- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Upcoming Satellite Passes--Best Tool Question
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

I need some advice, and I promise to be grateful. Trying to work a sked tonight with Jeff W4EB on EO-88 and yours truly made a series of newbie mistakes. Since becoming involved in satellites, I’ve always relied on the “Countdown” program within SatPC32 to let me know what passes were coming up at my location. Tonight I learned that I’ve been missing God knows how many passes per day! The Countdown software will only display one (1) upcoming pass for a given satellite at your location until that satellite has disappeared from view. In the case of EO-88, I actually had two passes overhead about an hour apart, but only knew about the first one. Strictly Windows 10 PC in the shack. What’s the best tool to use to help me visualize ALL the upcoming passes for the next twelve hours or so at my location. I love the Countdown format, just want to be able to see multiple passes from the same birds. P.S. The other newbie mistake was forgetting to switch my antenna back to the IC-910H after doing an APRS pass earlier on the D-710. DUH! I really need to invest in an IC-9700. Thanks Jeff for your patience. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member

9 8

EM61
by Jeff Johns 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

I have had many people contact me needing EM61. If the weather agrees, myself and my daughter, W4AQT, will make the 20-30 drive and activate it this weekend. As we get closer to the weekend, I’ll start looking at passes. Most likely, it will be done on one of the linear birds since it will be the weekend and I try to avoid the FM drama on weekends. I’ll send out another post later this week with details. 73! Jeff WE4B Marissa W4AQT

1 0

sat android
by 73 Bob W7LRD 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

The "best" sat tracker for android phone is---- 73 Bob W7LRD

5 6

EN01 operation
by Randy Shirbroun 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

On Thursday, 25 April, I plan to operate from EN01 on the mid-day passes of AO-92 and AO-91 (AOS 1721 Z and 1733 Z respectively). This is just a quick detour on a business trip, but hopefully I can help out a few folks that need the grid. Note: I will not use a portable designator while operating or uploading to LotW – just ND0C. 73, Randy, ND0C

2 1

5 Band VUCC Award
by Les Rayburn 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

Lady & Gentlemen, Not certain if my earlier message was received. No reply from anyone on the distribution list. Here it is again, in case the first one was lost in cyberspace. In an effort to stimulate activity on VHF/UHF bands beyond 70 CM, I’d like to suggest the creation of a Five Band VUCC (5B VUCC) award that would closely mirror the 5 Band DXCC Award. Successful applicants would need to achieve VUCC status on five or more of the VHF/UHF bands to be eligible for the larger award. A special certificate and pin could be created to honor recipients. My feeling is that this award would encourage greater activity on the VHF/UHF bands, especially on bands that have less use like 222, 1296, and higher microwave bands. This increased activity encourages the sale of more gear, helps protect our spectrum from commercial interests, and advances the state of the radio art. Please let me know if you think this idea has any merit, or what I could do to help support the creation of the new award. As always, grateful for your service to the hobby. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member

20 30

Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming Satellite Passes--Best Tool Question
by Roy Dean 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

http://www.amsat.org.ar/pass Enter your 6 digit grid, and then select "FM Voice Sats" or "SSB + FM" sats. Just click on the pass you want to target and it will pop up a infographic in the top right, with countdown to AOS. It will run on any system, in a browser window. I zoom into the top right and place my phone at my feet during a pass, and it will show you the direction and elevation of the pass, as well as estimated doppler adjustments. But I'm biased, I was born in Argentina.... No connection to the website other than that, though. :) --Roy K3RLD

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] 5 Band VUCC Award
by Les Rayburn 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

Bruce, Correct. For those of us “Back East”, 6 Meter VUCC and Satellite VUCC are probably the easiest to earn. 2 Meters is certainly achievable especially using WSJT meteor scatter and EME. Those in most parts of the West have an advantage on microwave—since high spots with five grids within range are most plentiful. 222 and 432 are within each of most—especially if we have increased activity on these bands. Microwave about 2.3 GHz is tougher but if you’re willing to travel the five (5) grids required could be worked by yourself and a partner in a weekend. For the record, I just achieved my second VUCC. This one on 2 Meters—a feat that took over a decade to complete. I’m limited to an indoor antenna due to HOA. Closing in on Satellite VUCC which would give me three of the awards. Completing 432 would be possible—but likely would require a single Yagi EME effort from the driveway at night. My HOA will allow portable operations—but everything has to be back inside when the sun comes up. That would give me four bands—anything else will require microwave and travel. A considerable expense. But one that I’d be willing to make if the reward was not only 10 GHz VUCC but also the new Five Band VUCC Award. I really hope the ARRL will seriously consider the proposal. If you’re supportive of it, please contact your Section Manager and let them know. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member > On Apr 22, 2019, at 7:52 AM, Bruce <kk5do(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > So, I could do my 100 on satellite, 100 on 6m, then 100 on 2m and 50 on 70cm and be done. > > The higher frequencies are impossible from the Houston area as we have no mountains. Those in mountainous regions have a distinct advantage in the higher frequencies. That is why you see a large group of high frequency use in Europe, East Coast and West Coast. I am not saying it does not present a challenge everywhere > > 73...bruce > > On 4/22/2019 1:20 AM, Les Rayburn wrote: >> Bruce, >> >> Thank you for your input. Current VUCC rules would apply: >> >> 6 Meters, 2 Meters, and Satellite require 100 grids confirmed. >> 222 and 432 require 50 grids >> 902 and 1296 require 25 grids >> 2304 requires 10 grids >> All higher bands including 5 GHz, 10Ghz, and laser require only five. >> >> >> >> 73, >> >> Les Rayburn, N1LF >> Maylene, AL >> EM63nf >> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member >> >> >> >> >>> On Apr 21, 2019, at 10:07 PM, Bruce <kk5do(a)amsat.org <mailto:kk5do@amsat.org>> wrote: >>> >>> 100 grids terrestrial on 1296 or 2400. that is a bit rough. what 5 bands would it be? 222, 2m, 70cm, 1296 and ??? 2400? >>> >>> 73...bruce >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Apr 21, 2019, at 9:50 PM, Les Rayburn via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org>> wrote: >>> >>> Lady & Gentlemen, >>> >>> Not certain if my earlier message was received. No reply from anyone on the distribution list. Here it is again, in case the first one was lost in cyberspace. >>> >>> In an effort to stimulate activity on VHF/UHF bands beyond 70 CM, I’d like to suggest the creation of a Five Band VUCC (5B VUCC) award that would closely mirror the 5 Band DXCC Award. >>> >>> Successful applicants would need to achieve VUCC status on five or more of the VHF/UHF bands to be eligible for the larger award. A special certificate and pin could be created to honor recipients. >>> >>> My feeling is that this award would encourage greater activity on the VHF/UHF bands, especially on bands that have less use like 222, 1296, and higher microwave bands. This increased activity encourages the sale of more gear, helps protect our spectrum from commercial interests, and advances the state of the radio art. >>> >>> Please let me know if you think this idea has any merit, or what I could do to help support the creation of the new award. As always, grateful for your service to the hobby. >>> >>> >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> Les Rayburn, N1LF >>> 121 Mayfair Park >>> Maylene, AL 35114 >>> EM63nf >>> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB@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 <https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> >>> >> > > > -- > > Bruce Paige, KK5DO > > AMSAT Director Contests and Awards > AMSAT Board Member 2016-2020 > > ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE > > Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* > Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com <http://www.amsatnet.com/> > Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml <http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml> or iTunes > > Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News > http://www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/> > > AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat <http://www.twitter.com/amsat>

5 4

Five Band VUCC (5BVUCC) Award Proposal
by Les Rayburn 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

I completely misspoke, and apologize. The Southeast Division of the ARRL is represented on the league’s Boar of Directors by Greg Sarratt, W4OZK who is active on weak signal VHF/UHF. We’ve been informed that the creation of new awards falls to the Board of Directors. If you’re supportive of the proposal to create a new Five Band VUCC Award (5BVUCC) please contact your director. Currently, these are: Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, Atlantic Division Kermit Carlson, W9XA, Central Division Matt Holden, KØBBC, Dakota Division David Norris, K5UZ, Delta Division Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Great Lakes Division Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division Rod Blocksome, KØDAS, Midwest Division Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, New England Division Mike Ritz, W7VO, Northwestern Division Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, Pacific Division George “Bud” Hippisley, W2RU, Roanoke Division Jeff Ryan, KØRM, Rocky Mountain Division Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Southeastern Division Dick Norton, N6AA, Southwestern Division David Woolweaver, K5RAV, West Gulf Division Director The proposal is for the league to create a new Five Band VUCC Award that would be earned by achieving five individual band VUCC Awards. This would be similar to the Five Band DXCC Award which has proven to be very popular. This award would be relatively easy to implement within Logbook of the World, and require no significant changes to existing VUCC Rules. Six Meter VUCC and Satellite VUCC are probably the easiest to achieve regardless of geography. Those of us in the East will find 2 Meters, 222, and 432 easier to earn, though WSJT Meteor Scatter and EME open these up to large parts of the country as well. Those in the Western states have easier access to high peaks within range of the five grids required to earn the award on Microwaves. With effort, this award should be achievable to almost any amateur willing to make the necessary commitment. So far, the idea has received a lot of support within the VHF/UHF Community. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member

3 4

CORRECTION for Upcoming ARISS contact with Dum detí a mládeze Olomouc (House of Children and Youth Olomouc), Olomouc, Czech Republic
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS POSTING OF THIS CONTACT EARLIER TODAY. Please note that the contact start time is 09:15 UTC instead of 19:15 UTC. An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Dum detí a mládeze Olomouc (House of Children and Youth Olomouc), Olomouc, Czech Republic on 23 Apr. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 09:15 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between OR4ISS and OK2KMX. The contact should be audible over the Czech Republic and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Story: Dùm dìtí a mládeze Olomouc (eng.: House of Children and Youth, abbr. DDM Olomouc) - a leisure time center which operates in 5 buildings, whereas four are situated in Olomouc. Since April 2001 the DDM is constituted by Olomouc Regional Authority. For the whole public DDM offered both regular clubs and interest groups as well as occasional and stay events. Over 150 interest groups started to work every year, regularly - once, twice or three times a week - attended by 2602 children and youth at the age from 3 to 25 years only during the last school year (2017/2018). These activities were provided by 150 employees, external and voluntary workers. During the summer holidays, DDM Olomouc organized more than 30 summer camps for almost 800 children. In summer furthermore, as during the whole year, DDM Olomouc offers cheap accommodation both right in Olomouc and in Ochoz u Konice both locations are up to 30 km away from Olomouc. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How many solar panels are powering the entire station and do you have any other power sources? 2. What voltage are your instruments using aboard the ISS? 3. What would you tell the people who believe that the Earth is flat? 4. How often do you check the social networks and have you any time to watch Youtube? 5. Did the ASTROBEE's already arrive and do you use them already? 6. How far from the station can you go and can you move outside untethered? 7. How long does it take to get from Earth to the ISS? 8. What does being in a spacesuit feel like and what is outside temperature? 9. How long do the spacesuit's energy and oxygen supplies last? 10. Do you feel any changes to your muscular system during your mission, or is it a bit of a shock after your return back to Earth? 11. Do you need to strap in when you sleep and how do you enjoy sleeping in zero gravity? 12. How often do you eat and do you enjoy the taste of the food? 13. Have you experienced any accidents while on the station, for example, a device failure? 14. How do you fight a fire if it breaks out onboard the ISS? 15. How much waste is generated on the ISS and what are you doing with it? 16. Can you play any computer games and how much free time do you have? 17. What does it feel like to fly a rocket up into space? 18. How much time do you spend exercising each day? 19. How would you deal with a serious injury, for example, hand fracture? 20. How and how often do you communicate with your family? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. Hidden Oaks Middle School, Prior Lake, MN, direct via N9CHA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI Contact is go for: Wed 2019-04-24 17:46:31 UTC 52 deg 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 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

Upcoming ARISS contact with Hidden Oaks Middle School, Prior Lake, MN
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Hidden Oaks Middle School, Prior Lake, MN on 24 Apr. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:46 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and N9CHA. The contact should be audible over the state of Minnesota and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Story: Hidden Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake, MN has been selected to participate in a program that will have students speaking directly, in real-time to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station using Amateur Radio. ARISS, an acronym for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station is a program created by a consortium of amateur radio organizations and space agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ARISS works to connect students worldwide with crewmembers aboard the International Space Station with the hopes of inspiring students to pursue interests in STEM related fields. As an ESTEM school, this is a tremendous opportunity for the students at Hidden Oaks Middle School. Spearheaded by 8th grade science teachers and space enthusiasts, Laura Kuechenmeister and Becky Stark, the project will encompass all 1000 students at Hidden Oaks in a variety of ways. Hidden Oaks has teamed up with Amateur Radio operator Greg Braun (N9CHA) and a team of technicians that he has assembled to draft an equipment plan. HOMS has worked with Greg and his team in the past on projects including high altitude balloon tracking and an ARISS contact in 2014 and have great confidence in his ability to have a successful ARISS contact. In February, Greg's team plans to conduct a proof of performance test on all radio communications equipment that will be used for the contact. Additional setup and testing will be done the week prior to the contact at the contact site--Hidden Oaks Middle School. Additionally, students at Hidden Oaks have been having fun learning about the ISS and amateur radio prior to the contact. Students have been monitoring the station through an ISS Live module that is on display in the entryway of the school. They have been using it to watch the live feed of the Earth from the station and to stay up to date with the crew on the station. Students have also been watching NASA's weekly broadcast about the station called "Space to Ground." They have enjoyed learning about how the astronauts work and live in space. A mission patch (sticker) has been designed and created to celebrate the mission. Science teachers throughout all 3 grade levels (6, 7, 8) have been working to incorporate space-based curriculum including Space Fact Friday, rocket designing and building, participating in the Sally Ride EarthKAM program and researching a variety of space missions. 8th grade students are also looking forward to a space-themed ESTEM day later in the year where much of the focus will be on the International Space Station. More than 1,000 students will attend the ARISS contact event at Hidden Oaks Middle School. The event will be livestreamed to make it available to school audiences beyond our school. Students are learning about the current astronauts and missions and submitting questions to ask online. To date more than 300 questions have been submitted with more than a week remaining for students to make their submissions. 10-15 will be selected to be asked during the contact. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Why did you want to become an astronaut? 2. What kind of training did you have to do to be ready for your mission? 3. What was the hardest part for you about becoming and being an astronaut? 4. What is it like riding in the rocket to and from the space station? 5. What was your first day on the space station like? 6. What things have you had to do on the station to help conserve resources like water? 7. What is a typical day like for you as an astronaut on the space station? 8. What is your favorite food to eat on the space station? How do you prepare it? 9. What do you do in your spare time on the station? 10. What was the most difficult thing for you to get used to on the space station? 11. What kind of experiments are you currently working on on the space station? 12. How has living in micro-gravity affected your body? 13. What do you miss most about living on Earth? 14. What are some things you will have to do in order to go back to "normal" life when you get back to Earth? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): TBD 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 Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0