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Best APRS software for Windows (and Pi and Android)?
by Ken M 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Hello everyone, I'm seeking suggestions for good APRS client software packages for Windows? There are a number of ancient packages out there but it would be nice to find one that's thoroughly modern and still being maintained. I'm also looking for an APRS client for the Raspberry Pi and maybe Android down the road. What's your favourite? Thanks & 73, Ken VA7KBM

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Re: [amsat-bb] Still ok to use AO-85 in daylight?
by Andrew Glasbrenner 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Yes, please feel free to use it while illuminated! 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Scott via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Jul 30, 2019 5:42 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Still ok to use AO-85 in daylight? > >Good day! > >Just wanted to make sure it was still ok to use AO-85 when it's illuminated. > >Here it is just after 5:30pm local time on a sunny day and I almost had the >entire pass all to myself across the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, & >Mid-Atlantic until George (WA5KBH) finally came in right at the end of my >footprint. > >Made me worry that I might have missed an instruction about the use of >AO-85 since this is not what you normally expect on an FM satellite mid-day. > >Thanks! > >-Scott, K4KDR >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available >to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed >are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Still ok to use AO-85 in daylight?
by Scott 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Good day! Just wanted to make sure it was still ok to use AO-85 when it's illuminated. Here it is just after 5:30pm local time on a sunny day and I almost had the entire pass all to myself across the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, & Mid-Atlantic until George (WA5KBH) finally came in right at the end of my footprint. Made me worry that I might have missed an instruction about the use of AO-85 since this is not what you normally expect on an FM satellite mid-day. Thanks! -Scott, K4KDR

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Re: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent??? (for free)
by Robert Bruninga 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

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 -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of Brad Smith via AMSAT-BB Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:03 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent??? Yes, I would rent in a minute. This would be my solution for working the sats. in the Wisconsin Winter! Brad Smith KC9UQR <So, like "FM Tower for Rent", signs as seen all over the U.S., could we soon see "GEO TV Satellite transponder for rent" as well ?Maybe this could be an answer to a ham GEO transponder ?>

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PSAT2 Elliptical Orbit visibility cycles
by Robert Bruninga 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

As PSAT2's elliptical orbit is reaching its smallest footprint in the northern hemisphere, we updated her general predictions. At a latitude of about 40 degrees, the difference in best elevation angles is about 20 degrees. With best being 29 and worst being about 9 degrees now.. The Apogee/Perigee cycle repeats every 34 days. For northern hemisphere stations, maximum footprint apogee was 11 July and will be max again August 13th, etc meaning its about at its worst now. The cycle for local time-of-day pass times is every 48 days. Noontime passes were around July 20 and will return about sept 6, moving earlier each day. Though day-by-day local pass times appear to be about 5 minutes later each day as shown on the PSAT2 page. http://aprs.org/psat2.html with a new pass arriving about 90 minutes earlier every other day. Northern Hemisphere passes begin around sunrise and Southern Hemisphere is entering a great operating period with high elevation angles and all passes now occurring in afternoon daylight and the SSTV will be taking images with full sun power. PSAT2 will remain in DTMF uplink mode. PSK31 and SSTV are also on. Bob, WB4APR http://aprs.org/sats.html <== all APRS sats

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CAS-7B
by PY5LF 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Hi CAS-7B looks like a little insensitive . Best return I got using 80W on uplink . Object 2019-043A are working perfectly for me . 73 -- *PY5LF * *Luciano Fabricio* *www.falautomation.com.br <http://www.falautomation.com.br>* <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Livre de vírus. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…>. <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Deschutes County Fair Demos - W7D
by KI7UNJ Tucker 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

All, I will be doing FM Demos at the Deschutes County Fair (Oregon CN94) at the High Desert Amateur Radio Group booth this coming Thur/Fri/Sat. I will be doing the demos as call sign W7D. The call is for the special event of the "100th Deschutes County Fair" Come say Hi! THURSDAY AUGUST 1st UTC AO-91 2041 PO-101 2140 FRIDAY AUGUST 2nd UTC AO-91 1925 PO-101 2149 AO-85 2234 SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd UTC AO-92 1811 AO-91 1946 PO-101 2023 AO-85 2118 -- Casey Tucker KI7UNJ AMSAT Ambassador https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ https://www.qrz.com/db/KI7UNJ http://bit.do/ki7unj <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.do/ki7unj&sa=D&source=hangouts&ust=…>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2019-07-30 03:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2019-07-30 03:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Kyoto Tachibana Junior & Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan, direct via 8N3KT The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Nick Hague KG5TMV (***) Contact is go for: Thu 2019-08-08 10:36:37 UTC 56 deg (***) The ARISS webpage is at http://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 http://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html ARISS Contact Applications (United States) For many years I have on purpose not given the actual hyperlinks; I assume the user would do a copy/paste into their favorite browser. I am now thinking that the browsers have all grown up and most should be able to handle the link. Please let me know you experience any issues. So now you should be able to directly click on the link. (***) 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 2019-07-30 03:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2019-07-27 22:00 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf The ARISS webpage is at http://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 http://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html ARISS Contact Applications (United States) The ARISS webpage is at http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** 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: http://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) http://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. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? 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: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 120 **************************************************************************** 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 1325. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1268. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 59 on orbit Christina Koch Aleksey Ovchinin Nick Hague KG5TMV Exp. 60 on orbit Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Alexander Skvortsov Drew Morgan KI5AAA **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] HEO/Elliptical [was: AMSAT-NA solution: DX (HEO) to attract more interest and revenue]
by Daniel Schultz 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

Roy Dean via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >> What needs to be donated? Technical expertise? Parts? Ground transportation? >> Meeting rooms? Negotiation skill? Political contacts? Clean room time? Payload space? The main thing that we need is a launch vehicle. Once we find a ride to orbit, everything else will follow... ------ Les Rayburn wrote: >One application for a geostationary satellite that should not be discounted would be emergency communications. AMSAT has pitched the emergency communications angle to FEMA and other agencies, so far none have bitten on it. ------ Jean Marc (3B8DU) wrote: >E.g. Apollo moon landing success was made just by the vision of a strong leader >(and surely the team behind him) who federate a nation (US) behind same. The fear that the USSR would get to the Moon first was a powerful motivation for Apollo, one that convinced the US Congress to commit up to 4% of the national budget. I'm afraid that AMSAT does not have the capability to inspire that level of fear. 73, Dan Schultz N8FGV

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GEO Satellite transponders for rent ?
by KC9SGV 29 Jul '19

29 Jul '19

So, like "FM Tower for Rent", signs as seen all over the U.S., could we soon see "GEO TV Satellite transponder for rent" as well ? Maybe this could be an answer to a ham GEO transponder ? See this interesting announcement by AT&T... https://qz.com/1480089/att-just-declared-the-end-of-the-satellite-tv-era-in… KC9SGV Sent from my iPad

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