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June 2017
- 3 participants
- 4 discussions
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-176
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:
* India Launches 40th PSLV With 31 Satellites On-board
* ARISS SSTV Commemorative Activity
* LilacSat-1 Designated LilacSat-OSCAR 90
* Amateurs Recover I-Inspire-2 Satellite
* SARL/AMSAT SA SDR Workshop To Be Held In August
* New Zealand’s KiwiSAT Update
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-176.01
ANS-155 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 176.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE June 25, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-176.01
India Launches 40th PSLV With 31 Satellites On-board
An Indian mapping satellite and 30 other payloads vaulted into space Friday
aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, arriving in an on-the-mark
orbit more
than 300 miles above Earth.
Launching on its 40th flight, the PSLV rocketed away from the Satish Dhawan
Space Center, a facility nestled on Sriharikota Island on India’s east
coast, at
0359 GMT Friday (11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday). The 144-foot-tall (44-meter)
launcher
thundered into a mostly sunny sky over the launch base, where liftoff
occurred
at 9:29 a.m. local time
The 1,570-pound (712-kilogram) Cartosat 2E satellite was the primary
passenger
on Friday’s launch, joining a fleet of Earth-imaging platforms built to feed
observations of cities, crops, natural disasters and other targets to Indian
civil and military authorities.
Cartosat 2E radioed ground controllers moments after separation from the
PSLV’s
fourth stage, and engineers confirmed it unfurled its solar panels as
planned.
The PSLV launch team confirmed the upper stage released another Indian
satellite
— NIUSAT — a few seconds after Cartosat 2E. Designed for agricultural
monitoring, NIUSAT is suitcase-sized satellite weighing about 33 pounds (15
kilograms) developed by students at Noorul Islam University in India’s Tamil
Nadu state.
Fifteen other satellites launched Friday also include amateur frequency
downlinks:
Max Valier Satellite 145.860 MHz
Venta 1 437.325 MHz
Pegasus 436.670 MHz
NUDTSat 436.270 MHz
VZLUSAT 1 437.240 MHz
DragSail-CubeSat 437.300 MHz, 2403 MHz, and 2405-2445 MHz
UCLSat 435.975 MHz
InflateSail 436.060 MHz
URSA MAIOR 435.950 MHz
LithuanicaSAT 2 437.265 MHz
SUCHAI 1 437.225 MHz
Aalto 1 437.220 MHz and 2402.00 MHz
Robusta 1B 437.325 MHz
D-Sat 437.505 MHz
skCUBE 437.100 MHz and 2401 MHz
[ANS thanks SpaceFlightNow and the IARU for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS SSTV Commemorative Activity
Special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions are expected to be
made from
the International Space Station on 145.800 MHz FM around the weekend of
July 15.
In commemoration of their 20th anniversary, the ARISS team is planning to
transmit a set of 12 SSTV images that capture the accomplishments of
ARISS over
that time.
The ARISS SSTV Blog says:
While still to be scheduled, we anticipate the SSTV operation to occur
around
the weekend of July 15. We are planning for at least a 2 day operation,
but are
working for a potential longer operation. Note that all of this
tentative and
may change based on crew scheduling and ISS operations.
Starting with our first meeting in November 1996, our joint operations
on Mir,
becoming the first operational payload on ISS in November 2000 to our 1103rd
school contact (so far), ARISS’ accomplishments have been tremendous. We
have
touched the lives of many and inspired and educated countless students
to pursue
science, technology, engineering and math careers.
Please stay tuned as more details on our SSTV event will be communicated
in the
coming weeks. Please spread the word. And think about how you can get
students
in your area involved in capturing these images. We would love to hear your
stories on how that goes.
[ANS thanks Frank, KA3HDO, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LilacSat-1 Designated LilacSat-OSCAR 90
OSCAR Number Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, has announced that,
pursuant to a request submitted to the AMSAT Board of Directors, the
LilacSat-1 satellite has been assigned the designation LilacSat-OSCAR
90, or LO-90.
LilacSat-OSCAR 90 was designed and constructed by the Harbin Institute
of Technology in Harbin, China as part of the QB50 project to study
the lower thermosphere. It was carried aboard an Orbital-ATK Cygnus
cargo ship, which was launched to the International Space Station on
April 18, 2017, and deployed from the ISS on May 25, 2017.
LO-90 carries a voice transponder with a 145 MHz FM uplink and a 435
MHz digital voice downlink using the Codec2 open source voice codec as
well as a camera open for activation by amateur radio operators
worldwide.
More information about the satellite can be found
http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?page_id=594. A guide for receiving the
downlink prepared by Adam Whitney, K0FFY, can be found at
http://adamwhitney.net/working-lilacsat-1/.
Since the launch of the first amateur radio satellite, OSCAR 1 in
1961, it has been traditional for amateur radio satellites to carry
the name OSCAR, for “Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio”.
AMSAT, which administers the numbering of OSCAR satellites at the
request of the Project OSCAR organization, encourages all
builders/owners of amateur radio satellites that meet the requirements
listed at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2478 to apply for an OSCAR
designation.
[ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amateurs Recover I-Inspire-2 Satellite
I-Inspire-2 is a 20 x 10 x 10cm CubeSat built by the University of Sydney in
collaboration with the Australian National University and the University
of New
South Wales (Sydney)
WIA News reports:
On board the tiny spacecraft is an experiment, part of the QB50 project,
designed to “explore the lower thermosphere, for re-entry research and
in-orbit
demonstration of technologies and miniaturised sensors”, as reported in
earlier
editions of the WIA broadcast.
Its operational frequency was coordinated by IARU to be in the satellite
segment
of the 70cm amateur band.
It was placed in orbit from the International Space Station in late May. The
deployment was successful; however there were no signs of life when the
ground
stations started looking for it. The engineering group quickly tested
various
scenarios on the engineering model only to come to the conclusion that,
due to
the extended delay in the deployment, the satellite’s battery was likely
to be
depleted and the satellite was trapped in an endless loop, trying to
deploy its
antenna.
The engineering group suggested that the satellite is still listening albeit
with its antennas in the stowed position. This meant that the satellite
command
receiver might have difficulty receiving any signals from ground control
stations. A set of commands were devised which, if received, would
instruct the
satellite to wait until the battery is charged before attempting to
deploy its
antenna. Both UNSW and ANU ground stations transmitted the recovery
command to
the satellite; however after a week or so of no success it was decided
that more
transmitter power was required to overcome the lack of receiver sensitivity
caused by the still stowed antenna. A request for assistance was passed
to EME
operators around the world and many responses were received.
The greatest hope for a successful recovery was thought to be PI 9 CAM using
high power and a 25 m dish, normally used for radio astronomy but also
EME. They
were scheduled to transmit on the weekend of June 10-11.
On Sunday June 11, during the morning pass, Rob VK1KW reported a strong
signal
every 30 seconds on I-Inspire-2’s frequency. Dimitris VK1SV who is part
of the
ANU team, verified reception from home around midnight. The following
morning
Dimitris drove to the ANU ground station and was able to send commands
to the
satellite for the first time since it was deployed. Many other radio
amateurs
around the world also reported reception of the beacon. The satellite
had come
back to life!
This is a wonderful example of successful collaboration between radio
amateurs
and the academic community. If a frequency outside the radio amateur
band had
been used, it is doubtful that the satellite would have been brought back to
life.
The crew of I-Inspire-2 wishes to thank all radio amateurs involved and is
looking forward to a successful collection of data for the scientific
experiment!
[ANS thanks WIA News and AMSAT-UK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SARL/AMSAT SA SDR Workshop To Be Held In August
The date for the joint SARL/AMSAT SA workshop about enhancing the SDR
experience
has been set for Saturday 12 August 2017 at the National Amateur Radio
Centre.
The workshop will focus on getting more fun from a VHF SDR dongle. The
second
part of the workshop will focus on how to kick start the South African Radio
League monitoring of the increase in the RF noise floor level project
using the
SDR waterfall. Both a HF and VHF dongle will be available as well as a
memory
stick with the required SDR and some fun software.
More details will be published soon. If you are interested in attending the
workshops, please send an e-mail with your details to
admin(a)amsatsa.org.za and
you will be added to a mailing list to keep you up to date with details
of the
workshops in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
You are listening to a news bulletin of the South African Radio League. Take
your hand-held to work this week.
[ANS thanks SARL weekly news in English 2017-6-24 for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
New Zealand’s KiwiSAT Update
Yes, we’re going into space and you can be part of it!
AMSAT_ZL has reached a staging point in the development of their satellite
project, KiwiSAT. We’re ready to go, ready to get up there!
The KiwiSAT Team has produced a fine unit ready to launch. Then came a
set-back.
Our critically important Leader of the KiwiSAT Engineering Team, Fred
Kennedy
ZL1BYP, was struck down and driven to endure many months of medical
procedures.
This has have left him unable to continue his important work. It’s time for
renewal.
Over time the support team has aged, drifting from their positions of
youth and
ability. Much has been achieved but all to no avail if KiwiSAT sits on a
shelf.
Can you help?
AMSAT-ZL is looking both to its members and to the general New Zealand
amateur
radio population for a coordinator to join the team and lead the project
through
this final stage. We’re making history. We’re going into space!
We need a volunteer “Orbit Insertion Team” consisting of a Launch
Co-ordinator
and as many assistants as he/she requires to undertake the task of
securing a
launch for KiwiSAT. This new team will also take over Fred Kennedy’s
leadership
responsibilities. In parallel, the established
KiwiSAT engineering team will continue their involvement, giving support
along
the way.
Much of the new team’s work will be organisational rather than hands-on
engineering. Involved is arranging final environmental testing of KiwiSAT,
identifying and negotiating a launch, attending the launch and attending to
funding for this final phase. Basic planning is complete, we need action.
Other tasks will undoubtedly be crop up however it is envisaged that the
current
team will ensure the preparation of KiwiSAT to full flight status is
completed.
Offers need to be received by 30 June 2017. The AMSAT-ZL Committee will then
appoint a team and leader. Offers can be advised to the AMSAT-ZL
Secretary, 894
Ponga Road, RD 4, Auckland 2584 or by Email to iana(a)kcbbs.gen.nz or to
myself
tdcarrell(a)gmail.com. Email either of us for more details.
Financial assistance is available to enable the successful applicant to
meet for
a briefing with Fred in Auckland, July this year.
Thank you,
Terry, ZL3QL
President AMSAT-ZL
[ANS thanks Southgate and NZART 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-169
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:
* 2017 Candidates for the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Announced
* 2017 AMSAT Field Day Rules
* Iceland/Greenland/Faroe Islands on Satellite July 4-19
* CAS-4A and CAS-4B Satellites from CAMSAT Launched Thursday
* Updates to AMSAT-NA KEP Distribution for 06-15-2017
* Frank Bauer KA3HDO Among Distinguished Public Service Medal Honorees
* Wireless Institute of Australia Reports Amateur Radio Rescue of
Satellite
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-169.01
ANS-169 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 169.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
June 18, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-169.01
2017 Candidates for the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Announced
The 2017 candidates, in alphabetical order by last name are:
Jerry Buxton, N0JY
Clayton Coleman, W5PFG
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
Peter Portanova, W2JV
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
This year AMSAT-NA will be electing four voting members of the Board
of Directors. These will go to the four candidates receiving the
highest number of votes. In addition, there will be one alternate
chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received.
Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT-NA membership by July 15, 2017 and
must be received at the AMSAT office by September 15, 2017 in order to
be counted. Those sent outside North America will go by air mail. If
you have not received your ballot package in a reasonable time for
your location, please contact the AMSAT office. Completed ballots
should be returned as promptly as possible, and those from outside
North America preferably by air mail.
Election of Board members is both an obligation as well as an
opportunity by our membership to help shape the future direction of
AMSAT. Please take the time to review the candidate statements that
will accompany the ballot and determine who you wish to see on the
Board. You have the option to vote for up to four candidates.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information]
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2017 AMSAT Field Day Rules
It's that time of year again; summer and Field Day! Each year the
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors Field Day as a "picnic, a
campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of
all, FUN!" The event takes place during a 24-hour period on the
fourth weekend of June. For 2017 the event takes place during a 27-
hour period from 1800 UTC on Saturday June 24, 2017 through 2100 UTC
on Sunday June 25, 2017. Those who set up prior to 1800 UTC on June
24 can operate only 24 hours. The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation (AMSAT) promotes its own version of Field Day for
operation via the amateur satellites, held concurrently with the ARRL
event.
This year should be easier than many years since we have about 10
transponders and repeaters available, with more possible before Field
Day. Users should check the AMSAT status page at
http://www.amsat.org/status/ and the pages at
http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=177 for what is available in the weeks
leading up to field day. To reduce the amount of time to research
each satellite, see the current FM satellite table at
http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5012 and the current linear satellite
table at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5033
If you are considering ONLY the FM voice satellites like SO-50 for
your AMSAT Field Day focus, do not, unless you are simply hoping to
make one contact for the ARRL rules bonus points. The congestion on
FM LEO satellites is always so intense that we must continue to limit
their use to one-QSO-per-FM-satellite. This includes the
International Space Station. You will be allowed one QSO if the ISS
is operating Voice.
It was suggested during past field days that a control station be
allowed to coordinate contacts on the FM satellites. There is nothing
in the rules that would prohibit this. This is nothing more than a
single station working multiple QSO's. If a station were to act as a
control station and give QSO's to every other field day station, the
control station would still only be allowed to turn in one QSO per FM
satellite while the other station would be able to submit one QSO.
The format for the message exchange on the ISS or other digital
packet satellite is an unproto packet to the other station (3-way
exchange required) with all the same information as normally
exchanged for ARRL Field Day,
e.g.:
W6NWG de KK5DO 2A STX
KK5DO de W6NWG QSL 5A SDG
W6NWG de KK5DO QSL
If you have worked the satellites on Field Day in recent years, you
may have noticed a lot of good contacts can be made on some of the
less-populated, low-earth-orbit satellites like FO-29, AO-7, AO-73,
NAYIF-1 or the XW satellites. During Field Day the transponders come
alive like 20 meters on a weekend. The good news is that the
transponders on these satellites will support multiple simultaneous
contacts. The bad news is that you can't use FM, just low duty-cycle
modes like SSB and CW.
THE 2017 AMSAT FIELD DAY RULES
The AMSAT Field Day 2017 event is open to all Amateur Radio
operators. Amateurs are to use the exchange as specified in ARRL
rules for Field Day. The AMSAT competition is to encourage the use of
all amateur satellites, both analog and digital. Note that no points
will be credited for any contacts beyond the ONE allowed via each
single-channel FM satellite. Operators are encouraged not to make any
extra contacts via theses satellites (Ex: SO-50). CW contacts and
digital contacts are worth three points as outlined below.
1. Analog Transponders
ARRL rules apply, except:
- Each phone, CW, and digital segment ON EACH SATELLITE TRANSPONDER
is considered to be a separate band.
- CW and digital (RTTY, PSK-31, etc.) contacts count THREE points
each.
- Stations may only count one (1) completed QSO on any single
channel FM satellite. If a satellite has multiple modes such as V/u
and L/s modes both turned on, one contact each is allowed. If the
PBBS is on - see Pacsats below, ISS (1 phone and 1 digital),
Contacts with the ISS crew will count for one contact if they are
active. PCSat (I, II, etc.) (1 digital),
- The use of more than one transmitter at the same time on a single
satellite transponder is prohibited.
2. Digital Transponders
We have only APRS digipeaters and 10m to 70cm PSK transponders (see
Bob Bruninga's article in the March/April, 2016 issue of the AMSAT
Journal).
Satellite digipeat QSO's and APRS short-message contacts are worth
three points each, but must be complete verified two-way exchanges.
The one contact per FM satellite is not applied to digital
transponders.
The use of terrestrial gateway stations or internet gateways (i.e.
EchoLink, IRLP, etc.) to uplink/downlink is not allowed.
Sample Satellite Field Day Greetings File:
Greetings from W5MSQ Field Day Satellite station near Katy, Texas,
EL-29, with 20 participants, operating class 2A, in the AMSAT-Houston
group with the Houston Amateur Television Society and the Houston QRP
club. All the best and 73!
Note that the message stated the call, name of the group, operating
class, where they were located (the grid square would be helpful) and
how many operators were in attendance.
3. Operating Class
Stations operating portable and using emergency power (as per ARRL
Field Day rules) are in a separate operating class from those at home
connected to commercial power. On the report form simply check off
Emergency or Commercial for the Power Source and be sure to specify
your ARRL operating class (2A, 1C, etc.).
AND FINALLY...
The Satellite Summary Sheet should be used for submission of the
AMSAT Field Day competition and be received by KK5DO (email or postal
mail) by 11:59 P.M. CDT, Monday, July 10, 2017. This is earlier than
the due date for the ARRL submissions. The preferred method for
submitting your log is via e-mail to kk5do at amsat dot org or
kk5do at arrl dot net.
You may also use the postal service but give plenty of time for your
results to arrive by the submission date. Add photographs or other
interesting information that can be used in an article for the
Journal.
You will receive an email back (within one or two days) from me when
I receive your email submission. If you do not receive a confirmation
message, then I have not received your submission. Try sending it
again or send it to my other email address.
If mailing your submission, the address is:
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
Director of Awards and Contests
PO Box 1598
Porter, TX 77365-1598.
Certificates will be awarded for the first-place emergency
power/portable station at the AMSAT General Meeting and Space
Symposium in the fall of 2017. Certificates will also be awarded to
the second and third place portable/emergency operation in addition
to the first-place home station running on emergency power. A station
submitting high, award-winning scores will be requested to send in
dupe sheets for analog contacts and message listings for digital
downloads.
You may have multiple rig difficulties, antenna failures, computer
glitches, generator disasters, tropical storms, and there may even be
satellite problems, but the goal is to test your ability to operate
in an emergency situation. Try different gear. Demonstrate
satellite operations to hams that don't even know the HAMSATS exist.
Test your equipment. Avoid making more than ONE contact via the FM-
only voice HAMSATS or the ISS, and enjoy the event!
Please follow the following form when submitting results:
AMSAT Satellite Summary Sheet - 2017
Satellite and number of Voice QSO's
(example AO-27 1 )
Satellite and number of CW/RTTY/PSK31 etc QSO's
(example AO-07 5 )
Satellite and Up/Downloads
(example UO-11 3 )
Score Calculation
Total Voice QSO's x 1 =
Total CW/RTTY/PSK31 QSO's x 3 =
Total Up/Downloads x 3 =
Grand Total =
Please provide the following information
Your Field Day Callsign
Your Group Name
ARRL Field Day Classification
ARRL Section
Power Source (Select 1)
Emergency
Commercial
Your name and home call
Home address
Any Comments
[ANS thanks Bruce KK5DO for the above information]
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Iceland/Greenland/Faroe Islands on Satellite July 4-19
Gabe Zeifman NJ7H/VE6NJH has finalized plans for an upcoming trip to
Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Once again, this is a trip
with family so radio is not his priority. However, he will put forth
my best effort to give these rare entities and associated grids to
everyone in range.
Gabe will be arriving in Iceland at about 0000Z on July 5 and spend
one night
at the hotel on the airport (access to HP83/84 line).
Gabe reports, "We will be in Iceland until July 10 with numerous
grids in the HP and IP fields possible, no strict plan yet.
"We will continue on to the Faroe Islands July 10-14. I will make an
effort to operate from both IP61 and IP62 while in the Faroes.
"Finally, we will head to Greenland on July 14th staying until the
18th. The destination in Greenland is Ilulissat in GP49. I do not
anticipate any other grids to be activated in Greenland, although if
there is an opportunity I will, but I don't expect any opportunities.
>From GP49 all of North/Central America and Europe should be in range,
along with portions of South America, Asia, and Africa, much of it
even possible on SO-50. I anticipate a nearly perfect horizon to the
west.
"On the 19th we travel back to the US with a several hour connection
in Iceland. I will also have two nights on the beginning and end in
New York City, and July 21-25 in Florida (anyone who needs EM90, hit
me up).
"In exciting news, this very well may be the last DX use of NJ7H.
Don't worry, I am not retired from roving. I am beginning my training
at the FAA as an air traffic controller on July 26th and will be very
busy with that. I expect facility placement in late October, and I am
requesting Alaska. Although I cannot yet be certain, I have been told
that I should expect to receive my request.
"QSLing for this trip will be via LoTW. I still need to get some new
generic cards printed, but if you need paper I'll get cards printed
eventually, just don't expect rush service (I have some from other
trips in the backlog, don't worry I havn't forgotten)."
Calls to be used:
Iceland: TF/NJ7H
Greenland: OX/NJ7H
Faroe Islands: OY/NJ7H
[ANS thanks Gabe NJ7H/VE6NJH for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CAS-4A and CAS-4B Satellites from CAMSAT Launched Thursday
Two CAMSAT’s armature radio payloads piggybacked on the optical remote
sensing micro-satellites OVS-1A and OVS-1B have been launched at
11:00BJT on June 15, 2017 at The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of
China, using CZ-4B launch vehicle. The primary of this launch is a
hard X-ray modulation telescope satellite (HXMT).
Satellite Name: CAS-4A/OVS-1A
Architecture: Micro-satellite
Dimensions: 494Lx499Wx630H mm
Mass: 55kg
Stabilization: three-axis stabilization system with its +Y surface
facing the earth
Primary Payload: optical Camera with 1.98m resolution
Orbit:
Orbit type : Sun synchronization orbit
Apogee : 524km
Inclination : 43º
Period : 95.1min
Amateur Radio Payload:
Call sign: BJ1SK
VHF Antenna: one 1/4? monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located
at +Z side
UHF Antenna: one 1/4? monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located
at -Z side
CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.855MHz 17dBm
AX.25 4.8k Baud GMSK Telemetry: 145.835MHz 20dBm
U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.870MHz 20dBm, 20kHz,
Inverted
U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.220MHz
Satellite Name: CAS-4B/OVS-1B
Architecture: Micro-satellite
Dimensions: 494Lx499Wx630H mm
Mass: 55kg
Stabilization: three-axis stabilization system with its +Y surface
facing the earth
Primary Payload: optical Camera with 1.98m resolution
Orbit:
Orbit type: Sun synchronization orbit
Apogee: 524km
Inclination: 43º
Period: 95.1min
Amateur Radio Payload:
Call sign: BJ1SL
VHF Antenna: one 1/4? monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located
at +Z side
UHF Antenna: one 1/4? monopole antenna with max.0dBi gain is located
at -Z side
CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910MHz 17dBm
AX.25 4.8k Baud GMSK Telemetry: 145.890MHz 20dBm
U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925MHz 20dBm, 20kHz,
Inverted
U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280MHz
[ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Updates to AMSAT-NA KEP Distribution for 06-15-2017
ITF-2 is now Tsukuba-OSCAR 89 or TO-89 per Bill Tynan, W3XO, OSCAR
Number Administrator.
CAS-4A/OVS-1A and CAS-4B/OVS-1B where launched today (06-15-2017) at
03:00 GMT from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of China using a
CZ-4B launch vehicle. See amsat-bb email below from Alan Kung, BA1DU.
Nico Janssen, PA0DLO notes that these two new satellites are two of
the four NORAD ID CAT 42578-42761.
For now the 06-15-2017 AMSAT-NA KEP Distribution list them as follows:
Name NORAD CAT ID
Object A 42758
Object B 42759
Object C 42760
Object D 42761
CAS-4A and CAS-4B Satellites from CAMSAT Launched today
Two CAMSAT's armature radio payloads piggybacked on the optical remote
sensing micro-satellites OVS-1A and OVS-1B have been launched at
11:00 BJT on June 15, 2017 at The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of
China, using CZ-4B launch vehicle. The primary of this launch is a
hard X-ray modulation telescope satellite (HXMT).
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad WA5QGD for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Bauer KA3HDO Among Distinguished Public Service Medal Honorees
AMSAT's VP of Human Spaceflight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT V.P. for
Human Spaceflight Programs, and ARISS International Chair was among
14 honorees for NASA's 2017 Distinguished Public Service Medal.
NASA Agency Honor Awards Ceremony for 2017 Distinguished Service
Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal Honorees was held
Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. EDT, and broadcast on NASA TV.
During the Agency Honor Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Acting NASA
Administrator Lightfoot presented NASA’s most prestigious honors to
NASA’s 2017 Distinguished Service Medal Honorees and Distinguished
Public Service Medal Honorees.
These NASA Agency Honor Awards recognize individual employees who
have made an extraordinary and indelible impact on the agency’s
mission success. All of these individuals help enable missions to
explore and discover both our world and the universe.
The 2017 Distinguished Service Medal Honorees are: Stephen Cash,
Jeffrey Davis, Mike French, Peter Gnoffo, Kelly Hayhurst, Robin
Henderson, Michael Hesse, Steven Kempler, Brenda Manuel, Carol
Mosier, Ronald Mueller, Dava Newman, Paul Newman, David Radzanowski,
Albert Sofge, Ellen Stofan, Patrick Troutman, Tereasa Washington,
David Weaver, and Richard Williams.
The 2017 Distinguished Public Service Medal Honorees are: Terry
Abel, Frank Bauer, Eric De Jong, Edward Devine, Michael Dorsch, Alan
Hargens, Kauser Imtiaz, Roger Launius, Edward Nace, Christopher
Russell, John Salisbury, John Sterritt, Forman Williams, and Roberta
Wyrick.
For more information on the Agency Honor Award Program, please visit:
https://www.nssc.nasa.gov/awards
[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless Institute of Australia reports amateur radio rescue of
satellite
I-Inspire-2 is a 20 x 10 x 10cm CubeSat built by the University of
Sydney in collaboration with the Australian National University and
the University of New South Wales (Sydney). On board the tiny
spacecraft is an experiment, part of the European QB50 project,
designed to “explore the lower thermosphere, for re-entry research
and in-orbit demonstration of technologies and miniaturised sensors”,
as reported in earlier editions of the WIA broadcast.
Its operational frequency was coordinated by IARU to be in the
satellite segment of the 70cm amateur band.
It was placed in orbit from the International Space Station in late
May. The deployment was successful; however there were no signs of
life when the ground stations started looking for it. The engineering
group quickly tested various scenarios on the engineering model only
to come to the conclusion that, due to the extended delay in the
deployment, the satellite's battery was likely to be depleted and the
satellite was trapped in an endless loop, trying to deploy its antenna.
The engineering group suggested that the satellite is still
listening albeit with its antennas in the stowed position. This meant
that the satellite command receiver might have difficulty receiving
any signals from ground control stations. A set of commands were
devised which, if received, would instruct the satellite to wait
until the battery is charged before attempting to deploy its antenna.
Both UNSW and ANU ground stations transmitted the recovery command to
the satellite; however after a week or so of no success it was
decided that more transmitter power was required to overcome the lack
of receiver sensitivity caused by the still stowed antenna. A request
for assistance was passed to EME operators around the world and many
responses were received.
The greatest hope for a successful recovery was thought to be PI 9
CAM using high power and a 25 m dish, normally used for radio
astronomy but also EME. They were scheduled to transmit on the
weekend of the 10th and 11th of June.
On Sunday the 11th of June, during the morning pass, Rob VK1KW
reported a strong signal every 30 seconds on I-Inspire-2's frequency.
Dimitris VK1SV who is part of the ANU team, verified reception from
home around midnight. The following morning Dimitris drove to the ANU
ground station and was able to send commands to the satellite for the
first time since it was deployed. Many other radio amateurs around
the world also reported reception of the beacon. The satellite had
come back to life!
This is a wonderful example of successful collaboration between
radio amateurs and the academic community. If a frequency outside the
radio amateur band had been used, it is doubtful that the satellite
would have been brought back to life.
The crew of I-Inspire-2 wishes to thank all radio amateurs involved
and is looking forward to a successful collection of data for the
scientific experiment!
I-Inspire-2 official web site:
http://sydney.edu.au/inspire-cubesat/project/index.shtml
( Dimitris Tsifakis VK1SV/VK2COW )
[ANS thanks the VK1WIA news for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS News
+ A Successful contact was made between Space Center Houston,
Houston, TX, USA and Astronaut Jack Fischer K2FSH using Callsign
OR4ISS.
The contact began 2017-06-13 15:19 UTC and lasted about nine and a
half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via ON4ISS.
ARISS Mentor was Gene K5YFL.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Sochi, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled astronaut is Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI
Contact is a go for Sat 2017-06-17 15:10 UTC
Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled astronaut is Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI
Contact is a go for Fri 2017-06-23 08:25 UTC
SCaN/Glenn Research Center, Brook Park, OH, and the Girl Scouts of
North East Ohio direct via NA8SA
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Jack Fischer K2FSH
Contact is a go for: Fri 2017-06-23 14:25:09 UTC
Note that this contact should be audible direct over parts of the
Eastern USA.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Satellite DX operation in the BELIZE
BELIZE, V3. Look for David, KG5CCI to be active as V31CI from
Ambergris Caye (NA-073), from June 21 to 27, including Field Day.
Listen for him on Satellites, 6 Meters (digital and SSB) and
possibly on the HF bands. QSL direct to KG5CCI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/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
aa8em at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-162
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:
* ITF-2 is now Tsukuba-OSCAR 89 (TO-89)
* AMSAT Strategic Planning Member Poll
* May/June Issue of The AMSAT Journal Sent to Printer
* May/June 2017 Edition of Apogee View Posted on AMSAT.org
* AMSAT Member is Author of July 2017 "This Month in QST" Free Article
* 2017 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Notice
* DXCC Needs List for Satellites
* AMSAT Events
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-162.01
ANS-162 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 162.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE June 11, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-162.01
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ITF-2 is now Tsukuba-OSCAR 89 (TO-89)
In accordance with your request sent to the AMSAT-NA Board
of Directors for an OSCAR number for ITF-2, and evidence that
all of the conditions for an OSCAR number have been met, I hereby
by the authority vested in me by the AMSAT-NA President, do
convey on ITF-2 the designation Tsukuba-OSCAR 89 or TO-89.
Along with the rest of the Amateur Radio satellite community,
I see that TO-89 has been meeting its objectives since its deployment
from ISS and trust that it will continue to do so for the remainder
of its mission.
I wish you and your group at the University of Tsukuba YUT Satellite
Project Team the best of luck in this and future endeavors to keep
Amateur Radio in space.
73,
William A. (Bill) Tynan, W3XO
OSCAR Number Administrator
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT Strategic Planning Member Poll
A key part of the strategic planning process, as President Barry
Baines explains in his article (http://www.amsat.org/?p=6058), is
“member engagement.” The reason is that, in a non-profit membership
organization like AMSAT, the members quite simply are the lifeblood,
the key stakeholders, or what a commercial enterprise would call
“customers.”
Member engagement can take many forms. In the strategic planning
process, however, member engagement means helping AMSAT figure out how
and where to find new and realistic opportunities to move the
organization forward. To that end, AMSAT is asking for your help by
“engaging” the AMSAT leadership with YOUR desires, needs and vision
about the future direction of AMSAT by providing your best answers to
the five questions below:
1. What are 3-5 new products, services or activities that AMSAT
should START offering or doing (in order of priority, 1 being
highest)?
2. What 3-5 current offerings or activities should AMSAT STOP
offering or doing (in order of priority, 1 being highest)?
3. What are the top 3 ways that you would prefer AMSAT to
communicate with you as a member (in order of priority) [e.g., email,
social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, other), website, text, HF
radio nets, etc.]?
4. If you were going to recruit another amateur radio operator
as an AMSAT member, what pitch do you think would be most successful
in making that ham want to join?
5. From your perspective, what would AMSAT ideally look like in
3 years? What would it be doing? What products and services would it
offer?
We will share your answers with the AMSAT Board of Directors and
members of the strategic planning team.
PLEASE EMAIL RESPONSES TO:
journal(a)amsat.org
SUBJECT: Reader Poll
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
May/June Issue of The AMSAT Journal Sent to Printer
The May/June 2017 issue of The AMSAT Journal has been sent to the
printer and should begin arriving in members’ mailboxes shortly.
In this issue:
*AMSAT Announcement
*Apogee View
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
*AMSAT Strategic Planning Update
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF
Clayton Coleman, W5PFG
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Jerry Buxton, N0JY
*AMSAT Journal Strategic Planning Poll
*Hamvention 2017
Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK
*Setting the ISS UHF Distance Record
Jerry L. Rogers, W8LR
*Going Portable with the Amateur Radio Satellites
Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF
*AMSAT Goes to the Moon with the Cube Quest Challenge
Howie DeFelice, AB2S
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
May/June 2017 Edition of Apogee View Posted on AMSAT.org
The May/June 2017 edition of Apogee View, a comprehensive
bimonthly update of AMSAT's activities written by AMSAT
President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, is now available on the AMSAT
website at
http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5850
Topics covered in this edition include:
-Hamvention
-Board of Directors Election & Leadership Changes
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT Member is Author of July 2017 "This Month in QST" Free Article
AMSAT member Gabriel Zeifman, NJ7H/VE6NJH, is the author of the ARRL's
"This Month in QST" Free Article for July 2017. The article,
"Satellite Roving in the Northwest Territories", chronicles his trip
north of the 60th parallel this past winter. A copy of the article is
available at
http://www.arrl.org/this-month-in-qst
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Notice
It's time to submit nominations for the upcoming AMSAT-NA Board of
Directors election. Four directors' terms expire this year: Barry
Baines, WD4ASW, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, and Bob
McGwier, N4HY. In addition, up to two Alternates may be elected for
one year terms.
A valid nomination requires either one Member Society or five current
individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT-NA member for
Director. Written nominations, consisting of the nominee's name and
call, and the nominating individual's names, calls and individual
signatures should be mailed to: AMSAT-NA, 10605 Concord St, #304
Kensington, MD 20895-2526.
In addition to traditional submissions of written nominations, which
is the preferred method, the intent to nominate someone may be made by
electronic means. These include e-mail, fax, or electronic image of a
petition. Electronic petitions should be sent to martha(a)amsat.org or
faxed to (301)822-4371.
No matter what means is used, petitions MUST arrive no later than June
15th at the AMSAT-NA office. If the nomination is a traditional
written nomination, no other action is required. If it is other than
this, i.e. electronic, a verifying traditional written petition MUST
be received at the AMSAT-NA office at the above address within 7 days
following the close of nominations on June 15th.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THIS SECOND, WRITTEN VERIFICATION ARE
NOT VALID UNDER THE EXISTING AMSAT-NA BYLAWS.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
DXCC Needs List for Satellites
DXCC (NEEDS) ON THE BIRDS. The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin notes that
OPDX's Webmaster, John, K8YSE, is getting close to DXCC on the
current Low Earth Orbit Satellites.
His want list includes 3A, 3C, CN, CP, EA9, HB0, HC8, HK0, JW,
JX, OH0, P4,U, A2, V44,P2E and ZB2, plus DXpedition entities like
5T, 6W, C5, OJ0, TI9 and XF4.
If you want to try working him, contact John at his QRZ.com address. And
if you are planning a DXpedition to a place that is within 6000km of a
population center, please consider adding satellites to your operation.
You can receive assistance from John and AMSAT. More info at
<papays.com/sat> and amsat.org.
[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1317 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).
*Tuesday, 20 June 2017 – presentation for Superstition Amateur Radio Club
in Mesa AZ
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA 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
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-155
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:
* 2017 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Due June 15
* Assistance Needed Recovering UNSW-ECO0 and i-INSPIRE 2 Cubesats
* Flight Qualified Digipeater and DTMF Transponder Available
* VUCC Awards/Endorsements for May 2017
* Amateur Radio BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation
* AMSATSA Reports Significant Progress with the Kletskous Cubesat
* MacDoppler Version 2.25 released
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-155.01
ANS-155 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 155.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE June 4, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-155.01
2017 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Nominations Due June 15
It's time to submit nominations for the upcoming AMSAT-NA Board of
Directors election. Four directors' terms expire this year: Barry
Baines, WD4ASW, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, and Bob
McGwier, N4HY. In addition, up to two Alternates may be elected for
one year terms.
A valid nomination requires either one Member Society or five current
individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT-NA member for
Director. Written nominations, consisting of the nominee's name and
call, and the nominating individual's names, calls and individual
signatures should be mailed to: AMSAT-NA, 10605 Concord St, #304
Kensington, MD 20895-2526.
In addition to traditional submissions of written nominations, which
is the preferred method, the intent to nominate someone may be made by
electronic means. These include e-mail, fax, or electronic image of a
petition. Electronic petitions should be sent to martha(a)amsat.org or
faxed to (301)822-4371.
No matter what means is used, petitions MUST arrive no later than June
15th at the AMSAT-NA office. If the nomination is a traditional
written nomination, no other action is required. If it is other than
this, i.e. electronic, a verifying traditional written petition MUST
be received at the AMSAT-NA office at the above address within 7 days
following the close of nominations on June 15th.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THIS SECOND, WRITTEN VERIFICATION ARE
NOT VALID UNDER THE EXISTING AMSAT-NA BYLAWS.
[ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance Needed Recovering UNSW-ECO0 and i-INSPIRE 2 Cubesats
Joon Wayn, part of the AU02 (UNSW-EC0) and AU03 (i-INSPIRE 2) Australian
team of
QB50 cubesats, requests assistance from experienced and well-equipped
foreign
HAM amateurs experts.
Joon reports, our satellite was deployed last week and we have been
unable to
hear any beacons coming from it. We had several brainstorm sessions to
identify
possible configurations that could be changed to optimize the occurrence
antenna
redeployment sequence. Based on this, we devised a set of commands that
reflect
these changes in configurations that needs to be uplinked to the
satellite. We
have attempted to uplink these commands at 50W transmit power, but
there's no
response so far.
We strongly believe the satellite is still alive but has an undeployed
antenna.
As such, we require sufficient transmit gain in both transmit power and
antenna
gain to achieve positive uplink margin. Our problem is that we do not
have the
equipment to achieve the required transmit power to overcome the losses
due to
an unstowed configuration.
We have a recorded *.wav file that you can play through radio in FM mode to
perform the uplink.
Relevant technical info:
- The sat uses Nanocom ANT430 antenna that is still stowed. The stowed
antenna
is exposed on the outside of the spacecraft.
- The sat uses Nanocom U482C transceiver.
- The OBC might be trickling between on and off states and hence a
daytime or
dusk zenith pass is optimal for the uplink. Our ground station:
- 21 el H and 21el V yagi configured in RHCP
- Kenwood TS-2000 in FM mode with 50W transmit power.
Hope you have a good weekend, and do not hesitate to contact me at
cjwayn(a)unsw.edu.au if you would be willing to help. Your attention has
been much
appreciated.
[ANS thanks Joon Wayn for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Flight Qualified Digipeater and DTMF Transponder Available
If anyone has access to a ride to space on a HOST, remember there is a
fully qualified flight unit DIGIPEATER and DTMF transponder module ready to
fly as an attached payload to any HOST spacecraft. Lets call it QIKCOM-3.
The mission of the identical QIKCOM-2 is described here:
http://aprs.org/qikcom-2.html
QIKCOM-2 flight Unit #1 was delivered back in 2015, and it might finally
fly this fall. So, the backup FLIGHT unit is also ready to fly
(attached to a
suitable host).
Unfortunately, the Air Force (responsible for all DoD satellite launches)
has unilaterally declared that they will not accept any more Amateur Radio
student satellites from the Naval Academy for flight on DoD launches, and
so this unit is available to anyone that can get it attached to a payload
and get it launched.
[ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
VUCC Awards/Endorsements for May 2017
Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the
ARRL for
the period May 1, 2017 through June 1, 2017.
Congratulations to all those who made the list this month!
CALL GRIDS
KO4MA 1539
KB1RVT 1524
AC0RA 1143
W5PFG 1046
N8RO 959
N8HM 951
K8TL 901
XE1AO 584
KK4FEM 404
N6UK 400
WD9EWK 350
K5ND 301
AI6GS 230
K8BL 220
N1AIA 216
PV8DX 201
N9EAT 135 (NEW VUCC)
VR2XMT 111 (NEW VUCC)
K7TAB 100 (NEW VUCC)
KA9P 100 (NEW VUCC)
This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for May 1st
and June
1st, 2017. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if
your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to
grids that
are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work!
[ANS thanks John, K8YSE, for the above information}
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation
The BIRDS-1 constellation consists of five 1U CubeSats (BIRD-B, BIRD-J,
BIRD-G,
BIRD-M and BIRD-N). They are planned to launch the ISS on a SpaceX Falcon 9
CRS-11 on June 3, 2017. The satellites are made of the exactly same design
including the radio frequencies to be used and will be deployed from the ISS
later in the year.
The main mission of the constellation is to do experiments on radio
communication with a CubeSat constellation via a network of UHF/VHF amateur
radio ground stations all over the world.
The challenge is to distinguish each satellite from the four satellites
transmitting with the same frequency, hand over operation of a satellite
from
one ground station to another and assemble the satellite data, such as
housekeeping telemetry, music and the Earth images, obtained at
different ground
stations.
Amateur radio enthusiasts are asked to join the network to assist in the
data
downlink and reconstruction of the patchy satellite data into one meaningful
data. Orbit information and operational plan of each satellite will be made
available to the amateur radio community in the world. Software to
decode the
satellite data will be also made available.
The respective amateur ground stations that can successfully decode the
telemetry data, music and the Earth images, shall receive a QSL card
from the
BIRDS team. The data reconstructed by the effort of the amateur ground
station
network will be made public to share the sense of satisfaction and
achievement.
A particularly interesting mission of BIRDS project is the SNG mission that
exchanges music via a digi-singer. It is an outreach-oriented mission.
First,
music in MIDI format is uploaded from ground. Then the MIDI file is
processed
on-board using a vocal synthesizer. Finally, the processed music is sent
back to
Earth using UHF antenna as voice FM data.
During organized events on space utilization with schools or general public,
music could be heard using a common hand-held receiver and hand-made Yagi
antenna positioned to track the satellite at each given pass over the
region.
This has a tremendous effect on awareness of radio communication among
school
children and general public, especially in the countries participating
in the
BIRDS project, Japan, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
Proposing to use CW, 1k2 AFSK FM, audio FM and 9k6 GMSK downlinks. The
IARU has
coordinated a downlink frequency of 437.375 MHz.
BIRDS project information:
http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/
http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/amateur.html
http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/newsletter.html
https://www.facebook.com/Joint-Global-Multi-Nation-Birds-BIRDS-
project-171403156542445/
Download the Paper – IAA-CU-15-01-16 Five-nations CubeSat constellation; An
inexpensive test case for learning and capacity building
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289868265_IAA-CU-15-01-16_Five-
nations_CubeSat_constellation_An_inexpensive_test_case_for_learning_and_capaci-_
ty_building
The IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination pages are hosted by AMSAT-UK at
http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
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AMSATSA Reports Significant Progress with the Kletskous Cubesat
At the annual AMSATSA space symposium, significant progress with the
Kletskous
CubeSat was reported by the development team. A new design space frame was
released, which is constructed on a locked-in basis and now requires
assembly
screws. Although based on the original design by Deon Coetzee, ZR6DE, it
is much
lighter and fully machine produced with the advantage that its
manufacture is
repeatable exactly as the original. The Electronic Power System is in
its final
stages and offers advanced controls over the powering of the satellite even
should the battery failed.
The Symposium itself was a great success and as delegates said is the
highlight
on the annual amateur radio technology calendar. Planning for the 2018 is
already underway. For more, visit www.amsatsa.org.za
[ANS thanks the SARL weekly news in English 2017-6-3 for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MacDoppler Version 2.25 released
Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that MacDoppler Version 2.25
has been
released and can be downloaded from:
http://www.dogparksoftware.com/MacDoppler.html
What's New in this release ?
* Added Yaesu FT-991 driver.
* Added Prosistel Combo azel driver.
* Added Tuning Dial Tracking to IC-910.
* Show Tuning Dial Tracking capability.
* Added Rotator Stop button.
* Display offsets in VFO panel Uplink and Downlink.
* Fixed FT-847, FT-817 in-band doppler.
* Fixed GS232B ERC Rotor Readback.
[ANS thanks Dog Park Software and Southgate 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
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