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ANS-211 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Joe Spier 29 Jul '17

29 Jul '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-211 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: * Packet Module Status On Board ISS * Oklahoma Radio Amateur is First to Score Satellite VUCC from Greenland * 437 MHz Sprite Satellites Deployed * QIKCOM-1 Team Expect Eclipse Day ISS Deployment * One Radio Amateur is Part of New Crew Increment Heading to ISS * Fox-1 Operating Guide Updates for 2017 * AMSAT Presentation at the Austin Summerfest, August 5, 2017 * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-211.01 ANS-211 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 211.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE July 30, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-211.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Packet Module Status On Board ISS ARISS has received several reports stating that the packet system on ISS is down. Here is what we know and our current forward plan. The packet system in the Columbus module started to act up late last week, sending only a beacon. The ARISS team requested a power recycle by the crew, and with that power recycle, the packet system appears to have stop functioning completely. Note that this unit has been on- orbit for 17 years. It was launched on the STS-106 Space Shuttle Atlantis mission in September 2000 and was built, tested and certified for flight about 20 years ago. The ARISS team has had some extensive discussions on the way forward. We would first like to do some additional troubleshooting with the existing packet module. It will take some time (weeks) to develop troubleshooting procedures, get the procedures approved by NASA and then conduct the tests with the crew. This includes an additional power cycle. The turnaround time is much longer than usual because a new crew will soon be arriving on ISS. The current crew is focused on the new crew arrival and there will be about a one- to two-week transition after the new crew arrives. On the positive side, one aspect of our troubleshooting—a second power cycle—will occur automatically because ARISS is shut down during crew docking and turned on afterwards. However, there will be more to our troubleshooting than just the power cycle. We have some additional plans with alternative solutions, but those are currently being discussed and prioritized within the ARISS team. All solutions will require international ARISS team coordination, additional procedures and crew interaction. People who have carefully followed ISS operations know that crew time continues to evolve with the more extensive research that is occurring on-board. Suffice it to say, it will take longer than what it has taken in the past to work through this issue. The above information is to make sure that ARISS properly sets expectations on how long it will take to resolve this. At this point, expect a few months with no ARISS packet. As you all can see, deploying the Interoperable Radio system that is currently under development by ARISS has become even more critically important. The ARISS team is laser focused on getting that system developed and deployed. We are conducting a final design review with NASA on this system next week. But we cannot get to the finish line without your help. If you can, please consider a donation to the ARISS radio fund by clicking on the ARISS donate button on the ARISS web page (www.ariss.org) or the AMSAT web page (www.amsat.org). All donations, large and small are appreciated. On behalf of ARISS, we thank you for your sustained interest and support of our program. Sincerely, Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO ARISS International Chair [ANS thanks ARISS and Frank, KA3HDO, AMSAT Vice President, Human Spaceflight for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma Radio Amateur is First to Score Satellite VUCC from Greenland It took just 4 days — some of that time without much sleep — but ARRL member Gabe Zeifman, NJ7H/VE6NJH, of Oklahoma City recently became the first radio amateur to earn VUCC — working 100 grid squares — by satellite from Greenland. In fact, his is the first VUCC award of any kind from Greenland. A relatively new licensee, Zeifman, 22, has managed to activate more than 300 grid squares via satellite as well as nearly 20 DXCC entities. Apart from the operating accomplishment, Zeifman told ARRL, he was attempting to inspire newcomers. “I thought it could get more people interested in satellites in general — VUCC is very achievable for anyone — and could also get more people interested in roving,” said Zeifman, who began training this week to become an air traffic controller. “I was overwhelmed by the support I got; it was really astonishing the number of people that helped!” He said one operator activated eight grids for him, while others who don’t typically rove, visited at least one neighboring grid square to give him a new one. “It was really cool to see our community throughout the world come together to help in this goal,” he said. “I really first envisioned this idea when I realized I had nearly 70 grids confirmed from Iceland, and I thought ‘hmm, OX is an even better location, I bet it’s possible.’” Zeifman said he prefers the linear-transponder satellites such as FO- 29, rather than the FM satellites. He said he may one day get into HF more seriously, but, for now, he finds VHF/UHF/SHF “more fascinating.” He said the trip to Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands with his mother and his sister, was “fantastic,” although, he noted, “they may have sometimes been annoyed by my getting up at 3 AM or several times “Sometimes it was a very nice sunny day, and sometimes it was rainy, windy, and cold,” he recounted. “But, I was happy to operate in everything, and it paid off.” Zeifman, who said he enjoys visiting in “the north,” has been to Northwest Territories twice in the past couple of years, and is hoping for an ATC assignment in Alaska. “But now that I’m a ham, I’ve really developed a passion for operating satellites while all over the world,” he told ARRL. He said a goal still on the far horizon would be to complete a “reverse DXCC” on satellite — working the US on satellites from 100 DXCC entities. “I think it’s definitely achievable someday,” he added. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 437 MHz Sprite Satellites Deployed Scientific American magazine interviews radio amateur Zac Manchester KD2BHC in the article Breakthrough Sends Smallest-Ever Satellites into Orbit. On June 23, 2017 six tiny satellites were sent into low-Earth orbit as secondary payloads on the Venta and Max Valier satellites that were launched on the Indian PSLV-C38 rocket. These six satellites are comparatively dainty, but punch far above their weight. Called “Sprites,” each is a 4-gram flake of circuit-board just 3.5 centimeters on a side, packing solar panels, computers, sensors and communications equipment into an area equal to a U.S. postage stamp. One Sprite apiece is attached to the outside of each mothership — the Latvian Venta satellite and the Italian Max Valier satellite, the latter of which also holds four additional Sprites awaiting deployment into space as wholly independent spacecraft. Radio telemetry from minuscule magnetometers and gyroscopes on the deployed Sprites would then be used to track the spacecraft as they shift, spin and tumble, to better understand their orbital dynamics. Signals on 437.325 MHz from at least one of the exterior-mounted Sprites have been received in California and New York. Read the Scientific American article at https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reaching-for-the-stars- breakthrough-sends-smallest-ever-satellites-into-orbit/ Zac Manchester KD2BHC had 104 Sprite satellites launched into orbit on board KickSat-1 on April 18, 2014 but the Sprites failed to deploy https://amsat-uk.org/2014/04/18/successful-launch-of-kicksat-carrying- 104-sprite-satellites/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- QIKCOM-1 Team Expect Eclipse Day ISS Deployment The US Naval Academy team say their amateur radio QIKCOM-1 APRS Digipeater payload may be deployed from the International Space Station on August 21. The QIKCOM-1 page says: The Ham Radio QIKCOM-1 module attached to the NovaWurks NanoRacks SIMPL spacecraft is now finally scheduled for release from the ISS on 21 August 2017! This is being released on the same day as the solar Eclipse when the ISS will also be passing over the USA during the eclipse 2 hour window around 1800z. We are not clear on any correlation with the Eclipse and our release, but there will be lots of hams in the field and it is a good day to tune in! Read about QIKCOM-1 at http://aprs.org/qikcom-1.html [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK ans the QIKCOM Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- One Radio Amateur is Part of New Crew Increment Heading to ISS European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA, NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy will head to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 28. They will launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Expedition 52/53 crew will spend more than 4 months together aboard the orbital complex before returning to Earth in December. After launching in their Soyuz MS-05 spacecraft, the trio will travel for 6 hours before docking. Once the hatches between the Soyuz and ISS open, Expedition 52 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI, and Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson, ex-KC5ZTD, and Jack Fischer, K2FSH, will welcome the new crew members aboard. Their arrival will double the population of the ISS. Expedition 52 will continue work on hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science aboard the ISS, NASA said. AMSAT-IT and the ARISS International community is anticipating a successful mission from ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA, with many direct ARISS contacts scheduled. [ANS thanks ARRL and ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fox-1 Operating Guide Updates for 2017 The Fox-1 Operating Guide has been updated for 2017. This can be used for personal reference and be made available for club meeting and hamfest handouts. Designed to be printed double sided the Operating Guide is available in two file sizes: + The lower resolution PDF file is designed to shrink file size for e-mail, web posting, or on-screen viewing. (~300K) + The high resolution PDF file is publication quality designed for hard-copy printing. (~2 MB) The PDF files can be accessed on the AMSAT web: https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/ [www.amsat.org] --> [Satellite Info] --> [Station and Operating Hints] Launch status and dates continue to be driven by the space industry and may change as the year progresses. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Web Gurus for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Presentation at the Austin Summerfest, August 5, 2017 The AMSAT Presentation at the Austin Summerfest, August 5, 2017 will be given by Ron Parsons, W5RKN. The presentation will consist of two parts: Introduction to AMSAT --and-- A Software Defined Radio Satellite Station: The Evolution of its Design For more information, see http://www.austinsummerfest.org/ Ron Parsons, W5RKN, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1954, a member of AMSAT and active in amateur radio satellite communications since 1993. He has participated in three ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) school contacts: Fulmore Middle School (MIR - 1998) and Blackland Prairie Elementary (2008) and Liberal Arts and Science Academy with Richard Garirott (1998). He has a Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford and taught at The University of Texas at Austin. [ANS thanks Ron, W5RKN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Recent Contacts A telebridge contact with students from the Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Program at The International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development (R&D) Conference, Washington, D.C., was successful Thu 2017-07-20 13:23:10 UTC 56 deg. An International Space Station school contact was successful with participants at ISS R&D conference, Washington, D.C. on 20 July. The event began at approximately 13:23 UTC. The contact was a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. See the video at: https://www.facebook.com/SpaceStationExplorers/videos/334464240317857/ The contact was very successful with 24 questions answered. Five astronauts were present during the contact. Frank Bauer KA3HDO, ARISS International Chairperson and AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight, said of the event, "Great day [Thursday July 20] at the ISS R&D Conference. This was a very important contact with our sponsors---CASIS and NASA SCaN at the event and many of the CASIS senior leaders in attendance. It was great to see several members of the multi-generational astronaut team, that have supported ARISS for over 20 years now, on stage and giving their perspectives of their ARISS connections from space. This ARISS contact was conducted with Youth in Aviation Program students from the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) attending the ISS Research and Development conference as part of the conference’s STEM day. ECCTAI is one of the largest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapters in United States and serves the Washington DC area. ECCTAI is dedicated to keeping alive the history, achievements, and importance of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The term, "Tuskegee Airmen," refers to the men and women, who were involved in the so- called "Tuskegee Experience", the World War II Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. ECCTAI strives to increase understanding of the “Tuskegee Experience” by honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of the men and women who participated in the “Tuskegee Experience” and to introduce young people to the world of aviation and space through its Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP). YIAP motivates and inspires America’s youth to strive for similar excellence of these earlier pioneers, exposing them to aviation and space careers (Level I), attending FAA ground school (Level II) and receiving aircraft flight instruction or interning at an FAA certified A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) facility (Level III). Upcoming Contacts: VCP-Bundeszeltplatz, Großzerlang, Germany, direct via DP9S The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA Contact is a go for: Tue 2017-08-01 18:20:35 UTC 46 deg Frontiers of Flight Museum/ Moon Day, Dallas, TX, telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA Contact is a go: Sat 2017-08-05 18:02:31 UTC 87 deg [ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over Message from Space hails Big Lottery Fund Award for Norfolk UK Based Amateur Radio Group Thanks to UK National Lottery players, the Bittern DXers, a North Norfolk UK based Amateur Radio club, are celebrating an award of just under £10,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to help them introduce people to the endless possibilities in technology that Amateur Radio offers to young and old alike. News of the award was heralded around the world by a message transmitted by the FunCube 1 satellite congratulating the group on their award. FunCube 1 was built by members of the Amateur Radio community and launched into orbit on 21st November 2013. It was built with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics, and is the first satellite with outreach as its primary mission and demonstrates the depth and breadth of the hobby of Amateur Radio. The Bittern DXers' own Educational Outreach Project aims to take advantage of technology like FunCube to bring demonstrations of as many aspects as possible of their hobby to public events in Norfolk as well as reaching out to young people in schools, scouting and guiding etc. With the money provided by National Lottery players, the group have purchased gazebos, radios and demonstration equipment allowing them to take a complete hi-tech station to public shows and events that enables conversations with other amateurs around the world, as well as pick up signals live from the International Space Station, weather satellites and the many other amateur satellites currently in space. Chairman, Steve Cordner - callsign M0HET, said: “We are immensely grateful to the Big Lottery Fund and National Lottery players, for allowing us the opportunity to introduce amateur radio to people and show them what we do. “We already know for example that when young people are shown images being received live from space, that their imagination is fired up and they want to find out more. For older people it can break down barriers of loneliness and disability and allow them to communicate with others across county, country and world. “Becoming a Radio Amateur makes one more employable as well as leading to a lifetime of personal growth in the field of electronics and radio communication. Many people holding senior roles in high-tech industries today owe their careers to an early interest in amateur radio. Our project aims to provide people of all ages that 'first contact' with Amateur Radio.” Club Secretary, Linda Leavold, who has been licensed for more than 30 years with her callsign G0AJJ, is proof that it is not just a male hobby! She remarked “Being a radio amateur gives one a great sense of personal achievement especially when you make that long distance contact with someone on another continent. And its something the whole family can get involved in.” Laughing she added “Even my husband Richard joined me on the air after a couple of years! He got fed up with burnt offerings for meals and decided to discover just what it was that was occupying my time. “It doesn't matter where you come from, whether you have any disabilities or what age you are, Amateur Radio has something to offer everyone and we want to get out there and show people what they are missing.” Although they have a very busy calendar already this year, they welcome contact from any person or organisation who might be interested in seeing what they do. The contact details are available on www.bittern-dxers.org.uk [ANS thanks Julian, M0NUX for the above information] NASA Ground Station for Voyager 2 YouTube tour of Deep Space Tracking Station in Austrailia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rCrfQUcXDI [ANS thanks Zach, N0ZGO 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

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ANS-204 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 22 Jul '17

22 Jul '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-204 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: * VE9 on Satellite * Her Majesty's Royal Mint Special Event on Satellites * V47JA St. Kitts on SO-50 * AMSAT 2017 Symposium Call for Papers * IARU Aligns Satellite Coordination Guidelines with ITU WRC-15 Decisions * Have you seen the Mayak satellite? SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-204.01 ANS-155 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 204.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE July 23, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-204.01 VE9 on Satellite CANADA, VE. Mike, KI1U will be QRV as KI1U/VE9 from Grand Manan Island, IOTA NA-014, from July 23 to 30. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using CW and various digital modes, including possibly the new mode FT8, as well as possible activity on the FM satellites. QSL to home call. [ANS thanks the ARRL DX Bulletin 29 - ARLD029 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Her Majesty's Royal Mint Special Event on Satellites Members of the Barry Amateur Radio Society will be operating from 'Her Majesty's Royal Mint' at Llantrisant, South Wales, UK, call sign - GB4RME (Royal Mint Experience) between July 30th and August 5, 2017 Locator: IO81HN WAB:ST08 The hours of operation on a daily basis have been limited, but we expect to be operational between 0800 - 1730 hrs GMT. It does restrict operation for satellite operations and passes in addition of course AO-73 operates in data mode Monday to Friday when illuminated (Auto mode). However on the first Sunday of the event (30th) and the last day (Saturday 5th August) the transponder mode should be available if commanded. The general other activities of the event will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, DATA RTTY and JT65. This event will also include an exhibition and demonstrations of "Amateur Radio". How key events, especially using satellites and the ISS, are key players in the role of education and "STEM" Note also this event also co-incident with the event taking place for "YOTA 2917" (GB17YOTA) and should be significant as a prime contact for youngsters participating from world wide. This special event station is a world first, operating from within a Mint, and a Royal one at that. Details about the mint can be viewed at: http://www.royalmint.com/en/the-royal-mint-experience QSL via GW0ANA, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW and ClubLog. There will be a Web page set up for the operation on QRZ.com. [ANS thanks Ken, GW1FY, and Southgate for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- V47JA St. Kitts on SO-50 John, V47JA/W5JON, has been operating on SO-50 from St. Kitts with some success. The problem for him is that there is terrain in the way from about 320 degrees, north to east. So he is limited to what he can work from his house there. John is putting together what he will need to operate portable from the top of the hill where he will be able to see down to the horizon to the north. Once he has everything together he will be able to work down low and work more stations in the US. He is using an Arrow antenna and two FM mobile units. He is not a new comeer to the birds but hasn't operated since the HEO's went away years ago. He will be on St. Kitts for a few weeks and he hopes to work everyone that needs it. SO-50 only. He will QSL via LOTW but might wait until he returns to Texas to get everyone uploaded. [ANS thanks John, K8YSE, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT 2017 Symposium Call for Papers This is the first call for papers for the 2017 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 27, 28, 29, 2017 at the Silver Legacy Resort, Reno, Nevada. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy to be submitted by October 6 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz N8FGV at n8fgv at amsat.org [ANS thanks Dan, N8FGV, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- IARU Aligns Satellite Coordination Guidelines with ITU WRC-15 Decisions As the global federation of national associations of radio amateurs in more than 150 countries, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) for many years has provided frequency coordination services for amateur satellites free of charge. Often these satellites are constructed by students at universities and other institutions as a part of their educational experience. In general, they have been licensed to operate in the amateur- satellite service, which is defined by the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as having the “…purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.” Some administrations have issued experimental licenses for such satellites operating in amateur-satellite frequency bands. The IARU has coordinated these satellites as well, to reduce the possibility of harmful interference that might result from uncoordinated operation. Since 1 July 2014 it has not been possible to coordinate experimental satellites in the 144-146 MHz band because of the high probability of harmful interference in this heavily used band. Educational satellite projects have grown in popularity as launch opportunities have increased. In 2012 the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference took note of the proliferation of what in Resolution 757 (WRC-12) it called “nanosatellites and picosatellites” and invited WRC-18 (now scheduled for 2019) to consider steps to facilitate their deployment and operation. Two Reports, ITU-R SA.2312 (09/2014) and ITU-R SA.2348 (05/2015), are instructive regarding the characteristics, definitions, spectrum requirements, and notification procedures of and for such satellites, which generally must use spectrum below 1 GHz for operational reasons. At the following WRC in 2015, in place of Resolution 757 the Member States of the ITU adopted Resolution 659 (WRC-15) in which it was noted that the use of 144-146 MHz and 435-438 MHz by non-amateur satellites is not in accordance with the definition of the amateur-satellite service in the Radio Regulations. Resolution 659 cites the two reports mentioned above and makes it clear that the spectrum needs of what are now called “non- geostationary satellites with short duration missions” should be met either within the service in which the space station is operating or within the space operation service. Further, if new or upgraded allocations to the space operation service are required, studies should be limited to the frequency ranges 150.05-174 MHz and 400.15-420 MHz. Accordingly, effective 1 August 2017 the IARU will be following revised guidelines for satellite frequency coordination. The strong preference is for all satellites using spectrum allocated to the amateur and amateur-satellite services to operate under amateur licenses and within the definition of the amateur-satellite service and the service- specific Article 25 of the Radio Regulations. The IARU believes the definition is sufficiently broad to encompass nearly all educational satellite projects that include giving students hands-on experience with radiocommunication and are conducted under an amateur license. The IARU will only coordinate a non-amateur satellite if an administration directs in writing that it be operated in an amateur-satellite band under an experimental or other non-amateur license. Satellites with combined amateur and non-amateur missions will continue to be coordinated. [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you seen the Mayak satellite? By Deborah Byrd, EarthSky News in HUMAN WORLD | SPACE | July 18, 2017 http://earthsky.org/space/mayak-bright-russian-satellite-july-august-2017 On July 14, an amateur group in Russia launched a small satellite called Mayak. They said it would become the “brightest shooting star” in the sky. Why’d they do it? Here’s how to look for it. A team of young Russians – led by Moscow State Mechanical Engineering University (MAMI) – managed to raise more than $30,000 on Russian crowdfunding website Boomstarter, in order to launch their own small satellite. The satellite is called Mayak, which means beacon in English. It’s a cubesat, roughly the size of a loaf of bread. And it’s up there. Mayak went into space on July 14, 2017, as part of a secondary payload, launched on a Soyuz 2.1v vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It’ll be orbiting Earth, about 370 miles (600 km) high, for the coming month. It’s supposed to be very, very bright, so bright that it would, supposedly, ruin night skies and threaten astronomy. Satellite tracking websites like Heavens Above are already trying to follow it, hoping to offer information on Mayak’s passes over various parts of the world. Heavens Above commented: "A new small satellite has just been launched which will deploy a large reflector once in orbit and has the potential to be very bright. We now have a provisional orbit from Space-Track which you can use to generate predictions. Please note that the magnitude estimates are possibly very inaccurate until actual observations are reported." Heavens-Above.com now has pass predictions up for the new Russian reflector sat "Mayak," listing it as NORAD ID 2017-042F/42830. http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=42830 Plus Mayak has its own app, available to those who back the project. See: http://cosmomayak.com/default#mobileapp How bright is Mayak? Brightness estimates have varied, but the idea was that it would be the brightest shooting star in the sky. Some estimated it would be nearly as bright as Venus, the sky’s brightest planet. Its brightness is part of its purpose, which is partly, simply, to inspire people. From Mayak’s website: The main objective of the project is to make cosmonautics and space research poplar in Russia, as well as to make scientific and technical researches attractive to youth. Also from Mayak’s website: Question: Why did you build the satellite? Answer: Everyone is used to think that flying into space is a privilege of state and military corporations. We wanted to prove that space is simpler and closer than it seems, and a team of enthusiasts can launch a satellite into space! This The video shows Mayak’s launch, along with 72 other satellites, on July 14, 2017 at 9:36 Moscow Time from the Baikonur cosmodrome: https://youtu.be/E0X0KfEnJAk [ANS thanks EarthSky News 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, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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ANS 197
by Christopher Bradley 16 Jul '17

16 Jul '17

I apologize for the delay in publishing this week's ANS 197. 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: * ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event * 3U CubeSat with FM Transponder Launch Planned for August 16 * International Space Station school contact * NEON - NASA Educators Online Network * Tour de France Special Event Station Includes Satellite Operation * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-197.01 ANS-197 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 197.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. July 16, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-197.01 ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of ARISS, a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event is planned for Thursday, July 20 starting around 21:25 UTC. The event plans to feature images from ARISS activities both past and present. This opportunity should cover most of the world during the operation period. The event plans to use a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the ham radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710 transceiver. Those receiving the images can post them at https://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ for viewing by the public. The 20 year history of ARISS will be displayed through a collection of 12 unique images sharing the amazing accomplishments of ARISS over the last two decades. SSTV signals will be sent to earth at 145.80 MHz using FM. The SSTV mode of transmission is expected to be PD 120 (PD 180 may be a second option). The event is expected to continue over a two day period. Since it’s inception, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has provided students an opportunity, through ham radio, to engage in conversation with orbiting astronauts and inspired many to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Consider how you might inspire students in your area through this chance to capture images directly from space to their computers. Please note that the event, and any ARISS event, is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. While preparations are being finalized please check for new and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status for the latest information on this event. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3U CubeSat with FM Transponder Launch Planned for August 16 A 3U CubeSt, FMN-1, is planned for launch on August 16 from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the Gobi desert, Inner Mongolia. FMN-1 will fly an FM repeater: Uplink: 145.945 MHz FM Downlink: 435.350 MHz FM (plus telemetry) A 9k6 BPSK AX25 UHF downlink with an FM uplink on VHF is included. The main mission of the satellite includes a new component experiment and deployable solar panels. IARU coordination information is posted at: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=567 [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at ISS R&D conference, Washington, D.C. on 20 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:23 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. This ARISS contact will be conducted with Youth in Aviation Program students from the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) attending the ISS Research and Development conference as part of the conference's STEM day. ECCTAI is one of the largest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapters in United States and serves the Washington DC area. ECCTAI is dedicated to keeping alive the history, achievements, and importance of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The term, "Tuskegee Airmen," refers to the men and women, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the World War II Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. ECCTAI strives to increase understanding of the "Tuskegee Experience" by honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of the men and women who participated in the "Tuskegee Experience" and to introduce young people to the world of aviation and space through its Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP). YIAP motivates and inspires America's youth to strive for similar excellence of these earlier pioneers, exposing them to aviation and space careers (Level I), attending FAA ground school (Level II) and receiving aircraft flight instruction or interning at an FAA certified A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) facility (Level III). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEON - NASA Educators Online Network ANNOUNCEMENTS Free STEM Education Webinars From NASA Educator Professional Development The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) at Texas State University is presenting a series of free webinars open to all educators. Join NASA education specialists to learn about activities, lesson plans, educator guides and resources that bring NASA into your classroom. Registration is required to participate. To register, simply click on the link provided beneath the webinar description. July 17, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. ET: Solar Eclipse: Edible Experiments/ The Great American Eclipse / Eclipse Book Reviews (Grades K-12) -- Explore resources for making edible models to teach about lunar and solar eclipses. Browse websites with hands-on activities on subjects such as protection from UV rays. Learn about a collection of children's literature to use for studying the eclipse. These activities will be great for summer camps and back-to-school events before the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. Register online to participate. https://www.eiseverywhere.com/263976 July 18, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. ET: Solar Eclipse: Guest Scientist -- High-Altitude Ballooning (Grades K-12) -- Get an overview of high- altitude ballooning during eclipses with Bernhard Beck-Winchatz from the STEM Studies Department at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Beck-Winchatz has worked on several NASA projects using weather balloon flights that provide affordable access to a spacelike environment for student research. Register online to participate. https://www.eiseverywhere.com/263980 July 19, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. ET: Solar Eclipse: Building Your Own Eclipse Equipment for Your Classroom on a Budget (Grades K-12) -- Learn how to build inexpensive models to teach solar eclipse concepts in the classroom. Register online to participate. https://www.eiseverywhere.com/263974 July 20, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. ET: Solar Eclipse: What, When, Where, How and Safety (Grades K-12) -- On Aug. 21, 2017, most Americans will experience their first total solar eclipse in almost 40 years. What is a solar eclipse? Where will the eclipse be visible? When will the eclipse occur? How can the eclipse be viewed safely? This webinar will explore these questions using some of the many NASA resources and classroom lessons supporting this solar event. Learn about the important safety of properly viewing the eclipse with your students. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/263468 For the NASA STEM Educator Professional Development webinar schedule, go to: http://www.txstate-epdc.net/events/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tour de France Special Event Station Includes Satellite Operation F, France: TM24TDF is a special event call operating around the Tour de France 2017. QRV until July 21 on HF and via satellites. QSL via F6KHS (d/B). [ANS thanks DX Newsletter DXNL 2049 - July 12, 2017 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + AMSAT Journal Needs Your Words and Wisdom The AMSAT Journal is looking for interesting articles, experiences and photos to share with other AMSAT members. Writing for the Journal is an exellent way both to give back to the AMSAT community and to help others learn and grow in this most fascinating aspect of the amateur radio avocation. Author deadlines for upcoming Journals through 2017 include: Sept/Oct Edition September 15 Nov/Dec Edition November 15 Send your manuscripts and photos, or story ideas to: journal (at) amsat.org For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/how-to-write-for-the-amsat-journal/ [ANS thanks Joe KB6IGK for the above information] + Need to contact AMSAT-NA? AMSAT-NA 10605 Concord St, #304 Kensington, MD 20895-2526 USA Toll-Free: +1 (888) 322-6728 Phone: +1 (301) 822-4376 Fax: +1 (301) 822-4371 info(a)amsat.org [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] + For information on AMSAT and AMSAT-Related Nets visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-and-amsat-related-nets/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] + AMSAT Symposium AMSAT NA announces that the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday through Sunday, Oct 27, 28, 29, 2017 in Reno, Nevada. Location will be at the Silver Legacy Resort , 407 N Virginia Street, in Downtown, Reno. For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/ With less than four months left for Symposium, now is the time to start writing your papers and preparing your presentations. [ANS thanks the Symposium Committee 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, Christopher Bradley, KG5JUP kg5jup at amsat dot org

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ANS-190 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 08 Jul '17

08 Jul '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-190 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: * ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event * AMSAT News Service Welcomes New Rotating Editor * BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation Deployment * 2017 AMSAT Field Day Satellite Summary Sheets Due Monday July 10 * 2017 Candidates for the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Announced * New AMSAT Website, Online Store Available * Satellite DX Opportunities * Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Access to Full 76-81 GHz Band on a Secondary Basis * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-190.01 ANS-190 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 190.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. July 9, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-190.01 ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of ARISS, a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event is planned for Thursday, July 20 starting around 21:25 UTC. The event plans to feature images from ARISS activities both past and present. This opportunity should cover most of the world during the operation period. The event plans to use a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the ham radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710 transceiver. Those receiving the images can post them at https://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ for viewing by the public. The 20 year history of ARISS will be displayed through a collection of 12 unique images sharing the amazing accomplishments of ARISS over the last two decades. SSTV signals will be sent to earth at 145.80 MHz using FM. The SSTV mode of transmission is expected to be PD 120 (PD 180 may be a second option). The event is expected to continue over a two day period. Since it’s inception, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has provided students an opportunity, through ham radio, to engage in conversation with orbiting astronauts and inspired many to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Consider how you might inspire students in your area through this chance to capture images directly from space to their computers. Please note that the event, and any ARISS event, is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. While preparations are being finalized please check for new and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status for the latest information on this event. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT News Service Welcomes New Rotating Editor The Editors of the AMSAT News Service welcome Christopher R Bradley, KG5JUP, among the ranks of Rotating Editor for the AMSAT News Service. Chris is the ARRL Oklahoma Sectin Traffic Manager and recently completed his Masters degree in IT. Chris currently holds a General class license and is very interested in public service, digital modes, and mesh networks. He is active in his local club and the ARRL. His plans in the hobby include completing a C.E.R.T. course, updating both his First Aid and CPR, and completing additional FEMA EMI and A.R.R.L. EMCOMM courses. He is currently studying for the amateur extra class license exam and hopes to soon update his ARRL VE creditials and instructor status so as to further the hobby along. Chris' first assignment will be ANS 197, July 13. Current editors, Lee McLamb KU4OS, Joe Spier K6WAO and EMike McCardel AA8EM all welcome his assistance. If you are interested in serving AMSAT as an ANS editor please contact Lee McLamb, ku4os at cfl.rr.com [ANS thanks ANS Editors for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation Deployment Masahiro Arai JN1GKZ reports the BIRDS Project Newsletter Issue No. 17 shows the deployment of five amateur radio BIRDS-1 CubeSats from ISS is planned for July 7, 2017. The IARU reports the satellites will be using CW, 1k2 AFSK FM, audio FM and 9k6 GMSK downlinks on a coordinated downlink frequency of 437.375 MHz. On the AMSAT Bulletin Board Masa JN1GKZ writes: The schedule is: Time Satellites Location #1 0900z BIRD-J, BIRD-G, BIRD-M over Fance #2 0930z BIRD-N, BIRD-B over the south Indian ocean BIRD-B (BRAC Onnesha) :Bangladesh BIRD-G (GhanaSat-1, ANUSAT-1):Ghana BIRD-J (Toki) :Japan BIRD-M (Mazaalai, NUMSAT-1) :Mongolia BIRD-N (EduSat-1) :Nigeria A QSL is issued for a reception report. Please check the BIRDS web site. http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/amateur.html Live broadcast of the deployment is planned by JAXA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP5YZi5usHc BIRDS Project Newsletter Issue No.17 http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/files/BIRDS_Newsletter_Issue_No_17.pdf 73 Masa JN1GKZ Tokyo Japan Amateur Radio BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation https://amsat-uk.org/2016/08/11/ham-radio-birds-constellation/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 AMSAT Field Day Satellite Summary Sheets Due Monday July 10 The 2017 AMSAT Field Day 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. Whereas it is too late to use the postal service for your results to arrive by the submission date, feel free to send 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 photographs or other information, 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New AMSAT Website, Online Store Available AMSAT is pleased to announce that an updated website and online store are now available at www.amsat.org. In addition to cosmetic updates, this represents a significant upgrade of AMSAT's online capabilities. The website and store are now fully integrated with the AMSAT membership database, allowing the eventual implementation of features such as members-only content and digital distribution of The AMSAT Journal. In addition, members may now change their mailing address for delivery of The AMSAT Journal and determine when their membership expires via their online accounts. All current AMSAT members and former members whose membership expired within the past five years have accounts on the online website. These accounts are not linked to previous AMSAT store accounts, but are based on information in the AMSAT membership database. If you are a current member, or former member whose membership has expired within the past five years, please do not create a new account on the AMSAT website. Follow these steps to create a password: 1. Click the "My Account" button located on the upper right hand corner of any page on the website. 2. Click "Lost your password?" beneath the login button. 3. Enter your callsign and click reset password. 4. If your email address is correct in our database, you will receive an email with instructions to reset your password. If your email address is not correct in our database, please email webmaster(a)amsat.org with your callsign and preferred email address. An administrator will update your email address in the database and you will then be able to use the above procedure to reset your password. Please note that we are still in the early stages of transitioning to this new system and there is still work to be done to reconcile the new and old membership databases. We appreciate your patience as we work through any "kinks" that may pop up. For example, many of you received emails on Thursday afternoon indicating that your passwords had been reset. Please ignore this message. No further action is necessary. Report any future problems to an administrator at webmaster(a)amsat.org. Thanks to AMSAT's IT Team Leader Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, and Milltown Web Design of Boston, MA for their efforts in developing the new AMSAT web presence and thanks to Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for working to update items in the online store. AMSAT is always looking for volunteers to develop and update content on the website and maintain the online store. Members interested in helping, especially those with Wordpress and Woocommerce experience, are encouraged to email webmaster(a)amsat.org. [ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite DX Opportunities FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON (Reminder/Update). Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between July 4-18th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY (but primarily SSB and RTTY) and the satellites. He will generally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m). He will be active in the IARU HF Contest (July 8-9th), NA QSO Party-RTTY (July 15-16th) and the CQ VHF Contest [6M only] (July 15- 16th). ADDED NOTE: Eric, reported this week, "I will try to be on as many Satellite passes as I can when the WX is good. I am in a new (new to me) apartment and not sure which way the windows face. It is either west or north. If they face west, I can try some passes when it get dark or the WX is not good. Otherwise, I will be outside with my pair of FT817s and an Arrow antenna. Generally favoring the FO-29, AO-7, and XW-2* birds. Weekends may be limited since I will concentrating on the low(er) band and contests. QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July17.html PLEASE NOTE: Eric mentions, "I will also be on the analog Satellites when the WX is good enough to operate from outside." VP9, BERMUDA. Operators Bob/N2OO and Steve/KU9C will be active as N2OO/VP9 and KU9C/VP9 from Ed VP9GE's QTH between July 6-11th. During the IARU HF Championship they will operate VP9HQ, the VP9 IARU Headquarters callsign. Outside of the contest look for activity on all HF bands (especially the WARC bands) as well as 6 meters and SO- 50/AO-85 FM satellites. QSL VP9HQ to KU9C, and the /VP9 callsigns to their home callsign. PLEASE NOTE: QSL VP9HQ via KU9C for this July 8- 9th, 2017 only. The callsign was used in 2014 and that operation is via Seppo, OH1VR. YN, NICARAGUA. Rafael, NN3RP, will once again be active as YN2RP from Nicaragua between July 8th and August 4th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB, the Digital modes (PSK31/RTTY) and possibly the satellites. Operations, he states are "mostly evenings or while driving around the country (SSB)." QSL via his home callsign. [ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1320 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Access to Full 76-81 GHz Band on a Secondary Basis In a draft Report and Order (ET Docket No. 15-26) to be considered at its July 13 open meeting, the FCC is proposing to lift a nearly 2- decade-old suspension of Amateur Radio access to 76-77 GHz, giving the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services access to the full 76-81 GHz band on a secondary basis. The FCC also reduced Amateur Radio’s status from primary to secondary in the 77-77.5 GHz segment, to match the rest of the 76-81 GHz band, and it imposed a uniform power-level limit for users of the band. The draft Report and Order (R&O) concludes that Amateur Radio and vehicular radars will be able to successfully share the millimeter-wave band with minor adjustments in the Amateur Service rules. A goal of the proceeding has been to expand and consolidate the spectrum available worldwide for 76-81 GHz radar operations. It brings the US Table of Allocations into line with decisions at the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC- 15) and makes the entire band available internationally for vehicular radars operating in the Radiolocation Service (RLS). The FCC said its proposal “received significant support” and no opposition from commenters regarding the proposed allocation. “The rule changes we adopt modifying the regulatory status of amateur stations and capping their power levels will ensure the continued operation of amateur stations in this band, and are a reasonable alternative to expanding the suspension of amateur operations from the 76-77 GHz band to the remainder of the 76-81 GHz band or removing the amateur allocations altogether from the 76-81 GHz band,” the draft R&O said. “In addition, these changes, coupled with the nature of amateur operations in the band (e.g., largely experimental, occurring temporarily on mountaintops and locations where motor vehicle operation is not typical, and using antennas mounted on masts as high as practical), will ensure that the potential for harmful interference from amateur operations to vehicular radar operations in the 76-81 GHz band is negligible and satisfy our efforts to ensure protection for the important safety functions that vehicular radars will provide.” The FCC R&O would impose a 55 dBm peak effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) limit (316 W EIRP) on Amateur operations in the band. This is the same as that allowed to vehicular radars. The R&O reasons that the risk for potential interference between Amateur Radio operation and RLS operations “is mitigated by the directionality of vehicular radars’ antennas — downward in orientation and mounted on a low position on the vehicles.” The R&O also cites the periodic and transient nature of amateur operations in the band coupled with high path losses in a band that is conducive to frequency re-use. In reaching its tentative conclusions in the proceeding relative to the Amateur allocation, the FCC considered the comments of several individual radio amateurs as well as ARRL, Bosch, Delphi, the Automotive Safety Council, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and automakers and their representatives, among others. Several automotive manufacturers had asked that Amateur Radio be ousted from the band. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between SCaN/Glenn Research Center, Brook Park, OH and Astronaut Jack Fischer K2FSH using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-06-23 14:25 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via NA8SA ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN. + A Successful contact was made between Ufa State Aviation Technical University will hold a HAM Radio session devoted to the 85th anniversary of their University, Ufa, Russia and Cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI using Callsign RSØISS. The contact began 2017-06-23 08:25 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via RZ9WWB. ARISS Mentor was Sergey RV3DR. + A Successful contact was made between About Gagarin From Space. Ham Radio Session With Slavic Commonwealth International College Students Summer Camp Participants, Sochi, Russia and Cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI using Callsign RSØISS. The contact began 2017-06-17 15:10 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via R2Ø17SS. ARISS Mentor was Sergey RV3DR. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: About Gagarin From Space International Summer Camp #2 with Bashkortostan schoolchildren, Ufa, Russia, direct via RZ9WWB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Contact is a go for 2017-07-15 20:25 UTC 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), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) 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 ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Members have been receiving the May/June 2017 AMSAT Journal in their mailboxes. Look for yours if you haven't received it yet. + Are you planning a DX or rare grid expedition? Please consider sending details to ans-editor at amsat.org, at least one week before the event, and we will gladly publish your details. Would you like to report on your experiences after the event? Send your stories to ans-editor (at) amsat.org. + AMSAT Journal Needs Your Words and Wisdom The AMSAT Journal is looking for interesting articles, experiences and photos to share with other AMSAT members. Writing for the Journal is an exellent way both to give back to the AMSAT community and to help others learn and grow in this most fascinating aspect of the amateur radio avocation. Author deadlines for upcoming Journals through 2017 include: July/Aug Edition July 15 Sept/Oct Edition September 15 Nov/Dec Edition November 15 Send your manuscripts and photos, or story ideas to: journal (at) amsat.org For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/how-to-write-for-the-amsat-journal/ [ANS thanks Joe KB6IGK for the above information] + Help Requested to Complete Satellite WAS Bryan KL7CN/W6 is very close to attaining WAS (Worked All States) in ARRL's LotW (Log of the World)! He needs only 4 states: Connecticut, Missouri, Mississippi, and Rhode Island. Would any active LotW-using satellite operators mind helping him out? Contact Bryan direct email: bryan (at) KL7CN.net or phone: 408 836 7279 Bryan normally works out of CM98 [ANS thanks Bryan KL7CN/W6 for the above information] + Need to contact AMSAT-NA? AMSAT-NA 10605 Concord St, #304 Kensington, MD 20895-2526 USA Toll-Free: +1 (888) 322-6728 Phone: +1 (301) 822-4376 Fax: +1 (301) 822-4371 info(a)amsat.org [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] + For information on AMSAT and AMSAT-Related Nets visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-and-amsat-related-nets/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information] + AMSAT Symposium AMSAT NA announces that the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday through Sunday, Oct 27, 28, 29, 2017 in Reno, Nevada. Location will be at the Silver Legacy Resort , 407 N Virginia Street, in Downtown, Reno. For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/ With less than four months left for Symposium, now is the time to start writing your papers and preparing your presentations. [ANS thanks the Symposium Committee 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 aa8em at amsat dot org

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