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ISS SSTV
by Graham 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

I have been monitoring passes of ISS for the SSTV transmissions. So far with good success. However, when unable to be in the shack I leave everything set up to automatically capture any SSTV on 145.800MHz. Late yesterday evening around 2019-08-02 01:35 UTC I received an odd SSTV image which stands out from the other images from the ISS. This image looks like a SSTV from VE1PK but I have not been to find out anything more about it. I have a vague recollection of Bob Buringa mentioning that one of PACSATs can transmit SSTV on 145.800MHZ but I can't find the posting in which that was mentioned - either that or I managed to confuse what was said, I do now the new PCSAT can transmit SSTV on 70cm which may be the source of my confusion. image can be seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pd8gcvl45mp9u29/AADp0uH-TG9jhEo3ktU4z_qCa/ISS_SS… It is of course the one which does not look any of the other ISS images. Anyone able to shed some light on this wee mystery? cheers, Graham ve3gtc FN25 near Ottawa Canada

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An AMSAT member wins the Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award Recipient
by Jeff Johns 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Hello Alabama Section, We have exciting news to share about our youth involvement in Amateur Radio! This year, the ARRL Alabama Youth Committee is pleased to announce the 2019 ARRL Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award recipient. This particular Amateur Radio operator gazes at and studies the skies almost daily. She has a deep interest in satellite communication and loves sharing that interest with others. Her passion is evident in awards she has received, forums where she has presented, along with the activities in which she participates. The 2019 Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award goes to: Marissa Robledo W4AQT Marissa is a twelve year old General class license-holder who lives in Montgomery, AL and is devoted to consistently learning and growing in the great hobby of Amateur Radio. She exhibits enthusiasm, knowledge, and rapid growth in many areas of Amateur Radio and we are proud to have her representing our hobby as this year’s Alabama Outstanding Amateur Youth! Please join us at the 2019 Huntsville Hamfest on August 17th, 2019 at 12:30pm for the formal presentation of this award to a deserving young Amateur Radio operator. Congratulations Marissa! Keep up the great work and fun you are creating using Amateur Radio. See you in Huntsville. Alabama Outstanding Youth Committee wished to thank everyone for your nominations for 2019. Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO Alabama Section Youth Coordinator -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Alabama Section Section Manager: JVann Martin Sr, W4JVM w4jvm(a)arrl.org --------------------------------------------------------------------

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Re: [amsat-bb] Space-Track TLEs now include PSAT2 and BRICSAT2 (aka USNAP1)
by Robert Bruninga 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Celestrak is adding PSAT2 and BRICSAT2 to their Amateur Radio TLE list. Bob

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Re: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent??? (for free - OTHERNET)
by Robert Bruninga 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Apparently they are about to release a new OTHERNET Ka band satellitie reeiver: "We are currently in production of the next version, which will include an enclosure and internal antenna. It will be available for sale in about a month." ------------Original Message------------- From: AMSAT-BB On Behalf Of Matthew J Wolf via AMSAT-BB Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2019 8:18 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] OUTERnet becomes OTHERnet (APRS geo feed) I gota Dreamcatcher Data Radiowhen they where on sale for $49. I can confirm that you can replace the supplied USB WiFi NIC with the TP-Link TL-UE3000 USB Ethernet NIC. I have to use a Pringles can on the LNB to get a marginalsignal, SNR -12.5 to -14 dB. Every time it rains I have to readjustthe LNB. I have senta few test ARPS messages from N4MTT-2 via rf to a local i-gate. The messages then were seen on the down link via a text file. The Skylark operating system has a "Messages" application that displays the text file. APRS Link can display the history of the messages sent to OUTNET, https://aprs.link/app/aprs/stations/messages-OUTNET I noticed the messages I sent to OUTNET did not receive a REPLY ACK. There where duplicate messages on the down link from another SSID. I wanted to avoid sending duplicate messages. In Xastir I canceled the messages after the first message transmission. I agreethatit "is a powerful capability" . -Matt, N4MTT ------------- original message ----------------------------- Hi Bob, I have been watching Outernet/Othernet developments for a couple of years and waiting for their system to stabilize (it still has not). I bought a Dreamcatcher 3 Version 3.03 receiver in April when they dropped the price to $49.00US. The User Manual may be of interest: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0770/0935/files/Dreamcatcher_V_3.03_SL_5.… Information about the current state of affairs is unfortunately scattered throughout a number of threads in the Othernet forum. As noted in the following thread, Othernet is/was dumping the Dreamcatcher 3.03 in favor of a "cost-reduced version" of the receiver: https://forums.othernet.is/t/is-sale-price-an-omen/5974 The Dreamcatcher 3.03 uses a LoRa device for KU-band reception unlike the older L-band receiver which was based on an RTL-SDR as noted in the this post: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/othernet-dreamcatcher-on-sale-for-only-49/ I am not aware of any specific information released concerning the upcoming Othernet receiver, but it is supposed to be forthcoming soon. The current North American downlink is about 30 kbps with 8 kbps allocated for an audio stream (Voice of America at the moment) and the rest for files, including the satellite APRS transmissions. The latest kits were sold with a bare LNB, but a number of users have been experimenting with adding a feedhorn to improve reception: https://forums.othernet.is/t/increasing-gain-with-15-degree-cone/5258 Some users are using re-purposed KU-band antennas as well. Hope this helps. Todd AL0I -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:30 PM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent??? (for free) Actually there is a geostationary channel that can be used by Ham Operators that is for free. https://othernet.is/ About 2 years ago, the APRS satellite ground station captures were made available worldwide via three GEO satellites for reception anywhere on earth. But I recently found that the OUTERnet system has changed to a new GEO satellite constellation and no longer uses INMARSAT L band satellites but is now using a KA band downlink over the USA. And that they are now selling a new KA receiver kit for this satellite. Has anyone kept up with them? Here is my original WEB page but with the links changed from OUTnet to OTHERnet, but otherwise, not kept up to date. http://aprs.org/othernet.html If anyone has one of their receivers or is receiving the downlink and/or wants to help me get my web page all cleaned up to what has changed over the last two years, let me know. This is a powerful capability. I hope we can keep it working. The way it is supposed to work is that you can send a specially formatted APRS packet (position, status or message) on any APRS network (terrestrial or satellite) and it should get parsed by the APRS-IS. Therer it can be captured by the OTHERNET non-profit ground station and uplinked to the APRS channel on their satellites to the downlink that anyone can receive. Ostensibly a ham radio volunteer global emergency backup channel. Its round-about, but a possible play-point... Bob, Wb4APR

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AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 14, Issue 296 (Waving an antenna)
by Nicholas Mahr KE8AKW 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

Michael, I like your points and ideas but with-holding donations or membership will not help you or the organization. How can you expect to have AMSAT do anything if they dont have your support; that it be financial, promoting AMSAT, or even volunteer work. And yes your donations and membership do make a difference. While your or my donations and membership by itself isn't a lot, every members contribution little by little combined makes a big difference to AMSAT. You also have to keep in mind times are different; Space is mostly about making money now, its unfortunately not really about being a "space cowboy" anymore like it was in the Phase 3 Project satellite days. I myself also enjoy riving for a challenge and doing things in amateur radio that haven't been done before or are uncommon to do. I do really enjoy reading peoples ideas and thoughts on what they would like to see happen, but keep it mind the only thing that is going to change anything is not so much words but physical work. My physical work I mean donating, keeping membership, possibly volunteering if you can, or even just promoting amateur radio in space in general to the public. As for AMSAT's current state, its been better then it ever has been before, We have launched more satellites in recent AMSAT history then ever before. We have a very strong presence in LEO, more so then ever before. Yes I want to go to HEO/GEO and so does everyone else, but we must support and work with each other for that to happen! I do believe great times are ahead for AMSAT. All the best, Nick KE8AKW

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Top 25 SatGates
by KE6BLR Robert 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

These are the Satellite APRS Packets provided in July 2019 per Callsign + SSID. I am always curious about station setup: antenna, radio, TNC, iGate software, altitude, location, etc. I have been considering reaching out to each operator to gather specs. This topic might make a neat article for AmSat, ARRL, or similar magazine. 1459 YF1ZQA-10 1071 KG4PID-14 1030 N6DAN-2 1013 EA8BQD 1008 N6DAN-1 957 VK5ATN-3 778 VK6HAM-2 662 VK2TV-4 587 PY5LF-10 507 NH6Y-2 442 W0ARP-15 363 KK4NAM 352 KC5ILO-12 325 DM0AI-10 322 W7KKE-13 310 ON7EQ-10 305 OK2KOJ-14 289 OE4ENU-2 262 K4KDR-15 246 CU2ZG-1 231 N6BA-10 223 HS3LSE-11 207 W0ARP-1 201 SV3CIX-1 183 T2SPAIN2 73 Robert MacHale . KE6BLR Ham Radio License . http://spaceCommunicator.club/aprs <http://spacecommunicator.club/aprs> . Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio, Robotics, and Space Exploration

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Waving An Antenna
by Brad Smith 02 Aug '19

02 Aug '19

<I don't mean to suggest there's anything wrong with easy. I just think, as a selling point, it's run it's course is all. How many times are you going to watch a guy at a hamfest with an HT and a handheld? antenna exchange grid squares? I would think sooner or later people just walk on by.? "Seen it already, where's the new rigs?" > There is room in this hobby for all types of radio/satellite contact. I have recently introduced two other hams to satellites by "waving an antenna." They both bought Arrow 2 antennas and now are having great fun with the birds. If I had a rotor system on a tripod, these people would have passed it up as too complicated. Our ham club is going to build our own stressed moxon antennas so everyone can work the birds. Depending if one is trying to get people into the satellite hobby or dazzle them with technology, one has to tailor the display to the crowd. Yes, I belong to the KISS club. (Keep It Simple Stupid) But on the other hand, I do work the SSB birds, receive SSTV images from the ISS and am learning to send packets. I welcome the new ideas. If I have to buy a new radio, so be it. If I have to pay for some air time, so be it. If I have a learning curve, so be it. But I still will be the low life out there waving an Arrow 2 antenna because it is fun, gets the job done, and still gives me a thrill. And all my neighbors think I should have a tin foil hat as I stand in my yard with my antenna in the air. Brad KC9UQR

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VUCC Awards-Endorsements for July 2019
by Ronald G. Parsons 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period July 1, 2019 through August 1, 2019. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL 01Jul 01Aug AA8CH 550 584 WD9EWK 567 575 NS3L 475 505 JOHN C DYER ??? 442 K9UO 400 425 W5TD 381 384 KE8FZT 325 350 K5IX 300 325 PS8ET 211 275 WW8W 201 228 AB1OC 184 215 KJ4EU 151 206 AA4QE 102 204 N7EGY 169 200 ND0C 153 200 PR8KW New 200 LW2DAF 125 130 KC9VGG 102 127 KC9UQR New 113 XE2YWH New 102 K5ZM New 101 N4QX New 100 If you are “John C Dyer”, please contact ARRL Awards Desk to correct your record.QRZ.COM has no listing for that name. 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

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W3XO
by Ray Soifer 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

You probably knew this already, but I just learned that Bill Tynan's call sign, W3XO, has been issued to the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club of Kerrville, Texas, as a memorial. Bill was a leading member and past president of the club, to which I belonged when I lived in nearby Fredericksburg, TX. 73 Ray W2RS

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Very interesting podcast about satcom security.
by KC9SGV 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

Hi All, I came upon this very interesting podcast about communications satellite security since the 1980's. It runs for about 19 minutes, is fairly recent, and is very informative. Surely today, these communications satellites are more security protected than what is described in the podcast ? Let's all be careful with the design of such a ham radio system. Security has to be integrated. Listen to "Satcom crackdown. After the show." https://toppodcast.com/podcast_feeds/signals-everywhere-after-the-show/ Bernard, KC9SGV Sent from my iPad

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