SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.01 Echo Schedule Update - 25 Sep 2004 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 270.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 26, 2004 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.01 FM Repeat Higher Power Levels -- 25 Sept thru 26 Sept FM repeat mode OPEN Uplink 145.920 FM with 67 hz tone Downlink 435.300 FM, power levels TBD FM 9k6 BBS mode OFF TXA will be off except for short times over a command station FM Repeat and BBS Open -- 27 Sept thru 28 Sept FM repeat mode OPEN Uplink 145.920 FM with 67 hz tone Downlink 435.300 FM FM 9k6 BBS OPEN Uplink 145.860 FM 9k6 PBP Downlink 435.150 FM 9k6 PBP PSK31 Test -- Experimenters Wednesday 29 Sept Uplink 28.140 USB PSK31 Only Downlink 435.300 FM, Output Power 1 Watt Continuous FM 9k6 BBS mode OFF TXA will be off except for short times over a command station [ANS Mike, KE4AZN for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.02 Echo matching funds challenge AMSAT News Service Bulletin 270.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 26, 2004 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.02 An anonymous donor has challenged Echo users and supporters. He will match dollar for dollar all donations received from now until the end of the 2004 AMSAT Space Symposium when we will retire the Echo thermometer. This is an opportunity we can't afford to lose. Show your support and contribute now! As of 21 Sept 2004, $670 has been donated toward the matching funds grant for Echo. You can make an Echo donation through PayPal, the AMSAT office (301-589-6062) , fax (301-608-3410 ) or mail (AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave #600, Silver Spring MD 20910). Let's hit the top of that thermometer!!! [ANS thanks Martha, AMSAT Manager for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.03 AMSAT Files Comments on Orbital Debris AMSAT News Service Bulletin 270.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 26, 2004 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.03 Dr. Perry Klein, W3PK, AMSAT Vice President, Government Liaison reports that AMSAT has filed 'further comments' on FCC's WT docket 04-140 the so called 'omnibus' proceeding regarding many aspects of Part 97 rules. Perry notes that this is a very complicated situation. In one proceeding by the FCC's Wireless Bureau, WT 04-140, they requested input on the subject of orbital debris. Meanwhile, the International Bureau in a separate proceeding, IB 02-54, issued a Report & Order which, if implemented, would require the submission of an orbital debris mitigation plan as part of the pre-space notification. AMSAT has formally requested that the Commission stay the effective date implementing the provisions of IB 20-54 which affect the amateur-satellite service and intends to file a Petition for Reconsideration. Accordingly, AMSAT has also requested that the Commission delay action on the orbital debris portions of WT 04-140 until final action has been taken on the Petition for Reconsideration. The full text of AMSAT's latest filing with the FCC can be found at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/filings/wt-04-140-further.pdf Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, a member of of AMSAT's Board of Directors said, "We owe a big thank you to both Perry Klein and Ray Soifer for their continuing efforts on behalf of AMSAT & Satellite Hams nationwide. These are special efforts that require individuals with a special insight into the minds and procedural maze of FCC rule making proceedings." [ANS thanks Perry, W3PK and Gunther, W8GSM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-270.04 ARISS Status - 20 Sept 2004 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 270.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 26, 2004 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-270.04 1.Aoyama School Contact Successful Students from Aoyama Gakuin Elementary School in Tokyo, Japan enjoyed a successful contact with astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, on Friday, September 17 at 0738 UTC. The students asked 13 questions as an audience of 150 people watched. Mike answered the children in both English and Japanese. Mr. Hara, president of the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), attended the event. Four television stations, including NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and 2 newspapers covered the contact. 2.Upcoming School Contacts The Investigator Science and Technology Centre in Adelaide, Australia is a non-profit center that provides educational programs to schools. It has been scheduled for a contact with the ISS, and the school participating in this contact is Kilburn Primary School, which has an enrollment of approximately 130 students. The school focuses on Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and a Supportive School Environment. Many students have significant learning needs. Fifth and sixth graders will have the opportunity to speak with Mike on Thursday, September 23, at 0913 UTC via the telebridge station, WH6PN, in Hawaii. This contact will be webcast. To join the event go to: https://e-meetings.mci.com CONFERENCE NUMBER: 7516339 PASSCODE: SPACE STATIO Please note that the ARISS Phase 2 hardware will be used for the Investigator Centre contact. This is the first time that the Kenwood radio will be used for school operations. The Primary School of Montaud in Montaud, France has also been scheduled for an ARISS contact. It is planned for September 30 at 1158 UTC. 3. ESA ESOC Contact Successful On September 18, “The Long Night of the Stars,” was held at the control center of ESA ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, spoke for 10 minutes, talking about life on the ISS, his work and how he spends his free time. Video of the contact was broadcast on screens in several different rooms, including a screen outside so that the audience could watch the ham radio station and also view the ISS moving across the sky. Approximately 1200 ESOC visitors and 150 staff members, as well as 500 visitors at the Mannheim Radio Observatory witnessed this contact. One hundred seventy-five institutions participated in this event and media coverage reached an audience of thousands in three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The ARISS contact was the highlight of the evening, and the event was a great success! 4.Marina Air Fair Contact Mike has also expressed interest in a contact with the Marina Air Fair in Marina, California. This event will take place on Saturday, October 16. 5.ARRL Article on Kingston School Contact On Friday, September 10, at 0752 UTC, Kingston Community School in Kingston SE, South Australia experienced a successful contact with Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. ARRL covered the event in its web story, “Six Months Without a Shower or Bath? No Problem, Astronaut Tells Youngsters.” See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/09/15/3/?nc=1 6.Fincke Works all 7 Continents On Saturday, September 11, at 1504 UTC, Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, made contact with Chuck Kimball, N0NHJ, at the Palmer Research Station in Antarctica, KC4AAC, making Mike the first ISS crew member to work all seven continents. Chuck’s write up of the contact can be found on his web page with photos and a link to the audio. See: http://www.gmra.org/n0nhj/ice04/iss.htm ARRL ran an article on Mike’s accomplishment entitled, “Astronaut Completes WAC+ from NA1SS.” See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/09/17/2/?nc=1 7.AMSAT/ARISS Planning Meeting Held A meeting was held on Sunday, September 19, to plan the joint AMSAT/ARISS meetings to be held on October 8 – 13 in Arlington, VA. Astronaut Carl Walz will be the keynote speaker at the AMSAT banquet on October 9. To view the agenda, see: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/agenda2004.php [ANS thanks Carol for the above information] /EX