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First Satellite Contact Between Cuba and Ireland on FO-29

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hector8
Hector, CO6CBF

Congratulations to Hector Martinez, CO6CBF and Joe Murphy, EI5EV for completing the first satellite contact between Cuba and Ireland on April 3, 2013 on FO-29.

The distance between CO6CBF and EI5EV is 6955.1 km. Both stations had a 66 second window within the FO-29 footprint. Hector wrote, “Doppler is always in play. We did the calculations based on the great feature implemented on SatPC32 V12.8b using the option of seeing the frequency you are at the satellite receiver. This was our common reference point. I was very satisfied when I heard Joe exactly on the frequency I was expecting!”

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ARRL Seeks Comments on 5 and 10 GHz National Band Plans

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bandplanARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Chairman, Rick Roderick, K5UR reports that  the draft documents of the 5 and 10 GHz band plans have been released for review.

The Committee, charted by the ARRL Board of Directors, has prepared draft band plans for 5 centimeters (5.650-5.925 GHz) and 3 centimeters (10-10.500 GHz).

Amateur Satellite allocations in the draft band plans include:

  • Amateur Satellite; Up-Link Only 5650.000 – 5670.000 MHz
  • Amateur Satellite; Down-Link Only 5830.000 – 5850.000 MHz
  • Space, Earth & Telecommand Stations 10450.000 – 10500.000 MHz

The band plan committee is requesting user comments via e-mail to [email protected] by April 30, 2013.

The ARRL Band Plan announcement, including links to the PDF copies of the proposed band plan documents is available on the ARRL Web.

Auckland Technology Convention KiwiSAT Photos Posted

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KiwiSATJim Tittsler ZL2IA/AI8A/7J1AJH has posted photos of New Zealand’s KiwiSAT at the 2013 Auckland Technology Convention hosted by the Auckland VHF Group. Fred ZL1BYP and Ian ZL1AOX brought the satellite in its “clean cabinet” to the convention so that the audience would have a chance to see it. Ian had brought along his station (and dummy loads) and demonstrated commanding the satellite and collecting telemetry.

KiwiSAT will carry both amateur radio communications including linear and FM transponders; and a scientific experiment for small satellite attitude control The mission also carries a special beacon which will be used by radio amateurs around the world to collect data for environmental monitoring. KiwiSAT development is completed ready for launch into a LEO orbit with a target launch date in mid 2013. The project is funded by radio amateurs through personal and club donations, and by membership ofAMSAT-ZL. Donations may be made via a link to PayPal on this page.

 

March/April 2013 AMSAT Journal

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Page_1The AMSAT Journal Editorial team is in the process of wrapping up a few final details and that means the March/April 2013 issue is heading for the print shop in a few days.

Thanks for all the help from our Journal Editorial Team:

  • Douglas Quagliana – KA2UPW/5
  • Mike Sedlak – K4ERA
  • Bernhard Jatzeck  – VA6BMJ
  • Bill Hook – W3QBC
  • Martha at the AMSAT Office.

The AMSAT Journal is pleased to publish your articles and photos of satellite operations and all aspects of amateur radio in space. Send your ideas, questions and contributions to [email protected].