AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-271
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, 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 at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* New Premium for AMSAT Fox Donations * EU-038 Terschelling Island on FO-29 * Absolute Last Call for Symposium Papers * Ham Radio Balloon to Commemorate Sputnik * ARISS Proposal Window For US Schools Will Be Opening Soon! * Radio ham receives ISRO Mars Orbiter * TuPOD to enable ISS TubeSat deployment in 2015 * FUNcube at IARU Region 1 General Conference * AMSAT Symposium Is Only Ten Days Away * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-271.01 ANS-271 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 271.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE September 28, 2014 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-271.01
New Premium for AMSAT Fox Donations
AMSAT is excited to announce that a new premium collectable is now available for qualifying donations to the Fox satellite program. AMSAT has commissioned a unique challenge coin for donors who have contributed at the $100 level or higher. This challenge coin is shaped as an isometric view of a Fox-1 CubeSat, complete with details such as the stowed UHF antenna, solar cells, and camera lens viewport. Struck in 3mm thick brass, plated with antique silver, and finished in bright enamel, the coin is scaled to be approximately 1:4 scale, or 1 inch along each of the six sides. The reverse has the AMSAT Fox logo. To view images of the new coin visit http://tinyurl.com/ANS271-FoxCoin
The coins are scheduled for delivery just prior to the 2014 AMSAT Space Symposium, and will be first distributed to donors attending the Symposium. Coins will also be made available to qualifying donors that have contributed since the Fox-1C announcement on July 18, 2014 upon request. Donations may be made via the AMSAT website at www.amsat.org, via the FundRazr crowdsourcing app at fnd.us/c/6pz92, or via the AMSAT office at (888) 322-6728.
The Fox program is designed to provide a platform for university experiments in space, as well as provide FM repeater capability for radio amateurs worldwide. Fox-1A and 1C are set to launch in 2015, and Fox-1B (also known as RadFXSat) is awaiting NASA ELANA launch assignment. Further information on the Fox project can be found at www.amsat.org.
[ANS thanks The AMSAT Office for the above information]
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EU-038 Terschelling Island on FO-29
Operators Nico/PA7PA and Harry/PA1H will be active from Terschelling Island between September 27th and October 3rd. When possible, some portable activation (few hours) of WWF references numbers, PAFF-071 and PAFF-072 (for the World Flora & Fauna), as home call/p (ex. PA7PA/P) will be used. Activity will be on 160-10 meters SSB/PSK/RTTY, and especially PSK and RTTY modes on 30m, as well as 2m via the satellite FO-29. QSL via their home callsign, by the Bureau or direct (w/SAE and NO IRCs). NO eQSL. For updates, watch the URL medias: FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/PA7PA/125033450933890 Twitter - https://twitter.com/PA7PA1
Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1181
[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin for the above information]
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Absolute Last Call for Symposium Papers
The submission deadline for papers to be included in the conference proceedings has been extended to September 30. We welcome papers and presentations on any subject of interest to the amateur satellite community. Please send proposals to Dan Schultz, [email protected]
Details for submission may be found at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1568.
[ANS thanks Dan, N8FGV, for the above information]
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Ham Radio Balloon to Commemorate Sputnik
The Secunda Amateur Radio Club will launch two balloons carrying amateur radio equipment from the Vryburg airstrip FAVB on October 4, 2014 at 0600 to 0800 CAT (0400-0600 UT).
This date marks the start of World Space Week 2014. They will commemorate the launch of the Sputnik satellite on October 4, 1957 by attaching an active model replica of Sputnik to one of the balloons. The replica will transmit a Morse code message on 144.076 MHz.
Please e-mail([email protected]) a screen print of the decoded message with date, time, GPS location, radio and antenna used to receive a special certificate from the launch team, if you are one of the lucky ones that can "decode" by ear please mail above info without the screen print. The transmitter used is a flea power transmitter.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and eight High Schools (80 children) form part of the program. Each school programmed their own data logger with 2 sensors. The 8 data loggers with sensors will be part of the payload of the balloon payload. Each of the school children had to write a Radio Amateur test (10 Questions) as part of their registration and the results will be used to allocated to their final presentation.
There will be a web link with cameras from the launch site atVryburg airport, one camera at Hartbeeshoek and one at Secunda High School. Please send your e-mail info to [email protected] to get access to the webcams on the internet.
The first balloon will be launched anytime from 0600 CAT (0400 UT) onwards.
The ground stations will use HF on 3.650 MHz or 7.080 MHz or 20m 14.280 MHz between the ground control, chase cars, Secunda High School and Hartbeeshoek. The bands/frequencies may change due to propagation. If your hear the ground stations operate please keep the frequency clear for ground control operations. If you have any feedback in tracking the balloons specifically on descent please report it on the mentioned HF frequencies.
Due to the low APRS Digipeater and IGate density in the Vryburg area radio hams in the adjacent areas are requested to also help track the payloads as well.
It is vitally important to retrieve the payloads since there are data loggers on-board from several schools in the Secunda area. They need the data to complete their assignments.
A High Altitude Glider will also be launched the same morning as the High Altitude Balloon Experiment, HABEX on 4 October 2014.
On the same day at Secunda High School, Secunda, Unisa University will also have a ROBTICS exhibition. SANSA will also have a presentation via the webcam about GPS's the same day.
Below are the payload frequencies: Main balloon: APRS Tracking RX 144.800 FM CW Telemetry RX 432.075 FM Sputnik CW RX 144.075 FM Crew Comms HF 40/80M Webcam
2nd Balloon: APRS Tracking RX 144.8 FM RTTY 433.92 USB/ 50 baud 500 shift ascii7,n,1 Crew Comms HF 40/80M Webcam
3rd Balloon: Remote Glider Webcam
Skype/Web Camera: Please register at http://www.anymeeting.com/ and send your email address to: [email protected] to get access to live webcams.
Celebrate UN-declared World Space Week October 4-10. The biggest public space science #STEM event in the world - Use hashtag #WSW2014 Twitter https://twitter.com/WorldSpaceWeek Web http://www.worldspaceweek.org/
Secunda Amateur Radio Club http://secradio.org.za/
Source SARL http://www.sarl.org.za/
[ANS thanks SARL and AMSAT-UK for the above information]
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ARISS Proposal Window For US Schools Will Be Opening Soon!
Watch for details in ARRL news and on the ARRL website. Contact Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, ARRL ARISS Program Manager, at [email protected], if your school, local museum, or other educational organization is interested in participating in a scheduled ARISS contact in 2015. An educational plan describing the learning activities that will be provided for students leading up to an ARISS contact in 2015. An educational plan describing the learning activities that will be provided for students leading up to and following the contact is necessary for consideration. To learn more about the ARISS program visit www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-on-the- international-space-station Click on the link for ARISS Proposal Requirements for more information about the proposal process and up-to-date information about submitting a proposal.
"Radio Waves - 'News you can use for license instruction and radio science education'" is an online newsletter publish by the ARRL. Content should be of interest to those who teach radio liecensing classing and to classroom teachers, demonstrators, scout leaders and others interested in teaching radio science. Much of its content includes articles and stories of interest to those using amsateur radio to teach space science. It can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/ANS271-RadioWaves
For e-mail delivery of Radio Waves, from ARRL.org, click on "edit your profile" at the top of the ARRL web page. Click on "edit e-mail subscriptions."
[ANS thanks ARRL's RADIO WAVES for the above information]
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Radio ham receives ISRO Mars Orbiter
On Wednesday, September 24, the Indian space agency ISRO successfully put their MOM spacecraft into Mars orbit, the first country to have achieved this on the initial attempt
Radio amateur Paul Marsh G7EYT/M0EYT received the signal from the Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft and tweeted: "S-Band downlink from MOM spacecraft now on orbit @ Mars! Great signal with Doppler; congrats to ISRO - good job".
An image of the MOM signal can be seen at http://pjm.uhf-satcom.com/twtr/mom_240914.jpg
UHF-Satcom Web http://www.uhf-satcom.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/uhf_satcom Yahoo https://groups.yahoo.com/group/amateur-DSN
BBC News report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28268186
[ANS thanks the BBC and Southgate ARN for the above information]
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TuPOD to enable ISS TubeSat deployment in 2015
The TuPOD 3U mission will allow the in-orbit deployment of the first TubeSats - Tancredi 1, from Brazil and Ulises 1, from Mexico.
Both satellites are educational satellites and involve young students in the projects. TuPOD will integrate the two satellites inside a 3U CubeSat Structure designed to allow the coupling between TubeSat and the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) launch mechanism.
The TuPOD will release the two satellites after 2 days, in accordance with NASA safety requirements. After the TubeSat deployment, the TuPOD will start is own mission receiving and sending data to amateur radio ground stations.
The TuPOD electronics have been designed by students at Morehead State University and is an update version of $50SAT PocketQube electronics and Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) system.
Proposing a 1k2 GMSK UHF downlink and now expected to be deployed fom the ISS in spring 2015.
Ulises 1 in Google English http://tinyurl.com/Ulises-1-TubeSat
IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination Panel http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
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FUNcube at IARU Region 1 General Conference
Mats SM6EAN has posted a report on the Swedish Amateur Radio Society (SSA) website about the FUNcube-1 CubeSat presentation at the IARU Region 1 General Conference in Varna-Albena, Bulgaria
The following is translated from the original Swedish post:
After the session of the VHF, UHF and Microwave C5 Committee had completed the delegates were given two interesting presentations.
Graham Shirville G3VZV did a poolside demonstration of the FUNcube-1 satellite which was launched in November 2013. Using a computer, FUNcube SDR dongle and a turnstile antenna, held by Kjetil Toresen LA8KV, he received FUNcube-1 and displayed the telemetry data on the computer screen. The satellite's telemetry beacon on 145.935 MHz was also heard using a handheld SSB receiver.
A presentation was also made about Hamnet which is being expanded, especially in Germany. Hamnet is a high-speed multimedia network and it was discussed whether and how IARU Region 1 could support the expansion of this network.
Original post by Mats SM6EAN in Swedish http://www.ssa.se/iaru-reg-1-dag-4/
FUNcube http://FUNcube.org.uk/
FUNcube SDR Dongle http://FUNcubeDongle.com/
Hamnet http://hamnetdb.net/
IARU Region 1 Conference documents and pictures http://iarur1con2014.bfra.bg/
[ANS thanks Mats SM6EAN and Southgate ARN for the above information]
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AMSAT Symposium Is Only Ten Days Away
Plans for the 2014 AMSAT Space Symposium in Baltimore Oct 10-12 are in high gear, with the announcement of exciting speakers, space auction plans and papers and presentation submittals underway. This year's space symposium will, in part, celebrate AMSAT's 45th anniversary.
There is still time to register, so please go to www.amsat.org and sign up.
Highlights of this year's symposium include:
Keynote Speaker: Jan King, W3GEY, founding member of AMSAT and former member of the Board of Directors & V.P. of Engineering
The AMSAT Space Symposium's Keynote Speaker with be Jan King, W3GEY, founding member of AMSAT and former member of the Board of Directors & V.P. of Engineering. Jan's keynote speech, entitled "Never, Never, Never Give Up!" will be presented during the Symposium banquet on Saturday October 11. As a teaser for his speech, Jan shared the following with our symposium team:
"So very much has changed in 45 years! For starters, our hobby of 1968 has become an industry for one. Launch vehicles can't be had for the price of a NASA Administrator's letter anymore. Launch costs are $100K per kilogram now. ITAR? Not worth discussing. So, what do we do? Is it time to say, "We had a really good run at this" and let it go? We showed some people who cared and wanted to listen that you can do a lot with a little. Should we call it quits and give it up? There are those who ask me questions that start with, "Back in your day....?" It is particularly those people, I'd like to show...that we really are made of the right stuff. We still have things we know that Government Experts and wide-eyed university graduate students don't. Silicon Valley is now filled with satellite experts who aren't. The average university graduating electrical engineer still can't make a 2 meter pre-amp with a 1 dB noise figure - and wouldn't know how to start. Unless, of course, they figured it out from the Internet. Ah yes, the Internet! Another small change since 1968. We'll talk about it in October. Hope to see you in Baltimore. W3GEY."
Special Guest Presentation: Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles E. McGee
The AMSAT symposium committee has confirmed that one of the original Tuskegee Airman, Col. Charles E. McGee, will be attending our conference on Friday October 10th. Col. McGee will give a special presentation at our symposium on his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman and as an Army Air Corps and Air Force Pilot. A short question and answer period will follow.
Born on December 7, 1919, McGee rose to the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts and, shortly after WWII broke out, joined the Army. He became a pilot in what was dubbed the Tuskegee Experiment, the first squadron of African American pilots, also known as the "Red Tails" from their red markings on the tails of their aircraft. Col McGee and his Tuskegee colleagues fought two wars--World War II and the war on segregation. This required them to develop an unprecedented level of discipline, excellence and fortitude to achieve success.
In World War II McGee flew numerous aircraft, including the famous P- 51 Mustang as part of the 332 Fighter Group, one of three groups designated as the "Red Tails." He provided fighter escort for the B- 24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers over Germany, Austrian and the Balkans. He holds a US Air Force record of 409 fighter combat missions flown in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Col. McGee received numerous awards for his service, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters, amongst others. In 2007 Col McGee and the surviving Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush.
Col. McGee's presentations are an inspiration to all. He demonstrates, through his life lessons, the need to persevere despite all obstacles and to do your best in all endeavors. Do not miss out on this opportunity to meet this remarkable living legend.
Friday Night Reception and Space Auction
This year's reception, to be held from 7-9 pm on Friday October 10, will include a space auction. All proceeds from the auction will support AMSAT's two major initiatives--the development and launch of the FOX satellite series and the ARISS program. We have received some very exciting items for the auction, and we are asking for your help in donating specialty items for auction (minimum value $100) that will attract symposium attendee's attention and get them bidding up the item price. If you have any items that are ham related (no boat anchors please), items of historical value, space related and/or autographed items we would love to get your donations. Think out of the box on this--what exciting things would you like to see in this auction? If you have something to donate to the Symposium auction, please send an e-mail to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who will work with you on getting your item or items into the auction. Frank's e-mail address is ka3hdo at verizon.net
Sunday Tours
Symposium participants can choose one of the following informal tours: Baltimore Inner Harbor Tour (including the Aquarium), the B&O Railroad Museum, Edgar Allen Poe House or the National Electronics Museum. The National Electronics Museum is opening its doors exclusively for AMSAT on Sunday from 1-3 pm. If you are interested in this tour, please contact Dan Schultz by e-mail (n8fgv at amsat dot org) so we can get a headcount.
Monday Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum Tour
There is still room on the bus for the tour of the Udvar Hazy center planned for Monday October 13. Go to the AMSAT web site for tour details and signup.
Sunday ARISS Operations Team Meeting
Anyone interested in volunteering to support the ARISS program is invited to attend the ARISS Operations team meeting from 9-noon Sunday October 12. We will have a number of the ARISS-US team leaders and mentors on-hand to discuss the program and get you involved. We will also be discussing improvements, changes and strategies to enhance ARISS operations.
ANS thanks the Symposium Committee for the above information]
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ARISS News
+ A Successful contact was made between Belton Honea Path, Switzerland and Astronaut Gregory Wiseman KF5LKT using callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2014-09-17 08:17 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via 4U1ITU. ARISS Mentor was ON4WF.
Institut Florimont is a co-educational day school offering children from 3 to 18 years of age a complete education from kindergarten to the three diplomas that will open the doors to higher education. As well as encouraging academic excellence, Florimont fosters the traditional values and beliefs that are important for life. Since 1905, Florimont has been preparing students for the French Baccalaureat and, as of 1942, for the Swiss Maturité. From September 2014 our range of final examinations will include the bilingual (French-English) International Baccalaureate. Therefore, Florimont will offer children even more opportunities and more choices, allowing them easier access to the world's best universities.
The four sections of our school work together to ensure the continuity and coherence of the programme of study. Clear procedures are in place to ensure that new students joining us from other private or public schools are successfully integrated. Close communication with parents, additional lessons and one-to-one tutoring are just some of the ways that Florimont supports students during their studies. Our student body is made up of more than fifty nationalities making Florimont a rich multi-cultural and multi-lingual learning environment. The importance we attach to this is reflected in our language learning programme. In addition to English, emphasis is placed on German, Switzerland's predominant language, as well as on Chinese, Spanish and Italian. Other languages such as Russian and Arabic are individually tutored or taught to small groups.Bilingual classes in French and English are offered from the first year of the middle school.
Priority is given to partnerships and exchanges with leading schools worldwide, as well as to many activities that can add value to a university application. Our students are encouraged to be entrepreneurial, bold, adaptable and creative because we know that these qualities will not only strengthen their university applications but also prepare them to face the challenges of working life.
Postponed Events
Due to the one day delay of the Space X launch, Winter Gardens Primary School, Canvey Island and Pilton Bluecoat School, Barnstaple, United Kingdom and the Kuwait/Bulgaria events were postponed. ARISS is working on rescheduling these events.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
From 2014-11-10 to 2014-12-07, there will be no US Operational
Segment (USOS) hams on board ISS. So any schools contacts during this period will be conducted by the ARISS Russia team.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N, David AA4KN and Kenneth N5VHO for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ AMSAT-UK Colloquium in TX Factor Show
In this episode of the TX Factor Show Bob McCreadie G0FGX reports from the recent AMSAT-UK Colloquium in Guildford
He also finds time to test out the SuperAntenna Superstick delux package, while Nick Bennett 2E0FGQ travels north and discovers a rather remarkable radio club.
Among those interviewed at the Colloquium are AMSAT-NA VP Operations Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA, Tom Harle from VR2Space, Graham Shirville G3VZV, Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG and Carlos Eavis G0AKI.
Watch TX Factor - Episode 5 (TXF005)
Recordings of the talks given at the Colloquium are at http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2014/presentation-videos/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and Southgate ARN for the above information]
+ Planning is underway for articles going into the November/December AMSAT Journal.
We would like to include as much coverage as possible of the W1AW/P events on the satellites. Please send your commentary and photos (JPG hi-res files work best) to me at k9jkm at comcast dot net or [email protected]
+ World Space Week is October 4 - 10.
+ October 432 and Above EME Newsletter is now available http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/em70cm.html
+ Crew including first woman cosmonaut in 17 years blasts off for ISS http://tinyurl.com/ANS271-Cosmonauts
+ Ham Radio Balloon to Commemorate Sputnik http://tinyurl.com/ANS271-Cosmonauts
+ Congratulation to Perry Yantis for making his 7000th satellite contact. In his words, as posted to the AMSAT-BB, " Last pass of AO-73 I worked WN9Q, N5ZNL with strong but fading signals. " Then at the end of the pass I worked N8IUP for my satellite qso number 7000!!!! " This only took me 38 years!!!!!!"
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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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information.
73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, KC8YLD kc8yld at amsat dot org