December 2008 - Sarex (INACTIVE)

2008-12-15 ARISS Status
by Carol Jackson 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report December 15, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts King George Elementary School in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, December 15 at 16:51 UTC. Following the school's science curriculum, students studied space, space exploration, satellites and technology. They learned about the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian astronauts and the CanadArm. Students created posters and wrote letters to invite scientists, politicians and the press to the event. They also created PowerPoint presentations about the ISS. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Scuola Elementare Faleriense "Gianni Rodari" in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy on Thursday, December 18 at 12:10 UTC. The school's "New Technologies" program presents subjects and activities for skill oriented learning. It involves children in educational research and experiments. Amateur radio operators have participated in teaching the students about the use and importance of radio. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, December 27 at 15:53 UTC. The museum provides opportunities to people of all ages to discover science, math and technology in an interactive environment. Science literacy is promoted through experimentation, exploration and education. Among the 200,000 that visit the museum annually are 36,000 students. The museum has received national recognition by the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Association of Science and Technology Centers. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is consistently rated the Best Kids' Activity in the annual "Best of Ann Arbor" list. Utilizing the amateur radio station exhibit at the museum to make contact with the ISS will provide validation of how technology can make such an event possible. 2. Ellis School Contact Successful On Monday, December 8, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between Ellis School in Belleville, Illinois and Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE, on the ISS. Forty students were present for the contact and watched as all 21 questions were answered. A DVD of the contact was made and will be shown to the rest of the school. Three St. Louis television stations and one newspaper covered this educational event. The Belleville News-Democrat article may be viewed here: http://www.bnd.com/372/story/571661.html 3. Texan Schoolchildren Speak with Astronaut Children at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School in Richmond, Texas participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Tuesday, December 9. Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE answered 20 questions posed to her by 12 students. To view the Fort Bend Herald article, go to: http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2008/12/10/news/doc494013ed5f4d0836743840.… Approximately forty fourth grade students at Walnut Creek Elementary in Azle, Texas also listened in to this contact. Two children kept a LEO Yagi antenna pointed at the ISS while the other children "asked" the questions. These students enjoyed their simulated contact. 4. Italian School Contact Successful Students at Istituto Comprensivo "Marco Polo," in Grado, Italy spoke with Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE on the ISS. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact took place on Wednesday, December 10. Eleven questions were asked and answered. An audience of more than 160 students, parents, teachers and visitors attended. Local media and newspapers covered the event. The contact audio and photos may be found on the ARISS-Europe Web site: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_12_13.htm 5. Successful ARISS Contact with Bari Students On Friday, December 12, students attending 2 Circolo Didattico San Giuseppe in Mola di Bari, Bari, Italy participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. Approximately 250 students, parents, teachers and guests gathered for the occasion. The local media covered the event. For more information, including audio and photos, go to the ARISS-Europe Web site: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_12_14.htm 6. Boy Scouts ARISS Contact - Video Posted On Saturday, September 13, Prairielands Council Scouts attending the Space Jamboree at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ. A video of the contact has been posted on YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsL4OkZb9CQ 7. NASA HQ Cites Stories on ARISS Contacts NASA Headquarters News Service picked up on reports of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with Quispamsis Schools in New Brunswick, Canada and Ellis School in Belleville, Illinois. It cited stories from CBC News and the Belleville News-Democrat, respectively. 8. ARISS 25th Anniversary Special Event Update To celebrate the 25th anniversary of ham radio in space, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) commemorative event will be held during the month of December through early January. A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct (with the ISS crew, the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. For more information and an update on this event, see: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm under "Latest News." 9. Canadian Contact Video Available Quispamsis Elementary and Middle Schools in New Brunswick, Canada enjoyed an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Thursday, December 4. Live streaming video of the event was available and 1209 connections were made from over 25 countries. The video has been posted to the Aliant Web site. To view the contact, go to: www.aliant.net/SpaceStation

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9600 baud experiment
by Stan Vandiver 14 Dec '08

14 Dec '08

Hi all, I'm guessing that the 9600 baud experiment is now over as the 1200 baud dual-hop and new/different cross-band repeater experiments are coming up next. Well, I gotta say, "It was a lot of fun for me!" Some of us got on early, and stayed on throughout the experiment... but I did notice that new people were getting on 9600 each day as the experiment wore on. Special thanks to David, G8OQW, for letting us know that the ISS started off on the wrong frequency (145.800 simplex, instead of 145.825). Below is a summary of the activity that I tried to keep tabs on... certainly _NOT_ guaranteed to be accurate, or complete (but I do have logs of the stations copied from my QTH, if anyone wants to see a packet that I received). Call signs below copied from my QTH (most were also shown on ariss.net): W4SV, KB1GVR( and -9), W3ADO-15, N2NRJ, K4IPH-7, KB2M-1, K7MT-1 (and -14), W5RKN, XE2MZS, K5VAS, KD8ATF, N7RYW, KB0OWD, N5VHO-7, W8KHP-6, AJ5C-3, N5NBJ-3, AB5JO, N3QL, KC8RWD-14, WD4ITE, NR3U-8, KC9XG-5 (and -4), KB1PVH-9, WA4SCA-2, AB0XK-5, AB8DD, KJ4EWA-3, AB3CE, N5UXT, KI4NOD, KD8CAO, VE2KDK-7, W7KKE, N7YET-14, KN4F, KB8ZGL-12, K4O0D-7 (two digits [4/0] must be misprinted packet), N6NR, K8VOR, W7JPI, N5ZNL, CO2LL Call signs below active on ariss.net (that I did not copy at my QTH): 2E0EXL, EA1BAF, DD8HB, G8OQW, JA0CAW, JA6PL, JA5BLZ, JH4BTI, JE9PEL, CT2IWW, EB1DWF (and -5), OE5RPP, PD0RKC, KP4BJD, K6BIR-4, JA1AZR, EA7AHA (and -9), DO8AC, G4DCQ-8, ON3LVC, DF9EY, DO1CAS-1, DJ3OC, US8IPB, CE3SNA-7, G1OCN, ON6MU, DL8DR, IN3VHG, DL5NBR-4, KF0G-9, AB7ZX-2, K7OFT-10, TEST (position report showed a Canadian station) A few other stations show on ariss.net with messages to RS0ISS-5 or -11, or ISS, ISS-5, ISS-10. Not sure if these were sent via 9600 baud radio or via Internet on ariss.net ... but dates are during 9600 test period. The stations that I noticed are: LW4DEM, 9W2KEY-3, E20YJC, K5NAA, W8UFX, EA2CNC, but could also be more than these. Again, I had a blast with this new mode... and I hope that the ARISS Team will make it available again to us in the future. It has been a long time since I've used 9600 baud, and it took awhile to make it work correctly again, but it was worth the trouble! I don't have any 1296 capabilities, but I will try to participate in the other activities as my schedule allows. Also, another special thanks to Steve, K4HG, for providing ariss.net to us... what a great website! Happy Holidays to all... 73, Stan W4SV Hanna, Indiana

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News Updates on AMSAT Web
by JoAnne Maenpaa 14 Dec '08

14 Dec '08

Hello Everyone, Just a quick note to point you over to the AMSAT Web http://www.amsat.org and catch up on the news updates ... + ARISS 25th Anniversary Adds New Modes to ISS Amateur Radio Operations This lists the upcoming operating modes aboard ISS and includes the QSL addresses for the ARISS 25th Anniversary Certificate. + The latest AO-51 Operation Summary + Get Ready for OSCAR Straight Key Night 2009 -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service Copy Editor, AMSAT Journal

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ARISS Update--25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space 12/14/08
by Frank H. Bauer 14 Dec '08

14 Dec '08

All, As I mentioned on November 29, the ARISS team is currently celebrating 25 years of amateur radio operations from space. This e-mail describes some of the planned set of special event opportunities for the remainder of the month of December and the beginning of January. To date, the ISS crew has configured the radio to support cross-band repeater operations, they have supported some SSTV downlinks and we have had the opporunity to participate in a special test of 9600 baud packet radio operations on the simplex frequency of 145.825 MHz. This week through December 19, we expect the ISS Ham radio system to be on the 145.825 MHz frequency supporting 1200 baud packet. If PCSAT is configured during the week, double hop APRS is possible. Dec 21-26 we plan to support the Crossband repeater mode with a twist. Our intent is to configure the radio for 145.99 MHz uplink including PL tone of 67.0 and 437.80 MHz down. This will be performed in low power mode. We should also note that an EVA is planned for that week. Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov plan to perform a spacewalk on December 22. As per standard procedure, the ISS Ham radio system will be turned off for the EVA. Dec 28-Jan 3 we plan to reconfigure the Crossband repeater for a special experiment. This will be a test of our L-Band uplink capability, which, to date, has not been proven out. Plan for an uplink of 1269.65 MHz and and downlink on the standard frequency 145.80 MHz using low power. Given the subtantial cable losses of the L-band system, we hope some "big guns" are able to penetrate through, keep up with doppler, and make the connection. A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS. This certificate will be awarded to those that have had 2 way communications with the ISS on Voice, Packet (APRS), or through the voice repeater. And those that have heard the ISS from space in any of the ARISS operations modes (Voice, SSTV, School Contact, Voice Repeater, Digital). Valid dates to qualify for certificate: November 30 to January 15. To receive the certificate: A) Please note on your QSL the ARISS mode of operation (e.g. SSTV, voice, school, etc) and whether the contact with you was 1 way (receive only) or 2 way. B) Send your SASE to the normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area of the world. C) On the outside of the QSL envelope, please include the words "25th Anniversary Certificate" D) Make sure your envelope is big enough to accept an 8.5 by 11 inch certificate and includes the proper postage. E) Go to www.ariss.org if you do not know where to send your QSL and please use one of the standard international QSL distributors that are noted on the Web page. Important note: We will be sending your certificate to the volunteer distributors in bulk AFTER the event is over. (This saves workload and money). So do not expect to see it until 1-2 months after the event closes on January 15. We will provide more updates in the near future. We would like to remind everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and vehicle activity may require the radio to be off for some portion of this schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities by the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. (But remember that if you hear these, you still qualify for a commemorative certificate). Enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS! 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs ARISS International Chairman

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ISS Packet over Europe 08.47utc
by David Barber 14 Dec '08

14 Dec '08

Mode: 9600bps Freq: 145.825MHz David G8OQW

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-13 23:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-13 23:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: 2 Circolo Didattico, San Giuseppe, Mola di Bari, Italy, direct via IZ7EVR Contact was successful: Fri 2008-12-12 14:14 UTC 56 deg (***) King George Elementary School, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, direct via VE5ISS Contact is a go for: Mon 2008-12-15 16:51 UTC 75 deg Scuola Elementare Faleriense “Gianni Rodari”,Porto S. Elpidio,I-63018, Italy direct via I6KZR Contact is a go for: Thu 2008-12-18 12:10 UTC 81 deg Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor, Michigan, direct via WA2HOM Contact is a go for: Sat 2008-12-27 15:53 UTC 24 deg (***) Crossband repeater and packet have been active! Don’t forget to do Doppler correction for the crossband repeater! Don’t forget the keyword here is Repeater. Repeaters have the FM capture effect. Strongest into the machine wins momentarily. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 393. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 14. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2008-12-13 23:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2008-12-13 23:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There have been rumors in the past indicating that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Exp. 18 on orbit: Michael Fincke KE5AIT Yury Lonchakov RA3DT Sandra Magnus KE5FYE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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ISS Packet 16.17 UK Pass
by David Barber 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Well the guy's up there have certainly had us guessing today. This time round 1200bps. 145.800 Down 145.825 Up David G8OQW

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ISS Packet over Europe 13.05utc
by David Barber 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Back on 145.800MHz at 1200bps over UK / Europe for the 13.05utc Pass. Confusing! David G8OQW

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ISS UK Pass @ 11.30utc
by David Barber 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

ISS UK Pass at 11.30utc. 1200bps Packet heard on 145.800MHz Missed copying the frames as my packet system was monitoring 145.825MHz for 9600bps. David G8OQW

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-11 02:00 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2008-12-11 02:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Istituto Comprensivo “Marco Polo“ , Grado I-34073, Italy, via IV3YZB Contact was successful: Wed 2008-12-10 10:08 UTC 87 deg (***) 2 Circolo Didattico, San Giuseppe, Mola di Bari, Italy, direct via IZ7EVR Contact is a go for: Fri 2008-12-12 14:14 UTC 56 deg King George Elementary School, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, direct via VE5ISS Contact is a go for: Mon 2008-12-15 16:51 UTC 75 deg Scuola Elementare Faleriense “Gianni Rodari”,Porto S. Elpidio,I-63018, Italy direct via I6KZR Contact is a go for: Thu 2008-12-18 12:10 UTC 81 deg Crossband repeater and packet have been active! Don’t forget to do Doppler correction for the crossband repeater! Don’t forget the keyword here is Repeater. Repeaters have the FM capture effect. Strongest into the machine wins momentarily. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 392. (***) Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 14. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The complete schedule page has been updated as20of 2008-12-11 02:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2008-12-11 02:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There have been rumors in the past indicating that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Exp. 18 on orbit: Michael Fincke KE5AIT Yury Lonchakov RA3DT Sandra Magnus KE5FYE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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