AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-190
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:
* ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event * AMSAT News Service Welcomes New Rotating Editor * BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation Deployment * 2017 AMSAT Field Day Satellite Summary Sheets Due Monday July 10 * 2017 Candidates for the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Announced * New AMSAT Website, Online Store Available * Satellite DX Opportunities * Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Access to Full 76-81 GHz Band on a Secondary Basis * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-190.01 ANS-190 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 190.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
July 9, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-190.01
ARISS Celebrates it’s 20th Anniversary through SSTV Event
In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of ARISS, a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event is planned for Thursday, July 20 starting around 21:25 UTC. The event plans to feature images from ARISS activities both past and present. This opportunity should cover most of the world during the operation period.
The event plans to use a computer on the ISS Russian Segment, which stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the ham radio, specifically the onboard Kenwood TM D710 transceiver. Those receiving the images can post them at https://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ for viewing by the public.
The 20 year history of ARISS will be displayed through a collection of 12 unique images sharing the amazing accomplishments of ARISS over the last two decades. SSTV signals will be sent to earth at 145.80 MHz using FM. The SSTV mode of transmission is expected to be PD 120 (PD 180 may be a second option). The event is expected to continue over a two day period.
Since it’s inception, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has provided students an opportunity, through ham radio, to engage in conversation with orbiting astronauts and inspired many to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Consider how you might inspire students in your area through this chance to capture images directly from space to their computers.
Please note that the event, and any ARISS event, is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time.
While preparations are being finalized please check for new and the most current information on the AMSAT.org and ARISS.org websites, the AMSAT-BB@amsat.org, the ARISS facebook at Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) and ARISS twitter @ARISS_status for the latest information on this event.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
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AMSAT News Service Welcomes New Rotating Editor
The Editors of the AMSAT News Service welcome Christopher R Bradley, KG5JUP, among the ranks of Rotating Editor for the AMSAT News Service. Chris is the ARRL Oklahoma Sectin Traffic Manager and recently completed his Masters degree in IT. Chris currently holds a General class license and is very interested in public service, digital modes, and mesh networks. He is active in his local club and the ARRL. His plans in the hobby include completing a C.E.R.T. course, updating both his First Aid and CPR, and completing additional FEMA EMI and A.R.R.L. EMCOMM courses. He is currently studying for the amateur extra class license exam and hopes to soon update his ARRL VE creditials and instructor status so as to further the hobby along. Chris' first assignment will be ANS 197, July 13.
Current editors, Lee McLamb KU4OS, Joe Spier K6WAO and EMike McCardel AA8EM all welcome his assistance.
If you are interested in serving AMSAT as an ANS editor please contact Lee McLamb, ku4os at cfl.rr.com
[ANS thanks ANS Editors for the above information]
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BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation Deployment
Masahiro Arai JN1GKZ reports the BIRDS Project Newsletter Issue No. 17 shows the deployment of five amateur radio BIRDS-1 CubeSats from ISS is planned for July 7, 2017.
The IARU reports the satellites will be using CW, 1k2 AFSK FM, audio FM and 9k6 GMSK downlinks on a coordinated downlink frequency of 437.375 MHz.
On the AMSAT Bulletin Board Masa JN1GKZ writes:
The schedule is: Time Satellites Location #1 0900z BIRD-J, BIRD-G, BIRD-M over Fance #2 0930z BIRD-N, BIRD-B over the south Indian ocean
BIRD-B (BRAC Onnesha) :Bangladesh BIRD-G (GhanaSat-1, ANUSAT-1):Ghana BIRD-J (Toki) :Japan BIRD-M (Mazaalai, NUMSAT-1) :Mongolia BIRD-N (EduSat-1) :Nigeria
A QSL is issued for a reception report. Please check the BIRDS web site. http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/amateur.html
Live broadcast of the deployment is planned by JAXA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP5YZi5usHc
BIRDS Project Newsletter Issue No.17 http://birds.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/files/BIRDS_Newsletter_Issue_No_17.pdf
73 Masa JN1GKZ Tokyo Japan
Amateur Radio BIRDS-1 CubeSat Constellation https://amsat-uk.org/2016/08/11/ham-radio-birds-constellation/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
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2017 AMSAT Field Day Satellite Summary Sheets Due Monday July 10
The 2017 AMSAT Field Day Satellite Summary Sheet should be used for submission of the AMSAT Field Day competition and be received by KK5DO (email or postal mail) by 11:59 P.M. CDT, Monday, July 10, 2017. This is earlier than the due date for the ARRL submissions. The preferred method for submitting your log is via e-mail to kk5do at amsat dot org or kk5do at arrl dot net.
Whereas it is too late to use the postal service for your results to arrive by the submission date, feel free to send photographs or other interesting information that can be used in an article for the Journal.
You will receive an email back (within one or two days) from me when I receive your email submission. If you do not receive a confirmation message, then I have not received your submission. Try sending it again or send it to my other email address.
If mailing photographs or other information, the address is:
Bruce Paige, KK5DO Director of Awards and Contests PO Box 1598 Porter, TX 77365-1598.
Certificates will be awarded for the first-place emergency power/portable station at the AMSAT General Meeting and Space Symposium in the fall of 2017. Certificates will also be awarded to the second and third place portable/emergency operation in addition to the first-place home station running on emergency power. A station submitting high, award-winning scores will be requested to send in dupe sheets for analog contacts and message listings for digital downloads.
You may have multiple rig difficulties, antenna failures, computer glitches, generator disasters, tropical storms, and there may even be satellite problems, but the goal is to test your ability to operate in an emergency situation. Try different gear. Demonstrate satellite operations to hams that don't even know the HAMSATS exist. Test your equipment. Avoid making more than ONE contact via the FM- only voice HAMSATS or the ISS, and enjoy the event!
Please follow the following form when submitting results:
AMSAT Satellite Summary Sheet - 2017
Satellite and number of Voice QSO's (example AO-27 1 )
Satellite and number of CW/RTTY/PSK31 etc QSO's (example AO-07 5 )
Satellite and Up/Downloads (example UO-11 3 )
Score Calculation Total Voice QSO's x 1 = Total CW/RTTY/PSK31 QSO's x 3 = Total Up/Downloads x 3 = Grand Total =
Please provide the following information
Your Field Day Callsign Your Group Name ARRL Field Day Classification ARRL Section Power Source (Select 1) Emergency Commercial Your name and home call Home address Any Comments
[ANS thanks Bruce KK5DO for the above information]
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2017 Candidates for the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Announced
The 2017 candidates, in alphabetical order by last name are:
Jerry Buxton, N0JY Clayton Coleman, W5PFG Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Peter Portanova, W2JV Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
This year AMSAT-NA will be electing four voting members of the Board of Directors. These will go to the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In addition, there will be one alternate chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received.
Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT-NA membership by July 15, 2017 and must be received at the AMSAT office by September 15, 2017 in order to be counted. Those sent outside North America will go by air mail. If you have not received your ballot package in a reasonable time for your location, please contact the AMSAT office. Completed ballots should be returned as promptly as possible, and those from outside North America preferably by air mail.
Election of Board members is both an obligation as well as an opportunity by our membership to help shape the future direction of AMSAT. Please take the time to review the candidate statements that will accompany the ballot and determine who you wish to see on the Board. You have the option to vote for up to four candidates.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information]
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New AMSAT Website, Online Store Available
AMSAT is pleased to announce that an updated website and online store are now available at www.amsat.org. In addition to cosmetic updates, this represents a significant upgrade of AMSAT's online capabilities. The website and store are now fully integrated with the AMSAT membership database, allowing the eventual implementation of features such as members-only content and digital distribution of The AMSAT Journal. In addition, members may now change their mailing address for delivery of The AMSAT Journal and determine when their membership expires via their online accounts.
All current AMSAT members and former members whose membership expired within the past five years have accounts on the online website. These accounts are not linked to previous AMSAT store accounts, but are based on information in the AMSAT membership database. If you are a current member, or former member whose membership has expired within the past five years, please do not create a new account on the AMSAT website. Follow these steps to create a password:
1. Click the "My Account" button located on the upper right hand corner of any page on the website. 2. Click "Lost your password?" beneath the login button. 3. Enter your callsign and click reset password. 4. If your email address is correct in our database, you will receive an email with instructions to reset your password.
If your email address is not correct in our database, please email webmaster@amsat.org with your callsign and preferred email address. An administrator will update your email address in the database and you will then be able to use the above procedure to reset your password.
Please note that we are still in the early stages of transitioning to this new system and there is still work to be done to reconcile the new and old membership databases. We appreciate your patience as we work through any "kinks" that may pop up. For example, many of you received emails on Thursday afternoon indicating that your passwords had been reset. Please ignore this message. No further action is necessary. Report any future problems to an administrator at webmaster@amsat.org.
Thanks to AMSAT's IT Team Leader Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, and Milltown Web Design of Boston, MA for their efforts in developing the new AMSAT web presence and thanks to Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for working to update items in the online store. AMSAT is always looking for volunteers to develop and update content on the website and maintain the online store. Members interested in helping, especially those with Wordpress and Woocommerce experience, are encouraged to email webmaster@amsat.org.
[ANS thanks AMSAT Office for the above information]
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Satellite DX Opportunities
FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON (Reminder/Update). Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between July 4-18th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY (but primarily SSB and RTTY) and the satellites. He will generally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m). He will be active in the IARU HF Contest (July 8-9th), NA QSO Party-RTTY (July 15-16th) and the CQ VHF Contest [6M only] (July 15- 16th). ADDED NOTE: Eric, reported this week, "I will try to be on as many Satellite passes as I can when the WX is good. I am in a new (new to me) apartment and not sure which way the windows face. It is either west or north. If they face west, I can try some passes when it get dark or the WX is not good. Otherwise, I will be outside with my pair of FT817s and an Arrow antenna. Generally favoring the FO-29, AO-7, and XW-2* birds. Weekends may be limited since I will concentrating on the low(er) band and contests. QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July17.html PLEASE NOTE: Eric mentions, "I will also be on the analog Satellites when the WX is good enough to operate from outside."
VP9, BERMUDA. Operators Bob/N2OO and Steve/KU9C will be active as N2OO/VP9 and KU9C/VP9 from Ed VP9GE's QTH between July 6-11th. During the IARU HF Championship they will operate VP9HQ, the VP9 IARU Headquarters callsign. Outside of the contest look for activity on all HF bands (especially the WARC bands) as well as 6 meters and SO- 50/AO-85 FM satellites. QSL VP9HQ to KU9C, and the /VP9 callsigns to their home callsign. PLEASE NOTE: QSL VP9HQ via KU9C for this July 8- 9th, 2017 only. The callsign was used in 2014 and that operation is via Seppo, OH1VR.
YN, NICARAGUA. Rafael, NN3RP, will once again be active as YN2RP from Nicaragua between July 8th and August 4th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB, the Digital modes (PSK31/RTTY) and possibly the satellites. Operations, he states are "mostly evenings or while driving around the country (SSB)." QSL via his home callsign.
[ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1320 for the above information]
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Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services Access to Full 76-81 GHz Band on a Secondary Basis
In a draft Report and Order (ET Docket No. 15-26) to be considered at its July 13 open meeting, the FCC is proposing to lift a nearly 2- decade-old suspension of Amateur Radio access to 76-77 GHz, giving the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services access to the full 76-81 GHz band on a secondary basis. The FCC also reduced Amateur Radio’s status from primary to secondary in the 77-77.5 GHz segment, to match the rest of the 76-81 GHz band, and it imposed a uniform power-level limit for users of the band. The draft Report and Order (R&O) concludes that Amateur Radio and vehicular radars will be able to successfully share the millimeter-wave band with minor adjustments in the Amateur Service rules. A goal of the proceeding has been to expand and consolidate the spectrum available worldwide for 76-81 GHz radar operations. It brings the US Table of Allocations into line with decisions at the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC- 15) and makes the entire band available internationally for vehicular radars operating in the Radiolocation Service (RLS). The FCC said its proposal “received significant support” and no opposition from commenters regarding the proposed allocation.
“The rule changes we adopt modifying the regulatory status of amateur stations and capping their power levels will ensure the continued operation of amateur stations in this band, and are a reasonable alternative to expanding the suspension of amateur operations from the 76-77 GHz band to the remainder of the 76-81 GHz band or removing the amateur allocations altogether from the 76-81 GHz band,” the draft R&O said. “In addition, these changes, coupled with the nature of amateur operations in the band (e.g., largely experimental, occurring temporarily on mountaintops and locations where motor vehicle operation is not typical, and using antennas mounted on masts as high as practical), will ensure that the potential for harmful interference from amateur operations to vehicular radar operations in the 76-81 GHz band is negligible and satisfy our efforts to ensure protection for the important safety functions that vehicular radars will provide.”
The FCC R&O would impose a 55 dBm peak effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) limit (316 W EIRP) on Amateur operations in the band. This is the same as that allowed to vehicular radars. The R&O reasons that the risk for potential interference between Amateur Radio operation and RLS operations “is mitigated by the directionality of vehicular radars’ antennas — downward in orientation and mounted on a low position on the vehicles.” The R&O also cites the periodic and transient nature of amateur operations in the band coupled with high path losses in a band that is conducive to frequency re-use.
In reaching its tentative conclusions in the proceeding relative to the Amateur allocation, the FCC considered the comments of several individual radio amateurs as well as ARRL, Bosch, Delphi, the Automotive Safety Council, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and automakers and their representatives, among others. Several automotive manufacturers had asked that Amateur Radio be ousted from the band.
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
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ARISS News
+ A Successful contact was made between SCaN/Glenn Research Center, Brook Park, OH and Astronaut Jack Fischer K2FSH using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-06-23 14:25 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via NA8SA ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN.
+ A Successful contact was made between Ufa State Aviation Technical University will hold a HAM Radio session devoted to the 85th anniversary of their University, Ufa, Russia and Cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI using Callsign RSØISS. The contact began 2017-06-23 08:25 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via RZ9WWB. ARISS Mentor was Sergey RV3DR.
+ A Successful contact was made between About Gagarin From Space. Ham Radio Session With Slavic Commonwealth International College Students Summer Camp Participants, Sochi, Russia and Cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI using Callsign RSØISS. The contact began 2017-06-17 15:10 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via R2Ø17SS. ARISS Mentor was Sergey RV3DR.
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Quick list of scheduled contacts and events:
About Gagarin From Space International Summer Camp #2 with Bashkortostan schoolchildren, Ufa, Russia, direct via RZ9WWB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Contact is a go for 2017-07-15 20:25 UTC
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 the 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 informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org.
[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Members have been receiving the May/June 2017 AMSAT Journal in their mailboxes. Look for yours if you haven't received it yet.
+ Are you planning a DX or rare grid expedition? Please consider sending details to ans-editor at amsat.org, at least one week before the event, and we will gladly publish your details.
Would you like to report on your experiences after the event? Send your stories to ans-editor (at) amsat.org.
+ AMSAT Journal Needs Your Words and Wisdom
The AMSAT Journal is looking for interesting articles, experiences and photos to share with other AMSAT members. Writing for the Journal is an exellent way both to give back to the AMSAT community and to help others learn and grow in this most fascinating aspect of the amateur radio avocation.
Author deadlines for upcoming Journals through 2017 include: July/Aug Edition July 15 Sept/Oct Edition September 15 Nov/Dec Edition November 15
Send your manuscripts and photos, or story ideas to: journal (at) amsat.org
For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/how-to-write-for-the-amsat-journal/
[ANS thanks Joe KB6IGK for the above information]
+ Help Requested to Complete Satellite WAS
Bryan KL7CN/W6 is very close to attaining WAS (Worked All States) in ARRL's LotW (Log of the World)!
He needs only 4 states: Connecticut, Missouri, Mississippi, and Rhode Island.
Would any active LotW-using satellite operators mind helping him out?
Contact Bryan direct email: bryan (at) KL7CN.net or phone: 408 836 7279
Bryan normally works out of CM98
[ANS thanks Bryan KL7CN/W6 for the above information]
+ Need to contact AMSAT-NA?
AMSAT-NA 10605 Concord St, #304 Kensington, MD 20895-2526 USA Toll-Free: +1 (888) 322-6728 Phone: +1 (301) 822-4376 Fax: +1 (301) 822-4371 info@amsat.org
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
+ For information on AMSAT and AMSAT-Related Nets visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-and-amsat-related-nets/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
+ AMSAT Symposium
AMSAT NA announces that the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday through Sunday, Oct 27, 28, 29, 2017 in Reno, Nevada. Location will be at the Silver Legacy Resort , 407 N Virginia Street, in Downtown, Reno.
For more information visit: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/
With less than four months left for Symposium, now is the time to start writing your papers and preparing your presentations.
[ANS thanks the Symposium Committee for the above information.]
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/EX
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information.
73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, AA8EM aa8em at amsat dot org