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January 2016
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AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-031
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* Weekly engineering report for Phase 4 radio project from AMSAT
* Write About Satellites, Space and Radio!
* UFO Researcher To Launch CubeSat To Search For E.T. Close To Home
* Pair of Satellites ejected from ISS for In-Space Navigation Exercise
* LilacSat-2 FM Transponder
* 6W8CK on Satellite
* IARU Paper: APRS Harmonization and removal of OSCAR sub-band
* ISS Orbit Boosted Ahead of March Crew Swap - Check Your Elements
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-031.01
ANS-031 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 031.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
[MONTH DAY, YEAR]
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-031.01
Weekly engineering report for Phase 4 radio project from AMSAT
The Phase 4 Ground weekly report focuses on the current modulation
schemes. We're looking at DVB-S2X to receive, and OQPSK to transmit.
Repository for documents and software can be found:
https://github.com/phase4ground
We have nearly 50 volunteers on the mailing list and activity across
the country. We're working hard to make a wonderful radio for AMSAT
and terrestrial microwave, and we appreciate your support, feedback,
comments, and critique.
DVB-S2 stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite - Second
Generation. There is a recent extension to this standard, called DVB-
S2X, that has very low SNR capabilities and a lot of other goodies.
The geo project, ascent, and eventually the high earth orbit project,
are expected to transmit using DVB-S2X. This is the foundation of our
common air interface.
DVB-S2X specifies the modulation and coding for our received signal.
There are five major landmarks.
One, an input stream adapter. Input streams can be packetized or
continuous, from single or multiple sources. This is helpful!
Two, forward error correction. Our type is low density parity check
codes concatenated with BCH codes. What does this mean?
A concatenated code is one that combines two different coding
schemes. In coding theory, there's a fundamental problem in that
finding a really great code that has very low probability of error
usually means that the block length has to go up, and the decoding is
more and more complex. When you use two codes together that each have
particular strengths, they balance each other out. You can get
exponentially decreasing error probabilities, but you only have to
pay a polynomially increasing cost in terms of code block length.
This may seem complicated, but just remember concatenation is codes
doing teamwork, and the standard that we're using is bad ass.
Our inner low density parity check code can achieve extremely low
error rates near channel capacity. This means, it's about as good as
you can get. The outer BCH codes are used to correct sporadic errors
made by the LDPC decoder, and to trick it out so that we don't have
enormous block lengths and stuff like that.
Three, we have a wide range of code rates. The code rate is
expressed as a fraction. The top number is how many uncoded bits go
in. The bottom number is how many coded bits come out. We have four
constellations. This is the the type of transformation from bits to
symbols. We have great choices here, and DVB-S2X provides additional
choices.
Four, there is a variety of spectral shaping available to us in DVB-
S2. This is a really neat thing. You can change the pulse shape of a
transmitted waveform in order to make it better suited for the radio
environment it's expecting to be traveling through. Usually this
means making it fit into a bandwidth better. You don't get something
for nothing, though, so being too aggressive with the pulse shaping
shows up in other aspects. Our particular shaping is different levels
of raised-cosign filtering. DVB-S2X provides additional levels of
shaping.
Five, this standard lets us learn and develop with something very
much like cognitive radio. As you can see, there are a lot of choices
for coding and modulation. We can specify a fixed coding and
modulation. This is called CCM for constant coding and modulation. In
the past, people like us looked at a link, designed for the worst
case solution, and used coding and modulation that would cover almost
all the bases. DVB-S2 has CCM, but it also specifies something called
variable coding and modulation, or VCM. The coding and modulation can
be changed on a frame-by-frame basis in response to different station
types or changes in the channel. In addition to that, there is
something called adaptive coding and modulation, or ACM, where
modulation and coding automagically adapts. This can happen on a
frame by frame basis.
DVB-S2 has things called annexes. In annex M, there's a
specification for something we've already talked about wanting to do.
We want to map the transmitted services or station streams into time
slices and then recover information without having to demodulate the
entire signal.
DVB-S2 follows the usual flow of having input data coded up to
remove unnecessary redundancy, which is called source coding, and
then it is put into one of two different stream types. Because DVB-S2
is designed for MPEG streams, it has a lot of mechanisms for MPEG
data types, and I believe that this is the transport stream path in
the drawing. We aren't going to use MPEG, so we fall into the generic
stream category.
The functional blocks of DVB-S2 include these things in trapezoids.
Mode adaptation, which starts to build up the data frames by
constructing the right header to go with the data. Stream adaptation,
which adds in the right amount of padding and scrambling. Forward
error correction, which produces coded frames that are of one of two
sizes. Mapping to constellations, which is the modulation. Finally,
there is physical layer framing. An open question is how minimal of a
station can be supported? Driving it down as low as possible is going
to be fun and challenging.
What we are anticipating is that the space teams will obtain an
implementation of a DVB-S2X transmitter. Talks are already underway
for this. Phase 4 ground is going to engineer the various DVB-S2X
receivers. Standards documents are already in the repository and work
is beginning. Get off the bench and hit the books!
So let's talk a bit about some changes in the uplink for phase 4
radios. We were MSK, or minimum shift keying, but we are now OQPSK,
or offset quadrature phase shift keying. That is what the payload
team is currently designing for.
Like MSK, Offset QPSK has no more than a 90 degree phase shift at a
time. This is good. In order to create this, you begin with a QPSK
signal, where you take two data bits at a time. These two binary data
bits make four distinct values. Each of these values are mapped onto
four transmit phase shifts.
For offset QPSK, the odd and even bits coming into the modulator
have a timing offset, of one bit period. Hence the name. That means
the in-phase and quadrature signals, the I and the Q, never change at
the same time.
The power spectral density of QPSK and Offset QPSK is the same. The
shift in time doesn't effect that.
Uplink experiments are beginning. We started putting together Team
HackRF, which will investigate the use of HackRF SDRs as one of the
phase 4 radio recipes. Lots of other experiments to work out other
recipes for amateurs to experiment need to happen too. If you have a
set of hardware and you want to work in parallel, then speak up. The
USRPs will get into the act ASAP, some people have BladeRFs, and so
on.
Review the weekly report at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CMv0pJHgY&feature=share
[ANS thanks Michelle W5NYV for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Write About Satellites, Space and Radio!
The AMSAT Journal is seeking interesting articles about amateur
radio satellites, space and radio – topics that feed the passion of
AMSAT members. Whether the focus is working the birds, new products,
building a new piece of equipment or an entire station, writing
software, training or doing demos, or anything else related to
amateur radio in space, please consider sharing your experience and
expertise with other AMSAT members by writing for the Journal.
Desired article length (rough guidelines):
Short articles – 800-1400 words
Longer articles – 2000-2500 words
Find out more about writer’s guidelines here. Photos, diagrams or
other images always help illustrate your points or projects.
If you are interested in seeing your byline in The AMSAT Journal and
sharing what you’ve learned with other members, email us at
journal(a)amsat.org.
[ANS thanks Joseph KB6IGK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
UFO Researcher To Launch CubeSat To Search For E.T. Close To Home
An engineer turned UFO researcher is hoping to launch a low-earth
orbit CubeSat to search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Canadian Dave Cote has assembled a seven-person team to design, fund,
build and launch the project that he hopes will provide some answers
about the origins of recent unidentified object sightings across the
globe.
“We have had astronauts, military personnel, police officers and the
former Defence Minister of Canada come forward stating that
extraterrestrial UFOs are real, and that we are being visited,” says
Cote. “How can this be ignored and brushed off as nonsense?”
Concerned that the public isn’t getting straight answers, the group
has turned to crowdsourcing the project on Kickstarter.
Measuring roughly the size of a shoebox, CubeSats can pack a lot of
science equipment into a small space. They have also made satellite
deployment much more affordable, in some cases costing less than the
price of a lower-end automobile. Sites like CubeSatShop.com have
taken much of the complexity out of ordering needed components.
Cote says they’re a “go for launch” already but are looking for more
funding so they can pack it with as much science equipment as
possible. They aim to include image, infrared, electromagnetic, and
radiation sensors. This would give them the capability of not only
verifying visual data, but also correlating it with other events such
as electromagnetic and radioactive fluctuations.
The team plans to measure ionized radiation with a scintillation
counter and two cameras will capture a near 360-degree view around
the CubeSat. They plan to remove the infrared filters on the cameras
to cover more of the visual range.
Cote hopes to use amateur radio frequencies to transmit the data
back to earth and a worldwide network of ham volunteers to receive it.
“We are planning to use the ham frequencies to send data down from
the CubeSat to earth in hex or datafax protocol,” says Cote. “From
what we understand, we should be able to send a 100kB packet every
few minutes and this will enable us to send image thumbnails from
space, along with some basic EM data.”
While the details of the transmissions have yet to be determined,
Cote hopes to assemble a worldwide team of hams willing to receive
and log whatever data the satellite captures.
“We need help from the ham community, in capturing the data and
relaying it to our site,” he says. “There will be a 15-minute window
for download from the CubeSat, and then another volunteer would be
needed for the next 15-minute time window.”
Cote is cautiously optimistic that the satellite will provide
corroboration of UFO reports from eyewitnesses on Earth. But even if
the satellite doesn’t capture evidence of faraway visitors, he’s
hopeful that it will record interesting natural phenomenon like
meteors and solar flares.
“We can only hope that those who would like to know the truth will
step forward and help,” he says.
To learn more about the project or to volunteer, visit their
KickStarter page.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1889966504/cubesat-for-disclosure
[ANS thanks Matt W1MST and AmateurRadio.com for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pair of Satellites ejected from ISS for In-Space Navigation Exercise
A package of two satellites was ejected from the International Space
Station on Friday to begin a mission dedicated to a demonstration of
autonomous navigation, rendezvous and docking technology. The second
LONESTAR mission is comprised of two satellites built by two American
Universities to undertake a demonstration of communication cross
links, data exchange, GPS-based navigation, relative navigation,
stationkeeping and data transmission to the ground.
LONESTAR stands for "Low Earth Orbiting Navigation Experiment for
Spacecraft Testing Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking" and includes
four missions flown over a period of years in a cost-effective
technology development program with the goal of mastering autonomous
rendezvous and docking. The second LONESTAR mission consists of the
AggieSat4 satellite built at Texas A&M and BEVO-2 built by students
at the University of Texas. The smaller BEVO-2 satellite is
facilitated within a deployer on the AggieSat4 spacecraft to be
released once the two have flown well clear of the International
Space Station.
The two satellites, already packaged, were sent to the Space Station
aboard the Cygnus OA-4 mission. Launching satellites to ISS for
deployment has the advantage of allowing the satellites to be
launched well-packaged to avoid damage and providing the opportunity
of an inspection in space to check for any damage encountered during
launch before committing them to flight.
Given the size of the AggieSat4 satellite, the deployment conducted
on Friday made use of the SSIKLOPS deployment mechanism, going by the
full name "Space Station Integrated Kinetic Launcher for Orbital
Payload Systems." SSIKLOPS can be used to deploy larger satellites of
different shapes up to a mass of 110 Kilograms. It is a flat
structure that includes grapple fixtures for the robotic arms of the
Space Station and a single grapple fixture for the satellite that is
to be deployed. The fixture includes clamps and springs for the
deployment of the satellite. Overall, the structure is 127 by 61 by
7.6 centimeters in size. It also includes interfaces for the slide
table of the JEM Airlock.
SSIKLOPS first saw action in 2014 when deploying the SpinSat
spacecraft and spent most of its time in storage aboard ISS, awaiting
the deployment of future satellites. Final preparations for Friday's
deployment were made on Wednesday when ISS Astronauts Scott Kelly and
Tim Peake installed the SSIKLOPS deployer on the Slide Table of the
Kibo module's airlock followed by the installation of the Small Fine
Arm (SFA) Plate on the deployer and the attachment of the LONESTAR
satellite package. The slide table was then retracted and the airlock
sealed off for depressurization on Thursday.
The outer hatch of the airlock was opened and a careful ground-
controlled operation started to retrieve the SSIKLOPS deployer and
hand it from the Small Fine Arm to the Japanese Robotic Arm that was
then positioned for the deployment to ensure the satellite departed
to the correct direction, ruling out any possibility of re-contact
with ISS on subsequent orbits. Release was triggered just before
16:00 UTC on Friday and the LONESTAR package slowly floated away from
ISS, embarking on its mission that will last as long as the
satellites can remain in orbit, typically between six and twelve
months.
Drifting away from the Space Station, LONESTAR showed slight body
rates on all three axes as it slowly faded into the distance. The
Mission Team confirmed they were happy with the observed body rates
and declared the deployment a success. Congratulations were exchanged
between the different teams involved in the deployment - NASA's
Mission Control, the JAXA Control Center in Japan, Payload
Controllers in Huntsville and the payload's operators in Texas.
The spacecraft was programmed to power-up automatically ten minutes
after release, perform a health check and start transmitting
telemetry. Acquisition of signal was expected later on Friday to
begin a multi-day checkout campaign ahead of the satellite conducting
its de-tumble maneuver to enter a three-axis stabilized attitude
setting up for the deployment of BEVO-2.
The AggieSat4 satellite, developed and manufactured at Texas A&M
University, has a mass of approximately 55 Kilograms and measures 75
x 75 x 35 centimeters in size. The satellite hosts body-mounted solar
panels for power generation and is equipped with a three-axis
attitude determination and control system with an actuation accuracy
of two degrees, making use of reaction wheels and magnetic torquers.
The Electrical Power System hosts two battery packs delivering an
operational voltage of 34 V and a capacity of 95 Watt-hours.
AggieSat4 hosts two low-data-rate (LDR) radios, a high-data-rate
(HDR) radio, a crosslink radio for short-range communication with the
Bevo-2 satellite, and a DRAGON GPS Payload.
AggieSat4 will be tasked with completing a number of mission
objectives: demonstrating three-axis stabilization, the collection of
GPS data, recording video of the release of BEVO-2 with a 2MP camera,
computing and crosslinking relative navigation data based on relative
GPS measurements and tracking BEVO-2 based on these navigation
solutions.
The 4.2-Kilogram BEVO-2 satellite uses the 3U CubeSat Form Factor,
10 x 10 x 34 centimeters, employing an ISIPOD for deployment from
AggieSat4. The satellite features 24 solar cells installed on its
external panels to deliver power to 6 batteries operating at a
voltage of 7.4 V.
BEVO-2 has four deployable radio antennas and GPS patch antennas.
Attitude determination is accomplished with gyroscopes,
magnetometers, a star tracker and sun sensor while attitude actuation
employs reaction wheels and magnetic torquers. To connect with
AggieSat4 for the exchange of navigation data, the spacecraft hosts a
crosslink radio unit while communications with the ground make use of
a UHF/VHF terminal for data downlink and command uplink.
The satellite is outfitted with a cold gas thruster module holding
90 grams of Dupont R-236fa refrigerant stored at pressure to be
released for maneuvers of the satellite for stationkeeping and
rendezvous exercises with AggieSat4.
As the second of four LONESTAR missions, AggieSat4 and BEVO-2 build
on the success of the previous mission in 2009 as part of a program
outlined to make successive progress towards the ultimate goal of
achieving an autonomous rendezvous and docking of two satellites. The
autonomy aspect of LONESTAR is of particular importance for future
missions to distant targets where communication delays require
spacecraft to act autonomously.
[ANS thanks spaceflight101.com for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LilacSat-2 FM Transponder
Paul Stoetzer reports:
"I have noticed that LilacSat-2's FM transponder has been on nearly
continuously for the past four days They may be keeping it active
continuously during the holiday period in China.
It's worth checking out if you haven't worked it yet. It's got a
good signal and can be easier to track than SO-50 because the carrier
stays active for a period when not receiving signals. The downlink
antenna also uses circular polarization, so there is less fading when
using linear antennas than on SO-50.
Uplink: 144.350 MHz FM (No PL)
Downlink: 437.200 MHz FM
Keep in mind that this uplink frequency is not within the normal
145.800 - 146.000 MHz satellite subband on two meters, though this
frequency is within the 144.300 - 144.500 MHz "New OSCAR subband" in
the ARRL band plan and is allocated to the Amateur Satellite Service
(as is the entirety of 144 - 146 MHz). On passes over the United
States, quite a few packet signals can be heard through the
transponder.
If you use LoTW, the satellite name to use when uploading QSOs is
'CAS-3H.'
[ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6W8CK on Satellite
Conrad, 6W8CK, will be active on satellites from IK14 near Mbour,
Senegal until mid-February. He does not wish to publish his private
email, but is interested in skeds with North American stations who are
in range. If you are interested in setting up a sked, please look up
your mutual windows and email me. I will contact Conrad with a list of
operators and mutual windows.
He will try to be active on CW near 145.930 on AO-7 and 435.830 on
FO-29 during the afternoons, but may also be available on late night /
early morning passes for skeds.
Conrad is using a Yaesu FT-736R and an Elk antenna mounted up 5 meter
above ground. He does occasionally lose power, so keep this in mind if
you do not hear him on a particular pass.
QSL only via the DARC bureau to his home call, DF7OL. He may also
return to Senegal from November 2016 - February 2017.
[ANS thanks Paul, N8HM for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IARU Paper: APRS Harmonization and removal of OSCAR sub-band
IARU Region 1 has released the papers for the Interim Meeting to be
held in Vienna April 15-17, 2016.
Among the papers for the C5 VHF/UHF/Microwave Committee is one on
harmonizing APRS.
VIE16_C5_41_1.pdf – 144 /435 MHz APRS Harmonisation
The paper covers global band planning considerations and among the
recommendations says:
Emphasise that spaceborne APRS must be confined to globally
coordinated amateur satellite sub bands. Therefore items that are
ambiguous and generate confusion in national band plans such as
‘Space communications’ and ‘New Oscar Sub band’ should be removed as
soon as possible in all Regions in accordance with IARU-AC and
Satellite Coordination guidance
It is believed that ‘New Oscar Sub band’ refers to the USA’s ARRL
144 MHz band plan and ‘Space communications’ to the Australian WIA
144 MHz band plan. These band plans, as well as those for some other
countries, show 144.300 – 144.500 MHz as being for Amateur Satellite
use.
Direct link for C5 VHF/UHF/Microwave Papers
http://tinyurl.com/ANS031-Microwave
Links for all committee papers and email addresses of Committee
Chairs are at
http://tinyurl.com/ANS031-IARU
ARRL 144 MHz Band Plan http://www.arrl.org/band-plan
WIA 144 MHz Band Plan http://tinyurl.com/ANS031-APRS
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ISS Orbit Boosted Ahead of March Crew Swap - Check Your Elements
The International Space Station raised its orbit Wednesday afternoon
before a pair of crews swap places and a cargo ship arrives in March.
One-year crew members Scott Kelly of NASA and Mikhail Kornienko of
Roscosmos are set to return home March 1 along with Russian cosmonaut
Sergey Volkov. Then, Expedition 47 will begin and three new crew
members will arrive March 19. New supplies are scheduled to be
delivered to the crew March 31 aboard a Progress 63 cargo craft.
The orbiting Expedition 46 crew was back at work Tuesday on a series
of life science and physics experiments to benefit life on Earth and
crews living in space. Commander Scott Kelly explored maximizing the
effects of exercise in space while British astronaut Tim Peake
studied how living in space affects using touch-based technologies,
repairing sensitive equipment and a variety of other tasks. NASA
astronaut Tim Kopra researched how materials burn in space.
Two cosmonauts resized their Russian Orlan spacesuits today, checked
them for leaks and set up hardware before next week’s maintenance
spacewalk. Flight Engineers Sergey Volkov and Yuri Malenchenko will
work outside Feb. 3 in their Orlan suits to install hardware and
science experiments on the orbital lab’s Russian segment.
[ANS thanks blogs.nasa,gov for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS News
+ A Successful contact was made between Brihaspati Vidyasadan,
Kathmandu, Nepal and Astronaut Timothy Peake KG5BVI using Callsign
NA1SS. The contact began 2016-01-20 08:37 UTC and lasted about nine
and a half minutes. Contact was telebridge via VK5ZAI. ARISS Mentor
was 7M3TJZ. This event represents the 984th ARISS contact. A YouTube
video of the evnt can be seen here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25gCS1JTPxA
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2016-01-27
Christ The King School, Rutland, Vermont, telebridge via VK4KHZ)
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled
astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN
Contact is a go for: Thu 2016-02-04 18:28:16 UTC
"Gesmundo Moro Fiore" Secondary School, Terlizzi, Italy, telebridge
via LU1CGB. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The
scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI.
Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-02-06 09:09:01 UTC
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Congrats to Steve Kristoff, AI9IN, for having worked 5 hams in the
EM55 grid.
To earn 5 in EM55 award #59, please check out
http://www.starcommgroup.org for the awards offered.
[ANS thanks Damon Runion, WA4HFN, for the above information]
+ The Colorado Amateur Satellite Net is held 7PM mountain time on
Thursdays 6PM Pacific. 7PM Mountain, 8PM Central, 9PM Eastern
For more information visit http://www.amsatnet.info/
[ANS thanks Skyler KD0WHB for the above information]
+ The Jan/Feb issue of The AMSAT Journal is off to the printer.
[ANS thanks Joseph KB6IGK 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 addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
EMike McCardel, AA8EM (former KC8YLD)
kc8yld at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-024
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* In Memory of Robert J. (Bob) Carpenter, W3OTC-SK by Bill Tynan, W3XO
* AMSAT SKN Winners and Changes for Next Year
* Student Internship CubeSat Opportunities in Greenbelt, MD USA
* VHF Groups Join Forces to Sponsor "Super Conference"
* 2016 NASA Student Airborne Research Program
* AMSAT Events
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-024.01
ANS-024 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 024.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE January 24, 2016
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-024.01
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In Memory of Robert J. (Bob) Carpenter, W3OTC-SK by Bill Tynan, W3XO
Bob, a longtime friend, one-time business partner and devoted AMAST
volunteer became a Silent Key Friday, January 8th. Bob was born July 31,
1930 in Washington, DC.
I first met Bob in the late 1940s on six meters. At the time, we both lived
in Silver Spring, Maryland. After a few QSOs we decided to meet and compare
notes. I found that, in addition to the interest we shared in the VHF bands,
he was very intrigued with FM broadcasting, as I had been for years.
Following graduation from The University of Maryland, in 1951 with a degree
of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bob served in the U.S. Air
Force, at the US Air Force Research Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On
completing his Air Force commitment, he joined the Johns Hopkins Applied
Physics Laboratory in the DC area where I was employed. Leaving the
Laboratory 1955, Bob joined, what was then called the National Bureau of
Standards, first in Boulder, Colorado and later at their facility at
Gaithersburg, Maryland. In his early work at the Bureau, he was instrumental
in the development of technology for passing message traffic via the short
bursts of VHF frequency propagation caused by the ionization produced by
meteors entering the Earth's atmosphere. When Bob returned to Maryland, he
was involved in development of computer networking, retiring from what is
now called The National Institute for Standard and Technology in 1992. In
1988, he received the US Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for
Distinguished Service.
Following retirement from NIST, Bob became available to assist AMSAT, of
which he was an early member, holding AMSAT Life Membership Number 21. His
knowledge of computers, was invaluable to Martha in keeping the office
computers up to date and the various data bases current. He regularly came
into the AMSAT office up until the last few days of his life.
Bob was active on six meters up until the time he sold his home in
Rockville, Maryland and moved to a retirement facility in nearby
Gaithersburg.
In earlier years, Bob did extensive traveling in Europe and elsewhere, his
favorite country to visit being France. He became quite fluent in the French
language. He went on one DXpedition, journeying to the French Caribbean
island of Guadalupe. I, and a number of other six meter operators, were able
to work a new country through Bob's efforts.
As mentioned earlier, Bob and I shared in interest in FM broadcasting. That
interest blossomed during the late 1950s when Bob rented half of the house I
then owned in Rockville, Maryland. After much discussion of the pros and
cons, we decided to construct a station of our own. So, we applied for a
Construction Permit (CP) from FCC to build a station in Bethesda, Maryland,
a nearby suburb of Washington. Bob handled most of the technical work, while
I concentrated on the business side. He always has been more adept at the
technical side of radio and electronics than I. After receiving our CP, we
went to work in earnest to build the station. Finally, in June, 1961, FCC
came out with standards for broadcasting stereo. Bob and I reasoned that,
for a new station, such as ours, to have any chance of success, it had to
hit the air with stereo. Since there was no stereo broadcasting equipment
available at the time, much of what we needed had to be constructed by us.
This herculean task could not have been completed without Bob's expertise,
but on November 12, 1961, only five months after FCC's establishment of
standards for stereo broadcasting, WHFS, the DC area's first stereo FM
station, hit the air on 102.3 MHz.
Once on the air, Bob kept WHFS on the air while I struggled with the
multitude of paperwork associated with running a small business, especially
a radio station. Each of us was smart enough to keep our “day jobs,” making
running a radio station especially difficult.
We sold the station in 1963, affording Bob and me more time for ham radio.
It has been a great pleasure to have known Bob all these years. I will miss
him and I know that Martha and all of AMSAT will miss him as well.
73, Bob.
With thanks to Perry Klein, W3PK, and Tom Pyke, K4DSD, who were responsible
for providing valuable information for this tribute to Bob.
Martha at the AMSAT Office reports: "The memorial service for Bob
Carpenter,
W3OTC has been postponed for 1 week due to weather. It is now scheduled to
take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 30th at the chapel of Asbury
Methodist Village in Gaithersburg MD."
[ANS thanks Bill Tynan, W3XO, AMSAT President Emeritus for the above
information]
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AMSAT SKN Winners and Changes for Next Year
Thanks again to all who participated in AMSAT's Straight Key Night 2016,
held in memory of Ben Stevenson, W2BXA. The following participants each
received at least one Best Fist nomination: AA5PK,. WA5KBH, WA8SME,
W3TMZ, W4CVV, W5PFG. Special kudos to Glenn Miller, AA5PK, who received
three.
Activity was down this year, for a variety of reasons, some having to do
with availability of suitable satellites and some to do with changes in
amateur radio in general. Since this was AMSAT's 25th annual SKN, it's
a good time to consider changes. While Morse as a license qualification
has gone the way of the spark gap, amateur CW activity is as popular as
ever. Straight keys and "bugs", however, have found a niche primarily with
the boat anchor crowd, and AMSAT's insistence on their use in OSCAR SKN is
probably holding down participation. Similar considerations have led ARRL
to broaden its annual HF event to include all forms of CW, even
computer-generated. The idea is to encourage everyone to enjoy CW
operation,
no matter how they choose to do it.
So, in with the new: AMSAT CW Activity Day on OSCAR. As with the old SKN,
it will be a fun event, not a contest, and will run for 24 hours on
January 1. All forms of CW will be welcome. Instead of best fist
nominations, all participants will be encouraged to post "Soapbox"
comments to AMSAT-BB.
A further announcement will be posted in December 2016.
[ANS thanks Ray, W2RS for the above information]
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Student Internship CubeSat Opportunities in Greenbelt, MD USA
APPLY NOW: Paid NASA Intern Opportunities Summer 2016
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is offering student internship
positions for the Summer 2016 semester. Applications are being taken
on the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI) recruiting web site.
Go to:
https://intern.nasa.gov --> Student Opportunities -->
then click on the first dropdown link to start reading all about
the internships and the process of applying. There is no need for
students to upload a resume in OSSI when they apply. The resume
is essentially built through the student's responses to the
questions within the online application.
Go to:
https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/guest/searchOpps/
to search and filter through the many Opportunities at the
different NASA locations across the country in addition to the
Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Search
on "cubesat" without the quotes to see examples from which
the student may select to apply.
One such Opportunity, "CubeSat Ground Station Development,"
Is being offered by NASA engineer and fellow AMSAT member
Pat Kilroy, N8PK. He is looking for university level students
with a course of study in engineering. Electrical or Electronics
Engineering (EE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
majors in their junior class or higher this fall are sought for
the 10-week summer program. Pat says experience in hardware
and certain skills are required, as described in the text of
his Opportunity listing.
Open to U.S. citizens.
The student application instructions provide a deadline of March 1
to apply, but mentors have already started to evaluate applications
and make their selections. The word to the wise is to get in one's
application immediately. Don't wait.
Applications must be made via the OSSI web. Please be sure to
include your Amateur Radio callsign under the Special Skills
section -- or that you are studying for it.
[ANS thanks NASA and Pat, N8PK for the above information]
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VHF Groups Join Forces to Sponsor "Super Conference"
The Southeastern VHF Society (SVHFS), North East Weak Signal Group (NEWS)
and Mount Airy VHF Radio Club (Pack Rats) are cosponsoring a VHF Super
Conference, hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group (K8GP) and Directive
Systems and Engineering. The conference will take place April 15-17 in
Sterling, Virginia.
Early registration discounts are available. Conference Proceedings in
printed and digital form will be available after the event. Sign up when
registering. All registrations include lunch and all-day beverages.
The event will feature an array of forums and workshops, a test lab, and a
conference banquet. A microwave loop Yagi workshop will be offered during
the weekend at an additional fee. The workshop will explain how loop Yagis
work, how to adjust them, and how to build one. Free shuttle service will be
available to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum.
A second call for papers and presentations for the VHF Super Conference has
been issued. The conference sponsors are seeking presentations or papers
dealing with all aspects of VHF, UHF, microwave, and higher. Topics may
include operating, contesting, homebrewing, software, EME, surplus,
antennas, test equipment, amplifiers, and SDR. Photos are encouraged.
Steve Kostro, N2CEI, and Paul Wade, W1GHZ, are coordinating Proceedings.
Direct submissions and questions to them via e-mail.
View the ARRL press release at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/vhf-groups-join-forces-to-sponsor-super-conference
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]
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2016 NASA Student Airborne Research Program
The NASA Airborne Science Program invites highly motivated undergraduate
students currently in their junior year to apply for the NASA Student
Airborne Research Program, also known as SARP 2016. The program provides
students with hands-on research experience in all aspects of a major
scientific campaign, from detailed planning on how to achieve mission
objectives to formal presentation of results and conclusions to peers and
others. Students will assist in the operation of airborne instruments aboard
the NASA DC-8 aircraft. They also will analyze remote-sensing data collected
during the program from the NASA ER-2.
The program takes place in summer 2016. Instrument and flight preparations,
and the research flights themselves, will occur at NASA's Armstrong Flight
Research Center in Palmdale, California. Postflight data analysis and
interpretation will take place at the University of California, Irvine.
Successful applicants will be awarded a stipend plus a travel allowance for
eight weeks of participation in the program. Housing and local
transportation also will be provided.
The deadline for applications is Feb. 2, 2016.
For more information and to download the program application, visit
http://www.nserc.und.edu/sarp/sarp-2016.
Specific questions about the program should be directed to
SARP2016(a)nserc.und.edu.
[ANS thanks the NASA Education Express Message -- Jan. 21, 2016 for the
above information]
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AMSAT Events
Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around
the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where
AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working
amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with
AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations,
forums, and/or demonstrations).
*Friday and Saturday, 19-20 February 2016 – Yuma Hamfest and 2016 ARRL
Southwest Division Convention in Yuma AZ
*Friday, 4 March 2016 – presentation for the Associated Radio Amateurs
of Long Beach meeting in Signal Hill CA
*Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 March 2016 – ScienceCity science fair, on
the University of Arizona campus in Tucson AZ
*Saturday, 19 March 2016 – Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Spring
Hamfest 2016 in Scottsdale AZ
*Saturday, 26 March 2016 – Tucson Spring Hamfest in Tucson AZ
*Saturday, 7 May 2016 – Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest in
Sierra Vista AZ
*Saturday, 4 June 2016 – White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low AZ
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
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ARISS News
Sucessful Contacts
Brihaspati Vidyasadan, Kathmandu, Nepal, telebridge via VK5ZAI
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut was Timothy Peake KG5BVI
Contact was successful: Wed 2016-01-20 08:37:04 UTC 26 deg
A telebridge contact via VK5ZAI with students at Brihaspati Vidyasadan,
Kathmandu, Nepal was successful 01/20/2016 at 08:37:04 UTC 26 deg.
Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI answered 17 questions for students. An
audience of about 300 included students from 10 other schools, as
well as the British Ambassador to Nepal, the Cultural Affairs Officer
from the US Embassy, and a member of the National Human Rights
Commission and former Ministry for Science and Technology.
Brihaspati Vidyasadan is a 32 year old High school, located in
Kathmandu, Nepal. Brihaspati runs classes from nursery to 100 at
secondary level and the 10+2 program in Science and Management at the
higher secondary Level. Besides these Brihaspati also runs Diploma in
Hospitality Management and Tourism in affiliation with Confederation
of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK.
Brihaspati is known for its academic excellence. To date Brihaspati
has produced over 2000 SLC graduates and over 600 +2 graduates who
have achieved excellent academic achievements. Brihaspati has also
been awarded the "Best School in Nepal" in 2055BS.
Brihaspati is also known for its co-curricular and extra-curricular
activities including sports, debates and concerts. Over the years
the school has achieved Inter-school successes in football (soccer),
cricket and basketball at national levels. School has also successes
in inter-school competitions like debate, elocution and concerts.
For its academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular achievements
Brihaspati has been placed among the Class A schools of Nepal by the
Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal.
Brihaspati staff and students have been known for their innovation
in education. The school is reputed to be the first school in Nepal
to introduce computer education. Brihaspati houses clubs like
Lokopakar, which is a student club that looks into Humanitarian aid.
Brihaspati students recently started gThink Inkh, an activity
designed using the principles of Extreme Design from Stanford for
instilling critical thinking and problem solving skills in students.
This program has gained attention of a lot of people in the academia
at a very rapid pace.
Brihaspati is located in a 25 acre land space at the heart of
Kathmandu within the Balmandir compound. It has academic facility
that is of very high standards. It houses the Free and Open Source
Research Lab and Ham (amateur radio) facility that students and staff
have access to.
Recently during the earthquake of Nepal, one of the buildings of
Brihaspati was used by ham radio operators from Nepal and India to
coordinate search and reconciliation of families where over 500
families were reunited with their loved ones.
Some local news media video reports are available at
http://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/british-astronaut-tells-nepali-
students-to-follow-their-cherished-dreams/
http://e-visitnepal.blogspot.se/2016/01/talk-to-astronauts.html
http://nagariknews.com/feature-article/story/52883.html
Upcoming Contacts
A direct contact with students at PSU. Wittayanusorn School, Kho Hong
District, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand is scheduled for Sat
2016-01-30 11:06:23 UTC 63 deg.
PSU. Wittayanusorn School, established in 2005, is a Prince of Songkla
University affiliated private high school in Hatyai, Songkhla Province,
Thailand. The school serves approximately 1,200 students in 7th to 12th
grade.
The school's identity colors are blue and grey. The blue represents
sustainability and grey stands for wisdom. The school motto is "wisdom
brings
lasting success and happiness". The guiding principle is "our soul is
for the
benefit of mankind". The desired characteristics of our students are
"SMART+"
which are referred to scientific mind, good manner, aesthetic appreciation,
responsibility and reliability, teamwork, and +global citizenship. Green
education is our school's uniqueness which focuses on education for
sustainable
development.
PSU. Wittayanusorn School is dedicated to create an exceptional teaching and
learning environment in which morality is emphasized, science and
mathematics
concepts are embedded. The school curriculum is designed to maximize each
student's potential for critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, community
involvement, and responsible leadership. Additionally, the school has been
selected by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be one of the
first four
regional schools of the country to host a special three-year science
classroom
program for high school level, grades 10 to 12, according to the proactive
human resources development project to upgrade the science and technology
capability of the country. The selection of students with high ability in
mathematics and science for the science classroom program is carried out
by the
Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology and closely
collaborated with Prince of Songkla University. Each student who passes the
selection will be entitled to a scholarship from grade 10 onwards, and
subjected to certain additional criteria, he/she will be eligible for a
scholarship until he/she can complete his/her education up to a doctoral
degree
level.
PSU Wittayanusorn School was accredited with the score 97.02% by the
Office of
National Education Standards and Quality Assessment on May 26, 2015.
Watch
http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html
for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled.
[ANS thanks ARISS, and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
Yuri UT1FG is on the move
For those who chase Yuri in new grids, I received an update that he has left
port in Montreal and is headed to Algiers.
[ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice President for Operations for the above
information]
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/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Joe Spier, K6WAO
k6wao at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-017
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* ARRL President Bestows President’s Award on AMSAT’s Tom Clark, K3IO
* Joseph Spier, K6WAO, Appointed VP-Educational Relations
* 25 Year AMSAT Office Volunteer Bob Carpenter, W3OTC, SK
* Nepal students to speak to Tim Peake
* ESA Online Astronaut Selection Tes
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-017.01
ANS-017 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 017.01
From AMSAT HQ Kensington, MD.
January 17, 2016
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-017.01
ARRL President Bestows President’s Award on AMSAT’s Tom Clark, K3IO
The ARRL has honored veteran AMSAT personality and Amateur Radio digital
pioneer
Tom Clark, K3IO (ex-W3IWI), with its President’s Award. ARRL President Kay
Craigie, N3KN, presented the award plaque to Clark at a January 10
meeting of
the Potomac Valley Radio Club in Blacksburg, Virginia. The plaque, which
bears a
likeness of ARRL Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, recognizes Clark’s
60 years
of advancing Amateur Radio technology.
Former AMSAT President and current AMSAT Director Bob McGwier, N4HY, stated
directly. “There would be no AMSAT to inspire all of this work without Tom
Clark,” he said, noting that the organization was in serious trouble
after the
Phase 3A satellite launch failure.
“Tom took over as president of AMSAT, and he saved the organization and
inspired
all of us to look to the future and aim for the stars,” McGwier said.
“All that
has followed, including PACSAT and microsats, CubeSats, AO-13, all the way
through AO-85, are a direct result of Tom Clark saving AMSAT and
providing it
leadership as president from 1980 to 1987 and continuous leadership on
the Board
of Directors of AMSAT from 1976 until today.”
McGwier said it was Clark who convinced him in 1985 that the future lay in
digital signal processing — DSP. “We started the TAPR/AMSAT DSP project,
and it
was announced in 1987,” he said. “We showed in our efforts that small
stations
with small antennas could bounce signals off the moon, and, using the
power of
DSP, we could see the signals in our computer displays.”
McGwier said this led to the SDX, the Software Defined Transponder,
included in
ARISSat and in AMSAT’s Phase 3E. McGwier said Clark was an early
supporter of
women in science, too.
“Tom is now and always will be a leader, mentor — the chief scientist
for all of
Amateur Radio,” he said.
Clark is an adviser to Virginia Tech as adjunct professor of aerospace
and ocean
engineering and of electrical and computer Engineering. McGwier said
Clark will
play a crucial role in the Phase 4B geosynchronous satellite opportunity
on the
USAF Wide Field of View spacecraft, in which Virginia Tech is a partner.
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
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Joseph Spier, K6WAO, Appointed VP-Educational Relations
AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW has accepted the resignation of
E. Michael "EMike" McCardel, AA8EM, as VP-Educational Relations and
appointed Joseph Spier, K6WAO, as his replacement.
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, of Howard, OH was first appointed as an
Associate Director for Educational Outreach under former VP
Educational Relations Mark Hammond, N8MH, in 2011 and succeeded Mark
as VP Educational Relations in September 2013. Among EMike's biggest
successes were establishing a solid relation with ARRL's Education
Division and working closely with ARISS as a member of its Executive
Team. He was instrumental with keeping ARISS going and restructuring
the ARISS program after funding was cut for Teaching From Space
(TFS). At the time TFS was the primary NASA partner and education
liaison for ARISS. TFS lead the school proposal and selection process
in the USA. That process is now lead by ARRL and AMSAT. AMSAT VP
Human Spaceflight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, notes, "EMike has been
invaluable to ARISS and I will miss his support. He and I worked
behind the scenes to rescue ARISS through our discussions at the ISS
Conference in 2014. And his rapport with ARRL is
outstanding…something I will miss dearly. I thank EMike for making
that all happen for ARISS."
EMike also worked at establishing relations with various colleges
and universities. He pushed to make aware the importance of AMSAT as
an educational organization by emphasizing how education is part of
AMSAT's earliest Mission Statements and Objectives and reminding us
of all the educational programs and outreaches AMSAT has engaged in
during its history.
AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW notes, "EMike made a positive
difference and helped set the course in a number of areas involving
Educational Outreach, ARISS, and the overall direction of AMSAT.
While I regret losing your considerable enthusiasm and talents, I
understand the need to 'recalibrate' your priorities."
EMike will complete his duties on January 31, citing time and
commitments outside of AMSAT as his reason for stepping down. EMike
will continue serving AMSAT as one of the rotating editors for the
AMSAT News Service (ANS).
With EMike's resignation, the appointment of Joseph Spier, K6WAO of
Weimar, CA, as the new VP-Educational Relations is also announced. Joe
came on board with the Educational Relation's team in 2011 serving as
Associate Director then Director for Educational Outreach.
EMike noted, "Joe and I started with Educational Relations at the
same time and we have always had a great personal and working
relationship. Joe is extremely enthusiastic and someone who thinks
outside the box. Many have pointed out those similarities between us.
However, Joe will bring a different dimension to the position because
of his background in engineering. I support Joe as he takes over and
am excited to see what new and exciting things are in store for AMSAT
Education under his direction."
“I’m very pleased that Joe has agreed to become our next VP-Educational
Relations”, notes AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW. “Joe is passionate
about integrating amateur radio into educational opportunities at all
educational levels. His engineering background will help in interacting with
university engineering departments encouraging a greater focus on
educational
impacts of amateur spacecraft, developing new ways of bringing science
to the
class room. He recognizes the importance of ARISS in reaching out to
students
based upon his personal involvement in managing an ARISS contact as part
of the
2012 Pacificon Convention. His interaction with young people at the 2014
ARRL
Centennial Convention where he encouraged their curiosity about AMSAT’s
cubesat
design by their holding the engineering mockup while visiting the AMSAT
booth
created many positive impressions for both the students and their
parents. I
look forward to working with Joe to further enhance our ability to touch
students through amateur radio satellites and develop new ways to
incorporate
education into AMSAT’s mission.”
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD
V.P. for Educational Relations, AMSAT-NA
[ANS thanks EMike, AA8EM, for the above information]
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25 Year AMSAT Office Volunteer Bob Carpenter, W3OTC, SK
Bob Carpenter, W3OTC died on January 8th. Since 1991 Bob had volunteered
at the AMSAT Office on a weekly basis. He was our computer specialist and
handled the donations for AMSAT.
A memorial service will be held on January 23rd at 7:00PM a the Guild
Memorial Chapel, Asbury Methodist Village, 211 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg MD.
[ANS thanks Martha for the above information]
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Nepal students to speak to Tim Peake
UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI will be using amateur radio to talk to
students at
Brihaspati Vidhyasadan School (BVS) in Nepal on Wednesday, January 20.
The Himalayan Times reports this is the first link up between a school
in Nepal
and the International Space Station (ISS). It will be a Telebridge
contact via
Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI in Australia and is scheduled for Wednesday,
January 20 at
08:37:04 UT. The ISS should be in range of the Telebridge station for
about 8
minutes.
BVS is organizing an Exhibition during the week of the contact from January
19-23. Experts as well as knowledgeable students will be at hand to
respond to
queries of visiting students who will be able to get acquainted with amateur
radio during the exhibition.
The Nepal Amateur Radio Operators’ Society is one of the organizations
supporting the exhibition.
Brihaspati Vidyasadan is a 32 year old High school, located in
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Brihaspati runs classes from nursery to 100 at secondary level and the 10+2
program in Science and Management at the higher secondary Level. Besides
these
Brihaspati also runs Diploma in Hospitality Managemant and Tourism in
affiliation with Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK.
Brihaspati is known for its academic excellence. To date Brihaspati has
produced
over 2000 SLC graduates and over 600 +2 graduates who have achieved
excellent
academic achievements. Brihaspati has also been awarded the “Best School in
Nepal” in 2055BS.
Brihaspati is also known for its co-curricular and extra-curricular
activities
including sports, debates and concerts. Over the years the school has
achieved
Inter-school successes in football (soccer), cricket and basketball at
national
levels. School has also successes in inter-school competitions like debate,
elocution and concerts.
For its academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular achievements
Brihaspati has
been placed among the Class A schools of Nepal by the Ministry of Education,
Government of Nepal.
Brihaspati staff and students have been known for their innovation in
education.
The school is reputed to be the first school in Nepal to introduce computer
education. Brihaspati houses clubs like Lokopakar, which is a student
club that
looks into Humanitarian aid. Brihaspati students recently started gThink
Inkh, an activity designed using the principles of Extreme Design from
Stanford
for instilling critical thinking and problem solving skills in students.
This
program has gained attention of a lot of people in the academia at a
very rapid
pace.
Brihaspati is located in a 25 acre land space at the heart of Kathmandu
within
the Balmandir compound. It has academic facility that is of very high
standards. It houses the Free and Open Source Research Lab and Ham (amateur
radio) facility that students and staff have access to.
Recently during the earthquake of Nepal, one of the buildings of
Brihaspati was
used by ham radio operators from Nepal and India to coordinate search and
reconciliation of families where over 500 families were reunited with their
loved ones.
Read The Himalayan Times story at
https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepali-students-to-talk-to-astronaut-in-
intl-space-station/
Brihaspati Vidhyasadan School
http://www.bvs.edu.np/bvstalkstoiss/
https://www.facebook.com/bvsTalksToISS/
ARISS http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ESA Online Astronaut Selection Test
The European Space Agency is offering a trial version of a test
developed for
future astronauts for you to try at home – and by taking part you will
help us
select a new generation of astronauts.
Read the ESA press release at:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Astronauts/Test_your_as…
ut_skills_and_help_ESA
Access the astronaut selection test at:
http://www.nlr.org/the-astronaut-selection-test/
[ANS thanks the European Space Agency 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 addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-010
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* Cruising to the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium
* ARISS-US Receives $5,000 Grant from Yasme Foundation
* Best Fist Nominations Due
* Your 2015 Space Symposium Photos Needed!
* ARISS Commemorative SSTV Event Update
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-010.01
ANS-010 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 010.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
[MONTH DAY, YEAR]
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-010.01
Cruising to the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium
The 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held aboard a commercial
cruise ship departing from the port of Galveston, Texas. Sail dates
are November 10-14 aboard the Carnival Liberty. Galveston is
conveniently located near Houston, Texas with access from both the
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the Houston Hobby
Airport (HOU.) This cruise will embark on Thursday afternoon at
16:00 CST and return on the following Monday morning at 08:00 CST.
The trip includes two full days at sea and one day in port at
Cozumel, Mexico. Symposium presentations and meetings will be
conducted during the days at sea to allow free time during the stop
in Cozumel. The AMSAT Board of Directors meeting will occur on shore
at a Galveston hotel in the days prior to the Symposium.
This year's cruise ship venue offers an environment for significant
others, families, and friends to attend the AMSAT Symposium event
with you. Many activities are available on a cruise ship including
musical and theatrical performances, comedy, dancing, and casino
gaming. During the stop in Cozumel there are many onshore activities
and excursions available for your pleasure. There will be no post-
Symposium tour offered since this venue incorporates the Cozumel
visit.
In preparation for this upcoming Symposium it is recommended you
obtain a passport for travel as soon as possible. United States
residents may find the most convenient place to obtain a passport is
their nearest US Post Office. Not all USPS locations offer this
service; check the US Postal Service website:
https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm
Details on travel documents required for US citizens to take a
Carnival cruise originating at a US Port and returning to the same
port may be found here:
https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1406
AMSAT is offering a group rate and booking code available starting
January 5. Please book your cruise directly by calling 1-800-438-
6744 and dialing extension number 70005. Our group name is AMSAT and
the group code is 8Z0FR5. It is recommended you make reservations
very early since cabins are held for a short period of time.
Reservations require a $150 USD per person deposit. The deposit is
fully refundable up until September 11. Rates may vary depending
upon cabin type selected and occupancy. Please utilize the group
code as this directly benefits the Symposium and the amenities we are
able to offer attendees.
Further details will be released in the coming months via ANS, AMSAT-
BB, and the AMSAT Journal.
[ANS thanks Clayton W5PFG for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS-US Receives $5,000 Grant from Yasme Foundation
The ARISS-US Team is thrilled to announce that it received a $5,000
grant from the Yasme Foundation, awarded to support the development
of the power converters needed as a part of an extensive upgrade to
the entire ARISS radio system onboard the International Space
Station.
Ward Silver, N0AX, President of the Yasme Foundation, www.yasme.org,
said the Yasme Board decided to support ARISS, in part, as a catalyst
for individuals and other groups to follow suit by donating to the
radio system cause. Ward commented:
“While you have a long way to go in funding the whole upgrade
project, we hope our grant will encourage organizations and
individuals to donate to ARISS. Yasme is happy to get that ball
rolling.”
ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, noted that receiving
grants from more groups similar to Yasme can result in bigger
sponsors being much more likely to donate funds and in-kind resources
to the radio project. The 12 ARISS Delegates from around the world
had voted in August 2015 to move forward with the planning that will
ultimately develop all hardware needed for an upgraded ARISS radio
system if funding could be raised. ARISS Chair Bauer, explaining that
the power converters are critical to the overall ARISS equipment
upgrade, remarked:
“The Yasme grant will jump start the project by allowing the ARISS
hardware team to build a prototype converter, purchase critical parts
for the flight converters, and further develop the design. We will
continue our pursuit of other funding so as to realize the completion
of the entire upgrade project.”
ARISS-US Delegate Rosalie White, K1STO, thanked Silver for his
personal effort in delineating ARISS’s hardware needs and goals to
the Yasme Board. She added:
“Garnering the Yasme grant is a major step in helping ARISS progress
with our fundraising for the upgraded system. We are elated to know
that Yasme has faith in ARISS and its goals of piquing the interest
of young people in science, technology, engineering, math, space,
communications, and amateur radio.”
Just three weeks ago in mid-December, a group of ARISS-US team
members were at Johnson Space Center solidifying plans for the design
of this next generation radio system. Other groups and individuals
interested in supporting ARISS goals through a donation can contact
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, at ka3hdo(a)verizon.net or can go to the AMSAT
Website, www.amsat.org, and submit a donation directly using the
ARISS Donate button. ARISS rewards a beautiful ARISS Challenge Coin
to donors giving $100.00 or more.
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a
cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the
space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In
the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).The primary goal
of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled
contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and
students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help
of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly
with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and
during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and
communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio.
For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and
www.arrl.org.
[ANS thanks Yasme ans ARISS for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Fist Nominations Due
Ray Soifer, W2RS, would like to thank to all who participated in
AMSAT's Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2016. If you haven't already
done so, please take a moment to nominate someone you worked for Best
Fist. Your nominee need not have had the best fist of those you
heard, only of those you worked.
Send your nomination to w2rs at amsat.org
[ANS thanks Ray W2RS for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Your 2015 Space Symposium Photos Needed!
AMSAT Journal Editor, Joe Kornowski KB6IGK, reports that the AMSAT
Journal needs your photos from the 33rd Space Symposium in October
2015. Please send your hi-res photos, with captions if possible, to
journal at amsat.org by January 17.
[ANS thanks Joe KB6IGK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS Commemorative SSTV Event Update
The SSTV commemoration of the first ARISS contact events is now
tentatively planned for January 16. The transmission mode will be
PD120.
Because preparations are still in process, it is suggested that you
stay tuned to AMSAT-BB and the AMSAT and ARISS web site for the
latest information on this event.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS News
+ A Successful contact was made between Frederick W. Harnett Middle
School, Blackstone, Massachusetts, USA and Astronaut Timothy Peake
KG5BVI using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2016-01-05 17:42 UTC
and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was telebridged via
K6DUE. ARISS Mentor was AJ9N. This represents ARISS' 981st contact.
+ A Successful contact was made between Sandringham School, St.
Albans, Hertfordshire, UK and Astronaut Timothy Peake KG5BVI using
Callsign GB1SS. The contact began 2016-01-08 08:47:47 UTC and lasted
about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via GB1SAN. ARISS
Mentor was MØXTD. This represents ARISS' 982nd contact.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado “Benedetto Croce”, Civate, Italy,
telebridge via VK5ZAI The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be
NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN
Contact is a go for: Wed 2016-01-13 11:35:44 UTC
ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above
contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance.
Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com.
ARISS Commemorative SSTV Event Update
The SSTV commemoration of the first ARISS contact events is now
tentatively planned for January 16. The transmission mode will
be PD120.
Because preparations are still in process, it is suggested that you
stay tuned to AMSAT-BB and the AMSAT and ARISS web site for the
latest information on this event and others that ARISS plans to
conduct over the next few months.
Remember that the official page for all things ARISS is
www.ariss.org
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Satellite Operations from Cowtown Hamfest, January 15-16
Keith Pugh W5IU, reports that the Cowtown Hamfest in Forest Hill,
Texas, a suburg of Fort Worth, will be held Friday and Saturday, 15-
16 January. Keith intends be on the air for as many passes as he
can during the hamfest hours.
[ANS thanks Keith W5IU 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 addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
EMike McCardel, AA8EM (Former KC8YLD)
kc8yld at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-003
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* Fox-1Cliff and -1D matching contribution offer
* iCubeSat 2016, 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop, Oxford, UK -
Call for papers and registration
* Spring 2016 CubeSat Workshop Abstracts Submission Due January 15
* 2016 NASA Academy
* 2016 NOAA Undergraduate Scholarships
* Tim Peake Sandringham School UK Contact
* AMSAT Events
* ARISS News
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-003.01
ANS-003 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 003.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE January 3, 2016
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-003.01
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Fox-1Cliff and -1D matching contribution offer
I just want to thank everyone for the outstanding response to our year-end
request for support for the Fox-1Cliff and -1D fundraiser. During the
period
of December 25th to December 31st, a total of $7052.41 was raised online
through the FundRazr app. This includes a pledged $1000 matching donation
from a generous donor/member.
73 weeks ago when we announced the launch opportunity for Fox-1Cliff
(and later including -1D), we set $25,000 as a goal for online fundraising
through social media and the FundRazr app. This amount covers a
fractional but
significant portion of the launch expense. (The total cost of
construction and
launch was estimated to be $125,000.) I'm very pleased that as of the 31th
of December, we have raised $26,458 from over 250 contributors.
Donations have
varied from $3 and up, so everyone may contribute and be recognized.
There is a continuing need to raise the additional funds necessary to
launch
Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D in 2016. Just visit
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/6pz92/ab/561Zd
and pick your level of support. Donations of $1000 or more will receive a
plaque with a solar panel protective cover after launch, and $100 qualifies
for a Fox challenge coin to be delivered in 6-8 weeks when the next
shipment
arrives.
Please see
http://www.amsat.org/?p=4843
and
http://www.amsat.org/?p=2957
for additional information.
Thank you for the support,
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
iCubeSat 2016, 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop, Oxford, UK -
Call for papers and registration
iCubeSat 2016 - 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop
24-25 May 2016, Oxford, United Kingdom
Call for papers and registration
iCubeSat 2016, the 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop, will address
the technical challenges, opportunities, and practicalities of
interplanetary space exploration with CubeSats. The workshop provides
a unique environment for open wide ranging practical collaboration
between academic researchers, industry professionals, policy makers
and students developing this new and rapidly growing field.
Technical Program
Talks and round tables will focus on three themes: technology,
science, and open collaboration. The program will also include
unconference sessions to provide additional opportunities to engage
with the interplanetary CubeSat community and potential collaborators.
Talks and supporting material will be streamed and archived on the
conference website. A lively social program in and around summertime
Oxford will be arranged for participants and their guests.
Abstract Submission and Dates
Talks on astrodynamics, attitude control and determination systems,
citizen science, communications, landers, launch opportunities, open
source approaches, outreach, payloads, policy, power systems,
propulsion, reentry systems, ride-shares, science missions, software,
standardization, structures, systems engineering and other related
topics are all welcome.
1st June 2015 Registration opens at
http://iCubeSat.org/registration
1st April 2016 Abstract upload deadline
15th April 2016 Notification of abstract acceptance
20th May 2016 Presentation (and optional paper) upload deadline
Please confirm your interest in presenting or attending as soon as
possible (to assist us size the venue) by completing the registration
form at
http://iCubeSat.org/registration
Exhibition
CubeSat specialists and other vendors are invited to contact
exhibit(a)iCubeSat.org for details of exhibition opportunities.
Location
The 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop will be held on or near
the University of Oxford campus, Oxford, United Kingdom
on Tuesday, May 24th and Wednesday May 25th, 2016.
Organizers
The organizing committee can be contacted at committee(a)iCubeSat.org
See you in Oxford!
pp iCubeSat 2016 Organising Committee
www.iCubeSat.org
Download the conference poster:
https://icubesat.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/20150606_icubesat2016poster.pdf
[ANS thanks the 5th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Spring 2016 CubeSat Workshop Abstracts Submission Due January 15
13th Annual CubeSat Developer's Workshop
Abstract Submission Deadline is JANUARY 15, 2016!
Workshop Dates: April 20-22, 2016
San Luis Obispo, CA, US
Please keep abstracts under 500 words, the abstracts should indicate the
ideas
addressed within the presentation or poster, and the objectives of the
presentation/poster. Readers should not have to read the full text to
understand the abstract.
More importantly, any topic is welcome!
See
http://cubesat.atl.calpoly.edu/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/
123--workshop-schedule
or
http://www.cubesat.org/
[ANS thanks www.cubesat.org/ for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 NASA Academy
The 2016 NASA Academy is being offered at three locations: NASA's Ames
Research Center in California, NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio, and
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. Applications are being
solicited for this 10-week summer experience for college students with
emphasis on immersive and integrated multidisciplinary exposure and
training. Activities include laboratory research, a group project, lectures,
meetings with experts and administrators, visits to NASA centers and
space-related industries, and technical presentations. Students learn how
NASA and its centers operate, gain experience in world-class laboratories,
and participate in leadership development and team-building activities.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens (including citizens of the U.S. territories
Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Marianas) majoring in a
STEM discipline. The applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students
enrolled full-time in accredited universities and colleges in the U.S. and
its territories. Students may apply to any of the NASA Academy opportunities
by following these steps:
1. Log into the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative, or OSSI, site at
https://intern.nasa.gov.
2. Register and set up an account.
3. Select the "Search Opportunities" tab at the top bar.
4. Select "NASA Center(s) of Interest" under "NASA Center/Facility."
5. Enter "Academy" in the "Keywords" block at the bottom of the screen.
6. Click the "Search" button at the very bottom of screen; a list of Academy
Opportunities will then be displayed.
7. Click on the "View" icon in the first column under "Action" to read about
the Opportunity of interest, followed by comments on additional instructions
for completing the application, including two requested essays.
The deadline for receipt of NASA Academy application(s) and associated
documents is Feb. 16, 2016.
Please direct questions about NASA Academy to
NASA-Academy-Application(a)mail.nasa.gov.
[ANS thanks the NASA Education Express Message -- Dec. 30, 2015 for the
above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 NOAA Undergraduate Scholarships
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is accepting
applications for its 2016 Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate
Scholarship and 2016 Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Programs.
The Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship Program
provides scholarships for two years of undergraduate study to students
majoring in STEM fields that directly support NOAA's mission. Participants
conduct research at a NOAA facility during two paid summer internships. A
stipend and housing allowance is provided. Students attending an accredited
Minority Serving Institution as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
(Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan-Native Serving
Institutions, and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions) are eligible to
apply for the program. The institutions must be within the United States or
U.S. Territories. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must earn and
maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program provides scholarships for two
years of undergraduate study with a paid internship at a NOAA facility
during the interim summer session. A stipend and housing allowance is
provided. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at an
accredited college or university. Applicants also must have and maintain a
declared major in a discipline including, but not limited to, oceanic,
environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences; mathematics;
engineering; remote-sensing technology; physical and social sciences
including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics; or teacher education
that supports NOAA's programs and mission. Participants must earn and
maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Applications for both scholarship programs are due Jan. 29, 2016.
For more information, visit
http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/scholarships/.
Please direct questions about these scholarship opportunities to
StudentScholarshipPrograms(a)noaa.gov.
[ANS thanks the NASA Education Express Message -- Dec. 30, 2015 for the
above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tim Peake Sandringham School UK Contact
The first UK Amateur Radio school contact by UK astronaut Tim Peake
GB1SS from
the International Space Station (ISS) will take place on Friday, January 8,
2016 at 0847 GMT with students at Sandringham School, St. Albans in
Hertfordshire. The school will use the call sign GB1SAN.
The St. Albans based Verulam Amateur Radio Club (VARC) ran an Amateur Radio
Foundation License course in December. Three of the candidates were
pupils from
Sandringham School who took the course in preparation for the contact
with Tim
Peake.
ARISS UK will provide and set up all necessary radio equipment (for example,
low earth orbit satellite tracking antennas and radios) to establishing
a fully
functional, direct radio link with the International Space Station from the
school premises. In a ten-minute window when the ISS will be over the UK, an
amateur radio contact will be established with Tim, and students will be
able
to ask him questions about his life and work on board the ISS.
Tim will use a frequency of 145.800 MHz FM for the contact and his signal
should be receivable across the British Isles and Europe.
What equipment do you need to hear the ISS?
Almost any 144 MHz FM transceiver will receive the ISS; you can even use a
general coverage VHF scanner with an external antenna. As far as the
antenna is
concerned the simpler the better. A ¼ wave ground plane can give good
results
because it has a high angle of radiation. Large 2m colinears don’t work
quite
as well because the radiation pattern is concentrated at the horizon.
You can receive the ISS using a 144 MHz hand-held outdoors with its helical
antenna but a 1/4 wave whip will give far better results.
In the UK we use narrow 2.5 kHz deviation FM but the ISS transmits on
145.800
MHz with the wider 5 kHz deviation used in much of the world. Most rigs
can be
switched been wide and narrow deviation FM filters so select the wider
filter.
Hand-held rigs all seem to have a single wide filter fitted as standard.
The International Space Station is traveling around the Earth at over 28,000
km/h. This high speed makes radio signals appear to shift in frequency, a
phenomenon called Doppler Shift. When the ISS is approaching your
location the
signal may be 3.5 kHz higher in frequency on 145.8035 MHz. During the 10
minute
pass the frequency will gradually move lower reaching 145.7965 MHz as
the ISS
goes out of range. To get maximum signal you ideally need a radio that
tunes in
1 kHz or smaller steps to follow the shift but in practice acceptable
results
are obtained with the radio left on 145.800 MHz.
ISS Amateur Radio Stations
There are two amateur radio stations available to astronauts on the ISS.
The Russian Service Module has a dual-band Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver (this
replaced the older TM-D700). Four antennas are available, three of which are
identical and each can support both transmit and receive operations on 2m,
70cm, L band and S band. They also support reception for the Russian
Glisser TV
system, which is used during spacewalks. The fourth antenna is a 2.5 m long
vertical whip that can be used to support High Frequency (HF) operations
although at the present time there is no amateur HF equipment.
The ESA Columbus Module has two Ericsson M-PA series FM 5 watt handheld
radios, one for 145, and the other for 435 MHz, as well as the 2.4 GHz HamTV
Digital Amateur Television Transmitter. Antennas are available for 145
and 435
MHz for the Ericsson handhelds; additionally, there are 1260 and 2400 MHz
antennas for the HamTV system.
Tim Peake will the using the equipment in the ESA Columbus Module.
The ISS HamTV will not be available for the Sandringham School contact
because
the equipment will be turned off to permit other experiments.
You’ll be able to listen online to Tim Peake GB1SS on the 145.800 MHz FM
downlink by using the SUWS WebSDR radio at
http://websdr.suws.org.uk/
Tim Peake ISS School Contacts Announced
http://amsat-uk.org/2015/12/15/tim-peake-iss-school-contacts-announced/
Sandringham School
http://www.sandringham.herts.sch.uk/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SandringhamSch1
Verulam Amateur Radio Club
http://www.verulam-arc.org.uk/
What is Amateur Radio?
http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio
Find an amateur radio training course near you
https://thersgb.org/services/coursefinder/
ARISS
http://www.ariss-eu.org/
[ANS thanks ARISS & AMSAT-UK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT Events
Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around
the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where
AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working
amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with
AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations,
forums, and/or demonstrations).
*Saturday, 9 January 2016 – Thunderbird Hamfest 2016 in Phoenix AZ
*Friday and Saturday, 19-20 February 2016 – Yuma Hamfest and 2016 ARRL
Southwest Division Convention in Yuma AZ
*Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 March 2016 – ScienceCity science fair, on
the University of Arizona campus in Tucson AZ
*Saturday, 19 March 2016 – Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Spring
Hamfest 2016 in Scottsdale AZ
*Saturday, 26 March 2016 – Tucson Spring Hamfest in Tucson AZ
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS News
Upcoming Contacts
Frederick W. Harnett Middle School, Blackstone, Massachusetts, telebridge
via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI
Contact is a go for: Tue 2016-01-05 17:42:06 UTC 81 deg
Sandringham School, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK, direct via GB1SAN
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be GB1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI
Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-01-08 08:47:47 UTC 83 deg.
Watch
http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html
for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled.
[ANS thanks ARISS, and Charlie, AJ9N 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 addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Joe Spier, K6WAO
k6wao at amsat dot org
1
0