AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-261
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
In this edition: * BOD Election Results * 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches * Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16 * Amateur Satellite Presentations Scheduled for Alaska and California * Registration Open for 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium 4-6 November 2011 * NASA STEM Education Via Massively Multiplayer Online Game * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARISS Status - 12 September 2011
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.01 BOD Election Results
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.01
The 2011 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election has been completed with the following results:
Barry Baines, WD4ASW- 576 Tony Monteiro, AA2TX - 560 Alan Biddle, WA4SCA - 516 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA - 418 Mark Hammond, N8MH - 319 First Alternate Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK - 275 Second Alternate Steve Coy, K8UD - 229
***** A total of 751 ballots were received *****
In accordance with the Bylaws of AMSAT-NA those receiving the four highest number of votes are elected as regular members of the Board of Directors for the next 2 years. The alternates will serve for one year until the next election.
[ANS thanks AMSAT HQ Office the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.02 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.02
2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches
Your papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium are due by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Yes, that's just a couple of weeks from now!
Papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited
on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community.
The Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA.
Papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at: [email protected].
[ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.03 Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.03
Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16
Scouting's Jamboree on the Air event is coming up on October 15-16. During this annual event Scouts and Guides all over the world speak to each other over amateur radio contacts. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, via the radio waves.
The event starts at 00.00 hours local time on the Saturday and con- cludes 48 hours later at 24.00 hours local time on the Sunday. Each station can choose its own operating hours within this period.
Each year during JOTA about half-a-million Scouts and Guides "get together" over the airwaves. Modern communication technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries.
Most Scouts take advantage of the local volunteer efforts of amateur radio operators in their area. This is where you can volunteer your station for scouting participation. You may also help by answering calls on the air from scouts.
AMSAT encourages our members to take advantage of JOTA to provide amateur satellite demonstrations.
The World Scouting Organization in Switzerland posted JOTA information on their web: http://tinyurl.com/3rfp2cn (www.scout.org)
Also, visit the World Scouting Radio Library at: http://tinyurl.com/5sz7tf5 (www.scout.org)
The Boy Scouts of America has several resources on-line for amateur radio stations participating in JOTA: http://tinyurl.com/6d93qb7 (Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org)
[ANS thanks the Scouting Movement for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.04 Amateur Satellite Presentations Scheduled for Alaska and California
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.04
This weekend AMSAT area coordinator Clint Bradford, K6LCS, is present- ing his 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' session at the An- chorage Amateur Radio Club annual hamfest.
After this look for Clint back on warmer turf in California where he is scheduled for TWO 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' sessions at PACIFICON 2011 in Santa Clara on Saturday, October 15.
Clint wrote, "We had a great time last year - with a full confer- ence room and several passes that we worked. I'll be making my pre- sentation from 11AM-noon and 1-2PM. We have tentative passes of AO-27, AO-51, and ARISSat-1 (hopefully!) - Watch for posters near the check- in area for exact times."
Download Clint's tutorial and programming charts from: http://www.work-sat.com . Clint always encourages pre-presentation inquiries. Send email to Clint at clintbradford.com- or call him at 909-241-7666. See you in Santa Clara! PACIFICON's Web site is http://www.pacificon.org .
[ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.05 Registration Open for 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium 4-6 November 2011
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.05
AMSAT announces the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Our annual gathering will feature:
+ Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations + Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World + Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members (Nov. 3-4) + Meet Board Members and Officers + Annual General Membership Meeting + Annual Banquet-Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes
The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available on the AMSAT web site. You may register for the Symposium and Annual Banquet at the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php
Visit the Symposium and Annual General Meeting web page for details and the latest information: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/index.php
Symposium Registration including a copy of the Proceedings is: + $45 per person until September 19, 2011 + $50 per person starting September 20, 2011 + $55 per person at the door
The Saturday evening banquet is $45 per person. The Sunday morning Area Coordinator's Breakfast is $15 per person.
The hotel selected is the Wyndham San Jose, close to the airport. The AMSAT discount rate is $79.00+taxes per night. The reservation block code when calling the hotel directly is "AMSAT". The hotel telephone number is 408-453-6200. If you are making reservations on-line use 1031FSJAM for the group code. The direct link to the hotel web page is: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SJCAP/main.wnt
If you are planning to book a room on dates other than November 2, 3, 4, 5, you will have to call the hotel directly and ask for *in- house reservations*. You can get the $79 rate 3 days before and 3 days after the above dates but you cannot book the room on their website. Any problems, give Martha a call at the AMSAT Office: 301-589-6062.
[ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.06 NASA STEM Education Via Massively Multiplayer Online Game
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.06
The NASA Learning Technologies (LT) project supports the develop- ment of projects that deliver NASA content through innovative appli- cations of technologies to enhance education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Research and develop- ment are at the core of the LT mission. LT seeks to enhance formal and informal education in STEM fields with the goal of increasing the number of students in those fields of study and is currently investigating the development of a NASA-based massively multiplayer online educational game (MMO).
Quoting the Learning Technologies Project, "There is increasing recog- nition that these synthetic environments can serve as powerful "hands- on" tools for teaching a range of complex subjects. Virtual worlds with scientifically accurate simulations could permit learners to tinker with chemical reactions in living cells, practice operating and repair- ing expensive equipment, and experience microgravity, making it easier to grasp complex concepts and transfer this understanding quickly to
practical problems. MMOs help players develop and exercise a skill set closely matching the thinking, planning, learning, and technical skills increasingly in demand by employers. These skills include strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation
and execution, team-building and cooperation, and adaptation to rapid change."
The first learning game environment, Moonbase Alpha, a game scenario
with both single-player and multiplayer options is set on a hypothe- tical lunar outpost in a 3-D immersive setting. Players step into the role of an exploration crewmember and deal with realistic mission challenges and choices. Timelines in the much anticipated Astronaut:
Moon, Mars and Beyond MMO will be set even farther in the exciting future (2035+), but you can already explore our own near-future moon
missions thanks to the NASA Learning Technologies and Innovative Partnerships Programs.
NASA's Learning Technologies web site can be accessed at: http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/mmo/ You will find the link to the already released Moonbase Alpha game at this site, along with information about the development of the new Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond massively multiplayer online educational game.
[ANS thanks Space.com for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.07 Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.07
+ Although the astronauts now use digital cameras the Hasselblad camera was the film camera standard for much of the space pro- gram's history. An astronaut's photography manual provided by Hasselblad for NASA astronauts can be downloaded at: http://tinyurl.com/4dupx8s (www.hasselblad.com). This is a 40 page color PDF file really solid photography guide, with great information on lenses, exposure settings, and camera technique. Any photographer could get some use out of it. But if you happen to be up in space, you'll have everything you need to get that perfect shot. (UniverseToday.com)
+ Congratulations to Tom Schuessler N5HYP for a successful Radio Merit Badge class and amateur radio satellite demo at the National
Scouting Museum. The Boy Scout station K2BSA/5 had contacts with K8YSE, KX9X, WA4HFN, NE5BO, ND9M, K4FEG, KT3L, N9AMW, AA0SV, K5OE,
N8MS, N2VYT and VE2RCN via AO-51. K2BSA/5 will again be active on October 15th for JOTA.
+ NASA Grail mission to the moon should downlink on 2280.6 MHz and 2279.511 MHz. X-Band Doppler ranging beacons are on 8451.5995 MHz and 8451.7995 MHz.
+ George Carr, WA5KBH has received the logs and cards from Hector, CO6CBF and is ready to perform his QSL manager duties. Please send
your cards to his callbook address and include a SASE. Contacts from CO6CBF home grid of EL92 and his recent trip to EL91/FL01 are being processed. Hector has his 100th QSL in LoTW and is expectedto become the first atellite VUCC from Cuba. (WA5KBH)
+ Congratulations to AMSAT member, Zack Beougher, KD8KSN (EN80) for being honored as ARRL Great Lakes' Division, Young Radio Amateur of the Year. This is great honor for Zack, and it speaks well for the future of AMSAT, having such a fine young man in our midst! (E. Michael McCardel, KC8YLD Ohio Section Affiliated Club Coordin- ator, ARRL)
+ Jens, DL7VTX, is apparently operating portable in EA8. He was work- ed on AO-51 this week. No info on how long he might be there, but if you are on the East Coast and need EA8, listen for him. (John, K8YSE)
+ Bob, W7LRD, reported good DX via AO-7 on September 14 from Seattle, Washington (grid CN87wk). Bob worked OH5LK in KP30on for a distance of 7692km.
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
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SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.08 ARISS Status - 12 September 2011
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.08
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report September 12, 2011
1. Kobe Science Museum Contact Successful
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between youth visiting the Kobe Science Museum in Kobe-city, Japan and ISS Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW on Monday, September 5. Children were interested in how astronauts prepare for their missions and how life in space differs from that on Earth. Approximately 90 people were present for the event and media coverage included at least two newspapers and one television station. The contact highlighted lessons covering the ISS, space and regional and global environments.
2. Pine Tree Middle School Students Radio Mike Fossum
On Friday, September 9, Pine Tree Middle School in Longview, Texas participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Mike Fossum, KF5AQG answered over 20 questions posed to him by the students about what it is like to live in space and the experiments currently being conducted on the ISS. The contact was incorporated into a science curriculum which covered space, ecosystems and the contributions of scientists to society.
3. U.S. Schools Selected for ARISS Contacts
The ARISS-U.S. proposal selection committee met at the end of August and chose ARISS proposals for contacts to be held in the January - June 2012 timeframe. Five primary schools as well as several alternate schools were selected. The schools were notified of their status and ARISS mentors are currently being assigned to assist the schools in preparing for their contacts.
4. ARISS Member Gives ARISSat Interview
On September 6, Steve Bible, N7HPR appeared on Ham Nation to talk about ARISSat-1 and AMSAT. The interview, episode 16, may be viewed on TWiT.TV. See: http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation/16
5. Amateur Radio Newsline on ISS Crew
On September 9, the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1778 included two ARISS items under "Ham Radio in Space." The first story gives a short status on ARISSat-1and the second item talks about how the ISS crew may be affected by the failed launch of Progress 44 in August. To view "ARISSat-1 Celebrates its First Month Onorbit" and "ISS Could be Vacated if Russian Launch Vehicle Problem not Resolved Quickly," see: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt
6. Astronaut Training Status
Four simulated ARISS contacts are scheduled for September 21 between the following schools and astronauts:
Euro Space Center, Belgium at 13:20 UTC - Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG Manhattan Challenger Learning Center (CLC) at 14:05 UTC - Kevin Ford, KF5GPP CLC of Indianapolis at 14:30 UTC - Tom Marshburn, KE5HOC CLC of Alaska at 15:50 UTC- Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR
These training sessions are terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment. The sessions will prepare the astronauts for participation in ARISS contacts during their upcoming missions on the ISS.
7. ARRL Article on ISS Astronauts
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran a story in its September 8 ARRL Letter about NASA's need to hire more astronauts. The story went on to talk about the possibility of abandoning the ISS if the Russians do not resolve the issues associated with the Progress 44 launch. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/report-calls-on-nasa-to-hire-more-astronaut s
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
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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 additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org