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ANS-015 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Mark Johns, K0JM 15 Jan '23

15 Jan '23

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-015 In this edition: * FalconSat-3 Nears Re-entry * More Amateur Radio Astronauts Head for the ISS * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * Why We Don't Call CQ on FM Birds * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-015 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2023 Jan 15 FalconSat-3 Nears Re-entry A number of amateurs and satellite watchers have put forward predictions concerning the date and time of re-entry for FalconSat-3. While all re-entry predictions are something of a guessing game, due to the large number of variables affecting the upper atmosphere, one thing that can be said for certain is that the end for FS-3 will be coming very soon, quite possibly within the next week. AMSAT Board Member and FS-3 control operator, Mark Hammond, N8MH, has stated that he will try to have the bird operational for its final hours. The satellite has only been available for approximately 24 hours each weekend due to weak batteries. FalconSAT-3 was built in 2005 and 2006 by cadets and faculty in the Space Systems Research Center at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. It is the fourth in a series of small satellites designed, built and operated there as part of a capstone course and which brings together about 30 cadets each year from several different academic departments. Since its launch on an Atlas V from Cape Canaveral in March, 2007, it has been through three mission phases. The first mission phase was operation of the science payloads. In the second it was used as a tool for training cadets in the space operations squadron and students in both undergraduate space training in California and graduate students at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Finally, it’s third mission phase was as an on-orbit resource in the Amateur Radio Service (ARS). Operation as an ARS satellite was being managed by AMSAT-NA. In amateur service the downlink is at 435.103 MHz transmitting 1W into a ¼ whip. The uplink is at 145.840 MHz and the receive antenna is a ¼ whip on the opposite side of the satellite. All UHF and S-band equipment on NTIA licensed frequencies has been disabled. The ARS VHF receiver is very sensitive. Modulation is 9600 bps GMSK for the uplink and downlink. The broadcast callsign is PFS3-11, and the BBS callsign is PFS3-12, Unproto APRS via PFS3-1. The core avionics were designed and built by Mark Kanawati, N4TPY, and Dino Lorenzini, KC4YMG at SpaceQuest Ltd. and have performed remarkably well for nearly 16 years on orbit. Jim White, WD0E, was the lead engineer for FalconSAT-3 at the Air Force Academy (USAFA) and managed the design, construction, testing and early operations of the satellite. Nearly 700 cadets at USAFA obtained their amateur radio licenses as part of training to operate FalconSAT-3 and other USAFA satellites. They have taken that knowledge and understanding of the value of the ARS into their Air Force service and many on into industry. Since FalconSAT-3 the USAFA Astronautics Department has built and operated one additional satellite and has two more queued for launch. The space operations curriculum and the ground station are being rebuilt and configured for these new space assets. The success of FalconSAT-3 is an excellent example of how amateur radio can be integrated into the curriculum of an education institution for the benefit of the students and the amateur radio service. [ANS thanks Sasha Timokhov, VE3SVF, Jean Marc Momple, 3B8DU, and Mark Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT Operations, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2023 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch on June 16, 1983, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ More Amateur Radio Astronauts Head for the ISS Three of the four new astronauts on February's planned launch of the SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) are amateur radio operators. Pilot Warren "Woody" Hoburg, KB3HTZ; Commander Stephen Bowen, KI5BKB, and Mission Specialist Sultan Al Neyadi, KI5VTV, will join Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev on board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Endeavour. The spacecraft will be atop a Falcon 9 rocket and, while a launch date has not been selected, the earliest date would be mid-February 2023. All crew members have learned about Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), received guidance on studying and testing, and learned how to operate the ARISS radios and the basics of on-the-air protocol from ARISS team members at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The crew will be able to participate in ARISS, using the ham radio station on the ISS to contact schools and other educational institutions. ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the ISS. In the US, participating organizations include NASA, the ISS National Lab, ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio, and AMSAT. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ No changes this week. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Why We Don't Call CQ on FM Birds Please do not CQ on FM birds. It is not necessary and takes up valuable air time. If there are no QSOs ongoing, AND there is no station you heard that you want to call, you can key up and give your call and grid ONLY and unkey. But, please, do this sparingly! Instead of doing it over and over, listen and wait for another station you might want to work. In other words, you have to give others a chance to get in there. I have heard many passes where it was constantly one station after another CQing or announcing their call and I couldn't get it to call anyone! And if there is a rover on the pass giving out a rare grid, it is customary to let them have the air and work as many stations as they can until they have worked them all who are seeking them. (Which will changes as the sat passes over new territory and new callers wanting to work the rover come into range.) It may mean you get only one QSO that pass (or none of you don't need the grid he is in) but it's about sharing a resource wisely and giving everyone the most benefit. A pass full of CQs or a pass of contacts where everybody makes one QSO with a rare grid. If you add up all the seconds spent by people CQing, or continually announcing themselves you'll see what a significant percentage of a pass is wasted. They say, 'Well no one else was on.' Right... because they couldn't get through due to all the CQing! Satellites is like HF DXing... listen, listen and when in doubt, listen. Then there is the simple fact that CQing has NEVER been a thing on the FM mode... not on repeaters, not on simplex. The longstanding custom on FM, because of the nature of the way the audio works, is to simply announce your call. Such as, 'N4UFO listening 52" on 146.520 simplex, or 'N4UFO monitoring' over a 2m FM repeater... the 'CQ' part is implied. That said, why is CQing on SSB not only okay, but necessary? FM birds are one channel and you can hear everyone plain as day right there. With linear birds, there is a passband and stations are spread out... CQing is for catching everyone else's attention as they tune around. They will hear either your high pitched squeaky voice or low rumbling voice speaking in the familiar rhythm of 'CQ, CQ, CQ' as they tune around. In short, they use your 'CQ' as a way to tune around and FIND you, then TUNE you in. This is not necessary on FM. And also not necessary to CQ on SSB once the station starts making contacts. There is also a tendency on linear birds when a rare grid station is expected to be on a pass to start blind calling. Please do not do that either! I have a short writeup on my rover page to explain it... it's on the bottom of the page here: https://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO/P (also pics & stories of my roving adventures & my gear) And THANK YOU for ASKING!!! [ANS thanks Kevin Manzer, N4UFO, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. Escola Secundária de Lagoa, Lagoa, Azores, telebridge via IK1SLD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS, and the scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada KI5CRH. Contact is go for: Thu 2023-01-19 18:20:34 UTC 55 degrees maximum elevation. Watch for Livestream starting about 15 minutes before AOS at http://www.ariotti.com/ Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS, and the scheduled crewmember is TBD. Contact is go for 2023-01-24 TBD. Krasnodar, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS, and the scheduled crewmember is TBD. Contact is go for 2023-02-TBD TBD. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations W8LR: is heading to EN90 and EM99 1/15/23 FM and Linear. Chris VE3FU / VO2AC / VO1FUA / VE2FUA: The weekend of January 27-29 @Dave_VE3KG and I will be competing in the CQ160 CW Contest as VO2AC from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (Zone 2). We’ll also be on the other HF bands starting January 24 as VO2AC and VO2AAA. Please work us in the contest! We also plan on operating the linear and FM satellites from grid GO11 as VO2AC and VO2AAA from January 24-27. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled … -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun “How to Work the Easy Satellites” Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Paul Overn, KE0PBR, has announced his intent to "retire" from the Gridmaster Heat Map project that he has moderated on Twitter for the past three years. Paul has assisted many grid chasers by relaying information about rovers, and keeping tabs of which grids are in greatest need. Unless someone steps forward to pick it up, Gridmaster Heat Map will disappear next month. Thanks to Paul for your valuable contribution to satellite operations! (ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, for the above information) + Two astronauts on the International Space Station will conduct a spacewalk Friday, Jan. 20, to install hardware for future power system upgrades. NASA astronaut Nicole Mann and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, will exit the station’s Quest airlock to complete the installation of two mounting platforms as part of planned solar array augmentation on the starboard side of the International Space Station’s truss. NASA will provide live coverage beginning at 7 a.m. EST. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m., and last about six and a half hours. [NOTE: All ARISS operations are shut down during spacewalks.] (ANS thanks NASA for the above information) + There was an error in the January VUCC standings reported in last week's ANS bulletins. The entry for K7ZOO, at the top of the table, is not valid and should not have been included. ANS apologizes for the error. + The National Science Foundation (NSF) has reached an agreement with SpaceX to mitigate the effects of the company’s second-generation Starlink satellites on astronomy, even as another organization goes to court to block the constellation’s deployment. NSF, which funds operations of several major observatories, announced Jan. 10 that is had completed an astronomy coordination agreement with SpaceX regarding its Gen2 Starlink constellation. The Federal Communications Commission granted a license Dec. 2 to allow SpaceX to deploy a quarter of that 30,000-satellite system while deferring consideration of the rest of the constellation. That coordination agreement was a condition of the Gen2 FCC license. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information) + A vintage NASA satellite launched in the 1980s and long-since turned to space junk met a fiery fate late Sunday as it fell back to Earth. The huge Earth observation satellite, called the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), plunged back to Earth Sunday night (Jan. 8) at 11:04 p.m. EST (0304 GMT on Monday). The 5,400-pound (2,450 kilograms) satellite reentered over the Bering Sea, with some components potentially surviving the super-hot temperatures of reentry. (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Mark Johns, KØJM k0jm [at] amsat.org

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ANS-008 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Paul Stoetzer 08 Jan '23

08 Jan '23

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-008 In this edition: * Story of SuryaSat-1 (SS-1) Nano Satellite * VUCC Satellite Standings as of January 1, 2023 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-002 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2023 Jan 08 Story of SuryaSat-1 (SS-1) Nano Satellite This afternoon 6 January 2023, at 07:50 UTC, there will be the culmination of the long journey of Surya Satellite (SS-1) Nano Satellite project that started in 2016 after a presentation of amateur radio activities by ORARI (the Indonesian Radio Amateurs Organization) to students of University of Surya. In early 2015 ORARI made a presentation to University of Surya Robotic Club, and one of the amateur radio activities that got their interest was high-altitude ballooning due to the telemetry aspect, such as sending temperature, altitude, voltage, as it relates to their robotic interest. I showed them a couple pictures of my past activity in ARHAB as the faculty advisor of amateur radio society at Texas Tech University in early 2000. This started the high-altitude balloon planning, including designing the balloon payload (APRS utilizing OpenTracker mini board). Late 2015, with the successful launch and activation of LAPAN-A2/ORARI (which becomes IO-86) satellite, the students grew interest of building a satellite as it is only a couple of kilometers higher they said. So in 2016 the ORARI team visit them and shared the experience in designing a satellite, as I myself was part of the ORARI team that involved in the design of the amateur payload in the LAPAN-A2/ORARI. As this would be their first effort in building a satellite from scratch, they said we will start with APRS then next satellite would be a voice repeater satellite. They submitted the design in a competition by UNOOSA and won. The student got more excited after seeing the POC (proof of concept) worked and they continue with building the prototype, conducted various tests with LAPAN (the aeronautical and space organization) and complying with the necessary paperwork/approvals. But the road wasn’t easy as they got funding problem (at one time they were selling T-Shirt to raise funding), change in faculty advisor and university leadership and their own graduation and transition into the professional world (some of them got employed in commercial satellite companies). Finally they got back in the last 2 years to finalize the payload, had the payload verification with ORARI team and shipped the payload to Japan (JAXA), integrated with other payload and shipped to the US, then lifted up on Space-X CRS-26 rocket to ISS last November and now today is the deployment date from the Kibo Module of ISS. Apologize for the long posting but I got really excited today as the deployment of SS-1 Nano Satellite is coming up shortly. Update: SS-1 has been deployed at 08:03 UTC on 6 January 2023 please monitor APRS beacon at 145.825 MHz [ANS thanks Yono Adisoemarta, YD0NXX / N5SNN, ORARI HQ, Head of Satellite Division, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2023 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch on June 16, 1983, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Satellite Standings as of January 1, 2023 VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for December 01, 2022 to January 01, 2023. K7ZOO 813 827 K9UO 718 750 W8LR 643 667 KN2K 600 654 AF5CC 628 644 EA2AA 626 643 AJ4A 230 614 FG8OJ 373 513 VE4MM 476 508 W2GDJ New 465 HB9GWJ 206 363 N5EKO 344 349 JK2XXK 233 310 K8BL 292 297 WB9YIG 175 251 DL6KBG 175 250 IK6GZM New 234 LU4FTA 137 223 OZ9AAR 100 207 JA1GZK New 150 7L1ETP New 133 W6AER 100 126 DU9JJY New 116 VE1CWJ/VP9 New 110 WD9EWK (DM13) New 109 WY7FD New 102 JS2GGD New 101 W3TI New 101 Congratulations to the new VUCC holders. WY7FD is first VUCC Satellite holder from DN74 VE1CWJ/VP9 is first VUCC Satellite holder from Bermuda and FM72 DU9JJY is first VUCC Satellite holder from Philippines and PJ27 IK6GZM is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN62 7L1ETP is first VUCC Satellite holder from PM95 HAPPY NEW YEAR May you all be blessed with new grid squares in 2023. [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 5, 2023 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ At the request of CAMSAT and the XW-4 (CAS-10) team, AMSAT has designated the satellite as Hope-OSCAR 119 (HO-119) as of January 1, 2023. For details, see Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA and OSCAR Number Administrator's announcement entitled "OSCAR number assigned for CAS-10" in AMSAT News Service Bulletin ANS-001 (dated January 1, 2023). Therefore, the following satellite has been renamed in this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution as follows: HO-119 NORAD Cat ID 54816. (Formally CAS-10). The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution as follows: TW-1A NORAD Cat ID 40928. (decayed from orbit on 12/29/22 per Space-Track). Finally, AMSAT is pleased to announce the new daily two line element bulletin available at https://www.amsat.org/tle/current/daily-bulletin.txt. Members of the Sci-Tech Radio Society (STARS) have worked with AMSAT Information Technology to automate this process. Seventeen year old STARS member Ryan "RJ" Fitzgerald, N1BGA, enjoyed exercising skills he learned in his high school computer science class. "It was cool to do something for the real world beyond just homework assignments, plus it forced me to learn stuff not covered in class" said Fitzgerald. STARS is part of New England Sci-Tech - a non-profit STEM education center and makerspace dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across the New England community with a strong Amateur Radio focus. Visit www.nescitech.org for details. Thanks to Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, for this update on this new innovative approach to AMSAT TLE distribution. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. No upcoming contacts currently scheduled Special thanks to our ARISS telebridge ground stations. Approximately 38% of the ARISS school contacts are handled by the ARISS telebridge stations. Thanks to following stations: AB1OC, IK1SLD, K6DUE, NA7V, ON4ISS, VK4ISS, VK4KHZ, VK5ZAI, VK6MJ, and ZS6JON. The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. Comments on making general contacts I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities. Typical daily schedule Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements. And don’t forget that the packet system is active. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. ARISS Radio Status Columbus Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). * Powering off for US EVA on January 20. OFF Jan 19 about 17:00 UTC. ON Jan 21 about 12:30 UTC. *Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops. Service Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is fo packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down) *Powering off for US EVA on January 20. OFF Jan 19 about 17:00 UTC. ON Jan 21 about 12:30 UTC. *Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Chris VE3FU / VO2AC / VO1FUA / VE2FUA: The weekend of January 27-29 @Dave_VE3KG and I will be competing in the CQ160 CW Contest as VO2AC from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (Zone 2). We'll also be on the other HF bands starting January 24 as VO2AC and VO2AAA. Please work us in the contest! We also plan on operating the linear and FM satellites from grid GO11 as VO2AC and VO2AAA from January 24-27. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled: -Greenville, North Carolina (1/10/23) -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) AMSAT will also have a presence at HamCation 2023 in Orlando on February 10-12, 2023. Details on HamCation can be found at https://www.hamcation.com/ [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + SpaceFlight Now is reporting the successful launch on Jan. 3 of the SpaceX Transporter 6 at https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/01/03/falcon-9-transporter-6-live-coverage/. This launch carried 114 satellites to orbit. The article says "The Transporter 6 launch also placed into orbit... an amateur radio CubeSat from the Czech Republic." I assume that is a reference to BDSAT-2, which is supposed to carry a AX.25 GFSK G3RUH 9600 baud digipeater with downlink at 436.025, according to http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=866 This is confirmed by https://www.bdsat.cz/ That website shows "VHF Downlink frequency: 145.850 MHz," but the IARU says the VHF frequency is an uplink. (Thanks to Mark Johns, K0JM, SpaceFlight Now, and the IARU) + The TJREVERB are seeking a couple of stations skilled in communicating with satellites using APRS. The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's TJREVERB satellite was deployed from the ISS on Dec 29th, and the team is still trying to successfully make contact with it. Please contact Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, if you're interested in assisting. His email address can be found on QRZ.com + Congratulations to Hector Martinez, W5CBF, who finished his Satellite Worked All Zones (WAZ) award through QSOs using IO-117's MEO digipeater. Only about 16 CQ zones are workable on LEO satellites from his QTH in Louisiana, so the MEO digipeater was able to fill in the rest. His award is the 42nd Satellite WAZ issued. Satellite WAZ requires confirmed QSOs with 25 of 40 CQ zones and is sponsored by CQ Magazine. Confirmations through LoTW are accepted. + Want to try something different? FO-118 carries a linear transponder with a 70cm downlink and a 15 meter uplink. The 15 meter uplink is very sensitive. This week's editor made a couple of QSOs using 5 watts from his FT-817ND to an AlexLoop Walkham Portable Magnetic Loop and was able to access the transponder with strong signals through the pass. + UVSQ-SAT will mark 2 years in space on January 24, 2023. In celebration of this milestone, the FM transponder will be activated. The uplink is 145.905 MHz and the downlink is 437.020 MHz. No PL tone is required. (Thanks to the UVSQ-SAT team) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm [at] amsat.org

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ANS-001 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 31 Dec '22

31 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-001 In this edition: * W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st * HAARP was used to ping Asteroid 2010 XC15 * Space junk bill passes Senate unanimously * TJREVERB was deployed from the ISS on December 29, 2022 * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan 1, 2023 * OSCAR number assigned for CAS-10 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-001 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2023 Jan 01 - Wishing All a Happy and Prosperous New Year W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st In March 2022, the AMSAT community lost one of our pioneers when Ray Soifer, W2RS, became a silent key. In addition to his numerous contributions to AMSAT and the worldwide amateur satellite community, Ray was also the long time organizer of AMSAT's CW Activity Day - previously AMSAT Straight Key Night - held in conjunction with the ARRL's event on New Year's Day. In recognition of Ray's long time service to AMSAT and his keen interest in CW operating via satellite, AMSAT is pleased to announce that AMSAT's CW Activity Day will now be known as the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day in Ray's honor. The rules are simple - operate CW through any amateur satellite between 0000 UTC and 2359 UTC on January 1, 2023. Straight keys and bugs are encouraged, but not required. Logs are not required, but operators are encouraged to submit a report of their activity to the AMSAT-BB. Photos and video clips of activity are also encouraged - post them on Twitter and tag @AMSAT. Remember to use the minimum power required for communication as constant carrier modes, including CW, can disrupt transponder operation for other users. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Last Day for 2022 AMSAT President's Club Membership When Theyre GoneTheyre Gone! Join the 2022 AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ (2022 membership closes 1/3/2022) +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ HAARP was used to ping Asteroid 2010 XC15 Researchers at the HAARP array in Alaska attempted the lowest-frequency asteroid radar experiment ever. On Tuesday, Dec. 27th, they pinged a passing space rock with shortwave radio waves at 9.6 MHz. This could allow them to see *inside* the asteroid. A number of amateur radio operators around the world were able to copy the signal. The signal appeared in a sequence of frequency sweep pings centered aroun the the 9.6MHz frequency in a "Ping" Wait 2 seconds. "Ping" Wait 2 seconds "Ping" pattern. That's what most ham radio operators heard last Tuesday when they received HAARP's radar transmission to asteroid 2010 XC15. Scott Tilley of Roberts Creek, British Columbia, provided a recording of what he saw. It may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/3C2YshF along with a vidoe that includes sound. The pulse was lopsided with a fast rise and a slow decay," notes Tilley. "I believe this is due to multipath propagation from HAARP in Alaska to my receiver in British Columbia." Everyone who picked up the pulse did so because Earth's ionosphere reflected some of HAARP's radio energy back to Earth. Only a fraction escaped into space and reached the asteroid. Tilley's high-time-resolution recording of the pulse shows that multiple reflections (probably with a dash of ducting and refraction) were involved. The complexity of the ionosphere, and how it modifies shortwave signals, is a key challenge for researchers who will be processing radar returns from asteroid 2010 XC15. Good luck to the radar team as we await their results! [ANS thanks spaceweather.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Space junk bill passes Senate unanimously U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper applauded Senate passage of his Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a first-of-its-kind demonstration program to reduce the amount of space junk in orbit. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. "From satellite communications to rockets carrying humans into deep space, space debris is a massive threat to space operations," said Hickenlooper, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science. "I'm over the moon that our ORBITS Act passed and we can start cleaning up this space junk." Space junk, or orbital debris, currently threatens human space exploration, scientific research missions, and emerging commercial space services. There are approximately 8,000 metric tons of debris currently in orbit, including at least 900,000 individual pieces of debris that are potentially lethal to satellites. Because of the magnitude of the current debris, simply preventing more debris in the future is not enough. The ORBITS Act will jumpstart a program focused on research, development, and the demonstration of technologies capable of safely carrying out successful Active Debris Remediation (ADR) missions to create a new market for these services. Additional information may be found at https://bit.ly/3WwsCCa [ANS thanks spacedaily.com for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ TJREVERB was deployed from the ISS on December 29, 2022 TJREVERB, an APRS digipeater 2U cubesat on 145.825 MHz, built by students at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology was deployed on December 29, 2022 by NanoRacks from the International Space Station. TJREVERB was launched on November 22 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida as part of the SpaceX-26 Commercial Resupply Service Mission en route to the International Space Station. The launch is the culmination of seven years of hard work for TJ Space. Led by Robotics lab director Kristen Kucko, many students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology have had a hand in this historic launch. A statement and description of the mission by Michael Roth and Kristen Kucko of Thomas Jefferson High School states: TJ REVERB is significant because the CubeSat was designed, built, coded and integrated entirely by high school students, said Kucko. The students did not use a satellite kit, nor did they have an industry or university partnership to assist them. Building satellites is not an easy task. According to Col. Nick Hague, Astronaut, (some)countries have not been able to build CubeSats. The students in TJ Space should be proud of their accomplishments. Additional information about the project may be found at: https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/features/launch-tjreverb-culmination-seven-year-proj ect-tj-space Kirsten Kucko, the teacher sponsoring the TJ Space team wrote, "TJ Space received crowdsourced reports that there is an APRS unit digipeating within the vicinity of the ISS. The spacecraft has the orbital characteristics of one of the satellites launched during the NRCSD 24 mission. " Since TJREVEB is the only CubeSat using APRS in that vicinity, TJREVERB could very well be that spacecraft. It is TJ Spaces assertion that something went critically wrong with TJREVERBs implementation of the Iridium radio and Iridium did not receive power to turn on. The APRS radio powered on as the backup radio and started digipeating. TJ Space continues to search for confirmation that this spacecraft is indeed TJREVERB. Any help from the community would be greatly appreciated. [ANS thanks Michael Roth and Kristen Kucko or Thomas Jefferson High School and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan 1, 2023 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellite has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: MYSat 1 NORAD Cat ID 44045 (Decayed from orbit 12/16/2022 per SpaceTrack). [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- OSCAR number assigned for CAS-10 On November 12, 2022, the XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite was launched to the Chinese Space Station aboard the Tianzhou-5 spacecraft, by the Long March-7 Y6 launch vehicle from the Wenchang Launch Center in Hainan, China. On December 18, the XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite was separated from the station. The Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) built and operates the satellite, in cooperation with a Chinese government space contractor and Macau University of Science and Technology, to serve radio amateurs around the world and educate students in space and radio communication science and technology. This satellite is also known as Macao Student Science Popularization Satellite No. 1, and is the first satellite from the Macao Special Administrative Region. The satellite carries a V/u linear transponder, and CW and GMSK telemetry beacons for amateur radio use. At the request of CAMSAT and the XW-4 (CAS-10) team, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Hope-OSCAR 119 (HO-119). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. No School Contacts are currently scheduled. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Chris VE3FU / VO2AC / VO1FUA / VE2FUA: The weekend of January 27-29 @Dave_VE3KG and Chris, VE3FU will be competing in the CQ160 CW Contest as VO2AC from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (Zone 2). They will also be on the other HF bands starting January 24 as VO2AC and VO2AAA. They also plan on operating the linear and FM satellites from grid GO11 as VO2AC and VO2AAA from January 24-27. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. MSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6ALCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled: -Greenville, North Carolina (1/10/23) -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Ham Radio University will be held 1/7/2023. Registration is now open for this virtual event at https://hamradiouniversity.org/. Peter Portanova, W2JV will be hosting a Satellite Forum on the History of Amateur Satellites. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, and Peter Portanova, W2JV for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + SpaceX launches first mission for Starlink Gen2 constellation using a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Wednesday with 54 more Starlink internet satellites, a mission to begin populating a new orbital shell authorized by federal regulators earlier this month for the companys Starlink Gen2 network. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on SpaceXs Starlink 5-1 mission occurred at 4:34 a.m. EST (0934 GMT) Wednesday, about six minutes earlier than previously announced. The mission was SpaceXs 60th launch of the year, with one more Falcon 9 flight set to blast off later this week from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with an Israeli Earth-imaging satellite. he 54 satellites launching Wednesday were the first spacecraft deployed into a new segment of the Starlink constellation. The Falcon 9 rocket released the 54 satellites at an orbital altitude and inclination set aside for use by SpaceXs second-generation Starlink network, which the company eventually intends to launch on the new Starship mega-rocket. More at https://bit.ly/3IcrO0P. [ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information] + An Israeli reconnaissance satellite was carried into orbit during the final SpaceX launch of the year. The EROS-3 Earth-imaging satellite was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:38 p.m. Thursday. The first stage detached successfully and landed on a SpaceX pad eight minutes after launch. The rocket was launched in retrograde, against the direction of the Earth's rotation, and carried the EROS-3 into low Earth orbit. More information is available at: https://bit.ly/3G8FXJI [ANS thanks Patrick Hilsman, UPI and Spacedaily.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Jack Spitznagel kd4iz at frawg dot org

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ANS-361 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st
by Paul Stoetzer 27 Dec '22

27 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-361 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.01 ANS-361 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 348.01 From AMSAT HQ WASHINGTON, DC DATE December 27, 2022 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.01 W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st In March 2022, the AMSAT community lost one of our pioneers when Ray Soifer, W2RS, became a silent key. In addition to his numerous contributions to AMSAT and the worldwide amateur satellite community, Ray was also the long time organizer of AMSAT's CW Activity Day - previously AMSAT Straight Key Night - held in conjunction with the ARRL's event on New Year's Day. In recognition of Ray's long time service to AMSAT and his keen interest in CW operating via satellite, AMSAT is pleased to announce that AMSAT's CW Activity Day will now be known as the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day in Ray's honor. The rules are simple - operate CW through any amateur satellite between 0000 UTC and 2359 UTC on January 1, 2023. Straight keys and bugs are encouraged, but not required. Logs are not required, but operators are encouraged to submit a report of their activity to the AMSAT-BB. Photos and video clips of activity are also encouraged - post them on Twitter and tag @AMSAT. Remember to use the minimum power required for communication as constant carrier modes, including CW, can disrupt transponder operation for other users. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. President's Club donations may be made at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-PresClub. 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org

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ANS-359 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for December 25, 2022
by Frank Karnauskas (N1UW) 25 Dec '22

25 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-359 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * CAS-5A and CAS-10 User Manuals Available * US Schools Selected for ISS Contacts in 2023 * SSTV Unit on ISS is Inoperable * Bill to Eliminate Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio Introduced * 768 teams enter The Astro Pi Mission Space Lab 2022/23 * AMSAT 2022 President's Club Closes Out This Week * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 23 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-359 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2022 DEC 25 CAS-5A and CAS-10 User Manuals Available OSCAR-118 (CAS-5A) was launched on December 9, 2022. It adopts a 6U CubeSat structure with six sides body-mounted solar panels. A three-axis stabilized attitude control system is used. Long-term power consumption is about 10 Watts. - CW telemetry beacon: 435.570 MHz @ 22wpm - GMSK telemetry: 435.650 MHz @ 4800/9600bps - V/U mode linear transponder: Uplink = 145.820 MHz; Downlink = 435.540 MHz; Bandwidth = 30kHz; Spectrum = Inverted - V/U mode FM transponder: Uplink = 145.925 MHz; Downlink = 435.600 MHz; Bandwidth = 16kHz - H/U mode linear transponder: Uplink = 21.435 MHz; Downlink= 435.505 MHz; Bandwidth = 15kHz: Spectrum = Normal The user manual, written by Alan Kung, BA1DU, is available for download at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-359-0-118-Manuak On December 18, 2022, CAMSAT’s satellite XW-4 (CAS-10) was deployed from the Tianzhou-5 cargo ship that was docked to the Tiangong space station. CAS-10 carries a linear Amateur Radio transponder. CAS-10 satellite adopts a 8U CubeSat structure with four solar array panels. A three-axis stabilized attitude control system is used. Long-term power consumption is about 18.3 Watts. Specification for the onboard radio systems are: - CW Telemetry Beacon: 435.575 MHz @ 22wpm - GMSK Telemetry 435.275 MHz @ 4800 bps - V/U mode linear transponder: Uplink frequency: 145.870 MHz/Downlink frequency: 435.180 MHz, 30 KHz Spectrum inverted The user manual, also written by Alan Kung, BA1DU, is available for download at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-359-CAS-10-Manual. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Only One Week Left for the 2022 AMSAT President's Club! To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on October 15, 1972, the 2022 coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6. Join the 2022 AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ US Schools Selected for ISS Contacts in 2023 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has announced a list of seven schools/host organizations selected to host scheduled Amateur Radio contacts with the astronaut crew on the International Space Station (ISS) from July to December 2023. Earlier this year, nine schools and organizations were selected for contacts that will take place from January to June 2023 with the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) activities that raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and Amateur Radio. ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for these host organizations in the U.S. between July - December 2023: - A.L. Burruss Elementary School, Marietta, GA - Augusta Preparatory Day School, Augusta, GA - Bowman Middle School, Bakersville, NC - Camp William B. Snyder, Haymarket, VA - Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, MA - Orangeburg Christian Academy, Orangeburg, SC - Webb Bridge Middle School, Alpharetta, GA The 16 schools and organizations selected for 2023 are now working to complete an acceptable plan that demonstrates their ability to execute a ham radio contact with the ISS. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA. [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- SSTV Unit on ISS is Inoperable The ARISS SSTV capability is currently not operational. The SSTV card that interfaces with the ISS computer was damaged and cannot be reliably used. Also, ISS has recently switched to a new complement of laptops, which requires the ARISS Russia team to develop a new computer interface to support SSTV. ARISS Russia has been actively working this new development and is consulting with the ARISS International hardware/software team on these efforts. Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, ARISS Russia leader, has stated that they expect to complete the SSTV development effort early next year and launch the hardware on a future Progress flight later in the year. Until then, SSTV operations will be down. The ARISS International team will keep all informed about SSTV status through its web site http://www.ariss.org and its social media outlets. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill to Eliminate Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio Introduced Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-6) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R.9670) on Thursday, December 22, 2022, to eliminate private land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of an Amateur Radio Operator from operating and installing amateur station antennas on property subject to the control of the Amateur Radio Operator. The exponential growth of communities subject to private land use restrictions that prohibit both the operation of Amateur Radio and the installation of amateur station antennas has significantly restricted the growth of the Amateur Radio Service. These restrictions are pervasive in private common interest residential communities such as single-family subdivisions, condominiums, cooperatives, gated communities, master-planned communities, planned unit developments, and communities governed by community associations. The restrictions have particularly impacted the ability of Amateur Radio to fulfill its statutorily mandated duty of serving as a voluntary noncommercial emergency communications service. Congress in 1996 directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations (Public Law 104-104, title II, section 207, 110 Stat. 114; 47 U.S.C. 303 note) that have preempted all private land use restrictions applicable to exterior communications facilities that impair the ability of citizens to receive television broadcast signals, direct broadcast satellite services, or multichannel multipoint distribution services, or to transmit and receive wireless internet services. ARRL attempts to obtain similar relief for Amateur Radio were rejected by the FCC with a statement such relief would have to come from Congress. ARRL Legislative Advocacy Committee Chairman John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, noted that Congress, in 1994 by Joint Resolution, S.J.Res.90/H.J.Res.199, declared that regulations at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage the effective operation of Amateur Radio from residences as a public benefit. He continued by stating that "H.R.9670, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, is intended to fulfill that mandate and preserve the ability of Amateur Radio Operators to continue to serve as a key component of American critical communications infrastructure." Read more at http://www.arrl.org/member-bulletin?issue=2022-12-23. [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 768 teams enter The Astro Pi Mission Space Lab 2022/23 This year, 768 teams made up of 3086 young people from 23 countries sent Raspberry Pi their ideas for experiments to run on board the International Space Station (ISS) for Astro Pi Mission Space Lab. Mission Space Lab is part of the European Astro Pi Challenge, an ESA Education programme run in collaboration with us at the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Mission Space Lab teams can choose between ‘Life on Earth’ and ‘Life in space’ for their experiment idea. A panel of 25 judges from the Raspberry Pi Foundation and ESA Education assessed the submitted ideas. They were restricted in how many teams could be accommodated, as time to run experiments on board the ISS is limited, especially for ‘Life on Earth’ experiments which need time in a nadir window. The standard of the submitted ideas was higher than ever, making this the toughest judging yet. The judges were delighted are delighted to announce that 486 teams will move on to Phase 2 of Mission Space Lab: writing the code for their experiments. All the teams whose experiment ideas were selected will receive a special Astro Pi hardware kit, customised to their idea, to help them write and test the Python programs to execute their experiments. Once the teams of young people have received their kits, they can familiarise themselves with the Astro Pi hardware and then create and test (and re-test!) their programs. [ANS thanks RaspberryPi.org for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT 2022 President's Club Closes Out This Week Only one week remains for AMSAT enthusiasts to join the 2022 AMSAT President's Club. Only a limited number of coins are minted each year and when they're gone, they're gone. Each coin has four-color inlays and finished to a bright gold finish. The 2022 coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6. The 2021 coin featured AO-7 and the 2023 coin will feature AO-10. Members also receive a full-color certificate and iron-on AMSAT logo patches. So far in 2022, AMSAT 2022 President Club members have donated $51,523 to Help Keep Amateur Radio in Space and there is still one week to go! You can choose your level of membership and still make a donation at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-presidents-club-donations/. [ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, VP, Development for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 23, 2022 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellite has been added to this week's AMSAT TLE Distribution: CAS-10 NORAD Cat ID 54816 [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT IT Team, for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. No school contracts are currently reported. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations KB3IAI: Will be roving in EM23 (near Paris, TX) from Dec 21 to Dec 27, 2022. Passes will be added to hams.at, & Twitter. Linear and FM as availability with family permits. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled … -Greenville, North Carolina (1/10/23) -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun "How to Work the Easy Satellites" Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Visit http://www.work-sat.com for more information. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + NASA has a long history of hiding secret messages in its spacecraft and that tradition continued with the launch of the Orion crew capsule in November on top of the Artemis I rocket. Five hidden messages were placed in the Orion capsule ranging from Morse Code to musical notes. In the middle of the capsule, above the cockpit control console, was a Morse Code message that spelled out the name "Charlie" in remembrance of former Orion Deputy Program Manager Charlie Lundquist, who died in 2020. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.] + In still more legislative news, Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 9664) on December 21, 2022, to require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replace the current HF digital symbol rate limit with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit. [ANS thanks ARRL Letter for the above information.] + Possibly due to a micrometeoroid or debris strike, the Soyuz MS-22 capsule docked to the ISS has suffered an external radiator coolant leak. If it is determined to be unsafe for a crewed return trip, cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dimitri Petelin along with NASA astronaut Frank Rubio would be effectively trapped until a replacement could be launched. That replacement, the Soyuz MS-23 capsule, is apparently being accelerated for a potential uncrewed launch and would be remotely piloted to the ISS. This is possibly the most significant "emergency" situation in the 20+ year history of the ISS. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.] + Another roll-out solar array was installed and deployed by astronauts Frank Rubio and Josh Cassada outside the International Space Station on a spacewalk Thursday, Dec. 22, a day later than previously planned after the space station needed to dodge a piece of space junk. The original solar panels launched on four space shuttle missions from 2000 to 2009. As expected, the efficiency of the station's original solar arrays has degraded over time. NASA is upgrading the space station's power system with the new roll-out solar arrays - at a cost of $103 million - which will partially cover six of the station's eight original solar panels. [ANS thanks SpaceflightNow for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org

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ANS-352 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Dec. 18
by Mark Johns, K0JM 18 Dec '22

18 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-352 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * CAMSAT XW-4 (CAS-10) Scheduled for Deployment Today * CAS-5A Designated Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118) * Administration Drafting Executive Order To Simplify Space Rules * Top Ten Most Needed of the 488 Gridmaster Grids, November 2022 * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 8 * Spacewalk From ISS With Two Cosmonauts Cancelled * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-352 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2022 Dec 18 CAMSAT XW-4 (CAS-10) Scheduled for Deployment Today The CAMSAT XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite was launched into the Chinese Space Station on November 12, 2022 aboard China's Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft, and was launched by the Long March-7 Y6 launch vehicle from the Wenchang Launch Center in Hainan, China. It is currently planned that the XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite will be separated from the Chinese space station and enter operational orbit at 01:30 UTC on December 18, 2022. The functions of XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite include UHF CW telemetry beacon, GMSK telemetry data transmission, V/U mode linear transponder, a visible light band space camera. After the satellite completes the in-orbit test and works normally, the space camera photo download will be open to amateur radio enthusiasts all over the world. When the relevant remote control command is received by the satellite, the GMSK telemetry channel will be used to downlink the photo storage information and photo data, and the telemetry data will stop sending at that time. XW-4(CAS-10) satellite adopts a 8U CubeSat structure with a mass of about 12kg, an on-orbit envelope size of 1007x790x475mm with four solar array panels and a three-axis stabilized attitude control system is used, long-term power consumption is about 18.3 Watts. XW-4 Technical specifications are as follows: * CW telemetry beacon: Frequency: 435.575MHz RF power: 20dBm CW rate: 22wpm * GMSK telemetry: Frequency: 435.725MHz RF power: 23dBm Data rate: 4800bps * V/U mode linear transponder: Uplink frequency: 145.870MHz Downlink frequency: 435.180MHz RF power: 20dBm Bandwidth: 30kHz Spectrum inverted * Photo download remote control: Coming soon... Preliminary Keplerian elements, as supplied by CAMSAT are as follows: XW-4 (CAS-10) 1 48274U 21035A 22349.57666509 .00020514 00000+0 25201-3 0 9994 2 48274 41.4739 194.5783 0004074 111.0935 347.0781 15.59787538 93120 [ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU, CAMSAT CEO, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Time is running out to get your 2022 AMSAT President's Club coin! To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on October 15, 1972, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ CAS-5A Designated Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118) On December 9, 2022, the CAS-5A satellite was launched on a Smart Dragon-3 Y1 launch vehicle from the Chinese sea launch platform in the Yellow Sea. The Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT), working closely with local education authorities, designed, built, tested, and manages the CAS-5A satellite. Thirty-one students from ten high schools learned satellite design, manufacturing, and applications through educational courses initiated by CAMSAT and the Fengtai educational institution. The satellite carries V/u and H/u linear transponders, a V/u FM repeater, and CW and GMSK telemetry beacons for amateur radio use. At the request of CAMSAT and the CAS-5A team, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, OSCAR Number Administrator, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Administration Drafting Executive Order To Simplify Space Rules WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is drafting an executive order intended to streamline approval for private rocket launches amid a broader effort to bring legal and regulatory clarity for American companies on everything from space travel to private space stations, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the effort. The order would be part of a push by the White House's National Space Council to modernize U.S. space regulation, which has failed to keep up with the increasingly ambitious pace of private-sector investment and development. The order, slated to be ready for Biden to sign by early 2023, is meant to simplify licensing procedures under existing laws for more routine space activities like launching rockets and deploying satellites [ANS thanks Reuters for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Ten Most Needed of the 488 Gridmaster Grids, November 2022 As of November, stations actively seeking the Gridmaster award who have reported their progress to KE0PBR -- owner of the Gridmaster Heat Map account on Twitter, and AMSAT rover page manager -- have indicated that the following are the most needed grids at this time: 1. CM79 2. DN35 3. DN08 4. CM89 5. DN27 6. DN24 7. DN26 8. DL79 9. DM86 10. DM76 Satellite operations or roves in any of these grids would be VERY popular! [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 18 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ On December 9, 2022, CAMSAT's CAS-5A satellite was launched on a Smart Dragon-3 Y1 launch vehicle from the Chinese sea launch platform in the Yellow Sea. See AMSAT News Service Bulletin ANS-345 (Dated December 11, 2022) for transponder data. Then, at the request of CAMSAT and the CAS-5A team, AMSAT has designated the satellite as Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118) on December 15, 2022. See Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA and OSCAR Number Administrator's bulletin (above)) for details. Originally FO-118 was thought to be NORAD Cat ID 54682, but more recent TLE have revealed that CAS 5A is actually object 54684 (2022-167C). Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, for the update on the correct NORAD Cat ID for FO-118 (formally CAS-5A). Therefore, the following satellite has been added to this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: FO-118 NORAD Cat ID 54684. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Spacewalk From ISS With Two Cosmonauts Cancelled The Roscosmos Mission Control team in Moscow postponed Wednesday evening’s planned spacewalk with two cosmonauts to evaluate the situation and data from the Soyuz spacecraft. None of the crew members aboard the International Space Station were in danger, and all conducted normal operations throughout the day. Roscosmos is closely monitoring Soyuz spacecraft temperatures, which remain within acceptable limits. NASA and Roscosmos continue to coordinate external imagery and inspection plans to aid in evaluating the external leak location. Plans for an additional inspection of the Soyuz exterior using the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm are underway. The leak was first detected around 7:45 p.m. EST Dec. 14 (0045z on Dec. 15) when data from multiple pressure sensors in the cooling loop showed low readings. At that time, cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin were preparing to conduct a spacewalk. The cosmonauts did not exit the space station, and no crew members were exposed to the leaking coolant. The Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin into space after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 21. [NOTE: All amateur radio equipment aboard the ISS is switched off during docking maneuvers and EVAs (spacewalks)] [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. RECENTLY COMPLETED: Maitland Air Cadet Association, Goderich, ON, Canada, direct via VA3SQN. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Contact was successful: Fri 2022-12-16 17:25:07 UTC 32 degrees elevation. Congratulations to the Maitland Air Cadet Association students and Josh! TO BE RESCHEDULED: ESPRIT: Private Higher School of Engineering and Technology, Little Ariana, Tunisia, telebridge via ON4ISS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD. The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada, KI5CRH. Due to an EVA, the contact has been cancelled for: Wed 2022-12-21 08:45:59 UTC 84 degrees. The contact will need to be rescheduled. The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know! The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations KG4AKV: I’ll be activating grid FM15 on Dec 17th or 18th. Carlos W7QL needs it for his last 2-3 grids for the Gridmaster Award. Specific passes will be posted later. KB3IAI: Will be roving in EM23 (near Paris, TX) from Dec 21 to Dec 27th. Passes will be added to hams.at, & Twitter. Linear and FM as availability with family permits. AD7DB: AD7DB going to DM22 in Yuma AZ, Dec 17-18. Maybe DM32 and DM23. Various FM sats. He will try to post announcements on Twitter ahead of them. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled … -Greenville, North Carolina (1/10/23) -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun “How to Work the Easy Satellites” Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Visit http://www.work-sat.com for more information. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + An FO-118 (CAS-5A) User's Manual, containing technical details and telemetry specifications, is now available at https://bit.ly/3HXEzwn (ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU, for the above information). + Pages 60-62 of the January 2023 issue of QST magazine carries a story about RamSat, a cubesat constructed by students at Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee that was launched by NASA in 2021. Page 66 of the same issue describes an ARISS contact with Canterbury School in fort Myers, Florida that took place in October of 2022. (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information) + The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation has been issued a $336.64 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between July 1 and September 30, 2022. (ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development, for the above information) + FalconSat-3 is being made available for use for 24 hour periods most weekends. The satellite is decaying, and near re-entry. So use it while you can! (ANS thanks Mark L. Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT Director and Command Station, for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Mark Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org

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AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - CAS-5A Designated Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118)
by Paul Stoetzer 15 Dec '22

15 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-349 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * CAS-5A Designated Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118) SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-349.01 ANS-349 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 349.01 From AMSAT HQ WASHINGTON, DC DATE December 15, 2022 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-349.01 CAS-5A Designated Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118) On December 9, 2022, the CAS-5A satellite was launched on a Smart Dragon-3 Y1 launch vehicle from the Chinese sea launch platform in the Yellow Sea. The Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT), working closely with local education authorities, designed, built, tested, and manages the CAS-5A satellite. Thirty-one students from ten high schools learned satellite design, manufacturing, and applications through educational courses initiated by CAMSAT and the Fengtai educational institution. The satellite carries V/u and H/u linear transponders, a V/u FM repeater, and CW and GMSK telemetry beacons for amateur radio use. At the request of CAMSAT and the CAS-5A team, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Fengtai-OSCAR 118 (FO-118). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, OSCAR Number Administrator, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. President's Club donations may be made at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-PresClub. 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org

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ANS-345 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Dec '22

11 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-345 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * CAMSAT's CAS-5A Satellite Launched, Transponders Active * AMSAT-DL Erminaz Mission Announced * VUCC Satellite Standings December 2022 * Changes to the AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 8, 2022 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-345 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2022 Dec 11 CAMSAT's CAS-5A Satellite Launched, Transponders Active CAMSAT's CAS-5A satellite was launched at 06:35 UTC on December 9, 2022 into a 554 km x 543 km orbit with an inclination of 97.5 degrees. The satellite was launched on the inaugural flight of the Smart Dragon-3 Y1 launch vehicle. This vehicle launches from a sea launch platform in the Yellow Sea. CAS-5A carries two linear transponders and an FM transponder, which are all continuously active assuming the power budget permits. The frequencies are: V/u Linear Transponder: Uplink 145.805 MHz - 145.835 MHz, Downlink 435.525 MHz - 435.555 MHz (Inverting) V/u FM Transponder: Uplink 145.925 MHz, Downlink 435.600 MHz H/u Linear Transponder: Uplink 21.4275 MHz - 21.4425 MHz, Downlink 435.4975 MHz - 435.5125 MHz (Non-Inverting) CW Beacon: 435.570 MHz (22 wpm) Telemetry: 435.650 MHz (4800 bps GMSK) QSOs have been reported via all three of the transponders as of this writing. Reports indicate that the downlink is strong and the transponders are sensitive. Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, reports that Doppler measurements show CAS-5A to be object 54682 (2022-167A). However, he cautions that not all objects from the launch have been cataloged yet, so this identification is subject to change. Doppler.sqf entries for SatPC32 courtesy of Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA: CAS-5A,435540.0,145820.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,VUTransponder CAS-5A,435600.0,145925.0,FM,FM,REV,0,0,VURepeater CAS-5A,435505.0,21435.0,USB,USB,NOR,0,0,HUTransponder CAS-5A,435570.0,145790.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,CW Beacon CAS-5A,435650.0,145820.0,FM,LSB,REV,0,0,4k8 GMSK TLEs from Space-Track: CAS-5A 1 54682U 22167A 22343.39869083 -.00000063 00000-0 00000+0 0 9992 2 54682 97.5461 118.4205 0013131 254.7121 186.9755 15.08519392 16 [ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU, and Michael Chen, BD5RV, CAMSAT, Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, Peter Goodhall, 2M0SQL, and various amateur satellite operators in Europe for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2022 AMSAT President's Club coins have arrived! To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on October 15, 1972, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT-DL Erminaz Mission Announced Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced the winners of their microlauncher payload competition at an event in Berlin on December 6th. Among the missions selected was a multi-satellite mission from AMSAT-DL and international partners. The mission proposed is a syndicated, multi-PocketQube mission (1x 2P + 2x 1.5P + 3x 1P, total of 6 PQs), involving several EU countries, the amateur radio community, AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-EA (Spain), ESERO-Deutschland (Bochum Observatory), Libre Space Foundation (Greece) and other EU non-profit organizations or institutions. They work to create open-source space technologies for educational purposes and to promote, advance and develop knowledge for space. Using PocketQube technology will allow them to maximize the mission impact, involving several institutions, universities, and teams. [ANS thanks Rocket Factory Augsburg for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Satellite Standings December 2022 VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary November 01, 2022 to December 01, 2022. ------------------------------------------------------------ K8YSE 2164 2200 WI7P 859 882 AA8CH 835 855 WD9EWK (DM43) 710 715 W8LR 623 643 EA2AA 611 626 ND0C 561 605 K5TA 575 600 KQ4DO 555 579 NM3B 553 566 N6UTC 503 525 XE1MYO 451 525 HB9AOF New 500 KJ7DZ New 500 VE4MM 459 476 KB1HY 395 427 N8URE (FM19) 375 389 KE0WPA 355 383 K3HPA 250 258 PA7RA 160 224 EA3TA New 200 WD9EWK (DM23) 185 192 WD9EWK (DM31) 177 187 PU5DDC 100 151 F5VMJ New 110 DL1BM New 100 EA1GGX New 100 IK3ITB New 100 Congratulations to the new VUCC holders. EA1GGX is first VUCC Satellite holder from IN52 EA3TA is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN11 F5VMJ is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN18 IK3ITB is first VUCC Satellite holder from JN55 [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to the AMSAT TLE Distribution for December 8, 2022 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellites have been added to this week's AMSAT TLE distribution: Tevel-1 NORAD Cat ID 51013. Tevel-2 NORAD Cat ID 51069. Tevel-3 NORAD Cat ID 50988. Tevel-4 NORAD Cat ID 51063. Tevel-5 NORAD Cat ID 50998. Tevel-6 NORAD Cat ID 50999. Tevel-7 NORAD Cat ID 51062. Tevel-8 NORAD Cat ID 50989. (Thanks to N2YO for providing the NORAD Cat Id for the Tevel series of satellites.) The Israeli team operating these satellites is going to keep at least one of these eight satellites active all the time, so we will need TLE available for all eight of them. Tevel-3 was activated briefly last weekend. Thanks to Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the "heads up" on the status of the Tevel series of satellites. Note: The object named Tevel (NORAD Cat ID 50999) in past TLE data was simply a place marker for the Tevel series until the identity of this series of satellites was sorted out. Tevel-6 is the new name for the object NORAD Cat ID 50999. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News Scheduled ARISS Contacts Stella Maris College, Gzira, Malta, direct via 9H1MRL The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The scheduled crewmember is Koichi Wakata KI5TMN Contact has been postponed by the ISS planners due to unforeseen circumstances and will need to be rescheduled. (***) Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-Onkbr6PY School TBD, Republic of Mordovia, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Prokopyev Contact is go for Sat 2022-12-10 11:10 UTC Maitland Air Cadet Association, Goderich, ON, Canada, direct via VA3SQN The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada KI5CRH Contact is go for: Fri 2022-12-16 17:25:07 UTC 32 deg ARISS Radio Status Columbus Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode set for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). * Powered OFF for RS EVA on December 15. OFF Dec 14 about 19:00 UTC. ON Dec 15 about 13:15 UTC. * Powered OFF for US EVA on December 19. OFF Dec 18 about 19:20 UTC. ON Dec 20 about 10:15 UTC. * Powered OFF for RS EVA on December 21. OFF Dec 21 about 09:05 UTC. ON Dec 22 about 08:00 UTC. * Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops. Service Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is for packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down). * Powered OFF for RS EVA on December 15. OFF Dec 13 about 19:00 UTC. ON Dec 16 about 08:15 UTC * Powered OFF for US EVA on December 19. OFF Dec 18 about 19:20 UTC. Powered OFF for RS EVA on December 21. ON Dec 22 about 08:00 UTC. * Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations N5UC is heading to Hawaii! BL11 potential schedule: RS-44 Dec 10 2155z Dec 11 2215z Dec 12 0201z, 2237z Dec 13 0227z IO-117 Dec 10 ~1030z, 1425z Dec 11 1232z Dec 12 1030z, 1503z KG4AKV: I’ll be activating grid FM15 on Dec 17th or 18th. Carlos W7QL needs it for his last 2-3 grids for GM. Specific passes will be posted later. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled … -The PAPA System in Southern California -Greenville, North Carolina -Ontario, Canada -Thames Valley, England Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun “How to Work the Easy Satellites” Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always ncluded are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Contact K6LCS for more information. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Shorts From All Over + FO-99's operation schedule for December is available at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=2052 + Tevel-3's FM transponder was activated for 24 hours on December 4th. The Tevel Mission consists of 8 identical CubeSats, all containing an FM transponder with an uplink of 145.970 MHz and a downlink 436.400 MHz. Stay tuned for further updates. + AMSAT has been in contact with the ARRL regarding the addition of IO-117 and TEVEL1-TEVEL8 to LoTW. These satellites should be added soon. AMSAT will also request the addition of CAS-5A after the expected request and issuance of an OSCAR number to the satellite. + IO-117 has entered a period of full sunlight through February. (ANS thanks Doug Papay, K8DP, for the information) + As of December 8th, the IO-117 Digipeater Club now stands at 348 ham radio operators who have been successful in digipeating a message. These stations represent 222 unique grid squares and at least 56 DXCCs. (ANS thanks Doug Papay, K8DP, for the information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org

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ANS-338 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for December 4, 2022G
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 04 Dec '22

04 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-338 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * GreenCube is now designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117) * The IO-117 (GreenCube) Club continues to grow * Release Candidate WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5 now available * Dhruva Space- Thybolt Mission (Amateur Radio Payload) * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 2, 2022 * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over ANS-338 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2022 December 4 GreenCube is now designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117) GreenCube Designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117) On July 13, 2022, the GreenCube satellite was launched on a Vega-C launch vehicle from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite project is managed by the S5Lab research team at Sapienza University of Rome, and involves ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and University of Naples. The satellite carries environmental and thruster payloads and as well as a 70cm digipeater for amateur radio use. At the request of the GreenCube teams, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, OSCAR Number Administrator, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- The IO-117 (GreenCube) Club continues to grow Because of the increasing interest and the quick appearance of instructional material on making digipeated contacts through IO-117, the "GreenCube User Club" has rapidly grown to more than 300 as reported by Doug Papay, K8DP. Several individuals have blogs describing their operational set up that enables them to take advantage of the great DXCC and VUCC opportunity: Burt DeMarcq, FG8OJ, offers some nicely detailed instructions and good advice on his blog at: https://bit.ly/3FjqM1f. Fabio Roccatagliata, F5VKV, writes on the AMSAT-BB mailing group that the UZ7HO Soundmodem is very useful for IO-117 but one must download http://uz7.ho.ua/greentnc.zip for success as the tone spacing is shifted from those normal for APRS. He continues: "Use the ssb modem, 1600 main frequency in the spectrum. (Put the) Radio in usb, agc off if possible (or fast), no noise blanker/reduction. You should receive the packet when the signal is within the bandwidth bar you see in the sound modem spectrum. Adapt the DCD threshold accordingly, usually by the half. In the green cube GUI window you should see the decoded packets, in the sound modem the data." Editor Note: The link to the zipped file is listed directly because it does not yet appear on Andrey Kopanchuk's website). Joe Pereira, VK5EI, suggested on the AMSAT-BB mailing group that the summary by Tom Van den Bon, ZR6TG, is particularly helpful for newcomers. It may be found in a blog post on Tom's website: https://bit.ly/3Uqpm9B. Doug Papay sent a Friday update (which is growing rapidly) on the number and DXCC distribution of contacts made on the bird: As of 1400Z 2/Dec/2022 there have been 303 stations active on IO-117 since 31/Oct/2022. Congratulations to ZL3TKZ for contact #300! There have been 154 stations heard in the last 24 hours. There have been 194 unique grid squares and 51 DXCC entities activated. Here is the DXCC list including number of stations heard from each country: United States of America 87 Italy 45 Japan 29 Spain 25 Federal Republic of Germany 12 Australia 10 England 7 Argentina 6 Canada 6 Brazil 5 France 5 China 4 Mexico 4 Netherlands 3 New Zealand 3 South Africa 3 Switzerland 3 United Arab Emirates 3 Azores 2 Bulgaria 2 Finland 2 Indonisia 2 Northern Ireland 2 Poland 2 Puerto Rico 2 Scotland 2 Sweden 2 Venezuela 2 Alaska 1 Belgium 1 Curacao 1 Czech Republic 1 Denmark 1 Ecuador 1 Estonia 1 Georgia 1 Guadeloupe 1 India 1 Ireland 1 Isle of Man 1 Israel 1 Luxemburg 1 Mauritius 1 Philippines 1 Portugal 1 Romania 1 Russia 1 Slovenia 1 Sudan 1 Uruguay 1 Wales 1 [ANS thanks Doug Papay, K8DP and the listed blog and email authors for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2022 AMSAT President's Club coins have arrived! To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on October 15, 1972, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Release Candidate WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5 now available From: Joe Taylor <jo...@pr...> - 2022-11-29 16:16:47 Dear WSJT-X Users, We are pleased to announce that Release Candidate WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5 is ready for download by beta testers. The list of changes since Release Candidate 4 is extensive. Be sure to read the Release Notes:https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt Links for downloading WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5 can be found on the WSJT-X Home Page, https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html Scroll down to find "Candidate release: WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5". Installation files for Raspberry Pi are not yet available, but will be posted as soon as possible. We hope you will enjoy using this beta release of WSJT-X 2.6.0. As a beta tester you should report on your experiences using one of the relevant WSJT forums. Bugs should be reported by following instructions found here in the User Guide: https://www.physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.6.0-rc 5.html#_bug_reports WSJT-X and MAP65 are licensed under the terms of Version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPLv3). Development of this software is a cooperative project to which many amateur radio operators have contributed. If you use our code, please have the courtesy to let us know about it. If you find bugs or make improvements to the code, please report them to us in a timely fashion. Additional licensing details can be found here: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/devel.html 73 from the WSJT Core Development Team Joe, K1JT; Steve, K9AN; Nico, IV3NWV; Uwe, DG2YCB; [ANS thanks Joe Taylor K1JT, and the WSJT-X Development Team for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Dhruva Space- Thybolt Mission, Amateur Radio Payload Information Dhruva Space launched the Thybolt Mission On 26 November, 2022, at 11:56 am, onboard ISRO PSLV-C54. The Thybolt Mission consists of two 0.5U nano satellites. These nanosatellites are built on the 0.5U P-DoT satellite platform which is designed, built and tested by Dhruva Space for use in the amateur communications, disaster management, and low bit-rate applications of STEM and strategic importance. The qualification of this 0.5U platform with its sub-systems will enable many more amateurs across India to learn, build, launch and operate experiments on amateur satellite missions. Information regarding the system and the the data modes they use may be found at the Dhruva Space website: https://bit.ly/3FgYNz8 While it is not clear whether the satellites will be active throughout their entire orbital pathThe website states: "Please note that S&F Messaging will be available after conclusion of launch & early phase and commissioning operations tentatively on 20 December, 2022." Nico Janssen, PA0DLO writes on the AMSAT-BB list: "Doppler measurements show that Thybolt 1 and 2 are the objects 54363 and 54364. Current separation: 1 s, so it is not yet possible to determine which is which. CW beacon frequencies: Thybolt 1: 435.35447 MHz and Thybolt 2: 435.3522 MHz. Nothing received on the telemetry frequency 436.175 MHz, but that downlink is probably only active when in range of India." [ANS thanks Dhruva Space and Nico Janssen, PA0DLO for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. [School TBD], Aznakayevo, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Dimitri Petelin. Contact is go for Sun 2022-12-04 11:20 UTC. British School in the Netherlands (Junior School Leidschenveen), The Hague, The Netherlands, direct via PE1RXJ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Josh Cassada KI5CRH. Contact is go for: Thu 2022-12-08 11:09:54 UTC 36 deg. Stella Maris College, Gzira, Malta, direct via 9H1MRL. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Koichi Wakata KI5TMN. Contact is go for: Sat 2022-12-10 07:55:55 UTC 55 deg. [School TBD], Republic of Mordovia, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS. The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz. The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Prokopye. Contact is go for Sat 2022-12-10 11:10 UTC. The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors and NASA News for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Quick Hits: N5UC is heading to Hawaii!: BL11 potential schedule: RS-44 Dec 10 2155z Dec 11 2215z Dec 12 0201z, 2237z Dec 13 0227z, Greencube Dec 10 ~1030z, 1425z Dec 11 1232z Dec 12 1030z, 1503z Major Roves: None listed currently. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager and AMSAT for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 4, 2022 On November 28, 2022, at the request of the GreenCube satellite teams, AMSAT has designated the GreenCube satellite as Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117). See AMSAT News Service Bulletin 332.01 dated November 28, 2022 for details. The GreenCube satellite designation in the AMSAT TLE distribution is now as follows: IO-117 NORAD Cat ID 53106 [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, OSCAR Number Administrator and Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Dont forget to check in to the AMSAT-Twitter Meetup Net on DMR BrandMeister Talkgroup #98006 | D-STAR Reflector REFSAT | YSF Reflector #11689 | Wednesday Nights @ 21:00 CST. AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6LCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled: -The PAPA System in Southern California -Greenville, North Carolina -Ontario, Canada -Thames Valley, England Think a 90-minute lively, informative, and fun How to Work the Easy Satellites Zoom presentation would be appropriate for your convention or club? Always included are overviews of the ARRL, AMSAT, and ARISS. And pre-presentation questions are welcome. Send an email or call! Clint Bradford K6LCS AMSAT Ambassador; ARRL instructor, Affiliated Club Coordinator http://www.work-sat.com 909-999-SATS (7287) [ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + A new AMSAT distance record has been claimed on FO-29. KE9AJ in DM79IQ48UR worked EB1AO in IN52PE28F at a distance of 7,642 km on 23-Nov-2022 at 20:46 UTC, edging out the previous record held by KG5CCI and F4DXV by 8 km. See https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ for all records. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President & Ambassador for the above information.] + Artemis Is launch tower and deluge systems performed as designed. The tower sustained some minor damage, particularly to the elevator (blew the doors off), which will be repaired before the next launch.[ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.] + OMOTENASHI indeed was unable to be commanded to perform a landing burn. Its operators hope that it has a stable spin axis and that enough sunlight will reach it in the spring to establish comms and undertake secondary mission objectives. [ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information.] + Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) (Paris:ETL) has selected Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67 % and Leonardo 33 %) to build a next-generation highly flexible, software-defined satellite (SDS). The Flexsat (for flexible satellite) will be based on Thales Alenia Space's cutting-edge 'Space Inspire' (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) product line, enabling seamless reconfiguration and instant in-orbit adjustment to offer an optimum level of customer service, maximising the effective use of the satellite resources. [ANS thanks SpaceDaily.com for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ kd4iz at arrl dot org

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ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - GreenCube Designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117)
by Paul Stoetzer 28 Nov '22

28 Nov '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-332 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ In this edition: * GreenCube Designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117) SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-332.01 ANS-332 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 332.01 From AMSAT HQ WASHINGTON, DC DATE November 28, 2022 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-332.01 GreenCube Designated Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117) On July 13, 2022, the GreenCube satellite was launched on a Vega-C launch vehicle from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite project is managed by the S5Lab research team at Sapienza University of Rome, and involves ENEA (the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and University of Naples. The satellite carries environmental and thruster payloads and as well as a 70cm digipeater for amateur radio use. At the request of the GreenCube teams, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Italy-OSCAR 117 (IO-117). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, OSCAR Number Administrator, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. President's Club donations may be made at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-PresClub. 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org

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