AMSAT Activities
AMSAT ActivitiesAMSAT sponsors a variety of regular events. Here are some of them.
See also AMSAT-NA Awards.
In many areas, local AMSAT volunteers run a net, usually once a week, on a wide-coverage repeater or simplex frequency. The Houston area net is a good example, and is also available via TVRO when a transponder can be arranged. These nets generally feature AMSAT bulletins, and answer many questions from newcomers and oldtimers alike. If you don't hear the net listed, please let me know. Likewise, if you know of an AMSAT net that isn't listed, please let me know so I can add it.
Local
Area Day Time Frequency
==== === ==== =========
AR-LA-TX QCWA Net Mon 1930 146.670 MHz (2000 during summer)
Central CA (Fresno) Sun 2000 146.940 MHz
Central CA (Mt. Oso) Tue 2030 145.390 MHz CTCSS 136.5 Hz
51.800 MHz CTCSS 136.5 Hz
(see SARA SatNet)
Central NY Mon 2000 146.880 MHz
Central OH Sun 2000 145.490 MHz
Colorado Wed 2000 147.225, 224.980, 145.460, 145.160 MHz
(see Colorado AMSAT Net)
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Wed 1945 147.140 MHz
Detroit, MI Sun 2000 145.330, 224.580, 442.800, 1282.050 MHz
(see Southeast Michigan AMSAT Net)
Harrisburg, PA Sun 2000 145.210 MHz
Houston Area, TX Tue 2000 145.190 MHz CTCSS 123.0 Hz
(see Houston Area AMSAT Net)
Kansas Sun 2000 145.190 MHz
(see CCARC VHF AMSAT Satellite Net)
Long Island, NY Tue 2000 147.075 MHz
Los Angeles, CA Thu 1900 145.320 MHz CTCSS 114.8 Hz
Portsmouth, NH Thu 2000 146.805 MHz
Saco, ME Sun 2000 146.775 MHz
SW Ohio Tue 2000 145.110 MHz
Tucson Area, AZ Wed 1900 146.880 MHz
Waltham, MA Thu 2030 146.640 MHz
(see Heavy Hitters AMSAT Net)
Washington, DC Area Mon 2000 146.350 MHz
AMSAT Beginners Wed 1900 PST via IRLP, W7AOR Western Reflector node 9250
AMSAT nets are also operated on HF to provide coverage of the entire world, and especially North America. These nets are much like the local nets, though they are somewhat more formal and busy. The 15m and 17m nets are inactive until propagation improves.
Net Designation Day Time Frequency =============== === ==== ========= AMSAT International Sun 1900 UTC 14.282 MHz AMSAT International Sun 1900 UTC 21.280 MHz (inactive) AMSAT International Sun 2300 UTC 18.155 MHz (inactive) AMSAT-NA East Coast Tue 2100 local 3.840 MHz AMSAT-NA Mid-America Tue 2100 local 3.840 MHz AMSAT-NA West Coast Tue 2000 local 3.840 MHz AMSAT-India Sat-chat Sun 0730 IST 7.070 MHz
When AMSAT OSCAR-13 was operational, the AMSAT Operations Net was held at designated times chosen for good coverage. Guest speakers on special topics were scheduled when available.
With AO-13 out of commission, the AMSAT Operations Net is on temporary hiatus.
The ZRO Memorial Technical Achievement Award Program, or just "ZRO Test" was most recently held on AMSAT OSCAR-13. This activity is a test of operating skill and equipment performance.
During a typical ZRO run, a control station will send numeric code groups using CW at 10 words-per-minute. At the beginning of the run, uplink power from the control station is set to match the general beacon downlink strength. This is level "zero". The control operator will send and repeat a random five-digit number, then lower his uplink power by 3 dB (half power) and repeat the procedure with a new random number (level "1"). This will continue to a level 30 dB below the beacon (level "A").
A participating listener monitors the downlink signals till he can no longer copy the numbers. Those who can hear the beacon will qualify for the basic award by copying the code group heard at level "zero". The challenge is to improve home-station performance to a point where the lower-level downlink signals can be copied (levels 6 through A). To date, only one station (Darrel Emerson AA7FV) has successfully copied level "A".
With AO-13 out of commission, the ZRO test is not being held.
See also the AMSAT-NA Awards Program.
Updated 16 May 2003. Feedback to KB5MU.
