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ANS-314 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for November 10

November 10, 2019 by JoAnne Maenpaa

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-314

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 https://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 dot org. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

HuskySat Paving the Way for Cooperation
WRC-19 Debates Satellite Allocations
Electron Booster on the Pad for Rocket Lab’s 10th Mission
2020 Cubesat Developers Workshop Call for Papers
Second Batch of 50th Anniversary “Friends of 50” Certificates Sent
AMSAT Seeks Digital Communications Team Members
NO-83 (BRICSAT-P) Nears Re-Entry
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Satellite Shorts From All Over

HuskySat Paving the Way for Cooperation

As previously reported by ANS, HuskySat-1 achieved orbit last week aboard the Cygnus cargo vessel, which docked to the International Space Station on Nov. 4. The satellite is scheduled for a boost to higher orbit and deployment in January. Following completion of its primary mission, it will be turned over to AMSAT for operation of its linear transponder sometime in the second quarter of 2020.

Jerry Buxton, NØJY, AMSAT VP – Engineering, explains that this partnership presented some regulatory challenges, but has paved the way for similar partnerships in the future:

“The Part 97 license that AMSAT will operate under does not include or allow the use of any of the experiments on board. As those experiments were not able to conform to the Part 97 so called ‘educational exemption’, including the K-band radio, that is ultimately why two licenses were required. {art 5 Experimental is operated by UW for everything including the telemetry downlink of the AMSAT transponder module, and the transponder must remain off during that operation. Part 97 operation by AMSAT will solely be the AMSAT transponder module.

“This was the first partnership with an educational institution where an AMSAT radio was flown on a non-AMSAT (UW in this case) CubeSat. In the process of working with the FCC and NASA to obtain a single Part 97 license that was not complicated or restricted by “pecuniary interest”, the experience developed an understanding with FCC as to how a mission such as HuskySat-1 could be fully licensed under Part 97. There were delays and difficulties in executing all of the requirements to qualify Part 97 and that ultimately carried on up to the mission deadline requirement for having a license in hand in order for HuskySat-1 to be integrated on the LV. The only way forward at that time, in order for UW to make the launch, was to do the separate licensing.

“It was lots of work and some good frustration along the way. I thank and commend our partners at University of Washington as well as the FCC for their work to make it happen, and our friends at NASA for giving us the opportunity to push for a path to amateur radio licensing for more of the CubeSat launches they sponsor. I believe that it has resulted in a known path toward fully Part 97 licensed educational(e.g. university) CubeSats. That should in turn offer more opportunities for AMSAT radios to fly as the communications package for a mission as well as an operating amateur radio satellite, in the same way as the CubeSats we produce.”

(ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, NØJY, AMSAT VP – Engineering for the above information)

The digital download version of the 2019 edition of
Getting Started with Amateur Satellites is now available as a
DRM-free PDF from the AMSAT Store. Get yours today!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-237-Getting-Started

WRC-19 Debates Satellite Allocations

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), and ARRL have posted updates on activities at the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference currently taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

One early agreement was to turn down requested changes to one of the amateur satellite allocations. The band 47.0 – 47.2 GHz was allocated solely to the Amateur and Amateur Satellite Services by the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC-79). Commercial wireless broadband industries had expressed interest in the band being designated for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), and there was some concern that such a proposal might be made at WRC-19. The fact that none was forthcoming was due in part to the work of the IARU at the Conference Preparatory Meeting earlier this year and in the six regional telecommunications organizations. The WRC has agreed to “no change” at 47.0 – 47.2 GHz.

One of the most difficult issues facing WRC-19 is to develop an agenda for WRC-23. Dozens of proposals for agenda items have been suggested, and they cannot all be accommodated. One proposal being introduced for the next World Radio Conference in 2023 is protecting the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (Galileo, etc.) from secondary amateur usage in the 23cm band (1.2 GHz — the amateur satellite band is between 1260 MHz and 1270 MHz for up-links only).

Future mobile/IMT (cell phone) allocations were also being discussed in the 3-18 GHz range (including our 10 GHz satellite band). Another item may even affect 241 – 700 GHz. However, it will be a while before the WRC-23 agenda gets agreed at this conference, and these items may or may not be up for debate at the next conference.

Daily bulletins on the progress of WRC-19 are being posted at: https://rsgb.org/main/blog/category/news/special-focus/wrc-19/

During this period of World Radio Conference, one place to follow the events and issues is on The ARRL discussion group for the International Amateur Radio Union. The group provides a forum for anyone interested in the work of the IARU. It is open to participants anywhere, whether or not they are members of an IARU member-society. Additional information and a link to join the group can be found at https://groups.arrl.org/g/ARRL-IARU

[ANS thanks Trevor Essex, M5AKA, AMSAT-UK, and ARRL for the above information]

Electron Booster on the Pad for Rocket Lab’s 10th Mission

Rocket Lab has announced that its next mission will launch multiple microsatellites in a rideshare mission representing five different countries. The launch window for Rocket Lab’s tenth flight, will open November 25, New Zealand time, and take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.

Onboard this rideshare mission are six spacecraft comprised of 5cm PocketQube microsatellites from satellite manufacturer and mission management provider Alba Orbital. Two of these satellites include downlinks in the UHF amateur radio band.

TRSI is a PocketQube for technology demonstration. Its main objective is to show which functionality can be achieved with dimensions of 5cm x 5cm x 5cm. It carries two experiments that are connected to the amateur-satellite service.

First is a waterfall experiment which will show an image in the waterfall diagram by hopping the frequency within its transmission band (image-type beacon).
The second experiment is to analyze RF reception capabilities from LEO with a novel detector receiver and a small patch antenna. It was designed to test if small satellite receivers which don´t need deployable antennas are feasible. The received signal´s envelope will be sampled and forwarded using UHF in MFSK for signal analysis. During the experiment phase the satellite will also perform as an amateur CW repeater, providing additional RX strength indication; eg. CW morse signals will be re-sent in MFSK, showing the RX amplitude in dBm. A downlink on 437.075 MHz has been coordinated.
IARU Frequency Coordination information has been posted at: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=649

FossaSat-1 PocketQube by AMSAT-EA which has a 5x5x5cm structure and a total mass of 250 grams. Radio link testing features a new experi-mental RF chirp modulation called LoRa which greatly improves the link budget reducing the power consumed and reduces the cost of receivers.

The output power from the transmitter required for the correct reception during a pass is also very low at well under 100mW, being spread spectrum at such low power it poses no interference risk. It operates at a considerable level below the noise level of other systems and would cause no interference to weak narrowband signals.
Students & amateurs will be able to receive telemetry from the satellite with inexpensive hardware, expanding & promoting the amateur satellite community with youth. Uplink challenges will also be carried out with rewards for amateurs.
The mission is completely open source with all information regarding the design of the satellite & how to decode its information clearly laid out & hosted by AMSAT-EA. The site will provide decoding software for SDR use in order to allow anyone to decode LoRa using common existing hardware & host software for users to submit telemetry data, making all data public and rewarding users with certificates & awards.
The UHF downlink plans on using FSK RTTY 45 BAUD ITA2, 100mW 183hz Shift and LoRa 125kHz, Chirp Spread Spectrum Modulation, 180 bps, 100mW. A downlink on 436.700 MHz has been coordinated.
IARU Frequency Coordination information has been posted at: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=652

A commercial payload on board is ALE-2 from a Tokyo-based company creating microsatellites that simulate meteor particles. See: http://star-ale.com/en/news/317/2019/01/04/ for more information.

Rocket Labs mission web page can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y672rjj5

[ANS thanks Rocket Labs, IARU, AMSAT-EA, TRSI, and Alba Orbital for the above information]

2020 Cubesat Developers Workshop Call for Papers

The Cubesat Developers Workshop for 2020 will be held May 4-6 at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The planning team has announced a call for abstracts. All abstract and poster applications will need to be submitted using the online submission form by Friday, January 10, 2020. For more information, visit http://www.cubesat.org/workshop-information

[ANS thanks The CubeSat Workshop Team for the above information]

Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution for 2019? Consider making a donation to AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT’s federal tax ID is 52-0888529.

Second Batch of 50th Anniversary “Friends of 50” Certificates Sent

A second batch of 50th Anniversary AMSAT “Satellite Friends of 50 Award” certificates went out in the mail on Wednesday, November 6. Chances are you may have already qualified for this award! The requirement is to make satellite contacts with 50 amateur radio operators on 50 differenton days during the anniversary year of 2019.(limit of 1 contact per day counted toward the award). For details, see: https://amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and 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 Seeks Digital Communications Team Members

AMSAT is in the process of redesigning its website and is looking to immediately fill key volunteer member additions to its digital communications team. Available positions include a Webmaster, Content Managers, and an Online Store Co-Manager. Candidates must have experience with Word press and be a current AMSAT member.

Webmaster:

The Webmaster works as an integral member of the AMSAT Digital Communications Team in planning, organizing, implementing, and supporting strategic web technologies. Under minimal supervision, the Webmaster collaborates with the Digital Communications team and AMSAT Development to facilitate ongoing content creation, development of standards, and overall management of AMSAT’s website and member portal. The primary objectives of the Webmaster are to ensure that AMSAT’s digital presence accurately portrays the character, quality and heritage of AMSAT, provide an efficient user experience, and serve to increase recruitment and financial contributions.

Web Content Managers:

Web Content Managers ensure AMSAT’s website and webpages follow best content practices and meet the diverse needs of internal and external customers. As part of the AMSAT Digital Communications Team, Website Content Managers must understand the organizational needs, map them to the end-user needs and work with applicable AMSAT departments to create content strategy and plan for individual webpages.

Online Store Co-Manager:

The Online Store Co-Manager updates and refreshes the AMSAT Store when new merchandise becomes available, deletes merchandise when no longer available, and updates pricing and shipping information when necessary. Experience in WooCommerce is required.

If you want to be a part of the solution in delivering the quality web services AMSAT members deserve, we could sure use your help.

Please contact the AMSAT VP of User Services at ke4al (at) yahoo (dot) com.

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

NO-83 (BRICSAT-P) Nears Re-Entry

NO-83 (BRICSAT-P, CAT ID 40655) is nearing decay from orbit. Alan Biddle, WA4SCA, has run the TLEs through the SATEVO software and a re-entry is possible on November 9, 2019. TLEs for NO-83 remain in this week’s TLE distribution.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information]

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at “Alcide De Gasperi” Secondary School: Part Of The Istituto Comprensivo Statale “E. L. Corner”, Vigonovo, Italy and Istituto Comprensivo Di Pederobba, Onigo Di Pederobba, Italy on 11 November. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:10 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and VK6MJ. The contact should be audible over Australia and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in Italian. Watch for live stream from Vigonovo at https://tinyurl.com/y2n3eojw and from Pederobba at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRZahLgMma_2ngllrj9iVg .

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at European High School – Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy and I.I.S.S. “Majorana – Laterza”, Putignano, Italy on 13 Nov. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 09:18 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in Italian.

A reminder that the deadline to submit proposals for ARISS contacts to be scheduled between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 is coming up on November 30, 2019. For more information visit https://www.ariss.org/

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, and David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS operation team members, for the above information]

AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur radio package,
including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in
lunar orbit. Support AMSAT’s projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Big Bend National Park, TX (DL89) November 10-11, 2019
Glenn, AA5PK, is taking a trip down to Big Bend National Park in South Texas and will operate from DL89 on Monday November 11th. In addition, Glenn will be transitioning through DM81 (a few good morning passes) on the way there and staying in DM80 Sunday night. Watch Glenn’s Twitter feed for any pass announcements: https://twitter.com/AA5PK.
Nunavut, Canada (ER60) November 11 – December 6, 2019
Look for VY0ERC to once again be active from the Eureka Weather station (NA-008, Zone 2) between Nov. 11 to Dec. 6. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
EA9 Melilla (IM85) November 18-21, 2019
Philippe, EA4NF, will be operating from Melilla as EA9/EA4NF from November 18 to 21, 2019. This very small Spanish territory located in Northern Africa, which is a very rare GRID and is listed as one of the Most Wanted SAT DXCC. Updates and passes on Philippe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
New River Gorge National River, WV (EM98) November 21-24, 2019
Michael, N4DCW, is visiting New River Gorge National River (with sat gear) and a swing through EM97 on his way home. Watch for further announcements on Michael’s Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/MWimages
Key West (EL94) December 3-6, 2019
Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Key West December 3-6. Key word is vacation, but he will jump on some FM satellite passes to activate EL94 for those that need it or just want to chat. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

This week begins the 20th year of continuous human presence living off-planet aboard the International Space Station. NASA and its partners have successfully supported humans living in space since the Expedition 1 crew arrived Nov. 2, 2000. A truly global endeavor, the unique microgravity laboratory has hosted 239 people from 19 countries, more than 2,600 experiments from 3,900 researchers in 107 countries, and a variety of international and commercial spacecraft. (ANS thanks NASA for the above information)
Talks from this year’s PocketQube Workshop are now available at: https://tinyurl.com/y2fmszbl Some slides are available here: http://www.albaorbital.com/3rd-pocketqube-workshop (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information)
27 videos from the Open Source Cubesat Workshop 2019 held in Athens Conservatoire in Athens, Greece are available for viewing: https://tinyurl.com/y6rd5pzn The third edition of the workshop was hosted by Libre Space Foundation. (ANS thanks https://libre.space for the above information)
Radio amateurs in Sweden are limited to just 100 mW on 2.4 GHz. Yet an article by Christer, SM0NCL, shows how they can still send CW and SSB signals via the QO-100 / Es’hail-2 narrowband transponder! Read the article in Google English at https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT-SM (ANS thanks Southgatearc.org for the above information)
Wonder why that downlink signal suddenly fades? Since launch of the amateur radio FUNcube-1 (AO-73) CubeSat in 2013 the team have observed the spin of the satellite based on the panel temperatures. The FUNcube team have speculated why the satellite spins up and down and occasionally flips the direction of spin. A fascinating explanation (without math!) of why satellites can flip as they spin can be found in a YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VPfZ_XzisU&feature=emb_title (ANS thanks R.L. Brunton, G4TUT, for the above information)
Hams like free stuff! So here’s a free PDF download of issue #87 of the MagPi magazine is available at: Raspberry Pi Weekly Issue #307 https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/issues/87
Celebrate #NationalSTEMDay with a @Virgin_Orbit community grant! Fall applications close on November 20, which means if you reach out now, you still have a chance to secure up to $2,500 cash for your local STEM education program. Apply at: https://t.co/FySZrXmrKe
Instead of searching many manufacturer sites or calling on companies to find and compare designs, now you can search for designs based on the circuit’s performance using Digi-Key’s Reference Design Library. New designs are being added weekly and improvements will be made based on user feedback: https://www.digikey.com/reference-designs/en
The 2019 AMSAT Symposium Proceedings USB flash drives, including the 2019 Proceedings and all previously published Proceedings dating back to 1986 are back in stock. Backorders will go out soon and more are available. To order, visit https://tinyurl.com/yxmnqxew
The AMSAT Symposium Engineering Update video is now available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWwvhuIaiBA&t=50s (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information)

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President’s Club. Members of the President’s Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT office.

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 six post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student membership information.

73 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Mark Johns, K0JM
K0JM at amsat dot org

ANS-307 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for November 3

November 3, 2019November 3, 2019 by JoAnne Maenpaa

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-307

In this edition:

HuskySat-1 Successfully Lifted into Space
ARISS Contact Opportunities – Call for Proposals
FoxTelem Version 1.08 Released
Fox-in-a-Box Upgrades for FoxTelem V 1.08
AMSAT Seeks Digital Communications Team Members
The 39th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference Announced September 11-13, 2020, Charlotte, NC
VUCC Awards-Endorsements for October 2019
Upcoming Satellite Operations
ARISS News
Satellite Shorts from All Over

HuskySat-1 Successfully Lifted into Space

A Cygnus cargo spacecraft carrying the University of Washington’s HuskySat-1 was successfully launched atop a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket Saturday, November 2, 1459 UTC.

The Cygnus spacecraft will dock with the ISS on November 4. Cygnus is then scheduled to depart the ISS on January 13, 2020 and raise its orbit to approximately 500 km where HuskySat-1 and SwampSat will be deployed. After deployment, HuskySat-1’s 1200 bps BPSK beacon on 435.800 MHz should be active.(This beacon is decodable with the latest release of FoxTelem.) HuskySat-1 is expected to run its primary mission (testing a pulsed plasma thruster and experimental 24 GHz data transmitter) for thirty days. The satellite will then be turned over to AMSAT for Amateur Radio operation, featuring a 30 kHz wide 145 to 435 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW communications.

For those interested in reading about HuskySat-1’s development and its science, read the UW News article at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-307-HuskySat-1

[ANS thanks SpaceNews.com, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and UW News for the above information.]

ARISS Contact Opportunities – Call for Proposals

Current Proposal Window is October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019
Upcoming Proposal Window is February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020

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 for proposals submitted in the proposal window now open would be held between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. ARISS is happy to announce a second proposal window will open February 1, 2020 for contacts that would be held between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. 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 proposals for contacts between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 is November 30, 2019. The proposal window for contacts between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 will open on February 1, 2020 and close on March 31, 2020. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.ariss.org.

Information Webinars on November 7

Two ARISS Introductory Webinar sessions will be held on November 7, 2019. The first is at 6:00 PM ET and the second is at 9:00 PM ET. The same material will be covered during both sessions, so choose the session that best fits your schedule. The Eventbrite link to sign up is https://ariss-introductory-webinar-fall-2019.eventbrite.com .

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 Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe 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.

More Information

For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. Please direct any questions to [email protected].

[ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS PR for the above information.]

Video recordings of the 2019 AMSAT Space Symposium have been posted:
htps://www.facebook.com/pg/AMSATNA
(This page should be accessible to all)
The Foundations of AMSAT – 2019 AMSAT Space Symposium Banquet Panel
is posted at: https://youtu.be/bRmn4gjvuTI

FoxTelem Version 1.08 Released

Chris Thompson, G0KLA has released Version 1.08 of FoxTelem. This release provides several enhancements and needed changes for FOX-1E and HuskySat, a partnership with the University of Washington.

Users will need to download this version to successfully decode data from the two new spacecraft which will transmit BPSK telemetry on 70cm. (Chris suggests now is a good time to put up a 70cm antenna if you do not have one!)

After version 1.08p was released earlier this week, IC-9700 users immediately noticed difficulties. Version 1.08r was immediately released. Chris notes: ” There were two issues that prevented good decodes from the IC-9700:

The IF output of the IC-9700 is not a true IQ signal and you have both a lower and upper sideband image. One has the bits flipped upside down. Historically FoxTelem has coped with the bits with either sense, even though only one is “correct”, so 1.07 decoded fine from the wrong image. I had introduced a bug that meant the “bit flip” check was not run. That code is back in.
There was also an issue where the algorithm that finds the signal was not being run if SatPC32 position was being read. That was a common configuration for IC-9700 owners, so it compounded the problem. The code is now fixed.”

Key changes include the following:

PSK decoders are easier to select.
Automatically change the band from 2m to 70cm and the mode from FSK to PSK if needed (and enabled).
Allows default mode to be set for each spacecraft.
No longer overwrites the user settings (e.g. as max/min frequency) when spacecraft files are updated.
Saves the properties whenever they are changed (rather than just at exit).
Allows the user to change the display name for a spacecraft without changing the KEPS name.
Prevents FOXDB from being corrupted when power restarted.
Better memory management so that long running FoxTelem sessions do not end up out of memory.
Allows MAX and MIN records to be displayed in table on the telemetry tab.
Shows the Capture Date for the record being displayed (e.g. RT, MAX, MIN).
Deletes existing files when server data is downloaded.
Ties the STP date more accurately to the position of the SYNC word in the bit buffer to avoid stamping frames with the same date.
Many small bugs and crashes fixed.

A full list of changes can be found at https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/milestone/15?closed=1

You can download the new release at

Feel free to email Chris with any questions, suggestions or bug reports to chrisethompson at gmail dot com.

[ANS thanks Chris E. Thompson, G0KLA for the above information.]

The 2019 AMSAT Symposium Proceedings USB flash drives, featuring
1.98 GB of information, including the 2019 Proceedings and all previously
published Proceedings dating back to 1986 are now available on the AMSAT store
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-Symposium-Flash-Drive
(allow 10 business days for the next batch to be loaded with the files)

Fox-in-a-Box Upgrades for FoxTelem V 1.08

In addition to Chris Thompson’s announcement. Burns Fisher, WB1FJ reports that version of FoxTelem has been tested on Fox-in-a-Box installations (FoxTelem running on a Raspberry Pi). Starting immediately with serial number 110, FoxTelem Version 1.08p will be included on the SD cards that are ordered from the AMSAT store. (It is not yet on the download file.)

If you have a Fox-in-a-Box with an older version and you wish to upgrade it (highly recommended) follow these steps:

Download the 1.08 linux tar.gz from http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/linux/to the Desktop using the browser on your FIAB.
Double-click the file to extract it to a directory(folder) named “FoxTelem_1.08p_linux”.
Next, stop the running FoxTelem and edit the file on your desktop named “StartFoxTelem”. (Right-click and choose Text Editor.)
About the third line from the bottom, change “foxtelem_1.07_linux” to “FoxTelem_1.08p_linux”. (Be sure the capital letters are right.)
Exit from the editor and double-click on “StartFoxTelem” and chose “Execute”.
The new FoxTelem will start running and, as described in the manual you will start getting questions about whether you want to upgrade. Say yes to each question.

After FoxTelem has started successfully, you should be all set, and FoxTelem should start automatically every time your reboot. If you have any issues, please Burns know at wb1fj at amsat dot org.

[ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ for the above information.]

AMSAT Seeks Digital Communications Team Members

Webmaster:

Web Content Managers:

Online Store Co-Manager:

If you want to be a part of the solution in delivering the quality web services AMSAT members deserve, we could sure use your help.

Please contact the AMSAT VP of User Services at ke4al (at) yahoo (dot) com.

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

The 39th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference Announced September 11-13, 2020, Charlotte, NC

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend the premier technical conference of the year, the 39th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 11-13, 2020 in Charlotte, NC. The conference location is the Renaissance Charlotte Suites.

The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish their work, and present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results, and practical applications.

Topics include, but are not limited to: Software Defined Radio (SDR), digital voice , digital satellite communications, Global Position System (GPS), precision timing, Automatic Packet Reporting System(tm)(APRS), short messaging (a mode of APRS), Digital Signal Processing (DSP), HF digital modes, Internet interoperability with Amateur Radio networks, spread spectrum, IEEE 802.11 and other Part 15 license-exempt systems adaptable for Amateur Radio, using TCP/IP networking over Amateur Radio, mesh and peer to peer wireless networking, emergency and Homeland Defense backup digital communications, using Linux in Amateur Radio, updates on AX.25 and other wireless networking protocols.

Complete conference details including registration information, call for papers and preliminary agenda can be seen at https://www.tapr.org/dcc

[ANS thanks TAPR for the above information.]

VUCC Awards-Endorsements for October 2019

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period October 1, 2019 through November 1, 2019. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month!

Callsign	September 2019 VUCC Standing	October 2019 VUCC Standing
W5RKN	675	694
N0JE	569	637
K9UO	475	500
W5TD	384	392
AC9E	352	353
HP2VX	300	351
AD0HJ	325	350
K5IX	325	350
W7JSD	309	336
G0IIQ	112	251
ND0C	200	250
WB8TGY	New	210
N4DCW	New	201
KC9VGG	127	200
NX2X	119	178
KC9UQR	132	172
W0NBC	137	152
VE1VOX	New	126
N4QX	120	125
AA0MZ	102	112
WA9JBQ	New	104
N9FN	New	103
PU8MGB	New	102
KI4US	New	101
AB4GE	New	100
N0RC	New	100
S57NML	New	100
W2ASC	New	100

If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at <mycall>@<mycall>.com and I’ll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It’s a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work!

[ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN for the above information.]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

South TX (EL0x and EL1x) November 2-9, 2019
Ron, AD0DX, will be vacationing in McAllen TX area the week of Nov 2 to 9. He will be roving to south Texas on the above dates. His current plan is as follows:Sat Nov 2nd: EL08/EL09 probably one pass per grid starting in the late afternoon local Sun Nov 3: EL17/EL18 holiday style, one or two passes per grid Mon Nov 4 through Fri Nov 8: EL06 / EL15 / EL16. He is staying in EL06 and will activate 15 and 16 a few times throughout the week. Will probably activate EL06 4 or 5 times. Sat Nov 9: EL07 / EL08 Probably one pass from each grid. He will be active on FM and linear satellites and will tweet passes from https://twitter.com/ad0dx
EM68/69 November 3-5, 2019
Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Illinois, November 3–5. Key word is vacation, but he will jump over to activate the EM68/EM69 gridline on FM satellites. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
Nunavut, Canada (ER60) November 11 – December 6, 2019
Look for VY0ERC to once again be active from the Eureka Weather station (NA-008, Zone 2) between Nov. 11 to Dec. 6. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
EA9 Melilla (IM85) November 18-21, 2019
Philippe, EA4NF, will be operating from Melilla as EA9/EA4NF from November 18 to 21, 2019. This very small Spanish territory located in Northern Africa, which is a very rare GRID and is listed as one of the Most Wanted SAT DXCC. Updates and passes on Philippe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
Key West (EL94) December 3-6, 2019
Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Key West December 3-6. Key word is vacation, but he will jump on some FM satellite passes to activate EL94 for those that need it or just want to chat. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

ARISS News

Completed Contacts

Farmwell Station Middle School Space Dreamers, Ashburn, VA, direct via K4LRG The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut was Drew Morgan KI5AAA. The contact was successful on October 29, 2019 at 15:01:27 UTC.

Upcoming Contacts

Private UKEB School, Izmir, Turkey, telebridge via K6DUE
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP.
Contact is go for Tuesday, November 5, 2029 at 12:34 UTC.
Istituto Comprensivo “G.B. Perasso”, Milano, Italy and Istituto Comprensivo Montignoso –
Scuola secondaria I grado “G.B.Giorgini”, Montignoso, Italy Telebridge via VK5ZAI.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.
The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP.
Contact is go for: Wednesday, November 6 2019 at 09:27:34 UTC.

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.]

Shorts from All Over

Amazon Smile Purchases Add Up!
AmazonSmile recently reported that the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation received a quarterly donation of $280.92 thanks to customers shopping at smile.amazon.com. To date, AmazonSmile has donated a total of $4,194.21 to AMSAT. [ANS thanks Dr. Thomas A Clark, K3IO for the above information.]
GNU Radio Conference Recordings Available
The GNU Radio Conference was held September 16-20, 2019 at the Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. A total of 41 talks across a variety of topics are now available on YouTube. The GNU Radio Conference staff thanks all the speakers for their participation. View the playlist of presentations at https://t.co/zjRYq7yjr1. [ANS thanks GNU Radio for the above information.]
Building a Raspberry Pi-Based SatNOGS Ground Station
Corey Shields uses a Stegoboard 122 kit with the new Raspberry Pi4 to rebuild his ground station. What resulted is a pretty cool wall-mounted ground station. Read the full article at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-307-Ground-Station [ANS thanks Corey Shields for the above information.]
News from the First Week of WRC Week 1
The 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, November 1, 2019 saw agreement reached on several issues on which discussions prior to the conference had revealed consensus. Those were the easy ones; the rest will be more difficult. Read the full report at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-307-WRC [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]
The Dzhanibekov Effect (Or, Tennis Racket Theorem) and AO-73
Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, posted an analysis of the AO-73 rotation and flip. Dave says, “We have speculated why the satellite spins up and down and occasionally flips the direction of spin. Recently Jason Flynn, G7OCD found a YouTube video that might explain the flip which introduces The Dzhanibekov Effect or Tennis Racket Theorem in regards to stability of rotating bodies (such as spacecraft).” Read the article and watch the video at:
https://groups.io/g/FUNcube/topic/40405577
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VPfZ_XzisU [ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ for the above information.]
Amateur Radio and Linux – A Beginners Guide Linux and Amateur Radio
is a PDF presentation about Amateur Radio and Linux presented by : Dave Mamanakis, KD7GR. This presentation cover basic concepts of the open source operative system. View the presentation at https://www.dxzone.com/qsy33663-linux-and-amateur-radio-presentation. [ANS thanks the DX Zone for the above information.]
Amateur Radio CubeSat Demonstration at Goddard, November 3, 2019
The Goddard Amateur Radio Club members invite the public to see a demonstration of an Amateur Radio CubeSat simulator. The simulator consists of a solar/battery powered CubeSat that beacons telemetry data and a Raspberry Pi-based ground station that will receive and display the data in real time. The club will also set up radio equipment and attempt to communicate with other hams across the country using amateur satellites as they pass overhead. Club members will be on hand to explain the use of Amateur Radio satellites and equipment. The event is open to the public from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. The Center is located at 9432 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771. [ANS thanks Patch.com for the above information.]
ESA Announces New ISS Opportunity for University Students
ESA Education is inviting university student teams to submit proposals related to designing, building and operating an experiment that will be launched to the International Space Station and hosted inside the ICE Cubes facility for up to 4 months. The deadline for letters of intent is December 1, 2019. Full details can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-307-ESA-Opportunity [ANS thanks ESA for the above information.]
CQ-DATV November Issue Available
The November issue of CQ-DATV has arrived and is ready for downloading. This month’s issue includes plans for a 70 cm, DVB-T, television repeater with a duplexer. Download the free, complete issue at https://cq-datv.mobi/77.php [ANS thanks CQ-DATV for the above information.]
Satellite: The “Go To” Solution for Resilient Emergency Response Communications
Independent from terrestrial and wireless infrastructure, satellite communications provide a secure and reliable solution that can be deployed quickly for disaster response or national emergencies. A thorough analysis of why satellites can be useful in widespread emergency situations by a commercial provider. Read the full story at http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1950983317. [ANS thanks SatMagazine for the above information.]

73 and remember to behave and to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw at amsat dot org

ANS-300 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for October 27

October 27, 2019October 27, 2019 by JoAnne Maenpaa

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-300

In this edition:

AMSAT Goal: “Amateur Radio in Every CubeSat”
AMSAT VP User Services Describes Planning for Improvements
AMSAT-DL Symposium and JHV 2019 November 9 – November 10
Reminder – ARISS Proposal Window is Open Until November 30, 2019
ARISS Activities & Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Software Update for UZ7HO’s Software Packet-Radio TNC
Upcoming Satellite Operations
The AMSAT Hamfests & Conventions Web Page Updates
Satellite Shorts From All Over

AMSAT Goal: “Amateur Radio in Every CubeSat”

The ARRL Letter for October 17, 2019

AMSAT wants to see Amateur Radio in every CubeSat, and it’s partnering with non-Amateur Radio partners to make that happen. In the “Apogee View” editorial for the September/October issue of The AMSAT Journal, Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, wrote, “[W]e continue to support a stream of LEO satellites. RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E is ready for launch no earlier than December 1, 2019, on the ELaNa XX mission. The linear transponder and telemetry system carried aboard Fox-1E was designed for use in different CubeSats by merely adding an interface adapter for connection to the host bus.”

Stoetzer said CubeSat programs interested in launching an Amateur Radio payload may partner with AMSAT to carry a Fox-1E module on their spacecraft. “By providing Amateur Radio capability, the CubeSat program gets a worldwide ground station network to receive their telemetry and experiment data while the Amateur Radio community gets a transponder to use in orbit,” he pointed out.

Stoetzer said the first such partnership will be with the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington. Its 3U CubeSat — HuskySat-1 — is set to launch on the ELaNa XXV mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, no sooner than November 2. A Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft will carry HuskySat-1 to the International Space Station, and after completing its mission there, Cygnus will continue to an orbit of approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) to deploy HuskySat-1. “After a 30-day mission to complete tests of its experimental payloads — a pulsed plasma thruster, and a K-band (24 GHz) communications system — the satellite will be turned over to AMSAT, and the linear transponder will be made available to the Amateur Radio community,” Stoetzer said.

Ed. Note – HuskySat-1 will carry a 30 kHz wide 145 to 435 MHz linear transponder for amateur radio SSB/CW communications along with 1k2 BPSK telemetry. The IARU has coordinated a downlink on 435.810-435.840 MHz and uplink on 145.910-145.940 MHz. NASA TV (http://www.nasa.gov/ntv) will provide coverage of the launch. Pre-launch details are posted at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-Cygnus-Launch-Nov2

[ANS thanks AMSAT and the ARRL for the above information]

AMSAT VP User Services Describes Planning for Improvements

At the conclusion of the 2019 AMSAT Symposium and Annual General meeting, Robert Bankston, KE4AL, VP User Services provided a statement outlining his plans. Robert’s statement follows:

“I am so honored to be elected by the AMSAT Board of Directors to be the AMSAT Treasurer and reelected to be the AMSAT Vice-President of User Services, as well as reappointed as the Director of AMSAT Ambassadors by the AMSAT President. Thank you for your confidence in me. I am humbled. This is a lot of hats to wear, along with my full-time job, but I look forward to the challenge. I believe in AMSAT’s mission and have a wonderful team of volunteers to assist me.

“I am excited to announce that there are major improvements coming for our AMSAT members in the near future. The AMSAT Board of Directors approved my recommendations for an internet-based, member management system, the transition to a digitally delivered, full-color AMSAT Journal, and a complete overhaul of our AMSAT website. I have been putting together these proposals for several months and thank the Board of Directors for the permission to move these projects forward. These improvements will modernize how AMSAT serves you. I hope that you will be as impressed with them as I am.

“The member management system puts you in control of your membership account, allowing you to update your contact information, pay your dues, and register for events in real time. In addition, the program will automatically push out reminders, newsletters, and a digital copy of The AMSAT Journal.

“Transitioning to a digitally-delivered, AMSAT Journal will allow us to provide a full-color magazine, without raising the cost of membership. In addition, we will have to opportunity to provide member-only content on our website, to include back issues of our AMSAT Journal.

“Lastly, we will be working on a complete overhaul of our AMSAT website. Over the years, our website has received several facelifts, and, in the process, it has become somewhat disjointed. Our goal is to make the navigation more intuitive and offer the content you deserve. The front of the website will focus on external visitors, explaining who we are, what we do, and what we have to offer. We will also have portals for our members and friends in the AMSAT community, how to guides on getting started in amateur radio satellites, and all the important information about current satellites you will need to work them.

“AMSAT’s User Services is committed to serving AMSAT members and the AMSAT community and to deliver the quality services you deserve as we move forward into the next 50 years of Keeping Amateur Radio is Space! If you would like to join us on this incredible journey, we could sure use you help.

73,

Robert Bankston, KE4AL
Vice-President, User Services
Director, AMSAT Ambassadors
Treasurer
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)

[Ed. note – The AMSAT News Service is a proud member of the AMSAT User Services Team]

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT’s Man of Many Hats for the above information]

AMSAT-DL Symposium and JHV 2019 November 9 – November 10

AMSAT-DL extends an invitation to the Satellite Symposium and General Assembly of AMSAT Deutschland e.V. in Bochum, Germany. Lectures on current amateur radio satellites and space projects will be presented.

The lecture program and symposium schedule have been posted. Landing coordinates have been posted as 07° 11′ 39″ E 51° 25′ 40″ N.

See https://amsat-dl.org/en/event/amsat-dl-symposium-und-jhv-2019/ for the latest information and travel directions.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]

Reminder – ARISS Proposal Window is Open Until November 30, 2019

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 November 30, 2019. Proposal information and documents can be found at https://www.ariss.org/

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

ARISS Activities & Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

Liceo Scientifico Teresa Gullace, Rome, Italy,
Direct via IZØDIB and I.S.I.S. “ Zaccagna – Galilei” sede “G. Galilei”, Carrara. Italy,
Direct via IQ5VR Thu 2019-10-24 11:13 UTC
Contact was successful.
I.I.S. “Ciampini-Boccardo”, Novi Ligure, Italy,
Direct via I1LJV and I.T.I.S. “Magistri Cumacini”, Como, Italy,
Direct via IZ2MCC Fri 2019-10-25 10:24 UTC
Contact was successful.
Golden Oak Montessori, Castro Valley, CA, telebridge via K6DUE.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
Contact is go for: Mon 2019-10-28 15:50 UTC
Young Scientists Program at USC and Vermont Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA, direct via KN6CHS.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP
Contact is go for: Mon 2019-10-28 18:57 UTC
Farmwell Station Middle School Space Dreamers, Ashburn, VA, direct via K4LRG.
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
Contact is go for: Tue 2019-10-29 15:01 UTC

The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site.
The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at: https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html

AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades on ISS. These upgrades are necessary to enable students to continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. We have reached a great milestone with $33,955 raised or about 23% towards our goal. This would not have been possible without your outstanding generosity!! For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:
https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

Software Update for UZ7HO’s Software Packet-Radio TNC

Andrei, UZ7HO, the developer of the UZ7HO Soundmodem software, has released an updated version: Soundmodem105.

The UZ7HO soundmodem is a dual-port Packet-Radio TNC that uses a soundcard as a modem and supports the AX.25 protocol on computers running the Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 operating systems.

The newest version of Soundmodem supports these packet protocols:

AFSK 300, 600, 1200, 2400 bps (conventional packet)
BPSK 300, 600, 1200, 2400 bps
QPSK 2400, 3600, 4800 bps
8PSK 4800 bps

The updated software and documentation can be accessed at: http://uz7.ho.ua/packetradio.htm – and look for –

soundmodem105.zip 13-Oct-19 03:57
CHANGELOG.txt 13-Oct-19 04:36

High-speed packet software supporting the telemetry from amateur and scientific satellites, called hs_soundmodem21.zip can also be downloaded from this site.

High-Speed Soundmodem:

G3RUH 4800, 9600, 19200 bps
Manchester 1200, 2400, 3600, 7200 bps
HAPN 4800 bps
GOMX-1/3, Mobitex-NX (BeeSAT-2/4), AAUSAT-4, LilacSat-2 decoders

[ANS thanks Andrei, UZ7HO, for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

[Ed. note – Twitter URLs can be accessed with your web browser even if you do not have a personal Twitter account.]

Operating Shorts:
Oct 24-28, KQ2RP/1: FN54 (and possibly the FN44/54 line); FM only
St. Lucia, October 19-28, 2019
Jay, AA4FL, will be in St. Lucia for the J68MD CQWW SSB Contest Team. He will be doing OSCAR satellite operation as J6/AA4FL, by schedule as he is visiting vacation style in varying locations. His schedule will depend on shifts as a team member of the CQWW J68MD team. E-mail per QRZ to coordinate both FM simple SATs and SSB linear transponder bird QSO schedules. Radios will be a FT-817ND and FT-818ND for full duplex operation using an Arrow II antenna.
Minnesota’s North Shore (EN36/EN46, EN47/EN48, EN57/EN58) October 30 to November 1, 2019.
Mitch, ADØHJ, will be taking a tour of Minnesota’s North Shore before the BIG SNOW comes down. It all kicks off with the Oct 30 06:35z CAS-4B pass from EN57/58 grid line and ends on the Nov 1 11:27z SO-50 pass from EN36/46 line. In between, Mitch will hit the EN47/48 grid line. 24 FM and Linear passes in all. Definitely something for everyone. Keep and eye on Mitch’s Twitter feed for further updates: https://twitter.com/AD0HJ
South TX (EL0x and EL1x) November 2-9, 2019
Ron, AD0DX, will be vacationing in McAllen TX area the week of Nov 2 to 9. He will be roving to south Texas on the above dates. His current plan is as follows:Sat Nov 2nd: EL08/EL09 probably one pass per grid starting in the late afternoon local Sun Nov 3: EL17/EL18 holiday style, one or two passes per grid Mon Nov 4 through Fri Nov 8: EL06 / EL15 / EL16. He is staying in EL06 and will activate 15 and 16 a few times throughout the week. Will probably activate EL06 4 or 5 times. Sat Nov 9: EL07 / EL08 Probably one pass from each grid. He will be active on FM and linear satellites and will tweet passes from https://twitter.com/ad0dx
EM68/69 November 3-5, 2019
Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Illinois, November 3–5. Key word is vacation, but he will jump over to activate the EM68/EM69 gridline on FM satellites. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
Nunavut, Canada (ER60) November 11 – December 6, 2019
Look for VY0ERC to once again be active from the Eureka Weather station (NA-008, Zone 2) between Nov. 11 to Dec. 6. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
EA9 Melilla (IM85) November 18-21, 2019
Philippe, EA4NF, will be operating from Melilla as EA9/EA4NF from November 18 to 21, 2019. This very small Spanish territory located in Northern Africa, which is a very rare GRID and is listed as one of the Most Wanted SAT DXCC. Updates and passes on Philippe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT
Key West (EL94) December 3-6, 2019
Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Key West December 3-6. Key word is vacation, but he will jump on some FM satellite passes to activate EL94 for those that need it or just want to chat. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

Just because the year is winding down and Winter in knocking on the door doesn’t mean the satellite operations are slowing down. Check out AMSAT’s Upcoming Satellite Operations pages for all the latest happenings:
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/

Announcements are posted as soon as they are received, so make sure you bookmark the page and check it often. If you have an activation in the works, please send me an email to make sure the word gets out.

[ANS Thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information]

The AMSAT Hamfests & Conventions Web Page Updates

Information about AMSAT activities at important events around the country is posted on the AMSAT Hamfests & Conventions web page: https://www.amsat.org/other-events/

Examples of these events are radio club meetings where AMSAT representatives give presentations, demonstrations of working amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence such as a table or booth with AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations, forums, and/or demonstrations.

A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from the page (above) – get the “AMSAT Intro Brochure”, a color brochure that is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office if you need pre-printed copies.

To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Ambassadors for the above information

The Fox-In-A-Box Raspberry Pi SD card for setting up a
Raspberry Pi-based telemetry station for the Fox-1 satellites
now supports the Raspberry Pi 4.
Get yours today on the AMSAT Store!
https://amsat.org/product/fox-in-a-box-raspberry-pi-sd-card/

Satellite Shorts From All Over

NASA is inviting 50 social media users to witness the next SpaceX cargo launch to the Space Station. All details, requirements, and restrictions are posted at: https://go.nasa.gov/2MGt27y Applications close Oct. 31.
To apply for a NASA Internship head over to http://intern.nasa.gov to see what’s new! You can learn about about NASA Internships, Pathways, Fellowships, and International Internship opportunities! The application deadline for spring 2020 is November 5, 2019.
The presentation by Alan B. Johnston, PhD, KU2Y, AMSAT VP Educational Relations, and Pat Kilroy, N8PK, at the 37th Space Symposium “A Year with the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator: 12 Months in the Classroom and Lab” is available for download as a PDF file at https://t.co/8ytonDXW5v View Alan’s announcement on Twitter https://t.co/0fiFiU56LM A PDF copy of Alan and Pat’s PowerPoint slides for their presentation, “Updates to the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator: Fox Emulation Mode and Raspberry Pi Ground Station” can be downloaded from: https://t.co/N4bjCVVBym?amp=1
AMSAT Colloquium Talk on QO-100 is posted at: https://amsat-uk.org/2019/10/21/video-eshail-2-qo-100-talk/ and https://youtu.be/hxxlCx3W5Bg Videos of the presentations given at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, which was held as part of the RSGB Convention in Milton Keynes, October 12-13, 2019, are being made available on YouTube. A recent release is the talk on the geostationary satellite Es’hail-2 / QO-100 activities of AMSAT-DL given by Achim Vollhardt, DH2VA, this is followed by the awarding of the RSGB Louis Varney Cup to Peter Gülzow DB2OS.
The Microwave Update (MUD) 2019 Conference in the Dallas, TX area has wrapped up. Both the MUD proceedings and GNU Radio Workshop proceedings are available from Lulu.
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-MUD-GNU-Proceedings
AO-7 has been operating during a period of full illumination that will last until approximately Decenber 2nd. During this time, the satellite’s onboard timer should switch it between Mode A (145 MHz uplink / 29 MHz downlink) and Mode B (432 MHz uplink / 145 MHz downlink) every 24 hours. To check or report the satellite’s current mode, please see the AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page at: https://www.amsat.org/status/ A description of AO-7 operation is posted at: https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/ao-7/
NASA article highlights the role of amateur radio in letting young people speak directly with astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station is posted at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-NASA-Youth
NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson Perform the First Space-Earth Duet. NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, circling Earth aboard the International Space Station, and musician Ian Anderson, founder of the rock band Jethro Tull, joined together for the first space-Earth duet. See: https://youtu.be/XeC4nqBB5BM
West Point cadets using the USMA amateur radio club callsign W2KGY had a contact with Col. Drew Morgan, U.S. Military Academy Class of 1998, aboard the ISS. An article with links to a video of the contact is posted at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-ISS-WestPoint
A new groups.io announcement from the ARRL describes new on-line forums: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-ARRL-Forums You can join the Groups at: https://groups.arrl.org/g/ARRL-Groups/subgroups
The NFL inspires a satellite docking tool which teaches satellites to interact and dock in space, an Aerospace team found a possible solution on Sunday Night Football™: https://aerospace.org/article/nfl-inspires-satellite-docking-tool
The ESA web pages presented with a new look this week: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-ESA-New-Look and, now you can tune in to ESA’s latest digital channel: ESA Web TV! This is ESA’s one-stop-shop for all live events from launches to lectures: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Presenting_ESA_Web_TV
Will We Survive Mars? A video series from Vox gives us something to think about: https://youtu.be/x8fpeVICeGg
This video describes how to set up ham radio software on the Raspberry Pi: https://youtu.be/cGlfv-aPkU8
Follow a project to use a RaspberryPi to sync your windshield wipers to music; this is apparently a work in progress: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-Wipers-With-A-Beat
AMSAT-SA Space Symposium 2020 in South Africa is planned for July 18, 2020. The theme will be: Amateur Radio in Space – exploring VHF, UHF and Microwaves. The latest information will be posted at: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ Kletskous related PowerPoint presentations can be accessed at the same web page include:
– Kletskous
– Kletskous Transponder
– Kletskous Magnetic Stabilisation
Scientists and engineers from nearly a dozen Polish universities have teamed up with Poland-based satellite company SatRevolution and Sir Richard Branson’s small satellite launch company Virgin Orbit to establish a new consortium to design and carry out the world’s first dedicated commercial small satellite mission to Mars. See: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-300-SatRevolution
The nearest galaxy, Andromeda, is headed toward our Milky Way galaxy at 110 km per second (68 miles/sec). It’ll look bigger & bigger in our skies before colliding with us in a few billion years, and when that happens, the two galaxies will be ripped across space by tidal forces. Have a nice day … https://twitter.com/physicsJ/status/1182628766289297408?s=20

[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]

73 and remember to behave and to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
k9jkm at amsat dot org

ANS-293 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for October 20

October 19, 2019 by JoAnne Maenpaa

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-293

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT North America, 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.

In this edition:

2019 AMSAT Symposium Underway! Livestream Available
AMSAT Board of Directors Announces 2019 Officers
AMSAT-UK Colloquium Videos Available
Cubesat Simulators Launched
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
Upcoming Satellite Operations
Satellite Shorts From All Over

2019 AMSAT Symposium Underway! Livestream Available

The 37th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting has begun, and will continue through Sunday, October 20, 2019, at The Hilton Arlington in Arlington, Virginia. Sessions are being live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AMSATNA/

The AMSAT Board of Directors met just before the Symposium, Oct. 16-17, at the same hotel.

The Symposium, which celebrates 50 years of AMSAT, features OSCAR Park –- a display of satellites from throughout the history of amateur radio in space. Paper presentations and the AMSAT Annual General Meeting will also be featured. The schedule of presentation is available at: https://www.amsat.org/symposium-schedule/

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the above information]

AMSAT Board of Directors Announces 2019 Officers

These are the results of the 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors meeting vote for Officers:

Joe Spier, K6WAO, of Reno, NV, as President
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, of Washington, DC, as Executive Vice President
Jerry Buxton, N0JY, of Granbury, TX, as Vice-President Engineering
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, of Brooksville, FL, as Vice-President Operations
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, of Towson, MD, as Vice-President Human Spaceflight
Robert Bankston, KE4AL, of Dothan, AL as Vice-President User Services
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, of Burnsville, MN as Vice-President Development
Alan Johnston, KU2Y, of Philadelphia, PA as Vice-President Educational Relations
Brennan Price, N4QX, of Vienna, VA, as Secretary
Robert Bankston, KE4AL, of Dothan, AL, as Treasurer
Martha Saragovitz of Silver Spring, MD, as Manager

The Board of Directors appointed officers for the new year at its meeting in Arlington, Va. on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Officers are selected by the Board from among the AMSAT membership, based on expertise and experience.

[Thanks to the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information]

Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

AMSAT-UK Colloquium Videos Available

Videos of the presentations given at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, which was held as part of the RSGB Convention in Milton Keynes, October 12-13, 2019, are being made available on YouTube.

The first of the videos is the fascinating presentation on the WUSAT-3 CubeSat project given by Professor Julia Hunter-Anderson of the University of Warwick which highlights the potential use of CubeSats for wildlife tracking. Other presentations are expected to be uploaded in the coming weeks.

The AMSAT-UK videos are located on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AMSATUK/videos

AMSAT-UK wishes to thank the British Amateur Television Club and Wouter Weggelaar, PA3WEG, for their work in recording, editing and uploading these videos.

[ANS thanks Trevor Essex, M5AKA, and AMSAT-UK for the above information]

Cubesat Simulators Launched

Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Vice President – Educational Relations has announced the general availability of the AMSAT Cubesat Simulators. Speaking at the 37th Annual Space Symposium, Alan reports that since the prototype Cubesat Simulators were introduced at Hamvention in May, 2019, the simulators have undergone testing and final release. Among the schools testing the simulators was Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. Science and Engineering teacher Melissa Pore presented to the symposium audience her experience with using a simulator in one of her engineering clubs and how her student benefited from their use.

A Cubesat Simulator is a self-contained satellite model that reports solar cell performance via standard AFSK 1200 BPS AX.25 telemetry. The telemetry can be decoded with a simple SDR ground station. A Cubesat Simulator package consists of the 1U simulator, a halogen work light to simulate sunshine, and a motorized rotating turntable that mimics the satellite tumbling through space. The four loaner packages are packed and shipped in a hard case. The simulator is shipped prepaid while the user pays return shipping.

Persons interested in borrowing a CubeSat Simulator for a local presentation is encouraged to contact Alan at KU2Y at amsat dot org.

[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President – Educational Relations for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution

The following Amateur Radio satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s TLE distribution:

TNS 0-2 – NORAD CAT ID 42914 – Decayed 10/15/2019 (per Space-Track).

Last week a number of “N”s were present in a few TLEs which caused some programs to reject those TLEs. Note: Some (but not all) of the raw TLEs from SpaceTrack have plus signs (+) which are not necessary. All plus signs (+) in the TLEs are routinely changed to a blank space.

Last week all plus signs were incorrectly changed to the letter “N”. This was due to a change in the formatting program and a typing error that substituted a “N” instead of a single blank space everytime a plus sign was present. That problem has been corrected and should not be an issue in the future.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, for the above information]

The Fox-In-A-Box Raspberry Pi SD card for setting up a Raspberry Pi-based
telemetry station for the Fox-1 satellites now supports the Raspberry Pi4.
Get yours today on the AMSAT Store!
https://amsat.org/product/fox-in-a-box-raspberry-pi-sd-card/

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

Due the crew EVA schedule some ARISS contacts may need to be rescheduled.
An International Space Station school contact was completed with participants at Science & Technologie e.V. event: Science Days, Teningen, Germany on Thursday, Oct. 17. The event lasted approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds, direct between OR4ISS and DN1EME. The contact was audible over Germany and adjacent areas on the 145.80 MHz downlink.
Istituto Comprensivo Statale “Diego Valeri”, Campolongo Maggiore, Italy, direct via IQ3RW and Istituto Comprensivo Ladispoli1, Ladispoli, Italy, direct via IKØWGF, the ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be IRØISS and the scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano, KF5KDP. The contact is go for: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:27:13 UTC (26 degrees) Watch for live stream from IQ3RW side of the contact at: https://tinyurl.com/y5pcyr9m Watch for live stream from IKØWGF side of the contact directly on the AMSAT Italia youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkJ8IFmfTO-pUkVFNrUXIcg
I.I.S. “Ciampini-Boccardo”, Novi Ligure, Italy, direct via I1LJV and I.T.I.S. “Magistri Cumacini”, Como, Italy, direct via IZ2MCC, the ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be IRØISS. The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano, KF5KDP. Contact is go for: Friday, Oct. 25 at 10:24:39 UTC

The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, of the ARISS operation team for the above information]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

St. Lucia, October 19-28, 2019
Jay, AA4FL, will be in St. Lucia for the J68MD CQWW SSB Contest Team. Jay will be doing OSCAR satellite operation as J6/AA4FL, by schedule as he is visiting vacation style in varying locations. His schedule will depend on shifts as a team member of the CQWW J68MD team. E-mail per QRZ to coordinate both FM simple SATs and SSB linear transponder bird QSO schedules. Radios will be a FT-817ND and FT-818ND for full duplex operation using an Arrow II antenna.
Oregon, DN04, October 21, 2019
KI7UNJ will be QRV on Oct. 21, from 1653z to 1910z, FM only.
Colombia, through October, 2019
The special event stations J500LDV, 5J500D, 5J500L, and 5J500V will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death on the air until the end of October. QRV on 80 to 10m on CW, SSB, digital modes, and via satellite. An award program will be available as well. QSL via HK3VHZ, LoTW, eQSL.
Texas, EL06, EL16 and adjacent grids, November 2-9, 2019
Ron Bondy, AD0DX, reports on Twitter that he will be flying to San Antonio and hopes to activate as many as 10 south Texas grids. Watch Twitter @ad0dx for details.
Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special empahasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice-President of User Services for the above information]

Satellite Shorts From All Over

The AMSAT Office will be closed on Monday, October 21 as the AMSAT Symposium wraps up. (ANS thanks Martha Saragovitz, AMSAT Manager, for the above information — you deserve a day off, Martha!)
Astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir carried out history’s first all-female spacewalk Friday, floating outside the International Space Station and successfully installing a 230-pound replacement battery charger in the lab’s solar power system. The historic excursion was carried out in a blaze of public interest that rose all the way to the White House. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has named Douglas Loverro as the agency’s new associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. Loverro succeeds former astronaut Kenneth Bowersox, who has been acting associate administrator since July. Previously, Loverro spent three decades in the Department of Defense and the National Reconnaissance Office developing, managing, and establishing national policy for the full range of national security space activities. (ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information)
SpaceX is seeking approval to add up to 30,000 more satellites to its Starlink broadband network, on top of 12,000 spacecraft already authorized by U.S. government regulators, according to filings submitted to the International Telecommunication Union. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Now for the above information)
Possibly related to the previous news item, LeoLabs announced that they plan to build four additional radar installations for tracking space debris. Their current installations can track objects down to about a 10 cm diameter, but with their new installations they’ll theoretically be able to track objects as small as 2 cm. In general, current radar systems tend to be limited on the lower end to objects in the 5-10 cm range. Systems like LeoLabs’ and the U.S. Air Force’s upcoming Marshall Islands-based Space Fence will improve coverage, but still won’t see the 128 million objects from 1 mm to 1 cm, which have the potential to disable or completely destroy a satellite. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who became the first person in history to spacewalk in 1965, has died aged 85. He went on to become the commander of Soyuz-Apollo, the first ever joint US-Soviet mission in 1975. Leonov died at Moscow’s Burdenko hospital on Friday, Oct. 11 after a long illness. (ANS thanks BBC.com for the above information)

73,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Mark Johns, K0JM
K0JM at amsat dot org