AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-092
In this edition:
* INSPIRE-Sat 7 Scheduled for Launch * CY0S Activates Sable Island on Satellite * New Satellite Distance Record * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 31, 2023 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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.
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ANS-092 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2023 Apr 02
INSPIRE-Sat 7 Scheduled for Launch
INSPIRE-Sat 7 is scheduled to launch on the SpaceX Transporter 7 mission on April 9, 2023. The INSPIRE-Sat 7 satellite is a University project made by Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines (France) on behalf of LATMOS (UVSQ, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Saclay, CNRS). This satellite is a demonstrator to experiment new technology with a strong involvement of students. This satellite helps to experiment miniaturized remote sensing sensors that could be used in the multi-point observation of Essential Climate Variables (ECV) and ionosphere.
INSPIRE-Sat 7 carries an FM transponder with an uplink of 145.830 MHz and a downlink of 435.200 MHz. Plans call for the FM transponder to be active at least twice a month, pending the power budget of the satellite.
The telemetry downlink is 437.410 MHz.
[ANS thanks UVSQ and the IARU for the above information]
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ The 2023 AMSAT President's Club coins are here now! To commemorate the 40th anniversary of its launch on June 16, 1983, this year's coin features an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 10. Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
CY0S Activates Sable Island on Satellite
The recently concluded CY0S DXpedition to Sable Island included amateur satellite activity. Sable Island is a small Canadian island situated 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and about 175 km (109 mi) southeast of the closest point of mainland Nova Scotia in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is staffed year round by three federal government staff, rising during summer months when research projects and tourism increase. Notable for its role in early Canadian history and the Sable Island horse, the island is protected and managed by Parks Canada, which must grant permission prior to any visit. Due to its unique status under the Canadian constitution, Sable Island is a separate DXCC entity. As of early 2023, Sable Island was the 49th most wanted DXCC entity according to Clublog data.
The CY0S DXpedition had extremely limited weight restrictions due to the transportation from Halifax by helicopter and small plane, leading to compromises in the equipment carried, including an initial decision to cancel satellite operations, but DXpedition operator Lee Imber, WW2DX, who led the 6m and 2m/70cm EME operations was able to include limited satellite activity. Although the VHF/UHF equipment was primarily dedicated to EME operations, WW2DX was able to work several satellite passes, both before moonrise and when EME contacts had slowed down. A total of 153 satellite QSOs were made from this rare DXCC entity with stations across Europe and North America, primarily via FO-29 and RS-44 with a few QSOs on JO-97 and EO-88.
This DXpedition represented the first satellite activity from CY0 in many years.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the above information]
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Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/
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New Satellite Distance Record
John Langille, VE1CWJ, and Jérôme LeCuyer, F4DXV, once again teamed up to set a new satellite distance record. This time, they exceeded their previous FO-118 record of 4,916.6 km with a 5,104 km QSO on FO-118's V/u linear transponder. John was operating in grid FN76nd34tm and Jérôme was operating in JN14ch76ra for the QSO, which took place on March 22, 2023 at 17:22 UTC.
Anyone who wants to claim a distance record via an amateur satellite should check the current list at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ and email n8hm at arrl.net if they complete a new record distance. Audio and/or video of the QSO is encouraged but not required.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information]
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Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 31, 2023
Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/
This week there are no additions or deletions to the weekly AMSAT TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]
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ARISS News
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
Quick list of scheduled contacts and events:
Collège Saint-Anatoile, Salins-Les-Bains, France, telebridge via ON4ISS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD The scheduled crewmember is Steve Bowen KI5BKB The ARISS mentor is F6ICS
Contact is go for: Fri 2023-04-07 14:27:26 UTC 86 deg
Shchelkovo, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Dimitri Petelin The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is pending for Wed 2023-04-12 09:00 UTC (***)
Yekaterinburg, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Prokopyev The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is pending for Wed 2023-04-12 10:45 UTC (***)
Shchelkovo, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Andrey Fediaev The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is pending for Sat 2023-04-15 09:50 UTC (***)
Shchelkovo, Russia, direct via TBD (***)
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled crewmember is Andrey Fediaev The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is pending for Sun 2023-04-16 09:00 UTC (***)
The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.
Comments on making general contacts
I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities.
Typical daily schedule
Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours
The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well.
SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements.
And don’t forget that the packet system is active.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
ARISS Radio Status
Columbus Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting April 19. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting April 26. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting May 04. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Progress 84 docking on May 24. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Capable of supporting USOS scheduled voice contacts, packet and voice repeater ops.
Service Module radios: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - Configured. Default mode is fo packet operations (145.825 MHz up & down) * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting April 19. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting April 26. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Russian EVA targeting May 04. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Powering off for Progress 84 docking on May 24. OFF TBD . ON TBD. * Capable of supporting ROS scheduled voice contacts, packet, SSTV and voice repeater ops.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
From Wayne, W4WGC:
SE Arizona Rove:
Grid DM41 on 03/31/2023
ISS @ 19:45z; PO-101 @ 22:12z
Grid DM51 on 04/01/2023
SO-50 @ 14:54a; AO-91 @ 16:10z;
Grid DM52 in the afternoon, but I may not be able to get any FM birds
Grid DM42 possibly on SO-50 @ 16:13Z, AO-91 @ 17:30z
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From Cam, K4DCA:
I’m going to be passing through the elusive FN01 tomorrow (1st April) afternoon and will do some FM passes. Then i’ll be in FN02, 03 and possibly some in and out of some other grids for the week.
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Joe, KE9AJ will be in New Mexico Mar 26-30. Then onto DN70 in Colorado Apr 1-10. He will have his IO-117 gear with him.
This will be a family trip so sat operations will be as time permits. Watch his Twitter (and here!) for more info as it becomes available.
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Ray, KN2K hopes to be QRV from the FM28/FM29 gridline on 11 April. Watch his Twitter (and here!) for updates.
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SAT DXPEDITION MENORCA ISLAND 2023
(DXCC : EA6 Balearic is. / GRIDS : JN10+JN20+JM19+JM29 / IOTA : EU-004)
Philippe, EA4NF will be operating on satellite from MENORCA Island as EA6/EA4NF from April 5 to 8, 2023.
Portable activation with a FT818ND and a FT817ND operating in full Duplex with an Alaskan Arrow Antenna and also handheld+whip antenna
April 5-8, 2023 FM SAT & LINEARS QSL via LoTW as EA6/EA4NF Keep an eye on Philippe’s Twitter feed for further updates : @EA4NF_SAT
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From Jerry, W8LR:
West Virginia EM88 15th & 16th April W8LR/R
2334z 15th IO-117 Asia, NA, SA, EU, AF, Eur-Asia
0335z 16th IO-117 SA, NA, AF, EU, Eur-Asia
1643z 16th RS-44 SA, NA, EU (ed: I do not have QRG info)
1729z 16th IO-117 SA, NA, EU, Eur-Asia
2150z 16th IO-117 AS, NA, SA, EU, AF, Eur-Asia
Log as W8LR/R
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From Nick, M1DDD:
MM1DDD/P 18th-22nd April
IO74/IO75 18th
IO66/IO76 19th & 20th
IO67/IO77 21st
IO86 22nd
(ed.-this is all I have as of this writing. Watch Nick’s Twitter -and here- for satellite & QRG info as they become available)
Please submit any additions or corrections to k5zm (at) comcast (dot) net.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]
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Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
Hamvention 2023 May 19-21, 2023 Stay tuned for announcements about AMSAT Hamvention activites, including the TAPR/AMSAT Dinner.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Save the Date: The TAPR/AMSAT Banquet during Hamvention weekend will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023. Stay tuned for a formal announcement and the opening of ticket sales.
+ AMSAT News Service (ANS) is always eager to have volunteers as editors of the weekly bulletins. Editors gather news items related to amateur satellite operations and package them for distribution worldwide. The time commitment is flexible. For more information, contact k0jm at amsat.org (ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, ANS Senior Editor, for the above information)
+ The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, is targeted for early May from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the 10 day mission the four-person multinational crew will complete more than 20 research experiments developed for microgravity in collaboration with organizations across the globe. Amateur radio was a big part of the Ax-1 mission in April of 2022, but none of the four Ax-2 crewmembers appear to be licensed amateurs. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ Congratulations to Larry, KF6JOQ, who is the 55th recipient of the AMSAT GridMaster Award for working and confirming all 488 grids located in the continental United States
+ Congratulations to David, VK5DG, the 74th recipient of the AMSAT Rover Award (Thanks to AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards Bruce Paige, KK5DO)
+ The January/February 2023 Edition of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members at https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal
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73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm [at] amsat.org