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AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-104
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and
information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio
Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur
Radio in space including reports on the activities of a worldwide
group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and
digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on http://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 dot org.
In this edition:
* TAPR/AMSAT Banquet Speaker Announced
* Seats Still Available for AMSAT Academy
* AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
* N8HM to Appear on Ham Talk Live April 18th
* Last Chance to Bid in ARISS Auction
* ARISS SSTV Event Continues Through 18:00 UTC April 14th
* Diwata-2 Designated Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101)
* March/April 2019 Edition of Apogee View Posted
* How to Support AMSAT
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Satellite Shorts from All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-104.01
ANS-104 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 104.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
April 14, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-104.01
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space
Please consider a one-time or recurring donation today at
https://www.amsat.org/donate/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
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TAPR/AMSAT Banquet Speaker Announced
TAPR has announced that the after-dinner speaker at this year's
TAPR/AMSAT Banquet on Friday, May 17th will be Dr. P. J. Erickson,
W1PJE, from the MIT Haystack Observatory. Dr. Erickson will will give
a presentation entitled “New Frontiers in Human Understanding of
Geospace: Radio Explorations of Near-Earth Space from Top to Bottom
Through Joint Amateur – Scientist Partnerships.”
Tickets for the 2019 TAPR/AMSAT Banquet are $40 and can be purchased
at https://www.amsat.org/p…/tapramsat-joint-hamvention-banquet/
Tickets must be purchased by 18:00 EDT / 22:00 UTC on May 14th.
[ANS thanks TAPR for the above information.]
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Seats Still Available for AMSAT Academy
Come join us the day before Hamvention for AMSAT Academy – a unique
opportunity to learn all about amateur radio in space and working the
FM, linear transponder, and digital satellites currently in orbit.
AMSAT Academy will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, from 9:00am to
5:00pm, at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse,
located at 6619 Bellefontaine Rd, Dayton, Ohio.
Registration Fee includes:
+Full day of instruction, designed for both beginners and advanced
amateur radio satellite operators, and taught by some of the most
accomplished AMSAT operators.
+Digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, 2019 Edition
($15 value)
+One-Year, AMSAT Basic Membership ($44 value)
+Pizza Buffet Lunch
+Invitation to the Thursday night AMSAT get together at Ticket Pub
and Eatery in Fairborn
AMSAT Academy 2019 Registration Fee: $85.00. Registration closes
May 10, 2019. No sign ups at the door. No refunds, No cancellations.
Registration may be purchased on the AMSAT Store.
https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-academy-registration/
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]
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AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
For a complete list of AMSAT activities at the 2019 Hamvention, see
www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention-2019/
Below, two of these activities are highlighted:
AMSAT Forum, Forum Room 2
Saturday, 18 May 2019, 12:10 – 13:40 EDT
Moderated by Robert Bankston KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President–User Services
AMSAT Status Report – Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT President, will high-
light recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our
challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news.
AMSAT Engineering – Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice President–
Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit, Larger
Footprint) Projects.
AMSAT Education – Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President–
Educational Relations will introduce the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator.
AMSAT User Services – Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President–
User Services, will discuss AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary Operating Event
and the new AMSAT Ambassadors Program.
Amateur Satellite Demonstrations
Outside Main Entrance – Maxim Hall (Building 1)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 16 – 19 May 2019, 08:00 – 16:30 EDT
Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held outside the
main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. Every day, AMSAT will be
demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites.
We especially want to invite youth to make a contact via an amateur
satellite. All are invited to observe, participate and ask questions.
Satellite pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 &
1107-1110) and in the demo area.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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N8HM to Appear on Ham Talk Live April 18th
It's almost time for the Dayton Hamvention! Be sure to tune in at
HamTalkLive.com for a preview each week until Hamvention!
On Thursday, April 18th, AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer,
N8HM, will appear on the show to discuss the AMSAT Academy and the
other exciting activities AMSAT has planned for the 2019 Hamvention.
Ham Talk Live! is live every Thursday night at 9 pm EDT, and on your
favorite podcast app or on demand at HamTalkLive.com. And, HTL! is
rebroadcast on Saturdays on WTWW 5085 AM at about 6:30 pm EDT.
[ANS thanks Ham Talk Live for the above information.]
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2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary
of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the
AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program.
Full details are available at
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
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Last Chance to Bid in ARISS Auction
Bidding continues in the ARISS Auction! Bidders are moving fast
hoping to garner a special astronaut signed brand new JVC Kenwood
TS-890S!
Visit http://www.ebay.com/itm/323770952171 to bid on the TS-890S.
Bidding ends at 13:22 UTC on Monday, April 15th.
A special astronaut signed 6-volume boxed set 2019 ARRL Handbook
is also up for bid.
Visit http://www.ebay.com/itm/323770952890 to bid on the ARRL Hand-
book. Bidding ends at 13:23 UTC on Monday, April 15th.
Thanks to JVC Kenwood and ARRL, proceeds from the on-line auction
will benefit ARISS in its quest to launch a new custom-built higher-
power radio system in late 2019 with its voice repeater and improved
packet APRS and SSTV capability that thousands of hams can enjoy. The
new system will replace the aging, problematic units currently on the
ISS. ARISS also needs funding to keep introducing ham radio to
thousands of students, teachers, parents, and whole communities — and
inspiring students about STEM and radio.
Kenwood has been a super supporter of ARISS for years, and it was the
company’s idea for this special radio to be an exclusive for one ham
to own. The limited edition boxed set 2019 ARRL Handbook sold out fast
last fall but ARRL saved one set for ARISS's fundraiser.
AMSAT, ARISS's sponsoring 501(c)(3) corporation, provided the auction
infrastructure.
If auctions aren't your thing, please consider a one-time or
recurring donation to ARISS at
https://www.amsat.org/donations/ariss-donations/
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.]
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CLOSEOUT
2018 Symposium Proceedings and Getting
Started Guides, now $15 + Shipping on
the AMSAT Store while supplies last.
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-books-and-dvds/
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ARISS SSTV Event Continues Through 18:00 UTC April 14th
In commemoration of human spaceflight, the ISS is currently
transmitting SSTV pictures in PD-120 format. The event is scheduled
to continue until 18:00 UTC on April 14th.
The downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz FM. Any standard SSTV program
for computers or smartphones should be able to decode the PD-120
transmissions.
Participants may share their received pictures at
https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php
Participants may also receive a special award for participating. See
https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ for details.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.]
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Diwata-2 Designated Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101)
On October 29, 2018, the Diwata-2 microsatellite was launched on a
H-IIA launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima,
Japan. Diwata-2 was developed by the University of the Philippines
Dillman (UPD) and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) under the PHL-
Microsat program (now succeeded by the STAMINA4Space program), and in
cooperation with Tohoku University and Hokkaido University. The
project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
and monitored by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and
Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The
satellite carries an amateur radio payload that has been tested and
is now ready for service.
At the request of the STAMINA4Space program, AMSAT hereby
designates Diwata-2 as Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101). We congratulate
the owners and operators of PO-101, thank them for their contribution
to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on
this and future projects.
73,
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator
PO-101 frequency information can be found at at
https://www.amsat.org/fm-satellite-frequency-summary/
Stay tuned to ANS and the AMSAT-BB for operational information.
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR
Number Administrator for the above information.]
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Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
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March/April 2019 Edition of Apogee View Posted
The March/April 2019 edition of Apogee View, a comprehensive update on
AMSAT's activities from AMSAT President Joe Spier, K6WAO, has been
posted to the AMSAT website.
https://www.amsat.org/apogeeview/
[ANS thanks AMSAT the above information]
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AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio.
We have reached a great milestone with $24,045 raised
or about 16% towards our goal. This would not have been
possible without your outstanding generosity!!
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
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How to Support AMSAT
AMSAT relies on the support of our members and the amateur radio
community to Keep Amateur Radio in Space.
How can you help?
*Join AMSAT
Both you and AMSAT will benefit when you join. You get the AMSAT
Journal bimonthly and support from AMSAT Ambassadors. Member dues
and donations provide AMSAT’s primary support.
Join today at
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
*Become a Life Member
Becoming a Life Member has never been easier. Now you can become a
Life Member with 12 monthly payments of $74 through our online
store.
See https://www.amsat.org/product/lifetime-membership/ for details.
*Donate to AMSAT
Make a one time or recurring donation to AMSAT today. Even as little
as one dollar a month can make a difference!
Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/
*Purchase AMSAT gear on our Zazzle storefront.
AMSAT receives 25% of the price of each sale on AMSAT logo
merchandise from our Zazzle storefront located at
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
*Volunteer for AMSAT
AMSAT relies on volunteers for nearly all of our activities. If you
have an idea for how to help, please let us know, Details on
volunteering can be found at
https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/
[ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
+Utah (DM48, DM58) – April 14-19, 2019
Bob, N6REK, will be roving in Utah from April 13 to the 19th. He
plans to be on from DM58 from April 14-17, and then DM48 from April
17-19. Bob will be FM satellites only, using the call sign N6REK/7,
and he will post the specific passes on the amsat-bb when we get
closer to those dates.
+Liechtenstein (JN47) – April 17-19, 2019
Phillippe, EA4NF, is off on another DXpedition. This time, he is
heading to HB0/Lichtenstein. Phillippe will operate under the
callsign HB0/EA4NF from Leichtenstein and HB9/EA4NF from Switzerland
(JN47s, on both FM and SSB satellites. QSL via LoTW. Updated info &
Pass announcements (Time+Frequencies) available on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
+Arizona to West Virginia – April 18-21, 2019
Chris. K7TAB, is heading towards WV April 18th to 21st, a 2200-mile
sprint. The priority is to cover distance, but he’ll need to take
some breaks to rotate coffee and work satellite passes. Grids along
I-40 in AZ/NM/TX/OK, I-44 in OK/MO, I-70 in IL/IN/OH/PA are all fair
game! FM + Linears. Chris has a nice grid map with his route posted
on his Twitter feed and will post pass availability when he can.
https://twitter.com/K7TABravo
+Central and Northern Maine (FN53, FN54, FN55, FN56, FN57, FN65, FN66,
FN67) – April 26-28, 2019
Join Matt, W1PY and Sean, KX9X as they team up for a weekend of ham
radio through the Pine Tree State! Follow them as they activate the
Potato Field grids of central and northern Maine for the satellite
community, and hit some state parks on HF for the Parks on the Air and
WWFF communities. There will also be spontaneous activations of
curious roadside attractions as they roll through.
Grids to be activated on satellite: FN53 – 54 – 55 – 56 – 57 – 65 –
66 – 67. A special effort will be made to activate the grid
intersection of FN56-57-66-67 in the potato field north of Caribou.
Detailed satellite operations schedule to be announced ASAP.
For more information, check out https://t.co/2irvAUBvAu and keep an
eye on Sean’s Twitter feed https://twitter.com/SeanKutzko.
+California (DM15) – April 27, 2019
Dave, AD7DB, will be in DM15 in the high desert town of North Edwards,
CA, just outside Edwards AFB. Planned passes are AO-91, AO-92 and
SO-50. More exact details on Twitter https://twitter.com/ad7db as the
time approaches.
+Northern Border Security Check (Minnesota to Washington) – April 29
to May 4 or 5th, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is all set for his semiannual rover trip to activate rare
and somewhat rare grids, from April 29th to May 4th or 5th (or longer
depending on how things go). Alex will fly into Minneapolis and drive
back to my home grid CN88, activating as many ENx8,ENx7,DNx8,and DNx7
grids as possible along the route. The hope is to hit many corners and
lines.
Alex will be on both linear and FM birds.
As always, activations and route details will be posted to his
Twitter @N7AGF at https://twitter.com/N7AGF . Alex will also be on
APRS at https://aprs.fi/N7AGF-10. In areas of limited cell service,
he’ll be using inReach.
Email or hit Alex on twitter with grid requests, route suggestions,
or hot tourist attractions in Minot.
+Northeast North Dakota (EN06/EN07/EN08/EN16/EN17/EN18) – May 2-5,
2019
Mitch, AD0HJ, is heading out to the Grand Forks, ND Hamfest on May 4th
, but also just goofing off for a few days in the general area. Mitch
will be limited to working the FM Satellites only (SO-50, AO-91,
AO-92). Plans are to work EN17/18 on May 2, EN07/08 on May 3, EN17/18
again on May 4 (day of hamfest), and then EN06/16 on May 5. A full
pass schedule will be viewable on the Twitter announcement
https://twitter.com/KE4ALabama/status/1116524856781230080, and
up-to-date pass info on Mitch’s Twitter feed https://twitter.com/AD0HJ.
+Southwest South Dakota (DN83++) – May 19-23, 2019
Clayton, W5PFG, will be operating from DN83 on all FM/SSB satellites
holiday-style , May 19-23. Open to schedules with EU. In the days
proceeding he’ll be on from DN91 and in the days following from DN74,
DN71, potentially DN70, and lastly DM99. Twitter @w5pfg
+Pacific Northwest (CN85, CN83/CN84, CN76/CN86) – May 31 to June 2,
2019
Casey, KI7UNJ, will be on in CN83/84 Friday, May 31st, CN85 Saturday,
June 1st, and CN76/86 Sunday, June 2nd. Pass list to come in next
few weeks.
+Iceland (HP95 IP15 IP25 IP03 HP03) – July 13-19, 2019
Adam, K0FFY, is taking his family (and his radios) to Iceland.
Tentative schedule is HP95 July 13, IP13 and IP15 July 14-15, IP25
July 16, IP03 or HP93 July 17-18, and HP94 July 19. There’s a lot to
see, so passes will be best effort and announced on Twitter shortly
prior. https://twitter.com/K0FFY_Radio
[ANS Thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ FUNcube on ESEO Payload Activated
On April 12th, the FUNcube on ESEO 145.895 MHz 1k2 BPSK beacon was
briefly activated, confirming the functionality of the payload.
The FUNcube on ESEO payload consists of a 1k2/4k8 BPSK telemetry
beacon and an L/v FM repeater with an uplink of 1263.500 MHz and a
downlink of 145.895 MHz. Stay tuned for further information.
(ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information)
+ FO-99 (NEXUS) Twitter
The Nihon University Ground Station twitter account (@GsNihonuniv)
is now posting operational updates for FO-99 in English.
Check https://twitter.com/GsNihonuniv for FO-99 operational
information.
+ AO-85 Keplerian Elements No Longer Restricted
18 Space Control Squadron has removed the NEA status for an
additional 43 objects, including AO-85. This means entities other
than AMSAT, including Celestrak, may distribute the Keplerian
elements for AO-85. They should appear in Celestrak's amateur.txt
file shortly
(ANS thanks T.S. Kelso of Celestrak for the above information)
+ Australian CubeSat to use 76 GHz Amateur Satellite Band
An Australian CubeSat, CUAVA-1, is expcted to include a downlink
on 76 GHz. Details at
https://amsat-uk.org/2019/04/12/australian-cubesat-to-use-76-ghz/
(ANS thanks the IARU Satellite Coordination Panel and AMSAT-UK)
+ The Orbital Index
The Orbital Index is a newsletter written by Andrew Cantino and
Ben Lachman. We strive to keep it focused, technical, and enjoyable.
Basically you should be able to read it over lunch and learn
something you didn’t know before. Subscribe or check out the
archives at http://orbitalindex.com/
(ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)
+ AD0DX Completes Satellite WAS
Congratulations to AD0DX on receiving Satellite Worked All States
#377. His last QSO for WAS was with N8HM in Washington, DC. For
WAS, the District of Columbia counts as Maryland.
(ANS thanks AD0DX and N8HM for the above information)
(Editor's note - while DC is definitely not Maryland, I am happy
to assist anyone who needs MD for WAS while this rule remains in
place)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive
additional benefits. Application forms are available from the
AMSAT office.
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 six post-secondary years in this
status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student
membership information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org
1
0
ANS-101 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Diwata-2 Designated Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101)
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Apr '19
by Paul Stoetzer 11 Apr '19
11 Apr '19
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN
ANS-101.01
In this Special Bulletin:
* Diwata-2 Designated Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101)
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.01
ANS-101 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin 101.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD
DATE April 11, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-101.01
On October 29, 2018, the Diwata-2 microsatellite was launched on a
H-2A launch vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima,
Japan. Diwata-2 was developed by the PHL-Microsat program now
succeeded by the STAMINA4Space program, and in cooperation with
Tohoku University and Hokkaido University. The satellite carries an
amateur radio payload that has been tested and is now ready for
service.
At the request of the STAMINA4Space program, AMSAT hereby designates
Diwata-2 as Philippines-OSCAR 101 (PO-101). We congratulate the
owners and operators of PO-101, thank them for their contribution to
the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on
this and future projects.
73,
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator
[ANS thanks AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator Drew
Glasbrenner, KO4MA, for the above information.]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers life memberships,
and sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to
receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from
the AMSAT Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the
student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73 and Remember to help keep Amateur Radio in space,
This week's ANS Contributing Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-096
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans
In this edition:
* AMSAT India AISAT APRS Payload Operational on 145.825 MHz
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* UT1FG/MM QSL Procedure Announced
* Hamvention Booth Announcement
* AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
* The Case of the Unknown Satellites
* Upcoming ARISS Contacts
* International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students
* VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2019
* Raspberry Pi magazine MagPi Features Ham Radio
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-096.01
ANS-096 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 096.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE YYY
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-096.01
AMSAT India AISAT APRS Payload Operational on 145.825 MHz
An APRS payload from AMSAT INDIA was successfully launched on April 1,
2019 at 03:57 GMT on the PSLV-C45 mission. The payload was powered up
on schedule over Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Moscow.
AMSAT India requested stations at these locations to report the first
signals on 145.825 MHz from the payload.
The first beacon from AISAT-1 was received by R4UAB and DK3WN was able
to digipeat through the satellite. Mike posted information on his
blog at: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=94180
AMSAT India requests that the Amateur Radio fraternity worldwide use
the payload and Satgates to feed the traffic.
More details about this unique project as well as the pre-launch TLE
are available at http://www.amsatindia.org/ Their twitter feed is at
https://twitter.com/amsatindia AMSAT Argentina's web-based satellite
pass page passes at http://amsat.org.ar/pass?satx=aisa1 provides use-
ful tracking information based on the pre-launch TLE.
The 4th stage of the PSLV rocket (PS4) will become an orbital plat-
form in a 485 km orbit hosting three payloads:
+ Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) digipeater from
AMSAT INDIA
+ Automatic Identification System (AIS) from ISRO
+ Advanced Retarding Potential Analyzer for Ionospheric Studies (ARIS)
from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).
https://www.isro.gov.in/launcher/pslv-c45-emisat-mission
[ANS thanks Nitin, VU3TYG, Secretary, AMSAT INDIA for the above
information]
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AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space. Please
consider a donation to the AMSAT General Fund, the GOLF Program, or
ARISS today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Defrosting Trip (EM90, EL99) – April 7-9, 2019
Paul, KE0PBR, has plans to escape the Land of the 10,000 Frozen Lakes
and head down to Florida, to enjoy a little Global Warming. Will most
likely be FM only, and holiday style. Paul will post announcements on
his Twitter account: https://twitter.com/KE0PBR
Utah (DM37, DM48, DM58) – April 13-19, 2019
Bob, N6REK, will be roving in Utah from April 13 to the 19th. He
plans to be in DM37 April 13, DM58 from April 14-17, and then DM48
from April 17-19. Bob will be FM satellites only, and he will post the
specific passes on the amsat-bb when we get closer to those dates.
Liechtenstein (JN47) – April 17-19, 2019
Phillippe, EA4NF, is off on another DXpedition. This time, he is
heading to HB0/Lichtenstein. Phillippe will operate under the call
sign HB0/EA4NF from Leichtenstein and HB9/EA4NF from Switzerland
(JN47s, on both FM and SSB satellites. QSL via LoTW. Updated info &
Pass announcements (Time+Frequencies) available on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
Northern Border Security Check (Minnesota to Washington) – April 29 to
May 4 or 5th, 2019 Alex, N7AGF, is all set for his semiannual rover
trip to activate rare and somewhat rare grids, from April 29th to
May 4th or 5th (or longer depending on how things go). Alex will fly
into Minneapolis and drive back to my home grid CN88, activating as
many ENx8,ENx7,DNx8,and DNx7 grids as possible along the route. The
hope is to hit many corners and lines. Alex will be on both linear
and FM birds. As always, activations and route details will be posted
to his Twitter @N7AGF at https://twitter.com/N7AGF Alex will also be
on APRS at https://aprs.fi/N7AGF-10 In areas of limited cell service,
he’ll be using inReach.
Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org
[ANS thanks KE4AL for the above information]
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UT1FG/MM QSL Procedure Announced
Yuri, UT1FG/mm, is headed to Kalningrad (UA2) and according to
marinetraffic.com, he will be there around 16April. Yuri will
leave the ship there and go on vacation until next season.
Yuri would like those who want to confirm their contacts, to
do so by following the procedure to create a .pdf file that
he can print, confirm and mail out from Kaliningrad. Instructions
for creating the .pdf file are on papays.com/sat Please do not
forget to include your mailing address in the header per the example.
He would like to receive the qsl logsheets about one week before
he arrives in port. You can send them to me later than that, but
he may not have time to process them as he approaches port. That
decision is up to you. I will forward them to Yuri as long as
he is still underway. Send your logsheets to my qrz.com email
address.
Yuri was in HL90 on the 1818z 04April pass of AO-7.
[ANS thanks John Papay, K8YSE for the above information]
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Hamvention Booth Announcement
Join us as AMSAT celebrates our Golden Jubilee at the 2019 Hamvention
with a 1969 theme and an "OSCAR Park" display. The satellite lineup
includes appearances by OSCAR-1, AO-7, Phase-3A, ARISSat, Fox, and
GOLF. Join up or renew your AMSAT membership. Updated for 2019,
AMSAT's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" is available.
Get one-on-one guidance on setting up your satellite station and
making contacts at our "Beginner's Corner". Participate in live demon-
strations of contacts through FM and linear satellites with station
and operating tips from some of the best satellite operators in the
country.
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Hamvention Team for the above information]
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AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
For a complete list of AMSAT activities at the 2019 Hamvention, see
www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention-2019/
Below, two of these activities are highlighted:
AMSAT Forum, Forum Room 2
Saturday, 18 May 2019, 12:10 – 13:40 EDT
Moderated by Robert Bankston KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President–User Services
AMSAT Status Report – Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT President, will high-
light recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our
challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news.
AMSAT Engineering – Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice President–
Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit, Larger
Footprint) Projects.
AMSAT Education – Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President–Education-
al Relations will introduce the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator.
AMSAT User Services – Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President–
User Services, will discuss AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary Operating Event
and the new AMSAT Ambassadors Program.
Amateur Satellite Demonstrations
Outside Main Entrance – Maxim Hall (Building 1)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 16 – 19 May 2019, 08:00 – 16:30 EDT
Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held outside the
main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. Every day, AMSAT will be
demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites.
We especially want to invite youth to make a contact via an amateur
satellite. All are invited to observe, participate and ask questions.
Satellite pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 &
1107-1110) and in the demo area.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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The Case of the Unknown Satellites
On December 3, 2018, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from California,
lofting the largest haul of individual satellites the vehicle had ever
transported. All 64 satellites deployed into space as designed. But
nearly four months later, more than a dozen satellites from the launch
have yet to be identified in space. We know that they’re up there, and
where they are, but it’s unclear which satellites belong to which
satellite operator on the ground. They are, truly, unidentified flying
objects.
An article by Loren Grush details the difficulties presented to the
Air Force in sorting out objects from multiple launches.
To read the full article, see https://tinyurl.com/y6rgkfn6
[ANS thanks The Verge for the above information]
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Upcoming ARISS Contacts
58th Hamilton Scout Group, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, direct via
VE3DC
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI
Contact is go for: Sat 2019-04-06 18:31:06 UTC 38 deg
Shaftesbury High School, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, telebridge via
VK6MJ
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI
Contact is go for: Wed 2019-04-10 15:57:13 UTC 37 deg
École des Charmilles, Thyez, France, telebridge via ON4ISS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI
Contact is go for: Thu 2019-04-11 12:55:18 UTC 64 deg
Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ARISS is always glad
to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks
everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your
reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information]
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International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program
is seeking proposals from April 1, through May 15, 2019, from US
schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations
(working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an
orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS)
between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with
learning opportunities about space technologies, communications, and
much more through the exploration of Amateur Radio and space. The
ARISS program connects students to astronauts on the ISS through a
partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation,
the American Radio Relay League, other Amateur Radio global
organizations and the worldwide space agencies. The program's goal is
to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in Amateur Radio.
Educators report regularly that student participation in the ARISS
program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and STEM careers. One
educator wrote, "Many of the middle school students who took part in
and attended the ARISS contact have selected science courses in high
school as a result of that contact." Educators are setting up ham
radio clubs in schools and learning centers because of students'
interest.
ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of
participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed,
exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite
communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on
the ISS, radio science, and other STEM subjects. Students learn to
use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-
related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate
Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for a once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity for students.
The proposal window opens April 1, 2019 and the proposal deadline is
May 15, 2019. For proposal guidelines and forms and more details, go
to: http://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2019.eventbrite.com
Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answered will
be offered April 11, 2019 at 7 pm Eastern Time and April 16, 2019 at
9 pm Eastern Time. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go
to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2019.eventbrite.com
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.]
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VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2019
Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the
ARRL for the period March 1, 2019 through April 1, 2019. Congratula-
tions to all those who made the list this month!
CALL 01 Mar 01 Apr
WI7P 835 858
N4UFO 729 730
AA8CH 451 500
N3GS 370 409
K9UO 225 265
N6RFM 201 226
WW8W 152 181
PU8RFL 151 157
PS8MT 150 156
K5CIS New 150
K4RGK 133 145
LW2DAF 115 120
KF0QS New 115
KJ4EU 100 101
PP2CC New 101
AD7DB New 100
N7AME New 100
[ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN for the above information]
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Raspberry Pi magazine MagPi Features Ham Radio
The Raspberry Pi magazine MagPi issue 80 is an Amateur Radio Special
that features articles by Dave Honess M6DNT and Rob Zwetsloot. The PDF
is available free.
The amateur radio articles appear on pages 62-75:
. Pictures from Space via Ham Radio - Have you ever wanted
to receive a radio signal from space? It's fun and a lot
easier than you might think!
. What is Ham Radio?
. Using Ham Radio with Raspberry Pi
. Amazing Ham Radio Projects - 7 projects
Download the Free MagPi magazine issue 80 PDF at
https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/issues/80/
The MagPi editorial team say - Got an amazing ham radio project of
your own? Tweet us your photos! @TheMagPi
Previous issues of MagPi are at
https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/issues/
[ANS thanks raspberrypi.org for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ AMSAT has filed comments in the FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Pro-
ceeding. For details, see ANS special bulletin 095 or visit:
https://tinyurl.com/yywq5jyt
+ From precision GPS to batteries for one of the world’s first com-
mercial all-electric airplanes, NASA technology turns up in nearly
every corner of modern life. The latest edition of NASA’s Spinoff
publication features dozens of commercial technologies that were
developed or improved by the agency’s space program and benefit
people everywhere. The publication provides nearly 50 examples of
how NASA benefits various industries and people around the world.
Print and digital versions of the latest issue of Spinoff are avail-
able at: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/index.html
(ANS thanks NASA HQ News for the above information)
+ XLGTa is a new Excel app which can calculate the antenna Gain/Temper-
ature ratio, similar to the TANT program but with many more features.
It can read 3D pattern data generated by EZNEC, AutoEZ, 4nec2, A.M.
(Teri Software Antenna Model), or MMANA-GAL. In addition to G/Ta the
app will calculate Average Gain, RDF (aka Directivity), and DMF (aka
Rear Hemisphere Mean Sidelobe Level). XLGTa is free but requires
Excel 2000 or later. For complete details and downloads see:
https://ac6la.com/xlgta.html
(ANS thanks Dan, AC6LA, for the above information)
+ Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle successfully lifted the R3D2
satellite for DARPA from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia
Peninsula at 23:27, March 28th UTC (12:27, 29 March NZDT). The
mission launched a prototype reflect array antenna to orbit for the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
(ANS thanks satmagazine.com for the above information)
+ Lockheed Martin has announced a new generation of space
technology that will launch this year that will allow satellites to
change their missions in orbit. This new tech, called SmartSat, is a
software-defined satellite architecture that will boost capability
for payloads on several testbed satellites.
(ANS thanks satmagazine.com for the above information)
+ The Northern Arizona DX Association will celebrate the 50th
anniversary of landing men on the moon with the special callsign
K7M from various locations including the the "Meteor Crater
National Natural Landmark" where astronaut training took place.
http://www.nadxa.com/
(ANS thanks DX Newsletter for the above information)
+ Congratulations to Mike, W8LID for completing his Worked All States
Satellite with his AO-91 contact with RJ, WY7AA roving in South
Dakota.
(W8LID via Twitter)
+ Former NASA astronauts Jim Buchli and Janet Kavandi were inducted
into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2019 during a ceremony
on April 6, 2019, inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. They unveiled
their plaques, which will be placed in the Hall of Fame at the
visitor complex.
(ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ After a long process of testing and judging experiments, the Euro-
pean Space Agency and Raspberry Pi Foundation are happy to announce
that a record number of 135 teams have been granted ‘flight status’
for Mission Space Lab 2018/2019! Full release at:
https://tinyurl.com/y3bdqwp3
(ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information)
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/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week's ANS Editor,
K0JM at amsat dot org
1
0
ANS-095 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT Files Comments in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding
by Paul Stoetzer 05 Apr '19
by Paul Stoetzer 05 Apr '19
05 Apr '19
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN
ANS-095.01
In this Special Bulletin:
* AMSAT Files Comments in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-095.01
ANS-095 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin 333.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD
DATE April 5, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-095.01
AMSAT Files Comments in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed several rules
changes related to the amateur satellite service as part of a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) related to the mitigation of orbital
debris. AMSAT believes several of these rule changes would have an
extremely detrimental affect on the amateur satellite service and
AMSAT's ability to launch and operate new satellites, including
AMSAT's upcoming GOLF satellites.
Today, AMSAT filed comments on the proposed rulemaking. In the
comments, AMSAT argues that amateur satellites often have longer
mission lifespans than other small satellite missions and that the
Commission should take a mission duration of 5 to 10 years into
account when determining whether or not an amateur satellite will
meet the orbital debris regulations by transferring to a parking
orbit or re-entering the atmosphere within 25 years of mission
completion. The current practice is to assume a "zero year" mission
and to require that amateur satellites either transfer to a parking
orbit or re-enter within 25 years following launch.
AMSAT also urged the Commission to consider alternatives to a
proposed rule that would restrict satellites in Low Earth Orbit that
plan to meet the orbital debris mitigation guidelines through
atmospheric re-entry to altitudes of 650 km or less. AMSAT noted
that, had this rule been in place, AO-85 and AO-91 would not have been
able to be deployed in their current ellipitcal orbits with apogees
of approximately 800 km, despite the fact that both of these
satellites will re-enter within 25 years due to their low perigees.
Additionally, AMSAT noted that current plans for the GOLF-1 satellite
are to meet orbital debris mitigation guidelines through atmospheric
re-entry by deploying a drag device that will ensure re-entry within
25 years despite deployment at an altitude of above 1,000 km. This
proposed rule would prohibit GOLF-1's deployment at that altitude.
The Commission's proposed rules would also require that amateur
satellite licensees indemnify the government against any claims made
against the United States due to the operation of the satellite. AMSAT
believes this proposal would end the ability of AMSAT, or any other
entity in the United States, to launch and operate amateur satellites
and urges the Commission to consider alternatives, such as
establishing a fund to pay any such claims, noting that the likelihood
of such a claim is low.
For amateur satellites with propulsion, the Commission proposes a rule
that would require any command links as well as satellite telemetry be
encrypted. While AMSAT understands and agrees that a satellite
carrying a propulsion system must have an encrypted command link, the
proposal to require all satellite telemetry be encrypted is
unnecessary and counter to the spirit of the amateur service. AMSAT
notes that open access to telemetry is expected of amateur satellites
and is critical to the educational component of amateur radio
satellites.
Finally, AMSAT proposes that the Commission exempt amateur space
stations co-located on other spacecraft from the orbital debris
mitigation regulations, including any indemnification rule. Noting
that AMSAT has pursued opportunities to fly a payload as a rideshare
aboard government or commercial satellites, AMSAT argues that, as the
satellite's owner will need to meet orbital debris mitigation
requirements to obtain the license in the primary mission's service,
requiring the amateur licensee to meet the orbital debris mitigation
requirements as well is redundant. AMSAT proposes that Part 97 be
amended to state that amateur space stations co-located on spacecraft
with space stations authorized under Part 25 of the Commission's
regulations (for commercial spacecraft) or by the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) (for
government spacecraft) are exempt from these regulations.
AMSAT's comments as filed may be downloaded at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-095-Comments
The NPRM is International Bureau Docket #18-313 and is available at
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-159A1.pdf
Interested parties may file reply comments by May 5th at
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/
[ANS thanks AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for
the above information]
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers life memberships,
and sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to
receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from
the AMSAT Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the
student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73 and Remember to help keep Amateur Radio in space,
This week's ANS Contributing Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-083
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
* NASA on the Air
* Satellite Operating Demonstrations Planned for Tucson Hamfest
* Three more 50th Anniversary Certtificates Earned
* "Getting Started" Guide CLoseout
* Canadian Artist To Use HAARP To Transmit SSTV
* ESEO Satellite Commissioning Starts
* FoxTelem Version 1.07 Released
* Sally Ride EarthKAM @ Space Camp's 66th Mission Is Open For
Registration
* K6FW Gets 488 Grids
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* ARISS News
* Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-083.01
ANS-083 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 083.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
March 24, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-083.01
AMSAT Activities at Hamvention 2019
AMSAT Academy
Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse, Dayton, OH
Thursday, 16 May 2019, 09:00 – 17:00 EDT
Come joins us the day before Hamvention, for AMSAT Academy – a
unique opportunity to learn all about amateur radio in space and
working the FM, linear transponder, and digital satellites currently
in orbit.
AMSAT Academy will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, from 9:00am to
5:00pm, at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse,
located at 6619 Bellefontaine Rd, Dayton, Ohio.
Registration Fee includes:
Full day of instruction, designed for both beginners and advanced
amateur radio satellite operators, and taught by some of the most
accomplished AMSAT operators.
Digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, 2019
Edition ($15 value)
One-Year, AMSAT Basic Membership ($44 value)
Pizza Buffet Lunch.
Invitation to the Thursday night AMSAT get together at Ticket Pub
and Eatery in Fairborn.
AMSAT Academy 2019 Registration Fee: $85.00. Registration closes May
10, 2019. No sign ups at the door. No refunds, No cancellations.
Registration may be purchased on the AMSAT Store.
AMSAT “Dinner at Tickets”
Tickets Pub & Eatery, Fairborn, OH
Thursday, 16 May 2019, 18:00 EDT
The annual AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.) “Dinner at Tickets”
party will be held Thursday at 1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7
W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Great selection of Greek and American food
and great company! No program or speaker, just good conversation.
Food can be ordered from the menu, drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced
tea) are available at the bar. Leave room for dessert, there’s an in-
house ice cream shop! Come as you are. Bring some friends and have a
great time the night before Hamvention.
ARISS Forum
Forum Room 3
Friday, 17 May 2019, 13:15 – 14:15 EDT
Out of this World Ham Radio via ARISS–Amateur Radio on the ISS
Moderators: Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS Secretary & USA Delegate,
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT Vice President Human Space Flight
ARISS is one of the most unique and fun facets of our hobby. We
inspire generations of students and hams through our International
Space Station crew and radio connections. In this eye-opening forum,
learn about current and future lifelong learning opportunities for
hams—via SSTV, APRS, voice repeaters, radio experiments and even
robots! Hear how ARISS inspires, engages and educates tens of
thousands of students each year in STEAM (science, technology,
engineering arts and math) and radio science. See the next generation
hardware systems we have in development. Discover how to maximize
your opportunities to make ARISS connections and to hear the ISS crew
directly from your ham shack. And learn about our visionary
initiative to fly ham radio on the human space flight lunar Gateway.
Come meet the team that have enabled millions, worldwide, to
experience the fun of our amateur radio hobby.
The ARISS team will present an overview and status of the program
and then conduct a panel/Q&A session with ARISS panel experts in
operations, education, hardware, experimentation and exploration. We
also hope to have some surprise guests attending!
TAPR/AMSAT Banquet
Kohler Presidential Center , Kettering, OH
Friday, 17 May 2019, 18:30 EDT
The twelfth annual TAPR/AMSAT Banquet will be held at the Kohler
Presidential Center on Friday at 18:30 EDT. This dinner is always a
highlight of the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.) and TAPR
(Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) activities during the Dayton Hamvention.
Tickets ($40 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store. The
banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 14th. Banquet
tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the
AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth.
Tickets purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in
at the door at the banquet center. Seating is limited to the number
of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of
tickets sold by the deadline.
AMSAT Forum
Forum Room 2
Saturday, 18 May 2019, 12:10 – 13:40 EDT
Moderated by Robert Bankston KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President – User
Services
AMSAT Status Report – Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT President, will
highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our
challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news.
AMSAT Engineering – Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice President –
Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit Larger
Footprint) Projects.
AMSAT Education – Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President –
Educational Relations will introduce the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator.
AMSAT User Services – Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President –
User Services, will discuss AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary Operating Event
and the new AMSAT Ambassadors Program.
Amateur Satellite Demonstrations
Outside Main Entrance – Maxim Hall (Building 1)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 16 – 19 May 2019, 08:00 – 17:00 EDT
Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held outside the
main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. Every day, AMSAT will be
demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur
satellites. We especially want to invite youth to make a contact via
an amateur satellite. All are invited to observe, participate and ask
questions. Satellite pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth
(1007-1010 & 1107-1110) and in the demo area.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information.]
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NASA on the Air
In a surprising and touching turnout, tens of thousands of people
around the world turned on their ham (or amateur) radios to
participate in several "NASA on the Air" events held over the past
year. "This was a beautiful thing," said Kevin Zari, head of the
amateur radio club at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Zari especially
loved the event photos tweeted by people from different countries.
Radio clubs from 10 NASA centers and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena, California, all supported the yearlong event. Ham radio
operators tuned in from all 50 U.S. states and 56 countries across
six continents to chat with NASA personnel. "There were times in our
log where we had 20 contacts a minute - it was that quick. And there
were other more relaxed times, where we were able to just sit and
talk," said Zari. "I don't know how many times people said, 'We
thought NASA was gone. We thought NASA was dead.' So we educated
people around the world."
The NASA on the Air event wrapped up with three special
opportunities for people to use their radios to download images from
the International Space Station. This was done in coordination with
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), an
international consortium of amateur radio organizations and space
agencies. ARISS encourages young people to explore science,
technology, engineering and math through the use of ham radios, and
their program works to connect students worldwide with astronauts
onboard the space station.
For the final three events, cosmonauts on the station transmitted
several NASA on the Air images from space. Participants could compete
to collect images and upload them to a website for credit. Over
34,600 uploads were received from 18,619 participants.
The reaction to NASA on the Air was so positive, NASA Radio Clubs
plans to activate NASA on the Air for special anniversaries in 2019
and beyond (e.g. 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11). Follow
@NASARadioClubs on Twitter or join the NASA on the Air (NOTA) group
on Facebook for notifications of future activities.
[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]
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Satellite Operating Demonstrations Planned for Tucson Hamfest
Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK will have an AMSAT booth at the Radio
Society of Tucson's annual spring hamfest on Saturday, March 30,
2019, in Tucson AZ.
WD9EWK will be on satellite passes demonstrating satellite oper-
ating from the hamfest. If you hear WD9EWK on the air that morn-
ing, please call him and be a part of the demonstrations.
The hamfest site is in grid DM42. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook
of the World after the hamfest. QSL cards are available on request
(please e-mail him directly with QSO details if you would like a
QSL card).
Also the @WD9EWK Twitter account will send photos and updates during
the hamfest. These tweets are viewable in a web browser, even if you
do not use Twitter: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
Hamfest information is available at:
https://rstclub.org/media/hamfest.pdf
[ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK for the above information]
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More 50th Anniversary Certificates Earned
AMSAT has issued 3 more 50th Anniversary certificates to KE8FZT 602,
KM4LAO 603, K2MTS 604, VE3CWU 605, N3SL 606, K4WPX 607, KB4PML 608.
As of last notice only a couple 50th Certificates were left and then
they are gone.
[ANS thanks Bruce KK5DO for the above information]
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"Getting Started" Guide CLoseout
We are clearing out the 2018 Getting Started with Amateur Satellites
books to make room for the next version debuting at Dayton. Get one,
or an extra to give to a friend, for just $15 plus shipping, while
supplies last.
This definitive reference is written for the new satellite operator by
Gould Smith, WA4SXM, but includes discussions for the experienced
operator who wishes to review the features of amateur satellite
communications. The new operator will be introduced to the basic
concepts and terminology unique to this mode. Additionally, there are
many practical tips and tricks to ensure making contacts, and to sound
like an experienced satellite operator in the process.
Newly revised in May 2018 with new information on new satellites. It
also include information on several satellites of interest to hams
expected to be launched in the coming year. Revisions in May 2016
include spiral bound for easier browsing, more new satellites, many
more pages and in color.More added in the May, 2017 revision. and
More added in the May, 2018 revision.
Buy now https://tinyurl.com/ANS083-GettingStarted
[ANS thanks AMSAT office for the above information.]
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Canadian Artist To Use HAARP To Transmit SSTV
Concordia transmission artist Amanda Dawn Christie will use the
world’s most capable high-power, high-frequency transmitter HAARP in
Alaska to send art around the world and into outer space using Slow
Scan TV
Concordia News reports:
In the shadow of Mount Sanford, surrounded by Alaskan wilderness,
you’ll find the most powerful radio transmitter on earth.
On this remote site, scientists use a unique tool called the
Ionospheric Research Instrument (IRI) to create radio-induced aurora,
also known as airglow. But it’s never been used by a Canadian artist
to transmit art — until now.
The IRI’s human-made northern lights inspired interdisciplinary
artist Amanda Dawn Christie to create Ghosts in the Air Glow: an
upcoming transmission art project that will use the IRI to play with
the liminal boundaries of outer space.
“I was so fascinated by these airglow experiments — and the
relationship between the ionosphere and radio communications — I felt
compelled to create an artwork specific to the site and its history,”
says Christie, assistant professor in Concordia’s Department of
Studio Arts.
She will be embedding her own encoded SSTV images, audio
compositions and propagation tests into IRI experiments from March 25
to 28.
Read the full story at
https://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/2019/03/21/concordia-
transmission-artist-launches-a-high-frequency-project-in-alaska.html
Artist made a radio out of a kitchen sink
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2018/december/artist-made-a-radio-
out-of-a-kitchen-sink.htm
Amanda Dawn Christie
http://www.
amandadawnchristie.ca/
https://twitter.com/magnet_mountain
For further info on HAARP HF experiments follow Chris Fallen KL3WX
https://twitter.com/ctfallen
[ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information.]
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ESEO Satellite Commissioning Starts
On Monday, December 3, 2018, the 50 kg ESA Education Office
satellite ESEO was launched by Space-X on the Spaceflight SSO-A
SmallSat Express mission.
Following the launch from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at
Vandenberg Air Force Base, ESEO separated from the launch vehicle and
automatically activated the periodic transmission of its telemetry
beacon. However, by the time out of a predefined period, having not
received commands from the ground station, the spacecraft
automatically entered into safe mode.
Some initial communications issues were experienced by ESEO in
receiving commands from the ground stations in Forli’ (Italy) and
Vigo (Spain), but they were resolved when the ESEO team of the
Observatory of Tartu offered the possibility to use a ground station
in Estonia. This is capable of transmitting with higher power, for a
temporary contingent use. The Estonian ground station has been
configured to be operated remotely by the ESEO MCC team, which
involves students of the University of Bologna.
ESEO then started executing the commands transmitted from ground.
ESEO has now completed the LEOPS (Launch and Early OPerationS) phase
of its mission, reaching the platform nominal mode and has begun the
process of commissioning the whole satellite: firstly the platform
functions, with the payloads functions following.
As part of this commissioning process, but subject to the successful
completion of other preparatory tasks of the platform subsystems
commissioning, it is anticipated that initial testing of the AMSAT
communications payload will be carried out within the next few weeks.
AMSAT-UK will endeavour to provide some advance notice of these
tests being undertaken, but the first step will be activation of the
1200 bps BPSK telemetry beacon on 145.895 MHz. The telemetry format
matches previous FUNcube missions and data from this beacon will be
forwarded to the FUNcube Data Warehouse using any of the FUNcube
dashboards. However, to see the decoded values and graphical
displays, please download the dedicated ESEO mission dashboard which
is available at
https://download.funcube.org.uk/ESEO_Dashboard_v1177.msi
The payload has, additionally, a high speed, 4800 bps BPSK data
format downlink and also a Mode L/V FM transponder both of which will
be tested.
Further information about ESEO can be seen at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS083-ESEO
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FoxTelem Version 1.07 Released
Chris Thompson has officially released version 1.07 of FoxTelem. A
test version has been out for a while, but it had several issues,
including a lower decode rate than 1.06. That prevented release for
a while. Those issues (and something like 65 other defects) are now
all fixed and this decoder performs better than 1.06. Feel free to
test them side by side and report back if that is not the case for
you. We are always interested in any comparative results.
In addition to defects in FoxTelem 1.06 and earlier versions of
1.07, this also introduces Doppler calculation with automatic
adjustment of the decoder frequency. This is especially useful for
decoding beacons and has been helpful in testing for Fox-1A / AO-85
and Fox-1Cliff / AO-95 which are both in SAFE mode. Decoding from
Doppler takes a bit of configuration to get right. Have a read of
the new sections in the manual or ask for help if you want to give it
a try. There are pros and cons vs "Find Signal" for sure.
Version 1.07 changes the core SDR within FoxTelem to use a
Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) rather than an FFT Filter for
the conversion to base-band. This produces better decodes and will
allow the support of wider bandwidth SDRs in the future. The old
decoder is available still if needed from the settings screen. Read
the manual for details.
Version 1.07 also introduces two new BPSK decoders in advance of the
Fox-1E launch. (Chris has no inside information about when that will
be, but he has the decoder ready :) Chris also wrote some notes on
the comparison between the two decoders, which you can read if you
are interested in BPSK decoding performance, or just wonder what I do
with my time in the evenings:
http://www.g0kla.com/workbench/2019-03-09.php
The releases are here:
http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/windows/foxtelem_1.07y_windows.zip
http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/linux/foxtelem_1.07y_linux.tar.gz
http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/mac/foxtelem_1.07y_mac.tar.gz
KEY CHANGES in 1.07
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Ability to add a new spacecraft from the menu. You can also
remove them.
* Doppler calculation and tracking as an option instead of "Find
Signal"
* A better SDR based on a Numerically Controlled Oscillator, ready for
wider SDRs
* Two new PSK decoders - Costas Loop and Dotproduct
* RTL dongle implemented for testing, though more work to do
* Stops downloading keps when position calc is off
* Allows toggling of high speed / DUV display when in auto mode
* Fixed plotting issues for Earth plots
* Fixes several crashes and bugs
* Fixes copy paste issues with tables
* Respects left/right audio preference when processing wav files
* Implements formats for later spacecraft - Fox-1E and HuskySat
* Linux and Mac launch script updated to locate the JVM (especially on
Mac). Please report if when this works/does not work
* MEMS gyro calibration updated
* Fixed a bug where AO-85 data from the server could not be stepped
through
And many other bug fixes. Full list of changes here:
https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/milestone/12?closed=1
Let Chris know any feedback, chrisethompson (at) gmail (dot) com.
[ANS thanks Chris G0KLA / AC2CZ for the above information.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sally Ride EarthKAM @ Space Camp's 66th Mission Is Open For
Registration
This be will EarthKAM's 66th week-long mission and the second of
2019! Mission 66 runs April 9 through April 12. Mission sign up is
available and code words and orbits will be published by 5 p.m. EST
Wednesday, April 3. Educators can sign up and get their class
involved up to the day of the orbit. Requested images should be
available within 24 hours of the orbit. If you are looking for a
project to do with the images, look at our activities page for some
great ideas that incorporate the images.
For more information on how to make an image request take a look at
our User Guide.
www.earthKAM.orgion]
[ANS thanks Sally Ride EarthKAM for the above information.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
K6FW Gets 488 Grids
Frank Westphal K6FW, announced, via twitter that he has now
completed the 488 grid award. "Thanks to Don kb2ysi for FN51 which is
the last grid I need for the 488 grid award. My first grid confirmed
was KA5SMA, EM66 on 02-14-1992. 27+ years from start to finish. I am
the tortoise not the hare! Thanks to all the other rovers over the
years to make this happen."
[ANS thanks Frank K6FW for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) – February 3, to March 29, 2019
Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3
until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be
on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be
posted on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc.
Key West, FL (EL94) – March 18-21, 2019
Adam, K0FFY, will be in Florida Keys on March 18 through 21,
activating EL94 vacation-style. Adam’s taking his linear gear to see
who he can hear East and South of that location If you still need
EL94 please send direct message or email. Otherwise, he’ll be
announcing on Twitter https://twitter.com/K0FFY_Radio
Eastern Mass (FN51) – March 20, 2019
Don, KB2YSI, will be in FN51 on Wednesday, March 20th, starting with
1945z CAS-4A until 0233z SO-50. Will operate fixed 2m frequency on
linears and still learning, so be patient. Keep an eye on Don’s
Twitter feed for additional announcements https://twitter.com/kb2ysi.
XE Mexico Special Event – March 21-24, 2019
Mexican amateurs will operate the following special event stations
from the 21st to 24th to mark the Equinoccio Maya 2019: 4A3MAYA –
Museo de Antropologia Regional, Tabasco 4B3MAYA – Merida, Yucatan
4C3MAYA – Champoton, Campeche 6E3MAYA – Quintana Roo 6F3MAYA –
Chiapas. QRV on HF, 6m, and via satellite. QSL via bureau.
Curaçao (FK52) – March 26-31, 2019
Nathan, K4NHW, will be operating as PJ2/KN4HW from Curaçao, March
26th to 31st. Primarily FM, but Nathan may try some SSB, as well.
If you need a sked, let him know. He’s good on QRZ.
Ontario (EN93,EN94,FN03, FN04) – March 28, 2019
Ron, AD0DX, with his tire still warm from his last roving trip, is
heading to Ontario, March 28th for a one day, four grid, special.
Ron will tweet passes the day of the rove, which will most likely be
morning passes. Follow Ron on his journey at
https://twitter.com/ad0dx
Liechtenstein (JN47) – April 17-19, 2019
Phillippe, EA4NF, is off on another DXpedition. This time, he is
heading to HB0/Lichtenstein. Phillippe will operate under the call
sign HB0/EA4NF from Leichtenstein and HB9/EA4NF from Switzerland
(JN47s, on both FM and SSB satellites. QSL via LoTW. Updated info &
Pass announcements (Time+Frequencies) available on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
Northern Border Security Check (Minnesota to Washington) – April 29
to May 4 or 5th, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is all set for his semiannual rover trip to activate
rare and somewhat rare grids, from April 29th to May 4th or 5th (or
longer depending on how things go). Alex will fly into Minneapolis
and drive back to my home grid CN88, activating as many
ENx8,ENx7,DNx8,and DNx7 grids as possible along the route. The hope
is to hit many corners and lines.
Alex will be on both linear and FM birds.
As always, activations and route details will be posted to his
Twitter @N7AGF at https://twitter.com/N7AGF . Alex will also be on
APRS at https://aprs.fi/N7AGF-10 . In areas of limited cell service,
he’ll be using inReach.
Email or hit Alex on twitter with grid requests, route suggestions,
or hot tourist attractions in Minot.
Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org
See
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/
[ANS thanks Robert KE4AL for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARISS News
+ ARISS contact between North Point School for Boys, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, and astronaut David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS callsign
OR4ISS, was successful. Contact began Wed 2019-03-20 20:16:09 UTC and
lasted about 9 and a half minutes, Contact was telebridge via IK1SLD.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Khabarovsk University, Khabarovsk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled astronaut is TBD
Contact is a go for 2019-03-26 UTC
Ulluriaq School, Kangiqsualujjuaq, QC, Canada, via LU8YY
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI
Contact is go for: Thu 2019-03-28 16:14:54 UTC
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Shorts From All Over
+ NY Times article about cubesats/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/18/science/cubesats-marco-mars.html
[ANS thanks JoAnne K9JKM for the above information]
+ ES’HAIL-2: HAMS GET THEIR FIRST GEOSYNCHRONOUS REPEATER
https://tinyurl.com/ANS083-ESHAIL-Repaeter
[ANS thanks Mark KØJM for the above information]
+ CubeSat] CubeSat Job Opening
Please see below for a postdoctoral fellowship opening for a CubeSat
project. Please forward to anyone you think may be interested. The
job will be posted on the HR site (jobs.rhodes.edu) shortly. I will
be at the workshop next month and can meet with any interested
persons.
[ANS thanks Ann M. Viano, Ph.D., Rhodes College for the above
information]
+ New HackSpace magazine available for download
Issue 17 of the free magazine HackSpace features Long-range radio
communications made easy with LoRa
This issue includes:
• Long-range radio communications made easy with LoRa
• Adafruit (Limor Fried AC2SN) Feather M0 RFM96 LoRa Radio 433 MHz
• Jo Hinchliffe MW6CYK describes how to lay out a simple PCB in
KiCad
• Go further together by Dr Lucy Rogers M6CME
Download the free PDF of HackSpace issue 17 April 2019 from
https://hackspace.raspberrypi.org/issues
[ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
EMike McCardel, AA8EM
aa8em at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-076
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans
In this edition:
* AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention -- Call for volunteers
* Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
* 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications
Achievement Award
* Lilacsat-1 LO-90 Re-entry Commemorative Competition
* ARRL TI-2 Teachers Institute Includes Amateur Satellite Telemetry
* ARRL Supports No Change to Table of Allocations for 45.5 -
47 and 47 - 47.2 GHz Bands
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT-DL QO-100 Up- and Downconverter Kit Modifications Announcement
* Changes to the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution This Week
* Satellite/AMSAT Presentation at Phoenix AZ - March 21, 2019
* VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2019
* GPS Network May Experience Errors in "Week Number" Rollover
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-076.01
ANS-076 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 076.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE March 17, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-076.01
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space
Please consider a one-time or recurring donation today at
https://www.amsat.org/donate/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention -- Call for volunteers
Last year, we had about 40 people assist with the AMSAT booth at
the Hamvention. It was the efforts of those volunteers that made
the 2018 Dayton Hamvention a success for AMSAT.
The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers,
and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun.
The 2019 Hamvention is May 17-19 at the Greene County Fairgrounds
in Xenia, Ohio. Would you consider helping AMSAT at the Hamvention
this year? Whether you're available for only a couple of hours or
if you can spend the entire weekend with us, your help would be
greatly appreciated.
Please send an e-mail to Phil, w1eme(a)amsat.org if you can help.
[ANS Thanks W1EME for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio,
ensure reliable packet operations and to keep the immensely
popular SSTV operations running.
We have reached a great milestone with $17,255 raised
or about 12% towards our goal. This would not have been
possible without your outstanding generosity!!
ARISS has a lot of exciting upgrades to the ISS Radio system
coming up. And we are in the expensive fabrication and testing
phase right now. So every dollar counts!!
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
March 6, 2019 — The ARISS-US team (Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station) will auction two very unusual items in its first-ever
auction! Picture yourself as the winning bidder and proud owner of a
unique JVC Kenwood TS-890S signed by astronauts! Or, you could be top
bidder on a special astronaut-signed 6-volume boxed set 2019 ARRL
Handbook!
Bidding starts April 8th at 12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
You could own this one-of-a-kind beautiful Kenwood TS-890S; your ham
station would boast the only Kenwood in the world showcasing astronaut
signatures. Your top bid on the limited edition boxed-set 2019 ARRL
Handbook for Radio Communications would mean your bookshelf includes
astronaut signatures among your book collection.
JVC Kenwood, a proud supporter of ARISS, generously gave a brand new
TS-890S for ARISS to auction. They first offered the radio for sale
in the US in the last half of 2018. Kenwood has been a super support-
er of ARISS for years, and it was the company’s idea for this radio,
with astronaut signatures, to be an exclusive that just one ham opera-
tor could own! The company hopes you’ll be a bidder who wants to sup-
port ARISS.
The limited edition 2019 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications sold
out fast once ARRL posted their ad. It was the first time that ARRL
divided the Handbook into volumes, which nestle in a hard slipcase.
ARRL, an ARISS sponsor along with AMSAT and NASA, saved back one boxed
set to give ARISS for the fund-raiser auction.
When you bid in this auction you could be the crucial person who helps
ARISS launch its new custom-built higher-power radio system in 2019
with its voice repeater and improved packet APRS and SSTV capability
that thousands of hams enjoy. The new system will replace the aging,
problematic units currently on the ISS. You may be the winning bidder
who helps ARISS continue introducing ham radio to thousands of
students, teachers, parents, and whole communities—and inspiring
students about science, technology, engineering, math, and radio!
Don't forget; set yourself a reminder: bidding starts April 8th at
12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
Be the winning bidder for one or both of these two exclusive offerings
and you’ll own a rare article that makes your ham station a classic!
More auction details will soon be posted at www.ariss.org including
that winning bidders will be responsible for shipping costs and for
handling any required customs paperwork. ARISS thanked JVC Kenwood
and ARRL for their generous support.
And if you don’t do auctions, please contribute a donation to help
ARISS launch its new radio system into space—look for the Donate but-
ton near the top right corner of the www.ariss.org page. Thank you!
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a coopera-
tive venture of international amateur radio societies and the space
agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the
United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (
AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the
Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote
exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio
between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or
public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educa-
tors, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies,
and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
Media Contact:
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn at amsat.org
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
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2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary
of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the
AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program.
Full details are available at
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
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50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award
Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards says the
50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement
Award is now online:
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
Unlike the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the
50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award
will be issued on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certi-
ficates and signed by AMSAT’s founding President, Perry Klein,
K3JTE (now W3PK). With only 20 original certificates available,
this award will certainly become a collector’s item.
The first 20 applicants to successfully submit 20 confirmed, qual-
ifying contacts on any satellite will receive this award.
A qualifying contact is defined as the establishment of two-way
communication on any amateur radio satellite, with another station
in a U.S. state, Canadian call area, or DXCC entity, no two of
which may be the same. A U.S. state shall mean any state of the
United States and the District of Columbia.
All contacts must be made between March 03, 2019 00:00 UTC and
December 31, 2019 23:59 UTC. Refer to the 50th Anniversary Awards
program page (above) for the complete set of requirements and sub-
mission instructions.
As of March 15 Bruce says he issued 50th Anniversary Satellite
Communication Achievement Awards to these satellite operators:
Award # Callsign
------- --------
590 W5RKN
591 K7TAB
592 KG5GJT
593 KB6LTY
594 KC9VGG
595 K6FW
596 N1RCN
597 K5IX
598 WD9EWK
599 KI7UNJ
601 VA3NNA
(Award #600 was not a 50th certificate and went to W5RTX.) There
are 9 more 50th Anniversary Anniversary Satellite Communication
Achievement Awards still available.
[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards
for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Lilacsat-1 LO-90 Re-entry Commemorative Competition
Wei Mingchuan, BG2BHC, at the Harbin Institute of Technology in
China says LO-90 (Lilacsat-1) is about to re-enter so the LO-90
team has announced the Lilacsat-1 Commemorative Competition (LOCC).
Use Google translate to learn more of Lilacsat-1 at:
http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/wp/
The contest period begins on March 16, 2019 at 00:00 UTC and con-
tinues until Lilacsat-1 re-enters. The competition consists of two
operating categories:
+ Amateur Radio Telemetry Group
- Receive and upload as many telemetry packets as possible
within the competition period.
+ Amateur Radio Communication Group
- Make as many bidirectional QSO as possible in as many grid
locator as possible within the competition period.
For the telemetry competition each successfully uploaded telemetry
packet to the Harbin Institute of Technology server counts as one
point. BG2BHC advises there is a change to the Lilacsat-1 telemetry
upload proxy address. Those using http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn should
change it to http://data.lilacsat.online in proxy window of the
dashboard.
For the amateur radio communication competition a bidirectional
contact consists on exchange of callsign and grid locator. Each
QSO will count as one point. Each different grid counts as one
multiplier. Duplicate QSOs with the same callsign do not count.
Scoring and Awards
------------------
In the Amateur Radio Telemetry Group: final score = basic point
which is the total number of telemetry packets uploaded. All
telemetry data uploaded qualifies for a LilacSat-1 QSL card.
In the Amateur Radio Communication Group:
final score = basic point * multiplier
+ China: top 3 certificates issued.
+ World: Top 10 certificates issued.
+ The ham who receives the last downlink signal in the world
and successfully uploads it to the server will receive a
special gift.
+ Honor stickers - portable stations set up and operated in
the field for this contest will receive a "Fiel " sticker
affixed to the certificate. (Include a photo of the portable
station.)
The LO-90 team will publish the telemetry package list received
from March 16, 2019 00:00 UTC to LilacSat-1 re-entry. Telemetry
participants should send an e-mail with your callsign and address
to: locc(a)lilacsat.online. (no later than April 30, 2019 00:00 UTC)
Communication category participants should submit logs in Cabrillo
or Excel XLS format containing your e-mail address, sent/received
exchange information, UTC time of QSO. Send logs and information
to locc(a)lilacsat.online no later than April 30, 2019 00:00 UTC.
Include your photo of portable operation if applicable.
LO-90 (LilacSat-1) operates on an FM uplink with a Codec2 digital
voice downlink. A Linux Live ISO image with the decoder can be
downloaded from: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-074-LO90-LiveCD
(This will also work on Windows systems by booting off of the
Linux Live CD. Then you reboot back into Windows when the pass is
completed.)
LO-90 Lilacsat-1 (http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/wp/?page_id=594)
Uplink: 145.985 MHz FM
Downlink: 436.510 MHz Codec2 digital voice
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, has documented his LO-90 operating setup in
his article, "Digital Voice on Amateur Satellites: Experiences
With Lilacsat-OSCAR 90", published in the January/February 2019
issue of the AMSAT Journal. A PDF copy of this article can also be
accessed on AMSAT's Station and Operating Hints page:
to https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/
AMSAT-UK has posted an article about Lilacsat-1 at:
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/communications/lilacsat-1/
Orbital evolution estimates for Lilacsat-1 posted on DK3WN's page
indicate re-entry around March 31: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=93929
[ANS thanks the LO-90 team and the Harbin Institue of Technolgy
for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
ARRL TI-2 Teachers Institute Includes Amateur Satellite Telemetry
The ARRL announced 2019 Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology
sessions. As part of its educational outreach through the Education
& Technology Program (ETP), ARRL will offer week-long sessions of
the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology in July at ARRL Head-
quarters in Newington, Connecticut.
Applicants to the advanced TI-2 “Remote Sensing and Data Gathering”
workshop are required to have completed TI-1 and be licensed Amateur
Radio operators. Interested educators can find all the details and
apply online at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-076-ARRL-TI2
The TI-2 “Remote Sensing and Data Gathering” workshop will concen-
trate on analog-to-digital conversion and data sampling. Partici-
pants will receive telemetry from Amateur Radio satellites and apply
it to math and science topics. TI-2 participants are also introduced
to a marine research buoy equipped with environmental sensors and
taught how to create a similar design with a microcontroller to sample
the data, configure it for Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)
transmission, and receive and upload data to a spreadsheet for analysis.
For more information, contact ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris
Bickell, K1BIC, at ARRL Headquarters.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Supports No Change to Table of Allocations for 45.5 -
47 and 47 - 47.2 GHz Bands
The FCC has opened a brief window for public comment on
recommendations approved by the World Radiocommunication Conference
Advisory Committee (WAC). Comments are due March 18 on International
Bureau Docket 16-185. The FCC said the short comment period was
necessary to allow time to finalize the US position for submission
to the upcoming meeting of the Inter-American Telecommunication
Commission (CITEL).
The Public Notice can be found in PDF format at,
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-172A1.pdf .
Addressing WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.13, which serves to identify
spectrum above 24.25 GHz that may be designated for International
Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), ARRL has recommended no change in
the 45.5 - 47 and 47 - 47.2 GHz bands, with hopes that commenters
will agree. The 47 - 47.2 GHz band is allocated to the Amateur and
Amateur Satellite services.
ARRL and other no-change proponents point out that no sharing and
compatibility studies were performed between IMT-2020 systems and
the relevant incumbent services in the 45.5 - 47 GHz and 47 - 47.2
GHz bands, although sharing and compatibility studies for a number
of incumbent services were required under Resolution 238 of World
Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15).
"In the absence of ITU Radiocommunication Sector studies, the only
sustainable conclusion is that it has not been demonstrated that the
incumbent services in either band - the Mobile-Satellite Service,
the Radionavigation Service, and the Radionavigation-Satellite
Service in the 45.5 - 47 GHz band, and the Amateur and
Amateur-Satellite services in the 47 - 47.2 GHz band - can be
protected, as required by Resolution 238," asserts the proponents of
View B, which sides with no change to the current allocations.
"In this regard, the View A proposal to identify mobile spectrum in
the 45.5 - 47 GHz band for the terrestrial component of IMT, and to
allocate spectrum in the 47 - 47.2 GHz band to the mobile service
and identify the same for the terrestrial component of IMT, is
fatally flawed. The absence of studies in the responsible ITU-R task
group leaves the proposals unsubstantiated and incapable of
adoption."
View B proponents, including ARRL, are urging the FCC to accept the
proposals of the National Telecommunications Information
Administration (NTIA) for no change to the Table of Allocations in
the 45.5 - 47 GHz and 47 - 47.2 GHz bands.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Satellite Operations
+ Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) – February 3, to March 29, 2019
Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008). Time and
weather permitting, they expect to be on the FM satellites from
ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be posted on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/vy0erc.
+ Radio Club de Heredia (EK70/EJ79) – March 17, 2019
Vic (TI2VLM), Octavio (TI3ATS), and Minor (TI2YO) will activate the
EK70,EJ79 gridline at the Radio Club de Heredia, TI0RHU 30th Anniver-
sary Field Day. Planned satellite passes are: AO-92 @ 13:27z, SO-50
at 16:37z, and AO-91 @ 17:47z. Watch for further announcements on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ti2vlm and
https://twitter.com/OctavioAraya.
+ Key West, FL (EL94) – March 18-21, 2019
Adam, K0FFY, will be in Florida Keys on March 18 through 21, activating
EL94 vacation-style. Adam’s taking his linear gear to see who he can
hear East and South of that location If you still need EL94 please
send direct message or email. Otherwise, he’ll be announcing on
Twitter https://twitter.com/K0FFY_Radio
+ Ontario (EN93,EN94,FN03, FN04) – March 18-21, 2019
Ron, AD0DX, with his tire still warm from his last roving trip, is
heading to Ontario, March 28th for a one day, four grid, special.
Ron will tweet passes the day of the rove, which will most likely
be morning passes. Follow Ron on his journey at
https://twitter.com/ad0dx
Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org
[ANS thanks Robert, KE4AL for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT-DL QO-100 Up- and Downconverter Kit Modifications Announcement
AMSAT-DL has recommended a modification to their QO-100 Upconvert-
er and Downconverter kits which were shipped prior to March 1 to
improve performance of the uplink SSB transmit signal and address
reduced gain of the downlink wide-band DATV reception. Refer to
AMSAT-DL's post at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-076-AMSAT-DL-Converter
Kits being shipped currently will already have the modification.
The changes primarily affect the wide-band DATV signal so the users
of the narrow-band CW/SSB only operations are less affected.
Users able to perform the modification themselves will find the
instructions posted at:
https://amsat-dl.org/en/fix-fuer-qo-100-downconverter
For users unable to make the modification themselves AMSAT-DL says
instructions for exchange of the old kits will be published soon.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes to the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution This Week
Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, noted changes to
the AMSAT-NA TLE distribution this week.
Exseed, Irvine 2 and VisionCube cubesats are not transmitting. They
are part of the SpaceX SSO-A 12-03-2019 mission. Since they are not
transmitting, the remaining objects listed by Space-Track are either
one of these three non-transmitting amateur satellites or they are
non-amateur satellites. Therefore, the remaining unidentified satel-
lites on the SpaceX AAO-A mission can be removed from the AMSAT-NA
TLE distribution.
The following satellites have been removed from this week's AMSAT
TLE distribution:
OBJECT D - CAT ID 43761
OBJECT P - CAT ID 43771
OBJECT T - CAT ID 43775
OBJECT U - CAT ID 43776
OBJECT W - CAT ID 43778
OBJECT X - CAT ID 43779
OBJECT AH - CAT ID 43789
OBJECT AV - CAT ID 43801
OBJECT BA - CAT ID 43806
OBJECT BD - CAT ID 43809
OBJECT BE - CAT ID 43810
OBJECT BS - CAT ID 43822
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the
above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite/AMSAT Presentation at Phoenix AZ - March 21, 2019
Patrick, WD9EWK, will give a how-to presentation on working amateur
satellites and AMSAT at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's monthly
meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2019.
The meeting site is room 147 at the North Valley campus of Northern
Arizona University, 15451 N. 28th Drive in Phoenix AZ (northwest
corner of I-17 and Greenway Road).
More information is available at:
http://www.w7tbc.org/content.php?128-general
Patrick plans to demonstrate satellite operating depending on how
the meeting goes. Possible passes that evening include SO-50 around
7:55pm (0255 UTC), a low AO-92 pass at 8:42pm (0342 UTC), and another
SO-50 pass at 9:35pm (0435 UTC).
If WD9EWK is on any of those passes, please feel free to give him
a call and be a part of the demonstrations. The meeting site is in
grid DM33. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, and QSL
cards are available on request (please e-mail WD9EWK directly with
QSO details if you would like a QSL card).
[ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2019
Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by
the ARRL for the period February 1, 2019 through March 1, 2019.
Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There
were lots of new Not-in-my-home-grid awards this month.
CALL 01Feb 01Mar
------- ----- -----
WC7V 1199 1200
AA5PK 1049 1055
WD9EWK 525 537
NS3L 375 400
AF5CC 351 381
AE5B 342 368
KE8FZT 275 301
W7JSD 257 279
K9UO 202 225
WB7VUF 107 206
N2NL New 179
N1PEB 125 138
WD9EWK(DM22) 108 131
W5PFG(DM80) New 125
WD9EWK(DM31) New 110
W5PFG(DM95) 100 109
TI2VLM New 106
W5PFG(DM93) New 105
KS1G New 102
PU4JOE New 101
W1OH New 101
If you find errors or omissions please contact Ron off-list at
<mycall>@<mycall>.com and he'll revise the announcement. This list
was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for The two
months. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible.
Apologies if your call was not mentioned.
Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on
the birds. They are doing most of the work!
[ANS thanks Ron, W5RKN, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
GPS Network May Experience Errors in "Week Number" Rollover
The GPS network will encounter a small millennium bug of its own
in April when the network's "week number" rolls back to zero.
This known issue especially could affect those who use GPS to obtain
accurate Coordinated Universal Time. In the GPS network, the number
of the current week is encoded into the message the GPS receives
using a 10-bit field. This allows for weeks ranging from zero to
1023. The current period began on August 1, 1999.
On April 6, 2019, the week number rolls over to zero and starts
counting back up to 1023.
This should not affect later-model GPS receivers that conform to
IS-GPS-200 and provide UTC, but testing carried out by the
US Department for Homeland Security raised the possibility that
some units may misinterpret the rollover, shifting the date back
to January 6, 1980, or possibly to another incorrect date.
An affected GPS not only may report the incorrect date, but time
accuracy that is critical to precise location data could be
compromised. A nanosecond error in GPS time can equate to 1 foot of
position or ranging error, according to DHS-published guidelines
that explain the issue and suggest how to address it. View the offi-
cial release at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-076-DHS-GPSRollover
[ANS thanks the Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber-
security & Communications Integration Center for the above
information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members
will receive a free digital copy of
"Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"
Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Congratulations to these stations for establishing a new
distance record via satellite:
> FalconSAT-3 (V/U Digipeater) – 3,157 km. KE8AKW in EN80xv
with KB6LTY in DM14jl. 15-Mar-2019 at 00:41 UTC.
> AO-92 (L/V) – 3,626 km. WD9EWK in DM43bl with N1JEZ in FN44ar.
15-Apr-2018 at 16:36 UTC.
Visit the distance records page at:
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/
+ The engineering beacon on Es'Hail QO-100 is active. Legacy
software that decoded the AO-40 beacon will also work on
QO-100: http://www.moetronix.com/ae4jy/ao40rcv.htm If QO-100
is out of range for your station use the WebSDR at:
https://eshail.batc.org/.uk/nb/ and tune the receiver to the
Upper Beacon.
+ AMSAT's Fox Operating Guide hamfest and demo handout sheet
has been updated to reflect the current operational status
of AO-85 and AO-95. The high and low resolution PDF files
are available on their links at:
https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/
+ It is possible to search AMSAT's archives (amsat-bb and ANS)
by using the "site:" command in Google. For example, to find
all mentions of the word "Diplexer" in amsat-bb, type this
line into a browser opened to the Google front page:
Diplexer site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb
To restrict the search to a particular year, type
Diplexer site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014
The AMSAT News Service (ANS) archives are searchable in
a similar manner (for example hamvention in 2016):
hamvention site:http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2016
(Thanks to Dan Schultz N8FGV)
+ On-line tweets indicate that the Philippine Diwata-2
satellite carrying an amateur radio FM transponder and
APRS digipeater may be activated around March 29.
The IARU has coordinated an FM downlink for voice, APRS
and telemetry on 145.900 MHz and an FM voice uplink on
437.500 MHz. Additional Diwata-2 information is posted at:
http://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata2
https://www.facebook.com/PHLMicrosat
+ If you have lost you authorisation code for the AMSAT-UK
FUNcube dashboards, there is a page on which you can request
this code to be sent to your registered email address. See:
http://data.badgersoft.com/recover-authcode (via G4DPZ)
+ Check out IZ5RZR's Two SatNOGS Satellite Rotators video posted
at: https://youtu.be/tcdItBsMnC0
+ The Internet Archive site makes all issues of 73 Magazine
available: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-074-InternetArchive-73
Tools at https://mikeyancey.com/73mag/index.php offer indexed
searches of the archive.
+ The March PDF of the weather satellite publication 'GEO News-
letter' produced by the Group for Earth Observation is now
available for free download. The Group for Earth Observation's
aim is to enable amateur reception of weather and earth imaging
satellites that are in orbit or planned for launch in the near
future. Membership in GEO is free. Among the articles in this
newsletter is How to "Receive X-Band Weather Satellites" by
Jean-Luc Milette. Download the March 2019 GEO Newsletter from
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/geoquarterly.php
+ Papers for IARU-R1 Vienna meeting can be accessed at:
https://vienna.iaru-r1.org/conference-documents/c4/
> C4-002 bandplanning 15m satellites
https://vienna.iaru-r1.org/conference-documents/c5/
> C5-011 @G3VZV Satellite Coordinator’s Report
> C5-011 Annex to SCR
> C5-012 2400 MHz satellite bandplanning
> C5-029 Amateur Satellites
+ On March 14 NASA announced the projects selected in the 10th round
of candidates for CubeSat space missions:
http://tinyurl.com/ANS-076-NASA-10th-Round
None of these satellites were found on the IARU Coordination pages
at this time.
+ A free PDF of the current Raspberry Pi focused magazine, MagPi,
issue 79, for March, 2019 is available now at:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/issues/79/
The next issue of MagPi will feature articles on Amateur Radio
Projects in issue 80, available for free download starting on
March 28.
+ The March 2019 Edition of SatMagazine is provided free by Satnews
Publishers and is available to read online or download at:
http://www.satmagazine.com/
+ The March 2019 issue of CQ DATV magazine is available for download
at: https://cq-datv.mobi/69.php
+ The 2019 Cubesat Developers Workshop will be held April 23-25,
2019 at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo, CA
The schedule and additional information is posted at:
http://www.cubesat.org/workshop-information
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73 and remember to behave and to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
k9jkm at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-069
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and
information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio
Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur
Radio in space including reports on the activities of a worldwide
group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and
digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on http://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 dot org.
In this edition:
* Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
* AMSAT-F Space Meeting is First Live DATV Conference via QO-100
* GNU Licensed KLog Logbook Software v.0.9.7 Released
* How to Support AMSAT
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Satellite Shorts from All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-069.01
ANS-069 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 034.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
March 10, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-069.01
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space
Please consider a one-time or recurring donation today at
https://www.amsat.org/donate/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
March 6, 2019 — The ARISS-US team (Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station) will auction two very unusual items in its first-ever
auction! Picture yourself as the winning bidder and proud owner of a
unique JVC Kenwood TS-890S signed by astronauts! Or, you could be top
bidder on a special astronaut-signed 6-volume boxed set 2019 ARRL
Handbook!
Bidding starts April 8th at 12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
You could own this one-of-a-kind beautiful Kenwood TS-890S; your ham
station would boast the only Kenwood in the world showcasing astronaut
signatures. Your top bid on the limited edition boxed-set 2019 ARRL
Handbook for Radio Communications would mean your bookshelf includes
astronaut signatures among your book collection.
JVC Kenwood, a proud supporter of ARISS, generously gave a brand new
TS-890S for ARISS to auction. They first offered the radio for sale
in the US in the last half of 2018. Kenwood has been a super support-
er of ARISS for years, and it was the company’s idea for this radio,
with astronaut signatures, to be an exclusive that just one ham opera-
tor could own! The company hopes you’ll be a bidder who wants to sup-
port ARISS.
The limited edition 2019 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications sold
out fast once ARRL posted their ad. It was the first time that ARRL
divided the Handbook into volumes, which nestle in a hard slipcase.
ARRL, an ARISS sponsor along with AMSAT and NASA, saved back one boxed
set to give ARISS for the fund-raiser auction.
When you bid in this auction you could be the crucial person who helps
ARISS launch its new custom-built higher-power radio system in 2019
with its voice repeater and improved packet APRS and SSTV capability
that thousands of hams enjoy. The new system will replace the aging,
problematic units currently on the ISS. You may be the winning bidder
who helps ARISS continue introducing ham radio to thousands of
students, teachers, parents, and whole communities—and inspiring
students about science, technology, engineering, math, and radio!
Don't forget; set yourself a reminder: bidding starts April 8th at
12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
Be the winning bidder for one or both of these two exclusive offerings
and you’ll own a rare article that makes your ham station a classic!
More auction details will soon be posted at www.ariss.org including
that winning bidders will be responsible for shipping costs and for
handling any required customs paperwork. ARISS thanked JVC Kenwood
and ARRL for their generous support.
And if you don’t do auctions, please contribute a donation to help
ARISS launch its new radio system into space—look for the Donate but-
ton near the top right corner of the www.ariss.org page. Thank you!
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a coopera-
tive venture of international amateur radio societies and the space
agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the
United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (
AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the
Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote
exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio
between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or
public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educa-
tors, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies,
and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
Media Contact:
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn at amsat.org
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT-F Space Meeting is First Live DATV Conference via QO-100
AMSAT-Francophone offered live DATV video of their 2nd Space
Meeting on March 9-10, 2019. AMSAT-F (http://site.amsat-f.org/)
and Electrolab (https://www.electrolab.fr/) have deployed a DATV
ground station to operate via the QO-100 transponder.
The DATV team led by Yannick Avelino and with the support of Evariste,
F5OEO developed the station that will transmit live the conference.
The team was in contact with AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-UK for permission
to operate the satellite during these days. They thank AMSAT-DL for
allowing these transmissions.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-Francophone for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary
of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the
AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program.
Full details are available at
https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
GNU Licensed KLog Logbook Software v.0.9.7 Released
Jaime, EA4TV, released KLog v.0.9.7, a multiplatform free hamradio
logging program which is able to run in Linux, Windows and macOS.
The latest release allows the user to add, remove or edit satel-
lites to the KLog DB allowing import or export of satellites data.
KLog supports ADIF as a default file format.
Additional features of KLog include QSO management, QSL management,
a DX-Cluster client, DXCC management, ClubLog integration, WSJT-X,
and DX-Marathon support. Several languages are supported including
Catalan, Croatian, Danish, English, Finish, Italian, Japanese and
Spanish.
Additional information and access to downloads can be found at:
https://www.klog.xyz/
[ANS thanks Jaime, EA4TV for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
How to Support AMSAT
AMSAT relies on the support of our members and the amateur radio
community to Keep Amateur Radio in Space.
How can you help?
*Join AMSAT
Both you and AMSAT will benefit when you join. You get the AMSAT
Journal bimonthly and support from AMSAT Ambassadors. Member dues
and donations provide AMSAT’s primary support.
Join today at
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
*Become a Life Member
Becoming a Life Member has never been easier. Now you can become a
Life Member with 12 monthly payments of $74 through our online
store.
See https://www.amsat.org/product/lifetime-membership/ for details.
*Donate to AMSAT
Make a one time or recurring donation to AMSAT today. Even as little
as one dollar a month can make a difference!
Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/
*Purchase AMSAT gear on our Zazzle storefront.
AMSAT receives 25% of the price of each sale on AMSAT logo
merchandise from our Zazzle storefront located at
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
*Volunteer for AMSAT
AMSAT relies on volunteers for nearly all of our activities. If you
have an idea for how to help, please let us know, Details on
volunteering can be found at
https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/
[ANS thanks AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for
the above information.]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio.
We have reached a great milestone with $17,255 raised
or about 12% towards our goal. This would not have been
possible without your outstanding generosity!!
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Upcoming Satellite Operations
+Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79)
February 3, to March 29, 2019
Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3
until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be
on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be posted
on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc.
+Poland, Lithuania, Kaliningrad, St Petersburg, Aland Island,
and Finland
February 24 to March 13, 2019
I am on the first of four flights now on the way for another one of
my signature trips. This voyage will take me to Poland (Feb 24-28),
Lithuania (Feb 28-Mar 4), Kaliningrad (Mar 4-7), Saint Petersburg
(Mar 7-11), Åland Islands (Mar 11-13), and Helsinki (Mar 13-14).
I think the most desired entities are going to be UA2 and OH0
(unfortunately OH0 is gonna be quick, get in in the evening and
leave in a morning, so two nights and one full day). I’m hoping to
make US contacts from every entity and will try to hit as many grids
as feasible (I’ll have a car in Vilnius and Kaliningrad), but good
transatlantic locations will take precedence over grids. Don’t expect
me on every pass, I’m traveling with family and we’ll be doing
touristy stuff, but I’ll make my best effort to be on the great AO-7
and FO-29 passes across the ocean, updates will be on Twitter
@AL6D_Alaska. I’m operating ninja portable like the good ole days,
QRP with two FT-817NDs and an arrow, hopefully that doesn’t attract
too much negative attention from customs in Russia.
73,
Gabe “Harambe” Zeifman
AL6D/VE6NJH/Harambe1
+France (JN07)
March 10, 2019
Jérôme, F4DXV, will be in JN07 on Sunday with his family. Due to the
rarity of this grid on amateur satellites, Jérôme hopes to be on the
16:55 utc AO-7 pass for South American and North American grid
chasers. Being part of a family trip, keep an eye on Jérôme’s Twitter
feed for updates: https://twitter.com/F4DXV
[ANS Thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members
will receive a free digital copy of
"Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"
Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ AMSAT has secured permission to redistribute orbital data provided
by the US Department of Defense Joint Force Space Component
Commander for another year. Thanks to the work of Ray Hoad, WA5QGD
and Perry Klein, W3PK, the world's best source of orbital elements
for amateur radio satellites will continue via the KEPS mailing
list and www.amsat.org/tle/
+ Eduardo, PY2RN, in Brazil reports working RAST club station HS0AJ in
Bangkok, Thailand via QO-100. The distance between PY2RN in GG66lw
and HS0AJ in OK03fp is 16,445.3 km.
(Via PY2RN on the AMSAT Facebook page)
+ A new distance record was claimed on IO-86's FM transponder: 5,157
km. PU4JOE in GH91ac <> @hp2vx in FJ09ga. 02-Mar-2019 at 17:25 UTC
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/
(Via N8HM)
+ Radio World has published an article about amateur radio and ARISS
by Brian Clark, KF6FES. Read it at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-069-RW
+ K5EM has added a zoomable grid map on his satmatch.com site:
https://www.satmatch.com/maiden
It works like the other google maps - the more you zoom in
the more detail you get.
(Via K5EM)
+ JAMSAT has posted a video demonstrating the FO-99(NEXUS) Digitalker.
View it at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-069-FO99
(via JAMSAT)
+ In ANS-061, it was reported that the University of Virginia's
CubeSat constellation due for launch next month will carry UHF
packet repeaters. However, due to licensing issues, the satellites
will operate in non-amateur spectrum at 401 MHz. KQ9P, from the UVA
team reports that they are hopeful that their next CubeSat project
will carry an amateur payload.
(via KQ9P)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive
additional benefits. Application forms are available from the
AMSAT office.
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 six post-secondary years in this
status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student
membership information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE Special Bulletin - ARISS Auction
ANS-065
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans
In this edition:
* Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-065.01
ANS-065 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin
AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin 037.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE March 6, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-065.01
Out of This World Auction Sponsored by ARISS
March 6, 2019 — The ARISS-US team (Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station) will auction two very unusual items in its first-ever
auction! Picture yourself as the winning bidder and proud owner of a
unique JVC Kenwood TS-890S signed by astronauts! Or, you could be top
bidder on a special astronaut-signed 6-volume boxed set 2019 ARRL
Handbook!
Bidding starts April 8th at 12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
You could own this one-of-a-kind beautiful Kenwood TS-890S; your ham
station would boast the only Kenwood in the world showcasing astronaut
signatures. Your top bid on the limited edition boxed-set 2019 ARRL
Handbook for Radio Communications would mean your bookshelf includes
astronaut signatures among your book collection.
JVC Kenwood, a proud supporter of ARISS, generously gave a brand new
TS-890S for ARISS to auction. They first offered the radio for sale
in the US in the last half of 2018. Kenwood has been a super support-
er of ARISS for years, and it was the company’s idea for this radio,
with astronaut signatures, to be an exclusive that just one ham opera-
tor could own! The company hopes you’ll be a bidder who wants to sup-
port ARISS.
The limited edition 2019 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications sold
out fast once ARRL posted their ad. It was the first time that ARRL
divided the Handbook into volumes, which nestle in a hard slipcase.
ARRL, an ARISS sponsor along with AMSAT and NASA, saved back one boxed
set to give ARISS for the fund-raiser auction.
When you bid in this auction you could be the crucial person who helps
ARISS launch its new custom-built higher-power radio system in 2019
with its voice repeater and improved packet APRS and SSTV capability
that thousands of hams enjoy. The new system will replace the aging,
problematic units currently on the ISS. You may be the winning bidder
who helps ARISS continue introducing ham radio to thousands of
students, teachers, parents, and whole communities—and inspiring
students about science, technology, engineering, math, and radio!
Don't forget; set yourself a reminder: bidding starts April 8th at
12:00 UTC and ends April 14th at 22:00 UTC.
Be the winning bidder for one or both of these two exclusive offerings
and you’ll own a rare article that makes your ham station a classic!
More auction details will soon be posted at www.ariss.org including
that winning bidders will be responsible for shipping costs and for
handling any required customs paperwork. ARISS thanked JVC Kenwood
and ARRL for their generous support.
And if you don’t do auctions, please contribute a donation to help
ARISS launch its new radio system into space—look for the Donate but-
ton near the top right corner of the www.ariss.org page. Thank you!
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a coopera-
tive venture of international amateur radio societies and the space
agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the
United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (
AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the
Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote
exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio
between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or
public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educa-
tors, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies,
and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
Media Contact:
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn(a)amsat.org
1
0
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-061
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans
In this edition:
* Call for Volunteers - AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention
* JAMSAT Announces 2019 Symposium, March 16-17
* SatNOGS Client and gr-satnogs Updates
* ARISS News -- Reports Requested
* "Off to the Motherland" Rove
* Activating Northern Maine Grids - March 2-3
* Summer Internship Positions Open in the SpaceSTEM Program
* Virginia Cubesat Constellation Moves Forward
* New ‘NASA Science Live’ Program Premiers This Week
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.01
ANS-061 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 061.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
March 2, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-061.01
Call for Volunteers - AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention
The 2019 Hamvention will be held on May 17-19 2019 at Greene County
Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. If you're available we can
also use your help for setup operations on May 16.
Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation. We are looking for
volunteers in the following areas:
+ Volunteer Assistant
+ Sales Assistant
+ Outdoor Demo Assistant
+ Facilities and Setup Assistant.
Interested Hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at
w1eme at amsat.org for information.
[ANS Thanks W1EME for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMSAT Announces 2019 Symposium to be Held March 16-17
The 2019 JAMSAT Symposium will be held on March 16-17 at the Hotel
Binario Saga Arashiyama in Kyoto, Japan. JAMSAT invites anyone inter-
ested in the satellite communication to participate in the symposium
and social gathering.
The Symposium will offer a lot of content about the NEXUS satellite
jointly developed with Nihon University. The entire program has been
posted at:
https://tinyurl.com/y6n7pcf9
Activities planned for Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17:
Saturday:
12:30 - 13:15 General Assembly for JAMSAT members only
13:30 - 18:30 Symposium Activities
18:00 - Banquet and Reception
Sunday:
08:45 - 13:15 Symposium Activities
14:15 - 16:45 GNU Radio Exercise (advance registration required)
Participation in the Symposium is free. The cost of the banquet
and reception is 5000 yen with a registration deadline of March 2.
The contact for more information is jh3bum(a)gmail.com
[ANS thanks JAMSAT for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SatNOGS Client and gr-satnogs Updates
SatNOGs has announced new releases for satnogs-client 3 and
gr-satnogs 4 for Raspbery Pi 3 and Debian operating systems.
Notable changes on satnogs-client:
* Support demodulator for Reaktor Hello World 2 satellite
* Sent observation frequency in metadata
* Add option for manual power level range in waterfall (there is an
issue with this one, there will be an update in satnogs-client-
ansible 2 later that will fix this.)
Notable changes on gr-satnogs:
* Golay (24, 12) decoder
* Demodulating flowgraph for the Reacktor Hello World Satellite
* Fix of the baud rate issue in BPSK gr-script
For installation or upgrade information, see the wiki at:
https://tinyurl.com/yytxwge5
[ANS thanks https://satnogs.org/news/ for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) News
Reports requested:
An ARISS contact with Huntington High School, Huntington, TX, direct
via KI5AJL on Monday 2019-02-25 at 19:39 UTC was unsuccessful. ARISS
is attempting to determine what happened and welcomes SWL reports.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
An International Space Station school contact has been planned with
participants at Ceip Nuestra Señora Del Carmen, Torre De La Reina,
Spain on 05 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately
09:50 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and
30 seconds. The contact will be direct between OR4ISS and EG7NSC. The
contact should be audible over Spain and adjacent areas. Interested
parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The con-
tact is expected to be conducted in English.
ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above
contacts. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.80 MHz. ARISS
thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Please send your
reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com.
ARISS Contact Application window for the United States open in the
spring of 2019. See the ARISS webpage at http://www.ariss.org/ for
details. ARISS would be particularly interested in applications from
the following US states and entities that have never had an ARISS
contact: South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mari-
anas Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
[ANS thanks AJ9N and AA4KN for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Off to the Motherland" Rove
Gabe Zeifman, AL6D/VE6NJH wrote to AMSAT-BB on February 23:
"I am on the first of four flights now on the way for another one of
my signature trips. This voyage will take me to Poland (Feb 24-28),
Lithuania(Feb 28-Mar 4), Kaliningrad (Mar 4-7), Saint Petersburg (Mar
7-11), Åland Islands (Mar 11-13), and Helsinki (Mar 13-14). I think
the most desired entities are going to be UA2 and OH0 (unfortunately
OH0 is gonna be quick, get in in the evening and leave in a morning,
so two nights and one full day). I’m hoping to make US contacts from
every entity and will try to hit as many grids as feasible (I’ll have
a car in Vilnius and Kaliningrad), but good transatlantic locations
will take precedence over grids. Don’t expect me on every pass, I’m
traveling with family and we’ll be doing touristy stuff, but I’ll make
my best effort to be on the great AO-7 and FO-29 passes across the
ocean, updates will be on Twitter @AL6D_Alaska. I’m operating ninja
portable like the good ole days, QRP with two FT-817NDs and an arrow,
hopefully that doesn’t attract too much negative attention from
customs in Russia."
[ANS thanks AL6D for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Activating Northern Maine Grids - March 2-3
Clayton, W5PFG writes, "Between ~03:00 UTC March 2 thru ~17:00 UTC
March 3, I will operate satellites /TM (Tobaggan Mobile) thru grids
FN54, FN55, FN56, FN57, FN66, and FN67. I plan to activate the FN54/55,
FN56/66, and FN57/67 grid lines I've used on previous Maine expedi-
tions. This will be a fast-paced trip and I don't anticipate working
every bird or every pass. I will stop to sleep, drink, and eat. Weather
will be a huge factor. Like many of my activations, it's recommended
you monitor my @w5pfg Twitter feed for the latest information."
[ANS thanks W5PFG for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Internship Positions Open in the SpaceSTEM Program
ESTCube is calling all space enthusiasts! The SpaceTEM application
period for internships in Estonian and Latvian space technology
entities for the summer of 2019 has begun!
Challenge yourself and enjoy this summer by being a part of an
amazing space adventure - SpaceTEM '19!
SpaceTEM is a new EstLat project which aims to initiate the
development of NewSpace industry in Estonia and Latvia through
a series of mutual activities. If you are interested in space
technologies, innovation, and entrepreneurship, this intern-
ship is a great opportunity for you! There are over 50 topics
to choose from - from building 3D printers to developing soft-
ware for ESTCube-2. More information can be found at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/ANS-062-SpaceSTEM
To apply, fill in the internship form and send your CV and moti-
vational letter (for additional bonus points you can also add
a link to any project you have been a part of so far) to:
spacetem_internship(a)venta.lv
The application deadline is March 31, 2019. Chosen interns will
be announced from the middle of April until the beginning of
May, 2019.
[ANS thanks ESTCube for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia CubeSat Constellation Moves Forward
A project built by a team of University of Virginia engineering
students took step toward outer space this week when they and student
colleagues from Old Dominion University and Virginia Tech delivered
three CubeSats to NanoRacks, an aerospace company in Houston.
NanoRocks will integrate the CubeSats into a deployer aboard a rocket
set for launch next month to the International Space Station.
The satellites are part of the Virginia CubeSat Constellation mission,
a collaborative project of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and its
four member universities (which also includes Hampton University). The
three nano-satellites, each carrying a UHF packet repeater for amateur
use, were developed by engineering students to obtain measurements of
the properties of the Earth’s atmosphere to quantify atmospheric den-
sity. Full article available at:
https://tinyurl.com/y3u7skkl
[ANS thanks news.virginia.edu for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SpaceCube near the end, request to receive the last telemetry
Jean Guérard, from the Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches
Aérospatiales (France), ONERA, asks all those who have the opportunity
to record the latest SpaceCube telemetry frames.
Launched in May 2017, SpaceCube is expected to disintegrate sometime
around March 1, 2019.
The frequency is 436,880 MHz, AFSK modulation 1k2, AX25 mode.
Note: The frames are not decodable, it is therefore requested to re-
cord the audio signal of the satellite and to send it to Jean Guérard
( jean.guerard(a)saf-astronomie.fr )
For large files, you can use the service:
https://www.grosfichiers.com/fr/
[ANS thanks Christophe Mercier for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
New ‘NASA Science Live’ Program Premiers This Week
NASA invites you to take a behind-the-scenes look at how the agency
explores Earth and outer space with a new monthly television series
that premiers this week.
The inaugural episode of “NASA Science Live” will air at 3 p.m. EST
Wednesday, Feb. 27, on NASA Television, the agency’s website, Facebook
Watch, YouTube, and Ustream. Viewers will be able to submit questions
on social media using the hashtag #askNASA or by leaving a comment in
the chat section on Facebook.
>From remote locations on Earth to the depths of outer space, join the
conversation live each month to interact with NASA experts and watch
as they reveal the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.
“I am personally very excited about how this new show will highlight
the interconnected nature of science from across the agency,” said
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission
Directorate. “The series will find new ways to talk about science from
various disciplines, missions and centers to show how each works
together in order to achieve our exploration goals.”
This first episode - entitled “To the Moon, and Beyond” - will explore
the how science conducted on the lunar surface in the past informs
current missions studying the Moon and future plans to send science,
robots and humans to our nearest celestial neighbor.
For more information about the show, visit:
https://go.nasa.gov/NASAScienceLive
[ANS thanks NASA HQ News for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ RTL-SDR.com tells of a new SDR radio PodCast that calls itself
"Signals Everywhere". Episode 1 was just released. More information
at: https://tinyurl.com/y5khc5hl
(via RTL-SDR.com)
+ A recent ARISS contact between the International Space Station and
Faith Christian Academy middle school in Orlando, Florida received
good press coverage from WUSF public radio in Tampa. See the story
at https://tinyurl.com/y4b2p4ro
(via http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu)
+ SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for a test flight to
the International Space Station on Saturday, March 2. Liftoff of the
human-rated capsule — flying without astronauts this time — is
scheduled for 2:49 a.m. EST (07:49Z). Assuming an on-time launch and
docking this weekend, the spacecraft will depart the space station
March 8 and return to a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Atlan-
tic Ocean. More details at https://tinyurl.com/y4o2n5u9
(via spaceflightnow.com)
+ Scott, K4KDR, reports that The JY1SAT (JO-97) satellite started
transmitting digital media files on 145.840 USB. Decoding is accom-
plished with the “Funcube” type dashboard which can be downloaded at:
https://tinyurl.com/y5uutqct (via K4KDR)
+ The TAPR PSR Digital Journal, Winter 2019 Edition is now available
online at: https://www.tapr.org/psr/psr140.pdf
(via tapr.org on facebook)
+ The Central States VHF Society offers a Reverse VUCC for rovers.
Only a few have actually applied for the award on satellite. See:
https://www.csvhfs.org/index.php/awards-and-programs/reverse-vucc
(via Martin A Schuette on AMSAT-BB)
+ AMSAT-DL has agreed to a proposal by the British Amateur Television
Club (BATC) for the use of the bottom 100 kHz of the wideband trans-
ponder on QO-100 (10491 – 10491.1 MHz) for ATV co-ordination pur-
poses. Details at: https://tinyurl.com/y6tzwsuz
(via AMSAT-UK)
+ Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, writes:
"One of the really cool things about receiving an AMSAT award in the
mail is the certificate inside. However, what is even cooler is the
envelope. Yes, the envelope. My wife has purchased stamps for years
and years. I use those stamps on the envelopes I mail. None of those
little white labels from the post office. Is it time for you to
apply for an AMSAT award or to add to your stamp collection?"
(via KK5DO) [See https://www.amsat.org/awards-2/ ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week's ANS Editor,
K0JM at amsat dot org
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AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-048
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* QO-100 released by QARS
* ARRL Adds JO-97, FO-99, QO-100 to LoTW Configuration File
* New Distance Record on AO-91
* Call for Papers - Digital Communications Conference
* KickSat 2 Is Alive And Kicking
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* ARISS News
* Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-048.01
ANS-048 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 048.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
February 17, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-048.01
QO-100 released by QARS
Following the successful launch of Es'hail-2, the new Es'hailSat
teleport was inaugurated on February 14, 2019.
Prior to its official inauguration and opening the QO-100 NB Tran-
sponder was opened for experimental use on February 12. The Qatar
Amateur Radio Society (QARS) invited radio amateurs worldwide to
make good use of the NB transponder and make contacts with each
other. In parallel to the experimental operation, Es'hailSat, QARS
and AMSAT-DL monitored transponder performance and optimized trans-
ponder parameters.
Access the full article with photos on the AMSAT-DL website:
https://amsat-dl.org/en/eshail-2-qo-100-teleport-inauguration
Stations finding themselves out of the footprint of QO-100 or
those who have not had the opportunity to acquire 10 GHz down-
link receiving capability can join in the action using on-line
WebSDR resources:
+ In co-operation with AMSAT Deutschland, the British Amateur
Television Club will be operating a WebSDR for the narrowband
segment, and a Spectrum Viewer for the wideband (DATV) segment.
The Goonhilly Earth Station is supporting the project, providing
hosting for the Ground Station facility at their world-famous
site in Cornwall, UK: https://eshail.batc.org.uk/
+ The IS0GRB Es'Hail2 (QO-100) SAT 26E WebSDR receiver, located
in Dolianova, South Sardinia island, Italy, JM49OJ, operated
by Roberto, IS0GRB, using a 100cm parabolic dish can be
accessed at: http://websdr.is0grb.it:8901/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
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ARRL Adds JO-97, FO-99, QO-100 to LoTW Configuration File
On February 14, 2019, the ARRL released version 11.7 of the Logbook of
the World configuration file adding the ability to confirm QSOs made
through JO-97, FO-99, and QO-100 via LoTW.
LoTW users should receive a prompt to update their configuration file
when opening recent versions of TQSL. The file can also be downloaded
at https://lotw.arrl.org/lotwuser/config.tq6
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
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New Distance Record on AO-91
PR8KW GI77 - Gustavo
?Tks @eb1ao for new record on AO91 2019-02-13 14:23z 6133km.
PR8KW GI77um73sc <> EB1AO IN52pf89tw.
73 de PR8KW GI77um
[ANS thanks PR8KW via Twitter for the above information]
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For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members
will receive a free digital copy of
"Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"
Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at
https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
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Call for Papers - Digital Communications Conference
Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the ARRL/TAPR
Digital Communications Conference (DCC), to be held September 20-22
at the Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Hotel. Papers will also be
published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to
attend the conference to have their papers included in the
Proceedings. The submission deadline is August 5, 2019. Submit papers
to via e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org, or via post to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB,
ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published
exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.
[ANS thanks Steve Ford, WB8IMY, for the above information]
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KickSat 2 Is Alive And Kicking
The first couple of days after KickSat 2 was deployed from Cygnus NG
10 no downlink signals were received from the satellite. But today I
received several short and weak transmissions from KickSat 2. So it
appears to be alive and transmitting short telemetry bursts on
437.5077 MHz.
KickSat 2, object 44046, is to deploy up to 104 small Sprite
satellites into its low orbit. All these Sprites will then transmit
on 437.240 MHz with 10 mW and are expected to reenter within weeks.
[ANS thanks Nico PA0DLO via Amsat-bb for the above information]
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Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) – February 3, to March 29, 2019
Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3
until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be
on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be
posted on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc.
3A, MONACO (JN33) – February 15-18, 2019
Philippe, EA4NF, will be active as 3A/EA4NF from Monaco, between
February 15-18th. Priority will be given to FM and SSB Satellites to
get confirmed as much as possible this rare DXCC country to the
amateur radio satellite community. HF activity will be on 20 meters
SSB, but on the QRP mode (5w). QSL via LoTW.
Yuma Hamfest (DM22) – February 15-16, 2019
Patrick, WD9EWK, will have an AMSAT booth at the Yuma Hamfest in
southwestern Arizona on Friday and Saturday, 15-16 February 2019.
This year’s hamfest also serves as the 2019 ARRL Southwestern
Division Convention. The hamfest will be at the Yuma County
Fairgrounds, along 32nd Street between Pacific Avenue and Avenue 3E,
and south of I-8 exit 3, in Yuma. The fairgrounds is across the
street from Yuma International Airport and Marine Corps Air Station.
More information about the hamfest is available from:
http://www.yumahamfest.org/
During the hamfest, Patrick will have demonstrations of satellite
operating from outside the main hall on the fairgrounds. If you hear
WD9EWK on passes during those two days, please feel free to call and
be a part of the demonstrations. Patrick may not be able to work
every possible pass from the hamfest, but hopes to work a variety of
passes in FM, SSB, and even packet. The hamfest site is in grid DM22.
Contacts made with WD9EWK will be uploaded to Logbook of the World,
and QSL cards for contacts made with WD9EWK will be available on
request after the hamfest (please e-mail me directly with the QSO
details).
During the hamfest, he will use his @WD9EWK Twitter account to post
updates from the hamfest. If you do not use Twitter, you can still
see these updates in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
Imperial Valley (DM12, DM22) – February 17, 2019
After the end of the upcoming Yuma Hamfest, Patrick, WD9EWK, plans
to make a drive west to the DM12/DM22 grid boundary along I-8 near
the west end of California’s Imperial Valley on Sunday, 17 February
2019. He hopes to work passes for a few hours out there, with much
cooler weather than what he experienced last July when he was
previously out there. ?? The DM12/DM22 grid boundary, at the town of
Ocotillo, is in Imperial County.
Patrick will use his @WD9EWK Twitter account to send updates. Even
without a Twitter account, these updates will be visible in a web
browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
His travel out to the DM12/DM22 line should be visible on APRS as
WD9EWK-9: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9
Isla del Culebra, Puerto Rico (FK78) – February 22-24, 2019
Radio Opordores del Este, KP3RE, is preparing for their Culebra IOTA
(NA-249) Expedition 2019. Satellite operations are planned for AO-
91, AO-92, SO-50, and IO-86.
Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) – February 28 – March 9, 2019
Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and
Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be
operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid
FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM
activity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European
stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be made
via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb.
Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org
Updated February 15, 2019
For most recent updates visit:
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/
[ANS thanks Robert KE4AL for the above information]
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ARISS News
+ 2019-02-13 20:10 UTC between David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS
callsign NA1SS and College Park School, Lloydminster, Alberta,
Canada Contact was direct via VA5ISS. ARISS Mentor was Brian VE6JBJ.
+ 2019-02-14 14:30 UTC between David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS
callsign NA1SS and Faith Christian Academy, Orlando, FL, USA.
Contact was direct via W9DWJ. ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
There are no scheduled contacts this week.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]
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AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio.
We have reached a great milestone with $16,895 raised
or about 11% towards our goal. This would not have been
possible without your outstanding generosity!!
Donations have recently stalled.
We ask that you help us get back on track by donating today?
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
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2019 is AMSAT's 50th Anniversary!
Watch this space for announcements of special events coming in 2019
Get ready to help celebrate with us at the Hamvention
Symposium 2019 promises to be a special event
Stand by for 50th anniversary operating events and awards
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Shorts From All Over
+ Videos from the 2018 TAPR Digital Communications Conference are
available at:
http://tinyurl.com/TAPR-2018-DCC-Videos
[ANS thanks TAPR for the above information]
+ Information for a Raspberry Pi - based SSTV receiver can be found
at:
https://github.com/davidhoness/sstv_decoder/blob/master/README.md
[ANS thanks JoAnne K9JKM for providing the above information]
+ Humorous Anecdote
John, C6ATS, reports that while working an SO-50 pass from his boat in
FL22 on February 12th, a wind gust caused his Elk antenna to fall off
its handle and blow overboard. Luckily, it was still attached to the
coax and he was able to haul it back on board and work a few more
stations before LOS.
[ANS thanks @ItinerantHam via Twitter for the above information]
+ Congratulations to Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX. who was the Keynote Speaker
at the 'Students Involved with Technology(SIT) Conference-2019' on
February 9th at Heartland Community College. His inspirational speech
was addressed to the SIT Conference, 'For Students By Students',
which was filled with workshops to showcase technology, tools and
skills. Dhruv organized an ARISS contact with his school last year
and he was a speaker at the AMSAT Space Symposium in Huntsville, AL
in October, 2018.
[ANS thanks Hari Rebba via AMSAT facebook
+ Read this and past releases of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins at:
http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/
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/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
EMike McCardel, AA8EM
aa8em at amsat dot org
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