AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-358

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:

* AO73 / FUNcube-1 Happy Holiday Mode * Satellite Activity Planned From Solomon Islands * AMSAT CW Activity Day 2018 In Memory Of G3IOR * Another Radio Amateur Joins ISS Crew, Three Hams Now On Board * AMSAT Officed Closed For Holiday * 13 US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections * Satellite DXCC Awarded to K8YSE * Special Membership Offer Continues for RadFxSat/AO-91 Launch * Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-358.01 ANS-358 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 358.01

From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.

December 24, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-358.01

AO73 / FUNcube-1 Happy Holiday Mode

AO73/FUNcube-1 is now operating in full time transponder mode and will continue in this mode until the evening of Wednesday 3rd January 2018.

Please enjoy the transponder during this happy holiday period!

Season's greetings from the whole FUNcube team.

[ANS thanks Graham, G3VZV for the above information]

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Satellite Activity Planned From Solomon Islands

H44, SOLOMON ISLANDS. Shane, VK4KHZ, will once again be active as H44DA from his holiday home in Busuone, Guadalcanal Island (OC-047), until sometime early January 2018. His main focus is on 6 meters, but he will also be active on various HF bands (80/40/20/15/10m) using SSB and also on the SO-50 satellite. Suggested 6m frequencies are: calling on 50.110 MHz, Shane will always QSY to 50.125 as his primary frequency and 50.135 as his secondary frequency (secondary frequency will only be used if primary is in use or too much QRM). QSL via his home callsign direct. NO Bureau. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a DXpedition, but Shane's annual holiday - he will be operating the radio only as time permits and when doing so, training the locals in the operation of the equipment so please be patient and courteous.

[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1344 for the above information]

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AMSAT CW Activity Day 2018 In Memory Of G3IOR

You are cordially invited to participate in AMSAT's second annual CW Activity Day. It will be held from 0001 to 2400 UTC on January 1, 2018. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of Pat Gowen, G3IOR.

The rules are very simple: there aren't any. Just operate CW through any amateur radio satellite. Straight keys and "bugs" are encouraged, but not required. The important thing is to get on the air and have fun.

[ANS thanks Ray W2RS for the above information]

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Another Radio Amateur Joins ISS Crew, Three Hams Now On Board

The International Space Station crew is back to its nominal complement of six members, after Scott Tingle, KG5NZA, Anton Shkaplerov, and Norishige Kanai arrived on board early this week.

Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin is the new Expedition 54 commander. The other crew members are Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, and Joe Acaba, KE5DAR.

On December 17, Tingle, Shkaplerov, and Kanai headed into space on board a Soyuz MS-07 vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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AMSAT Officed Closed For Holiday

The AMSAT Office is closed from Friday, Dec 22 - Friday, Jan 5th. Please check the website (amsat.org) for information.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a VERY HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

[ANS thanks Martha for the above information

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13 US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections

The ARISS-US Team (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) is pleased to announce that 13 of the 25 schools or organizations submitting proposals have been selected to advance to the next stage of planning to host amateur radio contacts in July to December 2018. The contacts will be with International Space Station (ISS) crew members using the ARISS equipment on the ISS. A review team of educators from the new ARISS-US Education Committee selected proposals after the recent proposal window closed. The groups will go forward into Phase 2, the submitting of an amateur radio equipment plan to host a scheduled ARISS contact.

ARISS's primary goal is to engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, and involve them in activities related to space exploration, amateur radio, communications, and areas of associated study and career possibilities.

ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for these US host organizations during the second half of 2018. These candidates must now complete an equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS technical team, the final selected schools / organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities.

The schools and organizations are: Allen Park Elementary School, Lee County School District Ft. Myers FL Ashford School Ashford CT Bishop O'Connell High School Arlington VA Delcastle Technical High School Wilmington DE Hudson Memorial School Hudson NH Kopernik Observatory & Science Center Vestal NY Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School Santa Ana CA Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School Palmer MA Pearl Technology STEM Academy Peoria Heights IL Pell Elementary School Newport RI St. Catherine of Bologna School Ringwood NJ Tallmadge Community Learning Center Lancaster OH Valley High School Albuquerque NM

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 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.

Find more information at www.ariss.org, and also www.amsat.organd www.arrl.org.

[ANS thanks David AA4KN for the above information]

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Satellite DXCC Awarded to K8YSE

Congratulations to John Papay, K8YSE, who has been awarded satellite DXCC with 101 entities verified. The satellite DXCC standings are available at http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-standings

While there is no way to be certain, John's satellite DXCC is likely the first to be obtained without the use of either HEO satellites or sub-horizon Mode K propagation since prior to the launch of AO-10 in 1983. Starting on satellites in 2006, John did not even enjoy the advantage of FO-20's higher LEO apogee or RS-15's high LEO orbit in his quest to work and confirm 100 DXCCs via satellite.This is certainly a noteworthy achievement!

[ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]

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Special Membership Offer Continues for RadFxSat/AO-91 Launch

AO-91 is open to all and works great! Now is a good time to join AMSAT and receive a free digital copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"!

Visit https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ and help AMSAT Keep Amateur Radio in Space.

AMSAT is making our "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book available for a limited time as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The 182 page book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite.

Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out our other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag.

Thank you, and see you soon on AO-91!

[ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]

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Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA's Required Minimum Distribution for 2017? Consider making a donation to AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT's federal tax ID is 52-0888529.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information]

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ARISS News

+ A Successful contact was made between Ashbury College, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Astronaut Joe Acaba KE5DAR using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-11-27 18:39 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via VK4KHZ. ARISS Mentor was Steve VE3TBD.

+ A Successful contact was made between Huntley Centennial Public School, Carp, ON, Canada and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign IR0ISS. The contact began 2017-11-28 18:46 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via IK1SLD. ARISS Mentor was Steve VE3TBD.

+ A Successful contact was made between S.G.B. De La Salle, Rome, Italy and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-11-30 08:04 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via W6SRJ. ARISS Mentor was Francesco IKØWGF.

+ A Successful contact was made between Istituto Comprensivo Luigi Nono, Mira, Italy and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-11-30 08:04 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via W6SRJ. ARISS Mentor was Gianpietro IZ2GOJ.

+ A Successful contact was made between Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick, RI, USA and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign IZ0ISS. The contact began 2017-11-30 17:02 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via IK1SLD. ARISS Mentor was John K4SQC.

+ A Successful contact was made between School of Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering (EETAC), Castelldefels, Spain and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-12-04 15:10 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via EG3UPC. ARISS Mentors were Marcelo IKØUSO primary/ Francesco IKØWGF backup.

+ A Successful contact was made between Shirokawa Elementary School, Seiyo, Japan and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-12-11 11:06 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via 8J5SS. ARISS Mentor was Satoshi 7M3TJZ.

+ A Successful contact was made between Antietam Elementary School, Woodbridge, VA, USA and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP using Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-12-11 18:30 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via KM4TAY. ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN.

+ A Successful contact was made between Summa-Aldapeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain and Astronaut Joe Acaba KE5DAR using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-12-12 13:01 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via EG2SMA. ARISS Mentors were Marcelo IKØUSO primary/ Francesco IKØWGF backup.

+ A Successful contact was made between Taipei Municipal Ximen Elementary School, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C. and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-12-21 08:49:07 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via BNØSM. ARISS Mentor was Satoshi 7M3TJZ.

[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Because of current high interest, here is the link for AMSAT's list of Station and Operating hints. https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/

+ FM Satellites: Good Operating Practices for Beginning and Experienced Operators

Sean Kutzko, KX9X, has written a helpful document explaining good operating practices for working FM satellites. It's been posted to the AMSAT website at https://tinyurl.com/ANS358-FMSats

A PDF version is also available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS358-FMSatsPDF

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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