CM SPAM detection: spam
X-SID: 9
X-Authuserid: morsesat(a)optonline.net
User-Agent: Laszlo Mail 2
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-087
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America,
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
********************************************************************
* The AMSAT team is preparing for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention AMSAT *
* Booth and activities. For the latest information go to: *
* http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2010/Dayton.php *
********************************************************************
In this edition:
* NASA to Launch Three New CubeSats in November
* Amateur Radio Emergency Regulations Proposal
* Latest AMSAT Awards
* New Agency
* Satellite Shorts
* Document Signed with Energia
* ARISS Status - 22 March 2010
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.01
NASA to Launch Three New CubeSats in November
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.01
NASA to Launch Three New CubeSats in November
Three small research satellites with amateur radio educational
payloads are scheduled for launch in late November.
Called CubeSats because of their shape, they come from Montana State
University, the University of Colorado and Kentucky Space as part of
NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellite mission.
Kentucky's KySat-1 is believed to be the first CubeSat to carry a 2
meter-to-70 cm FM transponder - truly a crossband repeater in space
and one that should be accessible by most radio amateurs within its
flight path, authorities said.
CubeSats are in a class of small research spacecraft called
pico-satellites. They have a volume of about one quart and weigh no
more than 2.2 pounds. The University of Florida was selected as an
alternate in case one of the three primary spacecraft cannot fly.
[ANS thanks Jack, KD1PE, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.02
Amateur Radio Emergency Regulations Proposal
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.02
FCC propose amendment to Amateur Radio emergency drill regulations
There has been much debate in the US recently on the issue of amateur
radio operators participating in emergency drills which have been
organised the their employers. The FCC is hoping to clarify the rules
and allow more flexibility with this amendment.
A Proposed Rulemaking was released yesterday containing amendments to
Section 97:113 of the Amateur Radio Service Rules regarding using paid
employees in government sponsored emergency training drills.
For actual filing see:
WWW.regulations.gov
[ANS thanks Southgate for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.03
Latest AMSAT Awards
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.03
The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators
Club for making their first satellite QSO.
Jonathan Guthrie, KA8KPN
Mesa Community College ARC, KM7CC
David Sharpe, KF7DRQ
Jim Adams, K0BAM
Richard Rowe, KJ4OUQ
The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement
Award.
Randal Schulze, KD0HKD, #509
Michael Vargo, AC8CX, #510
Jose Toste, CU3EQ, #511
The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award
(for 1000 contacts)
Douglas Anoman, KC9MLN, #60
Howard Merritt, KD7ZLF, #61
Chip Weems, W4PBG, #62
The following have earned the South Africa AMSAT Communications A
chievement Award
Randal Schulze, KD0HKD, #US142
Michael Vargo, AC8CX, #US143
Jose Toste, CU3EQ, #US144
To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or
http://www.amsatnet.com
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
AMSAT Director Contests and Awards
[ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information}
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.04
New Agency
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.04
At a Conference in London held today, it was announced that April 1st
2010 is to be the "launch" date for the establishment of the United
Kingdom Space Agency. This will take over responsibility for space
from the previous voluntary partnerships of Government Departments
and research councils, the British National Space Centre.
It is reported that the new agency will bring these together "under one
roof". It will also include the Technology Strategy Board and the Met
Office.
In addition to this announcement, the UK Government has stated that £24m
will be invested into The International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC)
at Harwell which is also the site of the new ESA technical facility.
Lets hope the new Agency looks kindly towards UK cubesat projects
like AMSAT-UK's FUNcube! (New possibilities?)
For more details see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8579270.stm
Graham G3VZV
[ANS thanks Graham, G3VZV, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.05
Satellite Shorts
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.05
AMSAT at Dayton Reminders
Another reminder that AMSAT has available a block of rooms for Dayton.
The hotel is the Country Inn & Suites in Fairborn. The cost is $99 a
night. If you are interested, please call me at 301-589-6062 to make
a reservation. The block will be gone on April 13th! Don't forget
the AMSAT-TAPR dinner on Friday night. You can register for that
online at the AMSAT website.
[ANS thanks Martha for the above information]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to 2 Meter Houston AMSAT Net via the Internet
The Houston AMSAT Net now has a new Icecast streaming server, thanks
to Mike, N0VZC. During our net, Tuesday 8PM Central Time (Wednesday
0100 UTC), our audio can be heard by pasting the following into
your URL, Winamp, iPhone, iTunes or almost any other player.
radio.arert.net:8000/amsat.m3u
We hope that you continue enjoying the Houston AMSAT Net. You can
also listen on Echolink in the *AMSAT* conference as well as after
the net completes as a Podcast from the iTunes store or your favor-
ite Podcast player.
[ANS thanks Bruce KK5DO for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.06
Document Signed for ARISSat Delivery
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 28, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.06
Protocol Document Signed for ARISSat delivery
This week a protocol document was signed between AMSAT, NASA and Energia
stating that AMSAT would deliver two satellites to Energia by 1 July
2010.
Since we only have one set of solar panels, the second unit will be
tested
and operational except for the solar panels. The project is on schedule
for
the July delivery and we look forward to having ARISSat in space later
this
year.
Gould, WA4SXM
ARISSat Project Manager for AMSAT
[ANS Thankd Gould, WA4SXM, for this information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-087.07
ARISS Status - 15 March 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 087.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-087.07
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report
March 22, 2010
1. Upcoming School Contacts
Shiogama Daini Junior High School in Shiogama, Japan was scheduled for
an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on
Thursday, March 25 at 07:44 UTC. To prepare for the contact, students
studied astronomy and were introduced to the Hubble Space Telescope.
They also learned about radio communications and some continued their s
tudies and prepared for their amateur radio license exams.
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has
been scheduled for Walnut Creek Elementary School in Azle, Texas on
Monday,
March 29 at 15:08 UTC. Each student researched and created a model
of a selected space object and then presented his work to the class.
Retired Lockheed employees and members of local radio clubs gave
demonstrations of satellite communications to the youth. The school
recently formed an amateur radio club and students have enjoyed
learning what radios can do.
2. Greece Students Question Astronaut via ARISS Contact
On Tuesday, March 16, Timothy Creamer, KC5WKI connected with students
attending 18 Dimotiko Scholeio Peristeriou in Athens, Greece via an
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact.
Students posed 19 questions to the on-orbit astronaut during the
ISS overhead pass as an audience of 700 students, teachers and
community members gathered to watch the event. Several dignitaries
were present, including the General Secretary for Communications of
the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication of Greece, the
Mayor of Peristeri (Athens) and the four vice mayors of Peristeri
City. The contact was integrated into the school’s science curriculum
covering subjects on astronomy and radio communications.
3. Astronaut Training Status
On Monday, March 15, astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA participated
in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
simulated contact with students from Quintino Sella, Biella,
Italy with audio available on IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project).
This training session was a terrestrial-based amateur radio
contact using ARISS equivalent equipment. Nespoli is slated to
fly with Expedition 26 in November 2010.
4. ARISS International Team Meeting Held
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
international team met for the monthly teleconference on March 16.
Status reports were given on the Columbus module radio equipment
as well as ARISSat-1. Minutes have been posted.
See: https://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2010-03-16.htm
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/EX
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Dee Interdonato, NB2F
nb2f at amsat dot org
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-080
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
********************************************************************
* The AMSAT team is preparing for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention AMSAT *
* Booth and activities. For the latest information go to: *
* http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2010/Dayton.php *
********************************************************************
In this edition:
* Satellite Operations from Oahu and Kauai Hawii
* AMSAT Hamfest Activities for 27 March 2010
* AO-51 to support Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary
* AMSAT-DL Symposium and AGM
* Call for Papers--2010 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
* SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Static Fire Test
* ARISS Status - 15 March 2010
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.01
Satellite Operations from Oahu and Kauai Hawii
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.01
Adrian, AA5UK, will be on Oahu (BL11) and Kauai (BL02ic & BL01) operating
portable KH6. He plans to operate on the Linear and FM satellites during his
stay, mostly from his rented house in BL02ic (March 27th through April 5th) and
will try to operate portable/mobile from BL11 and BL01 time
permitting. Emphasis
will be SSB on FO-29, VU-52, AO-7 and HO-68. He will post daily
availability via
AMSAT BB, his QRZ page and Twitter: @AA5UK. Schedule requests are
encouraged due
to the limited pass windows for those operators needing HI for WAS at
the fringe
of the footprints. Please use the email listed on QRZ.com to arrange for a time
and date.
[ANS thanks JoAnne, K9JKM, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.02
AMSAT Hamfest Activities for 27 March 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.02
The Radio Society of Tucson (K7RST) will host the Tucson spring hamfest on
Saturday, 27 March 2010, at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ. The Kino
Sports Complex is on Ajo Way, east of the I-10 freeway and Tucson Electric Park
stadium in Tucson. The hamfest will run from 7am-11am (1400-1800 UTC).
Along with an AMSAT table, Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, will have on-air
demonstrations using various satellites during the hamfest.
Meanwhile, further East, Keith Pugh, W5IU, will have an AMSAT booth and be
conducting demonstrations at the Parker County Hamfest in Weatherford, TX.
[ANS thanks Patrick, WD9EWK, and Keith, W5IU, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.03
AO-51 to support Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.03
AMSAT-NA is supporting the Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary Jamboree by
dedicating an AO-51 V/U FM repeater for the event. From Friday April 16, 15:00
UTC until Sunday April 18 19:00 UTC, an AO-51 repeater will be allocated for
Jamboree use. All users are requested to give way to Jamboree stations or QSO's
with Jamboree stations.
The frequencies used will be 145.880 FM uplink, and 435.150 FM downlink, no PL
tone required.
AMSAT wishes the Scouts good luck operating via the AO-51 satellite for the
event.
73, Ed N8BBQ
AO-51 Operations Group
[ANS thanks Ed, N8BBQ, for the above information}
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.04
AMSAT-DL Symposium and AGM
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.04
The AMSAT-DL Symposium and AGM will be held in the radome of the
spectacular 20 metre dish at Bochum.
The event takes place on Saturday April 24, 2010 from 10:00 to
17:00 local time.
There will be a lecture programme and an update on AMSAT-DL projects
and the results of the joint study between AMSAT-DL and the Federal
Republic of Germany Research Center for Aeronautics and Astronautics
(DLR).
For further details of the Symposium including directions see
http://tinyurl.com/ykezgjj
AMSAT-DL in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/AMSAT-DL
Federal Republic of Germany Research Center for Aeronautics and
Astronautics (DLR)
http://tinyurl.com/GermanyDLR
GO-Mars with AMSAT-DL's P5A Mission - Pixel Page
http://ticket-to-mars.org/index.pl?lang=en_EN
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.05
Call for Papers--2010 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.05
Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 29th Annual ARRL
and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 24-26,
2010 in Vancouver, Washington [Portland, Oregon]. These papers will also be
published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the
conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission
deadline is July 31, 2010. Please send papers to:
Maty Weinberg
ARRL
225 Main St
Newington, CT 06111
or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org
Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain
all rights.
[ANS thanks Steve, WB8IMY, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.06
SpaceX Completes Falcon 9 Static Fire Test
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.06
On Saturday, March 13, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the
inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape
Canaveral. Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer
commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5
seconds.
Just prior to engine ignition, the pad water deluge system was activated
providing acoustic suppression to keep vibration levels within acceptable
limits. The test validated the launch pad propellant and pneumatic systems as
well as the ground and flight control software that controls pad and launch
vehicle configurations.
This was the final step for the rocket and launch pad before launch itself.
SpaceX is now waiting for completion of the final set of tests of the flight
termination system, specifically the explosives and initiators, and the
acceptance of that test documentation by Air Force range safety.
[ANS thanks SpaceX for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-080.07
ARISS Status - 15 March 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 080.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 21, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-080.07
1. Upcoming School Contacts
Shiogama Daini Junior High School in Shiogama, Japan has been scheduled for an
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Thursday,
March 25 at 07:44 UTC. To prepare for the contact, the youth studied astronomy
and were introduced to the Hubble Space Telescope. They learned about radio
communication and some students continued their studies and prepared for their
amateur radio license exams.
2. JAXA Astronaut Participates in ARISS Contact with Alma Mater
On Tuesday, March 9, JAXA's Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP participated in an Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with his alma mater,
Ikaruga Elementary School, in Taishi Town, Japan. Approximately 350 guests
watched as fifteen students asked their questions of the on-orbit astronaut.
This ARISS activity was the highlight of the Ikaruga science curriculum on
environmental issues and received significant media coverage.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/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.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-069.01
AO-51 Second Repeater Configured to Support K4T DXpedition
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 069.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 10, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-069.01
The K4T DXpedition to Dry Tortugas (Grid EL84) in the Gulf of Mexico
will include amateur satellite operations in addition to their HF
plans between March 11 - 15.
Team Leader for K4T, Mike Forsythe, AC2V says, "One of the primary
stations will be dedicated to satellite operations on a 24 hour
basis. Mark Hammond, N8MH will be heading up K4T satellite operations.
K4T will be using batteries, solar power, and wind power. It's a com-
pletely 'green' operation".
Mark, N8MH said, "We're going to have a top-notch satellite station
with two full satellite stations and one portable satellite station.
You can expect us to be active on AO-7, AO-27, FO-29, SO-50, AO-51,
VO-52, SO-67, and HO-68 (depending on the mode schedules of the satel-
lites, of course)." A list of the K4T planned operating times and tar-
get frequencies for all amateur satellite operations has been posted
on the AMSAT web page at: http://www.amsat.org. This also includes
links to the K4T web pages for additional DXpedition information.
To support FM satellite operation from Dry Tortugas the AO-51 Command
Team will configure the satellite with both repeaters enabled:
March 11 - March 16
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM
FM Repeater, V/U to support K4T EL84 DXpedition (Primary Frequency)
Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM
Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM
The full AO-51 Operating Schedule can be viewed on-line at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php
[ANS thanks the K4T DXpedition Team and the AO-51 Operations Team for
the above information]
/EX
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-066
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America,
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor(a)amsat.org
In this edition:
* East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March!
* A new interference threat to the Ham Bands
* SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ
* Daylight Savings Time
* AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3
* A Self adjusting Orbit Scheme
* ARISS Update
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.01
East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March!
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.01
East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March!
You will be able to see it too over most of the mid-atlantic. I don't see a
launch time or any other info yet. Here is what I have received:
-----------------------------------------------------
A sounding rocket with amateur satellite operating on 144.39 MHZ APRS will
rise to 100 miles or so for an 8 minute mission. The rocket (I think) is
the Hall 12.067.
The payload is called SOCEM/ADAMASat. There is a computer program and GUI
to interface to your PC so you can grab the telemetry live. It is on:
http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/adamasat_free_gui.exe
It's a one shot deal, so I'm gonna have a backup TNC and
HYPERTERM collecting everything.
ADAMASat is the Antenna Deployment and Mono-filament Actuator Satellite.
It's a 2U CubeSat designed by Kentucky Space as part of SOCEM, the
Sub-Orbital CubeSat Experimental Mission.
ADAMASat, which is scheduled to launch on Hall 12.067 out of Wallops Flight
Facility on 11 March, will fly in space for roughly 8 minutes performing an
engineering experiment and transmitting data down to Earth via APRS packets.
More information on ADAMASat is available at
http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/suborbital/adamasat Kentucky Space is hereby
releasing to the AMSAT-NA community the ADAMASat FREE GUI, a free 32-bit
Windows binary for amateur radio operators in the Eastern United States who
are interested in tracking ADAMASat on its launch day. The GUI is a
standalone application and upon opening it on his/her computer, the HAM will
be greeted with a popup window which explains the steps required to track
the payload.
All that is needed is a Windows machine, a radio and TNC which can receive
on 144.390 MHz, a serial or USB cable, and a suitable location. The GUI
parses the APRS packets as they are received, graphing temperatures on-board
the payload and reporting status of the mission in real-time. It also
includes instructions on e-mailing the packet log to Kentucky Space to aid
in post-processing, and a built-in aggregator for the official ADAMASat
Twitter RSS feed.
Disclaimer: Kentucky Space provides the GUI "as is" without warranties of
any kind, and shall not incur any liability for any damages connected to the
use of the GUI.
[ANS thanks Bob, WA4APR, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.02
A new interference threat to the Ham Bands
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.02
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.02
FCC to Permit Rescue Radio Robot in the 430 to 450 MHz Band
Reports initially carried in the February 26, 2010 edition of Amateur
Radio NewslineT Report 1698, and on the QRZ.com website say the FCC
has issued a waiver of the Part 90 rules to permit a company called
Reconrobotics Incorporated to sell a remote controlled security robot
that will operate in the 430 to 448 MHz band. This is spectrum that
is primary to the Federal Radiolocation Service but also encompasses
the Amateur Service weak signal, satellite and repeater subbands.
The waiver permits Reconrobitics to manufacture and sell a device
called the Recon Scout. This is described as a device designed for
state and local law enforcement and firefighting agencies, and secur-
ity personnel in critical infrastructure industries. The Recon Scout
can be thrown, dropped, or launched into potentially hazardous areas
and can provide real-time video to an operator located a safe dis-
tance away. Typical applications will include such things as checking
a building prior to forced entry, searching vehicle undercarriages
for explosives and searching for survivors in a burning structure.
The Recon Scout transmits the analog video signal to the operator on
one of three six megahertz channels. These are 430 to 436 MHz, 436
to 442 MHz, and 442 to 448 MHz. Reconrobotics says that multiple
channels are necessary in order to avoid interference during incidents
where multiple Recon Scouts are in use, but that such situations
should be rare.
The company's now approved proposal is that the first unit sold to a
responding organization would operate on 442 to 448 MHz. That happens
to be where thousands of ham radio repeaters operate. The 436 to
442 MHz version being sold only to entities that already own the 442
to 448 MHz version, and the 430 to 436 MHz version being sold only to
entities that already own both of the others.
In approving the waiver, the FCC told Reconrobotics the Recon Scout
will have to operate on a secondary basis where it cannot cause inter-
ference and is not protected from interference to all Federal users
and licensed non-Federal users including radio amateurs. The FCC
also warned prospective users that operation of the Recon Scout in
an unauthorized manner will subject licensees to Commission enforce-
ment action and license revocation. It also said that widespread
improper use of the device could lead the Commission to stop grant-
ing or renewing Recon Scout authorizations.
[ANS thanks Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1698 for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.03
SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.03
SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ
AMSAT received the sad news of the passing of a friend this week
noting the passing of Dr David Toth, VE3GYQ. Dave was the President
Emeritus of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) Group. He was an
early member of TAPR, a long time supporter of AMSAT and he gave
of his time and talents to promote technical endeavors in Amateur
Radio. Former AMSAT President Tom Clark, K3IO remembered Dave,
"He was always a friend of AMSAT, giving up personal vacations to
help with the integration of AO-40 in Orlando. For many years, he
was the glue that held TAPR together."
Former AMSAT Board Member, Bob McGwier, N4HY recalled that, "Dave
was an important player in the earliest days of packet radio in that
he helped promote packet and supported it with on the air hardware.
As a board member and President of TAPR, he helped TAPR become the
principal support for Open HPSDR, a project to promote the development
of hardware and software for software defined radio use by Amateur
Radio. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Dr. Toth graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical
School in 1978. He practiced family medicine in London, Ontario but
moved to the U.S. in 1993 to began a career in emergency medicine.
He was a partner of Premier Health Care Services, in Dayton, Ohio,
and worked at Lima Memorial Health System and St. Rita's Medical
Center until the time of his illness.
[ANS thanks Tom Clark, K3IO; Bob Bob McGwier, N4HY; Steve Bible,
N7HPR; ARRL, TAPR, and Amateur Radio Newsline for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.04
Daylight Savings Time
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.04
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.04
Next week, March 14th, our semi-annual time change will occur.
And of course, do we gain or loose an hour? The words Spring ahead and Fall
back should come to mind as this is the rule. More modern Atomic Clocks (as
they are called)
Set themselves without any manual adjustments. I had a clock that was pre
programmed for earlier
DST changes and sent me to work late one Monday morning. Get out your
pencils and mark your calendar
For this event. I'm sure the News media will advise you for several days
prior to this required
Adjustment to happen, but, someone will not get the word. Please tell that
person.
Thank goodness GMT (UTC) stays the same no matter what time of the year it
is. Computers too are
Pre programmed but satellite program users should make sure time was
corrected properly. We
Wouldn't want you to miss that Sat QSO you planned for all week. Don't
forget the 1.26 micro second
Adjustment that the Earthquake in Chile has created.
[ANS thanks ANS Editor for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.05
AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.05
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.05
AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3
AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA, received notification from the
US Joint Space Operations Center, located at Vandenberg Air Force
Base, California on Sunday, February 28 warning that AO-51 would
have a close approach to another satellite, FORMOSAT 3-D, on Monday
at 1056 UTC. This occurred over the Eastern US, with many stations
on hand capable of receiving telemetry from AO-51 before and after
the near miss. Drew said, "The predicted miss distance was 953 meters,
which is over 3000 feet overall but the radial difference between the
two orbits was only 39 meters."
Steve, W3HF noted, "Given the orbital uncertanties of both satellites,
an orbit separated by only 39 meters could mean that distance may become
eaten up rather quickly!"
In preparation for the close encounter, Drew shut off the S band tran-
smitter and turned on the digital downlink at 2 watts, with telemetry
transmitted every 5 seconds. The next morning, on March 1, Drew was able
to post a message that AO-51 was alive and well, "It looks like we are
fine. A second warning email this morning from the Air Force called it
even closer, but everything was working at LOS this pass."
FORMOSAT-3 is a constellation of satellites launched on April 15, 2006.
It is a joint U.S.-Taiwanese project with major participants including
the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the National
Science Foundation, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Air Force
Research Laboratory (AFRL) on the U.S. side and the National Space
Organization (NSPO) on the Taiwanese side.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA, and Steve, W3HF for the
above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.06
A Self adjusting Orbit Scheme
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.06
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.06
>From the IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages at
http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/formal_detail.asp?serial=168
POPACS-RR a 2U cubesat will use self-contained, warm gas, propulsion system
to adjust satellite's initial circular orbit of 450 km to eccentric orbit
with apogee of 1500 km and perigee of 450 km. Demonstrate use of 3D printing
(a.k.a. rapid prototyping) for manufacturing small satellites. Measure flux
of energetic particles in lower Van Allen Belt. Test radiation-hardened
electronic components and high performance solar cells in high radiation
environment over a period of five years. Test radiation hardened components
for a Plug and Play satellite. Proposing a UHF downlink of 9k6 GMSK AX25
packet and also an S Band downlink of BPSK at 9k6 or 38k4. Planning a launch
on the first flight of SpaceX Falcon 1E not earlier than May 2011 with a 45
deg inclination. Will apply for a FCC part 5 Experimental licence for this
project.
IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages
http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/
73 Trevor M5AKA
[ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.7
ARISS Update
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.07
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 7, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-066.07
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report
March 1, 2010
1. School Contact
Expedition 22 astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP Participated in an Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Hamasuka
Junior High School in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa, Japan on Thursday, March 4.
This is a direct contact and was scheduled for 10:09 UTC. Noguchi is an
alumnus of the school.
2. Timothy Creamer Chats with Doncaster Students via ARISS Contact
On Thursday, February 25, Timothy Creamer, KC5WKI spoke with Doncaster
Primary School students in Doncaster, Victoria, Australia via an Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The connection was
made through telebridge ground station VK4KHZ in Queensland. Two hundred
fifty guests attended the event and watched as the students asked nineteen
questions of the on-orbit astronaut. The students were involved in many
activities leading up to the contact in their Physics, Space, Geography, and
English classes. During one such activity, the students researched a place
in the solar system and created a short television program for the
intergalactic travel show "Postcards."
3. ARISS Annual Report 2009 Posted
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Annual Report
2009 has been posted to the AMSAT Web site. See:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Papers/Annual%20Reports/ARISS_Annual_Report
_2009_Final.pdf
4. ARISS News on Amateur Radio Newsline
The February 26, Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1698 includes one item about
the ARISS program. The "Ham Radio in Space" article summarizes the ARISSat
Design Review meeting held in Orlando, Florida. See:
ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/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.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Dee Interdonato, NB2F
nb2f at amsat dot org