comment faites vous pour manger et boire? Translation 1.How do you deal with stress during a spacewalk? 2.Why did you want to be an astronaut? What attracted you the most? 3.What do you like about your adventure in space in particular? 4.Have you ever encountered serious malfunctions during one of your expeditions? 5.Is the preparation of missions complicated and stressful? 6.What is the place of women in the space adventure? 7.Is it embarrassing to sleep standing up in the ISS? 8.What are the experiments you are going to do in the International SpaceStation? 9.How do you eat and drink? 10.How does it feel to be in space for a long time? 11.What sensations do you feel during take-off and in space? 12.Is it easy to adapt to weightlessness? 13.Did the practice of Judo help you in the preparation of the 1st mission? l4.How do you eat in space? What foods are you entitled to? 15.How is the food packaged? 16.When you first went to space, were you dizzy? What were your sensations /feelings? 17.I guess it wasn't easy to train tirelessly every day: have you ever wanted togive up? 18.Is your taste affected by weightlessness? l9.Can you breathe without a helmet in a rocket? 20.Do you miss dry land (the earth)? 21.How do you get back to earth? 22.How long will you spend in space? 23.How do you eat and drink? ARISS– Celebrating 20 Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS About ARISS: AmateurRadio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture ofinternational amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support theInternational Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the RadioAmateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL),the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space communicationsand Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration ofscience, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS doesthis by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew membersaboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students,educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activitiestied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, seewww.ariss.org MediaContact: DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISSPR Likeus on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and@ARISS_status.

1 0

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-06-04 16:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-06-04 16:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: About Gagarin From Space. Conducting an amateur radio session with schoolchildren of Mordovia, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS 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 astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sun 2021-06-06 12:25 UTC College Maurice Genevoix, Couzeix, France, multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be FXØISS 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 astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Contact is go for: Mon 2021-06-07 13:07:41 UTC 70 deg Watch for livestream at https://live.recreasciences.com/ (***) MAI-75 SSTV Events: MAI-75 will be conducting their experiment of transmitting SSTV images over specific orbits that overfly Moscow on June 9 and 10. Amateurs along the ground track of these orbits should have the opportunity to receive these images as well. Modes and targeted transmission periods are listed below. SSTV images will be transmitted at 145.800 MHz using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver. They are expected to use the PD-120 SSTV format. Wed 2021-06-09: 09:35 to 13:50 UTC Thu 2021-06-10: 08:55 to 15:50 UTC St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bombala, NSW, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 437.525 MHz The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD Contact is go for: Thu 2021-06-10 10:45:26 UTC 80 deg Watch for livestream at http://www.ariotti.com/ Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS 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 astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for: Fri 2021-06-11 11:40 UTC Velikiy Ustyug, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS 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 astronaut is Oleg Novitskiy Contact is go for: Sat 2021-06-12 09:15 UTC Lipetsk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS 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 astronaut is Pyotr Dubrov Contact is go for Sat 2021-06-12 10:55 UTC ************************************************************************************************************* 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 **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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 2021-06-04 16:30 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. 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 2021-06-02 17:30 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf 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) 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 congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 151 Francesco IKØWGF with 140 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 140 Gaston ON4WF with 123 **************************************************************************** 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 1450. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1383. 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, 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 **************************************************************************** Exp. 64 on orbit Oleg Novitskiy Pyotr Dubrov Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP SpaceX-Crew 2 on orbit Meghan McArthur (Behnken) Akihiko Hoshide KE5DNI Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

1 0

W5ACM SK
by Ray Soifer 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

To say that I was shocked to learn of Andy's passing would be an understatement. He was a good friend of at least 40 years standing. He will be sorely missed by the entire amateur satellite community. Andy was an enthusiastic participant in AMSAT's CW Activity Day and its predecessor, Straight Key Night on OSCAR. The 2022 edition of this event will be held in his memory. 73 Ray W2RS

2 1

Hawkeye 360 next three satellites this summer
by Robert McGwier 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

HawkEye 360’s Cluster 3: The Cluster 3 launch further expands HawkEye 360’s next-generation satellite constellation, which detects and geolocates radio frequency signals. The Cluster 3 satellites are able to collect a greater quantity of data across a wider portion of the RF spectrum, creating valuable, actionable insights for maritime domain awareness, national security, environmental protection and more. https://spaceflight.com/whos-onboard-sxrs-5-spacex-transporter-2/ 73s Bob N4HY Dr. Robert W McGwier, Ph.D. Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Tech ARDC Member of Board N4HY: ARRL, TAPR, AMSAT, EARC Sky: AAVSO, SkyHub, Auburn AS, Skyscrapers

5 13

LoTW/eQSL Roving
by Bob Liddy (K8BL) 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Gridders, I continue to get questions about confirming SAT QSOs on eQSL inspite of my explanation on my QRZ Page. My Roving QSOs are ONLY via LoTW (or mail). I DO NOT use eQSL for Roving. The reason is that I have alreadyroved in more than 120 Grids. That would require establishing a newlocation for EACH Grid in eQSL in addition to my Home Grid. Themethod for doing each one in eQSL is difficult and a pain in the butt. However, establishing new Grids in LoTW is easy by doing a couplekey clicks. So, LoTW is the only place for my roving QSLs on-line. Of course, you can get a physical QSL by sending me an SASE. GL/73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT #6593, since 1979)

1 0

STS2, Yaesu G-5400B, and Windows 10
by Les Rayburn 04 Jun '21

04 Jun '21

Again, my thanks for all who have responded on the list, and directly. This morning, I disconnected the 8 pin DIN cable from the rear of the unit, verified all the connections, and reinstalled the cable into the rear of the STS2 unit. As instructed, I attempted to program it by connecting it directly to the Yaesu G-5400B using the 8 pin DIN cable, but did NOT connect the USB cable. When the G-5400B is powered on, the STS2 screen lights up, but displays no text at all. I removed power from the G-5400B and held down one of the buttons on the front panel of the STS2, applied power and continued to hold the button down hoping to put the unit into it’s “Menu” mode for programming. No joy. Screen continues to display a light but no text. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot further? I have ordered an additional DIN cable but the one I have ohms out correctly on my VOM, and I’ve triple-checked all the connections. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member Powered by Mailbutler <https://www.mailbutler.io/?utm_source=watermark&utm_medium=email&utm_campai…>, the email extension that does it all

2 1

Satellite Presentations
by Clint Bradford 03 Jun '21

03 Jun '21

Hams are so cool. From my presentation last night to North New Hampshire: "Thank you so much for such a fun, informative presentation. You certainly have and love to share your enjoyment in working satellites. We learned a lot.” And earlier this week: "Clint is our premier AMSAT Ambassador, conducting an endless series of these great presentations across the country. His cotributions are really appreciated.” Think YOUR club or convention would like a “Getting Started With the Ham Satellites” presentation? Write or call me! Sadly, however, these Zoom shows have their drawbacks. From last night, Mary Jane N1RKO advises: "BTW - about the brownie ice cream sundaes I mentioned last night that we serve at our club meetings - I failed to say that the brownies are homemade … “ Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador, ARRL instructor http://www.work-sat.com 909-999-SATS

1 0