AMSAT-DL Hosts futureGEO Meeting, Bochum Space Days Symposium
ISS SSTV Events Upcoming
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 26, 2025
ARISS News
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 https://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
Proposals for Symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your paper or presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 8th for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings.
Proposals for presentations at the Symposium do not require a paper. Presentations will be recorded and made available on AMSAT’s YouTube Channel and transcribed and published with its slides in the Proceedings.
Proposals should be sent to Frank Karnauskas, N1UW via [email protected]
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
AMSAT Remove Before Flight Key Tags Now Available Yes, These are the Real Thing!
The Artemis II test flight will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, KF5LKT; Victor Glover, KI5BKC; and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, KF5LKU, on an approximately 10-day mission around the Moon.
Targeted for no later than April 2026, the mission will rely on NASA’s Near Space Network and Deep Space Network for primary communications and tracking support throughout its launch, orbit, and reentry. However, with a growing focus on commercialization, NASA wants to further understand industry’s tracking capabilities.
This collaboration opportunity builds upon a previous request released by NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation Program (SCaN ) during the Artemis I mission in 2022. Ten volunteers successfully tracked the uncrewed Orion spacecraft on its journey thousands of miles beyond the Moon and back.
One of those volunteers tracking in 2022 was Scott Chapman, K4KDR, of Montpelier, Virginia. “Sometimes it’s what you don’t know that makes this kind activity interesting,” said Chapman. “All I had was a small S-band dish and receiver and wasn’t sure what I could or couldn’t hear…but when I started hearing the signals…it made everything worth it.”
Chapman said he felt good about the whole process and, while it was interesting, it was also lot of fun!
There were also other participants during the Artemis I mission, including international space agencies, academic institutions, commercial companies, nonprofits, and private citizens who were also attempting to receive Orion’s signals. Chapman added that NASA is also looking for commercial partnerships to share in the process.
If you’re interested in volunteering for next year’s event, all of the information can be found at SAM.gov. The response deadline is October 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT.
[ANS thanks the ARRL Letter for the above information]
The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Are Here! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus. Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!
AMSAT-DL Hosts futureGEO Meeting, Bochum Space Days Symposium
AMSAT-DL hosted its annual Symposium during the Bochum Space Days on September 19-21. Prior to the opening of the Symposium, AMSAT-DL hosted a meeting regarding the futureGEO project. The futureGEO project is a prospective geostationary amateur radio payload potentially hosted on board a satellite with coverage including portions of North America. AMSAT was represented at this meeting by Vice President – Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA.
AMSAT-DL’s Symposium included presentations on the futureGEO project as well as presentations on AMSAT-DL’s ERMINAZ-1 PocketQubes, updates from AMSAT-UK on the Jovian-1 and FUNcube+ projects, as well as other updates on various amateur satellite related projects.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
ISS SSTV Events Upcoming
Two ARISS SSTV events are planned over the next few weeks. First, an event is planned for October 3-6 commemorating the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Then, on October 17-20, scouting themed images will be transmitted to coincide with the International Scouting Jamboree.
ISS SSTV images are transmitted using the PD-120 mode on 145.800 MHz.
More information about start/end times will be available closer to the event start dates.
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 26, 2025
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]
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase an M2 LEO-Pack from the AMSAT Store!
When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
ARISS News
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.
Scheduled Contacts
Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, Georgia, direct via KI4ITG
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Mike Fincke KE5AIT
The ARISS mentor is K4RGK
Contact is go for: Tue 2025-09-30 15:58:19 UTC 29 deg
Instituto Politecnico Nacional: Planetario “Luis Enrique Erro”, Mexico City (Gustavo A. Madero), Mexico, Direct via XE2L
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentor is VE3TBD
Contact is go for: Wed 2025-10-01 16:41:48 UTC 67 deg
Girl Guides Association of NSW/ACT/NT, Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia, telebridge via VK4ISS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be TBD
The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
The scheduled crewmember is Mike Fincke KE5AIT
The ARISS mentor is VK4KHZ
Contact is go for: Sat 2025-10-04 10:26:23 UTC 62 deg
Many times a school may make a last minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
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.
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]
Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
Get an 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
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.
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”
Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.
Scheduled Events
North Star Radio Convention – October 11, 2025
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://northstarradio.org/
ADØHJ
43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16 thru 19, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Details at https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/
Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]
Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ Stretching the footprint of QO-100 continued this past week with activations from Newfoundland by VO1/F4BXV. VO1/F4BXV conducted the first activations of GN36 and GN38 on QO-100 (Via DF2ET (@flo_0_) on X).
+ FO-29’s analog transponder will be activated at the following times in October:
Oct 3rd 23:36-
Oct 5th 00:26-, 23:30-
Oct 11th 00:10-, 23:14-
Oct 13th 00:04-
Oct 17th 22:58-
Oct 18th 23:48-
Oct 24th 23:31-
Oct 26th 00:22-
Due to FO-29’s battery status, the satellite remains active following the activation times until the satellite’s undervoltage control shuts the transponder off. (Via JARL)
+ Satellite DXpeditions to PJ7 (Sint Maarten) and FP (St. Pierre & Miquelon) over the past week were successful with PJ7K and FP5KE making numerous satellite QSOs.
+ AO-123’s FM transponder returned to service this past week. The uplink is 145.850 MHz with a 67 Hz CTCSS tone and the downlink is 435.400 MHz. (Thanks to Harbin Institute of Technology)
+ AMSAT -EA has announced that SO-125’s FM transponder will now be left on full-time. The uplink for SO-125 is 145.875 MHz (no tone needed) and the downlink is 435.666 MHz. (Thanks to AMSAT-EA)
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 Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm [at] arrl.net
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002
* AMSAT 2025 Board of Directors Election Results Announced to Membership
* Special Hotel Rate Deadline is September 24 for AMSAT 43rd Annual Symposium
* AMSAT July/August 2025 AMSAT Journal Now Available for Member Download
* Open Letter from AMSAT-SM Highlights Need for Full Duplex Handheld Radio
* Wow@Home Project Builds Worldwide SDR Telescope Network to Monitor the Sky
* Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts with Record Cargo Delivery to ISS
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September 19, 2025
* ARISS News
* 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 https://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
AMSAT 2025 Board of Directors Election Results Announced to Membership
The 2025 AMSAT Board of Directors Election concluded on September 15, 2025, with a total of 330 votes cast. Four seats were up for election this year, with the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes elected to two-year terms on the Board of Directors, and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes designated as Alternate Director for a one-year term.
The following have been elected to serve on the AMSAT Board of Directors:
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA – 261 votes
Jerry Buxton, NØJY – 254 votes
Barry Baines, WD4ASW – 245 votes
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW – 232 votes
Alternate Director:
Douglas Tabor, N6UA – 213 votes
The AMSAT Board of Directors is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction, overseeing satellite projects and operations, supporting educational outreach, and fostering collaboration with partners worldwide. The Board ensures that AMSAT continues to fulfill its mission of advancing amateur radio in space for the benefit of members and the broader amateur-radio community.
[ANS thanks Doug Tabor, N6UA, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information]
Special Hotel Rate Deadline is September 24 for AMSAT 43rd Annual Symposium
The deadline to reserve a hotel room at the AMSAT special rate for the 43rd Annual Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting is Tuesday, September 24. The discounted rate of $129 plus tax is offered at the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North, located minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
All rooms are two-room suites with a choice of two Queens or one King, and include breakfast, free parking, a free airport shuttle, outdoor pool, brew pub, courtyard, and fully updated rooms. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel using Group Code: P7C, and discounted rooms are limited.
[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP – Development, for the above information]
AMSAT July/August 2025 AMSAT Journal Now Available for Member Download
The July/August 2025 edition of The AMSAT Journal is now available to members. The AMSAT Journal is AMSAT’s bi-monthly digital magazine dedicated to amateur radio in space. Each issue features technical articles, educational initiatives, operating activities, and community news from around the world. Members can access both the latest edition and the full archive through the AMSAT member portal.
Inside the Current Issue: Apogee View – Robert Bankston, KE4AL; Educational Relations Update – Alan Johnston, KU2Y; AMSAT Field Day 2025 Results – Bruce Paige, KK5DO; An Amateur Radio Eye on AI – Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK; Experimental Validation of the Mexican Network of Amateur Satellite Stations (REMEASAT) – Omar Álvarez Cárdenas, XE1AO, et al.
This issue opens with Robert Bankston, KE4AL, delivering his final Apogee View column as AMSAT President. Bankston reflects on five years of leadership, thanking members and volunteers for their dedication while emphasizing the need to continue pushing forward with higher orbits, expanded communications, and vigilance in protecting amateur frequencies. Educational outreach is another key theme, with Alan Johnston, KU2Y, providing updates on the CubeSatSim project, STEM activity guides, and recent demonstrations in the U.S. and Australia. He also previews educational sessions at both the AMSAT Space Symposium and AMSAT-UK Colloquium this October.
The AMSAT Journal July/August 2025 edition is now available for member download. [Credit: AMSAT]
Contest enthusiasts will enjoy Bruce Paige’s, KK5DO, detailed report on the 2025 AMSAT Field Day. This year saw seventeen participating stations with highlights including innovative setups, first-time satellite contacts, and several memorable QSOs with the ISS. Other technical features include Joe Kornowski’s article, An Amateur Radio Eye on AI, exploring practical applications of artificial intelligence for weak-signal decoding, propagation forecasting, and antenna optimization, as well as a comprehensive study on the Experimental Validation of the Mexican Network of Amateur Satellite Stations (REMEASAT), showcasing citizen-science collaboration across Mexico and beyond.
Beyond the feature articles, the issue also highlights upcoming events such as the 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting, scheduled for October 16–19 in Phoenix, Arizona. Members will also find announcements on opportunities to support AMSAT through the President’s Club and eBay for Charity initiatives, reflecting the many ways volunteers and donors continue to strengthen AMSAT’s mission of keeping amateur radio in space.
[ANS thanks Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, Editor-in-Chief of The AMSAT Journal, for the above information]
Open Letter from AMSAT-SM Highlights Need for Full Duplex Handheld Radio
In August, the AMSAT-SM group in Sweden issued an open letter to several major amateur radio manufacturers calling for the development of a new handheld transceiver with true full duplex capability. The initiative, led by Lars Thunberg, SM0TGU, highlights the strong demand within the satellite operating community for modern equipment that supports simultaneous transmit and receive on different bands without desense.
The letter was sent to a dozen manufacturers, including Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Alinco, Baofeng, TYT, Wouxun, Retevis, AnyTone, QYT, Radtel, and Verotelecom. These companies represent both long-established Japanese firms and newer Chinese brands that have introduced a wide variety of handhelds in recent years. While today’s radios often feature APRS, GPS, Bluetooth, and USB-C charging, none currently provide the full duplex FM capability needed for effective satellite operation.
AMSAT-SM emphasized that full duplex operation is vital for amateur satellite use, allowing operators to hear their own downlink while transmitting. This feature was present in older, now-discontinued models such as the Kenwood TH-D72, but is missing from all currently produced handhelds. The group argued that satellite operators would be willing to pay a premium for this capability, and that manufacturers could capture a unique market by stepping into this space.
Kenwood’s TH-D72, discontinued in 2018, is still valued by many as the best FM satellite handheld. [Credit: Fred Lesnick VE3FAL]Among the minimum technical requirements outlined were extended filtering between the VHF and UHF bands, robust desense protection, support for both memory and VFO operation in duplex mode, CTCSS subtone transmission, and a rugged external antenna connector for portable Yagi antenna use. Practical considerations such as USB-C charging, selectable power output up to five watts, and energy-efficient design for longer battery life were also highlighted as priorities.
AMSAT-SM further suggested several “nice to have” features that could broaden the radio’s appeal. These included APRS with GPS, Bluetooth support for wireless headsets, and computer connectivity over Bluetooth for channel programming and Doppler control. The group specifically recommended implementing the CAT protocol over Bluetooth, which would allow operators to use existing satellite tracking and Doppler correction software without proprietary apps.
As of August 30, AMSAT-SM reported that three of the twelve manufacturers contacted had responded to their appeal, with one company moving forward in discussions. While details remain confidential, the group encourages operators to stay tuned for updates. The effort reflects both the continuing innovation within the amateur satellite community and the strong desire for modern, purpose-built equipment to support space-based communication.
Wow@Home Project Builds Worldwide SDR Telescope Network to Monitor the Sky
The Wow@Home project, inspired by the famous “Wow!” signal detected in 1977, is advancing its effort to establish a global network of small, software defined radio (SDR) telescopes dedicated to searching for transient astrophysical events and potential technosignatures. Testing of hardware and software continues, though progress has been slowed by a shortage of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), a key component expected back in stock later this month. Project organizers note that the original Wow! signal was strong enough to have been detected by a modest home telescope, underscoring the scientific value of a distributed approach.
A worldwide network of small radio telescopes offers distinct advantages compared to professional observatories. These low-cost systems can operate autonomously around the clock, providing continuous sky monitoring that large instruments cannot sustain. Distributed across different time zones, the network allows global coverage, coincidence detection of events, and rapid response to alerts. The approach is scalable, resilient, and accessible, making it ideal for education, citizen science, and wider participation in radio astronomy.
The prototype Wow@Home telescope is a meridian-style system modeled after the Big Ear telescope used in the Ohio State SETI project. With a fixed elevation and a wide 25-degree beam, the telescope surveys a full 360-degree strip of sky each day as the Earth rotates. Over time, multiple passes yield full-sky coverage. While sensitivity is lower than professional instruments, this design provides valuable data on radio frequency interference (RFI) near the hydrogen line and creates a platform for detecting strong transient events.
First Wow@Home Radio Telescope using Nooelec Mesh Antenna and ezRA software. [Credit: Wow@Home Project]Central to the project is the Wow@Home software, now under development. Built initially in IDL (Interactive Data Language) and later to be translated to Python for broader access, the software acquires and analyzes data to identify transient events and reject RFI. Early test results include signal-to-noise plots, hydrogen spectral profiles of the Galactic center, and narrowband event detections. A unique “retro” display option is also being developed to recreate the printout style of the original Ohio SETI experiments, connecting modern work to its historic roots.
The Wow@Home network is not an interferometer and does not measure polarization at this stage. Its strength lies in continuous, distributed monitoring for signals lasting from seconds to days. Coordinated observations across multiple sites can confirm weak or short-lived events, eliminate local interference, and provide complementary coverage to large observatories. Recent discoveries of Fast Radio Bursts and long-period transients illustrate the types of phenomena that modest instruments may detect if deployed widely.
Looking ahead, organizers estimate that at least 114 telescopes are required for basic sky coverage, with about 342 needed for effective redundancy and RFI rejection. At a cost of roughly $500 per station, the full network could be established for under $200,000—far less than a single professional facility. A public version of the Wow@Home software is expected by late 2025 or early 2026. Volunteers with expertise in RFI mitigation, graphical interfaces, or app development are encouraged to contribute. More information is available from project lead Abel Méndez at the University of Puerto Rico (abel.mendez [at] upr.edu).
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL Debuts with Record Cargo Delivery to ISS
Northrop Grumman’s newest cargo spacecraft, the Cygnus XL, successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on September 18 following its debut launch. The capture took place at 7:24 a.m. EDT (1124 UTC) as NASA astronaut Jonny Kim operated the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to grapple the freighter while the complex orbited about 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Democratic Republic of Congo. The arrival came one day later than originally planned after the spacecraft overcame a thruster issue during rendezvous preparations.
The mission, designated NG-23, lifted off on September 14 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch marked the 23rd Cygnus resupply flight for NASA, continuing Northrop Grumman’s role in commercial cargo delivery. The company partnered with SpaceX to provide launch services after previously relying on its Antares rocket.
A thruster anomaly initially delayed Cygnus XL’s approach, requiring mission planners to rework the trajectory for a safe capture. “It’s a very intricate planning exercise that we have to go through to arrive at Space Station and rendezvous in a very specific point in space,” explained Bill Spetch, NASA ISS operations integration manager. Engineers resolved the issue, allowing the spacecraft to complete its final maneuvers and reach the station safely.
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL cargo freighter is captured by the ISS Canadarm2 on September 18, 2025. [Credit: NASA]
Cygnus XL represents the largest and most capable version of the cargo vehicle to date. The freighter delivered approximately 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) of supplies, science experiments, and hardware, compared to about 8,500 pounds (3,855 kilograms) on earlier flights. The debut also ended a year-long gap in Cygnus operations, caused by delays to the NG-22 mission, which was ultimately canceled following transport damage.
The NG-23 vehicle was christened the S.S. William “Willie” McCool, honoring the NASA astronaut who lost his life in the 2003 space shuttle Columbia tragedy. “To see a ship bearing his name safely arrive at the station is a reminder that his courage and kindness are still circling our beautiful planet Earth,” said Kim after completing capture operations.
On board are materials to advance research in multiple disciplines, including semiconductor crystal growth, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cryogenic fuel tank technology, and microbial control systems. NASA highlighted a specialized ultraviolet light unit to improve water system safety and crystal-growth experiments that could lead to new cancer treatments. The S.S. McCool was berthed to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 UTC) on September 18 and is scheduled to remain at the ISS until March 2026 before deorbiting to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
The 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coins Have Just Arrived! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus. Join the AMSAT President’s Club today!
Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for September 19, 2025
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 News
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.
Scheduled Contacts
+ Recently Completed
Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division, Taka Town, Japan, direct via JA3YRL
The ISS callsign was OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember was Kimiya Yui KG5BPH
The ARISS mentor was 7M3TJZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2025-09-11 09:22:34 UTC
Congratulations to the Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division students, Kimiya KG5BPH, mentor 7M3TJZ, and ground station JA3YRL!
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, Nigeria, telebridge via ZS6JON
The ISS callsign was NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember was Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentor was IN3GHZ
Contact was successful: Sat 2025-09-20 09:37:23 UTC
Congratulations to the NASRDA students, Zena KJ5CMN, mentor IN3GHZ, and ground station ZS6JON!
+ Upcoming Contacts
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
The scheduled crewmember is Oleg Platonov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for: Wed 2025-09-24 10:00 UTC
Many times a school may make a last-minute decision to do a Livestream or run into a last-minute glitch requiring a change of the URL but we at ARISS may not get the URL in time for publication. You can always check https://live.ariss.org/ to see if a school is Livestreaming.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
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.
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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.
AMSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, says,
“Think a 75-minute presentation on “working the easy satellites” would be appropriate for your club or event? Let me know by emailing me at k6lcsclint (at) gmail (dot) com or calling me at 909-999-SATS (7287)!”
Clint has NEVER given the exact same show twice: EACH of the 150+ presentations so far has been customized/tailored to their audiences.
North Star Radio Convention – October 11, 2025
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://northstarradio.org/
ADØHJ
43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting – October 16 thru 19, 2025
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Details at https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/
Interested in becoming an AMSAT Ambassador? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]
Satellite Shorts from All Over
+ A recent experiment demonstrated that a Bitcoin Lightning payment invoice can be relayed through the amateur radio satellite QO-100, showcasing a new use of its wideband digital transponder. The test employed the AMSAT-DL Multimedia High-Speed Modem to convert a BOLT11 Lightning invoice into an image file, modulate the data, and uplink it to QO-100 at 25.5°E in geostationary orbit. After rebroadcast to Earth, the file was decoded by ground stations, the QR code was scanned, and the Lightning Network completed the payment settlement over the internet. For amateur satellite operators, the project highlights QO-100’s ability to serve as a versatile platform for high-speed digital and multimedia experimentation. By carrying a novel real-world application such as a cryptocurrency invoice, the satellite demonstrates how amateur payloads can support resilience testing for communications under censorship, outages, or disaster conditions. Though still limited to technically capable stations within the satellite’s footprint, the milestone illustrates the expanding scope of amateur radio satellite experimentation. (ANS thanks The Currency Analytics for the above information)
+ Astronomers have observed a collision between two black holes, GW250114, in unprecedented detail, confirming long-standing predictions made by Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Detected by the twin LIGO observatories in Louisiana and Washington, the event produced gravitational waves first theorized by Einstein in 1915, generated as the two black holes — each about 30–35 solar masses — spiraled inward and collided. Their violent merger created a remnant roughly 63 times the mass of the Sun, spinning at 100 revolutions per second, while sending a powerful burst of gravitational energy across the universe. For the first time, researchers clearly detected the “ringing” tones of the new black hole, validating Roy Kerr’s theory that such objects can be fully described by just mass and spin. The observation also confirmed Hawking’s 1971 surface area theorem, which states that black hole area can never decrease after a merger, a cornerstone concept in modern physics. Improved LIGO sensitivity, now more than three times greater than a decade ago, made this high-clarity detection possible. The findings mark a milestone in gravitational-wave astronomy and offer scientists a sharper tool for probing the fundamental nature of space and time. (ANS thanks CNN for the above information)
+ SpaceX is preparing to begin testing direct-to-device satellite communications late next year, following its $17 billion acquisition of S-band spectrum from EchoStar. Company president Gwynne Shotwell told attendees at World Space Business Week in Paris that this spectrum will support an entirely new generation of Starlink satellites designed for global handheld connectivity. SpaceX is already working with chip manufacturers to embed compatibility into consumer smartphones and with mobile network operators to deliver wholesale satellite capacity to their subscribers. Shotwell emphasized that owning globally cleared spectrum avoids the “clunky” process of negotiating national rights and provides a more streamlined way to cross international borders. She called the effort the beginning of a major technical push, requiring new payload designs and close partnerships across the telecom sector. These larger Starlink satellites are planned for future launches aboard Starship, which is now progressing toward its next test flights as the platform for next-generation payloads. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information)
+ Federal funding is set to expire September 30 for 19 active NASA science missions, including New Horizons and Juno, raising fears of shutdowns. The White House FY2026 budget proposal calls for a 25% cut to NASA overall and nearly 50% to the Science Mission Directorate, potentially terminating dozens of operating spacecraft. Among the missions at risk are the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Mars orbiters, and New Horizons, which remains healthy and could operate into the 2040s while continuing to study the Kuiper Belt. Juno, currently orbiting Jupiter, continues to deliver science despite radiation damage and is pioneering “annealing” techniques that could benefit future deep-space missions and even Earth satellites. Scientists warn that turning off these spacecraft would permanently end their data return and erase decades of investment. Such cuts would not only jeopardize unique scientific opportunities but also weaken U.S. leadership in planetary exploration at a time of growing international competition. Congressional action this fall will determine whether these missions survive or are shut down permanently. (ANS thanks Ars Technica for the above information)
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!
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002
AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
* CubeSats to Deploy from ISS on September 19
* Register Now – AMSAT Symposium Prices Increase September 16
* AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ends September 15, 2025
* FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Limited Use of Amateur Radio Band
* ARRL Lab Helps Radio Amateurs Avoid Interfering With US Space Force Radar
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* Space Station’s Silver Jubilee Celebrated with Silver Research
* ARISS News
* 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
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has announced that five Japanese CubeSats will be deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 19 (though the date and time of the deployment are subject to change due to the ISS schedule modification). The deployment event for those satellites will be broadcast via YouTube JAXA Channel. Four of the CubeSats, carrying scientific and educational payloads, will operate in the amateur bands, and radio amateurs around the world are invited to participate in the projects:
GHS-01 is a 2U size CubeSat equipped with a camera for photographing the earth, a sensor for checking the state of the satellite, and an attitude control device. In response to commands from the ground station, the satellite-mounted camera photographs the earth from space and transmits the image data to the ground. In order for amateur radio users around the world to voluntarily acquire image data taken by this satellite by radio, the date and time of image transmission will be published on the website https://gifuhs2022.wordpress.com/. Also, the satellite carries a digitalker mission. Audio data is transmitted from a ground station and stored in the satellite. The voice data is transmitted from the satellite as an analog FM voice signal, and a message is broadcast from space. The date and time the message will be sent will be published on the website. The satellite was built by Gifu University with technical cooperation for using satellite radio waves with sister schools of universities and high schools such as Lithuania, Australia, Kenya, South Korea, and Taiwan. A downlink on 437.090 MHz has been coordinated with 20 wpm CW, 1k2 AFSK, 9k6 GMSK and digitalker voice.
DRAGONFLY, coordinated by Kyushu Institute of Technology, is part of the Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite project, BIRDS-X, and funded by Amateur Radio Digital Communications in the U.S. The 2U CubeSat will carry APRS digipeaters on 145.825 MHz, as well as a Store and Forward messaging system. In addition to the VHF APRS frequency, a UHF downlink for CW beacon and telemetry using 4k8 GMSK will transmit at 437.375 MHz. A ground terminal competition will be held on DRAGONFLY. More information is available at https://birds-x.birds-project.com/
STARS-Me2, a 1U CubeSat built by Shizuoka University features an earth observation camera, but the real experimentation takes place on the AX.25 radio downlinks on which those photos are transmitted back to earth. Reception success rates at receiving ground stations will be measured at baud rates of 1.2kbps, 9.6kbps and 115.2kbps. The coding gain of the error correction scheme will be measured on the downlinks. And the reception performance with polarization diversity at multiple terrestrial receiver stations (developed by amateur radio operators) will be evaluated. The goal is to learn more about how large data sets, such as images, are best transmitted from space. UHF downlinks with CW, 1k2 AFSK, 9k6 FSK and 115.2 bps GMSK are coordinated for 437.350 MHz, 437.400 MHz and 437.200 MHz.
RSP-03 is also a 1U CubeSat carrying a camera, but in this case the camera will not be aimed at earth, but at the stars. The main mission is to capture the star data by camera, convert it to “audible data,” and deliver the audio to the ground as a “Stellar Symphony.” After acquiring data of stars and constellations captured by the onboard camera an on-board AI will compose sounds from the star data and transmit it to the ground via an FM Digi-talker. In addition, digital data will be sent using various baud rates and modulation modes, and a digital “QSL card,” stored on the satellite before launch will be transmitted via SSTV after amateurs have uploaded their callsigns from the ground. A downlink at 437.050 MHz will be shared by the FM Digi-talker, 1200 BPS (AFSK on FM), 9600 BPS (GMSK), and 24000 BPS (4FSK, OQPSK). Details are at https://rsp03.rymansat.com/en.
[ANS thanks Masa Arai, JN1GKZ, IARU, and JAXA for the above information.]
Your 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coin Is Waiting! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.
Register Now – AMSAT Symposium Prices Increase September 16
Discounted registration for the 2025 AMSAT Symposium, to be held October 17-19, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ will be available through September 15th. Prices increase on September 16th.
Credit: Holiday Inn Suites Phoenix Airport North
Proposals for Symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your paper or presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 8th for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings.
Proposals for presentations at the Symposium do not require a paper. Presentations will be recorded and made available on AMSAT’s YouTube Channel and transcribed and published with its slides in the Proceedings.
Proposals should be sent to Frank Karnauskas, N1UW via f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org .
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]
AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ends September 15, 2025
Four seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year. The four candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats and the candidate receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared the First Alternate. Members’ opportunity to vote ends on Monday September 15, 2025. Results will be announced no later that September 30, 2025.
The following candidates who have been duly nominated are as follows:
Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
Douglas Tabor, N6UA
FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Limited Use of Amateur Radio Band
The FCC Space Bureau has granted a license to AST & Science LLC (operating as AST Space Mobile) for using the 430 — 440 MHz amateur radio allocation for TT&C operations for 20 additional satellites.
The FCC Space Bureau commented: “At this time, to address the concerns raised by amateur radio operators and the petitioner, we issue a limited grant to AST to conduct emergency operations in the 430–440 MHz bandwhen no other bands are available for the 20 additional satellites authorized herein for a period not to exceed 24 hours.”
This decision is the result of over 2500 comments to the FCC by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and several International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member societies, AMSAT, and individual amateur radio operators. The IARU maintains its view that the use of Article 4.4 of the ITU Radio Regulations is inappropriate in this matter, in particular as there are existing allocations in the UHF spectrum for Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) operations. There are no technical or operational requirements for AST & Science LLC to intrude the 430–440 MHz spectrum which is a primary amateur and amateur satellite service allocation in ITU Region 1 and in several countries in Region 2.
The IARU and its member societies will continue to monitor the further development of this issue. As a sector member of ITU‑R, the IARU will contribute towards improving the respective process concerning Article 4.4.
The IARU is grateful for the support and contributions from our member-societies.
[ANS thanks IARU for the above information.]
ARRL Lab Helps Radio Amateurs Avoid Interfering With US Space Force Radar
US Space Command headquarters is being moved to Huntsville, Alabama, known as “Rocket City USA.” The move was announced in a press conference on September 2, 2025. Huntsville will host the 2026 ARRL National Convention as part of the Huntsville Hamfest, but there’s a bigger connection between U.S. Space Command and amateur radio.
Space Command utilizes forces such as the US Space Force to accomplish its command mission. The ARRL Lab supports the U.S. Space Force’s Phased Array Warning System (PAVE PAWS) early warning radar installations which scan the skies for incoming missiles and space junk.
Since 2007, the ARRL Lab has been conducting this crucial analysis using Longley-Rice terrain modeling to determine if an amateur fixed station, repeater, or EME station is eligible for a waiver to be granted by the military to run more than the 50 watts of RF power on the 70-centimeter band currently allowed with a 100-mile radius of either the Cape Cod Air Force Station in Massachusetts, or Beale Air Force Base in California. “We want to ensure that amateurs can exercise as many operating privileges as possible, while understanding the need for the Space Force to operate without interference,” said ARRL Lab Manager George Spatta, W1GKS.
The reports provided to the Space Force advise a “cone of protection” in azimuth and elevation at which the amateur would be limited to a power level which would not interfere with the radar.
Amateurs are secondary users on the 70-centimeter band and the ARRL Lab’s cooperation with the military helps ensure we do not interfere with this vital function of our nation’s security. As of this writing, the Lab is conducting this analysis for two different waiver requests. “It is an important part of the work we do to serve radio amateurs,” said Spatta.
[ANS thanks ARRL 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 TLE Distribution for September 12
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/.
EIRSAT-1 NORAD Cat ID 58472 Decayed from orbit on or about 5 September 2025
[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information.]
Space Station’s Silver Jubilee Celebrated with Silver Research
This November marks a quarter century of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, which has served as a springboard for developing a low Earth economy and NASA’s next great leaps in exploration, including human missions to the Moon and Mars. To kick off the orbiting laboratory’s silver 25th anniversary countdown, here are a few silver-themed science investigations that have advanced research and space exploration.
Antimicrobial properties
Silver has been used for centuries to fight infection, and researchers use its unique properties to mitigate microbial growth aboard the space station. Over time, microbes form biofilms, sticky communities that can grow on surfaces and cause infection. In space, biofilms can become resistant to traditional cleaning products and could infect water treatment systems, damage equipment, and pose a health risk to astronauts. The Bacterial Adhesion and Corrosion investigation studied the bacterial genes that contribute to the formation of biofilms and tested whether a silver-based disinfectant could limit their growth.
Another experiment focused on the production of silver nanoparticles aboard the space station. Silver nanoparticles have a bigger surface-to-volume ratio, allowing silver ions to come in contact with more microbes, making it a more effective antimicrobial tool to help protect crew from potential infection on future space missions. It also evaluated whether silver nanoparticles produced in space are more stable and uniform in size and shape, characteristics that could further enhance their effectiveness.
Wearable tech
Silver is a high-conductivity precious metal that is very malleable, making it a viable option for smart garments. NASA astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory tested a wearable monitoring vest with silver-coated sensors to record heart rates, cardiac mechanics, and breathing patterns while they slept. This smart garment is lightweight and more comfortable, so it does not disturb sleep quality. The data collected provided valuable insight into improving astronauts’ sleep in space.
Silver crystals
In microgravity, there is no up or down, and weightlessness does not allow particles to settle, which impacts physical and chemical processes. Researchers use this unique microgravity environment to grow larger and more uniform crystals unaffected by the force of Earth’s gravity or the physical processes that would separate mixtures by density. The NanoRacks-COSMOS investigation used the environment aboard the station to grow and assess the 3D structure of silver nitrate crystals. The molecular structure of these superior silver nitrate crystals has applications in nanotechnology, such as creating silver nanowires for nanoscale electronics.
[ANS thanks NASA for the above information.]
ARISS NEWS
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.
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division, Taka Town, Japan, direct via JA3YRL
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Kimiya Yui KG5BPH
The ARISS mentor is 7M3TJZ
Contact was successful: Thu 2025-09-11 09:22:34 UTC 45 degrees elevation
UPCOMING
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, Nigeria, telebridge via ZS6JON
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled crewmember is Zena Cardman KJ5CMN
The ARISS mentor is IN3GHZ
Contact is go for: Sat 2025-09-20 09:37:23 UTC 83 degrees elevation
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 also active (145.825 MHz up & down).
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. Scheduled radio power down and power up times:
Sat 2025-09-13 12:40 UTC Power Down due to Progress 93P Arrival
Sun 2025-09-14 14:05 UTC Power Up due to Progress 93P Arrival
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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.
Ambassador Clint Bradford, K6LCS, writes…
“My 184th “How to Work the Easy Satellites” presentation was to a wonderful club last night: the Lapeer County ARA in Michigan. Email received this morning:
‘Hi, Clint~I want to thank you for your presentation last night for our club meeting. We had many good comments afterward and I hope it has inspired more of our members to give satellites a try. I was surprised how much research you did on Lapeer and the photos/graphics you put together to personalize your presentation for us. We will be having our annual picnic in a couple of weeks and we will be demonstrating with the Arrow and Elk antennas with a variety of radios and letting members make contacts. Hopefully we’ll get several good runs that afternoon. Again, I appreciate the effort you put into your presentation. Well done! 73, Viki Clark, N8VLC'”
October 11, 2025 North Star Radio Convention & ARRL Minnesota State Convention
Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://northstarradio.org/
ADØHJ
October 16, 17, 18, 19, 2025 AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting and 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Details at https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA, has developed a Windows program — SkyRoof — that combines satellite tracking and SDR functions in one application. Those using SDRs as receivers for satellite downlinks can now see all satellite traces on the waterfall labeled with satellite names and the boundaries of the transponder on screen. The program follows the Doppler shift, and all frequency tuning is done visually, with a mouse. Provision is made for CAT control of a separate external uplink transceiver. Full information at https://ve3nea.github.io/SkyRoof/index.html (ANS thanks Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, for the above information.)
+ Rolling across the rugged, rusty red terrain on Mars, NASA’s Perseverance rover came upon some rocks with peculiar green, blue, black and white dots. After detailed image analysis, scientists have come to a potentially encouraging conclusion: If those speckled rocks were formed like they are on Earth, they might be evidence of past life on the dusty planet. The rocks “very well could be the clearest sign of life that we’ve ever found on Mars, which is incredibly exciting,” acting NASA administrator Sean P. Duffy said in a news conference Wednesday. The findings were published in the journal Nature on September 10. (ANS thanks The Washington Post for the above information. Full article at https://wapo.st/4mapyHQ.)
+ “The Most Important Satellite You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of,” a video produced as part of the PBS Space Time series, is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlNKj0K_3FY (ANS thanks The Orbital Index and PBS for the above information.)
+ Xiamen Radtel Electronics Co., Ltd. of Fujian, China has introduced a 12-watt FM VHF/UHF hand-held transceiver which they claim will operate in full duplex across bands. Full duplex is preferred for satellite operation and is rarely offered in handheld radios. The radio also includes reception of AM aircraft frequencies and wide-band commercial FM broadcast frequencies. The Radtel R8000 sells for less than $120 U.S. Another model, the Radtel RT-69, adds GPS and the 222 MHz band, as well as some shortwave SWL coverage. It sells for less than $200 U.S. Details at http://bit.ly/4ph72QT (ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS, for the above information.)
+ The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) is a multi-national forum for the development of communications & data systems standards for spaceflight. An announcement about a competition to help develop new CCSDS protocols will be made at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2025 by Matt Cosby, CTO of Goonhilly Earth Station. Further details will be provided in his talk on Saturday 11 October from 15:15 to 16:00, titled “Challenges in Deep Space Communications – and how this community can contribute.“ Details will also be posted on social media after the presentation. The event will be streamed by the BATC at https://amsat-uk.org/. (ANS thanks Dave Johnson, G4DPZ, Hon. Sec. AMSAT-UK, for the above information.)
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 Editor, 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
AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
* AMSAT Ambassadors Show at HamXposition Convention * AMSAT Announces Two New GridMaster Award Recipients * Register Now – AMSAT Symposium Prices Increase September 16th * AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ends September 15, 2025 * GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers – September 2025 Rankings * VUCC Satellite Standing September 2025 * DXCC Satellite Standing for September 2025 * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September, 5, 2025 * ARISS News * AMSAT Ambassador Activities * Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT(R) 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 [dot] org .
AMSAT was well represented at the 2025 HamXposition held in Marlborough, MA. The event was also the ARRL New England Convention.
AMSAT Senior Software Engineer Burns Fisher, WB1FJ; AMSAT Hamvention Chair Phil Smith, W1EME; and AMSAT Board of Director Barry Baines, WD4ASW staffed the booth during the weekend of August 21-24.
AMSAT booth staffers Barry Baines, WD4ASW, Phil Smith, W1EME, and Fisher, WB1FJ. (Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF photo)
The booth was appropriately decked out with the AMSAT Ambassador flag as well as other signage from previous events. An Arrow antenna was displayed on a Portable Rotation System plus a 3D printed model of the 3U GOLF-TEE satellite with deployable solar panels. An AMSAT CubeSat Simulator was operating during the event and sold on Sunday.
AMSAT provided a door prize, a copy of SatPC 32 software that was won by Roger Pushor, NK1I.
On Saturday afternoon, Burns Fisher presented “AMSAT Golf-TEE Software-How Does it Work” during the forum. His talk was about the flight software on Golf-TEE including how multiple processors are coordinated.
A second presentation, titled “SDR Transponder/Transceiver,” was delivered by Ray Roberge, WA1CYB. Ray is a member of the AMSAT Engineering Team.
[ANS thanks Barry Baines, WD4ASW, for the above information.]
Your 2025 AMSAT President’s Club Coin Is Waiting! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight Help Support GOLF and Fox-Plus.
AMSAT Announces Two New GridMaster Award Recipients
It is with great pleasure that AMSAT announces two new recipients of the GridMaster Awards in the past week.
Bruce Robertson, VE7PTN, has achieved the AMSAT GridMaster Award #74 by confirming all 488 maidenhead grid squares in the continental United States. In his announcement Bruce thanked “everyone for the QSOs, and especially the rovers—thanks for roving.” His recognition of the portable operators who make rare grids possible underscores the community spirit at the heart of this award.
Grace Papay, K8LG, has also earned the AMSAT GridMaster Award, becoming recipient #73. Like all GridMasters, this reflects years of dedication in working and confirming all 488 CONUS grids. Her achievement places her in the very small circle of operators who have reached this milestone.
[ANS thanks Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ, for the above information.]
Register Now – AMSAT Symposium Prices Increase September 16th
Discounted registration for the 2025 AMSAT Symposium, to be held October 17-19, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ will be available through September 15th. Prices increase on September 16th.
Proposals for Symposium papers and presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your paper or presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 8th for inclusion in the Symposium Proceedings.
Proposals for presentations at the Symposium do not require a paper. Presentations will be recorded and made available on AMSAT’s YouTube Channel and transcribed and published with its slides in the Proceedings.
Proposals should be sent to Frank Karnauskas, N1UW via f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org .
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
AMSAT Board of Directors Election Ends September 15, 2025
Four seats on the Board of Directors are up for election this year. The four candidates receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected to the seats and the candidate receiving the next largest number of votes shall be declared the First Alternate. Members’ opportunity to vote ends on Monday September 15, 2025. Results will be announced no later that September 30, 2025.
The following candidates who have been duly nominated are as follows:
GridMasterMap Satellite Top 100 Rovers – September 2025 Rankings
The September 2025 rankings for the Top 100 Rovers (Mixed LEO/MEO/GEO) in satellite operations, as determined by @GridMasterMap on Twitter, has been released. The ranking is determined by the number of grids and DXCC entities activated, taking into account only those grids where a minimum number of QSOs logged on the gridmaster.fr website have been validated by a third party. Grid numbers do not directly reflect the exact number of activations. Satellite operators are encouraged to upload their LoTW satellite contacts to https://gridmaster.fr in order to provide more accurate data. Updated: 2025-09-04
1
ND9M
26
KX9X
51
KE0WPA
76
M1DDD
2
NJ7H
27
DJ8MS
52
KE0PBR
77
KM4LAO
3
UT1FG
28
KG5CCI
53
JK2XXK
78
VE7PTN
4
JA9KRO
29
ON4AUC
54
EA4NF
79
N4UFO
5
N5UC
30
N5BO
55
PR8KW
80
N6UTC
6
F5VMJ
31
K8BL
56
XE1ET
81
PT2AP
7
DL6AP
32
KE4AL
57
EB1AO
82
AA8CH
8
DP0POL
33
PA3GAN
58
W7WGC
83
VE1VOX
9
OE3SEU
34
KB5FHK
59
LU4JVE
84
FG8OJ
10
WI7P
35
AC0RA
60
N6DNM
85
PT9BM
11
K5ZM
36
JO2ASQ
61
SM3NRY
86
YU0W
12
WY7AA
37
F4BKV
62
F4DXV
87
KI7UXT
13
LU5ILA
38
HJ5LVR
63
W8LR
88
KJ7NDY
14
N6UA
39
KI0KB
64
KI7QEK
89
AF5CC
15
W5PFG
40
VA3VGR
65
W1AW
90
K0FFY
16
N9IP
41
VE3HLS
66
AA5PK
91
JM1CAX
17
HA3FOK
42
KI7UNJ
67
WD5GRW
92
VE3GOP
18
DL2GRC
43
LA9XGA
68
VE1CWJ
93
PS8BR
19
AK8CW
44
BG7QIW
69
KE9AJ
94
W8MTB
20
N4AKV
45
DF2ET
70
AD7DB
95
KB2YSI
21
AD0DX
46
N7AGF
71
HB9GWJ
96
DK9JC
22
AD0HJ
47
VK5DG
72
SP5XSD
97
N4DCW
23
ND0C
48
K7TAB
73
DL4EA
98
KG4AKV
24
BA1PK
49
JL3RNZ
74
N8RO
99
WA9JBQ
25
WD9EWK
50
XE3DX
75
VA7LM
100
N0TEL
[ANS thanks Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ, and @GridMasterMap for the above information.]
VUCC Satellite Standing September 2025
Here are the VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for August 01, 2025 to September 01, 2025.
Call
August
September
W5CBF
1554
1788
EA2AA
1100
1125
K8LG
1030
1106
JA1QJI
600
1006
W8LR
911
916
E70A
796
840
KC4CJ
751
776
KP3V
526
600
K5ND
530
531
HP2VX
516
527
JO4JKL
401
511
DJ7NT
432
510
K3HPA
375
400
WA3YDZ
271
353
WD5GRW (EM13QC)
213
313
WD5GRW
213
312
OH3DP
226
256
PU5DDC
213
241
NK0S
171
175
W4BB
100
159
WB5TX
128
135
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ for the above information.]
DXCC Satellite Standing for September 2025
DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for August 01, 2025 to September 1, 2025.
Call
August
September
DK9JC
152
180
I3BUI
172
180
G4GIR
172
176
ZS1LS
168
175
SV8CS
165
167
YO2KHK
158
165
EA2AA
162
164
PS7JN
126
150
E70A
125
135
IK8YSS
111
133
TF1A
113
116
W8LR
114
115
TA4SO
New
101
DF5SF
New
100
EI6KC
New
100
Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders.
TA4SO is first DXCC Satellite holder from Turkey and KM47 EI6KC is first DXCC Satellite holder from Ireland and IO63
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ 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
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for September, 5, 2025
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 NEWS
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.
Upcoming Contacts
Taka Town Board of Education Children’s Future Division, Taka Town, Japan, direct via JA3YRL. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled crewmember is Kimiya Yui, KG5BPH. The ARISS mentor is Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ . Contact is go for Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 09:22:34 UTC.
Completed Contacts
Ethiopian Space Science Society, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Telebridge via VK4KHZ. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The crewmember was Kimiya Yui, KG5BPH. The ARISS mentor was Peter Kofler, IN3GHZ. Contact was successful on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 08:23:14 UTC.
Research Vessel E/V Nautilus in the Pacific, (was near Howland and Baker Island, US Territory; but then headed to Rarotonga, Cook Islands for repairs). Telebridge via K6DUE. The ISS callsign was NA1SS. The crewmember was Zena Cardman, KJ5CMN. The ARISS mentor was Ana Guzman, KI5SDP. Contact was successful on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 09:03:21.
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 also active (145.825 MHz up & down).
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
Scheduled Radio Power-down and Power-up Times
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 08:15 UTC Power-down due to Progress 91P Undock Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 14:00 UTC Power-up due to Progress 91P Undock Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 12:35 UTC Power-down due to Progress 93P Arrival Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 14:00 UTC Power-up due to Progress 93P Arrival
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.
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors 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.
October 11, 2025 North Star Radio Convention Hennepin Technical College 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 https://northstarradio.org/ ADØHJ
October 16, 17, 18, 19, 2025 AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting and 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North 1515 North 44th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85008 https://www.amsat.org/2025-symposium/
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director – AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT Ambassador Tom Schuessler, N5HYP had a great opportunity to present a “Getting Started with Amateur Satellites” talk on Monday, August 25th to the Denton County Amateur Radio Association, DCARA, of Denton, Texas. There were at least 50 in attendance in the room plus a few more by Zoom. After Tom’s presentation Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB delivered a wrap-up report on Richardson Wireless Klub’s August 23rd high altitude balloon launch. Their craft had multiple amateur radio payloads and cameras on board. The balloon was launched from Old Celina Park in Celina TX, and ascended to a maximum altitude of 105,528 feet before bursting and (rapidly) descending back to the ground just north of Justin TX. The cross-band VHF/UHF repeater was the star of the show, with hams in all directions reporting clear communications including Johnson Space Center and Pearland to the South, Abilene and Amarillo to the West, and several stations in Arkansas to the Northeast. The report with some great images can be found on the K5RWK web site https://www.k5rwk.org/2025/08/24/rwk-high-altitude-balloon-launch-wrapup-august-23rd/ . [ANS thanks Tom Schuessler, N5HYP for the above information.]
The RSGB 2025 Convention will be held on October 1-12 at the Kents Hill Conference Centre, Milton Keynes. The program is full of entertaining, intriguing and thought-provoking presentations and have been organized into three streams: Discover. Learn. Progress. The organizers are also excited to offer three workshops to help attendees learn and develop skills in a practical setting. Young hams who are under 21 you can attend the Convention free of charge. Attendees who are under the age of 16 you must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The presentations will be streamed live by the BATC and recorded for later viewing on You Tube. Streaming links will be made available as the event gets closer. Information on the complete presentation schedule and registration details can be found at https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-convention-2025 . [ANS thanks the RSGB for the above information.]
The 5th Edition of the AM1SAT Biennial Contest Organized by URE and AMSAT-EA, will take place from September 15-21, 2025, as part of the activities of the IberRadio 2025 event, the 10th Radiocommunications Fair, the largest amateur radio event in Spain (see https://www.iberradio.es/). The goal is to establish the longest possible radio contacts during the competition through satellites orbiting Earth in LEO orbits. In total, the 15 longest contacts during the competition period will be evaluated. The use of a GEO satellite is deliberately avoided, as equal treatment among participants cannot be guaranteed either on the GEO satellite itself or worldwide. Complete rules for the contest can be found at https://www.amsat-ea.org/app/download/14094293/AM1SAT+2025+Contest+-+English.pdf . [ANS thanks AMSAT-EA for the above information.]
SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft successfully finished a test reboost of the International Space Station on September 3rd according to NASA. The freighter fired two of its Draco engines for 5 minutes and 3 seconds during the maneuver, agency officials wrote in a Wednesday statement. The ISS orbits roughly 250 miles above Earth on average but naturally falls back to our planet due to atmospheric drag. Visiting cargo spacecraft therefore take on the job of lifting the orbiting complex higher every few months. On Wednesday, Dragon’s efforts got the station to an orbit of 260.9 by 256.3 miles according to NASA. “The new boost kit in Dragon will help sustain the orbiting lab’s altitude through a series of longer burns planned periodically throughout the fall of 2025,” agency officials added. NASA has said these tests will also be important for another SpaceX job down the road: deorbiting the ISS itself. Read the full story at https://www.space.com/space-exploration/international-space-station/spacex-dragon-cargo-capsule-boosts-iss-higher-above-earth-in-key-test . [ANS thanks Space.com for the above information.]
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 Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002. AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
