AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-241
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:
* It's Time to Register for the 2010 AMSAT Symposium
* Exciting Papers and Presentations Rolling In
* Symposium Poster Presentation & Demonstration Opportunity
* David Taylor W8AAS Appointed AMSAT US Delegate to ARISS-International
* AMSAT at Shelby, NC Hamfest Labor Day Weekend
* AMSAT Invited for Public Outreach at National Air & Space Museum
* New AO-51 Schedule As Satellite Enters Full Sun
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
* European Student Competition 'In The Can'
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.01
It's Time to Register for the 2010 AMSAT Symposium
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.01
It is time to register for the 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and
General meeting. You can register on-line at the AMSAT Store:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php
Your conference fee includes entrance to the Symposium, refreshments
and a copy of the 2010 Symposium Proceedings:
$40.00 per person before 15 September 2010
$45.00 from 21 September through 5 October
Online registration closes 5 October at Midnight.
Registration at the door will be $50.00.
The Saturday Night Banquet is the highlight of the Space Symposium.
Join us for great food, major announcements and the traditional banquet
prize awards. Saturday Evening Banquet $45.00 per person.
The keynote speaker at the banquet will be Dr. Albert Stebbins, a
theoretical astrophysicist working with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
in the Fermilab Theoretical Astrophysics Group.
AMSAT Area Coordinators typically gather to exchange ideas and tech-
niques for supporting AMSAT members and promoting amateur satellite
operations. Sunday Morning Area Coordinator's Breakfast:
$15.00 per person
Symposium Hotel Information:
----------------------------
The Chicago/Elk Grove Holiday Inn is located west of O'Hare Airport at
1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Telephone 1-847-437-6010.
The registration code for the discount rate of $79.00 per night is AMS.
The direct link to the www.holidayinn.com hotel web page is:
http://tinyurl.com/2aptoeu
You can also reach this page from the Symposium web page at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2010/Hotel.php
Flight & Airport Information:
-----------------------------
Chicago-O'Hare International Airport is the closest to the Chicago/
Elk Grove Holiday Inn Hotel. The hotel offers free hourly shuttle
service to and from O'Hare Airport. Call the hotel upon arrival to
let them know to come pick you up.
Note that Chicago-Midway Airport is approximately 40 miles from the
hotel and will require commuting or a $22.00 Shuttle fee. O'Hare
Airport is served by all major air carriers.
Getting there by car:
The hotel address is 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.
A map link is included on the hotel web page.
The GPS coordinates are 42° 00' 37.30" N 87° 57' 36.5" W.
Sunday Afternoon Tour
---------------------
At the conclusion of the Symposium activities you are invited to
participate in a tour of the Tevatron at the Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory on Sunday. Part of the tour will include
a tour of the multi-megawatt RF portions of the particle
accelerator as well as a tour of the new Super Conducting RF
Test Facility. The Symposium registration form includes a place
to indicate whether you can help with the car pools for travel to
FermiLab and back to the hotel. The planned start time for the
FermiLab tour will be 12 Noon.
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.02
Exciting Papers and Presentations Rolling In
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.02
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.02
As of this week the 2010 Symposium Committee has had several exciting
offers for papers and presentations. Topics that have arrived include
the list below.
Exploration and definition of AMSAT's opportunities to grow our
outreach in the educational areas:
+ ARISS and Education
+ ARISS Operation Update
+ Education Paradigm Shift for AMSAT to Support Subsidized
Launch Opportunities
+ University of Louisiana Satellite Program
Get up-to-date on AMSAT's next platform in space:
+ Assembling ARISSat
+ ARISSatTLM, a telemetry display program for ARISSat-1
+ Software Radio Technology on ARISSat-1
+ ARISSat-1 Overview
+ ARISSat-1 Power System
+ BPSK-1000 format for ARISSat-1
Discussion of AMSAT's future satellite technology:
+ Elmersat -- A Modest Proposal for Future Satellites
+ Using ham radio satellites to distribute amateur radio news in
both voice and data formats
+ Characteristics of simulated data multicasts transmitted over
K3IO's proposed GEO-Eagle communications platform
+ Proposal for Digital Television Aboard the ISS
Updates and information of current AMSAT topics:
+ ITAR Legal Update
+ AMSAT-FOX
+ SUNY-AMSAT System Development
+ AO-51 Battery Capacity and Spin Trends
+ South Africa AMSAT Update
+ AMSAT Publications - Future Direction for the Journal, News
Service, & Web
Building up your satellite station:
+ Flex Radio V/U Module - 2m/70cm full duplex transverter module
for the Flex 5000
+ Low Cost, Lightweight Homebrew Dish Construction
Teaching others how we do it:
+ How to Work the FM Ham Satellites With Your Handheld Radio
+ Successful Hamfest Demonstrations
Authors are reminded to send in your completed papers as soon as
possible. Presentations should be in Powerpoint format. Bring your
presentation loaded on a thumb drive which can be loaded into the
projection system prior to your speaking time slot.
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.03
Symposium Poster Presentation & Demonstration Opportunity
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.03
The poster presentation and demonstration area proved to be a popular
place to visit at the Baltimore Symposium. The 2010 Symposium Committee
plans to duplicate this success at the Chicago Symposium.
So, if you don't have time to generate a paper or presentation please
consider setting up a Poster Presentation or demonstration. We had the
opportunity to view actual CubeSats, PPod launchers, ARISSat-1 proto-
types.
If you plan on setting up a Poster or demonstration please contact the
2010 Symposium Proceedings Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa K9JKM via e-mail at
k9jkm(a)amsat.org. We'll reserve table space for you!
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.04
David Taylor W8AAS Appointed AMSAT's US Delegate to ARISS-International
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.04
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.04
AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has appointed David Taylor,
W8AAS of Columbia, MD as AMSAT's US delegate to ARISS-International
(ARISS-I). Dave replaces Barry Baines, WD4ASW who was holding the
position temporarily following the resignation of Will Marchant,
WC6ROL in 2009. ARISS is 'Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station'.
Barry noted, "I am pleased to appoint Dave, W8AAS as our new ARISS-
International delegate. Dave has extensive experience with the ARISS
program, having participated as a trainer and procedure writer, ground
station operator, school contact mentor and operations coordinator.
His extensive knowledge of day-to-day operations of ARISS coupled with
his exposure to the workings of ARISS-I as an observer as well as sup-
porting the efforts of past AMSAT human spaceflight activities makes
him well qualified to serve as AMSAT's representative and advocate for
amateur radio in space."
Dave was first licensed in 1970 and has been involved with SAREX/ARISS
since 2000. He holds an Extra Class amateur radio license.
ARISS-I is a working group consisting of a consortium of national
amateur radio organizations and AMSAT organizations of the host
countries represented on the International Space Station. ARISS-I
serves as the 'unified voice of amateur radio' in working with the
space agencies that manage the ISS. Since ARISS is international
in scope, the team coordinates locally with their respective space
agency (e.g. ESA, NASA, JAXA, CSA, and the Russian Space Agency)
and as an international team through ARISS working group meetings,
teleconferences and through electronic mail.
In North America, the US delegates are Rosalie White, K1STO (appoint-
ed by the ARRL) and David Taylor, W8AAS (appointed by AMSAT). The
Canadian delegates are Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA (appointed by Radio
Amateurs of Canada) and Maurice-André Vigneault, VE3VIG (appointed
by AMSAT). In addition there are four European delegates, two Japan-
ese delegates, and two Russian delegates. The Chairman of ARRIS-I
is Gaston Bertels, ON4WF.
Information on the activities of ARISS can be found at:
http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm
[ANS thanks AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW and ARISS-International
for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.05
AMSAT at Shelby, NC Hamfest Labor Day Weekend
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.05
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.05
AMSAT Area Coordinator Bob Felt, KB5YZG of Hendersonville, NC and
AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW of Westborough, MA will be
representing AMSAT at the Shelby Hamfest on Saturday and Sunday,
September 4-5. The Hamfest is at the Dallas, NC Park (1303 Dallas-
Cherryville Highway, Dallas, NC 28034) adjacent to Gastonia College.
Hamfest details may be found at http://www.shelbyhamfest.com.
Along with the traditional AMSAT booth, there is an AMSAT Forum
scheduled for 0920-1020 on Saturday morning in Room B of the main
commercial building. AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW will
provide an update on AMSAT activities, including an overview of
ARISSat-1. Bob and Barry also hope to do some satellite contacts
from the hamfest as well.
AMSAT members who are attending the Shelby Hamfest are encouraged
to stop by the AMSAT booth, which is expected to be positioned in
the main commercial building. Any AMSAT member interested in help-
ing to man the AMSAT booth are encouraged to contact Bob Felt, KB5YZG
(kb5yzg(a)amsat.org). Shelby is always a busy weekend and additional
volunteers are always welcome.
[ANS thanks AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.06
AMSAT Invited for Public Outreach at National Air & Space Museum
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.06
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.06
Samudra Haque, N3RDX noted an opportunity to volunteer for an AMSAT
outreach activities, being organized by the National Air and Space
Museum in Washington, DC. Details include:
Event: Hispanic Heritage Month Family day - Argentina in Air and Space
Location: National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Samudra is volunteering to organize AMSAT's participation for the event.
Please contact him through e-mail (n3rdx(a)amsat.org) if you are inter-
ested and able to participate in any form.
NASM is looking for AMSAT members who would be interested in talking
to the visitors about satellites. Because the focus of the day is
Argentina, we are particularly interested in people with expertise in
Argentinean satellites. Bonus points for members how can discuss
Pehuensat-1 because Pablo de Leon, who was the payload manager, will
be a featured speaker at the event.
AMSAT members would set-up tables with equipment, posters, and other
items of interest to visitors. These tables would be staffed through-
out the day by AMSAT members. You are welcome to volunteer for a
couple of hours or the whole day. Free parking will be provided all,
and lunch will be provided for people who volunteer the whole day.
Samudra will need to know:
+ Can you volunteer any exhibition/display resources (pictures,
posters, etc.) ?
+ Can you volunteer your time on October 16, 2010 for any portion?
+ Can you provide any presentation materials relevant to Argentina
in Air and Space?
+ Will you require transportation? etc. etc.
[ANS thanks Samudra Haque, N3RDX for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.07
New AO-51 Schedule As Satellite Enters Full Sun
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.07
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.07
AO-51 Command Team, Mark Hammond, N8MH said this week that according
to projections, the next 100% illumination period for AO-51 has begun.
Hopefully for the next week or two AO-51 can run both transmitters ON
at reasonable power. The PL tone isn't needed (and hasn't been for
the last few weeks).
FM Digital PBBS, U
Uplink: N/A
Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM
Even though AO-51 "sees sunlight" all the time, it doesn't "see" the
sun equally throughout an orbit. So, the Operations Team is going to
keep the power management software running in hopes they can optimize
the transmitter power output and keep the battery temperatures down.
The way it is currently configured, AO-51 can run in one of three
states, depending on available battery power:
1) HIGH 435.300 at 550 mW and 435.150 at 420 mW
2) MEDIUM 435.300 at 420 mW and 435.150 at 300 mW
3) LOW which currently sets both transmitters effectively to OFF
It is very likely that users will see the transmitter power going up
and down some as the battery voltage goes up and down. AO-51 Operator
hope the power changes do not occur too often, and adjustments will be
made after collecting some telemetry over the next few days. The goal
has always been to keep it ON and useable as much as possible, and
the Command Team will do their best to continue that tradition.
Activity reports over the next few weeks to http://oscar.dcarr.org/
(or to n8mh AT amsat.org if AO-51 appears to be OFF) will be very
much appreciated.
And finally--telemetry files (KISS format preferred) from around the
world will be greatly appreciated for the next few weeks!
[ANS thanks Mark Hammond, N8MH for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.08
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.08
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.08
+ SA AMSAT has introduced SAT Network, a regular discussion on
satellites. The first SAT Network will discuss the payload opt-
ions for the proposed SA AMSAT payload. It will be on the air
on Sunday 29 August 2010 at 19:30. Marten, ZS6ZY, will relay on
3718 kHz and Chris, ZS6FCS, will take care of Echolink and the
Webcast. (SA-Amsat http://www.amsatsa.org.za/)
+ A video showing reception of the first signals by the SUPSI team
from the Amateur Radio CubeSat TI-SAT HB9DE, launched July 12, is
available on YouTube. See: http://tinyurl.com/22keqkz
+ Monitor the Copenhagen Suborbitals webpage for the countdown of an
amateur built rocket launch on August 30. See:
http://www.copenhagensuborbitals.com/index.php
+ Two videos on YouTube video show the concept for a CubeSat propulsion
system using plasma electrolysis of water. This prototype shows that
thrust can be produced by plasma electrolysis - it burns water, so to
speak. See: http://tinyurl.com/2csky34
+ The wakeup song has been a part of the space program since the days
of the Apollo missions, and now NASA is giving you two chances to be
a part of this history! We need your help selecting wakeup songs to
be played during the final missions of the Space Shuttle Program.
See: https://songcontest.nasa.gov/home.aspx
+ Fabiano CT7ABD/PY5RX, celebrated his August 25 birthday by having
the crew aboard the International Space Station sing Happy Birthday
directly from space. Listen Audio by CT1EAT:
http://www.issfanclub.com/node/28329
+ Echolink for Android - the suppliers of Echolink have developed an
app for the Android phone system and it is live as of now.
Details at: http://www.echolink.org/faq_android.htm
+ This time lapse footage of views of sunrise and sunset was taken by
astronaut Don Pettit. See: http://tinyurl.com/39c7ylh
+ A group of 4 operators will be operating as AO1EME from IN70qk on
2-5 September. The main goal will be EME on 144 MHz, but they'll
also have a 70cm. 20 el. cross yagi and plan to operate on the
satellites when there is no Moon and time permits. For more information,
operation status, on-line logs, etc please visit:
http://www.vhfdx.info/burguillo.html (Gabriel, EA6VQ)
+ The next "Hudson Valley Satcom" net date is Thursday Sept. 2 at 8PM
(EDT, or 2400 UTC), on the improved "146.97" MBARC Repeater. (Pl. 100;
down 600); with an echolink node of: N2EYH-L More info:
http:www.hvsatcom.org/ (Stu WA2BSS)
+ ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA has been scheduled for an ARISS
refresher course on September 3, during which he will be briefed on
procedures to install the VHF Ericsson amateur radio system in the
Columbus module. Nespoli is slated to fly with Expedition 26 in
November 2010.
+ Clint Bradford, K6LCS and Gordon West WB6NOA ran a very successful
amateur satellite operations demonstration at the Orange County Fair
earlier this month. This has been written up in the ARRL Southwestern
Division's newsletter available on-line at:
http://web.me.com/clintbradford/k6lcs/Docs_files/OCFAIR-2010.pdf
Clint reports that CQ Magazine has also accepted their article pro-
posal. Watch for it in an upcoming issue!
+ MMSSTV is an easy to use SSTV program for your PC which will allow
you to receive and decode the SSTV signals from the ISS. Makoto Mori,
JE3HHT has released version 1.12. MMSSTV can be downloaded from
http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-241.09
European Student Competition 'In The Can'
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 241.09
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 29, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-241.09
A story appearing at SpaceMart.com section of SpaceDaily.com
(http://tinyurl.com/32lxyjo) on August 27 described the success
of the first ESA CanSat competition.
High school students from different ESA Member States were able to
watch their own 'satellites' soar into the sky aboard suborbital rock-
ets during the first European CanSat competition, held at the Andoya
Rocket Range in Norway.
The CanSat competition, organised by ESA's Education Office and the
Norwegian Centre for Space-related Education (NAROM), was open to teams
of at least four students, assisted by a teacher or tutor.
The selected teams had to build their own small CanSat 'satellite' in
six months, with each team developing an experiment that would fit
inside a 350 ml soft drink can. These investigations ranged from cal-
culating variations in Earth's magnetic field and tracking the Sun,
to measuring solar radiation and levels of carbon dioxide.
The most exciting day was 17 August, when the students were able to
watch five Intruder rockets launch their CanSats from Skarsteindalen,
a former military facility close to Andoya Rocket Range. The mini-pay-
loads soared to an altitude of 1 km before parachuting back to Earth.
The culmination of the competition was the prize ceremony on 18 August,
when the expert jury announced the results of its evaluation of the pro-
jects and selected the three winning teams:
+ The bronze award went to the Brussels Vikings team from Sint-
Pieterscollege Jette in Belgium.
+ The silver award went to the Irish team Triailliu from Laurel Hill
School.
+ The gold award winners were 'Team Eclipse' from St Paul's School in
London, United Kingdom.
A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the
volume and shape of a regular soft drink can. CanSats offer unique
opportunities for students to experience their first real space-related
project. The participating countries in the first competition were
Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Norway,
Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
The European CanSat competition is one of many ESA hands-on initiatives
to inspire young people to follow a career in science or engineering.
In this way, it is hoped to ensure the availability of a highly qualified
work force in the space industry of the future.
One of the primary objectives of the competition is to promote the CanSat
concept in ESA Member States. Similar competitions already exist in some
ESA Member States and ESA is seeking to support additional CanSat activ-
ities from 2011.
[ANS thanks SpaceMart.com 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. And, with that
please recall the young ham who went to work in an office. While the
IT department is setting up his computer they tell him to think of a
password. The fella says his password will be 'mickey goofy minnie
pluto donald and Washington'. The IT guy asks why in the world did he
pick that password? He replied, "You told me it had to be five chara-
cters with a capitol!"
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-234
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:
* Election Reminder
* ARRISSat-1 Update
* Symposium Call for Papers
* AO-51 Update
* ARISS STATUS
* Satellite Shorts
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.01
Election Reminder
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.01
Just another nag that the AMSAT election for members of the Board of
Directors is in progress. The end of the summer, and the start of school is
upon us. Still, if you haven't gotten around to it, take a few minutes to
vote. The deadline will be here in a month. Obviously it is important as a
member to vote, but it is also important for Board members to receive your
input in this way.
73s,
Alan Biddle
WA4SCA
AMSAT Corporate Secretary
[ANS Thanks Alan, WA4SCA, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.02
ARISSat-1 Update
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.02
ARISSat-1 update
We are now manifested on Progress 41P to get ARISSat to the ISS. The current
timeline has the launch in January 2011. Four ARISSat satellites have been
assembled in Orlando. The two Russian flight units are assembled,
electronics are undergoing operational tests, software is close to being the
final version and we expect to have the satellite complete and ready for
vibration tests next week. We don't have a date for the vibration test yet,
but are working to get one in the next few weeks. NASA has been very
instrumental in getting us an export license, arranging for transportation
to Russia and helping clarify how the satellite will be attached to the
Progress vessel. We plan on shipping the two satellites to Russia in
September, to give them time to install the Kursk experiment, test their
battery with the satellite and do additional tests before shipping to
Baikonur for launch.
Gould, WA4SXM
AMSAT ARISSat-1 Project Manager
[ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.03
Symposium Call for Papers
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.03
Reminder: Symposium Call For Papers Deadline is Coming
It's already August 1 and the September 1 deadline of the call for
papers for the 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting is
approaching faster than ever! The abstracts and some completed
papers have arrived - thank you. For everyone else - we need to
get busier ... please!
The abstract for your paper does not require any special format.
Simply send an e-mail to the Proceedings Editor, K9JKM with the
basic information: Author Name, Callsign, and a few sentences that
describe your proposed topic. I'll be looking forward to receiving
your abstracts in my in-box at k9jkm(a)comcast.net.
The Symposium Committee invites proposals for:
+ Papers for publication in the Proceedings
+ Symposium Presentations
+ Poster Presentations
+ Equipment and Operating Demonstrations
These can be on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite
community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as
soon as possible, with final copy submitted by September 1, 2010
for inclusion in the printed proceedings.
To help you prepare your paper the Symposium Committee has posted
an author's guide on the AMSAT.org web page:
http://tinyurl.com/2djjnmx
The 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting will be held
October 8 - 10 at the Chicago/Elk Grove Holiday Inn which is near
O'Hare Airport.
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.04
AO-51 Update
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.04
Eclipses Cause Short Term Changes to AO-51 Schedule
AO-51 Command Team member, Mark N8MH noted this week that AO-51 is
still in eclipses until the last week of August. The satellite will
be back in 100% sun until the end of December after this time. That
means the Command Team should be able keep AO-51 transmitting all
the time. In fact, they will need to do this in order to keep temp-
eratures down!
In recent days the Command Team had to resort to shutting down the
voice repeater in order to grab some telemetry files from the bird.
This was very important as we are nearing the end of the eclipse
period and was a unique opportunity to collect good data for current
use and for future reference for AO-51 Operations.
Recently AO-51 has been automatically turning itself OFF and back
ON because of the power budget. Users see this more often as it
first comes out of eclipse and as it begins to enter eclipse. The
Command Team will continue to fine tune this, but the goal is to
keep AO-51 transmitting when there is enough power--without having
the bird shutdown until manually commanded back ON by one of the
command team members.
Starting January 2011, we won't see much of a break from the eclipse
periods for a long, long time (there is one short window of full sun,
but it's about 2 weeks long in late Feb/early March 2011). The com-
mand team has been using the recent eclipse period to learn how to
become more efficient in the use of the power management code on board.
This allows us to get the most "bang for the buck" out of the available
power. It's pretty complex and versatile. We've learned a tremen-
dous amount this eclipse period, but still have more to learn in
the future.
[ANS thanks AO-51 Command Team member, Mark N8MH for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.05
ARISS Status Report
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 16, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.05
1. Upcoming School Contact
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been
scheduled with the DaVinci Science Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The
Center has integrated this activity into its Summer Camp Program for 2010.
Students have learned about space through lessons from the NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center Education Office and Astronaut Terry Hart is expected to
give presentations. The Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club has provided
instruction on Amateur Radio, how it works, what it is and its uses, how the
ARISS radio systems work, the international ham radio team, satellite
tracking, radio wave propagation and the organizations that sponsor ARISS.
The club will also provide VHF demonstrations and multi-media presentations
to the group which will enhance the center's 200 hands-on exhibits that
promote the understanding of science and technology. Due to ISS Problems,
This has been postponed, however, keep informed as this can change before
this ANS is published.
2. QST Covers ARISS
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) September issue of QST carried an
item in the "Inside HQ" column about how NASA ISS crew members participated
in one or more ARISS educational activities per week during the first half
of 2010. The ARRL monthly journal has a circulation of 150,000.
3. ISS Ham Debrief Scheduled
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) debrief session
has been scheduled with Expedition 22/23 astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP on
Tuesday, August 17. The feedback provided on the radio system and school
contacts will help the ARISS program update its operations.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-234.06
Satellite Shorts
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 234.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 22, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-234.06
SA-AMSAT Reports Plans for Sumbandilasat SO-67 Return to Service
South Africa AMSAT (SA-AMSAT) is slowly adding additional operational
time for Sumbandilasat SO-67. On their web page they report that the
ground control station will start slowly with the amateur payload and
observe if the satellite remains stable and then gradually add more
operating time. The current SO-67 schedule for operations over South
Africa and Europe can be found on their web page at:
http://www.amsatsa.org.za/
The PTT of the transmitter now STAYS ON for the duration of the payload
activation (i.e. 15 min), regardless of a valid "transponder" tone
received. Please leave a 3 second gap between overs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT Awards
AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO says
congratulations are in order for these stations earning AMSAT
awards during July and August.
The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for
making their first satellite QSO.
George Jounakros, K2KVI
Johnathon Ballard, KI4UKF
Stephen Ponder, N5WBI
Bob Herrell, AJ5C
Jason Brisco, N5NBJ
The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award.
Stephen Rish, K8SAR #516
The following have earned the South Africa AMSAT Communications
Achievement Award
John Neeley, W6ZKH #US148
To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Japan's Venus Mission Getting Close
The mission that launched UNITEC-1, Amateur Radio's first inter-
planetary probe, the Venus Climate Orbiter also known as Akatsuki
remains healthy and is nearing the planet. The 5.8 GHz amateur radio
beacon from UNITEC-1 was last heard only two days outbound from Earth.
Akatsuki, bristling with cameras, will circle the exotic planet's
equator in an elliptical orbit for at least 2 years, monitoring the
atmosphere at different altitudes using various wavelengths (IR, UV,
and visible). With this data and data from the spacecraft's radio
dish, scientists will reconstruct a 3D model of the atmosphere's
structure and dynamics.
The instruments will also scrutinize the planet's surface for volcanic
activity. In addition, Akatsuki's Lightning and Airglow Camera will
hunt for lightning in order to settle a longstanding debate about how
is Venusian lightning generated in a dry atmosphere?
The full story can be found on-line at NASA Science News
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/16aug_vco/
[ANS thanks Everyone 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
Special ANS 234A Edition-Timely Bulletin (See full ANS234 on Sunday, Aug 22,
2010)
Subject: Lighthouse/Lightship Special Event 8/21-8/22
Almost 300 lighthouses in more than 40 countries will be on the air for the
2010 International Lighthouse/Lightship weekend, 8/21- 8/22. The Great
South Bay Amateur Radio Club will be operating, on HF and satellite, from
the historic Fire Island Lighthouse located on Fire Island, New York, FN 30.
The call used will be W2GSB/LH, for more information, www.gsbarc.org. For
more info about the Fire Island Lighthouse visit
http://www.fireislandlighthouse.com/
We will begin our satellite activities around 11:00 AM, Saturday and work as
many FM passes to 6:00 PM each day. QSL: W2GSB/LH, PO Box 1356, West
Babylon, NY 11704.
[ANS Thanks, Pete, WB2OQQ, for this information]
ANS jr. Editor Dee Interdonato, NB2F
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-227
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:
* 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium Reminders
* ISS cooling system problem disrupts ARISS operations
* HO-68 Operating Schedule 15-22 August 2010
* ARRL Files Petition to Deny 433-445 MHz ReconRobotics Applications
* NASA Announces CubeSat Launch Initiative
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
* For Hams Who Like Science: [email protected]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.01
2010 AMSAT Space Symposium Reminders
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.01
The September 1 deadline of the call for papers for the 2010 AMSAT
Space Symposium and Annual Meeting is rapidly approaching! So far
the Proceedings crew has received two abstracts for papers - thank
you!
The abstract for your paper does not require any special format.
Simply send an e-mail to the Proceedings Editor, K9JKM with the
basic information: Author Name, Callsign, and a few sentences that
describe your proposed topic. I'll be looking forward to receiving
your abstracts in my in-box at k9jkm(a)comcast.net.
You can now register on-line at the AMSAT store for the 2010 AMSAT
Space Symposium and Annual Meeting:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php
The 2010 Symposium Committee is looking forward to welcoming you
to Chicago in October! As the latest information becomes available
you can find it on the AMSAT Symposium pages:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2010/index.php
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.02
ISS cooling system problem disrupts ARISS operations
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.02
On Saturday, July 31, 2010, The ISS suffered a cooling system failure.
Repair work planning for two spacewalks has been underway throughout the
week to fix the problem. As a result, ARISS operations which include both
voice and packet have been given a low priority until the problem is
resolved. Attempts will be made to carry out scheduled ARISS contacts, but
with the understanding that they may be aborted at the last minute.
[ANS thanks David, AA4KN, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.03
HO-68 Operating Schedule 15-22 August 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.03
The following operating schedule for HO-68 (XW-1) was provided by Alan Kung,
BA1DU,
HO-68 Project Manager. Dates and times shown are UTC.
15 Aug 2010
================================
16:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
India, Africa, Middle East,
Europe,NA
17:20...Turn Off
18:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA
19:10...Turn Off
19:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA
20:35...Turn Off
16 Aug 2010
================================
00:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South America,NA,North Asia
01:00...Turn Off
02:11...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
North Asia,East Asia,South Asia
02:27...Turn Off
16:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,NA
17:05...Turn Off
22:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
NA,North Asia,East Asia,
Oceania
22:55...Turn Off
17 Aug 2010
================================
00:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South America,NA,North Asia
00:45...Turn Off
10:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,Asia,Europe
10:55...Turn Off
16:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
India,Middle East,Europe,NA
16:45...Turn Off
17:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,NA
18:35...Turn Off
21:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
NA,North Asia,East Asia,
Oceania
22:35...Turn Off
18 Aug 2010
=================================
09:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,East Asia,North Asia,Europe
10:40...Turn Off
16:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,NA
16:45...Turn Off
21:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania
22:20...Turn Off
19 Aug 2010
=================================
01:42...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South Asia,Oceania
02:00...Turn Off
06:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Middle East,India,Africa
07:25...Turn Off
09:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA
10:20...Turn Off
12:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Europe,NA,South America
13:00...Turn Off
17:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,India,Middle East,Europe,NA
18:00...Turn Off
18:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,NA
19:30...Turn Off
21:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA
22:05...Turn Off
20 Aug 2010
================================
09:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA
10:05...Turn Off
12:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Europe,NA,South America
12:45...Turn Off
17:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
India,Africa,Europe,NA
17:45...Turn Off
22:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South America,Africa,NA,
Europe,North Asia,East Asia
23:35...Turn Off
21 Aug 2010
================================
00:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South America,NA,North Asia
01:25...Turn Off
02:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
North Asia,East Asia,South Asia
02:45...Turn Off
10:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA
11:35...Turn Off
13:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Europe,NA,South America
14:10...Turn Off
16:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Africa,Europe,NA
17:30...Turn Off
22:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
South America,NA,North Asia
23:20...Turn Off
22 Aug 2010
================================
00:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
NA,North Asia,East Asia,
South Asia,Oceania
01:05...Turn Off
02:21...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
North Asia,East Asia,South Asia
02:37...Turn Off
05:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
North Asia,Europe,Africa
06:35...Turn Off
13:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT
Europe,NA,South America
13:55...Turn Off
[ANS thanks Alan, BA1DU, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.04
ARRL Files Petition to Deny 433-445 MHz ReconRobotics Applications
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.04
The ARRL Letter this week reported that on August 4, 2010, the ARRL
filed a Petition to Deny Applications with the FCC to deny 68 pending
Public Safety Pool license applications associated with the Recon-
Robotics Video and Audio Surveillance System.
Each license application is accompanied by a waiver request to permit
operation of the devices in the 433-445 MHz band. The applications were
coordinated by APCO International Inc Licensing Services -- the
frequency coordinator for the public safety land mobile radio services
-- and would allow the use of the Recon Scout product currently being
marketed by ReconRobotics pursuant to an FCC waiver. Read more here:
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-files-petition-with-fcc-to-deny-
applications-with-reconrobotics.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.05
NASA Announces CubeSat Launch Initiative
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.05
NASA said at the end of July that the space agency anticipates launch
opportunities for a limited number of CubeSats may be available on
launches currently planned for 2011 and 2012. These launch opportunities
would constitute a pilot project intended to demonstrate viable launch
opportunities for CubeSat payloads as auxiliary payloads on planned
missions. The full announcement is published on-line at:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/430539main_CubeSat_Launch_Initiative_
Announcement_7_30_2010.pdf
An earlier NASA announcement did not solicit enough proposals to fill
the launch opportunities. NASA noted that, "If there is adequate res-
ponse from the CubeSat projects, the initiative could be continued on
future flight opportunities.
Successful CubeSat proposal teams will be required to enter in a
collaborative Agreement to support the pilot project. NASA will pro-
vide integration and other services as necessary to complete the
launch activity. Participation in the pilot program will be contingent
upon selection by NASA and negotiation of an appropriate Agreement
between NASA and the collaborator. Collaborators may be required to
provide partial reimbursement of the launch and integration costs of
up to $30,000 per 1U Cube associated with their participation in the
pilot project.
Investigations supported by CubeSat payloads proposed for the pilot
project must address an aspect of science, exploration, technology
development, education, or operations encompassed by NASA's strategic
goals and outcomes as identified in the NASA Strategic Plan and/or
Education Strategic Coordination Framework.
Selection is anticipated by January 31, 2011. Consult the NASA docu-
ment at the URL above for all project proposal requirements.
[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.06
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.06
+ Congratulations are in order to George, WA5KBH for being awarded
his Worked All States - Satellite #319. George got his 50th state
when he worked Adrian, AA5UK/KH6, during his April trip to Hawaii.
George has also been awarded his VUCC Satellite award for 350
grids.
+ The next Hudson Valley Satcom Net will meet on the air and on
Echolink on August 19, at 8PM EDT (2400 UTC). If you are within
range of the Mt. Beacon ARC repeater the net will be on 146.970.
The Echolink node is N2EYH-L. More info; http://www.hvsatcom.org.
(via Stu, WA2BSS)
+ The British Amateur Television Club (BATC) have produced a short
video showing the people and equipment in the web streaming of the
AMSAT-UK Colloquium, see:
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2010/behind_the_scenes.htm
(via Trevor, M5AKA)
+ Drew, KO4MA has posted a short video with my phone illustrating the
differences in received performance when your portable FM satellite
antenna can be twisted to track downlink polarity. This was recorded
at the tail end of an AO-51 pass, with the satellite below 10 degrees.
The downlink is received with the UHF half of an Arrow, 10 feet of
high quality coax, and a Yaesu FT-817. Watch the video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTqjQ9xIQQE
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-227.07
For Hams Who Like Science: [email protected]
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 227.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 15, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-227.07
SpaceDaily.com this week published a story about three citizen
scientists, an American couple and a German, have discovered a
new radio pulsar hidden in data gathered by the Arecibo Observa-
tory. This is the first deep-space discovery by [email protected],
which uses donated time from the home and office computers of
250,000 volunteers from 192 different countries. [email protected]
is based on [email protected], a similar program looking for signs of
extraterrestrial life in data from the radio telescope at Are-
cibo Observatory.
[email protected] describes their project on their home page:
http://www.einsteinathome.org. "Einstein suggested that we live
in a universe full of gravitational waves. He proposed that explod-
ing stars, colliding black holes and other violent events create
waves that alter space and time. We have not detected these waves
yet because it requires tools sensitive enough to measure very
small effects. It's like trying to detect a change in the distance
from the earth to the sun equal to the width of an atom. Technology
has caught up with Einstein's prediction. We now have detectors
sensitive enough to see these waves."
[email protected] uses private computers to process data. Private computer
owners can download software onto their computers that receives data
from a central server. The computers process the data when they are
not being used for other things, like email or word processing. Then,
the computers send the processed data back to the server and can get
more to analyze. The site explains [email protected] doesn't affect how
computers perform and you can stop it any time.
Imagine finding a new pulsar, such as this week's PSR J2007+2722 dis-
covery, a neutron star rotating 41 times per second located in the Milky
Way, approximately 17,000 light years from Earth in the constellation
Vulpecula ... while waiting for the next satellite pass or for 10 meters
to open.
The full story at SpaceDaily.com can be found on-line at:
http://tinyurl.com/29ggsb8
[ANS thanks [email protected] and SpaceDaily.com 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
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-220
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:
* 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium Timeline
* Get Those Symposium Papers Rolling Please!
* Boy Scouts Celebrate Anniversary with ARISS Contact
* Operational Notes From AO-51 Control Team
* SumbandilaSat SO-67 South African Passes Planned for Testing
* Taiwan University Announces Plans for Attitude Controlled CubeSat
* AMSAT-UK Colloquium Videos Available
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.01
2010 AMSAT Space Symposium Timeline
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.01
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.01
The 2010 Symposium Committee is at work regarding the details of
The schedule. The details depend on the topics and quantity of the
presentations still being worked on by the authors.
We will generally follow the timing framework of previous year's
Symposiums which can be summarized as:
Thursday, October 7
AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting
Morning Friday, October 8
Symposium Registration Opens
AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting continues
Lunch
Friday, October 8 (1300)
Registration continues
Symposium Opening Remarks and Introductions
First Round of Presentations until ~1700
Saturday, October 9
Registration continues
Second Round of Presentations (0800 - 1000)
AMSAT General Membership Meeting (1000 - 1200)
Lunch
Third Round of Presentations (1300 - 1700)
Break
Attitude Adjustment with Cash Bar and Gathering (~1800)
AMSAT Annual Banquet and Speaker (~1900)
Door Prize Drawing (~2100)
Sunday, October 10
Area Coordinators Field Ops Breakfast
Fourth Round of Presentations (0800 - 1000)
Symposium Closing Remarks
Tour of FermiLab Tevatron (1200 - 1500 approx.)
The times listed are US Central Daylight Time (UTC - 5).
AMSAT's 2010 Symposium Committee looks forward to welcoming
everyone to Chicago this October!
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.02
Get Those Symposium Papers Rolling Please!
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.02
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.02
August is rolling on and the September 1 deadline of the call for
papers for the 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting is
approaching faster than ever! So far 7 abstracts and two completed
papers have arrived - thank you. For everyone else - we need to
get busier!
The abstract for your paper does not require any special format.
Simply send an e-mail to the Proceedings Editor, K9JKM with the
basic information: Author Name, Callsign, and a few sentences that
describe your proposed topic. I'll be looking forward to receiving
your abstracts in my in-box at k9jkm(a)comcast.net.
These can be on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite
community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as
soon as possible, with final copy submitted by September 1, 2010
for inclusion in the printed proceedings.
To help you prepare your paper the Symposium Committee has posted
an author's guide on the AMSAT.org web page:
http://tinyurl.com/2djjnmx
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.03
Boy Scouts Celebrate Anniversary with ARISS Contact
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.03
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.03
On Saturday, July 31, an Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) contact was held with the 2010 National Boy Scout
Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Doug Wheelock, KF5BOC answer-
ed 13 questions posed to him by the Scouts as approximately 800
others listened in.
Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB, who is Amateur Radio Newsline's 2009 Young
Ham of the Year, initiated the biggest contact of the jamboree.
Six Scouts representing Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin, all got a chance to ask astronaut Wheelock a question,
some relating to Scouting and the space program.
Prior to the contact, K2BSA Amateur Radio Association set up its
radio station which thousands of Scouts toured. Some Scouts earned
their Radio Merit Badges and amateur radio licenses as well. This
year, the Jamboree celebrates 100 years of Scouting in the U.S.,
with attendees from all 50 states and other countries around the
world. Forty-three thousand Scouts attended the National Jamboree.
K2BSA also operated on the satellites from the 2010 National Scout
Jamboree amateur radio station. QSL cards for the 100th anniversary
are available. Send your card, and SASE, to the QRZ.com K2BSA address.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI; Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB; and David Jordan,
AA4KN for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.04
Operational Notes From AO-51 Control Team
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.04
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.04
After a brief outage aboard AO-51, AMSAT Vice-President of Operations,
Drew KO4MA reported on Saturday, July 31 that the satellite had been
restored to service. The 145.92/435.300 repeater was set to run with
the 67 Hz tone required to activate the satellite. Power output was
740 mW.
On 5 August AO-51's operating mode was changed enable the 435.150 tele-
metry transmitter at 340 mW. This was to provide a telemetry collection
demonstration for a cubesat team.
During the demonstration the 435.300 voice transmitter continued to
operate at about 470 mW with PL tone activation of the transmitter.
At the conclusion of the demonstration the Control Team changed the
mode back to the 145.92/435.300 repeater running about 750 mW with PL
tone activation of the transmitter. The 435.150 transmitter was turned
off.
Please use the webpage at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ or post reports via
the amsat-bb. For some reason very few US stations use this. Please do
as it is impossible for the AO-51 Control Team to listen to every pass.
Keep up with the latest AO-51 Control Team news on-line at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php
[ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA and Mark, N8MH for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.05
SumbandilaSat SO-67 South African Passes Planned for Testing
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.05
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.05
SA AMSAT has announced that, after consultation with the CSIR
Satellite Application Centre (SAC), more passes over South Africa
will be scheduled.
During the week, these passes will be in the evening and on weekends
during the day and on some evenings.
If you are scheduling a special event at a school, a special morning
pass can be scheduled on request by sending an email to
saardt(a)intekom.co.za at least 2 weeks prior to the event. More details
about passes over other areas will be announced soon.
Hans, ZS6AKV, presented a paper at the AMSAT UK Satellite Colloquium on
Sunday, August 1 which discussed how best to accommodate other parts of
the world on SO-67. The SA AMSAT web page at http://www.amsatsa.org.za/
invites satellite operators to, "Watch this space for the international
schedule."
[ANS thanks SA AMSAT for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.06
Taiwan University Announces Plans for Attitude Controlled CubeSat
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.06
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.06
A team from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the
Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Cheng Kung Uni-
versity in Taiwan has announced a 2X CubeSat development project
named PACEsat, Platform for Attitude Control Experiment.
This cubesat will feature three-axis stabilization utilizing a mini-
ature momentum wheel and magnetic coils. Attitude determination will
use a three-axis magnetometer, a three-axis gyro, and coarse sun sen-
sors. Temperature sensors will monitor the thermal environment inside
the satellite.
Frequencies discussed in the satellite design documentation include
145 MHz is selected for uplink and downlink communication and 433 MHz
CW/AX.25.
The satellite was designed for a 600km near-circular orbit with a 98
degree inclination. Mission lifetime is planned to be 2 months. A
stable attitude determination and attitude control system is a pre-
requisite for future CubeSat missions which will include propulsion
systems to attain higher orbits.
Technical details can be found on-line at:
http://tinyurl.com/2evtd7ahttp://www.iaalab.ncku.edu.tw/pace/
[ANS thanks the PACEsat team for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.07
AMSAT-UK Colloquium Videos Available
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.07
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.07
Videos of the presentations given at the 25th AMSAT-UK International
Space Colloquium are now available on the web. You can view and down-
load them at: http://www.batc.tv/ Click on the 'Film Archive' icon
and then select an 2010 AMSAT video from the pulldown menu on the
left.
The Colloquium schedule can be seen at:
http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/713/284/1/2/
AMSAT-UK publishes a colour A4 newsletter, OSCAR News, which is full
of Amateur Satellite information. Join online at:
https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subs_form/
"Getting started on Amateur Radio Satellites" PDF file is available
at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/408/168/
[ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-220.08
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 220.08
>From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 8, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-220.08
+ AMSAT received the sad news that John, NO5X has become a silent
key. (via AA5JG)
+ AMSAT-NA Corporate Secretary Alan Biddle, WA4SCA reminds members
that biographies and ballot for the 4 candidates for the AMSAT
Board of Directors went out on July 15th. In order to be counted,
your ballot must be RECEIVED at the AMSAT office by the close of
business on September 15th.
+ Congratulations to John, W6ZKH on receiving the ARRL W.A.S. Satel-
lite Award #320.
+ Videos from this weekends CubeSat workshop are at:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6493870 (via M5AKA)
+ A video showing an Amateur Radio Satellite demonstration to members
of the South Dublin Radio Club EI2SDR can be viewed on-line at:
http://tinyurl.com/23wn239
A YouTube video features Amateur Radio operators in contact with
Doug Wheelock KF5BOC on the International Space Station using the
call NA1SS on 145.800 MHz FM can be viewed at:
http://tinyurl.com/28cyd6w
+ Watch for a new feature in the AMSAT Journal. Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF
will begin a column called, "Getting Started in Amateur Satellites".
+ The Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference will be on Saturday, Sept 25.
Register at http://dataandwireless.com/packrat/vhf_registration.php
K1DS & KB1JEY will host a Beginner's Session - a One Day Conference
for experts and beginners alike hosted by the Mt Airy VHF RC Club.
+ John K8YSE reports he has hit the road and is heading toward his
satellite grid expedition around Lake Superior.
+ The Echoes of Apollo team says plans are being worked on for a big,
coordinated, world wide EME (Moon Bounce) event for Yuri's Night,
on or about April 12, 2011. The 2010 event featured Arecibo being
activated on EME. They hope to bring a lot of big dishes on board.
[ANS thanks everyone 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. And with that,
please keep in mind the hams who wondered what the attractive young lady
carrying batteries at the beach was up to. Eventually they figured out
that she sold C Cells by the seashore, of course.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-213
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
**************************************
* Please return the AMSAT BOD Ballots*
* by September 15th, 2010 *
**************************************
In this edition:
* Reminder: Symposium Call For Papers Deadline is Coming
* UK Space Agency to launch CubeSat
* Satellite Shorts
* Balloon Launch Project
* Astronauts Complete Simulation Contacts
* ARISS Status - July 26, 2010
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.01
Reminder: Symposium Call For Papers Deadline is Coming
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1,, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.01
It's already August 1 and the September 1 deadline of the call for
papers for the 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting is
approaching faster than ever! The abstracts and some completed
papers have arrived - thank you. For everyone else - we need to
get busier!
The abstract for your paper does not require any special format.
Simply send an e-mail to the Proceedings Editor, K9JKM with the
basic information: Author Name, Callsign, and a few sentences that
describe your proposed topic. I'll be looking forward to receiving
your abstracts in my in-box at k9jkm(a)comcast.net.
The Symposium Committee invites proposals for:
+ Papers for publication in the Proceedings
+ Symposium Presentations
+ Poster Presentations
+ Equipment and Operating Demonstrations
These can be on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite
community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as
soon as possible, with final copy submitted by September 1, 2010
for inclusion in the printed proceedings.
To help you prepare your paper the Symposium Committee has posted
an author's guide on the AMSAT.org web page:
http://tinyurl.com/2djjnmx
The 2010 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting will be held
October 8 - 10 at the Chicago/Elk Grove Holiday Inn which is near
O'Hare Airport.
[ANS thanks the 2010 Symposium Committee for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.02
UK Space Agency to launch CubeSat
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.02
UK Space Agency to launch CubeSat
The UK Space Agency has announced a one-year pilot programme
to design and launch a CubeSat and is running a competition for
ideas for payloads.
This miniature, cube-shaped satellite will allow the UK to test
new space technologies and carry out new space research 'cheaply'
and quickly.
The pilot programme, named UKube 1, will use a spacecraft platform
that is currently under development by the company Clyde Space
Ltd and will involve a competition amongst companies and academic
groups to come up with the most innovative ideas for payloads.
The winning payloads will be launched on the satellite in mid 2011.
Companies and academics who are interested in designing a payload
can contact the UK Space Agency for more information.
There is another CubeSat under construction in the UK called
FUNcube.
It is being built by AMSAT-UK and the hardware will be shown at
the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford
July 31 - Aug 1.
This event is being streamed live to the web at
http://www.batc.tv/ (click on Live Events)
UK Space Agency Announcement
http://www.ukspaceagency.bis.gov.uk/19128.aspx
AMSAT-UK FUNcube
http://www.funcube.org.uk/
[ANS thanks Southgate News for the above information.]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.03
Satellite Shorts
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.03
+ Clint, K6LCS and Gordon West, WB6NOA will be giving a public AMSAT
demonstration and presentation from the award-winning amateur radio
booth at the Orange County Fairgrounds on August 5, 2010 at 5:45PM PDT.
+ The Scouting SpaceJam-4 Weekend will be on August 6-8, 2010 at the
Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul IL (between Chicago and Champaign, IL).
Amateur radio features include an APRS balloon launch transmitting on
144.39 MHz every minute under the call sign, W9YJ-11 and an ARISS
contact with the scouts. The ISS-direct-to WB9SA contact is sched-
uled for a 36 degree elevation pass on Sat 2010-08-07 15:07:14 UTC.
More information about SpaceJam-4 can be found at:
http://www.spacejamboree.com
+ Stu, WA2BSS reminds interested amateur satellite operators that the
the dates for the next two Hudson Valley Satcom nets are Aug. 5 & 19.
The 2 M repeater used is:146.970 MHz (2M Pl. 100) Time: 8PM EDT, or
2400 UTC. The EchoLink node is N2EYH-L. More info: www.hvsatcom.org.
+ Bruce, VE9QRP is asking for input from amateur satellite operators.
He is designing a microcontroller system for doppler tuning portable
radios. He is looking for information regarding which HTs or mobile
radios are CAT-controllable. He is testing this concept with an TH-D7A
and reports it works well. Bruce's e-mail is ve9qrp_at_gmail.com.
His web page is at: http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com. He demonstrates his
project in a video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP.
+ While this video link is more related to new technology than the
Amateur satellite program many radio amateurs will find learning about
D-STAR technology interesting at: http://tinyurl.com/25moy7d
(via SouthGateARC)
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.04
Balloon Launch Project
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.04
In association with Tom Webb, WA9AFM/5, President, Oklahoma City Autopatch
Association, the North Texas Balloon Project would like to dedicate their
Launch No. 18 to the memory of fellow ham, John Mark "Rob" Robbins.
Just two weeks ago, John Robbins, NO5X, became a Silent Key. John was a
founding member of the Near Space Exploration Group in the OKC/Tulsa area.
We conducted several balloon launches from OKC until John's health
prevented his participation and leadership. It was John's goal to
do a record setting
flight for an amateur radio balloon. He came very close, but never
succeeded.
The John Mark Robbins Memorial Flight will be launched by the North
Texas Balloon Project (NTEXBP) at about 8:30 am CDT on August 7, 2010
from the municipal airport in Hillsboro, Texas, just south of Fort Worth
and Dallas. The public is invited to come out to the Hillsboro
Municipal Airport, located at Exit 3 on Interstate Highway 35W,
to watch the launch. The back up launch date is August 14, 2010.
Three payload packages containing sensors and amateur radios will be
carried to nearly 100,000 feet in about 90 minutes by a helium balloon
and return via parachute in about 50 minutes. Mobile recovery teams
will use position reports from the onboard GPS and APRS transmitter on
144.390 MHz and radio direction finding techniques to recover the payloads.
A cross band repeater will be activated soon after launch. Uplink is 4
45.800 MHz and downlink is 147.560 MHz. At the peak altitude ham radio
operators from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and
Kansas can contact each other using the cross band repeater.
The third payload of the flight is a ten meter beacon operating on a
frequency of 28.274 MHz. The antenna is a home brew loop and the
transmitter will be running approximately 1 watt. This beacon may be
heard world wide if the band is open. Please report reception and we
will happily QSL the event. Email webmaster(a)ntexbp.org or kdvickers(a)aol.com
Pre-launch activities will begin about 7:00 am CDT with the HF Launch
Net on 7260 +/- 5 KHz, LSB beginning around 8:00 am CDT. Follow us on
HF radio or on [email protected] .
Saturday's launch will show on APRS as W5SJZ-11.
[ANS thanks Keith, W5IU, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.05
Astronauts Complete Simulation Contacts
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.05
Astronauts successfully complete amateur radio
simulation contacts.
Astronauts Ron Garan, KF5GPO, and Mike Fossum, KF5AQG,
each successfully completed a simulated Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with
the Challenger Learning Center of Indianapolis on
Thursday, July 22.
Hopefully they will become as active as the present ISS crew
And carry out some casual contacts with others throughout
The World.
Garan and Fossum answered 14 and 22 questions respectively
during their contacts.
These training sessions were terrestrial-based amateur
radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment.
[ANS thanks Southgate for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-213.06
ARISS Status - July 26, 2010
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 213.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
August 1, 2010
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-213.06
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) Status Report July 26, 2010
1. Upcoming School Contact
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was
completed
with the 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia on
Saturday,
July 31 at 18:21 UTC. The jamboree is being planned for about 43,000 Scouts
and
leaders in 825 troops, plus some 5,000 staff members for support, program
and
headquarters services. The K2BSA Amateur Radio Demonstration Area is a hot
spot
of activity throughout the Jamboree. At past Jamborees, thousands of Scouts
toured K2BSA. More than 300 earned their Radio Merit Badges and more than
100 new Technician licenses were earned. The club supporting this event is
the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association.
2. ARISS Contact with International Space University Students
On Wednesday, July 21, International Space University in
Illkirch-Graffenstaden,
France, participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(
ARISS) contact with Shannon Walker, KD5DXB on the ISS. Twelve questions were
answered and regional television covered the event. In preparation for
their contact, students studied the basics of satellite communications
and learned about human spaceflight and space exploration.
3. ARRL Covers 2010 National Scout Jamboree
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a story on its web page
covering the upcoming 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree during which an
ARISS contact was planned. The article was also included in the ARRL Letter.
See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/connect-with-the-national-scout-jamboree-via-amateu
r-radio
4. ARISS-Brazil Web Page Updated
ARISS-Brazil has updated its Web page. The site has a new URL:
http://www.qsl.net/py1kcf/
5. Astronaut T. J. Creamer Participates in ISS Ham Debrief
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) debrief
session was held with Expedition 22/23 astronaut T. J. Creamer, KC5WKI
on Monday, July 19. The feedback received will help ARISS with its
program operations.
6. ARISS International Team Meeting Held
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International
Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, July 20. Discussions included a
status on the Columbus Module radio equipment as well as an update on
ARISSat-1. The minutes have been posted.
See: https://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2010-07-20.htm
[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 amsat dot org
