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ERRATA: ANS-066 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

I apologize for missing an ARISS news item that was repeated from a past edition of the ANS news #066. The item for the ANS News should be as follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS: Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of March 3, 2021 Avoca State School, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia, direct via VK4BW (Mike Hopkins KF5LJG). Thu 2021-03-11 07:56:51 UTC 60 deg 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. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for your patience. Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Assistant Editor - AMSAT News Service kd4iz(a)arrl.net

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TV rotor interface to SatPC32
by Timothy Tapio 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

Anyone have a simple interface for a low budget TV rotor (RCA) to allow SatPC32 to control azimuth? I do have intentions of obtaining a GS-5500 but that is a few months down the road....meanwhile I have an Alaskan Arrow still in box that I want to use until I can get the sat antenna pack from Amsat.... Any Raspberry Pi or Arduino interfaces? It's beyond my level to try to program something myself.

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ANS-066 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-066 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(a)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/ In this edition: * AMSAT Ambassadors to Speak at QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo * Revised QO-100 WB Transponder Bandplan and Operating Guidelines * Rubins and Noguchi assemble solar array fixtures outside ISS. * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 1 2021 * India, Brazil Launch Amazônia-1 On PSLV Rocket * IARU Region 1 Participates in ITU WRC-23, Prep for 23cm Allocations * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 4, 2021 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-066 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.01 To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2021 March 07 AMSAT Ambassadors to Speak at QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Several AMSAT Ambassadors are scheduled to speak at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on Saturday, March 13, 2021. The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo to be held on March 12-14, 2021 features many speakers over a wide range of technical and operating topics. Among the speakers will be two AMSAT Ambassadors presenting in the Space Auditorium on Saturday March 13, 2021: Working the Easy FM Amateur Satellites Clint Bradford, K6LCS 1200-1300 EST From getting licensed to finding local clubs to working the easy FM amateur satellites with minimal investment! Well cover all the basics for you with plenty of ways to submit any questions you may have afterwards. Let's get you working the birds ASAP! Clint Bradford has been a ham since 1994, and is also involved in the commercial side of the communications industry. His How to Work the Amateur Satellites With Your HT presentation has informed and delighted more than 100 audiences over the past few years - clubs, conventions, and hamfests not only in Southern California, but also clubs across North America and Canada. He is an ARRL educator, AMSAT Ambassador, and member of several AMSAT chapters across the planet. Getting on the air with Amateur Radio Satellites Tom Schuessler, N5HYP 1700-1800 EST Tom will provide an introduction to what you need to know to become active on FM satellites and beyond. Tom was licensed in 1985. Although he was aware of Amateur Radio space communications, he thought it was just too far beyond the means of the average ham. In 2009, he caught the bug from the late Keith Pugh, W5IU. The realization that he already had a radio that would work with the then existing FM satellites was all he needed. He now not only actively enjoys communicating through the current fleet of Amateur Radio satellites, but loves to communicate his passion and experience to those who have never yet experienced the thrill. Professionally, Tom Has worked in the broadcast television and video fields as a production and systems engineer. Also scheduled to present are AMSAT's Human Space partners at ARISS: How to Enjoy Amateur Radio Contacts with the International Space Station Frank Bauer, KA3HDO & Rosalie White, K1STO 1600-1700 EST You can enjoy ham radio contacts through the ARISS radios on the International Space Station. Well explain how you can have fun trying ARISS packet, SSTV and repeater mode. Intermediate level & even beginners learn how to try off-the-planet hamming. Frank H. Bauers aerospace career spans over 40 years within NASA and private industry. Mr. Bauers primary research interests include space borne applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and space vehicle formation flying. He was the principal investigator of 4 spaceflight GPS and formation flying experiments including the AMSAT-OSCAR-40 GPS experiment, investigating the use of GPS above the constellation. His hobbies include astronomy, amateur radio, and flying. Hes the founder of ARISS-USA, which enables amateur radio on the ISS. Rosalie White is an ARISS-US Delegate to the International Space Station (supported by NASA). Her specialties are STEM, Aerospace, NASA, Amateur Radio, and Aviation. Complete information is available at https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com. [ANS thanks QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo for the above information. +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Join the 2021 President's Club! Score your 2" 4-Color Accent Commemorative Coin. This gold finished coin comes with Full Color Certificate and Embroidered "Remove Before Flight" Key Tag Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ You won't want to miss it! +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ QO-100 WB Transponder Bandplan and Operating Guidelines Version 3 February 2021 The following updated DATV (DVB-S2) bandplan and guidelines are designed to enable the most efficient use of the QO-100 wideband transponder (WB) for all amateur radio satellite users. Please make sure that you understand the guidelines and follow them accordingly. The use of DVB-S2 as the most efficient transmission mode is advised. Additional information and graphics may be found at: https://bit.ly/2NXQYqm [ANS thanks Peter Gülzow, DB2OS of AMSAT-DL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rubins and Noguchi assemble solar array support fixtures outside ISS. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and Soichi Noguchi, a Japanese astronaut who last walked in space more than 15 years ago, ventured outside the International Space Station Friday and completed assembly of two solar array support fixtures, part of a $100 million power system upgrade. After handling multiple struts and bolts, Rubins reported a small pin-prick hole in one of her gloves and while there was no leakage and no emergency, she expressed concern about moving too far from Noguchi for additional work. Theres a hole in my right index finger through the RTV (insulation), she told astronaut Frank Rubio in mission control. Its unchanged in appearance. And we have a middle finger peeling, my right middle finger, and gaps in the RTV on my left middle finger. With installation of the solar array support fixtures complete, Rubio asked how she felt about leaving Noguchi, moving back to the space station airlock to drop off tools and then heading out to the European Columbus laboratory module to complete electrical connections for a recently installed experiment platform. This is kind of a pinprick hole versus RTV peeling, Rubins replied. So Im mildly concerned about going real far from Soichi. Rubins suit maintained the proper pressure throughout, but given time lost earlier assembling the solar array supports, flight controllers opted to call it a day without pressing ahead with work to finish wiring up the experiment platform. Additional Information at:https://bit.ly/3bmvUmf [ANS thanks William Harwood of SpaceflightNow.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 1 2021 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period February 1, 2021 through March 1, 2021. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL Feb Mar XE2AT 899 946 W5RKN 739 740 N3GS 679 687 NS3L 625 650 N1AIA 494 604 PS8ET 450 550 N5BO 500 525 AF5CC 461 477 N4DCW 450 476 AK7DD 390 400 VE1VOX 170 400 W8LR 328 353 KE0WPA 229 345 N6RFM 276 302 VE4MM 263 279 K8BL 274 278 AB1OC 264 267 DF2ET 129 250 F6GLJ 103 220 N8URE (FM19)186 214 F4BKV 100 200 WD9EWK(DM23)152 166 KN2K New 155 N8URE (EL95)113 134 DL6KBG 111 125 M0SKN New 108 KC5TT New 100 N2CJ New 100 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 the two months. 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! Ron W5RKN [ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ India, Brazil Launch Amazônia-1 On PSLV Rocket The Indian Space Research Organization has launched their first mission of 2021 with a flight of their Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to deliver Brazils Amazônia-1 satellite, along with 18 co-passengers, into Sun-synchronous orbit. Liftoff from First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, India, occurred Sunday, 28 February at 10:24 IST at the launch site which is 04:54 UTC, or Saturday, 27 February at 23:54 EST. Amazônia-1 is the first Earth observation satellite designed, built, tested, and operated completely by Brazil and is the first of three such satellites planned by the National Institute of Space Research (INPE), a Brazils space research and exploration company. The 18 co-passengers, included 12 SpaceBEEs, SAI-1 Nanoconnect-2, Sindhu Netra, UNITYsat, and SDSat. The SpaceBEEs satellites, developed by Swarm Technologies Inc., will be used for two-way satellite communication and data relay while the SAI-1 Nanoconnect-2 satellite, developed and funded by the Space Instrumentation Laboratory of the National University of Mexico, will examine the use of the GlobalStar satellite phone network as a secondary communication channel for nano-satellites. Sindhu Netra is an Indian-developed AIS-based (automatic identification system) marine traffic monitoring satellite built by students at the Peoples Education Society Universitys Crucible for Research and Innovation wing. Funding was provided by the Defense Research and Development Organization of India. Joining its other co-passengers is the UNITYSat mission which itself contains the JITsat, GHRCESat, and SriShakthiSat satellites. The trio of satellites will form an amateur radio and IoT (Internet of Things) service satellite. The mission was developed by the Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, G. H. Raisoni College of Engineering, and the Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology. [No amateur frequency coordination records appear in the IARU satellite database for these satellites -- Ed.] SDSat (Satish Dhawan Satellite), named after the Chairman and founding father of the Indian Space Program, was developed by SpaceKidz India to measure magnetic fields and space radiation. The satellite also carries 25,000 names designed to create awareness and educate the general public about space sciences. This was the 53rd mission for the PSLV rocket and marks the first dedicated PSLV commercial mission for New Space India Limited, an Indian government company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization. [ANS thanks Spaceflight.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- IARU Region 1 Participates in ITU WRC-23 Preparation for 23cm Allocations The Chair of IARU Region 1 Spectrum Affairs, Barry Lewis, G4SJH reports a meeting of the ITU-R Working Party 4C (WP4C) was held between February 15 and 19 which discussed the amateur radio allocation at 1240 1300 MHz. During the week 15 to 19 February, the preparatory work for WRC-23 agenda item 9.1b continued in ITU-R Working Party 4C (WP4C). The WRC agenda item has initiated technical studies on coexistence between the radio navigation satellite service (RNSS) and the amateur services in the 23 cm band. As usual, the IARU participated in the meeting and delivered key information on amateur activities in this important microwave band. This information is vital to ensure the amateur services are realistically represented in the studies as they move forward. To assist with this the IARU Region 1 is developing supporting material that Member Societies can refer to when addressing the topic with their National Regulator. The work on this topic will continue throughout the year and beyond, both in ITU-R and in the regional telecommunications organisations, and the IARU is committed to ensure every organisation understands the amateur position on this important microwave band. [ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa and the South African Radio League SARL News 28 February 2021 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMSAT Symposium 2021 Information Posted: March 2, 2021 From Google Translate: JAMSAT will hold the annual meeting and JAMSAT Symposium 2021 as follows. This year, due to the influence of the new corona, it will be held online. The annual general meeting is for members only, and the symposium and the social gathering after the symposium are open to anyone who is interested in satellite communications. We posted the "Symposium 2021 Holding Information" earlier, but we will post it again, including the social gathering. Date and time: Saturday, March 20th, General Assembly (members only) Saturday, March 20th, 9: 00-9: 45 (Reception: Posted in newsletter) Symposium: Saturday, March 20th, 10:00 ~ 17: 45 Social gathering: Saturday, March 20th, 18: 00 ~ Venue: ZOOM, ZOOM, free of charge, symposium More information in Japanese available at: https://bit.ly/3uUlXEf [ANS thanks Nao Goto of JAMSAT for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all begins with GOLF-TEE a technology demonstrator for deployable solar panels, propulsion, and attitude control. Come along for the ride. The journey will be worth it! https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 4, 2021 The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution: TW-1C - NORAD Cat ID 40926 (Decayed 2-27-2021 per Space-Track). [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS: Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-03-01 22:00 UTC Sterling MS, Ashburn, VA, multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS 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 astronaut is Shannon Walker KD5DXB. Contact is go for: Tue 2021-02-09 14:44:48 UTC 66 deg Watch for live stream at https://youtu.be/qVhBweqjCo4 Red Hill Lutheran, Tustin, CA, telebridge via NA7V 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 astronaut is Mike Hopkins KF5LJG. Contact is go for: Wed 2021-02-10 18:26:15 UTC 65 deg. 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. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Quick Hits: Spring Training Rove! KX9X will be heading down to Ft Myers, FL the week of March 7 for some sun and baseball. Will activate EL86 & 96 holiday style for sure, possibly a couple other grids as well. Linear/FM. Details soon. @K8BL will be in EM54 3/4 3/7. @AK7DD and Ledger: We will be headed to DN41 on the 14th of March. My plan is to hit DN30 on the way up. Our plans are to be in the area there until around the 24th of March, and we will hit a few of our normal activation grids on the way home, DN30, DM39 & DM49, etc. Anyhow, once we have landed in DN41, we will be doing a handful of roves in Utah and Idaho as time allows. Major Roves: W7LT: DN04/05/14/15/24/25/27/28/34/35/37/38/47/48 schedule subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Will try to stick to it as best I can. Click here for details: https://bit.ly/3q783ew CM93 Possibility: N6DNM Very long shot, but might want to put it on your calendar for May 15th, if you can figure out where it is and for #SOTA folks, that would be W6/SC-336, Santa Rosa Island, activated only once before. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com Updated 03/3/2021 [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador and registered ARRL instructor Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador and ARRL registered instructor Clint Bradford, K6LCS, is certainly keeping busy! Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun How to Work the Easy Satellites Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always includes are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS and pre-presentation questions are solicited and welcome. Cliff reports these upcoming satellite presentation dates: 03/10 Trenton, New Jersey 03/11 Clearwater, Florida 03/13 QSO TODAY 2021 Virtual Convention. See: https://bit.ly/2OkDRiV 03/16 Palm Springs, CA 03/20 Bonham, Texas 04/01 Orem, Utah 06/15 East Massachusetts Send Clint an email message, and book a date! Contact: Clint Bradford K6LCS k6lcs at ham-sat dot info 909-999-SATS (7287) [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over +Getting It Right: JAGSAT CubeSat Sponsor Last week's ANS-059 AMSAT Weekly Bulletin incorrectly reported that the 2U Cubesat JAGSAT was a project of the University of Alabama. Everyone who knows the difference between Southern grits and Minnesota lutefisk can tell you that the University of Alabama's mascot is an elephant named "Big Al." JAGSAT is a project of the University of Southern Alabama whose mascot is, of course, a Jaguar named Southpaw. ANS-059 Rotating Editor Frank Karnauskas, N1UW apologizes for the error. [ ANS thanks John Klingelhoeffer, WB4LNM for catching this error.] + Humor and News... + Rocket Labs CEO eats his hat because he once said he would not fly a reusable rocket. Then came Neutron... Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3c2ErtA [ANS thanks Orbital Index and Rocket Lab for the above information] + SpaceX ends 3rd Starship landing attempt in flaming success before exploding minutes later Third time's a charm? Not so for SpaceX, whose unmanned rocket exploded on the ground Wednesday after carrying out what had seemed to be a successful flight and landing -- fresh on the heels of two fiery crashes. It was yet another flub involving a prototype of the Starship rocket, which SpaceX hopes one day to send to Mars. "A beautiful soft landing," a SpaceX commentator said on a live broadcast of the test flight, although flames were coming out at the bottom and crews were trying to put them out. The rocket exploded a few minutes later, lurching into the air and crashing back to the ground. More information may be found at: https://bit.ly/3v0x4vJ [ANS thanks to the SpaceDaily.com staff writers for the above information] +SpaceX sticks 75th Falcon rocket landing after launching 60 more Starlink satellites March 4, 2021 Launching through a blanket of low-hanging clouds and light mist, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket thundered into the sky over Floridas Space Coast early Thursday and delivered 60 more Starlink internet satellites to orbit. The rockets first stage touched down on SpaceXs floating landing platform in the Atlantic Ocean to complete its eighth trip to space and back. Additional information at: https://bit.ly/3uTFSmX [ANS thanks to Stephen Clark of SpaceFlightNow.com for the above information] AMSAT Thanks AmazonSmile Shoppers AmazonSmile shoppers who designated Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation as their charity have made a difference during the past holiday shopping season. AmazonSmile reports that it has deposited a total of $498.31 to the AMSAT coffers for purchases made between October 1 and December 31, 2020. You can join the crowd and help AMSAT earn even more. Go to https://smile.amazon.com to create your account and designate "Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation" as your charity. Just remember, when you go shopping start with AmazonSmile so your purchases are credited to AMSAT. Thank you, shoppers! [ANS thanks AMSAT 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 additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Store. 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. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional student membership information. 73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ kd4iz at frawg dot org

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Anyone east of the Mississippi running Eggbeaters?
by Jeff 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

I do receive the 2 meter downlink birds pretty well on my 137 MHZ QFH and would like to copy your Eggbeater transmissions. I’ll listen for your call. TY! Jeff K2SDR > On Mar 2, 2021, at 11:04 AM, Jeff <jkelly(a)verizon.net> wrote: > > I have a LEO pack coming but won’t be able to setup till summer. > Is there any "non-satellite" stationary antenna that people use > that gets acceptable results on CAS and XW birds? > Rig is a 9700 with 50ft LMR 400 > > TY! > > Jeff > K2SDR

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EM54
by Bob Liddy (K8BL) 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

Gridders, The following stations are in the K8BL log from last eveningon CAS-4A and SO-50 in EM54, Mississippi. If there are anycorrections/omissions, e-mail me the particulars and I'll checkmy recording again. Unfortunately, someone was calling on thewrong sideband and covered a few on CAS-4A. Sorry. The logwill be uploaded to LoTW later today (no e-QSL). TNX/73, Bob K8BL WA5OUH, XE1H, N8RO, KS1G, VA3NNA, KG6CIH, KF6JOQ,W6IA, AC9DX, KD0ZW, K8EL, KN4ZAA, KC9JI, HP2VX,K2MWS, HI8KW, W5RKN, WB2TRI

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Fox Leaderboard Totals Refresh
by Chris Thompson 06 Mar '21

06 Mar '21

Hi all, I have cleaned up the Fox Leaderboard totals. Due to a bug in my archive logic there were some records that were continually counted in the monthly totals, even though they were older than a month. These were mostly from AO-91 and AO-92. These records are now all moved to the archive. They will be in your "all time" totals, but no longer in the monthly totals. Thanks to James Jipping W8MRR for bringing this to my attention. 73 Chris -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

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LEO Antennas
by Jeff Kelly 05 Mar '21

05 Mar '21

As I save for a LEO pack - are their any non-directional stationary antennas that I can buy and use with a 9700 (that work)? Jeff

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ARISS Quick Update 5 March 2021
by ka3hdo＠gmail.com 05 Mar '21

05 Mar '21

All, The following is an ARISS update from the e-mail I sent out on 2 March 2021, which is shown at the bottom of this e-mail: This past week, astronauts on ISS performed troubleshooting tests on all four Bartolomeo RF cables that were previously installed in the Columbus Module. The P01 cable, designated for ARISS, and the other three cables, designated for Bartolomeo commercial use, were connected to the ARISS radio system and tested in APRS mode. No communications were established. An EVA (spacewalk) is currently in progress. Both ARISS radio systems on ISS have been shut off prior to this EVA for safety reasons. As stated below, the ARISS antenna cable swap is a contingency procedure that is planned as the last task in the EVA (as time allows). Prior to this contingency activity, Kate Rubins and Soichi Noguchi will be working on some other Bartolomeo cable/connector troubleshooting, The troubleshooting with the Bartolomeo PAPOS connector will occur around 1700 UTC (+/- 30 minutes). We are cautiously hopeful that the ARISS contingency EVA procedure, planned after the PAPOS troubleshooting, will be successfully completed prior to the end of the EVA. If you listen to the EVA and want to follow along, Rubins and Noguchi plan to reconnect our ARISS antenna to the J02 connector of the APCU bracket. You can watch the EVA at www.nasa.gov <http://www.nasa.gov> . 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chair From: ka3hdo(a)gmail.com <ka3hdo(a)gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 2, 2021 11:39 AM To: 'ARISS-I' <ariss-i(a)amsat.org>; ariss-i(a)ariss-i.org; ariss-ops(a)amsat.org; ops(a)ariss-i.org Subject: ARISS APRS Testing All, The ARISS team has been working very closely with NASA and ESA to identify potential ARISS radio anomaly causes and resolve the radio issues that were observed after the EVA (spacewalk) conducted on January 27. During this spacewalk, cabling was installed to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on the Columbus module. Part of this cabling rerouted the cabling of the ARISS antenna on Columbus to the ARISS radio system. Through a great deal of coordination with NASA and ESA, ARISS will be conducting a set of APRS tests to determine the operational use of the ARISS radio system in Columbus through employment of three different cabling configurations. Over the next couple of days, ARISS will be performing a series of tests using our APRS capability through the standard 145.825 MHz APRS frequency. The crew will be periodically shutting down the radio and swapping cables so ARISS can troubleshoot the radio system and the cabling. ARISS is unsure of the exact swap times as it will be dependent upon the crew's availability. We expect these tests to start no earlier than 1600 UTC on March 2 and run through sometime on March 3. We cannot guarantee that these troubleshooting tests will resolve the radio issue. But we encourage ARISS APRS operations in this time span. Additionally, a contingency task has been approved for an EVA planned for this Friday March 5 if these tests are unsuccessful. This EVA task would return the ARISS cabling to the original configuration prior to the January 27 EVA. Being a contingency task means the crew will only be perform the activity if time allows. So there is no guarantee that this EVA will be conducted on Friday. We ask to please not send any "No contact" e-mails or social media responses as this will overwhelm the ARISS team. But if you definitely hear the packet system working or are able to connect through it, let us know the Date, Time and Grid Square of the occurrence. We thank you for your patience as we work through this somewhat complex anomaly. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS, International Chair Executive Director, ARISS-USA

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-03-03 17:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 03 Mar '21

03 Mar '21

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2021-03-03 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: The next contacts are probably going to be via the Kenwood TM-D710E radio located in the Service Module. You may or may not notice a difference in signal when compared to the Kenwood TM-710GA that is in the Columbus module. Peace Corps, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, telebridge via NA7V 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 astronaut is Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Contact was successful: Wed 2021-03-03 13:09:23 UTC 27 deg (***) Watch for live stream at: (***) For mobile phones https://m.facebook.com/PeaceCorpsMoldova/ https://m.facebook.com/UTMoldova/ For desktops https://www.facebook.com/PeaceCorpsMoldova https://www.facebook.com/UTMoldova Avoca State School, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia, direct via VK4BW 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 astronaut is Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Contact is go for: Thu 2021-03-11 07:56:51 UTC 60 deg ************************************************************************************************************* 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 2021-03-03 17:00 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 2021-03-03 17:00 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) New Proposal Window is February 15th, 2021 to March 31st, 2021 The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. 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 February 25th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. 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 congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 141 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 1425. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1358. (***) 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, Wyoming, 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. 63 now on orbit Kate Rubins KG5FYJ Sergey Ryzhikov Sergey Kud-Sverchkov SpaceX-Crew 1 on orbit Victor Glover KI5BKC Mike Hopkins KF5LJG Soichi Noguchi KD5TVP Shannon Walker KD5DXB **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Like Satellites - Love People?
by Clint Bradford 02 Mar '21

02 Mar '21

Enjoy the satellites? Respect what AMSAT has accomplished the past half-century, and has planned for the future? AMSAT Ambassadors interject their “personalities” into presentations. None of the presentations I have seen from fellow AMSAT Ambassadors have been dull, wordy, nor sleep-inducing. A comment after mine last night … = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "I just want to take a moment or two to thank you and Karen for an outstanding presentation last night. I did not see a closed eye. Plus, that was a record attendance. Plus having a great guest speaker and getting the word out far enough in advance does surely help too. Again Thank you." George T. Jacob, Jr. N6VNI WARA PRESIDENT 2021 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = SO … If you love the birds, and love an audience - consider applying as an AMSAT Ambassador! https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/ The salary for devoting your time and energies? Nothing in the “plus” column come tax time (grin). But when you receive unexpected, unsolicited accolades like this from your audiences - you know you’re in the right orbit (horrible pun, sorry). = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = "I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the wonderful presentation this evening at the Pasadena (CA) Radio Club. It was one of the very BEST presentations we have had [a 50-year-old club] and you did a masterful job in presenting the material and making it fun at the same time. I am sure the presentation motivated many of our club members to get active in working the FM satellites." = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador http://www.work-sat.com 951-533-4984 - cell

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