ANS-304 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for Oct. 31

31 Oct 2021


      AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-304
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.
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]
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In this edition:
* AMSAT Board of Directors Meets, Officers Elected
* AMSAT Board of Directors Hears Various Reports
* AMSAT Board of Directors Considers Various Proposals
* 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium a Success
* New Version of WSJT-X Available
* FO-29 operation schedule for Nov. 2021
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
ANS-304 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: All RADIO AMATEURS
From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
Washington, DC 20002
DATE 2021 Oct 31
AMSAT Board of Directors Meets, Officers Elected
The AMSAT Board of Directors, including newly elected Board members, met
via Zoom on Friday, Oct. 29. The day-long meeting included the election of
officers for the 2022 year. Elected were:
* President, Robert Bankston, KE4AL
* Executive Vice President, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
* Vice-President Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY
* Vice-President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
* Vice-President of User Services, vacant
* Vice-President Educational Relations, Alan Johnston, KU2Y
* Vice-President Development, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
* Secretary, vacant
* Treasurer, Steve Belter, N9IP
The Board Meeting was livestreamed on YouTube and open to public view.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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AMSAT Board of Directors Hears Various Reports
The AMSAT Board of Directors, including newly elected Board members, met
via Zoom on Friday, Oct. 29. The day-long meeting included hearing reports
on a vast array of projects and initiatives from officers and team leaders:
* President Robert Bankston, KE4EL, reported that membersip numbers are
holding strong, and that recent administrative modernization has reduced
overhead costs by more than 30%.
* Treasurer Steve Belter, N9IP, affirmed the good news about finances.
AMSAT is operating "in the black," and new electronic systems for handling
transactions are working well.
* VP Development, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, noted that, despite AMSAT's solid
financial standing, additional funds are needed to design, build, and
launch satellites. Thus, an effort to apply for grants from philanthropic
organizations and corporate sponsors  is underway. He also updated plans
for the AMSAT Youth Initiative to launch in early 2022.
* VP Educational Relations, Alan Johnston, KU2Y, reported on the CubeSat
Simulator and High Altitude Balloon projects that have been utilized in
classrooms and school amateur radio clubs. Volunteers are being sought to
develop lesson plans and curriculum for junior high and high school
students.
* David Taylor, W8AAS, AMSAT Delegate to ARISS-International, updated the
Board on ARISS school contacts, classroom lessons and hardware kits, as
well as the on-board equipment on the space station.
* Executive Vice President, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, reported on regulatory
issues, including loss of the 3.3-3.5 GHz band and new leadership at the
FCC.
* Vice-President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, provided a recap of
current AMSAT satellites and their status. It was noted that AO-91 and
AO-92 are in the "end of life" mode, and users are implored to avoid
accessing these satellites during eclipse.
* Following a recess for lunch, AMSAT Journal editor, Joe Kornowski,
KB6IGK, previewed ong-range plans to move the Journal from Adobe Acrobat
format to a fully digital format that would allow live links to resources
both on and beyond the member portal.
* Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Website and IT Manager, updated the Board on
the past year's transition to a new email platform and highlighted the
demands for more expertise as web and IT services become more critical to
the organization.
* AMSAT Contests and Awards, and the AMSAT Store, are both managed by Bruce
Paige, KK5DO. Ways of promoting awards and store items were discussed.
* VP Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, reported on future satellite
projects:
  - Linear Transponder Module currently being provided to the University of
Maine for their MESAT1 to be launched next year.
  - GOLF-TEE is under construction and has been added to a launch manifest,
tentatively for summer of 2022. Supply chain issues are impacting
construction.
  - GOLF-1 is planned for delivery one year after completion of GOLF-TEE.
Much about this and future GOLF satellites will depend on what is learned
from GOLF-TEE.
  - Orbital Debris Assessment Regulations (ODAR) complicate the design and
licensing of the GOLF 3-U platforms. NASA/FCC assessments assume a
worst-case scenario in which everything fails. If everything works, the
service life of the satellite is drastically reduced.
  - Current projects are stretching the available human resources, and
additional volunteers are needed to assist in the building of satellite
hardware.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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AMSAT Board of Directors Considers Proposals
At an online Zoom meeting held on Friday, Oct. 29, the AMSAT Board of
Directors considered a list of proposals. Adopted were...
* Resolved, that the Board of Directors authorizes the senior officers to
acquire a commercially-built FM satellite, including a launch, contingent
on funding being received from external sources covering at least 90% of
the total cost.
* To authorize the creation of a working group to evaluate opportunities
for a flight to a High Earth Orbit / Highly Elliptical Orbit.
* That the President be instructed to create an ITAR/EAR/Open Source policy
and that he be authorized to expend up to $10,000 for the retention of
legal counsel to assist in the effort.
[ANS thanks AMSAT 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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2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium a Success
The AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium a Success was held
online on Saturday, Oct. 30.
Due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, AMSAT changed plans
for its 39th Annual Symposium and General Meeting from an in-person event
to a virtual event. Additionally, the 2021 AMSAT 39th Annual Space
Symposium and General Meeting was renamed in honor of Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO
(SK), Director Emeritus and President Emeritus of AMSAT and Amateur Radio
satellite pioneer. Clark died on September 28th. He was 82.
Highlights of the event included
* Bob McGwier, N4HY, presented a tribute to the life and work of Dr. Tom
Clark, K3IO
* Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, with Mark Hammond, N8MH, presented a summary of the
efforts to recover AO-109
* Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T/NB2T, IARU Satellite Advisor, provided an
update on the work of the IARU Satellite Panel
* Mike Parker, KT7D, University of Arizona, gave a briefing on the CatSat
project
* Nick Pugh, K5QXJ, presented on the University of Louisiana CAPE satellite
program
* Jonathan Brandenburg, KF5IDY, presented on Open Source Flight Software
Frameworks from NASA
* Bob McGwier, N4HY, presented a paper on OREKIT software
* Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Jim McLaughlin, KI6ZUM, and David White, WD6DRI
provided a briefing on the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator and CubeSatSim Lite
* David White, WD6DRI, Jim McLaughlin, KI6ZUM, Bernadette Lally, and Alan
Johnston, KU2Y presented on the use of high-altitude balloon transponders
as tools for STEM education
* Dave Taylor, W8AAS, and Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, provided an overview and
update on ARISS
* VP Engineering, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, provided updates on the Fox and GOLF
programs
The day ended with the AMSAT Annual General Meeting, at which public
announcement was made of some of the proposals approved by the AMSAT Board
of Directors the previous day.
The 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium and Annual
General Meeting will be available to the general public on AMSAT's YouTube
channel, https://youtu.be/RTvcceM7Tz0 at no cost.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
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New Version of WSJT-X Available
The WSJT-X development team has announced the general availability release
of WSJT-X version 2.5.1. This release mainly contains improvements and
repairs defects related to Q65 and JT65 when used with nonstandard and
compound call signs. Those planning to use Q65 or JT65 to make weak-signal
contacts involving a nonstandard call sign should upgrade to this version.
Also included is a new feature for microwave aircraft scatter, as well as
repairs for bugs detected since the general availability release of version
2.5.0. A complete listing of changes is available in the Release Notes.
Links to WSJT-X 2.5.1 installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Mac are
available.
[Amateurs using FT4 or other digital modes on linear satellites are
reminded to reduce power to the absolute minimum necessary for
communication in order to avoid taxing the transponder power budget. In
FT4, it is seldom necessary to run more than a watt or so to achieve
perfect copy through RS-44 or other satellites.]
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
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AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all
begins with GOLF-TEE – a technology demonstrator for deployable solar
panels, propulsion, and attitude control, now manifested for launch on
NASA's ELaNa 46 mission. Come along for the ride. The journey will be
worth it!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF
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FO-29 operation schedule for Nov. 2021
The FO-29 transponder will be switched on as the satellite passes over
Japan on the following dates and times. It will remain on until the onboard
low voltage safety circuit triggers shutdown. Thus, the satellite may or
may not be active when passing over areas in eclipse. All dates and times
are UTC:
6th 00:05- 10:23- 23:10-
 7th 11:12-
13th 00:40- 10:58- 23:45-
14th 11:47-
19th 23:30-
20th 11:32-
21st 00:20- 10:35-
27th 00:05- 10:21- 23:10-
Source:
https://www.jarl.org/Japanese/3_Fuji/fuji3-202110.htm
Also, schedules for FO-99 are published periodically at
https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p=1627
[ANS thanks Hideo Kambayashi, JH3XCU, and JAMSAT for the above information]
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            towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
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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.
A successful school contact was completed on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 18:31z
between astronaut Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD, and Tarwater Elementary School,
Chandler, AZ, using a multi-point telebridge via W7MRF. Congratulations to
the Tarwater Elementary School students and Shane! The contact was
livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPilOdNyB3F9NG8F8TTK_Bw
The next schedule contact is with Ural State University of Railways and
Communications, Yekaterinburg, Russia, direct via TBD. The ISS callsign is
presently scheduled to be RSØISS and the scheduled astronaut is Pyotr
Dubrov. Contact is go for 2021-11-11 at 16 00 UTC.
The next ARISS mode change is expected to occur at the end of October.
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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AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur
    Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
            be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.
Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Galapagos Islands: HD8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. Members of the Tifariti Gang/DX
Friends will be active as HD8R from Galapagos Islands (SA-004) between
October 26th and November 7th. Operators mentioned are Toni/EA5RM (Team
Leader), Alberto/EA1SA, Gen/EA5EL, Raul/EA5KA, Javier/EA5KM, Manuel/EA7R,
Jose Ramón/EA7X, Flo/F5CWU, Jean Jacques/F5NKX, Tony/F8ATS, Fausto/HC5VF,
Faber/HK6F, Simone/IK5RUN and Fabrizio/IN3ZNR. The pilot station will be
Tony, EC7ZK. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, including 60m, using CW,
SSB, the Digital modes and low orbit satellites, with at least 4 stations
that include Spiderbeams, verticals, Inverted “Ls” and beverages. Check
with K9JKM for details.
NA-008.  (Zone 2) After being silent for 18 months, operators Alex/VE1RUS
and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as  VY0ERC from the Eureka
Weather station this October. This station is operated by the Eureka
Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club
in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The VY0ERC team (VE1RUS and VE3KTB) is
now in preparation to be active from the Polar Environment Atmospheric
Research Laboratory between October 12th and November 22nd, (time and
weather conditions permitting). They plan to participate in CQWW DX SSB and
the ARRL Sweepstakes Contests. Outside of the contests, the suggested bands
are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60,
EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW.
Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or
direct. For updates, see:https://twitter.com/vy0erc
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, 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.
None currently scheduled.
[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, for the above
information]
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ A video of the talks given at the 36th annual AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium
on October 24, 2021, is now available on YouTube, see
https://amsat-uk.org/2021/10/25/video-of-amsat-uk-space-colloquium-talks/
 (ANS thanks Trevor Essex, M5AKA, and AMSAT-UK for the above information)
+ The Philippines’ second microsatellite, Diwata-2, marked its third year
in space on Thursday, Oct. 29. The 57-kilogram satellite was launched into
space on Oct. 29, 2018 hitching a ride via H-IIA F4 rocket from the
Tanegashima Space Center in Japan at 04:08z, and started orbiting in space
at 04:51. (ANS thanks the Manila Bulletin for the above information)
+ A distance record has been claimed on AO-109. K8YSE in EN91dh reported
completing a CW QSO with AA5PK in DM91sk on 26-Oct-2021 at 01:22 UTC. Also,
a new distance record has been set on PO-101 (@Diwata2PH ). F4DXV in
JN04or70cl and A65GC in LL74el99hm completed a 5,256 km QSO on 10-Oct-2021.
Congratulations to all! Distance records for all satellites are recorded at
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ (ANS thanks Paul
Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information)
+ Due to weather, lift off for SpaceX’s newest Dragon spaceship “Endurance”
has been postponed to Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 05:10z. The launch from Kennedy
Space Center in Florida, will carry Raja Chari, KI5LIU, Tom Marshburn,
KE5HOC, Matthias Maurer, KI5KFH, and Kayla Barron, KI5LAL. Watch continuous
coverage of their entire ride on NASA TV at https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive.
(ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
+ A TV meteorologist in Louisville, KY, Bryce Jones, did a Halloween
feature story on "Zombie Satellites." You can read his spooky story at
https://bit.ly/314td61 (ANS thanks WDRB.com for the above information)
+ AMSAT's December 2020 Financial Review has been posted to the AMSAT
website at
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Financial_Stateme...
+ The minutes of the June 1, 2021 AMSAT Board of Directors Teleconference
have been posted to the AMSAT website at https://bit.ly/2ZzCvGm
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Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary
years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This week's ANS Editor, Mark Johns, K0JM
k0jm at amsat dot org

Mark Johns, K0JM

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