ANS-131
May 11, 2025
In this edition:
* Last chance to purchase tickets to the TAPR/AMSAT Banquet, being held on Friday, May 16th.
* AMSAT Ambassador Program Seeks Input During Hamvention 2025
* 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Announced
* VUCC and DXCC Satellite Standings for May 2025
* AMSAT-DL Presents Their Space Days Event in September, 2025
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* ARISS Proposal Window Closes May 23, 2025
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* 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.
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
Sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/
Last chance to purchase tickets to the TAPR/AMSAT Banquet, being held on Friday, May 16th.
The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Monday, May 12th at 17:00 EDT / 21:00 UTC. Tickets can be purchased at
AMSAT Ambassador Program Seeks Input During Hamvention 2025
The newly developing AMSAT Ambassador Program will be informally discussed by program coordinator Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, during the Dayton Hamvention 2025. He’s seeking input from attendees during the May 16-18, 2025 event as to ways AMSAT can support Ambassadors and their efforts to engage the public.
An educator, Bo seeks interested Radio Amateurs to educate other Amateur Radio operators and the general public about the importance of Amateur Radio in space and the progress being made in meeting AMSAT’s mission and vision.
Ideas are especially sought for new ways to assist educators as well as inform and educate young people in the rapidly growing community of “Makers.” This group enjoys using 3-D printers, laser cutters and other high-tech tools to build items, many of which include electronics such as small board computers and peripherals, similar to the tech used in AMSAT’s Cubesat Simulator (See https://cubesatsim.com/).
Google Map by Bo Lowrey shows locations of the 41 AMSAT Ambassadors throughout the U.S.
Current and new AMSAT Ambassadors looking toward the future may want to consider the “maker” community (creators, innovators, and Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts) as a target audience. This segment of the general population includes prime candidates for Amateur Radio licensing and operations.
The maker population segment is very large and worldwide. It includes people of all ages, some with varying degrees of skills in electricity and electronics. Many schools, colleges and universities and specialized “maker groups” abound.
AMSAT Ambassador Tom Scheussler, N5HYP exhibits annually at a youth space and science fair in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
An excellent example of an independent organization that caters to the makers in the U.S. is the New England SCI-TECH center. It is a non-profit STEM education center and maker space dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families. See: https://nescitech.org/. They host an Amateur Radio club and offer courses in cubesat subjects.
Various education and promotion tools for Ambassadors to use at in-person events are provided.These include: 3′ x 5′ fabric banner / flag for display table; presentation binder with illustrations and answers to frequently asked questions. These are used to attract and inform event attendees. Also, a personal name and callsign badge identifying an AMSAT Ambassador is provided. If the event is of a significant size, a door prize from AMSAT may be available for that purpose.
For online presentations AMSAT provides access to a growing repository of existing presentations. There is an online folder for each Ambassador to store content. Ambassadors also have access to the interactive video capabilities of the MS365 for video presentations to any size group.”
Bo will be available at Hamvention on Friday, May 16 and Saturday May 17. Interested in speaking with Bo? Come by the AMSAT booth in Bldg. 1. Interested Radio Amateurs may contact Bo before, during or after Hamvention 2025 at [email protected].
For additional information see AMSAT at Hamvention 2025: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/. For more information about the AMSAT Ambassador Program visit: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/
The AMSAT Forum will be presented Saturday, May 17, from 1:35 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. EDT in Forum Room 2. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Forum at 12:40 p.m. in the same room.
For additional information see AMSAT at Hamvention 2025: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Join the AMSAT President’s Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Announced
Save the date! The 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting will be held October 16th through Sunday October 19th. The site of the 2025 event will be the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North.
(Photo credit: Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North)
The hotel is located minutes away from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and features free airport shuttle, all-suite rooms at affordable prices and free breakfast! Information for room reservation at reduced rates and event registration will be published shortly.
For your planning purposes, the overall schedule for the event is as follows:
Thursday, October 16th
0900 – 1700 Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, October 17th
0900 – 1200 Board of Directors Meeting
1300 – 1700 Symposium Presentations
1800 – 2100 Reception & Auction
Saturday, October 18th
0900 – 1200 Symposium Presentations
1300 – 1500 Symposium Presentations
1500 – 1700 Annual General Meeting
1800 – 1900 Reception
1900 – 2100 Banquet
Sunday, October 19th
0800 – 1000 Members Breakfast
(Times subject to change.)
Plan to attend this fun and informative event while you exchange ideas with your friends in the world of amateur satellites!
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]
VUCC and DXCC Satellite Standings for May 2025
————————————————————
VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for April 01, 2025 to May 01, 2025.
————————————————————
| Call | April | May |
|---|---|---|
| WC7V | 1619 | 1621 |
| DG7RO | 1005 | 1504 |
| XE1AO | 1111 | 1177 |
| KN2K | 907 | 936 |
| IK3ITB | 800 | 900 |
| NØGVK | 867 | 871 |
| N8MR | 755 | 775 |
| UW7LL | New | 754 |
| KB1HY | 727 | 732 |
| LU3FCA | 406 | 684 |
| HP2VX | 508 | 516 |
| K6SFO | 400 | 501 |
| JH1NHK | New | 440 |
| XE1YD | 104 | 183 |
| WD9EWK (DM45) | 170 | 175 |
| WD9EWK (DM54) | 159 | 163 |
————————————————————
Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.
UW7LL
JH1NHK
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DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for April 01, 2025 to May 01, 2025.
————————————————————
| Call | April | May |
|---|---|---|
| OE9DGV | 214 | 215 |
| G4WFQ | 176 | 183 |
| I3BUI | 169 | 172 |
| SV8CS | 162 | 165 |
| EA2AA | 158 | 160 |
| IW1FZR | 151 | 154 |
| HB9GWJ | 141 | 143 |
| KB1HY | 142 | 143 |
| DL8GAM | 120 | 125 |
| JA1VSL | 116 | 119 |
| AC9O | 100 | 108 |
| N0GVK | 100 | 101 |
| R3DPH | New | 101 |
| CU3AA | New | 100 |
| KGØD | New | 100 |
| OH4MS | New | 100 |
————————————————————
Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders.
R3DPH
CU3AA
KGØD
OH4MS
R3DPH is first DXCC Satellite holder from KO96
OH4MS is first DXCC Satellite holder from KP24
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase 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/
AMSAT-DL Presents Their Space Days Event in September, 2025
AMSAT-Deutschland e.V. and the Bochum Observatory have scheduled Bochum Space Days 2025 from September 19 to 21, 2025. The event will provide a varied and informative program aimed at AMSAT members and all space enthusiasts. Current developments and future prospects for national and international amateur radio satellites and other space projects will be presented. Lectures, presentations and discussions will provide participants with valuable insights into the latest technologies, missions and research projects in space travel, according to AMSAT-DL.
Bochum Observatory is a research institute in Bochum, Germany. The institution came into being through a private initiative. Its main areas of interest are in radio astronomy and environmental research.
The Space Days event begins on Friday with a general “come together” and end on Sunday with the General Assembly. The exact schedule and further plans will be posted on the website when they are available. Anyone interested in giving a presentation is welcome to contact Bochum Observatory via the AMSAT-DL website: https://amsat-dl.org/en/save-the-date-bochum-space-days-2025/.
According to AMSAT DL, “Work is continuing on the ground station for ERMINAZ and other projects at the observatory in Bochum. In addition to the well-known deep space activities of AMSAT-DL and Bochum Observatory with the 20-meter parabolic antenna, there is also a great need to receive and, if necessary, command small satellites, CubeSats and PocketQube satellites in LEO. A corresponding Mission Control Center is currently being set up. We have been operating the DK0SB SatNOGS station with omnidirectional antennas (Eggbeater) on VHF and UHF in the 2m and 70cm amateur radio satellite range for several years now. Also APT and LRPT weather image reception on 137 MHz using a dedicated antenna and the SatDump software.”
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
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
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 9
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 daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.
This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]
ARISS Proposal Window Closes May 23, 2025
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is May 23, 2025. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org.
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and Russia present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to [email protected] .
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
ARISS NEWS
ARISS is Celebrating 25 Years of Continuous Operations on ISS. The ARISS forum at the Dayton Hamvention will be on Saturday May 17 in Room 2 from 12:40-1:40 p.m. (right before the AMSAT forum in the same space). The focus for this forum will be to provide the audience a viewpoint of the breadth and depth of the ARISS contributions to the Fram2 mission, the first mission to include amateur radio in a Dragon capsule and the first human spaceflight amateur radio mission over the North and South poles. The ARISS team plans to convey how the work and lessons learned on Fram2 has helped to propel exciting and pioneering lifelong learning ARISS 2.0 initiatives that are underway for youth education, youth engagement and for the amateur radio community.
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.
Astronomical society Kumova slama, Daruvar, Croatia, Direct via 9A1CCY
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE
Contact is go for: Thu 2025-05-15 16:59:29 UTC 26 deg
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Ryzhikov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for 2025-05-23 09:15 UTC
The crossband repeater continues to be ACTIVE (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). 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.
The packet system is currently OFF (145.825 MHz up & down). Powering on TBD.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time.
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]
Upcoming Satellite Operations
W8LR/R will operate on linear satellites RS-44 and QO-07 from EM75 on May 26 and 27, looking especially for European contacts.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at. By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]
AMSAT Ambassador Activities
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
May 16th thru 18th, 2025
Dayton Hamvention
Greene County Fair and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org/
June 21, 2025
Rochester Amateur Radio Association Hamfest 2025
Barnard Fire Field
410 Maiden Lane Rochester, NY 14616
KB2YSI
September 6, 2025
Greater Louisville Hamfest
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
W4FCL
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Along with the CubeSat Simulator, the AMSAT Youth Initiative is another of AMSAT’s efforts to bring students into the world of amateur satellites and radio. This year’s AMSAT Hamvention booth features the first of a series of online courses intended to generate that interest. The “Introduction to Satellite Meteorology” course provides students with the opportunity to learn the role that satellites play in the field of weather forecasting. Following the program’s theme, “Satellites in Space Help Us Lead Better Lives on Earth,” the course appeals to student’s inherent interest in earth sciences. As the courses progress, they are introduced to the concepts of radio communications and eventually amateur radio. The free courses are available directly to students and their families but teachers and youth leaders are also encouraged to use the courses as they see fit. Anyone interested in STEM education is encouraged to experience the online course firsthand is encouraged to visit AMSAT in the Maxim building, booth #1007. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.)
+ The Trump administration’s preliminary 2026 budget proposes the biggest single-year cut to NASA funding in the agency’s 67-year history. The cuts are part of the White House’s broader government “skinny budget,” which aligns with Elon Musk’s DOGE wishlist. The NASA portion would gut the agency’s science programs, cancel the Gateway space station project and phase out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule after only three flights. Congress would have to approve the budget, so some or all of these cuts may change before the 2026 funding is approved. (ANS thanks engadget.com for the above information.)
+ Scott Kelly, who was the first American astronaut to spend almost a year in Earth orbit on board the International Space Station, stars in “Never Stop Dreaming,” a minute-long film made by Goodnites as part of its “Mission Dry” campaign. The video was released by the nighttime underwear brand on National Astronaut Day, May 5, which coincides with the event when NASA first learned that it needed absorbent undergarments for its crew members. “Man, I gotta pee,” Alan Shepard, America’s soon-to-be first man in space, radioed to the launch control room from atop his Redstone rocket on May 5, 1961. Astronauts are helping to destigmatize a common childhood experience by pointing out the similarities between what some kids wear to bed and what explorers wear into space. Full story at https://bit.ly/43hMK0x (ANS thanks space.com for the above information.)
+ The AMSAT website offers a comprehensive list of communications satellites and supporting details was updated on April 27,2025. This list is an excellent overview of FM Repeater, Linear Transponder, and Digital Satellites as well as Re-entered or Inoperative Satellites. Each listing includes a brief comment about links to details about each one. Also, there are frequency charts for each type of satellite. Access the information from the “Satellite Info” top level menu dropdown list which also includes many other related choices. Alternatively, go directly from this link: https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.)
+ ARISS is planning a special get together for all the Fram2 “alumni” attending Hamvention. This includes the Fram2 youth, hams and ARISS volunteers. The special get together will be held in the Education mini-forum area located right behind the ARISS and YOTA booths in the Volta Building. Please stop by at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 17 for this special event. This will be an outstanding opportunity for all of the Fram2 participants and volunteers to meet face-to-face, share stories and gather lessons learned. (ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS-USA Executive Director, for the above information.)
+ The International Amateur Radio Union is considering restructuring by consolidating all three Regions. A Zoom meeting was conducted in English for Region 2 (North America) on May 7, 2025. Listen to a summary of a This Week In Amateur Radio podcast two-minute report via Hamshack TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yoQ2vjAU4E (ANS thanks TWIT, HamShack TV and YouTube for the above information.)
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 Editors, David Vine, WA1EAW, and Mark Johns, KØJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002
