AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-048
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* QO-100 released by QARS * ARRL Adds JO-97, FO-99, QO-100 to LoTW Configuration File * New Distance Record on AO-91 * Call for Papers - Digital Communications Conference * KickSat 2 Is Alive And Kicking * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-048.01 ANS-048 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 048.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
February 17, 2019 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-048.01
QO-100 released by QARS
Following the successful launch of Es'hail-2, the new Es'hailSat teleport was inaugurated on February 14, 2019.
Prior to its official inauguration and opening the QO-100 NB Tran- sponder was opened for experimental use on February 12. The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) invited radio amateurs worldwide to make good use of the NB transponder and make contacts with each other. In parallel to the experimental operation, Es'hailSat, QARS and AMSAT-DL monitored transponder performance and optimized trans- ponder parameters.
Access the full article with photos on the AMSAT-DL website: https://amsat-dl.org/en/eshail-2-qo-100-teleport-inauguration
Stations finding themselves out of the footprint of QO-100 or those who have not had the opportunity to acquire 10 GHz down- link receiving capability can join in the action using on-line WebSDR resources:
+ In co-operation with AMSAT Deutschland, the British Amateur Television Club will be operating a WebSDR for the narrowband segment, and a Spectrum Viewer for the wideband (DATV) segment. The Goonhilly Earth Station is supporting the project, providing hosting for the Ground Station facility at their world-famous site in Cornwall, UK: https://eshail.batc.org.uk/
+ The IS0GRB Es'Hail2 (QO-100) SAT 26E WebSDR receiver, located in Dolianova, South Sardinia island, Italy, JM49OJ, operated by Roberto, IS0GRB, using a 100cm parabolic dish can be accessed at: http://websdr.is0grb.it:8901/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
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ARRL Adds JO-97, FO-99, QO-100 to LoTW Configuration File
On February 14, 2019, the ARRL released version 11.7 of the Logbook of the World configuration file adding the ability to confirm QSOs made through JO-97, FO-99, and QO-100 via LoTW.
LoTW users should receive a prompt to update their configuration file when opening recent versions of TQSL. The file can also be downloaded at https://lotw.arrl.org/lotwuser/config.tq6
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
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New Distance Record on AO-91
PR8KW GI77 - Gustavo ?Tks @eb1ao for new record on AO91 2019-02-13 14:23z 6133km. PR8KW GI77um73sc <> EB1AO IN52pf89tw. 73 de PR8KW GI77um
[ANS thanks PR8KW via Twitter for the above information]
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Call for Papers - Digital Communications Conference
Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC), to be held September 20-22 at the Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Hotel. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is August 5, 2019. Submit papers to via e-mail to [email protected], or via post to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.
[ANS thanks Steve Ford, WB8IMY, for the above information]
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KickSat 2 Is Alive And Kicking
The first couple of days after KickSat 2 was deployed from Cygnus NG 10 no downlink signals were received from the satellite. But today I received several short and weak transmissions from KickSat 2. So it appears to be alive and transmitting short telemetry bursts on 437.5077 MHz.
KickSat 2, object 44046, is to deploy up to 104 small Sprite satellites into its low orbit. All these Sprites will then transmit on 437.240 MHz with 10 mW and are expected to reenter within weeks.
[ANS thanks Nico PA0DLO via Amsat-bb for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) – February 3, to March 29, 2019 Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3 until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be posted on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc.
3A, MONACO (JN33) – February 15-18, 2019 Philippe, EA4NF, will be active as 3A/EA4NF from Monaco, between February 15-18th. Priority will be given to FM and SSB Satellites to get confirmed as much as possible this rare DXCC country to the amateur radio satellite community. HF activity will be on 20 meters SSB, but on the QRP mode (5w). QSL via LoTW.
Yuma Hamfest (DM22) – February 15-16, 2019 Patrick, WD9EWK, will have an AMSAT booth at the Yuma Hamfest in southwestern Arizona on Friday and Saturday, 15-16 February 2019. This year’s hamfest also serves as the 2019 ARRL Southwestern Division Convention. The hamfest will be at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, along 32nd Street between Pacific Avenue and Avenue 3E, and south of I-8 exit 3, in Yuma. The fairgrounds is across the street from Yuma International Airport and Marine Corps Air Station. More information about the hamfest is available from: http://www.yumahamfest.org/
During the hamfest, Patrick will have demonstrations of satellite operating from outside the main hall on the fairgrounds. If you hear WD9EWK on passes during those two days, please feel free to call and be a part of the demonstrations. Patrick may not be able to work every possible pass from the hamfest, but hopes to work a variety of passes in FM, SSB, and even packet. The hamfest site is in grid DM22. Contacts made with WD9EWK will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, and QSL cards for contacts made with WD9EWK will be available on request after the hamfest (please e-mail me directly with the QSO details).
During the hamfest, he will use his @WD9EWK Twitter account to post updates from the hamfest. If you do not use Twitter, you can still see these updates in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
Imperial Valley (DM12, DM22) – February 17, 2019 After the end of the upcoming Yuma Hamfest, Patrick, WD9EWK, plans to make a drive west to the DM12/DM22 grid boundary along I-8 near the west end of California’s Imperial Valley on Sunday, 17 February 2019. He hopes to work passes for a few hours out there, with much cooler weather than what he experienced last July when he was previously out there. ?? The DM12/DM22 grid boundary, at the town of Ocotillo, is in Imperial County.
Patrick will use his @WD9EWK Twitter account to send updates. Even without a Twitter account, these updates will be visible in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
His travel out to the DM12/DM22 line should be visible on APRS as WD9EWK-9: http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9
Isla del Culebra, Puerto Rico (FK78) – February 22-24, 2019 Radio Opordores del Este, KP3RE, is preparing for their Culebra IOTA (NA-249) Expedition 2019. Satellite operations are planned for AO- 91, AO-92, SO-50, and IO-86.
Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) – February 28 – March 9, 2019 Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM activity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb.
Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org Updated February 15, 2019
For most recent updates visit: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/
[ANS thanks Robert KE4AL for the above information]
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ARISS News
+ 2019-02-13 20:10 UTC between David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS callsign NA1SS and College Park School, Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada Contact was direct via VA5ISS. ARISS Mentor was Brian VE6JBJ.
+ 2019-02-14 14:30 UTC between David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS callsign NA1SS and Faith Christian Academy, Orlando, FL, USA. Contact was direct via W9DWJ. ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
There are no scheduled contacts this week.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information]
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AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. We have reached a great milestone with $16,895 raised or about 11% towards our goal. This would not have been possible without your outstanding generosity!!
Donations have recently stalled. We ask that you help us get back on track by donating today?
For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9
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+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 2019 is AMSAT's 50th Anniversary! Watch this space for announcements of special events coming in 2019 Get ready to help celebrate with us at the Hamvention Symposium 2019 promises to be a special event Stand by for 50th anniversary operating events and awards +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
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Shorts From All Over
+ Videos from the 2018 TAPR Digital Communications Conference are available at: http://tinyurl.com/TAPR-2018-DCC-Videos
[ANS thanks TAPR for the above information]
+ Information for a Raspberry Pi - based SSTV receiver can be found at: https://github.com/davidhoness/sstv_decoder/blob/master/README.md
[ANS thanks JoAnne K9JKM for providing the above information]
+ Humorous Anecdote
John, C6ATS, reports that while working an SO-50 pass from his boat in FL22 on February 12th, a wind gust caused his Elk antenna to fall off its handle and blow overboard. Luckily, it was still attached to the coax and he was able to haul it back on board and work a few more stations before LOS.
[ANS thanks @ItinerantHam via Twitter for the above information]
+ Congratulations to Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX. who was the Keynote Speaker at the 'Students Involved with Technology(SIT) Conference-2019' on February 9th at Heartland Community College. His inspirational speech was addressed to the SIT Conference, 'For Students By Students', which was filled with workshops to showcase technology, tools and skills. Dhruv organized an ARISS contact with his school last year and he was a speaker at the AMSAT Space Symposium in Huntsville, AL in October, 2018.
[ANS thanks Hari Rebba via AMSAT facebook
+ Read this and past releases of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins at: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/
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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