ANS-364 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

29 Dec 2018


      AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-364
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and
information 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://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 dot org.
In this edition:
* AMSAT CW Activity Day January 1, 2019 In Memory Of W3XO
* Soyuz Flight Deploys Amateur Radio Satellites
* In-Orbit Test (IOT) of Es’hail-2 AMSAT P4-A transponders
* Changes to the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 27, 2018
* Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring KO4MA
* Multiple Flight Projects Selected by International Space Station
  U.S. National Laboratory
* AMSAT Awards Update
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Satellite Shorts from All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-364.01
ANS-364 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 364.01
...
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
December 30, 2018
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-364.01
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   AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space
     Please consider a one-time or recurring donation today at
                 https://www.amsat.org/donate/
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AMSAT CW Activity Day January 1, 2019 In Memory Of W3XO
You are cordially invited to participate in AMSAT's third annual CW
Activity Day.  It will be held from 0001 to 2400 UTC on
January 1,2019.
This year's event is being held in memory of AMSAT past president
Bill Tynan, W3XO.  Bill operated primarily SSB, but would always
come back to my CW call.  Bill's experience reminds us that one need
not be a CW specialist to enjoy the mode.
CW Activity Day rules are very simple: there aren't any.  Just
operate CW through any amateur radio satellite.  Straight keys and
"bugs" are encouraged, but not required.  The important thing is to
get on the air and have fun, as Bill did.
[ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS for the above information.]
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Soyuz Flight Deploys Amateur Radio Satellites
The Soyuz flight on December 27th carrying a pair of Kanopus V remote
sensing satellites also deployed two German Orbital Systems D-Star
ONE satellites: D-Star ONE - Sparrow and D-Star ONE - iSat.
Beacons have been successfully received. These satellites carry a
D-STAR parrot repeater that will be available for use by amateur
radio operators. The uplink is 437.325 MHz and the downlink is
435.525 MHz.
The flight also deployed the UWE-4 1U CubeSat carrying an electric
propulsion experiment and a 70cm 9k6 AX.25 digipeater. The uplink and
downlink frequency is 437.375 MHz. The digipeater will be active
after the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP)
More information on the launch and other payloads deployed can be
found at http://russianspaceweb.com/kanopus-v5-v6.html
[ANS thanks Russian Space Web, German Orbital Systems and the IARU
for the above information]
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In-Orbit Test (IOT) of Es’hail-2 AMSAT P4-A transponders
AMSAT-DL notes that the In-Orbit testing (IOT) of the P4-A ham radio
transponders on Es’hail-2 have started.
In a statement regarding the status of the transponders for amateur
radio use AMSAT-DL said, "However: Please be reminded, that under no
circumstances uplink  attempts should be done! Like everyone, we are
very excited by the received signals so far and we do appreciate any
monitoring and receiving reports from the amateur radio community. We
are happy to see how much interest and enthusiasm this satellite
already created in our community."
And continuing, "Any unsolicited transmissions will delay the commis-
sioning and maybe even worse, might influence our good relation with
Es’hailSat during this project.
When a new satellite is launched, a number of tests are performed to
verify that the stress loads imposed by the launch have not affected
the on-board systems. An RF in-orbit test (IOT) is conducted to verify
the performance of communication payloads. These operations are typic-
ally performed by the manufacturer of the satellite, in this case by
MELCO engineers. These operations also include both AMSAT P4-A trans-
ponders on-board Es’hail-2. Such acceptance tests are part of the
commercial contract and usually consists of Power, Frequency and other
measurements like:  Gain transfer, EIRP, In-Band and Out-Band response,
receive & transmit antenna cross-polarization isolation, antenna gain,
Gain-to-temperature ratio (G/T), Gain adjustments, TWT settings,
Spacecraft spurious signal search, intermodulation, LO and beacon
frequency stability and much more…
When all IOT tests are successful performed, the satellite will be
moved to it’s final position at 26°E and handed-over to it’s owner
Es’hailSat.
Please understand that AMSAT-DL is not authorized to give any details
of the above operations in advance.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
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Changes to the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 27, 2018
The identification of the 64 satellites launched by SpaceX SSO-A
mission on December 3, 2018 continues. As noted last week, the
consensus is that the spacing between unidentified satellites is
STILL not to a point where positive identification is possible. In
the past, two weeks after launch has been the time when distance
between cubesats increases enough to identify most individual sat-
ellites. But, this time, we must wait for more separation.
There are no major changes to the previous AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
(Thursday, December 20, 2018) for the IDENTIFIED SSO-A launch objects
at this time except for the following comments:
(1) There is a disagreement between this week's TLE distribution
(Thursday, December 27, 2018) and the Space-Track data of the same
date. Space-Track shows PWSat 2 as OBJECT 43814, but detailed doppler
analysis suggests that PWSat 2 is object 43775 or 43779. Hopefully
this will be resolved in the coming week. In the mean time, all three
objects 43775, 43779, and 43814 are included in this week's
distribution with PWSat 2 shown as CAT ID 43775.
(2) Space-Track has decided that OBJECT 43769 is now FLOCK 3S 1 (a
commercial satellite). OBJECT 43769 was the object that we had used
last week for AO 95. So, we are now going to use OBJECT 43771 for
AO-95. OBJECT 43771 is the other object we think may be AO-95.
Remember these objects are still too close together so we must wait
for more separation. Patience!
(3) Also we are still awaiting greater separation for JO 97
(ex JY1Sat). JO-97 is shown as OBJECT 43803 but may be 43801. The
downlink is 145.839085 MHz.
(4) The following objects have been identified as non-amateur radio
satellites and have been removed from this week's distribution:
EXCITE - CAT ID 43758 (identified by Space-Track, non-amateur)
KAZSTSAT - CAT ID 43783 (identified by Space-Track, non-amateur)
FLOCK 3S 3 - NORAD CAT ID 43788 (identified by Space-Track, non-
amateur)
FLOCK 3S 2 - NORAD CAT ID 43821 (identified by Space-Track, non-
amateur)
Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, and Alan Biddle, WA4SCA, for this
week's update details.
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information.]
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Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring KO4MA
If you missed the Ham Talk Live show featuring Drew Glasbrenner,
KO4MA, on December 27 you can play back a recording of this episode
at: https://www.spreaker.com/show/ham-talk-live then select
Episode 146 - Making the Most of Satellite Time 27 Dec
Drew and Neil discussed getting the most out of satellite time. They
talked about what to say, when to say it, and other etiquette and
protocol issues so that you can make the  most of your satellite
operation!
Ham Talk Live is also available as a podcast on nearly all podcast
sites: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, SoundCloud, and iHeart
Podcasts; and it's also available on YouTube.
[ANS thanks Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, and Ham Talk Live for the above
information]
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         For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members
                will receive a free digital copy of
              "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"
            Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at
       https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
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Multiple Flight Projects Selected by International Space Station U.S.
National Laboratory
The International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory today
announced multiple flight projects stemming from a variety of
scientific and educational concepts that are in development to launch
to the orbiting national laboratory. Each of the investigations
selected for the ISS National Lab will benefit life on Earth by
exploiting unique advantages of research in space. These projects
represent a diverse mixture of scientific objectives and interests
from commercial partners, academic investigations, and education
initiatives to inspire the next generation of scientists and
engineers. Below is an overview of recently selected investigations by
the ISS National Lab:
Blast Off! Story Time From Space: Engaging Young Learners in STEM and
Literacy
Twin Cities Public Broadcasting Service
PI: Rita Karl and Patricia Tribe
Blast Off! is a multiplatform initiative dedicated to engaging young
learners (ages 2-8) in reading and hands-on science. Twin Cities PBS
and Story Time From Space are developing Blast Off! as a pilot project
for PBS. This program has the potential to reach millions of viewers,
providing information on living and working in space and on
microgravity's effects on science. This project is being done in
partnership with the Story Time From Space educational program.
[ANS thanks Spaceref.com for this information.]
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AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
    to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
    on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
    continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio.
     We have reached a great milestone with $16,695 raised
    or about 10% towards our goal. This would not have been
         possible without your outstanding generosity!!
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
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AMSAT Awards Update
Here we are, the last half of 2018, in fact the end of 2018, I have
been posting all the Rover Awards on my Twitter account and tagging
@AMSAT. I will include all the Rover Awards here for those that do
not have Twitter.
What will you be doing for AMSAT's 50th Anniversary in 2019. Stay
tuned for some operating awards we have for you, AMSAT Members and
Non-AMSAT Members.
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AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite
QSO
Mike Lozano, KI7WIB
Harry Mueller, W1HMM
Kirk Miller, W0KM
Dennis Madarang, KD2QET
Colbie Dison, KN4NIM
Nathan Binder, BSA Troop 738
Jeffrey Howell, KO9P
Alex Van Patten, KC3LPC
Martin Gibson, VK2GIB
Tom Zimmerman, W9TTY
Michael Barry, KN4CFD
Billy Penley, KN4MKB
Bentley Skibell, WM1K
Rich Olson, W9TIT
Tom Snowden, KI7SNW
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AMSAT Communications Achievement Award
Brad Brooks, WF7T, #585
Brennan Price, N4QX, #586
Michael Lozano, KI7WIB, #587
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AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award
Brad Brooks, WF7T, #US209
Brennan Price, N4QX, #US210
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AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award
Charles Reiche, N3CRT, #96
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AMSAT Rover Award (New for 2018)
Rover         Call
=====         ========
028           K4FTP
029           KB2YSI
030           N3CRT
031           N2WLS
032           K2MTS
033           AI6DO
034           KD8RTT
035           AD7DB
036           AB5SS
037           W9TWJ
038           WN9Q
039           KM6NJL
040           KM4LAO
To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org and click on
Services then Awards.
[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards
for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
+ Oahu (BL01, BL11) – December 28 to January 1, 2019
Gabe, AL6D willbe heading to Oahu, Hawaii, at the end of the year.
Plan is to operate from BL01 and BL10, linears and FM.  Trip is
dependent on availability of cockpit jumpseat, so subject to cancel-
lation.  Keep an eye on the @AL6D_Alaska Twitter for further updates
https://twitter.com/AL6D_Alaska
+ Azores (HM58) – December 30 to January 2, 2019
Pedro, CU2ZG, will spend the long New Year’s weekend in HM58. Pedro
will operate holiday style on FM and linears.  Skeds are accepted and
preferred, but keep in mind that being a family trip availability
constrains might occur.  Confirmations via LoTW using plain CU2ZG
will be uploaded the following week, and any direct QSL will get a
proper reply.  Updates posted on Twitter and publicly viewable at
https://twitter.com/pdsousa.
+ Point Pelee National Park, Canada (EN81) – January 1, 2019
Ron, AD0DX, and Mike, W8LID plan to active Point Pelee National Park
on New Year’s Day to kick of the Canadian National Parks on the Air
(CNPOTA) event. Keep an eye on their Twitter accounts for further
updates:  https://twitter.com/ad0dx and https://twitter.com/w8lid
+ Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06) – January 5, 2019
Ron, AD0DX will activate the CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06 grid corner on
January 5th.  Keep an eye on the @ad0dx Twitter feed for more updates
https://twitter.com/ad0dx
+ Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06) – January 12, 2019
David, AD7DB, will be in the area of Kettleman City CA near a conver-
gence of four grids, operating on FM satellites.  Grids (maybe grid-
lines) will depend on the satellite passes. Operation expected from
1700 UTC through 2300 UTC.  Updates will be on Twitter as the time
approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db
+ Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) – January 19-27, 2019
John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He
may also visit some adjoining grids.  There will likely be other hams
operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ.
QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE
+ Las Vegas NV and Northwest AZ (DM25, DM26, DM36) – January 20-22, 2019
David, AD7DB, will be in Las Vegas at DM25/26 line, operating on FM
satellites on a holiday schedule. In addition, weather permitting,
sometime on Monday 01/21/19 he will make a side trip to Beaver Dam AZ
to activate from DM36aw. Updates will be on Twitter as the time
approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db
[ANS Thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ PW-Sat2 Sail Deployment
PW-Sat2 has deployed its deorbiting sail experiment ahead of
schedule. See PWSat2 on Twitter for more information
https://twitter.com/PWSat2 (PWSat2 on Twitter)
+ NJ4Y Worked All States
Congratulations to Matt, NJ4Y for earning the ARRL Worked All
States - Satellite award #367. Matt tweeted, "This is probably
the toughest radio award I've ever worked towards, and one of
my favorites. Thanks especially to AC0RA, K8BL, and AL6D for my
last 4 states over the past year, Oregon, Mississippi, Alaska,
and Hawaii! (NJ4Y via Twitter)
+ NPR Highlights Cubesats
National Public Radio posted an article on December 26th entitled
"What's Next for Tiny Satellites." The article may be found at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-364-NPR
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/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 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
student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this
status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student
membership information.
Happy New Year and 73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org

Paul Stoetzer

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