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ANS-119 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 29 Apr '18

29 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-119 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 at the Hamvention -- 2nd Call for volunteers * Digital Communications Conference (DCC) Call for Papers * King’s High School ARISS contact on BBC TV * AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 * Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-27 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-119.01 ANS-119 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 119.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 29, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-119.01 AMSAT at the Hamvention -- 2nd Call for volunteers The Hamvention is three weeks away! It is time to be creating your shopping list and making your travel plans. Last year, we had 30 people assist with the AMSAT booth at the Hamvention. We've had a good response so far to our first call for volunteers, but we could really use another 10-15 people. The 2018 Hamvention is May 18-20 in Xenia, Ohio. Would you consider helping AMSAT at the Hamvention this year? The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun. Meet or renew acquaintances, exchange operating tips, and find out what antennas, software and equipment other AMSAT members use. We currently expect all of the AMSAT senior officers and board members to be there too. If you're an experienced operator, great! We can use you and your experience. If you've never operated a satellite before, but want to learn more, that's OK. We can use your help too. 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. Thank you! [ANS thanks AMSAT's Hamvention 2018 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Digital Communications Conference (DCC) Call for Papers Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) and publication in the Conference Proceedings. Annual conference proceedings are published by the ARRL. Presentation at the conference is not required for publication. Submission of papers are due by July 31st, 2018 and should be submitted to Maty Weinberg, ARRL 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 or via the Internet to maty(a)arrl.org The ARRL and TAPR DCC is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish their work, and present new ideas and techniques. This year, the DCC is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 14- 16. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results, and practical applications. Topics include, but are not limited to: • Software Defined Radio (SDR) • Digital voice (D-Star, P25, WinDRM, FDMDV, DRMDV, G4GUO) • Digital satellite communications • Global position system • Precise Timing • Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) • Short messaging (a mode of APRS) • Digital Signal Processing (DSP) • HF digital modes • Internet interoperability with Amateur Radio networks • Spread spectrum • IEEE 802.11 and other Part 15 license-exempt systems adaptable for Amateur Radio • Using TCP/IP networking over Amateur Radio • Mesh and peer to peer wireless networking • Emergency and Homeland Defense backup digital communications in Amateur Radio • Updates on AX.25 and other wireless networking protocols • Topics that advanced the Amateur Radio art Go to https://tinyurl.com/y7wgm6vh to view the guidelines for paper submissions [ANS thanks the TAPR PSR for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- King’s High School ARISS contact on BBC TV On April 19 student Eleanor Griffin led the live question and answer session between King’s High School and Warwick Preparatory School (GB4KHS) and astronaut Ricky Arnold KE5DAU on the International Space Station (NA1SS). King’s High School strongly encourage their girls to develop their interests both inside and outside the classroom. This culture of empowerment led one of their girls, Eleanor Griffin, to apply to ARISS Europe (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) for a highly prestigious link-up to the International Space Station. When Eleanor Griffin was selected to hold a space conversation with an astronaut, she was inspired to set up the Warwick Mars Project, for students across the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, to further interest in Space Science. Eleanor says: “The moon landings belong to the generation of our grandparents, and the International Space Station to our parents. What will happen in our generation? Will Mankind travel to another planet?” After the ISS contact when asked what this incredible experience had taught her Eleanor replied “Just do it! No one is going to stop you, if you just go and pursue your dreams, you really can do anything.” Watch the BBC TV news item broadcast on Midlands Today @bbcmtd. Fast forward to 18:45 into the recording at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09z9tw6/midlands-today-evening- news-19042018 In this video the students present their work and activities that lead up the contact, followed at 12:11 by a presentation by ARISS Operations UK team lead Ciaran Morgan M0XTD with the ISS contact commencing at 31:32 into the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpVc1ikj4pE Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) http://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html https://twitter.com/ARISS_status King’s High School Warwick https://twitter.com/KHSWarwick [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 This is a call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2018 which, will be held this year on 13-14 October, in conjunction with the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom . AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about Amateur satellites, CubeSats, Nanosats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site or in Oscar News. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to: dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-27 Mill Springs Academy, Alpharetta, GA, direct via WA4MSA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-05-03 15:47:30 UTC 25 deg Students for the Exploration & Development of Space, College Station, TX, direct via W5QZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-05-03 17:22:31 UTC 47 deg [ANS thanks Charlie, AJ9N, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 15 Apr '18

15 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-105 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: * Martlesham Microwave Roundtable on BATC Video Stream (April 15) * Satellite tracking software for Mac * Delft University of Technology Delfi-PQ PocketQube Receives IARU Coordination * What is a Lilac Doing in Space? * AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2018 Call for Speakers * Intercosmos - 40th year of international human flights - SSTV Award * AMSAT Plans Hamvention Rollout for 2018 "Getting Started" Satellite Book * AMSAT Rover Award Certificate * MiniTiouner-Express Receiver Assembly for ISS HamTV 2.395 GHz Downlink * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-105.01 ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 15, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-105.01 Here is a news item which is more timely released sooner than the weekend news cycle ... some of their topics and techniques seem applicable to future satellites ... microwave construction, SDR, GNUradio ... AMSAT-UK relayed that the UKGHZ Martlesham Microwave Roundtable Sunday [April 15] talks will be streamed live on BATCOnline: https://beta.batc.org.uk/live/mmrt The Sunday programe will streamed live. The times are apparently British Summer Time which I believe is UTC+1 this time of year. Their programe includes: 09:00 Doors Open 09:50 Welcome and Opening 10:00 UK Microwave Group AGM, Trophy Presentations 10:45 Refreshments & Judging of the Construction Contest 11:00 An introduction to SDRs and GNU Radio - Heather Lomond M0HMO 11:45 Aircraft Scatter using Airscout - John Quarmby G3XDY 12:30 Lunch Break 13:30 ATV on 5.6, 10 and 24GHz - Dave Crump G8GKQ 14:15 The Wednesday Digifest - John Worsnop G4BAO 15:00 Refreshments 15:15 UKuG Contest Forum - John Quarmby G3XDY 16:00 Close [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite tracking software for Mac Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that MacDoppler Version 2.28 has been released. What's New in this release ? * TS-790A/E driver rewritten (TU IU1KBH). * Added Country names to 2D map. * Added Natural Earth III maps. * Added 2D/3D map snap shots. * VFO steppers improved. (manual page 11) * Delete Mode or Satellite from Modes editor. * 2D Track List check box persistence fixed. * 2D Draw performance improved. MacDoppler is used around the world by Amateur Radio operators, satellite spotters, educators and commercial customers from CBS News to the International Space Station Amateur Radio Hardware Management program, Delta Telemetry Tracking and Control at Integrated Defence Systems, Florida State University and the CalPoly CubeSat Project. MacDoppler will provide any level of station automation you need from assisted Doppler Tuning and Antenna Pointing right on up to fully automated Satellite Gateway operation. MacDoppler features: * Full 2D and 3D OpenGL projection model of earth. * Track List sorted in real-time order of next pass. * Full predictive dead spot crossing so that a pass is never interrupted by the beam heading passing a dead spot. * Speech advisory of next satellite Rise and Maximum Elevation. * Horizon Window shows elevation of upcoming passes on a time line. * Tuning Dial Tracking allows you to tune the downlink from your radio's front panel while MacDoppler automatically adjusts the uplink. MacDoppler must be registered for some features to work and to work beyond the 15 minute time limit. This is a free upgrade for all MacDoppler Registered users and can be downloaded from: http://dogparksoftware.com/MacDoppler.html [ANS thanks Dog Park Software via Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Delft University of Technology Delfi-PQ PocketQube Receives IARU Coordination Delfi-PQ is an educational PocketQube mission designed by the MSc and BSc students at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The design of this spacecraft has been carried out as part of their curricula to acquire experience on the field. Students are involved on all the mission phases and they will also participate in operations. The second goal of this mission is technology demonstration, being this spacecraft one of the smallest ever launched belonging to the PocketQube class with a size of 50x50x192 mm. It contains all the required systems to operate in space. It is one of the first PocketQubes to be launched and it is the cornerstone for a series of PocketQubes from TU Delft with the aim to iteratively advance the platform to enable ambitious scientific objectives with networks of PocketQubes in the future. Delfi-PQ mainly focusses to demonstrate a reliable core system (comprising a power system, a communication system, an attitude control system and an on-board computer). Furthermore, it will host a few small-scale experiments which can be used for technology research. These experiments are related to future propulsion, more advanced attitude control, navigation, thermal analysis and control. The orbital life time of Delfi-PQ is currently foreseen to be very short (only up to 150 days due to the low orbit of deployment). This will ensure the spacecraft cannot contribute to the space debris problem and also it will occupy its assigned frequency band for a very short time, preventing spectrum pollution. The demonstration of the core spacecraft and its experiments is expected to take all the mission time, till deployment. The communi- cation system, in particular, will be tested and the support of amateurs will also be important. AX.25 will be used worldwide to deliver telemetry. The protocol was selected due to the widespread community around the world that make already use of such a standard. A mode using advanced communication protocol, using forward error correction, will be tested upon command (and so receivable over Europe). This new protocol is decoded by the provided decoding software. The decoding software will enable radio amateurs to help estimating the performance of the receiver in different conditions with statistics transmitted back to a central server In order to provide a return favor to the radio amateur community for the use of the frequency bands, this mission will publish all the instructions for satellite reception and telemetry decoding. A decoding application will also be provided to radio-amateurs around the world before launch to allow easy decoding with standard hardware. This application will also be used to submit the received frames to a central repository. The contribution from radio amateurs in receiving the data will greatly enhance the mission. To make it more exciting to participating radio amateurs, several challenges will be organized. Examples of challenges are thereception of the first and the last frame. In particular, the first received frame will be important for the team to assess the status of health of the spacecraft. The submitter will receive a prize for it. Since the satellite will be deployed to only 350 km and the foreseen operational lifetime is equal to the orbital life time, it will be very interesting to monitor its deorbiting process. Next to this, the number of received frames and the global distribution will also lead to the definition of several challenges. All challenges will have some small prize and achievement certificate associated with it. A UHF downlink on 436.650 MHz has been coordinated by the IARU. The transmission protocol will be GMSK at up to 19k2 bps. Planned for a launch on a Vector rocket from Kodiak Alaska in August 2018 with other PocketQubes. More information available on: http://delfispace.nl The IARU coordination announcement can be accessed at: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=605 [ANS thanks the IARU and AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- What is a Lilac Doing in Space? Student Built LilacSat-1's Success with an Amateur Radio Mission LilacSat-1 accomplished, according to the reports from the students at the Harbin Institute of Technology. The student built LilacSat-1 carries an amateur radio 145/436 MHz FM to Codec2-BPSK digital voice transponder, APRS Digipeater and camera. The satellite was developed at the Harbin Institute of Technology and is part of the QB50 mission which aims to study the lower thermosphere. It was deployed from the International Space Station at 0835 GMT on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Shortly after deployment LilacSat-1 took a picture of the solar panels on the ISS. The image was downloaded by the students on 436.510 MHz +/- 10 kHz Doppler Shift using 9600 bps BPSK. The FM to Codec2-BPSK transponder was activated late afternoon GMT on Thursday, May 25: FM Uplink 145.985 MHz with 67 Hz CTCSS (PL Tone) Codec2 9600 bps BPSK Downlink 436.510 MHz The first contact using the Codec2 transponder took place on May 31 between Mike Rupprecht DK3WN and John Grant GI7UGV http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=79889 LilacSat-1 radio information is at https://tinyurl.com/ANS105-LilacSatRadioInfo Adam Whitney K0FFY has documented how to receive the LilacSat-1 Codec2 Digital Voice transponder using the FUNcube Dongle Pro+ SDR http://adamwhitney.net/working-lilacsat-1/ M6SIG live CD for LilacSat 1 and 2 http://chertseyradioclThe main payload is an ion and neutral particle mass spectrometer (INMS) developed by the University of London (UCL) to measure the mass and distribution of charged and neutral atoms. LilacSat-1 signal received by JA0CAW In preparation for the deployment HIT students installed new VHF and UHF antennas for the ground station. Harbin Institute of Technology Amateur Radio Club BY2HIT http://www.by2hit.net/ http://weibo.com/by2hit/ http://www.qsl.net/by2hit/ https://www.qrz.com/db/BY2HIT LilacSat-1 page (use Google translator) http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?page_id=143 QB50 LilacSat-1 information https://upload.qb50.eu/detail/CN02/ IARU information http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=343 Keplerian Two Line Elements (TLEs) 'Keps' for new satellites launched in past 30 days https://tinyurl.com/ANS105-LiliacSatTLE Lilacsat 1 and 2 decoder now available on Experimental Raspberry Pi (3) image with GNU radio / gr-lilacsat https://tinyurl.com/ANS105-LiliacSatDecoder LilacSat-1 Codec2 downlink by Daniel Estévez EA4GPZ / M0HXM http://destevez.net/2016/10/lilacsat-1-codec-2-downlink/ Updated LilacSat-1 Live CD from M6SIG latest link at https://tinyurl.com/ANS105-LilacSatLiveCD [ANS thanks Jill Durfee and Satnews for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2018 Call for Speakers This is a call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2018 which, will be held this year on 13-14 October, in conjunction with the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom . AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about Amateur satellites, CubeSats, Nanosats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site or in Oscar News. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to: dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Intercosmos - 40th year of international human flights - SSTV Award Please act now as the deadline is May 15th, 2018. SSTV from the International Space Station was active April 11-14 worldwide as part of Cosmonautics Day, which takes place on April 12. Images were related to the Interkosmos project (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). This activity covered most of the world during the operational period. The images were be transmitted on 145.800 MHz and the mode was PD120. A special Award has been made available to those posting reception reports. To obtain the Award one should receive and decode at least one picture during the activity period. The quality of the received image does not have to be perfect, but good enough to identify the picture. Partial images are acceptable. The award is in electronic format (JPG). It will be sent by e-mail. The criteria as follows must be met to obtain the Award: Load your decoded images on the page: www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php Fill in the application form on https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ Please act now as the deadline is May 15th, 2018. Details and a list of ARISS SSTV Award winning stations are available at: https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ [ANS thanks Armand, SP3QFE, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Plans Hamvention Rollout for 2018 "Getting Started" Satellite Book Gould Smith's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites", is being updated to tell you all about how you can get ready to operate through the Fox-1 satellites launching later this year. Additional chapters in the book tell you about tracking software, orbital mechanics, antennas, radios, Doppler tuning, and operating techniques. Chapters are also being added to tell you about the new satellites (and there are many)soon becoming available for amateur radio. Going beyond brief descriptions in hamfest flyers, this book will provide a complete reference for new satellite users to assemble a basic station and to make your first satellite contacts. Also this book you will teach you how to incrementally upgrade your initial FM satellite station, time and budget permitting, to include automated tracking as well as operating through the CW/SSB linear passband satellites. A companion Fox Operating Guide reference sheet is ready for release at Hamvention 2018. This will be made available for the AMSAT Ambassadors (formerly FieldOps) team for distribution at hamfests and satellite operating demonstrations. Watch for the 2018 "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book and reference sheet at the AMSAT booth at the Hamvention. The book will also be available in the AMSAT Store shortly after Hamvention: https://www.amsat.org/shop/ [ANS thanks AMSAT's 2018 Hamvention Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Rover Award Certificate It has been awhile, the voting was in and the certificate has been created. For those that have earned the award, the certificates will be going out to the address in your AMSAT online store order soon. If you would like to see what the certificate looks like, it is on the AMSAT Rover Award web page. https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover Thanks to everyone that submitted a picture to use on the award. [ANS thanks Bruce KK5DO for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- MiniTiouner-Express Receiver Assembly for ISS HamTV 2.395 GHz Downlink A receiver suitable for the ARISS/HamTV 2.395 GHz DVB-S downlink from the ISS is now available for purchase. The MiniTiouner-Express receiver/tuner/analyzer assembly is a completely assembled and tested unit contained in a small aluminum enclosure about the size of a 2 stack deck of cards. The DATV-Express group created the design, construction and sale of the Minitiouner-Express receiver. It is used with the free soft- ware by Jean Pierre Courjaud F6DZP. The unit connects between an antenna(s) and a PC computer USB2 or USB3 port using the Windows 7, 8 or 10 operating system. It receives DVB-S/S2 144MHz to 2420MHz digital television signals for symbol rates between 100K and 10M symbols/sec when used with the F6DZP MiniTioune software. In operation, the computer monitor displays the received video and graphic landing dot constellation to show the incoming signal level, quality, FEC, MER and setup information. The MiniTiouner-Express Receiver/Analyzer unit can be ordered from the http://www.datv-express.com/ website. You need to first logon to the website (or first register if you are a new user). Use the PURCHASE A PRODUCT tab to order the product via PayPal. The price for the MiniTiouner-Express unit is US$75 + shipping Shipping for USA is US$7.00 Shipping to the European Union is US$24.00 including the VAT Shipping anywhere international is US$35.00 Although initial stock has been depleted more units are on the way. The MiniTiouner-Express User Guide (draft13) can be downloaded from http://www.datv-express.com/CustomPage/Downloads Information about the ARISS HamTV project can be found at: http://www.ariss-eu.org/columbus/ham-video The HamTV downlink from the ISS has recently only been active for selected school contacts. HamTV often transmits a "blank signal" useful for receiver and antenna testing when not in use for school contacts. [ANS thanks Daniel Cussen, EI9FHB via the HamTV(a)yahoogroups.ca list for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL, USA and Astronaut Ricky Arnold KE5DAU using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2018-04-10 18:02 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via KN4BBD ARISS Mentor was John K4SQC. + A Successful contact was made between About Gagarin from space Session of radio amateur communication with Vologda branch of PJSC "Rostelecom ", Vologda, Russia and Cosmoonaut Oleg Artemyev using Callsign RS0ISS. The contact began 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via RN1QC, ARISS Mentor was Sergey RV3DR. + A Successful contact was made between Freeport Public Schools, Freeport, NY, USA and Astronaut Scott Tingle KG5NZA using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2018-03-27 17:41 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via IK1SLD. ARISS Mentor was Steve W2AKK. Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ Salado Intermediate School, Salado, TX, direct via K5LBJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-04-17 16:44:23 UTC 24 deg Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, NY, direct via KD2IFR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Wed 2018-04-18 15:57:46 UTC 28 deg The school will be hosting an ARISS contact on Wednesday April 18 at 15:57:46 UTC. The video stream of the contact will be available online. King's High School, Warwick, UK, direct via GB4KHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact is a go for: Thu 2018-04-19 12:05:19 UTC 72 deg Russian school TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov Contact is a go for Tue 2018-04-24 11:05 UTC The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov Contact is a go for 2018-04-25 08:35 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Video playlist for PocketQube 2018 Workshop at TU Delft https://tinyurl.com/ANS105-PocketQube [AMSAT-UK and AlbaOrbital via Twitter] + 7X3WPL Sahara DX Club 7X3WPL is now QRV permanently from Sahara DX Club in Laghouat. They are using a Kenwood TS-2000, G5500 rotor and Wimo X-Quad for 2m and 70cm. (via Abdel M0NPT /7X2TT on amsat-bb) [ANS thanks Sahara DX Club for above information] + The March/April 2018 edition of Apogee View, an 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 Paul N8HM for the above information.] + NASA e-Book Free Download The flight directors in charge of the teams that oversee its systems have written a 400-page book that offers an inside look at the time and energy the flight control team at the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston devote to the development, planning and integration of a mission. "The International Space Station: Operating an Outpost in the New Frontier", is now available to download for free at https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/index.html. Additional details are available at: https://preview.tinyurl.com/ANS105-BookDetails --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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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ANS-105 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Chris Bradley (AA0CB) 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-105.01 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: * Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 * Balloons launched BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida * Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL * Major Rove Announcement * JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements * ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World * Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference * AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up * AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and 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, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information} -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK The twelfth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday, May 18 at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 PM for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 PM. Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK, will present on her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Jeri is an American entrepreneur, self-taught engineer, and an autodidact computer chip designer and inventor. She gained notoriety in 2004 for creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. That "computer in a joystick" could run 30 video games from the early 1980's, and at peak, sold over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel. Ellsworth co-founded CastAR (formerly Technical Illusions) in 2013 and stayed with the company until its closure on June 26, 2017. In 2016, she passed all three amateur radio exams, earned her Amateur Extra license, and received the AI6TK callsign. This has now launched new adventures into Amateur Radio. She has been featured in January 2017 QST and in YouTube videos from Quartzfest earlier this year. Jeri has been given a free hand to speak on whatever topic she wishes (as long as it's amateur radio, somewhat). [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There were several calls which decreased by one this month. These are not listed below. CALL 1Mar18 1Apr18 KK5DO 780 781 WA5KBH 659 728 N4UFO 715 724 N9IP 574 589 W5RKN 554 575 N9EAT 410 428 WD9EWK 400 425 KE4AL 252 317 K7TAB 274 306 W7QL 275 300 AA8CH 104 175 PT2AP 102 172 PS8ET 127 157 N3GS 101 130 N7AGF 101 126 G0ABI 116 122 AL6D 112 (NEW VUCC) W1AT 102 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1, 2018. and April 1, 2018. 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 for Ron Parsons for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balloons launched March 17 - BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida Ballons were launched 17 March from the Houston Hamfest, we had a great balloon launch talk byAndy MacAllister, W5ACM, followed by two successful balloon launches. The first launch at 9:05am was BLT-49.2 and was a 300g 'popper' latex balloon carrying a digital Fireball smart beacon sending the temperature in CW on 14.318 MHz & 28.322 MHz. We copied the weak CW beacon until 11:45am and believe it burst at well over 110,000 feet based on the time aloft and temperatures we were receiving. Very successful flight! The second launch of BLT-49.1 occurred about 9:06am and was a 'floater' balloon (1m Qualatex Mylar) carrying a PecanPico 5 APRS tracker. It rose very slowly into the sky, escorted by several drones videoing the event, headed north then shot off to the east passing over Houston, Beaumont and New Orleans. After avoiding a few thunderstorms along the way, it is currently just below Panama City, FL at ~30,000 feet heading for Orlando & KSC! It can be tracked on aprs.fi or tracker.habhub.org (see links below). After crossing Florida, we're hoping to hear from it again on the other side of the Atlantic https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FAB5SS-11 https://tracker.habhub.org/#!mt=roadmap&mz=6&qm=1_day&mc=29.97358,- 84.9113&f =AB5SS-11 [ANS thanks John, AB5SS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? [ANS thanks AMSAT EDU News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Rove Announcement Announcing a major rove for satellite operators; the Springtime Rove to The Great White North! Doug Tabor, N6UA and Ken Alexander, VE3HLS will be teaming up to travel north to the James Bay area of Quebec to activate as many FO grids as are accessible by road, in the time we have. Our plan is to leave Toronto on May 5th, entering FO the next day, and spending 7 to 8 days activating rare grids. This area is extremely remote. The James Bay Road is the main corridor through the area and was built by Quebec Hydro to support construction of a province-wide network of hydroelectric projects. It's 610 km long. There are gas stations at each end and another somewhere in the middle. Likewise, the Route du Nord is a 406 km gravel road with no services. There is no cellphone service once you leave Matagami, QC, the southern terminus of the James Bay Road. We will only have internet access when we get to a town. The road will take us through, and give us access to FO01/02/03/10/11/12/13/20/21/22/23. With so many satellites currently available, having two operators will insure that everyone will have a chance to work one of us. If two satellites are in view at the same time, we'll be on both of them! We will also allocate ourselves so as to be present on as many FM satellites as are available to us. Our plans aren't complete yet. We may activate other grids, or be forced to rein in our expectations depending on available time and the conditions we encounter. We will provide updates in the coming weeks. [ANS thanks Ken, VE3HL & SDoug, N6UA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, says, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's request to re-distribute JSpOC Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved for the period April 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. Our USSTRATCOM ODR (Orbital Data Request) to distribute the AMSAT-NA TLEs was approved on March 27, 2018." Thanks to JSpOC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Paul Williamson, KB5MU for their help in this process. We are "good to go" for another year. On another note, sadly, the PICSAT team has announced today that PICSAT is no longer operational. But, Ray will continue to carry PICSAT TLEs for now.(Remember AO-07?) [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World Newington, CT and Hicksville, NY – April 2, 2018 Officials from CQ magazine and ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio®, are excited to announce the launch of support for CQ magazine’s Worked All Zones (WAZ) award program on ARRL’s Logbook of the World (LoTW) system, effective Monday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 UTC). The goal of the project was to create the proper technical support system to enable amateur radio operators to submit LoTW confirmations for WAZ credit and that has been accomplished, say CQ and ARRL officials. “We are very pleased that participants in CQ's WAZ award program will now be able to use their LoTW confirmations for award credit,” said CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU. “CQ WPX Award participants have found it very helpful and we are sure it will be equally helpful for those pursuing WAZ and its many variations.” ARRL First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, concurred. “Users of LoTW have been telling us for some time that they would like to use QSLs from LoTW to apply for the WAZ award. They will now be able to select confirmations to be used for WAZ credit.” Beta testing for bringing CQ magazine's WAZ award program into ARRL’s LoTW system had been underway since mid-December. Any problems in the implementation discovered by testers were corrected by the technical support team. Also, the documentation has been improved by feedback from the testers. At the same time, each LoTW user was given an additional WAZ account. Standard LoTW credit fees and separate CQ award fees will apply. Logbook of the World is ARRL's electronic confirmation system for amateur radio contacts. It provides a confirmation when both stations in a contact submit their logs to the system and a match between the logs is confirmed. LoTW has supported the CQ WPX Award program since 2012. CQ Communications, Inc. is publisher of CQ Amateur Radio magazine and is the world's largest independent publisher of amateur radio magazines, books and videos. Worked All Zones is the second-oldest active award program in amateur radio, behind only the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents award. ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio®, represents the interests of Amateur (or “ham”) Radio operators across the country. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL has a proud history of achievement as the standard- bearer in amateur affairs. Now in its second century, the organization remains focused on “advancing the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.” [ANS thanks CQ Communications, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference The Central States VHF Society, Inc. is soliciting both authors for the "Proceedings of the Central States VHF Society" and presenters for the technical sessions at its 2018 Conference to be held in Wichita, KS July 26-29, 2018. Further information for both authors and presenters may be found on the 2018 Conference website <www.2018.CSVHFS.org under "Guidance Documents." Topics for both papers and presentations include all topics related to weak-signal VHF and above amateur radio activities, including: * Antennas: including Modeling, Design, Arrays, and Control * Test Equipment: including Homebrew, Commercial, and Measurement Techniques & Tips * Construction of equipment: such as Transmitters, Receivers, and Transverters * Operating: including Contesting, Roving, and DXpeditions * RF power amps: including Single and Multi-band Vacuum Tube, Solid-state, and TWTAs * Propagation: including Ducting, Sporadic E, Tropospheric, Meteor Scatter, etc. * Pre-amplifiers (low noise) * Digital Modes : such as WSJT, JT65, FT8, JT6M, ISCAT, etc. * Regulatory topics * Moon Bounce (EME) * Software-defined Radio (SDR) * Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Topics such as FM, repeaters, packet radio, etc., are generally considered outside of the scope of papers being sought. However, there are always exceptions. Please contact either Kent Britain, WA5VJB (wa5vjb (at) wa5vjb.com) or Donn Baker, WA2VOI (wa2voi (at) mninter.net) if you have any questions about the suitability of a particular topic. For presenters, we would appreciate a brief abstract of your presentation topic on or before Tuesday, May 15th to help us with the program schedule. The final presentation materials (i.e., PowerPoint, etc. files) are due at the Conference on Friday morning (July 27th). However, for supporting material (NOT the presentation itself) to be published in the Proceedings, it must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. For papers to be published in the Proceedings, final copies must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. Note that you do not have to attend the Conference nor present your paper to have it published in the Proceedings. [ANS thanks Donn, WA2VOI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. The speaker and topic line up includes: + Moderator: Keith Baker, KB1SF / VA3KSF + "AMSAT Status Report" by Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA President, who will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news. + "AMSAT Engineering Program" by Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint) Projects. + "ARISS Report 2018" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight will discus ARISS' "Next Generation ARISS Radio System" on the International Space Station. [ANS thanks Forum Moderator Keith baker, Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 AMSAT Booth ----------- Stop by the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 & 1107-1110) Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm to meet board members, officers, and active satellite operators. You'll be able to ask questions and see demonstrations of AMSAT's current and upcoming technologies. Well dressed satellite operators will look forward to picking up the latest AMSAT "swag" and fashions for 2018. Gould Smith's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites", has been updated for 2018 and will be on sale during the Hamvention. AMSAT Forum ----------- The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. Amateur Satellite Demonstrations -------------------------------- Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held every day outside the main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. AMSAT will be be demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites. We especially 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 and in the demo area. Annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" Party -------------------------------------- The annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held Thursday at 1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Feast on a 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. AMSAT/TAPR Banquet ------------------ The twelfth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Center on Friday at 1830 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the AMSAT and TAPR activities during the Dayton Hamven- tion. We are pleased to announce that Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK will be our speaker. Jeri will present her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Banquet seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets ($37 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store: https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/ The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 15. 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 of the banquet center. [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-042.01 ANS-105.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 8. 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-105.01 Satellite Shorts From All Over + Karhu Koti has created a mutual window calculator for satellites between two locations. See: https://www.karhukoti.com/webtracker + An interesting twitter post about the 'live' on-line tracking sites interesting:https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/980549243701268 482 + Not your typical space junk article. It leads with the release of 100+ sats by the same Indian rocket that launched AO- 92.https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of- space-junk-puts-them-at-risk-1505226427 + Here's something to think about. L band is a lot of fun. We do get 24 hours once a week (not complaining). With several ISS passes every day. It is a good reflector. Plus we can use CW, SSB, many digi modes. Just google it. + Next Rocket Lab launch window is starting 20th April 00:30 UTC for 4 hours. This window repeats for the following 14 days. See: http://rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-first- commercial-mission-this-month/ It will be probably be watchable live from their web site. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC + AMSAT's plans for Hamvention 2018 for the dates May 17-20 have been posted: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention- 2018/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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, Chris Bradley, AA0CB aa0cb at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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ANS-105 AMSAT NEWS SERVICE WEEKLY BULLETINS
by Chris Bradley 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-105.01 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: * Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day * AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 * Balloons launched BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida * Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL * Major Rove Announcement * JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements * ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World * Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference * AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up * AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 Russian SSTV Event to Celebrate Cosmonautics Day ARISS Russia is planning a special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the International Space Station in celebration of Cosmonautics Day. The transmissions are to begin on April 11 at 11:30 UTC and run through April 14 ending at 18:20 UTC. Supporting this event is a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM-D710E transceiver. Transmitted images will be from the Interkosmos project period of the Soviet space program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interkosmos). Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions which were coordinated with the ARISS scheduling team, will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and 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, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information} -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Speaker - Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK The twelfth annual joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held on Friday, May 18 at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, OH 45429 (just south of Dayton). Doors open at 6:30 PM for a cash bar with the buffet dinner served at 7:00 PM. Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK, will present on her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Jeri is an American entrepreneur, self-taught engineer, and an autodidact computer chip designer and inventor. She gained notoriety in 2004 for creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. That "computer in a joystick" could run 30 video games from the early 1980's, and at peak, sold over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel. Ellsworth co-founded CastAR (formerly Technical Illusions) in 2013 and stayed with the company until its closure on June 26, 2017. In 2016, she passed all three amateur radio exams, earned her Amateur Extra license, and received the AI6TK callsign. This has now launched new adventures into Amateur Radio. She has been featured in January 2017 QST and in YouTube videos from Quartzfest earlier this year. Jeri has been given a free hand to speak on whatever topic she wishes (as long as it's amateur radio, somewhat). [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for March 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! There were several calls which decreased by one this month. These are not listed below. CALL 1Mar18 1Apr18 KK5DO 780 781 WA5KBH 659 728 N4UFO 715 724 N9IP 574 589 W5RKN 554 575 N9EAT 410 428 WD9EWK 400 425 KE4AL 252 317 K7TAB 274 306 W7QL 275 300 AA8CH 104 175 PT2AP 102 172 PS8ET 127 157 N3GS 101 130 N7AGF 101 126 G0ABI 116 122 AL6D 112 (NEW VUCC) W1AT 102 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for March 1, 2018. and April 1, 2018. 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 for Ron Parsons for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Balloons launched March 17 - BLT-49.1 still afloat and heading for Florida Ballons were launched 17 March from the Houston Hamfest, we had a great balloon launch talk byAndy MacAllister, W5ACM, followed by two successful balloon launches. The first launch at 9:05am was BLT-49.2 and was a 300g 'popper' latex balloon carrying a digital Fireball smart beacon sending the temperature in CW on 14.318 MHz & 28.322 MHz. We copied the weak CW beacon until 11:45am and believe it burst at well over 110,000 feet based on the time aloft and temperatures we were receiving. Very successful flight! The second launch of BLT-49.1 occurred about 9:06am and was a 'floater' balloon (1m Qualatex Mylar) carrying a PecanPico 5 APRS tracker. It rose very slowly into the sky, escorted by several drones videoing the event, headed north then shot off to the east passing over Houston, Beaumont and New Orleans. After avoiding a few thunderstorms along the way, it is currently just below Panama City, FL at ~30,000 feet heading for Orlando & KSC! It can be tracked on aprs.fi or tracker.habhub.org (see links below). After crossing Florida, we're hoping to hear from it again on the other side of the Atlantic https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FAB5SS-11 https://tracker.habhub.org/#!mt=roadmap&mz=6&qm=1_day&mc=29.97358,- 84.9113&f =AB5SS-11 [ANS thanks John, AB5SS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS contact with Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Pinson Valley HS, Pinson, AL on Apr. 10. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:02 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and KN4BBD. The contact should be audible over the state of Alabama and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Pinson Valley High School is located in Central Alabama near the city of Birmingham and is one of 57 schools in the Jefferson County School system. We are a very diverse school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9-12. At PVHS students have many options for academic programs and extracurricular involvement. We have opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment classes, a growing career technical education academy, and a very popular fine arts academy. We hope that our participation in the ARISS contact will build an increased interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) course pathways. There are many sport teams for both male and female athletes. On December 8, 2017 our football team won the Alabama 6A State Championship, a first for our school. Our motto is "At Pinson Valley High School we promote achievement, respect, and success." Go Indians! Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. By having zero gravity, what type of exercises you have to do to keep your body from losing mass? 2. What prompted your interest or love of space? 3. Psychologically, what is the most challenging aspect of being in space? 4. What type of research are you currently conducting on the ISS? 5. When you receive food supplies in space can you make special request for certain foods? 6. What can a high school student do now to prepare for a potential career in aerospace? 7. How much education and training does an astronaut typically have? 8. Theoretically could NASA power future rockets/spaceships via nuclear fusion, similar to the sun? 9. What is the scariest part of space travel; the launch, living on the ISS, or re-entry? 10. What happens if someone was to have a heart attack, get sick, or have another medical emergency in space? 11. What is a typical day aboard the ISS like? 12. Since the ISS hosts astronauts from different countries, what language is spoken aboard the ISS? 13. Besides your family, what do you miss most about life on earth? 14. What fuels the ISS? 15. What kind of medical testing does an astronaut have to go through to be physically and mentally ready for duty? 16. Can you easily communicate with your family members while you are aboard the ISS? 17. What are some hazards in space? 18. Have any organisms been born or conceived in space? 19. What happens if a fire occurs on the ISS? 20. Since you cannot really take a good shower in space, is the ISS smelly? [ANS thanks AMSAT EDU News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Rove Announcement Announcing a major rove for satellite operators; the Springtime Rove to The Great White North! Doug Tabor, N6UA and Ken Alexander, VE3HLS will be teaming up to travel north to the James Bay area of Quebec to activate as many FO grids as are accessible by road, in the time we have. Our plan is to leave Toronto on May 5th, entering FO the next day, and spending 7 to 8 days activating rare grids. This area is extremely remote. The James Bay Road is the main corridor through the area and was built by Quebec Hydro to support construction of a province-wide network of hydroelectric projects. It's 610 km long. There are gas stations at each end and another somewhere in the middle. Likewise, the Route du Nord is a 406 km gravel road with no services. There is no cellphone service once you leave Matagami, QC, the southern terminus of the James Bay Road. We will only have internet access when we get to a town. The road will take us through, and give us access to FO01/02/03/10/11/12/13/20/21/22/23. With so many satellites currently available, having two operators will insure that everyone will have a chance to work one of us. If two satellites are in view at the same time, we'll be on both of them! We will also allocate ourselves so as to be present on as many FM satellites as are available to us. Our plans aren't complete yet. We may activate other grids, or be forced to rein in our expectations depending on available time and the conditions we encounter. We will provide updates in the coming weeks. [ANS thanks Ken, VE3HL & SDoug, N6UA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- JSpOC Approves AMSAT for Re-distribution of Keplerian Elements AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, says, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's request to re-distribute JSpOC Keplerian elements from SpaceTrack has been approved for the period April 1, 2018 to April 1, 2019. Our USSTRATCOM ODR (Orbital Data Request) to distribute the AMSAT-NA TLEs was approved on March 27, 2018." Thanks to JSpOC, Perry Klein, W3PK and Paul Williamson, KB5MU for their help in this process. We are "good to go" for another year. On another note, sadly, the PICSAT team has announced today that PICSAT is no longer operational. But, Ray will continue to carry PICSAT TLEs for now.(Remember AO-07?) [ANS thanks AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL and CQ Magazine Announce Launch of CQ’s WAZ Award Support on ARRL's Logbook of the World Newington, CT and Hicksville, NY – April 2, 2018 Officials from CQ magazine and ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio®, are excited to announce the launch of support for CQ magazine’s Worked All Zones (WAZ) award program on ARRL’s Logbook of the World (LoTW) system, effective Monday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 UTC). The goal of the project was to create the proper technical support system to enable amateur radio operators to submit LoTW confirmations for WAZ credit and that has been accomplished, say CQ and ARRL officials. “We are very pleased that participants in CQ's WAZ award program will now be able to use their LoTW confirmations for award credit,” said CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU. “CQ WPX Award participants have found it very helpful and we are sure it will be equally helpful for those pursuing WAZ and its many variations.” ARRL First Vice President Greg Widin, K0GW, concurred. “Users of LoTW have been telling us for some time that they would like to use QSLs from LoTW to apply for the WAZ award. They will now be able to select confirmations to be used for WAZ credit.” Beta testing for bringing CQ magazine's WAZ award program into ARRL’s LoTW system had been underway since mid-December. Any problems in the implementation discovered by testers were corrected by the technical support team. Also, the documentation has been improved by feedback from the testers. At the same time, each LoTW user was given an additional WAZ account. Standard LoTW credit fees and separate CQ award fees will apply. Logbook of the World is ARRL's electronic confirmation system for amateur radio contacts. It provides a confirmation when both stations in a contact submit their logs to the system and a match between the logs is confirmed. LoTW has supported the CQ WPX Award program since 2012. CQ Communications, Inc. is publisher of CQ Amateur Radio magazine and is the world's largest independent publisher of amateur radio magazines, books and videos. Worked All Zones is the second-oldest active award program in amateur radio, behind only the International Amateur Radio Union's Worked All Continents award. ARRL The national association for Amateur Radio®, represents the interests of Amateur (or “ham”) Radio operators across the country. Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL has a proud history of achievement as the standard- bearer in amateur affairs. Now in its second century, the organization remains focused on “advancing the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.” [ANS thanks CQ Communications, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Papers and Presentations - Central States VHF Society, Inc. Conference The Central States VHF Society, Inc. is soliciting both authors for the "Proceedings of the Central States VHF Society" and presenters for the technical sessions at its 2018 Conference to be held in Wichita, KS July 26-29, 2018. Further information for both authors and presenters may be found on the 2018 Conference website <www.2018.CSVHFS.org under "Guidance Documents." Topics for both papers and presentations include all topics related to weak-signal VHF and above amateur radio activities, including: * Antennas: including Modeling, Design, Arrays, and Control * Test Equipment: including Homebrew, Commercial, and Measurement Techniques & Tips * Construction of equipment: such as Transmitters, Receivers, and Transverters * Operating: including Contesting, Roving, and DXpeditions * RF power amps: including Single and Multi-band Vacuum Tube, Solid-state, and TWTAs * Propagation: including Ducting, Sporadic E, Tropospheric, Meteor Scatter, etc. * Pre-amplifiers (low noise) * Digital Modes : such as WSJT, JT65, FT8, JT6M, ISCAT, etc. * Regulatory topics * Moon Bounce (EME) * Software-defined Radio (SDR) * Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Topics such as FM, repeaters, packet radio, etc., are generally considered outside of the scope of papers being sought. However, there are always exceptions. Please contact either Kent Britain, WA5VJB (wa5vjb (at) wa5vjb.com) or Donn Baker, WA2VOI (wa2voi (at) mninter.net) if you have any questions about the suitability of a particular topic. For presenters, we would appreciate a brief abstract of your presentation topic on or before Tuesday, May 15th to help us with the program schedule. The final presentation materials (i.e., PowerPoint, etc. files) are due at the Conference on Friday morning (July 27th). However, for supporting material (NOT the presentation itself) to be published in the Proceedings, it must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. For papers to be published in the Proceedings, final copies must be received by Tuesday, May 15th. Note that you do not have to attend the Conference nor present your paper to have it published in the Proceedings. [ANS thanks Donn, WA2VOI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. The speaker and topic line up includes: + Moderator: Keith Baker, KB1SF / VA3KSF + "AMSAT Status Report" by Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA President, who will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late breaking news. + "AMSAT Engineering Program" by Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint) Projects. + "ARISS Report 2018" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight will discus ARISS' "Next Generation ARISS Radio System" on the International Space Station. [ANS thanks Forum Moderator Keith baker, Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Activities for Hamvention 2018 AMSAT Booth ----------- Stop by the AMSAT booth (1007-1010 & 1107-1110) Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm to meet board members, officers, and active satellite operators. You'll be able to ask questions and see demonstrations of AMSAT's current and upcoming technologies. Well dressed satellite operators will look forward to picking up the latest AMSAT "swag" and fashions for 2018. Gould Smith's book, "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites", has been updated for 2018 and will be on sale during the Hamvention. AMSAT Forum ----------- The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in Forum room 4 at 2:45-3:45 PM. Amateur Satellite Demonstrations -------------------------------- Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held every day outside the main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. AMSAT will be be demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites. We especially 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 and in the demo area. Annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" Party -------------------------------------- The annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held Thursday at 1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Feast on a 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. AMSAT/TAPR Banquet ------------------ The twelfth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Center on Friday at 1830 EDT. This dinner is always a highlight of the AMSAT and TAPR activities during the Dayton Hamven- tion. We are pleased to announce that Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK will be our speaker. Jeri will present her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio. Banquet seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline. Tickets ($37 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store: https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-at-hamvention/ The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 15. 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 of the banquet center. [ANS thanks AMSAT's Havention 2018 Team for the above information] ------------------------------------------------------------------- SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-042.01 ANS-105.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 105.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 8. 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-105.01 Satellite Shorts From All Over + Karhu Koti has created a mutual window calculator for satellites between two locations. See: https://www.karhukoti.com/webtracker + An interesting twitter post about the 'live' on-line tracking sites interesting:https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/980549243701268 482 + Not your typical space junk article. It leads with the release of 100+ sats by the same Indian rocket that launched AO- 92.https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of- space-junk-puts-them-at-risk-1505226427 + Here's something to think about. L band is a lot of fun. We do get 24 hours once a week (not complaining). With several ISS passes every day. It is a good reflector. Plus we can use CW, SSB, many digi modes. Just google it. + Next Rocket Lab launch window is starting 20th April 00:30 UTC for 4 hours. This window repeats for the following 14 days. See: http://rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-first- commercial-mission-this-month/ It will be probably be watchable live from their web site. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC + AMSAT's plans for Hamvention 2018 for the dates May 17-20 have been posted: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/amsat-activities-at-hamvention- 2018/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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, Chris Bradley, AA0CB aa0cb at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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ANS-091 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 01 Apr '18

01 Apr '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-091 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: * AO-92 Operations Schedule * Russian SSTV Transmission Events Planned * AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers * AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 * Upcoming ARISS Contact and Event Schedule * Athenoxat-1 QSL Card Challenge SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-091.01 ANS-091 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 091.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 1, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-091.01 AO-92 Operations Schedule AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 31Mar-6Apr 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0155UTC 1Apr we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1650UTC 5Apr we will enable the VT camera and high-speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1650UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Russian SSTV Transmission Events Planned ARISS Russia is planning Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions from the International Space Station. The transmissions are scheduled to occur over Moscow on April 2, 2018 from 15:05 through 18:30 UTC and on April 3, 2018 from 14:15 through 18:40 UTC. The MAI-75 experiment uses a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the amateur radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710E transceiver. Images received can be posted and viewed at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .The transmissions will be broadcast at 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode. Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time. Please check for news and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks Dave, AA4KN, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers The 2018 Hamvention will be held on May 18-20, 2018 at Greene County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation! Phil, W1EME, AMSAT's Hamvention Team Leader is looking for team leaders to assist him. If you can help please consider leading in one of the unfilled positions atw1eme at amsat.org < http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans> + Volunteer Assistant + Publicity Assistant - JoAnne K9JKM + Forum Assistant - Keith KB1SF + Sales Assistant + Outdoor Demo Assistant - Paul N8HM + Facilities and Setup Assistant We need as many volunteers as possible to help staff the AMSAT booth during the Hamvention 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 2017 Hamvention a success for AMSAT. 1. May 17 - Booth setup on Thursday. 2. May 18, 19, 20 - Staff the booth during Hamvention hours to answer questions, enroll members, indoor demos, merchandise and book sales. (We will train you!) 3. May 20 - Booth teardown on Sunday The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun. 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. Interested hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at: w1eme at amsat.org <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans> for information. [ANS thanks AMSAT Hamvention Publicity Assistant JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-UK Call for Speakers for Colloquium 2018 This is a call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2018 which, will be held this year on 13-14 October, in conjunction with the RSGB Convention at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ, United Kingdom . AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about Amateur satellites, CubeSats, Nanosats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site or in Oscar News. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to: dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact and Event Schedule Valday, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-04 TBD UTC Vologda, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev Contact is a go for 2018-04-10 13:37 UTC Watch for SSTV 2018-04-02 15:05 UTC to 18:30 UTC 2018-04-03 14:15 UTC to 18:40 UTC 2018-04-12 to 2018-04-14 Additional information can be found at http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ [ANS thanks Charlie, AJ9N, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Athenoxat-1 QSL Card Challenge The Athenoxat-1 project team has implemented an interesting experiment (puzzle) where frames containing fragments of images of QSL cards are periodically transmitted by the satellite. Amateurs can participate in the experiment by receiving the fragments and sending KISS files via email to the Athenoxsat-1 project team. The frames will then be processed and the results will posted in their web site with acknowledgements to the participating stations. AMSAT-BR would like to encourage amateurs to participate. Due to the satellite orbit inclination (15 degrees), only locations with latitudes below the tropics will be able to receive signals from the satellite on 437.485 MHz. Signals can be demodulated using UZ7HO’s high speed soundmodem software (using the GOMX-1 4800 bps demodulator). The project website is: http://www.micro-space.org/ham.html [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and Yesie, 9V1SQ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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ANS-084 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 25 Mar '18

25 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-084 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: * AO-92 Operation Schedule * EQUiSat to launch into space May 9 * Pearl Technology STEM Camp, June 18-22, 2018 in Illinois * Software-Defined Radio Using MATLAB & Simulink and the RTL-SDR * AMSAT-LU Balloon Flight Carries RepSat-1 Cubesat Transponder * AMSAT Rover Awards Issued * New HackSpace Magazine Available For Download * Introducing CATSync - The new CAT tool for WebSDRs * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-084.01 ANS-084 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 084.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 25, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-084.01 AO-92 Operation Schedule AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 25-31 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 0242UTC 25Mar we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours. Approximately 1645UTC 27Mar we will enable the VT camera and high- speed data for ~40 minutes. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1645UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. The schedule can be viewed anytime at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ [ANS thanks Drew KO4MA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUiSat to launch into space May 9 NASA-funded student group constructs satellite, hopes to inspire interest in space among youth. Since its conception nearly seven years ago, a continuously revolving group of University undergraduates has been diligently working to send a satellite into space. Now, as May 9 draws closer, the group of over 200 past and current students and faculty can find catharsis as the EQUiSat will finally launch into orbit. The project, funded by NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative, will send a small cube satellite to the International Space Station to then launch into orbit. The EQUiSat will test lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are used in machines such as lawn mowers, but find limited applications in spacecrafts. Due to its low cost and the fact that its latitude will coincide with that of Providence, which allows its LED flashes to be seen from the ground, the satellite will also serve as a symbol for the accessibility of space. “A big part of the goal is proving the accessibility of space. … We kind of want to show people that space is right there,” said Hunter Ray ’18, the project’s co-leader and team manager. The project could have cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, but the team has kept its cost to just $3,776.61, Ray added. The project’s relatively low cost and mantra to “build it from the ground up” speak to the feasibility and accessibility of space. The EQUiSat will be equipped with powerful LED lights, a small radio and multiple sensors to keep track of its trajectory and control steering. “Anyone with a hand radio can pick up its frequency. … We will be relying on the community of amateur radio (groups) around the world to help collect EQUiSat’s data,” Ray said. He described the construction process as his favorite part of the project. “It’s like a Lego set. You build it and you’re like ‘great, now what do I do,’ … but the mission will keep going.” Ray has been a part of the project since he arrived on campus. “I started freshman year, first week … (I decided that) I want to build a spacecraft,” he said. “I ended up taking over for the power system development, … (and then) I was elected as part of the project’s manager and co-leader of the team,” he added. He hopes to see similar projections come together in the future following the EQUiSat’s launch. “The fact that as undergraduates we have been able to build an entire spacecraft from scratch … (it shows where) we are going with the space program, as humanity is progressing into the final frontier,” he said. Ray will be delivering the EQUiSat to Houston this week in order to facilitate preparations for the launch. Anand Lalwani ’18 leads the power team, the group of 17 team members in charge of the EQUiSat’s solar power and battery construction. “We are a group of incredibly motivated, but incredibly fun people. Yes, we have had our arguments and fights, but we still work very well with each other,” he said. The power team not only constructed solar panels from scratch, but also ensured that they would survive a launch. Eventually finding a coating and the means to apply it to protect the delicate panels was a grueling process, Lalwani said. “We tried (different protocols) for about 12 months, … and we failed consistently,” he said. Finding a solution “was probably (Brown Space Engineering’s) biggest achievement,” as no other satellite group in the country had done this, he said. The project also serves as an outreach symbol, Lalwani said. By talking to both middle school and high school students and teaching them about different aspects of engineering, the team hopes to show children that space is not as far-fetched as it may seem. “What we had pitched to NASA in our original mission was that ‘We are going to make space cool again,’” Lalwani said. He hopes to see BSE continue its work with new satellites being constructed in under two years. “For BSE, our future is very bright. … All our future applications for launches such as this will be very likely granted. … We expect all the sophomores in our team to have a satellite they would have designed and built and launched before they graduate from Brown,” he added. Max Monn GS, one of founders of the initial project, worked on the project from its initial creation in 2011 to 2013. “Since the manned space missions to the moon … (the public) had a declining interest for space” due to the lack of human connection, Monn said. The origin for the project began as a means for creating an idea in Adjunct Associate Professor of Engineering Rick Fleeter’s class, which has since evolved into ENGN1760: “Design of Space Systems,” Monn described. While other projects leaned toward theoretical concepts or plans such as the colonization of Mars, Monn and the other founders decided to plan something which was “down to Earth” and did not need a large corporation to complete, Monn said. The EQUiSat’s LED lights flashing down toward Earth show the accessibility of space, one of the project’s main purposes. This element was inspired by Monn’s interest in photography. Following the initial work, the project expanded from a four-person class project to a student group. “We weren’t really sure how it would be received,” he said. At the first information session, 15 to 20 people showed up. Seeing the growth of the group has been one of Monn’s favorite memories of the project. “It feels like a legacy,” he said. Serving as founder, member and mentor, Monn has seen the project evolve from “wires spread out on a table” to its eventual launch. “We had these visions of what it could be and to have left the project in such shambles … (and) having it become more and more real… (it’s) a pleasant surprise,” he said. “You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire, you do not have to be a rocket scientist, and space is not that far,” Lalwani said. The satellite will serve as a realization that the final frontier is truly not as far as it seems, he added. “EQUiSat is reaching down to everyone on the Earth and showing them that space is right there, and I hope that, in a sense, it helps unite everyone together,” Ray said. [ANS thanks Chris Schutte and The Brown Daily Herald for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Pearl Technology STEM Camp, June 18-22, 2018 in Illinois The STEM Academy is sponsored and put on by Pearl Technology, with the assistance of the University of Illinois Extension, Richwoods Township, Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Peoria Area Ama- teur Radio Club, Peoria Heights High School, volunteer Caterpillar engineers, and ISS Above Software. Twenty-five middle school students will spend June 18-22 attending the STEM Academy held at Goodwill Commons, where they will learn about space and radio communications. The students will build Rasp- berry Pi computers that stream live video from the ISS. Students will also participate in a high-altitude balloon launch by building the payload with student experiments and then, use radio telemetry to track the balloon to near-space. The highlight of the academy will be when students communicate directly with astronauts on the International Space Station. The ISS contact will be open to students of all ages in the local area. [ANS thanks Fritz Bock, WD9FMB for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Software-Defined Radio Using MATLAB & Simulink and the RTL-SDR Learn how to receive and analyze wireless signals using RTL-SDR, MATLAB, and Simulink. RTL-SDR is a popular, low-cost hardware that can receive wireless signals. The RTL-SDR dongle features the Realtek RTL2832U chip, which can be used to acquire and sample RF signals transmitted in the frequency range 25MHz to 1.75GHz. A FREE ebook that teaches users how to receive and analyze wireless radio signals using MATLAB, Simulink, and RTL-SDR Key features of this free ebook include: + Illustrating how to receive wireless RF signals using RTL-SDR and analyze the signals in time and frequency domains + Showing how to use RTL-SDR in conjunction with SDR transmitters to develop a complete communication system + Providing an extensive set of DSP-enabled SDR examples to help you get started Find out more or download from: https://tinyurl.com/ANS084-Mathwoks This news provided by http://www.nooelec.com/store/ [ANS thanks NooElec.com and mathworks.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-LU Balloon Flight Carries RepSat-1 Cubesat Transponder AMSAT-LU reports they flew RepSat-1, a repeater designed for cubesat operation, aboard a balloon launched from Victorica, La Pampa, Argentina on March 24. The uplink was on 435.950 MHz with a downlink on 145.950 MHz. RepSat-1 is an 8 cm square board capable of being integrated into a cubesat. The FM module transmits at 1 watt. It is also capable of transmitting voice, SSTV in Robot 36, telemetry and APRS location data identifying as LU7AA-11. Telemetry and location were transmitted every 90 seconds via 1200 baud AX.25 APRS data. A separate module on the flight transmitted tracker data for balloon recovery on 145.930 MHz with the LU7AA-12 callsign. It included a camera capable of filming with a 360 degree view. The AMSAT Argentina web aite can be found at: http://www.amsat.org.ar [ANS thanks AMSAT-LU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Rover Awards Issued On January 1, 2018, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards announced the Rover Award. This award is granted to stations who achieve a combined 25 points using any combination of the defined criteria posted at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-rover-award/ Points can be earned for each grid square activated outside of your home grid square using the FM, linear, and digital satellites. While FM contacts count for 1 point each multiplier points are available for contacts via the linear and digital satellites. Additional points are available for photographs, publicity, social media promotion, and AMSAT Journal articles. The options are numerous so please refer to the Rover Award Website for all of the details. To date, 16 rovers have earned the award: Rover Call Date Issued ===== ============ =========== 001 AC0RA 02 Jan 2018 002 WD9EWK 05 Jan 2018 003 NJ4Y 08 Jan 2018 004 M0IDA 09 Jan 2018 005 KG5GJT 12 Jan 2018 006 EB1AO 18 Jan 2018 007 N7AGF 22 Jan 2018 008 N4YHC 29 Jan 2018 009 W0S 07 Feb 2018 010 KE0PBR 08 Feb 2018 011 K5IX 18 Feb 2018 012 AK4WQ 23 Feb 2018 013 WI7P 25 Feb 2018 014 K5ND 09 Mar 2018 015 N6UA 12 Mar 2018 016 N9IP 16 Mar 2018 [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New HackSpace Magazine Available For Download Issue 5 of the free magazine HackSpace has an article about Limor Fried AC2SN (aka LadyAda) of electronics company Ada Fruit as well as a Dr Lucy Rogers M6CME article "Share the knowledge" Also in this issue - Tutorial Slack-powered On-Air sign - Direct from Shenzhen: Stirling engine buggy - Can I Hack It? Every home needs a hacked wireless doorbell - Raspberry Pi 3B+ Download the free PDF of issue 5 April 2018 from https://hackspace.raspberrypi.org/issues [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Introducing CATSync - The new CAT tool for WebSDRs Oscar, DJ0MY, has developed a new software tool for radio amateurs and SWLs. CATSync allows the user to control public WebSDR receivers with a real rig connected via CAT. It supports the classical Web-SDR servers as well as the newer Kiwi SDR servers publically available on the internet. This gives you access to dozens of web based receivers with the comfort of tuning your rig at home. This software helps you to bring you back into the fun of ham radio when you are suffering from local temporary or permanent high noise levels in an urban QTH location. The software has the following features: - Syncronizes any public WebSDR server with your real RIG… - Supports a wide number of RIG’s (it uses the popular OmniRig engine) - Supports WebSDR and KiwiSDR browser based SDR receivers - Tune the VFO of your radio and see the web SDR follow in realtime! - Switch modes (SSB, CW, etc.) on your radio and see the web SDR switch mode in realtime. - Listen to the same frequency as your rig via web SDR - Ideally suited e.g. for people suffering from local QRM - Can track RX or TX VFO (e.g. to find that split of a DX station) if radio CAT supports both simultanously - Can be interfaced with popular logging software using OminRig or via VSPE port splitter For more information visit the author’s website: https://catsyncsdr.wordpress.com/ See a YouTube video of CATSync under: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbSHfkjhx0c [ANS thanks Southgate ARN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News The following contacts were successful since February 18, 2018: On The Gagarin from Space, "Galaxy - Children and Youth Center for Space Education", Kaluga, Russia, direct via RK3X with Alexander Misurkin on 2018-02-18 10:45 UTC Agrupamento de Escolas do Fundão, Fundão, Portugal, direct via CS5DBB with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-02-21 09:38 UTC Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY, direct via K2MST with Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP on 2018-02-24 08:45 UTC On The Gagarin from Space Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Southwest State University", Kursk, Russia, direct via RV3DR on 2018-02-26 17:59 UTC Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, CA, direct via K6PVJ Scott Tingle KG5NZA 2018-03-07 18:05 UTC Gymnasium Räddningsgymnasiet Sando, Sandöverken, Sweden, telebridge via K6DUE with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-03-15 11:12 UTC Templestowe Valley Primary School, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via VK4KHZ with Scott Tingle KG5NZA on 2018-03-19 08:43 UTC Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Templestowe Valley Primary School, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via VK4KHZ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact was successful: Mon 2018-03-19 08:43:46 UTC Watch for live stream on the EchoLink AMSAT conference server live. Freeport Public Schools, Freeport, NY, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-03-27 17:41:04 UTC [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + AO-91 Distance Record The footprint on AO-91 has been stretched yet again to 6,123 km with a QSO between @eb1ao and PU8MRS on 17-Mar-2018 at 14:51 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ . + PicSat Goes Silent PicSat @IamPicSat Tweeted: I am feeling somewhat confused up here. My communication has fallen silent (sorry faithful listeners, I did not see that coming. My team is trying to find out what happened. More to follow, when I pass over Paris @amsatf #amsat @AmsatUK @amsat_sm @SatNOGS PicSat @IamPicSat Tweeted: Passed over Paris, couldn't not talk. Don't know why, neither does my team. They tried! Fortunately, I have a so-called watch-dog onboard, a piece of hardware that will kickstart me if I have not received anything from nobody for 72h PicSat team tweeted Friday morning: Nothing, nix. I still cannot communicate. Hard for me to tell if my Watch Dog initiated the kick start. If it did, and it did not work for some reason, it will try again in 72h from now. In the mean time, pls stay tuned! Monday March 26 will be the next time the 72 hour watchdog fires. Now we wait: pic.twitter.com/OBdsOLiK67 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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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ANS-077 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne K9JKM 18 Mar '18

18 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-077 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: * Article Introduces AMSAT's GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Satellites * ARISS-US Program Education Proposal Deadline is April 30, 2018 * AO-92 Operating Schedule Posted for Week of March 18-24 * AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers * Top 10 Reasons to Come to AMSAT at the Hamvention * AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites * HuskySat-1 Applies for IARU Coordination for Linear V/U Transponder * Thousands of Kilometers Via Satellite and a WAS Award Too * Phase 4 Weekly Update 9 March * Early Bird Bookings for the AMSAT-SA Space Symposium Now Open * Melbourne University Student Space Program Update * AMSAT Member Perry F. Crabill, W3HQX Silent Key * China's DSLWP-A1/A2 Satellites to Transmit Amateur Radio Data from the Moon * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-077.01 ANS-077 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 077.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 18, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-077.01 Article Introduces AMSAT's GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Satellites As a follow-up to the announcement that GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 have been selected for launches through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative, we've posted an article introducing the GOLF program on the AMSAT website: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-077-AMSAT-GOLF [ANS thanks Paul, N8HM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS-US Program Education Proposal Deadline is April 30, 2018 ARISS News Release No. 18-03 Dave Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018. March 15, 2018: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals 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 and June 30, 2019. Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partner- ship between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, “ARISS shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is.” Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, “This chance for our school’s ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world. I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already signed up to take a General class.” 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 any related STEM subject. 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 this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students. The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, visit: http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html About ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the Advancement of Science in space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, tech- nology, 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, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-92 Operating Schedule Posted for Week of March 18-24 Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations updated the AO-92 Operating Schedule page for the coming week: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa’s High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 18-24 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: + 18 March at approximately 1500 UTC we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours + 22 March at approximately 1345 we will enable the VT camera and high-speed data for ~40 minutes. This is a Caribbean and South America pass. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1345UTC. + All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at the 2018 Hamvention -- Call for volunteers The 2018 Hamvention will be held on May 18-20, 2018 at Greene County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation! Phil, W1EME, AMSAT's Hamvention Team Leader is looking for team leaders to assist him. If you can help please consider leading in one of the unfilled positions at w1eme(a)amsat.org + Volunteer Assistant + Publicity Assistant - JoAnne K9JKM + Forum Assistant - Keith KB1SF + Sales Assistant + Outdoor Demo Assistant - Paul N8HM + Facilities and Setup Assistant We need as many volunteers as possible to help staff the AMSAT booth during the Hamvention 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 2017 Hamvention a success for AMSAT. 1. May 17 - Booth setup on Thursday. 2. May 18, 19, 20 - Staff the booth during Hamvention hours to answer questions, enroll members, indoor demos, merchandise and book sales. (We will train you!) 3. May 20 - Booth teardown on Sunday The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun. 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. Interested hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at: w1eme(a)amsat.org for information. [ANS thanks AMSAT Hamvention Publicity Assistant JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 Reasons to Come to AMSAT at the Hamvention 10. Rub shoulders with 25,000 of your best friends at the largest hamfest in the United States, including all of the AMSAT Directors and senior officers. See the latest equipment from Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Flex, Alinco, M2, Arrow, and many other manufacturers of amateur radio equipment and accessories. Take advantage of discounted pricing you won't find anywhere else. 9. Find out how to organize a contact with the astronauts on the International Space Station for your local school or youth group from our Education and ARISS experts. 8. Pickup the latest AMSAT golf shirts, T-shirts, and hats. Get your copy of the updated "Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide" (laminated frequency chart) and Gould Smith's just revised for 2018 "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" book. We'll also have assembled wide-band preamps and antennas that are great for portable operation. 7. See demonstrations of SatPC32 and MacDoppler satellite tracking software, and get your operational questions answered. Assembled LVB Trackers will be available. 6. Hear the latest presentation at the joint AMSAT/TAPR dinner. 5. Hear the latest on the Fox and Golf satellites, the International Space Station, other current and future satellites, education news, and an AMSAT update at the AMSAT Forum Saturday, from 11:15 to 1:30. 4. Get one-on-one guidance on setting up your satellite station and making contacts at our "Beginner's Corner". Witness live demonstra- tions of contacts through satellites. 3. Meet and interact with some of the Engineering Team members working on the Fox and Golf satellites and our new Five and Dime AMSAT ground terminal. 2. Get satellite station and operating tips from some of the best satellite operators in the country. 1. Receive your 2018 laminated Satellite Frequency Chart when you join or renew your AMSAT membership at Hamvention. New members will receive the Frequency Chart and the latest edition of the AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks AMSAT Hamvention Publicity Assistant JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites It’s that time of year again; summer and Field Day! Each year the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors Field Day as a “picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN!” The event takes place during a 23-hour period on the fourth weekend of June. For 2018 the event takes place during a 27-hour period from 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 23, 2018 through 2100 UTC on Sunday, June 24, 2018. Those who set up prior to 1800 UTC on June 23 can operate only 24 hours. The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) promotes its own version of Field Day for operation via the amateur sat- ellites, held concurrently with the ARRL event. This year should be easier than many years since we have more than 10 transponders and repeaters available. Users should check the AMSAT status page at http://www.amsat.org/status/ and the pages at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=177 for what is available in the weeks leading up to field day. To reduce the amount of time to research each satellite, see the current FM satellite table at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5012 and the current linear satellite table at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=5033 If you are considering ONLY the FM voice satellites, there are SO-50, AO-85, AO-91, AO-92 and possibly PicSat. It might be easier this year to make that one FM contact for the ARRL bonus points with so many FM birds. The congestion on FM LEO satellites is always so intense that we must continue to limit their use to one-QSO-per-FM-satellite. This includes the International Space Station. You will be allowed one QSO if the ISS is operating Voice. The full set of rules are posted at: https://www.amsat.org/field-day/ [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- HuskySat-1 Applies for IARU Coordination for Linear V/U Transponder The IARU Frequency Coordination pages show that the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington applied for frequencies on March 7 for HuskySat-1, a 3U CubeSat with propulsion capability. Launch is planned for a high inclination LEO late 2018 on the ELaNA XXIV mission. HuskySat-1 will become the first amateur satellite from Washington state. HuskySat-1 will demonstrate the capabilities of new technologies being developed at the University of Washington and expand the capabilities of CubeSats as a whole. In particular, a high-thrust pulsed plasma thruster (PPT), and high-gain communications system will form the core technology suite on board the satellite. HuskySat-1 will carry AMSAT's 30 kHz wide V/u linear transponder for amateur radio SSB/CW communications. The transponder is the same design as the transponder being flown on RadFXSat-2/Fox-1E in 2018 including the 1k2 BPSK telemetry channel. HuskySat-1 will also transmit BPSK telemetry at 1 Mbps in the 24 GHz band. In order to utilize the transponder and telemetry beacon, equipment suitable for other linear transponder satellites such as FO-29 and AO-73 will be needed. Estimates are that a few watts into a small beam should be adequate, with a small beam with a low noise preamp serving for reception. Additional details have been posted at: https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/huskysatellitelab/huskysat-1 https://amsat-uk.org/2018/03/10/huskysat-1-cubesat/ IARU frequency coordination activities may be followed on-line at: http://amsat.org.uk/iaru/ [ANS thanks the IARU, the Unviversity of Washington, and AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thousands of Kilometers Via Satellite and a WAS Award Too Listen to a recording of a 6005 KM contact with KE9AJ and OA4/XQ3SA on March 11: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-077-AO7-QSO Recording provided by NP4JV. A 4100 KM contact via AO-92 between Kuthumabaka Ramesh, VU3FTP, in Hyderabad City, India and Suryono P. Kebayoran Lama Selatan YD0NXX, in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 9 can viwed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uShVF6Y6MzM&feature=youtu.be On March 10 K7TAB (DM43)worked VY0ERC (ER60) located at 80 degrees north via AO-91 for a 5250 KM QSO. Both stations used a Kenwood TH-D72A HT running 5W. MI6GTY (IO64) and N9EAT (EN41) enjoyed a 6010 KM QSO vis AO-91 on March 11. This is a new distance record for AO-91. See: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ Jose, EB1AO in Spain (IN52) and David, W0DHB (DN70) completed a 7606 KM contact on March 12 via AO-7. They had a 2 minute window with 0.4 degrees for EB1AO (contact was made at 0.1 degree elevation) and 2 degrees for W0DHB. Jose operated portable on a hilltop with an IC-910 and Arrow Antenna. To date he has 34 states via satellite. PS8ET (GI84) worked CU2ZG (HM77) for a 5096 KM contact wia AO-91 on March 12. Mikey, K7ULS reported working FG8OJ and PJ2/HB9WDF via FO-29 on March 13. Now, a report on quantity vs distance ... congratulations to Michael, K9EI for his completion of Satellite Worked All States. He commented on Twitter, "Please let me say thank you to everyone who helped me finally achieve my first WAS. I became a ham in 1977, but never was involved enough to accomplish WAS. I am even more satisfied that I was able to do it first on satellites among so many friends. You’ve all been fantastic." [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Phase 4 Weekly Update 9 March Michelle Thompson, W5NYV has Phase 4 Weekly Report for 9 March 2018: View it on-line to hear all the details at: https://youtu.be/1GirCiB5XNg A summary of the key points discussed this week include: + Exploration of the use of the Ettus Research E310 and X310 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) devices. + GNU Radio Conference 2018 tickets are available: https://www.gnuradio.org/grcon-2018/ The whole conference is packed with wonderful experiences and fun. Come join Phase 4 Ground at our DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X workshop and hackfest on Friday! Presented by Open Research Institute, Inc. with a goal to produce an open source DVB-S2/X receiver in GNU Radio primarily for AMSAT. Please share with whoever you think would love to come! There will be a new user track as well as advanced content, workshops, vendors, demonstrations, and multiple social events. Look for the Phase 4 articles coming in the March/April 2018 AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV and the Phase 4 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Early Bird Bookings for the AMSAT-SA Space Symposium Now Open Bookings for the annual AMSATSA Space Symposium which will be held on May 19, at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria is now open. The symposium features interesting subjects including development of a new SDR transponder, building a ground station to operate Ama- teur Radio's first geostationary satellite Es'hail-2, a BACAR-ready 10 GHz beacon to exercise your Es'hail-2 receiver, a practical approach to improving modular system reliability, FunCube Data and some of its secrets and a progress report on Kletskous and its next generation transponder and systems. Get the booking form and details on www.amsatsa.org.za. [ANS thanks AMSAT South Africa for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Melbourne University Student Space Program Update Gabriel, VK3EXO, provided an update to the Wireless Institute of Australia regarding the Melbourne University Student Space Program. From the RF perspective project personnel have successfully trans- mitted packets between the ground station and the satellite radio. They have interfaced the satellite radio with the flight computer and the satellite antenna has been deployed. The ACMA recently approved the frequency allocation request and will be taking the application to the ITU on behalf of the project team. This is a huge achievement, particularly for an entirely student led organization. A major milestone has been passed with power-up test of everything to be included in the satellite all laid out on a flat surface called a FlatSat. The next step is to perform extensive software and hard- ware testing. The testing will be performed over the next few weeks. The Mission Operations website development is going well and the team is on track for launch at the end of this year / early next year. [ANS thanks the Wireless Institute of Australia VK1WIA news for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Member Perry F. Crabill, W3HQX Silent Key This week Larry Wright, W8ANT, reported the sad news that Perry F. Crabill, W3HQX, member of AMSAT, born in 1920, formerly of Washington, DC and suburban Maryland and until his passing of Winchester Virginia, is now a Silent Key at age 97. Perry was first licensed as W3HQX in "19ought38" as he was wont to say, worked for C&P telephone for many years, served in the US Navy in World War Two as a radio technician (passing the difficult Eddy test,) and was active for almost 70 years in a variety of amateur radio activities. Known affectionately by the 147.300 repeater's "Question Of the Day" group as "The Professor", Perry had a wide range of on-the-air acquaintances. A memorial service and celebration of his life was held on Saturday, March 24 in Winchester, VA. [ANS thanks Larry Wright, W8ANT for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- China's DSLWP-A1/A2 Satellites to Transmit Amateur Radio Data from the Moon China is planning to launch the Chang’e 4 lander and rover which is slated to land on the far side of the moon in December. The lander configuration will use a relay satellite for a control and data link with Earth. Also aboard this flight will be a pair of microsatellites, DSLWP-A1 and DSLWP-A2, which will test low-frequency radio astronomy and space-based interferometry. These two lunar orbiting satellites developed by students at the Harbin Institute of Technology will include educational and amateur radio payloads (but not a trans- ponder). The Amateur Radio payload on DSLWP-A1 will provide a telecommand uplink and a telemetry and digital image downlink. Radio amateurs will be able to transmit commands that allow them to send commands to take and download an image. The IARU has coordinated downlinks on 435.425 MHz and 436.425 MHz for A1. Downlinks have been coordinated for A2 are 435.400 MHz and 436.400 MHz using 10K0F1DCN or 10K0F1DEN (10-kHz wide FM single-channel data) 250 bps GMSK with concatenated codes or JT65B. A1 and A2 will be deployed into a 200 × 9,000 kilometer lunar orbit. The 50 × 50 × 40 centimeter spacecrafts each weigh about 45 kilograms and are three-axis stabilized. Two linear polarization antennas are mounted along and normal to the flight direction. The satellites will use the moon to shield them from radio emissions from Earth for the long wavelength space-based interferometry experi- ments. The launch is anticipated for May or June on a CZ-4C vehicle, putting the satellites’ deployment about 6 months ahead of the launch of the Chang’e 4 lander and rover. [ANS thanks the Harbin Institute of Technology, IARU, and ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The AmazonSmile Triple Donation Promotion Now Under Way Triple your impact! Until March 31, Amazon is tripling the donation rate on your first AmazonSmile purchase. You can name AMSAT to receive the donation from your purchase. https://smile.amazon.com + The Station and Operating Hints page has been updated to include WD9EWK's November/December 2017 AMSAT Journal article Working the FalconSAT-3 Digipeater (with Kenwood TH-D72 and TM-D710G radios) Read how to use the 9600bps AX.25 V/U digipeater. https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/ and scroll down the page to the other digipeater articles. + Use the HA7WEN WebSDR at http://152.66.73.241:33333/ to listen to FO-29 traffic over Europe. (via Michel F6HTJ) + Enjoy a video made by the University of Bristol team's entry to the 2017 UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS)Lunar Rover Competition: https://youtu.be/ouL-cg1U0MI Visit http://ukseds.org/about/ to learn more about the UK’s national student space society. + The March PDF of the weather satellite publication GEO Newsletter produced by the Group for Earth Observation is now available for free download: http://www.geo-web.org.uk/geoquarterly.php + Amateurs preparing for our microwave future in space may find this information, relayed on the microwave(a)mailmanlists.us e-mail reflector, useful. An Analog Devices RF Detector Surf Board is $10 evaluation kit containing an RF Power detector made up of three RF detector chips covering DC to 9 GHz, one with 80 dB range. Search for part number ADL5XDETECTRKIT at https://www.richardsonrfpd.com to figure out if you want one. Even if you don't buy anything the page has links to useful electronic design tools. + GM4VZY produces a weekly Weather Satellite Report listing polar orbiting and geostationary satellites transmitting on VHF and L-band: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/weather-satellite-reports/info + Space enthusiasts, make room on your calendars. The Smithsonian Channel will premiere two sets of back-to-back space documentaries in late March and early April: https://www.space.com/39950-smithsonian-channel-space-specials.html + Not really satellite oriented but you guys are going to like this one anyways ... HF Voyager is an ocean-going drone currently making its way from Hawaii to California that can carry out amateur radio contacts in several digital modes. On-board in a waterproof container is an Elecraft KX3 and a Raspberry Pi computer enabling a variety of digital modes to be used. The station uses FT8 and PSK-31 on the 20 meter band as its primary operating modes. You may also find it using WSPR in times of poor propagation. Call sign to look for? KH6JF/MM. More details and the current location of the drone are available at: http://www.jrfarc.org/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 Happy New Year, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org

1 0

ANS-070 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin
by Chris Bradley 12 Mar '18

12 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-070.01 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: * Robertsville Middle School Students Will Send a CubeSat into Space * Call for Volunteers - Dayton Hamvention * Maidenhead Grid EL58hx Activation Memorial Day Weekend 2018 * FJ, St. Barthelemy Operations April 19-27 * AMSAT-OSCAR 92 * Send Your Name to the Sun Aboard the Parker Solar Probe * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-070.01 ANS-014.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 070.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 8, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-070.01 Robertsville Middle School Students Will Send a CubeSat into Space In November of last year, a team of Robertsville middle students, educators, and Oak Ridge scientists submitted a proposal to NASA for their Cube Satellite Launch Initiative (CSLI) in hopes of sending a student-designed nanosatellite named, "RamSat" into space. NASA's CSLI provides opportunities for small satellite payloads built by various schools and non-profit organizations to fly on upcoming launches. NASA provides CubeSat developers a low-cost pathway to conduct scientific investigations in space, enabling students, teachers, and industry partners to obtain hands-on development experiences. In a letter received on March 2, 2018, we learned that our proposal for RamSat was accepted for participation in the CSLI, an initiative intended to provide launch opportunities during 2019, 2020, and 2021. CubeSats are auxiliary payloads on planned NASA, other U.S. Government, or commercial space flight missions, or deployments from the International Space Station. We learned that our payload is one of 21 satellites selected or prioritized for participation in the ninth CSLI selection. Our acceptance was also announced on NASA's website as RamSat, an education mission to develop and implement a middle school STEM curriculum for building a CubeSat. Peter Thornton, one of the RamSat team leaders from Oak Ridge National Laboratory stated, "This is such an exciting opportunity for the students! They will now have the chance to design, build, carry out and own a satellite mission. They will be the mission scientists, the communication specialists, and the logistics experts. They will calculate orbits, learn to aim their satellite camera at selected targets on the ground, radio their commands to RamSat, and receive and interpret the digital data streams broadcast by RamSat, containing imagery and all the other important data gathered on- board. They'll be working as a team to identify and solve problems, and they will be working with NASA professionals to integrate RamSat into the launch and deployment missions. I can't think of a more exciting project to ignite the students' curiosity and passion for science and engineering." The CSLI ride-share launch features spacecraft called nanosatellites. CubeSats are sized in units, and one unit (1U) is 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. To participate in the CSLI program, CubeSat investigations must be in alignment with NASA's Strategic Plan. The Robertsville Middle School proposal aimed to demonstrate alignment by creating student-driven STEM-based lessons addressing educational development needs relevant to NASA's strategic goals. The students' targeted mission for their RamSat is to send a small camera and radio encased in a 2U nanosatellite that will relay data and images from space back to earth. With this information, students will study reforestation patterns of vegetation lost in forest fires. The student mission arose in response to a real-world connection they had to the Gatlinburg fires last year. [ANS Thanks OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS OAK RIDGE, TN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Volunteers - Dayton Hamvention The 2018 Hamvention will be held on May 18-20 2018 at Green County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation, and we are looking for volunteers in the following areas: Volunteer Assistant, Publicity Assistant, Sales Assistant, Outdoor Demo Assistant, Facilities and Setup Assistant. Interested Hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at w1eme(a)amsat.org for information. [ANS Thanks Phil Smith, W1EME for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Maidenhead Grid EL58hx Activation Memorial Day Weekend 2018 (Venice, LA, USA) Wyatt Dirks, AC0RA, and Clayton Coleman, W5PFG will travel to the mouth of the Mississippi River in far Southeast Louisiana to activate maidenhead gridsquare EL58hx on Memorial Day weekend, 2018. The primary activities will be on the 6m band and OSCAR satellites. This will be Wyatt's first activation of EL58 in Louisiana and Clayton's second. Both operators have conducted multiple, successful portable activations over the years, with Wyatt activating over 200 grid squares and Clayton over 150. Dates, the operating location in the grid, and transportation arrangements are confirmed. The activation is scheduled to begin after 23:00 UTC on May 25 and will conclude by 20:00 UTC on May 27. All 6m operations will use the callsign AC0RA. All satellite operations will use the callsign W5PFG. HF operation will occur during slower periods on 6m and when there are no satellites in view. Those wishing to confirm HF contacts must do so via ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW.) 6m and Satellite confirmations will be available following the expedition on LoTW in addition to paper QSL's accompanied with a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE.) Further information will be released prior to the expedition. For general inquiries contact Clayton, W5PFG, at w5pfg(a)arrl.net. For 6m operational questions contact Wyatt, AC0RA, at dirkswyatt10(a)gmail.com. [ANS Thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FJ, St. Barthelemy Operations April 19-27 AI5P, N0KV, W0ZA and WD0E plan to operate from Pointe Milou, St. Barthelemy Island (IOTA NA-146/Grid Square FK87) from April 19-27, 2018. Operation will be on 80-10 meters (SSB/CW/ RTTY) with satellite operation by WD0E. Conditions may largely limit most activity to 20 meters and down. Operating 160 meters is being considered; however, no antenna option is yet finalized. Satellite operation will take place on several satellites. A satellite and pass schedule will be announced on the AMSAT-bb in advance. Equipment includes three Elecraft K3's and two 500 watt Elecraft amps. Antennas include a SteppIR crank IR vertical for 80-10 meters, a folding hexbeam by Folding Antennas (Germany) on 20-10 meters, LPDA's on 20 and 17 meters and verticals on 30 and 40 meters. Operation will be as continuous as conditions warrant. The Colorado operators have decided to use FJ/N0KV as their callsign while AI5P will be active as FJ/AI5P. FJ/N0KV logs will be updated to LOTW while Rick's logs (FJ/AI5P) will not since he continues to be an analog guy with an actual key and pen/paper log. Paper QSLs will be available from both N0KV and AI5P direct and via the bureau. Further: For satellite operation we plan to be on as many passes of as many satellites as possible focusing on the evening hours. Equipment will be an IC 910 and Arrow. On Montserrat in 2015 we were on FO-29 only. For St. Barts we will also operate some FM satellites. We will assemble a pass plan before we go and post it to this -bb. We will stick to that plan as much as possible but of course condi- tions may cause us adjust on the fly. The operating location has good visibility to the horizon from about the NW through N and E to the SE. Other directions are somewhat obscured. QSLs handled as written above. [ANS thanks Jim White, WD0E for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-OSCAR 92 AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa's High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 11-17 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 1420UTC 11Mar we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1625UTC 14Mar we will enable the VT camera and high- speed data for ~40 minutes. This is a central US and Mexico pass. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1625UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS Thanks Drew KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Send Your Name to the Sun Aboard the Parker Solar Probe NASA will send your name on a microchip to the Sun aboard the Parker Solar Probe mission due to launch in the Summer of 2018. The probe will fly through the Sun's atmosphere and you can go along for the ride. To survive in the 2500° F solar environment the spacecraft and instruments will be protected by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield. At its closest approach the probe will be flying at approximately 430,000 mph. To submit your name follow the instructions starting at: http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/The-Mission/Name-to-Sun/ To learn more about the mission visit: http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/ [ANS thanks NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Gridders, Bob K8BL be staying in grid EM32 for the next couple weeks and operating "holiday style" while visiting family. He can probably work out going to adjacent Grids upon request. Besides LA, TX and AR and OK are possibilities. QSOs will be in LoTW when I return home the end of March. [ANS Thanks Bob K8BL, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + I just wanted to thank Doug N6UA for his dedication to the hobby of Ham radio. Doug made an out of the way trip to nebraska to confirm the state for several of us who needed it for WAS LOTW. Doug fought 65 mph winds on the way and during the qso on Cas-4B . At times the howling was so bad that the audio was distorted , however Doug endured the elements and continued confirming the Grid/state for many of us. On the return home Doug encountered several semi accidents on I-25 . Thanks Doug for being so dedicated as to go out of your in bad weather to give a new grid or state to your fellow hams [ANS Thanks Jack KC7MG and Alex Weimer, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + N8FQ Satalite Sked page available for amateur use. http://n8fq.org/sked/mobile.php?board=sat [ANS Thanks Joe, N3XLS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + Watch the development of a homebrew VHF mast head preamp design by VU2POP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDkRRtWTk8 [ANS Thanks VU2POP for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + Information about China ham radio satellite to the moon https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/18/lunar-amateur-radio-satellites-dslwp- a1a2/ [ANS Thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + The schedule page at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ has been updated for the coming week for AO-92 operations. We could use more stations feeding telemetry in auto or high-speed mode for the camera run on Wednesday! [ANS Thanks Andrew Glasbrenner for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + All telemetry (image frames) received by anyone with FoxTelem are sent to the AMSAT server (if you have selected "upload to server") and used to construct a full image, in the same fashion that collecting many diverse telemetry frames provides a more complete record of satellite health and science data. So you may not see a whole image on your own FoxTelem, but you are helping everyone see the full image because you may capture a frame that no one else did. The more stations receiving, the better the chances for full images. Set your FoxTelem for "auto" source on the Input Tab and pitch in. Thank you for being part of the fun and learning! [ANS Thanks Jerry Buxton, NØJY, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + AYMAN ISLANDS, ZF. Operators K0NR and KB9DPF will be QRV as ZF2NR and ZF2PF, respectively, from Grand Cayman Island from March 10 to 17. Activity will be holiday style on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and FT8. This includes some FM Satellite activity from grid square EK99. QSL to home calls. [ANS Thanks ARLD011 DX news bulletin 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, Chris Bradley, AA5EM aa5em at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

1 0

ANS-070 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Chris Bradley 11 Mar '18

11 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-070.01 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: * Robertsville Middle School Students Will Send a CubeSat into Space * Call for Volunteers - Dayton Hamvention * Maidenhead Grid EL58hx Activation Memorial Day Weekend 2018 * FJ, St. Barthelemy Operations April 19-27 * AMSAT-OSCAR 92 * Send Your Name to the Sun Aboard the Parker Solar Probe * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-070.01 ANS-014.01 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 070.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 8, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-070.01 Robertsville Middle School Students Will Send a CubeSat into Space In November of last year, a team of Robertsville middle students, educators, and Oak Ridge scientists submitted a proposal to NASA for their Cube Satellite Launch Initiative (CSLI) in hopes of sending a student-designed nanosatellite named, "RamSat" into space. NASA's CSLI provides opportunities for small satellite payloads built by various schools and non-profit organizations to fly on upcoming launches. NASA provides CubeSat developers a low-cost pathway to conduct scientific investigations in space, enabling students, teachers, and industry partners to obtain hands-on development experiences. In a letter received on March 2, 2018, we learned that our proposal for RamSat was accepted for participation in the CSLI, an initiative intended to provide launch opportunities during 2019, 2020, and 2021. CubeSats are auxiliary payloads on planned NASA, other U.S. Government, or commercial space flight missions, or deployments from the International Space Station. We learned that our payload is one of 21 satellites selected or prioritized for participation in the ninth CSLI selection. Our acceptance was also announced on NASA's website as RamSat, an education mission to develop and implement a middle school STEM curriculum for building a CubeSat. Peter Thornton, one of the RamSat team leaders from Oak Ridge National Laboratory stated, "This is such an exciting opportunity for the students! They will now have the chance to design, build, carry out and own a satellite mission. They will be the mission scientists, the communication specialists, and the logistics experts. They will calculate orbits, learn to aim their satellite camera at selected targets on the ground, radio their commands to RamSat, and receive and interpret the digital data streams broadcast by RamSat, containing imagery and all the other important data gathered on- board. They'll be working as a team to identify and solve problems, and they will be working with NASA professionals to integrate RamSat into the launch and deployment missions. I can't think of a more exciting project to ignite the students' curiosity and passion for science and engineering." The CSLI ride-share launch features spacecraft called nanosatellites. CubeSats are sized in units, and one unit (1U) is 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. To participate in the CSLI program, CubeSat investigations must be in alignment with NASA's Strategic Plan. The Robertsville Middle School proposal aimed to demonstrate alignment by creating student-driven STEM-based lessons addressing educational development needs relevant to NASA's strategic goals. The students' targeted mission for their RamSat is to send a small camera and radio encased in a 2U nanosatellite that will relay data and images from space back to earth. With this information, students will study reforestation patterns of vegetation lost in forest fires. The student mission arose in response to a real-world connection they had to the Gatlinburg fires last year. [ANS Thanks OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS OAK RIDGE, TN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Volunteers - Dayton Hamvention The 2018 Hamvention will be held on May 18-20 2018 at Green County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia Ohio. Planning is under way for AMSAT's participation, and we are looking for volunteers in the following areas: Volunteer Assistant, Publicity Assistant, Sales Assistant, Outdoor Demo Assistant, Facilities and Setup Assistant. Interested Hams should contact Team Leader Phil Smith via email at w1eme(a)amsat.org for information. [ANS Thanks Phil Smith, W1EME for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Maidenhead Grid EL58hx Activation Memorial Day Weekend 2018 (Venice, LA, USA) Wyatt Dirks, AC0RA, and Clayton Coleman, W5PFG will travel to the mouth of the Mississippi River in far Southeast Louisiana to activate maidenhead gridsquare EL58hx on Memorial Day weekend, 2018. The primary activities will be on the 6m band and OSCAR satellites. This will be Wyatt's first activation of EL58 in Louisiana and Clayton's second. Both operators have conducted multiple, successful portable activations over the years, with Wyatt activating over 200 grid squares and Clayton over 150. Dates, the operating location in the grid, and transportation arrangements are confirmed. The activation is scheduled to begin after 23:00 UTC on May 25 and will conclude by 20:00 UTC on May 27. All 6m operations will use the callsign AC0RA. All satellite operations will use the callsign W5PFG. HF operation will occur during slower periods on 6m and when there are no satellites in view. Those wishing to confirm HF contacts must do so via ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW.) 6m and Satellite confirmations will be available following the expedition on LoTW in addition to paper QSL's accompanied with a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE.) Further information will be released prior to the expedition. For general inquiries contact Clayton, W5PFG, at w5pfg(a)arrl.net. For 6m operational questions contact Wyatt, AC0RA, at dirkswyatt10(a)gmail.com. [ANS Thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FJ, St. Barthelemy Operations April 19-27 AI5P, N0KV, W0ZA and WD0E plan to operate from Pointe Milou, St. Barthelemy Island (IOTA NA-146/Grid Square FK87) from April 19-27, 2018. Operation will be on 80-10 meters (SSB/CW/ RTTY) with satellite operation by WD0E. Conditions may largely limit most activity to 20 meters and down. Operating 160 meters is being considered; however, no antenna option is yet finalized. Satellite operation will take place on several satellites. A satellite and pass schedule will be announced on the AMSAT-bb in advance. Equipment includes three Elecraft K3's and two 500 watt Elecraft amps. Antennas include a SteppIR crank IR vertical for 80-10 meters, a folding hexbeam by Folding Antennas (Germany) on 20-10 meters, LPDA's on 20 and 17 meters and verticals on 30 and 40 meters. Operation will be as continuous as conditions warrant. The Colorado operators have decided to use FJ/N0KV as their callsign while AI5P will be active as FJ/AI5P. FJ/N0KV logs will be updated to LOTW while Rick's logs (FJ/AI5P) will not since he continues to be an analog guy with an actual key and pen/paper log. Paper QSLs will be available from both N0KV and AI5P direct and via the bureau. Further: For satellite operation we plan to be on as many passes of as many satellites as possible focusing on the evening hours. Equipment will be an IC 910 and Arrow. On Montserrat in 2015 we were on FO-29 only. For St. Barts we will also operate some FM satellites. We will assemble a pass plan before we go and post it to this -bb. We will stick to that plan as much as possible but of course condi- tions may cause us adjust on the fly. The operating location has good visibility to the horizon from about the NW through N and E to the SE. Other directions are somewhat obscured. QSLs handled as written above. [ANS thanks Jim White, WD0E for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-OSCAR 92 AO-92 operations are scheduled among the U/v FM repeater, L-Band Downshifter, Virginia Tech Camera, and the University of Iowa's High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument (HERCI). Please keep the uplink clear during passes with scheduled mode changes. For the week of 11-17 Mar 2018, the following mode changes are scheduled: Approximately 1420UTC 11Mar we will enable the L band uplink for ~24 hours Approximately 1625UTC 14Mar we will enable the VT camera and high- speed data for ~40 minutes. This is a central US and Mexico pass. Please be ready to copy high-speed data with FoxTelem, and keep the uplink clear at 1625UTC. All other times the U/v repeater will be open continuously. [ANS Thanks Drew KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Send Your Name to the Sun Aboard the Parker Solar Probe NASA will send your name on a microchip to the Sun aboard the Parker Solar Probe mission due to launch in the Summer of 2018. The probe will fly through the Sun's atmosphere and you can go along for the ride. To survive in the 2500° F solar environment the spacecraft and instruments will be protected by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield. At its closest approach the probe will be flying at approximately 430,000 mph. To submit your name follow the instructions starting at: http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/The-Mission/Name-to-Sun/ To learn more about the mission visit: http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/ [ANS thanks NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Gridders, Bob K8BL be staying in grid EM32 for the next couple weeks and operating "holiday style" while visiting family. He can probably work out going to adjacent Grids upon request. Besides LA, TX and AR and OK are possibilities. QSOs will be in LoTW when I return home the end of March. [ANS Thanks Bob K8BL, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + I just wanted to thank Doug N6UA for his dedication to the hobby of Ham radio. Doug made an out of the way trip to nebraska to confirm the state for several of us who needed it for WAS LOTW. Doug fought 65 mph winds on the way and during the qso on Cas-4B . At times the howling was so bad that the audio was distorted , however Doug endured the elements and continued confirming the Grid/state for many of us. On the return home Doug encountered several semi accidents on I-25 . Thanks Doug for being so dedicated as to go out of your in bad weather to give a new grid or state to your fellow hams [ANS Thanks Jack KC7MG and Alex Weimer, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + N8FQ Satalite Sked page available for amateur use. http://n8fq.org/sked/mobile.php?board=sat [ANS Thanks Joe, N3XLS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + Watch the development of a homebrew VHF mast head preamp design by VU2POP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDkRRtWTk8 [ANS Thanks VU2POP for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + Information about China ham radio satellite to the moon https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/18/lunar-amateur-radio-satellites-dslwp- a1a2/ [ANS Thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + The schedule page at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-schedules/ has been updated for the coming week for AO-92 operations. We could use more stations feeding telemetry in auto or high-speed mode for the camera run on Wednesday! [ANS Thanks Andrew Glasbrenner for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + All telemetry (image frames) received by anyone with FoxTelem are sent to the AMSAT server (if you have selected "upload to server") and used to construct a full image, in the same fashion that collecting many diverse telemetry frames provides a more complete record of satellite health and science data. So you may not see a whole image on your own FoxTelem, but you are helping everyone see the full image because you may capture a frame that no one else did. The more stations receiving, the better the chances for full images. Set your FoxTelem for "auto" source on the Input Tab and pitch in. Thank you for being part of the fun and learning! [ANS Thanks Jerry Buxton, NØJY, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- + AYMAN ISLANDS, ZF. Operators K0NR and KB9DPF will be QRV as ZF2NR and ZF2PF, respectively, from Grand Cayman Island from March 10 to 17. Activity will be holiday style on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and FT8. This includes some FM Satellite activity from grid square EK99. QSL to home calls. [ANS Thanks ARLD011 DX news bulletin 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, Chris Bradley, AA5EM aa5em at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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ANS-063 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 04 Mar '18

04 Mar '18

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-063 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: * VP9, BERMUDA on Satellites * GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative * Rare Grid Rover Activation Planned on Pacific Coast * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2018 * Satellite 101 Wiki Released by IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project * Rules for AMSAT Awards updated * BIRDS-2 CubeSat Constellation Includes 145.825 MHz Digipeater * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-063.01 ANS-063 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 063.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE MARCH 4, 2018 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-063.01 VP9, BERMUDA on Satellites VP9, BERMUDA. Chris, KG6CIH, will be active as KG6CIH/VP9 from Bermuda (NA-005) between March 8-12th. Activity will be holiday style in addition to also checking out the island. He will be splitting radio time with a friend (David/WH6DSN was mentioned by another source). They will be focused on SSB operations on the main bands (80/40/20 meters, 15 meters if pro- pagation is good, 160m if antenna works), and maybe some satellite contacts too. QSL will primarily be via LoTW, but if they get enough contacts, they will consider printing up special cards. [ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1353 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 Selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative On March 2, 2018, NASA announced the ninth round of selections for the CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI). The first two AMSAT GOLF CubeSats, GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1, were among the 21 missions recommended for selection. AMSAT must negotiate and execute a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NASA for each project to finalize selection. NASA anticipates a sufficient number of launch opportunities but does not guarantee that all recommended payloads will be launched. GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment) will serve as a rapidly deployable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits. AMSAT Vice-President Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, said “The GOLF-TEE project tees off the next phase of our CubeSat program. GOLF-TEE provides AMSAT hardware and knowledge for Attitude Determination and Control (ADAC) capability and the opportunity to develop a 3U spaceframe with deployable solar panels that can be used in LEO or HEO missions, two of the major systems required in future GOLF and HEO missions.” Ragnarok Industries developed the attitude control system for the Lunar Heimdallr 6U CubeSat, a NASA Cube Quest Challenge finalist. GOLF-TEE provides the opportunity for rapid deployment and on orbit testing of the AMSAT’s Advanced Satellite Communications and Exploration of New Technology (ASCENT) program’s technology, including radiation tolerant transponder and Integrated Housekeeping Unit (IHU) technologies that will lead the way for low cost commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems that can function in the MEO and HEO radiation environments. GOLF-TEE will also carry a Fox-1E design V/u linear transponder and RadFx (Radiation Effects) experiment for Vanderbilt University. GOLF-TEE and the GOLF program will provide for the development of “Five and Dime” Field-Programmable Gate Array Software Defined Radio (FPGA SDR) transponders for use on a variety of missions and orbits. The target date for launch of GOLF-TEE is 4Q 2019. GOLF-1 will serve as a follow-on mission, also to LEO. Launch is targeted for 2020-2021. GOLF-1 will require a de-orbiting plan that is in compliance with NASA's NPR 8715.6 NASA Procedural Requirements for Limiting Orbital Debris in order to be manifested on a launch, due to the high altitude AMSAT has requested. Please consider a donation to the AMSAT GOLF program for development, construction, and testing of the GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1 CubeSats. Donate at https://goo.gl/GJ2Utb Checks may be mailed to AMSAT, 10605 Concord St. #304, Kensington, MD 20895-2526. [ANS thanks Paul, N8HM, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rare Grid Rover Activation Planned on Pacific Coast Heads up AMSAT enthusiasts. Billy Blue, KM6NJL, plans to head to Humboldt County, California March 16-19. Billy says, "Depending on schedule and terrain and activities I'm going to try to work from CM89, CN70, CN80, CN71 and CN81 or the borders of these grids. Unfortunately I won't be heading further east." [ANS thanks Billy Blue, KM6NJL, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2018 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! February: Short Month -- Fewer endorsements CALL 1Feb18 1Mar18 WA4NVM 1450 1488 WC7V 1158 1159 AA5PK 996 1012 K4FEG 841 878 N4UFO 700 715 K6FW 661 703 K0FFY 173 260 VE6SWC 173 173 K5IX 100 125 G0ABI 115 116 AB1OC 115 (NEW VUCC) PU8RFL 101 (NEW VUCC) If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for February 1, 2018. and March 1, 2018. 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] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite 101 Wiki Released by IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project Members of the Pratham satellite team, the first student satellite of IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project (IITBSSP), have created the Satellite 101 Wiki as a part of a social goal of spreading knowledge and enthusiasm related to satellite and space technology among various aspiring students and universities across the globe. The Wiki discusses: + Starting a Student Satellite Project - Building the Team - Planning the mission and finalizing the Payload - Obtaining the required Infrastructure + Subsystems within a Satellite - Payload Subsystem - Communications Subsystem - Electrical Subsystem - Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem - Mechanical Subsystem Access the Satellite 101 Wiki at: http://www.aero.iitb.ac.in/satelliteWiki/index.php/Satellite_101 [ANS thanks the IIT Bombay Student Satellite Project for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rules for AMSAT Awards updated A few months ago we added Washington, DC counting the same as a state. Today, we continued to align our awards with the ARRL. Our rules stated contacts had to be made within 25 miles or 40 kilometers from your home location. We have now amended the rules to read within 50 miles or 80 kilometers. This should be more beneficial for those that have moved to a new QTH. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- BIRDS-2 CubeSat Constellation Includes 145.825 MHz Digipeater The BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation developed at Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology includes three 1U CubeSats: + BHUTAN-1 + MAYA-1 + UiTMSAT-1 All CubeSats in BIRDS-2 constellation have identical designs and utilize the same radio frequencies. They are planned for release from the ISS together in 2018. The primary mission of BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation is to provide digital message relay service to the amateur radio community by means of an APRS digipeater onboard. The APRS digipeater onboard BIRDS-2 CubeSats will use 145.825 MHz for both receive and transmit. 145.825MHz is a standard frequency used by other satellites such as ARISS and LAPAN-A2. Another mission of the BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation is to demon- strate a store-and-forward (S&F) system. In this mission, a goal is to investigate technical challenges through experiments on appropriate data format, multiple access scheme, file-handling protocol while complying with limited operational time and power constraints. Another interesting application of BIRDS-2 CubeSat S&F system is for the satellites to collect data from remote ground sensors, store them onboard and download them to the different BIRDS-2 ground stations network. Further, students of Kyushu Institute of Technology will use BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation to enhance research and experiment in the fields of single latch-up event detection, magnetic field measurements using a COTS anisotropic magnetometer, and flight testing of a COTS GPS chip which can be used for future CubeSat missions if proven effective. Students will also explore a passive attitude stabilization mechanism consisting of magnets and hysteresis dampers for proper orientation of camera on a CubeSat. All measurements and image data will be shared with the public on BIRDS-2 project website. Moveover, BIRDS-2 CubeSat constellation will expand amateur radio communication experiment on the operation of CubeSat constellation via a network of UHF/VHF amateur radio ground stations (started in BIRDS-1 CubeSat constellation project). All the above missions are envisioned to promote awareness of amateur radio communication and amateur satellites among the general public and students, especially in the participating nations of BIRDS-2 Project: Bhutan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Japan. Planning a deployment from the ISS in 2018. The IARU has coordinated a downlink frequency of 437.375 MHz and for APRS uplink/downlink 145.825 MHz. The IARU detailed pages are as noted: BHUTAN-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=562 MAYA-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=563 UiTMSAT-1 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=564 An article in the Bhutan press is posted at: http://www.kuenselonline.com/bhutan-1-expected-to-be-in-space-by-may/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK, kuenselonline.com, and the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Congratulations on achieving a distance of 7649 km via AO-7 QSO by F6HTJ (JN12) and K4FEG (EM55) near Memphis, Tennessee. The frequency was 145930.0. (Via F6HJT) + The Eureka Amateur Radio Club, VY0ERC, is located at 79 degrees 59 min North, 85 degrees 56 min West on Ellesmere Island (IOTA NA-008). M0NPT recorded a video of G0ABI and G7SVF working VY0ERC via AO-91: https://youtu.be/oOiV-iEZhX4 (AMSAT-UK on Twitter) + 2017 Space Symposium - Corey Shields KB9JHU - Intro to SATNOGS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsKJX4WgCn0 (via AMSAT Twitter) + Congratulations on achieving a distance of 5,479 km via AO-91 QSO by Sam, N3ROY (FM29) and Jose, EB1AO (IN52) in Spain at 1530 Z on March 1. (via N3ROY) + A group of Ham Radio operators from Southern Mexico will be operating the special event "Spring Equinox" with the call 6E3MAYA from March 17th. to 21th. The activity will be 80 to 6 meters in SSB, CW, Satellite and Digital Modes. QSL via XE3N. (Twitter via Daily DX and XE3N) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KT4TZ kt4tz at amsat dot org

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